Men who hang around pickup trucks

Since I retired I have noticed that around ten or so in the morning you can spot groups of men with take-out coffee hanging around pickup trucks. I have seen this in front of stores as well as in my condo development. It looks like they are enjoying themselves.

Being a white collar worker I have never got to spend a morning coffee break with the fellas standing in back of the truck. I realize it is one of the pleasures I will never have. I wonder what they are laughing about? Sports? The size of the ratchet wrenches they are using? My guess are that they are discussing the size of the rumps of the ladies in the office where they report. 

The new Taliban?

Here is alJazeera's take on the Taliban takeover. When they review this year, certainly the press conference from the Taliban will be featured. I remember when Nixon became the new Nixon. 

Cell phones have replaced cigarettes

We've all experienced those awkward moments. When you are alone at the bar. When you are alone at the airport long distance bus stop. When you are waiting for your order at a restaurant. In the past, to avoid looking weird at these moments you would light up a cigarette. Now you aren't some man sitting by himself doing nothing. You are smoking.

Today smoking in public places has largely been outlawed. Smoking has been replaced by looking at your cell phone. Today while you are waiting for the bartender to fill up the beer case you can't smoke but you can look busy by playing with your cell phone. Cell phones give an idle person something to do. 

Good bye Simone

In junior high school Mitchell Easton was president of the class. He seemed  destined to bring his leadership to the high school the next year. However, he surprised everyone by leaving public school altogether for a fancy prep school. This made it possible for other students to try their hands at being student council president, editor of the newspaper,  president of the honor society and other positions. All now within reach because the presumptive leader of the class was now gone to Chilton. 

And so it is with the departure of Simone Biles. For weeks she has been advanced as the name we will see again and again at the Olympics. The sportscasters at NBC Universal have been building her up all week. The greatest athlete in Olympics history. The legend upon which all women will now be judged.   And now the fall. Mitchell Easton is gone. 

Now is the chance for other women gymnasts to shine. Mostly they will be Russian and Asian. 

Editor's note: So great to see Steve Kornacki in the Olympics coverage. I don't really understand everything he says but it's still great having him there. 

My children have four paws

 

I was walking through a parking lot yesterday and I saw the above glued to someone's windshield. I was a little disturbed at first. I know that when a child has a disability it can be a serious matter. Still I guess telling the world that your children have anthropomorphic hands seems a bit much for me. The poor children will be made fun of at school and nobody knows how successful surgery will be to cure this condition. If the children can write, work with a plastic surgeon may be viewed as cosmetic only, and the insurance company will not pay. 

I wish luck to the parents who have to live with this condition in their progeny.  Good luck buying shoes. 

The unveiling of the statue

Americans are obsessed with all things royal and all things Harry and Meghan. The latest folderol involves the unveiling of the statue. The big question is who will be at the unveiling at Kensington Castle's Sunken Garden. The date is July 1. 

The possibilities are endless. Originally it was going to be Harry, Meghan, William and Kate. Then Meghan dropped out, ostensibly because she doesn't want the baby to travel. Then Harry dropped out, apparently to help with familial chores in California. Then Kate dropped out. Willilam can't go by himself. That would be against protocol. Perhaps Beatrice can go. She'll have to wear a different hat, however. 

Owners vs. renters

 When I was growing up, for the most part, couples with children owned their own homes. Unmarried people were more likely to rent apartments. Living in a condominium I have noticed that the opposite is now true. If I see an older couple walking their dog I say to myself, "Oh they must have sold that condo". Conversely if I notice children riding bicycles, I say "I see we have a new renter in the complex". 

People who have children rent and people who don't have children, at least in the house, are more likely to own. Of  course that's not actually true but it seems that way. There used to be an unwritten rule. When you marry the families pay for the wedding, the honeymoon, and the down payment on a home. The children would  grow up in the suburbs and have backyards to play in.