SoINeedAName

“SLAVA UKRAINI!” A United World Pays Tribute to Ukraine

 Posted by at 6:48 pm  Politics
Feb 262023
 

“SLAVA UKRAINI!” – “Glory to Ukraine!”

On the anniversary of Putin’s ill-advised invasion there have been many accolades paying tribute to the resolve and bravery of Ukraine and its people.  Out of the many options commemorating this sad day I wanted to be as inclusive as possible.  I decided by sharing the many wonderful lightings in Ukraine’s colors of landmarks around the world would be a good format.

But the problem that ensued was where to draw the line.  That’s why I’m late getting this posted: It was hard to stop downloading them – and I’m still leaving many out.

Some of the GIFs are of a landmark or landmarks in a single region, while others are of varied locations.  I’ll try to very briefly identify them below the GIFs, so look for an easily recognizable one as a marker to determine the order.

Empire State Building

 

Eiffel Tower

 

Memphis Bridge, Copenhagen Castle, Denver City Hall, Stenbock House (Estonia), French Embassy and Ludwigsburg Palace (Germany)

 

Colosseum

 

Los Angeles: 2nd Street Tunnel and City Hall

(SIDEBAR: The 2nd Street Tunnel has played a pivotal role in many movies: Blade Runner, Flashdance, Terminator, Rocky IV, Lethal Weapon 2, etc.)

 

Helsinki Town Hall, Kyiv Opera House, Parliament Building – Lisbon, Lviv Opera House – Ukraine, Cibeles Fountain – Madrid, Flinders Street – Melbourne, Metropolitan Opera House – NYC

 

San Francisco City Hall

 

UK Sites: St. George Hall – Liverpool, 10 Downing Street, The Eye – London, Trafalgar Square – London, St. Albans Cathedral

 

Niagara Falls, Oslo City Hall, Peace Tower – Ottawa, Sarajevo City Hall (Bosnia), Parliament Building – Madrid, Sydney Opera House, Toulouse City Hall (France)

 

Chicago: Chicago City Hall, the Rest Are of Chicago’s Merchandise Mart, Featuring “Art on the Mart”

 

Washington, DC: Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Kennedy Center and National Cathedral

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Elect a Clown – Expect a Circus

 Posted by at 8:53 am  Politics
Feb 112023
 

We’ve long known that when Georgia’s 14th Congressional District re-elected MTG Greene, they were sending a clown to Congress.

But little did we realize that she’d be an amalgam of all the obnoxious qualities of Bozo the Clown combined with the wicked attributes of Stephen King’s Pennywise.

(They do look like two peas in a pod, don’t they?)

For whatever demented reason she conjured, MTG decided to bring her “A” Game of “Toddler Temper Tantrums” to Pres. Biden’s State of the Union speech last Tuesday – for which we Democrats can only heartedly and resoundingly say: “THANK YOU!”

At first it was hard to tell if she was dressed as a worn out street corner Russian hooker or the bargain basement version of Cruella de Vil.  But it soon became clear when she shouted out to George:

Naturally MTG’s impersonation of Cruella de Vil was rapidly and widely recognized on the Internet:

 

MTG really did a bang-up job of mimicking Cruella’s evilness with her …

Arrogant, Churlish, Crazy, Crude, Disgusting, Loathsome, Loutish, Boorish, Narcissistic, Nasty, Obnoxious, Offensive, Rude, Tasteless, Tawdry, Ugly, Uncouth, Vulgar & ___________ [Insert your own favorite pejorative adjective here] antics.

Rep. Raskin offered a succinct observation of MTG’s lack of decorum:

And if you needed further proof:

Not surprisingly, Pres. Biden also brought his “A” game to the speech doing a great job as Dark Brandon by ad-libbing lines when confronted by hecklers:

Fortunately there is a Mrs. Frazzled who took MTG & George out into the hall to lecture them on proper decorum.  (It’s gotten over 800,000 views!  Loved her admonition to MTG: “Leave the balloon!”)

Slightly off topic, but since I’ve been commenting on MTG’s fashion sense with that white fur coat, I have a related fashion question concerning Sen. Sinema: Can someone tell me when the airbag sleeves of her Big Bird dress deployed?  I missed that.

And as long as we’re discussing fashion, how about a “Who Wore It Better” contest:

 

 

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Can You Overdose on Schadenfreude … OR Popcorn?

 Posted by at 2:31 pm  Politics
Jan 092023
 

Is it possible to overdose on schadenfreude?  Asking for over 81 million friends.

Democrats have so enjoyed watching the GQP in such a state of confusion, crisis and chaos (why, I even read they were in “DISARRAY” – a descriptor the MSM has heretofore reserved for Democrats) that Pres. Biden found it necessary to order the release of several metric tons of our nation’s Popcorn Reserves.

There’s no doubt you have all been closely following clownish antics of McCarthy, Gaetz, Boebert and other GQPers, so I’m going to try and find some that might have slipped under your radar.

As seen in this candid photo, it began when Kevin McCarthy first addressed the GQP Caucus as they set out to elect a Speaker for the House:

He appealed to their sense of unity when he closed his opening speech with this plea:

But to no avail.  As you all know, the voting dragged on and on and on and …

It got to the point that sports fans recalling the recent FIFA World Cup felt it was time to go to penalty kicks.

Putting a positive spin on it, other sports fans said that at the rate Kevin was losing round after round of voting, he at least was assured a first-round pick in this year’s NFL Draft.

Others not so sports-minded thought that Rock Paper Scissors would have been a better – and quicker – way to get this done.

But this is what America was stuck with:

(Maybe they should have tried unplugging the House and the plugging it back in again)

Someone was able to procure a list of concessions McCarthy was ready to offer to the Taliban 20 in the Freedom Caucus to get their votes:

Ad while all that was going on, on the other side of the aisle the Democrats demonstrated decorum, decency and dignity.  Why, Rep. Katie Porter even took the time to improve her mind by reading a tome that will undoubtedly prove useful over the next two years.

No, it was NOT this one:

C-Span was able to get a view of her selection:

And then Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries gave the speech that McCarthy should have – but didn’t – literally spelling out from A to Z how a responsible party prioritizes issues.

It won both laughter as well as cheers.  And needless to say, it went viral and has been viewed more than 2.4 MILLION times!

All in all, I think this clip from the Daily Show does more than justice to how Kevin McCarthy’s past week went:

 

But I want to close on a serious note, because THIS is what happens when you have no principles or core beliefs – just blind ambition:

We need to remember that the people blocking McCarthy were also largely the ones named as co-conspirators in the ex-president’s efforts to overthrow our government.  The great majority claim Trump won in 2020, and all but one of them voted against vote certification of the 2020 presidential election.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/01/04/us/politics/house-speaker-republicans-vote-against-mccarthy.html

 

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Trump: World’s Biggest Liar! George Santos: “Hold My Beer”

 Posted by at 4:24 pm  Politics
Jan 012023
 

The last time I can recall a politician breakout as fast as this was Sarah Palin.  And we all know how THAT ended!

If I were going to do a background report on Santos, it would not be a matter of knowing where to start – it’d be which LIE is the most outrageous to start with.

SANTOS:

“To get down to the nit and gritty, I’m not a fraud. I’m not a criminal who defrauded the entire country and made up this fictional character and ran for Congress.”

 

But I decided to use his prevarications as a springboard to showcase how the internet has handled it.

(I particularly got a kick out of the “Disinfo+”)

One of the better summaries of Santos’ “embellishments” (as he likes to call them) is this Tweet:

Or if you prefer a more literary approach, this poem from a Comment in WaPo should work:

My name is Santos,

And I’m a Jew,

A financial wizard,

And a Catholic, too.

I’m all that,

And so much more,

A gay, a straight,

Who’s keeping score?

 

It’s not all lies,

I like to embellish,

Like topping a wiener,

With pickle relish.

You know who likes me?

Kevin McCarthy!

(He even makes ME a little barfy)

I’ll take my seat,

I may as well,

The GOP has gone to HELL!

But not every Twitter poster has been unkind – some were actually quite sympathetic on learning of the death of his Mom … TWICE:

 

We all are scratching our heads about why the GQP is acting so upset by a con man winning an election.  Hell, the entire party has become one big grift that has stood by a liar, cheat, fraud and rapist for years.

Seems like Santos is a perfect fit for the party.  Lord knows that unlike the colleges he NEVER attended, he has the actual sheepskin credentials from a well-qualified source:

Perhaps his best known whopper is where he claims he NEVER said he was “Jewish” – but instead “Jew-ISH”.

As a Public Service for Santos, I’m going to provide an update:

Since time and space is limited, I’ll just share a bit of what the memes are concerning Santos by way of books, TV and movie titles:

I would be remiss if I didn’t include what has to be about the best example of irony I’ve ever come across – courtesy of a Tweet from Santos a little over a year ago:

If Santos were actually capable of telling the truth, well …

Looks like Santos is going to be seated this Tuesday as the incoming republican representative from New York’s 3rd District (which is going to make for a tight schedule given that he has that eulogy to give for Pope Emeritus Benedict in Rome on Thursday).  This, at least, proves Will Rogers, the folksy humorist from Oklahoma, was right:

“You can’t fool all of the people all of the time.  But it isn’t necessary.”

 

 

 

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Merry Christmas! ¡Feliz Navidad! Joyeux Noël! Frohe Weihnachten! Buon Natale! God Jul! Felicem Natalem Christi!

 Posted by at 9:18 am  Politics
Dec 252022
 

No matter how you say it (English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Swedish/Norwegian & Latin), I hope everyone is enjoying a delightful day.

Since my old tried and true Christmas routine was usurped by the cantankerous – but hilarious – TV sports reporter-cum-weatherman yesterday, I decided to trot out the old stuff today with just a few additions.

First, for all those traveling I wish you a safe trip with no unexpected misfortune (unlike some):

Music (for most) is an integral part of the Holidays – so feel free to delight in the old favorites.  And be sure to enjoy new variations on a theme:

[Sung to the tune of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”]

“Hark!” the Herald Penguins sing:

“Please don’t eat our little wings!

Eat a goose down to the bone,

But leave Penguins all alone.”

“Baby ducks are very sweet,

Tastier than Penguin meat.

If it’s carried in your store

Please don’t shop there anymore!”

No doubt we’re all hoping that Special Counsel Jack Smith will be able to put out an album by next Christmas with lyrics like this:

He sees you when you’re grifting

He knows that you’re a fake

He knows that you’ve had bad intent

So prepare to serve upstate!

Truthfully, I think we’re hoping for an entire album:

There’s no doubt the present that we’re all hoping for is this:

 

And may all your Christmases be bright …

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A Star Is Born: (“I Didn’t Even Know There Was Also A 3:30 In the Morning Until Today”)

 Posted by at 2:08 pm  Politics
Dec 242022
 

Two days ago, a Waterloo, IA evening TV sports announcer was reassigned to the early morning local news – but told to cover the weather pertaining to the blizzard blasting through Iowa.  Mark Woodley did NOT appear to be a happy camper during his three-and-a-half-hour stint.  And he wasn’t shy about letting his audience know it … in the most snarky and entertaining way that has now gone viral.

Woodley had originally posted the montage of clips to his personal Facebook page, but his friends and family intervened and convinced him to put it on Twitter.

The next thing he knew, the movie director Judd Apatow and the actor Josh Gad (voice of Olaf) were retweeting him.  And his humorous antics have since been covered by NBC’s “Today Show” as well as The New York Times and even the Wall Street Journal.

Besides putting on his heavy winter togs, Mark Woodley also put on a grimace to head out into the subzero temps to report on the impending blizzard.

Woodley noted that he usually does the evening news stint which run “for only 30 minutes and are generally inside.”  So, he started the first of his 14 freezing outdoor reports explaining why he was covering the weather instead of sports.

“I usually do sports; everything here is canceled for the next couple days, so what better time to ask the sports guy to come in about five hours earlier than he would normally wake up, go stand out in the wind and the snow and the cold and tell other people not to do the same.”

He got grouchier and grouchier as the three-plus-hour-long morning news show slogged on.  And the warm and cozy staff inside was loving it!

Woodley handled their ribbing expertly:

“This is a really long show.  Tune in for the next couple hours to watch me progressively get crankier and crankier.”

We’re all familiar with the local TV news folks’ banter, so it was no surprise when Woodley seemed to quibble over a colleague’s assignment tracking the impending storm inside the station’s warm van.

“Clint got the better end of that deal — that thing’s heated.”

 “The outdoors currently is not heated.”

As is not uncommon, the temperature outside continued to fall throughout the morning show, even as the sun was slowly coming up.

“I’ve got good news and bad news: The good news is I can still feel my face right now. The bad news is I kind of wish I couldn’t.”

Woodley was begging to return to his regular job and felt someone had it out for him:

“I’m pretty sure, Ryan, that you guys added an extra hour to this show just because somebody likes torturing me.”

Woodley’s reply when asked by the warm-as-toast anchorman sitting inside the nice warm studio how he was doing is a classic:

“Again, the same way I felt about eight minutes ago when you asked me that same question.”

“It’s absolutely fantastic, Ryan.”

Finally, in the last shot of the morning, Woodley got to sign off:

“Live in Waterloo – for the last time this morning … THANKFULLY!”

His snarky take on reporting the weather has been greatly appreciated by an audience who have lavished praise on his honest reporting.  Here are a few of the accolades Woodley received on Twitter:

Like most local TV reporters, Woodley has always dreamed about making “big” someday.  He’s facing his new curmudgeon notoriety admirably well:

“Being known for being the crotchety old sports and weather guy was not on the list.  But it is what it is.”

 

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“Reflecting” on the Fun of the FIFA World Cup Matches

 Posted by at 11:58 am  Politics
Dec 172022
 

There is no doubt that the FIFA World Cup fever engulfs its fans and inspires them to dress up in support of their nation’s team.  The efforts they put in to making their costumes to support their countries at football’s biggest carnival is simply amazing!

But my gob was smacked when I was treated to this outfit:

When I first saw this, I thought it was fake – some CGI (Computer-Generated Image) or VFX (Visual Effects) character with augmented reality that was promoting the World Cup by honoring Brazil’s incomparable Pelé (who is widely regarded as the greatest player of all time having led team Brazil to World Cup Championships in 1958, 1962 and 1970).

I had the definite impression that I wasn’t really seeing an actual human being, but rather an animation enhanced by special effects.  It truly seemed more like a digital rendition of a football player – like someone had just walked out of a video game.

But it’s a real person in the most imaginative costume I’ve ever seen!

 

@maskbusters

#qatar2022 #fifa #fifaworldcup #qatarliving #thisisqatar #football #soccer #pele #worldcup #fortnite #trophy #ball #eventideas #evententertainment #specialevents #eventperformer #corporateentertainment #eventpros #eventservices #corporateevents #eventshow #liveentertainment #luxuryevents #show #eventplanner #mirror #costume #mascot #brazil #brasil

♬ original sound – MaskBusters

In fact there are three people decked out in these fabulous, mirrored costumes that have virally taken the World Cup fans – and Netizens of the world – by storm.  Beside Pelé there’s one sporting a red jersey that portrays Cristiano Ronaldo, star of the Portugal national team.  And finally, a third character all decked out in the quirky mirror outfit of a referee.

@onefootball

Replying to @Luis Aguilar 👽 They are 🤩 @maskbusters #worldcup

♬ All I Want Is You – Disco Lines

 

@espnfc

This #Brazil fan came ready at the #WorldCup 🇧🇷👏 #qatar #soccer #neymar (via cahemota/Twitter)

♬ sonido original – Minuto 90

Turns out that these costumes were not crafted by a Brazilian or Portuguese fan – but are the creations of a company called MaskBusters.  It’s located in Slovakia, and like you, I had lots of questions about their creations.

Sadly, I couldn’t find out as much as I wanted about the costumes or MaskBusters itself – but here’s what I did learn.  They’re made of triangular pieces of colored reflective material forming a mosaic-like geometric outfit in a broken-glass pattern that’s sewn onto a layer of fabric.  (You can make out the zipper on the back in a few of the frames.)  The consensus of Netizens’ comments is that it’s most likely a thin plastic or possibly mylar – so it’s probably fairly lightweight.

I was unable to find out how hot they are, but probably not as hot as a lot of college and professional team mascot costumes are.

You can hire MaskBusters to design a costume for your event, but they don’t sell them.  Apparently they have a crew of models who perform while using the mirroring costumes the client requested.  I have no idea what the cost might be – either with a Google search or at the MaskBusters website.

Here’s a sampling from their portfolio of what they’ve created in the past:

Finally, sadly for the man dressed as Pelé, after reflecting on his team’s loss I’m sure he was “shattered” into a Brazilian pieces.

(I forgot – how many zeroes are there in a Brazilian?)

 

 

 

 

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