Ruminations On Life

Who or what is behind the glasses that allow these eyes to write and read these bits of light? Is it a person, a soul, or a quark of stray energy left over from creating the universe billions of years ago? Am I so different from you, your energy, your soul? Or are we all a piece of one whole?

I recently celebrated the 90th birthday of my mother with sisters, friends and extended family. It was a wonderful event at which we all came together to joyfully delight in life. There were several people there who I had not seen since leaving home for the last time 40 years ago! Some I knew very well and others not at all. With some, were it not for being related, I would have no connection at all with them. With one however, it was as if our relationship had never suffered this 40 year gap! We leapt right back into conversation as if we lived right next door. All of the experiences of a lifetime were as if they'd never happened and we were just as if we were kids again. Wow!

I think there are too many of us here on earth using up the few precious resources now left at a frightening pace without regard to others. There are too many of us running and stumbling through life oblivious to the effect we are having on earth and each other or the power we possess to do something about the wrongs we see and care about.

There are too many of us here now and too few really good friends.

Five months later... the move is over and we are enjoying hot summer weekends on the Delta in our new house. We had it painted outside, built two new workbenches in the garage, have a huge new dock and slide, family room has been painted, installed a new widescreen TV and sound system are and all but a few boxes are empty. Closet organizers have been installed, crown moldings installed where there weren't any and new deck furniture bought, assembled and set up. Several parties have already been held and the big fall party is this coming weekend. We love it here. So does Sammy. Still lots to do to make it our own.

Sleep like a baby tonight!

Today I took four truck loads of boxes and bags over to the new house. I just had to start moving even though we have movers coming to pack and load us on Friday, April 13th. (What a fine date for a move.) Anyway, how could I not start moving in on the day I officially own the place?

I let carpet cleaners in at 2:30 and when I came back at 4:30 found they'd missed two large closets. Do I have to stand there and supervise them? I guess so. That's why they're carpet cleaners and I'm not?!

The sellers left a pile of junk in the garage. They wouldn't sell me their furniture for $1,000 and instead, donated it to the Salvation Army. They were never at the house, never used the oven or micro or trash compactor or much of anything. They never had garbage service! The house was built in 1998 and it is essentially brand spanking new!

Anyway, these guys had a security service to protect from breakin but wouldn't pay $80 a month to haul trash. They had a yard service and ATT cable TV and DSL but no trash hauling! How cheap can you get? The guy left stuff indicating he'd lived in Paris, France including travel guides, a reservation for golf at the Paris Golf Club, a car wash and maintenance card for his Ferrari at the Paris Car Club, etc. What a fucktardo!

I love the new house. It is amazing! New new new. The boat trailer has never been used other than to haul the boat to the Delta and launch it. The house is the same way. The oven, stove, microwave and trash compactor have never ever been used! Seven year old house and its brand new! Wow. I am in awe.

Mission accomplished!
Home sold.
House bought.
Money spent.
Moving day is in sight.
Now can I start to sleep again?

Friday is officially moving day but I found an "Allied Van Lines" moving package at Costco and we've started boxing and bagging up non-breakable items to help shorten the move time and reduce the packing material costs. It will still likely be an all day project that costs $2,000.

We officially get ownership of the house today and have possession now as I have keys and garage door openers. I'll start moving items there today. Tomorrow we get the carpets stretched and cleaned and the tile and grout sealed.

Monday I got the utility change over scheduled, ordered the transfer of insurance, phone, garbage, rekeying and pest services, changed mail delivery and confirmed the movers. A lot to remember. I'm sure I forgot one or two things and that another one or two will get screwed up.

The really stressful part is over. Let the fun begin!

Sleep comes short and rarely these days. The past few weeks have been very very short on sleep. Our new house purchase has me awaking at all hours of night remembering things I have to do to prepare for the close of escrow and moving on Friday.

Last night the item that woke me at 11:30PM was a $1,500 credit the sellers offered in lieu of repairing deficiencies specified in a house inspection report. The closing statement from the title company we signed on Friday did not list the credit. So off went an email at 12:30AM asking the title company to revise its closing statement to reflect a credit to buyers and a debit to sellers as previously agreed upon in Request for Repairs - One.

This morning Lisa came up with a couple more items to add to the "ToDo" list - locksmith to rekey the house (with me to change garage door opener and alarm codes) and carpet company to seal the tile and grout in the house as it is very light in color and probably has never been sealed. It sure would be nice if I could gain access to the house Tuesday/Wednesday. An extra day or two would be very helpful!

I have a ToD list that would choke a horse. The nice thing is that we aren't fixing up an old decrepit 25 year old money pit. Rather, we are building for the future with an essentially new house that has never been lived in and making it ours.

Wow!
Almost two years since I last posted a blog!
Where have I been?
And when will I go back?

We've been trying to sell our old delta home and replace it with something newer. We found the new, made an offer and are ready to close. Unfortunately our place is a wreck and four offers have fallen apart. Our realtor now says he'll buy it. But I think he may be having difficulty lining up funds as he already owns 5-10 properties he's trying to sell. Its now going on 6 weeks since we started the process and I am ready for it to be over. A few more weeks to go?

Got my amateur radio license a year or so ago and am loving it a lot. On our side of the hill we don't get great reception as I can't put up a high enough antenna. But on the delta reception rocks! I get stations in Australia, England, Texas, FLorida, New Jersey, Arkansas, Arizona, Alaska Las Vegas, and elsewhere on a daily basis. For Christmas, my lovely wife got me an Icom ic-7000 radio that is top of the heap! 100 watts of power and all bands. Excellent! Now if I could figure an antenna scheme out for the Monner!

Long Time No Blog...

May 1, 2005

I pointed out my blog to my sweetie today and was ashamed to see the last time I published anything to it was in November 2004, almost five months ago. Where has the inspiration gone?

I asked for a Delphi MyFi XM radio for my birthday and got one! After sending it back for repairs twice (wouldn't work out of the box) a month later I finally had a unit that worked and have been happily listening ever since. Radio is still free. Good radio costs a little more. So now I can listen to XM radio online again as well as in my car, at home and on my travels. Like white bread, my favorite station while writing and creating is channel 77, Audio Visions. Later in the day I like channels 9, 20, 21, 22, 25 and a few other boogie down ones. Bluesville can be good also.

Spring has sprung and summer is close behined. Its a good time to be home to see the trees and flowers bloom. Its a good time of year to be alive.

Radio Should Be Free

Was a time not too long ago
I spent the day with XM radio
Tuned it in on the internet
Streamed it for hours
No charge, no rent.

Then came the day
Free XM went away
Now I tune in Launchpad
To keep me company
Radio should be free.

"Black Friday" they call today, the Friday after Thanksgiving and so called because traditionally, its the day when retailers break into the black for the first time of the year.

Pictures of people standing in line in front of WalMart awaiting its 6:00 AM opening to glom onto the "great deals" they think are inside. I did my part stopping in at the local Ace Hardware store. I found a cordless Dremel for $19.99, a 1 quart crotchpot for $1.98, an electric nut chopper for $1.98, 30 AA batteries for $4.98, a 16' tape measure for $.99, and a 41 piece ratchet set for $4.99. Holy moly! Christmas shopping is complete! Hope my honey likes the chopper and crotchpot I got her.

I received the following in my e-mail today. I recall hearing something about it in the news and presume most of it is factual.

===============================================

You may recall, the Aladdin Casino in Las Vegas "threw out" Linda Ronstadt for her anti American stance while performing recently. This caused Michael Moore, Director of Fahrenheit 9/11, to send a strong letter of complaint to the President of the Aladdin.

Here is his letter, and the reply from Mr. Timmins.

Response to Michael Moore's, "Open Letter to Bill Timmins, President Aladdin Casino and Hotel"

As you most likely know, Michael Moore posted the following letter:

After the letter, you will find the response...

PLEASE READ MR. TIMMINS RESPONSE. IT IS EXCELLENT.

KUDOS TO MR. TIMMINS!

--------------------------

Bill Timmins President Aladdin Casino and Hotel Las Vegas, NV

July 20, 2004

Dear Mr. Timmins:

I understand from the news reports I've read that, after Linda Ronstadt, one of America's greatest singers, dedicated a song to me from your stage on Saturday night, you instructed your security guards to remove her from the Aladdin, which they did.

What country do you live in? Last time I checked, Las Vegas is still in the United States. And in the United States, we have something called "The First Amendment." This constitutional right gives everyone here the right to say whatever they want to say. All Americans hold this right as sacred. Many of our young people put on a uniform and risk their lives to defend it. My film is all about asking the questions that should have been asked before those brave soldiers were sent into harms way.

For you to throw Linda Ronstadt off the premises because she dared to say a few words in support of me and my film, is simply stupid and Un-American. Frankly, I have never heard of such a thing happening. I read that you wouldn't even let her go back up to her room at your hotel! Are you crazy? For crying out loud, it was a song DEDICATION! To "Desperado!" Every American loves that song! Sure, some people didn't like the dedication, and that's their right.

But neither they nor you have the right to remove her from your building when all she did was exercise her AMERICAN right to speak her mind. Of all the things that go on in Las Vegas, this is what creates the need for serious action? What about the other half of the crowd at the Aladdin who, according to the Las Vegas Sun, cheered her when she made her remarks?

Did you throw them out, too?

I think you owe Ms. Ronstadt an apology. And I have an idea how you can make it up to her -- and to the millions of Americans you have offended. Invite her back and I'll join her in singing "America the Beautiful" on your stage.

Then I will show "Fahrenheit 9/11" free of charge to all your guests and anyone else in Las Vegas who wants to see it.

Mr. Timmins, as the song "Desperado" says -- "Come to your senses!" How can you refuse this offer? I await your reply.

Yours, Michael Moore Director, "Fahrenheit 9/11"

===============================================

Response

===============================================

July 21, 2004

Attention: Michael Moore,

In response to your letter dated July 20, 2004: You are correct that I had security remove Linda Ronstadt from Aladdin Casino and Hotel where the fun never ends and everybody wins.

How very interesting to learn you are such a fan of Ms. Ronstadt. You questioned where I live and surprisingly knew Las Vegas is in the United States. You should visit it sometime. There are thousands of wonderful 'All You Can Eat' buffets.

There are also a lot of casinos who's owners don't **** around. I am aware of the First Amendment and you have the right to talk about your hatred of America but once you are on my property and you are upsetting my guests, you will quickly learn about my rights.

I can't remember if it was Jesus or George W. Bush that said, "Freedom is a two-way street." Ms. Ronstadt learned this long before I had her thrown out of my casino. You question my actions? If you come onto my property and upset my guests, you will receive the same, if not worse, treatment than Ms. Ronstadt received. I am sure your mere presence would upset my guests.

You claim your film, "... is all about asking the questions that should have been asked before those brave soldiers were sent into harms way." I think your film does nothing but aid the enemy and hurt our troops. You have betrayed our troops, our leader and America. I have no respect for you or your vision of what America should be.

I paid Ms. Ronstadt to entertain my guests, not divide them. The half that did not leave probably thought the verse you mentioned, "Why don't you come to your senses" was addressed to you. Maybe she should have dedicated her song, 'You're No Good' to you. I would have asked her back, had she done that.

Regarding your request for me to apologize to her, have you and her on my stage singing anything about this Country and then playing your piece of **** film is ludicrous!

One of my workers is currently throwing away every complaint letter from brainless followers of you, claiming they will never visit my Casino. I could not be more pleased to know my casino and hotel will always be void of the kind of people who support you. Meanwhile, my hotel has been quickly booked solid for the rest of the year with true Americans who love this Country and support our efforts overseas.

They will see a framed copy of your letter and my response in the lobby to ensure they begin their experience with a laugh.

Sincerely,

Bill Timmins President Aladdin Casino and Hotel Las Vegas, NV

108 degrees
too hot for me
a movie matinee
with my sweetie.

A life is only brief
In the eternal scheme of things
So what comes next
Is the important stuff

How we live each day
Determines what comes next
And what we do
Is who we are

Live a lot
Burn the candle at both ends
For life is short
And memories are not

Summer fog
Got me down
Need some sun
To bring me around

Summer sun
Too damn hot
90's and hundreds
For me are not

Gimme my fog
Let me freeze once more
My skin is burned
I can't take anymore

The long dreaded call
Came late last night
Papa has departed
This earthly life

The light long lit
Has finally gone out
No more to sing
No longer to shout

The torch passes on
To me his namesake
One son to one son
Next to my one son too

From Henry and Robert from the 1600's
To Elliott and his father, Robert Davids,
To me in the 21st century
What a long and tangled web of history we make

Rest in peace my father
And we too will soon be passing
From this life to the next
From history to eternity

Holiday Weekend

Memorial Day on the California Delta...
A nice intro to summer - warm and breezy.
Ski boats booming out the latest tunes as they head for fast water.
Good times are soon to be had as they race down Indian Slough
Toward Skiers Beach to hang after a few runs.

Boards and vibes
Make you realize
Summer is here!

Breakfast In New York

Hotel Charges $1,000 for Omelet


May 17, 7:55 AM (ET)


NEW YORK (AP) - It's not made of gold - just eggs, lobster, caviar and a few trimmings. But an omelet on the menu of a swanky Manhattan hotel will set you back $1,000, plus tip.

"I couldn't believe it was the price when I first saw '1,000' on the menu. I thought it was the calorie count," Virginia Marnell, a customer at Norma's restaurant in Le Parker Meridien hotel on West 57th Street, told the Daily News for Monday editions.

The omelet, which debuted May 5 and is billed as the "Zillion Dollar Frittata," has six eggs, a lobster and - here's the kicker - 10 ounces of sevruga caviar. The restaurant pays $65 an ounce for the caviar, according to Norma's general manager, Steven Pipes.

"Since we knew it was going to be a very expensive dish, we decided to have some fun with it," Pipes told the News. "It's not just a gimmick, though. It tastes good."

Beside the omelet's entry in the menu is the following message: "Norma dares you to expense this."

No one has ordered it yet.

A "budget" version of the omelet, containing only one ounce of caviar, sells for $100.

Sleepy Sunday Morning

Listening to XM Radio sampler on-line while surfing the news - NY & LA Times, SF Chronicle, San Jose Mercury News - much about the mistreatement of prisoners in Iraq, Guantanamo Bay and Afghanistan. The hunt is on for a scalp... Rumsfeld's being the favorite. I am sure some high level heads will roll. It's too visible and shocking now.

As I sit comfortably surrounded by the warmth of new age music at my computer with the world at my fingertips, I realize how out of touch we are from "the real world", the world of fanatical Muslims and Palestinians, al Queda and other terrorist groups. Millions facing starvation in Sudan as Arab Muslims try to eliminate anything black. The world is a terrible place for many people; a hell on earth. We westerners live like kings, princes, potentates.

The religious writers had it correct that there is a place "hell". They were wrong about where it is and how you get there. It isn't after you die. It is here and it is now. Perhaps our reason for being here on earth as spiritual beings is to alleviate the suffering of those living in hell. Each one of us lucky ones saving one other person from their living hell would create heaven on earth. Am I a dreamer or just a simpleton, moron, idiot, imbecile?

Barking at the moon and other natural wonders - eclipses, lightning and heavy surf after a storm come to mind - are a wonderful release. They seem like innate behaviors harkening back to our beginning as primordial beings just dry after crawling out of the swampy stew of life celebrating life and being alive.

For me, languaging is a lot like that; painting pictures with words.

I blog
therefore
I am

Great article appeared in the Washington Post today about the effects of illegal immigration on California. Los Angeles beginning to look a lot like Mexico City. People buying $350,000. homes and renting them out to illegals who make the payments by sleeping in shifts packed 20-30 per home. Discarding garbage, rubbish and unwanted detritus on the streets and alleys, just like they do back home in Juarez or Guadalajara where there is no public sanitation or garbage pickup. Overwhelming healthcare and schools and free public services. Hollowing out the middle class which is fleeing in droves including blacks. What'll be left are the working class and the wealthy.

Who supports illegal immigration? There is a very heavy cost. And you and I are paying it.

I have no patience for incompetence or incompetents.
Don't waste my time with speculations you masquerade as facts.
If you suck me in via technology, make sure it works.
I guess it doesn't matter when you're making $10 or 20 bucks an hour.
But it sure as shit matters when your time is worth $100, $500, $1,000 or more.
Waste my time wisely or you won't get any.