Covid on My Mind – Monday Open Thread

Week 2 of the Preseason starts this Thursday, and there will be games all through Sunday. I am looking forward to those games as much as updates from incoming packages. Right now, we’re at the Sorting Facilities, where I’m sure each and every worker is masked, washes hands every ten minutes, and must rush to an isolation booth to sneeze. So no, I’m not worried at all.

The NFL crammed a full season last year, without vaccines. I trust their eagerness to be even more cavalier this time around. Not that the NFL needs to; back in July, the league announced that Covid-19 outbreaks among unvaccinated players will be grounds for a forfeit and players from both teams will not be paid. Best case scenario, these measures will result in movie-style, boot-camp peer pressure, complete with pillowcase soapings.

Full attendance by fans at the games is still in force. Howevah, the NFL does not require fans at games to be vaccinated; this is from July 20, but the best source I found.

Yeah… I bet the games will look great on TV / computer during the 2021 regular season. Hell, I can’t see myself inside a 20%-full movie theater—not even for Dune ffs. BUT, going to a January, 2022 post season game will be evaluated in due time, omicron-variant permitting.

 Today in Personal Decisions:

Lamar Jackson: He returned today to practice after contracting Covid for the second time (1st time was in Nov. ’20). Whether if he’ll get vaccinated, “it’s a personal decision … I’m just going to keep my feelings to my family and myself. I’m focused on getting better right now. I can’t dwell on that right now … how everybody else feels.”

Do I have a take on that?

There is an “approved medical or religious exemption” for vaccination in the NFL-NFLPA Covid-19 Protocols for 2021 Training Camp and Preseason. Maybe your control-F skills are better, but I didn’t see what would be an “approved religious exemption”. I do know a guy who can attest “I, as your Spiritual Pastor, am unconcerned with your physical health. Glory to Moloch”.

Still, it’s quite the Kids’ Table for the unvaccinated, which is fine by me. Serious public health concerns should trump individual rights. Make no mistake, this is not a principled stance, but a spiteful one in light of the smoking ban in bars and restaurants. You pro-health nuts have condemned movies to rely on sound direction and idiosyncratic tics for tense scenes indoors. Damn monsters.

And no, I haven’t had a cig in months. Months!

 

Practicing Today:

Deshaun Watson. The important stuff: his trade request remains in place and the Texans are willing to hear offers. Watson is a defendant in 22 separate lawsuits for sexual misconduct, two include allegations of sexual assault; no criminal charges have been filed. My opinion on that legal situation?

The NFL is still reviewing what to do with Watson, per PFT. Would link to it, but part of the Florio charm is seeking him out—and I do not want to deny you of that.

Also Practicing

Saquon Barkley. “The time has arrived” declares the NY Post. “The wait is over”, the NYP whispers over your ear in a sultry, Harvey Fierstein voice. Top chaff.

The grain: today, practice; tomorrow, 🤷🏼‍♂️. The RB will not be playing in preseason games. As to Week 1, “guess we’ll see” said Barkley.

Out of Practice

Patriots TE Hunter Henry (shoulder). MRI pending today.

 

SPROTS TONITE 

With the end of the Olympics, the pickings are slim. All times Central:

Major League Béisbol

Medias Blancas (Giolito, 8-8) @ Twines (Burrows, 0-0) – 7:00 PM

Cerveceros (Peralta, 8-3) @ Ositos (Mills, 5-4) – 7:05 PM

NY Y*nqu*s (Taillon, 7-4) @ Reales (Hernández, 3-1) – 7:10 PM

Marlins (Thompson, 2-4) @ Padres (Musgrove, 7-7) – 9:10 PM

 

Fútbol – Secsi Mexi (Apertura, 2021)

Pachuca (1-0-1) hosts Atlas (1-1-0) – 9:00 PM

 

NBA Summer League

Yeah, something this momentous deserves a listing

Just ribbin’ ya. They’re playing in Las Vegas. Here’s what’s on tap:

Magic v. Warriors – 7:00 PM (ESPN3)

Clippers v. Bucks – 8:00 PM (ESPNU)

Suns v. Jazz – 9:00 PM (ESPN3)

Finally, I watched an OK movie yesterday: “The Last Letter from Your Lover”. Two things stood out. First, what makes a good love letter during courting. There’s gotta be emotion, maybe even some reverence. (Counterpoint). But there’s gotta be passion and communicating the intent to act on it. Something more obvious than a “I’M DTF” acrostic, but nothing worthy of a restraining order. It’s a delicate balance.

The second was a scene of a lovelorn guy sending a text, and then staring at the screen while the other was [typing animation] for some seconds, but no text was received. Nice drama-by-tech moment, could even be relatable.

I burns for ya, fitbaw. Come back to meeeeee.

5 3 votes
Article Rating
Don T
Poor choices, mixed results. ¡Viva Puerto Rico Libre! Titans4Eva
Subscribe
Notify of
93 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Doktor Zymm

comment image

Mr. Ayo

The answer to each question is B.

Gumbygirl

Later taters! Here’s a bedtime snack

facebook_1628475959679_6830323231588804870_206328776825457.jpg
Mr. Ayo

No doubt it was gargamel’s life goal to eat that smurf tuna.

TheRevanchist

Watching the first episode of Reservation Dogs. Pretty good thus far.

BrettFavresColonoscopy

Btw who was saying the MCU hit home runs with all their casting? Because i could have done without vagina candle as pepper potts.

TheRevanchist

Yeah, but she really is an okay actress. And they needed someone who can play the calm role perfectly. Don’t get me wrong, she as bananas, dare I say worse than Jenny McCarthy, but she really is a good actress. I despise her but absolutely fell in love with her in Shakespeare In Love. Then quickly read another Goop related crackpot idea, which flip-flopped it back to hating her.

Anthony In TX

That was me. To be fair, I said “by and large,” because no movie will be 100% accurate on casting (especially one based on such a well-established and beloved franchise as Marvel comics).

I don’t like her public persona very much, but didn’t really have a problem with Paltrow as Pepper Potts. She didn’t add much, but she didn’t detract from any of the movies, at least not for me.

BrettFavresColonoscopy

At what time is it ok to complain about the music volume in an adjacent hotel room?

/get off my lawn

Gumbygirl

Join the swinging party! Don’t be a square

facebook_1628357764333_6829827484375566376_126717641661451.jpg
BrettFavresColonoscopy

If it isn’t the opening credits of Laugh In, I’d rather get some sleep

Doktor Zymm

Any time really, but otherwise I would say it’s okay in the 8 pm – 10 pm range, and after 10 pm you get to be super angry about it

Doktor Zymm

Alfredo Rivera is my new favorite comedian
https://youtu.be/XFoXmnBuLw0

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

I lost it when he talked about the passenger grabbing his titties.

Doktor Zymm

He don’t play that!

Doktor Zymm

Looks like next week at this time my BA flights from Europe back to the US for my September trip will be cancelled! Then I’ll be able to get that flight refunded, and I’ll be able to consider whether I want to find a flight KBP – VIE to take my backup points booking in Emirates business, try to snag one of the Lufthansa 1st awards that have been opening up out of Munich, or spend an extra day in Kyiv and book a points flight direct from there on a less nice airline (probably SAS). I think I’m starting to get the hang of international travel during Covid

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Sharkbait

Moron

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

442291 (7).jpg
Doktor Zymm

At some point there needs to be a montage of Rod and Todd’s greatest Covid hits

ballsofsteelandfury

Was the REDACTED a bitch or a cunt? It’s not [*Redacted] s, is it?

TheRevanchist

Duh! It IS your damn fault.

Doktor Zymm

Maybe you feel that way because it is your fault they are gone.

Dunstan

“Sadly, her parents had already managed to reproduce before they died of their stupidity.” — Charles Darwin

Mr. Ayo

“I don’t know how I could have saved their lives says nurse who knows about a vaccine that saves lives”

ballsofsteelandfury

I dated a nurse that worked in the oncology department and smoked. Sometimes there’s a mental disconnect there where they’ve seen so much death that they don’t care anymore.

Mr. Ayo

I know. Step mom is a nurse and won’t get it.

She thinks vaccines caused the development issues in her first daughter. Her other three children are just fine of course.

Doktor Zymm

I am angered by how difficult it is to buy women’s pants that
a) Have usable pockets
b) Fit people who are not tube shaped and have hips that are larger than their waist
and
c) Don’t have a drawstring, especially one inexplicably made out of a stretchy material that renders it useless

Gumbygirl

I hate buying pants. My problem is that I’m pretty much a bowling ball with legs, so everything that fits in the waist is huge everywhere else, and anything with a stretchy waist immediately rolls to my hips.

Doktor Zymm

I have the opposite problem. I think we should chop all our pants in half and swap the waists and hips/legs and then we’ll both have pants that fit, with no thanks to BIG PANT!

Gumbygirl

Or we should just boycott pants entirely!

ballsofsteelandfury

NOW YOU’RE TALKING LIKE A DFOER!

Gumbygirl

I’m pretty sure I’ve been doing that all along. Exhibit A: my dickhair pictures below!

Doktor Zymm

This is clearly the best answer

Anthony In TX

Stay strong, JJD. These are but road humps on the path to career greatness.

Gumbygirl

Gumby worked for a bunch of different contract companies in his telecom career. Pay issues the first month or so are a given. Don’t sweat the small stuff Jake, it will get better!

Doktor Zymm

Shoutout to Yeahright and Sunday Gravy –
Yesterday I cooked up a bunch of bacon for a BLT, and then made a sort of pan sauce with the rendered grease that was based off the sauce from last week. Quick sautee of some green beans I needed to use in the sauce and those are now some tasty green beans!

rockingdog

thats ROCKING!

BrettFavresColonoscopy

Is it just me or does the banner pic look a little like tWBS?

Doktor Zymm

I really hope you made a joke about the 1980s calling and wanting their shitty telecommunications technology back

litre_cola

I am in negotiation to rescue another pug as Decilitre loved Mexsci Pug visiting this past weekend. What am I thinking…

Doktor Zymm

You are thinking that pugs are awesome?

Gumbygirl

And you have love in your heart and room in your family. Do it.

litre_cola

It will be happening. Have to go back to see my fam in 2 weeks so probably rescue him once we get back!

litre_cola

Yes I am. I do miss Oxipug and Deci wants a dog real bad!

Doktor Zymm

I think Lamar! was going all galaxy-brain with this most recent Covid infection, and getting it out of the way when the resulting natural immunity is likely to cover the entire season. If he was treated with monoclonal antibodies then that’s a bonus, since he gets a 90 day buffer period before he can be vaxxed. I’m surprised more NFL antivaxxers weren’t out there trying to get infected before the season starts so they could avoid the possibility of forfeits.

BrettFavresColonoscopy

And may their lungs know the fluid weight of that decision

Sharkbait

Who has two thumbs and is attempting to learn javascript to write a dumb discord robot that posts a Mike Dean yellow card gif?

This guy!

Doktor Zymm

javascript is possibly the worst programming language in the world.

Mr. Ayo

Lisp

Doktor Zymm

IMO javascript is worse than fortran, labview and basic. I haven’t used ada so can’t speak to that one. And javascript is newer than all those, so it SHOULD be better overall, not just better at being infuriating.

Sharkbait

I’m inclined to agree with you there.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

“Them’s fightin’ words!”

[programs fightin’ javascript robot]

[robot fails silently]

King Hippo

I suspected I had/have COVID on the mind, but me neurologist says nothing would show on an MRI anyway.

(shrug emoji)

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

“Not racist, but #1 with racists!

Ha ha ha ha, just kidding, we’re totally racist!”

Gumbygirl

Foxnews gonna fauxnews.

Anthony In TX

Remember when they castigated Kamala Harris over a non-rah-rah Memorial Day tweet, right after posting something about Memorial Day cocktails?

Pepperidge Farm remembers.

rockingdog

Ummm anyone want an apple pie hot dog?

https://www.foodandwine.com/news/guy-fieri-apple-pie-hot-dog

comment image

Doktor Zymm

Yes, yes I do.

Gumbygirl

Balls, you’re an admin. Gumby sent me two pictures of women with their hair styled to look like penii. Is it ok to post them? It’s not actual dicks, it’s hair, but they are pretty spot on. They made me laugh!

litre_cola

As long as it isn’t actually real I think it could fly.

Gumbygirl

I don’t want to go to timeout! Ok, here’s one

facebook_1628554957025_6830654570472736153_239823220477628.jpg
TheRevanchist

Don’t ask for permission, only forgiveness. Post those penis heads!

Gumbygirl

And number two

facebook_1628554985615_6830654690388420586_239851317358086.jpg
Doktor Zymm

I guess blondes DON’T have more fun!

Gumbygirl

Clearly.

ballsofsteelandfury

Yes, of course!!

rockingdog
Senor Weaselo

Well lizard people, Senorita Weaselo and I were off to get Vietnamese sandwiches after she finished teaching for the day.

They’re closed on Mondays. So we’re getting tacos instead. Because the “Weaselo date restaurant list” is two pages long and as much as we try, it ain’t getting any shorter.

Anthony In TX

I had a muffaletta today and thought my coworkers were going to have a stroke.

Can’t even imagine if I told them “I’m thinking of having a banh mi for lunch.”

litre_cola

I went back and read your answer to my Mighty Whitey (nawt raycess) question and you poor bastard have been a Fulham supporter almost as long as me. What a ride it has been the last 20 years! Nice to have another glutton for punishment in the clubhouse.

Plus your playlists are good too.

Anthony In TX

It’s tough being a Fulham fan (not to mention hollering “COME ON YOU WHITES” feels a mite uncomfy in 2021). It is certainly nice to have a fellow sufferer around. I wouldn’t trade that experience for the world (even if they can’t close out a match they should win… looking in your direction, Middlesbrough at home yesterday).

And thank you for your kind words re: the playlists! Side note: Will Courtney (in part 3) is my cousin and just an all-around stand-up dude.

Gumbygirl

Ringo Deathstar is a great band name!

Anthony In TX

Yes! That they also make good music is a nice bonus!

Fronkenshteen

As a fellow veteran of a ruptured ACL, my wholehearted wishes are with Barkley to have the bravery and confidence he’ll need to trust that reconstructed knee. No snark. Just want to see the young brother tear it the fuck up this season.

Anthony In TX

I have no rooting interest in the Giants, nor do I wish them any ill will.

As much as this is becoming an air-first league, there’s still something really sexy about a well-executed running game. Hopefully Saquon is ready to go and the Giants road-grade the shit out of some teams (specifically the Cowboys and the Redacteds).

Gumbygirl

Which is exactly why I want young Najee Harris to go completely ham this season.

Anthony In TX

That, and he seems like an awesome dude.

Fronkenshteen

This evening’s underdog parlay:

DFBEDB1D-30FE-455A-8606-D0FF4F416529.png
ballsofsteelandfury

I wonder if an NFL player dying of COVID would actually change anything.

Fronkenshteen

I was wondering that today as well. I imagined an O-lineman succumbing. Be a helluva crossroads…

Gumbygirl

I nominate Richie Incognito!

Anthony In TX

Oh yeah. Suuuper fuck that guy. It’s incredible that he’s still allowed in the league. What a piece of work.

WCS

HES JUS NAWT TUFF NUFF FOR THE NASHONAL FOOBALL LEEGUE!!!!111!!!1!

Anthony In TX

Short answer: nope.

Long answer: noooooooooooo(inhale)ooooooooope.

Senor Weaselo

I feel the same with Anthony Rizzo, because the Yanks all got the J&J vaccine back in April (which is why they all have the rona now), except for new addition Rizzo who is a cancer survivor but isn’t taking the vaccine for… reasons?

ballsofsteelandfury

That’s bullshit. I know a cancer survivor that got the vaccine. He’s only sprouted one tail and he actually kinda likes it!

Viva La Tabula Raza

Can be handy, if prehensile.