Call The Waaahhhhhhbulance!

I am having a pity party here in Boston. First off, my head cold is totally kicking my ass....still! I have a little laryngitis....shut up!

Also, a bunch of my friends are in San Diego for #West12....and I am not!

Plus, I have another little problem which is of my own doing. The worst part? I have to suffer through a chorus of "I told you so!"s from Jennifer, Grace, Bette, and Pat when she gets the chance.

I had a friend, and I use the term loosely, who liked to tell fish stories. I knew right off the bat, it's not like I even fell for them. I just figured that if this was the way she felt better....whatever.

I mean, it's not like it ever caused a problem for me. She'd make some grandiose statement about a past job or past lover and I'd let it slide. What did I care? I learned long ago that everyone deals with life's ups & downs in their own way. Some people block them, some people wallow in them and some people rewrite history.

Well, she began to spout this nonsense about someone really close to me. Also, she apparently identifies a little too closely with Hedy Carlson. It got pretty messy. I was aggravated, but it wasn't that big a deal. I told her we were no longer friends and blocked her on Facebook.

But of course, the worst part is that I have to admit to my sisters and friends that I was wrong and they were right. I was not beyond being harmed by her behavior.

You know how that kills me, right?

I'm Fighting A Cold....

...and the cold is winning!

She Lied!!!!

So last night I watched Marianne Gingrich on Nightline. Yeah, I know, I decried her statements before they were made. I questioned her motives as well as those of ABC & Brian Ross.

But I can't help myself.

Turns out, I'm glad I did. ABC did throw in the story of Marianne Gingrich's near indictment by the FBI on corruption and bribery charges. So she wasn't portrayed as St. Marianne.

Then I find out today, via the Wall Street Journal.....she lied! LOL! It's awesome. She isn't just vindictive (which is an emotion I completely understand), but she is stupid.

You better believe if I were going on national TV to rip my enemy, I would have my story straight. I might even write a few notes/dates on my arm.

This is from a partial transcript of Marianne's interview last night -

"She said Newt moved for the divorce just months after she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, with her then-husband present.
"He also was advised by the doctor when I was sitting there that I was not to be under stress. He knew," she said"

Let's review -
Newt, after having a relationship with Marianne during his first marriage, marries her on August 8th, 1981. Things weren't all that smooth. They separated in June, 1987 and reconciled six years later. They separated again on May 10, 1999 and Newt filed for divorce on July 29, 1999.

Ok, so after reading this post so far, one would conclude that Marianne Ginther Gingrich was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at least six months before the divorce filing in July 29, 1999. right? She says he asked for a divorce six months after her diagnosis.....you know, when the doctor told Newt not to stress Marianne. You've got to figure the initial conversation was before he actually files for divorce in July, 1999.

But today, the Wall Street Journal links to an AP story dated July 19, 2000. The article begins with the line - "Marianne Gingrich disclosed Tuesday that she has suffered from neurological problems that could be a precursor to multiple sclerosis."

What???? As of July 19, 2000 there was no firm diagnosis? But how can this be? Marianne said Newt asked for a divorce after the diagnosis of MS.

Further in the article -
"The ex-wife of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich sought treatment in September 1998 at the Emory Clinic for tingling in her right hand, said a statement released by Emory with her permission. Tests showed an inflammation in her brain.
''Such an episode could represent a single event, perhaps related to a viral infection, or be a forerunner of multiple sclerosis,'' said her neurologist, Dr. Barney Stern.
She was treated with a two-week supply of steroids but did not begin long-term drug therapy, which is sometimes recommended in such cases.
''We hope that as more and more time elapses, the possibility that she will develop definite multiple sclerosis becomes less and less,'' Stern said."

Is she confused?

Can she bend the space/time continuum?

Or should we go with the most obvious explanation - SHE LIED.

"Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned

Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned".

If I Were Newt Gingrich's Sister......

.... I would beat the bag out of Marianne Gingrich. She is a nasty, bitter loser. You already know what I think of Newt's personal life from this blog post.

ABC is facilitating this hatchet job. Scummy

I have to tear myself away from this computer to get ready for the #WarOf1812 lecture I am attending tonight.

Lowell Lecture: Prelude to the War of 1812
Thursday, January 19, 2012 6-8 PMat the USS Constitution Museum
The War of 1812 nearly destroyed the United States. New England threatened to secede from the Union as the enemy blockaded the coast and burned Washington. But the United States emerged from this somewhat disastrous war stronger than before. The War of 1812 did not bring Canada into the Union, as its promoters had promised, but it did bring the new nation a sense of unity and purpose, with heroes such as Decatur, Hull, and MacDonough, a national anthem, and a timeless symbol in "Old Ironsides."
Join us for a lecture by Professor Robert Allison, Chair of the History Department at Suffolk University as he discusses the War of 1812. The lecture will be followed by a conversation and light appetizers and drinks.
This lecture is FREE and open to the public. No advance registration is required. Supported by Lowell Institute's Lowell Lecture Series.

Then it's home for the debate. Yeah, I'm a political junkie.

Stop SOPA/PIPA

Go read

Bouhammer

From My Position....On the Way

Wikipedia

What's Closer than the Seat Of My Pants?????

The skin of my teeth!

I am in BWI on my way back to Boston. I had all day to pick a flight and arrange for the shuttle.

I dawdled online. I washed my sheets. I made pancakes. I talked to Frankie.

Then, next thing you know, it's 3pm!

Supershuttle was peeved because I was trying to arrange the shuttle in less than the optimum window as far as they are concerned. They wouldn't let me do it online and made me call. then they kept putting me on hold.

Finally, I just called a cab.

Got here and through security with plenty of time to spare......and the flight is delayed, lol!

Watch What You Say About Me, Sen. Tarr & Rep. Jones

I have been opposed to Robert Maginn's appointment as Massachusetts GOP State Chair since learning of his political contributions to Governor Deval Patrick.

Now I read at Mass Live, that my elected officials say that means I have an ulterior motive! Boy, are you barking up the wrong tree.

Senate Majority Leader Bruce Tarr said calls for a change in party leadership were not helpful to the GOP cause.
“At this point, I think it’s important that the party move forward in a very important election year, and I’m not certain having turbulence in the chairmanship facilitates that goal,” Tarr told the News Service.
Tarr’s counterpart in the House, Rep. Bradley Jones, said Maginn’s critics appear to be those who disagree with his support for Romney, and he added that some were unenthusiastic about the party’s gubernatorial nominee in 2010, Charles Baker.

Well that's a load of CRAP! And I am pissed. I have a very clear record of backing Charlie Baker. I might like Newt Gingrich, but I know Romney will be the nominee and I will back him.

This is infuriating to have these people defend Maginn's mistakes by attacking me.

I have written to both Senator Tarr and Representative Jones expressing my strong disapproval.

Decisions

It's nearly noon.

Do I take a shower or have a second pancake? They are stuffed with Ghirardelli milk chocolate chips and flaked coconut (FULKL STOP - My Marine - Yes, I know what you think of coconut, don't say it).

Do I leave Annapolis today or tomorrow?

Flying By The Seat Of My Pants

Literally.

Andi & Mr. Andi invited me to come to their place in Virginia for a party tonight. Even though they invited me weeks ago, I couldn't say yes for sure for many reasons. Not the least of which was wondering if today would be a "I-can-go-places-day" or a "I-am-staying-in-bed-around-the-clock-day".

Then there was my stressful day yesterday.

So it was all up in the air until I woke up this morning.

We are a go!

I showered, dressed, packed, hunted the internet for a good last minute flight, booked a shuttle and jumped on the Bunker bus.

Here I am at Logan.

Soon I will be hanging with milblogger Illuminati and watching the Pats with my friend Mr. Andi.

Did I Call You?

Did I text you?

Did I almost knock you over walking to the ladies room at East Bay?

I'm so sorry!

It was one of those rare nights when I decided to have a coupla Cape Codders. I was out with Jennifer and Bette....I wish Grace was there! but it was a short notice kinda thing.

I had to do something stressful and I called Jen. Grace was wishing she was closer, but she couldn't be. So she had to settle for yelling at me on the phone. Jennifer tried to talk me out of it. She and Grace had many good points. They are smart and they are reasonable.

Finally I just sent Jennifer a text "I'm going. Are you going to let me go alone?" LOL! Talk about you're rhetorical questions. Anyway she texted back - "Be there in 5"

So we handled it. Not the way Grace want. Not the way Jen wanted. And surprisingly, not the way I wanted. It was somewhere in the middle.

Instead of going straight home, Jen suggested East Bay. So I called Bette and asked what she was doing. When I found out she was free I said we were coming to get her to go to East Bay. She told me that I sounded upset and asked what was going on. I said "Wash your face, we'll be there in 15 minutes." After I hung up, Jennifer looked over and said "Wash you face? What are you, Dad?"

So there were cocktails and nachos and happy bartenders because they have missed us. They've missed Bette in particular. When I walked in I announced "I have brought your gimpy friend!" Since Bette's accident, mobility has been an issue. Note, if you own a standard, don't break your foot.

So, the girl I knocked over.....well almost. She apologized. So on the way back I told her it wasn't her fault, but not to worry, I wasn't driving. A little later her group moved closer to where we were sitting. East Bay was very crowded. It was Friday night after all.

Next thing you know, both our groups are talking.

So, it was nice meeting you Lola, Whitney and Alyssa (sp?). Carry on your great work at Jordan Hospital. But someone needs to pop into the health food store and get Whitney some niacin.....those were the coldest hands I've felt since Harrianne used to live down the street.

Jen dropped me home and it was shocking to see it was just a little after 9pm. I got a MegaMillions ticket. Hope it works/ed.

Have You Missed Me?

I've been a little off this week. I'm not supposed to talk about all the drugs I am on. I upsets Grace . She envision someone deciding they want them and breaking in. Trust me, no one wants this stuff. So all I'll say on the subject is this - we haven't found the right combo. BlueCross; the Commonwealth Choice people & certain other entities are alternately very helpful and are-you-shitting-me difficult.

Have you heard about this little bureaucratic war between the FDA & the DEA? Certain controlled substances are meted out on a schedule by the DEA. Drug manufacturers take the supplies and make some brand name and some generic prescriptions. When the generic versions run out, the FDA asks for more of the controlled substances to be released. Sometimes they are. Sometimes the DEA says no. They tell the FDA to instruct the drug manufacturers to suck it because they chose to produce too much brand name in an effort to make more money.

Isn't that awful? A private company, employing US citizens trying to make more money? I am aghast.

So, a government agency makes it difficult for these companies by holding back supplies. Ostensibly, the DEA is supposed to be "controlling" these drugs for our safety and to prevent abuse. However some of the drugs on this list are not drugs of choice. Some are chemotherapy drugs. So all I see is a government entity trying to backdoor drive down drug prices. In a capitalist society, that's a function of the market place, isn't it?

You know who produces the best, newest stuff? Places where the producers can make money. You can say that it's wrong for some drugs to cost so much, but that's how they pay for the failures. Do you want them to stop trying?

People cry about the cost of drugs, but there is plenty of help out there. I was taking a drug at one point that cost $10,000 for a month prescription. My copay would have been 50%. The manufacturer helped me out. Drug manufacturers don't want people going without, they just want to collect from who they can. Then they fund more research.

And I want them to keep looking. You see me now and you think I look great and you are all excited about my remission. But they have just kicked my can down the road for a couple of years. The Multiple Myeloma people who are IgG can get 10, 20, even 30 years out of a combination of chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant. Not me, I am IgA. They will begin to look for signs that I am slipping out of remission 18 to 24 months after my transplant. I am fast approaching the one year anniversary of my transplant on February 10th.

I have drugs to put me to sleep and wake me up and dull my pain and counteract other drugs I am taking.

So I am a big fan of R&D.

In the meantime I play with all kinds of pills. And I am grateful to the riders Blue Cross issues so I can get brand name drugs because the DEA is messing where they don't belong.

And I am grateful to the Commonwealth Choice people and Blue Cross for their patience while I went about proving I live in Massachusetts. This is no easy feat if you don't have a mortgage or lease or rental agreement or utility bill. But I had to do that because the Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires it of those who deal with the Connector. That's how people in Massachusetts purchase private insurance. Not just people who are subsidised, my premium is $800.88 per month for a single subscriber.

Thanks to RomneyCare, you can purchase insurance privately in case your employer doesn't furnish it or in my case if what your employer furnishes wouldn't take care of a pesky cancer patient like mee......but it's still a lot of "red tape".

So the long and short of it is, between drug experiments and getting the drugs covered, I haven't had time for much else. I've been sleeping a LOT.

And I have missed you too!

The Height Of Political/History Nerdiness

Yeah, here I am at the pinnacle.

First, I was sitting on a Saturday night watching the GOP debate in New Hamspire.

Second, I actually had snacks and was on my laptop tweeting it.

Third, I was really peeved when John Hunstman said this

HUNTSMAN: Yes. I would have to tell Mitt that the president of the United States is the commander-in-chief. Of course you get input and -- and advice from a lot of different corners of Washington, including the commanders on the ground.
But we also deferred to the commanders on the ground in about 1967, during the Vietnam War, and we didn’t get very good advice then.
Here’s what I think is around the corner in Afghanistan. I think civil war is around the corner in Afghanistan. And I don’t want to be the president who invests another penny in a civil war. And I don’t want to be the president who sends another man or woman into harm’s way that we don’t -- we’re not able to bring back alive.
I say we’ve got something to show for our mission. Let’s recognize that and let’s move on.

It is completely false to state that Vietnam failed because LBJ "deferred to the commanders on the ground". It shows a glaring lack of knowledge on the subject.

I am not saying everyone needs to understand what happened in Vietnam. However, if you don't know....don't speak.

I Made It Back!

Last night I had dinner at the Stonebridge restaurant in Tiverton, RI. As noted in the post below, I was worried about sitting down in close quarters with three people who are sooooooo good as calling me on my bullshit. But I made it.

First I was happy because I was only ten minutes late! Come on! For me that's practically on time. My sisters and I were heading down on Route 24 and I called to check in with My Marine. My first words are "Why haven't you called to check on me?" Of course, he has the perfect reply "I wouldn't check on you until at least 7:45 for a 6 o'clock date." Too true!

Next, the restaurant was nice, although thinking about it after the fact, I would have opted for the table in the main part of the restaurant. We were in a side room that felt a little crowded. But the food was 4 out of 5 stars. My meal was five stars on it's own. I had a super fresh salad and a melt-in-my-mouth filet mignon. It was cooked exactly how I wanted. Just a beautiful piece of meat........did I mention I was on Day 5 of Atkins. I'm only sorry I didn't order two!

Grace wasn't as happy with her meal, both her chicken and her dessert were overdone. Jen said the fish in Fisherman's Platter was good, but her scallops were delicious. Her dessert was also lacking. My Marine didn't say anything specifically, but that plate was completely empty before I finished my filet.

Our waitress was very pleasant and didn't make us feel rushed. I'm pretty sure we were the last to leave, we showed up a few minutes after six and left after ten.

I always love it when my sisters, who are so important to me, get to meet my "imaginary friends". Especially one I love so much.

I thought the funniest part of the night was when he was telling a story about someone who was bothering Mary Ripley, Media Marketing Director at US Naval Institute. Mary is good friends with all of us, but I don't think My Marine realized that she is also an honorary McInnis sister. I already knew the story, but watching both my sisters perk right up in "defense mode" at the mention of someone bothering Mary was funny. I knew he was surprised, but Jen explained, complete with hand gesture and raised eyebrow "Mary's....in the circle.".

Another funny thing was how people who were mentioned popped up in my email and Facebook today. I came home to an email from the Ogre and I thought "How does he know?". Then this morning, our friend Karen Frecker popped up on my Facebook. I told her that we had told My Marine all about her wine tasting a few months ago. We can't wait for her beer tasting in March! And if you ever find yourself in or near Hudson, MA, pop into the Harvest Cafe. Stuffed French Toast......mmmm..

There was lots of good conversation and some of it was contentious. People who read this blog and know My Marine will back me up when I say that he will stick to his point like a pitbull whose jaw is locked onto your ankle. But we were up for it! And the thing of it is, if he argues with you, it's a compliment. He thinks you are up for it. He thinks you're smart and worth arguing with.

There was however, one downside.....................I couldn't go to the ladies room. I couldn't leave them alone at the table to discuss me!!!!!

What Have I DONE!!!!!

Tonight I am going to dinner with My Marine.........and both my sisters!

If I'm not out here tomorrow, send a rescue team to extract me.

I Don't Want To Hear Another Word About Newt Gingrich's 1st Wife

UPDATE #2 - This has nothing to do with politics. I am not saying that you should vote for him based on this point I am making.
Also, sadly, it appears that not every state has an exception written into their statutaory rape laws regarding imbalance of power (i.e. teacher/student).
UPDATE - I've been asked about the 17 year old part. Newt was born 06/17/1943 & graduated Baker High School in June, 1961. He was 17 years old his entire senior year.
I knew that most accounts of Newt Gingrich's first marriage portray him in a very poor light.

I knew that people who want a reason to dislike Newt trot this story.

I knew people who want to back Newt are dismayed by this story.

No matter where you are in the political spectrum, what could be worse than to be tarred with "Served his wife with divorce papers in her hospital bed after a cancer treatment!!!!" He is portrayed as the aggressor, she is the victim.

So I knew that it was not as salacious as his enemies made out. I knew that when a marriage breaks up there are stories and exaggerations and hurt feelings. I know that we can never know and how we feel is colored by how we feel about the participants.

However, thanks to Sunday's Boston Globe (it's a pay site, sorry), I now know everything I ever need to know about Jackie Battley Gingrich.

Jackie was his high school geometry teacher. She was/is seven years his senior. She began molesting him while he was a student in her classroom.

Stop. Read that again. "She began molesting him while he was a student in her classroom." That's not how it's written everywhere else I have read it. It's written that he had or started an affair with her.

No.

That's not how it works. A boy does not start an affair with his teacher any more than a girl starts an affair with her teacher. I don't see any difference. I had boys, two sons and two extra. Anyone who says that boys can't be taken advantage of by female teachers is ignorant or lying. Your choice, I could give a shit and I will call you out no matter who you are.

One - Age disparity, seven years difference. When you are 30, seven years is not a big deal. When you are 17, it is.

Two - In loco parentis. All consent laws make an exception for cases where there is a power imbalance. Jackie Battley was his teacher. Therefore, she was his abuser, not his lover.

Ephebophilia describes an adult whose sexual preference is mid-to-late adolescents. Acting on it is a crime. A crime called statutory rape. The gender of each party is immaterial.

And what is the number one characteristic of all child rapists? Manipulation.

So there is not one thing you can tell me about Newt Gingrich's divorce that doesn't come back to Jackie Battley is a manipulative, sick, criminal. As we say here in Charlestown, she is a diddler. And everyone knows that you don't trust diddlers.

Also, if you want to talk about Newt and his fidelity problem, you must frame it in the terms you would apply to any other child molestation survivor.

We are all a product of the experiences that molded us. Tell me an experience that leaves a more indelible mark than having your early romantic/sexual memories be that of your molester/rapist.

A child is never a willing participant in their own rape.

New Year's Presents!

What a perfect way to kick off the War Of 1812 Bicentennial Commemoration Year! Some beautiful pictures of USS Constitution from John Bohn of John Bohn Photography.

Happy New Year!

Contrary Views

I've been a registered Republican since I turned eighteen and became a voter. While many Democrats don't want to believe it; Republicans run the gamut from moderate to hardcore. And where you fall depends on the viewers perspective. Most people who know me here in Massachusetts find me to be fairly conservative.....it's a blue state. But "flyover country" people find me fairly liberal. And then there is my Dad ("Diane, Miranda isn't necessary if you are innocent, it only helps the guilty.") who found me to be nearly left wing on civil rights.

So I am conservative on military/foreign policy/economic issues and very open on social issues. I only ask that you close the door. If you want to do your own thing, just don't push it in my face.

But I am up for any discussion and I'll consider other views. I am doctrinaire on few things. I think that's why so many #Occupy people would talk to me on Twitter.

I feel this lets me see past a first impression. Others might say it just makes me wishy-washy.

Now most of my conservative friends get very upset about "Citizens Energy" taking oil from Citgo/Venezuala/Chavez. But I think they are missing the big picture. Citizens Energy, for those of you who may not know is a non-profit that supplies home heating oil to those who can't afford it. They've been doing this for 30 years or so. They started of buying oil at the source, selling some to cover the cost of donating the rest. This idea particularly appealed to me. Instead of just asking for money, they were using their smarts to make money and doing good with it. They also accept donations.

In recent years, with oil prices going up and more and more people needing help, they asked oil companies to make direct donations. Citgo said yes. And just like any other charity, Citgo's generosity was acknowledged in their ads.

Did I mention that the president of this organization is Joe Kennedy? He started this before he ran for and served in Congress. Now Joe Kennedy is far to my left. And in my opinion he was not an effective Congressman. But you can't take the success of Citizens Energy away from him.

Some people think that because Hugo Chavez is not a friend of the United States that Citizens Energy should not accept the donation.

Really? I think that's ridiculous. First off, it's not Joe Kennedy's place to refuse it, it's for the families/people in need. So you want Joe Kennedy to make political statements by punishing people who are up against it? My opinion is that anyone who objects isn't thinking this through to it's logical conclusion.

You don't like Hugo. I get that. I don't either. Hugo uses oil money to repress his people and consort with other countries that are not our friends. I know Hugo makes this donation just to zing us. So what?

Are we that childish that people should be cold because you don't like Hugo's foreign policy? How short sighted! Should people be cold because Joe Kennedy is liberal or from a liberal family or he was born wealthy?

People who carp about it are only adding fuel to Hugo's fire. He's laughing every time someone beefs. Because then he gets to say Kennedy asked for help and only he helped. That's a fact.

It's not Joe Kennedy's place to turn away donors when there are little kids sleeping under ten blankets because Dad got laid off.

It's a worthy cause and if you want to donate, follow this link.

Were There Bumps In The Road?

Sure!

But it all worked out and it was fabulous!

I can only hope that each of you had a Christmas as happy and funny and satisfying as mine.

There was a plan.....isn't there always? My sons, Tom & Frank were supposed to come on the commuter rail. I went online and printed out the Christmas Day schedule, highlighted the times that their trains backs and forth would leave. I knew the train times too and I was going to pick them up at South Station (across for the #Occupy-Less Dewey Square). Foolproof, right?

Then I went out yesterday and got everything for chutney, assembled everything in a bag. that way I could wake up; make chutney; leave it to cool; pick up the boys; pick up
Jen at Grace's (I had her car from the party last night); deliver some of the chutney in their orange shell portions to Walter & Tom around the corner; and be in my seat at 1300 hours.

I got up at 9 and kinda lazed around for a few minutes. My parents called upstairs, knowing that I wanted to be up at 9. My father called my name and I answered. My mother called up "It's ten past!". I called back "Oh no!" and we all laughed. I showered, dressed, made my bed and took my stuff downstairs.

I sat down with parents to give them their gifts and told them this was the first Christmas since 1962 that I had them to myself on Christmas morning. I went out to the kitchen to start chutney at 10 am on the dot. My schedule was rolling right along. No last minute rushing. No stress. I called Walter & Tom and asked them to look out the dining room window. It looks right into our kitchen window. I held up the cranberries and the orange You see chutney is a tradition and I was too blah to get up and do it on Thanksgiving. I told them I'd be over at noon.

I cut the first orange in half and the phone rang. It was my son Tom telling me that the train was leaving at 10:40, not 11:21. I was confused and protested. Then Tom explained (while I pulled it up on the laptop) that I was looking at "Christmas Day Observed" meaning the holiday that the T gives it's workers because Christmas fell on a Sunday. Today was just the plain Sunday schedule.

Fine, I hurried up making chutney, calling Frank trying to wake him so he could make the 10:40. I put the chutney in a box and outside the backdoor. There was no room in the fridge and it was colder outside anyway.

Then it was off to grab Tom, Frank and Jen. Everyone was loaded up and it was back to Charlestown. We were lucky and there was a parking spot right out front, in front of my Dad's car.

Frank and I walked around the corner to deliver the chutney and enjoyed a visit with Walter and Tom. But Frank was quick to remind me as the time got close, that we had to get back. you don't mess with Papa's schedule. Walter & Tom teased him, but he held firm.

So there was everyone, everyone but Grace and her family who do Christmas with her in-laws.

Tons of delicious food and fun conversation. Family and presents and laughs. My Frankie & Jennifer one upping each other, telling crazy stories....my brother's kids laughing so hard they couldn't talk.

My Tommy gave me my favorite candy, Hersheyettes! But since he left first, it was the least he could do. Other plans? Really...that's ridiculous. LOL

My brother and he family packed up an hour later. Jen and Frankie left minutes before Grace and her crew showed up. More presents, more desserts, more stories, more laughing.

After Grace left I cleaned the kitchen and dining room. We had been cleaning off and on all day, so there wasn't a lot. But I swept and vacuumed and cleaned all the counters and the stove. I washed all the tablecloths and napkins and put the kitchen back together.

Once I was completely tuckered out, I came into the living room and fired up the laptop. I flipped through the channels and that's where I found my last Christmas present.

"Rio Bravo" is on AMC "Christmas With the Duke"

A wonderful, happy, satisfying day. I hope you are all as happy as I am.

Sixteen Hours Later

I'm awake.

Still no cell phone.

I Am About To Slip Into A Coma

I have just had a super stressful 46 hours.

Add to that the fact that I have only slept 8 hours since Wednesday morning at 7 am.

Normally I sleep 12 to 15 hours a night.

But the matter was successfully resolved. I am going to bed now and sleeping until noon tomorrow.

Oh and I left my cell phone in Plymouth.

Good night.

What I Should Be Doing....

Instead of eating this Hershey chocolate nugget

Missing Tampa's Pane Rustica

Doesn't this blueberry tart look luscious? Trust me, it is. In my many trips to Tampa, this is a place that I ALWAYS made sure to drop in on.

Pane Rustica, 3225 South MacDill Avenue Tampa, FL 33629 (813) 902-8828

There is something for everyone there. Pizza, sandwiches, pastry, gelato. I'm not the only one who thinks so.

But I am missing them even more today because I am in the middle of an energy lull and I have to bring a treat to a party. How much easier would it be to jus pick up a couple of these babies. I would be the toast of the party and I could nap.

Why Am I so Drawn To These Zombie Movies?

It's not just zombie movies actually, it's any post-apocalyptic movie/story.

Right now I am watching the Chiller Original Movie.... (da-da-ta-da-da!). "Remains" It's low rent. A poor man's "Walking Dead". But hey! Walking Dead is gone until February 12th.

Soooooooo....

Don't judge me.

December 16, 1773

Arguing With The Childish

Update - Her last last reply before this post was to tell me to stop tweeting her or she'll block me. Since then, she's sent two more tweets. She's mad she didn't get a link in this blog. Seriously? LOL!

♪♫I'm not touching you.....♪♫
********************************************************************

So, I am amusing myself with Twitter and listening to Howie Carr when I get a tweet from a pro-Elizabeth Warren (Democratic candidate for Massachusetts US Senator). In responding, I find to my delight that @ElizabethNewsRTs is a bot that simply favorites anything someone writes about Elizabeth Warren.

I decide to have a little fun with it and tweet some pro-Scott Brown messages.

A person I don't know or follow pops up in my feed. She tweets @ me
"FYI @BostonMaggie @Eliz4Senate will be a competent addition to Senate. What experience did Brown have besides driving a pick~up truck? #p2"

Ok, I'll play. I talk to people with opposing viewpoints all the time. I've said time & again, if I couldn't talk to Democrats and liberals, I would pretty lonely here in Massachusetts.

So, there is some back and forth where she is sarcastic about the truck and tweets 3 times that Scott Brown hasn't driven the truck since the election. Yeah, whatever, who cares.

Then she tells me i need to be more educated about Senator John Kerry. Really? LOL! What don't I know about him? That he's a military fraud? Check. That he's a gigolo? Check. That he is useless in the Senate and has done nothing meaningful? CHECK. That as much as I loathed Ted Kennedy, I will admit he was tops at furnishing constituent services and Kerry is worthless in this area? Check.

Rodiogal also claimed that I insulted Elizabeth Warren by calling her a "carpetbagger". Umm, look it up, I think Warren's pic is right there next to the definition.

So I answer every tweet. And when she finally realizes that she can't bullshit or cow me, she throws out this one -

":D @BostonMaggie Twenty tweets to me? You know, obsessive compulsive disorders can be treated with medication now."

Nice, imagine a conservative taking a shot with a mental health slur? Yeah, I know.

So I point out that I was merely answering her. That she started with me, I didn't seek her out. Then she threatens to block me...........LOL! Block away! No one's going to miss you.

I So Wanted To Go To This!

Today I am missing

FREDERICK/MONTGOMERY STAR-SPANGLED 200 CONFERENCE

Presented by Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission

I went to the last one and enjoyed myself so much. They sent a Twitpic of the group at Francis Scott Key's monument.

I'm going to mope all day.

Embarking On a Life Of Crime

Today I was listening to a local newscast when the subject turned to....what else?....#OccupyBoston

Occupy Boston: 'This is a movement of the mind'

"Protesters are hoping the conservancy will allow them to put a Gandhi statue and a plaque commemorating their time at Dewey Square."

Well, I better start saving my pennies now. I am going to rip it down and get arrested. I'll do it every day if I have to....or as often as I am out on parole.

Be sure to throw a few bucks in my canteen, so I have chocolate, thanks.

One Part Of the Plan Worked

I did sleep crazy late. I missed the Tea Party Reenactment because I was still asleep when it started. My parents were ready to come up and check on me when I finally surfaced after sleeping 15 hours.

Instead I caught a Pearl Harabor themed MIDRATs and now I am listening to Pundit Review Radio break down last night's Iowa Republican Debate.

Boston Tea Party Reenactment

Tomorrow night.....actually later today....at 4 pm the Old South Meeting House and the Boston Tea Party ship & Museum are celebrating the 236th Anniversary of the boston Tea Party.

You should go!

I am so grateful for a late afternoon/evening event. I am going to sleep crazy late!

Last Batch Of Cookies Out Of The Oven

Tomorrow is the Kelley Family Christmas party. I've made a batch of chocolate chip cookies and a batch of milk chocolate/coconut/walnut cookies.

I spent the day fighting insurance issues and meeting my new pain clinic doctor.

Every day this week has been "on the run" so to speak. I can't wait for Sunday. I'm not doing anything.

Pearl Harbor Remembered - 70th Anniversary

Bill Durette of the Charlestown Historical Society Veteran's Project forwarded this info

"In the early morning hours of December 7, 1941, the Japanese suddenly and without warning launched a surprise air attack on the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. After just two hours of bombing, more than 2,400 Americans were dead, 21 ships* had either been sunk or damaged, and more than 188 U.S. aircraft destroyed. The attack at Pearl Harbor so outraged Americans that the U.S. abandoned its policy of isolationism and declared war on Japan the following day officially bringing the United States into World War II.

This one event would go on and affect every family in Charlestown. By wars end practically every family had their sons serving and in many cases fathers, sons and sisters would serve during the war. For this we must remember their sacrifice and appreciate how they fought to bring peace to the World and preserve our way of life.

KNOWN CHARLESTOWN MEN WHO WERE PRESENT DURING THE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR

JAMES D GODDING - US MARINE CORPS
ALBERT J LAPRISE - US ARMY, 212 BUNKER HILL STREET
JAMES E FITZPATRICK - US ARMY, 17 MYSTIC STREET
CHESTER R HOWIESON - US ARMY, 145 BUNKER HILL STREET
JOHN J O’BRIEN – US NAVY, 69 TREMONT STREET

Source - Charlestown Veterans History Project

Had Fun & Stayed Out of Jail

Today the City of Boston held their annual Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration. It's always the first Sunday in December. This year mark's the 70th anniversary. More reason than ever to turn out. I was just a few minutes late running through Faneuil Hall, slipping off my shoes so I didn't make noise sneaking in the back. The Faneuil Hall Armory is an old building with creaky wooden floors. They were just singing the National Anthem and I was in my seat in time to join in. Once everyone was seated I whipped out the laptop, camera and cell phone (muted) so I could Tweet & Facebook the event live.
This is a shot of invited guests on the podium. There were representatives of the American Legion, AMVETS, Boston & Massachusetts Veterans' Services and others who work to make sure our veterans are remembered and taken care of in various ways. CDR Bonner, 72nd in Command and CDR Gillen, 59th in Command were on hand to represent USS Constitution. This is CDR Bonner, US Navy addressing the audience.

The special guest speaker was Donald Tabbut, past Commander of Pearl Harbor Survivors. Read more about Radioman 1st class Tabbut here.
Then it was back to the Charlestown Navy Yard for USS Constitution's Annual Tree Lighting. The flip the switch just after evening colors.
This is the view from the ship when I turned away from the tree. Pretty awesome, huh?

I got to see CDR Bonner again, CMC Rhodes (she is friends with Santa); CDR Gillen; CDR Cooper, his wife Maryellen and their too cute for words daughter in her little pink mittens. Tom Rudden was there in his 1812 Marine Guard uniform for the festivities. I got to meet his wife Teri as well.

Which brings us to loot! The best adventures come with souvenirs. This is a coin from this to commemorate this year's US Marine Corps birthday. Thanks Tom!

I'm home, I'm exhausted. But I got everything done and in an unusual move, I stayed out of trouble. I'm told that there were #OccupyBoston protesters when people who were on time (yeah, I know that's not me) were entering the Faneuil Hall Armory and that's why there were extra cops.

Now had I been on time......there would have been some trouble. I am deeply troubled by the huge lack of respect the Occupy people are continually rubbing in our faces. They claim to want to open a dialogue for all Americans but they just keep irritating people.

So I Rescheduled Spa Sunday....

....to Saturday.

I spent the day reading (only for pleasure, thank you Stephen King & Cosmo)........

and watching trashy TV, no news, no C-Span.....

and taking car of my nails.....

and a home facial.....

and my favorite body scrub......

and my Dad made chicken soup.......

and tomorrow there's Navy stuff!!!

At 2 pm, CDR Bonner, USN will be speaking at Boston's Pearl Harbor Commemoration

70TH Annual Pearl Harbor Day Services
Veteran's Services Mayor Thomas M. Menino, in conjunction with the American Legion and AMVETS, will be hosting the 70th Annual Pearl Harbor Day Services in historic Faneuil Hall. This event is open to the public. Refreshments will be served following the program. Cost: Free. Sunday, December 4, 2011, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM. Faneuil Hall Armory, Faneuil Hall Sq Boston, MA 02109.

At 3:30pm they will begin boarding for USS Constitution's Tree Lighting Ceremony. I will be there and I will get to meet Middleboro Jones!

For Those Of You Keeping Score At Home

I saw Dr. Miller & Kate today. Eight months post transplant, there is no sign of myeloma. I am considered in complete remission.

There is every indication that I should cruise easily to the eighteen month mark and beyond.

But you know that I only look at the short term. So we are just counting on the 18 months.

I am ten weeks out from the one year anniversary of the transplant. The months between the one year anniversary and the eighteen month mark should be mint! And they coincide with the #WarOf1812 stuff.

Sweet!

Sure, I can't get all my drugs. Sure, I have to fight the insurance company. Sure, the meds mess me up sometimes. Sure, I sleep 12 to 15 hours most days.

But still.......SWEET! LOL!

Stuff

Let's see.....

I went to see "J.Edgar" tonight. Good movie. Free movie pass. Good batch of popcorn. Good night.

I have the newest Stephen King book, 11/22/1963 and I carry it with me everywhere except the bathroom and the dinner table.

I have to grab up my friend Griffin and head down to the USS Constitution Museum to make an ornament for Sunday. Everyone who stops by the Museum can make one (10am to 5 pm every day until Christmas Eve). They will put it up, or you can show up Sunday put it on the holiday tree aboard the ship yourself.

Sunday, December 4th, I'll be aboard Old Ironsides for the lighting of the tree just after evening colors at 1612 (4:12 pm) and the arrival of ..... wait, I am not supposed to say. Let's just call him a very special guest you don't want to miss.. It's supposed to be sunny and high 40s on Sunday. Come on down.

The Herald ran an article on the two month anniversary of #OccupyBoston and I was totally pissed to see that the #Occupy people are taking credit for Bank of America backing down on that debit card fee. What blowhards. You know I stood at the corner of Pearl and Bunker earlier this evening.....I think it caused the bus to come there.

Yeah, it's the middle of the night.....they are playing with my meds and I am a little off kilter.

One of the problems is a drug I am having a hard time obtaining. See if this makes any sense. This particular drug, which I won't name, is manufactured by Shire, Teva and Barr Pharmaceuticals. But it's on back order everywhere. What my doctor and I are being told by separate pharmacy sources is that the FDA allows for the manufacture of a certain quantity in a calendar year. Supposedly come January we will be awash in this drug. This is the dopiest thing I have ever heard. But CVS has been telling me since October that they can't get it. Last month, the small pharmacy near my oncologist didn't have it & sent me to the hospital's main pharmacy.

Now yesterday, the main hospital pharmacy had no generic and said Blue Cross wouldn't pay for brand name.

Or "bran" as the pharmacy tech with poor diction said. "Blue Cross won't pay for bran." I asked "Bran?" She repeated it. "Bran? Like cereal?" She stared at me. "B as in bravo; R as in romeo; A as in alpha; N as in November?" She nods and says "D.".

Good. Lord.

At that point I had already been in the building for two and half hours. I had already had to explain that Blue Cross would fill another prescription because it was a change in dosage. I had to instruct them on how to call Blue Cross to get the override. As with their billing department, I am stunned at the lack of knowledge and overwhelming inefficiency in the main pharmacy. It's not just me, I hear them talking to other patients. Just making declaritive statements like "It's not covered" with no explaination. I can't imagine if I had just said stuff like that to people in my old job.

I knew that Blue Cross would cover the "bran" if the generic was unavailable, but I had had my fill of them at that point. I left.

This morning I called Blue Cross. Five minutes. Done. Now I just have to go back and make sure they have some "bran" left for me. And that the copay doesn't croak me. The generic version is already my highest copay. I'm sure the "bran" copay is worse.

So.....how crazy do I sound? You see taking this drug as I have for the last several months and then abruptly stopping is bad. "Prolonged use of "XXX" followed by an abrupt cessation can result in extreme fatigue, insomnia, irritability, and mental depression."

Pissa. I'm a junkie.

Bag of Bones

So, while I was counting down the nonseconds to #WalkingDead, my mother was watching a "Criminal Minds" repeat. A commercial came on for the movie version of Stephen King's book "Bag of Bones".

I remember reading this book and what a pleasure it was. It was one of two books I took on vacation with me to Dubai, years ago.
I read "Bag of Bones" & Dennis Lehane's "Shutter Island" while lounging by the rooftop pool pictured here. I whiled away delicious days in the sun with Coke in glass bottles. I was catered to by the pool guys who guarded me against sun stroke.

It's like a dream now, but it was a spectacular vacation.

I Made It Out Into The Sun

I walked up to the Monument and picked a nice bench on the southwest side. I relaxed in the last of the sun and finished off the murder mystery I was reading.

The Pull Of Indian Summer

(Was that politically incorrect? You know I don't care, I was just wondering.)

I've pushed the envelope with my stamina this past week. So today was scheduled to be "Nothing Day".

I have fulfilled the first requirement of a "Nothing Day" and slept twelve hours. It's 1300 and I haven't showered or dressed yet.

But it's warm and sunny here in Boston. It seems a sin to waste it.

On the other hand, I won't make it far.

One of the drawbacks of our yard is that it is only sunny for a few hours, early in the morning. If I were in Rocky Nook, there is always a way to sit comfortably in a sunny spot. There are places in Charlestown.....but the time & effort it would take kinda defeat the purpose of a "Nothing Day".

If I am going to bother packing up and heading out, shouldn't I go to the gym? Walk over the North Washington Street Bridge to the North End?

Tough decisions.

It's Not Like I Don't Know Better

I got off the Blue Line and I was thinking "I should just walk home."

But no, I walked through Faneuil Hall and picked up some chicken pad thai and took the 93.

The pad thai leaked on my pant leg when the bus driver had to jam on the brakes - thanks random jaywalker!

Now I am home and I feel a little guilty over not exercising today.

Otherwise, I got stuff done. As I have pretty much all week, which is why I haven't posted much this week.

Adding Fire To Rutherford Ave Flames

I certainly hope Elizabeth Levin's remark was taken out of context.

"There's nothing more important than this project in...making a difference for neighborhood and making a difference for the city,’’ said Elizabeth Levin, speaking as a Charlestown resident, not in her capacity as a member of the board that oversees the state Department of Transportation. “And yet we don’t seem to be able to take that opportunity . . . because, for some reason, the change makes people nervous."

This is from an article in today's Boston Globe regarding the ongoing plans to redesign Rutherford Ave & Sullivan Square.

Change doesn't make us nervous Ms. Levin, the City "helping" us makes us nervous. As stated further in the article -

"Many skeptics have long memories, recalling past instances when government claimed to know best for the people of Charlestown: busing, urban renewal, construction of the towering, and lead-painted Tobin Bridge."

It's not a "Townie vs Yuppie" battle as Dante Remos of The Boston Globe states on Twitter. It's another skirmish in the long Charlestown vs City Hall and/or some State or Federal entity battle. And if some newcomer is not as skeptical of City Hall help....the should do more research.

The Townies who are battling the current redesign plan are not fighting against "leafy boulevards". That idea is laughable on it's face. We are not trying to fight improvement. We are saying if the plan is not well thought out, it will diminish the quality of life in the rest of Charlestown.

You know, a starvation diet and a new dress will make you look thin, but it will also destroy your health. Let's not "pretty up" what is most definitely an eyesore at the expense of what we now enjoy.

New Spam Email

I just deleted an email purportedly from "FBI Washington Dc" with the subject line "Re: We found your name in our list".

I had to laugh. My mother has long said, in worried tones, "I bet you have an FBI file!". One day she said it to my father and he replied "Of course she does." and walked from the room.

So if the FBI was actually sending out such emails, my reply would be "Of course you did! And not just any list, the A List!"

UC Davis

I am quick to point out when the #Occupy people do something wrong or stupid. So let me be clear on the other side.

The actions of the campus police at UC Davis in this video are WRONG.

What they did was inexcusable. The baloney about commissions and investigations offered by Chancellor Katehi is complete nonsense.

The police and police-like entities have pepper spray for their defense. This was not how it was used in this instance.

The Chancellor should be removed, nevermind all this malarkey of asking for her resignation. The head of campus police and those officers who used the pepper spray should also be gone immediately.

Peaceful protest is indeed to be protected and this was clearly that. It doesn't matter what happened before the clip began, in the moment, the campus police are in no danger. Any talk of what happened before the clip begins, or happened earlier in the day or the day before doesn't matter. What matters is the fact that in a moment that the protesters were sitting on the ground, arms linked, they were not in an offensive posture.

We have seen time and again, professional police departments....for example Boston....keep their cool under far more pressure. US Davis campus police clearly have a problem.

The Irony Is Killing Me!

Well, for once, #OccupyBoston is providing me with entertainment. Right now, November 19, 2011 they are running a live transcipt of their #GA (General Assembly) meeting.

The current discussion is about replacing worn, deteriorated tarps.

You can read it yourself here

They have or want an "Aesthetics Task Force". They are arguing the attractiveness of blue vs brown tarps.

Don't they hear themselves????

They have appropriated this lovely park - which is named for a Naval hero - and trashed it. They've turned it into their own little slice of the Third World complete with Smell-O-Rama.

But they are worried about the fact that the thicker, warmer brown tarps might be bad. You see, as CQ points out "Are you aware that brown was the unfortunate color of the fascist movement?"

Seriously? If you are worried about the "aesthetics" of Dewey Square - THEN GET OUT & TAKE YOUR SHIT WITH YOU!

Or leave it, I don't care, we'll clean it up, just get out.

Seeing what the have done in Dewey Square upsets me as a Bostonian and as a fan of naval history. Dewey Square was planned and commemorated in honor of Admiral of the Navy, George Dewey, USN.

US Navy Blue Angels in Boston Today At Noon

Navy’s Blue Angels to fly over Boston on Thursday
Boston, MA--Two aircraft from the Blue Angels, the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, will conduct two to three flights over Boston Harbor on Thursday beginning at approximately 12:30 p.m. This will be a routine flight, approved by the FAA and the City of Boston, intended to familiarize Blue Angel pilots with the local area before they perform during the Boston Navy Week War of 1812 bicentennial celebration over the July Fourth holiday next summer. This commemoration takes place in conjunction with Boston Harborfest.

Considered America’s second war of independence, the War of 1812 was the first time our young nation was threatened on our own soil. We demonstrated to the world that, in the face of impossible odds, the United States was up to the challenge of defending our independence and our economy. This is a challenge we continue to live up to today.

In commemorating the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the Star Spangled Banner, the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard will honor these legacies, and remind American citizens that freedom of the seas and the free flow of commerce remain as critical to our country today as they were 200 years ago.

There will be celebrations around the country with signature events in Boston, New York, Baltimore, Norfolk, Va., New Orleans, Chicago, and Cleveland, and smaller events in other cities.

###

For more information about the Blue Angels visit: http://www.blueangels.navy.mil/

For more information about the Navy’s War of 1812 bicentennial commemoration visit:
http://ourflagwasstillthere.org/index.htm

A Book From Me To You

If you'd like it.

"The Encyclopedia of Angels" by Rosemary Ellen Guiley

I accidently bought two copies, six months apart. The first one was a gift. I forgot I bought it and bought it again. By the time I realized it.....it was too late to return it.

I just did the same thing with the new Stephen King book. But it was a pre-order, so they both came at once and I am sending one back.

So anyone who wants it....drop me a line.

Today Was Better

Of course, it had to be, the US Navy told me it would be!

But there are new meds and I think I'm pretty high. Still and all, things got done.

Tomorrow at 2:30 pm - "DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable: Bicentennial of The War of 1812"

Huzzah!

Today Was Awful

Just really sucky.

And to top it off my hat from the Ripley Race doesn't fit.

I was supposed to be searching my room for my bank card and the van keys and something of Frankie's. I was emptying every bag, every shelf. I pulled the hat out of my travel bag, it's not like I've needed it around here, it was 70 today. I pulled it on and it slid right back off my head

I went downstairs to beef to my parents. I showed my mother and she said "Hey, Big-Head, did you find the stuff you were looking for?"

No one wallows in sympathy around Muriel.

Also, thanks to Grace for being Grace. And thanks to My Marine for my new skill set.

Vid From 11/6/11 Ripley Race

Ripley Race 2011 from Caitlin Kellagher on Vimeo.

Thanks to Caitlin for posting this.

Last Sunday, November 6th many runners, volunteers, walkers, organizers and little kids got together to honor Col. John Ripley. Col. Ripley was a Marine, a Navy Cross recipient and a Wounded Warrior.

We honored Col. Ripley by raising funds for Wounded Warriors via the Semper Fi Fund.

Many veterans, civilians and active duty military participated as well as Wounded Warriors. That brings us full circle, which is a beautiful thing, isn't it?

If you didn't get a chance to participate this year, it's ok. I will soon be telling you the date for Ripley Race 2012.

Pahty, Pahty, Pahty!

Saturday we had a Girl's Night for Jen's birthday. Today was a family party for Tommy's 30th on November 4th and Jen's birthday yesterday.

Food, family and laughs.

Tonight I capped it off with fresh chocolate chip cookies - thanks Dad - and Walking Dead.

Tomorrow I hope to get a good foot under me. There are lots of things to do. I want things in order before my next trip.

December 14, 2011 - Frederick/Montgomery Star-Spangled 200 Conference

I've got a month to get my ducks on a row.

I Need Someone To Yell At Me....

....and get my ass in gear.

Jen's 1st birthday party is tonight. Today is her actual birthday (Happy Birthday, Jen) and we are having a Girl's Night/Bruins party tonight at Grace's house. Tomorrow is a family party. It will be a joint Tommy/Jennifer birthday since their birthdays are close.

Last night I made cupcakes and brownies (with and without nuts) and prepped some appetizers.

Today I have to finish and go to Grace's to setup stuff with Debbie. I have to pop over to Lyndells in Ball Square for almond discs, Jen's favorite cookie.

But I am emailing and commenting and blogging.

CWTT Fundraising Kick-Off

So what are YOU doing this Veteran's Day? Do you want to honor the day in a meaningful way? My good friends Blake & Bob explain how you can do that in the video.
You can click on the link in the side bar or follow this one to get information on donating/sponsoring Cook with the Troops.

November 10th

Happy Birthday USMC! Go read what My Marine posted.

12 Hours Sleep and A Shower Later....

The ride back from Annapolis was AWFUL! Next time Mary tells me to wait until morning....for the love of God make me listen.

The rental car was due back Tuesday at 6 pm. The original plan was to leave Annapolis Tuesday morning. But Monday, when I was enjoying my leisurely, warm day, I changed the plan to leaving after dinner. I don't mind driving at night and there is less traffic and I would get some stuff done with my son Tom......blah, blah, blah.

So I hit the road at 2145/9:45pm. Full tank of gas ... snacks ... water ... clear weather....

I made great time up to the Maryland/Delaware border when I realized I had much less cash on my than I had previously thought. Normally, I would have used my bank card, cursed the extra fee for using it in the rest area ATM and moved on. After all I had a regular credit card for gas and stuff. But I had left the ATM card in Boston. If I had left in daylight/business hours, I could have gone to a bank branch and made a withdrawal. But it was nearly midnight. I could turn around and tap, tap, tap on Mary's door a little after 0100/1 am....yeah, not with a gun to my head. The credit card has a PIN number for cash withdrawals....but that number was at home and it's not like I could call my parents and ask for it.

Fine, I have maps and the car had a compass, I would just drive non-toll roads. I just needed to avoid the New Jersey Turnpike ($9.10) and the George Washington Bridge ($12.00) and something coming up on the Delaware border.

That was going just fine, in fact it was pleasant to drive through the Pennsylvania farm country under a nearly full moon. But at 3 am or thereabouts I stopped for gas as I always do when I hit the half tank point.

Credit Authorization Denied.

WHAT?

I couldn't get through to the credit card offices. Fine I kept driving. I figured worst case I would pull over when I was within 50 miles of empty and wait until I could go to a bank.

I tried again at a gas station at 4am. That denial said to call credit card issuer. I did and got through. It was a "security block". The customer service agent said "Ma'am, there are charges from multiple states." I told her that was me driving. I answered 7 security questions and they released the card.

Whew!

So I at the road again and made it back to Massachusetts with $6.00 in my pocket.

At that point, sleeping would have messed me up. So I did things, stayed awake, returned the car and then went to bed.

But everything drove me crazy, I was so on edge from lack of sleep and stress. Do you know the Salvation Army has bellringers out already? I don't care how bad the eonomy is, it's wrong for them to be out before the Christmas Season!

The woman who lives up the street was behind me on High Street when I signalled to turn down Elm. There was a car backing out of Elm, so I had to wait. The woman behind me almost hit me. After the car parked I moved forward a foot and a pedestrian stepped out into the crosswalk. The woman behind me beeped her horn. I put my hand out the window and pointed my index finger back in her direction, like I was scolding someone and said "STOP!". If I could have focused my angry eyes on her, I think she would have been vaporized on the spot.

Then when we get to our section of Elm, we both pull in to what is a wide open section of resident parking. She calls out "You should be careful, the meter maids are out this time of day" in this cheery tone, like we're buds. You see, once I was out of the car she realized who I was. The rental car had New Jersey plates, so she thought I was an outsider when we were at the corner of High and Elm. If I didn't think my mother would have beat me with a wooden spoon I would have told her to shut up. But my mother WOULD HAVE KILLED ME. So I just said "Yeah, I'm just dropping something off". I was just dumping my luggage before returning the rental.

I told my mother I had to play the MegaMillions. She said "Why?" I reminded her that whenever we told Mama Kelley about bad luck days, she said "Play the lottery, you're due for some good luck." LOL! I didn't work.

Lesson Learned - I put a $20 in the suitcase pouch with the maps. Now I'm all set.

I Apologize To Badge #69999

Today the MBTA called me about the incident on the Route 93 bus. The rude and uncaring driver was substituting for the scheduled driver, operator #69999.

I don't know Operator #69999 and I wrongly accused him.

The starter at Sullivan Square who gave me that number was reading it off the schedule. That day Operator #69999 was supposed to be driving the #93 (Sullivan to Downtown via Bunker Hill Street), but he wasn't.

The person from the T didn't volunteer the correct number. But they were clear that Operator #69999 was not involved.

I was wrong and I asked that they relay my apology.

Otherwise, the story is still correct and there is an ongoing investigation.

Loot From the Ripley Race!

Yesterday was a win all around. I was up early enough to be there for the Ripley Race, not just on time....but early! (Somebody pick up My Marine off of the floor.)

Mary and I arrived and promptly split up. She was participating, I was looking for a job. I registered and said "I'm not running, do you have something for me to do?" with that I was motioned behind the sign-up table and got to work.

Here's my shirt, cap, Semper Fi Fund newsletter, (losing) raffle tickets and my official number "857". My race number looks pristine, doesn't it?

Brant Alexander who was visiting from Chicago was the overall/Men's winner. Brianna Stewart, a sixteen year old from St. Mary's High School was the Women's 1st place finisher....for the 2nd year in a row!
Then there was the Semper Fi Team - After the race, it was off to Fado's for raffles and revelry and hanging with my USNI friends.

Later in the day, I needed to nap. My Marine asked if I didn't mean "pass out".....seriously, I can't get away with anything.
Here is an article and slide show from the Capitol about the Ripley Race.

The article highlights the more than one thousand participants and the race organizers and the Ripley family. They congratulate everyone who helped in raising more than $87,000 for this great cause. It's the third year and every year is better than the last.

But one great thing I don't want anyone to miss out on is the serendipity of this event. (I don't think I've ever blogged this word and I hope I have it right). Col Ripley was all the things the article highlights. A Marine, a hero, a recipient of the Navy Cross.

But Col. Ripley was also a Wounded Warrior. His injuries from Vietnam led to his death in 2008. So yesterday, the participants included civilians, Naval Academy midshipmen, active duty military, veterans and Wounded Warriors ran and walked in honor of a Wounded Warrior, to raise funds to help fellow Wounded Warriors.

And it was a beautiful thing.

In Annapolis, Ready For the Ripley Race!

Going to bed soon. I'm wicked happy about "falling back" tonight. I'm not worried about smoke detector batteries......Mary will have to take care of that.

So we'll be up and at 'em early so we are ready for the 9 am start of the Ripley Race.

No, I am not running. Silly.

If you are in or around Annapolis, stop by, cheer on the runners.

From their website -

Established in 2009, the Ripley Race is a 5K road race to raise awareness and support for our men and women returning home from war. In just three years, we’ve raised more than $20,000 for returning veterans.

The Ripley Race is powered by the Cincinnatus Fund , a 501 (c) 3 that serves returning veterans where the system stops. This often means providing wounded soldiers with prosthetics and other tools that help them reprise a healthy, active life.

With nearly 1,000 runners, the 2010 Ripley Race raised $10,000 for the Semper Fi Fund and had tremendous support from the military community and their families. This year, we’re aiming higher. Join us by signing up for the race or making a tax-deductible donation to the cause.

I Have So Much To Do!

And so much to blog about...but it will have to wait. I'm driving to Annapolis. So I will write later about the fabulous "LT William Bush Breakfast" at the USS Constitution Museum. My effed up sleep schedule. Going out with Jen and her gang last night.

For now just focus on The Ripley Race. It's tomorrow. Go/donate/support it any way you can.

....And Litter

Iwalked over the the Cambridgeside Galleria and on the way home, I passed this.Some Ron-Paulians was apparently standing on one of the traffic islands near Community College - which is a high traffic area.

"Dedicated to PEACE"....and litter.

"First Blood: The Minutemen of '61" From Old South Meeting House

Today, thanks to the efforts of the Old South Meeting House & Boston National Historical Park Ranger Dan Gagnon, I learned more about the Civil War....my weakest subject.

Dan told us of the 6th Massachusetts Volunteer Militia who were sent south in response to the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter April 12 through the 14 of 1861. Massachusetts was able to send troops immediately because they were so well prepared. As Dan put it, they were the Minutemen of their day.

On April 19, 1861 the 6th Massachusetts arrived in Baltimore to hostile crowds.

There was no direct railway to DC at the time. You had to go to Baltimore and then the train cars were pulled through the streets by horse from President Sreet Station to Camden Station...which just that fact had me saying "Hmmmm...".

The crowds blocked their passage, so the Militia got out and started walking in formation and things got really ugly.
Corporal Sumner Henry Needham who died in the riot is regarded by some as the first Union casualty of the American Civil War. There is some question though because he and three others were killed by civilians in a Union state.

Great job OSMHBoston & Dan Gagnon.

Ever Lust After A Muscle Car?

Ripley Race will Auction a 1970 Dodge Super Bee

November 2, 2011
Attention car enthusiasts. Due to a generous donation from Mr. Jeff Kimbell, Ripley Race will be auctioning a 1970 Dodge SuperBee! The SuperBee has plenty of modifications and an investment by the owner of more than $45,000. The reserve limit has been set for $25,000, and 100% of the proceeds go to the RipleyRace! You get a classic muscle car that has been restored, and 100% of your purchase goes to support wounded veterans. The car will be on display in the parking lot at Fleet Feet Sports Annapolis from 10:00-4:00pm during Saturday packet pick up and also at the race and post-party held at Fado's.
About the 1970 Dodge Super Bee
Originally, the Super Bee series was a more powerful version of its close cousin - the Dodge Coronet. However, this particular Super Bee boasts a few angry additions worthy of mention. "King Bee" has a 440 block that has been stroked to 451 cubic inches, dual quads (Holley’s), 4 speed pistol grip transmission, 391 gear, custom exhaust/headers and high performance tires. It is street legal and runs on regular/pump gas, however, quarter mile track times in the 12 second range are certainly possible with slicks. Bottom line - this is not a car for children or the timid.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Good Again Today....My Reward....

Eclectic meets Eccentric: Harvest's Taste
In France, South West means good food! Harvest Café, Bacon's Wine and Spirits have joined forces with Wine Traditions and Hangtime Wines to bring you a sampling of wines from the South West of France paired with Harvest's legendary small plates. The South West of France is one of the oldest and most diverse wine regions in France. We love food and wine diversity at Harvest Café and will share these regionally influenced small plates and traditional wines. The one thing that most French wines have in common, it is that most styles have developed as wines meant to accompany food. At Harvest we have always felt that Good Food and Good Wine make the best experiences.So Join us: Tuesday, November 1st at 7pm. Harvest Cafe, 40 Washington Street, Hudson. Six Wines, Six Plates $50 including tax (not including gratuity). Seating is limited. Reservations required by Friday, October 28th. (call Harvest with credit card) Tel: 978-567-0948. s and Wines from Southwest France ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So I went to the gym for an hour, walked 2.3 miles.....snuck in the Starbucks Vanilla Chai.....

Even though I don't drink wine, I'm up for regionally influenced small plates!

Now let's see "Eclectic"....."Eccentric"....of these two elements, which do you suppose I bring to the table?