PittsburghThoughts

Hi Blog,

Through a combination of indifference, carpal tunnel and Christmas preparations, I haven't been blogging. One person has expressed concern, thanks Jan. Readership is down anyway, but I suspect other people are busy and indifferent too.

The front porch is decorated and looks maaaavalous.

The inside of the house is still under Christmas construction and is scheduled to be completed very soon. As usual, we will purchase a complete new collection of Christmas lights and relegate the old ones to be neatly tucked away in Rubbermaid bins and stashed unceremoniously in the coal cellar. It seems being a consumer is what it's all about.

Speaking of consuming, I've discovered that I get as much satisfaction and the same excitement shopping at a good second hand store as most people do shopping retail. But, I have to admit that after much research, I've concluded that my recently purchased jewel: the 1930, Bertilini accordion, is worth considerably less that I paid for it on the old, used, Italian accordion market (ebay). So I have no alternative than to try to learn to play it.

The lava lamp for 8 bucks was a big hit though and, since I'm posting pictures, here's a cool picture of the pitchers that I bought to display in that little room that we call, for some unknown reason, the breakfast room:

Speaking of theremins, dig this: Squeezytunes: Vintage Theremin Video

Today I bought a Enrico Bertini accordion. I was doing some research on it and came across the above. I just dig theremins and if your interested, I can't play the accordion either.  Gene

The Tribulation, 

While we're all waiting for James Baker to come back like Jesus from the sky, there's been some serious soul searching and finger pointing by the same people that engineered and supported the Iraq invasion. 

While we all suffer through The Great Tribulation, before Baker's second coming, George Bush Jr. has attempted catharsis with his belated tour of Vietnam duty. There is something very spooky and Bush-like here.

In Kitty Kelly's book, The Family, she maintains that the senior Bush made his septuagenarian parachute jump in order to quell the spirits of his past. She quotes George Bush Sr's. top aid Jim McGrath, "The reasons behind this are strictly personal ... it has to do with World War II."

When Bush's plane was hit by the Japanese during World War II, did he really check to see if everyone had bailed out before he jumped, did he do anything at all to save his crew, or did he panic? According to Kelly, Bush Sr. told Hugh Sidey, "But it was always a thought back in my mind: Do it again and do it right." In 1997, upon landing, Bush said "I'm a new man."

Maybe Bush Jr. is a new man too or maybe he's just a broken man, it doesn't matter anymore, the Bush family psychodrama has gone on too long and too many people are sick of it. Maybe Bush, since his sense of propriety is so skewered so often, should take a que from O. J. and write his book on Iraq, "If I Didn't Do It." Maybe not, but now we need not only an exit strategy for Iraq but also one from the Bush dynasty / debacle.

Somehow the spell has been broken, the worm has turned and it's about time, now we have some serious disappointments and issues of our own to contend with.

Michigan Congressman, John Conyers has done an "about face" and said impeachment is off the table. New York Congressman, Charles Rangel is calling for a draft, although in all fairness, he's supported one for years. Harry Reid is now the majority leader, can he carry the ball? Nancy Pelosi has started off on the wrong foot some say, supporting John "Abscam" Murtha as the majority leader. Are the Democrats going to be able to find the 60 votes that they need in the senate to enact reform? Do they even have the guts to do it or will infighting kill them too?

Whatever the case, now it's our turn to make the mistakes and headlines. Now it's our turn to be the target and punching bag. What the hell were we thinking? The only good thing we had going for us was a very, very bad thing: the war. We need lobbyists to fill our campaign chests, we need money, status and power and will make deals, compromises and if someone has to be sold down the river now and then, see ya later, sucker!

I'm too cynical too soon. I feel like the guy that has to sweep up after the celebration. That's us, left to do the dirty work after the cheers and shouts are over. Back to the salt mines you salts of the earth. Back to our measly lives and jobs, our families and faith.

Maybe I'll jump out an airplane, maybe I'll finally go to Vietnam.  Gene