I’ve avoided talking about baseball so far this year. Not that I haven’t watched it, I’ve just avoided writing about it.
Nothing made me quite as happy as the first day of the season when there were four games on ESPN one after the other and I could sit and do work with the games on in the background for hours on end. I can’t explain other than to say there is something very relaxing listening to a baseball game on a warm day - something that just feels so right with the world.
I’ve mellowed in my hatred towards the Yankees this year. A big part of it is because of Donny Baseball’s return to the team as the hitting coach and another part of it has been that the insufferable Yankee fans of the last few years have had little to crow about with their $180 million payroll.
Poor Yankees. Poor, poor Yankees.
So much money, so little to show for it so far.
There’s an old saw about some of the best trades in baseball are the ones you don’t make. Last year the Yankees went out and got Jose Contreras, beating out the Red Sox and this year they managed to nose them out in the A-Rod sweepstakes. When the Yankees signed Contreras, the Sox promptly turned around and spent the same money on three other players (all of whom were instrumental in making the team competitive).
There are a bunch of things I would do if I was running the show (queue the trumpets to the refrain of ‘If I were king...’). I’m not saying signing A-Rod was a bad move but, I would’ve probably had Jeter move over to third and played A-Rod at short. Also, I don’t think I would’ve stocked up on so many guys to DH. Now that the team has Travis Lee, why did they spend all that money on Jason Giambi? Already, I’ve been hearing the trade rumblings (which hasn’t surprised me).
The funny things about the Yankees run in the late nineties is they had a bunch of guys that played as a team. They were the heart of that team and somehow, somewhere along the line the people making decisions decided it was more sexy to get the most expensive home run hitter they could get instead of putting together a team. Gosh, it sure seems like the 80’s all over again.
Meanwhile across town, the Mets have proved to people why they deserve to play in a place called ‘Flushing.’ They certainly haven’t thrown good money after bad but, what is it about the Mets these days? Every time things begin to look up, they lose another player to injury.
Sometimes it’s hard to be a Mets fan... giving all your love to just one team...
Well, I’ve been watching both the Yankees and Mets games this year. The Yankees if only to satisfy my sadistic glee watching them look inept in the field and at the plate and the Mets games hoping against hope they’ll eventually get everyone healthy and prove they have a decent team (yeah, I know but, a guy can hope).
I must say though, I am liking what is coming together (Cameron is just a joy to watch in center field). What I don’t understand is how Art Howe gets such a free pass with the team having done so poorly since he arrived when Bobby Valentine never got the benefit of a doubt.
Ah baseball, what can you do?
Apr 26, 2004
Apr 22, 2004
I look up and a month has almost passed, where did April go? Now that the warm weather has begun and it’s nicer out - I try to get out a little bit more (which I’ve been doing). I was in the city three days last week (which is something of a record when I’m not working) and this week has just flown by. I’m also in the process of finally moving over to a different machine and breaking down the clone after many years of faithful service.
It’s hard to believe but, I think I’ve been using the clone since the summer of ’97 so, I figure I’ve gotten my money’s worth out of it.
It’s still good for doing Quark jobs (and actually pretty stable to boot) and is the main ‘browsing’ machine. Now, it’s just a matter of backing things up and wiping things clean. I’ve got an old IIci also, it still runs and I put an upgrade card in it (just like I did with the clone) so the ci is a power mac and the clone has a G3 processor. I’m thinking I still may find a use for both the machines, running a looping Acrobat file with portfolio stuff on it in my studio.
There’s this dual machine I’ve procrastinated about setting up. It’s sitting there all set to go - the laptop has been my main machine but I can see even its days are probably numbered - as much as I might want to resist it may soon be time to get new hardware.
It’s hard to believe but, I think I’ve been using the clone since the summer of ’97 so, I figure I’ve gotten my money’s worth out of it.
It’s still good for doing Quark jobs (and actually pretty stable to boot) and is the main ‘browsing’ machine. Now, it’s just a matter of backing things up and wiping things clean. I’ve got an old IIci also, it still runs and I put an upgrade card in it (just like I did with the clone) so the ci is a power mac and the clone has a G3 processor. I’m thinking I still may find a use for both the machines, running a looping Acrobat file with portfolio stuff on it in my studio.
There’s this dual machine I’ve procrastinated about setting up. It’s sitting there all set to go - the laptop has been my main machine but I can see even its days are probably numbered - as much as I might want to resist it may soon be time to get new hardware.
Apr 18, 2004
This week I got to catch Hellboy with Ed and Brian (and afterward got to enjoy a very good Indian dinner with the guys). I have to say it was one of the most entertaining movies I’ve seen in awhile. Too many times, movies based around comics are lacking in story or acting but, Hellboy was a good, old fashioned, popcorn movie. Good story, good pacing and good acting - nothing deep or heavy, just a few hour diversion and better done than most. Worth checking out if you have the chance.
Apr 14, 2004
Another missed opportunity occurred because of a dispute over sharing of intelligence information with FBI criminal investigators regarding Khalid al-Mihdhar, one of the 19 hijackers, the commission said. The search finally was assigned in August to an FBI agent working his first counterterrorism lead, who on Sept. 11 sent a memo to the FBI office in Los Angeles about Mihdar.
The missed chances came at the end of a summer of heightened intelligence reports about bin Laden's determination to strike the United States. These intelligence reports carried such headlines as “Bin Laden planning multiple operations" and "Bin Laden threats are real.”
I really don’t appreciate the money and time that’s being wasted by Congress.
Why?
I don’t think Bill Clinton is to blame for what happened on 9/11/01.
I don’t think George Bush is to blame for what happened on 9/11/01.
Even Richard Clarke is misplaced in apologizing for those events. The truth is Osama Bin Laden is to blame and the fanatics he leads in al Qaida.
As much as we would like to believe we control the world around us, the truth is we just don’t.
Prior to the events of that horrible day no one would have imagined something even remotely happening like that.
It was the stuff of bad action movies. Maybe, we should have Congress investigate Hollywood?
Maybe they’re to blame?
It’s ridiculous to think this plan came together in the 9 months after George Bush took office. It’s also ridiculous to think every single terrorist act will be stopped before it occurs. I’m not happy with some of the things our government has done in response to September 11th. In the rush to be ‘safe,’ people are all too willing to sacrifice those things which make our society great.
It’s a chaotic world people, get used to it.
The missed chances came at the end of a summer of heightened intelligence reports about bin Laden's determination to strike the United States. These intelligence reports carried such headlines as “Bin Laden planning multiple operations" and "Bin Laden threats are real.”
I really don’t appreciate the money and time that’s being wasted by Congress.
Why?
I don’t think Bill Clinton is to blame for what happened on 9/11/01.
I don’t think George Bush is to blame for what happened on 9/11/01.
Even Richard Clarke is misplaced in apologizing for those events. The truth is Osama Bin Laden is to blame and the fanatics he leads in al Qaida.
As much as we would like to believe we control the world around us, the truth is we just don’t.
Prior to the events of that horrible day no one would have imagined something even remotely happening like that.
It was the stuff of bad action movies. Maybe, we should have Congress investigate Hollywood?
Maybe they’re to blame?
It’s ridiculous to think this plan came together in the 9 months after George Bush took office. It’s also ridiculous to think every single terrorist act will be stopped before it occurs. I’m not happy with some of the things our government has done in response to September 11th. In the rush to be ‘safe,’ people are all too willing to sacrifice those things which make our society great.
It’s a chaotic world people, get used to it.
Georgie Junior did a news conference tonight. (full text provided by clicking on the link)
I’m not a big fan of the man I’ll admit but, whenever the occasion arises, I always figure there’s some good entertainment to be had watching him butcher the English language.
So, the press conference was prefaced by a bit of a speech after which there was the q and a session (finally a chance to see NPR hero Dooonnnnn Gone YAY!).
Now, I don’t agree with everything the administration has done. I can assign ulterior motives to some of the decisions which have been made but, even given all of those things, the reality is there are Americans sacrificing their time and their lives in the Middle East. My only wish is even those people who disagree with what happened (our intervention in Iraq) can recognize a half done job could only wind up making matters worse.
I’m not a big fan of the man I’ll admit but, whenever the occasion arises, I always figure there’s some good entertainment to be had watching him butcher the English language.
So, the press conference was prefaced by a bit of a speech after which there was the q and a session (finally a chance to see NPR hero Dooonnnnn Gone YAY!).
Now, I don’t agree with everything the administration has done. I can assign ulterior motives to some of the decisions which have been made but, even given all of those things, the reality is there are Americans sacrificing their time and their lives in the Middle East. My only wish is even those people who disagree with what happened (our intervention in Iraq) can recognize a half done job could only wind up making matters worse.
I’ve been busy so I haven’t been doing the blog much. Lots of cleaning and social stuff.
Anyway, in the weird way the world works now, today I ordered some software. You just have to love the way things work. I got an email from a software company and it was an offer for a discount on current versions of their software. So, I go to the website, order the package and on the way to ‘check out,’ a couple of more software offerings of theirs pop up at discount too. So, I’m looking it over and I decide it’s not expensive and also the kind of thing that’s useful to have and I add them to my order and even though there’s a discount, suddenly my order comes to just over $100!
I don’t really want to spend money freely right now. I’m watching pennies so, when I see the total I’m rethinking the purchase. Then I notice, there’s a box for a discount code at the top of the checkout and even though I’m getting a discount I figure it can’t hurt to see if I can find some kind of discount code to put into the box.
So, I go to Yahoo and type the company’s name and the words discount code and a couple of pages come up. The first one is useless (and has popups to boot) but, when I go to the second one there’s a link back to the company’s website and there on the page is a discount code.
I go back to checkout, enter the code and magically $40 comes off the order! So, in addition to the reduced price I got, I got additional money off just for doing a little research. So, today’s lesson is if you’re going to buy anything online, before you do that final click, take the time out to search and see if you can’t get a discount. This isn’t the first time I’ve done something like this and it won’t be the last. All in all I’m pretty pleased with myself for doing it.
If you want the details on the software and the discount you’ll just have to email me for it.
Anyway, in the weird way the world works now, today I ordered some software. You just have to love the way things work. I got an email from a software company and it was an offer for a discount on current versions of their software. So, I go to the website, order the package and on the way to ‘check out,’ a couple of more software offerings of theirs pop up at discount too. So, I’m looking it over and I decide it’s not expensive and also the kind of thing that’s useful to have and I add them to my order and even though there’s a discount, suddenly my order comes to just over $100!
I don’t really want to spend money freely right now. I’m watching pennies so, when I see the total I’m rethinking the purchase. Then I notice, there’s a box for a discount code at the top of the checkout and even though I’m getting a discount I figure it can’t hurt to see if I can find some kind of discount code to put into the box.
So, I go to Yahoo and type the company’s name and the words discount code and a couple of pages come up. The first one is useless (and has popups to boot) but, when I go to the second one there’s a link back to the company’s website and there on the page is a discount code.
I go back to checkout, enter the code and magically $40 comes off the order! So, in addition to the reduced price I got, I got additional money off just for doing a little research. So, today’s lesson is if you’re going to buy anything online, before you do that final click, take the time out to search and see if you can’t get a discount. This isn’t the first time I’ve done something like this and it won’t be the last. All in all I’m pretty pleased with myself for doing it.
If you want the details on the software and the discount you’ll just have to email me for it.
Apr 1, 2004
There comes a point...
When SBC Park opens Thursday for the first of three home exhibition games leading up to the regular season, 121 wireless access points will provide high-speed Internet access in all concourses and seating areas.
The ballpark, known until this year as Pacific Bell Park, will become one of the world's largest public Wi-Fi “hot spots” for people with laptops and handheld computers.
So, besides the intrusion of cell phones and PDAs (which meant something totally different when I was growing up) into every aspect of life, people now need to be connected at the ball game?
Sheeessshhhh!
When SBC Park opens Thursday for the first of three home exhibition games leading up to the regular season, 121 wireless access points will provide high-speed Internet access in all concourses and seating areas.
The ballpark, known until this year as Pacific Bell Park, will become one of the world's largest public Wi-Fi “hot spots” for people with laptops and handheld computers.
So, besides the intrusion of cell phones and PDAs (which meant something totally different when I was growing up) into every aspect of life, people now need to be connected at the ball game?
Sheeessshhhh!
Mar 31, 2004
1. Winter Solstice (2003) (TV) (as Sir Peter Ustinov)
2. Luther (2003) (as Sir Peter Ustinov) — Friedrich, der Weise
3. Will to Resist, The (2002) — Pastor Schmidt
4. "Salem Witch Trials" (2002) (mini) TV Series — William Stroughton
5. Victoria & Albert (2001) (TV) — King William IV
6. Deutschlandspiel (2000) (TV) — Igor Maximytschew
7. Bachelor, The (1999) — Grandad Shannon
8. Animal Farm (1999) (TV) (voice) — Old Major
9. Alice in Wonderland (1999) (TV) — Walrus
10. Stiff Upper Lips (1998) — Horace
11. Phoenix and the Magic Carpet, The (1995) — Grandfather/Voice of Phoenix
12. "Old Curiosity Shop, The" (1995) (mini) TV Series — Grandfather
13. Celebrating Haydn with Peter Ustinov (1994) (TV) — Host
14. "Inside the Vatican" (1993) (mini) TV Series (as Sir Peter Ustinov) — Host
15. "Wings of the Red Star MIG Force" (1993) (mini) TV Series
16. Lorenzo's Oil (1992) — Prof. Gus Nikolais
17. Orchestra, The (1990/II) (TV)
18. C'era un castello con 40 cani (1990) — Le vétérinaire Muggione
19. Révolution française, La (1989) — André-Boniface-Louis Riquetti, vicomte de Mirabeau (segment "Les Années Lumière")
20. "Around the World in 80 Days" (1989/I) (mini) TV Series — Detective Wilbur Fix
21. Appointment with Death (1988) — Hercule Poirot
22. "Russia" (1986) (mini) TV Series — Host
23. Murder in Three Acts (1986) (TV) — Hercule Poirot
24. Dead Man's Folly (1986) (TV) — Hercule Poirot
25. Thirteen at Dinner (1985) (TV) — Hercule Poirot
26. Abgehört (1984) (TV)
27. Memed My Hawk (1984) — Abdi Aga
28. Evil Under the Sun (1982) — Hercule Poirot
29. Search for Santa Claus, The (1981) — Grandfather
30. Grendel Grendel Grendel (1981) (voice) — Grendel
31. Great Muppet Caper, The (1981) — Truck Driver
32. Charlie Chan and the Curse of the Dragon Queen (1981) — Charlie Chan
33. "Dr. Snuggles" (1979) TV Series (voice) — Additional Voices
34. Tarka the Otter (1979) (voice) — Narrator
35. "Cities" (1979) (mini) TV Series — Host (segment Leningrad)
36. Nous maigrirons ensemble (1979) — Victor
37. Ashanti (1979) — Suleiman
38. Doppio delitto (1978) — Harry Hellman
39. Thief of Baghdad, The (1978) (TV) — The Caliph
40. Death on the Nile (1978) — Hercule Poirot
41. Winds of Change (1978) (voice) — Narrator
42. Un taxi mauve (1977) — Taubleman
43. Last Remake of Beau Geste, The (1977) — Markov
44. Mouse and His Child, The (1977) (voice) — Manny the Rat
45. "Jesus of Nazareth" (1977) (mini) TV Series — Herod the Great
46. Treasure of Matecumbe (1976) — Dr. Ewing T. Snodgrass
47. Logan's Run (1976) — Ballard:The Old Man
48. One of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing (1975) — Hnup Wan
49. Robin Hood (1973) (voice) — Prince John/King Richard
50. Burt Bacharach: Opus No. 3 (1973) (TV)
51. "Clochemerle" (1972) TV Series (voice) — Narrator
52. Hammersmith Is Out (1972) — Doctor
53. Gideon (1971) (TV) — Gideon
54. Storm in Summer, A (1970) (TV) — Abel Shaddick
55. Viva Max! (1970) — Gen. Maximilian Rodrigues de Santos
56. Hot Millions (1968) — Marcus Pendleton, alias Caesar Smith
57. Blackbeard's Ghost (1968) — Captain Edward 'Blackbeard' Teach
58. Lionpower From MGM (1967) (uncredited) — Archive footage
59. Comedians, The (1967) — Ambassador Pineda
60. Barefoot in Athens (1966) (TV) — Socrates
61. Lady L (1965) (uncredited) — Prince Otto of Bavaria
62. John Goldfarb, Please Come Home (1965) — King Fawz
63. Peaches (1964) (voice) — Narrator
64. Topkapi (1964) — Arthur Simon Simpson
65. Billy Budd (1962) — Edwin Fairfax Vere, Post Captain
66. Romanoff and Juliet (1961) — The General of Concordia
67. Sundowners, The (1960) — Rupert Venneker
68. Spartacus (1960) — Lentulus Batiatus
69. Adventures of Mr. Wonderbird (1959) (voice) — Wonderbird
70. Ángel pasó por Brooklyn, Un (1957) — Mr. Bossi
71. Espions, Les (1957) — Michel Kiminsky
72. Girovaghi, I (1956) — Don Alfonso
73. Moment of Truth, The (1955) (TV) — Marshal
74. Lola Montès (1955) — Circus Master
75. We're No Angels (1955) — Jules
76. Beau Brummell (1954/I) — Prince of Wales
77. Egyptian, The (1954) — Kaptah
78. Plaisir, Le (1952) (uncredited) — Narrator, English Version
79. Magic Box, The (1951) — Industry Man
80. Hotel Sahara (1951) — Emad
81. Quo Vadis? (1951) — Nero
82. Odette (1950) — Lt. Alex Rabinovich/Arnauld
83. Private Angelo (1949) — Pvt. Angelo
84. Way Ahead, The (1944) — Rispoli: Cafe owneon)
85. Goose Steps Out, The (1942) — Krauss
86. Let the People Sing (1942) (uncredited) — Cameo
87. One of Our Aircraft Is Missing (1942) — Priest
When I was a kid, I remembered Peter Ustinov because of his manic energy and quick wit. There was a time I would confuse him with Jonathan Winters (another talent of similiar size and energy). There’s no denying he was a prolific talent, the list above is just the films he was an actor in and doesn’t even touch on those he directed, produced or wrote. He was a great talent and he’ll be missed.
2. Luther (2003) (as Sir Peter Ustinov) — Friedrich, der Weise
3. Will to Resist, The (2002) — Pastor Schmidt
4. "Salem Witch Trials" (2002) (mini) TV Series — William Stroughton
5. Victoria & Albert (2001) (TV) — King William IV
6. Deutschlandspiel (2000) (TV) — Igor Maximytschew
7. Bachelor, The (1999) — Grandad Shannon
8. Animal Farm (1999) (TV) (voice) — Old Major
9. Alice in Wonderland (1999) (TV) — Walrus
10. Stiff Upper Lips (1998) — Horace
11. Phoenix and the Magic Carpet, The (1995) — Grandfather/Voice of Phoenix
12. "Old Curiosity Shop, The" (1995) (mini) TV Series — Grandfather
13. Celebrating Haydn with Peter Ustinov (1994) (TV) — Host
14. "Inside the Vatican" (1993) (mini) TV Series (as Sir Peter Ustinov) — Host
15. "Wings of the Red Star MIG Force" (1993) (mini) TV Series
16. Lorenzo's Oil (1992) — Prof. Gus Nikolais
17. Orchestra, The (1990/II) (TV)
18. C'era un castello con 40 cani (1990) — Le vétérinaire Muggione
19. Révolution française, La (1989) — André-Boniface-Louis Riquetti, vicomte de Mirabeau (segment "Les Années Lumière")
20. "Around the World in 80 Days" (1989/I) (mini) TV Series — Detective Wilbur Fix
21. Appointment with Death (1988) — Hercule Poirot
22. "Russia" (1986) (mini) TV Series — Host
23. Murder in Three Acts (1986) (TV) — Hercule Poirot
24. Dead Man's Folly (1986) (TV) — Hercule Poirot
25. Thirteen at Dinner (1985) (TV) — Hercule Poirot
26. Abgehört (1984) (TV)
27. Memed My Hawk (1984) — Abdi Aga
28. Evil Under the Sun (1982) — Hercule Poirot
29. Search for Santa Claus, The (1981) — Grandfather
30. Grendel Grendel Grendel (1981) (voice) — Grendel
31. Great Muppet Caper, The (1981) — Truck Driver
32. Charlie Chan and the Curse of the Dragon Queen (1981) — Charlie Chan
33. "Dr. Snuggles" (1979) TV Series (voice) — Additional Voices
34. Tarka the Otter (1979) (voice) — Narrator
35. "Cities" (1979) (mini) TV Series — Host (segment Leningrad)
36. Nous maigrirons ensemble (1979) — Victor
37. Ashanti (1979) — Suleiman
38. Doppio delitto (1978) — Harry Hellman
39. Thief of Baghdad, The (1978) (TV) — The Caliph
40. Death on the Nile (1978) — Hercule Poirot
41. Winds of Change (1978) (voice) — Narrator
42. Un taxi mauve (1977) — Taubleman
43. Last Remake of Beau Geste, The (1977) — Markov
44. Mouse and His Child, The (1977) (voice) — Manny the Rat
45. "Jesus of Nazareth" (1977) (mini) TV Series — Herod the Great
46. Treasure of Matecumbe (1976) — Dr. Ewing T. Snodgrass
47. Logan's Run (1976) — Ballard:The Old Man
48. One of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing (1975) — Hnup Wan
49. Robin Hood (1973) (voice) — Prince John/King Richard
50. Burt Bacharach: Opus No. 3 (1973) (TV)
51. "Clochemerle" (1972) TV Series (voice) — Narrator
52. Hammersmith Is Out (1972) — Doctor
53. Gideon (1971) (TV) — Gideon
54. Storm in Summer, A (1970) (TV) — Abel Shaddick
55. Viva Max! (1970) — Gen. Maximilian Rodrigues de Santos
56. Hot Millions (1968) — Marcus Pendleton, alias Caesar Smith
57. Blackbeard's Ghost (1968) — Captain Edward 'Blackbeard' Teach
58. Lionpower From MGM (1967) (uncredited) — Archive footage
59. Comedians, The (1967) — Ambassador Pineda
60. Barefoot in Athens (1966) (TV) — Socrates
61. Lady L (1965) (uncredited) — Prince Otto of Bavaria
62. John Goldfarb, Please Come Home (1965) — King Fawz
63. Peaches (1964) (voice) — Narrator
64. Topkapi (1964) — Arthur Simon Simpson
65. Billy Budd (1962) — Edwin Fairfax Vere, Post Captain
66. Romanoff and Juliet (1961) — The General of Concordia
67. Sundowners, The (1960) — Rupert Venneker
68. Spartacus (1960) — Lentulus Batiatus
69. Adventures of Mr. Wonderbird (1959) (voice) — Wonderbird
70. Ángel pasó por Brooklyn, Un (1957) — Mr. Bossi
71. Espions, Les (1957) — Michel Kiminsky
72. Girovaghi, I (1956) — Don Alfonso
73. Moment of Truth, The (1955) (TV) — Marshal
74. Lola Montès (1955) — Circus Master
75. We're No Angels (1955) — Jules
76. Beau Brummell (1954/I) — Prince of Wales
77. Egyptian, The (1954) — Kaptah
78. Plaisir, Le (1952) (uncredited) — Narrator, English Version
79. Magic Box, The (1951) — Industry Man
80. Hotel Sahara (1951) — Emad
81. Quo Vadis? (1951) — Nero
82. Odette (1950) — Lt. Alex Rabinovich/Arnauld
83. Private Angelo (1949) — Pvt. Angelo
84. Way Ahead, The (1944) — Rispoli: Cafe owneon)
85. Goose Steps Out, The (1942) — Krauss
86. Let the People Sing (1942) (uncredited) — Cameo
87. One of Our Aircraft Is Missing (1942) — Priest
When I was a kid, I remembered Peter Ustinov because of his manic energy and quick wit. There was a time I would confuse him with Jonathan Winters (another talent of similiar size and energy). There’s no denying he was a prolific talent, the list above is just the films he was an actor in and doesn’t even touch on those he directed, produced or wrote. He was a great talent and he’ll be missed.
I had my days of being svelte.
As you get older, it gets harder and harder to hold onto those days. It takes a lot of work to be thin or a grudging acceptance of the way things are, a young body processes things differently than an older body.
So, what I was trying to get at was that, yeah, if I put in the time and had a little discipline I could probably lose some weight. If anything, it would be a good idea to do it.
In the meantime, there are certain things I just won’t wear. I don’t buy into the ‘flab in skintight’ look - it’s not flattering and truthfully it gives one a resemblance to certain pork products. When I see those stretch pants wrapped tightly around a large derriére in a local store, the only thing I can think of is the pants should come with that ‘wide load’ symbol you see on some trucks on the highway - that and maybe a red flag placed in each pocket.
So, yesterday when I saw the picture below in the paper, I was thinking to myself that there’s a real predisposition for ballooning here. Also, some people shouldn’t wear certain outfits.
Didn’t Liz Taylor travel down this road?
As you get older, it gets harder and harder to hold onto those days. It takes a lot of work to be thin or a grudging acceptance of the way things are, a young body processes things differently than an older body.
So, what I was trying to get at was that, yeah, if I put in the time and had a little discipline I could probably lose some weight. If anything, it would be a good idea to do it.
In the meantime, there are certain things I just won’t wear. I don’t buy into the ‘flab in skintight’ look - it’s not flattering and truthfully it gives one a resemblance to certain pork products. When I see those stretch pants wrapped tightly around a large derriére in a local store, the only thing I can think of is the pants should come with that ‘wide load’ symbol you see on some trucks on the highway - that and maybe a red flag placed in each pocket.
So, yesterday when I saw the picture below in the paper, I was thinking to myself that there’s a real predisposition for ballooning here. Also, some people shouldn’t wear certain outfits.
Didn’t Liz Taylor travel down this road?
Link to a coupon good for 20% off on a purchase at Borders bookstores, good through April 8th.
Mar 29, 2004
Hi fashionistas! It’s spring and also... it’s fashion week here in the Middle East!
What’s the smart youngster wearing around town these days?
Why, it’s the very fashionable explosive vest!
Great for making a statement at parties, or even when you’re just hanging around with friends, and oh-so-perfect for those moments when you come upon a nasty old checkpoint.
Well there are two side to every story:
“Hussam left home this morning to school, and this was the first we hear of what happened,” Tamam Abdu told Reuters from the family home in Nablus, just north of Hawara. “This is shocking. To use a child like this is irresponsible, forbidden.”
There was no claim of responsibility for Abdu’s mission from the slew of militant groups waging a Palestinian uprising that erupted in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in September 2000.
...and then on the other side...
“We know for sure this is a fabricated story from A to Z. Would you believe that a 13 or 14-year old would agree to blow up himself in return for a hundred shekels which he would receive after his death?”
...Samir Khiwairah, a Nablus journalist who personally knows the boy’s family, told Aljazeera.net that the boy’s mental capacity to distinguish things is very low.
“I don’t completely rule out the possibility that some evil person gave him the explosive belt and told him he would become a hero... but this is a very tiny possibility.”
The kid did have a ‘dull’ look on his face in the news piece I saw and looked like he might be ‘slow.’
Still, in the past, I do seem to remember a girl of nineteen getting on board a bus and detonating herself, leaving behind a tape in which she expressed her convictions about what she was doing.
There doesn’t seem to be such a large gap between a 14 and a 19 year old so, I couldn’t say I would be surprised the boy had been used to achieve such a nefarious goal.
What I don’t understand though, is how no one questions their own leadership? It’s great to be committed to a cause but, send your own children before you send the children of someone else to do such a thing. To do otherwise just doesn’t seem right.
What’s the smart youngster wearing around town these days?
Why, it’s the very fashionable explosive vest!
Great for making a statement at parties, or even when you’re just hanging around with friends, and oh-so-perfect for those moments when you come upon a nasty old checkpoint.
Well there are two side to every story:
“Hussam left home this morning to school, and this was the first we hear of what happened,” Tamam Abdu told Reuters from the family home in Nablus, just north of Hawara. “This is shocking. To use a child like this is irresponsible, forbidden.”
There was no claim of responsibility for Abdu’s mission from the slew of militant groups waging a Palestinian uprising that erupted in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in September 2000.
...and then on the other side...
“We know for sure this is a fabricated story from A to Z. Would you believe that a 13 or 14-year old would agree to blow up himself in return for a hundred shekels which he would receive after his death?”
...Samir Khiwairah, a Nablus journalist who personally knows the boy’s family, told Aljazeera.net that the boy’s mental capacity to distinguish things is very low.
“I don’t completely rule out the possibility that some evil person gave him the explosive belt and told him he would become a hero... but this is a very tiny possibility.”
The kid did have a ‘dull’ look on his face in the news piece I saw and looked like he might be ‘slow.’
Still, in the past, I do seem to remember a girl of nineteen getting on board a bus and detonating herself, leaving behind a tape in which she expressed her convictions about what she was doing.
There doesn’t seem to be such a large gap between a 14 and a 19 year old so, I couldn’t say I would be surprised the boy had been used to achieve such a nefarious goal.
What I don’t understand though, is how no one questions their own leadership? It’s great to be committed to a cause but, send your own children before you send the children of someone else to do such a thing. To do otherwise just doesn’t seem right.
I’m not particularly happy with either of the choices offered up by the two main political parties in the coming presidential election (Bush or Kerry).
Watching Junior spend money like a sailor on leave, driving up the nation’s deficit, is just a disaster waiting to happen but, his alternative can in no way be painted as a ‘man of the people.’
Our nation’s richest chief executives in order of personal wealth:
(figures adjusted for inflation)
*President Washington was generally aligned with Federalist doctrine, though he was not formally a member of the Federalist Party or any political party.
** Candidate. NA: not applicable.
But, then again maybe Kerry’s campaign motto will spring from the history of the company his wife is heir to, See? No leaves, no wood fiber, no turnip filler.
Still, as much as I have been alarmed by the growing number of jobs being sent overseas, there are alternative arguments:
I don't think that Kerry should shut down The Heinz 57, but he might drop the rhetoric and talk about trade responsibly. He should support, not trade’s contraction, but its expansion, like George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and every president since Herbert Hoover.
and there’s also...
Sen. John Kerry is fond of calling CEOs who employ foreigners “Benedict Arnolds,” after the despicable Revolutionary War turncoat. But look at H.J. Heinz & Co., the family business of Kerry and his wife Teresa. Of the 79 factories that the food-processor owns, 57 (a felicitous number!) are overseas. According to its website, Heinz is making ketchup, pizza crust, baby cereal and other edibles in such countries as Poland, Venezuela, Botswana, China, Thailand and India.
So, I’m in a quandary about who to support in the coming months. Maybe if I decide to vote for JK, I’ll show my support by downloading this.
Watching Junior spend money like a sailor on leave, driving up the nation’s deficit, is just a disaster waiting to happen but, his alternative can in no way be painted as a ‘man of the people.’
(figures adjusted for inflation)
| Rank | Name | Party | Term |
| 1. | George Washington | None* | 1789-1797 |
| 2. | John F. Kennedy | Democrat | 1961-1963 |
| John F. Kerry** | Democrat | NA | |
| 3. | Andrew Jackson | Democrat | 1829-1837 |
| 4. | Lyndon B. Johnson | Democrat | 1963-1969 |
| 5. | Herbert Hoover | Republican | 1929-1933 |
** Candidate. NA: not applicable.
But, then again maybe Kerry’s campaign motto will spring from the history of the company his wife is heir to, See? No leaves, no wood fiber, no turnip filler.
Still, as much as I have been alarmed by the growing number of jobs being sent overseas, there are alternative arguments:
I don't think that Kerry should shut down The Heinz 57, but he might drop the rhetoric and talk about trade responsibly. He should support, not trade’s contraction, but its expansion, like George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and every president since Herbert Hoover.
and there’s also...
Sen. John Kerry is fond of calling CEOs who employ foreigners “Benedict Arnolds,” after the despicable Revolutionary War turncoat. But look at H.J. Heinz & Co., the family business of Kerry and his wife Teresa. Of the 79 factories that the food-processor owns, 57 (a felicitous number!) are overseas. According to its website, Heinz is making ketchup, pizza crust, baby cereal and other edibles in such countries as Poland, Venezuela, Botswana, China, Thailand and India.
So, I’m in a quandary about who to support in the coming months. Maybe if I decide to vote for JK, I’ll show my support by downloading this.
Mar 27, 2004
Despite strong support from Pataki and Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the plan faces other major hurdles, including an environmental review, zoning approvals and possible lawsuits by neighborhood activists.
“It’s not a plan for our neighborhood, it’s a plan for the Jets,” said City Council member Christine Quinn, who represents the area. “We will fight until we defeat this ill-conceived plan for a stadium on the West Side.”
I’m always amazed when politicians further their own agenda at the public’s expense and at the same time, try to mask it as something in the public’s best interest. The area above the west side rail yards has been eyed covetously by some developers for awhile.
Construction of the new West Side Highway began in April 1996. The first section of the project, between Clarkson Street and Horatio Street, was finished in August 1998. The entire ‘NY 9A Reconstruction Project’ was completed in August 2001.
According to the NYSDOT, the new West Side Highway handles approximately 95,000 vehicles per day (AADT)
Can you imagine how overwhelming the traffic will be with a stadium located on the West Side?!?! How incredibly stupid. (The link above will take you to a page on the history of the West Side Highway on the NYC Roads site. NYC Roads is just an interesting site to wander around by the way).
As far as the Jets are concerned, it is hard to argue that the ‘Men in Green’ do not deserve their own stadium. Currently the Jets share a stadium with one of their chief regional rivals. Further, the Javits Center is in need of an expansion, and New York would be a terrific host for an Olympic games.
However, constructing a massive sports complex on the Upper West Side of Manhattan has greater potential for harm than for benefit.
The costs - an estimated $1 billion, as well as increased congestion and potential for neighborhood destruction - are simply too high. Instead, significant funds should be invested to build the Jets a new facility at, or near, the Meadowlands as well as provide sufficient transportation infrastructure and development to make for an enjoyable facility.
Above link to the Stadium Mouse website, an extensive paper studying the benefits and liabilities municipalities face when deciding to build such a facility.
And while there are some in real estate, who salivate over the prospect of a new stadium, others realized just how detrimental it could be as much as three years ago.
I’ll briefly mention that we are not in favor of a stadium. Big surprise. It is a lost opportunity for other things that might be built there. Also, we haven’t really come across any evidence that the stadium would bring a large economic benefit to the city. We do see that it is likely to bring traffic, which is something we’d like to reduce. The Javits Center has to expand. We support the expansion of the Javits Center. How it expands and how much are still open to debate. But we think expansion over the rail yard is a logical direction. We also hope that they will not expand north of 49th Street, and instead leave that open to a new corridor to the park, access to a new ferry terminal that is supposed to be built on the waterfront there. Right now the Javits Center basically blocks access to the water for five blocks. That’s probably enough.
This has been one of those favored projects for a long time though. The previous administration - Giuliani, the penultimate Yankee fan - wanted to make the area a present to George Steinbrenner under the guise of using a west side stadium to get the Olympics to the city in 2012.
...Giuliani will be forced out of office next year under the city's term limits law. Asked what he will be doing in 2012, Giuliani responded, “I could be mayor again. You think it's a joke. There’ll be a point when they’ll want me back. You wait and see.”
...of course, Rudy had been advocating a new west side Yankee stadium as far back as 1997:
The main bone of contention was the Speaker’s plan to submit a referendum to voters on whether or not to use city funds to build a new Yankee stadium in Manhattan. Mayor Giuliani had proposed creation of a Sports Facilities Corporation using a portion of the commercial rent tax to partially finance construction of new stadiums for both Mets and Yankees. Mr. Vallone’s referendum would likely thwart those plans, given popular sentiment opposing use of public funds to build a new Yankee stadium on Manhattan’s westside.
I’ve heard a lot of football fans (surprisingly even Mike Fancesa and Chris Mad Dog Russo) come out against a west side football stadium. Tailgating, part of the football experience, would be one of the things fans would have to forego if a stadium were to be built on the west side. This is presupposing they’d be using mass transit to get to the game.
In the meantime, another, better situated site, goes undeveloped.
A few years back, there was a lot of noise made by the then Mayor about building a golf course in one of the boroughs and having a PGA sponsored event there:
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, joined by golf legend Jack Nicklaus and Parks Commissioner Henry J. Stern, today announced plans for the City’s first new municipal golf course in 35 years. The state-of-the-art, $22 million Ferry Point Park Golf Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, will be located in Ferry Point Park along the East River in The Bronx. The design will include an eighteen-hole, par 72 layout suitable for Professional Golf Association tournaments, a full-size practice range and learning center, a pro-shop, restaurant, snack bar and banquet facility. The course is expected to be completed by December 2001.
Here it is 2004 and the last time I went over the Whitestone Bridge, I can tell you I wasn’t driving past a golf course.
...But instead of becoming a world-class greenway, Ferry Point Park is now looking more like one of the city's biggest boondoggles. While Mayor Giuliani was inviting the PGA to play at the park, state officials were shutting the golf course development down. The project’s budget has ballooned from $22.5 million to more than $40 million, and it now appears that the golf course might not get built at all. Meanwhile, the endeavor raises serious questions about how private developers were able to take possession of a public park without first obtaining legally required clearance from city authorities.
So, here’s a site - undeveloped - 413 acres within the city limits, in a borough that could use the development and the jobs. To top it off, the site is located close to I-95, the Cross Bronx Expressway, the Bruckner Expressway, the Hutchison River Parkway, the Whitestone and Throgs Neck Bridges and would have waterfront access for a ferry terminal but somehow, it gets overlooked as a potential site for a new stadium.
Makes no sense to me.
You may have gotten an email with a link from me this week. If not, Les passed along this little salary survey that caused a fairly strong reaction among my peers.
http://www.designsalaries.com
If you haven’t checked it out and you work in the field it’s worth looking at. As I had said in the email I forwarded to people, I didn’t know whether to be depressed, happy about what I manage to earn or if I should begin thinking about other careers.
Graphics is one of those fields that eats the young and casts off the old. Unless you’re one of those people at the top of the pyramid, getting older in this field isn’t kind. Funny thing is, I’ve done a lot of things during the course of my life and came into the field (what I consider) relatively late - which actually may have helped me.
A friend many years ago said to me, “You should always be looking.” Although he wasn’t necessarily one to set the world on fire, those words have never really left me. Mind you, I do get apprehensive but my audacity is boundless and that’s probably what keeps me going.
http://www.designsalaries.com
If you haven’t checked it out and you work in the field it’s worth looking at. As I had said in the email I forwarded to people, I didn’t know whether to be depressed, happy about what I manage to earn or if I should begin thinking about other careers.
Graphics is one of those fields that eats the young and casts off the old. Unless you’re one of those people at the top of the pyramid, getting older in this field isn’t kind. Funny thing is, I’ve done a lot of things during the course of my life and came into the field (what I consider) relatively late - which actually may have helped me.
A friend many years ago said to me, “You should always be looking.” Although he wasn’t necessarily one to set the world on fire, those words have never really left me. Mind you, I do get apprehensive but my audacity is boundless and that’s probably what keeps me going.
Mar 26, 2004
Mar 23, 2004
http://havanastreet.com/merchandise.htm
Shameless plug department:
One of the things I ‘cotton’ to is retro design - fonts, images, logos with a forties, fifties or sixties feel. I love that kind of work, there was some really great design in those days and most of it still holds up pretty well.
My first gig as a graphic artist was at a newspaper doing ads and there was an old royalty free clip art book. At the time (early days of the Mac) there wasn’t an abundance of electronic art and a resource like that really came in handy.
I’ve ordered clip art from the guys at Havana Street, they do some truly beautiful work (both fonts and clip art) and they even offer free stuff just for checking out their site - it’s definitely worth the time, check it out by clicking the link above.
I have to admit, this had me thinking it would probably work for me although it is a bit pricey...
mypetfat isn’t another diet, a new exotic weight-loss supplement, or the latest exercise craze. It’s the one and only thing that I’ve found that can create immediate, life changing and life long results…. your thinking.
mypetfat isn’t another diet, a new exotic weight-loss supplement, or the latest exercise craze. It’s the one and only thing that I’ve found that can create immediate, life changing and life long results…. your thinking.
Maybe, it’s time to move and telecommute?
Many Plains towns are struggling to survive. Young people leave, old people die, and storefronts become boarded up one by one.
Marquette is among at least 10 Kansas communities offering free land to attract residents to boost school enrollment and fatten the tax base. Most such programs started in the past year or two, so it is too soon to measure long-term success.
Many Plains towns are struggling to survive. Young people leave, old people die, and storefronts become boarded up one by one.
Marquette is among at least 10 Kansas communities offering free land to attract residents to boost school enrollment and fatten the tax base. Most such programs started in the past year or two, so it is too soon to measure long-term success.
Just in time for my Golden Years. Another reason for me and my peers to think about come November.
Democrat John Kerry (news - web sites) said the report showed President Bush (news - web sites) had squandered on tax cuts money that could rescue Medicare. The White House sought to blame the program's problems on rising health costs, and not the drug benefit Bush signed in December.
Democrat John Kerry (news - web sites) said the report showed President Bush (news - web sites) had squandered on tax cuts money that could rescue Medicare. The White House sought to blame the program's problems on rising health costs, and not the drug benefit Bush signed in December.
Mar 22, 2004
So, now in response to something that originated someplace else, we in New York move another step closer to a police state. It’s amazing the things people will allow under the illusion of safety and security.
Teams of police offers will now stop subway trains at random for spot safety checks.
NEW YORK -- The New York Police Department swept through subways with hand-held radiation detectors on Monday, looking for dirty bombs and sending the message that there is heightened security on city subways, NewsChannel 4 reported.
The high-profile random checks will be conducted 24 hours a day, seven days a week, authorities said. Subway crews won't even know until they pull into a station that police will board and check the train. Once straphangers are notified, a team of more than a dozen officers with dogs will begin their anti-terror work. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge announced on Monday that initiatives like this will receive federal support.
Part of the sweep will involve engaging each and every passenger of the train being inspected, so now we’ve taken that foreboding step where people are able to be stopped and spot checked, just like the good old days before the revolutionary war.
Never mind the fact you now will have officers with machine guns patrolling the subway — is everyone in this country asleep?
Teams of police offers will now stop subway trains at random for spot safety checks.
NEW YORK -- The New York Police Department swept through subways with hand-held radiation detectors on Monday, looking for dirty bombs and sending the message that there is heightened security on city subways, NewsChannel 4 reported.
The high-profile random checks will be conducted 24 hours a day, seven days a week, authorities said. Subway crews won't even know until they pull into a station that police will board and check the train. Once straphangers are notified, a team of more than a dozen officers with dogs will begin their anti-terror work. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge announced on Monday that initiatives like this will receive federal support.
Part of the sweep will involve engaging each and every passenger of the train being inspected, so now we’ve taken that foreboding step where people are able to be stopped and spot checked, just like the good old days before the revolutionary war.
Never mind the fact you now will have officers with machine guns patrolling the subway — is everyone in this country asleep?
I thought I’d put up a link to the belle de jour weblog.
The identity of its author has become the target of the sleuth that outed Joe Klein as the author of primary colors.
It’s supposed to be the weblog of a London call girl. I’d swear the way people act you’d think we were living in Victorian times. I find myself less shocked by things as much as I’m put off by people’s poor taste. There’s a time and a place for everything.
The identity of its author has become the target of the sleuth that outed Joe Klein as the author of primary colors.
It’s supposed to be the weblog of a London call girl. I’d swear the way people act you’d think we were living in Victorian times. I find myself less shocked by things as much as I’m put off by people’s poor taste. There’s a time and a place for everything.
Mmmmmm...
He who made the decision to assassinate Sheikh Ahmed Yassin has made a decision to kill hundreds of Zionists.
So, let me get this straight, HAMAS which refused to recognize Israel and has been carrying out terrorist bombings now refuses to recognize Israel and carry out terrorist bombings? So, HAMAS was like, terrorism lite before now?
The whole idea of a cease-fire with Hamas, frankly I find ridiculous. Hamas has no place for Israel or the PA in its world view, and it will continue to adhere to that principle. All the cease-fire is going to do is give it time to reconstitute and rearm. There have been ten different attempts at cease-fires with Hamas. Every single one has been broken. And Professor Khalidi noted the terrible atrocities that have happened on both sides in the past few days. It's a little bit of a chicken and an egg. As it happens, in fact, in this case, the first attack was not by the Israeli army but by a Hamas attack on an Ares checkpoint at the same time that the Israelis were, to great political cost to them, dismantling illegal outposts. Clearly there is responsibility on both sides here. But I think the Israelis are responding to Hamas attacks, and I think if there is a lack of terrorism, there would be a lack of Israeli military activity.
I’m a little curious if that’s been tried.
In February and March 1996, Hamas carried out several bus bombings, killing nearly 60 Israelis. It was also blamed for attacks in 1997 in Jerusalem which killed 15 people, and brought the peace process grinding to a halt.
Condemnation rings somewhat hollow:
In Brussels, European Union foreign ministers condemned Israel for an "extra-judicial killing", which they said undermined the rule of law.
...and it’s interesting to note, Israelis have not been the sole target of HAMAS:
The Hamas (a word meaning courage and bravery) is a radical Islamic organization which became active in the early stages of the Intifada, operating primarily in the Gaza Strip but also in the West Bank. The Hamas has played a major role in violent fundamentalist subversion and radical terrorist operations against both Israelis and Arabs.
I’m sorry, I have little sympathy for people who were shown celebrating the attack on the World Trade Center, who burn our flag on a regular basis but have no problem taking our money:
The US has given $548,766,000 in direct aid to the PA, according to Palestinian Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation figures[11]. But the total sum, including the amount given through relief and development organizations, is $1.1B.[12] In addition, following the 1998 Wye River Memorandum, the CIA has been training the Palestinian Authority Security Services.[13] The budget for this is unknown, though in September 2002, an additional $20 million has been allocated for an ostensible reform of the Palestinian security services.[14] Clearly, previous attempts to create a law-abiding security force for the Palestinian people have utterly failed. One hopes that this time better selection methods are being implemented to exclude the terrorists from the ranks of the PA security forces.
Mar 20, 2004
Mar 19, 2004
While I’m not necessarily in agreement, I do think it’s not only a right but a duty to protest government actions you don’t like (and thankfully we still as yet have that ability).
Big demonstration tomorrow for those interested against the whole Iraq war.
More info at: unitedforpeace.org
Mar 18, 2004
Speaking of famous people getting busted, it’s always a hoot to go over to the Smoking Gun dotcom and look at the mugshots of the rich and famous - nobody takes a good picture when they’re being arrested.
Hours before her arrest, Love, 39, known for her sensational, disruptive behavior, bared her breasts on the CBS “Late Show with David Letterman.” Love jumped on the desk used by Letterman for the late-night talk show and pulled up her shirt. She was not wearing a bra.
Oh lord! She wasn’t wearing a bra!?!?! God help us! What!?!? No Senate hearings? No fines from the FCC?!!?! Janet Jackson must be pissed!
Gotta give it to Courtney though, she’s still living that ‘rock lifestyle.’
Wonder what Frances Bean thinks of mommy on TV? Probably just embarassed by her parent like most kids?
Mar 17, 2004
Like Superman emerging from a phone booth, Armando Parra steps out from the bathroom of his old-time barbershop transformed into the Chicken Catcher, dedicated to ridding this island town of nuisance fowl.
and his website...
Please do not email me to pick up chickens, you must call City Hall. I turn all chickens over to The City of Key West so I cannot give them away or sell them
and his website...
Please do not email me to pick up chickens, you must call City Hall. I turn all chickens over to The City of Key West so I cannot give them away or sell them
Mar 16, 2004
I’ve been working downtown for the last few weeks. By downtown, I mean lower Manhattan (The Wall Street Area).
I’ve been working for a client I had last worked for before September 11th, 2001. As a matter of fact, the number of times I’ve ventured to lower Manhattan since September 11th could probably be counted on the fingers of one hand.
Anyway, I didn’t come down here that much before the event (which I’m a little sad about now), since I really hadn’t any reason to. After 9-11, while I can’t say I’ve intentionally avoided the area, I also haven’t come down to gawk. There is something I find distastefully morbid in the people who make the pilgrimage to see an open pit where the World Trade Center once stood.
That being said, over the last few nights, I’ve had my first encounters with the site since the event happened. Usually, it’s been after a particularly long day, when I’m tired and in the back of one of those ‘black cars.’ The driver has made their way over to the west side and we’ve driven past the site.
Like a kid, I find myself perking up as we pass trying to see what it looks like. While I don’t have the morbid fascination, I will admit to being curious to see what it looks like if I’m going by it.
Usually, it’s at a time of day when the city is very quiet, those wee hours of the morning that are the domain of garbage haulers, newspaper and bread delivery men. The area has these large, large floodlights illuminating the pit. They’re the kind of lights they’ve been using on night highway construction sites over the last few years.
There’s just this big open space where the complex once was. No rising smoke anymore, no heavy machinery, just a big pit.
It’s Manhattan‘s answer to a big gaping wound.
I’ve ridden past it a few times now on both the Church Street side and the West Street side - it’s all very, very strange to put it mildly.
I had gotten into a conversation with one of the drivers about it - he was amazed I hadn’t been downtown since 9-11. Over the course of the ride he began telling me about all the other changes there were downtown. Apparently a bunch of streets are closed off permanently.
Sunday, I went down and we walked around Chinatown trying to find a decent Dim Sum place. Afterward, even though it was cold, I (and my Dim Sum companion) walked around and explored.
I had wanted to see what the parking situation was downtown. I had been working down there the last few weeks and there had been a bunch of times when I had driven in but, not knowing what street parking was like wound up parking much further uptown.
I remembered at one time there was a public parking garage but, I couldn’t be sure it was still open anymore and wanted to check.
So, we made our way southward...
Chinatown is bounded by Worth Street to the south and just south of Chatham Square, Park Row branches off to run under the Brooklyn Bridge approach and down along the side of City Hall park (it’s where J and R electronics and also the place where the WTC’s antecedent the Woolworth building stands).
As you make your way down Park Row, there’s a bunch of Federal, State and City government buildings located along the street and to the west of it (between Park Row and Broadway). You have the Tweed building, One Police Plaza, DMV, a couple of courthouses and the federal building. The infamous ‘tombs’ (the Manhattan jail) is just on the northern edge.
So, we walked around and made our way south, through Chatham Square and lo and behold just below Chatham Square, Park Row was indeed closed!
“[The] city has [secured] a…greater area than apparently is necessary to provide security for One Police Plaza,” said State Supreme Court Justice Walter Tolub at a court hearing June 27. Residents of Chatham Green and Chatham Towers, and several local politicians have filed a lawsuit against the city to force officials to issue an environmental impact statement on the closing of Park Row and nearby streets to most vehicles. Judge Tolub, according to court transcripts, also told the city’s attorney that “you seem to have undertaken a rather massive approach to a security problem without any thought as to the impact on the community.”
As we walked down Park Row, there were a great many cameras and guard shacks. Each guard shack had the emblem of a different government agency.
The Gray Hole
There was an eerie feeling as if you were stepping into another land. It was like walking into a world that Orwell had envisioned, cameras and police on every corner. A checkpoint at each corner.
I found it very sad. I actually felt like crying. There was something that was just so wrong about the whole scene, it wasn’t New York. It wasn’t my New York. Certainly, not the one I grew up in and drove a taxi in.
We passed a policeman in a guard shack just north of Reade Street and just south of the intersection a Federal Marshall came out of his shack and asked if he could help us. Obviously we had crossed some invisible line into the forbidden zone.
It was surreal, to say the least. Don’t get me wrong, the guy was a nice guy and everything, it was just the circumstances, being on a public street in the middle of Manhattan and which was now closed.
I explained to him the story about my conversation with the taxi driver and he was quite understanding. I asked if the street would be open again and he replied he didn’t think it would ever be. I also asked him about the parking garage and he pointed me in its direction.
We walked another block or two (around 1 Police Plaza) and it turned out the garage was actually in Police Plaza.
There were two more guard shacks there. I asked the policeman if you were still able to park but, he said the garage had been closed since before 9-11.
July 9, 2001 -- FIELDS FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST CITY FOR CLOSING OF MUNICIPAL PARKING GARAGE IN LOWER MANHATTAN --BOROUGH PRESIDENT SAYS CITY OFFICIALS KNOWINGLY VIOLATED CHARTER REGULATIONS
Between the concrete barricades, the checkpoints and the guard shacks, it made a sad statement on our city.
There was this oft stated phrase that ended with... “won’t the terrorists have won, then?!” in the days and months immediately following 9-11.
All I could think of walking around downtown was that they had.
We pride ourselves on living in a free and open society. While the truth is our society isn’t quite as free and open as we may like it to be, it’s by far much better than a lot of the world. In every discussion about terrorism and the fight against it, no one wants to address the basic tenets of the struggle.
We are fighting extremists, groups who don’t like the fact that our citizens can live their lives the way they want as long as they’re not impeding on someone else’s right to do the same. When we sacrifice those freedoms to a false sense of security, we do ourselves a disservice as a nation and as a people.
To the Barricades Over a Police Barricade
By KELLY CROW May 11, 2003. New York Times
Danny Chen cannot invite friends, or even relatives, to his apartment anymore. That's because Mr. Chen, a software engineer, lives in Chatham Green, a 21-story co-op on Park Row that sits just inside a police barricade installed after Sept. 11 to protect Police Plaza across the street...
Doesn’t it strike anyone as odd that although New York was attacked, none of the attacks originated from New York, they originated from elsewhere but, somehow because New York was the target, security was intensified here as opposed to the places the attacks originated from?
I’ve been working for a client I had last worked for before September 11th, 2001. As a matter of fact, the number of times I’ve ventured to lower Manhattan since September 11th could probably be counted on the fingers of one hand.
Anyway, I didn’t come down here that much before the event (which I’m a little sad about now), since I really hadn’t any reason to. After 9-11, while I can’t say I’ve intentionally avoided the area, I also haven’t come down to gawk. There is something I find distastefully morbid in the people who make the pilgrimage to see an open pit where the World Trade Center once stood.
That being said, over the last few nights, I’ve had my first encounters with the site since the event happened. Usually, it’s been after a particularly long day, when I’m tired and in the back of one of those ‘black cars.’ The driver has made their way over to the west side and we’ve driven past the site.
Like a kid, I find myself perking up as we pass trying to see what it looks like. While I don’t have the morbid fascination, I will admit to being curious to see what it looks like if I’m going by it.
Usually, it’s at a time of day when the city is very quiet, those wee hours of the morning that are the domain of garbage haulers, newspaper and bread delivery men. The area has these large, large floodlights illuminating the pit. They’re the kind of lights they’ve been using on night highway construction sites over the last few years.
There’s just this big open space where the complex once was. No rising smoke anymore, no heavy machinery, just a big pit.
It’s Manhattan‘s answer to a big gaping wound.
I’ve ridden past it a few times now on both the Church Street side and the West Street side - it’s all very, very strange to put it mildly.
I had gotten into a conversation with one of the drivers about it - he was amazed I hadn’t been downtown since 9-11. Over the course of the ride he began telling me about all the other changes there were downtown. Apparently a bunch of streets are closed off permanently.
Sunday, I went down and we walked around Chinatown trying to find a decent Dim Sum place. Afterward, even though it was cold, I (and my Dim Sum companion) walked around and explored.
I had wanted to see what the parking situation was downtown. I had been working down there the last few weeks and there had been a bunch of times when I had driven in but, not knowing what street parking was like wound up parking much further uptown.
I remembered at one time there was a public parking garage but, I couldn’t be sure it was still open anymore and wanted to check.
So, we made our way southward...
Chinatown is bounded by Worth Street to the south and just south of Chatham Square, Park Row branches off to run under the Brooklyn Bridge approach and down along the side of City Hall park (it’s where J and R electronics and also the place where the WTC’s antecedent the Woolworth building stands).
As you make your way down Park Row, there’s a bunch of Federal, State and City government buildings located along the street and to the west of it (between Park Row and Broadway). You have the Tweed building, One Police Plaza, DMV, a couple of courthouses and the federal building. The infamous ‘tombs’ (the Manhattan jail) is just on the northern edge.
So, we walked around and made our way south, through Chatham Square and lo and behold just below Chatham Square, Park Row was indeed closed!
“[The] city has [secured] a…greater area than apparently is necessary to provide security for One Police Plaza,” said State Supreme Court Justice Walter Tolub at a court hearing June 27. Residents of Chatham Green and Chatham Towers, and several local politicians have filed a lawsuit against the city to force officials to issue an environmental impact statement on the closing of Park Row and nearby streets to most vehicles. Judge Tolub, according to court transcripts, also told the city’s attorney that “you seem to have undertaken a rather massive approach to a security problem without any thought as to the impact on the community.”
As we walked down Park Row, there were a great many cameras and guard shacks. Each guard shack had the emblem of a different government agency.
The Gray Hole
There was an eerie feeling as if you were stepping into another land. It was like walking into a world that Orwell had envisioned, cameras and police on every corner. A checkpoint at each corner.
I found it very sad. I actually felt like crying. There was something that was just so wrong about the whole scene, it wasn’t New York. It wasn’t my New York. Certainly, not the one I grew up in and drove a taxi in.
We passed a policeman in a guard shack just north of Reade Street and just south of the intersection a Federal Marshall came out of his shack and asked if he could help us. Obviously we had crossed some invisible line into the forbidden zone.
It was surreal, to say the least. Don’t get me wrong, the guy was a nice guy and everything, it was just the circumstances, being on a public street in the middle of Manhattan and which was now closed.
I explained to him the story about my conversation with the taxi driver and he was quite understanding. I asked if the street would be open again and he replied he didn’t think it would ever be. I also asked him about the parking garage and he pointed me in its direction.
We walked another block or two (around 1 Police Plaza) and it turned out the garage was actually in Police Plaza.
There were two more guard shacks there. I asked the policeman if you were still able to park but, he said the garage had been closed since before 9-11.
July 9, 2001 -- FIELDS FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST CITY FOR CLOSING OF MUNICIPAL PARKING GARAGE IN LOWER MANHATTAN --BOROUGH PRESIDENT SAYS CITY OFFICIALS KNOWINGLY VIOLATED CHARTER REGULATIONS
Between the concrete barricades, the checkpoints and the guard shacks, it made a sad statement on our city.
There was this oft stated phrase that ended with... “won’t the terrorists have won, then?!” in the days and months immediately following 9-11.
All I could think of walking around downtown was that they had.
We pride ourselves on living in a free and open society. While the truth is our society isn’t quite as free and open as we may like it to be, it’s by far much better than a lot of the world. In every discussion about terrorism and the fight against it, no one wants to address the basic tenets of the struggle.
We are fighting extremists, groups who don’t like the fact that our citizens can live their lives the way they want as long as they’re not impeding on someone else’s right to do the same. When we sacrifice those freedoms to a false sense of security, we do ourselves a disservice as a nation and as a people.
To the Barricades Over a Police Barricade
By KELLY CROW May 11, 2003. New York Times
Danny Chen cannot invite friends, or even relatives, to his apartment anymore. That's because Mr. Chen, a software engineer, lives in Chatham Green, a 21-story co-op on Park Row that sits just inside a police barricade installed after Sept. 11 to protect Police Plaza across the street...
Doesn’t it strike anyone as odd that although New York was attacked, none of the attacks originated from New York, they originated from elsewhere but, somehow because New York was the target, security was intensified here as opposed to the places the attacks originated from?
Mar 13, 2004
His depression escalated in recent years, exacerbated by a major car crash in 2001 during a vacation in Ireland. The accident also left him in physical pain.
I just wanted to comment on some news that happened this week.
Yes, unfortunately, it was confirmed... Spalding Gray had in fact been successful in his attempt to take his own life.
NEW YORK - Spalding Gray, the monologuist with a swath of silver hair and an ability to lay bare his soul in a soft, New England-flecked accent, didn't believe he was a great extrovert. “People want to have me to dinner,” he told The Associated Press in 1997. “I’m not Mr. Quick. I'm not a great social satirist. I need time to absorb life. I spend a lot of time mulling, cogitating.”
How very, very sad.
...though he embodied the stereotype of the self-absorbed New Yorker - looking at the world through the lens of one who had known intensive psychotherapy, fad diets and mind-expanding drugs - his pursuit of a story had a degree of selflessness that often put the amiable, all-too-accessible Gray in harm’s way.
and...
For his 60th birthday, Russo took Gray to Ireland. They were driving back from dinner when a van crashed into their rental car, leaving Gray with a cracked skull, a broken hip and nerve damage to one foot.
After he returned to the U.S. he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and placed on a potent array of drugs.
He attempted suicide a number of times. In 2002 he nearly jumped off a bridge in Long Island, where he had recently moved with his family. He later spent a month in a Connecticut psychiatric hospital. In September, he phoned his wife to say he wanted to jump off the Staten Island ferry, but police were alerted and removed him before he could carry out his plan.
I just wanted to comment on some news that happened this week.
Yes, unfortunately, it was confirmed... Spalding Gray had in fact been successful in his attempt to take his own life.
NEW YORK - Spalding Gray, the monologuist with a swath of silver hair and an ability to lay bare his soul in a soft, New England-flecked accent, didn't believe he was a great extrovert. “People want to have me to dinner,” he told The Associated Press in 1997. “I’m not Mr. Quick. I'm not a great social satirist. I need time to absorb life. I spend a lot of time mulling, cogitating.”
How very, very sad.
...though he embodied the stereotype of the self-absorbed New Yorker - looking at the world through the lens of one who had known intensive psychotherapy, fad diets and mind-expanding drugs - his pursuit of a story had a degree of selflessness that often put the amiable, all-too-accessible Gray in harm’s way.
and...
For his 60th birthday, Russo took Gray to Ireland. They were driving back from dinner when a van crashed into their rental car, leaving Gray with a cracked skull, a broken hip and nerve damage to one foot.
After he returned to the U.S. he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and placed on a potent array of drugs.
He attempted suicide a number of times. In 2002 he nearly jumped off a bridge in Long Island, where he had recently moved with his family. He later spent a month in a Connecticut psychiatric hospital. In September, he phoned his wife to say he wanted to jump off the Staten Island ferry, but police were alerted and removed him before he could carry out his plan.
Saturday already! Where does a week go?
So, I’m in the home stretch of the whole ‘work experience.’ There’s probably just another week left before I’m once again numbered among the unemployed, gainfully seeking work...
...know what?
I’m looking forward to it.
This is probably my ideal, work like crazy for a few weeks, make a bunch of money and then be off to recharge my batteries and get stuff done. I’m looking forward to sleeping again. Sure I'll miss the money but, I wouldn’t want ot be working like this incessantly and truthfully as season’s go, this one really hasn’t been altogether bad (and a site more profitable than most).
There are a couple of things to look forward to. First off is the warm weather, since Spring is just around the corner. Second, is just getting back on track after feeling really pinched for the better part of the last three months.
So, I’m in the home stretch of the whole ‘work experience.’ There’s probably just another week left before I’m once again numbered among the unemployed, gainfully seeking work...
...know what?
I’m looking forward to it.
This is probably my ideal, work like crazy for a few weeks, make a bunch of money and then be off to recharge my batteries and get stuff done. I’m looking forward to sleeping again. Sure I'll miss the money but, I wouldn’t want ot be working like this incessantly and truthfully as season’s go, this one really hasn’t been altogether bad (and a site more profitable than most).
There are a couple of things to look forward to. First off is the warm weather, since Spring is just around the corner. Second, is just getting back on track after feeling really pinched for the better part of the last three months.
Mar 10, 2004
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- Xerox’s Palo Alto Research Center said Wednesday that George Pake, the founder of PARC who oversaw the development of what would be several common computing technologies, died at 79.
Dr. Pake is best known for leading the Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) from its inception in 1970 until 1978 and overseeing Xerox Corporate Research from 1978-1986. He was responsible for fashioning an institution whose unique and enduring culture spawned such innovations as laser printing, Ethernet, the graphical user interface, client-server architecture and many of the ideas that define modern computing.
The top link is to the news story on Yahoo and the bottom is to Xerox’s PARC website.
Mar 9, 2004
“So, what is it you do?”
People have been asking that question of me for as long as I can remember. Most of the time, I have a hard time describing it to someone who has a ‘straight’ job.
How do you describe the life of a freelancer?
You go from place to place in a vagabond way, working on a project until it’s completed and then moving on. We are the gypsies of the workforce.
Here I am now at work, it’s almost 1:30 in the morning. The office is quiet, there are people here but, they’re sputtering. Me, I’m just annoyed I missed the last train.
There’s something about that last train out of Grand Central, there’s a certain finality about it. Grand Central which is a place of great activity throughout the day is deserted as people make their way desperate to catch the final train out. You get a small sense of what those people felt like when they were trying to get out of Saigon (or some other such place).
Also, those last train of the night conductors, my but they’re a rare breed. One guy in particular has the most annoying nasal whine, “Yoonnnkkkeeerrrss... station stop is Yooonnnkkkeeerrrrsss!”
I often thought it was purposefully grating if only to make you stay awake and not miss your stop.
Here it is a Monday and all I can think about is all the stuff I have to do, that’s the problem with working, it distracts you from getting your s**t done.
People have been asking that question of me for as long as I can remember. Most of the time, I have a hard time describing it to someone who has a ‘straight’ job.
How do you describe the life of a freelancer?
You go from place to place in a vagabond way, working on a project until it’s completed and then moving on. We are the gypsies of the workforce.
Here I am now at work, it’s almost 1:30 in the morning. The office is quiet, there are people here but, they’re sputtering. Me, I’m just annoyed I missed the last train.
There’s something about that last train out of Grand Central, there’s a certain finality about it. Grand Central which is a place of great activity throughout the day is deserted as people make their way desperate to catch the final train out. You get a small sense of what those people felt like when they were trying to get out of Saigon (or some other such place).
Also, those last train of the night conductors, my but they’re a rare breed. One guy in particular has the most annoying nasal whine, “Yoonnnkkkeeerrrss... station stop is Yooonnnkkkeeerrrrsss!”
I often thought it was purposefully grating if only to make you stay awake and not miss your stop.
Here it is a Monday and all I can think about is all the stuff I have to do, that’s the problem with working, it distracts you from getting your s**t done.
Mar 8, 2004
Men are pigs.
So the other night, I’m working. The place I’m at is situated on a very high floor and there’s a terrace wrapping around the office. Since it’s been generally nice out, you can avail yourself of the beautiful weather and take a short break from time to time by stepping outside (it really does help quite a bit).
Anyway, there’s a bunch of other tall buildings surrounding the one I’m in the only difference being is that some of them are residential buildings. This is a bit unusual but, in recent years the part of town I’m in has given itself over to more and more residential space.
So, people are in these buildings, it’s night, they’re way up, they’re going about their business and...
...drum roll please...
...their shades are up.
So, at one point during the course of the evening, one of my co-workers comes in excitedly from outside urging every male within earshot to follow to witness what he has seen.
Needless to say, some hapless young woman was disrobing and providing quite the show. Hard to see from a distance but, apparent none the less.
I went out, I looked (there were a bunch of us, it was one of those male bonding moments that women find truly detestable).
I can’t explain it but, I really like looking at women.
They’re just a lot of fun to look at. I’ve tried at times to sit down and come up with some kind of rational for why I’m that way but, the only thing I can think of is that men are just hardwired like that. Women are just beautiful in a lot of ways.
So, ladies I’m sorry but, I guess it’s true...
...we really are pigs.
So the other night, I’m working. The place I’m at is situated on a very high floor and there’s a terrace wrapping around the office. Since it’s been generally nice out, you can avail yourself of the beautiful weather and take a short break from time to time by stepping outside (it really does help quite a bit).
Anyway, there’s a bunch of other tall buildings surrounding the one I’m in the only difference being is that some of them are residential buildings. This is a bit unusual but, in recent years the part of town I’m in has given itself over to more and more residential space.
So, people are in these buildings, it’s night, they’re way up, they’re going about their business and...
...drum roll please...
...their shades are up.
So, at one point during the course of the evening, one of my co-workers comes in excitedly from outside urging every male within earshot to follow to witness what he has seen.
Needless to say, some hapless young woman was disrobing and providing quite the show. Hard to see from a distance but, apparent none the less.
I went out, I looked (there were a bunch of us, it was one of those male bonding moments that women find truly detestable).
I can’t explain it but, I really like looking at women.
They’re just a lot of fun to look at. I’ve tried at times to sit down and come up with some kind of rational for why I’m that way but, the only thing I can think of is that men are just hardwired like that. Women are just beautiful in a lot of ways.
So, ladies I’m sorry but, I guess it’s true...
...we really are pigs.
Courageous teachers at a Brooklyn high school - fed up with unprepared and even illiterate students - made an impassioned plea to Schools Chancellor Joel Klein yesterday to end social promotion.
Last week here in New York, a group of teachers got together and wrote the Schools Chancellor urging him to end the practice of social promotion. Apparently sometime after I left the hallowed halls of education, someone decided a child’s delicate sensibilities might be damaged if they were forced to repeat a grade because of lack of effort or just plain not making the cut.
Wow!
When I was in school, if you misbehaved you got into trouble and if you didn’t do the work you got left back. I don’t know who came up with the idea the system wasn’t working - it seemed to produce a good crop of adults in my parents generation and mine but, these are PC times so, go figure.
I just can’t see how passing someone along when they do a bad job is a good precedent to set - somehow, it seems to me that’s part of what is wrong with our society today.
Last week here in New York, a group of teachers got together and wrote the Schools Chancellor urging him to end the practice of social promotion. Apparently sometime after I left the hallowed halls of education, someone decided a child’s delicate sensibilities might be damaged if they were forced to repeat a grade because of lack of effort or just plain not making the cut.
Wow!
When I was in school, if you misbehaved you got into trouble and if you didn’t do the work you got left back. I don’t know who came up with the idea the system wasn’t working - it seemed to produce a good crop of adults in my parents generation and mine but, these are PC times so, go figure.
I just can’t see how passing someone along when they do a bad job is a good precedent to set - somehow, it seems to me that’s part of what is wrong with our society today.
Wow, where does the time go?
So, a week or two back, I was feeling like a veteran ballplayer that had yet to sign with a team as the baseball season began. It’s AR (annual report) season and I found myself on the sidelines.
It’s my own fault really, whether or not it was the combination of burning a few bridges with people and the market changing somewhat doesn’t really matter, I was looking at sitting out this season.
Strangely, I didn’t really mind, I had work scheduled and if it hadn’t been pulled from me at the 11th hour like it was, all would’ve been fine in my world. As it was, the work I had planned (and counted on) did get pulled and I was left in the freelance equivalent of musical chairs as the last man standing.
The fates have a funny way of working things though and just when things looked their bleakest, a good samaritan intervened on my behalf. I wasn’t surprised by the source of the help, it seems my samaritan has a way of working for other’s benefit (I know I haven’t been the only beneficiary of his largesse), it was just nice to have someone do me a good turn.
Consequently, much of the last ten days has been lost to trying to put in as many hours as is possible in an effort to maximize the benefits of working. Over the better part of the last half dozen or so years, my peers and I have toiled in this fashion. Migrant workers in the world of graphic arts, we come in for the AR season (picking the crop so to speak) and trying to earn enough for the lean times.
I’ve enjoyed the past few days. I have the luxury of being an unknown quantity at this particular client (although I’ve worked there before) and as a result the demands made upon me are much smaller than they would normally be. Fortunately, the biggest difference is that I’m not getting the most horrible, demanding project just because the people in charge feel I can handle it. This combined with the fact that the structure at this client is far less rigid than I am used to operating under have made the whole experience quite ‘freeing.’
There’s only another week or two left to the season but, it’s been good if only to reaffirm for myself that I have a good set of skills and I do good work (this is something you begin to doubt when you’re sitting around idly at home).
So, a week or two back, I was feeling like a veteran ballplayer that had yet to sign with a team as the baseball season began. It’s AR (annual report) season and I found myself on the sidelines.
It’s my own fault really, whether or not it was the combination of burning a few bridges with people and the market changing somewhat doesn’t really matter, I was looking at sitting out this season.
Strangely, I didn’t really mind, I had work scheduled and if it hadn’t been pulled from me at the 11th hour like it was, all would’ve been fine in my world. As it was, the work I had planned (and counted on) did get pulled and I was left in the freelance equivalent of musical chairs as the last man standing.
The fates have a funny way of working things though and just when things looked their bleakest, a good samaritan intervened on my behalf. I wasn’t surprised by the source of the help, it seems my samaritan has a way of working for other’s benefit (I know I haven’t been the only beneficiary of his largesse), it was just nice to have someone do me a good turn.
Consequently, much of the last ten days has been lost to trying to put in as many hours as is possible in an effort to maximize the benefits of working. Over the better part of the last half dozen or so years, my peers and I have toiled in this fashion. Migrant workers in the world of graphic arts, we come in for the AR season (picking the crop so to speak) and trying to earn enough for the lean times.
I’ve enjoyed the past few days. I have the luxury of being an unknown quantity at this particular client (although I’ve worked there before) and as a result the demands made upon me are much smaller than they would normally be. Fortunately, the biggest difference is that I’m not getting the most horrible, demanding project just because the people in charge feel I can handle it. This combined with the fact that the structure at this client is far less rigid than I am used to operating under have made the whole experience quite ‘freeing.’
There’s only another week or two left to the season but, it’s been good if only to reaffirm for myself that I have a good set of skills and I do good work (this is something you begin to doubt when you’re sitting around idly at home).
Feb 24, 2004
Fashion World Notices Scarlett Johansson
They’re not the only ones, Scarlett captured my heart with her appearance in Ghost World. I’m in my mid forties and here’s this girl who’s nineteen - I can only figure I’m a letch (sp?). She just is so damn beautiful though, kind of makes me think of her as a Grace Kelly for the new millennium - here’s hoping she has the smarts to pick the right roles and have a long career. She has the look and the makings of a true ‘star.’
I’m coming up on the 1st anniversary of the blog. I did it primarily to get the muscles working as far as writing goes - in that sense it’s been a good thing.
I had thought to do some kind of overview of the year and it’s major events (personal that is) but, I have yet to be entirely motivated in that direction.
However, today I just wanted to make note of one of those oxymorons which seem to be so popular these days.
Jobless Recovery.
Another jobless recovery? It may be too early to tell, but some economists worry that it's 1992 all over again. —CNN Money June 6, 2002
There’s been much talk in this so-called “jobless recovery” of white-collar job loss. In fact, though, this recession, like its predecessors, is still mainly a working class phenomenon. Of the 2.5 million net jobs lost since the recession officially began in march 2001, fully two million of them have been in manufacturing. For a blue-collar worker these days, it seems, even a lunch break can be risky. —Online NewsHour June 23, 2003
People who study the economy, keep telling us there’s good news and bad news. The good news is the economy is growing, if only by less than a percent in the last quarter. The bad news is, so is the number of unemployed Americans. —The Connection
“The truth is, jobs are shifting from the developed to the underdeveloped world” Hiring is occurring now, although it’s “replacement” rather than “expansion” hiring. Companies are being opportunistic and are trying to replace employees with better talent from the outside. In general, companies are maintaining 2003 staffing levels or adding conservatively. The industries that are seeing a pickup: health care, investment banking, business services, and industrial and defense-related areas. Among the job areas most in demand: finance, sales, and general management.
I’m half-heartedly looking for work these days. I can’t say it has been the driving force in my life at the moment. However, I know quite a few people who are out of work, have been for a long, long time and are hopeless about their prospects (Tom, Roberta, Pete and Ray) and there’s another group that numbers among the recently unemployed through layoffs (Bruce, Jack and Doug).
Needless to say, when I hear of people losing their jobs or having trouble finding a new one, it worries me. I worry for the people I know and also I am concerned about my own prospects.
The question becomes, what is going on in this country?
In my industry, I think the is one of those ‘paradigm shifts’ going on. Beyond the external pressures of the marketplace, the market itself is undergoing a change in the process of work. The niche that I and some of my peers once occupied is getting smaller and at the same time in other areas of the business there is a demand for an increased skill set. Also, there is a shift in the emphasis on what constitutes quality.
So, where does that leave us all?
Well, there’s an election coming up but, I haven’t heard anyone outside of Dick Gephardt talk about the external pressures on the American worker. As Gephardt put it, ‘free trade doesn’t mean a race to the bottom.’ Gephardt is out of the race (unfortunately) but, I’ll be keeping an ear out to hear who addresses that issue.
I had thought to do some kind of overview of the year and it’s major events (personal that is) but, I have yet to be entirely motivated in that direction.
However, today I just wanted to make note of one of those oxymorons which seem to be so popular these days.
Another jobless recovery? It may be too early to tell, but some economists worry that it's 1992 all over again. —CNN Money June 6, 2002
There’s been much talk in this so-called “jobless recovery” of white-collar job loss. In fact, though, this recession, like its predecessors, is still mainly a working class phenomenon. Of the 2.5 million net jobs lost since the recession officially began in march 2001, fully two million of them have been in manufacturing. For a blue-collar worker these days, it seems, even a lunch break can be risky. —Online NewsHour June 23, 2003
People who study the economy, keep telling us there’s good news and bad news. The good news is the economy is growing, if only by less than a percent in the last quarter. The bad news is, so is the number of unemployed Americans. —The Connection
“The truth is, jobs are shifting from the developed to the underdeveloped world” Hiring is occurring now, although it’s “replacement” rather than “expansion” hiring. Companies are being opportunistic and are trying to replace employees with better talent from the outside. In general, companies are maintaining 2003 staffing levels or adding conservatively. The industries that are seeing a pickup: health care, investment banking, business services, and industrial and defense-related areas. Among the job areas most in demand: finance, sales, and general management.
I’m half-heartedly looking for work these days. I can’t say it has been the driving force in my life at the moment. However, I know quite a few people who are out of work, have been for a long, long time and are hopeless about their prospects (Tom, Roberta, Pete and Ray) and there’s another group that numbers among the recently unemployed through layoffs (Bruce, Jack and Doug).
Needless to say, when I hear of people losing their jobs or having trouble finding a new one, it worries me. I worry for the people I know and also I am concerned about my own prospects.
The question becomes, what is going on in this country?
In my industry, I think the is one of those ‘paradigm shifts’ going on. Beyond the external pressures of the marketplace, the market itself is undergoing a change in the process of work. The niche that I and some of my peers once occupied is getting smaller and at the same time in other areas of the business there is a demand for an increased skill set. Also, there is a shift in the emphasis on what constitutes quality.
So, where does that leave us all?
Well, there’s an election coming up but, I haven’t heard anyone outside of Dick Gephardt talk about the external pressures on the American worker. As Gephardt put it, ‘free trade doesn’t mean a race to the bottom.’ Gephardt is out of the race (unfortunately) but, I’ll be keeping an ear out to hear who addresses that issue.
I got onto talk radio Saturday.
Yes, from time to time, I actually call and get through to those radio talk shows. Saturday, I found myself waiting virtually no time at all before I was on WFAN with Richard Near.
Over the last several days, everyone in New York has been treated to the litany resulting from the A-Rod trade. Yankee fans are ecstatic and Mets fans are supposed to be disappointed.
At least, that’s the way it’s being spun.
I’m a Mets fan, a used to be Yankee fan who got fed up with the circus the Bronx had become. When Buck Showalter and Don Mattingly left after the ’95 season I had my fill and decided to switch loyalties.
It might have been the best thing I could do for the Yankees.
They went off and ran the table for a few years but, their last World Series win came against the Mets in the 2000’s Subway Series which I was able to attend.
The last few years have been tough for me as a Mets fan. Since going to the World Series the Mets managed to finish in last place a few years running. They said goodbye to Bobby V, Edgardo Alfonzo, Turk Wendell, Dennis Cook, Benny Agbayani, Robin Ventura and Rey Ordonez to name a few. They said hello to Roberto Alomar, Jeromy Burnitz and Mo Vaughn.
Funny thing is, I wasn’t a big fan of a lot of those moves and because of that let my Saturday plan lapse.
Baseball is an odd game in that it really is a team effort. Yes, it’s great to have the star player or two but, it’s better to have a group of players that works well together, more a question of the sum of the whole being greater than the parts. The Yankee team that ran the table was like that - Tino Martinez, Scott Brosius, Paul O’Neil were the core of those winning teams, since they’ve left the Yankees have brought in Godzilla (Matsui), Giambi and a host of others to no avail. Three years running and the Yankees haven’t won a World Series since they faced the Mets.
I like the fact the Yankees went out and got A-Rod. He’s a great player and he’ll make it all the more fun to watch the Yankees over the coming year but... they’re not a lock.
Just another reminder of how much the world has changed since I was a young man...
Like many other guys his age, Rick, who has never rented an X-rated video and considers strip clubs ‘a little gross,’
Like many other guys his age, Rick, who has never rented an X-rated video and considers strip clubs ‘a little gross,’
There’s been a lot of media play about gay marriage lately. Somehow, I think it will be less of an issue when we hear the story about the first person to lose half their sh*t through “gay divorce.” Why shouldn’t everyone benefit?
As bad as the intrusion on privacy has been in this country, apparently it’s been even worse in Great Britain and there’s been a backlash...
Similar surveillance plans have been proposed or implemented in the U.S. In the wake of Sept. 11, Washington police set up a centralized video-surveillance network that can zoom in on people from as far as a half-mile away. The network was installed without any notice to Congress or the local city council. And despite complaints from privacy groups, the system remains in place. The popular EZ Pass system, which allows commuters to speed quickly through toll booths, also permits extensive tracking without adequate promise of data protection, privacy advocates fear.
Similar surveillance plans have been proposed or implemented in the U.S. In the wake of Sept. 11, Washington police set up a centralized video-surveillance network that can zoom in on people from as far as a half-mile away. The network was installed without any notice to Congress or the local city council. And despite complaints from privacy groups, the system remains in place. The popular EZ Pass system, which allows commuters to speed quickly through toll booths, also permits extensive tracking without adequate promise of data protection, privacy advocates fear.
Feb 23, 2004
The lady who bought you the bomb - there’s an article in MacWorld’s March 2004 issue on Susan Kare. She’s the lady who designed the Mac icons we’ve become oh so familiar with (the March issue isn’t up yet but, I’m sure it will be shortly).
In the meantime, there are two links to Susan’s own site and a profile of her on designboom.com.
Feb 22, 2004
Feb 20, 2004
Usually in the past Fridays had been one of my more productive nights when it comes to entries - I’ve been out of practice of late so, maybe I can start a roll here.
Hmmmm. So where to begin, where to begin...
I’m almost tempted to do the things I give a crap about versus things I don’t give a crap about. Deluged by the stories of the moment, what matters and what doesn’t?
Anything related to Martha Stewart, her trial, what star is sleeping with what other star, the Oscars. All that sh*t just rates really low on the radar - actually I find myself slightly offended by just how much it occupies the public focus.
Hmmmm. So where to begin, where to begin...
I’m almost tempted to do the things I give a crap about versus things I don’t give a crap about. Deluged by the stories of the moment, what matters and what doesn’t?
Anything related to Martha Stewart, her trial, what star is sleeping with what other star, the Oscars. All that sh*t just rates really low on the radar - actually I find myself slightly offended by just how much it occupies the public focus.
Feb 18, 2004
It’s not that I haven’t had anything to say, it’s just each time I get to writing about something the app crashes or it’s a long entry and my train of thought gets derailed.
It’s not like I’ve stopped writing either - I’ve just gotten to the point where I’ve od’d on the whole computer/web surfing thing and if I’m going to get things done I have to spend less time on the computer and more time actually finishing stuff.
It’s not like I’ve stopped writing either - I’ve just gotten to the point where I’ve od’d on the whole computer/web surfing thing and if I’m going to get things done I have to spend less time on the computer and more time actually finishing stuff.
Feb 16, 2004
Baseball’s Most Valuable Packages
| Package Value | Contract Period | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| $252,000,000 | 2001-2010 | Alex Rodriguez | Texas Rangers |
| $189,000,000 | 2001-2010 | Derek Jeter | N.Y. Yankees |
| $160,000,000 | 2001-2008 | Manny Ramirez | Boston Red Sox |
| $141,500,000 | 2003-2011 | Todd Helton | Colorado Rockies |
| $123,800,000 | 2001-2008 | Mike Hampton | Colorado Rockies |
| $120,000,000 | 2001-2008 | Chipper Jones | Atlanta Braves |
| $120,000,000 | 2002-2008 | Jason Giambi | N.Y. Yankees |
| $116,500,000 | 2000-2008 | Ken Griffey Jr. | Cincinnati Reds |
| $105,000,000 | 1999-2005 | Kevin Brown | L.A. Dodgers |
| $91,000,000 | 1999-2005 | Mike Piazza | N.Y. Mets |
| $90,000,000 | 2002-2006 | Barry Bonds | S.F. Giants |
| $88,500,000 | 2001-2006 | Mike Mussina | N.Y. Yankees |
| $87,500,000 | 1999-2005 | Bernie Williams | N.Y. Yankees |
| $85,000,000 | 2002-2006 | Jeff Bagwell | Houston Astros |
| $84,000,000 | 2000-2005 | Shawn Green | L.A. Dodgers |
| $80,000,000 | 1999-2004 | Mo Vaughn | Anaheim Angels |
| $75,000,000 | 1998-2003 | Pedro Martinez | Boston Red Sox |
| $75,000,000 | 2000-2005 | Larry Walker | Colorado Rockies |
| $72,000,000 | 2002-2005 | Sammy Sosa | Chicago Cubs |
| $68,000,000 | 2001-2004 | Carlos Delgado | Toronto Blue Jays |
| $68,500,000 | 1998-2003 | Gary Sheffield | L.A. Dodgers |
| $65,000,000 | 1999-2003 | Albert Belle | Baltimore Orioles |
| $57,500,000 | 1998-2002 | Greg Maddux | Atlanta Braves |
Feb 9, 2004
Feb 7, 2004
Feb 1, 2004
September 9, 1993...
...The PLO considers that the signing of the Declaration of Principles constitutes a historic event, inaugurating a new epoch of peaceful coexistence, free from violence and all other acts which endanger peace and stability. Accordingly, the PLO renounces the use of terrorism and other acts of violence and will assume responsibility over all PLO elements and personnel in order to assure their compliance, prevent violations and discipline violators...
Sincerely, Yasser Arafat
Chairman, The Palestine Liberation Organization
Thu Jan 29, 7:44 AM ET
BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AFP) - The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, an armed offshoot of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat ’s Fatah movement, claimed responsibility for Thursday's suicide bus bombing in a phone call to AFP.
...The PLO considers that the signing of the Declaration of Principles constitutes a historic event, inaugurating a new epoch of peaceful coexistence, free from violence and all other acts which endanger peace and stability. Accordingly, the PLO renounces the use of terrorism and other acts of violence and will assume responsibility over all PLO elements and personnel in order to assure their compliance, prevent violations and discipline violators...
Sincerely, Yasser Arafat
Chairman, The Palestine Liberation Organization
Thu Jan 29, 7:44 AM ET
BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AFP) - The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, an armed offshoot of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat ’s Fatah movement, claimed responsibility for Thursday's suicide bus bombing in a phone call to AFP.
Jan 29, 2004
Tadano added: “I'm not gay. I’d like to clear that fact up right now.”
Not that there’s anything wrong with it...
“You could tell he was nervous,” said Sizemore, a top prospect who lived with Tadano this winter. “But I don't think it changed anybody’s opinion of him. After it was said and done, nobody thought anything more of it. He’s a great guy and a great pitcher.”
...must fight ...urge ...to make ...really ...really ...bad joke. ...must ...keep from ...putting foot ...in mouth.
Tadano knows he may face fan abuse in major league parks such as Yankee Stadium, where heckling the visitors is part of the pageantry.
He joked that he's ready for it.
“I don't understand English, so it doesn't really matter,” he said.
More baseball fun from the people who gave you Chief Wahoo.
“You could tell he was nervous,” said Sizemore, a top prospect who lived with Tadano this winter. “But I don't think it changed anybody’s opinion of him. After it was said and done, nobody thought anything more of it. He’s a great guy and a great pitcher.”
Tadano knows he may face fan abuse in major league parks such as Yankee Stadium, where heckling the visitors is part of the pageantry.
He joked that he's ready for it.
“I don't understand English, so it doesn't really matter,” he said.
Jan 23, 2004
Jan 22, 2004
Back in the good ’ole days when I first started using the computer, I used to do things like make sound files for system sounds, make custom startup screens, custom desktop pictures and the like. At some point a few years ago (sometime right around system 8 I think) I just stopped doing stuff like that.
I think a lot of people did, you used to be able to go to the MacWorld website and download sounds and things, I don’t know if people are really doing that kind of thing anymore - there’s all the multimedia for the web, mp3s all kinds of things now that make the fun things I used to do seem so simplistic.
The other day though, I heard something that I thought would make a really good alert sound, it was the spastic yell that emitted from Howard Dean at the end of his speech after the Iowa caucuses. I don’t think I’ve witnessed anything as ugly from a politician since seeing GW’s brutalization of the english language. GW speaks english as if its his second language.
As far as the Howard Dean spastic war cry, I can’t find it and believe me I looked - watching him give that speech was like watching a bad car wreck.
I think a lot of people did, you used to be able to go to the MacWorld website and download sounds and things, I don’t know if people are really doing that kind of thing anymore - there’s all the multimedia for the web, mp3s all kinds of things now that make the fun things I used to do seem so simplistic.
The other day though, I heard something that I thought would make a really good alert sound, it was the spastic yell that emitted from Howard Dean at the end of his speech after the Iowa caucuses. I don’t think I’ve witnessed anything as ugly from a politician since seeing GW’s brutalization of the english language. GW speaks english as if its his second language.
As far as the Howard Dean spastic war cry, I can’t find it and believe me I looked - watching him give that speech was like watching a bad car wreck.
Jan 19, 2004
Me? Which I'd rather be ? You know what I'd rather do? If I thought, had any idea, that I'd ever be a slave again, I'd take a gun and just end it all right away. Because you're nothing but a dog. You're not a thing but a dog.
Fountain Hughes interviewed by Hermond Norwood in Baltimore on 06/11/49 at the age of 101 talking about growing up as a slave in these United States.
Voices from the Days of Slavery. Library of Congress site on American Memory provided via blog sensei.
Fountain Hughes interviewed by Hermond Norwood in Baltimore on 06/11/49 at the age of 101 talking about growing up as a slave in these United States.
Voices from the Days of Slavery. Library of Congress site on American Memory provided via blog sensei.
Last week Ted Koppel and Nightline did a series of shows from Baghdad.
The author of the Dear Raed Weblog took Koppel on a tour of Baghdad and it was fascinating. While we attempt in the west to paint the region with a broad brush to justify our nation’s actions, it’s interesting to see there are other perspectives to the situation.
It’s also an interesting read (the weblog that is) - the stories up on the Nightline site are fairly interesting too.
The author of the Dear Raed Weblog took Koppel on a tour of Baghdad and it was fascinating. While we attempt in the west to paint the region with a broad brush to justify our nation’s actions, it’s interesting to see there are other perspectives to the situation.
It’s also an interesting read (the weblog that is) - the stories up on the Nightline site are fairly interesting too.
Blog Sensei put a link to a metrosexual quiz up. I scored an 8, slovenlynous always wins out in the end.
Comedy Central is running this show called the Blue Collar Comedy Tour. The last comedian up is this guy called ‘Larry the Cable Guy.’ The guy has a great act and it’s worth checking out - he’s the first white trash comic I think I’ve seen.
It’s on Monday night at 7:30 but again the guy is up last so, you probably won’t need to watch the whole thing unless you like Jeff Foxworthy.
It’s on Monday night at 7:30 but again the guy is up last so, you probably won’t need to watch the whole thing unless you like Jeff Foxworthy.
So, I’m watching TV the other day. This commercial comes on, there’s a couple in a row boat. The row boat is taking on water due to a leak in the bottom of the boat. The guy (the one with the oars) is looking around frantically to figure out a way to stop the boat from sinking. His companion, a shapely young woman, reaches into her purse and violá! She takes out a tampon and gingerly inserts it into the hole with the leak solving the problem.
I’m a guy.
I know from experience none of the ladies I’ve known relishes ‘the curse’ but, am I missing something here? What’s the inference of this spot? Is this woman supposed to be the McGyver of tampons? I’m thinking this spot was written by some dopey guy but, I could be wrong. I’m curious to know what women think when they see something like this — as a guy all I can say is that it would probably make for one truly bizarre date.
Then I did some searching:
It's not about how old you are.
It's not about what you do for a living.
It's not about being a mom or a career woman.
It's a way of being - a state of mind.
Pearl Girl - a woman who's sensual, confident and comfortable in her own skin.
Tampax celebrates a Pearl Girl's true essence and active lifestyle with Tampax Pearl Plastic - the innovative tampon that's ALL about keeping you out there, feeling fresh and feminine EVERY day of the month. With the incredible comfort and extraordinary protection of Tampax Pearl, the days of your period become like any other day.
Who writes this stuff?! Apparently this is supposed to be the ‘Pearl Girl’s’ buzz.
Then I look further and it appears that there’s some sort of faux email campaign about the damn things.
The things you miss out on being a guy.
I’m a guy.
I know from experience none of the ladies I’ve known relishes ‘the curse’ but, am I missing something here? What’s the inference of this spot? Is this woman supposed to be the McGyver of tampons? I’m thinking this spot was written by some dopey guy but, I could be wrong. I’m curious to know what women think when they see something like this — as a guy all I can say is that it would probably make for one truly bizarre date.
Then I did some searching:
It's not about how old you are.
It's not about what you do for a living.
It's not about being a mom or a career woman.
It's a way of being - a state of mind.
Pearl Girl - a woman who's sensual, confident and comfortable in her own skin.
Tampax celebrates a Pearl Girl's true essence and active lifestyle with Tampax Pearl Plastic - the innovative tampon that's ALL about keeping you out there, feeling fresh and feminine EVERY day of the month. With the incredible comfort and extraordinary protection of Tampax Pearl, the days of your period become like any other day.
Who writes this stuff?! Apparently this is supposed to be the ‘Pearl Girl’s’ buzz.
Then I look further and it appears that there’s some sort of faux email campaign about the damn things.
The things you miss out on being a guy.
Jan 18, 2004
Today, I got to shovel again. Whoopee! So, we get a glimpse into daily life around the ole F.O.S.
Actually it wasn’t that bad and I don’t mind getting the exercise. The last snow we had last week we got quite a bit but all the gook I threw down took pretty good care of it.
I wasn’t sure we were going to get a lot of snow. I kept watching the TV yesterday into the night somehow hoping the forecast would change. I just hated last week with the cold weather and I was really hoping it would get just warm enough we would have rain. I can’t complain too much about the cold though, I just play hermit and avoid going out.
So, I got the driveway shoveled and then I threw down the last of the stuff I had gotten since it was still snowing. It was good since it meant that I wouldn’t have to go out again. I even did part of the neighbor’s driveway — the bottom part, the hard part where the plow kicks back all the snow from the street. It was a matter of self-interest in a way since we’re downhill from those neighbors and I was insuring the next time the plow came through I didn’t just kick a bunch of snow back into the driveway.
I was also hoping my neighbor would ‘get it’ and the next time we had snow, shovel the way I did since I went up the street in front of his house and took a lot of the snow and just shoveled it back up out of the street. This way the next time the plow came through he didn’t wind up with ‘plow mess.’
Afterward I went in and told the EYOC (that’s Eighty Year Old Child for the uninitiated) that the ‘guys’ had come to shovel and asked how much I should tip them. He got all up in arms about tipping anyone who shoveled the driveway. Then, to add fuel to the fire, I said it had cost $30 to shovel the driveway.
Well that hit a nerve, last time we had a heavy snow though the guys knocking on the door actually wanted a bit more than that (and I couldn’t blame them - it is a bit of work). I wanted to make a point.
So, he turned and said, “Didn’t you shovel it? I saw you outside I thought you were taking the snow off?”
The EYOC hasn’t shoveled in years, not since he was the SFYOC (Sixty Five Year Old Child) or even before, I always had those images of seeing him keeled over in the driveway. As much as I may not get along with him at times, I wouldn’t let that happen.
Anyway, I said to him, “Yeah, the snow crew came and shoveled the driveway for you.”
He was mumbling and grumbling when I just turned around and said finally that I had in fact shoveled but, maybe he should think about paying me for it. I didn’t want money from him and I said that. What I did want is to be able to stop hearing him complain about me on the phone all the time and that’s what I said.
This caused him great consternation. His first response was to yell on how we should just have the phone taken out of the house because he can’t have a private conversation - this is from the guy who has the door closed but, whose hearing is so incredibly bad the level of his voice can be heard rather clearly in the basement.
On the subject of his hearing, when he pulls into the driveway you can hear (I mean, you actually know) what radio station he has on. When he has the TV on sometimes, you can actually watch the same channel in another part of the house without the sound on and follow everything rather well (I have confronted him at times about this by knocking on his door and telling him the neighbors called and asked if he would turn his TV up because they can’t quite hear it clearly).
He has every right to complain as much as he wants, I just don’t want to hear it. It gets a little much at times. After washing his dishes, taking out his trash, cooking for him, fixing everything around the house that breaks (which is how I spent a better part of Saturday - fixing the exercise bike I gave him because he broke the thing) you grow tired of hearing someone complain about you instead of at least appreciating the efforts you put in on their behalf.
I’m not alone in this, I know other people dealing with older family members going through much the same thing but, I have been doing a lot longer than a lot of people realize.
Anyway, the snow got shoveled and I gave him a bit of grief. He actually had been invited to go out with a lady friend but as he put it ‘he doesn’t want her to get the wrong idea.’ This translates into, ‘if I let her get too close she’ll come to rely on me and I don’t want to feel responsible to anyone.’
This is a lifelong trait.
So, that got done and the bike got fixed and I managed to get some things around here cleaned up reclaiming more open floor. My life has become a quest to throw things out and reclaim floor space - what does that say about me.
I’m never sure who reads so, I’m sorry to bore. I had meant to write the other day about Bush’s announcement regarding the space program, about watching Dick Gephardt speak and also about MLK’s birthday which was this past Thursday but, in each instance I crashed when trying to upload the entries so, it’s just more mundane stuff — if I’m motivated later maybe I can come up with something more entertaining.
Actually it wasn’t that bad and I don’t mind getting the exercise. The last snow we had last week we got quite a bit but all the gook I threw down took pretty good care of it.
I wasn’t sure we were going to get a lot of snow. I kept watching the TV yesterday into the night somehow hoping the forecast would change. I just hated last week with the cold weather and I was really hoping it would get just warm enough we would have rain. I can’t complain too much about the cold though, I just play hermit and avoid going out.
So, I got the driveway shoveled and then I threw down the last of the stuff I had gotten since it was still snowing. It was good since it meant that I wouldn’t have to go out again. I even did part of the neighbor’s driveway — the bottom part, the hard part where the plow kicks back all the snow from the street. It was a matter of self-interest in a way since we’re downhill from those neighbors and I was insuring the next time the plow came through I didn’t just kick a bunch of snow back into the driveway.
I was also hoping my neighbor would ‘get it’ and the next time we had snow, shovel the way I did since I went up the street in front of his house and took a lot of the snow and just shoveled it back up out of the street. This way the next time the plow came through he didn’t wind up with ‘plow mess.’
Afterward I went in and told the EYOC (that’s Eighty Year Old Child for the uninitiated) that the ‘guys’ had come to shovel and asked how much I should tip them. He got all up in arms about tipping anyone who shoveled the driveway. Then, to add fuel to the fire, I said it had cost $30 to shovel the driveway.
Well that hit a nerve, last time we had a heavy snow though the guys knocking on the door actually wanted a bit more than that (and I couldn’t blame them - it is a bit of work). I wanted to make a point.
So, he turned and said, “Didn’t you shovel it? I saw you outside I thought you were taking the snow off?”
The EYOC hasn’t shoveled in years, not since he was the SFYOC (Sixty Five Year Old Child) or even before, I always had those images of seeing him keeled over in the driveway. As much as I may not get along with him at times, I wouldn’t let that happen.
Anyway, I said to him, “Yeah, the snow crew came and shoveled the driveway for you.”
He was mumbling and grumbling when I just turned around and said finally that I had in fact shoveled but, maybe he should think about paying me for it. I didn’t want money from him and I said that. What I did want is to be able to stop hearing him complain about me on the phone all the time and that’s what I said.
This caused him great consternation. His first response was to yell on how we should just have the phone taken out of the house because he can’t have a private conversation - this is from the guy who has the door closed but, whose hearing is so incredibly bad the level of his voice can be heard rather clearly in the basement.
On the subject of his hearing, when he pulls into the driveway you can hear (I mean, you actually know) what radio station he has on. When he has the TV on sometimes, you can actually watch the same channel in another part of the house without the sound on and follow everything rather well (I have confronted him at times about this by knocking on his door and telling him the neighbors called and asked if he would turn his TV up because they can’t quite hear it clearly).
He has every right to complain as much as he wants, I just don’t want to hear it. It gets a little much at times. After washing his dishes, taking out his trash, cooking for him, fixing everything around the house that breaks (which is how I spent a better part of Saturday - fixing the exercise bike I gave him because he broke the thing) you grow tired of hearing someone complain about you instead of at least appreciating the efforts you put in on their behalf.
I’m not alone in this, I know other people dealing with older family members going through much the same thing but, I have been doing a lot longer than a lot of people realize.
Anyway, the snow got shoveled and I gave him a bit of grief. He actually had been invited to go out with a lady friend but as he put it ‘he doesn’t want her to get the wrong idea.’ This translates into, ‘if I let her get too close she’ll come to rely on me and I don’t want to feel responsible to anyone.’
This is a lifelong trait.
So, that got done and the bike got fixed and I managed to get some things around here cleaned up reclaiming more open floor. My life has become a quest to throw things out and reclaim floor space - what does that say about me.
I’m never sure who reads so, I’m sorry to bore. I had meant to write the other day about Bush’s announcement regarding the space program, about watching Dick Gephardt speak and also about MLK’s birthday which was this past Thursday but, in each instance I crashed when trying to upload the entries so, it’s just more mundane stuff — if I’m motivated later maybe I can come up with something more entertaining.
Jan 16, 2004
Jan 14, 2004
It’s snowing again and I’ve already spoken to how much I love the winter’s answer to precipitation. I threw salt and ice melt down on the driveway earlier so every 45 minutes or so, I go to the window and look out to see the black pavement of the driveway with a glee akin to a kid at Christmas.
Earlier this winter, I shoveled after a particularly heavy snow. I was pleased with two things: I got it down quickly for the amount of snow and I didn’t wind up with a sore back the next day.
Monday we had a little bit of snow and I went out to clear it from the driveway. Nothing big really, just pushing the stuff of to the side. While I was doing it, the lip of the shovel caught on part of the concrete of the driveway, a small rise of a sort. Of course when this happened, I got twisted up because I was pushing forward and the shovel refused to move past the rise.
I wound up hurting my back.
So, today is probably the first day it doesn’t hurt as much (or at least I didn’t notice it as much as I did Monday night and Tuesday) and I’m throwing gook on the driveway to make life easier in the morning (and also not to spend as much time in the bone-numbing cold).
That’s the way things work sometimes, big, big things (8 inches of snow), no problem — little thing (small dusting) and I wind up hurt.
Go figure.
Earlier this winter, I shoveled after a particularly heavy snow. I was pleased with two things: I got it down quickly for the amount of snow and I didn’t wind up with a sore back the next day.
Monday we had a little bit of snow and I went out to clear it from the driveway. Nothing big really, just pushing the stuff of to the side. While I was doing it, the lip of the shovel caught on part of the concrete of the driveway, a small rise of a sort. Of course when this happened, I got twisted up because I was pushing forward and the shovel refused to move past the rise.
I wound up hurting my back.
So, today is probably the first day it doesn’t hurt as much (or at least I didn’t notice it as much as I did Monday night and Tuesday) and I’m throwing gook on the driveway to make life easier in the morning (and also not to spend as much time in the bone-numbing cold).
That’s the way things work sometimes, big, big things (8 inches of snow), no problem — little thing (small dusting) and I wind up hurt.
Go figure.
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