RIP Tammy…
“We’re Blest”

HERE IS A COOL LITTLE STORY WRITTEN AND POSTED BY ‘EROTIC_FASHION’. IT IS SIMILIAR TO WHAT I HAVE TRIED TO PARODY, AT TIMES, IN MY HEADER. JESUS MUST JUST BE TOO DAMNED BUSY WITH ALL THE PRAYERS FROM PEOPLE ABOUT LOVE, HOMEWORK AND SPORTS TEAMS. YOU PROBABLY SHOULD HURRY AND GET A NUMBER SO THAT YOU CAN SPEAK TO HIM WHEN HE HAS THE TIME! I LOVE HER TAKE ON IT…

I drove towards God at two o’clock last night. Both of his first houses I passed were closed but the last one had a bright glimmering sign parked in the front lawn reading “Open 24 Hours.” I turned off the engine and fixed myself for the man, though in my husband’s boxers and football jersey, I was far from wearing my Sunday clothes.

I showed no hesitancy and marched right on up the steps, tripping over each one under the pink neon light and my own half-awake state. “Jesus, open the fucking door, it’s me, Alitia!” Oh, dear god, where were my manners, I continued yelling until a rusty voice came from within. “

“We’re closed!”

“Bullshit, the sign says 24 hours.” We argued behind the wooden door until a woman of 70 with a face so wrinkled, I didn’t know if I was looking at her arse or face, appeared.

“Whacha need?” A rusty Southern voice to match her face.

“I want to be saved.”

“That’s from 10 to 4.” I pulled a gun out of the boxers and pointed it at her head.

“I told you, I want to be saved.” She stammered back and asked me to wait a second. I had never even stepped foot inside a church before but this looked more like a bar. At the end of each aisle was an ashtray. At the front of the church, next to a picture of Jesus with a mustache drawn on by local kids, was an actual bar. I stammered towards it and made myself a drink since the lord put it there for a reason.

GOOD STUFF, ‘EROTIC_FASHION’! Ha! Quite pleasing…

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Hmm… Was going to post some cut and paste mag covers, with comments, but alas, I am at the Boston U. library with computers fixed to disallow the cut and paste thing. Too bad.

Was reading some of a book earlier written by Dick Morris. I forget the title, but was reminded again as I read segments, how much I hate viscious politicos who sponsor, or back, legislation which pummels those who need help the most. Top of the list, in my book, is the utterly dispicable senator from Iowa, Charles Grassley. I wish a push could be made for his ouster. Two issues stick out for me like sore thumbs: bankruptcies and school loans. Most persons who apply for bankruptcies have very bad misfortune, such as serious medical expense or job loss. These problems are compounded by interest rates at 30% or higher. Recent graceless legislations pretty much disallow persons so disadvantaged, from the ‘start all over’ chance bankruptcy provided, and all but insures a prisonlike sentence for life. I have seen in other areas how usery tactics by thuglike lenders has derailed even a chance of getting ahead in life. The problem, at it’s most solvable base, in preventing bankruptcies, could begin by prosecuting and criminalizing such things as predatory lending. A recent three part news series in the Boston Globe detailed the actions of uncurtailed collections agencies. I’d say that we need to declare major war on these predators and powerful allies of all political stripes who make their practices so ruthless and commonplace.

High interest student loans are another area predators see vulnerable people and attain high returns for their crimes. USURY – it must be stopped at all costs. We also need to reinstitute a sense of grace. My own student loans became 5 times, or so, of what the original loan was. This, despite them being delayed from my serious auto accident. CHARLES GRASSLEY IS A MAJOR ENABLER.

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Re. my last post on problems of poor persons from New Orleans having trouble getting help re -establishing themselves in their native area of New Orleans:  Many of you seem  to say that rebuilding the ninth ward is a bad idea, then leave the issue. The issue though, is about human decency, justice, and help; particularly to those who were routed by the storm from public housing. I know from much civic experience in Cambridge that if there is money to be made, no grace in housing is allowed at all without pressure from those who want to give people even a meager chance. It is shameless. I am not totally familiar with this whole issue in N.O., but certainly, I can see that it is not so much about only the issue of the ninth ward, but justice in general. Anyway, enough said for now. I think posts are more readable when pics are included. Better luck next time, I guess. Blessings all. Don’t forget to say your prayers. That light is always on – thank God. peace
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[Someone asked, do you hate? I am sorry about my passions. I am not so sure how to answer that. I do seem to hate the actions handed out that so carelessly inflict the sharpest trouble. Surely, we must try for something helpful for people. --- btw: I have not experienced bankruptcy.]

Wow, only two posts in June! I have had very little posting time for the last few months. I hope I can get back on a palatable track soon. I have had so many notions, too, of different posts, but have had so precious little time to even read the things you write – the most imprtant thing. I especially want to post some of the comic strip that …chelle mentioned where she is a character. I also want to laud my lone subscriber in July (baychimo) with recognition (a great short story writer) and hopefully get him traffic from you guys. Also to thank him. I have been xanga-ing for several years, and still have only two months without new subscribers. Anyway, today I am still at a time squeeze. For my post, I copied something I was sent on Yahoo. It seems poignant, so want to include it here. Thanks everyone. Hope you are having a spirited and enjoyable summer.

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Dear CC…,

A majority of pre-Katrina New Orleans residents (and pretty much all
former residents of the Ninth Ward) won’t be able to celebrate the
4th of July back at home because there is still very little
affordable housing in the area.

As members of a church that values social justice and urban ministry,
I thought you might like to call your Senator to ask him or her to
support the Gulf Coast Housing Recovery Act (S. 1668), as described
below. The contact below is for my own Senators, but you can reach
yours by calling the Senate Switchboard (202-224-3121) and asking for
your Senator (for MA or whichever other state you might call home).

Have a happy 4th of July! (And I promise this is my first and last e-
mail this week, in case you consider this spam. )

Blessings in Christ,
Ada




>
> Dear Ada,
> You’ve seen the coverage: the Superdome, the water rising,
> residents stranded on rooftops. Two years into the human rights
> disaster of Hurricane Katrina, less than half of New Orleans
> residents have returned. Thousands remain displaced because of an
> absence of affordable housing, with rent increases up more than 40%
> and the majority of public housing still shuttered. While most of
> those public units were barely affected by Katrina, 80% are closed
> and facing demolition.
>
> People nationwide are urged to support the struggle of New Orleans
> residents and grassroots organizations, including residents of
> public housing, to uphold their right to return and ensure that the
> Senate passes a bill that reflects the needs articulated by
> Residents of Public Housing.
>
> Your Senators can help bring us home. Call them today and ask them
> to support the Gulf Coast Housing Recovery Act (S. 1668).
>
> Sen. Richard Lugar
> Phone: (202) 224-4814
> Sen. Evan Bayh III
> Phone: (202) 224-5623
>
> Here’s a sample phone script to use when you place your call:
>
> Sample Phone Script:
> As your constituent, I am calling to ask that you support the Gulf
> Coast Housing Recovery Act (S. 1668). In addition to the
> protections that are in the proposed legislation, I urge you to
> consider including the following provisions in the final bill:
>
> Immediate reopening of all public housing that was available pre-
> Katrina
> Right of return for all pre-Katrina residents to their units or
> developments
> Right to relocation assistance
> No demolition
> Extension of the rental assistance programs
> Requirements that HUD contract with an independent research entity
> to conduct a survey of those who resided in New Orleans public
> housing prior to Katrina, guided by the residents themselves
> Thank you for your consideration of this important legislation.
>
> Once you’ve made your call, let us know how it went. Thank you for
> helping bring displaced New Orleans residents home.
>

> From New Orleans,
>
> Odessia J. Lewis
> Lafitte Public Housing Project
> New Orleans, Louisiana

take care, jthep

Name some of your favorite comic strip characters… One of mine is Jim Meddicks inept cat, Fleshy. This is today’s strip. I looked for one awhile back that I really liked but can’t seem to find a “Monty” archive older than thirty days. The one I wanted to depict was of fleshy being held by the tail at a mouse hole! Great fun. Another one had fleshy trying to jump up on a stool and being unable to accomplish such a feat.   “Monty” Jim Meddick					June 12, 2007

Meddick is a former political cartoonist for Newspaper Enterprise Association, a job he started shortly after graduating from Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., in 1983. While in college he won the Chicago Tribune Student Cartoonist Contest for his strip “Paperback Writer. ____________________________________________________________________________  [What to do this summer?]Ahh…, CANOE LIVERY!! Congratulations to all the graduates this year. Remember three years ago when I must have had nearly forty persons on my subscriptions list who graduated? I’ll be less thorough this year. Two off the top of my head are STDiana (NYC) and the horse chick [Smith] from Ohio, Brandi. To graduates: I suggest you don’t go up SHIT CREEK! [*Another graduate to add. The lovely NYC Desi, 'AHoleInTheWall'. I'll see some others when I have more chance to look.]   ________________________________________________________________________ Oooh… A black panther!  Black Panthers are found in south and southeast Asia (incl. Indonesia) and are considered melanistic variations of leopards. Many are also found throughout Latin America where they are closely akin to jaguars. (varieties are elsewhere is smaller percentages.)  Guess one got to New Jersey somehow… Look out!

 

 

KELLOGG WILL TAKE ON ANY PROJECT, GREAT OR SMALL, ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. PROJECTS ARE NOT PRE-CONCEIVED, BUT ARE CREATED ORIGINAL TO THE ORGANIC CIRCUMSTANCES OF SITE AND MIND. KELLOGG IS A HANDS-ON ARCHITECT. THE MORE UNUSUAL THE SITE, THE BETTER THE ARCHITECTURE.

 

Interesting architecture. Click on each picture for more…

 

Parker Posey stars in a new movie that is quite interesting. The movie is, FAY GRIM. 

 

Everyone who has listened to the Warren Zevon’s exceptional EXCITEABLE BOY, would likely agree that it was one of the edgiest of all albums ever made.

 

A new bio written by Zevon and his ex-wife, presents him with mixed perceptions. Before he passed away recently, he told his ex to leave all the bad things in.

She did. That dosen’t change at all how remarkable the tracks of his best work really were.

 

Ever wonder who the LAST wild American Indian was? Many consider it to be ISHI, the final living member of the now extinct western YAHI tribe.

 just picked up an interesting book on the subject at the B.U. bookstore. More later.

My cool friend from Myspace and Xanga, “PinkIvy…”, is soon due to have a baby! Congratulations Kelli!

 

 This poignant video reminding us all about the people we love who are away, serving out country. Much love & late Memorial Day greetings. jtheP [please post any comments you have for me on preceeding blog. THX

 American Robins, Common Crows, Eastern Bluebirds, Chickadees,

Tufted Titmice, Blue Jays, and House Wrens have suffered VERY serious declines in some,

if not much, of their ranges, due to WEST NILE VIRUS. In some parts of Maryland and New

Jersey, some of the birds have declined as much as 60%! This is alarming indeed for these

very common species seen in your back yards. Around where I live, there is a noticeable decline

in Red-winged Blackbirds. Many species are not as thoroughly documented.

Are mobile phones wiping out our bees?

Scientists claim radiation from handsets are to blame

for mysterious ‘colony collapse’ of bees [link]:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.popgadget.net/images/cell-phones-bees.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.popgadget.net/2007/04/cell_phones_lin.php&h=304&w=400&sz=33&hl=en&start=78&um=1&tbnid=OuC3Rnf7NErPBM:&tbnh=94&tbnw=124&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbee%2Bcolony%26start%3D60%26ndsp%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us%26sa%3DN

Another cause of alarm in the insidious disappearance of bees is the paranoid spraying

everywhere for WEST NILE VIRUS.  Figure that one, eh?

(The greatest spectacle in racing – The Indianapolis 500, is May 27. Three women

are in the running this year. Also soon: The final leg of the triple crown of horse

racing: The Belmont Stakes in New York. These are favorite sporting events for me.

God bless. JtheP)

p.s. I am anxious to respond to your comments from last post. I am still using computer

away from home, so also, unfortunately I haven’t been able to keep up with all that

I want to blog, or stay abreast of many of your blogs. I hope I can redouble my efforts.

thanks. Those who leave footprints are the blogs I seem to get to most readily. Thanks all.

I hope to get this redressed. Peace.

COME ON…   FREE PARIS HILTON…!





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r.i.p.

Hi, I am making a rather quick stop at the Boston University library before attending the Red Sox game tonight. I am as much a rabid parcipitant of Red Sox nation as anybody. On most days that is true. However, when they play the team I grew up with, that changes. Even with Daisuki Matsuzaka pitching, and every other fan you run into is Japanese, I still go for the Detroit Tigers.

After all, they went to the world series last year. Right now, after the Brewers, They are the hottest two teams going right now. Nate Robertson will pitch for the Tigers. He is off to a good start this year. Hmm, I told the guy I stood behind at the ticket line that he reminded me a little of Tiger great Mickey Lolich. Lolich is older though.
CONGRATULATIONS TO DAISUKE MATSUZAKA IN HIS BRILLIANT 1 RUN 9 INNING PERFORMANCE – HIS FIRST IN THE MLB, AND FIRST THIS YEAR BY THE RED SOX.
In other sporting news: If you thought I may have missed the Kentucky Derby (because I haven’t blogged about it), you are wrong. Street Sense   was a strong winner. He was the top two year old last year and won the Breeder’s Cup.If my predilections are right, he is the best bet to win the Triple Crown, in years (take nothing away from all the stupendous horses of the last few years who haven’t won all three races but showed superior stuff. The preakness stakes is this Saturday, with many fresh horses in the race. Hard for a horse to win all three anymore. We’ll see.  GOOD PREAKNESS (MAY 19). CURLIN CAME ON STRONG AND NIPPED STREET SENSE AT THE LAST POSSIBLE SECOND. NINE HORSES COMPETED ON A SHORTER COURSE AND IT WAS UNDER SOME RAIN.
Helio Castrioneves has taken pole position in qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 auto race. That race is around the corner.

=========================
Regarding my last post, I will recount the story of my experience with the sora rail. Almost any rail is quite unusual to see. Most are at least somewhat nocturnal or seen only arouind marshes, or perhaps a swamp. One day a neighbor, George, came to my door in the evening. He was carefully holding a bird, which was mostly wrapped in a towell. Truthfully, I couldn’t identify it very speedily; particularly because it was a bird I wouldn’t expect in someones arms. He had been walking his German shepard when this bird, which I later figured out to be a sora, landed, first on his shoulder, then landed near him on the ground. It was tired from migration. His dog tried to get it and he thought it was injured. I had constructed a wire cage which was 6 feet high, 6 feet long, and about 2 1/2 feet wide. I had a divider across half of the cage. A female cardinal which I had for two years was occupying the top half. I have cool stories about her, but will not get into that here. Suffice it to say, she was very lovely to have around. As it was dusk, the cardinal had already roosted. She paid scant attention to the new resident. Almost immediately, I went out to get something for the sora to eat. I had mealworms for the cardinal, but wasn’t sure a marsh bird would find an appeal in mealworms. I think snails might have worked, however, I purchased several minnows. I left them in the cage, then left the room to give her privacy. Later, I crept out to see what she was doing. She was next to the plastic container with the fish with her head cocked to one side, observing them. Hmm… Good! I went to bed. The next day in the morning, someone knocked at my door. It was the environmental police. Someone had seen the person bringing me the bird and reported me. I was still groggy and not thinking swiftly. Anyway, they left me a warning, but took the two birds. That hurt my soul to lose the cardinal. After being with me for two years (peacefully), I was near positive that she would be hawk prey before the day was out.

Merlin – Falco columbaris

Ow. The officers were a man and a woman. The woman was sterner, but the male officer said that he recognized my name from the many participations I had been noted for in the wildlife preserve area. He told me that he thought I probably could have gotten a permit. As I was tired, it didn’t occur to me to ask him for a two week delay and directives in the procedure. Anyway, the rail was more precarious (and surprising) to have possesion of. When I saw that it was okay I likely would have released it, though I wanted to keep it for a week to show the city council one more reason to be diligent in protecting wildlife areas. Too bad, they (the council) needed the evidence. Must run to the game now, or lose my spot in line, and potentially my ticket. Take care, JtheP

*Just to add: Outside the edge of the nearby wildlife reservation in Cambridge, is a site owned by the WR Grace company implicated in contaminated wells in the town of Woburn Mass. and depicted in the book and movie, “A Civil  Action”. The nearby parcel of 20 some acres, contains tons of asbestos, including the dangerous variety found in Libby, Montana. In all liklihood, it was shipped from there. That is a project I worked extensively on.

Uncivil Action: A Town Left to die Tiny Libby, Mont., depended for years on the jobs at a vermiculite mine. The mine is closed now, but the town is paying a tragic price for those jobs. Hundreds of townspeople have either died or been diagnosed with fatal illness from asbestos the mine released into the air.

As a favor to Theologian’sCafe:

 

It is the best time of the year for birdwatching. The bird below with chickenlike behavior is a SORA RAIL. It is one of the smaller rail species – little larger than a starling. Most of the rails are completely marshland birds. I had one which someone brought to me thinking it was injured. I will post about that when I get a chance. Rails are some of my favorite bird species.

 

What’s with this…?

 

Please remember our friend ‘MehjicoJohn’ as he has just been released from the hospital after a serious heart operation and intensive care. Take care all. JtheP