If you actually read my rants, you will remember that in my last blog I wrote about my seven first cousins and how we were now the family elders. Make that six--Arlene passed away just after that was written. She called me on each of my birthdays, on all Jewish holidays, and danced up a storm at all family events. The six of us who remain are all men--four of whom are older than me. This is really getting grim and I have been preoccupied with the losses over the past year and what lies ahead. At times, I wish I had the strong religious belief of my mother--but I don't and, as I have said, this whole thing sucks. Enough.
Ends and Odds:
--So the singer still known as Rihanna got pissed because her song got pulled off the air right after the ugly episode involving Ray Rice came out publicly. Not pissed at him or the violence against his wife--but pissed because her song got pulled. ME, ME, ME. She needs a lesson in priorities.
--And Hope Solo attacks both her sister and her nephew and gets to continue playing. There is some double standard at work but I cannot put words to it. BTW, she is a member of the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team and this is not a sports item.
--Since we were bombing those ISIS madmen during Rosh Hashanah, do you think there were any Jewish pilots who said hell no, I can't go? Just saying.
--Terrific article in last week's New Yorker by Dexter Filkins. Along with Jon Lee Anderson, he is one of the best journalists writing in war zones. Made me even more sure my prediction of a new country called Kurdistan will emerge. Apart from the whole mess with ISIS, Iraq is a horrid swamp.
--Suffolk Downs did not get the casino license for the Boston area which is not really a big deal except they will stop all horse racing this coming Saturday. It is much less of a big deal since the repeal of the whole casino enabling legislation is likely to pass in November anyhow Then, as they say, all bets are off!!
--A close relative sent me a letter written by a woman in Liberia. Everything you have read about the Ebola epidemic is worse than what you read. More people will die and the country simply cannot address the problem without outside help and lots of it. Not enough resources and no infrastructure.
--Meanwhile send Jeanne Shaheen money. Good old Scottie is up there in NH not attacking her but attacking Obama and linking Obama to her. Scottie has no freaking ideas of his own--just is an attack dog. Took advantage of Obamacare for his daughters but wants to repeal it now. Fuck him. Though I have to say, my boy Nate Silver is fairly confident the Republicans will take over the Senate. Makes me cringe.
--Heard while walking around the pond: "my poetry slam is next week". I think I live in some sort of fantasy land. I hope the person is a great poet but it won't matter to citizens of Liberia or Ferguson , Missouri.
--New decision about attire. No more ties for the Crab.
--If you fast, have an easy one.
SPORTS TALK
--Last night's performance by the Pats was one for the ages--at least my ages since I have not seen them ever play so badly. There is just a hint in my mind that Brady is really starting to look his age--and then I deny what I see. And why is Revis all of a sudden beatable?
--Glad Jeter went out on his terms not the terms of the media. Terrible year for the team and him.
--And what about the mighty Wolverines and that stupid coach putting their QB back in when he could barely walk--just had a "mild concussion". Nothing is mild when it involves your brain. Brady Hoke has to
go.
Sayonara
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
HENNY PENNY THE SKY IS FALLING
Like Chicken Little, I have landed and am stuck on the side of the glass is half empty. I continue to hear difficult, if not grim, medical news from friends. I remember one of Barbara's parents kind of warning us that once you reached a certain age, you went to a lot of funerals and a lot of your friends had major medical problems. Of course, I just skipped over that insight. Except it is happening with more and more frequency and I DON'T LIKE IT ONE FUCKING BIT. Someone has to do something.
But I then move on and get in touch with my anger which nicely, if unhealthily, covers up all that sadness (I mean I was in the mental health field so I do get it sometimes). Ends and Odds:
--An article in the New Yorker. Two weeks ago, a piece on the declining influence of AIPAC (the major mainstream Jewish advocacy group). Guys like Kraft, Redstone, and Sheldon Adelson--big Machers--who don't want to hear about a two state solution. Seems like they are losing their grip on the younger generation of Jews who actually have some sympathy for the idea of a Palestinian state.
--ISIS continues to publicly behead people and I continue to get more and more supportive of military action of some sort. I am not in favor of a return to Medieval times but don't believe that is enough to make them go away.
--OK, I get it. Bike lanes for all. No helmets required. Pretend you are a car. Whatever. But please someone explain the following. There are great bike paths on an around the Jamaica Way (for you out of towners, that road is a parkway with 2 lanes of traffic in each direction but with no divider. It is a perfect course for a car race which is how some of us drivers treat it.) Why would any cyclist ride their bike on the road , occupying a whole lane, while cars whiz by going at least 45 mph? What does it prove--that someone has a death wish?
--Ah, the Globe continues its Catholic outreach effort. They must really have done a survey or held focus groups because they will now have a special section called "Catholic Crux"--I have no clue what that means but God bless them.
--We had a primary and, while I voted, I really only cared about a couple of races. My big dilemma will be in November when I have to decide if I can vote for Coakley again (she was the one who lost to Scot Brown after Ted Kennedy died). She blew it big time in that election. I am just not sure what to do because the Republican is not so bad. I will predict that the voters will ban casino gambling. At this point, I could not care less but then again I don't work at Suffolk Downs (our local race track) which likely will close. But no one (I repeat no one) has yet told me how the casinos are worse than the lottery.
--If it is "the economy stupid", Obama and the Dems should be heavy favorites in November but my boy Nate Silver has them losing the Senate.
--I can almost understand how this Ebola epidemic in Africa spreads--in a non scientific way. Given the poverty, given the dearth of medical resources, and given the influence of tradition on many people, folks just cannot keep up with the disease. And the governments just do not have an infrastructure to fight it. At least we are sending them troops to help.
--Mitt is making noises like he may run again--that fool. I do worry about Scottie in NH. I just hope those wise folks in the Granite State know he is an interloper and, if he loses, he may buy a house in Vermont and run against Bernie Sanders.
--Great seeing you ever so briefly, A.
--Those of you who read no further and are members of my tribe, have a Happy and Healthy New Year.
SPORTS TALK
--If you saw Brady's press conference after their win against the Vikes, you might want to tell him to quit whining. He is supposed to be a leader and he sounded like a baby. Yup, the offense is still offensive but he is part of that problem. If he is only going to pass to two people, it will not get any easier.
--Both Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson should be kicked to the curb and not allowed to play. I am sick and tired of hearing that a professional player was sentenced to "anger management counselling". As if that is the answer. Taking money and the playing field away is a better answer though even that is not a complete answer.
Sayonara.
But I then move on and get in touch with my anger which nicely, if unhealthily, covers up all that sadness (I mean I was in the mental health field so I do get it sometimes). Ends and Odds:
--An article in the New Yorker. Two weeks ago, a piece on the declining influence of AIPAC (the major mainstream Jewish advocacy group). Guys like Kraft, Redstone, and Sheldon Adelson--big Machers--who don't want to hear about a two state solution. Seems like they are losing their grip on the younger generation of Jews who actually have some sympathy for the idea of a Palestinian state.
--ISIS continues to publicly behead people and I continue to get more and more supportive of military action of some sort. I am not in favor of a return to Medieval times but don't believe that is enough to make them go away.
--OK, I get it. Bike lanes for all. No helmets required. Pretend you are a car. Whatever. But please someone explain the following. There are great bike paths on an around the Jamaica Way (for you out of towners, that road is a parkway with 2 lanes of traffic in each direction but with no divider. It is a perfect course for a car race which is how some of us drivers treat it.) Why would any cyclist ride their bike on the road , occupying a whole lane, while cars whiz by going at least 45 mph? What does it prove--that someone has a death wish?
--Ah, the Globe continues its Catholic outreach effort. They must really have done a survey or held focus groups because they will now have a special section called "Catholic Crux"--I have no clue what that means but God bless them.
--We had a primary and, while I voted, I really only cared about a couple of races. My big dilemma will be in November when I have to decide if I can vote for Coakley again (she was the one who lost to Scot Brown after Ted Kennedy died). She blew it big time in that election. I am just not sure what to do because the Republican is not so bad. I will predict that the voters will ban casino gambling. At this point, I could not care less but then again I don't work at Suffolk Downs (our local race track) which likely will close. But no one (I repeat no one) has yet told me how the casinos are worse than the lottery.
--If it is "the economy stupid", Obama and the Dems should be heavy favorites in November but my boy Nate Silver has them losing the Senate.
--I can almost understand how this Ebola epidemic in Africa spreads--in a non scientific way. Given the poverty, given the dearth of medical resources, and given the influence of tradition on many people, folks just cannot keep up with the disease. And the governments just do not have an infrastructure to fight it. At least we are sending them troops to help.
--Mitt is making noises like he may run again--that fool. I do worry about Scottie in NH. I just hope those wise folks in the Granite State know he is an interloper and, if he loses, he may buy a house in Vermont and run against Bernie Sanders.
--Great seeing you ever so briefly, A.
--Those of you who read no further and are members of my tribe, have a Happy and Healthy New Year.
SPORTS TALK
--If you saw Brady's press conference after their win against the Vikes, you might want to tell him to quit whining. He is supposed to be a leader and he sounded like a baby. Yup, the offense is still offensive but he is part of that problem. If he is only going to pass to two people, it will not get any easier.
--Both Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson should be kicked to the curb and not allowed to play. I am sick and tired of hearing that a professional player was sentenced to "anger management counselling". As if that is the answer. Taking money and the playing field away is a better answer though even that is not a complete answer.
Sayonara.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
AW, JEEZ!!!!
The siblings were: Abe; Hym; Polly; Itie; and Lil. They have all passed away and are in cemetery plots in Auburn, Maine. Nearby is the grave of their mother Annie Rachael. Izzie, a brother, and their father Nathan are buried in Montefiore cemetery in Queens never having made it north. Among them, these 5 siblings had 9 children. I am, or was, one of those nine--seven of us are alive. This set of seven constitute my first cousins but also constitute the family "elders". I remain uncomfortable playing that role, sitting at the head of the table (instead of someone older like Barbara's father), want to look around, and have someone take my place. This is by way of saying that Norma died during August. She was one of the 9 first cousins and the second to pass away. As a friend mentioned after her death, this one confronted me in very direct ways with my own mortality and my own demise--topics I prefer to keep deeply submerged in my psyche. I still cannot believe I am as old as I apparently am--or that the seven of us still alive will eventually meet the same fate as Norma. I miss her.
Moving on to items perhaps a bit less depressing:
--A full page ad in the Globe during the last month sponsored by Christians United for Israel. Withe friends like these--this right wing group may be taking over as Israel's lead support in America. Ugh.
--A friend sent an excerpt from a book about Israeli High School students who rather consistently and rather sadly exhibit all sorts of racist opinions about the Palestinians.
--The same friend referred me to a NY Times article about the dilemma facing those of us who want Israel to survive, who want a Palestinian state to exist, and yet are appalled by the actions of Hamas.
--Salon had a great article (sent to me by a Texan) about the Black rage in Ferguson. It was scarily reminiscent of the 60's. Jon Stewart did a wondrous piece on that community as well.
--The Kurds will continue to be our best ally and the best hope of stymieing that ISIS group. I am beginning to believe (a little too strongly for my own self opinion) in bombing the shit out of them.
--Went to a wedding in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn--an area which seems like its on the verge of being the next "in" spot. A converted warehouse venue on the harbor. While the ceremony was going on, I could see to my left the Statue of Liberty and to my right what is now called 1 World Trade. A wonderful event, terrific food, and the setting was very special. Also, thanks to my not really brother-in-law, we were staying a block from a place which is referred to as the best place for Hero sandwiches in NYC.
--Plus this: we took the subway from Penn Station to Brooklyn and had to change once. A guy making the same trip virtually led us the whole way, double checked to be sure we knew what he was telling us, and belied all the negatives about the unfriendliness of New Yorkers.
--The economy is better, we are almost out of Afghanistan, we are taking a measured approach to the crazy Middle East and they still hate Obama. If the Senate goes Republican (including that asshole Scott Brown in NH), hold onto your hats. And I again wish Ruth Bader Ginsburg would resign before Obama is totally crippled.
--A sobering scary piece on Putin and his supporters in Russia in the New Yorker by David Remnick who really has his fingers on the pulse of that ugly beast (the person and the country).
SPORTS TALK
--I think the Yanks loss Sunday to the Jays when they were up 3-0 was the final curtain call. They will not be a wild card; but they have found some pitchers.
--Don't give a fuck about Mankins being traded. He is a bull headed cattle farmer from California. Wouldn't renegotiate; let him see how much fun it is in Tampa. But don't write me if Brady gets demolished while throwing.
Sayonara.
Moving on to items perhaps a bit less depressing:
--A full page ad in the Globe during the last month sponsored by Christians United for Israel. Withe friends like these--this right wing group may be taking over as Israel's lead support in America. Ugh.
--A friend sent an excerpt from a book about Israeli High School students who rather consistently and rather sadly exhibit all sorts of racist opinions about the Palestinians.
--The same friend referred me to a NY Times article about the dilemma facing those of us who want Israel to survive, who want a Palestinian state to exist, and yet are appalled by the actions of Hamas.
--Salon had a great article (sent to me by a Texan) about the Black rage in Ferguson. It was scarily reminiscent of the 60's. Jon Stewart did a wondrous piece on that community as well.
--The Kurds will continue to be our best ally and the best hope of stymieing that ISIS group. I am beginning to believe (a little too strongly for my own self opinion) in bombing the shit out of them.
--Went to a wedding in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn--an area which seems like its on the verge of being the next "in" spot. A converted warehouse venue on the harbor. While the ceremony was going on, I could see to my left the Statue of Liberty and to my right what is now called 1 World Trade. A wonderful event, terrific food, and the setting was very special. Also, thanks to my not really brother-in-law, we were staying a block from a place which is referred to as the best place for Hero sandwiches in NYC.
--Plus this: we took the subway from Penn Station to Brooklyn and had to change once. A guy making the same trip virtually led us the whole way, double checked to be sure we knew what he was telling us, and belied all the negatives about the unfriendliness of New Yorkers.
--The economy is better, we are almost out of Afghanistan, we are taking a measured approach to the crazy Middle East and they still hate Obama. If the Senate goes Republican (including that asshole Scott Brown in NH), hold onto your hats. And I again wish Ruth Bader Ginsburg would resign before Obama is totally crippled.
--A sobering scary piece on Putin and his supporters in Russia in the New Yorker by David Remnick who really has his fingers on the pulse of that ugly beast (the person and the country).
SPORTS TALK
--I think the Yanks loss Sunday to the Jays when they were up 3-0 was the final curtain call. They will not be a wild card; but they have found some pitchers.
--Don't give a fuck about Mankins being traded. He is a bull headed cattle farmer from California. Wouldn't renegotiate; let him see how much fun it is in Tampa. But don't write me if Brady gets demolished while throwing.
Sayonara.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
IT'S ALARMING
In the not too distant past, we used to wake up to some serious rock and roll. Then that station hired a couple of guys who preferred yakking to music and we changed to public radio. This morning, when the alarm went off, the first thing I heard was that Israel has called up 16,000 more reservists. I almost ache for the return of the yakkers.
Let me stroll out my bona fide credentials: I want Israel to survive. I happen also to believe that there needs to be a Palestinian state and, by having such thoughts, I am not a "bad " Jew. I also thought "we" (meaning my tribe, the so called chosen people) were better than this. Children are dying and have died in Gaza. Electricity and water are barely working. Yes, Israel has the right to defend itself but we are verging into dangerous territory--and I am not just talking about the mounting casualties. There is an ethical and moral side to this as well. We are starting to fail the ethical and moral test when schools and UN shelters are bombed either by Israel or by misfired Hamas rockets. It is alarming.
Ends and Odds
--Our Governor would like to open up a site for the immigrant children who are in detention along the US/Mexican border. But it is becoming very clear that many of us in this state are not as welcoming as the Governor hoped--including some of our so called leaders. Two great articles in the Globe about this. One by a very Irish columnist who wondered how his grandparents would have gotten here during the Irish Potato Famine if not for America opening its borders. The other was about Chelsea--a relatively poor and very Hispanic city just north of Boston. This article focused on the school superintendent who made it very clear that her system is there to educate and not wonder about a child's legal status--and yet she acknowledged that there was a high percentage of her students who were not citizens. BTW, you all do know our armed forces also take that position--don't need to be a citizen to fight for Uncle Sam.
--Two more typical and bizarre Globe stories. The first about goats being let loose to clean up overgrown lots. The second about the Globe's decision to develop and operate a "Catholicism" website called Crux. Come on with all the Catholic stuff. They are really becoming a paper with a very limited view of religion.
--John Boehner (he who has a perpetual tan) will not support impeachment but will support legislation to sue the President. This is what we get from Republican leadership. Oh, am I worried about the midterm elections and what might happen should they get control of the Senate.
--The mayor of New York while in Italy continues to eat pizza with a fork which apparently enrages all sorts of people with nothing else to do.
--Putin gets the Sochi Olympics which run $50 billion dollars over budget and then tells the rest of the world (especially Europe) to fuck off as he supports the Ukrainian separatists. Terrific.
--Does anyone have or know where Kasey Kasem's body is--I am very worried.
--These two items only sound like sports. A wonderful article in Sports Illustrated about Roger Angell, the 93 year old baseball writer for the New Yorker. And there is this from ESPN. One of their less than bright lights, Stephen A. Smith, said out loud that a certain football player's wife provoked him into abusing her. Fortunately two female sports journalists took him, stomped him so he hurt, and then kicked him to the curb.
--Off to the Berkshires tomorrow. That young person from Austin will even join us. You will hear from me again in September. Hope you don't suffer any withdrawal pangs.
--Thinking a lot about Norma.
SPORTS TALK
--Lester has been traded. Not a Sox fan but I think Cepedes is worth it.
--According to all the media hypers, the Patriots are guaranteed to be in the Super Bowl. And according to other players on other teams, they would be foolish not to go after Gronk and try to hit his injured knee. And you would let your kid play Pop Warner?
--The AL baseball teams are playing for one of the two wild card slots--the AL West will most assuredly have one while the second is what everyone is after.
Sayonara
Let me stroll out my bona fide credentials: I want Israel to survive. I happen also to believe that there needs to be a Palestinian state and, by having such thoughts, I am not a "bad " Jew. I also thought "we" (meaning my tribe, the so called chosen people) were better than this. Children are dying and have died in Gaza. Electricity and water are barely working. Yes, Israel has the right to defend itself but we are verging into dangerous territory--and I am not just talking about the mounting casualties. There is an ethical and moral side to this as well. We are starting to fail the ethical and moral test when schools and UN shelters are bombed either by Israel or by misfired Hamas rockets. It is alarming.
Ends and Odds
--Our Governor would like to open up a site for the immigrant children who are in detention along the US/Mexican border. But it is becoming very clear that many of us in this state are not as welcoming as the Governor hoped--including some of our so called leaders. Two great articles in the Globe about this. One by a very Irish columnist who wondered how his grandparents would have gotten here during the Irish Potato Famine if not for America opening its borders. The other was about Chelsea--a relatively poor and very Hispanic city just north of Boston. This article focused on the school superintendent who made it very clear that her system is there to educate and not wonder about a child's legal status--and yet she acknowledged that there was a high percentage of her students who were not citizens. BTW, you all do know our armed forces also take that position--don't need to be a citizen to fight for Uncle Sam.
--Two more typical and bizarre Globe stories. The first about goats being let loose to clean up overgrown lots. The second about the Globe's decision to develop and operate a "Catholicism" website called Crux. Come on with all the Catholic stuff. They are really becoming a paper with a very limited view of religion.
--John Boehner (he who has a perpetual tan) will not support impeachment but will support legislation to sue the President. This is what we get from Republican leadership. Oh, am I worried about the midterm elections and what might happen should they get control of the Senate.
--The mayor of New York while in Italy continues to eat pizza with a fork which apparently enrages all sorts of people with nothing else to do.
--Putin gets the Sochi Olympics which run $50 billion dollars over budget and then tells the rest of the world (especially Europe) to fuck off as he supports the Ukrainian separatists. Terrific.
--Does anyone have or know where Kasey Kasem's body is--I am very worried.
--These two items only sound like sports. A wonderful article in Sports Illustrated about Roger Angell, the 93 year old baseball writer for the New Yorker. And there is this from ESPN. One of their less than bright lights, Stephen A. Smith, said out loud that a certain football player's wife provoked him into abusing her. Fortunately two female sports journalists took him, stomped him so he hurt, and then kicked him to the curb.
--Off to the Berkshires tomorrow. That young person from Austin will even join us. You will hear from me again in September. Hope you don't suffer any withdrawal pangs.
--Thinking a lot about Norma.
SPORTS TALK
--Lester has been traded. Not a Sox fan but I think Cepedes is worth it.
--According to all the media hypers, the Patriots are guaranteed to be in the Super Bowl. And according to other players on other teams, they would be foolish not to go after Gronk and try to hit his injured knee. And you would let your kid play Pop Warner?
--The AL baseball teams are playing for one of the two wild card slots--the AL West will most assuredly have one while the second is what everyone is after.
Sayonara
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
LET'S PLAY MAKE BELIEVE
Let's pretend I live in Boston (turns out I do) along with a lot of other people. Let's pretend there is a city across the river called Cambridge (turns out there is). Let's pretend the name of the river is the Rio Grande (turns out it is called the Charles). Let's pretend me and my friends want to live in Cambridge--they have better jobs, they have better housing, and they have no drug cartels like they do on my side of the river. Let's pretend it is illegal for me and me friends to go to Cambridge. And those mean Cambridge people stop us when we try to walk across the bridges, they stop our cars, and they stop our boats. But we are both smart and resourceful so we hire guides (some of them are called coyotes) to get us across often by swimming in the shallowest parts of the river. Let's also pretend that except for a few residents of Cambridge who came over on the Mayflower, the rest of the residents all were either born in another country or their parents were or their grandparents were. Let's pretend, then, that most of them are either immigrants themselves or descendants of immigrants.
Let's quit pretending and just say that this immigration mess in which we send people back to strife torn countries (and some of those people are children) is fucked up. The Ted Cruz's of the world who have forgotten their roots are mean spirited nasty unpleasant people. And Obama blew it big time when he was in Texas and did not go to the border--are you serious? Even if he was there for 5 minutes and patted two heads, he should have gone. Yuck on him.
Speaking of children: Three Israeli and one Palestinian teenager (not counting the number of dead since then) are dead. Their parents have lost them forever and the adults on both sides are now blowing up each other. I am beyond words.
Ends and Odds:
--The Governor of Maine is an idiot.
--The European countries also have mindless idiots fighting immigration openness--but did you notice that every European team had immigrants or immigrant descendants on their teams. That seems to have worked out well--huh?
--So unemployment continues to slowly go down and the economy slowly improves and everyone still hates Obama. Eric Holder was right--some of this is about race.
--And Boehner's (he who has a perpetual tan) response is to sue the President over Obamacare.
--Saw the wonderful, yet very sad, documentary about Roger Ebert. What courage.
--Special Nike ad playing tonight focusing on Derek Jeter (and that is not about sports).
--A great documentary on POV/PBS last night about New Orleans and a race for City Council.
SPORTS TALK
--The U.S. deserved to lose to Belgium. And no, I am not one of those who deems their performance so great. This country has 300 fucking million people--we should be better. I am one who believes playing in Europe is better for a player's improvement than MLS. And Landon Donovan would not have made a difference.
--Germany was predictably boring and yet won. That final goal against Argentina was just splendid.
--The Bruins for whatever reason blew it by not signing Iginla--they need goal scorers and I will not even get into my Seguin pet peeve.
N: You may not get better but all of us love you and are here for you.
Sayonara.
Let's quit pretending and just say that this immigration mess in which we send people back to strife torn countries (and some of those people are children) is fucked up. The Ted Cruz's of the world who have forgotten their roots are mean spirited nasty unpleasant people. And Obama blew it big time when he was in Texas and did not go to the border--are you serious? Even if he was there for 5 minutes and patted two heads, he should have gone. Yuck on him.
Speaking of children: Three Israeli and one Palestinian teenager (not counting the number of dead since then) are dead. Their parents have lost them forever and the adults on both sides are now blowing up each other. I am beyond words.
Ends and Odds:
--The Governor of Maine is an idiot.
--The European countries also have mindless idiots fighting immigration openness--but did you notice that every European team had immigrants or immigrant descendants on their teams. That seems to have worked out well--huh?
--So unemployment continues to slowly go down and the economy slowly improves and everyone still hates Obama. Eric Holder was right--some of this is about race.
--And Boehner's (he who has a perpetual tan) response is to sue the President over Obamacare.
--Saw the wonderful, yet very sad, documentary about Roger Ebert. What courage.
--Special Nike ad playing tonight focusing on Derek Jeter (and that is not about sports).
--A great documentary on POV/PBS last night about New Orleans and a race for City Council.
SPORTS TALK
--The U.S. deserved to lose to Belgium. And no, I am not one of those who deems their performance so great. This country has 300 fucking million people--we should be better. I am one who believes playing in Europe is better for a player's improvement than MLS. And Landon Donovan would not have made a difference.
--Germany was predictably boring and yet won. That final goal against Argentina was just splendid.
--The Bruins for whatever reason blew it by not signing Iginla--they need goal scorers and I will not even get into my Seguin pet peeve.
N: You may not get better but all of us love you and are here for you.
Sayonara.
Monday, June 30, 2014
H; S; Y; E; M; J
No, those letters are not code. Nor are they some sort of new fangled word game. They are the first name initials of the people in our lives who have died since last December. Major losses all--some family; some friends--but all gone forever. Some were old; some young. Some passed away quickly; some too slowly. But since this blog is about me and I luckily am among the living, I have to take something/learn something from their passing. Otherwise, I am wasting the rest of my time on this earth. If I don't grab every day by the throat and squeeze as much out of it as I can, I have not learned anything. If I wallow in my own self pity, I have not learned anything. If I don't enjoy and spend time with my family, I have not learned anything. If I have not learned anything, what the hell am I doing?
My thoughts are also with those among you who daily are dealing with life threatening illness--either physical or emotional.
On now to ends and odds:
--Bathroom renovations are not fun. No matter how clean the workers are, dust seeps out everywhere. Then nothing is done on time and none of the materials required are available when you need them. And then the crazy fucking neighbors complain to the Condo Association when they could just come over and tell me what their concern is. But it will be a bathroom fit for a king and queen which fairly describes the two of us.
--And in a matter of weeks, we will be a one car household. The little bitty Saturn (commonly referred to as the death trap), first used by Anna at Oberlin, will be taken off the road. Hopefully, this will work since it is obviously better for the environment and our checkbook. More on this later, I am sure.
--OK, the entire Middle East is a crazed fucking mess. Egypt where executions of hundreds seem to be a daily occurrence sanctioned by the courts. Libya where tribes seems to be carving out pieces of territory for their own and a peace activist gets assassinated. Jordan which is inundated by refugees and starting to become unstable. And what can you say about Iraq and Syria? And we are with the Iranians and the Russians in support of Maliki--whats up with that? And the Israelis and Palestinians go about killing and kidnapping and not living together in the sandbox. McCain would have us in every one of those countries having not learned a thing.
--Paul Waldman (who I never heard of) on the CNN website and my man Jon Stewart skewered Dick Cheyney for publicly accusing Obama of losing Iraq. The man and his nasty daughter are both certifiable.
--Almost half of the Cuban Americans surveyed in Miami want the embargo to end. And Obama says what exactly. Speaking of which, I finally saw the documentary on Luis Tiant's return to Cuba after 46 years in exile. What struck me was that his visit occurred in 2007. We went about 5 years later and what I saw in the film looked the same as what I saw in person. Oh so sad--especially for someone like him returning home. Reminded me of my visit to the places I lived when I was in Miami this past May.
SPORTS TALK
So happy the Heat lost though I think all this opting out business is some sly Pat Riley plan.
Yeah, the U.S. got through to the round of 16 and I actually think they have a chance against Belgium. But they better figure out a way to be more offensive minded otherwise they depend too much on the goal keep and the defenders. I will say none of these teams look overwhelming--even the Germans.
And it is close enough to July 4th to make my first baseball pronouncement. My Yanks are very mediocre but are hanging around and doing it without CC and without Pineda. The Red Flops will come back while both the Jays and O's will hang around also. I don' think the wild card will come from this group.
And Chiarelli not moving Chris Kelly and a defenseman in order to keep Iginla. Let me just say they need Iginla because no one on that team scores consistently--Seguin did but Kelly fits better. Right?
Sayonara
Friday, June 13, 2014
BONJOUR, MES AMIS
And that my friends is my bilingual capacity in French-oui. Had a great anniversary trip to Paris despite ugly weather most of the time and crowds which overwhelmed us a couple of times. Went on multiple forced marches through the city courtesy of the Drill Sergeant and also took the Metro all over. Saw Mona but had to fight our way in and, surprise, she is quite small--loads of folks taking selfies with her in the background and them in the foreground. Otherwise we also saw the Venus Di Milo and fled. Ditto the Eiffel Tower which is really an erector set but it too caused us to flee. My favorite museum was the Rodin--the guy was just so prolific and in multiple media (ah, there goes Mrs. Reynolds smiling at me again from Latin heaven).
Re-read my last post and it even made me a bit squirmy--so my apologies. However, in the end, it was a powerful positive experience even if I ended up confronting some ugly history.
Now, it so happens my main man Eric Cantor (he who is a member of my tribe) has been kicked to the curb--and deservedly so though it is a bit crazed to get too excited since someone to his right beat him. I am also not one who thinks this is a BIG MEANINGFUL message about the 2014 or 2016 elections--though I could be wrong about 2014. Actually could be wrong about it all. I cannot believe people of color, women, or any moderate to liberal leaning person will in the end want to return to the dark ages. The deniers of climate change, the hateful folks opposed to gay marriage and abortion rights, the ones still crying over obamacare--I cannot believe they will prevail. Some of the states with strong Tea Party factions are write offs for the Dems anyhow--so screw 'em. Call me naive but I cannot believe Jeanne Shaheen will lose to Scotty up there in NH. You know what they say about paranoid people--just because you are paranoid does not mean they are NOT out to get you. My paranoid thought of the week--was there a taint of Anti-Semitism in Eric's loss? Just saying.
Ends and Odds:
--You can now carry a visible weapon in the great state of Texas--including bringing your rifle into Burger King. They also passed a law in support of reparative therapy for gay people. And Ric Perry is not even running.
--On the same day, the Globe had the following stories--one about Bears, one about Bobcats, and one about Bobtail rabbits. Oh my. I do, however, like their new weekly political section.
--Iraq, Nigeria, Syria, and Libya. All combusting and McCain wants us in all of them along with John Boehner (he who has a perpetual tan). They learn nothing. They are just all in on hating Obama. One result of all this is that the Kurds could easily end up with their own country since they seem like they actually know what they are doing and are prime buffer territory.
--That rabbi in Sharon, Ma. is an embarrassment and worse--reminds us all that men in positions of religious authority can be very dangerous.
--John Oliver absolutely eviscerated FIFA on 6/8.
--Am I wrong or is there now at least one shooting in a school every week? And the NRA continues to tell us that if we had more guns we would have less shootings--hello!!
SPORTS TALK
--You heard it here first and more than once. In the wake of the Bruins elimination, folks on talk radio are clamoring for someone who can score and maybe not play so much defense. Sounds like Sequin to me--especially when you get shit from Louie.
--Danny Ainge will do something--he is not going to sit on all those draft picks. I prefer Love over Melo. With Melo, you would get the second head case (rondo being prima donna numero uno).
The Spurs are beautiful and despite how good Lebron is, I hate the fucking Heat.
--Rask never elevated his game like Tim Thomas did.
Happy anniversary to S and J.
Sayonara
Re-read my last post and it even made me a bit squirmy--so my apologies. However, in the end, it was a powerful positive experience even if I ended up confronting some ugly history.
Now, it so happens my main man Eric Cantor (he who is a member of my tribe) has been kicked to the curb--and deservedly so though it is a bit crazed to get too excited since someone to his right beat him. I am also not one who thinks this is a BIG MEANINGFUL message about the 2014 or 2016 elections--though I could be wrong about 2014. Actually could be wrong about it all. I cannot believe people of color, women, or any moderate to liberal leaning person will in the end want to return to the dark ages. The deniers of climate change, the hateful folks opposed to gay marriage and abortion rights, the ones still crying over obamacare--I cannot believe they will prevail. Some of the states with strong Tea Party factions are write offs for the Dems anyhow--so screw 'em. Call me naive but I cannot believe Jeanne Shaheen will lose to Scotty up there in NH. You know what they say about paranoid people--just because you are paranoid does not mean they are NOT out to get you. My paranoid thought of the week--was there a taint of Anti-Semitism in Eric's loss? Just saying.
Ends and Odds:
--You can now carry a visible weapon in the great state of Texas--including bringing your rifle into Burger King. They also passed a law in support of reparative therapy for gay people. And Ric Perry is not even running.
--On the same day, the Globe had the following stories--one about Bears, one about Bobcats, and one about Bobtail rabbits. Oh my. I do, however, like their new weekly political section.
--Iraq, Nigeria, Syria, and Libya. All combusting and McCain wants us in all of them along with John Boehner (he who has a perpetual tan). They learn nothing. They are just all in on hating Obama. One result of all this is that the Kurds could easily end up with their own country since they seem like they actually know what they are doing and are prime buffer territory.
--That rabbi in Sharon, Ma. is an embarrassment and worse--reminds us all that men in positions of religious authority can be very dangerous.
--John Oliver absolutely eviscerated FIFA on 6/8.
--Am I wrong or is there now at least one shooting in a school every week? And the NRA continues to tell us that if we had more guns we would have less shootings--hello!!
SPORTS TALK
--You heard it here first and more than once. In the wake of the Bruins elimination, folks on talk radio are clamoring for someone who can score and maybe not play so much defense. Sounds like Sequin to me--especially when you get shit from Louie.
--Danny Ainge will do something--he is not going to sit on all those draft picks. I prefer Love over Melo. With Melo, you would get the second head case (rondo being prima donna numero uno).
The Spurs are beautiful and despite how good Lebron is, I hate the fucking Heat.
--Rask never elevated his game like Tim Thomas did.
Happy anniversary to S and J.
Sayonara
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