Open Thread – Let the Rutting Begin!
The Magnificent Moose from Dennis Zaki on Vimeo.
Rutting season is about to begin. Gentlemen, start your engines!
Yes, they’d be checking their giant wristwatches if they had them, and if they could tell time. But for now, they’re just hanging out. Waiting.
Just to be.
Yes, not the best time to be walking around at nights in the neighborhood – the big boys are out.
How the hell do they regrow the rack in 4 months? We should be able to grow buildings.
Also, too, two things:
1. They’re not just biding their time — I definitely saw some trash talking.
2. This is embarrassing — I couldn’t pick out Brian. Unless, of course, it was Brian and his brother Brian and his other brother Brian. Ah. Good.
…..yes, magnificent. They are just so grand. What a great piece to share. Can never have to much of moose-watching.
Lovely animals.
I just saw where Bill O’Reilly said he supports the public option. I wonder if he is trying to distance himself from Beck and Limbaugh?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/17/bill-oreilly-backs-public_n_290658.html
Jane Smiley reviews Republican Gomorrah. It is a good read.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jane-smiley/republican-gomorrah_b_290293.html
And some moose will try to find mates wherever they can. About 20 years ago (don’t remember exactly) a Vermont moose named Josh lost his heart to a cow name Jessica. I went to visit the apparently happy couple in Shrewsbury, Vermont, near where my uncle lived. We didn’t have a lot of moose in Vermont at the time, and especially not in that part of the state. You can see a picture of Josh and Jessica on the cover of a picture book about it, at this amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Moose-Jessica-Signet-Pat-Wakefield/dp/0525443428
** New website is Launched **
“Media Matters Action Network announced the launch of SmearBuster.org, a new website fighting back against the right-wing smear machine’s progressive witch hunt. Oozing with desperation, conservatives in the media and on Capitol Hill have resorted to spouting fringe-inspired lies and paranoid conspiracy theories in their ongoing vendetta against high-profile progressives.”
“Conservatives have launched a war against progressives such as Cass Sunstein, Carol Browner, Mark Lloyd, John Holdren and Van Jones. Through SmearBuster.org, Media Matters Action Network will expose the false smears spread by conservatives attempting to halt progressive change.”
Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/17/smearbuster-media-matters_n_290350.html
Pregnancy is optional -according to individual insurance plans…and so is birth control. Here’s an interesting post about gender inequities in health insurance:
http://firedoglake.com/2009/09/17/late-night-sorry-lady-but-your-gender-is-a-pre-existing-condition/#comments
Lovely soundtrack!
“What Defines American Evangelicals These Days? ” – Frank Shaeffer
http://frank-schaeffer.blogspot.com/2009/09/what-defines-american-evangelicals.html
>>>Former president Jimmy Carter went on the record to point out that he believes that racism is at the heart of the great deal of the extreme animosity being leveled at President Obama (NBC News September 15). Carter identified himself as a Southerner with an insiders understanding. There’s something he didn’t mention however: the special culpability of his own religion — Evangelical Christianity — for the anti-Obama hyperventilating and furious reaction to our first black president. And that reaction has less to do with race and more to do with the ugliest side of religion.
The fact is that if you’re going to blame one group above all others for the willful ignorance and continuing ugliness of the response to President Obama the best candidate would be the evangelical/fundamentalist community. The angry part of the South Carter spoke of is racist because it’s dominated by a certain type of “Christian” culture. <<
Pregnancy is optional, Lady, but V!agra seems to be mandatory for the dicks running health care in the US: the dicks in Congress, insurance, the drug companies and on Wall Street.
I guess that means buy stock in c0ndom manufacturers.
10 tlgeiger62 Says:
September 18th, 2009 at 3:07 AM
Lovely soundtrack!
—————-
I was thinking more along the lines of …
A little bit of Monica in my life,
A little bit of Erica by my side.
A little bit of Rita’s all I need,
A little bit of Tina’s all I see.
A little bit of Sandra in the sun,
A little bit of Mary all night long.
A little bit of Jessica here I am,
A little bit of you makes me your man!
…..Political times like these have me re-playing the Beatle song “Imagine” by John Lennon………
@Irishgirl #6 I read the first 3 chapters last night and it is very good and very upstetting. I think everyone should read it, even in the little I’ve read it’s become very clear to me how the Republican party evolved into what it has today, very Scary and our Scarah is one of them, he talks about her quite a bit
On another note, I’m reading that the Washingtimes has Meg Stapleton confirming that Sarah will not be attending the Values Voters summit, but the VVS website sure does have her listed on the 18th between 2-5p, another event she cancled on? Or will she be making a surprise visit?
Stapleton did confirm her again for Hong Kong, cause it’s her first paid gig, dontcha know.
Here are the links that go with my #15
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/sep/18/palin-gingrich-skip-values-event/
http://www.valuesvotersummit.org/schedule
Here’s a question I find myself wondering about on occasion: Why does Sarah Palin not have an actual website that serves as her official presence on the Web? Apart from the fact that it costs nothing (and I have to assume that the Palins aren’t THAT hard up for money), is the act of using Facebook to post “her” thoughts on the issues of the day some sort of indirect political statement? You know: “I’m a populist; and look: here I am posting ‘my’ high-falutin’ thoughts via a populist kind of medium”?
If there’s an angle here, I just don’t see what it is. It works against creating the sense that she’s a Serious Person–which she desperately needs to do if she’s going to get anywhere politically.
(Not that I’m exactly rooting for her success in that regard, you understand . . . )
lol @ Aussie Blue Sky! Now I have that song in my head!
Brian looks good in moving pictures!
Here’s a Canadian Maclean’s article on how far right groups are sprouting in the Europen parliament, continuing the racial hatreds of their ancestors. Apparently seating in that parliament is not in little sections by country but by political bent- so greens are together, etc.
http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/06/17/europe%e2%80%99s-great-shift-to-the-right/
Embedded in this article is a link to a second on the rise of fascism.
This is a world-wide thing. Could almost make me believe in some wierd astrological theory about Saturn pushing Pluto out of the cosmic order. (Making loud derisive moose-noise– at least with those guys we imagine it’s just about bigger balls, not “Your mother was Siberian.”)
Howard Dean has a petition for passing healthcare reform with the public option by a simple majority (51) in the Senate. http://www.americacantwait.com/
That website also shows where each politician stands on the public option issue.
Please sign & pass the link on!
Lani, I saw this link earlier on the last post, opened it and did my duty. Thanks for posting it.
I just saw this little zinger from Josh on TPM regarding the VVS.
Sarah Palin is scheduled to speak but as we’ve seen lately, Palin manages to miss a lot of the events she’s supposed to attend.
Ouch.
@17, John B. (aka Bang Wal-Mart Palin), regarding Palin’s use of facebook.
My take? I think she is (once again) trying to “up” President Obama who pulled in the young hip-internet savvy population with his community organization skills and use of the internet. I think that Palin thinks she is doing something cutting edge by posting on facebook. Not exactly working for her, but I can see her “thinking” that she is starting an online revolution using facebook as a political tool.
Also, I think it’s easier to get “fans” on facebook since a lot of people are already on facebook. But, considering the low number of friends she has,
I would say that isn’t working out too well. ha, ha. If she had her own blog, people would have to make a special effort to come visit her page and she may not get as many built-in “friends”.
Just my take.
Rachel Maddow reveals some ugly truths about health care on the home turf of the southern anti-healthcare Republicans.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#32905906
Does anyone remember the flap a year ago about clinics in California reusing needles to the detriment of their patients? It was a big one-day splash in the news, and I’ve never seen another report. Was it covered regionally? This issue deserves a spotlight in the health care debate to further illustrate our flawed and corrupt model of profit-oriented health care.
BuffaloGal,
Thanks for sharing the link to the Frank Schaeffer! As a Christian, I have a real struggle with feeling caught in the middle, and feeling more and more of a need to distance myself from some ‘Christians’. I have actually started getting up and walking out of my adult Sunday School when I don’t like the direction the discussion is headed.
Its a really sad situation!
Okay, back to work…
Great video, thanks Denis and AKM.
My 4yr old Grandson just watched it, I told him the moose was looking for a girlfriend. Here are a few of his comments:
Music is sounding like no girls for you, moosie!
Oh! he got a boyfriend instead, do you think he is happy or does he still want a girl? (video ends) Oh, guess we don’t get to know….I just hope they’re happy.
And the numbers just keep growing……..How can people NOT realize that health reform is detrimental to our survival?
‘WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Nearly 45,000 people die in the United States each year — one every 12 minutes — in large part because they lack health insurance and can not get good care, Harvard Medical School researchers found in an analysis released on Thursday.’
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090918/us_nm/us_usa_healthcare_deaths_2
After watching Dennis’ video of the moose (so wonderful!) I went through to his vimeo page and looked at some others of his that I had missed (spring in Hatcher pass is wonderful too!) , but in googling to find out some background to the discussion in the video with an Alaska fisherman, I discovered “First Alaskans, a statewide magazine of Native business and culture” that others here find of interest.
So far I have only read the story about Callan Chythlook-Sifso who has a spot on the US Olympic team for snowboarding, but it looks to be a well written, very nicely put together source of information. I was surprised that it’s not in AKM’s side bar.
http://www.firstalaskansmagazine.com/index.php
michigander, that is too cute! Actually, homosexuality in the animal world not only exists, but is accepted..
Back to the DRAWING BOARD – sounds good to me.
From FDL poster:
The Congress is back in session and doing the dirty work for the Medical Industrial Complex.
mcconnell $3.3M, hatch $2.9M, baucus $2.8M, grassley $2.7M,
lieberman $2.6M, burr $2.4M, ensign $2.4M, cornyn $2.2M, kyl $2.1M,
conrad $2.1M, cantor $1.8M boehner $1.7M, coburn $1.2M, j wilson 800K
were paid by the Medical Industrial Complex to kill Health Care Reform.
(Source: OpenSecrets.org)
Follow the Money: http://hmc-lavadogs.livejournal.com/20128.html
Call Congress and demand, SINGLE-PAYER HEALTH CARE for All!
(Toll Free # House and Senate)
1-866-338-1015_______________1-866-220-0044
1-800-473-6711_______________1-866-311-3405
Sign Single-Payer Petition: http://hmc-lavadogs.livejournal.com/20128.html
Don’t let the Medical Industrial Complex steal your Health Care from you and your family by donating huge sums of money to Crooked Politicians in order to maintain the Status Quo. Keep up the good fight.
Health Care Reform with Michael Moore – September 16, 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VMKFjk_mio
EXCELLENT!!
If you favor Single payer healthcare please take a minute to call your representatives or fill out the online letter supporting H.R. 676 at
http://www.pnhp.org/
Just click the “Take action in support of single payer today” headline under Action Alert
24 (((((Lighthouse.)))))
I hope that real Christians like yourself can stand up to those who are trying to highjack your Church. I believe it is important to seek out those in one’s congregation with like minded views, inform yourselves with the facts and then speak up. The alternative is to find another congregation that is more in line with your beliefs.
I’ve heard a show on our Air America station called “Stated of Belief”. It’s a good show and addresses many of the issues in the faith community today. The web site is http://www.stateofbelief.com/
That settles it.
Watching CNN-the mind numbing, vacuous chit chat and the incessant commercials-is a waste of time. CIAO!
http://wonkette.com/411160/watch-wolf-blitzer-be-stupid-and-mean-last-night
Oh my, aren’t you just so proud Anchorageite? He’ll be blogging AND tweeting AND Facebooking:
http://community.adn.com/adn/node/143564
Into the future – mayor starts blogging
Posted by Alaska_Politics
Posted: September 17, 2009 – 11:08 am
From Don Hunter in Anchorage:
Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan launched a blog this morning. The blog describes it as a way to “give Anchorage residents unfiltered access to the mayor.”
In a statement e-mailed out this morning, Sullivan said the blog will give him another way to communicate directly with people about the serious issues facing the city, which he says include he budget, energy supplies, public safety and so on.
oops, “aren’t you just so proud, Anchorageites?”
Thanks for sharing that website, Fan from CA! I will be checking it out.
I’ve always been good at finding some level of commonality with everyone, and it’s only recently that I’ve reached the point of thinking, “maybe I don’t want to be around these people”.
The whole thing makes me sad!
whew! our area lost power for a number of hours. The past month I’ve been on a daily routine of hyperspeed reading, posting, researching, emailing and jumping between 4 different projects. Suddenly, mid post, everything just ….stopped. No lights, no internet, no computer, no tv or radio. Just me and the cat, sitting in the silence.
I reacted a bit like an addict in the first 1/2 hour but once I realized there was nothing to be done I just curled up on the bed with the pile of untouched magazines that has been growing for months. I actually turned physical pages and didn’t have to click “send”. My brain and nervous system went to an entirely different place.
I was quite happy when the power came back on but I’m going to have to remember to take time to step away and recenter.
Now – back to the internet !
I have learned today to be sure that the payment due date printed on your credit card statement is the actual payment due date. I received in the mail today my boss’ Bank of America credit card statement showing a pymt due of $1.50 which represents the minimum finance charge. The problem with this charge is that the balance was paid in full six days before what the statement said was the payment due date. My boss called the company to complain and was told that the payment due date was 8/28 and not 9/3 as was printed on the statement and since the payment was received on 8/29 the finance charge was applied. He convinced them to waive it.
Just another creative way to screw us.
Lighthouse, I know many good Christians (Jews, Buddhists, etc. for that matter). Be who you are. Find others more like yourself, maybe a new Sunday School. Remember, life is a continuous search for growth.
Lighthouse…
I agree wholeheartedly ~ for that is the same brand of “Christianity” that perpetrated and justified slavery in this nation, not so long ago. Soooo, keep the faith…. as this too shall pass.
Fear not; but let our voices rise above the noisome pestilence.
Have a pleasant weekend everyone.
I saw that Ireland was # 19 in health care, just behind the UK. Ours is a government run system, but no one here pays $10,000 or the equivalent for health care. To be quite truthful, it is not something I even worry about. It was never on the radar. I admit that I am fortunate, but no one goes bankrupt here because of medical bills. The one worry is contracting MRSI. The cleanliness is not what it used to be.
As regards religion, a lot of Irish people don’t go to Mass anymore. The Roman Church laments it, but Ireland has never been so peaceful (though admittedly broke).
We have had our problems caused by religion in the North of Ireland….I hope that never comes back. Turning on the TV or radio to hear that 21 soldiers or civilians had been blown up was no joke.
I guess what I am trying to say is that religion causes these problems. I just think that the Ten Commandments are ok, and I try to abide by those rules.
Sorry forgot to say that I think religion is a deeply personal thing, and that is where it should stay. One shouldn’t run around the place promoting *your* God. And keep it the hell away from politics.
Can everyone just treat people as human beings?
I grew up without any religion in our home. As my parents would say when I asked about it, ‘we are humans. Behave humanely’.
Lighthouse and others re: Christianity –
The past few days I’ve read a few different articles and blog posts that bring up the curious exclusion of actual “Jesus quotes” from this xtreme xtian group. They’re all about the fire and brimstone but outside of bringing in the name of Jesus and the “reborn” thang, ya just don’t hear any “love your neighbor” themes or “you that loves the least of my children loves me”.
AND! On that note I bring to you 30 seconds of Carrie Prejean, uber xtian, doing her hand pointing impression of $P, direct to you from the ever exciting Value Voters Summit!
http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/carrie-prejean-god-has-a-bigger-crown-for-me-in-heaven.php
She’s bearing up well considering the absolute torture she’s been through lately. She inspires me, that one does.
Wow, BG. I see what you mean, inspiring. I would like to crown her…
Just a note to the posters #3, 25, and 28 about the moose in the video. I couldn’t see through the brush well enough to be able to see if these were a male and female moose or not, but by the way they were acting with each other, I’m guessing that that’s what they were. I’m quite sure that all moose, both male and female, grow antlers. If you were just seeing 2 moose with antlers and assuming that that meant they were both male like in deer, that won’t work with moose.
Sadly BG, I must agree with you.
Excuse my spelling and grammar…just reread a few of my posts. Friday night here.
Ugh, I will never have anything to do with organized religion again due an incident that happened years ago. I just call it 5 church members, Singapore slings, & me. Anyway it always makes me cringe when the perfect christians start quoting their favorite bible verse, so, just for them, I’d like to say a little verse from one of my favorite prophets. You can’t always get what you want so why don;t you quit having you’re 19th nervous breakdown because you can’t get no satisfaction & get off of my cloud!!! Verse of Mick, Book of Jagger
49 sdragon Says:
September 18th, 2009 at 10:39 AM
I’d like to say a little verse from one of my favorite prophets. You can’t always get what you want so why don;t you quit having you’re 19th nervous breakdown because you can’t get no satisfaction & get off of my cloud!!! Verse of Mick, Book of Jagger
——-
“I think I love you” (someone else sang that), regardless of your gender.
I think Abraham Lincoln said it the best “When I do good I feed good when I do bad I feel bad, that is my religion”. The more I read and hear about Abraham Lincoln the more I come to understand why the POTUS admires him so. Both great men in my book yes warts and all.
Thanks to all! I really am at work here, and trying to skim through your posts and form a coherent response in a hurry!
I like your quote, sdragon!
Here’s one I like, straight from the 13th chapter of John (I think) “Love one another”!
Yep, I like that one!
Thanks ya’ll! (love ya lots!)
Ireland has gone the other way, moving away from religion.What a change in 20 years.
Hey thanks nswfmCA,
Right back at you. It’s just been a rough week,friend in hospital,better but not so good, nerves shot, weeks with no rain, blah blah blah I’m off to buy a pack of smokes & I don’t smoke anymore.
(smoking)
Sorry…the visuals did not work out.
AHHH!
The perfect thread on which to announce that Brian’s Diary and photos from Greece are now put together on a blog.
View his adventure here: http://briansbigfatgreekvacation.blogspot.com/
Did anyone see the short piece on MSNBC with Norah and Monica – a reporter was at the VVS and got told off by some woman – didn’t like having reporters there and she was downright rude!
Found this posting on the Think Progress blog……so these religious nutters want to go back to the MAN being the macho head and the little woman being subservient, barefoot, in the kitchen, and pregnant with another child to indoctrinate!
VALUES VOTER SUMMIT 2009 Preliminary Schedule
(as of September 10, 2009) – Speakers and times are subject to change.
4:15 – 5:00 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION TWO
THE NEW MASCULINITY – CONGRESSIONAL A
Dr. Pat Fagan, Senior Fellow and Director, Center for Family and Religion, FRC; Michael Schwartz, Chief of Staff, Senator Tom Coburn (R-Okla.); Dr. Matthew Spalding, Director, B. Kenneth Simon Center for Studies, The Heritage Foundation
Feminism has wreaked havoc on marriage, women, children and men. It is time to redress the disorder it has wrought and that must start with getting the principles and ideals for a new “masculinism” right. Such a “masculinism” will have its dovetailing counterpart in a new “feminism” for they mutually define each other and, in nature, are meant to be complementary. This panel will begin this exploration.
Most of you probably know that moose nose is a delicacy in China, which has led to the near-extinction of moose in northern China and the Russian Far East. They also like reindeer horn (which at least is sustainable) and the gall from black bear, which they extract in a manner too heinous for me to write about here. Whatever other attributes they may have as a civilization, they’ve been hell on the dwindling, heavily-pressured wildlife that remains in their country. (Except pandas, of course. There’s profit in pandas.) So – I’m wondering what might be behind Miss Quittypants’ upcoming trip to China. If she’s over there making deals, Brian and friends need to start worrying.
I just came back from the Dollar Store, and guess what I saw??? A book titled, “Sarah: How a Hockey Mom Turned the Political Establishment Upside Down”!!! For a buck! Guess this doesn’t bode well for her upcoming memoirs! I couldn’t wait to get home and post this!
Also from another blog – more and more people are starting to put the “Obama Chant” as signatures on their postings and e-mails, and I’ve now done the same.
Can I encourage others to use it also and get our own movement of support going? In case any aren’t aware, Obama has mentioned this several times lately, courtesy of one of his supporters back when he was on the campaign trail, then he and his staff would use it to get themselves psyched up for their campaign rallies.
Fired up!
Ready to go!
OMG, have taken out my son’s guitar. I’m sure I will be the next Beyonce or someone. It is electric and I am rocking….maybe a bit out of tune. But having fun.
Very nice video!!!
GreatGranny2Be: so these ‘macho’ men want women going back to being nice subservient little women staying in the kitchen and breeding babies…. Especially with the way the economy has been, not just as currently is, I’m sure that all these macho men will also appreciate their roles of being the sole provider for their ever expanding broods.
laprofesora @60 – Just looked on Amazon.com – The book only has a 4 star rating – original price was $19.95, now knocked down to $15.96 (plus $3.99 shipping). Read a few of the 147 reviews and they have to be fervent Palinistas. How sad for them that they have fallen for her brand of hatred.
The most telling thing about the site is it shows that those who bought that book also bought books by/about these cohorts of Palins, with the exception of Biden (makes me wonder how he made the list!):
John McCain Jerome R. Corsi Joseph H. Hilley Bradley S. O’Leary
Dick Morris Lorenzo Benet Mike Huckabee Glenn Beck Bill O’Reilly Lynne V. Cheney Susan Sherwood Meghan McCain Newt Gingrich Joseph R. Biden Chuck Norris Steve Doocy
And there are dozens of books listed about her, so I wonder how many more of them will end up in the dollar stores at bargain basement prices.
Fired up!
Ready to go!
NY Times Bestseller List – Non-Fiction
http://www.themudflats.net/2009/09/17/open-thread-let-the-rutting-begin/?#comment-133042
This is #1………..
Culture of Corruption: Obama and His Team of Tax Cheats, Crooks, and Cronies
Michelle Malkin
Fired up!
Ready to go!
Carol.Seattle @64 – When they find out just how far their sole paychecks DON’T go, they might have to take a 2nd job or let little wifey get one.
I really worry the direction the religious right is taking us and how invasive they have become in our political arena.
Is anyone else watching the streaming of the Value Voters Summit ?? Do you know if anyone has taped and posted the full speeches?
I’m watching the last speaker of the afternoon and I’m just beside myself. There are no words.
(i caught the end of Star Parker’s speech ( the woman that was supposed to speak with Palin at that pro life banquet that $P bailed on). Parker’s last moments that I caught sounded fairly sane. Hoping someone has it taped.
More later
Samper– Nice pics. You two sure saw the sites. Was it as hot as it appeared?
Rock on Irishgirl!
Have you heard of a young man named Davy Knowles? I had the pleasure of hearing him play at an outdoor blues festival in Aug. For being only 22 yrs. old, he is one of the best guitar players I have ever heard. He said he’s from an island off England. I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen anyone finger a guitar like that.
Very impressive!
Last speaker of the afternoon at the Value Voters Summit – Gary Bauer – President “American Values” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Bauer
Decided to micro live blog the rest of the speech
**The country wants marriage to remain a union of one man and one woman. Obama is trying to destroy this.
**It’s not about race, it’s about values. Obama is disliked by the right because he’s a liberal, not because he’s black.
**If Obama wanted to lower your taxes, wanted smaller govt, wanted to save the unborn children and wanted marriage to remain sacred, they’d be fine with him.
**Oh lord – he’s talking about Palin and saying that big media has bashed her from the moment she stepped on the stage. Back in the day the liberals called the right wing sexists but the media was just as sexist about Palin.
**And the right wing calls us racist but how could that be when they stood behind Clarence Thomas. The right wing watched as the media, the white liberal feminists and the white liberal politicians “lynched” Thomas.
**The liberals are only FOR blacks if they are LIBERAL blacks. As far as the left is concerned the right wing blacks need to stay on the plantation.
** After all this time that we’ve been demonized – after they bashed Bush for 8 years, day after day , suddenly the left is concerned about a lack of civility in politics.
** Twice I’ve made it onto Olbermann’s list of the “Worst” and this is a guy for whom white is black, up is down, etc. I’ve never made it past #2 “Worst” so I’m not going to rest until I make it to #1
**Bashing Pelosi now about her op-ed calling Wilson and the town hall screamers “un-american” . We have civility police now ? Where were the civility police when Jermiah Wright was saying “God DAM N America” in a sermon after 9/11 ? Well if you want civility it’s a two way street.
There is a tidal wave coming that will wash away the liberals, the elitists, the dead wood, the feminists (etc) and then we will be able to breathe fresh air again and only then will we get to that shiney city on the hill.
Cut to very patriotic trumpet driven music and standing ovation.
I feel toxic.
Irishgirl – OMG! I played guitar and sang w/my Grandson this afternoon, haven’t played in years! How weird is that? My fingers are killing me but it was fun. Sang Puff, Blowin’ in the Wind, Where Have All the Flowers Gone, in honor of Mary Travers of Peter Paul and Mary.
Off to check out sampers blog (and read the other comments too). May take me a while cuz hubby wants me to cook dinner )o:
Irish, play ‘FREE BIRD’! (*flicks my bic, starts to sway…*)
pvaz: It was consistently mid ’80′s in Athens, but significantly cooler and SUPER windy at the Island. A sweatshirt and jeans would have served me very well on the island the last couple of days. All I had was very light weight capris and ALL summer tops.
Labor Day on the island, when I could really enjoy the hotel, was comfortable temp, but windy. The shell from my hard boiled egg at breakfast was blowing all over!
If I had a do-over, I’d take tons more t-shirts. Athens was sweaty and grimy consistently… a few shirt changes during the days would have done me well.
Michigander: Did Mary die? Sad to say, I’m not “up” on the Peter, Paul & Mary life story.
Otherwise, I remember doing Puff as a kid with my aunt… It’s a vague memory, but one that kind of sticks.
Yea samper, Mary died of leukemia a few days back at age 72.
Really enjoyed Brian’s story of your trip to Greece. Wish I could’ve been there to help you, haven’t mastered the chat room yet. The kitten blew my mind, I have one that looks just him, Ray is his name.
I’ve been quite caught up in fights with paypal and the hotel and Brian’s Diary, that I’ve only had a cursory passsing glance at the news when the tee vee machine is on.
Sorry to hear that Mary has passed. Let’s all salute the fine folk music she and Peter and Paul brought to our lives. They are indelible childhood memories for me, even if I wasn’t a true “fan”.
sdragon: Thanks for the thought, but the pups that happened to be there couldn’t have done a more stellar job of bailing me out. It was truly amazing. I cried frequently that day just recalling the unconditional and immediate help. Brian thought I was nuts.
The kitten was just adorable. No fear at all, and he (being “a tuxedo kitty”) looks similar to my first one. My other is a tabby, but I also entertain (FEED) an outdoor Tuxedo. Island Kitty would just walk into the reception office, hang out at the breakfast kisosk near the pool, wander into my room, etc. without a thought.
Island Kitty really made that part of the trip homey and familiar. Couldn’t have asked for better or cuter company.
Besides Brian, of course!
Eeek. that strumming just killed me.
TYPO ALERT: Kiosk, not kisosk, a weird Greek name for the outdoor shelter they use for breakfast service.
Pace yourself, Irishgirl!
Guitar strings can be BRUTAL!
samper at # 57…
i read Brian’s Story at your blogsite.
i’m so happy for you that he let you share in his adventures.
and i, also and too there, hope that he doesn’t mind taking a return trip with moi in three weeks.
i hope, also and too there again, that he picked up a few words of greek since every word i hear there is greek to me.
(tee hee)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/18/sarah-palin-dinner-iportf_n_291830.html
Joe McGinnis is the current frontrunner bid at $59K and change for dinner with Palin ( tho that might’ve changed since the huff po article ran )
>>>McGinniss is among the top-two bidders in that now-famous eBay auction for a foursome dinner date with Palin. He’s bid $59,999.99 to dine with Our Lady of the North. The ecstatic subject line to an email McGinniss sent to AlaskaDispatch.com Thursday night read, “I’m going for the knockout blow! (mostly because I like the ‘FREE shipping’ guarantee).”
Winning the auction would be a boon to McGinniss, who says in his email, “I think such a dinner would be the perfect way to kick off the reporting for my new book: Sarah Palin’s Year of Living Dangerously. (To be published by Broadway/Random House in fall of 2011.)” <<<<
Feeling sick myself so I just want to join in the chant.
Fired Up !
Ready To Go !
Hey maybe us ” non-real Americans” can start our own movement to take back
OUR Country. Bill Maher told us last week to get off our couches. Love to my fellow Mudpupies.
Here’s my facebook status for today:
I can’t find a video of Peter, Paul and Mary singing ‘Light One Candle’, but in memory of Mary Travers, here’s a quote from that song.
Light one candle for all we believe in, that anger not tear us apart.
And light one candle to find us together with peace as the song in our hearts.
Don’t let the light go out! It’s lasted for so many years.
Don’t let the light go out! Let it shine through our love and our tears.
Cool, huh!
lighthouse…you should go to the candle site to light a virtual candle for mary
Samper, couldn’t figure out how to leave a comment on your blog, but I’m posting it here instead:
Again, with the double cheek kiss!
What is WITH those Greeks and KISSING?
——–
Samper, it’s because they love you! And I do, too! This was a wonderful description with all the ups and downs of traveling. I’m very glad you had that kitten to help things out in addition to the Mudflats people. Karma will come around for all of the people involved. Congratulations on living your dream!
Great idea fawnskin mudpuppy! Perfect, amazing, wonderful idea!
Thanks! (sniffles in front of work computer, coworkers are concerned…)
I am determined to be good. Nite all
It was all their fault…….
http://www.change.org/actions/view/pledge_to_help_promote_progressive_ideas?alert_id=dpZsKmWuFi is the link to declare your progressive values & help fight the wingnut smear machine. Get on it, mudpuppies.
Samper: The Brian Chronicles, Athens-Santorini, was a beaut! Thanks for posting. C U in chat.
Health and peace, and enjoy your weekend, everyone!
For anyone interested in catching the live stream of the Values Voter Summit’s evening speeches, it begins at 7 EST.
http://www.frcaction.org/vvs-webcast
First up? Bill O’Reilly and Tim Pawlenty.
I don’t blame anyone for not wanting to join me. I will most likely not make it very far in to it .
The main site with info can be found at www dot valuesvotersummit dot org You’ll find a schedule of speakers for the rest of tonight and tomorrow.
samper!!! Absolutely loved your blog, I had to read the whole thing in one sit down and now hubby is starving whilst (drink) I am weeping and inebriated.
God love ya girl – gotta make dinner, back later (o:
People may have missed this story by Geoffrey Dunn because it is over
on the ” Living ” page on Huffpo. I got it because it was in an email alert.
{ Does everyone know you can select that Option to alert you when people you follow post stories there, like Shannyn Moore, AKM or Geoffrey ?}
It tells a little bit of ‘ his story ‘ that I was not aware of. Check it out. It is about a website ” Bcelebrated”.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/geoffrey-dunn/bcelebrated—-a-revoluti_b_291536.html
*********samper****** i loved every moment of brian’s story of your adventures in Greece. while you two were off adventuring i was thinking of you. i had the great fortune to attend the Greek festival in Columbus Ohio labor day weekend. i sampled the wonderful pastries at the beautiful Greek cathedral there. you were very much on my mind and when i had a moment to myself i stole away into the lovely sanctuary and said a wordless prayer[more like a yearning for all that is good and merciful] for all my family and friends. i am glad you saw your hearts’ wish fulfilled and that you came back to us safe and sound, dear samper…love bubs
WSamper Read you blog and it seems even with all the trouble with fincials you had a good trip.At least Brian admits to being a diva and having to be carried around.Glad you had your dream trip and everything worked out for you and brian also.
Fired Up
Ready To Go
HIG @ 92 – great link. Thank you. I’ve been watching the evolution of how we deal with death and dying and have always thought the internet would be a great resource for archiving and stories.
Personally, my plan is to buy a domain name for 30 years and my grave stone will simply be , http://www.buffalgal dot com I’ll have all my thoughts, fav songs, videos my me chatting, msgs to family, rants about Palin , links to my favorite sites , and a chat room. what better way to go out ??
Michelle Malikin will be in Milwaukee soon at the lake front.Boy would it be good if the whole bunch would be pushed back into lake michigan at their backs.LOL would be funny at any rate.
# 61 GreatGranny2B Says:
September 18th, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Also from another blog – more and more people are starting to put the “Obama Chant” as signatures on their postings and e-mails, and I’ve now done the same.
Can I encourage others to use it also and get our own movement of support going? In case any aren’t aware, Obama has mentioned this several times lately, courtesy of one of his supporters back when he was on the campaign trail, then he and his staff would use it to get themselves psyched up for their campaign rallies.
Fired up!
Ready to go!
————————————-
GG2B…. there must be something in the air maybe…and not swine flu…?
About 2 hours before I read your post I called my Congresswoman’s office to follow up on the teleconference she had last night about health care. I asked a few questions and then shared the info about that ” We’re # 37 ” YouTube clip as it relates to Health care.
Her Office secretary had not heard about it but was curious after I explained that it totally disproves and mocks those who are against health care reforms and say we have the ‘ BEST ‘ system in the world.
She gave me her Office email so she would get it directly.
(*BONUS – personal contact for later rather than going through their State page link now )
I chose to include AKM’s “Constitution Day ” story link as well as the
” Healthcare- How will we pay for it?” . Gave her some background on The Mudflats, how useful it was to working for health care reform, everybody working together and sharing… etc. Suggested the Cong. Rep. follow the blog and the info could be helpful. ( mini commercial per se )
After that… how should I sign and end my email letter I asked… Hmm?
Quoted the President, ” Fired Up.. Ready to Go ! “… and my name.
I agree with you … every email to a Senator or Congressional Rep. ( or anybody else ) in the future we should sign them that way. Just another subtle way of telling them we support the President and you better as well.
Susie Snowflake–actually, female moose do NOT grow antlers, only the male moose do. It’s caribou/reindeer in which both females and males grow antlers. And as an interesting aside to that, only the females and young males keep their antlers through the winter (“mature” males shed theirs in the fall after the rut), so you know what that means about Santa’s reindeer, don’t you? Well, clearly they’re all female.
samper–AWESOME report (even if that guy was a total diva!).
EXCLUSIVE: A sneak peak at Palin’s Hong Kong speech, leaked via Tina Fey!
http://nailinpalinnow.blogspot.com
Thanks, all, for the kind words! Brian is thrilled that you all are interested in his adventure.
Fawnskin: If you are going to Greece soon, here are my tips:
1. Take lots of cold hard cash. They don’t do checks, and have real problems with cc’s also too there! CASH for all dining, souvenirs, cabs, etc.
Oh, and souvlaki, baklava, and WINE!
2. If cc’s don’t go through (HOTEL), demand they input the numbers manually (wish I’d have thought of this!)
3. You can NOT have enough water to tote up the Acropolis! Buy an ice cold litre, plus one, if you can manage the carry. Kiosks everywhere sell water, and not too expensively.
4. WC (water closet) is bathroom and Taverna is the pub. That’s all you really need to know in Greek!
5. INVEST IN POCKET PACKS of toilet seat covers and toilet paper!!! I can’t stress this enough. To think the PHL airport bathrooms are PRISTINE is putting it mildly! Many toilets don’t even come with seats! TAKE THIS TIP SERIOUSLY!!!!!! Arm yourself at the beginning of every day! Bathrooms in Greece are disgusting, no matter the star rating of wherever you might be.
Have a wonderful time, and I hope to hear your compare/contrast to our trip once you are safely home and rested!
AKM, I hope you feel better soon.
Meanwhile, I searched for the Palin dinner on ebay and spotted this alternative at: http://tinyurl.com/lqozbb
“Have Dinner With Me !! I Met Sarah Palin !!”
(Money will be donated to the State of Alaska !!)
A bit over 21 hours left to bid on this… 13 bidders and the present bid is $76.
“Thats right …YOU may have the chance to shake the hand that shook Sarah Palins. I will take you to the Cafe of choice here in the gorgeous town of Delta Junction, Alaska…Heck I will even spring for the meal. You will have to get yourself here though !! All proceeds will be donated to the state of Alaska to defray cost of Sarah Palin quiting her post as governor of the state of Alaska. So far those cost are at $40,000, not including the cost of a special session of Alaska government to get things back in order again after she quit !! These facts according to the Fairbanks Daily News Miner. While serving in Kuwait with the Alaska National Guard in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom I was assigned as Sarah Palins driver for 2 days with her entourage. I even drove her to Iraq ! I walked into Iraq with her !! Do you think I told anyone when she got a bunch of flak about that when she was running for Vice-President ?……NOPE !! So come on folks…Open your wallet. Lets beat that “Dinner with Sarah” auction. I will hand the check for proceeds from this auction directly to our new Governor Sean Parnell. Heck…he might even bid !! Thanks for looking and your donation !!”
Someone might want to follow-up on this story of ssalaska33 from Delta Junction, AK…..
I think that fella won, f****l won dinner with Palin for 63,000,000
Awesome blog, samper, why no comments option?
The sellers (Ride 2 Recovery) auctioned off other “experiences” with crazies like Sean Hannity and Karl Rove.
Karl Rove “Experience”
http://cgi.ebay.com/Private-Lunch-for-Three-with-Karl-Rove_W0QQitemZ260474255080QQcmdZViewItemQQptZTickets_Experiences?hash=item3ca579b6e8&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
Sean Hannity and Frank Luntz “Experience”
http://cgi.ebay.com/Sean-Hannity-Show-Meet-with-Sean-Hannity-Frank-Luntz_W0QQitemZ260474250612QQcmdZViewItemQQptZTickets_Experiences?hash=item3ca579a574&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
Sarah Palin also had more conditions and rules, than the other Ride 2 Recovery people “donating” their time.
honesty in government… great idea….b
PC: If you scroll to the bottom of the page, you have to click on the comments link. There’s a few of them in there, so we know the feature works.