Plain Dealer Question of the Day

Well, you can't say there isn't a good mix of Grandpa Simpsons in Cleveland. So, the question is/was:

Have you set up an emergency plan in case of a disaster?

and the answers are/were (please comment on your most favouritest):

"After seeing what happened in New Orleans, the only emergency plan I've set up in case of disaster is to buy more bullets for my gun." - Euclid

"We certainly do have an emergency plan, in case of a disaster. I was talking to my wife about it just yesterday. And if you don't have a plan, you're an idiot, because as you can plainly see, your government cannot be relied upon to help you! So you're on your own. Good luck!" - North Olmsted

"Oh, yeah. I'm going to kneel down and pray God takes me, and, when I get there, I'm going to thank him." - Garfield Heights

"My emergency plan in case of a disaster: If it's a minor disaster, it's five quarts of Vodka; if it's a major disaster, five gallons of Vodka. That should do it." - Lakewood

"I think I would get on my bicycle and head for a safe area BEFORE the disaster starts." - Cleveland

"To me, there's no plan for a disaster. Look at 9/11. What stopped those poor people from being incinerated? Or when the planes crashed into the Twin Towers? There was no amount of water, food, can openers or whatever that could save those people. Same thing with New Orleans. Those people that did survive are still in their homes, and the Marines and the National Guardsmen they're going to come and forcibly take from their homes. So there's nothing you can do with a disaster. It's in God's hand, not ours." - Cleveland Heights

"My emergency plan is to catch a ride with the news media. They can get there. They have generators. They have satellite phones. They have transportation. That's my plan." - Cleveland

"No. I have lived off the government my whole life. Why should I start worrying about something like this?" - Cleveland

"Yeah, I have an emergency plan in case of a disaster like that. It would be a .38 Special." - Parma Heights

"Yes. I'm going to take all my wine and head to New Orleans because there's no room for me here since we took all their people in." - Cuyahoga Heights

"No, I don't have an emergency plan, because Cleveland is the best location in the nation. The day we have a disaster like that, I know it must be the beginning of the end of the world." - Cleveland

"With the crisis going on down in New Orleans and Mississippi, my mama always said, 'From the day of your birth, till you ride in a hearse, it could've been worse.' And that's so true. And that means hope, hope, hope and trust." - Sagamore Hills Township

"My plan is that I only plan to pray to the Lord. He has protected me for 80 years, and I'm sure He'll keep on protecting me. I ask him for help, and he always gives me what I need. I thank him all the time." - No city

Won't Somebody PLEASE Think About the Children??????

If only folks in New Orleans and the rest of the gulf states (MS and AL always get the short shrift, don't they?) had been listening to Helen Lovejoy.....or Eminem for that matter. But they didn't.

Clearly FEMA places the blame on the residents of those hard hit areas - as the first line in the second verse clearly points out.

But the bigger question might be - what IS Michael Brown doing with his budget? Clearly not securing levees.

866 knowng missing children in New Orelans alone. Had they only be visting the FEMA website.......

this was provided by Kris L-?-R-H.

Oh it's so sad and so funny.......

I mean, I wouldn't want the job for the world, but Scott McClellan is a dick. My only regret is that it couldn't have been Ari Fleischer. At least it's nice to know that the White House press corp aren't as spinless in their questions as they seem to be when their stories make it to print.

Have to Love that Spirit

Two headlines today:

Death Toll to Reach 10,000 (AP)
Don't Count Mardi Gras Out in New Orleans (AP)

Cuz nothing says celebration than taking some dead guy's beads! But really, I'm all for breaking with tradition, but if the city gets to place where there can be some type of normalcy, why not do it? Not my cup of tea - but who am I to judge.

I am impressed by outreach that has happened, because the entire scenario is just so unfathomable. But relocation of these folks to cruise ships and worse (Utah!) seems ridiculous. I mean - living with the Osmonds must be considered cruel and unusual punishment.

But Barbara Bush has stepped in it again (see my blog entry from 05/24/04). She should just keep her mouth shut (actually, so shoud her kids):

"What I'm hearing is they all want to stay in Texas," she said. "Everyone is so overwhelmed by the hospitality. And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this, this is working very well for them."

I know just how they feel of course! I stayed at the Swiss Hotel in Chicago this weekend and the thread count on the sheets wasn't even 300!!!! Oh the HELL of it!

Back to the outreach. Andrew Schamess M.D. was great about going to Houston to see what he could do on his days off (let's not forget Rebecca for coordinating the arrangements!). Though he's had little time for blog entries - you should read them here....and here. Also on the Daily Kos and an interview on WAMC.

..and the rich get richer

So, even though the U.S. supposedly added jobs last year, and supposedly reduced the defiect, somehow the number of citizen hitting the poverty level have increased - by 1.1 MILLION! Oh - and this has been on the rise for the last four consecutive years.

Let's see...Shrub has been in office for about....oh, let's see....what is it now?......oh yeah...five years. Man, I guess his tax cuts REALLY helped those lower middle class shoot right up there to the upper tax brackets.

But, Hurricane Katrina aside, crude was pushing $70 a barrel anyway. No signs of lowering. AND he's opening up the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. So - tell me (and Scalia) why all of Cheney's Energy Commission meetings are secret? Certainly it isn't to systematically screw the public for big business or their friend's gain. Is it???

I'm Cumming

Oh yes - you have to see this. It's not quite as porn-y as one might think, but it sure won't play in Peoria. It is just the commercial for Alan Cumming's new fragance: Cumming. Swear to g-d!

Sites of the Month

Yes - multiple sites. But unlike two months ago, which were a mish-mash, these are actually somewhat interrelated. And all were provided from George - so you know they're not completely Grandpa Simpson crazy......

1. A Canadian article on Shrub's on-going War Support Tour '05
2. A way for you to make your own Bullshit Deflector
3. And of course, the good old hypocricy of the GOP

Thou Shalt Not....

Oh fuck it.....KILL KILL KILL!

Or so says bible teaching, g-d fearing, every man lovin' Pat Robertson. For a moment, let's forget the politics of the situation (Robertson calling on the U.S. to assasinate Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez).

"If he thinks we're trying to assassinate him, I think that we really ought to go ahead and do it," Mr. Robertson said Monday on his show, "The 700 Club." "It's a whole lot cheaper than starting a war. And I don't think any oil shipments will stop."

You can't argue w/the economics of the situation - I mean, where would we get the troops for a war anyway?

But the thing I have yet to see in print or the rest of the 'liberal media' is that Robertson is advocating killing. A preacher. A man of g-d......supposebly. ....you know - 10 Commandments, turn the other cheek, killing of his only son, blah blah blah. How do his followers and the chr-stian right) justify this shit?

Of course there is the political angle too. Only the State Department and Pentagon tried to distance themselves from the situation. I mean, you can't expect Shrub to comment on it. The man is only on day 339 on his ranch (of in his 4.5 year term). He can't be bothered with this kind of thing....and afterall, Pat is a friend. But most of my favorite is Rummy:

Mr. Rumsfeld dismissed Mr. Robertson's remark on assassination, saying: "Certainly it's against the law. Our department doesn't do that type of thing."

LOL. No - we'd NEVER do that. We'd orchestrate imaginary WMD, start a war, invade a country and liberate them - so much so that said country kill thousands of our own troops. But we'd NEVER assassinate anyone.

Yours in Chr-st!

Lest We Forget

Frank Rich had a great Op-Ed piece in the NYT today, mostly regarding Cindy Sheehan, though it mentioned the name 'Karl Rove'. Between Ms. Sheehan, John Bolton and John Roberts - the Bush administration has effectively squashed any Karl Rove/Valerie Plame discussions. So much for the 'liberal media'. Though Rich never utters the words 'liberal media', he clearly refers to it in the contrast.

Cindy Sheehan's bashers, you'll notice, almost never tell her son's story. They are afraid to go there because this young man's life and death encapsulate not just the noble intentions of those who went to fight this war but also the hubris, incompetence and recklessness of those who gave the marching orders.

I felt bad when I came across Rove's name - mainly because *I* had forgotten the entire CIA outing incident. Bogged down in other crappy news and the lack of any public follow-up on Karl's dirty deeds, there is no way Middle America will remember ANYTHING either. The man has already walked. In-fucking-credible.

Ramblings of a Downtrodden Man

I'm just venting here and not really looking for comments. Who knows - I might eventually just delete the posting altogther ("I might just delete the posting").

I am in a funk. I cannot get myself out of it...not that I'm trying. Not that I really know how to either. Stuck in neutral.

Mostly it's my job. No shock to most working stiffs. It is not that the challenges aren't there, it is that I can't seem to overcome them. I'm not letting myself off the hook - but I clearly stepped into one bee's hive and knew it when I accepted. Oddly enough, the politics of that I can handle.

What I have trouble with is the feeling ineffective. Financially we are not successful and were expected to lose money this year, but I thought I could pull off a zero balance. Not going to happen. The politics involved going into 2nd year is tough - and the confluence of budget season and possible restructuring are going to overlap leaving me in a percarious position for 2006 fiscal year. If all does not flow in a timely manner (i.e. restructure after budgets are submitted) I will be held to that budget which I can never achieve.

Let's add to that I was just unceremoniously let go from my interm job too. It was to be an 18 mo gig (tops), so I shouldn't be upset. Completely political. Completely out of my hands. Completely not about me (or so says the CEO). But who the fuck feels good about being told 'you'll no longer be responsible for this'?

I compund it with being alone for 2wks and turning 42 (which I swear I don't care about since I probably shouldn't have lived past 30!).

..and you know...typing this all out doesn't really help.

Poor Cindy Sheehan. She is the mother of a soldier in Iraq who was killed. Presently she is camped outside Bush's 'ranch' in Crawford, TX. (oh, let's face it....she's probably not closer than a 10 mile perimeter b/c Shrub doesn't let people who disagree w/him anywhere near him.)

National media and moveon.org have taken notice of her. Countless (ok, you *can* probably count them) have appeared in print and television regarding her quest to personally ask Bush why her son died? I'm sure not why HER son died - but why her son had to die, as she disagrees with his decision to go to (and continue) this war. Of course, he hasn't met with her - and sent two plebes to do his work for him. Didn't satisfy her - and good for her. He should answer...or at least send Jenna to the front lines...even for a month.

But Kristinn Taylor (two Ns in her first name - too many study halls in high school), co-leader of the Washington, D.C., chapter of FreeRepublic.com, which holds pro-troop rallies, said Sheehan's actions are misguided and hurt troop morale.

"She has a political agenda that goes way beyond her son's death in combat," Taylor said.

Um......yeah. And the problem with that would be...............?

G-d forbid that we all act like lemmings and never have an opinion about anything. I suppose if no one protested the Vietnam War, we'd still be there. Ms. Taylor has her opinion, which is political and goes way beyond Ms. Sheean's protest. So F her.

And as for Sheean hurting the troop morale: I suppose inadquate supplies, pushing 1900 deaths and a war based on lies makes everything peachy keen with the boys (and girls too).

Monday Moaning

It's been awhile since there has been a good Monday Moaning.....but this ranks right up there.

And, Ok, I think Bill Gates is just slightly more evil than the ruler of the Empire, but even I can't blame him like this person from Lakewood has managed to do.

"It's ridiculous that the zero key is at the end on the standard keyboard. Logically it should come at the beginning. Someone needs to tell Bill Gates to fix this." - Lakewood

CUTS YOU UP

It's time to find a better kitchen set-up. The knife block has always worked ok at best. Last night - not so much.

It sits (or sat) on an 18" wide piece of counter....right next to the coffee maker. Now, I don't drink coffee, but was setting it up the night before for Denton. Whatever happened next, I don't know.

The block that holds maybe a dozen knives tipped....and each and every knife fell out. Little steak knives to huge huge Rachel Ray like knives (that's for you Mort!). Any of em could have done some major damage and wouldn't you know it only one hit me: the first one. The last few could have literally taken off a toe or two. As it turns out I just got a nice big gash on the heel of my foot.

At first I wasn't even sure I had been cut. It did not hurt that much and it didn't look so bad. But oy - then there was the blood and the amount of it. Soaked paper towels.

After cleaning and dressing the wound, It felt ok. But this a.m.......not so much. I don't think it was bad enough for me to go sit in an E.D. (it's a department, people, not a room!) for 6 hours. I'm sure it's just sore and no tendon/muscle damage. Ok, at least I hope.

Of course the absolute worst thing about the encounter was that Denton was dishing up ice cream at the time. And it was melting fast and furious as I had to wash the wound while he got neosporin and bandages.

MELTED ICE CREAM. Will this hell NEVER end?

Frist Fucker II

I don't know. I love the idea of Frist breaking from the White House on stem cells policies, etc ...but is anyone thinking that it's just not a blatant bid for 2008? This is the same man who is for extending PVS patients until they die of their own accord. No pulling the plug on them.

Maybe his motives are pure and honest. Maybe they are appealing to his clinical side. But I don't trust this man as much as I can throw him (and oh, how I would like to do that!).

He'll probably just use them for cloning purposes....and make a bunch of 2000-2008 republicans. EEEEEEKKKK.

Site of the Month

Yes folks - a true site of the month. Not some multi-part crappy pieced together POS (oh, figure it out on your own).

I've only gotten to level three, but if you can get to 10 supposedly you're really really really really smart....or something.

Play Planarity here!

(thanks to Denton for pointing out the site to me in the first place)

Soooo..........

Rick Santorum's communications director is gay. Not a rumour. No innuendo. He, Robert L. Traynham, out and out (no pun) admitted it.

Log Cabin republicans are one thing (though admittedly, I cannot understand them in the slightest), but to work for someone who so vehimently opposes any kind of gay rights - and draws parallels between homosexuality and beastiality - goes beyond all comprehension. Think about it: in his role, Traynham most likely crafted that f*cking message! At best, he helped get it out there. Inf*ckingcredible!!!

But I think my all time favorite part of the story is Santorum and part of his statement:

"It is entirely unacceptable that my staffs' personal lives are considered fair game by partisans looking for arguments to bolster my opponent's campaign."

It *is* unacceptable. Maybe Sen. Rick should have thought of that when he affected personal lives of thousands of gay men and women for his partisan campaign strategies. Fucker!

BLOBfest

And it's about time! ...But really, isn't an entire festival of 'me' what the entire world's been waiting for?

...what? it's not about me????? Are you sure??? Well of ALL the noive!


(thanks to Dity for supplying this)

Willie Wonka gets a Rim Job

Depp's 'Chocolate Factory' has tasty opening

Just remember: I interpert it, not write it. That'd be Yahoo's job.

"Oh, the book is soooo much better than the movie!"

You loathed the book. Now you can find the television adaptation just as unsatisfying!!

Now starring Buffy's 'sister'!

Oh Dawn, was it inevitable that your career take the path of Valerie Bertinelli and Jo from 'Facts of Life'? Oy.

Living Dolls.........

In a related url (provided to me by young young young girl lover, T.G.) - here are some really lovely Jon-Benet wannabes. But w/out all that icky rigor-mortis and duct tape over the mouth thingy.

Real American Girls

Morty was emailing saying he might be taking his 'daughter' to American Girl when they went to Chicago. It's a racket if I've ever seen one. $80 dolls....and you can't have just one. Clothes that cost more than anything you or I have our closets (well.....except for Jon). Then there's the AG Cafe where you and your dolls can have 'tea' for some outrageous price (and you just know the dolls never ever finish what's on their plate!).

So, as we chatted on-line (avec Becca) about the dolls that are listed on their site (Kit Kittredge® is a girl growing up in Cincinnati in 1934 during America’s Great Depression)
led us to the discussion of real american girls and whom new dolls should be modeled after:

Anorexic Annie
Drunk Debbie
Cutter Katie (morty's favorite)
Homeschooled Hattie (my favorite)
Patty Mcbruisedbooty

Any other school-girl maladies that we've forgotten that you'd like to add to? Just use the comment section.

SITES-OF-THE-MONTH

Do three pseudo sites of the month add up to one complete site of the month? Here's hoping.


Rebecca is all over the place with her sites these days. I have to say she made me laugh out loud - from a 1000 miles away, no less, with this one.

Denton's aunt, is as proudly democratic as we are and sent us blue bracelets (ala Lance Armstrong). It's not the best set-up site. But I have worn it out on occasion.

And in the funny funny section, and I'm sure not related to the other two sites at all...just a little celeb bashing.....

Alliteration at its Worst

Bike-bobbling Bush bumps into Bobby, gets bandaged


yes, this in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Not sure if this is the work of a PD editor or just directly from the AP. Either way.......icky bad!

WHAT THE F*CK???

Regarding Valerie Plame, the CIA and leaking stories:

Judith Miller (NYT) - writes no story. Goes to jail.
Matthew Cooper (Time Magazine) - writes story. Avoids jail by giving up sources and testifying about said source.
Robert Novak (CNN, Chicago Tribune) - breaks story. Not even known to be questioned.

No huge shock that Bush's administration is most likely bordering (?) on treason. Yes, to uncover CIA operatives and expose them is indeed treason. All fingers point to Karl Rove. Use any search engine and type Rove Plame and see what comes up. ...and all b/c Little Bably Karl didn't like how Plame's husband behaved on the playground (he had written an NYT piece critical of Shrub's inaccuracies on Iraq and WMD).

Why do I doubt that courts won't be quite as vigorous going after Mr. Rove as they have Ms. Miller? And even if he sees the inside of a court - why do I doubt that a Bush nominated justice will be firmly in place before this gets bumped up to the Supreme Court?

G-d.....this is so depressing....yet so predictable.

SITE OF THE MONTH

By the hair of my chinny-chin-chin I am getting in a site of the month posting. It's not an out of the park (that's a baseball reference Jon) link - but it's been a year since I was part of Spencer Tunick's Cleveland installation.

The photos are not done by Spencer, but some media person who was at the event. They look a little more harsh than Spencer's work, but they do capture the day. And still, I would do it all over again.

Best Headline of the Day.......or maybe EVER!

Tsunami Relief? Forget about it.
World Hunger? Nope.
War Time Atrocities? Not even close.

Abdul Urges Tough Nail Salon Standards

I guess we all have our battles to fight. Paula rages against the injustices of a bad french manicure and the possibility of having to use Lamisil.

NATIONAL HIV TESTING DAY

Today is the day. I didn't even know they HAD one...but they do. Get tested, it can't hurt - literally. They now do it w/urine samples or oral swabs. No needles. To find where to get tested (if you so choose) click here.

AFI Movie Quotes

The American Film Institute had some g-d awful show on last night where they ran down the 100 best movie quotes. Most so predictable it is not funny, some so not famous at all ("On Golden Pond"?, "White Heat"?? - puhleeese!) But clearly they missed some classics:

- I want my two dollars
- MEESSAAAA CHICKOBEEEE
- Flying this plane is something different altogether
- What the hell are you bitchin' about? I gotta sleep under some Chinaman named after a duck's dork
- Read your bloody book
- Paging Mr. Herman! Mr. Herman, you have a telephone call at the front desk!
- It's the times. They are a-changin'. Something's blowing in the wind. Fetch me my diet pills, would you?
- Hi, Eric Stratton, Rush chairman, damn glad to meet you

Ok. I'm sure I'm missing more. Feel free to add in the comments section.

STATE OF THE GOP

I don't often agree w/a lot that Andrew Sullivan has to say, but he can make some interesting observations (along w/a lot of other people).

Mitt Romney and Jeb Bush have just given us an interesting insight into where the Republican party is headed. Romney's position on marriage rights has always been that gays should have none; he supported a state amendment that would have granted them civil unions instead. But his party's base is insistent that gays get nothing whatever, that they be kept shut out of the family and of any legal protections for their relationships. So he now backs a referendum that would ban marriage and civil unions - timed for the next presidential election year. Meanwhile, Jeb Bush, having been humiliated by the autopsy into Terri Schiavo's death, wants to re-open ancient arguments about Michael Schiavo's actions the night he found his wife unconscious. Has he lost all sense of perspective? The sheer immoderation of these people is staggering. But their base is adamant. They are now using arguments about gays - that they are diseased, and spread literal and figurative poison througout society - that were once echoed almost exactly by the most vicious anti-Semites against Jews:

Their passion comes from their conviction that homosexuality is a sin, is immoral, harms children and spreads disease. Not only that, but they see homosexuality itself as a kind of disease, one that afflicts not only individuals but also society at large and that shares one of the prominent features of a disease: it seeks to spread itself.

Ah, yes. The danger of the Jews/Gays spreading their disease throughout society, their enormous power despite tiny numbers, their ability to pass, their threat to children, their flaunting of their disagreement with the New Testament. It's all so familiar. I think the arguments now made by some Christianists are replicas of the old anti-Semitism, peddled by so many Christians in the past: that Jews are to be loved, but loving them is dependent on their conversion to Christianity; that you can love individual Jews while disdaining Judaism; that Jews' stubbornness in resisting conversion is evidence of their inherent evil; that such evil, at some point, has to be segregated from mainstream society as much as possible. Gays are not the new blacks. They're the new Jews. And the Church, in both Catholic and Protestant variants, is dredging up its old anti-Semitism in new guises. The GOP is along for the ride.

If you read further down on his blog, he has some interesting comments on why gays can probably marry until 2008 (instead of the intended 2006 vote).

Oh hell, I'll just post it here. Don't sue me Andrew!

The decision of anti-marriage equality forces in Massachusetts to forego a compromise constitutional amendment (that would create civil unions) set to be voted on in 2006 and instead work for another amendment to be voted on in 2008 that would ban same sex marriage (and not create civil unions) should be seen in the light of Governor Mitt Romney's Presidential ambitions (and his likely decision, I think, not to run for re-election at home). To appeal to the out-of state Republican right, Romny has moved far to the right in the past several months in terms of abortion and stem cell research. He has visted red states projecting an anti-Massachusetts Liberal image for himself. He seems now more opposed to civil unions. Not surprisingly, his local poll numbers have accordingly dropped. The proposed amendment in 2006 would be a political nightmare for Romney. If the 2006 amendment were to pass, Massachusetts would constitutionally create civil unions on his watch. If the 2006 amendment were to fail, which looks increasingly likely, Massachusetts would have voted for gay marriage on his watch. Either way, it would be a hard sell to the right wing Republican base. He would look weak or too liberal. Romney is far better off to back a clear cut ban without civil unions that couldn't be voted on until 2008. That way he doesn't have to live with the consequences of 2006 and he can maintain he was always opposed to both gay marriage and civil unions.

Save NPR/PBS From Bill Frist !!!

Ok...a cheap shot at Bill...but he wants to put a public face on congress he needs to take the heat. Congress is planning on cutting funding to NPR and PBS. Do you know how many more pledge drives we will have to endure? How many more viewings of Riverdance or Josh Groban concerts !!!

Sign the petition !!!

I Got Nothin'.....

I mean - what else IS there to say....?

FRIST FUCKER

The 2008 Presidential hopeful has hopefully got a good dose of his own medicine. Pun completely intended.

Bill Frist denied he contadicted doctors who reported that Terri Shivo (still Terri Whatshername to me) was in persistent vegetative state. "I never made the diagnosis," Frist told reporters. "I wouldn't even attempt to make a diagnosis based on a videotape."

But schwing, Democrats finally (!!) pulled a GOP tactic that publically calls him out. I'm sure Frist doesn't think anyone watches C-Span, but is he really idiotic enough to not realize that every major new organization showed him on the senate floor pretty much givng his tele-second opinion: "That footage (some Terri video footage from probably her 15th bday party), to me, depicted something very different than persistent vegetative state." Um...he is a cardiologist by training, correct?

This FristFlub could be taken a step further by the DNC if they so chose. How can Frist run on any healthcare issues when he completely shows himself as a sub-standard doctor who:

a. misdiagnoses someone he's never seen or met via videotape while...
b. simultaneously pushing his religious/medical beliefs (in that order, I might add)all for furthering HIS career?

Time to run him into the ground folks. It's the only way.

Whacko(ff) Jacko

Remember when the NY Post used to have fun headlines/covers? Soooo many places they could have gone w/this one...and all you get is the NY Daily News!

jackcovers.jpeg

International Webloggers Day

FINALLY!
I can't believe gov't offices and banks haven't closed for the day.

Kid Helps Michael Jackson Get Off

Oh...wait...that can't be right! Or can it?

I've watched enough Law & Order to know that though Jackson is probably guilty as sin (and most definately a perv at best), that the prosecution had unreliable witnesses and in no way could obtain a conviction. That is unless each jury member just couldn't stand "Wanna Be Startin' Something". (Had they hammered away on "Say Say Say", "PYT" or "The Girl is Mine" they probably could have gotten the gas chamber for him!)

Anyway, the kid in someway probably got Jackson off in the privacy of his own bedroom and now through weak testimony.

I'm guessing 5 more days of media fall-out from this crap and then we'll be on to something new. Like Tom Cruise and his failing heterosexuality.

Experts Decode Coldplay's Album Cover Art

LONDON - Is Coldplay trying to tell us something with that multicolored symbol on the cover of their new album? Cubelike images adorn the packaging, both on the cover and the liner notes, of "X&Y," the British band's much-anticipated third album that was released Tuesday.

I mean - who gives a shit??

Cardinal introduces Alaris® Tri-Site Thermometer

Cardinal Health Inc (Dublin, OH) announced the release of the Alaris® Tri-Site Thermometer, a new tool for temperature measurement. The Alaris® Tri-Site Thermometer features a new smart "adaptive" algorithm that adjusts to the heat transfer characteristics of the appropriate body site, thus providing fast and reliable temperature predictions without dependence on the patient's age. The device comes standard with backlight, pulse timer, anti-theft protection, long cords and a three-year limited warranty. Additionally, Cardinal Health offers the Alaris® Tri-Site Thermometer as dual integrated probes for environments where oral, axillary or rectal measurement decisions often occur at the bedside.

I'm assuming it only becomes anti-theft upon first rectal usage! Just a hunch.

(thanks to Denton for sharing this press release from his former parent company.)

Damn Ashcroft!

Yes, he's gone and still reeking havoc in all our lives. Completing paperwork for the title on the new and old houses has become even more time consuming due to the Patriot Act !!! Yes the very one that likes to infringe on your civil rights all in the *possible* name of freedom and security.

Maybe Al Qaeda is smarter than I am (no, actually, i'm sure they are) - but I never would have thought of laundering money through the buying and selling of houses and wiring the proceeds to a pre-established bank account. I also wouldn't have though to use Microsoft's Flight Simulator to teach me to fly into the WTC.

Social Security Cards are now needed at the time of transactinos along with two forms or picture identification - which the title agents took digital pictures of !!!

I don't know we exchanged enough money that could have purchased a shoulder-to-air-missle, though I don't know what they really go for on the market (eBay never has them). And w/the money we had, I don't know any dirty bomb could be built that would do any damage to more than, say, the Chittenden area at Ohio State (and really - doesn't look like one has already gone off there?).

So if you don't think your government isn't watching you - watch out. They are.

And AG Gonzalez, since I'm sure this will be brought to your attention, you know where to find me. Just ask Erie Title and Realty One Title.

The Move is Over

We're done. We're in. We're tarred!

Movers did a great job getting us into the house and we are well on the way to being set-up in all rooms. This does not include wallpaper removal, painting renovating. (Denton goes on night one: "We need to deflower the bedroom." I replied: "I already told you, no sex! I'm exhausted!" Oh how we laughed!)

Kitties were slightly traumatized by the 3.3 mile trip. Oh, and the new surroundings - but they are making their way around and checking things out. They disappear for hours on their adventures.

Rydalmount is cleaned and ready to be moved into. All we have to do is sign the title papers in the next day. The new folks do a walk-through tomorrow and take posession on the 10th. It was sad to walk out of there for the last time. It was a great house We'll miss it. Or aspects of it.

The 80s are DEAD

Sure, it's been 15 years since they've been over, but I just about blanched having to hear Madness' "Our House" as a coffee ad. I mean - I never liked the song that much in the first place, but it is painful to have to listen to in that format.


On another note: we have completed quite a bit today. Gas is on. Cable is hooked-up (though the place isn't networked yet). Kitchen is mostly set-up. Furniture gets moved tomorrow. I'm sure we'll have little stuff here and there left over tomorrow afternoon - but we'll burn that bridge when we get to it.

Long, Busy & Embarrassing Day

We were up before the crack of dawn for the inital move. Just us and U-Haul. Had to move a breakfront that was my great-grandmother's and whom my grandmother insisted I have right before she died 20yrs ago. My sister was holding it for all those years. Also we took everything we had boxed up - and all the garage belongings.

All in all, I'd say we got about 50% of what the house holds into the new house. Tomorrow we'll do another 20% or so - and the rest by movers on Friday. The plan was NOT to get new appliances immediately (though soon), but the refrig smells SO rank, I believe we will be ordering one tomorrow!!!!! Yeah - THAT bad.

Anyway - a long day. And then I had to head to a staff meeting which started @ 5p. Since i cancelled the last one and they're only quarterly, I felt I had to be there. The room was full. I walked across it to close the door - and I don't know what happened, but fell FLAT on my face after taking down a chair in the process. The only thing hurt was my pride. Oy vey.

New Look - Lost Comments

Ok, went to finally archieve all my posts. I like the new look - but am gonna have to try to see if I can retrieve the comments from said posts. Of course, if anyone has words or wisdom - feel free to enlighten me.


The other new look? The new house. We did our walk through today. It was fine. Of course w/most (not ALL) of the furniture out of the place it looks different (i.e. bigger) and shows some flaws that the belongings hid. We got some painting to do. More later - but it's been a long day and I'm tarred. Time for bed. It's LATE for me. 11:20p.

DON'T ASK. DON'T TELL. JUST DANCE !!!!!!

Four years @ the U.S. Naval Academy and this guy is shucking the U.S.S. Nimitz for the chance to be in the touring company of "Moving Out"

A Better Blogger Am I

I've been really trying to be better about making entries on a more timely and consistent basis. Honest.

So the move saga continues - and I'm beginning to realize why Kris is still reeling after 7 mos.

Today we are FINALLY getting the old house driveway resealed. The first guys had scheduling then weather related issues. I double booked another company just in case. It was a full-proof plan...in theory. Company #1 was supposed to show up yesterday (they didn't) and Company #2 on Saturday. So, IF the first company did show, I had two days to cancel the second guys. AND company #2 was to give me a 24-48 hr notice that they'd be there (they didn't). BOTH showed up today w/in an hour of each other. Hilarity did NOT ensue.

Then on the way to work, I drive past the new house. On a slope from the house a huge huge tree has fallen...and out into a road...blocking two lanes of traffic. I didn't get a good look b/c of the traffic and the two cop cars blocking stuff - but it had to take out a fence and probably the electric lines. Ernie is going over to look at it. Denton is doing a drive-by.

Walk through is tomorrow!!!!!! I see Tom Hanks and Shelley Long in my future.

BUMPER STICKER of the...um.....ummm....MONTH?

Best bumper sticker I never saw. But Meredity knows someone who knows someone who may or may not have really seen it. I'll take her on their word (phew) that it exists.

Frodo Failed. BUSH has the RING

Moving Update
A week until we begin 'the move'. Technically we get the house at 6p on Tuesday (5/31) and I'm sure we'll be there shortly afterwards. But we'll start hauling stuff the following day...and the day after that. Cable gets hooked up Thursday(Denton will need his office and I will need the wireless network!) The movers bring the big furniture on Fridee.

I'd say the end is in sight - but my friend Kris just mentioned her move was 7 mos. ago and she's still not over the trauma. She suspects it is b/c one of her movers was named Possum. Not sure if that is his given name - or a nickname. Either way, I told her the odds were greatly increased since Kentucky is so close to Cincinnati that chr-stian names are as good as varment names. (My! I have somewhat strayed off of moving information.)

MAUREEN DOWD & A STUPID PD READER

Maureen Dowd is on sabbatical from her OpEd pieces. I'm assuming she's working on a book. But here is a letter to the editor for the Cleveland Plain Dealer. G-d, I hate reading these - which is usually why I don't...b/c I don't really care about other people's opinions. Just mine!!!

But I think I must write into the PD. I just gotta. If it gets printed (and maybe even if it doesn't) I'll post what I submitted.




Dowd's absence is welcome respite
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
I opened Monday's Plain Dealer to find no Maureen Dowd column on the Forum page. A note at the bottom of a replacement column says, "Maureen Dowd is on leave. Her column is to return in July."

Although this is good news for the 60 percent of readers who do not believe that President George W. Bush, Dowd's sole topic, is the spawn of the devil, one wonders what she is about. Several possibilities occurred to me as I drank my morning coffee: She's in drug or alcohol rehab; her mental problems finally warranted hospitalization; the paper is easing her out after a string of lapses and outrages that embarrassed even the New York Times; or the Bushies had her kidnapped and shipped to Guantanamo under the name Abu Mer D'owd.

NECROLOGY INDEX

NO (Morty), it's not 'necrophilia index'! But Denton made sure to Google our new house and came across two residents who died while living there.

The 1932 one had services @ the house itself. Break out the Ouija board and light the candles folks - we're gonna have ourselves a seance !!!!


Id#: 0784709
Name: Williams, Margarethe C.
Date: Dec 11 1968
Source: Plain Dealer; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #167.
Notes: Williams. Margarethe C. Williams, wife of Curtis C., Jr., mother of Curtis C., III, late residence, 2283 Chestnut Hills Drive. Service at Fairmount Presbyterian Church, Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 4 p.m. Please omit flowers. The family suggests that those who wish may contribute to the American Red Cross.

Id#: 0270793
Name: Paton, John D.
Date: Dec 1 1932
Source: Cemetery record; Cleveland Necrology File, Reel #063.
Notes: Paton: John D., suddenly Monday afternoon, residence, 2283 Chestnut Hills Dr., husband of Beatrice Paton, father of Marie Bauder, Marguerite Kemmerling and the late Russell Paton. Services at residence Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 2:30 p. m. Please omit flowers. 1862-1932. Lakeview Cem. Cleve., Ohio.

RotS

I'm sorry. it was an ok movie - but the craigslist rant was just too effin' funny!

Revenge of the Sith

Why write about going to a movie? Well, besides that it is the end of a 28 year train ride, we also so rarely go out to movies anymore it almost seems like a lifechanging event!

I was amazed by the crowds. I knew opening weekend would be busy but it was a beaufiful warm, sunny Saturday afternoon - and we were crammed into a theatre w/698 other people. Ok, WE were there too, but I bought the tix on-line to avoid the crowds at the box office...so I had no idea what the weather would be like. Had I not purchased them already, I probably would have opt'd for rainy cold Sunday afternoon instead.

The movie was sooo much better than Episodes I and II - but so is having your teeth cleaned. The acting was marginally better (how could it not be?). Lucas does seem to suck the life out of the actual flesh and blood characters. It's a gift I guess. But the pacing of the film was the key and it's saving grace.

A number of reviews (I have since read them post-movie, since I vowed not to read a thing before seeing it) said it was the best of all six. It is not, but up in the two three. For the record my order goes: V, IV, III, VI, I and II.

If you have seen the others you almost have to see this one...just to end it. Not huge huge surprises...since we know who is in Episode IV, you're not going to wonder if Yoda or Obi-Wan survives any battles.

Oh, and it turns out Luke and Leia are TWINS!!!!!!!!!!

Just Touchin' Base

Gotta throw something in for the fans - so here it is. Updates.

The Move - It is on its way. Packing is being done. Purging is happening. Papers being signed. Funds to be transfered. Movers contracted. Visits being prepped. Renovations/Colours being considered. Do NOT even get me started on FABRICS! (just kidding - though that last line you can say like Jim J. Bullocks if you feel the need!)

The Job - I love my new job. Such a huge learning curve - but I'm smart enough, I'm good enough and darn it, people somewhat like me. At least for the CNR piece. The other administrator piece - I believe I'm loathed on the big island. Well, not me - just the fact they didn't get a say-so in my hiring. They'd have hated anyone. It just happens to be me. F*ck em.

The Life - Um....Um.....Um.... Well....we're going to see Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith on Saturdee. I even pre-ordered the tix. I guess that's as close to a non-house non-work life that I'm gonna have until early July.

Real Estate in Soap Opera Time

Do you ever notice on soap operas how a party will take place over the course of three or four weeks? But in the same amount of time little Troy*, who has never been seen, suddenly has graduated from Med school? Well, selling a house resides in that same space-time continuum. Average time to sell a house in Cleveland Heights is 90 days!!!! We have an offer which took 16 days - and yet it seemed like we should all be attending Troy's daughter's wedding by now (which won't happen b/c some indiscretion will be revealed at the altar).

The buried statue of Susan St. James (though Becky calls it Eva Marie Saint) pulled it out. She must have channeled Nancy Walker or Rock from "MacMillian & Wife" or something. A couple from WA (yes, the state, not the district) has put an offer on the house. They kind of low-balled us (he he, I said 'balled') at first, but we countered close to our axing price, and they re-countered at a much higher rate than I thought they would. We could have gone another round, but I wanted to be done w/it. So we accepted. We just have an non-Cleveland Hts inspection to go (we passed that one). And they want a quick close, which is good. So we will not have to carry over a month's mortgage payment. Whoo-Hoooo.



*Troy is a composite name/character not necessarily associated with any one soap opera or television affiliation. Any similaries are purely coincidental.

Site of the Month

Man, I have been waiting a week to post this. I mean, I had two sites of the month in April. Had i posted a 3rd and had none in May, I would have been quite embarrassed.

But I have to put it out there to Kris for giving me this site. I could not stop laughing in my office when I opened it up. The text is good. The pictures are hilarious!!!!!

Selling the House

No it has not sold. 15 days!!! it's been on the market. A realtor friend said, "oh, you haven't sold in two weeks - you poor f*cking baby!", but you know - he lacked sincerity. I believe he was being sarcastic! F*ckwad!!!!

I mean, this is 3x longer than the house was on the market when we bought it 8 yrs ago. What are wrong w/these people??? It's a great house. Good upkeep. Decent price. The upside down buried statue (which Denton refers to as Susan St. James) hasn't done the trick. Her work in Kate & Allie was always quite weak. Her real estate skills clearly aren't much better.

Ernie says the concerns from lookie-lous (my phrase, not his) is the house next door. The rental. The one w/the lopsided backstairs that need scraped and painted (along w/portions of the back of the house). The one where WE pulled down the gutter that was hanging by one nail. The one we (ok *I*) have reported repeatedly to city inspectors.

30 days till we close on the new house. THIRTY DAYS PEOPLE!!!!!

Runaway Bride

All the frickin' coverage on this horrible Julia Child movie wannabe (and we all know how horrid that actually could be!), but imagine how much worse 24 cable news would be with this story if she had a feeding tube!!

I BURIED JESUS' STEP-DAD

Not the pomp and circumstance of say JPII, but we actually took my sister's statue of St. Joseph and buried it in our backyard - upside down!!!!!. Supposedly this ritual is to aid one in selling their house. Tricia swears it worked to sell her house and her in-law's house as well. So did Julie (well not her in-law's house). It's an act I'm willing to take part of, but it's all superstition for me.

There are dozens of websites out there dedicated to this....like here and here. You can even buy your "kit" on-line. $9.95. The catholic church was never so cheap!

Oh there is supposed be a prayer you say while/after you bury St. Joe. I didn't actually say it. It doesn't really say anything about real estate. I'll take my chances.

Be mindful of us, O Blessed Joseph, and intercede for us with thy foster-Son by the pleading of thy prayer: do thou, in like manner, render the blessed Virgin Mary, thy Spouse, gracious unto us, for she is the Mother of Him, Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth world without end. Amen.

Another Reason to go Apple !!!!

Microsoft Comes Under Fire for Reversal on Gay Rights Bill
SEATTLE, April 21 - The Microsoft Corporation, at the forefront of corporate gay rights for decades, is coming under fire from gay rights groups, politicians and its own employees for withdrawing its support for a state bill that would have barred discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Many of the critics accused the company of bowing to pressure from a prominent evangelical church in Redmond, Wash., located a few blocks from Microsoft's sprawling headquarters.

Dr. Hutcherson, pastor of the Antioch Bible Church, who has organized several rallies opposing same-sex marriage here and in Washington, D.C., said he threatened in those meetings to organize a national boycott of Microsoft products.

After that, "they backed off," the pastor said Thursday in a telephone interview. "I told them I was going to give them something to be afraid of Christians about," he said.

Because that is really want from your church and religion. Ruling through fear and intimidation. You know, I might end up in hell, and even might be able to narrow it down to the reasons why I'm there. Guys like this will be there going, "wha-wha-what?"

Two things Microsoft shoud know: One is most of this chumps fanbase isn't moving to Linux or Apple because they just don't know better. Secondly, in the computer world, like it or not (and I don't) Microsoft is bigger than g-d.

Disclaimer: I am forced to use MS in my office, but am a happy Powerbook user in real-life.

SITE OF THE MONTH II

I can't let this one go. It's so twisted. So wrong/right. So funny. I definately can't even wait a few weeks to make it May's site of the month.

HOUSE FOR SALE

It's been a coon's age since I've blogged. But in my mind, it's all understandable. If you go down a few entries, you'll see we were looking for a house - and we found one. I no longer have a link to the property, since they took it off the market after our bid was accepted (stupid f*cking seller/lawyer!).

But as of today, our house is up on the market. I'm hoping for a quick sell (isn't everyone who puts a house on the market?). The upkeep, the cleaning, the cats are just too much to fret about. Oh - and two mortgages. That would kind of suck too.

So if anyone you know is looking for a nicely upkept colonial in Cleveland Heights - just go to the Smythe Cramer site and purchase at full asking price.

I'm sure I'll be blogging about the process, the sale and the move. Sorry in advance.

SITE OF THE MONTH

Per Per Rex Smith. This is what he's been reduced to: showing rental units in the Valley. But they are properties that 'will take your breath away' and houses that you'll 'everlasting love' (ok, I added that one).

Does being a 'Solid Gold' host or starring on B'Way w/LaRonstadt & Kevin Kline mean nothing in Actor's Equity? Clearly, these questions are rhetorical.

Thanks to Jon for supplying the link. He *swears* he saw it on MSNBC. I think he got it from his fanzine.

Poor Poor Ms. Wheelchair Wisconsin

It's like a fricking article out of the World Weekly News - but it's not. Straight from the AP. The quote from the treasurer of Ms. Wheelchair America is the best.

Song a Decade to Early?

I was sitting around (ok, working) and an Iris DeMent song popped up. I had forgotten how much I loved the song. The lyrics couldn't be any more poignant today than they were when they were released a decade ago...maybe more so.

WASTELAND OF THE FREE (Iris DeMent)
(c) 1996 Songs of Iris ASCAP

We got preachers dealing in politics and diamond mines
and their speech is growing increasingly unkind
They say they are Christ's disciples
but they don't look like Jesus to me
and it feels like I am living in the wasteland of the free

We got politicians running races on corporate cash
Now don't tell me they don't turn around and kiss them peoples' ass
You may call me old-fashioned
but that don't fit my picture of a true democracy
and it feels like I am living in the wasteland of the free

We got CEO's making two hundred times the workers' pay
but they'll fight like hell against raising the minimum wage
and If you don't like it, mister, they'll ship your job
to some third-world country 'cross the sea
and it feels like I am living in the wasteland of the free

We got little kids with guns fighting inner city wars
So what do we do, we put these little kids behind prison doors
and we call ourselves the advanced civilization
that sounds like crap to me
and it feels like I am living in the wasteland of the free

We got high-school kids running 'round in Calvin Klein and Guess
who cannot pass a sixth-grade reading test
but if you ask them, they can tell you
the name of every crotch on mTV
and it feels like I am living in the wasteland of the free

We kill for oil, then we throw a party when we win
Some guy refuses to fight, and we call that the sin
but he's standing up for what he believes in
and that seems pretty damned American to me
and it feels like I am living in the wasteland of the free

Living in the wasteland of the free
where the poor have now become the enemy
Let's blame our troubles on the weak ones
Sounds like some kind of Hitler remedy
Living in the wasteland of the free

While we sit gloating in our greatness
justice is sinking to the bottom of the sea
Living in the wasteland of the free

SITE OF THE MONTH

Ok - I get the site of the month posting done by the hair of my chinny chin chin. So what? It is not like you people are hanging on my every blog entry (though l-rd, I wish you were!). This is a site Jon had steered me to a year or so back which I actually had forgotten about. But he re-found it and it has been updated.

You must Must MUST listen to: "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and "Knowing Me Knowing You". It really puts that American Idol fellow to shame.

OHIO ISSUE 1

Yesterday a Cuyahoga County judge ruled that the amendment approved in Nov 2004 made the state's domestic violence law unconstitutional since it recognizes the relationship between unmarried offender and victim as one "approximating the significance or effect of marriage".

Keep in mind that I do not advocate domestic abuse. But on the other hand, I find something ironic, funny and satisfying that all those who voted for Issue 1 for the sole purpose of banning gay marriage in Ohio now have no protection from domestic abuse if they are not married.

Of course this will go to appeal, but a CWRU law professor states, "My own guess is that Judge Friedman is correct because the language in Issue 1 is so clear, it's hard to get around that."

Though I'm sure if this holds up, the law for domestic abuse will just be changed. But for the time being, it is somewhat satisfying to know that shortsightedness in a rush to exclude one group is doing the same for other groups. Maybe lawmakers, or better yet, the lemmings who rush to vote to discriminate, might actually find out that they too can be discriminated against.

Vatican Calls for Keeping Schiavo Alive (AP)

If g-d didn't opt to keep his own son from death, why would he choose Terri whats-her-name to beat the odds? Why didn't g-d keep jesus up on the cross for 15+ years? If the g-d had acted (w/a special session from Pilate's government) and kept jesus alive, he couldn't have died for your sins (and in turn, create a need for the vatican)! But at least he'd have been alive - regardless of the quality of life.

Seriously though, the neurosurgeons and neurologists I work with have had (literally) dozens of collegues exam this woman over the years and not one has come back to say there is the remotest bit of hope for any sort of recovery. But I'm guessing that the federal judge will favor w/the husband, but now congress can say "hey, we did our best! we tried!! you can't blame us folks. Vote Quimby!"

House Hunting Funny

Denton & I went looking at houses this last weekend. We had a few on our list that we wanted to see, and a few that Ernie, our realtor wanted to take us to. A house we mutually agreed on looking at was nice, but that's all. The weirdest thing is that is was the home of doctor I had interviewed with about a year ago. Sometimes Cleveland is just way too small.

The one house Ernie wanted us to see was out of our price range, but he thought it would give us good perspective. I'm not sure it did that, but it did provide the oddest moment.

The first thing that struck me was that it smelled exactly like my grandmother's house. Not just and old person's home, but my father's mother AND she and her house have been gone for about 20 years. The folks who lived in the house had been there for FORTY-SEVEN years!!!! And had changed very little since the day they moved in. It was very 'Far From Heaven', but not done quite as well. Odd layouts, weird rooms and the smell. It just stuck with me. We get upstairs and there are twin beds that immediately had me flashing on my father and his brother's beds circa 1928. Maybe it was the room set-up, maybe it was the smell. I said nothing to Denton or Ernie about this, because, what would they care?

We walk through the master bedroom which all I can describe as very Courtship of Eddie's Father. Modular bed, weird late '60s art - very not 'Far From Heaven'. From there we go out into the hall to get to the 3rd floor and two things catch my eye for about 3 seconds. I see a family photograph which I'm sure I've seen before and then a framed family tree. MY family tree...on my father's side.

I start laughing and had to explain to both why I was doing so. Denton goes, 'are YOU in that picture?' to which I had to point out the 120lb 6'2", zit faced kid with the off the rack suit and his hair parted down the middle!!!

I asked Ernie, 'whose house IS this', to which he replied 'Sid and Barbara Kaplan'. Whom I would have had to have guessed died eons ago (but apparently not) and would be my second cousin or something.

The next house as we pull up, I says to Ernie 'no one I know or am related to lives here - do they?'.

He didn't reply. He didn't find me humorous.

LIVING WILL & MY HIGH HORSE

My f*cking g-d! Does congress have NOTHING better to do than to decide who shall live or die on a person by person basis? If they insist on keeping Terri whats-her-name alive, then by all rights, shouldn't they make sure that guy who kidnapped, raped and killed that 9yo girl (also in FL) get the same attention to not getting the dealth penalty? (side note: I love how three weeks went by and no one noticed the freshly dug grave 150 yds from where the child was kidnapped - the fact that they found the killer is slightly miraculous.)

Does Frist and Hasert think a patient in a completely vegetative state for over 15 years doesn't rack up major medical bills just because they don't eat? Since they may force her husband to keep her alive, does that force him to pay for her care? If the courts decide she must be kept alive, should they pay? 15 years of that type of medical care would make anyone eligible for state or disability assistance, but the government can't be expected to keep up her care - I mean, isn't congress the same group attempting to cut Medicaid and Medicare benefits?

Another side note: I laughed that people tried to break into the hospital with food and water. Because, I'm sure they were trained professionals who could just squash that all up and shove it down her somehow to keep her alive.

And what if she dies? I think that would be one tense after-funeral gathering. Who'll bring the Jello salad (w/the suspended canned fruit)?

Seriously though - congress should not be allowed to decide what the courts can and cannot rule on when it's convenient for them. Right now they stand here:

Abortion - higher court decision
Gay Marriage - courts should be allowed decide
Patient Rights - depends on person or amount of media coverage

The Gates (part II)

The Sommerville Gates (see Feb Site of the Month)is up for sale on eBay.

Bids are up to $51 as of today (9 days left) - which I think is great. All proceeds will be donated to two local Sommerville non-profits.


note: winning bid was for $227.50 !!!

OPUS

Damn that Berke Breathed. Now he's going to be sending MILLIONS (Becky says trillions!) of users to my site, which I have not been keeping up. Oh the hell of it. Now I have to be clever, creative and prolific.

For those who missed the Sunday Funnies this a.m. (Mar 13th), Opus apparently writes for blobbyblog.com. This site does exist in name only. Someone bought the domain name, but has done nothing with it.

If i can scan the comic and post it, I will. Then everyone can donate a dollar to my defense fund when Mr. Breathed sues my sorry ass.

Since so many people actually saw this guy in Atlanta shoot the judge and other court employees - this fate and guilt are pretty much determined. But what about that judge from Chicago whose mother and husband were murdered? Police were quick to assume that since the judge overseeing a hate group trial that said group was responsible.

As it turns out, it was a former plaintiff who had his case rejected by this judge. Who is going to apologize to the White Supremacists?? WHO? Nothing says I'm sorry like a fresh fruit basket. And even White Supremacists need their vitamin C.

SITE OF THE MONTH

I have to thank Tom Green for this site. It is GREAT. It truly is for all those Christo fans.

MONDAY MOANING


"I hate to see February arrive, and not because of the weather. So many news people and weather people on TV do not realize that February has 2 R's. Please don't skip over the first R. It's important too." - Mayfield Heights

INTERVIEW FIRST

...so I'm interviewing a nursing candidate for my outgoing dept yesterday. Doing the background info on employment history and basic questions on skills and such. So my question pertains to skill level w/various computer programs - Access, Excel, etc. The woman admittedly said she was fair at most of them 'unlike her son who went from canal to computer.'

Clearly there was a puzzled look on my face as she went on to explain w/out me asking for any clarification. She could have said 'from womb to computer' or from 'birth to computer' but nooooooooooooo. She looks at me and says, 'you know, from the vaginal canal..'

WHOMP. You *could* have picked me up off the floor. WHO says this during an interview? WHO???????

SITE OF THE MONTH

Site of the Week didn't work out so well. A few billion URLs out there and nothing SofW worthy. Ok - maybe I don't have the time to really find some good ones. I am working two jobs, and it was the holidays. A guy gets busy. Off my frickin back already. GEEEESH.

Anyway, go ahead an pop away with Virtual Bubblewrap. You might have to scroll down to to the link that goads you into popping. But check out the etiquette portion too. It's just the right thing to do.

Anonymous Lawyer

So, the NYT had an article about a blog by The Anonymous Lawyer. I guess it's written by a 3rd yr Harvard law student - but let me tell you (and I think my sister can back me up here), it smacks of reality...albeit, on the high end, but still.... And it made me laugh.

ANGRY LEFT

Had I seen the Angry Left site prior to the holidays, friends & select family would have gotten very different presents.

Personally, I am torn between my favorite items. Either the Red State Voters gear (you might have to click to enlarge to read the smaller text) or the Bush/Satan ticket.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Thanks to Jon for sharing this heartwarming holiday tiding for all to enjoy and share.

Funny Funny Eavesdrop

Today in the CCF cafeteria. Though it would have been *much* funnier if someone I had known to be around, I still laughed (to myself, of course). Three women. One introducing the 2nd to the 3rd....and then talking about the 2nd like she wasn't even there:

"Doesn't she look just like Kelley Osborne..............................but in a good way?"



OUCH!!!!!!!

U.S. National - AP Jury: Scott Peterson Deserves to Die

I read this and started laughing b/c I kept coming back to a line from 'Airplane' :

"Shana, they bought their tickets. They knew what they were getting into. I say 'Let 'em crash!!"

Robert Reich had a great commentary on Marketplace yesterday (Dec 1st). The red states would almost have to be a huge bunch of hypocrites...or the airwaves would have '7th Heaven' instead of 'Desperate Housewives'. Kristy Lane would be topping Billboard instead of Eminem.

HAS IT BEEN A WEEK??

WOW! It's been over a week since I've blogged anything. That hasn't happened in a long time. Guess it is post-election let down. And just swamped w/other everyday living things.

But a good note is that I now have been extended an offer at CCF's Center for Neurological Restoration. Definately a move up - or at least a move. A very very promising department that eventually should only be 2nd to the CCF Heart Center (voted #1 for the last 10 yrs by U.S. News & World Report) in specialty and innovation.

It was a long, complicated process. Not so much for me - but politically. Always w/the politics. I swear - Becky and Denton were more excited and relieved there was a conclusion than I was - or maybe it hasn't hit yet.

So 'they' say: New Car, New Job, New Haircut, New House, New Date.
Done. Done. Will buzz my head tonite. Perhaps in the spring. I'm good w/whom I am with.

Kill The President for only $9.99

As much as you (and the Secret Service) would like to think I'm making a threat to our current 'chief' - I am not. JFK Reloaded is a computer game download you can obtain, where you, the player, are Lee Harvey Oswald.

Sick? Twisted? Sure. Any less sick and/or twisted than some of the more violent games that are out there? Probably not. It does make those games seem more impersonal though.

However, it doesn't have the humour of Dr. Hibbert wanting to eat at the Texas Cheesecake Depository.

WHEN YOU HOPE TRUTH IS STRANGER THAN FICTION

Lifted this from Gawker. It would be priceless if this were true.

Freemans, tuesday night the 16th of nov. the bush twins , along with 2 massive secret service men, tried to have dinner. they were told by the maitre'd that they were full and would be for the next 4 years. upon hearing, the entire restaurant cheered and did a round of shots... it was amazing!!! [Ed: We're hearing that this is actually true.]

RORRRRRRRRR


Thank G-d, I didn't have to go to camp here. It *never* would have fit on a t-shirt!

SPONGEBOB - HE'S A UNITER, NOT A DIVIDER

...or so says the NYT on their review of Spongebob's new movie.

In the wake of the recent election, there's been some talk of healing, but until today no single figure has emerged with the capacity to repair the deep fissures in the body politic. We are so hung up on blue states and red states that our only hope may lie in the primary color that has been left off the map. We need something - or someone - yellow, and also absorbent and porous enough to soak up the ill will and scrub away the lingering bad feelings.

Now more than ever, the country needs SpongeBob SquarePants, and starting today, in theaters everywhere, he answers the call..

You can read the entire review here. I'm guessing I'll be seeing this sometime in the upcoming week.

Kerry Says He's Not Ruling Out Another Run

or so AP reports.


No.....no....please, g-d...NO!!!!!

OH, THE HYPOCRICY OF IT ALL

It didn't take the GOP long to cater to their own. Approximately 2wks after the election, the House makes changes that take care of their most treasured asshole - Tom DeLay.

Who cares if he's facing indictment in TX for illegal campaign contributions to help redistrict his home state to keep it Republican controlled? He can now keep his position in the House w/out having to step down. I'm sure if it were a Democrat in the same situation, they'd be just as generous - don't you?

It's funny (not ha-ha funny) that DeLay was the first national politician to push for impeachment of President Clinton b/c he gets a little head while in office. Yes - legal oral sex (even if viewed as immoral) is seemingly impeachable. Actual criminal conduct however now lets you remain House Majority Leader.

Thank g-d that DeLay is 'christian'. Because we all know that sex is dirty and immoral. However, lies, cheating, deception and basic bad behaivour is just all part of g-d's plan.

.....more election wrap-up

Rosanne Cash (who has one of the more consistent recording artist sites I have seen) has some words for her fans about her post-election blues.

Then there is Tom Green, who provided me with this site where one can apologize proactively for the country regarding the election and upcoming 4 years.

Love & Marriage - and the 'Right'

Usually when one protests to much - they should really be taking a hard look at themselves. It would seems the Red states won't do this because they probably won't like what they see.

The NYT reports that most red states have a higher divorce rate than Blue states. In particular KY, MS and AR, which overwhelmingly passed state constitutional amendments for gay marriage have three highest divorce rates in the country (2003). I would expect these guys to have better moral values than treating marriage so lightly.

The lowest divorce rate is in - and I know you all can guess this - Massachusetts. Hey! Isn't that where it is the only place legal to wed someone of the same sex??

Co-ink-ee-dink? Je think not. ....or, maybe folks in KY, MS and AR just got divorced when they all realized they didn't wanna be married to their cousin or sister! or both.

Cheney to Follow Ashcroft's Lead?

It's happening sooner than I anticipated. I always assumed and speculated that if Bush/Cheney were elected (not re) in 2004 that Cheney would somehow bow out and be replaced by someone who could take over in 2008.

Now, less than 2 wks after the election Cheney, who has had four MIs, was taken to the hospital w/shortness of breath and a possible 5th heart attack.

Anyone care to guess how long before he steps down for 'health reasons' and is replaced by someone more like, oh say, Rudy Guliani? I'm guessing February 2005.

Site of the Week

Denton found this Wordcount site. Fun to play with. Not sure how practical it is overall....but still.........

ZELL MILLER IS STILL AN OLD COOT

November 10, 2004 -- SEN. Zell Miller (D- Ga.) laced into New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd yesterday on the "Imus in the Morning" radio show, saying, "The more Maureen Loud [sic] gets on 'Meet the Press' and writes those col umns, the redder these states get. I mean, they don't want some high brow hussy from New York City explaining to them that they're idiots and telling them that they're stupid." Miller also suggested "that red-headed woman at the New York Times" should not mock anyone's religion: "You can see horns just sprouting up through that Technicolor hair." Dowd responds: "I'm not a highbrow hussy from New York. I'm a highbrow hussy from Washington. Senator, pistols or swords?"

Actually if you had seen Dowd and William Safire on MtP - and didn't know either of them, you would have sworn that Dowd was for the Right and Safire for the Left. It was an odd show - but one of the more interesting discussions I have seen on there.

Viggo is gonna get a new Ohio commerative license plate

The Morning After

I think this craigslist rant pretty much sums up what many of us are feeling after the election.

Why I Should Stop Reading the Newspaper

Item #1
Marines soon headed to Iraq aren't concerned about politics
...maybe they should be. But my favorite (?) quote shows the uneducated level of our troops - or the propoganda of the Pentagon to the troops

"When I first came into the Marines, I was worried about Iraq. Now, it's like a revenge thing - I've had some really good friends die over there," said Pfc. Robert Dean, 20, of Elkton, Va., as he stripped and cleaned his light machine gun.
"It's either us going over there and doing what we have to do, or them coming over here to do another 9/11."

Item #2
A 13 mo. old died with - and get this - Massive bruises covered her chest, abdomen and face. She had a broken ankle, a broken neck, 12 broken ribs, a severed liver. And, most mysterious of all, someone apparently had stuck her with something sharp maybe a needle 40 times in the head and the bottoms of her feet.

The highly trained physician concluded: The injuries "led me to conclude a terrible, traumatic event had happened, and it was not an accident."

Clearly he graduated top of his class.

I think I'll stick to the comics and classifieds from now on.

NYT Op-Ed

Maureen Dowd covers fairly well what I was trying to say in my comments on Andrew's blog and in various emails/phone calls during the last few days. I thought I had done an o.k. job expressing myself - but Mo covers it a bit better. I guess that's why she has a Pulitzer and I do not.

WHAT THE F*CK????

Denial is a wonderful thing - for awhile. I woke prior to my alarm going off - so I just made sure the radio didn't come on at all. I couldn't hear it. I went to bed before the results were there - but I knew. Even my dreams were of newsprint reading "Bush Gap Widens".

I picked up the paper from the driveway - but knew it wouldn't have any 'news' in it, since the paper had to be printed before results were completed. I was half-way to work before turning on NPR.

Kerry's recounts of Ohio is a pipedream. Denton would love it if Kerry won the electoral college, but not the popular vote....and let Bush see how it feels. Nice idea - but not gonna happen.

And Bush / Card / Cheney / Rove can take their "mandate" and shove it up their ass. "Mandate" for what? Forced school prayer? A woman's right to choose? Marriage? Running up the debt a few more trillion dollars - w/no one to answer to?

How the fuck are we going to survive another 4yrs of this shit??? HOW?

WOW !!!!!

I am always 1st or 2nd in line to vote. Sure, I'm an early riser - but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit competetive.

I got to the polls this morning - 10 minutes before they opened - and was 47th (!!!!) in line...and yes, I counted. At least another 50 in line by the time I left. AND folks waiting to find parking spaces. Passing 3 other polling places on the way to work - there were lines of cars waiting to get into the lots! These are schools and churches.....w/what seems to be ample parking. Well, not today.

Never have I seen such a turn-out. Usually, and unfortunately, there is no lines at all this time of the day....which probably is standard for the country's voting rate.

We had punch cards - again. Bush and Kerry were not even anywhere near each other on the ballot. No mistakes in doing that. But I held that sucker up to the light and turned it over making sure they were all clean punches and no hanging chads.

I have to believe that folks were turning out for change. Folks who want the status quo are not turning out in these number - at 6:30am in the pouring rain.....are they?

At least at the moment, I am horribly optimistic.....though I see that USAToday is covering all their bases - "Early Returns May Point to Winner - or Long Night".

OK....I lied....

NOT my last post pre-election. Becky shared an inspirational site for tomorrow and the few 100 days to follow Nov 2nd. Enjoy.

Last Pre-Election Post

This will most likely be my last pre-election post. The site I blogged a few weeks ago on the Electoral College has been updated and gives Kerry the advantage w/a few states still up for grabs. Earlier snapshots of this had MN, NH and AR as tied. Now AR and MN are out of that mix but NV has been added. Bush would need to take NH and NV plus 2 barely Kerry states to win....assuming he keeps all his barely Bush states.

Looking at Ohio (why-oh-why-oh-why-oh), the site says it's barely Bush. USAToday says we are favoring Kerry by 5% points. Who the f*ck knows anymore. All are w/in the margian of error.

There is no way this election will be called tomorrow. Unless pollsters are so off (only polling "likely" voters and not the newly registered folks), it will be painfully close.

Neither candidate will concede ala the ping-ponging of Gore/Bush in 2000. All talk will be done through the spinners and lawyers. Oy.

GET OUT AND VOTE. DO IT EARLY. DO IT OFTEN!!!!