KBJ and Random Stuff

Greetings Earthlings.  How are things with you?  I've had a few days of feeling not great, if this continues I believe I will break out a Covid test.  There has been general malaise, and the dreaded sore throat associated with BA.2.

Last Thursday was a huge day in jurisprudence with the confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson.  Despite the despicable behavior of the Republicans, who all, with the exception of Mitt Romney, left the floor immediately after the vote, it was a wonderful thing to see.   Do you not love this photo of her daughter?  Ted Cruz should be so lucky to get that look from his daughters.

Sunset last night.

TDS, the provider of fiber optic in Spokane, is closing in on us.  People have been out squirting paint on the road, the driveways and our neighbor's grass.  Recently they were moving up the street with ground penetrating radar to locate the water mains.

There was a trip to Yoke's and this time I remembered to take my camera with me.  It's a beautiful store, it's new and it's large.  Plus, it smells good.  Their cold cuts vendor is  grave disappointment, however, so food acquisition will probably require trips to Winco, Safeway and Yoke's.  It's not like any of these places are far way, so it's no big deal, but one always hopes for a single supplier.
 

We were driving somewhere, and this guy came up the sidewalk at a high rate of speed, rode into the street, passed a standing line of cars on the right, made a right and then a left.  He scared the living snot out of us because neither one of us caught the motion in the mirrors, and would hate to turn into someone.  He's on an electric unicycle.  I guess they've been around for awhile, but this is the first time we've seen one in Spokane.  Unfortunately, Jim and I are too old for this, they look like fun.

This is an amazing ceremonial first pitch.  Go here to play the video, it's just amazing.  Not only is she graceful, she's got a great arm.

What is it like to live in Russia if you're not an oligarch?  It's sort of like this.  "According to a new report by Russia’s state statistical agency, Rosstat, 35 million Russians live in houses or apartments without indoor toilets, 47 million do not have hot water, 29 million don’t have any running water inside their residences, and 22 million do not have central heating (ehorussia.com/new/node/17679).
In fact, only 62.7 percent of the Russian population has the usual accoutrements of modern existence – water in the house, plumbing, heating and gas or electric ranges, Rosstat says, a fact that must seem incredible to those who visit only Moscow or St. Petersburg but a fact of life for those who lives beyond the ring roads of the capitals."  Apparently the Russian troops that were defiling the homes of Ukranians were shocked at the presence of running water, flush toilets, washing machines and Nutella.  More can be found here. 

So yeah, let's talk about how the people of Ukraine are "baby Russians."

If you've been following the elections in France, you're aware of the fact that Le Pen is gaining on Macron.  She is an avowed supporter of the orange ectoplasm and Putin.  It seems odd that the French would want her.  Angus linked to an article this morning that touches on the why of this.  It's a fascinating read, and reminds me somewhat of rural America.

That's it!  That's all I've got.