Let's Really Take Out the Trash

What deodorant ad said "Never let them see you sweat" - that's all I could think of looking at Bush today as he did his political tour of the Gulf Coast.

It's clear that the Lott family suffered the loss of their oceanfront home. But it's hard to manage much sympathy for the Lott mansion, despite Bush II's obvious affinity for such dwellings, when I heard on the 11 o'clock news that more than a third of Katrina-related garbage has still not been cleared away. But we'll solve the crisis in the Mideast, no problem.

Addicted to Lotto

I love a story like this. And it caught my attention because I always thought Kevin was "addicted to Lotto." But he'd spend maybe $20 a week on various games - this dame reportedly spent $6,000 a day at times. Good gawd, if she spent even half that on scratch-offs, she wouldn't have time to do anything else.

Whole New Meaning to Slipping Through a Crack

I don't mean to be insensitive but I don't see how it's possible for someone to fall through a gap at an LIRR station. Trip, yes. Fall through, hard for me to imagine though it did happen to a tourist from Minnesota. And now the NTSB has gotten involved. Stay tuned.

You Say Poe-tay-toe, I Say Pa-tot-oh

Involuntary call-ups to Iraq. Can anyone say "draft?"

The Language of Grief

Was having a conversation today with somoone about Kevin and all things related and she made a very interesting observation: there are no words to accurately describe a loss as painful and as overwhelming as mine (or anyone's). That's hard for me to accept because I pride myself on knowing just the right word. But I think she's right on this one.

Just Because You're Paranoid...

Doesn't mean they're not out to get you.

A must-watch video alleging photo fraud by major news organizations covering the conflict in the Middle East. If all true, there isn't enough outrage in the world to cover it. But the biggest outrage of all: so few will pay attention. (Thanks for the link DT)

Say You'll Go, Joe

My sister, brother-in-law and nephews were here for a long weekend. Sad to see them go.

The NYT article on the outcome of yesterday's primary in Connecticut is worth reading even if they did miss an opportunity to focus on how out of touch Lieberman has become with his constituents. The outcome was not about Iraq only - Iraq is just the best example of how far removed he's become from local Connecticut politics.

A Dozen Choclate Chips - To Go

A woman in New Hampshire bakes cookies on her car dashboard. Now, why didn't I think of that?

Wish You Were Here

Kevin died two years ago today, officially at 5:57 pm at the hospital. They (EMTs and emergency room docs) worked on him for about an hour before time of death was called - after I gave them "permission" to stop efforts. Sigh.

I'm mad at myself - I wanted to post something in Newsday's In Memoriam section. I couldn't decide what to say and realized I'd missed the deadline. Not that Kevin would expect anything else from me. So I signed his guestbook instead.

The strongest memory still of those awful days is of my nephew Matthew who was nine at the time. He said he wished he could do magic so he could turn back time and have Kevin with us again. He's a real mensch that kid.

I'm starting a new tradition today. On every August 2 I'm going to do something I've never done before. Today I will be (drum roll please)...

going to a movie by myself.

I know - such a daredevil I am - but this will be a big step for me. Simple every day things that I've just never gotten around to doing -- or have stopped myself from doing for one reason or another. That's the plan anyway. It won't be a tradition until I follow through next year.

Also, I think this connection was made for me earlier but if it had been I forgot all about it. Today's also the anniversary of Thurman Munson's death - 27 years ago. Other things happened on this date in baseball but nothing more significant than that. I have this vision of Kevin monopolizing all of Lou Gehrig's time. Now I see the three of them together. Andy thinks Ted Williams is part of that group too so who knows - the more the merrier Kevin would say.

Get In Line

August already. Jesus.

Happy birthday Mad Dog.

Was looking for something and came across this article - a shining example of our illustrious House of Representatives at work. How fitting that the acronym for the Deleting Online Predators Act is DOPA. Way too many dopes voted for it. It's obvious that most of them did not read what they were voting for. Or if they did, had no comprehension of what they were doing. So the 15 who voted no, I salute you. As for the 410 who approved it, you should be fired.