I am so ready for warmer weather. Just yesterday, the sun was out and it was nice to stand outside on the balcony a few times in the afternoon... but always after a certain time approaching early evening, the slight chill comes back in tandem with the setting sun. I can't wait for the Spring, when you won't need a jacket just to sit outside. A rough winter, from all the ice storms and floods where I started out to a little milder here in the east. There was a major snow storm that followed me all the way out here though in early January, starting in St. Louis. That one dumped a couple of feet in some places.
Did some fine tuning on the new (though still amateur-like) website for the group, Bailey's Java Cafe. Its something of a newsletter for group members, to highlight what new projects they have coming up, any kind of news they want posted. So check it out, won't you?
Bailey's Newsletter
Always on the look-out for new poets in the group, or even those who just enjoy reading poetry.
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Monday, March 14, 2005
Chi
There is
something always so perfect
in the sway, watching
that shift in balance,
the act and energy
of demonstration, the
side-to-side.
Display confidence,
display peace,
quality of breath in measured
form; intake, outgoing.
Standing close now
I'm wondering if this is
actually what he means
by "zen"
as I fall so much deeper.
There is
something always so perfect
in the sway, watching
that shift in balance,
the act and energy
of demonstration, the
side-to-side.
Display confidence,
display peace,
quality of breath in measured
form; intake, outgoing.
Standing close now
I'm wondering if this is
actually what he means
by "zen"
as I fall so much deeper.
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
Sense of Place
From outside in
there are stars
everywhere
a representation that
follows the same path
as Orion's belt nightly,
as symphonic an
instrumental burning up
the night and vanished
by morning.
Stars and sun and moon,
a morning blend, cats
and candlelight -
to me everything here
tastes and sounds
like belonging,
everything here touches
more like home than a
home ever was.
From outside in
there are stars
everywhere
a representation that
follows the same path
as Orion's belt nightly,
as symphonic an
instrumental burning up
the night and vanished
by morning.
Stars and sun and moon,
a morning blend, cats
and candlelight -
to me everything here
tastes and sounds
like belonging,
everything here touches
more like home than a
home ever was.
Indian Spring
There - with the sky still so dark
and the air so brittle and crisp
that if anything in this tapestry
should shift the scene would
snap and there would be left a
jagged seam to gaze on.
A break in the beginning colors
of the day moving on slowly over
the flatness of horizons, streamed
through barriers of branches
still towering and alive and
breathing unseen just under the
surface.
There was warmth offered in the
span of one day, then vanishing
sudden, now the trees are bitter
with hope of a false Spring, persuaded
minutes, hours into nearly opening
full just for us.
There - with the sky still so dark
and the air so brittle and crisp
that if anything in this tapestry
should shift the scene would
snap and there would be left a
jagged seam to gaze on.
A break in the beginning colors
of the day moving on slowly over
the flatness of horizons, streamed
through barriers of branches
still towering and alive and
breathing unseen just under the
surface.
There was warmth offered in the
span of one day, then vanishing
sudden, now the trees are bitter
with hope of a false Spring, persuaded
minutes, hours into nearly opening
full just for us.
Monday, March 07, 2005
Awesome news today when I least expected it. I got my page proofs in an email from the publisher, to go over and return. That means "I Am Ready" will be ready and in print possibly as soon as the summer, and not the full year I'd thought. I'm so excited about this. I had to run and tell Robert, "Aw! You gotta come see this..." He was just as surprised as I was, that they decided to keep me in the loop and not make me wait again. I have to admit though, its hard to get a real grasp on the whole thing, I keep going back to the file, check and see if it's still there, lol. I'll definitely keep this updated, that's a given. :D
Gacela of the Dark Death by Frederico Garcia Lorca
I want to sleep the dream of the apples,
to withdraw from the tumult of cemetries.
I want to sleep the dream of that child
who wanted to cut his heart on the high seas.
I don't want to hear again that the dead do not lose their blood,
that the putrid mouth goes on asking for water.
I don't want to learn of the tortures of the grass,
nor of the moon with a serpent's mouth
that labors before dawn.
I want to sleep awhile,
awhile, a minute, a century;
but all must know that I have not died;
that there is a stable of gold in my lips;
that I am the small friend of the West wing;
that I am the intense shadows of my tears.
Cover me at dawn with a veil,
because dawn will throw fistfuls of ants at me,
and wet with hard water my shoes
so that the pincers of the scorpion slide.
For I want to sleep the dream of the apples,
to learn a lament that will cleanse me to earth;
for I want to live with that dark child
who wanted to cut his heart on the high seas.
-- A good article on this poet was in yesterday's Philadelphia Enquirer. I'd heard the name before, but only remembered it vaguely. But after doing a search on Lorca, I found some of his poems... and this one really stood out on the page. Also, if you want to read the article, here's the link: http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/entertainment/11051091.htm
I want to sleep the dream of the apples,
to withdraw from the tumult of cemetries.
I want to sleep the dream of that child
who wanted to cut his heart on the high seas.
I don't want to hear again that the dead do not lose their blood,
that the putrid mouth goes on asking for water.
I don't want to learn of the tortures of the grass,
nor of the moon with a serpent's mouth
that labors before dawn.
I want to sleep awhile,
awhile, a minute, a century;
but all must know that I have not died;
that there is a stable of gold in my lips;
that I am the small friend of the West wing;
that I am the intense shadows of my tears.
Cover me at dawn with a veil,
because dawn will throw fistfuls of ants at me,
and wet with hard water my shoes
so that the pincers of the scorpion slide.
For I want to sleep the dream of the apples,
to learn a lament that will cleanse me to earth;
for I want to live with that dark child
who wanted to cut his heart on the high seas.
-- A good article on this poet was in yesterday's Philadelphia Enquirer. I'd heard the name before, but only remembered it vaguely. But after doing a search on Lorca, I found some of his poems... and this one really stood out on the page. Also, if you want to read the article, here's the link: http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/entertainment/11051091.htm
Sunday, March 06, 2005
Just a shout out to all of you Celtic/Punk music fans out there. Check out Flogging Molly when they come through your area. These guys were in Philly last night and the night before (but alas, I didn't know this until today.) They are currently on tour and headed west. By the way... all you crazies in KC, make sure you catch them when they hit the Beaumont Club on March 11. From there, they'll be in Vegas, to Bakersfield, L.A. and various other California dates before they start on the European leg of the tour... Go to their official website and get the full info.
Saturday, March 05, 2005
Just before falling asleep the other night, we heard from the next apartment a little jingle from a TV ad. No words, just a high-pitched tune, went a little something like this: Do-doo-do-do-doo, Do-doo-do-do-doo... So for the next few days, we were driving ourselves crazy trying to remember which commercial it was from... Then it hit me as I was sitting at the table late one afternoon, half reading, half listening to the television when it came across again. It was a Vonage phone service ad that also offers high speed internet... Mystery solved. But now whenever I'm in the same room or pass the TV on my way out to the balcony, that song gets stuck in my head... Do-doo-do-do-doo! Well, I suppose that's a sure shot better than "Who Let the Dogs Out," or the "Macarena" or even Dah-daah-daah-duh! which accompanied a Volkswagon commercial a few years ago... although, I'm not too sure if that's a good thing. I'm left to wonder... Do I have too much time on my hands these days?
I can't get enough of Bukowski... so here's another one from the book "Betting On The Muse"
the shape of the star by Charles Bukowski
well, you know, he started out as a
comedian
and then it was decided to make
him into a serious
actor,
the public always like that.
and then we decided to make him
politically aware,
we got him to pitch
all the right causes.
then Publicity sent out a story:
how he pulled a woman from a
wrecked car,
how he contributed large sums
to various charities while asking
that his name not be
revealed,
how he was going to give this
Benefit or that Benefit,
donating his time and
talent,
how he saved a child from
drowning,
how he did this and that.
we worked our asses black
and blue to create his
Public Image,
we were just starting to reap
a profit,
then, what happens?
the son of a bitch gets
drugged,
runs his Mercedes off a
cliff near Malibu
and kills himself.
we couldn't do much with
that one.
we claimed some communists
who disliked some of his
causes
had messed with his
brake cables.
that took pretty well
but all in all
we finally had to write him
off
as a dead loss.
we got a new one now,
found some boy
working behind a fish
counter.
Tom is perfect:
totally bland features,
even a few
freckles,
large empty eyes
and a dog-like
grin.
he's a bit addled,
but the clay's all there,
we'll shape him into
what they think they
need.
only with this one
we're going to use a
new twist, we are going to
start him as a serious
actor
and then turn him into
a comedian.
we're thinking all the time
here,
that's what makes
Hollywood
what it
is.
~ Bukowski
( I like to think that if you replaced the word "communists" with "rappers" the story would still be current.)
the shape of the star by Charles Bukowski
well, you know, he started out as a
comedian
and then it was decided to make
him into a serious
actor,
the public always like that.
and then we decided to make him
politically aware,
we got him to pitch
all the right causes.
then Publicity sent out a story:
how he pulled a woman from a
wrecked car,
how he contributed large sums
to various charities while asking
that his name not be
revealed,
how he was going to give this
Benefit or that Benefit,
donating his time and
talent,
how he saved a child from
drowning,
how he did this and that.
we worked our asses black
and blue to create his
Public Image,
we were just starting to reap
a profit,
then, what happens?
the son of a bitch gets
drugged,
runs his Mercedes off a
cliff near Malibu
and kills himself.
we couldn't do much with
that one.
we claimed some communists
who disliked some of his
causes
had messed with his
brake cables.
that took pretty well
but all in all
we finally had to write him
off
as a dead loss.
we got a new one now,
found some boy
working behind a fish
counter.
Tom is perfect:
totally bland features,
even a few
freckles,
large empty eyes
and a dog-like
grin.
he's a bit addled,
but the clay's all there,
we'll shape him into
what they think they
need.
only with this one
we're going to use a
new twist, we are going to
start him as a serious
actor
and then turn him into
a comedian.
we're thinking all the time
here,
that's what makes
Hollywood
what it
is.
~ Bukowski
( I like to think that if you replaced the word "communists" with "rappers" the story would still be current.)
Friday, March 04, 2005
In Root
If you can stare at the blank
page long enough, they will come.
Stand guard over rides come to rest
in a parking lot long after dusk
has settled in for the night,
surrounding a first floor balcony,
they will surely come.
Analyze the bark where a tree stands
at the end, push-packed in
snowdrifts furthest from the drive;
they will eventually come.
They will come numbered as passengers
in planes beginning their descent
from the skies, the air
is full of them. They are myriad
meanings en route, in root.
Its all there.
Its all here.
How scary is the page, really?
At any other time, any other location
I would have prayed hard for deliverance
from all things of obstacle, that which
stifles and blocks and torments.
But not today.
If you can stare at the blank
page long enough, they will come.
Stand guard over rides come to rest
in a parking lot long after dusk
has settled in for the night,
surrounding a first floor balcony,
they will surely come.
Analyze the bark where a tree stands
at the end, push-packed in
snowdrifts furthest from the drive;
they will eventually come.
They will come numbered as passengers
in planes beginning their descent
from the skies, the air
is full of them. They are myriad
meanings en route, in root.
Its all there.
Its all here.
How scary is the page, really?
At any other time, any other location
I would have prayed hard for deliverance
from all things of obstacle, that which
stifles and blocks and torments.
But not today.
Thursday, March 03, 2005
And the story continues:
http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/southjersey/m030205d.htm
I guess I'll keep posting updates on this until justice is served... :P
No there's nothing new at the moment... I did hear from Jason, and in a vague kind of way, Laura too. She didn't want to email me - says that email is so yesterday, in other words:
"emailing is for losers lol....how have u been..i have no minutes on my phone..so i cant call u..but u can call the house phone if u need to get a hold of me..well ill ttyl...luv yas..byee"
They all communicate out in the open now on their Xangas I guess. No privacy, nothing to hide... which, come to think of it, could be a good thing, lol.
I'm still waiting on calls. There's supposed to be one from Pathmark sometime today... I'm gonna take the job if they offer it.. I'm going crazy from not doing anything. I never thought it would be like this. I was told its just because its been a slow time everywhere, after the holidays. So I'm really hoping things will pick up now. I can't wait to start working again, I can't say that enough. This really feels like some kind of limbo and I'm more than ready to get out of it.
http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/southjersey/m030205d.htm
I guess I'll keep posting updates on this until justice is served... :P
No there's nothing new at the moment... I did hear from Jason, and in a vague kind of way, Laura too. She didn't want to email me - says that email is so yesterday, in other words:
"emailing is for losers lol....how have u been..i have no minutes on my phone..so i cant call u..but u can call the house phone if u need to get a hold of me..well ill ttyl...luv yas..byee"
They all communicate out in the open now on their Xangas I guess. No privacy, nothing to hide... which, come to think of it, could be a good thing, lol.
I'm still waiting on calls. There's supposed to be one from Pathmark sometime today... I'm gonna take the job if they offer it.. I'm going crazy from not doing anything. I never thought it would be like this. I was told its just because its been a slow time everywhere, after the holidays. So I'm really hoping things will pick up now. I can't wait to start working again, I can't say that enough. This really feels like some kind of limbo and I'm more than ready to get out of it.
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
There's a light snow falling early this morning. Unless you're looking out from underneath an overhang or out in it before anyone else is, you'd have to look at the streetlights to see that its even there at all. A haze over the best parts of the morning, and hardly a breeze; the snow is just drifting downward. Slowly. It was a little different last night when I wrote this:
Cause and Effect
I am surrounded by
the night air with its clear
breath of ice and plural
reflection its crystals.
This vision is pure,
I sense; too far away
and the soul is meant to
watch from where it stands
and wonder how long before
those still in existance burn out
completely.
From stillness the awful silence
churns since hours immemorial
until implosion sets a time frame
closing in on itself
like cardboard dominoes
becoming ash
in slow motion.
Cause and Effect
I am surrounded by
the night air with its clear
breath of ice and plural
reflection its crystals.
This vision is pure,
I sense; too far away
and the soul is meant to
watch from where it stands
and wonder how long before
those still in existance burn out
completely.
From stillness the awful silence
churns since hours immemorial
until implosion sets a time frame
closing in on itself
like cardboard dominoes
becoming ash
in slow motion.
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
There is No Title
How many rotten things
in Denmark, Scotland
or Ireland...
My words gone
called away wasted
into a void, black hole
of eventual love tuned
out, turn away, tone deaf
when there's nothing to
say or hear...
My words gone into
a length of no tomorrow.
How many more times
would it be ok to whisper
in your ear, "I miss you"
You become a shadow I need
to touch. Kill me with this
closeness just out of reach,
worse than before and still
worth the pain.
I'm not alright,
but I will be.
How many rotten things
in Denmark, Scotland
or Ireland...
My words gone
called away wasted
into a void, black hole
of eventual love tuned
out, turn away, tone deaf
when there's nothing to
say or hear...
My words gone into
a length of no tomorrow.
How many more times
would it be ok to whisper
in your ear, "I miss you"
You become a shadow I need
to touch. Kill me with this
closeness just out of reach,
worse than before and still
worth the pain.
I'm not alright,
but I will be.
Monday, February 28, 2005
I'm waiting patiently for a call from Kennedy Hospital. I turned in an application there last Friday. Ok, so I'm not all that patient in the waiting... I'm just so anxious to get back to work. Its all just got me jittery. Its been way too long, I need to get to work, get a paycheck coming in, make myself useful.. have a purpose for the day.
Geez... God, I hope they call today. That place would be perfect, they have several openings I found out when I went there. I left them my resume along with the application I filled out. It's close, within walking distance (not even as far as when I walked to Regional.) Like I said, that place would be so perfect. Well, enough of that... They'll call, they'll call. I'm ready for an interview NOW.
I found an update on what I posted yesterday...
Since this is an ongoing story about the local animal abuse case, I'm posting a link for updates.
http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/southjersey/m022805e.htm
Geez... God, I hope they call today. That place would be perfect, they have several openings I found out when I went there. I left them my resume along with the application I filled out. It's close, within walking distance (not even as far as when I walked to Regional.) Like I said, that place would be so perfect. Well, enough of that... They'll call, they'll call. I'm ready for an interview NOW.
I found an update on what I posted yesterday...
Since this is an ongoing story about the local animal abuse case, I'm posting a link for updates.
http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/southjersey/m022805e.htm
Sunday, February 27, 2005
Animal Abuse Rant
Inexcusable, well worth an angry outburst. I've had it with people who think they can get away with things like this... it happens everywhere. And again it's very close to where I live, both figuratively and literally. But as angry as I am, I found some good things to this story. One is the fact that the perpetrators and location are mentioned by name in the media...Yes! Let everyone know what monsters are on the next street or block... They deserve the unwelcome attention. Now it's only a matter of time before they're found. And two, judging from the article it sounds like the authorities are ready to make the charges stick. I really hope it gets to that point. I've seen so many cases where there's a breakdown in the system, (The "Boys will be boys" syndrome, if you will) where the abuser may get nothing more than a slap on the wrist. Or a witness is intimidated to the point where he or she drops the charges. Any number of things could happen between now and then; the point where someone actually serves jail time for an offense. I find it hard to believe that many people still operate under the umbrella of ignorance, claiming they didn't know that animal neglect and abuse is considered a crime now. So yeah, I'm calling for these two to be turned in. I'm calling for criminal charges and proceedings. I'm calling for jail time. For once, make an abuse case stick.
33 dogs rescued at Maple Shade house
Sunday, February 27, 2005
A neighbor's complaint about excessive dog barking led to the rescue Saturday of 33 dogs living in filth at a home here.
More than half the dogs were malnourished, said Matt Stanton, spokesman for the state Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Some had parasites, but all will recover, Stanton said.
Authorities are looking for Michael and Shirley Smith, the couple who had been renting the home at 130 W. Rudderow Ave., where the dogs were found.
Michael, 57, is believed to have worked for an auto auction in Philadelphia, Stanton said. Shirley's age is 55. Together, they will be charged with a combined 396 counts of animal cruelty, abandonment, failure to provide proper shelter and failure to provide proper sustenance.
The SPCA posted a warning on the house. After 48 hours, agents determined that no one had been in the home during that time.
Agents found 17 dogs locked in one bedroom. Stanton said five air conditioners were running in an effort to ventilate the home. The dogs were taken to the Burlington County Animal Shelter, where they are being treated.
Saturday, February 26, 2005
I'm in a colorful mood today while I'm waiting for Spring... There was snow last Thursday, chilly today. Tomorrow will be alright, but Monday they say we're gonna get hit with more snow. A lot more.
I've been putting applications everywhere I can think of. Just yesterday I found just how close the hospital actually was... its like a ten-minute walk from here. Now I'm kicking myself for not going there sooner (instead of going all these other places by bus the next couple of towns over and having to transfer... and ending up lost, lol.) Well the good part is, there are positions open and I have experience in at least two separate departments. Some are part-time, some a full shift, and the hours would be perfect. I'm hoping they call early next week. In the meantime, I've gone to interviews at PetSmart and Pathmark, and should hear back from one of them soon too, I hope. Got another interview on Monday, hope the weather isn't too bad.
Has anybody been watching Survivor? Better catch it while you can, already two shows down and 4 members gone... Things happen fast on that show. Oh, and not to forget American Idol. This should get good, too as time goes on. But, oh woe is me... I have yet to hear anything about my absolute favorite show -Russell Simmons' Def Poetry. I'm wondering if they haven't actually cancelled it by now. :( Not a good thing.
I've been putting applications everywhere I can think of. Just yesterday I found just how close the hospital actually was... its like a ten-minute walk from here. Now I'm kicking myself for not going there sooner (instead of going all these other places by bus the next couple of towns over and having to transfer... and ending up lost, lol.) Well the good part is, there are positions open and I have experience in at least two separate departments. Some are part-time, some a full shift, and the hours would be perfect. I'm hoping they call early next week. In the meantime, I've gone to interviews at PetSmart and Pathmark, and should hear back from one of them soon too, I hope. Got another interview on Monday, hope the weather isn't too bad.
Has anybody been watching Survivor? Better catch it while you can, already two shows down and 4 members gone... Things happen fast on that show. Oh, and not to forget American Idol. This should get good, too as time goes on. But, oh woe is me... I have yet to hear anything about my absolute favorite show -Russell Simmons' Def Poetry. I'm wondering if they haven't actually cancelled it by now. :( Not a good thing.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
The sense of self-worth at this point is equal to employment. Almost driving myself crazy... Is it time to panic yet? In a few minutes, I'll call someone named Dave to find out what's available at his end. This after he accidentally let his associate fill the position I was to interview for.. After that, I'm going to Voorhees to intervew for a hotel housekeeping job. Yesterday I sent a few applications online, the day before that, I went to Petsmart and survived the first of a potentially two-part interview. I haven't heard back from them yet.
There's a storm coming, about 3 inches of accumulated snow. Hopefully I'll get back before it gets too bad.
Well, as for the evening - There's always the second installment of Survivor... Let's watch!
There's a storm coming, about 3 inches of accumulated snow. Hopefully I'll get back before it gets too bad.
Well, as for the evening - There's always the second installment of Survivor... Let's watch!
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Presentation
If only you knew the pull of words,
understand when the sound is
never dry recitation.
Understand then - that the pull
is vital when lifted off a page,
levitated with the force of purpose,
drama pulling conscience toward some
pulse of survival, to be in the moment
of a phrase, a unique absolute full of
electrons - a sappy, sureal natural
high just to watch.
And listen.
And learn.
Wouldn't you thank God for this?
Thank the muse for presentation
like that? We all would.
One to stand up, throw down
seeking to shock, anger,
make you cry, handstand for joy;
get inside your brain,
get inside your soul.
All the words to get you
and me up out of our seats and
osmosis the cause like microscopic
cells thriving in a Martian sea
of ice.
-- Not only remembering all the Def Poetry performances on cable, which I wish would show up again soon... But really going all the way back to the Java Cafe in Fresno when I went to my first poetry reading. They invited a group of spoken-word poets from Sacramento and I was just blown away by the whole evening. They read from notebooks... They read and every word they spoke seemed to have a life of its own.
If only you knew the pull of words,
understand when the sound is
never dry recitation.
Understand then - that the pull
is vital when lifted off a page,
levitated with the force of purpose,
drama pulling conscience toward some
pulse of survival, to be in the moment
of a phrase, a unique absolute full of
electrons - a sappy, sureal natural
high just to watch.
And listen.
And learn.
Wouldn't you thank God for this?
Thank the muse for presentation
like that? We all would.
One to stand up, throw down
seeking to shock, anger,
make you cry, handstand for joy;
get inside your brain,
get inside your soul.
All the words to get you
and me up out of our seats and
osmosis the cause like microscopic
cells thriving in a Martian sea
of ice.
-- Not only remembering all the Def Poetry performances on cable, which I wish would show up again soon... But really going all the way back to the Java Cafe in Fresno when I went to my first poetry reading. They invited a group of spoken-word poets from Sacramento and I was just blown away by the whole evening. They read from notebooks... They read and every word they spoke seemed to have a life of its own.
Well, there were tornados in Sacramento... it reminds me of that movie "The Day After Tomorrow" when the weather everywhere went haywire. I still have friends in Fresno, just hope they're dealing with all the rain and mudslides ok.
I've been keeping busy with applications and interviews. Some places haven't worked out, but I'm trying to keep something happening everyday. Like this morning I was to go for an interview, so I called before I headed out. The guy told me his partner had already filled the position. But like I said, I'm trying to have something happening on a regular basis until I find something. I've been to Target, a grocery store, some places at the Mall. Today I went to PetSmart for an interview, hope they call me back for a second one. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for that, 'cause I would love that kind of work. They have a couple of openings so that doubles my chances, plus its so close to home... would be just perfect for me.
Home... I think the best thing I ever could have done was move here, away from all the stress and everything else, I don't think I've ever been as happy. I think back on how long I've wanted this this and how scary, how much of a risk it was... always knew it would be well worth the risk, and never imagined just how good this was going to be. So in love... I could touch his face, spend hours looking into his eyes.
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Cool news on the ASPCA
Russell Simmons Joins the ASPCA in Launching Anti-Cruelty Campaign
Tuesday, February 1, 2005
Hip-Hop mogul appears in national public service announcement campaign and takes a stand against animal cruelty.
(NEW YORK, NY) February 1, 2005 -- Hip-hop mogul, entrepreneur, political activist, and animal lover Russell Simmons has joined The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) to launch a national campaign to help raise awareness of and eliminate animal abuse and neglect.
"There is nothing cool about being cruel to animals, they have no choice and no voice," says Simmons, who is featured in a national television and print public service announcement (PSA) campaign. "Animal cruelty happens every day in America and people just sit by and do nothing."
The ASPCA is encouraging Americans to be vigilant for animal cruelty in their neighborhoods and visit www.aspca.org to learn how to identify possible animal cruelty.
Monday, February 21, 2005
A Duster
Bits of a cloud, several clouds
descended this morning
like confetti and left dust
on Einstein branches centered
across the way, viewed from
the loft where I stand.
No two configurations
are exactly alike
but once in a while,
every once in a while
you can find one
that bears an almost
perfect mirror image
of another.
Bits of a cloud, several clouds
descended this morning
like confetti and left dust
on Einstein branches centered
across the way, viewed from
the loft where I stand.
No two configurations
are exactly alike
but once in a while,
every once in a while
you can find one
that bears an almost
perfect mirror image
of another.
Saturday, February 19, 2005
I've been putting my resume and applications online since before I moved. Last week I went in person to the Mall out here to put in some applications, among them a place in the food court called the Lotus Blossom. Its next to a cajun entre place - two different restaurants, same management. Well I was put to work the next night, unpaid training, in the same spot behind the counter... hardly any movement at all.. I could tell right away, that was not the job for me. I even came close to calling over some of the janitors just to ask if they wanted to trade jobs, lol... Well of course I never went back. But... Now here's the good news. I got a call yesterday morning from someone who'd seen my resume online and wanted to set up an interview for Monday, here in town. The file clerk position would be an easy route to get to by bus. I am keeping my fingers crossed.
Finally figured out how to send a file (to the publishers) - having access to a real computer and not just a webtv deal certainly helps. So now that I know for sure that they have my file, I'll just say that the book I Am Ready is in text production stage, and that it will still be quite a while till I hear more about it. I figure I'm just lucky to be able to send the stuff they needed, I went months trying to figure how to do it with something that couldn't even open a file, lol.
Finally figured out how to send a file (to the publishers) - having access to a real computer and not just a webtv deal certainly helps. So now that I know for sure that they have my file, I'll just say that the book I Am Ready is in text production stage, and that it will still be quite a while till I hear more about it. I figure I'm just lucky to be able to send the stuff they needed, I went months trying to figure how to do it with something that couldn't even open a file, lol.
Friday, February 18, 2005
These Stars
How early this morning
to brave a chilled breeze,
a lingering before dawn that
hovers among balconies before
passing on its way.
I reach with icy fingers
for a warm coffee mug,
then face upwards
to a still dark sky where
the brightest signals
are steady;
they are still here
as I am still here.
I thank them:
This is what I've wanted,
this is what I cherish now.
His heart is pure
and we are together.
How early this morning
to brave a chilled breeze,
a lingering before dawn that
hovers among balconies before
passing on its way.
I reach with icy fingers
for a warm coffee mug,
then face upwards
to a still dark sky where
the brightest signals
are steady;
they are still here
as I am still here.
I thank them:
This is what I've wanted,
this is what I cherish now.
His heart is pure
and we are together.
Thursday, February 17, 2005
I was reminded of this just the other day, so I went back and looked for the link. Please, if you have a few extra seconds during your day, click this link to help a shelter or homeless animal. Visiting the site won't cost you a cent, and every click means a small sponsored donation for homeless animals.
The Animal Rescue Site
The Animal Rescue Site
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Well, after months and months of stewing about the book, not having access to a real computer to send a file of the manuscript. I've sent it off to the publishers. Hopefully its in the right format this time. The last time I sent it (and I really thought it went through) they never got it. I have my fingers crossed, wish me luck. The next thing is the waiting.
Went on an application-filling mission yesterday at the local mall. A lot of stops at the food court, although many of them didn't seem to know what an application was... well, one didn't, lol. Then later on to a Target store for some supplies: Coffeemaker and filters. So today there was some Real Coffee :D I'd almost forgot what I was missing. Stopped by a PetSmart, found that they take mass applications/interviews every Tuesday at 3 pm. so I'm really wanting to get back there next week, that would be a better place to work, the way I am around animals.
I've filled out more applications here within the past week than my entire time in Philly... Its such a better place for jobs, and nearly anything else, than where I was before.
Went on an application-filling mission yesterday at the local mall. A lot of stops at the food court, although many of them didn't seem to know what an application was... well, one didn't, lol. Then later on to a Target store for some supplies: Coffeemaker and filters. So today there was some Real Coffee :D I'd almost forgot what I was missing. Stopped by a PetSmart, found that they take mass applications/interviews every Tuesday at 3 pm. so I'm really wanting to get back there next week, that would be a better place to work, the way I am around animals.
I've filled out more applications here within the past week than my entire time in Philly... Its such a better place for jobs, and nearly anything else, than where I was before.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
For Confirmation
I want to capture the trees,
darkroom them inside,
place the squared all around
the stark white spaces
where you can vision them
year-round in your sleep,
underneath perfect branches
all for your faith in the
first stars, the brightest stars
shining through them, there for you
to count scientific with prisms
and tubes and maps of the sky
for conformation.
I want to capture the trees.
I want to capture the trees,
darkroom them inside,
place the squared all around
the stark white spaces
where you can vision them
year-round in your sleep,
underneath perfect branches
all for your faith in the
first stars, the brightest stars
shining through them, there for you
to count scientific with prisms
and tubes and maps of the sky
for conformation.
I want to capture the trees.
Security Synonomous
It can never come from an
outside world to be grabbed
like the short hairs on some
CEO, a suit, a patron saint
of banks which are sometimes
built in the way of cathedrals,
ungodly monuments that stand
in the way at times crushing
what is real.
Nyet - it must come from a source.
It comes from that sense of
belonging, finding whatever
place to call home
which is only a home
because of who is there
lighting candles to
brighten the way.
It can never come from an
outside world to be grabbed
like the short hairs on some
CEO, a suit, a patron saint
of banks which are sometimes
built in the way of cathedrals,
ungodly monuments that stand
in the way at times crushing
what is real.
Nyet - it must come from a source.
It comes from that sense of
belonging, finding whatever
place to call home
which is only a home
because of who is there
lighting candles to
brighten the way.
Here's hoping everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day. I found it to be the way it should be, very peaceful, loving, gentle.
Oh boy, he's been spoiling me. Lol. But more than that...
"Sigh" I have been doing that a lot lately.. breathing deep sighs of relief, and enjoying it. I am lucky I was able to find what I needed. Able to offer the same and finding acceptance of it all. I've been all smiles, inside and out, been able to rest, away from the chaos of places I was before. There is such peace here at home. I am home.
Oh boy, he's been spoiling me. Lol. But more than that...
"Sigh" I have been doing that a lot lately.. breathing deep sighs of relief, and enjoying it. I am lucky I was able to find what I needed. Able to offer the same and finding acceptance of it all. I've been all smiles, inside and out, been able to rest, away from the chaos of places I was before. There is such peace here at home. I am home.
Saturday, February 12, 2005
Kaufman Stadium and Verizon Wireless
Hey... You remember
Sandstone? That big outdoor
place under the stars where all
the big names used to come by
and play.
Remember how we
always said it was the perfect
title for such a venue, how it
sounded like some blend, a native
whisp of herb and smoke, like
sandalwood that made it legendary
far, far into the future in the way
of Callanish.
Wow... and remember how one
or several rich sponsorships
somehow made off with it one day?
Yeah, when their pencil dashing,
bid acommodating, corporate
changing, suit wearing apostles
waved their briefcases over
each seat and merch table
like contract-filled magic wands,
and thus ransomed the legend Sandstone.
Awesome. So you do remember.
When I returned, I always did
miss that place.
Hey... You remember
Sandstone? That big outdoor
place under the stars where all
the big names used to come by
and play.
Remember how we
always said it was the perfect
title for such a venue, how it
sounded like some blend, a native
whisp of herb and smoke, like
sandalwood that made it legendary
far, far into the future in the way
of Callanish.
Wow... and remember how one
or several rich sponsorships
somehow made off with it one day?
Yeah, when their pencil dashing,
bid acommodating, corporate
changing, suit wearing apostles
waved their briefcases over
each seat and merch table
like contract-filled magic wands,
and thus ransomed the legend Sandstone.
Awesome. So you do remember.
When I returned, I always did
miss that place.
Friday, February 11, 2005
Hot Pavement
The purple flowers on vines
my mother called "clematis"
twisted and followed their
path up a trellis to the
right of our front door.
On the other side,
almost hidden by them
every spring, a blue
evergreen offered home
to a nest of baby robins.
I never knew how many times
she plotted rescue from
the living room window -
I've lost count of those
sudden dashes out the door,
kitchen broom in hand
ready to shoo away the
"mean old neighbor cat"
who always came to play
with her first symbols
of spring.
I lost count.
All I chose to remember
are the endless warm days
stretching into each other
when my feet itched to
find the freedom of cool
lawns, hot pavement,
with those invariable
bloody big toe mishaps;
skin flapping as I was
forced to walk slower,
then re-enter the house:
Normal step, heel, step,
heel - try not to dirty
the floor on the way to
the bathroom medicine
cabinet holding that
trusty box of Band-Aids.
Ask myself, "One? Two is better."
I'm satisfied with a job well done,
dash back to some glorious day
again to the freedom of
sprinkler-wet grass between toes
and at dusk
with my father's warning,
"Chigger bites in the grass,
don't sit there" fading fast
im my ears, I'm off to find
a suitable container for
those strange flying things
that flicker in the air
at eye level.
The purple flowers on vines
my mother called "clematis"
twisted and followed their
path up a trellis to the
right of our front door.
On the other side,
almost hidden by them
every spring, a blue
evergreen offered home
to a nest of baby robins.
I never knew how many times
she plotted rescue from
the living room window -
I've lost count of those
sudden dashes out the door,
kitchen broom in hand
ready to shoo away the
"mean old neighbor cat"
who always came to play
with her first symbols
of spring.
I lost count.
All I chose to remember
are the endless warm days
stretching into each other
when my feet itched to
find the freedom of cool
lawns, hot pavement,
with those invariable
bloody big toe mishaps;
skin flapping as I was
forced to walk slower,
then re-enter the house:
Normal step, heel, step,
heel - try not to dirty
the floor on the way to
the bathroom medicine
cabinet holding that
trusty box of Band-Aids.
Ask myself, "One? Two is better."
I'm satisfied with a job well done,
dash back to some glorious day
again to the freedom of
sprinkler-wet grass between toes
and at dusk
with my father's warning,
"Chigger bites in the grass,
don't sit there" fading fast
im my ears, I'm off to find
a suitable container for
those strange flying things
that flicker in the air
at eye level.
One Hot Topic
I stand before you
because I didn't fall behind,
here with a story that has a
knack for giving misery
a frozen language of its own
for all its friends.
This is just some story
of a little boy with flashy
ambition, coins, colors, tattoos,
spiked blue hair with a streak
of red and an ego to match
who thought he could rule
the world
one band at a time.
~ Ok, ok.. it sounds like a shot. It probably is. All I can say is, rest in peace, Fed Up... Long live A Delicate Disaster. Hahaha!
I stand before you
because I didn't fall behind,
here with a story that has a
knack for giving misery
a frozen language of its own
for all its friends.
This is just some story
of a little boy with flashy
ambition, coins, colors, tattoos,
spiked blue hair with a streak
of red and an ego to match
who thought he could rule
the world
one band at a time.
~ Ok, ok.. it sounds like a shot. It probably is. All I can say is, rest in peace, Fed Up... Long live A Delicate Disaster. Hahaha!
Pain For a Daughter by Anne Sexton
Blind with love, my daughter
has cried nightly for horses,
those long-necked marchers and churners
that she has mastered, any and all,
reining them in like a circus hand-
the exitable muscles and the ripe neck;
tending, this summer, a pony and a foal.
She who is too squeamish to pull
a thorn from the dog's paw
watched her pony blossom with distemper,
the underside of the jaw swelling
like an enormous grape.
Gritting her teeth with love
she drained the boil and scoured it
with hydrogen peroxide until pus
ran like milk on the barn floor.
Blind with loss all winter,
in dungarees, a ski jacket, and a hard hat,
she visits the neighbor's stable,
our acreage not zoned for barns;
they who own the flamining horses
and the swan-whipped thoroughbred
that she tugs at and cajoles,
thinking it will burn like a furnace
under her small-hipped English seat.
Blind with pain she limps home.
The thoroughbred has stood on her foot.
He rested there like a building.
He grew into her foot like they were one.
The marks of the horseshoes printed
into her flesh, the tips of her toes
ripped off like pieces of leather,
three toenails swirled like shells
and left to float in blood in her riding boot.
Blind with fear she sits on the toilet,
her foot balanced over the washbasin,
her father, hydrogen peroxide in hand,
performing the rites of the cleansing.
She bites on a towel, sucked-in breath,
sucked-in and arched against the pain,
her eyes glancing off me where
I stand at the door, eyes locked
on the ceiling, eyes of a stranger,
and then she cries...
"Oh my God, help me!"
Where a child would have cried Mama!
Where a child would have believed Mama!
She bit the towel and called on God
and I saw her life stretched out...
I saw her torn in childbirth,
and I saw her, in that moment,
in her own death and I knew that she
knew.
~ Anne Sexton
- From Tangled Vines: A Collection of Mother and Daughter Poems, edited by Lyn Lifshin (Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, publ. 1992)
-Reprinted from Live or Die by Anne Sexton (Houghton Mifflin Co. 1966)
This one really jumped out at me when I was reading through the book, partly because this is one of my favorite poets, and also maybe I was missing my daughter back in the midwest...
Blind with love, my daughter
has cried nightly for horses,
those long-necked marchers and churners
that she has mastered, any and all,
reining them in like a circus hand-
the exitable muscles and the ripe neck;
tending, this summer, a pony and a foal.
She who is too squeamish to pull
a thorn from the dog's paw
watched her pony blossom with distemper,
the underside of the jaw swelling
like an enormous grape.
Gritting her teeth with love
she drained the boil and scoured it
with hydrogen peroxide until pus
ran like milk on the barn floor.
Blind with loss all winter,
in dungarees, a ski jacket, and a hard hat,
she visits the neighbor's stable,
our acreage not zoned for barns;
they who own the flamining horses
and the swan-whipped thoroughbred
that she tugs at and cajoles,
thinking it will burn like a furnace
under her small-hipped English seat.
Blind with pain she limps home.
The thoroughbred has stood on her foot.
He rested there like a building.
He grew into her foot like they were one.
The marks of the horseshoes printed
into her flesh, the tips of her toes
ripped off like pieces of leather,
three toenails swirled like shells
and left to float in blood in her riding boot.
Blind with fear she sits on the toilet,
her foot balanced over the washbasin,
her father, hydrogen peroxide in hand,
performing the rites of the cleansing.
She bites on a towel, sucked-in breath,
sucked-in and arched against the pain,
her eyes glancing off me where
I stand at the door, eyes locked
on the ceiling, eyes of a stranger,
and then she cries...
"Oh my God, help me!"
Where a child would have cried Mama!
Where a child would have believed Mama!
She bit the towel and called on God
and I saw her life stretched out...
I saw her torn in childbirth,
and I saw her, in that moment,
in her own death and I knew that she
knew.
~ Anne Sexton
- From Tangled Vines: A Collection of Mother and Daughter Poems, edited by Lyn Lifshin (Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, publ. 1992)
-Reprinted from Live or Die by Anne Sexton (Houghton Mifflin Co. 1966)
This one really jumped out at me when I was reading through the book, partly because this is one of my favorite poets, and also maybe I was missing my daughter back in the midwest...
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Guardian
There are dragon wings
rising from the
illumination of clouds
and timing is all
good things now and ever,
so much to say
even more to feel
and live, and together
there is no need to
voice them all...
He already knows
how this touch
conveys my truth,
knows how these colors
today are so much
brighter thatn the ones
of yesterday;
trees taller, sun warmer
and surrounding me safe
like his arms, comforted
we are tucked away
from the world, finding
solace in each other...
Knows the intensity
in connection, how
risk can be worth it all.
I swear sometimes
he has the peaceful face
of a guardian.
--Haha! First poem in about a month. It's about time, huh? Lol. Oh Happy Day :D
There are dragon wings
rising from the
illumination of clouds
and timing is all
good things now and ever,
so much to say
even more to feel
and live, and together
there is no need to
voice them all...
He already knows
how this touch
conveys my truth,
knows how these colors
today are so much
brighter thatn the ones
of yesterday;
trees taller, sun warmer
and surrounding me safe
like his arms, comforted
we are tucked away
from the world, finding
solace in each other...
Knows the intensity
in connection, how
risk can be worth it all.
I swear sometimes
he has the peaceful face
of a guardian.
--Haha! First poem in about a month. It's about time, huh? Lol. Oh Happy Day :D
Sunday, January 16, 2005
Couldn't sleep, so I'm job-hunting online... feel like hounding those ppl I've sent applications to, on a daily basis by now.. it's been a week.
... Just found out last night. I talked to my daughter on the phone... asked how Ozzy was. They got rid of him... actually got rid of him.. I wonder now, why didn't they just do it when I was prepared for it, instead of delaying the friggin' inevitable.. Damn.. not Ozzy! Yep, Ozzy.
Was my buddy, huggin-cat. Maybe somebody'll take him home. :l
... Just found out last night. I talked to my daughter on the phone... asked how Ozzy was. They got rid of him... actually got rid of him.. I wonder now, why didn't they just do it when I was prepared for it, instead of delaying the friggin' inevitable.. Damn.. not Ozzy! Yep, Ozzy.
Was my buddy, huggin-cat. Maybe somebody'll take him home. :l
Saturday, January 15, 2005
Warhol's Pittsburgh
Ongoing rumble of dark, past
the snow and delays, decay of roads
and distance; how it falls away
with each view from a window seat.
Funny what you can remember
while the snowfall is still fresh-
that finally a clear Dio on this
static-ridden walkman coincides
with entering Pittsburgh...
Warhol's Pittsburgh
(means I'm closer still.)
But wait, savor that beginning
while there's still time to see it,
before it all flashes by in a series
of row houses built so close
together there doesn't seem room
enough to breathe, let alone paint.
They always said
it was the sameness of it all,
the daily grind of boredom,
the monotony and unchanging
life that launched a legend.
Ongoing rumble of dark, past
the snow and delays, decay of roads
and distance; how it falls away
with each view from a window seat.
Funny what you can remember
while the snowfall is still fresh-
that finally a clear Dio on this
static-ridden walkman coincides
with entering Pittsburgh...
Warhol's Pittsburgh
(means I'm closer still.)
But wait, savor that beginning
while there's still time to see it,
before it all flashes by in a series
of row houses built so close
together there doesn't seem room
enough to breathe, let alone paint.
They always said
it was the sameness of it all,
the daily grind of boredom,
the monotony and unchanging
life that launched a legend.
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
From A Feeling That Simply Is
For what you are
for what you always were
and what you still hope to be.
Its for how you thirst
believing only in certain paths
so many times the hardest ones
to follow; the familiar ones,
and those still unknown.
But if there was one path
most cherished, I'd wish
it to be the one that
leads you to my heart.
Its all for how you dream,
to seek, to hear, experience
so much deeper than most,
still taking in all the knowledge.
This is how you are
my friend, my fear, my need.
This is how I love you.
For what you are
for what you always were
and what you still hope to be.
Its for how you thirst
believing only in certain paths
so many times the hardest ones
to follow; the familiar ones,
and those still unknown.
But if there was one path
most cherished, I'd wish
it to be the one that
leads you to my heart.
Its all for how you dream,
to seek, to hear, experience
so much deeper than most,
still taking in all the knowledge.
This is how you are
my friend, my fear, my need.
This is how I love you.
Monday, January 10, 2005
Well, I finally made my big move, to Philly. It was a long bus ride, with a few delays. It began snowing while on a layover in St. Louis and we followed the storm all the way to Illinois, to the next rest stop. This is where the driver had to stop till further notice, all the sleet and ice on the roads. But to make a long story short. I finally made it... like I said it was a long trip and I was just glad to finally make it here.
The place is really nice, stores about a block away, library just across the street. :) and one of the city buses pass right by here. So everything is pretty convenient to locate... I still need to get some more info on all the routes, but I'm confident that once I can find my way around a lot better, I'll be good to go... I've updated my resume (as far as new address and all) and carry a copy of it with me wherever I go, so I'm ready for putting in new applications... That's about all for now.. more later, haha.... Take care people... This new year seems to be starting out pretty good for me, I'll certainly have to say that.
The place is really nice, stores about a block away, library just across the street. :) and one of the city buses pass right by here. So everything is pretty convenient to locate... I still need to get some more info on all the routes, but I'm confident that once I can find my way around a lot better, I'll be good to go... I've updated my resume (as far as new address and all) and carry a copy of it with me wherever I go, so I'm ready for putting in new applications... That's about all for now.. more later, haha.... Take care people... This new year seems to be starting out pretty good for me, I'll certainly have to say that.
Friday, January 07, 2005
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
Aha! Here's something I didn't know until five minutes ago when my friend Ginger called me on my cell. There's a huge ice storm coming in this afternoon, they're saying it may be just as bad as the last one we had a few years ago when half the city lost power for weeks..
I could be delayed getting out of here. Again.
I'm not getting on the streets with ice under snow like that, that's the worst. Maybe on foot for a short time, but I'm not asking anyone for a car ride that's for sure. Anyway, I'm hoping its not gonna be as bad as they're saying.. or it could be worse, just never know..
So.. if the power goes out. I'm probably gonna be stuck here for the next day or so.. Just wait and find out I guess.
But it can be both ugly and beautiful at the same time...
I could be delayed getting out of here. Again.
I'm not getting on the streets with ice under snow like that, that's the worst. Maybe on foot for a short time, but I'm not asking anyone for a car ride that's for sure. Anyway, I'm hoping its not gonna be as bad as they're saying.. or it could be worse, just never know..
So.. if the power goes out. I'm probably gonna be stuck here for the next day or so.. Just wait and find out I guess.
But it can be both ugly and beautiful at the same time...
Sunday, January 02, 2005
Last
Connections made
all the difference
here to be settled.
This ship has been
sinking for too long
so to make the trek once
more from the top
of the list, through
Sugar Creek, then Fairmont,
Maywood and on toward a badge
of seventy-two steps,
going forward and looking back
sketching on recollection, I
slip downstairs, steep ones,
eleven of them with that concrete
wall on the left and the moon
over my right shoulder.
Always looking up and back
making sure its still there,
who is still there
not still there.
The ghost of a yellow lab
alternately leading, then
following through fog
the entire way.
Five corners to go,
cross for the third time
and finally the grasp of a
door handle... Goodbye.
Connections made
all the difference
here to be settled.
This ship has been
sinking for too long
so to make the trek once
more from the top
of the list, through
Sugar Creek, then Fairmont,
Maywood and on toward a badge
of seventy-two steps,
going forward and looking back
sketching on recollection, I
slip downstairs, steep ones,
eleven of them with that concrete
wall on the left and the moon
over my right shoulder.
Always looking up and back
making sure its still there,
who is still there
not still there.
The ghost of a yellow lab
alternately leading, then
following through fog
the entire way.
Five corners to go,
cross for the third time
and finally the grasp of a
door handle... Goodbye.
Yay. I survived 2004. Can I say the same for 2005? I want to say "the future's so bright, I gotta wear shades." But that would be really overconfident and completely unrealistic.
At any rate I did make the big decision to move and with any luck it will be the best thing. Really do think its the best choice I could make right now, given the chaos of last year.
My daughter turned 20 yesterday. Her Boston grandparents are still in town, and planning to take her to dinner this evening.
Meanwhile, extended family is having all the drama they can handle, starting off the new year. I don't see how they can live like that... just seems like everyday there's a new crises. Some ppl just need to simplify, and not dwell on the negative trivial.
Well, I'm still in the process of getting things ready to go, so I'd better get a move-on. Haha, no pun intended!
Hope everyone had a wonderful New Year's celebration and can look forward to peaceful times ahead.
At any rate I did make the big decision to move and with any luck it will be the best thing. Really do think its the best choice I could make right now, given the chaos of last year.
My daughter turned 20 yesterday. Her Boston grandparents are still in town, and planning to take her to dinner this evening.
Meanwhile, extended family is having all the drama they can handle, starting off the new year. I don't see how they can live like that... just seems like everyday there's a new crises. Some ppl just need to simplify, and not dwell on the negative trivial.
Well, I'm still in the process of getting things ready to go, so I'd better get a move-on. Haha, no pun intended!
Hope everyone had a wonderful New Year's celebration and can look forward to peaceful times ahead.
Friday, December 31, 2004
Auld Lang Syne by Robert Burns
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?,
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days of auld lang syne?
And days of auld lang syne, my dear,
And days of auld lang syne.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days of auld lang syne?
We twa hae run aboot the braes
And pu'd the gowans fine.
We've wandered mony a weary foot,
Sin' auld lang syne.
Sin' auld lang syne, my dear,
Sin' auld lang syne,
We've wandered mony a weary foot,
Sin' auld ang syne.
We twa hae sported i' the burn,
From morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid hae roared
Sin' auld lang syne.
Sin' auld lang syne, my dear,
Sin' auld lang syne.
But seas between us braid hae roared
Sin' auld lang syne.
And ther's a hand, my trusty friend,
And gie's a hand o' thine;
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
Personal Myth
Where to go for safety
up from rolling waters, down
away from twisting winds
or even to the center to
escape such a major shift
of earth that rocks on
unto its own bad self,
inescapable and unbidden
by the majority, makes you
wonder what is the ratio,
really between the good and
the calloused, the fate of us
all, really. In reality the pressure
is scientific, or is it divine...
and always the ultimate question
"What if... what if?"
Must be the biggest one ever,
an event of epic proportions.
You rock my world,
what does this mean,
really?
(This one's more of a ramble, actually. The type of thing one thinks about coming home late in the evening after saying goodbye to friends and co-workers... tmb makes you too philosophical for your own good, I'm afraid.)
Where to go for safety
up from rolling waters, down
away from twisting winds
or even to the center to
escape such a major shift
of earth that rocks on
unto its own bad self,
inescapable and unbidden
by the majority, makes you
wonder what is the ratio,
really between the good and
the calloused, the fate of us
all, really. In reality the pressure
is scientific, or is it divine...
and always the ultimate question
"What if... what if?"
Must be the biggest one ever,
an event of epic proportions.
You rock my world,
what does this mean,
really?
(This one's more of a ramble, actually. The type of thing one thinks about coming home late in the evening after saying goodbye to friends and co-workers... tmb makes you too philosophical for your own good, I'm afraid.)
Saturday, December 25, 2004
Reflection
You hold the reason within you
the way those fallen leaves
are still mantled on the shelf
or should it be hearth?
For remembrance of color,
that short time their brightness
outshone everything within a change.
If I could see you now
my hands would reach.
If I chose to speak
my voice would break,
overwhelming, unnamable.
Bittersweet, this now
I'm remembering so much...
reasons I came back as much
as reasons to go.
And how at this particular
moment, if I listen to
Silent Night... Oiche Chiun
Their favorite song
just once more, I'll break
again.
You hold the reason within you
the way those fallen leaves
are still mantled on the shelf
or should it be hearth?
For remembrance of color,
that short time their brightness
outshone everything within a change.
If I could see you now
my hands would reach.
If I chose to speak
my voice would break,
overwhelming, unnamable.
Bittersweet, this now
I'm remembering so much...
reasons I came back as much
as reasons to go.
And how at this particular
moment, if I listen to
Silent Night... Oiche Chiun
Their favorite song
just once more, I'll break
again.
Friday, December 24, 2004
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Just around the corner, Christmas is. Are you ready for this? I'm not, got too many irons in the fire, so to speak.
Anyway.. Its been cooold out there the past few days. Last night I left my hat and gloves at a friends house so I didn't have them this morning. Not a good thing for a 45 min. walk at 1 below! But everything else was covered quite adequately, I must say. I had my layers on... and my groove, I guess. I make good time when its cold out.
Some things make all the difference. Contact with friends... somehow makes all the worst seem tolerable. Believe it, believe it.
Monday, December 20, 2004
Ok, some things I have no tolerance for. One is copying someone else's work and passing it off as your own. I'm not namimg names, but if this person happens to read this here, all I have to say is they've ruined any credibility they may have had. Plus it was so obvious, a blatent rip-off in my opinion. Word for word... I've caught the same person once before but never said anything.. this time I did. Write bad poetry, whatever... at least let it be your own. Geez!!
Well the employee mass exodus at the hospital is now underway. I've put my two-week notice in last Monday, as did two other night-shift housekeepers. Several more seriously considering it.. Now today, one of the guys in engineering had enough and walked out on the spot. So its not just in my department... its facility-wide. Nay, company-wide. They think they'll be saving money by not replacing us.. they're still losing all their best people. Nobody would want to do as good a job for what they'll be paying them. Not that they're paying us all that much to begin with.
Meanwhile... there's still a ways to go in the situation. Whether its a curse or opportunity, it's gonna happen.. Oh boy.
Well the employee mass exodus at the hospital is now underway. I've put my two-week notice in last Monday, as did two other night-shift housekeepers. Several more seriously considering it.. Now today, one of the guys in engineering had enough and walked out on the spot. So its not just in my department... its facility-wide. Nay, company-wide. They think they'll be saving money by not replacing us.. they're still losing all their best people. Nobody would want to do as good a job for what they'll be paying them. Not that they're paying us all that much to begin with.
Meanwhile... there's still a ways to go in the situation. Whether its a curse or opportunity, it's gonna happen.. Oh boy.
Brrr.. I think at least two pairs of socks, and a shit load of layers will be in order this morning, haha.. It's down to 17 degrees.
Cold yesterday too. And all those fools out there at Arrowhead in -1 degree (wind chill factor) Some even with their shirts off.
The entire hospital had their tvs set to the game.. and me just cleaning.. cleaning... I didn't even have to be around a television to know what was happening, all the cheers and shouts from patient rooms.. Very surreal, the idea that the Chiefs have the power of healing. Hahaha! One thing though, they've been out of the playoffs for how long? So why all the excitement now? Some things are destined to be a mystery, I guess.
Later all, try to stay warm out there!
Cold yesterday too. And all those fools out there at Arrowhead in -1 degree (wind chill factor) Some even with their shirts off.
The entire hospital had their tvs set to the game.. and me just cleaning.. cleaning... I didn't even have to be around a television to know what was happening, all the cheers and shouts from patient rooms.. Very surreal, the idea that the Chiefs have the power of healing. Hahaha! One thing though, they've been out of the playoffs for how long? So why all the excitement now? Some things are destined to be a mystery, I guess.
Later all, try to stay warm out there!
Friday, December 17, 2004
Heya folks...
For me it just isn't the season without hearing this: Happy Christmas
so take a listen and enjoy! :)
For me it just isn't the season without hearing this: Happy Christmas
so take a listen and enjoy! :)
Happy Birthday, Mom.
Busy days, not much sleep, and draggin' shifts at work. But a lot getting done.
My daughter and her boyfriend dropped by after he got off work last night. I ended up wrapping a few packages for his mom. She collects angels so they went and bought her a beautiful angel statue. She's gonna love it, I'm sure. But the statue is very fragile so some bubble wrap was in order. Luckily I had some extra in case they needed it.
Laura picked me up at 3:30 yesterday, went to the store and got my cookie-making stuff. So I guess I'll be doing that sometime today. Funny, when she came by last night and mentioned making cookies, I thought she meant doing that here right then. She was talking about Tim's friend Joey doing the baking over at his house.. so she wanted to hurry up and get home for the chocolate chippers, lol. And if she shows up today like she's supposed to, she'll get a double dose of them, I guess.
Our friend from work, Bill, is back in the hospital. I'm really worried this time.. I'd thought he'd left too soon the first time, but he stood right there the other day, swore up and down that they'd released him.. turns out, he misunderstood. They released him, yeah, but only to rehab. Sue says that the part of the brain that was affected by the surgery and subsequent swelling was the reasoning ability.
Now he's not quite the same.. I wonder now if he'll ever be the same.
Christmas snuck up on me this year... I'm not ready for this! The year has gone by way too fast, just flew by... like some little bird in somebody's ear.. hahaha! Btw, when Adonna O. came back to work, she had laryngitis and couldn't talk, which was fine by me and everyone else. (Hehe, evil, aren't I?)
On a serious note, I keep thinking about how things are turning out. I think back on when I moved to Fresno, and I said "It was either east or west, this time I chose west." Even back then there were times I wished I had chosen east. Well this time east is the choice. I also can't help thinking that for all my good intentions.. the reason... going toward something good, a new start and challenges, better opportunity. Even with all that mindset, it feels more and more like the old "running away from something negative. Well the outcome will be the same anyway... positive overriding the negative.
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Different As
The cause of that sudden grasp
the sharp reach of breath when alone
and underprepared for when it all sinks in,
the enormity of change.
The enormity of change is what
stops you cold in your tracks
just short of a brick wall
at Talladega.
Is it passion or panic
to follow a frozen river, nearly blind
of things yet unseen, unfelt, anticipation
to rise and fall, where the highs and lows
allow none for a happy medium. Temperance
is a luxury between here and there; is the
difference spawned through mice and moonbeams.
Tonight the chill is everpresent in my room
flowing in from a wall of glass
as I lay head to pillow for sleep,
shiver underneath blankets, counting
sheep, monkeys, four leaf clovers, anything
at all to push away the want of warmth and
your arms around me.
The cause of that sudden grasp
the sharp reach of breath when alone
and underprepared for when it all sinks in,
the enormity of change.
The enormity of change is what
stops you cold in your tracks
just short of a brick wall
at Talladega.
Is it passion or panic
to follow a frozen river, nearly blind
of things yet unseen, unfelt, anticipation
to rise and fall, where the highs and lows
allow none for a happy medium. Temperance
is a luxury between here and there; is the
difference spawned through mice and moonbeams.
Tonight the chill is everpresent in my room
flowing in from a wall of glass
as I lay head to pillow for sleep,
shiver underneath blankets, counting
sheep, monkeys, four leaf clovers, anything
at all to push away the want of warmth and
your arms around me.
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
I heard tell of snowfall here later tonight. I guess that means time to break out the snow boots again, lol. They've already been initiated for the season though. I had unspoiled snowfall all to myself one day last month, on the way to work. It was amazing, but it didn't last long. I've since told myself that if it snows again before I leave here, I'm gonna be sure and get some pictures... the camera I carry with me at all times now for just the right shot. Silly me, I missed an amazing sunset one night last week simply because I was sure someone passing in a car would think I was crazy, 'cause from their vantage point there wasn't much to see, haha.
That's what I get for worrying about what other people think.
Bill from work (actually an former co-worker) came by to see us all during lunch yesterday.
11 days ago he underwent surgery for an anneurism in his brain. From what I heard at the time, if they had waited any longer, it would have been over... it burst just as the surgeon went in, so violently that he couldn't see where to clamp it off at, for a few seconds. Oh, that Bill... he's a lucky guy. We almost lost him. But now he's up walking around and in decent spirits.. not the usual over-the-top behavior for him, he's still in some pain so there's still a ways to go before he's feeling back to normal, I'm sure.
Well the understated news that I'm leaving has not been met with any pissed-offness the way I expected, at least from the folks I work with, I think they understand where I'm coming from... stuff I've been saying the whole time, ever since the new company took over. Adonna will be another story altogether. She called in sick again... well, I guess just wait and see what new punishment she can think up over these next two weeks.
Monday, December 13, 2004
Today is Santa Lucia Day, a celebration stemming from Sweden that coincides with the winter holiday season and Christmas in particular.
~ Traditional Santa Lucia Song ~
The night goes with weighty step
round yard and (stove i.e. house, hearth?)
round earth, the sun departs
leave the woods brooding
There in our dark house,
appears with lighted candles
Saint Lucia, Saint Lucia.
The night goes great and mute
now hear it swings
in every silent room
murmurs as if from wings.
Look at our threshold stands
white-clad with lights in her hair
Saint Lucia, Saint Lucia.
The darkness shall soon depart
from the earth's valleys
thus she speaks
a wonderful word to us
The day shall rise anew
from the rosy sky.
Saint Lucia, Saint Lucia.
~ Traditional Santa Lucia Song ~
The night goes with weighty step
round yard and (stove i.e. house, hearth?)
round earth, the sun departs
leave the woods brooding
There in our dark house,
appears with lighted candles
Saint Lucia, Saint Lucia.
The night goes great and mute
now hear it swings
in every silent room
murmurs as if from wings.
Look at our threshold stands
white-clad with lights in her hair
Saint Lucia, Saint Lucia.
The darkness shall soon depart
from the earth's valleys
thus she speaks
a wonderful word to us
The day shall rise anew
from the rosy sky.
Saint Lucia, Saint Lucia.
Sunday, December 12, 2004
Saturday, December 11, 2004
Ready And Waiting
I waited
too long and missed the sky
with all its deep coral shades
and shadows painted sidelong
like a glance contrasted blue
into gray cloud cover.
Then I watched
as an anxious lens
stamped out impatience,
readyand waiting en route
home to catch how the wind
can trip and turn through
leafless spaces bringing with
it a fiery backdrop of red sky.
Hurry now
darkness is falling fast
stealing available light
promising far reaching memory,
something missed, and slumber lost.
I waited
too long and missed the sky
with all its deep coral shades
and shadows painted sidelong
like a glance contrasted blue
into gray cloud cover.
Then I watched
as an anxious lens
stamped out impatience,
readyand waiting en route
home to catch how the wind
can trip and turn through
leafless spaces bringing with
it a fiery backdrop of red sky.
Hurry now
darkness is falling fast
stealing available light
promising far reaching memory,
something missed, and slumber lost.
Friday, December 03, 2004
I've never seen this movie, but from the title that's what this month feels like, The Nightmare Before Christmas.
I caught the Daily Show last night...
I'm reminded of the song, Earache My Eye.
"The world's comin' to an end and I don't even care..." Stephen King has written the All-American-Pastime novel about the Boston RedSox, called Faithful. A bit unexpected, but I think he has every right to pen a book on any subject he wants.. it sounds like he had a lot of fun doing it, that's what counts.
Survivor's giving away Pontiacs now. Hahahaha!
The catfights are well underway and about to get ten times worse.. don't ya just love it?
About halfway through last night's episode, I wondered how very bizarre it would be if in fact Eliza was just playing along with the grand plan set by Ami... And it turned out to be the case. Well, I'll be... the kid can strategize.
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Some stupid ramble.. not even a rant.
Blame it on the weather, the sleet and rain. The cold in the morning, the dead animal I pass on the sidewalk with not a mark on him; poisoned, I'm sure of it. Its going into the season full force.. ready or not. I'm not ready for this. Nothing seem right anymore. Seconds turn into minutes, hours, days and months. Its time for a big change. No time left to test the water, check for sharks or gators. Close your eyes, hold your nose and jump. Then swim like mad to find dry land.
Blame it on the weather, the sleet and rain. The cold in the morning, the dead animal I pass on the sidewalk with not a mark on him; poisoned, I'm sure of it. Its going into the season full force.. ready or not. I'm not ready for this. Nothing seem right anymore. Seconds turn into minutes, hours, days and months. Its time for a big change. No time left to test the water, check for sharks or gators. Close your eyes, hold your nose and jump. Then swim like mad to find dry land.
Monday, November 29, 2004
What's wrong with me... what's wrong with them?
Went over to a friend's house last night, and there was so much squabbling going on.. like a house divided almost.. come on people.. this is supposed to be the holiday season. Now it just puts me in a disgruntled mood... where now I'm focusing on how much I dread going in everyday to find out what new idiocy is perpetuated by those "in charge." How some of them got there, I'll never know, even that doesn't make sense.
My bosses pet, Alma tried to take my holiday pay by suggesting that I switch days with her and not work Thanksgiving.. even stalled so obviously till the boss herself got there to make the suggestion. Hahah, Adonna says.."Did you want off on Thursday? A little bird flew in my ear and told me you wanted off for Thanksgiving." I just looked at her, thinking, "well that had to have hurt just a little... maybe that's what's been wrong all this time.. too many of those litte birds doing damage to the inner ear."
Aaaagh, to be honest I don't want to even go in this morning. I just don't want to have to put up with all that.. but its a job, and it's still there at least for now.
Went over to a friend's house last night, and there was so much squabbling going on.. like a house divided almost.. come on people.. this is supposed to be the holiday season. Now it just puts me in a disgruntled mood... where now I'm focusing on how much I dread going in everyday to find out what new idiocy is perpetuated by those "in charge." How some of them got there, I'll never know, even that doesn't make sense.
My bosses pet, Alma tried to take my holiday pay by suggesting that I switch days with her and not work Thanksgiving.. even stalled so obviously till the boss herself got there to make the suggestion. Hahah, Adonna says.."Did you want off on Thursday? A little bird flew in my ear and told me you wanted off for Thanksgiving." I just looked at her, thinking, "well that had to have hurt just a little... maybe that's what's been wrong all this time.. too many of those litte birds doing damage to the inner ear."
Aaaagh, to be honest I don't want to even go in this morning. I just don't want to have to put up with all that.. but its a job, and it's still there at least for now.
Friday, November 26, 2004
Today is "Full Moon" day, I saw something of it on the way home late last night... although it must not have been complete yet, it was still something. Had to look straight up through the trees.
Hoping everybody had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I had to work, but was invited over to a friend's place afterwards. Some good times over there. Ooohh, I ate too much though, haha.. I suppose everybody did.. some even went back for seconds and thirds. They sent me home with a "to go" plate that really turned out to be more of a huge platter, there was so much left over. So... turkey sandwiches all next week, lol.
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Curb 21
On the morning we came to see you
the sky was heavy with rain
and unfallen snow.
And with our feet damp and cold
we search again, it's been
awhile, too long.
Curb 21 and eight rows in
there, I look at the names,
Harold C., Virginia A. and
Linda Burson Hall
I look again at the dates,
'67, '97, '99 and realize
it's been seven years to the day
we buried St. Ginney.
On the morning we came to see you
the sky was heavy with rain
and unfallen snow.
And with our feet damp and cold
we search again, it's been
awhile, too long.
Curb 21 and eight rows in
there, I look at the names,
Harold C., Virginia A. and
Linda Burson Hall
I look again at the dates,
'67, '97, '99 and realize
it's been seven years to the day
we buried St. Ginney.
Monday, November 22, 2004
Gone Already
And yet I'm sitting on
the same bench as last
winter, again counting the
rivets and bolts in the wall,
waiting for the hunters to
return with their spoils
and their stories.
And wasn't that a nice
little bit of conscience
in the back of my mind, some
reproachful voice reminding
me of all my plans, dream
chasing, one finding, failing
as yet to materialize.
And yet I'm sitting on
the same bench as last
winter, again counting the
rivets and bolts in the wall,
waiting for the hunters to
return with their spoils
and their stories.
And wasn't that a nice
little bit of conscience
in the back of my mind, some
reproachful voice reminding
me of all my plans, dream
chasing, one finding, failing
as yet to materialize.
Saturday, November 20, 2004
I've been hours on this mission to find just the perfect photo of Andy Warhol online... specifically "a shot of you, a shot of me" one of the photos near the end of the book Warhol, by Chris Makos.
Grrr... I've cross referenced till my fingers are sore from typing and still no luck. Its nowhere to be found. Arrgh... I wanted it because it had the representation of photography itself..
Whah!
But I did find something similar.. well, folks it's better than nothing, haha.
Grrr... I've cross referenced till my fingers are sore from typing and still no luck. Its nowhere to be found. Arrgh... I wanted it because it had the representation of photography itself..
Whah!
But I did find something similar.. well, folks it's better than nothing, haha.
Friday, November 19, 2004
I'm so glad it ended when it did... 2nd shift = a night from hell. I didn't know it at the time, or even when I came in yesterday, but they gave me the largest areas... also areas I had never done before.. so it was a mess.. once I got the right information..(Adonna just loves to mis-speak, ahaha) I was able to do 4 West, 4 Middle, Sterile Processing, Decontam, B1, Recovery and Healthline (big exercise room).
Felt like I had barely enough time to sit down for breaks and such.. I think I'm gonna have a little talk with Adonna when she gets back on Monday... this is just ridiculous. I didn't get home till after 12:30. Don't get me wrong. I never minded doing the work, I just wish I would have had some idea of what I was walking into.. I like to be prepared for it, you know, so I can get started right away..
On to something new.. The other day I got a sampler CD from Virgin Mobile (my Cell phone company) free in the mail. Actually I found it laying under a bunch of stuff on a table.. my son Jason brought it in and forgot to tell me I had mail, haha. Anyway, its a cross between rap and R&B.. but there are some pretty good songs on there, I was surprised.
There happens to be a show tonight. The annual "Rock and Gobble" local Thanksgiving concert..
I'm going (for the first time, actually) along with Laura, Jason, Tim, and a bunch of their friends... Now THIS should be interesting, because members from a former band will be playing in their current bands opposite each other, A Delicate Disaster and Arlington.. Members of each were previously known as Fed Up... but because of some ego tripping, the other members eventually became fed up with it all.. So it should be an interesting night...
Felt like I had barely enough time to sit down for breaks and such.. I think I'm gonna have a little talk with Adonna when she gets back on Monday... this is just ridiculous. I didn't get home till after 12:30. Don't get me wrong. I never minded doing the work, I just wish I would have had some idea of what I was walking into.. I like to be prepared for it, you know, so I can get started right away..
On to something new.. The other day I got a sampler CD from Virgin Mobile (my Cell phone company) free in the mail. Actually I found it laying under a bunch of stuff on a table.. my son Jason brought it in and forgot to tell me I had mail, haha. Anyway, its a cross between rap and R&B.. but there are some pretty good songs on there, I was surprised.
There happens to be a show tonight. The annual "Rock and Gobble" local Thanksgiving concert..
I'm going (for the first time, actually) along with Laura, Jason, Tim, and a bunch of their friends... Now THIS should be interesting, because members from a former band will be playing in their current bands opposite each other, A Delicate Disaster and Arlington.. Members of each were previously known as Fed Up... but because of some ego tripping, the other members eventually became fed up with it all.. So it should be an interesting night...
Thursday, November 18, 2004
Ad Infinitum
I want this page to be crossed
through, teased like some vintage
bouffant 'do, circa 1950.
Dotted over each eye the way
fractals focus and tunnel forward
in slow motion wavs catching
the right spot, that reflection
reflecting its own energy-image.
Sing this poem with makeshift color,
the brightest tones likened to
pixels perpetuated on the latest
high definition screen; deepest to
light blue, reds, greens, the sun
most lit tan of eyes shaded from gray.
And when complete I want this page
to be my gift to you.
I want this page to be crossed
through, teased like some vintage
bouffant 'do, circa 1950.
Dotted over each eye the way
fractals focus and tunnel forward
in slow motion wavs catching
the right spot, that reflection
reflecting its own energy-image.
Sing this poem with makeshift color,
the brightest tones likened to
pixels perpetuated on the latest
high definition screen; deepest to
light blue, reds, greens, the sun
most lit tan of eyes shaded from gray.
And when complete I want this page
to be my gift to you.
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
What a surprise, my season is on its way.. Interesting too, the questions on this quiz have nothing to do with changing weather or the seasons...
You're a Winter. You very much enjoy your time alone but do like other people's company sometimes. You just need your space. You have a few priviledged friends who saw past your colder exterior to find the true you. You can have pretty bad mood swings (though you hate to admit it) so you could be soft one second then storming around the next! But over all, you're a very pleasant person once people take the time to get to know you. You're a good friend for in-depth talks. You're very talanted when it comes to creative things.
What season are you? (pics)
brought to you by Quizilla
You're a Winter. You very much enjoy your time alone but do like other people's company sometimes. You just need your space. You have a few priviledged friends who saw past your colder exterior to find the true you. You can have pretty bad mood swings (though you hate to admit it) so you could be soft one second then storming around the next! But over all, you're a very pleasant person once people take the time to get to know you. You're a good friend for in-depth talks. You're very talanted when it comes to creative things.
What season are you? (pics)
brought to you by Quizilla
Less Than Words
Such the restless need of an
easy silence. Common ground
shared, unspoken message,
simplicity of his presence.
She dreams. It is the same
sky after all, the same
unattainable moon.
She thinks of how he can
run so far away yet remain
so close, how he can
curse the trip and fumble
of becoming all too human,
feeding a base line instinct.
He is more than words,
less than words. To her he is
everywhere and nowhere.
Such the restless need of an
easy silence. Common ground
shared, unspoken message,
simplicity of his presence.
She dreams. It is the same
sky after all, the same
unattainable moon.
She thinks of how he can
run so far away yet remain
so close, how he can
curse the trip and fumble
of becoming all too human,
feeding a base line instinct.
He is more than words,
less than words. To her he is
everywhere and nowhere.
Sunday, November 14, 2004
To The Kettlers
Not quite feeling
the giggle of geese
as they're flying overhead
or the caw-squawk of crows
bursting through chilly air
somewhere, calling to each other
in darkness, the way I dream.
And not quite the classic hold
in formation; they call it
kettling in the mornings
the way they sometimes
rise to a circle, fashioned
by heat or instinct alone.
Not quite feeling
the giggle of geese
as they're flying overhead
or the caw-squawk of crows
bursting through chilly air
somewhere, calling to each other
in darkness, the way I dream.
And not quite the classic hold
in formation; they call it
kettling in the mornings
the way they sometimes
rise to a circle, fashioned
by heat or instinct alone.
Friday, November 12, 2004
Atmospheric Condition
Any other time, from the same
distance that gray architectural
drill bit that would be piercing,
if not holding up the sky
would be more than enough to
annoy the most patient muse.
I can see a split in the
continuum, lines, though fuzzy
like dice from the rear-view;
funny that from here clouds seem
snow capped, having been led through
a winding mountain trail onward,
upward from reflections in a pool
called Sunset.
(Ok, that "drill bit" is a running joke that some around these parts call the RLDS World Headquarters, in Independence, MO. Because let's face it, that's exactly what it looks like... a huge drill bit in the sky.
And yes, I finally "went there" by saying it..
I have nothing against their religion, except to say that its not for me... I just think they could have designed a better looking structure, that's all.)
Survivor: Vanuatu.... Let the backstabbing begin.. Well that was a bit of a shock.. but then after the merge, common knowlege dictates that anything is possible. Goodbye Sarge...
and welcome to the JURY! This show has so many twists and turns, its impossible to second-guess anything that's gonna happen. Don't you just love it?
On the hospital front... (careful here) Oh, they have people taking mandatory days off, using up all their PTO time.. let the backstabbing begin. Us and them.. don't you just love it? Shysters. Grr.. Just wait until the next meeting.. come to think of it, they haven't had one lately. Usually they call one on a weekly basis, but haven't now for nearly a month, what gives? Maybe they just don't feel like being the brunt of complaints.. enough of that.. I'm riled up enough about it already.
Other news. Fall has fallen and winter is just around the corner. I'm feeliing it fo-shizzle. I still need to dig out my winter coat, it's hiding in a box somewhere, along with the rest of the layers... dress in layers, that's the key, haha.
and welcome to the JURY! This show has so many twists and turns, its impossible to second-guess anything that's gonna happen. Don't you just love it?
On the hospital front... (careful here) Oh, they have people taking mandatory days off, using up all their PTO time.. let the backstabbing begin. Us and them.. don't you just love it? Shysters. Grr.. Just wait until the next meeting.. come to think of it, they haven't had one lately. Usually they call one on a weekly basis, but haven't now for nearly a month, what gives? Maybe they just don't feel like being the brunt of complaints.. enough of that.. I'm riled up enough about it already.
Other news. Fall has fallen and winter is just around the corner. I'm feeliing it fo-shizzle. I still need to dig out my winter coat, it's hiding in a box somewhere, along with the rest of the layers... dress in layers, that's the key, haha.
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
Monday, November 08, 2004
Look up... Yes
There are no excuses
for ruining the metaphor,
calling it no better than
reality TV; never mind the
dreams of dreamers who paint
with words, who speak with
light and shadow and love in
laughter, live with regret,
sleep with desire...
You couldn't begin to
imagine back then
commercials for war,
commercials for peace,
an army of one,
suicides at ground zero.
I am that
frost-bitten Salina bloom
who can lift a pre-dawn
gaze to the heavens
and still see a smile.
There are no excuses
for ruining the metaphor,
calling it no better than
reality TV; never mind the
dreams of dreamers who paint
with words, who speak with
light and shadow and love in
laughter, live with regret,
sleep with desire...
You couldn't begin to
imagine back then
commercials for war,
commercials for peace,
an army of one,
suicides at ground zero.
I am that
frost-bitten Salina bloom
who can lift a pre-dawn
gaze to the heavens
and still see a smile.
Sunday, November 07, 2004
Saturday, November 06, 2004
I found this in one of my Yahoo Groups this morning... Way to go, Bob Barker!
The Animal Spirit
LOS ANGELES - "Price is Right" host Bob Barker has given a big prize to the University of California, Los Angeles, law school: a $1 million donation to create an animal rights law endowment.
Barker, who often advises viewers to spay or neuter their pets, said he hoped the endowment would encourage more law students to get involved in protecting animals.
"Animal exploitation happens throughout this country and elsewhere," Barker said. "Animals need all the protection we can give them."
The Bob Barker Endowment Fund for the Study of Animal Rights Law will pay for teaching, research, seminars and lectures. The effort will be led by UCLA professor Taimie Bryant, who teaches a course in animal law.
(This guy also made a substantial donation to the Fresno Feline Foundation when I was living in California several years ago... the money helped fund an on-site vet clinic at the shelter there.)
The Animal Spirit
LOS ANGELES - "Price is Right" host Bob Barker has given a big prize to the University of California, Los Angeles, law school: a $1 million donation to create an animal rights law endowment.
Barker, who often advises viewers to spay or neuter their pets, said he hoped the endowment would encourage more law students to get involved in protecting animals.
"Animal exploitation happens throughout this country and elsewhere," Barker said. "Animals need all the protection we can give them."
The Bob Barker Endowment Fund for the Study of Animal Rights Law will pay for teaching, research, seminars and lectures. The effort will be led by UCLA professor Taimie Bryant, who teaches a course in animal law.
(This guy also made a substantial donation to the Fresno Feline Foundation when I was living in California several years ago... the money helped fund an on-site vet clinic at the shelter there.)
Game Over
It's history now. Nick Pick and the boys, collectively known as Gametime, headlined a fond farewell show last night at the Main Street Cafe (formerly New Earth.)
For the past four years they've been familiar faces at local venues in and around Kansas City, as well as several others while touring.
Last night's show was amazing... the bill included Widescreen Tragedy, Arlington, The Supernaughts, Veda, and of course, Lametime, uh.. Gametime.
One of the bands who stood out (at least for me) was Arlington... who continue their hard sound with newest member, Dustinn Lowry, are really very good, despite my personal bias against some aspects of the band. I found myself very impressed.. I like their sound... dammit!
Another was the Supernaughts, who seem heavily influenced by 70's rock, a little ska (?) couldn't locate too much of that really. But I was impressed with them as well. A different sound than what the locals here have been listening to lately.
And finally Gametime... These guys have always had tons of energy, have always known how to rock hard and have fun doing it... That's what counts. So, good luck with all your other projects, you guys... You will be missed!
What's new for the Gametime boys
Friday, November 05, 2004
Eureka... It's working!
Good afternoon, everybody. Hahaha! The above image caught my eye for obvious reasons, but the interesting thing about it is that it was painted with actual coffee. I found the site in one of my daily Yahoo picks... a very clever artistic medium, I must say.
Wow, such a close call on Survivor... I was happy with the results though. I've been waiting weeks for this to happen. Finally, no more of the whiny, I-am-the-savior-of-this-tribe rant from Rory. Now things should get interesting from here on out.. especially after the merge.. Sarge is worried.. I know just by watching the past few seasons, things can change just like that.
All settled in to watch CSI immediately afterwards, got nearly all the way through it, and fell asleep at the very last so I missed the outcome.. Woke up when my son came home from work, and it happened again, this time it was Without A Trace... so I guess maybe my remedy for that is - more coffee! Lol.
Well, I'm ready to enjoy my weekend. There's a show tonight, the last one from Gametime. It'll be a little sad in a way, knowing that this is their last one ever. But good that its a friendly split with the members going on with other things. I wouldn't miss this one, for sure. I expect a lot of people to show up tonight to wish them luck.
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
The Animal Rescue Site is having trouble
getting enough people to click on it daily to meet their quota of getting free food donated
every day to abused and neglected animals.
It takes less than a minute to go to their
site and click on "feed an animal in need" for free. This doesn't cost you a thing. Their corporate sponsors/advertisers use
the number of daily visits to donate food to
abandoned/neglected animals in exchange for advertising. (Weight Watchers is one of the sponsors!)
Here's the web site! Click on this link, and
when the site opens, click on the purple box that says Feed an Animal for free. That's it! Pass it along to people you know.
The Animal Rescue Site
PLEASE TELL 10 FRIENDS TO TELL 10 TODAY!!
If you don't have ten friends, make 'em up.
Thanks!!
getting enough people to click on it daily to meet their quota of getting free food donated
every day to abused and neglected animals.
It takes less than a minute to go to their
site and click on "feed an animal in need" for free. This doesn't cost you a thing. Their corporate sponsors/advertisers use
the number of daily visits to donate food to
abandoned/neglected animals in exchange for advertising. (Weight Watchers is one of the sponsors!)
Here's the web site! Click on this link, and
when the site opens, click on the purple box that says Feed an Animal for free. That's it! Pass it along to people you know.
The Animal Rescue Site
PLEASE TELL 10 FRIENDS TO TELL 10 TODAY!!
If you don't have ten friends, make 'em up.
Thanks!!
Monday, November 01, 2004
Decent Halloween... had to work, there was a Chiefs game, don't know if they lost or not (hee-hee) at home spent time online sending out ecards. Outside it began to rain, it was a dark and stormy night. No ghosts or goblins came up the stairs, no shots rang out, there were no blood-curdling screams. In fact the only spooky thing around here was a tractor full of people sitting on hay bales moseying down the street in the rain. All in all a decent night.
This morning, still raining... got a ride halfway there. Linen closets completely empty, charge nurses calling every five minutes for bath blankets and wash cloths. Kept busy, was glad to get home. Kinda worn out tonight, think I'll go to bed early.
This morning, still raining... got a ride halfway there. Linen closets completely empty, charge nurses calling every five minutes for bath blankets and wash cloths. Kept busy, was glad to get home. Kinda worn out tonight, think I'll go to bed early.
Time
A search for those few
hopeful words I remember,
before more time passes.
Before it was all taken
before my grasp
Some precious dream
never realized
but one that was so
very close, in waves
returning so suddenly
painful... why now?
Memory of words,
want of your touch,
taste of your tongue,
comfort of your arms
never opened to receive.
A search for those few
hopeful words I remember,
before more time passes.
Before it was all taken
before my grasp
Some precious dream
never realized
but one that was so
very close, in waves
returning so suddenly
painful... why now?
Memory of words,
want of your touch,
taste of your tongue,
comfort of your arms
never opened to receive.
Saturday, October 30, 2004
Happy Halloween!
No, this isn't my costume... but wouldn't it be awesome? It looks like I have a whole year to get one to look like that.
Anyway, here's hoping everyone has a safe and Happy Halloween. Be careful out there while you're out and about, going to parties and such. And as always, Don't Drink and Drive.
Have fun and and stay safe!
Ok, here's my update on the dreaded mandatory meeting our department had at the hospital last Thursday. First, let me just say those of us remaining still have jobs, haha. The bad news about that is, there are no plans to fill the vacant positons.. in fact, in management's opinion there are no vacant slots.
The meeting ran way over, and lasted at least an hour and a half, mostly because it turned into a gripe session which is kind of what I expected. Even the Chief Operations Officer, Natalie was in attendance. But a lot of the concerns were legitimate. Work load, the pulling of people from their original areas to do others so that a lot of them aren't getting done, or at most not getting done right...
improvements on recognizing a high standard of effort... which I think their answers to that were mostly for show to impress Natalie, especially when one of them said, "I'm always happy to pat someone on the back for a job well done." I was laughing internally at that statement, because in reality its more like "no news is good news"... she's more happy to focus on the negative than the positive.
With the closing of the skilled care unit on 4 North, there were some concerns about the rest of the hospital following suit. In fact, there was a recent item in the local paper (The Examiner) stating the hospital was scheduled to close "soon." Apparently, Natalie doesn't read the paper much, and wondered out loud how such rumors get started. But she assured us IRHC will continue as usual until they open the doors at the new hospital in 2007... time will tell, I'm still not holding my breath.
Teamwork was a key phrase throughout... but at the same time, I'm wondering how they plan to implement teamwork when they pull somebody off the floors to do piddly detail projects when someone else is swamped with dismissals... I guess the only thing there is for us to continue to use our own best judgement... I believe we as workers know better than management what should take priority at any given time. It might sound pompous, but I've never really seen any of them work as hard as any of us do...
Comic relief: at one point it was brought up very tactfully (or as much as possible, haha) ... that on any given day all of us are so busy doing our own little thing, what all needs to be done, and we don't have much of a chance to actually know what the supervisors are dealing with.. "and to be honest, I really don't care." (That statement brought a round of laughter and applause from the entire room.) He continued on, "I'm sure you're just as busy and stressed as the rest of us, but I wouldn't want your job. Her anwer: "Are you sure? "Cause after this meeting, it may be up for grabs, hehe."
In the end, they promised to work on getting the schedules posted in a timely manner, reboot the use of a suggestion box, take into account all our concerns and address them via a bulletin board, as well as verbally, etc., etc., blah, blah, blah. Again, time will tell, and I'm not holding my breath.
Thursday, October 28, 2004
Seasonal
If I could dodge and burn
the electrical wires away
from a perfect structure still
holding onto life, however frail,
however bone dry these brittle
feathers are, all golden shades
of red and lime,
it would be the perfect season
of change caught in circles
understanding how you turn, how
we all turn away from certain
things eventually, and then
toward others, around again.
You would understand a feline
affinity, an elfin stature...
how less could be so much more
than one man
could ever imagine.
You could see the visual
still in my mind's eye
from this very early morning,
of soon dormant colors whose
goal is the sharpness of
chemistry, depth perception.
If I could dodge and burn
the electrical wires away
from a perfect structure still
holding onto life, however frail,
however bone dry these brittle
feathers are, all golden shades
of red and lime,
it would be the perfect season
of change caught in circles
understanding how you turn, how
we all turn away from certain
things eventually, and then
toward others, around again.
You would understand a feline
affinity, an elfin stature...
how less could be so much more
than one man
could ever imagine.
You could see the visual
still in my mind's eye
from this very early morning,
of soon dormant colors whose
goal is the sharpness of
chemistry, depth perception.
Sunday, October 24, 2004
Friday, October 22, 2004
Holding Pattern
Outsourced, this charleyhorse attacks
me at 2 a.m. Impossible to find
my way back again now...
And in the middle there's
no happy medium to be found
between rage and futility,
indignity and despair.
No rant can fix this.
How dare they -
having found it absolutely
necessary to do this
to us. How could they
forget what this means
to us, their pawns in
a game of chess, checkmate
and loss, with it comes
hollow victory. At this
point, one can only hope
to the bitter end.
The longer the wait,
can you even wonder how
much mutiny could take
place with no one left
to mute...
Silence! The air grows
louder, stronger, more
stagnant with each unspoken
grievance, the clock is
ticking
as we drop, one by one
like dinosaur flies
facing extinction.
The facade of this structure
has crumbled already, all
the money saved won't fix
this mess, you are already
scheduled for the
wrecking ball.
Outsourced, this charleyhorse attacks
me at 2 a.m. Impossible to find
my way back again now...
And in the middle there's
no happy medium to be found
between rage and futility,
indignity and despair.
No rant can fix this.
How dare they -
having found it absolutely
necessary to do this
to us. How could they
forget what this means
to us, their pawns in
a game of chess, checkmate
and loss, with it comes
hollow victory. At this
point, one can only hope
to the bitter end.
The longer the wait,
can you even wonder how
much mutiny could take
place with no one left
to mute...
Silence! The air grows
louder, stronger, more
stagnant with each unspoken
grievance, the clock is
ticking
as we drop, one by one
like dinosaur flies
facing extinction.
The facade of this structure
has crumbled already, all
the money saved won't fix
this mess, you are already
scheduled for the
wrecking ball.
Thursday, October 21, 2004
What can I say? What fresh hell is this? I can't wait to leave. The only thing that's holding me back is the fact that when I do, there will be more work piled onto the people I work with...
The problem is not who I'm working with... it's the collective "who" and "what" I'm working for.
For days now, I've been so close to giving notice to leave... and again I almost did today. I was talked out of it, at least until next Thursday when we can all find out once and for all just what the hell they plan to do with us.. the grumbling at this point is that we believe they plan to do away with our benefits and cut our hours way back..
Really.
It's all I can do not to just walk out for good. It feels to me, by staying I'm in approval of all this mess they've been dealing us.. Geez! Its hard to even stand myself.
I hate this.. absolutely hate this.
Oh.... they fired another co-worker today.
The problem is not who I'm working with... it's the collective "who" and "what" I'm working for.
For days now, I've been so close to giving notice to leave... and again I almost did today. I was talked out of it, at least until next Thursday when we can all find out once and for all just what the hell they plan to do with us.. the grumbling at this point is that we believe they plan to do away with our benefits and cut our hours way back..
Really.
It's all I can do not to just walk out for good. It feels to me, by staying I'm in approval of all this mess they've been dealing us.. Geez! Its hard to even stand myself.
I hate this.. absolutely hate this.
Oh.... they fired another co-worker today.
NO SCAREDY CATS THIS HALLOWEEN: SAFETY TIPS FOR PET PARENTS
Attention, companion animal caretakers. The ASPCA offers these common-sense cautions to keep your pets safe and sound during this time of the year:
All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room during peak trick-or-treat visiting hours. Too many strangers in unusual garb can be scary and stressful for pets.�
When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that Max or Mittens doesn't dart outside. Make sure all your pets are wearing current identification, just in case.�
No sweets for the sweet: Keep all Halloween candy out of your pet's reach. Chocolate can be poisonous to animals, and tinfoil and cellophane candy wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed.�
It's not a bright idea to keep lit pumpkins around companion animals. Pets can knock them over, and curious kittens in particular run the risk of being burned.�
Don't leave your pet in the yard on Halloween. There have been reports of vicious pranksters who have teased, injured, stolen and even killed pets on this night.�
Although the ASPCA recommends that cats remain indoors at all times, it is especially important to keep your feline inside for several days before and after Halloween. Black cats in particular may be at risk from children's pranks or other cruelty-related incidents. As a safety precaution, many shelters will not adopt out black cats around Halloween.�
Don't dress up your dog or cat unless you know she loves it. If you decide to do so, make sure the costume isn't annoying or unsafe, and doesn't restrict her movement, vision, hearing or ability to breathe or bark. Avoid costumes with small or dangling accessories that she could chew off and possibly choke on. And please supervise pets in costume at ALL times.
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Mandatory meeting at 7:30 this morning lasted an hour and was quite useless, really..
It was called, hospital wide (at several times today to give everyone the opportunity to attend) in order to launch a new program called "All*Star Service."
Solve your customer's problem.
Treat your customer with respect.
Acknowledge your customer.
Respond quickly to your customer.
such a cute little program, I'm surprised they haven't offered an entire course on the concept.. because I know of more than a few people who could use a crash course in employee and interpersonal communication.. namely my boss and her "by-the-book" sidekick working amongst the rest of us..
While it was basically a waste of time in my opinion, it did offer a chance to rest my feet.. and yet another the chance to actually fall asleep sitting up in her chair..
Later during lunch, we all happened to notice a group of suits converging toward the entrance, hurrying for the free luncheon they had scheduled down in the auditorium.. not too long after the last one hurried through the door, Lloyd, one of the leads happened to look up and saw a flock of birds circling the air above the parking lot.. Ok.. so we have the suits invading the hospital, and now there are birds circling in a holding pattern... would anyone dare to guess what this means? I take it as an even deeper level omen.. how much worse can it get though, really?
On a much lighter note, I got a chuckle from what I saw coming home from work today...
First let me say in case you don't know that the Kansas City Chiefs lost a critical game last Sunday (hee-hee) which caused a lot of disappointment for a lot of the fans here.. (the entire city and surrounding areas)
I pass this house every day and it wasn't until this afternood that I noticed that they had their red Chiefs banner waving in the breeze on the flagpole, at half-mast.
It was called, hospital wide (at several times today to give everyone the opportunity to attend) in order to launch a new program called "All*Star Service."
Solve your customer's problem.
Treat your customer with respect.
Acknowledge your customer.
Respond quickly to your customer.
such a cute little program, I'm surprised they haven't offered an entire course on the concept.. because I know of more than a few people who could use a crash course in employee and interpersonal communication.. namely my boss and her "by-the-book" sidekick working amongst the rest of us..
While it was basically a waste of time in my opinion, it did offer a chance to rest my feet.. and yet another the chance to actually fall asleep sitting up in her chair..
Later during lunch, we all happened to notice a group of suits converging toward the entrance, hurrying for the free luncheon they had scheduled down in the auditorium.. not too long after the last one hurried through the door, Lloyd, one of the leads happened to look up and saw a flock of birds circling the air above the parking lot.. Ok.. so we have the suits invading the hospital, and now there are birds circling in a holding pattern... would anyone dare to guess what this means? I take it as an even deeper level omen.. how much worse can it get though, really?
On a much lighter note, I got a chuckle from what I saw coming home from work today...
First let me say in case you don't know that the Kansas City Chiefs lost a critical game last Sunday (hee-hee) which caused a lot of disappointment for a lot of the fans here.. (the entire city and surrounding areas)
I pass this house every day and it wasn't until this afternood that I noticed that they had their red Chiefs banner waving in the breeze on the flagpole, at half-mast.
Arrgh....
My boss is an idiot.
Can't order supplies..
Can't make out a schedule...
Can't effectively communicate..
Admits to having problems with forgetfulness...
Argh!
HCA is the Anti-Christ.
Changes things for the "better" (?)
Impossible workload for those still on the payroll...
Leaves entire floors of staff high and dry with no viable employment option...
... And they call themselves an "Employer of Choice"?
My boss is an idiot.
Can't order supplies..
Can't make out a schedule...
Can't effectively communicate..
Admits to having problems with forgetfulness...
Argh!
HCA is the Anti-Christ.
Changes things for the "better" (?)
Impossible workload for those still on the payroll...
Leaves entire floors of staff high and dry with no viable employment option...
... And they call themselves an "Employer of Choice"?
Sunday, October 17, 2004
Irony of a Nameless Muse
In the dark and
stumbling over frozen
roadkill
this early in the morning
I wonder, should I take
a moment of silence to
mourn the dead
or simply be relieved...
better the racoon
than me.
There but for the grace
of God go I...
just as easily and quick
with one wrong turn, a
driver with eyes elsewhere
Maybe with the distraction
of a cell phone, or he's
looking for that one song
on the radio
he just has to hear before
pulling into work.
A dropped cigarette..
spilled coffee...
It could be anything.
Light hasn't yet graced
the roads and I'm wearing
dark clothing
approaching on foot the
blind spot over a trench.
In the dark and
stumbling over frozen
roadkill
this early in the morning
I wonder, should I take
a moment of silence to
mourn the dead
or simply be relieved...
better the racoon
than me.
There but for the grace
of God go I...
just as easily and quick
with one wrong turn, a
driver with eyes elsewhere
Maybe with the distraction
of a cell phone, or he's
looking for that one song
on the radio
he just has to hear before
pulling into work.
A dropped cigarette..
spilled coffee...
It could be anything.
Light hasn't yet graced
the roads and I'm wearing
dark clothing
approaching on foot the
blind spot over a trench.
There's more a sense of dread now than ever in going back in even after a couple of days off.
You always wonder how could it get any worse.
When will it not? The day you quit wondering, that's when.
I think the logo on my jacket says it all... I'm "Fed Up" with the whole chaotic mess. They run a place into the ground never caring about the backbone of the machine that used to be such an efficient one. They fixed things that weren't broken.. now look at it all.
On a more personal note, I can't believe the stupidity of some people. How they can self-destruct over such a long period of time, and how human nature dictates the drawn into quality likened to being helpless to do anything but watch a train wreck in slow motion. More accurately, our Birthday boy ended up in the ER after he fell and hit his head, unconscious for a few moments (whether from the alchohol or the fall is unclear.) But he'll probably still be off work for a while now over it. That just leaves more to do for the rest of us. Oh joy... I can't wait for that.
You always wonder how could it get any worse.
When will it not? The day you quit wondering, that's when.
I think the logo on my jacket says it all... I'm "Fed Up" with the whole chaotic mess. They run a place into the ground never caring about the backbone of the machine that used to be such an efficient one. They fixed things that weren't broken.. now look at it all.
On a more personal note, I can't believe the stupidity of some people. How they can self-destruct over such a long period of time, and how human nature dictates the drawn into quality likened to being helpless to do anything but watch a train wreck in slow motion. More accurately, our Birthday boy ended up in the ER after he fell and hit his head, unconscious for a few moments (whether from the alchohol or the fall is unclear.) But he'll probably still be off work for a while now over it. That just leaves more to do for the rest of us. Oh joy... I can't wait for that.
Friday, October 15, 2004
My daughter Laura came over this morning and brought her cat.. I met her coming up the stairs carrying him, and when I asked her where the carrier was, she said he didn't want to get in it and she didn't have time to struggle with him... in the same breath she said, "He pooped in my car... can you help me? It stinks now!"
Hahaha, first he pees on her, now he's poopin' in the passenger seat. Hey wait a minute, that's where I'll be sitting! So I rushed to get supplies, cleaners, sponges, Lysol spray, pet odor stuff plus some odor eliminator I got from the hospital and along with some tissue and plastic bags, I got the mess cleaned up faster than you can say "Garfield" (which he resembles, btw, lol) That was basically the excitement for the day. I guess I'll be in for some more later when I go to Bill's birthday party tonight.. Bill from work, he'll be 47. I imagine he'll get a good head start on the celebrating way before any of us show up. But I think I'll just make an appearance then go home. I don't feel much like being around people tonight, but I said I'd go...
Hahaha, first he pees on her, now he's poopin' in the passenger seat. Hey wait a minute, that's where I'll be sitting! So I rushed to get supplies, cleaners, sponges, Lysol spray, pet odor stuff plus some odor eliminator I got from the hospital and along with some tissue and plastic bags, I got the mess cleaned up faster than you can say "Garfield" (which he resembles, btw, lol) That was basically the excitement for the day. I guess I'll be in for some more later when I go to Bill's birthday party tonight.. Bill from work, he'll be 47. I imagine he'll get a good head start on the celebrating way before any of us show up. But I think I'll just make an appearance then go home. I don't feel much like being around people tonight, but I said I'd go...
Thursday, October 14, 2004
Following links from Wordwarrior's Xanga site, I also found this cool name generator:
What is your Japanese name?
My Japanese name is Fujiwara (wisteria fields) Kumiko (eternal beautiful child)
Note: For authenticity, be sure to enter your last name first, then your given name.
What is your Japanese name?
My Japanese name is Fujiwara (wisteria fields) Kumiko (eternal beautiful child)
Note: For authenticity, be sure to enter your last name first, then your given name.
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
Burned
The rich get richer
and the poor get time,
time out - write-ups
and an incomprehensible
load on which to draw
impossible breath.
Burned out is what you
see of the dead and dying
weeds and ex-flowers still
upright and parched, roadside.
They've fulfilled their
purpose. We don't need them
anymore. Let's get fake ones
to line the halls, showcase dust
that increases daily with every
living ghost that graces the past.
The rich get richer
and the poor get time,
time out - write-ups
and an incomprehensible
load on which to draw
impossible breath.
Burned out is what you
see of the dead and dying
weeds and ex-flowers still
upright and parched, roadside.
They've fulfilled their
purpose. We don't need them
anymore. Let's get fake ones
to line the halls, showcase dust
that increases daily with every
living ghost that graces the past.
Image Attachment
Ok, so I've gone flickr happy.. I can't help myself though. I have to post. Now, on with the blog...
There was wall-to-wall sleeping bodies in the ICU waiting area this morning at 8 o'clock.
So I did what any self-respecting housekeeper would do... pull trash and wait till they wake up to run the vaccuum.. By my 10 o'clock break they surely be off the floor. Well during my break, the lead got paged overhead to stat vacuum the area. I don't know the full details yet, but apparently he was a little upset with the other department that called for the page. More to be updated, I'm sure...
Tonight my daughter must be on cloud nine, attending a live show. Her favorite band, My Chemical Romance is here in KC tonight.. Jason, Lauri, Laura and maybe some others have gone too.
Meanwhile, I'm anxiously looking forward to the end of another work day tomorrow. Usually that would be payday, but in keeping with HCH policy, they have notified us that our checks will be distributed on Fridays from now on, just like everybody else... what makes us not like everybody else though, is the possibility of the place eventually being torn down, after they finally close the doors.. what a shame.
I was born thene in that facility.. my mom and dad were born there... they say it's cheaper to tear it down and build something else than to renovate... Oh, what should I care? Its just a job now.. I just work at the place. Burned-out... I feel I'm getting there fast.
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Saturday, October 09, 2004
Activity
All the insides of trees
along this street
lined left to right
have come alive with the
chatterbox and cat calls
of crow and squirrel.
The longer I walk
the louder they become
as if I signal a faster
onslaught of cold...
They hurry now into yards
a flutter, a flurry of
activity, the flicker
of brush tails caught from
the corner of my eye.
I turn the corner
and a midmorning sun
is melting vague glimmers
of frost from the grass
at curbside.
All the insides of trees
along this street
lined left to right
have come alive with the
chatterbox and cat calls
of crow and squirrel.
The longer I walk
the louder they become
as if I signal a faster
onslaught of cold...
They hurry now into yards
a flutter, a flurry of
activity, the flicker
of brush tails caught from
the corner of my eye.
I turn the corner
and a midmorning sun
is melting vague glimmers
of frost from the grass
at curbside.
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