self indulgence is not a bad thing

Now my Mom is ill

2009-03-02T11:41:00.001-08:00

The most indestructible woman on the planet. The one who has nine lives. The one who has lived through multiple car accidents, rare diseases like Ludwig's Angina, renal failure, double pneumonia, already went into and then out of a nursing home from age 58 to 60, is sick. This time, it is probably for real.

But if there is a 1% chance that anyone lives through this nasty organism in her lungs "Pseudomonas Aeruginosa", it will be Yvonne King Wood. I was just down in Texas for a visit. She is pretty thin and pretty tired. She can hardly walk. But she will be damned if she doesn't get her cigarettes. She is also quite unapologetic about it, and does not care to try to quit. Like everything else she does, it is her call for sure.

SMUdents Unite Again May 3, 2008 at Connie's House

2008-04-26T08:13:00.000-07:00

We are looking forward to the big Cinco de Mayo party at Con's. Those who RSVPed will avoid the payback of the more frightening photos that have not YET been posted to this blog. But we can post this one for now, as a threat, a promise and a joke :)

And more broken rules (you know who you are)

2006-05-31T19:46:00.000-07:00

Blah, Blah, Blah... more rules that many of us broke routinely... this is the edited version, there are many other rules

From SMU Handbook-

Situations in which persons cannot make free and informed decisions to engage in sexual behavior such as unconsciousness, being asleep or disabled by drugs/alcohol constitute sexual conduct without consent.
Public Urination.
Endangering the safety of others or violating their rights.
Individual or group activities that intentionally or recklessly cause serious disturbance or distress to others.
Gambling: under no circumstances are students permitted to gamble on University property

Refusal to vacate a building, street, sidewalk, driveway or other facility of the University when directed to do so by an authorized officer of the University having just cause to order the evacuation; failure to evacuate for a fire alarm or re-entry prior to return signal.

Intentional possession or use on University property of a dangerous article or substance as a potential weapon, or of any article or substance that could injure or discomfort any person;

Starting a fire, participating in an unauthorized fire;
Intentionally false reporting of a fire; intentionally false reporting of a bomb or other explosive having been placed in any University building or elsewhere on University property; tampering with fire-fighting or fire alert equipment.

Falsifying information submitted to any University office or agency; offering a false statement in any University disciplinary proceeding.

Deliberate disobedience or resistance of an identified University official acting in the line of duty.

Using, or attempting to use, University property in a manner inconsistent with its designated purpose. Includes possession of/misuse of residence hall furniture, University property, etc.
Intentional or reckless damage to or destruction of University property or of property on University premises belonging to others. Includes graffiti, destroying/removing advertisements.
Littering.
Trespassing or unauthorized entry.
Intentional or reckless interference with any class, other University function, or campus activity by means of noise, projectiles, or other form of disturbance or disruption.
Rioting, or aiding, abetting, encouraging, or participating in a riot or rioting, or inciting a riot, including food fights, when conduct occurs on University property or in the course of a University activity.

Violation of residence halls rules and regulations.
Violation of civil law.
Conduct that is made a crime by the criminal law of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or of the United States of America and that takes place on University property or in the course of University activity.
Guest Policy
Quiet Hours
Aiding or abetting any conduct described above.

Which of these rules was not broken by third floor green?

2006-05-31T19:15:00.000-07:00

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Student Code of Conduct
Code of Conduct Policy

I. General

Presumably, students working toward degrees are mature, responsible, and committed to preparing themselves for their professions. One manifestation of that maturity is a highly-developed sense of self-respect coupled with an equally high regard for the rights and privileges of others and for the rules that regulate society.

It is hoped that students realize the extent to which personal growth depends upon the development of self-discipline and the exercise of it in getting along well with others and maintaining high standards of honesty and moral conduct. Therefore, although minimal rules exist so as to create the atmosphere for a truly liberal education, all students are expected to act in a way that does not infringe upon the rights of others or upon the educational process.

The university respects the laws and ordinances of the civil jurisdiction within which it lies. The university does not stand in loco parentis for its students, nor is the campus to be considered a sanctuary from civil law.

II. Unacceptable Conduct

Students found guilty of unacceptable conduct will be subject to the complete range of sanctions and penalties provided in the Student Judicial Code. Conduct, occurring on or off campus, that violates generally accepted standards of good behavior and is adverse to the University’s purpose or interests or presents a danger to the health and safety of the University community may be subject to discipline. The University has special concern for incidents in which students are subject to physical assault or harassment because of membership in a particular racial, religion, gender, ethnic, cultural, or sexual orientation group.

Unacceptable conduct includes, but is not limited to:

Violation of alcohol regulations. (See Alcohol and Drug Policy)
Use, possession, or distribution of illegal and/or dangerous drugs. (See Alcohol and Drug Policy)

And here are the rules about cleaning...

2006-05-31T19:02:00.000-07:00

Services

Cleaning Services and Equipment

"Lobbies and multi-purpose areas are cleaned periodically during the week.Bathrooms within each wing are cleaned at least twice each week. The cleaning of student rooms and the common area is the responsibility of the students who reside there. This includes proper placement of refuse in the receptacles provided, bagging of all trash, and prompt removal of trash to a designated trash room."

All I can think of is that poor woman who cleaned our building- was it... Bev?

When my Dad came to pick me up at the end of my freshman year, he went into the "Green Swamp", basement suite to use the facilities. Someone had gone into the bathroom and bowled a bowling ball into the toilets (smashing them of course). He really hated that, just couldn't understand it...

This is what they now call our former dorms

2006-05-31T18:54:00.000-07:00

How Stupid is This? The Colors Weren't Good Enough?????

From the Website:

Chestnut Hall, was built in 1971 and opened a year later. It has a basement, 3 floors and follows the suite style of living. Each floor contains a common area, which has a kitchenette, a dining area, and a living area for the residents to share. There are 2 bathrooms per suite (one with a bath/shower and one with a shower).

Chestnut Hall has 62 singles, 114 doubles, and 21 "A" room triples, and 9 quads for a total capacity of 389 residents.

Chestnut Hall was renovated the summer of 2003.

Suave Bob Packert

2006-05-31T04:35:00.000-07:00

I will be posting better ones of Bob, but by the look on Connie's face, he is charming her, like he charmed all of us. Bob is a successful photographer running a great business with his partner (business only) Sharon? White. Bob married Laurie Killim (spelling?) after college and lives in Danvers, I think. I hear they have a wonderful kid, Kyle. Back in the good old days, Bob was the one wearing the three piece white suits to go to disco night. Every girl crazy bout a sharp dressed man...

Hear No Evil? Speak No Evil? Come On!

2006-05-31T03:19:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite photos. Elaine is responsible for this one. On the left is a character not yet discussed, Tom Dickhaut. Another "Guy Across The Hall". He was a lot of fun (wink, wink), but, alas, he left a little early from the scene. That's Tim in the middle and Michael on the right.

Michael and Mela Dutka

2006-05-30T17:26:00.000-07:00

Michael Armstrong and Mela Dutka- she was another girl from our suite. This foggy picture is pure CLASS. A tribute to youth!

Nancy's Wedding

2006-05-30T17:15:00.000-07:00

I wish I could say that we all behaved well at this event, but I guess not. I know Connie often quotes me, as I apparently said to Mr. and Mrs. Mattila, Nancy's parents "And these aren't even a quarter of Nancy's friends". Hey they doesn't sound so bad to ME. But Con always says, "My roommate, fine upstanding symbol..." Of what? This is Con and the Liver, drinking through the wedding...

Remember Nancy's brother, Peter?

Elaine's roommate, Nancy

2006-05-30T16:58:00.000-07:00

Nancy Mattila. The person who is sitting to my right on the couch at Connie's Cape house. She was Elaine's roommate for the first two years. She was really nice to me. I liked her a lot. She was very mellow, but she was fun! She got married while we were in school (She must have just graduated), to a guy from her hometown (What was that town?) and I have heard a few updates about her life since SMU, as she sometimes corresponds with Elaine. It has been a tough few years for her health, etc., but I believe she is currently healthy, so I hope she reads this and chimes in! Nice photo, huh? Could we look any more...

Bad Attitude

2006-05-29T05:37:00.000-07:00

Michael Armstrong- looking pensive on the balcony of third floor green. This attitude was the precursor to a variety of bizarre behaviors, such as the "funeral" for a fish. We have photos of that and will be adding them. Michael is now a marine biologist, so his reverence for fish developed into a rewarding career.

Glen Foster

2006-05-29T05:19:00.000-07:00

Glen Foster = Neil Young Fanatic.
And since we all loved (and still love) Neil Young, it was always a pleasure to listen to every song that he ever recorded! Glen was a very cool guy. Low key, but absolutely would get involved in the mayhem whenever he was available. And his brother David is one of the funniest guys in the world- he was also a SMUdent. I don't have a photo of Dave from that period, so I will have to scan some of Connie and Elaine's photos. The song that reminds me most of Glen is:

TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT
-------------------
Tonight's the night, tonight's the night
Tonight's the night, tonight's the night
Tonight's the night, tonight's the night
Tonight's the night, tonight's the night.

Bruce Berry was a working man
He used to load that Econoline van.
A sparkle was in his eye
But his life was in his hands.

Well, late at night when the people were gone
He used to pick up my guitar
And sing a song in a shaky voice
That was real as the day was long.

Tonight's the night, yes it is, tonight's the night
Tonight's the night, yes it is, tonight's the night.

Early in the mornin' at the break of day
He used to sleep until the afternoon.
If you never heard him sing
I guess you won't too soon.

'Cause people let me tell you
It sent a chill up and down my spine
When I picked up the telephone
And heard that he'd died out on the mainline.

Tonight's the night, tonight's the night
Tonight's the night, tonight's the night.

Bruce Berry was a working man
He used to load that Econoline van.
Well, early in the morning at just about the break of day
He used to sleep until the afternoon.

Tonight's the night, yes it is, tonight's the night
Tonight's the night, tonight's the night
Tonight's the night, tonight's the night
Tonight's the night, tonight's the night.

Liver

2006-05-26T05:13:00.000-07:00

This is Don "Liver" Livesy! Doing "The Liver Dance"- only done when he acheived a certain blood alcohol level. He was a very studious guy, with a great stereo system. He was somewhat less cruel than the others... but could be enlisted to the type of "mob mentality" we feared in the girls suite. This photo was taken at Connie's Cape house in 1977. In an odd turn of events, Liver and I shared two apartments on Beacon Hill in the early 1980s! I forget how we got together at that time. We were very compatible roommates as I recall. I know he is living in Northern California with his wife, Kit, and two adorable children. He never writes, he never calls... we need his e-mail address, damn it. A couple of things I specifically remember about Liver, is that he had a girlfriend with the name "Mullette?"- not sure if that was spelled correctly. But the guys had a lot of fun with the name... and I remember a night where Liver, Tim, Elaine and I (and maybe Michael?) took a drive over the Bourne Bridge late one night, driving recklessly and laughing hysterically. Stupid kids! We could be arrested, or dead- but we did not comprehend such things. In fact, I relished the idea that I was an emancipated girl, no parents paying, so if something happened, nobody ever had to know. But nothing did. It WAS the late 70's, there was much less concern for those issues then. It was the best time to be alive.

The Guys Across The Hall

2006-05-25T07:25:00.000-07:00

This innocent looking guy is Tim Fox. He looks nice enough, doesn't he? But he could be mischievous...
Who were these guys? Why were they so arrogant? There was not a "sensitive" one among them. Why did they believe that they could abduct Connie and Elaine and have their way with them? They terrorized us, yet we were strangely drawn to them. They had great taste in music. They were generally filthy in their habits- and they were "available", and so were we, and proximity did the rest. I don't mean to underestimate the influence of alcohol etc. etc. etc., the legal drinking age was 18. This did play a role. You may notice this in some of the photos. But there was a strange "tribalism" among these boys/men... Tim Fox, Don "Liver" Livesy, Bob Packert, Michael Armstrong, Glen Foster, Tom Dickhaut and others who will be added and discussed later (Sean, Delude, Wild Bill). There were those who came before I was there, but I did meet them too. John Natz and Stew Dick among them. There were the legends I never met, like "Big Glen". Please comment on others, we would not want to miss anyone... but they were a strange breed, these guys, very strange.

The Scene of the Crimes

2006-05-24T19:20:00.000-07:00

Coed dormitories. Heaven. Unsupervised and immature. Without care or worry (not much anyway). Getting an education????? Define education :)

"Fire....I'll teach you to Burn!"

2006-05-24T15:48:00.000-07:00

These two attractive young college students are literally playing with fire. Don't try this at home. Only at Connie's house down the Cape. This is the lovely Elaine and the handsome and charming Michael. They did live to tell the tales, and oh, what tales to tell... I mentioned in my earlier post, that we lived in a suite of 10 girls. Well, there was a suite of 10 guys across the hall. This combination naturally led to some hijinx and some high times...

"There once was a girl name Connie..."

2006-05-23T17:32:00.000-07:00

Well, I was so, so, so wrong about Ms. Lowell from Wellesley. She arrived in our suite a day or 2 after I did. The freshmen came in first. As soon as she got there, guys were throwing rocks at our window and yelling for Connie. She was easygoing, constantly laughing and best of all, she had a stereo, a small refrigerator and a TV. We happened to have matching bedspreads! IT WAS FATE. And our room became party central. Connie was everybody's friend. I was only right about the prep part in clothing. Connie had more perfect turtlenecks and fair isle sweaters than a Talbot's warehouse. But she was the coolest.

And "you may ask yourself-well...how did I get here?"

2006-05-23T16:54:00.000-07:00

It all started back in high school. I was going to Randolph High, and I met a boy from Norwood, Steve Phalen. We met because his Dad and my stepmother worked together. I was 16. I started hanging around Norwood. It was a FUN TOWN. For once my parents were not watching me like hawks. I met Steve's friends, one of whom was Elaine Baglione. We would double date wearing our rabbit fur jackets, she was dating Steve's best friend Tim Bernard. We would leave the boys at the movies and go to the ladies room and smoke cigarettes, and look at pictures of Elaine's brother Frank's friends. We began a friendship that endures to this day. Elaine was a year older than I, and she chose to go to SMU. So did Steve's sister Ann. When it came time for me to go, I thought, here is a place I already know a couple of people... why not? I was accepted to begin in the fall of 1977. Elaine had a roommate already, so I requested to be in her suite (5 bedrooms, 2 girls to each room, 2 bathrooms and a living area). I was randomly placed with Constance Lynn Lowell of Wellesley. I balked at the idea of living with a person who might be a "prep", but what could I do? Was I in for a surprise...

"I'm never goin back to my old school"- But I am!

2006-05-23T16:35:00.000-07:00

I think that a few posts about my Alma Mater, Southeastern Massachusetts University (SMU) are in order about now. I have been scanning photos of all my fellow "green" buddies, and I will do my best not to harm anybody's career with the more, ahem, "controversial" photos... If you were a part of this mess at any point in the late 70's and early 80's, send a photo along. Alert others who may be interested. This is the sordid tale of some nice college kids trying to get an education....

Final List of Worst Songs (but we can really add to it)

2006-05-06T20:28:00.000-07:00

While receiving much attention and great contributions to this compilation, some of the friends on my e-mail list have politely requested that we stop the "reply all" e-mailing about this topic. There were 58 e-mails (now 59) generated by this question "Worst Song?". So, feel free to keep e-mailing only me all you want and I will add to the list! I will also post this on my blog where anyone can propose an addition www.her-giant-id.blogspot.com I have included the contributors names so full credit for each horrible ditty is properly credited, and a couple of extras from the article that started it all...

Final List of Worst Songs (as of May 6, 2006 anyway) Over 40 so far! by Song, Band/Artist and Contributor

"Escape" (The Pina Colada Song) - Deb Wood
"Carry On Our Wayward Son" Kansas - Deb Wood
"The Night Chicago Died" Paper Lace - Deb Wood
"Run, Joey, Run" Jack Perricone - Anita Leary
"Brand New Key" Melanie - Anita Leary
"Lonely Boy" Andrew Gold - Tim Fox
"Don't Give Up On Us" David Soul - Kathy Jenal
"Feelings" - Bobby Vincent - Scott Lindberg (Lester Miserables) and Patricia Dennis
"Havin My Baby" Paul Anka - Scott Lindberg (Lester Miserables)
"Baby don't get hooked on me" Mac Davis - Lisa Knox
"Dancing on the Ceiling" - Lionel Richie - Lisa Knox
"Sailing" - (or anything by) Christopher Cross - Lisa Knox
Any song from the movie "Flashdance" sucks. - Lisa Knox
"Next time I fall" Peter Cetera - Lisa Knox
"Against All Odds" and "Sussudio" Phil Collins - Lisa Knox
"You Make Me Feel Like Dancin" Leo Sayer - Lisa Knox
"Total Eclipse of the Heart" Bonnie Tyler - Lisa Knox
"The Hook" Blues Traveler - Lisa Knox
"Ballroom Blitz" Sweet - Connie Theroux
"Rock the Boat" Hues Corporation - Connie Theroux
"Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown" Jim Croce - Connie Theroux
"Alone again, Naturally" Gilbert O'Sullivan - Elaine Fox
"Walkin' My Cat Named Dog" Norma Tanega - Jan Crocker (Dr. Felix Kruell)
"Midnight at the Oasis" Maria Muldaur - Melinda Coppola
"Jump" Van Halen - Daniel Fonte
"Lady in Red" Chris DeBurgh - Leslie McKenna
"We Didn't Start the Fire" Billy Joel - Tom Maguire
"Precious and Few" Climax - Albert O
"Sugar, Sugar" Archies - Nancy Lynch
"MacArthur Park" Richard Harris or Donna Summer - Patricia Dennis
"Free Bird" Lynard Skynard - Patricia Dennis
"Stairway to Heaven" Led Zeppelin - Patricia Dennis
"My Dad" Paul Peterson - Tim Mougenot
"Lady of Spain" (in all of its nauseating permutations ) - Tim Mougenot
"Frankenstein" Edgar Winter Group - Kim Wood
"Lights" Journey - Kim Wood
"You Light Up My Life" - Debby Boone - Norm Finkelstein
"Bluebird" Paul McCartney (with very few exceptions, any post-beatle paul mccartney "song.") - David Sallen
"Jack and Diane" John Mellencamp - not sure who suggested this, but it is certainly appropriate
"Honey" Bobby Goldsboro - CNN Reviewer
"We Built This City" Jefferson Starship - Blender Magazine Worst Song Ever
"Afternoon Delight" Starland Vocal Band - CNN article
"Achy Breaky Heart" Billy Ray Cyrus - CNN Article
"In the year 2525" - Zager and Evans - Dave Barry

Adoption of 2 Bundles of Joy

2006-04-29T04:43:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I went to the North Attleboro Animal Shelter on a whim, and came home with two lovely young ladies- Cinder and Terri. Cinder is under two years old and is described as "gray with cream totoise shell" kitty. She is very petite. Terri is under a year old and is a black semi-angora cat, also on the small side. These two are just what I needed and wanted, and I have a perpetual smile on my face! They are loving and sweet and Cinder slept on my chest awhile last night, which is what I loved about Cat 1.

Kitty, Rest in Peace 2/7/06

2006-02-09T23:05:00.000-08:00

I had to take Cat 1 back to the emergency vet and he was admitted. Turned out that he had really severe infections that were not getting better due to his failing immune system. The only options were very painful and stressful procedures that sounded like they would make things worse.

So I went to the vet after Cat 1 spent the night and had surgery. He was alert and seemed fine although they had shaved a lot of his fur and he had stitches and drains. I held him and patted him and he gave me some lovin' and they administered the injection. He just fell asleep in my arms and died right then. He was a great cat and I will always miss him and love him.

To comfort myself I have been looking at the photos of the cats for adoption at the local shelter. I am not ready yet, but later I will want another kitty. The house feels so empty.

Cat 1

2006-02-03T14:00:00.000-08:00

Thank God it is now officially the Year of the Dog, as I have HAD IT with cats. After the attack from my mother's Texas feral cat, "Mama", I was aleady feeling a little wary. Then my poor cat had what I thought was a stroke, and when I took him home from the emergency vet visit, I thought I would observe him to see how he did with that. Yesterday he looked much worse, so I took him to the regular vet. I was sure I was coming back without him, and I was very emotional. But lo and behold...

I am back and I have the cat. He had been bitten on the neck/shoulder and had a raging infection. His rabies vaccinations were up to date, but they still warn that it could be rabies (he had symptoms). So now he will be medicated and I have to apply compresses the rest of the day. If he responds to the antibiotics, he is fine. If not, he has to be euthanized to check for rabies, and he bit me last week and broke the skin. This is when I touched the painful area. So I sure hope he does not have rabies.

At least they don't give the shots in your stomach anymore.

What a difference 6 weeks makes...

2006-01-17T19:05:00.000-08:00

Since my last post, I returned from Texas, came down with some flu thing, went through the holidays, returned to Texas to tend to my mother (pneumonia or worse), returned to Massachusetts and got the same flu thing yet again. I am now dreaming of the Caribbean. I just got an ad from Windjammer Barefoot Cruises for one week for $399. That sounds so good to me now.

I remember my first Windjammer cruise, almost ten years ago. I was terrified. I went with a guy I was newly dating, and I had no idea what I was getting myself into. The ship was the Flying Cloud, and held only 67 passengers. There were upper and lower berths in our cabin and the "head" had a shower head over the toilet and sink, guaranteeing that the whole bathroom got soaked. But after a wimpy and pasty white first day, I got into it. There is nothing like sailing on a tall ship built in the 1920s, a squarerigger at that. And we sailed through the British Virgin Islands day after day.

Turquoise water, rum drinks, dancing at bars you had to get to via a "wet" landing. Only yachts could get there. I was hooked. I went on another one, this time on the Polynesia a couple of years later. That ship was similar, but held twice as many people and I went with my friend Leslie. We also made a lifelong buddy, Lucy from the UK. The Polynesia's itinerary included St. Maarten, St. Barts, St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla. Heaven on earth. I need to make a reservation- www.windjammer.com

Living in the Wild West

2005-12-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

This photo is taken at a wild west exhibit when I was about 2 or 3. The woman with my mother and me is my Grandmother, Dorothy Evans King. She raised me (along with Grandpa, Ones Presley King or O.P.) My mom and I went to live with them after the divorce. I now refer to her as 6-foot-tall Grandma, to differentiate her from any other grandmas. She was the third wife, fourth marriage (Grandpa married one of his wives twice) for O.P. King. Boy, could she cook! Cornbread and red beans and Grandpa making steaks- yum.

Yesterday, we went to the cemetery to visit their graves. My Grandpa actually has a figure of a football player on his cemetery marker (He was a huge Dallas Cowboys fan, of course). I took a photo of it for later. Only in Texas…

Throughout my childhood, and on subsequent visits, the Texas weather in the winter has always been temperate. From time to time it is cold, but usually in January and February. I have lots of photos of Christmas Day, me on a new bicycle, with no coat on.

Today it is 17 degrees with whipping wind, ice and snow (just a little, but that’s all it takes), and I did not bring a coat.

When I went to sleep last night there were only a few cars in the parking lot of the hotel. Now the parking lot is full. There were over 100 serious accidents yesterday during the evening commute, and there are already many this morning. They are closing all the off ramps and the public schools are closed.

They do not have salt for the roads, just dirt. Remember, W is from here. Can you say ‘unprepared’?

If I am lucky, I will stay in all day. We got most of the important things done through yesterday. Today I am going to enter all my mother’s medications into a database and select her suggested Medicare Part D plan. That is my good deed for the day. If it clears up, my mother wants to go to Wal-Mart, which I have so far managed to avoid, but I see no way out of that one.

Dick Wood

2005-12-06T21:36:00.000-08:00

And now, a few words about my late father, Dick Wood. My father was stationed at Perrin Airforce Base in Sherman, Texas in the late 1950s. He was always involved in acting, singing and public speaking, so he took a job as a Disc Jockey on the local top 40 station, KDSX AM. He was originally from Wollaston, Massachusetts and did later return there. This is why I am living in Massachusetts today. But I digress... My mother was working at the radio station writing ads and doing other clerical and support work when she met my dad. Knowing them both, I cannot imagine how they became a couple. Neither could they, apparently, as they divorced when I was 4 years old.

Today my mother and I went to Denison, Texas (birthplace of President Dwight D. Eisenhower) and we were in the old downtown area. Mom pointed to the old Rialto Theater, and said "Your Dad used to do Rock and Roll Shows there". Well, I was thrilled, as I have this photo and always wondered what the origin was. It was always a big deal for me as a child when my dad would send songs out to me on the radio. My favorites were "Downtown" by Petula Clark, and "The Addams Family Theme". Every year, we got to ride in the KDSX "Mobile News Unit" car with the big fins in the Christmas Parade in Sherman. I believe this is the reason I became such a groupie in general, and the reason I love having my celebrity Christmas cards each year. Oh, and this year is a good one, so keep looking for it in your maibox :)

Welcome to Texas, Love, Mama

2005-12-06T06:40:00.000-08:00

My mother and I have a sort of role reversal thing going on. But I still want her to take care of me in any little way she can. The limits of this are constantly being tested.

My mother lives in senior citizen housing. As part of the annual review of her lease and to assess her rent, we needed to bring her bank statements and a photo of her cat, along with proof of rabies vaccination. The cat’s name is “Mama” and my mother took her in as a feral cat. She has lived with her for 5 years.

Mom had borrowed a cat carrier and asked me to come over and put the cat in it so we could go to the vet. I told her that the cat did not know me, so it made more sense to me for her to do it, but she said that she could not, “That cat is too strong”. So I arrived at the apartment, where she had the cat in the bathroom with the door closed.

I entered, making sweet cat noises (kissing sounds) and saying “Come here kitty, it’s ok”- I picked up the cat, who was hiding in the shower. She went berserk.

I thought that I was good with cats. I am wrong about feral Texas cats. The cat shredded my hands and bit me repeatedly. I yelled to my mother to get me a towel. I tried to wrap the cat in it. Nothing worked. I was bleeding onto the floor at this point, and the cat gave me a final deep bite to my left pinkie finger. I gave up and let go.

I went into the bathroom and started furiously washing the scratches and bites with warm water and soap. My mother said “You will just explain to the Housing Authority”, I said “Mom! I need to some first aide here! I need to go to the doctor and get a tetanus shot! I’m hurt! The hell with the cat and the hell with the Housing Authority!”. She, equating the lack of a certificate with instant homelessness could not concentrate on my well being. And I, equating her lack of immediate sympathy for me as a sign that she did not care about me, escalated. I asked (yelling) her to get me a very clean towel and a bag of ice. “I don’t have any plastic bags”, she said.

“You have NO plastic bags? How is that possible?” She replied, “I have garbage bags, do you want one of those?” Trying to calm down, I said “Yes, mother, that will be fine”. Then the power went out to the complex. I could not see anything in the bathroom. We decided to leave, with my hands wrapped in a large, green garbage bag with 6 cubes of ice in the corner, and a towel.

We got into my rental car. Mom said “Before we go anywhere I need to get me some cigarettes”.

I told her that I did not care about the cigarettes, the cat or the Housing Authority. We drove to the walk-in clinic. They cleaned and dressed my hands, gave me a tetanus shot and a prescription for antibiotics. Much discussion about rabies ensued. The cat (through my brother’s efforts) has had a rabies vaccination every year. We left and went to the Housing Authority with my hands wrapped like a burn victim’s. They reminded us that we needed to come back with a photo of the cat and proof of vaccination. My mother remained worried about eviction.

I called my brother, Michael. He came over, picked the cat up by the scruff of the neck and put her in the carrier. We took her to the vet and nobody had any trouble with her, they clipped her nails and everything. This morning, I woke up with my left pinkie finger hot and numb. An interesting name for the cat: “Mama”.

My Mother

2005-12-05T07:01:00.000-08:00

As part of my visit to Texas this week, I am going back in time a bit to the formative years of both my mother and me.
My mother, Yvonne King Wood, is seen here in this photo when she was 16 years old. The unidentified date will forever remain a mystery. They are walking in El Paso, Texas, and this would be about 1952. I like this photo because my Mom seems confident to me, just walking along... also very pretty, I think.

these are the coolest (a small film which is true)

2005-12-04T08:36:00.000-08:00

http://www.snopes.com/photos/arts/xmaslights.asp

on the precipice of Texas

2005-12-02T18:03:00.000-08:00

You know what they say; "Texas: Its like a whole other country"

I prepare for going to Texas, and I am trying to come up with a list of things to do. Its not like Dallas isn't an interesting place, but Sherman is another story. Its so... limited? That is not really describing it the right way. I think it is best to try and describe it during the week I am there. Here is the list of things I can do to make it interesting:

Go to the Red River Museum
Eat good Mexican Food
Drive by my old neighborhood
Visit the antique stores downtown
Spend time with my nieces and nephew

And, take photos for this blog....

Kaligula

2005-11-27T16:55:00.000-08:00

Friends, Romans, Countrymen, Lend me your eyes! This is written by my good friend Tim Mougenot, an American expat living half the time in London and the other half in Paris. He left after selling everything he owned and taking the QE2 without a plan, as he was disillusioned with the political environment in the US, wisely seeing more problems coming. In fact, he left right before 911. We frequently correspond about all things political, and he used the very interesting term "Kristian Kaligula" in a recent e-mail. I requested that he define this further for posting here- read on....

KRISTIAN KALIGULA

He was a serial power abuser, descended from the first family of Rome, to whom the gods spoke, and who believed that he had become one of them shortly before his own praetorian guard got rid of him because he had pissed off everybody by wrecking the economy with senseless wars (i.e., national defence).

He made the fatal mistake of keeping on the old advisors (though he had little respect for his elders - he was decidedly impious) of his predecessor Tiberius, who he personally smothered with a pillow after a long investigation of the emperor's morals by a Special Prosecutor.

He was very moralistic about everyone else's behaviour, but no one dared to question his, he being divine. His divinity first occured to him at about the same time he gave up the pleasures of the vine, and turned his back on Bacchus. He created a very effective police state, and everyone was so scared of him that no scribe in Rome would write a word against him, and would only leak the names of spies on his say so. He was really into torture and very painful capital punishment.

He treated the Senate and all other Roman institutions with great disdain: he tried to make his horse Harrietus a Magistrate, and arrogated war powers to himself . He fancied himself to be a great warrior like his father, and liked to dress the part on triremes sometimes, though he had never seen battle. Fortunately, his father had been murdered (in a family spat), because if he had lived he might have ended up becoming friends and playing golf with Tiberius on Capri, if Tiberius hadn't been smothered.

His most famous military campaign was a very expensive invasion of Britain, from which he was to bring home treasure and many slaves. But he suffered from ennui while in Gaul (as one does), and came home with chests of seashells from the Normandy coast which he presented to the Senate as gifts from Neptune. Even the rich, who hadn't paid so much as a sesterce in taxes since he became emperor, thought this was a bit over the top since he brought back not one drop of olive oil.

Several years of bad harvests and natural disasters, and an incompetent official response, led to popular unrest. To take their minds off these problems, he spread rumours among the Roman people of imminent invasion by foreigners (i.e., turrists) and accused everyone who demurred (and whose money he wanted) with treason, and had them killed in interesting ways.

In an unusually sensible policy he persecuted the kristians, who were always on the lookout for martyrdom anyway (they were going through an identity crisis, not realising that they were kristians yet, and eating matzos and gefelte fish, which were not easy to find in ancient Rome).

He created a lot of bad feeling internationally, and made enemies far and wide: a lot of influential people in far-flung places began to wonder if they really wanted to be part of his empire after all. This caused diplomatic and trade problems for Rome for many decades after he had been put down - Syrians stopped eating gnocci burgers, for example, and the multinational corporations of the day were not happy.

As always with the assassinated, it appears that a lot of the hijinks with which his name have been associated were the invention of those who arranged or benefited from his removal, as though he weren't monster enough in his real life. He was much too busy building his powerbase, creating and killing enemies, power-biking, and going to bed at 9:00 p.m. to have time for such pleasures.

In fact, he seems to have been personally popular with the Roman people throughout his reign, seen as a straight-talker who got things done, and who kept them supplied with olive oil, kristians and lions fun and games, and glorious wars to bring civilisation to the less fortunate peoples of the world. The Romans, like all imperial peoples, liked to be assured that they were essentially nice and well-meaning, and would be on top of the world forever.

In short, he was a crazy, manipulative, piece of sociopathic work who rocked the boat big time until everyone, including the Senate and the Pentagonium, were in agreement that he had to go. He was succeeded by his Uncle Claudius who appears to have been a bit autistic. Despite a speech impediment, a limp, and his advanced years, Claudius proved to be quite popular just by being a relatively sane human being.

Any uncles in the house?

What was I thinking?

2005-11-24T11:05:00.000-08:00

I mentioned in my last post, that I was missing New Orleans for what it gave me in terms of carefree vacationing. Then I started to feel really bad about that comment. I am so lucky, and I know it. I will get back to NOLA as soon as I can to support them. Here is today's lead story from the fabled New Orleans newspaper,"Times Picayune".

'Times-Picayune' Writer Offers Special Thanks on Thanksgiving

By E&P Staff

Published: November 24, 2005 9:00 AM ET
NEW YORK On this Thanksgiving day, some people have more to be thankful for that others. Then there are people from New Orleans.

While they have much—-too much—-to complain about, they also have many who came to their aid after Katrina to thank. Dave Walker, the Times-Picayune writer, thanked a whole city today, opening his article with “Thank you, Baton Rouge.”

Then he explained: “In our time of meteorological crisis, you took us in and made us feel if not wholly at home, then reasonably comfortable in a home-away-from-home--right down the very congested road from home--home, such as it is.”

Here are more excerpts.

*
We know it wasn't easy for you.

We know we overloaded your schools overnight.

We know we pushed the line at Chili's out the door and into the parking lot. (And is that Mike Brown moving to the front of the line? Hey, no cuts, FEMA Boy!)

Thanks for not laughing at us when we called to ask if you had any (motel, apartment, trailer park, campground, youth hostel, retirement home) vacancies. At least not every time.

Thanks for the overwhelming generosity you demonstrated by making room for our kids in your day-care centers and schools. Also your jails.

Thanks for so efficiently refilling all of those Xanax prescriptions.

Thanks for letting us discover the differences between our cities, the things that make them so different, yet so similar; the things that make us siblings joined by a river, an interstate and a deep appreciation of fried food.

We noticed, for example, that your city has Jimmy Swaggart. Our city is where Jimmy Swaggart comes to party.

Many of your businesses close on Sunday. Many of our businesses are closed forever.

Huey P. Long's grave is a tourist attraction in your city. People cross the Huey P. Long Bridge to come to our city to visit the graves of Louis Prima, Ernie K-Doe and Marie Laveau.

The hippest sector of your town is located beneath an I-10 overpass. The people who populated the hippest sectors of our town are now populating Houston and Atlanta.

Thanks for not being Houston and Atlanta.

Thanks for Smiley Anders.

Thanks for giving some of our most important cultural institutions -- Magazine Street boutiques, the Saints, Galatoire's -- emergency second homes.

Thanks for letting us wander around in a daze. Sorry if we sometimes did that behind the wheel of a car.

Thanks for letting us grieve, frequently in public, for our former lives.

Thanks, Baton Rouge. It would be great if everyone in your city would join us the next time Mardi Gras comes around.
You may have to drive home to find a place to stay, but the invitation stands.

note to self: find a way to get out of here

2005-11-23T13:47:00.000-08:00

As I face the inevitable holidays, and a trip to Texas, I am wondering: How, realistically, can I go on vacation, and where will I go? Texas is not a vacation, it is a family visit to Wal-Mart country. That is the view I can see from my window at the luxurious Comfort Suites- a Wal-mart and an oil pump (you know, one of those rocking horse things). The entire week I will try to entertain my mother while avoiding spending any time in her apt. She is a heavy smoker.

My usual winter getaway was New Orleans. This is no longer a possibility, at least not this year. I need to go someplace where I feel free from worries and any need to take care of work projects. Key West? I am already bored of the Caribbean. I love Europe, especially Amsterdam, but it is cold there in the winter. I will take a mini-vacation or two to the casino in Ct., only an hour away, but that is brief. I can go to NYC to see David but it will be cold there too. I can go to Israel with Ami, but that is a LONG trip. And it also involves lots of family stuff, so not entirely carefree.

There is always San Francisco. I never really get tired of that- or maybe Hawaii? Another LONG trip. Where is it warm? Mexico? Aruba? Maybe. I want to have FUN, not just lay on the beach. New Orleans is a huge loss in this regard. Maybe Key West....

bush exit strategy

2005-11-21T08:05:00.000-08:00

bush exit strategy
will require real player

Pandemic Flu!!!!!!!

2005-11-21T00:09:00.000-08:00

Pandemic Flu Preparedness

As an Executive in a non-profit agency, I must frequently respond to requests/demands they make for information, but this was a new one on me. Not that I wasn't keeping up with the news, but when you have to write a plan things become more scary and real. I attended this training session recently and it was not very reassuring.

Notes:
Here is an overview of the training session I attended today. The Commonwealth, at the direction of the federal government, must submit this plan. EOHHS is working with MEMA on the plan.

We have been directed to submit a statement that we have a completed plan, using their guidelines. This plan must be signed by the CEO, the Chairperson of the Board and the person who developed the plan by December 2, 2005 (an extension from the original date). The people signing will do so electronically through a website.

They (MEMA and EOHHS) are operating under the assumption that a pandemic flu is coming. A person from DPH reviewed the way the disease is spread and why it is such a deadly virus. The virus is spread by airborne droplets produced when people cough or sneeze, or by touching the virus on a surface such as a doorknob or countertop. It can remain viable for “days”. They want us to teach everyone “Cough etiquette” (which they realize cannot be taught to some people). They suggest we all have the alcohol based hand sanitizer (we have the ingestion problem here, so we will need small bottles that staff can carry). We need lots of training on Universal Precautions, and we all need to wash our hands with great frequency.

They stated that we would likely know about 2 weeks in advance that it is coming our way, as small pockets of it will begin to show up in the US. They also said that it takes 6-12 weeks to “go through” a community. They discussed the issue of stockpiling enough food and water for 6-12 weeks, and enough medication.

We need to develop a plan that assumes we have a 40% reduction in staff. We cannot assume the same for clients, especially in a residential program. The hospitals would likely be inundated and staff would be caring for the people at home.

Contingent Assumptions:
• Staff levels may be significantly reduced due to high levels of illness and hospitalization
• Staff may be lost due to significant mortality associated with the disease
• Remaining workers may be psychologically affected by disease, family concerns, concerns about economic loss, or fear, and require behavioral assistance (I guess they mean mental health assistance)
• Staff may be reduced by the need for some workers to attend to family illness or to children remaining at home due to school closures.
• Human resource (staff) reductions may be temporary or may be long-term depending on the severity of the influenza strain.

For the administrative part of this exercise, we must determine and list:

• The essential functions of each agency. By this they mean the things that people cannot live without. In our case this is primarily residential.
• There must be a written succession plan with written delegation of authority for essential components of running the agency. This includes management, fiscal and IT support. This needs to cover all top management functions and is there in case we are sick or worse.
• We have to cover “devolution”. How do we organize the agency if the entire top leadership is gone?
• We need communication plans with a list of emergency contacts and everyone should have a cell phone.
• We must develop an inventory of essential tasks and cross train management so that these can be carried out if needed by an alternate person.

They discussed that large congregate settings such as day programs and schools would close if this pandemic hits. People asked about the efficacy of quarantine and wearing masks. We were told that quarantine would not be very helpful in this day and age, as government can’t control people as much as they could in 1918. There was a physician in the audience who was very troubled by this, and pointed out that you cannot have staff coming and going in a situation like this, and the idea of “Clean rooms” was discussed. They suggested that the patients/clients wear masks, but of course that is unlikely to work with our population.

I spoke, and said that I expected that DPH would be very directive about what to do if a person has symptoms, or you see a cluster of people with symptoms. They were actually non-committal. There was much talk from others in the audience about regulatory and licensing concerns. The DPH people said that there would be “Alternate standards of care” that would have to be accepted under the circumstances.

For more information go to www.ma.gov/hhs/coop
This presentation will be on the website. They want us to send in questions and comments. They seemed very confused about things themselves and many people in attendance felt that we would be left to fend for ourselves and they are shifting the liability to agencies by making us sign this plan.

on Dick Cheney

2005-11-14T21:21:00.000-08:00

Oh, how I dislike Dick Cheney. It is a very profound dislike. It is unwaivering, unchangable and burning inside of me like Frangelico, champagne and lemon schnapps: consumed in succession one night in Provincetown.

Is it paranoia? That seems to fit. But I want to understand: What are his REAL motives for what he does? Don't tell me it is patriotism. Don't even say its about power. Saying that its about money is too simplistic.

The man has an agenda. Scooter will go to jail to defend that agenda and his boss. But the worst it could come to is three years. Forget the talk of Scooter in jail for 30 years. Bush will pardon him on the way out. There is nothing whatsoever to lose.

Is self indulgence shallow, sinful, selfish?

2005-11-11T17:48:00.000-08:00

It doesn't have to be. I find my self indulgent nature is often beneficial to others. For example: Say I want to go somewhere interesting. I state this to someone. Their immediate answer is "I can't afford it", or "I'm too tired". Then I tell them that I am going anyway. Knowing this, the person now wants to go. We have fun, we make an adventure out of it, if just for an evening or for 24 hours. We make the absolute most out of the time, talking, laughing, dancing, meeting new people. The person who was initially reluctant to go is now so very happy that they did. They are realizing that life is short, and what difference did it really make financially? They had a wonderful experience and that is much better than anything else.