#700

Hey - this the 700th entry in the celery Consciousness blog,,,, how about that..

I  will attempt to make it epic...

The State decided that I am not qualified to get unemployment - but I am in the process of discussing that with them - hey - frankly if I am not qualified - so be it,,,, 

Remember this from last time ??  Well the State has now removed all my disqualifications ,,, and they say they are Paying me retroactive back to the Last week in  November - So far so good. but I have not seen any payment as of yet and my Status on the Web app is still the same.  We will see what is what ..... It is a positive step for me that they said they will pay...

In what seemed to be a bit of a downer for Christmas eve...  as for the 1st time in several years we were not going to my sons to be with them and the FAM and the Grandsons .... we could no come up with a place to go eat,, everything sounded BLEC....I  saw a small notice in the Town of Woodstock community page that Santa was to arrive on the Village Green about 5pm on Christmas eve , and heard on 'DST that the Colony Cafe - right there on Rock City Road was opening at 5pm for a live band, and drink and food.   We decided to go.  Well - we had the absolute best time. There were by my guess 1500- 2000 folks in town  WOW   - they closed that part of the street that goes past the Green. There was a Choir and a Brass Band that played on the porch of the Dutch Church (its right on the Green) and most of the people there sang along to the Carols.... Santa arrived at 5:10 - escorted by Fire trucks and a Couple of Floats with bands playings,,,  he made his way to a spot on the Green and gave out stockings to all the kids there - with small toys and Fruit and candy ....  We walked up to the Colony and got a table right near the Fire. Ordered up some beers and nachos - the Colony Cats - 4 local guys played till about 8pm - doing more Christmas carols and a few rock songs.. So what initially looked like a bust of xmas eve turned out to be terrific,, and I know what we will be doing NEXT year !!  GOING BACK

Christmas day was more of a zoo than usual  - with the boys getting more gifts than ever !!  Might have to re think this for next year,,,   Some gifts of course,, but maybe we can buy them a collective present  - a playhouse - or such.  Oh and food for probably 30 people.   aside from what everyone brought and everyone brought an appetizer, dip , dessert,  and a Side dish, pasta ect  of sorts,..   My DIL was not going to do much - well - except a Full spiral ham, a 1/2 a turkey,  about 5 pounds of Ribs,  a Soup and a Mull Wine/Cider.   yea just that.... along with what looked like 10 pounds of  Polish Meats and Cheeses.

Got my interview /  fingerprint date in mid January, from the DCSO for my Pistol permit ,, - so starting to look for what kinda gun I want,,, Leaning toward a Sig Sauer 9mm. Nickel plated... and looking for a Public pistol range to go shoot at.

Ok - that's all for today,,, maybe get ya another entry before 2018 just to recap my year , retirement and all that,,,

I'll Leave ya with this one,,, at least a candidate from my Song of the year - Band of Heathens,

and this one,,,,Gregg Allman and Jackson Browne

I sit before my only candle, but it's so little light to find my way
Now this story unfolds before my candle
Which is shorter every hour as it reaches for the day
But I feel just like a candle in the way
I guess I'll get there, but I wouldn't say for sure

Tis the Season to be Jolly - Fa La la la la ,,,,,, la la la la,,,

What are you Jolly about ???

Listen - Things are going along pretty good,,,,   we are blessed -if I can say that - to have 2 new Grandchildren on the way.... one very soon,,, like weeks, & another in several months.  So there is that ! Can't wait,, -- we Know that the 1st is a boy,,,  not sure yet on the other,,,, don't care either way..

The State decided that I am not qualified to get unemployment - but I am in the process of discussing that with them - hey - frankly if I am not qualified - so be it,,,, 

I am keeping busy in the winter months with a few projects,,,   Loft Bed for the Grandsons. a little ladder for their playroom,,, and finished the toy crates,.... Buildings  a table for the play room also that the Air Hockey table will sit on,,, but shhhhhh   Santa is bringing that...

I dunno why actually  but I feel pretty good that this is the first year in about 30 that I will not have to "ask" people to work on Christmas eve or Christmas day,,,  and that "ask" means that someone is going to work it's just who ! And every year it's the same deal...........of course almost no one wants to work.   And the Argument that I loved was that NO ONE should have to work on Christmas Eve or Day, and when I asked what their Family did on xmas eve - I get the Answer that they went out to Dinner !!  Ummmm  Who the F - cooks that dinner and serves that dinner and cleans up - are they in the NO ONE group or they are just someone else !!! DOH !

To my Pre retirement life for a second,,,, I do miss the contact with the friends and colleagues that I had during those years. Phone calls and Meetings - I will try to make some contact with those folks before the New Year just to say hello...  I was glad to see one of my Peer managers took up the organization of the toy drive for some local families that I headed up the past 5 years or ro,, and the Cookies for the Troops  that we did also....

Let's move on,,,

Yankees get Giancarlo Stanton from the Marlins ....  what a Deal ! Glad to see that they are back to being the EVIL EMPIRE. Brian Cashman has done such an excellent job over the past years getting young talent to bolster the Farm system ann then making smart trades for other talent. Now can we get a pitcher - I know we signed CC - but that still leaves one spot in the rotation,,,  

The Line up should be awesome:

Gardiner - LF 

Hicks / Ellsbury - CF

Judge - RF 

Stanton - DH

Didi - SS

Sanchez - C

Bird - 1B

Torres/Torress - 2B

Torres - 3B (or if they resign Frazier) 

so that Hitters 3 - 7 are 25+ Homeruns guys ,,,, can't wait.

The rotation : Tanaka, Severino, CC, Gray,  Montgomery ,, and you have Chance Adams, and Justus Sheffield, and Albert Abreau that could all get their opportunity to pitch in the BIGS in 2018,,,

The Bullpen I think is set , Green, Warren, Betances (gotta get his head on straight), Shreve,   Kahnle, Robertson, and Chapman. that has to be one of the Best on the League..

Pro Football- don't really Care, sure I'll watch the playoff games,,, but seriously,

College Bowl Games " got a few good ones here. and let me say 1st and Foremost - I am hoping Alabama Loses and Notre Dame  - Loses ! 

Would like to see ARMY beat San Diego State on Dec 23.

Oklahoma St .v Va Tech should be good one -  Dec 28

Cotton Bowl - Ohio St .v USC - Dec 29 

Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl on Jan 1 

Georgia - Oklahoma.

 Clemson .vs Alabama

Winners of those play for the National Championship on Jan 8th.

The POTUS continues to be a DICKHEAD - 

OH yea he KNEW that Moore was  not going to win the Senate Seat from Jones in Alabama - right so why did he promote him ??

On the  Anniversary of the shootings in Sandy hook elementary School that took 20 innocent lives,this Jerk wad Hosts the Head of the NRA at the White HOUSE !! Now it was not the Fault of the  NRA that the shooting in Connecticut took place but Jesus Christ - WTF is wrong with you.. Be similar to hosting a dinner for  the Premier of Japan on December 7th.

He continues to promote himself at these Rally's where they all might as well line up to kiss his ass.  And you need to keep noticing that this is all compared to Obama and Hillary and Bill,,, Nothing he does stands on its own,,,always the comparison to the Democrats.  He has - by the Politifact folks count told 108 outright Lies/Falsehoods since he has been in office - 10 months and to make sure I am doing what he does, Obama told 18 in the 8 YEARS of his administration, Its so blatant that the tRump apologists that I know believe them - yes - these are paole tha tI know have more sense than this,,, but have gotten so used to it - they quote the lies and actually believe them. We must stay strong against this monster , and push to have him Impeached .

https://impeachdonaldtrumpnow.org/

Ok,,, if you are still reading this,,,  here are 2 Music Videos  - not that anyone watches them!

Can you predict the Future?

Well, well, well,,,    A return to the days of the EVIL EMPIRE  !!   Adding Giancarlo Stanton to the Team,,, 1st, - what will be John Sterling's home run Call ?!  yea,, that's probably not the 1st order of business..  GianCarlo - Unloads ! Stanton - hits it a TON !  hope he has better ones than that.  #2 - Will Romaine trade Stanton for the #27 ?  what will Giancarlo give in return ??  a car ?? Cash ??  Does he even care about the #27 ??

and let's say right up front,  - WE STILL NEED A PITCHER !! Maybe 2 starters unless you resign CC

so - let's look at the 25 man roster that we know.....

Pitchers - 12
Dellin Betances
Luis Cessa
Adrolis Chapman
Sonny Gray - Starter
Chan Green
Jordan Montgomery - Starter
David Robertson
Luis Severino - Starter
Masahiro Tanaka - Starter
Tommy Kahnle
Adam Warren
Chasen Shreve

CC ??  Garcia ???

Postition players - 13
Austin Romine - C
Gary Sanchez - C
Greg Bird - 1B
DiDi Gregorius - SS
Chase Headley - 3B
Ronald Torreyes - 2B
Jacoby Ellsbury - CF
Brett Gardiner - LF
Aaron Hicks - CF
Aaron Judge - RF
Giancarlos Stanton - DH - RF

Tyler Austin, Tyler Austin, Todd Frazier, Glebber Torres  ???  all Infielders

The Line up  is probably  - the New Murders Row?? Sanchez at 6 and Bird at 7.....??  I expect both to hit 20 -25 homeruns this year,...  so that really makes this a long lineup.... I will be who do you pitch to ,, Judge or Stanton and then no rest with DiDi , Sanchez and Bird...

Gardiner - LF
Torreyes/ Austin- 2b
Judge - RF
Stanton - DH
DiDi - Ss
Sanchez - C
Bird - 1b
Headley/ Torres - 3b
Hicks/Ellsbury - CF

the Music year in Review

Greetings,,

This has been quite the year for Music ... hopefully its trend that we saw more live shows this year than in most past years...  Started with Jorma Kaukonen ( Daryl's house) ,  then Amos Lee (Paramount theater) ,  the Wheels of Soul tour - that's the Wood Brothers , Hot Tuna - Electric , and the Tedeschi Trucks band, (SPAC) - Doobie Brothers and Chicago - (Bethel Woods) , Willie Nelson (Mid Hudson Civic Center) , Hot Tuna Acoustic - Cohoes Music Hall,,  then many Live Lunch Hours at the Utopia Sound Stage - WDST in Woodstock- Barnes Courtney, the Ghost of Paul Revere, the National Reserve , Ryan Montbleau, Thomas Winn & the Believers..   I will get to our Choice of the Best Live show in a few ,,,

1st - the Songs of many were silenced this year,,,,  in no particular order - and these are the ones that I can remember and Google  has provided....

Chuck Berry
Tom Petty
Walter Becker
Greg Allman
J Geils
Jim Nabors
Tommy Keane
Wayne Cochran
Davis Cassidy
Della Reese
Mel Tillis
Malcom Young
Roberts Knight
Fats Domino
Charles Bradley
Brad Gentry
Glen Campbell
Chris Cornell
Don Williams
Larry Coryell
Al Jarreu
Geoff Nicholas
Butch Trucks

Back to the Best Show - we agree - (now that's unusual in itself)

from the Small show perspective - all were very good,,, but I think his performance of  "Fast Cars" put Ryan Montbleau on the Top of the Live Lunch Lounge concerts. 

And the Best BIG show - although was in the Capitol  Theater in Port Chester , not exactly a BIG arena, is Amos Lee...   followed closely by Tedeschi Trucks band...  even I thought TT was  a little long winded in their jamming,,,   specially on back to back songs that featured Derek, and the piano player for several minutes,,,, but make no mistake - that was an outstanding show !  I pity the Fool, Learn how to Love, Soul sacrifice,  Ain't wastin Time - no More and Will the Circle be unbroken excellent.

Amos Lee was just terrific... from Spirit, to Violin, Jesus , Sweet pea, Keep it loose , Keep it tight, that little girl in the audience asking for Southern Girl and him taking a minute to remember it was a truly genuine moment,   the 3 song encore of  the Dead's Franklin's Tower, BLack River and of course the highlight Windows are rolled down,..  Even my wife was surprised how much she enjoyed the show!    so we look forward to seeing Amos again in 2018 !!   Along with a BIG arena show of maybe U2  or hoping for the Rolling Stones

The Hap Hap Happy est Christmas since Bing Crosby tapped danced with Danny Fuckin Kaye

Well the holiday season has started off with a bang  !

The Festival of Lights was Friday night in the City of Poughkeepsie....

and last night - Whoa - SinterKlass fest and Parade in Rhinebeck,   Bethelwoods had their annual fest and Christmas Shopping / outdoor  extravaganza and Woodstock did their traditional Holiday "Open House " in the town ,,,, wandering from shop to shop getting some food and Drink along the way,.....

We managed to get to absolutely NONE of them ,, but it is neat to read in the paper and online of all the fun and festive activities and all the Holiday Spirit.  (you can wave your sarcasm sign here)

Yea - so there's that ..

Perhaps today will be better in that we have tickets to see Hot Tune tonight in Cohoes at the Music hall there , so we have to sorta go,..  it's a small venue and we have great seats to see Jorma and Jack. We started the year seeing Joram at Daryll's House in Pawling,,, and ending the year with him will be great.   I will get you a concert rating at nearer the end of the year as we had a terrific year of Music with Jorma, Willie Nelson, Amos Lee,  Doobie Brothers, Chicago, Tedeschi Trucks band, wood Brothers, Ghost of Paul Revere, Ryan Montbleau,  The National Reserve,  Barns Courtney, Tomas Winn and the Believers, and a few more I can't remember right now. 

I have decided to not put lights up for the Holidays this year,,,  we have the Peace sign in the front of the house , so I have saying that -  that is it.  I made my self nuts last year with lights on some of the trees that strings kept going out on and I needed to replace them.  I think we will do the Columns in the font as candy canes and maybe more ribbons,,,, but thats it,,, no stress ..

On Facebook,, I have started to post Christmas / Holiday songs  - one song per day,, obvious songs I think are good,, and maybe just a bit off the beaten path,,,

Yesterday I started with The Mavericks and Feliz Navidad,, and kept that non english deal going with Sissel and Pavarotti doing separate version of O Holy Night,,, and added a Joe Bonamassa version - that was all instrumental. 

so to keep you up to date ,,, here they are ...

I 'll check back in a few days with the next songs,,, I will do one per day till the 25 ,, hope you enjoy...

Gettysburg

Tomorrow - November 19, is the anniversary of the Gettysburg address...
These 269 words are perhaps, the greatest speech in our nation's history from, perhaps our greatest President.

Given the current situation in our country - I hope that the last sentence in Mr Lincoln's speech remains true...

The Gettysburg Address..

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war.
We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that this nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here,
have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.
It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.
It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause
for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—

That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—

and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

The Civil War: The Gettysburg Address

Lincoln felt he had failed the people with his short address, and yet, those 269 words were spoken and all speeches…

YOUTUBE.COM

Wow - 2 in a week

Greetings and Salutations ..

and let me start by saying this - and I am in no way minimizing the loss of the people that are shot in this country every day,,, or in every one of these incidences involving multiple fatalities....  but f'ing A  - we may as well as say "our thoughts and prayers go out to all those killed and injured by _______ "
you fill in the bank with the location and the number killed and wounded,,,  Leave the damn flag at half mast - cosue it takes longer toraise and re lower it for the next shooting takes place.

We had better find a way to have a serious discussion on how to control the firearms in this country without having to hear the NRA and the 2nd amendment supporters saying that it infringes on their right to bear arms and that these are not GUN incidents - they are people incidents. I will tell you what they are  - are  DEAD people incidents and they will continue to happen with greater intensity and impact if we don't do something about it..

Hey - Norrie will once agin be left in a few capable hands on Thursday,,,  but only for 1/2 day or so,,, hey maybe I can fit in a bike ride - spose to be near 50 - Eddie - give me a call in that morning and  I will see if I can meet you guys ,,,,

Did I say Aaron Judge unanimously won the AL Rookie of the Year  !! 

Greetings,

Well well well,, it's freaking mid November - when the hell did this happen, ?!?!

I've been working near every day getting the Marina closed up and in shape for the Winter - that is coming,,,,,   Floating dock support pipes removed (ugh - I go the the mud end of most of those - of course I'm the FNG ) Electrical shut off and about 1/2 ton of wire pulled back to shore and coiled up - never knew that wire could be so heavy, 80 some Ice eaters installed,  finger docks removed and stacked in the parking lot, Comfort station winterized, long sailboat docks pulled into middle of Marina, etc etc,,,  maybe 1 days work left to do... then I get laid off for the 1st time in my life !!  Oh - and I nearly fell into the river only 2 or 3 times ,,, and yes in years past others have gone in  - so leave your cell phone and wallet in the car ! 

The winter  - I hope  - will be a series of small jobs, painting the inside of a customers home, and , and siding on another  are all lined up ,,, and for me maybe a popcorn ceiling or two will be removed  ....  and I am just starting to work with my router on making "name"signs,,,, its not as hard as I though and with some patience (yea - gotta work on that) they come out pretty good,,,, I'll post some pictures here as I get a few completed,,,,  I am  hoping for at  a cold winter and some snow,,,    I get better photo opportunities with the Eagles when the reservoir and river freeze - plus Id like to see that all the work at Norrie paid off -

Moving on,,, Aaron Judge was unanimously chosen as American League rookie of the year.  Very well deserved and we can only hope he is anywhere near the last ROY that the Yankees had (Derek Jeter)  - and maybe in a few years named Captain or co Captain (with Sanchez)   as Mr Jeter was ,,,,

Who will be the new Yankee Manager ??  - I gotta tell ya , none of the name I have been hearing thrill me,,,  I'd like Tony Perez,,, or  perhaps Robbie Thompson - But David Cone ,,   Aaron Boone  ??  if we need a home-run off Wakefield to win a game - but who knows he might be ok.  Guess I am waiting see with everyone else,,, I think this is like Torree in the mid nineties,,, he took over a great team after Buck Showalter  - and went on that great run winning World Series,, I think the next yankee manager will have a similar opportunity - he is taking over a really good team,,,

the POTUS is still a JACK ASS - the ties to Russia are more exposed every day, His lack of leadership more apparent with every turn.  He tells everyone he ask Putin about Meddling in our election and of course the Russian leader denies it and Rump Believes him - believes him over the evidence that is brought by the USA's own intelligence agencies,,, What a Dick head ! what a slap in the face to his own country.

Hey - start thinking about candidates for Song of the year, and Album of the year...  I will lay out a few possibilities in the next few weeks and see if you agree. I have alse been thinking about what the best Live show  saw this year, - its really a hard choice ,,,, Amos Lee ??  Jorma  ? Tedeschi Trucks Band ?? 


Ok I gotta get ready for work,, I'll leave you with Susan and Derek and a Beatles cover

,,,,  see what ya think,,

So ,, let's see where this goes

First,, I have been so busy ,, I have forgotten to ride my bike,,,,  and it doesn't look too good ...

Sunday - Monsoon season
Monday  -
Tuesday - Work
Wednesday - let me try to get out there about 9:30 - 10 am ish -   walkway should not be too busy,,,
and maybe I can meet up with you guys around Moriarty / Pages 9:30 - 10 am o'clock ish,,,, 
Thursday - work - and everyone working day to get the marina winter ready,,, 
Friday - see Thursday.... ugh...

We are working on several projects.... there is a house siding that needs to be started and completed by winter.....  good work - Outdoors. New Siding - but that needs to get painted - so it needs to be above 35 degrees  for many hours to do that....    A Deck project that I can't seem to get the switchback stairs drawn up correctly - but thats a Fishkill project - and we may need to form an LLC to get the right insurance to do that work.  We have a indoor painting project in the Back pocket for when it gets really cold.  I started the work on the framing for the "Crooked Playhouse"

Yea - so the framing looks like this and I can't find any plans - so this will be a bout of an adventure of angles and bracing...   Then there is a play room to finish the toy boxes for ,,, and a loft bed that needs to be built to look like that.... he already  has the car bed,,, just need the Texaco gas station part....

so  - as you can see - I have a few things on the plate....

I have yet to secure winter employment...  but I gotta believe that HD or the Local lumber store will be looking for Seasonal help and if not - there is always unemployment,,,,, as I might be too busy to get a job !!

No onto more serious items.....  

Lets talk about the Astros player - Yuli Gurriel  - who mimic'd Hu Darvish by pulling his eyes back to simulate Darvish as he is oriental - this after this Low life hit a homer off Darvish. Now MLB does not want to suspend him because it would hurt the whole Team (forget what it did to Darvish and any other oriental person or player) and I guess the Astros don't have the balls to suspend him either .  And the Astros manager called the Dodger manager to say how sorry he was that his player did that and Ok the player himself is remorseful - most these assholes are AFTER they do shit like this cause they don;t wanna get suspended, and Big Fucking deal that they suspended his 5 games at the start of next year ! who gives a shit bout that......  but the manager  don't have the balls to keep him put of the line up - as it might hurt the team.  SO - Lesson learned here KIDS -  you can taunt and make fun of  others ethnicity IF you are an important part of a line up or a team playing in an important series or Game. This to say nothing of the Despicable fans that gave him a standing ovation when he came to bat for the 1st time in last nights game - WTF is wrong with you people !!   I think Mr Darvish might be scheduled to pitch game 7 if it gets that far  - I will be very interested to see if he does not run a fast ball into Mr Gurriel's ribs just to say howdy !  

and If you did not read anything in my posting before the POTUS is complete and Utter ASSHOLE - LIAR - JerkWAD, Dick Head ...   I'm just saying,,,,  and I am glad to see that members or GOP - have come out and said as much. The way this comes apart is from the inside out,,, so hopefully we are starting to see that happening.   I will reiterate that I am concerned if the country will survive this Presidency.  That the fabric of the country will be so torn - we may not recognize it after this Incompetent asshole gets finished.  And I have to laugh that he is still fighting the fight against the Obama administration, and that he and he Shitheel supports can;t make an argument on their own that does not mention the Clinton's or the Obama's. Truth stands on its own and does not need to be propped up with mention of others.... 

I'll end with this one by John Hiatt..

 

Hey - where the hell have you been !!

Ok,, so that is a good question,,,     Let's  get you caught up on vacation happenings,,,

We had an exceptional week in Las Vegas....    about two weeks after the shootings that left 59 Dean and 500  wounded... that city is a s vibrant as ever,,,, Casinos are open, shows are being performed  and thousand of visitors are arriving daily to enjoy America's play ground..

There are 59 White Crosses in a "Make Shift"  Memorial at the Welcome to Las Vegas sign on the Strip - the Sign - If you do not know is on Las Vegas Blvd - south of Mandalay Bay.

You can barely make out the crosses, as people have left items at each one, Flowers, , wreaths,  Personal items, Beer Cans, Bottles of Tequila, CowBoy Hats, etc etc  - some of these Items  have already been taken by the Clark County Museum.. the ones they thought were dangerous, likely to be stolen (although what low life would do that) or would blow away - they are keeping everything to display at a permanent - yet undetermined Place in the future. 

On a Happier note,,, we ate like - well.... we ate...........  In No particular order ... Carbone (Italian in Aria) Big B's Barbecue out in Henderson.    The TAP - Sports bar at MGM (maybe best Onion Rings I have ever had...  ,  Dillinger's in Boulder City,    are places making Burgers bigger these days, cause the ones at the TAP and Dillinger's are huge,,, and delicious.

This trip - as others - featured a few excursions to the Strip .....   we saw the Rolling Stones Exposition,, Hand written lyrics, guitars, clothing, etc,, great memorabilia from the world's greatest rock and roll band-- there was a small display of harmonics that were Mick's ,,,, and a note  of the Lesson he got from Howlin Wolf (aka Chester Arthur Burnett) on playing the harp... remember the Stones were greatly influenced by all those old Blues guys,,  anyway - Mick asked him about how to play the Harp  and Wolf told him,,, " there are parts where you blow into the fuckin thing,, part you suck on the Fucking thing  and that's how you play the fuckin harp - now get the fuck outta here" - Micks comment was "Lesson Over" !

We saw the Beatles "LOVE" - the Cirque Du Soleil  show at the Mirage, it was completely re done since last time ,, and I think better than the 1st time we saw it - anyway both were excellent.  

One of the Reasons we went when we did was to catch the Million Dollar Piano Show - Elton John at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace...  We got Rear orchestra tickets for Sunday night  and Elton did not disappoint,,, 2 hours of what was a nice mix of his music. at Over 70 - he can still sing and really can play the Piano.... the Highlight for me was Mona Lisa's and Mad Hatters from the Honky Château album from 1972.....  and  the  version of Bennie and the Jets.. he concluded the evening with Can you Feel the  Love tonight  from the Lion King soundtrack...   PLUS we were lucky enough that our son scored us some VIP Orchestra Seats (Gratis)  for the show again on Wednesday night...  Elton had his sons with him in the Audience and the were on stage for a song also,,,,   the Set list was very close to the 1st night .. The Bitch is back, Bennie and the Jets, Rocket man, Levon, Your Song, Mona Lisa and Mad Hattters, Better of Dead, Apache Sunset, Tiny Dance, Good Bye Yellow brick road, Tiny Dancer, Don't let the sun go down on me, Philadelphia Freedom, I'm Still Standing, Crocodile Rock, Saturday Nights all right for fighting, and Can you Feel the Love....   

This trip we decided to drive over the the South Rim of the Grand Canyon....  and I can tell you as someone that has seen Several of our National parks,  from White Mountains, to Acadia, to the Everglades that there is nothing that tI have ever seen that compares to the Grand Canyon,,,  let me explain this way,,,  I know you have seen photos of the Canyon,,,   those pictures in no way capture the experiance of seeing it in person,,, it is just too vast.  so - if you have never seen it in person, I can't explain it to you . and if you have seen it in person - you know exactly what I mean.  We took the Shuttle bus that runs along 20 or so miles of the South Rim of the Canyon,,, and were on and off at a dozen or more stops some offering nice views of the Colorado river far below , all breath Taking...   I'll spare you the tale of the ass hole tourists that climb over and around the rails and fences for a "better look" - I understand that 12 -15 of them fall over every year ,,,,,  and there are another 250 visitors  that need rescue every year... so the park service is busy with all that.....  anyway  - was well worth the trip to see it all... 

So - all and all an excellent trip - we got to spend time with our son and his "wife" - and the Doggies,,,,, they are terrific hosts,,, looking forward to the next trip out West - San diego and the Pacific Ocean will be the Excursion for that trip 

Pictures from the outside porch at Omnia,, and some of the PUPS..

WTF is going on

Greetings,,,,

Not really even sure how to start this off,,,,,

Waking up at ~midnight and I usually have the TV on CNN all night anyway with no sound,,,, I am 1/2 awake looking at  .....  I am not sure,,,  there are people running from something at a concert,, ?  a Bomb maybe,,,   I put up the sound and read the BREAKING NEWS headline of a mass Shooting on Las Vegas ........   holy shit ,, my Son and Daughter in law (hopefully soon) Live in Las vegas,,,   I pick up my phone to text my son - make sure all is allright....  and the thought of what if he does not answer crosses my mind,,,, I text him anyway,,,    HEY - YOU OK ??

I get back an immediate response that  - YES - he is ok,,, he is at the MGM club Hakkasan - they are in Lockdown mode - shelter in place -  due to the still active Shooter situation.  Club door locked and secured inside by the Club security - and outside by Vegas Metro Police.    He just returned from escorting the 2 EMTs that they have at the Club down to the Dean Martin Blvd side of MGM, that has a circle drive. They have set up a triage area there and in the lobby of the MGM.. the Circle drive is the key , so the dozens of Ambulances can enter one end and exit the other , no turning around,,,  He says ,, it looks like a war zone down there,,,  But he and his "wife" are ok,,, at least physically.

Ok - so now the Gun Control debate stirs up again,,,  - I hear ,, this is not the time to talk gun control - it's too soon after the Killings to do it...  and you hear the 2nd amendment folks pop their heads up about being afforded the right to bear arms by the Constitution - really ??  this guy had what 2 dozen Weapons total - all we are told  -- acquired legally ... and he had this Bump Stock accessory - that my son was telling us they found on the Rifles the killer used - The boys friend was one of the team that breached the hotel room, and send him pix of the Rifles and the guy dead on the floor.  So how many guns does one need  ??  2 or 3 dozen,,, and an accessory that turns a semi automatic into pretty much a Full out Automatic....   Did I miss something - was that in the 2nd amendment   ??  right to bear dozens and dozens of guns and a Bump stock ??  If it was then Jefferson is more of a Genius than I already think he was.....   and I love the analogy - IF I guy drive his car into a crown and killed people - would you ban cars ???   ummm No - but we would make sure he had the car registered,, and inspected every so often,, and the had a license to operate that vehicle safely that he had to renew every few years... 

What will come of this, ???  I can see a security check that has you "check" all luggage into the Hotel at the front desk and they will scan it - like the airports - and you pick  up pn the other side or it gets delivered to your room...  so that no one can carry in that many guns again,,, and If you have one - they can see that it is legal and you have a permit,,, if its a pistol - all good stuff I think...

OH - and can we stop using the Killers name every 15 seconds on TV ??   Identify him - Once - so we know who he (or she) is,,, then call them the Killer  ,,, or the Murder ,,, or the FUCKING ASSHOLE ,,, anything buy give them more notoriety that maybe they was looking for in the 1st place,,

Here is what we know for sure - that after Sandy Hook, Orlando , Blackburn VA at VA Tech, Killeen Texas, the list goes on.... and now LAs Vegas - this will not be the last,,, we will add names to the killed list  and the Death toll will continue to rise - Where and When is the only question ,, where is the next Maniac with a gun kill a group of innocent people.. What will be the reason ??  WTF could the Reason possibly be ??   Are the groups or individuals out there that learn for these things , so as to better plan the next assault,,, but hey - we have a 2nd amendment that gives them the right....

A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. 

Most folks forget about the well regulated militia part and how that ties to the security of a free state......   You read it like you want - just be ready to honor the next set of Victims that are killed and get the next  "WHAT EVER TOWN"  Strong - that we are/

He laid out the rifles, he loaded the shotgun,
He stacked up the cartridges along the wall.
He knew he would need them for his conversation.
If it went as it he planned, then he might use them all.

He said Listen you people I've got a question
You won't pay attention but I'll ask anyhow.
I found a way that will get me an answer.
Been waiting to ask you 'till now.
Right now!

Sniper - Harry Chapin

Sunday Rant....

1st - I have been working so Much and Building a deck for a Customer that I have not been riding my bike,,,, ugh - Maybe next week,, stand By for a Monday Bike time !!

now onto Sunday's Rant...



A Bigot was elected president and we are suprisded when he sides with Neo- Nazi's and the KKK. Taunting the “fake news” and doubling down on his contention that anti-fascist demonstrators were as complicit as the fascists ,, and Saying they (the KKK and Nazi's  are some "Very Fine People" . Only getting to calling them disgusting after 4 days of silence and realizing that it was political suicide.

A Misogynist was elected president and we are surprised when he insults women. Pulling funding from Planned Parenthood, and calling a  breastfeeding women "disgusting," telling a newspaper  columnist she had the "face of a dog," and speculated that a TV news host had "blood coming out her wherever."  Calling others FAT PIGS and Dogs. 

A Liar and Bullshitter was Elected President and we are surprised when he disregards the the facts,,, back as far as the Crowd at his election, to how much  his presidency has accomplished, to lately having the votes to pass Health care reform (when the GOP did not) and calling out a senator that was hospitalized (he was home) on why that would not pass.  Check out http://www.politifact.com/    they have him at ~32% in the TRUE and Half True comments, and ~50% in the FALSE and Pants on fire Categories.  Criticized then President Obama for playing so much golf - and NOW  he has Played 2X that amount of the same time. 

A Hater was elected president  and we are surprised that he wants to force a Travel Ban on Muslim countries, calls Mexicans "drug Dealers" and "Rapists" ... and continues to insist the Mexico will "pay for the Wall" when the Mexican president said  'Of course' Mexico won't pay for wall..  He insulted blacks,,,  pointing to one at a Rally and saying..  "look at my African-American over there.",,  and  paints the Black community as jobless, uneducated and poor - Blaming democrats ....  takes on BLack Athletes over their Kneeling at the National Anthem to draw attention to an issues and calling one a Son of a Bitch.....

a Jerk was elected President  -  He insulted John McCain for being shot down during combat in Vietnam and made fun of him as a POW .  Insulted a  Disabled reporter at a conference. Was more concerned with the number of People at his "rally" than he was with the Victims of the Hurricane there. Insults the Mayor Puerto Rico this week,,,  when she asked for aid for PR - saying they  "want everything to be done for them" . He backed  one Candidate -  Luther Strange  - in the recent Georgia Special election.... When the other candidate won, - Roy Moore - he did update his Twitter account to congratulate Moore (he is still a republican after all) BUT then tRump Deleted the 3 Tweets where he supported Luther Strange ,,,,, Strange in deed. 


From Woodstock , Joan Baez

WTF is Happening !?!?!?

I gotta say I don't get the  whole kneeling thing,,,  and rhetoric and opinions that it has brought out from every corner and every corner thinking it is Absolutely Correct .  That there can be no other opinion on what is being done and said...  We have  no room for others opinions, we   don;t bother to listen to what others say... watch almost any debate on CNN or FOX that has opposing sides,... one person talks (with interruptions)  then once they have there say ,, they can listen ot the other person,,, they feel the need to interject ,,,to be re heard  and rebuttal their position rather than listen.

Gun Control Debate -
- the "SECOND" Amendment folks that believe the constitution gives us the right to bear arms regardless of what arms and how many bullets and what those bullets can pierce.
- the "Gun Control" folks that don't wanna take away our guns , but think that a little control into a spiral situation might help limit the killing of our Children

Abortion debate
- Abortion is a sin and cannot be tolerated in any circumstance and our Government should not be funding the likes of Planned Parenthood.
- Freedom of Choice folks - that believe  a Govemment should not dictate what a women or man can do and not do with her body.

Republicans . vs Democrats  -

Healthcare reform -
Repeal of Obamacare even if the NEW system is worse - just to  say we repealed it !
Hawks .v Doves

I see no middle of the Road in any of these discussions,, will wonder what history will think of us during this time ??  unfortunately - our Children and Grand children will be left with a divided country that can'e hear each other,, that will be pulled in the  direction of the RULING party and then Pulled back the other when the next group is elected...


Is kneeling during the Anthem disrespecting the Flag and the National Anthem  ?  Or is it the embodiment of the 1st amendment that gives us the right to do it.  Should the POTUS be weighing in on such things saying the Players should be fired and calling one a Son-of-a-Bitch.

Ok, lets say some things :

- 1st - we have a Mad man across the globe that seems to be pushing the Madman here at home into a War. Dick head (thats our Dick head) reverts to the same olde tactics,  Name Calling, and trying to bully his opponent. Lets hope this does not get us into a war on any front.  The POTUS wants to  spend more time on something  - let it be this , and leave the NFL to manage it owns affairs.

- 2nd - We have had 3 devastating natural disasters in our country - Houston with that hurricane,,, IRMA , and Maria that from what you read destroyed Puerto Rico. tRump seems to be more concerned that  his administration looks good in responding to this that to actually responding to it.  More concerned over how many people came to see him in Texas than how much help we were giving them.

- 3rd - where was the strong rhetoric against the people carrying Nazi flags and causing violence in North Carolina a little while back,,  that behavior was ok , no one needs to be fired ,, No SOB's in that group...


I still think tRump is a dangerous man for this country ...  I fear we will not survive his presidency intact. I think he represents the Highly wealthy, and the privileged and that he can get away with what ever he wants - above the law and all....   I think  he is more interested in worrying about getting reelected in 3 years (OMG 3 more years) than is doing what is right and just for the COuntry...  he is more concerned about undoing the former presidents legacy than passing just laws and be the POTUS.   He picks these fights with say the NFL players A) most are Black ,,,,  B) its easier that actually governing, C) It works well with his political base ,,,, I would ask a question that someone asked the other night - how far does this go ,, how far until those that voted for him say Enough is Enough....  I know that there is a Percentage - the Neo Nazi's and KKK that will support him to the Nth degree   ... but how far until many of those say ,,, no ,, my father,husband, son,, did not fight and maybe die for this country, for our right to freedom,, to have this ASSHOLE decide what is and what is not protected,, that the Kneeling a form of 1st amendment protest.  and that IF we want to Fire them and bully them that would exercise that freedom - what was their sacrifice for ?? SO one person can decide what is and is not under that umbrella ....  I think NOT ....


Ill leave you with Thomas Wynn and the Believers..

the War of Words and Deeds

While I do not agree with what they are doing, I can see the debate over IF they have the 1st amendment right to do it the Kneeling at the Anthem and all.... I do not see what interlocking arms has to do with shit,,, and hiding in the Locker room while the Anthem is played is about as cowardly as you can get - but I did see one player come out and stand in the Tunnel hand over the heart..
NOW - I saw a video over the weekend and could not agree more,,, that what the hell does kneeling do ?? How the hell does that tie to whatever the protest is about?? Black lives matter?? Police not being charged in the death of other people of Color ? How about do your little protest somewhere else and in some other form ??? Like helping in the community ? ok so do ,, but all Should.. Cause what has changed since this started ?? I can tell you - absolutely fucking nothing -

Now lets get to Dick head... I am not sure that acting like an 8 year old anc calling other people - even not jobs like Kim Jong-un is what I want the president to be doing,,, Rocket man ?? and I got a kick out of his Rally speech the other day - you just Knew he was bringing Obama into it - saying that this guy should have been dealt with years ago .

Here is the Text "Rocket Man should have been handled a long time ago," Trump said. "He should have been handled a long time ago by [Bill] Clinton. I won't mention the Republicans, right? By [Barack] Obama, this is a different time. This should have been handled eight years ago and four years ago and honestly 15 years ago and 20 years ago and 25 years ago. This shouldn't be handled now, but I'm going to handle it because we have to handle it."  

Un is 33 years old  - so 20 years ago he was 13 ,,,, and 25 years ago he was 8...  not sure what handling him at 8 or 13 really means.....  of couse DICK head has no clue about that....  he only calls out the Democrats for it,,,  Can you spell - A S S H O L E ....