A blog about societal, cultural, and civilizational collapse, and how to stave it off or survive it. Named after the legendary character "Crazy Eddie" in Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle's "The Mote in God's Eye." Expect news and views about culture, politics, economics, technology, and science fiction.
Immerse in a day of compassionate gestures and appreciative reflections in this episode of Destination Celebration, aired on November 13, 2024. We initiate the day with World Kindness Day, as hosts Marlo Anderson and Latoya Johnson highlight the transformative power of kindness, encouraging small acts of goodwill that can make a significant difference in our world. Then, in the spirit of National Gratitude Month, we explore the profound impact of expressing gratitude, fostering an attitude of thankfulness that can enhance our wellbeing and relationships. Whether you're an advocate for fostering kindness or a believer in the power of gratitude, this episode offers a heartwarming mix of humanity at its best. Join us on Destination Celebration for a day of kindness in action and gratitude in abundance.
Here's the description of National Gratitude Month from National Day Calendar.
National Gratitude Month in November encourages us to embrace the power of gratitude. What are you waiting for? Give gratitude a try!
#NationalGratitudeMonth
Gratitude is more than simply saying “thank you.” Gratitude’s amazing powers have the ability to shift us from focusing on the negative to appreciating what is positive in our lives. Practicing daily gratitude gives us a deeper connection to ourselves, the world around us, and to our Creator.
Everything in our lives has the ability to improve when we are grateful. Research has shown that gratitude can enhance our moods, decrease stress, and drastically improve our overall level of health and wellbeing. On average, grateful people tend to have fewer stress-related illnesses and experience less depression and lowered blood pressure, they are more physically fit, they are happier, have a higher income, more satisfying personal and professional relationships, and will be better liked. Grateful kids are even more likely to get A’s in school.
If everyone practiced daily gratitude, we could change ourselves and the planet for the better. Everyone would be much happier. Love would grow and hate would decrease. And the world would know true peace.
Seth takes a closer look at the progressive political world pointing fingers over Trump’s victory, with Bernie Sanders saying Democrats abandoned the working class and pundits saying Democrats were too woke.
Seth takes a closer look at Trump's campaign confirming he will begin mass deportations on day one of his presidency, his allies promising to get revenge on their enemies and the Justice Department winding down the criminal cases against him as Democrats descend into fighting and finger-pointing.
DCI normally uploads their videos on November 10th, the Marine Corps Birthday, but that was a Sunday. I expect they'll get around to it today. If so, I might replace this video with theirs. At least it should have a good description!
From Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., the United States Marine Corps Battle Color Detachment features “The Commandant’s Own” United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, The United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, and the Official Color Guard of the Marine Corps. These featured units kicked off the NightBEAT edition of the 2023 Drum Corps International Tour, July 30, 2023, at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
The unofficial video I used cut off before the "Star Spangled Banner" and march off the field, so this makes up for it.
The United States Marine Corps West Coast Composite Band performing The Marines' Hymn at the 135th Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade on Monday, January 1, 2024. This composite group brings three Marine Bands together from around Southern California; Marine Band San Diego, the 1st Marine Division Band and the 3D Marine Aircraft Wing Band. The band members are fully combat-trained and many have been on combat deployments. This fine band has marched in the Rose Parade for over 20 consecutive years.
Before the band, we have the USMC Mounted Colo[r] Guard. It is the only equestrian unit that carries the American flag.
Weekend Update anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che tackle the week's biggest news, like Trump promising a "Golden Age of America" in his presidential victory speech.
Weekend Update anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che tackle the week's biggest news, like Starbucks releasing their "Merrier Together" holiday cups.
Every time I hear "40 monkeys" (actually 43), I think of 12 Monkeys, which makes this both on topic for collapse and decline and, along with the news about Diddy and the simultaneous release of Gladiator 2 and Wicked, qualified this post as the Sunday entertainment feature.
Follow over the jump for more highlights of last night's show.
Here’s the thing: there actually is an island of garbage in the ocean – but the only person who mentioned it during the whole campaign was Trump's insult comic.
I'm taking a break from election results to revisit what I wrote what I wrote four years ago: "In addition to Denny’s and Applebees, the report named The Cheesecake Factory, Outback Steakhouse, TGI Fridays, and IHOP as restaurant chains at risk of filing for bankruptcy as a result of the pandemic." The pandemic may have officially ended last year, but it's still having an effect, as Company Man Mike explains while he asks and answers The Decline of TGI Fridays...What Happened?
TGI Fridays has filed for bankruptcy. This video looks back at the company's history while trying to identify five of the biggest reasons behind its decline.
Here's Company Man Mike's list.
At least Company Man Mike isn't listing private equity, which I last discussed in 'Bankrupt - 99 Cents Only Stores' by Bright Sun Films, a tale of the Retail Apocalypse, as one of the reasons for the decline of TGI Fridays. Also, I found it perversely refreshing that three of the causes for failure were concepts that TGI Fridays pioneered and originally reasons for its success before its competitors followed their examples and the trends played out. On the other hand, I can see how the rise of fast casual did in casual dining restaurants like TGI Fridays and Ruby Tuesday. I haven't gone to a TGI Fridays or Chili's since the GreatRecession, a Ruby Tuesday since my wife and I ate in one when we drove to Mt. Pleasant in April 2015, and an Applebee's shortly after that. On the other hand, I ate regularly at Panera until just before the pandemic and would still do so given the opportunity.
That's the latest about the RetailApocalypse for now, although I stand by my opinion that "I feel like no bankrupt company's story is fully told until both Company Man Mike and Jake Williams of Bright Sun Films have weighed in." Should Jake follow through with a video of his own, I'll post it here. In the meantime, stay tuned for a follow-up to John Oliver on corn for National Food Day about the winners of the Environmental Media Association (EMA) Awards then a special election edition of highlights of tomorrow night's Saturday Night Live.
I closed Jon Stewart's message to his viewers about the election by telling my readers "Michigan still hasn't been called for either President or U.S. Senate as I write this, so stay tuned for those results..." convictedcriminalDonald Trump won the Great Lakes State, but Elissa Slotkin won election to the U.S. Senate. Most of the rest of the results were like that, which makes me think that a lot of people voted for Trump and left the rest of the ballot blank or voted for Jill Stein and then Democrats down the ballot. I promise I'll get to that, but I'm not feeling like it today. Instead, I think my readers and I deserve some comfort via comedy, beginning with Stephen Colbert telling his audience You Are Not Alone / The World Reacts To America's Decision.
The Late Show checked in with America's allies and enemies to see how they're reacting to Donald Trump's reelection.
Stephen gauged my mood correctly. I hope he did the same for my readers.
Stephen Colbert delivers his first monologue following Donald Trump's victory over VP Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
I'm tempted to share cute animal videos, too, and it might come to that, but I'm not there yet. Just the same, I understand why Stephen is showing them and his audience appreciates them.
Seth takes a closer look at Donald Trump winning the 2024 election, making him the oldest person to take the oath of office and the first person convicted of felony charges to assume the presidency.
What upset me most about this segment was RFK Jr. being in charge of health, which he's bad at, while Trump is keeping him away from energy and the environment, which he's actually good at. It's enough to make me create a label for him, Brainworm. I expect I'll use it a lot during the next four years, although I thought the same of Doctor Pyramid for Ben Carson, who would be better for health than RFK Jr. Instead, I ended up writing "At least you were too boring to write about for the past four [years]" after Carson's service as HUD Secretary. May we be so lucky with RFK Jr.
Desi Lydic unpacks Donald Trump's big presidential election win over Kamala Harris and the subsequent fingerpointing from media pundits. Plus, The Best F**kin' News Team joins Desi to try to muster up some optimism.
We Americans could have elected the first woman as President. Instead, we elected the first convicted criminal. Ugh. The misogyny is real.
Last night we had the choice between a prosecutor and a criminal and we chose the criminal, more than half of the country voted for Donald Trump, it turns out the election wasn’t rigged even though he said it was while people were in line voting, Jimmy’s kids were very upset at the news, Jimmy received a lot of texts from anxious friends and family members, President Biden watched all of the action from the White House and he called Trump today to congratulate him, Kamala Harris also called Donald Trump to concede and she gave a speech at her alma mater Howard University, the voting itself went relatively smoothly despite a number of bomb threats that were sent into heavily democratic precincts, it was a terrible night for so many in America, Jimmy offers some thoughts about how we move forward, Cousin Micki shares something positive, and we head out to Hollywood Blvd to ask people if they voted in the election today (even though it was yesterday).
I think Jimmy is right to be worried. I am, too. I would be surprised if I weren't already on some list, although it gives me cold comfort that I'm probably so far down that list that Trump and his coming administration probably won't get to me in the next four years.* Now I'm wondering if people will protect Jimmy, Stephen, Seth, and the rest of the late-night talk show hosts. If so, it would be another example of the surest way to get Americans to act is to mess with their entertainment. As I first wrote in 2011, "America is quite clear about its screwed up priorities." Tuesday night just reinforced that.
I've had three posts removed from the Crazy Eddie's Motie News Facebook page this month for "spamming." I'm not doing anything different at that page since I created that page years ago. Instead, I think a new follower is reporting me for potentially (too) popular political content. It's likely a U.S. conservative, but Marcy "Emptywheel" Wheeler reported that Russia has compiled a list of over 1,900 “anti-influencers” and I'm wondering if I got on that list. If so, yay, the right enemies, but boo, they might be causing me trouble with Facebook. Either way, it's annoying. Let's hope this stops after the election.
It ended up being five posts, four of which featured either Saturday Night Live or Colbert, before I changed the format of those posts to avoid having them removed.
Julián Castro discusses evolving Latino support for Donald Trump.
Latino support for Trump was even more pronounced in Michigan, where exit polling showed 62% of Michigan Latinos voting for Trump. That could be enough to swing the state to him. If the uncommitted movement does it, I'd know what my agenda would be, denounce Jill Stein and the Green Party and support a quality primary opponent to RashidaTlaib, although if she wins the primary, I'll still vote for her in the general. I'm not going to be like my neighbors, who voted for the Republican nominee. I have limits and standards. For Latinos, there is nothing I can do that Trump and his core supporters would do more effectively except be a positive example. Who knows, Trump might actually overcome his bigotry and cater to his new voters. We should be so lucky.
Michigan still hasn't been called for either President or U.S. Senate as I write this, so stay tuned for those results tomorrow.
Seth takes a closer look at an exhausted and despondent Donald Trump closing out his campaign with rambling speeches to dwindling crowds, threats of violence, baseless allegations of cheating, vaccine ban possibilities and complaints about Saturday Night Live.
A Prius with a bumper sticker that reads "Science Is Real"? I feel seen! Speaking of science being real, I wish RFK Jr. thought so.
A respected Iowa pollster predicts VP Kamala Harris will win big among that state's female voters, the Harris-Walz campaign promised a fresh start for the country if they win, and the former president had major trouble with a microphone at one of his rallies.
Jordan Klepper recaps the candidates' election closers: Kamala Harris's star-studded message of joy and Trump's "oral" presentation with his mic stand. Plus, Michael Kosta explains how Peanut the Squirrel's death could help Trump target niche undecided voters.
That's it for today. Stay tuned for election results beginning tomorrow. I hope election night doesn't turn into an election month, but I'm not optimistic.
A quick message ahead of Tuesday’s election. And the worst photo that’s ever been taken of anyone. Ever.
As my regular readers know, I live in Michigan — in fact, I live in RashidaTlaib's district — so I'm quite familiar with the uncommitted movement. John's message is probably the best one for them. It's the one I wish I could make so that convictedcriminalDonald Trump would finally become irrelevant, especially after he's sentenced and stands trial for his other crimes.
Bill has a message for the undecided voters who like to wait until the eve of an election to make up their minds.
I'm recycling my reaction from Bill Maher says 'Make the Mall Great Again' for Cyber Monday: "In the middle of all the 'Get off my lawn' sentiment and resentment over reactions to the pandemic, Maher makes some good...points," especially about the economy. If the economy is really the issue, then all of the headline measures, employment, economic growth, wages, and even inflation, should be a slam dunk for Kamala Harris and the Democrats. That it's not indicates other issues are important to undecided voters. I have to go to work, so I won't explore them today. Maybe tomorrow. Stay tuned.
CNN's Kaitlan Collins (Chloe Fineman) checks in with Kamala Harris (Maya Rudolph) and Donald Trump's (James Austin Johnson) campaigns on the eve of the 2024 election.
Weekend Update anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che tackle the week's biggest news, like a comedian at Trump's Madison Square Garden rally calling Puerto Rico a "floating pile of garbage."
As I wrote yesterday, "all the garbage references...came out of Trump's rally at Madison Square Garden. That deserves a post of its own, but I don't know if I will have time before Tuesday." Thanks to Weekend Update, I don't think I have to write it.
Weekend Update anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che tackle the week's biggest news, like Sean "Diddy" Combs facing a new lawsuit.
I take perverse pleasure in Michael Che just skipping over the Dodgers winning the World Series. I also enjoyed Colin Jost turning the tables on Che; usually Jost the butt of the joke.
The news about Disney and Diddy — never thought you'd see those together — qualified this post as the Sunday entertainment feature, but follow over the jump for more entertainment news.*
As for all the garbage references, those came out of Trump's rally at Madison Square Garden. That deserves a post of its own, but I don't know if I will have time before Tuesday. I'll dispense with it for now by remarking that the one in 1939 was enough.
You're walking home, a little tipsy, guided only by the moonlight. Suddenly, you sense something watching you: an unnervingly large owl with a human face! This is La Lechuza, a malevolent witch-owl from Tejano and Mexican folklore.
After watching 'The 10 Unspoken Rules of Slasher Movies, Explained' by PBS Storied, where the villains are evil humans, but generally not supernatural monsters, I was glad to return to actual monsters from folklore instead of entertainment for today. I'm also glad Dr. Zarka created a second video about Mexican monsters during the past year so I could use it today. Here's to her and the team at Monstrum on PBS Storied uploading a third video about Mexico for next year's entry!
I didn't find an appropriate drink video for today from Secret of the Booze, but CBS Detroit uploaded Day of the Dead cocktails with Shankar Distillers earlier today. Since my blog is based in Metro Detroit and I enjoy sharing local content, I couldn't resist.
Michigan-based Shankar Distillers has several Day of the Dead cocktail recipes.
I appreciated the decorations that made the table look like an ofrenda. I also now understand why, when I searched YouTube for Day of the Dead cocktails, I retrieved videos for palomas. That was the cocktail made in this video.
So ends this year's spooky season. Stay tuned for non-holiday programming tomorrow. In the meantime, drink responsibly.
