News comes from the tech world that we may be watching 3 D TV sooner than later. Uh....that is for those who still find enough programing to watch on the idiot box. Sony and Panasonic say they will release home 3-D television systems in 2010. Mitsubishi and PVC are reported to be working on similar products. This innovation will bring the same 3 D theater images to your TV screen that you see in movie theaters, and the people who are supposed to know say the upgrade is similar in scope to what people experienced when moving from black and white images to color or from standard definition TV to Hi Def.
So why am I not excited, even under whelmed? First, watchers of the Hi Def screens will have to wear those silly looking 3-D glasses, and the introduction of new technology always is in a primitive form to what it will be. The first 3 D TV may not be much of a technological upgrade to what we have.
But wait! The biggest reason I refuse to cheer this tech upgrade is that the same imbecile programing we get on TV today will be shown in 3D tomorrow. Ugh! Reality TV is awful enough as is. 3 D images of it may make it even worse. What good is watching bad programming in improved visual form? This points to the fact that in today's world new technology improvements in visual or audio mediums always precede improvements in the programming that the technology delivers to us. The chicken (the technology) is clearly ahead of the egg (creative art). But we should know that already because we have seen that in the case of the cell phone, that technology has nearly crushed all manners and civility when users chatter on them in public. And what about those auto stereo systems? The technology is great and it produces a clear and loud sound. Uh...too loud when in the hands of people who blast their unwanted music (noise) for all who don't want to hear. Name a technology we use in public and you can name at least two offensive aspect to how it is used.
I detect a natural law at work here. Hmmmmmmmm Let me compose the James Law. It is that "as audio/video technology improves, humans adopt it so quickly they forget they have a social responsibility to use it for the better rather than to degrade society or themselves by seeking personal pleasure from it."
Can anyone who remembers pre cell phone days, pre TV times, pre personal auto stereo times and on and on....can that person honestly say that society's civility level has been ennobled by those technologies? And more importantly, will humans ever realize that fact and begin to fight to regain both civility and the use of the imaginative part of our technologically deadened brains? You tell me?
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Alive At Age 113
Walter Bruening is in the news today, his five minute of fame segment of life, I guess. You see, Walter is allegedly the world's oldest man. He celebrated his 113th birthday this week and in interviews that asked Walter how he managed to keep on going, Walter gave a few reasons why he is still with us as all oldies do when they are past a hundred.
It's obvious to me that the reasons each give, so different, have little to do with their survival. Some say they drink alcohol to excess or smoke cigarettes that sort of thing. Walter attributes his survival and good health (he looks and has the mind of a man 40 years younger and says he has weighed the same for the last 35 years) to more healthy attributes, including his low body weight and that he eats only two meals a day. Walter does not eat "healthy food". He simply eats less of all food. To, he takes one aspirin a day (and uses no other medications), still is actively engaged in hobbies, and drinks plenty of water throughout the day. According to Walter, diet (eating little) is what keeps him going. But who is to say he might not be alive if he was a big eater. Many oldies who pass 100 are heavy.
The thing that surprises me in reading about Walter and seeing his quotes is how lucid he is. His mind is unaffected by any of the "normal" aging deterioration. That is a common factor I have noticed in the old timers who wee interviewed about making it past 100. They all have good mental health. There must be a correlation between the physical survival and that.So all of these factors seems to me to indicate that genetics is what makes it possible for some to live longer than others. I doubt Walter's "health secrets' are any better or worse than yours or mine. He's probably just lucky to have good genes. I know if I only ate two meals a day I would die prematurely early from hunger and frustration.
And what good is it to be 113 if not in good enough health (Walter is) to enjoy life?I think I should get rid of my aspirin, have a big piece of pie and swear off water. I may not make it to 113, but if i do those things I'll at least have a desire to live that long.
It's obvious to me that the reasons each give, so different, have little to do with their survival. Some say they drink alcohol to excess or smoke cigarettes that sort of thing. Walter attributes his survival and good health (he looks and has the mind of a man 40 years younger and says he has weighed the same for the last 35 years) to more healthy attributes, including his low body weight and that he eats only two meals a day. Walter does not eat "healthy food". He simply eats less of all food. To, he takes one aspirin a day (and uses no other medications), still is actively engaged in hobbies, and drinks plenty of water throughout the day. According to Walter, diet (eating little) is what keeps him going. But who is to say he might not be alive if he was a big eater. Many oldies who pass 100 are heavy.
The thing that surprises me in reading about Walter and seeing his quotes is how lucid he is. His mind is unaffected by any of the "normal" aging deterioration. That is a common factor I have noticed in the old timers who wee interviewed about making it past 100. They all have good mental health. There must be a correlation between the physical survival and that.So all of these factors seems to me to indicate that genetics is what makes it possible for some to live longer than others. I doubt Walter's "health secrets' are any better or worse than yours or mine. He's probably just lucky to have good genes. I know if I only ate two meals a day I would die prematurely early from hunger and frustration.
And what good is it to be 113 if not in good enough health (Walter is) to enjoy life?I think I should get rid of my aspirin, have a big piece of pie and swear off water. I may not make it to 113, but if i do those things I'll at least have a desire to live that long.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Fall Reflections
Fall may be my favorite time of the year. It's the season of color and cool breezes, of relief from the oppressive heat of summer. One of my favorite poets, the great observer of the ordinary, Emily Dickinson, wrote about the fall season often. Here's a passage from one of her poems ('Autumn') That I always liked because it makes me feel the coolness of autumn.
'The morns are meeker than they were,
The nuts are getting brown;
The berry's cheek is plumper,
The rose is out of town.'
Yeah, it's about chasing the stick, hot, heat of summer out of town until late Spring betrays me and lets the heat back in. Oh well, if we had fall all year round. surely we would not appreciate it so much. Pity those who have one climate always, who can't anticipate the rebirth the seasons bring. Another poet once called fall "the bright season". I swear all colors are brighter and more intense in autumn.
I am not a poet so instead of trying to regale you with my fall impressions in verse, let me just name five of the things that make fall a special time for me. I like:
* the cooler nights and mornings- Summer is boiling in New Orleans , so I know when fall arrives. It's when I pick up my morning newspaper from the damp grass and feel the cool early morning air that has been absent since spring.
* the color on the trees- There is something spiritual about the beauty of the red and yellow and multitude of shades one sees in fall trees. It makes me wonder how is it possible and how does it always return every year. I think it is a miracle of nature.
* Halloween and Thanksgiving. The former is the coming out party for fall, the latter the leaving. What's in between is the best time of the year for many.
* apple cider, pumpkin desserts and special "fall candy (the candy corn is one example). It reminds me to soon make pumpkin bread.
* sweaters- In New Orleans they come out in mid autumn and at the first sight of even mildly cool weather we all embrace them, wear them, show them off to announce that "summer is finally dead".
May fall live longer than summer, and may all your pumpkins be smiling ones.....
'The morns are meeker than they were,
The nuts are getting brown;
The berry's cheek is plumper,
The rose is out of town.'
Yeah, it's about chasing the stick, hot, heat of summer out of town until late Spring betrays me and lets the heat back in. Oh well, if we had fall all year round. surely we would not appreciate it so much. Pity those who have one climate always, who can't anticipate the rebirth the seasons bring. Another poet once called fall "the bright season". I swear all colors are brighter and more intense in autumn.
I am not a poet so instead of trying to regale you with my fall impressions in verse, let me just name five of the things that make fall a special time for me. I like:
* the cooler nights and mornings- Summer is boiling in New Orleans , so I know when fall arrives. It's when I pick up my morning newspaper from the damp grass and feel the cool early morning air that has been absent since spring.
* the color on the trees- There is something spiritual about the beauty of the red and yellow and multitude of shades one sees in fall trees. It makes me wonder how is it possible and how does it always return every year. I think it is a miracle of nature.
* Halloween and Thanksgiving. The former is the coming out party for fall, the latter the leaving. What's in between is the best time of the year for many.
* apple cider, pumpkin desserts and special "fall candy (the candy corn is one example). It reminds me to soon make pumpkin bread.
* sweaters- In New Orleans they come out in mid autumn and at the first sight of even mildly cool weather we all embrace them, wear them, show them off to announce that "summer is finally dead".
May fall live longer than summer, and may all your pumpkins be smiling ones.....
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Banning Some Smokes
Did you read the curious news note from the U.S. government about the great killer... cigarettes? Effective immediately, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has banned the sale of candy, fruit and clove flavored cigarettes. The move was authorized by the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which President Obama signed in June. So they are banning certain kinds of death smokes but not others? It does not follow....
Sure, it is devious of cigarette companies to tempt teens with sweet smokes in order to addict them to the poison they sell, and research shows that 17-year-old smokers are three times more likely to use flavored cigarettes than those over 25. But if cigarettes are so bad why would only some kinds be banned? That's sort of like making some types of murder illegal but not others.If one believes that governments can ban harmful drugs in the name of public safety (I believe it) the ban on those types of cigarettes is a good thing. However, what is the reason for a selective ban on some forms of cigarettes but not on all kinds? There is none, of course, outside of the spurious "we need to protect kids from becoming addicted to smoking." If smoking is a killer of kids, it also kills adults and it is a major cause of many illnesses that require expensive medical care...the very thing Obama and the Congress here whine about "reforming".
But then the cigarette manufacturers and all those commercial enterprises who benefit from the sale of those death sticks is an awfully big lobby to oppose. Taking a "save the kids from smoking" position is a politician's dream, as long as cigarettes as a whole continue to be sold and election campaigns continue to be financed by cigarette companies. That way politicians and business are happy, and consumers are "drugged" into believing they are being protected from dangerous drugs.
We might as well light up a smoke (but not a sweet one) to celebrate it all.
Sure, it is devious of cigarette companies to tempt teens with sweet smokes in order to addict them to the poison they sell, and research shows that 17-year-old smokers are three times more likely to use flavored cigarettes than those over 25. But if cigarettes are so bad why would only some kinds be banned? That's sort of like making some types of murder illegal but not others.If one believes that governments can ban harmful drugs in the name of public safety (I believe it) the ban on those types of cigarettes is a good thing. However, what is the reason for a selective ban on some forms of cigarettes but not on all kinds? There is none, of course, outside of the spurious "we need to protect kids from becoming addicted to smoking." If smoking is a killer of kids, it also kills adults and it is a major cause of many illnesses that require expensive medical care...the very thing Obama and the Congress here whine about "reforming".
But then the cigarette manufacturers and all those commercial enterprises who benefit from the sale of those death sticks is an awfully big lobby to oppose. Taking a "save the kids from smoking" position is a politician's dream, as long as cigarettes as a whole continue to be sold and election campaigns continue to be financed by cigarette companies. That way politicians and business are happy, and consumers are "drugged" into believing they are being protected from dangerous drugs.
We might as well light up a smoke (but not a sweet one) to celebrate it all.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Graffiti
I read an article today about the graffiti we all often see, the scribbling and paintings found more often in big cities. I find it unappealing and a little disrespectful to the people of the community. Placing graffiti on a public building is like spitting on the floor when visiting someone's house. I don't find it to be art as often as it is a middle finger shoved in the face of the people who have to endure the "artists" public canvass expression. Having to look at a gang emblem or slogan someone has spray painted in a sidewalk is like being forced to watch reality TV every time I turn on my TV. It is not a pleasant sight.
Anyway, the article says that graffiti complaints are on the rise across the U.S. Some cities report as much as a doubling in calls about defaced property, and that officials in large cities such as Los Angeles, Denver and Chicago, as well as smaller ones such Asheville, N.C., all report increases in graffiti cleanups in the past year or more. Maybe they are fed up and won't take it anymore. I hope so. For every clever or pretty graffiti painting there are 100 awful ones.Even though the instance of graffiti is the about the same now people are noticing it more and more often demanding it be erased. We had a self appointed graffiti eraser here in New Orleans who got so carried away with painting over graffiti that he started erasing it on private property.
After some complaints by property owners about his crusade, he was arrested and a judge slapped a fine on him and ordered him to stop cleaning it.According to graffiti experts most of it is not gang related. It's a surprise to me, given I notice gang graffiti more often than other types. However, as much as 85% comes from "tagging," an outgrowth of hip-hop "culture" in which the person defacing the property leaves his or her signature. Taggers are said to be trying to rebel or get attention. I would prefer that if they need attention they just walked around with a lampshade on their heads. I would notice that even more and would not have to endure their art on a permanent basis.
Supposedly, police are catching more graffiti writers these days, using those crime cameras that spy on us and looking at web sites where the graffiti writers like to brag or display their work. Graffiti is hardly a major social problem, but it is an indication that the society is either allowing too much personal expression or is secure enough to not stop the same. There is quite a wide disparity in opinion about the worthiness of graffiti.
Hmmmmmmmm.... on one hand, only repressive societies are graffiti free. Too, some think that graffiti advertises that the residents of the area don't care and that the area will be easy to exploit. It is the harbinger of crime. Which viewpoint is correct, or perhaps it is a little of both?
Oh, please no comments that my remarks today are as worthless as most of the graffiti.
Anyway, the article says that graffiti complaints are on the rise across the U.S. Some cities report as much as a doubling in calls about defaced property, and that officials in large cities such as Los Angeles, Denver and Chicago, as well as smaller ones such Asheville, N.C., all report increases in graffiti cleanups in the past year or more. Maybe they are fed up and won't take it anymore. I hope so. For every clever or pretty graffiti painting there are 100 awful ones.Even though the instance of graffiti is the about the same now people are noticing it more and more often demanding it be erased. We had a self appointed graffiti eraser here in New Orleans who got so carried away with painting over graffiti that he started erasing it on private property.
After some complaints by property owners about his crusade, he was arrested and a judge slapped a fine on him and ordered him to stop cleaning it.According to graffiti experts most of it is not gang related. It's a surprise to me, given I notice gang graffiti more often than other types. However, as much as 85% comes from "tagging," an outgrowth of hip-hop "culture" in which the person defacing the property leaves his or her signature. Taggers are said to be trying to rebel or get attention. I would prefer that if they need attention they just walked around with a lampshade on their heads. I would notice that even more and would not have to endure their art on a permanent basis.
Supposedly, police are catching more graffiti writers these days, using those crime cameras that spy on us and looking at web sites where the graffiti writers like to brag or display their work. Graffiti is hardly a major social problem, but it is an indication that the society is either allowing too much personal expression or is secure enough to not stop the same. There is quite a wide disparity in opinion about the worthiness of graffiti.
Hmmmmmmmm.... on one hand, only repressive societies are graffiti free. Too, some think that graffiti advertises that the residents of the area don't care and that the area will be easy to exploit. It is the harbinger of crime. Which viewpoint is correct, or perhaps it is a little of both?
Oh, please no comments that my remarks today are as worthless as most of the graffiti.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Land Of The Free-loader
While reading my morning newspaper and seeing so many stories about private citizens "demanding" that their government (i.e., the taxpaying segment of the population, not the 40% of Americans who pay no taxes but receive a huge proportion of services) take care of their responsibilities, I am reminded how the U.S. has been transformed from a nation of freedom into a nation of freeloaders- people who expect others to do what they should do to care for themselves.
Two examples of this from today's local newspaper (and there were many others I could cite as well) involved a 'Meals on Wheels' food program that my parish government sponsors to provide a free hot meal that is delivered to any elderly resident's of my parish who is "poor'" (a nebulous term that is hard to define and often used to justify freebies in return for votes for the politicians who give away the tax money I pay and seem to have no choice in directing as to appropriate cause). The article lamented how "cruel" it is to "deny food to the elderly" and so on. A number of the (able body) people who will lose the free meals cried the familiar refrain that "it's my right to have those meals".
Before the U.S. declined into a nation of entitlements, such rhetoric would have been unspoken. People took care of themselves or had family or community groups to help before they would ever think of asking for taxpayers to "bail them out". The meals on wheels is a nice program, but in a time of financial crisis I hardly think it is necessary or a right to receive home delivered meals- for any age group.
Another example from the paper today is the Head Start program. This is a federal government funded "early education" program in which people who are "poor" (here we go again) can send their kids to preschool free. The federal government gives money to the states who allocate it to applicant. Only the "poor" have this free pre school education because pre school education is rarely funded by state or local governments on the basis that the cost outweighs the benefits. But the "poor moms" interviewed about their kids not getting this freebie this year due to a lack of funds to cover all the "poor" applicants were indignant. They ranted about the "rich" (anyone not getting these kinds of low income/ no income perks) sending their kids to pre school (but never mentioning that the rich" themselves pay for the cost to do so). I kept reading that it was "my right to have my child in pre school", but not once any mention of parental obligation to provide for his or her child as a first means to do so. Most recipients of such programs are chronic users of the many free programs that the United States of Freeloaders now offers.
I wonder how much damage to this country the entitlement mentality has created. From the wasteful unnecessary bail-out programs of the Obama administration and Congress that has made the U.S. a nation with huge debts to the endless list of freeloader programs aimed at all levels of income (every vote counts at election time so every income level is given much!) the U.S. is being crushed by a mountain of debt and is no longer a country of ingenuity and self reliance. We expect "the government" to be our daddy and pay our way.
Today we are living in the land of the freeloader, for certain a self destructive existence
Two examples of this from today's local newspaper (and there were many others I could cite as well) involved a 'Meals on Wheels' food program that my parish government sponsors to provide a free hot meal that is delivered to any elderly resident's of my parish who is "poor'" (a nebulous term that is hard to define and often used to justify freebies in return for votes for the politicians who give away the tax money I pay and seem to have no choice in directing as to appropriate cause). The article lamented how "cruel" it is to "deny food to the elderly" and so on. A number of the (able body) people who will lose the free meals cried the familiar refrain that "it's my right to have those meals".
Before the U.S. declined into a nation of entitlements, such rhetoric would have been unspoken. People took care of themselves or had family or community groups to help before they would ever think of asking for taxpayers to "bail them out". The meals on wheels is a nice program, but in a time of financial crisis I hardly think it is necessary or a right to receive home delivered meals- for any age group.
Another example from the paper today is the Head Start program. This is a federal government funded "early education" program in which people who are "poor" (here we go again) can send their kids to preschool free. The federal government gives money to the states who allocate it to applicant. Only the "poor" have this free pre school education because pre school education is rarely funded by state or local governments on the basis that the cost outweighs the benefits. But the "poor moms" interviewed about their kids not getting this freebie this year due to a lack of funds to cover all the "poor" applicants were indignant. They ranted about the "rich" (anyone not getting these kinds of low income/ no income perks) sending their kids to pre school (but never mentioning that the rich" themselves pay for the cost to do so). I kept reading that it was "my right to have my child in pre school", but not once any mention of parental obligation to provide for his or her child as a first means to do so. Most recipients of such programs are chronic users of the many free programs that the United States of Freeloaders now offers.
I wonder how much damage to this country the entitlement mentality has created. From the wasteful unnecessary bail-out programs of the Obama administration and Congress that has made the U.S. a nation with huge debts to the endless list of freeloader programs aimed at all levels of income (every vote counts at election time so every income level is given much!) the U.S. is being crushed by a mountain of debt and is no longer a country of ingenuity and self reliance. We expect "the government" to be our daddy and pay our way.
Today we are living in the land of the freeloader, for certain a self destructive existence
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Church Membership
Has organized religion become more of an entertainment vehicle than a spiritual one? I have just read an article about churches in America today. That is, which religious denominations are successful and which are not. In today's world the denominations or church sites with the most glitz and entertainment value have the most members and the biggest financial success. Also, multiple sites are the new normal for fast-growing and large churches. The Mc Donald's franchise format has hit religion.Need an example? Well, One of the chain churches is Life Church tv based in Edmond, Okla., but having 13 locations, reaching 26,776 people in average weekend worship attendance.
Wow! That's a lot of burgers...err parishioners. Of the top ten churches in the U.S., nine of them have branches in addiction to the main, often opulent looking church. Traditional congregations like those of the Catholic and Protestant denominations act independently financially and even in day to day operating procedure, despite also being centrally controlled,Someone once said, "Humanity without religion is like a serial killer without a chain saw."
In the case of some of the bigger churches it seems to be that way. masses are circuses of entertainment, doctrine loosely extracted from Biblical scripture, music ever present, even entertainment acts booked during services. And the social calendar of members can be long and entirely non spiritual. I wonder if reality TV has turned into "reality religion" (thankfully, without an American idol gospel singing contest), one which seeks first, not to impart theology, but rather to entertain in order to grab as many donating members as possible.
After all, the list of top ten financially successful churches today include none from traditional religious denominations (who still continue to put the church going membership in attendance to sleep each Sunday).With total church membership getting bigger in the U.S. and shouldn't that translate to a nicer society, where people care for others, at least, as much as they care for themselves?
I don't see that these days. Reality Religion seems to breed a different ethic. Somewhere along the line, the traditional messages of grace, kindness, peace and love aren't being transmitted to the faithful sitting in the pews, probably because the entertainment of the services and church functions consumes most of the membership's time. It makes you wonder why people go to church at all. Oh.... for the entertainment value, of course.
Wow! That's a lot of burgers...err parishioners. Of the top ten churches in the U.S., nine of them have branches in addiction to the main, often opulent looking church. Traditional congregations like those of the Catholic and Protestant denominations act independently financially and even in day to day operating procedure, despite also being centrally controlled,Someone once said, "Humanity without religion is like a serial killer without a chain saw."
In the case of some of the bigger churches it seems to be that way. masses are circuses of entertainment, doctrine loosely extracted from Biblical scripture, music ever present, even entertainment acts booked during services. And the social calendar of members can be long and entirely non spiritual. I wonder if reality TV has turned into "reality religion" (thankfully, without an American idol gospel singing contest), one which seeks first, not to impart theology, but rather to entertain in order to grab as many donating members as possible.
After all, the list of top ten financially successful churches today include none from traditional religious denominations (who still continue to put the church going membership in attendance to sleep each Sunday).With total church membership getting bigger in the U.S. and shouldn't that translate to a nicer society, where people care for others, at least, as much as they care for themselves?
I don't see that these days. Reality Religion seems to breed a different ethic. Somewhere along the line, the traditional messages of grace, kindness, peace and love aren't being transmitted to the faithful sitting in the pews, probably because the entertainment of the services and church functions consumes most of the membership's time. It makes you wonder why people go to church at all. Oh.... for the entertainment value, of course.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Train Cell Addicts
One of those crazy cell phones got to me when riding the train from Seattle the other day. I am an observer of people first and foremost and because I have never had a cell phone never want one and when I die will have inscribed on my tombstone, "He never had a cell phone", I can quickly distinguish between the cell addicts and the normal users (too few of those).
The addicts have a look in their eyes that announces the anticipation of the next cell ring, they fidget nervously when not on their phone. They have a blank stare that proscribes their cell damaged brains....Haha You have to be a non user to see those things in the cell addict. But like a person who never wears a watch (I never do that as well) and as a result learns to know the time more accurately than those who have time devices with them, a non cell user better sees the cell addict.
The lady I was annoyed by, or rather annoyed by her rudeness in use of her phone, on the train ride was a model for cell addiction. Because the train policy is for no cell talking in the rider carriage, she spent at least three of the three and one half hours (the other half hour was bathroom and dining time..she almost never sat in her seat) on the boarding entrance at the back of the compartment. And she chattered loudly while gabbing on her phone the whole time (Why do cell addicts scream into their phone?).
Since I sat immediately adjacent to where she used her phone I was "treated' to a train ride of her inane cell chat. None of her calls had any importance beyond entertaining herself (the other parties have to be idiots or have nothing productive to do with their time to enjoy listening to her drivel). The cell addict often does nothing in free time but chat on a phone because he or she has become hypnotized by it to do so.
I held my tongue and did not tell her what I felt, that she was rude to impose her addiction on we passengers, because it is the conductor's job to remind unruly riders to be considerate. When one of the conductors eventually asked her, "What are you doing"?, figuring she would understand that she was out of line to annoy other passengers, she merely barked at him. "What does it look like. I am talking on my phone." Subtle reminders to behave rarely impact cell addicts because they are blinded by their addiction to believe their "right" to chat anywhere and at any volume is an inalienable one .
I survived it all but wonder why I should be forced to endure such such bad behavior. Like cigarette smoke blown in one's face, society is now too often assaulted by the arrows of words cell addicts hurl blindly as they inject their brains with their cells and innocent bystanders with their cackling. Is not a cell phone abuser also a reminder to you that the world today is no longer a private place? We are surrounded by technology that tracks our presence, intrudes on our privacy, alters our sanity (Maybe that's why I am nuts?), records our appointments and purchases.......ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh You know it already! We can no longer pull the plug and are trapped by the scourge of civilization that is the cell phone addict.
How sad that the cell phone has changed the way we communicate, from that in which two people communicate out of need or desire to today's mindless and endless chatter about "nothing". I wonder what kind of life that cell addict on the train has? Whether happy or sad, she surely is not in control of it because her phone rules her and abuses all within hearing distance. Post cell phone life is a regulated one that has degraded society. It does not allow us to have a solitary life and robs us so much of civility. It prohibits us from being anonymous because now anyone can now find us even when we wish not to be "in touch". It interferes with our thinking and replaces it with mindless chat, and it promotes the end of public politeness by making public space personal private domains.
Sigh...I should have that tombstone inscription I ordered chiseled in big bold letters.....
The addicts have a look in their eyes that announces the anticipation of the next cell ring, they fidget nervously when not on their phone. They have a blank stare that proscribes their cell damaged brains....Haha You have to be a non user to see those things in the cell addict. But like a person who never wears a watch (I never do that as well) and as a result learns to know the time more accurately than those who have time devices with them, a non cell user better sees the cell addict.
The lady I was annoyed by, or rather annoyed by her rudeness in use of her phone, on the train ride was a model for cell addiction. Because the train policy is for no cell talking in the rider carriage, she spent at least three of the three and one half hours (the other half hour was bathroom and dining time..she almost never sat in her seat) on the boarding entrance at the back of the compartment. And she chattered loudly while gabbing on her phone the whole time (Why do cell addicts scream into their phone?).
Since I sat immediately adjacent to where she used her phone I was "treated' to a train ride of her inane cell chat. None of her calls had any importance beyond entertaining herself (the other parties have to be idiots or have nothing productive to do with their time to enjoy listening to her drivel). The cell addict often does nothing in free time but chat on a phone because he or she has become hypnotized by it to do so.
I held my tongue and did not tell her what I felt, that she was rude to impose her addiction on we passengers, because it is the conductor's job to remind unruly riders to be considerate. When one of the conductors eventually asked her, "What are you doing"?, figuring she would understand that she was out of line to annoy other passengers, she merely barked at him. "What does it look like. I am talking on my phone." Subtle reminders to behave rarely impact cell addicts because they are blinded by their addiction to believe their "right" to chat anywhere and at any volume is an inalienable one .
I survived it all but wonder why I should be forced to endure such such bad behavior. Like cigarette smoke blown in one's face, society is now too often assaulted by the arrows of words cell addicts hurl blindly as they inject their brains with their cells and innocent bystanders with their cackling. Is not a cell phone abuser also a reminder to you that the world today is no longer a private place? We are surrounded by technology that tracks our presence, intrudes on our privacy, alters our sanity (Maybe that's why I am nuts?), records our appointments and purchases.......ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh You know it already! We can no longer pull the plug and are trapped by the scourge of civilization that is the cell phone addict.
How sad that the cell phone has changed the way we communicate, from that in which two people communicate out of need or desire to today's mindless and endless chatter about "nothing". I wonder what kind of life that cell addict on the train has? Whether happy or sad, she surely is not in control of it because her phone rules her and abuses all within hearing distance. Post cell phone life is a regulated one that has degraded society. It does not allow us to have a solitary life and robs us so much of civility. It prohibits us from being anonymous because now anyone can now find us even when we wish not to be "in touch". It interferes with our thinking and replaces it with mindless chat, and it promotes the end of public politeness by making public space personal private domains.
Sigh...I should have that tombstone inscription I ordered chiseled in big bold letters.....
Shame On Who?
Politics here has gotten crazy. You may have read about the Congressman who uttered "liar" as President Obama spoke (and did lie) about health insurance last week. The issue of civility and shame came about when the incident happened.Have you no shame? If you answered yes to that question, you may be in a dwindling minority today. Shame has become an almost quaint and distant feeling, and it's ...well..a shame that it is so. We need far more often to accept blame for the negative things that we ourselves bring about. It's healthy for a society as a whole as well as for the individual's character. But one would only have to look at modern TV shows to see the shameless state in which we live.
I know TV doesn't create public behavior. There isn't more violence in society because violence is a staple of many TV shows. And no one can seriously contend that there is comedy on the streets because of the comedy we see on TV. Television merely reflects what society holds to be true or dear. It is a good barometer of what is happening in a society and in showing what society believes and holds dear. The most successful of TV formats here and in most other countries is the most shameless of all- reality TV. It's a TV format that pushes the lack of shame to astounding levels.
I confess to never having watched any of those reality TV programs, but I am bombarded with commercials for them when watching any other show and this gives me the "right" to comment on them. Those commercials show clips from the shows, clips that are so idiotic and shameless I am embarrassed to watch them. Too, I had to use Google to locate the names and specifics of them to write with specificity here about this. But my point is that TV is in part a shameless medium, a reflection of the lack of shame humans display in real life society.
By shamelessness I mean that people do not accept blame for things they are responsible when they turn out to be negative events. When we have shame we are forced to judge our behavior against a morality. When we have shame we act morally better. But look at the poor souls on reality TV shows who sell their souls in return for humiliation and a cash prize. A few minutes of notoriety, even highly negative notoriety is the prize for the contestants. And the viewers.....they seem to enjoy the shame they see and view it as normal.
The singular aspect to all of those reality shows is that people (contestants) are humiliated, and often they are too dense or insensitive (because of the lack of shame today, perhaps) to know or care that they are being degraded. In the case of one called "Survivor", contestants pretend they are surviving a contrived danger that isn't really dangerous at all (their lunches are catered between scenes and medical personal and comfort creatures are there for the asking when the camera isn't rolling). They pretend to survive and the viewers pretend to believe they are surviving because along the way embarrassment reigns.
The one called "American Idol" is said to be the highest rated of al reality showsl. In that show contestants are verbally assaulted by a trio of quasi celebrities as they do their best to sing songs for the judges. The judges don't just approve or encourage to try again. They excoriate the rejected contestants, often with personal insults. Ridicule is seen as part of the process one must go in becoming an "idol". But how can anyone who subjects him or herself to such and exercise be anything but shameless?In "Fear Factor" men and women are asked to do stunts they are either not capable of doing or are too afraid of doing.
But why? What is the point beyond watching them embarrass themselves and their reputations. The last one standing is given the honor of being told, "evidently fear is not a factor for you". I suppose it's a perverted way the contestants and audience see for gaining honor. Obviously they do not know the meaning of the shame they commit when they appear on the show. Haha I hope their mom doesn't see them on display....Project Runway lets contestants compete with each other to create the best clothes. Contestants are usually restricted in time, materials, and theme. Their designs are judged and one or more designers are eliminated (with insults and questions about their self worth thrown in at departure time) each week. As far as I can tell from the brief commercials have seen promoting the show, an integral part of that show is to make the contestants appear stupid, both in their ability to design and in their eagerness to be tongue-lashed by the "professionals' who guide them in the contest.
The concept of one called Wife Swap is bizarre! Two families, usually from vastly different social classes and lifestyles, swap wives/mothers (and sometimes husbands) for two weeks. In fact, the program swaps wives with extreme, polar opposite lifestyles, such as a dramatically messy wife swapping with a fastidiously neat one. Despite the wife swapping phrase of the title, couples participating in the show do not swap sex with the "swapped" spouse while "swapping" homes. It may be the only shred of taste in the show. Along the way each spouse verbally attacks the swapped one, traumatizes the children and shows not a speck of sensitivity or taste.
I could go on about the endless list of those reality shows. My Google search gave me many more information about those curious TV shows that are the favorites of viewers in most countries. As shameless as the shows are for making money off shameless behavior, I think that those who watch them may be the most shameless thing about any of them.
I know TV doesn't create public behavior. There isn't more violence in society because violence is a staple of many TV shows. And no one can seriously contend that there is comedy on the streets because of the comedy we see on TV. Television merely reflects what society holds to be true or dear. It is a good barometer of what is happening in a society and in showing what society believes and holds dear. The most successful of TV formats here and in most other countries is the most shameless of all- reality TV. It's a TV format that pushes the lack of shame to astounding levels.
I confess to never having watched any of those reality TV programs, but I am bombarded with commercials for them when watching any other show and this gives me the "right" to comment on them. Those commercials show clips from the shows, clips that are so idiotic and shameless I am embarrassed to watch them. Too, I had to use Google to locate the names and specifics of them to write with specificity here about this. But my point is that TV is in part a shameless medium, a reflection of the lack of shame humans display in real life society.
By shamelessness I mean that people do not accept blame for things they are responsible when they turn out to be negative events. When we have shame we are forced to judge our behavior against a morality. When we have shame we act morally better. But look at the poor souls on reality TV shows who sell their souls in return for humiliation and a cash prize. A few minutes of notoriety, even highly negative notoriety is the prize for the contestants. And the viewers.....they seem to enjoy the shame they see and view it as normal.
The singular aspect to all of those reality shows is that people (contestants) are humiliated, and often they are too dense or insensitive (because of the lack of shame today, perhaps) to know or care that they are being degraded. In the case of one called "Survivor", contestants pretend they are surviving a contrived danger that isn't really dangerous at all (their lunches are catered between scenes and medical personal and comfort creatures are there for the asking when the camera isn't rolling). They pretend to survive and the viewers pretend to believe they are surviving because along the way embarrassment reigns.
The one called "American Idol" is said to be the highest rated of al reality showsl. In that show contestants are verbally assaulted by a trio of quasi celebrities as they do their best to sing songs for the judges. The judges don't just approve or encourage to try again. They excoriate the rejected contestants, often with personal insults. Ridicule is seen as part of the process one must go in becoming an "idol". But how can anyone who subjects him or herself to such and exercise be anything but shameless?In "Fear Factor" men and women are asked to do stunts they are either not capable of doing or are too afraid of doing.
But why? What is the point beyond watching them embarrass themselves and their reputations. The last one standing is given the honor of being told, "evidently fear is not a factor for you". I suppose it's a perverted way the contestants and audience see for gaining honor. Obviously they do not know the meaning of the shame they commit when they appear on the show. Haha I hope their mom doesn't see them on display....Project Runway lets contestants compete with each other to create the best clothes. Contestants are usually restricted in time, materials, and theme. Their designs are judged and one or more designers are eliminated (with insults and questions about their self worth thrown in at departure time) each week. As far as I can tell from the brief commercials have seen promoting the show, an integral part of that show is to make the contestants appear stupid, both in their ability to design and in their eagerness to be tongue-lashed by the "professionals' who guide them in the contest.
The concept of one called Wife Swap is bizarre! Two families, usually from vastly different social classes and lifestyles, swap wives/mothers (and sometimes husbands) for two weeks. In fact, the program swaps wives with extreme, polar opposite lifestyles, such as a dramatically messy wife swapping with a fastidiously neat one. Despite the wife swapping phrase of the title, couples participating in the show do not swap sex with the "swapped" spouse while "swapping" homes. It may be the only shred of taste in the show. Along the way each spouse verbally attacks the swapped one, traumatizes the children and shows not a speck of sensitivity or taste.
I could go on about the endless list of those reality shows. My Google search gave me many more information about those curious TV shows that are the favorites of viewers in most countries. As shameless as the shows are for making money off shameless behavior, I think that those who watch them may be the most shameless thing about any of them.
Remembering Mary Travers
Some old time pop music is on my mind today because of two big events associated with early folk and rock and roll. September 16th was the 45th anniversary of the 1964 concert given in New Orleans by a relatively new group called "The Beatles". Yep, that same still popular and probably everlasting Fab Four. Local TV stations have shown footage of the crazy scene at City Park Studio when thousands of teenage girls rushed the stage as the Beatles sang (no one could hear a thing, as the screaming from teenage fans drowned out the music.
Paul McCartney once said in an interview that the Beatles quit performing in those big stadium shows because the band was fed up with the hysterical reaction of the listeners. Mc Cartney said even he and the other Beatles could not hear a word of what they were singing. So, "what was the point in performing that way. We weren't making music. We were an event." So New Orleans was one of the cities that had one of those shows. When radio stations here play back audio of the show one can most prominently hear the screams, not the songs the Beatles played.
Rock was new then and the frantic reaction from kids was there way of protesting the established music and culture of the day. It was a loud protest because it was the first time kids had their own music. Too, that kind of cultural change is what made for the wonderful chaos and change in the 60's.Also today Mary Travers died. Travers joined forces in the late 50's and early 60's with Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey to form the greatest folk music group ever, 'Peter Paul and Mary'. Peter Paul and Mary was all about protesting social injustice, and they too paved the way for changes in music style, as did the Beatles. Their Song, "If I had a Hammer' is a classic protest against racial injustice. Bob Dylan's song 'Blowing in the Wind' was recorded by Peter Paul and Mary and made into a timeless tune. It was a protest song against the Vietnam War. Hmmmmmm Perhaps their best known song is "Puff the Magic Dragon". It's still commonly played for small children today.
It was quite a day to remember performers who were simple, who displayed such greatness and who thankfully are timeless.
Paul McCartney once said in an interview that the Beatles quit performing in those big stadium shows because the band was fed up with the hysterical reaction of the listeners. Mc Cartney said even he and the other Beatles could not hear a word of what they were singing. So, "what was the point in performing that way. We weren't making music. We were an event." So New Orleans was one of the cities that had one of those shows. When radio stations here play back audio of the show one can most prominently hear the screams, not the songs the Beatles played.
Rock was new then and the frantic reaction from kids was there way of protesting the established music and culture of the day. It was a loud protest because it was the first time kids had their own music. Too, that kind of cultural change is what made for the wonderful chaos and change in the 60's.Also today Mary Travers died. Travers joined forces in the late 50's and early 60's with Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey to form the greatest folk music group ever, 'Peter Paul and Mary'. Peter Paul and Mary was all about protesting social injustice, and they too paved the way for changes in music style, as did the Beatles. Their Song, "If I had a Hammer' is a classic protest against racial injustice. Bob Dylan's song 'Blowing in the Wind' was recorded by Peter Paul and Mary and made into a timeless tune. It was a protest song against the Vietnam War. Hmmmmmm Perhaps their best known song is "Puff the Magic Dragon". It's still commonly played for small children today.
It was quite a day to remember performers who were simple, who displayed such greatness and who thankfully are timeless.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Starnge Garbage Policy In Portland
This is a beautiful area in which to live but the residents of Portland are nutty about "environmental issues". Well, I should rephrase it and say they are way too tolerant of their politicians who use "global warming" and other nonsense as an excuse to pick their pockets with fees of all sorts. The people I have conversed with here do not like the excessive environmental regulations, some of them absurd attempts to generate more revenue. They gumble and hate it but never speak out in oppositon. It is not good.
One example of this is home garbage pick-up. When moving here I was charged and given 3 color coded cans, one for garbage, one for recycling and one for yard refuse. There is an extravagant charge for each of those cans, even if one does not want one or more of them. Any items put into the wrong can result in an extra fee assessed to the homeowner. Yes, there are garbage inspectors" to check on us. I have some broken items from my move here that need to be thrown out, yet when I telephoned the garbage collection department to inquire how to put it out I was told...err....here is a loose remembrance of the dialogue I had with the garbage collection company to illustrate it all concretely.
"Jim: I would like to know how to prepare and discard items damaged in my move here.
Garbage agent (GA from this point forward): How big are they? We won't pick up some items?
Jim: What? You are my garbage and trash contractor but you don't pick up trash?
GA: Just leave the items on the curb to the right of the cans and we will remove acceptable ones. There is a charge for each item collected.
Jim: What? You mean I am already paying exorbitant fees for pick-up and you charge extra when I use the service? This is crazy.
GA: Sir, we use all the money to better the environment of Portland.
Jim: Let me guess that your company is a private contractor with the government contract to remove the trash...and that your profit margin is as great as the environmental spending (Haha Ok, I got cynical at that point) . Was their competitive bidding for that contract? The costs for your pick-up are many times greater than most other municipalities. To tell me I am being robbed for enviromental good is enough to make me slap Al Gore!
GA: Sir I can't answer your questions. I am just an employee
Jim: Isn't that what the Nazi Concentration camp guards said too, they knew nothing?....Never mind. Where can I take the items myself to avoid being cheated by your company collecting them at my home?
GA: There are only two places in Portland for that, but they charge fees too.
Jim: You're kidding? You mean they fee me for doing their job? Is this a Kafka novel? Am I dreaming?
GA: All I can do is give you the telephone number to inquire with them about their fees.
Jim: Sigh...Forget it. I'll just dump the items in front of the house of your company's president...for free!
I think the lady GA had a heart attack at that point. I am not going to dump them there since my telephone call is on record. But I suspect that this company is politically connected, gets collection rates much higher than merited and pays kickbacks to the politicians who awarded their contract. People here are afraid to question the endless environmental fees here because the minority who push that politically correct program have a great psychological advantage over them.
One lady here told me she owns rental apartments and one of the residents did not collect her "3 cans" from the garbage dictators because the resident was out of town for months at a time and did not need them. Guess what happened? They fined the landlord, forcing her to pay the amount of the collection fees for all the time the cans were not used because her tenant didn't use the cans. At least they didn't tattoo a serial number ion her forearm.....
But wait! Even private business gets in on the environmental fee scam game. Today I purchased from a Target store here a pack of drinks that were packaged as aluminum cans. When I asked the sales person to explain why there was a 60 cent fee added he told me The $4.00 purchase turned into $4.60 because of the "deposit fee" for recycling aluminum cans. "How can I recycle those cans back to the store to get my desposit back," I asked. "I won't use all of them and I live in Louisiana, and will leave Portland in 10 days?"The clerk shrugged his shoulders and said, "It is crazy, but what can we do?"
That sums it up as well as anything. They are prisoners of the environmental nuts, hopeless slaves to insanityMaybe I should just throw all those cans in the Target parking lot with notes attached telling them to "keep my deposit".
One example of this is home garbage pick-up. When moving here I was charged and given 3 color coded cans, one for garbage, one for recycling and one for yard refuse. There is an extravagant charge for each of those cans, even if one does not want one or more of them. Any items put into the wrong can result in an extra fee assessed to the homeowner. Yes, there are garbage inspectors" to check on us. I have some broken items from my move here that need to be thrown out, yet when I telephoned the garbage collection department to inquire how to put it out I was told...err....here is a loose remembrance of the dialogue I had with the garbage collection company to illustrate it all concretely.
"Jim: I would like to know how to prepare and discard items damaged in my move here.
Garbage agent (GA from this point forward): How big are they? We won't pick up some items?
Jim: What? You are my garbage and trash contractor but you don't pick up trash?
GA: Just leave the items on the curb to the right of the cans and we will remove acceptable ones. There is a charge for each item collected.
Jim: What? You mean I am already paying exorbitant fees for pick-up and you charge extra when I use the service? This is crazy.
GA: Sir, we use all the money to better the environment of Portland.
Jim: Let me guess that your company is a private contractor with the government contract to remove the trash...and that your profit margin is as great as the environmental spending (Haha Ok, I got cynical at that point) . Was their competitive bidding for that contract? The costs for your pick-up are many times greater than most other municipalities. To tell me I am being robbed for enviromental good is enough to make me slap Al Gore!
GA: Sir I can't answer your questions. I am just an employee
Jim: Isn't that what the Nazi Concentration camp guards said too, they knew nothing?....Never mind. Where can I take the items myself to avoid being cheated by your company collecting them at my home?
GA: There are only two places in Portland for that, but they charge fees too.
Jim: You're kidding? You mean they fee me for doing their job? Is this a Kafka novel? Am I dreaming?
GA: All I can do is give you the telephone number to inquire with them about their fees.
Jim: Sigh...Forget it. I'll just dump the items in front of the house of your company's president...for free!
I think the lady GA had a heart attack at that point. I am not going to dump them there since my telephone call is on record. But I suspect that this company is politically connected, gets collection rates much higher than merited and pays kickbacks to the politicians who awarded their contract. People here are afraid to question the endless environmental fees here because the minority who push that politically correct program have a great psychological advantage over them.
One lady here told me she owns rental apartments and one of the residents did not collect her "3 cans" from the garbage dictators because the resident was out of town for months at a time and did not need them. Guess what happened? They fined the landlord, forcing her to pay the amount of the collection fees for all the time the cans were not used because her tenant didn't use the cans. At least they didn't tattoo a serial number ion her forearm.....
But wait! Even private business gets in on the environmental fee scam game. Today I purchased from a Target store here a pack of drinks that were packaged as aluminum cans. When I asked the sales person to explain why there was a 60 cent fee added he told me The $4.00 purchase turned into $4.60 because of the "deposit fee" for recycling aluminum cans. "How can I recycle those cans back to the store to get my desposit back," I asked. "I won't use all of them and I live in Louisiana, and will leave Portland in 10 days?"The clerk shrugged his shoulders and said, "It is crazy, but what can we do?"
That sums it up as well as anything. They are prisoners of the environmental nuts, hopeless slaves to insanityMaybe I should just throw all those cans in the Target parking lot with notes attached telling them to "keep my deposit".
What I Like In Portland
Since I have complained about the environmental scams so prevalent here in Portland, today I will mention some of the things I like about the area.
The Portland region is a very quiet one. There is little crime and it is orderly and clean. The physical beauty of this area is as great as any I have ever seen. This may be due to the work ethic that I find in great supply. Residents of this state work and like their labor a great deal. In New Orleans we tend to hide from labor and seek play far more often than here. In Portland they work at keeping the region pristine.I think this is a good place for a family to raise children. Though the local teens and younger crowd sometimes complain that there isn't enough "going on" in the metro area, I believe that Portlanders prefer solitary pursuits (hiking, camping etc.) in nature far more than community or group activities.
There is very little sense of region, community or even neighborhood here and even less cooperation between and among the various cities and counties of greater Portland. But that isn't necessarily a bad thing. People here like this "solitary" lifestyle.I most like the beauty around me when here. Stunning views are everywhere and the community make sure they are not despoiled or lost. One can not drive in any direction from Happy Valley and not be enchanted by the beauty around him. And this is said despite my having not seen much of the wonders outside of the metropolitan region.
There is a feeling of being safe here. My home and many others that have burglar alarm systems do not have them activated. I do not worry much about my vacant home being burglarized here. In New Orleans the alarm would be activitated along with anxiety about whether it would deter a break-in. Too, there is order here. Things work as they are supposed to and when broken the government has them repaired.
No doubt without the beautiful environment this region would suffer badly and be less of an idealized place. There is no 'culture" here apart from the generic suburban culture found all across America. Yet it matters not when one gazes out of a window and sees a majestic mountain in the distance.
The Portland region is a very quiet one. There is little crime and it is orderly and clean. The physical beauty of this area is as great as any I have ever seen. This may be due to the work ethic that I find in great supply. Residents of this state work and like their labor a great deal. In New Orleans we tend to hide from labor and seek play far more often than here. In Portland they work at keeping the region pristine.I think this is a good place for a family to raise children. Though the local teens and younger crowd sometimes complain that there isn't enough "going on" in the metro area, I believe that Portlanders prefer solitary pursuits (hiking, camping etc.) in nature far more than community or group activities.
There is very little sense of region, community or even neighborhood here and even less cooperation between and among the various cities and counties of greater Portland. But that isn't necessarily a bad thing. People here like this "solitary" lifestyle.I most like the beauty around me when here. Stunning views are everywhere and the community make sure they are not despoiled or lost. One can not drive in any direction from Happy Valley and not be enchanted by the beauty around him. And this is said despite my having not seen much of the wonders outside of the metropolitan region.
There is a feeling of being safe here. My home and many others that have burglar alarm systems do not have them activated. I do not worry much about my vacant home being burglarized here. In New Orleans the alarm would be activitated along with anxiety about whether it would deter a break-in. Too, there is order here. Things work as they are supposed to and when broken the government has them repaired.
No doubt without the beautiful environment this region would suffer badly and be less of an idealized place. There is no 'culture" here apart from the generic suburban culture found all across America. Yet it matters not when one gazes out of a window and sees a majestic mountain in the distance.
Soicialized Medical Care
I haven't ranted about the health care issue that has consumed people in the U.S. But today I will. Too, since you have government health care (I know you have complained about aspects of it in the past) I want your view as to what Obama and Congress propose for the U.S. "reform" of health care. My opinion on this is it is best for them to do nothing about "reforming" the health care system and everything about cutting waste in Medicare (which is a socialized health care system for oldies that is way too generous pork for oldies in exchange for their votes), enforcing anti trust laws against medical groups, pharmaceutical companies ( the vertical monopolies in health care have raised costs dramatically), HMO's etc., instituting laws limited civil action against physicians (which would reduce overall medical costs to consumers by up to 1/3), and enforcing rules about citizenship when illegal immigrants ask for free medical care in hospital emergency rooms (hospitals claim up to 25% of their total debt is free treatment to the 12 million illegal immigrants in this country).
In my view the plans of Congress and Obama to spend more money the U.S does not have in order to create another entitlement for people who do not support themselves is contrary to the ideals of a democratic capitalist nation like the U.S. Estimates are that about 40 million of the 300 million Americans have no health insurance. Of those 12 million are illegal immigrants and another estimated 10 million are young people who, though they have resources to buy medical insurance do not because of the "I am young and therefore immune to illness" mentality of the youth. There is another 1 million that do not believe in allocating resources for health insurance and will never buy it anyway. Thus, Congress and Obama want to scrap the entire private health because 17 million of 300 million Americans do not have health insurance.
But alas! Figures show that the uninsured population already receives from 50 to 75% of the same amount of health care as insured, though use of ER rooms, free programs (clinics, charity etc.). The need for systemic reform is not evident, even if one believed in the socialized health care platform. Too, examination of other nation's socialized medicine show a mixed bag, with some being good plans 9 the ones the governments go broke over funding) and some not good (under funded socialized health care systems).In my view, reform here would be a movement back to free enterprise, personal responsibility and taxation of all to pay for services given to all members of soicety equally.
Ok...your turn to give obervations about the subject of a social health system. Should the U.S. adopt a one.
In my view the plans of Congress and Obama to spend more money the U.S does not have in order to create another entitlement for people who do not support themselves is contrary to the ideals of a democratic capitalist nation like the U.S. Estimates are that about 40 million of the 300 million Americans have no health insurance. Of those 12 million are illegal immigrants and another estimated 10 million are young people who, though they have resources to buy medical insurance do not because of the "I am young and therefore immune to illness" mentality of the youth. There is another 1 million that do not believe in allocating resources for health insurance and will never buy it anyway. Thus, Congress and Obama want to scrap the entire private health because 17 million of 300 million Americans do not have health insurance.
But alas! Figures show that the uninsured population already receives from 50 to 75% of the same amount of health care as insured, though use of ER rooms, free programs (clinics, charity etc.). The need for systemic reform is not evident, even if one believed in the socialized health care platform. Too, examination of other nation's socialized medicine show a mixed bag, with some being good plans 9 the ones the governments go broke over funding) and some not good (under funded socialized health care systems).In my view, reform here would be a movement back to free enterprise, personal responsibility and taxation of all to pay for services given to all members of soicety equally.
Ok...your turn to give obervations about the subject of a social health system. Should the U.S. adopt a one.
Cell Abuse
One of those crazy cell phones got to me when riding the train from Seattle the other day. I am an observer of people first and foremost and because I have never had a cell phone never want one and when I die will have inscribed on my tombstone, "He never had a cell phone", I can quickly distinguish between the cell addicts and the normal users (too few of those).
The addicts have a look in their eyes that announces the anticipation of the next cell ring, they fidget nervously when not on their phone. They have a blank stare that proscribes their cell damaged brains....Haha You have to be a non user to see those things in the cell addict. But like a person who never wears a watch ( I never do that as well) and as a result learns to know the time more accurately than those who have timne devices with them, a non cell user better sees the cell addict.
The lady I was annoyed by, or rather annoyed by her rudeness in use of her phone, on the train ride was a model for cell addiction. Because the train policy is for no cell talking in the rider carriage, she spent at least three of the three and one half hours (the other half hour was bathroom and dining time..she almost never sat in her seat) on the boarding entrance at the back of the compartment. And she chattered loudly while gabbing on her phone the whole time (Why do cell addicts scream into their phone?).
Since I sat immediately adjacent to where she used her phone I was "treated' to a train ride of her inane cell chat. None of her calls had any importance beyond entertaining herself (the other parties have to be idiots or have nothing productive to do with their time to enjoy listening to her drivel). The cell addict often does nothing in free time but chat on a phone because he or she has become hypnotized by it to do so.
I held my tongue and did not tell her what I felt, that she was rude to impose her addiction on we passengers, because it is the conductor's job to remind unruly riders to be considerate. When one of the conductors eventually asked her, "What are you doing"?, figuring she would understand that she was out of line to annoy other passengers, she merely barked at him. "What does it look like. I am talking on my phone." Subtle reminders to behave rarely impact cell addicts because they are blinded by their addiction to believe their "right" to chat anywhere and at any volume is an inalienable one.
I survived it all but wonder why I should be forced to endure such such bad behavior. Like cigarette smoke blown in one's face, society is now too often assaulted by the arrows of words cell addicts hurl blindly as they inject their brains with their cells and innocent bystanders with their cackling. Is not a cell phone abuser also a reminder to you that the world today is no longer a private place? We are surrounded by technology that tracks our presence, intrudes on our privacy, alters our sanity (Maybe that's why I am nuts?), records our appointments and purchases.......ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh You know it already! We can no longer pull the plug and are trapped by the scourge of civilization that is the cell phone addict.
How sad that the cell phone has changed the way we communicate, from that in which two people communicate out of need or desire to today's mindless and endless chatter about "nothing". I wonder what kind of life that cell addict on the train has? Whether happy or sad, she surely is not in control of it because her phone rules her and abuses all within hearing distance. Post cell phone life is a regulated one that has degraded society. It does not allow us to have a solitary life and robs us so much of civility. It prohibits us from being anonymous because now anyone can now find us even when we wish not to be "in touch". It interferes with our thinking and replaces it with mindless chat, and it promotes the end of public politeness by making public space personal private domains.
Sigh...I should have that tombstone inscription I ordered chiseled in big bold letters.....
The addicts have a look in their eyes that announces the anticipation of the next cell ring, they fidget nervously when not on their phone. They have a blank stare that proscribes their cell damaged brains....Haha You have to be a non user to see those things in the cell addict. But like a person who never wears a watch ( I never do that as well) and as a result learns to know the time more accurately than those who have timne devices with them, a non cell user better sees the cell addict.
The lady I was annoyed by, or rather annoyed by her rudeness in use of her phone, on the train ride was a model for cell addiction. Because the train policy is for no cell talking in the rider carriage, she spent at least three of the three and one half hours (the other half hour was bathroom and dining time..she almost never sat in her seat) on the boarding entrance at the back of the compartment. And she chattered loudly while gabbing on her phone the whole time (Why do cell addicts scream into their phone?).
Since I sat immediately adjacent to where she used her phone I was "treated' to a train ride of her inane cell chat. None of her calls had any importance beyond entertaining herself (the other parties have to be idiots or have nothing productive to do with their time to enjoy listening to her drivel). The cell addict often does nothing in free time but chat on a phone because he or she has become hypnotized by it to do so.
I held my tongue and did not tell her what I felt, that she was rude to impose her addiction on we passengers, because it is the conductor's job to remind unruly riders to be considerate. When one of the conductors eventually asked her, "What are you doing"?, figuring she would understand that she was out of line to annoy other passengers, she merely barked at him. "What does it look like. I am talking on my phone." Subtle reminders to behave rarely impact cell addicts because they are blinded by their addiction to believe their "right" to chat anywhere and at any volume is an inalienable one.
I survived it all but wonder why I should be forced to endure such such bad behavior. Like cigarette smoke blown in one's face, society is now too often assaulted by the arrows of words cell addicts hurl blindly as they inject their brains with their cells and innocent bystanders with their cackling. Is not a cell phone abuser also a reminder to you that the world today is no longer a private place? We are surrounded by technology that tracks our presence, intrudes on our privacy, alters our sanity (Maybe that's why I am nuts?), records our appointments and purchases.......ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh You know it already! We can no longer pull the plug and are trapped by the scourge of civilization that is the cell phone addict.
How sad that the cell phone has changed the way we communicate, from that in which two people communicate out of need or desire to today's mindless and endless chatter about "nothing". I wonder what kind of life that cell addict on the train has? Whether happy or sad, she surely is not in control of it because her phone rules her and abuses all within hearing distance. Post cell phone life is a regulated one that has degraded society. It does not allow us to have a solitary life and robs us so much of civility. It prohibits us from being anonymous because now anyone can now find us even when we wish not to be "in touch". It interferes with our thinking and replaces it with mindless chat, and it promotes the end of public politeness by making public space personal private domains.
Sigh...I should have that tombstone inscription I ordered chiseled in big bold letters.....
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Face Transplant
Did you see the photos and news report of the lady who "lost her face in 2004, Connie Culp? It happened when a bullet ripped away her nose, cheeks and upper jaw. Metal fragments sprayed into her skull and stripped her face away, leaving nothing except for her eyes, her chin and forehead. She did not even have a nose with which to smell. Quite horrible and amazing she survived, I think. Yet the other day her new face, the one transplanted and formed surgically, was revealed.
Well, Ms. Culp thanked the doctors and the deceased woman whose face was transplanted. It was evident that she is not well educated, but learned the true meaning of life in that there is hope and struggle can bring riches undreamed of before. Now Ms. Culp can walk in society normally and not be subjected to stares and retributions. Though she has had many surgeries and many more to come for cosmetic reasons, the story is uplifting amid the stupidity most of the world media promulgates as news.
This must explain why it is a back page story, second to the swine flu and reality TV review mess we get to see up front. I think the procedure is a medical miracle, one that should be trumpeted as a display of what humans can do when faced with gloomy odds, and not a cosmetic operation. Restoring that woman's face has restored her soul and will to live. To, it has changed her attitude as much as it has transformed her physical appearance and facial functionality.
She spoke at the news conference revealing the miracle and asked the public to have empathy for people with facial disfigurements. She herself a real life image of what we should all do as humans- judge others on the content of their character, not the beauty of their outward image. "Don't judge the people who don't look the same way as you do. You never know when it may be taken away from you she said".I remember a remark by George Bernard Shaw of which Ms. Culp's appearance reminded . "Remember always that the least plain sister is the family beauty."
Well, Ms. Culp thanked the doctors and the deceased woman whose face was transplanted. It was evident that she is not well educated, but learned the true meaning of life in that there is hope and struggle can bring riches undreamed of before. Now Ms. Culp can walk in society normally and not be subjected to stares and retributions. Though she has had many surgeries and many more to come for cosmetic reasons, the story is uplifting amid the stupidity most of the world media promulgates as news.
This must explain why it is a back page story, second to the swine flu and reality TV review mess we get to see up front. I think the procedure is a medical miracle, one that should be trumpeted as a display of what humans can do when faced with gloomy odds, and not a cosmetic operation. Restoring that woman's face has restored her soul and will to live. To, it has changed her attitude as much as it has transformed her physical appearance and facial functionality.
She spoke at the news conference revealing the miracle and asked the public to have empathy for people with facial disfigurements. She herself a real life image of what we should all do as humans- judge others on the content of their character, not the beauty of their outward image. "Don't judge the people who don't look the same way as you do. You never know when it may be taken away from you she said".I remember a remark by George Bernard Shaw of which Ms. Culp's appearance reminded . "Remember always that the least plain sister is the family beauty."
Father's Day
Another Father's Day has passed. We dads get only a tiny amount of recognition when compared to the lavish praise a mom receives on Mother's Day. It's unfair, but society has always discouraged the show of affection toward the male "animal". Even I, who treasures fatherhood above all else I have ever done or ever will achieve in my life make little of Father's Day, only a "Happy Father's Day" or card from Jane is enough to make me feel good.
I adored my dad and he me. It is with that notion that I set out to be as good to my daughter as I could, to devote my self to seeing her happier and better off than I. It's what my dad did for me and is ti not the responsibility of every dad to try to reach to the level of his own or, if by some miracle, to be an even better dad to his child? I think so. I am defined by fatherhood , just as my dad was.Maybe that's why I am more like my dad now than ever. In fact, I move closer to his own profile with day I live. I am my father's double colliding with my ambition to be some kind of original. Maybe that's good, to take from my own dad and to inject my own parenting style. "The child is the father of the man", said the poet William Wordsworth. What my daughter is when young is largely what she will be when older. That's reason enough to try to be a good dad, and is there any other more rewarding life than that of "the good dad".
Because my dad was attentive, patient, loving, understanding, funny and all the rest of what good dads do, I have been the same with Jane. Yet now she is a teen, the age of discontent...err...maybe "disinterest" is a better term...in one's parents. Especially on Father's Day I recognize the teen phase of alienation and contentedly wait for Jane to return to my flock. And when she does return, I will long to hear the words every father hears perfunctorily uttered more by obligation than feel at Father's Day. "I'm lucky to have had you as my dad." I'll know for sure then that I was a good dad.
I adored my dad and he me. It is with that notion that I set out to be as good to my daughter as I could, to devote my self to seeing her happier and better off than I. It's what my dad did for me and is ti not the responsibility of every dad to try to reach to the level of his own or, if by some miracle, to be an even better dad to his child? I think so. I am defined by fatherhood , just as my dad was.Maybe that's why I am more like my dad now than ever. In fact, I move closer to his own profile with day I live. I am my father's double colliding with my ambition to be some kind of original. Maybe that's good, to take from my own dad and to inject my own parenting style. "The child is the father of the man", said the poet William Wordsworth. What my daughter is when young is largely what she will be when older. That's reason enough to try to be a good dad, and is there any other more rewarding life than that of "the good dad".
Because my dad was attentive, patient, loving, understanding, funny and all the rest of what good dads do, I have been the same with Jane. Yet now she is a teen, the age of discontent...err...maybe "disinterest" is a better term...in one's parents. Especially on Father's Day I recognize the teen phase of alienation and contentedly wait for Jane to return to my flock. And when she does return, I will long to hear the words every father hears perfunctorily uttered more by obligation than feel at Father's Day. "I'm lucky to have had you as my dad." I'll know for sure then that I was a good dad.
Observations On HappyValley/Portland
I have a rental car again now here in Portland/Happy Valley. Since I have stopped unpacking things (though I was mostly done when the dilemma of whether to go back or stay arose) I have been out in the community of Happy Valley. My observations on the people and places is that they are typical of most American suburbs. It is far more orderly, cleaner and with much less ambiance than my New Orleans suburban experiences. New Orleanians are always the best and worst of people. They are rarely as predictable as the people here seem to be.
Happy Valley is a beautiful community, with spectacular scenery. It is filled with harder working and less playful people. When I have asked strangers if they like living here they seem to give perfunctory rather than animated answers. It's clear that Portlanders are not as passionate about their city, either from a positive or negative view.
There is less crime and it is far safer here, but also less play. Work is taken seriously here and food is seen as merely necessary sustenance. There are fewer complaints in Portland because there is less to complain about (and probably because these un animated Portlanders don't know the fun one can have or the art in complaining).
In general, this is a stable and controlled environment. In Portland itself one finds many of the odd balls and "characters" that define the city's singularity, but the suburbs here, Happy Valley included, are a sea of normality. This is not typical of New Orleans, a place where the crazies inhabit the suburbs as often as in the city. One similarity between the New Orleans area and the Portland is the snob hill section. Here it is in West Linn and Lake Oswego...two high brow areas that have their noses in the air and the highest opinion of themselves. In New Orleans, the garden District of the city and the "Northshore" (across lake Pontchartrain) is similar. But doesn't ever area have some snobs?
There is poverty in both places but in portland it sticks out because there is far less of it to see. Not seeing the homeless in Portland is impossible. They stick out, roam the streets and are tolerated because Portland is a very liberal place (at least it wants one to believe so). In New Orleans, poverty is the norm, so one hardly notices the poorest of people there.
I haven't been here long enough to form any conclusions beyond those surface observations. Perhaps I haven't seen this area enough to comment at all. But I always analyze my environment the moment I see it.
Happy Valley is a beautiful community, with spectacular scenery. It is filled with harder working and less playful people. When I have asked strangers if they like living here they seem to give perfunctory rather than animated answers. It's clear that Portlanders are not as passionate about their city, either from a positive or negative view.
There is less crime and it is far safer here, but also less play. Work is taken seriously here and food is seen as merely necessary sustenance. There are fewer complaints in Portland because there is less to complain about (and probably because these un animated Portlanders don't know the fun one can have or the art in complaining).
In general, this is a stable and controlled environment. In Portland itself one finds many of the odd balls and "characters" that define the city's singularity, but the suburbs here, Happy Valley included, are a sea of normality. This is not typical of New Orleans, a place where the crazies inhabit the suburbs as often as in the city. One similarity between the New Orleans area and the Portland is the snob hill section. Here it is in West Linn and Lake Oswego...two high brow areas that have their noses in the air and the highest opinion of themselves. In New Orleans, the garden District of the city and the "Northshore" (across lake Pontchartrain) is similar. But doesn't ever area have some snobs?
There is poverty in both places but in portland it sticks out because there is far less of it to see. Not seeing the homeless in Portland is impossible. They stick out, roam the streets and are tolerated because Portland is a very liberal place (at least it wants one to believe so). In New Orleans, poverty is the norm, so one hardly notices the poorest of people there.
I haven't been here long enough to form any conclusions beyond those surface observations. Perhaps I haven't seen this area enough to comment at all. But I always analyze my environment the moment I see it.
Portland Food
Because I am alone here at present I have been mostly cooking simple foods for myself or getting takeout. But I have sampled a few of Portland's restaurant's while here. They have been stolid, if not distinctive enough to make me want to go back. Since I have eaten at only a few I reserve any comment about the food of Portland. In general, it looks like most cities in the U.S., it's food centered as much on fast food as on fine dining restaurants. I do remember quite a few upscale places in the city center of Portland when I was here in April. The better dining experiences are definitely centered in the center of the city itself. I see few reviews of suburban or non center city places that say much positive.
This is the opposite of New Orleans, where the best restaurants are not always in the city center or even in the city itself. I think the difference is that Portland is an emerging food city (according to locals the ethnic restaurants have come in and greatly upgraded the food here) while New Orleans is a long established food city that will not tolerate a bad restaurant. The competition here is less in terns of pleasing the diner. In Portland, patrons want affordable, stolid food, not necessarily memorable meals that make them debate and crave some food they have eaten.
Too, there must be plenty of good food here, for the people are FAT and there are many places to eat. Coming from a city of fatties I am shocked to see so many heavyweights here, particularly given the area is a sportsman's paradise of hiking, mountain climbing, and other outdoor activities. Maybe the plethora of bread and bakery outlets here account for some of it. No doubt, the baked goods here are superior, the best of the food I have eaten. I think Portland outshines New Orleans in the sweets department.
But the rest of the food....I give the city a grade of C- so far for what I have eaten in restaurants. The best of the main course food I have had here has come from the "trucks' that ethnic groups have set up in Portland. Those trucks do one or a few items and do them very well. I remember one section of downtown Portland that has a truck area for lunch. It was packed with wall street types, eating their Greek lamb gyro, Mexican tacos, Vietnamese pork and rice or Argentine steak sandwiches ravenously. I had lamb from one and it was delicious, better than anything I have eaten here in restaurants.
Since there is little indigenous food in Portland beyond the Alaskan king crab legs, salmon and other stereotypical foods of the northwest, I think ethnic foods rule Portland's palate. (I know I have barely made ardent in the food here and my opinion is premature, but this is just for observational purposes). Yesterday I tried one ethnic restaurant near my home called Gustav's, a German restaurant theme. German restaurants have all but been ousted out of New Orleans because the style never was particularly popular in the city. So I relished a chance to eat German food here. It is the meat and potatoes cuisine I most like (though my arteries might disagree).I ordered a sampler plate consisting of braised red cabbage, mashed potatoes, smoked turkey, a sausage cooked in beer, and a chicken schnitzel. The sourdough bread that came with it was awful, even bitter tasting....too much sour for me. As for the rest, the sausage was delicious and the cabbage real German style sweet apple cider cooked cabbage. The other two meats were tasteless and in no way resembled how they would be cooked in Germany. Gustav's had good reviews here and is packed with locals. But I give this one a low C grade. A restaurant's sampler platter that is the specialty of a restaurant should present it's best efforts. This one was merely adequate. I assume the restaurant is adequate too, yet the packed in crowds make me wonder why. I think this kind of restaurant would not last long in New Orleans. The competition would serve much better food and it would die a natural death.
Wish me luck in finding the 'A' and 'B' grade food here...
This is the opposite of New Orleans, where the best restaurants are not always in the city center or even in the city itself. I think the difference is that Portland is an emerging food city (according to locals the ethnic restaurants have come in and greatly upgraded the food here) while New Orleans is a long established food city that will not tolerate a bad restaurant. The competition here is less in terns of pleasing the diner. In Portland, patrons want affordable, stolid food, not necessarily memorable meals that make them debate and crave some food they have eaten.
Too, there must be plenty of good food here, for the people are FAT and there are many places to eat. Coming from a city of fatties I am shocked to see so many heavyweights here, particularly given the area is a sportsman's paradise of hiking, mountain climbing, and other outdoor activities. Maybe the plethora of bread and bakery outlets here account for some of it. No doubt, the baked goods here are superior, the best of the food I have eaten. I think Portland outshines New Orleans in the sweets department.
But the rest of the food....I give the city a grade of C- so far for what I have eaten in restaurants. The best of the main course food I have had here has come from the "trucks' that ethnic groups have set up in Portland. Those trucks do one or a few items and do them very well. I remember one section of downtown Portland that has a truck area for lunch. It was packed with wall street types, eating their Greek lamb gyro, Mexican tacos, Vietnamese pork and rice or Argentine steak sandwiches ravenously. I had lamb from one and it was delicious, better than anything I have eaten here in restaurants.
Since there is little indigenous food in Portland beyond the Alaskan king crab legs, salmon and other stereotypical foods of the northwest, I think ethnic foods rule Portland's palate. (I know I have barely made ardent in the food here and my opinion is premature, but this is just for observational purposes). Yesterday I tried one ethnic restaurant near my home called Gustav's, a German restaurant theme. German restaurants have all but been ousted out of New Orleans because the style never was particularly popular in the city. So I relished a chance to eat German food here. It is the meat and potatoes cuisine I most like (though my arteries might disagree).I ordered a sampler plate consisting of braised red cabbage, mashed potatoes, smoked turkey, a sausage cooked in beer, and a chicken schnitzel. The sourdough bread that came with it was awful, even bitter tasting....too much sour for me. As for the rest, the sausage was delicious and the cabbage real German style sweet apple cider cooked cabbage. The other two meats were tasteless and in no way resembled how they would be cooked in Germany. Gustav's had good reviews here and is packed with locals. But I give this one a low C grade. A restaurant's sampler platter that is the specialty of a restaurant should present it's best efforts. This one was merely adequate. I assume the restaurant is adequate too, yet the packed in crowds make me wonder why. I think this kind of restaurant would not last long in New Orleans. The competition would serve much better food and it would die a natural death.
Wish me luck in finding the 'A' and 'B' grade food here...
Michael Jackson's Death
Michael Jackson's death has created quite a furor of emotion on behalf of quite a few generations. It is understandable, given the popularity of Jackson's music with his ardent followers, the media fascination with his bizarre behavior, and the media value of any reporting on Michael Jackson. But for me, his death is not noteworthy or particularly sad. His seemingly unhappy life and death at such a young age are the tragic elements for me, not his legacy on society or in the music world nor his passing as having any effect on me emotionally. It does not.
I never "got it" when Jackson's music is concerned. I never have been nor will I be a fan of his presentations. They are as unappealing to me as much of the other pop fluff played by other popular musicians who move me not. I think Michael Jackson's dancing was innovative and showed he did possess a talent. As for his singing and selection of music, I would politely call it "mush" and leave it at that.
The child Michael of the 'Jackson Five' was cute, as little Michael squeaked with his family through the words of child-like tunes reeking of sweetness and innocence. But as Michael grew and didn't mature cuteness turned into perversion and hideousness. Bleaching his skin white, remaking his face with plastic surgery so often his nose was close to falling off (given the lack of cartilage left in it following so many operations). Ironically, Michael remade his image from cure 10 year old of the 'Jackson Family' to the far extreme as the freak of pop. The more bizarre Michael behaved the more popular he became to his core of fans. Not even multiple charges of child molestation could dissuade the fans of Michael's goodness.
Each death is a tragedy in that it lessens the human condition for those who remain alive. I see how so many people are touched and saddened by his passing, and I think those fans reflect the "do not go gently into the night" stance that shows that Jackson still fights death even after his physical death. His legacy and impact on his fans not to be quickly forgotten. But then life does not cease to be funny when people die, nor serious when people laugh.
I never "got it" when Jackson's music is concerned. I never have been nor will I be a fan of his presentations. They are as unappealing to me as much of the other pop fluff played by other popular musicians who move me not. I think Michael Jackson's dancing was innovative and showed he did possess a talent. As for his singing and selection of music, I would politely call it "mush" and leave it at that.
The child Michael of the 'Jackson Five' was cute, as little Michael squeaked with his family through the words of child-like tunes reeking of sweetness and innocence. But as Michael grew and didn't mature cuteness turned into perversion and hideousness. Bleaching his skin white, remaking his face with plastic surgery so often his nose was close to falling off (given the lack of cartilage left in it following so many operations). Ironically, Michael remade his image from cure 10 year old of the 'Jackson Family' to the far extreme as the freak of pop. The more bizarre Michael behaved the more popular he became to his core of fans. Not even multiple charges of child molestation could dissuade the fans of Michael's goodness.
Each death is a tragedy in that it lessens the human condition for those who remain alive. I see how so many people are touched and saddened by his passing, and I think those fans reflect the "do not go gently into the night" stance that shows that Jackson still fights death even after his physical death. His legacy and impact on his fans not to be quickly forgotten. But then life does not cease to be funny when people die, nor serious when people laugh.
Aging
The Pew Research Center has been doing research again and this time on the state of "being old". It's interesting how the perception of being old has changed in modern times. The average age considered "old" by respondents was 68, but there were real differences in perception driven by the respondents' own ages.
-More than half of those under 30 say the average person becomes old before 60.-Middle-aged respondents say it's closer to 70.
-Those ages 65 and older say "old" is not until 75.That's much different than in the past when "old age" was considered to come at a much earlier time.
It's probably because society now is so youth conscious. And we are becoming an older society in terns of average age. Too, even more people are becoming "old' as society extends the average life span by providing better medical care, more activities and more conveniences for the oldies makes being older less noticeable to the oldie and the younger observer.
I think each age has benefits and liabilities and it's probably best to just live at whatever age one is without thinking too much about the chronology. But society seems to tell us that is not possible. It is a great conflict for those of us with growing wrinkles. But then, when we get enough wrinkles we won't be able to see the criticism and can just enjoy life as it is.
-More than half of those under 30 say the average person becomes old before 60.-Middle-aged respondents say it's closer to 70.
-Those ages 65 and older say "old" is not until 75.That's much different than in the past when "old age" was considered to come at a much earlier time.
It's probably because society now is so youth conscious. And we are becoming an older society in terns of average age. Too, even more people are becoming "old' as society extends the average life span by providing better medical care, more activities and more conveniences for the oldies makes being older less noticeable to the oldie and the younger observer.
I think each age has benefits and liabilities and it's probably best to just live at whatever age one is without thinking too much about the chronology. But society seems to tell us that is not possible. It is a great conflict for those of us with growing wrinkles. But then, when we get enough wrinkles we won't be able to see the criticism and can just enjoy life as it is.
Running Of the lady Bulls
I know I am back in New Orleans now because of the wacky things that happen here. Portland is beuatiful, clean and sane. New Orleans is old, messy and offbeat if not crazy. We do strange things here every day. For example....today is theThird Annual New Orleans Running of the Bulls that "replicates" and pays homage to the world famous Encierro of Pamplona, Spain, or "The Running of the Bulls." You must know about the Pamplona event. It's the one wheer he bulls are released in the town's main street and brave (or foolish runners...depending on your prospective) allow the animals to try to run them down, splattering their remains wherevere contcat between bull and drunken runner is made.
Well, we have with our own version of bravery on display. Actually, it's more satire than bravery. You see, our bulls are sexy roller girl teams from the New Orleans and surrounding areas. About eighty of them, armed with wiffle-ball baseball bats, chase the brave runners through the French Quarter section fo New Orleans to administer a "We've instructed them to strike with no mercy. The roller girls with pointed red bull ears administer a nice beating from a plastic bat to any runner they catch.The girls...or bulls, get serious. "We've had a few scratches in the past, but the biggest complaint last year was that weren't enough injuries.
So we're going to be hitting a little bit harder this year," said one of the 'Big Easy' rollergirls, Dawn Edwards.
Injuries here don't tend to be as bad as those in Pamplona, because the ladies don't gore the runners, at least not physically. Nothing serious...just a few minor scratches, some bruises and a couple of flesh wounds.
Bring on the lady bulls!!!
Well, we have with our own version of bravery on display. Actually, it's more satire than bravery. You see, our bulls are sexy roller girl teams from the New Orleans and surrounding areas. About eighty of them, armed with wiffle-ball baseball bats, chase the brave runners through the French Quarter section fo New Orleans to administer a "We've instructed them to strike with no mercy. The roller girls with pointed red bull ears administer a nice beating from a plastic bat to any runner they catch.The girls...or bulls, get serious. "We've had a few scratches in the past, but the biggest complaint last year was that weren't enough injuries.
So we're going to be hitting a little bit harder this year," said one of the 'Big Easy' rollergirls, Dawn Edwards.
Injuries here don't tend to be as bad as those in Pamplona, because the ladies don't gore the runners, at least not physically. Nothing serious...just a few minor scratches, some bruises and a couple of flesh wounds.
Bring on the lady bulls!!!
Strange Garbage Collection Policy
Portland is a beautiful area in which to live but the residents of Portland are nutty about "environmental issues". Well, I should rephrase it and say they are way too tolerant of their politicians who use "global warming" and other nonsense as an excuse to pick their pockets with fees of all sorts. The people I have conversed with here do not like the excessive environmental regulations, some of them absurd attempts to generate more revenue. They gumble and hate it but never speak out in oppositon. It is not good.
One example of this is home garbage pick-up. When moving here I was charged and given 3 color coded cans, one for garbage, one for recycling and one for yard refuse. There is an extravagant charge for each of those cans, even if one does not want one or more of them. Any items put into the wrong can result in an extra fee assessed to the homeowner. Yes, there are garbage inspectors" to check on us. I have some broken items from my move here that need to be thrown out, yet when I telephoned the garbage collection department to inquire how to put it out I was told...err....here is a loose remembrance of the dialogue I had with the garbage collection company to illustrate it all concretely.
"Jim: I would like to know how to prepare and discard items damaged in my move here.
Garbage agent (GA from this point forward): How big are they? We won't pick up some items?
Jim: What? You are my garbage and trash contractor but you don't pick up trash?
GA: Just leave the items on the curb to the right of the cans and we will remove acceptable ones. There is a charge for each item collected.
Jim: What? You mean I am already paying exorbitant fees for pick-up and you charge extra when I use the service? This is crazy.
GA: Sir, we use all the money to better the environment of Portland.
Jim: Let me guess that your company is a private contractor with the government contract to remove the trash...and that your profit margin is as great as the environmental spending (Haha Ok, I got cynical at that point) . Was their competitive bidding for that contract? The costs for your pick-up are many times greater than most other municipalities. To tell me I am being robbed for enviromental good is enough to make me slap Al Gore!
GA: Sir I can't answer your questions. I am just an employee
Jim: Isn't that what the Nazi Concentration camp guards said too, they knew nothing?....Never mind. Where can I take the items myself to avoid being cheated by your company collecting them at my home?
GA: There are only two places in Portland for that, but they charge fees too.
Jim: You're kidding? You mean they fee me for doing their job? Is this a Kafka novel? Am I dreaming?
GA: All I can do is give you the telephone number to inquire with them about their fees.
Jim: Sigh...Forget it. I'll just dump the items in front of the house of your company's president...for free!
I think the lady GA had a heart attack at that point. I am not going to dump them there since my telephone call is on record. But I suspect that this company is politically connected, gets collection rates much higher than merited and pays kickbacks to the politicians who awarded their contract. People here are afraid to question the endless environmental fees here because the minority who push that politically correct program have a great psychological advantage over them.
One lady here told me she owns rental apartments and one of the residents did not collect her "3 cans" from the garbage dictators because the resident was out of town for months at a time and did not need them. Guess what happened? They fined the landlord, forcing her to pay the amount of the collection fees for all the time the cans were not used because her tenant didn't use the cans. At least they didn't tattoo a serial number ion her forearm.....
But wait! Even private business gets in on the environmental fee scam game. Today I purchased from a Target store here a pack of drinks that were packaged as aluminum cans. When I asked the sales person to explain why there was a 60 cent fee added he told me The $4.00 purchase turned into $4.60 because of the "deposit fee" for recycling aluminum cans. "How can I recycle those cans back to the store to get my desposit back," I asked. "I won't use all of them and I live in Louisiana, and will leave Portland in 10 days?"The clerk shrugged his shoulders and said, "It is crazy, but what can we do?"
That sums it up as well as anything. They are prisoners of the environmental nuts, hopeless slaves to insanityMaybe I should just throw all those cans in the Target parking lot with notes attached telling them to "keep my deposit".
One example of this is home garbage pick-up. When moving here I was charged and given 3 color coded cans, one for garbage, one for recycling and one for yard refuse. There is an extravagant charge for each of those cans, even if one does not want one or more of them. Any items put into the wrong can result in an extra fee assessed to the homeowner. Yes, there are garbage inspectors" to check on us. I have some broken items from my move here that need to be thrown out, yet when I telephoned the garbage collection department to inquire how to put it out I was told...err....here is a loose remembrance of the dialogue I had with the garbage collection company to illustrate it all concretely.
"Jim: I would like to know how to prepare and discard items damaged in my move here.
Garbage agent (GA from this point forward): How big are they? We won't pick up some items?
Jim: What? You are my garbage and trash contractor but you don't pick up trash?
GA: Just leave the items on the curb to the right of the cans and we will remove acceptable ones. There is a charge for each item collected.
Jim: What? You mean I am already paying exorbitant fees for pick-up and you charge extra when I use the service? This is crazy.
GA: Sir, we use all the money to better the environment of Portland.
Jim: Let me guess that your company is a private contractor with the government contract to remove the trash...and that your profit margin is as great as the environmental spending (Haha Ok, I got cynical at that point) . Was their competitive bidding for that contract? The costs for your pick-up are many times greater than most other municipalities. To tell me I am being robbed for enviromental good is enough to make me slap Al Gore!
GA: Sir I can't answer your questions. I am just an employee
Jim: Isn't that what the Nazi Concentration camp guards said too, they knew nothing?....Never mind. Where can I take the items myself to avoid being cheated by your company collecting them at my home?
GA: There are only two places in Portland for that, but they charge fees too.
Jim: You're kidding? You mean they fee me for doing their job? Is this a Kafka novel? Am I dreaming?
GA: All I can do is give you the telephone number to inquire with them about their fees.
Jim: Sigh...Forget it. I'll just dump the items in front of the house of your company's president...for free!
I think the lady GA had a heart attack at that point. I am not going to dump them there since my telephone call is on record. But I suspect that this company is politically connected, gets collection rates much higher than merited and pays kickbacks to the politicians who awarded their contract. People here are afraid to question the endless environmental fees here because the minority who push that politically correct program have a great psychological advantage over them.
One lady here told me she owns rental apartments and one of the residents did not collect her "3 cans" from the garbage dictators because the resident was out of town for months at a time and did not need them. Guess what happened? They fined the landlord, forcing her to pay the amount of the collection fees for all the time the cans were not used because her tenant didn't use the cans. At least they didn't tattoo a serial number ion her forearm.....
But wait! Even private business gets in on the environmental fee scam game. Today I purchased from a Target store here a pack of drinks that were packaged as aluminum cans. When I asked the sales person to explain why there was a 60 cent fee added he told me The $4.00 purchase turned into $4.60 because of the "deposit fee" for recycling aluminum cans. "How can I recycle those cans back to the store to get my desposit back," I asked. "I won't use all of them and I live in Louisiana, and will leave Portland in 10 days?"The clerk shrugged his shoulders and said, "It is crazy, but what can we do?"
That sums it up as well as anything. They are prisoners of the environmental nuts, hopeless slaves to insanityMaybe I should just throw all those cans in the Target parking lot with notes attached telling them to "keep my deposit".
Sometimes even in dictatorships the outrage is so great that the people can force the government to a swift just response. The milk scandal of 2008 in China is a good example. A Chinese court has condemned two men to death and handed a life term to a former dairy boss for their roles in the country's contaminated milk scandal, which ignited the public anger and accusations of cover-ups by the government officials assigned to oversee food safety in China. You might remember that the charges against them were for producing and selling fake or substandard products that contained milk. Just in itself, the infant formula that was tainted with the chemical melamine was blamed in the deaths of at least six babies and the illnesses of nearly 300,000 others.
They got a few, and of course as in an y dictatorship, there are probably some guilty who had enough influence to escape justice, but still..unlike in the west where white collar are caught criminals stealing billions and delay trial for years with procedural delays that high priced lawyers use, the guilty are punished. White collar criminals here who have enough money and status seem to get hardly a slap on the wrist. In the US, our courts would really come down hard on such criminals ...Haha as in giving punishment... like cutting their fat bonuses and golden parachutes in half.
So one of the world's least responsive and free governments moves more swiftly to justice. But then there are many instances where the Chinese government has they killed or sent innocent people to prison to cover up for government officials wrongs. Surely their way is not a good one when taken in totality. Still... can you imagine if the western democracies had the death penalty for such crimes? I think a whole lot of these financial wizards would change their cheating tactics fast.
Let's see who could we send to China from the U.S...uh...in the name of quick justice.? How about a few suggestions for the Chinese court's quick hands of justice?
* Angelina Jolie- Angelina has surely violated the "don't adopt more than you can care for rule. I have a suggestion for the Chinese court that doesn't include execution. Sentence Angelina to a most just punishment...no nannies to care for the brood. Angelina must care all by herself.
* George Bush- the list of crimes is too long and obvious to even document. Just shoot George and put him and our bad memories out of their misery.
* All Rap "artists"- I think those Chinese courts would probably send all of them to be "re educated' . oh wait...most of those illiterate thugs have yet to be educated a first time.
* Anyone who is French- Haha Just being French is proof of arrogance...
* Reality TV producers- They are most certainly guilty of killing the brains of their audience. I think the court might sentence them to produce opera and ballet specials. But then, who would watch?
* Celine Dion- Guilty of being too loudddddddddd when singing, and thus impairing a naturally beautiful voice. Celene needs to be sent to a nunnery for a month....one here there is a code of silence.
* ME- I admit it. I should be shot on sight for writing this foolishness.
They got a few, and of course as in an y dictatorship, there are probably some guilty who had enough influence to escape justice, but still..unlike in the west where white collar are caught criminals stealing billions and delay trial for years with procedural delays that high priced lawyers use, the guilty are punished. White collar criminals here who have enough money and status seem to get hardly a slap on the wrist. In the US, our courts would really come down hard on such criminals ...Haha as in giving punishment... like cutting their fat bonuses and golden parachutes in half.
So one of the world's least responsive and free governments moves more swiftly to justice. But then there are many instances where the Chinese government has they killed or sent innocent people to prison to cover up for government officials wrongs. Surely their way is not a good one when taken in totality. Still... can you imagine if the western democracies had the death penalty for such crimes? I think a whole lot of these financial wizards would change their cheating tactics fast.
Let's see who could we send to China from the U.S...uh...in the name of quick justice.? How about a few suggestions for the Chinese court's quick hands of justice?
* Angelina Jolie- Angelina has surely violated the "don't adopt more than you can care for rule. I have a suggestion for the Chinese court that doesn't include execution. Sentence Angelina to a most just punishment...no nannies to care for the brood. Angelina must care all by herself.
* George Bush- the list of crimes is too long and obvious to even document. Just shoot George and put him and our bad memories out of their misery.
* All Rap "artists"- I think those Chinese courts would probably send all of them to be "re educated' . oh wait...most of those illiterate thugs have yet to be educated a first time.
* Anyone who is French- Haha Just being French is proof of arrogance...
* Reality TV producers- They are most certainly guilty of killing the brains of their audience. I think the court might sentence them to produce opera and ballet specials. But then, who would watch?
* Celine Dion- Guilty of being too loudddddddddd when singing, and thus impairing a naturally beautiful voice. Celene needs to be sent to a nunnery for a month....one here there is a code of silence.
* ME- I admit it. I should be shot on sight for writing this foolishness.
Antiques And Chocolate
Two rather insignificant subjects got stuck in my mind today, and as a result, you get an E mail about them. It was the subjects of antiques and chocolate. So I have an observation and question or two for you about these two. As to antiques, I was wondering what produces make today would be the "future antiques".
My understanding is that an antique's value depends on the scarcity of the object and its quality. Without those two elements present the antique value of the object is low. But in this age of throw-away products that are mass produced, I think the traditional popular antiques, such as furniture, jewelry, and the many other handcrafted objects no longer being made will not be the bulk of the antiques of the future.
On the other hand, those tacky mass-produced products that are being created today that will one day no longer be in production, and this may make them go up in value since they represent noteworthy designs in this time. Yep! Even those cheap McDonald's kid meals toys may become antiques. My point though is that we may have a different kind of antique in the future (But you and I will both be dead before this theory is ever put to a test).
I think memorabilia will be even bigger in the future. That ticket and program stub from the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the celebrity autograph or the movie poster you stole from the theater display might be worth more than the traditional oil painting or Chippendale chair of yesterday. What do you think will be the antique of the future? Am I thinking too much about this? (antique thinking?) After wasting time thinking about antiques I started to waste my time wondering about the proliferation of those "premium" chocolate bars. I refer to the chocolate that is we now see in stores or advertised by "vintage or purity". I see chocolate that is displayed according to the cocoa bean region (as in, "Exclusive Colombian Bean Chocolate") or the purity (as in the " 80% Cocoa Bar") of the chcolate bar. It's all so complicated now that we can no longer simply as for a bar of chocolate.
Chocolate has become the new wine- with different grades, strength, and regional variations. I expect to see a chocolate vintner next, to help define all the claims chocolate sellers make about why their chocolate bar is different or better than another. Isn't a dark chocolate bar a dark chocolate bar? Assuming they have the same amount of cocoa and other ingredients in them, can anyone really tell the difference? Most chocolate bars are manufactured in a standard way, that because chocolate is made to international purity standards that are the same almost everywhere. This is because unless chocolate has the same few ingredients it can not be called "chocolate".
And if we have reached the stage where chocolate is graded and classified by the chocolate vintners, will chocolate snobs be far behind the always present wine snobs we keep running into? I like chocolate because it tastes good and is a simple and consistent product. But now in an effort to increase their sales, the chocolate makers are turning their simple candy bars into something entirely too complicated.
Have you also noticed this trend in chocolate? Or have I been eating so much chocolate I am halluciating again?
We see frequent news stories of crazed or jealous women decapitating a man's private part, but I just read of the first male on male cutting. I hope this isn't a trend..... Here's what happened in the incident. Police there said that an elderly Turkish man was arrested in Austria on suspicion in the shooting death of another Turk and cutting off his penis because he believed the victim was having an affair with his wife.
A police statement said the 76-year-old Turk confronted the other man, 58, at a bus stop in Wimpassing, Austria, near Vienna, shot him at close range, sliced off the man's penis with a kitchen knife and laid it beside him before fleeing. The gunman was arrested in a nearby apartment building, offering no resistance. During questioning, he admitted the killing and said he was relieved "because he had rescued his honor," the statement said. It said the man told police that his wife and the other man appeared to have been carrying on a relationship for 20 years and he had challenged the man about it, without result.
I wonder if that guy had a penis envy complex or a desire to have that other guy's penis for himself. And is this common in Turkey or among Turks? I am not sure how chopping another man's penis is rescuing "his honor", but when the other inmates in prison hear about that guy's crime he may need to be rescued himself.....or find a dress to wear while in that prison.
My understanding is that an antique's value depends on the scarcity of the object and its quality. Without those two elements present the antique value of the object is low. But in this age of throw-away products that are mass produced, I think the traditional popular antiques, such as furniture, jewelry, and the many other handcrafted objects no longer being made will not be the bulk of the antiques of the future.
On the other hand, those tacky mass-produced products that are being created today that will one day no longer be in production, and this may make them go up in value since they represent noteworthy designs in this time. Yep! Even those cheap McDonald's kid meals toys may become antiques. My point though is that we may have a different kind of antique in the future (But you and I will both be dead before this theory is ever put to a test).
I think memorabilia will be even bigger in the future. That ticket and program stub from the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the celebrity autograph or the movie poster you stole from the theater display might be worth more than the traditional oil painting or Chippendale chair of yesterday. What do you think will be the antique of the future? Am I thinking too much about this? (antique thinking?) After wasting time thinking about antiques I started to waste my time wondering about the proliferation of those "premium" chocolate bars. I refer to the chocolate that is we now see in stores or advertised by "vintage or purity". I see chocolate that is displayed according to the cocoa bean region (as in, "Exclusive Colombian Bean Chocolate") or the purity (as in the " 80% Cocoa Bar") of the chcolate bar. It's all so complicated now that we can no longer simply as for a bar of chocolate.
Chocolate has become the new wine- with different grades, strength, and regional variations. I expect to see a chocolate vintner next, to help define all the claims chocolate sellers make about why their chocolate bar is different or better than another. Isn't a dark chocolate bar a dark chocolate bar? Assuming they have the same amount of cocoa and other ingredients in them, can anyone really tell the difference? Most chocolate bars are manufactured in a standard way, that because chocolate is made to international purity standards that are the same almost everywhere. This is because unless chocolate has the same few ingredients it can not be called "chocolate".
And if we have reached the stage where chocolate is graded and classified by the chocolate vintners, will chocolate snobs be far behind the always present wine snobs we keep running into? I like chocolate because it tastes good and is a simple and consistent product. But now in an effort to increase their sales, the chocolate makers are turning their simple candy bars into something entirely too complicated.
Have you also noticed this trend in chocolate? Or have I been eating so much chocolate I am halluciating again?
We see frequent news stories of crazed or jealous women decapitating a man's private part, but I just read of the first male on male cutting. I hope this isn't a trend..... Here's what happened in the incident. Police there said that an elderly Turkish man was arrested in Austria on suspicion in the shooting death of another Turk and cutting off his penis because he believed the victim was having an affair with his wife.
A police statement said the 76-year-old Turk confronted the other man, 58, at a bus stop in Wimpassing, Austria, near Vienna, shot him at close range, sliced off the man's penis with a kitchen knife and laid it beside him before fleeing. The gunman was arrested in a nearby apartment building, offering no resistance. During questioning, he admitted the killing and said he was relieved "because he had rescued his honor," the statement said. It said the man told police that his wife and the other man appeared to have been carrying on a relationship for 20 years and he had challenged the man about it, without result.
I wonder if that guy had a penis envy complex or a desire to have that other guy's penis for himself. And is this common in Turkey or among Turks? I am not sure how chopping another man's penis is rescuing "his honor", but when the other inmates in prison hear about that guy's crime he may need to be rescued himself.....or find a dress to wear while in that prison.
Have you bought your baby a Christmas gift? No, no....not the human kind of baby. I refer to the feline, canine and other pets we all seem to love and adore. In the U.S. pet presents are a big deal, with an estimated 50% of all pet owners expected to buy Christmas gifts for Fido and company. (I am not sure what one buys for his pet pig or monkey, but I hope I don't get that gift too.) The fact is the average owner will spend almost $100 this Christmas for their favored loved ones (not the husband, the dog!).
U.S. retail sales might be weak, energy prices way up and housing prices way down, but experts say pets largely defy those kinds of economic indicators. Caring owners are no more likely to stiff their beloved animals for the holidays than Santa is to leave rocks of coal in your stocking. Overall, Americans are expected to spend an estimated $48.7 billion on their pets in 2007, nearly twice the amount of a decade ago and growing at more than 7 percent a year, according to Packaged Facts, a consumer research company in Rockville, Md. Already, spending exceeds the gross domestic product of about 120 nations. Makes you either want to howl in protest at that priority of asset distribution, or just say , "Ahhhhh, that's sweet to love Fido so much.
Basically, whatever Fido wants, Fido gets — and then some, particularly in upscale areas. Those with the most money to spend go to the biggest extremes in pet gift giving. But buying something for the family pet is somewhat of a tradition here now. Buying the family pet a Christmas gift is now kind of recession-resistant. In fact, in recent years, such selections as stuffed menorahs, puffy gefilte fish and chewy holiday bones have become available for Hanukkah, which began this year at sundown Tuesday and runs through Dec. 15. Yep! Jewish pets get Hanukkah gifts too.
I think all of this represents the growing humanization of pets in the U.S. and in Europe. The idea is that the family pet is in fact a member of the family, that to slight it without a gift is hurtful for Fido and causes guilt for the human owner. The high end market of pet gifts are what is growing fastest at Christmas. Anything from organic pet cookies to doggie basketball jerseys (The Michael Jordan jersey is a slam dunk), to expensive pet treat jars and a $400 plus temperature-controlled pet carrier or $500 cashmere bed. But for the common dogs like us, the gifts are not so extravagant. Favorites last year included: Christmas themed treats like rawhides in the shape and look of candy canes or cat stockings, dog energy nutrition bars (even dogs want silly trendy foods), organic dog leashes (for the owner who wants to impress the human neighbors that he or she is environmentally in step with the latest fashion), biodegradable poop pickup bags, pet toy musical instruments ( Fido probably sounds better than most Rap artists), catnip cigars, dog elf outfits and vaious Christmas sweaters and......well, you get the idea.
The gifts reflect the human trends in society today, as in the enviromentalism craze that is seemingly non stop. I guess it is good to give love to all creaures, human and not, but why do I feel that Fido will get better gifts than me this year? Maybe if I bite more next year, I'll get more too..
U.S. retail sales might be weak, energy prices way up and housing prices way down, but experts say pets largely defy those kinds of economic indicators. Caring owners are no more likely to stiff their beloved animals for the holidays than Santa is to leave rocks of coal in your stocking. Overall, Americans are expected to spend an estimated $48.7 billion on their pets in 2007, nearly twice the amount of a decade ago and growing at more than 7 percent a year, according to Packaged Facts, a consumer research company in Rockville, Md. Already, spending exceeds the gross domestic product of about 120 nations. Makes you either want to howl in protest at that priority of asset distribution, or just say , "Ahhhhh, that's sweet to love Fido so much.
Basically, whatever Fido wants, Fido gets — and then some, particularly in upscale areas. Those with the most money to spend go to the biggest extremes in pet gift giving. But buying something for the family pet is somewhat of a tradition here now. Buying the family pet a Christmas gift is now kind of recession-resistant. In fact, in recent years, such selections as stuffed menorahs, puffy gefilte fish and chewy holiday bones have become available for Hanukkah, which began this year at sundown Tuesday and runs through Dec. 15. Yep! Jewish pets get Hanukkah gifts too.
I think all of this represents the growing humanization of pets in the U.S. and in Europe. The idea is that the family pet is in fact a member of the family, that to slight it without a gift is hurtful for Fido and causes guilt for the human owner. The high end market of pet gifts are what is growing fastest at Christmas. Anything from organic pet cookies to doggie basketball jerseys (The Michael Jordan jersey is a slam dunk), to expensive pet treat jars and a $400 plus temperature-controlled pet carrier or $500 cashmere bed. But for the common dogs like us, the gifts are not so extravagant. Favorites last year included: Christmas themed treats like rawhides in the shape and look of candy canes or cat stockings, dog energy nutrition bars (even dogs want silly trendy foods), organic dog leashes (for the owner who wants to impress the human neighbors that he or she is environmentally in step with the latest fashion), biodegradable poop pickup bags, pet toy musical instruments ( Fido probably sounds better than most Rap artists), catnip cigars, dog elf outfits and vaious Christmas sweaters and......well, you get the idea.
The gifts reflect the human trends in society today, as in the enviromentalism craze that is seemingly non stop. I guess it is good to give love to all creaures, human and not, but why do I feel that Fido will get better gifts than me this year? Maybe if I bite more next year, I'll get more too..
Personal Views on a Car Bumper
The car bumper sticker craze is about dead. I don't see many anymore. It's too bad, because they were in-driving entertainment and could tell a little about the society. Yes. bumper stickers reflect aspects of what the society is thinking.
Alas! Those bumper stickers are hard to find now, yet one type persists to a larger degree. No, it's not the funny ones or the political bumper stickers. It's the personal statement bumper stickers that I still see quite a bit of. Well unlike the funny or clever ones, I don't like the personal statement stickers because they often are nothing more than an indirect attack on the reader. They are humorless, superficial and sometime unfairly insulting. So here are six of the ones I see that bug me, with my (cynical) remark about each. Tell me if you agree with the sticker statement, my comment, both or neither.
* "Choose Life"- It's the anti abortion sticker that implies al abortions are equally murderous. I don't like abortion, but I like even less the idea that the driver promotes his or her personal view on abortion on his or her car bumper sticker. Kind of trivializes the serious, don't you think? Further, I find those opposed to abortion in all cases to be the same ones that love to fight wars in which the enemy is happily slaughtered,. or who enjoy seeing criminals executed. I keep my distance when driving next to or behind the Choose Life drivers. They usually hog the road and will ram your vehicle if too close to them. They sort of "Choose Themselves" over other people...even the ones they saved from abortion.
* "Baby on Board"- This one drives me crazy (ok, crazier than I m normally am). Why must the driver tell me there is a child in his or her car. Does that means I should driver safer than if there were adult humans there? And that bumper sticker also implies I am a moron who is incapable of driving normally unless reminded that a child is in their car. Usually the driver should also stay away from the Baby on Board driver, because there is likely to be 4 or 5 kids running around the car wildly, unseat belted and bumping into the driver of that car.
* "Support The Troops"- I want to declare war on our troops when I read that one. This bumper sticker was first posted after the Bush invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq. Now it can be seen with little yellow flower magnets that say the same thing and are placed on the back of the car, above the bumper. The implication of the bumper sticker is that anyone who criticizes the Bush war is somehow "against the troops". Right wing Bush people love these stickers because they imply that a lack of support for Bush and his war translates to a lack of support for the U.S. military. When I see a car with the bumper sticker I wonder what support the driver actually gives to the military above the small cost of the magnet and bumper sticker. Waving a flag is not patriotism, nor is attaching a bumper sticker claiming to be patriotic. When I se these bumper sticker son cars I understand who voted for Bush and others like him.
* "My Child is an Honor Student At (and then the name of the kid's school)"- Can you believe a parent promoting their anonymous kid's achievement on the bumper sticker of the family car? Who cares? The kid is embarrassed to see it and the other drivers don't know who the child is anyway. In truth it's the parent who puts it there that benefits. Having it makes them feel more worthy ("Look at me. I am a super parent"), so it is a way of living their lives through their children, Pathetic, huh? Anyway, there is an answer to these drivers. No, it's not to give them the finger, but rather a clever answer to that bumper sticker that is making the rounds. It says, "My Kid Can Beat Up Your Honor Student Kid".
* "Jesus Loves You"- I hate preaching religion in public, particularly trivializing it with philosophical religious statements on bumper stickers. When I notice this one I think the driver is probably a nut, or at least obsessed with promoting his or her own religious view. Who else would talk religion on a car bumper sticker. Seems sacrilegious to me. And I wonder w how the Muslims, Jews and other non Christians and non believers feel about reading that.
*"Save The Earth"- The global warming mantra make me boil. I try to pull along side these drivers to ask how humans can save the Earth. They usually mumble gibberish the media promotes (to sell newspapers or magazines) about global warming. But not a one has ever really had a plan to save the earth. Can we save the earth before we save ourselves? I doubt we can either kill or save either one. It's interesting too that these fools always drive the gas guzzling, pollution spewing cars that they claim are making our earth burn.
What do you think? Maybe I should write my own bumper sticker for the E mail I send to you????? How about "Stupidity Written Here"? Have a good day and remember to "Save the Earth" because "Jesus Loves You", but only if you "Support the Troops", who kill because they "Choose Life" for you so your "Baby on Board" can one day be smart, and you will be able to say "My Child is an Honor Student".
Alas! Those bumper stickers are hard to find now, yet one type persists to a larger degree. No, it's not the funny ones or the political bumper stickers. It's the personal statement bumper stickers that I still see quite a bit of. Well unlike the funny or clever ones, I don't like the personal statement stickers because they often are nothing more than an indirect attack on the reader. They are humorless, superficial and sometime unfairly insulting. So here are six of the ones I see that bug me, with my (cynical) remark about each. Tell me if you agree with the sticker statement, my comment, both or neither.
* "Choose Life"- It's the anti abortion sticker that implies al abortions are equally murderous. I don't like abortion, but I like even less the idea that the driver promotes his or her personal view on abortion on his or her car bumper sticker. Kind of trivializes the serious, don't you think? Further, I find those opposed to abortion in all cases to be the same ones that love to fight wars in which the enemy is happily slaughtered,. or who enjoy seeing criminals executed. I keep my distance when driving next to or behind the Choose Life drivers. They usually hog the road and will ram your vehicle if too close to them. They sort of "Choose Themselves" over other people...even the ones they saved from abortion.
* "Baby on Board"- This one drives me crazy (ok, crazier than I m normally am). Why must the driver tell me there is a child in his or her car. Does that means I should driver safer than if there were adult humans there? And that bumper sticker also implies I am a moron who is incapable of driving normally unless reminded that a child is in their car. Usually the driver should also stay away from the Baby on Board driver, because there is likely to be 4 or 5 kids running around the car wildly, unseat belted and bumping into the driver of that car.
* "Support The Troops"- I want to declare war on our troops when I read that one. This bumper sticker was first posted after the Bush invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq. Now it can be seen with little yellow flower magnets that say the same thing and are placed on the back of the car, above the bumper. The implication of the bumper sticker is that anyone who criticizes the Bush war is somehow "against the troops". Right wing Bush people love these stickers because they imply that a lack of support for Bush and his war translates to a lack of support for the U.S. military. When I see a car with the bumper sticker I wonder what support the driver actually gives to the military above the small cost of the magnet and bumper sticker. Waving a flag is not patriotism, nor is attaching a bumper sticker claiming to be patriotic. When I se these bumper sticker son cars I understand who voted for Bush and others like him.
* "My Child is an Honor Student At (and then the name of the kid's school)"- Can you believe a parent promoting their anonymous kid's achievement on the bumper sticker of the family car? Who cares? The kid is embarrassed to see it and the other drivers don't know who the child is anyway. In truth it's the parent who puts it there that benefits. Having it makes them feel more worthy ("Look at me. I am a super parent"), so it is a way of living their lives through their children, Pathetic, huh? Anyway, there is an answer to these drivers. No, it's not to give them the finger, but rather a clever answer to that bumper sticker that is making the rounds. It says, "My Kid Can Beat Up Your Honor Student Kid".
* "Jesus Loves You"- I hate preaching religion in public, particularly trivializing it with philosophical religious statements on bumper stickers. When I notice this one I think the driver is probably a nut, or at least obsessed with promoting his or her own religious view. Who else would talk religion on a car bumper sticker. Seems sacrilegious to me. And I wonder w how the Muslims, Jews and other non Christians and non believers feel about reading that.
*"Save The Earth"- The global warming mantra make me boil. I try to pull along side these drivers to ask how humans can save the Earth. They usually mumble gibberish the media promotes (to sell newspapers or magazines) about global warming. But not a one has ever really had a plan to save the earth. Can we save the earth before we save ourselves? I doubt we can either kill or save either one. It's interesting too that these fools always drive the gas guzzling, pollution spewing cars that they claim are making our earth burn.
What do you think? Maybe I should write my own bumper sticker for the E mail I send to you????? How about "Stupidity Written Here"? Have a good day and remember to "Save the Earth" because "Jesus Loves You", but only if you "Support the Troops", who kill because they "Choose Life" for you so your "Baby on Board" can one day be smart, and you will be able to say "My Child is an Honor Student".
Bad Taste
Did you hear about the 102 year-old Lincolnshire, England woman, Nora Hardwick, posed nude for the 2007 calendar sold to raise money for her local soccer team? Uhhhhhhhhhh....just the thought of having that calendar hanging on my wall brings the shivers. It must be the apocalypse. What else could explain that. But then, I think with 102 year old breasts, they probably sag so much that you can't see any of her body anyway. Hehe The law of gravity does have good benefits sometimes.
Telegraph, a U.K. newspaper. "It was all very tastefully done. You couldn't see any of the bits or anything." Naughty Nora said the football club asked her to pose in her birthday suit because she's the oldest person in the village. Her children, who are 80, 74 and 62 have been supportive of their mum baring all for a good cause. Let's hope they wear there clothes longer than mom. What's the point of me bringing this to your attention. Haha I hope you don't think I am recommending or have even seen the calendar. I write about this today because it's one of those weird events that makes me think.....and that is dangerous. After reading about Nudie Nora, I was thinking about some other bad decisions people might make, decisions that would be at least as bad as Nora's. So here is my "what if" conjectures of possible bad taste decisions. What if....
- George Bush decided to give a lecture at Oxford, University on the subject of correct English usage. I can see George now telling some of the world's best and brightest students how they should beware of "Muslim Tourists" (George means terrorists, but he always says the word as "tourists").
- Lindsay Lohan writes a book called , "How to Grow and Mature when a Spoiled Child Movie Star". I can't wait to read the chapter on resisting the temptations of over-drinking.
- Al Gore read Lindsay's book, got drunk and admitted that the idea of man made Global Warming is a hoax, and that he will continue to live in his gigantic resource depleting house and ride in his fuel wasting jet...and that he will also continue to make multi millions of dollars off his Global Warming crock so he can buy a bigger house and jet in the future.
- I actually made sense in one of my E mails (No further explanation is needed).
- Muslim Extremists decided give up the Pilgrimage to Mecca, and instead went to Las Vegas to look for money and hot chicks.
- The Academy Award for best picture in 2008 went to one staring Mr. Bean...and it really did deserve it because it was the best thing Hollywood produced.
- Santa Claus announces he is too fat, will give up all trans fat and start putting broccoli in kids' Christmas stockings instead of candy.
- Cell phones, iPods, Blackberries and all other annoying technology finally becomes so obnoxious it loses favor with addicts......but the new fad is to implant those technologies under the skin. This means the new mantra of technology haters like me will have to be "Turn yourself off", instead of "turn off your phones".
- Rap musicians decide their "music" really is vulgar, crude, anti female and just plain bad poetry. But instead of going away, they decide to instead sing Christian Contemporary music.
Oh my....I think seeing Naughty Nude Nora may not be as bad as I first thought. There area few worse things after all.
Telegraph, a U.K. newspaper. "It was all very tastefully done. You couldn't see any of the bits or anything." Naughty Nora said the football club asked her to pose in her birthday suit because she's the oldest person in the village. Her children, who are 80, 74 and 62 have been supportive of their mum baring all for a good cause. Let's hope they wear there clothes longer than mom. What's the point of me bringing this to your attention. Haha I hope you don't think I am recommending or have even seen the calendar. I write about this today because it's one of those weird events that makes me think.....and that is dangerous. After reading about Nudie Nora, I was thinking about some other bad decisions people might make, decisions that would be at least as bad as Nora's. So here is my "what if" conjectures of possible bad taste decisions. What if....
- George Bush decided to give a lecture at Oxford, University on the subject of correct English usage. I can see George now telling some of the world's best and brightest students how they should beware of "Muslim Tourists" (George means terrorists, but he always says the word as "tourists").
- Lindsay Lohan writes a book called , "How to Grow and Mature when a Spoiled Child Movie Star". I can't wait to read the chapter on resisting the temptations of over-drinking.
- Al Gore read Lindsay's book, got drunk and admitted that the idea of man made Global Warming is a hoax, and that he will continue to live in his gigantic resource depleting house and ride in his fuel wasting jet...and that he will also continue to make multi millions of dollars off his Global Warming crock so he can buy a bigger house and jet in the future.
- I actually made sense in one of my E mails (No further explanation is needed).
- Muslim Extremists decided give up the Pilgrimage to Mecca, and instead went to Las Vegas to look for money and hot chicks.
- The Academy Award for best picture in 2008 went to one staring Mr. Bean...and it really did deserve it because it was the best thing Hollywood produced.
- Santa Claus announces he is too fat, will give up all trans fat and start putting broccoli in kids' Christmas stockings instead of candy.
- Cell phones, iPods, Blackberries and all other annoying technology finally becomes so obnoxious it loses favor with addicts......but the new fad is to implant those technologies under the skin. This means the new mantra of technology haters like me will have to be "Turn yourself off", instead of "turn off your phones".
- Rap musicians decide their "music" really is vulgar, crude, anti female and just plain bad poetry. But instead of going away, they decide to instead sing Christian Contemporary music.
Oh my....I think seeing Naughty Nude Nora may not be as bad as I first thought. There area few worse things after all.
Electronic Baby Sitters
You know what is becoming the customer baby-sitter in the U.S. these days? It's the TV. Everywhere I go in public or to transact business I see TV's as baby-sitters. The customer is supposed to quietly watch the TV as he or she waits (often endlessly) for whatever service he or she is seeking. I had my car serviced the other day and a large screen TV blared in the waiting room where I sat until my car was ready. Since I am not interested in most TV programs, even when at home, I felt trapped as it roared a program that was just...well. stupid. It would have been nice to have it on a news station, but no suck luck for me.
The car dealership service department waiting room with the TV is just one example of the TV baby-sitting I see more and more of (Well, at least it drowns out the cell addicts yaking constantly on their phones) now. I see these TV's in my bank, department stores, grocery stores, doctor's offices, and just about every service business where the customer waits. I think it reflects the cell phone mentality today. That is, people feel a need to be sedated all waking minutes in order to not be bored. It's an extension of the cell addiction society has taken to the rudeness extreme. Is this the beginning of the technology take-over? Do we have to be baby-sat by some form of technology to get through the moment?
It's just another distraction from what people should be doing when in public- chatting with people, reading something that informs, or just thinking? Apparently the answer is "no". Too many people feel that if not connected electronically, they will miss out on something. And sadly, the opposite is true. By being over connected electronically we miss the human elements in life that are life's true connections, the connections with other humans and our own thoughts. I think it also makes us less patient and far more rude than before the electronic addiction age overwhelmed us.
TV, the phone, computers....all that electronic "junk" we love and hate shouldn't be thrust into our faces. They should be private choices, used privately. I hope I never digress to the point where I need such constant public electronic stimulation, that I am no longer of thinking and entertaining myself in the ordinary course of my day. Do we really need a baby-sitter at all to live our lives?
But one man in Scotland would probably trade his wife for a TV. Well, after eating his wife's cooking he might need a distarction. Some husbands complain that their wives can't cook. You know...the food tastes...uh....off. Well, one Scottish woman really knows how to make her food objectionable. But she has avoided a prison sentence after she admitted putting dog excrement in her husband's curry. Jill Martin, 47, took drastic action after her marriage broke down and burst out laughing when her husband Donald started eating the poo dish at their home in, Glasgow.
She admitted to criminal "culpable and reckless conduct". But Sheriff Susan Sinclair said that she would not send her to jail because her circumstances are "quite different" than at the time of the attack. She was discharged without punishment. Hmmmmmmmmm I bet Susan's husband will check his oatmeal carefully from not on. Donald's defense lawyer said he had taken action to deal with an alcohol problem and over a period of years and felt "undermined" by Jill and had very low self-esteem."
Maybe the poo ckaes and dog urine punch have something to do with it. The couple, who were married for 21 years, have now instructed lawyers to begin divorce proceedings. I suggest that Donald take cooking lessons as well.
The car dealership service department waiting room with the TV is just one example of the TV baby-sitting I see more and more of (Well, at least it drowns out the cell addicts yaking constantly on their phones) now. I see these TV's in my bank, department stores, grocery stores, doctor's offices, and just about every service business where the customer waits. I think it reflects the cell phone mentality today. That is, people feel a need to be sedated all waking minutes in order to not be bored. It's an extension of the cell addiction society has taken to the rudeness extreme. Is this the beginning of the technology take-over? Do we have to be baby-sat by some form of technology to get through the moment?
It's just another distraction from what people should be doing when in public- chatting with people, reading something that informs, or just thinking? Apparently the answer is "no". Too many people feel that if not connected electronically, they will miss out on something. And sadly, the opposite is true. By being over connected electronically we miss the human elements in life that are life's true connections, the connections with other humans and our own thoughts. I think it also makes us less patient and far more rude than before the electronic addiction age overwhelmed us.
TV, the phone, computers....all that electronic "junk" we love and hate shouldn't be thrust into our faces. They should be private choices, used privately. I hope I never digress to the point where I need such constant public electronic stimulation, that I am no longer of thinking and entertaining myself in the ordinary course of my day. Do we really need a baby-sitter at all to live our lives?
But one man in Scotland would probably trade his wife for a TV. Well, after eating his wife's cooking he might need a distarction. Some husbands complain that their wives can't cook. You know...the food tastes...uh....off. Well, one Scottish woman really knows how to make her food objectionable. But she has avoided a prison sentence after she admitted putting dog excrement in her husband's curry. Jill Martin, 47, took drastic action after her marriage broke down and burst out laughing when her husband Donald started eating the poo dish at their home in, Glasgow.
She admitted to criminal "culpable and reckless conduct". But Sheriff Susan Sinclair said that she would not send her to jail because her circumstances are "quite different" than at the time of the attack. She was discharged without punishment. Hmmmmmmmmm I bet Susan's husband will check his oatmeal carefully from not on. Donald's defense lawyer said he had taken action to deal with an alcohol problem and over a period of years and felt "undermined" by Jill and had very low self-esteem."
Maybe the poo ckaes and dog urine punch have something to do with it. The couple, who were married for 21 years, have now instructed lawyers to begin divorce proceedings. I suggest that Donald take cooking lessons as well.
Caroline Kennedy Fiasco
This morning Jane said something that reminded me of how the times are changing....and how I sometimes don't recognize changes because they happen so fast. Jane is often late leaving the house for school and i always tell her it is a minute or two later than it is to get her to move faster. Well, as she was leaving the car at the school where I drop her each morning I said. "It's 8:20..you're going to be late".
My car clock showed that time but she said that it was a few minutes a earlier. At that point I told her to ask someone to look at their watch to see who was right. Her reply. "No one at school wears a watch.That's the point of my remark....that watches are rare among kids today and probably doomed to survive the next generation. The youngest kids today use their phones or ipods or other electronic gadget to tell the time. The noble watch is disappearing. Such a sudden death...it seems somehow sad.
John F Kennedy is the former president of the U.S. that now President Barack Obama is sometimes compared. John Kennedy's daughter is named Caroline. Caroline is a lawyer and child book author, one of the few members of the famous Kennedy family to not be a politician. But recently the family maneuvered enough to have Caroline be considered to be named temporary replacement senator in a vacancy in her home state of New York. Many were outraged that the Governor of New York, who has the power to appoint vacancies pending the next election, would name Caroline so that she could have an advantage when the permanent election for that seat is held in a year or so.
Should such an unqualified person (she has never held any elective office, much less the very important Senator position) be anointed as the Senator solely because of the name and power of the Kennedy family. Too, when Caroline announced at a press conference that she wanted the seat she was so inarticulate and uninformed of the issues a Senator deals with it embarrassed any in attendance. Caroline used the infamous "you know" line more than 50 times in the short answer session reports posed to her. The film of that appeared on Yu Yube and a bigger storm about "favoritism and qualifications" has now caused caroline to drop out of consideration for the Senate seat due to "personal; reasons".
This is a victory for good government as New York will most probably have a qualified person named. Too, Caroline is free to show the voters that she is capable and deserving when the election for Senator is held next year, if that is her wish. The Kennedy family has long been overbearing and controlling. The many myths about John Kennedy endure despite the fact that he was widely unpopular as president and had only a marginal chance of being re elected had he not been assassinated near the end of his first term. How nice that their next anointed Kennedy his daughter, will have to prove herself instead of being crowned the next New York State Senator. Now that's a change the voters have got to love.
My car clock showed that time but she said that it was a few minutes a earlier. At that point I told her to ask someone to look at their watch to see who was right. Her reply. "No one at school wears a watch.That's the point of my remark....that watches are rare among kids today and probably doomed to survive the next generation. The youngest kids today use their phones or ipods or other electronic gadget to tell the time. The noble watch is disappearing. Such a sudden death...it seems somehow sad.
John F Kennedy is the former president of the U.S. that now President Barack Obama is sometimes compared. John Kennedy's daughter is named Caroline. Caroline is a lawyer and child book author, one of the few members of the famous Kennedy family to not be a politician. But recently the family maneuvered enough to have Caroline be considered to be named temporary replacement senator in a vacancy in her home state of New York. Many were outraged that the Governor of New York, who has the power to appoint vacancies pending the next election, would name Caroline so that she could have an advantage when the permanent election for that seat is held in a year or so.
Should such an unqualified person (she has never held any elective office, much less the very important Senator position) be anointed as the Senator solely because of the name and power of the Kennedy family. Too, when Caroline announced at a press conference that she wanted the seat she was so inarticulate and uninformed of the issues a Senator deals with it embarrassed any in attendance. Caroline used the infamous "you know" line more than 50 times in the short answer session reports posed to her. The film of that appeared on Yu Yube and a bigger storm about "favoritism and qualifications" has now caused caroline to drop out of consideration for the Senate seat due to "personal; reasons".
This is a victory for good government as New York will most probably have a qualified person named. Too, Caroline is free to show the voters that she is capable and deserving when the election for Senator is held next year, if that is her wish. The Kennedy family has long been overbearing and controlling. The many myths about John Kennedy endure despite the fact that he was widely unpopular as president and had only a marginal chance of being re elected had he not been assassinated near the end of his first term. How nice that their next anointed Kennedy his daughter, will have to prove herself instead of being crowned the next New York State Senator. Now that's a change the voters have got to love.
Less Humble And Graceful
Do you find that society is less polite theses days? I do. Everywhere in the public forum people seem to be more arrogant, less humble and convinced that having an "attitude' is a good thing. The popular culture is now a culture of attitude as movies, TV, sports, entertainment promotes the idea that having a rough edge is a good thing. Well, I am here to say it is not. I guess you need some examples.
Ok, here are a few. Take any "rap artist" (My quotation marks are an expression of my non belief in their world being even remotely artistic) and profile him ore her. They are smirk wearing, sun glass addicted, tattooed defiant, foul mouthed, promoters of social deviancy. Haha That may be the nicest thing I have to say about them. (Don't tell me Mandy likes rap music)Paris and the girls gone wild are another example of how the lowest common denominator became the ideal. Look at Britney's attitude toward her kids, that they come second and she first. That creature Lindsay Lohan's attitude is so self absorbed that while she was making a movie here in New Orleans a couple of years ago an edit existed on the set..no one was allowed to let his or her eyes meet Lindsay's! I am not sure why anyone would want to look at that drunken excuse for talent, but that edit was part of her contract in making the film.
Sports stars have become fallen idols because of bad attitude. They dance when making a basket or pint, taunt opponents and brag about how they are "number one". Is there anything less appealing than seeing an athlete wave the " I am number one" forefinger during a competition? It used to be that kids were taught humility as a virtue. Now they think of it as the sign of a wimp.
Those Tyra Banks of the world irritate me, even when not throwing their stupid cell phones at their personal assistance and maids. One would think that they would be grateful for their position in life, being allowed to pretend they are "stars" to peons like you and me. Want to be disgusted by arrogance and pomposity? Just watch the Olympic Game parade of athletes and see the athletes prancing in their sunglasses with video cameras in tow that shout, "Look at me I am a star".
Well, the popular culture now promotes crudity as virtue and humility as vice. Ahhhhhhhhhhh, is the whole world becoming French now? I never thought humans anywhere could top the French for pretentiousness and arrogance, but it's happening more and more everywhere in popular culture. Maybe that explains why kids today think being dumbed down and "cool' is equivalent to being normal. Well, it isn't and it isn't pleasant to see.
Having ranted about that I do think we have some very humble and graceful icons out there ar s well. How about these as examples of how to handle fame correctly: Michael J. Fox (He exudes kindness and grace) , Paul Newman (a lifetime of doing it all right), Former president Jimmy Carter (how can a politician be so genuine?, Brad Pitt (well, he has grown up and is responsible now), Miley Cyrus (only 15 but talented and still uncorrupted by it all) Warren Buffet (world's second richest man who has a heart of gold).
Oh well...before I forget I humbly and gracefully say..... have a nice day.
Ok, here are a few. Take any "rap artist" (My quotation marks are an expression of my non belief in their world being even remotely artistic) and profile him ore her. They are smirk wearing, sun glass addicted, tattooed defiant, foul mouthed, promoters of social deviancy. Haha That may be the nicest thing I have to say about them. (Don't tell me Mandy likes rap music)Paris and the girls gone wild are another example of how the lowest common denominator became the ideal. Look at Britney's attitude toward her kids, that they come second and she first. That creature Lindsay Lohan's attitude is so self absorbed that while she was making a movie here in New Orleans a couple of years ago an edit existed on the set..no one was allowed to let his or her eyes meet Lindsay's! I am not sure why anyone would want to look at that drunken excuse for talent, but that edit was part of her contract in making the film.
Sports stars have become fallen idols because of bad attitude. They dance when making a basket or pint, taunt opponents and brag about how they are "number one". Is there anything less appealing than seeing an athlete wave the " I am number one" forefinger during a competition? It used to be that kids were taught humility as a virtue. Now they think of it as the sign of a wimp.
Those Tyra Banks of the world irritate me, even when not throwing their stupid cell phones at their personal assistance and maids. One would think that they would be grateful for their position in life, being allowed to pretend they are "stars" to peons like you and me. Want to be disgusted by arrogance and pomposity? Just watch the Olympic Game parade of athletes and see the athletes prancing in their sunglasses with video cameras in tow that shout, "Look at me I am a star".
Well, the popular culture now promotes crudity as virtue and humility as vice. Ahhhhhhhhhhh, is the whole world becoming French now? I never thought humans anywhere could top the French for pretentiousness and arrogance, but it's happening more and more everywhere in popular culture. Maybe that explains why kids today think being dumbed down and "cool' is equivalent to being normal. Well, it isn't and it isn't pleasant to see.
Having ranted about that I do think we have some very humble and graceful icons out there ar s well. How about these as examples of how to handle fame correctly: Michael J. Fox (He exudes kindness and grace) , Paul Newman (a lifetime of doing it all right), Former president Jimmy Carter (how can a politician be so genuine?, Brad Pitt (well, he has grown up and is responsible now), Miley Cyrus (only 15 but talented and still uncorrupted by it all) Warren Buffet (world's second richest man who has a heart of gold).
Oh well...before I forget I humbly and gracefully say..... have a nice day.
Mausoleum Reflections
Sunday, Dec. 16th was the 8th birthday of my mom since her deat . So I headed to Hope Mausoleum, the spot wheer my fmaily is buried. I have not been to the mausoleum where most of my family is interred in over a year, so I decided to place flowers at the crypts of my grandparents, parents, brother and two aunts, who are all buried there in three separate crypts. Did you know that Hope Mausoleum (How ironic to name a resting place for the dead, "hope") is the oldest and biggest mausoleum in New Orleans. The interior is all marble, so beautiful that it is a tourist stop for those who know about it.
The other members of my family, who died long ago in the 19th century are buried in a conventional cemetery on the "highest ground" of the city, at famous Lafayette Cemetery Number 2. That's the one next to Commander's Palace, one of the nation's best restaurants. In the early 1800's, as Germans poured into New Orleans from Europe, Lafayette Number 2 was established as a German cemetery. Haha The Germans may be lethal but are clever. They bought that parcel because the water table being much lower allows conventional burial directly in the ground. But you know those old cemeteries have been run down now for many years. That's why about 60 years ago the Troescher and Kline ( my mom's family) started using Hope mausoleum.
My parents bought a "slab" that has room for five bodies. With my mom, dad and brother already buried there I intend to have my remains interred in Hope, given that was the intention of my parents. The space has been "paid for", but in truth, I care not about the disposition of my carcass after death. However, being always so close and loving my parents greatly, even in death I would never want to offend their
The other members of my family, who died long ago in the 19th century are buried in a conventional cemetery on the "highest ground" of the city, at famous Lafayette Cemetery Number 2. That's the one next to Commander's Palace, one of the nation's best restaurants. In the early 1800's, as Germans poured into New Orleans from Europe, Lafayette Number 2 was established as a German cemetery. Haha The Germans may be lethal but are clever. They bought that parcel because the water table being much lower allows conventional burial directly in the ground. But you know those old cemeteries have been run down now for many years. That's why about 60 years ago the Troescher and Kline ( my mom's family) started using Hope mausoleum.
My parents bought a "slab" that has room for five bodies. With my mom, dad and brother already buried there I intend to have my remains interred in Hope, given that was the intention of my parents. The space has been "paid for", but in truth, I care not about the disposition of my carcass after death. However, being always so close and loving my parents greatly, even in death I would never want to offend their
Oranges And Squirrels
The squirrels are coming! the squirrels are coming! It's been my mantra for about am month, as a nest of squirrels has settled in and is feeding on my beautiful oranges. Yep! they are assaulting my orange tree, which this year is overloaded with wonderful oranges. My crop usually starts to ripen in November, is at it's peek in December and lasts (when not molested by the squirrels) until late January.It's because the New Orleans winters are mostly mild, sometimes cool and seldom cold. Orange trees here love the soil that has been deposited from the Mississippi river overflows the past few centuries. New Orleans (or more accurately, Plaquemines Parish oranges from about 40 kilometers south of the city) oranges are a specialty item sold by gourmet fruit sellers, particularly the Valencia, Navals and Satsuma varieties (My tree is a Satsuma tree). I eat them and bake with them.
The Plaquemines' Valencia Naval orange is my favorite. It is so sweet that it defies description but odd in that when one drinks Louisiana navel orange juice it must be consumed within a few hours as it turns bitter over time. As a child I remember using my mom's ancient (It came from her mother and I still have it. Damn the technology! There is no better orange squeezer today than this one) steel hand orange squeezer on cold mornings to make a glass of the best orange juice I have ever drunk. The Lousiana/Plaquemine's oranges are so good that they sell at five times the price of other oranges grown in the U.S. Of course, a Plaquemine's naval is about 50% larger and heavier than a normal naval orange.
Sometimes I make the short 40 minute drive to the roadside stands in Plaquemines Parish to buy many variety of the fruit. Fortunately, it is sold at some locally owned grocery stores here as well. yet, the specialty citrus from Plaquemines can only be obtained form the roadside stands, or ordered by mail at exorbitant prices from vendors. Louisiana citrus is fodder for chefs -- blood oranges for gourmet sauces, Meyer lemons for luscious desserts, Persian limes for exotic drinks, and garnet-red grapefruit for glorious salads.
But back to my meddlesome and hungry squirrels! A couple a days ago Jane and a friend were cutting some satsumas from the tree for her friend's family and jane joking said "we were attached by squirrels hurling oranges". They caught the squirrel tribe (that nests in a big oak tree that is in my back yard near the orange tree) in the act of orange theft! The squirrels make an opening about the size of the tip of your big toe, and then such every thing out of the orange. This leaves a piece of orange skin hanging on the tree in defiance of the owner of it.
This morning I have foiled them all. I picked almost all the remaining oranges from the tree, will give away most and put some in the refrigerator. It is not a victory, for I would prefer to have fresh satsumas until the end of January, the normal end of the season. Now I wonder what those squirrels will next eat.
The Plaquemines' Valencia Naval orange is my favorite. It is so sweet that it defies description but odd in that when one drinks Louisiana navel orange juice it must be consumed within a few hours as it turns bitter over time. As a child I remember using my mom's ancient (It came from her mother and I still have it. Damn the technology! There is no better orange squeezer today than this one) steel hand orange squeezer on cold mornings to make a glass of the best orange juice I have ever drunk. The Lousiana/Plaquemine's oranges are so good that they sell at five times the price of other oranges grown in the U.S. Of course, a Plaquemine's naval is about 50% larger and heavier than a normal naval orange.
Sometimes I make the short 40 minute drive to the roadside stands in Plaquemines Parish to buy many variety of the fruit. Fortunately, it is sold at some locally owned grocery stores here as well. yet, the specialty citrus from Plaquemines can only be obtained form the roadside stands, or ordered by mail at exorbitant prices from vendors. Louisiana citrus is fodder for chefs -- blood oranges for gourmet sauces, Meyer lemons for luscious desserts, Persian limes for exotic drinks, and garnet-red grapefruit for glorious salads.
But back to my meddlesome and hungry squirrels! A couple a days ago Jane and a friend were cutting some satsumas from the tree for her friend's family and jane joking said "we were attached by squirrels hurling oranges". They caught the squirrel tribe (that nests in a big oak tree that is in my back yard near the orange tree) in the act of orange theft! The squirrels make an opening about the size of the tip of your big toe, and then such every thing out of the orange. This leaves a piece of orange skin hanging on the tree in defiance of the owner of it.
This morning I have foiled them all. I picked almost all the remaining oranges from the tree, will give away most and put some in the refrigerator. It is not a victory, for I would prefer to have fresh satsumas until the end of January, the normal end of the season. Now I wonder what those squirrels will next eat.
Christmas Lights
One of the things I most like about Christmas is the traditions found in it. There is a great deal of general and personal tradition involved in celebrating Christmas. From religious to secular tradition to the ritual shopping to just being nicer at Christmas time, it's all a good change from the norm. As a child my mom and dad started a number (or perhaps carried over their own from their own childhood to my brother and I) of those traditions. One of my favorite was decorating the outside of the house with lights and driving about the neighborhoods of the city to look and compare displays.
We started to decorate right after Thanksgiving Day, usually with only lights, the old style large multi colored bulbs. In those days lighting options for Christmas decorations were limited, so a person who wanted to show off usually just put out more of the same kinds of lights as everyone else used, and added animated displays or figures to enhance it. Some people made their own displays by carving and painting wood figures.
Since people in New Orleans love a celebration of any sort, garish displays were common and appreciated. When we went "lighting" (riding in car and observing the outdoor lights in front of houses in the city neighborhoods) it made it feel more like Christmas than any other time of the Christmas season. Certain business and residential homes had spectacular displays every year that drew huge crowds of sightseers. We looked forward to seeing them and wondering what would be added to the display each year. This still goes on to a lesser degree, though now most of the bigger lighting displays are at businesses rather than in front of private homes.
I can still remember as a young boy, my dad picking me up on cold nights and carrying me (while I was dressed in those pajamas with the feet attached) to the car for lighting trips. I was always excited, though some nights I fell asleep due to the lateness of the hour and missed the hot chocolate my mom made for us to drink when we returned after a nightof living a small but wondrous part of Christmas. I continued that tradition with Jane until last year, when she was no longer interested in what she sees as a"child activity".
No matter to me! I still go lighting (as part of my exercise) on my bike while riding though the neighborhood at night during the Christmas season. Those who think they are too grown to enjoy Christmas lights must have lost some of their imagination, for I do think that only the unimaginative could not appreciate the glitter of the displays. I know what Jane now fails to realize, that looking at the lights is an eternal, almost blessed, joy of Christmas. But she will discover that again when she takes her own children lighting one day. Viewing Christmas lights and displays isn't just for little ones.
Tonight I enjoyed the show as I rode my bike throughout my neighborhood, evaluating each display and being grateful to those who spent the time and resources to give the joy of Christmas lights to all who pass through. The displays are just as beautiful, maybe more so now, given the advances in lighting technology (Thanks to Japan, for that!), as in my childhood. But then, one always idealizes most those childhood joys they remember.
As I rode through the lights tonight I thought about Tokyo or some other Japanese city, places that are lit like Christmas trees every day of the year. I am sure the residents don't appreciate the glow, for it is not a special thing to them. We have quite a few light displays in my neighborhood this year. There are religious displays with mangers (some illuminated and some not) showing the baby Jesus and the shepherds and wise men. More prevalent are the garish secular light displays. The modern lights are smaller, the large multi colored globes replaced by smaller and brighter ones.
Some people have white icicle lights draped from their gutters to simulate snow, a bit of an oddity in semi tropical New Orleans. Others have multicolored lights or all red, green, blue ones draped in bushes, along gutters, in trees etc. There are also figures of Santa, a snowman or some other relatedChristmas figure, about 10 meters high and inflated with a constant stream of air. There are smaller lighted or unlighted figures in the neighborhood too. And some people put up lighted Christmas trees or unlighted garlands and wreaths that surround the entrance to their homes or adorn the front door. There was even one Hanukah display out tonight too.This year I have red lights in the azalea bushes in front of my house, green lights on two juniper trees in front of the entrance, some signs displayed with messages about the Christmas season and some wreaths on the house and on the front door. I omitted some of the more garish objects that Jane liked as a child, the big Santa for instance (who is now faded and weathered after more than 10 years of Christmas display).
Whatever Christmas decor is out I always will appreciate it, and I almost feel a bond with those people who take the time to decorate and lighten their homes, for the little kids....and the big ones like me.
We started to decorate right after Thanksgiving Day, usually with only lights, the old style large multi colored bulbs. In those days lighting options for Christmas decorations were limited, so a person who wanted to show off usually just put out more of the same kinds of lights as everyone else used, and added animated displays or figures to enhance it. Some people made their own displays by carving and painting wood figures.
Since people in New Orleans love a celebration of any sort, garish displays were common and appreciated. When we went "lighting" (riding in car and observing the outdoor lights in front of houses in the city neighborhoods) it made it feel more like Christmas than any other time of the Christmas season. Certain business and residential homes had spectacular displays every year that drew huge crowds of sightseers. We looked forward to seeing them and wondering what would be added to the display each year. This still goes on to a lesser degree, though now most of the bigger lighting displays are at businesses rather than in front of private homes.
I can still remember as a young boy, my dad picking me up on cold nights and carrying me (while I was dressed in those pajamas with the feet attached) to the car for lighting trips. I was always excited, though some nights I fell asleep due to the lateness of the hour and missed the hot chocolate my mom made for us to drink when we returned after a nightof living a small but wondrous part of Christmas. I continued that tradition with Jane until last year, when she was no longer interested in what she sees as a"child activity".
No matter to me! I still go lighting (as part of my exercise) on my bike while riding though the neighborhood at night during the Christmas season. Those who think they are too grown to enjoy Christmas lights must have lost some of their imagination, for I do think that only the unimaginative could not appreciate the glitter of the displays. I know what Jane now fails to realize, that looking at the lights is an eternal, almost blessed, joy of Christmas. But she will discover that again when she takes her own children lighting one day. Viewing Christmas lights and displays isn't just for little ones.
Tonight I enjoyed the show as I rode my bike throughout my neighborhood, evaluating each display and being grateful to those who spent the time and resources to give the joy of Christmas lights to all who pass through. The displays are just as beautiful, maybe more so now, given the advances in lighting technology (Thanks to Japan, for that!), as in my childhood. But then, one always idealizes most those childhood joys they remember.
As I rode through the lights tonight I thought about Tokyo or some other Japanese city, places that are lit like Christmas trees every day of the year. I am sure the residents don't appreciate the glow, for it is not a special thing to them. We have quite a few light displays in my neighborhood this year. There are religious displays with mangers (some illuminated and some not) showing the baby Jesus and the shepherds and wise men. More prevalent are the garish secular light displays. The modern lights are smaller, the large multi colored globes replaced by smaller and brighter ones.
Some people have white icicle lights draped from their gutters to simulate snow, a bit of an oddity in semi tropical New Orleans. Others have multicolored lights or all red, green, blue ones draped in bushes, along gutters, in trees etc. There are also figures of Santa, a snowman or some other relatedChristmas figure, about 10 meters high and inflated with a constant stream of air. There are smaller lighted or unlighted figures in the neighborhood too. And some people put up lighted Christmas trees or unlighted garlands and wreaths that surround the entrance to their homes or adorn the front door. There was even one Hanukah display out tonight too.This year I have red lights in the azalea bushes in front of my house, green lights on two juniper trees in front of the entrance, some signs displayed with messages about the Christmas season and some wreaths on the house and on the front door. I omitted some of the more garish objects that Jane liked as a child, the big Santa for instance (who is now faded and weathered after more than 10 years of Christmas display).
Whatever Christmas decor is out I always will appreciate it, and I almost feel a bond with those people who take the time to decorate and lighten their homes, for the little kids....and the big ones like me.
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