It’s been kinda cold and shitty around here lately. Yesterday there was dusting of snow – enough to show up on the back deck, and some rooftops and cars, but that was about it. Today, though, was a different story. Not that we had a blizzard or anything, but there was enough snow to mostly cover the grass. Certainly enough to track small animals, so I guess we can have Indian Summer now. This weekend would be nice, because even if I don’t manage to cut the grass one more time, I need to get the mower off the tractor and put the front end loader back on and then get the cab and tire chains on. All of which is a pain in the ass.

Later on today, the snow is supposed to turn to rain. Nothing more enjoyable than standing around waiting for the bus when it’s 38 degrees and poring rain.

In light of the weather turning colder and my public transportation commuting status, I’ve decided to buy myself a new winter jacket for the first time in more years than I can remember. And I even bought a new winter hat and new gloves. Not that I don’t already have a hat and gloves, but you can never have enough around here. A set to wear, a spare set in the trunk, another set for the tractor, and another set to keep by the door for going out with the dogs.

And I snagged a 4-pack of Merino® wool socks from Costco a couple weeks ago, so I should be good to go.

It used to bother me to have my feet get all cold an numb, but now I like it. Saves on me strapping on the ice packs. Though I seem to have something going on with a couple of my toes – they seem to have developed painful red spots on them. What’s up with that, I do not know.

In other news, it looks like you can forget about anything happening for the next four to eight years (assuming Clinton wins 12 days from now) as “.”

And if Democrats don’t win back the Senate, the Republicans are promising to block any and all Clinton Supreme Court nominees.

Even if the Democrats get the Senate, they’ll need to enact (or re-enact) the “no filibuster for SCOTUS” rule to get anybody appointed. And Democrats being the sniveling cowards they are, that probably won’t get us anybody but a “moderate” (aka, right of center) justice.

Basically, if you thought the campaign season sucked, you’re gonna hate what’s coming next.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, winter is coming.

So tonight’s the final “Presidential” debate. I used quotes, because I suspect it’ll have far from a presidential air about it. And that’s because one of the participants is anything but presidential material. The most amusing quote I’ve read so far today comes from Trump shill Kellyanne Conway:

“If it were up to me this entire conversation would be about what I know the people would want it to be about, which is the issues….”

Well the only thing that’s stopping that, Kellyanne, is your boy. I’m sure Hillary would love to discuss the issues. I bet she’s even prepared to talk about the issues.

At least tonight marks the beginning of the end. I don’t know about you all, but I was sick and tired of this election months ago – and it’s only gotten worse. I’m really not looking forward to the riots and violence when Trump unleashes his basket of deplorable mouthbreathers when he refuses to concede the inevitable (and part of me is still terrified that something will happen to get Trump “elected”).

And if you thought the Republicans refused to let Obama get anything done the past eight years, just wait ’til you see what they do with Clinton. So if you happen to live where the Senate and/or House races are close, don’t forget to vote. Otherwise we could be down to about three Supreme Court justices in a few years.

Living in an overwhelmingly blue state (Clinton even leads easily here in the Great White North, which is not exactly known as a liberal oasis – though given that she won both her Senate races here, it’s not surprising), we haven’t been subjected to many national campaign ads. Both sides are putting in a lot of money on some Congressional races up here, though, and they’re extraordinarily annoying. I don’t watch much live teevee, but when I do, I keep my finger on the mute button.

It’ll be a relief when this is all over. November 8th can’t get here soon enough.

Upstate NY obituary: 85-year-old man dies, 'narrowly escaping the 2016 election' https://t.co/noxTCT4k1y pic.twitter.com/kONLL8yB3h

— Kate Collins (@kcollins213) October 19, 2016

Well, shit, I was kind of thinking that we were in mid September and today I realize it’s October first. Bummer. That means I have a big day in store for me today. What with September only having 30 days, it means I have to set the date on my watch ahead a day. In fact, I have two watches, so I have to do it twice. I should also cut the grass, but it’s kind of cold and damp so I may not get around to that today (plus I have to watch SU lose to Notre Dame at noon, so that kind of kills the whole day). Maybe tomorrow, but the weather doesn’t look any better then, either. Plus I really need to get the pool closed up. I don’t think I have the energy for that, though.

It would be nice if weekends didn’t come with the pressure to try and get things done. Laundry, shopping, cooking, and then with paltry few things I try to do around the house. I have some huge cracks in my driveway that I really out to fill in with goop before winter gets here. It’s not a permanent fix, of course, but it’ll hopefully help to hold it together for another winter. And winter could start around here at just about any time now. We could have a green Christmas, or it could start snowing before Halloween and not stop until Mother’s Day. You just never know. What I do know is I’m not looking forward to it. Especially this taking the bus stuff.

The bus in the morning is usually more or less on time, but in the afternoon it almost never is. Of course, you still have to be there waiting just in case it shows up when it’s supposed to. In the warm weather, that’s OK. I get to sit at a picnic table under some trees by the Everson Museum of Art. There’s a fountain there, and sometimes they set up speakers and crank out the blues – plus it’s one of the few places that don’t have “NO SKATEBOARDING!!” signs, so I get to watch the kids doing all kinds of things that would certainly put me in the hospital (if not the morgue). So it’s kinda nice to sit there on a warm sunny day, even if the bus is late.

But the past few days have been windy, cold and damp, so it hasn’t been exactly pleasant. And all I can think about is how it’s gonna feel when it’s 10 degrees with a forty mile an hour wind driving ice pellets into my face. Should be great.

I’ve also been watching a band-aid that’s stuck to the sidewalk. It’s been there for at least a couple of weeks now through all kinds of weather and I can’t help but be impressed with the adhesive on it. I don’t know what brand it is (I guess technically “band-aid” is a brand, but it’s kinda like Kleenex or Q-Tips), but if I did I’d buy some. I’m lucky if I can keep a band-aid stuck to my finger for a couple of hours, let alone weeks.

Yesterday at work I heard that somebody had their Halloween decoration scarecrow confiscated because it didn’t conform to our cubicle regulations.It seems they’re trying to make our office climate as uncomfortable as possible. For instance, apparently the important people who have individual offices were apparently a bit too warm so now those of us in the cube farm are freezing. These are the same people that got to select special chairs that presumably don’t cripple their backs while the serfs had to get shitty chairs, even if we already had chairs we were content with.

Personally, I have nothing in my cube. No pictures, no decorations, nothing. If they want me to lead a sterile little Dilbert life, so be it. Between the cubes and riding the bus, I feel like a right little drone. And with no beer to look forward to at the end of the day.

Not that I’m complaining, of course. Just counting down the days (2,341) until I can retire – unless President Trump fucks up my Social Security.

Oh well, almost time to get ready for a Costco run.