Let's start on a light note and talk turkey. The Boston Globe in its never ending committtment to publish a daily animal article outdid itself last week. It gave up 4 columns and a byline (no wire services for something this important) to a "wild turkey invading a Brookline home". Apparently, this mad bird flew through a window and began harassing the occupants. To double its pleasure at this invasion, the Globe then added that the house cat went berserk. Fortunately, the bird escaped alive. Then I was in a car with a friend who listens to NPR (by the way I have two thoughts about NPR--first it is not much different than CNN and the other 24/7 news organizations--it voraciously searches for stories; second, I believe there is really only one man and one woman who are on the air. They call themselves different names at different times but they all sound the same). So, NPR is reporting from Samoa (and I have now learned that there are 2 Samoas--an American one and "another" which is its own country)--the Samoa that is its own country. Guess what? They eat turkey butts--and they love them despite how fatty and unhealthy they are. Problem is they cannot get enough and the government is limiting what they can get in order to support healthy lifestyles. Terrific reporting if only it had been on Fox News and we could have seen pictures of turkey asses.
In a more serious note, if I hear McCain or Graham say one more thing about boots on the ground in Syria, I might explode. The same guys who supported invading Iraq and going into Afghanistan want us to unilaterally go into Syria --by the way, my guess is that we are already in Syria is some limited Special Forces kind of way. In this case, I get even more irritated at the sound of Lindsey Graham's voice--I try to keep an open mind and consistently fail when it comes to those good ol boy southern accents. Obama seems rightly cautious about Syria which feels just like another swamp.
On the other hand, he better get ahead of these domestic scandals which are rocking his second term. The IRS stuff, the Associated Press stuff, and Ben Ghazi are all irritants to any progress he might be making. In addition, they are stalling and sidetracking any conversations on immigration (Jeff Sessions, another one of those GOP stalwarts from the South with another one of those accents, might stop the bill just by himself). The marathon bombers and how they got here does not help either.
Speaking of which, Fox News wanted to arrest the ex wife of the older brother for wearing her hajib in public. They do get to the core of every issue very quickly. And who were those fools who had a problem with the burial of the older brother--including our own Governor. Kudos to that Funeral Director in Worcester who felt he had a professional responsibility to bury the man. And did it take all of 5 minutes for the site of that "secret" cemetery where he was buried to be discovered. How naive are we that we think no one will know. Come on.
Does anyone really care about Jodi Arias and whatever she did--I mean beside Nancy Grace.
Charley Rose is in a competitive race with Chris Matthews to see who can interrupt their guest the most times in one interview. I still think Matthews wins but Charley is just inches behind. And smarter.
Worrying about Israel getting drawn into the Syrian mess more than just blowing up missiles headed for Lebanon. Or Turkey finally having enough of all the refugees and deciding to "do" something. Or Jordan whose refugee population is now the third largest city in the country. And if you don't think we are in all those countries doing something, think again.
Two items about my youth: Getting emails about my 50th H.S. reunion. Can't wait to see some of those really cool football players and cheerleaders who have now decided in our doddering older years that we (the unwashed and uncool) can now be included. And a question: I have pictures of myself at 5 or 6 in a cabana suit made of some fluffy material--is that terry cloth or something else? I do look fashionable. Anyone else ever have a cabana outfit?
Finally, "The C Word" with Laura Linney is winding down and has left me in tears for the last 3 weeks. First of all she is terrific. But I have never seen a TV show deal with end of life issues as profoundly as this one. Just mesmerizes me.
Enough/Am very excited to be seeing Anna this weekend/And Oliver and Lilli have convinced their parents that they wanted to move back and so they will--by the fall!!
SPORTS TALK
Ohio State University Assistant football coaches just got raises--they make $500,000 a year. I am guessing there are at least 5 assistants if not more. That is just ugly and likely replicated at all big programs including my Wolverines.
The Celtics got old fast though I actually hope KG returns. I could live without Paul Pierce.
Fair weather fan that I am, I gave up on the Bruins when they were down 4-1. Only saw the rest on replay. Quite a display though I think playing from behind will catch up with them sooner or later.
Terrific article on R.A. Dickey in last week's New Yorker. Boy, does he seem interesting over and above his knuckles.
Sayonara
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
THOUGHTS FROM BESERKASTAN
Unabashedly stealing from the Beatles, this particular blog already feels like a long and winding road. Try and stick with me--I am not sure what to say, how to say it, or how long I might need to say whatever it is.
This is what I know for sure: I was on vacation when the bombs exploded in Copley Square. I felt personally (yet obviously only psychologically) injured. Stuck in the Miami airport, we watched as the various police forces moved ahead with the investigation. Upon returning we were "sheltered in" (terrific-- a new word to describe a new world) and spent virtually all day in front of the TV watching the hunt for the remaining killer. And then he was caught. Those are the facts.
(Item: The famine in Somalia may have killed as many as 260,000 Somalis).
The next day we went to a birthday party for someone turning 70. During the event, discussion turned to what we had all experienced during the week. It felt as if I was watching the talking heads on TV who really knew nothing but kept talking anyway. Chris Matthews, for one, must have told us 100 times that he went to Holy Cross and managed to speak over all musical interludes during the service at the Cathedral in the South End. But back to the party--second guessing about the overwhelming police reaction and presence was the appetizer. But what did we know even then? My amateur opinion was that there was no down side to over reacting. An under reaction, which might have lead to further death or injury, would have been a mega disaster. So, for a change, count me on the side of the gendarmes. Plus I thought what they did in less than a week was kind of excellent. The folks at this party, the talking heads, anyone else who acted like an expert--we fucking did not know enough to even have an opinion.
(Item: A fire engulfs a psychiatric hospital in Russia killing 35-40 patients.)
I do believe there is something "we" do to young men in this and other countries which leads to their disaffection to the point that they become violent. Newtown, Columbine, Aurora, Gabby Gifford, Oklahoma City--all atrocities committed by young(ish) white guys. Now these brothers from Chechnya--young, very disaffected though tied into some sort of jihadist movement which even now is not so clear. This has something to do with the family life of all these men (which if you have heard some of the relatives of the two brothers, you know they are a few cards short of a full deck--the mother believing it was red paint not blood); but it also has to do with how we misjudge people (everyone loved the younger brother). But a lot of people are disaffected and do not commit such atrocities--what clicks on in their heads and turns them into these killers.
(Item: A bus crash kills 45 in Afghanistan)
I end up feeling very lucky and wondering what if the medical tent was not right at the end of the marathon route. Despite feeling health care costs are unconscionable, I feel lucky that the hospitals in the city are so good during these traumatic events. I heard one trauma surgeon (who must have been 13 years old) say the injuries were not "otherworldly"--he had seen them before. It was the number of patients that was difficult not the severity of their injuries. Can you imagine? I feel unimaginable empathy for the victims who have lost family members and may have also lost body parts. I continue to have no clue what it means or how to prevent the next one.
(Item: an earthquake in rural China and a building collapse in Bangladesh kill hundreds of people.)
I don't think the end of the road is in sight but I have no clue where I am on it. There more questions than answers. So I will stop.
OTHER SNIPPETS:
--Connecticut passed sweeping gun legislation something Congress managed to bail out on to its everlasting disgrace. But then again Newtown is in Connecticut.
--But alas and alack, Connecticut is also considering legislation which wold give pets the right to an attorney--I kid you not.
--I would have felt worse if Meryl Streep had passed away than when I learned Margaret Thatcher did.
--The state of North Carolina has passed a law making Christianity the state religion.
--A town in Georgia passed a local ordinance requiring residents to own guns.
--The NRA obviously continues to push Congress around.
(Item: An explosion near the Charles bridge in Prague injures almost 60)
--You can get "organic cucumber vodka" in Florida and I saw people order it. What the fuck is that?
--John Oliver from the Jon Stewart show had a terrific 3 part series on Australia's gun laws passed with the leadership of Conservatives there. They are the most restrictive in the world.
--While stuck at Miami International, we sat in an area where most flights were going to Central or South America. It seemed like every passenger going to those countries had 8 suitcases each of which got shrink wrapped by guys who work there--not the airline people. What is that about?
--Will the Arkansas oil spill kill the proposed Keystone pipeline?
(Item: The men incarcerated at Guantanamo are on a major hunger strike and some are being fed by tube. No trials/just cells.)
--Richie Havens passed away--loved him and will miss him. But the Monkees are going on tour--I just saved about $100 abstaining from that.
SPORTS TALK
Jason Collins--A gutsy hurrah to him. Nuf said?
Sayonara
This is what I know for sure: I was on vacation when the bombs exploded in Copley Square. I felt personally (yet obviously only psychologically) injured. Stuck in the Miami airport, we watched as the various police forces moved ahead with the investigation. Upon returning we were "sheltered in" (terrific-- a new word to describe a new world) and spent virtually all day in front of the TV watching the hunt for the remaining killer. And then he was caught. Those are the facts.
(Item: The famine in Somalia may have killed as many as 260,000 Somalis).
The next day we went to a birthday party for someone turning 70. During the event, discussion turned to what we had all experienced during the week. It felt as if I was watching the talking heads on TV who really knew nothing but kept talking anyway. Chris Matthews, for one, must have told us 100 times that he went to Holy Cross and managed to speak over all musical interludes during the service at the Cathedral in the South End. But back to the party--second guessing about the overwhelming police reaction and presence was the appetizer. But what did we know even then? My amateur opinion was that there was no down side to over reacting. An under reaction, which might have lead to further death or injury, would have been a mega disaster. So, for a change, count me on the side of the gendarmes. Plus I thought what they did in less than a week was kind of excellent. The folks at this party, the talking heads, anyone else who acted like an expert--we fucking did not know enough to even have an opinion.
(Item: A fire engulfs a psychiatric hospital in Russia killing 35-40 patients.)
I do believe there is something "we" do to young men in this and other countries which leads to their disaffection to the point that they become violent. Newtown, Columbine, Aurora, Gabby Gifford, Oklahoma City--all atrocities committed by young(ish) white guys. Now these brothers from Chechnya--young, very disaffected though tied into some sort of jihadist movement which even now is not so clear. This has something to do with the family life of all these men (which if you have heard some of the relatives of the two brothers, you know they are a few cards short of a full deck--the mother believing it was red paint not blood); but it also has to do with how we misjudge people (everyone loved the younger brother). But a lot of people are disaffected and do not commit such atrocities--what clicks on in their heads and turns them into these killers.
(Item: A bus crash kills 45 in Afghanistan)
I end up feeling very lucky and wondering what if the medical tent was not right at the end of the marathon route. Despite feeling health care costs are unconscionable, I feel lucky that the hospitals in the city are so good during these traumatic events. I heard one trauma surgeon (who must have been 13 years old) say the injuries were not "otherworldly"--he had seen them before. It was the number of patients that was difficult not the severity of their injuries. Can you imagine? I feel unimaginable empathy for the victims who have lost family members and may have also lost body parts. I continue to have no clue what it means or how to prevent the next one.
(Item: an earthquake in rural China and a building collapse in Bangladesh kill hundreds of people.)
I don't think the end of the road is in sight but I have no clue where I am on it. There more questions than answers. So I will stop.
OTHER SNIPPETS:
--Connecticut passed sweeping gun legislation something Congress managed to bail out on to its everlasting disgrace. But then again Newtown is in Connecticut.
--But alas and alack, Connecticut is also considering legislation which wold give pets the right to an attorney--I kid you not.
--I would have felt worse if Meryl Streep had passed away than when I learned Margaret Thatcher did.
--The state of North Carolina has passed a law making Christianity the state religion.
--A town in Georgia passed a local ordinance requiring residents to own guns.
--The NRA obviously continues to push Congress around.
(Item: An explosion near the Charles bridge in Prague injures almost 60)
--You can get "organic cucumber vodka" in Florida and I saw people order it. What the fuck is that?
--John Oliver from the Jon Stewart show had a terrific 3 part series on Australia's gun laws passed with the leadership of Conservatives there. They are the most restrictive in the world.
--While stuck at Miami International, we sat in an area where most flights were going to Central or South America. It seemed like every passenger going to those countries had 8 suitcases each of which got shrink wrapped by guys who work there--not the airline people. What is that about?
--Will the Arkansas oil spill kill the proposed Keystone pipeline?
(Item: The men incarcerated at Guantanamo are on a major hunger strike and some are being fed by tube. No trials/just cells.)
--Richie Havens passed away--loved him and will miss him. But the Monkees are going on tour--I just saved about $100 abstaining from that.
SPORTS TALK
Jason Collins--A gutsy hurrah to him. Nuf said?
Sayonara
Monday, April 1, 2013
AT THE HEAD OF THE TABLE
Hope all your holidays were pleasant and happy--for those celebrating Greek Easter, good luck with the goats!
During our holiday of Passover, a Seder is held. In Hebrew, Seder translates into "order". And, in fact, there is an order to the meal with certain foods and a fairly extensive written script. The leader kind of orchestrates the whole deal and the children participate to their maximum abilities. Since the death of my last surviving uncle and the death of Barbara's father, I have led this Seder. This year Oliver, our grandson, sat on my left. Lilli, our granddaughter, sat near Barbara but helped me with certain sections of the script. I felt deeply the absence of their mother and their aunt--my own daughters. The point of describing the context is this: I have never felt comfortable being at the head of this table. It should belong to the older generation--they were the ones who knew the whole thing by heart; they were the ones who believed the words in a literal sense; and they are the ones we have replaced. I am not being nostalgic when I say that I wish one of them were here to be the leader. My being the leader has all sorts of symbolic meaning none of which I care to explore here; but all of them heavily laden with the issue of becoming older. Despite my own inner turmoil, it was a very nice evening with friends and family. Enough.
Two more crazy Florida stories--not counting Senator Rubio who, immigrant child though he is, is not sure about immigrant reform and is consistently crazed. The first concerns the University of Central Florida and the body found in a dorm room which was stacked with weapons no one knew about. I guess those mean RA's from my dorm days do not go into rooms anymore. The second concerns Florida Gulf Coast University which made it to the NCAA sweet 16. This is a school carved out of the Everglades which apparently takes anyone and everyone. The coach's wife is a rather risque kind of model. 400 acres of swampland.
The state with the worse health in the country--that would be Mississippi--objects to Mayor Bloomberg trying to ban big gulp drinks. I say let them get all the big gulps they want and gain as much weight as they want and continue to have their health worsen. It is after all a free country--right? They probably will opt out of the medicaid piece of Obamacare but will surely be at the trough if they want federal highway dollars..
A terrific few strips in Doonesbury. Joanie Caucus has gone to work for my very own Senator Warren. She is kind of always under dressed and under made up--but she has to sit behind the Senator at a hearing. So the comic strip focused on her getting "prepped" with make up and clothes because she would be on tv--just wonderful.
Saw the documentary on Dick Cheney. The filmmakers never pushed him or confronted him and maybe that was the deal. Even so, this guy is scary and is unapologetic and still believes Saddam had WMD's all evidence to the contrary. Very creepy.
Another judge withdrew after Obama nominated her--too liberal say the Republicans. Having 60 votes in the senate apparently makes a difference unless you are considered a good old boy like Kerry.
I love having a pile of books and magazines next to my bed. I like the choices they offer and the idea that I can move among them. Great article a couple of weeks ago in the NY Times magazine about a Palestinian village. The residents non-violently stage a weekly protest along with pro peace Israelis and Americans in objection to the restrictions placed on their lives including that fucking wall.
Menino will not seek re-election. All I know is that he is very good at fixing potholes which I read somewhere is the most important job of a mayor.
And if you read no further, look for me in a month after the great silver bird returns us from a week or so in Key West.
SPORTS TALK
Got obliterated in my NCAA brackets--did not even back my boys from Ann Arbor and now they are in the final 4. I would like to ask this question: does Wisconsin have a special recruiter who locates tall thin non jumping white guys who can hit 3's? Those guys usually are led by an African American guard who can fly. Where do they come from?
I was going to complain about these long term extensions college coaches get--all paid for with public dollars and was going to use Steve Alford at New Mexico as my worst example. But he did me one better. Days after getting a 10 year extension, he bolted the Lobos for the UCLA job. Hope he loses 20..
Celtics and Bruins looking mighty lethargic. Baseball in the Bronx today--but talk to me about baseball after July 4th.
Sayonara.
During our holiday of Passover, a Seder is held. In Hebrew, Seder translates into "order". And, in fact, there is an order to the meal with certain foods and a fairly extensive written script. The leader kind of orchestrates the whole deal and the children participate to their maximum abilities. Since the death of my last surviving uncle and the death of Barbara's father, I have led this Seder. This year Oliver, our grandson, sat on my left. Lilli, our granddaughter, sat near Barbara but helped me with certain sections of the script. I felt deeply the absence of their mother and their aunt--my own daughters. The point of describing the context is this: I have never felt comfortable being at the head of this table. It should belong to the older generation--they were the ones who knew the whole thing by heart; they were the ones who believed the words in a literal sense; and they are the ones we have replaced. I am not being nostalgic when I say that I wish one of them were here to be the leader. My being the leader has all sorts of symbolic meaning none of which I care to explore here; but all of them heavily laden with the issue of becoming older. Despite my own inner turmoil, it was a very nice evening with friends and family. Enough.
Two more crazy Florida stories--not counting Senator Rubio who, immigrant child though he is, is not sure about immigrant reform and is consistently crazed. The first concerns the University of Central Florida and the body found in a dorm room which was stacked with weapons no one knew about. I guess those mean RA's from my dorm days do not go into rooms anymore. The second concerns Florida Gulf Coast University which made it to the NCAA sweet 16. This is a school carved out of the Everglades which apparently takes anyone and everyone. The coach's wife is a rather risque kind of model. 400 acres of swampland.
The state with the worse health in the country--that would be Mississippi--objects to Mayor Bloomberg trying to ban big gulp drinks. I say let them get all the big gulps they want and gain as much weight as they want and continue to have their health worsen. It is after all a free country--right? They probably will opt out of the medicaid piece of Obamacare but will surely be at the trough if they want federal highway dollars..
A terrific few strips in Doonesbury. Joanie Caucus has gone to work for my very own Senator Warren. She is kind of always under dressed and under made up--but she has to sit behind the Senator at a hearing. So the comic strip focused on her getting "prepped" with make up and clothes because she would be on tv--just wonderful.
Saw the documentary on Dick Cheney. The filmmakers never pushed him or confronted him and maybe that was the deal. Even so, this guy is scary and is unapologetic and still believes Saddam had WMD's all evidence to the contrary. Very creepy.
Another judge withdrew after Obama nominated her--too liberal say the Republicans. Having 60 votes in the senate apparently makes a difference unless you are considered a good old boy like Kerry.
I love having a pile of books and magazines next to my bed. I like the choices they offer and the idea that I can move among them. Great article a couple of weeks ago in the NY Times magazine about a Palestinian village. The residents non-violently stage a weekly protest along with pro peace Israelis and Americans in objection to the restrictions placed on their lives including that fucking wall.
Menino will not seek re-election. All I know is that he is very good at fixing potholes which I read somewhere is the most important job of a mayor.
And if you read no further, look for me in a month after the great silver bird returns us from a week or so in Key West.
SPORTS TALK
Got obliterated in my NCAA brackets--did not even back my boys from Ann Arbor and now they are in the final 4. I would like to ask this question: does Wisconsin have a special recruiter who locates tall thin non jumping white guys who can hit 3's? Those guys usually are led by an African American guard who can fly. Where do they come from?
I was going to complain about these long term extensions college coaches get--all paid for with public dollars and was going to use Steve Alford at New Mexico as my worst example. But he did me one better. Days after getting a 10 year extension, he bolted the Lobos for the UCLA job. Hope he loses 20..
Celtics and Bruins looking mighty lethargic. Baseball in the Bronx today--but talk to me about baseball after July 4th.
Sayonara.
Friday, March 15, 2013
LORD GRANTHAM AND THE PAPISTS
OK--so we are all going to continue our calmness, tolerance, and flexibility from two weeks ago. In the PBS series Downton Abbey (which I watch in order to spend time with Barbara--what's your excuse?), Lord Grantham ends up with a Catholic son-in-law and spends a lot of time moaning and groaning about the Papists and their "god" forsaken practices. So, this whole business of electing a new Pope would have sent him over the edge. I am only teetering on the edge and not because of the selection process; but because of the media coverage. As in--the Globe closed all its foreign bureaus and depends exclusively on wire services. But lo and behold, they did manage to send someone to the Vatican. As in--our local TV stations which normally stick to a diet of blood and disasters also managed to find the time to send a correspondent to the Vatican. As in--CNN actually had on its website a chimney cam so we could all be sure to see the white smoke. As in--all the locals were just wishing and hoping and praying (!) that our Cardinal would become Pope. Kind of like the sports guys hoping for a Super Bowl win. It bordered on the distasteful but surely shows us all who they believe is in their audience.
Gotta move on before my teetering tips me over. Roger Ailes calls the President lazy. OK, so he does not like the guy but they did lose the election and I wonder what people in other countries make of such comments. Lindsey Graham and John McCain hold up Brennan's nomination because of concerns regarding Ben Ghazi. I don't know if Brennan is good or bad (actually some of the stuff about drone use in this country is kind of scary)--but I do know those two guys are idiots and I do mean in a diminished intellectual way. Paul Ryan submits a budget which was identical to what he proposed in the campaign and is not embarrassed. Another loser but a bright one. And then the Mitter comes out of his shell and has no insight into his loss--blaming it on Obama pandering to "minorities". Not to worry, he already has himself on some boards and will shortly be making millions again. And then there is the ugly truth that Obama nominees across the judicial board are held up because the Dems do not have 60 votes in the Senate. They just don't get what happened last November and really dislike the person who happens to be President. One can only hope that they are so far off the mark, 2014 will be a debacle for them.
It is quite easy for Marissa Myers to require folks to work in their office and not at home. As part of her signing package, a room was added to her office for her baby. My partner in crime over here believes her nanny comes to work with her. Now I don't work in an office anymore and am not exactly sure about this tele-commute business. But I am sure, Marissa is not extending her benefits to others.
Victor Jara was a Chilean folk singer memorialized in a song by Arlo Guthrie. He was murdered by the gangsters associated with Pinochet. In the last few months, his murderers were arrested--25 years or so after his death. Terrific.
I don't want anyone to be homeless or lose their homes due to natural disasters. But the whining of those folks who built right on the waters edge up there in Plum Island is plain disgusting. They had million dollar homes and the bucks to live in them. Now they want the ocean to recede and be "normal". Hello.
Some odd ends: So far Penn Sate has spent 41 million on the Sandusky scandal and they are not done. Those are taxpayer dollars folks. A new law in South Dakota allows teacher to carry weapons because it will make schools safer. People really do scare me. Iran is going to sue someone over the movie "Argo". I am hoping Judge Judy gets the case. Jessica's friend Josh produced a terrific segment on the Today Show regarding a woman with ALS. Watch it with tissues nearby. Jacob Bernstein wrote a wonderful elegy to his mother Nora Ephron in a recent NY Times magazine--also a tearjerker but for different reasons.
And, finally, in the Tear Department, I saw the video "Bully". Now I happen to believe kids are mean to each other and especially in adolescence it can be ugly--but it is almost like a developmental step they go through. This documentary was totally disturbing because of the adults including the parents of the kids bullied. The adults made me want to puke.
SPORTS TALKS
Of course, we should be wringing our hands (and perhaps should have tissues nearby for this also) about Wes Welker. But I have to say I am not sure I care though I am very intrigued about how the Pats operate internally. For example, the owner is quoted as saying he wants Welker for life and then his staff lets him go. I would love to hear Kraft and Belichik chat about that. I would worry about cornerbacks though.
Watched Barcelona this week in the UEFA Champions League. I have said this before but their passing is so hard to believe--the scoring almost does not matter. Sure Messi can score at will but the team is so highly skilled, some of his goals are almost "easy".
I hear that point guards are the key during March madness games. Trey Burke out there in Ann Arbor is the best point guard in the country. But my Wolverines are woefully short in the height department (!) and a tad inconsistent. So I am not sure how far they will go.
Good luck with Big Papi, you Red Soxers.
To those who celebrate: Happy Passover and Easter.
Sayonara.
Gotta move on before my teetering tips me over. Roger Ailes calls the President lazy. OK, so he does not like the guy but they did lose the election and I wonder what people in other countries make of such comments. Lindsey Graham and John McCain hold up Brennan's nomination because of concerns regarding Ben Ghazi. I don't know if Brennan is good or bad (actually some of the stuff about drone use in this country is kind of scary)--but I do know those two guys are idiots and I do mean in a diminished intellectual way. Paul Ryan submits a budget which was identical to what he proposed in the campaign and is not embarrassed. Another loser but a bright one. And then the Mitter comes out of his shell and has no insight into his loss--blaming it on Obama pandering to "minorities". Not to worry, he already has himself on some boards and will shortly be making millions again. And then there is the ugly truth that Obama nominees across the judicial board are held up because the Dems do not have 60 votes in the Senate. They just don't get what happened last November and really dislike the person who happens to be President. One can only hope that they are so far off the mark, 2014 will be a debacle for them.
It is quite easy for Marissa Myers to require folks to work in their office and not at home. As part of her signing package, a room was added to her office for her baby. My partner in crime over here believes her nanny comes to work with her. Now I don't work in an office anymore and am not exactly sure about this tele-commute business. But I am sure, Marissa is not extending her benefits to others.
Victor Jara was a Chilean folk singer memorialized in a song by Arlo Guthrie. He was murdered by the gangsters associated with Pinochet. In the last few months, his murderers were arrested--25 years or so after his death. Terrific.
I don't want anyone to be homeless or lose their homes due to natural disasters. But the whining of those folks who built right on the waters edge up there in Plum Island is plain disgusting. They had million dollar homes and the bucks to live in them. Now they want the ocean to recede and be "normal". Hello.
Some odd ends: So far Penn Sate has spent 41 million on the Sandusky scandal and they are not done. Those are taxpayer dollars folks. A new law in South Dakota allows teacher to carry weapons because it will make schools safer. People really do scare me. Iran is going to sue someone over the movie "Argo". I am hoping Judge Judy gets the case. Jessica's friend Josh produced a terrific segment on the Today Show regarding a woman with ALS. Watch it with tissues nearby. Jacob Bernstein wrote a wonderful elegy to his mother Nora Ephron in a recent NY Times magazine--also a tearjerker but for different reasons.
And, finally, in the Tear Department, I saw the video "Bully". Now I happen to believe kids are mean to each other and especially in adolescence it can be ugly--but it is almost like a developmental step they go through. This documentary was totally disturbing because of the adults including the parents of the kids bullied. The adults made me want to puke.
SPORTS TALKS
Of course, we should be wringing our hands (and perhaps should have tissues nearby for this also) about Wes Welker. But I have to say I am not sure I care though I am very intrigued about how the Pats operate internally. For example, the owner is quoted as saying he wants Welker for life and then his staff lets him go. I would love to hear Kraft and Belichik chat about that. I would worry about cornerbacks though.
Watched Barcelona this week in the UEFA Champions League. I have said this before but their passing is so hard to believe--the scoring almost does not matter. Sure Messi can score at will but the team is so highly skilled, some of his goals are almost "easy".
I hear that point guards are the key during March madness games. Trey Burke out there in Ann Arbor is the best point guard in the country. But my Wolverines are woefully short in the height department (!) and a tad inconsistent. So I am not sure how far they will go.
Good luck with Big Papi, you Red Soxers.
To those who celebrate: Happy Passover and Easter.
Sayonara.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
"FISH CONTROL MY BRAIN"
Hah--I won't even tell you what other other animals are involved in controlling other parts of my body. But to be sure, I did not think of the title--just saw it on a bumper sticker and loved it. I would have preferred monkeys but you make do.
OK--so the first thing is be calm, tolerant, and quiet as I comment on one of the world's great religions.
I know very little about Catholicism but after all the Pope has resigned so there are things to say. First of all, I want to know if he gets to keep his red beanie which reminds me of what I wear when I enter a synagogue. Second, those red shoes are killer and I want to know if he gets to keep those. I also need to know about the Pope mobile--is it in the garage for service since obviously there is no one to use it. And, lastly, can we talk about the nuns who will be "serving" him. How do you get a job like that? Should I dare mention the British Cardinal who resigned over allegations in his Diocese about abuse or the LA Cardinal who has no business even voting for a new pope when he has been subpoenaed about abuse in his Diocese. Then, during our blizzard, our Cardinal was quick to let folks know they could skip Mass if it was too dangerous to go out. The same thing should have been said (and as quickly) by Cardinal Law during our sex abuse scandal. But nope. (A reminder about calmness, tolerance, and quiet!!)
A terrific article in the New Yorker about Hezbollah which essentially is running Lebanon and depends almost entirely on money and arms from Iran. That money and those weapons go through Syria. Which means Hezbollah is freaking out about the Syrian uprising and is providing men and advice to Assad. The Israelis meanwhile are also quite edgy that Assad might stay in power and further bolster Hezbollah which is way more proficient than Hamas. That whole Mid East scene is truly like a pot of stew which never ceases to simmer and often in fact boils over. Egypt is still totally unsettled.
Then we have the website called Christian Mingle which I identified in my last post. Seems as if many women using it have been raped by other so called "Christians"using the site as a trolling ground. It does boggle my mind how despicable many of our fellow humans are.
Like Lindsey Graham who continues to act like a plantation owner and has been blasted consistently by Jon Stewart. And John McCain who must be as old as Methuselah and still does not like the plans for immigration reform--Stewart is on to him as well. But the best Stewart sketch was about the Jewish holiday of Purim which is all about a nasty guy who (surprise) wants to get rid of the Jews. Stewart put on an African American comedienne who was called the "Senior Purim Correspondent". She was terrific and, to be balanced, really skewered some of my coreligionists paranoid thoughts about who is out to get us!! (remember what I said about calmness, tolerance, and quiet!!). By the way, Mississippi just officially abolished slavery--really and truly.
A few odds and ends though really more odd than anything. Only in Florida (or actually only in the South)--a man disappeared into a sinkhole which opened up under his house/bed while he was sleeping. Come on. Then we learned that Scottie might run for governor--actually I think it is a perfect job for him; a job where the damage he can do will be limited by a rather fractious and Democratic legislature. Patricia Cornwall wins bazillions from her investment firm and I say--who cares? An article in a recent NY Times mag about the technology used by the Republicans in the recent election and how it was overwhelmed by the technology used by the Dems. And how the younger members of the Republican party cannot get the old goats like Karl Rove to even listen to them about the technology gap.
Finally, plans are afoot to air drop food to the polar bears since the ice cap is shrinking so much. But climate change is a fantasy.
Colonoscopy prep has begun--nasty business that.
SPORTS TALK
They better sign Welker. Especially since Mr. Brady just made that major adjustment. And then sees Flacco get 20 million a year. Whoa.
Oscar P. is guilty as hell but here is a bet--he won't end up in jail. It would not even surprise me if he pulled a Whitey Bulger.
Michigan's BB team has two weaknesses--not enough size inside and too much reliance on Trey Burke who is very good but cannot carry them. I would be surprised if they get to the sweet 16. I think all those Big 10 teams except perhaps Indiana are beatable.
And the NFL is so far in the dark ages on "gay" issues that it is virtually medieval. The players say stuff that is ugly and management asks questions which are patently illegal. And are you telling me that out of 32 teams, each with 50 guys on the roster, no one is gay. Come on, man.
Sayonara
OK--so the first thing is be calm, tolerant, and quiet as I comment on one of the world's great religions.
I know very little about Catholicism but after all the Pope has resigned so there are things to say. First of all, I want to know if he gets to keep his red beanie which reminds me of what I wear when I enter a synagogue. Second, those red shoes are killer and I want to know if he gets to keep those. I also need to know about the Pope mobile--is it in the garage for service since obviously there is no one to use it. And, lastly, can we talk about the nuns who will be "serving" him. How do you get a job like that? Should I dare mention the British Cardinal who resigned over allegations in his Diocese about abuse or the LA Cardinal who has no business even voting for a new pope when he has been subpoenaed about abuse in his Diocese. Then, during our blizzard, our Cardinal was quick to let folks know they could skip Mass if it was too dangerous to go out. The same thing should have been said (and as quickly) by Cardinal Law during our sex abuse scandal. But nope. (A reminder about calmness, tolerance, and quiet!!)
A terrific article in the New Yorker about Hezbollah which essentially is running Lebanon and depends almost entirely on money and arms from Iran. That money and those weapons go through Syria. Which means Hezbollah is freaking out about the Syrian uprising and is providing men and advice to Assad. The Israelis meanwhile are also quite edgy that Assad might stay in power and further bolster Hezbollah which is way more proficient than Hamas. That whole Mid East scene is truly like a pot of stew which never ceases to simmer and often in fact boils over. Egypt is still totally unsettled.
Then we have the website called Christian Mingle which I identified in my last post. Seems as if many women using it have been raped by other so called "Christians"using the site as a trolling ground. It does boggle my mind how despicable many of our fellow humans are.
Like Lindsey Graham who continues to act like a plantation owner and has been blasted consistently by Jon Stewart. And John McCain who must be as old as Methuselah and still does not like the plans for immigration reform--Stewart is on to him as well. But the best Stewart sketch was about the Jewish holiday of Purim which is all about a nasty guy who (surprise) wants to get rid of the Jews. Stewart put on an African American comedienne who was called the "Senior Purim Correspondent". She was terrific and, to be balanced, really skewered some of my coreligionists paranoid thoughts about who is out to get us!! (remember what I said about calmness, tolerance, and quiet!!). By the way, Mississippi just officially abolished slavery--really and truly.
A few odds and ends though really more odd than anything. Only in Florida (or actually only in the South)--a man disappeared into a sinkhole which opened up under his house/bed while he was sleeping. Come on. Then we learned that Scottie might run for governor--actually I think it is a perfect job for him; a job where the damage he can do will be limited by a rather fractious and Democratic legislature. Patricia Cornwall wins bazillions from her investment firm and I say--who cares? An article in a recent NY Times mag about the technology used by the Republicans in the recent election and how it was overwhelmed by the technology used by the Dems. And how the younger members of the Republican party cannot get the old goats like Karl Rove to even listen to them about the technology gap.
Finally, plans are afoot to air drop food to the polar bears since the ice cap is shrinking so much. But climate change is a fantasy.
Colonoscopy prep has begun--nasty business that.
SPORTS TALK
They better sign Welker. Especially since Mr. Brady just made that major adjustment. And then sees Flacco get 20 million a year. Whoa.
Oscar P. is guilty as hell but here is a bet--he won't end up in jail. It would not even surprise me if he pulled a Whitey Bulger.
Michigan's BB team has two weaknesses--not enough size inside and too much reliance on Trey Burke who is very good but cannot carry them. I would be surprised if they get to the sweet 16. I think all those Big 10 teams except perhaps Indiana are beatable.
And the NFL is so far in the dark ages on "gay" issues that it is virtually medieval. The players say stuff that is ugly and management asks questions which are patently illegal. And are you telling me that out of 32 teams, each with 50 guys on the roster, no one is gay. Come on, man.
Sayonara
Saturday, February 16, 2013
WELCOME ROOKIES
The contest to increase readership was a smashing success--well almost. I now have over 70 readers and looking for more. The winner of the contest in a close race was Fuzzie--he has already received his fantabulous award. A word of caution to all you newbies: This little project started because someone I love dearly and live with told me she did not want to hear me rant, rave, scream incoherently, and generally rage against the machine--so why didn't I just start a blog, she asked? Abracadabra, with much help from the young woman in the Lone Star state, here it is. You may wish to comment and may in fact disagree. But this is not truly a two way street since I am invariably right and you are not. So buckle up and hopefully at least enjoy--here goes.
Assorted Items of Interest:
The two Ric's (that would be Santorum and Perry) have decided that the Boy Scouts will be destroyed if they decide to include Gay leaders and Gay Scouts. They just don't get it--by the end of the week, the Illinois State Senate passed a gay marriage bill. These guys lost the Republican nomination but still feel obligated to share their vile opinions. Kick 'em to the curb.
Staying in Pennsylvania, Mrs. Paterno "got ill" from all the bad stuff said about her husband. Well I think she ought to go back in bed and put her blinders back on--she was not sexually abused; the children were and they will have long term problems. Who cares if she is ill--this is about damage done to children; it is about them. And the family's report which contradicted Freeh's report is a basket of BS. This happened and the culture created by Joe Pa allowed it to flourish.
Eric Cantor (he who is a member of my tribe) is back in the news with all sorts of "non -partisan" proposals. He is just reshuffling the deck and calling out the Prez for not being responsive to the middle class. Another one to kick to the curb (which is getting pretty full). Two quotes about these guys. Paul Krugman refers to them as the "ignorance caucus". And I am pretty sure it is Hilary after she left office who referred to them as folks "who don't live in the evidence based world".
Staying in the so called political world. I just want to send Mitch McConnell back to the tobacco fields in Kentucky. After the state of the union speech, this brilliant leader said: "He's gotten all the revenue he is going to get. Been there, done that". Real helpful and very respectful. Any room left on the curb? The 2/5 Globe carried a great Doonesbury strip about Elizabeth Warren and her new staff member who is (ahem) a Senior Citizen. Elizabeth gets "that the elderly are people too". And of course the gutless legislators won't go near any gun legislation. Everyone was all excited about getting some limits after Newtown but, if you have noticed, its back to business as usual. I have to hand it to those NRA assholes--they really are savvy in both a PR and a political sense. Chuck Hagel anyone?
And now to Israel. Police detained women including the Rabbi/sister of comedienne Sarah Silverman because they were praying at the Wailing Wall. These are the same zealots (not the police but the ultra Orthodox Rabbis who oversee the activity at the Wall) who are involved with the illegal settlements but don't want their boys to fight in the IDF. And yup those were Israeli jets destroying a convoy in Syria carrying arms to Lebanon. And OOPS--they also managed to destroy an arms depot which at first was denied. Lebanon, which was the destination of the convoy, is controlled by Hezbollah and is a mess--so I get what the Israelis were up to. But they best be careful about how many of their neighbors they can afford to offend. They are increasingly getting more isolated ---and just became the first country to ever refuse to allow the UN to review the country's Human Rights practices.
So Scottie is now on Fox News--I am guessing some of his truer colors will come out sooner or later.
What scares me is that he will appear to be "normal" compared to Palin. On the other hand, Jon Stewart who may have the best writers and researchers in the world (ditto Rachel Maddow) eviscerated Dick Cheyney who came out of hiding long enough to grant his first interview and blast Obama. Stewart dug up all sorts of old tape and just exposed Cheyney for the fool he is--onto the curb too.
SPORTS TALK
Did not watch one play of the Super Bowl--my protest to no one about the pathetic performance of the Pats. No points in the second half--are you kidding me? Greg Bedard may be the best pro football analyst in America. His positions ratings both during and after the season were terrific. If you want to read a really good sports media critic, you have to read Richard Deitsch in SI.Com. The man writes real well and has great sources.
Any of you know or care about the romance between Danica Patrick and Ricky Stenhouse? It is a NASCAR story which means it hits a wall at the Mason Dixon line. I mean who cares what happens at Talledega?. Much more interested in this whole saga in South Africa with Oscar and his now murdered girl friend. And anyone care about ARod--of course he took those banned substances. He should shut up and go stand on top of those other curb dwellers.
I am one of those who believe the Celtics are better off without Rondo. Three reasons: he is a drama queen; he plays out of control too often; and he falls down like a soccer player if he is breathed on too hard.
I hate players who hold their hand up wanting the ball while they are in a game. They often get it and fuck up. Play the game--don't stand around waving and then sulking when you don't get it.
The goalie for Juventus is a spitting image of Bowser the lead singer for Sha Na Na--you need to be of a certain age to remember that factoid.
Hope you are both feeling better, Peter and Ashok. Happy Belated Valentine's Day to all
Sayonara
Assorted Items of Interest:
The two Ric's (that would be Santorum and Perry) have decided that the Boy Scouts will be destroyed if they decide to include Gay leaders and Gay Scouts. They just don't get it--by the end of the week, the Illinois State Senate passed a gay marriage bill. These guys lost the Republican nomination but still feel obligated to share their vile opinions. Kick 'em to the curb.
Staying in Pennsylvania, Mrs. Paterno "got ill" from all the bad stuff said about her husband. Well I think she ought to go back in bed and put her blinders back on--she was not sexually abused; the children were and they will have long term problems. Who cares if she is ill--this is about damage done to children; it is about them. And the family's report which contradicted Freeh's report is a basket of BS. This happened and the culture created by Joe Pa allowed it to flourish.
Eric Cantor (he who is a member of my tribe) is back in the news with all sorts of "non -partisan" proposals. He is just reshuffling the deck and calling out the Prez for not being responsive to the middle class. Another one to kick to the curb (which is getting pretty full). Two quotes about these guys. Paul Krugman refers to them as the "ignorance caucus". And I am pretty sure it is Hilary after she left office who referred to them as folks "who don't live in the evidence based world".
Staying in the so called political world. I just want to send Mitch McConnell back to the tobacco fields in Kentucky. After the state of the union speech, this brilliant leader said: "He's gotten all the revenue he is going to get. Been there, done that". Real helpful and very respectful. Any room left on the curb? The 2/5 Globe carried a great Doonesbury strip about Elizabeth Warren and her new staff member who is (ahem) a Senior Citizen. Elizabeth gets "that the elderly are people too". And of course the gutless legislators won't go near any gun legislation. Everyone was all excited about getting some limits after Newtown but, if you have noticed, its back to business as usual. I have to hand it to those NRA assholes--they really are savvy in both a PR and a political sense. Chuck Hagel anyone?
And now to Israel. Police detained women including the Rabbi/sister of comedienne Sarah Silverman because they were praying at the Wailing Wall. These are the same zealots (not the police but the ultra Orthodox Rabbis who oversee the activity at the Wall) who are involved with the illegal settlements but don't want their boys to fight in the IDF. And yup those were Israeli jets destroying a convoy in Syria carrying arms to Lebanon. And OOPS--they also managed to destroy an arms depot which at first was denied. Lebanon, which was the destination of the convoy, is controlled by Hezbollah and is a mess--so I get what the Israelis were up to. But they best be careful about how many of their neighbors they can afford to offend. They are increasingly getting more isolated ---and just became the first country to ever refuse to allow the UN to review the country's Human Rights practices.
So Scottie is now on Fox News--I am guessing some of his truer colors will come out sooner or later.
What scares me is that he will appear to be "normal" compared to Palin. On the other hand, Jon Stewart who may have the best writers and researchers in the world (ditto Rachel Maddow) eviscerated Dick Cheyney who came out of hiding long enough to grant his first interview and blast Obama. Stewart dug up all sorts of old tape and just exposed Cheyney for the fool he is--onto the curb too.
SPORTS TALK
Did not watch one play of the Super Bowl--my protest to no one about the pathetic performance of the Pats. No points in the second half--are you kidding me? Greg Bedard may be the best pro football analyst in America. His positions ratings both during and after the season were terrific. If you want to read a really good sports media critic, you have to read Richard Deitsch in SI.Com. The man writes real well and has great sources.
Any of you know or care about the romance between Danica Patrick and Ricky Stenhouse? It is a NASCAR story which means it hits a wall at the Mason Dixon line. I mean who cares what happens at Talledega?. Much more interested in this whole saga in South Africa with Oscar and his now murdered girl friend. And anyone care about ARod--of course he took those banned substances. He should shut up and go stand on top of those other curb dwellers.
I am one of those who believe the Celtics are better off without Rondo. Three reasons: he is a drama queen; he plays out of control too often; and he falls down like a soccer player if he is breathed on too hard.
I hate players who hold their hand up wanting the ball while they are in a game. They often get it and fuck up. Play the game--don't stand around waving and then sulking when you don't get it.
The goalie for Juventus is a spitting image of Bowser the lead singer for Sha Na Na--you need to be of a certain age to remember that factoid.
Hope you are both feeling better, Peter and Ashok. Happy Belated Valentine's Day to all
Sayonara
Friday, February 1, 2013
TWENTY MILLION FOLLOWERS!!!!!!
Read somewhere that a woman who publishes this wedding blog has 20 million followers. I'm trying to get to 100. Cannot fathom how that happens. Or how you can fit all the names into that little "TO" box. Anyhow I have a secret but special reward for the first one of you who sends me 5 email addresses of folks who actually might enjoy this screed. Kind of like a contest. I cannot be categorized but I can hopefully be interesting.
So I loved the speech at the Inauguration. Now I know nothing may come of it but the language and the message was terrific. "Seneca Falls and Selma and Stonewall". First of all, it is beautifully alliterative which is amazing. Second, in a few short words he made history acknowledging women, African Americans, and, for the first time ever, Gay men and women. Even if nothing else happens, he "came out" on these issues and on immigration. The line "do not confuse absolutism with principles"--another terrific use of language and a slap at the Tea Partiers without naming them and thus egging them on. Speaking of slaps, Ryan and Romney must still have red faces from the slaps they got. And that fool Romney is probably still at the Convention Center counting his firecrackers--what a baby not showing for the Inaugural.
OK, so you live in Bethel, Maine and are likely the only Hispanic gay man within a bazillion miles. On the other hand, you happen to be a poet and you get a call sometime after the election and are asked to write a poem for the Inauguration--hello!! I would have headed straight to bed--no, first to the liquor cabinet for the Scotch, then the freezer for the ice, and then bed--but this guy Blanco came up with a beauty under gigantic pressure. The symbolism of his remarks means something to the Immigrants who came before and the ones that will come again. And it blasted away at the homophobes already freaked out by the Stonewall reference.
On a somewhat lighter note, my old hometown (that would be Brookline--though I have a few others) is being overrun by wild turkeys. Front page of the Globe had pix of these critters and all sorts of crazed residents who "cannot leave their houses"; a mailman who had to enter someones home to escape attack (there is a joke there, right?); and children afraid of going to school. The next time there is an absence of an animal story on either the front page of the Globe or the front page of the Metro section of the paper, please notify me immediately. One day last week we learned about insects.
So I am in a fairly legit kind of men's room--not a sleazoid place on the side of a highway. If some of you are not aware of this, there are now urinals for little guys about half the size of the ones for us manly guys. So two urinals down, there is a grown up manly guy using the kid's urinal and reading the paper. He is also peeing all over his shoe because it is a longer shot--does not notice a thing. Flushes and of course walks out without washing his hands--does leave a good size puddle. Un fucking believable.
Before the Israeli election, David Remnick had a New Yorker article about the rise of the secular (as opposed to the religious) right and how rigid they are about the Palestinians. It was very depressing. Surprise--they got crunched in the election and the center of the populace--in other words, those who might actually favor a two state solution--came out big. I like Remnick a lot but he really blew it this time. Then recently Jon Lee Anderson (another writer in the mag who I like a lot) wrote a great piece about Hugo Chavez who is likely dying in Havana. What he is likely to leave behind in Venezuela will not be pretty. Two days later, a prison riot killed a bunch of guards and inmates in that country.
Scotty will not run so I am not sure which Republican will go after Kerry's seat. I hate to admit it but Weld would be better than most. Also would fit in better what with his WASPY noblesse oblige style. Yuk however to the need for another two elections--a special one this summer and then the regular one.
You all do know there is a website called "Christian Mingle", right?
SPORTS TALK
Don't believe ARod and don't believe Teo and believe Ray Lewis is a thug who should have been in jail 10 years ago. And I don't believe him either. I do believe someone on the Pats coaching staff should be kicked someplace for how they managed to get ZERO points in the second half. Sure, Brady stunk and there were injuries but no points--pathetic. Greg Bedard, in the Globe, has been great all season writing about the Pats. His analysis of this game was excellent. I will not be watching the super bowl at all. Going out to din din and watching Downton.
Phil Mickelson has the shit eatingest grin of anyone on the face of the earth. and he is upset because his taxes are so high he could not buy into the Padres. Kick him to the curb or at least into a sand trap.
Don't forget the contest.
Sayonara.
So I loved the speech at the Inauguration. Now I know nothing may come of it but the language and the message was terrific. "Seneca Falls and Selma and Stonewall". First of all, it is beautifully alliterative which is amazing. Second, in a few short words he made history acknowledging women, African Americans, and, for the first time ever, Gay men and women. Even if nothing else happens, he "came out" on these issues and on immigration. The line "do not confuse absolutism with principles"--another terrific use of language and a slap at the Tea Partiers without naming them and thus egging them on. Speaking of slaps, Ryan and Romney must still have red faces from the slaps they got. And that fool Romney is probably still at the Convention Center counting his firecrackers--what a baby not showing for the Inaugural.
OK, so you live in Bethel, Maine and are likely the only Hispanic gay man within a bazillion miles. On the other hand, you happen to be a poet and you get a call sometime after the election and are asked to write a poem for the Inauguration--hello!! I would have headed straight to bed--no, first to the liquor cabinet for the Scotch, then the freezer for the ice, and then bed--but this guy Blanco came up with a beauty under gigantic pressure. The symbolism of his remarks means something to the Immigrants who came before and the ones that will come again. And it blasted away at the homophobes already freaked out by the Stonewall reference.
On a somewhat lighter note, my old hometown (that would be Brookline--though I have a few others) is being overrun by wild turkeys. Front page of the Globe had pix of these critters and all sorts of crazed residents who "cannot leave their houses"; a mailman who had to enter someones home to escape attack (there is a joke there, right?); and children afraid of going to school. The next time there is an absence of an animal story on either the front page of the Globe or the front page of the Metro section of the paper, please notify me immediately. One day last week we learned about insects.
So I am in a fairly legit kind of men's room--not a sleazoid place on the side of a highway. If some of you are not aware of this, there are now urinals for little guys about half the size of the ones for us manly guys. So two urinals down, there is a grown up manly guy using the kid's urinal and reading the paper. He is also peeing all over his shoe because it is a longer shot--does not notice a thing. Flushes and of course walks out without washing his hands--does leave a good size puddle. Un fucking believable.
Before the Israeli election, David Remnick had a New Yorker article about the rise of the secular (as opposed to the religious) right and how rigid they are about the Palestinians. It was very depressing. Surprise--they got crunched in the election and the center of the populace--in other words, those who might actually favor a two state solution--came out big. I like Remnick a lot but he really blew it this time. Then recently Jon Lee Anderson (another writer in the mag who I like a lot) wrote a great piece about Hugo Chavez who is likely dying in Havana. What he is likely to leave behind in Venezuela will not be pretty. Two days later, a prison riot killed a bunch of guards and inmates in that country.
Scotty will not run so I am not sure which Republican will go after Kerry's seat. I hate to admit it but Weld would be better than most. Also would fit in better what with his WASPY noblesse oblige style. Yuk however to the need for another two elections--a special one this summer and then the regular one.
You all do know there is a website called "Christian Mingle", right?
SPORTS TALK
Don't believe ARod and don't believe Teo and believe Ray Lewis is a thug who should have been in jail 10 years ago. And I don't believe him either. I do believe someone on the Pats coaching staff should be kicked someplace for how they managed to get ZERO points in the second half. Sure, Brady stunk and there were injuries but no points--pathetic. Greg Bedard, in the Globe, has been great all season writing about the Pats. His analysis of this game was excellent. I will not be watching the super bowl at all. Going out to din din and watching Downton.
Phil Mickelson has the shit eatingest grin of anyone on the face of the earth. and he is upset because his taxes are so high he could not buy into the Padres. Kick him to the curb or at least into a sand trap.
Don't forget the contest.
Sayonara.
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