Semi-random thoughts

• There should be background checks for people who want to buy pressure cookers.
• I got a new computer monitor, because my old one died after about 11 years. HP uses HDMI connectors for digital input. HP includes a nice HDMI to HDMI cable with the monitor. But my two year old computer doesn't have an HDMI output--it only has a DVI digital output. Guess who made my computer.
• I hate it when I update an app on my phone and it wipes out my settings.

Plat du jour--it's ba-a-ak

I have replaced my phone with the broken camera.

I didn't realize Norse gods drove cars.

Today's tiny news round-up

Due to the my watching the Olympics, my posts are going to sparse and small for the next couple weeks.

Good News

• NJ Police Chief Suspended, Demoted For Email Advocating Racial Profiling

Bad News

• Hot Springs Store Owner Asks Lesbian Couple to Stop Holding Hands

I'm baaaack!

No, I'm not dead. Or finished with my glob. I was just traveling. I went to Belgium, and then Las Vegas for the Burlesque Hall of Fame festival. Now I'm back in New York, and I will resume normal blogging.

Today's news round-up, Part 2

Good News

• Five North Carolina Sheriff's deputies disciplined over Trump rally
• Botswana's top court rejects gov't bid to ban gay rights group
• Justice Department probing town's denial to build mosque
• Man charged with supporting Islamic State pleads guilty
• ‘Gotham’ Renewed For Season 3 By Fox This is one of the two non-PBS series I've been watching the last couple years. I started watching only because I know someone who had a tiny recurring part in it during the first season. 

Bad News

• Two suicide bombers kill 22 in Maiduguri, NE Nigeria

Blogging break

As I did in November, this week I am minimizing my time on the computer, so I can continue cleaning up my office. I won't be posting much, if anything.

But I'll be back next week.

Happy 17th--to me

Today is the 17th anniversary of my first time going out as Caprice. I guess I'm legal now, at least in New York.

Old news round-up

Some things that I somehow missed.

Good News

• Facebook to improve its 'real name' policy This makes it quite easy for me to keep my name on Facebook.
• California sets inmate sex reassignment rules
• Cuomo Planning Discrimination Protections for Transgender New Yorkers I was actually at this dinner and heard him announce it.
• Salt Lake City Voters Elect the City's First Openly Gay Mayor Jackie Biskupski
• Socorro High postpones talk by Catholic speaker

Bad News

• Transgender woman in Zambia convicted of sodomy

Recent news round-up, Part 1

Good News

• ‘I Am Cait’ Renewed For Season 2 By E!
• New Mexico secretary of state resigns, enters guilty plea Another Republican in trouble.
• New Jersey Senate Overrides Christie’s Veto of Gun Control Bill
• FCC caps "egregious rates" charged on inmate phone calls
• Verizon follows AT&T, asks FCC to let it enable Wi-Fi calling This would be great for me. The cellular reception in the rear of my apartment where my office (and wi-fi) is is pretty weak.
• New York Philharmonic Discusses Temporary Home at Hunter College This also would be great for me. It's an easy trip from where I live.

Today's news round-up, Part 1

Good News

• FAA proposes nearly $2 million fine against drone operator
• Cisco security researchers disable big distributor of 'ransomware'
• US forecast calls for lower heating bills this winter I sure hope this is correct. Last year was very bad for us.
• Md. birth certificates law takes effect
• Wright house aimed at wider audience rediscovered in Madison

Bad News

• 11 Chadian soldiers killed in Boko Haram attack: army

Semi-random thoughts

• Putting my name in the title of your email does not make it any more likely I'll read it. In fact, it might make it less likely.
• I am amazed at how many brick and mortar stores don't put their address on the home page of their websites.
• I had forgotten how much I like Häagen Dazs Belgian chocolate ice cream. Which is probably a good thing.

I'm still alive

I'm just on vacation in the Berkshires in western Massachusetts. Don't expect to see much here until at least the 27th.

Recent news round-up

I'm back from Las Vegas and the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender. I brought a case of bronchitis with me. I'm gotten caught up on my important e-mail, so it's time to resume my blogging.

Good News

• Over 100,000 at Tel Aviv Gay Pride Parade, regions biggest
• Nigeria, neighbours forge anti-Boko Haram force
• Woman had right to be drunk on her front steps -Iowa Supreme Court
• Two men charged in Wisconsin with stuffing employee in storage box It's good they were charged.
• U.S., allies conduct 15 air strikes in Syria and Iraq: military 
• Syrian Kurds push deeper into Islamic State stronghold
• Hackathons take on Islamic State in cyberspace battle
• Oregon lawmakers pass paid sick leave bill
• Air Force Takes A Big Step Toward Allowing Transgender Service
• Pentagon to update policy with protections for LGB troops
• Parliament in Greenland unanimously approves same-sex marriage

Bad News

• Suspected Boko Haram gunmen kill 37 near northeast Nigeria's Maiduguri
• Indonesia's Islamic Aceh province canes unwed couples
• N.C. Senate Overrides McCrory Veto of Religious Objection Bill
• Police reject LGBT application for pride parade

Recent news round-up

Good News

• Motown's Temptations, Four Tops visit Oval Office  I'll be seeing them when they come to NY in a couple weeks. 
• Ruling Lets Work Email Be Used to Organize Unions
• NLRB issues rule to speed up union organizing
• AP Source: Justice won't ask Risen about source
• FBI probing death of black North Carolina teen hanged from swing
• Court lets Pennsylvania widow keep home sold over interest on $6.30 tax bill
• Alabama recalls vanity license plate with gay slur
• Islamic State target of 27 strikes by U.S. allies

Bad News

• Wealth Gap Widens Between Whites and Minorities
• Nigeria's Boko Haram refugees: fleeing in their thousands

Sweet 16!

Today is the 16th anniversary of my first time appearing as Caprice.

Throwback Thursday

Veronica Vera and me, about 2005.

Throwback Thursday

Hedda Lettuce and me, about 2001-2002--before she went green, and I went auburn, er, blonde, um, black.

My sober poem

I'm going so batty.
I'm singing the blues.
My liver is fatty.
I can't drink my booze.

Today's news round-up, Part 1

Good News

• Vice chairman of Arizona Republican Party resigns over birth control comments
• ‘A National Admissions Office’ for Low-Income Strivers
• Number of Americans Without Health Insurance Falls, Survey Shows
• Angela Lansbury reprising 'Blithe Spirit' on tour I saw her doing this in London in May. She's wonderful and the play is a lot of fun.
• Feds launch policing bias study
• Judge Convicts Police Officers in 2011 Assault on a Teenager I hope they're fired. This is why cops should be wearing video cameras.
• New Hydroelectric Plant to Be Built for New York

Bad News

• With Winter Fast Approaching, Three Governors Slash Funding for Heat and Food All Republicans, of course.

A fringe benefit of a burlesque show

I got Minx Arcana's lollipop during her Lolita burlesque number--from her mouth to mine. I licked it the rest of the evening.