samhexum

My disability check covers my rent with $200 left over to cover my luxuries like food, insurance, and medical bills. I am going to be totally fucked. I have 2 1/2 months to win the lottery.

German restaurant Manor Oktoberfest bids farewell to Atlas Park in Glendale after 18 years Manor Oktoberfest, a German-American restaurant and longtime tenant at The Shops at Atlas Park in Glendale, has officially closed its doors, marking the end of an 18-year era at the open-air mall. Known for its German-inspired menu and beer, Manor Oktoberfest was among the mall’s original establishments and held the distinction of being one of its longest-standing businesses. Founded by Mark Gallagher, Manor Oktoberfest opened its Atlas Park location in 2006, quickly establishing itself as a go-to spot for hearty German-American dishes. Its wide array of offerings, including German craft beers, bratwurst, and authentic potato salad, made it a favorite among locals and visitors alike. The Glendale location also served as a popular gathering spot for funeral luncheons, benefiting from its proximity to nearby cemeteries. This closure comes at a challenging time for The Shops at Atlas Park, which has seen multiple businesses shutter in recent years. Despite its inviting layout and village-style charm, the mall has struggled with tenant turnover. Former retail and dining staples like The Fair and Shiro of Japan have left empty storefronts, raising concerns among community members about the mall’s future. Remaining tenants, however, continue to attract visitors, including the Regal Cinemas, TJ Maxx and Home Goods, which are significant draws in the community. Dining options are still available, but the loss of Manor Oktoberfest has left a void, particularly for patrons who frequented the restaurant for its warm, Bavarian ambiance and unique menu. Manor Oktoberfest’s legacy in Queens will live on at its Forest Hills location at 73-11 Yellowstone Blvd. The more formal location features a popular bar, a private party room, and an expanded menu of German favorites. Manor Oktoberfest in Forest Hills.

Good resolution to the Gerrit Cole situation... Per Andy Martino: Brian Cashman says there are no contract extension talks going on with Gerrit Cole, per @martinonyc Cashman says the Yankees were not comfortable adding another year to Cole’s contract, and he agreed to remain on his current deal with four years, $144 million remaining

I am so bummed that there are only five episodes left.

Save your Halloween pumpkins for smashing at Queens Botanical Garden’s catapult event

For years, every time I've seen a commercial for Ricola, in my head I substitute "E-coli!" for "Ri-cola!"

Even though kids are still working through their pillowcases full of Halloween candy and parents are working through their own stash of Halloween "candy tax"—the candy their kids have to "pay" them for taking them out trick-or-treating—World Candy Day rolls around on Nov. 4. For those who weren’t able to levy the candy tax this year, Reese’s has something even better in store for you, and for all of us. It’s a first-of-its-kind Reese’s treat, and it’s a big one. Reese’s Deconstructed Peanut Butter Cup Kit Reese’s lovers definitely have opinions about which form of the chocolate and peanut butter candy is best, often arguing that the shape the candy takes has an effect on the chocolate-to-peanut butter ratio. However, fans don’t get any say in that ratio, no matter what shape they choose. But with Reese’s newest peanut butter cup, you get to control the amount of peanut butter that goes with your chocolate, be it a little or a lot (we vote for a lot!) Reese’s is introducing Reese’s Deconstructed Peanut Cups just in time for World Candy Day. What are they? They’re kits that come with a 10-ounce jar of Reeses’ peanut butter cup filling and a 9-ounce chocolate shell so you can customize your own giant—and we mean giant—Reese’s cup just the way you want it. This is right up there with the 3-pound Reese’s Peanut Cup Pie as one of the brand’s biggest treats ever. Starting Nov. 2 for a limited time only, the kits will be available at Hersey’s online store for $29.99, while supplies last. We can’t recall a time that Reese’s peanut butter filling—which is different from its jarred peanut butter on store shelves—was sold separately from the chocolate shell, so this truly does seem like a first-of-its-kind product. And like that 3-pound pie that sold out in hours, we suspect these will sell out quickly, too. If you want to get your hands on the Deconstructed Peanut Butter Cup kit, jump online to grab yours now. applause.wav are you sure you wanna do that.wav bite me.wav excellent.wav I feel good (James Brown).wav real & spectacular.wav woo hoo.wav you're doing it wrong.wav That's the way I like it.wav tapioca.wav

I watched the 1st episode last night. More of the same, but in the very best way.

You've obviously never eaten at Applebees.

Curators at the Morgan Library & Museum in New York City discovered a music manuscript believed to be by Polish pianist and composer, Frédéric Chopin, in the museum’s collection. The work measures 4-to-5 inches, similar to other manuscripts by Chopin and is believed to be originally intended as a gift, according to the Morgan Library & Museum’s press release. Robinson McClellan, associate curator of Music Manuscripts and Printed Music at the Morgan Library & Museum, told Fox News Digital via email that this is the first discovery of a new work by Chopin since the 1930s. “Chopin left it unsigned and unpublished, perhaps a sign that he felt some ambivalence about it, but he did add performing marks like piano fingerings and dynamics, showing that he intended it to be performed,” McClellan said. Library curators investigated the music along with Chopin experts, who say the manuscript “is a significant discovery in the world of classical piano music.” The sheet music was discovered nearly 200 years after Chopin’s death. It was believed to have been written sometime between 1810-1849. Chopin died in 1849. “The beginning of the piece is most remarkable: several moody, dissonant measures culminate in a loud outburst, before a melancholy melody begins. None of his known waltzes start this way, making this one even more intriguing,” the press release said. Chopin is famously said to write music in “small forms,” but this rare piece lasts about one minute. “This newly discovered waltz expands our understanding of Chopin as a composer and opens new questions for scholars to consider regarding when he wrote it and for whom it was intended,” said McClellan in the release. The Morgan Library & Museum is home to more than 350,000 objects, rare books, manuscripts, drawings, prints and other works of art. The discovered Chopin piece will join the Morgan collection and will be made available for visitors to study. “We see this announcement as the beginning of the process, not the end. We hope music lovers, pianists, and scholars will study and absorb it and form their own opinions,” said McClellan. applause.wav I feel good (James Brown).wav That's the way I like it.wav

Nev Schulman running NYC Marathon three months after breaking his neck

Beloved restaurant chain files for bankruptcy protection as struggles continue Restaurant chain TGI Fridays filed for bankruptcy protection Saturday, saying it is looking for ways to “ensure the long-term viability” of the casual dining brand after closing many of its branches this year.

Dodgers Exercise Club Option On Austin Barnes CONGRATS!

DEAR ABBY: My daughter was diagnosed with a disease. Soon after, she decided to marry a man she’d met. I’m not fond of the guy, and I find it difficult to have a relationship with him. They moved to another state, and I asked that she not bring him to this house. However, every chance she gets, she brings him, and he acts as if this is his house. Right now, I’m in counseling to help me find a solution to this issue. My daughter is also in counseling and claims it is partially due to me. She’ll be having surgery soon, and I have decided not to stay in their home because I’d feel like a hypocrite. I have decided to stay in a hotel and come to their home only to help her. Am I wrong for handling the situation this way? I don’t want to upset my daughter, and I’m sorry our relationship has become so complicated. She is a person who has to control everything. I WONDER WHERE SHE LEARNED THAT? Having a conversation with her is out of the question because it leads to a shouting match and a great deal of disrespect on her part. BUT NOT YOURS, RIGHT? I tend to shut down and withdraw. What should I do? — CAUTIOUS IN TEXAS DEAR CAUTIOUS: I’m pleased to know that you are in counseling BECAUSE YOU’RE A PIECE OF WORK. Please discuss with your counselor how to be gracious to your son-in-law when your daughter brings him along when she visits you. (She may have little choice.) For the sake of your sanity, keep those visits short. Your idea of staying in a hotel when you go to help your daughter after surgery is a logical one. It will give you quiet time to recover from the pressure of caring for her as well as your exposure to her husband. There should be no need for a shouting match; it is important that your daughter’s recovery be as stress-free as possible. As to her being controlling, it may be time to ask yourself where that tendency may have come from. GREAT MINDS, ABBY, GREAT MINDS… DEAR ABBY: A close person in my life complains about money yet spends money on frivolous things. They have rooms full of decorations, dishes, plants, flowers and lanterns, and have done extensive planting in their garden, which, to some, is a waste of money. They buy groceries they don’t eat, and then complain about throwing food away. An example: They bought Oreos, which they hate, so now the cookies sit in the cupboard. At some point, it will become “someone’s” fault, but maybe not the correct person’s. I guess they’re only happy when they are alone, buying decorations? — NOT MANAGING IN THE EAST DEAR NOT MANAGING: People shop (and sometimes overshop) for many reasons, including boredom, depression and compulsive behavior. If the person you are writing about is spending their own money, I see no reason why you should be writing to me. MIND YOUR OWN *&$@ING BUSINESS! however, if it is your money,perhaps the "close person" needs to be put on a budget KILLED. DEAR READERS: Time flies! Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday for most folks. Don’t forget to turn your clocks back one hour at bedtime tonight. While you’re at it, be sure to put fresh batteries in your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. VIBRATORS — LOVE, ABB

Maybe Elsbeth & co. should encounter a demonic situation that calls for a hot priest and his wacky team of experts to assist.

I was too lazy to start a new topic. The full show is now posted to youtube sans commercials in the afternoon daily. I watch it on 1.25 speed; you can fully understand, but it takes less time to watch. Funny moment from today:

SVU & OZ vet Mike Doyle was in last night's episode. His mom used to complain that he was always getting killed onscreen (in both of those shows, included) but last night it was his hubby that was killed. Rockmond Dunbar, who was Athena's gay hubby on 911, was also in the episode. It was directed by handsome actor (& NYC native) Nestor Carbonell. It was a big night for actors directing network TV episodes... Robin Givens directed ELSBETH.

I did a search of the phrase "little voice" before I started this thread and somebody once posted that they had seen that production, along with approximately 700 million other productions they listed that they had seen.

I noticed that Robin Givens directed tonight's episode.

Jaywalking is now legal in NYC— lifting 66-year ban that was scarcely enforced BULLSHIT! I got a $10 ticket 23ish years ago for crossing Queens Blvd where Main St begins, and I had to go to court (which was only a few blocks over, ironically) along with all the other poor souls who'd been caught up in a crackdown by the city.

Formerly-Abused Rescue Dog Has Hard Time Adjusting Until Mom Gets Him Foster Kitten to Love When you welcome a foster or rescue animal into your home, you may not know what they have been through before coming to live with you. Some animals adjust quickly to their new environs. I’ve had foster dogs who were ready to join the family within a few hours. Others take a longer time to warm up. When we rescued our cats, it was a whole year before we were able to catch them snuggling with us while we slept. All of which is to say, it very much depends on the animal how long it takes for them to open up and be their true selves. And sometimes they need a little help, like this formerly abused rescue dog whose heart opened when he got the opportunity to care for foster kittens of his very own. A woman in Houston chose Chapo from the shelter when he was on the list to be euthanized. She described the pit bull mix as “the saddest dog in the shelter” and the many scars on his beautiful brown face were a testament to the terrible times he had been through before coming to live with her. But despite the fact that Chapo was now in a safe, loving home, he still seemed depressed. “For months, progress was slow, and I was beginning to worry about him,” she writes in the captions. “Until I fostered a kitten.” It seems like the key to making her rescue dog happy was letting him rescue kittens. In the video, you can see how gentle and calm he is with these tiny creatures, allowing them to sleep pressed up next to his giant body, nuzzling them with his big snout, and softly mouthing them when they get rambunctious. A better foster dad you couldn’t hope to find. Over the years, Chapo has helped him mom foster many kittens and the results have been rewarding for everyone involved. Dogs and Cats Though the stereotype says that dogs and cats don’t get along, situations like Chapo’s are more of the norm than otherwise, In truth, most dogs can get along just fine with the other animals in their house, whether they are other dogs, cats, birds or anything else. The process of having your dog bond with other animals will differ depending on your individual dog’s personality. Some dogs are instantly curious and happy about having another animal in the house—like this one. Other dogs need to be taught how to be gentle and respectful of fellow creature’s space and little bodies. When first introducing your dog to new pets, it pays to make sure you supervise and know what kind of interaction to expect. Foster Animal Timelines When a rescue animal first comes to a new home, it may take a while for them to adjust to their surroundings and relax. Many rescues advise thinking of the animals as being on a “3-3-3” timeline. According to this rule, it will normally take a foster or rescue dog three days to stop feeling terrorized, three weeks to let their real personality shine through, and three months to accept the place they are living in as their new home. During this time period, it’s important to be gentle with them, avoid throwing too many new experiences and people at them, and being patient as they test boundaries and try to figure out the rules of their new home. And maybe, as Chapo proved, they just need a pet of their own to love. jingle_dogs.wav

He was absolutely adorable.

I watched an AbFab reunion special from earlier this year on YouTube yesterday, then watched a couple of videos of bloopers from the series, then looked up a couple of the actresses on Wikipedia. I was reminded of a movie that I wanted to watch, but never got around to, called Little Voice, which was based on a play called The rise and fall of Little Voice, which was written specifically for Jane Horrocks (Bubble on AbFab). It turns out she has an amazing ability to mimic female singers of the 20th century, from Marlena Dietrich to Billie Holliday to Shirley Bassey to Judy Garland, and even Marilyn Monroe, both singing and speaking. The film was interesting enough that I watched it all the way through despite the fact that there were commercials. I could only find it on Pluto TV. Brenda Blethyn, Michael Caine, Jim Broadbent, and 27-year-old Ewan McGregor were also in the cast.

Dear Abby: I dated a colleague when I was 22 but broke it off because I couldn’t deal with the fact that he was several inches shorter than me. I did not tell him why. I just said, “It’s me, not you.” I am now in my 60s, have had a very successful career, never married and see online that he became a distinguished researcher. In his online picture, he looks like a sweet older man now, and I would give anything to reconnect with him. Would this be foolish? Was I too insensitive at 22 to understand that I likely hurt him? Do you think he would forgive me if I got in touch with him now? He lives far away, so an in-person meeting would be out of the question in the near term. Would an email be OK? He’s in his early 70s and not married. — Stupid Then in Ohio Dear ‘Stupid;’ At 22, you weren’t insensitive; you were shallow A BITCH. Look at this from that man’s perspective. What is he supposed to think when he receives an email 40 years after a colleague BITCH dumped him by saying, “It’s me, not you”? Remember, as successful as he is now, he is not any taller. My advice is to leave it alone, find someone you can be physically attracted to who lives geographically closer, appreciates how successful you have been in your career and is open to a relationship AND BUY A VIBRATOR AND A CAT. Dear Abby: I am a childless 70-year-old man. Every year around the anniversary of my brother’s death, some relatives get together and travel to his hometown to celebrate him. We have a remembrance at the cemetery and go to Mass together on Sunday. We also go out for meals and drinks. There are three generations involved now, the youngest of the kids being 10. This year, my cousin’s son and his wife had a baby. We’re all happy for them. A couple of days ago, I sent a group text on our family thread saying I didn’t think it was a good idea to take an infant on this trip. I explained that I felt it would distract from the purpose of the get-together. Well, my cousin is offended and won’t tell me why. I carefully worded my message so I didn’t say anything negative. Was I wrong? — Traditionalist in Pennsylvania Dear Traditionalist ASSHOLE: You wrote that the purpose of this get- together is for the family to honor your deceased brother and celebrate his life together. When you posted your message on the family thread, did you expect your cousin’s son and his wife to skip the event and stay home with their baby? Their baby is part of the family and may be too young to be without their mother. While your carefully worded message reflects your feelings, it was out of line, and I can see why it upset your cousin. YES, YOU $&%#ING MORON! A NOTE TO PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN: If your little ones will be out trick-or-treating tonight, please be sure they are supervised to assure they are safe STAY OFF MY $&%#ING LAWN! Happy Halloween everyone! LOVE, ABBY