ROLEY

Author: Kris Roley

  • Friday, January 3rd, 2025

    • I wonder what Mike Johnson had to give those two congressmen to keep his job. The old curse is that we live in interesting times. It’s going to be an interesting two years.
    • I try not to spend every waking moment in my office. So, I take my iPad Pro into the living room. I try to be social while I do what passes for research and writing. The fine folks at WordPress have an app for that called Jetpack. For the most part, I like it. The only problem is that I can’t copy the format of an earlier post. It considers every line in a post to be a separate block. I wondered if it works in the iPadOS Safari Browser, it does not. Finally, I went to my iMac, and it works there. If I copy the template from the iMac into my Notes app and copy it from there it works. I wonder why there’s a difference.
    • One of the things I’m looking forward to is playing with some new toys from ShiftCam. I have a new SnapGrip, the Stand Max, and a Snap Pocket light. These attach magnetically to my iPhone for photography and videography. Over the next year, I intend to use my iPhone exclusively, because it’s less bulky and easier to pack. I hope it means the device is easier to use. If the process has more friction, I won’t use it. It doesn’t seem difficult, so it’s up to the space between my ears.

  • Thursday, January 2nd, 2025

    • Watching the events of yesterday, I’m reminded that often the fastest and loudest takes right after some act of violence has taken place is usually made by people who don’t know what they’re talking about, or by people who are paid to be the fastest and loudest and STILL don’t know what they’re talking about. This includes a small but merry band of alleged ‘journalists’ that are more interested in engagement than accuracy.
    • We can boil all social media down to one sentence we’ve all learned: I don’t know who needs to hear this, but… No one needs to hear anything on social media. What we’re doing is attention-seeking. That’s the addiction. I’m not saying that’s wrong, but see it for what it is. Even blogging is a cry for that same attention, but there’s no bigger test of quality. The leap of faith you take with a blog is writing things people want to read. Or, you choose not to care and write it anyway. I’ve chosen the latter. It’s not that I don’t care what you think, it’s more like I don’t care to filter my opinion and I feel it’s more appropriate to do that here.

  • The Verbs, January 2025

    Watching: 1923, from the Yellowstone series (Paramount +)

    Reading: The Black Echo by Michael Connelly

    Jamming: Live 1978-1992 by Dire Straits

    Podding: The Black Dahlia Serial Killers by Wondery

    Working: Right here on this site. I’m just working on creating content for now.

  • Wednesday, January 1st, 2025

    • As much as I’d like to write some flowery New Year’s related prose here, I will resist the urge. I never live up to it anyway.
    • From a numerology standpoint–if you’re inclined to believe that stuff–this would be a ‘4’ year for me, where I lay a foundation for whatever is to come. I’ve been through one of these years about a decade ago. I did not get the message, or this stuff is just cyclical. It’s probably as much a bunch of hokum as astrology. To be fair though, the day I was rear-ended by a drunk driver in 1988, my horoscope said that ‘evening would find you in a bit of a scrape’. So, I’ll stay open to the Universe, thanks.
    • I don’t want to spend the next year–or four–obsessing over the dementia patient and the techpolitburo. If anything, this is where being a card-carrying member of Generation X may come in handy. Maintain an overdeveloped sense of cynicism, sarcasm, and dark humor, and get on with it. Wolverines, Bueller, and Amen.

  • PODCAST: Roley Podcast for December 15th, 2024

    SEGMENT 1

    Don’t Look Back In Anger.

    SEGMENT 2

    “If Y’all could just get back to the Culture War and fighting each other instead of the Upper Class, that’d be great”. CEO’s, probably.

    When you cheer because ABC settled a lawsuit over the difference between rape and sexual assault, that’s got to be the weakest flex ever.

    Look. I don’t know how we will cope through the next four years. I sincerely hope this bunch will be as incompetent as the last bunch and that we all live through that incompetence.

  • Wednesday, December 4th, 2024

    I have but one takeaway from today’s US v. Skrmetti oral argument, but it’s informative: The TN GOP is all about parental rights until they don’t fit the agenda. In this case, the government knows better than parents what’s in the child’s best interest. These drugs harm a child’s body irreversibly. So does being pregnant at a young age, but y’all aren’t concerned about that one in Tennessee, are you?

    On a related note, Glenn ‘Kane’ Jacobs is mulling a run for Governor of Tennessee. Politics has become pro wrestling in suits so I suppose that’s logical. Surprisingly, the one guy in 30 years who made you believe he was a redneck rattlesnake, wasn’t. Go figure.

    Since we’re on the subject of pro wrestling, I have never liked that walking hot dog Hogan. I have never liked good guys. Bad guys were WAY more interesting. I was a Piper fan. I was a Jake Roberts fan. These days, the line has blurred because we’re not interested in good/bad anymore. These aren’t superheroes, they’re people. Since the Attitude Era, we’ve realized that characters who evolve and have reasons for their actions are more interesting. CM Punk, Karrion Kross, and Hangman Adam Page are great examples. I have one exception to this: Bray Wyatt. I miss him more than anyone I’ve ever rooted for. Hands down the best character since The Undertaker. I’ll die on that hill.

    I’m beginning to think that anytime someone beats their chest loudly on TV and says that they’re not going to back down, wait 24 hours or so. I don’t know who was first, but I’ve named this Agnew’s Law. How long before Agnew’s Law applies to Hygiene Hegseth? he came out today saying he’s not backing down and said all the attacks on him came from anonymous sources. His mom, for example… Wave bye-bye to the E-Ring, Hygiene Boi.

    Something to pay attention to in the House of Representatives: Jerry Nadler (D) NY, has been the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee for a long time. He has announced he’s stepping down and endorsed Jamie Raskin of MD to take his place. This is interesting because Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) has said she might run for ranking member of Oversight if Raskin gets Judiciary. There are many reasons to root for this happening, but let’s focus on two. First, James Comer is the Chairman and is going to lose his damn mind dealing with her. Secondly, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Nancy Mace, and Lauren Boebert are on Oversight and at least one of them will try to take AOC on. Take my advice: If this happens, Start watching C-Span, particularly the oversight hearings. They might get lively. There is one thing the House GOP might try, and that is to try to use something AOC says out of context to strip her of committee assignments. I predict MTG will be the one to pull this stunt to ‘own the libs’. Watch this space.

  • Monday, December 2nd, 2024

    There’s an old joke that Gallagher—yes, the watermelon guy—used to tell about the first humans on the planet. They were all nomads. They’d settle somewhere, look around, and say, “Hey, I like it here. ” Then, a few months later, they didn’t like it so much. The root of the problem was that indoor plumbing hadn’t been invented yet, so after a while, it was time to pack up and move somewhere else, preferably upwind.

    This is how I feel about the office/studio where I spend my workday. I did a little decoration in 2018 to keep myself from going nuts when Devin was in the hospital, and if I’m honest, there’s nothing wrong with it. I’m just bored with it and I want to do something else. I keep getting ideas from YouTube from other creators who have done amazing stuff with their office, but I have to remember that these folks have a name and sponsorships. They also have that one other thing…money. I don’t have big money, so anything I do will be piecemeal. I’ll figure out a design and the cost, and then start collecting the parts. I think this would be a good thing to document on video. Stay tuned.

    I think the moment that Meghan McCain decided to weigh in on the Hunter Biden pardon was the moment irony hurled itself into the sun. I’ve read what most everyone has to say about the pardon, and every one of their paychecks depends on them being on whatever side they’re on. In the end, I’m going to remind you of the sage wisdom of Dick Cheney: So what? You know what Joe Biden did? He saved his son in the only way he could, because he could. He couldn’t save his first wife and daughter, and he couldn’t save Beau. He saved his son Hunter. If you can’t have a sliver of sympathy for that, you’re beyond hope. The only thing I can’t stand about this is that Bobo/Butthead/ThreeToes are going to co-opt a talking point I am sick of: No one is above the law. So, for those of you who missed the takeover of the term “Fake News” the minute Trump said that to Jim Acosta from the podium, you’re in for a fun time.

    Just so we’re clear, there are 20 plus seasons of various Law & Orders and assorted NCIS-es to keep your mind off this bullshit.

  • PODCAST: Roley Podcast for December 1st, 2024

    SEGMENT 1

    Christmas wrapping (thyself around a telephone pole).

    Lynnhaven Mall Exit Swerve.

    I don’t complain anymore. I’ve been to New York since then.

    Taxi Story

    Navigator Story

    ——-

    SEGMENT 2

    All the news that’s printed to fit.

    Rudy Is Losing It https://newrepublic.com/post/188868/courtroom-sketch-artist-rudy-giuliani-losing-it

    The PodBros are coming https://www.dailykos.com/story/2024/11/27/2288821/-Yikes-Trump-may-let-podcast-bros-into-White-House-Briefing-Room?pm_campaign=blog&pm_medium=rss&pm_source=

    The Right’s 24/365 Propaganda Machine Vs…nothing. And you wonder why the Dems lost. Meanwhile, Legacy Corporate Media is rotting.

    The next stars in the Democratic Party—the one we run for office, anyway— need to embrace, even CREATE, new media. They need to start now. Gavin Newsom needs a podcast. Mayor Pete needs to be on Hot Ones. Run with that.

    Jack Smith Report expected to be released before Inauguration Day. https://www.newsweek.com/jack-smith-deadline-final-donald-trump-report-1991904

    Looking at you, Garland.

  • Monday, November 25th, 2024

    The week of Thanksgiving means one thing to me: The crazy people are about to hit the roads. My shopping is pretty much done already, so I try to stay away from the places crazy people go during the holidays. The groceries get picked up or delivered, I give the mall a wide berth, and I try to stay away from anything that looks like an accident waiting to happen. There’s nothing like heading down the expressway at 55 to have a car stuck in the exit lane cut left into your lane with no warning and about 100 feet to make a decision. That will wake you up, trust me. That said, I don’t complain so much about the crazies around here so much anymore, and there’s a good reason for that: I’ve been to New York City.

    I’m good, thanks.

  • PODCAST: November 24th, 2024

    WordPress Upgrade / Changed to Twenty-Twenty Five Theme, clean design

    Yellowstone. Holy crap. Taylor Sheridan is Shonda in boots, apparently.

    My day job. Some of y’all are rude. My fraud story from this week.

    B-Roll. One day I might get to use it.

    Joe and Mika

    Manhattan DA Delay in Sentencing.

    Nancy Mace

    The race to replace mainstream media

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