sttropezbutlersays
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
LA TAYLOR AND STRONG BLACK WOMAN
What could be better than Liz Taylor on Larry and Kathy Griffin on Bravo.
Yeah, I'd seen the Kathy Griffin special before, but watching it, interspersed with La Taylor on Larry King made it really interesting.
You have to love La Liz. I grew up with her dying. The first time was during Cleo, she was rushed to a hospital and had to have a tracheotomoy. It was in LIFE, so it had to be serious.
She tore apart a marriage, she made a million dollars. She went on to make Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf! I remember being so excited that I was 16 and I could go and see it.
AIDS happened and she did indeed step to the front of the line. She stood up and said something. Finally, someone was saying something.
Sure, she'll defend Michael Jackson, I don't get that. But she was there, she's still here and good for her.
Now Kathy. Walking around with her pants around her ankles. She's camp. She's amazing.
Liz and Kathy.
Together on Tuesday night.
Oh and Ken Lay is still sleeping at home.
Yeah, I'd seen the Kathy Griffin special before, but watching it, interspersed with La Taylor on Larry King made it really interesting.
You have to love La Liz. I grew up with her dying. The first time was during Cleo, she was rushed to a hospital and had to have a tracheotomoy. It was in LIFE, so it had to be serious.
She tore apart a marriage, she made a million dollars. She went on to make Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf! I remember being so excited that I was 16 and I could go and see it.
AIDS happened and she did indeed step to the front of the line. She stood up and said something. Finally, someone was saying something.
Sure, she'll defend Michael Jackson, I don't get that. But she was there, she's still here and good for her.
Now Kathy. Walking around with her pants around her ankles. She's camp. She's amazing.
Liz and Kathy.
Together on Tuesday night.
Oh and Ken Lay is still sleeping at home.
GLORIA
I love Gloria.
She's my Golf.
I've made four trips in her to my new abode, filled with the detritus of my life.
First time was with my ficus trees. I bought those trees on sale and they've lived outside for the past two years, surviving hurricanes and freezing weather. I think they'll like their new abode.
Yesterday I made three more trips. My closet was one trip. That was interesting. Even though I think I'm keeping it light I have to wonder why I have six pairs of jeans.
Second trip of the day was all my framed pieces. I stop short of using the word art, although I have two amazing pieces included in that bunch. A wonderful collage by Roy Dowell and an amazing piece that Lari Pittman gave to me for a birthday!
The last trip yesterday was "furniture" such as it is. Several tables and other assorted things.
All in the back of the Golf.
I have maybe two more trips in Gloria that will take place later in June and then I am hiring a mover to move my washer and dryer and my bed.
I also think this is the last time I'll move myself.
It really is more fun to get rid of ALL OF IT.
And start fresh.
STB
She's my Golf.
I've made four trips in her to my new abode, filled with the detritus of my life.
First time was with my ficus trees. I bought those trees on sale and they've lived outside for the past two years, surviving hurricanes and freezing weather. I think they'll like their new abode.
Yesterday I made three more trips. My closet was one trip. That was interesting. Even though I think I'm keeping it light I have to wonder why I have six pairs of jeans.
Second trip of the day was all my framed pieces. I stop short of using the word art, although I have two amazing pieces included in that bunch. A wonderful collage by Roy Dowell and an amazing piece that Lari Pittman gave to me for a birthday!
The last trip yesterday was "furniture" such as it is. Several tables and other assorted things.
All in the back of the Golf.
I have maybe two more trips in Gloria that will take place later in June and then I am hiring a mover to move my washer and dryer and my bed.
I also think this is the last time I'll move myself.
It really is more fun to get rid of ALL OF IT.
And start fresh.
STB
Saturday, May 27, 2006
RECIPE FOR NOT BLOGGING!
Start with one job
Add to that a move
Get all wound up in the entire process
And Voila, end up with no time to Blog.
Perhaps the title of my next book:
NO TIME TO BLOG: And hating it.
STB
Monday, May 22, 2006
WE NEED A FEW NEW POLITICAL PARTIES!
75% OF THEM HAVE TO BE SLIME BUCKETS! DOES NOT MATTER WHICH PARTY...WE NEED SOME NEW POLITICAL PARTIES AND SOME COMMITMENT TO CHANGE:
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Federal agents searched the Capitol Hill office of a Louisiana congressman under investigation on bribery charges Sunday, while newly released court papers said agents found $90,000 in cash last year in his Washington home.
In a 95-page affidavit used to obtain a warrant for the office search, investigators stated that an August 2005 search of Democratic Rep. William Jefferson's home turned up the cash sum in a freezer.
The money was divided among various frozen food containers, according to the heavily redacted affidavit.
Agents told a judge the money was part of a $100,000 payment that had been delivered by an informant in the bribery probe, which already has led to guilty pleas by a Kentucky businessman and a former Jefferson aide.
The Justice Department has been investigating Jefferson's relationship to telecommunications deals in Africa and elsewhere, and the House Ethics Committee launched an investigation of him last week.
The eight-term congressman, whose district includes New Orleans and some of its suburbs, has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to remain in office to battle any criminal charges he may face.
But the affidavit states that investigators have collected evidence linking Jefferson to at least seven other cases in which he "sought things of value in return for his performance of official acts."
Robert Trout, the congressman's lawyer, decried the release of the affidavit. In a statement issued Sunday night, he said it served "no legitimate investigative purpose."
"This disclosure by the prosecutors is part of a public relations agenda and an obvious attempt to embarrass Congressman Jefferson," Trout said. "The affidavit itself is just one side of the story, which has not been tested in court."
He said Jefferson would respond "at the appropriate time" if charged with any wrongdoing.
FBI agents searched Jefferson's office in the Rayburn House Office Building from Saturday evening to early Sunday afternoon, bureau spokeswoman Debra Weierman said. One government official told CNN the search marked the first time FBI agents have searched a lawmaker's Capitol Hill office.
Weierman would not comment on what agents removed from Jefferson's office. But in the papers released Sunday, investigators stated they were searching for faxes, notes, telephone records and other forms of communication, as well as ledgers and computer files related to meetings and travel.
In an earlier statement, Trout called the search of Jefferson's office "outrageous" and said it was not necessary.
"There were no exigent circumstances necessitating this action. The government knew that the documents were being appropriately preserved while proper procedures were being followed. We are dismayed by this action -- the documents weren't going anywhere and the prosecutors knew it," he said.
However, a redacted copy of the search warrant and affidavit stated that federal investigators were unable to obtain the records relevant to the investigation inside Jefferson's office and, "left with no other method," proceeded with the search.
A government official close to the investigation told CNN the search was executed over the weekend when few people are on Capitol Hill because they believed that time would "be appropriate."
Agents had previously searched Jefferson's home in New Orleans. The cash found in his Washington residence was part of a $100,000 payment delivered by a cooperating witness, according to the affidavit, which said the delivery was videotaped by the FBI.
The FBI began investigating Jefferson in March 2005 stemming from accusations made by the witness, a Virginia resident who owns an investment firm.
He told the FBI that he was "a victim of a fraud and bribery scheme" involving Jefferson; Vernon Jackson, CEO of the Louisville, Kentucky-based company iGate; and Brett Pfeffer, the president of the investment firm owned by the unnamed witness and a former Jefferson aide.
According to the affidavit, Jefferson had asked the witness for a percentage ownership interest in his Nigerian broadband company in exchange for the congressman "using his official acts to support the the Nigerian business venture."
Guilty pleas
Jackson pleaded guilty in federal court earlier this month to bribing the congressman with more than $400,000 in payments, company stock and a share of the profits in order to promote iGate's high-tech business ventures in Africa.
Pfeffer, of Herndon, Virginia, pleaded guilty in January to aiding and abetting bribery of a public official.
Both have agreed to cooperate with authorities as part of their plea agreements.
The affidavit states Jefferson "attempted to use his position as a United States Congressman" to promote other iGate business ventures in Nigeria, Ghana and possibly other African nations.
"In exchange for his official acts supporting the proposed business ventures," the affidavit said, Jefferson has received a 30 percent equity stake in the witness' Nigerian company and more than $400,000 in payments from iGate.
The 30 percent equity, in the form of stocks, was placed in the name of a Nigerian limited liability corporation held by the congressman's children, the affidavit said.
The cloud over Jefferson comes as Democratic leaders have been attacking what they call a "culture of corruption" surrounding the Republican leadership in Congress.
With midterm elections in November, Democrats are trying to highlight GOP ties to the influence-peddling investigation surrounding lobbyist Jack Abramoff, the indictment of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay in a Texas court, and last year's guilty plea of California Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, now serving an eight-year stretch for taking bribes from defense contractors.
In a news conference last week, Jefferson said he was innocent and that he would remain in office while he fights any charges. "I wish to say emphatically that in all of my actions that are here under scrutiny, that I have never intended to dishonor my office, or you, the public, and I certainly did not sell my office," Jefferson told reporters.
CNN's Kevin Bohn and Terry Frieden contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Federal agents searched the Capitol Hill office of a Louisiana congressman under investigation on bribery charges Sunday, while newly released court papers said agents found $90,000 in cash last year in his Washington home.
In a 95-page affidavit used to obtain a warrant for the office search, investigators stated that an August 2005 search of Democratic Rep. William Jefferson's home turned up the cash sum in a freezer.
The money was divided among various frozen food containers, according to the heavily redacted affidavit.
Agents told a judge the money was part of a $100,000 payment that had been delivered by an informant in the bribery probe, which already has led to guilty pleas by a Kentucky businessman and a former Jefferson aide.
The Justice Department has been investigating Jefferson's relationship to telecommunications deals in Africa and elsewhere, and the House Ethics Committee launched an investigation of him last week.
The eight-term congressman, whose district includes New Orleans and some of its suburbs, has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to remain in office to battle any criminal charges he may face.
But the affidavit states that investigators have collected evidence linking Jefferson to at least seven other cases in which he "sought things of value in return for his performance of official acts."
Robert Trout, the congressman's lawyer, decried the release of the affidavit. In a statement issued Sunday night, he said it served "no legitimate investigative purpose."
"This disclosure by the prosecutors is part of a public relations agenda and an obvious attempt to embarrass Congressman Jefferson," Trout said. "The affidavit itself is just one side of the story, which has not been tested in court."
He said Jefferson would respond "at the appropriate time" if charged with any wrongdoing.
FBI agents searched Jefferson's office in the Rayburn House Office Building from Saturday evening to early Sunday afternoon, bureau spokeswoman Debra Weierman said. One government official told CNN the search marked the first time FBI agents have searched a lawmaker's Capitol Hill office.
Weierman would not comment on what agents removed from Jefferson's office. But in the papers released Sunday, investigators stated they were searching for faxes, notes, telephone records and other forms of communication, as well as ledgers and computer files related to meetings and travel.
In an earlier statement, Trout called the search of Jefferson's office "outrageous" and said it was not necessary.
"There were no exigent circumstances necessitating this action. The government knew that the documents were being appropriately preserved while proper procedures were being followed. We are dismayed by this action -- the documents weren't going anywhere and the prosecutors knew it," he said.
However, a redacted copy of the search warrant and affidavit stated that federal investigators were unable to obtain the records relevant to the investigation inside Jefferson's office and, "left with no other method," proceeded with the search.
A government official close to the investigation told CNN the search was executed over the weekend when few people are on Capitol Hill because they believed that time would "be appropriate."
Agents had previously searched Jefferson's home in New Orleans. The cash found in his Washington residence was part of a $100,000 payment delivered by a cooperating witness, according to the affidavit, which said the delivery was videotaped by the FBI.
The FBI began investigating Jefferson in March 2005 stemming from accusations made by the witness, a Virginia resident who owns an investment firm.
He told the FBI that he was "a victim of a fraud and bribery scheme" involving Jefferson; Vernon Jackson, CEO of the Louisville, Kentucky-based company iGate; and Brett Pfeffer, the president of the investment firm owned by the unnamed witness and a former Jefferson aide.
According to the affidavit, Jefferson had asked the witness for a percentage ownership interest in his Nigerian broadband company in exchange for the congressman "using his official acts to support the the Nigerian business venture."
Guilty pleas
Jackson pleaded guilty in federal court earlier this month to bribing the congressman with more than $400,000 in payments, company stock and a share of the profits in order to promote iGate's high-tech business ventures in Africa.
Pfeffer, of Herndon, Virginia, pleaded guilty in January to aiding and abetting bribery of a public official.
Both have agreed to cooperate with authorities as part of their plea agreements.
The affidavit states Jefferson "attempted to use his position as a United States Congressman" to promote other iGate business ventures in Nigeria, Ghana and possibly other African nations.
"In exchange for his official acts supporting the proposed business ventures," the affidavit said, Jefferson has received a 30 percent equity stake in the witness' Nigerian company and more than $400,000 in payments from iGate.
The 30 percent equity, in the form of stocks, was placed in the name of a Nigerian limited liability corporation held by the congressman's children, the affidavit said.
The cloud over Jefferson comes as Democratic leaders have been attacking what they call a "culture of corruption" surrounding the Republican leadership in Congress.
With midterm elections in November, Democrats are trying to highlight GOP ties to the influence-peddling investigation surrounding lobbyist Jack Abramoff, the indictment of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay in a Texas court, and last year's guilty plea of California Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, now serving an eight-year stretch for taking bribes from defense contractors.
In a news conference last week, Jefferson said he was innocent and that he would remain in office while he fights any charges. "I wish to say emphatically that in all of my actions that are here under scrutiny, that I have never intended to dishonor my office, or you, the public, and I certainly did not sell my office," Jefferson told reporters.
CNN's Kevin Bohn and Terry Frieden contributed to this report.
ACCENTS
I don't speak with a drawl. Frankly, I have never liked them. I do love to imitate a drawl however. We have several in Texas and my favorite is the East Texas version.
In all my years "speaking" French, I never had a good accent. I tried, I really did, and on occasion I could roll my R's like the best of 'em. But in truth, I usually ended up speaking French in my East Texas Drawl. Who knows why, but my French pals were always amused.
The other thing about my "French" accent was that all my French teachers, who were French, spoke English with a French accent...so between you and me...it was all just sort of bogus!
Now there are more than a few people who will tell you that the Shrub's accent isn't real, that it is nothing more than another cynical ploy by the Roveians to make folks believe that the Pres is just a good ole boy. I seem to remember reading something by someone that said one of the biggest reasons the Shrub got elected was because he "spoke" like so many of our citizens. It's interesting to note that the rest of his clan doesn't speak with the accent!
Having lived in many parts of this country and having had the chance to travel and live across the pond, I love an accent.
What I hate is the sound of my own voice.
Off Off Off. Another week commences.
STB
In all my years "speaking" French, I never had a good accent. I tried, I really did, and on occasion I could roll my R's like the best of 'em. But in truth, I usually ended up speaking French in my East Texas Drawl. Who knows why, but my French pals were always amused.
The other thing about my "French" accent was that all my French teachers, who were French, spoke English with a French accent...so between you and me...it was all just sort of bogus!
Now there are more than a few people who will tell you that the Shrub's accent isn't real, that it is nothing more than another cynical ploy by the Roveians to make folks believe that the Pres is just a good ole boy. I seem to remember reading something by someone that said one of the biggest reasons the Shrub got elected was because he "spoke" like so many of our citizens. It's interesting to note that the rest of his clan doesn't speak with the accent!
Having lived in many parts of this country and having had the chance to travel and live across the pond, I love an accent.
What I hate is the sound of my own voice.
Off Off Off. Another week commences.
STB
Sunday, May 21, 2006
DERVISH*
I'm starting to feel like this:
Between the job and the move things are feeling just a tad out of control.
I know you all know the feeling.
So I will twirl away.
As will all of you.
As we have all done.
I start moving "things" next week!
I have to be out of "here" by 20th of June.
None to soon!
STB
*The Whirling Dervishes trace their origin to the 13th century Ottoman Empire. The Dervishes, also known as the Mevlevi Order, are Sufis, a spiritual offshoot of Islam. In 1972, Jelaluddin Loras, Sheikh of the Mevlevi Order of America, brought the religion from Turkey to the United States. On December 17, Whirling Dervishes across the world celebrate the birth of Jelaluddin Mevlana Rumi, a mystic poet, who founded the Mevlevi Order.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
PB & J
Oh So Easy and Oh So Fattening!
Two slices of bread: I use 9 Grain that I buy from the bakery store. (I'm going to miss this place when I move!)
Dollop of Peanut Butter: I like Crunchy from Kroger.
Dollop of Grape Jelly: I still use Welch's. Held over from childhood.
Spread both PB and GJ on to their own piece of bread.
Close, slice, and enjoy.
As a kid, I used to love to put Ruffles potato chips on my PB & J.
Now I just have a 1 oz bag of Fritos on the side instead!
Three days a week this seems to be my lunch!
Ah, the joys of working.
(The bag in the background is my lunch pail!)
Have a lovely Saturday y'all.
STB
Thursday, May 18, 2006
HOW LONG?
How long before they are keeping us in rather then keeping them out?
STB
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
IF IT IS WEDNESDAY..................
Hey, isn't it time for a terror alert? The idiots running this country have tried everything else to get bozo's poll numbers up...why not this?
Isn't it amazing that we went from having terror alerts (and all the attendant hoopla) almost weekly to none, zero, zip? Hello? Is anyone getting this?
Oh and while we are at it, why not say TAX CUTS. That always works. Doesn't matter that it is another tax cut for the richest 15%. Doesn't matter that you might, if you are lucky get $30 bucks back from this latest give away to the rich...simply say TAX CUT and you've got "them" in your pocket.
Tired of noisy seniors whining about the completely and totally absurd "drug care plan." Well, time for some serious consideration of ILLEGALS. Yes, that is a nice loaded word isn't it. ILLEGALS. That will get the NRA freaks and the White is Right folks boiling and hey it will get all those on the fence to really think about a country that doesn't honor work or workers in any way, and does not want nor deem it necessary to pick up their own shit. Hire the ILLEGALS for that, just make sure they stay out of OUR schools.
Two weeks ago it was gas prices. Nine months ago it was Katrina. Nothing changes, except the attention span gets shorter.
Meanwhile it is still buy buy buy, spend spend spend. Which I guess I should not complain about too loudly as it does enable me to have a job.
And by the way why do people who live above you sound like elephants when they walk through their apartment. Further, why all the walking? The damn apartment is 600 square feet? Where are they going?
Why am I having a comma crisis at 55? I over comma everything. I'm getting neurotic about it.
What else is new?
STB
Isn't it amazing that we went from having terror alerts (and all the attendant hoopla) almost weekly to none, zero, zip? Hello? Is anyone getting this?
Oh and while we are at it, why not say TAX CUTS. That always works. Doesn't matter that it is another tax cut for the richest 15%. Doesn't matter that you might, if you are lucky get $30 bucks back from this latest give away to the rich...simply say TAX CUT and you've got "them" in your pocket.
Tired of noisy seniors whining about the completely and totally absurd "drug care plan." Well, time for some serious consideration of ILLEGALS. Yes, that is a nice loaded word isn't it. ILLEGALS. That will get the NRA freaks and the White is Right folks boiling and hey it will get all those on the fence to really think about a country that doesn't honor work or workers in any way, and does not want nor deem it necessary to pick up their own shit. Hire the ILLEGALS for that, just make sure they stay out of OUR schools.
Two weeks ago it was gas prices. Nine months ago it was Katrina. Nothing changes, except the attention span gets shorter.
Meanwhile it is still buy buy buy, spend spend spend. Which I guess I should not complain about too loudly as it does enable me to have a job.
And by the way why do people who live above you sound like elephants when they walk through their apartment. Further, why all the walking? The damn apartment is 600 square feet? Where are they going?
Why am I having a comma crisis at 55? I over comma everything. I'm getting neurotic about it.
What else is new?
STB
Sunday, May 14, 2006
UP TO TEMPO FOR THE MOTHERS
First I want to send out lots of love to Lois. She is the mother of my great friend Laura and she has been having a time of it!
I want to say thank you to Mary. She is my mother. She left the planet a few years ago.
If I ever wonder why I'm camp, all I have to do is look at this picture.
Well, maybe it is this picture that lets me know why I'm so campy!
I want to say thank you to Mary. She is my mother. She left the planet a few years ago.
If I ever wonder why I'm camp, all I have to do is look at this picture.
Well, maybe it is this picture that lets me know why I'm so campy!
She was many things. Wife, mother, drunk. Loving, hateful.
She got it before she died.
She had an amazing impact on my life and for that I will always honor her.
STB
Saturday, May 13, 2006
RECIPE FOR RUDENESS
Had my first one.
He was nuts.
Needed it now. Couldn't get what he wanted, because it was no longer available.
Needed it now. Decides he wants another table, which I have in stock. He's in a hurry he tells me.
Needed it NOW.
I'm ringing up the sale and he has second thoughts and tries to engage another associate. She bites, and he runs around looking at another possibility that we do NOT have in stock.
Needed IT NOW.
He returns and says to me, how much longer will this take, while he is screaming into his cellphone.
NEEDED IT NOW.
I finish with the transaction and he rushes off.
Less than three minutes later he returns to say the damn thing won't fit in his car.
Now he'd like me to hold it till Sunday or Monday.
Asshole.
I love my job.
Off I go for more!
He was nuts.
Needed it now. Couldn't get what he wanted, because it was no longer available.
Needed it now. Decides he wants another table, which I have in stock. He's in a hurry he tells me.
Needed it NOW.
I'm ringing up the sale and he has second thoughts and tries to engage another associate. She bites, and he runs around looking at another possibility that we do NOT have in stock.
Needed IT NOW.
He returns and says to me, how much longer will this take, while he is screaming into his cellphone.
NEEDED IT NOW.
I finish with the transaction and he rushes off.
Less than three minutes later he returns to say the damn thing won't fit in his car.
Now he'd like me to hold it till Sunday or Monday.
Asshole.
I love my job.
Off I go for more!
Friday, May 12, 2006
IS THIS AMERICA?
Yesterday I recalled a long ago argument I had with my social studies teacher in junior high. I know, I date myself just using those terms.
The gist of the argument had to do with which system was better, democracy or communism. My social studies teacher stated unequivocally that democracy was the BEST system. He believed that communism (which was really a euphemism for Russia) was an oppressive system which spied on citizens.
That was essentially his argument. He wasn't willing to debate the finer points of collectivism. He was an all or nothing kind of guy, and I realize now that he was part of the ultra white/right suburban community who voted for Nixon simply because Kennedy might have "ties" to the Vatican.
Needless to say. We never agreed on anything, and having been encouraged at home to defend my point of view, we sparred often in class.
So back to yesterday. I was reminded of all this because I now see that 30 years later I am now living in a country that spies on it citizens. I am now living in a country where dissent is becoming less of an option daily. We are constantly being lied to on every level of government.
We have huge bloated bureaucracies that are not capable of creating a forthright drug care plan for seniors or viable hurricane relief for its citizens. We have a President who rarely engages with the citizens of his own country. He is paraded in front of us for staged events giving speeches that never say anything.
Along with our senators and congresspeople, he has foisted the "Patriot Act" into our lives which essentially takes away 100% of our rights if the president deems that they need to be taken away.
Listening to phone calls aka wiretaps without court order is but the tip of the iceberg. Nothing can convince me otherwise.
Building a "data" base of phone records? What is this for? Yesterday I heard one senator say this was "because we are at war." Bush said something about "stopping Al Qaeda." Does this make sense to you?
We are now living in a time and place where the generals want to stage a coup. We now live in a time and in a country where the masses i.e. the workers are so bloated by excess that the government can essentially do anything it wants. It does seem that even poor people have cool shoes even if they don't get enough to eat.
We sleep through more "tax cuts" when we don't have nearly enough money to pay for the "war" that the majority of citizens support with plastic magnets on their cars.
How much is the deficit today? How many people in this country of ours live in exactly the same fashion as our government? Buy now, pay later.
When you get right down to it we don't have much. We have lots of rhetoric, mine included, that doesn't seem to get us anywhere.
We live in a country oppressed by stuff. We live in a country where so many are buried so deeply in all the fruits, that we can't even feed and nourish ourselves.
We live in a country with a system that is slowly being dismantled.
How do you argue that this is better?
How soon will the ability to argue about this at all be gone?
The gist of the argument had to do with which system was better, democracy or communism. My social studies teacher stated unequivocally that democracy was the BEST system. He believed that communism (which was really a euphemism for Russia) was an oppressive system which spied on citizens.
That was essentially his argument. He wasn't willing to debate the finer points of collectivism. He was an all or nothing kind of guy, and I realize now that he was part of the ultra white/right suburban community who voted for Nixon simply because Kennedy might have "ties" to the Vatican.
Needless to say. We never agreed on anything, and having been encouraged at home to defend my point of view, we sparred often in class.
So back to yesterday. I was reminded of all this because I now see that 30 years later I am now living in a country that spies on it citizens. I am now living in a country where dissent is becoming less of an option daily. We are constantly being lied to on every level of government.
We have huge bloated bureaucracies that are not capable of creating a forthright drug care plan for seniors or viable hurricane relief for its citizens. We have a President who rarely engages with the citizens of his own country. He is paraded in front of us for staged events giving speeches that never say anything.
Along with our senators and congresspeople, he has foisted the "Patriot Act" into our lives which essentially takes away 100% of our rights if the president deems that they need to be taken away.
Listening to phone calls aka wiretaps without court order is but the tip of the iceberg. Nothing can convince me otherwise.
Building a "data" base of phone records? What is this for? Yesterday I heard one senator say this was "because we are at war." Bush said something about "stopping Al Qaeda." Does this make sense to you?
We are now living in a time and place where the generals want to stage a coup. We now live in a time and in a country where the masses i.e. the workers are so bloated by excess that the government can essentially do anything it wants. It does seem that even poor people have cool shoes even if they don't get enough to eat.
We sleep through more "tax cuts" when we don't have nearly enough money to pay for the "war" that the majority of citizens support with plastic magnets on their cars.
How much is the deficit today? How many people in this country of ours live in exactly the same fashion as our government? Buy now, pay later.
When you get right down to it we don't have much. We have lots of rhetoric, mine included, that doesn't seem to get us anywhere.
We live in a country oppressed by stuff. We live in a country where so many are buried so deeply in all the fruits, that we can't even feed and nourish ourselves.
We live in a country with a system that is slowly being dismantled.
How do you argue that this is better?
How soon will the ability to argue about this at all be gone?
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
TRANSITIONS
Life is really all about change, even for those of us who think we "can't handle change."
I am not one of those people. I embrace change. I find it a challenge and I enjoy opening the door to see what is on the other side.
Right now I have a friend who is dealing with a parent who might be dying. In fact, I have several friends who are dealing with this issue. One in my "real" life and several in my "blog" life.
I have one thing to say: Embrace the door opening and walk through it. True, this is one change that most of us don't want to embrace.
I was 35 years old before I ever went to a funeral. I had an amazing fear of death. Over the years I came to realize that this might have stemmed from the death of my sister when I was a small child. A very small child.
My sister Sarah was a "blue baby," a term not often heard anymore. She had inverted valves in her heart which meant her blood was not oxygenated properly. This occurred in 1953 and surgery for newborns was not as sophisticated as it is today nor even as it was in 1955! Sarah died from the effects of the surgery to correct her valves, not the correction of the valves.
During this year of trauma for my younger sister, my older sister and I were sent to live with my grandparents in Montclair, New Jersey. For me, this remains such a happy memory. I was oblivious to the reality my parents were living.
They had to travel from Ada, Ohio to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in order to find a surgeon willing to attempt the surgery necessary to save Sarah's life.
After Sarah died, we returned home to Ohio. I have no actual physical memory of asking about or being told about Sarah's fate in that moment.
Later, as I was growing up, I used to ask about Sarah, usually when we would pass a cemetery while driving. "Is that where Sarah is?" "No, she is in another place I was told." When I would probe further, the subject would be changed.
As it turned out, Sarah had been buried in Philadelphia in a plot owned by my mother's family. It is in a cemetery that to this day I do not know the name of. Interestingly, both my brother and my father are also interred in this same place.
We never had a tradition of "visiting the grave" because we didn't live in Philadelphia, we lived in Ohio.
My mother rarely talked about Sarah, and I don't ever recall having a conversation with my Dad about her. I believe my mother saw the death of Sarah as a failure on her part. How could she have made something that wasn't perfect?
My mother and father went on to have two more children. Sadly they lived to see another one of their children die.
My attitude and my experience with death and dying changed dramatically in the 80's. All around me, friends and those who had become my family, were dying. I had to get with the program.
I learned to embrace the process of dying.
I have been on the journey a number of times, and while it is never easy, it is a trip well worth taking. The fear of death appears to be that we are afraid of this unknown. The sadness of death appears to be the loss of one close to us.
Perhaps these are some of the reasons to have a belief system that embraces God? I don't know.
I don't embrace God. I embrace life and life is finally about dying. It is part of it. The sadness and the fear we feel tends to be about self. We truly don't know what "happens."
Hopefully each will have a belief system in place that will allow one to make the journey a joyous one, not one of sadness and regret.
However this is rarely is the case. We don't want to talk about it. We don't want to deal with it. We want to pretend it will not happen to us.
I am grateful that I was around and a part of the deaths' of both of my parents. I had a life that enabled me to participate.
Not surprisingly, both of my parents were atheists. Neither of them had any death bed conversions. They had worked it out, and while they did not go gentle into that good night, they did go surrounded by love and good feelings.
My heart aches for my friends who face this voyage. It can be daunting. One starts to live in a hyper reality during this passage.
I know that if one can embrace the moment, for that is what it really is: just a moment, the trip can be a joyous one.
And remember, you currently have the round trip ticket.
I am not one of those people. I embrace change. I find it a challenge and I enjoy opening the door to see what is on the other side.
Right now I have a friend who is dealing with a parent who might be dying. In fact, I have several friends who are dealing with this issue. One in my "real" life and several in my "blog" life.
I have one thing to say: Embrace the door opening and walk through it. True, this is one change that most of us don't want to embrace.
I was 35 years old before I ever went to a funeral. I had an amazing fear of death. Over the years I came to realize that this might have stemmed from the death of my sister when I was a small child. A very small child.
My sister Sarah was a "blue baby," a term not often heard anymore. She had inverted valves in her heart which meant her blood was not oxygenated properly. This occurred in 1953 and surgery for newborns was not as sophisticated as it is today nor even as it was in 1955! Sarah died from the effects of the surgery to correct her valves, not the correction of the valves.
During this year of trauma for my younger sister, my older sister and I were sent to live with my grandparents in Montclair, New Jersey. For me, this remains such a happy memory. I was oblivious to the reality my parents were living.
They had to travel from Ada, Ohio to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in order to find a surgeon willing to attempt the surgery necessary to save Sarah's life.
After Sarah died, we returned home to Ohio. I have no actual physical memory of asking about or being told about Sarah's fate in that moment.
Later, as I was growing up, I used to ask about Sarah, usually when we would pass a cemetery while driving. "Is that where Sarah is?" "No, she is in another place I was told." When I would probe further, the subject would be changed.
As it turned out, Sarah had been buried in Philadelphia in a plot owned by my mother's family. It is in a cemetery that to this day I do not know the name of. Interestingly, both my brother and my father are also interred in this same place.
We never had a tradition of "visiting the grave" because we didn't live in Philadelphia, we lived in Ohio.
My mother rarely talked about Sarah, and I don't ever recall having a conversation with my Dad about her. I believe my mother saw the death of Sarah as a failure on her part. How could she have made something that wasn't perfect?
My mother and father went on to have two more children. Sadly they lived to see another one of their children die.
My attitude and my experience with death and dying changed dramatically in the 80's. All around me, friends and those who had become my family, were dying. I had to get with the program.
I learned to embrace the process of dying.
I have been on the journey a number of times, and while it is never easy, it is a trip well worth taking. The fear of death appears to be that we are afraid of this unknown. The sadness of death appears to be the loss of one close to us.
Perhaps these are some of the reasons to have a belief system that embraces God? I don't know.
I don't embrace God. I embrace life and life is finally about dying. It is part of it. The sadness and the fear we feel tends to be about self. We truly don't know what "happens."
Hopefully each will have a belief system in place that will allow one to make the journey a joyous one, not one of sadness and regret.
However this is rarely is the case. We don't want to talk about it. We don't want to deal with it. We want to pretend it will not happen to us.
I am grateful that I was around and a part of the deaths' of both of my parents. I had a life that enabled me to participate.
Not surprisingly, both of my parents were atheists. Neither of them had any death bed conversions. They had worked it out, and while they did not go gentle into that good night, they did go surrounded by love and good feelings.
My heart aches for my friends who face this voyage. It can be daunting. One starts to live in a hyper reality during this passage.
I know that if one can embrace the moment, for that is what it really is: just a moment, the trip can be a joyous one.
And remember, you currently have the round trip ticket.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
WORKING
I am really happy to have a job again. Really.
Sure, I'd rather not work. But reality is reality, and I have found a place to work that is clean, airconditioned, and filled with mostly nice people. And I have my benefits! Right Blogzie!
I'm not in a coal mine, I'm not in a truck, I'm not digging ditches on the side of the road. Basically I have it easy.
Now that training is over and I am actually doing the job, I have a feeling I'm going to like it. Just a feeling. The computer, which seemed so daunting two weeks ago, started to make sense yesterday.
I realize the rest of it will fall into place.
Now if I can just figure out how to not end up with a picture like this, I'll be happy.
BTW, I'm doing customer service for the furniture department of a large lifestyle operation. Enough said!
Sure, I'd rather not work. But reality is reality, and I have found a place to work that is clean, airconditioned, and filled with mostly nice people. And I have my benefits! Right Blogzie!
I'm not in a coal mine, I'm not in a truck, I'm not digging ditches on the side of the road. Basically I have it easy.
Now that training is over and I am actually doing the job, I have a feeling I'm going to like it. Just a feeling. The computer, which seemed so daunting two weeks ago, started to make sense yesterday.
I realize the rest of it will fall into place.
Now if I can just figure out how to not end up with a picture like this, I'll be happy.
BTW, I'm doing customer service for the furniture department of a large lifestyle operation. Enough said!Friday, May 05, 2006
I DO HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY BUT
In the midst of my post this morning, which would have had you rolling on the floor because doesn't everyone want to know how my "ride along" went yesterday....BLOGGER ate my post.
One second I was typing and the next second my screen went to white and a new page popped up.
Who knows what button I pushed...or who is trying to push my buttons.
Now I have to shower and get on with my day!
Maybe tonight!
STB
One second I was typing and the next second my screen went to white and a new page popped up.
Who knows what button I pushed...or who is trying to push my buttons.
Now I have to shower and get on with my day!
Maybe tonight!
STB
RIDE ALONG
Thursday.
3:30 a.m. I am up. I have to go on a ride along with the delivery guys who do the deliveries of all the items that keep me employed. It is part of the TRAINING. This group takes the TRAINING very seriously.
So I leave my house at 5:30 and zip off to god knows where, in a part of Houston I've never been. I shake some hands and then I'm introduced to the two chaps I'll be riding along with for the day.
Being the kind of astute guy I can be about once a month, I sense that they are none to happy to have this aging queen tagging along, but that they are going to be good sports about it anyway. As per usual, I try to make myself helpful and so set a good tone for the rest of day.
Once the truck is loaded, which happens to be about 7: 20, we depart. First stop is Burger King where my partners both have lunch. I, being the kind of guy I am, opt for a bottle of water. We set off for Galveston, where we have our first stops of the day.
I am already thinking to myself that I am going to see more of this city than I have ever seen, and I'm right. Our first stop goes smoothly, although the table we deliver, which weighs about 400 lbs is damaged and will have to be replaced. Fine, I call into the office and get the paper work rolling. The customer, who is the husband. (who hasn't a clue about what was ordered or being delivered...but did have 16 pages of notes from his wife about it all) signed and we left.
Next stop was the "yellow house with green shutters" and the only house on the street. Easy directions you think. Nope! We call for clarification and are told to go this way and that. Thanks to my eagle eyes, I see what I think is the house as we sail down the highway. This house may have been the only "house" on the street, but the street was only one house long.
Two stops in and my compatriots have now carried 3000 lbs of furniture up two and three flights of stairs. I'm sweating just watching them (and staying out of their way!)
Off we go on the next stop and we move north and back into the Houston area. By now, these two have realized I'm neither a goody two shoes (how's that for aging myself) nor a complete idiot. We start to have fun, cause we are sitting three across on a bench seat in a large truck. The music is blaring, the truck is jumping...no suspension there...and I start to learn all sorts of stuff about these two.
The younger one is 24 and married with a child. He works 6 days a week and has just purchased a four bedroom house! He and his wife work to support this, which seems to me way over the top but what do I know. He and his wife talk to each other on the phone about 12 times in the course of the day and say nothing to each other.
The other fellow is an older man, older being in his 40's and he was a Doctor before he immigrated (legally) to the US. He's working on his 4th marriage, and trying to get back to some form of medicine which he thinks might be nursing. This man was a human GPS system. He moved us around the city by simply looking once at the key map at each stop and moving us to the next without a question. I was awed.
Onward, with rain and lightening and tornado warnings. A lamp here, a sofa there. We deliver one sofa in the pouring rain, but I clean up our mess and everyone is happy. At a high-rise, only one freight elevator is working. We can't wait one hour for an elevator. These chaps are paid by the delivery, not the hour.
We catch a break and get on an elevator to the 44th floor. We deliver. They aren't ready so this takes even longer. Finally finished, barely a thank you and we take the regular elevators down to the ground floor and get the hell out of the there. BTW, the maxi security completely ignores us.
Our next delivery is an older woman, who lives in a retirement complex. She gives the boys 5 bucks each. She was the only one to tip these men the entire day. Not one person who asked these men to carry sofas, desks and 400 lbs tables up two flights of stairs offered as much as a glass of water or a soda. I was amazed, appalled, and saddened. America, land of the cheap.
We spent the last 1 1/2 hours in the truck soaked to the bone. We arrived back at the warehouse 12+ hours later than we left. I limped over to Gloria Golf and headed home.
It is great to work with pros, and these two men were more than that.
STB
3:30 a.m. I am up. I have to go on a ride along with the delivery guys who do the deliveries of all the items that keep me employed. It is part of the TRAINING. This group takes the TRAINING very seriously.
So I leave my house at 5:30 and zip off to god knows where, in a part of Houston I've never been. I shake some hands and then I'm introduced to the two chaps I'll be riding along with for the day.
Being the kind of astute guy I can be about once a month, I sense that they are none to happy to have this aging queen tagging along, but that they are going to be good sports about it anyway. As per usual, I try to make myself helpful and so set a good tone for the rest of day.
Once the truck is loaded, which happens to be about 7: 20, we depart. First stop is Burger King where my partners both have lunch. I, being the kind of guy I am, opt for a bottle of water. We set off for Galveston, where we have our first stops of the day.
I am already thinking to myself that I am going to see more of this city than I have ever seen, and I'm right. Our first stop goes smoothly, although the table we deliver, which weighs about 400 lbs is damaged and will have to be replaced. Fine, I call into the office and get the paper work rolling. The customer, who is the husband. (who hasn't a clue about what was ordered or being delivered...but did have 16 pages of notes from his wife about it all) signed and we left.
Next stop was the "yellow house with green shutters" and the only house on the street. Easy directions you think. Nope! We call for clarification and are told to go this way and that. Thanks to my eagle eyes, I see what I think is the house as we sail down the highway. This house may have been the only "house" on the street, but the street was only one house long.
Two stops in and my compatriots have now carried 3000 lbs of furniture up two and three flights of stairs. I'm sweating just watching them (and staying out of their way!)
Off we go on the next stop and we move north and back into the Houston area. By now, these two have realized I'm neither a goody two shoes (how's that for aging myself) nor a complete idiot. We start to have fun, cause we are sitting three across on a bench seat in a large truck. The music is blaring, the truck is jumping...no suspension there...and I start to learn all sorts of stuff about these two.
The younger one is 24 and married with a child. He works 6 days a week and has just purchased a four bedroom house! He and his wife work to support this, which seems to me way over the top but what do I know. He and his wife talk to each other on the phone about 12 times in the course of the day and say nothing to each other.
The other fellow is an older man, older being in his 40's and he was a Doctor before he immigrated (legally) to the US. He's working on his 4th marriage, and trying to get back to some form of medicine which he thinks might be nursing. This man was a human GPS system. He moved us around the city by simply looking once at the key map at each stop and moving us to the next without a question. I was awed.
Onward, with rain and lightening and tornado warnings. A lamp here, a sofa there. We deliver one sofa in the pouring rain, but I clean up our mess and everyone is happy. At a high-rise, only one freight elevator is working. We can't wait one hour for an elevator. These chaps are paid by the delivery, not the hour.
We catch a break and get on an elevator to the 44th floor. We deliver. They aren't ready so this takes even longer. Finally finished, barely a thank you and we take the regular elevators down to the ground floor and get the hell out of the there. BTW, the maxi security completely ignores us.
Our next delivery is an older woman, who lives in a retirement complex. She gives the boys 5 bucks each. She was the only one to tip these men the entire day. Not one person who asked these men to carry sofas, desks and 400 lbs tables up two flights of stairs offered as much as a glass of water or a soda. I was amazed, appalled, and saddened. America, land of the cheap.
We spent the last 1 1/2 hours in the truck soaked to the bone. We arrived back at the warehouse 12+ hours later than we left. I limped over to Gloria Golf and headed home.
It is great to work with pros, and these two men were more than that.
STB
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
OH MY ACHING BACK
Yesterday I came home and took an Aleve.
Yup, my back was aching. The day before I had worked and had been on my feet for most of the day. Who knew.
Guess I was using muscles that I hadn't used in a couple of years.
In St Tropez, being a butler, I was on my feet all day long. I didn't have back aches. From sweeping the terrace to sweeping the tennis court, I was fine. Serving dinner for 26, no problem.
Now I'm in a tie and wondering around on my feet and my back aches.
Life can be so unfair.
Here is some of what I've seen, now that I'm back in the public eye.
There is just way too much plastic surgery. Sure, I've seen all the stuff on TV, but when you realize (and see) that the number of woman who haven't had their breasts enhanced is now on par with the number of woman who have, you have to think someone has way too much time (and credit) on their hands.
There is a new lingo out there. Not sure when that happened, but it did. Call me old fashioned, but I wouldn't want to be addressed as, "Okay guys." I just wouldn't. But then again, let us not forget that I don't like flip flops except at the beach.
Gas prices are fun to whine about, but no one has cut back, at least in the neighborhood where I am hanging out.
Ken Lay is not a topic of conversation. "He's on trial? Oh yeah I've heard that."
Patience is no longer a virtue. It no longer exists.
I talk way too much and think even more, and I take it all far too seriously. I'm getting over both as quickly as I can!
Back in the USSR, I mean the work force.
STB
Yup, my back was aching. The day before I had worked and had been on my feet for most of the day. Who knew.
Guess I was using muscles that I hadn't used in a couple of years.
In St Tropez, being a butler, I was on my feet all day long. I didn't have back aches. From sweeping the terrace to sweeping the tennis court, I was fine. Serving dinner for 26, no problem.
Now I'm in a tie and wondering around on my feet and my back aches.
Life can be so unfair.
Here is some of what I've seen, now that I'm back in the public eye.
There is just way too much plastic surgery. Sure, I've seen all the stuff on TV, but when you realize (and see) that the number of woman who haven't had their breasts enhanced is now on par with the number of woman who have, you have to think someone has way too much time (and credit) on their hands.
There is a new lingo out there. Not sure when that happened, but it did. Call me old fashioned, but I wouldn't want to be addressed as, "Okay guys." I just wouldn't. But then again, let us not forget that I don't like flip flops except at the beach.
Gas prices are fun to whine about, but no one has cut back, at least in the neighborhood where I am hanging out.
Ken Lay is not a topic of conversation. "He's on trial? Oh yeah I've heard that."
Patience is no longer a virtue. It no longer exists.
I talk way too much and think even more, and I take it all far too seriously. I'm getting over both as quickly as I can!
Back in the USSR, I mean the work force.
STB
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