Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Twenty days left of the Bush administration... a Happy New Year.

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Oh what a year!

Scandals like John Edwards, Elliot Spitzer and the latest of course: Rod Blagojevich.

Notables: Sarah Palin and Tina Fey, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain, the Dalai Lama, Paul Krugman, and almost anyone except Joe the Plumber.

People I will miss: Eartha Kitt, Issac Hayes, Heath Ledger, Bo Diddley, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Jim McKay, Paul Newman, Sidney Pollack, William F. Buckley, Bobby Fischer and Suzanne Pleshette.
This isn't a thorough list of those we lost in 2008, there were many. The two I will definitely miss the most: Tim Russert, the moderator of Meet the Press and George Carlin, a great comedian and social commentator.

There were many disasters ranging from the earthquake in Sichuan Providence, China; terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India; Israeli/Hamas/Gaza strip crisis to the cyclone that hit Myanmar. A tough year for many places in the world. The USA had floods, hurricanes, fires, tornados, ice storms and those are just the "natural" disasters.

Best line of 2008:
A Sarah Palin response in the Katie Couric interviews: "As Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where do they go? It's Alaska. It's just right over the border. It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there, they are right next to our state."
All I remember saying to myself after that response was "Wow that sounds like a really bad sci-fi movie." Then laughing later when SNL with Tina Fey had fun with that one.

There were some good tv shows (think House or CSI) and bad ones (like Do Not Disturb).
Music had a good year not a great one, but in 2008 Chinese Democracy was released finally despite Axl Rose.
Movies: Iron Man with Robert Downey Jr., The Dark Knight with Heath Ledger as the Joker, and of course WALL-E.

The Bush presidency draws to a close after the 2008 election of Barack Obama for the next four years.
The economy craters, Madoff scams, Paulsen bails out some banks, and Letterman and McCain make nice again.
Angelina and Brad are still together so all must be on the right track for the future... right?

But with no regard to humans, time continues to march on and once again the Holiday season draws to a close and a new year begins.
There is still great possibility for 2009.
Let's all come together and require our elected officials to get to work.
We need them to pay more attention to the needs of our country and begin problem solving instead of creating new problems.

Happy New Year everyone.
Stay safe and sane.
I shall have a quiet night nursing my horrible cold.

G'night

Laura

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Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Twenty-one days left of GW

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Everyone's in an uproar about Blagojevich's senate choice of Roland Burris.
I think it's fascinating. This guy is interesting if not a wee bit delusional...
Apparently he decided to blow off just about everyone and go ahead and appoint a new senator.
Once again just when I think our political system can't get much stranger, something new comes along to poke at me.
I'm probably in the minority here but I think though Blago might be removed from office (or rather forced from it) but
I still don't think he's going to jail but we'll see.
So who is this Burris and will "they" be able to remove him from office too? Holy dirty politics batman!
To find out what happens next week stay tuned, same bat-time, same bat-channel.
Our politicians are amazing and I really don't mean that in a good way.

Now Franken is still ahead of Coleman in Minnesota, so of course the "election officials are all unjust and favor Franken."
After the absentee ballots are finished we should know for sure (ha) maybe next week (temporarily anyway).
Sounds like a court case to me either way, perhaps the supreme court of Minnesota has a thought on this fun mess.
Maybe both candidates should harken back to a certain Presidential election and Florida... tear yet another page out of the dirty play book. I don't like either of them, perhaps they should start over with new candidates wouldn't take much longer really.

Our system is starting to seem so ludicrous to me at this point (both sides, all around).
And since we all elect our officials (remember it's a democracy) to represent us as citizens of our own fair states and the country... the part that worries me is that they actually do represent us accurately. It's not possible is it?
I feel like we could compile and release an entertaining DVD titled "Politicians behaving badly" or "Congress gone wild."

And the RNC defends the Chipster's use of "Barack the Magic Negro."
I give up. Seems we're going backwards instead of forwards. Tacky and stupid is in style again.
The Republicans are gearing up for an all out fight on any economic stimulus package of the new administration.
But we need to be very careful here... the economy isn't all that stable, middle class is bleeding and it's no time for partisan politics.
Though I'm not surprised by this as we really don't learn from our past mistakes...
Hey, Senator Bipartisan "reach across the aisle" Maverick McCain, maybe you could help out?
Though it seems that the republicans need to worry about being condemned by their own fellow party members these days.

Well, I'm sure of one thing for this new year coming up:
I'm not sure of anything at all that's ahead for 2009.
I want to believe that it will be a good year, hell, the start of a good decade but...

Maybe I'm just less optimistic when I'm sick, or is it more cynical? ::shrugs::
Going to make mug of hot tea, take medicine, crawl under covers and hide until tomorrow.
Now there's a plan.

G'night

Laura

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Monday, December 29, 2008

Twenty-two days left of GW Bush presidency and two more days of 2008!

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Much sicker today. Not very happy but at least it was after Xmas.
Made myself a large pot of homemade turkey, veggie, noodle soup (for the soul?)
Hopefully it'll help me feel better, it always worked for everyone else...

G'night

Laura

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Sunday, December 28, 2008

Twenty-three days left or... Happy Holidays Mr. soon to be Ex-President.

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Because nothing says Happy Holiday Season better than rockets and mortars over the Gaza Strip.

Well I guess this is the end of the truce on both sides, um, yet again.

So this is the so called Holy Lands of so many different faith based religions...


Peace on Earth good will to all...


Nothing more to say tonight.
I'm sick and getting sicker by the moment.
House quiet once again and at least two of us with fevers... Yay.

G'night,

Laura

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Saturday, December 27, 2008

Twenty-four days left of Prince George and his band of not so merry men...

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Good God, I'm starting to think that our country is run by a bunch of selfish, angry, incredibly dumb and totally spoiled children...
What is it that has me bothered now?
The cd "parody" that Chip Saltsman (who's jockying to to lead the Republican party) sent RNC members titled "We Hate the USA" which was some kind of ill advised Christmas gift.

One of the songs on this wonderful cd was sung to the tune of Puff the Magic Dragon.
Except that it was titled "Barack the Magic Negro." Amazing. Doubtful that Peter, Paul and Mary liked that infringement.

Great now they think they not only have to remain politically incorrect but they have to be bleepin' lousy comedians too?
Oh, I'm sorry it was only intended as a joke...
Yea. A disrespectful shot at the first black President who hasn't even yet taken the oath of office?
Talk about poor taste... The Chipster apparently didn't get the memo the RNC surely must have sent out about not being seen as racist or doing anything stupid at Christmas time. Remember Jesus the uniter not the divider?

So Saltsman has come out of the closet officially... as... stupid and tacky? Yup.
Ya'll want to have a beer with the Chipster, Cheney, Bush, McCain and Palin? Don't forget to invite Joe the, um, Plumber.
The song was heard last year on the Rush Limbaugh show, and though he was criticized for playing it, nothing happened to Mr."do as I say and not as I do" Limbaugh. So Don Imus had to go and Limbaugh stayed? Not even the obligatory firing and then rehiring? How disappointing.

Which brings me to this thought: Why isn't being called "Joe Six Pack" offensive to people?
What exactly is being implied by that label anyway?
Was I a soccer mom because I ferried my kids around? I'm pretty sure I was atypical and definitely didn't adopt a sports team.
I seriously hate stereotypes they're so damned limiting especially when you start living according to them.

Our political system has me so frustrated, it would be laughable perhaps if it wasn't my country flailing around instead of working together. I hope Obama is right and it is still possible to get things done because congress is a joke no matter who's in the majority.

The education of our people isn't even a prime concern anymore... I've listened to a procession of presidents now that stated that they would be the one that would put education first and fix our public school system. Yeah. Right.
Affordable college... Uh, huh. Universal standards for teachers. That's funny.

We're reaping what we've sowed these days and totally unprepared for hard times, so hope they don't come.
Scam artists rampant in the system like Madoff, officials ignoring warnings deliberately, economy going to hell in a hand basket but hey, everything's fine Joe six pack, jus' have another beer... We're watching out for you.

*********************

So this is christmas
And what have you done?
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones
The old and the young

A very Merry christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

John Lennon (Oct 1940-Dec 1980)
Still think of John at Christmas.

Politics as usual gives me a headache these days
Like the saying:
If you're not outraged
You're not paying attention.

G'night,
Sorry I'm so, err, grumpy.

Laura

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Friday, December 26, 2008

Twenty-five days to the end of Bush indoctrination... or hey, let's rewrite history!

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The top thing that bothered me the most about the news this Christmas was the Santa Claus shootings in California.
Look, I'm sorry that the guys marriage failed and he lost his job but it gives him no right to kill anyone.
To shoot a young girl, to kill his ex-wife and others. To be that vindictive.
Okay so many folk will say he was disturbed, sick, deranged, crazy, yea probably all of those things... I don't care.
He didn't know what he was doing, he snapped, he was stressed out, he couldn't stop himself. I still don't care, no excuses.
It's simple, he was evil. I don't care what his sad story was, he had no right to end anyone's life except his own.
To dress in a santa suit and go on such a hateful rampage on Christmas Eve... shooting an eight year old in the face?
Maybe they'll even blame it on his mother, you know that inadequate mothering bullshit. Or his daddy. Or a bad schoolteacher, or his past employers... or even his ex-wife.
And there's always the member of his church (or a neighbor) that says to a newspaper that he was "just the nicest guy. He would do anything for the church."
Well, apparently he wasn't all that great in moral character because the son of a bitch shot people and then set the house on fire.
He booby trapped the car he was found in, so more people could potentially be injured.
Yea, this sounds like someone we should all sympathize with. Nope not me.
I don't believe in hell but if I'm wrong and there is one, I hope he rots in it.

Of course he ended up shooting himself.
He should have started the killing with himself.

There's no excuse. There are people that have gone through all kinds of divorce hell, lost jobs, lost health, had horrific childhoods, evil destructive relationships that haven't ever hurt anyone and never will.

We are all the walking functional dysfunctionals in one way or the other.
Evil, selfish people are simply that. This was an evil thing to do, I can't comprehend it because it's beyond understandable.

*****************

Politics and Rick Warren

Why? Seriously. Barack Obama, there are literally thousands of ministers, priests, pastors, preachers, reverends, monks and other religious figures you could have chosen from that wouldn't likely have caused this friggin' mess that you created.

I don't get it. You've been so well thought out, so calculated and articulate in your program so far... what the hell happened? Was someone asleep at the wheel? Did you forget to use your fabulous internet to look at the Saddleback Church's web site?
I don't see why time and time again everyone caters to the religious right (far right). They are not on Obama's side to begin with so why? Again I just don't get it. Yea, Warren is probably further to the left that some of the real core strict evangelical's... but why pick him out of all the others
Hey, why didn't you just pick Reverend Jeremiah Wright? Oh yea that's right. Hmm.
Disappointed right now but hoping against hope that it doesn't change into disillusioned and discouragement like the last eight years of political "leadership."
You could have done so much better... Gay rights is a civil rights issue just like the rights of children, elderly, blacks, and women. Please get the government out of consenting adults bedrooms.

And can someone explain to me why prostitution is illegal? I don't really understand why it is.
I don't need a lecture on how it's immoral, or promotes adultery, or how women are debased and devalued by pimps and their johns. I just don't understand why it's against the law. I get that they don't want them to be hanging around on street corners or soliciting in public places, but why is the act illegal? Is it the money exchange, lack of paying taxes, what is it?

And it really looks like it's going to be Senator Al Franken from Minnesota since the state supreme court denied Coleman's current lawsuit. However it still might go to a "post recount election contest." Still, it favors Franken, but who knows at this point. Don't like either of them. Can't really see Franken as a senator. Ugh.

**************


If you knew me you might know that I'm a long time comic book aficionado along with the so-called graphic novels.
I also like manga and anime. But mostly I like the darker side of stories with good vs evil battles.
Well my son got me a copy of the Comic Book Tattoo for Christmas.
It's a beautiful oversized book full of short comic/stories.
The interesting thing is that they are tales inspired by the lyrics of Tori Amos.
Even if you're not an Amos fan the stories are interesting, well done and the interpretations fascinating.
Tori gave full creative license to the comic/writer/artists to create their own concepts and it's really sweet.
The foreword is by Neil Gaiman who is a friend of Tori's (not surprising).
So if you get the chance check it out in a store. I think if you like the format like I do you'll be impressed.
Books like this one could illustrate many music lyrics... could be a really fantastic series for bands (or at least their lyricists).
And how the hell did they produce such a beauty of a book for only $29.99?

So I'm in enough trouble for one day,
Hope the "soon to be here" 2009 will be a decent year!

G'night

Laura

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Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Xmas to all and to all a good night...

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Season's Greetings!
Hope your holidays are happy.
Here's my very small but cheery clan:





You may say I'm a dreamer...
but I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us
And the world will live as one.

War is over
(if you want it)
War is over (now)
Merry Xmas.

John Lennon (Oct 1940-Dec 1980)

Enjoying the break from politics and life as usual.

Peace on Earth good will to all.

Laura


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Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays...

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Happy Holidays!

Peace on earth good will to all...



Laura


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Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Twenty-eight days left of the lame duck's cooked goose.

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Well, picked Coll up at the airport late morning... glad to see him. He's staying until Sunday.
Shopped a bit with him, ate and came home.
Went to work on pear pies which are the very last thing I had to get done for Christmas.
We celebrate Christmas Eve not Christmas Day (except for the Santa gifts when the kids were, well, kids).
All is well. Budget made shopping really easy. Waited until things were really on sale and then bought them.

Watching news now drinking cup of reheated coffee from way earlier today...
What's the fuss about Obama on vacation without a shirt in Hawaii? Get real please.
Go away paparazzi um, I mean serious news reporter types. Leave the president elect alone with his family.

Now since I deserve a break here. I just uploaded a few snapshots because I have no energy left to write anything.

Our little Charlie Brown's Christmas tree. Ha. Maybe a bit better but only about 4 1/2 feet tall top to bottom.
Last two years we've only had a small tree with everyone older and busy. It's the spirit of Christmas that counts!






Stony Brook Graduation 2008 on Sunday










Pies going into the oven... Pear pies, Mmmm yummy (my favorite) but alas they aren't for us (as usual).
Pear pies coming out of oven. Wish I could have a piece with my coffee right now but I can't... (she frowns)
Simple stencil I cut out and put on pie then sprinkled cinnamon sugar mix over it and peeled it off. Very easy.







Happy Happy Holidays everybody!
Peace on earth goodwill to all!

Laura

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Monday, December 22, 2008

twenty-nine days till the Obama inauguration... less than a month left of GW Bush.

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So far Al Franken is ahead of Coleman by 48 votes but there's still a case filed by Coleman to be heard.
What a dumb race that was in Minnesota. And they got Michele Bachmann too, lucky them...
And how again are these people qualified to be senators? Oh yea. We vote them in to office. Ha, a little bit scary ain't it?
Really don't like Coleman and the idea of Senator Al Franken really freaks me out. He's too full of himself. Stuart Smalley indeed.
Starting to be sure that if the Supreme Court allowed the thorough re-count in Florida Al Gore would have certainly been president...
Ah well, water under the bridge to nowhere.

Looks like I'm actually heading to La Guardia Airport not JFK to pick eldest son up.
Oh well, not much of a difference in distance one way or the other. LGA is a wee bit easier to get around.
I hope there aren't any problems tomorrow, the past few days because of weather and today's wind there were many delays.

I've mentioned that I've been working my way through the old Miami Vice show in my spare time.
Ha, let me rephrase that one:
Spare time meaning in the time that I'm mixing, baking, wrapping, etc... I've made it to season 4.
It's fun to watch old shows and see all the unknown actors starting out that now you know from later work.
Any way, Episode 3, Season 4 titled "Death and the Lady" was fun to watch.
In it we find Miguel Ferrer from Crossing jordan (Dr. Garret Macy) and even more fun-
There's Paul Guilfoyle of CSI fame (Captain Jim Brass) doing a bad guy that's funny considering how he looks now.
I'm having fun running through them...
I loved that show at the time, hate to admit it, but I still kinda like that Crockett/Tubbs Duo. Like Cheech and Chong or well, Crockett and Cheech... wasn't that called Nash Bridges???
Donnie Wayne Johnson wasn't a bad looker. Ole DJ gonna be 60 shortly.

Enough! I need to get sleep to drive tomorrow, Coll can drive on the way back, only stopping at borders and then home for dinner.
Then baking the Christmas Eve pear and apple pies...

Peace on earth good will to all.
G'night

Laura

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Sunday, December 21, 2008

Thirty days till the changing of the guard...

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Today I was at my daughter's graduation at Stony Brook University!
It was colorful and nice despite the lousy on and off again rain outside.

Went out to dinner afterward with husband, daughter and her boyfriend.
That was also very nice.

Then we split up into the respective pairs and went shopping.
Got everything done (I think) or at least everything that's going to get done at this point.
Tiring driving from store to store on the way back home but found the few things left that I was looking for.
Spent until a few moments ago wrapping packages (yet another female skill I'm really horrible at).
Yay! Now I only have pies to bake on Tuesday night and/or Christmas Eve morning.

So, once again it's after midnight and though I think it's still Sunday night my computer says:
"Nay, it's Monday morning!"

At this point I'm exhausted and everything aches so I'm off to bed early for me.
Which is okay because last night's dream telling post was rather long anyhow.

G'night
Pleasant dreams!

Laura

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Saturday, December 20, 2008

Thirty-one days left to a new administration in a new year... Buhbye Bushman.

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Sorry this is so long, there's a story to it...

I seriously think sometimes that I need to stop reading and writing about, watching and listening to, the news.
Why you ask?
Because often I have dreams that Chris Matthews and I are having dinner discussing Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin.
Or that Jon Stewart is yelling at me because my McCain/Obama jokes just aren't funny enough- tells me to get funny or else.
Here's more: Bill O'Reilly mentions my inadequacies to even have a political opinion on the Factor No Spin Zone.
I'm one of the "news pundit discussion boxes" on CNN or FOX discussing whatever the issue of the day is. (Had a great dream discussion panel on Joe the Plumber and McCain campaign).

All real dreams I've had and there are many more... scary huh? Not dreaming about Johnny Depp or even Melissa Etheridge... nope, not even sexy dreams. Mostly they're about talking. Not even fun dreams like partying till the wee hours with Gwen Ifill and the PBS regulars, no secret rendezvous with Chuck Todd or sking with Stephen Colbert and his family... but okay I can deal with it, that's just me, fine.

But this one takes the cake:
I was watching a clip of Paulson (who I've mentioned that I don't like numerous times) talking about how he needs the rest of the 700 billion dollar bailout just before I finished my hot tea and went to bed last night. My "no way" reaction to that was fresh on my mind and yet still I can't explain away this one.

I dreamt that I was a secret agent posing as a reporter watching from backstage during Paulson's speech and I followed him when he left.
The scenery rapidly changed from regular streets and buildings to thick mist, a forrest and long windy road. I followed by watching their retreating tail lights with my headlights off. When he stopped so did I and then I followed him on foot path into the woods. There were 3 of them in the car, Paulson and two body guards. They joined about 8 others in a clearing with a lit fire at it's center. Two men stood guard at the beginning of the clearing. There was only one way in or out. The forrest was thick and even in the day one would have trouble leaving the path to wander around. It was night. I hid in the bushes and sat my tiny video camera on the crook of a tree, turned it on and zoomed in on the group.

Before my eyes by the fire Paulson became more and more bent over resembling some kind of tall gawky gnarly evil demon. The group chanted out "Get it, smash them, get it, bring them to their knees, Paulson, Paulson, Paulson."

The fire sparked up as he morphed back into the human Paulson. Did I imagine the transformation? He walked up to the front of the small group. His eyes seemed to glow blue.
He spoke for quite a while of his intent for his billion dollar bailout and how he would squash Obama and the US government. He said they would take all the money that they actually had hidden aside instead of giving it out to form a powerful evil cabal in some "Middle Eastern" county. The bank and stock crisis was all an elaborate ruse and the companies that got the money were fakes. It was a set up and that was why he was so "Damned angry" about the auto industy getting some of the money because he had no control over the auto industry. Everyone was mesmerized by his words and had fallen silent.

My camera blinked, letting me know it was out of recording space. Time to get away. I turned and after two or three steps tripped over a tree root in the dark. I was sent sprawling into a bush, snapping a branch as I fell trying to protect my camera. The sound sent the two guards after me.
I sprinted off in the direction that I had just came in trying to retrace my steps without killing myself in the dark.
I became very still inside, cold as ice and determined in my quest. I must live to tell the story. I had to.
I would warn Barack about the plot against him and the US economy because nothing was more important.

I hated to kill but had a license to do so if necessary. Ultra secret service.
I knew only two men with guns were chasing me. I ducked behind a tree and dispatched the closest one with a blow to his throat. The second one I shot with the first one's gun. I could hear people yelling and coming through the woods. I reached my car before they caught up to me and jumped in. Bullets hit my car as I threw it into gear. (Navy blue specialty Porsche)

I smiled. I was going to get away. Unfortunately I didn't get very far when Paulson's group came roaring up behind me in their black BMW sedan. After an awesome high speed car chase where I kicked through the gears their car fully equipped with evil gadgets ran me off the road and I crashed into a tree.
The men grabbed me out of the car. I didn't think anything was broken but my head hurt and I could barely see around me or concentrate of what was going on.

Paulson bent over me, leaned into my face and said "So you think you were going to get away from us? You can't do anything about this, it's all prearranged." To his colleagues he said " Too bad for you there's going to be an unfortunate fall off a very tall building. You've been so depressed lately. Let's go." He nodded and the nearest man punched me in the jaw.
The pain radiated across my face and expanded on my all ready pounding head. I felt dizzy and nauseous.
I was going to pass out.

When I regained consciousness I was in the pitch dark. I took a deep breath and realized I was in a car trunk speeding down some road. I immediately started running rapidly through my mind how to get out of the car to save the country. All my joints seemed to flex but my leg was numb, cramped underneath me. I listened to the muted words of men talking and the road and engine noises.

I was trying to figure out how to get my wrists free because they felt like they were taped together when sirens began to sound all around me. All hell seemed to be breaking lose outside of the car. The men inside sounded like they were arguing. This could be to my advantage I thought. The sirens got louder and louder. There was something familiar about the sirens. They were so close to my head it wanted to explode. The car began to slow down and pull over. The bumping made my teeth hurt a lot.

I tried to lift myself up.

Blink, blink, wait a minute, it's not night, it's light outside. That's my husband's mild snoring mixed with the wild wind racing around outdoors, not car engine sounds. No sirens from a police chase just my alarm clock going off on the nightstand.
Ugh morning all ready.
My leg really is asleep. I wiggle my toes and unclench my jaw
I'm dreaming, this isn't real. None of it.
And full of cliches like a really, really, unbelievably, bad spy novel.
How disturbing.

*********** and that's it, told as best I could ************

Now tell me, somebody, what the hell was that??? That's not a dream it's weird. I have no idea what to make of that.

I think I was inside of at least five fantasy/adventure/spy movies that I recognized afterwards.
I have no idea what I looked like in the dream, hopefully like Kate Beckinsale or Harrison Ford...
Was that a nightmare or just an odd but interesting dream? Beats me.

I SHOULD go on a cold turkey diet from the news but I definitely couldn't manage it.
I know my limitations (and I have many). Quit smoking: yeah. Diet: working on it. Stay away from drugs, don't drink too much, be fair, just and honest... yeah, yeah, yeah.
But I'm a news junkie at this point, plain and simple. Incorrigible.

I've tried, I've tired (she says with a tear in her eye) but I just can't do it.
I'm a Junkie that has a wicked jones going for caffeine packed coffee and the world news.

It just ain't pretty.
But then it never really is.

So tonight I think I'll lay off writing about political stuff. Or at least stop eating right before going to bed for sure.
Need to get some rest, have to finish off Christmas shopping and everything else pretty much tomorrow.

*************

Can the auto industry change the way they do things in three months? Doubtful.
Is it a compromise or something entirely different? How realistic is the whole plan and what jobs will it really save?
I was reading up on Blago's court troubles... I wonder if he'll actually do hard time. Not sure. But there is a "maybe."

Then there's the story from Alaska about the arrest of Palin's daughter's boyfriend's mother being arrested on drug charges.
Sounds like a soap opera. Stay tuned, the baby cometh...

G'night everyone.
Hope your calm and cheerful.

Laura

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Friday, December 19, 2008

Thirty-two days till the bail out bail's out Bush.

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So it took GW until Friday to decide to give the loan to the auto makers to attempt to bail them out.
Even without a shoe whack upside of his head...
Well I don't think it's going to help all that much when people aren't thinking of buying new cars in the near future.
But I'm hoping that I'm totally wrong.

Mixed feelings about the possibility of Caroline Kennedy (isn't her name Schlossberg?) being appointed as Senator from NY.
Could certainly do worse, might do better. Wish she had more of her brother John Jr. She seems far more serious.

For now Al Franken seems to be ahead in the count in Minnesota. What a joke. Don't like either one of them. Get it done.

I may be nuts but I'm not sure that Rod Blagojevich is going to have much happen to him. He may be forced from his office but so far I'm not sure I heard anything that puts him in jail... Hmm. Like I said our political system is getting weirder and weirder.

It seems that the Prop 8 supporters have brought in Kenneth Starr as council to "protect marriage" (ie between a man and a woman. So there will be a few challenges to Prop 8... let's hope that we move away from govt. sanctioned discrimination (and it shouldn't matter what side you are on, pro gay or not). This is a civil rights issue.Prop 8 article

And the best news: Paulson wants the second half of the 700 billion dollars now... nevermind that wait until Obama is president in Jan. Me wants me cookiieeeessss. Nope. Can't we get rid of Mr. ex CEO of Goldman Sachs?
He hasn't fixed anything, let's try a new approach. Seriously let's try.

Non political:
Why is it that Drew Peterson is engaged again? Wife # 5 to be and young too (23ish).
I don't get it. Is there something appealing about someone who may have killed at least one of his prior wives?

Snowing in NY. My rosemary on the steps was blanketed with snow. It's so pretty outside right now, but it's starting to turn more into sleet and rain as usual here. Like as not tomorrow all snow will be washed away for the most part.








Don't hold your breath waiting for me to "grow up."
If growing up means I can't take walks in the snow, enjoy crunching ice coated mud puddles, throwing snowballs and building snowmen... I don't really want to. Isn't much fun then. And yes, I built a small snowman I usually do every year.
The kids have "outgrown" snowmen it seems and I used to get snowball fight takers but not so far this year.
Oh well, I love snow and if there was a hill nearby I'd be sleigh riding too.
Well to all of you out there that think adults don't build snowmen by themselves, I don't care, it makes me smile and that's okay with me. Children just gave me more of an excuse... ha.

The jar of cookies are chocolate covered coconut macaroons. Not bad. Done with baking cookies (before christmas anyway).

Tired and have some things to do. Time is rapidly running out on my holiday preparations.
Probably won't relax in any way again until after Christmas.
I am still looking forward to New Year's Eve and 2009.
It's a good time to reevaluate, I for one plan to take the whole year to do just that.

G'night,

Hope you're safe, warm and near to those you care about.

Laura

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Thirty-three days left until dubyah leaves the building...

*

Late on the post again. It's still Thursday to me anyway even if not to my computer's clock.

Every time I think it can't get more chaotic this Christmas my day explodes into a wondrous mess.
By the time I get everything straightened out I was tired and still had to get things done.
So at 11pm I found myself making coconut macaroon cookies that tomorrow I'll put chocolate top on them.

Going to bed. I heard some interesting things on the news but nothing seems to be moving forward right now.
Mixed thinking out there about Caroline Kennedy being Senator from NY.
Liberals mad at Obama? Get used to it guys, ain't gonna be the last time by a long shot.
Conservatives mad at Warren for agreeing to speak at the evil Obama's inauguration? Amusing.
I guess it's guilt by association... otherwise known as "Palling around with liberals."

G'night,
Hope your Holiday Season is going far more smoothly than mine!
Laura


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Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Thirty-four days left of the George W Bush rodeo... out to pasture?

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I'm not happy with Rick Warren being the pick for the invocation at Obama's inauguration.
I have no problem with his beliefs as far as they are his but he is polarizing on issues like gay marriage and abortion.
Not all that unusual for many pastors and religious groups but he's not all that tolerant about it.
Could have made a different choice.

I suppose I'll take a bit of criticism for saying this again (said it before the democratic nomination) but while Barack Obama
will certainly add his own slant to the government many things will be politics as usual.
He won't be overhauling the whole system and changing the way all things are done. It won't happen.
As we have seen all ready with the rush to jump on the initial bailout package and now the battle in the senate over the auto bail out... there are things that won't go well, things that are decided for reasons other than nobility and promises made to the public. They are calculated and political chess playing.

Barack Obama is if nothing else very intelligent, ambitious and thinks things through. He knows the game.
You don't rise that quickly without being aware that he needs to placate the right people or when the 2010, 2012 elections come up the party (and him) could lose their favor (read as their advantage of numbers) in congress.
He can't let that happen so like almost every president (and businessperson) before him he will change accordingly.
If constituents don't like something (like gay marriage for instance) and there are a large number of them in key places things change. There are deals and trade offs... just because he's Barack Obama doesn't mean that will all change overnight.

If you look at his picks for his cabinet (and I'm not really complaining here about them at all) you will realize they were picked for reasons, calculated and thought out reasons. The fit into the pattern he wants (or needs) to present.
I'm not saying that's bad or that he won't be a great president but he's only human, a mere man, and subject to certain laws of nature. Knowing the parameters of the game and playing it well isn't necessarily a good or bad thing, it simply depends on how it unfolds in this place, with these particular players, in this particular time. Idealism will have to take a back seat to political necessity. Not if he wants to get anything done and most importantly get re-elected in 2012.
I wonder if "no drama Obama" will hold true over the four or maybe eight years of his presidency.
That would probably nominate him for sainthood...
Hey remember "Read my lips: no new taxes"

And please someone with some kind of power tell the current RNC republicans NOT to campaign the entire next four years.
I'm sick of it all ready and all we have is the president elect Obama. There are more important things to consider.

So we're going to screw the auto industry for now. Sad, for the people that work in the industry: the entire industry not just manufacturing. And they now say the TARP payouts didn't accomplish what they were supposed to do... (Whine, whine, wink, wink)
Hey no shit Sherlock! I'm not a CEO, a business person or an economist and I'm certainly not a politician but I thought that in all it's incarnations the 700 billion bailout sucked and likely wouldn't fix anything.
A whole lotta chump change.

Still think 2009 is going to be business as usual for Main Street USA???

Need to stop now as my cynicism is rearing it's ugly head just like Putin over Palin's Alaska.
I'll put my rosy glasses back on so I can get some sleep and just stop talking about politics.

*************
Personal:
Finished all the outside shopping today and started wrapping, ran out of energy though.
Still have considerable baking (pies and cookies) to do this weekend, but I'll get it done.
Mentally and physically stressed at the moment.
So I just dug out something to make me laugh (okay so maybe it was more like a smile) but that's an improvement cause I'm really tired and grumpy.
Me and Papa Bear Bill O from the O'Reilly factor (what is it a factor of or in by the way?).
It was a joke, an escapade and I knew it would make me smile.
Now if anyone out there knows Stephen Colbert I would really, truly like to meet and talk to him!
Ain't it cute to see the liberal elitist social worker and the conservative... (what exactly is Bill again?) pun... dit together.
Well, we both hail from New York. Does that make him a liberal, elitist, cosmopolitan like all the rest of us Islanders?
Aw, cute ain't he? Besides you can't hear him talking in a photo... well maybe his fans can but I definitely can't.



G'night
All is well (or at least that's what I tell myself all the time)

Laura

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Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Thirty-five days left of George W Bush

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Bernie Madoff's ponzi scheme has turned into a really big deal.
But there are still folk that feel deregulating everything is a great idea.
This year especially was a bad year for those that think that businesses and politics can regulate themselves.
But still we got the billion dollar bail out "to save the economy" even though many folk said don't do it, bad idea.
So what will happen to Madoff? Will anyone recoup their losses?
Good luck fixing the cumulative mess Barack, I can't imagine. I truly can't.

Hard to have faith in anyone anymore... People with education or without, poor or wealthy, equally untrustworthy.
Look at so many of our representatives. Politics as usual reeks. No consciences, how do they sleep at night???

RNC released a new anti Obama ad. This is from a link at the RNC's own site. Interesting. We haven't heard the full story and yet there is the ad. So, we're going to do this the whole 4 years are we? He's not even in office. It seems nothing has been done wrong on Obama's side and we don't know what the feds are advising him either. Of course someone from his staff was in touch with the governer of Illinois, he picks the new senator. Duh. American's are sooooo patient.



Such fuss over Hillary's senate seat. Apparently Caroline Kennedy wants it.
So what? She's capable, seems honest, smart, is a good fundraiser and has strong name recognition...
What really ticks me off are these Hillary supporters... you know the ones, those that refused to vote for Obama because he didn't chose her as the VP candidate, even after she asked them to support him.
Those that now are annoyed because Caroline Kennedy went public with her support for Obama over Hillary for presidential nominee. Also Ted Kennedy gave his support to Obama. Gee sorry, that's the way politics goes. Life goes on.
But they say she's not qualified, she's too pedigreed and not political enough.
Give me a break.
Who should we have? Someone like Al Franken, Ted Stevens, Dianne Wilkerson, Fred Thompson, or folk like Spitzer, Palin, Larry Craig or even John Edwards?
Seriously, get over it. I really wanted Hillary to be the first female president, I voted for her in the primary. But she lost because the voters spoke. I was disappointed but wouldn't in a million years have voted for the McCain/Palin ticket because my feelings were hurt. Grow up, you're not helping women seem reasonable and intelligent by being disgruntled sore losers.
If you're against Caroline Kennedy as senator (and I'm not against it, she's better than many of them) make it for a real reason.

And speaking of NY, Gov. Paterson signed a bill that would stop tax free cigarette sales by Indians... Interesting, need revenue?
New Bill on Indian Cigarette Tax

******
Non political:
If you caught Fall Out Boy on Leno tonight performing Sleigh Bells Ringing it must have made you smile (especially if you like them). I was impressed, it was nice to see a Christmas song that wasn't traditional Tony Bennet.

My mood is slightly better, not a lot mind you, but I guess it's an improvement.
Stressed out, one major gift isn't going to be here for Christmas which sucks because we cut back on the gifting.
Still have to bake and all hell has been breaking loose unexpectedly the last week or so.

UGH. Bah Humbug!

I mean Ho, Ho, Ho Merry Happy Christmas Year Holidays New Hanukkah Season Santa Menorah Tree... Kwanzaa.

And to all a Good Night!

Laura


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Monday, December 15, 2008

Thirty-six days left of George W's republican reign, now lets see what the democrats can screw up...

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So fitting, Bush shows up in Iraq for serious talks and the news is all about the "shoe hurling incident."
I'd laugh if it wasn't so incredibly frustrating. War agreements, troop reductions, timelines be damned... by God he threw a...a... shoe! I have a great idea let's put that in an endless "news loop."

Feeling a little down in the dumps today and exhausted.
So this truly will be a short post, which for me is downright amazing.
Perhaps if I make up some of my lost sleep that started last Friday and ended with 2 hours sleep last night I would feel human again and lose the dull headache.

So I shall try my theory.
Sleep=feel better.

in other words, the world exists fine without me.

Peace on earth, and to all a g'night.

Laura

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Thirty-seven days to goodbye Bush or... Treinta y siete días hasta adiós a George Bush.

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Now Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen!
On Comet! On Cupid! On Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away!
Take me away from it all!

(Um, That IS the way it goes isn't it???)

*****************
How about this:



There's a law suit going on over the design.
Again just strikes me as funny, and not that much does this last week or so. Just sharing.
And just in case you feel like checking out the whole story that goes along with the photo:
Hey who is that guy?


On a lighter note President Bush ran off to Iraq/Afganistan all hush hush and while talking at a "press conference" with Al-Maliki something ah, unexpected happened.
Bush joked that the shoe was a size 10:


It just keeps getting weirder and weirder.

I have a lot to say about the auto bridge loan story but I'll keep it trimmed to a million words I promise.
I'm waiting to see what the administration has to say about the whole thing. So far not going well.
And I'm going to assume that Bush will do something more in the next few days.
This whole thing has me so upset...

AIG was given around 123 billion dollars without strings attached.
Goldman Sachs got billions, along with others... with no strings attached and no paper trail...
BUT the southern senators want to blame the UAW for the automakers NOT getting the bridge LOAN with strings attached???

This is bullshit folks. Where are the non union plants? Where are the foreign plants? Yes. In the south.
Lets just bury Michigan. Lets just decimate American Manufacturing of Cars. Just bullshit.
The bleeding of jobs hasn't even begun yet. What the f#$k is really going on?
Non-partisanship my ass. Is anything really going to change? I wonder.
Does hope involve crossing your fingers and not stepping on the sidewalk cracks? Praying really, really hard?

Paul Krugman stated that "...the opposition to the bailout was led by Senator Corker 'the Senator from Nissan' which has two plants in its national headquarters in Tennessee." Hmm.
Clip of Governor Jennifer Granholm of Michigan on the auto industry bridge loans. Makes good and bad points. Premature on Bush support though it seems now. We'll find out this week I expect. Oh, and I'm not buying any stocks Jennifer not in anything.


Going to watch a movie, one of my favorites (but don't go by me I'm strange it seems) called "Mirrormask"
and make a cup of hot tea and try to relax. Try very, very hard.
From a personal perspective this weekend was a psychological black hole.

G'night

Laura


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Saturday, December 13, 2008

Thirty-eight days left of the lame quacker... and I'm dreaming of sport's cars (I'm incorrigible)

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No news is good news?
Can honestly say that I haven't been horribly interested in the news today.
It seems that at the moment it's pretty repetitive on the political scene, not adding much clarification to the stories.

Watched the whole Miami Vice Season 3 while baking Christmas cookies this week. Love that Crockett and Tubbs, ha.
No, love that Season three black 1972 Ferrari Daytona Spyder 365 GTS/4 that they blew up (actually it wasn't exactly a Ferrari but that's another story) The White Ferrari Testarossa (though I normally don't like white cars) was my favorite... just a beauty of a design. I loved the cars in that series for the most part they all showed up at one point or another...
Lamborghini, Lotus, Corvettes, GTO's God, they were all there and of course my favorite sportscar: Porsche.

Was looking at the engine design of the Bugatti Veyron, oh my God, now that's an engine.
16 cylinders, 64 valves, 4 turbos, 3 radiators, reaches 100 mph at (gulp) 2.6 seconds.
Wouldn't want to own one, but I'd love to drive one. Yes, I would.
Otherwise it's seriously pointless as a car... gas mileage completely sucks obviously and I can't even imagine the insurance or repair costs.
BUT lordy I'd love to have an hour alone with one.
By the way the price tag is a mere 1,700,000 US dollars. Whoa baby.



Check it out ::sigh::

Too poor to own any of those cars... but if you know anyone that has one I can borrow sometime, jus' let me know. Ha.
My Toyota Sport Corolla manual tranny just doesn't quite match up. But I can dream can't I???
BTW for the record automatic sportscars are so not cool... I'll drive stick until I have arthritis so bad I can't shift the damn thing I assure you. Gentlepeople start your engines.

Often when I get talking about the things I like ranging from cars to movies, books, people, etc... I realize how odd I am.
I just don't make a great female. Don't know why I just never ran my interests through that annoying "femininity filter" many seem to use.
Which doesn't bother me as much as others, and I keep getting in odd situations because people assume that if you have relatively normal kids, can actually cook meals and bake, have been married a long time (seriously a Long Time...) it means you are somehow a traditional female. No, I'm not. Used to wish I was but not any longer. Age makes some things easier at least.

Decided this year I'm going to take a family photo at Christmas dinner, print them up and send out Happy New Year 2009 cards instead of Christmas cards. I never did get them out last year and I don't need the pressure at this point to do them now.
So like it or not for what it's worth that might be my new tradition (and it gets rid of one more Christmas headache).

Have packages to set up to mail out Monday tomorrow so,
G'night everyone

Stay sane, if it's at all possible.
If not try not to show it... lol

Laura

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Friday, December 12, 2008

Thirty-nine days till George W retires to the dude ranch... is there light at the end of this tunnel?

*

Will the auto industry get money or not? That's still the question, and folks it's truly a million dollar question.
Will the exceedingly lame duck (or something like that) step in, will our new heroes make it in out of the blizzard before they die of the cold?
Seems to me no matter what they do, dealerships will close and jobs will be downsized. Just a matter of how many and when.
Seems like people have more pressing concerns than replacing the family car right now and the properties of math tell me that...
I really don't see an upswing in car sales in the near future, but hey one could be wrong and um, one hopes they are wrong actually.

The Al Franken/Norm Coleman senate battle in Minnesota wages on.
Now Al is supposedly ahead but it still can be challenged in court. As I've said before I don't like either of them.
I heard on TV that Coleman was being investigated by the FBI over house renovations (how some of it was paid for).
Are there no shameless politicians out there? How can you NOT be cynical at this point?
I swear our political stage is more like a three ring circus, tell me with all the people that are out there we couldn't do better?
And dambit stop saying that we all want leaders that we can sit down with and shoot the breeze.
Stop saying that we want to have a beer with the president of the United States.
No. I don't. I'm hoping he would have far more crucial and important things to so with his time.
I truly don't personally know anyone that I would actually want to nominate to handle the top job in the country.
The one who represents us as a nation. The best leader possible. The cream of the crop. The nothing like George W. Bush.
By the way I wouldn't want to have a beer with GWBush at all. I will have one to toast his leaving the office however. You betcha.
I want someone honest, hard working, reasonable, intelligent that is good at solving problems and working with people.
The words "highly competent" pop into my mind.

And why is Blagojevich still there... hit the road Ron. Find legitimate employment for that money you lust after.

And speaking of important news relating to the shape of the world:
How about the Jennifer Aniston GQ magazine nearly bare photos? Now there's REAL news right?
Gorgeous pictures, she's very pretty and photogenic. So tell me again why getting naked makes you "more sure of yourself" as they said on the CNN Showbiz Tonight that they applaud her for doing this. ::sigh:: I give up. At least I'm sure she got a lot of money for that "article." Yes, indeedy and if she didn't then that would be... it'd be... actually... indecent. (wink, wink)
Hey, maybe they'll pay me lots of money to not take off my clothes. Yes, I'm pretty sure of that too...
It's just the difference between getting naked and drawing a huge crowd or causing them to run away.

So I'm done early tonight. Only got around 2 1/2 hours of sleep last night and had one hell of a day.
Psychological black hole that it was and now the physical side is telling me I'm about to crash...


G'night all

Hope you have a good day tomorrow for today is almost over.
We get a do-over tomorrow don't we? We do right?

Laura

ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....zzzz
*

Forty days left of Prince George and his merry men...

*

This might be a short post because it's been a horrible rainy day and now it's pouring and windy here.
My cable keeps going off and on which makes the internet unstable and has to be reset each time.
Went down in the basement and it's been raining so hard for so long that there are three puddles down there.
Nothing to get damaged near them but enough with the rain all ready, don't want the basement to flood.

I love the political machine... no let me rephrase that, I'm constantly amazed by the vast lack of common sense that permeates both parties. That and the "do what I say but not as I do" mentality.

Let's look briefly at a few of the stories:
Of course there's the obvious one Blagojevich. Now Bernard Madoff arrested for securities fraud.
So who is Madoff anyway and why should we care? Well, he's a former Nasdaq chairman. Great huh?
That's why I don't like Mr. "parachuted over from Goldman Sachs" Paulson in charge of the bailout money.
Conflict of interest to me.

Here's yet another dumb statement since Caroline Kennedy while not in the public eye all the time has done many things.
She's a lawyer, she's raised money for NY public schools, she chairs, serves as director, and does more than many others.
But, here's the thing: NY democrat Gary Ackerman (Queens) states that her qualifications are apparently only that she has "name recognition, but so does J Lo... I wouldn't make J Lo the senator unless she proved she has great qualifications, but we haven't seen them yet." ::sigh:: Number one I'm from NY and still am pissed at Gulliani, now... look, Gary's entitled to feel what ever he wants to about Kennedy and the senate seat but seriously J Lo??? Reminds me of the comparison between Obama/Britany/Paris in that McCain ad. Wtf were you thinking, better yet, were you thinking at all? Wow.

Whether or not Caroline gets the senate nod hopefully doesn't depend on nonsensical statements said by a congressman.
It's so great to see the hypocrisy of the political system doesn't favor just one party. There are ridiculous folk on both sides that don't seem to understand they should think about what they say BEFORE they say it.

The auto bailout didn't get through the senate... not a surprise I kinda expected it. So now what happens?
The loss of jobs, lack of morality, global recession, heating oil prices, mortgage crisis, stock problems, two wars, polar ice caps melting and all the other problems facing us... makes this a rather disturbing end to 2008.
Tough to raise that ole holiday cheer. Just doesn't feel the same to me this year. Grateful for what we have, yes.
Thankful for my family, yes. But there's an underlying anxiety for the future. Being trained in social work makes you aware of the struggles people have, and this is a very tough time for many Americans, especially hard on children. No way around that fact. Blame it on who ever you want it still doesn't fix anything.

Donate to food banks if you can, they can always use money, non-perishable food items and most of all volunteering some precious time.

The reason I'm really late with this post because I was finishing the second day of baking and packaging 18 plates of cookies, one large box of cookies for my husband to take to work and all those left over are for my mom, brother and of course us!
Only just finished. Promised myself I wouldn't go on the computer until I was done.
These cookie packager are some of the fruits of my labors for the past two days.
Take a breather Laura and de-stress. (I think I've almost forgotten how).


G'night,
Hang in there everybody

Going to bed.
Hopefully I can sleep with all this wind.

Laura

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Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Forty-one days left of GW Bush... or what the *#@&'s wrong with Chicago anyway?

*

So the more we hear and the more Blagojevich says it seems he's arrogant, greedy and a more than a wee bit delusional.
What a mess, Obama and others say he should resign (duh) and he still hasn't. Amazing.
And how about the whole Jesse Jackson Jr. (otherwise known as candidate #5) possibility of involvement.
Great stuff. Wish it was republicans right at the moment but... both parties seem to be unable to remain above board at all times. Bleeping, unbelievable bleepin bleeper. Never heard so many news reporters saying bleep with such relish...
of course we all know bleep actually means bleep, don't we? Struck me funny and even Morning Joe got a joke in on his saying the word live on the air (by accident of course). Bleepin' funny I say.
It really amuses me to hear republicans condemn democrats when they're both full of shit most of the time, no?

We're going to see big changes in the auto industry no matter what happens.
Less choice of cars (brands), less dealerships, don't care if the government bails, um, gives them loans them money or not.
It's interesting that there's so much trouble getting this agreement down in house which just passed, now there's the senate.
Perhaps GW might want to say something... He still is president right? ::sigh::
What's better bailed out or bankruptcy? No guarantee that the companies will succeed even after getting money.
Or that they'll decide they need more $ later on, and then what do we do. Refuse and lose what we've all ready fronted?
Doesn't make me feel any more confident in buying any new cars... think I'll stick to my poor lil manual Toyota Corolla.

I saw the funniest headline on one of those supermarket news rags (not sure which one it was) but it said:

Hillary promises Obama she'll divorce Bill after the inauguration. It was just funny with a picture and all.
Really caught my attention and I started to laugh out loud. Which makes people look askance at you in the checkout line.
I simply pointed at the paper and they kinda smiled and looked at me like I was nuts... aw hell maybe I am, eh?

And ghost of irrelevant people past, well they should be past anyhow: Joe the Plumber showed up dissing John McCain.
Now I'm not a John McCain fan, and I strongly (ahem) disliked Sarah Palin, but just shut up Joe! Nobody cares.
He says he was "appalled" by Sen. McCain while he traveled with the campaign. Really Mr. can't get your story straight plumber? (and yes, I put those good ole air quotes around plumber)
But you loved Sarah Palin cause she was the "real deal." Do you mean the real deal like you are Mr. Wurzrlbacher?

What about the Jay Leno invasion of prime time?
Does this mean Law and Order will be moved and everything else? Golly I'm sorry that NBC isn't doing all that well but damn.
Why do they have to mess with actual tv shows? Screw around with our escapism that we so dearly need right now.
And what's with Jay anyway? He's been saying that he wants to retire, and it seemed that he was.
Then there were the Jay's going over to ABC rumors... Hey, haven't we been here before with late night talk show wars?
Now he's taking the 10pm spot every night. UGH. I don't understand. Why? The 30 million a year you'll get?
Jay all ready has more money than god and could do many things to stay in the limelight including a once a week show if he wanted to but, no, it's every night. Come on Jay seriously reconsider please.
A workaholic and a by all accounts very nice but still a stay in the public eye control freak.
I don't want to watch talk shows in prime time... early to bed folk can tape it.

Britney Spears... the press seems to think she's news. She isn't. One show says she's in the middle of a reinvention and strong comeback. The other says she's on the verge of a nervous breakdown and losing it.
Hey, I vote for both if and only if it gets her out of print and off the NEWS.

Well, nothing more on my mind tonight (at least that I can remember at this point.
I still have more cookies to bake so I'm going to to and then crash in the early morning hours I imagine.
Making coffee and having a piece of pie then back to work for me.
The first batches, almond sugar cookie Christmas trees and semi-sweet chocolate sandwiched between lacy crisp oat wafers.
Now I know the wafers don't look particularly Christmas like but they are my signature cookies and always asked for.




G'night all,
Stay sane... I'm trying.

Laura


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Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Forty-two days left of George W Bush... and I'm baking pies while listening to the news.

*

Well, today's news story on constant re-play is of course the governor from Chicago Rod Blagojevich who was arrested on federal corruption charges. Supposedly he wanted to sell off the senate seat that was left open by Barack Obama for his own financial gain. Of course I'm a bit of a cynic (oh all right I'm a huge cynic) and I think many politicians use their political positions for their own gain (travel, trinkets, influence, donations) but seriously this doesn't even really make sense to me. How stupid can you be? Obviously though the governor makes the decision a lot of input comes from the party and elsewhere.
And having phone conversations about the fact... didn't anyone learn from Monica Lewinski's Linda Tripp recorded conversations?
Did John Edwards really think he could have had an affair (and a child?) and win the nomination for the presidency without anyone finding out about it? What a mess THAT would have been. People talk... Think of Clinton, Gary Hart, even Gingrich's behavior.
I'm starting to think politicians are a dumb lot, not all of them of course but... seriously idiotic behavior considering.
Jeeze, don't they get the concept of "being in the public eye?"

If there's a special election to fill Obama's seat instead of an appointment I wonder if there's a strong democrat to win it.
Not familiar with Illinois politicians and I'm sure the republicans would love to gain that seat. We'll see how they handle it.

Steve Colbert was on Conan O'Brien last night and did the "In the year 2000" piece with him. Funny.

Tonight I've been very busy. The next few days I'm baking things for early Christmas gifts and to try out a couple of recipes.
So, here's a few photos to explain why this post is not all that long.
One pie is for us, one for my mom. Was disappointed by how the crusts cracked but house smelled so yummy.
Had a piece with my hot tea just now and it was good. Apple Raspberry!
All that stuff taking up residence on my kitchen table until tomorrow night will turn into Christmas cookies tomorrow...







So forgive me if I have a few short posts here and there but holiday cheer requires me to put in some time baking!

G'night
Doesn't seem like 2009 will bring peace on earth and good will to all.
But you could say that I'm a dreamer, and I'm not the only one : )

Laura

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Monday, December 8, 2008

Forty-three days left of GW Bush...

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Wow I had no idea that Caroline Kennedy as a possibility for Hillary's senate seat was going to cause such a ruckus.
Glad I don't have to make the decision that NY Governor David Paterson will be responsible for.

Gen. Eric Shinseki (retired) seems a reasonable choice for Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Seems Obama is getting competent, intelligent and qualified people to head his cabinet.
This should be a great thing, we'll see how it plays out but it shows a lot of promise.
Or maybe the preferred word would be hope.

Supreme court declined to hear the Barack Obama's citizenship case... shouldn't have taken even that long?
Tribune Co is filing for bankruptcy and will be restructuring under the laws... will it be enough to save the papers?
Tune in tomorrow same bat time same bat channel...

Gitmo news: Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four others detained for 9/11 attacks want to be put to death. Hmm.
What a quandary. Let's see they want to confess to conspiracy for helping plan the attacks and plead guilty to charges.
At least some of the relatives of people who lost their lives on 9/11 were able to be there at to see these men in front of them.
I don't know how I'd feel about seeing them in person myself. I just came across a paper my son wrote the day after 9/11 for a class. It made me cry and brought it all back to me. New Yorkers will never forget 9/11 it tore deep into our souls.
CNN story

Significant riots and protests in Greece because the police shot a 15 year old and the information as to why he was shot is rather sketchy. Though the news states that two police officers have been arrested in the case.
Greek riots

The world seems exceptionally dangerous when put on continuous diet of feedback loops of terrorist attacks in India, riots in Greece, The war in Afganistan and Iraq, pirates in Somali, scary things going on all over the world.
Perhaps our air and water quality, over crowding, poor diets, economic meltdowns and worldwide stress is making us a more aggressive species?

Looks like the auto industry is going to get money, how much and under what conditions is the big question.
All the companies including Toyota and others in the US are in serious trouble.
And everyone's fighting over everything as usual, seems to be a prerequisite of legislative bodies in general.

I think that there's too much "news" out there. It's interesting... with 24/7 news channels and constant access internet news there's a constant need for new stories. Seems like everything is made to sound somewhat sensational.
We don't hear some of the stories we should get the details of that would be relevant to us and other stories become a constant replay of video clips with endless banter. UGH. And they call that news.
No wonder most people prefer to watch TV shows and dvds instead of shoveling through all the news nonsense that does nothing much more than bore, anger, or scare the crap out of them.
Mostly bad news: economic, health, political, war, crime, job losses, recession... on and on and followed by a blonde with wishing you goodnight and happy holidays.
::sigh::

Interesting note: the "Call in gay day" idea for Wednesday. Questionable in effectiveness but will get people talking about human rights hopefully.

I'm hoping that I'm not being overly optimistic looking forward to 2009 but I still am.

Happy Holiday Season to all
and to all a G'night

Laura

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Sunday, December 7, 2008

Forty-four days left of George W. Bush's non presidency... Can we fast forward?

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Watched the Meet The Press Barack Obama show.
He has some good ideas and some that I'm not as sure of.
The only thing we agree on is that it's going to get worse before it gets better.
Not too sure about the time frame on that recovery either.
2.5 million jobs? I'd like to know more about that. Who, where, how much cost?
I'm happy with the choice of Dick Gregory for the moderator of Meet The Press, he's pretty good.

Iowa's supreme court is going to rule on the state's gay marriage ban.
Let's hope that they favor basic civil rights being extended to all people.
There have been other groups oppressed in this country and there still are...
Matthew Shepard was murdered because he was gay, just like the racially inspired beatings and murders that have occurred.
No matter what you personally feel about gay marriage we cannot allow government sanctioned discrimination.

On a lighter note, have you watched Mark Shaiman's "Prop 8- The Musical" with Jack Black as Jesus? (yup)
Might be offensive to some but I thought it amusing and pointed.

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

Non Political:
Spent most of today searching for good internet prices on the few things I have left on my Christmas list.
It's a shorter list this year and definitely not very expensive gifts on it.
Only have two people left on the list, the rest get cookies, pies and homemade things.
One more trip to major stores and that's all I expect to do as far as shopping.

Can't wait for New Year's Eve. I have a number of real resolutions and a "bucket list" of sorts to work on.
I'll likely post it here New Year's Day... I wonder if there's a way to place it on the side to add to and delete items.
Working my way through watching Miami Vice Season Three and drinking a hot cup of tea.
G'night
Crockett and Tubbs are calling to me.
Laura


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Saturday, December 6, 2008

Forty-five days left of Prince George... Obama to the rescue?

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Listened to Obama's "Public Works Program" speech.
Might work. Could work. We'll see. Probably will need to make it work.
Wondering how the government will payroll all this mess... guess we're going to find out.

I went on an excellent adventure last night.
I used the opportunity to make my first short video with my brand new Flip Mino.
Though the video isn't any fantastic accomplishment I still had a lot of fun doing it.
Making and editing the video was so easy to do I would recommend it to anyone.
I was amazed. Would make a good Christmas gift for anyone who wants to make You Tube Videos
So don't judge me too harshly on the video, I didn't try for anything remarkable and had no idea what I was going to say.
Expected most of the clips to not come out considering my total lack of experience with the whole process.
Pleasant enough surprise.



I'm not a huge Bill O'Reilly fan, actually I'm more a Jon Stewart/Stephen Colbert type.
I still do read and watch both sides for that is the way to stay informed and to decide based on all opinions and facts.

An agreement in the Democratic Party on a package to help out the auto industry that could be voted on next week. Hmm.
The dems have to be careful what they do and say... was listening to Barney Frank talking about the auto money issues
and he stated that the Dems were planning on passing what they wanted to after Jan.
"If this were next year and Barack Obama was in office and we had the 58 or maybe 59 democratic senators then we would be able to break a filibuster, but so we'd have to compromise... we will reserve the right next year when we have a better president and a better congress to replace that 25 billion from the TARP, they won't be able to stop us then. We're not asking them to sign off on it we're simply giving notice that's something we have the option to do later..."

Now Barney sweetheart, I know what you're saying and it has merit, substance and logic to it but you can't use that language without irritating folk especially republican congressfolk and senators... Seriously you sound like the republicans that took over that you've previously complained about their lack of inclusiveness and um, arrogance? Not very humble language there.
I'm a democrat, fairly liberal for the most part and it really annoyed me Barney.

Are we getting rid of Gitmo or not?
And wonder of wonders I didn't hear or see anything about Sarah Palin today. Oh Happy Day.
Read at CNN that Sunny von Bulow died. I remember that case, she was in a coma and her husband Claus was tried and convicted of trying to kill her and then it was overturned. Probably have to be older to remember that story but here it is:
28 years in a coma

Okay well, going to bed need some of that ever elusive sleep...

G'night

Laura


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Friday, December 5, 2008

Forty-six days left of GW Bush...

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I'm wondering if it's getting near time to refinance our mortgage.
I hear that shortly the interest rates might go down a little yet again.
Will look into it next week and see if it would be beneficial to us or not.

I saw that OJ Simpson is going to jail for at least 9 years possibly more.
Now I'm not a vindictive person (though I can be rather sarcastic) but I was reasonably content with that judgement.
Restores my faith in Karma, though about 13 years overdue in arrival.
Now we'll see to what the cosmic powers demand of the juice.

Car manufacturers still crying you must save us.
While at least some of the banks are laughing all the way to the bank.
NY Times says that the US lost 533,000 jobs in November.
Outlook isn't that good for December/January.
I'm digging my heels in for a long cold winter.

I successfully accomplished my mission this evening and we video taped it in small segments.
I'm going to upload it tomorrow and attempt to make it watchable.
I apologize in advance for the possibility of the "awfulness" of my first video.
Was thinking of doing one or so a week.
If nothing else it was fun and I'll hopefully get better along the way.
So, I'll see you, or rather you'll see me tomorrow.

Still squawking about Obama's birth certificate (he was born in Hawaii).
Interesting that it was Clarence Thomas referral.
What a waste of time, effort and money.
Give it a rest... people will believe whatever they want to anyway.
Maybe Obama arrived via UFO, no wait now I remember:
I heard tell that was Sarah Palin and that's the scoop.
And you betcha. Pass it on...
Obama is a US citizen

Will Caroline Kennedy seriously look at the NY senate seat vacated by Hillary Clinton.
That's an interesting development.
Another woman smarter and more interesting than Sarah Palin.
Keep it coming.
Someday soon we'll come out of the dark ages and elect an intelligent, capable woman for the President of the USA.
Yes, we can.
And we will.

G'night
Back tomorrow.

Laura

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Forty-seven days of GW Bush's "administration"

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Did you see the clip of GW Bush squishing himself in between American soldiers for a photo op?
I can't for the life of me remember where I saw it but one soldier doesn't seem thrilled with GW standing there.

Bush's last days interviews both with and without Laura Bush have so far had interesting views by GW on his legacy.
I swear he's language challenged, or really dumb, or maybe both.
He bumbles, misunderstands questions, wanders when answering and mispronounces things.
History is being rewritten in Bush's mind... now it seems it was faulty CIA information on WMD's that caused the war in Iraq.
Interesting, I guess he hasn't seen all his previous speeches on the internets (lol).

The auto industry is in real trouble. Bankers: yay. GE, Chrysler, Ford: nay?
We're bleeding jobs daily, the auto industry carries somewhere around 3 million or more.
If the industry isn't bailed out... then we need some kind of jobs for those that will lose theirs.
Even if they do the bailout, job losses will sky rocket in the industry.
Factory and dealership jobs.
Not gonna be a bright and cheery New Year for a lot of people.

**************

And what about Plaxico Burress?
If I (or anyone in my family) took a loaded Glock into a club and shot myself in the thigh, I'd all ready be sitting in jail.
I'm so sick of overpaid and overvalued celebrities and athletes behaving badly.
There are no great role models for kids or adults lately.
No, let me rephrase that... there are no great role models that make the news and get press no less monetary reward.
I was trying to think of what role models there were for women my age.
Pretty bleak.

Here's my ode to Plaxico:

Oh Plaxico
who would have thought
you wouldn't know
guns belong in nightstands
not at night clubs tucked
in sweat pant's waistbands
loaded but not locked...

Oh Plaxico
who would have thought
you wouldn't know
now you're just the guy
stupid enough to
shoot himself in the thigh
at least it wasn't someone elses...

from the winning touchdown for the Giants
to just another one of some lawyer's clients
that's amazing talent
indeed.

Tomorrow I have an interesting escapade planned that I'll document with a silly video...
Probably won't get it posted here until Saturday if it comes out at all the way I would like it to.

Going to bed.
Need to go grocery shopping tomorrow.
And run a million errands.

G'night

Laura


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Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Forty-eight days of GW Bush... and what of Jeb Bush?

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Jeb Bush has indicated he's interested in the senate seat in Florida when Martinez leaves it (2010).
If I recall Jeb was the smart Bush... and what ever happened to Neil Bush? The savings and loan scandal Bush.
Herrreeee'sss Jebby

Could it be that a third Bush will run for the presidency?
Okay as long as he doesn't run with Sarah Palin. Promise me NOW please.

Was interesting listening to the Nixon tapes that are out now. Always got a kick out of the tape where Nixon talked about the elder Bush's good for nothing son George W. came around and how he thought he'd amount to nothing.
It would be funny but GW ended up president... I think we were punked.

And speaking of being punked, here's a funny story about a phone call Obama made to GOP congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen in Florida to congratulate her on her win... she, hung up on him... read the story it's worth a chuckle.
Yeah sure you're Barack Obama

Disturbed by video clips on the news of people on the streets of India yelling about going to war with Pakistan.
Hopefully they're just letting off steam and frustration.

Auto bailout? Not going all that well so far. Have we run out of cash we need to borrow yet?
The union has been making concessions, again they are not to blame for the mismanagement of the auto industry.
It's been decades. GM made the decision to sell Hummers to the public. Seriously folks.
Build a billion dollar factory and hire the folks back... produce hybrid or other green cars.
Isn't there any money to be made in mass transit?
Sorry folks the cowboy way is yesterday.

******

Other Stuff:

Jimmy Kimmel did a spoof of Rudolph the Reindeer Christmas standard. Funny but somewhat twisted.
In other words I liked it.
Not for the queasy

Finally got around to seeing the new Bond movie tonight, Quantum of Solace.
It was okay. Not a crazed Bond fan, but it wasn't bad. Enjoyed seeing Judi Dench as always.
I do miss the character of "Q" in the last two movies.
Liked John Cleese and of course the long standing Desmond Llewelyn was the best.
Enough car chases, fighting, jumping and things blowing up to satisfy me.
Makes me want to cry when they bash up that black Aston Martin. Oh, that ripped off door, how that hurt.
Take the Aston Martin for a drive
Sigh I'm a sports car lady trapped in my Toyota Corolla world. ::sigh::

It's Ozzy Osbourne's birthday and he's 60 years old can you believe that?
Doesn't seem like his age has kept him from getting work.
I absolutely love the commercial for Samsung Mobile he's in.
If you haven't seen it here it is:
Ozzy Mumbles

How about the Ozzy Osbourne World of Warcraft Commercial?
Cracks me up, but then again I think odd things are funny.
The guys around here have been known to play WoW well into the wee hours of the night.



All right I'm going to stop babbling and go to bed.
Have a busy day tomorrow.
G'night

Laura


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Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Forty-nine days left to add to the Bush legacy... or something like that.

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I keep reading that David Gregory (chief White House Correspondent for NBC) will be taking over on Meet The press.
I know Tom Brocaw taking Tim Russert's spot was temporary, so David Gregory isn't a bad choice at all and not unexpected.
I really miss Tim Russert. He made watching Meet The Press very interesting with his enthusiasm.
He was so into the show, interviews and debates. Still miss him. In some ways it was his show.
It was such a shame that he died at the premature age of 58.
His son Luke not only looks a bit like Tim but even has some of his mannerisms and voice.

Chambliss (as I expected) won the Georgia senate run off election.
It still looks like Coleman won over Franken in Minnesota too...
So no filibuster proof senate for the democrats.
Let's hope the dems and repubs can get something done in the next few years instead of the usual bullshit.
We have major problems that we need to really fix instead of the normal stalemate until all hell breaks loose and then blame it on the each other. If that happens, well, the word "doomed" or at least "doom and gloom" pops into my head for the middle class.

I also keep coming across the rumor that Sarah Palin might appear on the season finale of abc's Desparate Housewives.
I knew I hated that show. lol. No seriously I don't watch it. Seems a fitting place for her though. Yay.

Newsweek had a very sobering, pessimistic and depressing story about the possibility of attacks with weapons of mass destruction (such as biological pathogens). It's something more for people to be stressed out about.
Beginning to wonder why people are so stressed out and discouraged? Just look and listen to the news these days.
Threat of WMD terrorist attack in future

Auto makers, banks, insurance, state governments, there seems to be a larger and larger list of folk that want $$$.
Still not sure how it's all going to help "Main Street" at all... Maybe, maybe not.

Watched the Laura and George Bush interview with Charles Gibson. It was okay. Nothing really new.
They have the strangest body language with each other. I wonder what their days are like together.

Non Political:

Gun's and Roses cd, something like 17 years in the coming, ain't so great. Sorry Axl.
They're fighting with Dr. Pepper over a free soda deal if the cd came out in 2008. Seriously?

Still struggling with Christmas presents but have some ideas at least.
So far haven't been able to muster much enthusiasm but hopefully it'll get better shortly.
Just have too much on my mind and a little down in the dumps.
I realized tonight that part of my problem is that I stopped working on the book I was writing.
I felt better when my page tally was going upward.

Senior class is one cost after another. Just bought a bunch of pizza's and cheesecakes because we have no relatives to sell all this stuff to... next up is magazines. UGH. I don't want to hit up the few people I know at holiday time to buy overpriced items my senior is selling. January there is the next installment on the Senior Class trip of $200.00.
It's the most expensive year by far!
Well, at least this is the last time we have to do it. Last one in high school.
Hallelujah!!!

Well, G'night for now.
Have a good day.

Laura

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Monday, December 1, 2008

Fifty days left of George W. Bush's, um, administrating...

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The stories coming out of Mumbai, India are very disturbing.
They're also getting information from the terrorist that they captured.
I feel very bad for all those caught in the attack.
I'd never understand such cruelty if I lived to be a thousand.
It also appears that India had some warning about the possibility of terror attack.
What is the point of all this intelligence that everybody collects when it never seems to be listened to by security agencies and governments? So frustrating.

So it's confirmed yet again that we're in a recession (like there was any doubt) and the stock exchange drops.
They say that we'll likely remain in a recession for a long while... duh. Thanks.
Conflicting reports on Black Friday shopping.
People shopped but the stores slashed prices, so with less shoppers and lower profits I don't know how it's a great thing.

Mall was relatively quiet on Sunday evening when we were there after dropping Coll at train.
Got a few good deals didn't at any point have to wait in line (shocking) and prices were pretty low.
Stuck to my budget and didn't buy much (only had one large bag.
Tonight I looked around online for Cyber Monday.
Not too impressed with sales though I did find 3 things I was looking for out there for pretty good prices.
Just ordered, low sale price, rebates and no shipping costs... not bad.
Would say what the things were but inquiring minds (read as relatives and children) would then know what they were getting.
Can't have that now can I?

And now it's formal Barack Obama has formally announced Hillary Clinton for the position of Secretary of State.
I think this is great. Of course not everyone agrees with me but that's fine.
He's put together a solidly competent and intelligent cabinet now we'll see how it works out in real time.

The Chambliss/Martin run off election in Georgia looks like a republican who's who cast of characters.
Giuliani, McCain, Palin, Romney, Huckabee and the other side is the same: Gore, B. Clinton... Amazing!

Still waiting to hear who officially will win the Minnesota election Coleman or Franken.
I'm thinking Coleman but I don't like Franken so I suppose I hold that against him. Ha, don't care that he's a democrat.
I'm just happy that we didn't have another drawn out contentious presidential election.
That would have been horrible.

Can't believe that it's December 1, 2008 all ready.
Doesn't seem possible yet my computer assures me it's true!

Well, let me get this off my chest now maybe it'll help:
AAAaaarrrrggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

Not sure it helped my long term stress levels but felt good right now.
In about a week or so that odd thwacking sound you'll hear
is actually the sound my head makes when it hits the table when I realize there aren't enough hours in the day or night to get ready for the holidays.

But then somehow I make it and always enjoy at least the beginning of every year because of the promise of the NEW...

G'night everyone,
Stay sane, if not, try not to show it!

Laura


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