Good friend and neighbor, Leslie, invited me over to see the 2007 move, Lions To Lambs. An anti-war movie with a three-themed plot, it starred Meryl Streep, Ton Cruise, and Robert Redford, who also directed. They were all so utterly believable--I guess that could go without saying for Streep and Redford, but Cruise, I thought, was just absolutely great. He personified the ultimate DC pol, replete with war bravado--although, naturally, never having seen battle himself--and so forthcoming with "patriotic" cliches, it's impossible to see any humanity underneath. I looked up reviews later, and found the movie was generally panned for a lack of inventiveness, among other complaints. Maybe so, but to me, it was refreshing to see something other than blind adherence to the twisted pronouncements of our benighted officials, the media, and the military.
Earlier, I had time to clear out my walk-in closest and, wonder of wonders, now I can actually walk in.
Meeting Mary Ellen for lunch today.
WIDER NOTE: I consider the ICCAE infomation so huge and so horrifying, I'm putting it in a separate post.

Just got back from our walk; I'm late with the blog because I overslept to 6:30.
I've been continuing my lifelong project of clear-out/clean-up. Yesterday, I got still more out of my closet, including a big box of Mike memorabilia. Here were his report cards from elementary school (I had forgotten he was such a good student), his baseball and bowling team items, his drawings from second grade. I was enchanted to find even the 43-year-old cards--"Congratulations On Your New Baby Boy!" I received back then. Of course, this stuff is just worthless junk, utterly meaningless, and a big waste of space, so I just threw it all out...
Ha! If I ever tried that--and the three other big boxes dedicated to his brother and sisters--my hand would wither and fall off at the wrist. I tucked the box away again where it'll stay until--who knows?
Wider: I just finished an enthralling and horrifying book, The Madoff Chronicles, subtitled Inside the Secret World of Bernie and Ruth. If you wonder how the crook could get away with his scam for not just years, but DECADES, read this book. It didn't take a genius to recognize that, almost surely, Bernie could not possibly have succeeded in bringing in such huge returns when everybody else was losing money for their clients There were any number of warning signals, some so obvious that even I, a finance illiterate, could have picked up on them. In fact, one researcher gave the SEC chapter and verse about Bernie's dealings--only to be ignored and told to go away. Just in case anybody thinks our high-level finance is carefully monitored by the SEC--read this book. The commission's sloppy operations and complete incompetence are made crystal clear. Now, are any being fired, fined, or prosecuted from that agency? I'll find out and report back.

Got a chance to fill in for Ellen V. last night at rehearsal. Ellen was feeling some effects from medication, so couldn't come and I did the Ouiser part. What fun! I certainly don't wish her ill--she's a friend of mine--but damn, it was great to be more than an understudy. Actually, it's the "Claree" part I'd love to perform. Fat chance, I'm afraid.
On the way home, I ran into a road block or something. (Maybe it was simply late work on the electric wires) and had to detour onto dark, spooky Munion Fields Road, then Stage Road. Got home without incident, though.
Earlier, I went to Manahawkin to get more small containers and a few other items. Have done a lot more in my closeet--but there's plenty more to go.
Today I want to resume my normal life, sans snow obstacles. The roads are just about clear and Susan and I can walk as usual. Hmm...wonder where it will all go when it melts...

More of the damn stuff came down yesterday. First it rained--I think, or it may have just been melt-off--then snowed again. Everything was slushy, and is now icy. I stayed in all day, although good neighbor Ray was kind enough to dig out the end of the driveway where the city plow had piled a barrier of snow.
Anne Mary called to say she had been up to Trader Joe's. She then came over to give me a "kumato"--a purplish brown tomato. She assured me it tastes just like a regular tomato (so why bother to drive up to Monmouth County to get brown ones?). She also gave me a Meyer lemon and a blood orange. Haven't yet eaten them, but will.
Was so pleased to get a call from my cousin, Marifran, in Cincinnati and we talked and talked for about an hour. Aside from that, I just started on my closet--aagh!--and more or less hung out all day.
Had just started this when I got a cam call from P. and N.; enjoyed seeing and talking to them, as ever. I was amazed to see the guys from Meticulous using the snow blower at 6:15 am in the dark. They nicely cleared off my sidewalk and driveway and even removed the new mound by the street. Yay, I can get out! I'm going to write Meticulous a letter to commend the snow removers for their good work.
Today, February 11, is Pat's birthday.

Boy, oh boy, what an experience last night. All went well during the day; I was able to get my full walk in, then drive to Manahawkin to pick up a few things. Went to the library and Acme, got a welcome phone call from Pat's cousin, Joe, in Jacksonville, then ran a few more errands. No prob at all--main roads were clear and the side ones clear enough. I knew more snow was expected--you'd have to be brain dead not to--but had the idea it would start around midnight, when I'd be long asleep
Nope. Went to rehearsal (I'm going to hang in as understudy until the principals are off book) and enjoyed it. We broke up about nine and by that time, the snow was coming down heavily. It's only five miles to home--thank heavens we don't meet on Long Beach Island for this one--but it was the scariest five miles I've ever driven. The windows were already partly covered and I didn't want to wait long enough to clear them--my first mistake. I had the windshield wiper on the whole time, but the windshield kept icing up. In addition, although I had the defroster on, it kept fogging up inside. Didn't want to look for a cloth, so I just wiped it with my bare hand. Drove very slowly--I'm sure I pissed off people behind me, but I didn't care. Finally made it home in one piece, but I never want to do that again. My car is still covered with snow sitting in the garage, but it can stay covered for all I care.
Oddly and ironically, it looks as if we didn't get more than 3 or 4 inches, although 8 to 12 was predicted. Fine by me.
WIDER: The incomparable Justin Raimondo has a piece in AntiWar.Com called "How To Beat The War Party." Of course, he means the democrats. Here's just a snippet of a comment on the current state of so-called journalism:
"As the Obama administration morphs into its predecessor in many more ways than any of his progressive supporters imagined possible, the news media – which has been in the presidential pocket from the beginning – is now fully on board with his increasingly aggressive foreign policy stance. If they were subservient during the Bush era, it was mostly out of fear – fear of appearing "unpatriotic," especially in the dark days right after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Today their subservience is due to their clear political allegiance to this administration and all its works – including its wars."
So horribly true. To anybody who still believes the mainstream press is "objective," watch my eyebrow rise and my lips curl. You shrug? Then read Justin's whole essay.

Finally got out yesterday. Went to Santori's for a yummy array of fresh veggies and to Shop-Rite for other staples, such as cottage cheese. Later, i was able to take my walk, although I shortened to maybe a mile, as I kept running into broad patches of ice or pressed snow in the street. The guys are still working valiantly to push some of the snow off areas that were missed before. I was amazed that they went over the sidewalks with snow blowers. Some are almost completely clear, but I stuck to the street, as others still have pressed snow or ice on them. It was great to get out and walk and also, to drive to Galloway. The public streets, including the NJ Parkway, are completely clear and dry.
I had mentioned to neighbor Anne Mary how much I like tangerine juice, which Ellen got at Trader Joe's when I was in California. There are no Joe's around here, but AM goes to one up north regularly. She did yesterday and was going to pick me up some, but darn--she was told it's discontinued on the east coast. She did bring me some mango tea, which I accepted with thinks, all the while thinking, "Why do people give me tea? I really don't like it that much." However, I brewed up a cup late in the day and enjoyed it a lot. Goes to show--well, not a damn thing, just that I like mango tea. Had a nice chat with Marge. She's doing okay, although still plagued with allergies and insomnia.
More snow expected today or tomorrow. Sigh....

I was starting to get cabin fever, but luckily, the service worked hard and now we're just about dug out. The sidewalks were not done--they're probably just impossible to clear--but the driveway and the front walk are.
Had a good time at the H.'s Super Bowl party last night. Of course, I ignored the game--football bores me--but what with the talk and laughs and food (not to mention the Corona), it was terrific. Ray insisted in picking me up, although they're only two doors away and he walked me home. Called Ellen on the web cam after and didn't get to bed until after 11:00, so slept until 6:30. No matter, though, as I can't very well walk this morning anyway, as the streets are still partly icy. Hope I can drive over to Santori's to replenish my veggie supply and I have a few other errands, too, when I venture out.
WIDER: This from a commenter on Chris Floyd's "Empire Burlesque":
"The Super Bowl has opened with a stirring display of Military might, men from all the services carrying the National Colors, Queen Latifah singing "America the beautiful" calling the blessings of gawd on this great nation, a huge stars & stripes spread on the field, live feeds showing troops at attention from bases in Afghanistan & Virginia, red fireworks bursting in air during the national anthem, and a benevolent, blood-stirring fly-over of Four F-15 Eagle fighter jets, not bombing anything, as a reminder of how great we is. Everybody had their hands over their hearts during this epoch display of patriotic fervor. I was amazed they weren't weeping.Perhaps some were."
I'm happy to say I missed that part. Boy, it chills the blood. How reminiscent of Nazi Germany, with its display of flags, troops, and nationalistic fervor. We're doomed, I'm afraid, if it's so easy to stir people's emotions and lead them to approve the kill, kill, kill goals of this bloodthirsty society.
A Little Late But I Had To Add This: Headline on a piece by Bruce Dixon at The Black Agenda blog: "Obama State of the Union: Guns For the Pentagon, Butter For Wall Street, A Spending Freeze For You"
SPOT ON, KIDDO!!