Michael Capuano, our erstwhile Senator, is listed by CNN today as undecided on the Health Care bill. Like Steve Lynch, the Congressman from Southie, he apparently only wants the perfect at the expense of the good. These good intenders could kill the thing.
UGH.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
MEAE CULPAE, MEAE CULPAE
A couple of words first about the title. Barbara claims she is the one who came to the conclusion that most debates between Obama and the opposition are about race. In my last blog, I claimed that I thought of that first. Since I trust her memory more than mine, I believe she is correct. So, my apologies, my apologies. She did, in this process (might I add), virtually accuse me of plagiarism--not a simple memory lapse--but who is counting?
Now to the words in the title. Charles and I had the same Latin teacher in High School--Mrs. Reynolds. She was, (as I sit here and rewrite the history)the archetype for Latin teachers. My memory of her is that she resembled the witch in the Wizard of Oz--the one riding the bike in the sky with the pointed hat. I believe she also held a ruler--while never hitting us with it; I am seeing her slapping that ruler with one hand into the palm of the other. Now to the point!! Culpa is the word for apology in Latin but it is a singular and female noun. Since I was using the plural, I added the "E". I also believe the adjective "MEAE" should follow the noun but that is way to much information. If you read this, Charles, let me know about my conjugation and my memory.
Please let us all believe in the following scenario: Mr. Barack (the King of the playground) calls up his playmates Ms. Nancy and Mr. Harry. He tells them to go back to their side of the sandbox and count their friends and to be sure they have more friends than the other kids in the sandbox. Then come back and tell Mr. Barack that it is ok to go ahead and run around the country pushing the Health Care bill because they do have more friends. Mr. Barack finally tells them that if they mis-count, they will never have recess again and he (Mr. Barack) will be forever embarrassed. If this scenario has not occurred, this whole process is screwed. CNN on line is now running a total of how many votes are needed to defeat the bill.
Plus the article about Rahm Emanuel in last Sunday's Times Magazine was not helpful and George Packer in last week's New Yorker has an article referring to Obama's first year as "the lost year". I am too afraid to read it after reading about my landsman Rahm. He maybe should look for his next job with that other bully Netanyahu.
Just returned from Key West dodging groups of totally drunk college kids on spring break. Fortunately we could avoid them by going to restaurants only their parents (like us) would take them to. But, I am sure, I NEVER acted like them. Despite over worrying about the weather, we had no problems. Mid 70's and sunny almost the whole time. Holly: You never said Crabby Dick's closed. Managed otherwise to eat some fine food and kept my word about having shrimp daily even though it likely is not fresh even there. Still cannot touch the real estate there--seems like the recession has not affected the prices at all; though on the commercial side, things were a bit grimmer. The Green Parrot is a great bar which has great music and has a happy hour that includes an hour of that music. We had been there before and I had the same thought--I wonder why all these people my age are here drinking like the aforementioned spring breakers? Quite the scene.
Reading the Miami Herald is like deja vu all over. So many things brought right back to me from my childhood. Calle Ocho (8th Street), the heart of Cuban Miami, is in the papers daily and was a few blocks from each of the places I lived. But who knew Jackson Memorial Hospital expanded both into the North part and the South part of the county and by doing that is now almost bankrupt. The "U" (that would be the University of Miami) will have its own football stadium on campus and there is no more Orange Bowl--but there will be a new place for the Marlins to play in the same spot. All of which confirms my perception that it is a beserky kind of city/county.
SPORTS TALK COMING UP
Celtics are too inconsistent and the Bruins are just too inept. I await the arrival of the Pats in July and wont bore any of you with my anticipation of the Yankees repeat. You Red Flop fans better hope that Beckett is healthier than he seems.
Happy Easter and Happy Passover to all who celebrate.
Sayonara
Now to the words in the title. Charles and I had the same Latin teacher in High School--Mrs. Reynolds. She was, (as I sit here and rewrite the history)the archetype for Latin teachers. My memory of her is that she resembled the witch in the Wizard of Oz--the one riding the bike in the sky with the pointed hat. I believe she also held a ruler--while never hitting us with it; I am seeing her slapping that ruler with one hand into the palm of the other. Now to the point!! Culpa is the word for apology in Latin but it is a singular and female noun. Since I was using the plural, I added the "E". I also believe the adjective "MEAE" should follow the noun but that is way to much information. If you read this, Charles, let me know about my conjugation and my memory.
Please let us all believe in the following scenario: Mr. Barack (the King of the playground) calls up his playmates Ms. Nancy and Mr. Harry. He tells them to go back to their side of the sandbox and count their friends and to be sure they have more friends than the other kids in the sandbox. Then come back and tell Mr. Barack that it is ok to go ahead and run around the country pushing the Health Care bill because they do have more friends. Mr. Barack finally tells them that if they mis-count, they will never have recess again and he (Mr. Barack) will be forever embarrassed. If this scenario has not occurred, this whole process is screwed. CNN on line is now running a total of how many votes are needed to defeat the bill.
Plus the article about Rahm Emanuel in last Sunday's Times Magazine was not helpful and George Packer in last week's New Yorker has an article referring to Obama's first year as "the lost year". I am too afraid to read it after reading about my landsman Rahm. He maybe should look for his next job with that other bully Netanyahu.
Just returned from Key West dodging groups of totally drunk college kids on spring break. Fortunately we could avoid them by going to restaurants only their parents (like us) would take them to. But, I am sure, I NEVER acted like them. Despite over worrying about the weather, we had no problems. Mid 70's and sunny almost the whole time. Holly: You never said Crabby Dick's closed. Managed otherwise to eat some fine food and kept my word about having shrimp daily even though it likely is not fresh even there. Still cannot touch the real estate there--seems like the recession has not affected the prices at all; though on the commercial side, things were a bit grimmer. The Green Parrot is a great bar which has great music and has a happy hour that includes an hour of that music. We had been there before and I had the same thought--I wonder why all these people my age are here drinking like the aforementioned spring breakers? Quite the scene.
Reading the Miami Herald is like deja vu all over. So many things brought right back to me from my childhood. Calle Ocho (8th Street), the heart of Cuban Miami, is in the papers daily and was a few blocks from each of the places I lived. But who knew Jackson Memorial Hospital expanded both into the North part and the South part of the county and by doing that is now almost bankrupt. The "U" (that would be the University of Miami) will have its own football stadium on campus and there is no more Orange Bowl--but there will be a new place for the Marlins to play in the same spot. All of which confirms my perception that it is a beserky kind of city/county.
SPORTS TALK COMING UP
Celtics are too inconsistent and the Bruins are just too inept. I await the arrival of the Pats in July and wont bore any of you with my anticipation of the Yankees repeat. You Red Flop fans better hope that Beckett is healthier than he seems.
Happy Easter and Happy Passover to all who celebrate.
Sayonara
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
My Favorite Senator
I am so thankful that we elected Scott Brown to be our second Senator. He along with the two female senators from Maine and two retiring senators were the only Republicans voting on a procedural matter in support of the jobs bill. Of course, he immediately was trashed by the right who now threaten him (ah, the sweet poetic justice)with fielding an opponent in the primary. Which of course is only 3 years away.
I cannot decide if Barack made the right choice about going down the Health Care road again. I am beginning to believe that it only makes sense if he is willing to go that reconciliation route (which I only understand in the sense that you only need 51 votes not 60). Otherwise, McConnell, Cantor, and the boys will just say no again. Assuming there is no public option, there are a number of things which are important to me. First, costs are a big issue. We are learning that in the Bay State where, increasingly, the cost of health care is busting the state budget.
Mandates that folks get insurance are ok as long as the ones that cannot afford it are supported in some fashion. Medicaid flexibility is another must--it gives states the ability to use those dollars in a way that meets the specific needs of each state. Yet, I also wonder why he did not just leave it alone and let the Republicans stew in their own juices come September.
I had avoided Olberman for a week or so to watch the Olympics--saw him again last night and realize that his show (and The Daily show with Jon Stewart which really is my best source for news) are the ones that really get me worked up. So we have the CPACers voting in a straw poll that Ron Paul is their candidate in 2012--he is 70, older than McCain was, and would demolish government. I then heard another speaker bemoan (in very ugly terms) the invitation extended to Gay and Lesbian Conservatives to attend the conference. Then, Mr. Beck got up there with a blackboard to discuss revolution (that would be the bad thing) and evolution (I think that would be a good thing except for those folks who don't believe in it!!). It is beginning to smell a lot like the fabulous 60's for me--I'm way out of touch/don't even know these people. They hate so much and are so fearful--I believe some of this is still related to losing the White House to an African American who actually thinks in very complicated, yet honest, ways. He talks up to us and not down to us. These folks want to be children again and have the father figure (think Reagan) back up there in power.
Then we have Amy Bishop who murdered those folks in Alabama. In Massachusetts, all we care about is what she did here twenty years ago and whose fault it was that she was not arrested--not much to say about what she did in Huntsville. Enough--she should be kicked to the curb and so should her crazy husband. Forget about history and think about the families in Huntsville.
WHAT FOLLOWS IS SEMI SPORTS RELATED
Could have U.S./Canada ice hockey finals for both men and women. I have to say I love the women's game and do love my U.S.A. sisters. They are wonderful skaters and without all the shoving, pulling, and fighting of the men's game--they do some wonderful things with their skills (as do the Canadian women for that matter)--passing, stick work, positioning without forcing a penalty. It is just lovely to watch. Now about curling--a great quote from Sam Allis in the Globe. He said he likes to watch it but feels like he did watching his daughters play field hockey--the game is over before you can ever understand the rules. I felt the same way with Anna--loved to watch but to this day have no clue why the whistle blew every l0 seconds.
OTHER NEWS
Key West in 10 days where the weather is not so hot. Cabinets being delivered today with much trepidation as to color. Wish us luck. Great meal at Scampos Saturday night--it is in the Liberty Hotel which originally was the infamous Charles Street Jail. What a renovation--spectacular. Good food also.
Sayonara.
I cannot decide if Barack made the right choice about going down the Health Care road again. I am beginning to believe that it only makes sense if he is willing to go that reconciliation route (which I only understand in the sense that you only need 51 votes not 60). Otherwise, McConnell, Cantor, and the boys will just say no again. Assuming there is no public option, there are a number of things which are important to me. First, costs are a big issue. We are learning that in the Bay State where, increasingly, the cost of health care is busting the state budget.
Mandates that folks get insurance are ok as long as the ones that cannot afford it are supported in some fashion. Medicaid flexibility is another must--it gives states the ability to use those dollars in a way that meets the specific needs of each state. Yet, I also wonder why he did not just leave it alone and let the Republicans stew in their own juices come September.
I had avoided Olberman for a week or so to watch the Olympics--saw him again last night and realize that his show (and The Daily show with Jon Stewart which really is my best source for news) are the ones that really get me worked up. So we have the CPACers voting in a straw poll that Ron Paul is their candidate in 2012--he is 70, older than McCain was, and would demolish government. I then heard another speaker bemoan (in very ugly terms) the invitation extended to Gay and Lesbian Conservatives to attend the conference. Then, Mr. Beck got up there with a blackboard to discuss revolution (that would be the bad thing) and evolution (I think that would be a good thing except for those folks who don't believe in it!!). It is beginning to smell a lot like the fabulous 60's for me--I'm way out of touch/don't even know these people. They hate so much and are so fearful--I believe some of this is still related to losing the White House to an African American who actually thinks in very complicated, yet honest, ways. He talks up to us and not down to us. These folks want to be children again and have the father figure (think Reagan) back up there in power.
Then we have Amy Bishop who murdered those folks in Alabama. In Massachusetts, all we care about is what she did here twenty years ago and whose fault it was that she was not arrested--not much to say about what she did in Huntsville. Enough--she should be kicked to the curb and so should her crazy husband. Forget about history and think about the families in Huntsville.
WHAT FOLLOWS IS SEMI SPORTS RELATED
Could have U.S./Canada ice hockey finals for both men and women. I have to say I love the women's game and do love my U.S.A. sisters. They are wonderful skaters and without all the shoving, pulling, and fighting of the men's game--they do some wonderful things with their skills (as do the Canadian women for that matter)--passing, stick work, positioning without forcing a penalty. It is just lovely to watch. Now about curling--a great quote from Sam Allis in the Globe. He said he likes to watch it but feels like he did watching his daughters play field hockey--the game is over before you can ever understand the rules. I felt the same way with Anna--loved to watch but to this day have no clue why the whistle blew every l0 seconds.
OTHER NEWS
Key West in 10 days where the weather is not so hot. Cabinets being delivered today with much trepidation as to color. Wish us luck. Great meal at Scampos Saturday night--it is in the Liberty Hotel which originally was the infamous Charles Street Jail. What a renovation--spectacular. Good food also.
Sayonara.
Friday, February 5, 2010
"Images and Assorted Facts"
The title is an approximate quote from a Dylan song. Just felt like it fit since what follows is not all tied together.
This is a semi-sport/semi-political factoid. I have oh so firmly landed on the side of the Saints in the Super Bowl. Has nothing to do with the cities (though come on New Orleans vs. Indianapolis?). Has nothing to do with the teams (though come on, how can you not hate Peyton Manning). Has to do with Scott Fujita. He is a linebacker for the Saints and one of the Globe writers down there for the game (and it seems like they have dozens) wrote about him this week. Turns out he was born to a 15 year old Caucasian woman who gave him up for adoption. He was adopted by an American born Asian-American couple. I forget where he was raised but he went to college at UCal Berkley. Four items in the article pushed me into the Saints column:
a. He was adopted.
b. He completely supports gay marriage and offered it up in the interview.
c. He loves it when people stigmatize (his word) him for coming from Berkley. Says he loved it there--all the diversity etc.
d. He is totally committed to the culture he was raised in (Japanese) and to the adoptive parents.
So let's go Saints.
Then we have the picture of Scott Brown and his newscaster wife (in full length leather coat) going to DC and filling Ted Kennedy's seat. I was settling in with all this and then last night watched both Keith Olberman and Jon Stewart. He was described by one of Keith's guest as a combative pushy addition to the 40 other Just Say No Republicans. He is likely to be number 41 on 90-100% of their issues. He will be worse than even I had already thought.
Then there is the sweeping oratory of Obama--I love to listen to him speak. I loved his interaction with the Republican Senators. He is just a sweet yet forceful talker who has a firm grasp of the facts. Unfortunately,I am beginning to think he is confusing oratory with winning votes--because those same Republicans are killing his initiatives. The Republicans left the room and will likely begin voting against even more of those initiatives given Scott Brown's arrival. I have consistently wished and hoped for more aggressiveness, more initiative (and less reactivity), and a willingness to stand behind something consistently--not start waffling when Mitch McConnell gets up and bloviates. Wishes and hopes (his or mine) wont make anything happen. The down side of the Olberman show was that all the lefty guests were right on with their comments--but it will change nothing and begins to sound like whining. Somehow, the military (including Secretaries Gates and Powell)ares starting to sound sane with their comments on "Don't ask, Don't tell".
The lottery has incorporated the Powerball game into its array of tickets. This is a multi state game which ends up having hundreds of millions of dollars in prizes. This too will support local cities and towns. Not a peep from the anti gambling folks about the money coming to their town or the addition of this new game. But mention casinos and everyone gets excited (even some of you, kind readers) and starts frothing at the mouth. But there has got to be another source of state revenue and given the anger out there, it likely will not be through taxes--though I for one would hike the tax on tobacco and alcohol anytime in the next five minutes. So if we can have Powerball and all the rest of the Lottery, whats up with the opposition to casinos? And I don't just mean slots--the odds of winning at a slot machine are about as bad as Powerball. I mean casinos as in card games and the rest.
Been looking at studs (as in wall construction!!) for the better part of two weeks. We have killed a few tress what with all the paper plates we have used. But the kitchen is halfway done and the messier parts are over. No very fancy meals for any of you visitors for a month or so.
SPORTS TALK
I was right on (slap me on the back) about the Bruins. They cannot score--miss open nets, miss penalty shots, miss shootout shots. They invariably lose if they don't score 3 or more. They may squeeze into the playoffs but they are already cooked. If they play their cards right, they could end up with 2 picks in the top 10 of the draft--their own if they continue their slow downfall and Toronto's. I am a might worried about the Celtics. They are very inconsistent and I am beginning not to like Paul Pierce with the ball at the end of a quarter, the half, or the game. He forces it too much and thinks he can beat anyone--runs the clock way down and seems to never deliver. I actually thought they played better without him in their recent Miami victory.
Thats all folks. Happy Valentines Day and Sayonara.
This is a semi-sport/semi-political factoid. I have oh so firmly landed on the side of the Saints in the Super Bowl. Has nothing to do with the cities (though come on New Orleans vs. Indianapolis?). Has nothing to do with the teams (though come on, how can you not hate Peyton Manning). Has to do with Scott Fujita. He is a linebacker for the Saints and one of the Globe writers down there for the game (and it seems like they have dozens) wrote about him this week. Turns out he was born to a 15 year old Caucasian woman who gave him up for adoption. He was adopted by an American born Asian-American couple. I forget where he was raised but he went to college at UCal Berkley. Four items in the article pushed me into the Saints column:
a. He was adopted.
b. He completely supports gay marriage and offered it up in the interview.
c. He loves it when people stigmatize (his word) him for coming from Berkley. Says he loved it there--all the diversity etc.
d. He is totally committed to the culture he was raised in (Japanese) and to the adoptive parents.
So let's go Saints.
Then we have the picture of Scott Brown and his newscaster wife (in full length leather coat) going to DC and filling Ted Kennedy's seat. I was settling in with all this and then last night watched both Keith Olberman and Jon Stewart. He was described by one of Keith's guest as a combative pushy addition to the 40 other Just Say No Republicans. He is likely to be number 41 on 90-100% of their issues. He will be worse than even I had already thought.
Then there is the sweeping oratory of Obama--I love to listen to him speak. I loved his interaction with the Republican Senators. He is just a sweet yet forceful talker who has a firm grasp of the facts. Unfortunately,I am beginning to think he is confusing oratory with winning votes--because those same Republicans are killing his initiatives. The Republicans left the room and will likely begin voting against even more of those initiatives given Scott Brown's arrival. I have consistently wished and hoped for more aggressiveness, more initiative (and less reactivity), and a willingness to stand behind something consistently--not start waffling when Mitch McConnell gets up and bloviates. Wishes and hopes (his or mine) wont make anything happen. The down side of the Olberman show was that all the lefty guests were right on with their comments--but it will change nothing and begins to sound like whining. Somehow, the military (including Secretaries Gates and Powell)ares starting to sound sane with their comments on "Don't ask, Don't tell".
The lottery has incorporated the Powerball game into its array of tickets. This is a multi state game which ends up having hundreds of millions of dollars in prizes. This too will support local cities and towns. Not a peep from the anti gambling folks about the money coming to their town or the addition of this new game. But mention casinos and everyone gets excited (even some of you, kind readers) and starts frothing at the mouth. But there has got to be another source of state revenue and given the anger out there, it likely will not be through taxes--though I for one would hike the tax on tobacco and alcohol anytime in the next five minutes. So if we can have Powerball and all the rest of the Lottery, whats up with the opposition to casinos? And I don't just mean slots--the odds of winning at a slot machine are about as bad as Powerball. I mean casinos as in card games and the rest.
Been looking at studs (as in wall construction!!) for the better part of two weeks. We have killed a few tress what with all the paper plates we have used. But the kitchen is halfway done and the messier parts are over. No very fancy meals for any of you visitors for a month or so.
SPORTS TALK
I was right on (slap me on the back) about the Bruins. They cannot score--miss open nets, miss penalty shots, miss shootout shots. They invariably lose if they don't score 3 or more. They may squeeze into the playoffs but they are already cooked. If they play their cards right, they could end up with 2 picks in the top 10 of the draft--their own if they continue their slow downfall and Toronto's. I am a might worried about the Celtics. They are very inconsistent and I am beginning not to like Paul Pierce with the ball at the end of a quarter, the half, or the game. He forces it too much and thinks he can beat anyone--runs the clock way down and seems to never deliver. I actually thought they played better without him in their recent Miami victory.
Thats all folks. Happy Valentines Day and Sayonara.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Addendum
It came to pass and the abyss has grabbed us. THEIR anger won. This guy will be worse than we expect. The DC bright guys in the suits better have something figured out otherwise November will be uglier.
Sayonara
Sayonara
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
The Precipice
Without becoming either too poetic or too melodramatic, those of us here in the Bay Sate are teetering on the edge of a deep precipice. As I sit here late on election day, I (and many others) are facing the prospect of having Ted Kennedy's seat filled by a guy (Scott Brown) who is in the Dick Cheney wing of the Republican party. He is against abortion, against the Health Care bill, does not believe in climate change, and once posed 90% nude for Cosmopolitan. If Martha Coakley loses, she will be finished (and I will be furious that she ran such a lousy campaign--and angry at myself because now I am thinking Capuano who lost in the primary would have eaten Brown for lunch and I did not vote for him) but we all will be losers. Listening close to the man/woman street interviews, all I heard was anger at everything in general and nothing specific. The stimulus did not affect/help ME. Health Care will take MY benefits away. Some folks had in fact lost jobs and homes--ok I get that. But it is the generalized anger aimed at the generalized THEM that really gets me. The THEM is partly Barack--this is a way for people to get at him without getting at him directly. They will reject her in his stead. Let me just say that I hope the bright lights down there in DC have a back up plan when they face the fact of only having 59 votes--one of whom is my man Joe Lieberman who is as sturdy as a twig. There is a musical group whose music I don't know but whose name is "Rage Against the Machine". Those words are on an endless loop in my head and in my belly.
Then there is this: two more Democrats will retire from the Senate. Dorgan from North Dakota and Dodd from Connecticut. A Republican cow could beat a Democrat in North Dakota though prospects of replacing Dodd with a Democrat are much better. Many pieces of important legislation are in peril--and that's without me having a clue about any other election issues in other states. Then we have my old home state of Florida (competing mightily with Texas to see who can execute the most people in a year) where the governor (Crist) is running against a real tea bagger (Rubio). One of Crist's biggest problems is a video showing him hugging Obama and thanking him for the stimulus money Florida got. Rubio's take on it: better to have laid off teachers. Crist is not black and white enough for these other Republicans and has not taken a blood oath on a number of real right wing (a la Rush Limbaugh) issues.
There is hope though in a recent New Yorker article about Sonia Sotamayor. A great article which showed her to be much more articulate and on target than was revealed in those dumb hearings. While it is not clear how "liberal" she really is, one thing is already true--she will not be passive and has consistently asked more questions than any of the other justices.
Feels like buffalo around here what with two straight days of seemingly continuous snow flurries. Speaking of SPORTS (fooled some of you, huh?)--worse game I have ever seen the Patriots play. I'm hoping Brady was injured as gruesome as that sounds--otherwise he looked tired and perhaps a bit over the hill. Holly, a friend, is really finished with Belichik and I am starting to wonder about him myself after listening to her. Too arrogant and too confident about his brilliance which I guess is close to the same thing as arrogant. The Celtics will start to look ok according to me and Bob Ryan of the Globe) as soon as all the pieces are in place especially Mr. Garnett. The Bruins season is ready to be flushed.
Had a great weekend in NYC. Via a very close relative, got to see the Tim Burton exhibit at MOMA. How prolific/how varied. I am convinced he took copious amounts of illegal substances in the fabulous sixties. But the guy came out on the other side and is a genius. Also saw other friends, ate very well (thanks to that same relative), and saw a fine play about a Nigerian musician (name of Fela).
All my digits are crossed though I am committed to watching the returns soberly. I am obviously not optimistic. Mind you, there are people all over the place wishing us ill. I think it is ugly.
Sayonara
Then there is this: two more Democrats will retire from the Senate. Dorgan from North Dakota and Dodd from Connecticut. A Republican cow could beat a Democrat in North Dakota though prospects of replacing Dodd with a Democrat are much better. Many pieces of important legislation are in peril--and that's without me having a clue about any other election issues in other states. Then we have my old home state of Florida (competing mightily with Texas to see who can execute the most people in a year) where the governor (Crist) is running against a real tea bagger (Rubio). One of Crist's biggest problems is a video showing him hugging Obama and thanking him for the stimulus money Florida got. Rubio's take on it: better to have laid off teachers. Crist is not black and white enough for these other Republicans and has not taken a blood oath on a number of real right wing (a la Rush Limbaugh) issues.
There is hope though in a recent New Yorker article about Sonia Sotamayor. A great article which showed her to be much more articulate and on target than was revealed in those dumb hearings. While it is not clear how "liberal" she really is, one thing is already true--she will not be passive and has consistently asked more questions than any of the other justices.
Feels like buffalo around here what with two straight days of seemingly continuous snow flurries. Speaking of SPORTS (fooled some of you, huh?)--worse game I have ever seen the Patriots play. I'm hoping Brady was injured as gruesome as that sounds--otherwise he looked tired and perhaps a bit over the hill. Holly, a friend, is really finished with Belichik and I am starting to wonder about him myself after listening to her. Too arrogant and too confident about his brilliance which I guess is close to the same thing as arrogant. The Celtics will start to look ok according to me and Bob Ryan of the Globe) as soon as all the pieces are in place especially Mr. Garnett. The Bruins season is ready to be flushed.
Had a great weekend in NYC. Via a very close relative, got to see the Tim Burton exhibit at MOMA. How prolific/how varied. I am convinced he took copious amounts of illegal substances in the fabulous sixties. But the guy came out on the other side and is a genius. Also saw other friends, ate very well (thanks to that same relative), and saw a fine play about a Nigerian musician (name of Fela).
All my digits are crossed though I am committed to watching the returns soberly. I am obviously not optimistic. Mind you, there are people all over the place wishing us ill. I think it is ugly.
Sayonara
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
A New Year
One of my resolutions was to attempt to achieve a better attitude about what is going on around me. But, as you will see, I have already failed. I blame this totally on what IS going on around me and the impossibility of having a good attitude about it. I also blame Keith Olberman and Jon Stewart--they both returned from vacations last night full of piss and vinegar--got me all worked up. Then poof--my resolution bit the dust. so here goes.
I always knew i hated Whole Foods but it was one of my visceral dislikes--based not much on facts or any information (both prized by certain members if not all members of my immediate family). I admit to the fact that I shopped there when we lived in Brookline--their meat was better than the chains. (An aside: since moving to JP, I have not been there once since Roche Brothers has a butcher shop just as good). After reading a recent article in the New Yorker, i now have facts for my dislike--irrefutable facts I might add. Hurray for me. The guy who founded it is a fool though a wealthy one. Which makes him very dangerous. Turns out he hates unions, is a follower of Ayn Rand, believes if only corporations were unfettered to do "good" , the world would be a better place, and despises any talk of health care reform. They also stack their fruit in a way that makes you think there are gazillions more underneath but they are simply layered on a frame. my oh my. Turns out also he wrote some op ed piece which was so anti health care and anti obama that he has since been forced to give up his ceo role and now is just chairman. Finally, and this is a real HA HA, turns out Wal Mart sells more organic food than Whole Foods. I love that bit of irony.
The NY Times runs a brief interview each sunday in their magazine. this weeks celeb was John Yoo who is scarier than anyone thought. Has two psychiatrists for parents and essentially said he did not know what they did because he never paid attention. That probably sent his parents back to the couch immediately for thier own help. Also was not sure about the difference between psychoanalysis and psychiatry--this from a fully tenured UC Berkeley professor. An awful man totally unapologetic and full of criticisms about Berkeley itself. Needs to be kicked to the curb.
So Dick Cheyney and the rest of those guys are after obama again because of that airline terror incident. Should have come back from Hawaii sooner, did not use the word terrorist enough, is making us less safe--both Keith and Jon fortunately did not let this pass and repeatedly showed video of Cheyney and others singing a much different tune in support of President Bush. He is simply an attack dog who needs to zip it up and wont.
Condo life: We have little people (mostly men) who do all the shovelling and come inside our gate to shovel a path to our door--then salt it. oh how i love that especially when i pass 284 and see their cars hemmed in by piles of the white stuff. it is worth every penny of the monthly fee.
So the race to replace ted kennedy just got interesting. the republican announced he supports water boarding right after this recent terrorist episode. the democrat does not. these elections get me very worried since turnout will be low--just gotta believe/hope every woman in the state will vote for martha, the democrat.
SPORTS Chatter
Ugly video of Welker's injury. I think the Pats beat the Ravens but then if they face either Rivers or Manning, it will be over. The defense just does not make enough big plays. The celtics will be ok once the injured return. they are very deep with their full line up. The
Bruins are in deep doo doo. No big scoring threat and now Bergeron is hurt. Lucic's return will help but no depth on this team.
Please tell me you werent surprised at that texas tech coach and what he did to that player. i hate college sports because they have become bigger than the schools and bigger than the athletes. any florida grad who saw those thugs from florida beat cincinnati should resign from the florida alumni association. it looked like the world wrestling federation. But the coaches are the real villains in this semi drama.
Look forward to your thoughts/comments.
Sayonara
I always knew i hated Whole Foods but it was one of my visceral dislikes--based not much on facts or any information (both prized by certain members if not all members of my immediate family). I admit to the fact that I shopped there when we lived in Brookline--their meat was better than the chains. (An aside: since moving to JP, I have not been there once since Roche Brothers has a butcher shop just as good). After reading a recent article in the New Yorker, i now have facts for my dislike--irrefutable facts I might add. Hurray for me. The guy who founded it is a fool though a wealthy one. Which makes him very dangerous. Turns out he hates unions, is a follower of Ayn Rand, believes if only corporations were unfettered to do "good" , the world would be a better place, and despises any talk of health care reform. They also stack their fruit in a way that makes you think there are gazillions more underneath but they are simply layered on a frame. my oh my. Turns out also he wrote some op ed piece which was so anti health care and anti obama that he has since been forced to give up his ceo role and now is just chairman. Finally, and this is a real HA HA, turns out Wal Mart sells more organic food than Whole Foods. I love that bit of irony.
The NY Times runs a brief interview each sunday in their magazine. this weeks celeb was John Yoo who is scarier than anyone thought. Has two psychiatrists for parents and essentially said he did not know what they did because he never paid attention. That probably sent his parents back to the couch immediately for thier own help. Also was not sure about the difference between psychoanalysis and psychiatry--this from a fully tenured UC Berkeley professor. An awful man totally unapologetic and full of criticisms about Berkeley itself. Needs to be kicked to the curb.
So Dick Cheyney and the rest of those guys are after obama again because of that airline terror incident. Should have come back from Hawaii sooner, did not use the word terrorist enough, is making us less safe--both Keith and Jon fortunately did not let this pass and repeatedly showed video of Cheyney and others singing a much different tune in support of President Bush. He is simply an attack dog who needs to zip it up and wont.
Condo life: We have little people (mostly men) who do all the shovelling and come inside our gate to shovel a path to our door--then salt it. oh how i love that especially when i pass 284 and see their cars hemmed in by piles of the white stuff. it is worth every penny of the monthly fee.
So the race to replace ted kennedy just got interesting. the republican announced he supports water boarding right after this recent terrorist episode. the democrat does not. these elections get me very worried since turnout will be low--just gotta believe/hope every woman in the state will vote for martha, the democrat.
SPORTS Chatter
Ugly video of Welker's injury. I think the Pats beat the Ravens but then if they face either Rivers or Manning, it will be over. The defense just does not make enough big plays. The celtics will be ok once the injured return. they are very deep with their full line up. The
Bruins are in deep doo doo. No big scoring threat and now Bergeron is hurt. Lucic's return will help but no depth on this team.
Please tell me you werent surprised at that texas tech coach and what he did to that player. i hate college sports because they have become bigger than the schools and bigger than the athletes. any florida grad who saw those thugs from florida beat cincinnati should resign from the florida alumni association. it looked like the world wrestling federation. But the coaches are the real villains in this semi drama.
Look forward to your thoughts/comments.
Sayonara
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