The house goes on the market today; It will not be a local move

Well friends, frienemies, haters, and devoted readers, today marks what you may call the beginning of the end of Johnny's time in Jersey City. He's having the same real estate agent who sold Johnny and his wife this condo come over and be the one who lists it. Johnny won't even say it's bittersweet to be heading back to Michigan, where the family and friends structure are, it's awful. He never wanted any of this to happen this way; certainly not his wonderful wife passing in February. He'd have been content to stay in Jersey City until it was time for dual retirements down the road one day. But, this thing called life never seems to cooperate in the ways you'd like. So, here we are, on Johnny's birthday, and he's listing his home and isn't that just a little sad.

Unless the place sells frighteningly quickly (which would be both good and horrifying), we'll still have time for a Music Series or three, and some more commentary on where Johnny sees Jersey City heading and he'll also have a nice love note to all the people who have been so wonderful and kind during this last couple months. Make sure to catch that. The Jersey City Desk may not survive but Johnny will always be on Twitter as long as there is Twitter to be on.

Ok roaring cats and kittens, listen up

Johnny has some dear friends from Michigan this weekend (no, dear friends, not deer friends from Michigan) so we're going to do something that has never been done before and may shake the earth more than that fracking; We're moving this week's Music Series to.......Sunday night. We've had it on Saturday when Johnny's gotten in waaaaay too late on a Friday but never has it been on a Sunday.

Of course we'll still find time to put up the Saturday Night Scoreboard Show as these friends are big college football fans and will no doubt have suggestions for the burns laid out on the losing teams.

Johnny's breakup letter with Michigan

First off Michigan, it's not Johnny, it's you. We just need to set the parameters of this breakup, it's you.

Michigan, what the fuck is wrong with you? After Tuesday Johnny can no longer come back to you in good conscience (his elderly mother's health not withstanding) and stay or spend dime one with you fuckers. Not one dime. If the time comes when Johnny DOES have to come back for a sad last trip pertaining to his mother he's going through Canada so as to not spend dime one in Pennsylvania either (most knew the sister-fucking no-driving citizens of Ohio were already voting for the Cheeto-faced Shitgibbon). Michigan, you really really fucked up Tuesday.

First off, to any Michigan residents reading this, you've become a laughingstock along the eastern seaboard. Barack Obama bailed out the auto industry against great odds and at great political peril and this is how you thank him, with a guy who would have let you rot on the vine. Classic. Yes, most people out here Johnny has talked to are really thinking Michigan is filled with low-information goofs right now.

And look at you. You've re-elected a failed governor both economically AND morally bankrupt in serial poisoner Rick Snyder. You had a chance to throw him out Michigan and you voted for him again and then Flint happened not only on his watch, but on his coverup. He's STILL your governor. Sure, you may wanna throw Chris Christie back in Johnny's face and Johnny cannot and will not defend The Outlaw Jersey Whale, BUT Christie's faults are his own and apart from some traffic he's basically hurt himself whereas Snyder has hurt (and some of the Legionnaire's disease cases in Flint have died) men, women and children with his stupidity. Nary even a recall petition.

Michigan people are wondering where the yelling at them stops and where the breakup terms are discussed, fine, here you go, Michigan. No more. No more visits, no more trips to Mackinac Island, or Saugatuck or Kalamazoo or Ypsilanti. No more Zingermann's or Vernors orders to the house. No more Shinola watches, no more team jerseys or shirts ie MSU, Lions, Red Wings et al. No more domestic car buying. Ouch, that's right, no more domestic car buying. Well, not from GM, Chrysler or Ford anyway. Some other carmakers because of factories here claim to make 'domestic cars' even if with an asterisk. Seriously, Johnny has been a domestic auto buyer since he was 19. Never ever ever thought he wouldn't buy a piece of Detroit steel when the time came. No more. Why take it out on companies? Easy, what did they have to say about Trump during the election? They said nothing. Well, not nothing exactly, Ford did step up to the plate to defy Trump, but only to tell him they weren't moving to Mexico. Nothing about his tone, tenor, lies, sexual assault language, and nothing from Detroit's Big Three. Great, you said nothing, now deal with the consequences. It's odd as well because Johnny worked with (not for) GM Communications for many many years and knows how hard both Ford and GM were making outreach to the gay community and to other minorities a so-called priority, guess not huh? Nothing from them maybe because they didn't want to upset the union help. Johnny knows goddamned well how the UAW voted, he's seen these guys, broken bread with them, lived around these guys for decades, they were Trump voters. Oh yes, a lot of them were. Guys whom without the current Democrat would be living in the road eating from garbage cans picked a guy who in 2008 would have had them do just that. Fuck Detroit's automakers, silence is consent. Johnny's buying a Subaru next time, suck on that Wolverine State.

So, Michigan, you've fucked yourself to the point you've become a laughingstock. You did it to yourself, nobody helped you get to the place you're in today but you and your voters. You'll have to live with that in your own pathetic world because Johnny's not coming back. He and Mrs. Johnny always thought they'd buy a lot on a small secluded lake in northern Michigan and build a cabin on it and retire, the good years.

That lake just got moved to Vermont, or Massachusetts, or New Hampshire, or New Jersey or New York. Bye Michigan, hope your garbage cans are full up, with the guy you just voted for you're gonna need them to be. Maybe you can share with Wisconsin or Pennsylvania when you run out.

Some things are unforgivable, this was one.

Rutgers football Gameday!

Well fans here we are, late late November and a season that was supposed to be a soul-crushing doormat trip through their first season ion the B1G actually has a huge opportunity. Rutgers is 6-5 and they NEED this win today and here's why.

Northwestern and Illinois are fighting to be bowl eligible at 6-6, one will today. With a huge upset over the Buckeyes (and they almost did last year) Michigan is 6-6. If Sparty beats Penn State today they will be 6-6. That is just too many 6-6 teams to ASSURE a bowl game for RU. Yes, 6-6 qualifies you but if you think a small bowl game is going to take Rutgers at 6-6 over Michigan and Penn State at 6-6 you're fooling yourself. Don't think the B1G itself would lobby for RU to not go over Michigan or PSU, B1G Commissioner Jim Delany is NOT your friend RU. The B1G look at 6-6 teams doesn't even begin to count all the other 6-6 teams out there. If the Knights want a payout this year they MUST win today.

7-4 Maryland awaits in The Noob Bowl. Maryland is a one TD favorite BUT this is going to have to be a program win for Rutgers. Most of Maryland's success has come away from Byrd Stadium on the road. Rutgers must dig deep, stick to their game plan and cinch a bowl game. We think Gary Nova will shine today.

For God and Country....and a bowl game

Fearless Forecast:
Rutgers 27
Maryland 25

Here's a wonderful story of the help New Jersey is getting from all across America

In our hour/months of need up this way and along the Jersey Shore there is a need for almost every kind of help you can imagine. Logistical people, utility workers, extra police, construction workers etc. There is a wonderful story, sure to warm your hearts New Jersey, of workers coming from Texas, Ohio and Michigan. They've come from New Orleans who never forgot that New Jersey State Police were some of the first to come to their aid after Hurricane Katrina.

After a bruising and vicious election that exposed the differences in our nation, reading stories like this help renew your faith in our great land and great people.

Late night open thread

Well kids, Johnny's off back to Michigan for the week to hobnob with his fellow wizards. Hopefully if all goes well he'll be back with you next Sunday night. Even the interns get the week off. Kiki is heading down to the shore and Zoltron's off to Rhode Island to scope out spots for Johnny to vacation at in August.

If you're a reader here and find yourself on the 280 west and then the 80 west in the morning and have a guy behind you with a shaved head making faces and gestures at you to get in the slow lane, give a Johnny a break and get out of his way, he's got a 10 hour drive ahead of him. Somebody call the Sidetrack and tell 'em Johnny's coming back to town.

Should something big come up simply use this thread to express yourselves. You know the routine.

You folks be good and we'll talk next week.