Men and Women, Still So Different, and Hold My Sneakers

The Schloss-Blog is asking...

Should I buy a pair of SUAV sneakers or waterproof Vessi loafers? Maybe waterproof Looms? They're good for golf. We like Dbeck sneaker/loafers too.

Hmm... feel free to chime in.

There seems to a plethora of custom, vintage shoes and sneakers on the market these days though. Where the heck did all these off-brands come from?

***

Anyhow, saw something in Morning Brew about a chain that makes chicken sandwiches redesigning and re-equipping its kitchens to enable it to hasten service.

Except, in a true grammar gaffe, Morning Brew editors called it enabling a "faster chicken sandwich."

Don't know about you, but I can't wait to see if I can catch up to a "faster chicken sandwich." Does this mean we'll start to see customers chasing their chicken sandwiches across parking lots nationwide?

The "fastest chicken sandwich" chase. Can't wait.

***

Speaking of shopping, the Schloss-Blog is looking for healthcare insurance, especially seeing as Mrs. Schloss-Blog is retiring at the end of this year (congrats, Joss).

Do I go with making Medicare my prime and adding a Part C supplement for vision, dental, etc., and then a separate Part D add-on for prescriptions? Or do I go the Medicare Advantage route?

Feel free to chime in, before Republicans cut or eliminate Medicare.

***

Speaking of Republicans, did you watch the House committee hearing in which the GOP representatives tried to fry Merrick Garland?

Every question seemed to begin with, "What took so long to investigate and prosecute Hunter Biden?" and, "Why hasn't Joe Biden been indicted yet?"

I'd feel more comfortable if GOP representatives asked about how to help mitigate against inflation, or how to improve relations with China, or how to help Ukraine win the war? Instead, you hear GOP representatives running around the country welcoming infrastructure projects in their districts for which they voted against the funding.

***

Anyway, the Schloss-Blog, as it does every so often, is looking at the differences between men and women. The fairer sex is winning.

For instance...

...men like to use emojis.

Women know what they stand for.

***

Men see yellow lights and speed up.

Women see yellow lights and slow down.

On the road and in life.

***

Women stop at ... stop signs. D'oh.

Men roll through.

***

Men play pickleball.

Women win at pickleball.

***

Men see what Lauren Boebert did at a performance of "Beetlejuice The Musical,  and are disgusted.

Women see what Lauren /Boebert did at a performance of "Beetlejuice The Musical" and respond by making a contribution to her Democratic opponent, Adam Frisch.

***

And as evidence that we've been harping about this for so long, from a previous Schloss-Blog post on "Men and Women..."

...Men wear jeans.

Women wear jeans that fit.

***

Good night, Mrs. Calabash. Here's to you, Mrs. Robinson.

More next Sunday night on my Radio Free Phoenix rock 'n' roll show. I'm off this week. John Kirk DeRitis, thee Bohemian NightCat, sat in for me on Sunday the 24th. Thanks, John.

Hunter Hunting, Library Closing, 9/11 Remembering and Impeachment (Really?)

There's so much for the Schloss-Blog to digest and so little time. to do it.

A suspiciously timed indictment of Hunter Biden, a slew of library closings under threat of bombings and presidential impeachment all rearing their ugly heads.

Again.

***

So, when did slutty Marjorie Taylor Greene and Matt (underage) Gaetz start running America?

They run Kevin McCarthy, who's lying when he says he didn't change his mind about announcing an impeachment inquiry instead of putting it to a vote, which he knew would fail. But the impeachment will fail because there's no evidence of high crimes and misdemeanors.

Yet, Republicans got their wish on Hunter Biden being indicted. On charges that may or may not ever go to trial and/or be dismissed.  

From everything I can tell, they will not ever link President Biden to Hunter's illicit dealings, however extensive they may be.

But what Vice-President Biden did wrong back then was knowing Hunter was screwing up and not going to him and telling him to knock it off. Joe did what good parents do - stayed out of his adult child's  life. 

Now though, it's too late. The Schloss-Blog's question: will Hunter or Trump be convicted and go to jail? Both? Either?

Maybe.

***

Kudos to Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, who spearheaded the bill that makes libraries around the state ineligible for state grants if "they restrict or ban materials because of 'partisan or doctrinal' disapproval."

In other words, stop preventing our children from reading, oh, say, Shakespeare. The law is viewed as a possible template for other states to prevent overtly restrictive book banning.

Giannoulias was grilled before the U.S. Senate about it, but stood tall. But he in good part championed the bill because libraries around Illinois have been experiencing bomb threats, ostensibly from those who object to, oh say, Shakespeare.

Violent threats and violence itself seem to be a way of life in the United States: for people who think the Department of Justice has been too soft on Hunter Biden; for people who think the FBI was too intrusive with Donald Trump; for people who just don't like Black people.

When Trump is convicted, somewhere, and he will be, we'll see if the civil war-level protests he has predicted come to pass.

By the way, I don't know anyone who watched Trump's interview with Tucker Carlson. and who's Tucker Carlson, btw?

***

Was going to get into one of my periodic updates on the differences between men and women, but that's out of place with the above. So, I'll just say that's coming, along the lines of a prior post in which I decried that men like to sing along with songs on the radio while driving around.

Women know the words.

So, along different lines, in a fabulous column in the NY Times, Ross Douthat explains that "the ball always finds you."

In other words, if you're a weak or unconfident baseball player, in a key situation, someone will hit the ball to you.

Will you field it successfully, make the big play?

A wobbly ankle-boned Bill Buckner could not in the 1986 World Series and Douthat notes that Buckner should've been subbed out for his defensive caddy, Dave Stapleton, before that ball was hit.

Douthat's point? It applies to politics. Joe Biden decided to run despite his age. Will it cost Biden, like Buckner's ankles cost him?

It could cost Trump too, who's just three years younger.

If you have a weakness, "the ball will find you."

It found Bill Buckner.

***

Men like to eat.

Women know what's healthy.

***

Good night, Mrs. Calabash. Here's to you, Mrs. Robinson.

More Sunday night on my Radio Free Phoenix rock 'n' roll show. Where the ball always finds me.

Trucking, Sore-Loser and The Ryder Cup

The Schloss-Blog has noticed few things about driving in Arizona, about Peter Navarro, just convicted of ignoring a congressional subpoena, and about the U.S. Ryder Cup team.

The oversized, gas-eating pickup truck, also known as the state car of Arizona, is all over the roads. So are its drivers, who think they own said roads.

They regularly speed. By a lot. Signal turns and lane changes? Hah! 

Cut you off? Every chance they get. Parking spot hogs? They park nose in on an angle.

Across two spots.

And when one of them parks alongside you, good luck opening your door.

However, do the speed limit or even 5 over in front of them and they let you know with a tailgate or a flash of their brights.

And when they do slow down and you go to pass them ... uh uh ... not allowed. They'll wake up, speed up and block your lane change.

Otherwise, they're cool.

***

Got a kick out of watching Peter Navarro in front of the D.C, courthouse, griping and groaning about his arrest, his prosecution and his subsequent conviction.

This verdict was known in advance, he declared to a gaggle of reporters.

Well, yeah, Peter.

You were summoned by Congress to testify before a committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection.

You didn't come. You blew it off,

That's a crime. Of which you are now guilty. You also offered no defense, no documents, and your claim of executive privilege was not substantiated by Donald Trump, so the judge denied your opportunity to use that as a defense.

You say you don't have the money to appeal it, but you will. You say you'll die in prison. Maybe.

You say they put you in wrist and leg irons when you were initially arrested on this charge.

Actually, you were offered a chance to call an attorney. Instead, you wanted to call a reporter.

As to leg irons, it's not clear what happened or when. You probably should've had some on your mouth.

You will lose your appeal. You'll look good in prison. You'll still be claiming executive privilege.

Well. you have privilege to claim that. But you don't have it.

The slogan of those in Trump's orbit: Keep lying, even after you've been convicted.

***

Hey golfers (looking at you, Joe Catanzaro). 

Am I the only one who has a problem with the U.S. Ryder Cup team?

It's a solid team, make no mistake.

But I am having trouble digesting two picks: Brooks Koepka selected from the LIV tour ("I hate LIV," says Rory McElroy) and Justin Thomas from, well, nowhere near the qualifying criteria.

Thomas, a great golfer, without a doubt, did not qualify for the Fed Ex Cup final three tournaments, being outside the 70-man field.

Me, instead of Koepka and Thomas, I would've selected Keegan Bradley, the veteran who had a great year, and Cam Young, the second-year pro who is a contender, week-in, week-out on tour.

I'm with McElroy, I hate LIV. Never watch it. Don't follow it.

I like Thomas, but he just didn't play well enough this year.

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment fund underwrites the LIV tour. When they start financing the Ryder Cup, it's time to re-examine everything.

***

Good night, Mrs. Calabash. Here's to you, Mrs. Robinson.

More Sunday night on my Radio Free Phoenix rock 'n' roll show. 

Phoenix Population Is Up But Columbus Dispatch AI Is Down

The Schloss-Blog has noticed that Phoenix' population is up but the Columbus Dispatch's use of AI is not.

And here's why.

The Gannett-owned Dispatch published a wrap-up story that sounded like it had been spit out by - well - a computer.

Actually, AI put out a story based on statistics only and it sounded like it. The story had no human-touch elements or first-hand observations whatsoever. The snappy first sentence read: 

• "The Worthington Christian [[WINNING_TEAM_MASCOT]] defeated the Westerville North [[LOSING_TEAM_MASCOT]] 2-1 in an Ohio boys soccer game on Saturday."

Catchy, huh?

Career sportswriter that I am, this kinda' ticked me off.

The Dispatch has since suspended use of AI for such purposes, despite the requirement that AI-generated content must have facts and accuracy verified first.

Maybe someone should make sure first that AI knows what soccer is.

*** 

So, while AI might be down, the population of Phoenix is up. It went up by some 20,000 between between 2021 and 2022.

What hasn't kept up is housing in Phoenix. Average cost of rent in Phoenix is $1,588 a month for a whopping 806 square feet.

That would require a minimum salary of $56,836 a year, or about $8,000 less than what you earn at minimum wage ($13.85).

So, for all of you who have run to Phoenix during and since the pandemic seeking greener pastures, make sure the job you land pays a decent wage.

If you want to keep 806 square feet over your head, that is.

***

If you've been watching the U.S. Open Tennis, and it's been fabulous, you probably heard that there are 10 working moms in the women's draw.

Ten.

And why shouldn't it be. This is excellent and exciting news.

Caroline Wozniacki has been a sheer delight to watch, her two toddlers in tow. And as Pam Shriver and Mary Jo Fernandez, calling one of her matches, said on TV of the body suit she was wearing, "She's rocking it."

And her opponent.

***

Speaking of the U.S. Open, no American man has won it or any other tennis major since Andy Roddick turned the trick in 2003.

Twenty years ago.

Speaks to the status of men's professional tennis in the United States.

Francis Tiafoe, Taylor Fritz, we need you.

***

Couldn't help but notice that when Donald Trump was booked in NY, he checked in at a reported 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds.

When he did the same in Atlanta, it was reported he was 6-2 and 215.

Is he self-reporting, or what?

I'll go with the former.

***

College Football Game Day is back on ESPN.

Who cares?

The only thing remotely interesting is the game picks with a celebrity.

Otherwise, Pat McAfee's clown show, Gene Wojciechowski's weekly celebration of an athlete who has overcome adversity and students who sneak signs in that violate decency standards make this show only worth watching for Big & Rich's opening song and the picks at the end.

Three hours that I refuse to give to ESPN. Almost as bad as Sports Center and all the shoulder NFL programming on the network constantly asking, "Is this the year for the Cowboys?"

***

Good night, Mrs. Calabash. Here's to you, Mrs. Robinson.

More Sunday night on my Radio Free Phoenix rock 'n' roll show.

And Just Like That, Investigating the Investigations of the Investigations

The Schloss-Blog has not got its usual slew of items this week, but it does have a peek at how investigations of investigations can go awry and just give rise to more. The problem is why they're done.

Republicans complain about weaponization of investigations while they do the same thing and shrug off the investigations that have led to four indictments of a certain former president...

...of the United States of America.

While Republicans continue on their fruitless investigative paths of Joe Biden, Alvin Bragg and now Fani Willis, they gripe in hindsight that Hillary was never punished.

For anything.

Actually, she is one of the most-investigated politicians.

Ever.

The Benghazi attack was investigated 10 times, including by the Republican-led Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. It concluded that the terrorist attack there, which resulted in four American deaths, including that of Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, was "preventable."

Of course, that 2012 attack happened on U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's watch. Six different House committees had Republican-majority members deliver a report damning to Clinton and the Obama Administration. It claimed that they altered talking points and delivered conclusions that were misleading and incomplete in their report on the attack.

In other words, the Republicans said the Democrats said the attack was not as bad there as it actually was.

Four Americans were killed, including the ambassador. That's pretty bad and was never denied. That report, by the way, according to Democrats on the committee, was written with no Democratic input.

In the end though, the Republican-majority House Intelligence Committee concluded that "there was no deliberate wrongdoing by the Obama administration."

As to Hillary's email controversy, while she was accused of deleting 33,000 emails (see Trump, Donald, campaign appeal to Russia to find them), she was never found to have committed anything egregious, even by Republican investigators. DOJ's investigation found nothing to prosecute about her using a private email server.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump waves classified documents around at his golf clubs and stashes them all over Mar a Lago and Republicans complain the investigation and subsequent indictment over that is unfair and biased.

So, while Republican investigations of Hillary produced nothing to see nor prosecute, they still press ahead now with investigations of the what they call the "criminal" Biden family.

Yeah, MS-13 is all over the Cabinet. And don't forget, in your neighborhood.

***

Been watching "And Just Like That," the "Sex & the City" sequel?

It's been interesting to see what happened to our sexy, jump-into-bed-with-whoever characters.

Sort of.

They killed off Big. Supposedly, he was a sexual predator (isn't that what the show's about?). No, he allegedly really was, and not just a lech on the set either.

And after he went to Paris and saved Carrie too. Hmmph!

Anyway, all four of the principal characters have undergone life changes and season two just ended with Sam (Kim Cattrall) making a cameo appearance at last.

Call it a cameo of a cameo, for as long as she was on screen.

So, is there any truth to the rumors that she and Sarah Jessica Parker had a falling out and that's why Cattrall didn't come back full time for the sequel at all?

Two movies and a financial dispute over salaries later, Cattrall is missing from the small-screen renewal, even though both are saying there's no bad blood.

If you believe that, then why isn't Cattrall in the show?

And just like that, no sex and the city for her.

***

Hope my friends and relatives out east listened to me Sunday morning on Radio Free Phoenix, a rare mid-morning appearance for me subbing for Joe Catanzaro.

Good night, Mrs. Calabash. Here's to you, Mrs. Robinson.

More Sunday night, as always, on my Radio Free Phoenix rock 'n' roll show.