Col. Janis Karpinski

How do we get rid of this disgraceful woman?

You must read this story at Mudville Gazette.

http://www.mudvillegazette.com/archives/004141.html

The only thing more unbelievable than this story is that some people are listening. This is like Kerry and his Winter Soldier shit.

*****UPDATE***** She is retired, so we don't need to get rid of her, lol.

Specter's Hearings on CSpan

Sen. "Splash" Kennedy (D-Under some barstool) just posed a question to Attorney General Gonzalez in which he addressed him as "General".

LOL, this is what happens when you drink your breakfast.

Bullshit!!!!!!!!!

There is NFW that I would believe that the government of Yemen isn't involved in this.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/02/05/cole.escape/index.html

Every time we trust a foreign government to handle justice on our behalf, it goes south.

February 5, 2006

Off to Boston........Mass......CCD........breakfast with the parents........movies.......late lunch.............Superbowl.

Who am I cheering for? If the Patriots aren't in it I don't think I care.

A whole day with no news ( I DVR Fox News Sunday, Meet The Press, etc.), no web surfing. I will be jonesing by late tonight. Last Sunday when I spent the day away from the computer Bob Woodruff had been injured by an IED. I felt like I Rip van Winkle.

A Moderate Muslim Voice

Al-Sistani in Iraq

"Al-Sistani, who wields enormous influence over Iraq's majority Shiites, made no call for protests and suggested that militant Muslims were partly to blame for distorting Islam's image.

He referred to "misguided and oppressive" segments of the Muslim community and said their actions "projected a distorted and dark image of the faith of justice, love and brotherhood."

"Enemies have exploited this … to spread their poison and revive their old hatreds with new methods and mechanisms," he said of the cartoons.

Though al-Sistani did not call for demonstrations, other Shiite Islamic and Sunni leaders across Iraq did."

Read the entire article here.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1575774&page=1

Something Morbid

My family is fairly irreverent. On the subject of death and dying, little is taboo. Over the years after attending wakes and funerals the discussion invariably turns to our own wishes. My mother wishes to be buried with a comfortable sweat suit tucked in the corner of the casket. She does not want to end up like the mother on "Providence", wandering for eternity in a dressing outfit and uncomfortable nylons. Jennifer wants jeans and her dock martins. My uncle Walter and I want good caterers to do our after funeral parties. They all want to but buried with all their "parts". I am ashamed to say, despite my pleading, cajoling, scorn and logic, I am the only organ donor. As for myself, I want to be "held over all this week" at Carr's. The current one day deal is not enough for me and it's not enough to go back to the old way of two afternoons and one evening. I want all week. They tell me that there are probably laws against this. Well guess what? Coretta Scott King is doing it.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060204/ap_on_re_us/coretta_scott_king

I don't need multiple locations or the horse drawn carriage.

Hugh Hewitt and the cartoon issue

http://hughhewitt.com/archives/2006/01/29-week/index.php#a001246

While I agree that the cartoon are in bad taste, I think Hugh misses the point of the issue. In the article above he points out that there are lots of things that offend us here and we should understand the Muslims being offended. I do understand. I am drawing the line at their call for censorship. Joel Stein http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-stein24jan24,0,4137172.column?coll=la-news-comment-opinions offended me. However, I am not saying that the LA Times should be shut down, California should be boycotted and Mr. Stein should be beheaded. It's about free speech. No one has the right to never be offended. The cartoons in Denmark didn't advocate harming Muslims, it's not hate speech. I am in solidarity with the Danish because of the overreaction of the Muslim people.

UPDATE: Here is the difference between me beefing about Joel Stein and Muslim reaction to cartoons.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/02/04/syria.cartoon.ap/

I Do Not Like Where This Is Headed

A Navy Commander was expelled from Venezuala.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/13779720.htm

We are so focused on The Gulf, it's almost as though Chavez is misbehaving to get our attention.

A Long Night

I have a friend who is self employed, a jack of all trades and has law enforcement connections up the wazoo. It has come in handy to be his friend on many occasions. He called me yesterday to say he would be dropping off diesel (which he buys deeply discounted and will work the same as home heating oil) for me. In New England this is huge! So, I wait as long as I can in the evening for him, but finally I carry on with my plans and go to dinner. At 2300 hours he calls, I missed it, he left voice mail. I assume he's calling to apologize for missing me. When I am leaving Boston at 0030, I call him. He asks where I am and can he follow me home and take care of the fuel then. LOL. OK, fine. He delivers 100 gallons of fuel, puts 6 gallons of gas in my car and tada! gets the stupid slim jim ( http://bostonmaggie.blogspot.com/2006/01/my-life-is-fellinni-film.html ) out of my car in two minutes flat! How happy am I? When we're all set and he's ready to leave, we are both exhausted, what do I do? Come on, guess. Yes, that's right I lock my keys in my car! He gets the tools back out and opens the car again. He told me that I was lucky because he was too tired to slap me.

Thanks Michael.

Friday Night

Home from the gym and a manicure................jumping in the shower....body scrub......body cream..........then off for the evening!

Pouting

The Chief is not playing fair! I am pouting.

http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/005248.html

I sent him an email about the "CuddlePuddle" thing (see 2 posts down) to post over at the Castle if he were interested. The point of emailing it to him was to stay under the radar. But once again he has taken this opportunity to shine a spotlight on me. He is really cramping my style. I do my best work in the dark.

Of course, I know better than to expect any sympathy here.

NPR

They have a sense of humor!! This morning's story on Lewis "Scooter"Libby was reported by Libby Lewis. Cute.

New York Magazine

Laura Ingraham was ranting about this story today. Not sure that this isn't very exaggerated, but still interesting. Love the new phrase "CuddlePuddle".


http://www.nymetro.com/news/features/15589/

Muslim Cartoons

The Mulsim boycott of Denmark and things Danish continues. Americans need to support Denmark.
Here is a link to Michelle Malkin (who is great) showing the cartoons in question.

http://michellemalkin.com/archives/004413.htm


Buy Danish!!

February 2, 2006

It's 73 and fair in Dubai, mmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Today is Groundhog Day. I say this because everyone else is saying this. I don't think I care. A mild spring is not really all that important to me. This is New England, sometimes it's miserable. Suck it up or live elsewhere. If you didn't have cold, wintry, blustry, slushy weather...........you can not truly appreciate those perfect spring, summer and fall days. I can think of nothing worse than living somewhere with no seasons. No extremes = boredom = purgatory.

Today House Republicans chose a new majority leader, I wanted Shadegg, oh well.

BTW, SouthieBoy, you lose and I have witnesses.

Blogging Questions

My profile and archive stuff has moved to the bottom of the page. Does anyone know how to put it back up to the top. LOL I am soooooo bad at this stuff. I read through "Blogger Help" quickly but I don't have a lot of time to spend on it. I have to stop this silliness and work.

State Of The Union Address

Wasn't as bad as NPR makes it out to be.

Wasn't as good as Laura Ingraham will make it out to be.

It was ok.

It's fun to watch and read the live blogging at the Corner at the same time.
http://corner.nationalreview.com/

Brit Hume did a good job too.

Favorite Headline of the Day

Of course she should get her stuff back!!!!!

http://ledger.southofboston.com/articles/2006/01/31/news/news01.txt

Being Tagged

Ok, this has never happened to me before. I am a lurker. I post comments on other people's blogs occassionally, but generally I fly under the radar. I've never participated in these online games, etc. So this will be boring and it will be a dead end. Have fun at Bill's other picks. Comment to the Chief - bastid! There I was sitting at my desk, eating my breakfast, fielding questions from my staff.........screwing around online (not punched in, I have a strong work ethic), when I saw my name in your post. I almost choked! I feel violated! LOL 4 Jobs You Have Had In Your Life 1. Cashier at the A&P - in high school. 2. Clerk typist for A.T.&T. - in the days when you called it "the phone company" and everyone knew what you meant because there was only Ma Bell. The nuns almost choked when they heard I was rated "advanced". I was a terrible typist and they admitted passing me simply because my aunt was a nun and their friend. They told me if I had to type for a living, I'd starve! 3. Waitress in a chinese restaraunt - I know cool words to describe your "naughty bits". I was a great waitress when there were just a few people, I paid lots of attention, said funny things, made you happy. I was a terrible waitress when there were a lot of people, I would get completely overwhelmed and couldn't turn my tables over fast enough. It was still a lot of fun. 4. Office Supervisor for a home medical equipment/oxygen company - this is the greatest job! I get paid to flirt with old men and make them more breathless than they already are! 4 Movies You Could Watch Over and Over 1. Rio Bravo 2. The Searchers 3. The Ghost and Mrs. Muir 4. Body Heat - I will comment no further on this choice. Don't ask. This is a terribly unfair question.........I can't pick just four. I am a huge cinephile. I llllooovvveee movies. Old movies, new movies. I love to go to movies alone because I am a fussy old lady and don't want people to talk to me, lol. And I will shush strangers in movies and I have literally had a fights in movie theaters but it was a long time ago. 4 Places I have Lived LOL - now we see just how narrow and parochial Maggie's life is! 1. Boston - in the heart of the city with the most overwhelming concentration of fellow Irish Catholics. Can you say homogeneous? 2. 35 miles south of Boston in a former vacation community full of people from Boston - but there are some Italians, not just Irish! I am 500 feet from the Atlantic and just around the corner from the cottage where I spent every summer of my childhood. Done 4 TV Shows You Love To Watch 1. Fox News Sunday - I yell back at the TV the way the boys do with sporting events. I love Brit Hume and Bill Kristol. This is my favorite, but I watch and yell at them all, MTP, FTN, etc. 2. C-Span - Brian Lamb is the sexiest man on TV 3. "24" Jack Bauer rules! 4. "The Daily Show" & "The Colbert Report" - liberals are funny 4 Places You Have Been On Vacation 1. Dubai - this is the single most fabulous place on earth and I would sell the boys for medical experimentation to finance my return. 2. Disney - all day at Typhoon Lagoon, all night in the Pleasure Island AMC 24 movie theater, meet the boys for meals, it's perfect. 3. Hampton Beach - everyone from Boston goes to Hampton beach! 4. Germany and Austria with the nuns in high school. Looking back, I should have paid more attention. 4 Websites You Visit Daily 1. The Corner online at National Review http://corner.nationalreview.com/ 2. Drudge - a guilty pleasure http://www.drudgereport.com/ 3. These people, before I realized it could get me in trouble http://www.thedonovan.com/ 4. My favorite, never miss, is something I can't identify. It's a website for US naval officers and I am a lurker (with permission of the owner as long as I never post and never reveal my access). 4 Favorite Foods 1. Hersheyettes - they are better than M&Ms, but harder to come by. 2. Italian food from the North End. 3. Turkey from Bongi's Turket Farm. 4. Chicken Pad Thai. 4 Places You Would Rather Be Right Now 1. A chaise lounge, with a new Stephen King book, a bag of Hersheyettes, a glass bottle of Coke, at the roof top pool of the hotel in Dubai - anticipating my scheduled treatment at the Spa just inside. 2. A chaise lounge in Typhoon Lagoon, same accoutrement as above. 3. A chaise lounge in Foxwoods on the 9th floor, again - see above. 4. Newport - the person who needs to know that, knows that. 4 People To Tag Ahhhhh. Here's our dead end. I don't know other bloggers to tag. Question - Have I submitted enough evidence to convince a jury that the Chief has missed the mark in calling me a "Wilde Childe"? I think so.

Denmark vs. Islamic fanatics

This is from The Corner OnLine at National Review this morning. I agree, support Denmark!

BUY DANISH [Michael Ledeen]

The wonderful Judith Klinghoffer has it right: we must all support Denmark against the intimidation of the crazy muslim fundamentalists. And it's one of those times when we can do well by doing good: Eat Danish! Wear Danish! Danish furniture is the coolest!Here's what Judith says in response to the Muslim boycott of Denmark, all because a Danish newspaper dared to publish a cartoon that was, in Muslim eyes, insufficiently respectful of the Prophet:
The Muslim countries have chosen to pressure liberal little Denmark in order to teach the media and governments which stand by them a lesson, which does not bode well for free speech or satire. Kuwait has joined the Saudi boycott (the Saudi market alone is worth 1.2 billion) and I suspect the rest will follow. So, here is a plea from my Danish friends: "If you americans look with this great sympathy on our case, couldn't you then raise a consumer support of DK in the US? The opposite of a boycott. A movement of: "Buy Danish!" Please? "You can easily eat and digest all our famous danish cheese at your millions of breakfast-tables from Seattle to Atlanta. Then the boycott (which is escalating fast down there now) will be harmless."Well, we can and should. In fact the idea immediately occurred to the readers of Charles of LGF who was kind enough to post the news about the Saudi boycott on his popular site. They recommended you buy not only the always delicious Danish butter cookies but also:Danish Havarti cheeseCarlberg and Tuborg Beers.Arla owns White Clover Dairy, a Wisconsin company, so buy that brand.Danish hams... baby back ribs, because they come from Denmark.You shop online at The Danish Foodshop.Posted at 09:01 AM

Monday

What a strange day. Mary Matalin was on Imus..........that's always surreal. I can only take him in small doses. God Bless Mary Matalin! She must have to hold her nose. He is so ignorant.

Popped into the gym to weigh myself........major depression, lol!

Countdown to the State of the Union.........please let W hit one out of the park!

"24" is tonight. I will watch the Sunday morning talk shows that I have on DVR, then cap it off with Jack.

What a Great Day!!!!!!!!

Mass, CCD, breakfast with the parents, dinner with my sisters and mother. Just hanging out with a good chunk of the nieces and nephews.

A really great day.

Night

http://www.grandretort.com/index.php/trackback/34/

The link above goes to "The Grand Retort" It is Sanger's essay on "Night" by Elie Wiesel. I read this book back in high school and remember how different my reaction was than that of my classmates. Some didn't care or get it, but most were so full of sympathy. I was angry. I didn't talk about it much, it was high school and I didn't want to push the fact that my opinion was different. The nuns chalked it up to the fact that I couldn't "grasp" it. That made some sense. I grew up in a very homegenous enviroment. There was nothing easier than growing up Irish Catholic in Boston in the 60s and 70s. I did not experience anything close to discrimination in my childhood. I was surrounded by people determined that I understand other people and cultures in the context that I was the luckiest of all. My parents provided a comfortable, loving childhood in the land of the free. So how could I judge Jews in Germany? Where did I get off thinking they should have fought to the death? But that was what I felt. Now that I am much older (how it pains me to say that!) and have read and heard and lived so much more than in high school, I still feel this. It's still a comfortable life in safe place so I'll keep my voice down.

Still Feeling Crappy

I have been laid low by a head cold. It is still hanging on. Anyone who wishes to bring me a chocolate ice cream soda should feel free.

My Life Is A Fellinni Film

Some things happen only to me.

Saturday I was trying to put something ungainly into my car. My boss pulled up next to my car, started talking to me and I was distracted. My passenger door swings shut on it's own and voila! My keys are locked in my car. Fine, it's not the first time, I'll go to the dry cleaners 2 doors down and get a wire hanger. My boss points out that the owner of the police and fire supply shop is there, why don't I just get a slimjim from him? I didn't want to, I don't like asking for favors and I wouldn't know how to use said tool. But fine. One of the guys I work with says he knows how to use it, Paul gladly gives me the tool in question, off we go. After a bit, I go to the dry cleaner anyway and get the hanger so I can work on the passenger side door which is not completely closed. After maybe five minutes, I have the door open. Ian is still working on the drivers side door and now his burglars tool is stuck. I go back to work. Thirty minutes later, Ian is still stuck. I have to go run an errand, so I drive home with the tool sticking out of my door. My sister's boyfriend sees this when I stop and her house and goes out to take care of it. He spends thirty minutes, takes off the inside panel of the drivers side door. No luck. More driving around with the slimjim sticking out of my door. Monday I go over to the police and fire supply and ask how much to buy it. After all, now it's going to have to be cut off with one piece always stuck inside the door.

Lessons learned:

If I am busy and my boss starts talking to me: Ignore her.
If my keys are stuck in my car: Stick with a coat hanger.
If someone makes a suggestion that I don't like: Go with my first instinct.

Frankie's birthday

Today my baby turns 18. He has been counting down since he was 10, lol. I was a different person back then. I look back and barely recognize myself. I had a regularly scheduled checkup that day and as we drove to the doctor's office I knew I was in labor. My doctor was very popular and there was always a huge wait to see him. Waiting an hour was very common. I always needed a ride because back then I didn't drive much. I got my license when I was pregnant (26) and stuck pretty much my own neighborhood. That really makes me laugh considering all the places I go by myself now. Anyway, when I got to the office I did the regular check in and didn't say anything about my labor pains. I was afraid of being wrong. I was afraid of cutting that huge line and not actually being in labor. It was just before 2 pm. As I sat in the waiting room for the next hour with my sister Grace (who was herself six months along with her Danny) and my ex-husband, other women became aware that I was in labor. Finally one of them went up and told the receptionist. I was wisked into the inner sanctum, mortified. The doctor gave me the most cursory exam and told me to get up to the hospital (1/2 mile away) pronto. Frankie was born less than three hours later. We all laugh about that now. Especially the part where I was nice, a little shy, deferential, afraid of being wrong. Who was that girl!

Anyway...............

Happy Birthday Spankie! Love Mum

My Head Cold......

......hit yesterday like a hurricane. I was miserable, cranky, whiny (all right, more than usual). I made everyone in work suffer along with me. One of the chief rules.........When Maggie is unhappy, she is rarely unhappy alone. I drowned it in juice and tea and things are better. Still, it's best not to kiss me just yet. The rotation has been ordered to stand down for the weekend. Of course, now is the time you find out if I really like you or not, lol. If you see me in the next day or two and I give you a great big hug and kiss, well.....

Memoirs of a Geisha

Went to see this movie tonight with my friend Trish. It was very beautiful, but I was unmoved by the film's big scene. Trish thought it was a bit long. I felt it flowed right along. Overall, a B.

MMMMMMMMMMM

I'm back. It was fabulous. I am off to Jennifer's, I am late for our date with Jack Bauer.

MY Respect Is Better Than Your Respect NANANANA

This was on Yahoo News this morning. How silly! Why do some people think their opinion trumps others? MLK Day is about honoring him, not about asserting your own agenda. Why not just be glad so many want to show their respect?

Yahoo! News
--------------------------------------------------------

Activists Angered by Flyover at MLK March 21 minutes ago



SAN ANTONIO - Peace activists are protesting plans for a military flyover at the city's annual Martin Luther King Jr. march, saying the gesture runs counter to the nonviolent beliefs of the civil rights leader.

The city's MLK Commission said the flyover by two fighter jets from Randolph Air Force Base is meant to be patriotic and an honor to King in a city with a strong military presence.

The Rev. Herman Price, the commission's chairman, said he was dismayed by the divisiveness the flyover was causing.

"They say the planes represent war and bombs and death, but at the same time those planes can also represent our freedom and peace," Price said.

The San Antonio march is in its 20th year and has drawn as much as 70,000 people, making it one of the nation's largest Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemorations.

The commission voted to add the flyover at a November meeting, and peace activists say an attempt to rescind it failed at a meeting this week. Some said they would stay home this year or wear yellow ribbons during the march Monday as a show of protest.

"If you're going to honor Dr. King, you have to honor the nonviolent point. It's fundamental," said Tommy Calvert Jr., who attended the meeting.

Happy Friday the 13th

45 and a half hours

I am soooooooooo looking forward to this! The polls are closed.......no Atkins this weekend! I have Hersheyettes and Cosmo. The plan is to get there early, settle into the Ladies Locker room. Get my robe and spend some quality time in the jaccuzzi. Some lounging by the pool followed by lunch in the Golden Dragon with a long tall Fog Cutter or Mai Tai. Back to the pool for some serious lounging but no serious reading. Then my body polish, mmmmmmmmmmm.

76 and half hours

from now...........body polish. I can't wait!!! Now here is our poll question boys and girls. Do I fall off the wagon and ditch Atkins for the weekend? I already know I will be drinking and most times that is the kiss of death for good behavior of any kind (insert evil grin here). So should I try to be as good as possible, for as long as possible and maybe cheat a little? Or throw off all pretense and enjoy my weekend to the fullest? Chocolate is part of the whole experience. Sitting by the pool, reading Cosmo, eating chocolate, a drink with lunch, soaking in the jacuzzi, body polish..............chocolate and tropical drinks are part of the whole thing.

So, go to Foxwoods Saturday morning knowing I will be bad until Sunday night?

Or, try to be good knowing the chances of success are small?

Munich

I went to see Munich last night with my sister Grace. Good movie, bad foreign policy.

Sam Harris

I saw this guy on CSpan. He wrote a book called "The End Of Religion". He was very interesting. One of his points was how difficult it is to criticize anything to do with organized religion. He pointed out that anyone who says Islam is a religion of peace has never read the Koran. My favorite point was when he was disputing the assertion that radical Islam is the result of oppression by Israel, the US and other Western countries. He said that if that were true there should be many radical Zen suicide bombers because the Chinese occupation of Tibet has gone on longer and been much more brutal. I thought that was great!

Movies

Went to see "Rumor Has It" with Jennifer Aniston and Kevin Costner. It was cute, kinda funny. and not too memorable. However, I must note, Jennifer Aniston has ugly hands. They should not film them.
For Christmas I gave Jennifer the soundtrack to "The Ghost & Mrs. Muir". I saw it on Amazon while I was buying the movie for her. I borrowed it today and I was listening on the way home from the movies. What a great movie!

Things are better

The funeral yesterday had it's ups & downs. It's always great to be with my family, no matter the reason. I take comfort from the ceremony and rituals of both Catholicism and my people. But again it was painfully obvious that more and more of my familiar world is slipping away. The current archbishop of Boston is ordering consolidation of parishes. Even though they insist that there are many factors involved in the process, there are only two - money and politics. My church won the population formula and is completely financially self sufficient. These are supposed to be two of the key factors. In real life, my church is the most valuable peice of real estate and my pastor was never "a friend of Lake Street." So very soon my church that I have attended since 1965 when my parents moved into the parish will close. My pastor was a newly arrived parish priest then and I was starting 1st grade. My brother was an altar boy, my sisters worked in the rectory, we all attended the parish school from 1st to 8th grade. The four of us celebrated our marriages there and my sons were baptised (Excuse me SouthieBoy.... baptized....) here. I teach CCD. Sis's funeral has forced us to face the fact that we will never have another wedding, funeral, 1st communion or confirmation there. Another wound. I wasn't able to pay attention to the church at the funeral yesterday, but in mass this morning, I did try to look around more, to appreciate something I know I will lose soon.
In between the tears yesterday (I did pretty good, I wasn't as weepy as my sisters)there were some laughs. I always end up driving someone and they beef about my car. This timeI had my uncle Walter and his partner Tom. Walter pointed out that I hadn't dusted the dash (which he also mentioned last time I drove him to a party) and Tom pointed out that his seat in the back was in the library (there are always books and magazines in my car). He read off a few titles out loud and proclaimed it was the reference section. I told them both that the next time something like this comes up they are to call and tell me to have the car cleaned. That if they find themselves in this situation again they will have only themselves to blame. Tom said next time they will just have me park at their house and have me drive their car.

The end of the day

How lucky I am.

After the wake I walked down to my parents house where my father was alone in the kitchen. He had his back to me, doing something on the counter. I walked up behind him and hugged him lightly. We are not a touchy family. He laughed and teasingly asked me where I had been. Then I went into the living room where my mother was sitting with her brother Jim and his wife Connie. We argued about politics, talked about old times, discussed who had attended the wake and who would go to the funeral tomorrow. We smiled about the newest of our clan scheduled to be born next month.

Tonight was difficult. To realize that Sis was the last of seven on my grandmothers side; Grace, Helen, John, Freddie, Sis, Mary and Peg. That there is only one left on my grandfathers side, Tim, the last of Owen, Tommy, John, Joe, George, Kay, Danny and Jimmy. But how fortunate was I to have been a part of this, to have known them and loved them? Very.

Of Mama Kelley's family (my grandmother Grace), my sons had the most contact with Sis and Peg. Frankie would always mix their names up and so he gave up trying. He called Sis, his "poker aunt", Frankie and Sis were wicked gamblers and she played endless games of poker with him on the porch of the cottage. He called Peg his "butterscotch aunt". She always had hard candies in her purse that she would load their pockets with candy when she saw them. They would always thank her profusely and hug her. You would have thought she were passing out gold coins. I have never loved my boys so much as on those occassions......they abhor butterscotch.

How lucky I am.

A Long Day

Today is barely underway, but it is already a long day. I overslept, Frankie and I knocked heads over the laundry. He had a point, nothing I wanted was clean either. Still, he's a jerk. He was late to school, I was late to work. I will have to leave work and go shopping for something to wear tomorrow. Jennifer has just emailed me asking me not to make her go through the line at Carr's alone. Like I would ever, ever do that! Certain coworkers are stepping on my last nerve.
So, I guess I should admit that what is probably bothering me........
Tonight I will go to Carr's Funeral Home and join my family in saying goodbye to the last of my maternal grandmother's siblings. Elizabeth, Sis as we called her, lived a good life and was much loved. She was 85, would have turned 86 later this month. Up until very recently, the last year or so, she led a very vigorous life. She lived independently in her own apartment until her early 80s. Recently her decline was accelerated. When I got the call she was gone on Wednesday, I was relieved for her. She had been placed in a nursing home a month or so ago by her family (the right decision) and I was thinking that this wasn't a bad thing. I have often professed that I want my younger siblings or children or a random stranger to put a pillow over my face if I am even in danger of going to a nursing home. Now, two days later faced with an obituary, I am overwhelmed. To see my grandmother's name in print as well as her brothers and sisters. To realize that they are all gone. To face the fact that I will stand with my mother and her brothers as they say goodbye and know I will face this myself in a few years. Frankie will be with me. By a strange twist of fate Tommy will miss it because he rescheduled his visit to next week. It is enough for me that he is upset about missing it.
Bottom line, today sucks.

****Do not comment unless you have something funny or snide to say! Sympathy will only make me worse!****

Day 3

Day 3 of getting back on Atkins is the worst. It is the day I am most homicidal, lol. Read some interesting stuff last night about the Navy Chaplain who is on a hunger strike. He feels the Navy hierarchy is stifling his freedom of religion. I watched is appearance MSLSD as Mark Levin refers to MSNBC. I am glad the Navy is trying to prevent the mess they had over at the USAF Academy.

Day 2

The suffering continues...........last night I went to the gym and spent 1/2 as much time there as usual. I was completely winded. I barely managed a shower, a little laundry, and very little reading. Boring night except for the Victor David Hanson areticle recommended at The Castle. I read some stuff at The Officer's Club as well.

I have been admonished to lighten up by someone who should know better. What is one of the chief rules here in Maggieland? "When Maggie is unhappy, she is rarely unhappy alone!"
On the bright side, we are 11 days away from Foxwoods. I could not possibly be nicer to deal with than I am when I go to the spa. My rare episodes of being nice and agreeable trickle down as well.

Banished words

Every year Lake Superior State University compiles a list of tired words that they decree should be banished. To view the list, click on the link below. Included this year.............blog.

http://www.lssu.edu/whats_new/articles.php?articleid=729

What must already be apparent

As you can see from the last two posts.........I am in a horrible mood. That's right, I am back on Atkins. The world is gray. Nothing is good. I will be nasty for days (ok, nastier). I will do nothing but point out things that are wrong or irritating for a while. Not that I have ever been Sister Mary Sunshine........but, a word to the wise, prepare for rough seas.

Fox News Sunday

Gave Bill Kristol and Brit Hume the day off yesterday. Bastards! Actually it was interesting to listen to other voices.

Disappointment

A little while ago I got several samples from Bath & Body Works. New and fun things to try. As most know, I am a junkie when it comes to this stuff....Aveda....The Body Shop....Bath & Body Works....Lily's. I was looking forward to one sample in particular........Mocha Mousse body scrub. Belgian chocolate with coffee in a body scrub. Well, I didn't dwell on the coffee part, it was the chocolate part that tickled my fancy. So this morning I opened it. Blech!!! Yuck!!! It was brown sludge full of coffee grounds. It smelled like Dunkin' Donuts. Now I realize that this may appeal to some.....after all Southie-Boy likes when I use the vanilla scrub and body cream. But I am not a coffee drinker, so this did not appeal at all. Added to this, the fact that I expected chocolate, made for a bitter, bitter disappointment.

The Arnheiter Affair

I've wrapped that one up. The story of the USS Vance was so strange it was more like fiction. It was a definite page turner. I could have gotten all spooled up in the Navy stuff but I had some assistance staying untangled. Thanks to SailorBob, Southie-Boy, and of course, my favorite Navy man - my Dad, FXM.

The Countdown Begins

14 days until Foxwoods......body polish.......swimming......sauna.....steam room......jacuzzi.....chocolate........Cosmopolitan.......dinner & drinks at Cedars. NO kids.......NO work........NOTHING serious allowed!

The countdown begins

Two weeks from today I will be relaxing on a chaise by the pool at Foxwoods. My friends will be downstairs gambling, but I will be at the Spa. I will soak in the jacuzzi, luxuriate in the steam room, sweat in the sauna. I will have a body polish, eat Hersheyettes (M&Ms are great, but Hersheyettes are that much better)and read Cosmopolitan. I am going to have to put in mad hours at work to take off two guilt free days that weekend.

Happy New Year

1955

A crusty old Sergeant Major found himself at a gala event, hosted by a local liberal arts college. There was no shortage of extremely young, idealistic ladies in attendance, one of whom approached the Sergeant Major for conversation.

She said, "Excuse me, Sergeant Major, but you seem to be a very serious man. Is something bothering you?"

"Negative, ma'am," the Sergeant Major said,

"Just serious by nature."

The young lady looked at his awards and decorations and said, "It looks like you have seen a lot of action."

The Sergeant Major's short reply was, "Yes, ma'am, a lot of action."

The young lady, tiring of trying to start up a conversation, said, "You know, you should lighten up a little. Relax and enjoy yourself."

The Sergeant Major just stared at her in his serious manner.

Finally the young lady said, "You know, I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but when is the last time you had sex?"

The Sergeant Major looked at her and replied, "1955."

She said, "Well, there you are. You really need to chill out and quit taking everything so seriously! I mean, no sex since 1955! Isn't that a little extreme?"

The Sergeant Major, glancing at his watch, said in his matter-of-fact voice, "You think so? It's only 2130 now."

Bombing in Indonesia

I have been reading some commentary on the bombing in a meat market in Palu, Indonesia. The bombing is said to have targeted Christians.......was it at the bacon stall? Sorry, immature infidel humor.

Taking a bath

Someone sent me a video clip the other day. It was a commercial showing a woman taking a bath. She walks down the hall of a clean house to her clean, well appointed, huge bathtub. The robe drops to the floor and she sinks into the bubbles. I was soooooooo jealous!!
I wanted a bath last night. So, first I had to clean the table, put the clothes from the dryer onto it, put the towels in the dryer and load the washer. We have to be responsible here! Then it's off to the bathroom where we dump Ajax in the tub to scrub it 'cause I'm not bathing where those stinky boys shower unless there is lots of scrubbing. Once the tub is scrubbed and the dirty towels are off the floor and the floor and I clean the sink and hey! while I'm at it let's scrub the toilet (I've got the gloves on what the heck), I'm ready to go fold the clothes, and take mine to my room. Now I will gather up what I want in the tub since I can't leave my stuff in the bathroom, too many boys and their friends, etc. In other words my bathroom sees too much traffic to leave the good stuff in there. I gather together the latest issue of Foreign Policy, candles, my robe, my new dead sea salts from Ahava and a bag of M&Ms. As I pass through the kitchen I grab a bottle of Pom....pomagranete/blueberry juice because there just isn't enough sugar in my system this week! Drop all that in the bathroom and go to move the laundry along. Now I have fresh clean towels. I am ready to close the bathroom door and lock it. Meanwhile, kids have been coming and going....into the kitchen for food, into the living room to the computer, upstairs to Frankie's game of spades. In other words a typical evening. Although no one is allowed into the bathroom now that it has been cleaned. Candles are lit, bath is run, door is locked. I am in! It only took 97 minutes, but it was worth it.

Lazy Friday Afternoon

I should be working. I'm not. I am reading stuff online. Telling jokes to my coworkers. I just got a late Christmas present........I am floating on air. You are the best Southie-boy!

Recently freed German hostage

Ex-hostage's Iraq return angers her rescue team
Source: Times Online (UK) (12-28-05)

****My comment below****

THE German Government angrily rebuked a former hostage yesterday who is determined to return to Iraq despite being held captive for three weeks by a Sunni gang.
Susanne Osthoff, a 43-year-old archaeologist, announced this week on al-Jazeera television that she would go back to her work in northern Iraq, trying to set up a German cultural centre in Arbil.


Angela Merkel’s new Government, which regards the freeing of Frau Osthoff this month as its first foreign policy triumph, is furious. It made huge efforts to secure her release and is widely believed to have paid a ransom.

It has now blocked all funding for her project and has told her that she should leave the region immediately. She is believed currently to be in Jordan, with her 12-year-old daughter, preparing to return.

*****Hey, Angela, how does it feel to do the right thing and get this crap in return. Now you know how George Bush feels every day. Heck, how most American feel!******

Girl's Night

When I am being good, Thursdays are yoga class, then an Atkins friendly dinner with the girls.

Not tonight!

No yoga and a carb-aholic night at Solstice.

Second visit there......carpaccio was excellent, fabulous calimari, good pasta, disappointing molten chocolate cake.

But always fun with the girls, lots of laughs! I took some hits, they are a brutal lot.

On a lighter note

I was in Personal Best Salon last night and I look..........fabulous!

BBC News Hour

I know what you are thinking, but really you have to try it.

This morning had an interesting interview with Jack Straw on Darfur. As well as a story on Western countries withholding aid from Ethiopia because of governmental abuses. How gratifying that it's not just looked upon as our obligation. Don't get me wrong, I do believe St. Luke "To whom much is given, much is expected". We are more fortunate and should help others. However, there is more to it. You can accuse me of a paternalistic attitude, guilty as charged. I simply believe that we owe them more than money. With that money should be guidance. It's a stick as well as a carrot. It's also not a never ending ATM. There are those who would say that we don't draw the line in the same place with other countries, but that's like your kids whining abut each other. Right here, right now, this is the right thing to do. Yesterday we made mistakes, tomorrow we'll make more.

Men.....

....are aggravating.

Christmas candy

I have had so much candy, fudge, brownies, etc.........I am vibrating. If I ever make it back on Atkins, it will take a week for my system to purge all the sugar.

Christmas Presents

While many people who love me have gone to considerable effort on my behalf........so far one of the favorites is from American Movie Classics...........a John Wayne marathon. LOL, Jet Pilot, Commancheros, Hell Fighters. What fun!!

Next of course would be my gifts from Frankie who put forth the effort to go into "Lily's". I know what it takes to cross the threshold into that female domain of scented soaps and creams and make-up. To be fussed over by women he doesn't know and spend his hard earned money. Although to be fair, they do guide him into perfect choices and wrap things for him.

Then there is the present I bought myself. "One Day in September" the documentary about the Israeli atheletes killed in Munich. Everyone should watch it before they see Speilberg's movie "Munich". Then you can see his movie on the proper light and not be subjected to his whitewash of Germany's complicity and Black September's (not to mention Yassar Arafat) horrific guilt.

Merry Christmas

Munich

I really want to see this movie. However, I am very disheartened by what I am reading about the revisionism of the actual incident in September of '72. Interesting article about it in the American Spectator. I remember this, I was 11.

Movie Review

King Kong was toooooooooooooooooooo long. I laughed when I was supposed to be terrorized. I almost dozed off when I was supposed to be moved. I admired the special effects. I think Jack Black was perfect in his role. But Adrian Brody? Please!!! If I were Naomi Watts..........I would have gone for the Captain rather than the screenwriter.

King Kong

Not sure how I feel about this movie, but I want to go to the movies and everything that interests me hasn't opened yet. Besides.......anything to avoid Christmas shopping, wrapping, etc.

Sunday night

Getting ready to listen to the President in 90 minutes. I hope he does well. It's so hard to get complicated issues across to a public used to 30 second sound bites. I get so aggravated with people who want to issue opinions based solely on headlines and blurbs on TV. I am fine with people disagreeing with me, but you have to be able to base it on something. If you haven't read the Duelfer report or listened to him speak to Congress, then don't talk to me aout WMD and Saddam. If you haven't read the 9/11 report, then don't try to tell me what you think about domestic security. If you haven't read the National Intelligence Estimate, then don't talk about Intelligence. If you don't know what FISA is, then shut your piehole about wiretapping.

Election Day

Congratulations to every Iraqi with a purple finger! Kudos to all American and Coalition forces!

Fry Tookie!

Since when do 9 children's books equal 4 innocent lives?

John McCain

I just found out that the other night while I was listening to the lecture on rioting in France, John McCain was right down the street in the 1st Parish church. I am sooooooooooooo frustrated! I would have picked John McCain first in a heartbeat! How did this happen?!?!? I have to pay more attention. This is the great thing about Boston, there are so many great things to pick from.

SecDef Leaving?

How can Donald leave me like this? In mid-war? Although I am giggling at the thought of Leiberman taking his place (don't get me wrong Gordon England is a good guy). Can you imagine how the jihadist will feel when we but a Jew in charge of the War on Terror? Excellent!

Why Is Paris Burning?

This was the title of the lecture I attended last night at the Kennedy School of Government. It was very interesting, although I am sure I would have enjoyed it more if I spoke French. Two of the speakers were ethnically African Frenchmen. Their accents were thick at times and one speaker occasionally lapsed into French. You could tell who spoke French in the audience.....they would laugh when it happened. On the other hand, there were two professors there I found to be very engrossing. One specialized in riots! Who knew there was enough subject matter there to specialize in? Overall the tone was very liberal and apologist. The problem was lack of transporation, yet the rioters managed to arrange transportation when they need to get from one riot scene to another. The problem was poverty, yet they all had cell phones and designer hip/hop clothes. It was the usual baloney about social problems. My problem during the riots was this; I didn't know who to root for!
Overall for me...........Why is Paris burning? Who cares?

Tonight's lecture

was in Harvard Square at the Coop. Author/poet Susie Davidson discussed and read from her book "I Refused To Die" It has stories of Boston area Holocaust survivors and soldiers who rescued them. Not enough history for me, lol. Too much poetry. But overall I liked it.
Funny part for me was after the lecture I was waiting for the author to sign my books and she noticed an Al Franken book behind where we were standing. She commented that he was good. I was surprised. I am always surprised when Jewish people are anti-war. I know you can't generalize....but if some dictator was hellbent on wiping out Irish people in Ireland.....you better believe as an Irish American (Boston Irish Catholic to be precise), I'd be all for whoever was fighting that dictator!

Political Compass

This is my new favorite thing! It takes just 5 minutes. It's fun and somewhat revealing.

www.politicalcompass.org

There are a few pages of questions and then it graphs your answers.

Go try it and come back and tell me your numbers.

Darfur

I went to a lecture tonight. It was presented by the Ford Hall Forum at the Old South Meeting House. Very interesting. Very informative. Very moving.

http://www.savedarfur.org

http://www.oldsouthmeetinghouse.org

http://www.fordhallforum.neu.edu

http://www.savedarfurma.org

Good Night and Good Luck

Tonight's movie was Good Night and Good Luck. An enjoyable night except for the people who talk as though they were in their living room. I did not need to shush them.......someone beat me to it. I liked the movie and the actors.

Jarhead

I did not get to see Jarhead. My 17 year old son heard from a friend that there is a scene in the movie showing the main character masturbating. My son felt he would be uncomfortable watching that scene sitting next to me. LOL, I know that I would have been uncomfortable! So instead we went to see...............Chicken Little! A good time was had by all.

Movies

Just got in from seeing "Derailed". It was OK, not too, too predictable. Tomorrow night the spalpeen and I go see "Jarhead".

French Rioting

Here's my problem.......who do I root for? LOL. But to be fair, I like Sarkozy......if he were a little older I would suspect he was fathered by a downed American fighter pilot in WWII......but he was born in '55 not '45. Still there is hope he will be the next president of France. I think we could deal with him a little easier than Chirac or de Villepin.

Bill Kristol

I watch this guy on Fox News Sunday and he is just amazing. Since Rove is sidelined, the administration should listen to this guy, I really feel he has his finger on the pulse.

New SCOTUS nominee

Good deal! Not my first pick.....but I am happy.

Plamegate

The more I read, the more I don't get it. no one in the Bush administration could have been indicted for outing Plame. Why did Scooter lie. It's driving me crazy!

October 30th

Today is a picture perfect fall day in New England. Warm, sunny........I could never live anywhere else. Today is what we slog through the snow, rain and damp for.

John Adams

Today is the birthdate of the 2nd (and best) President of the United States.

Scooter and Cheney

I'm not getting something here..........Scooter is a nitwit for lying about telling the truth. But why is Cheney supposed to apologize for this? Scooter wasn't found guilty for speaking to the reporter. He wasn't found to have leaked classified info. He got into a grand jury room....alone....and was stupid. He is by many accounts a smart man. He had the trust and respect of Cheney, another smart man. I am sure the Vice-President is shaking his head just like I am. How does Cheney word this apology............."Sorry Scooter had a brain infarct."?
I caught Tony Snow on Bill Maher last night..........excellent!!!! Shot down all Maher's misinformation. Told the comedian Billy Connelly to read the Senate Intel report on Wilson and then come back and talk. Awesome!

Saturday night

I have been neglecting this. I have been too busy reading what everyone has to say about Harriet and Scooter, lol. No kids.........M&Ms..........new National Intelligence Strategy from the DNI.........a hot Saturday night for Maggie!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Judith Miller

Judith Miller can not remember who told her the name "Valerie Flame" (that's how Plame's name appears in her notes). Big smile.

Iraqi elections described as "bloodless". Bigger smile.

Knowing that when I do eventually get home the boys will be out and I will have the house to myself.......indescribable happiness.

Bummer

I am trying to leave work and run errands. However, I have locked my key in my car.

Stop! I don't want to hear it!

It's been a long day. There was a power outage in the wee hours and with no alarm I overslept. The wait to donate blood because I had missed my scheduled time was more than an hour. I am back on Atkins and crashing. Now, I am stuck here. I am suffering enough without any further comment.

Newport and the US Navy

I am just in from a lovely evening in Newport. I am exhausted!

Tomorrow is the 230th birthday of the Unitd States Navy!

Finale

Finale is one of the best places to have dessert in Boston. Tonight I had the molten chocolate cake and tea. I'm not a big fan of coffee flavored ice cream and I should have asked for something else. Still it was fabulous!!!!!

Saturday night

Once a year my mother and sisters come down to the family cottage and spend a "Girl's Weekend". Tonight we went to the Sun Tavern and had a very nice meal.....lots of laughs.

My parents are trying to clear the house of all the useless crap they have accumulated over the years as well as all the stuff their four children have left. Every item they mention throwing away, one of us objects. LOL. They find us very frustrating.....some things never change. A few weeks ago my mother mentioned a "buttonholer" that had a belonged to her aunt. I was close to Aunt Helen growing up and she has been gone for nearly 25 years. My mother mentioned that it was of no use, but it was a really nice one and she didn't want to throw it out, plus it had belonged to Aunt Helen. She mentioned that she should give it to me....I would appreciate it. Now, keep in mind, I don't sew. Even so, I immediately agreed with her, because I am the repository of useless family knicknacks. I had to go into work the next day and ask what the heck a b uttonholer was. My mother and sisters can sew, knit, crochet, embroider........everything. I have no talent what-so-ever. They made fun of me all night for wanting the buttonholer. They finally concluded that they would put ten craft type things on the table. If I could figure out which was the buttonholer, I could have it.

LOL

I will let you know how I do.

Dubai

Donald Trump has reportedly entered into a deal with a U.A.E. firm to build a "tulip shaped" hotel. How do I get a job with him? I would sell the boys for medical experimentation to live in Dubai..........so I would be willing to work for Donald Trump! Seriously, all I would ask was a living wage, Dubai is the most fabulous place on earth!

Bloomberg

The New York Times reports that Mayor Bloomberg spent 46.6 million of his own money on the mayoral race. I can't think of anything in life I want that bad.

Presents to myself

Got my new sweatshirt from CafePress today..........Uncle Sam in front of the UN logo saying "I Don't Do Global Tests".
People who aren't political junkies like me won't get it........I don't care......I amuse myself.

October 7, 2005

Happy Birthday, Lt. Col. Ollie North!!!!!

Overcast but not raining

Last Wednesday, I was at my son's soccer game where it poured rain. It was very much like standing under a garden hose. I, of course, had nothing in my car to deal with this situation. There were books........and my emergency bag (packed for any last minute stay in a hotel room).......bottled water............CDs..........gym bag with workout clothes.........nothing that was of any use in the rain. I then did something that insured it would never rain at another soccer game for the rest of the season. I bought a giant umbrella, a poncho, and handwarmer packs. Now that I am prepared.......no matter how overcast the day is, how threatening the clouds are......it will not rain.

Aren't I powerful!!!! LOL

ElBaradei

Ok, I can't be the only one who yelled at the radio when the Nobel Peace Prize was announced. Everyone I brought this up to either didn't know who he was (the sad majority) or didn't care because they felt the Peace Prize process was unimportant. I know there have been picks in the past that I didn't agree with, but this is just ridiculous. When I brought this up to someone whose opinion I seriously respect, he countered with......."Hey they gave one to Arafat!". He said the issue wasn't important enough to get upset about. I disagreed and told him I would talk to people until I found someone who "felt my pain", lol. His answer was that I would be on the phone all day!

Please, please...........someone has to be angered by this. I can't be in this alone.........can I?

Sweet History

Tonight I went to a Bostonian Society event, entitled "Sweet History: Dorchester and the Chocolate Factory". It combines all my favorite things......chocolate, history and Boston. There were interesting speakers, fabulous chocolate desserts. Overall, a lovely evening.

Also, today the electrician showed up to talk about rewiring my house. Lucky me! I have been trying to get someone for months!

Interesting stuff out of New York. When I left the event tonight, there was a transit cop outside. The Old State House in boston is above the State Street Blue Line station. I have been to many events there and I don't ever remember seeing a transit cop there. But is that because they usually park elsewhere (he was parked in the pedestrian mall) or because the news stories had this on my mind?

Rough night

The Red Sox lost.

Tired

I am too tired to type anything coherent, much less insightful.

Harriet??????

WTF, she is 60! Even if he thinks she is going to be great, she's still 60. Plus anyone who gave money to Dukakis, jeez! I couldn't even face my reading tonight, I was so depressed. I was rooting for one of the Ediths.
So I took myself to the movies. I saw Flight Plan with Jodie Foster.........I pronounce it, entertaining.
Going out now to The Corner OnLine and read all their opinions. Then on to The Voice of the Taciturn......I love the Captain.

Just a quick note

Lot's of work lately.......not a lot of time to be here.

Tried to listen to most of the Galloway/Hitchens debate online. It was recorded last month. As a good Irish Catholic girl from Boston.....it's hard to side with the guy speaking in the snotty British accent over the scrapper with the thick Irish brogue. However, Galloway is reprehensible. It's an interesting two hours if you get the chance. The British Newspaper "The Guardian" has a link and you can watch it in Real Player.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1571538,00.html

Once you click on the link, scroll down to useful links.

Sadly, the Red Sox lost. I am off to my sister's house.........where I will console myself with chocolate.