Saturday, January 29, 2011

Not In My Lifetime

This email is making the rounds and I feel a little stupid posting it. (But things have been slow here) While it all makes some sense, I don't ever expect to see anything like it in my lifetime. What do yo all think?
Congressional Reform Act of 2011
1. Term Limits - 12 years only. (some options)
2. No Tenure / No Pension. A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.
3. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security. All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people.
4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.
5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional Pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
6. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.
7. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.
8. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective (date).
The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen. Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s). Then go home and back to work.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Lives Taken Over by Snow

I hate to keep posting about snow but for our friends and relatives down south and in Arizona who visit this blog, this is our way of sharing the beauty of the New England winter.  Here's Leon shoveling the roof.
Great exercise, but riding a bike in Florida might be a little more fun

 Me with snowblower and Benni 
 Making a dog run around the backyard
Coming around the shed


 Leon shoveling the roof - this may be the winter that broke our backs.


Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Snow is Beauty

If snow is beautiful, we have more than our share of beauty here in New England. I've shoveled about a ton of beauty since December and we've blown beauty in huge piles along the driveway.  Beauty is on our rooftops, our walkways, and our picnic tables.

And I found this disturbing little poem about Beautiful Snow - read it to the end, you wicked sinners.


Saturday, January 22, 2011

A Few Gay Popcorn Movies from Netflix

It is soooo cold outside we don't like to venture out much after dinner.  Although we did go to the movies last Saturday night just because we had a gift card and we were going stir crazy.  We saw True Grit and we both enjoyed it - a good old fashioned Western.  I don't think I ever saw the original with John Wayne as I never liked him.

We've subscribed to Netflix for a couple of years and get both instant viewing on our TV via the internet (many newer TV's have built-in WiFi so you don't need a Roku or PlayStation box to do this) and you also get one DVD at a time - all for a modest monthly fee of $8.99.  We've been watching a lot of English TV series and Gay themed movies.  We really like the Donald Strachey mystery series that aired on "here! TV" - which we don't get on Dish.

The series stars cute gay actor Chad Allen (who has a long list of TV and Film credits) who, in the series plays Donald Strachey, a gay "butch" private detective in Albany, NY.  (The series is actually filmed in Toronto, I think).  The story lines are well written, the videography is very well done with a hint of the old fashioned detective movie feel,  and the actors are excellent.  Each movie also deals with gay issues like harassment, discrimination, DADT, suicide, reparative therapy, etc. and presents a very realistic portrayal of gay characters.  The issues are superbly interwoven with the storyline, are not preachy or political - but very thoughtful and reasoned.  And the movies are highly entertaining with some eye candy to boot.  (The only flaw I found with the filming was that the Toronto weather did not always correspond to the sequence of scenes in one episode.)  Not a lot of violence, and no ear-piercing soundtracks. Highly Recommended.  So, put the popcorn in the microwave and check out the following on DVD: On the Other Hand Death, Shock to the System, Third Man Out and  Ice Blues. 







Thursday, January 20, 2011

Semi Working


Finally got some work this week.  It actually feels good.  It gives me some structure and purpose.  As much as I hated being chained to a desk in an office for years, the complete freedom of retirement is not quite as wonderful as it promised to be.  I'm not complaining, really, but I think it would be different if I had money to burn.  Spending three or four months in a warm climate is possible if one has both the freedom and the cash, unless of course, one lives in a warm climate.

But we are planning a trip before winter is over.  It won't be to a warmer climate, maybe slightly milder, but not warm.  More on that latter.

For now, a few grant applications and a report will keep me busy for a week.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Semi Retirement on a Cold Winter's Day

There was no work in what had promised to be a busy week. So I have time, and no income.
Went for a hike up back with Leon and the Dog - Benni.

Leon taking a break....
Icicles...


From inside
Leon's work is seasonal...so he's home too...relaxing with  his computer and covered up like somebody's grandma....while I bake bread...like somebody's grandma.  Went to KMart while the dough was rising.  Spent $24 and change for a pair of jeans ($12) , a fleecy jacket type thing ($8) and some earbuds ($4), all on sale.
It's going to be a long winter.  But we're planning a vacation so that has us excited. Leon has been saving points on his credit card for sky miles for years.  So it looks like we can get there for cheap.  I've been saving spare change for years - so that will help a little...

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Tragic Event

Tragedy strikes again, this time in Arizona where a shooter has gunned down CongresswomaGabrielle Giffords and other citizens at a political event.  Our sympathies to all who lost their loved ones.  The fact that Rep Giffords was a moderate Democrat and friend to LGBT causes makes this tragedy especially sad. She was in Sarah Palin's crosshairs and that is most outrageous.  Some have said there are extremists "on both sides" but the right wing has more than its share of wing-nuts, crazies and fanatics.  Wake up America!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Snow Can Be Lovely

Its loveliness is inversely proportionate to one's age times the length of one's driveway.




Woodpecker

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Let Me Eat Cake


The Republicans scare me so much, I am compulsively cooking to avoid watching TV.  If we were in New Orleans, we'd be celebrating Carnival right now at some King Cake Party.  Well, I've got the Cake if you've got the party.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Dinner Anyone?

Well, I probably shouldn't do this, but I've started another Blog.  Like I don't already spend too much time at the MacBook.  As some of you might have guessed, I like to cook and I love to eat.  So I thought I'd share my recipes, humble as they may be and an occasional dinner menu at our house.  I am somewhat "reluctant" to share this project right now because I'm not sure I can keep it going and I'm just an amateur cook, but caution to the wind.  The plan, of course, is to be discovered by the Food Network for my cooking show Cranky Franky's in the Kitchen.  It would be full of "Bleeps"!

Am I ready for critics?  Probably not.  I know my instructions are not always clear or precise.  Let me know if something doesn't make sense.

Anyhow, if you're interested, check out "Dinner's Ready"


As an aside: does anyone have advice on advertising (Google, AdSense, etc.)  on your blog?  Pros, cons, advantages, disadvantages?

Only a few comments on the news: that web site with the words face and book is valued at 50 or is it 60 billion dollars.  The most valuable US company.  Sad, they produce nothing and sell air.  If the lights go out so does the 60 billion....

And the dreaded Republicans are coming.  To repeal everything.  And set up a new record of gridlock.  I won't be surprised if they attempt to repeal the Constitution.  Let me know.   I'll be cooking.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Happy New Year - Some Party

Didn't even crack open the Bubbly....

We had a New Year's Eve get together at our place.  Just eight of us - no seven, as one was at home with the flu.  Man, what a party!  Everyone arrived around six, and we had some cheese and crackers, a little wine and chit-chat.  Some lazy stuffed cabbage, some chicken drumsticks, coffee and cheesecake.  We were partying so hardy, I forgot to take pictures!  Everyone was gone by nine and Leon and I were in bed by 10:30.  So much for ringing in the New Year!  But I slept well, so I have no complaints today.  Leon is working today, so it doesn't seem much like a holiday.  And, I made $100 bucks to boot as I sold our old fridge that's been sitting in the basement, on Craigslist to a couple whose fridge crapped out last night.  I hope the trend continues.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO Russ, Stan, Cubby, Raulito, Mauro, Truthspew and all who stop by from time to time, including Paul & Michael in Tucson...I see your e-trail...

Thanks.

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