Recently, a friend of mine suggested that I read Super Freakonomics because of the section concerning transsexuals that he said reminded him of me. Interestingly, I have not seen this friend since late summer 1969. In fact, until somehow we connected on a social networking site a few years ago, we have had no contact in those intervening years. After I told him of my circumstances, he said he waited all these years just to reestablish a friendship, just to find out that everything had changed.  He really has taken it very well, considering that we were roommates those 40 years ago.  Wow, 40 years.  Man, is my friend old or what?

I found the passage in Super Freakonomics very interesting.  However, in a way it relates to my many posts concerning misleading statistical analysis. As usual, the authors hve experience and education far beyond mine. They are noted scholars and authors. However, in this case they do fairly shoddy work. Considering how much and how frequently he discusses other peoples misuse of statistics I found this disturbing.

In the passage, the authors are trying to determine if there really is an earnings gap between men and women that is not explained by something not related to gender, such as women take maternity leave, lack of role models and mentors, etc. etc. etc. They state that the best way to determine this is to turn men into women and women and men and see what happens. Although, as they realize, this is not physically nor politically feasible, there is a small subset of the population that do this to themselves. They go on to say that studying the earnings of transsexuals pre-and post-op will supply the answer to this question. In a perfect world I would agree with them. But as we all know this world is far from perfect. The problem with trying to measure the wage discrimination against women by comparing it with the earnings of post-op transsexuals is that what you are really comparing is the wage discrimination against women with the wage discrimination against transsexuals.  If they honestly think that there is no discrimination against trans-people, they shouldn't be writing books that are universally praised.  In fact, in most locales, discrimination against trans-people is totally legal.  We have no protections according to the law in most states.

As economists, the authors failed to take into consideration the most basic of economic concepts: the law of supply and demand. For you see, life pre-and postop, is dramatically different for the transsexual. As an example, I can tell you from experience, that I just do not fit into a construction environment. I have experience as a jobsite accountant in construction. Yet, at the few interviews I had for construction companies, I could see the look in the hiring managers eyes when I entered. So with fewer options I had to pay a price to get a job;  That price being lower wages.

I am willing to work for a higher salary, however, if anyone is interested.

A tear in my eye

I have mixed emotions as to the end of DADT.  Obviously, I think it was an onerous implementation of hate and discrimination on a national basis and needed to end for common decency reasons.   However, as with most implementations of pro-LGB legislation, the T is left holding the bag.  This morning I began a lengthy post that centers, in part, around a friend of mine and the prejudices faced by T-women versus women in general.  That will be posted later today or early tomorrow.

Then today, I received a link in my email.  You know that I do not like linking to other sites.  Normally I consider it lazy and I know that you don't read MY blog to see what other people are thinking.  However, this is different.  As a former Marine, I appreciate this more than most.  As I don't know the people involved I must let them tell the story. So, as we celebrate the end of DADT, let us remember that there are still many in harm's way who still can't tell.

http://www.bilerico.com/2010/12/a_tribute_to_a_trans_warrior_in_afghanistan_my_dea.php#more

So now it is Thomas L. Friedman

 Don't the NY Times columnists have anything better to do than reference me.  Obviously, Mr. Friedman does not have the credentials of Mr Krugman.  After all, he's just won a couple of Pulitzer prizes and only a master's degree from Oxford.  But it is no reason to copy off of me.  In his most recent column he states"

"The politicians we need are what I’d call 'pay-as-you-go progressives'”

Now isn't that what I've been saying all along.  Although I am a progressive, I realize that we have to pay for it somehow that isn't off the backs of our kids and grandkids.  Then I realized what it is.

The following well-known quote, or some variation of it, is often attributed to Alexandre Auguste Ledru-Rollin: "There go the people. I must follow them, for I am their leader."
What we all must realize is that we are the leaders.  The politicians and pundits will say nothing unless we force the issue.  It is easier for them to offer bread and circuses (more on that in a later post.)  Now that we are screaming from the left and the right that something has to be done, they are finally paying attention.  I don't have much hope that it will be the right thing.  But at least we are being noticed.

I'm going to sue

I can't believe it. As you know, a few days ago I sang the praises of Paul Krugman. Today he disappointed me.

It started off as a typical day starts. When I creaked over,  glanced blearily at the alarm clock, groaned, and crawled out of bed with just enough energy to push the start button on the coffee maker. Allowing sufficient time for at least a mouthful of coffee to drip I desperately poured it into a cup, collapsed into my lounge chair, snapped open my computer, and clicked on the New York Times online.

As is my wont, I immediately went to the op-ed page area and happily seeing a piece by Mr. Krugman I double-clicked on it and began to read. Much to my shock and dismay I learned that Mr. Krugman is a plagiarist. Not only that, but he plagiarized me. Now why a Nobel prize-winning economist would want to steal ideas from me, I can only guess. As I stated, I have a very large ego concerning my intellectual abilities. In fact, it really takes someone of Mr. Krugman's capabilities and accomplishments to put me in my place. Not any longer!!!

The subject of today's op Ed piece by Mr. Krugman was (drum roll please) the misuse and dissemination of inaccurate and incomplete information. Tada! If Mr. Krugman had asked permission after reading my blog of a couple of days ago I surely would have granted it. But his wanton disregard for  the law, as it relates to plagiarism, leaves me no choice. Unfortunately, since I am poor, and he has the weight of the establishment behind him, I will not sue. However, let it be known, that I, Edie Novicki, have had an idea taken from me by Paul Krugman, who did not even have the decency to credit me with his use of my idea.

Believe me, if you think I was unbearable in strutting my stuff in the past, you just wait for the future.  Thanks Paul!!!!!

Some things just make your day

I had to call BCBS about an employee's coverage and after waiting on hold for an eternity I talked to a young lady who apologized that I would probably have to be transferred several times before we found the person who could help me.  I replied that it was probably one person, in a small cubicle in the basement, and no one even knows he exists. She replied "and looking for his red stapler."

Cracked both of us up.

demagoguery and disseminating false information

It's interesting the way that things come together. Recently, I received an e-mail from a friend of mine. Among other topics,he briefly touched upon a book that he had read. I quote from his e-mail.

"I just finished reading “State of Fear” by Michael Crichton.  I know there are lots of reasons why we need to protect the environment, but the book pointed out what big business it is to be a non-profit organization receiving donations for ecology.  In the book a fictitious organization is involved in eco-terrorism, to try and improve the amounts of their donations.  He did his research showing how easy it is to manipulate the data to give it the perception of global warming, however if you step back and look at all the data you see only large cities are actually warming, most of the country side isn’t."

I do not want anyone to think that I take everything that Michael Crichton says as gospel.  However, in this case there is, or may be, an inkling of truth. Here is my reply to my friend.

"On the other hand, if the cities are getting warmer, you know that the atmospheric flows will adjust accordingly.  How much and in what directions I don't think we have any idea.  The whole problem was that the greenies (which I am to a degree) screwed themselves over by taking a theory and trying to pass it off as a postulate."

I hope it is obvious that I am against any demagoguery whether it be from the far left or the far right. The greenies stuck it to themselves in this case. They took a good topic, a vital one, and disseminated theories and explanations and claimed them to be gospel.

SPEAKING OF THE GOSPEL, now to the real subject of this post.

Recently, I extolled the virtues of David Brooks, a conservative op-ed contributor to the New York Times. His arguments, as I stated, are reasonable, although I seldom agree with his conclusion. Ross Douthat,on the other hand, often relies on demagoguery to press a point. In his most recent op ed piece, he decried the usurpation of Christmas by what he calls

Christmukkwanzaa multiculturalism

The use of the word "Christmukkwanzaa" is so full of racial and social bigotry that it defies the imagination to think that there are people who buy this bullshit. I can see Bubba at the breakfast table eating his cornflakes and drinking his moonshine, adjusting the chaw in his cheek, spitting on the floor, and drawling "them their commie pinko's are trying to take the baby Jesus from us." 

Now why they always pray to the baby Jesus, I don't know.   This reminds me of the dinner scene in Talladega Nights, where the family is arguing as to which Jesus they should pray to for the blessing. Somehow the baby Jesus always wins out. Now, as far as I am concerned, picking the Jesus that is crapping in his diaper, and mewling and spitting up is not that good a decision. If I wanted Jesus on my side I would pray to the Jesus that is pissed off and throwing out the moneylenders and moneychangers at the Temple.  Man, he was one bad MF that day. I wouldn't mess with him. Would you?

Be that as it may,Douthat totally ignores the point that 2000 years ago the Christians co-opted the feasts of many religions that celebrated the winter solstice, celebrating the hope of spring ahead. The Romans celebrated a several day holiday of Saturnalia. You can go back even further and study how many other cultures celebrated this event. Do your own research as to how this date was chosen.  Besides, I'm of Eastern European heritage and we celebrate the Epiphany, not the birthday.

Therefore Douthat is complaining that others are doing what the Christians did 2000 years ago. I don't know any other way to say that. It is demagoguery, and disseminating inaccurate and incomplete information, just to rile up Bubba against the  Christmukkwanzaa multiculturalism that permeates our country.  Well, not his and Sarah's country, but New York and California at the very least..

In another blog post, I intend to discuss why and how we fall for so easily for demagoguery. However until then happy Christmukkwanzaa.

Call the question

So the question remains why am I so against the recent tax cut. There really are several good provisions in the bill. In fact, I might even have backed it, even with the tax cut for the rich, except for one provision. Part of the tax cut is a 2% cut in the employee portion of social security deduction.

Now conservatives have been fighting social security since its inception.   However, it really came under attack with Reagan's attempt at privatization. Since then the cry for privatization has not stopped. One of the strongest arguments in favor of privatization is that the cost of the program will be increasing so dramatically in the near future that the government can no longer afford it. So what does this tax cut do? It accelerates the time that the social security trust fund goes from a positive balance to a negative one. Long before that happens the cries for privatization will become louder and stronger. It is inevitable that the fund will soon reach a negative balance. At that time privatization becomes not only a possibility but a probability, and a strong one at that.

I have often said that I am a progressive that is against big government. Although this sounds like a contradiction, it really is not. I just believe that the role of government should be limited because "Power corrupts ......"

I worked for Nortel.  Nortel no longer exists. It filed for bankruptcy and was dissolved because of the actions of the senior financial and operational leadership, many of whom are in jail today. My 401(k) was decimated because of those criminals. However, I did not work for them long enough to earn a pension. Many of my friends did. Now, they no longer have their 401(k) nor their pension. I do not have to discuss the recent bank failures, stock market crash, interest rate bubble, home value bubble, etc. etc. etc. Do you really think it is a good idea to have the retirement plans of the general population in the hands of the people that caused these crises.? Not only that, but how will a mother of two, earning $21,000 a year, going to be able to put enough money away to ensure a safe and moderately comfortable retirement? Privatization is great for those seven-figure earners with large trust funds. But that is not the majority of us.

So this tax plan is not a question of finances. It is a question of who we are as a country.  Because of this plan the inevitability of the privatization of social security is nearer to becoming a fact.   Is this what we want? Many may say that it is not the role of government to take money from the rich to give to the poor, ala Robin Hood. I agree.

However, in the past, before World War II, the interstate system, the advent of extended families, it was common for a family to have several generations living under one roof.   While we were a more rural, agrarian society, neighbors knew neighbors and the communities took care of their own. However, that is not the case today. With social security, we said as a nation, “we know we can no longer personally take care of our sick and elderly.  But, morally, we know that we have to do it.  AND WE WILL.”

When we said that, we passed a law that we would tax ourselves to pay for the elderly and the sick. I will not attempt to refute that there are those who take advantage of the system. We are still fairly intelligent and can come up with a solution to that problem. However, we can not come up with a solution that is better than “we all pitch in a little to take care of the old and infirm.”

So you now see why not only am I against the recent tax cut, but I am also ashamed of it.

States Rights

Damn, I'm starting to sound like a tea-bagger.  Currently I'm reading a book about the Whiskey Rebellion and all I can say is it's Deja vu all over again.  That would be a good name for a post if I hadn't used it already.  The gist of the rebellion is that Alexander Hamilton wanted a strong central government that was favorable to trade and commerce.  Funny thing but the people who were in favor of this were the rich and powerful who made their fortunes through trade and commerce.  It was the little guy who got screwed. 

Since taxing trade and commerce to support a government whose purpose was to support trade and commerce wasn't popular with the trade and commerce group, Hamilton came up with a novel idea -  tax the little guy.  Back then, the littlest of the little guys were the settlers in the West.  They were too far from the seats of power in the east to have much influence.  That is, except the trade and commerce people out there who were rich enough to travel back and forth and ensure that they had lunch every now and again with their buddy, Alex.

For a variety of reasons, they decided to tax whiskey....sin tax, used by the common man, regressive tax, etc..  Of course, those reasons/techniques are still used today proving that there is no problem with beating a horse to death as long as the horse belongs to someone who isn't one of the rich and powerful.

So a rebellion occurred, it was crushed, everyone was forgiven (except the leaders) and the Republic was saved.  That is, the republic that was designed to protect the interests of the rich and powerful was once again able to protect those interests with no further resistance from the proles.

So what does that have to do with States Rights and tea baggers.  Well, Vermont has a fairly active secessionist movement based on not wanting to fund wars and protecting the rich and powerful but wanting to fund human and ecological needs instead.  So we want what they want.....but only different.

Makes sense, eh?

Paul Krugman and my son Phil

Paul Krugman is an op-ed writer columnist for the New York Times. I read him religiously and, for the most part, universally agree with his sentiments. I have often wished that I could be as erudite as he is.  He is an understandable William F. Buckley.

So I was talking to Phil the other day about the economic mess we are in and mentioned an op-ed article that I had read by Mr. Krugman.  Phil was so kind as to say, "he kinda makes you think that you're not as smart as you think you are, doesn't he?"  Now anyone who knows me is conscious of the fact that I am very conceited, especially about my brain-power.  I always say "Of course I think I'm right.  I'd be an idiot to go around with opinions that I thought were wrong."  So I am seldom wrong. (I wish.)

That's right, back to Paul Krugman.  He is a Nobel prize-winning economist, former professor at M I T, and currently a professor at Princeton. Somehow, I can forgive myself for not reaching the level of his expertise.

I am also very good at making excuses for myself!!!!

The Republicrats

I read a comment to an op-ed article this morning that was lambasting the Republic tax cut and their policies in general.  On the whole I agree with that philosophy.  However, the comment said that if you make it a Republican issue, you are being partisan and part of the problem.

I agree.  Obama and Reid in this case are no better than the rest of them.  Selling out the common folk for the rich.  PLEASE do not buy the BS that this tax plan is good for the lower class.  It does not extend Unemployment Benefits past the original 99 weeks, it expires in a year, it is only valid in some states, and it has to be paid for in some manner.  As I've been harping ... the ONLY programs with a large enough budget to offset the new deficits caused by this plan are Defense and Social Programs.  Guess which ones will be picked.  So we, the middle and lower classes will be paying for our tax cuts in the long run as well as the tax cut for the rich.


So I hereby will never complain about the Republicans unless they stand as a bloc against a policy that the Democrats stand for.  From now on I will complain about the Republicrats.

YAWN

So now we have confirmation that Nixon was a racist anti-Semite.  Really?

I spend a lot of time ranting about the TSA amongst other threats to our freedoms.  Why?

Because the government is made up of men who are like you and me; never better; most times worse.  Nixon is NOT the exception.  He got where he was for a reason.  Very rich and powerful people wanted him there.  Obama is there because very rich and powerful people want him there.  If McCain had won it was because rich and powerful people wanted him there, many of whom are the same rich and powerful people who want Obama there.  The point is, you don't get anywhere NEAR the top of the political spectrum unless rich and powerful people want you there.

So my point is that NEVER does the government do something for us.  It is there to keep rich and powerful people, rich and powerful.  Cynical?  Yes, but I can give you WAY more examples that I am right than you can give that I am wrong.

Deja Vu all over again

 I was vilified this morning. The same pundits that argued that we progressives would have to accept the health care reform package because it was the best we could do are now making the same argument for the Republican tax cuts. Those of us who are against the tax cuts, allegedly, are undermining Obama, and will destroy the economy.

I accepted this argument for the health care reform because it was a once-in-a-lifetime program. We had to get reform started, no matter how poor the outline was.  However, tax cuts are not like that. If we do not accept this plan, believe it or not, something else will come up within the next few weeks. It always happens. This is tax reform or tax cuts or tax whatever you want to say. Congress messes with taxes constantly. This is not the last chance that Congress has to make tax code changes.

Another argument they use are is that somehow the fact that Sarah Palin and the teabaggers are against this plan is an argument for me to be for it. Just because I am progressive and want progressive tax programs does not mean that I am for unlimited deficits. In that case I do agree with Sarah Palin. We cannot keep on borrowing, borrowing, borrowing, letting the deficit grow exponentially and not do something about it. The only difference between us, well maybe not the only, is that I believe that our fiscal and tax policy should help the majority of Americans and not the richest one or two per cent. She thinks that helping the richest one or two per cent is sufficient. And let the the others eat cake.

So to all of those pundits I quote our former president:  "There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again."

Unbelievable

Now that the super-rich have their tax cuts we can start worrying about the deficit again.  The House voted against a proposal to give the elderly $250 because there has not been a cost of living adjustment in two years.

They didn't want to add to the deficit.

This could be considered like an Ionesco play but at least the plays made SOME sense in an absurd way.

TSA agents

I've heard complaints that I've been attacking the agents and not the system, and that I jumped the shark with my pedo remarks.  However, I do try to be fair and reasonable.  For example, when I say that you are being groped by ex bartenders and waitstaff, it's because I read an interview with some agents and one of them said that was his background.  Knowing that bartenders, on the whole, are those who I would like LEAST to be groping at me, I passed that information on to you.

However, once again, to be fair.  I did some research on the TSA web-site. 

First, the person groping you is NOT a law enforcement agent, and has no enforcement authority or training.

Second, He (or she) is earning a starting salary of $12.25 - $14.08 per hour. (Of course, that is about what we pay starting teachers in many states.    So maybe they are "professionals.")  However, that thought kinda gets blown out of the water when you read the qualifications and you discover that a GED, or equivalent, is all that is required.  By the way, WHAT is EQUIVALENT to a GED?

Finally, said individual can be a convicted felon.  There are some felonies that do preclude one from being hired and are listed here.


https://hraccess-assessment.tsa.dhs.gov/TSOFAQs/BackgroundRequirements.pdf

The one I found most interesting is that the only assault convictions that disqualify an applicant are Aggravated Assault and Assault with Intent to Murder.  Using the legal concept that if certain items are specifically listed, it is the intent of the writers of the law to exclude other like items, then other felonious assault convictions, and ALL misdemeanor assault convictions are non-disqualifying.

Now, granted, I may have been too explicit in my comments about cavity searches, even though I am seeing more and more commentary that they are next on the agenda.  However, if and when they come to pass, read the above qualifications of the person doing them.  In fact, those are the people doing the groping now. 

Sorry.  I'll still opt-out of all of it.

I'm glad I didn't vote for Obama

 I guess I can't complain. I asked for it. It seems as if we may be getting an extension of unemployment benefits. Normally I would be ecstatic over that. However, in this case I am very upset. I can't believe that Obama allowed the Republicans to hold unemployment benefits hostage for a tax cut for the wealthy.

A few days ago Sen. Sanders, from Vermont, gave a speech that I saw on YouTube.

http://sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/news/?id=3A474094-8631-45CE-BE9C-AB9C96C165AF

If you listen to him you will be appalled and sickened. In it he states that the top 1% of the population earns as much as the bottom 50%. Not only that but 80% of ALL, I repeat ALL, new income generated between the years 1980 and 2005 have gone to the top 1% of the population.

Good old Bernie says that he will filibuster this bill. This morning I sent him an e-mail of congratulations for taking that position. It is unbelievable that a president who was elected because of the efforts of the more progressive people in the country could kowtow to the Republicans like this.

Obama in his speech this afternoon stated that now is not the time to take a political stand. If not now,  when the hell should we take one? Besides, isn't that what the Republicans did?  They said, as a bloc, if you don't give everyone, including the richest of the rich (think Warren Buffet and Donald Trump) a tax cut, no one gets a tax cut.

It's ridiculous to think that things will get any better when the Republicans take over the House.  There  is absolutely no reason that unemployment benefits have to be tied to a tax cut.  They are entirely different issues.  If these tax cuts go through someone like me will get a tax benefit of approximately $1000 a year. However the average tax cut for the top 1% from what I have heard will be approximately $70,000?     Just who in the hell do you think will be paying for that $70,000? That's right, the bottom 50%.   The increase in deficits have to be paid from somewhere.  Social programs are the only programs other than the military that have a budget large enough to affect the deficit.

 I guess we owe another apology to the youth of our nation.  We are leaving you a pile of crap,  and debt, that you will never get out of.  However,  you can sleep soundly knowing that the rich all have that extra $70,000 a year to spend on vintage cars, vacations in Monaco,  or anything else that they want to do.   That is of course if you still have a bed to sleep in.

My readers are Geeks

Only half use Windows and only one-third use IE.  Says a lot for Progressives.  (and even more about Microsoft!!!!)

Got my Voice Recognition Software installed last night/this morning.  Hope to have my first dictated post tonight.  Then on to my book.

From a friend

WHY WE ARE LOSING ALL OUR FREEDOMS

OUR PRESS IS AN ARM OF THE GOVERNMENT

Granted, it's only the Daily News and is usually suited for bird cages.  But people do read this rag and believe what they read.  So follow me please.

1.  TSA starts intrusive invasion of our bodies.
2.  People naturally gripe about their kids being felt up by strangers. 
3.  Government says it's for our safety.
4.  We don't swallow their bullshit.

5. So what happens next?  They plant this bullshit story.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/12/06/2010-12-06_al_qaeda_is_truly_gutless_terror_doc_eyes_sewing_bombs_in_thugs.html

6.  Next step.  Prostate tickles for 6 year old boys and let's find your G-spot for same age girls.  All done by your local "Professional" (meaning former bartender) TSA agent.

If my post is too candid for you and you want to avert your face, bend over the next time you want to fly, because you're next.

Emiril and Bagels

I like to bake as many of you know.  Good old fashioned yeast, dough, and kneading.  I've only been doing it since I was a Mess Officer as a collateral duty in the Marines, about 30 years or so.  In all that time I never found a bagel recipe I liked.  I will admit that I am a little lazy and by the time I get to the 13th or 14th step in a recipe I say screw it and look for a new one.  So I googled easy bagel recipe and near the top of the list was one by Emiril.

Now most of the big time chefs have to show off their knowledge of complicated recipes using esoteric ingredients.  Otherwise, we common folk would think that we know how to cook and bake.  (I actually have a recipe for Babka, from the "old country" that says to let the dough rise overnight under your bed.  Remember that without central heat, the bedroom was the only room heated at night.)

From past experiences I know that most of Emril's recipes are a bit on the complex side.  You find a recipe for hot dogs and two hours, 16 ingredients, and $26.95 later you have a hotdog.  Much of the expense was for the lemon persimmon juice that only comes in pint bottles for $11.99 a bottle.  Of course those three drops that you need for the recipe are absolutely essential.  And you can always use the rest in the only other two recipes in the world that call for it; a recipe by Rachel Ray for tacos and a lasagna recipe by Bobby Flay.

Then the kids drown the hot dog in ketchup anyway so why bother?

I mention all of this just to say that I was fooled.  It is about as easy as a bagel recipe can be and the bagels come out great.  To be honest, I'm not even careful with the recipe so it is close to being foolproof.

I cut the recipe in half and utilizing Quantum, instead of Newtonian, techniques made eight bagels instead of six.  Try it.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/homemade-bagels-recipe/index.html

LZ Granderson

My intention for this Blog is to comment on events, perspectives, people, etc., not to summarize what other people say or to provide link after link.  Of course, some linking is necessary.  A few days ago, when I refuted David Brooks' take on Wiki-Leaks you had to know what he said for my Blog to make sense.  So I linked to it.  Also, recently I linked to a NY Times article on the recent unemployment figures because I was using the article as a source of data.  Although I am not a professional writer I know enough to source my material.

However, there are many times when someone treats a subject so well that I just can't not link to it.  In this case it is an article about Transgendered Athletes.  Granderson quotes ESPN commentators calling us "Shims" and "Shemales."  He also said that he guessed some people used to think it was funny calling black people "monkeys"

So if you want to read an interesting perspective on athletes who are trans written by an sportswriter who is gay here's the link.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/commentary/news/story?id=5879536

Just no jokes about Dykes on Spikes please.

(And I can tell Jim Gray personally.  NO, they don't get in the way!!!)

I don't know whether to laugh or cry

Ron Paul and I agree on something.

Earlier on Friday, when a judge in Pakistan refused to bar WikiLeaks he argued,"We must bear the truth, no matter how harmful it is." Some hours later, a Republican member of the U.S. Congress, Ron Paul, echoed those words, writing to his 19,000 followers on Twitter: "Re: Wikileaks - In a free society, we are supposed to know the truth. In a society where truth becomes treason, we are in big trouble."

Keep your replies coming. I love them.

A very dear friend of mine wrote in a reply to my position concerning the Wiki-Leaks:

"Regarding the Wiki-Leaks. I agree with you that the latest release may not endanger many lives; however, if the US can't promise its allies that what they say to us in confidence won't be made public, then they will stop saying anything to us other than their "public" stance. I also think that the reason they tell us one thing and their people another is because their people would rebel otherwise. If the Saudis knew their rulers were more afraid of Iran than Israel, what might that lead to? And sure, ideally it would lead to some Saudis changing their own minds. But that's in an ideal world."

I could not agree with my friend more.  However, since this is not an ideal world, I don't like being treated like a mushroom.  Where do I start?  The Maine, Gulf of Tonkin, WMD, Iran-Contra?

You know that our leaders have lied to us constantly to justify wars we would have refused.  All governments do. You state it yourself when you talk about the Saudi leaders lying to their people.  What that has caused is JIHAD, JIHAD, JIHAD, and retaliation, retaliation, retaliation.

So, as long as we live, and I mean the entire world lives, in a Kleptocracy, I want everything out in the open.  My entire point is that the only reason that governments lie is that their people would revolt otherwise; to which you agree.  So it is NOT for our good that they lie to us but to maintain a subjugated population and to protect their privileged status.

I am from the government and I am here to help you is now, and always has been, a lie.  We can't trust them to protect our cities with dams and levees, our food from e-coli, our basic medicines from contamination, our rivers and streams from radioactive discharges from nuclear power plants... ad nauseum.  Do you want me to go on as to the thousands of reasons that I do not trust the government?  Read The Pentagon Papers, Nixon's tapes, Johnson's Tapes, etc., etc.,

So If you think that diplomacy is the ONE area in which the government is not lying to us and we need to trust them, just look at what this leak says about Karzai.  Is this REALLY how we want our country to be run?

No, it's not an ideal world, and it seems that the only thing that is out in the open is what we have to reveal if we want to fly anywhere!!!!!

Enough is Enough - THIS MAKES ME SICK!!!!!

Today's Unemployment Report

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/04/business/economy/04jobs.html?hp

Look, Democrat, Republican, Socialist, Tea Bagger ... Can't anyone see what is going on?  These people NEED help.  Tax cuts to the wealthy won't do it.  Balancing the budget short term won't do it.  Blocking the Senate's work won't do it. 

I don't care if you call it extended benefits, workfare, stimulus spending, or anything else.  People are losing everything they ever had or ever wanted to have.  The human suffering is tremendous.  HOW CAN ANY ONE OF YOU SIT THERE AND NOT SCREAM AT OUR ELECTED LEADERS  "DO SOMETHING!!!!!" 

And yet they sit up there in Washington with their collective thumbs up their collective arses and argue their partisan bullshit and will all go home in a couple of weeks to Holiday cheer...AT OUR EXPENSE!!!!!

Pogo was right.  We have met the enemy. 

PS:  Yes I am screaming.  We all should be.

an open letter to Senator Sanders

I recently settled in Burlington after several months of unemployment and homelessness.  I am a 59 year old transwoman graduate of the Naval Academy and an MBA from Duke.  So this was not a lifestyle to which I was accustomed.

I give that little background because to be honest, I still have nothing but debt and a roof over my head. Yet, I would prefer that MY taxes be RAISED than one more penny be given to the rich.  PLEASE be like KYL or BUNNING.  Do NOT allow ANY bill to pass that has that provision.  It will hurt me and many others, but the long term implications of the Republicans winning this is too great to back down.

Thank you.

Edie Novicki

Unemployed

Considering the reasons that I started this BLOG I would be remiss if I failed to report that yesterday ended all the additional tiers of unemployment benefits.  Over 2 million people will lose their benefits in December. 

However, on a brighter note, the Republicans will do nothing until the rich receive their tax cuts.  Thank dog that the rich people have someone to protect their interests.

Senate GOP pledges to block all bills until tax dispute resolved

http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/12/01/gop.senate.demands/index.html?hpt=T1

I love feedback

A friend of mine who chastised me for not mentioning her in my final email wrote this:

I'm in my own little world of 5 year olds and I don't read up on current events. Bad American, huh? I am not a fan of the airport security policies, but was unaware of them until I got your message. I never understood war; I've always thought the countries' leaders should just arm wrestle or rock, paper, scissors and that wound be that, instead of the senseless killing of young men & women.

I kinda agree with her. Now I have imaginary friends, let's call one of them Sarah for the heck of it, who would say: But Edie, the problem is that there are people over there who hate us. And we need to protect ourselves from them.

My reply to Sarah would be that what she thinks is the problem is only half the problem. The other half of the problem is that there an "over-there Sarah" saying to an "over-there Edie" but Edie, the problem is that there are people over there who hate us. And we need to protect ourselves from them.

So I agree with my real friend. I think that the over here Sarah and the over there Sarah should meet somewhere the hell away from over here and over there and use their money and their families to do the fighting, instead of ours. Then the over here Edie and the over there Edie, and all of our friends and families, can go on trying to make our lives just a little better.

Hey, if you haven't gathered, I'm a pacifist and I love the bumper sticker that said:

I'm already against our next war.

This is TOO good

Saw this on a bumper sticker.

Inner beauty won't get you laid.


Amen to that!!!

WikLeaks

Call the FBI because I am all for the WikiLeaks.

Personally, I think that one of the most disingenuous arguments is that the leaks are costing American Lives.

Today, in the NY Times, David Brooks, gave his take on the leaks.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/30/opinion/30brooks.html?hp

Now I like to read David Brooks in spite of his right leaning opinions because they are well thought out and excellently argued, free of the demagoguery of Limbaugh, Beck, et. al. Unfortunately, most of the time after arguing that something quacks like a duck, waddles like a duck, and swims like a duck, he comes to the conclusion that is is one of the prettiest chickens he has ever seen. Today is one of those days.

One paragraph especially sticks out to me.

To quote Mr. Brooks:

"Despite the imaginings of people like Assange, the conversation revealed in the cables is not devious and nefarious. The private conversation is similar to the public conversation, except maybe more admirable. Israeli and Arab diplomats can be seen reacting sympathetically and realistically toward one another. The Americans in the cables are generally savvy and honest. Iran’s neighbors are properly alarmed and reaching out. Some people argue that this diplomatic conversation is based on mechanical calculations about national self-interest, "

I ask you, when the Israeli and Arab diplomats talk civilly to each other while their governments incite and/or permit violence with more Israeli settlements on the West Bank and Islamic fundamentalists suicide bombs killing scores of innocent women and kids, is it not because they are afraid of losing power if they say "Hey Look, they are our enemy, but we can talk"? How many lives are lost because the US is too afraid of losing influence in the MidEast and are backing corrupt governments in Iraq and Afghanistan? How many lives are lost when China, as we now know, is sick of the crap that North Korea is pulling, yet jingoistically beats its chest and threatens military and economic sanctions against anyone who dares threaten NK? How many lives will be lost when Iran gets the "BOMB" because the Arab leaders are too afraid to publicly say anything, yet beg the West to do something to stop Iran?

Yet Brooks, and others, are trying to argue that our KNOWING about the lies are what will kill people and not the self serving lies themselves that the governments tell the citizens in order to foment hate against "them" whoever "them" is.

So, in my opinion, Money talks and Bullshit walks, so anyone who thinks that the government has OUR best interests at heart when keeping us in the dark, can take a hike.

But FBI agents, you really don't have to worry. Even after

the Johnson Tapes came out and we learned that The Gulf of Tonkin incident was on the lines of Aesops Fables, Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and god;

and the war in Viet Nam was just a political mistake;

and we now know that Nixon ran on a peace platform while planning the covert, illegal invasions of Laos and Cambodia,

a majority of people still believe that the war kept the Communist Yellow Hoards from conquering every Asian country like a set of dominoes.

So nobody will believe that the lies that the government spoon feeds us are lies because Rush, Glenn, Sarah, AND Obama all say "Don't look at that man behind the curtain"

and the little nobodies, such as myself, don't have to be feared. The truth does not make you free. It's just an annoyance that takes time away from American Idol and XBox.

Transgender traveling

http://www.ru12.org/2010/11/heading-for-the-airport-how-the-tsa-policies-impact-transgender-travelers.html

Yankee Nuclear Power Plant

So I was listening to this big wig who is CEO of the company that owns the Yankee Nuclear Power Plant. From Wikipaedia:

"In February 2010, the Vermont Senate voted 26 to 4 against re-licensing of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Plant after 2012, citing radioactive tritium leaks, misstatements in testimony by plant officials, a cooling tower collapse in 2007, and other problems.[4] There is an absence of a clear plan to replace the electricity generated by the plant, which has caused concern among some businesses in Vermont.[5]"

Now this guy was trying to defend trying to keep the plant open (after all, not a lot of tritium escaped.) He compared it to an old car that breaks down and needs a lot of maintenance. Hey THAT I can understand. I have an old car that breaks down a lot and needs a lot of maintenance.

The only difference is that my car doesn't glow in the dark when it does break down!!!!

Invictus

I watched Invictus last night. I also have the question that the Matt Damon character had. How can someone be put in a tiny cell for thirty years for no reason other than the color of his skin and come out with the intention of forgiving those who put him there? I don't understand it. I would be so full of hate and anger. Even being homeless for a few months has made me so angry that I am borderline going postal. I guess that's why he's Nelson Mandela and I'm Joe Shit the ragman.

WHEW

I just learned that I will get the additional 7 weeks that I am supposed to. Now I have a little time for Congress to do something or to get a job. Millions of others aren't so lucky.

Unemployment extension - Happy Father's Day

Thank Congress. I am now out of benefits and will start panhandling tomorrow. Wish me luck.

PS

To be honest, the rock face was the easiest part of the hike as it was the only place with switchbacks. So although it was ragged and slightly treacherous in places, it wasn't that difficult. The part to the left was very steep and exhausting since it was straight up. To the left of the picture was another rockface and that had no switchbacks and I had to climb and lift Guy up some of the rocks. THAT was rough.

Camels hump

I really am not in the mood for posting. But I found a picture of what Guy and I climbed the other day. And as you look at it realize that we came at it from the left side and we did climb that rock face. Took about 7 hours to do the 7 plus miles.

One month

hard to believe that I've been in burlington for a month.

time flies when you're having fun.

I'm losing it

I'm starting to swing from depression to anger and back again. Even yesterday, hiking the Camel's Hump Trail that had a 2600' climb in three miles, with the reward of a beautiful view, should have been a triumph because of the ease with which I can now climb so easily, did little to raise my mood.

I guess I am finally past denial and don't have anyone with whom to bargain. I wonder what acceptance will be like. It doesn't sound like a fun place to be when you are jobless and homeless.

Douglas Adams was right

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/2010/06/11/2010-06-11_dolphins_use_burstpulsed_sounds_to_aid_in_hunting_prey_and_avoid_physical_aggres.html

Crap on us, why don't you?

As if the unemployed don't have enough problems!!!

http://sn122w.snt122.mail.live.com/default.aspx?wa=wsignin1.0

Depression and politicians

I got a call yesterday afternoon saying that I wasn't chosen for a job that I applied for in Montpelier. I didn't think I would get it so I wasn't surprised. The depressing thing is that I asked for feedback. The person who interviewed me said that I couldn't have done anything differently. My resume rose to the top and they felt comfortable with me immediately during the interview. They chose someone with more recent specific experience for the job. I have heard that three times now in the last few months. I don't know what else to do. When you can't do anything else, what can you do?

I don't care what those idiotic senators say, you can't just "get a job." There are too many applicants and not enough jobs. IDIOTS. Let's vote them all out and make them look for a job. Oh, that's right. They've done enough for their friends (e.g. made them rich on our dime) that they never will have to look for a job.

Once again I wish I were religious so I could see them all burning in hell.

a sad farewell

It's 11:38 and I'm checking out. Because of funds, I'm down to every 2 1/2 weeks. O well. It could be a lot worse. Even though I lost the place to wash daily that I had in Luray, at least here I swim a few times a week, which although not as good as a good sponge bath, does keep the flies away.

It's 7:37

I woke up thirsty this morning. No great surprise since I went to bed thirsty last night. Even though I seldom drink anything after 6 PM for some reason I've been waking up having to pee really bad by 5:30 AM. Since the Walmart doesn't open until 7 my last few mornings have been very painful. So yesterday I drank less and stopped earlier.

So tonight it is 7:37 and I am drinking a glass of wine knowing that when I wake up at 3 I have a place to pee. And I AM IN HEAVEN, and it's very cheap wine.

Amazing what differentiates the homeless from regular people, especially females, eh?

O boy, O boy, O boy

Sitting here drinking a very decent cup of coffee that I got in a convenience store (that's how GOOD the coffee is here. Really tasty dark roast), listening to John Lennon's Imagine on Breakfast with the Beatles online at NY's Q104.3 (great station), listening to the rain on my roof (it's going to pour all day) and realizing that tonight is Motel night so I can just chill. Feeling human for a while.

My Book

I actually started one. I have no idea what I am doing so I don't know how far I will get or what it will say. It's harder than it seems. And I don't know what to do about a lot of people in my life who will not be happy to be mentioned. O well. All I do know is that the few people who read this BLOG will be treated very well. Not that I have to fake anything for you to be treated well. You are all outstanding and I love you all.

why I'm not posting much lately

My life is very routine. It is a life of survival in some ways, relaxation in others. You can see that I am in some very beautiful places that I appreciate more than I can express. I am also dying a little every day because I am so unproductive and have to count pennies to ensure that I have enough to eat.

I was actually offered some food on Sunday night. There is a bar/restaurant on the waterfront and I have spoken to the owner a couple of times. She sees me there every night and Sunday she said that she had a lot left over from a catering job she did and asked if I wanted some food. I politely refused saying that I had no place to store it and I had just eaten.

I don't know whether to be depressed since I am now being offered handouts or happy that I have made friends everywhere I've been.

(This is an inside joke for Sally. Of course they are imaginary friends!!!!)

unemployment extension - what a crock.

just noticed. one more week of benefits. if the senate doesn't do anything next week, I'm am up the proverbial creek.


Room for two anyone?

yesterday's hike

It was tiring, but we slogged through fields of these flowers for a few hours. Looks like something Monet would paint, eh?

And, yes, it was taken in Burlington.

writing a book

Being a Math major I have but limited command of the English language. In fact, in high school one English teacher I had called my writing pedantic when I wrote "an historic event" rather than "a historic event."

So, I thank all of those who think I should write a book. If I knew how I just might do it. But who wants to read about a post-op mtf transwoman, who graduated from the Naval Academy, spent five years in the Marines, raised two sons, traveled and lived in many states, some of them homeless and living in a car with a dog? I mean, just a typical American life, right?

As Sally said.... "makes me want to sleep!!!"

this country sucks

Enjoy your memorial day:

from a nyt article: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/31/us/31iht-letter.html?ref=us

There are substantive issues. The unemployment rate among veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq is more than 13 percent. There are more than 100,000 homeless veterans, and women face special challenges. There are humongous mental-health deficiencies; the Pentagon estimates that about 20 percent of those who have served in these wars will suffer from mental health issues.

And the Department of Veterans Affairs is too bureaucratic. Currently, there are more than a half-million disability claims with the department; more than one-third have been pending more than four months. “The average veteran walking into the V.A. does not see much change,” Mr. Rieckhoff said.

While you have your parades ... we have no homes
while you eat your bbq ... we have no jobs
while you have your concerts ... we have no health care

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY EVERYONE!!!!!!!!

back to normalicy

70's here for the next few days, 80s and 90s in Luray

Too funny

I thought today was Wednesday. I no longer know what day it is.

swimming

guess it's safe since I haven't seen that I caused any mass extinction of fish in Lake Champlain

real homeless people

I saw 4 "kids" last night while walking Guy on the beach. I've seen them before. They had a fire blazing from driftwood even though it was about a zillion degrees out. One of them offhandedly mentioned being homeless. They had full backpacks and were pretty grungy. I wanted to talk to them a while but they had a dog, a mutt that seemed really nice. Unfortunately it was an unfixed male and Guy has a problem with them so it would have been a lot of trouble trying to talk while keeping hm still. I really want to hear their story though so I will keep trying.

easy as falling off a bike

So, we get to a park where allegedly there is a beach for dogs. When I got there, it was more like a bunch of rocks, in a cove, down a cliff. However, the rocks did abut the water although the depth of the water at the edge of the rocks was about 5 feet and went down from there. After throwing the ball out for Guy a couple of times I realized that I had on a sports bra and denim shorts. Off went the blouse and I dove in!!!!! WOW, that was fun. I haven't been swimming in about a hundred years and it was so much fun. I'm out of swimming shape, but you really don't forget how. The hilarious part was when I went in, Guy went to the edge of the water and cried and howled and whimpered. Seems like he thinks that he is allowed to go swimming but I'm not. I only stayed a couple of hours because the sun and water is dehydrating and you know that I don't need sunburn and rehydration is a problem because of restrooms (or lack thereof.)

But I will be back. Anything to remind me that I am a human.

Avatar

I know this is supposed to be about homelessness but Avatar is one of the best movies I've ever seen.

Come to think of it, maybe if we even tried to be more like the Na'vi, there wouldn't be homelessness. And I mean the have nots have to try also.

A retrospective

It's hard to believe but it is now four months since I left Florida. Four months of freezing, sweating, sleeping in the car, eating unhealthy, being bored, being scared, pretending, hoping, despairing, and having a loyal friend next to me.

Kinda sounds like life, eh?

Third time is a charm

After two failed efforts to get to the top of Mt. Mansfield, we succeeded yesterday. Here is the link:

http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150938/mount-mansfield.html

It is every bit as rough as it looks and is more rock climbing for the top half than it is hiking. I will post a picture of me and Guy at the top as soon as it is downloaded to my Mac. The elevation gain was about 2000 feet in a mile and a half. Don't believe what is written because the first mile and the last quarter to half mile are relatively flat. My favorite part of the hike was when we stopped and sweat was dripping from me while Guy was burrowing in the snow. A bit surreal.

But we won't have to do that again in the near future. Guy is still sleeping it off and my legs felt like they were going to fall off.

Sometimes pain (the good type) is what it takes to make you realize that you are alive.

Crazy Heart

I'm not enjoying many movies lately and this is the latest. It's hard to comprehend the initial interest of the Maggie G. role in the Jeff Bridges role. I guess that as I grow older I am either sick and tired of, or just can't believe, all the lovely/hot young ladies falling in love with drunk, flabby, worthless POS's. O well, at least she didn't end up with him.

movies

Crazy Heart tonight, Avatar tomorrow

dumb move

Forecast high in Burlington on Tuesday - 88
Forecast high in Luray on Tuesday - 76

go figure

when you think you've seen everything

I've seen a lot lately, bears, chipmunks, beavers, sheep, cows, horses, goats. But today topped it. I was driving down a rural road outside of Burlington and what do I see but a camel!!!!! And it wasn't a cigarette.

Please god, don't let me ever find out why someone in Vermont owns a camel!!!!

an old saying

You know the saying:

Everytime one door is closed another one opens.

They got it backwards. It's "every time a door opens, another one closes."

I've been thinking. (Dangerous, I know.)

I live in a car. I get a little unemployment every week which keeps me in food, gas (for the car, not from the food) and I pay my bills so I don't lose my phone, credit cards, etc.

IF I get a job, where will I live? You think I have 1st, last, and security in my pocket. Even if I got a government grant (which there are) to pay security, and they only want first and not last, I don't even have that. What about utilities and those deposits?

Gee, I hope I get a job so I can refuse it because I live in my car.

SLAM

homeless in Vermont

I have found many homeless people in Burlington. I'm not sure what they do during the winter but I've seen them bunched together in a couple of locations, asleep on benches, and just wandering. Many of them are young adults, a lot like Portland. I'm doing too good a job of pretending that I am not homeless because they keep hitting on me for handouts. I haven't seen the under bridges like Portland and Fredericksburg, so I'm not sure what they do during rainy times either.

I need a job.

motel day

had to wait for another pay day. running out of lettuce. Get to watch the Yankees on ESPN. Also dyed my hair for the first time in months. I didn't realize that my standard color was too dark. This would have been a good time to go one shade lighter. But I am now stuck with this. It's not too bad and it matches my eyebrows.

damn - add another one

who should eat shit and die

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/pets/2010/05/19/2010-05-19_mute_boy_spoke_for_first_time_after_getting_puppy_silent_again_after_thieves_dog.html

I hate people

dog snoring

Any idea how to keep a dog from snoring? It's hilarious, but it does interrupt my sleep.

I can come clean

My trip to Burlington was the result of getting a call for a phone interview today. I did not want to come up with a blank as to why I think Burlington is a good place to live. Nor did I want to miss an in person interview if requested. I didn't want to say anything in advance for fear of jinxing myself.

Unfortunately I don't think it went that well. The job seems ok and I would definitely take it if an offer was made, but I doubt if I ever get called for the in-person interview. Allegedly I was the first person with the phone interview and they will have more in the next two weeks, but it seemed like a don't call us, we'll call you dismissal.

O well.

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow

My Mac seems back to normal.... for now soooooo.

No, it's not snowing here, but yesterday's hike was way above the tree line on Mt Mansfield, the highest peak in Vermont. The hike was the roughest I've ever done. I really don't know how Guy made it up some of the rock faces. The snow came in a few hundred feet from the top when it was about knee deep in places. Guy burrowed in it. I avoided the slushy mess. But it was fun to find snow in the merry, merry month of May, although it was not a walk in the park.

damn damn damn damn

great day hiking, finding a place to wash, etc., etc.,

Then after the hike I try to turn on my mac and it's pretending that I don't have a battery.

I can cry.

Whew

Found a place to wash up and did laundry. Clean body in clean clothes. Next to godliness, eh.

Now to find a place to wash my hair....lol

(the place that I used to wash should be good for a couple of times per week.)

Burlington

Good -

COFFEE!!!!!

The local Walmart welcomes overnight parking.

found a library with WiFi and plenty of free parking.

Lakefront area with wifi and power and restrooms until mid evening
enough stores and malls for rainy day coverage

Yankee baseball radio network

Guy likes swimming in Lake Champlain

Bad

WalMart doesn't have popcorn!!!!!!

No restrooms after mid evening (so far as I can tell)

No hiking within about 30-40 miles

Fairly spread out so lots of mileage (AKA gas money) on the car

All the parking downtown is expensive so I will have to stay away from there until the evening.

Really Bad

There was a family restroom at the entrance to SNP in Luray so I was able to take a sponge bath on a daily basis. So far, nothing like that here. I SO do not want to go back to stinking so badly that I can't stand myself.

Portland

For some reason I feel like I am back in Portland. However, the MAJOR difference is that a station here is part of the Yankee network and I am now listening to the game watching the sun set over Lake Champlain.

Obviously there is wireless here. AND a restroom. Wonder how late it is open. The one bad thing is no power. I'll have to find some like I did in Luray.

Vermont

I'm here. Don't ask.

One more day

For many reasons, all poor, I an leaving Luray. It's been a great month or so and I have many "friends." However,

1. I don't have a job and no real prospects for one.
2. Although it isn't hot yet, it will be soon.
3. My transmission is getting worse and I'd better get where I can get a job, even art time, soon or I'm stuck here.
4. With the number of Confederate flags on display, I'm lucky that my being a left wing pinko hasnt been discovered.
5. I'm running low on new hiking places.

Wish me luck or send me $1300 for a new clutch.

another person who should eat shit and die

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/highschool/05/11/track.controversy/index.html?xid=cnnbin&hpt=Sbin

Left hand meet right hand

I applied for a part time cashier's job at Shenandoah National Park 3 1/2 weeks ago. You know how long it would take Walmart or Target to fill a position like that, right

Well, that's not the Federal Government.

Yesterday this was in the Washington Post.
http://fcw.com/articles/2010/05/11/federal-hiring-process-memo.aspx

Ironically I had just requested some information about the status of my application before I read the article. This was the reply.

The rating process normally takes 4-5 weeks from the closing date to
complete. However, due to the large number of applications received for
this position is may be an additional week. Once the rating process has
been completed you will receive a letter in the mail regarding your
qualification status and whether or not your application was referred to
the selecting official.

That means that interviews won't even START for six weeks after posting for a part time job that requires a high school education and can be performed by trained rats.

Obviously, I won't still be in Luray when they finally make their decision.

what to do

might as well watch Camelot. Could do worse. Thank dog for wifi and Netflix.

sign

very depressed. It's raining waaaayyyy too hard to hike. So I am sitting here in the car. Exciting life, eh?

Plus la change

Another week in Luray. As long as the weather holds out, I can take it. Saturday there was a street fair that is the highlight of the year here. It was so like the ones in NYC that the only thing it lacked was the socks vendor. It depressed me a little because I miss many things from NYC. I left the fair as soon as the entertainment started. Country religious songs sung very badly. OUCH. That's worse than Christian rock.

Then the Met had Lulu as it's final Live at the Met show of the season. It is a 20th century German opera which is an oxymoron. Add to that it is atonic and it sounded like hot pokers were stuck up the behinds of screetch owls. Last week was a little known and less often played serious opera by Rossini. It was better than I thought and it had the advantage of the lead role being sung by Renee Fleming.

Yesterday was "Little Devil Stairs" and the view was amazing. It actually was down the side of a canyon. Some people hiked up it but I wouldn't even try it as the name should have been "Giant Devil Stairs". I took the long way around and added three miles to my hike. But it was a beautiful day and I have nothing else to do.

But I think of how other people fill their days with TV, sports, shopping and other myriad things to pass the time and I know that I shouldn't complain.

AMAZING

She makes me feel like a piker for ever complaining

http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/05/07/homeless.project/index.html?hpt=C1

Truth in Advertising

For those who think that a mother and two cubs is not equivalent to the three bears, rest assured that today I saw daddy. He was big and luckily about 100 yards away and across a stream. Now, I know that neither the stream nor the 100 yards were any deterrent to him. However, seeing as I am not lunch I was hopeful that he couldn't be bothered. He couldn't and I continued in a different direction.

Goldilocks and the Seven Dwarfs

After my ex and I split I was in Florida and she, with the boys, were in North Carolina. I had them (the boys, not the ex) for long periods of time and the drive was boring, to say the least. One of the methods I used to keep them occupied for the drive was to tell them fractured fairy tales, ala Rocky and Bullwinkle. So I told them about Cinderella and Gretel, Hansel and the Three Bears, etc. Of course they shrieked with laughter at my “mistakes” and corrected me. It is one of my fond memories. I wonder if they remember it, or Boa Constrictor,

My right leg is killing me. (more about that in another post) and about a half a mile into today's hike I see three bear cubs about 20 yards ahead. As we are closer than I want to be I strike my walking stick against a rock to make some noise. One starts to run off but stops since the second did not follow and the third disappeared. I waited a couple of seconds and out came the third bear, which wasn't a cub, but was the mommy. Now a major league fastball can travel 20 yards in about 1/3 of a second (that's exactly the distance from the mound to home plate.) A world class sprinter can cover that distance in about two seconds. (One Mississippi, two Mississippi) It would take a black bear about a second to cover 20 yards.

The mommy looked at Guy and me and I looked back without making eye contact. (Making eye contact is like crossing the proton streams in Ghostbusters) I banged my walking stick against a rock another couple of times, then the bears finally ran off.

So, I have my pain, and many of my readers are much worse off (as I said, another post) so life isn't a fairy tale, there is no Goldilocks, and no “happier ever after.” But I can guarantee you that there are “..the Three Bears.”

I don't count

Is the census over? I haven't been counted.

WHY I HIKE - Part whatever

Yesterday and today are days off from hiking. I usually relax and do “errands” these days and it gives Guy”s and my legs a much needed break. However, it is now 1:30 and I left the motel at 11 (check out time) drove to two places to get my oil changed, stopped at the post office to pick up my mail (Netflix), did my laundry, and ran into a grocery store for some ground beef to mix with Guy's kibble. Now what? Luckily, I found that book. And we will walk a little on the Greenway. I'll run into the library to post these BLOG entries. Maybe a crossword puzzle or two. Just a day or two of ildeness is enough to drive me up a wall. Plus, it is hot out here.

AGAIN, WHAT FILLS UP THE DAYS OF THE TRULY HOMELESS?

BIGOTRY

The car needed an oil change so I looked on line to see what places there are in Luray. The only one mentioned was “RAMSEY'S AUTO SERVICE.” Please remember that name in case you are ever in Luray. When I arrived there I saw a sign that said: “ENGLISH spoken here. If you don't understand English go back where you came from.”

Now I doubted the wisdom of pointing out to Mr. Ramsey the efficacy, or lack thereof, in printing a sign in a language that gave instructions to people who didn't speak that language. Obviously, the sign wasn't meant for tham at all. It is intended to shout to the world: “I am a bigot and I want to associate only with other bigots.”


I got my oil changed somewhere else where the only sign said: “Cash or check only. No plastic.”

POPCORN

I may like Luray BUT besides no decent coffee, there is nowhere to buy a bag of popcorn. Who ever heard of a Walmart that didn't sell popcorn?

time to get ready

another night of comfort done. I ate, drank, and slept well. Unlike Saturday night when it was so warm and humid that I couldn't sleep because of Guy's panting. Last night would have been worse because it was about a million per cent humidity with thunderstorms so I couldn't have opened the door and windows like I did on Saturday. Luckily, it seems that after the showers today it will get a little cooler and less humid. I really have to get off my duff and look into heading north.

it's confusing

why after lots to eat and more to drink, it is now almost 11 and I am not in the least bit sleepy, yet I am ready to crash by 10 on the nights I am in the car. I guess I just want this to last.

Plus I still have some wine to finish.

OUCH

Gone are the days of $35 Motel 6's. $60 after tax this weekend. O well.

job application

I HAD to apply for this one.

http://maine.craigslist.org/acc/1717405469.html

Old rocks and trouble falling asleep

Shouldn't have thought about 1.2 Billion year old rocks. I started thinking about things being older which led to no beginning and no end ... AKA eternity. Eternity scares the hell out of me because I can't understand it. No end is easier to grasp than no beginning. What was "before" the Big Bang? Anything? Was it an eternity of nothing? In mathematics I learned that a line has an infinite number of points. (Believe it or not, the proof is amazingly simple.) But that means that a two inch line has the same number of points as a 100 miles long line even though the 100 mile long line has many points that are not on the 2 inch line. Both have an infinite number of points. But infinity is infinity and nothing is larger.

So I started trying to comprehend no beginning and no end, but with us all being mortal, does it matter? And that is what kept me from falling asleep.

I want to be infinite.

PEOPLE IT'S EASY FOR ME TO HATE

what happened to: "DRILL BABY DRILL?"

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/29/us/29spill.html?hp

damn it's cold

time to get in the car. 30's last night and tonight. Oh, BTW, it will be mid 80's Friday and close to 90 by Sunday. I wasn't going to do my indoor day this weekend, but if it is 90 degrees, I may change my mind.

Lunch table for one

In NYC the season has begun for outside dining. Many people wonder what allure street dining has in Manhattan amongst the crowds, noise, fume spewing trucks, dogs and homeless walking by, etc. I once saw a cartoon in the New Yorker that pictured a family eating at an outside cafe and the mother admonishing the children: "Hurry up and eat before your food gets dirty." Yet I am one of those who would rather wait for an outside table than be seated immediately inside.

If you remember the picture I painted of dining next to the waterfall in the canyon, or with the waterfall on one side and the valley and mountains to the other, forget them. Where I ate today is where the gods would have their lunch. Of course there was the stream, and the thick verdant forest. But in the stream were boulders, the size of horses, and rhinos, and elephants, and all sizes and shapes in between. The water poured over, and around, and under, and roared like a train, and so overwhelmed all other sounds as to instill a peace in that valley. Those boulders were millions, if nor tens or hundreds of millions of years old. (The oldest rocks in the park are 1.2 BILLION years old.) And on a dead tree was a scarlet tanager, so common, yet so seldom seen.

I climbed one of the boulders and sat on it dining like royalty, or a god. Not a bad table for one.

there has to be a better way

I applied for a government job....LOL

Yesterday I spoke to someone at the organization and he said that they really need someone but that he heard that they weren't even going to begin to look at applications until 3 - 4 WEEKS after the closing date. Since the closing date was April 20, it's a long time to go.

YOUR GOVERNMENT AT WORK

lou gehrig - or As good as it gets - or What goes down must go up

Today's hike of 8+ miles was rated as "Very Strenuous" and that was spot on. I doubt if it had 10 feet of level ground and went down a couple of thousand feet before it climbed the exact same amount. I took it today because it was in the 50's and windy and cloudy and will be in the 80's by week end. So it was today or never. OH, I took it because it passed 7 waterfalls.

What does this have to do with Lou. Well, a few weeks before he died, interestingly enough, of Lou Gehrig's disease, he gave a speech at Yankee Stadium in which he said that he considered himself the luckiest man on the face of the earth. Personally, I normally wouldn't put dying and luckiest man in the same sentence.

HOWEVER ...

My sister recently lost a dear friend in a freak accident. Another dear friend, who reads this, has Parkingson's and probably has not had a pain free day since she was diagnosed months ago. She and I used to jog together and had made plans to hike with our dogs. Speaking of dogs, she had to give up some physical therapy because her dear dog, a great friend of Guy, had torn ligaments in two knees and she opted to pay for Ranger's operations rather and gave up the PT. In my last job I worked for an organization that provided services to homeless LGBT kids who were thrown out of their homes for being fags, trannies, and queers. My job before that was with an organization that worked with special needs kids, those with intellectual, physical, emotional, or developmental disabilities.

I'm definitely not a glass half full type. It seems life sucks for so many dear sweet people and it doesn't get any better.

For those of you who know me, you know that I am a minimalist. I don't need a lot (ALTHOUGH IS A DECENT CUP OF COFFEE TOO MUCH TO ASK FOR!!!!!) I live in a subcompact. Yet, my days are spent doing something I really love (although I AM SORE AS HELL RIGHT NOW!!!!) In a way I have all that I need. How many people can say that? So, if this is as good as it gets, it ain't that bad, especially when you read the "HOWEVER" paragraph.

However, if it IS as good as it gets, that is a very depressing thought.

MAYDAY

No, except for a job I'm not asking for help. But I planned on May 1 being my date to head north, and with the temperature in the 80's starting on Friday, it is understandable. Summer is on its way and Ive always said that it is easier to put on six layers than take your skin off.

But Luray has been such an easy place to live these past few weeks. I'm going to hate to leave it to start searching all over again.

What's worse

I have sent out some resumes and received emails or phone calls asking for times to set up phone interviews. I got excited then never heard from them again. I think that's worse than never hearing at all.

But both situations are discouraging. There's little out there; seemingly even less for an HRW.

Monday - 5 PM

The weatherman finally got it right. It's pouring. I did get in a little hike today, but escaped a major thunderstorm. So I will sit here and read until it stops.

Better than being homeless, right?

wow

I can't even begin to describe today's hike. First, I met several people who had backpacked this weekend and had passed sights that I had seen this week. Since the weather was so much different it was as if we had been at different places. That is so awesome.

Then today the forest seemed to take on a different personality every hundred yards or so. There was one area that was so overgrown that the path was barely a line. Another place had an acre of dead trees with their trunks burned, probably from lightening. Since there was no canopy the ground was like a lawn, lush and green. And there were hundreds of new growth trees, taking the place of the burned ones.

Another place had this majestic oak, enormous and presiding over its domain. No other trees would dare to challenge its dominion, even though it was dead and decaying. It still held court.

Every hike has its own personality. The contact that I have with fellow travelers, and with the forest, keeps me sane.

a new tradition

Uncle Buck's on Sunday mornings. Really isn't a bad way to wake up. Plus the coffee seemed better today.

damn again

got a couple of hours in this morning and am now in the library listening to Tosca and charging my laptop and it is bright and sunny out there. o well.

Humanity

I often talk about how I do so many things just so I don't lose my feeling that I am still part of the human race. It's supposed to rain today but I woke to the sound of raindrops on my windshield. It appears to have stopped for a few hours so I am headed out for a quick couple of miles. We overdid it yesterday so four miles is more than enough for today. Plus I want to listen to TOSCA on Live at the Met which would be difficult hiking unless I did the ridge for the third time.

Plus the library is only open until 2 today and closed tomorrow so I have to get everything charged. The outside location that has electricity is only partially covered so I won't be able to charge my laptop constantly, like now.

I have my book, the opera and two movies to keep me busy (The Hurt Locker and The Blind Side.) So I guess I am set for the weekend and can pretend for two more days that I am on a camping trip and there's a couple of days of lousy weather to endure.

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG - BETTER THAN EAGLES

Another once in a lifetime experience. It was very warm today and Guy and I were walking up a steep path when we crossed what was no more than a trickle. Being a kind and considerate owner I stopped and told him to take a drink. (For some reason he won't drink unless I tell him it's OK.) When I looked up the path I saw at least two and maybe three bears about 20 - 40 yards ahead of us. Immediately, I bent down and grabbed Guy's collar so he couldn't even strain against the leash. I looked up and didn't see the bears at first, then saw two of them at the side of the path drinking from a large puddle. I remained crouching but they must have heard or smelled us because they scurried off into the brush. At that time I only saw a cub and a larger bear, presumably the mother. I waited until long after they were gone to continue and kept Guy on a very short leash for another mile because I heard some thrashing in the brush.

Now, although I wasn't close enough to have seen their eyes, that was close enough for me. I may be unemployed and homeless but it's not everyone who gets to see black bears in their habitat only a couple of dozen yards away.

NYC

After all, this is the Post, best suited for wrapping fish. However, no matter how they spin this news it isn't good, and I am less and less likely to return to the city.

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/crime_spree_hits_subways_swbb8CVvJlDcGTrKRkz7VP

I found a book

In fact, I found a couple that I had bought when things were flush but I never read. Now I have something else to do on the rainy weekend facing me.

SIGH (good sigh)

no news is good news

after the lousy, literally lousy, beginning of the week, surviving through to Thursday is an accomplishment.

Still in Luray

What a hoot? My wanting to stay in a little religious town in Virginia. Tells you how priorities change. But until it gets too hot I'll stay here. As I said previously, it has all that a homeless person in a car NEEDS. I just wish that there was some decent coffee ad food. But I don;t have the money for the latter and even 7/11 coffee isn't so bad that it makes you throw up.

As long as the weather and hiking hold up, I guess you'll find me here.

I could be wrong

looks like the rain may be leaving the area. Headed to the hills.

when bad things happen

I've had a string of bad things happening.

How many of you have lost money, or a cell phone, or had something stolen, or drop an expensive bottle of wine, or any number of things like that?

Now how many of you have found money, or a cell phone that you could use, or stole something, or have someone randomly give you an expensive bottle of wine?

Why do bad things happen constantly but the chances of hitting the lottery is millions to one? Then we say how lucky we are to have good kids, or grandkids, or we have our health. Why do we consider it so lucky to have things that we SHOULD have because those things are part of being human?

Just random thoughts on a rainy day.

who ordered this rain?

damn farmers. guess I'll spend a lot of time in the library. It's not one of those misty days in which I could hike. It's a steady, soaking rain that is great for crops, miserable for being outside, and great for comforters and tea.

The homeless don't have crops, comforters, or tea. They huddle in their sleeping bags in large groups under bridges and underpasses.

I've got a car, Guy, and libraries. I can survive the day.

Everything in threes

My transmission is slipping in all five gears. I feel like giving up.

a second nightmare

large itchy welts all over me. Looks like the Budget Inn gave me bedbugs. How do you exterminate a car?

One of my nightmares

I think my shingles has returned!!!!!

BORED - the worst thing

After I left the motel I took Guy for a walk on the Greenway and did laundry. Now I am bored. I wanted to take a second day off from hiking as both Guy and I were limping from overdoing it. But there really isn't much else to do.

One of the worst things about this situation is the lack of opportunity for reading. Even if I could get books (obviously I can't afford them and no library will lend to me) there was little chance to read until now because it was too cold to just sit around. Soon, it will be too hot.

Can't please some people

the best things

about motel night is that when I leave I can actually pass my comb and brush through my hair and my fingernails are spotless.

Of course this lasts only a day but it is a nice day.

Nice Weekend

I did something Saturday that I seldom do. I duplicated a hike. It was a long hike along a ridge line and was very pretty. But the real reason I did it was that Live at the Met broadcast La Traviata, my favorite opera, and it would have been impossible to pick up in the deep valleys. I thought that I would pick up a station out of DC but I actually heard it on a station out of West Virginia. Seems that I was on the west side of a slope and DC is east of here. (That's why I carry a compass....lol)

Then of course yesterday was in the motel. I'm here for a couple of more hours. I don't want to think of it or I'll get depressed.

Ahhh

As I lie here drinking cheap wine an watching "Angels and Demons" I think how nice it is to feel alive.

Sunday, Sunday

Today is motel day so Guy and I jut finished cleaning the car (I cleaned. He napped.) And we are at a park bench waiting for check in time. As I've said, this place is great that I can surf the web while sitting in the sun and mellowing out on a Sunday afternoon.

Where is Spanky and Our Gang when you need them?

the social contract

Sounds like socialism, eh? First, let me rant. Since this is my BLOG I'll do it anyway.

I HATE the idiots, mostly Tea Partiers, who complain: "That's Socialism and this is a Democracy.." IDIOTS!!!!!! First, if they would ever care about their beloved Pledge of Allegeance past the unconstitutional "under god" part, they would realize that it says: "...and to the REPUBLIC for which it stands..." NOT "...and to the DEMOCRACY for which it stands...." The United States is a Republic NOT a Democracy.

Secondly, that is like saying : "I'm not German, I'm a male." A democracy, or Republic, is a political system. Socialism, like Capitalism, is an economic system. So the United States is mostly a capitalistic republic, with some socialist aspects, e.g. Social Security and Medicare.

I bring this up because a dear friend spoke of the changes to the State of Florida's contracts with teachers changing the medical coverage, pay methodology, retirement provisions, et. al. I'm not sure how much of it is contractural with a teacher's union and how much is "understood" and/or the beliefs of the individual when sie takes the job.

However, it is not that different than my situation. After doing what I was told to do for all those years, with an anticipation that I would have a job for doing what I was told for all those years, is there a social contract? Does my friend have one? I'm not talking about all the welfare class individuals against which my friend and the tea partier's complain. I've already agreed that the liberals screwed up in allowing a permanent welfare class and not demanding some individual responsibility from recipients of any form of welfare. I'm talking about people such as my friend, who rely on a system only to have it taken away from them at the end, or me, who would readily accept a job, even as a Park Ranger, if one were available.


What, if anything, are we "owed" by the system on which we relied? If you say "nothing" then you are a true Capitalist and a card carrying member of the Tea Party. The more that you think that the "TRULY"needy who depended on the system should be repaid for such loyalty, the closer you are to Socialism. If you think that a true welfare state is how it should be, in my opinion, you are an idiot, which brought me to my description of the Tea Partiers, because that is far from true Socialism. True Socialism, if you remember your civics, says: To each according to his needs. From each a according to his abilities." So in a true Socialist state there would not be welfare without some work, but there would also be work for all those who desired it? Add that the more that you did, the more that you received..... hmmm, almost sounds like Capitalism, eh?

Comments?

back to Uncle Bucks

Why not? It's a great breakfast at a fantastic price. (But the coffee)

Also, I get to listen to the Bluegrass Gospel Hour. Praise Jesus!!!!

Seriously, I like bluegrass in the right context and sitting quietly on a Sunday morning with a cup of coffee (or a reasonable facsimile) while reading the NYTimes (on the web) is the right context.

Go Figure

I woke up feeling relatively human this morning. Gotta enjoy it while it lasts.

topics

I seem to write a lot about hiking and what it must be like to be really homeless. I could write every day about my hiking. It's what keeps me sane and feeling human. Today was rough. I am so tired of falling asleep at a Walmart, and waking up at a Walmart, and stinking so badly that flies follow me while hiking and having a rat nest not a head of hair. It makes me wonder why we all do it? So if it weren't for the hiking who knows where my thoughts would wander.

The homeless thing is so simple. Today was in the 80's, tomorrow in the 50's. Once again, if it weren't for the hiking the homelessness would rise to the surface.

So it is the yin and yang of my life. I so want a job and a place to lie down after a long day and a cup of hot tea when I am cold and a cold beer when I am hot. Is that too much to ask? I can't stop wondering what is so wrong with me that I can't have something so simple.

Man I am SOOOOOO glad that I got the advanced degree and did the military thing, and the church thing, and raised two kids to be productive citizens. Gee, imagine what would have happened if I were a fuck off. I'd be unemployed and homeless.

Feedback

Now that I have comments down and how to edit the reactions, let me know what the reactions should read for you to give me meaningful feedback. thanks

just wondering

how does a town the size of Luray, with a little over 2K people have 3 chinese restaurants?

Why I hike - Part 4 (I think)

If you remember seeing the real pic of Mcafee's knob, you know it is a place that you can see as far as you can see. The day I was there it was kid of clousy but I really didn't care.

BUT, if you can picture that place with an outcropping over a valley and you can see forever, and combine it with the waterfall I described a few days ago, then triple the beauty, and I was there a couple of days ago.

The hike wasn't bad except for the last half mile which found me about mid point of a 90' waterfall to my left. Ahead and to my right was a valley with mountains beyond them and mountains beyond them. The only reason that it wasn't as peaceful as my prior description was there were two other hikers. One was a 20 something oriental who worked in Pentagon City. The other was a self described flabby 35 year old past his prime rock climbing days. And me.

And all we could say was "This is why we do it." We had nothing in common other than that. So for all of you who skydive, or scuba, or hike, or collect butterfly wings, that was a day of "that is why we do it" and you all understand.

Close to time to move

Yesterday was windbreaker day again, but it looks like I will be scaring the wildlife again because it will be very warm. In a way I dread leaving for the north. This place is practically perfect for a HRW: safe place to sleep, plenty of restroom facilities, wireless everywhere, and plenty of hiking opportunities. In fact, I just discovered another wealth of close place to hike that could keep me busy for months. It's just so hard to find places like this. I know there aren't many in the NYC area. Maybe upstate or NE. But I will gut it out here as long as possible. Now, if there were only a chance for a good cup of coffee.

I'm only a quarter Polish

YEAYYYYYYY!!!!!!!

I finally figured out how to post a picture of me and, more importantly, how to show the comments. Thanks to everyone who has posted one!!! (SALLY????? At least the oldies post should have meant something to you since "Twelfth of Never" was one of the depressing songs I heard!!!!)

Once again, thanks to anyone reading this.

DEPRESSED

ADVICE - NEVER LISTEN TO OLDIE STATIONS WHEN YOU ARE HOMELESS AND JOBLESS. LIFE IS DEPRESSING ENOUGH.

(and yes, I was yelling - at myself for being so dumb!!!!)

Vultures

I have to say that they are maligned for no reason. Sure they eat carrion, but something has to do it. Just think of what the cat dragged home. Not only that, but they do fly as beautifully as hawks and eagles. Besides, what do you think that eagles and hawks do with their prey once they get it home.

Any bird that can soar like that is OK with me.

A tree grows in Brooklyn

It's my current "read" from audible and I had to laugh. The wife said, "well, if it's a free country then that should be free." The husband said "no, that'd be socialism and america is a democracy."

Plus la change!!!!!

April is the cruelist month

Yesterday I was hiking in a sports bra, working on my tan, terrifying the wildlife except for the two vultures who kept circling overhead (what's up with that?)

This morning I had on a long sleeve, a sweat shirt, and a windbreaker. Then around 11 it started misting and showering and never got out of the 40s. I even wore gloves. At least I could hike in the mist (which I love) and warm up in the car. But it was a miserable day.

Once again, a horrible day to be homeless.

Front Royal

Got thrown out of the WalMart parking lot last night. Had to find another place to sleep. Looks like Front Royal will not be a stopping place although I had planned on spending some time here. Its loss, not mine. So, if you are in the area, stay in Luray, not Front Royal.

comments

I've heard that some people couldn't post comments. I changed some settings. Please comment as much as you wish. I'd love to have feedback.

Luray, Va - a formal apology

Although I still can't find a good cup of coffee, I must admit that life here is easy. There is a brook that cuts through the town and along the brook they have built a Greenway. Next to the part that goes under Main Street is a town square. The square has a little performance stage and many benches. However, the best part is that it has great free WiFi. So I am sitting next to the stage, plugged in with power probably used by the performers, doing everything that I've been doing in a library. Since it is almost 10:30 it is already very warm so I wouldn't be able to be in the library very long because of Guy. But we are sitting in the shade, or in Guy's case sleeping in the shade, hunting for jobs and reading the various sites that I read every morning.

The best thing about it is that there are port-a-potties, very clean, so I don't have to search for restrooms.

We walked along the Greenway this morning and it is stocked with brook trout so there were many people fishing. There were plenty of water fountains, and a port-a-pottie every half mile or so.

There is a list of all the performances at this site and the local Performing Arts Center, and although it isn't Carnegie Hall, there is plenty for the locals to do.

Hmmm, free WiFi, clean facilities, electrical outlets, a safe place to sleep, and plenty of water. NYC can learn a thing or two from Luray.

Sleeping

Although not the RV convention like wherever I was, there were a couple of them at the Walmart and I park in the middle. I can't tell you how much better it is to sleep when you feel totally comfortably safe.

I'm in Luray

Don't ask. I have no idea where I am. Think of Podunk. Then cut it in half. One place (besides Mickie D's) to buy coffee.

I must say, though, that breakfast at Uncle Bucks really is good. A Build it yourself omelet atuffed with tomato, mushroom, and swiss for $5.50 with toast and potatoes. I may be able to skip lunch, I'm so full.

It did take them a few minutes to figure out their WiFi but they were great about it and found me a place at the bar (obviously not open on Sunday morning) so that I could have an outlet.

So if you are in Luray, try Uncle Bucks. Although there ain't nuthing more (I'm getting used to the vernacular) it's worth it.