I just want to wish everyone a happy Rwanda Liberation Day tomorrow. May you all get to have the day off work so you can all celebrate Rwanda’s hard won liberation!
@blaineg the funniest thing for me is that a lot of people are beginning to celebrate Thanksgiving in the UK. It doesn’t really make sense… But, hey, anything for an excuse to eat too much sounds good to me.
On review, UK celebrating Thanksgiving, makes as much sense as the US celebrating Cinco de Mayo and St. Patrick’s… So why not… (When is St. George’s day and Nov 5th going to be recognized?)
The UK has also started doing the American Prom (always had a “leavers ball” at some schools)… But they’re going a bit ridiculous with Prom by having it for Primary schools too (and preschools)… Which seems likely is just because parents want to see their little kids dressed up.
@blaineg@macromeh@OnionSoup I am not sure 99 degrees with a heat index of something like 110 is “nicer” weather. That is what we are going to have today.
@blaineg@xobzoo Hahaha (Canada). I lived and worked in NW Ontario one day where the day time highs (all temps in F although minus 60 is about the same in F and C) were usually around minus 25 to minus 5 and the night time lows were typically minus 45 to minus 60. We washed our laundry in the sauna (after melthing snow - no electricity as the generator stops working around zero degrees) and hung it to dry. I grabbed my jeans that had ice on them and hit them against a tree to knock the ice off. Oops. The leg of the jeans broke off. Funny now but I was really ticked at the time.
@OnionSoup For some reason, probably unhealthy, when I wake up early in the AM I often watch Sky News from the UK, because it’s mid-day there. And I’m becoming fascinated with the dysfunctional politics there, maybe because it’s a refreshing change from the dysfunctional politics here. Then I usually go back to bed and have strange dreams.
@pmarin it’s definitely a popcorn sport watching them at the moment… and strange the majority party after 14 years in power, by a couple of poll predictionsmight end up, not only losing control of government, but they might not even be the largest opposition party. (they’ll probably still be the main opposition party- but according to some polls might drop to third largest party instead).
@OnionSoup@pmarin I find it oddly refreshing and at the same time deeply distressing that exactly the same stupidities afflict us both. Only the details of how the lunacies are implemented change.
@blaineg from following British politics I’ve learned the phrases “swivel-eyed loon” and “mad as a box of snakes”. The first is general-purpose, but the second was said of Liz Truss by one of the Dominics (Raab or Cummings, I forget which).
@Kyeh Anytime you’d like When I say ‘you’re welcome at my table’ I do so with sincerity and respect. And you’ll always get 100% effort from my kitchen. I don’t care about your politics or your religion (but I will respect that), but if you sit at my table, you’re family Over the years we have taken in a lot of strays for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners. People traveling or just folks who are alone for the holidays. I’ve found there is no better place to congregate than around a dinner table. Wine doesn’t hurt And I’ll repeat, if you are ever in the DC area, Kyeh, there will always be a seat at my table for you
Happy 4th to all the mehtizens… whatever your reason for celebrating.
As a First Generation American, I still feel we are better off than a LOT of the alternatives. There is definitely room for improvement, but it could be a LOT worse.
@chienfou My wife is also first gen. Father from Yorkshire, mother from Dublin. She is English most of the time, but when I piss her off it’s all Irish all the time.
@capnjb@chienfou I am second gen American - my mom’s parents emigrated from Jolly Old; dad’s family history is a bit less clear. However, I was not born on US soil (and have dual citizenship for it).
@chienfou@macromeh Cool. Both my wife and my daughter are eligible for Irish passports since my wife’s mom was born and raised there. I can also get one through marriage, but I’d have to live there for three years. Which, honestly, sounds pretty great
@capnjb@chienfou I could get a NZ passport but it would require a native-born NZ citizen who is not a relative to vouch for me. Unfortunately, while I have relatives there, pretty much all the non-relatives (of my parents’ generation) who potentially could vouch have passed at this point.
On the flip side, when I signed up for (US) Medicare a couple years ago I had to appear at the office in person (in the next big city) and present multiple documents to prove eligibility. (This, even though I’ve had a US passport for decades. )
@capnjb@chienfou Happy 4th! I am eligible for an Italian/EU passport based upon my moms ancesteral line. Ive considered it but havent made the move. Its hust good to know there are options if I (mom and sis) ever need it.
July 4th is also Alice in Wonderland Day, so dust off your tea set, don your White Rabbit ears, and remember “We’re all mad here.”
@werehatrack I just turn on the news to be reminded of that last part.
And lest we forget, it’s also the birthday of His Majesty King Toupou of Tonga.
@werehatrack I could never forget His Majesty, Toupou!
@OnionSoup @werehatrack I did. Sorry.
@werehatrack Looks like a happy guy.
@blaineg @werehatrack @OnionSoup
Or majestically straining Toupou.
My dad had an ex-pat English friend, and they enjoyed teasing each other. Dad said his best score was:
“Do they have the 4th of July in England?”
“Then what do you put between the 3rd & the 5th?”
@blaineg the funniest thing for me is that a lot of people are beginning to celebrate Thanksgiving in the UK. It doesn’t really make sense… But, hey, anything for an excuse to eat too much sounds good to me.
On review, UK celebrating Thanksgiving, makes as much sense as the US celebrating Cinco de Mayo and St. Patrick’s… So why not… (When is St. George’s day and Nov 5th going to be recognized?)
The UK has also started doing the American Prom (always had a “leavers ball” at some schools)… But they’re going a bit ridiculous with Prom by having it for Primary schools too (and preschools)… Which seems likely is just because parents want to see their little kids dressed up.
@blaineg @OnionSoup 4th of July is sort of like Guy Fawkes Night with nicer weather.
@blaineg @macromeh @OnionSoup I am not sure 99 degrees with a heat index of something like 110 is “nicer” weather. That is what we are going to have today.
I sense a disturbance in the force.
Independence From Meat Day
National Barbecued Spare Ribs Day
This is probably the middle ground.
Sidewalk Egg Frying Day in Oatman, Arizona. The 34th Annual Sidewalk Egg Fry.
Rule #3 seems important.
@blaineg There is no Rule 6. There never was.
@blaineg If it is as hot there as it is elsewhere, I think a lot will succeed in the 15 minutes perhaps even without a magnifier
@blaineg I don’t have much to contribute to the conversation except this:
@blaineg @xobzoo Hahaha (Canada). I lived and worked in NW Ontario one day where the day time highs (all temps in F although minus 60 is about the same in F and C) were usually around minus 25 to minus 5 and the night time lows were typically minus 45 to minus 60. We washed our laundry in the sauna (after melthing snow - no electricity as the generator stops working around zero degrees) and hung it to dry. I grabbed my jeans that had ice on them and hit them against a tree to knock the ice off. Oops. The leg of the jeans broke off. Funny now but I was really ticked at the time.
July 4th, this year, is also the day of the General Election in the UK.
@OnionSoup For some reason, probably unhealthy, when I wake up early in the AM I often watch Sky News from the UK, because it’s mid-day there. And I’m becoming fascinated with the dysfunctional politics there, maybe because it’s a refreshing change from the dysfunctional politics here. Then I usually go back to bed and have strange dreams.
@pmarin it’s definitely a popcorn sport watching them at the moment… and strange the majority party after 14 years in power, by a couple of poll predictions might end up, not only losing control of government, but they might not even be the largest opposition party. (they’ll probably still be the main opposition party- but according to some polls might drop to third largest party instead).
@OnionSoup @pmarin I find it oddly refreshing and at the same time deeply distressing that exactly the same stupidities afflict us both. Only the details of how the lunacies are implemented change.
@OnionSoup @pmarin British politics usually has a much better class of insults.
@blaineg from following British politics I’ve learned the phrases “swivel-eyed loon” and “mad as a box of snakes”. The first is general-purpose, but the second was said of Liz Truss by one of the Dominics (Raab or Cummings, I forget which).
My father-in-law is from the UK. He always wishes us Happy Insurrection Day on the 4th.
But he also walks my dog twice a day so I can forgive 
@capnjb Insurrection and Liberation are the same event, told from two different perspectives.
@capnjb he’s probably secretly teaching your dog to be a royalist behind your back. Be careful.
/showme how to train a dog to restore the Monarchy to power in the US
@OnionSoup That’s certainly a regal-looking hound!
@capnjb @OnionSoup
)
My dogs have always considered me Royal King and Master. (At least as long as I kept feeding them.
@OnionSoup My dog gets two one-hour walks every day. Luna is pretty much his favorite grandchild.
I don’t mind if she starts baurking or wooufing. 
@capnjb @macromeh @OnionSoup You sure that’s not “Royal Quartermaster?”
@capnjb @Kyeh @macromeh @OnionSoup I know I am primarily on this earth to be the valet to two dogs.
Happy Dependence Day!
@blaineg If you need it: https://shirt.woot.com/offers/dependence-day
This is a great video about a great Rwandan success story. I urge you watch to the end.
I got up at 5AM to make my neighborhood smell like freedom
Happy 4th all!
@capnjb Almost 6 hours in and looking great. A few more hours, but I think I’m wrapping and letting it finish in the oven. I need a nap
@capnjb What time should we get there?
@Kyeh You are welcome at my table at any hour
@capnjb I’d sure love to join you!
I hope your get-together is terrific!
@Kyeh Anytime you’d like
When I say ‘you’re welcome at my table’ I do so with sincerity and respect. And you’ll always get 100% effort from my kitchen. 
I don’t care about your politics or your religion (but I will respect that), but if you sit at my table, you’re family 
Over the years we have taken in a lot of strays for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners. People traveling or just folks who are alone for the holidays. I’ve found there is no better place to congregate than around a dinner table. Wine doesn’t hurt 
And I’ll repeat, if you are ever in the DC area, Kyeh, there will always be a seat at my table for you 
@capnjb Lovely, thanks!
.
If so, I’ll be sure to bring some wine from Casemates
Happy 4th to all the mehtizens… whatever your reason for celebrating.
As a First Generation American, I still feel we are better off than a LOT of the alternatives. There is definitely room for improvement, but it could be a LOT worse.
@chienfou My wife is also first gen. Father from Yorkshire, mother from Dublin. She is English most of the time, but when I piss her off it’s all Irish all the time.
@capnjb @chienfou I am second gen American - my mom’s parents emigrated from Jolly Old; dad’s family history is a bit less clear. However, I was not born on US soil (and have dual citizenship for it).
@chienfou @macromeh Cool. Both my wife and my daughter are eligible for Irish passports since my wife’s mom was born and raised there. I can also get one through marriage, but I’d have to live there for three years. Which, honestly, sounds pretty great
@capnjb @chienfou I could get a NZ passport but it would require a native-born NZ citizen who is not a relative to vouch for me. Unfortunately, while I have relatives there, pretty much all the non-relatives (of my parents’ generation) who potentially could vouch have passed at this point.
)
On the flip side, when I signed up for (US) Medicare a couple years ago I had to appear at the office in person (in the next big city) and present multiple documents to prove eligibility. (This, even though I’ve had a US passport for decades.
@capnjb @chienfou Happy 4th! I am eligible for an Italian/EU passport based upon my moms ancesteral line. Ive considered it but havent made the move. Its hust good to know there are options if I (mom and sis) ever need it.
Saw fireworks last night (the 3rd) with one of my grandkids. Tonight we will see some on the 4th! Yea!!!
And in celebration of it all, I bring you a famous anthem…