The follow-up of the Wrap-up for Yesterday.

Well, I did make the Chicken Satay today.  I was disappointed with the recipe.  It wasn’t as good as I hoped it would be.  Dad as you may remember has Alzheimer’s Disorder.  The one thing you can count on Dad for these days is to tell you the truth about your cooking.  He hated the Chicken Satay.  Took one bite and then gave the rest to the dogs.   The dogs however loved the recipe. 

Today was an absolutely beautiful day.  There was a surfing contest on the beach, and a lot of traffic to make it through to see the contest.  I never made it.  One reason I live in Florida is because I don’t like crowds.  So I avoid them when ever possible.  I did capture a picture of someone para sailing today as I whizzed by the beach in my car.  By the way the beaches were packed with people and cars. 

Today I was watching Real Time with Bill Maher,among the guests in the show this evening was Gore Vidal.  Whom I don’t know a lot about I’m sorry to say.  I do remember my mother (God bless her soul), loved Gore Vidal.  My mother was a smart lady, with a high IQ.  So my ears perked up when I heard he was going to be on the show.  I just loved what Gore Vidal had to say about the Bush administration.  We were stripped of our constitutional rights many times during his eight year administration.  And you know the entire time he did this there was not one public outcry by the press about the violence against the American Constitution.  This is one of the primary reasons we have a free press.  One of the things Gore Vidal said was he wanted the new administration to say that they were going to give the country back the U. S. Constitution.  I’m all for that, right now I’m applauding Gore Vidal.   I really do hope that the Bush administration is prosecuted for the wrong doing that went on during his administration. 

One of the things I like best about the Bill Maher show is that he invites people on his show with ideas he doesn’t necessarily agree with, but he hears them out.  In a way, he seems to learn from the people whom he invites on his show.

California Dreamin

 

All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)
Wow! it’s been over 10 days since I last posted.  I’ve had the flu, and I’m not completely over it.  I thought I might have lost my mojo for writing, but I guess it was just the exhaustion the flu brings.  I feel better now. 

and the sky is gray (and the sky is gray).
Recently, I’ve really been feeling overwhelmed with the task of taking care of Dad.  Somewhere a long the way, it stopped being fun and became more of a drudgery.  I feel bad about this, because my dad deserves better than this.  But now I understand why some people put their parents in homes almost from the beginning.  Once they lose their humanity and begin to reason like children, it’s very hard to continue to care for them.  I think I let myself get too close to the situation.  It’s easier if you keep your distance.  Today, my family and I – all the caretakers went to a support group for caretakers of Alzheimer’s Disorder patients.   I just felt raw afterwords.  It was like opening a wound to cleanse it.  I don’t know how this will all end.  I hope as a family we will help dad find his path in the most dignified and loving way possible. 

I’ve been for a walk (I’ve been for a walk)
Right now, I’m watching a movie on HBO “The namesake”.  I just love this movie about an Indian family moving to and integrating into our American society.  It’s very interesting to me.  I don’t know why, it just is.  Every nationality who has made the journey to America has had to make the difficult transition to becoming an American.  I like any other voyeur enjoy watching the way different families express themselves in this important process. 

on a winter’s day (on a winter’s day).
I know when the Irish (my ancestors)  made their way to freedom in America it was just as foreign and just as different.  We came with all the baggage any other country might bring.  Our stories, our prayers, our strange customs, and yet we made it as Americans, just the same.  God is good. 

I’d be safe and warm (I’d be safe and warm)
I’ve always had a strange fascination with the Eastern Indians, I do hope to make a pilgrimage in their country one day.  Perhaps spend a few months in an ashram.  We’ll see.  I can dream can’t I? 

if i was in L.A. (if I was in L.A.).
Additionally, I love Eastern Indian food as well.  I love their stories, their lessons about life and I think the richness they bring with them to American, blesses us all as well.  My favorite god is Lord Ganesha, he has the head of an elephant with a mouse at his feet.  There is no problem too big or too small for Lord Ganesha. 

California Dreaming (California dreamin‘)
And yet, I realize my thoughts on India are only a fantasy, I really know nothing about East Indians or their culture.  I have no Indian friends.  I only know enough to get me in serious trouble in a conversation.  And so I leave my fantasy behind and continue walking forward. 

on such a winter’s day!
In my fantasy today, I wonder if I’d ever have the heart to leave my Dad with his Alzheimer’s disorder and my sister, C and brother in law E to care for him.  I think now, no, I could never do it.  But if I did, how would I do it?  Would I leave in the middle of the night with a short note saying, …I had to leave in order to live my life.  Or  would I accept a job in California and proclaim that my career is calling me away??  What to do, what to do… 

California Dreamin‘
And yet, I know I’m too much of a coward to do either.  I could not leave my family alone and abandon in their time of need.  No, and not that I’ve never done such a thing either. . . I have, in my youth.  But now that I understand life and how it defines us, I know I must be here for my Dad in his time of need.  The only thing we truly have in this life is to show how we love each other.  It’s the only thing that truly defines us as humans and as spirits. 

Many Thanks to the Beach Boys for their lyrics to California Dreamin’.

Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenocerous

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaEGkhVZe3A]

I just can’t get enought of the Flight of the Conchords.  Here they are singing their award winning Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenocerous.  Really good stuff!!

Here’s another spoff of the same.  Enjoy!

And one more worth watching!!  Here ya go!    The Humans are dead!  This must have been taken when they just made it over to the states.

Sunday Night – Flight of the Conchords sends

HBO’s Flight of the Conchords sends me away with a lot of chuckles.  This weeks episode was no different.  I think the thing that makes it so funny is because it feels so real.  The show makes you laugh at yourself.  I don’t want to be a spoiler so I won’t reveal this week’s shows plot.  The did sing a song that I liked.   And you can see that they have already won a Grammy and have an album out.  After this weeks show I made a note to myself to buy their album.  And right now, I’m not spending any money at all. 

Award	Awarded for	Awarded at
Bronze (Comedy)	BBC Radio Series	Sony Radio Academy Awards 2006
Grammy for Best Comedy Album	The Distant Future	50th Annual GRAMMY Awards 2007
Album of the Year	Flight of the Conchords	New Zealand Music Awards 08
Best Group	Flight of the Conchords	New Zealand Music Awards 08
Breakthrough Artist of the Year	Flight of the Conchords	New Zealand Music Awards 08
International Achievement	Flight of the Conchords	New Zealand Music Awards 08

“I’ve got hurt feeling”.  This weeks show featured a lot of dramatic twists and turns in the plot.  And even included some real dramatic fight dancing (reminded me of West Side Story’s dancing fights, but different of course).  Simply ingenious.  I love this kind of creativity.  It cannot be rated high enough! 

And you know after listening to their lyrics, you know that they have a real gift for writing lyrics that are ingenius. 

Here’s a web site where you can read about this weeks show [spoiler alert].  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!  http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-tough-brets,23269/

HBO’s Flight of the Conchord

My newest addiction after HBO’s “True Blood” HBO’s Flight of the Conchord (http://www.hbo.com/conchords/).  It’s quirky and fun.  And most of all makes me laugh.  The actors, Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie are from New Zealand.  They play two illegal immigrants muscians trying  to make it as a band in New York City.  And naturally, they are failing miserably and experiencing the poorer side of life. 

In last week’s issue, they live together and only own one cup.  So when they’re having breakfast, Bret has to wait for Jemaine to finish his tea, before he can enjoy a hot cup of tea himself.  And so in an extravagant move Bret buys another cup for $2.79.  And this extravagant act culminates in causing their bank account to bounce which leads to Bret having to sell his guitar to cover the bank fees on their bank account.  Next you see both Jemaine and Bret playing in a local bar and Bret’s playing air guitar.   Their manager sees them and is outraged at their performance.   And on the show goes on.  So the rest of the show is about how Jemaine and Bret seek out says to find them to get the extra money they need.  Including prostitution. 

By the way, I love the performance of Rhys Darby the Conchords’ manager (he was also in “Yes Man” with Jim Carrey).  Always amusing and very entertainment, I hope you check out this new HBO series.

HBO’s newest “Flight of the Conchords”

Hey Gang,

This one is five out of five stars.  Flight of the Conchords is a 2-man gig from New Zealand.  Yeah Kiwis!!  Check out their newest show on HBO.  Here’s a web site with their lyrics and pics.  http://www.whatthefolk.net/hbolyrics.html#robots

Really great show.  I hope you tune in to watch it on January 18th.  I enjoy the music and the sitcoms.  Words really can’t describe it.  It’s very funny and has two very talented guys!

HBO’s Last Letters Home

 

Voices of American Troops from the Battlefields of Iraq

I’ll be Home for Christmas
Heroic (Angelic) Soldiers of war. who have come to fight the wars for us. 

You can plan on me.
I’m watching a docudrama on HBO right now called “Letters from Home”. “Letters from Home” about the last letter a soldier send his family; often after his or her death.  It is a heart-felt docudrama, where letters are shared by the family of the soldier who service in Iraq came to an abupt end.  The letters also  appeared in the New York Times and can be found at the URL http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/11/opinion/11INTRO.html?ex=1227416400&en=5d3e426af85f536d&ei=5070

Please have snow and mistletoe
The story is very telling and hard to hear as you feel the strong emotions of the family. The letters tell stories of brave soldiers cradled in the love of their family until they sign-up and are sent off to war. The letters tell a story of pure love and goodness. The letters are filled with faith and hope of a return to their families and homes. The families reading the letters tell stories of caring children who went to war bravely and without regret. The soldiers knew their call and answered accordingly. How could we not respond with our greatest prayers of Gratitude and Love for their families who so willingly raised them with good values and sent them off to war to fight for their country.

And presents on the tree.
Excerpt of a letter from Army Pfc. Jesse A. Givens, 34, of Springfield, Mo. Private Givens was killed May 1 when his tank fell into the Euphrates River after the bank on which he was parked gave way. This letter was written to be delivered to his family if he died. Melissa is his wife, Dakota his 6-year-old stepson and Bean the name he used for his son, Carson, who was born May 29. “

I never thought that I would be writing a letter like this. I really don’t know where to start. I’ve been getting bad feelings, though and, well, if you are reading this….”

“The happiest moments in my life all deal with my little family. I will always have with me the small moments we all shared. The moments when you quit taking life so serious and smiled. The sounds of a beautiful boy’s laughter or the simple nudge of a baby unborn. You will never know how complete you have made me. You saved me from loneliness and taught me how to think beyond myself. You taught me how to live and to love. You opened my eyes to a world I never dreamed existed.“

Christmas Eve will find me
What do we do with our grief knowing the tremendous loss of these heroic families who suffer missing their loved ones during the Holidays?   We can pray, pray with Gratitude for their Love, their steadfastness, and their courage.  Something, that is difficult to find in today’s world. Pray with Gratitude to God for sending these brave souls in our midst to fight these battles for us and pray too that God may bless these families and our country during the war.

Where the love light gleams.
Dedicated to the American Soldiers in Iraq.

I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams…

Many Thanks to Diana Krall for the use of her lyrics. Thanks to the New York Times for the Excerpt of a letter from Army Pfc. Jesse A. Givens, and to his family who suffered the loss of such a good and brave soldier. Thanks also to CBS for the use of their picture of the Iraqi boy and the American Soldier. Most Importantly, many thanks to HBO for telling a story that we all needed to hear “Last Letters Home” …I am in your debt.

  To find more letters from home and to see what American families are doing to reach out to their love ones over in Iraq, please see: http://www.soldierlife.com

HBO’s True Blood Episode 10

Well last night I found my way to HBO and watched the 10th Episode.  I was really excited about seeing this episode.  There was so much going on.  Bill going before the Vampire Tribunal, Sookie alone without Bill, It turns out that Sam can turn himself into a dog, and no one knows this.  and Tara’s about to have an exorcism to get rid of a demon that lives inside her. 

Well, I was a little disappointed when the show ended.  As most of our lovers, were still in harms way.     The Vampire Tribunal decides to punish Bill by making him turn a human into a vampire.  Bill begs to be given a harsher judgement, unwilling to do another harm.  Then he tries to glamour the victim; when he is abbrutively stopped, because the tribunal is bored with the activity.  Then Bill, allowing his Vampire self to take over, goes ahead and drinks the blood of the Victim, with gusto.   The camera scrolls over all the Vampires and shows how they lustily look on with their teeth bared as Bill drinks the humans blood.  And then I realize, Bill is a reluctant Vampire.  His punishment is to be more fully the Vampire than he already is; as he was when he chose to kill another Vampire to protect Sookie.    Then I notice another thing.  Bill is attracted to Sookie because she is good.  Like attracts like and all that stuff.  Whew!  I’m really getting into this show.  I’m going to hate it when this series comes to an end!!!

HBO’s True Blood, Sunday, 9pm – Be There or be square.

Well It’s Saturday night, I’m pet sitting tonight for a couple who are out of town and they’ve asked me to stay at their home.  They don’t have HBO, so I’m missing out on all the True Blood reruns right now.  I’m really addicted to that show.  I can’t wait to see the next episode tomorrow.  Every week my longing for the new episode gets more intense.  I’m going to hate it when this series is over. 

 

Many Thanks to yourFNbatgirl for the use of your video from UTube. 

Well Casey Anthony is at it again.  The news showed a tape of the Grandmother of Caylee, proclaiming that she knows she’s alive.  Everyone watching watches with a sick feeling.  Why would Casey Anthony put her parents through so much agony over the loss of their grand daughter?  Can you imagine what it is like being Casey Anothony’s parent’s right now.  Their trying desperately to protect themselves from the media and all the craziness that goes along with it, and they haven’t really had a chance to reconcile themselves that their own daughter may have killed their granddaughter.  What a mess.  Prayers and well wishes for the Anthony’s.  Hoping they find what they need to be at peace. 

Audiences are falling in love with HBO’s “True Blood”.  Be careful, it is addictive!  It’s a very imaginative and sexy show about Vampires and how they might integrate into our society in a “peaceful” way.  Good Luck. 

Dad is hanging in there these days.  He’s stabilized for a while now after he recovered from the pnemonia. 

Our tougher challenges include getting him in the shower to bath and changing his cloths.  He must be somewhat depressed, as he doesn’t seem to enjoy the bath at all. 

Caitlyn (Dad’s dog, shit zu) got another haircut today.  I’m sure she looks beautiful!!  Dad was worried about her getting her hair cut.  But Caitlyn always loves a new look. 

Well we’re all heading over to a concert tonight, I’ve got to run.  Keep up, with the good.