Pig Through the Python

Been reading all the online "The Best of 2010" articles.  Hmmmm.  A pretty unimpressive bunch of stories...and the only significant ones were not good to my way of thinking.

Of course I do believe that shuffling into 2011 is better than not shuffling into 2011.  But I can also say that for the most part I will not miss the year gone by...

On a more positive note I decided moments ago to head to PDX late next week...which certainly cheers me up.  Good company and good food. A good way to start a new year.

I need to go check-out Leah's employment conditions at the Sokol-Blosser winery.  Strictly parental concern, of course.  There's a lot of exploitation in the agricultural sector of the economy and I need to make certain that she's not being fed bad cheese in the tasting room.  It's the least I can do....

Today I went to town to collect my friend, Brent Long, and hauled him out to visit mom.  Brent is visiting his elderly dad.   We grew up in the same neighborhood - we were good pals as youngsters - though we grew apart in our teenage years -  and his folks were contemporaries of my own although they were not close friends.  Both mom and Brent seemed to enjoy the conversation.  I know I enjoyed it.

Brent's dad is 92 and lives in Fireweed Place.  He's doing well...for his age...but at 92 is suffering all the familiar maladies.  Still, 92 is certainly nothing to sneeze-at.  Brent heads back to Seattle tomorrow.

So...back to the dissection of 2010.  Actually, the best article I read today was not about the past year; but about what 2011 means in terms of my favourite hobby horse - the demographics of this country.   The article in today's New York Times is entitled "Boomers Hit New Self-Absorption Milestone:  Age 65".

In keeping with a generation’s fascination with itself, the time has come to note the passing of another milestone: On New Year’s Day, the oldest members of the Baby Boom Generation will turn 65, the age once linked to retirement, early bird specials and gray Velcro shoes that go with everything.
...

Previous generations were raised to speak only when spoken to, and to endure in self-denying silence. But baby boomers were raised on the more nurturing, child-as-individual teachings of Dr. Benjamin Spock, and then placed under the spell of television, whose advertisers marketed their wares directly to children. Parents were cut out of the sale — except, of course, for the actual purchase of that coonskin cap or Barbie doll.
...

“It created a sense of entitlement that had not existed before,” Mr. Gillon said. “We became more concerned with our own emotional well-being, whereas to older generations that was considered soft and fluffy.”

“But the pig has moved through the python, and is moving to the final stage,” Mr. Gillon said. “And we won’t describe what that stage is.”

Here is an attempt: retirement, old age, then a release to a place where the celestial Muzak plays a never-ending loop of the Doobie Brothers.

I don't believe this article was written by a Baby Boomer.  But it has a note of resentment that us boomers better get used to...

Happy New Year everyone! 

Another Christmas...

Another Christmas done.  Quite fun.  I did lots of cooking this season...learned how to make candy.  I think once a year for candy is about right...

Christmas Eve was the traditional get-together at Alison's and Doug's for supper - a great big prime rib.  Alison is the Christmas Queen on the decoration front.  A good time was had by all.  Alison and Doug gave me a really good kitchen knife.  Can't beat that fine German steel. 

Christmas dinner at mom's place featured turkey with all the trimmings.  I was Side Dish Elmo with a fruit salad, green bean casserole, and potato and carrot puree.  Gifts were exchanged. 

I spoke to both Leah and Amanda on Christmas day.  Leah was just getting ready to pack-up in Olympia and return to Portland.  She had to be back at the wine cellar on the 26th.  She was in good spirits although she is still fighting a bad cold.

Amanda checked-in from Boston where she was having Christmas supper with her boyfriend Daniel's extended family.  Sounds like the east coasters were intrigued by the Alaskan in their midst.  Amanda was amused.  They were going to hit the road back to New Hampshire late Christmas day.  Hope they beat the blizzard.  

Indeed, I just checked the weather for Hanover, NH and it looks like it has finally cleared up after a big snowfall.  Sounds like things are still a real mess at all the major Northeast airports.  I believe she is scheduled to fly back to PDX on December 30th.  One would hope that the insanity will have abated by then...

Sorry I haven't posted much...but my heart just hasn't been in it lately.  I assume that is because I really don't have much to report.  Hopefully the New Year will usher in a little more excitement - like a trip out of this burg.  Flights to Hawaii and hotels in Maui are pretty tight through most of January...so I'm thinking maybe a week in PDX and environs in early January and then a Hawaii trip in early February.  Haven't pulled the trigger on anything yet though.

This morning I got a call from Dougie who informed me that a very good ol' pal is in town for a week.  Jerry Schilz worked with Doug and me at Legislative Finance back in the 80's.  He's a great guy.  I can't join them for drinks this afternoon due to an auntie medical appointment and supper at mom's - but I will track him down later in the week.

And I just spoke to Brent Long who is in town visiting his dad and brother.  We'll have lunch on Thursday.

So there you have it gang!

Three Shopping Days 'Til Christmas

I think I set a new record for Christmas power shopping today.  And I have historically been quite good at this maneuver.  Two-and-a-half hours to complete my remaining shopping.  And it was a considerable list.  Damn I'm good.  But I was well prepared.  I KNEW what I wanted - it was just a matter of finding it.

I do believe that many of my fellow shoppers were not so well prepared.  Indeed, with three days to go the complexion of the shopping population has decidedly shifted...from the female to the male of the species.  And many of these shoppers have that glassy-eyed and slack-jawed countenance associated with those who believe they are already doomed - the jig will soon be up with the girlfriend, wife, or other beloved individuals they are once again destined to disappoint on Christmas morn. Don't give-up hope, boys.  It gets easier as the week wears on...the selection, and thus the decision making, become more manageable.  And I've done some of my best work on Christmas Eve.  Persevere!  Hah!

On a MUCH more positive note, Amanda called this morning to inform me that he is about to become a staff member of the Portland Children's Museum.  She starts on December 31st.  She is quite excited and the Museum is excited to have her.  It will be part-time work to start with but the powers-that-be are already talking about cross-training in various capacities - so hopefully it will soon morph into more hours and full-time status.  An EXCELLENT way to start 2011.  Bravo!

Last night Joan and I finished the 2010 Christmas Candy Extravaganza.  We made a big pile of candy.  And it's all pretty tasty if I do say so myself.  Very fun - so long as I only have to do it once a year.  Making candy is hard work...  I will play Cavity Faerie to the elders...

Untimely

Well, that was a disappointment.  The clouds rolled-in last night just in time to make the total eclipse of the moon less than spectacular.  You could still see it; but it was all fuzzy and not the spectacle for which I had been hoping.  My landlord says we won't have another one in Juneau for a hundred years or so (don't know if that's true or not) but guess I'll have to hit the road if I want to see another. I tried to take a couple of pics; but it was SOOOOO cold that I couldn't hold the camera steady even with my monopod.

On the other hand, it's clear as a bell this morning.

I had a busy weekend.  Helped assemble the plum pudd on Friday for Thelma's big Xmas party on Sunday - the party was a roaring success as always.  Alison is very well organized.  Saturday was candy making day with Joan - also quite fun but not yet completed.  We will do another shift tonight.

Today I need to do some power Christmas shopping.  Have a pretty good idea about everything I need, I just need to go out and get it. 

So there you have it!

The Christmas Pudding

Christmas pudd day.  I'm off to Alison's mom's place at 11 AM to assist in the creation of the traditional plum pudding.  Big Xmas party on Sunday at Thelma's.  And tonight I'm going over to Joan's to make candy - there's a box with four pounds of quality chocolate under my tree. 

Last evening was the annual cocktail event at the Prospector with Shelly, Laura, Dougie and Alison.  The restaurant and bar are tarted-up real nice...actually it's completely over-the-top with many, many many lights and ornaments hanging from the ceiling.  Ho!  Ho!  Ho!  I just LOVE the holidays.

I still have lots of local shopping to do...but otherwise I'm in pretty good shape.  I did quite a bit of baking this week and will bake some real Christmas cookies next week.

I took auntie to a couple of medical appointments early in the week.  Relatively uneventful as such things go.  Her physical therapist is Denise McPherson (Blefgen) an old schoolmate.  Going back to about second grade as I recall...  She's a great gal and seemed to get a kick out of auntie's antics.  Don't think Emilie stopped talking for two seconds the whole time...  We had another appointment scheduled for today; but auntie has canceled due to discomfort associated with Tuesday's tooth extraction.  I will check-in on her after the pudding exercise.

The weather has been pretty darn nice all week...although it was blowing Taku downtown last night.  Brrrrrrr.  Still, I'm not complaining.  Here is yet another pic from my deck taken earlier this week.  I never tire of this view although it's fairly mundane for these here parts...

Not a bad view to wake-up to...

Have a great weekend everybody.

Geez...it's been a week!

Sorry about the lack of posts - but haven't had a lot to share.  Quality personal time for Elmo.  I did drive around a bit though...here's a couple of pretty pics from North Douglas mid-week. 

A beautiful winter's day out North Douglas.  The Chilkat Mountains were lovely.

Gotta Love that Soft Winter Sunshine.  A Rare Commodity!

Been chugging-away on Christmas stuff.  Ordered a mess of stuff online.  Very convenient and a necessity in a town that seems to be losing local retailers right and left.  The Nugget Mall was like a ghost town this week - two weeks before Christmas.  Not good.  The box stores seem to be a little busier - but it still looks pretty feeble. 

I did some baking yesterday and had a great supper and visit with Dougie and Alison.  Alison had just trimmed their trees - yep, that's plural.  One in the living room and one in the family room.  Beauteous.  Alison's got cool Xmas stuff...

Tomorrow and Tuesday are Auntie medical days - which can be both trying and amusing for all concerned.  She's going to a physical therapist tomorrow.  Don't know that she's ever seen one before.  I am filled with trepidation.  Her posture is very poor and thus her balance is not good.  Probably from sleeping in a chair for years.  Don't know what kinda manipulations are called for in this instance - but I guess I will find out tomorrow.  Physical therapy will be followed by a chicken dinner at mom's - assuming Auntie is not too sore to attend. Tuesday is dentist day.  Wish me luck.

I am contemplating a week or ten days in the Great Northwest in January.  And maybe Hawaii or someplace else warm in late February.  It's possible I may decide to go to the Juneau Golf Club tournament in March - but am reluctant to spend my money in Arizona these days - the politics of the place are just too disgusting.

YIKES!  A winter storm warning just popped-up for Juneau.  Maybe a foot in the next couple of days.  And cooler temps later in the week.  Guess it's winter.  I just acquired a new super duper big shovel for driveway work.  Bring it on...

It was just perfect today.  Mostly clear, temperature around 30 degrees, no wind and a blanket of fresh snow.  Wish it would stay just like this for a couple of months...but obviously that's not going to happen. 

Will try to be more diligent posting this next week.

Cheerio.

Christmas Stuff

Ho!  Ho!  Ho!

Got my tree up yesterday.  The poor ol' thing is beginning to look a little ragged.  It's about 15 or so years old...it was initially purchased after several unfortunate incidents involving the family cats, Missy and Crazy, who were prone to climbing into the branches of natural Christmas trees resulting in serious mayhem.  I think it will be headed for the landfill after the current season.  Hate to do it...lots of kiddo memories associated with my current tree...  Fortunately, fond memories last longer than artificial Christmas trees.

I've also got a majority of my cards written.  Will try to get them all finished in the next day or two.  And I am resolved to getting my Christmas shopping done this week as well.  Yesterday I ordered some high quality chocolate online in anticipation of some serious candy making.  Joan is going to be the candy master.  I will be the candy helper elf.  I do love the holidays.

Otherwise it has been a pretty quiet week.  Went to the Moose Family Center on Friday for cocktails with Dougie and Eric.  Good fun. Saturday was one of the ugliest days I've seen in many a moon.  We had a about five inches of snow last week and it all vanished in about 12 hours under a deluge of rain and serious wind.  Ugh!  The forecast for the remainder of this week is quite unremarkable.  A little sun, a little snow and temps bouncing just above and below freezing.  Such it is...

In other news, I have been watching with disgust the U.S. Senate's "deliberations" over the Bush tax cuts.  It looks like it will be a big Christmas pudding for the wealthy and a lump of coal for the rest of us.  Although this morning the news suggests the deal will likely include some sort of extension of unemployment benefits.

But before I get too wound-up - time to remember that a couple of pictures (or cartoons) are worth a thousand words....