“The rich are different from you and me.”
Wall Street bonuses of $18.4 billion – billion with a B – while the companies were losing zillions of dollars – zillion with a Z – and getting crajillions of dollars – crajillions with a capital C – in taxpayer bailout funds.
The Secretary of the Treasury (if this [...]
Entries from January 2009
January 31, 2009
F. Scott Fitzgerald was right
January 28, 2009
An ode to my state on Kansas Day
‘Twas the night before Kansas Day and all through the house,
not a creature was stirring not even an ornate box turtle.
Carrie Nation’s stocking were hung by the chimney with care
in hopes that the WCTU soon would be there.
The farmers were nestled all snug in the beds
with visions of crop subsidies dancing in their heads.
With Kathleen [...]
January 25, 2009
A 15% gratuity will be added to this blog post
We ordered pizza last night, “the usual,” 2 large, original crust, one with pepperoni and pineapple and one with Italian sausage and bacon. Yummy. Only one problem: it took almost two hours for them to arrive.
Thanks to a series of problems – our ticket was misplaced, the wrong toppings were applied, new pies were [...]
January 19, 2009
Done in by tech support
Here’s one of the many things that irk me: when a company screws up and makes you fix their problem. (I’m writing this as I’m on hold awaiting the second level of technical assistance.)
I had Internet service through a large international company whom we’ll call BT&T. I’m not going to identify them because of possible [...]
January 16, 2009
Summing up a life
A friend I haven’t heard from in more than 20 years sent me a note on Facebook recently. After updating her on marriages, kids, jobs, I said “here are some other points in my life over the last 20 years.”
Sober for 21 1/2 years.
Much wider than I used to be. Gray in the beard. Too [...]
January 13, 2009
Idle because of Idol
I’m exiled to the kitchen tonight, all on account of the prissy little Ryan Seacrest.
Tonight marks the beginning of my Tuesday and Wednesday night sojourn from in front of the TV to anywhere Randy, Paula, Simon and Ryan aren’t.
My wife loves American Idol. Loves it with a capital L. Loves it with a “put it [...]
January 11, 2009
Ladies and Gentlemen, Beppe Gambetta
You guys missed a great show last night. We went to see Beppe Gambetta, a flatpicking guitarist originally from Genoa, Italy. If he’s ever near your town, I urge you to drop everything and attend his show.
He played bluegrass, folk songs of Italy, the U.S. and Scotland, sacred music he transcribed for guitar and was [...]
