Museum of Fine Art

Went to see the Currier & Ives exibit today. Also the Springfield Library.
Great exibit. Many excellent lithrographs of early americana scenes.

Here is my cat Tomasina

In-State Tuition Benefits for Illegals Stir Controversy

In-State Tuition Benefits for Illegals Stir Controversy

Sat Oct 29, 20005

I went to the UMass football game with my father.






We saw the band preparing for their yearbook picture.
Met friends of my parents at the game. This family's on plays for the team. No#9 Wide Reciever.

Too bad they lost today. Still had a good time

Big Brother is watching you.

This is the wave of the future.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said its fast-growing use of radio-transmitting inventory tags has helped boost sales by keeping shelves better stocked with key merchandise.

The use of RFID, or radio-frequency identification tags, has reduced out-of-stock merchandise by 16 percent at the company's stores that have begun to use the technology over the past 12 months, Linda Dillman, Wal-Mart's chief information officer, said at the company's annual analyst meeting Wednesday. Wal-Mart has been able to restock RFID-tagged items three times as fast as non-tagged items, she said.

RFID tag: A microchip attached to an antenna that is packaged in a way that it can be applied to an object. The tag picks up signals from and sends signals to a reader. The tag contains a unique serial number, but may have other information, such as a customers' account number. Tags come in many forms, such smart labels that can have a barcode printed on it, or the tag can simply be mounted inside a carton or embedded in plastic. RFID tags can be active, passive or semi-passive.

For more info on RFID
RFID Journal.com


Your baggage will soon track you home.

My weekend activities at the Gathering

This was a big weekend for me, as I was able to see some old friends.
I went to The Gathering of hikers in Hanover NH. Sponsered by the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association.

I had a great Time. Got wet, exhausted, excited, encouraged.
It was a wonderful time.

I went to see several good slide shows of Hikes on the Great Continental Divide Trail in Canada, and the Continental Divide Trail in the US.

I saw a great Video of a 2003 AT Hike and bought the DVD for $20.

I was able to get a ride to Hanover with "Stiches". She arrived with "Weathercarrot" on Thursday to complete a 5 mile stretch of trail on the Seven Sisters in Holyoke, MA. We left my house at 8:30 Friday morning, and after a brief stop in Lebenon, NH for supplies for the weekend, we showed up At Storrs Campground about 11:30 am.
I got myself registered for the weekend and read thru my packet of materials. (Maps, schedules, surveys). Set up my tent hitched a ride into town with "Woodchuck" '85. We had Pizza slices in town. Afterward we went to the High School for the Opening Ceremonies. There were some testamonials to deceased ALDHA mebers, and recognition of volunteers who gave a great deal of time and effort to ALDHA. (The names in quotes refer to Trail names. These are names used to identify people on the trail. A sort of nom de trail).

A Day at the Zoo

Lupa Zoo Giraffe

Sunday Oct 4, 2005

Rosemary and I went to the Zoo!

What a wonderful little zoo we have so close to home. I never knew this was here. There were monkey cages and reptiles and birds. No lions, no tigers, but bears. Himalayan Bears in fact.



We started out with a little picnic of Subway sandwiches at Chicopee State Park . We loved the tall pines and quiet atmosphere. We were going to walk the trails but decided to head right out to the zoo. I still find it hard to walk around. I get so tired so easily.



It was a beautiful blue cloudless sky, that warmed us as we meandered around the grounds. The ostrich was so cool. He spread his wings and you could see the skelatal structure of them. His feet where like rubber clawed mallets, huge, hard and scruffy looking.

If you can, you should try to visit the zoo sometime.

Without a clue

What did she not know, and when did she not know it. I still don't think she has a clue.

FLASHBACK: HILLARY CLINTON SAYS INTERNET NEWS NEEDS 'RETHINK' Sun Sep 25 2005 16:52:50 ETChina on Sunday imposed new media restrictions designed to limit the news and other information available to Internet users, sharply restricting the scope of content that can be posted on Web sites. In 1998 during a meeting with reporters, Hillary Rodham Clinton said that "we are all going to have to rethink how we deal with" the Internet because of the handling of White House sex scandal stories on Web sites.Clinton was asked whether she favored curbs on the Internet, after the DRUDGE REPORT made headlines with coverage of her husband's affair with a White House intern."We are all going to have to rethink how we deal with this, because there are all these competing values ... Without any kind of editing function or gatekeeping function, what does it mean to have the right to defend your reputation?" she said.Hillary Clinton Continued: "I don't have any clue about what we're going to do legally, regulatorily, technologically -- I don't have a clue. But I do think we always have to keep competing interests in balance. I'm a big pro-balance person. That's why I love the founders -- checks and balances; accountable power. Anytime an individual or an institution or an invention leaps so far out ahead of that balance and throws a system, whatever it might be -- political, economic, technological --out of balance, you've got a problem, because then it can lead to the oppression people's rights, it can lead to the manipulation of information, it can lead to all kinds of bad outcomes which we have seen historically. So we're going to have to deal with that. And I hope a lot of smart people are going to --" REPORTER: Sounds like you favor regulation. MRS. CLINTON: Bill, I don't know what -- that's why I said I don't know what I'm in favor of. And I don't know enough to know what to be in favor of, because I think it's one of those new issues we've got to address. We've got to see whether our existing laws protect people's right of privacy, protect them against defamation. And if they can, how do you do that when you can press a button and you can't take it back. So I think we have to tread carefully. END

Sounds to me like she favors censorship of her detractors anyway.

She may well be the most dangerous women in the country. She wants the government to handle every aspect of your life.
She once favored a national medical card system in which you would be required to have an I.D. card with a gov't designed chip in it to track your records. You could not get any medical benefits in this country without this card. Of course, immigrants of unknown status would be able to remain anonymous.

Boston Red Sox : News : Boston Red Sox News

Hard to keep your head in the game, with all this going on.

best wishes to you and your family, Kevin

FOXNews.com - U.S. & World - Half Katrina Refugees Have Records

U.S. & World - Half Katrina Refugees Have Records

Civil libertarians call the checks thinly veiled race and class discrimination against people who have suffered already. The checks are made on those evacuated or forced to seek help from charities or others — in other words, people who are often black and poor.


It sounds to me that the local authorities were exercising due diligence in protecting their constituants from harm. The fact that 'people who are often black and poor' were among the evacuees, has no relevance. The fact that they had criminal records, or were wanted by the authorities, speaks for the individuals, no matter what their race or economic condition. The proof is that MOST person who are black or poor do not have criminal records.

Al Qaeda Training Manual

Now, here is an interesting document which can be found on-line.


Al Qaeda Training Manual

The attached manual was located in Manchester (England) by Metropolitan Police during a search of an Al Qaeda member's home. The manual was found in a computer file described as "the military series" related to the "Declaration of Jihad." The manual was translated into English and was introduced earlier this year at the embassy bombing trial in New York. The Department is only providing the following selected text from the manual because it does not want to aid in educating terrorists or encourage further acts of terrorism.



Below is an inquiry I made to Human Rights Watch
In the interest of learning as much about an issue as I can.

Since multiple searches have not been able to locate these Human Rights violations, I was hoping you could please help me find, on your site, this story:
http://www.mensnewsdaily.com/archive/r/reynalds/04/reynalds072904-graphic.htm

by Jeremy Reynalds

'In a videotape sent to Al Jazeera television, a group calling itself the Islamic Army announced that it had executed two Pakistani captives. '














Also Where are the accounts of Al Qaeda barberism.
As there are many times, more than two sides to every story, could you please assist my total education in these matters.


Thank you in advance for your help.

(I wonder if I will hear back from them? I will post any reply's I receive.)

Fear the snail darter

Click on the link for the whole story.

How the gods do play upon the poor soul who is known to us all as Al Gore.

the levees that failed in New Orleans would have been raised higher and strengthened in 1996 by the Army Corps of Engineers were it not for a lawsuit filed by environmentalists led by who else but the Sierra Club. Among those "leaders of our country" to "be held accountable" for the flooding of New Orleans, would Al include the Sierra Club? How about the Save the Wetlands stalwarts? According to a recent report in the Los Angeles Times, a 1977 lawsuit filed by Save the Wetlands stopped a congressionally funded plan to protect New Orleans with a "massive hurricane barrier." A judge found that New Orleans' hurricane barrier would have to wait until the Army Corps of Engineers filed a better environmental-impact statement.

Letter to John Kerry

Following the speech by President George W. Bush, Thursday September 15, 2005 in New Orleans Louisiana, you criticized Bush, saying "Leadership isn't a speech or a toll-free number."

I suppose Senator Kerry that you know what leadership is. That you can spot leadership when you see it.  That you consider yourself to be a Leader.  Leadership is a process by which a person influences others to accomplish an objective and directs the organization in a way that makes it more cohesive and coherent. Leaders carry out this process by applying their leadership attributes, such as beliefs, values, ethics, character, knowledge, and skills.

I suppose John Kerry's idea of leadership is to throw someone else's medals over a fence to make a point. <sarcasm>

Senator,
History has taught us lessons we should not forget.

Standing up to terrorists, not appeasing them is the right thing to do.  
Neville Chamberlain declared, “Peace in our time”  (from a printed statement that Neville Chamberlain waved as he stepped off the plane on 30 September, 1938 after the Munich Conference had ended the day before.)


Appeasement is not the answer.

Pres. Reagan showed that standing up to the Soviets, face to face could defeat them. Trying to beat them by fighting in every little country and hamlet only led to Vietnam.  A war I believe you opposed.  John Kennedy stood up to the Soviets during the Cuban Missile Crisis.  Allowing them to place missiles in Cuba would have forever compromised our freedom.

Today our enemy is not Soviet Russia, but a gang of intolerant suicidal extremists, who would like nothing better than to see every one of your constituents die.

We must stand up to them. The question is: Do we fight them on their land or let them bring the fight to us. Do we allow them to kill our children in the streets of your districts?

We all know war is not pretty. That should be avoided if possible, but throughout this country’s history, great Americans, true leaders of this nation have understood that there is a time to fight. A time to “protect and defend the constitution of these United States.”

George Washington:
“My first wish is to see this plague of mankind, war, banished from the earth.”
“To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace.”

Thomas Jefferson:
I abhor war and view it as the greatest scourge of mankind.

Robert E. Lee:
“It is well that war is so terrible – lest we grow to fond of it”

General William Tecumseh Sherman:
(‘I’ve been where you are now and I know just how you feel. It’s entirely natural that there should beat in the breast of every one of you a hope and desire that some day you can use the skill you have acquired here.

‘Suppress it! You don’t know the horrible aspects of war. I’ve been through two wars and I know. I’ve seen cities and homes in ashes. I’ve seen thousands of men lying on the ground, their dead faces looking up at the skies. I tell you, war is hell!’  November, 18, 1933. )

Senator Kerry, following the killing of over 3000 innocent civilians you said "September 11th was our generation's Pearl Harbor."

Did you say this because it was popular at the time, or because you believed it.

Look Mabel, gas for under $2.

OOOPS! That would be for a half gallon of gas.

U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu (D-La.)

Quick, Before She Deletes It: Senator Landrieu's Own Website Puts Onus On Local Authorities For Immediate Response

DISASTER ASSISTANCE
Emergency management operations for disasters include three phases: preparedness, response, and recovery. In the preparedness phase, state and local governments administer emergency preparedness programs with ongoing activities to help ensure that they are ready to respond to disasters. The Louisiana Department of Emergency Preparedness is responsible for all initial damage assessment prior to federal involvement.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) partially funds disaster assistance and emergency preparedness programs. Victims whose immediate needs are not met by voluntary relief organizations, such as the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, can register with FEMA.
Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) emergency loans are made to eligible farmers, ranchers, and aquaculture operators for losses arising from natural disasters. To be eligible for an emergency loan, farmers must carry crop insurance.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) lends money to victims of floods, riots or other catastrophes to repair or replace disaster damaged property. Direct loans are made to small businesses and agricultural cooperatives which are unable to obtain credit elsewhere and which have substantial economic injury resulting from natural disasters.
Contact: Office of Emergency Preparedness
P. O. Box 44217
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
(504) 342-5470

The same people demanding pictures of the dead in New Orleans and the caskets at Dover, Delaware have been successful in keeping pictures of people jumping from the WTC and their crushed bodies off the air because they might inflame the people.

State reports two deaths linked to EEE virus

BOSTON (AP) — State public health officials said Tuesday that two residents of southeastern Massachusetts have died from the mosquito-borne virus eastern equine encephalitis.

Katrina Aftermath

"Why did it take five days for Bush to help" has been the mantra voiced constantly by all the "Talking Heads" on TV. Here are the reasons.

1. It is against the law for any President to order troops into a city or across state lines without a request and permission from the Governor of that state. "Federal law prevents the President from sending in the National Guard until the Governor gives the order. It is little known, but the Commanding General of the National Guard in every state reports to the Governor, not the President, until the Governor says otherwise. US military units (regular Army, not the Guard) cannot be used because of the Posse Comitatus law, until the Guard has been authorized." According to some news sources, the Governor of Louisiana who knew the levees were weak, who knew that the city had been slowly sinking and who knew that a major # 5 hurricane was approaching her city did not call Washington for help.

2. The Mayor of New Orleans did call for evacuation over a loud-speaker, but did nothing to be sure that the police went door-to-door followed by transportation to pick up all those who did not have cars or any ability to leave. There was no other leadership practiced by the mayor as there had been in New York City during 9/11 by Mayor Giuliani.

3. The hurricane veered east and saved New Orleans, Brian Williams announced a week ago and all breathed a sigh of relief until, the levies broke a day or two later allowing the surrounding waters to pour into the city.

4. It was this predicted levee failure, which had been ignored for so long that doomed the local people to be held hostage in their attics or on rooftops, not the storm. It was also the failure of the local bureaucrats and local elected leaders to maintain law and order and to have pre-arranged for complete evacuations of the city. It was only after a request went out to the President that troops could be sent in. Can you imagine the anti-Bush media screaming that Bush had invaded Louisiana as he had done in Iraq if he had done this before being asked? I can just imagine The New York Times headlining, "A Repeat of Shock and Awe by Bush!"

Does FEMA have problems? Maybe so - but FEMA is also constrained by law from providing help that's not asked for by the local authorities. OTOH - there were troops inserted on Friday - meaning it took just 3 days from the time the levees broke - NOT the week that the media has sometimes bounced around. If there's confusion about who controls those troops, then the blame falls squarely on Blanco because while she "may" control the LA Guard, once she asks for National Guard troops from other states she has no authority whatever over those troops - only the Feds get that authority - by law. And if she hasn't given up control of the LA National Guard to the Feds, then she's causing a lot of confusion in the command structure. And in this situation, that leads to more deaths. It's a "control issue" that has nothing to do with Bush.

The American Thinker has thoughtful articles regarding the left's hypocrisy in blaming Bush for the New Olrans catastrophie.

Remember, that many of the same people who are now saying the National Guard is too important to waste on American security overseas, a year ago were insisting that George W. Bush was a bum for serving in the Texas Air National Guard while “war hero” John Kerry was in Vietnam.

Katrina: Why Didn't Nagin Follow His Own Plan?

daybydaycartoon.com

Redsox 5, Orioles 1

I went to the Redsox game yesterday at Fenway Park. It was an unbeleivably beautiful day for a ball game. 73 degrees at game time and a slight breeze blowing out to the Green Monster in left field. The Sox got a tremendous outing from Pitcher David Wells, and a 3 run blast from their new power slugging first baseman John Olerud.

My best friend J. T. , treated myself and his cousin, to the game. After meeting at 9am and traveling the 90 miles to Boston, we were able to find a free on street parking spot for free. Thus avoiding an up to $50 fee to park.

I split a pizza with JT at Uno's before the game. It was their new Farmer's Market pizza - an all veggie deep dish pie that was really good despite having eggplant in it. You could really taste all the ingredients and the best pizza crust in the world was perfect. We also split an order of boneless buffalo wings. They were tasty and not too spicy hot. Many hot wing lovers however may find them not hot enough for their tastes, but I like it when the heat doesn't mask the flavor.

We also watched some of the players arrive. Most in BMW's or Mercedes.
When we went into the park, I was patted down. (That's a cell phone in my pocket, buddy)

We had obstructed view seats in the last row behind the section 18 post. But hey, I wasn't paying so I'm not complaining. I had plenty of fun, and it was great to be back at Fenway at all. I hadn't been to a game for a couple of years. I liked the changes they have made. The new Green Monster seating above the left field wall and terrace behind sec#17. All I had at the game was a frozen lemonade (like a popsicle) for $3. A bit expensive, but it sure was what I needed at the time.

Another Awesome Laptop

Toshiba Qosmio G25-AV513 - AVPC Laptop

Check out user comments

Notebook PC - Product of the Week
an incredible notebook PC that includes dual hard drives for 120GB of recording space and 1GB of memory.

PC Magazines Review
"We can't remember the last time we were this impressed with a laptop."

Comparison Shopping

Things I like about it:
I love the 17" monitor. My eyes aren't what they used to be.
The huge HD. Loads of pics and mp3 storage.
RAM: 1024 MB. Lots of speed. Zoom, zoom.


Things I don't like about it:
High Price. Almost $3000.00
Weight. Yeah it's heavy, but it's not that bad using it on the couch. :)
Short Batt Life. That's what ext. cords are invented for.

Not that I really have any hope of getting one, short of winning the lottery. I just love to dream.
On nice days I could sit outside and surf the news wires, work on my journal and drink ice tea.

As Jesse embarks on his own Ceremonial tour

BREITBART.COM - Just The News: "'Today, as the President comes to Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi for his ceremonial trip to look at the victims of the devastation, he would do well to have a plan more significant than a ceremonial tour,' Jackson said Friday. "

More Caffeine Info

Tips : Q: How important is it to avoid caffeine and can I have a diet coke every once in awhile? : Food Network

George: That's a tough question since I have been known to have the occasional cup of coffee. Actually, I'm a coffee drinker: I worship the ground it's grown on!

Unfortunately, caffeine has been known to slow weight loss on low carb. I did not experience such side effects, although this might not be the case for some people since caffeine affects everyone differently.

You are the best judge of your body. If you think it is slowing your weight loss on low carb, it just may be!

"Keep On Low Carbin’!"

George

Caffeine, Whatcha gonna do?

What is it about caffiene? One day it's bad for you and the next day it is good.
I have some problems with caffiene myself. If I have ANY during the day, even just one cup of coffee in the morning, I am unable to sleep at night. Even though I feel quite sleepy and physically exhausted, I will lie there awake. My brain continues to wander about thinking about anything and everything and nothing at all.

I have read that caffiene is good for your liver. That it helps metabolize the toxins in your liver faster.

Studies have associated coffee drinking with a reduced risk of liver and colon
cancer, type two diabetes and Parkinson's disease. But Prof Vinson urged
moderation, recommending that people drink only one or two cups per day. He
added: "Unfortunately, consumers are still not eating enough fruits and
vegetables, which are better for you from an overall nutritional point of view."

Caffeine FAQ's
Caffieine Trivia
An Alternate POV

Are you dependant on caffeine? Click to read what The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine has to say about caffeine.

Caffeine is the most commonly used mood-altering drug in the world. Caffeine is found in numerous plants, the most widely consumed being coffee, tea, cola nut, cocao pod, guarana, and maté. It is estimated that in North America between 80 and 90 percent of adults and children habitually consume caffeine. About 15% of the general population report having stopped caffeine use completely, citing concern about health and unpleasant side effects.

This author agrees with the perjorative view of caffeine.
Caffeine Blues : Wake Up to the Hidden Dangers of America's #1 Drug

Psychology Today says: Don't expect the pendulum to stop swinging any time soon when it comes to the verdict about caffeine

What’s a person to Think?

I Hope this never happens

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Robert Redford may soon be reunited on screen with Paul Newman but don't expect a sequel to "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" or "The Sting," which paired one of Hollywood's most popular double acts three decades ago.
Media reports earlier this year suggested the two would pair up in an adaptation of Bill Bryson's travel book "A Walk in the Woods," the story of the author's hike through the American wilderness with a friend.



As a long distance hiker (or former Long Distance Hiker) I hope they do NOT make this movie. The book, although funny at times, does not give a true picture of an Appalachian Trail Thruhike.


I am a member of the
Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association.
though I no longer do any hiking due to my health issues. This is a fanatastic group of people who love to go hiking for more than just a weekend.

Remind me to tell you of my "Hike along the AT" in 1998 sometime.

But only if I get pushed into it....

Transplants: The Gift of Life - Liver Health Information - The American Liver Foundation

Transplants: The Gift of Life - Liver Health Information - The American Liver Foundation

How can I open a Liver Transplant Fund account?

To open an account, simply contact the American Liver Foundation at 1-800-GO-LIVER (800-465-4837) ext. 224.

Barking Moonbat Early Warning System

Hilarious site! Satire at its best...

oops, I better be careful, satire by conservatives can be considered hate speech.

In every satire (joke) there is an element of truth.

Just taking a break from my nap.

Happened to hear Rush today, and for the first time, and I don't know why, I sent him off an email. He was discussing or rather ranting of the left's problem with John Roberts nomination to the Supreme Court.
Oh well we all do silly things.

Text of email:

Ted Kennedy is Catholic!
The liberals main man, Ted Kennedy is also catholic. How can they then use his religion to deride Roberts.

How about Roberts right to privacy.
The left cherish a woman's right to her privacy, but would deny Roberts his right to privacy of his own personally deeply held beliefs

My Health Issues

I had Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) at birth in 1957. Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) is a disorder of the blood. Antibodies, part of the body's immunologic defense against infection, attach to blood platelets, cells that help stop bleeding, and cause their destruction.

Becaue of this, I received many blood transfusions as a child. Too numerous for me to know exactly, but I can confidently say it was dozens. Before the age of Two I had a Splenectomy (removal of the spleen). This led to my aquiring another blood disorder Hepatitis C (HCV). It took the next thirty years to slowly destroy my liver. As a result of Cirrhosis caused by the HCV. I required a Liver transplant in October of 2004.

The transplant was a success, but I am still dealing with the effects of the treatment I am taking for the HCV which still inhabits my system.
I am taking Peg-Intron.

It is not unusual to experience side effects to HCV therapy within six to eight hours of injection. The most common side effect of HCV therapy is mild-to-moderate "flu-like" symptoms - fever, headache, and muscle aches. This combination of effects is also called "flu-like syndrome". These symptoms are very likely to appear at the start of therapy and can be treated. The good news is that, as the body gets used to therapy, some of the symptoms usually lessen after a few weeks.

I have been on therapy (tx) for 11 weeks now and still I feel the above effects after taking the treatment. This is very discouraging for me, as well as making me extremely weak and tired all the time.

I am experiencing all of these symptons.

1. Depression.
2. Impatience.
3. Restlessness.
4. Inability to relax.
5. Difficulty concentrating.
6. Trouble sleeping.
7. Lack of enjoyment of things or activities once enjoyed.

I am being treated by the best doctors in the world. The Liver team at Lahey Clinic in Burlington, MA. I am exceptionally lucky to be under their care.

Frustrating Night Turns Fruitful

Sox win in 10th as Manny gounds out to record game winning RBI

Boston Red Sox : Game Wrapup
Sox win 4-3 over Angels.
Schilling gets 5th win.

My Fantacy machine

HPshopping.com

Maybe in my next life.

CNET Review.

Apple Pickin Time Soon

Ah... Soon it will be pickin time.
Love homemade Apple Pie.

Photo Test

Meet George Jetson

Just testing this crazy thing.

Terrible, terrible, terrible

Terrible, terrible, terrible

Tired, weak, exhausted, that’s how I feel. I will probably sit at this desk all afternoon because I am too weak to get up. I am, almost too weak to type. I wont be responsible for anything I may write.

I hate grammar checkers, spell checkers are ok. But I don’t always know how to correct my grammar. I am not an English major. Can barely get by sometimes. Hmmm, incoherent thoughts and incomplete sentences. Or is it incomplete thoughts and incoherent sentences. Anyone trying to make sense of this has their work cut out for themselves. I guess we all know what to expect from this now.

On better days I would hope to make more sense. But here I am just going to try to be a truthful as possible.

Let’s jump right in with eyes wide shut shall we.

Is this blog about politics: You bet.
Is it just about politics: NO

It will be my daily rants and raves and the usual drivel found in such blogs. I will rail and scream at times and other times I will sulk and wallow in my own misery. I am an everyman, I am an individual, I am the very model of a person living in “quiet desperation” (see, http://eserver.org/thoreau/walden1a.html)

I live in Massachusetts; I have a love/hate relationship with the state. I love the geographic location, hate the politics. Love the weather, hate the weather. Love the REDSOX, hate the Yankees. (This is a birthright handed down to me for 2 generations.)
Love to hike, can’t walk around the block.

I am a very flawed person. Let me get that right out in the open. I think most bloggers think very highly of themselves. Its almost part of the job description. So, maybe I am not cut out to do this. But, I gotta do something when I can’t sleep, which is often. I have opinions like everyone else. Some slightly liberal, most would call them conservative. I mostly vote republican, but have been known to support democrats. I am a very confused flawed person.

My opinions are flexible. That’s right I bend in the wind. I am a product of my experiences. So are you. Aren’t we all? As I have new experiences, gain more knowledge; realize I am being lied to, I adjust my opinion accordingly. And, I hope you do too.
What do I mean by this? Well, I try to look at things with a skeptical eye. Say to myself, “where is this information coming from” can I trust it. Is it biased? Of course it’s biased. This little rant here is biased to my opinion. Anyone will be speaking to his or her bias. Why not? That’s what opinions are after all. So don’t expect me to take a stand one day and never change. I will listen, read, watch, then filter information thru my experience filter and adjust it accordingly.

Yes, I am a very flawed person, who is wrong much of the time, but always seeking the truth, or a truth I can live with. Huh? What does that mean? To use a cliché, at the end of the day, I have to be able to sleep at night…. Hey, maybe that’s why I can’t sleep… Naw.

Is this blog about politics: You bet.
Is it just about politics: NO
It will be my daily rants and raves and the usual drivel found in such blogs.

It’s about me and my daily struggle to keep my sanity in an insane world. I think I am losing the battle. I am sure that will be self evident in these pages.

Are you still here? You are a glutton for punishment. Don’t you have a life?

What’s on my mind today?
My own weariness.
My desire to follow thru with something.
What’s the matter with the REDSOX?
I hope to some day make sense here (see above).

Now lets see how this works, and try to get it on-line. I am technically inclined but cognitively handicapped, literally and figuratively. Please bear with me.

I once taught myself html in the mid 90’s, but have fallen behind the curve and lack the desire at this time to bring myself up to speed. I sure hope I don’t need lots of geek knowledge to keep this going.