Mexican meanderings

Life in the US

2008-12-23T17:29:00.004-06:00

A couple of weeks ago I heard the sad tale of the young man trampled to death..A temp security guard, hired to control the crowd when the doors opened on black friday..little did he realize the dangers involved if he came between shoppers determined to buy the latest, the IN est, the products no one could live without. I read he was trying to rescue a pregnant woman from the crowd. Merry Christmas to all the mob that killed him. Thanks to the advertising industry who manufacture the hype, broadcast it on tv and radio, print, flyers..this really illustrates what the US has become..A giant Ponzi scheme..as long as the suckers keep buying, the US is healthy. We no longer manufacture very much--most of the good high paying middle class jobs have moved to China, Korea, Mexico, and other cheap labor lands--It was understood a day of reckoning was coming..and it has hit like a freight train. Crooked bankers, mortgage brokers, Stock companies, insurance companies, plus the mostly republican mantra of deregulation led us to the brink of the greatest depression ever seen. As Alan Greenspan sadly admitted he never thought these people would put their companies at risk..all for greed. Once the separation of mortgage issuers and collectors of the money happened it was all over. Banks could now issue mortgages, bundle them as investment vehicles, and sell them all over the world as high quality investments. And sell they did, pensions, city's, other banks..All was fine until the housing market burst..
So our govt. has given the banks and other villians billions of dollars, with no accounting of where the money is to be used. Of course these crooks aren't using it as hoped, to help people being foreclosed, to loan money to get businesses and people going again. I just watched a news program where they interviewed two senators..Question- did you read the bill? answer. I read the summary!! I'm sorry?? We pay you bums a huge salary, a lifetime pension, lifetime free health care, you work less than a lifeguard in Maine, and you can't read the whole god damned bill? Giving away 800 billion of our dollars, adding trillions to the deficit, and you are too busy? How many DC parties did they attend during that week or so of negotiations? How many massages, tennis, squash, long lunches, all paid for by us? and they couldn't read the bill..If we the people are ever to take back our government we need 1) term limits 2) no lifetime pension 3) no lifetime health care 4) no lobbying for 10 years after leaving office.
Ponzi scheme #2-everyones favorite friend Bernard Madoff..a true sociopath..charming, manipulative, a perfect con artist in the exact moment and place. PB Country club. Filled with many wonderful, giving and very rich people. One of my best friends for years joined 20 years ago..His sponsor was a very wealthy man from Toronto..when he told me, I said you sure are moving up--his reply was he would put up his bottom line anyday--He was the perfect mark for BM..I can see it so clear. To be one of BM's circle was the ultimate clique within the bigger clique--everytime my friend walked into the club BM would greet him, maybe a big hug, a slap on the back..the ego just swelled. To be one of the selected few..after all that was part of the con--very selective picking and choosing of the marks--and my friend, call him "BAMM", was ripe for the pickings. So- a charity now forced to close, a holocaust survivor, a family foundation wiped out, a family's fortunes wiped out. All victims- Even his original mentor in the market, Carl Shapiro, who put him in business as a young man--lost 185 Million in his foundation and 400 million in his personal account. I just heard a man who ran a fund that lost 1.5 billion was found dead, a suicide. In PB many of the big foundations have lost everything--The Picower foundation lost a billion and has closed--they funded many worthwhile programs.
How does this tie in to the demise of the US?

The good life--ages 18-21

2008-10-10T11:34:00.002-05:00

The current market crash, loss of retirement funds for many, has lead me to think back to those glorious days when I was young, poor and happy. First of all I had my hippie van, a converted VW van with all the essentials. A great sound system with huge speakers in the back, a high end 8 track tape system with a removable player and radio insert, a built in bed, storage area, mini closet, oriental rugs and curtains to match--I had a charcoal grill, an ice chest, and my beautiful hand rubbed and hand painted old trunk. Last but not least I had a hidden stash area for ZigZag's and whatever went into them. This was my rolling home for over a year. Seems the FBI didn't appreciate my stand on the Viet Nam war, my repeated burning of my draft card and many copies, my refusal to be inducted into the army--nothing major but it shows how deep they were digging. So for a year I disappeared from my life. I lived in the Daniel Boone national forest for about a month--a glorious time of living in total wilderness, yet with rest rooms nearby with a shower and hot water. I had my oil lantern for reading, a good stash of books to read..Steppenwolf, Dune, The Bounty Trilogy, Stranger in a Strange Land, The Prophet..all the current books of our time and tribe. I had a passing knowledge of Nietzsche quotes I could throw out, If someone tried to engage me further I would simply say I'm over him..and of course my music collection. I think I've gotten over being obssesive with my music..Lets just say that for one year the only music I played was St. Dominicks Preview--Van Morrison. One day, after a year of non-stop playing, a friend got into my van and calmly reached over, took out the 8 track tape, and threw it out the window at 60 MPH. No words were spoken- He looked in my tape box and put in Allman Brothers "Live at Fillmore East". Though I've had other long lasting romances with music none lasted a full year. The closest was 8 months of Bob Dylan's "Blood on the Tracks". The Allman brothers only lasted 4 months. But Dwayne Allman and Boz Scaggs "Somebody loan me a dime" is still heavy in my rotation-
So in thinking about the recession/depression that may be coming I wonder if I could find happiness in a Winnebago? I read about a couple who converted a diesel RV into running on used vegetable oil from fast food restaurants. A great technology other than a constant craving for french fries. I think that it inspired that great song "Constant Cravings" KD Lang..Since I believe the last gasp of US civilization will be a Mcdonalds, used cooking oil will still be around.
Since my new thing is Youtube I listen to a wide variety of music-Bruce of course, Van, though they removed his greatest song due to copyright issues--he was performing "Comfortably Numb" with Pink Floyd, recently some dust bowl music, Woody Guthrie, Tom Waites, Bruce..along with some great photo's of those days. I've rediscovered Conway Twitty, "Goodbye Time", "Rainy night in Georgia" with the great Sam Moore, and now Stevie Wonder..So many great songs from the 70's and 80's-Mario Frangoulis is so great, singing Caruso, a beautiful song from the movie.

Happy birthday John Lennon.

2008-10-09T16:04:00.004-05:00

RIP John Lennon--would have been 68!! today--So sad--the music never written or sung.
A very emotional day today..First the dow is down below 9,000--this has become very scary for many people..My roommate Abe has watched his net worth fall a lot in a couple of months. The phony bailout passed last week did nothing..so far. Does anyone have a solution? Is this not solvable until it hits rock bottom, and people lose their jobs, pensions, savings? What the heck will they do about SS. My generation will hit like an atom bomb in the next few years, medicare, SS, universal health care? Trillions of dollars wasted, lost, spent, IOU's to the Chinese, Saudi's, we are losing the war without shots being fired. I really fear for my country. I hate to turn on the news anymore..Is the american dream dead??
I listen to music on youtube a lot..at the moment Bruce Springsteen is singing the "Ghost of Tom Joad"--a very underrated cd btw. And very relevent to today's crisis--dust bowl music..Tom Waites "brother can you spare a dime" with great photo's from the 30's. Woody Guthrie "This land is your land", Bruce singing the same song in the Hollywood Bowl. So anyway I found a favorite song by Bruce--"Blood Brothers"--and somehow whenever I listen to that song I'm reminded of my best friend from many years ago..Greg Kessman and I met in grammer school in So. Fla. We went through a lot together..best friends..then drifted apart..Life came along and we went different ways. So we seem to speak about every 5-10 years--Today was the day--we had a great time remembering the past, finally exchanged email addresses and now we will stay in touch--I feel a part of my life has been restored after many years-
I haven't written much on this blog lately--for 2 reasons--first I'm involved on the miami herald political blog, and 2nd I discovered a website called photoshow which enables me to put together slide shows set to some great music. It's funny, ironic that I'm not a big jazz fan, yet somehow some great Sax players have provided most of the music I've used. www.photoshow.com/members/fredcasa should lead you there. I really like this format and hope one day to have a video presentation of my work in a gallery or two. I've put a lot of time and effort into it, still tweaking it to reach perfection.I've been offered a major show in London, and in Montreal..but turned them down. Too expensive to even contemplate. So have a great day today, Johns birthday and keep the faith-

The miracle and the 63 year old gift.

2008-02-18T09:55:00.005-06:00

I'm still in Puerto Vallarta but decided to write a quick post..
THE MIRACLE. When I was 4 years old I had my first traumatic experience//one I still remember to this day. People don't believe me but it's clear as a bell in my mind. I'm sitting on my dads lap in the car when he has a heart attack. This is 1951 and my dad is 52 years old. I remember the ambulance, the siren, the excitement. This was the beginning of his bad health, though he continued working for another 5 years..he then retired in 1956 and we moved to Florida. In 1969 he had a blockage in his leg and went to the VA hospital in Miami. The Dr. removed the blockage with surgery and sent dad home. Within days he was feeling great, no angina pains, no shortness of breath. Soon he was walking long distances with no problems whatsoever. In the past he couldn't walk a hundred yards. He had popped nitro like popcorn, now didn't need any. He returned to Miami for a checkup and told the Dr. what had happened. Further tests showed his damaged heart had healed. When he asked the Dr. he was told miracles do happen. A medical mystery.
This leads to
THE GIFT--with his suddenly improved health my parents decided to take a trip to Europe..they would fly to Germany, and buy a VW camper to tour in. They ordered the camper and made their preparations. Since my mom had never needed a passport before she ordered her birth certificate from California.
All her life mom had hated her middle name. Her mother, my grandmother, had never liked my mom, her younger sister was an angel, so mom wasn't, in her eyes. She ruled the roost in all ways. So shortly after moms birth she sent my grandfather to register it. Her name was to be Evelyn Emma Dawson. If you wanted to bug my mom just call her Emma..a name she hated with a passion.
One day the envelope arrived from Nantucket Island, Mass. with her birth certificate..She opened it and started reading it. All of a sudden she burst into tears. I thought something terrible had been discovered, only to find that her father, in a rare bit of revolt, had named her Evelyn E. Dawson. He had a great sense of humor and mom could just picture him chuckling as he did it, knowing one day she would discover his gift..she did at age 63.
My father's good health continued for many years, they took the camper back to Europe twice and toured all over. The QE2 had room for cars so they sailed back and forth//My dad finally passed away in his late 80's and enjoyed good health for most of them. After his death my mom emerged as a strong, independent woman, traveled to Europe many times, mostly Paris to visit us, and London to visit her relatives, and died a few months short of her 90th birthday.

Yosemite

2008-01-01T11:54:00.000-06:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2008-01-01T11:27:00.000-06:00

I'm glad 2007 has ended..not one of my best years. I spent most of the year fighting prostate cancer..I'm a very lucky guy, I had 7 weeks of radiation and am pronounced cured. However 2008 is off to a good start..first of all I'm back in a happy mood. 2nd my friend Ann has been here and we were together for lunch today. 3rd my very good friends for many years, Ron and Steve were here and we had lunch today too. Anyway this is my last addition to this blog until March, I think..we leave for Puerto Vallarta in a couple of days and stay for 2 months--I do go to an internet cafe there but doubt I will write much--too busy sitting on the beach..fred

The greatest piece of music ever recorded.

2007-12-16T11:03:00.003-06:00

This deserves a bold font. It also deserves its own blog so although I have two other blogs on music this gets its own. This is, IMO, the greatest piece of music ever sung or recorded. If I could choose to go back in history to hear one thing live, this would be it. Am I making myself clear that I love this music? Yes? I'm talking about "Nessun Dorma", sung in Paris 1998, by the greatest voice of our generation, or perhaps ever, Luciano Pavarotti. With James Levine directing, the Tour Eiffel in the background. L.P. sings it perfectly..and by the end he hits his high C and holds it an impossible time. When he is done the look on his face makes me weep..He knew it was great..finally he closes his eyes to savor the moment. The audience, those lucky few, goes wild. I sit in front of my computer unable to talk without my voice breaking. To see and hear perfection in this world is so rare--and thanks to YOUTUBE You and I can hear it as often as we want. To those who haven't discovered YOUTUBE its about time. You can call up an incredible array of music videos. Just write the address in the bar above.. http://www.youtube.com/ and then click music videos. You can then enter the artists name and away you go. So lock the dog in the basement, put a bottle in the babies mouth, send the kids out to play, and sit down and listen to 3 minutes 21 seconds of heaven. What the heck--hit replay a few times and watch Luciano's face at the end of the aria. Keep a hankie nearby-
YOUTUBE YOUTUBE I could go on forever..ok just was surfing and found the finals of the 'England has Talent' show..I had read something about Paul Potts--a nobody who sold mobile phones and dreamt of singing opera..so he entered this talent show and came out on stage, an unattractive guy--until he opened his mouth. the most incredible voice came out, he sang Nessun Dorma. All I can say is WOW- He won the whole talent show and the hearts of fans all over the world. So when you have heard Luciano find Paul Potts and get a new hankie..I'm totally wrung out..When they interviewed him before the contest he said he lacked confidence in himself..but he always had his voice to fall back on. Anyway this is a must see and hear..a star is born--
This has been a very emotional couple of days..My Miami Dolphins won their first game in dramatic fashion, overtime and a long pass to win..
Now I heard that Dan Fogelberg has died of ADVANCED prostate cancer. He fought for 3 years since being diagnosed with it--it had spread by the time they found it. On his web site he has written a lecture to his fans..men over 50 please get checked every year--a PSA and digital rectum test. To those who know me know I have battled it for the past year..I was lucky as it hadn't spread, which is the key to survival..I've been pronounced cured after 42 radiation treatments. It seems to be an epidemic..I have 5 friends battling it as well..two of whom have found it too late. Update--my friend Ken Stanton was one of the five..he was diagnosed far too late, it had spread to his spine by the time they found it. Ken passed away last month, in the care of hospice..This is a fairly new organization here and I hope people will support it.
Dan was a huge star who wrote and sang beautiful music. His ode to his father, "Leader of the Band", his ode to an old flame, "Auld Lang Syne" and his Kentucky Derby song "Run for the Roses" are way up there in my favorite tear jerkers list-When he was discovered by an agent he quit college with his fathers grudging permission..he gave him 1 year-A year later he was a budding star, one of the founders of soft rock..a few years later his father sat in Carnegie Hall listening to his son-Dan said at last his father accepted his career...Dan had a pure sweet voice, was a handsome devil..and will be missed.

Music

2007-12-12T15:18:00.003-06:00

I want to talk about the importance of music to the baby boomers. I remember when I was 13, in 1960, I received a transistor radio for my birthday--and the whole world opened up- I would sit in the back seat of my parents car with the palm sized Japanese radio pressed to my ear and listen to the hit songs of the day. "El Paso" by Marty Robbins, "A Summer Place" by Percy Faith, "The Twist" by Chubby C. Songs by Elvis, Brenda Lee, Ray Charles--1961 Del Shannon "Runaway", Roy Orbison "Running Scared", "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" by the Tokens.. and so on..I can remember hearing that song for the first time on my way to a trampoline park..remember those?..they were big for a couple of years until too many kids got hurt. We used to go jump at least once a week. I was living in California at the time. My gang and I considered ourselves Surfers, we wore Chuck Taylor All Stars sneaks, Pendleton shirts--I'll never forget my first one from my aunt..I was so proud of it. Levis of course..We made our own skateboards and traveled everywhere on them. Derailleur bikes from Italy were just hitting the states..I didn't have enough money for one so converted my 3 speed bike--I painted it a wonderful grape purple, it had 12 speeds, Italian racing seat, racing handle bars, foot holders on the pedals, no fenders..It was my pride and joy. In the summer we would ride many miles to go to POP (Pacific Ocean Park) Near the end of the ride we would go down a steep, long hill with a stop light at the bottom..and pray for a green light. Another summer activity was to go to Manhattan or Hermosa beach..At the time my parents didn't have a spare dime so to get bus fare we would walk to an Italian restaurant a few blocks away and hit their wishing well. It was usually good for a dollar or so which was enough to get the four of us to the beach and back, with enough left for a hamburger. My other source was a collection of silver dollars given to me by my parents. One a day got me through a lot of the summer. They could have killed me when they found out..There were still a few left which I have in my vault. Going to these beaches was my first exposure to surfing..I borrowed a board and tried it a couple of times. Also learned to body surf there.
About this time a young group was forming and taking advantage of the surfing popularity..I met Mike Love in a barber shop and listened to 1/2 hour of his BS about his new group, the Pendletones, how they were in a studio recording, blah blah..he had tricked me on the way into the shop so he got the young hip barber and I got the older owner--I didn't like him and laughed to myself at his tale. Of course a few months later the Beachboys released "Surfing" and the rest is history..They played the sock hops at my high school back then--
I suppose living through an experience doesn't lend itself to basic understanding..I was listening to the birth of rock and roll. From "Rock around the Clock" to "Jailhouse Rock" --the rockabilly music--"Blue Suede Shoes", even "Race" music..Little Richard, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry--all coming through my little transister radio. Update--One of my favorite songs from that era is "It's only make believe" by Conway Twitty--I just discovered him on YouTube singing this song much later in his career. Fantastic..Also sings "Rainy Night in Georgia", a duet with Sam Moore, of Sam and Dave fame. Once again great singing by both. Third is a great song I'd never heard before "Goodbye Time"--Too bad Conway passed away in 1993 at age 60. A great talent but mostly forgotten in the world of Rock. However I read he had 55 # 1 hits on the country charts so he did very well.

HOT! HOT! HOT!

2007-12-06T10:58:00.000-06:00

Ann Z. King

The hottest club in San Miguel de Allende is Z Club, created by Palm Beach impresario and high society caterer, Ann Z. King, art patron Susan Bloom, and the internationally famous party designer and planner, Bruce Sutka. The 8,000 foot warehouse has been transformed into a sheiks harem crossed with Studio 54, a combination of Cirque de Solei meets the Arabian Nights.
As we walked in the NY style entrance with the velvet ropes, doormen, and valet's, we were reminded of many nights of clubbing in NY city, and praying we had "the look" that would allow us in. I wore a safe outfit of all white--T shirt and harem pants, with black sneakers and white laces-Within 5 minutes I managed to spill some sticky orange substance down my shirt. Club soda did nothing..so I dashed into the men's room, and put the shirt on backwards..at least it looked like someone had run into me instead of me being a clumsy oaf. Also I could keep my back to the wall and greet people. From time to time one must improvise. I also wore my silver and gold Cartier watch--in NY the doormen look for accessories, and can spot a fake from 2 blocks away. Ok Ok one of my many vices is expensive watches.. I can spot a fake Rolex at half a mile..You can blow in my ear but a nice watch is better--That reminds me of a joke I heard that is NEVER to be told in Palm Beach, home of the trophy wives. Unfortunately a friend of mine did tell it and it went over like a lead balloon. "What is the difference between a first wife and a second wife?---The first wife has fake jewels and real orgasms"-- yikes.
As we walked in the entrance we were greeted by a very hunky guy in a G string dancing to beat the band. Behind the mirrored wall the club opens into the most beautiful space in San Miguel, or perhaps all of Mexico. The first thing you notice are the beautiful bars lit up with blue lights, and good looking bartenders.. down both sides of the long club are gazebo like rooms with flowing white drapes, and sofas inside for lounging. On the wall are risque but tasteful old photos of nudes and semi nudes. Down the middle of the club is a fifty foot fish pond with benches on each side for sitting. The pond has beautiful fish swimming around..are they real? are they fake? Bring your own fish food or hand tied flies...In the back is the VIP room, beautifully decorated. It was filled with beautiful people, none of whom did I know.
The three bars are very efficient, with handsome waiters hovering to refill your glasses. I had three Bellini's,(champagne and peach puree) which is over my limit, but the waiter was sooo good looking I wanted to flirt just a little. I don't think he was very impressed however. Oh well it's not the 70's anymore, nor am I twenty something--however He WAS impressed with the tip I left him.
The sound system is loud enough to rattle your fillings and make your feet move on their own. Paired with an excellent DJ, a good sized dance floor and lots of willing dancers the place was hopping til the wee hours. Or so I am told--At my age the 4 am nights out are just memories.
The unique entertainment includes the "Anti-gravity" group, who dangle on long silk ropes, and trapezes 15 feet above the ground performing moves that a yoga master would find impossible. Interspersed in the crowd were clowns, clowns on stilts, handsome waiters, handsome waiters on stilts, beautiful women, beautiful women on stilts, living statues, not on stilts..all adding to the surrealistic scene.
The crowd was an interesting mix of young and beautiful clubbers from Mexico City as well as San Miguel, mixed together with many American ex pats living here, the usual suspects who go where the action is-- I saw some of the best artists in town, (they are the ones with paint splattered clothes), the most important gallery owners, (they are the ones surrounded by the paint splattered artists), restaurant owners, politicians, including the mayor, who cut the ribbon on opening night, and the senator and ex mayor of San Miguel who danced the night away-In other words an arty and hip crowd of all the movers and shakers in San Miguel. A large Palm Beach contingent was there enjoying the show..San Miguel has been discovered by Palm Beach, with several A listers buying homes here, and many more talking about it. They are attracted by our weather, our charming colonial town, and our inexpensive lifestyle, at least compared to Palm Beach. Here one can still afford a butler, a cook, a couple of maids, a gardener, a chauffeur, several footmen, and still fill the family yacht. Things are so expensive in Palm Beach the footmen have been let go. Very tragic. I never figured out exactly what they did, but they were seen in all the best homes. Now they hang out on Worth Ave. hoping a Rolls will stop and they will be hired--kinda tugs on the heart strings.
Since raising and giving money to charity is the number one activity in Palm Beach, I'm sure my Palm Beach friends will benefit San Miguel greatly. Not to mention getting massages, manicures, pedicures, and hair fluffed every day. So expect to see some Vietnamese owned nail shops to open soon.
When I moved here 14 years ago from Palm Beach, I gave away my tuxedos, bow ties, and dress shoes..sneakers in 5 colors are the best I can do--so forget any invites that include a tux, a coat and tie, or a large donation--

Gay Pride Parade--Mexico City 2007

2007-11-23T11:38:00.001-06:00

The gay pride parade went right by our hotel..in fact every parade and protest march did..It seems our street was the main route to the Zocolo where the speeches took place. We watched 100,000 people march against the results of the election, and the loss of Andre's Manuel Obrador--it seemed to go on forever.

In the Gay Pride Parade there were thousands of gay men and women walking, riding the floats, throwing kisses..and thousands lined up to see them. People of all ages from grandmothers and grandfathers to young people were in the crowd. It seemed everyone was having a great time, with no discrimination at all. I've included a few photos to show some of the beauties in the parade. I know that in the small towns of Mexico hatred of gays is alive and well..so the young men and women head for the big cities..I go to Puerto Vallarta every winter..and that is where the beautiful young men go. I recently had a nice conversation with a gay editor of a very slick magazine--very social. When I mentioned the parade and how surprised I was at the straight turnout, he said that Mexico is becoming very modern in it's thinking about gays. Mexico City has a huge gay population, and many clubs of all kinds. Ten years ago or so I sat in a lovely piano bar on the Reforma listening to soft music and watching handsome older men dancing and flirting..too bad it closed--disco's just aren't the same.

Another rant from Fred

2007-11-14T15:25:00.000-06:00

I just returned from lunch in town..Wednesday is Abes bridge day so I usually go out after he leaves. So today I went to one of my favorite places, a San Francisco style Mexican restaurant with the best soup in town and mean burrito's. A nice looking couple came in and sat nearby..Suddenly a jangly noise and he answers his phone. So for the next few minutes we are entertained by him talking at high volume on his phone. Soon my soup arrives and then their lunch arrives, steaming hot..Jangle Jangle again and he's off to the races. Yak Yak while his lunch date sits there bored and his food rapidly cools. You can see where this is headed. His phone rang 4 times during lunch, and every conversation was mundane, at least from his end. So what is the fascination with carrying a phone everywhere you go, movies, theatre, restaurants, parks etc. Does it make people feel important? Indisposable. Look at me I'm so important I have to be reachable at all times. (The Fantasy) Hello..yes I want to sell my 1000 shares of google today..yup dump the whole block..I heard a rumor its falling next week. Also sell 1/2 my IBM stock and all my Microsoft..I want to be in cash for the next two months. Are you coming out to the Hamptons this summer? Blah Blah Of course all this in a very loud voice..(The Reality) Hello..yes dear I remembered the dish washing powder..Yes dear also the flour, apples, and frozen weight watchers dinners. Yes dear, Yes dear, blah blah--also at a high volume--no one seems to care how boring their conversations are, they make sure people in the neighborhood will hear them.
After lunch I shopped and caught a taxi home. Well the driver had a phone attached to his ear. I mean what the heck is that? It looks uncomfortable, it's clipped to his ear, can you dial the darn things? Is the next step something implanted in your ear? Is this big brother? Why on earth would you want to wear a phone clipped onto your ear? Even HG Wells never thought of this one. However there is hope--the newest invention from Europe is a phone zapper..some guy is annoying you? Just push the button and his phone stops working!! I love it--anyone looking for a Xmas gift for me??
When I moved here to my quiet, somewhat backward colonial town in Mexico cell phones didn't exist here, in fact my friends the Butlers had the first I saw here, to keep in touch with their daughter, age 12 at the time. Suddenly a few years ago it exploded here, now it seems everyone has one. standing on a corner to cross the street last week I saw three cars in a row where the driver was on the phone.
Ok full disclosure--I own a cell phone..in fact its sitting here on my desk, dusty, forlorn, dead battery. but its still mine. When Abe and I went to Puerto Vallarta last winter the phone in our room didn't work, and it seemed there was little hope it would. So I bought a cell phone, mainly so Abe's family and mine could contact us, as well as friends who came to town. I set up a few personal rules of etiquette for myself, not to be used in the bridge club, turn off ringer in restaurants, movies, etc. if necessary to speak go outside. So when we returned it sat for months..Then a big accident on our street here knocked out our phone service...So off to the phone place I went to buy a new chip for San Miguel..I used the phone for a week or so until we were back in service..and now it sits--
Of course there are exceptions..lawyers, Dr.'s, proctologists, therapists, and my limo driver. The other major exception is a "crazy" person--the kind that talk to themselves..from now on all they need to do is pick up one of those disposable phones all the drug dealers use and no one will ever know they are crazy..The last one I listened to was explaining how the space aliens had landed and built their space station up his rectum-- and now their flying saucers give him no peace. Now that is worth listening to.

I Have Sinned

2007-11-13T19:24:00.001-06:00

I sinned tonight, I broke a vow I had given many times. The vow--I would never step foot in Mcdonalds if they opened in SMA. So tonight Abe and I went up to the new mall to see a movie (Michael Clayton) very good by the way. Afterwards as we walked toward the exit there it was, golden arches, blinking lights, fries bubbling in oil..The spirit is strong but the flesh is weak..I'm only human for gods sake, plus technically I didn't step one foot in, I leaped in with both feet. Oh well tonight I have an overdose of sodium coursing through my body, some trans fats clogging my arteries, a tremendous thirst, and a guilty conscience..
2nd sin--I'm revising my view of Mega just a bit. I've found that for a really good steak, cornish hens, salmon for grilling, Mega is good. Also if I'm in a hurry and can't walk downtown Mega is fine-
Up until a few months ago I said I wouldn't play at Gary's club--until the cold reality hit..My club is closing and if I want to continue playing duplicate Gary's is the only game in town. So last week I took the plunge..especially after Gary emailed me and told me I was very welcome. I've played three sessions and earned 9 points..March is triple points month. We close the 27th of March--

My heavy rotation--musically speaking that is-

2007-10-21T10:54:00.004-05:00

I'm not really up on the new music acts--I live in Mexico so don't listen to radio..Mostly I'm into the older favorites..Dylan, The Boss, Van the man. So I read the NY Times music section and when one of my favorite musician's comes out with something new, I order from Amazon..It's great, within 2 weeks it arrives.
Yesterday my three new CD's arrived. I put the outside speakers on, headed to the kitchen to wash dishes, my maid is off Saturday and Sunday, and the dishes sure stack up, and listened to my new "Lyle Lovett" (It's Not Big it's Large) which got a great review. I remember back in the 80's watching the Today Show and Jane introduced a new singer..out walked this dorky looking guy with a guitar and an accompanist..he sat on a stool as I recall and sang "If I had a boat"--It was great, he was shy, and I fell in love with his music. So this dorky guy ended up a star, married Julia Roberts, and has lasted all these years. I'm sitting here typing, with my headphones on, playing his new album and loving it. He has a great, unique voice that has a hundred years of Texas hardscrabble in it, and he is a great songwriter--almost every song is written by Lyle. His band of 20 is great--I highly recommend this album--rated 4 aces--out of 5.****update..after a few listenings I find only a couple of songs have held up--
One day I'm in a Tower records and riffling through the bargain bin. I came across a disc with a picture of a man in his underwear jumping on a trampoline..also the name of the CD (Trampoline). His name is Joe Henry. It quickly became one of my favorite CD's and receives heavy play in my rotation. I recently bought another of his CD's called (Scar) which also has some great music. 4stars****
I belong to a web site, now inactive last time I looked, called Fullerup--named after Bobby Fuller. This site lists the deaths of musicians, how they died, dates, a brief biography..broken down into categories(Car accidents, motorcycle accident, overdose etc). I've discovered several great, unknown, musicians here. Perhaps the greatest of them all was James Carr..if you loved Otis Redding, this guy was better!! However he was bi polar and lived in the streets most of his life. He was semi-popular in England but almost unknown in the US. Thankfully they got him into recording studios enough to preserve his great music. The Goldwax singles CD has a lot of great music, and gets a lot of heavy play on my disc player. 5 *****+ ps Bobby Fuller was destined to be a big star--he had it all-looks, talent, a hit record (I Fought the Law)..One day in LA he was sitting in his car and was asphyxiated by gasoline and killed.. the case never solved.
Next up is a classic singer from the 60's--he had one monster hit "When a Man Loves a Woman" and then pretty much disappeared from view. This great song was voted 54th best song out of 500 by Rolling Stone--Then a few years ago a music producer wondered what had happened to Percy Sledge, found him and found he still was a great singer. So they did an album together called "Blue Nights"--this CD has a lot of great soul and blues ballads, with Percy's unique voice adding to them. This is in my player quite often and I always enjoy it.4****
OK, next is my favorite concert- bar none. A friend of mine called all excited--"Jane Oliver is playing at a small theatre here, do you want to go"..I vaguely remembered the name but hadn't heard it in years. He reminded me she had a couple of hits in the 70's then disappeared. She was very big in the NY gay scene in her day until..The personal problems, such as stage fright, her husband developing cancer, her unhappiness with success, etc. drove her into retirement. So here we are in the late 80's going to see her in a small movie theatre in downtown West Palm Beach, in her first concert in years. We had 5th row center seats..she walked out very slowly and the audience went wild. (I'm sitting here watching Boston/Cleveland baseball and bawling my head off telling this story--Abe thinks I'm nuts! I've never been able to get through this without some tears) Anyway she starts crying on stage, the audience is screaming we love you, people start crying, soon the whole audience, 400 people at least, are crying, hugging each other..--perhaps the most real, emotional moment its been my privilage to see. She finally pulled it together enough to talk to us, her husband had died, she hadn't performed in years, she didn't think anyone remembered her..she walked out and all the love hit her. So she sang all her songs with a beautiful voice, emotive, just great- the next day I went out and bought "Chasing Rainbows" her 2nd album..When I have the blues I put her into my rotation--By the way Her first album in many years, "Love Decides" gets great reviews.4****
I will close this tonight with another 5 star album..I listen to this a lot and never tire of it. Back in the 70's a Canadian group had a big hit "American Woman"--the lead singer was Burton Cummings..eventually he went solo and had a handfull of hits. I have his greatest hits album and it is spectacular, every song is great, plus he has one of the best voices ever in Rock..His ballads are wonderful, he sings of lost love, one of my favorite themes. 5*****+

A little unknown rock and roll history--I've been delving into early R and R..and came across a little known guitarist by the name of Danny Cedrone. In about 1953 he cut "Rock this Joint" which featured him playing a guitar solo his bandmates called a gimmick at the time. His bandmates were Bill Haley and the Comets. A year later they went into the studio to cut two sides..they spent most of the day on the A side, "Thirteen Women" and had about 40 minutes left in studio time to cut the B side..called "Rock around the Clock". Danny Cedrone plugged in his "gimmick" solo he had invented for "Rock this joint" and the Rock era officially began..this was the first guitar solo that people noticed, and were influenced by. Life is full of twists of fate..the record was released and didn't do much until about 6 months later it was used as the theme song for "Blackboard Jungle" a movie about juvenile delinquents..suddenly the song was a big hit. However two months after recording what is called the most famous guitar solo in rock history, Danny fell down a flight of steps and broke his neck and died. He had gone to a friends restaurant on the 2nd floor to pick up sandwiches for his family. Who knows, he could have gone on to create a new sound in rock many years ahead of its time, he did record at least one other great solo on "Rocket 88"..recognized as the first rock and roll song ever recorded..1951 Danny's guitar is in the R and R Hall of Fame--he should be.

Another obscure musician--back in the early 60's a big group of American folk singers went to London..Simon and Garfunkle among them. One of the folk singers was a handsome and brilliant singer/ songwriter named David Ackles. David was really a can't miss talent..wrote some beautiful music, had a low and unique voice..most of his songs were written in the first person, and told a story. Elton and Bernie Taupin loved him, in fact he opened Elton's first concert in the US at the Troubadore in LA.and Bernie produced one of his albums, his best, American Gothic. All together he released 4 or 5 albums that went nowhere. Then he had a terrible auto accident and disappeared from the music world. In the 90's Phil Collins was interviewed on Desert Island Discs program and named "Down River", one of David's songs, as one of his 8 favorites.."Down River" tells of a lost romance because the man went to prison. A gorgeous song that I love. Another favorite is "The Road to Cairo"--Elvis Costello named David as a great influence when he was inducted into the hall of fame. So he was well known with musicians but not the public.

David never did go back into the music world, his injuries kept him out for a long time so he taught, did some theatre work in LA--and died from cancer..a forgotten man. I highly recommend "American Gothic", called his masterpiece. In 1972 it was named Melody Maker's album of the year. Though a few of his songs have been recorded by some famous singers he is still pretty much unknown. Another disc I've been listening to is "Gimmee Fiction" by SPOON-last year on Tv there was a Mercedes ad with a song about "I turn my camara on" which caught my attention so I Googled and ordered the disc. This Austin band has a great sound, I love the lead guitarist, who uses a lot of distortion, and the disc, though a bit uneven, has some great tunes.
YOUTUBE again--Can't stay away from this site..At the moment ´I'm listening to Van Morrison "Til I gain Control Again"--about 5 times--Earlier I listened to Les Paul, the grandfather of the electric guitar in a duet with Chet Atkins. Awesome--Les Paul and Waylen Jennings--with youtube you may never need to buy a disc again-

Update..some new Youtube favorites--Mario Frangoulis--my god where has he been hiding--handsome Greek with a great voice.."Caruso" and "Nights in White Satin" are in constant play. Mark Knophler and Clapton in a duet of "Sultans of Swing"--like some hot guitar? check it out. Remember Timi Yuro? "Whats a matter baby", the first blue eyed soul singer. Next A song that has haunted me for years--Fleetwood Mac the early lineup..I finally found it on Youtube.."Hypnotized" great song about UFO's. BB King and Clapton--"The thrill is gone" again great guitar--great guitar solos seems to be my theme today so one of the greatest--Wilson Pickett and the great Duane Allman--perhaps the greatest 2 minute ending of any song ever.."Hey Jude". Wilson reached his peak driven by Duane's driving solo--as the song fades you can hear Wilson say "Good god almighty"--To find an unknown Dylan song is always exciting to me, this one written by the great John Hiatt, called "The Usual",--incredible song-it starts "I'm tripping over dumb drunks at a party"--ok John Hiatt--"Perfectly good guitars" Why do stars smash their perfectly good guitars? Great lyrics- Another "Slow Turning" great song, great album. John is under appreciated for sure.

My Front Porch

2007-10-20T10:32:00.004-05:00

My front porch--La Manzanilla--this little fishing village was discovered about 20 years ago and is slowly growing. We rented this house on the beach-so nice to watch the sunsets--The sunset picture with the birds is from our terrace in Puerto Vallarta. We are on the 12th floor overlooking Banderas Bay and had some wonderful sunsets.

2007-10-18T17:43:00.001-05:00

Small fishing shacks, Halong Bay, Viet Nam

2007-10-18T17:30:00.000-05:00

This photo is Tinacatitta Bay where the cruisers spend the winter. At the top of the photo you can see some boats anchored.

My Addiction

2007-10-14T12:56:00.001-05:00

Halong Bay, Viet Nam-- Tinacattita Beach

I have to confess--I'm an addict..anyone who loves collecting will understand what I'm talking about. When people walk into our house they always exclaim "It's like a museum"..unfortunately it's true..I have no space for anything new, unless it's very very small. So I want to introduce you to one of my collections..It takes up no room in my house..I collect beaches..I grew up in South Florida before it was overbuilt and ruined..I lived on the beach all through high school..home from school at 4 pm. and on the beach by 4:15--either surfing, snorkling, or doing homework. Friday afternoon after school I was on the beach until Sunday evening, sometimes even sleeping there. I won't go into detail about the parties, suffice to say they started Friday night and lasted til Sunday morning..the rest of the day was spent fighting a hangover. In those days, the early 60's, the beaches were mostly deserted. So I guess this started my love affair with beaches.

I've posted a few pictures of some favorite beaches I've visited in the past few years. My favorite beach of all is Tinacatitta..I discovered it on a 3 month sailing trip of the Pacific coast of Mexico. Actually there are two Tinacatitta's, the first is a bay with a river flowing into it..this is a favorite place for cruisers to anchor and spend the winter. Amazingly enough the winter we anchored there, there was a French restaurant on the beach..It seems the sequel to McHales Navy was filmed there and some buildings that were erected were left behind..A few French Canadians moved in and ran a restaurant. Since the refrigerator on the boat didn't work we got to know them through ice block runs in their van. The bay is filled with fish and diving pelicans, sailboats and an occasional power boat, which are scorned by cruisers. We did see a retired general's huge yacht with a helicopter landing to drop him off.
If you take the dingy up the river, through the jungle you come out on a lagoon, go across and then you walk across a small road and come out on the beach I've pictured here. The picture above is looking south..a long crescent of sand, there are two small hotels, and plenty of parking for RV's. There are about 6 palapas selling seafood so going there for lunch was great..a cold brew, fresh clams, and a freshly caught red snapper, grilled--this must be heaven on earth. Taking the dingy in to shore or up the river was a different story. Where the river met the bay it created big waves. We dumped several times--once we both fell out leaving the dog standing proudly on the prow heading to shore. I did learn one important lesson here..One day I went ashore to body surf..about noon I decided I had enough..The captain was supposed to pick me up at two so I decided to swim out to the boat..the lesson--never swim from shallow to deep waters..I was so exhausted half way there I had to float on my back and barely kick..When I reached the ladder I was too tired to climb and just clung for a half hour. What looked like a 30 minute swim was almost 2 hours.
Cruisers are very interesting people--they have chucked civilization and taken off into the great unknown..many had their kids with them and home schooled them..others were retired and living out their dreams. I met plumbers, carpenters, business execs--the main requirement is to be a general handyman..you have to make repairs where there is no phone, no parts store--though they are happy to pitch in and help each other.
Now my 2nd picture is La Manzanilla beach..imagine you are anchored in Tinacatitta #1..If you go straight across the bay you hit the little fishing village of La Manzanilla..it was discovered by some people who live here in SMA. At the time they bought bay front land for a few thousand dollars and built a house..through the years others from here and other places have bought and built there so now there is a winter gringo crowd living there. We rented a house on the bay and that is where I took the picture..from my front porch. After not being able to part with the ashes of my beloved dog, Paris, for several years, I buried her here--she had run on this beach a few years earlier and loved it. There were two good restaurants here, one French and one seafood with the best shrimp dishes--When I was anchored in Tincatitta we took the dingy over one calm morning to visit some friends of mine who had built there.--the bay had so many fish you could have walked on top..however when we were ready to return the wind had kicked up..just launching the dingy through the surf was dangerous..the bottom was all rocks of many sizes and trying to walk, push the dingy through 6 foot waves, and not break an ankle on the rocks was a real challenge..then we putt putted across the bay, every wave smashing the dingy and sending cold spray on us. A very unpleasant journey, we were both suffering from hypothermia by the time we reached the boat. Update-some friends of mine here in SMA decided to rent there for 2 months this winter. I ran into him just before they left..he was nervous because he had made the arrangements.and wasn't even sure they had a kitchen.I heard from them a month later..they had a kitchen but their place was in the jungle above the town and had no walls, just an open palapa. They had to tie the fridge every night to keep the wild animals out of their food. They finally found a house on the bay and moved down..I laughed when I read their email.
My third picture is of Boca del Rio, Cuba--we hired a car and driver in Havana and drove out there, not knowing what to expect. We found a lovely beach with a fresh water river flowing into the ocean. The swimming was great with the warm ocean water mixing with the cold mountain stream. On the beach was a seafood restaurant so we ordered a whole baked fish..It took them several hours to cook it..it must have weighed 30 pounds. One look and we invited the entire village to join us and eat. About 20 of us gathered around a large table and chowed down..beer and freshly baked fish. A memorable feast on a beautiful beach..I took this photo near sunset-
4th is Halong Bay, Viet Nam--a world heritage site and so beautiful with the limestone rocks jutting up out of the bay. We hired a car and driver to take us from Hanoi to Halong Bay, a drive of 3 hours or so. They set up a private boat tour of the bay for the next day. Since we arrived in the early afternoon we decided to hire a boat and head up the bay--the next day my partner decided he had enough boat rides so I ended up going alone..just me on a 40 foot tour boat with 4 in help. Our first stop was a floating fishing village..you walk on crosswalks and pick your live seafood from cages in the water--the cook on the boat then prepares it for you. We anchored in a quiet place away from the boat traffic and the feast began. I had picked out shrimp, small lobster, fish still swimming, crabs, plus they made and served rice and vegetables, and a pasta dish with seafood..since there was supposed to be two of us they had double the food they needed..I finally gave the rest to the crew to eat. They also served two bottles of wine..I had a very good nap!
Though I don't have a picture posted yet I have to mention Harbor Island in the Bahamas--Pink sand, that special blue you find in the Caribbean waters..5 of us lived on the beach in a great house for a week. Tuna sushi on the dock right off the boat, fresh fish cooked Cordon Blu. Also the bay was filled with bonefish, and I do mean filled..I'm sorry I didn't go catch a few--

I see one common theme to all my beaches--not only the beauty but the food I've eaten there. Of course it makes sense..ocean nearby, fresh fish and seafood.

The Neo-con revolution

2007-09-24T11:34:00.000-05:00

The scene has been set by the Bushies..for the past few weeks they have appeared on all the talk shows pushing the idea of the evil intentions of Iran. The nuclear card has been played over and over, the only way to stop them from having weapons is give them an ultimatum..either give up the program now or face our wrath. The aircraft carriers are in position to attack when needed..any excuse will do..the question is does the US wait until a few months before the election? This would make a lot of sense..a 911 type attack with Iranians doing the dirty work, a presidential decree of martial law, cancellation of the elections, and the neo-cons would have reached their goals..control of the oil in the mideast and a dismantling of the constitution. An easily led president, a weak congress and a US population frightened and ready to cede rights and you have a perfect climate for a takeover. Paranoia? A few years back writing that the supreme court would help Bush steal an election would have been labeled the same--then a few days ago Bush raised the spectre of WW111 starting because Iran has the nuculer bomb..the man can't even pronounce it correctly..So here we go, the level of fear is being raised--The people in power have already proven they have no respect for the constitution..and that the American people will swallow anything to feel safe..torture, suspension of habeaus corpus, politicising the justice department, with an AG lying to congress, the war in Iraq etc..Robert Indiana was interviewed the other day and said something I agree with..the US is run by narcissistic, sociopaths..and a lot of the popular culture is the same, Paris, Brittany--any doubt?..I have a great idea for the neocon crowd like Perle, Gonzales, Rummy et al--lets waterboard them and see if they still believe it ain't torture. Perhaps a few slaps, a nice stress position or two--If it's not torture they shouldn't have any problem with it..perhaps throw in Clarence Thomas as well--see if his recent book has any lies.
SLAP, DUNK, (OK Clarence come clean..did you lie about Anita Hill? Go stand in the corner on one foot)--SLAP Ok now do a handstand--
"Please no more..yes I lied about that ho. She turned me down, said I was too dumb and ugly. That I couldn't carry Thurgood Marshall's jockstrap..sob"
(So tell me what you really think of affirmative action) DUNK "I think it's degrading" SLAP I never accepted any help from anyone" (Go stand on your head) "Ok I had a little help from affirmative action--I just don't think others should get the same break"--please no more torture...I'll do anything, I'll even vote liberal from now on...
(Ok Alberto a few questions..and you WILL tell the truth--slap..where were you born?) "Dallas, Texas" SLAP "Ouch that hurt--ok Tijuana but only 2 blocks from the border". (Did you graduate from law school?) DUNK "Sputter, sputter--yes I'm an Aggie" DUNK--"Ok Ok I ran the taco stand in front of the law school. One day George W. came by and ate one of my special taco's--he liked it so much he offered me a job as his special assistant". "Please don't torture me any more, I'll tell you every thing..I know where the pictures of Dick Cheney dressed in lingerie are, I have a tape of Clarence Thomas sexually harassing Cheney when he wore that great black number, you know the see through one with the black fishnet stockings..enough to drive any man crazy--. I have a picture of Larry Craig tapping feet with Newt in the DC airport.--just don't waterboard me again por favor.I swam the Rio Grande and almost drowned.. I have George W's secret national guard records showing he was drunk in a Nuevo Laredo whorehouse instead of reporting for duty. I'll tell you anything!!"
One quick disclosure..I always thought Ashcroft was a joke with his singing, fig leaves on the Greek statues etc..However I want to give props to him for his principled stand against the illegal wire tapping and spying on US citizens, while lying in his hospital bed..that act was so outrageous by Card and Gonzales.
These neo cons are really sociopaths with no understanding of what they have unleashed, the pain, suffering--they go about their lives in a serene fashion-
The US doesn't torture!! How many times have we heard Prez. Bush repeat that mantra..now we find out we do waterboard prisoners--We had the spectacle of an ex CIA agent "confessing" to it though he wasn't personally involved..However he did tell us that the prisoner cracked in 35 seconds and gave us info that prevented dozens of attacks..Yeah right..I have a bridge for sale if you believe that crap. On top of that all the tapes and videos made of our torturing were destroyed by the CIA--to protect the agents involved in the torture..even though the US doesn't torture. What has happened to my country?? For gods sake are we so frightened we will give up all morality, all sense of decency, everything that America has stood for all these years??? Can't we finally impeach these bastards and get rid of them? Folks this is more than lying about sex with an intern--

TAP TAP TAP

2007-09-19T12:50:00.000-05:00

So I flew into the Minneapolis airport this morning and have headed for the "Larry Craig Mens Room" as it is now called. It has become a tourist mecca..I'm shocked to see over thirty men in line waiting to get into the room. I've decided to change my approach a bit so I go up to the last man in line and ask him "What do you think of the blue fin tuna shortage?" While he is still trying to understand the question I hit him with "Would you pick toilet paper up off the floor in this mens room?" He glares at me and asks "What do I look like, a janitor, or a senator? I'm just an average citizen waiting to see stall number 3." I thank him and move up the line..I spot a young man wearing tap dance shoes..perhaps he's part of a traveling broadway show..I quickly ask him what street Sardis is on. While he is trying to count down from 42nd street I ask him about the tap shoes..It turns out he only likes much older men.."I've found that many of them are very hard of hearing, so If I tap with these shoes they can hear it and respond. I just have to be very careful when I tap on top of their foot, I've broken toes with too hard a tap." Boy, I'm thinking I can sure relate to that. I ask him if he's ever seen Sen. Craig in this mens room.."Well one day last year an older gent was bending over picking up toilet paper and towels from the floor. I can't swear it was him but he was wide beamed for sure" ..Thanking him I move on and find an older gent with hearing aids..I send him back to the tap dancer..last I saw they were walking arm in arm out the exit. Next I spot a nice looking guy about 30 so I approach him..Are you standing in line to see the infamous stall? I ask him.."I'm so mad I could just stomp my foot, that has been my stall for years..I hang out here every day, it's just so cruisy, and now every Tom, Dick and Harry is trying to sit there-sightseer's everywhere and now I have to stand in line to get into my own stall--I can't tell the difference between a trick and a tourist--My feet hurt, honey I've tapped so much I have flat feet and corns, not to mention bruised arches from the rubes tapping the top of my foot. All because that closet case, potato brain senator cruises a cop. I may have to head for the men´s room at MM34 on the interstate. But first I'll have to call the governor and ask them to clean it better.
NEWS FLASH--Sen. Craig flies back to Washington through the Denver airport. Can anyone tell me which rest room is cruisy??+
Well now don't this beat all..talk about a moral dilemma for our Senator Craig..the ACLU is filing a brief in his defense. Now cruising men's rooms and then denying it is one thing..bad enough for a so called conservative..but allowing the ACLU to represent him has exposed him for what he is. A two faced liar and hypocrite-just because he happened to know the mens room code doesn't make him guilty. But allowing the ACLU into his life says it all.
In the past few days several gay men have come out with stories of their encounters with Larry Craig..including one in the Denver airport. In a strange twist of fate the gay escort who outed the Reverend Haggard also had sex with Sen. Craig. Its interesting all the stories had a common theme.before sex the Senator is friendly, he never takes his clothes off, just his jacket and shirt, leaving his pants and tee shirt on..as soon as he is satisfied his demeaner turns cold, unfriendly, and he wants his partners to leave right away--no cuddling with this dude. His shoving a 20 in the pocket of a young man he had picked up, and remark he could buy and sell him reminds me of his attitude with the undercover cop-this guy is a freak.

2007-09-19T09:33:00.000-05:00

"Don't taser me bro"

2007-09-18T18:09:00.001-05:00

The pleading of a college student who took too much time at the microphone--the campus police were trying to remove him from a John Kerry rally at UF after he kept asking Kerry questions. I heard this young man had a reputation as a trouble maker..I guess that is what anyone who questions status quo is called these days. A husband and wife were kicked out and arrested after wearing impeach Bush t-shirts at another political rally--

What I want to know is where are the college students--in the 60's protests would have broken out all over the campus--free speech being an important issue in those days--I guess today the trashing of our constitution is no big deal..The Bushies have Americans so scared about another 911 attack they will do anything to feel safe-even if its an illusion. Of course they are right--who needs free speech anyway..all it does is promote dissension from the left and interfere with our war on terroism. Would Al Queda put up with free speech? Yea- just as long as it took for the beheading. We must be as strong and ruthless as our enemies if we are to win..all this liberal stuff is for times of peace. If they torture we must torture. Renditions to foreign countries who torture give a cover for the Bushies--America doesn't torture they say..We let others do it they forget to add. Just yesterday the Supreme court turned down a case that could have given a definitive answer on torture..A man kidnapped and rendered to Afganistan and tortured..and now not allowed to sue in US courts. This sure isn't the country I grew up in--
Today we read about Lt. Gen Ricardo Sanchez and his critisism of the war, the incompetence, the lies, the total failure of the Bush administration to run the war..we went in under a barrage of lies put out by the Bushies--the 911 attack was supported by Sadaam, he had weapons of mass destruction..people forget that the UN inspectors were still in Iraq days before the invasion. Condi was on the talk programs with her mushroom cloud story, Colin Powell appeared before the UN with supposed evidence of mobile trucks to make weapons, when the report of the experts sent over by the administration to examine the trucks was sitting in DC.. making helium for weather balloons was the true story..Every time the truth was found out the reasons changed.

EGADS It's a Giant Rat

2007-09-17T18:05:00.007-05:00

We interrupt this blog so I can try and get rid of this fear and shaking, I just underwent a real traumatic experience. I went into the kitchen to check my crock pot beef stew, opened a drawer and reached in to get a big spoon. As I pulled it out I heard a squeaking noise and looked. OH MY GOD a mouse was trapped in the drawer. Ok I know people think I'm a macho, brave, man, afraid of nothing, and for the most part its true..however I'm not into wildlife except a saturday night at Z Club. Josephina, my housekeeper said to me to pull the drawer out, thereby freeing this monster, then stomp on it as it ran by--..It was at least a foot long with fangs- I gave her my Larry David answer (Curb your Enthusiasm, the funniest show on tv)--"Are you fuckin nuts?" So as I started out of the kitchen she pulled out the drawer..I swear by now this thing looked 18 inches long with red eyes and a lean hungry look. As it jumped toward me I did what any smart, self respecting gay man would do, I shrieked and ran--pride goeth before the fall, or something like that. I swear this monster moved the stove out a bit and crawled behind..Then Josephina handed me the oven lighter..she wanted me to light the oven and scare it out..ha fat chance-She has to learn that I don't do giant rats or mice, or anything that crawls, flies, slithers, I did chase a hummingbird out of my living room last month--my old football helmet still fit..-So Josephina lit the oven and soon it ran out the door into my garden..By now I was half way to the jardine with an important appointment..no pulling weeds this week..In So Fla. now they have alligators that eat people, 20 foot Burmese pythons that eat alligators and are taking over the everglades, and people wonder why I live in San Miguel??
Once long ago my mother told me she had problems with raccoons tipping over her garbage cans, sure enough we heard one. I went out with a flashlight and cornered it. I raised my hands and hissed at it. It raised up on its hind legs and hissed back. I decided this was my moms problem and retreated rapidly-this was my one and only attempt to tame wildlife until yesterday--
So I've served my crock pot beef stew dinner, it came out delicious, I'm just hesitant to walk across my garden in the dark..
Ok so yesterday I bought glue traps for my kitchen problem and put them down last night before going out to dinner. Sure enough when we returned I had trapped one. Yech..now what..I have to pick it up and put it in a bag..not my favorite activity. I'm a sensitive artist, not a big game hunter. However holding my breath and squinting so I couldn't really see the damn thing I got it in a plastic bag and tied the top, then into the garbage can it went. I will not open the can today, for all I know it chewed its way out of the plastic bag, got out of the glue trap and is ready to attack when the lid is lifted.
Now I'm off to the kitchen to do another potentially yucky thing..My friend Ann gave me some fresh eggs, so fresh she reached under the hen and gathered them. I always thought eggs came in cartons, I like cartons, reaching under a hen isn't the way I want to receive my eggs..I'm promised they won't have a baby chicken in them but how do they know? One rooster in the woodpile and I may never eat eggs again- I'll keep you updated on this-
1/2 hour later--haha Of course I knew no baby chicks would jump out of the shells..I'm not that dumb--after having my maid break the eggs into a bowl (I was busy at that moment) I mixed them with some milk, fine herbs, a little sour creme and cooked them in my new omelete pan..I ate mine with a little piece of steak that Abe turned down, and a croissant..Did they taste better? Different'? well they were certainly a darker yellow but to me tasted the same. The place where I buy my chicken has eggs in plastic bags, so they were probably snatched that morning as well..I'll try them and give a report.
An update--at my bridge club we suddenly had rodent problems..we would find cookies chewed open chips scattered etc. I bought some glue traps for mice and put them down. However we would find them moved but empty--that was the first clue we had something bigger-the maid left a note one day she had seen a giant rat. How nice..I set up four glue traps with a couple of cheese whiz's in the middle..after all you can't eat just one. The next day the traps were all over the room, the cheese whiz's were being digested, and not a rat in sight. The next day we could smell a rat, so to speak..it had crawled somewhere and gone to rat heaven. I know cheeze whiz's are unhealthy but I didn't realize they could kill you that fast. Hmm I see the plot of a murder mystery, murder by cheese whiz's--
At this point we decided to contact the owner of the plaza and turn it over to them. They came in and put down traps..the next day they had caught two squirrels--seems we had a problem with something other than rats.
UPDATE--Last night about 2 am I heard dishes clattering downstairs..As I had stacked some dirty dishes on the dining table I knew something had jumped up and was eating the bits of food--or Abe was having a midnight snack..since that is not his habit I figured a cat had found the dirty dishes. Just the other night I had left 2 corn cobs with holders on the dining table..the next day one was gone. My house has an inner courtyard, and the dining room is open to it. So with great trepidation (and bravery I might add) I got dressed and went downstairs. I figured that by the time I turned on the lights in the patio, and made a little noise the animal would be gone. Wishing I had my big Mag Light, the kind the police use on innocent suspects, I stepped into the dining room and lunged for the light, fully expecting to be attacked and eaten..Well lying on one of the chairs and appearing to be dead was a wild animal With a long tail...My cooking has never been that bad.. I stood looking at it and finally decided it was an opossum..Great deduction because mouth to mouth was out of the question--Suddenly it jumped off the chair and ran into the fireplace. So I googled opossums today and found out that when scared they will drop dead involuntarily, in other words play possum. In reading up on them they eat all kind of things I don't like..rats, mice, cockroaches, lima beans, and crickets--come to think of it I haven't heard any crickets for a while. So they are good--plus they may look like rodents but they are actually marsupials, like kangaroos and koalas, and carry their young in pouches. In fact they are the only North American marsupial. At birth they are so tiny 20 could fit in a teaspoon--they stay in the pouch until they get bigger, then ride on their mothers back..until they are ready to leave home..sounds like todays teenagers.
Because they eat all these pests they are known as "natures sanitation engineers"--So after reading all the good things about this little cutie I picked up my mouse poison from the kitchen floor, and will make sure I don't leave dirty dishes on the table..If you decide you love opossums as much as I do you can join the Opossum Society of the United States.

2007-09-17T14:01:00.000-05:00

Red House your intrepid street reporter here..Todays topic is Senator Larry Craig and his claim that being wide bodied led to his foot going under the bathroom stall divider. So I plan to make a series of interviews and find out if that is true..I'm here in Little Italy looking for a wide body--in fact here comes one now..he must weigh 350 lbs.
"Hello sir, Red House here..I was wondering if I could ask you a couple of questions"
"Wuht da fuck?"
"I'm doing a story on Sen. Craig and his mens room arrest."
"Wuht da fuck?" "Get outa my face"

"He claimed because he is wide bodied his feet go under the adjoining stall divider--since you are a rather large man I wondered if your feet do the same?"
"You tink I'm a fag or something?" Fugget about it."

"No No--let me ask you one more question..do you ever pick up toilet paper from the floor of a public restroom?"

WHACK--wuht da fuck? WHACK you some kind of pervert? I'll show you wise guy--WHACK --thats it you little faggot, run-

(Next Day) Well I guess that wasn't very successful, he broke my 200 dollar sunglasses and gave me a black eye..So today I have a new plan. Juniors all you can eat buffet restaurant. Last time I was there half the people were obese. My plan is to wait in one of the stalls and observe how close to my side their feet are. Since there are three stalls I'll take the middle one and wait. A couple of minutes later a very wide body slides into the stall on my right. The first flaw in my plan becomes apparent right away..Bathrooms are for one main purpose and this one is noisy and smells bad. I'm just about to leave when his foot slides over very near mine..just on the borderline. I decide to tap and see what happens--tap tap tap- His foot slides a bit closer. I think the next signal is to tap the top of his foot lightly, which I do. Suddenly his foot lifts and all 300 pounds comes down on mine. As he screams expletives at me I'm moaning in pain, I'm sure my foot is broken. I hobble out of the bathroom so he can't catch me and do more damage. I can see my plans still need a bit of tweaking. After a visit to the Dr. I have a big cast on my foot, two broken toes, and a black eye--but your intrepid reporter will never give up. Perhaps the best idea is to go right to the source of the story, stall number 3 in the airport where it actually happened. To be continued--

Shopping Mexican style

2007-09-16T11:29:00.000-05:00

I have a close friend from Palm Beach who purchased a house here last year and lives here about 5 months out of the year. We were out to lunch recently and decided to stop at the new Mega supermarket to shop--she was raving about it and does a lot of her shopping there. Because this was on Sunday it was jammed so we drove on. However it got me to thinking about the difference in shopping habits of new gringo residents, and those of us here for quite a while lived without a decent supermarket. The one we had, Gigante, had a bad reputation and worse smell..so it was easy to get into the Mexican way of shopping, which I do to this day..I've been to Mega a few times but still prefer the old method. Americans are used to driving to a big store and doing most of their shopping with one stop. Plenty of parking and convenience. Of course the downside is a market filled with food raised by multinational farm corporations, which leads to chickens raised in huge factories, vegetables raised on huge farms in California, which has led to salmonella outbreaks, beef raised with massive doses of antibiotics, the government policies have led to the demise of small family farms leading to unsafe food supplies. Some in the US are lucky enough to have farmers markets nearby where they can purchase safer and more tasty fruit and veggies. But most go to the big supermarket.

In contrast is the old Mexican way of shopping--I walk downtown on my own two feet, and turn on Calle Juarez for my first stop, a fish restaurant and market..there I can buy fish fillets to cook for dinner, or shrimp, ceviche, oysters etc..continuing down Juarez and turning right, then left I come to the big indoor market--they have over 50 stalls selling fresh fruit and vegetables, chickens, meat, flowers--and my lamb butcher is here..he sells mostly shoulder chops which I either marinate and barbeque or throw into my crock pot. On the way out I go to my favorite fruit and veggie stalls..picked that same morning with the morning dew still sparkling on them.
If I head straight on Calle Juarez and cross the street I find my chicken place. These beauties are so fresh they were clucking and pecking at 6 am. By 8 they are delivered and ready to cut up into pieces. The guy doing the butchering stands for the next 5 hours cutting them into parts, like a machine. There is usually a line of people and I found out right away gringos are ignored unless they assert themselves. If someone tries to push ahead of me they find a well placed elbow sends a message. Also it helps to speak out when its your turn. Turning and going down hill I come to my second butcher, I usually buy pork or meat for stew from him. Going on down the street I find my fruit and veggie shop..Trucks from the farm are unloading all day long so you know its fresh..My big problem is this place is too small, boxes stacked everywhere, 6 or 7 employees, so its a battle to get everything I want..however the quality is so good I stick with it. Next door is Apollo carnitas..pork boiled in oil..absolutely delicious--Just down from there is Bonanza a store that has many surprising products. Everything from sugarless candy to saffron--I do most of my shopping there..further down the hill and turning left is the blue door bakery--which I try to avoid except when I'm bringing goodies to the bridge club. Keep going a block and you hit the jardine, central square where people hang out and gossip. The area facing the church is known as the gringo area with most of the benches occupied by them..We gather anytime after 10:30 to read the paper, the mail we just picked up, gossip on any happenings in the town, and solve the worlds problems by noon. There are several groups, the biggest being the out to lunch crowd..meaning they all head to a different restaurant every day, usually from 4 to 8 people..If you want to find out the newest, best, or the ones to stay away from you check with them. Next are the "do gooders" crowd, they set up tables in the jardine to promote causes, sell tickets to charity events, find homes for stray dogs and cats etc.

On The Road--50 Years old

2007-09-15T12:19:00.001-05:00

Above--was I ever this young??

August 10, 2007

I find it very interesting--the juxtaposition of my 60th birthday, August 10th, and the 50th birthday of "On the Road" by Jack Kerouac-the book that helped launch the "beat movement" of the 50´s and early 60´s. It was published on September 5th, 1957, on a 120 foot long typewritten scroll, a stream of writing that told the story of Dean Moriarty and his cross country travels. In actuality Dean was based on Neil Cassady..a seminal figure in the beat and later hippie movements. He traveled America in the 50´s, fueled by meth and his restless spirit, and inspired Kerouac to write his masterpiece. In the late 60's he drove Ken Kesey's bus, "Further" with the Merry Pranksters spreading the message of LSD, Timothy Leary, and the hippie movement. In a small world coincidence I've ended up living in the small Mexican town where Neil died many years ago..up my street is an abandoned house-- his name is written above the lintel. I don't know if he lived in this house but I like to think so. In the late 50's all the beats from Ginsberg to Kerouac came here to San Miguel..at the time it was cheap, bohemian, and a great hang out..the Cucaracha (cockroach) bar was the bar of choice..it still exists, albeit in a different location, and is still a dive. In 1957 I was 10 and about to move from Wisconsin to Florida, totally unaware of the earthshaking events to come-Interestingly enough I just read a whole history of Ken Kesey and the pranksters living in Manzanillo for a winter..Kesey was on the run facing a drug conviction in the US and headed south. At the time Manzanillo was just a small fishing village, very primitive. Although the writer tracked down the story he found no trace of the pranksters in Manzanillo.
In 1955 another seminal work that began the beat movement was written and read--then published. "Howl" by Allen Ginsberg was written that summer, in Berkeley..scene of so many events to happen in the 60´s-the opening lines were a gauntlet thrown down against the boredom and conformity of the 50's- "I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness..." the poets, jazz musicians, radical politicians, drug addicts, the insane..the outcasts of society who rebelled against the materialistic world of the 50's, and were destroyed by it.
I believe my first awareness of the Beat movement was in high school in South Florida. My friends and I would head to Ft. Lauderdale to a coffee house, to drink expresso and listen to bad poetry accompanied by the beat of a bongo drum--the drummer usually had a goatee and needed a bath. Instead of clapping we would snap our fingers in appreciation of the poetry, and thought we were ultra cool. I'd never heard of Kerouac, Ginsberg, City Lights bookstore, I just knew what we were seeing was different than anything I'd ever seen before.
My reading in those days was mostly science fiction, "Dune", "Stranger in a Strange Land", "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, It seemed many answers about the future could be found in those books. I also discovered the sailing epics, "Bounty" trilogy among them, the poet Rimbaud who would influence the music of the 60's, and finally I discovered "On the Road"--I wish I could say I had an epiphany, that it changed my life, political views, made me hit the road searching for America and myself. However I was too young, too sheltered in a middle class life to get that kind of impact. It wasn't until the late 60's that I came to appreciate what that book meant. It took the Viet Nam war to make me look inside and find the values I've had ever since, and to hit the road looking for truth. I spent a good year traveling the US, attending anti war rallies, dodging the FBI, and re-reading "On the Road" several times. By now Kerouac was living in Florida with his mother, supported the war, disliked the hippies, and generally had faded out into an alcohol haze. I was living in my VW van which I converted into my home on the road. Of course being gay I had oriental rugs and curtains to match, a stylish Chinese red and yellow color scheme, with a great sound system, comfortable bed, and the freedom to just go. I lived in national parks, roadside rest areas, crashed with friends from time to time, attended rallies and concerts, burned my draft card and finally came to understand how the Beats influenced the hippies, influenced the anti war movement, civil rights movement, women's movement, environmental movement--it was a time of caring about others and their rights, and being willing to do something about it. The innocent 50's gave way to the tempestuous 60's and everything changed forever. However most movements change and end and when the war finally ended, the young hippies aged, married, had children and responsibilities, it spelled the end of an era. For me as well..I was arrested by the FBI, my case went to the supreme court, we won, I cut my hair, returned to college, sold my van, and met my partner, Harold..still a liberal but no more marching. And yet seeing what has become of our world I can't help but think the hippie movement, in its purest form, at the beginning, that vision was a better one than what we have now.

San Miguel de Allende Traffic

2007-09-13T10:21:00.000-05:00

I live in a colonial village in the mountains of central Mexico called San Miguel de Allende..this is my 14th year here. The past few years it has been "discovered" by US newspapers, magazines, tv programs as a great place to retire. Of course this publicity is the kiss of death, the changes here are incredible..traffic being the worst. Housing developments are ringing the town and of course all those people need a car, parking downtown is impossible. There are far too many old buses spewing out their fumes, cars stuck in traffic spewing out their pollution, horns honking, drivers cursing..Once they shut down the centro to cars it pushed all the traffic to the more narrow side streets where one double parked car can tie things up for 15-20 minutes. The little side street I used to take is now the main East/West route through downtown-and with several hotels there are always double parked cars. Added to the mess is the fact that there are always streets closed, torn up for repair..Maybe a broken water line, maybe giant potholes caused by loose cobblestones. I live on one of two major North/South streets in San Miguel--most every day traffic is backed up as far as the eye can see, with the music of horns, loud mufflers, pollution etc. Even though I double paned my windows and built thick wooden shutters it really doesn't cut out much. My very nice next door neighbors gave up, sold their house last year and moved back to the states. They could no longer sit on their terrace and enjoy the sunsets.
In our English newspaper here there was a big article on "Where have the tourists gone"--they mentioned everything but the traffic. I think that is called "head in the sand". The city and federal govt. built a parking garage on the old soccer field last year, part of the plan was shuttle buses to run people back and forth..As is typical the garage was finished but no shuttles..so now it sits, mostly empty.
(disclosure) I sold my cars before moving here and have lived without ever since. I walk a lot, downhill, and take a bus or taxi back up the hill. Those who knew me in Palm Beach know I'm a real car nut so this wasn't easy!! I still drool over cars, classic or new models.
This blog started out as a comment on the new Mega grocery store and the shopping patterns of new gringos vs. older resident gringos. However my blogs have a life of their own so I never really know what will be written-I will get to Mega in another blog-

Crying on Gods Shoulder

2007-09-12T12:06:00.002-05:00

What a country we are--we elected a man who cries on God's shoulder--I know in the past George told us that he speaks to God and gets advice from him, now we find God also lends his shoulder to George in moments of doubt and pain. I mean this is such a relief to me I wish I had voted for the man. Any doubts I had about the wisdom of this war are gone. I may not understand why we are spending trillions of dollars that could have been spent in the US to fund social security, give every American health care, improve the education system and give teachers more money, fix the infrastructure of the nation, install high speed rail systems nation wide, end our dependence on foreign oil, or all oil for that matter, feed and house the poor and so on--If I were a betting man I'd have bet the farm God would have picked these ideas over a wasteful war but what do I know--Apparently the god I grew up believing in isn't the same God anymore. If he whispered in Georges ear and said invade Iraq who are we to doubt.
Ring Ring--( GOD)Hello George-- (Sniffle, sniffle) Gol dang how did ya know it was me? (God)-George you know that God knows everything, besides I installed caller ID and my life is so much better. I can now avoid those pesky telemarketers trying to sell me products I don't need here in heaven..Though I must admit that "Head On" stuff is great and relieves my headaches-and my hemorrhoids have been helped a lot by that new creme, "Itch On"--You know that sitting on my throne up here for the past few thousand years has reeked havoc with my derriere. What can I do for you today, George?
(Sniffle, sniffle) Well God, they don't like me here any more, my poll ratings keep dropping lower than a turtles ass , my most trusted aides have quit and gone home to Texas, just like ships deserting a sinking rat, (GOD) "George I believe you got that bass ackwards" (Sniffle, sniffle) Huh? (GOD) Never mind George I get your drift (Sniffle, sniffle) Huh? Anyway even my wife had surgery for a pain in her neck--when I heard that I thought she was getting a divorce..why just last night I called Karl Rove cause I wanted to cry on his shoulder and he hung up on me. Last year he told me he'd stick by my side no matter how low my poll ratings went and now he won't even talk to me, that damned hypocrite (Whoops pardon me)
And Alberto, the dumb but legal Mexican I raised to levels not commensurate with his intelligence level is now quitting as the attorney general--his "no recuerdo, I don't remember act" didn't impress anybody, hell (whoops pardon me), I didn't buy it and I knew it was all lies anyway. I should have left him cooking at that taco stand in front of TCU where I found him.
(Sniffle, sniffle) Harriet is still pissed off that I withdrew her nomination to the Supreme court , but what could I do. Hell (whoops pardon me) I knew she wasn't qualified but I expected the troops to rally around her, not laugh hysterically.
Sniffle sniffle-And God I sure don't understand why you wanted me to invade Iraq if it was to become such a disaster. People used to laugh at me for digging dry holes in oil country. Now they sneer and call me stupid-just because every reason I gave for the invasion turned out to be false, and Iraq has fallen apart...sniffle, sniffle, boo hoo--
(GOD)--Now wait a sec, I never told you to dismantle the Iraqi army..that was all Rummy's idea. Also I never told you to go in with too small an army now did I? Rummy had all these dumb plans you went along with so don't blame me.
(beep beep) GOD- oh shit (whoops pardon me) that's that damned call waiting..I'll be right back...
( GOD) Sorry George I have to take this call, it's Brittany Spears on the other line--she needs to lose 15 pounds in two days.
PS--how can Americans swallow the crap put out by this president. In his press conference they asked him an economic question--he said "I only got a C in economics but I got an A in fiscal responsibility" WTF? Even most conservatives have turned away from this phonySOB..balanced budgets? How about adding trillions to the long term debt now owned by China. Now Mr. Mattel has apologized to the Chinese for the crappy and dangerous stuff they manufacture..can you imagine--so sorry for making you put lead in my painted toys, bowing deeply. I mean I like Mu Shu pork as much as the next guy but this is mind boggling. I really think Americans should start a boycott of anything made in China. Lets bring our manufacturing back home where it belongs. From now on I'm eating Thai food--anything but Chinese--that will teach them!