Author: Mark Alexander

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It’s Been Almost Two and a Half Years…

…and what a strange journey this has been.

I won’t say it’s not kind of weird being back here after everything that happened. In some ways it’s like we never left (I still instinctively question whether I turned off the alarm before opening the rear door to let the dogs out), but in other ways, because so much of the interior has been replaced/painted/upgraded, it’s almost like moving into a new house. One thing Ben and I emphatically agree upon is that despite everything, this place is Home.

It’s not been easy. The place was still far from move-in ready when we arrived with the movers a week ago, but we had no choice. Now, a week later (as I’m sure you can tell from my lack of posts) we’re moved in and a lot of the work that wasn’t done a week ago has been completed…but we’re still nowhere near unpacked.

Adding to the chaos is the fact we’re now having plumbing issues, that may ultimately involve jackhammering out the floor in Ben’s office to replace the part of the drain line that leads from our only bathroom. Gotta love 80-year-old houses!

While Ben did not have the same luxury, I took this week off work because I knew what a task lay before us to get resettled. But you know, I may, in fact, take a break today from unpacking just to decompress and get caught up on my online life.

 

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nOBoDy WaNtS tO wORk

Or do companies simply not want to hire?

According to Clarify Capital, a small-business-loan provider, a survey of more than 1,000 hiring managers last summer, 27% reported having job postings up for more than four months. Half of those surveyed admitted they advertised job postings that they weren’t actively trying to fill, saying they kept the ads up to give the impression their companies were growing.  One-third of the managers who said they advertised jobs they weren’t trying to fill said they kept the listings up to placate overworked emplovees.

Scumbags.

So despite what the corporate megalopolis may want you to believe, COVID really did change the labor landscape in this country. This are never—and I repeat never—going back to the way things were prior to spring 2020. It may not be the work-from-home paradise so many of us were enjoying, but it’s not going to be returning to the 5 day a week 8-5 grind in a corporate cubicle either.

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The Pedophiles are Inside The Churches

From I Should Be Laughing:

All of these stories were reported during the last month…

But again, tell me how drag queens are a threat to children. And, please, whenever you hear someone say drag queens or gay people, are grooming children, point out the vast numbers of so-called men of faith, who are raping children and worse.

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Friday Evening Mood

This move has been a killer. I’m not 28 years old any more, despite what my mind and maturity level may say.

Everything is back in the new/old house. Construction isn’t complete, but it’s far enough along (we have a working kitchen and bathroom) that we can make it work while things are finished up. The dishwasher still needs to be connected, bathroom lighting/mirror needs to be hung, closets in all the bedrooms put back us usable condition, baseboards need to be installed, touch up painting, a few switch and outlet covers still need to be mounted, porch light needs to be installed, front door refinished…the list goes on. But at least we’re back and it feels like home.

Now the toughest part starts. Unpacking and trying to find shit!

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Indicted!

And the country isn’t burning. At least not yet.

First true criminal elected.

Republicans could have avoided the embarrassment of Trump but they could not resist someone who fights for white collar criminals, wimpy misogynists/incels, insecure townies, sex predators, conspiracy bigots, idiots who say ‘Democtrat Party’, antisemites with uses ‘globalists’/Soros in place of ‘I dont understand this issue’, and your basic unabashed racist.

[It’s not that this slipped past me yesterday; we were hip-deep in moving and I only saw it when I briefly went online.]

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Don’t Mess With the Mouse

This brings me such joy.

The Orlando Sentinel reports:

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ handpicked board overseeing Disney World’s government services is gearing up for a potential legal battle over a 30-year development agreement they say effectively renders them powerless to manage the entertainment giant’s future growth in Central Florida.

Ahead of an expected state takeover, the Walt Disney Co. quietly pushed through the pact and restrictive covenants that would tie the hands of future board members for decades, according to a legal presentation by the district’s lawyers on Wednesday.

The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District’s new Board of Supervisors voted to bring in outside legal firepower to examine the agreement, including a conservative Washington, D.C., law firm that has defended several of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ culture war priorities.

Orlando’s ABC affiliate reports:

WFTV worked with an independent attorney who specializes in government law to analyze the agreement Wednesday morning. Upon initial review, the attorney said the agreement appeared to be valid. “I’m struggling to find a reason why it’s unlawful,” the attorney said, noting the type of agreement struck was normal between large developers and governments, it was properly noticed and Reedy Creek’s leadership willingly entered into it.

The unusual part, the attorney said, was the powers the agreement locked in. However, the attorney noted nothing about the existing structure of Reedy Creek was normal and, in that context, the agreement made sense. They also said Reedy Creek and Florida lawmakers could run into constitutional issues if they tried to undo the agreement since governments can’t impair existing contracts.

Orlando’s NBC affiliate reports:

Particular focus was paid to one section that board members said locked in development rights of a particular parcel until 21 years after the death of the youngest current descendant of King Charles, or until Disney abandons the resort. “We gave governmental control to Disney,” new board member Brian Aungst summarized. Other board members were harsher in their assessment. “Disney tried to be king for a day,” Chairman Martin Garcia said. Garcia referenced taking it all the way to the United States Supreme Court if necessary.