Writing, Speaking & Thinking, Oh My!

…the first Friday in May is “No Pants Day.” No fooling…check here!

Albert Hofmann died Tuesday at 102 years of age.

Hofmann’s most famous discovery happened on April 16, 1943. He was researching the synthesis of a lysergic acid compound, LSD-25, when he inadvertently absorbed a bit through his fingertips. Intrigued by the effect it had on his perception, Hofmann decided further exploration was warranted. Three days later, on April 19, he ingested 250 milligrams of LSD, embarking on the first full-fledged acid trip. That day became known among LSD fans as “bicycle day” because Hofmann began experiencing the drug’s intense effects on his bicycle trip home from the lab.

Read all about it at the Telegraph.

So what? I don’t care who is using steroids. If someone is willing to shrink up their own genitalia, so be it. What pisses me off is the media overload…it’s on TV, papers, magazine and radio. And why is Congress using my tax money to create their own reality show? Are there not “real” problems our Congress should be working on?

Steroids are bad, never used ‘em, never will. But I also don’t care what others choose to do to their own bodies. Actually, I’m in favor of anything that puts any amount of action into a baseball game

Does the national media have any responsibility to not broadcast or print our “in-house” secrets? Watch this report from NBC News that pretty much says, “attention all bad guys….now is the time to mess with us…because we can’t do anything about it, hahaha!”

How does that help anything? How is that news we can use? I’m assuming “we” are not the bad guys.

There was a lot of bereavement in ‘07…my Mom, my brother-in-law, and my Lucy. Lucy is, I mean was, my dog…a bichon. She was our constant companion and the caretaker of our chihuahuas, Maboo, Bella and Ruby. Her health was failing, but the loss was still unexpected. I still hear Barbara’s scream that morning 6 months ago, when she went downstairs in the usual morning ritual, to let them all out of the butler’s pantry, their sleeping quarters. Lucy was out of the bed, as if not to disturb the others. She was already in rigor on the bare wood floor.

I ran down to first calm my wife, but seeing Lucy, the tears started to flow. I wrapped her in her blanket and carried her to the couch and rocked her in my arms. I’d then pass her to Barbara for her to hug Lucy. We did this back and forth for a while. Maboo, sensing our grief, would howl in her high-pitched voice. Even now, my tears are flowing as I type. I miss her so much.

She was 12 years and 23 days old. “Only the good die young.” The empty space within me is hard to fill. Check out this picture of Lucy protecting her crew….

Yeah, I know, it’s taking quite a while, but I finally got the blog working again. Changing the design and layout…it will eventually permeate throughout. I’ll be working on it and eventually get back to a consistent writing schedule. Thanks for your patience.

Around Memorial Day my webhosting service provider reconfigured their servers. Ever since my blogs have been all screwed up. After working dilligently for 2 months, I think it is time to find another provider. I apologize for the lack of posts and interaction. Between work, blog and life, it has been very hectic. As soon as I can correct the blogs, it will relieve one of my burdens. Thanks for reading.

I never listened to Imus, even when he was a local boy here in Cleveland. For that matter I never listened to Stern when he was on the public airwaves. And that is how I let the radio stations and advertisers know what I think of their programming. I would have never known what Imus said last week if it wasn’t for the “mainstream” media. So why is this malicious outburst, or maybe a slip of the tongue, making the news? Not just news…but the lead story on every program I’ve seen!

Forget the war, forget poverty, forget the sick and the hungry…the world as we know it will end if Imus is not fired and taken off the air. The world is in much better shape than I thought.

Between me and the walls, there is way too much time, print and airways wasted on one persons’ stupid comments. I’m dumbfounded and flabbergasted…..I have to get back to reality. Oh yeah, and all of you that are offended….change the channel.

And……
Will the real-life “nappy-haired ho” who spent North Carolina’s money and resources, who ruined the life of a coach and several players, be apologizing? Will it be the lead story for the next week? Will Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson be out front leading the charge? No time for that……need to get Imus off the air.

Here is an interesting blog that provides “Critical observations of print/broadcast/Web media plus public relations and advertising.” Check it out here: http://GrumpyEditor.com

My mom died this week. It was not unexpected, it was not sudden….it was a shock, though. She was 85 years old. Failing eyes with macular degeneration and failing ears, had really put her into a great depression. The last 3 years had been a downward spiral with the last year spent at the nursing home. Her husband of 64 years was at her side. Despite our often ambivalent relationship, I have always admired the strength and independence it took to run from their homeland to avoid the Russian invasion. With the clothes on their back they strived to make a new home and to raise a daughter and son. There are many stories that I need to write down. But for now I’ll leave you with this poem from an unknown author.

Your mother is always with you…
She’s the whisper of the leaves
as you walk down the street.

She’s the smell of bleach in
your freshly laundered socks.

She’s the cool hand on your
brow when you’re not well.

Your mother lives inside
your laughter. She’s crystallized
in every tear drop…

She’s the place you came from,
your first home.. She’s the map you
follow with every step that you take.

She’s your first love and your first heart
break….and nothing on earth can separate you.

Not time, Not space…
Not even death….
will ever separate you
from your mother….

You carry her inside of you….

Now go hug somebody!