Date Your Article

They say that whatever goes on the internet stays on the internet. That is too true and aside from the emabrrassing pictures or whatever is the lack of timely information. One of my pet peeves is trying to research somthing and finding undated articles. It then becomes impossible to decide whether the information is timely. I wish this issues received from attention.

Olympians

The IOC seems to be having trouble reconciling the behavior or the most recent generation of athletes with their perception of the appropriate. First it was a snowboarder (what did they expect?). Now the Canadian Hockey team is smoking and drinking. True, 19 may be the legal age and some are 18 years old, but are we surprised that 18 year old's are drinking? Of course not, it is just that the media was around to make it scandalous.

In my mind it isn't only an issue of what is appropriate behavior but perhaps a reflection on changing attitudes toward societies idea of correct. No question that our older generation would have shocked and even caused Victorian England to experience the vapors. Maybe it is our turn to have the "vapors." I feel faint - but maybe from laughter.

CNN Headline

December 18th, 2009 CNN Headline: "‘There is no time to waste’ on climate change accord, President Obama tells U.N. Climate Change Conference."

I guess you could take this more then one way.

Tiger Woods Apology

I haven't heard Tiger's apology yet, just read CNN's text under their headline about his apology. They Say "Tiger Woods' comments today may become the most scrutinized apology in history: Was it a PR stunt? Can he do anything to restore people's faith in him? Experts dissect his apology and offer reaction."

I'd rather do with out the expert analysis. Just let me make my own decision. Seems like we now have to have a bunch of talking heads providing slanted perspective on some event. Slanted because they have agenda - always. So please shut up and let me decide for myself.

Democrats I Can Support

I fundamentally believe this set of Democrat guidelines for government are needed if the United Sates is retain/regain its economic power in the world and continue to have a viable economy. Too bad I also view them as pipe dreams.

Durham Arts

I was in Durham working on the townhouse the other day. I made the trip alone and stayed over night to finish the work. I had gone online the day previous to find some dining options and chose the Mellow Mushroom which had good reviews for their pizza. I concur.

Eating alone is boring so I always try to find something to read. Not surprisingly although for me it was, Durham, home of Duke University has a good arts scene as well as plenty of classes in the arts, fitness, and meditation. It surprised me because my outlook is of dreary work on the townhouse. Anyway, there was a newspaper stand containing a class catalog sponsored by the Durham Arts Council.

As usual is typical of such programs, there was a course in "Finding the Artist Within." It reminded me of a class I took class promising that "Everyone Can Draw." I flunked that class even though they didn't grade us. The problem is I didn't feel that inspired flow of creativity - it just seemed like laborious work trying to make marks on paper resemble something identifiable. So, I am still trying to find that inner artist, I know he/she is there but very skilled at hiding.

Perhaps I am looking in the wrong cranny. Maybe belly dancing is more my thing. The Arts Council has a class entitled "Belly Dancing for Scaredy Cats." And even better, "Shake, Rattle, and Roll with Bellydance!" The rattle part seems to fit my age. Then I thought about the other class members and realized that instead of svelte, beautiful, sultry women, the class might be populated with very large and obese women that had plenty to shake and roll.

I think I'll continue my search for my inner creative self.

American Idol

Yes, we watch it. However, the other night had me wondering whether I wanted to continue. One of the contestants was a country boy from Tennessee named Jesse. They had a little background clip on Jesse showing his rural life. I believe he grew up in poverty with limited schooling. His teeth are crooked and he had a hill billy twang. He performed as a country and western singer and was voted off.

I didn't think Jesse was a good singer but there was that moment when you remembered Kevin Skinner's first performance on "America's Got Talent." Kevin won the competition and has a rare ability to sing and communicate genuine emotion in his music. Kevin was ridiculed on the show because he, like Jesse, grew up in the back woods of America. Kevin earned his living as a chicken catcher. At least he was able to show the world what a unique and rare person he is. And, the world showed the show that they respected Kevin.

Jesse also had his dream to better his life, to pursue a passion, to change his life. He was honest and genuine, no airs and no attitude. But, he was treated miserably by the judges and by the producers of American Idol. Their behavior was reprehensible. They were insulting and arrogant. They laughed at his hopes, held him up to the country as a dumb hick undeserving of basic human respect. Jesse didn't win nor did the show.

I wish they had to live his life for just a month - with his perspective on life, his income, and his deep desire for change. These people of wealth and privilege need to learn some humility. I was angered while watching the show and still feel that anger and disgust as I write this. If you missed it I am confident they will replay Jesse's performance in their sad attempt at humor. It is sad.

Sun Room

The sun room is furnished, the heat/ac is installed and we are enjoying it immensely. The furniture has been rearranged numerous times and more is to come. We have bought a new sofa and chair which will be coming in about 8 weeks.



The TV was an early addition, we have a Samsung int eh living room and like it a lot but feared the reflections from the screen would be a problem so got a Sony instead. The screen is great and even without shades on the windows the reflections are not a real problem. Speaking of shade - still to come in mid-January we hope.

Folsom Fair

When I was young we had the country fair which rides of all sorts. You know a merry-go-round (carousel for those that don’t understand), a ferris wheel, and a chair plane – they weren’t big fairs but since it was all we knew they were great.

In San Francisco they recently had the Folsom Street Fair with rides of another type. Seems some of the fair goers publicly engaged in explicit sex acts (are there implicit ones?). Now even the San Francisco politicians recognized that this might be a little over the top and something needed to be done. One idea was to provide tents. Wonder how many tents they would set up.

While on the subject of sex, I was reading a newspaper in a coffee shop while waiting for my order to be ready. What caught my eye was an ad for a solar powered vibrator. I had to wonder who was targeted by that ad. Certainly people into green but more then that is it for naturist? The solar panel needs exposure to the sun so maybe the concept is dual exposure. Perhaps I can get a booth at the Folsom Fair and sell the vibes to those that like going au natural. The solar powered vibe raises numerous subjects.

Winter Clothing

While in California I stopped to get gas at a station in Pleasanton one evening. The temperature had dipped to 50 degrees so a bit chilly - I had a sweatshirt on. While pumping gas (when was the last time you "pumped" gas?) I saw this couple walk by with two dogs. What caught my attention was their dress. They had heavy winter coats on, hoods on their coats over their heads and both wore gloves.

Hazel and I looked at each other thinking "its not that cold...what wimps." I first figured they were California wimps unable to with-stand even cool temperatures. Further reflection has led me to conclude they more likely are recent immigrants to California from someplace like Minnesota.

When you've lived in a seriously cold place like Green Bay or Chicago, you learn to hoard heat. It isn't something to be squandered. Just the idea of getting cold, shivering and shaking, prompts immediate clothing escalation. The cavalier manner in which warm weather citizens greet the cold is culturally shocking.

I remember moving to Pleasanton from Chicago. It was late March and I'd go to work with temperatures in the 40's. The shop would have overhead doors wide open and I hated to leave the office and go out there until later in the morning when the sun had warmed the room to comfortable levels. Its hard to convey the psychological discomfort I experienced but I can understand the heavy coats.

Talk Radio

Something I seriously miss in North Carolina is KGO Talk Radio and especially Ron Owens. It is a pleasure to hear balanced discussion on issues. Sure, there are some extreme views expressed at times but Ron does a good job of keeping the discussion grounded and avoids hysterionics.

Social Driving

As I again get accustomed to driving in the bay area I am struck by the wonderful community we enjoy with frequent social intercourse. For example, "Move it, the lights changed!", "Take one or the other - make up your mind!" or "Same to you buddy!"

Travel to San Francisco - Some Obversations

I like flying out of Wilmington. A small airport is nice - you can park close to the terminal, the cost is low, and the crowd isn't. Passing through security is fast and the people are generally cordial (they might know you socially).

The flight to Atlanta was only about a third full - when did you last experience that? The flight to San Francisco was a totally different story. Delta now charges for bags. They call it an excess baggage fee - I guess they think you should have no bags. Actually that is what many tried to do by taking their luggage on the plane. I understand that if they then had to check their bag they wouldn't have to pay the $20 bag fee. So, we had a line on the gangway checking their bags - they never intended to carry them aboard, and another line trying to get off the plane because all the overhead bins were full. That in turn meant we were supposed to keep our coats and other smaller bags in our laps and theoretically under your seat. Ha!

We arrived around 11am on a flight that was 30 minutes early. I was truck again how clear the air is in the fall. The low humidity makes the air sharp and especially clear, something you rarely see in Carolina.

It took me nearly a half hour to acclimatize to driving in the bay area. There is a totally different feeling that I do not experience in other major metropolitan areas. It is sort of like driving in the Grand Prixe. Motorist know that they really have to be to be reckless and driving WAY over the limit to be nailed. That means people drive to the level of what they feel is reasonable safety - not what is written on a sign. That translates to 70 mph in the slower lanes and 75 to 80 in the faster lanes (65 mph speed limit). I see them traveling at 70+ around Raleigh but those are more likely to be the exceptions or at least the top speeders.

California has a 12% unemployment rate but that dose not seem to be the case in high tech. In fact there may be some signs of hiring in that sector. I thought I saw some suggestion in some of the freeways being a little less clogged but that was not the case at the In-N-Out Burgers - crowded as always.

Speaking of In-N-Out Burgers - they put fast food restaurants like McDonald's and Burger King to shame.

Run with the Greats

I was watching TV news last night and realized I am great. I have something in common with the rich (or used to be) and famous. I'm sure you'll all be impressed that Madoff and I have the same golf ball retriever in our bags. $29.99 at a local golf shop - but think about what we have in common - we both were fishing in waters for our balls. He just chose better waters.

Now, Madoff kept his ball retriever in a slightly more expensive bag (I'd guess $2000 to $5000) and might have played at courses slightly more expensive then I do but still, you have admit that great minds...

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed

The families that lost members in the 9/11 attack are divided as to whether Khalid Sheikh Mohammed should receive a trial in New York. I do not believe he should be tried under present laws. I would, instead, want congress to pass terrorist legislation delineating what an act of terrorism is and stipulating that one found guilty of terrorism can receive the death penalty by some means that includes prolonged cruel and unusual torture. If they randomly kill innocents then they should receive extraordinary punishment. They should not receive the same rights to counsel nor guarantees under our Constitution.

Yeah, I know, the argument would be that the subject wasn't really acting as a terrorist, after all, he was misguided or mentally unbalanced because he ate Fruit Loops.

Web Cams

Aside from our wanting Josh and Pam to get their cam working so we can get a grandparents fix, web cams can show some interesting (exterior) shots such as the WECT web cam on the USS North Carolina in Wilmington. Note I am not discussing porn sites!

I was looking at the cam sponsored by the Ephraim Yacht Club in Wisconsin. I presume it showed a view of Lake Michigan which is nice to just see another part of the country. The only downside on this particular sortie was when I read about the club reminder of the Labor Day closing party. My God, I had forgotten about living in a place where the summer season ends and winter begins on Labor Day! I always got depressed in the fall when living in New York and in Chicago. I was faced with another long dreay winter.

Why did I write this blog? I donno'

Flu Shots

Just caught a brief segment on FOX where one of their medical experts was saying they made too much of the seasonal flu early on when it wouldn't be needed until after the H1N1 vaccine. Well, if that is the case, why can't I find any here? The local hospital, clinic, drug store and county health departments have none!

Forget the swine flu (whoops, probably upset the pig farmers - got to be pc). It ain't here!

Afghanistan Plan

The US Envoy to Afghanistan has reservations about sending more troops there. Lets hope this guy has more sense then Paul Brenner in disbanding the Iraqi army in 2003. That was a disaster.

I have to wonder about the timing of the Afghanistan envoy's (Eikenberry) caution to the president. I would think that if he had such reservations he would have already expressed them to Obama. Coming this late in the game suggests to me that he has been pressured to take this stand to bolster what Obama will do - send few relatively few troops.

A Special Day

Its raining and I am pleased. I have been working so hard on the house lately that a rainy day is an excuse to relax a little. And, it is rewarding too. Just this morning I took the time to do a little browsing on the computer and I learned the secret to making your dog poop when you want them to.

The Latest Thought

I continue to write this blog. But it never leaves my head. The press of accomplishing a number of projects, completing online studies, and lack of immediate inspiration while at the computer have blocked my writing muse.

Having said that, I was reading an editorial in the Washington Post. It said the recent election results in upstate New York in which the conservative Palin-Limbaugh-Beck candidate Hoffman was defeated reflected a middle of the road rejection of conservative Republicans. That resonates with me, I am tired of the rabble rousing conservative noise but equally dislike the Obama Democrats. I'd be happy to shove the likes of Limbaugh and Hannity into a sealed room with Pelosi, Franks, and Reid. Throw away the key.

I've been and am seriously thinking of changing from Republican to Independent. The theatrics of Washington politics disgust me and I am of the mind to throw all the incumbents out until I see politicians working together for the common good of America.