My Problem Right Now
Posted on December 21, 2016 Posted by John Scalzi 52 Comments
Me: I want to write a long piece on politics today!
Brain: Sorry, man. Not up for it. Too much thinking involved.
Me: But I have important things to say!
Brain: You should have thought about it before you decided to fuel me exclusively on Christmas cookies for three days straight.
Me: What’s wrong with that?
Brain: Dude, carbs and sugar? Exclusively? It’s a miracle I have the attention span to let you put together a sentence, much less paragraphs and think pieces.
Me: What a crock. The cookies have butter. That’s a fat.
Brain: Think about what you’re saying here.
Me: But the world needs me to opine!
Brain: Fine. Six tweets.
Me: What?
Brain: I’ll give you six political tweets today. That’s all I got.
Me: But I’ve already done two political tweets today! Arguably three!
Brain: Better make the next 420 characters count, then.
Me: You’re awful.
Brain: Have another cookie. You’ll feel better.
Me: Mmmmm… Christmas cookies.
Brain: Yeah, that’s what I thought.
Your definition of “problem” is different from mine. Cookies are NEVER a problem!
No cookies IS a problem
Too many cookies is not
Well, hell. Now all I can think about are those dark chocolate holiday star cookies from Trader Joe’s. Thanks a lot.
Promise your brain coffee, and it will maybe give you a few more tweets
Needed this to stay sane (enough). Thanks from Canada.
Thanks for reminding me I have two pieces of pastry from my favorite bakery left to fuel my revision of my novel. It’s all I can brain for right now.
Don’t worry. I’m sure there’s plenty of WTF over the next 4 years to give us all plenty of articles from you :P
It’s ok we can be placated with kitty pictures, remember.
I understand completely. The struggle is real.
http://img.picturequotes.com/2/612/611852/cookie-monster-quote-19-picture-quote-1.jpg
LOL. Tell the brain we will wait patiently. And … have some EFAs! Duck confit! Dark chocolate!
(I mean, Brain. Dude. Bill O’Reilly admitted last night that white privilege exists — albeit while arguing for its active promotion and promulgation by way of the Electoral College et seq — and David Cohn and Zerlina Maxwell had some excellent contextual commentary on The Last Word. So we’d really like for you to come up with something eventually.)
I am so there right now. Only in my case, it is trying to untangle legal stuff; a necessary part of lawyering. It is hard, so very hard, to focus on that stuff with all the Christmas carbs running in my system.
My Christmas break cannot come soon enough.
Mmmmmm. COOKIES!
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Today’s pun from the mathematical discipline of General Topology, Stone–Čech compactification: an inebriated guy in Prague was crushed in an automobile-crushing hydraulic press because of the Stoned–Czech compactification theorem.
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone%E2%80%93%C4%8Cech_compactification
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“Million Dollar Man Hunt”
. by Jonathan Vos Post…
.
Drain the swamp
auction alligator hunting
with Trump’s kids, no Pomp
and Circumstances, no bunting,
no balloons, no elephants — but photo op Trump
.
German police seek a Tunisian man
born in 1992, papers in Christmas Market truck
ISIS claims to have inspired his plan
to kill a truck driver, hijack
the truck for the Berlin terror attack
.
Noplace is safe — an introduction —
Alien abduction
on the 5 —
drive!
.
5:03 a.m.
Wednesday 21 December 2016
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If there were nuts in the cookies, that’s some protein too.
At this point, is there anything to say? The only thing that happened recently was the EC failed in its one and only job to stop a demagogue like Trump. So we need to chuck the EC and hard.
Other than that, we had a demagogue president elect before, and we have a demagogue president elect after, and starting on January 20, the world burns. And nothing anyone says is going to stop that.
Every appointee named by Trump should be opposed. Every single one of them is a sorry excuse for a human being. Except dems dont have control of either house, so, what can dems really do but shout while the pyromaniacs light the fuses. Republicans have shown they have put every priority into party loyalty and have zero fucks to give for decency in general, or the american people in general.
Seriously, what could be said at this point that would make a damn bit of difference. We are looking at 2 years minimum of unfettered fascism and bigotry in America. And then maybe in 2018 the dems can get back control of the house, and maybe senate if we’re lucky, and maybe start dousing fires.
As far as I can see we are looking at rolling civil rights progress back three or four decades, a pointless war, repeal of obamacare, privatization of social security, and no words spoken by any progressive is going to change that.
Wait… does this mean yesterday’s “burrito” was a lie?
Or have you just blocked it from your memory?
I guess we should feel bad for you, since getting your thoughts out is indeed important. But, in all honesty I think we shouldn’t feel bad because, come on you have Christmas cookies, I want Christmas cookies. I’m just too lazy to bake some, or hell get out of the house to buy some.
Oh, come on…what’s your brain ever done for you? Cookies, on the other hand, kept the other 97% of you alive.
Get ready for the next 8 years (Trump will be re-elected if his terrible diet doesn’t catch up with him in the next 4).
OTOH, 420 characters is more coherent letters in a row than the tiny-handed vulgarian has managed since the campaign started.
Interestingly, a lady I work with was in several business meetings with Trump 20 years ago – back then, he wasn’t incoherent and actually made sense in the meetings, without being bombastic or condescending, and he didn’t try to grope her or otherwise be inappropriate. She thinks the reality TV and/or dementia has gotten to hi,m.
And also
http://maristpoll.marist.edu/1221-whatever-most-annoying-word-or-phrase-except-among-young-americans/
Ok! I was diligently scanning your tweets for political content, and got sidetracked; Marc Laidlaw’s freebies are available on Amazon UK as well, so thank you Marc, and thank you John.
I propose to have a mince pie; this culinary delight may be peculiar to Britain, but modern mincemeat is made without the meat, but with spiced and brandy soaked fruit, along with the pastry which surrounds it. At least, the expensive ones are; the cheap ones are either made from cardboard, or simply taste as if they are. Taken with a cup of tea they are really very nice.
And we need all the help we can get: Brexit and Trump are painfully close to the doomsday scenario. However, I was heartened to see that the German police moved swiftly to establish the innocence of the first suspect and released him; those are the values we are defending, and holding to them is our best defense against those who want to take us down…
The problem right now, as I see it is that you are just a spine-less sympathizer of the Rebel Alliance, hiding behind a blog post…how do I know? Simple: “One, it’s not like there aren’t tons of toys coming out of this anyway (the film’s time setting also allows a canny refreshing of lots of old school Star Wars merchandise, including everything Darth Vader and Death Star), ” We here on the Dark Side call it THE BATTLE STATION, not a “DEATH STAR”…Rebel Scum!!!
2018 may be more important than you think.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/republican-success-opens-door-amending-us-constitution-165446908.html
Flour contains protein too: for whole-wheat flour, about 16 g per 120 g*. As a typical male, you should aim for about 58 g of protein daily. So all you need to do is consumer 435 g (about 1 pound) of cookies per day and you should be fine, nutritionally speaking.
* Subtract about 20% for processed white flour.
Made mincemeat pie yesterday. Must make Brandy sauce to go with (just buttercream flavored with brandy) Made apple pie today. Tomorrow I will make pumpkin, then the traditional Christmas cinnamon rolls for Sunday morning. Busy kitchen!
I am rather surprised that you haven’t declared it a post-free zone yet and shut down Whatever until after Christmas. Given a choice between political rants and homemade gingerbread, I’m in favor of the gingerbread. The Rage Mango will (probably, regrettably) still be around after the holidays, and I’m willing to ignore the tweetsharknado until then.
John Scalzi will go off, ladies and gents, at some time in the not too distant future. Just wait for it. It’ll be like cookies, but better.
I’d be sympathising with you, but this year my partner and I are living in a rental place which has the following “features”:
* No air conditioning (trust me, I really noticed that one yesterday – 43C maximum temperature, which is on the hot side even for Perth).
* Not much ventilation in the kitchen.
* A very small and cheap stove which doesn’t have the world’s best insulation around the oven – so when the oven is in use, the entire kitchen heats up. (Definitely not comfortable at this time of the year, but I’ll be keeping it in mind for winter! In fact, I have next year’s Christmas presents planned out already: fruit cakes, baked in the middle of winter, and carefully fed brandy and rum over the next few months).
So this year, my Christmas cooking extends to making White Christmas (a confectionery item of the “Chocolate Crackles” school of cooking – combine dry ingredients, pour over melted Copha, leave in fridge to set) and rum-raisin chocolate truffles (where the only cooking done is melting the chocolate). Biscuits/Cookies are pretty much off the menu until at least about April (when the weather is scheduled to cool down again).
Robin in NM
It’s good to see not all is lost of our great traditions!
Every time I think about writing a thought-out political blog post, I get overwhelmed by the depression of those thoughts and retreat from it. And since it’s the holidays, my retreat leads to baking — which leads to things like “Blasphemy Cheesecake”.
I’m pretty sure my friends are much happier with my baking retreat than my blog posts, as they are recipients of said blasphemies. LOL
“Blasphemy Cheesecake” sounds like something I really want the recipe for. Also John’s next hair metal band.
Next year make sure there are peanut butter cookies in there. If no one is allergic. They fulfill all the foods groups because of the protein from the legumes.
Black forest oatmeal drops also help. The cherries were a superfood a few years ago. They should be in rotation to be there again soon.
@Dwight Williams: I thought my depression couldn’t get any more profound, but you managed it. Thanks?
Andrew: I apologize for adding to that pain.
Megpie 71, you could make berry tiramisu with store bought ladyfingers or pound cake.
If you are willing to microwave melt chocolate or butter, I think I can find more no-bake holiday desserts for you.
Seriously, we might as well eat well as not while watching the crazy. There are only so many ways I can eat popcorn!
The problem with cookies: the more one enjoys them, the quicker they disappear!
Right as rain…
Kore & Megpie: Our solution to the “too hot for baking” problem is a giant pavlova. Pre-baked shell, whipped cream, topped with All Of The Fruits!! coarsely chopped, plus maybe some shaved chocolate. Sorted. I just can’t go White Christmas any more; something about the mouthfeel of Copha. We receive some each year, and fortunately everyone else in the house likes it. And there’s always those Danish butter cookies that come in the blue tins. And shortbread, and Lindor truffles, and roasted cashews & macadamias…
Not-so-random quote of the day: “Politics were for those who had too much to eat.” ^_^ (From “A Brief History of the Trans-Pacific Tunnel” by Ken Liu)
Scalzi Brain, do you have something to say about John Kasich’s duplicitous signing of an abortion ban after 20 weeks’ gestation? Abortion bans are still bans, even if they’re not as absurd as a ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. The legislators knew they weren’t going to get that one, so they settled for what in their view is the “next best thing”.
Kasich won a Hamilton Elector, Ron Paul (not his song Rand) won an Elector, Bernie won one, Colin Powell won two, that native American woman Faith Spotted Eagle won one…
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MetaSonnet: Valley of the Half-Blind
.
by Jonathan Vos Post
.
In the Valley of the Half-Blind
the 3-eyed dog is king
sung to B. B. King
Lie Down with Dogs
Get Up With Fleas…
.
There’s no such thing
as being half-pregnant
half a crook
or half-blind
but never mind
.
Some say the glass is half-full
some runneth over their cup
some say it’s all a bunch of bull
Black is White, Down is Up
.
3 p.m., Wednesday 21 December 2016
.
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/12/21/trumps-half-blind-trust-blasted-absurd
I had a comment, but now all I can think about is cookies. And mincemeat (still made with real meat here). Mmm cookies. Mmm pie.
Hear that?… Someone’s knocking at the door. It’s the squirrels, they are coming for you. Merry Christmas (cookies) you nut.
My grandmother in Missouri used to label her pies either
‘TM’ (for ’tis mince) or ‘TM’ (for ’tain’t mince). It seemed
to work out fine.
This is why I write first thing in the morning. My prose is generally clean due to no carb and sugar contamination.
Might explain why I don’t sell anything. I’m either functionally comatose or pretty much done in by SQUIRREL! by 1:30. By the time I get home and contemplate all that business stuff, my brain is barely capable of binge-watching Marvel shows, music documentaries, or reruns of The Wire and Game of Thrones.
I like your quote Shrinking Voilet; its a useful reminder for those of us not living at the bottom level of Maslow’s heirarchy.
So “Miniatures” showed up in “People who buy this also buy these” and I googled “whatever” and here I am and I liked your review of #RogueOne so I preordered it (“Miniatures”) and I may follow you on @twitter (I read your pinned tweet) and tomorrow I’ll be going “Who is this guy again?” (Just another day online.) But I’m glad you’re around.
While I enjoy your political commentary, I’ve got to admit that the biggest reason I’ve been visiting Whatever a couple times each day this week is in the hope of finding one of your yuletide tales. I am recovering from orthopedic surgery last week, and between PT and pain-killers, I desperately need a good laugh. I’ve pre-ordered Miniatures and am eagerly awaiting its arrival, but it doesn’t sound like that will ship for another week or two, and I need help now.
I apologize – I know very well that you’re not my bitch and that you don’t owe me or anyone else (except your publisher) anything. But if those cookie-befuddled synapses of yours happen to feel like having fun with silliness of a different variety, this humble fan would be simply delighted to see the results.
Joyful holidays to you and your family, sir, and please have fun doing whatever the hell you please. If you decide to share it here, I’ll squee with delight, but either way, just have fun. And thanks for all that you do.
Have you considered pierogies? :)
And now the really burning question: what *kind* of cookies?
Here are the ones I brought into work:
American gingerbread
Swedish gingerbread (no molasses)
Shortbread
Swedish rye cookies
Cranberry-orange chocolate chip walnut
Brownie-cookies
But what would Scalzi eat?
Before I sink
Into the big sleep
I want to hear
I want to hear
The scream of the butterfly
DO YOU WANT THIS THE NICE WAY OR THE HARD WAY?
NICE WAY: OH, TERRIBLE THINGS ARE HAPPENING, GET INVOLVED, BRING SIGNS, BE CAUCASIAN, DON’T BLOCK TRAFFIC.
NOT NICE WAY: IT’S ALWAYS BEEN LIKE THIS FOR MOST OF YOUR KIND, GET FIGHTING.
MY NICE ZER ACOLYTE SAYS IT’S ABOUT SKIN TONE OR SOMETHING – REALLY? GREEN IS GOOD, OR DID WE MISUNDERSTAND ONE OF YOUR CULTURAL FILMS AGAIN?
But, seriously: either join them or fight them. The cookie monster is now tooling up with a large arrangement of weapons, but he was always a militant one.
~
Looks at 4th Wall: I heard you’re not into Dragon Symbiotes having sex? Yeah, that kind of stuff and metaphors are really important now.
Double-Down: how to lose, a 2016 Film coming last month.
Colonel Snuggledorf, hope you make a full recovery.
If you preordered from Subterranean, the e-book links have gone out. I’ve got mine loaded on the Kindle, but I’m trying to hold off reading until the 25th — we’re postponing the family Christmas because some relatives won’t be back in town until the 27th, so I’m going to use Miniatures as a Christmas treat.