I am one Northern European mystery writer short of a clean swweep. Except for Finland, but including Russia, I have read mystery writers from every country in the north of Europe--I have even dipped down to Scotland and England and reached out to Iceland. I need to complete this absolute tour de force. So if any of you kind readers can identify a Finnish mystery writer, I would be most appreciative.
We now have a story from Martha's Vineyard as a follow up to the story of the Brookline person fearful of letting her dogs out because of WOLVES. There is apparently a proposal to build the first ever rotary on the Vineyard. And surprise--The Vineyarders are none too happy. Probably a lot of us who live with really big rotaries will invade just to see it and disrupt their little idyllic life. Protests are sweeping the island. After all, it is a quality of life issue in a neck to neck competition with dogs running wild. Cmon--shouldn't, they be more worried about Ric Santorum and his medieval ideas?
Speaking of politics, that other neanderthal (and awful example of diet, Chris Christie, the fine governor of Susan and Neal) is angry at Warren Buffet and also vetoed the same sex legislation. He has had a great week. He is tired of Buffet and Buffets secretary and their taxes and wants Buffet to just shut up. I would guess that the Gay and Lesbian residents of NJ would like the guv to shut up as well.
In the blood is thicker than water category, we have Debbi Wasserman-Shultz, the Congresswoman from South Florida, who shares a religious affiliation with my main man Eric Cantor (he who is a member of my tribe). Now she is quite liberal but is proud to say that on Israel they are both quite close and quite supportive. Time to tell some of these "Israel is never wrong people" that some of us actually believe in a two state solution and their invectives are counter productive. And we can still believe in the survival of Israel.
And of course Alan Dershowitz is in high dither (he is always in some sort of dither-this one just happens to be high) because a conference at Harvard about a two state solution will be held and because of an ad in the NY Times supporting peace in the Middle East attacked groups he is a member of. Tough shit for Alan who I heard bathes nude on guess which island? The Vineyahd of course. Hope he has shorts on when he hits that rotary.
Folks it is time to start reading Nate Silver whose blog I think must have been bought up by the NY Times. This is the guy in 2008 who picked every single Senate and House seat as well as the presidential race. He is terrific and I have no clue how he figures these things out but it is all about NUMBERS!! Recently, he correlated positive economic news with Obama going head to head with the Republican candidates. He wins all possibilities with the closest being Romney--no surprise there since the Mitter is, after all, going to bring a business model to White House and make sure more of a burden falls on those less able to afford it.
A question: don't cows eat grass? perhaps they also eat hay which is kind of grassy. If they do, why is a restaurant opening up in the hood called "grass fed" and featuring burgers. Cows are not carnivores--I mean they don't eat other cows and they seem just to graze, eat, and shit. What am I missing?
Read Boomerang by Michael Lewis--he of Moneyball. He visited Iceland, Ireland, Greece, Germany, and then the good old US and wrote about their economic problems. If not for how devastating things are in places like Ireland, Greece, and Iceland, it was almost funny. In any event it was excellent and I will read anything he writes. By the way, Greece is way bad and no one likes the Germans.
Shameless continues to be my number one tv show but this new HBO program about horse racing (Luck) is a close second. Dustin Hoffman and William Macy are both wonderful.
Two final thoughts: I generally just stay away from Rush Limbaugh but he outdid himself this week calling that law student a "whore" for supporting her right to get contraceptives covered. And the judge in Montana sending along racist email about Obama? You don't think there is an audience for Mr. Santorum? One can only get very chilled at some of the language coming out of the mouths of what passes for conservative leaders. Some still wondering if he is a citizen.
SPORTS TALK
So Burnett gets traded to the National League (thank god) and has to practice bunting--bingo, he bunts one off his eye, requires surgery, and is now out for 3 months. Probably will get some more tatts. I don't want anyone to get injured but in his case I'm not so sure.
Chara is not as overwhelming as he was last year and Tim Thomas (over and above his lunatic politics)is not nearly as effective. Seeing them against the Rangers made it clear that they are not up to that level and have much work to do.
I think what I thought last time about the Celtics--they are old and mediocre and now have all these trade rumors to contend with. Not a good sign.
BTW, why haven't the Pats signed Welker. Is Belichik, the mystery man, up to something?
Happy Purim/Sayonara.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
FURTHER THOUGHTS ON CUBA AND OTHER ITEMS OF MAJOR IMPORTANCE TO MANKIND
On the other hand, being a fine humanitarian, let me welcome Ilene, Ashok, and Steve to my readership. I am rapidly approaching the circulation of the JP Gazette. Onward.
I still am unable to come up with a coherent and cohesive unraveling of what we experienced in Cuba. I do continue to have "flashbacks" of things that left me either amazed, bewildered, or both. Here are a few more:
--The old cars were spectacular especially the restored ones. There are no new
cars except rentals. Cubans who own cars only have old ones and there are no
dealerships. No ladas from Russia either. Since the environment is way down on
list of priorities, it is no surprise that these old cars belch smoke and pollute
the air.
--The Prado is kind of like the mall on Comm. Ave. in Boston. A street bisected by
a pedestrian mall with benches.
--The Malecon is very special. It is kind of like Storrow Drive with too many cars
and runs right next to the Atlantic. It runs all along the water for miles
encircling the city and full of fishermen (no, did not see any fisherwomen) who
seem not to catch anything. And then with a great imagination, you can see the
end of Duval Street in Key West with the buoy marking the Southernmost point
in the U.S. So enticing.
--The Hotel National was the symbolic roost of Batista, all sorts of celebs, and
a casino. It overlooks the Malecon and the Atlantic. The grounds are beautiful
and the lobby has been meticulously restored. Not sure about the rooms.
--In the central park, there is a special area where men (again, did not see any
women) debate baseball--and not just Cuban baseball but Estados Unidos beisball
which they are very up on.
--There is much more.
My government at work: Medicare sent me an email reminding me that I was due for a wellness check up which is totally reimbursed. It remains beyond my comprehension why Obamacare did not just piggyback onto Medicare, Medicaid, and the VA. In any case, I love my Medicare even though I still don't understand the donut business.
As a reminder for all of you, Ruth Bader Ginsburg is older than me and much sicker. Imagine Ric Santorum or even Romney getting a shot at a Supreme Court seat--it boggles the mind. Santorum has been more and more out of control since his recent victories. Jon Stewart absolutely thrashed him last night. Now Barbara Berns is scared of Santorum because she believes much of America will vote for him. I am more afraid of Romney believing (atypical for me) he is a bigger threat to Obama. All of them, to a bigger or smaller extent, all appeal to the baser instincts of people. UGH.
When I go to synagogue and quietly/silently pray, I have the following sacrilegious thought--Eric Cantor could also be in a synagogue praying for the Israelis to attack Iran. He has had a great week urging Obama to go after Iranians sand bashing his budget as well. Joe Lieberman is in that boat too--both indebted deeply to the alte kakers in AIPAC. Yet there I am in the House of the Lord thinking these evil thoughts. I wish I could say shame on me but I am thinking shame on them.
Then there are these two semi-related items: The Susan Komen people backed down in the face of a semi-populist uprising and an infusion of dollars to Planned Parenthood. And that right wing VP hit the bricks. No wonder she could not even win the Governorship in Georgia. Good for Bloomberg also. The related piece is the Archiocese feeling it was not ok to force them to cover contraception in insurance policies for their employees. These are the same folks that brought us the sexual abuse of children by priests. So be careful of what they want. Obama forges some sort of compromise and of course gets killed for it by the right. I suggest that the Archdiocesan programs (charities/hospitals) only hire people who agree with them philosophically about contraception. Then we will see what they do for staff.
Finally, the Globe had an article focusing on a former member of the Brookline
School Committee. It was an article about coyotes and her more or less accurate quote was: "sending my dogs out in the yard is like capital punishment". What can a person say except dogs are not people. Hello, anyone home?
SPORTS TALK
Oh my, 3 drops by Welker, Branch, and Hernandez. And the Gronk was severely injured and lied to us all for 2 weeks. Some of you smarties are gonna say you knew how bad he was hurt but that is beside the point. Belichik lies when it is convenient and this was a biggy. Brady was mediocre for half the game (first and fourth quarters). And they still could have won.
Tim Thomas is a right wing (in a political not hockey sense) asshole and now he is starting to play like a mediocre asshole. They play the Rangers tonight and need him to play a big game.
The Celtics continue to look old and Rondo continues to either play superbly or look totally disinterested. Meanwhile they continue to have injuries.
And to repeat one of my own self invented mantras: I don't care about Spring training. Talk to me about baseball on or after 7/4.
Happy V day to all of you readers and especially to Anna, Jessica, Barbara, Lilli, Oliver, and Steffen.
Sayonara.
I still am unable to come up with a coherent and cohesive unraveling of what we experienced in Cuba. I do continue to have "flashbacks" of things that left me either amazed, bewildered, or both. Here are a few more:
--The old cars were spectacular especially the restored ones. There are no new
cars except rentals. Cubans who own cars only have old ones and there are no
dealerships. No ladas from Russia either. Since the environment is way down on
list of priorities, it is no surprise that these old cars belch smoke and pollute
the air.
--The Prado is kind of like the mall on Comm. Ave. in Boston. A street bisected by
a pedestrian mall with benches.
--The Malecon is very special. It is kind of like Storrow Drive with too many cars
and runs right next to the Atlantic. It runs all along the water for miles
encircling the city and full of fishermen (no, did not see any fisherwomen) who
seem not to catch anything. And then with a great imagination, you can see the
end of Duval Street in Key West with the buoy marking the Southernmost point
in the U.S. So enticing.
--The Hotel National was the symbolic roost of Batista, all sorts of celebs, and
a casino. It overlooks the Malecon and the Atlantic. The grounds are beautiful
and the lobby has been meticulously restored. Not sure about the rooms.
--In the central park, there is a special area where men (again, did not see any
women) debate baseball--and not just Cuban baseball but Estados Unidos beisball
which they are very up on.
--There is much more.
My government at work: Medicare sent me an email reminding me that I was due for a wellness check up which is totally reimbursed. It remains beyond my comprehension why Obamacare did not just piggyback onto Medicare, Medicaid, and the VA. In any case, I love my Medicare even though I still don't understand the donut business.
As a reminder for all of you, Ruth Bader Ginsburg is older than me and much sicker. Imagine Ric Santorum or even Romney getting a shot at a Supreme Court seat--it boggles the mind. Santorum has been more and more out of control since his recent victories. Jon Stewart absolutely thrashed him last night. Now Barbara Berns is scared of Santorum because she believes much of America will vote for him. I am more afraid of Romney believing (atypical for me) he is a bigger threat to Obama. All of them, to a bigger or smaller extent, all appeal to the baser instincts of people. UGH.
When I go to synagogue and quietly/silently pray, I have the following sacrilegious thought--Eric Cantor could also be in a synagogue praying for the Israelis to attack Iran. He has had a great week urging Obama to go after Iranians sand bashing his budget as well. Joe Lieberman is in that boat too--both indebted deeply to the alte kakers in AIPAC. Yet there I am in the House of the Lord thinking these evil thoughts. I wish I could say shame on me but I am thinking shame on them.
Then there are these two semi-related items: The Susan Komen people backed down in the face of a semi-populist uprising and an infusion of dollars to Planned Parenthood. And that right wing VP hit the bricks. No wonder she could not even win the Governorship in Georgia. Good for Bloomberg also. The related piece is the Archiocese feeling it was not ok to force them to cover contraception in insurance policies for their employees. These are the same folks that brought us the sexual abuse of children by priests. So be careful of what they want. Obama forges some sort of compromise and of course gets killed for it by the right. I suggest that the Archdiocesan programs (charities/hospitals) only hire people who agree with them philosophically about contraception. Then we will see what they do for staff.
Finally, the Globe had an article focusing on a former member of the Brookline
School Committee. It was an article about coyotes and her more or less accurate quote was: "sending my dogs out in the yard is like capital punishment". What can a person say except dogs are not people. Hello, anyone home?
SPORTS TALK
Oh my, 3 drops by Welker, Branch, and Hernandez. And the Gronk was severely injured and lied to us all for 2 weeks. Some of you smarties are gonna say you knew how bad he was hurt but that is beside the point. Belichik lies when it is convenient and this was a biggy. Brady was mediocre for half the game (first and fourth quarters). And they still could have won.
Tim Thomas is a right wing (in a political not hockey sense) asshole and now he is starting to play like a mediocre asshole. They play the Rangers tonight and need him to play a big game.
The Celtics continue to look old and Rondo continues to either play superbly or look totally disinterested. Meanwhile they continue to have injuries.
And to repeat one of my own self invented mantras: I don't care about Spring training. Talk to me about baseball on or after 7/4.
Happy V day to all of you readers and especially to Anna, Jessica, Barbara, Lilli, Oliver, and Steffen.
Sayonara.
Monday, January 30, 2012
SOCIALISMO O MUERTA
No billboards in Cuba advertising anything. But much graffiti and signs "advertising" the Revolucion. I have been trying in the week we have been back to string together a paragraph or two which would make sense of the time we spent there. But I failed at that and ended up with the anecdotes that follow:
Don't go to Cuba for the food. Ours sucked.
There are two forms of currency. One used by the touristas called CUC's. The other used by residents of the island called pesos. Pesos would not have gotten you into any of our hotels. This differentiation really separates the haves (that would be us) from the have nots (that would be most of the rest of the Cubans).
I liked the people on the tour more than I expected. I was my usual warm, social, humanitarian self and got along famously. (An aside: This blog is now officially transcontinental. A western outpost has been established in Berkeley thanks to Becky. So a welcome to her.) Even the bus rides were comfy.
We had a terrific tour leader from SF and a more than terrific tour guide from Havana who really shared all sorts of information and factoids.
Che's picture is all over the place partly because Fidel is still alive and partly due to Che's continuing magnetism.
In some of the medium sized cities (Cienfuegos for example), taxi service is provided by donkey pulled carts--which have cart stands all over.
There were 16,000 Jews on the island before Castro and there are now 1600--mostly in Havana but also in scattered outposts across the island. Leave it to members of my tribe--Cubans continue to separate the Ashkenazim Jews (from Eastern Europe) from the Sephardi Jews (from southern Europe and Northern Africa). So, in Havana, each has its own synagogue. The "synagogue" in Cienfuegos is in the living room of the woman who is the leader of that city's Jewish community. There is a Jewish community center in Havana whose leader is also the leader of the island's entire Jewish community--she is a fireball of a lady who also happened to leave us so she could meet with Senator Durbin.
Cubans hate the older generation of exiles in Miami but are cautiously optimistic about the younger Cubans in Miami some of whom are very interested in their own genealogy and would like to at least visit.
Our hotel had CNN in English and I watched part of the Pats game on ESPN--this despite the fact that those are not available to your average citizen. Ads were all for US companies. No Internet service for the average Cuban except within the island.
Went to a terrific ballet performance of the national ballet company.
They have aquaculture farms for shrimp and fish--and across the street there are shacks with no plumbing or electricity and folks riding their mules to other little villages.
By the way, the heading way back up on means Socialism or Death--and, at this point, I am voting for none of the above or abstaining.
There is much more to say but in the end I deeply admired the resiliency of the Jewish population--we went to Friday night services lead by a trio of 20 year olds. No rabbis on the island. A Chilean rabbi visits 3 times a year and they schedule bar/bat mitzvahs, bris', and weddings for those times. He also tutors the young people which allows them to lead the services--Friday nights, Saturday mornings, and all holidays. At the end of the service, the youngsters in the shul began to sing--6and 7 year olds--very moving. Also admire how difficult life is for the mainstream Cuban. Housing is especially in bad shape in the centre of the city.
Three factoids more. Fidel failed on his first effort at an uprising and escaped back to Mexico--Che joined him at that point and he returned successfully. I did smoke a Cuban cigar and only drank 7 year old Cuban dark rum on ice--which costs about 3 bucks. Muy bueno.
More later/Moving on.
Anyone notice Eric Cantor (he who is a member of my tribe) at the State of the Union speech? A fucking sourpuss not even clapping at the non controversial things.
No one should doubt that the assassinations hitting in Iran are connected to Israel and that our government knows about them. Speaking of which two depressing articles in yesterday's Times. In the Magazine, a Jerusalem based journalist argues that a number of issues are coalescing in the middle east which leads him to predict an Israeli attack on Iran in 2012. Then that fatso Sheldon Adelson (he who is yet another member of my tribe) giving a bazillion dollars to Gingrich--for business reasons and for his staunch support of Israel. Adelson is one of the bright light AIPAC folks and the one who argues that the Palestinians are not really a "people". Very unpleasant news.
Did not even try for Bruce tickets but Gary did send me a you tube recording of a cut from his new album. I liked it and am hoping I can score a ticket on ebay for his Boston concert.
Congratulations to Toby, Tessa, and the grandparents on the birth of Asher up there in the Great White north.
SPORTS TALK
Tim Thomas is a right wing Ron Paul tea bag adherent and an asshole. But he can play goal like a madman. I'm not sure where to go with this but do believe if I knew the political beliefs of all my sports faves, I would puke.
The Pats did luck out against the Ravens but as they say, the bottom line is that they won. The Jints are much tougher because their QB is better. Brady really has to be on and the defense at least has to stop the run and let Eli throw it 60 times.
My big question is what kind of food to have on hand given my limited dietary repertoire. There will be single malt scotch and no sound.
That's it.
Sayonara
Don't go to Cuba for the food. Ours sucked.
There are two forms of currency. One used by the touristas called CUC's. The other used by residents of the island called pesos. Pesos would not have gotten you into any of our hotels. This differentiation really separates the haves (that would be us) from the have nots (that would be most of the rest of the Cubans).
I liked the people on the tour more than I expected. I was my usual warm, social, humanitarian self and got along famously. (An aside: This blog is now officially transcontinental. A western outpost has been established in Berkeley thanks to Becky. So a welcome to her.) Even the bus rides were comfy.
We had a terrific tour leader from SF and a more than terrific tour guide from Havana who really shared all sorts of information and factoids.
Che's picture is all over the place partly because Fidel is still alive and partly due to Che's continuing magnetism.
In some of the medium sized cities (Cienfuegos for example), taxi service is provided by donkey pulled carts--which have cart stands all over.
There were 16,000 Jews on the island before Castro and there are now 1600--mostly in Havana but also in scattered outposts across the island. Leave it to members of my tribe--Cubans continue to separate the Ashkenazim Jews (from Eastern Europe) from the Sephardi Jews (from southern Europe and Northern Africa). So, in Havana, each has its own synagogue. The "synagogue" in Cienfuegos is in the living room of the woman who is the leader of that city's Jewish community. There is a Jewish community center in Havana whose leader is also the leader of the island's entire Jewish community--she is a fireball of a lady who also happened to leave us so she could meet with Senator Durbin.
Cubans hate the older generation of exiles in Miami but are cautiously optimistic about the younger Cubans in Miami some of whom are very interested in their own genealogy and would like to at least visit.
Our hotel had CNN in English and I watched part of the Pats game on ESPN--this despite the fact that those are not available to your average citizen. Ads were all for US companies. No Internet service for the average Cuban except within the island.
Went to a terrific ballet performance of the national ballet company.
They have aquaculture farms for shrimp and fish--and across the street there are shacks with no plumbing or electricity and folks riding their mules to other little villages.
By the way, the heading way back up on means Socialism or Death--and, at this point, I am voting for none of the above or abstaining.
There is much more to say but in the end I deeply admired the resiliency of the Jewish population--we went to Friday night services lead by a trio of 20 year olds. No rabbis on the island. A Chilean rabbi visits 3 times a year and they schedule bar/bat mitzvahs, bris', and weddings for those times. He also tutors the young people which allows them to lead the services--Friday nights, Saturday mornings, and all holidays. At the end of the service, the youngsters in the shul began to sing--6and 7 year olds--very moving. Also admire how difficult life is for the mainstream Cuban. Housing is especially in bad shape in the centre of the city.
Three factoids more. Fidel failed on his first effort at an uprising and escaped back to Mexico--Che joined him at that point and he returned successfully. I did smoke a Cuban cigar and only drank 7 year old Cuban dark rum on ice--which costs about 3 bucks. Muy bueno.
More later/Moving on.
Anyone notice Eric Cantor (he who is a member of my tribe) at the State of the Union speech? A fucking sourpuss not even clapping at the non controversial things.
No one should doubt that the assassinations hitting in Iran are connected to Israel and that our government knows about them. Speaking of which two depressing articles in yesterday's Times. In the Magazine, a Jerusalem based journalist argues that a number of issues are coalescing in the middle east which leads him to predict an Israeli attack on Iran in 2012. Then that fatso Sheldon Adelson (he who is yet another member of my tribe) giving a bazillion dollars to Gingrich--for business reasons and for his staunch support of Israel. Adelson is one of the bright light AIPAC folks and the one who argues that the Palestinians are not really a "people". Very unpleasant news.
Did not even try for Bruce tickets but Gary did send me a you tube recording of a cut from his new album. I liked it and am hoping I can score a ticket on ebay for his Boston concert.
Congratulations to Toby, Tessa, and the grandparents on the birth of Asher up there in the Great White north.
SPORTS TALK
Tim Thomas is a right wing Ron Paul tea bag adherent and an asshole. But he can play goal like a madman. I'm not sure where to go with this but do believe if I knew the political beliefs of all my sports faves, I would puke.
The Pats did luck out against the Ravens but as they say, the bottom line is that they won. The Jints are much tougher because their QB is better. Brady really has to be on and the defense at least has to stop the run and let Eli throw it 60 times.
My big question is what kind of food to have on hand given my limited dietary repertoire. There will be single malt scotch and no sound.
That's it.
Sayonara
Friday, January 13, 2012
NO FOO FOO UMBRELLA DRINKS FOR ME
Big decisions have been made in advance of our trip to Cuba. I will only drink Cuban rum on the rocks--no mojitos or pina coladas for me. And I have decided (after much intra-family discussions and voting) that I will smoke one big fat hand rolled Cuban cigar. Probably on the last day we are there. I continue to be very hesitant about the last sentence given that scare I had some years ago which put my cigar smoking on the permanent sidelines of my life. But I have to believe I can handle one Cuban cigar. No more input please. We are both really really excited about the trip and already believe 8 days may not be enough. But it is better than nada (that's me practicing Spanish)and Fidel is still alive--perhaps I will bump into him and we can discuss why we each gave up cigars. Fascinating and as important as all the socio-political stuff.
And so, the Mitter won Iowa and NH. Now the other boys (Michelle has gone bye bye) are really after him. Honest to god, when you see them lined up for their debates, you need sunglasses so that the glare from their red ties does not blind you.
What will Ron Paul end up with except perhaps some language in their platform which no one except policy wonks really care about? I would love it if he took the Mitter on and actually won but I think not. The decision is in on Mr. Santorum. He is a nasty person with nasty ideas and deserves his place on the cusp of drop-out-ville.
Meanwhile, it is worth remembering that Romney got no more or less votes in either state than 4 years ago. And, equally important to the Republicans, the 2nd and 3rd finishers in each state had the same total when combined as Romney. That does not bode well for him.
Speaking of Iowa, my circulation has increased yet again. John has joined us and represents the most western outpost of readership even if it is just Michigan. Welcome, John.
Unemployment continues to drop ever so slowly. But say the drop is just 1/4% a month, Mr. Barack could be looking at percentages in the mid 6's by election time which would be a big break. Have not heard from or seen Mr. Boehner (he of the perpetual tan) or Mr. Cantor (he who is a member of my tribe) in awhile. But I have seen a lot of Jon Stewart who has been terrific with this primary shit. I remain convinced his staff must be the best group of researchers and writers on the planet. The behind the scenes folks just come up with fact after fact after fact about all public figures. Two nights ago, he skewered Gingrich using Gingrich's own words. Oh my.
So the voters here in the Bay State, being THE MOST ENLIGHTENED IN THE COUNTRY AND THE MOST LIBERAL, decided a couple of years ago to ban greyhound racing. I actually could not care less since I hated betting on those fleet animals--a fly on their butt and they fell over. Anyhow, no greyhound racing. But there were a bunch of greyhounds requiring homes and they were adopted--apparently by every other household in JP. Lovely sight, these beasts freezing their asses off while they are walked around the pond. But ahhh--each has his own blanky. My questions is if racing is so bad, how about cold and why do all of them have hand sewn blankies. Maybe their owners go to that knitting store on Centre street and have a group sew which allows for dog blanky discussions.
FYI--Read the Patti Smith book about her relationship with Mapplethorpe. It was ok but not great. I found it most interesting how she ended up in the circles of so many important 60's cultural and musical figures--among them Hendrix, Dylan, Warhol, Ginsberg. It goes on and on. Amazing.
SPORTS TALK
Michigan finally won a bowl game thanks to the largess of Virginia Tech. Their BB team is not bad either. Dennard Robinson still is erratic but hey: GO BLUE.
I still think James Harrison should be in jail for his hit on Colt McCoy. How is it that local policia (there I go again with Spanish) frequently want to charge hockey players with assault but it never happens in pro football. His hit, in a losing effort at Denver, on their wide receiver was cheap but not the same as his head butting. And by the way, Pittsburgh really blew the coverage on the TD in overtime. Nobody was home back there.
The Celtics continue to look old and the media up here think Garnet looks the worse. I'm not sure how this will play out but is is not pretty.
Tebow sucks and Tebow mania makes me sick. He should just shut up and his maniac followers should get a life. He could also make me throw up should his team upset the Pats. Lets be honest here--the religious thing going on around him is kind of like the Tea Party/Santorum crowd on steroids.
That's it.
Hasta La Vista.
And so, the Mitter won Iowa and NH. Now the other boys (Michelle has gone bye bye) are really after him. Honest to god, when you see them lined up for their debates, you need sunglasses so that the glare from their red ties does not blind you.
What will Ron Paul end up with except perhaps some language in their platform which no one except policy wonks really care about? I would love it if he took the Mitter on and actually won but I think not. The decision is in on Mr. Santorum. He is a nasty person with nasty ideas and deserves his place on the cusp of drop-out-ville.
Meanwhile, it is worth remembering that Romney got no more or less votes in either state than 4 years ago. And, equally important to the Republicans, the 2nd and 3rd finishers in each state had the same total when combined as Romney. That does not bode well for him.
Speaking of Iowa, my circulation has increased yet again. John has joined us and represents the most western outpost of readership even if it is just Michigan. Welcome, John.
Unemployment continues to drop ever so slowly. But say the drop is just 1/4% a month, Mr. Barack could be looking at percentages in the mid 6's by election time which would be a big break. Have not heard from or seen Mr. Boehner (he of the perpetual tan) or Mr. Cantor (he who is a member of my tribe) in awhile. But I have seen a lot of Jon Stewart who has been terrific with this primary shit. I remain convinced his staff must be the best group of researchers and writers on the planet. The behind the scenes folks just come up with fact after fact after fact about all public figures. Two nights ago, he skewered Gingrich using Gingrich's own words. Oh my.
So the voters here in the Bay State, being THE MOST ENLIGHTENED IN THE COUNTRY AND THE MOST LIBERAL, decided a couple of years ago to ban greyhound racing. I actually could not care less since I hated betting on those fleet animals--a fly on their butt and they fell over. Anyhow, no greyhound racing. But there were a bunch of greyhounds requiring homes and they were adopted--apparently by every other household in JP. Lovely sight, these beasts freezing their asses off while they are walked around the pond. But ahhh--each has his own blanky. My questions is if racing is so bad, how about cold and why do all of them have hand sewn blankies. Maybe their owners go to that knitting store on Centre street and have a group sew which allows for dog blanky discussions.
FYI--Read the Patti Smith book about her relationship with Mapplethorpe. It was ok but not great. I found it most interesting how she ended up in the circles of so many important 60's cultural and musical figures--among them Hendrix, Dylan, Warhol, Ginsberg. It goes on and on. Amazing.
SPORTS TALK
Michigan finally won a bowl game thanks to the largess of Virginia Tech. Their BB team is not bad either. Dennard Robinson still is erratic but hey: GO BLUE.
I still think James Harrison should be in jail for his hit on Colt McCoy. How is it that local policia (there I go again with Spanish) frequently want to charge hockey players with assault but it never happens in pro football. His hit, in a losing effort at Denver, on their wide receiver was cheap but not the same as his head butting. And by the way, Pittsburgh really blew the coverage on the TD in overtime. Nobody was home back there.
The Celtics continue to look old and the media up here think Garnet looks the worse. I'm not sure how this will play out but is is not pretty.
Tebow sucks and Tebow mania makes me sick. He should just shut up and his maniac followers should get a life. He could also make me throw up should his team upset the Pats. Lets be honest here--the religious thing going on around him is kind of like the Tea Party/Santorum crowd on steroids.
That's it.
Hasta La Vista.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
BROOOOOOOCE
I had a feeling he read my blog and my thoughts about Clarence's absence. Now I am sure Bruce and the boys read it thoroughly because I have learned he has a new album coming out and he is going out on tour sometime in 2012. Gary: This is an early warning. I want tickets if I cannot get my own.
Also, as my forehead recedes more and more, I have begun (much to my chagrin) to look from the neck up like my father. This generated some memories of me being taken by him to have his few hairs cut by a barber who was white with a huge head of white styled hair and whose name was (I swear) Blackie. My father used some sort of red goop on his hair that came out of a clear bottle and of course, being quite the fastidious person, had his nails done at the same time. I cannot remember having my hair cut by this guy or not but I am damned sure my nails were not touched.
He also then took me out to dinner--that sums up my contact with him after the divorce--hair, nails, and dinner mostly of the liquid variety for him. Probably a case of TMI.
Two examples of why I (and now Anna) love our government especially Social Security. I got confused about the day I get my check. One early evening a week or so ago, I called the 800 number and within 5 minutes got my live person who answered my question and set me straight. Anna needed a new social security card and I took her to my favorite Social Security office--and much like my first visit,except for the staff, we were the only Caucasians. She was seen in less than a half hour and her new card arrived 72 hours later. I LOVE MY GOVERNMENT.
So the Republicans caved in on the payroll tax issue. Great---old Eric Cantor (he who is a member of my tribe) is all over the place taking credit for being bi-partisan. That phony baloney hypocrite needs to go to shul a few times on Yom Kippur and repent for all his sins. I spoke to an "insider" about the state of Ohio which just happens to have one of the most liberal U.S. Senators--Sherrod Brown. I wondered how he was doing and how in comparison Obama was doing out there in the buckeye state. He said the internal polls show Brown running 10 points or so better than Obama which is kind of scary. That while they are both liberal, Brown is much more sensitive to union and trade issues. Ugh.
My readership has increased this week. I want to welcome Jim, Graham, and Stef. They have pushed me nearly to the quarter century mark and I have the NY Times sniffing around now that they dumped a bunch of smaller publications.
Two terrific articles. In last weeks SI, a great article about the riots in Vancouver after the Bruins won the cup. While it is sports focused, it is quite a gripping story. Then, also last week in the NY Times, an article about Benton Harbor, Michigan and the socio-cultural upheaval going on there. As a start, it is in receivership and run by the state.
A couple of local notes. Some of the homeless pan handlers now have cell phones. My glass is half full side says that their programs provide them so that they have a way of being in touch in case of emergency. My glass is half empty side says that if they can afford that, why should I give them money? Your thoughts?
Bakery wars: I love the Blue Frog Bakery but it does not have slicing machine and I butcher bread when I cut it. But it is local and I like the guy who runs it. Now we have the Flying Pig which does slice the bread but is part of a chain. they swear they bake the bread daily and ship it down from Maine or NH. What to do?
SPORTS TALK
So I just finished watching the Pats win home field throughout. I am so confused about them I don't even know where to begin. Against the Broncos, the Dolphins, and now the Bills, they were so bad for a quarter or a half--then boom, lights out the rest of the way including defense. Today down 21-0 at the end of the first quarter and then they shut out the Bills the rest of the way. If they score 35 or more every game, I think they could win it all. But there is one good defensive team (perhaps 2) in the AFC and that's Baltimore and they could be trouble. In the NFC, the 49ers have the only good defense. Playing either Green Bay or New Orleans, the score collectively could be in the 80's.
It is way too early to worry about the Celtics but they have looked old and that's as much as I will say.
Except that James Harrison's hit on McCoy was horrific and I really think he should have sat out the rest of the season. It was so clearly head hunting that, given his history, he got off lightly.
Hope all of you have a healthy and peaceful New Year.
Sayonara.
Also, as my forehead recedes more and more, I have begun (much to my chagrin) to look from the neck up like my father. This generated some memories of me being taken by him to have his few hairs cut by a barber who was white with a huge head of white styled hair and whose name was (I swear) Blackie. My father used some sort of red goop on his hair that came out of a clear bottle and of course, being quite the fastidious person, had his nails done at the same time. I cannot remember having my hair cut by this guy or not but I am damned sure my nails were not touched.
He also then took me out to dinner--that sums up my contact with him after the divorce--hair, nails, and dinner mostly of the liquid variety for him. Probably a case of TMI.
Two examples of why I (and now Anna) love our government especially Social Security. I got confused about the day I get my check. One early evening a week or so ago, I called the 800 number and within 5 minutes got my live person who answered my question and set me straight. Anna needed a new social security card and I took her to my favorite Social Security office--and much like my first visit,except for the staff, we were the only Caucasians. She was seen in less than a half hour and her new card arrived 72 hours later. I LOVE MY GOVERNMENT.
So the Republicans caved in on the payroll tax issue. Great---old Eric Cantor (he who is a member of my tribe) is all over the place taking credit for being bi-partisan. That phony baloney hypocrite needs to go to shul a few times on Yom Kippur and repent for all his sins. I spoke to an "insider" about the state of Ohio which just happens to have one of the most liberal U.S. Senators--Sherrod Brown. I wondered how he was doing and how in comparison Obama was doing out there in the buckeye state. He said the internal polls show Brown running 10 points or so better than Obama which is kind of scary. That while they are both liberal, Brown is much more sensitive to union and trade issues. Ugh.
My readership has increased this week. I want to welcome Jim, Graham, and Stef. They have pushed me nearly to the quarter century mark and I have the NY Times sniffing around now that they dumped a bunch of smaller publications.
Two terrific articles. In last weeks SI, a great article about the riots in Vancouver after the Bruins won the cup. While it is sports focused, it is quite a gripping story. Then, also last week in the NY Times, an article about Benton Harbor, Michigan and the socio-cultural upheaval going on there. As a start, it is in receivership and run by the state.
A couple of local notes. Some of the homeless pan handlers now have cell phones. My glass is half full side says that their programs provide them so that they have a way of being in touch in case of emergency. My glass is half empty side says that if they can afford that, why should I give them money? Your thoughts?
Bakery wars: I love the Blue Frog Bakery but it does not have slicing machine and I butcher bread when I cut it. But it is local and I like the guy who runs it. Now we have the Flying Pig which does slice the bread but is part of a chain. they swear they bake the bread daily and ship it down from Maine or NH. What to do?
SPORTS TALK
So I just finished watching the Pats win home field throughout. I am so confused about them I don't even know where to begin. Against the Broncos, the Dolphins, and now the Bills, they were so bad for a quarter or a half--then boom, lights out the rest of the way including defense. Today down 21-0 at the end of the first quarter and then they shut out the Bills the rest of the way. If they score 35 or more every game, I think they could win it all. But there is one good defensive team (perhaps 2) in the AFC and that's Baltimore and they could be trouble. In the NFC, the 49ers have the only good defense. Playing either Green Bay or New Orleans, the score collectively could be in the 80's.
It is way too early to worry about the Celtics but they have looked old and that's as much as I will say.
Except that James Harrison's hit on McCoy was horrific and I really think he should have sat out the rest of the season. It was so clearly head hunting that, given his history, he got off lightly.
Hope all of you have a healthy and peaceful New Year.
Sayonara.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
PEDAGOGICAL THOUGHTS AND OTHER RANTS
Because I am a great humanitarian, I volunteer twice a week (two hours total) at a 766 residential school that I once oversaw. I am not nor have I ever been a teacher. I still don't "get" how our granddaughter Lilli learned how to read. I don't "get" how the neurology or the biology or whatever works in a way that allows learning to take place. I go to Barbara for all that stuff. But twice a week, I help out in a classroom of 8 little kids (12 and under). I help with math and with reading. I love the kids but am getting more and more frustrated with the adults who seem to forget that it is not a prison but a learning environment. Let's take today as an example--ok, Alan, let's. Head Teacher out. Assistant Teacher was in charge and totally unprepared. Two child care counsellors were in the class room and then there was me. So 4 adults for 8 kids. Nothing unmanageable occurred during my hour there. The teacher took 25 minutes to set up the morning activities--meanwhile the longer he went, the more "itchy" the kids got. Movement increased--these kids are there for a reason and its not because they can manage all their behavior on their own.They started touching each other, they started yapping, they started making noises.In all he took too long and somehow did not get it. The two child care workers sat and manged behavior with voices without getting off their butts. I usually wait for direction but finally I got so pissed I got up and plopped myself between two of the kids who were getting the most "hyper". Not brain surgery but come on. Child care workers did not move. Teacher went on and finally read a story and gave them a reasonable assignment (according to my criteria). Then as they proceeded to complete the work, he did all the scissoring and the stapling and I did not see him "teach" for one minute. And the counsellors continued to sit--except for a bathroom break and use of their cell phones. I helped one of the kids who wrote his small "m's" upside down so they were "w's" and had no clue what an "n" was. I am not deluding myself into believing I taught him anything though I wish I could have. I did occupy him and get him through the assignment. Bummed out when I left and as per usual, I leave wondering where this kid and the others will end up educationally.
Onto bicyclists--another favorite topic. I am driving to the school this morning on Centre Street, go by the fire station, and obeying the lane set aside for cyclists. I quickly realize the fire trucks are rolling, the traffic is thick, and I got the bikers on the right of me--none of whom stop but all of whom keep on pedalling. I pull over; theydont. The Trucks go by and bam, one of the bikers decides to draft the truck as if he were in a NASCAR race at Daytona and he does his drafting right down the middle of the road. Please someone tell me why I should not get up close to this guy and scream. The guy by the way had a helmet and had his yoga mat strapped to his back. Must need a lot of relaxing after his speedway ride.
So the Herminator is gone and Jon Stewart continues to anguish over his comedic loss. But he apparently is feeling fairly confident Newt will help him get back on his comedy track. The Newt/Romney clash is hilarious--they are both scary men of the highest order and half as smart as they think they are--especially Newt who fancies himself a scholar on top of everything else.
Unemployment is down again and I know it does not mean much in and of itself but it sure must make Barack and the folks feel a bit optimistic. Can someone please tell me why the Brits are so married to their fucking Pound and out of all the countries in the Union, they were the only hold out and submitting budgets to some sort of central management. Ahh--among other things, the Brits have their own version of Ron Paul and Tea Partiers who want less of anything with government not more.
Been reading novels set in Glasgow--the folks there by the way are called Glaswegians which is kind of cute. Denise Mina is the author and Ilove her not as much as Rankin but close. I really am into European based mysteries. Have another Norwegian novel coming up and am taking an Icelandic novel to Cuba. I am missing Finland--so if you know a Finnish mystery writer, let me know.
Jess, Steffen, and the kids were here for 4 days over the past weekend. they are all great and we got to spend a lot of time with the kids who are growing and thriving down in there in Philly land. Anna got herself a car and loves just having it. Complained that she had to scrape off frost the other morning--poor baby. The next day it was 70
Have had Dominican, Mexican, and Italian food in 3 different neighborhoods of the city over the last 3 weeks. Kind of neat and feel kind of glad I live where I live.
SPORTS TALK
Don't know anymore what to say about the Pats and their defense. Both the Colts and Skins with mediocre (at best ) QB's could have beaten them. Brady was way off against the Skins and they seem to back off when they get ahead. I hate that religious zealot tebow yet am worried about the game itself. It is possible Brady and company will really run it up but it is worrisome. Also this weekend might be the last possible chance for either or both the Steelers and Ravens to lose.
The bruins are in a slight rut thought they have won 3 in a row. i worry about the top line. Lucic and Horton just are not scoring enough. Their depth and their goal tending are keeping them ahead of the field.
Bobby Valentine is not the cure folks--you got holes in right, behind the plate, shortstops who dont hit,pap is gone (boo hoo--he was overrated anyhow) and you better hope crawford's last year was an aberration. otherwise consider him Theo's real parting shot.
That's about it. to Cuba in a month.
Adios
Onto bicyclists--another favorite topic. I am driving to the school this morning on Centre Street, go by the fire station, and obeying the lane set aside for cyclists. I quickly realize the fire trucks are rolling, the traffic is thick, and I got the bikers on the right of me--none of whom stop but all of whom keep on pedalling. I pull over; theydont. The Trucks go by and bam, one of the bikers decides to draft the truck as if he were in a NASCAR race at Daytona and he does his drafting right down the middle of the road. Please someone tell me why I should not get up close to this guy and scream. The guy by the way had a helmet and had his yoga mat strapped to his back. Must need a lot of relaxing after his speedway ride.
So the Herminator is gone and Jon Stewart continues to anguish over his comedic loss. But he apparently is feeling fairly confident Newt will help him get back on his comedy track. The Newt/Romney clash is hilarious--they are both scary men of the highest order and half as smart as they think they are--especially Newt who fancies himself a scholar on top of everything else.
Unemployment is down again and I know it does not mean much in and of itself but it sure must make Barack and the folks feel a bit optimistic. Can someone please tell me why the Brits are so married to their fucking Pound and out of all the countries in the Union, they were the only hold out and submitting budgets to some sort of central management. Ahh--among other things, the Brits have their own version of Ron Paul and Tea Partiers who want less of anything with government not more.
Been reading novels set in Glasgow--the folks there by the way are called Glaswegians which is kind of cute. Denise Mina is the author and Ilove her not as much as Rankin but close. I really am into European based mysteries. Have another Norwegian novel coming up and am taking an Icelandic novel to Cuba. I am missing Finland--so if you know a Finnish mystery writer, let me know.
Jess, Steffen, and the kids were here for 4 days over the past weekend. they are all great and we got to spend a lot of time with the kids who are growing and thriving down in there in Philly land. Anna got herself a car and loves just having it. Complained that she had to scrape off frost the other morning--poor baby. The next day it was 70
Have had Dominican, Mexican, and Italian food in 3 different neighborhoods of the city over the last 3 weeks. Kind of neat and feel kind of glad I live where I live.
SPORTS TALK
Don't know anymore what to say about the Pats and their defense. Both the Colts and Skins with mediocre (at best ) QB's could have beaten them. Brady was way off against the Skins and they seem to back off when they get ahead. I hate that religious zealot tebow yet am worried about the game itself. It is possible Brady and company will really run it up but it is worrisome. Also this weekend might be the last possible chance for either or both the Steelers and Ravens to lose.
The bruins are in a slight rut thought they have won 3 in a row. i worry about the top line. Lucic and Horton just are not scoring enough. Their depth and their goal tending are keeping them ahead of the field.
Bobby Valentine is not the cure folks--you got holes in right, behind the plate, shortstops who dont hit,pap is gone (boo hoo--he was overrated anyhow) and you better hope crawford's last year was an aberration. otherwise consider him Theo's real parting shot.
That's about it. to Cuba in a month.
Adios
Friday, December 2, 2011
I JUST FUCKING DELETED EVERYTHING
I cannot believe I hit some stupid key and everything went poof. Just sucks since I was really on a roll. but I'm thinking you have been spared a bit too much about Harvard.
Lets try again. Each major Harvard teaching hospital has its own training program. Mt. Auburn, Cambridge, MGH, Brigham and Women's,Children's, and Beth Israel/Deaconess--they each have interns, residents, and fellows. Additionally, they each have (for example) Departments of Psychiatry with a Chief Psychiatrist. This chief person by the way has a Harvard academic appointment which usually is at the full professor level. Know what all that shit costs and know where the costs end up? I don't know the exact numbers but I do know they are built into hospital rates. I also know the following--MGH and the Brigham are part of Partners. Yet both have now begun doing both face and hand transplants. Can someone please tell me why we need two hospitals (both in the same corporate structure)doing the same thing?
During my second year at BU, I lived at Myles Standish hall in Kenmore Square (former home of Willy Loman). I lived on the top (9th)floor in a room overlooking the river and Cambridge. Just gorgeous. Very often I would try to locate Harvard Square and get my righteous indignation worked up about the future masters of the universe living nearby. Prepared me very well for my thoughts on their hospitals.
No further thoughts from me about Penn State though I am surprised that another school had more of the same--Syracuse seemed to deal with it better in terms of its reaction. But really, none of us should be surprised.
Barney is retiring. He sounded kind of infantile complaining about his new district. On the other hand, he is 71 and who can deal with that DC shit for so long. I did love it when he basically told the press he could now talk even more freely and then went ahead and decimated Gingrich.
Speaking of which, Gingrich is flying high and tromping on the Mitter. I will say this--he is much more formidable that Mitt but he also has some ugly hstory that he will have to deal with. Still 11 months away though those primaries are just around the corner.
I drove back from NJ by myself this past Saturday and spent a lot of time listening to Bruce VERY LOUD. Loved it but found myself wondering what he will do without Clarence and his sax--never mind the lose of his friend. What does it do to the music?
In NJ, I experienced the following. My niece is a cheerleader and we went to her Turkey day game--her team got stomped by the way. But that was not what interested me. Tess' school is virtually 50/50 black/white. The team they played was all African American. Tess' team had no white players though 6 of 8 cheerleaders were white. On the other hand her education has been seriously and positively affected by the racial composition of her school. I really wonder what that does to her and her fellow students in the long run. For that matter, what does it do to the other school which has no white kids. Then I think: I went to segregated schools my whole life and still wonder how it affected me.
Breaking Bad and Homeland--my two new tv faves. You gotta see them even though I am worried that homeland is really a cover for right wing nuts who want us all to be quite paranoid about any Muslim we see.
SPORTS TALK
Michigan finally kicked Ohio State's ass though Dennard Robinson is still very erratic. If he were a bit stronger as a passer, they would have gone undefeated. But when he is on, he is very very good.
The NBA lock out is over and I don't care. Loving the Bruins though. I really love Lucic and Seguin--kind of like Mutt and Jeff. Watch how well they hold onto the puck and then hold on some more and some more--until you think they cannot possibly hold it any longer. But they do and then make the play.
Dan Shaughnessy and Mike Felger are the two angriest sports guys I have ever in my life experienced. They really need some professional help--no joke. Plus, they are often on TV together and it is impossible to turn down the volume enough.
Mr. Brady and the boys dismantled the Eagles but it is now clear the Eagles stink (sorry Steffen). The Patriots are no worse than a 12-4 team and more likely a 13-3 team. They don't give up much on the ground. However, they are giving up tons in the air and the question in the playoffs will be can they score 30 and win and yet give up 350 yards in the air? I am looking forward to the Bronco game if only to see what they do with Mr. Religion--that would be Tebow who makes me puke and not because of his skill.
Anna bought herself a car and now can tool around southern Texas in style. She was missed in NJ but it was great to see Lilli, Oliver, and their parents. Had a very nice time with all the Weiss' and everyone got everywhere safely.
Cuba in 6 weeks.
Sayonara
Lets try again. Each major Harvard teaching hospital has its own training program. Mt. Auburn, Cambridge, MGH, Brigham and Women's,Children's, and Beth Israel/Deaconess--they each have interns, residents, and fellows. Additionally, they each have (for example) Departments of Psychiatry with a Chief Psychiatrist. This chief person by the way has a Harvard academic appointment which usually is at the full professor level. Know what all that shit costs and know where the costs end up? I don't know the exact numbers but I do know they are built into hospital rates. I also know the following--MGH and the Brigham are part of Partners. Yet both have now begun doing both face and hand transplants. Can someone please tell me why we need two hospitals (both in the same corporate structure)doing the same thing?
During my second year at BU, I lived at Myles Standish hall in Kenmore Square (former home of Willy Loman). I lived on the top (9th)floor in a room overlooking the river and Cambridge. Just gorgeous. Very often I would try to locate Harvard Square and get my righteous indignation worked up about the future masters of the universe living nearby. Prepared me very well for my thoughts on their hospitals.
No further thoughts from me about Penn State though I am surprised that another school had more of the same--Syracuse seemed to deal with it better in terms of its reaction. But really, none of us should be surprised.
Barney is retiring. He sounded kind of infantile complaining about his new district. On the other hand, he is 71 and who can deal with that DC shit for so long. I did love it when he basically told the press he could now talk even more freely and then went ahead and decimated Gingrich.
Speaking of which, Gingrich is flying high and tromping on the Mitter. I will say this--he is much more formidable that Mitt but he also has some ugly hstory that he will have to deal with. Still 11 months away though those primaries are just around the corner.
I drove back from NJ by myself this past Saturday and spent a lot of time listening to Bruce VERY LOUD. Loved it but found myself wondering what he will do without Clarence and his sax--never mind the lose of his friend. What does it do to the music?
In NJ, I experienced the following. My niece is a cheerleader and we went to her Turkey day game--her team got stomped by the way. But that was not what interested me. Tess' school is virtually 50/50 black/white. The team they played was all African American. Tess' team had no white players though 6 of 8 cheerleaders were white. On the other hand her education has been seriously and positively affected by the racial composition of her school. I really wonder what that does to her and her fellow students in the long run. For that matter, what does it do to the other school which has no white kids. Then I think: I went to segregated schools my whole life and still wonder how it affected me.
Breaking Bad and Homeland--my two new tv faves. You gotta see them even though I am worried that homeland is really a cover for right wing nuts who want us all to be quite paranoid about any Muslim we see.
SPORTS TALK
Michigan finally kicked Ohio State's ass though Dennard Robinson is still very erratic. If he were a bit stronger as a passer, they would have gone undefeated. But when he is on, he is very very good.
The NBA lock out is over and I don't care. Loving the Bruins though. I really love Lucic and Seguin--kind of like Mutt and Jeff. Watch how well they hold onto the puck and then hold on some more and some more--until you think they cannot possibly hold it any longer. But they do and then make the play.
Dan Shaughnessy and Mike Felger are the two angriest sports guys I have ever in my life experienced. They really need some professional help--no joke. Plus, they are often on TV together and it is impossible to turn down the volume enough.
Mr. Brady and the boys dismantled the Eagles but it is now clear the Eagles stink (sorry Steffen). The Patriots are no worse than a 12-4 team and more likely a 13-3 team. They don't give up much on the ground. However, they are giving up tons in the air and the question in the playoffs will be can they score 30 and win and yet give up 350 yards in the air? I am looking forward to the Bronco game if only to see what they do with Mr. Religion--that would be Tebow who makes me puke and not because of his skill.
Anna bought herself a car and now can tool around southern Texas in style. She was missed in NJ but it was great to see Lilli, Oliver, and their parents. Had a very nice time with all the Weiss' and everyone got everywhere safely.
Cuba in 6 weeks.
Sayonara
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