Happy Happy Birthday! Tauruses rule! What did you eat?
OK people? How much to refinish original hardwoods? We're thinking of buying a fixer in a great neighborhood. I think tearing up ugly carpet and refinishing the floors and paint are things that might be in our budget. This property originally listed for 389K and now it's down to 299K. It needs so much work, but like I said, the neighborhood is awesome. If you want to see the house go to cbburnet.com and on the upper right corner search under MLS # 3439830.
Congrats Sean! Maybe sonmeone will buy you a big root beer float.
Morning news channels are going nuts over McSlimey's former minister shooting his mouth off again. Boy, talk about black-on-black political violence. I'd given Hillary a shot in Indiana but no way in NC. Now I understand the governor of NC just endorsed Hillary.
A big question when the whole Rev. Wright thing started was Why McSlimey stayed in Wright's congregation for so many years. I think the answer is pretty simple-the congregation and the larger community it gave entre to formed a big part of McSlimey's political base when he was just getting going in politics (When was that, a few months ago?) Deep religious convictions? No. Cynical political strategy? You bet.
The insurance adjuster just called and said our check is in the mail...woohoo! Guess all the clean-up and sprained foot was worth it...in an odd sorta way. :-)
So, let's see, you and I are responsible for any thing any former pastor of ours says? We should have left the congregation?Man, I wish that jerk would shut up - I think he's mad at Obama for not backing him up. He thinks he's the next Jesse Jackson or something. By the way, Martin Luther King was 26 when he organized the Montgomery bus boycott, 28 when he helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and all of 34 when he inspired millions to march on Washington and gave the I Have a Dream speech. Do you really think 46 is too young to be President? Do you really think being in congress is the only political reality? Isn't all politics local?
For all of you who think Bill O'Reilly is a shill for the republicans...on last night's show he had McSlimy's back. Saying that McSlimy has disavowed the negative things the Pastor said and he has no track record that parrallels the things said and that the media should not equate McSlimy with the Pastor's statements.
Have you ever been in the company of someone who uttered a racial slur and said nothing? Why do I belong to a church that (one could argue) does not value women?
Mary fell while running up the aisle of church on Sunday. She may loose a tooth (we're hoping it re-inserts itself... we won't be sure for 2 weeks) and her glasses got bent, etc. Whew! We gotta find someone who can teach her to fall and roll. Me teaching her could be as disasterous as me trying to teach a girl how to overhand throw.
Cathy-for what it's worth, I wouldn't have voted for Martin Luther King for president. I agree with your assessment of Rev. Wright.
As far as leaving the congregation-why not? McSlimey attended services there for 20plus years and you can't tell me that the Rev. never ever said any of those things when McSlimey was there. That just doesn't make sense. If I had a choice of a couple different Catholic churches to go to and the priest at one made analogous comments I'd go to a different church at least until they rotated the priest out of there. I wouldn't want my kids to hear that garbage. I wouldn't want them to hear that crap and then look at me and see me listening to the preacher, rapt. Of course, I'm not starting a political career and looking for a base and deciding this church would do well as the preacher obviously has the chops needed to legitimize within the black community and yet the overall church affilliation, United Church of Christ, is mainly white.
I do like what Wright said yesterday...he's not un-patriotic, he served in the Military for 6 years and right now his God-daughter is in Iraq...said how many years did GW and Cheney serve??? The Black churches are WAYYYY different than what we are accustomed, I really think this ISN'T a big deal, and will blow over...if Wright would just SHUT-UP!
Ah, my Godson. Happy Birthday, Sean. While I cannot offer very good spiritual guidance or advice, I do have this bit of wisdom to share: you can lose a lot of money chasing women, but you'll never lose women chasing money.
About Rev. Wright: Inspired by JFK's "ask not what you can do...etc" he left college and HIS DEFERMENT and joined the Marines, early 1960's. After 2 years he then joined the Navy, grad. as Valedictorian. Then went to cardiopulmonary school, grad. as Salutatorian. Was Pres. Johnson's medical tech, was given 3 letters of commendation from the White House. Then got his Bach. dgree in English. Then his Master's. Then his Masters of Divinity. Then his Doctorate. Retired. Bored and screwing with Obama...but I do think we can't judge this culture of Black Liberation Theology.
What the heck is Black Liberation Theology. Aren't they already liberated?
Did you hear any of what the nut said on Moyer's interview. "African and African-American children make more use of the right side of their brain. For this reason they learn better from a subject than an object. A subject being a person and an object being a book."
Also, he reaffirmed his belief that the US government developed AIDS in order to subject black to a covert genocide.
I agree with Mary. I think he's being an ass right now, and really hurting Obama, but we just can't understand what it means to be black.
One time at my last job, we had this forum on African-American and African women writers. One night they all went out and I was the only white person there (chauffer and hostess). Prior to and following this night, they were all incredibly nice and more than nice, gracious, very intelligent (well published, teach at ivy league schools, etc.), articulate. Anyway, I probably shouldn't have gone out with them, I knew they didn't really want me along but I went anyway. At one time, there was this toast and it was this weird moment, a moment of triumph for how far "we" have come despite "them.". It really was a lesson for me in terms of the divide between blacks and whites that exists, even with those who seem really well adjusted and accommodating and successful and those having friends of all races. One of the most odd moments I've experienced, and I'm glad for it, bc it made me realize that I really can't understand how deep the issue of race goes for those who are not white. I still have contact with one of the women, so it wasn't a matter of her being polite. p
Bullshit. This crap about "us versus them" is self-perpuating. I've worked with every minority under the sun. Some choose to make race an issue. Others don't. Simple as that.
Those that don't make in an issue are given every chance anyone else gets. And most with this attitude are successful.
If you play the victim you will always be the victim.
Tom, Kossuth County is the whitest county in the NATION...if fact, Mom looks dark coming back from Florida! Where are all these people of color? All of that comaraderie would have changed the MINUTE you were given a promotion over one of your Black friends...and, all things being equal (cooking talent,people skills, etc) you would have received the promotion...statistics PROVE IT!!!
I have spent most of my career as the only white person in the room and let me tell you, there ARE differences. People continue to be opressed because of the color of their skin and I just don't see how anyone can say that is simply not true. Most of the very successful people of color have had to overcome more obstacles than the average white person. Simple fact.
Mary - I worked in San Diego and Los Angelas. In both cities I was a minority. I was a minority in the kitchen and in my neighborhood. So you and all the apologists for the victim culture can blow it out your ass because I've seen this issue first hand. I didn't read about it. I didn't postulate it. I didn't theorize it. I saw it!
You should follow the lead of your Obama and condemn in the harshest terms possible the filth this preacher is spreading. Race was not an issue in the campaign until this jerk surfaced. Now people are saying "we just don't understand the black culture." I hate that crap.
I don't agree with a lot of what Tom says, but he's right that Obama did not make race an issue in this campaign and I don't think anything can justify Wright's comments.
New topic: I'm def. not in CA anymore. A local show was showcasing "tator tot hot dish" made with tots and spaghettios. The host suggested, "You could jazz it up with prosciuto and asparagus or something like that." Just lovely with a nice glass of wine! Don't get me wrong- I love tator tot casserole with beef and frozen mixed veggies. I make it about once a month. But tots and spaghettios?
Tom...don't call him "my Obama" I don't own him! MANY of us have had the "minority" experience you speak of...I think Emily has many stories...you are wrong. The only thing we all agree with you about is that Wright should shut up.
I don't doubt you've worked with more minorities than I have. But I have had my experiences. My college roommates in L.A. were 1 japanese, 2 hispanics, 1 guatemalan and 1 white girl other than myself. At South Bend I worked in a warehouse, and if you look at a map, you'll see that south bend is the largest city between detroit and chicago. Guess who the large majority of warehouse workers were? And: Do you think writers in an MFA program ever complain to the asst. dean about all the white male writers being taught? You may have the largest count in terms of quantity, and I am happy to concede that you knwo more about many issues than I do, but my point is that there are many ways of knowing. If I worked at a fishery, I may know all there was about cleaning and gutting a fish, but does that mean I know the most about fish? There are many ways of knowing. You and Emily are right in that Obama didn't make this about race, and that's really the saddest part about the current political race situation. The only point I was trying to make is that one who is not black (or asian or latino or homosexual) can NEVER understand what the experience is, and those in the intellecutal arena feel added pressures to progress the cause. p
Well said Pat...the story about your drinking with the writers was REALLY interesting and an surreal experience I'm sure...I'm off to find some intellectual minority people to drink with...hmmm, I guess I'm off the the Homosexual Bar. Bye now.
I think the word minority includes people who have had unique life-altering experiences. Experiences which change who they are and alter their perspective. I am able to see from that vantage point, as are others, and many can have a different yet similar understanding of struggle. We all have struggles/obstacles and I would like to think that we are more sensitive and understanding because of them...a good thing. :-) This being said...I do not judge Obama based upon Reverend Wrights' views. I find Reverend Wright to be annoying like a, "15 minute of fame," seeker or a used car salesman...nothing to do with his ethnic beliefs nor his ethnicity. In conclusion, I have sympathy for Obama (due to Wright) and still I have no idea who I will vote for. Hmm.
I just believe there is a lot of anger in minority communities that shouldn't be dismissed, but needs to be acknowledged. It won't just go away. There is a reason people like Wright are attractive to large communities of blacks. Anyway, Cathy, how did your isms test go? Sean, how was the bacon? P
School at Seton gets out around 3:14. You can drive by the parking lot 20 minutes before and it's half full of SUVs and minivans and moms having a gab-fest.
So, we had our belt ceremony at practice, where people who passed the test are given their belt and a certificate. The grandmaster and another master stand up there and shake you hand and say something to you. The grandmaster said to the white belts before me all these things about this is just the beginning etc and so forth. I got up there and he said, "You are very nice" in his strong korean accent.
Joe, why don't you join the gabfest? Pat, what did you want to hear? "You kick ass!"?
The other day Jude was helping me make his scrambled eggs with cheese and tomato and I looked over and he was spooning raw egg mixture into his mouth. The kids runs screaming from an apple slice, but he'll eat raw egg? One more kid story: I accidentally sat down on his foot and he looked at me and said, "Why do you treat me like that?"
Pat - upon reading again your earlier post I too must concede a point.
You're right. I'm like a simple fish monger working in a dockside cannery. I go to work everyday with my lunch pail and gut and clean fish by the hundreds. I have no time to ponder the fish in front of me. No time to wonder if he was a happy fish. What did the fish eat? Who were his mommy and daddy? What was the fish afraid of? What were the fishes dreams?
Fortunately for me there are other people who are trying to figure all of that out. I only need worry about gutting and cleaning the fish. My simple mind can not wrap itself around the notions going through a fish's head.
And all throughout my career my fellow simpleton service sector friends and I go to work everyday thinking only of the tasks in front of us. Our lives do not allow for the pondering of social issues. We only think of NFL trades and the line on tonight's big game. And if we're lucky we might be able to cling to a gun on the weekend.
Which in many cases is a good thing. Because us poor schleps are too busy with life's day to day tasks to find solutions to societal problems. Good thing for us there are those in the intellectual arena to figure this stuff out for us.
Kind of like the time myself, my black supervisor and a Hispanic co-worker put down our knives to attend a "cultural sensitivity" training seminar in the middle of our too busy day.
After 2 hours of listening to the history of many diverse peoples all of us were having a smoke. My black supervisor sarcastically said to me, "So Tom, how do you feel about me knowing my great great grandfather was a slave? I bet you feel sorry for me now."
Using the same sarcasm the Mexican asked me how I felt about him jumping the fence in Tijauna (which I already knew of). He asked if I was going to hold this against him.
I asked them if they were aware that my ancestors were persecuted and virtually enslaved by protestant Englishmen. The black supervisor gave me a sarcastic back rub.
He then said told those around us to watch the work place environment change. The cultural sensitivity sessions only served to enhance the negative differences of those working together. Those who had a racists bent were more likely to act on them in a little more overt manner. He was right. The mood in the workplace changed slightly for the worse. Few a few weeks afterward those with a chip on their shoulder were more prone to expose that chip in ever so subtle ways. Those in the intellectual arena had done us no favors.
Lucky for us, there were enough of us around who didn't let this kind of thing get in the way of a good work environment.
When you and Mary began to utter an implied defense of Rev. Wright's comments you made me mad. Mad because I know first hand the way things ought to be and can be. If only those who have the luxury and benefit of "education" would stop accentuating the negative it would all go away.
Us simpletons have a way of making things work out when we need to get a job done.
I never said you were a simpleton. I said there are many ways of knowing and I used the metaphor that came to my head. It didn't imply you were the fish worker. I would as happily substitute a marine biologist in the above example.
Tom, I get what you're saying in one-on-one relationships. But it doesn't, hasn't and won't go away without being acknowledged and addressed. There are lots of places on the land of the free and the home of the brave where a young black man walking down certain neighborhood streets is more likely than not to be stopped and questioned by cops because he doesn't "belong" there. This kind of lifelong being one of "them" instead of one of "us" causes justifiable anger. I'm not saying it's an excuse for bad behavior or laziness or whatever, just that it's real and should be recognized. And I don't think you should be telling your sisters to blow it out their asses in a political debate.
Joe3~m.e.~Tom? Sister Sarah's myspace account rec'd a message from a 34 year old guy named, "John," who lives in Breda, Iowa. He asks if we've seen his Uncle, Franklin Becker, out at Sarah's or anywhere else in town. Who's Franklin Becker? Was he the clown that came to Betty's 5th Birthday Party?
Pat, did you laugh when the guy said you were nice? That's funny. Being nice is good. Or nice.
Emily, we need to send you some mail! Where should we send it?
Tom, I do agree that those diversity training sessions are bull. That kind of stuff always reminds me of "The Office" or something. Corporate mentality: if it's broken, have a meeting.
Nordstroms (MOA) had a meeting and showed a *MOVIE* about taking showers, using deodarent et cetera. I say...if yah gotta show working-age people *how* to take a shower...than, it's pointless.
Mary - I apologize for telling you to blow it out your ass.
The thing is I DID bother to watch most of the Moyer's interview and much of the his speech at the press club before I assessed him to be a spiteful racist. And you implied by my most recent tenure as a resident of Kossuth county that I don't know what I'm talking about.
Well....I know what I know and no one can tell me how I should think. I hate people like him (racists) - and like I said, your implied defense of the indefensible made me angry.
Did anyone see Obama's speech yesterday? I only saw snippets and you never know how representative they are. I think it's funny when TV people say Obama was "furious" and then you see his dry, calm, somewhat sarcastic delivery, although I don't doubt he was mad.
Nance, I used to be amazed by how people dressed to apply for a job - like they weren't even trying. I think Joe got some of the jobs he got in high school or college because he had a tie on. (Not to dismiss his qualifications and abilities) And I know someone who was in management at an industry here and he talked about how some people would be amazed when they got in trouble for not calling in when they missed work. What world do they live in?
Franklin Becker's a farmer and character from up around Burt. He was a clown on a Saturday birthday party for Betty when she was 5 or 6. He'd been out late the night before and was a very tired clown. He sat down on the porch and leaned against a post whilst doing non-ambulatory claown stuff and saying clown things in a tired, hungover way. Somewhere I've got a picture of him that day standing in my kitchen with a Budweiser trying to cure himself. It's a great photo because of the costume, face paint, tired expression and beer can. Kinda like a picture of Ronald McDonald relaxing with a cold brew. He took time off during harvest to come to the party, as he'd promised months earlier, and I've always liked him for that. Nancy-why are you chatting online with some guy from Breda?
I did. Obama was furious in a calm, cool, collected sorta way.
Anyone hear about the Dad who accidentally gave his 7 year old son Mike's Hard Lemonade at a baseball game and the child was removed into foster care for 2 days?
Anyone hear about the Dad who kidnapped and raped his adult daughter for 24 years, locked her in the basement and fathered 7 children with her?
Yes! I remember him as the clown. It was Betty's 5th Birthday 'cuz we were staying with you and YES he was drinking a beer. :-) I, also, remember seeing him as I peered down your hallway...sitting on your bed and having what appeared to be , "top secret," discussion with you. Have you seen him lately?
Can't people just get along? There's too much conflict on this thread and it's a bummer. Peace, people. Go yoga or ab-rock or something. Please, remember the little children. Mad white middle-aged Mary and angry Tom, You're the same, just different, like the guys on Stat Trek who had black and white on different sides of their faces. Can't you see? Don't you get it? We're all the same, only different. No, wait, I mean We're all different, only the same. Somebody give me a geetar, I wanna sing Kumbaya, my friends.
Tom....thanks for the apology, but I guess you were mad, cause while you were blogging, Mom, Dad, Mike and I were sitting in your place...then you were gone, like the wind. Also, I was wrong to say you were wrong. It was just 3 to 1 opinion against your opinion so you weren't necessarily wrong, just a minority!
Joe, I'm not mad, it was just a joke, FUNNY, just like the title opinion you gave me with no warning HAHA.
I have been the minority. My parents were about the last white people on the near east side of Indianapolis. Joe3 knows this as when he first hit Indy--just off the bus and looking for a place to stay--he asked a black guy for a recommendation on a motel and Joe ended up at the 38th Street Motel, two blocks from my house. Probably the only white guy who had set foot in that motel for a decade. I was frequently the ONLY white person on the bus going home from high school. I heard "Hey, you, white girl" so many times it isn't funny.
Now back to my issues analysis paper on the nursing shortage. Kelli
I can show you how to do sitting zen meditation, provided you can sit with your butt and both knees on the floor. It makes you feel peaceful, with a little bell going off sometimes. Once you get over the fact that there's no way in hell you're ever going to be able to sit like that, you can relax and enjoy it. Mary, that zen temple guy from behind your old house is American, from upstate New York I think. He used to do acid and pot and he likes baseball. He has a colostomy but he doesn't care because he's a Buddhist.
On their website there's a picture where you can see a little peek of your back yard. I don't know what his American name was, probably Dave or Bob or something, but now it's Reverend Nonin Chowaney.
Well, like sitting as if you were going to cross your legs Indian-style, but either in a half-lotus or with soles of feet together and the outsides of your knees on the floor. It calls for a talented pelvis, that's all I can say. Actually your butt can be up on a little cushion to make it easier.
Wasn't one of those black-and-white guys Frank Gorshin? So the other one was probably Gorshin Frank. Just imagine those guys in their trailer getting dressed in their black-and-white outfits and makeup and then getting laughed at by the likes of Leonard Nimoy in his laundry-shrunken first-generation velour spaceship outfit. Did you ever wonder why those guys' sleeves and pants were too short? That's why. It wasn't a costume design decision, just shrinkage.
I don't know if that has anything to do with the length of Yeoman Rand's or Lieutenant Uhura's skirts. I think that was a costume design decision. On the pilot they had pants.
Oh, (and then I'll shut up) I don't think Bill O'Reilly is a shill for Republicans. He's an equal-opportunity mean guy. But sometimes he says something smart. You know who I really can't stand? Lou Dobbs. Somebody shove a pie in that guy's face. I also heard or read about the possibility that Katie Couric could replace Larry King. I don't like Larry King, I think he's an alien, but What??
We're taking another look at it on Thursday. They changed the MLS # when they dropped the price. You can look under the address of 4737 Beard Ave. S. we're also going to look at MLS # 3471589 for a second time. The Beard AVe. one needs lots of work and the second one needs some work. But, as I said earlier, FABULOUS neighborhood. And we're hoping we can get them for thousands below the list price though we haven't had much luck yet.
Get this. I bought Sean and Tom some shorts on dale at Sears the other day. It was buy one get one fre (or in my mind 50%off). I had to return Sean's. His were the ones listed as free so they would not give me the refund on them($13). To this I said what if I was just returning the other pair would I get $26 back? No, of course not. I was astounded. I know they don't have to take any returns but that is just crazy. They would have gladly taken back both pairs and refuned the whole amount. I complained to the manager about how stupid this was but she just didn't seem to get it. She kept saying but you got them for free. I kept the shorts that don't fit anyone.
Monica that's crazy..it's like the sandwich scene from "Five Easy Pieces"...
Happy Birthday Sean upon this morning's dawn I realized that I forgot birthday wishes mean a lot Even when Aunt Mary's late for your 16th I've marked the date!
Yes, it would be a never ending project, but a great investment - especially when the market turns around. What is likely to be behind the wood paneling? The whole upstairs has wood paneling. For the short term, we would probably just paint it a light color and rip up all the carpet. (Hypothetically speaking of course.)
There really is no need for concern. My telling your Aunt Mary to blow it out her ass is time tested and true debating tactic. I've researched some of the great orators and it appears that Socrates is the first on record to employ the phrase.
He was debating a fellow intellectual who was of the opinion that all Macedonians smelled like rotten olives. Socrates being the open minded and worldly wise man he was knew this to not be true. Once he had travelled to Alexandria and his seating assignment had him next to a large Macedonian. Socrates records that he was pleasantly suprised to find the Macedonian smelled like ripe figs.
Socrates cautions to use the phrase only when you encounter those who judge to world within the confines of their own world view. He says there are occassions when you must use this tool when those you are in disagreement with are incapable of stepping outside their own notions of right and wrong.
To quote - "...and seeing that the Delphinian was an intrasigent ascriber of the rotten olives notion I was forced to employ the assblowing tactic. Since Delphinians are well known to detest ass blowing due to their heavy diet of legumes it was a perfect strategem at the time."
Sean, I must add one caveat to my advice. Employ the ass blow with great discretion. Casaer gained fame, fortune and power in his conquest of Gaul. It is a little known fact that one of his primary negotiating techniques with the splintered tribes of Gaul was the ass blow.
He became so acustomed to using it that when he became Emperor he was detested for it's over-use. He used the ass blow 17 times on March 14th.
Get a load of this...my friends' son is 9. He's been learning Karate (US Karate) in Woodbury, MN. He began, last summer, and went thru red belt for $1500. Now, to rejoin and go from red belt thru 2nd degree black belt is $4500 and this doesn't include graduation fees and embroidery/uniform costs...along the way. Is this outrageous...Pat? I would think that one could learn Karate and achieve the same result for less. Hmm.
Well, every time you get a belt it costs you. I'm not sure what you get for that. To take the test and get a new belt cost me $50. The higher you go, the more it costs. At Joshs' school in MN, he was supposed to get a second or third degree black belt but he turned it down bc it would have cost him $500. So he's officially a first degree. So, is your friend's situation including the cost of lessons? Here's a secret too, at least in tae kwon do. Every place that Josh has worked out, they have an official price and then if you say you can't pay it, they make deals with you. Like, we got two for the price of one down here, which is how I ended up joining - Josh knew that's how it works. In his gym in MN, they'd do the same thing. For identical memberships, some people were paying way more - like double - than others. I don't know if karate is the same.
Pat Morita never made Daniel-san ante up. He just had to scrape paint, etc. Ahh-complain price too high and chop-chop fee. Make weakness strength. Very clever.
Tom, I know you'll be delighted to know that Mrs. Obama pretty much agreed with you last night, saying what Wright is saying is going backwards in race relations and it's time to move forward with everyone assuming they are full and equal partners in the American Dream (my words). She also refused to talk any more about the minutia of how Barack and she decided what to say or how hurt they felt, saying just that it's over and it's time to stop talking about it and get back on message.
Cathy - I have no doubt that Mrs. McSlimy agrees with me. She's a smart woman. In fact, I may end up voting for him depending on how he handles the Rev. Wright thing in the end. Right now I think he's done everything you could expect a politician to do. So he's not impressing me with it.
Mary - I admire your brilliance.
Isn't it ironic that so many discuss the race issue and speak of injustices? The irony being that so many on this blog were completely dismissive of most of the candidates in this election based only on sex or race. A damn shame...and a sham.
I don't agree that favorite candidates were chosen based only on race or sex. I wouldn't vote for Alan Keyes, for example. Or that blond Nazi, I forget her name. And I would vote for a middle-aged-to-old white male if he had anything to offer that I wanted, but Sean Connery isn't eligible because he wasn't born here.
I don't agree that favorite candidates were chosen based only on race or sex. I wouldn't vote for Alan Keyes, for example. Or that blond Nazi, I forget her name. And I would vote for a middle-aged-to-old white male if he had anything to offer that I wanted, but Sean Connery isn't eligible because he wasn't born here.
Cathy - I can't say I ever recall you being one of them. But, so many people on this blog could offer nothing other than the mantra "time for a change" when we earlier discussed the candidates.
Really? I don't remember it like that at all. Did anyone say they were dismissing someone because of race or gender? I do agree some spoke of change but that doesn't have to refer to race or gender. It could be about time in "the system" or age or any number of things.
They were in the nature of "Isn't it about time we had someone other than a white male for President" or something like that. I wouldn't characterize such remarks as saying that was the ONLY reason to support someone. For example, I like Barack Obama because I like Hope. Hope is nice. And it's Time for a Change. And no more Politics as Usual. And no Washingtom Insiders. And we can All Work Together without Partisan Bickering. Aren't you for that?
I planted two strawberry jars - the big pots with holes in the sides for the strawberry plants to drape attractively out of - and this morning, it's like Someone turned on the Spring switch. I looked at them last night and they were about the same: just little stubs sticking out of the dirt all over. And this morning: leaves! stems! I can almost taste them! I'm supposed to pick and discard all blossome until July 1st so they'll fruit more abundantly next year, but I don't know if I can stand to. Maybe just let a couple grow into berries. I also planted blueberries but they won't bear until next year. And Sunday the ground was bare where I have a lot of lilies-of-the-valley, and now they're up six inches. Oh yeah. Time to go home. (3:00? Really?)
I attended Grandparents's Day mass today at Seton. I love kid masses, Dad was the Deacon, and Mom and I were up front, sooo many cute kids and the music was GREAT. Lot's of clapping to the beat. etc. Mom and Dad then went on into school and met with Eli, who took them to Liam's room, then they all went to Betty's...after that they went on the Garrigan and lunch with Joe4...right now their back at Seton for a 5-6 concert...busy day. Dad originally had mandatory retirement on May 5...but in the late hours of the legislature last week they bumped the age to 80 yrs! So, I think he's excited about that...but will know more tomorrow!
I'm with Sean. I think I'll stop reading the blog until someone tells me that all the bitterness, sarcasm and marginal (sometimes worse than marginal)language is no longer being used. Dad
Yes...Thursday Mass, with the kids, is always so very nice. :-) This is the first year my folks couldn't attend Grandparents Day as they had a fundraiser/auction dinner for my sisters non-profit. Eli and Liam were very excited to have Granny and Grandpa come and eat cookies together and show off their rooms. They were equally glad to see Aunt Mary at Mass. They made a bunch of cute things to give Mary and Joe and Liam came home from school stating that he shouldn't have a snack because he ate 5 cookies during the G&G party...a minute later, asked if he could have a candy bar...ha! Eli's concert tonight was fun and he was very proud and excited to show off his Trombone, Glockenspiel and Lip Synching skills. Betty looked beautiful. We came home and had a celebratory french silk pie (Tom's favorite)...they'll have to wait until tomorrow to dig into their May Day Candy. We exchange with 6 families in our neighborhood...most hand out popcorn/candy cups, one Mom made homemade cupcakes and we always hand out juice bags. Eli was getting dressed for the concert, so Liam and I went, "May Daying." It was a riot watching Liam throw our goodies onto the front porches, ring the doorbells and run like Forrest Gump...in hopes of not being caught...cute! ;-)
I was going to ask if people still celebrated May Day in any way. Glad to know it's alive.
Josh had yesterday and today off. It's an international labour day, but they actually celebrate it in Europe. He was taking a train to a city near the Italian border, but in the switch in Zurich (the trains come fast and furious and not in English) he got on the wrong train, and ended up in a town near the German border. I leave to see him next Tuesday, arrive Wednesday morning. He has another holiday next week he thinks. He doesn't know what it is.
Peter buys candy cigarettes all the time.Tthe gas station near our house. Thy're one 15 cents a pack so he'll go and buy three packs at a time. I'm torn between forbidding it and allowing it. The attendant there said they go through them like crazy.
Cathy I'm jealous. I want to get out and do some planting. I'm just waiting for all the work to finsish up around here.
Candy smokes: I know...it's a hard call to make. I don't let Eli and Liam...but, that's 'cuz I don't want them to smoke because we do (for now). I would doubt that Peter will have much of a propensity to smoke later in life, therefore, no biggie. :-)
Can't wait to plant! I bought two sets of, "roll-n-grow," and am gonna try them out. My sister says they work...we'll see. I'm concerned that our growing season is too short...hmm.
So I was sitting in my cubicle today, and I realized, ever since I started working, every single day of my life has been worse than the day before it. So that means that every single day that you see me, that's on the worst day of my life.
Well, well, look. I already told you: I deal with the g@ddamn customers so the engineers don't have to. I have people skills; I am good at dealing with people. Can't you understand that? What the hell is wrong with you people?
I love may day and the basket fun...Caitlin and I talked about it yesterday, it's even more fun than terror watch, 'cause you get to drive fast around the corner, hide out, and then pick up your running child while driving slowly!!
I always bought candy cigs, loved pretending, yet I've never smoked, so I would say they don't lead to smoking!
Mike is pictured twice in yesterday's paper! He was judging the local high school art show...he said there's a lot of talent at the local high schools...the best of show was an assemblage(sp) piece using a bike and other stuff. It's all anonymous, no names on the art work.
Yes, I agree they don't lead to smoking...just don't want Eli and Liam to pretend to do the awful habit which Tom and I share. I don't want them to think it's fun nor cool. That's just me and it's only because I smoke. I remember riding my bike to PDQ with a note, from My Mom, to buy Carleton 100's and then, I would get my own candy ones...ha, ha. Can you imagine doing that today? You'd have DHS on your doorstep PDQ! :-<> :-)
Frank - if your car seems to be running fine it's probably a faulty sensor. I've had several vehicles with the "check engine" light alert always on. I started to disregard them after the first sensor was replaced for $150.
I'm not a conspiracy nut but this whole DC Madam and her suicide are candidates for a conspiracy.
Don't worry about that check engine light. Probably an axhaust sensor or something like that. Do you have other gauges? So long as temp and oil pressure are OK and the battery's charging you're good to go. And shut up!
In newer cars the chck engine light comes on when the gas cap is not completely tightened. I don't know what kind of car you drive.
Tom, you almost made me poop my pants when you said you may vote for Obama. If I didn't deal in poop all day, I just may have. (Must get Jude potty trained.)
called honda and they told me to tighten my gas cap and see if it went away within a couple days. if not then bring it in. the car is running fine, so i'm not too worried about it.
Tom, i was thinking the same thing this morning when i saw the story about the madam.
One time on Car Talk on NPR, those guys advised a caller to cover up the light with black tape if it was making him crazy. ON the other hand, have you had a tuneup lately? Sometimes just something like old plugs makes that thing come on. One possible solution that Stevo likes is to have a car so old that it doesn't have a check engine light.
Can't you just see m.e. driving along leaning over to open the car door and saying, "Get in! Get in!" to Caitlin or Phelan or Des galloping alongside? I bet you would have made them do May baskets even if they didn't want to, just so you could play Thelma and Louise. When Grace and Molly were little we did it a couple times, but I don't think we did with Joe or Ellen - hardly any little kids left in our neighborhood.
Ha! Sounds like last night. I *backed* into each driveway and Liam left the door open as to expediate his get away. The first house we went to...I almost floored it and backed into the garage! Ha, ha.
It's not just about me and my dream of doing nothing. It's about all of us. I don't know what happened to me at that hypnotherapist and, I don't know, maybe it was just shock and it's wearing off now, but when I saw that fat man keel over and die — Michael, we don't have a lot of time on this earth! We weren't meant to spend it this way. Human beings were not meant to sit in little cubicles staring at computer screens all day, filling out useless forms and listening to eight different bosses drone on about mission statements.
The other day I treated this girl with four children by four different fathers. The kids were all well-dressed and well-behaved. I noticed that she was quite tan. I nagged a bit and asked if she was going on a trip. She replied that she was seeing the youngest's father. The baby was a cute, chubby blond boy. She said he was in Clarinda (prison). So we laughed about that for awhile. Anyhoo, as she was leaving something fell out of her purse. You guessed it, CANDY CIGARETTES! No, candy cigarettes are not linked to future smoking, but may lead to promiscuity and poor judgement.
Maybe candy cigarettes are a hot commodity in prison, although it seems she is teasing him many different ways! She goes up to the window with her tan and and very seductively takes a fake inhale on her candy cigarette...you know how the rest goes!!
I just emailed in my last paper. No more classes until June! In this class they were supposed to be 4 to 6 page papers. I made it four by enlarging the font to 12.5. She did hint in our last class that she wanted short papers because she's leaving for Aruba or something on Tuesday. Happy to oblige. Her final exam was 150 questions. My brain is now busy discarding everything I learned whether I want it to or not. Oh, that "school's out" feeling!
I think I'll make tater tot casserole for dinner tonight without spagettios, asparagus or prosciutto. What kind of wine goes with shipwreck? Paisano maybe? Perhaps a nice domestic beer. And a tube of instant biscuits. And now the big question: french cut green beans or regular?
Ahh three days left of student teaching and there is a lice out break, then I barely miss getting puked on TWICE today! I was lucky enough to get spite on, sneezed on, and hit a few times though.
Was anyone listening to NPR yesterday morning, at about 7:30? They had a story about this rich American businessman who wants to make a Disney Land-like theme park in Baghdad, but make it really sexy. He also is beginning to build a ton of skate parks around Iraq and plans to give away thousands of free skate boards, helmets, and pads. The businessmen from Iraq did not know about skate boarding, but did seem interested in a theme park. Anyway, at the end of this meeting they all had, the story reported the American said something like, 'I'm doing this to make money. I don't like you or agree with what you do, it's only a money thing." Made me laugh.
We're putting a bid on a house tomorrow morning. Everyone wish us luck and say a prayer. IF you want to see it go to cbburnet.com and search MLS # 3533533. Hopefully the third time is a charm!
ooh, one more thing, we got new cell phones today. Our old numbers will not work. My new # is 612-281-1744. Scott's is 612-281-1361. Everyone program them immediately.
150 comments:
Have a good birthday Sean.
Happy Happy Birthday! Tauruses rule! What did you eat?
OK people? How much to refinish original hardwoods? We're thinking of buying a fixer in a great neighborhood. I think tearing up ugly carpet and refinishing the floors and paint are things that might be in our budget. This property originally listed for 389K and now it's down to 299K. It needs so much work, but like I said, the neighborhood is awesome. If you want to see the house go to cbburnet.com and on the upper right corner search under MLS # 3439830.
Happy Birthday Sean! I can't believe you'll have a license in a year.
IT sounds like your mom needs a housepainter. Perhaps you can take the job, but drive a hard bargain.
P
Happy Birthday, Sean! :-)
Em...your house looks awesome. :-)
Happy Birthday, Sean. As my present to you I extend an invitation to spend your summer washing dishes at the restaurant for room and board.
Tom
Congrats Sean! Maybe sonmeone will buy you a big root beer float.
Morning news channels are going nuts over McSlimey's former minister shooting his mouth off again. Boy, talk about black-on-black political violence. I'd given Hillary a shot in Indiana but no way in NC. Now I understand the governor of NC just endorsed Hillary.
A big question when the whole Rev. Wright thing started was Why McSlimey stayed in Wright's congregation for so many years. I think the answer is pretty simple-the congregation and the larger community it gave entre to formed a big part of McSlimey's political base when he was just getting going in politics (When was that, a few months ago?) Deep religious convictions? No. Cynical political strategy? You bet.
The insurance adjuster just called and said our check is in the mail...woohoo! Guess all the clean-up and sprained foot was worth it...in an odd sorta way. :-)
Happy Birthday Sean!
Now you're fifteen
We think you're just keen
You're new golf clubs -they gleam
In the light of moon beam?
A sad little poem I know
Love you,
Mom
3rd you're should be your.
Monica
Happy birthday, Sean-0 K!
Remember not to work, just play.
And don't forget
That you can get
bacon any time of day.
So, let's see, you and I are responsible for any thing any former pastor of ours says? We should have left the congregation?Man, I wish that jerk would shut up - I think he's mad at Obama for not backing him up. He thinks he's the next Jesse Jackson or something.
By the way, Martin Luther King was 26 when he organized the Montgomery bus boycott, 28 when he helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and all of 34 when he inspired millions to march on Washington and gave the I Have a Dream speech. Do you really think 46 is too young to be President? Do you really think being in congress is the only political reality? Isn't all politics local?
Yes, Reverend Wright should zip it. Not just for Obama's sake...but, all of ours. He makes me nauseous.
For all of you who think Bill O'Reilly is a shill for the republicans...on last night's show he had McSlimy's back. Saying that McSlimy has disavowed the negative things the Pastor said and he has no track record that parrallels the things said and that the media should not equate McSlimy with the Pastor's statements.
Tom
Happy Birthday, Sean!
15 is amazing. What are your and your friends doing tonight? What's your mom making for dinner?
love,
the milbraths
Have you ever been in the company of someone who uttered a racial slur and said nothing? Why do I belong to a church that (one could argue) does not value women?
Mary fell while running up the aisle of church on Sunday. She may loose a tooth (we're hoping it re-inserts itself... we won't be sure for 2 weeks) and her glasses got bent, etc. Whew! We gotta find someone who can teach her to fall and roll. Me teaching her could be as disasterous as me trying to teach a girl how to overhand throw.
Lisa
Cathy-for what it's worth, I wouldn't have voted for Martin Luther King for president. I agree with your assessment of Rev. Wright.
As far as leaving the congregation-why not? McSlimey attended services there for 20plus years and you can't tell me that the Rev. never ever said any of those things when McSlimey was there. That just doesn't make sense. If I had a choice of a couple different Catholic churches to go to and the priest at one made analogous comments I'd go to a different church at least until they rotated the priest out of there. I wouldn't want my kids to hear that garbage. I wouldn't want them to hear that crap and then look at me and see me listening to the preacher, rapt. Of course, I'm not starting a political career and looking for a base and deciding this church would do well as the preacher obviously has the chops needed to legitimize within the black community and yet the overall church affilliation, United Church of Christ, is mainly white.
I do like what Wright said yesterday...he's not un-patriotic, he served in the Military for 6 years and right now his God-daughter is in Iraq...said how many years did GW and Cheney serve???
The Black churches are WAYYYY different than what we are accustomed, I really think this ISN'T a big deal, and will blow over...if Wright would just SHUT-UP!
Lisa, isn't that a baby tooth?
Ah, my Godson. Happy Birthday, Sean. While I cannot offer very good spiritual guidance or advice, I do have this bit of wisdom to share: you can lose a lot of money chasing women, but you'll never lose women chasing money.
About Rev. Wright:
Inspired by JFK's "ask not what you can do...etc" he left college and HIS DEFERMENT and joined the Marines, early 1960's.
After 2 years he then joined the Navy, grad. as Valedictorian.
Then went to cardiopulmonary school, grad. as Salutatorian.
Was Pres. Johnson's medical tech, was given 3 letters of commendation from the White House.
Then got his Bach. dgree in English.
Then his Master's.
Then his Masters of Divinity.
Then his Doctorate.
Retired.
Bored and screwing with Obama...but I do think we can't judge this culture of Black Liberation Theology.
What the heck is Black Liberation Theology. Aren't they already liberated?
Did you hear any of what the nut said on Moyer's interview. "African and African-American children make more use of the right side of their brain. For this reason they learn better from a subject than an object. A subject being a person and an object being a book."
Also, he reaffirmed his belief that the US government developed AIDS in order to subject black to a covert genocide.
The guy is a narcissistic racist.
Tom
I agree with Mary. I think he's being an ass right now, and really hurting Obama, but we just can't understand what it means to be black.
One time at my last job, we had this forum on African-American and African women writers. One night they all went out and I was the only white person there (chauffer and hostess). Prior to and following this night, they were all incredibly nice and more than nice, gracious, very intelligent (well published, teach at ivy league schools, etc.), articulate. Anyway, I probably shouldn't have gone out with them, I knew they didn't really want me along but I went anyway. At one time, there was this toast and it was this weird moment, a moment of triumph for how far "we" have come despite "them.". It really was a lesson for me in terms of the divide between blacks and whites that exists, even with those who seem really well adjusted and accommodating and successful and those having friends of all races. One of the most odd moments I've experienced, and I'm glad for it, bc it made me realize that I really can't understand how deep the issue of race goes for those who are not white. I still have contact with one of the women, so it wasn't a matter of her being polite.
p
Bullshit. This crap about "us versus them" is self-perpuating. I've worked with every minority under the sun. Some choose to make race an issue. Others don't. Simple as that.
Those that don't make in an issue are given every chance anyone else gets. And most with this attitude are successful.
If you play the victim you will always be the victim.
Tom
And I say this because it's my real life day to day experience. Not some "one time I went out with a few blacks...."
Tom
Yeah, Tom, and who had the power in your situations? Who was the boss?
Nice judging. That was one situation, not my only situation "out with a few blacks."
You worked with them. You can't speaked for them.
P
OK, I'm off to take my final in Daoism, Confucianism, Sikhism, Sufism, Shinto, Judaism and Zoroastrianism. Pray for me.
I'm talking about when I was just a cook. Not a "chef" with any authority.
And I partied my ass off with a lot of these people. Not with the jerks who made race an issue. Just the cool, mellow people like me.
They were just like me ONLY A DIFFERENT COLOR. They didn't give a crap about it and neither did I.
Beyond that, as a supervisor, I saw those who had the attitude "the man's gonna keep me down".
Hell right I did cause in general your attitude and your work sucks. All because you're hung up on your skin color.
Tom
Good luck Cathy, I hope you have all the isms down.
P
Does anyone know what the 5 Obediences are? I can't find them. (you have about three minutes)
Tom, Kossuth County is the whitest county in the NATION...if fact, Mom looks dark coming back from Florida! Where are all these people of color?
All of that comaraderie would have changed the MINUTE you were given a promotion over one of your Black friends...and, all things being equal (cooking talent,people skills, etc) you would have received the promotion...statistics PROVE IT!!!
I have spent most of my career as the only white person in the room and let me tell you, there ARE differences. People continue to be opressed because of the color of their skin and I just don't see how anyone can say that is simply not true. Most of the very successful people of color have had to overcome more obstacles than the average white person. Simple fact.
Mary - I worked in San Diego and Los Angelas. In both cities I was a minority. I was a minority in the kitchen and in my neighborhood. So you and all the apologists for the victim culture can blow it out your ass because I've seen this issue first hand. I didn't read about it. I didn't postulate it. I didn't theorize it. I saw it!
You should follow the lead of your Obama and condemn in the harshest terms possible the filth this preacher is spreading. Race was not an issue in the campaign until this jerk surfaced. Now people are saying "we just don't understand the black culture." I hate that crap.
Tom
I don't agree with a lot of what Tom says, but he's right that Obama did not make race an issue in this campaign and I don't think anything can justify Wright's comments.
New topic: I'm def. not in CA anymore. A local show was showcasing "tator tot hot dish" made with tots and spaghettios. The host suggested, "You could jazz it up with prosciuto and asparagus or something like that." Just lovely with a nice glass of wine! Don't get me wrong- I love tator tot casserole with beef and frozen mixed veggies. I make it about once a month. But tots and spaghettios?
Yes, "hotdish" gets a lot of air time up there.
P
Tom...don't call him "my Obama" I don't own him!
MANY of us have had the "minority" experience you speak of...I think Emily has many stories...you are wrong.
The only thing we all agree with you about is that Wright should shut up.
I can say with definition none of you have worked alongside as many minorities as I have. I know this to be a fact.
I have seen racism. But, those who allow skin color to define largely who they are and allow other's racism hold them back have no sympathy from me.
On the other hand I have admiration for those who refuse to be defined or held back by racism.
So, Mary, what am I wrong about? You state simply that "you are wrong". Tell me where I'm wrong.
Tom
Tom,
I don't doubt you've worked with more minorities than I have. But I have had my experiences. My college roommates in L.A. were 1 japanese, 2 hispanics, 1 guatemalan and 1 white girl other than myself. At South Bend I worked in a warehouse, and if you look at a map, you'll see that south bend is the largest city between detroit and chicago. Guess who the large majority of warehouse workers were? And: Do you think writers in an MFA program ever complain to the asst. dean about all the white male writers being taught?
You may have the largest count in terms of quantity, and I am happy to concede that you knwo more about many issues than I do, but my point is that there are many ways of knowing. If I worked at a fishery, I may know all there was about cleaning and gutting a fish, but does that mean I know the most about fish? There are many ways of knowing.
You and Emily are right in that Obama didn't make this about race, and that's really the saddest part about the current political race situation. The only point I was trying to make is that one who is not black (or asian or latino or homosexual) can NEVER understand what the experience is, and those in the intellecutal arena feel added pressures to progress the cause.
p
Well said Pat...the story about your drinking with the writers was REALLY interesting and an surreal experience I'm sure...I'm off to find some intellectual minority people to drink with...hmmm, I guess I'm off the the Homosexual Bar. Bye now.
I think the word minority includes people who have had unique life-altering experiences. Experiences which change who they are and alter their perspective. I am able to see from that vantage point, as are others, and many can have a different yet similar understanding of struggle. We all have struggles/obstacles and I would like to think that we are more sensitive and understanding because of them...a good thing. :-)
This being said...I do not judge Obama based upon Reverend Wrights' views. I find Reverend Wright to be annoying like a, "15 minute of fame," seeker or a used car salesman...nothing to do with his ethnic beliefs nor his ethnicity.
In conclusion, I have sympathy for Obama (due to Wright) and still I have no idea who I will vote for. Hmm.
I just believe there is a lot of anger in minority communities that shouldn't be dismissed, but needs to be acknowledged. It won't just go away. There is a reason people like Wright are attractive to large communities of blacks.
Anyway, Cathy, how did your isms test go?
Sean, how was the bacon?
P
Recent headline from The Onion on Obama:
"Black Guy asks Nation for Change."
School at Seton gets out around 3:14. You can drive by the parking lot 20 minutes before and it's half full of SUVs and minivans and moms having a gab-fest.
So, we had our belt ceremony at practice, where people who passed the test are given their belt and a certificate. The grandmaster and another master stand up there and shake you hand and say something to you. The grandmaster said to the white belts before me all these things about this is just the beginning etc and so forth. I got up there and he said, "You are very nice" in his strong korean accent.
It wasn't what I wanted to hear.
P
Joe, why don't you join the gabfest? Pat, what did you want to hear? "You kick ass!"?
The other day Jude was helping me make his scrambled eggs with cheese and tomato and I looked over and he was spooning raw egg mixture into his mouth. The kids runs screaming from an apple slice, but he'll eat raw egg? One more kid story: I accidentally sat down on his foot and he looked at me and said, "Why do you treat me like that?"
Pat - upon reading again your earlier post I too must concede a point.
You're right. I'm like a simple fish monger working in a dockside cannery. I go to work everyday with my lunch pail and gut and clean fish by the hundreds. I have no time to ponder the fish in front of me. No time to wonder if he was a happy fish. What did the fish eat? Who were his mommy and daddy? What was the fish afraid of? What were the fishes dreams?
Fortunately for me there are other people who are trying to figure all of that out. I only need worry about gutting and cleaning the fish. My simple mind can not wrap itself around the notions going through a fish's head.
And all throughout my career my fellow simpleton service sector friends and I go to work everyday thinking only of the tasks in front of us. Our lives do not allow for the pondering of social issues. We only think of NFL trades and the line on tonight's big game. And if we're lucky we might be able to cling to a gun on the weekend.
Which in many cases is a good thing. Because us poor schleps are too busy with life's day to day tasks to find solutions to societal problems. Good thing for us there are those in the intellectual arena to figure this stuff out for us.
Kind of like the time myself, my black supervisor and a Hispanic co-worker put down our knives to attend a "cultural sensitivity" training seminar in the middle of our too busy day.
After 2 hours of listening to the history of many diverse peoples all of us were having a smoke. My black supervisor sarcastically said to me, "So Tom, how do you feel about me knowing my great great grandfather was a slave? I bet you feel sorry for me now."
Using the same sarcasm the Mexican asked me how I felt about him jumping the fence in Tijauna (which I already knew of). He asked if I was going to hold this against him.
I asked them if they were aware that my ancestors were persecuted and virtually enslaved by protestant Englishmen. The black supervisor gave me a sarcastic back rub.
He then said told those around us to watch the work place environment change. The cultural sensitivity sessions only served to enhance the negative differences of those working together. Those who had a racists bent were more likely to act on them in a little more overt manner. He was right. The mood in the workplace changed slightly for the worse. Few a few weeks afterward those with a chip on their shoulder were more prone to expose that chip in ever so subtle ways. Those in the intellectual arena had done us no favors.
Lucky for us, there were enough of us around who didn't let this kind of thing get in the way of a good work environment.
When you and Mary began to utter an implied defense of Rev. Wright's comments you made me mad. Mad because I know first hand the way things ought to be and can be. If only those who have the luxury and benefit of "education" would stop accentuating the negative it would all go away.
Us simpletons have a way of making things work out when we need to get a job done.
Tom
I never said you were a simpleton. I said there are many ways of knowing and I used the metaphor that came to my head. It didn't imply you were the fish worker. I would as happily substitute a marine biologist in the above example.
You win, if you must. I concede.
P
Tom, I get what you're saying in one-on-one relationships. But it doesn't, hasn't and won't go away without being acknowledged and addressed. There are lots of places on the land of the free and the home of the brave where a young black man walking down certain neighborhood streets is more likely than not to be stopped and questioned by cops because he doesn't "belong" there. This kind of lifelong being one of "them" instead of one of "us" causes justifiable anger. I'm not saying it's an excuse for bad behavior or laziness or whatever, just that it's real and should be recognized. And I don't think you should be telling your sisters to blow it out their asses in a political debate.
Joe3~m.e.~Tom? Sister Sarah's myspace account rec'd a message from a 34 year old guy named, "John," who lives in Breda, Iowa. He asks if we've seen his Uncle, Franklin Becker, out at Sarah's or anywhere else in town. Who's Franklin Becker? Was he the clown that came to Betty's 5th Birthday Party?
Pat, did you laugh when the guy said you were nice? That's funny. Being nice is good. Or nice.
Emily, we need to send you some mail! Where should we send it?
Tom, I do agree that those diversity training sessions are bull. That kind of stuff always reminds me of "The Office" or something. Corporate mentality: if it's broken, have a meeting.
Nordstroms (MOA) had a meeting and showed a *MOVIE* about taking showers, using deodarent et cetera. I say...if yah gotta show working-age people *how* to take a shower...than, it's pointless.
Mary - I apologize for telling you to blow it out your ass.
The thing is I DID bother to watch most of the Moyer's interview and much of the his speech at the press club before I assessed him to be a spiteful racist. And you implied by my most recent tenure as a resident of Kossuth county that I don't know what I'm talking about.
Well....I know what I know and no one can tell me how I should think. I hate people like him (racists) - and like I said, your implied defense of the indefensible made me angry.
Tom
Did anyone see Obama's speech yesterday? I only saw snippets and you never know how representative they are. I think it's funny when TV people say Obama was "furious" and then you see his dry, calm, somewhat sarcastic delivery, although I don't doubt he was mad.
Nance, I used to be amazed by how people dressed to apply for a job - like they weren't even trying. I think Joe got some of the jobs he got in high school or college because he had a tie on. (Not to dismiss his qualifications and abilities) And I know someone who was in management at an industry here and he talked about how some people would be amazed when they got in trouble for not calling in when they missed work. What world do they live in?
Franklin Becker's a farmer and character from up around Burt. He was a clown on a Saturday birthday party for Betty when she was 5 or 6. He'd been out late the night before and was a very tired clown. He sat down on the porch and leaned against a post whilst doing non-ambulatory claown stuff and saying clown things in a tired, hungover way. Somewhere I've got a picture of him that day standing in my kitchen with a Budweiser trying to cure himself. It's a great photo because of the costume, face paint, tired expression and beer can. Kinda like a picture of Ronald McDonald relaxing with a cold brew.
He took time off during harvest to come to the party, as he'd promised months earlier, and I've always liked him for that.
Nancy-why are you chatting online with some guy from Breda?
I did. Obama was furious in a calm, cool, collected sorta way.
Anyone hear about the Dad who accidentally gave his 7 year old son Mike's Hard Lemonade at a baseball game and the child was removed into foster care for 2 days?
Anyone hear about the Dad who kidnapped and raped his adult daughter for 24 years, locked her in the basement and fathered 7 children with her?
Ha! I'm not...he found our site and left a note. Haven't responded...thought maybe, the guy was dead...Franklin that is.
Yes! I remember him as the clown. It was Betty's 5th Birthday 'cuz we were staying with you and YES he was drinking a beer. :-) I, also, remember seeing him as I peered down your hallway...sitting on your bed and having what appeared to be , "top secret," discussion with you.
Have you seen him lately?
Can't people just get along? There's too much conflict on this thread and it's a bummer. Peace, people. Go yoga or ab-rock or something. Please, remember the little children. Mad white middle-aged Mary and angry Tom, You're the same, just different, like the guys on Stat Trek who had black and white on different sides of their faces. Can't you see? Don't you get it? We're all the same, only different. No, wait, I mean We're all different, only the same.
Somebody give me a geetar, I wanna sing Kumbaya, my friends.
Sean, amidst the arguing on this blog, I would like to impart another pearl of wisdom as you venture into manhood:
Women: can't live with them, can't sell them to pirates.
Tom....thanks for the apology, but I guess you were mad, cause while you were blogging, Mom, Dad, Mike and I were sitting in your place...then you were gone, like the wind.
Also, I was wrong to say you were wrong. It was just 3 to 1 opinion against your opinion so you weren't necessarily wrong, just a minority!
Joe, I'm not mad, it was just a joke, FUNNY, just like the title opinion you gave me with no warning HAHA.
No warning? It was written down and delivered to you, said what the problem was and that it had to be fixed. What do you mean?
I have been the minority. My parents were about the last white people on the near east side of Indianapolis. Joe3 knows this as when he first hit Indy--just off the bus and looking for a place to stay--he asked a black guy for a recommendation on a motel and Joe ended up at the 38th Street Motel, two blocks from my house. Probably the only white guy who had set foot in that motel for a decade. I was frequently the ONLY white person on the bus going home from high school. I heard "Hey, you, white girl" so many times it isn't funny.
Now back to my issues analysis paper on the nursing shortage.
Kelli
I can show you how to do sitting zen meditation, provided you can sit with your butt and both knees on the floor. It makes you feel peaceful, with a little bell going off sometimes. Once you get over the fact that there's no way in hell you're ever going to be able to sit like that, you can relax and enjoy it.
Mary, that zen temple guy from behind your old house is American, from upstate New York I think. He used to do acid and pot and he likes baseball. He has a colostomy but he doesn't care because he's a Buddhist.
On their website there's a picture where you can see a little peek of your back yard. I don't know what his American name was, probably Dave or Bob or something, but now it's Reverend Nonin Chowaney.
Butt and both knees on the ground? I don't get it. That's like your Butt and your face on the ground at the same time.
Well, like sitting as if you were going to cross your legs Indian-style, but either in a half-lotus or with soles of feet together and the outsides of your knees on the floor. It calls for a talented pelvis, that's all I can say. Actually your butt can be up on a little cushion to make it easier.
"Talented pelvis"...interesting...
Wasn't one of those black-and-white guys Frank Gorshin? So the other one was probably Gorshin Frank. Just imagine those guys in their trailer getting dressed in their black-and-white outfits and makeup and then getting laughed at by the likes of Leonard Nimoy in his laundry-shrunken first-generation velour spaceship outfit. Did you ever wonder why those guys' sleeves and pants were too short? That's why. It wasn't a costume design decision, just shrinkage.
I don't know if that has anything to do with the length of Yeoman Rand's or Lieutenant Uhura's skirts. I think that was a costume design decision. On the pilot they had pants.
Emily, I've tried to see that house several times and it won't show it. Did you guys buy it?
Oh, (and then I'll shut up) I don't think Bill O'Reilly is a shill for Republicans. He's an equal-opportunity mean guy. But sometimes he says something smart.
You know who I really can't stand? Lou Dobbs. Somebody shove a pie in that guy's face. I also heard or read about the possibility that Katie Couric could replace Larry King. I don't like Larry King, I think he's an alien, but What??
We're taking another look at it on Thursday. They changed the MLS # when they dropped the price. You can look under the address of 4737 Beard Ave. S. we're also going to look at MLS # 3471589 for a second time. The Beard AVe. one needs lots of work and the second one needs some work. But, as I said earlier, FABULOUS neighborhood. And we're hoping we can get them for thousands below the list price though we haven't had much luck yet.
So, did Sean go golfing today? Or, will he? It was nice there, wasn't it?
Monica, do you golf?
p
Sean was in school today, silly.
No, I don't golf but it's time I did.
Des, you're not a very good godparent. I don't approve of your lessons.
Monica
Emily, those are both nice houses. I like the one on Beard the best because it has arched windows. How long can you live with panelinG?
Get this. I bought Sean and Tom some shorts on dale at Sears the other day. It was buy one get one fre (or in my mind 50%off). I had to return Sean's. His were the ones listed as free so they would not give me the refund on them($13). To this I said what if I was just returning the other pair would I get $26 back? No, of course not. I was astounded. I know they don't have to take any returns but that is just crazy. They would have gladly taken back both pairs and refuned the whole amount. I complained to the manager about how stupid this was but she just didn't seem to get it. She kept saying but you got them for free. I kept the shorts that don't fit anyone.
Monica
Monica that's crazy..it's like the sandwich scene from "Five Easy Pieces"...
Happy Birthday Sean
upon this morning's dawn
I realized that I forgot
birthday wishes mean a lot
Even when Aunt Mary's late
for your 16th I've marked the date!
Emily...both houses are cool,but I really like the one on Beard...it reminds me a bit of your house on 48th in Omaha.
Yes, it would be a never ending project, but a great investment - especially when the market turns around. What is likely to be behind the wood paneling? The whole upstairs has wood paneling. For the short term, we would probably just paint it a light color and rip up all the carpet. (Hypothetically speaking of course.)
Thanks for all the birthday comments and for the good advice Des
Sean
Sean was reading the blog and he came away weeping. He wants to know why everyone is so angry and mean.
Sean, my good lad, fear not.
There really is no need for concern. My telling your Aunt Mary to blow it out her ass is time tested and true debating tactic. I've researched some of the great orators and it appears that Socrates is the first on record to employ the phrase.
He was debating a fellow intellectual who was of the opinion that all Macedonians smelled like rotten olives. Socrates being the open minded and worldly wise man he was knew this to not be true. Once he had travelled to Alexandria and his seating assignment had him next to a large Macedonian. Socrates records that he was pleasantly suprised to find the Macedonian smelled like ripe figs.
Socrates cautions to use the phrase only when you encounter those who judge to world within the confines of their own world view. He says there are occassions when you must use this tool when those you are in disagreement with are incapable of stepping outside their own notions of right and wrong.
To quote - "...and seeing that the Delphinian was an intrasigent ascriber of the rotten olives notion I was forced to employ the assblowing tactic. Since Delphinians are well known to detest ass blowing due to their heavy diet of legumes it was a perfect strategem at the time."
Sean, I must add one caveat to my advice. Employ the ass blow with great discretion. Casaer gained fame, fortune and power in his conquest of Gaul. It is a little known fact that one of his primary negotiating techniques with the splintered tribes of Gaul was the ass blow.
He became so acustomed to using it that when he became Emperor he was detested for it's over-use. He used the ass blow 17 times on March 14th.
Tom
Get a load of this...my friends' son is 9. He's been learning Karate (US Karate) in Woodbury, MN. He began, last summer, and went thru red belt for $1500. Now, to rejoin and go from
red belt thru 2nd degree black belt is $4500 and this doesn't include graduation fees and embroidery/uniform costs...along the way.
Is this outrageous...Pat? I would think that one could learn Karate and achieve the same result for less. Hmm.
Well, every time you get a belt it costs you. I'm not sure what you get for that. To take the test and get a new belt cost me $50. The higher you go, the more it costs. At Joshs' school in MN, he was supposed to get a second or third degree black belt but he turned it down bc it would have cost him $500. So he's officially a first degree.
So, is your friend's situation including the cost of lessons?
Here's a secret too, at least in tae kwon do. Every place that Josh has worked out, they have an official price and then if you say you can't pay it, they make deals with you. Like, we got two for the price of one down here, which is how I ended up joining - Josh knew that's how it works. In his gym in MN, they'd do the same thing. For identical memberships, some people were paying way more - like double - than others. I don't know if karate is the same.
Yes...it includes the cost of lessons and he can go and practice, throughout the week, as much as he wants.
Pat Morita never made Daniel-san ante up. He just had to scrape paint, etc.
Ahh-complain price too high and chop-chop fee. Make weakness strength. Very clever.
Sean, that was brilliant!!!
Tom
Maybe he could offer to paint something.
Tom, I know you'll be delighted to know that Mrs. Obama pretty much agreed with you last night, saying what Wright is saying is going backwards in race relations and it's time to move forward with everyone assuming they are full and equal partners in the American Dream (my words). She also refused to talk any more about the minutia of how Barack and she decided what to say or how hurt they felt, saying just that it's over and it's time to stop talking about it and get back on message.
Tom...the ass blow is easier the more often I eat at Sarah's!
Nance...that's a crazy amount of money to spend...what does she want him to be when he grows up? An ass kicker?
I heard (or read) that Joseph J. Straub IV will be student body copresident next year at Garrigan.
Cathy - I have no doubt that Mrs. McSlimy agrees with me. She's a smart woman. In fact, I may end up voting for him depending on how he handles the Rev. Wright thing in the end. Right now I think he's done everything you could expect a politician to do. So he's not impressing me with it.
Mary - I admire your brilliance.
Isn't it ironic that so many discuss the race issue and speak of injustices? The irony being that so many on this blog were completely dismissive of most of the candidates in this election based only on sex or race. A damn shame...and a sham.
Tom
I don't agree that favorite candidates were chosen based only on race or sex. I wouldn't vote for Alan Keyes, for example. Or that blond Nazi, I forget her name. And I would vote for a middle-aged-to-old white male if he had anything to offer that I wanted, but Sean Connery isn't eligible because he wasn't born here.
I don't agree that favorite candidates were chosen based only on race or sex. I wouldn't vote for Alan Keyes, for example. Or that blond Nazi, I forget her name. And I would vote for a middle-aged-to-old white male if he had anything to offer that I wanted, but Sean Connery isn't eligible because he wasn't born here.
Cathy - I can't say I ever recall you being one of them. But, so many people on this blog could offer nothing other than the mantra "time for a change" when we earlier discussed the candidates.
Tom
Really? I don't remember it like that at all. Did anyone say they were dismissing someone because of race or gender? I do agree some spoke of change but that doesn't have to refer to race or gender. It could be about time in "the system" or age or any number of things.
p
I could be wrong though. There's been LOTS of politics on this blog.
p
You're right. That is, your wrong. If I had time I would find and dreg up some of the earlier comments. Maybe I will next week.
Tom
That should be fun.
They were in the nature of "Isn't it about time we had someone other than a white male for President" or something like that. I wouldn't characterize such remarks as saying that was the ONLY reason to support someone. For example, I like Barack Obama because I like Hope. Hope is nice. And it's Time for a Change. And no more Politics as Usual. And no Washingtom Insiders. And we can All Work Together without Partisan Bickering. Aren't you for that?
And if Obama gets elected, no American woman will ever be sold to the pirates again.
Or the Mets or the Dodgers either.
I planted two strawberry jars - the big pots with holes in the sides for the strawberry plants to drape attractively out of - and this morning, it's like Someone turned on the Spring switch. I looked at them last night and they were about the same: just little stubs sticking out of the dirt all over. And this morning: leaves! stems! I can almost taste them! I'm supposed to pick and discard all blossome until July 1st so they'll fruit more abundantly next year, but I don't know if I can stand to. Maybe just let a couple grow into berries. I also planted blueberries but they won't bear until next year. And Sunday the ground was bare where I have a lot of lilies-of-the-valley, and now they're up six inches. Oh yeah. Time to go home. (3:00? Really?)
I've never used the words hope or change.
Tom..who you talkin 'bout?
Alas, you've used the words Mary and ass blow twice the last 2 days...I really hope you change your underwear, I mean your mind.
I attended Grandparents's Day mass today at Seton. I love kid masses, Dad was the Deacon, and Mom and I were up front, sooo many cute kids and the music was GREAT. Lot's of clapping to the beat. etc.
Mom and Dad then went on into school and met with Eli, who took them to Liam's room, then they all went to Betty's...after that they went on the Garrigan and lunch with Joe4...right now their back at Seton for a 5-6 concert...busy day.
Dad originally had mandatory retirement on May 5...but in the late hours of the legislature last week they bumped the age to 80 yrs! So, I think he's excited about that...but will know more tomorrow!
Check it out! You can still buy candy cigarettes....
http://www.groovycandies.com/V2ProdDetail1.asp?Product_ID=7671
Tom
I'm with Sean. I think I'll stop reading the blog until someone tells me that all the bitterness, sarcasm and marginal (sometimes worse than marginal)language is no longer being used. Dad
Yes...Thursday Mass, with the kids, is always so very nice. :-) This is the first year my folks couldn't attend Grandparents Day as they had a fundraiser/auction dinner for my sisters non-profit. Eli and Liam were very excited to have Granny and Grandpa come and eat cookies together and show off their rooms. They were equally glad to see Aunt Mary at Mass. They made a bunch of cute things to give Mary and Joe and Liam came home from school stating that he shouldn't have a snack because he ate 5 cookies during the G&G party...a minute later, asked if he could have a candy bar...ha! Eli's concert tonight was fun and he was very proud and excited to show off his Trombone, Glockenspiel and Lip Synching skills. Betty looked beautiful. We came home and had a celebratory french silk pie (Tom's favorite)...they'll have to wait until tomorrow to dig into their May Day Candy. We exchange with 6 families in our neighborhood...most hand out popcorn/candy cups, one Mom made homemade cupcakes and we always hand out juice bags. Eli was getting dressed for the concert, so Liam and I went, "May Daying." It was a riot watching Liam throw our goodies onto the front porches, ring the doorbells and run like Forrest Gump...in hopes of not being caught...cute! ;-)
I was going to ask if people still celebrated May Day in any way. Glad to know it's alive.
Josh had yesterday and today off. It's an international labour day, but they actually celebrate it in Europe. He was taking a train to a city near the Italian border, but in the switch in Zurich (the trains come fast and furious and not in English) he got on the wrong train, and ended up in a town near the German border. I leave to see him next Tuesday, arrive Wednesday morning. He has another holiday next week he thinks. He doesn't know what it is.
P
Peter buys candy cigarettes all the time.Tthe gas station near our house. Thy're one 15 cents a pack so he'll go and buy three packs at a time. I'm torn between forbidding it and allowing it. The attendant there said they go through them like crazy.
Cathy I'm jealous. I want to get out and do some planting. I'm just waiting for all the work to finsish up around here.
Monica
Candy smokes: I know...it's a hard call to make. I don't let Eli and Liam...but, that's 'cuz I don't want them to smoke because we do (for now). I would doubt that Peter will have much of a propensity to smoke later in life, therefore, no biggie. :-)
Can't wait to plant! I bought two sets of, "roll-n-grow," and am gonna try them out. My sister says they work...we'll see. I'm concerned that our growing season is too short...hmm.
WooHoo...our Economic Stimulus Check was deposited today! :-)
So I was sitting in my cubicle today, and I realized, ever since I started working, every single day of my life has been worse than the day before it. So that means that every single day that you see me, that's on the worst day of my life.
Well, well, look. I already told you: I deal with the g@ddamn customers so the engineers don't have to. I have people skills; I am good at dealing with people. Can't you understand that? What the hell is wrong with you people?
It sounds like it's time to get outta that job.
p
Who is this?
I love may day and the basket fun...Caitlin and I talked about it yesterday, it's even more fun than terror watch, 'cause you get to drive fast around the corner, hide out, and then pick up your running child while driving slowly!!
I always bought candy cigs, loved pretending, yet I've never smoked, so I would say they don't lead to smoking!
Mike is pictured twice in yesterday's paper! He was judging the local high school art show...he said there's a lot of talent at the local high schools...the best of show was an assemblage(sp) piece using a bike and other stuff. It's all anonymous, no names on the art work.
Yes, I agree they don't lead to smoking...just don't want Eli and Liam to pretend to do the awful habit which Tom and I share. I don't want them to think it's fun nor cool. That's just me and it's only because I smoke.
I remember riding my bike to PDQ with a note, from My Mom, to buy Carleton 100's and then, I would get my own candy ones...ha, ha. Can you imagine doing that today? You'd have DHS on your doorstep PDQ! :-<> :-)
looks like someone was quoting Office Space on those anonymous posts.
the check engine light on my car came on this morning as i pulled into the parking garage at work. happy weekend.
Frank - if your car seems to be running fine it's probably a faulty sensor. I've had several vehicles with the "check engine" light alert always on. I started to disregard them after the first sensor was replaced for $150.
I'm not a conspiracy nut but this whole DC Madam and her suicide are candidates for a conspiracy.
Tom
Don't worry about that check engine light. Probably an axhaust sensor or something like that. Do you have other gauges? So long as temp and oil pressure are OK and the battery's charging you're good to go.
And shut up!
In newer cars the chck engine light comes on when the gas cap is not completely tightened. I don't know what kind of car you drive.
Tom, you almost made me poop my pants when you said you may vote for Obama. If I didn't deal in poop all day, I just may have. (Must get Jude potty trained.)
called honda and they told me to tighten my gas cap and see if it went away within a couple days. if not then bring it in. the car is running fine, so i'm not too worried about it.
Tom, i was thinking the same thing this morning when i saw the story about the madam.
I'm so sick of Hillary and Barack, that I may vote for John.
One time on Car Talk on NPR, those guys advised a caller to cover up the light with black tape if it was making him crazy. ON the other hand, have you had a tuneup lately? Sometimes just something like old plugs makes that thing come on. One possible solution that Stevo likes is to have a car so old that it doesn't have a check engine light.
You could put a piece of black electrical tape over the light so yah don't see it.
Can't you just see m.e. driving along leaning over to open the car door and saying, "Get in! Get in!" to Caitlin or Phelan or Des galloping alongside? I bet you would have made them do May baskets even if they didn't want to, just so you could play Thelma and Louise. When Grace and Molly were little we did it a couple times, but I don't think we did with Joe or Ellen - hardly any little kids left in our neighborhood.
Ha! Sounds like last night. I *backed* into each driveway and Liam left the door open as to expediate his get away. The first house we went to...I almost floored it and backed into the garage! Ha, ha.
It's not just about me and my dream of doing nothing. It's about all of us. I don't know what happened to me at that hypnotherapist and, I don't know, maybe it was just shock and it's wearing off now, but when I saw that fat man keel over and die — Michael, we don't have a lot of time on this earth! We weren't meant to spend it this way. Human beings were not meant to sit in little cubicles staring at computer screens all day, filling out useless forms and listening to eight different bosses drone on about mission statements.
Get outta there quick!
QUICK!
What's Monica's address?
By the way, that's a great photo of Sean
it's a fabulous photo. from your xmas card, right?
too late, mailman already came and went. sorry monica.
The other day I treated this girl with four children by four different fathers. The kids were all well-dressed and well-behaved. I noticed that she was quite tan. I nagged a bit and asked if she was going on a trip. She replied that she was seeing the youngest's father. The baby was a cute, chubby blond boy. She said he was in Clarinda (prison). So we laughed about that for awhile. Anyhoo, as she was leaving something fell out of her purse. You guessed it, CANDY CIGARETTES! No, candy cigarettes are not linked to future smoking, but may lead to promiscuity and poor judgement.
Maybe candy cigarettes are a hot commodity in prison, although it seems she is teasing him many different ways! She goes up to the window with her tan and and very seductively takes a fake inhale on her candy cigarette...you know how the rest goes!!
I just emailed in my last paper. No more classes until June! In this class they were supposed to be 4 to 6 page papers. I made it four by enlarging the font to 12.5. She did hint in our last class that she wanted short papers because she's leaving for Aruba or something on Tuesday. Happy to oblige. Her final exam was 150 questions. My brain is now busy discarding everything I learned whether I want it to or not. Oh, that "school's out" feeling!
I think I'll make tater tot casserole for dinner tonight without spagettios, asparagus or prosciutto. What kind of wine goes with shipwreck? Paisano maybe? Perhaps a nice domestic beer. And a tube of instant biscuits.
And now the big question: french cut green beans or regular?
Gosh-Tatertotcasserole sounds superduper tasty!
Love the tots...Tom,I dare you to put it on your menu.
Ahh three days left of student teaching and there is a lice out break, then I barely miss getting puked on TWICE today! I was lucky enough to get spite on, sneezed on, and hit a few times though.
Was anyone listening to NPR yesterday morning, at about 7:30? They had a story about this rich American businessman who wants to make a Disney Land-like theme park in Baghdad, but make it really sexy. He also is beginning to build a ton of skate parks around Iraq and plans to give away thousands of free skate boards, helmets, and pads. The businessmen from Iraq did not know about skate boarding, but did seem interested in a theme park. Anyway, at the end of this meeting they all had, the story reported the American said something like, 'I'm doing this to make money. I don't like you or agree with what you do, it's only a money thing." Made me laugh.
I mean spit on, but it was out of spite.
We're putting a bid on a house tomorrow morning. Everyone wish us luck and say a prayer. IF you want to see it go to cbburnet.com and search MLS # 3533533. Hopefully the third time is a charm!
ooh, one more thing, we got new cell phones today. Our old numbers will not work. My new # is 612-281-1744. Scott's is 612-281-1361. Everyone program them immediately.
Emily that house looks great.
The mural is awesome.
p
Cute house Em.
Good luck.
Monica
I could never ever be this brave:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1922004/Philipp-Von-Boeselager.html
p
Love the house, Emily...very, very nice. :-)
Post a Comment