Stephen MacGranam

Jim Wolf is a strong argument for all AI umpires in the MLB. I don't want AI, but he certainly makes the argument easy. Dude, retire already. You're fucking up the outcomes of games. An ump should be mostly invisible. You inject yourself. Just stop. Retire. Go play poker with Angel Hernandez.

Today wasn't much better. By the 4th inning, I lost track of his many walks that were natural strikeouts were let through with Wolf. It was substantial. However, luckily, the Brewers were far enough ahead Wolf couldn't make (enough of) a difference tonight.

YouTube video by Umpire Auditor Umpire Jim Wolf missed 24 calls in the Mets Royals game #mlb #baseball

youtube.com/shorts/mf0OI...

Huh.... that's interesting... given the Phillies won in extra innings due DIRECTLY to an errant call made by Wolf, the difference of a walk or a strikeout, and it wasn't his 1st... or 2nd errant call. Flagrant. Murph got booted immediately. Anybody want to ask him how much he made on his bet?

I don't know that it's communist, as communism as it exists in our mind's eye and what it actually is differs, but it certainly is fascist, which isn't the same thing. And yes, we are living in a functional (dysfunctional?) Fascist state.

.... which also could fit nicely in the Trump camp.

I'm not convinced Trump is "in" politics. It has no allegiance to any one country. It fleeces us and everyone It can get an angle on. Enriches Its family, destroys hope, opposition, community, Its actions are indefensable, so It eradicates. It's apolitical. It would eat Its child if hungry enough.

I threw up in my mouth a little.

Find a new occupation..... or grow a conscience and start doing right by your constituents.

I think Dodgey Douchey DOGE needs to be a thing. We should get a hold of Amy Gleason because clearly she's pulling all the strings. Right guys?.... Guys? (crickets) 🙄

No Other Land... if you're lucky enough to find it at an independent theatre, see it. Period. Because it will most likely not be available...at all...very soon. It has no US distribution, and it needs to be seen because it's what the US has allowed to happen for a very long time. Don't look away.

Create work that irritates, not for that purpose, but because..truth. Let truth BE narrative and flush theirs out. Narrative and truth aren't synonymous, but can be. Critical thinking will return. Discomfort is how we unsettle this garbage. Humanity will fucking win. Inclusivity, not exclusivity.

bsky.app/profile/snop...

So.... yeah. We're in trouble. Congress? Hello? Congress? Supreme Cour.. oh never mind.

I would be in a food coma haze. I can almost taste the flavor. That pan would be gone.

Pretty sure David Byrne wrote Psycho Killer about the times we are facing... right now. And he wrote it decades ago. Yeah. He's that good. He's always been that good. He's still that good.

Good birthday was had, flying solo. I'm officially a half-century. Don't feel it. Walked 10+ miles. Went to Chicago Art Institute for some alone time with some old friends. Walked to Greenhouse Theatre. Saw some Ibsen (Ghosts). Walked back. First time seeing Gwydion Theatre production
I'll be back.

Oof-dah. I'm Still Here had better win something. It checks all the boxes. Cinematography makes you feel like you're peering in on a family. Ensemble work is so good you quickly forget these are actors playing people who really existed. Not sure how they prepared, but the relationships, just wow.

I need to give a shoutout to Downtown Books in Milwaukee. Just off Wisconsin Ave. on Broadway. Every time I go there, I find a gem or 10. Best used bookstore in MKE for sure. You'll find some real rarity items for great prices. Great service. Same kind, older gentleman still owns it. Keep him busy.

bsky.app/profile/sand...

Can someone in a position of authority just say it out loud? Ask Netanyahu, on the record, "Do you intend on annexation, regardless of Hamas' presence?" We already know the answer. Ask them out loud. Same should be done for Lebanon. Netanyahu is not Israel. Hamas is not Palestine. It's time.

Nickel Boys is a powerhouse. From the opening scenes, you know you are about to see something special. The cinematography is highly adventurous, sound design is sneaky. You don't really notice it (which is the goal) because it's so seamless. See it as soon as you get the chance. It's right on time.

I am an ally. Inclusivity, not exclusivity. Visit other 1st world countries, and if you have the ability to be present, you'll see they have just as much to offer humanity (often more) than the US. I'm American. I served, but there is no such thing as American Exceptionalism. One world. One people.

It's The Onion.... but...

Biden commutes sentence of Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier Peltier was convicted of killing two FBI agents in a case indigenous activists have long disputed.

Through all of the stuff going on today, my jaw dropped when I heard this. The evidence that he didn't do what he was convicted of has been around for decades, yet, he's never been pardoned by republican or democrat, but at least he is finally free.

www.axios.com/2025/01/20/b...

Seems appropriate.

Actors/Theatre people in Milwaukee and Chicago area: Who are you represented by? Would you recommend them? Why? It's shopping time for Steverino-Rebob-a-Rooski.

The Brutalist is right on time. When our attention span is being whittled away at, this film comes in just under 4 hours. Cinematography and ensemble work keep attention quite easily. If you love film for all it can be, this might be the best film in 10 years or more. See it in 70mm if you can.