Friday morning we packed up and moved into the Galt House. On the way there we stoped at Stevens & Stevens and picked up a couple of sandwiches and some pasta salad. Linda had picked up a sheet cake sized trey of cup cakes that had an inch of icing on the whole thing to make it look like a birthday cake. Larry and Madeline, Courtney's daughter, both had birthdays on that day. We arrived at the Galt House at just about the same time that Gregg did. Parking can be a big issue but the parking gods were with us and we got a good spot in the garage. Gregg had to park at G.H. West garage which was OK. We stowed our gear in the designated gathering room (Courtney's on the third floor) and headed for the Command center.
Whereas, yesterday on my preliminary reconnaissance trip the one room facing the river that had the ten thousand or so wires, was now humming with the Military. They had attached those wires to things, I guess, because they were not so evident today but the sea of fly boys complete with the 'Air Boss' were gearing up. The place was humming, big time.
Larry was guiding tours through and we were just hanging out waiting for the planes to begin practicing their maneuvers. The weather was drizzly, the skies were ominous looking and the temperature was in the mid 40's.
I digress here.
I lived the first half of my life within a few miles (15 or 18) from Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Actually there were originally two bases, Wright Field and Patterson Air Force base. Wright Field is located on the family farm of Orville and Wilbur Wright, it had a wind tunnel built by the government for testing the new fangled jet propelled planes! During World War II Patterson Field became the Air Materiel Command for the Air Force and it grew so rapidly that it grew right into Wright Field, hence the new name, Wright-Patterson Airforce Base. All of the planes were tested there and so we grew used to hearing the jets breaking the sound barrier. Sonic booms were everyday events. Our friend Warner was in procurement at Wright-Pat so we all knew all of the names of the jets and other new planes and could easily identify them from our yard when they flew over. I have never lost my facination with planes, especially the fighter jets. So I could hardly wait for the practicing to begin but I was worried about how I could see them without going out on the cold swimming pool apron, in the rain to watch them. I particularly wanted to see the F-22 Raptor Demo. I am unsure how it all went down but the first thing I knew we were permitted to go out onto the balcony of the Command Center where four professional photographers were shooting pictures for various publications. Gregg, Linda and I had the best spot in the house!! The guys were cool, they were funny, knowledgeable and super friendly. They of course, knew the identity of each and every plane, even the 'comercials' as they called the planes headed for Standiford Field. It kept getting rainier and the clouds were hanging low and the Raptor could not fly unless it had a thousand foot ceiling. They finally had to give up and hope that he could get a practice in on Saturday morning. Woe is me!
Elton John was in concert at KFC Yum! on Friday and Brian called about 6PM and said he had a ticket and offered it to anyone of us that wanted to join him for the concert. Linda went and the rest of us stayed in the hotel. Except for Gregg. Larry had a health issue and needed some medication so it was arranged that the meds could be picked up at a down town drugstore, so Gregg graciously offered to walk the five or six blocks to get the prescription. When he delivered it to Larry in the Command Center, Larry took a little ragging from Wayne H. "You have your drugs delivered now??"
Courtney had her own three children and a neighbor's child with her. Two twelve year olds, one ten year old and one eight year old. All of the Ward children are Hotel savvy so they entertained themselves by 'playing 'on the escalators, riding elevators when they could find one not full and generally having fun in pursuits that I probably don't want to know about. They were cautioned each time they left the room that they were not to bump into old people or people that were dressed up! Whew!
Gregg went off on a photo shoot of his own, eventually going up to the roof of a parking garage to get some awsome pictures of the buildings and sights down town. The kids played cards and watched the cartoon channel and Courtney and I went to the bar across the hall for a glass of wine but an Amaretto Sour sounded better to us once we got there, we sat there and solved all of the world's problems and had a great time. Linda and Brian arrived back about midnight from the concert, Gregg came back from his photo shoot, Courtney and I joined them and the kids in #330 and sat up till about 1:30 hashing over our experiences. Linda and Brian said Elton John was super fabulous!! Brian had to be at work at the track at 4:30 AM so he went home to take a nap before work and Gregg, and I and Linda headed off to our rooms and left the Wards to get some sleep.Part 3 to follow.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
The Sky's the Limit! Part One
The muddy, flood swollen Ohio River had encroached beyond the customary limits of its banks and rendered part of the Great Lawn and the shore line along the River,useless. The Belle Of Louisville was anchored in its usual berth but its gangplank was under water.The Chow Wagon had to relocate because of the high water and many of the viewers, that normally camped out on the river banks and in the parks along the shores, were unable to do so. The crowd was considerably smaller, there were only a couple hundred thousand people in attendance this year because of the weather, but nevertheless the show, as usual, was spectacular!
Thunder over Louisville is the official opening of the three week long Derby Festival. There will be many events taking place from now till Derby Day but none as remarkabe as "Thunder". It is touted as being the largest single-day event in the Southeastern United States. The fireworks show is the largest display of fireworks in North America. (I think there is one equally as large in Brazil.)This is the 22nd birthday of the Thunder event.
People come from all over the world to take part in the festivities. Of course the Vestival leads up to The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports, the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May.
I have viewed the fireworks from afar a few times and viewed it once from the roof of the Jefferson County Government Center a few miles away from the river and always hear from my home, the opening cannon booms and the reverberations of the sound waves when the show is in progress, and I've watched it on television, but this year I was privileged to get to be up close and personal.
Let the story be told.
On Thursday,Linda took me down to tour the facility in which we would be spending the next few days. Larry is the Marine Operations Liaison for the event. We met Gregg in the parking garage under the Galt House and then began the tour. Gregg has attended the event in previous years and reserved his room for this year at the end of festivities last year. He shared his room with me. After showing me the layout of the hotel, and trying to familiarize me with the rooms we would be using we went to Courtney's room which has been designated as the family headquarters. That room was #330, Linda and Larry were on another floor, Gregg's room was #710 and the Command Center is on the 24th floor. Needless to say, since I am directionally confused, I spent a lot of time trying to figure out where I was. They gave up on me and just had someone in charge of me at all times. Linda vows that next year I will have an ankle bracelet so they can track me. Courtney thinks I should just have a beeper. Gregg had me follow him closely and told me not to lose sight of him. The crowds were tremendous in the hotel halls. It would probably not have been as bad had the weather been clement, but all hotel guests were reluctant to go out into the windy, rainy, cold outside. We were finally ready to go up to the Command Center where all the action is.( Gregg, Linda and I) Wayne Hettinger is the Show Producer and Tim Creed the Show Director. Larry was also there doing his thing. The whole area was a bee hive of activity. Everyone looked important and all had important duties. It was organized chaos. Phones were ringing, people darting in to get directions, advise,and relay occurances, preventing snafus,and so on. The atmosphere is hectic but relaxed and friendly at the same time. There are a lot of laughs and good natured teasing and kibitzing. No frenzied, short tempered behavior going on there. They have access to four hotel room that have been cleared for all of the paraphanalia needed to put on one of the top air-shows and largest fireworks display in the country! One of the rooms is the center for the air-boss and what looks to be a thousand or so wires! The radio equipment and implements necessary for controlling the air-show is in that room also. One room contains one long table with chairs so that the staff can sit down to eat if and when they get the chance, the fourth room has tables along two walls that are buffet tables for the food.Two of the rooms face the river and both have balconies.
One of Larry's duties is to take visitors on a tour of the two rooms and explain all of the tasks and equipment needed to produce this tremendous show.
Part two will be printed out and be available by tomorrow. I'm tired!Ciao
Thunder over Louisville is the official opening of the three week long Derby Festival. There will be many events taking place from now till Derby Day but none as remarkabe as "Thunder". It is touted as being the largest single-day event in the Southeastern United States. The fireworks show is the largest display of fireworks in North America. (I think there is one equally as large in Brazil.)This is the 22nd birthday of the Thunder event.
People come from all over the world to take part in the festivities. Of course the Vestival leads up to The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports, the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May.
I have viewed the fireworks from afar a few times and viewed it once from the roof of the Jefferson County Government Center a few miles away from the river and always hear from my home, the opening cannon booms and the reverberations of the sound waves when the show is in progress, and I've watched it on television, but this year I was privileged to get to be up close and personal.
Let the story be told.
On Thursday,Linda took me down to tour the facility in which we would be spending the next few days. Larry is the Marine Operations Liaison for the event. We met Gregg in the parking garage under the Galt House and then began the tour. Gregg has attended the event in previous years and reserved his room for this year at the end of festivities last year. He shared his room with me. After showing me the layout of the hotel, and trying to familiarize me with the rooms we would be using we went to Courtney's room which has been designated as the family headquarters. That room was #330, Linda and Larry were on another floor, Gregg's room was #710 and the Command Center is on the 24th floor. Needless to say, since I am directionally confused, I spent a lot of time trying to figure out where I was. They gave up on me and just had someone in charge of me at all times. Linda vows that next year I will have an ankle bracelet so they can track me. Courtney thinks I should just have a beeper. Gregg had me follow him closely and told me not to lose sight of him. The crowds were tremendous in the hotel halls. It would probably not have been as bad had the weather been clement, but all hotel guests were reluctant to go out into the windy, rainy, cold outside. We were finally ready to go up to the Command Center where all the action is.( Gregg, Linda and I) Wayne Hettinger is the Show Producer and Tim Creed the Show Director. Larry was also there doing his thing. The whole area was a bee hive of activity. Everyone looked important and all had important duties. It was organized chaos. Phones were ringing, people darting in to get directions, advise,and relay occurances, preventing snafus,and so on. The atmosphere is hectic but relaxed and friendly at the same time. There are a lot of laughs and good natured teasing and kibitzing. No frenzied, short tempered behavior going on there. They have access to four hotel room that have been cleared for all of the paraphanalia needed to put on one of the top air-shows and largest fireworks display in the country! One of the rooms is the center for the air-boss and what looks to be a thousand or so wires! The radio equipment and implements necessary for controlling the air-show is in that room also. One room contains one long table with chairs so that the staff can sit down to eat if and when they get the chance, the fourth room has tables along two walls that are buffet tables for the food.Two of the rooms face the river and both have balconies.
One of Larry's duties is to take visitors on a tour of the two rooms and explain all of the tasks and equipment needed to produce this tremendous show.
Part two will be printed out and be available by tomorrow. I'm tired!Ciao
Thursday, April 7, 2011
My Basket-ball Heart
Have you ever been lying in your bed and find that in certain positions you can hear your own heart beat? I have found that to be the case many, many times in my life. It's not a sign of panic or fear or anything like that, it just happens when you are at rest, maybe waiting for sleep, and all is quiet around you when you become aware of the sound of your own heart beating. Years ago, when I first experienced this sensation, I thought it was someone bouncing a basket ball outside on the sidewalk. When I changed position the 'bouncing ball' stopped. It took me awhile and what little common sense I had to realize I was listening to my own heart! When I told Doc about it, he laughed and laughed. He did not always appreciate my humor and when I told him I was not trying to be funny, he said he knew that. He said he thought I was just crazy! Obviously, he did not hear his heart so I did not bring the subject up again, not to him or to others, because I feared he might not be one-hundred percent wrong about my mental condition. From that time on I referred to my own heart, in my mind, as my basket-ball heart. It still sounds as if it is bouncing up and down on the sidewalk!
A few weeks ago,after eating a large meal hastily because I wanted to watch the news, I had the most severe chest pains that I've ever experienced! I went up to my bedroom and sat in the chair and suffered. It hurt so much that I became worried and gave a fleeting thought to maybe calling someone and mentioning my plight but I hurt too bad to even make a call. After about twenty or thirty minutes the pain subsided gradually and was finally gone. I am always under the impression that taking off my clothes will improve my condition so I removed my clothes as soon as I felt better and prepared for bed with less constricting garments on.
I went to bed and my basket- ball heart was silent and I desided that I probably had indigestion. The memory of the pain lingered with me for days and I thought of the widows that had told me about their husbands "indigestion pains" immediately before exiting this world. I finally thought it might be well to mention my pain to a professional. I've pretty much lost faith in my regular doctor. I could predict what he would do. He would give me an EKG and then refer me to a cardiologist. So, I thought I would try another doctor, sight unseen. He was very solicitious and had me sit and wait an hour for an EKG and sit for TWO full hours waiting for an X-ray and then referred me to a Cardiologist! Duh!
I had to go straight to the Cardiologist from the 'new' doctors office and was told not to stop for food or drink! I was thoruoghly examined by the doctor and his staff and then told to report back there at 8 AM two days later for a Pet-Scan of the heart. It is a stress test but I did not have to walk on a tread mill. Chemicals induced my heart to react as it would have if I walked on the treadmill. Since it was Friday I could not get the results until Monday! When Monday came,I got a call saying my heart was fine no problems! I am wondering why I did not trust my own diagnoses.
Basket-ball heart, keep on bouncing!
It seems that there are no longer any doctors that diagnose without numerous tests and procedures that raise the cost of every illness that is encountered. I know that they, the doctors, live in fear of law suits. They have to pay tremendous sums of money to insure them against law suits,and then we have to have health insurance so that we can go to a doctor and be subjected to tests. I was in the hospital in November for one week and during that time I had a regular Cat scam, a Cat scan with injected dye and then a Cat scan after drinking Contrast. All the scans were of the same part of my body! Besides that I had the routine chest X-ray. Think of all the radiation I have been exposed to.
It is very comforting now to waken in the middle of the night and hear my basket-ball heart bouncing away. I no longer change position so that I don't hear it. I'm letting it do its thing! Ya gotta have heart! Ciao,ciao!
A few weeks ago,after eating a large meal hastily because I wanted to watch the news, I had the most severe chest pains that I've ever experienced! I went up to my bedroom and sat in the chair and suffered. It hurt so much that I became worried and gave a fleeting thought to maybe calling someone and mentioning my plight but I hurt too bad to even make a call. After about twenty or thirty minutes the pain subsided gradually and was finally gone. I am always under the impression that taking off my clothes will improve my condition so I removed my clothes as soon as I felt better and prepared for bed with less constricting garments on.
I went to bed and my basket- ball heart was silent and I desided that I probably had indigestion. The memory of the pain lingered with me for days and I thought of the widows that had told me about their husbands "indigestion pains" immediately before exiting this world. I finally thought it might be well to mention my pain to a professional. I've pretty much lost faith in my regular doctor. I could predict what he would do. He would give me an EKG and then refer me to a cardiologist. So, I thought I would try another doctor, sight unseen. He was very solicitious and had me sit and wait an hour for an EKG and sit for TWO full hours waiting for an X-ray and then referred me to a Cardiologist! Duh!
I had to go straight to the Cardiologist from the 'new' doctors office and was told not to stop for food or drink! I was thoruoghly examined by the doctor and his staff and then told to report back there at 8 AM two days later for a Pet-Scan of the heart. It is a stress test but I did not have to walk on a tread mill. Chemicals induced my heart to react as it would have if I walked on the treadmill. Since it was Friday I could not get the results until Monday! When Monday came,I got a call saying my heart was fine no problems! I am wondering why I did not trust my own diagnoses.
Basket-ball heart, keep on bouncing!
It seems that there are no longer any doctors that diagnose without numerous tests and procedures that raise the cost of every illness that is encountered. I know that they, the doctors, live in fear of law suits. They have to pay tremendous sums of money to insure them against law suits,and then we have to have health insurance so that we can go to a doctor and be subjected to tests. I was in the hospital in November for one week and during that time I had a regular Cat scam, a Cat scan with injected dye and then a Cat scan after drinking Contrast. All the scans were of the same part of my body! Besides that I had the routine chest X-ray. Think of all the radiation I have been exposed to.
It is very comforting now to waken in the middle of the night and hear my basket-ball heart bouncing away. I no longer change position so that I don't hear it. I'm letting it do its thing! Ya gotta have heart! Ciao,ciao!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
One of the catch phrases in today's society names 'rages' that we all some-times are provoked into engaging in. Road rage, phone rage, put on hold rage and many others. I have a new one to add to my list, Kentucky Legislature rage. The legislative sessions this year have been so outrageously ridiculous that I wonder why we can't pass a new law that says IQ tests must be one of the requirements necessary to be able to run for State office. Mandatory IQ tests!
The tests should measure skills necessary for making good decisions, skills for comprehension, correct reasoning skills (logical), ethical thought processes, if there is a test for honesty, empathy, compassion they should be able to measure up in all of those categories. As it is now, I don't think felons are allowed to run but no one else is ruled out.
This year the state, like most of the states and the U.S. government, happens to be broke. The major task of the law makers was to prepare a budget, acceptable to all, and pass it. That was the number one priority.
The law makers got right to work and the first bill that they passed, which incidentally ended up being about the only one, was a bill allowing Optometrists to perform laser surgery on their patients. Optometry is the profession of examining the eyes and prescribing glasses to correct the vision of the eyes. They are not required to have a medical degree.
Every legislator in the State received campaign contributions from every optometrist in the State for agreeing to vote for this bill.
Ophthalmology on the other hand, is a branch of medicine that deals with the structure,functions, and diseases of the eye. One person made the comparison with a registered nurse being allowed to perform surgery on patients would make as much sense as letting optomotrists perform laser surgery. v There was a bill presented that would require students to remain in school until the age of 18. As it is now they can quit school at the age of 16. It failed to pass in the regular session. Were the legislators listening to the arguments FOR passage of this bill? They were focused on how much money the state pays per capita for students in school and saw this as an encrease in spending! In today's job market, how many job markets will hire 16 year olds without a high school degree and no skills? Bear in mind also that back a few years ago the JCPS closed Arens Trade School and discontinued other programs that would benefit the student that is not inclined toward the academic persuit but it would teach the student skills and qualify him/her for the job market.
The student with no job skills ends up either on the streets, or prison, or on the dole. How much money comes out of the coffers to supply this student with food, housing etc. Why not keep them in school and give them a chance to be functioning citizens who will be able to get jobs and pay taxes and have self esteem. How often have you asked a little child,"What are you going to be when you grow up?" How often did he/she say, "I'm going to be selling drugs, or breaking and entering, or beating up my girl friends baby, or living in a refrigerator box under a bridge downtown.?" They don't start out wanting to do those kinds of things when they grow up but when they have no other choices that's what they'll end up doing. What does it cost to deal with them then and who pays for them? Why not spend the money now on better school programs that will teach to their needs. Schools that do offer training in job skills that are more suited to their abilities are sorely needed.
A special session had to be called because the legistators could not come to any kind of agreement concerning the budget. They wanted to hold out for cutting the money for education. (I think they are holding out for the chance to make Kentucky rank 50th in the U.S. instead of 49th in education as we are now.) They wanted to cut many other programs also. The special session cost an outlandish amount of money for them to agree on a budget and they once again had an opportunity to vote for the higher age for school drop outs but once again turned it down. The budget that passed went to the governor for his signature and for him to make line item vetos of all the things that had been the sticking points during the regular session. It cost so much money to pay for their time and their lack of accomplishment.
What a total waste of our tax money. However; it was quite lucrative for the senate and house members. They were paid by the optomotrists and then by us for a week extra in session. What fools we mortals be! Perhaps we should try to educate the electorate before the next session. Ciao.
The tests should measure skills necessary for making good decisions, skills for comprehension, correct reasoning skills (logical), ethical thought processes, if there is a test for honesty, empathy, compassion they should be able to measure up in all of those categories. As it is now, I don't think felons are allowed to run but no one else is ruled out.
This year the state, like most of the states and the U.S. government, happens to be broke. The major task of the law makers was to prepare a budget, acceptable to all, and pass it. That was the number one priority.
The law makers got right to work and the first bill that they passed, which incidentally ended up being about the only one, was a bill allowing Optometrists to perform laser surgery on their patients. Optometry is the profession of examining the eyes and prescribing glasses to correct the vision of the eyes. They are not required to have a medical degree.
Every legislator in the State received campaign contributions from every optometrist in the State for agreeing to vote for this bill.
Ophthalmology on the other hand, is a branch of medicine that deals with the structure,functions, and diseases of the eye. One person made the comparison with a registered nurse being allowed to perform surgery on patients would make as much sense as letting optomotrists perform laser surgery. v There was a bill presented that would require students to remain in school until the age of 18. As it is now they can quit school at the age of 16. It failed to pass in the regular session. Were the legislators listening to the arguments FOR passage of this bill? They were focused on how much money the state pays per capita for students in school and saw this as an encrease in spending! In today's job market, how many job markets will hire 16 year olds without a high school degree and no skills? Bear in mind also that back a few years ago the JCPS closed Arens Trade School and discontinued other programs that would benefit the student that is not inclined toward the academic persuit but it would teach the student skills and qualify him/her for the job market.
The student with no job skills ends up either on the streets, or prison, or on the dole. How much money comes out of the coffers to supply this student with food, housing etc. Why not keep them in school and give them a chance to be functioning citizens who will be able to get jobs and pay taxes and have self esteem. How often have you asked a little child,"What are you going to be when you grow up?" How often did he/she say, "I'm going to be selling drugs, or breaking and entering, or beating up my girl friends baby, or living in a refrigerator box under a bridge downtown.?" They don't start out wanting to do those kinds of things when they grow up but when they have no other choices that's what they'll end up doing. What does it cost to deal with them then and who pays for them? Why not spend the money now on better school programs that will teach to their needs. Schools that do offer training in job skills that are more suited to their abilities are sorely needed.
A special session had to be called because the legistators could not come to any kind of agreement concerning the budget. They wanted to hold out for cutting the money for education. (I think they are holding out for the chance to make Kentucky rank 50th in the U.S. instead of 49th in education as we are now.) They wanted to cut many other programs also. The special session cost an outlandish amount of money for them to agree on a budget and they once again had an opportunity to vote for the higher age for school drop outs but once again turned it down. The budget that passed went to the governor for his signature and for him to make line item vetos of all the things that had been the sticking points during the regular session. It cost so much money to pay for their time and their lack of accomplishment.
What a total waste of our tax money. However; it was quite lucrative for the senate and house members. They were paid by the optomotrists and then by us for a week extra in session. What fools we mortals be! Perhaps we should try to educate the electorate before the next session. Ciao.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Twenty-four Hour News, a Great Misnomer!
I rue the day when twenty-four hour news stations made their entry onto the air waves! Whatever made the founders think that there is enough 'new' news to keep reporting for twenty-four hours? I have to confess that I am a 'news junkie'and I am compelled to turn on the TV to hear the latest news as soon as I awaken in the morning. It is only with great restraint that I turn the TV off at night without checking the latest news.Consequently I keep seeing the same news reels over, and over and over. If I switch channels, the news readers are different but for the most part even the scripts are the same, along with the film clips.
Years ago breaking news alerts were truly 'breaking news' but now they cut into the ongoing shows to say the same thing they said the last hour when they broke in. Breaking News used to be a report on a major event that was happening. Sometimes a catastrophy, or the death of a prominent world leader, or an attack of some type that everyone could be affected by, but not anymore.
Linsey Lohan getting arrested again, Mel Gipson beating up on his current girl friend, or worse yet, watching Charlie Sheen have his total mental breakdown, Karen Sypher filing again for a delay of her prison term, these are considered 'breaking news'. Radio and TV stations go out and look for items to put on the 'news' in an effort to draw an audience.
The media can be blamed for a fair share of dissention and misunderstandings in our concept of the world today. They revel in having something to stir up controversy. Invasion of privacy is a thing that is rampant today and no one seems to complain about it. They chose to broadcast any and all transgressions in detail even if it does not have any relevance to the general public.
Why did we have to see the picture of the teacher that was caught in a car with a 17 year old student? Why did we have to know that she and the student were partially clothed? Why was it important to know that there was evidence of alchohol and protection items outside the car. The 'grocery store' disgusting news papers that print sensational, half truths for the voyeuristic readers seeking the unsavory details of some one else's life, are made happy by this type of journalism but not the general public.
I am already sorry for Kate Middelton and can predict what she has in store for her. She looked thinner to one of the news vultures and they felt free to splash the news across the front pages of the London papers that she seemed to be losing weight and then mentioned Princess Diana and her struggle with bulimia. They are so viscious. Tom Cruse's daughter's picture made the news paper because she is soon going to be five years old and still had a 'passie' in her mouth. They even did a segment on the Today Show debating the proper age to get rid of the potentially damaging passie. I blame all of these absurdities on the 24-hour news shows being desperate for subject matter to help fill the hours. The rest of the news shows feel they have to keep up or they will lose watchers. They have a hard time keeping from rejoicing when a genuine news story breaks. I did notice that since the Quake and Tsunami in Japan we are no longer seeing Charlie, Linsey, and other devients, with the same news clips, on the nightly news.
How sad that it takes so much pain and destruction to keep the 'news' hounds from invasion of privacy for other unimportant events.
THIS JUST IN!! The Prince took Kate to lunch today and he wore SNEAKERS!The resturant was an upscale resturant and the news reporter said, "No one but the Prince could get away with this!" "You go Dude, I'm proud of you!Ta-Ta." Ciao and Slainte!
Years ago breaking news alerts were truly 'breaking news' but now they cut into the ongoing shows to say the same thing they said the last hour when they broke in. Breaking News used to be a report on a major event that was happening. Sometimes a catastrophy, or the death of a prominent world leader, or an attack of some type that everyone could be affected by, but not anymore.
Linsey Lohan getting arrested again, Mel Gipson beating up on his current girl friend, or worse yet, watching Charlie Sheen have his total mental breakdown, Karen Sypher filing again for a delay of her prison term, these are considered 'breaking news'. Radio and TV stations go out and look for items to put on the 'news' in an effort to draw an audience.
The media can be blamed for a fair share of dissention and misunderstandings in our concept of the world today. They revel in having something to stir up controversy. Invasion of privacy is a thing that is rampant today and no one seems to complain about it. They chose to broadcast any and all transgressions in detail even if it does not have any relevance to the general public.
Why did we have to see the picture of the teacher that was caught in a car with a 17 year old student? Why did we have to know that she and the student were partially clothed? Why was it important to know that there was evidence of alchohol and protection items outside the car. The 'grocery store' disgusting news papers that print sensational, half truths for the voyeuristic readers seeking the unsavory details of some one else's life, are made happy by this type of journalism but not the general public.
I am already sorry for Kate Middelton and can predict what she has in store for her. She looked thinner to one of the news vultures and they felt free to splash the news across the front pages of the London papers that she seemed to be losing weight and then mentioned Princess Diana and her struggle with bulimia. They are so viscious. Tom Cruse's daughter's picture made the news paper because she is soon going to be five years old and still had a 'passie' in her mouth. They even did a segment on the Today Show debating the proper age to get rid of the potentially damaging passie. I blame all of these absurdities on the 24-hour news shows being desperate for subject matter to help fill the hours. The rest of the news shows feel they have to keep up or they will lose watchers. They have a hard time keeping from rejoicing when a genuine news story breaks. I did notice that since the Quake and Tsunami in Japan we are no longer seeing Charlie, Linsey, and other devients, with the same news clips, on the nightly news.
How sad that it takes so much pain and destruction to keep the 'news' hounds from invasion of privacy for other unimportant events.
THIS JUST IN!! The Prince took Kate to lunch today and he wore SNEAKERS!The resturant was an upscale resturant and the news reporter said, "No one but the Prince could get away with this!" "You go Dude, I'm proud of you!Ta-Ta." Ciao and Slainte!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Time is of the Essence
At 2:30 Sunday morning we changed our clocks. Since it is Spring we had to spring forward! 2:30 AM, officially became 3:30 AM in just a nano-second. We basically left an 'hour' behind. Next October we will dredge up the 'left behind hour' by 'falling back'. 3:30 AM will, once again, be 2'30 AM! The sun and the moon, the birds and the bees, the dogs and the cats don't go along with this plan, they still perform as usual. Sun rises when it is supposed to, moon rises when it is supposed to, birds start tweeting and chirping at the usual time,(sometimes they seem to be laughing,) the animals want to be fed at their usual time, (sorry Rudolf, it is only 5PM not 6PM when you usually eat) Even I am confused! I went to bed last night at 9PM and lay awake for awhile trying to figure out if I was going to bed at 8:00 or at 10:00. I'm easily confused! Problem is, I will adapt to the early time and come October I will, once again be left in twilight zone for about a week trying to figure out what time it is!
The trials and tribulations of being me, as I frequently say, it is not easy being mw!
Fortunately the St. Patrick's Day parade was scheduled for 'real time'. It took place on Bardstown Road in the Highlands on Saturday. Paul and Tim were participants of the parade. They are members of the Bonnycastle Club in the Highlands. They marched valiantly and made us all proud! President Paul walked with other members of the club and Tim rode with other musically talented members on a wagon and played the ukulale! I'll digress for a minute to say that the uke is not known for its Irish roots, actually it is Polonesian, but the tunes were definitely Galic. The band did have a mandolin player, an instrument that my dad played.
The parade was spectacular for the most part with a few klinkers thrown in. (I'm sure the klinkers were not Irish!) The United States Marines led the parade in full dress uniforms followed by a cadre of United States Army men dressed in camaflage uniforms. There were Irish dancers, Rescue dogs, K-nine dogs, baby dogs in strollers, one dog had a dyed green tail. Local unions, IBEW, UAW the Teamsters, Teachers and a few others were well represented, Ford trucks and many new models of Fords followed the UAW reps. The different Irish clans were represented, Ancient Hybernians, Fire trucks blowing their horns and their sirens, and many, many more. They all had something to throw to the curb side watchers, Green beads, candies, bubble gum, my beads have a Jamison Whiskey medallian on them. As for the clinkers, one girl or maybe two thought it would be funny to spray the crowd with some liquid substance as they ran along. Problem was, it got in the eyes of some of the spectators and one of our own members had to leave the parade with her mom and brother because of the pain caused by the 'substance' in her eye. Very unwise decision! Some of the groups were dressed inappropriately for a family oriented crowd. There were girls in scanty outfits and suggestive outfits that would be more well suited for 'go go' bars. I even dubbed one group the "hookers anon". The participants did not have figures that would enhance such costumes. Mayby it was their last hurrah! Too late.
I loved the men dressed in kilts and the bag-pipes scurlling as they marched along. All in all it was a great parade!
Afterwards we went to the 'Castle' and had corned beef and cabbage with the appropriate brew. All praise to St. Patrick. Ciao. 'SLAINTE'
111
The trials and tribulations of being me, as I frequently say, it is not easy being mw!
Fortunately the St. Patrick's Day parade was scheduled for 'real time'. It took place on Bardstown Road in the Highlands on Saturday. Paul and Tim were participants of the parade. They are members of the Bonnycastle Club in the Highlands. They marched valiantly and made us all proud! President Paul walked with other members of the club and Tim rode with other musically talented members on a wagon and played the ukulale! I'll digress for a minute to say that the uke is not known for its Irish roots, actually it is Polonesian, but the tunes were definitely Galic. The band did have a mandolin player, an instrument that my dad played.
The parade was spectacular for the most part with a few klinkers thrown in. (I'm sure the klinkers were not Irish!) The United States Marines led the parade in full dress uniforms followed by a cadre of United States Army men dressed in camaflage uniforms. There were Irish dancers, Rescue dogs, K-nine dogs, baby dogs in strollers, one dog had a dyed green tail. Local unions, IBEW, UAW the Teamsters, Teachers and a few others were well represented, Ford trucks and many new models of Fords followed the UAW reps. The different Irish clans were represented, Ancient Hybernians, Fire trucks blowing their horns and their sirens, and many, many more. They all had something to throw to the curb side watchers, Green beads, candies, bubble gum, my beads have a Jamison Whiskey medallian on them. As for the clinkers, one girl or maybe two thought it would be funny to spray the crowd with some liquid substance as they ran along. Problem was, it got in the eyes of some of the spectators and one of our own members had to leave the parade with her mom and brother because of the pain caused by the 'substance' in her eye. Very unwise decision! Some of the groups were dressed inappropriately for a family oriented crowd. There were girls in scanty outfits and suggestive outfits that would be more well suited for 'go go' bars. I even dubbed one group the "hookers anon". The participants did not have figures that would enhance such costumes. Mayby it was their last hurrah! Too late.
I loved the men dressed in kilts and the bag-pipes scurlling as they marched along. All in all it was a great parade!
Afterwards we went to the 'Castle' and had corned beef and cabbage with the appropriate brew. All praise to St. Patrick. Ciao. 'SLAINTE'
111
Friday, March 4, 2011
YUM! The Cutting Edge
Wednesday, March 2, 2011, my first time ever to see the KFC Yum! Center.We approached the arena from the Indiana side of the river at dusk so we could see the Louisville skyline and all of the city lights before seeing the arena. There were many people that had parked on the Indiana side and walked over the bridge to get to the center. We were 'dropped off' at the end of the bridge and walked a few short steps to the approach to the entrance. People were everywhere and the predominant sound came from a 'Street Preacher' that was standing on a box (really) railing at the crowds and warning us of our fate if we did not mend our ways. Redemption was elusive to those of us that did not heed his words! His loud speaker system was in top working order.
The feeling of excitement was all around us as we walked in the doors of the arena. Good spirits and joviality and a sense of being in a special place, I must admit, was overwhelming. I was on the escalator before I had my wits about me and consequently stumbled a bit. Karen helped me get a grip and an offer came from a man behind me saying he would catch me if I fell. He also warned me when we neared the end of the escalator. However, I did feel a little more secure by that time but I was reassured by his concern.
Karen alerted me once again when we entered the passage up to our seats. She said the steps were a little tricky, I always found the steps to the seats I sat in when I attended games at Freedom Hall, to be a bit tricky. I did manage to get into the seat and to overcome my feeling of vertigo. Once the game got under way, I was fine. I wanted to take in as much as I could, the lights and the crowd and the music and activity and the ambience. The light bars that are all around the arena that change colors with different messages flashing off and on, different designs and reminders to 'stand up and cheer', the student section behind the basket at the end of the floor, in itself, is entertaining. They have cardboard replicas of certain people's heads affixed to sticks or poles that they wave back and forth. Individual players, coach Patino,Denny Crum, Charlie Strong and others can seem to be floating over their heads. The energy of the student section spills over into the crowd; UofL fans are super loyal.
Since it was senior night, the fans were asked to wear red. I do not have one single red artical of clothing in my posession, so I had to borrow one of Karen's red sweaters. I did,in fact, blend in with the crowd. It was quite a treat to look out over the mass of people and see all of the red outfits.I guess we could refer to it as a 'redout'. Coach Patino had a bright red sport coat and black pants on. Looking mighty cool. On whiteout night or day as the case may be, Coach Patino wears a white suit. I'm glad he didn't have on red pants, he would have looked like a clown!
The Lady Birds, the cheer leaders and the Pep band were all terrific. The Lady Birds have their routines down pat and never miss a step, the fans respond to the cheer leaders and rock the house with the cheers. The fans acknowledge all "3's" with a special cheer, and cheer each and every basket; with an entirely different tone, they make their disapproval heard when they consider a call by a ref, unfair.
The music was lively, fun and at times made you want to join in. I heard lots of people singing "Sweet Caroline" and some dancing to the beat of an appropriat song. The fans were given a choice of which song they wanted to hear, out of three that were named. I can't remember the names of the songs but the one I would have chosen (Lady GaGa) didn't get much of an applause. Shows you how 'with it' I am! Don't ask me which one won!
There should be a special section designated for obnoxious fans. Wouldn't that be wonderful? You could watch the game in perfect harmony and they could watch the game and bond. The one small glitch in an otherwise perfect experience was a fan that repeatedly said," Get ya hands up! Get ya hands up, ya can't guard with ya hands hanging down! Get ya hands up!" Even when the Cards were 20 points ahead he still insisted they'get ya hands up! He had a few more equally absurd things to say but the "Get ya hands up" was said over and over and over. Fortunately, he did not sit directly behind us, the woman that was in front of him and his cohorts was splashed with beer frequently during the game. To say she was miffed would be a gross understatement.
The game, by the way, was spectacular, it was a blow out and 'no one got hurt'.The Cards cinched a double bye and kept their undefeated status for Big East wins in the new arena. They have certainly adjusted to their new home. How sweet it is to be in one of the best venues in the country.It will be a pleasure to watch games there for many years to come. There were only two seniors to be honored and they both got the opportunity to thank the coaches and fans and their team mates for the great four years they've had.
We did not get the chance to tour around the rest of the arena. I hope I get to go back again sometime when we can get there in time to see the Spirit Room overlooking the river, and some of the eateries, bars and what ever else we missed. My first visit was an over the top experience and I thank Karen for taking me. What a thrill!
I do wish that the facility had a name that is more suited to the purpose for which it was built. "KFC Yum!Center" is rather plebeian. Why does the Yum have to have an exclamation mark after it? Why couldn't it have been named after Denny? Oh, how about "Yum! Crum"? No? Well, I got used to Papa John's Cardinal Stadium so I guess I will adjust.
I probably left out lots of things that facinated me about the evening but if I remember anything I left out, I'll write about it later.
The experience was well worth the effort, I enjoyed it trememdously and hope I get to go again! Yum! Ciao.
The feeling of excitement was all around us as we walked in the doors of the arena. Good spirits and joviality and a sense of being in a special place, I must admit, was overwhelming. I was on the escalator before I had my wits about me and consequently stumbled a bit. Karen helped me get a grip and an offer came from a man behind me saying he would catch me if I fell. He also warned me when we neared the end of the escalator. However, I did feel a little more secure by that time but I was reassured by his concern.
Karen alerted me once again when we entered the passage up to our seats. She said the steps were a little tricky, I always found the steps to the seats I sat in when I attended games at Freedom Hall, to be a bit tricky. I did manage to get into the seat and to overcome my feeling of vertigo. Once the game got under way, I was fine. I wanted to take in as much as I could, the lights and the crowd and the music and activity and the ambience. The light bars that are all around the arena that change colors with different messages flashing off and on, different designs and reminders to 'stand up and cheer', the student section behind the basket at the end of the floor, in itself, is entertaining. They have cardboard replicas of certain people's heads affixed to sticks or poles that they wave back and forth. Individual players, coach Patino,Denny Crum, Charlie Strong and others can seem to be floating over their heads. The energy of the student section spills over into the crowd; UofL fans are super loyal.
Since it was senior night, the fans were asked to wear red. I do not have one single red artical of clothing in my posession, so I had to borrow one of Karen's red sweaters. I did,in fact, blend in with the crowd. It was quite a treat to look out over the mass of people and see all of the red outfits.I guess we could refer to it as a 'redout'. Coach Patino had a bright red sport coat and black pants on. Looking mighty cool. On whiteout night or day as the case may be, Coach Patino wears a white suit. I'm glad he didn't have on red pants, he would have looked like a clown!
The Lady Birds, the cheer leaders and the Pep band were all terrific. The Lady Birds have their routines down pat and never miss a step, the fans respond to the cheer leaders and rock the house with the cheers. The fans acknowledge all "3's" with a special cheer, and cheer each and every basket; with an entirely different tone, they make their disapproval heard when they consider a call by a ref, unfair.
The music was lively, fun and at times made you want to join in. I heard lots of people singing "Sweet Caroline" and some dancing to the beat of an appropriat song. The fans were given a choice of which song they wanted to hear, out of three that were named. I can't remember the names of the songs but the one I would have chosen (Lady GaGa) didn't get much of an applause. Shows you how 'with it' I am! Don't ask me which one won!
There should be a special section designated for obnoxious fans. Wouldn't that be wonderful? You could watch the game in perfect harmony and they could watch the game and bond. The one small glitch in an otherwise perfect experience was a fan that repeatedly said," Get ya hands up! Get ya hands up, ya can't guard with ya hands hanging down! Get ya hands up!" Even when the Cards were 20 points ahead he still insisted they'get ya hands up! He had a few more equally absurd things to say but the "Get ya hands up" was said over and over and over. Fortunately, he did not sit directly behind us, the woman that was in front of him and his cohorts was splashed with beer frequently during the game. To say she was miffed would be a gross understatement.
The game, by the way, was spectacular, it was a blow out and 'no one got hurt'.The Cards cinched a double bye and kept their undefeated status for Big East wins in the new arena. They have certainly adjusted to their new home. How sweet it is to be in one of the best venues in the country.It will be a pleasure to watch games there for many years to come. There were only two seniors to be honored and they both got the opportunity to thank the coaches and fans and their team mates for the great four years they've had.
We did not get the chance to tour around the rest of the arena. I hope I get to go back again sometime when we can get there in time to see the Spirit Room overlooking the river, and some of the eateries, bars and what ever else we missed. My first visit was an over the top experience and I thank Karen for taking me. What a thrill!
I do wish that the facility had a name that is more suited to the purpose for which it was built. "KFC Yum!Center" is rather plebeian. Why does the Yum have to have an exclamation mark after it? Why couldn't it have been named after Denny? Oh, how about "Yum! Crum"? No? Well, I got used to Papa John's Cardinal Stadium so I guess I will adjust.
I probably left out lots of things that facinated me about the evening but if I remember anything I left out, I'll write about it later.
The experience was well worth the effort, I enjoyed it trememdously and hope I get to go again! Yum! Ciao.
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