- Standing in a slow-moving line to purchase some food, an older, white-bearded gentleman behind me asked me, out of the blue, if I liked the outdoors. I said that while I don’t hunt or camp, I do like the outdoors. He then pulled out his phone and started showing me some photos of rattlesnakes he had caught on the land he owns in the panhandle. I told him I spent some time in Abilene and learned to be careful while walking out of a friend’s house outside the city at night, you’ve got to be careful where you step, so as not to step on any snakes as you walk off the porch and as you get in your car. He shared a few stories about rattlesnakes that had lost their rattles, and then mentioned that he and his family spend a lot of time on the property hunting and riding four-wheelers. I told him that it must create some great opportunities for bonding and making memories, and he shared a few more family stories with me. I wasn’t really in the mood for talking, but I hope I helped make his day better.
- Since my father served most of his military career in the Army, I was looking forward to the Army’s 250th birthday parade. Especially seeing the troops march in different era uniforms. I didn’t like the idea of how much it was going to cost, especially having to retrofit the tanks with special tracks to avoid damaging the streets of DC and to ship them via rail all the way from Texas. I know it coincided with Trump’s 79th birthday, and that didn’t bother me too much, but I certainly didn’t want it to have the appeal of the parades we’ve seen in China, Russia, and North Korea. A lot of folks have forgotten that tanks and missiles have been part of FDR’s, Ike’s, and Kennedy’s inaugural parades.
But I was disappointed in what I saw. Not so much of the thin crowds, but the soldiers that marched didn’t look sharp or in synch. Granted, I hear that’s because, unlike those communist regimes, these soldiers don’t march often and perform actual real jobs, and special ceremonial troops are used for marching at public events.I just got back from the Trump parade and I have to say it was legitimately the worst executed mass attendance event I’ve ever seen
One overarching thought: how do you spend $80 million and fumble the basics?
Many more thoughts –
— Doug Landry (@dougblandry) June 15, 2025
- The assassination and attempted assassination of two members of the Minnesota State Congress isn’t getting as much coverage as I expected it to. Especially when the suspect was still at large. It was disappointing to see how many conservatives condoned and found humor in the fact that these two victims were of the opposing political party.
- CBS’ Watson Is Popular, But There’s Another Sherlock Holmes TV Show That’s Been A Quiet Success, And I Hope More People Start Watching It
Y’all know I have a high appreciation for all things Sherlock Holmes. I’ve only caught a few segments of Watson, but I felt it was really a remake of House and quickly lost interest. However, I’ve only recently learned about Sherlock & Daughter, and it seems pretty intriguing with a new concept and twist on things. - Bill Murray recently shared a story about how Bruce Willis used to be an NBC Page and would refill his and Gilda’s M&M’s when they were on Saturday Night Live. I had no idea.
- I love slapstick comedy movies and was a big fan of the Naked Gun franchise, at least the first two films. So, when I heard Liam Neeson was cast in the remake, I had high hopes. Leslie Nielsen? Liam Neeson? See the play on names? Not to mention, both were known for playing serious characters, so they fit this brand of comedy. I was also familiar with Neeson doing some great straight-laced comedy in one of the Ted movies and with Ricky Gervais. However, my expectations have lowered after seeing a few clips, and now the new movie poster, featuring him and Pamela Anderson on the cover. I was slow to realize it’s a play off the James Bond Octopussy poster.
