Baby Boomster
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
 
RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY...

Not a great day today.  Although gloomy, rainy days usually don't bother me;  in fact, I generally like them, especially the misty ones, but  today I just feel an impending, dark feeling as if I shouldn't have gotten out of bed. I find things are bothering me that shouldn't,  people are confrontational and I'm tired of flying low under the radar.

One of the gents I work with had a car accident and was luckily enough to walk away from his totaled car, so I guess it's not a good day for him as well.  Maybe we were both born under the same stars! 

Can't wait to get home and hide under the covers until tomorrow.



Sunday, July 25, 2004
 
"YOU CAN CHOOSE YOUR FRIENDS..."
   
How true are one's friends? Hard to tell until the going gets tough - well you know the rest.

It's easy to be a friend when everything is going well, but when it isn't,  will your friends be there for you?  Or more importantly, will you be there for them?

When I started a walking threesome at work during lunchtime, my lunch buddy and friend with whom I shared lunch for over seven years, was pleased with the idea.  We walked for  a half hour of our lunchtime (official lunch period 30 min./acceptable: 45 min.) for about six months.  Due to an injury, I can no longer walk.   My friend is still walking -- not that I would ask her to stop; -- however, she assumed I'd wait until after she finished, to go to lunch with her for the remaining time. (The other gal goes back to her desk to eat). 

When I told her I didn't want to lose the better part of my free time to wait until she was ready for lunch, she was annoyed and perplexed.  She couldn't understand why I wouldn't occupy myself or wait around until she finish the walk so we could eat together as usual.  

I am selfish enough to want a whole lunch period that doesn't revolve around anyone else's schedule, and in turn,  my companion is just as selfish for not being considerate of my time.  That's when I realized what we share is a relationship-of-convenience.

A very revealing aspect of my personality became clear to me as well:  I'd rather be alone, than give up my time for my 'friend';  that I am selfish, self-serving and insincere.  Which strangely is okay, because these negative aspects are common to both in this relationship.

I began to look at my other relationships, past and present,  and discovered I have a history of relationships-of-convenience rather than actual friendships, as I suspect most do.  I came to the conclusion a true friend meets three crucial criteria -  tests of time, distance and selflessness.   The longer I live, the more I learn,  especially about myself.  I have been disappointed and sometime hurt over the years by those I thought were real friends, only to find they were friends of convenience. I now find my past experiences inhibit me to truly commit myself to new friendships.  However, I am lucky for the few true friends that are or have been part of my life.  True friendship is a wonderful gift, but extremely rare.



 








Thursday, July 22, 2004
 
RESCUE ME
 
Denis Leary's new show on FX really hits home without exploiting its subject matter.  Throughout his career,  the public has failed to appreciate Leary's  broad, brooding efforts which were showcased so well in his last series, The Job
 
Rescue Me follows the aftermath of 9/11 as NY Fire Station members continue to work the job, having lost four of their own to the tragedy, leaving a common void for the survivors.  Leary's portrayal of Tommy Gavin, a battleworn, veteran NY firefighter is long on character, pathos, humanity and humor.   One of the 9/11 lost was his best friend and cousin who hauntingly appears as his conscience and sounding board, (the character based on Leary's actual cousin, a Boston firefighter, who lost his life on the job).  Tommy carries with him the guilt of surviving the tragedy, a failed marriage, ongoing  alcoholism and  the departed spirits of fire victims he couldn't save.  There are other characters that add interest and impact to the ongoing story, but Leary's strong performance is the string that ties it all together.  In fact the title says it all... as the rescuer's life silently screams ... Rescue me! 
For more info - use this link.




Friday, July 16, 2004
 
A LITTLE BIRD TOLD ME ...
 
A yellow finch kept flying towards me and finally landed just within hands reach.  As I watched this bit of sunshine hop about without any fear, I somehow knew there was a connection between us.  Strange but true, this little bird and I shared a moment in time of peace and harmony.  I love these rare, extraordinary experiences, where I loss all sense of self.


Monday, July 12, 2004
 
QUICK NOTE ...

Caught a bit of the "Jamie Kennedy Experiment" which recapped highlights from this past season. Enough for me to want more.

Although on the same vain as Ashton Kutcher's celebrity prank show “Punk’d,” Experiment is not quite as hip, just a bit funnier. So smile for "X'd" and/or "Punk'd" -- updated, cool take offs of Candid Camera.


 
7/11 BIRTHDAY

Yesterday was my birthday. It was a very nice one especially since I had my daughter home for the occasion. We had a celebratory lunch at Applebees, which was just perfect. The restaurant features Weight Watcher offerings with point values, and we had a full course lunch/dinner - including drinks appetizer and desserts - the light entree (which I actually didn't eat but took home) made up for the calories in my Mudslide, which was outstanding. Back to the diet today, but birthdays come just once each year -- and the tradition in our family --is the celebrant becomes 'king' or 'queen' for the day, and yesterday I was royalty. I don't need a four star restaurant to make an occasion special, just a decent meal with family and/or friends.

Before our late lunch (or early dinner), we went shopping at my daughter's favorite clothing store, which has also become a mother/daughter tradition when she comes in to town. When I arrived home I found a lovely flower/balloon basket sent by my son waiting for me. So my day was complete.

My daughter's back on the Coast, as I write this, but it was a wonderful weekend. The trek was about 3-1/2 hours away from our home; but the weekend was relaxing and unstressful. Took the Doggie Girl with us, instead of boarding her in a kennel, and she enjoyed the trip as much as we.

All in all - just a great weekend. Very lovely outing, wonderful birthday - and today an extra day off from work, to unwind from the trip. Can't get much better than that.



Thursday, July 08, 2004
 
PREDICTION??? GOOD NEWS!!!????

My vibes tell me big news is gonna break in the next few weeks (before the end of August!) Perhaps someone who is lost will be found! Mountain man beware!

Also, another break is coming our way -- the best laid plans will go awry, just fate, or happenstance, or perhaps, God is on our side as we battle the powers of ignorance and evil.



Tuesday, July 06, 2004
 
ROCK ON

There is a great article in this week’s Entertainment Weekly (#773, 7/9/04) entitled “The Return of Good Alt-Rock” by Michael Endelman and Brian Hiatt.

As a baby boomer I was born at the inception of Rock. As a young child I watch Elvis gyrate his hips to the beat of his music that was new, hip and a bit scandalous for its day. The inception of Rock ‘n Roll was here! The Platters took the baton from the Ink Spots, Jerry Lee Lewis was rolling his eyes and jumping with Great Balls of Fire, along with Chuck Berry and Fats Domino. We were Rocking Round the Clock, while listening to tributes to lost loves, Peggy Sue and Donna.

As I crossed the teenage years, I watch bandstand, although too young to actually take part. In just ten years there were golden oldies with love ballads to reminiscence about In the Still of the Night, or bopped to At the Hop.

As I got older Motown dominated the charts, The Supremes, The Ronettes, The Four Tops, etc., Folk Rock had a following with Dylan and Biaz protesting the changing times; until the British invasion got into full swing. The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Animals, Byrds brought new dimensions to Rock, and then came … Sgt. Pepper, the album that changed the rock music world forever!

Peace, love and rock and roll. Emergence of The Cream, Jefferson Airplane, The Doors, and Janis, Jimmi, led the way to a new spin off – Heavy Metal. The Stairway to Heaven climbed higher and higher.

My point is that each decade developed new sounds from disco to grunge to alternative, keeping Rock/Pop fresh, new and exciting.

The well written and researched article to which I refer in the first paragraph, continues the rock journey as it highlights the up-and-coming alternative bands that are breathing fresh air into the genre. There is a new invasion from overseas, this time from Scotland, which include Franz Ferdinand and Idlewild. Other bands making sound waves are Death Cab for Cutie, Modest Mouse, The Shins, and the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, some of which are featured on the O.C., the pop hipster TV series.

All and all, I must say, as old as I am, I’m not stuck in one musical era or decade. Although I enjoy some more than others, they all interest me as a part of a living, evolving reflection of pop culture and history. Rock on...

Saturday, July 03, 2004
 
WITHOUT PREJUDICE

For the ultimate game/reality/pop psychology show -- BBC America presents, oxymoron: Without Prejudice.

A panel consisting of a cross-section of the UK population, chooses one person from a group of quite ordinary contestants, and, by process of elimination, awards a cash prize equal to approx. $40,000 USD).

On the surface this is merely a popularity contest, but without typical American partiality. The hodgepodge Brit panel doesn't necessarily choose the best looking, most physically appealing contestant as the winner. During the first few rounds, eliminations take place after taped biographical responses are scrutinized along with contestant's reactions to an awkward set-up situation(one scenario elicited candid comments after brief interaction with a dwarf.)

The panel members then tell the eliminated contestant why he/she is being eliminated, while often revealing their own bias and opinions, (very tacky and perversely entertaining). Host Lisa Tarbuck manages to subtly stir the pot of panelist barbs throughout, until the last round, when the panelists can question the final two contestants face to face. The only taboo is asking how the winnings will be spent.

By process of elimination, based solely on which contestant the panelists liked the most,(or disliked the least) the winner is chosen. Then the disclosure is made on how the money will be spent, sometimes to the chagrin of the panelists. For example, one winner opted for breast reduction surgery, not covered under the national health program, to which only a transexual panelist voiced acceptance and approval. By the end of the program, viewers may also develop negative opinions towards at least one or two of the capricious panelists as well. Ah, to judge is to be judged!

Inevitably, some American TV programming 'suit' will get hold of this show and try to convert it into an American offering, totally divesting the show's subtle premise and interest in the process. The difference between the cultural prejudices of the UK and the American mindset is what makes this show so appealing. America - leave this one alone. Your conversion of "THE OFFICE" is sacrilegious enough! When will we Yanks get an original concept on our own?

Without Prejudice -- Check it out on Sundays - 8 p.m., BBC America.


Friday, July 02, 2004
 
HAPPY FOURTH ...

Celebrate East Coast style with this LINK
The more you click in the sky, the more you light up New York.


Thursday, July 01, 2004
 
DON'T MESS WITH MY DAILY FIX

For nearly 30 years our household was a cable TV family, and as time passed and broadcasting channels replicated faster than streptococcus in a Petri dish, we increased our network packages, until we were paying nearly a C-note per month for equipment and service. (Remember TV is my drug of choice.)

Now for that much money one would expect all the Premium channel packages as well as some nifty sports groupings in the awesome clarity of digital channels for the small extra fee of the digital box rental.

Well, not quite so. Since we live in a rural area, the equipment and boxes on our community poles hadn’t be upgraded yet (going on over 5 years), and, although we were entitled to -- and paying for --higher band, digital channel groups, a good portion of the channels were either fuzzy or just not coming through. When we called our cable service about this, we were told we could either wait until they eventually upgraded the equipment and be satisfied with the channels we were receiving on the higher digital bands, or they could shut off the entire line-up and block all the channels in the digital band, which would reduce our monthly bill by approximately $3.00.

What choice is that??? None! -- There is no compromise on the part of the Cable company. It is pay up or no more IFC, Bravo, Sundance, Lifetime Movie Channel which are a part of the high digital band that incorporates the 6 channels that we don't receive and the 4 or that are fuzzy and unwatchable.

Now since deregulation, the cost of cable has skyrocketed and just recently, increased again. Every time the government deregulates an industry – telephone, power, cable, -- it seems to me -- the consumer gets screwed! Costs increase, while quality and availability of services/products decrease. So deregulate this --

Saturday our satellite dish is being installed, and for less than cable was costing, we will be getting all the premium channels and all the digital stations that were offered by cable and then some. This means about 20 extra channels for $10.00 less per month, including TIVO as an extra feature!

So goodbye Cable TV ... it was nice while it lasted! The horse and buggy are being replaced by the horseless carriage. Given time, however, as more people switch to satellite dishes, I expect the rates will climb instead of decrease, the dish equipment deals and rebates will disappear, which logically doesn't make sense, but most likely will occur. But until then, we're cashing in on the savings by switching over.

Next stop -- HD plasma TV. (Told ya I'm hooked.)




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