Dear 98 Cents

Yesterday I published my thoughts on Hilary Rosen. I got two responses, three actually because my anonymous commenter had poor reading comprehension. The first was my friend Middleboro Jones & I published it. The second two were from the same hateful anonymous coward. He commented, couldn't comprehend the "comment moderation" response and typed out his hateful rant a second time.

I didn't publish either version. I don't mind disagreement. A quick search of the blog will find I have published opposing views. But only the reasonable ones. Not the hateful, nasty ones.

But I did leave a response -

"I thought long and hard about publishing your hateful comment. But that's the point of moderating comments and having your own blog - your hate has no place here.


For you to say that Ann Romney uses her MS as a "crutch" shows that you can't be reasoned with. Ann Romney didn't bring it up in this discussion, I did.

Frequent readers of this blog know that my sister was DX'd over 10 years ago. No amount of money makes up for her suffering. And I have cancer, not breast cancer, but cancer none-the-less. No amount of money could make up for what I have gone through.

You tried to drop a steaming pile here while you cruise the blogosphere with your baseless rage.
Thanks to comment moderation, you can't.

Go back to HuffPo and the other hateful Obama-bots."

My Two Cents on Hilary Rosen

So we've all heard by now that Hilary Rosen beclowned herself attacking Ann Romney.

Today on WTTK "Joe Ligotti Show" locals called in with their opinions.

One caller in particular was spewing such horrible envy. She went on and on, yelling over the host that Ann Romney had help. She had money to buy help. The caller stated she had ten children (which I didn't believe) and no one helped her.

What a stupid, stupid woman. Ann Romney has multiple sclerosis. If you have never been with an MS patient in the midst of an attack, you should STFU about Ann Romney. There's no help you can hire that can ease that pain.

Hilary Rosen should be ashamed.

Anyone who thinks they would trade places with Ann Romney because she is wealthy, should remember that life comes with breast cancer and Multiple Sclerosis.

As I am quick to say, if we all stood in a circle and threw our problems in the middle....we'd be quick to take our own back.

An Important Guest Post - "Respect For The Lost"

This is a guest post by Anastacia Visneski.

In March we lost 4 shipmates in the crash of CG6535. I wanted to wait a little while before posting this so to be sure it wasn’t anger and grief talking. Having given it some time, I think a discussion about social media when it comes to the loss of a shipmate needs to be had.

The day of the crash, a friend of mine expressed to me his anger over finding so many people posting on the Facebook page of one of the lost crew within only a few hours of the crash. I was- sadly- not terribly surprised that some people were posting that quickly.

Let me say it straight: Just because you, as a Coast Guard member, might have knowledge of who has died in a Coast Guard accident… posting on their Facebook page within a couple of hours of the crash that ‘you are going to miss them’ not only is a violation of policy, but makes you a bit of a jerk.

Coast Guard Public Affairs has a policy of holding names of members for 24 hours for next of kin (NOK) notification. Why? It is the time it takes to get the right people in place to tell the family members of the lost, to make sure they have the support they need from their Coast Guard family, to make sure those that need to know hear it from someone in person, someone in uniform, someone trained to break tragic news and provide support in the storm of grief that follows.

I am not going to say that grief and wanting to express your grief isn’t natural. I know that when the crash happened I was utterly desperate to find out who had been onboard. I did in fact find out before the NOK 24hr timeline and I was heartbroken. That being said, I did not go posting about it anywhere. As a matter of fact I waited until it had been released in the media and I had seen it in print on public sites before I said anything. Why? Not because of policy (though that played a part)… but out of respect.

So… to those of you posting on the Facebook pages of the missing members… who are you posting to? The deceased will not be reading that you are “going to miss” them (btw, the search was on and they were still only missing not declared deceased when many of these messages appeared). No, the people who are going to see your little heartfelt messages are the member’s girlfriend, or their cousin, their brother, heck possibly their Mom.

Is social media how you’d want to find out you lost someone you loved? That the one who holds your heart, that is your very joy, your everything… is dead? All because some person you don’t know wanted to be the first to post on their Facebook page? Is it a race to prove to everyone that you “knew first?” Can’t you wait and find a more respectful way of expressing your grief?

And now we have lost two more members in a shooting. I implore all of you to really think before you post. Are you violating policy… and more importantly are you breaking someone’s heart? If you really care about the lost crew member, if you really are their friend… it is your responsibility now as a member of the Coast Guard Family to look out for their loved ones. That is a far better way of showing them you care than posting on a website that their deceased loved ones will never be able to read.

Even When I Try.....

....I mess it up. I checked my calendar, I checked the bus schedule, I picked the bus before the one that got me there just in time. When I arrived in the Navy Yard I was sooooo pleased that I was there at ten past six for my six thirty event.

Unfortunately, it was a six pm lecture.

Last night was an installment in the USS Constitution Museum's War of 1812 series. For this lecture, Sidney Hart, Ph.D., Senior Historian at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery came up from Washington, DC. He presented an illustrated lecture about the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery's upcoming bicentennial exhibition, 1812: A Nation Emerges, which will open on June 15, 2012 in Washington, DC.

It was very interessting and I might try to get down to DC to see the actual artwork.

Afterwards I said "Hi" to some people I knew as I made my way over to my friend Tom, from the Navy League. I was hoping he would be there because I had an 1812 calendar for him.

And Tom had something for me!

So How Are Those New Scripts Doing?

Oh, you mean my Propanolol & my Methimazole?

Well I wouldn't know.....I don't have them yet.

The endocrinologist prescribed them late Friday and I couldn't bring myself to go out and get them.

The pharmacy in NEMC is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

And today......surprise.....there was ANOTHER problem with the health insurance. Another miscommunication between Commonwealth Choice and Blue Cross. Commonwealth Choice is a clearinghouse to help people buy insurance at group rates. I knew early on in my illness that I wanted something top drawer because of my illness. So I opted out of my employer's policy and went through the Commonwealth. It's not subsidized because I made too much money. Of course now I qualify for everything, lol.

Every month it's something. Every month.

I'm exhausted.

And of course it was 5:01pm. blue Cross was there, but not the Commonwealth.

Found A New Blog.....

....that's right up my alley!

The Boston Bakery Babe.

Her motto is - "Savoring Boston, one cake, pie, and dainty at a time..."

I'm in! LOL!

I think my first trip will be to Crema Cafe. The cupcakes looked fabulous. Crema Cafe is just outside Harvard Square. I'll pick a nice sunny day and hopefully grab an outdoor table where Griff and I can have lunch.......and cupcakes....

No Ice Cream For Breakfast

I pulled myself together and decided today was going to be an adventure.

My father said once that he'd really like to try knishes. So late last night I looked up "knish" on Yelp. The top three were in Coolidge Corner close to each other. I took the Green Line out to Coolidge Corner and my first choice, Michael's wasn't even a block away from the "T" stop.

They had four different types, potato, spinach, roast beef & pastrami. I got two of each.

I wanted to get some chocolates for my mother so I also picked a chocolatier from Yelp. The most interesting choice was Blue Tierra in South Boston. So there I went....into enemy territory. A Townie on the #9 bus riding down West Broadway.

Again, I was lucky and the bus stopped exactly across the street from the shop. The first thing I noticed was gold foil wrapped coins. I had to get that right away for my cousin Griffin. We watch"Jake and the Never Land Pirates". Jake and the gang collect "Gold Doubloons". So we have to have them! Then I say a chocolate Easter bunny pop. The solid milk chocolate bunnies were gone. Then I saw a bag of milk chocolate nonpareils. I picked those up for my mother. I saw a bag of beautifully colored malted milk balls. And finally I picked a few individual chocolates. One was shaped like a shamrock and had Guinness in it. Guess who that was for?

Then it was back on the bus to the Red Line to South Station. I was soooooo in the mood for a fruit smoothie and I like the place in South Station.

My final thing on the list was Easter cards. So I walked up Summer to CVS. I have their frequent customer card and my transaction spit out four coupons. One was for hair color. I walked up that aisle and picked my brand which was on sale. Then one coupon took $2 more off that and the $4 in "ExtraBucks" made it......FREE! Sure it's blurry, but you can see the total is $o.oo!

I walked up to the bus stop & didn't the 93 roll right up! It was perfect. I told the driver his timing was impeccable, I was tired & I only had a $1 left. He laughed and said "Thank you."

So everything is perfect, right? Not exactly. I signed my card for my parents and put it on the buffet with my Dad's bunny pop and my Mum's bag of nonpareils. My father walks out and asks who the non-pareils are for. When I tell him, he says "Mummy (this always cracks my up, we never called her Mummy, only he does when he talks to us) doesn't like them."

What?

I go in the living room and ask her. She shakes her head and says no. "But I get them for you a lot." I say. She replies "I know."

I Know I've Told You This Before....

......but eight and a half years after I stayed at the Taj Palace in Dubai, they are still sending me emails. I love them. It was the best vacation ever. And I need a boost, lol. Just got the official word on the results of today's visit with the endocrinologist and the blood work.

I have Grave's disease. Pissah.

Preliminary studies show a slightly higher incidence of Grave's disease in Multiple Myeloma patients. They are both auto-immune disorders.

I want ice cream but it's Good Friday. My mother pointed out that I am exempt if I want to be with all my disorders and diseases. But I declined. The point of the exemption is to make sure sick or weak people don't become more weak. Not so I can have ice cream.

Ok, The #Occupy People Got Me

They finally found an issue that I care about. They are focused on it and I hope they are successful.

And I will lend support.

Today the Herald reported on the "Occupy T Sit-in". Recently there has been a lot of attention on the "T" because they are running a deficit. The T Board has decided that their best options are to decrease service and raise fares.

Now this is not a problem for me. I live very close to downtown Boston on a popular route. And the fare is not a problem.

But the complete lack of foresight on this matter is stunning.

One of the most basic things that a person needs to survive is transportation. You need to get to your job, your home, your school.

People in this state are always wailing about helping the poor. They want them to have EBT cards and housing subsidies and all kinds of other entitlements.

Did you never hear that fish/teach him to fish story???????

Instead of giving people entitlements, why not give them a way earn their own food, house, degree, etc.?

Someone, the Governor or someone else needs to step in and make up that deficit. The "T" helps everyone. The "T" creates a level playing field.

Want to lower traffic? Support the "T".

Want less pollution? Support the "T".

Want an easy way to help people advance and get themselves out of poverty? Support the "T".

It's so glaringly obvious I want to shake them!

So for once #Occupy, good on you! You have an issue that's relevant. You've got a focus. You really are helping those less fortunate.

I Always Think....

that if I can just explain what I am thinking, the other person will "get it".

I tried this with my children. I resolved that I wouldn't punish, I'd explain. Then they would say "Yeah, I get it, I'll never.......(fill in the blank)....... again".

What I ended up with was two world class debaters. I'm not kidding, Tommy won awards in high school.

It hardly ever works and yet I can't give up on it.

Yesterday I was angry and posted something petty and small. Two people questioned it and I was ashamed and deleted it.

The first person made a joke. He understands we all make mistakes. I'm sure he hopes, as I do, that I try to do better in the future.

Was It Fun? Of Course It Was!

I overslept, and had to rush into Boston with Tommy to get cake. But then I changed my mind and got cupcakes from Cakeology on Province St. I picked them because they had such a great rating on Yelp. However, once I was there I realized this was the place with the cake truck outside the Boston Public Library. I already loved them!We got German chocolate and double chocolate and Boston cream pie - which my mother loved - and key lime.

Then we hauled all our stuff to Grace's house and she just rolled her eyes. We ate.....and ate....and ate!

It was great to have our parents and nieces and nephews and cousins together to celebrate our birthdays.

Getting together with my family never gets old.

Almost Ready For Tomorrow's Party!

I made tuna salad; chicken salad; spinach dip; onion dip; a fruit tray; and cole slaw.

I have chips and pretzels and soda and Nutella and crackers and bruschetta and mozzarella.

Mum made potato salad and my Dad bought more snacks.

Grace is making meatballs and chicken wings.

I told Grace I would take care of the cake.....and true to form I have waited until the last minute.

So I guess we know what I'll being doing tomorrow morning!

But for now I am lazing in the parlour watching "Lost Weekend". The music sounds like the music in the original "The Day The Earth Stood Still". Gort, Klaatu barada nikto!

Dear Redhead at Today's #OSMH Lecture

I'm so glad you ran away without facing me yourself. I wouldn't want to upset Griff by dressing you down as you deserved.

Griff and I took the Main Street bus downtown and walked down to the Old South Meeting House. Today's lunchtime lecture was the final installment in the series "The Sum of It's Parts; A Boston Neighborhood Review" Charlestown-Rebuilt after it was burned by the British following the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775, and annexed to Boston in 1874, today Charlestown is home to extraordinary historical architecture; major national landmarks and a new generation of immigrants and young professionals that have joined its traditionally Irish-American population. Carl Zellner, Historian of the Charlestown Historical Society, explores the city’s oldest neighborhood, which today is a thriving 21st Century community.

Griff and I took a seat off to the side as opposed to front and center. Just in case he got itchy. But overall, he was great. I didn't think much of his whispers and moving about. You see, during lectures, tourist are still roaming around the periphery. Floorboards squeak and people talk in hushed tones. That's why they gave Mr. Zellner a microphone so he could speak to his series of slides.

I try never to miss tours or talks about Charlestown because I always learn something new. I enjoyed Mr. Zellner's talk very much.

But not everyone did and they didn't want to be unhappy alone. I noticed a redheaded woman three people to my left leaning over, away from the screen. I didn't get it. But someone made sure I did.

To my immediate right was a young girl, 10, maybe 12. Her mother was between her and the redheaded grump. The young girl's mother got up and walked over to me to say "He (meaning Griff) is bothering her (indicating the redheaded woman). You might want to move."

I was speechless. I looked down, the redhead wouldn't meet my eye. I stayed right where I was.

Then the redheaded woman called over one of the OSMH people and apparently voiced her displeasure. The woman from the OSMH brought Griff some crayons and a clipboard with Paul Revere pages to color. Griffin was very good. It's not like I brought a three-year old Frankie to the lecture.

When the lecture ended, I looked over, but Miss Fussy had hurried away.

Very wise.

After the lecture we bought books, had lunch and went to the bank. Everywhere we went Griff charmed people, he is so cute and very polite.

Well, That Didn't Go As Planned!

This weekend the Somerville Theater in Davis Square is hosting the 13th Annual Irish Film Festival.

Yesterday was a "down day" where I didn't even shower, but I knew today would be better. So I checked the listings and I saw that Sunday's offerings included "Bernadette: Notes On A Political Journey". I was struck immediately! This documentary is the story of Bernadette Devlin. I had read her book "The Price of My Soul" when I was 16 and it impacted me deeply. I didn't always agree with her views, she is a socialist, but you can't help but be in awe of her. At least I couldn't.

So today I got up and showered and not wanting to risk the "T" on a Sunday schedule, I took a cab to Davis Square.

I went up to the ticket window, very happy to be 30 minutes early for a 2 pm showing. I put my money on the counter and asked for a ticket.

"It's sold out and started 30 minutes ago."

Ah yes, I am so good aren't I? It was a 1 pm showing not a 2 pm showing.

THIS Is What Should Come To Mind When You Hear "Dewey Square"

Dewey Square was named for Admiral of the Navy George Dewey. This lovely park should inspire thoughts of Dewey's US Naval Service.

Where There Is A Will.....

This will be a little cryptic. Sorry about that.

Today, I had to go somewhere and stand for....I don't know.....5 minutes. This was after some walking. Grace didn't want me to do it. She is against all exertion until after I see the endocrinologist.

Oh yeah, did I tell you? They think I have hyperthyroidism. Kate told me and I laughed. People with myeloma experience weight loss. Not me. People with anemia experience weight loss. not me. People on chemo experience weight loss. Not me. People with hyperthyroidism experience weight loss. Not me. It makes me wonder...if I didn't have these medical problems....would I be 500 pounds????

My oncology team says it's unrelated to the cancer; the chemo, or the transplant. So, why? How? Who knows. But it means that most of the time I shake. People who know me are saying right now "But you've always had a tremor". Yeah, but this is ridiculous. I shake all over and have vertigo. If they are right, they think a specialist can solve it either with medication or radiating my thyroid (which sounds awful). But I can't wait for them to fix it. People are always looking at me. Telling me to slow down. Or calm down. But it's not nerves or upset, it's just minor exertion that brings it on.

So I go. Luckily I wasn't alone. My Frankie and my good friend Bette took me. I can't drive anymore.

Jen & Grace had to go to the funeral of our cousin's grandmother, which is actually where I should have been.

It was sooooo embarrassing. I nearly collapsed. The trembling was so bad. Then the room got all murky and shaky. People came up to me, helped me to my seat. Gave me water - which was a great idea, lol. And I was able to pull myself together a little.

Frankie & Bette made me laugh afterwards. I am so grateful for their support.

Should I have gone? Was Grace right?

A great man once said "Never give up. Never give in." Some things matter.

Ha!

Haha!

It's My Birthday!

It started the day before and it won't end at midnight. That's how I roll!

First there was a beautiful bouquet of flowers waiting for me when I got home from the doctor's office. It was a huge lift! Aren't they beautiful? They are from my Uncle Walter and Tom, so naturally they are from Bunker Hill Florist. Then when I opened my Google page. When I ran the mouse over it, it said "Happy Birthday, Maggie". Nice touch Google! A little while ago I saw an episode of "Unique Sweets" on the Cooking Channel. They were visiting Clear Flour Bakery. I made a note in my calendar to go on my birthday. So that was my primary mission. Totally worth the trip out on the Green Line. In the pic above you can see a raspberry/apple tart and one of the delicious chocolate things and half of a chocolate macaroon. You can also see the chocolates that Grace & Jen sent me.
In the foreground are Walter & Tom's flowers. In the back are the flowers from Grace & Jen. In the bowl is a birthday card for Grace. Her birthday is next Tuesday. That card and mine have been in the bowl for a while. My Dad is always ready way ahead of time.

This is stuff Grace & Jen brought from a different bakery.

This is blueberry lemon cake and another chocolate dessert, again from Clear Flour Bakery.

And another treat came on Facebook. Pictures of my newest niece, Lily Grace. Congrats Jessa & Sean, she is beautiful! I can't wait to meet her. Is my birthday over? No way. There's still a party on March 21st.

I'm Not Saying I Have a Problem....

....but I am just wrapping up the replay of #TalkingDead. That's after watching last week's episode once and tonight's season finale twice.

But I have to go to bed now. Tomorrow is scheduled pretty tightly.

Starting off we have the opening round of voting for #TwitterFightClub. Please vote for @HerbCarmen tomorrow between 0900 and 1200.

Then I have to head over to NEMC for PFTs. I did this once before when I wasn't so weak. They're gonna be lucky if I don't faint from the exertion.

And of course, I'll spend all day feeling guilty for wishing that Lily would hold out for Tuesday & be my birthday buddy. It's kind of mean to keep hoping that since my niece Jessa has just been admitted to the hospital with contractions. Even I'm not mean enough to hope for 23 more hours of contractions.

I'm All By Myself

Regarding this Kony2012 video. I don't get it. The backlash has me baffled.

Have you seen it? You should. Here's a link. It's just under 30 minutes long.

It gives a very simple overview of the situation in Uganda ( and surrounding countries) and Joseph Kony. Joseph Kony is the leader of the Lord's Resistance Army. He is, without doubt, a war criminal.

What I got from the video was that Jospeh Kony should be brought to justice. That the more public pressure that can be brought to bear on Western governments (particularly the US) the more likely that Kony can be brought down.

The filmakers other point were that Uganda will need lots of help rebuilding what has been destroyed in the fighting. He also points out that if public pressure wanes, not only will no further progress be made towards these goals, but the US may withdraw the 100 special forces presently deployed in Uganda.

I firmly believe that more people need to educate themselves on what goes on outside of their own little bubble. Particularly the college age people he has clearly aimed this campaign toward.

So, why the backlash?

It's oversimplyfied. Ok, who is going to watch the expanded, nuanced, comprehensive version? Probably the people who are already aware and looking to further educate themselves. I look at this like a trailer. Of course there is more to this story. Duh.......

Kony hasn't really made a move in over a year. Umm, so? Is there a statute of limitations on murder, rape, torture and kidnapping?

Other leaders in Africa do bad things too. LOL! This defense didn't work when you told your parents "All the other kids do it!" and it won't work here.

The makers of the video want US military intervention in Uganda to hunt down Kony. I didn't hear that. I heard them say that the US could assist/advise - and I agree. I also heard them say that if Kony falls off the radar, the troops currently deployed there may be withdrawn.

My favorite though was from a Facebook friend "Lastly, this video is little more than Kipling's 'white man's burden' repackaged and remessaged for the 21st Century"

But I am used to it. I take flak from Jennifer all the time about my feelings on Darfur. Today was probably the first time I ever agreed with George Clooney.