I Ain't Afraid of No Daleks

Something I literally just wrote, 'cos...just felt like it. Took a walk down to the store for some ice cream, and the night is lovely--balmy breeze with a hint of autumn in the air. The leaves are changing to their brilliant hues, over the traffic, I heard the cry of wild geese in the dusk, heading for the river for the night. Came home, and decided I needed to write a (bad) poem about it. I'm not much of a hand at writing lyrical poetry, but thought I'd take a stab at it, anyway.

Autumn's song:

Thus does autumn come singing clear,
So sweet and sad a voice upon night,
Of days ever-changing year on year,
of sharp stars and a moon so bright.

(Wish I could have found a better/stronger last verse)

I'm finally able to access MS Word again...it keeps freezing, or simply not letting me into the programme. Anyway, I stored some of Becky's meme's on Word, for a rainy day--she sends me these things several times a week.

My computer--after several tries is sort of letting me in to the 'net tonight. Feel like posting SOMETHING, so...

So, here's the first half of one I did a month ago, and never posted--mainly 'cos it's so long, and I didn't think anyone would care to read it, as it's not terribly interesting. One of those "tell us about your life," things.

Becky’s Big Fifty meme (In two parts)

PART I:

1. Did you ever stick up for someone? Sure, plenty of times.

2. Describe your neighborhood bully.

His name was Ronny. He was a big boy, who was sometimes my friend, and sometimes my enemy. He was the first one I ever heard use the bad “f” word—which caused me to get my mouth washed out with soap, when at age 11, I asked mum just what “f__k” meant, anyway? (By the way, the taste of Ivory soap? Really awful. Don’t eat soap.) I still remember how Ronny kicked in the spokes of my new tricycle, so in retaliation, I clocked him in the side of the head with my toy cowboy pistol…he went home crying to his mum, and I got spanked with hairbrush on my bottom, and sent to my room for the rest of the day. Ronny of course, got away with messing with my bike, so I really didn’t feel REAL sorry, he-he.

3. Did you ever hitchhike?

Twice, once in Wyoming when I was 19, and several years ago, I tried to hitchhike to the community college 8 miles away, after my Ranger was in dock for a week, getting new brakes put on. No takers, so I had to stay home.

4. Did you have a paper route?

Yup, a couple of them.

5. Write about a babysitting/child minding experience.

I only babysat a kid once in my whole life and hated it…I was a pet-sitter as a teenager, not a child minder.

6. Describe a great fort you built or a great game you played as a child.

Oh, we were always building tree forts (tree houses) out of plywood and scraps of lumber that dad got for us, and also snow forts for snowball fights…we also would rake up the thick carpet of long soft pine needles from the grove of eastern white pine trees out in back of our house, and make “walls” for a “house” and play house or make it into a spy headquarters. It was great fun!

7. Write about an enemy who eventually became your friend.

There was this boy, in my first couple of years of high school, that tormented me…hit me over the head with books, stole stuff from me, called me names, made other kids laugh at me…he was horrid. One day, he hit me real hard over the head with TWO books together. I mean, it REALLY hurt! Well, I, as they say, saw red. Without thinking, I whirled around, grabbed the boy by his lapels and literally lifted him up off the floor and slammed him into a locker. Then I stared into his face and said very calmly, “leave me alone,” walking away immediately afterwards. He never bothered me, after that—nor anyone else. I basically scared the daylights out of everyone. I was incredibly ashamed, by the way. I would never be proud of something like that…but, I do have my limits, and the pain was my breaking point. My head hurt for two days. Anyway, in my junior (3rd) year of highschool, we found ourselves sitting next to each other in a class…and he was having trouble, so I helped him…and slowly, we sort of became friends. By my senior (4th) year of high school, we were actually pretty good friends. Go figure.

8. Did you ever fall through ice?

Only up to my calves. No big deal.

9. Write about a time you cheated and were caught.

At a birthday party, we were playing “pin the tail on the donkey,” I was blindfolded and could see, but didn’t tell anyone…I was caught and the mum made me go home. My mum was angry, I was crushed. Never did that again!

10. Write about a favourite picnic spot you had as a child.

Promise you won’t roll your eyes? It was the goldfish (carp) pond at Albany Rural Cemetery.

11. How did you get along with your cousins?

Meh. I never see them. Some treat me like the poor cousin I am, a couple are quite nice, most though, just ignore me. Haven’t seen the bulk of them in decades.

12. Write about the stray animals you brought home.

Oh gosh, that would be like a volume of War and Peace, ha-ha! Cats, dogs, wild bunnies, wild turtles, garter snakes, frogs, a pigeon.

13. An event that made you realize you were growing up.

My 8th grade graduation…after 10 years in a small village school, where I knew most people in my world personally, from classmates to the teachers, the principal and the janitor…then going to a huge high school literally ten times the size of my school, a 45 minute drive away. Biggest life change, to that date.

14. Did you ever send away for something that turned out to be a disappointment?

Oh sure. The David Cassidy fan club (I was 10 or 11 years old)…big rip off…all I ever got was some stickers.

15. A recent minor disillusionment you’ve had in the past year?

Dr Who Series 4, the ending of episode 12, where the Doctor regenerated—I totally wasn’t prepared for that, and it seriously threw me for a loop and upset me terribly…and I realized that I was becoming too obsessed with Who—I was using it as an emotional crutch to help me get through my days…not healthy, that. And so, after 25 years of happy adoration of the show, I realized I was taking it too much to heart, and knew that I must back away from it. It was sad though, having something I loved and trusted for so long, taken away from me. I still love it of course, but I no longer watch it every single day, and stopped writing stories and visiting forums and Who-sites all the time, like I had been.

16. What was it like to go shopping with your grandma? mom? dad? friends?

Gran died before I was five. Shopping with mum, I liked shopping with mum…except for school clothes. That was a total drag. But mum often treated me to ice cream sundae’s at the Woolworth’s soda fountain, or toys, a record, or maybe a hot dog or something. Dad? Rarely ever shopped with dad, he was an impatient man and it never was much fun shopping with him.

17. Write about a time you performed in front of an audience.

Well, I’ve only done that several times. I apparently did a great job playing “Nancy Springer,” for a spoof of the Jerry Springer show, for a class presentation to a big group, in the Netherlands. My classmates kept calling me “Nancy Springer,” for a couple of years afterwards, which is pretty funny, ‘cos I’ve never SEEN the Jerry Springer show, except on television adverts for the programme. I had to watch some clips online the day before the presentation, and ask people who watched it (I was, apparently, the only one in our group who DIDN’T watch the show) to get a “feel” for the host’s gestures and way of talking.

18. Write about a difficult decision you had to make.

Well, easily, that would be signing mum’s life support shut off orders.

19. Write about a time you found out something about yourself.

In college, a maths professor helped me to discover why I couldn’t do maths—even tho’ I was trying really, really hard to…she had me assessed by a professional and he told me I had dyscalculia.

20. What did you do last summer?

Nothing last summer. I was hard up for cash having had a pay cut and temporary layoff at work, also, I was quite ill, and also was working 6 to 7 days a week, too exhausted to do much of anything. All I did was start a fund-raiser for Accord Hospice where I wrote 100 one-hundred word stories in 100 days (which was really 97 cos I was too sick to write one week, and had to have substitute writers)

21. Write about learning to skate, to ride a bike, to climb a tree, or to turn a cartwheel.

I have Developmental Coordination Disorder, so I can’t skate. I taught myself to ride a bike when I was around 9 or 10, by coasting down hill, and then starting to pedal. I started climbing the ancient apple tree in the field next to our house, when I was around 10..it was low to the ground and really gnarly and easy to climb. I’ve never been able to turn a cartwheel—I was a fat kid.

22. Describe learning to drive.

First learned in a AMC Rambler that had no power steering, no power brakes, (no power anything) and a manual choke inside. I learned first in the enormous car park of the local regional farmer’s market (where all local and international produce was unloaded and stored in warehouses) in our village. Later, I learned to drive on the 20 some odd miles of roads in the 472 acre Albany Rural Cemetery. Just before my test, I tool half a dozen lessons from a professional instructor, in city driving and parallel parking.

23. Did you ever get lost in a strange town?

Oh yeah. One time, when I was staying in Leeuwarden—where we were housed in a dorm a 15 minute walk from Northern College campus---I somehow got turned around and couldn’t for the life of me figure out how to get to the college…or back to my dorm. Thankfully, I came upon the canal, and figured out where I was..I was alone though, and for a couple of minutes, I admit, I was just a wee worried.

24. Were you ever locked in or out?

Oh hell yes. The day of dad’s funeral…I locked my house and car keys inside the caravan, and had to break my bedroom window, to get back in---which entailed a step ladder a saddle blanket and some broken glass in my leg. After that, I bought a crowbar to pry the front door open with.

25. Did you ever witness a birth?

Just puppies and kittens. I’ve cut imbilical cords and given mouth to mouth, nursed and (very sadly) buried baby animals. I missed my nephew’s birth, ‘cos no one told me ‘till after the fact.

Well, a few days ago, I got a nice comment on my Roasting David Tennant blog from a young lady, complementing me on the blog, and suggesting I ask Tennant for help (which made me giggle...these kids think the actor really is an action hero, ha-ha). I wasn't sure how to respond to that, actually.

Now today, some snotty rugrat left me a nasty comment on one of my DT teasers on this blog..complete with the "F" word...not only do some of these kids have lousy parents and crap for manners, they also have absolutely no grasp of the concept of humour, and, also seem to have developed the limited vocabulary of your average uneducated merchant marine or truck driver.

Well, can't get online at home today. The virus has pretty much taken over my 'puter, and it's starting, I believe, to crash big time now.

I'm also dealing with feeling unwell, sorry to say. Not enough to stay out sick from work, but do feel very weak and shaky and my heart's beating like a war drum. I haven't slept in two nights. Stress? No idea.

Anyway, the cats were playful this morning. They like that the weather's turned cooler again. It was rather humid and warm, over the weekend, despite the rain. We're to get rain on and off all week, which is okay by me. Like I have any plans?

I desperately need a haircut, so I thought I'd try to contact the local beauty school, to get an appointment...I'm told they only charge $5...even with cab fare, it's still cheaper than Wal-Mart's or Bo-Rick's. Maybe not looking like an un-curried Shetland pony will make me feel a bit better.

No sales yet today, but not for lack of trying. See you tomorrow, all.

Thank God there's still some semblance of reason in Washington D.C.

To give the man who helped bring financial disaster on to the world--by turning a blind eye to the causes of this, right up to the recent fall of Lehman's---to give this obtuse buffoon MORE power? That would be just plain STUPID.

Paulson and Bush said less than a year ago, that the 'ECONOMY WAS FINE.'

To give this man billions of taxpayer dollars, to bail out the very people who caused this mess in the first place--WITHOUT providing ANY assistance or protections for the taxpayers who have lost their homes and jobs to this disaster, would have been nothing short of an obsenity.

I read the British papers, and hear some Brits whinging about the refusal..you know what? Tough cheese. If it was YOU losing your homes, and the UK was doling out billions of pounds to assist shady creditors, while doing precious little to assist the UK taxpayers, who had been steadily losing their legal rights in regards to debt collections and filing bankrupcy, and, losing THEIR jobs, would you still feel that way? The hell you would.

I've saved some entries to Word...but can't access Word at the moment...did finally get into my e-mail account after two days..mostly junk mail, so didn't miss much there. MS Word just has decided that it won't open any any longer. I can't get IE off my computer...because Internet Explorer is NO LONGER on my programmes list! Yet, it's still there. WTF???

Well, my computer's well messed up, if I can't access Word, or the internet...and none of the anti-trojan/virus options work...into the skip my tower goes. Too bad I'm paid up on my internet 'till Nov. I could have used that $45 dollars for something else...like putting it towards an eye exam or something.

I'm trying to be patient. Some days though, I wish I was 80 years old, then I could have an excuse to just lay down an quit. My friends have been so kind to me, but I feel so stinking useless and powerless. Some young guy in a "ricer" (Japanese hot rod car) almost ran me down last night, as I was stepping off a kerb to cross the street..I had the light, but he ignored me, and speeding, made an illegal turn on red, brushing the leg of my jeans. It was then I realized that I didn't care. I'm just marking time. I can't even write now (my DCD/dyspraxia and arthritis in my fingers, makes writing by hand a tedious chore)...what else is going to happen to me? Sorry. I hate being stagnant, but, at the same time...everytime something nice happens, something unpleasant has to happen...can't have one without the other.

If I could ask God for one thing...if there is a God and if he'd ever listen to someone like me...I'd ask him to either give me a damn break, or just get this damned rubbish over with, already.

I work the night shift tonight, so must be off. I hope I make some sales, and the people I call aren't too mean and rubbish to me.

Back when I was a child, I naively thought—in the way that most young people think---that life would be so much easier as an adult. You know what I mean, the freedom to drive wherever I want to go, without having to depend on my parents or a bus schedule. To do what I want, when I wanted to do it, to not have someone telling me what to do all the time—maybe it’s not a bad thing, I guess, that no one told me about bosses—or I might never have decided to want to grow up.

Most children don’t grasp things like rent, mortgages, utility bills, taxes, car and other loan payments, bank balances, credit card debt, things like washing machines, cars and boilers breaking down. Kids don’t know about leaky roofs, job layoffs and heating bills.
They may overhear their parents fussing, or even fighting, about these things, but being as they have no experience with them, the problems may seem close to home, yet to most children, the things that make their parents moan, are nonetheless still very distant. Which I personally believe, is a really good thing. The young ones of this world, will have a lifetime to discover the less than happy and usually very dull and tedious side of life—why rush it upon them? Prepare them somewhat, yes. But, don’t just shove them out into the world, and let them fend for themselves. Innocence somehow, now, has become an anathema to many adults.

The world is crowding us in, with more and more unpleasant knowledge entering our lives everyday. Not necessarily a bad thing, still, the bare truth is, is that the more we are jostled by the unpleasant, the more happiness we lose. That is not to say that we cannot be happy, in the midst of bitter reality. Heck, not by a long chalk. Happiness is everywhere, for those who choose to seek it out. Sometimes it’s right on our doorsteps, and sometimes it much farther a field, occasionally hidden in some obscure and darkened corner.

So, as young person, I sometimes strained against the collar my parents and my age placed upon me, eager to get the bit in my teeth, and forge ahead to reach for my dreams and those things I most desired and longed for. Yet, the older I get, the harder life becomes. If only I’d known that, growing up. Perhaps I would have appreciated just how very wonderful, my life back then sometimes could be, and would not have minded so much, the unpleasant times.

Well, my hillbilly neighbours blew a fuse yesterday afternoon. The building manager said that he'd be down "in the morning," with the key to the cellar, to flip the breaker box. This is the building manager that only lives 45 minutes away, in Schroon Lake. Apparently, he's changed his mind and said he'll "mail them," the key!

Well, once again, they "borrowed" my electrical outlet, and once again, "promised" that it would only be used to run ONE lamp...so, no. They're running a lamp AND the TV set, again.

Grrrr. I'm such a sucker. I HATE it when people take advantage of my charitable nature. I have to get a bit more hard-hearted with people, I suppose.

Anyway, they're threatening to bring in the police and fire department and city hall, due to the crap way the landlords are caring for their building---I mean, the hallway lights have been out since NOVEMBER of 2007, for pity's sake!

The plumbing is shot and the landlord's refused to fix it. I found out that "earth tremor" that shook my desk several months back...wasn't an earthquake, but the plumbing. The sister of my neighbour was sitting on the loo, and when she flushed...basically it blew up and threw her across the floor. My own loo and drippy fawcets remain unfixed, as is my inner door that the landlady allowed the cops to bust down--even tho' I kept yelling I was fine and wasn't answering 'cos I was in bed sick, and in a state of partial undress...so, I've been staring at a splintered door for months.

There's holes in the hallway wall, the smoke detectors don't work--unless I supply the batteries, which is hard, 'cos I can't reach the blasted things. The bricks on my balcony wall are seperated in a jagged line...so,

I'm expecting the city to come in and inspect the place sooner or later, the result of which will be either the owner ordered to fix everything, or this building will be condemned.

In which case, I expect I'll be ordered out...which will be a nightmare, 'cos I've not only am not well enough to move myself (no one else to do it for me), I've just plain not got enough funds, to cover a security deposit. I can manage the first month's rent, no problem, but apartments here expect 2 months rent when you move in, the first months, and 1 month security, in case you mess up the place.

Well, hasn't happened yet, but...shoot. This is one headache I don't need...and with my income, chances are if I do get a place, it will be just as bad as this (cos of my income), and much further away from work---and what about the cats? Do you KNOW how hard it is to find a place that lets you keep pets??? Practically impossible.

Damn, damn, damn.

Just a quick note that I AM reading your comments, but the computer is not allowing me to post replies, but just gets "stuck" waiting for the site to respond, to post my replies...basically, I'm writing you back, but it's not being posted.

...and I'm online, for now. It's a pain in the old backsides though, trying.

Even when I'm not on the internet, my system is being a bear...trying to write some stuff on MS Word earlier this afternoon, and kept getting a popup in the middle of my typing, saying "server is busy" etc...basically every few seconds...it WON'T go away.

I've been trying for 2 days to get into my hotmail account, with no success. I keep getting frozen out. When a check a box to indicate it's junk mail, and go to delete it, hotmail is telling me that I've not checked the box, even tho' it very clearly is checked...stupid computer--that's the "name" of my 'puter by the way, "stupid computer." Little did I know back in 2002, how right I was.

I'm sitting here in my new desk chair, with Boots between me and the chair back, rolling around, of all things...expect he'll fall off soon...just hope he grabs onto the chair back, and not MY back, when he does.

I went downtown to the free model train club open house--WOW. That was really cool! Four layouts, with an N-gauge, HO gauge, O gague...and I forget the other one...but they went from second-biggest models to one of the smallest models. And the detailed layouts! And tons and tons of all different sizes and models of trains and different passenger and freight cars...wow. That's so cool! Grandad--mum's dad, had a layout that took up his entire cellar, for decades (before I was born). Mum bought me an HO train when I was aroun 10 or 11, that I played with for several years, until my teens. I had the start of a big layout in the mid-90's, two plywood sheets set up on sawhorses, that contained a riding stable with a steeplechase course and riding ring, people and horses, a horsebox trailer, hayfield with a tractor and hay bales, pastures with real stone walls and actual wood fences that I made from stuff just lying in and around my front yard, an brook made with different colours of oil paint, layered on thickly, to which I added a homemade rustic bridge. I made and installed, trees and brush, a highway with "traffic,"--plus, the beginnings of a mountain range, which was going to contain a tunnel, and a small town--all scaled for an HO guage railroad.

But then, all my long hours of painstaking work, came up a cropper, and found myself temporarily homeless, and gave sis my layout to safekeep, for when my then 5 year old nephew got older..only she kind of didn't hear that "safekeeping" bit, and inside of 2 weeks, my nephew destroyed a detailed train layout that took me many months and over 150 dollars to build. I was just a wee upset about that.

Well, this does it. I just wrote a post, but when I clicked on a smiley icon, I totally lost the ENTIRE post...but kept the stinking smiley icon.

I'm getting all kinds of warnings and pop-ups...one particularly annoying one, is telling me that my "server is busy"..that one keeps popping up literally ever few seconds. I checked with Time-Warner my IP, and my server is NOT busy, it is in fact, perfectly fine. It even pops up when I'm not even trying to connect to the internet, but using only MS Word.

I'm screwed.

I'm getting Windows security popups all over the place, I can't access parts of my control panel, it's taking hours just to get into the internet.

I will make one effort to be online tomorrow, but...this computer is kaput.

I am going to be a prisoner in my own apartment again.

I'm NOT saying that for sympathy, Okay? Just as a matter of absolute fact. I have about (thanks to a friend) 10 or 12 DVD's that will play on my portable (thanks to a friend) DVD player, I have around 80 fiction books--most of which have been read, but that's okay--and around 8 CD's to listen to. My MS word programme is iffy, but still (sort of) works..when it feels like it. So I CAN mess about with Dr Who fan-fic, plays, poetry, essays and whatnot.

God, my nights are going to be long and dull now, though. Thank goodness I can amuse myself. Can you imagine this happening to some gadget dependent person? Think of it, some guy or gal who is surrounded by laptops, I-Pods, television, loads of DVD's and CD's, video games, family to phone and friends to hang out with, fun places to go, able to go shopping on a whim...suddenly losing ALL of that, and being confined to close quarters, all alone? I guess being alone, and being on my uppers for so long, does have some small advantages, ey?

Gah--I'm disgusted though. My life was just a tiny, itty-bitty little bit, starting to get "normal" again...now this. Nothing good ever, ever lasts long.

I've found the hard way, that pleasure and good things are fleeting, but misery and pain last pretty much forever.

So, unless a miracle happens..and God doesn't seem to be looking my way, lately, this really is kind of "it," the end. I can't deal with spending five or six hours, trying to get online.
That's just...nuts.

For the last two weeks, I've been having nightmares again...now I know why.

Whoo-hoo! I just won a 4 piece cookware set at work! I needed decent cookware...the $12.50 set of pots and pans I got a while back, have proved to be worth about that...yuck. They are awful! But, they were better than nothing, so I've been using them. But this is about a $100 set!!! Cool! I've not had decent pots and pans in years and years.

Whoo-hoo!!! pots and pans, books, coffee/tea mug, desk chair...I'm stoked!!!

My computer wouldn't let me into the internet this morning, kept kicking me off and/or freezing.

So, I've got all of five min. to "talk."

In between sips of bad office coffee (aka: "mud), I've been given a free travel mug, 'cos the office is doing a tad of clearing out. There was lots of other "freebies," but the hoarde decended and by the time I got there...only a mug left..which is fine. Only own one coffee/tea mug so always good to have a second.

On the way to work, I stopped by the senior centre's jumble sale, and got an actual PROPER desk chair, for $5, to go along with the actual PROPER computer desk, which I'd bought from their June jumple sale, also for $5. All's well that end's well, ey?

Now all in need is a PROPER working comuter.

At least this chair won't creak and groan alarmingly, when I very carefully sit in it, like the 100+ year old Victorian side chair, I'm presently using.

The cats were in fine form this morning. There's beens some empty boxes lying about, and being cats and easily amused, they've been taking turns sitting in the empty boxes, peeping out over the top, looking amazingly pleased with themselves.

Almost burnt down my apartment during the night. I'd left my toaster plugged in (which I rarely do), and had placed some paper plates (which I use in the microwave) on top of it...well, apparently, somehow, the toaster had been popped down--probably by Flame, who likes to sometimes sleep on top of the 'fridge, and jumps onto the counter, when she's getting down...I suspect she'd brushed against it. Anyway, work to a burning smell in the apartment..and since my heat and cooker were both off, found that a tad alarming...traced the smell to the toaster...thank goodness I'd woken! That wouldn't have been good--'cos the only exit from the apartment is either through the kitchen door, or out my second floor balcony window.

Well, back to work. Light calls today...no one's home, it seems. Maybe my computer will be kind like it was yesterday, and let me in for a half-hour or so.

I got some used westerns at the senior's book sale (part of the fall fair attractions) for 25 cents each, so four more "new" books to read now, which pleases me to no end.

I'm going to spend the night watching Get Smart and The Five Doctors, then do some reading and maybe...some writing, now I've got a proper chair to sit in.

Still here, but only in short increments, I'm afraid.

Tongight I did Google search to see what was up with Tropical Storm Kyle, which we are even now feeling the effects of--just ordinary rain, thankfully. Well, the search results came up, as they usually do, and then all the sudden, some Chinese writing began scrolling across my screen, right over the lists of websites. I mean, I assume it was Chinese, could have been Cantonese, Taiwanese or Burmese, for all I know.

Sitting here once again listening to the Series 3 Dr Who soundtrack (thanks Ina! xx), and maybe losing my internet (mostly) isn't totally a bad thing, as the soundtrack has inspired me to break my hiatus from Dr Who writing. I've found my notes for "Dark Holiday," which I'd started back in the late spring. I was listening to Series 3 music, and started thinking about the main aliens in Dark Holiday, which come from Series 3, and how I was going to approach their first confronation with the Doctor and Donna...so I wrote a few more notes, and maybe this weekend I'll pick up the story again. I'm using the Plasmavores...sort of having fun with them, yes, them, they're a perfectly ordinary looking couple...until they get hungry, that is.

This is the story that was a victim of the upset caused me by the ending of epppy 12...yes, I'm finally getting over it, tho' it was sad, wasn't it, that the one thing in my life that was good and dependable, turned out not to be...so, I learned the hard lesson that I can't always depend on Dr Who to make my days better, and yes, that was a terrible thing for me, in the wake of all the other bad things, but, you know, I just have to take a deep breath and move on...just like losing my computer's sound, and dealing with my recent vision loss, and this crap computer virus I'm dealing with...I let ending of episode 12 upset me terribly, but after a while, like an old war horse, I just bow my head and trudge on through this muck, and hope I don't get hit by any more of life's mortar shells.

Got yet another medical bill in the mail today, this one from my health care center, for $79.95. Well, just spent $69 on my weekly shopping...I'll be lucky if I can do a wash at the laundromat tomorrow. My pay check was more than I'd thought, thankfully. Instead of around $100, I had a small bonus, which brought it up to $129.

I took a pass on the $10 voucher for the Ringling Bros. circus show at the civic center tongight, and will pass on the food festival Sunday. I bought a book instead, as the grocery store had hardcover books on sale for $5 each, and I found a nice historical novel called "Brethern." I just lost my paperback mystery I was reading, darn it. I'd bought reprint last month, of an old Westlake crime novel from the 60's, about a New York cabby who hits it big on the horses, and find his bookie dead when he goes to collect, and later winds up caught between two crime syndicates, each gang thinks the cabbie is working for the other side, and in-bewteen the cabbie also gets involved with the murdered man's Las Vegas showgirl sister....kinda' liked this one, and have no clue where I mislaid the book..suspect it fell out of my hamper when I took it to the laundromat.

Darn. I hate not being able to finish a book. I never did get to finish that humourous golfing novel, "A Mulligan for Bobby Jobe," back in the autumn of 2006, 'cos someone checked it out of the library and never returned it.

I was reading where NASA had found cracks in Mars that "could have been made by water." Well, whoop-de-do! Here we are, millions out of work, over five million Americans going hungry to bed every night, 50 million of us with inadequate--or no, healthcare (including moi), and we're spending millions of dollars to look at cracks on Mars? Riiight.

So, sitting here on a Saturday night, eating a Newman's Own (Paul Newman's brand of foods, who's profits all go to charity) frozen roasted chicken and garlic pizza, which I popped into the oven for my dinner. My 'puter is acting up again, so I'm going to sign off before I lost this post...that would REALLY frost my britches, as I hate wasting a half hour writing, only to lose everything.

Nite all.

Since my computer is being kind and letting me in for a short while this morning---ARRRGH! What a bear it was being last night! I had to throw in the towel after only ten or fifteen minutes or so--I thought I'd write something that's not about my troubles.

I like the rain. No, really. In its own way, rain is music. Each drop of rain makes its own distinct sound. A walk in the woods in the rain, is a step into a different world.

It is quieter, stiller than in the sunlight. Rather than the cheerfulness of a sunny hike, a walk in the rain is a melancholy affair. But, not a sorrowful one. A walk in the woods in the rain, is an exercise in observation, in digging deeper inside yourself, to find beauty and serentity...something much easier to do, on a sunny day.

Though the sun is gone, there are still patterns and colours, there is still a tapestry to unfold itself before your senses. The mist that weaves itself through valleys and rivers, the crystal diamonds of raindrops, dripping from branch and leaf, the smell of the soil, often buried in the sunshine, is pulled from the womb of the earth, by the rain. The lone cry of a crow or a blue jay, echoing across the land, is heard all the more clearly than a hundred singing sparrows in the sunshine.

___________________________________________________________-

Mind you, it's a lot more pleasant, hanging out in the woods and fields in the rain, when one is dressed for it. That's why in my younger days, when I was a tree-hugger/closet trancendentalist, I wore a genuine cowboy hat--they're wide-brimmed to keep water from your face and shoulders, and made of beaver fur felt, so shed water rather nicely, thanks. Don't knock cowboys, they don't dress as they do to stand out from the crowd, they dress like that, 'cos by gosh, they've common sense! Everything a cowboy wears is worn for practical reasons...'cos each item has a specific function, that geared for the job, the terrain and the climate.

So, did I care if I looked out of place hiking in upstate New York in my cowboy hat, rugged outdoor gear, and hiking boots? Hell no, I was comfortable and dry--to hell with the looks the yuppies and mundane suburban people (who often didn't have the sense to even wear a proper hat and shoes) gave me. I miss my cowboy hat, wool plaid coat and those old Chekloslovokan (sorry, no clue how to spell that) work boots from Sears...and my sumac hiking staff. I could climb straight up to heaven, in that gear. It was a part of who I was, back then. Sure, I got teased and got odd looks...but you know what? When I was out there, in my woods and fields, I was blissfully HAPPY. And those people who shunned me for my dress/looks? They were a bunch of miserable sods.

AGE 19, YELLOWSTONE CANYON, WYOMING, SUMMER '80

...I'm still here, and my computer is letting me blog this morning (so far). I've not gotten booted off the internet, or struck with 30 popups in 10 seconds (and YES, my security settings are at max, and yes, BOTH my blockers are on), this thing has taken control of my 'puter. Sometimes the blockers work, sometimes they don't.

Well, they had that Children in Need radio contest this morning, as I understand, to win a chance to tour the Tardis and also the Torchwood and Sarah Jane sets...and help a worthy cause, while doing it. How cool is that? well, not British, and no funds, so I won't ever get the chance to get up close and personal to Dr Who in my lifetime.

Well, that's not true, I touched a Tardis console once, saw a cyberman and a dalek, and sat in Bessie, back in '88, so who am I to complain? Nah, I'm happy for the lucky folks who won this morning--especcially the wee one's, what a happy memory those kids will have, for the rest of their lives! Too bad they won't meet David Tennant or other cast members, but...still, that must be something, getting to look at the set up close.

I'm sitting here listening to the S-3 soundtrack which a dear friend has sent along to me. A reason to smile on this gloomy day. I noticed they re-used the "Gridlocked Cassions" track--used in the S-3 episode Gridlock I presume. It reappeared in the the first episode of Series 4, with the Adipose. Wonder why? And, why hadn't I noticed that before? I must be getting old...

We're getting Tropical Storm Kyle today and tomorrow...not too bad where I live, as I'm close to 200 miles straight north from the Atlantic and Long Island Sound-New York Harbour. We're only expected to get an inch or less of rain from this--though I was told parts of central and southern New England, Massachusetts and Conneticuit could get up to 4 inches of rain...which they don't need, as they got pretty soaked from Tropical Depression Ike not that long ago. We could use a spot of rain though, haven't had any in almost 2 weeks, except for a brief sprinkle last Sunday.

My pop up blocker is actually working this morning. Not sure why it wasn't working last night. Well, it worked for a little while, then didn't.

Well, it's 11am here, and I've not had a thing to eat all day, and my stomach says I must eat something. Since the cupboard's a bit bare--out of eggs, the bacon I took out of the freezer last night is still frozen, and I made the mistake of pouring a bowl of honey nut Cherrios, only to find that my box of cereal has gone rather stale...bleh, not a good way to find that out. So, I'm stuck with peanut butter on toast and diet coke (used the last of my milk on the stale cereal).

I'm off in a bit to pick up that little slip of paper with the pathetically small numbers on it, that keeps me chained to my telemarketing cubicle year after year...the one that makes me laugh...just before I start to cry. It'll be about $100 this week, by my reckoning. Time for tears.

I'm still feeling sad and sorry for myself, but I'm adjusting. It's hard being cut off from expressing yourself, or keeping up with one's friends or what's going on in the outside world. I've my books, thank goodness..even if they're the same books I've had for ages, I don't mind reading the same stories over and over, no more than I mind watching repeats of Dr Who, 'cos I do enjoy them. My MS word programme is still--mostly, working, so I can write. It doesn't really matter if I can't share plays or Dr Who fiction with others, as really I only write creatively for my own pleasure and am always completely gobsmacked when I do get compliments--someone wrote the other day on one of my older fan fiction blogs on Wordpress, that one of my stories was "really nice." That's...amazing. No really, I think of my creative writing as simplistic, average, and sort of...well, teenage level, really. My blogging sometimes goes a bit deeper, as I'm a bit more comfortable writing--and had a LOT more practice with---essays and factual stuff.

Well, the computer isn't letting me write again...keeps stopping on me. So, I'll cut and run whilst I can. It's my usual Friday off, and that means doing the shopping, bill paying and chores. Well, I've only funds enough for one bill, and a short grocery list, so shouldn't take all that long.

Have a grand Friday, all. N. (playwrite27)

Hi, trying to cope with this awful trojan. Why oh why would ANY business want to advertise by messing up someone's computer? That is just showing how stupid and greedy the human race truly is.

I'm not the type to blame God for my problems--or anyone else's, but sometimes it does seem like I was born to fail, and born under a dark cloud. Nothing good or positive ever lasts with me.

I was hoping to go somewhere this weekend==there's a couple of things going on that are $10 or less to get in to---the circus on Friday night, and Sunday there's the big "Taste of the North Country" charity food festival in the city park, where for $5 admission, and 50 cents per sample tickets, one can taste offerings from restaurants from all over the Adirondack mountain region, from local, American regional and gourmet foods, to ethnic cuisine and desserts. I've never been, but a lot of my co-workers are going to be there.

The senior centre down the street, is also having their annual fall fete, with baked goods, a jumble sale and crafts being offered, on Saturday. These are the last big events downtown for the year, so I might as well go and look, if nothing else. The model railroading club is having a free open house on Sunday, at their location downtown next to Aimmee's Dinner and a Movie, so I might go to that, as I am acquainted with one of the model railroaders. As I understand it, they are to have three tracks running for the open house, and that'll be really cool, as I do actually have model railroading in my blood, so to speak, having had a grandad who was a major player in local model railroading, back in the 30's, 40's and 50's. Acutally, I don't know which I used to enjoy more: running the train, or making a big, detailed layout.

But, with the short cheque and having to save for a trojan remover, I think I might just go for a walk downtown to look, and leave the spending to others.

Well, Iexpect that the 'puter will be kicking me off, shortly, so better finish. I'm so frustrated!

Actually, I'm so unhappy, that contrary to what I'd normall do, after my nice supper of smoked grilled pork chops, brussel sprouts and au gratin potatoes, I've decided to use the $1 gift card I've been hoarding away in my drawer, and go get another hot fudge sundae tonight, around 10pm, after my supper's settled. Screw the blood sugar, what the hell do I care? It's only me, it's not like anyone but the cats depends on me, why should I obsess with my health? Enjoy what little pleasures I have.

No, I'm not a guy with a condom problem.

I cannot get rid of this blinking trojan. I can't use my 'puter for more than a couple of minutes at best, without literally 30 pop-ups a second hitting my computer. NOTHING works! Popup blocker, anti-virus, spyware, tried 'em all1

Plus MS keeps coming up with error messages kicking me off the computer.

I can't download a free remover, 'cosw I can't stay on the internet long enough...the popups clog my computer so bad, it just...stops.

Does anyone know of a good CHEAP trojan remover? I can't buy one 'till next week, 'cos I've a short pay cheque this week. I need something preferably under $20, tho' I might be able to squeeze out $30 if I give up some things from my grocery/shopping list next week.

DO NOT send me an e-mail, as I am having trobule accessing my e-mail accounts. send me a comment on here or a private message via my profile page, which I CAN access from work. Thanks.

Thanks again for all the kind words.--N. (playwrite27)

Hi, at work, have all of about 3 min. to type.

Not making any sales, have a headache, arthritis is protesting the change in the weather, last night, walking home from a trip to the convenient store (frustrated, I said to hell with my diabetes and bought a hot fudge sundae with coffee flavour ice cream), and some brats in a car yelled out the window, "you dropped somthing." So, I turn, puzzled, and get "ha-ha-ha, made ya' look!" Gee, thanks, until you opened your mouths, I never would have known you were a bunch of morons.

Okay, that actually made me feel better for a few mintes, 'cos I may be on my uppers emotionally, but at least I haven't sunk down that low.

Sitting here having my coffee, and not happy with the world, but just going to ride out the storm and see where it takes me. Probably nowhere, as usual. I hate the city. No where to "run" to...at least in the country I could lose myself in nature for a while. Let's face it, you see one building, once, you've seen it, period.

So, have to go back to work, they've got me chained to my desk today, as usual. Gotta' earn that little scrap of paper that I get on Friday, that always makes me laugh...before I start crying.

See ya' all.

Thank you all for your kind thoughts and words.

Sadly, I really can't use the internet much at home any longer.

1. It's incredibly slow to connect, thereby making my high-speed connection a total waste of money.

2. The advert trojans are so numerous, that they comepletely interfere with my ablity to type or pretty much do anything.

3. The trojan is, apparently, here to stay. After spending several hours doing virus scans, and spyware scans and whatnot, it is UNREMOVABLE. Quite frankly, I find having adverts for direct tv's NFL showings, hottiematches and other crap adverts really too tiring to fight, to bother dealing with the internet.

4. Unfortunately, that last bout with near homelessness last March, was the straw that broke my emotional back. I literally cannot deal with any more bad stuff happening to me. I'd rather be alone, shut out from the world, than deal with the horror, frustration and huge stress of fighting a trojan to use the internet.

5. Life is crap, I'm a loser, and I just have to live with that. Nothing's ever going to change--except maybe for the worse. I'm always going to have crap happen to me, and that's that.

6. There will be no getting a new computer, or fixing this. I just don't have those kinds of funds. I'm only a telemarketer, working 20 hours a week and getting a disability cheque from the govt, I'm not Mrs. Donald Trump, and I doubt that anyone will ever be paying me for anything I've written in my lifetime, so no computer. I've about as much chance of fixing this, or getting a new 'puter, as I have of walking on the moon, or flying in the Tardsi.

As I've mentioned, I will blog sometimes, but only briefly--I do only get a 10 min. break at work. However, the Roasting David (Tennant) blog, and my political blog Anti-con, I will no longer be able to use, because A. I live in a conservative political town and my employers might take umbrage to my liberal political blog. B. I can't access pictures from the work computer, so can't post any captions to DT's spoof blog.

(And, no, using a library computer is not an option, I'm afraid.)

Thank you all, for your too kind thoughts and words. I hardly deserve them. I'm not anybody, just a blogger. I do hope to continue reading your blogs from work from time to time.

I won't be shutting off my internet yet, as I'm paid up through early November, but (arrghh! more popups! This is taking FOREVER to type!) so I many post on here once ina while, just only when I feel I have the patience.

No, I'm not going to harm myself, but I am in tears, right now, to be honest.

My computer is acting all wonky....I can't even USE firefox...and IE either keeps kicking me off the net, or starts doing funky things while I'm trying to type.

It's hopeless. I have no fight left in me. I'm just sick in my heart of all this crap. I will be online at work, of course, very briefly, but certainly I will no longer be able to do Roasting David Tennant, or My liberal blog, and no longer shall I be able to post about personal or work related issues.

This may not be my literal last post, but it most certainly will likely be my last "personal" post.

I went on the Telegraph's website...suddenly I'm getting funky popups again...ANOTHER stinking virus!!!!

SOB!!!

Okay, I don't need this crap. Some days I really do wish I'd never been born.

Whoa!

I belong to several Dr Who forums, and while I seldom go on to say anything, very often, I read them.

Well, a week ago, I jumped into a discussion with both feet, square into the poo vat, apparently.

The discussion revolved around RTD--not just his Dr Who stuff, but the other programmes he's done...personally, I've only seen Casenova and one episode of that that series of Queer as Folk, or something like that.

Yes, good people, I made the mistake of dissing Davies. Not bad, I didn't mean it to come off as anything negative, I was just giving my unbiased, honest opinion. I mean, I hardly have any hate for the man, I've (mostly) gotten over my grudge over that stunt he pulled in episode 12...mostly...well, sort of...okay, I'm still a little angry...but, not as angry as I was...I really AM getting over it.

Anyway, Casenova was really good, but I'm afraid Queer as Folk didn't do anything for me, and also, sometimes, his writing on Dr Who doesn't jive with me, either. But, except for the one isolated incident with Series 4 E12, I've never taken it to heart, and just shrug and deal, and move on, ya'know?

Thing is, Davies is a sophisicated man of the world, and I'm a backwater woman, living on a carbuncle in the Adirondacks, I'm a genuine old maid, a closet transcendentalist and by my own admission, not always the sharpest tool in the old toolbox, at least not these days.

I mean, there's this huge cultural, educational and social gap between us, and...that's fine. I'm sure Davies wouldn't like most of the stuff I write, if he ever saw it.

But, boy-howdy! You would not believe how I've just been raked over the coals for saying that I thought he overdid episode 13 a bit for my tastes, and for saying that I didn't care for Queer as Folk. I DID also say, that I thought it was brilliant, anyway, so I'm not sure why I'm getting snarky replies. For goodness sake you'd think I'd just happy-slapped the poor guy!

AND, because I didn't like Queer as Folk, I've just been branded a homophobe! That's rich. My two best friends for about five years, was a happily partnered gay couple, that I used to hang out with, practically every day--we were almost like family, for pity's sake..they used to check on my mum--who also considered them friends, when I couldn't be home. People are what they are. I am just...astounded though, that anyone would be so thick, to jump to the conclusion that just because you don't like a programme that features gay lifestyles, that that means you don't like gays..."no," I replied, "it means that I simply didn't like it...I watched one episode and found it boring--I don't like romance novels, the Oprah book selections, or most New York Times best sellers, either, so what's THAT say about me???"

Russell T. Davies IS, in fact, a brilliant writer, there can be no arguing that...but you know, I make my own paths to follow, and the reality is, I just don't relate to every thing the man writes. What's wrong with that?

Sheesh. Think I'll go to bed now...if my drunken, hillbilly neighbours will shut the hell up long enough to allow me to actually sleep. Have a good Wednesday, all.

A play called the Dalek Masterplan, based on the original William Hartnell episodes has been nominated for two awards. The play was a sell out in Plymouth, England.

Also, David Tennant, the tenth Doctor, was nominated for a Tony "shadow" award, and although he didn't win, it's still quite an honour.

Good luck to both the play's producers and cast, it is hoped they will romp home with a well-earned prize.

I don't remember much about my gran. That would be my dad's mum. Both my mother's mum, and my father's dad, died well before I was born.

Dad never knew his father, a Polish immigrant named Stanislaw. Stanislaw died in a boiler explosion just a few months before dad was born, in the summer of 1924. Gran and her husband came over on a boat from Poland, landing at Ellis Island, and then somehow ending up in a little rural town in the foothills west of Albany, NY, labouring on a dirt farm. How they made their way to the little city dad grew up in, is anybody's guess, though there was a strong Polish-Ukranian presence in that place.

Gran was faced with raising seven children alone--while she was still pregnant with dad. My grandmother, Bertha, by the way, was totally deaf, and could not speak.

It wasn't easy on any of the family, growing up in a small industrial city, through the late twenties, into the Great Depression, and then, there was the Second World War.

Dad was sent to Catholic School, which was not a nice place for the poor, youngest son of a deaf-mute widow. I particularly remember one story, how in the early 1930's, his mum had no money to spare for a school tie, and sent him to school without one. The nun, rather than show compassion for a poor child, made my dad take a pair of scissors, and cut out a paper tie, which she then made him stand in front of the class and pin on his shirt, before sending him home with a note, telling his mum that he was not to return to school without a proper tie.

It must have been quite hard on both dad and his mum, for dad to recall it so vividly to me, back when I was in my teens, in the mid-70's.

But, somehow, his mum managed to provide for her family. I never knew how, though dad intimated that gran took in washing and did odds and ends for the neighbours. And of course his older brothers--he had three sisters and three brothers--helped as they could. I recall dad telling how, in the Depression, he and his brothers used to pick up spilled coal from alongside the rail tracks, for their home, and scrap metal to sell. Some of you possibly may have seen that film, "The Christmas Story," where little Robbie wanted a Red Ryder BB rifle more than anything? That was no fiction. Most boys in the late 30's and early 40's wanted that BB rifle...including dad. He dreamed of that gun. Then, Christmas day dawn. Dad woke and rushed into the living room, looked under the tree....no gun. Just like the boy in the film, dad was crushed. Crying, he asked his mum why Santa didn't bring him his gun. And, smiling, his mum pointed behind the sofa. There, on the floor behind the sofa, wrapped in colourful paper and a bow: A Red Ryder BB gun.

Dad told me this story one Christmas, when I was about 12, I think, Christmas of 1971, long before the film was ever made...so I guess "Robbie's" story, wasn't so fictional, after all.

I barely remember gran. Mum was very fond of her,though. Dad's family managed a swimming pool and roller skating rink at an amusement park in our village..which was later torn down shortly before I was born, to make way for the Mid-City Shopping Center . Sadly, gran's kids sort of ignored her. Dad was, I'm quite ashamed to say, embarrassed by his mum. But then, mum's epilepsy and my having DCD embarrassed him. Image was everything to dad, and I'm afraid some members of his family didn't quite meet up with his ideals. Dad didn't often like to talk about gran, and I probably learned more about her through mum, than dad.

My only real memory of gran, was of her holding me tenderly sitting on an arm chair...I think I was only just three at the time--why do I remember that? Not sure, but I do. Mum said gran loved me very much. And you know what? I believed her.

You know, the thing I remember most about gran? Her smile. Gran had a smile that would outshine the sun. I've a photo of her, with such a beaming, lovely smile...sometimes I just look at it, and think, "what a lucky woman, to have been so very happy in the final years of a long, hard life."

Mum used to joke, that she smiled like that, 'cos she never had to listen to her kids whinge and moan.

THREE THINGS YOU DID THIS SUMMER:

Went swimming in the lake
Watched fireworks downtown
played a game of crazy golf

THREE NICE THINGS THAT HAPPENED TO YOU THIS WEEK

Got a lovely surprise from a friend of a film DVD and the Dr Who S3 soundrack (THANK YOU! )
I got two complements on my writing
A co-worker gave me a coupon to get into the Ringling Bros. Barnum Bailey circus on Friday night, for only $10.

THREE THINGS THAT MAKE YOU HAPPY:

Chatting with friends online
writing or reading or watching a DVD at home
Being outdoors or going somewhere (hell, ANYWHERE).

THREE FAVOURITE CURRENT SONGS

I don't have internet radio to listen to now, so I don't know have the slightest idea what's "current"! I just listen to the CD's I already have: Dr Who soundtrack, Proclaimers, Kylie CD's are three I listen to the most.

THREE THINGS YOU'D DO IF YOU HAD A MILLION DOLLARS

move to the UK with my cats and my "stuff."
pay off my debts and finish my education.
set up a charity for the poor in whatever community I'm in--food pantry, support group, etc.

THREE THINGS YOU'D DO FOR A MILLION DOLLARS:

Anything that ain't illegal
Anything that won't compromise my integrity
Anything that doesn't require me watching American Idol, Celebrity Wrestling, Big Brother, Lost, The Simpson's, Love Island, x-Factor, Baywatch, The Karoke Challenge, Stars in their Eyes, and current USA sitcom...well you get the picture...

LAST THREE THINGS YOU ATE:

Ham salad sandwich and chips (crisps)
Bacon and fried egg sandwich
Leftover meatloaf in a sandwich, with potato-onion chowder, and chips (crisps)

LAST THREE THINGS YOU WATCHED ON TV OR DVD:

It's a Joke, Son (old film)
Dr Who Five Doctors
Stage Door Canteen (old film)

LAST THREE THINGS YOU READ:

Walden
Somebody Owes me Some Money
Sting of the Zygons

THREE UNUSUAL FOODS YOU'VE TRIED AND LIKED, THAT YOU'D NEVER THOUGHT YOU WOULD EAT:

Stinging nettle cheese
Smoked pickled herring
Haggis

THREE FOODS YOU'D NEVER EAT, EVEN IF OFFERED A HUNDRED DOLLARS:

Mushrooms
squid/octopus
bananas

THREE THINGS YOU'RE GOOD AT

Cleaning saddles
Professional voice (phone/speaking)
Filing

THREE THINGS THAT MAKE YOU SMILE

My friends/pets
Dr Who
Brit-coms and old comedy films

THREE THINGS YOU LIKE ABOUT WHERE YOU LIVE:

Very low crime rate
Easy walk to work
erm--easy walk to work

THREE THINGS YOU DON'T LIKE ABOUT WHERE YOU LIVE:

Lousy bus service
Lousy cab service
No friends here

THREE RANDOM KNICK-KNACKS OR OTHER USELESS OBJECTS, SITTING AROUND THE ROOM YOU'RE IN--ONE TO THE RIGHT OF YOU, ONE TO THE LEFT OF YOU, ONE EITHER FRONT OR BEHIND YOU.

Left: Mini bone china Schottish collie dog

Right: souvenier from 1940's Denver, Colorado--a big chalkware horse statue, with leather bridle and leather western saddle, embossed on the base with the legend "Empty Saddle."

Front: black British 1930's teapot from Price and Co., with a handpainted oriental design.

THREE THINGS YOU LIKE ABOUT FAIRS OR FESTIVALS:

The food
The rides
The animals

THREE GENRE'S OF MUSIC YOU LISTEN TO:

pop/rock
Folk
Jazz

THREE FAVOURITE PLACES TO SHOP

Walker's Farm Home and Tack
Peter Harris Plus/Label Shopper
Borders Books and Music

THREE THINGS YOU WILL NEVER DO:

Do drugs
Have sex
Take something that doesn't belong to me.

THREE THINGS IN YOUR 'FRIDGE RIGHT NOW:

Diet gingerale
American cheese
Black Cherry Yogurt

THREE DREAM JOBS YOU'D LIKE TO DO OR TRY

Writer
Tour Guide
Radio Announcer/Presenter

David Tennant recently let the cat-therine out of the bag, when he let slip the true reason behind Catherine Tate's departure from Doctor Who: "Ah weel, she just got a wee upset whenever I'd drop a gut in the middle of her sayin' her lines. I've no idea why, mind you. The back of ma' head still hurts where she whacked me during the filming for episode 13. I mean, so I farted during her big farewell scene...what's the big deal?"

View other "stories" about David Tennant, on:

http://www.davidtennant.blog.co.uk

I lived in Lake George in autumn of 2006, and in a town next to Lake George for over 5 years, and always enjoyed the autumn foliage season. Tourists come from all over the U.S.A., and even other parts of the world, to view the autumn leaves in the Adirondacks and our neighbour, Vermont.

LAKE GEORGE, NY FOLIAGE VIDEO:

AUTUMN IN VERMONT

Wonder if I'll still have this job, by Christmas. It's been three or four years, since I haven't had a lean...okay, impoverished, December. Seems bad stuff always happens to me, in November-December. Oh, right, that's wrong. Bad stuff just happens, any time.

At least I won that Christmas tree in the charity raffle last year, so I have something to look at this year in my own place, rather than look out the windows at other people's decorations, which is pretty nice, I reckon. Not that I bother with birthdays and holidays any longer...just another day for me, really...and, it's not really a day off, 'cos one is expected to make up the day off, later in the week, so all a holiday off for me is, is just my normal day off, rescheduled to the holiday.

Still congested slightly this morning, but the sore throat's gone...which is great, 'cos there's nothing worse than telemarketing with a sore throat.

It's chilly in here, not cold certainly, but about 65 F, and Flame is cold ('cos she's got such thin fur) and snuggled up in my lap...which is also holding my keyboard...so I'm typing with one hand on either side of a cat's bum...not the easiest way to type, I assure you.

Good thing she's so small. But if she farts in my lap...out she goes.

Another gloriusly sunny day here in my city. It's presently 44 F (7 C), which is slightly chilly but totally normal for these parts, but is supposed to warm up to 67 F today (38), so I'll have some nice weather greeting me post-work this afternoon.

The leaves aren't really changing yet, but that' only a couple of weeks away. I imagine they're changing 50 miles north, in the far northern Adiorndacks. It'll get here soon enough...as will the months on end of snow, sleet and freezing rain.

No rush...

Have a good day all...

I've read on a Dr Who news site this morning, where Friday morning in the UK, on some BBC radio programme, they'll be doing a contest with a multiple choice question. 100 listeners ringing in with the correct answer, will win a free tour of the Dr Who BBC Wales studios, along with tours involving the Sarah Jane Adventures and Torchwood.

How cool would that be,ey? Well, it'd be my dream come true, no lie.

But, I've a better chance of winning the lottery, getting a good job, having something I wrote published, or owning a horse, or getting run over by a logging truck, than I'd ever have of touring the Tardis. Hell, I might as well wish for a chance to land on the moon, ha-ha.

Still, I hope those blessed enough to win, enjoy themselves.

Wow, talk about the ultimate prize for a Whovian.

In my mind, I remember.

I remember moments that are frozen in time, inside my own memories, inside my heart, my spirit, my soul.

I remember the magic of a deeply frozen midwinter night. One of those nights when the temperature is 10 below zero (F), and you're walking on the road after an afternoon storm. In the night, in the distance, you might hear the thundering metallic scraping and roaring of snowplows clearing the roads down in the village. But you are alone. You are walking through the hard-packed snow, the sound of your feet, scrunching and squeaking, seeming to be like an echo in an empty room. The stars in the black velvet sky, twinkle like tear-pricked diamonds. Your breath comes out in alabaster clouds, rising and hanging in the air, as if the ghost of your soul were laid out before you. The full pure-white moon has a ring of frost around it, which makes the landscape shine a dazzling deep blue-white, casting deep, coal-black shadows across the yards and fields.

Outside, the world is frozen, yet the beauty of a mid-winter's night, captured on the living canvas of our mind and heart and spirit, warms our soul forever.

I may never know nights like this again, but they will forever remain a part of me.

One of my college friends, whom I still stay in touch with, several times a year, sent me a link to this video of her family's horse, which was racing this summer at the local track. Unfortunately, she forgot to tell me it's post position or name, so I am afraid I haven't a clue, but she did mentioned that the horse "finished well"--which means it was likely in the first four finishers.

This is at the race track/fruit machine casino, where I used to work, I used to know the lady presenting the trophy.

RELAX fan girls, he's not been kidnapped by some tin-foil hat person.

I just had an email from someone with the handle "davidsgurlfrnd"---I hope that's not one of you, no offense-- I've never heard of her...no idea why this person is writing me. I THINK she may have gotten hold of my e-mail from mistake?

Anyway, apparently she'd just gone to see the immortal sex god known as David Tennant, in his role as Hamlet, and was really upset that the man was, apparently, a no-show at the stage door.

She was quite put out with the man. She said she'd come there all the way from someplace called Congleton, wherever that is, and had waited "ages" to see David...erm--didn't she just see him for 3 hours in a play? Oh well, I understand, I suppose. I used to be like that about John Denver, for a short time, when I was in my teens. (stop rolling yer eyes and snickering!)

Maybe he was sick or tired and just wanted to go home, maybe he has a personal or family issue that's demanding his attention, maybe he had friends or family visiting, or had a pressing engagement, maybe he was dying for a shag with some girl...who knows?

Too many of these fan girls seem to be oblivious to the fact that he's just a guy, with a life of his own, and is not their personal beau, and though the man is very kind about going out of his way to meet his fans, he is never obligated to be there for them ALL THE TIME, just because these girls are his FANS.

Anyway...why am I even writing this? I have no idea. Nights are soooo-long for me, now the cold weather's here. No sitting out on the balcony, watching the world go by, chillin' to tunes and sipin' lemonade. Now, it's just me and a book or my blog...blogging about david tennant fans...well, it was either that, or blog about what I had for diner...decided DT was slightly more interesting than talking about a sandwich made from leftover meatloaf...but then again....

God, I miss Dr Who! Gotta' win the lottery so I can get a new 'puter with SOUND.

You didn't hear much from me, today, did you?

I seem to not quite be over the hump, in regards to the flu. I'd stayed in yesterday, gulping down loads of fluids and resting and taking Advil...felt much better this morning, but got home and after a quick lunch of a ham sandwich, basically passed out in bed, and slept for five hours like I was in a coma.

I didn't even realize that I was that ill! I woke with another sore throat and raging thirst, like I'd done on Saturday, along with chills and nausea, so guess moi is not out of the woods, quite yet, dang it.

I was so thirsty I drank three glasses of tap water--and I HATE the taste of my tap water. Even though it's clear, it still tastes like stagnant muddy water, dunno' why.

Spoiled, I am.

Did I just sound like Yoda, when I said that?

What a rotten day. I felt bad for the people in the Albany office, being let go like they were, and also, for the people that had to tell them the office was being shut. I reckon I'm up for the ax, if I don't stop missing work 'cos I'm so damn ill all the time, plus...I suck at selling.

Nothing for it, have to find another job soon...dunno' doing what. Hope it's not something where I'm on my feet all day, what with my bad foot, that'll be a misery. But, I'm nothing but chav drudge labour, and will never have the opportunity for a good-paying job. Going to college was great for my inner-self, but it was worthless in regards to my future and job/financial security.

Get a high-school diploma, and them, unless your nice-loooking or have a great personality, or dress nice, go to technical school...screw college, it's a total waste of time, unless you're skinny and/or popular, and/or trendy-looking.

Everyone is drinking water from a bottle these days, it seems. Today, I went downstairs to my office building's caf, to buy some water--and walked away empty-handed. A $1.50 for what amounts to less than half-a liter (16 oz) of water? You've GOT to be joking!!!

I don't care if they add all the flavours of heaven, and mix it with 110% of my daily allowances of vitamins and minerals--I'm NOT paying that price!

Am I being cheap? Hell yes.

Mind you, I do live in a city where the tap water literally tastes like it's been filtered through dirt. I live in a city with possibly the WORST tasting tap water I've ever encountered. In fact, I live in a city that gets it's water from the Hudson River--which is currently being treated for removal of cancer-causing PCB's, and a water source that twice in the past, has had "beaver fever" scares--this is a potentially deadly disease carried by beavers, into a water source--and yes, we are far enough north to have beavers in the area.

So, while I'll give it to my cats--who aren't crazy about it either, by the way, and will cook with it, I do prefer to drink other things besides our local tap water--but, do I buy expensive bottled water? Rarely. I have to be extremely desperate.

Now, I have bought "trendy" water, like Perrier, or our local "Saratoga" water, etc., a few times a year...from Wal-Mart, where it's relatively in-expensive, or from another supermarket, if on sale. Mostly though, when I buy bottled water, I buy flavoured waters that run 2 one-liter bottles for a dollar, such as a calorie-free lemonade flavoured water drink put out by the Cott soda company, and Wal-mart's own brand of tropical fruit flavoured sparkling water. If I'm more flush with cash, then, perhaps I MIGHT splurge on a six-pack of a product called "Fruit 2-0," in grape, lemon or cherry flavour, when it's on sale.

I was buying water by the jug, at 2 jugs (2 gallons) for a dollar, but that has since gone up to 79 cents each, and for ordinary tap water from a jug, I've decided that's too dear for my budget.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL COST OF WATER:

Bottled water leaves a huge carbon footprint. It is also very bad for the environment, especially where I live, where recycling isn't mandatory.

Sodas, beers, and some other drinks, are sold with a 5 cent bottle deposit, which one can reclaim, by bringing back one's clean empties to the shop, and running them through a bottle deposit machine.

Water bottles, and many fruity drinks, do not come under the bottle deposit laws. Recycling is strictly voluntary in our city. So, most water bottles go in the rubbish bin....or wind up on the streets, in the waterways, in the woodlots, etc. Where the stay FOREVER.

Also, there's this fact, as reported by the BBC:

Producing and delivering a litre of bottled water emits hundreds of times as much greenhouse gas as a litre of tap water.

And, what really should alarm some people---some of the illnesses you may have experienced, may not have come about through local sources, but through that bottle of water you drank. Many sources are very safe, and some really are almost pure. But, some places merely are giving you bottled water straight from their taps...and depending on where that source is, there may or MAY NOT be, strict water quality testing and regulations.

Millions of people around the globe--even here in some of the more polluted parts of the United States, believe it or not, do not have access to safe, clean drinking water. I'd a friend a few years back, who lived in a mobile home park who had wells--and it turned out the wells contained arsenic. I was blessed to have good, clean (and delicious) well water where I lived, here in the Adirondacks, but some people, who live near farms, factories and toxic waste dumps, aren't so lucky.

In places like Africa, water is such a precious commodity, that people have died fighting for it, not just from the resulting famine. In third world regions, people regularly sicken and die from bad water sources, because there is no access at all, to clean, safe water.

I would rather spend that $1.50 (and I have) on giving to a charity that helps provide clean water to the poor, than refresh myself with a "healthy" bottle of Vitamin Water or whathaveyou.

What about you?

After a dreary, overcast and deeply chilly day yesterday, it's once again cloudless and bright today. All the hot air balloonists have gone home. I was given the pleasure of seeing a few balloons--always a lovely sight--drifting over the city a few times--tho' the wind seemed to be blowing to the east much of the weekend, instead of to the west, so we didn't get as many overhead as we did last September.

There was also that Model T Ford convention in town, so lots of GORGEOUS antique roadsters tooling around my city's streets much of the weekend. I missed the fireworks downtown Thursday night, 'cos I was doing the laundry, but yes, seeing the play Friday night was definitely the highlight of my weekend--no, actually, the highlight of my whole year, I reckon.

I spent much of the day yesterday, fighting the oncoming flu, and think I may have it licked...well, partially. I've stopped coughing and my congestion is better, tho' I still have a wee sore throat...which is never good in my profession, since I depend on my voice for my living.

I put on some Proclaimer's music, and Charile is sitting here, asking to be held--considering he's enormous, is impossible with a keyboard in one's lap. I'm reduced once again, to sitting in my rocking chair on the side of the desk, leaning forward, trying to see my screen, cos my desk chair--which is 100 years old and not in the best condition--was starting to make some rather alarming creaking noises yesterday. I'd hoped to come across a proper desk chair at a local yard sale this summer, but no luck.

For those of you outside the USA, a "yard sale," "garage sale" "tag sale" etc, is where anyone just sets up their crap unwanted stuff on the front lawn, in the garage, or on the porch, and just sells it to whomever comes along and wants it. Garage sales are sort of an American institution over here. They generally run from May to Sept., but I've known them to be around from March to November. I even had one in March once, in snow flurries out in my driveway, and yes, people STILL came and bought stuff! Town-wide garage sales are big draws for small towns around here, to bring in tourist dollars. Next month is the "World's Largest Garage Sale" in Warrensburg, NY. The entire town, and surrounding towns as well, is chock full of people selling everything from mis-matched Tupperware, to precious antiques. From trailer park people selling paintings of Elvis on velvet, to grannies selling knit-crafts, to householders selling the junk in their garage, to rednecks selling deer antlers and woodcrafts, to dealers from all over the Adirondacks and New England, selling antiques and cheap gimcracks. People come from as far away as New York City (200+ miles south), Maryland and Quebec to Warrensburg, for the three day event.

Me, I've nothing much left to sell--well, technically I do have--knick-knacks and wall-hangings and books, if I've no other choice, but I only kept the "stuff" that means the most to me, and am loathe to part with it.

Well, how's that for a boring post,ey? Time to go to work now. Yuck.Have a good day all

I am not gonna' post the spoiler about what follows episode 12, cos' I HATED episode 12, like I've never hated anything Who before...after 25 years of dedicated fan-dom, I hated the ending of 12 so bad, that I almost QUIT watching Dr Who forever!

I was so angry with Russell T. Davies for tearing down my trust in the one thing I had left to take any pleasure in, even quit writing Dr Who fan fiction, and stopped watching New Dr Who episodes on DVD every day--like I had for 2 years prior to episode 12 (Not that Davies or Tennant or anyone at BBC Wales would give a flying fig about that, of course.)

But...not gonna' tell you if he dies or not, 'cos that just wouldn't be right or fair. Just gonna' tell ya' that you'll love 13..it's a bit...over the top for my tastes, but still, probably the most amazing episode in 47 years.

"Holy sh_it, Russell, you've put on a lot of weight since we last saw you!"

I've read where 7th Doctor Slyvester McCoy will be doing a guest spot on an upcoming episode of the series The Doctors.

In other news, I've been told there's to be a repeat of some radio play Tennant did, called "Double Income, No Kid's Yet." On BBC Radio..something.

The E-space trilogy from the latter part of the Tom Baker years is coming to DVD.

REALLY exciting news, is that the DVD soundtrack album for Series Four is about to be released, sometime in November! Cool!

And, Russell T. Davies will be going 'round doing some booksignings, over in the UK, for the book he co-authored with a Dr Who magazine writer (apologies to that author, as his name suddenly has slipped my mind--Sorry, mate, but I have a bit of a religious memory--it's very holey.)

Okay--I DID tell you lot it was bad---remember that, ey?

Here's the play I found in mum's old papers. I've just spent 2 hours copying it down on MS Word, and now I've copied and pasted into this blog. Comments optional--you don't have to tell me anything. It sucks, like all my naf plays on my misc. blog.

Even the title is stupid. By the way, I copied this verbatim, so it's likely to contain some typos, and it IS a rough first draft, so bear that in mind.

And, no, if anyone other than my blog friends are reading this (students) no, you may NOT copy my play without my written permission, thanks.

______________________________________________________________

Meeting the Family

RANDALL: (in a small voice, to FELICITY) I’ve got to get out of here! I’m too young to be fish food!

I've long been avoiding writing about something on my blog. For a couple of months now, I've skirted the edge of a very deep ravine, dark and dank and cold.

As a "woodsy' person, I can tell you that a pond, to exist, needs air. It needs currents and sunshine and freedom to breathe. Even the water needs to breathe.

What happens to a pond when it becomes too still, too quiet, is that the algae starts to grow. It starts out small, in the deep, still pool, and slowly spreads, cutting off the plants and the fishes from the air and light.

The pond is technically still alive...algae is life, and some plants can thrive with algae, but...the fish die, some plants die, new plants start to grow, cattails and reeds and such, until one day, the pond becomes a marsh.

So far, these past several months, my life has finally stabilized. Still have my lean weeks, and health issues to struggle with, but so far, no worries about becoming homeless, losing my job, having my wages garnished, losing a huge chunk of my income, having my heat/electric/gas turned off.

Which is GREAT, don't get me wrong. I'd never be so ungrateful or churlish to complain about that!

I mean, my gosh! I actually saw a PLAY Friday night!!! I actually went OUT for the evening, and had a good time! I haven't done that since late summer of 2005!

And, of course, back in late May, I had that day trip to Saratoga Springs, as well. That many not seem like much to most people, but for me...it's a VERY BIG deal, let me tell you.

So, in some small ways, my life IS gaining some semblance of normalcy again.

But that has left me to wonder...why am I, deep down, so unhappy with myself?

I've adjusted to being physically alone. I'm eating okay, I'm able to get some things I want/need from time to time, I'm working on improving my health (as my limited weekly budget allows--gotta' try again, getting my Medicaid back!)

I feel like a stagnat pond. I want so badly--as do most people I suppose, to feel useful, to have a purpose.

But, the hard truth is, I'm not useful. I have no purpose. A trained monkey--if one could speak and read, could do my job. I'm not even very good at my job?

I'm stuck. I can't go any further. All lines leading to a better life have been severed forever. I can stay put, where I am, or I can go down into the ranks of the homeless.

It's not easy being bi-polar with two additional disabilities (DCD/Dyscalculia). I don't say this--well, hardly ever, but I need someone in my life, to help me. But..there is no one. And, very probably, unless I get sectioned (and even then...) chances are, I will always have to muddle through on my own.

I'm so stuck, I might as well be covered in superglue.

And, living like this, to someone like me---is a living hell. It's a prison without bars.

This one's about books and film

1. What was the best book you HAD to read in school?

I really remember liking "Johnny Tremain," as I recall.

2. What was the worst fiction book you HAD to read in school?

That would be Failsafe..gave me nightmares for a few days.

3. What was the first 'classic' book you were required to read?

Believe it or not, in 14 years of schooling, I was never required to read a classic book--ever...in fact, we read very few fiction books as part of our schooling, when I was growing up, though we had stories read to us (The Secret Garden, The Pit and the Pendulum), and watched films based on classics (Dracula, Romeo and Juliet). Don't ever tell me that the "dumbing down of America" isn't real.

4. What's the first classic book(s) you remember reading on your own as a child?

Lassie Come Home, Black Beauty, My Friend Flicka, The Red Pony, National Velvet...getting the popular theme here? I also remember reading King Arthur and His Knights and Aseop's Fables, though.

5. What books did your mum or dad try to get you to read, that you didn't particularly like?

Mum was a HUGE "Little Women" fan, and also liked a series called "The Bobsey Twins," and I just for the life of me, couldn't get into them. I did like--eventually--Wuthering Heights, though, and "A Christmas Carol," and "Riki-tiki-Tavi" (Mum was also a fan of Kipling).

6. What classic books have your read since leaving school?

I assume she means elementary/high school, and not college. Post-age 18 reading...so many! These are only the one's I can recall off the top of my head, and I'm including classic short stories, "modern" classics and plays in this list, as well.

Cannery Row, Ivanhoe, Three Musketeers, Hamlet, Richard II, Merchant of Venice, Cymbeline, Comedy of Errors, Frankenstien, King Solomon's Mines, Treasure Island, A Day in the Life of Ivan Deninovich, Epic of Gilgamesh, Rebecca, Tales of the Arabian Knights, The honour of the Name, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Last of the Mohicans, The Pilot, The Prince and the Pauper, A Horse'sTale, Lavender and Old Lace, An American Tragedy, Little Lord Fauntleroy, Spoon River Anthology, The Princess and the Goblin, The Emperor Jones, Mourning Becomes Electra, No Exit, Pygmailion, Glinda of Oz, She Stoops to Conquer, The Maltese Falcon, The Lady in the Lake, Robinson Caruso, Gulliver's Travels, A Night's Work, Ben Hur, The Adventures of Robin Hood, Men of Iron, Rob Roy, Green Mansions, Damaged Goods, most of the Sherlock Holmes stories, the Time Machine, The Awakening, Fall of the House of Usher, Eugne Grandet, Yankee in the Trenches, Sidhartha, Young Goodman Brown, His Fight is Ours, Sabrel, The Revolt of Mother (and other stories), The House of Pommegranites, The Haunted Bookshop, Saphira and the Slave Girl, The Luck of Roaring Camp, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, An Occurance at Owl Creek Bridge, Club of Queer Trades, Smoke Bellew....there's more, just can't remember.

7. First cinema films you remember?

The Snow Queen, old Dick Tracy serials (that were shown for kids at a local Italian-American restaurant on Saturdays back in the early 60's), The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit.

8. Last cinema film you watched?

Passenger 57

9. Favourite series of films (Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Bond...)?

I loved the original Star Wars, but I HAVE to say Bond, hands down.

10. Favourite silent film star(s)?

Movie cowboy William S. Hart (who was actually probably closer to a real thing, than most later cinema cowboys), Charlie Chaplin, of course. Oh, and Laurel and Hardy--yes, they started out as silent film actors, and also, John Barrymore, Harold Lloyd, Buster Keaton, Lon Chaney, Tom Mix, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Ronald Coleman.

11. Favourite Film Noir? (Not sure if all of these qualify as "noir" 'cos I'm not a film expert).

Vertigo, Rebecca, Lady in the Lake, Strangers on a Train, They Drive by Night, Laura, Call Northside 777, Walk Softly Stranger, Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, The Public Enemy, To Have and Have Not, The Thin Man, Each Dawn I Die, Suspicion, The Long Night, Sorry, Wrong Number, This Gun for Hire, Night of the Hunter, Sunset Boulevard, North by Northwest, Criss Cross, The Dark Mirror, Beware My Lovely, Bad Seed, Dial M for Murder, Shoot to Kill, Kiss Me Deadly, Angels with Dirty Faces, Double Indemnity, Farewell My Lovely, The Strange Love of Martha Ivers, Rear Window, A Kiss Before Dying, Key Largo, Witness to Murder, Bad Day at Black Rock, The Big Sleep, The Spiral Staircase, Dark Passage, The Two Mrs. Carolls, A Kiss Before Dying.

12. Favourite cinema food?

Hot buttered popcorn natch! Sometimes a box of goobers (chocolate covered peanuts), and at one drive-in they used to serve "pizza rolls," which were Chinese style egg rolls filled with pizza sauce and mozzerella cheese--yummy!!! If I were rolling in cash and hungry, I might get a hot dog or a burger from the drive-in's snack bar, if I didn't bother bringing any food with me.)

If going to a drive in though, to save money, I usually would bring in a pizza (cos cinema snack bars are overpriced), or some Chinese takeaway, or KFC or something like that, and cold Cokes in a cooler chest. I might also pop my own popcorn at home and bring it, as well.

13. First time you saw...Star Wars (the orignial film)

With my mum, it was the first feature at the Latham Drive-in...it was pissing down rain, through much of the film, so I didn't like Star Wars the first time, 'cos it's hard to watch a film through windscreen wipers. I saw it again, when it was being re-shown at a local cinema, just before the release of The Empire Strikes Back, and THAT'S actually when I became hooked on the film...so much so that I paid to go back and see it, 5 times in two weeks, which is the only time I've ever done that.

14....The Godfather

Probably on television, I don't think my mum allow my dad to take us to see it.

15. A John Wayne film

The first one I personally remember seeing at the cinema was The War Wagon, when I was around 6 or 7 years old.

...something you wrote that you really don't remember writing?

I was sorting through some of mum's genealogy papers, and found a script I'd written for a short play...it's dated Nov. 2001....I VAGUELY remember starting A play, back then, for a class project, but honestly don't remember writing this..though it does have my name on it...and it's written in my "voice" and personal style, AND, mum kept it, so it's definitely one of mine...but damned if I remember it.

Isn't that odd? Of course, My last three years of college, I had so many writing intensive courses, that I'm sure I've forgotten half of what I've written. I was sometimes, literally writing three or four separate papers every day, from essays, to research papers to presentations to plays and broadcasting news scripts, poetry, etc. so...it's a given that I'm not going to remember everything, I suppose.

This was a HUGE surprise to me though, as I've not exactly written loads of plays in my lifetime. It's only a couple of pages of lines, so I must have begun it, and either the professor changed her mind and gave us a different project to do--which happened sometimes--or, I ran into writer's block, or decided I didn't like the play, or something of that nature.

Kind of cool, looking at something you wrote, but forgot about, I must say. Apparently, this was meant to be a comedy, I think. The title is "Meeting the Family."

Huh.

This is what the Secretary of the Treasury, a Wall-Street Millionaire, whom has been making the rounds on television talk shows today, has to say about the multi-billion dollar bail out for failing corporations: Paulson said that "it pains me tremendously to have the American taxpayer put in this position but it is better than the alternative."

While the republicans and Bush, are harassing Congress to push through this bill, the democrats are saying, "Now, wait, I say, wait just a minute here, boys....what about bailouts for the American taxpayer, homeowners facing foreclosure, amid tighter laws (ie: new Bush-backed laws that favour the lender and make it harder the average citizen to file for bankruptcy), what about the average American, old son's, what are THEY supposed to do?"

Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama, the top Republican on the Senate Banking Committee, said that what Congress was being asked to approve was the "mother of all bailouts" which Shelby said would end up costing more like $1 trillion rather than $700 billion when the costs of the government taking over mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and insurance giant American International Group Inc. were added.

Paulson and President Bush have argued that the alternative would be credit markets that remain frozen, meaning that businesses will fail because they can't get the loans they need to operate and the economy will grind to a halt because consumers, who account for two-thirds of economic activity, won't be able to get the credit they need to keep spending.

MORE...

Many of the same economists and opinion-makers who'd provided a bipartisan sheen of consensus to Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson's previous moves have quickly begun casting doubts on the wisdom of a policy that would allow Treasury to purchase without oversight hundreds of billions of dollars of difficult-to-price assets from financial institutions.

Under the proposal, Paulson would not have to report to Congress until December, and the only safeguard for taxpayers was a provision that the “Secretary shall take into consideration means for — (1) providing stability or preventing disruption to the financial markets or banking system; and (2) protecting the taxpayer.”

(This post inspired by a comment I just wrote)

You wonder how many things we say, that our parents said to us, that our grandparents said to our parents...and so forth.

For instance, when we stuck out tongues out at each other: "You'll face will freeze that way."

"Put your sweater (jumper) on, or you'll catch double pneumonia!"

"Just wait 'till your father gets home." Or, conversely, "I dread when your father gets home."

(when I wouldn't eat something) "There's children starving in China." (what I usually thought, but never said: "And...???")

When I couldn't finish a hot fudge sundae at Woolworths, or a bag of popcorn or something: "Your eyes were bigger than your stomach!"

(when I didn't listen to mum and did something wrong) "You knew I told you not to do that, from the word get-go!" (To this day, I've no idea what the word "get-go," is supposed to mean!")

Again, if being a very baaad girl: "If you don't stop that, I'll get the hairbrush out and give you something to cry about1" (THIS was the ultimate threat from mum--spanking on the behind with a hairbrush. Didn't cause any physical or emotional damage, but dang--it smarted.)

Oh, and the old adage about allowing my sister to talk me into doing something bad..."and if someone told you to jump off a cliff, would you do it?"

"Don't pick your scabs, you'll get a scar."

"I don't care who did it, you're both going to clean it up, or else!"

Messy room: "Do you want people to think you live in a barn?" (which was kinda' a dumb thing to say to an animal loving, horse-crazy kid, 'cos, yeah, I'd have LOVED to live in a horse or cow barn, I have thought it was really cool.)

Oh, and the old addressing me by my entire name (first-middle-last)--that's when I knew I was REALLY in for it!

To my sister (quite frequently, as I recall), "If you think I'm letting you out of the house, wearing that, you've got another thing/think coming!"

About sis wearing the same pair of her favourite jeans five days in a row--"If don't wash those soon, they're going to start being able to stand up by themselves!"

When I asked for something expensive: "What? Do you think money grows on trees?" Or the old, "Do I look like I'm made of money?" Or, "Who do you think I am, Rockefeller?" (millionaire John D. Rockefeller)

When sis and I wouldn't settle down to sleep at night, the door would come open ajar and mum would whisper sternly, "I don't want to hear one more peep out of you two. Go to bed!"

When we dolled ourselves up in mum's old poofy 50's party dresses: "You look like Zsa Zsa Gabour!"

"If you chew with your mouth open, it's gonna' stay that way!"

Okay, this was kind of a gross threat (said in light-hearted jest, to be fair), "Use your kleenix (tissue) to wipe your nose, our I'll make you eat your boogers for dinner."

"You'd better study. Do you want to wind up working your whole life at McDonald's?" (Which was odd, coming from a mum who actually did for about a year, work at McDonald's.)

"Whatever (hobby, career, etc) you want to do, is Okay with me, as long as you enjoy it and stick with it."

Mum on me being constantly picked on and teased at school: "Just ignore them and they'll go away." (No, actually, they didn't and they usually don't.)

"You've got two left feet!"

"You'll break your neck if you don't tie your shoes!"

When I lost something: "Well, it didn't just get up and walk away by itself!" (Oh yeah, mum? Well, it could'a done....)

"Red sun at night, sailor's delight, red sun in morning, sailor's take warning." (all I could figure is that mum's family once owned an Erie canal barge in the mid-late 1800's. Also, even further back, one of her more distant ancestors served on a whaler.)

On something she didn't like, "it's just not my cup of tea."

Mum and my dog, Shamrock in our drive, August 1979--click to enlarge.

About once a month, I go in and check the stats on my playwriting blog. Usually most visitors are just in and out, but this time, some student at Yale University, in ten minutes time, visited my blog some FIFTEEN times.

What was that all about?

Curiosity, borrowing ideas, copying my work (which I find highly unlikely), looking at the few pictures on there?

I've a half a mind to contact the drama department at Yale, but then I probably am just being stupid and paranoid, I know.

I mean, it's nice that someone is reading my stuff, but it's...just trash...just stuff I wrote to give myself something to do, the same as my Doctor Who fiction, blogging, my David Tennant captions...it's a hobby, nothing more, nothing less. Still, I do resent, quite strongly, anyone "borrowing" one of my original ideas.

This is, to me, someone copying my work, is almost like being...well, it's a strong word, but this is a strong feeling, it's almost like someone raping my heart and soul.

I mean, the crap on the playwriting page is just that...crap. I know it, anyone who reads it will know it. Still, it's MY crap, and rubbish or no, I still worked very hard at crafting these few short pieces, and take extreme umbrage at anyone calling something I crafted, theirs.

Ah well, nothing really, I can do about people stealing my ideas and words...and heart and soul, is there? Humans can be quite feckless, these days, in regards to respecting the lives and the rights of others.

Well, one of my supervisors had a cold, for the past couple of weeks.

Now, two people in my row, have it, and now I'M getting it. Started last night. I thought the theater was just dry...cos I was incredibly thirsty at the play's intermission--so thirsty, I spent a whole dollar on a half-pint of lukewarm water and chugged it down in less than twenty seconds...but my throat was still burning and dry. I shrugged it off, but this morning I had a burning, sandpapery lump in my throat, felt achy and had chills, and then started coughing on the way home from work. Both my co-workers confirmed that this how their cold's begaan, so looks like I'm in for it...damn.

I'm still incredibly thirsty--throat raw and still "sand-papery". Last night, post-play, I went up the street and around the corner to the hot dog dive on South Street, for a hot dog with the works and a small fry...wound up chugging down two glasses of diet Pepsi, I was still so thirsty, and a half-liter bottle of gingerale when I got home.

"Why you! How DARE you say I look silly in a hat! Take it back, or I'll knock the stuffing out of you!"

This is another 20 questions type of thing.

Three names you go by, other than your given name:
1. Hey you
2. Um--what's your name again?
3. Yo, fat bitch!

Three impossible dreams:
1. Write for Dr Who (series, books, mag, ANYTHING)
2. Have a career I enjoy and am good at
3. Okay, I still admit, deep down inside, I STILL want a horse, or, to do anything involving horses.

Young girls suffering from a disease called "Davidtennantitis," can now look forward to some help, for their over-enthusiasm.

But, now, a concerned third party has step in, a behavioural therapist--and instructor in basic manners, has offered his services for free, to DT fan-girls across the globe. Therapist David Haits-Katz, of Kennsington, in London, has said that he will start booking sessions beginning on first October.

Becky sent me another two-parter to share with you. Part I is a foodie meme.

1. Deviled eggs or egg salad?

Deviled eggs...mum used to make them special only on easter, thanksgiving and Forth of July, so I tend to view them as a special treat. (but I like egg salad sandwiches, as well)

2. Fries: BK or McDonalds?

Since American McDonald's switched fry oils in 1988, I have to go with BK, but before '88, McDonald's really did have THE BEST fries...sadly the new "healthy" fry oils turn anything fried into TASTELESS RUBBISH, but people today seem to like tasteless rubbish.

3. Gravies: homemade or from a packet/tin?

Mostly from a tin, except with stew, then I'll make my own.

4. Tomatoes: fresh or tinned?

Tinned. Fresh tomatoes make me gag--no really, they do!

5. Potatoes: Mashed or jacketed?

I assume "jacketed" means what we call a "baked" potato, anyway, I prefer mashed, generally.

6. soda or beer?

soda, don't drink, and never cared that much for beer the few times I did drink.

7. Apple or crisps?

Crisps.

8. Pork or fish?

Pork

9. KFC or Subway?

Bleh...can't stand Subway. KFC I suppose.

10. Chocolate candy or boiled sweets?

What's a boiled sweet--hard candy? I have no real preference. As a diabetic, I can't really eat sweets much any more, just once every week or two.

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1. Where do you call home?

Northeastern NY less than 200 miles from New York city.

2. What's your favourite board game(s)?

Monopoly, Sequence Dice, Trouble, Sorry!

3. Have you ever fired a handgun or rifle?

Yes.

4. When driving somewhere new, do you get lost without directions?

Only in a city, in the country, very rarely.

5. When did you last get lost?

Can't remember, last time was probably at least five or six years ago.

6. What is on your feet right now?

Light blue socks.

7. Where do you like to travel on a day trip?

Saratoga Springs or Lake George.

8. What's in your pockets right now?

My moblie, my wallet, loose change, a bill receipt, a tissue, a store receipt.

9. What device do you use to listen to music most often?

Used to be internet, but with no sound, my portable DVD/CD player.

10. Who do you hang around most with (don't need to name names)?

Just my cats.

Going home, I had to share a cab with this little old lady...well, I say "lady," but that really can be a subjective term, in America, these days...and perhaps in many western nations.

She stood there expectantly, waiting for the cabbie--who himself was a borderline senior, got out of the cab and loaded her shopping into the back of the passenger van. Meanwhile, I was busy loading my things into the rear seat of the van, as I reached for my last shopping bag, little old lady, virtually knocks me down, bustling to get into the front seat of the cab--the driver wasn't even back in the cab yet, so what the hell was her hurry? I said, "sorry," like i meant it, but really inside, I was seething, 'cos when she knocked me back, my sore part of my back hit the door handle of the van.

Then, on the way home, all she did was complain about her street and all the new homes they had built there, all up and down the road (when we got to the old gal's house, I counted a sum total of two new double wide trailers and a new house) with their "noisy brats and their barbeque parties and cars coming and going and...." at that point, I stopped listening.

The woman gets out, then opens her front door and just stands there expectantly, while the man duitfully--and very politely, carries her shopping bags---about 9 of them, inside her house. Then comes the clincher..."That'll be $3.25."

Well, you'd have thought the poor chap was asking her for fifty dollars! "It should be THREE dollars," she sniffs, "I'M a senior citizen!" (I know for a fact, this cab company doesn't give discounts to seniors and the disabled) The poor fellow just gives her a look, decides not to quibble over a twenty-five cents (damn, I was hoping to see them fight over a quarter), and leaves--naturally, the woman neither thanked the man, nor gave him a tip.

How cheap is that??? This is a strong republican city, and this woman was ALL republican, let me tell you!

These poor cabbies work on commission--AND, have to pay for their own petrol! I bet if the government cheated this...woman out of 25 cents of HER income, she'd kick up a right old fuss, wouldn't she?

Sometimes people really DO suck.

I'm tired. I just lost a day's pay, 'cos my supervisor said "never mind, don't come in, we can't use you today." Damn.

I did my shopping, paid the second half of the electric/gas bill, so at least that's behind me for another month. Got a 40+ dollar invoice I have to pony up for by next week, but then it's clear sailing....until next Friday, that is.

I think I'm going to buy another phone. This one's fine, but it's costing me a small fortune! It's very expensive, even if I use it sparingly, it still runs me at least $40 a month in phone cards, if not $60. I saw a phone for sale at Family Dollar for $15, and their phone cards start at just $10, for almost the same amount of minutes as the Virgin card--only about a 7 minute difference between the two, and $10 a week is easier on my chav paycheck-to-paycheck budget.

I'm in a very, very bad mood today. I woke up an hour early..which is fine, but it's made me very sleepy. I woke an hour early 'cos I THOUGHT I was going to be working this morning. My back hurts and my foot hurts, and I'm cranky. I hate being cranky, but not a lot I can do about it. I'm looking forward to the play...I'll very much be heartbroken if it's sold out. I'm not really looking forward to walking down there---thinking I may take a book with me, and spend the dollar for a bus down there...I know it's only a 15 minute walk, but I'm tired now..and now, 'cos I didn't work to day, I have to work the whole shift tomorrow...that sucks. Six hours of telemarketing hell.

Flame is not helping my mood. She's in heat again--forth time in two months! What the heck is with that? So, I've got a cateurwaling cat baying at the moon like a banshee every few minutes. Damn.

Then, I come home from shopping, and find some stinking DT fan girl has left a very ill-mannered comment on my blog--for a post that was SUPPOSED to be merely in jest. I was going to delete it, but, you know what? I HAVE to take ill-mannered crap from people on my job, all week long, but I don't have to take it on my blog. So, I told her off...not proud of that, but I figured I've earned it. Or, maybe not "earned," so much as paid my goshdarn dues to this madhouse called life.
I hope the play is funny, 'cos I need something to lighten my mood.

Worried about my bad eye, really getting difficult to see out of it....the edges of my vision are darkening and blurring slightly.

I'd turned my heat on very briefly this morning--only for 30 minutes, just to warm the bathroom as it's the coldest room in the apartment, and while my bedroom was 70 F, the bathroom was around 64 F. A half-hour later, I dutifully turned off the heat, also switching the thermostat back down to 60 F. It is now 1pm, and the heat is STILL ON!!!

I CANNOT turn off my heat! Damiit, this building is a pile of poo! The ceilings are coming down, the walls are leaning, the floors are bad (I have a floorboard under my living room carpet, that if you step there, it sinks down into the ceiling below me), the plumbing is constantly dribbling,....damn.

I've tried EVERYTHING. I have NO IDEA why the hell my heat is still on!!! The thermostat says 71 F, and the thing is set to turn on only when it gets down to 60 F, so...WTF??? Stinking programmable electronic piece of poo...

Video--some of it taken at one event just up the street from me in Crandall Park--of the four-day Adirondack Hot Air Balloon Festival, last year. Most of the video was shot at the Floyd Bennett (Warren County) airport, in nearby Queensbury, NY.

Local tip: If you're going SATURDAY MORNING, and don't need to see the launch up close--stop by the McDonald's on Route 9 in Queensbury (or the Starbuck's or BK on Aviation Road) for coffee and/or breakfast, then drive up the road--route 9 northbound, to the Wal-Mart parking lot---unparalleled views, and no crowds--bring binoculars (or buy them at Walmart in sporting goods), for closer views...get there around 6am for the first launches. You WILL have a horizon to horizon panoramic view..and you can`enjoy the view of the nearby Green Mountains of Vermont in the background.

Traffic is moving faster, so they must have re-opened at least some of the lanes of the three-lane southbound motorway, following this morning's tragedy.

Turning to a nice, day, people with their car radios blasting, including some guy in a souped up big ol' off-road pick up truck, blasting the the Smokey and the Bandit theme song out his windows, drowning out the rap music, country music and hard rock pouring out of other people's cars and trucks.

There's a big gathering of a Model T Ford club this weekend, and these pristine antique roadsters are chuging and put-putting up and down the streets...love that. Lovely old cars, they are.

I could tell that something had happened on the southbound side of the nearby I-87 (aka "Northway") motorway, as there are southbound tailbacks on my street, with vehicles one doesn't normally see--New York bound Greyhound coaches (whom seldom stop here any longer), a prison transport bus, cars with out of state plates--more than there should be, even with the balloon festival on...anyway, went online to see what the Post-Star had to say...awww-wish I hadn't.

Some poor woman jumped from an overpass bridge, onto the southbound lane of the motorway and died. She wasn't struck by a car, but aparently died from the fall. It happened around 10am this morning.

Suicide hits home for me, on both ends--I have in fact lost someone I've known that way, the boy that grew up next door to us, and was practically part of the family. On the flip side, I also know the intense emotional feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness, aloneness and emptiness, that can drive someone to take their own life...for no other reason sometimes, than to just stop the horrid pain, that continually slices and dices your soul, a pain...usually, because, unlike a wound or a physical illness, an emotional illness is generally invisible. It is not something that the average person can readily grasp, who hasn't "been there." And, anyone who takes umbrige with that statement, is being naive.

So, to this woman, my heart goes out her, both in sorrow, and understanding. Sadly, mental health is a low-priority in the health care system, and this is just one more victim who has fallen through life's cracks.

And, let me just make this perfectly clear: suicides ARE victims. Just like people are victims of cancer, and victims of rape, and victims of physical abuse. Mental illness is not "all in someone's head," it is not imaginary. It is REAL. The suicide is NOT in control of his or her life or emotions. In fact, the person suffering from emotional illness, is being controlled by things out of their power to do much about. Help is not always forthcoming, treatments are often inadequate, support often dodgy or non-existent...compassion and understanding frequently not even on the radar. In fact, in the USA, mental illness is MORE taboo, than AID's/Hiv was in the late 1980's.

There was a "born-again" Christan in the shop I was in, yesterday. She was a very happy lady, I'll give her that. But, I could help but snort--well out of earshot, of course, I'm not THAT ill-mannered, when she said to some guy, "Oh, I'm sorry things are so bad for you. Well," she said primly and with utter conviction, "you just ask God to help you get some money, and He will. God will listen if you pray, and you will have all the money you need."

So, like, God is a magical genie now, and all you have to do is Pray/wish real hard, and *POOF!* magically you will be the next Donald Trump?

Riiiight. No.

When did American Christians begin turning the Almighty into a biblical fruit machine?

When did Americans decide that faith and prayer would be the ticket to some ecclesiastical lottery, that leads to homes, cars, jobs and cash?

Well, I guess for the same reason people who know nothing about horses bet on the races, and people who know the odds are 10,000,000,000 to 1, play the Irish Sweepstakes.

"'Defender of the Earth' my arse--they really bought that line? Hmmm--wonder if I could sell them tickets to an immaginary U-2 concert?"

I'm going to begin working on the Dr Who fan fic story I started, back in late June/early July, but couldn't finish cos of the crap that happened with the series that upset my emotional applecart (not that anyone at DW Wales would care--as someone actually suggested to me, recently...ha, yeah right...I'm bi-polar not delusional...yet, anyway.) Anyway, I still have my few notes regarding the story, so what the heck, need something to do, now that weather's turning cooler, and I can once again sit comfortably in here, without sweating buckets.

I miss my caravan. I had heavy curtains up to the bedroom windows, and also, where my bedroom was situated, was smack in the middle of some pine trees on our lot, so no one could have seen it from the road, anyway--so I could sit in my erm--skivvies at 3am on a hot July night in my 90 degree F room, with the fan blowing on me, and type away to my heart's content. Since mum slept at the opposite end of our 70 foot long home, there was no worries of waking her. Plus, through the French doors, just 1 foot away from my computer desk, was the master bathroom, so it's not like I'd have to run 60 feet through the house...erm--au natural, to use the loo (the smaller bathroom--which was handicapped equipped, was off a hallway outside mum's door).

Back then, I was either writing stuff for school, or writing bad plays, poetry or essays, pretty much. I didn't even know about the "new" Dr Who until months after mum passed on, not until the Spring of 2006 did I get the joyous news of my beloved Who's return. I didn't even know about blogs, until summer of 2006.

I still don't know a thing about I-pods, texting, blackberrys, laptops, I-phone's, etc.

But, yeah, I need to get back into writing. I started a short play based very loosely on a Shakespearean play, but it was so...bleh, I scrapped it--tho' it's still bopping around on the internet on one of my misc. blogs, what little I wrote. I probably should delete it, but, meh--I'm a bit lazy about it, I'm afraid. Nobody likes my plays for a reason, and well I know it. Why is it, the things I want most to be good at, are the things that I'm worst at, and the things I really don't think much about, are the things that I do better? 'Cos life sucks, that's why.

Well, we're in store for a stretch of utterly fantastic weather all weekend...no rain, temps in the mid 60's to 70 F, and hot air balloons floating across our skies...just saw one drift past high up in the skies a while ago. Pretty!

I have to work today and tomorrow, but hope to have a quiet, relaxing Sunday off. I haven't had two days off in a row--barring illness---since the last weekend of August, and it doesn't look like I'm going to have two days off in a row, anytime again soon. How I sometimes envy people who get the entire weekend off. I don't think I've had that luxury in four, maybe five months.

Ah well, such is the life of the working-poor. Theater tonight--have to get there early to buy my ticket. Meant to do it this week, but the thing with my eye, having to go to the doctor's a few times, sort of tapped out the fund's I'd put aside for a ticket--so, I have to wait till I can cash my pay check today, to get one. If it's sold out I'll be right well upset.

I'd forgotten this was the stinking hot air balloon festival weekend, and all the rich trendy people will be in town--and around these parts, America's highly insecure nouveau-riche love showing off by a making trip to the theater, sitting outside outdoor cafe's showing the world how cultured and educated and oh-so-well-to-do they are-. No, not being churlish towards them. I had my "first contact" with the oddities of the "new rich" back in the mid-1970's, when I was about 14 years old...I had a friend whose mum and dad where nouveau-riche, and neighbours who moved into the "mansion" behind our house, were very much some new-rich snobs...what a trip and a half, these people were! OMG!

Sometimes it was hard for me to fathom that these bonkers people were considered "upper class." I tended to think of them more as "sectioned class" citizens.

I had one couple, whom moved into our neighbourhood from Philadelphia, refuse to allow their daughter to play with me, because they thought I looked "too rough." Erm...I was wearing a flannel shirt hiking boots and cowboy hat 'cos I'd spent the day hiking the wood BIRDWATCHING, and was carrying a wildlife guide and a book of poetry in my backpack...I didn't drink or do drugs, and often volunteered at the library. Also, my mum was the village's librarian/library director, my dad was president of the Veteran's of Foreign Wars post, and my cousin was the village's chief of police...but I was "too rough" to talk to these people's daughter??? (who was a lovely girl, as I recall). Riiight.

Anyway, the nouveau-riche of America, didn't fool me nor impress me at 14, and they certainly don't now. I actually find them quite droll, don't ya' know.

CAB DRIVER!!!!

I was tired. I had just down half my laundry--it once again got so backed up, and I've been so under the weather, that I've had to go to the laundromat in stages, 'cos there's no way I've the energy right at the moment, to lug six loads of washing up and down the staircase.

So, cab gets there, a passenger van cab, and I load my stuff into the seats in the back, and open the front door to get in--and the driver says, "I gotta' pick up someone else." Oh, and you only just thought to tell me AFTER I just piled my HEAVY bag and hamper into the back--the bag and hamper I now have to move...gee, thanks for that.

So, we get to the place where the person is supposed to be, the driver sees no one, rather than RADIO the DISPATCHER first, the berk turns off the engine, gets out, and walks into the cocktail lounge. 10 minutes later, he saunters back out, gets in the cab, turns on the engine, THEN calls in to the dispatcther..."your fare is in the back of the building, like I told you." "Oh yeahhh..." So, he pulls up about two feet--doesn't go near the rear of the place, taps his hooter, and the girl comes walking out, looking none too pleased. Cabbie eyes her, and says, "Aren't you a bar-maid?" Oh, that's smooth. do you use that line on all the girls?

So, we FINALLY cross the bridge and head into the downtown area--which is closed off for the street festival and fireworks. Does he--unlike most cabbie, try to detour around it...no. Stupid cabbie gets behind a Jeep Cherokee, and loses his way---I'm like, open-mouthed, when I see us crossing Route 9--my street, and heading WEST out to the suburbs. I'm like, "WHERE are you going?" CABBIE: "To G_____, like you said." No, not quite, sugarlips.

My street that I live on, has four letters, one syllable. The street he was taking me to had EIGHT letters and TWO syllables! K-reist!

What should have been less than a ten minute cab ride, became more than DOUBLE that...and the traffic wasn't even all that bad, cos, tho' the fireworks were done, the party was still going strong. I just got stuck with a putz for a cabbie.

________________________________________________________________________________

On the other hand, I got 2 complements today.

One was this morning. A comment on one of my Dr Who fan fiction blogs, called "Who's Stories," some lady in, I think, Australia, was incredibly kind, and wrote: Hey. These stories are GREAT! You have a gift, mate!

Wow, that left me a bit gobsmacked. In 47 years, NO ONE has ever told me that I had a "gift," before...not even my own mum! Wow...not letting it go to my head of course, I've read gifted writers, many a time, and I stand firm by my solid belief that I am average. But, yeah, it was nice to hear, sure, and a really, really lovely compliment, one I never expected to hear, certainly.

Then, if that wasn't enough to raise an eyebrow, I had the other eyebrow raised tonight, when another person e-mailed me to tell me how much he or she enjoyed one of my David Tennant captions on here, and suggested I re-post it on my Roasting DT blog, as she thought other readers would "get a good laugh" out of it. This person also went on to tell me you have a sharp wit, you should be writing for television or radio. Wow, again. I must say, I think that one left me a bit speechless.

Of course, any English major/professor reading my blog regularly, will know this is balderdash, but...gee, I am still rather pleased and amazed, I must admit.

(acutally, in a tiny, tiny way, I have written for radio, as an in-class project for my broadcast writing class, I regularly had to pen news scripts, PSA's and adverts. And, as part of my finals exam, I had to write, direct and co-produce a 20 minute radio play)

WEll, I'm off in a bit to go to run some errands over to the shopping centre across the bridge in South Glens Falls. I hope my cab will be able to get through--downtown is closed off tonight, for the first day of the big Adirondack Hot Air Balloon Festival...thousands of people will be pouring into the city and surrounding area this weekend, with literally hundreds of hot air ballooons of all shapes and sizes launching from various locations--first launch happening now, up the street about a quarter mile from me, 7 balloons launching from Crandall Park, and one inflating on the main street through the downtown city centre, for the street festival there.

I was going to go, but I'd rather do my chores now, than tomorrow, because of the play tomorrow night--I have to work both tomorrow and Saturday, so I don't want to wear myself out, by running around like a loon after work, trying to do everything at once, and then going out Friday.

So, I'm off, and I won't be back online 'till about 8 or 9 pm my time, so have a good night, all. Cheers.

1. Choose a picture that represents what you do for a living.

2. Choose a picture of what you would like to be doing for a living.

OR

3. Choose a picture of a place you visited with your parents, as a child.
(Frontier Town theme park, North Hudson, NY)

4. Choose a picture of fun holiday activity you've done on your own.

5. Using Google images, choose a random piece of art that appeals to your current mood.

I'm so excited! Tomorrow I get to see a play again!!! Oh, that's going to be soooo-cool! I've not been inside a theater--any theater, since 'o4, and I'm so thrilled.

I've learned to cope with being shut out from the world, for days, weeks, even months on end...but having to go nearly 6 months without a car, phone, television, internet or being able to go anywhere, except to get groceries or do laundry--I have to say, being alone like that, that was a hard, hard six months, and I know I can do it again, if I have to--after mum passed on, I was utterly alone for months as well, with nothing but 7 cats, my internet, fresh grief, a pile of useless CV's, no heat/hot water, and a foreclousure notice for company. So, I CAN survive being isolated from the world...and in a way, it does make me appreciate these little extras--like shopping for jeans, or playing a round of crazy golf, or going for ice cream or for a swim at the lake...or saving my money to go to a play, it makes these things all the more precious and special to me.

Unfortunately, the drawback is, that it also is a poignant reminder of how much I am missing, and, a reminder of my aloneness, when I go out by myself.

But, I'd be acting churlish, to my way of thinking, if I resented those things...it's just another part of this new reality that is my life now. Like I've written before--for me, there is no looking forward. That part of my life is over, finished. There is no "forward," there's just the here, and the now. I cannot afford to look forward, for the simple fact that another crushing blow to what shred of hope I might still have inside me, would probably be the thing that would be my finale. My past is gone, the future is dust, there is this moment, and I have to focus on that, because if I don't, I will basically just fall apart.

There is no one here to hold me when I cry, laugh with me when I find something funny, yell at me when I mess up...there is only me. I have to be strong for myself, and for me, that means trying to leave the bitterness of all the losses and disappointments, behind--whether it's a massive loss, like losing mum or my cat Red--my best pal for 18 years- or my home, or a moderate disappointment such as having to drop out of college before completing my BA, or a relatively minor blow to my sense of trust in something I relied on--like episode 12 of Dr Who---I HAVE to protect myself, any way I can. And for me, in the here and now, that's taking things one day at a time.

CLICK to enlarge picture.

Well, I've mentioned before how my little girl-cat Flame, is addicted to popcorn--no really. I cannot pop any microwave popcorn, or bring a bag of flavoured popcorn in the apartment, that she doesn't go positively BONKERS, pestering me to give her some! She has a tendency to sit on the arm of my chair, whinge, and quite literally wave her paw in my face, until I hold out my palm to let her scarf some down.

So, on this day, I went into the little Stewart's convenient store across the street from my office building, looking for a pre-lunch snack. It was odd, but me and all my co-workers were all saying how hungry we were, this afternoon, even tho' we'd all had a good breakfast, just a couple of hours before. That was sort of strange...people all over the office saying how hungry the were. Maybe it's the sudden change from high summer back to our normal autumn.

But, I digress. So, I was browsing through bags of Doritos, pretzels, TGI Friday's crunchy mozzerella flavour sticks, and BBQ corn chips--when I spied something called "buffalo wing and bleu cheese flavor" popcorn. Okay, sounds funky, I like funky sometimes, thought I'd give it a whirl.

You know, they say that temptation is the catalyst of fools...okay there's no "they," I just made that up, just now. Anyway, no. Or, to put it another way: BLEH. Just blew 99 cents. But, I ate half a bag anyway, 'cos damn, I'm hungry.

As usual, Flamey decided she HAD to have some, and sure enough, within seconds of me opening the bag, there she was, perched on the arm of the chair, "gimme' gimee, gimme' mum!" I WANT it! So, held out my hand, not really expecting her to try it....she DID!

Flamey has this thing, she LOVES to crunch popcorn in her mouth. I mean, you should see the look of pure joy on her face, when she going "nom-nom-nom, yummy!" Well, she crunched away, but I could see she was having doubts. After the first piece she was licking her lips and moving her jaws--it was just a tad spicy, as "buffalo wing" flavour tends to sometimes be. I thought, "well, now she's had that, she won't want any more." No, not quite. She scarfed down two more pieces before she finally decided that buffalo wing and bleu cheese popcorn reaallly wasn't her thing!

________________________________________________________________________

The other day, I had all that trouble with my bad eye--an infection...and my tunnel vision is getting worse. Anyway, I had to see the health centre's receptionist for something...and I'm standing there behind the counter, on the other side of the window, looking down at the woman seated at the desk---who, as it happens, choose that particular day to wear a low-cut blouse. Now, had I even been a lesbian instead of a "genuine old maid", I might have been okay with that particular "view," but...I rather doubt it.

Not as bad as the time I was forced to sit an entire semester in a computer class, staring down the bum-crack of the teenage girl in front of me....ewwww!

The republicans are aghast, at senator Joe Biden's suggestion that the idea of Americans earning more than a quarter of a million dollars a year paying more in taxes is, quote, "the patriotic thing to do."

While the republicans have always pushed "trickle down economics,"---cutting taxes for the wealthier classes, in hopes the savings will---eventually, "trickle down" to the middle and poorer classes.

The Democrats want to raise taxes for anyone making over a quarter million dollars a year, while cutting taxes a little to a lot (depending on one's income--people over age 65 making under $50,000 will have no income tax at all), thereby giving people more money in their pockets to spend on a weekly or monthly basis, rather than waiting for a questionable reduction trickling down from the rich, which would take--if ever, years to happen.

The democrats also want to stop American corporations taking away American jobs overseas to countries using low-wage labour, from getting tax breaks here. Thereby possibly mopping up some of the leakage of jobs from the U.S.

I can finally get into BCUK!

Had the devil of a time using the site last night, starting around 10pm. At one point, the site lost 3/4 of a long post I'd written--needless to say, I was less than pleased.

I tried to post a recipe and reply to some friend's posts and the recipe wouldn't post and the comments???? No clue.

Another really lovely day here. Not a cloud in the sky though somewhat cool right now at 54 F (12.3 C)...but not too bad.

I had a helluva laugh last night. One of my UK friends was saying that in winter, it got as cold as 1 degree Celsius..I looked it up...that's about 29 or 30 F! I burst out laughing! No really. 1 C is WARM for us, come winter, where temperatures range, in January to early March anywhere from 1 C to -31 C or colder, in Jan. of 2004, it was -40 C! (which, oddly, is the same temperature in fahrenheight). Generally our winter temps average from -11 C to -5 C. But lately, with global warming (oh yes, take it from someone who has spent YEARS out in the outdoors in all weathers, the climate IS changing), there is no real average any longer, and it might be -12 C one week, and 3 C the next...it's really getting very strange.

Over here, we also often have "January thaw"--a temporary rise in temperatures for a few days, causing spring like weather conditions. Not every year, but often enough. The temps sometimes get to as high as 15 C to 21 C, sometimes sparking mid-winter thunderstorms...once, in the late 80's even spawning a few tornadoes. Then, we have winter again, and within days the weather drops back to maybe -2 C or colder.

Today it's to be sunny with a high of 18 C, dropping back to -1 C tonight.

-1 C "freezing???" G'wan wi'ya....I've GOT to move to Scotland!

We don't even put on our winter coats for that!

________________________________________________________________________________

1. Choose a picture to show how you feel about yourself.

2. Choose a picture of an thing or object, that reminds you of someone you hold close to your heart.

3. Choose a picture of something you wanted to be when you were a child.

4. Choose a picture of what you wanted to be when you were in high school.

(ps. the ADULT, not the child or the pony)

5. Choose of picture of a favourite course you have/had as a student.

6. Choose a picture of a hobby that you did or do.

7. Choose a picture of something you've only done once in your life.

8. Choose a picture of something you enjoy doing every day.

9. Choose a picture of someplace you would like to live, someday.

10. Choose a picture of your "dream home."

I grew up in a suburban village, outside a good-sized city, yet, where we lived, was still very much "country," and quite pastoral, even wild yet, in some places.

The Victorian-era estate to which the woods in these photos belonged, was the same family that owned the land that my home and surroundings were built on and around (only we had more landscaping and gardens on my side of the motorway) The vast estates were later split in half by a four-lane short state motorway. Basically, my woods were on the opposite side of the motorway from these woods.

These are the woods, that I used to walk in--the one's behind our village's school, not the one's in my actual "back yard" at home. (Taken in mid or late April, by the looks of it.)

Anyway, as soon as we were old enough to go rambling about the woods and fields on our own, one of the things mum admonished us with, was "DON'T touch the mushrooms!" Now, that may seem an odd sentence to come out of a mum's mouth, to her wee children, but, mum was somehow very aware that wild mushrooms can be deadly. How or where she learned this wise tidbit, I never did find out. Nevertheless, she told us that we couldn't tell a good one from a bad one, and very sternly told us to keep away from them, or we could die a horrible death--which seemed to fascinate my sister, dunno' why...okay, I do, sis was weird from day one. Too much Adams Family and Dark Shadows, one might say, but nah....sis was--and still is, just...weird.

So, where was I? Sorry, I digressed. I was reading in an online paper how these two ladies in the Isle of Wight had blithely picked wild mushrooms and eaten them--one unfortunately dying from them, the other quite ill. THEN, I read how the author Nicolas Sparks and his party, on a trip to Scotland, picked and ate wild mushrooms--resulting in kidney failure. These people weren't exactly uneducated chav's, either, they should have known better.

So, why didn't they? Why do so many perfectly otherwise sensible Britons, not get that we don't eat wild mushroom's without any foreknowledge of species? Even some bad mush's can look nearly identical to edible mush's--which is why you often read warnings not to pick mushrooms unless you are an expert.

So, what gives, my UK pals? Why do people like me, who aren't highly educated (I only have a 2 year associate's degree), know stuff like this, but people in the UK do not? Is it a cultural thing? Is it that you just don't have the number of wild mushie's growing over there that we do, or did I just live in a very safety conconcious neighbourhood?

Or, are people over there, getting as stupid as we are?

On 14th September, a Vigil for Peace was held at the Central Park bandshell, in New York City.

The rally in support of global peace, featured international speakers, children's choirs and American folk, African folk, classical and pop music artists. Also at the event was an art show with a peace theme, poetry readings, and interfaith prayer.

The International Peace Festival was in celebration for the United Nations "Peace Day."

n 2001, the United Nations unanimously passed a resolution designating September 21 of each year as an "International Day of Peace.

To encourage the observation of a worldwide, a 24-hour vigil for peace and nonviolence on the International Day of Peace, is normally held on the 21st of September each year. Why this year's vigil was held on the 14th, I have no idea...possibly there was a booking conflict for the space, this year, or that the organizers changed venues to make room for a larger gathering?

TAKEN FROM A RECENT ENTRY ON "ANTI-CON" BLOG.

NOTE: While I am not against opposing viewpoints, this is, however a personal JOUNRAL. I would remind the nay-sayer's (conservatives) out there, that this is NOT a newspaper editorial page!

Just so you know this up front, I will delete hate-rants by neo-cons, faster than snow melting in the bowels of Hell, so please don't waste your time. Thank you. --playwrite27

Firstly in the news, is the fact that Bush called this big press conference, to follow a big meeting he was having with some of the nation's top financial advisers...a conference his press secretary quickly called off, before the the big meeting even adjourned. Bush has been refusing to answer any and all questions about the nation's--and the world's--financial crisis, and, when in Texas looking at the hurricane damage there, a reporter yelled at Bush, "what about the economy?" Bush merely snarled back, something to the effect that he was there for the people--and the national economy is NOT about being there for the people?

seems that well...as far as Bush is concerned, apparently not. Bush is SCARED. The man always clams up when things go wrong with him, and gets temperamental and sarcastic....and the man's quieter and meaner than ever before, all of the sudden.

In the meantime, the Fed's coffers are getting tapped out, with the 60 billion being given to AIG to keep them from going the way of Lehman's. Ironically enough, that's the same amount of money the FDIC (federal deposit insurance corporation) has on hand for insurance payouts (should a bank or banks fail), for a TRILLION dollars in deposits.

Are we in the beginnings of a global depression? Is the Untied States about to fold up its tent? Or, is Bush just being a spoiled little brat again, and showing a pique of temper because he didn't get his own way about something he wanted badly. Maybe, like with Lehman, he didn't want to bail out AIG, either. Or, maybe Bush's sexy new secretary (see illustration below) said to him, "Ewwww--no, George, I'd rather mate with a monkey."

It's anybody's guess, people.

_______________________________________________________________________

In other news...

Palin--the woman who said, and I quote, "I welcome any investigation, I have NOTHING to hide," has pulled out all the stops to get the investigation stalled, until AFTER the election...(when it would be much tougher to proscecute her, and also would have no effect on her campaign). Okay, if she has "nothing to hide," why then is she so AFRAID of the investigation going forward NOW, instead of later? I mean, if she's innocent (HA) what does it matter WHEN this investigation starts or ends?

The state attorney general of Alaska--a person who is ethically SUPPOSED to be non-partisan, a man whom was personally appointed to his office by Palin herself, has refused to allow state employees to be legally forced to testify, unless it has unanamous support by all politicians--in a largely republican state senate. Oh yeah, like THAT'S going to happen.

Well, at least we know that the charges against Palin for MIS-USE of POWER, are probably TRUE.

Apparently she either didn't take, or slept through, her ETHICS classes in university.

Palin and her backers have hired a high-powered right wing Christan legal firm from Texas (where else would one go to find a bunch of VERY rich, VERY powerful lawyers who follow the bible literally--including the teachings of Jesus)

(HA!--)

I guess these lawyers and Palin, missed those particular biblical passages, about giving all your wealth to the needy, supporting the poor and downtrodden, forgiving those whom tresspass against you, and the money-lenders in the temple story, 'cos, darn, they went missing somehow, when the printer made their bibles.

Republicans in Alaska, whom at first were perfectly okay with this investigation--ten of the 14 senators on the investigative panel are republicans--are now crying "foul!" now that their leader is running for the nation's second highest office, and IRONICALLY, calling the investigation a "partisan smear campaign by the DEMOCRATS." And that would be the FOUR democrats on your FOURTEEN man bi-partisan panel, yeah?

Everybody who doesn't see the IRONY in this statement...oh, never mind. You wouldn't see a ten foot neon-orange robot with a laser in it's forehead, if it was standing right in front of you. No, actually, it's right behind you...ha! Made ya' look! Golly, you republicans are sooo--gullible!
____________________________________________________________________________________

GEORGE BUSH'S NEW SECRETARY:

Morning all--or good afternoon, to my UK friends. Nearly 9am here.

Lovely cloudless morning. After a chilly start this morning--presently it's 50 F (10 C), it's supposed to get to 70 F (21) by late this afternoon. However, this makes difficult dressing weather, as one dresses warm in the morning, and regrets that by mid-afternoon. Ah well, can't win for losing, as they say. Our coldest night will be tomorrow, when the weather is expected to drop to 29 F (-2), and they've already issued a frost warning, to farmers and gardeners.

I've the thermostat set to 62 F, and it has yet to click on, thankfully. I used to set it to 60, but Flame has a naturally thin coat--in fact, she has virtually no hair on her belly under her back legs--, and she gets pathetically miserable when she's cold. In fact, even though my bedroom stayed at 70 all night--still retaining some heat from the 88 degrees it was on Sunday, I suspect, Flame was curled up in my blankets, part of the night. Poor wee thing. She has skin issues, and once a year starts losing her fur..not fleas, the vet once told me she was stumped as to what Flame's problem was...at first she thought Flame was allergic to fleas, but then found no fleas--so the vet just shrugged and said, "I dunno," and I handed her receptionist my $30 for basically nothing whatsoever.

Typical. Sort of like my health care providers. Hand 'em the $20 to see them, only to be told, "huh, I dunno', maybe it's..."

Well, I had my toaster waffles, now I've got to finish changing into my office duds. Had to leave early last night, 'cos my eye was making it hard for me to work, so guess who has to work later today, to make it up? Yuck. People were horrid last night---little old ladies screaming and even swering at me, and boorish American "men," bravely slamming the phone on a lady's ear. Have a grand day, all...my day's gonna' suck, but, when hasn't it?

1. what song makes you think of summer?

Surfin' USA

2. what song makes you think of autumn?

Moonlight in Vermont

3. what song--not a Christmas song--makes you think of winter?

Prairie Town

4. what song makes you think of spring?

Windsong

5. favourite secular holiday song?

Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer--just kidding! I guess, Winter Wonderland, I suppose.

6. favourite religious holiday song?

Coventry Carol

7. favourite song you sang in school?

During a class where one had the choice of learning a few chords on guitar, playing a zylaphone or banging a bongo drum (I kid you not) I got stuck with the guitar (not as fun as the cool sounds that came from the zylaphone, nor as thrilling as banging on something), but, we got to learn a song, called, "Does the chewing gum lose it's flavor on the Bedpost overnight." For some reason, I rather enjoyed that.

8. song you hated most in school?

"You'll never Walk Alone," which the 5th to 7th year classes HAD rehearse, standing on risers in a boiling hot classroom at the end of the year--over and over and over (as if a million rehearsals would actually make us sound better--ha!), in order to sing it EVERY blinking year, to the graduating 8th graders, at the ceremony each June.

9. music lessons: what did you take?

Guitar, recorder, cello, piano. Sucked at every last one of them.

10. ever own a musical instrument? if yes, what specifically?

Owned quite a few over the years, both for fiddling around with, and for just display or for sale in our flea market business.

A Rababa, two acoustic guitars for playing (one was so poorly made, it literally began falling apart within a year), an antique 9-string Italian "harp" guitar, an antique 1940's acoustic guitar, two recorders, a bamboo flute, an antique harmonica, a casio keyboard, a cheezy little plastic electric organ (well really that was my mum's), an antique zither.

11. your favourie traditional musical instruments?

I assume for listening? Piano, guitar, sax, trombone, fiddle, flute, coronet--no, really, love the sound of a coronet, don't ask me why, though.

12. your favourite (if any) non-traditional instruments:

Not sure what "non-traditional means, but I'll take a stab at it. Harmonica, bagpipes, steel drums, dobro guitar, hammer dulicmer--love the hammer dulcimer.

The typical world map in Vermont school rooms:

The Official George W. Bush world map, popular in schools in the Southern United States:

SARAH PALIN's world map:

The Liberal's world map:

The Conservative's world map:

The official state map of Texas:

The unofficial AMERICAN REALITY world map:

What the? It's weird, but a private post from earlier has just gone public, and I don't remember switching it...I wouldn't have done, 'cos it's just my four-week diner planner (which I'm usually pretty good at sticking to, unless I'm sick and my appetite is off)...that's odd.

Well, anyway, had to leave work a bit early 'cos my dodgy eye was acting up--in fact, I can't blog long 'cos looking at the computer hurts my eye, if I look at it for more than a few minutes.

LOVELY sunset out there! Medium pastel blue sky, with swirls of rose-coloured clouds drifting though it. I was going to sit out on the balcony and watch the sunset, but..too chilly, methinks.

Nothing much else to write. I've some old back posts that I've saved as drafts, that I may post later, cos I can type properly tonight, I don't know if I'll bother though, they're not terribly interesting--and neither is this post, I reckon.

Have a good night, all.

I bought a package of carrots the other day--I thought, "69 cents for a package of carrots, that's not bad." Ha! You know what 69 cents gets you now? FOUR carrots!

Cripes! Two months ago, 69 cents netted me SIX carrots! Cheap bastards. Well, fortunately, I only needed on carrot for the spaghetti bolognese. I plan on cutting up the other three, to cook to have with some open face hot turkey sandwiches,

The American hot turkey sandwich is merely slices of turkey from the , heated with tinned turkey gravy and put over slices of bread, usually served with a vegetable and your choice of mashed or fries (chips)--a staple dish at many an American diner.

My other diner favs typically include, turkey club sandwiches (sans tomatoes), tuna melts, Swiss pattie melts, and burgers, but a hot turkey sandwich is my ultimate diner "comfort food." I order it with either mashed or fries, whatever is offered and I'm in the mood for..but if with fries, I'll have 'em put gravy on the fries, as well...yummy! Sometimes I order the hot roast beef, or hot meatloaf sandwich, instead. I'm especially fond of a hot roast pork sandwich, but it's only rarely offered--usually as a chalkboard special only.

HOT TURKEY SANDWICH WITH MASHED AND VEG

TURKEY CLUB--A "TRIPLE-DECKER TURKEY AND MAYO WITH LETTUCE, TOMATO AND BACON, CUT INTO TRIANGLES.

TUNA MELT--GRILLED CHEESE WITH TUNA SALAD

SWISS PATTIE MELT--Grilled swiss cheese sandwich featuring lots of grilled onions and a thick , jusicy hamburger pattie.

A "DOT'S DINER" BACON-CHEESEBURGER. (I can't believe I actually found a photo of this!) Dot's is east of Bennington, Vermont, on Route 9, in the town of Wilmington. Ate there while coming back from visiting my sister, and both mum and I made a point to return--the food was just that good! Alas, mum died before we could, but if anyone out there is in southeastern Vermont, check out dots! The bacon-cheeseburger is to die for! Mum had the turkey dinner and raved about it all the way home...and considering how poor mum's appetite was with her kidney failure, that's a HUGE compliment. Part of the photo is missing, so you can't see it, but the locally made bacon slices are so thick and long, they overlap the buger by a good few inches. Oh, and they make their own fries, mashed and fresh veg, too!

Here's a link to a lovely aerial shot of where my sister lives now in southern Vermont--her town is in middle right of the foreground...have to look closely to see it...and she lives on top of one of the hills/mountains in the left foreground...most of those mountains are part of the Green Mountain National forest. The road-like swaths cut into the mountains are merely for the powerlines...but some are also snowmobile/ATV trails.

http://www.glsweetnam.com/deerfield/Reedsboro3-6-06-2-12.jpg.html

Lazerdude and Becky seem to be having a contest to see who can send me the most meme's, of late!

NOTE--SORRY I kept posting this and un-posting this, but my copy-paste funciton isn't working and I missed a few questions at the bottom of the meme.

LAZERDUDE'S MUSICAL MEME: Three songs

1. three favourite songs when you were a child?

Puff the Magic Dragon, Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer, and a Frito's corn chip jingle: "aye-yi-yi-yi, I am the Frito-bandito, I eat Frito's corn chips I love them I do, I eat Frito's corn chips I take them from you."

2. three favourtie songs when you were in your early teens? (Just three--geez?)

Joy to the World
Mandy
I Think I Love You

3. three favourite songs when you were in high school?

(I didn't have any particular "favourites"--cause I loved so many songs, my favs just changed every few weeks, but these are one's that especially stand out, I guess)

Calyspo
Rhiannon
Three Times a Lady

3. three favourite songs as an adult?

Letter from America by The Proclaimers
Doctor Who theme (no, really)
Kokomo by the Beach Boys

4. three songs you often sing along with?

Eighteen, by Alice Cooper
Joy to the World by Three Dog Night
Mandy, by Barry Manilow

5. three songs that make you feel happy?

Joy to the World
Top of the World by the Carpenters
Celebrate (good times) by KC and the Sunshine Band

6. three songs that make you sad?

Everything I Own by Bread
I'd Cross the Wild Atlantic by Andy M. Stewart
Too Much Rain by Carole King

7. three songs you listen to when you want some quiet time?

Moonlight Sonata
A Time Ago by Gary Remal Malkin
Ashokan Farewell

8. three songs you like, that your friends might not know about?

Pennslyvania 6-500 by the Glenn Miller Orchestra
I Wanna' Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart, by Suzie Boguss
Ca' the Yowe's by Jean Redpath

9. three songs your mum likes or liked?

Chances Are by Johnny Mathias
Cabaret, by the Ray Coniff Singers
Wonderful, Wonderful, by Johnny Mathias

10. three songs your dad likes or liked?

Young Girl (get outta' my mind)
Strangers in the Night
Only You

11. three favourite songs you listen to regularly on your I-pod/I-tunes, etc?

I don't know how to use an I-pod or I-tunes. When I had sound on my 'puter, I used Pandora Radio, and these were favs of mine there:

There She Goes, by the La's
Prairie Town by Randy Bachman
Ruby by the Kaiser Chiefs

12. three favourite music videos?

Believe it or not, I've rarely ever watched music videos...just not my thing. I'd rather just listen to the music.

13. three songs you like to drive to?

Born to be Wild
Listen to the Music
Dust in the Wind

14. three favourite romantic songs?

Earth Angel by the Penquins
In the Mood by Glenn Miller
Lover's Waltz by Jay Unger

15. three CD's you don't own but wish you did?

The Doctor Who Series 3/4 soundtrack(s)
Yours Truly, Angry Mob
Doobie Brothers Greatest Hits

BONUS QUESTION (optional) What songs were popular in your first year of high school (list as many as you can remember)?

I had to look this up on the net--I choose only the one's that I personally remember pretty well, from that year.

Afternoon Delight - Starland Vocal Band (#1)
# All By Myself - Eric Carmen (#2)
# Another Rainy Day in New York City - Chicago (#32)
# Baby, I Love Your Way - Peter Frampton (#12)
# Baretta's Theme (Keep Your Eye on the Sparrow) - Rhythm
# Beth - KISS (#7)
# Blinded by the Light - Manfred Mann's Earth Band (#1)
# Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen (#9)
# Boogie Fever - The Sylvers (#1)
# The Boys Are Back in Town - Thin Lizzy (#12)
# Break Away - Art Garfunkel (#39)
# Breaking Up Is Hard to Do - Neil Sedaka (#8)
# C'mon Marianne - Donny Osmond (#38)
# Can't Hide Love - Earth, Wind & Fire (#39)
# Car Wash - Rose Royce (#1)
# Carry on Wayward Son - Kansas (#11)
# Come On Over - Olivia Newton-John (#23)
# Country Boy (You Got Your Feet in L.A.) - Glen Campbell (#11)
# Crazy on You - Heart (#35)
# Cupid - Tony Orlando & Dawn (#22)
# December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night) - The 4 Seasons (#1)
# Deep Purple - Donny & Marie Osmond (#14)
# Devil Woman - Cliff Richard (#6)
Disco Duck (Part 1) - Rick Dees & His Cast of Idiots (#1)
# Do You Feel Like We Do - Peter Frampton (#10)
# (Don't Fear) the Reaper - Blue Oyster Cult (#12)
# Don't Go Breaking My Heart - Elton John & Kiki Dee (#1)
# Don't Pull Your Love / Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye - Glen Campbell (#27)
# Don't Take Away the Music - Tavares (#34)
# A Dose of Rock 'N' Roll - Ringo Starr (#26)
# Dream On - Aerosmith (#6)
# Dream Weaver - Gary Wright (#2)
# Evil Woman - Electric Light Orchestra (#10)
# Fallen Angel - Frankie Valli (#36)
# Fanny (Be Tender With Your Love) - Bee Gees (#12)
# Fernando - Abba (#13)
# A Fifth of Beethoven - Walter Murphy & The Big Apple Band (#1) (instrumental)
# Fly Away - John Denver (#13)
# Fly Like an Eagle - Steve Miller Band (#2)
# Fool to Cry - The Rolling Stones (#10)
# Fooled Around and Fell in Love - Elvin Bishop (#3)
# Fopp - Ohio Players (#30)
# Free Bird - Lynyrd Skynyrd (#38)
# Get Closer - Seals & Crofts (#6)
# Get the Funk Out Ma Face - The Brothers Johnson (#30)
# Get Up and Boogie (That's Right) - Silver Convention (#2)
# Getaway - Earth, Wind & Fire (#12)
# Golden Years - David Bowie (#10)
# Good Hearted Woman - Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson (#25)
Hard Luck Woman - KISS (#15)
# I Write the Songs - Barry Manilow (#1)
# I'd Really Love To See You Tonight - England Dan & John Ford Coley (#2)
I'm Easy - Keith Carradine (#17)
# If You Leave Me Now - Chicago (#1)
# Inseparable - Natalie Cole (#32)
# Just to Be Close to You - Commodores (#7)
# Just You and I - Melissa Manchester (#27)
# Kiss and Say Goodbye - The Manhattans (#1
# Let Your Love Flow - Bellamy Brothers (#1)
# Like a Sad Song - John Denver (#36)
# A Little Bit More - Dr. Hook (#11)
# Livin' for the Weekend - The O'Jays (#20)
# Living Next Door to Alice - Smokie (#25)
# Lonely Night (Angel Face) - Captain & Tennille (#3)
# Looking for Space - John Denver (#29)
# Lorelei - Styx (#27)
Love Hangover - Diana Ross (#1)
# Love So Right - Bee Gees (#3)
# Lowdown - Boz Scaggs (#3)
# Mademoiselle - Styx (#36)
# Magic Man - Heart (#9)
# Money Honey - Bay City Rollers (#9)
# Moody Blue - Elvis Presley (#31)
# Moonlight Feels Right - Starbuck (#3)
# More Than a Feeling - Boston (#5)
# More, More, More (Part 1) - Andrea True Connection (#4)
# Movin' - Brass Construction (#14) (instrumental)
# Muskrat Love - Captain & Tennille (#4)
# Nadia's Theme (The Young & The Restless soap opera theme) - Barry DeVorzon & Perry Botkin, Jr. (#8) (instrumental)
# Night Moves - Bob Seger (#4)
# Nights Are Forever Without You - England Dan & John Ford Coley (#10)
# One Love in My Lifetime - Diana Ross (#25)
# One Piece At a Time - Johnny Cash & The Tennessee Three (#29)
# Only Love Is Real - Carole King (#28)
# Only Sixteen - Dr. Hook (#6)
# Over My Head - Fleetwood Mac (#20)
# Paloma Blanca - George Baker Selection (#26)
# Play That Funky Music - Wild Cherry (#1)
# Queen of My Soul - Average White Band (#40)
# Renegade - Michael Martin Murphey (#39)
# Rhiannon (Will You Ever Win) - Fleetwood Mac (#11)
# Right Back Where We Started From - Maxine Nightingale (#2)
# Rock and Roll Love Letter - Bay City Rollers (#28)
# Rock and Roll Music - The Beach Boys (#5)
# Rock'n Me - Steve Miller Band (#1)
# The Rubberband Man - Spinners (#2)
# Sara Smile - Daryl Hall & John Oates (#4)
# Saturday Night - Bay City Rollers (#1)
# Say You Love Me - Fleetwood Mac (#11)
# (Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty - KC & The Sunshine Band (#1)
# Shannon - Henry Gross (#6)
# She's Gone - Daryl Hall & John Oates (#7)
# Shop Around - Captain & Tennille (#4)
# Shout It Out Loud - KISS (#31)
# Show Me the Way - Peter Frampton (#6)
# Shower the People - James Taylor (#22)
# Silly Love Songs - Paul McCartney & Wings (#1)
# Slow Ride - Foghat (#20)
#

"I warn you, you may be wearing leather and carrying a riding crop, but I have my screwdriver and I'm not afraid to use it! Erm--what d'you mean, you WANT me to use it? Erm...what's that? You want to know what colour underpants am I wearing?"

Feck my eyes, feck the household expenses....I'm going to the flippin' theater.

I'm NOT going to spend another year, stuck in this lousy little apartment, with nothing but the four walls (and my computer screen) to stare at. Dear God, even prisoners get let out of their cells once in a while, for exercise and a bit of tele!

I went more than a year with out going anywhere or doing anything, and if going to see these two one-act comedies at the Wood Theater downtown, causes me some hardship--I will learn to live with it!

I've GOT to have some mental stimulation outside of my own environment! If I don't, I feel like I'm NEVER going to get out of this stinking depressive blue funk I'm in.

So, I shall cut back on the amount of laundry I take to the laundromat--and go to the cheapest laundromat around (which hopefully will have some actual working machines when I go), buy less and cheaper food, and stick to shopping at the Yankee one-dollar and price-rite deep discount shops.

http://www.pendragontheatre.org/

http://www.woodtheater.org/

Two doctor's yesterday, both told me to go to the eye doctor to get my eyes seen to...NO.

Where do these flippin' people think the money for this is coming from? I'm not on Medicare because I'm flippin' rolling in cash!

I'm NOT covered for eye exams! My eye problem doesn't stem from my diabetes, and...well, this is what the US government's website says:

Medicare will not generally pay for routine eye care, but it will pay for some eye care services if you have a chronic eye condition, such as cataracts or glaucoma. Medicare will cover:

* If you are at high risk for glaucoma Medicare will cover an eye exam by a state-authorized eye doctor once every 12 months. You are considered to be at high risk if you:
o have diabetes;
o have a family history of glaucoma;
o are African American and age 50 or older; or
o are Hispanic and age 65 or older.

COST FOR AN EYE EXAM AT WALMART: (where the doctor's sugggested I go, as it's "REASONABLE."

FIFTY DOLLARS. To put THAT into prospective: That's 33% of my weekly earnings.

And that's just for the EXAM! I'd have to PAY for the eyeglasses, which cost around $100 to $200 dollars, due to my severe vision problems (I can see to "line 8" on the eye chart with my left eye, but only to line "3" or partilly, "Line 4" with my right eye)

So, my vision is just going to have to go by the boards. Stinking well-off Americans, and their "we don't need national health care."

Yeah, well we don't need this, either, America, but we've got it anyway:

1. If you could paint each room in your house a different color, what colors would you paint them?

This just in, from the San Francisco Chronicle:

Looming over the economic choices the next chief executive will make is a ballooning federal budget deficit, estimated by the Congressional Budget Office at a near-record $407 billion this fiscal year and $438 billion next year, equal to about 3 percent of the entire U.S. economy. The fiscal shortfall could grow even larger as the bills come due for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac rescue costs, plus other outlays to safeguard the financial system. The deficit will restrict the new president's ability to carry out some of the initiatives the candidates tout in their campaigns.

In a nutshell then:

MC CAIN:

Would extend all Bush income tax cuts. Would lower corporate tax rate and maintain current capital gains rate. Would offer tax credit of up $5,000 for those buying health insurance. Would ban Internet taxes.

Would institute a one-year freeze on nonmilitary discretionary spending. Would veto earmarks. Would provide $7 billion to $10 billion in subsidies to state health insurance pools for high-risk patients.

Would balance the budget by 2013 by boosting economic growth and clamping down on spending. Would work with Congress on a bipartisan deficit reduction plan

Would supplement Social Security with private accounts. Says reform of the programs is needed to address long-term budget deficit. Opposes payroll tax increases.

Believes globalization is an opportunity for Americans and supports initiatives to reduce trade barriers.

Would encourage lenders to refinance responsible subprime mortgage borrowers who can't afford existing loans.

_______________________________________________________________________________

OBAMA:

Supports ending Bush income tax cuts for households with income above $250,000. Would offer tax credit up to $1,000 to middle-class households and eliminate taxes on seniors making less than $50,000. Would raise top rate on capital gains.

Would spend $15 billion annually on alternative energy development and $18 billion on education. Would cut earmarks to 2001 levels and end subsidies to the oil and gas industry.

Seeks to reduce the deficit by raising taxes on wealthy, cutting special interest spending, closing corporate tax loopholes and ending Iraq war. Supports pay-as-you-go rules that require new spending or tax cuts to be paid for by new revenue or cuts in other programs

Opposes benefit cuts or privatization. Seeks greater efficiencies and cuts in subsidies to Medicare providers. Would impose payroll tax on earnings above $250,000.

Supports free trade agreements only if they include protections for labor and the environment.

Would create fund to help homeowners avoid foreclosures.

__________________________________________________________________________

WHAT DO THE EXPERTS SAY?

Both candidates promise to slash the deficit or even bring the budget back to balance during his term in the White House. Independent experts scoff.

"Both will simply dig the fiscal hole deeper and put us more into hock to foreigners," Sawhill said. "McCain's proposals are even less fiscally responsible than Obama's."

The Tax Policy Center, a joint project of the Brookings Institution and the Urban Institute, calculates that Obama's tax cuts would reduce revenues by a total of $5.4 trillion from 2009 to 2018. McCain tax plans would dig a deeper $7.4 trillion hole based on policy documents provided by his campaign and reach a staggering $11 trillion if the candidate's promises made in stump speeches are taken at face value.

Goolsbee counters that Obama would trim the deficit by ending the Iraq war and removing subsidies now going to Medicare and student loan providers, among other steps. McCain would rely on economic growth and unspecified spending cuts to eliminate the deficit, Holtz-Eakin said.

"Obama will have trouble with the ambition of spending he's looking for," said Jonathan Nagler, a political scientist at New York University. "Somewhere, something will have to go, but I don't think it will be the middle-class tax cut, and I don't think it will be health care."

As for McCain, "if he makes the Bush tax cuts permanent, I don't know what he will do," Nagler said.

It's not just the deficit that will set limits on economic policy. Given McCain's commitment to Republican tax-cutting politics and Obama's embrace of Bill Clinton-style limited government, the real issue is how much either man would alter the economy's fundamental direction.

"So much of what's going on is a consequence of open markets and globalization. When you look at what these guys are talking about doing, it's pretty minor stuff," the Urban Institute's Gleckman said.

So, I just spent the night getting novacaine and eye-drops put into my right eye, which feels really funky now.

I just ran through 20 dollars with NOTHING to show for it, but some special antibiotic eye drops.

I may have forego my much anticipated night at the theare, at this rate.

Got a cab home from the doctor's, got out of the cab--and realized I'd left my jacket at the health centre---which had just closed!

So, I hailed the cab, which was in the process of making a U-turn, got back to the health center--fretting all the way that it'd be shut tight, and I'd be spending the night in my building's stairwell--I said to the cabbie that wish I could remember the health center's phone number--and she told me...turns out she goes there too. So, got their answering service, they connected me with one of the receptionists who was just leaving..yes, she'd meet me at the door with my denim jacket...which had my keys in the pocket.

I didn't like the doctor though. I HATE condecending people! Have you ever mis-spoke yourself? I told her the pain was in my retina--meant my pupil, but you know, I just said the wrong word, accidentally.

Next thing you know, this pompous woman is pointing at my eye and saying, "your retina is at the back of the eye, that's your pupil and the white stuff's the cornea..."

Grrrrrr!!!!

I said, "Sorry, doctor. I didn't study anatomy in college, I was a liberal arts and communications major." Then she gets even more condescending, when she realizes I'm not one of the usual welfare mom /dottering elderly or chav patients they often see there..."Ohhh? My daughter was thinking about taking liberal arts, did you find it helpful?"

Grrrr!!!!

Just look at my stinking bad eye and shut up already, yeah?

My right eye is horrible. I can see to "line 8" on the eye chart with my left eye--but only just BARELY see to "line 4" with my right eye...and I still got one letter wrong, apparently.

___________________________________________________________________

On the way there, my cab stopped at a four-way stop intersection, and as she's sitting there, I see this girl in a little red car, slowly drive through the stop sign--just as my cabbie was pulling out to make a left hand turn. The red car--the girl SAW the cab--kept right on coming, even tho' my cab had the right-of-way...the car having slowly coasted past the stop sign without even pausing, I yelled at the driver to stop--the cabbie kept going, the red car kept coming---and the red car was going to hit right where I was sitting! I screamed this time--STOP!!! She did, and the girl in the red car--still not stopping, slowly coasted around the cabbie--taking the time to honk her horn---all the while staring straight ahead like she was in a trance.

Whew--almost wound up--not only locked out of my apartment, but in the ER, as well!

I reckon the girl was just a wee bit not quite sober, if you know what I mean. She made a left turn at the next street, very slowly and not too straight.

Stinking drink drivers--hate their guts. They don't care whose lives they destroy, just so they can have their little drinky-poo.

My first-ever pick up truck was a 1976 Dodge slant-6 Adventurer, pretty much the same as the one pictured above, right down to the colour--except it didn't have a truck cap attatched to the back, like the one shown. I bought it for a grand total of $350 cash, in 1989.

It had an engine that you couldn't hurt if you repeatedly whacked it with a sledge hammer, but, the tyres were going bald, the body was so rusted out, you could see the pavement through the holes in the floor, reverse had a tendency to stick--which meant getting out of the truck with a heavy-duty flat-head screwdriver and a hammer, opening up the hood (bonnet), jamming the flat edge of the screwdriver in-between the gears and giving the end of the screwdriver a good whack with the hammer. The "tailgate" of the truck was a canvas web stall guard that I got for $10 at a horse tack auction (a device that is latched across the open door of a horse's stall, to allow for better air circulation and easier access.).

The muffler went two weeks after I bought the truck, and running the truck without a muffler caused the insulation under the interior of the floor to catch fire--bringing out the local volunteer fire department...cause I burnt my thumb trying to pull the insulation out. (the truck was saved but the insulation was a bit toasty, and I had the less than fun job of replacing it myself....which considering that my only tools at the time, were a screwdriver, a hammer and a spanner, and didn't have a clue what I was doing, was no mean feat, let me tell you.

The passenger door had a habit of refusing to close, and neither the heater, gas (petrol) gauge, nor radio worked.

It had the name of the original owners stamped on the rear bumper-the last large commercial brewery left in Albany, NY--who sold "Schaffer Beer"--whose family lived in our town, and were very nice people. I still can sing their jingle: "Schaffer. Is the. One-beer-to-have, when-you're-having-more-than-one."

God, I loved that truck!

No, really. I'd really adored that truck. Not as much as the 1987 5-speed Ford Ranger that I bought in 1999, but yeah. Despite every thing, I really did love that truck...when I wasn't cursing it roundly, under my breath...and sometimes aloud...while kicking the tyres.

Owning that truck was a genuine adventure--the name of the truck suited it very well. Besides the fire, there were the times when I had to play a little game called, "guess how much gas you have!" One time, I literally rolled into a petrol station, just as the last of the gas ran out! How lucky was that? Just as the engine cut out, I rolled right up to the pump--with a big grin of relief on my face, of course.

Another time, mum and I signed on to do this HUGE outdoor flea market in a resort town called "Windham" in the Catskill Mountins--about a 2 hour drive from our home. Well, we were, as you Brits say, "on our uppers," due to a combination of a repair mum just had to her car, and of course business expenses. On that morning our total net worth being about--I kid you not--seven cents. But, a lot of well-heeled New Yorkers (what we upstate New Yorkers call people from New York City) were expected to be there shopping for "country" bargains, and we had pleanty of good stock we'd just purchased from an estate auction, on the cheap. By then I'd had the gas gauge replaced, and had half a tank of gas when we left at 6am Saturday morning. By 8am, we were crossing the Rip Van Winkle Bridge over the Hudson River, and my gas gauge read about an eighth of a tank. "Never mind, ma." I said cheerfuly, as she looked nervously at the reading, "we'll make it, can't be too much farther now."

Ha! Wanna' bet?

I'd mis-read the map. Not a good thing to do, when you're low on gas AND funds, is it? Turns out, Windham was about a 45 minute driver further along than I'd expected...we actually rolled into the town, basically riding on fumes--and praying that there'd be lots of sales (and no one expecting any change)..and, there was a petrol station just two doors away from the boot sale/flea market! AND, lots of eager buyers--I sold a box of collectible coffee mugs, before I even finished unloading the truck! Talk about two very happy--and relieved, people--mum and I would laugh about our "narrow escape" for years after.

RIP VAN WINKLE BRIDGE OVER HUDSON RIVER

________________________________________________________________________________

It pretty much was the fist time I'd ever driven a standard transmission--every car I'd driven at that point, being an automatic. Now, most people, you say "standard" transmission, they automatically think a clutch and five gears--at least, here in the USA.

And...a gear shifter that is a stick on the floor, in most cases marked, where the gears are....erm--not my truck. My truck was a rare 3-speed, shift on the steering column--basically on the same side as the turn signal. So, for three days, after I'd registered the truck and put on the plates, I drove around an industrial estate, across the road where we lived, learning to drive with a clutch...and trying to figure out where the gears were, and which gear was which, and where the hell reverse was, as well.

My first trip out alone, I drove mum to work, as once again, her little Escort was was at the garage. Coming back through the little town where she worked, there's this tiny little hill on the main street--just a slight, gradual slope, really, with a traffic light at the top. Well, I got caught out having to stop in traffic mid-hill. Mind you, in learning to drive 3-speed stanard with a clutch, I never thought to do any learning on a HILL.

Oh dear. Did moi have just a few wee problems keeping the truck from rolling backwards into the car behind me--AND, not stalling out? Oh yes.

Afraid I was yelling a bit like a mad woman, trying not to panic, when I tried to re-start my stalled truck..using the clutch and brake and the shifter, all at the same time...which until then, I'd never been called on to do before, in my whole life. that was NOT a fun experience!

Since then, driving any standard has become a piece of cake, from a 5-speed ranger, to an International dump truck. But, that first experience with "hill driving," that was a bit scary, I admit.

Still, I loved that old truck. I finally was forced to sell it because an electrical part on the firewall kept making the truck go dead, and no mechanic seemed able to fix it...despite the part being replaced four times, the truck would just go completely dead without warning. After being stranded for the 10th or 12th time, I finally had to admit defeat, and sell it.

THE BOTTOM OF THE INFAMOUS "HILL"

"Hey everyone! Wave yer hands and sing along with us: We are the world, we are the children..."

"Yeah, that's nice McCain--nothing like a warm, fuzzy hug, ey, John? Now get the hell off'a me, and let's go bomb someone!"

"Laxitive...must..get...laxitive."

"Okay, so I can't remember how many homes I own. My memory has been so bad these days..."

HOW BAD IS IT, JOHN?

..."how bad is what?"

1) Are you a leader or a follower? Neither. I make my own paths to follow.

2) Who is the person you are most candid with? A close friend I've never physically met.

3) What one thing in your life would be easiest to change, but you’ve never gotten around to it? Nothing in my life right now, would be easy to change.

4) If you could convince any single person to change his or her mind about one thing, who would you pick and what topic would you work on? McCain on his choice of a running mate.

5) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Wall Street

DEAR BEAR the blog stalker (AKA: "Tin-foil hat man") :

You obviously are being very obtuse and not getting the hint...forcing me to "tell you off,"

This not something that I relish doing, I rather had hoped you'd just take the hint and do the right thing and go away, but, as you seem to have not the proper-sized testicles, or enough hair on your chest, to quit bothering a LADY...I really don't see any other way to communicate with someone like you, than to be blunt and forthright.

I admit, for me, it's a bit like swatting at a pesky mosquito with a sledge hammer, but, if that's what I have to do, so be it.

So, since you don't get that I'm NOT reading your comments, you've left me no choice--your extremely ill-mannered approach of "dear child" killed that, right off the bat. I eat smug, sexually insecure men for breakfast, mister. I deal with your types every day on my job, and I find your pathetic attempts and trying to show what big men you are...just sorry and laughable. I NEVER take smug, condesending people serious, really..NO.

Bear, you HIDE your e-mail address, you HIDE your name, you are RUDE to a lady---you sir, are a sniveling coward, a fool and a knave!

PLEASE stay in Pennslyvania, and stay out of New York--we have enough of your kind here already, without any more, thanks.

I WILL NOT read your comments, I will not allow you a voice, because you sir, are a condescending, UNEDUCATED cretin, you are without honour sir
.
WHEN you decide to grow out of your diapers, and become a MAN, and show respect to women, and have the GENUINE COURAGE, to state your real name, and address me PROPERLY--like your mother, if she'd been a DECENT mother, would have taught you, then I MIGHT bother to listen to you.

Go away, and don't come back until you learn some CHRISTIAN humility and RESPECT.

And, "my child," ANY "child" I had left in me, DIED the day I had to tell them to shut off my mother's life support, and sit in a room alone, holding her hand as she lay dying. NEVER EVER call me "CHILD" again! Is that CLEAR ENOUGH FOR YOU?

I am am STONGER than you, TOUGHER than you, and more of a HUMAN BEING than you can ever hope to be.

GO AWAY, you are not wanted here, you coward, don't come back until you find the courage to NAME yourself, and TREAT women properly---IF you really are a CHRISTIAN.

I forgive your for your insults--I understand you suffer from some emotional disorder, but I really think, instead of bothering AMERICAN women like me, you really should just see your pastor and seek out some help, yes? Or, GET YOUR OWN BLOG.

I understand you have some craving for the wrong kind of attention, and that's what's driving you do pester me with your blatherings, but read below:

When you can be CIVIL and POLITE, I will allow your comments to stay--until then, you are "persona non-grata."

Now go put on your tin-foil hat, sit in your tee shirt, sip your beer and watch your 76'er's
basketball games, and...for pity's sake STOP being so pathetic and quit stalking my blog.. do something useful with your life, show some manliness, and GET YOUR OWN BLOG.

BEAR'S ADDRESS: IP: 96.245.126.34, pool-96-245-126-34.phlapa.fios.verizon.net)

Okay, it's Monday, I'm up....well...I'm up.

The winds during the night, somehow made Boots restless, and--unusual for him--he kept waking me all night long, getting restless. The boys upstairs kept me up half the night, as well, literally running back and forth over my head, and banging furniture around, until about 3 or 4am...must have been one helluva party. Cripes! Sounded at times like they were holding a football match up there!

And, a bedroom just a few degrees shy of 90 degrees F, didn't exactly make for a good night's sleep for me.

Less humid today, only up to about 75 F, and down to the low 50's F, by tomorrow night. So, hopefully this weekend was FINALLY our last bit of humid, sticky, hot summer weather.

No rain from Tropical Depression Ike, just wind, clouds--and even the clouds are scattered now,as it's partly sunny today. Strangely TD Ike is causing lots of flooding in the Midwestern states, with showers still lingering there, but something about our air currents or whatever in this part of New York is driving the worst of the weather up into Quebec and Northern New England.

I know I should eat breakfast, but not hungry. I HAVE to eat something, 'cos of my diabeates..if I don't, I start getting the tremmors if I wait too long to eat, sometimes. That happened last week...even tho' I wasn't especially hungry, I was shanking like a junkie in need of a fix, 'cos I'd had only a slice of toast breakfast, and by 3pm, my body was very unhappy with me. In a typical workday, I have breakfast around 8.30, then go work, and don't get lunch until sometime between 2.30 and 4pm. Which is fine, except for those stupid shakes.

Anyway, have chores to do, after work, so it'll have to be a quick sandwich for my lunch today, as I must grab a cab and take care of a couple of things after work--won't be online much until tonight.

So, have a good day, all.

Wow, I went to check out this Dr Who forum, and the big topic is that David Tennant missed a show the first week of September. The conversation was largely in this awful "text-speak" the kids use today--sort of like a written version of the pig-Latin we kids used to use when I was growing up--so I had a hard time figuring out what these girls were wittering on about. I THINK one of the girl's was upset that either Tennant's understudy did a performance, OR, that he was a no-show at some post-performance talk. But, eh.

Another girl was gushing how, when he took his bows, Tennant looked right at her. I can relate to that. I was, for a couple of years as a teen, head-over-heels for John Denver, and while at a performance at Madison Square Garden--where I got a "return" ticket that was about 25 feet from the stage--I believed that at one point, Denver was looking right at me. I was soooo--thrilled. Of course, I know now that likely wasn't the case---one face out of ten thousand screaming fans, how could that possibly be? But, I was on cloud nine for days, I admit.

I'd hoped to find some news concerning the specials next year--NOT spoilers, but just when they might air, general info, etc. I don't consider the knowledge that the cybermen are coming back a spoiler, 'cos Cybermen and Daleks are such a DW staple, that it's pretty much a given that sooner or late in the course of a series, there's gonna' be one, or the other, or both. But I have taken great pains to avoid any deep mentions of a certain upcoming episode. I can handle a minor spoiler--you get that when you read film reviews and the dust jackets of books, but...I really hate big spoilers---for me, a HUGE part of the "fun" with Dr Who, is guessing and speculation. Of course, when I'm proved right, I do admit to punching the air, and hollering "yes!"--which startles the cats, but meh--they'll get over it.

Ha-ha! Made ya' look!

For gawd's sake! Leave the poor wee man alone, and get a HOBBY, for crying out loud. Geez...

Okay, that was gross. Just took out my bin bags to the dumpster out in the rear car park...some chav guy is hammering up framing for an addition to a home on the next street over, (whose back yard partly backs up onto my apartment building's little car park), and I glanced up...and the guying is standing there, pounding a nail with one hand, the other hand holding a can of beer...and the guy was wearing NOTHING but his Calvin Kleins and a tool belt!

EWWWWW!

Wouldn't have been so bad, if he worked out at the gym down the street, but..trust me, I think the only exercise this guy ever does, is bending his elbow during the football game.

Think I've been writing too heavy on the politics side, think I need a change for a few days, so that last post is just one last blast at the conservative "mind."

I feel that if I spout to much on one topic, too often, people will stop listening, but I will resume the dialog, soon, just giving it a rest for a few days. However, if anything REALLY outrageous (as if our own military allowing itself to be used as an instrument of murder, isn't terrible enough--and seriously jeopardizing our mission there), anyway, if anything more develops, rest assured, I will have my say.

Still, as every great writer and orator and actor will tell you, there is a time when you should speak, and a time when you should be silent, and in that silence, perhaps new thoughts and ideas will be born.

This from the AP: A phony tip sent to the US military by a rival tribe, led to a US bombing raid that butchered 90 civilians--many of them women and children---and netted ZERO Taliban terrorists.

Deciding--as Sarah Palin might have put it-- "not to blink," Allegedly, the US military rushed in to bomb the village, without verifying the information, or finding out more about the situation, or about the tipster, according to an unnamed source in the US military.

This new information--which has been verified as FACT---totally contradicts the Bush administration and the Pentagon, who claimed, originally that only a handful of civilians were killed and about 35 Taliban fighters were dead. The US military stood fast by their claims for weeks--until photos taken at the scene by camera phone, proved without a doubt that the USA had just slaughtered a village of innocent civilans, with NO connection to the Taliban, whatsoever!

If this doesn't wake Americans up to the horrors of what a McCain/Palin ticket will be like, and the continued, totally unconscionable slaughter that the likes of Bush/Palin support, then they've brought the hate of the Afghan people--and those throughout the Middle East, on themselves, through their continued ignorance and lack of empathy--at least as far as I'm concerned.

The tropics are upon us here, in the north country. Tho' the sun is shining, and a cooling--though too intermittent---breeze is lofting through the trees along the streets and in people's yards.

In some places, the leaves are falling, here and there one sees yellow and brown leaves, edges curled, as dried as a tobacco leaf in the drying shed, skittering away across the walks, crunching under the careless feet of pedestrians. The restless wind stirs waving still-green tree boughs in fits and starts, leaves trembling in the calm before the storm. The high spreading overcast clouds vie with the watery sunshine, and the air sits heavy all around, thick enough to be visible.

Summer is a jealous lover, who does not relish the bitterness of the coming October frosts.

MID-SEPTEMBER IN MY PART OF THE WORLD

For a over a week now, this old folk song from my past--about twenty or twenty-five years ago--keeps running through my head. I even found myself singing it in the shower one morning! The really strange thing is, is that I've not even heard this song in YEARS. I mean, at least ten or fifteen years, not at all.

Isn't that odd?

JULIAN OF NORWICH
(Sydney Carter)

(G) G - G C G / G - G C G

Loud are the bells of Norwich and the people come and go.
Here by the tower of Julian, I tell them what I know.

C G D - / G C D G

Ring out, bells of Norwich, and let the winter come and go
All shell be well again, I know.

Love, like the yellow daffodil, is coming through the snow.
Love, like the yellow daffodil, is Lord of all I know.

CHORUS

Ring for the yellow daffodil, the flower in the snow.
Ring for the yellow daffodil, and tell them what I know.

CHORUS

All shall be well, I'm telling you, let the winter come and go
All shall be well again, I know.

Loud are the bells of Norwich and the people come and go.
Here by the tower of Julian, I tell them what I know.

CHORUS

All shall be well, I'm telling you, let the winter come and go
All shall be well again, I know.

The New York Times WAS supporting McCain, but now may be changing their minds, over remarks by Sarah Palin, that worries editors at that prestigious paper. The Times questions McCain's sense of gravitas and responsibility, in choosing a newcomer like Palin, whom he knows may become president some day, and whom often goes against McCain's own views--such as his views on torturing prisoners and preserving the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge.

Palin put down American voters with a sneering remark that the voters don't care about resumes (CV's), experience meeting foreign dignitaries, or experience in dealing with national and international issues.

In regards to terrorism and conflicts with other nation's, Palin has displayed a total disregard for diplomatic resolutions, saying flatly, "you can't blink." In other words, you can't stop to actually "think" about what you are doing--nor, about the long and short-term consequences of your actions, but must react defensively and aggressively, no matter what the cost--to innocent lives or the national economy.

The Times also points out Palin seems totally obtuse, as to the literal difference between national policy, and her religion, citing her address to her church that Bush's (failed) policy in Iraq was "God's plan," and that we went to Iraq on a "Mission from God."

Palin later claimed she was quoting Lincoln, but I can assure you, Lincoln NEVER said that the Civil War was a "God's plan!"

Palin has shown herself to be an unconsciounable liar and a woman who has no scruples, who has no problems with lying or getting back at someone who twarts her (trying to fire a librarian who refused to censor books, and trying to fire a police commander who refused to dismiss a police officer involved in a messy divorce with her daughter), who charged rape victims for their forensic kits, who is against abortions for victims of violent criminal rape, and women whose live's would be endangered if they went ahead with the birth of a child...this from a "Christan" woman, in a religion that preaches forgiveness, compassion and love--well, at least it USED to...Oh, and honesty, that's a big part of Christianity and...honour.

If you think Bush lied a lot, the McCain campaign break's Bush's record, according to some political analysts. Palin/McCain have spewed out lie after lie after lie, anything to get elected! To quote one article:

This year, however, the McCain campaign keeps making assertions that anyone with an Internet connection can disprove in a minute, and repeating these assertions over and over again.

Read that article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/12/opinion/12krugman.html?_r=1&em&oref=slogin

And, I leave you with the end part of this New York Times article:

This nation has suffered through eight years of an ill-prepared and unblinkingly obstinate president. One who didn’t pause to think before he started a disastrous war of choice in Iraq. One who blithely looked the other way as the Taliban and Al Qaeda regrouped in Afghanistan. One who obstinately cut taxes and undercut all efforts at regulation, unleashing today’s profound economic crisis.

In a dangerous world, Americans need a president who knows that real strength requires serious thought and preparation.

"Ugh! What the HELL was I thinking?"

In the early 90's the American Movie Classic network put on a lovely sit-com, penned by Rupert Holmes, and featuring a stellar cast of experienced theatrical actors, the show was a witty, brilliantly written farce, interspersed with drama and music. Next to Doctor Who, it remains one of my favourite programmes of all time. Like Dr Who, this programme almost always left me smiling at the end.

An Armchair Detective – 'A Remember WENN Mystery Play Including Musical Selections'

by Tony, Emmy, and Edgar-Award Winner Rupert Holmes

Find yourself in the Golden Radio Age of 1939 set in Pittsburgh. A radio station's small but dedicated crew takes on a pistol-waving escaped convict, thunderstorms and power-outages, and a mysterious ghostly voice echoing through the studios, all the while giving their listeners comedy, drama and musical variety as if nothing out-of-the-ordinary was happening. Holmes is the creator and writer of Broadway hits "The Mystery of Edwin Drood," "Accomplice" and the current mystery-musical success "Curtains."

PART I: Word association, write the very first word that pops into your head

1. pink......dress
2. shoe......stone
3. zebra.....horse
4. school....hope
5. button....anger
6. kiss.....yuck (no, really)
7. over.....easy
8. pool.....swim
9. run......limp
10. seven...highway
11. dew.....spring
12. apple...tree
13. building...office
14. hat....cowboy
15. book...library
16. song...CD
17. banana...mushy
18. plane....travel
19. tyre....expensive
20. light....fresnel

(Mind you, I have no idea what that's supposed to mean, or what it says about me)

PART II:

1. What are your plans for today? Household chores, blogging, laundromat

2. Who was the last person you talked on the phone with? The cab company.

3. What was the last tv program you watched? A classic Dr Who DVD on my portable DVD player. (don't have television)

4. What was the last thing you ate and drank? 2 slices of leftover pizza and a Coke zero.

5. What time did you get out of bed today? Extremely late, about 10.45

6. 5 fun things you did this summer: Went to the beach once for a swim, played a round of crazy golf, watched fireworks downtown, sat by the lake eating a soft ice cream cone and watched the boats/tourists, went shopping for a new pair of jeans then ate out at a favourite local snack bar.

7. How do you usually style your hair? The few times I am able to go or a cut, I generally get a short, layered shag..similar to a 'Dutchboy." I have nortoriously fine, thin hair that's the bane of most hairdresser's existence, 'cos it just plain doesn't like to hold a style.

8. If you could fly anywhere for the weekend, where would you go? London, New York City or Reykjavik. Although, if I went to NYC, it would likely be by Trailways bus, 'cos they have a terminal in my city, and it would leave a smaller carbon footprint.

9. What fiction author do you have the most books of, of your shelves? Louis L'amour.

10. What author do you wish you had more works of? Either Steven Saylor, Terrence Dicks or John Steinbeck.

11. Healthy snacks or junk food? Junk food.

12. What is your favourite television programme and how long have you been watching it? Doctor who, 25 years this year.

13. What programme do you miss most, and wish they'd bring back? Remember WENN

14. Name three television programmes you like that are no longer on. Remember WENN, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy (USA version), West Wing.

15. What part of the world do you live in? Less than 200 miles north of New York City

Here is an excerpt from a drama-musical, which features author Barbara Ehrenreich, bless her. She wrote a factual book, where she became (temporarily) part of America's low-wage labour force. She saw first-hand, the poverty, hopelessness, continual struggle for survival--and the courage to carry on, that plagues a whole swath of the American population. Any American who refuses to "get" what her book is about, is deliberately mentally blinding themselves.

I cannot hear this, of course, but I've read her book twice--once in my political science class, and again, back in 2006---the year I once again, joined the ranks of those people she writes about in her book. These are the people the politicians and many of the (better off) American people, treat like invisible human beings.

Please don't disrespect me by scoffing at this. I AM educated, but this isn't fairy-tale land, and isn't a perfect world, and employers can be quite narrow-viewed, and also, the poor are more prone to poor credit, and TODAY, Americans with poor credit CAN and ARE denied jobs, housing and other vital needs, with NO consideration or attempt at understanding the CAUSES for their situation. Americans who cannot afford nice haircuts or nice clothing, who are either overweight, or unattractive WILL be turned down for better paying positions, not based on any lack of skills, but based solely on their LOOKS. An American can be highly qualified for a job, or be the perfect employee for a position, but will be turned away, ONLY because they cannot afford to lock "perfect." An American can experience long-term unemployemnt, based on a disability, or a choice to stay home to care for children and/or a sick parent, and America's better-paying employers---including state and local government employers, will penalize that person, for not having a "recent employment history," EVEN THOUGH that person may have been caring FULL-TIME for someone 7 DAYS A WEEK, giving up their own personal needs, to care for another human being. Or, perhaps, someone has been unable to work because of a disability, and then are able to resume employment--there are currently NO PROTECTIONS in place, in my state, that bars potential employers from holding their disabled status against them, when the disabled try to apply for jobs.

I even had an interviewer at a mortgage company, ask me sarcastically, if I was able to "sit all day."

So, I hope you will enjoy this video, and it will help to open your eyes a little. N.

Tin foil hat conservatives and extremists are mostly harmless...until they try to butt into your life, and tell you what you should think, or believe...then, they are annoying little buggers.

On a national scale, in enough force, they CAN become a serious threat to a non-conservatives religious, civil and personal liberties!

But, on the whole, these people are just annoying little pests. Mainly we ignore them, as long as they keep themselves to themselves. But, what about when one starts buzzing around your blog? Get out the tin-foil hat repellent!

If you choose to answer these people (rather than just not read, and quietly delete, their comments),here's a prime way to insult them, without them understanding a word you say---the SHAKESPEARE WAY!

NOTE: Most of these people probably never even heard of Shakespeare, or if they have, never read it or watch it. So, here's a handy guide for surreptitiously insulting them):

THOU paunchy, ill-breeding, lout

THOU Wart-necked leaden-footed jolt-head

"Wherefore art thine third gear, thou miscreant, artless, earth-vexing , hugger-mugger?!?"

Oh, I cannot express to you my joy, and knowing that sometime this week, I'll be buying my theater ticket to Inspector Hound!!!

HOO-RAY!!!

I adore theater, but, like a lot of things, going to theater had to be put aside starting in 2005. Finally! I theater ticket I can (sort of) AFFORD!!!
And I hear these two one-act plays (Inspector Hound and Black Comedy) are rather good, and...oh man! I cannot not begin to tell you how HAPPY I am!

The performance is on the 19th! Yes-yes-yes-yes-yes!!!! COOL!

Can you tell I'm just a wee bit excited?

Well, you know, went nearly a year and a half without going ANYWHERE. Just stuck mostly in this apartment--except for shopping of course. And the several times in the course of the past year, when I actually had the spare funds, I generally had to buy "extras" that I normally couldn't afford--clothing, shoes, household items, etc., most of the time I passed up the trivial stuff--like cinema and theater and that sort of thing, not that it was so much trivial, I suppose, as unpractical...If I buy something in way of entertainment, hobby, etc..., I prefer it to be something "lasting," like a book, or model horse, or a CD.

Let's face it, yeah, I COULD, once or twice, or perhaps even three times a year (literally), MAYBE spend $20 to see a film (cost of ticket and cab fare), or $35 dollars to see a play...but, as much as I adore plays, and (usually) enjoy films, it's not a "practical" pleasure! A book, CD, DVD, I can enjoy over and over (and in my case, over, and over, and over, ha-ha).

I actually spent a lot of time mulling over this decision to go to the play. You see, I haven't had a haircut since Easter...and it costs anywhere from $20 to $30 in these parts to get one--a(gain, adding cost of cab and/or bus fare, plus tip into that price). And, I AM starting to look, once again, just a wee bit like an un-curried Shetland pony! I cut my own bangs, last week, and thankfully, got my shortest haircut ever, back in the spring, so that I'm not as "shaggy" as I could be. But..."the play's the thing," as the Immortal Bard once said, and, I rather like Shetland ponies.

Neeeeigh! (snort/shakes mane).

Some nutjob sent me this long post--didn't bother to read his right-wing religious extremest drivel--chastising for comparing Palin to a jihadist.

Hey, I call it like I see it, sunshine. A religious extremist/fantatic is a religious extremeist/fanatic, no matter WHAT that religion is.

I deleted it, cos well, it's MY blog, and not a newspaper editorial and if the neo-nazi'a erm--neo con's don't like it, TOO BAD!

Free speach runs both ways dipwad!

Additionally, one of the Constitutional rights of ALL Americans, isn't only free speech, but freedom from having your government tell you what religion to belive in! THAT'S what "separation of church and state means!"

Not everyone wants to believe in "creationism," and that's their RIGHT. To force your own narrow religous views on all Americans--with total disregard, and utter disrespect for the beliefs and the RIGHTS of others!

Forcing non-fundamentalist Americans to accept your beliefs---is UNAMERICAN! It's what a dictators do, NOT a democracy!

If I choose to side with SCIENCE instead of some narrow faith, that's my RIGHT! If Muslims in another country, decided that Christians in their schools, had to start wearing Burkas, would Christian Fundamentalists be OK with that? No, they wouldn't. So why would they think it's okay to shove their religious beliefs on creationism, on Americans who CHOOSE not to believe in this theory? You can't be pro-American, while forcing people to cater solely to one religion--we are a nation of many peoples and religions, and if the "fundies" don't like it--too bad!

This ISN'T a democratic nation any longer--you cannot have freedom when you put conditions on it, that interfere with other peoples beliefs and ideas!

FURTHERMORE:

Saying you went to war on a "mission from God" is a JIHAD! Anyone who says otherwise is totally delusional! Get some therapy, people.

In the wake of the USA not thumbing their noses at Venezuala--one of our major sources for oil shipments, thereby possible ensuring that we lose all oil delivery's from there, AND, with hurricane Ike bearing down on the USA's largest refineries....it is predicted that motorists may soon be paying upwards of $5 dollars a gallon or more, for their petrol. In a nation with poor public transport--only in cities, and lots of rural towns and long-distance commutes for workers, a nation who depends largely on large 18-wheeler trucks for transport of goods, a nation very dependant on petrol fuel---this could be the beginning of the end, for American prosperity. Certainly, despite efforts (too little too late) by the federal reserve, America most certainly now be headed into a deep recession...and if any more hurricanes develop, or if more banks crash, this could, conceivably, lead to a depression.

It's a gloomy, overcast day here on my side of the pond...humid, too, not even pleasantly chilly in an autumn-like way.

So far, I've burnt the bacon, undercooked my eggs, and my hash-brown potato patties were still partly frozen...and I have to work at least 4 hours today, 10 to 2, calling a lot of cranky, rude, obnoxious Americans. Bleh.

Gah--I had people ranting and carrying on to me yesterday..over a flippin' wrong number! And while many American "men" often behave like a bunch of untrained spoiled brats, American women...well, they a NO ladies...sluts, bi*ches and little horrors perhaps, but no...one would EVER be able to describe some of these...women, as "ladies." Let's just say I stand by my opinion that the bulk of American men are emotionally castrated, 'cos very definitely, these wives and girlfriends and daughters, wear the jockey shorts in the family...in fact, I'd rather talk to a trucker, than one of these nasty pieces of work in a skirt, 'cos the trucker has BETTER manners!!!

There...got that off my chest.

Americans are a bunch of mentally lazy fools, though:

I had a guy express total shock, because he had no idea that there had been THREE presidential assassinations in our history. The man had read a short article in some history magazine, about the President McKinley assassination...then goes on to pat himself on the back and say, "Oh I LOVE American history, I know all about it." EY???

Yeah, and after the guy finished going on and on about how fascinating learning about this was...I mentioned that where I lived played a part in that, as it was near here that Roosevelt was vacationing, and was forced to his mad dash by stangecoach and train, to be sworn in as President. After a silent pause, the "history buff" said, "I thought Roosevelt was in WWII." (bang head against desk time.)

It's true though...many Americans have no clue who Teddy Roosevelt is (as I tell them, 'he's the guy with the 'tache, carved on Mount Rushmore.' Ohhhh.) I mean, the man only lead the charge up San Jaun Hill in the Spanish-American War, helped to create our present National Park system, took us into WWI....but most Yanks knowlege of their own country, is pretty much limited to Washington, Lincoln, the Civil War, and WWII. Talk to them about the French and Indian (Queen Anne's) war, the true reasons for the Revolution, ANYTHING that happened between 1776 to just before the Civil War, or, ANYTHING post Civil War to the start of WWII...and the bulk of Americans would be completely lost! They'd just stare at you stupidly, blink, and go "Huh?"

I'm pleased to report that I've just read where the US Coast Guard has been in contact with that stranded freighter out in the Gulf of Mexico, and that it--so far--as weathered the worst of the storm, with all 22 seamen safe and sound. A tug is to be dispatched to their location noon, US Central Standard Time (about 1800 British time) on Saturday, to bring the boat back into shore for repairs.

So, at least some good news has come out of this storm.

At the moment, Galviston is feeling the first brunt of the storm, which was headed, last time I looked at the radar, in a bee-line for our nation's forth-largest city, Houston. The storm as I'm writing this, is a category 2, with sustained max. winds of 110 miles per hour. It is some 600 miles across--nearly the size of Texas itself.

Texas isn't the only one with problems from this storm, as Louisiana is dealing with massive flooding--coming on the heels of Hurricane Gustav, and now has a serious of violent thunderstorms--complete with tornadoes, to deal with, as well.

1. Many universities these days have relaxed their rules. In some cases, student are being allowed to eat their lunches during class. How do you feel about this?

None of my college classes EVER allowed students to eat during class...unless, if was a party, of course, or if food was a part of a presentation or demonstration. That's okay. But, I think eating in the classroom,--just like keeping your mobile turned on, or excessive swearing, loudly smacking your bubble gum, etc, is all in very poor taste, and these poorly trained (by their parents) students should crawl go back to the nursery wither they came, so the REAL students can actually concentrate on learning something.

Can you tell that's a wee bit of a pet peeve of mine?

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2. If you were forced to work at a retail store for 10 hours every week for the next year, which store would you choose to work for and why?

Oh, I don't know. Probably either a saddle shop, a book shop, or an antique shop. 'Cos I'm an semi-expert on saddles and used to be a serious antique saddle collector, I grew up around books and adore them, and I like history, and think antiques are rather cool.

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3. What do you do to keep your mind and body fit?

My mind, well, I suppose writing and reading, maybe playing card games like cribbage on the computer, keep my mind fairly active...tho' not as active as when I was in college, and had not only lectures, but continual conversations with professors and students, to keep me engaged.

Fit? What's that? For someone of my weight, I used to be extremely fit-walking everywhere all the time, or cycling into town, or swimming, pitching horseshoes, etc. Since my foot injury last year--well, let's just say I'm lucky to be limping, and not using a walker or a cane. I try not to let it slow me down--but, alas, it does indeed. Truth is, continual pain--even moderate pain-- is very exhausting, and walking just plain hurts...some days more than others, and you do get used to it, but still...long walks are pretty much in the past, now, as well as cycling. I still, once in a long while, do long walks...but gah--, it leaves me just wrung out, afterwards

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4. If you could have a meal from anywhere in the planet delivered to you today from any restaurant in the world, what would you order and from whom?

Wow. That's a tall order. Hmm--believe it or not, I'd say a fish and chips dinner from Ted's Fish Fry in Watervliet, NY--served with their fantastic homemade coleslaw, and one of their yummy coffee flavoured milkshakes...

...and, since this is fantasy time, I'd also order it delivered with six mini- hot dogs with the works, and an order of cheese fries (chips) from Hot Dog Charlie's in Maplewood, NY. Hey, it's half past 9pm (21.30) I haven't eaten since 2pm, and I'm STARVIN'!

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5. A funeral home in Idaho in the US, is offering funeral webcasts for people who cannot attend a funeral in person. If you could not attend a funeral in person, would you watch it online?

You've GOT to be kidding me! No! That's just too....tacky. I mean, I can see it, in a RARE case, if say, a close loved one is stuck far away, like the Middle east, or Australia or someplace like that, and can't be there...but...no, I'd find it very low-brow, as a general option. Maybe a memorial service in a church or something, but a wake/funeral? Just another way for US funeral homes to rake in even more cash.

Just got in from working a few hour's make up time at work. Crap. Should'a stayed home...gah---Americans are miserable pigs on the phone, sometimes!

I was reading someone's discarded newspaper between calls...story about people who stayed behind to ride out the hurricane...most putting their trust in God, and saying basically, "meh, when your time is up, your time is up, God won't let me die".... yeah, and if you do something stupid like stay in a place after weathermen have told you staying there means "certain death"--it's not about it being "your time,"---it's about you being an IDIOT.

I've heard that God protects fools--now I believe it.

One guy was with a group of people with their camera-phones, taking pictures for their families to see. A man looked at the 20 foot wind-lashed waves, grinned, and said, "This is gonna' be FUN!" Oh yeah, getting smashed to bits by 100+ mph winds, or drowned in 20 foot storm surges--hot dang, Jim-Bob, we finally get to have something exciting happen around these here parts!

One women in the group, was taking pictures of herself in front of the huge waves, making comical faces. Yeah, great. I'm sure your kids will be thrilled to have their last ever pictures of you, of you making a silly face.

But, this is TEXAS, George W. Bush's home state, the state with the most religious cults--you know, the one's with the remote compounds, the off-shoot "churches," which refuse to pay taxes or obey laws, abuse women and children, shoot at trespassers and commit mass suicide---and of course, the KKK is still quite popular in parts of Texas, as well.

Speaking of water, I got home just in time--about 5 minutes after I got home, it began weeing down with heavy rain. Didn't have my umbrella, 'cos it hadn't been hardly raining, when I went to work. Strangely, it was actually warmer (and more humid) at 7pm (1900), than it was at 5pm.

Well, I'm going to read a bit, fiddle around on the internet, maybe make a sandwich for supper. Have a good night, all.

Many Americans ridiculously put down the idea of a National Health System, stating everything from "It will cost too much in taxes," to sub-standard treatment, to long waiting times.

What many Americans are utterly--if not deliberately--blind to, is that so many, many Americans (including myself) suffer needless in pain and distress, because of these people. The people against and American NHS, are EXACTLY like the German people who ignored the horrors of the Holocaust. And don't for a second think they are not!

How can you put your own selfish, narrow views forward, when some person with cancer can't get the treatment he or she needs? But, America does, every single day---even doctors in Emergency rooms, do NOTHING to help change things, even though they SEE the utter ruin to people's health and lives, the misery and the suffering--all because people are AFRAID to go to seek help, because they DON'T WANT TO RISK GOING HUNGRY, OR BECOME HOMELESS from medical expenses.

Do obtuse and totally selfish Americans get this? NO! Not until THEY lose their health benefits...oh God, and then the whinging starts...like all those middle class people suddenly forced to seek public assistance for the first times in their lives...they whinge more than the truly poor do!

And, sadly, that is what it will take, before American pull their heads out of their collective arses, and insist on a proper NHS system....at least 500,000,000 Yanks, either losing their private or group health benefits that they very obviously take for granted, or having their benefits cut or payments raised to the point where they have to choose between health benefits and paying the mortgage/rent.

Let me state, that we NEED NHS here--good or bad. Almost 50 million Americans (and that estimate comes from conservatives, so it's probably higher than that) suffer and die needlessly in America, every year--ONLY because they have no money to pay for medical care and medicine.

I'm supposed to get a physical, but am hesitant to do so, as Medicare doesn't cover physicals or many tests....and I've 6 months of unpaid medical bills, totaling just a bit over $2000 dollars, to prove it!

To put that into perspective, that's about roughly two month's salary for me, give or take a few hundred dollars.

As some of you know--including this obtuse blog friend--I spent months in horrendous pain, with a facial abscess--stemming from a bad tooth, only because there was NO dentist I could see. I STILL have no access to dental care, in fact. The nearest dentist is some 15 miles away...and I do not own a car, nor do I have anyone to ask to drive me, nor can I afford the $35 for cab fare--and still pay the dental co-pay, which one is required to have to be seen.

I also have a bad eye--retinitis pigmentosa, and may also be developing a retina problem--and have NO ONE I can see for it, because...I have no vision care benefits!

Sure, NHS has it's issues--sometimes terrible one's, sure there's sometimes a long wait...but a long wait is nothing, compared to NO care at all...which would YOU choose....NHS, or having to suffer unattended?

My story is not unique--even people with health insurance, sometimes are not covered for catestrophic illness--people with cancer frequently lose their homes, their possessions, for NO OTHER REASON than the people who run the UNTIED STATES are inhman PIGS, and are too greedy to grant dying people the dignity of retaining their homes, because the state takes their homes away, to pay for treatment---while the patient is still living! I'm not talking about old people in nursing homes.

My late mum's friend had a dughter with Lou Gerig's disease. This friend had a lovely home--a home she wanted to go back to, to die when her time was near. The state of New York and the US govt, confiscated her home, while she was lying in bed, horribly suffering...rather than wait until AFTER she passed away!

Does NHS take people's homes and prized personal possessions, if a patient cannot pay their bills? Not that I've ever heard of!

Can people on NHS get dental and vision care--whether they can pay or not? Yes. Hell, I'd wait ten years, if I could have my teeth seen to for free! No joke, I really would....as opposed to NEVER having my eyes or teeth seen to, that is. Which, as I said, IS my present situation!

Today, 22 sailors stranded in the Gulf of Mexico, on a frieighter filled with coke bound for the steel mills of America, are facing the worst of Hurricane Ike, all alone.

Their ship having become disabled and dead in the water, the ship's captain sent out a distress call to the US Coast Guard. Unfortunately, they were too far from shore for a boat rescue, so the Coast Guards' only option was to send out a rescue helicopter--sadly, high winds from the outer bands of Ike, forced rescuers to abandon their mission, leaving those 22 sailors to fend for themselves, as best they could.

My thoughts go out to those 22 seamen tonight, and to their families. May we hear happy news of them, in the next day or two. In the meantime, I dedicate this song to them:

I got a comment on another website--one I've not used in months, oddly enough, from some DT fan, wanting to know if I was going to see Tennant perform in London.

I had no clue, (being a totally clueless Yank), and not sure I reaaallly wanted to know, I aksed (with some rather rude visions in my old-maid's head), "Performing what?"

Seems the man's Hamlet is coming to some West End theater.

I told her I wasn't British, but lived in far northeastern New York. She says, "You could just hop on a plane from New York"...blah-blah-blah...

Oh. Well, considering the fact that I am going to be very, very hard pressed, to try and scrape up the $20 to see the Pendragon Players do "Inspector Hound" at the Charles R. Wood theatre down the street at the end of this month, I really kind of doubt that I'll miraculously be able to come up with the $600 to $800 dollars it would run me, to buy a ticket and fly to London for two days just to see a play--(OK, a GREAT play...one of the greatest ever, but still...sorry, David Tennant's not worth risking being homeless over)

WHY does everyone overseas think Amricans are flipping RICH? MILLIONS of us are not rich--millions of us know hardship, we do without food, medical care medicine or heat/electricity, because we are POOR.

And no, I can't just "hop on a plane!" The nearest large comercial airport is Albany International, 50 miles distant, and, JFK is 180 miles south of my location--about a four hour drive, at least!

Man. Fan-girl's....sheesh.

since Creationists--right-wing fundamental Christians---are so much in the news these days, what with Sarah Palin and Ricard Dawkins and creationists fighting for their (what I find personally laughable) "views" on how the earth was created.

No disrespect meant to fellow Christians, but the myth in Genesis, is just that...it's a story, meant by primitive peoples to convince themselves that they were created by an all-powerful being...basically, it's to make us feel good about God and ourselves.

I see it as a LESSON, that's all. A way for us Christians to connect with our God, and perhaps to understand His teachings better.

It was written for people who rode on donkey's, had no indoor plumbing--or toilet paper, cooked over open fires, and had no education except what their religious leaders allowed them.

For pity's sake, get some perspective, people!!

The reality is, that the creation myth was around in Summerian and Babylonian times.

The Summerian's were one of the first "civilized" people's of the ancient world. It was they who invented and were among the first to develop writing, laws, proper
music and musical instruments-like the harp, commerce, and a hierarchal social system...and...the "creation myth."

Much of the bible's stories, are based on ancient myths, interspersed with genealogy and factual historical accounts. Most of the "knowledge" in the bible, was passed on verbally...so the origins of some of these stories, was...and still are, to some extent...shrouded by time.

Here is the bible's account (taken from Wikipedia):

Genesis 1 God creates humans "male and female" in His image, and gives them dominion over the living things He has created, and commands them to "be fruitful and multiply."

Genesis 3 introduces the Serpent, "slier than every beast of the field." The serpent tempts the woman to eat from the tree of knowledge, telling her that it will not lead to death; she succumbs, and gives the fruit to the man, who eats also, "and the eyes of the two of them were opened." Aware now of their nakedness, they make coverings of fig leaves, and hide from the sight of God. God, perceiving that they have broken His command, curses them with hard labour and with pain in childbirth, and banishes them from His garden, setting a cherub at the gate to bar their way to the Tree of Life, "lest he put out his hand ... and eat, and live forever."

And here is part of the Babylonian version, written thousands of years before Genesis:

When the skies above were not yet named
Nor earth below pronounced by name,
Apsu, the first one, their begetter,
And maker Tiamat, who bore them all,
Had mixed their waters together,
But had not formed pastures, nor discovered reed-beds;
When yet no gods were manifest,
Nor names pronounced, nor destinies decreed,
Then gods were born within them.

He spoke the word that charmed the waters, it fell upon Apsu, he lay asleep, the sweet waters slept, Apsu slept, Mummu was overcome, Apsu lay drowned, undone....

GO HERE, TO READ THE WHOLE THING: http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~humm/Resources/Ane/enumaA.html

Gloomy, dreary day, here. No rain yet, though. I hear Houston, TX is going to get hammered by Hurricane Ike. They're telling people to stock up on food and water, and hunker down to wait out the storm...unlike the last hurricane, where they hurriedly evacuated people in a panic, causing nearly 101 more deaths as a result of the evacuation, than the hurricane did.

we're slated to get Tropical Storm Ike, sometime late next week...it's going to hit Texas, then make a complete U-turn, and cut across the American mid-west, ending up directly (so far as weather people know) hitting western New York and a bit of Ontario--though it may swing even further eastward, and head in my direction, going into New England.

Long day ahead, 4 hours make up time at work tonight, have to go cash my paycheck and pay a bill, get cat food...hate Fridays. Too busy! I'm very tired...had a mostly good sleep, 9 hours...interrupted at 4.30 am, by the kids upstairs running around...either going or coming...they had a bit of a party last night, but they weren't too bad...those teens do scamper around like a bunch of toddlers though...were we like that, at that age? I don't know...my sister was the wild, pot-smoking, drinking, stay-out-all-night party-girl, I was the horse-crazy tree-hugger bookworm....

...then, woken at 7.30am, by the guy next door mowing his lawn...this would be the same guy that will mow the lawn in late November--two weeks, maybe even days--before the snow falls...then will go half the winter without shoveling his walks. But, that's not surprising...this perfectly young and fit man actually uses a big riding mower, to mow a lawn not much bigger than the average person's lounge!

And I grew up mowing half an acre walking behind a self-propelled mower? Guess these "proud" American men aren't as macho as they claim they are, yeah?

Anyway, I'm still ill, but better somewhat. Gotta' do some indoor chores, before I get my check and do some shopping. Have a good day, all.

Okay, so, conflicting values aside, what about Palin's stance on global warming. I mean, coming from an environmentally sensitive state like Alaska, she MUST have an opinion on global warming, right? Yes, yes she does. As a matter of fact, she has TWO opinions, on global warming, apparently.

In a television interview last night, Palin said that Palin said she didn't disagree with scientists that "man's activities" can be attributed to the problem.

However, earlier this year, Palin ALSO said, and I quote: "A changing environment will affect Alaska more than any other state, because of our location. ... I'm not one, though, who would attribute it to being man-made."

Actually, the changing environment won't effect Alaska because of their "location," but, because of their delicate eco-system! DOH.

But then, this is a governor that campaigned against putting polar bears on the endangered species list, because: 1. It would impact oil drilling, and 2. The number one reason listed for putting polar bears on the endangered list is....global warming.

Palin also allegedly was said to be concerned about global warming, as a hunter, because birch forests may eventually replace the caribou's tundra feeding grounds, forcing the caribou into extinction. And, gee, it would really awful, if Palin had to stop shooting caribou.

In the past, the woman has offered a $150 bounty for the front legs of freshly killed wolves.

Despite the fact that most Alaskans have voted against it...twice, Palin has supported hunting wolves and bears from the air--using $400,000 in public funds, in an intense propaganda campaign to legalize the practice.

She fully supports oil drilling in Alaska's National Wildlife REFUGE, and her campaign slogan--according to the Wall Street Journal (just so you don't think I'm making this up), was "Drill baby, drill!"

According to ABC news here in the U.S.:

"It's nonsense not to tap a safe domestic source of oil. I think Americans need to hold Congress accountable on this one," Palin told Newsmax about drilling in ANWR.

"SAFE???" Where was she when the Exxon Valdez destroyed miles of Alaskan coastline, killing thousands of birds, fish and otters? Oh, she was probably busy running for Miss Alaska.

Again, in her own words, Palin in the past has said, "I'm not an Al Gore, doom-and-gloom environmentalist blaming the changes in our climate on human activity."

No, she's just another shallow, greedy, selfish republican. So, what else is new?

Here we have a hockey mum/governor/beauty queen/commercial fisherman/big game hunter, set to possibly one day be president of the United States.

Oh feck.

This would be the same woman, who is against abortions on moral grounds--even, in cases of criminal rape, medical emergency and/or incest...in fact, when she was mayor, she made rape victims pay for their own forensic evidence kits! Yet, this morally upright woman has no problems whatsoever, exposing her vulnerable pregnant unmarried teenage daughter, to intense scrutiny by both the national and international media, while mummy makes a bid at being president someday--which means she won't be having much time to spend with her children anyway, so what if they do become emotionally damaged? Hey, she'll be the first woman president!

Oh, and she's such a good mummy, she's going to FORCE her 17 year old daughter into marriage with a self-professed red-neck dead-beat dad, whether her daughter wants it or not. Aw, doesn't that display of motherly love and compassion, melt the cockles of your heart? Where was mum when it came time to lecture daughter about using protection? Oh yeah, she was busy ruining erm--I mean running, the state of Alaska!

"I had some crazed teenage fan-girl burst into ma' dressing room, while I was changing out of ma'costume! I was black affronted, I was! Then, she merely stood there, gawkin' at ma'bum, slabberin' all over the floor, lookin' like she was gonna' faint, and I thought, 'Oh Jobby!'

But then she told me I had the best lookin' bum on the planet, I said to her, 'really?' I thought that was pure dead brillant, the most braw arse on the planet--I always thought that designation would go to Beck, but that is so cool! So, I rang up my agent the next morning, and told her that I wanted all my still portraits from now on, to be bum shots."

I don't know WHY I'm letting people I don't even know, tag me lately...am I getting addicted to meme's? Meh--probably. I need a LIFE, please...anybody got one to spare?

JASON'S MEME

I think, therefore I....am not a conservative.

I don't understand....sex-crazed David Tennant fan-girls...he really isn't all that, ya'know!

I believe....in God, in my friends and, in the fact that I'm going to be stuck in this crap life forever!

I don't believe...in wishes, dreams, astrology, that we come from aliens, in creationism, hope, angels, devils, my country, myself.

I really enjoy...hearing about what's going on with my friends, petting my cats, writing, reading, the theater, listening to music, being outdoors, horses, pets, pizza, steak and mashed.

Part II:

Describe the perfect summer day using song lyrics:

Saturdays holidays, easy afternoon
Lazy days, summer days
Nothin much to do
Rainy days of better days

Hangin out inside
Rainy days and city ways
Make me want to hide some place
Cool an green an shady

Find yourself a piece of grassy ground
Lay down close your eyes
Find yourself and maybe lose yourself
While your free spirit flies

Find yourself a piece of grassy ground
Lay down close your eyes
Find yourself and maybe lose yourself
While your free spirit flies

August skies are lullabies, promises to keep
Dandelions and twisting vines
Clover at your feet
Memories of aspen leaves

Trembling in the wind
Honeybees and fantasies
Where to start again some place
Cool an green an shady--John Denver & Joe Henry

What's your favourite season? Autumn

Favourite actor: Derek Jacobi (sorry DT fans...but he's #2)

Favourite actress: I admit, I'm rather clueless about celebrities, I may recognize a name, but I honestly have no idea who's who, or who's doing what...plus I don't get television, or go to the cinema or buy CD's...I don't think I have one--although, this Catherine Tate lady really blew me away with her abilities, in Doctor Who. She's one talented actress.

Favourite dream: Aye, there's the rub--I don't have one, any more. Growing up, I wanted to be an actress or work with horses...well, my looks kinda' killed the actress longing, when I got to be about 14. I did actually realize my dream with the horses, when I turned 30...for about a year....a very (mostly) happy year. My last 'dream' was being a writer, or doing something in communications--like newspaper editor, or work in a radio station...ha. Stupid dream. But now? No. I blew it, and I've accepted that. Dreams are for the young, the fit, the wealthy, people with family, people with a stable life...it's not for people like me.

Cripe. That was a depressing answer.

Think I'll go and make dinner. Have a good night, all.

Do you like to read? Very much so, yes.

What are you reading right now? An older crime novel, "Somebody Owes me Money," by Westlake.

How do you find time to read? I just do.

Where is your favorite reading spot? Sitting up in bed

Do you prefer adventures, biographies, histories, mysteries, romance or another genre? The only types of books I seldom--if ever, read, are best-sellers/popular novels, romance, and bigoraphies--not that I never read them, they are just low on the list.

Have you ever published a book? No, just some feature articles and poetry.

How do you feel about libraries? Love 'em--mum was a librarian, so I literally grew up in a library. Mum loved libraries, and used to drag me around to different one's, even before she became a librarian.

How many books do you own? Not sure, between 150 and 200, I think.

About how many of them are considered classic literature? Beats me, between 25 and 35, I guess.

How many are non-fiction books? About 40%, roughly.

Woke an hour early, but couldn't get back to sleep, to for about a half-hour I just lay in bed dozing in vain hope, then gave up the ghost. My hillbilly neighbours have a very annoying tendency to slam their doors--why? Probably for the same reason they holler instead of talking normally. They just like to be loud, that's what hillbilly's do. So, there went the wonderful door slam at half-past six in the morning...dang. I have to work two shifts today, day and night, to make up for one of two days I took off sick, this week.

Feel rotten, but more rested than I did yesterday. It really speaks volumes when I work all morning/afternoon without lunch, and then rather sleep than eat when I get home, as I'm usually famished by 2 or 3pm.

I'm trying to type around Flame, she's decided that now is one of those rare times she wants to be held--usually, trying to hold Flame is a bit like trying to hold on to some hyperactive ferret!

Flame suddenly has decided she doesn't like her usual tinned food (Friskies chicken in gravy)...making my life a misery because of it. Well, she liked it well enough last week--hope it's not a bad batch...that's why I stopped buying tinned cat food from Walmarts. They would eat the brand when I bought it from a proper grocers, but when I purchased that same brand from Walmarts? They'd turn their noses up at it! I think Walmarts sells outdated tinned cat food...there must be a reason the cats would NEVER touch the tinned food from walmarts....

Anyway, must be off in a bit...dreading today. I am still sick, but desperately need the funds for my bills--it sucks getting no sick pay. If I had sick pay, I could stay home another day and get the rest I need, as it is, no chance of that, until Sunday.

Have a good day, all.

1. Favourite food scene in a film. The pie fights in the old Keystone Cops silent films.
2. Favourite breakfast food. Cheese and bacon omelet.
3. Favourite ethnic cuisine. Italian
4. Guilty pleasure. Ice cream.
5. Favourite ice cream flavour. Starbuck's--coffee almond fudge, mudpie, and caramel cappuchino swirl.
6. Favourite cookbook. Mum's old hardcover Campbell's Soup cookbook from the 1960's.
7. Favourite snack. Movie theater butter flavour microwave popcorn
8. Favourite kitchen gadget. Haven't got any kitchen gadgets anymore.
9. Chocolate: dark, milk or white. Dark.
10. If you were a dish, what would you be? Meatloaf and mashed potatoes.
11. What did you have for lunch today? Didn't have any lunch.
12. Favourite beverage. Coke classic in a glass bottle.
13. Favourite 2 restaurants? Jake's Roundup (tex-mex), and the Wooden Soldier--a rural Vermont diner featuring home-cooked style meals.
14. Favourite 2 restaurants as a teenager? Papa's Corner Restaurant (Italian-American) and the Burden Lake Casino (Now known as "Kay's Burden Lake House") (both had fab pizza). If you're in the Watervliet/Menands area, the number to order a pizza from papa's is: 273-3270...did that from memory--twenty five years later!
15. Favourite 2 restaurants as a child? Ted's Fish Fry or Hot Dog Charlie's.

NOTE: this post is reprinted from my "Anti-con" liberal blog group.

So now, Obama is getting bashed by the McCain camp, for his remark that "a pig with lipstick is still a pig," (a veiled reference to Palin's statement that she's a "pitbull with lipstick.") which is actually an American saying--not terribly widely used, but I've heard it, locally!

Well, anyway, the McCain camp is fuming, and all indignant and...whoops, what have we here? Oh, is that a Chicago TRIBUNE article from 2007? And is that article about McCain? And in that article did not McCain say the SAME EXACT THING, when referring to Hilary Clinton?

Now, I wonder whatever made McCain say a thing like that, about Hilary? I wonder what could possibly have made McCain utter those same words last year? Why, oh why, oh why? Could have it been SATAN?!?

Why, every good republican automaton supporter knows, that Jesus only supports republicans, so that must mean that the Satan is the liberal's cheerleader. Naughty Satan, did you do that???

Tough day at the office. Not the work, but not fun working sick. I went home, didn't even bother with lunch, and just sacked out for a couple of hours. Then, I got up, took care of a few light chores, made myself an easy dinner of shredded chicken, warmed in tinned chicken gravy (to which I added some seasonings and a few tinned peas), and poured over mashed potatoes. Not gourmet by any means, but filling and satisfying--and not to mention, reasonably tasty.

Speaking of filling foods, now that it's getting chilly again, I'm thinking I should be getting either a box of instant maple-brown sugar oatmeal (porage), or a box of Cream of Wheat for my breakfasts. Since I'm supposed to watch my sugar and salts, I suppose I would have to not eat either of these too often (the sugar in the oatmeal, the salt (and butter) in the cream of wheat). Oh well, have a few more weeks yet, before it becomes hot cereal season, plenty of time to decide.

Well, the doctor was supposed to let me know my test results today, LOL. This health centre has a very poor reputation in the local community--too many low-level health providers, only 2 doctors, to see a couple of thousand patients. Yesterday morning, they were shut for much of the day, when the building had to be evacuated for a chemical spill--someone poured X-Ray developer down the drain--which then became clogged, and to fix the clog, they poured a chemical that unstops drains--called "Drain-O," down there...and the resulting chemical mixture filled the building with a white cloud of toxic fumes. The building was fine by the time I got there, after six pm. (18.00). But, nobody was really surprised to find that health care staff didn't know that you don't mix chemicals--even down a drain...it's about par for the course for those people at the health centre, I'm afraid. They were treating a man for what they called, a "mystery rash" on his legs for months--trying him out on all kinds of drugs and tests--even going so far as to tell the poor man he might lose his legs! He finally gave up and went to a skin specialist on his own--who pronounced that the man merely had a bad case of psoraisis, a common condition!

And the Nurse/doctor yesterday, wanted to know why I've been allowed to "slip through the cracks???

Sadly, for us with little or no health insurance, this joke of a health center is our ONLY option, short of the ER, as it is the only provider who has sliding scale fees (based on your income/ability to pay) in the entire city.

In Virginia, a building under construction collapsed, and rescuers fear as many as a dozen workers may be trapped inside, though another construction worker told them everyone was at lunch, rescuers are searching anyway. It is not known if they have tried to do a head count to make sure everyone is accounted for. One man who wasn't hurt, was the owner of a concrete firm, "Old Time Concrete," responsible of pouring the foundations of the building. (okay here comes the stupid part) He said none of his people were on site that day, though they were scheduled to be, because the owner decided not to work there, that day, but to take care of another job. The owner said, "I have a God that put us in the right place at the right time."

So, now God is in the American construction business, and told this guy that he might just want to blow off a day's work?

Riiiight.

Some workers inside the building, managed to run out in time, to avoid being trapped. A nearby hair salon worker said, "It was by the grace of God, them guys got out." Nah, it was by the grace of their own two legs and their sense of self-preservation, lady.

Now, actually, I do believe in God, but...not in Him standing over us, deciding who gets saved and who gets 10 tonnes of construction materials smooshing him to death. Sorry, that philosophy never really worked for me.

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In local news, here in New York's northern Adirondack mountain region, State police, with the assistance of various county sheriff's departments, took to the mountains this week, by car, SUV, ATV and Apache helicopter, in search of illegal cannabis fields. The New York state police 'copter, flew over forests and remote farmer's fields, looking for illicit pot cultivation, based on 11 tips they'd received. Some of the areas deep in the Adirondack forests, were so remote and difficult to access, police had to go back the next day, to pull out plants, because these areas were only accessible by hiking in on foot, or by horseback or ATV.

This is actually a very dangerous operation, and officers have to be careful to wear gear clearly marked "POLICE," because growers sometimes mistake officers as thieves, going after their stash...one officer in Saratoga County, was shot last year, during a confrontation with a rural cannabis grower.

In the town of Johnsburg, a small rural community back in the northern part of Warren county (I've been there, it's definitely a "redneck"/"hillbilly" type of town), the police 'copter spotted a some pot plants, growing in a garden amid tomato plants. The helicopter hovered over the site for a few minutes, but as police cars were still a ways off--not being able to keep up with the 'copter, the pilots decided to land in the car park of a nearby Methodist church, to allow two officers inside--a state trooper and a county sheriff's detective-- the chance to approach the site on foot, in order to secure the area, while the rest of the team arrived.

The got there, and found six holes in the ground, in between the tomato plants. The owner of the house, came out, asking innocently, what was going on, and invited officers to inspect his property, 'cos of course, Mr. Innocent was a "law-abiding citizen," and had "absolutely nothing to hide." Riiiight.

So, officers went back to the tomato plot, and found...two cannabis leaves Mr. Innocent left behind, in his rush to dispose of the evidence.

When confronted with this, and told it would be enough for them to arrest him, he finally confessed to throwing the pot plants away, near an old, derelict bus that was sitting up the hill from the property. Officers found a pile of 20 plants there, worth a minimum of $5000 (a tad under 1000 pounds) street value.

Mr. Innocent then said they weren't his, but belonged to someone else (oh, big surprise there), but then admitted he knew about the plants and allowed them to stay.

OKAY, HERE'S THE REALLY "STUPID" PART:

When informed that they were placing him under arrest for possession, the man panicked, and became very distraught. "This isn't going to be in the paper's is it? Oh no, oh no! I can't believe I let this go, I'm running for town supervisor!"

Too bad he didn't feel this upset about having illegal drugs being grown in his own backyard.

Yup, the town of Johnsburg has just lost a potential new town supervisor--gee, I'm sure the townspeople are really going to be broken up about it. As a side note, one of the man's cousin's, who had even more plants, down the road, was also arrested.

In all, the raids over two counties over the course of 2 days, netted over 100 plants, worth over $200,000

Of course, that's not as STUPID, as the pot plants that were found growing in a garden--in a car park green area in front of a Minnesota police station, in 2006.

Off to work, not entirely well, but well enough to slog through my work shift, I suppose. The cats don't want me to go--they got spoiled with me being home (mostly) for the better part of three days.

Quick blog and breakfast and I'm off for a day of telemarketing--have I mentioned that my job sucks? Oh well, at least I finally have a job where I can sit on my arse all day--which is a relief for my bad foot, anyway, so I don't suppose I should complain--and, I am making more than at any of my other jobs I've had, $9 an hour, so that's nothing I should complain about, I guess.

Have a good Wednesday, all.

Both David Tennant and Catherine Tate have won, respectively, best actor and best actress (I'll let you figure out who won what) at the TV Quick awards Monday night. Congratulations! Well done!

See Tennant's acceptance speech here (of course I can't HEAR it--or anything, anymore, 'cos Firefox 3.1 took my sound away when I installed it. )

#1. I don’t have to... set my alarm clock on Sundays.
#2. I get to see... everything that's going on my section of Glen Street.
#3 I don’t have to... cook for other people any more.
#4 I can make an old filthy saddle look like new again .
#5 I can cook...quite a lot of things, as I used to a cook and have a culinary cert.
#6 I get to...my job on foot (unless the sidewalks are coated with ice).
#7 I can see right now, the....contents of my living room.
#8 I like to read...lots of things, but am fond of westerns, mysteries, sci-fi/fantasy, the classics, plays and Dr Who.
#9 I’ve journeyed to...Egypt.
#10 I like to...pet my cats.
#11 But most importantly, I can...wish my friends well via the internet. Love ya' my internet buddies!

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A-Attached or Single? Single--old maid.
B-Best Friend? She knows who she is...we've never met, but I keep her in my thoughts every day.
C-Coke or Pepsi? Both, but lean towards Coke..depends on my mood.
D-Day of Choice? None...all the same to me.
E-Essential Items? Money, my eyeglasses, the keys to my apartment, a comfy pair of walking boots, comfy socks, clean underwear, food to eat, money.
F-Favorite Color? Royal blue
G-Gummy Bears or Worms? Jelly babies...a loyal Whovian would never accept anything less.
H-Hometown? A village outside of Albany, NY.
I-Indulgence? Pizza, soft ice cream cones, mini-model horses, paperback books, jeans.
J-January or July? Neither--January's too cold, July's too hot.
K-Kids? Cats.
L-Life isn’t complete without…being able to write or speak or do something creative.
M-Marriage Date? Hell honey, I've yet to even be properly kissed!
N-Number of Siblings? one sister..adopted.
O-Oranges or Apples? Apples--especially candy apples or caramel apples.
P-Phobias or Fears? Spiders, fire, needles, homelessnes, tornadoes.
Q-Quote? "Not the sun nor the summer alone, but every hour and season yields it's tributes of delight."---Ralph Waldo Emerson.
R-Reason to Smile? Doctor Who.
S-Superman or Wonder Woman? Superman--couldn't stand wearing that push up bra--tho' the lasso, that's rather kinky...
Tea or coffee? Coffee
U- United States or United Kingdom? UK all the way, baby.
V-Vegetables? Broccoli, carrots, potatoes, onions, eggplant (aubergine), zucchini squash, califlower, peas, green beans, corn.
W-Worst Habit? Procrastination.
Xylophone or bongo drums? I think zylophones are rather cool, actually.
Y-Your Favorite Food? Pizza/Italian
Z-Zodiac Sign? Scorpio.

MY FAVOURITE WAYS TO EAT AN APPLE: Caramel and candy apples--a favourite carnival and halloween treat, when I was a child.

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