I Ain't Afraid of No Daleks

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).