At least, that is how it turned out for one poor, unlucky soul in New York this morning where a Wal-Mart employee was actually trampled to death...I'll repeat that..."trampled to death" by an over-zealous, out-of-control stampede of early morning shoppers. I've been going to write about this all day, but am still in a state of "disbelief" about the whole thing. I mean, people stepped over the man to go into the store and, later, shoppers complained, yes, I said COMPLAINED when the store announced it was closing temporarily due to the tragedy. They whined because they had been in line since Thursday morning. So, stupid is as stupid does, is all I have to say about that. Don't believe me...read about it here.
Of course, I live in a city that has the unfortunate distinction of being the locale of the ill-famed "The Who" concert in December 1979 where eleven people were trampled/crushed to death (and dozens more injured) when the crowds rushed the doors at the Riverfront Coliseum, (as it was called then) so perhaps I shouldn't be so surprised at how galactically stupid some people can be. The band was performing a "sound check" and the crowd thought the concert was starting, and, since the venue was using "festival" seating, meaning first-come/first-served...well, the rest is history.
Music Wench wrote about the Wal-Mart stampede on her blog, too. I had a feeling this would be a topic that would spur her to write about, and she did not fail me. She also recounted the story of why she stopped doing the day after Thanksgiving shopping-thing, and that got me thinking about the reason I stopped participating in that annual ritual as well.
Now, I have never been one to get up ultra-early in the morning and go stand in line for hours in the cold or rain or what-have-you, looking for that "gotta have" deal. That is not to say I never ventured out on Black Friday. I used to, but not anymore. Mainly because, I cannot endure large crowds of people at my ripe old age. For the most part, they're just mean and rude and obnoxious. If I want to subject myself to that kind of idiocy, I'll just turn on Fox News, but I digress.
The "incident" that has forever dissuaded me from seeking out that gem of a special sale item happened to me on a day after Christmas shopping trip instead of a Black Friday outing, however. Like Music Wench, my "life altering" moment came back in the early-to-mid-80s. Back then, I used to "Christmas" like nobody's business. And, yes, I meant to say it that way, because Christmas was very much an "action" word to me. I would start shopping the day after Christmas for the next year. My holidays now are drastically different, but that's another story for another time.
Back then, my favorite thing was to go to the Hallmark store the day after Christmas to stock up on cards, wrapping paper, ornaments and such for the next holiday season. All their Christmas stuff was half off...you can't beat that with a stick. But this one year, and I cannot remember which year it was precisely, I had scoped out this one ornament in particular. It was a Santa with a bag full of presents slung over his shoulder, sitting perched atop an old fashioned bicycle. Actually, it looked more like a tricycle what with the huge front wheel and teeny-tiny rear wheel. He was gorgeous, and I had to have him, but that was back in the day when money was tight, so I decided to wait and try to get him for half-price the day after Christmas.
So, my friends, Darryl and Jane, and I drove up to the Huntington Mall bright and early the day after Christmas, which just happened to be on a Sunday that year, so the stores were not opening until noon that day. As luck would have it, I was the first one in line...not that that would ultimately matter.
As I stood there, a crowd began to grow around me, and I struck up a conversation with one lady. Turns out, she was after the same ornament. We had already scouted them out...there were two left-- one in the box and the display ornament. Now, a true "collector" wants to have the original box for eventual "resale" value, but at this point, I just wanted the damn ornament.
The store had one of those chain-like doors that opened like a garage door from floor to ceiling. At some point, my friends came back to check on me, and they saw me pressed up against the door, my fingers entwined in the links, clutching on for support. When I think back on it, I realize I must have looked like one of those "Garfield" toys suction-cupped in someone's car window.
While I was standing there, I noticed this little old woman off to the side, who had this look of apprehension on her face. About that time, I overheard someone behind me saying if they saw something in someone else's hands that they wanted, they would just rip it right out of their hands. Which prompted stupid me, trying to be the voice of...you know...reason, to say, "People, people, it's Christmas." And then that very same "lady" announced in the most hateful voice that still resonates in my ears today, "Christmas was yesterday!" Shortly after that, the little old lady with the look of fear on her face wisely got out of the line.
Would that I had done the same, but I was still determined to stick it out. When the time came for the store to open and that door started to slowly draw upward, the adrenalin started churning in my gut. As soon as it was high enough, I ducked under the door and made a bee-line for the coveted Santa ornament. The other lady was with me step for step. She went low for the one in the box...I went high for the one on display. By the time I had it in my trembling hands, I was almost physically ill.
And that is when I decided....never again!
As I was walking around the store, trying to calm my frazzled nerves and half-heartedly looking at other sale items, I decided right then and there that...from that point forward...if I could not afford to pay full price for something that I wanted that "desperately" then I didn't need it. And I have been true to my word; I am not enticed/lured to stores by their sales, and I have the credit card bills to prove it. If I happen to "luck" into a bargain when I'm out shopping, then so be it...good for me.
But as for those poor, misguided souls who just had to have that LCD HD TV or the $9 DVD so much so that they lost sight of their humanity, their compassion, their basic human decency...indeed, lost sight of the very reason we're supposed to be celebrating Christmas...I have to ask: were the few dollars you saved really worth a man's life? Just ask Mr. Damour's family in case you're somehow doubtful of the answer to that question.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Happy "Bobby" Thanksgiving!
I'm sitting here, trying to decide what to write, and I realize the card pretty much says it all. So, I'll just wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving, filled with family and friends and tradition and great food. And when all the fanfare of the day has settled and the house is once again quiet, you can spend the remainder of your Thanksgiving watching tapes or DVDs of this hunka-doodle-do detective. Happy Thanksgiving!!
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| Make a Smilebox scrapbook |
Monday, November 24, 2008
"The Insider" Quotes
I must have been in a pretty "cranky" mood when I originally made my notes for this episode, because I said some really nasty, unkind things about the Lilly character. I decided to "tone it down" for the post, however. Suffice to say, I didn't like the spoiled-rotten brat one little bit. I did like "The Insider" overall. It was fun watching Bobby; et. al., match wits with the FBI and come out on top.
In this episode, we get a rare glimpse of Bobby...the teacher. When we first see him, he asks the young cop on the scene “what he makes of this?” When the kid offers his assessment of how the guy was murdered, Bobby then gives him a lesson in how to analyze a crime scene, but in a good way. He did not come across as being superior or arrogant.
Ever notice how Bobby sometimes stammers a little bit when he’s around/questioning pretty young girls? And when the young chippie tells him she wouldn’t associate with people who carry weapons, “now, would I,” I love the sarcastic/cynical expression Bobby shoots her way. All in all, I do not believe he was overly impressed with the upstart debutante.
Hmm? I don’t know if it’s me or what, but I’m not finding a lot to comment on in this episode. I mean, I liked it…I’m just not noticing a lot of Bobbyisms in the first half…other than an inordinate amount of tongue flicks. I’ve counted four so far. Sometimes, we can watch an entire episode without that titillating organ making an appearance. Not so in this one. It is…distracting…but in a very good way.
Okay, this is as good a place as any to insert the first slideshow. There are six altogether, although the last one is shorter than the rest.
"The Insider" - Part I
I felt sorry for Pete, the poor schmuck who got beat up and then Bobby and Eames coax him into fingering the guys that did the beat-down. The scene where Bobby is sitting next to Pete on the couch cracks me up. I mean, there he is in a sling, his face is all beat up, and Bobby reaches over and gives the guy a "comforting" pat on the back causing Pete to wince slightly. I'm thinking, way to go, Bobby. That’s a heck of a way to treat your star witness.
There is another repeat guest star sighting in this one. Well, there may be more, but I found one. The red head, Serena. She was with Lilly at the club. Anyway, she shows up again in Season 5 in "Proud Flesh" as the wife of the guy that Eames ends up shooting on the courthouse steps.
"The Insider" - Part II
While, I did not care at all for the FBI guy, he was an excellent foil for Bobby's superior intellect. I loved it when Bobby told him, in no uncertain terms, that the club was on their beat. In this episode, we learn that undercover work just isn’t in Bobby’s nature...at least that's what he says to Hampton. Now, Bobby's talking about police undercover work here 'cause I'm fairly confident the “other kind” of undercover work is very much in his nature.
Okay, I “assume” Bobby took both coffee cups to Forensics because he wasn’t quite certain which one was his and which one Hampton had used. If not, he was just messing with the folks in the lab for the hell of it. And he is obviously not a vegetarian since he had pastrami for lunch that day, which gave him heartburn...hence the antacid. All I'm saying is, the next time Bobby feels the urge to have his saliva “analyzed,” I volunteer for the job.
"The Insider" - Part III
I love Bobby’s reaction when Deakins asks him what his problem is with Hampton. Bobby sighs and sort of shivers his distaste/dislike for the guy. I’ve known people like that in my life, so I know where Bobby’s coming from. I also like his reaction when Deakins tells him not to talk to him about Hampton as a suspect until he comes up with a motive. Tsk, tsk…shouldn’t Deakins know our Bobby well enough by now to realize that nothing motivates him more than a challenge like that, as was evidenced by the look he threw at Eames and his subsequent demeanor as he exited Deakins’ office.
Ah, he’s not sporting the infamous tie clip. At least he’s not in the scene at the foundation office where he places the cell phone call to Phoenix. Check out the phone, by the way…the pull up antenna. Boy, things sure have changed in a relatively short amount of time. Oh, and was anyone else “turned on” when he used his “teeth” to tug the antenna into position. It’s the little things we all notice.
"The Insider" - Part IV
Once again, the best line of the episode goes to Eames; i.e, “And I want a foot massage from Derek Jeter.” I feel the same way, Eames, only I want my massage from that tall drink of water who is standing beside you when you deliver this line.
I loved it when Bobby proved the arrogant FBI guy wrong about the knife used to kill Carlyle. His smug, “well, right there you’re wrong,” really touched a nerve, but Bobby promptly set him straight. Poor, stupid, little man, could not tell when he was up against a superior intellect. And, yes, about half-way through the show, I learned that the FBI guy’s name was Wallis, but I like the sound of “FBI Guy” better.
Anybody else want to smack the smug twerp, Hampton, when he called Bobby a frustrated, second-rate city cop? Idiot dirtball.
And the second best line goes to Bobby when he "leans" down to tell Vinny if he doesn’t hang the murder rap on Hampton, then Bobby’s going to hang it on him. I do love it so when Bobby uses his “powers of persuasion” to “coax” the bad guys into doing his bidding.
"The Insider" - Part V
I don’t know how many times I’ve seen this episode, but I’ve seen it a LOT…okay. So, how come I’m just noticing the line Bobby says to Hampton when he enters the hotel room, and he goes over and thumps the bed and asks him if he’s given it a workout yet. So, the image that immediately comes to my mind is: hotel sex with Bobby. Oh yeah, I could so get on board with that!
I have to say that I was a little disappointed with Bobby’s "gotcha" scene or “aria” with Hampton. When he said Lilly was weak and Hampton used her and that really pissed him off...I guess I just expected something a little more eloquent from my big guy.
I loved Hampton’s reaction at the end. He just couldn’t believe that the FBI Guy was handing him over to the NYPD…that he had, in fact, been nailed by a “frustrated, second-rate city cop.” So much for what he knows. There is absolutely nothing second-rate about Bobby. He’s grade A, number one PRIME all the way.
"The Insider" - Part VI
You know, I should probably comment on how Carver supported Bobby & Eames, and how Deakins "appeared" to be more interested in covering his butt than taking on the FBI. Guess I just did, huh? All the "regulars" had some good moments in this one. Next up..."Homo Homini Lupis."
In this episode, we get a rare glimpse of Bobby...the teacher. When we first see him, he asks the young cop on the scene “what he makes of this?” When the kid offers his assessment of how the guy was murdered, Bobby then gives him a lesson in how to analyze a crime scene, but in a good way. He did not come across as being superior or arrogant.
Ever notice how Bobby sometimes stammers a little bit when he’s around/questioning pretty young girls? And when the young chippie tells him she wouldn’t associate with people who carry weapons, “now, would I,” I love the sarcastic/cynical expression Bobby shoots her way. All in all, I do not believe he was overly impressed with the upstart debutante.
Hmm? I don’t know if it’s me or what, but I’m not finding a lot to comment on in this episode. I mean, I liked it…I’m just not noticing a lot of Bobbyisms in the first half…other than an inordinate amount of tongue flicks. I’ve counted four so far. Sometimes, we can watch an entire episode without that titillating organ making an appearance. Not so in this one. It is…distracting…but in a very good way.
Okay, this is as good a place as any to insert the first slideshow. There are six altogether, although the last one is shorter than the rest.
"The Insider" - Part I
I felt sorry for Pete, the poor schmuck who got beat up and then Bobby and Eames coax him into fingering the guys that did the beat-down. The scene where Bobby is sitting next to Pete on the couch cracks me up. I mean, there he is in a sling, his face is all beat up, and Bobby reaches over and gives the guy a "comforting" pat on the back causing Pete to wince slightly. I'm thinking, way to go, Bobby. That’s a heck of a way to treat your star witness.
There is another repeat guest star sighting in this one. Well, there may be more, but I found one. The red head, Serena. She was with Lilly at the club. Anyway, she shows up again in Season 5 in "Proud Flesh" as the wife of the guy that Eames ends up shooting on the courthouse steps.
"The Insider" - Part II
While, I did not care at all for the FBI guy, he was an excellent foil for Bobby's superior intellect. I loved it when Bobby told him, in no uncertain terms, that the club was on their beat. In this episode, we learn that undercover work just isn’t in Bobby’s nature...at least that's what he says to Hampton. Now, Bobby's talking about police undercover work here 'cause I'm fairly confident the “other kind” of undercover work is very much in his nature.
Okay, I “assume” Bobby took both coffee cups to Forensics because he wasn’t quite certain which one was his and which one Hampton had used. If not, he was just messing with the folks in the lab for the hell of it. And he is obviously not a vegetarian since he had pastrami for lunch that day, which gave him heartburn...hence the antacid. All I'm saying is, the next time Bobby feels the urge to have his saliva “analyzed,” I volunteer for the job.
"The Insider" - Part III
I love Bobby’s reaction when Deakins asks him what his problem is with Hampton. Bobby sighs and sort of shivers his distaste/dislike for the guy. I’ve known people like that in my life, so I know where Bobby’s coming from. I also like his reaction when Deakins tells him not to talk to him about Hampton as a suspect until he comes up with a motive. Tsk, tsk…shouldn’t Deakins know our Bobby well enough by now to realize that nothing motivates him more than a challenge like that, as was evidenced by the look he threw at Eames and his subsequent demeanor as he exited Deakins’ office.
Ah, he’s not sporting the infamous tie clip. At least he’s not in the scene at the foundation office where he places the cell phone call to Phoenix. Check out the phone, by the way…the pull up antenna. Boy, things sure have changed in a relatively short amount of time. Oh, and was anyone else “turned on” when he used his “teeth” to tug the antenna into position. It’s the little things we all notice.
"The Insider" - Part IV
Once again, the best line of the episode goes to Eames; i.e, “And I want a foot massage from Derek Jeter.” I feel the same way, Eames, only I want my massage from that tall drink of water who is standing beside you when you deliver this line.
I loved it when Bobby proved the arrogant FBI guy wrong about the knife used to kill Carlyle. His smug, “well, right there you’re wrong,” really touched a nerve, but Bobby promptly set him straight. Poor, stupid, little man, could not tell when he was up against a superior intellect. And, yes, about half-way through the show, I learned that the FBI guy’s name was Wallis, but I like the sound of “FBI Guy” better.
Anybody else want to smack the smug twerp, Hampton, when he called Bobby a frustrated, second-rate city cop? Idiot dirtball.
And the second best line goes to Bobby when he "leans" down to tell Vinny if he doesn’t hang the murder rap on Hampton, then Bobby’s going to hang it on him. I do love it so when Bobby uses his “powers of persuasion” to “coax” the bad guys into doing his bidding.
"The Insider" - Part V
I don’t know how many times I’ve seen this episode, but I’ve seen it a LOT…okay. So, how come I’m just noticing the line Bobby says to Hampton when he enters the hotel room, and he goes over and thumps the bed and asks him if he’s given it a workout yet. So, the image that immediately comes to my mind is: hotel sex with Bobby. Oh yeah, I could so get on board with that!
I have to say that I was a little disappointed with Bobby’s "gotcha" scene or “aria” with Hampton. When he said Lilly was weak and Hampton used her and that really pissed him off...I guess I just expected something a little more eloquent from my big guy.
I loved Hampton’s reaction at the end. He just couldn’t believe that the FBI Guy was handing him over to the NYPD…that he had, in fact, been nailed by a “frustrated, second-rate city cop.” So much for what he knows. There is absolutely nothing second-rate about Bobby. He’s grade A, number one PRIME all the way.
"The Insider" - Part VI
You know, I should probably comment on how Carver supported Bobby & Eames, and how Deakins "appeared" to be more interested in covering his butt than taking on the FBI. Guess I just did, huh? All the "regulars" had some good moments in this one. Next up..."Homo Homini Lupis."
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Just Bobby & "The Insider"
This will be my final blog entry of the evening. I still have the "Quotes" post to finalize, but that one takes a wee bit longer due to the number of slideshows involved, as well as my comments on the episode. So, I won't get to that until tomorrow. Besides, the two Tylenol PM I took an hour or so ago are starting to kick in, and I am about to fall asleep as I write this.
So, without further ado or any fanfare whatsoever, here's.......Bobby!
Just Bobby - "The Insider" - Part I
Just Bobby - "The Insider" - Part II
So, without further ado or any fanfare whatsoever, here's.......Bobby!
Just Bobby - "The Insider" - Part I
Just Bobby - "The Insider" - Part II
"The Insider" Extras
I found several little "gems" in this episode. Well, at least I thought they were amusing. There were also several "tongue sightings" in this one, so I simply could not resist the temptation to highlight them. Perhaps not my best "captions," but then no one is paying me to be funny.
"The Insider" Extras Slideshow
And I thought this photo was worthy of a second look. Notice how the fabric is stretched taut across that wide, expansive chest. Oh, so there is no mistaking my "intent" here, I'm talking about Bobby's chest.
"The Insider" Extras Slideshow
And I thought this photo was worthy of a second look. Notice how the fabric is stretched taut across that wide, expansive chest. Oh, so there is no mistaking my "intent" here, I'm talking about Bobby's chest.
Partners From "The Insider"
Here are a couple of slideshows of Goren & Eames as they go about tracking down the smarmy perp in this episode from Season 1. This one had a lot of twists and turns and a couple of roadblocks thrown in to boot...from the feds. It was oh so interesting to watch them pick their way through the maize of clues to the ultimate satisfying conclusion.
I especially liked Deakins' line about Bobby's "magic gut." I've got news for the Captain, however. I've got a sneaking suspicion that the dear boy has a "wand" that's got a bit of magic in it as well. Hey, don't blame me. It's Sunday night...it's been a long weekend.
Partners Slideshow - "The Insider" - Part I
Partners Slideshow - "The Insider" - Part II
I especially liked Deakins' line about Bobby's "magic gut." I've got news for the Captain, however. I've got a sneaking suspicion that the dear boy has a "wand" that's got a bit of magic in it as well. Hey, don't blame me. It's Sunday night...it's been a long weekend.
Partners Slideshow - "The Insider" - Part I
Partners Slideshow - "The Insider" - Part II
Eames & "The Insider"
I've been working on "The Insider" off and on all weekend, so I shall start as I usually do with a slideshow devoted entirely to Detective Eames. Loved her line about wanting a foot massage from Derek Jeter. Personally, I'd rather have one from that tall drink of water sidekick of hers, but then there's no accounting for taste, is there?
Eames Slideshow - "The Insider"
Eames Slideshow - "The Insider"
Saturday, November 22, 2008
The BIG Game
One sure way to know that Thanksgiving is just around the corner is that time honored tradition known as the Ohio State - Michigan football game. The Buckeyes vs. the Wolverines. Shouldn't be much of a contest, huh, considering one is a nut and the other a beastly animal that rips flesh from the bone. But the buckeye is poisonous, so I suppose that helps even the playing field...so to speak. This year's game will take place in Columbus and the kick off is at noon at the "Horseshoe" on the Ohio State campus. They pack 100,000 people (more or less) in that place...which is both fascinating and scary at the same time.
Anyway, I almost forgot about the game today, which is tantamount to sacrilege in my family. I don't know why, really. I mean, none of my immediate family went to school there. Well, my nephew Chad did for one semester, but that's it. I am, in fact, a Bobcat not a Buckeye. Nevertheless, one would think we were all alumni given the number of OSU sweatshirts, jerseys, hats, blankets, and other assorted paraphernalia that finds its way under our Christmas Trees each year.
I have to admit that I get caught up in the hoop-la surrounding the "big game" as well as its storied past. Names such as Woody Hayes, Bo Schembechler, and Archie Griffin come to mind, and what Ohioan worth his/her salt doesn't get a little "verklempt" watching the "Best Damn Band In The Land" perform "Script Ohio?" I still remember the first time I saw it performed in person.
It was 1976, a Sunday night at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was, in fact, prior to a World Series game between the Reds and Yankees. (The Reds swept 'em in four that year, but I digress.) The grounds crew laid down big strips of white tape on the astroturf to mark off the lines and, when they announced what was about to happen, the crowd went WILD. It...was...great! I have had the pleasure to witness it firsthand several times since then, but one never forgets one's first time.
So, in just a few minutes, the competition that is billed as "the greatest rivalry in sports" will begin. I truly do not care who wins...I just hope it's a good game. One thing is an absolute certainty...emotions will be running high on both sides of the line of scrimmage...it should be a good one.
I found a couple of YouTube videos to "commemorate" the event, including the aforementioned Script Ohio. It is worth watching. I'll just end with these parting refrains of the Ohio State Fight Song:
"Slash through to victory,
we cheer you as you go.
Our honor defend,
we will fight to the end
for O-HI-O!"
Script Ohio
Posted by crashoveride1288.
A Little Trash Talk
Posted by Luv2BDiffrnt.
Anyway, I almost forgot about the game today, which is tantamount to sacrilege in my family. I don't know why, really. I mean, none of my immediate family went to school there. Well, my nephew Chad did for one semester, but that's it. I am, in fact, a Bobcat not a Buckeye. Nevertheless, one would think we were all alumni given the number of OSU sweatshirts, jerseys, hats, blankets, and other assorted paraphernalia that finds its way under our Christmas Trees each year.
I have to admit that I get caught up in the hoop-la surrounding the "big game" as well as its storied past. Names such as Woody Hayes, Bo Schembechler, and Archie Griffin come to mind, and what Ohioan worth his/her salt doesn't get a little "verklempt" watching the "Best Damn Band In The Land" perform "Script Ohio?" I still remember the first time I saw it performed in person.
It was 1976, a Sunday night at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was, in fact, prior to a World Series game between the Reds and Yankees. (The Reds swept 'em in four that year, but I digress.) The grounds crew laid down big strips of white tape on the astroturf to mark off the lines and, when they announced what was about to happen, the crowd went WILD. It...was...great! I have had the pleasure to witness it firsthand several times since then, but one never forgets one's first time.
So, in just a few minutes, the competition that is billed as "the greatest rivalry in sports" will begin. I truly do not care who wins...I just hope it's a good game. One thing is an absolute certainty...emotions will be running high on both sides of the line of scrimmage...it should be a good one.
I found a couple of YouTube videos to "commemorate" the event, including the aforementioned Script Ohio. It is worth watching. I'll just end with these parting refrains of the Ohio State Fight Song:
"Slash through to victory,
we cheer you as you go.
Our honor defend,
we will fight to the end
for O-HI-O!"
Script Ohio
Posted by crashoveride1288.
A Little Trash Talk
Posted by Luv2BDiffrnt.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
My Dermatologist Is A Republican
Okay, so maybe that is not the “sexiest” of titles, but it was the best I could come up with on this cold, dreary day in Cincinnati, Ohio. This is one of those stories I didn’t take the time to recount when it actually happened, but it has been “nagging” at me, so I’m thinking there’s no time like the present. Besides, once I get this out of the way, I can get back to “playing” with Bobby, so I’ve got some incentive here.
Anyway, back in August, I made a trip to the dermatologist to have a “questionable” mole removed. While I was there, I went ahead and made an appointment to go back to have several more moles, bumps, and skin tags removed from my face, neck, chest and back in mid-October.
At the time of the initial office visit, Dr. Greenwald gave me a prescription for a numbing cream that I was instructed to apply to all the moles I wanted removed one hour before the scheduled appointment. The prescription also included some rather…I thought…peculiar directions. You see, after applying the ointment, I was to wrap the areas in Saran Wrap. Oh, goody. Not only did I have to become a contortionist to spread on this unctuous salve, but then I was expected to wrap myself up like some ginormous mutant deli sandwich and ride through the streets of Cincinnati to boot.
Sigh…I hate my life.
But as luck would have it, Dr. Greenwald graciously informed me that I could come in an hour before the scheduled surgery, bring all the stuff with me, and one of her staff would assist me. So, come the day of the appointment, I gathered up the goo and the wrap and trundled off to the doctor.
True to her word, I sat in the waiting room for no more than five minutes before a very nice woman summoned me back to one of the exam rooms. Her name was Debbie, and she chatted away as she very solicitously applied dollops of the numbing cream to various parts of my body with an extra long Q-tip. Every now and then, she would pause and take a step back and look at me. This maneuver prompted me to comment that she reminded me of an artist admiring her handiwork, and I was like this big ol’ three dimensional canvass.
Talk about your abstract art. Luckily, I won’t be hanging in a gallery near you anytime soon, or like…ever.
After Debbie finished dabbing on the "Spackle," she dutifully applied the Saran Wrap and then left to attend to other patients. So, there I sat, alone in the exam room with only my thoughts to keep me company. It is times such as these that one’s rambling thoughts are given to much speculation. I mean, it is 2008 after all. We’re supposed to be one of the most medically advanced countries in the world, and this is the best we can come up with as a means to deaden the pain of a minor surgical procedure? I’m thinking we can do better.
Anyway, eventually Debbie came back to interrupt my pensive ruminations and escort me to the exam room where the surgery would be performed. By this time, I was growing weary with all the waiting and was ready to get this show on the road, so I was relieved when Dr. Greenwald entered the room a few minutes later.
Just like the last time, she was friendly and chatty. Like I said before, I think she tries to carry on a conversation to keep the patient’s mind off what is being done to them. The last time, she numbed both areas with a needle, but since I had so many “blemishes” to be removed this visit, she opted to go with “ye old” freezing method. She had a canister of liquid nitrogen with which she proceeded to “spray” me.
Forget the canvass I mentioned earlier, now I was feeling rather more like the side of a house being spray painted. And I gotta tell ya…the numbing cream…didn’t numb so much. It did okay, I guess, to the areas where it had been applied. But the “spray” had a tendency to wander beyond the intended area, and it stung like heck...like hundreds of little bee stings nailing you at the same time. About two minutes into this process, I was wishing I had just left well enough alone.
But you know, as "they" say: in for a penny in for a pound. I sucked it up…determined to persevere. About this time, Dr. Greenwald had moved around to my back, and she was working on a rather large mole that would have to be burned off rather than frozen. So, as she sticks me with the needle, she asks me if I had watched the “debate” the previous evening. (She was referring to the final debate between Obama and McCain.)
Now, as I have mentioned before, I hate politics. Let me say that again lest you do not fully comprehend the intensity of my sentiment. I HATE POLITICS! I seldom discuss them with people who share my political beliefs…let alone with virtual strangers. No good can come of it, I tell ya. And I almost never, ever watch debates. I hate those, too.
So, when Dr. Greenwald asked me if I had watched the debate, I told her, “No.” I went on to explain that I hate debates, that I already knew who I was voting for, therefore, I thought I would spare myself the agony of watching. Then, out of the blue, Dr. Greenwald offered this totally unsolicited declaration, “Well, I certainly hope you’re not voting for Obama.”
Awkward silence on my part.
Then Dr. Greenwald added, “I really think he will ruin our country if he’s elected president.”
Okay, this is when a part of me wanted to come back with a well thought out, concise yet totally pertinent and snappy one-liner as to the present state of our country that has been pretty much laid to waist by the present REPUBLICAN administration, but cooler heads prevailed. Instead, I opted to employ a simple stratagem that has served me well my whole life and has gotten me through so many uncomfortable situations…humor.
As the smell of burning flesh…my burning flesh…permeated the exam room, I just chuckled and said, “Hey, you’re the one with the blow torch…I’ll vote for whoever you want me to.”
And that was that…potential ugly situation avoided. Perhaps the next time I have to schedule a visit with the good doctor, she will choose a more "neutral" topic to discuss. You know, something like... religion.
Anyway, back in August, I made a trip to the dermatologist to have a “questionable” mole removed. While I was there, I went ahead and made an appointment to go back to have several more moles, bumps, and skin tags removed from my face, neck, chest and back in mid-October.
At the time of the initial office visit, Dr. Greenwald gave me a prescription for a numbing cream that I was instructed to apply to all the moles I wanted removed one hour before the scheduled appointment. The prescription also included some rather…I thought…peculiar directions. You see, after applying the ointment, I was to wrap the areas in Saran Wrap. Oh, goody. Not only did I have to become a contortionist to spread on this unctuous salve, but then I was expected to wrap myself up like some ginormous mutant deli sandwich and ride through the streets of Cincinnati to boot.
Sigh…I hate my life.
But as luck would have it, Dr. Greenwald graciously informed me that I could come in an hour before the scheduled surgery, bring all the stuff with me, and one of her staff would assist me. So, come the day of the appointment, I gathered up the goo and the wrap and trundled off to the doctor.
True to her word, I sat in the waiting room for no more than five minutes before a very nice woman summoned me back to one of the exam rooms. Her name was Debbie, and she chatted away as she very solicitously applied dollops of the numbing cream to various parts of my body with an extra long Q-tip. Every now and then, she would pause and take a step back and look at me. This maneuver prompted me to comment that she reminded me of an artist admiring her handiwork, and I was like this big ol’ three dimensional canvass.
Talk about your abstract art. Luckily, I won’t be hanging in a gallery near you anytime soon, or like…ever.
After Debbie finished dabbing on the "Spackle," she dutifully applied the Saran Wrap and then left to attend to other patients. So, there I sat, alone in the exam room with only my thoughts to keep me company. It is times such as these that one’s rambling thoughts are given to much speculation. I mean, it is 2008 after all. We’re supposed to be one of the most medically advanced countries in the world, and this is the best we can come up with as a means to deaden the pain of a minor surgical procedure? I’m thinking we can do better.
Anyway, eventually Debbie came back to interrupt my pensive ruminations and escort me to the exam room where the surgery would be performed. By this time, I was growing weary with all the waiting and was ready to get this show on the road, so I was relieved when Dr. Greenwald entered the room a few minutes later.
Just like the last time, she was friendly and chatty. Like I said before, I think she tries to carry on a conversation to keep the patient’s mind off what is being done to them. The last time, she numbed both areas with a needle, but since I had so many “blemishes” to be removed this visit, she opted to go with “ye old” freezing method. She had a canister of liquid nitrogen with which she proceeded to “spray” me.
Forget the canvass I mentioned earlier, now I was feeling rather more like the side of a house being spray painted. And I gotta tell ya…the numbing cream…didn’t numb so much. It did okay, I guess, to the areas where it had been applied. But the “spray” had a tendency to wander beyond the intended area, and it stung like heck...like hundreds of little bee stings nailing you at the same time. About two minutes into this process, I was wishing I had just left well enough alone.
But you know, as "they" say: in for a penny in for a pound. I sucked it up…determined to persevere. About this time, Dr. Greenwald had moved around to my back, and she was working on a rather large mole that would have to be burned off rather than frozen. So, as she sticks me with the needle, she asks me if I had watched the “debate” the previous evening. (She was referring to the final debate between Obama and McCain.)
Now, as I have mentioned before, I hate politics. Let me say that again lest you do not fully comprehend the intensity of my sentiment. I HATE POLITICS! I seldom discuss them with people who share my political beliefs…let alone with virtual strangers. No good can come of it, I tell ya. And I almost never, ever watch debates. I hate those, too.
So, when Dr. Greenwald asked me if I had watched the debate, I told her, “No.” I went on to explain that I hate debates, that I already knew who I was voting for, therefore, I thought I would spare myself the agony of watching. Then, out of the blue, Dr. Greenwald offered this totally unsolicited declaration, “Well, I certainly hope you’re not voting for Obama.”
Awkward silence on my part.
Then Dr. Greenwald added, “I really think he will ruin our country if he’s elected president.”
Okay, this is when a part of me wanted to come back with a well thought out, concise yet totally pertinent and snappy one-liner as to the present state of our country that has been pretty much laid to waist by the present REPUBLICAN administration, but cooler heads prevailed. Instead, I opted to employ a simple stratagem that has served me well my whole life and has gotten me through so many uncomfortable situations…humor.
As the smell of burning flesh…my burning flesh…permeated the exam room, I just chuckled and said, “Hey, you’re the one with the blow torch…I’ll vote for whoever you want me to.”
And that was that…potential ugly situation avoided. Perhaps the next time I have to schedule a visit with the good doctor, she will choose a more "neutral" topic to discuss. You know, something like... religion.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
A Post Office Miracle
Okay, so maybe "miracle" is too significant a term to use in this situation, but regardless of what you want to call it, I'm still scratching my head over this one. You see, Monday morning, I put two movies in the mail to return to "NetFlix." The next morning, I received the standard email notification from them alerting me to the fact they had received said movies.
What's so noteworthy about that, you may ask? Well, Tuesday was "Veteran's Day" and the banks and federal offices and the Post Office were all closed that day. So, how the heck did these puppies get delivered when no one was working on Tuesday? That's my first question. It gets curiouser and curiouser.
Later that day, I received another email from "Netflix," telling me that the next two movies on my "queue" were being mailed for delivery on Thursday. That sounded about right since...you know...there was no mail delivery or pick-up on Tuesday.
So, you can then...perhaps...imagine my surprise when I returned home from work Wednesday evening to find two bright red "NetFlix" envelopes laying on the floor in front of my apartment door. I still can't figure this one out. I mean, the Post Office I'm familiar with simply is not that efficient. Hey, I'm still waiting on a Christmas card that was mailed in 1982 for cryin' out loud.
What's so noteworthy about that, you may ask? Well, Tuesday was "Veteran's Day" and the banks and federal offices and the Post Office were all closed that day. So, how the heck did these puppies get delivered when no one was working on Tuesday? That's my first question. It gets curiouser and curiouser.
Later that day, I received another email from "Netflix," telling me that the next two movies on my "queue" were being mailed for delivery on Thursday. That sounded about right since...you know...there was no mail delivery or pick-up on Tuesday.
So, you can then...perhaps...imagine my surprise when I returned home from work Wednesday evening to find two bright red "NetFlix" envelopes laying on the floor in front of my apartment door. I still can't figure this one out. I mean, the Post Office I'm familiar with simply is not that efficient. Hey, I'm still waiting on a Christmas card that was mailed in 1982 for cryin' out loud.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Vincent At Work
Why is it I am never in the right place at the right time? Why is it I am never in New York when USA is filming Goren episodes of LOCI? Ah well, at least some lucky person is far more fortunate than I and had the presence of mind to snap this wonderful, candid photo of Vincent D'Onofrio on the streets of New York City.
I simply adore "candid" photos of this man. He's so purty.
With mucho thanks to The Reel for pointing me in the direction of this photo and to Zillustration for snagging the photo and sharing it with the VDO world.
I simply adore "candid" photos of this man. He's so purty.
With mucho thanks to The Reel for pointing me in the direction of this photo and to Zillustration for snagging the photo and sharing it with the VDO world.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Hot And Wild
No, neither term applies to me. Bobby, on the other hand, is another matter entirely. I got this in an email update for my YouTube subscriptions. All I can say is, what a lovely way to start off my Saturday. Thank you, thank you, Jazzy. You always do great work, but I have to say that this is one of my favorites.
Here is Bobby being...well...hot and wild.
You know, I am not...by any stretch of the imagination...a fan of guns. That being said, there is just something about Bobby with a gun in his hand that makes me go all weak in the knees. I don't know. At least he's a cop...he's allowed/supposed to have a gun. Oh, well. As I said, video credits go to jazzylin. So glad to see you're back.
Here is Bobby being...well...hot and wild.
You know, I am not...by any stretch of the imagination...a fan of guns. That being said, there is just something about Bobby with a gun in his hand that makes me go all weak in the knees. I don't know. At least he's a cop...he's allowed/supposed to have a gun. Oh, well. As I said, video credits go to jazzylin. So glad to see you're back.
Friday, November 7, 2008
"Crazy" Quotes
This was the very first LOCI episode I ever saw, so naturally it is a “sentimental” favorite of mine. I did a post back in January, explaining how my LOCI Obsession began, so I won’t go into details here. Suffice to say, this was the first…of what was to become…many, many exposures to that phenomenon known as Detective Robert Goren.
The first thing I noticed with this episode has absolutely nothing to do with Bobby, however, but rather one of the guest stars. The actress who plays the dead guy’s ex-wife also appears in two other episodes in later years. She shows up again in Season 4 in “My Good Name” as the pushy campaign manager, then in Season 6 as serial killer (and Bobby’s biological father) Mark Ford Brady’s attorney in "Endgame." All I can say is LOCI and the rest of the franchise must be a good gig for New York actors.
Now, on to the reason for this post as we find the ever vigilant Bobby examining the crime scene. He immediately notices the scuff marks on the murder victim’s knees and deduces that he was leaning over the toilet when he was shot. Then he kneels and “sniffs” the gin. Detective Bobby... he’s so smart.
Anybody else notice how Bobby always manages to “check out” the women's breasts he’s interviewing/questioning? Most times, it’s just a fleeting glance, but those big brown eyes invariably drop to the chest area of the lucky woman with whom he’s talking. I'm thinking that's as much a Vincent D'Onofrio "thing" as a character trait. Or, perhaps it's just a "guy" thing.
We learn that Bobby knows how to "share" as evidenced when he tells the clerk who brings him the custody hearing transcript to “help yourself” to his lunch…I think it was fries. I, for one, wouldn’t have to think twice about “helping myself” to Bobby.
"Crazy" Part I
I always have to chuckle when I hear Bobby say to the nurse that they don’t want her to say anything she’s not comfortable with. How he can deliver that line with a straight face is beyond me. He’s a cop. More specifically, he's Bobby, and he's on the hunt for a killer, so I truly don't believe he cares if she’s comfortable or not.
Ah, my sweet Bobby makes the obvious conclusion; i.e., the wife did it. It had to be her, right? She thought her ex-husband was molesting their daughter, so Bobby did his best to "coax" a confession from her when they questioned her about the supposed molestation. Sometimes he and/or Eames have a tendency to rush to judgment, which just goes to show that even Bobby makes a mistake now and again.
It was different to see Michael Gross…the affable, amiable dad on “Family Ties”…playing this creeped-out, weirdo, pathetic weasel of a man. Although, he portrayed the part quite convincingly. I was more than a little surprised when he had the gumption to try and put a hit out on Goren and Eames, and then when Stovic refuses, he turns all paranoid on him. Creepy little worm.
"Crazy" Part II
I loved the scene in the Judge's chambers when Webb asked if somebody would please tell Goren to stop looking at him; especially since Bobby was only doing it to annoy the guy in the first place. Intolerable indeed. Actually, Bobby didn’t say a word in that scene, but his presence was “speaking” nonetheless.
It looks like the cop in the SVU in Westchester got a transfer to a different squad because she looks like the detective who helped out in “Vanishing Act” this past season. I could be wrong, but it sure looks like the same woman to me.
It was cute when the ME told Bobby his "gut" had not failed him, and he promptly corrected her by giving Eames the proper credit.
"Crazy" Part III
I got a kick out of Bobby saying “wee wee” when he was reading from the caseworker’s transcript of his interview with Sophie? I mean he’s reading it out loud in the middle of the Major Case squad room for cryin’ out loud.
My first job out of college was a teacher in a day care center, so I got used to sitting in teeny tiny chairs to be on the same level with the kids. So, it was cute to see Bobby affix his tall drink of water frame onto the kid-sized chair/stool when talking with Sophie. In fact, that whole scene with Sophie was interesting to watch…how he went about gaining her trust with the crayon behind the ear “trick” to easing her into conversation. Yeah, he’s a sweet-talker, that’s for sure.
I found Carver’s droll sense of humor amusing when he told the doc’s lawyer that they were not “too far apart” on a plea. The lawyer proposes six months in a psychiatric hospital followed by quarterly evaluations whereas Carver proposes murder two and twenty-five years in Sing Sing.
"Crazy" Part IV
Ah, we find out that Bobby “knows about love.” Makes one wonder, doesn’t it? Especially later on when… still talking about love…he said he’d "been there," that every man in the room had.
I have to admit that it was a little disheartening to hear Bobby’s assessment of Charlie…mainly because I’m nearly as pathetic as he with a couple of exceptions. I’m 56 instead of 58, never been married, so the divorce doesn’t apply. The rest, however, fits me to a tee. No kids, I’m staring at the abyss of old age, with no one to love, no one to love me, and I’ve got nothing but my career to get me out of the bed in the morning, and sometimes that’s not enough. Yep, this part of Bobby’s aria is a touch on the "hard to swallow" side for me.
Carver had the closing lines in this one…good ones, too…when he said to the lawyer that his client wasn’t insane…he was in love and that it might be hard to tell the difference, but the law could.
"Crazy" Part V
All in all…a pretty good episode. Next up..."The Insider." As I recall, I liked this episode pretty much; we learn some new stuff about Bobby...and Eames...in this one.
The first thing I noticed with this episode has absolutely nothing to do with Bobby, however, but rather one of the guest stars. The actress who plays the dead guy’s ex-wife also appears in two other episodes in later years. She shows up again in Season 4 in “My Good Name” as the pushy campaign manager, then in Season 6 as serial killer (and Bobby’s biological father) Mark Ford Brady’s attorney in "Endgame." All I can say is LOCI and the rest of the franchise must be a good gig for New York actors.
Now, on to the reason for this post as we find the ever vigilant Bobby examining the crime scene. He immediately notices the scuff marks on the murder victim’s knees and deduces that he was leaning over the toilet when he was shot. Then he kneels and “sniffs” the gin. Detective Bobby... he’s so smart.
Anybody else notice how Bobby always manages to “check out” the women's breasts he’s interviewing/questioning? Most times, it’s just a fleeting glance, but those big brown eyes invariably drop to the chest area of the lucky woman with whom he’s talking. I'm thinking that's as much a Vincent D'Onofrio "thing" as a character trait. Or, perhaps it's just a "guy" thing.
We learn that Bobby knows how to "share" as evidenced when he tells the clerk who brings him the custody hearing transcript to “help yourself” to his lunch…I think it was fries. I, for one, wouldn’t have to think twice about “helping myself” to Bobby.
"Crazy" Part I
I always have to chuckle when I hear Bobby say to the nurse that they don’t want her to say anything she’s not comfortable with. How he can deliver that line with a straight face is beyond me. He’s a cop. More specifically, he's Bobby, and he's on the hunt for a killer, so I truly don't believe he cares if she’s comfortable or not.
Ah, my sweet Bobby makes the obvious conclusion; i.e., the wife did it. It had to be her, right? She thought her ex-husband was molesting their daughter, so Bobby did his best to "coax" a confession from her when they questioned her about the supposed molestation. Sometimes he and/or Eames have a tendency to rush to judgment, which just goes to show that even Bobby makes a mistake now and again.
It was different to see Michael Gross…the affable, amiable dad on “Family Ties”…playing this creeped-out, weirdo, pathetic weasel of a man. Although, he portrayed the part quite convincingly. I was more than a little surprised when he had the gumption to try and put a hit out on Goren and Eames, and then when Stovic refuses, he turns all paranoid on him. Creepy little worm.
"Crazy" Part II
I loved the scene in the Judge's chambers when Webb asked if somebody would please tell Goren to stop looking at him; especially since Bobby was only doing it to annoy the guy in the first place. Intolerable indeed. Actually, Bobby didn’t say a word in that scene, but his presence was “speaking” nonetheless.
It looks like the cop in the SVU in Westchester got a transfer to a different squad because she looks like the detective who helped out in “Vanishing Act” this past season. I could be wrong, but it sure looks like the same woman to me.
It was cute when the ME told Bobby his "gut" had not failed him, and he promptly corrected her by giving Eames the proper credit.
"Crazy" Part III
I got a kick out of Bobby saying “wee wee” when he was reading from the caseworker’s transcript of his interview with Sophie? I mean he’s reading it out loud in the middle of the Major Case squad room for cryin’ out loud.
My first job out of college was a teacher in a day care center, so I got used to sitting in teeny tiny chairs to be on the same level with the kids. So, it was cute to see Bobby affix his tall drink of water frame onto the kid-sized chair/stool when talking with Sophie. In fact, that whole scene with Sophie was interesting to watch…how he went about gaining her trust with the crayon behind the ear “trick” to easing her into conversation. Yeah, he’s a sweet-talker, that’s for sure.
I found Carver’s droll sense of humor amusing when he told the doc’s lawyer that they were not “too far apart” on a plea. The lawyer proposes six months in a psychiatric hospital followed by quarterly evaluations whereas Carver proposes murder two and twenty-five years in Sing Sing.
"Crazy" Part IV
Ah, we find out that Bobby “knows about love.” Makes one wonder, doesn’t it? Especially later on when… still talking about love…he said he’d "been there," that every man in the room had.
I have to admit that it was a little disheartening to hear Bobby’s assessment of Charlie…mainly because I’m nearly as pathetic as he with a couple of exceptions. I’m 56 instead of 58, never been married, so the divorce doesn’t apply. The rest, however, fits me to a tee. No kids, I’m staring at the abyss of old age, with no one to love, no one to love me, and I’ve got nothing but my career to get me out of the bed in the morning, and sometimes that’s not enough. Yep, this part of Bobby’s aria is a touch on the "hard to swallow" side for me.
Carver had the closing lines in this one…good ones, too…when he said to the lawyer that his client wasn’t insane…he was in love and that it might be hard to tell the difference, but the law could.
"Crazy" Part V
All in all…a pretty good episode. Next up..."The Insider." As I recall, I liked this episode pretty much; we learn some new stuff about Bobby...and Eames...in this one.
Just "Crazy" Bobby
Well, here he is in all his magnificent splendor...Detective Robert Goren in "Crazy." Sit back and enjoy the view.
"Crazy" Bobby Slideshow Part I
"Crazy" Bobby Slideshow Part II
"Crazy" Bobby Slideshow Part I
"Crazy" Bobby Slideshow Part II
"Crazy" Extras
This episode had several caps that I believed worthy of inclusion in this category; i.e., they didn't fit into my regular categories of LOCI episode slideshows, but definitely captured my attention for -- well -- whatever reason.
From this episode, I managed to generate three small "extra" slideshows.
The first one is of Bobby and his encounter with little Sophie. It was very sweet when Bobby used his "magic" to gain the little girl's trust and pulled that red crayon from her ear. The look on Bobby's face when he shows her the crayon is priceless, and the subsequent pictures of Sophie are quite precious.
"Magic" Bobby Slideshow Extra
Next up is, "Sleepy" Bobby. No, he's not really sleeping on the job. I just happened to snag an inordinate number of "closed-eyed" caps from this episode...and this isn't all of them. Is it just me, or does Bobby not look particularly yummy with his eyes closed?
"Sleepy" Bobby Slideshow
And, finally, I present what I'm calling my "bloopers" slideshow for this episode. Note to Music Wench," you will notice I did not include a "groin" shot immediately following my "pucker up" slide this time.
"Crazy" Bloopers Slideshow
From this episode, I managed to generate three small "extra" slideshows.
The first one is of Bobby and his encounter with little Sophie. It was very sweet when Bobby used his "magic" to gain the little girl's trust and pulled that red crayon from her ear. The look on Bobby's face when he shows her the crayon is priceless, and the subsequent pictures of Sophie are quite precious.
"Magic" Bobby Slideshow Extra
Next up is, "Sleepy" Bobby. No, he's not really sleeping on the job. I just happened to snag an inordinate number of "closed-eyed" caps from this episode...and this isn't all of them. Is it just me, or does Bobby not look particularly yummy with his eyes closed?
"Sleepy" Bobby Slideshow
And, finally, I present what I'm calling my "bloopers" slideshow for this episode. Note to Music Wench," you will notice I did not include a "groin" shot immediately following my "pucker up" slide this time.
"Crazy" Bloopers Slideshow
"Crazy" Partners
Since I have a tendency to "save-up" my comments about the episode in my "Quotes" post, I'll just limit my 'intro" to: here's Goren and Eames on the hunt for the perp in "Crazy."
"Crazy" Partners Slideshow
"Crazy" Partners Slideshow
"Crazy" Eames
No, that is not a negative commentary against Eames...the title just flows better this way. Well, it took me a while, but I finally got around to watching, quoting, and capping "Crazy" from Season 1. I still need to put the finishing touches on the "Quotes" post, but thought I'd start out with the Eames Slideshow, which will shortly be followed by the "usual suspects."
"Crazy" Eames Slideshow
"Crazy" Eames Slideshow
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
This Date In History
Well, to be more precise, it's "yesterday's" date in history, but as soon as NBC pronounced Barack Obama the winner of the 2008 presidential election last night, I turned off the television and fell asleep. Consequently, it was not until I awakened this morning that the sheer enormity of this historic election hit me full force.
Perhaps my feelings can best be illustrated by something I heard on GMA this morning. All the news anchors were recounting stories of encounters they had with exuberant voters the previous evening...be it in Grant Park or Times Square, etc. And Chris Cuomo talked about the black woman he had spoken to and reminded her that twelve of the previous forty-three U.S. Presidents had owned slaves, and the woman looked at him with tears in her eyes and said, "That's all been washed away now." That's when I cried.
As I have mentioned on this blog before, I am not a political person...not by any stretch of the imagination. Now, having said that, I have to admit that I have followed this particular campaign more closely than any other in my lifetime. And, much to my surprise, after seeing a snippet of President-Elect Obama's "victory" speech on GMA this morning, I found myself searching the web to see if I could find more information on his speech.
There is no doubt in my mind that this man is one of the most sincere and eloquent public speakers to come down the pike in a very long while. He is one politician I can actually...and I cannot believe I am about to say this...listen to for more than five seconds without wanting to heave things at the television. When I heard his comment this morning, saying, "And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too," well, I wanted to hear/read all that the man had to say. And thanks to the Internet and Blogger and all this wonderful technology, I'll get to store it here for "posterity."
Here is the transcript of Obama's speech that he gave last night in Grant Park in Chicago. The video of the speech follows, which was posted on YouTube by BarackObamadotcom. I just hope the man is given half a chance to become the President I truly believe he is capable of being.
Remarks of President-Elect Barack Obama-as prepared for delivery
Election Night
Tuesday, November 4th, 2008
Chicago, Illinois
If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.
It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference.
It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.
It's the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.
It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.
I just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he's fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.
I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.
I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation's next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House. And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.
To my campaign manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics - you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.
But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to - it belongs to you.
I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington - it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.
It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory.
I know you didn't do this just to win an election and I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime - two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor's bills, or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.
The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there.
There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.
What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek - it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.
So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers - in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.
Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House - a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, "We are not enemies, but friends...though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection." And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.
And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world - our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down - we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security - we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright - tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.
For that is the true genius of America - that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.
This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing - Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.
She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons - because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.
And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America - the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.
At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.
When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.
When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.
She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome." Yes we can.
A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can.
America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves - if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?
This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes We Can.
Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.
Perhaps my feelings can best be illustrated by something I heard on GMA this morning. All the news anchors were recounting stories of encounters they had with exuberant voters the previous evening...be it in Grant Park or Times Square, etc. And Chris Cuomo talked about the black woman he had spoken to and reminded her that twelve of the previous forty-three U.S. Presidents had owned slaves, and the woman looked at him with tears in her eyes and said, "That's all been washed away now." That's when I cried.
As I have mentioned on this blog before, I am not a political person...not by any stretch of the imagination. Now, having said that, I have to admit that I have followed this particular campaign more closely than any other in my lifetime. And, much to my surprise, after seeing a snippet of President-Elect Obama's "victory" speech on GMA this morning, I found myself searching the web to see if I could find more information on his speech.
There is no doubt in my mind that this man is one of the most sincere and eloquent public speakers to come down the pike in a very long while. He is one politician I can actually...and I cannot believe I am about to say this...listen to for more than five seconds without wanting to heave things at the television. When I heard his comment this morning, saying, "And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too," well, I wanted to hear/read all that the man had to say. And thanks to the Internet and Blogger and all this wonderful technology, I'll get to store it here for "posterity."
Here is the transcript of Obama's speech that he gave last night in Grant Park in Chicago. The video of the speech follows, which was posted on YouTube by BarackObamadotcom. I just hope the man is given half a chance to become the President I truly believe he is capable of being.
Remarks of President-Elect Barack Obama-as prepared for delivery
Election Night
Tuesday, November 4th, 2008
Chicago, Illinois
If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.
It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference.
It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.
It's the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.
It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.
I just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he's fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.
I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.
I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation's next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House. And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.
To my campaign manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics - you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.
But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to - it belongs to you.
I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington - it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.
It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory.
I know you didn't do this just to win an election and I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime - two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor's bills, or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.
The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there.
There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.
What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek - it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.
So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers - in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.
Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House - a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, "We are not enemies, but friends...though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection." And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.
And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world - our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down - we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security - we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright - tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.
For that is the true genius of America - that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.
This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing - Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.
She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons - because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.
And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America - the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.
At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.
When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.
When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.
She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome." Yes we can.
A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can.
America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves - if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?
This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes We Can.
Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Horns Of A Dilemma
When I awoke yesterday morning, I switched on the television to get the weather forecast for the day. The TV was set to Channel 9, which for some reason known only to the Time Warner Cable gods is inexplicably broadcast on Channel 7 on my television dial. Anyway, the Sunday version of “Good Morning America” was on, and they were – of course – talking about the upcoming presidential election. This morning’s topic was: political superstitions.
They began the segment by talking about how athletes – especially baseball players (my observation, not theirs) – are not the only ones who display superstitious propensities regarding their chosen profession. Evidently, when it comes to testing the fates insofar as political races go, Democrats and Republicans have some long standing precedents of their own.
Today, I found an online article that reiterated some of the things that were mentioned in the GMA piece. For example, Obama always plays basketball on election day, he carries a pocketful of “lucky charms” (no, not the cereal) that he has collected while on the campaign trail; i.e., a poker chip given to him by a voter, an American eagle pin from a Native American woman, etc. His Ohio campaign manager hasn’t shaved in more than a month since Obama started to pull ahead in two major polls. You get the idea, people – even presidential hopefuls – have some pretty distinctive notions when it comes to their particular brand of superstition.
I mean, who can forget Tim Robbins as pitcher Ebby Calvin LaLoosh in “Bull Durham,” wearing those black lace garters because he was convinced that he was winning because of them? I know I can’t.
Anyway, this brings me to the crux of the matter; i.e., my dilemma. The final superstition mentioned on yesterday’s broadcast was football-related, which was kind of apropos considering it was Sunday. The journalist stated that no Republican has ever lost a presidential election when the Redskins play and win at home on the Sunday prior to election day. Every single time since...I suppose the team's organization...the Republican nominee wins on Tuesday if the Redskins win at home on Sunday…hence the reason for my inner turmoil.
You see, the Redskins play the Pittsburgh Steelers tonight, in D.C., on Monday Night Football. I hate the Steelers. Allow me to make myself crystal-clear on this subject…I abhor, loathe, detest, and otherwise thoroughly despise the Steelers…and more specifically…their fans. They are the most obnoxious in the NFL. In fact, the only thing worse than a Pittsburgh Steeler fan…in my personal experience…is a Chicago Cubs fan, but that’s baseball.
So, you see my quandary? I desperately want Obama to win, but I cannot – in good conscience – see myself rooting for the Steelers to vanquish the Redskins tonight. It’s just not in me. Perhaps the fact that Washington is playing on Monday instead of Sunday will somehow suffice to invalidate the Republican’s winning streak if the Redskins do indeed prove to be victorious. Or, at the very least, I can pray for a tie.
It could happen.
They began the segment by talking about how athletes – especially baseball players (my observation, not theirs) – are not the only ones who display superstitious propensities regarding their chosen profession. Evidently, when it comes to testing the fates insofar as political races go, Democrats and Republicans have some long standing precedents of their own.
Today, I found an online article that reiterated some of the things that were mentioned in the GMA piece. For example, Obama always plays basketball on election day, he carries a pocketful of “lucky charms” (no, not the cereal) that he has collected while on the campaign trail; i.e., a poker chip given to him by a voter, an American eagle pin from a Native American woman, etc. His Ohio campaign manager hasn’t shaved in more than a month since Obama started to pull ahead in two major polls. You get the idea, people – even presidential hopefuls – have some pretty distinctive notions when it comes to their particular brand of superstition.
I mean, who can forget Tim Robbins as pitcher Ebby Calvin LaLoosh in “Bull Durham,” wearing those black lace garters because he was convinced that he was winning because of them? I know I can’t.
Anyway, this brings me to the crux of the matter; i.e., my dilemma. The final superstition mentioned on yesterday’s broadcast was football-related, which was kind of apropos considering it was Sunday. The journalist stated that no Republican has ever lost a presidential election when the Redskins play and win at home on the Sunday prior to election day. Every single time since...I suppose the team's organization...the Republican nominee wins on Tuesday if the Redskins win at home on Sunday…hence the reason for my inner turmoil.
You see, the Redskins play the Pittsburgh Steelers tonight, in D.C., on Monday Night Football. I hate the Steelers. Allow me to make myself crystal-clear on this subject…I abhor, loathe, detest, and otherwise thoroughly despise the Steelers…and more specifically…their fans. They are the most obnoxious in the NFL. In fact, the only thing worse than a Pittsburgh Steeler fan…in my personal experience…is a Chicago Cubs fan, but that’s baseball.
So, you see my quandary? I desperately want Obama to win, but I cannot – in good conscience – see myself rooting for the Steelers to vanquish the Redskins tonight. It’s just not in me. Perhaps the fact that Washington is playing on Monday instead of Sunday will somehow suffice to invalidate the Republican’s winning streak if the Redskins do indeed prove to be victorious. Or, at the very least, I can pray for a tie.
It could happen.
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