So I am one day post this very important birthday. As days passed leading up to it and even now, I have had the following recurrent fantasy. I have never been to China and therefore have never seen the Terra Cotta soldiers. But here is the fantasy: I am the Commandante and all my little pill boxes are the Terra Cotta soldiers. They line up each morning, salute me, and prepare themselves for the battle they are about to wage in my body. They fight on my behalf and hold the lines against the enemies within. If I include the support regiment (those would be my vitamins), I go into battle each day with 8 fighters side by side following the instructions written on their backs. I continue to win those daily battles and hope, as i have celebrated this birthday, that I win the war. Enough.
North Africa and the Middle East is blowing up. Dictators and crazy men (that would be Khadafy--and if you have not read his words, find them so you can confirm my diagnosis). Obama of course is getting his ass kicked by Republicans who have no ideas of their own but are sure he is doing everything wrong and are talking about it QUITE LOUDLY. I may sound like a broken record but first of all I am not sure what he is supposed to be doing--invading all those countries? Second, I think he is doing stuff and it is called quiet diplomacy. Let the thing play out and keep the Israelis and Saudis (who are as worried as the Israelis) cooled down. I mean Sara and Michelle (Bachman) have no clue and yet swipe out at him a minute after he does or says something. What I don't get is why he (or some attack dog on his staff) don't go after them. You can be too passive also. The "coolest" thing for me so far was to see these women in Bahrain with their black burkhas covered head to toe but with designer sunglasses, make up on, and cell phones--all protesting in the streets.
What to say about the once great state of Wisconsin. Russell Feingold gets kicked out, the Governor is a Tea Party person, and the legislature is now Republican. If I were the Democrats I would go further than Chicago. I am not a total union guy--but the Wisconsin public unions have agreed to very important financial give backs. Walker is out to bust them and wants more.
The good news for Obama (and I suppose the rest of us) is that the economy is coming back and if it comes back consistently, he may have a shot in 2012 especially if the Republicans bring on someone resembling this guy Walker.
On the other hand a fine example of the Health Care mess. When you receive Medicare, in most cases you need also to purchase a supplement to cover the gaps in Medicare coverage. I got one through Blue Cross. Then just before my birthday, I get a nice letter from them wishing me a happy birthday and asking me to see my doctor and have a bunch of tests. The same tests I had in November when I saw the doctor. So I call Blue Cross and tell them this story. Their response: "you are new to us and we treat you like a brand new recipient". I tell them they have my permission to get the records from my doctor. Nope they want the tests done again unless I decide not to follow up--which as my little protest, I have decided not to have them done. But this kind of crazy duplication without regard to cost is killing the states and the feds.
Bob Kraft (owner of my beloved Patriots) and his wife put their money and their public face where their pocketbook is. Two examples. They gave a bunch of money to MGH not for a building but for Community Health Center fellowships--to encourage and pay physicians to practice in them. Then they got a big award from the state wide LGBT advocacy group for their contributions and their support. Gotta love them
SPORTS TALK
Proud to say I did not watch the Super Bowl. So disappointed at the Pats loss especially to the fat guy from the Meadowlands. The worse game I have seen Brady play and it had nothing to do with a stress fracture.
I have often said that once athletes reach a certain level of skill, 90% of their performance is related to the area from their neck up. Watching Tiger Woods almost cements this theory. The guy is a soft boiled egg and could fall apart any minute. He is unhardened jello. It is almost sad. And what about those prissy guys at the PGA--on top of everything else fining him for spitting on the golf green. Come on is it a sport or some sort of white glove evening dance. Give me a break.
I never did like Perkins but for the life of me I cannot figure out who will get a rebound or push Dwight Howard away from the basket. Jeff Green may help Paul Pierce but I am not sure how they get rebounds when that was already a major weakness. I think the Bulls are now even a tougher series given their height. And then I end up saying they still have roster spots and perhaps Ainge knows something I don't know. My fingers are crossed.
Was with Jess, her family, Anna, and Babs in NYC this past weekend. I miss not having Anna and Jess et al closer. What to do?
Sayonara.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF MY LIFE
I positively/absolutely hate that phrase. And yet, as of this particular moment, I am the recipient of not one but two federal programs. They shall remain nameless but obvious. I wish to add that one of them is related specifically to a certain age--but I will not reach that momentous age until the end of the month. One other thing--I continue to be impressed that so far both of these programs seem very consumer friendly.
So we have been to Philadelphia--delayed going by one of these monster snow storms. Be aware that once the airline declares a weather advisory, you can change your tickets for free (most of you probably knew that but I did not). We had to do that and otherwise the change would have cost $150 each for a round trip. It's all about the money, honey. But the point is that all is well in the city of brotherly love. The weird thing is that Jess and her family will have to move again in the late spring so while they are settled in, they are settled only for a respite and still have a basement full of boxes. I had been to Philadelphia about 45 years ago so I felt like a newbie. First of all, it is way bigger than Boston in terms of both area and population. Second, there are way more African Americans than in Boston. Lastly, all 4 pro teams play adjacent to each other in 3 virtually brand new stadia (ah, good old Mrs. Reynolds teaching us that the plural of words ending in "um" is an "a")sharing a mammoth parking area. I still wonder what was there before. We had a great time and the flying time is only 45 minutes which makes it feel very close.
Meanwhile, Keith Olberman got his ass fired--no matter what nice words were put to his departure. Not surprising and yet Rachel is still on in spite of being nearly twice as progressive as he was. She does have softer edges and somehow a more intellectual take on the issues. Keith was both visceral and vitriolic--don't you just love alliterations.
Speaking of harder edges, I get a bazillion comments from readers of this blog--not really but I do get a few. One of you took me to task about the horrific shootings in Arizona. My problem (according to this reader) was not attacking the gun lobby and the availability of guns for causing that disaster. Point taken but not so fast. I still believe leaders shape these events both before and after they occur and bear a special responsibility to actually lead. But keep those cards and letters coming.
I was already feeling helpless about the situation in the Middle East and now we have Egypt erupting. Cairo is a city of 20 million--can anyone imagine that if you have not been there? I have not been there and I can't. Egypt is one of our "allies" over there. But most importantly, it actually is an "ally" of Israel. If I am Netanyahu, I have got all my soldiers on very high alert and I am a very worried President. Especially since I just read that the King of Jordan just appointed a brand new cabinet. Egypt also has tons of our military equipment and utilizes our military as advisers. It would not surprise me if some of our boys are over there right now trying to facilitate some sort of smooth transition. Very very ugly/scary.
I was disappointed by Obama's State of the Union speech. Tossed too many bones to the Republicans and to the right wing of his party. Plus, it seemed as if he was speaking in platitudes. Too pie in he sky for me. Now he has to deal with the Egypt mess. I almost feel bad for him. But then the economy seems to be creeping back up and I believe that is all that will matter come 2012--or at least I hope so. My other hope is that Eric Cantor and John Boehner actually hate each other as much as some articles have said. Maybe they will divide and fail to conquer.
Anna is heading to Iceland for a 5 day adventure. Plans to eat whale while there. Good luck to her--I don't even want to know about it.
SPORTS TALK
Ok, so Brady had a stress fracture in his foot. Let me say this right now (boy am I bold or what?)--they lost because he had a terrible day fracture or not. And because Belichik got out coached by the big mouth in NY. I have the full support of two readers on this one. Sounds like the majority I need.
Slowly but surely, the Celtics are pulling things together. Garnett and Rondo remain for me the keys. It will help when West returns in the sense that the rotation will be clearer. But they do not miss Jermaine O'Neal. It is also worth noting that their first draft choice (Bradley) is virtually absent while this Wafer kid is getting more minutes. My big worry in the East is actually Chicago--not Miami or Orlando. Rondo has big time trouble with Derrick Rose and Noah is just the kid of active player that causes them fits. We shall see.
Just finished that 700 page book by Bill Simmons--aka "The Sports Guy". Terrific and so funny. Laughed out loud regularly. Discovered his web site and it is equally funny.
That is it for now.
Sayonara.
So we have been to Philadelphia--delayed going by one of these monster snow storms. Be aware that once the airline declares a weather advisory, you can change your tickets for free (most of you probably knew that but I did not). We had to do that and otherwise the change would have cost $150 each for a round trip. It's all about the money, honey. But the point is that all is well in the city of brotherly love. The weird thing is that Jess and her family will have to move again in the late spring so while they are settled in, they are settled only for a respite and still have a basement full of boxes. I had been to Philadelphia about 45 years ago so I felt like a newbie. First of all, it is way bigger than Boston in terms of both area and population. Second, there are way more African Americans than in Boston. Lastly, all 4 pro teams play adjacent to each other in 3 virtually brand new stadia (ah, good old Mrs. Reynolds teaching us that the plural of words ending in "um" is an "a")sharing a mammoth parking area. I still wonder what was there before. We had a great time and the flying time is only 45 minutes which makes it feel very close.
Meanwhile, Keith Olberman got his ass fired--no matter what nice words were put to his departure. Not surprising and yet Rachel is still on in spite of being nearly twice as progressive as he was. She does have softer edges and somehow a more intellectual take on the issues. Keith was both visceral and vitriolic--don't you just love alliterations.
Speaking of harder edges, I get a bazillion comments from readers of this blog--not really but I do get a few. One of you took me to task about the horrific shootings in Arizona. My problem (according to this reader) was not attacking the gun lobby and the availability of guns for causing that disaster. Point taken but not so fast. I still believe leaders shape these events both before and after they occur and bear a special responsibility to actually lead. But keep those cards and letters coming.
I was already feeling helpless about the situation in the Middle East and now we have Egypt erupting. Cairo is a city of 20 million--can anyone imagine that if you have not been there? I have not been there and I can't. Egypt is one of our "allies" over there. But most importantly, it actually is an "ally" of Israel. If I am Netanyahu, I have got all my soldiers on very high alert and I am a very worried President. Especially since I just read that the King of Jordan just appointed a brand new cabinet. Egypt also has tons of our military equipment and utilizes our military as advisers. It would not surprise me if some of our boys are over there right now trying to facilitate some sort of smooth transition. Very very ugly/scary.
I was disappointed by Obama's State of the Union speech. Tossed too many bones to the Republicans and to the right wing of his party. Plus, it seemed as if he was speaking in platitudes. Too pie in he sky for me. Now he has to deal with the Egypt mess. I almost feel bad for him. But then the economy seems to be creeping back up and I believe that is all that will matter come 2012--or at least I hope so. My other hope is that Eric Cantor and John Boehner actually hate each other as much as some articles have said. Maybe they will divide and fail to conquer.
Anna is heading to Iceland for a 5 day adventure. Plans to eat whale while there. Good luck to her--I don't even want to know about it.
SPORTS TALK
Ok, so Brady had a stress fracture in his foot. Let me say this right now (boy am I bold or what?)--they lost because he had a terrible day fracture or not. And because Belichik got out coached by the big mouth in NY. I have the full support of two readers on this one. Sounds like the majority I need.
Slowly but surely, the Celtics are pulling things together. Garnett and Rondo remain for me the keys. It will help when West returns in the sense that the rotation will be clearer. But they do not miss Jermaine O'Neal. It is also worth noting that their first draft choice (Bradley) is virtually absent while this Wafer kid is getting more minutes. My big worry in the East is actually Chicago--not Miami or Orlando. Rondo has big time trouble with Derrick Rose and Noah is just the kid of active player that causes them fits. We shall see.
Just finished that 700 page book by Bill Simmons--aka "The Sports Guy". Terrific and so funny. Laughed out loud regularly. Discovered his web site and it is equally funny.
That is it for now.
Sayonara.
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