Vox Populi, our weekly live chat about the week’s events begins tonight at 7:00pm PT. Hope to see you then!
AdLib2 hours ago
Hey PPO! Happy New Year!
AdLib2 hours ago
Happy New Year to you, Ad.
pinkpantheroz
2 hours ago
Hope you had a good holiday
pinkpantheroz
2 hours ago
Let’s hope 2026 is a far better year than 2025.
AdLib2 hours ago
Thanks, how were your holidays?
AdLib2 hours ago
For sure, Ad. Maybe the MAGAs will finally admit defeat. God knows, we need wins all round.
pinkpantheroz
2 hours ago
MAGAs wil face defeat in less than a year.
AdLib2 hours ago
Quiet here, hot weather saps energy. I did phone the world as usual,.
pinkpantheroz
2 hours ago
We are used to warm Christmases and New Years here but it’s been raining and mild most days.
AdLib2 hours ago
I have a big regatta starting Jan 6 for 5 days. Teams from all over sailing dinghies. I will be the official timer for the races. Need a lot of Sun Cream!
pinkpantheroz
2 hours ago
Santa wears shorts where you and I are.
AdLib2 hours ago
Sounds fun! And yes, keep those sunburns at bay!
AdLib2 hours ago
How is the lovely Kamila these days, do you stay in touch?
pinkpantheroz
2 hours ago
Kalima!
pinkpantheroz
2 hours ago
Yes, actually texted with her today. She remains one of the loveliest people in the world.
AdLib2 hours ago
Are you making travel plans for this Summer?
AdLib2 hours ago
Heading down shortly to the Club for a briefing. Yes, to travel planning. If things improve enough, will book Perry’s again! Missed you all last year, but The ICE business and airport crap is a limiting factor. , as I would refuse to show my phone records. You know what mine would reveal!
pinkpantheroz
an hour ago
As long as you don’t mind providing a DNA sample and wearing an ankle monitor, America would love to have you visit here again!
AdLiban hour ago
Noting uproar about CBS kowtowing to you know who. Disgusting. I Thought the morning news crew were ok.
pinkpantheroz
an hour ago
The biggest bet for 2026 may be picking the month that Trump falls down in public. I’m betting on all 12 months.
AdLiban hour ago
The GOP have so much to answer for. Hope they get smashed and never recover.
pinkpantheroz
an hour ago
It’s like watching a slow motion car crash, we can all see that MAGAs aren’t going to leave Fox for CBS, those who were watching CBS oppose Trump and will leave, there is no audience for this casual propaganda.
AdLiban hour ago
Trump and the GOP will be pulling out all the stops to overthrow the elections next year but I don’t think they’ll be able to pull it off. Then their heads will explode.
AdLiban hour ago
What do you think about the protests in Iran?
AdLiban hour ago
The propaganda spewing from almost all Media is so, so blatant, it will soon be self-defeating. Virtually none of my friends here watch TV or cable News any more. we prefer online.
pinkpantheroz
an hour ago
PPO!!! Ad!!! Happy New Year!!!
choicelady
an hour ago
Exactly. The billionaires have captured most of the media here in the US but all it’s seem to have done is turn more and more people away from their “news” media and to independent sorces and (unfortunately) social media. They are not succeeding at propagandizing the public, just alienating them.t
AdLiban hour ago
Hey CL! Happy New Year!
AdLiban hour ago
I so hope that the uprising in Iran succeeds, the opposite doesn’t bear thinking about. The problem in my opinion is that Pahlavi may be a straw man . The old Shah was CIA backed and corrupt. Hope this one is a good man
pinkpantheroz
an hour ago
Hi back atcha!
choicelady
an hour ago
HNY, CL!
pinkpantheroz
an hour ago
Hey, PPO – hope all is well down under. Or, from your perspective, up above!
choicelady
an hour ago
CL, all is fine at present. Great Labor Government and Prime Minister keeping it real.
pinkpantheroz
an hour ago
PPO – that is the nicest thing to read!!!
choicelady
an hour ago
PPO – I don’t know enough about him but the US media has dropped the ball on Iran. The military attacks by Israel and the US, water crisis causing them to abandon Tehran and order people to relocate? The country is self-destructing and the religious nutters in charge have been busy pushing their propaganda instead of running their society. This is what happens when elections can’t change things and the Repubs should understand this as they try to blow up our elections in November.
AdLiban hour ago
As I mentioned, Ad, Gotta go to briefing. Talk again soon and will keep you all appraised of travel plans. Cheers for now.
pinkpantheroz
an hour ago
See you soon, PPO! Much love!
choicelady
an hour ago
PPO – It would be tempting to move to Australia right now.
AdLiban hour ago
Bye PPO!
AdLiban hour ago
Hey CL, you have a nice New Year’s Eve?
AdLiban hour ago
Ad – I could not live in Australia or anywhere in the Southern hemisphere. It’s Canada or bust.
choicelady
an hour ago
Yes, thanks. We were with friends in Redwood City, and it was lovely. We stayed over so no worries about driving. Got home around 3 yesterday. How about you?
choicelady
an hour ago
Many, many years ago, for our honeymoon, we went to New Zealand in the Spring and it was amazing. Have to imagine Australia would be then too but no idea how it gets now in their Summer.
AdLiban hour ago
I think it gets VERY hot in many spots. I believe Melbourne is pretty temperate. But I cannot fathom Christmas in summer. My Dad got shore leave in WW II in Auckland and loved NZ. It’s less hot for some reason.
choicelady
an hour ago
Sounds perfect! We did our usual, made an amazing platter of meats and cheeses and other tasty treats, had a little champagne and celebrated our quiet, raininy evening.
AdLiban hour ago
Well, we’ve had many hot Christmases here in L.A.. Never minded it. But do like the cooler days for the Winter holidays though we’ve had rain on and off for most of the past week and it goes on until next Thursday.
AdLiban hour ago
It did rain here in N. CA, too. Our SIL in OR had snow and sleet, so I asked if she was OK, and she was with friends on the coast not having ANY problems. Wise woman!
choicelady
an hour ago
I looked at Melbourne, and it’s like LA on overall temps, just reversed. Normal warm winter has highs of 79. It’s the back country I think takes it in the neck.
choicelady
an hour ago
Yousaw the disastrous flooding in Washington state?
AdLiban hour ago
I did. We have friend and family there, but so far they are NOT impacted. VERY scary.
choicelady
an hour ago
I am so dim – who is our friend from here who lived in Bellevue? Have seen him now and then on Bluesky and cannot, for the life of me, reconstruct his name.
choicelady
an hour ago
Despite discussions about leaving this country due to Trump’s fascism, I find myself upset at people who have actually moved out of the country like George Clooney and his wife, I find it selfish and cowardly especially for a wealthy celebrity to run away because he can.
AdLiban hour ago
Agreed though a couple did it some years ago, “Laffy” whom I like a lot is now in Canada. But yeah – dashing when ESPECIALLY you helped usher in the fascism is REALLY cowardly.
choicelady
an hour ago
Yes, I used to chat a little with Laffy and to be honest, I kind of feel the same way about anyone who actually “ran away”. I sure thought about it so I don’t have a string upset with such folks but I taught my daughter that you can never give up on something meaningful.
AdLiban hour ago
Were you thinking of Funksands?
AdLiban hour ago
Well, she did it three years ago. Not like she ‘gave up’ since she supported Biden. But they planned it out and moved ahead of the “wave”. We talked about it. I am moderately high risk if we don’t get some of our country back. But I’m also just too damned tired to pack, leave, and abandon all the people whom we support.
choicelady
an hour ago
YES! Funksands! I don’t know if he’s still in WA since he was talking about moving years back. Hope he and his family are OK.
choicelady
an hour ago
Bellevue is OK.
choicelady
an hour ago
Yes, I had seen her planning that move and I don’t really have an issue with that, it was just some of her posts that I found a bit sour as she seemed to say she was glad she wasn’t here like we were or felt sorry for people living here. Not interested in that kind of sentiment.
AdLiban hour ago
But I have multiple friends who have moved when they retired, mainly for financial reasons and I’m totally fine with that. We’re lucky to be able to stay in our house in LA when Debra retires (I’m not retiring) and I don’t take that for granted.
AdLiban hour ago
Oh, I never saw her say any of that. Just that she liked it there, and she did feel safer.
choicelady
an hour ago
I think Funk is still in WA. He was having a rough time there when we last spoke or texted, he hasn’t been in touch for a long time now but I really like him. Funny as hell!
AdLiban hour ago
That is our take. Our house is close to paid for, low mortgage rate. We have nearby health care, no earthquake faults, low fire risk, low flooding risk – what’s a good reason to leave? None.
choicelady
an hour ago
Funk was a delight. I hope he’s OK.
choicelady
an hour ago
So the only thing we need to fear is the crash of the AI bubble, and that will impact the world, per economists I’ve been reading. And it can’t be bailed out per Krugman. Too amorphous. But the collapse of the AI bubble will make 1929 look familiar. So I figure – wade it out where you’re established, secure, safe.
choicelady
an hour ago
I suppose it’s a natural instinct and not necessarily coming from a negative place but it’s not cool to “show sympathy” towards the people who must or chose to stay here and fight for our country from your Canadian tower. Overall, I think she’s a nice person. I just think the temptation to brag is tough to ignore.
AdLiban hour ago
I personally hope the offer from a Canadian legislator to annex WA, OR, CA is true – move to Canada and never leave home? Bingo! I’ve lived in Canada and love it, so I’d not be miserable. But I AM an American, and that DOES matter to me. I don’t want the crumb bums to win it.
choicelady
an hour ago
Very happy that you and Hubby are setup so well in your home. No reason to even think about moving,. Same with us, it’s been a long path but we’re setup nicely to live our lives as we are right now when she retires. I would be unhappy about needing to sell our house and move to some other state out of financial necessity. I feel lucky, I’m sure you do too.
AdLiban hour ago
We do. Had a hard go the past couple of years due to the help we gave to the woman fighting for her kid. But all those loans are reapaid (We kept the HELOC line of credit open for $10 and now pay about 6 cents a month!). That financial freedom is glorious.
choicelady
an hour ago
BTW – we are suing the rotten attorney who made this crisis. $1.8 MILLION. Treble damages. He’s moved all over the country evading us – and I hired a PI firm called “Gotcha” and they did. They served him New Year’s Eve. I am a happy woman.
choicelady
an hour ago
Yes, I am very worried about what the AI crash will do to this country with fascists in charge. Very scary and sadly, very inevitable. The whole AI scam is well known, there is no profit model to justify the trillions being invested and scammed in it. I have started looking for home safes again, we need to keep a bunch of retirement savings in cash in the house because if the AI bubble bursts, trillions will be lost and banks may go bust and limit or delay cash transactions. And who knows what will happen with credit lines on credit cards?
AdLiban hour ago
Now that works for me! If I can stay in CA but be a legal Canadian too, immune to Trump insanity, sign me up!
AdLib44 minutes ago
We have cash reserves. We’re w a credit union that’s very good, BUT one never knows. We have cash “under the mattress” because ATMs may go down.
choicelady
44 minutes ago
everyone should have canned and dry good stockpiled, freezers full if possible, and cash. We have done it all. Shelving in the back room is jammed, dry goods galore. And the world’s largest jar of peanut butter. Plus your preserves, thank you so much!
choicelady
43 minutes ago
Yes! I was in credit card debt most of my adult life and it was oppressive. Being out of debt finally is like losing a lot of weight, you feel so much lighter and freer. And we cn do as you and hubby are, live comfortably in our home after retirement without debts destroying our lives.
AdLib42 minutes ago
Only debt we have – and we could totally pay it off – is our mortgage. That’s it.
choicelady
42 minutes ago
That’s great news!!! Where did they find that weasel? Only problem may be that he was on the run not just from you but others he had malpracticed on. And being irresponsible, hope he still has legal insurance!
AdLib41 minutes ago
LOL – I DID take an “extended warranty” on my car. It already paid for one repair. I LOVE it – a Chevy Cruze – because I drove my late ex’s Malibu and didn’t like it. I’m too small for a larger car. I hate Greg’s Civic. He loves it. So mine will be good for some time now.
choicelady
40 minutes ago
He came back to CA, and Gotcha found him almost immediately. He has no other outstanding claims. My BIG worry is that he didn’t have insurance when we hired him. If not, well, he does have a Bitcoin account, and I know where. He will lose every penny and have to convert to US dollars and pay us it all.
choicelady
39 minutes ago
We’re with two credit unions, one of which we use for savings. So that may help when the AI bubble bursts but I’m thinking a nice bit of cash in a safe may prove unnecessary but may also be a lifesaver.
AdLib39 minutes ago
I wish I’d been there to see him get served!!
choicelady
39 minutes ago
We are trying to save several thousand in $5 bills. We are close to our objective. Three more months. Then we will add to it as we can. We decided to make it small denominations since nobody will “give change”.
choicelady
37 minutes ago
That’s THE problem w gold. You have a nugget and who will give you change?
choicelady
37 minutes ago
Heh! Those preserves are so tasty! Yes, we have some canned food and have water and of course, our solar panel and charging device. So we’re somewhat prepared.
AdLib36 minutes ago
My investment account from Tom, my late ex, is 1/3 in cash. My broker is great and gets it.
choicelady
36 minutes ago
We are less worried about energy given that we are a municipal utility w local sourcing, but we’re going to look into the solar generator soon.
choicelady
35 minutes ago
I’m also figuring out how to do a solar cooker. And we have a grill that can burn anything. And a fireplace. We will survive.
choicelady
34 minutes ago
I told my wife not to look at the mortgage as a debt. You have to pay rent or mortgage or even if paid off, property taxes and insurance. So you’ll always have some kind of housing cost but as long as you can keep it close to 25% of your income, you’re in good shape. And our mortgage will be paid off when our daughter is about 40 so we’re happy to know that when she gets the house, she’ll have it mortgage-free.
AdLib34 minutes ago
On the 14th our big beautiful Pecan tree comes down. It shades the backyard but prevents gardens from flourishing. Heartbreaking to do, but we have no choice if we want to harvest ANYTHING.
choicelady
33 minutes ago
It is a relief to have a warranty when your car needs repairs. With a good warranty, it is worthwhile. The Cruz looks like a fun vehicle!
AdLib33 minutes ago
That’s super about being done. We should be soon, but it’s not onerous and WAY less than 25% of our CURRENT income.
choicelady
33 minutes ago
The Cruze is fun to drive, economical, and just my size. It also has Sirius though who knows if we can keep it if everything goes bust.
choicelady
32 minutes ago
It would be so sweet to see you win the case, get the amount you’re seeking and leave that loser in the kind of desperate situation he caused that poor woman to be in.
AdLib31 minutes ago
His refusal to contest custody meant she could not get it even in TX. He left a mare’s nest of problems. It’s appalling.
choicelady
31 minutes ago
I have no problem leaving him destitute.
choicelady
30 minutes ago
I didn’t think about the small bills but that is so smart! If the banking system was frozen, the small bills would be much more practical to have for smaller things than having just 20s. Okay, you educated me! I’m going to get a variety of denominations. And a safe!
AdLib30 minutes ago
If he has insurance and we win a million, I am giving her part of it even though between what we paid out and the lawyer’s fee, that’s all of it. She NEEDS money, and I’m looking into setting up a trust for her – she’s on disability so can’t have it in her name – to keep her whole.
choicelady
29 minutes ago
CL – So smart! You may have a gold coin worth $200. But you need to buy a hamburger and they don’t have change! You better love the most expensive burger you ever ate!
AdLib29 minutes ago
Ours isn’t in a safe but in a highly unlikely spot. Yes – I never could see the virtue in gold for EXACTLY the “pricey hamburger” reason! You’re totally right.
choicelady
28 minutes ago
I can say that solar panels get so damn hot, there must be someone out there who’s made a type of grill or pan you can attach suspended above a solar panel. I do have a BBQ and propane but in a freaked out economy, I’ll bet propane cannisters will be hard to find. But we have gass stove and oven, can’t imagine that being disrupted by a financial meltdown though they may jack up the rates as natural gas spikes.
AdLib25 minutes ago
Of course, we do have solar panels on the roof but that energy goes to the DWP and we’re just credited for it. So if there was an issue receiving electricity, having solar wouldn’t help us. They do have batteries you can buy to retain your solar energy but they only last for 10 years! What’s the point of spending $10k or more when it only lasts 10 years?
AdLib24 minutes ago
Ours is just a Weber charcoal that can burn wood scraps. Same with the fireplace. The solar cookers you can MAKE to do stews and soups, and I have tough Dutch Ovens that do the trick. With a garden, we will have produce year around. Basics. I hate to lose the tree, but it’s a real problem on too much shade. Our first round of potatoes? Marbles.
choicelady
23 minutes ago
Sorry to hear about the pecan tree but growing veggies is so satisfying and productive, it’s worth it.
AdLib23 minutes ago
We have gas appliances, but it needs electricity to ignite, so…
choicelady
22 minutes ago
CL – Very generous and smart, putting the money in a trust for her.
AdLib21 minutes ago
We are embracing the “Mideastern” idea of cooking w meat as a condiment. I can make who stews and soups with one half chicken breast and it does what Greg needs. He can’t go vegetarian for some reason – he needs some amino acids or something, but a little goes a long way.
choicelady
21 minutes ago
I want to have money in a safe to also protect it in case of fire or flood. And of course, if someone breaks in the house and rifles through everything looking for our “stash”.
AdLib20 minutes ago
Ours will be in a “flee bag” we have practiced grabbing in emergencies. Get the cats, the flee bag and GO.
choicelady
19 minutes ago
I still have my Weber charcoal grill, it’s been put aside after I got my propane Weber but you just made me glad I’ve held onto it in case I need a grill that can burn wood or charcoal. I don’t expect such a disaster even when the AI bubble bursts but it costs nothing or next to nothing to be prepared.
AdLib18 minutes ago
We are pretty safe here, but still…
choicelady
18 minutes ago
Exactly. My ex, Tom, used to say, “Fortune favors the prepared”, and that’s what we have done.
choicelady
18 minutes ago
You actually don’t need the electric starter for your gas appliances. If the electricity goes out, just use a match or better yet, a long butane lighter to ignite the gas and cook as usual.
AdLib16 minutes ago
You are doing the same. I have security in the guys in the back and a community of homeless men who look after us. Need be, they can ALL come live here. Cramped quarters, but here.
choicelady
16 minutes ago
I do have the butane lighter – and an igniter – but the water heater would be a problem. It comes on, no ignition, I worry about gas. Not sure how that works, so we will find out.
choicelady
15 minutes ago
That is very smart, to make protein based meals like soups, stews, chili, pastas, etc. Makes the protein go a long way and makes a lot more good food.
AdLib15 minutes ago
I’m already doing it. We also got 6 meals out of one pot – 12 servings – with gluten free biscuits on the side. Greg is not fussy – he will eat the same thing several days in a row. I get gluten free Campbell’s soup in bulk so can make casseroles w cream of mushroom, chicken, and there’s a GF tomato, taking me back to childhood recipes I liked. It’s working already.
choicelady
13 minutes ago
We’re pretty safe here too,far enough away from the hills where the fires are, not in a flood area, and in a very sedate neighborhood. But with disaster comes unexpected dangers. I will never own a gun but as a softball player, I have an assortment of bats that an intruder would not like hearing hit a home run on their head.
AdLib12 minutes ago
Bats are perfect. Homeless guys like pit bulls even better. 
choicelady
12 minutes ago
There is a gas shutoff valve in every home, you should make sure you know where it is so after an earthquake, if you smell gas, or whatever, you can turn it off for the house. We just got a heat pump so now our heat is also electric so just thinking that if we had to shut off the gas, we’d still have heat for the house. Do you have a gas furnace/heating?
AdLib10 minutes ago
Our best investment is good fencing and a lock on the gate.
choicelady
10 minutes ago
Oh – I do know where it is. You’re right.
choicelady
10 minutes ago
Yes. It’s a rooftop installation – heat and AC. I’d like that to function, the fridge, and the freezer in the back. That and electricity for the guys would make it OK. We can rig lights.
choicelady
8 minutes ago
BIG issue is Greg’s CPAP. Thinking of a small solar unit for that.
choicelady
8 minutes ago
Perfect! I really like soup. My wife makes wonderful soups from scratch, she made a tortilla chicken soup last month that we had multiple times and was so tasty! I always make sure there’s soup in the house, especially some variety of chicken soup for when those colds come on.
AdLib7 minutes ago
chicken soup really IS Jewish penicillin! We do that, too. And if nothing else, bouillon cubes plus veggies, a bit of chicken, and GF matzoh balls.
choicelady
6 minutes ago
Yes, our heat pump is on the roof where our HVAC was. Having solar, it seemed like a better deal to have our heat be electric.
AdLib6 minutes ago
I have various making to alternate “sides” with soup keeping it from being boring.
choicelady
5 minutes ago
With SMUD, energy worries are pretty low. They REALLY look after us.
choicelady
5 minutes ago
Yes, you need a setup with solar and a charging battery for the CPAP. When I was researching them, I saw many people asking if this or that battery could power a CPAP so it is a legit concern that people have in mind when they buy battery/chargers.
AdLib4 minutes ago
I can’t explain the science of it but chicken soup, for whatever reason, the protein, the fats, the vitamins, I don’t know, but it is one of the best things to soothe and get over a cold.
AdLib3 minutes ago
Well, dear friend – the cats are restless, and I need to feed them. Our big galloot is in the dog house for smacking the female around today for whatever reason. Food soothes. Chicken soup for the cat soul! Have a great week. Hope your rains aren’t too onerous. We all have them now. We will be pleased come summer and there’s enough water for food. Hope we have farm workers, too. Sigh. Good night!
choicelady
2 minutes ago
That’s nice! Last Jan there was a sudden natural gas shortage and the price skyrocketed. Usually not much more than $90 in a cold winter month but it was over $200 that month. Helped convince me not to be at the mercy of corrked price gouging on NG.
AdLiba minute ago
For sure!!! Good night!!!
choicelady
a few seconds ago
Thanks so much, hope you and Hubby and your backyard neighbors and all the kitties have a wonderful weekend!
AdLiba few seconds ago
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