Remember that old SNL sketch “Fecal Matter with your Host, Doug Fecal”? No? Yeah I figured it was just me. It was a solid (heh) talk show format with a specialized host and topic. Well, we ain’t exactly doing Pod Flies Open around here, but what about in written form, maybe say like a mix between Doug Fecal, Jack Handey, Balls’ 25 questions, Rev’s take on Larry King, and I don’t know, my own fucked up mind? With that backdrop I present to you the fourth edition of a potentially recurring irregularly scheduled Random Thoughts with BFC!  Now also in open thread form! If you want to make this interactive, drop a note/question/bon mot in the comments ala my old Mouth Flies Open attempt at an advice column.

• I was thinking a lot about a tweet I saw the other day (Not unusual, I know). IIRC it was a version of “how do you deal with the fact anxiety and depression are often managed through recognizing their irrationality when right now there are so many legitimate reasons to be existentially anxious and depressed?”  Oh shit, I found it (or at least a version of it, I’ve seen a few)

It's very hard to maintain mental health because so many coping strategies are based on the idea that your anxiety is unwarranted, and right now needs more of an "okay, extremely warranted but you still gotta water the plants or you'll have fascism AND dead plants" approach

— Cliff 🦖 Jerrison (@pervocracy) June 29, 2022

• Like (too) many other DFOers, I’ve struggled with depression on and off for years.  Lately, it’s been very on. Some of it is clearly the constant barrage of news that further underpins the dread that can only be brought on by living through the collapse of American democracy, the reemergence of white supremacists / ethnofascists, and the catastrophic impacts of climate change. But some of it is also wrestling with when impostor syndrome is more honesty than misapprehension. Regardless, what I’ve noticed is the big change this time around is the devastating impact on my attention span. I feel like I literally cannot focus anymore. I wrote in the last edition about procrastinating work with writing for DFO. But it’s almost inevitable at this point. I sit down to bang out a powerpoint or a memo and immediately get distracted and need to find something to center me. I’m engaging a lot in what Mrs. BFC calls “productive procrastination.”  Haven’t finished my midyear reviews but I’m going to go do the dishes. Oh, the work to-do list just had another 4 things put on it?  Might as well assemble this bar cart (looks great by the way).  Even my currently-addled brain gets it; I’m looking for small victories wherever I can get them.  But they’re not leading to sufficient momentum to get over the hump and feel good about, you know, my day job. Which then leads to more “you’re a piece of shit” feeling necessitating more of the same vicious cycle.  Anyway, I guess the good news is that I’m writing more, and I both enjoy that and the dopamine hit that can come from positive feedback from y’all.  Would just be great if I could focus on that bright side for more than 10 seconds before being overwhelmed by the rest of the shit.  Bah.
• This is my eleventh (11th) post for DFO in 2022.  It’s not particularly noteworthy or even notable compared to the Cal Ripken-like efforts of BGR or Maestro or Yeah Right or Balls or (the list goes on and on) but for me and my aforementioned I should probably write more sentiments, it’s a stark contract to the four (4) posts I wrote in all of 2021 or five (5) posts I wrote in 2020. Gotta keep going, I guess. Damn, back to accidentally talking about mental health again.
• Who would have thought that the Mormons are the sane ones in conservative political circles now?

A transformational leap of faith in LDS politics? All 4 House Rs from Utah – Curtis, Moore, Owens, Stewart – voted yes on same-sex marriage today. https://t.co/ZUsosRsEpr

— Paul Kane (@pkcapitol) July 19, 2022

• Your regular reminder that the modern Republican party is anti-Democracy and houses/supports treasonous shitbirds AND is even against popular things people want.

Some perspective on the House GOP caucus:

1% (3/212) voted to end the federal prohibition on cannabis

13% (29/211) voted to renew the Violence Against Women Act

22% (47/213) voted to federally recognize same sex marriages

66% (139/211) voted to overturn the election

— Steve Morris (@stevemorris__) July 19, 2022

• So as a result, this shit needs to stop:

Former Republicans and Democrats to form new third U.S. political party co-chaired by Andrew Yang and Christine Todd Whitmanhttps://t.co/kV9U83Qmib

— Anthony (@Anthony) July 28, 2022

• One job right now–stop Republicans from ruining the country by voting for Democrats.  After that, new parties, challenges to Dems, whatever is all on the table, but with Republicans actively and openly endorsing sedition and opposing Democracy, now is not the time to siphon votes.
• Need a palate cleanser? Me, too.  Why don’t we talk about what our go-to cheer up move is/was?  Back in the day (I want to say my very early 20s?) I would typically watch one of Billy Madison, South Park, or some other goofy ass comedy any time I needed cheering up. Why in the cinnamon toast fuck am I not doing that on the reg now?  Do you all have a go-to for a blue day?
• How pissed do you think Balls would be if he knew I reject all the users with email addresses like “[email protected]”? Oops.
• Even though it’s hot as fuck all outside, I’ve really been enjoying being out on the deck grilling. Not only is it a great beer-sipping activity, it just makes everything taste a little summerier.  Ever grilled a peach?  If not, get on that, it’s delicious. There are indeed recipes but just cut the peach, through some olive oil/spray on there, and put those fuckers directly on the grill. Cook however long you want, charmarks, softening up, and heat are all it takes to make em tasty.  If you want to get fancy and add a soft chese and a drizzle of balsamic, you do you.  Even better is to plop em over vanilla bean ice cream. But I just eat em straight. This has been “BFC overuses ’em’ while describing grilled peaches.”
• I don’t know if it’s just because I’m in DC (and if it is, what a waste of money) but I am getting a TON of commercials imploring me to tell my senators to oppose S.2992.  Well what does this boogeyman of an inflation compounding economy ruining bill do?  Basically prevent Amazon, Facebook, and Google from continuing to fuck over everyone else.  Oh.
• Ok, ANYTHING good happening in the world?  Anything? How about Prince William having an affair and now being called the Prince of Pegging?  Does that count?  Let’s take it.
• Schumer and Manchin reaching a deal should count, too, but let’s wait til they have the Byrd Bath and the vote before we get too excited.

What’s On TV Tonight?

Béisbol

Royals @ Yankees 6:05PM
Phillies @ Pirates 6:05PM
Tigers @ Blue Jays 6:07PM
Guardians @ Red Sox 6:10PM
Mariners @ Astros 7:10PM
Dodgers @ Rockies 7:40PM
Rangers @ Angels 8:38PM
Cubs @ Giants 8:45PM

Aussie Footy

Fremantle v Melbourne, 5:10AM, WatchAFL app

Wow, that’s it.  Hope you have something to do tonight, might I suggest a board game?  I don’t know, man, I’m tired.  Have at it.