Everybody in the world knows that Floridians can't vote properly. I've personally been held responsible a couple of times for electing the current occupier of the White House.
Believe me, that's a stretch!
Now I'm kinda enjoying the daily news regarding the Minnesota senate race. If you'll remember, they voted on November 6th with the rest of us.
The votes are still being counted - with no end in sight.
The big race is between Al Franken, the perennial (but former) writer and performer on Saturday Night Live and Norm Coleman, the current senator.
The average person might think "What's the big deal? Just count the votes." But the first count was very close and each additional count brings up a different total.
And there are the problem ballots. We Americans really do know how to mangle a ballot, not to mention the votes cast for Mickey Mouse and other animated rodents.
But it's the American way. The democratic process is messy - at best.
I have every confidence that, eventually, the best man will win.
***
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Baby, It's Cold Outside
I now understand more why Sarah Palin is such a hearty person.
The temperature here has hovered between ten below and ten above zero for several days. I have great admiration for the people who choose to live here. But you can't imagine the beauty of this winter wonderland.
Today's observations:
A few blocks from home we saw four fire trucks in a residential neighborhood. House fires are still not uncommon.
We had lunch today with a friend of my boyfriend's. He's lived here all of his long life. I asked him how it was growing up. He said his mother hung the sheets on the clothes line and the kids brought them in - frozen solid.
I'm amazed that by 10:00 A.M. the roads have been cleared by the big snow plows. Even my boyfriend's short dead end street. But it's a given that there will be some days when people can't leave their homes.
The other evening we went out for a sandwich in minus 8 degree weather. I couldn't imagine anybody else being this brave. A young woman came into the restaurant with her baby. It took a full ten minutes to unwrap the baby and herself. She acted like it was no big deal.
My boyfriend lives on a creek. Up a ways the children have swept the snow off a large portion of the creek and added a hockey cage and white molded plastic chairs for spectators. I can't imagine sitting out there for long.
Years ago for one of my boyfriend's family's New Year's eve parties, they invited guests to bring ice skates. At midnight they all went skating on the creek.
We hardly ever do that at my house.
***
The temperature here has hovered between ten below and ten above zero for several days. I have great admiration for the people who choose to live here. But you can't imagine the beauty of this winter wonderland.
Today's observations:
A few blocks from home we saw four fire trucks in a residential neighborhood. House fires are still not uncommon.
We had lunch today with a friend of my boyfriend's. He's lived here all of his long life. I asked him how it was growing up. He said his mother hung the sheets on the clothes line and the kids brought them in - frozen solid.
I'm amazed that by 10:00 A.M. the roads have been cleared by the big snow plows. Even my boyfriend's short dead end street. But it's a given that there will be some days when people can't leave their homes.
The other evening we went out for a sandwich in minus 8 degree weather. I couldn't imagine anybody else being this brave. A young woman came into the restaurant with her baby. It took a full ten minutes to unwrap the baby and herself. She acted like it was no big deal.
My boyfriend lives on a creek. Up a ways the children have swept the snow off a large portion of the creek and added a hockey cage and white molded plastic chairs for spectators. I can't imagine sitting out there for long.
Years ago for one of my boyfriend's family's New Year's eve parties, they invited guests to bring ice skates. At midnight they all went skating on the creek.
We hardly ever do that at my house.
***
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
The Day the Earth Stood Still
I loved this 1951 movie - staring Michael Rennie and Patricia Neal - about an alien arriving in Washington D.C. in one of those comical flying saucers. Rennie, playing a very kind and gentle space being named Klaatu, was sent to earth by an intergalactic council to tell us humans to get a clue regarding our war like ways or we are all gonna be toast.
Naturally, the rest of this sweet quiet movie was spent showing Klaatu being sweet and quiet with Patricia Neal and her adorable little boy while we earthlings tried to kill him. However, his gigantic sidekick and enforcer, Gort, held us at bay.
As I said, I loved this movie so it was with a little trepidation that I ventured out with my boyfriend into the sub zero weather to see the multi million dollar remake staring Keanu Reeves in the Michael Rennie part and Jennifer Connelly playing an entirely different part from Patricia Neal.
But I liked it.
Reeves' character's name is still Klaatu but he could very well have used his other creature from outer space name, Keanu. Of course the 2008 style special effects are way over the top. The story is similar but not quite the same. Of course, we humans are still made to look like violent idiots but the alien has come, not to address our lack of peace in the universe issues but more to address our lack of paying attention to the environment, i.e., Al Goreish issues. Apparently we have the ability to polute the universe.
Yes, he's bought along Gort to subdue us but it doesn't keep us from refusing to listen to his message and, instead, trying to blow him up.
Look for Monty Python's John Cleese, in a small but representational role. (Representing the few of us humans who actually DO have a clue.)
I had a couple of problems with the new movie. First, in the original, Klaatu actually did make the earth stand still. Hence the name. This didn't happen quite the same way in this version. Second, I didn't get what the whole first part of the movie was about. The part that takes place in the artic. If you understand it, let me know.
My boyfriend tells me that I liked Klaatu because he's a Christlike figure.
Could be.
***
Naturally, the rest of this sweet quiet movie was spent showing Klaatu being sweet and quiet with Patricia Neal and her adorable little boy while we earthlings tried to kill him. However, his gigantic sidekick and enforcer, Gort, held us at bay.
As I said, I loved this movie so it was with a little trepidation that I ventured out with my boyfriend into the sub zero weather to see the multi million dollar remake staring Keanu Reeves in the Michael Rennie part and Jennifer Connelly playing an entirely different part from Patricia Neal.
But I liked it.
Reeves' character's name is still Klaatu but he could very well have used his other creature from outer space name, Keanu. Of course the 2008 style special effects are way over the top. The story is similar but not quite the same. Of course, we humans are still made to look like violent idiots but the alien has come, not to address our lack of peace in the universe issues but more to address our lack of paying attention to the environment, i.e., Al Goreish issues. Apparently we have the ability to polute the universe.
Yes, he's bought along Gort to subdue us but it doesn't keep us from refusing to listen to his message and, instead, trying to blow him up.
Look for Monty Python's John Cleese, in a small but representational role. (Representing the few of us humans who actually DO have a clue.)
I had a couple of problems with the new movie. First, in the original, Klaatu actually did make the earth stand still. Hence the name. This didn't happen quite the same way in this version. Second, I didn't get what the whole first part of the movie was about. The part that takes place in the artic. If you understand it, let me know.
My boyfriend tells me that I liked Klaatu because he's a Christlike figure.
Could be.
***
Monday, December 15, 2008
No Room at the Inn - And That's a Good Thing
Florida has a tourist based economy - and, like most every other place, we're suffering.
But in Bethlehem things are hopping. They're having a great Christmas season. Hotels are full, restaurants are full and businesses are expanding, creating 12,000 new jobs in the city.
Israeli and Palestine forces are working together to make this happen. It's interesting how the economy can sometimes help us see that we need each other.
I was once in Bethlehem during the Christmas season. It was quite a moving and spiritual experience, especially the Church of the Nativity.
Thinking about Bethlehem and what happened there makes me Deliriously Hopeful.
***
But in Bethlehem things are hopping. They're having a great Christmas season. Hotels are full, restaurants are full and businesses are expanding, creating 12,000 new jobs in the city.
Israeli and Palestine forces are working together to make this happen. It's interesting how the economy can sometimes help us see that we need each other.
I was once in Bethlehem during the Christmas season. It was quite a moving and spiritual experience, especially the Church of the Nativity.
Thinking about Bethlehem and what happened there makes me Deliriously Hopeful.
***
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Obsessed With the Weather
Everybody knows that old people are obsessed with the weather. I try not to be but it's hard because my area for temperature comfort is very narrow - and changes quite unexpectedly. (It's called a hot flash.)
On the other hand, I see young people out freezing in bare arms and backless dresses because they didn't check the weather. But I try not to give them advice because of the stereotyping thing.
Now, here I am in the far North where EVERYBODY obsesses over the weather.
This morning I woke up to the beautiful snowfall that was here when I arrived. It warmed up to the 30s and rained so, sadly, many people stayed home from church and missed the magnificent Christmas music. Now the temperature is dropping rapidly and heavy snow is expected over the frozen rain.
Apparently this is hard to drive in - because the TV guys are telling us to stay home. We've cancelled our plans for the evening. It's just as well because it's supposed to be below zero tonight.
I always sleep with my window open when I'm here. Now I'm not sure.
I'm obsessed.
***
On the other hand, I see young people out freezing in bare arms and backless dresses because they didn't check the weather. But I try not to give them advice because of the stereotyping thing.
Now, here I am in the far North where EVERYBODY obsesses over the weather.
This morning I woke up to the beautiful snowfall that was here when I arrived. It warmed up to the 30s and rained so, sadly, many people stayed home from church and missed the magnificent Christmas music. Now the temperature is dropping rapidly and heavy snow is expected over the frozen rain.
Apparently this is hard to drive in - because the TV guys are telling us to stay home. We've cancelled our plans for the evening. It's just as well because it's supposed to be below zero tonight.
I always sleep with my window open when I'm here. Now I'm not sure.
I'm obsessed.
***
A Wedding at Last!
Imagine my pride and happiness to see my governor's picture, along with his new bride, on page two of the Sunday Minneapolis/St. Paul Star Tribune!
Not one Floridian that I know, or know of, thought they'd actually pull it off.
There are a number of reasons for this. While our governor loves the spotlight, he's kept his marriage plans quiet.
Remember, a few short weeks ago when he thought he might be our new vice president? Some people thought the engagement was a prerequisite. After Mr. McCain picked someone else (I can't remember her name) those in the know told us that the marriage would be quietly called off. Talk show hosts offered odds on whether or not he'd tie the knot.
But they did it.
Our governor, who's been a bachelor for almost all of his 52 years has married a beautiful and wealthy young woman.
I sincerely hope they have a long and happy life together.
***
Not one Floridian that I know, or know of, thought they'd actually pull it off.
There are a number of reasons for this. While our governor loves the spotlight, he's kept his marriage plans quiet.
Remember, a few short weeks ago when he thought he might be our new vice president? Some people thought the engagement was a prerequisite. After Mr. McCain picked someone else (I can't remember her name) those in the know told us that the marriage would be quietly called off. Talk show hosts offered odds on whether or not he'd tie the knot.
But they did it.
Our governor, who's been a bachelor for almost all of his 52 years has married a beautiful and wealthy young woman.
I sincerely hope they have a long and happy life together.
***
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Oh, The Weather Outside is Frightful
Early tomorrow morning I'm flying off to see my Boyfriend in the frozen North. Yesterday the high here was 82 degrees. Yesterday the high there was 14 degrees. And snowing hard.
Will I freeze to death? We don't know. But I'm willin' to chance it.
Just as we did last year, after a few days at his house, we'll start on a rambling two week road trip South, stopping to visit friends and family. And, we'll separate for a few days while he spends Christmas with his kids and I spend Christmas with mine. Just as it should be. This will all necessitate my boarding three planes.
By the way, the airlines have changed all three of my flights since booking. I hope they're still in business when I need them.
And, just as last year, I'm taking only a carry-on. So if you see what looks like a bag lady in the airport, wearing several layers of clothing -
Say hi. It's me.
***
Will I freeze to death? We don't know. But I'm willin' to chance it.
Just as we did last year, after a few days at his house, we'll start on a rambling two week road trip South, stopping to visit friends and family. And, we'll separate for a few days while he spends Christmas with his kids and I spend Christmas with mine. Just as it should be. This will all necessitate my boarding three planes.
By the way, the airlines have changed all three of my flights since booking. I hope they're still in business when I need them.
And, just as last year, I'm taking only a carry-on. So if you see what looks like a bag lady in the airport, wearing several layers of clothing -
Say hi. It's me.
***
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