What about Serena's face? Did you tennis fans see it? Talk about intimidating! It's a wonder Dinara Safina scored even once. But hats off to Serena, she really wanted that 10th. Grand Slam and made it clear immediately.
I was just sad that I we didn't get to see more tennis and a little sad for Dinara, because she had fought so hard and played so beautifully throughout the Aussie Open, just to get to that point. And then she got Serena who didn't look serene at all until she had that trophy in her hands.
I was happy to see that there was a lot of camaraderie between the two before the presentation and both were laughing at some private joke.
Tonight it's Roger and Raffa, I almost can't bear the tension i create for myself at the beginning of these matches, and I know I'm sick, but I really, really want Roger to get his 14th. Grand Slam.
I hope he takes note of Serena's attitude and put's his game face on from the get go.
At any rate --may the best player win, and I know he will!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Well how about that, I'm crankier by the minute
I'm one of those poor unfortunates who's grip on all the marvels of modern computer use and uploads and downloads and such is an ongoing puzzle that deepens every minute for me.
I just learn something new, but then there are a million other things I have to learn, to utilize this new wizardry.
All I've wanted to do was replace that slide show on my blog with my own photos and it's taken several hours out of my day and night now and I still can't do it.
I have created two great shows, but it will have to wait until tomorrow.
In the meantime I wanted to comment on the crazy hard-hitting tennis match from last night.
Bravo Raffa Nadal, Bravo Verdasco, your match was a true slug fest in the game of tennis.
The way you chased down almost every ball was truly exciting to watch, and both of you deserved to win. I'm always sad that there has to be a loser in these amazing battles, just like last years' Wimbledon, but that's life.
However there is a definite upside in this for me, being a devoted Roger Federer fan, and a lover of history.
There's no way of sounding nice about this, but I was hoping for exactly this kind of match so that the winner would be too tired to really hurt Roger get to his record-breaking 14th Grand Slam, as a winner.
I'm sorry that you're very tired Raffa, and that your fingers are bleeding, but you do have so much more time on your hands, being five years younger than Rog.
So thanks for the wonderful way you've played throughout this tournament, and for winning last night, but you are also a Roger fan. I've heard the way you revere him, even now when you have taken his crown as the world's current #1 Tennis player, but you know he has to win on Sunday.
You have come further than ever on the hard courts now and we all see your value. You may be on your way to outdo Roger in all time wins, but not just yet.
Next year will be much better for that!
Just one more thing!
Bravo Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri, you were truly wonderful and you totally reignited the dying embers for the political side of my life, with your passionate declaration of truth about all those greedy people trying to rip 'us the people' off even further.
Thanks KO, you are so consistent and Rachel too! You have a way of summing up the day's events, that leave me feeling in the loop.
especially when I haven't been listening to 1090 for some reason or another.
Love you AM-1090--you know who you are!
I just learn something new, but then there are a million other things I have to learn, to utilize this new wizardry.
All I've wanted to do was replace that slide show on my blog with my own photos and it's taken several hours out of my day and night now and I still can't do it.
I have created two great shows, but it will have to wait until tomorrow.
In the meantime I wanted to comment on the crazy hard-hitting tennis match from last night.
Bravo Raffa Nadal, Bravo Verdasco, your match was a true slug fest in the game of tennis.
The way you chased down almost every ball was truly exciting to watch, and both of you deserved to win. I'm always sad that there has to be a loser in these amazing battles, just like last years' Wimbledon, but that's life.
However there is a definite upside in this for me, being a devoted Roger Federer fan, and a lover of history.
There's no way of sounding nice about this, but I was hoping for exactly this kind of match so that the winner would be too tired to really hurt Roger get to his record-breaking 14th Grand Slam, as a winner.
I'm sorry that you're very tired Raffa, and that your fingers are bleeding, but you do have so much more time on your hands, being five years younger than Rog.
So thanks for the wonderful way you've played throughout this tournament, and for winning last night, but you are also a Roger fan. I've heard the way you revere him, even now when you have taken his crown as the world's current #1 Tennis player, but you know he has to win on Sunday.
You have come further than ever on the hard courts now and we all see your value. You may be on your way to outdo Roger in all time wins, but not just yet.
Next year will be much better for that!
Just one more thing!
Bravo Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri, you were truly wonderful and you totally reignited the dying embers for the political side of my life, with your passionate declaration of truth about all those greedy people trying to rip 'us the people' off even further.
Thanks KO, you are so consistent and Rachel too! You have a way of summing up the day's events, that leave me feeling in the loop.
especially when I haven't been listening to 1090 for some reason or another.
Love you AM-1090--you know who you are!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Crazy Cranky
Well it's been quite a day--one that I really didn't want to face when I first woke up at he crack of dawn--at least for me.
As usual one of my cats woke me, but I ignored her for a while and tried to get a bit more shut eye. But today somehow the radio came on all by it self and Stephanie Miller's familiar, soothing voice kept me so entertained and giggly, and totally counteracted my self pity and reluctance to get up.
As always her show is not just hilarious, but filled with real news and like-minded people. Like our new president, and the intelligent people around him.
Once again, we are to face the threat of disappearing into a minute Black Hole of our own making,when it seemed like only last week were all breathed a sigh of relief that we were still around!
Once again, those dear old Republicans are trying to scare the American people into insisting on more tax breaks as if that is the ultimate solution to every problem any one has ever faced.
Once again the day was full of unexpected drama and full of surprises.
Once again I remember President Obama and I realize that things do change, even though some things stay the same like long lasting friendships and love for each other. That's comforting.
By the end of the day I got some work and a chance to watch some fantastic tennis.
One word Serena!
Now it' s time for some more of that, should be quite a match between Roger and Andy Roddick.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
No Words today--too cranky altogether
Today I will just post some images I like and mostly created, I hope you'll enjoy too.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Renewed Crankiness and Misery
Well what can I say about today? Don't judge a book by it's cover? Can one say that about the weather ?
It looked just perfectly beautiful today and my spirits tried to rise to the occasion, but it's so bloody cold, that I'm wearing two pairs of really thick socks, a jersey camisole, a skivvy and a sweater as well as thick corduroy pants of course. And I'm still feeling cold, even sitting in front of the heater.
So I have felt extremely miserable to say the least.
However I'm posting a really cute picture I took almost 14 years ago of the our cat as a tiny little kitten. It's bound to warm us all up, I'm sure.
Oh what the hell, here's another one! She's climbing up my leg.
Later I will write some more interesting stuff about the tennis in OZ, like the streakers they've had this year.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Three cats on a bed!
Since I took away the kitten, I'm replacing it with a photo of my three three giants.
Sadly only the two in the front are still with us.
They're hard at work at keeping me warm at night, since it's so cold ..my fingers barely work.
Happy Australia Day!
For all those Aussies just waking up after a hard night of partying---have a wonderful day!
Australia Day is always special, and I well remember my last Australia day...in Australia, sometime late in the 80's.
It was one of those really special days when everyone who had a boat or knew some one with a watercraft of any sort was out on Sydney harbor, and I was lucky enough to be on a really cool yacht, with some good friends.
There were the Tall Ships of course, giving the day a sense of its true history and a million small ships, and all the folks were having a wonderful time. I wish I remembered more, but there was a lot of drinking and we all know how that goes for the memories
I wish I was there...feeling hot and sweaty...instead of freezing cold....but as always...I'm there in spirit.
So I'm a little cranky today, the last time I looked at my clock last night--it was 4.35 am and I still didn't know wether Dokic won or lost the tennis match against Kleybanova.
But I just found out that she did...and that's a crankiness downer.
Good on ya Aussies!
Australia Day is always special, and I well remember my last Australia day...in Australia, sometime late in the 80's.
It was one of those really special days when everyone who had a boat or knew some one with a watercraft of any sort was out on Sydney harbor, and I was lucky enough to be on a really cool yacht, with some good friends.
There were the Tall Ships of course, giving the day a sense of its true history and a million small ships, and all the folks were having a wonderful time. I wish I remembered more, but there was a lot of drinking and we all know how that goes for the memories
I wish I was there...feeling hot and sweaty...instead of freezing cold....but as always...I'm there in spirit.
So I'm a little cranky today, the last time I looked at my clock last night--it was 4.35 am and I still didn't know wether Dokic won or lost the tennis match against Kleybanova.
But I just found out that she did...and that's a crankiness downer.
Good on ya Aussies!
Tennis upset diverted, but only barely!
Most of the people who might read this blog, certainly know how much I love my tennis, both playing and watching as many matches as I can--especially during the Grand Slams.
I love all the announcers and their endless speculation on who and why will most likely win this year's Aussie open, the French and so on.
Well tonight's match was a nail biter, one that was as shocking to Roger Federer fans--at least to me-- as the so called best match ever, last years' Wimbledon. Only this time it had a happier ending I'm glad to say. In fact it only just averted a major attack of crankiness on my part and all of Roger's fans who were in Melbourne by the thousands.
I was watching it on the DVR and as luck would have it, a major glitch occurred, causing me to miss almost all of the second and third set. Berdych easily won the first and had me biting my nails and yelling things at the TV screen.
When the glitch was fixed Rog was down by two sets and struggling in the third. Roger had beaten this really tall and powerful Czech the last seven times they played and everyone thought it would be so easy for him to do again. But right from the start Roger was broken in the first game and then again a second time in the set.
Look I just couldn't stand to see him lose again, there is so much at stake for him --from a historic, tennis loving point of view. I was glad that I missed part of the match, and when I watched it again his game had improved tremendously.
The question is always there now--will he catch up to Pete Sampras? If he does--will he surpass Pete and thus become the best player ever?? Or is it all over now??
Is it possible for Roger, with so many talented players coming up right now to even get to the finals after doing it 18 times in a row??
There's Nadal of course, already #1 and nipping at his heels in the Grand Slam count, and right now a lot of people think that Andy Murray will take the big prize this time. There are at least five other players with a good chance to win in this tournament, but I hope it's Roger. .
Of course I'm sure Roger doesn't need my anxiety and would probably laugh if he knew how upset people get when he loses. After all he is a man with other important matters in his life, besides this job.
But no matter, I hope he goes on to win, and that he lives up to his own dreams, and of course ours---his adoring fans.
I love all the announcers and their endless speculation on who and why will most likely win this year's Aussie open, the French and so on.
Well tonight's match was a nail biter, one that was as shocking to Roger Federer fans--at least to me-- as the so called best match ever, last years' Wimbledon. Only this time it had a happier ending I'm glad to say. In fact it only just averted a major attack of crankiness on my part and all of Roger's fans who were in Melbourne by the thousands.
I was watching it on the DVR and as luck would have it, a major glitch occurred, causing me to miss almost all of the second and third set. Berdych easily won the first and had me biting my nails and yelling things at the TV screen.
When the glitch was fixed Rog was down by two sets and struggling in the third. Roger had beaten this really tall and powerful Czech the last seven times they played and everyone thought it would be so easy for him to do again. But right from the start Roger was broken in the first game and then again a second time in the set.
Look I just couldn't stand to see him lose again, there is so much at stake for him --from a historic, tennis loving point of view. I was glad that I missed part of the match, and when I watched it again his game had improved tremendously.
The question is always there now--will he catch up to Pete Sampras? If he does--will he surpass Pete and thus become the best player ever?? Or is it all over now??
Is it possible for Roger, with so many talented players coming up right now to even get to the finals after doing it 18 times in a row??
There's Nadal of course, already #1 and nipping at his heels in the Grand Slam count, and right now a lot of people think that Andy Murray will take the big prize this time. There are at least five other players with a good chance to win in this tournament, but I hope it's Roger. .
Of course I'm sure Roger doesn't need my anxiety and would probably laugh if he knew how upset people get when he loses. After all he is a man with other important matters in his life, besides this job.
But no matter, I hope he goes on to win, and that he lives up to his own dreams, and of course ours---his adoring fans.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Tim’s Trap A novella By Gabriele Beatty
Tim needed proof that his suspicions were either right or wrong. Driving up the coastal road of northern New South Wales, with the windows open and the music blaring, he wondered which it was. Had one of his best friends ripped him off as he suspected? All signs pointed in that direction, yet Tim liked Smokey too much to jump to that conclusion without some definitive evidence.
It was hot. So hot that the wind blasting through the windows seemed like hot air blown directly onto his face with a gigantic hair dryer, yet having the windows closed was even worse, as the heavy scent of his sweat surrounded him like blowflies around a pile of dung. His old Valiant had no air-conditioning or heater for that matter, so he suffered whenever the weather was extreme.
But he needed to get to Monica, as quickly as possible, so he drove nonstop, as fast as he could. She had insights into people and would find something, or some way to guide him in this matter.
He lit a cigarette and puffed hard, thinking about their trip to India and Nepal, reliving some of the most amazing times of his life. He and Monica had gone together and the trip had brought them closer than they had ever been before.
He looked to his right and saw the Pacific Ocean far below, reminding him of a ferry trip he and Mon had taken somewhere on the west coast of India, taking them to the state of Goa where they had spent a few weeks living in a hut on a beach. They had enjoyed some of the best sex ever in his mind, but Monica thought the opium had more to do with the intensity of their feelings. Slightly hurt, he had felt that they had simply fallen more in love in these ideal surroundings, after two months of being jostled around on overcrowded trains and buses.
At any rate, they were still together now, and he had thought about proposing to her many times. But Monica was a free spirit and always needed time on her own. Even though she professed to love him as much as he loved her, he held back, so afraid to be rejected.
She was visiting one of her best friends, Gisella, who lived near Byron Bay, which isn’t far from the Queensland border.
At the moment he was near Crescent Head, which meant a few more hours of driving until he could see her, hold her again and so much more.
His mind wandered back to India and the gigantic task they had set for themselves and actually accomplished. All that hash! They had found a way of getting a decent lump of hashish into the country and it had kept them and their friends happy for several weeks, but now they were about to run out! That wouldn’t have happened if things had gone differently, the way they were supposed to go. But what does ever go the way it’s planned? He slapped his thigh hard in anger and swore with the resulting pain.
They had sent a pound of the highest quality to Smokey- well disguised and masterfully hidden- but he claimed that it had never arrived.
At first Tim had believed him, writing the loss off as bad luck. Indeed they had all been lucky that the stuff hadn’t been confiscated, and people arrested, but then the rumors started and a different picture began to emerge.
Bit by bit, when visiting other friends, tales of Smokey’s wonderful Hash emerged, sending waves of anger creeping up Tim’s back. It was too much of a coincidence for Smokey to have all this Hash to throw around, at the exact moment that Tim’s package would have arrived. When he confronted his old friend, Smokey claimed to have bought the stuff from another person he knew.
“Who would that be then Smokey?” Tim asked suspiciously.
“Nobody you know mate, I met him while you were away.” Smokey shot back.
“What happened mate?” Tim continued. “Wasn’t the deal we had good enough for you? Fifty- fifty we said, right? What the fuck happened, old friend?”
“Nothing fucking happened Tim!” Smokey protested. “I just happened to come across a different piece of Hash. You’re not the only person I know who went to India. Everyone’s doing it you know! I would never rip you off. You’ve got to believe me, man. We’ve been friends too long.”
“Yeah, yeah. That’s what you say mate.” Tim replied, feeling hot under the collar. “But I’ve been told other things. Why don’t you show me a bit of the stuff? In fact you should make us a nice big joint, don’t you think?”
“Shit mate. I wish I could, but there isn’t any left. I only had a little bit, you know.”
“Really Smokey? I heard you were showing off a huge chunk, just a couple of weeks ago. What happened to that, MATE? Did you sell it or what?”
“I don’t know what you fucking heard Tim,” Smokey retorted anxiously. “I can only tell you the truth, and that is that I did not rip you off. Don’t listen to what others are saying. You know me mate, I’m your friend and I’m not lying.”
The conversation had gone on like that for some time and at the end Tim was no closer to the truth. His heart wanted to believe that Smokey was being honest, but his head said something else. That’s why he needed to talk to Monica so urgently, as an idea had begun to form in his head, a way of testing Smokey’s loyalty once and for all.
It would be a sure and safe test if Smokey was true to his word, but if he cheated, it could very well prove fatal.
Tim lit another cigarette as the sign for the city of Coff’s Harbour flashed by. Less than two hundred miles now, thank god! I can’t wait to see her again.
To be continued.
It was hot. So hot that the wind blasting through the windows seemed like hot air blown directly onto his face with a gigantic hair dryer, yet having the windows closed was even worse, as the heavy scent of his sweat surrounded him like blowflies around a pile of dung. His old Valiant had no air-conditioning or heater for that matter, so he suffered whenever the weather was extreme.
But he needed to get to Monica, as quickly as possible, so he drove nonstop, as fast as he could. She had insights into people and would find something, or some way to guide him in this matter.
He lit a cigarette and puffed hard, thinking about their trip to India and Nepal, reliving some of the most amazing times of his life. He and Monica had gone together and the trip had brought them closer than they had ever been before.
He looked to his right and saw the Pacific Ocean far below, reminding him of a ferry trip he and Mon had taken somewhere on the west coast of India, taking them to the state of Goa where they had spent a few weeks living in a hut on a beach. They had enjoyed some of the best sex ever in his mind, but Monica thought the opium had more to do with the intensity of their feelings. Slightly hurt, he had felt that they had simply fallen more in love in these ideal surroundings, after two months of being jostled around on overcrowded trains and buses.
At any rate, they were still together now, and he had thought about proposing to her many times. But Monica was a free spirit and always needed time on her own. Even though she professed to love him as much as he loved her, he held back, so afraid to be rejected.
She was visiting one of her best friends, Gisella, who lived near Byron Bay, which isn’t far from the Queensland border.
At the moment he was near Crescent Head, which meant a few more hours of driving until he could see her, hold her again and so much more.
His mind wandered back to India and the gigantic task they had set for themselves and actually accomplished. All that hash! They had found a way of getting a decent lump of hashish into the country and it had kept them and their friends happy for several weeks, but now they were about to run out! That wouldn’t have happened if things had gone differently, the way they were supposed to go. But what does ever go the way it’s planned? He slapped his thigh hard in anger and swore with the resulting pain.
They had sent a pound of the highest quality to Smokey- well disguised and masterfully hidden- but he claimed that it had never arrived.
At first Tim had believed him, writing the loss off as bad luck. Indeed they had all been lucky that the stuff hadn’t been confiscated, and people arrested, but then the rumors started and a different picture began to emerge.
Bit by bit, when visiting other friends, tales of Smokey’s wonderful Hash emerged, sending waves of anger creeping up Tim’s back. It was too much of a coincidence for Smokey to have all this Hash to throw around, at the exact moment that Tim’s package would have arrived. When he confronted his old friend, Smokey claimed to have bought the stuff from another person he knew.
“Who would that be then Smokey?” Tim asked suspiciously.
“Nobody you know mate, I met him while you were away.” Smokey shot back.
“What happened mate?” Tim continued. “Wasn’t the deal we had good enough for you? Fifty- fifty we said, right? What the fuck happened, old friend?”
“Nothing fucking happened Tim!” Smokey protested. “I just happened to come across a different piece of Hash. You’re not the only person I know who went to India. Everyone’s doing it you know! I would never rip you off. You’ve got to believe me, man. We’ve been friends too long.”
“Yeah, yeah. That’s what you say mate.” Tim replied, feeling hot under the collar. “But I’ve been told other things. Why don’t you show me a bit of the stuff? In fact you should make us a nice big joint, don’t you think?”
“Shit mate. I wish I could, but there isn’t any left. I only had a little bit, you know.”
“Really Smokey? I heard you were showing off a huge chunk, just a couple of weeks ago. What happened to that, MATE? Did you sell it or what?”
“I don’t know what you fucking heard Tim,” Smokey retorted anxiously. “I can only tell you the truth, and that is that I did not rip you off. Don’t listen to what others are saying. You know me mate, I’m your friend and I’m not lying.”
The conversation had gone on like that for some time and at the end Tim was no closer to the truth. His heart wanted to believe that Smokey was being honest, but his head said something else. That’s why he needed to talk to Monica so urgently, as an idea had begun to form in his head, a way of testing Smokey’s loyalty once and for all.
It would be a sure and safe test if Smokey was true to his word, but if he cheated, it could very well prove fatal.
Tim lit another cigarette as the sign for the city of Coff’s Harbour flashed by. Less than two hundred miles now, thank god! I can’t wait to see her again.
To be continued.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Crankiness hits new low!
Well how about that, it really is getting harder and harder for me to feel cranky with all this good stuff going on all around me.
First thing this morning, one of my dearest friends sent me a lovely note, to remind me that I'm not as bad as I consider myself to be and a gorgeous image of a sweet, adorable kitten that just made me want to purr.
Secondly, Roger Federer is still playing tennis like a god, and that always lowers my crankiness lever.
Soon after that, I got to see my darling kids on webcam at the same time and that doesn't happen very often. There was a third person in the picture too and without mentioning any names, this person is doing such a kind thing for me, something so sweet and unexpected that I immediately started bawling my eyes out with joy.
This blog wasn't supposed to be so much about politics, in fact it was supposed to be just a place for me to vent my frustrations, but thanks to our new president, President obama, President Obama, President Obama....yes it's not a miss-print, I wanted to say it three times, I'm sort of feeling more relaxed today than I have for a long time. It's not likely to last, but for now I'm enjoying the notion that the world is actually returning to some kind of livable planet for all of us.
Today for instance we have good news about the funding of stem-cell research, the overturning of the 'Global Gag Rule' which is good news for women all around, but especially in so called third world countries, as it enables them to have access to safe, reproductive- health care, and gets them away from backyard abortionists.
Also, more and more good, honest people are talking about holding certain ex-presidents and their 'pals' accountable for some of their misdeeds and 'evil doings', something I have always believed to be absolutely necessary. Why should anyone obey the law, if our leaders are given free reign to do as they please? Anyway, new stuff is being uncovered every day and whistle-blowers are coming out of the wood-works.
In fact there's been good news every day so far, since our new administration has been in power and there seems to be a spirit of co-operation among world leaders that's been sadly lacking for far too long.
Now I'm going to show you my lovely family, and tomorrow I may finally get around to posting some chapters of my book
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
President Obama ! Yes We Can! And We Did!
Jan.20-2009
How did I feel about today's event?
How did I find it as an experience?
Some one asked me that today, and here it is, pretty raw, but I found it....
Unbelievably moving , emotionally energizing, exhilarating, hope inducing, exciting, momentous in fact my eyes have not been dry all day.
I'm supposed to go out later and celebrate with a group of other folks---but I can't tear myself away from the TV---this is simply the best thing I've ever experienced apart from getting married and having my kids.
I've been around for some time and still remember the Camelot administration, the Nixon scandal and all that stuff in between and never was there such a positive 'coming together'. Although I didn't live in the US then, as an ally I was very aware of US politics, and experienced those moments through tragedies like assassinations and bombings and later ---that of 9-11. Now that I'm here, I realize that after 19 years in this country--this is the moment I will never forget, and feel so grateful to experience at close hand. I know that my friends and family around the world share my feelings.
President Obama gave a great, dignified speech, suitable to the grave moment in our history.
The added bonus was the final farewell of G.W.Bush, whose 'legacy' will always be a negative in our history.
President Obama and his beautiful family have a huge job ahead, but they have us people to back them up.
How wonderful to have such a young, sexy and vibrant family in the White House.
I'm all teary again!
How did I feel about today's event?
How did I find it as an experience?
Some one asked me that today, and here it is, pretty raw, but I found it....
Unbelievably moving , emotionally energizing, exhilarating, hope inducing, exciting, momentous in fact my eyes have not been dry all day.
I'm supposed to go out later and celebrate with a group of other folks---but I can't tear myself away from the TV---this is simply the best thing I've ever experienced apart from getting married and having my kids.
I've been around for some time and still remember the Camelot administration, the Nixon scandal and all that stuff in between and never was there such a positive 'coming together'. Although I didn't live in the US then, as an ally I was very aware of US politics, and experienced those moments through tragedies like assassinations and bombings and later ---that of 9-11. Now that I'm here, I realize that after 19 years in this country--this is the moment I will never forget, and feel so grateful to experience at close hand. I know that my friends and family around the world share my feelings.
President Obama gave a great, dignified speech, suitable to the grave moment in our history.
The added bonus was the final farewell of G.W.Bush, whose 'legacy' will always be a negative in our history.
President Obama and his beautiful family have a huge job ahead, but they have us people to back them up.
How wonderful to have such a young, sexy and vibrant family in the White House.
I'm all teary again!
Monday, January 19, 2009
In my happy place and weeping
I can't begin to tell you how emotional I am at the moment, especially when I realize that it's not just me, it's the whole goddamn country. Everything I read about and see on TV and hear on the radio---people are saying good riddance to the nightmare we've endured for eight long years. It's an emotional roller coaster ride that the whole world seems to be on. My lips are constantly turned up in happy smile, except for that brief moment when they involuntarily turn down to accommodate the waterworks. I have to pinch myself to realize that today is the very last time we have to look at Bush.
Normally this is my time for Tennis--it being my big passion when it comes to sports I like to play and watch, but this year, with this Obama stuff going on 24 seven, the tennis is playing second fiddle. And yet, the Australian Open with all the American announcers prattling away in the background while I write, kind of makes the world seem much smaller, and me feel closer to Oz than usual.
It wasn't until I went for a late run to the shop that I realized that we were worlds apart, because of the difference in the weather. Everyone was talking about the heat in Australia, it was quite a shock when the cold air hit me, in fact I almost fell, slipping on our icy steps. I could barely find the car in the thick fog, covered in half an inch of ice.
Today I will reign my crankiness in--because no matter how bad I'll feel on Wednesday, tomorrow will be a fantastic day, one that I'm incredibly glad to witness at lose range.
Normally this is my time for Tennis--it being my big passion when it comes to sports I like to play and watch, but this year, with this Obama stuff going on 24 seven, the tennis is playing second fiddle. And yet, the Australian Open with all the American announcers prattling away in the background while I write, kind of makes the world seem much smaller, and me feel closer to Oz than usual.
It wasn't until I went for a late run to the shop that I realized that we were worlds apart, because of the difference in the weather. Everyone was talking about the heat in Australia, it was quite a shock when the cold air hit me, in fact I almost fell, slipping on our icy steps. I could barely find the car in the thick fog, covered in half an inch of ice.
Today I will reign my crankiness in--because no matter how bad I'll feel on Wednesday, tomorrow will be a fantastic day, one that I'm incredibly glad to witness at lose range.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
As you can see by my portrait, I have a lot to be cranky about! I mean just look at me…! Wouldn’t you feel angry every time you looked in the mirror? Can I really blame people for not wanting to give me a job, once they lay eyes on me? I wasn’t always this angry, something else that photo shows you, as that day was actually one of the better days in my life, the reasons better kept to myself, at least for the time being. After all, I’m trying to stay afloat in a sea of rough waves, crashing ashore on the black sands of my local beach.
At times like this I really miss the wonderful white sandy beaches of my former homeland. Australia. Incidentally, that’s where my two kids are right now, so it’s always on my mind.
You know it’s pretty sad really…I must be the only person ever to come to live in America and be so much worse off financially nineteen years later. And now that we’re about to celebrate a brand new president---I’m so fucking freaked out about my financial situation, I can hardly enjoy this momentous occasion.
However—I have to say also that whenever I look at this face---I can’t help but cheer up.
But getting back to my crankiness---This is kind of upsetting, because one of my favorite people in the alternate media, Thom Hartmann opened his program with a strange rant about suicide rates in Australia, admittedly over the last 100 years---but it wasn’t really comforting to hear first thing in the morning, when it’s hard enough to get out of bed, anyway. But his point was that many more people kill themselves during Conservative governments, (even here in the States) and therefore we’re now coming out of that cycle, but even here really rich people have been offing themselves at an alarming rate, I think he said 72 people just did in the last few months, most of them related to the Madoff scandal sweeping all across the world.
OMG…A plane just went down in New York city…..I have just come back online after being glued to the TV for the last two hours, but for once a plane crash seems to have a happy ending. The 320Airbus plane had just taken off from LaGuardia airport, with 155 people on board, including the crew,--- when it lost both engines and the pilot—a quick thinking hero in most people’s mind, landed the plane in the middle of the Hudson River and got all the people out. By the time I saw it…the plane was halfway submerged, drifting on the icy water, and surrounded by boats of all shapes and sizes.
Although the city is being pretty tight-lipped about the cause of the engine failures, the theory floating about is that birds flew into both of them.
Even now, the plane is still afloat and tied to a pier in mid-town Manhattan, after being towed there by several tugboats, which somehow had gotten there in record time.
Yesterday I was so angry that I couldn’t even get around to writing here, but please understand the anger is usually directed at myself, for being such a git in one way or another, because I do not blame others for the mess I have created for myself. That way…when good stuff happens…I can get all the glory and satisfaction that comes with that.
Anyway—yesterday…this is how it began. My landlord woke me up early to remind me that I was once again late with the rent…(as if I didn’t know)…So I got up and spent the day applying for jobs online. Have any of you done that? The questions just go on and on and on. I’m no whiz at the computer and definitely not a great typist, but really how many references does one need to get a crummy job as a cashier?
Anyway not much more to say on that front, suffice it to say that the day ended without any new income or even any chances of finding work. And now I have a terrible confession to make…I actually like American Idol again. It’s funny, especially in the early shows when all the strangest would be stars crawl out of the woodworks and try to impress Simon. Even though there are three other judges now, the contestants know it’s all about Simon. I don’t know yet how they’ll resolve a tie, but I guess I’ll find out soon enough!
Favorite person of my day: Barack Obama once again (for a while I was a little worried about some of his decisions) for having invited the Bishop Eugene Robinson to give one of several invocations for the Inauguration a long time before he asked Rick Warren. Those of you who follow politics will know what I’m talking about.
At times like this I really miss the wonderful white sandy beaches of my former homeland. Australia. Incidentally, that’s where my two kids are right now, so it’s always on my mind.
You know it’s pretty sad really…I must be the only person ever to come to live in America and be so much worse off financially nineteen years later. And now that we’re about to celebrate a brand new president---I’m so fucking freaked out about my financial situation, I can hardly enjoy this momentous occasion.
However—I have to say also that whenever I look at this face---I can’t help but cheer up.
But getting back to my crankiness---This is kind of upsetting, because one of my favorite people in the alternate media, Thom Hartmann opened his program with a strange rant about suicide rates in Australia, admittedly over the last 100 years---but it wasn’t really comforting to hear first thing in the morning, when it’s hard enough to get out of bed, anyway. But his point was that many more people kill themselves during Conservative governments, (even here in the States) and therefore we’re now coming out of that cycle, but even here really rich people have been offing themselves at an alarming rate, I think he said 72 people just did in the last few months, most of them related to the Madoff scandal sweeping all across the world.
OMG…A plane just went down in New York city…..I have just come back online after being glued to the TV for the last two hours, but for once a plane crash seems to have a happy ending. The 320Airbus plane had just taken off from LaGuardia airport, with 155 people on board, including the crew,--- when it lost both engines and the pilot—a quick thinking hero in most people’s mind, landed the plane in the middle of the Hudson River and got all the people out. By the time I saw it…the plane was halfway submerged, drifting on the icy water, and surrounded by boats of all shapes and sizes.
Although the city is being pretty tight-lipped about the cause of the engine failures, the theory floating about is that birds flew into both of them.
Even now, the plane is still afloat and tied to a pier in mid-town Manhattan, after being towed there by several tugboats, which somehow had gotten there in record time.
Yesterday I was so angry that I couldn’t even get around to writing here, but please understand the anger is usually directed at myself, for being such a git in one way or another, because I do not blame others for the mess I have created for myself. That way…when good stuff happens…I can get all the glory and satisfaction that comes with that.
Anyway—yesterday…this is how it began. My landlord woke me up early to remind me that I was once again late with the rent…(as if I didn’t know)…So I got up and spent the day applying for jobs online. Have any of you done that? The questions just go on and on and on. I’m no whiz at the computer and definitely not a great typist, but really how many references does one need to get a crummy job as a cashier?
Anyway not much more to say on that front, suffice it to say that the day ended without any new income or even any chances of finding work. And now I have a terrible confession to make…I actually like American Idol again. It’s funny, especially in the early shows when all the strangest would be stars crawl out of the woodworks and try to impress Simon. Even though there are three other judges now, the contestants know it’s all about Simon. I don’t know yet how they’ll resolve a tie, but I guess I’ll find out soon enough!
Favorite person of my day: Barack Obama once again (for a while I was a little worried about some of his decisions) for having invited the Bishop Eugene Robinson to give one of several invocations for the Inauguration a long time before he asked Rick Warren. Those of you who follow politics will know what I’m talking about.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
January 12, 2009
The day after the Golden Globes was gray and rainy as usual, perfectly fitted to suit my mood. Getting up only made me feel worse, as that bit of turkey wing I ate late last night, kept coming up, and I thought I might throw up. So I made a cup of tea, fed the cats and went back to bed until 11.30.
Last night, I finally drank the four small bottles of Kokanee beer I’d bought for Thanksgiving last night and actually enjoyed myself for a few hours, chuckling away and tearing up at some of the acceptance speeches. It totally kept my thoughts away from my problems, which of course are many, and yet can be boiled down to just one—the lack of income.
Yes in every other way I feel blessed, but what good is that feeling when I’m balancing on the edge of doom—constantly. And now I’ve applied for more jobs than I can remember and none of them have paid off. The last one –to be a Server at a crummy nightclub—basically they said, that I was too old, even though I could see people working there who looked older than me, and I’m told I look younger than my age—and I didn’t put my age down anywhere on the application, so it was strange.
So what the hell am I supposed to do? Just curl up and die?
I have great skills in my profession as an Art Restorer, having started in 1980, and the rewards can be sweet; but the financial situation in this country is so dire that I have lost about 80% of my business in recent months and the cost of living keeps rising, so now what do I do? I used to be able to count on ‘just waiting it out’, and somehow the money always dribbled in, but now in this New Year, it’s the worst ever.
So I cannot continue to make the same mistakes I made before, and so must be bold if I want to survive.
Here goes, then. I’m going to try and get this rant on a website and hopefully I can attract other women like me, who are living alone because we treasure our hard won freedom. Wish me luck people.
May be with you dear readers we can all make some money together? Somehow?
Do you, like me keep getting mail from all sorts of companies to sell me things that most of us don’t really need, --at least not yet--like hearing aids and plans for retirement homes and the best choices for your burial or cremation?
Screw them! They make me so angry I could scream!
I need work and work and work!
I know you’re out there ladies, you who defy the norms and all the bullshit in our society, by being who you are, always true to yourself!
That is as long as that doesn’t involve hurting others deliberately!
I intend to let you read some of my writings, since I’ve written a few short stories and a novel as well. But first I want to hear from other women like me!
Women who are still young in their ways, who like to play tennis, and ski and are still young at heart, no matter what. I’m talking about women who have talent and very little money, perhaps because they didn’t do so well out of their divorce settlements, like others I know.
I also want to hear from you guys, you who have championed our causes through the years and love us truly for what we represent.
In fact I don’t really care what sex you are or whom you love, as long as you do love someone and have something to add to this blog.
Last night, I finally drank the four small bottles of Kokanee beer I’d bought for Thanksgiving last night and actually enjoyed myself for a few hours, chuckling away and tearing up at some of the acceptance speeches. It totally kept my thoughts away from my problems, which of course are many, and yet can be boiled down to just one—the lack of income.
Yes in every other way I feel blessed, but what good is that feeling when I’m balancing on the edge of doom—constantly. And now I’ve applied for more jobs than I can remember and none of them have paid off. The last one –to be a Server at a crummy nightclub—basically they said, that I was too old, even though I could see people working there who looked older than me, and I’m told I look younger than my age—and I didn’t put my age down anywhere on the application, so it was strange.
So what the hell am I supposed to do? Just curl up and die?
I have great skills in my profession as an Art Restorer, having started in 1980, and the rewards can be sweet; but the financial situation in this country is so dire that I have lost about 80% of my business in recent months and the cost of living keeps rising, so now what do I do? I used to be able to count on ‘just waiting it out’, and somehow the money always dribbled in, but now in this New Year, it’s the worst ever.
So I cannot continue to make the same mistakes I made before, and so must be bold if I want to survive.
Here goes, then. I’m going to try and get this rant on a website and hopefully I can attract other women like me, who are living alone because we treasure our hard won freedom. Wish me luck people.
May be with you dear readers we can all make some money together? Somehow?
Do you, like me keep getting mail from all sorts of companies to sell me things that most of us don’t really need, --at least not yet--like hearing aids and plans for retirement homes and the best choices for your burial or cremation?
Screw them! They make me so angry I could scream!
I need work and work and work!
I know you’re out there ladies, you who defy the norms and all the bullshit in our society, by being who you are, always true to yourself!
That is as long as that doesn’t involve hurting others deliberately!
I intend to let you read some of my writings, since I’ve written a few short stories and a novel as well. But first I want to hear from other women like me!
Women who are still young in their ways, who like to play tennis, and ski and are still young at heart, no matter what. I’m talking about women who have talent and very little money, perhaps because they didn’t do so well out of their divorce settlements, like others I know.
I also want to hear from you guys, you who have championed our causes through the years and love us truly for what we represent.
In fact I don’t really care what sex you are or whom you love, as long as you do love someone and have something to add to this blog.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
