I'M BACK

And I know how much you missed me.  Not sure where to begin but I think I will just open up the suitcase and start pulling things out in no particular order.

Been there, done that Department:  In 1969, we visited Denver and the Rockies on our convoluted way to Ann Arbor.  According to Barbara, because I insisted on packing the car the night before at a motel, all my draft records wee stolen (don't you just love her memory--43 years and it is as fresh as yesterday!).  They were important because I was applying to be a Conscientious Objector.  We were so pissed we decided to skip the Rockies and head east.  Then I looked in the rear view mirror and saw the majestic snow capped mountains. We made a U-turn and headed up.  We returned there a month ago--no camping and nothing stolen.  A terrific wedding in Boulder, three wonderful days in Denver, and three wonderful days in Estes Park right outside the National Park.  Rode over the Continental Divide at almost 13,000 feet--but soo much less scary than that foolish road to the top of Mt. Washington.  I almost puked on that.  Bicyclists were making the same climb as us--as were hordes of elk--all over the place.  Gorgeous. Though Boulder might be a bit too New Agey for moi.

Three Important news flashes:  The barbie people have come out with a transgendered Barbie--politically correctness is all around me. Second, twin graffiti/mural artists from Sao Paulo have been exhibiting here at the ICA.  They put a mural on the southbound entrance to our underground central artery.  Many very confused but obviously under-enlightened humans decided it looked like and was supportive of the Taliban and needed to be removed immediately.  Fortunately, both our mayor and governor are more or less sane and kept their mouths shut.  The mural is still up. And finally we have Augusta National Golf Club admitting women--one of the first was Condoleza Rice which means not exactly.  Are we supposed to congratulate a fat white boys club for finally moving into the 21st century?  Fuck them-- a day late and a dollar short.

Just returned from my first solo adventure in babysitting my two grandchdilren.  I survived and believe I was sucessful.  They made it easy for me and are really great kids if I do say so.  A couple of dust ups but they survived me. I came home exhausted. Jess and Steffen have done a super job and those of us in two career families know how stressful that life is.

I am so proud to say I watched not a minute of the republican convention--from what I heard, it was all about scaring people about Obama and putting the fear of god in them if he is re-elected.  I have to admit that Obama's speech was only the 3rd or 4th best at the Dem. convention.  Mr.  Bill won it hands down, Michelle came in second, and even our Gov, Mr. Deval, was terrific.  I am trying to keep away from my man Nate Silver but I feel like a junkie each morning checking both his blog and his data.  Did you know he started his little business in the world of baseball--one of those geeks like Jonah Hill in Moneyball.  Anyhow, his numbers are still looking good for Barack but not overwhelmingly.  Election night I will need loads of very bad food and very good scotch. And the members of my tribe living in Florida better deliver for him.  Speaking of my tribe, Sheldon Adelson keeps upping his contributions and is now talking about 100 million to get rid of Barack. I don't know if Liz will beat Scottie but this week she at least got a bit more pissy.  The first debate is later this week.

Romney stuck his foot way into his mouth with his rapid response to the tragedy in Libya.  He spoke too soon and it is a theme of his--yapping before all the info is in.  I am not sure I agree with most of what David Brooks has to say (though he does dislike Romney) but he has to be one of the brightest people in the world.  Good luck with your self reliance if Paul Ryan gets in--you might want to get your lifeboat ready if you are my age.  He won't be helping us.

I hate air travel but it is quicker!!  However, if any of you are travelling by air in the future, I have a word of advice--find out how many medical personnel are on your flight.  On our return from Denver, there was a medical emergency involving a young adult who was sitting close to us and at the height of the emergency was as gray as concrete.  The flight was diverted but in the meantime, it turned out we had two RN's, an EMT, and an ER doctor on board.  I am convinced they saved his life.  And, oh by the way--the cabin crew were older "mature" people who did not panic one iota.

SPORTS TALK
I would like to congratulate Gary Bettman for setting the world record for work stoppages as leader of a professional league.  At midnight tonight, he will have led 4 of them in his 20 year tenure.  And the league just had its most successful season ever.  He needs to be kicked to the curb.  And he is messing with Donald Fehr who is an asshole himself.

Won't kick the Red Flops while they are down but the trade with LA was a good one.  Why didn't Lackey get thrown in as a freebie?  Hope for your sake, he is a goner in the off season.  I do
think I see my Yanks with more objectivity than some of you view the Flops.  My boys are in trouble--not hitting, not pitching, and injuries. Nova's return today will help.  But I would not be surprised if they missed the playoffs totally--or surprised if they did make it.

But Mr. Brady and the boys are back and will be very good.

That's about it.  To those celebrating, Happy New Year.

Sayonara