Sunday, January 13, 2008
Because Adam asked, a couple of pictures of The Game filming:
Gerard Butler and his massive arms. Click picture to see in better detail.
A destroyed downtown Albuquerque.
And later. Many fans of Gerard Butler have been visiting my blog (hello!) and so I've posted a few more photos. My friend Barney, who was also at the conference, said to me, "I never expected a movie star to be so good looking in person." I had to agree with her (although he's even better with a beard).
Mr. Butler getting directions.
Gerard driving the truck.
Sun tran bus- this is amusing because this bus is from Tucson, orginally.
Gerard Butler and his massive arms. Click picture to see in better detail.
A destroyed downtown Albuquerque.
And later. Many fans of Gerard Butler have been visiting my blog (hello!) and so I've posted a few more photos. My friend Barney, who was also at the conference, said to me, "I never expected a movie star to be so good looking in person." I had to agree with her (although he's even better with a beard).
Mr. Butler getting directions.
Gerard driving the truck.
Sun tran bus- this is amusing because this bus is from Tucson, orginally.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Ohmigosh, Gerard Butler has massively awesome biceps- almost as nice as Adam's. He is also very handsome, especially when you walk by him and he is doing bicep curls before filming a scene for the movie they are filming here. I learned some interesting things- the huge pieces of concrete were actually styrofoam and the little chunks were ground up bits of newspaper. I have no idea if the movie will be any good, but Mr. Butler's biceps will be prominent.
Why do the hotel maids start hammering on doors at 7:30 AM on Saturday morning? This is one of those magical qualities of the Albuquerque Doubletree Hotel.
Nearby, at the Hyatt, a gin and tonic costs $8. This is New Mexico, not NYC.
My presentation is today and the background dancers are a no-show. very disappointing.
When I get back to Tucson I'm going to start figuring out exactly what I'm doing in 2008. Losing my little belly is the first thing, full-length hotel bathroom mirrors are, unfortunately, a way to identify every extra kilogram of weight.
Nearby, at the Hyatt, a gin and tonic costs $8. This is New Mexico, not NYC.
My presentation is today and the background dancers are a no-show. very disappointing.
When I get back to Tucson I'm going to start figuring out exactly what I'm doing in 2008. Losing my little belly is the first thing, full-length hotel bathroom mirrors are, unfortunately, a way to identify every extra kilogram of weight.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Convention Hell. Why did I come for the entire convention? The hotel I'm in sucks- ugly-as-fuck, poorly designed, broken elevator, hotel room is either too cold or too hot, and you can't shut the fucking curtains and the light shines in all night long.
The hotel the convention is in has very few chairs for sitting around in. The one sitting area is being used for a blood drive. So when you walk in the first thing you see is people's blood being sucked out by the Red Cross vampires.
During the morning session a fire alarm went off and we milled about, not really wanting to go outside in the 40-something weather. Outside, downtown Albuquerque is dead-dead-dead. The only excitement is that they are filming a movie at the ugly convention center, and reportedly Pedro from Napoleon Dynamite has been spotted. I only saw two young women in very short, bizarre skirts and makeup and another woman complaining about the fact that there were too many PAs, which I assume is "Production Assistant" and not "Prince Albert," 'cause you can never have too many of those around.
And everything closes at 2 PM and who wants to eat in the hotel restaurant, especially at the Albuquerque Doubletree Hotel, which is both super ugly, cold, and the selection looks awful. In contrast, the salsa at last night's reception was very good.
So yeah, I picked a wrong year to attend this conference.
The hotel the convention is in has very few chairs for sitting around in. The one sitting area is being used for a blood drive. So when you walk in the first thing you see is people's blood being sucked out by the Red Cross vampires.
During the morning session a fire alarm went off and we milled about, not really wanting to go outside in the 40-something weather. Outside, downtown Albuquerque is dead-dead-dead. The only excitement is that they are filming a movie at the ugly convention center, and reportedly Pedro from Napoleon Dynamite has been spotted. I only saw two young women in very short, bizarre skirts and makeup and another woman complaining about the fact that there were too many PAs, which I assume is "Production Assistant" and not "Prince Albert," 'cause you can never have too many of those around.
And everything closes at 2 PM and who wants to eat in the hotel restaurant, especially at the Albuquerque Doubletree Hotel, which is both super ugly, cold, and the selection looks awful. In contrast, the salsa at last night's reception was very good.
So yeah, I picked a wrong year to attend this conference.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Post 1477. I'm off to Albuquerque for a conference. I checked out the gay bar scene and immediately wrote down the info for the one listed as a sleazy, drag queen bar. I know quality.
Last night, while shopping for clothing, I saw the most bizarre transgender person. A big, tall older man wearing a very short, red, terrycloth dress with a big white belt. He had just made some purchases at Lane Bryant, I hope he took advantage of the sales! He certainly had balls, you would not catch me wearing that get-up in public (too club-kiddish for me).
On a more serious note, I really like Barack Obama and think he would make an excellent president. I'm not just saying that because he is my seventh cousin (I didn't vote for either Bushies, and I'm also related to them).
Last night, while shopping for clothing, I saw the most bizarre transgender person. A big, tall older man wearing a very short, red, terrycloth dress with a big white belt. He had just made some purchases at Lane Bryant, I hope he took advantage of the sales! He certainly had balls, you would not catch me wearing that get-up in public (too club-kiddish for me).
On a more serious note, I really like Barack Obama and think he would make an excellent president. I'm not just saying that because he is my seventh cousin (I didn't vote for either Bushies, and I'm also related to them).
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Homersworld endorses Barack Obama for the Iowa caucuses!
Is the election over yet?
Is the election over yet?
Monday, January 07, 2008
Best Holiday Present. And the award goes to.....
Click to see every delicious morsel.
Mark and Rodger!
- Cascade Delight Best Raspberry Jam
- Tiltons Best Apricot Jam
- Spicy Dill Pickles
- Hot Salsa, Last Batch
- Warm Tomatillo Salsa
Ohmigod, the way to seduce me is through homemade canned goods.
Click to see every delicious morsel.
Mark and Rodger!
- Cascade Delight Best Raspberry Jam
- Tiltons Best Apricot Jam
- Spicy Dill Pickles
- Hot Salsa, Last Batch
- Warm Tomatillo Salsa
Ohmigod, the way to seduce me is through homemade canned goods.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
A winter tradition, now. Go out to either the front yard or back yard and pick oranges. The backyard tree, which is actually on the neighbor's side but the branches droop onto my side, has sweeter oranges. The frontyard tree has more, many more, but they are usually smaller.
Front orange tree.
I pick a washpan full and run water over them, picking the occasional stem off. The 1950s or 1960s Sunbeam mixer with the juicer attachment is hauled out and I clean a year's worth of dust off. Assembly required. Oranges sliced in half and I discard the ones that look a little off- bruised or bug-eaten.
Washing.
The juicer makes a "rrrrrrr" sound as it rotates. When I push an orange half down onto it, it becomes "grrrr-grrrr" sound. Every so often I stop and wipe off the pulp that accumulates on the screen.
Before I start juicing.
A washpan makes a bit more than a half-gallon. I drank a glass while typing this. Better than last year's, from what I can remember.
Front orange tree.
I pick a washpan full and run water over them, picking the occasional stem off. The 1950s or 1960s Sunbeam mixer with the juicer attachment is hauled out and I clean a year's worth of dust off. Assembly required. Oranges sliced in half and I discard the ones that look a little off- bruised or bug-eaten.
Washing.
The juicer makes a "rrrrrrr" sound as it rotates. When I push an orange half down onto it, it becomes "grrrr-grrrr" sound. Every so often I stop and wipe off the pulp that accumulates on the screen.
Before I start juicing.
A washpan makes a bit more than a half-gallon. I drank a glass while typing this. Better than last year's, from what I can remember.
Friday, January 04, 2008
I made French toast (with whipped cream and banana-pecan topping), hash browns, and sliced mangoes for Mummy's going-away supper. Vince came over and we ate and chatted. It was very nice.
It will be quiet without her here. I hope she doesn't freeze in Michigan.
It will be quiet without her here. I hope she doesn't freeze in Michigan.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Last cake for a while. Lightning Cake (page 930-931 in Joy of Cooking), a single layer lemon cake. No more baking for a while. After Mummy leaves on Saturday it is time to watch (very carefully) what I eat.
On my Martha Stewart cake stand (thanks Mummy!).
Electric bill arrives today- $147. Last month's was $34. This is what happens when Tucson has "winter." I checked, though, and it was about the same as last year. Of course I'm feeling poor at the moment. I hope I get a raise.
Next week I'm going to Albuquerque next week for a conference- do any of my readers live there?
On my Martha Stewart cake stand (thanks Mummy!).
Electric bill arrives today- $147. Last month's was $34. This is what happens when Tucson has "winter." I checked, though, and it was about the same as last year. Of course I'm feeling poor at the moment. I hope I get a raise.
Next week I'm going to Albuquerque next week for a conference- do any of my readers live there?
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
The flourless chocolate cake with chocolate meringue frosting was delicious.
And very fattening.
Steve and Bob's party was nice and Mummy had a good time. Unfortunately, she is impossible to photograph- always has the deer-in-headlight thing going.
Afterwards, I went to the Venture and at midnight gave Jeremy a little kiss.
Happy 2008.
On New Year's Day I lay in bed most of the day reading a very interesting book about insects. I think Doug should name a beetle after me (but not a mite or some new variety of lice).
Joey just meowed at me (she's sitting on my lap as I type this). I believe she is mad because I'm not putting her picture on here today. Maybe tomorrow.
And very fattening.
Steve and Bob's party was nice and Mummy had a good time. Unfortunately, she is impossible to photograph- always has the deer-in-headlight thing going.
Afterwards, I went to the Venture and at midnight gave Jeremy a little kiss.
Happy 2008.
On New Year's Day I lay in bed most of the day reading a very interesting book about insects. I think Doug should name a beetle after me (but not a mite or some new variety of lice).
Joey just meowed at me (she's sitting on my lap as I type this). I believe she is mad because I'm not putting her picture on here today. Maybe tomorrow.
Monday, December 31, 2007
The fourth annual end-of-the-year self portrait.
December 31, 2007.
This is the 66th photo of myself I've posted this year. That's one for every 5.5 days. In contrast, I only had one photograph of a lemon meringue pie. My priorities are very warped.
So 2007 was interesting. I'd like to thank everyone who has been reading my blog and especially those people who left comments, nice or nasty.
I've got some ideas for 2008 floating through my head- but I've learned not to set goals because, at least for me, I never fully achieve the laundry list.
Hope your 2008 is equally as exciting. See you there.
December 31, 2007.
This is the 66th photo of myself I've posted this year. That's one for every 5.5 days. In contrast, I only had one photograph of a lemon meringue pie. My priorities are very warped.
So 2007 was interesting. I'd like to thank everyone who has been reading my blog and especially those people who left comments, nice or nasty.
I've got some ideas for 2008 floating through my head- but I've learned not to set goals because, at least for me, I never fully achieve the laundry list.
Hope your 2008 is equally as exciting. See you there.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
At the Humane Society it was discovered that ElliottJr was actually Elliotina. My cat sexing skills have declined in my decrepitude. I hope those two kittens find a lovely home to live in. Unfortunately, as I have discovered in the past, three cats are alright but five cats make you undateable.
The remnants of HolidayCold07 are rapidly disappearing, just the occasional cough and resulting flotsam. Last night I came home and lay down after dinner and woke up with my mother putting the electric blanket on me. My house has been cold, and the little electric floor heaters do not make it seem much warmer. Mummy looked cold so I moved the electric blanket to the couch and she spent yesterday warm and comfortable and was very pleased to be in such a condition.
I'm now pondering what kind of cake to make for a New Year's Eve party I am attending. I'm thinking a simple yellow cake with raspberry filling and chocolate ganache frosting dripped over the top will be the likely choice- easy to make, tasty, and looks dramatic.
The remnants of HolidayCold07 are rapidly disappearing, just the occasional cough and resulting flotsam. Last night I came home and lay down after dinner and woke up with my mother putting the electric blanket on me. My house has been cold, and the little electric floor heaters do not make it seem much warmer. Mummy looked cold so I moved the electric blanket to the couch and she spent yesterday warm and comfortable and was very pleased to be in such a condition.
I'm now pondering what kind of cake to make for a New Year's Eve party I am attending. I'm thinking a simple yellow cake with raspberry filling and chocolate ganache frosting dripped over the top will be the likely choice- easy to make, tasty, and looks dramatic.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
List of foods Mummy doesn't like:
- mushrooms
- spaghetti sauce
- catsup
- gravy
- nutmeg or anything with nutmeg in it (e.g., eggnog)
- hummous
- spicy foods
- beef tamales
- lettuce
- salsa
- persimmons (make her vomit)
- oregano
- food with that extra stuff in it (spices)
- mayonaisse
- lasagna if it has too much tomato stuff in it
- spicy mustard
- salad greens (hard to eat)
- brie cheese
- eggplant
- alfredo sauce
- pesto
List of foods Mummy likes to eat:
- yellow potatoes
- very well-boiled root vegetables (carrots must be mushy)
- lemon meringue pie
- coconut cream pie
- apple pie
- any form of chocolate
- licorice
- mashed potatoes (the kind I make)
- Steve and Bob's corn chowder
- Spanish rice
- rice and beans
- crunchy crackers
- chocolate milk
- bananas
- acorn squash (but not other varieties)
- rice pudding
- cinnamon
- BLT, minus the L
- scrambled eggs
- Miracle Whip
- tomato soup
- grilled cheese
- frosted flakes
- avocado (but in a salad, not as guacamole)
- macaroni and cheese
- cauliflower and cheese sauce
- four-cheese pizza (the frozen kind)
- tater tots
- veggie corn dogs
- beans
- French toast and waffles
I'm at my wit's end trying to think of something new to make. When I asked Mummy what she wanted for Holiday lunch she said "Mashed potatoes and scrambled eggs."
- mushrooms
- spaghetti sauce
- catsup
- gravy
- nutmeg or anything with nutmeg in it (e.g., eggnog)
- hummous
- spicy foods
- beef tamales
- lettuce
- salsa
- persimmons (make her vomit)
- oregano
- food with that extra stuff in it (spices)
- mayonaisse
- lasagna if it has too much tomato stuff in it
- spicy mustard
- salad greens (hard to eat)
- brie cheese
- eggplant
- alfredo sauce
- pesto
List of foods Mummy likes to eat:
- yellow potatoes
- very well-boiled root vegetables (carrots must be mushy)
- lemon meringue pie
- coconut cream pie
- apple pie
- any form of chocolate
- licorice
- mashed potatoes (the kind I make)
- Steve and Bob's corn chowder
- Spanish rice
- rice and beans
- crunchy crackers
- chocolate milk
- bananas
- acorn squash (but not other varieties)
- rice pudding
- cinnamon
- BLT, minus the L
- scrambled eggs
- Miracle Whip
- tomato soup
- grilled cheese
- frosted flakes
- avocado (but in a salad, not as guacamole)
- macaroni and cheese
- cauliflower and cheese sauce
- four-cheese pizza (the frozen kind)
- tater tots
- veggie corn dogs
- beans
- French toast and waffles
I'm at my wit's end trying to think of something new to make. When I asked Mummy what she wanted for Holiday lunch she said "Mashed potatoes and scrambled eggs."
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
My Holiday Cold progresses and I my nose runneth over. Santa brought me a waffle iron so guess what Mummy and I will be having for dinner. If you guessed waffles, you'd be correct.
ElliottJr wishes everyone a Happy Holiday.
I am the Cat Whisperer. Little ElliottJr has gone from being a wild, feral kitten to a purring lap baby in less than 48 hours. He likes to play with blue yarn and enjoys tummy rubs. Little Girl is still a tad skittish, but will purr when she gets petted. Neither enjoyed the ear mite drops although they behaved very well when I was cleaning out their ears. I'm hoping to have a new home for them by Friday.
The problem when having a cold during choice Holiday times is that the things I enjoy doing- lying in bed, reading, cooking- are not enjoyable to do. I feel like valuable Holiday Hours are being wasted blowing my nose and cursing meth addicts for making the pharm companys dumb down their medicines. The stuff I'm taking- I should have known better- has had no visible benefits.
Enough! What did Santa bring you?
ElliottJr wishes everyone a Happy Holiday.
I am the Cat Whisperer. Little ElliottJr has gone from being a wild, feral kitten to a purring lap baby in less than 48 hours. He likes to play with blue yarn and enjoys tummy rubs. Little Girl is still a tad skittish, but will purr when she gets petted. Neither enjoyed the ear mite drops although they behaved very well when I was cleaning out their ears. I'm hoping to have a new home for them by Friday.
The problem when having a cold during choice Holiday times is that the things I enjoy doing- lying in bed, reading, cooking- are not enjoyable to do. I feel like valuable Holiday Hours are being wasted blowing my nose and cursing meth addicts for making the pharm companys dumb down their medicines. The stuff I'm taking- I should have known better- has had no visible benefits.
Enough! What did Santa bring you?
Monday, December 24, 2007
Mummy finished the bedspread she has been working on.
Bedspread and catspread.
Just in time for a Holiday season cold. I'm taking some stuff and going to bed early. I hope Santa is making a visit to your home, whereever it is.
Bedspread and catspread.
Just in time for a Holiday season cold. I'm taking some stuff and going to bed early. I hope Santa is making a visit to your home, whereever it is.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
I was able to catch the two kittens who have been coming to my porch for food. They are now locked up in my bathroom. Little Girl is the scaredy-cat. ElliotJr sits on my lap and purrs very loudly, much louder than my three cats. In a couple of days, after they've been tamed a bit more, I'll take them to the Humane Society where they can go be someone else's kittens.
Little Girl and Elliott Jr.
My sister Elizabeth called me this morning to tell me that Uncle Fred died. He was my mother's brother, two years younger than her. I remember being at his wedding in the late 1960s (1967?) and they handed us rice to throw and I started eating it. It is funny how you remember seemingly pointless things like that. He was a very good man, funny, smart, always honest and forthright with his opinions. My two cousins had a great father and Aunt Janell a great husband.
Little Girl and Elliott Jr.
My sister Elizabeth called me this morning to tell me that Uncle Fred died. He was my mother's brother, two years younger than her. I remember being at his wedding in the late 1960s (1967?) and they handed us rice to throw and I started eating it. It is funny how you remember seemingly pointless things like that. He was a very good man, funny, smart, always honest and forthright with his opinions. My two cousins had a great father and Aunt Janell a great husband.
Another thing I'm not shunning in 2008- handsome men.
Paul.
Brady's friend Paul was in town visiting from England, where he's getting a master's degree. I went over and hung out with Brady, Patrick, and Paul for a while.
Ray and Homer.
Afterwards I stopped by the bar and ran into Ray, Michael, Rick, et al. I looked like a fisherman in the sweater my mother made for me years ago. It was nice to see my friends for a little while, I haven't been out much since Mummy arrived.
Paul.
Brady's friend Paul was in town visiting from England, where he's getting a master's degree. I went over and hung out with Brady, Patrick, and Paul for a while.
Ray and Homer.
Afterwards I stopped by the bar and ran into Ray, Michael, Rick, et al. I looked like a fisherman in the sweater my mother made for me years ago. It was nice to see my friends for a little while, I haven't been out much since Mummy arrived.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Things I'm shunning in 2008. The Amish, which my brother is a member of, shun people who do naughty things. This is my list of things I will be shunning in 2008:
- Iraq and the rest of the fucking Middle East
- Romney, Huckabee, and Guiliani
- cookies
- anorexic/drug addled/preggers starlets
- fake bloggers with their fake drama, fake medical problems, and fake deaths
- about 20 pounds (where did that come from?)
- text messaging devices (today while eating lunch three people around me were texting instead of eating)
In contrast I will be welcoming the following:
- size 32 waist jeans
- visits to the east and west coast
- learning some new kitchen skills
- painting my kitchen
- publishing a genealogy book
- Iraq and the rest of the fucking Middle East
- Romney, Huckabee, and Guiliani
- cookies
- anorexic/drug addled/preggers starlets
- fake bloggers with their fake drama, fake medical problems, and fake deaths
- about 20 pounds (where did that come from?)
- text messaging devices (today while eating lunch three people around me were texting instead of eating)
In contrast I will be welcoming the following:
- size 32 waist jeans
- visits to the east and west coast
- learning some new kitchen skills
- painting my kitchen
- publishing a genealogy book
Thursday, December 20, 2007
A pair of stray kittens, a boy and a girl, have started coming to my front steps for food. I bought them some fancy stuff and sit there with them as they eat. Tonight I was able to pick up both of them.
Little girl.
The boy is more skittish and I was surprised that when I picked him up he was completely tame. I'm going to borrow a cage and take them to the Humane Society and I hope they find a new home. They are young enough and relatively sweet kittens, so that seems likely. If I didn't already have three cats, I'd take them in.
Little girl.
The boy is more skittish and I was surprised that when I picked him up he was completely tame. I'm going to borrow a cage and take them to the Humane Society and I hope they find a new home. They are young enough and relatively sweet kittens, so that seems likely. If I didn't already have three cats, I'd take them in.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
I've received two beautiful homemade cards so far this HOLIDAY season. One was from Albert, which unfortunately, does not photograph well (very shiny!).
The other is from Mike and from the cover you'd think it was a plain, ordinary card.
Cover.
But when you open it, surprise!
Pop-up!
Thank you Mike and ALbert for the beautiful cards. I appreciate the thought and effort that went into them. XO
The other is from Mike and from the cover you'd think it was a plain, ordinary card.
Cover.
But when you open it, surprise!
Pop-up!
Thank you Mike and ALbert for the beautiful cards. I appreciate the thought and effort that went into them. XO
Happy Holidays. I am an atheist, I don't have any religious beliefs. So I make a point of calling everything associated with the end of December "Holiday."
A few minutes ago I was in the front office and the mail came in, including a box from Amazon with a present for Mummy. I made a comment that it was her Holiday present. A co-worker responded [I'm paraphrasing here, of course I didn't have a tape recorder handy], "Why can't you just call it Christmas?"
"I'm not a Christian, that why I call it Holiday."
"I don't think that is right," she said.
I then said, "Our Governor put up a Holiday Tree in the Capitol building. She said that something about how the tree represents everybody in Arizona including Hindus, Muslims, atheists and other people."
The conversation continued for another minute and then she said, "You always have to be a little different don't you. Just like my brother" she replied. "Why can't you just blend in?" She gave me a look as she was saying this.
The conversation ended at that point. I felt completely uncomfortable that a co-worker would say something like that. I walked down to my office and asked my two cubicle neighbors (one Catholic, one Jewish) their opinions. And they agreed. Strange and inappropriate.
Guess who won't be getting a Holiday present from me?
A few minutes ago I was in the front office and the mail came in, including a box from Amazon with a present for Mummy. I made a comment that it was her Holiday present. A co-worker responded [I'm paraphrasing here, of course I didn't have a tape recorder handy], "Why can't you just call it Christmas?"
"I'm not a Christian, that why I call it Holiday."
"I don't think that is right," she said.
I then said, "Our Governor put up a Holiday Tree in the Capitol building. She said that something about how the tree represents everybody in Arizona including Hindus, Muslims, atheists and other people."
The conversation continued for another minute and then she said, "You always have to be a little different don't you. Just like my brother" she replied. "Why can't you just blend in?" She gave me a look as she was saying this.
The conversation ended at that point. I felt completely uncomfortable that a co-worker would say something like that. I walked down to my office and asked my two cubicle neighbors (one Catholic, one Jewish) their opinions. And they agreed. Strange and inappropriate.
Guess who won't be getting a Holiday present from me?
Monday, December 17, 2007
Bob, Steve, and Peaches are coming over for dinner. I made an apple pie, the top crust didn't turn out so I cut out little leaves and placed them on top.
Apple Pie.
I'm serving white trash food- veggie corn dogs, tater tots, and three bean salad. Afterwards, we'll be making some holiday cards.
It was nice hanging out with Trachalio last night. He's a friendly, cute guy.
Apple Pie.
I'm serving white trash food- veggie corn dogs, tater tots, and three bean salad. Afterwards, we'll be making some holiday cards.
It was nice hanging out with Trachalio last night. He's a friendly, cute guy.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
My sister Elizabeth is scanning pictures and sending them to me.
This photo is from October 31, 1963. I am exactly 46 days old and sitting in Mummy's lap. My father, Bub, Jerry, Susan, and Elizabeth are there as well. This may be the only picture of our entire family together.
This photo is from October 31, 1963. I am exactly 46 days old and sitting in Mummy's lap. My father, Bub, Jerry, Susan, and Elizabeth are there as well. This may be the only picture of our entire family together.
Friday, December 14, 2007
I have a reputation for being a fast digger. So they needed someone to go to a site we are working on to dig out the postholes in a pithouse, and I volunteered.
Patti and I left the office at 5 AM and got back at a little before 6 PM- it was a 2.5 hour drive each way since we were going a few miles north of Gila Bend. We only got really lost once and sorta lost another time.
Hohokam pit structure.
The Hohokam placed posts around the perimeter of their houses, along with a few to help hold up the roof. In the above picture, you can see the back row of postholes that I cleaned out. They are usually filled with dig with bits of charcoal and ash. Two of them had burned posts still in them, one about 5 inches in diameter.
Entrance way.
I helped find and clear out the groove around the entrance to the house. There was probably some sort of matting placed in the groove to make a vestibule opening that could be closed off to keep cold air out in the winter. Beyond the grooved-entrance way is a large circular fire hearth and an apron of plastered floor. There was probably an elevated wooden floor in the rest of the house, with only the post holes for a few floor supports remaining.
I forgot to ask how old the site is, it is somewhere between A.D. 650 and 1400.
Space Age Lodge.
If I ever have to stay in Gila Bend, I'm going to stay at this motel. Above the restaurant is a large UFO. So cool, but I didn't get a picture of it.
Jimbo will be jealous, on the way back we drove past an irrigation canal and I saw about 5 great blue herons and over 25 white egrets, along with several small and large hawks.
Patti and I left the office at 5 AM and got back at a little before 6 PM- it was a 2.5 hour drive each way since we were going a few miles north of Gila Bend. We only got really lost once and sorta lost another time.
Hohokam pit structure.
The Hohokam placed posts around the perimeter of their houses, along with a few to help hold up the roof. In the above picture, you can see the back row of postholes that I cleaned out. They are usually filled with dig with bits of charcoal and ash. Two of them had burned posts still in them, one about 5 inches in diameter.
Entrance way.
I helped find and clear out the groove around the entrance to the house. There was probably some sort of matting placed in the groove to make a vestibule opening that could be closed off to keep cold air out in the winter. Beyond the grooved-entrance way is a large circular fire hearth and an apron of plastered floor. There was probably an elevated wooden floor in the rest of the house, with only the post holes for a few floor supports remaining.
I forgot to ask how old the site is, it is somewhere between A.D. 650 and 1400.
Space Age Lodge.
If I ever have to stay in Gila Bend, I'm going to stay at this motel. Above the restaurant is a large UFO. So cool, but I didn't get a picture of it.
Jimbo will be jealous, on the way back we drove past an irrigation canal and I saw about 5 great blue herons and over 25 white egrets, along with several small and large hawks.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Favorite Holiday Tree ornament.
Ice skating snowman.
I told Archerr I would post a picture of my favorite ornament. I mostly have the old-fashioned glass ones on my tree. The day after Holiday I go shopping and buy a half dozen at the drastically reduced prices. I'm thrifty sometimes.
Ice skating snowman.
I told Archerr I would post a picture of my favorite ornament. I mostly have the old-fashioned glass ones on my tree. The day after Holiday I go shopping and buy a half dozen at the drastically reduced prices. I'm thrifty sometimes.
Holy crap.
The Huckabees.
This could be our next Presidential family.
What was Ms. Huckabee thinking when she bought matching (hideous!) shirts for the guys in the family. Those big elbow patches are ..... well, I can't come up with a word. She definitely needs to send her rosy-cheeked sons to charm school so they can improve their posture. I like how Mr. and Mrs. H. are firmly grasping their dog. The Ms. is probably whispering through those clenched teeth, "Take the fucking picture you fucking slow-as-molasses photographer!!!" She looks a little like Liz Smith in the photo, dontcha think?
The Huckabees.
This could be our next Presidential family.
What was Ms. Huckabee thinking when she bought matching (hideous!) shirts for the guys in the family. Those big elbow patches are ..... well, I can't come up with a word. She definitely needs to send her rosy-cheeked sons to charm school so they can improve their posture. I like how Mr. and Mrs. H. are firmly grasping their dog. The Ms. is probably whispering through those clenched teeth, "Take the fucking picture you fucking slow-as-molasses photographer!!!" She looks a little like Liz Smith in the photo, dontcha think?
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
A rare happening in Tucson: Fog.
On Mission Road.
The weather is usually very boring here (hot and hotter). I was surprised by the fog, I don't remember ever seeing it like this before.
I was amazed that everyone was driving carefully- when it rains it is usually the opposite.
I know, I know- boring weather post.
On Mission Road.
The weather is usually very boring here (hot and hotter). I was surprised by the fog, I don't remember ever seeing it like this before.
I was amazed that everyone was driving carefully- when it rains it is usually the opposite.
I know, I know- boring weather post.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
It has been raining for the last few days. There is snow on the mountains. The damp and dreary weather makes it finally seem like winter here in Tucson. My feet are cold as I type this.
Brian was my saviour tonight, helping me to fix my Amazon Wish List. You are more than welcome to visit it. Those who do so will learn my first name. And my last. My real first and last name. Homer is really my middle name too.
In case you forgot, I was named after an elderly man who lived next door to my father when he was a teenager. Daddy would go next door to help him shave after he got Parkinson's. Homer died about six months after my parents were married, in 1953. My parents picked John as my first name because there were no close relatives with that name, they didn't want anyone to get mad at them. And of course John was the second-most popular name in 1963 and 1964, so when I got to kindergarten I had to go by my middle name and it stuck. I'm ornery that way.
Trachalio is coming to town this weekend, it will be nice to see him again. I can ask him what he's been up to in person, since his blog is a little behind.
Brian was my saviour tonight, helping me to fix my Amazon Wish List. You are more than welcome to visit it. Those who do so will learn my first name. And my last. My real first and last name. Homer is really my middle name too.
In case you forgot, I was named after an elderly man who lived next door to my father when he was a teenager. Daddy would go next door to help him shave after he got Parkinson's. Homer died about six months after my parents were married, in 1953. My parents picked John as my first name because there were no close relatives with that name, they didn't want anyone to get mad at them. And of course John was the second-most popular name in 1963 and 1964, so when I got to kindergarten I had to go by my middle name and it stuck. I'm ornery that way.
Trachalio is coming to town this weekend, it will be nice to see him again. I can ask him what he's been up to in person, since his blog is a little behind.
Sunday, December 09, 2007
After the party there are the leftovers. I ate cranberry duff for breakfast. It was very good. It should be, I doubled the recipe and it had two sticks of butter.
Forrest and Homer and the Holiday Wreath (thanks Brian!).
Jimbo will be horrified that I took Mummy to the Macy's store and she bought a pair of light blue Crocs with the fluffy stuff inside. She's wearing them right now.
Otherwise, I had a couple of naps, did some genealogy research on the internets, read a few pages in a book, and chatted with Sandy before he left for California.
Next week: Holiday shopping. This year I only have six present to buy.
Forrest and Homer and the Holiday Wreath (thanks Brian!).
Jimbo will be horrified that I took Mummy to the Macy's store and she bought a pair of light blue Crocs with the fluffy stuff inside. She's wearing them right now.
Otherwise, I had a couple of naps, did some genealogy research on the internets, read a few pages in a book, and chatted with Sandy before he left for California.
Next week: Holiday shopping. This year I only have six present to buy.
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Holiday Party 2007 was a fine time had by all. Except Forrest who had a super fine time making Holiday cards.
Cobban, Brian, Sandy, Frank, and Jim.
Five bloggers, count 'em, five!. Bed post notching fever time!!!
Mummy and Jeffrey.
About a dozen folks, much smaller than normal, Mummy and Patti were the only non-gays. We sat around and talked, did crafts, ate food.
Vince, Bob, and Chris.
The cakes I made went over very well. Not enough time for a lemon meringue pie!
Coconut cake.
Sandy from Australia, Brian from Phoenix, Ray and Cobban from Palominas, and Mummy from Traverse City- people came from far away to attend.
Brady and Brian.
The gingerbread cookies were also very fine.
Decorating cookies.
The Holiday Tree makes the living room smell nice and is real pretty.
Holiday tree.
I hope you will have an excellent holiday season.
Cobban, Brian, Sandy, Frank, and Jim.
Five bloggers, count 'em, five!. Bed post notching fever time!!!
Mummy and Jeffrey.
About a dozen folks, much smaller than normal, Mummy and Patti were the only non-gays. We sat around and talked, did crafts, ate food.
Vince, Bob, and Chris.
The cakes I made went over very well. Not enough time for a lemon meringue pie!
Coconut cake.
Sandy from Australia, Brian from Phoenix, Ray and Cobban from Palominas, and Mummy from Traverse City- people came from far away to attend.
Brady and Brian.
The gingerbread cookies were also very fine.
Decorating cookies.
The Holiday Tree makes the living room smell nice and is real pretty.
Holiday tree.
I hope you will have an excellent holiday season.
Holiday party prep. Sandy's here, I've got the three desserts done, getting ready to make frosting.
Mummy's all-white tree.
Mum and I went shopping, she really wanted big white (expensive!) lights for the tree, so what she wants, she gets.
Ornaments.
At the CostPlus store I bought a handful of ornaments- my favorite was the cucumber. I sorted the rest of my ornaments- this year's Holiday Tree will have gold balls and the various blown glass animals, people, and other things.
Macaroni and Cheese are next.
Mummy's all-white tree.
Mum and I went shopping, she really wanted big white (expensive!) lights for the tree, so what she wants, she gets.
Ornaments.
At the CostPlus store I bought a handful of ornaments- my favorite was the cucumber. I sorted the rest of my ornaments- this year's Holiday Tree will have gold balls and the various blown glass animals, people, and other things.
Macaroni and Cheese are next.
Friday, December 07, 2007
Simple things. If you write something and post it on the internet, it is very easy to make a screen capture and save the text, images, comments, etc. This becomes useful when an individual goes back and changes entries, deletes comments, and then accuses you of lying about said entries.
If someone tells the truth, they do not need to go back and repeatedly change entries and delete comments.
In fairness, I have deleted one entry at the request of a friend, I have removed two photographs at the request of the people in the pictures, and I have deleted portions of perhaps 10 comments in the last 4.3 years that were offensive in some way- always noting that I had done so on the comment. I have also banned one person from commenting.
Occasionally I correct typographic errors, but that is it. I don't need to go back and make extensive changes because my blog is a reflection of my life on a series of days. I write about what is happening. It is as simple as that. I want to go back later and see what I was writing about a certain day (e.g., on August 22, 2007), not what I wrote about that day with subsequent changes or deleted portions, and so on.
We now return to reality, which involves making a coconut cake and pumpkin pie for tomorrow's holiday party.
If someone tells the truth, they do not need to go back and repeatedly change entries and delete comments.
In fairness, I have deleted one entry at the request of a friend, I have removed two photographs at the request of the people in the pictures, and I have deleted portions of perhaps 10 comments in the last 4.3 years that were offensive in some way- always noting that I had done so on the comment. I have also banned one person from commenting.
Occasionally I correct typographic errors, but that is it. I don't need to go back and make extensive changes because my blog is a reflection of my life on a series of days. I write about what is happening. It is as simple as that. I want to go back later and see what I was writing about a certain day (e.g., on August 22, 2007), not what I wrote about that day with subsequent changes or deleted portions, and so on.
We now return to reality, which involves making a coconut cake and pumpkin pie for tomorrow's holiday party.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Tonight I made holiday cookies with the assistance of Mummy. She picked out the shapes, although I made sure I made several guitars for Brian. There are currently about 10-dozen cookies cooling in the kitchen.
Gingerbread and vanilla-almond cookies.
I pulled out the boxes of Holiday stuff and hung my stockings by the side of the chimney. I have a small aluminum tree and Mummy insisted on putting ornaments on it. Before I had a chance to get a string of lights on it. When she is not looking I'll remedy that. Saturday, Brady, Mummy, and I will go to the tree lot and pick out a pricey tree for the festivities that night. I've already warned her not to say her usual thing, "Oh, on the farm the trees were free!" I don't live on a farm anymore.
Gingerbread and vanilla-almond cookies.
I pulled out the boxes of Holiday stuff and hung my stockings by the side of the chimney. I have a small aluminum tree and Mummy insisted on putting ornaments on it. Before I had a chance to get a string of lights on it. When she is not looking I'll remedy that. Saturday, Brady, Mummy, and I will go to the tree lot and pick out a pricey tree for the festivities that night. I've already warned her not to say her usual thing, "Oh, on the farm the trees were free!" I don't live on a farm anymore.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Trash talk.
This afternoon I was out at the mission site as a giant trackhoe excavated trash from 1957.
Digging up trash.
Where exactly the edge of the landfill that the City of Tucson put into the remnants of the old mission isn't certain.
September 1957.
I'm there to see if they hit undisturbed areas, and if they do to make sure nothing important is present. The trench will be the location of the new wall surrounding the rebuilt mission.
Loading the trash.
The sun was so shiny and hot today, it certainly didn't feel like winter. The trash is being sent to another landfill where it will probably confuse future archaeologists.
Oscar.
Another guy is watching for hazardous waste. We spent a while talking about our jobs.
Safety first!
The hardhat gets real uncomfortable by the end of the day.
Now I'm going to go make cookies.
This afternoon I was out at the mission site as a giant trackhoe excavated trash from 1957.
Digging up trash.
Where exactly the edge of the landfill that the City of Tucson put into the remnants of the old mission isn't certain.
September 1957.
I'm there to see if they hit undisturbed areas, and if they do to make sure nothing important is present. The trench will be the location of the new wall surrounding the rebuilt mission.
Loading the trash.
The sun was so shiny and hot today, it certainly didn't feel like winter. The trash is being sent to another landfill where it will probably confuse future archaeologists.
Oscar.
Another guy is watching for hazardous waste. We spent a while talking about our jobs.
Safety first!
The hardhat gets real uncomfortable by the end of the day.
Now I'm going to go make cookies.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
I post pictures of chairs in compromising positions. Because that's what chairs will do, naturally. Obscure reference to an email I've just read, I laughed when I saw it.
The right chair.
The left chair.
These are the other two chairs, the ones that sat on either side of the table in my grandmother's living room. (Seth, what say you?). My mother's cherry wood dresser with the two large glass bottles with ribbons sat to the left of the table. Uncle Fred's grandfather clock was to the right, with the picture that now hangs in my dining room on the wall above. I can close my eyes and see every piece of furniture in that room.
Today I got a call and a request to be interviewed/photographed to appear in a 4th grade social science textbook. I'm spreading the evil of archaeology to the youths of tomorrow.
Tonight's cooking adventure- bananananananana bread. Because you can never have too much nanas.
The right chair.
The left chair.
These are the other two chairs, the ones that sat on either side of the table in my grandmother's living room. (Seth, what say you?). My mother's cherry wood dresser with the two large glass bottles with ribbons sat to the left of the table. Uncle Fred's grandfather clock was to the right, with the picture that now hangs in my dining room on the wall above. I can close my eyes and see every piece of furniture in that room.
Today I got a call and a request to be interviewed/photographed to appear in a 4th grade social science textbook. I'm spreading the evil of archaeology to the youths of tomorrow.
Tonight's cooking adventure- bananananananana bread. Because you can never have too much nanas.
Monday, December 03, 2007
When they divided Grandma F's house up a few years back I got the two chairs that sat at the table in the living room, the spindle-back couch, and the rocking chair from the upstairs bedroom. They've been sitting at my mother's house since then and for some reason my sister decided to send the chairs and rocker to me. They arrived in a box. With a quilt. That's all. No padding, nothing wrapped. The UPS box had a couple of stickers marked fragile. But the box was basically crushed in so bad that UPS wrapped it in plastic to keep it from falling apart. It turns out she had taken the chairs to one of my brother's Amish friends who ship furniture.
The chairs survived with one seat popped off. The rocking chair has a very busted arm and the finish rubbed off on one side. Doug will probably be able to repair the arm, although it won't look as nice as it used to.
Rocking chair.
My sister was very sorry, I asked her not to send me any more furniture in the mail! She meant the best but the people she had ship it were complete idiots.
The chairs survived with one seat popped off. The rocking chair has a very busted arm and the finish rubbed off on one side. Doug will probably be able to repair the arm, although it won't look as nice as it used to.
Rocking chair.
My sister was very sorry, I asked her not to send me any more furniture in the mail! She meant the best but the people she had ship it were complete idiots.
Saturday, December 01, 2007
In case you were undergoing lemon meringue pie withdrawal...
Six egg whites make a Mt. Everest.
It was a dark and stormy night with lotsa rain last night. Mummy and I went over to Bob and Steve's beautiful adobe house for dinner (hence the pie) and Peaches the cutest Pomeranian in the world was espcially cute.
Peaches and Mummy.
It is Saturday morning and I have been lazy, lying around with Puff and Mama Cat, who snuggle up to me because it is a little chilly in my house. Mummy is doing the crosswords and I've been in the study examining various websites for terrorists. Amazingly enough, I've yet to identify a single one on bigmusclebear, but you never know when one might turn up.
Six egg whites make a Mt. Everest.
It was a dark and stormy night with lotsa rain last night. Mummy and I went over to Bob and Steve's beautiful adobe house for dinner (hence the pie) and Peaches the cutest Pomeranian in the world was espcially cute.
Peaches and Mummy.
It is Saturday morning and I have been lazy, lying around with Puff and Mama Cat, who snuggle up to me because it is a little chilly in my house. Mummy is doing the crosswords and I've been in the study examining various websites for terrorists. Amazingly enough, I've yet to identify a single one on bigmusclebear, but you never know when one might turn up.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
I told Panchesco, in one of those email things, that seeing him walking north on Central Avenue was one of two highlights of my day. The other was seeing someone arrested. Luckily, these events did not involve the same person. I told Panchesco that if he had, in fact, been arrested I would have posted bail. But only after he had scouted out the jail for hot guys.
It was a dark and stormy morning. It sprinkled for hours and I got moistened while watching the backhoe dig trenches. As I suspected, there was a lot of fill dirt dumped onto the parcel we are studying. Did you know that "studying" was the only word I spelled incorrectly in the 4th grade? I still have the strip of paper with the gold star missing from that week, tucked in along with my report cards and various artwork from my school days. Anyone who would look through that manila envelope would instantly realize I was a faggot by the second grade.
So yes, Panchesco was walking away from the Greyhound Station and I was practically giddy to see his handsome face. Afterwards he sent me some photos of San Carlos, the lovely Mexican beach town where Jimbo and I saw birds galore and a raft of sea lions and 9 dolphins leaping. And blue footed boobies. I don't know if Panchesco saw any blue footed boobies, but you can see his handsome friend Hyram's boobies at upper left on Panchesco's photo site.
It was a dark and stormy morning. It sprinkled for hours and I got moistened while watching the backhoe dig trenches. As I suspected, there was a lot of fill dirt dumped onto the parcel we are studying. Did you know that "studying" was the only word I spelled incorrectly in the 4th grade? I still have the strip of paper with the gold star missing from that week, tucked in along with my report cards and various artwork from my school days. Anyone who would look through that manila envelope would instantly realize I was a faggot by the second grade.
So yes, Panchesco was walking away from the Greyhound Station and I was practically giddy to see his handsome face. Afterwards he sent me some photos of San Carlos, the lovely Mexican beach town where Jimbo and I saw birds galore and a raft of sea lions and 9 dolphins leaping. And blue footed boobies. I don't know if Panchesco saw any blue footed boobies, but you can see his handsome friend Hyram's boobies at upper left on Panchesco's photo site.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
After my photo shoot for Arizona Highways (I'm appearing in the April 2008 issue), I came home and made Mummy dinner. She was already watching Two and a Half Men, which is on from 5 to 6 on the local CW station. Every once in a while she laughs at the sex jokes. We ate scrambled eggs with veggies and Homer-made hashbrowns with onions. Vince came by and the three of us went to Mexican Safeway.
It's not the same since Byron quit working there. Sometimes I wonder where beefy, blonde Byron is at and whether he is as gruff with the other gays as he was with me. My latest Mexican Safeway crush is Reuben, who is short, wiry, dreamy dark brown eyes. I really wish that he had consulted me before he shaved off his pencil thin, uber-hot moustache. He looks younger, more innocent now.
Mummy pushes the cart and tonight I walked up and down extra aisles so she could get some exercise. Among the things that went into the cart were bird seed (so I can watch the cute finches outside my office window at work), pie crusts (Bob, I'm bringing a lemon meringue over on Friday night), and some Little Debbie snack cakes for Mummy. Who says life in Tucson is dull?
Tomorrow I start an archaeology project that promises to be very, very dull. But you never know what lies hidden in the ground.
It's not the same since Byron quit working there. Sometimes I wonder where beefy, blonde Byron is at and whether he is as gruff with the other gays as he was with me. My latest Mexican Safeway crush is Reuben, who is short, wiry, dreamy dark brown eyes. I really wish that he had consulted me before he shaved off his pencil thin, uber-hot moustache. He looks younger, more innocent now.
Mummy pushes the cart and tonight I walked up and down extra aisles so she could get some exercise. Among the things that went into the cart were bird seed (so I can watch the cute finches outside my office window at work), pie crusts (Bob, I'm bringing a lemon meringue over on Friday night), and some Little Debbie snack cakes for Mummy. Who says life in Tucson is dull?
Tomorrow I start an archaeology project that promises to be very, very dull. But you never know what lies hidden in the ground.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Tennis or lemon meringue pies? Please vote at Brett's "blog". Personally, I think thrilling, sexy pictures of meringue pies are thirteen times as interesting as long, detailed descriptions of Brett losing yet another tennis match!!!
Monday, November 26, 2007
I made a lemon meringue pie for Thanksgiving but the picture didn't turn out. I apologize for that. My mother said it was really good, and she's old enough to know.
Everybody needs to wish Cobban a Happy 40.2 Birthday. If you don't I will be very, very angry.
I watched the Amazing Race last night with Abe, Dave, Jim, and Damyeon. They enjoyed the dessert (yellow cake with vanilla/almond cream cheese frosting and chocolate leaves) that I brought along. My mother said it was the best frosting she'd ever had. She isn't one to lie about important things like that.
I gave a homeless person some change and they spoiled the occasion by telling me "God Bless You." A simple deity-less thank you is sufficient.
I have a project starting on Thursday and to tell the truth, archaeology is not always glamorous and exciting and I suspect this particular project will prove that to be the case. But you never know, that is something I am well aware of, and perhaps I'll be wrong and in this instance, that would be nice.
Sandy will be arriving next week from Australia. I am excited to see him. I wonder if he has an Australian accent now?
Everybody needs to wish Cobban a Happy 40.2 Birthday. If you don't I will be very, very angry.
I watched the Amazing Race last night with Abe, Dave, Jim, and Damyeon. They enjoyed the dessert (yellow cake with vanilla/almond cream cheese frosting and chocolate leaves) that I brought along. My mother said it was the best frosting she'd ever had. She isn't one to lie about important things like that.
I gave a homeless person some change and they spoiled the occasion by telling me "God Bless You." A simple deity-less thank you is sufficient.
I have a project starting on Thursday and to tell the truth, archaeology is not always glamorous and exciting and I suspect this particular project will prove that to be the case. But you never know, that is something I am well aware of, and perhaps I'll be wrong and in this instance, that would be nice.
Sandy will be arriving next week from Australia. I am excited to see him. I wonder if he has an Australian accent now?
Saturday, November 24, 2007
And two news stories. Here in southern Arizona a border crosser saved a 9-year-old boy whose mother lost control of her van and drove off a cliff and died in the wreck. He stayed with the boy overnight, kept him warm, and waited until help arrived. He was returned across the border by the Border Patrol, since he had crossed illegally.
Immigration is a hot topic here, at least among conservative, far-right-thinking individuals. Most are recent arrivals from out-of-state. They have a pathological fear/hatred of anything Mexican. The comments that appeared online after a local newspaper article covered the story are fairly representative of how many people here view our neighbors to the south:
"the illegal is a criminal, get rid of him. now all we will hear is the goodie,goodie left saying hes a hero, hogwash!!!"
"The whole illegal immigrant saving kid was just a set up so that the criminal could get a free visa. Mexicans are encouraged by their president to cross illegal. A RIVER OF FLAMING OIL PROTECTING OUR BORDERS IS THE ONLY WAY TO SAVE US FROM CRIMINALS AND TERRORISTS! AND CANADIANS!"
"hope most people would do what this man did, and I would praise him for it, but he is not a hero."
The internet allows people the anonymity to say things they truly believe- the kinda stuff they probably won't say out loud because they know most people would look upon them as idiots and racists. You wonder if these people have any compassion in their hearts?
Another article, about the rural poor in Maine made me grateful for the things I have. Many elderly people in rural areas never earned enough to qualify for good Social Security checks. The recent rise in heating oil prices and the government cutting back on funding of social programs make these people live in increasingly difficult conditions. I listened to the audio portion of the story and several of the women focused on the good parts of their lives and noted that others were worse off. I looked up the addresses of two of the women in the story and I'm sending them each a card with some cash in it,I'm sure they'll appreciate the surprise present.
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Immigration is a hot topic here, at least among conservative, far-right-thinking individuals. Most are recent arrivals from out-of-state. They have a pathological fear/hatred of anything Mexican. The comments that appeared online after a local newspaper article covered the story are fairly representative of how many people here view our neighbors to the south:
"the illegal is a criminal, get rid of him. now all we will hear is the goodie,goodie left saying hes a hero, hogwash!!!"
"The whole illegal immigrant saving kid was just a set up so that the criminal could get a free visa. Mexicans are encouraged by their president to cross illegal. A RIVER OF FLAMING OIL PROTECTING OUR BORDERS IS THE ONLY WAY TO SAVE US FROM CRIMINALS AND TERRORISTS! AND CANADIANS!"
"hope most people would do what this man did, and I would praise him for it, but he is not a hero."
The internet allows people the anonymity to say things they truly believe- the kinda stuff they probably won't say out loud because they know most people would look upon them as idiots and racists. You wonder if these people have any compassion in their hearts?
Another article, about the rural poor in Maine made me grateful for the things I have. Many elderly people in rural areas never earned enough to qualify for good Social Security checks. The recent rise in heating oil prices and the government cutting back on funding of social programs make these people live in increasingly difficult conditions. I listened to the audio portion of the story and several of the women focused on the good parts of their lives and noted that others were worse off. I looked up the addresses of two of the women in the story and I'm sending them each a card with some cash in it,I'm sure they'll appreciate the surprise present.
