tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14258374331468234702024-03-05T19:49:48.988-05:00BRAINDROPSJim Pantalenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242915447914711323noreply@blogger.comBlogger245125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425837433146823470.post-22792168269497503062013-11-21T09:00:00.005-05:002014-06-02T11:01:52.975-04:00Sayonara<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Friends: I have been putting these thoughts down since 2008, and it has been a joy for me. I hope the people who read the blog have enjoyed it; I know I enjoy reading their comments. I encourage those who may be new to reading Braindrops to take a look at some older posts just by clicking on the date index in the lower right hand column. Thanks for your encouragement and comments over the years. I will continue writing my other blog, Spaldeen Dreams, and invite you to take a look. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://spaldeendreams.blogspot.com/">http://spaldeendreams.blogspot.com/</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Jim Pantaleno</span>Jim Pantalenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242915447914711323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425837433146823470.post-50715084927674006342013-10-10T10:00:00.002-04:002013-10-10T10:02:16.298-04:00Nightmare at 35,000 Feet<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9K4afO-fz-6rPfojUnYkcbyWE_D6VIekfaEQAoLBh8SzJawzCyJEUVTM9ZmXT-Ys-DQxiBZGHjZ0ED-h18QMIFLRdL9rFwVuFJtzROCMO1Z_44SM6cYVtEQ-SW5i6U3naHyFA8IGseHc/s1600/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9K4afO-fz-6rPfojUnYkcbyWE_D6VIekfaEQAoLBh8SzJawzCyJEUVTM9ZmXT-Ys-DQxiBZGHjZ0ED-h18QMIFLRdL9rFwVuFJtzROCMO1Z_44SM6cYVtEQ-SW5i6U3naHyFA8IGseHc/s200/1.png" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The price we pay for getting anywhere distant is flying on an airplane. Flying used to be ever so pleasant with pretty, attentive stewardesses, free booze, decent food and some actual leg room. All that has changed now that airlines try to wring every last dollar out of every flight. On a short trip the inconveniences are tolerable, but not so on longer flights. In an interesting anomaly, as planes have become bigger and roomier, passenger space has <i>decreased</i>. This is particularly true in "coach" which is the equivalent of "steerage" on the ships on which our grandparents traveled to America. Three-across seating is also annoying for the person who has to climb over two people to use the bathroom.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAFLSG7ScqRqqxX8eKSeMLpF7CyQnTMwg3Z9j2riSx6PM8EbNaDdP2uZz4ObAoGnpeV-ZpZYpl6PUVOh-gNHSUHVXsRITRudLQyprsBvvYY2_du2PDGJ7u6TTQQQt7VtMEOtoYagwMs0/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAFLSG7ScqRqqxX8eKSeMLpF7CyQnTMwg3Z9j2riSx6PM8EbNaDdP2uZz4ObAoGnpeV-ZpZYpl6PUVOh-gNHSUHVXsRITRudLQyprsBvvYY2_du2PDGJ7u6TTQQQt7VtMEOtoYagwMs0/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wish they would do away with carry-on luggage because the rules are so badly abused. I see pinheads trying to cram steamer trunks into the overhead compartments while the rest of us wait to board the plane. I blame the airlines for this. They have clear guidelines on the acceptable size for carry-on bags but these rules are rarely enforced. Eliminate the overhead compartments altogether and let everybody check their bags. Then they can wait by the luggage carousel with the rest of us trying to figure out which of the 50 black suitcases coming down the conveyor is ours. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHh0DoNNQ-lEOT-8Mko4LwAxvoJBm-nKyhP0VJnXe3yLm-5JOgbJBAxSddohB1ElN9r1BUUBozgMaszKXFjtvbx60mHd8rIf7U-0WCeq4b3sbqw1mq9nL9fPcJQX51EOVCV_kPdPSNeI8/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHh0DoNNQ-lEOT-8Mko4LwAxvoJBm-nKyhP0VJnXe3yLm-5JOgbJBAxSddohB1ElN9r1BUUBozgMaszKXFjtvbx60mHd8rIf7U-0WCeq4b3sbqw1mq9nL9fPcJQX51EOVCV_kPdPSNeI8/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Airports have also become part of the flying nightmare. Dropping off and picking up passengers is like a Chinese fire drill. (That phrase is probably inappropriate.) Then comes the security checkpoints...belt off, shoes off...passengers shuffle through the metal detectors while trying to keep their pants from falling. The last time we departed JFK they were doing elaborate body scans on everyone. Then, as our turn came, there was a problem with the computer and they practically just waved us through. I pity the poor folks with metal body implants who must undergo even more scrutiny before boarding. Yes, yes, I understand that in today's scary world these measures are necessary, but that doesn't mean I can't bitch about them.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCiL0gGcA3Pi0j7kfDC7DLIgblebNEhfKmO2NInoyFWCUwT60SaOAoXOVKJ6iEMbKW7y_FYBL6kLc-n8LDzv5MgZrUE2amQSuqHWpcsHpysa0JzaZ0g_eQZxO2MhSYQRr8egx5Pk_98E/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCiL0gGcA3Pi0j7kfDC7DLIgblebNEhfKmO2NInoyFWCUwT60SaOAoXOVKJ6iEMbKW7y_FYBL6kLc-n8LDzv5MgZrUE2amQSuqHWpcsHpysa0JzaZ0g_eQZxO2MhSYQRr8egx5Pk_98E/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Airplane food used to be decent, and the booze flowed freely, all which made for a mellower flight. Now they charge for drinks (when you can get them) and in place of meals they hand you a bag of stale peanuts or </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">pretzels. A few years ago we flew Air France to Paris/Rome and I was pleasantly surprised to see attractive flight attendants roving the aisles and pouring as much excellent wine as you could drink. We also ate pretty well on that flight. The experience, while most enjoyable, just made more apparent how sadly such service was lacking on most other airlines. My final gripe is about luggage charges. I can see charging for baggage of excessive weight, but for a normal suitcase, just let it go. Airlines charge enough for a ticket without adding this insult to injury.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why do I fly if I feel this way? Last time I looked the only other way overseas is by boat, and the idea of maybe two weeks at sea at the mercy of storms, shipboard diseases, accidents, etc. is clearly far worse than the unfriendly skies.</span><br />
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<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SEE DATES AT RIGHT FOR OTHER POSTS FROM "BRAINDROPS". ALSO, READ MY OTHER BLOG: </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><a href="http://spaldeendreams.blogspot.com/" style="color: #888888;">SPALDEEN DREAMS</a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LOOKING FOR A WORTHY CHARITY? TRY THESE FOLKS: </span></span></span> </b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Children's Craniofacial Association </span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.ccakids.com/" style="color: #888888;">http://www.ccakids.com</a></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Jim Pantalenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242915447914711323noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425837433146823470.post-31027933925544952562013-09-14T14:02:00.003-04:002013-09-16T16:01:36.193-04:00I Vote for the Afro<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYoupO_91joUvpWDRhDNk9Oaa0flxJyG90gl_SW3wbSNY63gvceNz-JKiHOFo5oAkLhG5ZVuuwcbdsIvcBizm0dW7GyPT72Uc5YEDIEEgo5VwP_SeZoE5LQjxTXR_Z0qt6TiXq7OsyYc/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYoupO_91joUvpWDRhDNk9Oaa0flxJyG90gl_SW3wbSNY63gvceNz-JKiHOFo5oAkLhG5ZVuuwcbdsIvcBizm0dW7GyPT72Uc5YEDIEEgo5VwP_SeZoE5LQjxTXR_Z0qt6TiXq7OsyYc/s200/5.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New York</st1:place></st1:state> politics is rarely dull. New York City Mayoral elections are especially spicy this year. We have some beauties running for this esteemed office, said by some to be the second hardest job in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region> after President. Because our city is such a multi-racial, multi-cultured hotbed of diversity, there are many constituencies to which candidates may try to appeal. I imagine that boring cities in the Midwest actually have to discuss real issues in their elections, but not in <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New York</st1:place></st1:state>. Here we run elections for entertainment just to see who </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">crawls out from under those rocks to throw his or her hat in the ring. Here are this year's mayoral hopefuls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3BgSDq07ntD_anTrb4ejhjVFxHSByFY_Lt4vzyv1G_Zy-MF_eWqZ3QnuJYZJs-frTW2slin3bOyr5jubQX4FwlMUEWmXP7BTTLbDVhAvPJwBugIVhfsFLlp2Hv4WQN45Hjg03s3LYuI/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3BgSDq07ntD_anTrb4ejhjVFxHSByFY_Lt4vzyv1G_Zy-MF_eWqZ3QnuJYZJs-frTW2slin3bOyr5jubQX4FwlMUEWmXP7BTTLbDVhAvPJwBugIVhfsFLlp2Hv4WQN45Hjg03s3LYuI/s200/7.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As usual, the Democrat side of the slate is the most fun. It looked like Christine Quinn was a runaway winner just a couple of months ago. The polls showed her with a clear lead, but then some funny things began to happen. First, her backroom deals on the City Council to change the law and allow Mayor Bloomberg to run for a third term came back to haunt her. Personally, I think the Mayor has done a pretty good job on his watch, but his perceived intrusions into people's health habits made him a lot of enemies. Also, when a guy has that much money, it's only a matter of time before people resent it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6c3qh0BxKx6SKdb67MoalSg-mmauGGWLVcbUY17cBLhuxG_TyB9AjWPmqPUMPgF8QJ9Of2D_70zSDgU-SEqAQpOzAPD-2xk1tzTOVbqq91GG58WhIzFjPE4TGBOLUcMQ3wSOQ5ZpYq4/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6c3qh0BxKx6SKdb67MoalSg-mmauGGWLVcbUY17cBLhuxG_TyB9AjWPmqPUMPgF8QJ9Of2D_70zSDgU-SEqAQpOzAPD-2xk1tzTOVbqq91GG58WhIzFjPE4TGBOLUcMQ3wSOQ5ZpYq4/s200/4.jpg" width="157" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Bill de Blasio is a <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New York City</st1:place></st1:city> elected official, holding the office of New York City Public Advocate. He was a relatively minor figure on the landscape until he decided to release a commercial showing his good-looking, articulate, bi-racial son, who sports an azalea bush sized Afro, speaking about his Dad's platform. (That ball is high and deep, and clears the upper deck for a monstrous public relations home run.) Suddenly de Blasio was a player, making big strides in the polls and Quinn didn't look so invincible. Bill Thompson, the last viable Democrat candidate, is a career politician who surprisingly finished second to de Blasio and ahead of Quinn. He had a commercial too, featuring his lovely, ex-schoolteacher daughter. Thompson was backed by the Teachers Union, a huge endorsement in NYC, and though still hoping for a runoff election holds no hope of beating de Blasio, even if one is held.</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">For comic relief on the Democrat ticket we have the self-destructing Anthony Weiner.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Everybody thought Weiner was a political corpse after his scandalous behavior tweeting nude picture of himself to women online. Along with ex-Governor Eliot Spitzer, who had similar problems to Weiner's and made a run for State Comptroller and lost, Weiner found enough faithful supporters who were willing to forgive and forget. He might have fared better if it didn't come out during the campaign that even after being humiliated in the press and losing his job, Weiner continued to engage in the same bizare behavior. Weiner's wife stuck by him, at least during the election; I have a feeling she will dump him now that he's finished a limp fourth. (Sorry, couldn't resist.)</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVenWmFcLeo-HudLvF114xOSZNSIlvQWHBPt9mGUyXsZaK1wSlkcFXwNB1vRFW1tzoCqiTP5AX1yaUdWmzgx9G91WU4gVOrBWQFZyihO4V2GGQc_T-BQ7mOKGnlVrtEQjKST4db7fUt8/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVenWmFcLeo-HudLvF114xOSZNSIlvQWHBPt9mGUyXsZaK1wSlkcFXwNB1vRFW1tzoCqiTP5AX1yaUdWmzgx9G91WU4gVOrBWQFZyihO4V2GGQc_T-BQ7mOKGnlVrtEQjKST4db7fUt8/s200/6.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 12pt;">On the more boring Republican side we have Joe Lhota, Rudy Giuliani's best boy who ran the MTA squaring off against </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 12pt;">John Catsimatidis, the owner of the Gristedes supermarket chain. Lhota looks like a ferret and has the reputation for being cold and calculating. He took a lot of flak in the press</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"> for saying he wouldn't shut down the subway system until two stray cats were found. Also, New Yorkers think $2.50 for a subway ride is way too high when in fact it is one of the greatest bargains in the City. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">Catsimatidis is a highly successful businessman who started as a stock boy and rose to the top of the heap. Normally this would work in his favor, but in a day when people are more admired for their looks, poor John is an overweight, rumpled fellow who just doesn't come across on TV.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">Bottom line, we are about to choose a Mayor for arguably the greatest city in the world based on his son's Afro or how he feels about pussy cats. The electorate has become so dumb that they are unaware of their candidates' issues. If they bother to vote at all (many do not) they will cast their ballot like they would on a reality show. Welcome to New York, the next Detroit.</span><br />
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<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SEE DATES AT RIGHT FOR OTHER POSTS FROM "BRAINDROPS". ALSO, READ MY OTHER BLOG: </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><a href="http://spaldeendreams.blogspot.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">SPALDEEN DREAMS</a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LOOKING FOR A WORTHY CHARITY? TRY THESE FOLKS: </span></span></span> </b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Children's Craniofacial Association </span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.ccakids.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">http://www.ccakids.com</a></span></b><br />
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Jim Pantalenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242915447914711323noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425837433146823470.post-68887779285542239202013-09-01T13:14:00.002-04:002013-09-01T13:45:24.404-04:00Shop Til You Drop<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYXtbDKaff5zebRxwzIHXRf1i7fI4cIAuef9tC-Oy8JjlK9uUd1rrVN2NEgOV_maNl8VL_J9LDLAXwKmYnE_OcaPQR7dkEt4PNbSsTiegvfqKbSfOsJjfg_y6K_YG81sAbX5WE0Xu9Ow/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYXtbDKaff5zebRxwzIHXRf1i7fI4cIAuef9tC-Oy8JjlK9uUd1rrVN2NEgOV_maNl8VL_J9LDLAXwKmYnE_OcaPQR7dkEt4PNbSsTiegvfqKbSfOsJjfg_y6K_YG81sAbX5WE0Xu9Ow/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Walked at the mall this morning due to lousy weather. They are nice enough to open at 7 am for walkers, and we appreciate it. The Staten Island Mall would probably be classified as a medium-sized operation with three wings on two levels and a nice food court. As we passed the various storefronts it occurred to me how much the shopping experience has changed over the years. As the suburbs developed, the main shopping areas shifted from local neighborhood stores and "downtown" shopping areas to sprawling malls outside of city residential areas. Clearly things are much different.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yoQH2MQ4YffTvY8NdSvb7GPn3AVjjktbZTFD6QVsacLSHkivDvM_TZIClOdB0yrk1BWG1On5LlLqREjAKvsKNUTp1XU2bEQhztMTlwAlpnXrvdgWWN_UVVnY-373M7sQ4a4cDXbycyM/s1600/2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yoQH2MQ4YffTvY8NdSvb7GPn3AVjjktbZTFD6QVsacLSHkivDvM_TZIClOdB0yrk1BWG1On5LlLqREjAKvsKNUTp1XU2bEQhztMTlwAlpnXrvdgWWN_UVVnY-373M7sQ4a4cDXbycyM/s200/2.png" width="193" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The widespread use of cars is one of the factors that made this transformation possible. When I was a kid we pretty much walked to all the stores we shopped at. Once in a while we would make a pilgrimage to downtown Brooklyn, or even less frequently to Manhattan, but this was the exception. The neighborhood provided food stores, bakeries, service establishments like laundromats, dry cleaners, clothing stores, shoe repair shops, liquor stores, drugstores, beauty salons and barber shops. For special items we would get on the train and go to the A&S Department store in downtown Brooklyn or maybe Macy's or Klein's in Manhattan. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCMbuHAt-rKbEv6joqr7rhnGfX5LnsjYlXt1d7pVwB1Tj4XxaJWVtGfM0AZQVpRRUKPx3ipFqE9pFxbJL4qzYDo_favt7vaCE6S_8bFm2r6zFKSdEdNTR3zxE4Oy_O7xjWL17bCAjYlo/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCMbuHAt-rKbEv6joqr7rhnGfX5LnsjYlXt1d7pVwB1Tj4XxaJWVtGfM0AZQVpRRUKPx3ipFqE9pFxbJL4qzYDo_favt7vaCE6S_8bFm2r6zFKSdEdNTR3zxE4Oy_O7xjWL17bCAjYlo/s200/6.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first real mall I can remember was Green Acres off Sunrise Highway in Valley Stream at the beginning of Nassau County in Long Island. For city dwellers, this was the equivalent of travelling to Uzbekistan. When one of my friends got his driver's license and we ventured to make this trip, I had the feeling I had entered Shangri-La. The place was dazzling...an endless line of marble, glass, and neon as far as the eye could see. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They had an ocean of parking spaces, something no Brooklyn driver had ever witnessed.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There was music piped in and even places to eat. Surely we had crossed over into some mythical shopper's paradise.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmpROc__AxmPeETWOLoDD4Ye7a3BXitmT4Q_mzgeFmu0-nMRAi7CORoPXyqtqbYTHm7PDXddYp9ShZR-e8lEL6VuLf1HRL1M0Xhd9InNl_AL2rcxKzG2uSsIBQbOoWkuLSVZuYxBnpPw/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmpROc__AxmPeETWOLoDD4Ye7a3BXitmT4Q_mzgeFmu0-nMRAi7CORoPXyqtqbYTHm7PDXddYp9ShZR-e8lEL6VuLf1HRL1M0Xhd9InNl_AL2rcxKzG2uSsIBQbOoWkuLSVZuYxBnpPw/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">New Jersey is arguably the heaven-on-earth for mall lovers. They have good roads, plenty of suburban land and customers with serious cash in their pockets. If you've ever driven around the state you know there must be a law that requires a spacious mall to be built in every town. Just ride north to south along Routes 1, 3, 9, 17, 18, 34, 35, 36 and you can shop till you drop. It's not just the quantity of malls but the size and splendor. One of the best is the Jersey Gardens Mall built in a faltering industrial zone that was suffering economically. Along with Ikea, the Swedish retailing giant, this mall transformed the area, bringing in hotels and restaurants to serve locals as well as travelers from nearby Newark airport with time on their hands.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnWKSoOVlJTXtLKPIRs-F1tRYRqLUp6YesneV4cdM9k4ARzlHgtiwII3S4XFsZ5VbJEmg09z6xNb0DieK9RdiK-xxbyTSzGD83CdLN8iP-_9mT7nt8HAdJqQv_uitNPYYWjNMHP4-4dVk/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnWKSoOVlJTXtLKPIRs-F1tRYRqLUp6YesneV4cdM9k4ARzlHgtiwII3S4XFsZ5VbJEmg09z6xNb0DieK9RdiK-xxbyTSzGD83CdLN8iP-_9mT7nt8HAdJqQv_uitNPYYWjNMHP4-4dVk/s200/5.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No doubt we have reached the point of diminishing returns as far as how many malls can be supported. Many have vacant stores and a few have closed altogether. Ironically, as some inner-city neighborhoods like Red Hook and Williamsburg make strong comebacks, so too are local stores reestablishing their presence as shopping alternatives. Many residents of these areas can't afford to keep cars and are looking for places near their homes. I like this trend because it gives mom and pop operations a second chance. With our economy struggling we need opportunities for entrepreneurial types to make a buck, and a return to shopping locally helps that goal. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I doubt malls will ever go away completely; they have become a part of the American way of life, destinations unto themselves where people go to hang out, even if they have no intention of shopping. Just one final thought...the newest, biggest, fanciest store in our mall...Victoria's Secret! (Why do you think all those guys are walking at 7 in the morning?)</span><br />
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<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SEE DATES AT RIGHT FOR OTHER POSTS FROM "BRAINDROPS". ALSO, READ MY OTHER BLOG: </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><a href="http://spaldeendreams.blogspot.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">SPALDEEN DREAMS</a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LOOKING FOR A WORTHY CHARITY? TRY THESE FOLKS: </span></span></span> </b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Children's Craniofacial Association </span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.ccakids.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">http://www.ccakids.com</a></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Jim Pantalenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242915447914711323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425837433146823470.post-28197502282409778432013-08-01T09:28:00.000-04:002013-08-02T11:23:47.944-04:00A Day in Atlantic City<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qr7cX9Yv6nMLth6BajPS7DUfjyeCWL1HBX_v8HDqHcnFSdh1Wf7zAxc1_1jcjBfaDqYIQG9DMLV1Qvf-Rz7oENc1hKsgSJDN8sOn-jcrkpJyy9cw8mGJqGiPdvrp2iGhpqwWRUH6AXk/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qr7cX9Yv6nMLth6BajPS7DUfjyeCWL1HBX_v8HDqHcnFSdh1Wf7zAxc1_1jcjBfaDqYIQG9DMLV1Qvf-Rz7oENc1hKsgSJDN8sOn-jcrkpJyy9cw8mGJqGiPdvrp2iGhpqwWRUH6AXk/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We recently stayed in Atlantic City at Harrah's Casino/Hotel. They must be getting desperate in that gambling mecca since the room and buffet dinner were comped. We used to go down more regularly and could almost always get a free room, but lately, we have been frequenting the casinos that are closer to home like Empire City in Yonkers and Resorts World in Queens. A few weeks ago we made a day trip to Atlantic City and shortly thereafter received an offer of the free room and dinner. The competition must be cutting into their profits. Anyhow we decided to go for an overnight stay...have a nice dinner, play some slots and walk the boardwalk.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ECJuUfKmqJLrxqjY9GVDyWIflsNoEVXSyELMXUjiIVkTfa3vT8mfF54wAgLz5C1y4geteuPoVDPoV4V4snFTnpQp4iPTVDKJ2gGlbP7CskCGtIhB4QPMZip-h0TK9wF2JdLfKTLm0Oc/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ECJuUfKmqJLrxqjY9GVDyWIflsNoEVXSyELMXUjiIVkTfa3vT8mfF54wAgLz5C1y4geteuPoVDPoV4V4snFTnpQp4iPTVDKJ2gGlbP7CskCGtIhB4QPMZip-h0TK9wF2JdLfKTLm0Oc/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I called to book, all the boardwalk hotels were full so we took a room at Harrah's which is maybe a couple of miles away near the beautiful Borgata Hotel complex. (They recently shut down their poker room as a cost-cutting measure...not a good sign.) Because Harrah's is away from the main drag, they run a shuttle service so gamblers can get to the boardwalk in-between bouts of donating money to the Casino Employees Pension Fund. Since check-in time wasn't until 4 pm, we drove over to the Showboat Hotel on the boardwalk to play some slots. After a few hours we were down just a few bucks between us, and decided to do some people watching. We stepped out of the surreal air-conditioned darkness of the casino into the bright New Jersey sunshine.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2ZDyCfNniLbMa_Qty0a-UR4xWuBaGZTlVLUoosY3wYS-XL1a-mhN0y_YlHu7qzgXIHQGZNT7nWdeQRXgtjUtmyjOEwVWP17PmFU76GLiFjWb37m03L6UlAdV_wpDue9-HP43f8qQYTg/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2ZDyCfNniLbMa_Qty0a-UR4xWuBaGZTlVLUoosY3wYS-XL1a-mhN0y_YlHu7qzgXIHQGZNT7nWdeQRXgtjUtmyjOEwVWP17PmFU76GLiFjWb37m03L6UlAdV_wpDue9-HP43f8qQYTg/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The variety of people to be seen on the Atlantic City boardwalk is mind-blowing. There's a couple sitting on a bench who weigh 400 lbs. each; here comes a guy with a purple Mohawk hairdo; there are senior citizens pulling oxygen tanks behind them on wheeled dollies; the crazy lady who serenades passers-by with gospel songs; and the tourists from Nebraska in the cheap Atlantic City t-shirts who can't wait to tell the folks back home in Omaha about this "freak show", not realizing that they are part of it. There are the usual food stands, rigged amusement games, souvenir joints, the Ripley's "Believe It Or Not" theater, stores selling salt-water taffy that nobody ever eats, and a curious shop that sells 500 lb. metal sculptures...hope they deliver!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2ZhhZ4bjkACD5ozpCZ_ql_EUxFJVZjJqTzPljXvbPgoZfOy0SDJoZHc9rjQnq-s1iwbp5ylAUjL0nH0YZ9hkUSq5s1L_FITo0HF51C6NRoZZPW3zC64891RCCqUZ4-NHpESEMLwQuO0/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2ZhhZ4bjkACD5ozpCZ_ql_EUxFJVZjJqTzPljXvbPgoZfOy0SDJoZHc9rjQnq-s1iwbp5ylAUjL0nH0YZ9hkUSq5s1L_FITo0HF51C6NRoZZPW3zC64891RCCqUZ4-NHpESEMLwQuO0/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We finally drive over to Harrah's and wait in the inevitable check-in line. It moves pretty fast and I keep reminding myself that I'm not paying a dime for this stay. We take the elevator up to our room in the Harbour Tower and find it to be just lovely...clean, well furnished, and with a great view of the bay below. There are a number of good restaurants in the hotel, and we make a dinner reservation at a Mexican place called Dos Caminos. Turns out to be a good call. The hostess seats us at a window table overlooking the water and our meal is everything we hoped for including a big bowl of the best guacamole I ever ate. A nice bottle of Malbec with dinner and then dessert rounds out the experience.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijt2TeAMsmSSN_SqTJv4ZGNjtpEzbgPqVE9MBnbR7P8cpRRT_2Jm5Y2c4CJ_0EgYiF7OWmfSQs60YJ4sUCj7Zi4mliXqBkpT2Z8W-kGk3JxEgk7nT2lTIJL9HwU0UGEb_xkzjgeqY9vzk/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijt2TeAMsmSSN_SqTJv4ZGNjtpEzbgPqVE9MBnbR7P8cpRRT_2Jm5Y2c4CJ_0EgYiF7OWmfSQs60YJ4sUCj7Zi4mliXqBkpT2Z8W-kGk3JxEgk7nT2lTIJL9HwU0UGEb_xkzjgeqY9vzk/s200/5.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We head down to the casino to work off some calories. They have a variety of slot machines here we've not seen in other casinos, so that's fun. I usually play video poker, and do so for an hour or so with mixed results. I then switch to these crazy, multi-bet machines that are so complicated that I never know when I've won. A run of good luck helps to erase some earlier losses, and at the end of the night we're down just a few bucks between us, well worth the investment for a great day. We have another free room coming that we need to use before October, and I'm sure we'll go back. I know people knock casinos but for better or worse, they are here to stay. We enjoy the excitement and after working all our lives, feel we are entitled to spend our money how we see fit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So thanks Harrah's for the room, Dos Caminos for the dinner, and the boardwalk denizens for the side show. We shall return. </span><br />
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SEE DATES AT RIGHT FOR OTHER POSTS FROM "BRAINDROPS". ALSO, READ MY OTHER BLOG: </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><a href="http://spaldeendreams.blogspot.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">SPALDEEN DREAMS</a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LOOKING FOR A WORTHY CHARITY? TRY THESE FOLKS: </span></span></span> </b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Children's Craniofacial Association </span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.ccakids.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">http://www.ccakids.com</a></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Jim Pantalenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242915447914711323noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425837433146823470.post-90868815683706676522013-07-15T14:11:00.003-04:002013-07-15T14:21:56.807-04:00Is This the Complaint Window?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_ZmG_cdljmWUzVYnUVglRyJAYSFYPLC2rIapymh8E2rjDe4K2jyEWxJ3kDli91G-tBHP3rrpXgLYqGtPlkd79-zRMyALTumssF-uq_GN5kikSiQRMriypqIWwq8_kQD6LVk2rG6b22k/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_ZmG_cdljmWUzVYnUVglRyJAYSFYPLC2rIapymh8E2rjDe4K2jyEWxJ3kDli91G-tBHP3rrpXgLYqGtPlkd79-zRMyALTumssF-uq_GN5kikSiQRMriypqIWwq8_kQD6LVk2rG6b22k/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OK, I tend to complain a lot. Let's get that out right off the bat. I complain about how people drive, their slavish attachment to electronic devices, poor service almost everywhere I go, church sermons that make absolutely no sense and are far too long in the bargain, dumb road signs...honestly, I'm likely to complain about almost anything. I wasn't always like this. As a younger man I was more willing to let things pass. I didn't want to hurt people's feelings or get myself worked up about things over which I had no control. Now I complain from morning till night; just ask my poor wife who has to listen to my rants. I don't like the grouch I've become, but surely, if I don't tell people about their shortcomings, how will they learn?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqhG0cpRCvctA2fcTb4JADkNscytplsyegW7w6wuEEqtazs-5hRoYBQoUUVdnONXmft53ZO1mXmcre7RxojHcl5X4j0AeEhmrSQOEid9di68SAl15O6KHB5HEENCeNjxCmtaPsGD27B9E/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqhG0cpRCvctA2fcTb4JADkNscytplsyegW7w6wuEEqtazs-5hRoYBQoUUVdnONXmft53ZO1mXmcre7RxojHcl5X4j0AeEhmrSQOEid9di68SAl15O6KHB5HEENCeNjxCmtaPsGD27B9E/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I try being more patient, but before long, I run out. Here's a simple example: I recently had to take a distribution from one of our retirement accounts; this is mandatory once you reach age 70 1/2. The financial institution holding the investment asked me if I wanted federal and state tax withheld from the check they would be sending me. I said I did. They sent me a statement confirming they would withhold the tax as instructed. When the check arrived, no tax had been withheld. And so it begins. I email them to explain their error and ask that it be corrected. They email me back saying they don't handle such transactions on non-secure email and that I should call them. OK, they are being cautious, I can understand that.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywyLQH4RctpjjDN0nFY_SC_NwLFYjU29YBEhIsrKyCqgK1sPBa8JDnsgELX3pJBBMbAs0Kyg0R3GfUUyn1_aRxT3wnic2vu6vXGLIccwD8sD938fvl41D3OnFlbC9RNbBHwcZhyphenhyphen5nks8/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywyLQH4RctpjjDN0nFY_SC_NwLFYjU29YBEhIsrKyCqgK1sPBa8JDnsgELX3pJBBMbAs0Kyg0R3GfUUyn1_aRxT3wnic2vu6vXGLIccwD8sD938fvl41D3OnFlbC9RNbBHwcZhyphenhyphen5nks8/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I call them and of course they ask for my pin number to access the account. Now I set up this account when I still had hair on my head and a working memory, so naturally, so many years later, I don't remember my pin number. No problem, the robot recording tells me, if you can't remember your pin number just answer the following questions to confirm that it's really you and we'll email the pin number to you. I painstakingly punch the answers to all their questions into my phone keypad. (I can feel my small supply of patience beginning to leak away.) After going through this drill, the robot tells me that my type of account does not permit me to retrieve my pin number over the phone. Then why not tell me that up front before making me peck out all those annoying </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">answers. (Patience leaking faster now.)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wkQNFql5JB00MbLgTStNCnRLoCdM_BxnUwyDZyid_CkjoTiAHtW524_IXxiejq4liGSE4qSRNBZuq2BsP2CaOaTKod7JmqwD_iwi36I2NokRiSBFNfC32Yw0_007WjJwxWNjOKQZTr8/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wkQNFql5JB00MbLgTStNCnRLoCdM_BxnUwyDZyid_CkjoTiAHtW524_IXxiejq4liGSE4qSRNBZuq2BsP2CaOaTKod7JmqwD_iwi36I2NokRiSBFNfC32Yw0_007WjJwxWNjOKQZTr8/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I can't get help via email because my transaction is "sensitive", and since I don't know my pin number, and can't retrieve it on the phone because the type of account I have doesn't allow it, just exactly where am I? Will anyone at this financial institution deign to speak with me? Maybe I should put a note in a bottle, take it down to the beach and hope for the best. I can understand encountering an incompetent individual in any company, in fact, I encounter many of them. What really bothers me is when a large company, supposedly filled with smart people because after all, look at the salaries they make, is dumb enough to perpetuate stupidity by building it right into its systems and procedures. When that happens there is no hope.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So you see dear reader why I must complain. I am surrounded by service people who are stupid, apathetic, rude, and sometimes all three. Like Don Quixote, I endure this lonely quest, bitching loudly to anyone who will listen.</span><br />
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SEE DATES AT RIGHT FOR OTHER POSTS FROM "BRAINDROPS". ALSO, READ MY OTHER BLOG: </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><a href="http://spaldeendreams.blogspot.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">SPALDEEN DREAMS</a></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LOOKING FOR A WORTHY CHARITY? TRY THESE FOLKS: </span></span></span> </b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue;">Children's Craniofacial Association </span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.ccakids.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">http://www.ccakids.com</a></span></b></div>
Jim Pantalenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242915447914711323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425837433146823470.post-18361903049672859072013-07-06T09:08:00.004-04:002013-07-11T16:52:48.487-04:00Make 'Em Laugh<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZSRLQ8OJWYhx6WusUvjj9k0jrwNpvtZLtV0N3FdW39i3PV-o2gYFxABJOugBLrvwHutXvmvBif6BJI87tK3SjrKq-48X2VENzcBQc_OkL5pGBrSP3aZL-HDGUbIDr37k0Q6Q0wZu7fM/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZSRLQ8OJWYhx6WusUvjj9k0jrwNpvtZLtV0N3FdW39i3PV-o2gYFxABJOugBLrvwHutXvmvBif6BJI87tK3SjrKq-48X2VENzcBQc_OkL5pGBrSP3aZL-HDGUbIDr37k0Q6Q0wZu7fM/s200/1.jpg" width="182" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When television was in its infancy, some of the most popular shows were sitcoms. Programming values were pretty sparse back then and sitcoms were relatively cheap to produce. Nearly all the actors were unknowns, the sets were as cheap as they come, and the writers were just happy to be making a living at something they loved; getting paid anything was a bonus. Also, in the days before the PC police existed, it was OK to make shows based around ethnic or racial groups. It was no surprise that shows like Amos and Andy (African-Americans), I Remember Mama (Norwegians), Luigi Bosco (Italians), and The Goldbergs (Jews), found audiences in people who took comfort in seeing others like themselves up on the small screen.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6a6ezJIrm_vddyq_EW3BdwflGLU3vIO0D0kU7a2upt-9SEur8YoyQ8F6ke53p7DWCnAcUk0VxtTPdt4evYukqukG0BwCrFauEReqXJGvysexSd9a7j3uuUZdmJ4Lr8q8294dQUCk4TGg/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6a6ezJIrm_vddyq_EW3BdwflGLU3vIO0D0kU7a2upt-9SEur8YoyQ8F6ke53p7DWCnAcUk0VxtTPdt4evYukqukG0BwCrFauEReqXJGvysexSd9a7j3uuUZdmJ4Lr8q8294dQUCk4TGg/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next generation of sitcoms might be characterized as the "golden age" by baby boomers who grew up on them. My favorite, then and now, is The Honeymooners with Jackie Gleason and a perfectly chosen supporting cast. Most of these shows were built around family life with a slightly harried Dad, a pretty but sensible Mom, a couple of wisecracking kids, and of course some wacky neighbors</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. Some of the more popular included I Love Lucy, Ozzie and Harriet, Father Knows Best, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Make Room for Daddy or The Danny Thomas Show. The latter spun off another great show that is still funny today, The Andy Griffith Show which, like The Honeymooners, starred a perfect ensemble of players including the great Don Knotts.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8wIq0nIwX6r-eBl5ruLZcBMrFTFFxnoLjuQ2YoMuMpH1MRfdG8V7vo4NIQr_MZ-2ltnip18JXBQPxzaQfm-qsfsB_UGZCoIyyEq-b9nw4fZhPosZbvoS3KfWZLuDxvJsIZzrb-qutDDo/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8wIq0nIwX6r-eBl5ruLZcBMrFTFFxnoLjuQ2YoMuMpH1MRfdG8V7vo4NIQr_MZ-2ltnip18JXBQPxzaQfm-qsfsB_UGZCoIyyEq-b9nw4fZhPosZbvoS3KfWZLuDxvJsIZzrb-qutDDo/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then came the next wave of sitcoms that offered edgier programming. Led by Norman Lear's All in the Family, these shows explored themes that up until then were considered inappropriate for television. The Jeffersons was spun off All in the Family and interestingly was one of the first shows to feature blacks in starring roles since the Amos and Andy days. Some memorable sitcoms from this genre were MASH, Maude, The Smothers Brothers, and Laugh-In. Bill Cosby deserves special mention for his show, which disdained the stereotypes that were featured in other popular black sitcoms like Good Times and What's Happening. Instead he portrayed a black family as mainstream professionals with normal family problems and in doing so, elevated the image of African Americans on television.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsilmui1tFM2HHDofl9z4NT-RQfJcjLSFwZxvZe_cX4ahgc3NtLNercPvFZu0uG9POMwcOKSyvgV6kfGmbbCQ3KmU3a2QYiVi8eF39K7GTaOdVoHB5WUr_eeHyE2IRNZm_OaenhevyL0c/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsilmui1tFM2HHDofl9z4NT-RQfJcjLSFwZxvZe_cX4ahgc3NtLNercPvFZu0uG9POMwcOKSyvgV6kfGmbbCQ3KmU3a2QYiVi8eF39K7GTaOdVoHB5WUr_eeHyE2IRNZm_OaenhevyL0c/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By the 1980s, the sitcom was in full flower. I watched Cheers, Family Ties, The Golden Girls, Married with Children, Night Court, Bosom Buddies, WKRP in Cincinnati, The Bob Newhart Show, and The Wonder Years. In 1989 the stage was set for the first episode of a new sitcom featuring a likable comedian and the indispensable supporting cast; that show was Seinfeld. It took a while for the show to find its feet, but once it did it was carried along for many years on the shoulders of its four main characters and a small army of quirky guest players. It can rarely be said that a television show never made a bad episode, but this show came close. Another mega hit series from the 1990s was Friends, a show that frankly, I could never get into.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIz9PkgVsNeYx83Zb6zpT391HfE0-e1rzuq0RfbnvJQ8gjfLMD5QmnfNCV2qv0Chwqnqsm7f-GRTsSIs4qWyHE0LcizMWYTZnp-ngXfUQ0-s09WgE08D7WKNRbWa7rzJMyGU0nkXKgaE/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIz9PkgVsNeYx83Zb6zpT391HfE0-e1rzuq0RfbnvJQ8gjfLMD5QmnfNCV2qv0Chwqnqsm7f-GRTsSIs4qWyHE0LcizMWYTZnp-ngXfUQ0-s09WgE08D7WKNRbWa7rzJMyGU0nkXKgaE/s200/5.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As for today, my current favorites are Curb Your Enthusiasm with Larry David and The Big Bang Theory. Ironically, when I first saw The Big Bang, I was turned off by the Sheldon character, but luckily I gave the show a second chance because one of the writers is Anthony DelBroccolo, the son of my friend Joe. As it turns out, Sheldon is the pivotal character around whom the show revolves, and his annoying, obsessive/compulsive manner is what makes the show go. Like all great sitcoms, the show features a cast of regular players who not only support Sheldon, but who are all very funny in their own rite. The key to any good sitcom, besides likable characters, is good writing, and thanks to Anthony and his talented colleagues, this show has it in spades.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes, the world can be a scary, depressing place, and people who give the gift of laughter help us make it through. A tip of the cap to great sitcoms and their creators for making our lives a little happier.</span><br />
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SEE DATES ABOVE RIGHT FOR OTHER POSTS FROM "BRAINDROPS". ALSO, READ MY OTHER BLOG: </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><a href="http://spaldeendreams.blogspot.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">SPALDEEN DREAMS</a></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LOOKING FOR A WORTHY CHARITY? TRY THESE FOLKS: </span></span></span> </b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue;">Children's Craniofacial Association </span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.ccakids.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">http://www.ccakids.com</a></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.ccakids.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;"><br /></a></span></b>
</div>
Jim Pantalenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242915447914711323noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425837433146823470.post-15560362834154497562013-06-13T14:06:00.002-04:002013-06-13T14:08:13.931-04:00The Queen's English<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7iZsJftAi21bIkHlCE_p-fhHQ6V98vB8G-y5ZqggUHJaEMe1wuC_u2Qe6vD292goiOrIkuv4lWjzDh2nEP7eA9O7vmFBKcs90az2JSHPKgnNVYoXND72_jkOwT95QbKKPkm5v9Ud068/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7iZsJftAi21bIkHlCE_p-fhHQ6V98vB8G-y5ZqggUHJaEMe1wuC_u2Qe6vD292goiOrIkuv4lWjzDh2nEP7eA9O7vmFBKcs90az2JSHPKgnNVYoXND72_jkOwT95QbKKPkm5v9Ud068/s200/1.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;">One of the better uses for technology that I
have found is the ability to download audio books from the New York Public
Library to my i-Pod. I really enjoy listening to recorded books, partly because
I am finding it hard to sit down with a real book and read as often as I used
to. From childhood, reading has always been one of my greatest pleasures. I
would get lost in books ranging from serious history to trashy novels. When I
was commuting, I often rode past my bus or train stop while engrossed in some story.
Like most book lovers, I read for pleasure, to increase my knowledge of people,
places and things, and also because I am a huge fan of the English
language. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBoqJBe4fkuBesi8EXgrl5LSwaZK0vslKmJ9jF8BFeqioeG8dSXeKb1xr6_t7M65BGBO1yXTfTmYKiCDaUOyKBdDYgLlOz6Wh9HCLF9wlm84QHNan5d0WBVAqU9E9Ickj87DCEwI8GkE/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBoqJBe4fkuBesi8EXgrl5LSwaZK0vslKmJ9jF8BFeqioeG8dSXeKb1xr6_t7M65BGBO1yXTfTmYKiCDaUOyKBdDYgLlOz6Wh9HCLF9wlm84QHNan5d0WBVAqU9E9Ickj87DCEwI8GkE/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'd guess that
wherever you're from in the world, your mother tongue reigns supreme over all
other languages. Frankly, except for Italian and maybe French, other languages
sound harsh and guttural to me. If I had to learn Chinese to save my life, I'd
be a goner. Yiddish sounds more like gibberish, and how a young lover coos to
his "liebchen" in German, I will never understand. English,
especially as spoken<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>by the
English</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>is most mellifluous
and pleasant to the ear. I'd guess that part of the reason for the success of
the Masterpiece Theater series on PBS is that viewers who enjoy words for their
own sake tune in just to listen...it doesn't matter all that much what's being
said.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGbM56vMe9xYQjYW-AUxqxt8G7pQg2Q92upqQjovJAWAvkHm9YTOmhU3VEnaHav0WYFgBA3jiQkZsHuOxBN2twNT_N-wX9MZPPUac_Y2oTK6iAGVAgBlGKizn6ma10zP9yL4eY0MigDc/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGbM56vMe9xYQjYW-AUxqxt8G7pQg2Q92upqQjovJAWAvkHm9YTOmhU3VEnaHav0WYFgBA3jiQkZsHuOxBN2twNT_N-wX9MZPPUac_Y2oTK6iAGVAgBlGKizn6ma10zP9yL4eY0MigDc/s200/3.jpg" width="141" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Two of my favorite
authors are Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, writers of wonderful mysteries,
but also women who have mastered the English language and use it to full effect
in their writing. Agatha Christie is the undisputed queen of British mystery
writers with such memorable characters as Miss Jane Marple and the Belgian detective,
Hercule Poirot. Sayers wrote the charming Lord Peter Whimsey mystery series,
and was a renown scholar...a contemporary of J.R.R. Tolkien and G.H.
Chesterton. Reading the novels of Christie and Sayers transports one to the
days when the sun never set on the <st1:place w:st="on">British Empire</st1:place>.
Their grasp of the attitudes of people from both Upstairs and Downstairs is
fascinating to hear about; the smash TV series 'Downton Abbey' cashed in on the
public's interest in this aspect of British life.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8mAgBm17xhgOblPEGgqze7_pL9RcpmMvfc6HDWiTpgBIwMnjSagWGD4BKYaOYsi3U-wGk2CmPB-QnJejhv8cgJFozZYU5us4nbpke0fNHgLvy1aOp5_0dLu2O3_H0uZLW-sWRqprberI/s1600/Untitled-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8mAgBm17xhgOblPEGgqze7_pL9RcpmMvfc6HDWiTpgBIwMnjSagWGD4BKYaOYsi3U-wGk2CmPB-QnJejhv8cgJFozZYU5us4nbpke0fNHgLvy1aOp5_0dLu2O3_H0uZLW-sWRqprberI/s320/Untitled-2.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;">In the days when I
read real books, I pored over everything I could get by Christie and Sayers.
The precision of their language captivated me; they always knew exactly the
right word to use to describe a person or situation. Once you heard the word,
and rolled it around on your tongue, you knew with certainty that no other word
would do. Not only were their vocabularies prodigious, but they knew how to
string words together in a way that let you see in a flash the idea they were
trying to convey. Listening to these books on audio brings an added measure of
enjoyment for me because I get to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>hear</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>these marvelous words spoken aloud by
cultured English men and women. Audio book narrators can make or break a story,
and the selection of actors Hugh Fraser and Ian Carmichael to read the Christie
and Sayers works respectively was a touch of genius.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I greatly fear our
beautiful English language is on the decline, almost like an old actress living
in reduced circumstances with only her memories of better times to keep her
going. English grammar and writing are no longer rigorously taught in grade
schools as they once were. The notion of young people being fired up by the
sound of their own language is becoming less and less likely. Sadly, I fear
that ship has sailed.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SEE DATES ABOVE RIGHT FOR OTHER POSTS FROM "BRAINDROPS". ALSO, READ MY OTHER BLOG: </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><a href="http://spaldeendreams.blogspot.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">SPALDEEN DREAMS</a></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LOOKING FOR A WORTHY CHARITY? TRY THESE FOLKS: </span></span></span> </b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue;">Children's Craniofacial Association </span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.ccakids.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">http://www.ccakids.com</a></span></b></div>
Jim Pantalenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242915447914711323noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425837433146823470.post-49338767098550786052013-06-03T08:14:00.004-04:002013-06-03T08:39:22.233-04:00Dribs<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVihvjVnTa8odHUl3PBURefV3CwfTqhQWxGpQe0Ffm-_Syx95jP_AMqIUNlF6_5UeG_eTaRLQ9q2vZ6xX870BHgmku3dFxfj6Aslr2KTWySKpP6bAP0KY6Ab8zSrsoax43D0Y6o8HEtQ/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVihvjVnTa8odHUl3PBURefV3CwfTqhQWxGpQe0Ffm-_Syx95jP_AMqIUNlF6_5UeG_eTaRLQ9q2vZ6xX870BHgmku3dFxfj6Aslr2KTWySKpP6bAP0KY6Ab8zSrsoax43D0Y6o8HEtQ/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't mean to be facetious at all here. but in areas of the country that are known to regularly experience hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and earthquakes, what makes anybody want to live there? It's not like these death-dealing events are once-in-a-while occurrences, towns in Texas and Oklahoma have annual tornado seasons. In New Jersey there are towns that wind up under water every single time there is a bad rain storm. We see these poor folks on the news after the latest disaster saying things like: "We were lucky the good Lord spared us; we aim to build again." Why? Maybe the next time the good Lord will blow you away with the roof.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqrsoIR1CqfU8YxkCpIjGrlltcEO7hs0uwBhsb4TFXhz-RCEJjgl93rNdz_Xa9ywd-w9LVBr75Rcmg4zM0yos_m4vPqa-zxUelpyNUxgxSjgO18jXzESZmsPLtB8tpOjkmckkNSHylJw/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqrsoIR1CqfU8YxkCpIjGrlltcEO7hs0uwBhsb4TFXhz-RCEJjgl93rNdz_Xa9ywd-w9LVBr75Rcmg4zM0yos_m4vPqa-zxUelpyNUxgxSjgO18jXzESZmsPLtB8tpOjkmckkNSHylJw/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mention the Second Amendment in any bar and soon voices will be raised in defense of our right to bear arms. "The only way you'll get my gun is to pry it out of my cold, dead hand." Fine, calm down bubba. I used to own a ,22 rifle that I used for target shooting. I'm not anti-gun. Although it may not be my cup of tea, I know this country has many hunters and gun collectors to whom gun ownership is a sacred right. No problem at all there...but I'm still waiting for a sane answer to the question of why any civilian needs to own military-style assault rifles with high-capacity magazines. No sportsman worth the name would use such weapons to hunt, but deranged child killers will. Enough.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDQPjYmDWfb9urldd55KJkxkz8Oidvl1v754gOj8q6SQlLUVLtdoGy3Rg09XRBH-ec8eKTfh9JKKLaBL3t3T_In3Eusi_ewhr-8rEj-VxQQKzgrvyrtillwki3Df1Td1HN_NQw3GA0iI/s1600/3.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDQPjYmDWfb9urldd55KJkxkz8Oidvl1v754gOj8q6SQlLUVLtdoGy3Rg09XRBH-ec8eKTfh9JKKLaBL3t3T_In3Eusi_ewhr-8rEj-VxQQKzgrvyrtillwki3Df1Td1HN_NQw3GA0iI/s200/3.gif" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Through my daughter, I have become acquainted with some of her friends who have special needs children, mainly cranio-facial problems like my granddaughter. These families have such a hard road, often facing medical emergencies, frequent surgeries and time away from home as they travel to wherever the best doctors practice in the hopes of finding answers to the problems their children deal with. I thought I used to know the meaning of words like strength, courage and love, but these parents and their kids redefine these terms every day. I so greatly admire them, the doctors that help them, and the support groups that help raise both funds and public awareness about these disorders.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkk6VUsvrUOqgLpxD43i7o-A8k89PALvtpTsnx7C7UOsdbh9VBTuG3CJ-ervRexocxc0OeyvIHN7wjpwOZ3Gqao69gRwXkdQn9doC5n7t7EHJ0USQGukiMqxYbfMtyHn-f5iwzZhckJw/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkk6VUsvrUOqgLpxD43i7o-A8k89PALvtpTsnx7C7UOsdbh9VBTuG3CJ-ervRexocxc0OeyvIHN7wjpwOZ3Gqao69gRwXkdQn9doC5n7t7EHJ0USQGukiMqxYbfMtyHn-f5iwzZhckJw/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have Verizon's FIOS service for telephone, cable and Internet. It costs several hundred dollars a month, so you'd think if anything went wrong, Verizon would send someone to fix it. Wrong Kemo Sabe, they make the <i>customer</i> their repair man. We recently upgraded our service and had to replace one of the four set-top boxes in the house. I don't mind making the few simple connections to hook up the box, but then the system is telling me I lost all the programs we had recorded on our DVR. After an hour of cursing, and trying all the solutions their "helpful" phone rep suggested, I was finally told to keep the old master box and send in one of the other satellite boxes. I'm sending them a bill for all my work.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMl7SCgJCVCNNtneE4secoj_FHgYzd5iPMR5h5LI7vQrWuLzPO98LzTCi98Xm9J0SXVntB3lEFJz3flDZ1dnlFydx-QhYWlh_wq2Ea36DMwLnyYmvcKHeKHvhPdxKpHewcvvaYd-PHWAg/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMl7SCgJCVCNNtneE4secoj_FHgYzd5iPMR5h5LI7vQrWuLzPO98LzTCi98Xm9J0SXVntB3lEFJz3flDZ1dnlFydx-QhYWlh_wq2Ea36DMwLnyYmvcKHeKHvhPdxKpHewcvvaYd-PHWAg/s200/5.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every time we turn on the GPS system in our car, a fight breaks out between my wife and I. I have a pretty good sense of direction, so when I resort to using the GPS, it usually means I'm lost and therefore, already a little stressed. It seems my wife and I comprehend the commands given by the GPS lady differently. These systems are good, but not perfect. When the lady is telling me to do something that intuitively feels wrong to me, I sometimes ignore her. At this point, my wife will say something like: "She said to turn left." I usually jump on her (unfairly of course) and before long we are raising our voices. When she finally dumps me, the divorce decree won't say "Irreconcilable Differences", it will say "GPS Incompatibility."</span><br />
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SEE DATES ABOVE RIGHT FOR OTHER POSTS FROM "BRAINDROPS". ALSO, READ MY OTHER BLOG: </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><a href="http://spaldeendreams.blogspot.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">SPALDEEN DREAMS</a></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LOOKING FOR A WORTHY CHARITY? TRY THESE FOLKS: </span></span></span> </b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue;">Children's Craniofacial Association </span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.ccakids.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">http://www.ccakids.com</a></span></b></div>
Jim Pantalenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242915447914711323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425837433146823470.post-45588375030427565142013-05-24T14:57:00.003-04:002013-05-25T10:50:47.549-04:00but...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQzmZjKATf6A2isw8tAS2sXnYB0bFWHf1pObGVvv7MfCsdXYr5ZrUtrxmTjUKNUwoHzo_DwQo3Rq1_XIiQsPhCpStfmqf-340ADkPYKexKHKqU2B7Q6s3c_-2bUg3Cs8qb8kfo5BFHV4/s1600/but.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQzmZjKATf6A2isw8tAS2sXnYB0bFWHf1pObGVvv7MfCsdXYr5ZrUtrxmTjUKNUwoHzo_DwQo3Rq1_XIiQsPhCpStfmqf-340ADkPYKexKHKqU2B7Q6s3c_-2bUg3Cs8qb8kfo5BFHV4/s200/but.JPG" width="183" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But is a very powerful word. Though small in size, it often takes the lead in stimulating heated arguments between people who were friends before "but" butted in. In grammar, but is defined as a conjunction, a part of speech <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;">that connects two words, sentences, phrases or clauses </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;">together. In usage, but </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;">presents a contrast or exception, for example, He enjoys a glass of wine BUT never touches hard liquor. Oftentimes, what follows a BUT can virtually erase what came before it by the extent to which it contradicts the earlier statement. Here are some famous "buts" right out of today's headlines.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihprLPtUzurXaUJiqQxMfsqWP7pvXYSkYTr604u6tHYgiKr57VB5MfPdGPz66IM5cpNw6W1p-u-6CUBnwQ0MJB4p5XK6M2odWLbHF6OxqOjjDIkYUEJ6Vp-UyEzyHMDU2Nbu-OAYp-iSM/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihprLPtUzurXaUJiqQxMfsqWP7pvXYSkYTr604u6tHYgiKr57VB5MfPdGPz66IM5cpNw6W1p-u-6CUBnwQ0MJB4p5XK6M2odWLbHF6OxqOjjDIkYUEJ6Vp-UyEzyHMDU2Nbu-OAYp-iSM/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;">The Internal Revenue Service is supposed to be non-partisan in their determination of what groups qualify for tax-exempt status BUT...instead they are using their resources to persecute conservative organizations who do not support the President. This is the latest fiasco to come out of the Obama administration, and the spin doctors are working feverishly to play it down. The poor woman who was in charge of the group that determines who gets tax exempt status, and who was trying without success to change the regulations that make this kind of vile partisanship possible, was forced to fall on her sword by higher-ups looking to limit the damage. Pretty cowardly behavior by an administration that supposedly prides itself on transparency.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCC8YvVFPPoJZdLCRaKP02LKGv30spkLdV8xx9zcTjQLo7tdth8cR_mvb2Z_YI8Lf8qIsPvTuUo1hERQVG_E7wpO-uPw2z1dThR-D6912Ijqa_JbzLbn0EHDg1dcfBfyBZZ1XDnTFIwtc/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCC8YvVFPPoJZdLCRaKP02LKGv30spkLdV8xx9zcTjQLo7tdth8cR_mvb2Z_YI8Lf8qIsPvTuUo1hERQVG_E7wpO-uPw2z1dThR-D6912Ijqa_JbzLbn0EHDg1dcfBfyBZZ1XDnTFIwtc/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;">Vito Lopez, the sleazy Queens politician who sexually harassed his staff should be in jail BUT...thanks to gutless Democratic Party boss Sheldon (The Weasel) Silver, Vito is still free. Moreover, supporters in his voting district want to re-elect him! It was announced that two large constituencies are especially forceful in their support of Lopez, Hasidic Jews and Hispanics. Given the track record of these two groups in the way they treat women, it is understandable why Lopez would be their hero. I wonder what transgressions it would take for the electorate in Lopez's district to throw the pervert out.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz200asW54ObsEyhUu_y-EFRovTJfPGQ6_97D8S-evIYIBfpF1oZ4DOE9zbI1nVzEQpd38TFTobPtgQVCTO4hZI5DOy6Dp_5DpcNtSWiSuZuZhB6FseMV1IBEriT4hS_AL3lPvPk1hdGs/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz200asW54ObsEyhUu_y-EFRovTJfPGQ6_97D8S-evIYIBfpF1oZ4DOE9zbI1nVzEQpd38TFTobPtgQVCTO4hZI5DOy6Dp_5DpcNtSWiSuZuZhB6FseMV1IBEriT4hS_AL3lPvPk1hdGs/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;">After the horrific tornado that recently took the lives of ten children in Moore, Oklahoma, you might assume that the new school they are building to replace the one that was destroyed would have a storm shelter, BUT...the head of the town council is quoted as saying: "While it's true you can't put a price on children's lives, you can put a price on construction costs, and a storm cellar adds to the cost of building a new school." Are the people in this town insane? What parent wouldn't be ranting at the next town hall meeting that a cellar in a school in a place called tornado alley is a no-brainer. You simply can't trade young lives for property tax-savings.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEiS6thFof62HQK8N3OP5hxweoknDhS71nP5wKJqt8pioX5uK8TB7am_6kFYaI29Laq0itARHK3CDX2iSVp8vidI4AD1F16euCE2Xzo_NAxQ80Qs38NRzsMZfXJPiGBUlFb-WrUtY0nm8/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEiS6thFof62HQK8N3OP5hxweoknDhS71nP5wKJqt8pioX5uK8TB7am_6kFYaI29Laq0itARHK3CDX2iSVp8vidI4AD1F16euCE2Xzo_NAxQ80Qs38NRzsMZfXJPiGBUlFb-WrUtY0nm8/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;">School should be a fun time for kids, BUT...thanks to cyber-bullies, youngsters are committing suicide after being hounded on social media by classmates. Recently, a 12-year old girl Queens hanged herself after being relentlessly teased by other kids. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px;">Surely someone saw this coming, whether it be another child, a teacher or family member.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px;"> Schools must find ways to discourage this destructive practice, and provide confidential procedures for bullying to be reported. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px;">We need to get a handle on this type of behavior by young people or it will continue to drive impressionable and vulnerable young people to do desperate things. </span><br />
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SEE DATES ABOVE RIGHT FOR OTHER POSTS FROM "BRAINDROPS". ALSO, READ MY OTHER BLOG: </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><a href="http://spaldeendreams.blogspot.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">SPALDEEN DREAMS</a></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LOOKING FOR A WORTHY CHARITY? TRY THESE FOLKS: </span></span></span> </b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue;">Children's Craniofacial Association </span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.ccakids.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">http://www.ccakids.com</a></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;"><br /></span></span>Jim Pantalenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242915447914711323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425837433146823470.post-39437750173375374452013-04-29T19:08:00.002-04:002013-04-30T15:49:45.614-04:00X Marks the Spot<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDIvAcsrS4dgxHYaQ3ti4n1kD8KsGZEsiUl2eyzO1KHw5dbT7jC4_pMrKK0HCxiTB-mNvSRMNwOc1lTICQ7JWY5RZjBN0bHEIDXjTLS7HLM26icsImXRiB62EZAafQdEurzMlZCYnMY4/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDIvAcsrS4dgxHYaQ3ti4n1kD8KsGZEsiUl2eyzO1KHw5dbT7jC4_pMrKK0HCxiTB-mNvSRMNwOc1lTICQ7JWY5RZjBN0bHEIDXjTLS7HLM26icsImXRiB62EZAafQdEurzMlZCYnMY4/s200/6.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ever since I was a boy I have been fascinated by the subject of archaeology. Webster's defines the term as: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">the scientific study of material remains (as fossil relics, artifacts, and monuments) of past human life and activities. Even before I knew the word, I knew that people who hunted for treasure on land or under the sea must lead </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">very </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">exciting lives. My attention was first captured by such stories like Treasure Island where a buried pirate chest full of gold and jewels was the object of the quest. Tales of vanished empires like the Inca and Aztec always spoke of the fabulous wealth hidden in long buried temples. Legends of old gold or silver mines inspired many a dreamer to go west in search of elusive riches.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtjC4CGZqW1WGdHgMj5rL702zdd7QCjtcOAmG6X8I45nmW5VTnryhjIIYfrDzimip1wOdvVGzIwGrxFEygrHWqg64yzGZahv8HjvC-0X6wR1phbu98KRKrkQ_zGeluDbFZajnO-UB7CU/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtjC4CGZqW1WGdHgMj5rL702zdd7QCjtcOAmG6X8I45nmW5VTnryhjIIYfrDzimip1wOdvVGzIwGrxFEygrHWqg64yzGZahv8HjvC-0X6wR1phbu98KRKrkQ_zGeluDbFZajnO-UB7CU/s200/2.jpg" width="141" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">As I grew older, my interest heightened. The subject became especially fascinating when such discoveries shed light on lost cities and civilizations. Movies like Treasure of the Sierra Madre, Romancing the Stone, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Pirates of the Caribbean tapped into every armchair adventurer's daydreams about finding lost treasure. Sometimes as a kid I would dig holes in my back yard, hoping I guess that some pirate took a wrong turn and was forced to bury his treasure chest in Brooklyn. My wife is always teasing me about spending my retirement years with a metal detector down on the beach; one of these days I might take her up on it.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUV8pLGP9f_DkurPtGW_kvnecZ_YIj6vRBa8hCEfqFSPf_TRdlrCjWSGI7J6msVoS436kYamaiuTdEIBXRyH6LZqjTMl-ANcV_354kjCszexYvXOwKYyhrUUyWai17hf4XB16dPeMJgM/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUV8pLGP9f_DkurPtGW_kvnecZ_YIj6vRBa8hCEfqFSPf_TRdlrCjWSGI7J6msVoS436kYamaiuTdEIBXRyH6LZqjTMl-ANcV_354kjCszexYvXOwKYyhrUUyWai17hf4XB16dPeMJgM/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">I think the discovery of the tomb of King Tut by Howard Carter is what really got me hooked on archaeology. In </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">the fall of 1917, Carter and his sponsor, Lord Carnarvon, began excavating in earnest in the Valley of the Kings. Here in Carter's own words is the story: </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">"With trembling hands I made a tiny breach in the upper left-hand corner. Darkness and blank space, as far as an iron testing-rod could reach, showed that whatever lay beyond was empty, and not filled like the passage we had just cleared. Widening the hold a little, I inserted the candle and peered in, Lord Carnarvon, standing anxiously beside me to hear the verdict. At first I could see nothing, the hot air escaping from the chamber causing the candle flame to flicker, but presently, as my eyes grew accustomed to the light, details of the room within emerged slowly from the mist, strange animals, statues, and gold - everywhere the glint of gold. I was struck dumb with amazement, and when Lord Carnarvon, unable to stand the suspense any longer, inquired anxiously, "Can you see anything?" it was all I could do to get out the words, "Yes, wonderful things." </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNg78FZFr0YFHtPiLImER4LDFPUKPpxssGD1GeBN7KMyu_EWArUFXOi8e8d18RpCphkS0e0dzO_Nr9FDEOWnWYfohyphenhyphen7CuoEEJ2yF-jsLadry5DW4Cw0R3Nh1N5oAN0Av1Lk_Df0MvwjlQ/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNg78FZFr0YFHtPiLImER4LDFPUKPpxssGD1GeBN7KMyu_EWArUFXOi8e8d18RpCphkS0e0dzO_Nr9FDEOWnWYfohyphenhyphen7CuoEEJ2yF-jsLadry5DW4Cw0R3Nh1N5oAN0Av1Lk_Df0MvwjlQ/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">Another wondrous tale revolves around the search for the lost Spanish galleon, Atocha, by deep sea diver Mel Fisher. Here's the story: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">The </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">Nuestra Señora de Atocha</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"> and the </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">Santa Margarita</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"> were Spanish galleons that sank off the coast of Key West in the year 1622, along with 6 other galleons from the same fleet. The wrecks were discovered in the 1980s by Mel Fisher’s team, after many years of searching. The amazing treasure trove of gold, silver, and gems that were valued in the hundreds of millions. Sadly, </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;">Mel's oldest son Dirk, his wife Angel, and fellow diver Rick Gage died after their boat capsized during their quest for the treasure. Mel struggled through decades of hard times treasure hunting in the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_Keys" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; line-height: 19.1875px; text-decoration: none;" title="Florida Keys">Florida Keys</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;"> with the motto </span><i style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;">Today's the Day. </i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEebsTcbMpjMQOM50833Eo6_IDiffqvENjPL1jAWzdawlPC4YPTeQAhBocN7OeSHjdl8eZRspIWeE2XpLKQPcDSD9ppfyrugLWaHo34ns2EqkGHccOMTzFE7oxtujM99c8MBGMz9OVehY/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="89" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEebsTcbMpjMQOM50833Eo6_IDiffqvENjPL1jAWzdawlPC4YPTeQAhBocN7OeSHjdl8eZRspIWeE2XpLKQPcDSD9ppfyrugLWaHo34ns2EqkGHccOMTzFE7oxtujM99c8MBGMz9OVehY/s200/5.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;"> Only today I read about the discovery of a lost Egyptian seaport city called </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 23.671875px;">Heracleion. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 1.48em;">For centuries it was thought to be a legend, a city of extraordinary wealth mentioned in Homer, visited by Helen of Troy and Paris, her lover, but apparently buried under the sea. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 1.48em;">In fact, Heracleion did exist, and a decade after divers began uncovering its treasures, archaeologists have produced a picture of what life was like in the city in the era of the pharaohs. Here is the link to learn more. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/Heracleion%20Photos:%20Lost%20Egyptian%20City%20Revealed%20After%201200%20Years">Lost Egyptian City Revealed After 1200 Years</a></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px;">Most treasure hunters fail, but the dream of finding a lost Egyptian tomb or a sunken Spanish galleon stimulates sales of <i>genuine</i> treasure maps to hopefuls. Treasure hunt, anyone?</span><br />
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<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SEE DATES ABOVE RIGHT FOR OTHER POSTS FROM "BRAINDROPS". ALSO, READ MY OTHER BLOG: </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><a href="http://spaldeendreams.blogspot.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">SPALDEEN DREAMS</a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LOOKING FOR A WORTHY CHARITY? TRY THESE FOLKS: </span></span></span> </b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Children's Craniofacial Association </span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.ccakids.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">http://www.ccakids.com</a></span></b></div>
Jim Pantalenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242915447914711323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425837433146823470.post-5214504536876114672013-04-14T13:21:00.003-04:002013-04-14T13:21:59.033-04:00Mazel Tov<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURXas9GecyHlpJKGL9wXSlhf1ewnHfSBglXj8X69s5tDrxyXpXRT07bgg9UjfB4Zl_oME288CL5cAnitbLDofayP3ahSj2hWOPdc7mYZOIw2atTa05FWrupXT4XOx8hqEwXSTSFENi2c/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURXas9GecyHlpJKGL9wXSlhf1ewnHfSBglXj8X69s5tDrxyXpXRT07bgg9UjfB4Zl_oME288CL5cAnitbLDofayP3ahSj2hWOPdc7mYZOIw2atTa05FWrupXT4XOx8hqEwXSTSFENi2c/s200/2.jpg" width="145" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I learned today that a Bar Mitzvah is like the Catholic sacrament of Confirmation, only with a better party and better gifts. We attended our second Bar Mitzvah ever for a friend's son in New Jersey. The temple was beautiful as was the service...solemn and joyous at the same time, and very family oriented. Jewish rites are similar to our Catholic ones; they have a sanctuary, they read from the scriptures, they sing and they pray for the sick in the congregation. A female rabbi led the service accompanied by a male cantor. The three young boys being ushered into manhood, Andrew, Zach and Scott, look properly serious as they chanted in Hebrew from the Torah.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGDwcIpjLqZg1QQWDrqWX2bs4I0X968PB5qAHQdodp80riC0KDy7yaKslObfljaAhhlBLfzGxXoYkkGElAqzsgPyL45n54HN6I9hnThURqFTFTlLWTMSB5oGOau6gWcdTMmfFcPyt53w/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGDwcIpjLqZg1QQWDrqWX2bs4I0X968PB5qAHQdodp80riC0KDy7yaKslObfljaAhhlBLfzGxXoYkkGElAqzsgPyL45n54HN6I9hnThURqFTFTlLWTMSB5oGOau6gWcdTMmfFcPyt53w/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then the party started. After the ceremony we adjourned to the Grand Marquis in Old Bridge for what I can only describe as a wedding without a bride and groom. The banquet hall was magnificent, the food was excellent and the wait staff extremely attentive. The cocktail hour would have fed many smaller, third world countries. Then came the dinner which was delicious. Finally, an endless stream of desserts that put the finishing touches on my rapidly clogging arteries. There were 200 guests in attendance including 60 very energetic kids. The 13-year old girls in their skintight, thigh-high dresses looked 18, while the 13-year old boys, with their ties askew and shirt-tails out looked about 9. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrwsWARSVDdPNSkaEgtmLy61HXxvNHmRSorkSaPbwKR4qnevoNShFZghoPtNZXv4zfaAa1Fw4aJLvjlWHf9kHdTf3ARF-KLiU7CoIw3X_BS0Q3xmlxYG3CmVAJYP9lT_emlLIvcei6bI/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrwsWARSVDdPNSkaEgtmLy61HXxvNHmRSorkSaPbwKR4qnevoNShFZghoPtNZXv4zfaAa1Fw4aJLvjlWHf9kHdTf3ARF-KLiU7CoIw3X_BS0Q3xmlxYG3CmVAJYP9lT_emlLIvcei6bI/s200/3.jpg" width="149" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There was the obligatory, obnoxious D-J in charge of music. (I say music in the very loosest definition of that term.) To give you an idea of how loud they were, the wait staff circulated to the tables where older adults were seated and offered ear plugs to those who found the "music" too loud to bear. This is sadly the case at almost all functions where DJs preside these days. They play so loudly, yet no one tells them to bring it down. On the up side, the DJ and his entourage entertained the kids in-between noise explosions so the adults had a chance to get in a few words. There was also a very rude ventriloquist whose idea of fun was to ridicule the elderly members of the Bar Mitzvah boy's family as they came up to light candles of remembrance. Not nice.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKgBKUx_qP7eDUbjv0D730YWcIfU4nRhSpWFedhgzElUlB9lx0CXAzrYF3lOLMupkxRNt7ovQe_A-7RWCotY0EuyNB-itiEZfK7k7b-eGnmTEn279xcUFnYJiXo_cfCx8M2Dy2WhaFxE/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKgBKUx_qP7eDUbjv0D730YWcIfU4nRhSpWFedhgzElUlB9lx0CXAzrYF3lOLMupkxRNt7ovQe_A-7RWCotY0EuyNB-itiEZfK7k7b-eGnmTEn279xcUFnYJiXo_cfCx8M2Dy2WhaFxE/s200/5.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's amazing how celebrations for religious ceremonies like Communions, Confirmations and Bar Mitzvahs have escalated. We have been to parties for these occasions that far overshadow the weddings of 30 years ago. Everybody tries to outdo each other. These used to be pretty much family affairs with maybe a few invited friends; now they have become very ornate and elaborate affairs. I don't know how anyone can afford to spend 30 or 40 thousand dollars on them. I guess my old school values are kicking in. Even the weddings we've been to seem so over-the-top with no expense spared. I think back on the old "football" weddings we attended and the fun we had, not because they cost $200 a head, but because the people who were there didn't need to be entertained; they brought their fun along with them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I very much enjoyed the Bar Mitzvah service, although I found out that rabbis like to hear themselves talk as much as priests. The boys and their families made this a beautiful ritual, and sitting in that temple, I was reminded that people of all faiths are more alike than they are different.</span><br />
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<b> <span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SEE DATES ABOVE RIGHT FOR OTHER POSTS FROM "BRAINDROPS". ALSO, READ MY OTHER BLOG: </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><a href="http://spaldeendreams.blogspot.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">SPALDEEN DREAMS</a></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LOOKING FOR A WORTHY CHARITY? TRY THESE FOLKS: </span></span></span> </b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Children's Craniofacial Association </span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.ccakids.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">http://www.ccakids.com</a></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Jim Pantalenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242915447914711323noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425837433146823470.post-4452583474402718292013-03-21T09:05:00.002-04:002013-03-21T09:09:34.062-04:00The Rodeo Clown<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGScGa-lgXOxik7WahM8zm9yeGIKzlUUKMamKSI6Ofj5AzUR5I0YmfYZ1hpMRsjYzglJgX87r1R_m6ZMbsDyNhyMy8tvfaB2xVu02hlue4dLnC6oveRHpcAVhSYDaO_W7jd_vqszzypA/s1600/47-0352.1L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGScGa-lgXOxik7WahM8zm9yeGIKzlUUKMamKSI6Ofj5AzUR5I0YmfYZ1hpMRsjYzglJgX87r1R_m6ZMbsDyNhyMy8tvfaB2xVu02hlue4dLnC6oveRHpcAVhSYDaO_W7jd_vqszzypA/s200/47-0352.1L.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's a real wake-up call when you learn that toys you played with as a child are now considered antiques that collectors are scrambling for on E-bay. Life has a funny way of distracting you, like a rodeo clown saving some poor cowboy's ass from a rampaging bull. While you deal with life's distractions, unbeknownst to you, the years have been racing by. When you're young, time passes slowly. The space between Christmases and summer vacations from school seemed endless back then, and like the fools we are, we thought we would never get old. And then one day the check arrives. Like a tipsy restaurant guest ordering everything on the menu, we are shocked at what we have spent. How did we get to be this old? Does this check look right to you?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7RyCNtJ0pPot96oZXeY5kpkJKra_9Pu7RjTutxtZBy8N2iAmYC3RJH2wrQOXkcNjEdsJ4_OcCk6leRlPZS9yIvMX2VtnVAw7bEHTP4Obf0005V0N8MTlboFnTELJoBw7KIdvj6aCxz8s/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7RyCNtJ0pPot96oZXeY5kpkJKra_9Pu7RjTutxtZBy8N2iAmYC3RJH2wrQOXkcNjEdsJ4_OcCk6leRlPZS9yIvMX2VtnVAw7bEHTP4Obf0005V0N8MTlboFnTELJoBw7KIdvj6aCxz8s/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When reality hits you realize you are well past the age at which you considered your father to be old. I know, times have changed and the rodeo clown says 70 is the new 50, but that little deception we buy into is driven by pure terror. You might think like a 50 year-old, sure you can dress like a 50 year-old, but your body is screaming 70. Someone must have sneaked in to the laundry room and washed all your clothes in hot water, because none of them fit any more. All those chores around the house that you grumbled about but had no trouble completing when your wife finally sweet-talked you into doing them...suddenly most of these are beyond your physical ability. And surely some evil spirit keeps moving your glasses and car keys from where you're positive you put them.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMESaX8V-62rRSJnOhymZk0pwQCMLSZ4EmfCpsdoP_WLo_86RjrpQBT0tD8LgLDOF9icHK6B-QCnkt9fn8xQLKXQFgUjmf2dTijqeJ962f2AKsBG6bRdFBBat_cQIRsmY-fTMvaqWtcLI/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMESaX8V-62rRSJnOhymZk0pwQCMLSZ4EmfCpsdoP_WLo_86RjrpQBT0tD8LgLDOF9icHK6B-QCnkt9fn8xQLKXQFgUjmf2dTijqeJ962f2AKsBG6bRdFBBat_cQIRsmY-fTMvaqWtcLI/s200/2.jpg" width="103" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I believe too that patience is inversely proportional to age. You know your meter has been running for a while and you have zero tolerance for time wasters. People in front of you in lines who insist on chatting up the clerk at the register; drivers who thoughtlessly creep down the street looking for an address; distracted waitresses who bring you things you never ordered...all these poor souls incur your wrath. Maybe all those years of smiling at bosses you know are dumber than you builds up a head of steam in us that has to be released at some point. Maybe we get angry because we know that we are now officially <i>out</i> of the loop. We don't recognize any of the actors nominated for Oscars, any music reference at all goes right over our heads, and we can see technology's taillights way ahead of us as we try to fathom our new cell phones.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-OTl51WtcT9g63woXuZ7pIND5fcUyOLsGQiGWasxZNLNI6giQWAC62tG4bka9B7CpSYdOM1x45-YSPFXT1_21uqmK41C5znhM2TnF3xdnF4yOPkCV0SC37CIkUmLlwSGBCuhD5ZQ4ZQ/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-OTl51WtcT9g63woXuZ7pIND5fcUyOLsGQiGWasxZNLNI6giQWAC62tG4bka9B7CpSYdOM1x45-YSPFXT1_21uqmK41C5znhM2TnF3xdnF4yOPkCV0SC37CIkUmLlwSGBCuhD5ZQ4ZQ/s200/3.JPG" width="176" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Age is not all bad. For instance, you've already made a lot of mistakes in life and if you have a brain, these experiences will not be repeated. (Note: Does not apply to anyone working in government.) This hard-won wisdom allows you to advise your children of these pitfalls, and then stand by helplessly while they do what they want. Age also gets you some free passes in terms of what uncensored thoughts fly from your mouth. You become the poster boy for Tourette's Syndrome, rarely bothering to mull over a thought before expressing it. If you're 30 and you say to the post office clerk: "Hey pal, when your 3-hour break is over, maybe I can get some service here", you might have to back that up with some swift karate moves. But when you're 70, their eyes just roll back and some people in line might gasp, but no fisticuffs. He's just a crazy old man, right?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A little friendly advice...don't let that rodeo clown take your eyes off the ball. Sorry for mixing my metaphors, but there are only so many days in our banks. Cherish your family and friends, safeguard your health, and say a prayer once in a while in case the athiests have it all wrong.</span><br />
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<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SEE DATES ABOVE RIGHT FOR OTHER POSTS FROM "BRAINDROPS". ALSO, READ MY OTHER BLOG: </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><a href="http://spaldeendreams.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">SPALDEEN DREAMS</a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></b><b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LOOKING FOR A WORTHY CHARITY? TRY THESE FOLKS: </span></span></span> </b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Children's Craniofacial Association </span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.ccakids.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">http://www.ccakids.com</a></span></b></div>
Jim Pantalenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242915447914711323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425837433146823470.post-7194113124123801502013-03-14T15:31:00.003-04:002013-03-14T15:40:26.853-04:00Welcome Pope Francis I<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xlQSekA9Eh2dtZ2FrhF06NpiOrmGS_oqDWgfWo7LDU-cG9KKFuIiP8OgnYGkwMkfNFQitXmb7PnSiUH5BNb2kIropTvgSbPmteJ-uEZ-O-Fzz2VdA4YMqk4cGP7rT64dsEXJhIswVug/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xlQSekA9Eh2dtZ2FrhF06NpiOrmGS_oqDWgfWo7LDU-cG9KKFuIiP8OgnYGkwMkfNFQitXmb7PnSiUH5BNb2kIropTvgSbPmteJ-uEZ-O-Fzz2VdA4YMqk4cGP7rT64dsEXJhIswVug/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Amid all the pomp and ceremony it can muster, the Roman Catholic Church has elected a new pope. The grayish-white smoke floating from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel proclaimed to the world that the red-hatted Cardinals, princes of the church from every corner of the globe, had selected the man who would wear the fisherman's ring of St. Peter, and bear the awesome responsibility of shepherding the church of Jesus Christ. The unprecedented resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, the 265th pope who had served since 2005, made this moment in history possible. In every country on earth, people watched and waited, rooting, and maybe even praying for their candidate to win. Some hoped for radical change in the church while others wanted stability and tradition.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkg8kwgsJlcbiNQAILpVKCCJLEedQ0pgXGP2u5B0VDpSWdfm10Co2wc5_Ss3bM5_blAvOxpTicWMQ-XmpueX6z_6im-4LMaiCKCBekaSbN1L-dS_IRVoiJeomZ58SUYFY2A71CmkePZYc/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkg8kwgsJlcbiNQAILpVKCCJLEedQ0pgXGP2u5B0VDpSWdfm10Co2wc5_Ss3bM5_blAvOxpTicWMQ-XmpueX6z_6im-4LMaiCKCBekaSbN1L-dS_IRVoiJeomZ58SUYFY2A71CmkePZYc/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The possibilities ranged from the front runner, Cardinal Angelo Scola of Milan, to the dark horse, the popular Cardinal from New York, Timothy Dolan. In between a number of names had come up, but Scola had been the runner-up in 2005 when Benedict XVI was elected. His closeness to the ex-pope combined with his strong pastoral experience and conservative views made him the betting favorite. </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Italian Bishops' Conference Wednesday even sent a congratulatory email to Cardinal Scola — tipped as a hot conclave favorite. Watching the news coverage on television was painful. As the cameras focused on the papal balcony, commentators kept mumbling the same things over and over while we waited. It was like listening to Phil Rizzuto during a Yankee game rain delay.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNdQIyPOu9GPLuHb3ww429SC79PbWpKHfqtuvME0VW_r4Ua-4g1HEd9Dxiw9u6yHo74KX9QDVUrW_BC0rM71oW8RetiorI5QpVv-ospQjRi6X1aL6pfs9T5uCpPk0dtBAdJEf_FBq-LU/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNdQIyPOu9GPLuHb3ww429SC79PbWpKHfqtuvME0VW_r4Ua-4g1HEd9Dxiw9u6yHo74KX9QDVUrW_BC0rM71oW8RetiorI5QpVv-ospQjRi6X1aL6pfs9T5uCpPk0dtBAdJEf_FBq-LU/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally the red curtains parted and the doors opened. The electricity in the crowd assembled in St. Peter's Square was palpable. Some prayed, some hollered, and some were clearly overcome by emotion. They were about to witness an announcement that, for the Catholic Church, is both solemn and joyous; the naming of the man who would be the spiritual father of them all. All eyes were on the elderly and frail </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 16px;">French </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; line-height: 16px;">Cardinal</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 16px;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 16px;">Jean-Louis Tauran</span><span style="background-color: white;"> as he told the waiting world that </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Argentine Jorge Bergoglio had been chosen. The crowd erupted, surprised and delighted that the first pope from the Americas was now their leader and had taken the name Francis I.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNEfvsffWvS_4aicsQVNoaEvqAMjgt0trA0lvdav5zKM4Hv8SQ4JqzQUdXcg6zmZLMkRSagniLTx-xfmdd3YPXO3P5ikYdGjj9J57q0ZprBPjJCfJys5i_TvcCuCy6aIwrrAw5jjS9ck/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNEfvsffWvS_4aicsQVNoaEvqAMjgt0trA0lvdav5zKM4Hv8SQ4JqzQUdXcg6zmZLMkRSagniLTx-xfmdd3YPXO3P5ikYdGjj9J57q0ZprBPjJCfJys5i_TvcCuCy6aIwrrAw5jjS9ck/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is so hard for us to have any inkling of what the new pope must be feeling. To be plucked from relative obscurity in Buenos Aries and be set down on the world stage must have come as quite a shock. His humble demeanor in asking for the blessing of the people in his first act as pope give us some idea of the enormous responsibility now resting on his shoulders. In a joking allusion to his inadequacy for the job, Pope Francis chided the Cardinals at dinner with this quote: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I hope God will forgive you for what you have done." Indeed serious work lies ahead for this pope. The pedophile priest scandal is just one of the hot-button issues on his plate. Others include homosexuality, gay marriage and the role of women in the t</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">he church.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6AfeUm5_VdCHYlGitTVFgSkXjQmo0a7Rno9yW-c8qF6mWVTsWIM65HXdhmwIApVAdGtLZOJo_OIjEl4DUq0pd78EeO7LcyR8K65F_e4DuIg4ynhMTcfO6u7jlESc4SnfQlc1diTGDHU/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6AfeUm5_VdCHYlGitTVFgSkXjQmo0a7Rno9yW-c8qF6mWVTsWIM65HXdhmwIApVAdGtLZOJo_OIjEl4DUq0pd78EeO7LcyR8K65F_e4DuIg4ynhMTcfO6u7jlESc4SnfQlc1diTGDHU/s200/5.jpg" width="161" /></a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My initial impressions of the new pope are favorable. His humility and simplicity are appealing, shunning the royal trappings of his Office in favor of simpler things. He really seems to be a man of the people who eyes suspiciously the lavish lifestyles of high-ranking Vatican officials. He seems approachable and human, qualities that in my opinion did not emanate from our last pope. I paid special attention to the reactions of the priests and nuns in the square as the name of the new pope was announced. Their faces shone with hope, almost like workers who finally get a new boss that comes from the ranks and understands the job as they see it. The name he chose also says a lot about what his papacy could be. Francis of Assisi was called by God to rebuild his church, and we can only infer that our new pope hopes to do the same.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will pray for Francis I that God gives him the strength and shows him the wisdom to carry on this mission for the good of Catholics everywhere. </span></span><br />
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<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SEE DATES ABOVE RIGHT FOR OTHER POSTS FROM "BRAINDROPS". ALSO, READ MY OTHER BLOG: </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><a href="http://spaldeendreams.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">SPALDEEN DREAMS</a></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></b><b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LOOKING FOR A WORTHY CHARITY? TRY THESE FOLKS: </span></span></span> </b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue;">Children's Craniofacial Association </span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.ccakids.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">http://www.ccakids.com</a></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span>Jim Pantalenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242915447914711323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425837433146823470.post-44669103421090943332013-03-05T15:18:00.001-05:002013-03-05T15:23:57.845-05:00The Dream Devalued<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWZHOjVU1WskKT_gbZ-wUykk1ZB1XuRMpbAFnHrVOsTXQAQ3qZWNjo7bXqeagQksCO0BuTV2FOI3UofbqlWFluEaZmz-uH38wLL68F17Tiep2D7Aj59l_2iYAKctM9oZWUa3yp7mVh_c/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWZHOjVU1WskKT_gbZ-wUykk1ZB1XuRMpbAFnHrVOsTXQAQ3qZWNjo7bXqeagQksCO0BuTV2FOI3UofbqlWFluEaZmz-uH38wLL68F17Tiep2D7Aj59l_2iYAKctM9oZWUa3yp7mVh_c/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My son recently gave me a book called "The Italian-Americans". It was written mostly in Italian, which I can struggle through a bit thanks to Rosetta Stone, but the real attraction for me was in the pictures. Featured were images of Italian-Americans through history who have made a life in the United States, some famous and some not. I was drawn to the beautiful black and white photos of immigrants to this country, many taken at Ellis Island where they landed, and also on the lower East side of New York City where they first settled. The faces of the men, women and children look a little bewildered, waving their tiny American flags and happy that their arduous journey had come to an end. What I see in so many of their faces is hope...the belief that leaving their homeland and coming to this new world full of promise was a decision that would not be regretted.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlD2gkZ0_G4LOho4Y558_8Z5k3D1vrjo5xnLH0CCBRG8zVnuuz_LDzdoADqzlXBQUp2HrirSkD5eEEr6i4f2w1heANHnMYW3Wc5IjGQRi8vkRyeu7s0-MGoujbez167keq0jAP8_BEkX8/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlD2gkZ0_G4LOho4Y558_8Z5k3D1vrjo5xnLH0CCBRG8zVnuuz_LDzdoADqzlXBQUp2HrirSkD5eEEr6i4f2w1heANHnMYW3Wc5IjGQRi8vkRyeu7s0-MGoujbez167keq0jAP8_BEkX8/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For many of these immigrants, not just Italians but people from all over Europe, America would deliver on its promise. It would not be easy, but they knew if they worked hard, saved their money, and sent their children to school, that they could build a life here for their families that could never have been possible where they came from. They were not always welcomed with open arms; prejudice and discrimination were faced by many, but they were tough people, willing to endure these hardships knowing that their sacrifices would pave the way for their children and grandchildren. The dream that was America drove them. They took jobs nobody else wanted and worked longer hours for less money. They did not demand free health care, welfare and bilingual schools, but through sheer grit and determination, earned the grudging respect of their neighbors.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iftxIKqwT4dj3QeIvljjhtvy_7wLt7L53XlQ7h5cFhX8iHXXOIQbAM4aCgyi6eiSgMSEy2PilWP6nE66LGYfg7Lpj1aO20vieu8Be1fwRh6WW-_EcYvOD374qYTnYoG-PVwULSildAM/s1600/w3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iftxIKqwT4dj3QeIvljjhtvy_7wLt7L53XlQ7h5cFhX8iHXXOIQbAM4aCgyi6eiSgMSEy2PilWP6nE66LGYfg7Lpj1aO20vieu8Be1fwRh6WW-_EcYvOD374qYTnYoG-PVwULSildAM/s1600/w3.JPG" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Both sets of my grandparents were immigrant Italian-Americans. They started with nothing but their will to make things better for their children, and they succeeded. There was in them a drive to earn their share of what this country offered to those willing to work for it. That drive was passed to their children. My father never earned a lot of money in his lifetime, but he made enough to buy a house and give his three kids a comfortable life. The same goes for my wife's family. Each generation was better educated, won better jobs, made more money, and became more a part of the community fabric than the last. I'm proud to say that my children have that determination to succeed in them, and they have done well indeed, but the landscape of America is changing.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFuwKGuuUs2BwoYkZLhWFt5tsRRtdDSH3oR7F9rROKlsqJfVaXqqTQDjZbANilhLnz8UipkgphWX6FPPnkkj8L5Bv7NTdQ6o-euBwsIGlEvwlM4xTYTBrVvn0SR04AqjexbjyYyp2j5rI/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFuwKGuuUs2BwoYkZLhWFt5tsRRtdDSH3oR7F9rROKlsqJfVaXqqTQDjZbANilhLnz8UipkgphWX6FPPnkkj8L5Bv7NTdQ6o-euBwsIGlEvwlM4xTYTBrVvn0SR04AqjexbjyYyp2j5rI/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our country is still the gold standard for providing its citizens with all the things promised in our Constitution,,,life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, but the attitude of foreigners who come here is not the attitude of my immigrant grandparents. Some are still willing to follow the old formula of entering the country legally, working at whatever jobs are open to them, paying their taxes and trading instant gratification for the rewards that will be their children's in time to come. Others sneak in illegally, demand free education, medical benefits, and work off the books, paying no taxes for the services to which they feel entitled. Add to this the growing numbers in America's "welfare class", native-born citizens who never understood the value of education, hard work and family values, and you have the dismal situation in which this country now finds itself.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0boQ3T0FqoYRFygj2IGbFKk-aigp0wHmpHMUk84kCll43w7QQVFYfEb279wWCOThV3d5s_3xy16uaciNEQUH18nM6E1wp-HBsLEQqQp2s6FE7UwzK9ZUv7uEniWAWdN_CPiiXGDSvEA/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0boQ3T0FqoYRFygj2IGbFKk-aigp0wHmpHMUk84kCll43w7QQVFYfEb279wWCOThV3d5s_3xy16uaciNEQUH18nM6E1wp-HBsLEQqQp2s6FE7UwzK9ZUv7uEniWAWdN_CPiiXGDSvEA/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My kids will make more money than I ever did, but it will be so much harder for them to buy a house and live the dream that once was America because so much more of their income is siphoned off by a government willing to trade free services for votes. This creeping socialism has got to the point where those working at jobs are tired of supporting those unwilling to educate themselves, get work and contribute to society. This in turn has created such divisions in America, and such extreme positions in our </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">political parties that the country is being torn apart with no end to the animosity in sight. Barack Obama has made it clear that redistribution of income through taxation of the "rich" is the primary goal of his Presidency.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't know how this will end, but I do know that the hope I see in the eyes of the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Italian-American </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">immigrants in my new book is no longer in the eyes of this country's young people. As Margaret Thatcher said: "</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 16px;">The problem with </span><em style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; line-height: 16px;">socialism</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 16px;"> is that </span><em style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; line-height: 16px;">eventually</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 16px;"> you </span><em style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; line-height: 16px;">run out of other people's money".</em></span><br />
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<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SEE DATES ABOVE RIGHT FOR OTHER POSTS FROM "BRAINDROPS". ALSO, READ MY OTHER BLOG: </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><a href="http://spaldeendreams.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">SPALDEEN DREAMS</a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></b><b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LOOKING FOR A WORTHY CHARITY? TRY THESE FOLKS: </span></span></span> </b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Children's Craniofacial Association </span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.ccakids.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">http://www.ccakids.com</a></span></b></div>
Jim Pantalenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242915447914711323noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425837433146823470.post-8885674109775653812013-02-14T09:02:00.006-05:002013-02-14T09:10:00.110-05:00Emperor Bloomberg<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK85fYLeQVmTjGnGqACo6c_axHr3woTsOtCKW1dv7ytsWCXudVnOOsrPV9yOHvbwsufThDzWcjH8hc64sPwbPVBgYvXAPBWAFe3WX4uYBInp4F2kbR5v8KACM1PI-w8f6FrXs0uBE3bMM/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK85fYLeQVmTjGnGqACo6c_axHr3woTsOtCKW1dv7ytsWCXudVnOOsrPV9yOHvbwsufThDzWcjH8hc64sPwbPVBgYvXAPBWAFe3WX4uYBInp4F2kbR5v8KACM1PI-w8f6FrXs0uBE3bMM/s200/1.jpg" width="145" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So Mayor Mike Bloomberg, after buying a third term in office, is now a lame duck. As a result, he's pulling out all the legislation he didn't dare put forward when he had to worry about re-election. Don't get me wrong...overall I think Emperor Mike, as some New Yorkers call him, has done a pretty good job in what has been termed the second hardest job in the country. I accept the idea that his motives are noble in trying to push through some of these ridiculous laws to solve real problems, namely traffic congestion in the city and the health of its citizens, but his methods are wrong. I give him high marks for even trying to tackle these issues, but in the end, he gets a grade of D for execution.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9___KfMi-7qsERgicOGaIgsTpeL1Ld5IVegQrmcd_TQYoIv9HJdt171z5MSWMStB4vSgyREHNOA8b-kZ75-vEQFCtQLYUbKlTRbYKhsxdO6Qko_j2BmSWyEPkAtJ0xO464GqlQfAHOIQ/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9___KfMi-7qsERgicOGaIgsTpeL1Ld5IVegQrmcd_TQYoIv9HJdt171z5MSWMStB4vSgyREHNOA8b-kZ75-vEQFCtQLYUbKlTRbYKhsxdO6Qko_j2BmSWyEPkAtJ0xO464GqlQfAHOIQ/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let's look at NYC traffic. Is it a nightmare? No question about it. Does taking away traffic lanes to accommodate a few bikers (who flaunt traffic regulations) solve the problem? No, it exacerbates it. Traffic Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan must have pictures of Mr. Bloomberg in a lace bustier and fishnet stockings to get away with what she's done to this city. Nine out of ten New Yorkers oppose these dumb-ass bike lanes, yet they continue to proliferate. Do I criticize without offering solutions? No, and here they are: 1) Make public transit what it should be in the world's greatest city so more people will leave their cars at home. 2) Go to permanent odd/even license plate access to enter the city...inconvenient but traffic is instantly halved. 3) Rigorously enforce existing laws against double parked cars that choke our streets. 4) Set up taxi stands on corners to get cruising cabs off the streets.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHLljIyudFiuxUZ43jKe_otuB-E_l2wViejcVMlDa5Y-Gu2yQ2OKFtTbqjDABfPYsN5ewJN7bTAC8KenNHwjlqIR_luFq-oPyigsiemLtc41YxShtz-yAhtuEO_dwVDioRafyUOTJKDc/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHLljIyudFiuxUZ43jKe_otuB-E_l2wViejcVMlDa5Y-Gu2yQ2OKFtTbqjDABfPYsN5ewJN7bTAC8KenNHwjlqIR_luFq-oPyigsiemLtc41YxShtz-yAhtuEO_dwVDioRafyUOTJKDc/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Mayor's latest brainstorm (yes, Janet surely has the negatives of those pictures) is to equip 20% of all new parking spaces created in the city with chargers for battery powered cars. Sounds wonderful for the environment but there are flaws. First of all very few electric cars exist compared to gas-powered ones. Do you know how hard it is already to find affordable parking in New York? Will these spaces remain empty while the rest of us circle the block, wasting gas and increasing air pollution, looking for a "non-electric:" space? Will gas-powered cars be fined for parking in these spots as we know that in desperation they will? If so, then it's really about revenue enhancement, not environmental protection.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhmrhG9nVa3N4R0EqxUsEkjzkp_xawuo8uONpo8UP8aBi4Y5SEcn8xUqFcmBdmi9fMAol91wY_GiNhjtwY3JWb8pPWHoKOxsUL-Is35Gz6_2Rho9cZ4sTzSNiMJPiLBUOG8yCteRKGdU/s1600/4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhmrhG9nVa3N4R0EqxUsEkjzkp_xawuo8uONpo8UP8aBi4Y5SEcn8xUqFcmBdmi9fMAol91wY_GiNhjtwY3JWb8pPWHoKOxsUL-Is35Gz6_2Rho9cZ4sTzSNiMJPiLBUOG8yCteRKGdU/s200/4.jpeg" width="155" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then we have the big health initiative...no more 16 oz. sodas, fatso. Again, the Mayor is attempting to take on a real problem here, obesity, which contributes to many dangerous health conditions and causes medical care costs to skyrocket. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Heard a story about a woman who died overweight and riddled with disease after a lifetime of consuming 8-10 liters (that's liters!) of Coke a day. Her family is now suing Coca Cola for making an addictive drink. Good luck with that. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Again, good intent but a faulty solution. My point is that people addicted to these drinks are not going to stop consuming them. They will just buy two smaller drinks. No health improvement and now, more cans/cups to recycle. Who knows, maybe this too is about increased city revenue through sales taxes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Mayor has done some good things like closing Times Square to traffic so money spending tourists can take pictures to their heart's content. Also, his recent proposal to ban Styrofoam cups and containers makes good sense to me. But the bike lanes and soda restrictions...swing and a miss.</span><br />
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<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SEE DATES ABOVE RIGHT FOR OTHER POSTS FROM "BRAINDROPS". ALSO, READ MY OTHER BLOG: </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><a href="http://spaldeendreams.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">SPALDEEN DREAMS</a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></b><b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LOOKING FOR A WORTHY CHARITY? TRY THESE FOLKS: </span></span></span> </b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue;">Children's Craniofacial Association </span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.ccakids.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">http://www.ccakids.com</a></span></b></div>
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<br />Jim Pantalenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242915447914711323noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425837433146823470.post-33972426673314255202013-02-10T16:43:00.004-05:002013-02-10T17:58:17.566-05:00Viva Mexico<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4dj84d1CT31l6MuykQRfn6EMXjF-fpLT7MxKgcMHBnKK4jdhB56ZJx11v7bm_if_4JS7f8bt03Yt9DwtxnNPE7wuGkpM_Oa04bKauZWEG1XUx66N11G5MowdQIi1Gg6V-mhTzMmtnjzo/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4dj84d1CT31l6MuykQRfn6EMXjF-fpLT7MxKgcMHBnKK4jdhB56ZJx11v7bm_if_4JS7f8bt03Yt9DwtxnNPE7wuGkpM_Oa04bKauZWEG1XUx66N11G5MowdQIi1Gg6V-mhTzMmtnjzo/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">Between 1846 and 1848 the <st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region> fought a war with <st1:country-region w:st="on">Mexico</st1:country-region> over the <st1:country-region w:st="on">US</st1:country-region>
annexation of <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Texas</st1:place></st1:state>
and a border dispute. The war resulted in a decisive American victory, and
on February 2, 1848, with the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Mexico</st1:country-region> ceded to the <st1:country-region w:st="on">United
States</st1:country-region> the land that now comprises the states of <st1:state w:st="on">California</st1:state>, <st1:state w:st="on">Utah</st1:state>, and <st1:state w:st="on">Nevada</st1:state>, as well as parts of <st1:state w:st="on">Arizona</st1:state>,
<st1:state w:st="on">New Mexico</st1:state>, <st1:state w:st="on">Wyoming</st1:state>,
and <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Colorado</st1:place></st1:state>.
<st1:country-region w:st="on">Mexico</st1:country-region> also renounced all
rights to <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Texas</st1:place></st1:state>.
At this juncture, the <st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region>
made a critical strategic error by not annexing the entire <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">territory</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Mexico</st1:placename></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBslW-GEh0qTntnIoWIBnFfa3GsAw64mJU28_xWR0QG2sg96qmvcm_33SN0Fu9LRBTSZ7X9576zHGRaGvZXlvNVs37xksyRV57t73rE1NwvENRq4W7YbmHkPMbtHyfdFmjifLAbiDToko/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBslW-GEh0qTntnIoWIBnFfa3GsAw64mJU28_xWR0QG2sg96qmvcm_33SN0Fu9LRBTSZ7X9576zHGRaGvZXlvNVs37xksyRV57t73rE1NwvENRq4W7YbmHkPMbtHyfdFmjifLAbiDToko/s200/2.jpg" width="198" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">As harsh as this may sound, I think there was
justification for the action. <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mexico</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s
civilization peaked at the time of the Aztecs. The Aztecs rose to power in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mexico</st1:place></st1:country-region> during
the 12th and 13th centuries and remained in control until the arrival of the
Spaniards in the 16th century. Starting in the mid 1400s conquistador Herdando
Cortez enters the city of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Tenochtitlan</st1:place></st1:city>
and captures the Aztec leader Montezuma. Soon missionaries arrive and begin the
conversion of the natives to Catholicism. In the early 1800s <st1:country-region w:st="on">Spain</st1:country-region> recognizes <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mexico</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s independence, but the
country never again reaches the high water mark set by the Aztecs and earlier native cultures like the Mayans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2s3Z9eEsyxHT6klNBMV11Vh2dL1dSZbt_RGD1S0zheG1xdS2tm7As0pMV1wN-ArIbIqZLWarqrFd8Lp9jC7XKwRs41gQIh70CSQocqtN4MsmCNHTHQxkzrq20r2FBgon3dYgMVpRwQoM/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2s3Z9eEsyxHT6klNBMV11Vh2dL1dSZbt_RGD1S0zheG1xdS2tm7As0pMV1wN-ArIbIqZLWarqrFd8Lp9jC7XKwRs41gQIh70CSQocqtN4MsmCNHTHQxkzrq20r2FBgon3dYgMVpRwQoM/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">The country began spiraling downward with a series of
popular revolutions only to be haunted by corrupt political administrations,
wrenching illiteracy and poverty, and eventually banditry and an influx of drug
dealers who became so entrenched that they now virtually rule parts of the
country, aided and abetted by corrupt policemen and politicians. With the
economy in tatters, large numbers of Mexicans began leaving the country and
illegally entering the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">United
States</st1:place></st1:country-region>. The burden these immigrants have
created on the American economy is incalculable. The issue has also become a
major one for both countries and created ill will on the part of many Americans who
resent their tax dollars being used to support illegal immigrants.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87B9oKCJBVnNdJZQu7B0VXaj9qsFN0zmqbS-5ibJIsC0D9Nw2vIy9g4eAQ0zGBb7iDKZxGbCCwWhr99ExYqNKwjKaCf_9qZEgvVYIjGubidNVLDgktlaNPjdRylvJo2nQLcrIDXbTORY/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87B9oKCJBVnNdJZQu7B0VXaj9qsFN0zmqbS-5ibJIsC0D9Nw2vIy9g4eAQ0zGBb7iDKZxGbCCwWhr99ExYqNKwjKaCf_9qZEgvVYIjGubidNVLDgktlaNPjdRylvJo2nQLcrIDXbTORY/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">When you think about it, <st1:country-region w:st="on">America</st1:country-region> was expanding rapidly at the time of the
war with <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mexico</st1:place></st1:country-region>
and in the years thereafter. The Louisiana Purchase, Seward’s acquisition of <st1:state w:st="on">Alaska</st1:state>, and the territory won from <st1:country-region w:st="on">Mexico</st1:country-region> greatly increased the size of the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region>.
It would have been only natural, given the common border between the countries,
for America to simply say that, as the spoils of war, we were annexing all of
Mexico and making it part of our country. In this era of expansion, in addition
to <st1:state w:st="on">Texas</st1:state> and the other areas of <st1:country-region w:st="on">Mexico</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">America</st1:country-region>
acquired the Louisiana Purchase from <st1:country-region w:st="on">France</st1:country-region>
and Seward's acquisition of <st1:state w:st="on">Alaska</st1:state> from <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Russia</st1:place></st1:country-region>, thus fulfilling its “Manifest
Destiny” as the world’s preeminent power of the 19<sup>th</sup> century.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">There might have been some mild diplomatic
protests at first but they would have blown over. Just think of the benefits to </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mexico</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;">; the
education, health care and job opportunities they are fighting so hard for today
as illegal immigrants would have been their birthright as Americans. I rest my case. Questions?</span><br />
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SEE DATES ABOVE RIGHT FOR OTHER POSTS FROM "BRAINDROPS". ALSO, READ MY OTHER BLOG: </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><a href="http://spaldeendreams.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">SPALDEEN DREAMS</a></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></b><b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LOOKING FOR A WORTHY CHARITY? TRY THESE FOLKS: </span></span></span> </b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue;">Children's Craniofacial Association </span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.ccakids.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">http://www.ccakids.com/</a></span></b></div>
</div>
Jim Pantalenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242915447914711323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425837433146823470.post-57082734608029329432013-01-30T16:17:00.002-05:002013-01-30T16:27:48.316-05:00App-less in Seattle<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMvLAChadQRlza4BrMUtI0KXHQIrI8ZTg8l6m5saHgMMas2ddFqGYM1GpT3b6mGyaaxfQvCxwPuMmDB5P_B5xdAfaZohL2luWLp5OGkZ0JocqPapDRALqAg8uYr5yVrfNdCGHUOkOOP_c/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMvLAChadQRlza4BrMUtI0KXHQIrI8ZTg8l6m5saHgMMas2ddFqGYM1GpT3b6mGyaaxfQvCxwPuMmDB5P_B5xdAfaZohL2luWLp5OGkZ0JocqPapDRALqAg8uYr5yVrfNdCGHUOkOOP_c/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are addicted to gadgets, there is absolutely no doubt about it. The technology made possible by geniuses like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs has enabled a host of electronic toys that we can't seem to get enough of. I may not be a gizmo-geek, but I thought I was keeping up pretty well until stuff like smart phones and I-pads came along, Now, and I freely admit this, I am hopelessly lost in the techno jungle. Even more confusing to me than the gadgets is some of the new software that enables all this functionality, the so-called apps. Apps, apparently, are programs that can be downloaded to your smart phone that enable it to do wondrous things.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyIIE6VQ-88XVmF0qQZ2XDhOaEXEuUzNKJyZMG7FwE6xYqWtzGljEvBFTpefZG4fV4lwDGcWOLFXYPttFArBeQMk8JGaB_79QZd7RrnLniZ6dzpHbLpLf-FUs1qH75FQ5MDcyxbl-sT8/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyIIE6VQ-88XVmF0qQZ2XDhOaEXEuUzNKJyZMG7FwE6xYqWtzGljEvBFTpefZG4fV4lwDGcWOLFXYPttFArBeQMk8JGaB_79QZd7RrnLniZ6dzpHbLpLf-FUs1qH75FQ5MDcyxbl-sT8/s200/2.jpg" width="164" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMFgtB9rhMvIW_lQRjIxLKHUI2kVIeku4KnWgPrSoNw77kIgpBt4rC6Ut9DW6ZiH8mfvPCa8Bs-MZh5luT-LW9DbKU775U2tAl93XOfclRDrbkT3ZBRNdSugVLYDHrzCT3aKKDCb1Gec/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't have any apps. To the best of my knowledge, I don't <i>need</i> any apps. I am probably in the minority on this issue. I am like Neolithic man looking on in wonder as </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Paleolithic man uses fire to warm his cold bones. I see the fire, I see the good it can do, but I don't understand it, and therefore, I fear it. Apps are everywhere. I see people taking out smart phones way more advanced than mine and doing things from ordering theater tickets to paying for their Starbucks coffee. I see these little black and white rectangles that look like Rorschach inkblots everywhere I look. These must be the magic symbols that activate the sleeping apps that turn your smart phone into, well, <i>everything</i>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMFgtB9rhMvIW_lQRjIxLKHUI2kVIeku4KnWgPrSoNw77kIgpBt4rC6Ut9DW6ZiH8mfvPCa8Bs-MZh5luT-LW9DbKU775U2tAl93XOfclRDrbkT3ZBRNdSugVLYDHrzCT3aKKDCb1Gec/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMFgtB9rhMvIW_lQRjIxLKHUI2kVIeku4KnWgPrSoNw77kIgpBt4rC6Ut9DW6ZiH8mfvPCa8Bs-MZh5luT-LW9DbKU775U2tAl93XOfclRDrbkT3ZBRNdSugVLYDHrzCT3aKKDCb1Gec/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been thinking about taking the app plunge, after all, I want to be more hip and with it. For example, here's an app I could use. <span style="background-color: white;">You select from one of over 2,500 companies (including all of the Fortune 500), and the app calls the company and waits on hold. When a customer service representative finally picks up on the other end, the app calls you back and you’re free to complain or</span><span style="background-color: white;"> chat as you will. As great as this app may appear, I can think of an immediate enhancement they should make. When you are finally connected to the customer service representative, they need an app that will help you make sense of the person's unintelligible Indian accent!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZjlu_cVes4-UAQE1mLMd_RGP1r0reOT5oXlkOpW9DMtG1pN2cIHSI03s2w9S4sdjFxQAVLtaORGn1ZpYHl4frFvzdqFJ7iIzqb5qGUNCWZld0e5wlzC8TXJ2-UPR0yYJr-_zS-hRfIQ/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZjlu_cVes4-UAQE1mLMd_RGP1r0reOT5oXlkOpW9DMtG1pN2cIHSI03s2w9S4sdjFxQAVLtaORGn1ZpYHl4frFvzdqFJ7iIzqb5qGUNCWZld0e5wlzC8TXJ2-UPR0yYJr-_zS-hRfIQ/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's another app I might put on my list. Ever been trapped by someone you really didn't want to talk to? They go on and on and there is no escape. Usually I just say something rude like "Don't you ever shut up!?" As you can see, this might upset some overly sensitive people. Smartphone to the rescue with this app, that will give you a fake phone call by simply shaking the phone. Just shake and excuse yourself to take the important "call". This will probably only work once or twice with the same person, so either avoid this person or keep some rude remarks at hand for backup.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMGfcCI7M_hPS1AZWyhaLeptJUwtz_t_6fMEN2LIzd9FLnT63NPXcQLzGUcs7o3GSBcwL1pkphUO_t5Xuc1VwvhQ9HvRCeEZivavGKZxN48tS9aZWWqTSauwLILSrHsQ_QVRUHAYrH8w/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMGfcCI7M_hPS1AZWyhaLeptJUwtz_t_6fMEN2LIzd9FLnT63NPXcQLzGUcs7o3GSBcwL1pkphUO_t5Xuc1VwvhQ9HvRCeEZivavGKZxN48tS9aZWWqTSauwLILSrHsQ_QVRUHAYrH8w/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMGfcCI7M_hPS1AZWyhaLeptJUwtz_t_6fMEN2LIzd9FLnT63NPXcQLzGUcs7o3GSBcwL1pkphUO_t5Xuc1VwvhQ9HvRCeEZivavGKZxN48tS9aZWWqTSauwLILSrHsQ_QVRUHAYrH8w/s200/5.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After seeing this next app, I'm thinking we might be getting to the bottom of the app barrel. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">This app does only one thing, it uses the iPhone speaker to blow a light puff of air. That's right, it can even blow out a candle using the smartphone. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">It's apparently for those unable to blow candles out without assistance, or those who like to annoy their pets. I would like to meet somebody who feels the need to own this particular app. I want to know how they use it. I also want to be able to say that I know someone dumb enough to pay for something to blow out candles.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 18px;">I'm probably just not an app guy. Maybe if they came up with one that would fetch the TV remote or straighten out my golf slice, I'd consider it, but for now, blowing out my own candles is something I can still manage.</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SEE DATES ABOVE RIGHT FOR OTHER POSTS FROM "BRAINDROPS". ALSO, READ MY OTHER BLOG: </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><a href="http://spaldeendreams.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">SPALDEEN DREAMS</a></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></b>
<b><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LOOKING FOR A WORTHY CHARITY? TRY THESE FOLKS: </span></span></span> </b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue;">Children's Craniofacial Association </span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.ccakids.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">http://www.ccakids.com/</a></span></b></div>
Jim Pantalenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242915447914711323noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425837433146823470.post-29142333290883965572013-01-22T17:08:00.000-05:002013-01-23T11:08:29.316-05:00The Dust Bowl<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYE0Stgrjvc4N4aWKKoig9F0NX0iP0FrX2N763y1R8oJSpt-zbaAC6pRLmYlA2j89q0wr-T2lumgKIxhOvfr-P3UlrIyXmLfzSu-03dbifm0De5108ixz5tti4GxFA0Aj0wk-tYpEQ7E0/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYE0Stgrjvc4N4aWKKoig9F0NX0iP0FrX2N763y1R8oJSpt-zbaAC6pRLmYlA2j89q0wr-T2lumgKIxhOvfr-P3UlrIyXmLfzSu-03dbifm0De5108ixz5tti4GxFA0Aj0wk-tYpEQ7E0/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I finally watched The Dust Bowl" on PBS. Ken Burns did his usual thorough job in bringing us this story of heartbreak and perseverance in the area around Oklahoma and Texas during the Depression-era Thirties. The tale was a remarkable one that told of how farmers, encouraged by the government, plowed up the natural grasslands to grow wheat. At first things went well and families made a lot of money selling their crops. Then came a years-long drought of Biblical proportions that figuratively and literally turned things black. With no moisture, the dried up ground became airborne, covering the area with choking dust storms that often buried cars and houses.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0vh1jmX1wk-j6hNEYTPdDWxWdgLd17y9OLxIINu1WcdXpJWeEDTVP1KSLJF8y_TnlG9mrzZiY5IetDI9E7zoi-8SsGmuELIeWhDpexlVfCeznjfK90LFonT7dat_Y0Egh9DpAAkyrcE/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0vh1jmX1wk-j6hNEYTPdDWxWdgLd17y9OLxIINu1WcdXpJWeEDTVP1KSLJF8y_TnlG9mrzZiY5IetDI9E7zoi-8SsGmuELIeWhDpexlVfCeznjfK90LFonT7dat_Y0Egh9DpAAkyrcE/s200/2.jpg" width="131" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Many farmers understandably lost heart and moved west, mainly to California, to work as migrant fruit pickers. The story of these "Okies" was told brilliantly by John Steinbeck in "The Grapes of Wrath". Remarkably, many families, despite the lack of crops to sell and the risk of losing their farms to foreclosure, stayed and continued to hope for the best. They were referred to by locals as the "Next Year" people because they always held out hope that next year would be better. It wasn't. Years of drought were followed by plagues of grasshoppers that ate everything in sight including fence posts!</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8cTOX1vLuuLZEX8K2XMvFpOSib-JMqyiRDOiENbfyhsphYQu0jxhlpmdCkmm92W-iefPA8w84pSUlIP-qgwQJadXnz28_GD1KWvOQYFpvQemsjNxB-QZV6Vv8TywTFo5XXd7f799EFk/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8cTOX1vLuuLZEX8K2XMvFpOSib-JMqyiRDOiENbfyhsphYQu0jxhlpmdCkmm92W-iefPA8w84pSUlIP-qgwQJadXnz28_GD1KWvOQYFpvQemsjNxB-QZV6Vv8TywTFo5XXd7f799EFk/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As usual with Ken Burns productions the best moments, besides the stunning video footage of the dust storms, were the interviews with folks who had lived through these troubling times. They came from independent, proud families who asked for nothing from the government and wanted no interference with their ability to make a living. When things got so bad that they were starving, they swallowed their pride and took the food the government made available to them. It was sad listening to one woman describe how her hard-working father deteriorated as he watched his dreams go up in black dust. Ironically, it was help from the government that finally pulled these desperate farmers out of the hole. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAna1SnLD6OKoLjJ2axUiKP43qLBpbhps1J944ql-E_ObcWo_Vg3cycjC5TxSjbyHUZDExcmN8T12ya8qzhGTOQheb-F88dNSroLS2jABftjorPz3SttGz06-Y2QNcfEcLe-5w2hF-0L0/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAna1SnLD6OKoLjJ2axUiKP43qLBpbhps1J944ql-E_ObcWo_Vg3cycjC5TxSjbyHUZDExcmN8T12ya8qzhGTOQheb-F88dNSroLS2jABftjorPz3SttGz06-Y2QNcfEcLe-5w2hF-0L0/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">FDR's administration provided paying jobs through the Civilian Conservation Corps and also introduced agricultural practices to help combat soil erosion gradually restoring the western plains to productive farmland again. Unfortunately they also began a practice that just seems to go against the grain of what America is all about: with dust storms still prevalent and overproduction of wheat driving prices down, the government began paying farmers not to grow crops. These federal subsidies persist to this day, and once proud farmers who wanted no part of government help were now more than happy to take their money for doing nothing.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcS7vBGDXz87TiMWZCnHjHMGhuRREfESI0arSfM6gPc_BIDjCmMWV_PApaLV9Y8rsdwSBNbDW8FHirwU-KMXBE0_yp3wVdyRdms3Tj4ahiawyclfrdvno9fIRF1S_UEk1E-zFdrsL67B4/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcS7vBGDXz87TiMWZCnHjHMGhuRREfESI0arSfM6gPc_BIDjCmMWV_PApaLV9Y8rsdwSBNbDW8FHirwU-KMXBE0_yp3wVdyRdms3Tj4ahiawyclfrdvno9fIRF1S_UEk1E-zFdrsL67B4/s200/5.jpg" width="170" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Human nature never ceases to amaze me. In the 1950s, with the drought in check and wheat prices rising, farmers again began to plow up previously restored grasslands and plant wheat. The very behavior that caused all their problems in the 1930s was being repeated when it appeared there was a buck to be made. Luckily, smarter conservation policies helped prevent a repeat of the Dust Bowl disaster although some damage was again done to the land. I guess what impressed me most about this part of our history was the resilience of the people. How they managed to stay year after year in conditions that would surely defeat most modern-day Americans is a testament to their fighting spirit and refusal to quit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The toughness that got America through World Wars, the Great Depression, and natural disasters like the Dust Bowl have always been the hallmarks of the American character. I wonder how today's younger generations who have known nothing but prosperity might fare if forced to cope with such events. </span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 16px;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SEE DATES ABOVE RIGHT FOR OTHER POSTS FROM "BRAINDROPS". ALSO, READ MY OTHER BLOG: </span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><b><a href="http://spaldeendreams.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">SPALDEEN DREAMS</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>LOOKING FOR A WORTHY CHARITY? TRY THESE FOLKS: </b></span></span></span> </div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Children's Craniofacial Association </b></span><span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="http://www.ccakids.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">http://www.ccakids.com/</a></b></span></div>
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<br />Jim Pantalenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242915447914711323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425837433146823470.post-63110825346214621202013-01-12T09:37:00.000-05:002013-01-12T14:19:13.767-05:00Cheating in Sports<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJ5g_i1mwgKDdWyuqTciCD0OImMiKj_b8upxMoZZp1KDTgH9Z_mnO9wW1Ntv7Ciu2ShhIjnx-Owe2JGMNwA5yOMI-a8V62uGIUCvSxn8box_my_fdOpsoPALKdAjGXqAC7q7OKBvLK3s/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJ5g_i1mwgKDdWyuqTciCD0OImMiKj_b8upxMoZZp1KDTgH9Z_mnO9wW1Ntv7Ciu2ShhIjnx-Owe2JGMNwA5yOMI-a8V62uGIUCvSxn8box_my_fdOpsoPALKdAjGXqAC7q7OKBvLK3s/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Hall of Fame in Cooperstown decided that nobody in this year's crop of athletes was worthy of admission. Were it not for accusations, both proven and unproven, of steroid use, a number of players would certainly have been elected including superstars Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds. Sadly, the pall cast over the balloting by the issue of drug use may have had an impact on quality players never involved in the drug scandal. In time, many of these deserving players will probably get elected, and rightly so, but the whole issue of cheating is raising questions about who juiced and who didn't. Rigorous testing protocols are now in place to catch players who are still using performance enhancers, but who knows how many did in the past, including now current Hall of Fame members.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVSdpAmNUBz1anojgFlaN0-88W5y2HPNTn5HeBGlegj85nCTwRRKKN898Z_gLexJW43GHzQ0I3AjqSbrOGSWHopXdmzu1ZpQg6zbe7S-rL8xY77UUYVjKyN4t25pgYrBe0hN8nStk4gY/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVSdpAmNUBz1anojgFlaN0-88W5y2HPNTn5HeBGlegj85nCTwRRKKN898Z_gLexJW43GHzQ0I3AjqSbrOGSWHopXdmzu1ZpQg6zbe7S-rL8xY77UUYVjKyN4t25pgYrBe0hN8nStk4gY/s200/2.jpg" width="160" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Election to Baseball's Hall of Fame is not easy, and that's as it should be. The baseball writers who cast the ballots usually do a pretty good job of picking the right people. The process is by no means perfect. Sometimes deserving players with quiet personalities who played in small market cities get overlooked unless their stats just can't be ignored. Stats should count for a lot, but not everything. Players with borderline stats can get elected based on character, heart and how much they meant to their team and the game. One guy in my mind that falls into that category is Gil Hodges of the old Brooklyn Dodgers. A class guy with good numbers, Gil was a team leader, respected by his teammates and everyone in the game. Hopefully the Hall will amend this terrible oversight one day.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYLoHbaQuWCWnKXetAGgHu_nqyZS6e2nSfhEyo1E9xXGTkUs_UOwU0ezXqI4_Yh4kjqkjAm3aqMabT5O7scuYN-Z6bqkSpXsKKw4lTpXrtPLyahCGkuDa7nMY4eBXC3yI2Zol0Zd2c4w/s1600/3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYLoHbaQuWCWnKXetAGgHu_nqyZS6e2nSfhEyo1E9xXGTkUs_UOwU0ezXqI4_Yh4kjqkjAm3aqMabT5O7scuYN-Z6bqkSpXsKKw4lTpXrtPLyahCGkuDa7nMY4eBXC3yI2Zol0Zd2c4w/s200/3.jpeg" width="137" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another player who maybe got a bad deal is Pete Rose. I know, I know, he gambled on baseball games, but in light of what goes on in sports today, that seems almost trivial. Pete never bet against his own team and did nothing to alter the outcome of games; he always played to win. His numbers are off the wall and would have put him in on the first ballot had it not been for the gambling thing. Pete's big problem was his attitude. Had he been more contrite, admitted his mistake and asked for forgiveness, he'd probably be in, but that is not Pete Rose's nature. He <i>would</i> cut off his nose to spite his face rather than grovel. Too bad, Rose was an exciting player who made every team he played for better. His baseball skills and heart were extraordinary, but he wouldn't bow to the baseball writers; that sealed his fate.</span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWsLCfBf2FvxmHp5lvbu1jyWNgllCPEd8vn4jlhqXIs0iZz5oy4u30fcRYH4ZOqZAjU83tuddRpFZECDRdWF6vUpamEgxQnR1xdR3XI1no0zw-0jXsJS2AUHiTIKGbcKK5BKk6MUgFvo/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWsLCfBf2FvxmHp5lvbu1jyWNgllCPEd8vn4jlhqXIs0iZz5oy4u30fcRYH4ZOqZAjU83tuddRpFZECDRdWF6vUpamEgxQnR1xdR3XI1no0zw-0jXsJS2AUHiTIKGbcKK5BKk6MUgFvo/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;">A final word about cheating...the case of
Lance Armstrong. After being found guilty of using banned substances to enhance
his performance, Armstrong was stripped of his Tour de France medals and his
name removed from the record books by the <span style="background-color: white;">Union Cycliste Internationale. The USDA who did the testing on Armstrong
accused him of overseeing the most sophisticated doping program they had ever
seen for the teams on which he competed. This is not one athlete cheating, but
a man who encouraged and systematically perfected cheating for his teams. He tarnished an
entire sport and deprived honest competitors (if there really are any anymore)
from medals that were rightfully theirs. Now Lance wants to admit all, not because he's
truly sorry but because he wants the UCI to remove the ban on his participation
in events they sanction. Compared to this guy, Pete Rose was a choir boy.</span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdf698pkeNAy_rVFqa2kpJw4jkQXn_rGsWZE7ljZ-7oCla9P45O9qN0bDGZentRBgxm7UFa_iHOGdDnS6SrB9G9kRTu4UQ0JxRTtqN0I1774MwGORXbcwwH0g4CWP3cNakC9RYTisPyI/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdf698pkeNAy_rVFqa2kpJw4jkQXn_rGsWZE7ljZ-7oCla9P45O9qN0bDGZentRBgxm7UFa_iHOGdDnS6SrB9G9kRTu4UQ0JxRTtqN0I1774MwGORXbcwwH0g4CWP3cNakC9RYTisPyI/s200/5.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;">There seems to be a malaise hanging over professional sports these days. The pressure to win at all costs, and the money that comes with it, are tainting what was once the finest crucible of human endeavor. Honor, sportsmanship and "may the best man win" were the guiding principles. The only sport that rises head and shoulders above all others in continuing and even enhancing these traditional values in sport is golf. Competitors call penalties on themselves, conduct themselves like ladies and gentlemen, and raise more money for charity than all other sports combined. The United States Golf Association and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club in Europe enforce the game's rules and maintain high standards of behavior for players. We need a return to this conduct for all sports if our young people are to grow up with any character.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 16px;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SEE DATES ABOVE RIGHT FOR OTHER POSTS FROM "BRAINDROPS". ALSO, READ MY OTHER BLOG: </span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><b><a href="http://spaldeendreams.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">SPALDEEN DREAMS</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>LOOKING FOR A WORTHY CHARITY? TRY THESE FOLKS: </b></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><b>Children's Craniofacial Association </b></span><span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="http://www.ccakids.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">http://www.ccakids.com/</a></b></span></div>
Jim Pantalenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242915447914711323noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425837433146823470.post-70958905625171232472012-12-31T18:24:00.001-05:002013-01-02T10:21:00.384-05:00Happy New Year<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's amazing how one's perception of the 'New Year' changes with age. It reminds me of song that Frank Sinatra sang late in his career: "It was a Very Good Year". For me, the meaning of the coming New Year is dynamic, like the changes in a man's life as time rolls by. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yTQMAfzYBbgd1QCIbLynfTJ7AUhN1cw4NeSqMO9aAEsSz5qhyphenhyphen5hQax7xbAlAycLlc_HaJBI3tNNOobZmuoTf4kTeLt7JlfHHyjH0bA3q9HrxHFy1MASzrX4ROL3WfT8bBRYyoSj59UA/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yTQMAfzYBbgd1QCIbLynfTJ7AUhN1cw4NeSqMO9aAEsSz5qhyphenhyphen5hQax7xbAlAycLlc_HaJBI3tNNOobZmuoTf4kTeLt7JlfHHyjH0bA3q9HrxHFy1MASzrX4ROL3WfT8bBRYyoSj59UA/s200/6.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I remember as a kid getting excited as New Year's Eve approached. The magic of Christmas was already a week in the past, and I needed something to look forward to. We usually went to Grandma Camardi's on Hull Street to party. These were strictly family affairs where the three Camardi sisters brought their kids, and the Camardi son, Uncle Mike, brought his latest glamorous girlfriend. Grandma would cook up a big pot of fried zeppoles sprinkled with powdered sugar, and the kids played a game called "Put and Take" using pennies and a spinning top that instructed you to put in or take out of the pot. The adults all got a little tipsy on rye or homemade wine, and it was fun seeing their party personalities. The absolute best thing about these celebrations: kids got to stay up past midnight! Of course by 12:15 we were passed out on the pile of coats on the bed.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qzMg9kO-qIAEkJC3RaSpH1o9DMDNjjiHM0v563WBI9hDB5M8Fgc_Y9S7Pso-O2JzrLEW3JO4ag4Hd1bHVWWQvgcBCcMGVuQKghKVmJ_RqOcyWyAhU5Xrtr7H9ejN5yJtFU1EzPUBRHE/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qzMg9kO-qIAEkJC3RaSpH1o9DMDNjjiHM0v563WBI9hDB5M8Fgc_Y9S7Pso-O2JzrLEW3JO4ag4Hd1bHVWWQvgcBCcMGVuQKghKVmJ_RqOcyWyAhU5Xrtr7H9ejN5yJtFU1EzPUBRHE/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then came the teen years. I would go to parties thrown by a friend's parents in a desperate effort to keep all of us close to home. Sal Bordenga, father of my sister's friend Phyllis, threw the best parties. Sal and his wife Agnes were the youngest, hippest parents on the block and made us feel very grown up hanging out in their apartment. Sal would slip the guys a watered-down highball and we knew then that we were men. One year we all rode the subway to Times Square to watch the ball drop. On a good year back then, maybe 5,000 people showed up. There was no New Year's Rockin' Eve, just Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians. If people felt festive in the cold night air, it was mainly due to the flasks they carried. Afterward we went to eat...pretty much the standard ending for all our adventures. The movie "Diner" captured that scene nicely.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-MR4GBMwP1_qZH0NDWsVPT3KHoq58m_TGfgAQMgRr7VyAhw1gsmVmKO6260KpHdlwqhBXzS6Qsa9RzjOyCGq7kR5v8B80NN9MZYER8jVhm80t6Cck1V8HF5uwzrgzRbaiKxrs8ud5os/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-MR4GBMwP1_qZH0NDWsVPT3KHoq58m_TGfgAQMgRr7VyAhw1gsmVmKO6260KpHdlwqhBXzS6Qsa9RzjOyCGq7kR5v8B80NN9MZYER8jVhm80t6Cck1V8HF5uwzrgzRbaiKxrs8ud5os/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The pre-marriage/dating years meant nightclubs and real dress-up parties. Places like Pep McGuire's or the Jade East in Valley Stream would throw these parties, and for a flat price, you got dinner, music and second-shelf drinks. We would dress up in our cool sharkskin suits with the tab collars and skinny ties, and do our best to have enough fun to cover costs. Drinking and driving were not such big issues back then, and when I think back on how I ever drove home, I shudder a little. The nightclub scenes from the movie "Goodfellas" nailed this kind of party. Of course they sat ringside at the Copa and we sat at the table near the wall radiator in the back. Also, we never shot anybody to cap off the evening; we were too shot ourselves.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIpn1QzyXecn1WaVaIwCRIO8sZkFr_nXUST_l3bmDb21hQeOB8Vyg4bS31q6sMygq7m4m-IMb-nKWViVeUEKiahheMVLWn2x0vtWaabkkn49NElj_s1oAvSMAmkLKQ9lRMIGpdNuTIeQ/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIpn1QzyXecn1WaVaIwCRIO8sZkFr_nXUST_l3bmDb21hQeOB8Vyg4bS31q6sMygq7m4m-IMb-nKWViVeUEKiahheMVLWn2x0vtWaabkkn49NElj_s1oAvSMAmkLKQ9lRMIGpdNuTIeQ/s1600/3.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then came the kids. It was hard getting out for New Year's Eve since we had our first child (Laura) ten months after the wedding. In four years came Mike, and in four more, Matt. At first we stayed home and allowed the kids to stay up the way we used to. We'd all drink a toast at midnight and then put the kids and ourselves to bed. As they got older, we started going to Aunt Lulu's house on New Year's Eve. Her apartments tended to be small and we all crowded in sitting elbow to elbow. Lulu's husband Ralph, the clown in the family, always did some outlandish thing to amuse the kids while we ate Chinese food and drank. Being with family and watching all the cousins, nieces and nephews grow up is what I remember best about these parties. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrt4l2CH29v8AetIXKYboSrUPUy-QXve7JTwvTVZEGGKSEy38Bd2Pqwe2J7mfkQbJaOvOCy3WUp1mUYkiEY4mZUa2DED1WaFJNvvSANsQRYPyu4deMfvbbwE6pfqXrEsqa6IC-dLnUQY/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrt4l2CH29v8AetIXKYboSrUPUy-QXve7JTwvTVZEGGKSEy38Bd2Pqwe2J7mfkQbJaOvOCy3WUp1mUYkiEY4mZUa2DED1WaFJNvvSANsQRYPyu4deMfvbbwE6pfqXrEsqa6IC-dLnUQY/s200/5.jpg" width="153" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now the kids are off celebrating New Year's Eve in their own way depending on their circumstances. The two of us and cousin Joan go to Jasmine's sister's home in Brooklyn for a quiet evening. The food is good and we drink wine now, but seeing in the New Year is a quiet affair. At midnight, the ships still sound their horns in the harbor and the neighbors whoop it up outside. We put on our party hats, blow our noise makers, and share a hug, happy to be around for another year. I think every guy lucky enough to make it to age 70 identifies very strongly with Mr. Sinatra's song. Every year is a very good year, maybe different, but still good. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I feel blessed to have my family and friends, and wish them health, happiness and peace in the new year.</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 16px;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SEE DATES ABOVE RIGHT FOR OTHER POSTS FROM "BRAINDROPS". ALSO, READ MY OTHER BLOG: </span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><b><a href="http://spaldeendreams.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">SPALDEEN DREAMS</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Children's Craniofacial Association </b></span><span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="http://www.ccakids.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">http://www.ccakids.com/</a></b></span></div>
Jim Pantalenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242915447914711323noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425837433146823470.post-239450402003570512012-12-22T15:10:00.004-05:002012-12-22T15:14:25.468-05:00A Sad Story<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8995rdeZDT50_vEQ0VrdOoNItQOm0BDqQO2xofibM8omEkEnq4S51KofQfgB0pGUxb2hXPq_4Sc5uBHfReODAtjvFUp_JrNaC1XE3AhMpdJBLEUwPxj5sfoaZP6SfaVJw8thQxgFXs0/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8995rdeZDT50_vEQ0VrdOoNItQOm0BDqQO2xofibM8omEkEnq4S51KofQfgB0pGUxb2hXPq_4Sc5uBHfReODAtjvFUp_JrNaC1XE3AhMpdJBLEUwPxj5sfoaZP6SfaVJw8thQxgFXs0/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Like the rest of the world, I was horrified at the tragic shooting that took place in Newtown, Connecticut last week. I just can't get my head around the idea of murdering innocent children and those who would protect them. Why is our country becoming infamous for attacks like these? What is it that drives people to commit such atrocities. Many opinions have been heard from various quarters, but the problem is a complex one. I wanted to reflect here about some of the things people are saying. Maybe the saddest thing I read in the case was the words of one young victim's father who said at the child's funeral: "I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you." How indeed can we protect our children from the next horrific attack!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4qyurh3OoN3MjQY2RlkbS4CcvWMeLzaSLGr1w6qIaQWfJpoIBYC-g0mkKol0i18h1Elxc-GHkV0hS4LY0RSE9N32dFI6cmFxmMwRGMjpUeavAAmrRcA35VmZdOqO55x7ZmFXHx5RSiE/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4qyurh3OoN3MjQY2RlkbS4CcvWMeLzaSLGr1w6qIaQWfJpoIBYC-g0mkKol0i18h1Elxc-GHkV0hS4LY0RSE9N32dFI6cmFxmMwRGMjpUeavAAmrRcA35VmZdOqO55x7ZmFXHx5RSiE/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While the issue may be complex, for me, the need to immediately restrict access to military-style weapons is a must. There is no reason on earth why civilians should possess such weapons. The ones already out there should be retrieved with a buyback program funded by the government during a period of amnesty where no questions will be asked of those gun owners who come forward. When this period expires, continued ownership of such weapons should be classified as a felony with guaranteed jail time for violators. There is no downside for such actions other than ridiculous second amendment objections that are plain wrong. We don't want to ban all guns, just those meant only for mass killing.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzOhba1y1RjORF5gSb0LrVUVTG7UYMRc-wxLY9ppE8BAGDvp9mJ3Hxj9cz5V_etJCcSYwCmw6GcSW0f5-mRf_t21EUxl9Gy1aqPuEKFUYcfmNKzrc49h3tnjk4kGVMv3_PC_W4qzbImk/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzOhba1y1RjORF5gSb0LrVUVTG7UYMRc-wxLY9ppE8BAGDvp9mJ3Hxj9cz5V_etJCcSYwCmw6GcSW0f5-mRf_t21EUxl9Gy1aqPuEKFUYcfmNKzrc49h3tnjk4kGVMv3_PC_W4qzbImk/s200/4.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next we have to evaluate our systems for identifying and treating people with mental disorders who might have the potential for committing violence. There are many programs in place now in schools and the workplace, but they don't seem to have any consistency in terms of not only diagnosing disorders, but providing the right kinds of treatment. It would be easy to stigmatize people with such problems, and that is exactly the opposite of what is needed. Attitudes like that are what drive people with mental issues deeper inside themselves, eventually finding outlets for their pent up frustration and rage in violent acts like the ones we are seeing all too often in America. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEa1vJR7ypM-3h1pah9LkV0Dj8jl6Aj19crr1HoM3mkB1LIqWOdaluthgDyEgYDXZD53eSkpQFR8mReJ_Ja4vmNsHl4MK_k4wqN-1mT3on6IMFew4-vLRj4AgPdpICefrI8uTd0mVST7M/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEa1vJR7ypM-3h1pah9LkV0Dj8jl6Aj19crr1HoM3mkB1LIqWOdaluthgDyEgYDXZD53eSkpQFR8mReJ_Ja4vmNsHl4MK_k4wqN-1mT3on6IMFew4-vLRj4AgPdpICefrI8uTd0mVST7M/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blame is also being directed at some of the violent video games that kids play where killing is an integral part of the action. Violent movies and television programs might also contribute to the desensitization of people to violent acts. While targeting the makers of these games and movies might help, parents must also accept responsibility for what their kids are playing and watching. These products would not sell if there was no audience for them. We can't just plant our kids in front of a computer or TV and be thankful they're being quiet for an hour...we must monitor what they are viewing and exert our authority when necessary to keep them from seeing things that are not good for their development. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHSR1GUvL88rn1SvMyZYZyv3qpUSYLw128QmNjeOpekvUeRSMs6pCsB2aPqnJD2lEsDuh5ssSblrW5cBLK8ASPuq5sOa1gd9sy7APOx-hfk3CJYvsYJWSzXYbMi6rbTF8i2-MgqVG5Kg/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHSR1GUvL88rn1SvMyZYZyv3qpUSYLw128QmNjeOpekvUeRSMs6pCsB2aPqnJD2lEsDuh5ssSblrW5cBLK8ASPuq5sOa1gd9sy7APOx-hfk3CJYvsYJWSzXYbMi6rbTF8i2-MgqVG5Kg/s200/5.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has been suggested that "a bad guy with a gun can only be stopped by a good guy with a gun," Using this logic, the head of the NRA believes we should hire armed guards for every school, and allow teachers to carry sidearms to protect themselves and the children in their care. Do we really want schools to become armed camps? How can we expect terrified teachers to shoot it out with a madman in the middle of a classroom? The idea is a dangerous one. Improving school security to keep guns from getting into the building makes sense to me. Not allowing any Joe Blow with the money to buy an Uzi in the parking lot of some gun show also seems smart. There are already too many guns in this country and we need to get them out of circulation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wish I could assure that grieving Connecticut father that we will learn from this latest tragedy and do a better job of protecting our children, but I can't. Pressure is mounting on the President and other politicians to finally take on the NRA. I hope they do before we have to witness more funerals.</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 16px;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SEE DATES ABOVE RIGHT FOR OTHER POSTS FROM "BRAINDROPS". ALSO, READ MY OTHER BLOG: </span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><b><a href="http://spaldeendreams.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">SPALDEEN DREAMS</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>LOOKING FOR A WORTHY CHARITY? TRY THESE FOLKS: </b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Children's Craniofacial Association </b></span><span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="http://www.ccakids.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">http://www.ccakids.com/</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span>Jim Pantalenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242915447914711323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425837433146823470.post-66450575647385767642012-12-19T14:54:00.002-05:002012-12-19T14:54:45.511-05:00What Ever Happened to Style?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CGOvL3OpmPbcN_7WJewrIeNiIkUl9urkH0K3Xfpmw_OnTb5454YSVxuGU1E2gKuxPVhQ4JeSJpluzHQTvXfgaifL_RBfw4mddE8w4dpnJzSCxwMHziMIA0ac_X3Hs9GO4rDCjL7sars/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CGOvL3OpmPbcN_7WJewrIeNiIkUl9urkH0K3Xfpmw_OnTb5454YSVxuGU1E2gKuxPVhQ4JeSJpluzHQTvXfgaifL_RBfw4mddE8w4dpnJzSCxwMHziMIA0ac_X3Hs9GO4rDCjL7sars/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We've all seen those hilarious pics of the Wal-Mart Martians wearing their bizzaro-world outfits. The thing is, their look is not so far removed from what we have come to loosely term "casual dress." It all started innocently enough, and with my generation, I am ashamed to say. Unwilling to be bound by the conservative dress standards of our parents, and eager to keep up with the youthful new "Mod" style in clothes, we strayed further and further away from convention. Jackets for men and dresses for women were out. Sensible shoes were replaced by footwear like flip-flops, brightly colored Crocs and sneakers that cost more than a car used to. Today, anything goes. People wear pajama bottoms, thrift-shop discards, pre-ripped jeans and funky hats. We have become a nation of slobs.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoQbPtnrad7d_KNnpZOigtF5ibnQBhV-7AKplLyN_-SBcpb7UzDBDX4UyZib5OOfEHhKf6txZZJ8RxUyhVBQd_m6UqVIoHa9bkl2CEFF8awfgozkUJBf0_9p61s0Bz3W2oJDwK3XysQM/s1600/2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoQbPtnrad7d_KNnpZOigtF5ibnQBhV-7AKplLyN_-SBcpb7UzDBDX4UyZib5OOfEHhKf6txZZJ8RxUyhVBQd_m6UqVIoHa9bkl2CEFF8awfgozkUJBf0_9p61s0Bz3W2oJDwK3XysQM/s200/2.jpeg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am a big fan of the show "Mad Men". One reason is that it reminds me of the way people used to dress. In any place of business, even the kid in the mail room wore a tie. Men, from the CEO to the junior clerks wore suits and ties. Casual Fridays meant you were allowed to unbutton your jacket. Women wore dresses or blouses and skirts. They did up their hair and put on make-up. The workplace looked like a gathering of professionals, Christmas parties notwithstanding. Except for a few places that still maintain dress codes, office workers today look like homeless folk who wandered in to warm up. Even businesses that deal face-to-face with the public allow their workers to dress like bums. Exceptions are refreshing, like Macy's where the women dress in stylish black and the men in suits...I think it makes a difference.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFoQObRBZXyUUD0X51mUdWNaLiFY8sjd7a-XVGclErVyEZBPd4oI7GPOms283OIrktgbpBpbnuySWwywdtB3G1-Y-C07fiGukY_qJniCnGiVVXfypWiDrHConnXlTFyQcqow5gNXQ3ms/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFoQObRBZXyUUD0X51mUdWNaLiFY8sjd7a-XVGclErVyEZBPd4oI7GPOms283OIrktgbpBpbnuySWwywdtB3G1-Y-C07fiGukY_qJniCnGiVVXfypWiDrHConnXlTFyQcqow5gNXQ3ms/s320/5.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Maybe the biggest decline in acceptable dress has been in the House of God. When I was a lad during the Grant Administration, parishioners at Our Lady of Lourdes showed up for church scrubbed and dressed. Even the less affluent always wore their Sunday best. Ladies who were showing too much </span><em style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">décollage</span></em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> were asked to pin lace hankies to their dresses in the interest of modesty. I see people in church wearing get-ups that would be considered daring at the beach. Bare midriffs, skin-tight jeans, plunging necklines, and those are the men! The pastor recently had to print a warning in the bulletin about inappropriate dress and deportment (there's a word you don't hear any more), but I'm sure his pleas will be ignored. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi068lg4GUA00sPmMasC6rI2tf03mBfE-ewmv4m204XFSk44IPXVkHwwFYQCLZXfptnH76RPqjPDm7RUbyjlVefHYP6gsv_3XriSOKqCyM7NgfL6O55F6lRnB67gUOwTQiSImUUgN_1z38/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi068lg4GUA00sPmMasC6rI2tf03mBfE-ewmv4m204XFSk44IPXVkHwwFYQCLZXfptnH76RPqjPDm7RUbyjlVefHYP6gsv_3XriSOKqCyM7NgfL6O55F6lRnB67gUOwTQiSImUUgN_1z38/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Style was always synonymous with elegance, good taste and well made clothes. Public figures like movie stars wouldn't think of being seen anywhere looking like they had just come off a three day jag. Every guy I knew wanted to look like Cary Grant, suave, debonair, not a hair out of place. I see leading men in the papers today who look like beggars, unshaven, rumpled clothes, and dirty. Female movie stars looked stunning when they left the house, begowned, bejeweled and bedazzling! Who do we have leading the fashion parade today? Lindsay Lohan in an orange jump suit. I think Europeans put us to shame when it comes to casual dress. Of course many of them also have the figures to look good in whatever they wear.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know I'm fighting a losing battle here, but can still hope against hope that one day those suits and ties will come out of the closet, and <i>style</i> will be in style again.</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 16px;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SEE DATES ABOVE RIGHT FOR OTHER POSTS FROM "BRAINDROPS". ALSO, READ MY OTHER BLOG: </span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><b><a href="http://spaldeendreams.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">SPALDEEN DREAMS</a></b></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" /><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>LOOKING FOR A WORTHY CHARITY? TRY THESE FOLKS: </b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><b>Children's Craniofacial Association </b></span><span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="http://www.ccakids.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">http://www.ccakids.com/</a></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Jim Pantalenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242915447914711323noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425837433146823470.post-65628832237093416322012-12-06T08:56:00.001-05:002012-12-06T13:11:49.046-05:00The Grinch Report<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I thought it would be nice to write a rant based on things related to Christmas. Let it not be said that I lack holiday spirit. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherye0YGcu3S2_Ea8rg-hj0ur-iLjKXujy6PmRFWfbnkudkJzhK2ybwPpzQbBHH_oNca8siOSFTJMfGrcbj1-LAq0w43NPVBioOprMMw3PJ7zZ0dfLovTY9tBazQ5xhwBn_Jk7Yl1Bzfo/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherye0YGcu3S2_Ea8rg-hj0ur-iLjKXujy6PmRFWfbnkudkJzhK2ybwPpzQbBHH_oNca8siOSFTJMfGrcbj1-LAq0w43NPVBioOprMMw3PJ7zZ0dfLovTY9tBazQ5xhwBn_Jk7Yl1Bzfo/s200/1.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Christmas trees, a lovely tradition started by the Germans I believe, used to cost five or ten bucks. Some enterprising elf would set up in a vacant lot or on a street corner and have a supply of trees trucked in from God knows where. There was only one kind, Douglas Fir I think. You would wander down and find one that looked decent enough to haggle over. For a few dollars less, especially the closer you got to Christmas Eve, you could negotiate for the tree that had a bare side. Once home you could turn that side to the wall...who would know...and you'd be three bucks to the good. Now buying a tree is complicated. They have Christmas tree farms that grow a half dozen varieties, and all cost seventy-five dollars. They are all perfectly shaped so there is no bargaining with the tree guy around a fire blazing in the 50 gallon drum. Humbug.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKUm8lrp4Xw1OisXCZ087JQpCsNdBU6lEk_JZcgkFJIojXlic-iWqE2VYd0YMkhKfdyVvQLvrTDki6iHqUWEyJZCxjQ3bbYSRe78xhym2j8Krfbaoj_AGuurFSdeeGLbzPjYg7v87poY/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKUm8lrp4Xw1OisXCZ087JQpCsNdBU6lEk_JZcgkFJIojXlic-iWqE2VYd0YMkhKfdyVvQLvrTDki6iHqUWEyJZCxjQ3bbYSRe78xhym2j8Krfbaoj_AGuurFSdeeGLbzPjYg7v87poY/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then comes the decorations. We used to dress up those scrawny trees with ornaments that had been in the family forever. The Christmas balls were beautifully made and sturdy. The colored lights were real bulbs that could be changed if they burned out. You could buy 4-watt bulbs or, if you lived not too far from the firehouse and craved adventure, the 9-watt babies. A few boxes of tinsel and a star would complete the job. Now tree ornaments are made so cheaply in China, and they break if you look at them too hard. Same for the crappy lights that </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">come in a long string of 50 or 100. W</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">hile safer to use, if one light goes, the whole set is useless. And the defective light never shows itself until the tree is up and fully decorated. <i>And it is always the middle set of lights.</i> Humbug.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhiDZQoVUHNXVcvxv4vW3LQ4XfLMZVQJuikRXlgpPRkK0RogEP3WBPpa0qMIF2hx-29xg2bT5TYBkFg3WFWqaFWGBs6-sZ_GyisaVfRMal5iCEY0ofN6JHsy79tyL5wVamkpCurmR2crM/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhiDZQoVUHNXVcvxv4vW3LQ4XfLMZVQJuikRXlgpPRkK0RogEP3WBPpa0qMIF2hx-29xg2bT5TYBkFg3WFWqaFWGBs6-sZ_GyisaVfRMal5iCEY0ofN6JHsy79tyL5wVamkpCurmR2crM/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's a wonder there are any trees left given all the catalogs that start appearing in mailboxes around the holidays. I'm not exaggerating when I say we get at least 5 catalogs a day. Acorn Media sends me three a week in case I want another chance to order season 1 of the Inspector Morse mysteries. My favorite is the Hammacher-Schlemmer catalog that offers the most expensive yet wildly impractical gifts ever conceived by man, like the Porsche slot car racing set with precision detailed race cars for a mere $125,000. I also love the America's Heartland catalog that features outlandish items that I'm sure are found under many a redneck's Christmas tree..."three realistic duck decoys, two purple satin love pillows, and sweatpants that look like jeans." Humbug.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcABrxFX3Yfmu44h0os25rnTP2hQOTzOT7ox7XrTU3mfx98nHvEMoFnmZwBGHb0B0OvtRH2Ofq1g6vENDqjCRdx-KJMKQOjV3bNttRgKyEPYygagjthqpGjnK8dupDWBqm6MPIK8mAkYw/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcABrxFX3Yfmu44h0os25rnTP2hQOTzOT7ox7XrTU3mfx98nHvEMoFnmZwBGHb0B0OvtRH2Ofq1g6vENDqjCRdx-KJMKQOjV3bNttRgKyEPYygagjthqpGjnK8dupDWBqm6MPIK8mAkYw/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My final holiday beef is a musical one. Some radio stations in our area start playing 'all Christmas' music even before Thanksgiving is over. It sounds like a nice idea until you listen for a while. I'm going to throw out a number here, purely guess work on my part, that there are at least 3,000 Christmas songs available for play. When you consider that each one may have been performed by multiple artists, the number grows. My question is this: with all those songs to choose from, why do I hear the same few songs played over and over? Last Christmas, by George Michael, All I Want for Christmas, by Mariah Carey, and the much despised Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives. I swear one day I will drive over a cliff lurching for the radio dial every time one of these comes on. Humbug.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't misunderstand, I really love Christmas. I look forward to decorating the house, I watch all the mandatory Christmas movies, I even go to Christmas day mass even though I know my regular seat will be taken by some jaboney who shows up once a year. Maybe this year Santa will hear all my Scrooging and send the ghost of Christmas Annoying to visit me.</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 16px;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SEE DATES ABOVE RIGHT FOR OTHER POSTS FROM "BRAINDROPS". ALSO, READ MY OTHER BLOG: </span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; text-decoration: initial;"><b><a href="http://spaldeendreams.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #888888; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; text-decoration: initial;">SPALDEEN DREAMS</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>LOOKING FOR A WORTHY CHARITY? TRY THESE FOLKS: </b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Children's Craniofacial Association </b></span><span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="http://www.ccakids.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: initial;">http://www.ccakids.com/</a></b></span></div>
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Jim Pantalenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242915447914711323noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1425837433146823470.post-91975559740060512432012-11-28T12:05:00.002-05:002012-12-01T14:43:19.506-05:00My Kind of Priest<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgOJFqD1Ncyku9sns0R578nBrs6mCPbAunIDOhy5HP5MXK2DiL26NyI-OVdDmX7Yf4L0-DlrOY7HNI4rS79APIsClt8H1pKSqnC8NsCUQ_8e-CXTrgPjvuwmiBUNUr0XCwYyPhkNaTyY/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgOJFqD1Ncyku9sns0R578nBrs6mCPbAunIDOhy5HP5MXK2DiL26NyI-OVdDmX7Yf4L0-DlrOY7HNI4rS79APIsClt8H1pKSqnC8NsCUQ_8e-CXTrgPjvuwmiBUNUr0XCwYyPhkNaTyY/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Father Patrick McCarthy is a parish priest at Our Lady Queen of Peace in New Dorp on Staten Island. We started going to OLQP after the death of Father John Comiskey from St. Anne's, about whom I wrote in an earlier blog. </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1425837433146823470#editor/target=post;postID=4120625162663966001;onPublishedMenu=template;onClosedMenu=template;postNum=2;src=postname" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?</a> O<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ne of the first Masses we attended was celebrated by Father </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">McCarthy</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> a young man of around 40 with thinning hair, a Van Dyke beard, and horn-rimmed glasses. He has a very distinctive way of speaking, one I found very difficult to understand. At first, Lord forgive me, I tended to tune him out because of this. I have since amended my disrespectful ways after listening to a number of his wonderful homilies. Now I strain to hear him.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQaFelkeMMEn2lCsBHjTgCfrguCrPK2HYVJlO5j30iEL_lc-HwbG9OsXjedmusvUxF2Z9uc45UGXB3NoZYQFD9wpSt3T6KtJwUvqFWy157wk3y_Jdrv3aVKS5UsXQj1RkdsrXJB59K1Fo/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQaFelkeMMEn2lCsBHjTgCfrguCrPK2HYVJlO5j30iEL_lc-HwbG9OsXjedmusvUxF2Z9uc45UGXB3NoZYQFD9wpSt3T6KtJwUvqFWy157wk3y_Jdrv3aVKS5UsXQj1RkdsrXJB59K1Fo/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let me give you an example. In today's homily his subject was humility, which for me ranks right up there after charity as a highly desirable Christian trait. There's an appalling shortage of it in the world. Father spoke about when he trained as a seminarian in Europe, and how periodic fund raising dinners would be held to benefit the school. Usually a few well known types would be invited, presumably to raise the profile of the events and hopefully draw more people. Father </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">McCarthy</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> smiled shyly as he told us that his job for these affairs was to stand outside in the dark holding a lantern and to guide the cars of the arriving guests into the parking lot. He recalled that on one cold evening he was amusing himself by trying to guess the status of arriving invitees by the kind of car they drove.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HFVGdHnX2RExe7Kekt5n83oMQJPAriqcSkjNEAd1TX8kXAILHF3tse_uwWotlKKUmq7He6usyTJOR_PjGBmhRskNuxQ8iRsm_SqErMlticcCUCUc7D98_1ykkiIRdEASO2G9cY7SpWA/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HFVGdHnX2RExe7Kekt5n83oMQJPAriqcSkjNEAd1TX8kXAILHF3tse_uwWotlKKUmq7He6usyTJOR_PjGBmhRskNuxQ8iRsm_SqErMlticcCUCUc7D98_1ykkiIRdEASO2G9cY7SpWA/s200/1.jpg" width="115" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On this particular evening, the seminary was expecting members of the Hapsburg family, <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Europe's most powerful royal family. They supplied the continent with a nearly uninterrupted stream of rulers for more than six hundred years.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">With only one exception, the Hapsburg family also ruled the Holy Roman Empire from 1438, when Albert II was elected, until 1806. </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Father </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">McCarthy</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"> imagined that such dignitaries would surely arrive in an expensive luxury car "like a Maserati", after all, people of importance like the Hapsburgs surely would travel in an automobile that suited their exalted place in life. Much to his surprise (and delight) their party pulled up in a Chevy Malibu! "How democratic they must be" he thought.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6CKDDt-vqCoEW3atCOhAPLlzVK_TnloPJa8uAWOwSChNAQ7lZFAPzMseuHJsheK2SqAVqncrgF-NJgUJA25k8qcVchaGCIeJOjTQ86_5y6oN7iL0TF1r_Ugby2LawS_nvmxiJr1PD7c/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6CKDDt-vqCoEW3atCOhAPLlzVK_TnloPJa8uAWOwSChNAQ7lZFAPzMseuHJsheK2SqAVqncrgF-NJgUJA25k8qcVchaGCIeJOjTQ86_5y6oN7iL0TF1r_Ugby2LawS_nvmxiJr1PD7c/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">He then tied up this little story with the observation that Jesus lived a life marked by humility. He repeatedly told those on whom he worked miracles not to tell anyone what had happened. He refused to rise to the bait when Pontius Pilate asked him if he was a king, and said instead that His kingdom was not of this world. I guess we would all like to roar through those pearly gates in a shiny red Maserati, but maybe we'd have a better chance in a Chevy Malibu. These are the simple but profound lessons I like to take away from attending Mass. I don't need to hear about sinners being punished on Judgement Day...I know I'm far from perfect and I'm working on it. Talk to me of hope and redemption, tell me forgiveness is possible, even for the weak like me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">If you look around at the congregation for a typical Mass, the average age I'd say is about 60. That does not bode well for the future. If the Catholic Church is to survive for another 2,000 years, it needs young people. More priests like Father </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">McCarthy</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"> not only talking about humility, but living humbly, would be a good start toward bringing them in. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; line-height: 16px;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SEE DATES ABOVE RIGHT FOR OTHER POSTS FROM "BRAINDROPS". ALSO, READ MY OTHER BLOG: </span></b></span><a href="http://spaldeendreams.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><span style="color: red;"><b>SPALDEEN DREAMS</b></span></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>LOOKING FOR A WORTHY CHARITY? TRY THESE FOLKS: </b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Children's Craniofacial Association </b></span><span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="http://www.ccakids.com/">http://www.ccakids.com/</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><br /></span>Jim Pantalenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242915447914711323noreply@blogger.com0