Sports talk will appear and be identified!!
So Anna sent me a video with Neil Diamond singing Adam Sandler's Hanukkah song. I like Sandler's version better. The magazine Heeb (which is a real hoot) has critiques of the Christmas albums of Mr. Dylan and Mr. Diamond--both members of my tribe and both with forthcoming terrible Christmas CD's. The critiques are hilarious.
Now to the real stuff. I tried watching Olberman last night but the first section was on the Health Care bill or what is left of it. Howard Dean was on and was livid. Basically and clearly told the Dems to vote against what is left of it because there is no reform in it. I immediately shut the TV off feeling very dispirited. My take is they ought to vote on it right now and let it die if that is what happens and put all the naysayers on notice that they will be accountable in the next election. It has taken up too much time and too much energy and now there is no vestige of a public option, medicare option, or cost controls. It is a monumental victory for both the insurance companies and the right wing. And it is ugly.
We should all vow right now to work for Joe Lieberman's defeat in 2012. I read today that he may decide to run as a republican--who cares? He already votes like one and is totally beholden to all those tall insurance buildings in Hartford. We have passed them regularly on our trips on 84 West to Scranton. They have more meaning for me now. He cloaks himself in seriousness and more than a bit of piousness. But I am embarrassed by him and angered that one person right now could kill this whole bill. And I don't believe a bad bill is better than no bill.
SPORTS TALK SECTION
I just don't understand how Tiger's 10 or 15 or whatever number of mistresses were silent until now--how did they all keep their mouths shut until he had a car accident. I don't get it and I don't get how all this stuff about performance enhancing drugs also just coincidentally comes out. Though I have to say that since I always believe the worst of our prominent public figures, I am inclined to believe most of these stories. But it is almost as if all these secrets were in the car with him and when his wife smashed the window, they all flew out--like Pandora's box.
Did anyone see Randy Moss this past Sunday. I have already told this to my friend Charles but Peter King of SI called his performance "canine". I hope we learn that he has been playing with a broken leg or something. Otherwise it was very pathetic. Bob Ryan of the Globe (one of my favorites) is usually calm but today even he was ballistic. Used words which almost seem like a mental health diagnosis. Shaughnessy was already on the ledge but he resides there--he happened to take a few shots at Theo last week just to remind us that he (Dan) is really the GM. If I were a Red Sox fan I would be writing letters to that guy daily.
Mr. Brady and the boys are in deep doo doo and likely have to win out cuz those stupid dolphins (and any team with Parcells involved I consider stupid--Sorry Abe) or those stupid Jets (and any team called NY which plays in fact in NJ is stupid) could catch them.
Hope Hannukah/Christmas is joyous for you. Have a peaceful and healthy New year.
Sayonara
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
I Have Crossed Over to the Dark Side
Go down Columbus Avenue and make a right onto Malcolm X Boulevard. You can get anything you want on Malcolm X Boulevard (You could sing that last sentence to the tune of Alice's Restaurant--but that's not the point). Right across from the Post Office sits (drum roll please) the Social Security Office. Yup, I am a member of the group which promises to bankrupt the system as long as we get ours first.
The good news is that I got there early (5 minutes after opening) and took a number just like at my supermarket deli. I got number 41 which means in 5 minutes, 40 people were ahead of me. They were on 18 and it took an hour to get to 41. The good news is that all the workers were nice and pleasant once you reached them. The bad news is that there were just 3 of them, they yakked to each other and to other unseen people, and the security guard's main job (aside from completing his crossword puzzle and chatting with his friends ) was to press the buzzer for the bathroom. I had a 5 minute conversation with the first person who told me I needed to see a second person but that I was first in line. 45 minutes later, I got to see the second person. 45 minutes after that I was done. Oh, by the way, I was the only white person amidst a room full of Africans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Hispanic Americans. All of whom seemed like they just finished a pack of cigarettes outside and brought the smell inside with them. Kids of course--especially young ones. I felt as if I was dropped back into a Welfare Office in the 60's. I don't know what I was thinking but the magazine I brought to read was Hadassah--a therapist or someone more socially astute than me would have a field day with that choice.
Way back in those same 60's, Hialeah Race Track, was the jewel of thoroughbred racing in South Florida. The home of winter racing and a bazillion flamingos. I never had a car in high school but some of my friends did. We somehow ended up in a high school with shifts with Seniors starting at 7:15 and Juniors at 8:15. which meant we got out fairly early. The friends with the cars took off to Hialeah (usually) and Tropical Park (less usually). You could get in for free for the last few races and make a few very small bets. That's when I fell for horse racing. Hialeah eventually closed due to competition over racing dates and Gulfstream up there in Broward County ultimately became the big cheese of tracks. But within the last month Hialeah reopened not as a thoroughbred track but as a quarterhorse track--kind of a Jack in the Box compared to a Burger King. But it is open nonetheless--I have yet to see a flamingo.
Obama's Afghan speech was pretty predictable and predictably made a lot of people angry. My feeling is that it was to be expected and if he wants to be re elected something will happen in 2011. I'm not sure I agree with the decision but none of us should have been surprised.
SPORTS TALK COMING UP
Speaking of South Florida, Mr. Brady and the boys have a big one down in Miamah this weekend. I think they can run the table and win all 5 but they have been so inconsistent, I worry. Of interest to a few of us is that they are tearing down the Orange Bowl and the University is building a stadium on their campus in Coral Gables. The site of the Orange Bowl will be used for a new baseball only stadium for the Marlins. I sold programs (as I got older and smarter) and initially soda (when I was younger and dumber) at the Orange bowl. A group of us including my friend Charles concocted many plans to steal a football during warm ups--never worked but it was a visionary plan.
DONE WITH SPORTS
Hope no one over ate and all of you enjoyed the holiday.
Sayonara
The good news is that I got there early (5 minutes after opening) and took a number just like at my supermarket deli. I got number 41 which means in 5 minutes, 40 people were ahead of me. They were on 18 and it took an hour to get to 41. The good news is that all the workers were nice and pleasant once you reached them. The bad news is that there were just 3 of them, they yakked to each other and to other unseen people, and the security guard's main job (aside from completing his crossword puzzle and chatting with his friends ) was to press the buzzer for the bathroom. I had a 5 minute conversation with the first person who told me I needed to see a second person but that I was first in line. 45 minutes later, I got to see the second person. 45 minutes after that I was done. Oh, by the way, I was the only white person amidst a room full of Africans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Hispanic Americans. All of whom seemed like they just finished a pack of cigarettes outside and brought the smell inside with them. Kids of course--especially young ones. I felt as if I was dropped back into a Welfare Office in the 60's. I don't know what I was thinking but the magazine I brought to read was Hadassah--a therapist or someone more socially astute than me would have a field day with that choice.
Way back in those same 60's, Hialeah Race Track, was the jewel of thoroughbred racing in South Florida. The home of winter racing and a bazillion flamingos. I never had a car in high school but some of my friends did. We somehow ended up in a high school with shifts with Seniors starting at 7:15 and Juniors at 8:15. which meant we got out fairly early. The friends with the cars took off to Hialeah (usually) and Tropical Park (less usually). You could get in for free for the last few races and make a few very small bets. That's when I fell for horse racing. Hialeah eventually closed due to competition over racing dates and Gulfstream up there in Broward County ultimately became the big cheese of tracks. But within the last month Hialeah reopened not as a thoroughbred track but as a quarterhorse track--kind of a Jack in the Box compared to a Burger King. But it is open nonetheless--I have yet to see a flamingo.
Obama's Afghan speech was pretty predictable and predictably made a lot of people angry. My feeling is that it was to be expected and if he wants to be re elected something will happen in 2011. I'm not sure I agree with the decision but none of us should have been surprised.
SPORTS TALK COMING UP
Speaking of South Florida, Mr. Brady and the boys have a big one down in Miamah this weekend. I think they can run the table and win all 5 but they have been so inconsistent, I worry. Of interest to a few of us is that they are tearing down the Orange Bowl and the University is building a stadium on their campus in Coral Gables. The site of the Orange Bowl will be used for a new baseball only stadium for the Marlins. I sold programs (as I got older and smarter) and initially soda (when I was younger and dumber) at the Orange bowl. A group of us including my friend Charles concocted many plans to steal a football during warm ups--never worked but it was a visionary plan.
DONE WITH SPORTS
Hope no one over ate and all of you enjoyed the holiday.
Sayonara
Monday, November 23, 2009
p.s.
An editorial in today's Globe reminded me of something I forgot yesterday. I believe the Vermont legislature meets at most 2 months a year and perhaps only one month. They are not paid except for expenses--so if you live in Putney and travel to Burlington, you get mileage and hotel/motel expenses. It is decidedly not a full time job.
Our legislators on the other hand get salaries and then get extra money if they chair a committee or if they occupy leadership positions. Plus most of them have "outside" jobs. They meet forever except when they dont want to--which is right now through New Year's. They have left on the table important issues related to education, immigration, and healthcare. Plus a number of them have been indicted, one was a sexual predator(until forced out after being arrested), and another is currently in the papers for multiple dui's.
They are fools in a spat with a governor who they don't like very much. They have no shame and should be embarrassed. We should be embarrassed.
Our legislators on the other hand get salaries and then get extra money if they chair a committee or if they occupy leadership positions. Plus most of them have "outside" jobs. They meet forever except when they dont want to--which is right now through New Year's. They have left on the table important issues related to education, immigration, and healthcare. Plus a number of them have been indicted, one was a sexual predator(until forced out after being arrested), and another is currently in the papers for multiple dui's.
They are fools in a spat with a governor who they don't like very much. They have no shame and should be embarrassed. We should be embarrassed.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Turkey Lurkey
There will be some sports chatter later on but I will alert all of you non-fans.
1. Not much of a coincidence or a surprise--but all of a sudden Blue Cross, Harvard Health, and other insurors are putting on ads stressing quality, stressing their care for us, and generally making me want to puke. Must have something to do with the health care bill, huh.
2. I read a great (and brief) piece by Jeffrey Toobin in the recent New Yorker's Talk of the Town section. Discussing the inclusion of an abortion ban in the healthcare legislation. Basically, he argues that the Stupak (or is it stupid) amendment guts a woman's right to choose. Now I realize the saying that the perfect is frequently the enemy of the good. But I am firmly on Coakley's side on this one (By the way, she is one of the 4 candidates to replace Ted for those of you not from down here). She said that because of that amendment, she would not vote for the bill. I think she is right though I know there are 31 million people without insurance who would disagree. Maybe some of us believe the courts will get a hold of this and support Roe v. Wade once it gets into court. But thats a wing and a prayer. I dont care if she did it for politics--she at least stood for something that may not be so popular.
3. Read a great non fiction book by a Washington Post reporter whose last name is Finkel. Spent a year with a platoon in Baghdad. So scary and these guys were so young. After reading it, I am halfway convinced that the minute we leave, the country will explode into some sort of civil war. I gotta believe the hardest decision Barack has is related to troop levels in Afghanistan. I am guessing he will approve some more and some deadline--but will get killed by people on both sides of this.
4. I am very impressed by Orzagh of the OMB--so bright, so articulate, and so soft spoken. The article in the Times about him was wonderful. I have also seen him on the Charley Rose show. Quite likable and yet not pedantic or ideological.
SPORTS COMING UPs
5. Much hand wringing in these parts about both the Celtics and the Bruins. the Bruins lost both Lucic and Savard (both leaders) for over a month and will have to re group but will be ok. The Celtics are showing their age and have not figured out how to integrate the new players but will also be ok but will likely be seeded between 1 and 3--If they end up playing a young athletic team (like the Hawks), they could have trouble.
6. Still not sure about Belichiks decision last week and am half worried the Jets are just about to tie today's game.
7. I detest Rich Rodriquez, the Michigan football coach (I actually detest most college coaches). Michigan bought out his contract at West Virginia for at least a million bucks and he has been a disaster. I also hated Lloyd Carr the previous coach but he at least seemed like a respectable human being. Rodriguez needs to have a seat on the sidelines next to Charlie Weis.
Safe driving and good eating.
Sayonara
1. Not much of a coincidence or a surprise--but all of a sudden Blue Cross, Harvard Health, and other insurors are putting on ads stressing quality, stressing their care for us, and generally making me want to puke. Must have something to do with the health care bill, huh.
2. I read a great (and brief) piece by Jeffrey Toobin in the recent New Yorker's Talk of the Town section. Discussing the inclusion of an abortion ban in the healthcare legislation. Basically, he argues that the Stupak (or is it stupid) amendment guts a woman's right to choose. Now I realize the saying that the perfect is frequently the enemy of the good. But I am firmly on Coakley's side on this one (By the way, she is one of the 4 candidates to replace Ted for those of you not from down here). She said that because of that amendment, she would not vote for the bill. I think she is right though I know there are 31 million people without insurance who would disagree. Maybe some of us believe the courts will get a hold of this and support Roe v. Wade once it gets into court. But thats a wing and a prayer. I dont care if she did it for politics--she at least stood for something that may not be so popular.
3. Read a great non fiction book by a Washington Post reporter whose last name is Finkel. Spent a year with a platoon in Baghdad. So scary and these guys were so young. After reading it, I am halfway convinced that the minute we leave, the country will explode into some sort of civil war. I gotta believe the hardest decision Barack has is related to troop levels in Afghanistan. I am guessing he will approve some more and some deadline--but will get killed by people on both sides of this.
4. I am very impressed by Orzagh of the OMB--so bright, so articulate, and so soft spoken. The article in the Times about him was wonderful. I have also seen him on the Charley Rose show. Quite likable and yet not pedantic or ideological.
SPORTS COMING UPs
5. Much hand wringing in these parts about both the Celtics and the Bruins. the Bruins lost both Lucic and Savard (both leaders) for over a month and will have to re group but will be ok. The Celtics are showing their age and have not figured out how to integrate the new players but will also be ok but will likely be seeded between 1 and 3--If they end up playing a young athletic team (like the Hawks), they could have trouble.
6. Still not sure about Belichiks decision last week and am half worried the Jets are just about to tie today's game.
7. I detest Rich Rodriquez, the Michigan football coach (I actually detest most college coaches). Michigan bought out his contract at West Virginia for at least a million bucks and he has been a disaster. I also hated Lloyd Carr the previous coach but he at least seemed like a respectable human being. Rodriguez needs to have a seat on the sidelines next to Charlie Weis.
Safe driving and good eating.
Sayonara
Monday, November 9, 2009
I cant always rant when I want--(Stolen from Mr. Dylan)
WARNING: THERE IS SOME SPORTS TALK COMING UP
1. A reasonable amount of time has passed. I can now offer a few World Series items. My big worry in the last game was that Chase Utley would get to bat. He is very very good and I sensed that Mariano was tired. But he had just enough left to a void Utley--who does use a lot of hair gel by the way.
Ahhh--hindsight. I was not sure about Girardi pitching his pitchers on 3 days rest but it worked. Protecting Cliff Lee was a mistake. Martinez and the rest of the Philly starters were not good. I did believe the Yankees would get to Martinez. The Yankee lefties took Ryan Howard right out of all his key at bats.
Money does talk in baseball.
2. Mr. Brady and the boys won again and are looking very good. I figure they will lose either to Indy or Nawlins--but otherwise win the rest. I would take 12 and 4 right now. This is being done with virtually half of the defensive starters (including 3 of 4 defensive backs) being new.
3. I cringe every time Joe Lieberman opens his mouth. He is pathetic and hopefully that will get noticed in the Nutmeg state. Harry Reid is not much better. Talk about a vacuum of leadership. You don't think Ted Kennedy made a difference? I give Pelosi credit--she kicked some ass even if compromises were made.
4. It was a very weird weekend with each of the adult women in my life all on the road: BBB was in our nation's capital; JBB was in Liberia on her way to Israel; and ABB was in the Iron City.
5. Probably will vote for Khazei but definitely will not ever vote for Pagliucca or Capuano--Capuano is too arrogant and Pags should be penalized for showing himself in his ads with the Celtics as if he were playing point guard. I do like the idea of a woman.
6. Saw John Prine last Friday night--a survivor of throat cancer who is my age and can still sing. A wonderful evening and now we even have a "W" hotel right across from the Wang Center. Still does not make me feel like we are a match (or we even should be) for NYC.
7. Working our way through the DVD's of Madmen--cant say I love it (I dont) but the sets and the costumes are so right on.
Happy turkey day.
Sayonara.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Ends and Odds
A lot of sports is contained herein so beware.
This is being written before game 6 of the ALCS. I want the Yankees to win but I have to say it is nearly as satisfying that I know the Red Flops are sitting at home. I will add that Mr. Sabbathia is an absolute horse who looks less fit than me and happens also to have a very pleasant attitude. There will be much yakking and hand wringing up here about the Red Flops and what they need to do to get back at the top. I would start by kicking Varitek to the curb and saying bye bye. Enuf said.
Interesting race to replace Ted Kennedy. Two very typical/traditional pols (and I include Ms. Coakley here because, despite being a woman, she is more like Capuano than not) and two outsiders. Pagliucca has all the money in the world (as a partner at Bain along with Romney) but if I see one more ad where he claims some credit for the Celtics championship 2 years ago, I will puke. He is a part owner but come on--pictures of him hugging Paul Pierce in his political ads? Khazei has the moral high ground but I cannot imagine him winning--his big advantage is that he is totally unlike the other 3.
Dan Shaughnessy is covering the Pats in London today and, if we are all lucky, he will end up on the wrong plane and land in Bulgaria never to be heard of again. Allowing the current sports writer version of the "Ugly American" loose in London is pathetic.
I am a little nudgy about Obama et al attacking Fox News. Not because they are wrong--in fact, they are correct. But it seems a bit unseemly to pick one media outlet and go after it. Why not go after some radio station in Pocatello? I would have left it to Olberman who seems to go after Fox News (or as he calls it Fix News) regularly and with more latitude.
We are going to get a health plan and it looks like Olympia might not be crucial in the final tally. Harshly/selfishly speaking, I think it is ok to allow states to opt out. Let all those Senators (the majority from the South) explain to their constituents why they should not have the same access to health care as some of the rest of us. This group of senators includes some Democrats. By the way, mechanically speaking, it is relatively easy to deal with rates for rural health care and get a bill passed. That's a technical problem not a philosophical one. Don't know if any of you are represented by Congressman Wyner (from Queens) or Senator Wyden (Oregon) or Senator Whitehouse (RI) or Senator Rockefeller (W.Va.)--but they have been great.
We happen to get the National Hadassah magazine--my worse fantasies have come true. Eric Cantor is a member of my tribe--that would be the Jewish people. He was interviewed in the latest issue and he is so in bed with the American Israeli PAC, it is ludicrous. Had to write a letter about balance which likely will never get published since Hadassah is also in that bed. He talks to his rabbi regularly--probably the Jewish rabbinic equivalent of Jerry Falwell.
I have deleted myself from Facebook. Anna always was against my "membership" (said I was too old!) but I just did it. Then last week I must have hit the wrong button because all of a sudden I got like 15 emails from people via Facebook--some from folks I don't know. There was one from a kindergarten friend that was worthwhile. But I immediately removed myself after that fiasco.
Lets hope Mr. Brady looks for approaching cars in the correct direction as he crosses streets over the pond in London. If so, the Pats win.
Sayonara.
This is being written before game 6 of the ALCS. I want the Yankees to win but I have to say it is nearly as satisfying that I know the Red Flops are sitting at home. I will add that Mr. Sabbathia is an absolute horse who looks less fit than me and happens also to have a very pleasant attitude. There will be much yakking and hand wringing up here about the Red Flops and what they need to do to get back at the top. I would start by kicking Varitek to the curb and saying bye bye. Enuf said.
Interesting race to replace Ted Kennedy. Two very typical/traditional pols (and I include Ms. Coakley here because, despite being a woman, she is more like Capuano than not) and two outsiders. Pagliucca has all the money in the world (as a partner at Bain along with Romney) but if I see one more ad where he claims some credit for the Celtics championship 2 years ago, I will puke. He is a part owner but come on--pictures of him hugging Paul Pierce in his political ads? Khazei has the moral high ground but I cannot imagine him winning--his big advantage is that he is totally unlike the other 3.
Dan Shaughnessy is covering the Pats in London today and, if we are all lucky, he will end up on the wrong plane and land in Bulgaria never to be heard of again. Allowing the current sports writer version of the "Ugly American" loose in London is pathetic.
I am a little nudgy about Obama et al attacking Fox News. Not because they are wrong--in fact, they are correct. But it seems a bit unseemly to pick one media outlet and go after it. Why not go after some radio station in Pocatello? I would have left it to Olberman who seems to go after Fox News (or as he calls it Fix News) regularly and with more latitude.
We are going to get a health plan and it looks like Olympia might not be crucial in the final tally. Harshly/selfishly speaking, I think it is ok to allow states to opt out. Let all those Senators (the majority from the South) explain to their constituents why they should not have the same access to health care as some of the rest of us. This group of senators includes some Democrats. By the way, mechanically speaking, it is relatively easy to deal with rates for rural health care and get a bill passed. That's a technical problem not a philosophical one. Don't know if any of you are represented by Congressman Wyner (from Queens) or Senator Wyden (Oregon) or Senator Whitehouse (RI) or Senator Rockefeller (W.Va.)--but they have been great.
We happen to get the National Hadassah magazine--my worse fantasies have come true. Eric Cantor is a member of my tribe--that would be the Jewish people. He was interviewed in the latest issue and he is so in bed with the American Israeli PAC, it is ludicrous. Had to write a letter about balance which likely will never get published since Hadassah is also in that bed. He talks to his rabbi regularly--probably the Jewish rabbinic equivalent of Jerry Falwell.
I have deleted myself from Facebook. Anna always was against my "membership" (said I was too old!) but I just did it. Then last week I must have hit the wrong button because all of a sudden I got like 15 emails from people via Facebook--some from folks I don't know. There was one from a kindergarten friend that was worthwhile. But I immediately removed myself after that fiasco.
Lets hope Mr. Brady looks for approaching cars in the correct direction as he crosses streets over the pond in London. If so, the Pats win.
Sayonara.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
A FEW RANTS AND MANY FEWER RAVES
1. Who knew?--Jay Rockefeller is my new hero. He has been clear, concise, and fiercely articulate about the public option. I expected Shumer to play that role (and he has to a certain extent). But Rockefeller? Oh my, I wonder if the Mountaineers in West Virginia know that have a budding socialist in the Senate. I totally agree with him that no bill is better than a bad bill.
2. I know there are many more steps that will occur but I worry about this vote yesterday. It may mean nothing but as iI have said before, thoe Democrats from smllish states (Montana, North Dakota, Arkansas) cnnot be allowed to control this thing. I tell myself daily that Barack knows what he is doing but it sure does not look like that. But Max was given too much time and too much room and I do blame barack for that.
3. It scares me when I get my "news" from Jon Stewart--but he is so good.
4. at the same time, the right blogs and media are going crazy--mentioning the word coup, wondering if Barack can be President and go to /copenhagen. they have really lost it and one can only hope that a bazillion people see it--otherwise we are looking at a Republican house in 2010.
5. Saw a great movie called Amreeka (not sure about the spelling). Do know it was overseen by the Canadian Film Board (way to go Charles/Myra) and filmed in Manitoba. About a Palestinian mother and her son who get papers to emigrate to America. the first l5 minutes or so were shot in the West bank and enraged me. The will is so high, it makes the berlin wall look like one of those we see in the New England country. The depcition of Israeli soliders was accurate but oh so tyrannical. It embarassed me. The movie was about what it was like for the two of them to be plopped down in the middle of rural Illinois. One very funny (yet very telling) scene: at U.S. immigration, she is asked occupation. Her response is yes--for 40 years!!
6. GM and Penske blew up the deal for Saturn. No more saturns will be produced which is very dire news for Steven. Those fools had a very innovative are and screwed it up--then we bailed them out.
7. So I think both the red Flops and the Yanks have serious pitching questions. The big difference is that the Yankees can put lots of runs up on the board. An important factoid: Cano and jter are both batting over 320, both have over 200 hits and both have scored over 100 runs. by the way, sports fans, Jeter is the MVP.
8. Have very little else to say except I probably should write these after watching Olbeman who seems to find the craziest right wingers on the planet to say very crazy and scary things boiling my blood. Really, has anyone ever heard Michelle bachman, the congresswoman from Minnesota. Ugh.
sayonara.
2. I know there are many more steps that will occur but I worry about this vote yesterday. It may mean nothing but as iI have said before, thoe Democrats from smllish states (Montana, North Dakota, Arkansas) cnnot be allowed to control this thing. I tell myself daily that Barack knows what he is doing but it sure does not look like that. But Max was given too much time and too much room and I do blame barack for that.
3. It scares me when I get my "news" from Jon Stewart--but he is so good.
4. at the same time, the right blogs and media are going crazy--mentioning the word coup, wondering if Barack can be President and go to /copenhagen. they have really lost it and one can only hope that a bazillion people see it--otherwise we are looking at a Republican house in 2010.
5. Saw a great movie called Amreeka (not sure about the spelling). Do know it was overseen by the Canadian Film Board (way to go Charles/Myra) and filmed in Manitoba. About a Palestinian mother and her son who get papers to emigrate to America. the first l5 minutes or so were shot in the West bank and enraged me. The will is so high, it makes the berlin wall look like one of those we see in the New England country. The depcition of Israeli soliders was accurate but oh so tyrannical. It embarassed me. The movie was about what it was like for the two of them to be plopped down in the middle of rural Illinois. One very funny (yet very telling) scene: at U.S. immigration, she is asked occupation. Her response is yes--for 40 years!!
6. GM and Penske blew up the deal for Saturn. No more saturns will be produced which is very dire news for Steven. Those fools had a very innovative are and screwed it up--then we bailed them out.
7. So I think both the red Flops and the Yanks have serious pitching questions. The big difference is that the Yankees can put lots of runs up on the board. An important factoid: Cano and jter are both batting over 320, both have over 200 hits and both have scored over 100 runs. by the way, sports fans, Jeter is the MVP.
8. Have very little else to say except I probably should write these after watching Olbeman who seems to find the craziest right wingers on the planet to say very crazy and scary things boiling my blood. Really, has anyone ever heard Michelle bachman, the congresswoman from Minnesota. Ugh.
sayonara.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Cleaning Out My Desk Drawer
Every so often, one of my favorite Globe sports writers more or less writes an odds and ends column. Peter King, from Sports Illustrated, also does something similar. So this is me stealing those concepts.
1. If I were a Yankee fan (which I am), I would be very worried about a third starter for the playoffs given the way Burnett is pitching. They only need 3 but he is crashing. The good news for the Yanks is that they will hit. If, on the other hand, I were a Red Sox fan (which I am not), I would be feeling a might optimistic. Bucholz, Lester, and Beckett give them the 3 they need even if Big Papi does not hit.
2. I almost want to avoid the Patriots tonight. I am very worried about Mr. Brady getting hurt and they have NO back up worthy of the name.
3. We have a state house even more dominated by Democrats than Congress. They meet ll months a year, make a lots of money, and cannot make a decision. They are not making a decision this time about whether or not we need a second senator prior to the January elections. Come on--of course it is inconsistent with what they did when John Kerry ran for president. Inconsistency was never a problem for them before.
4. Here is what I have to say about Joe Wilson. South Carolina deserves him just like they deserve the Governor. (It is pathetic that the media actually believed the governor was on the Appalachian Trail in South Carolina when it does not even go through the state. I guess geography is an elective). Wilson is vile. But what is truly scary is that many of our fellow Americans are encouraged by him and old Rush did not even like his one half assed apology. The color of our president's skin is playing right under the surface here and, I believe, in almost every issue of contention. The South is trying to rise again and not just in the South.
5. If Olympia Snowe from my favorite state of Maine says no public option (as she did yesterday), then bet on it. I will blame the Democrats for fucking that up and partly Obama for not getting aggressive enough soon enough. Somehow the crazies took over the debate and even my friends Olberman and Maddow are shaking their heads.
6. By the way one of the consistent guests on Olbermans show is the Washington Editor of The Nation (name forgotten) who is just wonderful and oh so bright. and no older than 12.
7. Milestones: Jessica and her family returned from Germany with the kids really yakking in German. Anna is coming up this weekend for the holiday. Catherine (some of you likely don't know her but trust me when I say she is special) just entered college, and I visited my mother's grave in August--its been 23 years.
8. I am totally repulsed by Netanyahu and you have to read the article in the recent NY Times Magazine about J Street--a major important advocacy alternative to the mainstream Jewish advocacy groups who basically kiss up to Israel on everything
For those of you who celebrate it, Happy New Year. May it be sweet, healthy, and peaceful.
Sayonara
1. If I were a Yankee fan (which I am), I would be very worried about a third starter for the playoffs given the way Burnett is pitching. They only need 3 but he is crashing. The good news for the Yanks is that they will hit. If, on the other hand, I were a Red Sox fan (which I am not), I would be feeling a might optimistic. Bucholz, Lester, and Beckett give them the 3 they need even if Big Papi does not hit.
2. I almost want to avoid the Patriots tonight. I am very worried about Mr. Brady getting hurt and they have NO back up worthy of the name.
3. We have a state house even more dominated by Democrats than Congress. They meet ll months a year, make a lots of money, and cannot make a decision. They are not making a decision this time about whether or not we need a second senator prior to the January elections. Come on--of course it is inconsistent with what they did when John Kerry ran for president. Inconsistency was never a problem for them before.
4. Here is what I have to say about Joe Wilson. South Carolina deserves him just like they deserve the Governor. (It is pathetic that the media actually believed the governor was on the Appalachian Trail in South Carolina when it does not even go through the state. I guess geography is an elective). Wilson is vile. But what is truly scary is that many of our fellow Americans are encouraged by him and old Rush did not even like his one half assed apology. The color of our president's skin is playing right under the surface here and, I believe, in almost every issue of contention. The South is trying to rise again and not just in the South.
5. If Olympia Snowe from my favorite state of Maine says no public option (as she did yesterday), then bet on it. I will blame the Democrats for fucking that up and partly Obama for not getting aggressive enough soon enough. Somehow the crazies took over the debate and even my friends Olberman and Maddow are shaking their heads.
6. By the way one of the consistent guests on Olbermans show is the Washington Editor of The Nation (name forgotten) who is just wonderful and oh so bright. and no older than 12.
7. Milestones: Jessica and her family returned from Germany with the kids really yakking in German. Anna is coming up this weekend for the holiday. Catherine (some of you likely don't know her but trust me when I say she is special) just entered college, and I visited my mother's grave in August--its been 23 years.
8. I am totally repulsed by Netanyahu and you have to read the article in the recent NY Times Magazine about J Street--a major important advocacy alternative to the mainstream Jewish advocacy groups who basically kiss up to Israel on everything
For those of you who celebrate it, Happy New Year. May it be sweet, healthy, and peaceful.
Sayonara
Friday, August 28, 2009
P.S.
I watched that motorcade leave Hyannisport and travel all the way into Boston. People all over the place--on bridges, under bridges, stopping their cars (even those going in the opposite direction), on corners, in windows--then the motorcade travels into the heart of Southie on its way to Day Boulevard. A ghost town--no one out/no one visible. I resist with all my strength drawing any stereotypical conclusions. You all should be glad that they are contained in my head.
Sayonara
Sayonara
Thursday, August 27, 2009
MEOW
At first, I thought I should say some things about Ted Kennedy. But, after watching TV last evening with Barbara, I realized I had very little to add. It is enough to say that it is an enormous loss and that I believe the Health Care Initiative would not be on life support if he had been around these past months.
Then I realized we lost someone else yesterday. Someone more personal that a lot of you knew. When Jessica went off to Ann Arbor, her really wise parents decided she needed to be "replaced" so that her loss would not traumatize Anna too much. So the four of us went to a house (I think on Tappan Street in Brookline) to look at a litter of cats. One of them had hair sticking up all over the place and was obviously Spike. Or after some thought he became Spike. Ironically, and quite sadly, the cat's owner had just dealt with the death of his own adolescent son in an unspeakable accident. So his loss was much different/more permanent than ours.
Well yesterday, Spike was put to sleep by his step parents Eve and Steve. He was, as close as we can figure, nearly, or a bit more, than 19. It is virtually the same time of year that we got him since it was just before Jessica's trip to college. Anna was his wonderful "parent"/companion. She was never quite sure if his "grandparents"(that would be me and Barbara)shared her intense love of Spike and even had some questions when she took her Midwest college adventure if we could adequately provide for Spike. We convinced her we were up to the task. Anna was truly his advocate/guardian/companion--though I was Spike's medical assistant and litter box manager. Barbara worried about Spike much like she worries about the rest of us.
The other two people who were central to Spike's life were Eve and Steve. When Jessica moved home from Germany, Spike went to live in the suburbs with them because Jess and Steffen were allergic to him. Lilli loved to visit him down there in Canton though, unlike the rest of us, he showed very little interest in her. Steve and Eve were worthy foster parents and certainly reached the high standards expected by Anna (which she was never/ever quite sure Barbara and I met). They loved him and helped him and had to deal with these last months when he was really failing.
So, in some crazy way, we will connect Spike's death to the death of Ted Kennedy. Spike's loss was as expected as Kennedy's. I find myself wondering if even comparing the loss of a cat to the loss of a person is fair--truth be told (sorry, Anna)it surprises me that I am even feeling Spike's loss so intensely. I do believe Anna,Steve, and Eve have lost someone close and special in a far more intimate manner than the loss of Ted Kennedy. Spike was truly special to them; but they were very special in their treatment of him as well. A sad day all around.
Sayonara
Then I realized we lost someone else yesterday. Someone more personal that a lot of you knew. When Jessica went off to Ann Arbor, her really wise parents decided she needed to be "replaced" so that her loss would not traumatize Anna too much. So the four of us went to a house (I think on Tappan Street in Brookline) to look at a litter of cats. One of them had hair sticking up all over the place and was obviously Spike. Or after some thought he became Spike. Ironically, and quite sadly, the cat's owner had just dealt with the death of his own adolescent son in an unspeakable accident. So his loss was much different/more permanent than ours.
Well yesterday, Spike was put to sleep by his step parents Eve and Steve. He was, as close as we can figure, nearly, or a bit more, than 19. It is virtually the same time of year that we got him since it was just before Jessica's trip to college. Anna was his wonderful "parent"/companion. She was never quite sure if his "grandparents"(that would be me and Barbara)shared her intense love of Spike and even had some questions when she took her Midwest college adventure if we could adequately provide for Spike. We convinced her we were up to the task. Anna was truly his advocate/guardian/companion--though I was Spike's medical assistant and litter box manager. Barbara worried about Spike much like she worries about the rest of us.
The other two people who were central to Spike's life were Eve and Steve. When Jessica moved home from Germany, Spike went to live in the suburbs with them because Jess and Steffen were allergic to him. Lilli loved to visit him down there in Canton though, unlike the rest of us, he showed very little interest in her. Steve and Eve were worthy foster parents and certainly reached the high standards expected by Anna (which she was never/ever quite sure Barbara and I met). They loved him and helped him and had to deal with these last months when he was really failing.
So, in some crazy way, we will connect Spike's death to the death of Ted Kennedy. Spike's loss was as expected as Kennedy's. I find myself wondering if even comparing the loss of a cat to the loss of a person is fair--truth be told (sorry, Anna)it surprises me that I am even feeling Spike's loss so intensely. I do believe Anna,Steve, and Eve have lost someone close and special in a far more intimate manner than the loss of Ted Kennedy. Spike was truly special to them; but they were very special in their treatment of him as well. A sad day all around.
Sayonara
Monday, August 17, 2009
hopefully, short and sweet
So last week, the "death panelists" managed to scare us away from end of life counselling reimbursement. Now, I wake up to learn that we are being scared away from a public option. Thoughts:
1. I just read a brief piece in Rolling Stone--a panel consisting of Michael Moore, David Gergen,and Paul Krugman discussed Obama's initiatives and graded him--I could care less about the grade. However, the one thing they all agreed on was that without a public option, there is no reform in this bill.
2. Medicare, Medicaid, and the VA system are in one way or another federally overseen or federally funded health care plans. But we are scared of another.
3. How is it that Democrats from small rural states (Conrad/North Dakota and Baucus/Montana to name two)have so much control. The Republican opposition is to be expected. These guys combined don't represent the total population of two New York City boroughs.
I can hardly wait for Keith Olberman tonight. He will be berserk.
Sayonara
1. I just read a brief piece in Rolling Stone--a panel consisting of Michael Moore, David Gergen,and Paul Krugman discussed Obama's initiatives and graded him--I could care less about the grade. However, the one thing they all agreed on was that without a public option, there is no reform in this bill.
2. Medicare, Medicaid, and the VA system are in one way or another federally overseen or federally funded health care plans. But we are scared of another.
3. How is it that Democrats from small rural states (Conrad/North Dakota and Baucus/Montana to name two)have so much control. The Republican opposition is to be expected. These guys combined don't represent the total population of two New York City boroughs.
I can hardly wait for Keith Olberman tonight. He will be berserk.
Sayonara
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Grumble, Grumble, Toil, and Trouble
All you Red Flop fans can carefully crawl off those ledges you have been on since the weekend. There are still 50 or so games left. The Yankees have yet to show enough consistency. Plus, you will get Wakefield back. Ultimately, I think both of them make it (I have said that all along) but each of them should be very worried about either the Twins or the Angels. By the way, lucky for you, you wont need a fourth starter in the playoffs because you really don't have one.
So, the Israel General Consul for New England but based in Boston has been called back to Israel for having been both honest and direct. He had the temerity to say that Israeli policies, especially about the settlements, was creating divisiveness here among American Jews. seems his bosses did not appreciate his candor and he will now have his hand slapped. There is a great movie called "Lemon tree" which, much better than me, articulates the danger of building walls and creating settlements.
Those health care forums (no matter who funds them are enough to maker me puke. Bibles held up to be sure we know this is really a religious issue. Intense anger and deep seated fear. Much of this is fueled by racism and the reality that the Democrats are actually in charge. what actually scares me are the Hitler references and the Nazi symbols--those folks in the right wing media are stoking up these citizens and may not be able to put the genie back in the bottle (Have any of you head or seen Glenn Beck?) It would not surprise me if one these town hall meetings turns physically violent.
Most of you know that our parking lot empties onto Elliott Street which is one way away from the pond. On exiting the lot, you need to be watchful for walkers on the sidewalk on their way to the pond. But imagine my surprise to go left and be facing a bicyclist 10 feet away--one who was unhappy with me. In my new persona, I simply shut my mouth and smiled. But I am seriously getting tired of having these folks ignore all the rules of the road that I have to obey. If I broke them, they would be the first to yell.
Keep an eye out for Mr. Brady this week in his return to pro football. One hit to that knee and I will be on the ledge with you.
Sayonara.
So, the Israel General Consul for New England but based in Boston has been called back to Israel for having been both honest and direct. He had the temerity to say that Israeli policies, especially about the settlements, was creating divisiveness here among American Jews. seems his bosses did not appreciate his candor and he will now have his hand slapped. There is a great movie called "Lemon tree" which, much better than me, articulates the danger of building walls and creating settlements.
Those health care forums (no matter who funds them are enough to maker me puke. Bibles held up to be sure we know this is really a religious issue. Intense anger and deep seated fear. Much of this is fueled by racism and the reality that the Democrats are actually in charge. what actually scares me are the Hitler references and the Nazi symbols--those folks in the right wing media are stoking up these citizens and may not be able to put the genie back in the bottle (Have any of you head or seen Glenn Beck?) It would not surprise me if one these town hall meetings turns physically violent.
Most of you know that our parking lot empties onto Elliott Street which is one way away from the pond. On exiting the lot, you need to be watchful for walkers on the sidewalk on their way to the pond. But imagine my surprise to go left and be facing a bicyclist 10 feet away--one who was unhappy with me. In my new persona, I simply shut my mouth and smiled. But I am seriously getting tired of having these folks ignore all the rules of the road that I have to obey. If I broke them, they would be the first to yell.
Keep an eye out for Mr. Brady this week in his return to pro football. One hit to that knee and I will be on the ledge with you.
Sayonara.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Gurgle, Gurgle
I am learning as I go with this thing and, at first, I figured I would schedule a day to write--being a person of some rigidity. But, I have learned that it doesn't work that way for me. I have to wait until my stomach starts to gurgle--and yup, today it has notified me it is time to write.
So does paranoia annoya? Here are two examples of mine:
1A. If the big zoo were in Stoneham and the little zoo were in Roxbury, don't you think that the one in Roxbury would have been done and gone already? This whole thing about having two zoos in the midst of the budget craziness smacks to me a bit of protecting our north shore brethren from having to actually come into the city and see some folks who might not look like them and perhaps are not the same color.
1B. That CEO guy from Blue Cross (Killingsworth)--Never saw him on TV before and now he is all over the place assuring us of their commitment to quality and prevention. A bit of interesting timing given the discussions in Washington. Where was he before?
2. All of you awaiting the arrival of Mr. Baker and his run for Governor, be careful what you wish for. His first endorsement came from Curt Schilling who only is slightly to the right of Rush Limbaugh. And not as smart.
3. Okay all you Red Flop fans, here it comes--remember A-Rod (who,I actually don't even like), remember his bout with the media over steroids, remember all of you pointing fingers at those dreaded Yankees and how they cheated--remember all that and how pious our Globe was? Well it sure seems that Big Papi and Manny were in that line too. A very long line I might add--and a very distressing scandal that is not close to being over. The Globe of course is leading the parade of righteous indignation much like they led the parade of piety. One wonders what their reporters knew before the NY Times (their step parent) broke the story. I do admit that Shaughnessy's article today (he is a nemesis of mine) was right on.
4. Jon Stewart absolutely skewered Bill Kristol (he is one of the leading Neocons--in many ways, mainly intellectual,scarier than Rush)about Health Care.
Sayonara
So does paranoia annoya? Here are two examples of mine:
1A. If the big zoo were in Stoneham and the little zoo were in Roxbury, don't you think that the one in Roxbury would have been done and gone already? This whole thing about having two zoos in the midst of the budget craziness smacks to me a bit of protecting our north shore brethren from having to actually come into the city and see some folks who might not look like them and perhaps are not the same color.
1B. That CEO guy from Blue Cross (Killingsworth)--Never saw him on TV before and now he is all over the place assuring us of their commitment to quality and prevention. A bit of interesting timing given the discussions in Washington. Where was he before?
2. All of you awaiting the arrival of Mr. Baker and his run for Governor, be careful what you wish for. His first endorsement came from Curt Schilling who only is slightly to the right of Rush Limbaugh. And not as smart.
3. Okay all you Red Flop fans, here it comes--remember A-Rod (who,I actually don't even like), remember his bout with the media over steroids, remember all of you pointing fingers at those dreaded Yankees and how they cheated--remember all that and how pious our Globe was? Well it sure seems that Big Papi and Manny were in that line too. A very long line I might add--and a very distressing scandal that is not close to being over. The Globe of course is leading the parade of righteous indignation much like they led the parade of piety. One wonders what their reporters knew before the NY Times (their step parent) broke the story. I do admit that Shaughnessy's article today (he is a nemesis of mine) was right on.
4. Jon Stewart absolutely skewered Bill Kristol (he is one of the leading Neocons--in many ways, mainly intellectual,scarier than Rush)about Health Care.
Sayonara
Thursday, July 23, 2009
RANT
This is a for real rant. So, prior to Barack's news conference last night, I had already seen some yakkers on the internet discussing whether or not he was over exposing himself. Now, we just had a president who barely spoke complete sentences and hid away from the press. Backed up by a Vice President who acted like Darth Vader and, as we now know, might have done some serious illegal things. I was already worried.
Then I watched the news conference. Truth be told, I thought he may have talked a bit too much and perhaps over complicated some things--but at the same time, he seems determined to "share". Which I think is good.
The news conference is over, the yakkers come on, and BOOM--first comments are not about health care which only took up about 50 of the 55 minutes. They are about Gates and the Cambridge police. The yakkers believed that the first 50 minutes were more of the same and the last 5 minutes would be today's headlines. This guy is taking the lead on a major reform, answers a bunch of tough skeptical questions,and the yakkers skip right over it.
Moving ahead to this morning. Pick up the paper and what do you know--the yakkers were right. Big headline is about Gates and smaller headline is about healthcare. Now I do "get" racial profiling and do believe it exists and this situation was an ugly mess. But, relatively speaking, it represented 5 out of 55 minutes. I am holding my head so it does not break into fragments. First of all the yakkers set the tone and practically told the world what the headline should be and, second, what about healthcare?
gawd almighty.
Then I watched the news conference. Truth be told, I thought he may have talked a bit too much and perhaps over complicated some things--but at the same time, he seems determined to "share". Which I think is good.
The news conference is over, the yakkers come on, and BOOM--first comments are not about health care which only took up about 50 of the 55 minutes. They are about Gates and the Cambridge police. The yakkers believed that the first 50 minutes were more of the same and the last 5 minutes would be today's headlines. This guy is taking the lead on a major reform, answers a bunch of tough skeptical questions,and the yakkers skip right over it.
Moving ahead to this morning. Pick up the paper and what do you know--the yakkers were right. Big headline is about Gates and smaller headline is about healthcare. Now I do "get" racial profiling and do believe it exists and this situation was an ugly mess. But, relatively speaking, it represented 5 out of 55 minutes. I am holding my head so it does not break into fragments. First of all the yakkers set the tone and practically told the world what the headline should be and, second, what about healthcare?
gawd almighty.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
odds and ends
babs and i went to nj and nyc this past weekend. noticed a couple of things. the globe truly has become the stepchild of the times. it is thinner for one thing. and for another the times does not use very many wire services or wire reports--the globe is chock full of them. kind of like stepchildren in a dysfunctional family. i do think it needs a local buyout. second, neal, tess, anna, and i went to see the Brooklyn cyclones on coney island--a class A minor league team of the ny mets. just a gorgeous night though the nathan hot dogs inside were a bit lower in quality than the ones from the original stand just outside the stadium (those greasy grills must be 100's of years old). but minor league baseball is very special. young kids playing ball in a small stadium (seats about 3500) with the roller coaster visible over the left field fence and the no longer used parachute ride visible along the right field foul pole. been to three of these small fields now and have a trip to maine in august to see the sea dogs of portland. love them all
a long time ago, i visited brooklyn, played stickball with my orthodox cousin joseph in the street, went on the parachute jump, used tefillin for the very first time, and saw a game at ebbets field. on our way to maine we had made this stop to visit relatives who never moved onto maine after their arrival from europe. i believe joseph remains somewhere near mt. holyoke college where he was or still is a professor.
so sessions will lose his fight but did get sonia a bit on the defensive--now they will hold things up a week just to show folks they have some back bone. but she will get approved. some of those reublicans are just unpleasant and/or stupid--has anyone ever seen that cantor guy from virginia--oh my and i am deeply worried he is a member of my tribe.
we should all worry about health care however. just hope he gets tough about it tomorrow night. all the yakkers are yakking about his ability to win this one (and of course what it means to his presidency in just the 6th month) which is even more of a reason to be sure he does win. but given the experience here in mass., it will be a bank breaker and the hospitals will not lose in any of these deals. we are"all insured" here but it is costing a fortune and people are still clogging up er's partly because there are no primary care physicians available.
WARNING--SPORTS TALK FOLLOWS: Sorry charles but i have no clue why the jays would trade halliday. dont care what they get back. he could be a hall of famer and could win 300 games. gotta give him the $$$ and maybe lose wells.
am very excited about mr. brady and the boys coming back in a couple of weeks. i do believe belichik is special even if i think his act is a bit boring at this point. do love him for not wearing a tie on the sidelines.
my yanks have pulled up even with those bloody sox who do miss manny's bat but not his attitude. i do believe ortiz's problems reflect partly manny's absence. he can get pitched around without any worries that someone will hurt them deep.
SPORTS TALK OVER
I hate it when olberman and/or jon stewart are on vacation--their replacements are just not good. lewis black was on stewart as a guest last night and had me in tears. bob and i are going to see him in august. plus the big news is that john prine is coming here in november. with patti griffin.
we visit charles and myra this weekend in newport at the same time that jess and her family head for germany for a month. we will miss them but are looking forward to our time in newport
charles and i have been friends now for almost 60 years and it feels very special.
the memorial for sy was this past sunday. i found it very sad but they gave out bookmarks with his picture on them--a voracious reader and learner, this was a perfect "gift" for us to hold onto.
more later.
a long time ago, i visited brooklyn, played stickball with my orthodox cousin joseph in the street, went on the parachute jump, used tefillin for the very first time, and saw a game at ebbets field. on our way to maine we had made this stop to visit relatives who never moved onto maine after their arrival from europe. i believe joseph remains somewhere near mt. holyoke college where he was or still is a professor.
so sessions will lose his fight but did get sonia a bit on the defensive--now they will hold things up a week just to show folks they have some back bone. but she will get approved. some of those reublicans are just unpleasant and/or stupid--has anyone ever seen that cantor guy from virginia--oh my and i am deeply worried he is a member of my tribe.
we should all worry about health care however. just hope he gets tough about it tomorrow night. all the yakkers are yakking about his ability to win this one (and of course what it means to his presidency in just the 6th month) which is even more of a reason to be sure he does win. but given the experience here in mass., it will be a bank breaker and the hospitals will not lose in any of these deals. we are"all insured" here but it is costing a fortune and people are still clogging up er's partly because there are no primary care physicians available.
WARNING--SPORTS TALK FOLLOWS: Sorry charles but i have no clue why the jays would trade halliday. dont care what they get back. he could be a hall of famer and could win 300 games. gotta give him the $$$ and maybe lose wells.
am very excited about mr. brady and the boys coming back in a couple of weeks. i do believe belichik is special even if i think his act is a bit boring at this point. do love him for not wearing a tie on the sidelines.
my yanks have pulled up even with those bloody sox who do miss manny's bat but not his attitude. i do believe ortiz's problems reflect partly manny's absence. he can get pitched around without any worries that someone will hurt them deep.
SPORTS TALK OVER
I hate it when olberman and/or jon stewart are on vacation--their replacements are just not good. lewis black was on stewart as a guest last night and had me in tears. bob and i are going to see him in august. plus the big news is that john prine is coming here in november. with patti griffin.
we visit charles and myra this weekend in newport at the same time that jess and her family head for germany for a month. we will miss them but are looking forward to our time in newport
charles and i have been friends now for almost 60 years and it feels very special.
the memorial for sy was this past sunday. i found it very sad but they gave out bookmarks with his picture on them--a voracious reader and learner, this was a perfect "gift" for us to hold onto.
more later.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Some random thoughts:
-If you wish, enjoy Michael Jackson's music. But don't forget this is a person who allowed little boys to sleep in his bed with him. Oh sure never convicted; but in my book he is more likely a pedophile than he is a person to be admired. The same goes for Woody Allen--love his movies at times; but he could easily be identified as someone who committed incest.
-As the Globe gets thinner and thinner, they also are relying more and more on wire services and journalists from other papers. Check the bylines out. Which only makes it more and more obvious that the best writers in the Globe are in the sports pages (even if you hate sports). Bob Ryan and Kevin Paul Dupont to name just two are extraordinary writers--articulate, insightful, humorous.
-I am quite tired of shrines/flowers placed at scenes of alcohol fueled car accident deaths. Always young people. Seems almost done by rote and loses any meaningfulness.
-Senator Sessions is a true idiot. Rejected by his current colleagues when he was proposed for the federal bench because of his "extreme racial views". He is now giving Sonia lessons on proper use of the language. Give me a break. Truly astonishing to see a bunch of white boys sitting in judgement. Jeffrey Toobin in a recent New Yorker put this in perspective with a cogent article about our esteemed Chief Justice and the pattern of his votes.
-Going to NYC this Thursday and, instead of seeing my Yankees, will go with Anna, Neal, and Tess to see the Cyclones play on Coney Island. Will definitely catch a foul ball.
-The sadly will return for Sy's memorial on Sunday.
Sayonara
-If you wish, enjoy Michael Jackson's music. But don't forget this is a person who allowed little boys to sleep in his bed with him. Oh sure never convicted; but in my book he is more likely a pedophile than he is a person to be admired. The same goes for Woody Allen--love his movies at times; but he could easily be identified as someone who committed incest.
-As the Globe gets thinner and thinner, they also are relying more and more on wire services and journalists from other papers. Check the bylines out. Which only makes it more and more obvious that the best writers in the Globe are in the sports pages (even if you hate sports). Bob Ryan and Kevin Paul Dupont to name just two are extraordinary writers--articulate, insightful, humorous.
-I am quite tired of shrines/flowers placed at scenes of alcohol fueled car accident deaths. Always young people. Seems almost done by rote and loses any meaningfulness.
-Senator Sessions is a true idiot. Rejected by his current colleagues when he was proposed for the federal bench because of his "extreme racial views". He is now giving Sonia lessons on proper use of the language. Give me a break. Truly astonishing to see a bunch of white boys sitting in judgement. Jeffrey Toobin in a recent New Yorker put this in perspective with a cogent article about our esteemed Chief Justice and the pattern of his votes.
-Going to NYC this Thursday and, instead of seeing my Yankees, will go with Anna, Neal, and Tess to see the Cyclones play on Coney Island. Will definitely catch a foul ball.
-The sadly will return for Sy's memorial on Sunday.
Sayonara
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
The alternative title for this was to be : "all the stuff Barbara no longer wanted to listen to". My initial goal was to rant and rave-complain and probably whine. I may yet get there. But, as always, life (or in this case death) intruded.
Many headlines are devoted to which athlete or which star is a good role model for the rest of us especially younger folks. I barely have time to figure that out--but tend to think we need to find our role models closer to us. People who are in our lives at home, in the community, at work, or in the circle of friends we have. I was lucky--Sy was my role model and he died this past Monday.
He was (and will remain) my role model because for 20 odd years he battled cancer with dignity, with anger, and without giving up his life. He remained a curmudgeon (and I say that both positively and respectfully since I am another curmudgeon without any of Sy's redeeming qualities). He cared about me, my family, and all our ups and downs. He inquired about them and listened to my responses. He was happy if we were all doing well and he said so. He cared about politics in a savvy non- doctrinal way. He ate anything and everything for all of those 20 years and annually celebrated our first bar bq of the season with us--not caring a bit about cholesterol, fried food, or calories.
He loved Joan, Ruthbea, Neil, and eventually his twin grandchildren. I saw a great picture of him with those grandchildren just this morning--he looked great and happy. I wanted him back so we could be grandfathers together--full of complaints about them but deeply in love with and committed to them at the same time.
He never once complained about his fight (except to bitterly complain about health care in general), walked to chemo for the longest time, was not visibly saddened by his fate, and cared about the world around him even at the end of his life. He argued but never held a grudge. We disagreed and not politely--but I never felt demeaned or put down or worried that this would end our relationship.
Mainly, mainly, he cared about me--I felt it deeply and feel his loss even more. I cannot imagine who will "apprciate" my anger like he did. He is my role model and I will live with that thought and his memory for as long as I am alive.
Many headlines are devoted to which athlete or which star is a good role model for the rest of us especially younger folks. I barely have time to figure that out--but tend to think we need to find our role models closer to us. People who are in our lives at home, in the community, at work, or in the circle of friends we have. I was lucky--Sy was my role model and he died this past Monday.
He was (and will remain) my role model because for 20 odd years he battled cancer with dignity, with anger, and without giving up his life. He remained a curmudgeon (and I say that both positively and respectfully since I am another curmudgeon without any of Sy's redeeming qualities). He cared about me, my family, and all our ups and downs. He inquired about them and listened to my responses. He was happy if we were all doing well and he said so. He cared about politics in a savvy non- doctrinal way. He ate anything and everything for all of those 20 years and annually celebrated our first bar bq of the season with us--not caring a bit about cholesterol, fried food, or calories.
He loved Joan, Ruthbea, Neil, and eventually his twin grandchildren. I saw a great picture of him with those grandchildren just this morning--he looked great and happy. I wanted him back so we could be grandfathers together--full of complaints about them but deeply in love with and committed to them at the same time.
He never once complained about his fight (except to bitterly complain about health care in general), walked to chemo for the longest time, was not visibly saddened by his fate, and cared about the world around him even at the end of his life. He argued but never held a grudge. We disagreed and not politely--but I never felt demeaned or put down or worried that this would end our relationship.
Mainly, mainly, he cared about me--I felt it deeply and feel his loss even more. I cannot imagine who will "apprciate" my anger like he did. He is my role model and I will live with that thought and his memory for as long as I am alive.
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