I Ain't Afraid of No Daleks

I have a budget plan. That budget plan is that I pay 171 dollars a month, all year round, regardless of what my actual charges are...only National Grid just but (IN FINE PRINT ON MY BILL) "OH AND BY THE WAY, LOSER, WE'RE ALMOST DOUBLY YOUR F'ING BILL SO YOU CAN GET SHUT OFF AND FREEZE TO F'ING DEATH THIS WINTER."

My bill will be 244 dollars next month--no reason...just because the BASTARDS can. Why don't I just take a stinking gun to my head, and kill myself now and be done with this misery?

Every time I start to get a tiny bit ahead, the bastards drag me back down into the reeking sewers again. What the hell is the point any more??? I can't wait to die, it's the only peace I'm ever going to find in this life.

1. Is it time to change the name of the "mobile phone" as they are now more than just a phone?

In the states they are called "cell" phones. What's the alternative? "porta-phone?" Sounds too much like "porta-loo." How about, "That thing in your purse that rings loudly for an annoyingly long time, while the rest of us--who were intelligent enough to understand the switch off request-- are trying to watch theatre or cinema?"

2. Do you take your mobile phone on holiday with you?

Erm--I don't get holidays (over here it's called "unemployment.")...even if I did, I doubt it...that's what they make pay phones for.

3. If you phone runs out of battery life is it a mishap or the most worst thing that can happen... ever?!

Who cares? No one ever rings me up but wrong numbers and telemarketers.

4. If they're not playing the latest chart topper then it's some other electronic rubbish so is it wrong to say "I'll give you a ring!" when phones don't actually ring these days?

Erm--actually, my mobile does ring...I don't bother with some stupid ring-tone. And, there are actually ring-tones, that sound like an old-fashioned telephone ring...so this question is a bit redundant.

5. Complete this sentence "My mobile phone is..."

More expensive than a landline, leaves me wide open to being bombarded by adverts from Virgin, and it's a pain in the arse to find top up cards for...but it was a gift, so It would be horribly churlish of me to complain about it...I'm just glad I have a phone, even if I can't always afford to use it.

Here is the book description for one of the latest Who novels:

Autonomy – Daniel Blythe

For years, the Nestene Consciousness has been waiting and planning, recovering from its wounds. But now it’s ready, and it’s deadly plastic Autons are already in place around the complex. Now more than ever, visiting Hyperville will be an unforgettable experience...

And here is the description of the 1973 film, "West World:"

It is sometime in the near future, in a fictional high-tech amusement park called Delos. The park is divided into three zones: WesternWorld, MedievalWorld and RomanWorld. The entertainment in all three areas consists primarily of interaction by the guests with androids programmed to act in character (the Old West, medieval Europe, and pre-Christian Rome, respectively). The androids are indistinguishable from human beings, apart from minor flaws in their hands, and guests are encouraged to indulge in any fantasy, including killing the androids. The androids are programmed to respond positively to guest requests, specifically including requests for sex. Delos's guests pay $1,000 a day for the experience.

Thinking this has destroyed the robot, Martin leaves the burning Gunslinger and wanders out of the great hall, finding a female guest chained up in the dungeon. He releases her and gives her a drink of water, whereupon her face bursts into sparks, revealing she is a machine. Backing away in shock, he is confronted by the still moving burned hulk of the Gunslinger, which continues its attempt to attack him. However it falls off a high set of steps in the process and, finally succumbing to damage, shuts down.

Was this Dr Who novel clearly a rip-off of the film, or is it merely coincidence???

Okaaay, then. For quite literally the first time in 48 years, I've been told that I have "a filthy mind." Hmmm--is that a complement or an insult? These days, it could go either way, I reckon. Does anyone out there (besides me) see the irony of calling someone who has never even been kissed, "filthy?"

Not that I haven't seen a soft porn mag in my day, or read a racy romance novel--but those experiences have by far been rare indeed.

Then, at work today, I got a couple of complements, for a change (as opposed to having epithets hurled at me). One person said I have a "lovely speaking voice", and a short while later, a woman said that I was "very pleasant" to speak to.

Then...ah well, no day is perfect. I got some old curmudgeonly gent, who several minutes into a back and forth discussion--questions and answers...asked me if he was "speaking to a recording." Erm--no? Then he farted around, telling me why he didn't want to pay up (I was working collections calls today)..and then, when I attempted to give him the customer service number, he blows up at me out of the blue sky, and yells at me for "talking too fast," before slamming the phone down on my ear. Weirdo!

So, I did my shopping..am toying with going out later to finally get my haircut--not had a cut since May and I'm well past my due date...my hair looks more unruly than David Tennant's!
In the meantime, I'm sitting here eating some Boursin cheese on some crackers for my lunch, sipping some sweet tea and chillin' to some tunes.

A subtle chain of countless rings The next unto the farthest brings; The eye reads omens where it goes, And speaks all languages the rose; And, striving to be man, the worm Mounts through all the spires of form. --Ralph Waldo Emerson

I'm an nobody...which is fine. Somebody has to be nobody, and it might as well be me, I suppose. But, as I look out my front windows this frosty winter morn, at the watery bitter sun, slowly sliding up into the clouds, I see the tips of the white-laced trees, turning the colour of roses. I wonder; how can I, a mere nobody, a woman without love or career or a comforting home, how could I ever glow like a rose?

As America insists on supporting the wholesale slaughter of innocent children, women, teens and men--more than half of whom have NOTHING to do with Hamas or rockets or Gaza...other than living there, I withdraw my support of my own country.

The USA, a country who spews the words "truth and justice for all" in their pledge of allegience, refuses point blank to support a cease-fire. A Christian nation, who vomits Jesus--a man whom supposedly was against war, and for love and forgiveness--is perfectly OK with killing innocent Muslims--becuase they are Muslims....if they were Christians or Jews, one gets the decided opinion that the USA would be the first to cry out for a cease-fire.

Only 15 Israelli's have been killed, while nearly 800 Palestinians have been butchered. The people of Israel learned the WRONG lessons from WWII, acting more like the Warsaw Nazi's, than the victims of a Halocaust.

Again, not being anti-semitic--the people of Isreal could be athiests, for all I care---I'm just reflecting on the huge irony of it all.

Between 400 to 500 of the dead so far, are NOT terrorists, nor have they ever had anything to do with lobbing rockets or smuggling theings into Israel. The USA has sickenly turned into a semi-terrorist attitude, with a 'get them whatever it takes' policy, which stems from the conservative side of this nation...the same conservatives who halt any sort of gun-control regulation, stop environmental protections that save American lives, and are against free health care that will also save American lives. So, is this blatant ass-kissing of Israel any surprise? Not really.

For all their psuedo-patriotic breast-beating and flag-waving, America is basically talking out of its arse, when it comes to "freedom and democracy." These 400 to 500 people who have died-including babies who can't even talk yet-- have done NOTHING, said NOTHING against America, yet I'm hearing mindless Americans still vomiting terrorist propaganda, to justify our support to what amounts to mass murder.

I swear to you, if I were rich, and could afford to bundle me and the cats and my stuff, the hell out of this pathetically stupid, sick and twisted once-proud nation...by heaven, I would. I would gladly become a citizen of the Netherlands, UK..whereever--anywhere where a government uses it's brains instead of its blind paranoia and its naked greed, in supplement to genuine caring and thinking.

Where's your compassion, America? What the hell is wrong with you? What sort of monster have the conservatives turned you into?

I call a tremendous amount of people on my job--from every state in America, from every imaginable walk of life, income, race, creed religion. I handle hudreds of calls every week--when I was working 39 1/2 hours, 1000 to 2000 calls at least, during the course of a week....that's a LOT of people.

It does give me a unique insight into the minds and manners and hearts of Americans...more than a lot of people in posher lines of phone work--I deal with everyone: farmers, longshoremen, merchant marines, contruction workers, oil rig workers, soliders, doctors, lawyers, nurses, teachers, fishermen, the unemployed, factory workers, engineers, accountants, retirees, the disabled, veternairans, criminals, ministers and priests, housewives, business owners, common labourers, horse trainers, bankers, CEO's, truck drivers, cooks, students, hunting guides, cowboys, DJ's, actors, imigrants...everyone. From Maine to Hawaii, from Florida to Alaska. From the deep south to the Candian border. And sometimes, all the provinces of Canada, as well.

I've spoken with people on the verge of homelessness, people who've just lost a loved one, people dying of cancer, people who have just lost their jobs, and/or are losing their homes. I speak with people who have $200,000 or more in medical bills (that their insurance company is refusing to cough up for), people who can't afford prescription medicines, medical treatment or even food. And also, parents whose angish I can hear, when they tell me they have to tell their kids they can't afford to help them go to college, or buy them gifts for Christmas.

On the flip side, over the last two years, I've also spoken with people who travel the world, go hunting in Africa, are bonified millionares, work with celebrites, own several home, or half a dozen vintage cars, boats etc. And...yes, people who are racist, out and out stupid and/or have the manners of a goat, and people who are lively and interesting and pleasant to speak to.

It's always hard, when someone tells me he or she is dying, or that they've just lost someone dear to them, or they or a spouse (or both) have just lost their job(s), or home, or whatever.

But you know what really takes me aback? Once in a very rare while--only a few times a year--some guy will answer the phone...and sound EXACTLY like my late dad. That's spooky! It happened yesterday--I almost said, "Dad?" But, of course it only is a split-second reaction before I realize that's not possible. Still, do you lot have any idea how bizzare it feels, to speak with someone that sounds just like a dead parent? Very strange.

What is this??? Suddenly I'm being bombarded again with meme's. Well, I need to pass the time before bedtime. I was going to write tonight, but my arthritis is playing hell with my right hand and elbow--even writing this is a chore. Must be either I overdid it at the farm this past weekend, or the change in the weather...or both.

Well, what the heck. I know few people read these things--they are rather dull, afterall, so what eles should I expect? But...it's something to do. I don't suppose what I answer really matters, it's not like the world is hanging on my every word, ha-ha.

RANDOM TEN MEME

1. If you were to put out your own perfume or cologne, what would you call it?

Butch. Erm--maybe not. I dunno', I think "Iris" sounds okay. It's my favourite flower.

2. Who's the black sheep in your family?

That would very much be my sister...and now, apparently, my nephew as well, unfortunately...tho' some of my aunts and cousins might say me, 'cos I never had a prestigious job...they didn't think cooking, clerking in a muffler shop, temping, running amusement rides, or shoveling manure was very posh or impressive. Well excuuuuse me. At least I was never on unemployment..welfare once for a couple of months, yes, disability yes...but never got an unemployment benefit in my life.

3. How many of the “Star Wars” movies have you seen?

All but the last one. I've seen the original Star Wars about 70 or 80 times, I guess...I saw it about 7 or 8 times at the cinema, in the 70's, then dozens of more times on tele, then I got the video on VCR, and watched a few more dozen times.

4. Do you own a Blackberry?

Is that a type of phone? Well, obviously if I'm not sure what that is, I don't own one.

5. What's your favourite pizza toppings?

Ooh, that's tough, I have so many! I like Polish sausage, eggplant, BBQ chicken, cheddar & bacon, cheeseburger, buffalo chicken, ham & pineapple, and sliced sweet Italian sausage (but not the crumbly kind) and pepperoni.

6. Have you ever been on top of your roof?

Not here, that wouldn't be possible--it's a steeply pitched Victorian with slate shilngles. But, yes, I've been on roofs--one of my bedroom windows when I was in my teens, used to open out onto the covered patio/garage roof, and I used to sit out there on nice days, listening to my stereo and taking in the view across the river.

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7. What's the longest road trip you've ever taken?

In early June of 1980, it took me three days by Trailways, Grayhound and National Park Service coaches, to travel from Albany, New York to Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park. I traveled from Albany through: New York City, Pennslyvania, Ohio. Changing buses in Chicago, Illinois then heading into Wisconson, Minnesota, North Dakota--where we were stranded for four or five hours one night in Fargo, when our bus broke down-- then into Montana (with a one-night layover in Billings, MT, to sleep and freshen up). It was 90 degrees in Albany when I left--one of the hotest June's on record for us, at the time...when I got to Mamoth Hot Springs, we were forced to sleep there overnight, because the park roads were closed due to a sudden snow storm--that was a little weird, going from 90's F, to snow in just a few days.

8. What's the best song to cruise in your car to?

Songs by the Doobie Brothers, such as China Grove, Takin' It To The Streets, Long Train Running, or Listen to the Music. Out of all the "new" Doobie Brothers music with Michael McDonald on board, I guess The Doctor ("listen to the doctor, music is the doctor..."), would also qualify as a good "road" song.

9. What's your favourite movie about cars?

Tie between Gone in 60 Seconds, and (don't laugh!) The Love Bug

10. What smells remind you of your childhood?

Pine needles, old wood, freshly cut grass, laundry that's just come in off the line on a cold winter's day, floor wax, pot roast, musty basement smell, old spice aftershave, Pall Mall cigarette smoke, aqua net hair spray, Ivory soap, baking--cakes and cookies, Vitalis hair oil...I smelled it on some guy in the lift a few week's back, so I guess they still make the stuff. Dad being old-fashioned, used to plaster his hair with the stuff...remember mum complaining about it saturating the towels and pillowcases.

It was annouced that Americas posh retail giant, Macy's department store, will be closing 11 retail locations in the next year.

Macy's--the American equivilent of Harrod's--which was once billed as "the world's largest store," is downplaying the closures as "normal." Yet, in point of fact, it has never closed this many stores in a one year period, in its entire history. They have been in business since 1924, and even the depression era didn't slow them down.

Some employees in the stores which are shutting down--in states such as Florida and Tennesee--will be allowed to stay on at other Macy's locations...yet, the bulk of the workforce, if unable or unwilling to re-locate, will be adding more stats to the unemployment figures, along with employees from the industrial sector, such as Alcoa, which is also sacking thousands of employees this year.

Macy's flagship store is in Herald Square in Manhattan--made famous in song and films, such as Christmas film, "Miracle of 34th Street," and also it plays host to America's most famous televised parade, the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which has been around since the store's beginnings, in 1924 (the year my late dad was born, and the year the village I grew up in was founded, as it happens).

Going to Macy's in November was something I've done on several occasions, over the last three decades...the last time in 2004. The Herald Square store is a tourist attraction all in itself, most especially at Christmas. In 2004, all the window displays at Macy's were on the theme of the Christmas film, "A Christmas Story." Each year, Macy uses a different theme, with animated and detailed displays.

I was reading an online paper--I couldn't get in to The Guardian's website cos' it was being slow to load pages, so I switched to The Telegraph, and came across this very nice review of Tennant's return to the London stage in Hamlet, thought I'd pass it on:

Having established himself as indisputably the best Dr Who since Tom Baker, it suggested real ambition when he accepted the role of Hamlet with the RSC at Stratford. And no sooner had he opened in that, than he began rehearsals for one of the leading roles in Love’s Labour’s Lost.

With not a single weak performance in the supporting roles, and a modern-dress staging by Gregory Doran that achieves the hurtling intensity of a thriller, this is now without doubt one of the finest productions of Hamlet I have ever seen, led by an actor of extraordinary courage and charisma who has made a persuasive claim to true greatness.

One of my fav folk rock bands is coming to my area (well, to the city across the river from the village where I was raised)--cool! They're playing Heritage Hall in March...should be getting my tax refund check about then...perhaps a trip to the area would be in order--I could kill two birds with one stone, and finally "visit" mum and put some flowers on her grave--have dinner at my favourite chippy, and then that night go to the concert--haven't been to a proper concert in five years at least. Well, it may not materialize, if it's too costly, but it's something to think about.

These guys ROCK!