AND IT FADED AWAY QUIETLY INTO THE NIGH

I have been retired for a bit more than 9 years.  During the first 7 of those years, I did some consulting--not a lot but enough to bring in some extra money and to keep at least some of my toes in the waters of Human Services.  Nicely enough, at tax time, I was also able to declare certain things as expenses--like a home office.  But the fat lady has sung and those days are officially over.  At a recent meeting with our accountant, it was clear that my consulting "business" (which had already been on life support) was no longer.  I actually am ok about that though on some level it does seem I have to now tell folks over cocktails that I am retired--and not that I do "consulting".  That feels very weird.

I love my bank.   It had been a branch of a small banking company called Wainwright which we loved. When they got bought out by Eastern bank, we were very worried about these big guys and how they would invariably muck up our personalized banking experience.  Lo and behold, all the personnel stayed the same. They are as diverse as the neighborhood and greet me by name the minute that door opens.  Yesterday, I was waiting in line when one of them said:  "Mr. Berns, I am going to open up this window for you; come on over".  Are you kidding?  I'm there, bro.

Ends and odds:
--The basketball coach at the University of Florida (a state school) has a contract with $187 thousand dollars just in incentives.  Priorities, right?
--Romney, McCain, and Graham (a la Mo, Larry, and Curly) would have had us in WW III if they had been President and responded to the Russians taking over Crimea.  The Europeans have first call on this and working through them is the only alternative.  Those three stooges have no clue. The alternatives all suck though sanctions against the oligarchs seems like a great option--like the guy who owns the NBA's Brooklyn Nets.
--Nate Silver (he of the 538 blog) is back with his new group--now a division of ESPN.  In his first post, he is predicting that the Dems will lose the Senate.  Two big problems are the Democratic women Senators from North Carolina and Louisiana.  He thinks they are both going to get stomped.  Big problem, folks. Though having Nate back is great--get it all you parents?  Nate the Great.
--For some reason, the latest news of former Mayor Menino's recurrence of cancer has really bothered me.
--A terrific HBO documentary about the photojournalist Tim Hetherington.  He frequently wanted to be ahead of the soldiers as they moved into certain areas so he could take video of the civilians as the soldiers approached.  He died in combat in Libya.  Go see "Restrepo".  Nominated for an Oscar, it is about an Army unit in Afghanistan. He did the video.
--This is not s sports item despite its beginning.  We have up here an announcer for the Red Sox whose name is Jerry Remy.  His son, Jared, is in jail for murdering (allegedly) the mother of his child.  For more than 10 years, judges basically gave him a pass when it came to all his brushes with the law--the majority of which involved domestic violence. I do not have enough words in my vocabulary to tell you what I think of the judiciary by their inaction.  It is pathetic that the focus in the media has been on whether the father should stay on the job.  My thoughts are that these judges should be kicked to the curb.  The son is a steroid freak who hopefully will not get away with murder.
--Could not pay me enough to be a fireman, cop, or soldier.  Too scary.  Two firefighters died here this week and both ironically worked in a firehouse about 200 yards from where the marathon bombings occurred.
--The big silver bird is getting ready to take us to a very warm place tomorrow.  Miss y'all.
--Be strong, Norma.

SPORTS TALK
--Critics be damned:  Kessel has 36 goals; Seguin has 32 goals; and Thornton has 60 assists. No Bruin has more than 60 points total.  And yes, I know how good the Bruins are but nobody has yet to tell me why highly skilled offensive players never fit in.
--Are you all proud that the Pats proposal to lengthen the height of the goal posts has passed. Whew--and I was so worried. Are our teams good or what.
--Don't expect me to say anything about baseball until July 4th.  I bet you are already poised for that
conversation, huh?
--Miami is a pretend city kind of like Dallas or Houston.  So now they are getting an MLS franchise so they can pretend a bit more that they really matter.  They actually don't.  Matter that is.

Sayonara.

I-KRAINE, YOU-KRAINE, WE-KRAINE, LET'S ALL KRAINE FOR THE UKRAINE

Ugh--had just read an article in the New Yorker (Maybe I mentioned this in my last blog???) about how Putin detests Gorbachev for allowing the dismantling of the "old" USSR.  Putin is a regular tyrant and, with his Olympic showcase over, his truer colors are emerging.   He is revving up the Russians who live in the Crimea and assuredly they will approve seceding from the Ukraine tomorrow.  And now a report that Russian troops have moved into a portion of the Ukraine itself.  The Euros have to lead on this along with NATO.  I had a very ugly day dream of a localized war breaking out over this incursion--yuk. There are all sorts of implications for them none the least of which are both security and energy.  Plus those nice little trio of Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) must be shivering in their boots. Here in the old US of A we have that foolish loser John McCain calling for military intervention and/or aid--within five minutes of Obama charting a course of diplomacy.  He was joined by his evil twin from South Carolina, Lindsey Graham who speaks with a nearly unintelligible southern accent. Jon Stewart has started mimicking him perfectly.

Then of course there was the convention of Conservatives led by all the usual suspects including the NRA who deem no place safe unless you have weapons and lots of them and damn that government anyhow.  Plus none of them like the Affordable Care Act despite its growing numbers.  And, oh my, there are actually gay people in the South.  What to do?  It has gotten so bad, Rand Paul has begun to sound semi rational. Obama did a terrific piece on Between the Ferns".  It is an online show hosted by Zach Galifinakis who more or less was interviewing the Prez who was really just pushing Affordable Care and enticing especially young folks. It was hilarious.

Meanwhile, our Governor has already got one foot out the door and his administration seems like it is totally in chaos.  The awarding of medical marijuana clinic licenses was botched when a former Congressman surprisingly (?) ended up with multiple contracts.  The casino implementation is taking next to forever and then there will be court action slowing it even further.  The state child welfare agency continues to "lose" kids but it is not a management issue and "I fully support the Commissioner"  says the Gov.  He cannot get out fast enough.

The St. Patty's day parade tomorrow in South Boston (led by, get this, someone whose nickname is Wacko--I kid you not) will not allow any gay groups to march.  So not sane politician will be in the parade and both Sam Adams and Heineken are pulling out of sponsorship.  South Boston by the way is chock full of gen xers many of whom, yup, are gay.  Wacko indeed.

Finally:
--Orthodox Jews in both Jerusalem and Brooklyn (the black Hats!!) continue to fight against serving in the Army.  After all they have to pray especially for more settlements which they apparently have no problem fighting for.  And they have to study all day every day. Busy men.
--Obama's budget has about as much chance of being approved as I would have fitting into a speedo (close your eyes and imagine that!!)

I have taken the plunge and will attend my 50th High School reunion.  I have at most 3 people to talk with but one is my close friend from Canada--really from kindergarten just about 62 years ago. Very nervous about keeping my mouth shut and not engaging in too many socio-political conversations.  Lots of folks from below the Mason Dixon line in attendance.  And they will be different and that's a fact, Jack.

Thankfully, Anna was no where near that drunk driver in Austin and is fine.

SPORTS TALK
Too many talking heads talking too much shit about what the Pats should or should not do well in advance of any news--and now they have had 3 major signings in the last 48 hours and those folks still won,t shut up--just moving onto the next problem to be addressed.  The Bruins are very hot and at a very good time.  Have a shot at finishing first in the conference and perhaps in the league.  No one wants more info on Seguin, Kessel, and Thornton, I guess--but trust me, we got nobody with their offensive skills.

Sayonara.