Farewell Tour...Life at 29,000 feet

Here I am streaking across the sky at 29,000 feet living the good life in First Class!  I splurged for First Class because I deserve the comfort and the special treatment not afforded in Coach.  I am on my way to Las Vegas and then Sacramento.  Actually, I am on my "farewell tour."  You see, I don't plan on visiting Las Vegas or Sacramento again.  I am checking things off my bucket list before the BIG move to NMB, SC.  Last month, I said farewell to Stone Harbor, NJ.  Last time there was extra special because my daughter and her family joined us for a week.  In spite of the lousy restaurant food, it was a great week!

As for this trip,I have friends in Las Vegas and my sister lives in Sacramento.  My friends will visit NMB in the winter, and my sister will return to the East Coast someday.  I will travel West again when I go to Hawaii.    Oh, I am thinking next year a trip to Europe!!  First Class...for sure!

Happy Easter

Today is Easter Sunday, so a very Happy Easter wish to all!  This is the one day in the liturgical calendar that really amazes me.  It is considered to be the most IMPORTANT day!  It makes sense when you think about it.  If Christ can't raise Himself from the dead, then He really isn't God.  OK, it's complicated and this isn't a discourse on the Trinity, but think about it...without resurrection there is no eternal life!   We would just be fodder for the grass and the flowers once our bodies or ashes decay and get assimilated into the universe.  I like to think there is a life after death where every day you can play golf, eat without gaining weight, have fun, and enjoy the presence of God.  Whatever that is, I want to experience it.  With that first Easter so long ago, I've got a chance!  Thank you Jesus!

Early January Musings

It's early January and the late December snow is slowly melting as we await the next winter blast we are told will arrive at the end of this week.  I can't control the weather any more than I can control the schedule of the men who plow our snow covered streets or pick up our garbage.  I can't control the US Congress or the NJ Sate Legislature, even though I did vote in the last election.  Is it me or are there others out there who are tired of the partisanship squabbling between the Republicans and the Democrats, oh, and now the Tea Party?  If you read the news or follow it on TV, we are headed to Armageddon regardless of who votes for what and what comes up for a vote.  Here are a few examples:

An op-ed piece in this morning's local paper (what a rag!) points out that baby boomers, the first of us turning 65 this year, will either have to keep working or bankrupt Social Security and Medicare.  And this generation of Baby Boomers will in effect be reaching 65 for the next 19 years!

The republicans want to repeal the Health Care Reform Act.  OK, but the Dems say that will cost significant dollars.  I have no idea as to the economics of keeping it or repealing it, but there are some things in the law that are appealing.  For example, coverage for pre-existing conditions.  That sounds good to me.  I guess that costs money.  What did these people do before the law was enacted?  I hope they did not suffer in this greatest nation on earth.  The first vote for repeal is January 12th.  Stay tuned.

Hopefully, there will be a spirit of cooperation among the parties and every once in a while even some compromise.

Now on to New Year Resolutions!  As I have many times in prior New Year's, I am going to get fit and lose some weight.  My goal in 2011 is to get to the gym at least 150 days this year and to weigh no more than 200 pounds when next the ball drops.  My starting weight is more than 200 pounds.  When I achieve my goal, I will look at least a little different I am sure.  A few more goals:  get out of NJ and retire!  I may burden Social Security and Medicare, but I will do my best to live up to my part of the bargain between me and the Fed.  One last goal, Peace and Love to my wonderful family and friends.  And yes, if Jody comes knocking, I will answer.

A Look Back at 2010

With less than 2 days left in 2010, I am thinking about what has occurred this past year.  Lots to think about,  many good things, but a heck  of a lot of bad things too.  The good things include the birth of Ryan (my step grandson) on January 28, and the continued good health and development of my grandchildren, Braedon and Elliana.  They continue to be a source of wonder and awe as well as the best entertainment available.  The bad things center around health issues.  My wife fell and broke her pelvis in 2 places and her coccyx in 2 places, I had knee replacement surgery over 6 months ago that is still rehabbing as I write this, and my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer and is currently undergoing radiation treatment. 

Business was good this past year, but I am ready to retire.  I am also ready to depart NJ.  This state has so little going for it.  Why stay here?  We are thinking about moving to the South Carolina coast, culture shock for sure, but little, if any, snow and warmer average temperatures.  We'll see if that happens.

On a sad note, I remain estranged from my son.

As I look back on this almost-done year, I am happy to see it end and am looking forward to its successor.  A year from now, my high hopes for this new year may be dashed, but still there is the potential for so many good things!  I remain grateful for my family and friends and hopeful that 2011 will be better than 2010.

You, me and the TSA

I haven't been on a plane in a real long time...at least 6 months.  I used to fly almost weekly.  That much travel is a great way to ruin your relationship with wife and children, but that is another posting at a later time.  I am dreading the next time I fly commercially as I hear about all the horror of getting through security: body scans, pat-downs, and whatever else may be done.  Here's what I think.  First, I want to Maximize Security, that would be mine and yours!  So, do what you need to do without worrying about my civil rights or sexually harrassing me.  Now having said that, I am not sure how I feel about the extreme pat down for my wife or daughter or grandchildren.  But, I still want them to fly with maximum security.  There's the dilemma for me.  Isn't there another way?  I guess not, or some one would have figured it out.  But wait a minute, why would I think someone can figure this out better than I can?  Let's have everyone go through a total body scan scanner.  Get over your embarassment of a few extra pounds, or what you think you look like to the inspector.  Let's do background checks on the inspectors so we don't get sex offenders, child molesters, etc.  And, if an inspector finds anything suspicious, then detain the passenger for a pat down or whatever.  If they refuse, kick them off the flight and detain them.  Take their luggage off the plane too.  While detained, they can be interrogated and searched as a matter of law.  Oh yes, let's get a law passed that allows for this process.  If we are not terrorists, what do we have to worry about?  If we are terrorists, well then the process will stop you from your misssion.  That sounds like a good thing to me.

Saturday Morning

It seems there are so many things to do on a Saturday morning that before I know it, it's Saturday afternoon!  And this happens and I don't have children that need to be taken to sports activities, karate, dance, gymnastics, etc.  It is now 11:33 and what have I done so far?  Picked up dry cleaning, voted in the bergen County NAACP election, ran unending scans on my computer and did some online banking.  What's left to do?  Go to the gym, Mass, and some PBA function this evening.  I guess with all that happens on Saturday, Sunday really is a day of rest!

The day after...

the 2010 mid-term election, has brought out all the pundits. So, why not me as well. We all know the GOP will now control the House and they are closer to the Dems regarding Senate seats (although at this moment, there are still 3 races to be settled). I am so happy that Christine O'Donell didn't win in Delaware, my home state. She is a little too far out there - like Pluto! Oh, that's not a planet anymore, but you know what I mean. In NJ, my current state, the GOP made gains in Bergen County and that's good. Believe me, the state is so corrupt that it may never really matter who's in office. Can you tell I am fed up with this place? So, what will the Republicans do? They will have the responsibility of doing "what the American people want." And that may not be easy. Will the Dem's block them? Will the GOP ram through legislation, like the Dem's did? You know, it's true: Be careful what you wish for! Let's see what the next 2 years bring. I will not be surprised if things are status quo in 2012. I hope the economy is better. We'll see.