QUESTION: Political Mind

1. So how did you get to think like that? Was it a function of your parents?

My parents were Republicans when I was growing up. But being a Republican in New York in the 1960s meant moderate people like Nelson Rockefeller, Jacob Javits, Kenneth Keating (all from NY), William Scranton (PA) and George Romney (MI), not so incidentally the father of Mitt. As the Republican party got more conservative, starting with Nixon's "southern strategy" which followed LBJ's signing of the Civil rights Act of 1964, the Democrats became comparative more liberal.

2. Were your parents politically active? Did they talk politics with you?

My father was socially active. though he had a full-time job, he was also a community organizer, keeping the kids off the streets and engaged in meaningful activities. (I must digress here. I've seen a number of folks note that Martin Luther King Jr. and even even Jesus Christ were community organizers, which I would argue is largely true. Doesn't mean Obama is saying he's MLK or Jesus, any more than if I said I'm for peace so I must be just like Gandhi.)

I don't remember my parents working campaigns or even putting up bumper stickers or fliers. I do recall talking to them about their votes in the 1968 election, when I talked them into voting for Hubert humphrey rather than Dick Gregory.

3. Have you ever worked on a political campaign?

A few times. the first was supporting Bill Burns for mayor of Binghamton, NY in 1969, I think, in any case, before i could actually vote. Beyond blowing up balloons, I don't recall what I did. Did more for McGovern in 1972, for naught. My next effort, in 1974, was more successful . I think I've only worked four other campaigns, in 1980 (lost), 1995 (won), and two this century, but only because friends of mine wee running - and they both won!
***
OK, I'll admit that publicizing the fact that, as a result of a class action lawsuit, TransUnion is offering free credit monitoring, and doing so on every platform to which I have access is partly in retaliation for TransUnion and the other credit reporting companies trying to sell me stuff for which I was entitled to for free when I had my identity theft scare. Still I want everyone to take advantage of the deal, and you have less than two weeks to do so.


ROG

BOOK REVIEW: Across the Charts-the 1960s

I am an unabashed fan of those Billboard books such as Top Pop Singles and Top R&B /Hip Hop Singles. Arriving in the mail this week, Joel Whitburn Presents Across the Charts-the 1960s. It takes all the songs that hit the Hot 100 (HT), Bubbling Under (BU), R&B (RB), Country (CW) and Adult Contemporary (AC). from January 1960 through December 1969. Additionally it notes those "list" songs such as the Rolling Stone 500 greatest songs, RIAA/NEA 365 songs of the (20th) century, BMI top 100 songs of the century, etc.

Examples: Whipped cream by Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass entered the AC charts on 3/20/66 and got to #13, spending 8 weeks on the charts, while it hit the HT charts on 2/20/66 and stayed there for 10 weeks, but only got to #68.

The Beatles' From Me to You was released on 8/3/63 but only got to the BU charts at #116, but was re-released on 3/7/64 and got to #41. Another Beatles' song, Something, was #3 on the HT but also #17 on the AC, the ONLY Beatles song to reach the AC in the decade. Also, Something was #273 on the Rolling Stone list and #17 on the BMI rating.

Nat "King Cole's Ramblin' Rose was #1 for 5 weeks in 1962 on the AC charts, #2 for 2 weeks on the HT chart AND #7 on the RB charts. Similarly, the 1960 Elvis Presley hit Stuck on You was #1 for 4 weeks on the HT, #6 on the RB(!) and #27 on the CW. I note these last two examples to describe the universality of music, and why I was never able to organize my albums by "genre".

Additionally, the book lists all the songs alphabetically, so I can see that All My Loving charted for the Beatles, the Chipmunks, Jimmy Griffin and the Hollyridge Strings.

There are three songs that made it to #1 on three of the four charts
I Can't Stop Lovin' You by Ray Charles (1962): RB (10 weeks), HT (5 weeks) and AC (5 weeks); #161 on the Rolling Stone list, #40 on the BMI.
Big Bad John by Jimmy Dean (1961): AC (9 weeks), HT (5 weeks), CW (2 weeks).
AND, OMG
Honey by Bobby Goldsboro (1968): HT (6 weeks), CW (3 weeks), AC (2 weeks).

There's is only one song that made the Top 10 in all four charts, HT, RB, CW, and AC. Any guesses?

This is a really fun book, at least for a music junkie of this period such as I. For more information, go to RecordResearch.com.

(This was an unpaid, unsolicited announcement for a book I'm loving.)

ROG

Forgetting 9/11

Even three or four years after September 11, 2001, there was this public conversation that people were "forgetting" 9/11. Or more precisely, had "forgotten the lessons of 9/11."

I was working in a 14-story building in downtown Albany in September 2001. It was a beautiful, virtually perfect day, weatherwise, in the Northeast.
About 8:55 a.m., someone told me that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. Someone from the office across the hall had a TV - we didn't. I looked, but no one reporting on it had any information. One of my colleagues hoped that it wouldn't be like the John F. Kennedy, Jr. airplane crash a couple months earlier, where ABC News, for one reported on air for SEVEN HOURS that the plane was missing and was feared to have crashed, and not all that much else, before the crash was finally confirmed. I went back to work.

To my mind, it really means that those people are really chastising the actions and beliefs of their fellow Americans who feel that the activities of the government since that date might not be in the best interest of the United States, whether it be the Iraq war or the prisoners at Gitmo.

Ten minutes later, someone came in and reported that a SECOND plane had hit the WTC, and this time I watched until I had seen the infamous video about five times. Then I left again, ostensibly to do work. But I didn't. I heard someone's radio on, which is how I heard about the Pentagon crash, so I went back to the TV, saw it, but unlike my co-workers, retreated back to my office, where I hear on the radio that all planes were being grounded. Wild speculation took place that there were still eight to 12 planes in the air, unaccounted for; in fact, there was only one.

It seems as though, in purporting to be fighting for freedom in Iraq, there is, ironically, less freedom at home due to the USA "PATRIOT" Act and like governmental activities.

After hearing of the collapse of the South Tower around 10 a.m., I went back to the TV. The speculation of the fatalities were awful. Then the other tower collapsed in front of me.
One odd thing about that day was that I was supposed to be on a plane to Dallas the very next day. One of my colleagues was grounded in Little Rock while my boss had already made it to Dallas and they were conferring about what to do. One of my Albany colleagues had the bizarre notion of driving to Dallas. I finally talked with my boss, who said that he didn't think we were in any danger. Actually, it wasn't until later when I discovered that one of the planes was actually in Albany air space that I thought that maybe we COULD have been in danger. In any case, the conference was canceled.

There was a guy I knew rather slightly from my State Data Center Affiliates meetings who died in the Twin Towers. He was a quiet but rather pleasant man who tried, more or less unsuccessfully, to teach me how to use a particular type of software.

We were allowed to go home, which was just as well, for we weren't doing any work. I used to ride my bicycle under something called the Empire State Plaza, as a lesser incline than State Street. I rode past a policeman. I was past him by 20 yards when he called to me; maybe he should be checking me out?
Then for reasons I cannot explain, I went to Music Shack and bought the new Bob Dylan album Love and Theft, which I had preordered and that was released that day; didn't actually LISTEN to it for well over a week. I watched TV there, then went home and watched for nine more hours. Starting the next day, I limited myself to one hour per day for a while, except that weekend, when the late Peter Jennings did a piece trying to explain the events to children.

I don't believe most people have "forgotten" 9/11. They may have come to different conclusions as a result of it, but I could no more "forget" 9/11 than those of an earlier generation could "forget" Pearl Harbor. But I think we need to create an atmosphere whereby disagreeing with government response to 9/11 is not treated as a treasonous act.

At the conference I attended last week, Hiram Smith of Franklin Covey spoke about loss, the notion of bad things happening to good people, and he specifically mentioned 9/11. He noted that you can't avoid pain, but you can choose to avoid misery. I'll have to ponder that one.

Meanwhile, here are some newspaper headlines from 9/12/01.

VIDEO REVIEW: Enchanted

Friend Fred , way back on February 23, extolled the virtues of the 2007 cartoon-and-live-action Disney film Enchanted. It starred Amy Adams, who Roger Ebert loved in Junebug. A couple months later, I went to my local library to put it on reserve. And waited and waited until, when a call came from the library saying my item is in - without actually specifying what item it might be - I had forgotten about it.

Two days later, I get the DVD and the family sits down to watch it. Big mistake. The four-year-old is terrified of the ogre, and by the time we get to the slaying of the bus dragon, she's done.

So I watch it by myself (and later my wife, herself). You know what? Fred was correct! It's fun! It's romantic! It has some great songs, including "Happy Working Song" that Adams sang at the Oscars this year, a great riff on "Whistle While You Work" from Snow White. In fact, what was truly remarkable were some of the exact shots used in various animated and live action Disney films.

The art was great. I recognized the cartoon version of Susan Sarandon before I recognized her voice. The other characters that inhabited both worlds were likewise well-rendered in animated form. The DVD extras enhanced my appreciation of the moviemaking. Those birds and rats that were cleaning? NOT CGI, but actual trained animals. New York City at the climax? CGI.

In fact, the only quibbles I had the DVD touched on. A couple deleted scenes, one of which would have explained the motivation of one character better, I might have kept. But this is a minor thing.

I had forgotten that Patrick Dempsey was that McDreamy guy from Grey's Anatomy. But, as Fred noted, the film lives or dies with Amy Adams, and she was radiant. Perhaps coincidentally, Giselle spoke to her prince (James Marsden) about what happens after "happily ever after"; a recent TV Guide promises that Grey's will answer the very same question this coming season.

Highly recommended for people who know the Disney oeuvre or like musicals. Recommended for most everyone else who isn't grumpy. Not recommended for very sensitive four-year olds.

ROG

Did You Miss Me? Didn't Think So

One of the wonderful features about Blogger is that I can write posts and then have them publish on future dates. I was in Chicago from Tuesday through Saturday - more on that not just anon, but for a couple of weeks - and except for about an hour on Friday, when I could check my Gmail and AOL accounts and print my boarding ticket for my return flight, I had no access to the Internet, unless I wanted to spend 47 cents per minute. Note: I did not.

Writing ahead wasn't all that difficult. What IS hard is getting started again. For me, there's a blogging rhythm. If I'm posting every day, I'm probably writing at least every other day. When I came back from this trip, though, I needed to spend time with my wife and daughter, check my work e-mail (accessible from home, but not elsewhere remotely - 300 deleted on Sunday), mow the lawn (though I had mowed it Sunday or Monday before I left, the rain during the week, especially the remnants of Tropical Storm Hanna, made it necessary again), church and other tasks precludes blogging. Here's something: my suitcase probably weighed 15 pounds on the way to the conference; it weighed 41.3 pounds on the way back, so I had to sort through all that conference swag, papers, and whatnot.

But it's more about the momentum. A blogger in motion tends to stay in motion; a blogger at rest tends to stay at rest. I have PLENTY to write about. (Rose, BTW, has some ideas about what to blog about if you don't.)

Oh, one thing about Chicago. I tend not to tell people I'm going away until I return. Since I changed my Blogger links, though, that was undermined. I knew in the first case it would be, so when it happened the second time, it was no big deal. Time #1 was when my colleague Amelia wrote: Blogging for Your SBDC - Roger and Amelia go to Chicago back on August 27, the cat was rather out of the bag. Then when Gordon mentions we went to a Cubs game together, well the jig was really up. As I tweeted (that's what you do on Twitter), someone tweeted about a session I attended in Chicago in real time; I'm still disinclined.

A couple things about the Cubs game: someone from the Astros, Ty Wiggington, hit a two-run homer; he used to be with the Mets . Meanwhile, a Cubs runner was thrown out at the plate; a MOST unpopular call, and at least one Cubs fan in our section was very loud and vocal in his "appreciation" of the ump's brain functions. But the very worst play: men on first and third for the Astros. Runner on first caught 30 feet from first base and caught in a pickle (rundown). So the runner at third heads for home. Instead of trying to tag the runner heading back to first, the middle infielder throws home, but muffs it. The one runner scores, and the other's safe at second; Little Leaguers would have done it better. I had the Cubs going to the World series from the beginning of the season - ouch.

ROG

Birthday songs

My birthday is March 7, so in honor of my unbirthday, here are the #1 Billboard songs on my birthday.
2008 ... "Low" by Flo Rida featuring T-Pain - don't know what this is
2007 ... "This Is Why I'm Hot" by Mims - don't know
2006 ... "You're Beautiful" by James Blunt - even I know this one, and in fact managed to become sick of it
2005 ... "Candy Shop" by 50 Cent featuring Olivia - don't know
2004 ... "Yeah!" by Usher featuring Ludacris & Lil Jon - heard this song a couple times, but wouldn't say I KNOW it
2003 ... "In Da Club" by 50 Cent - ditto
2002 ... "Ain't It Funny" by Jennifer Lopez featuring Ja Rule - don't know
2001 ... "Stutter [Double Take Remix]" by Joe featuring Mystikal - must have heard it, but not sticking to the brain
2000 ... "Amazed" by Lonestar - ditto
1999 ... "Believe" by Cher - classic Cher histrionics
1998 ... "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion - real histrionics. And I own it.
1997 ... "Wannabe" by Spice Girls - fluff. Spice Girls didn't offend me; I just didn't much care.
1996 ... "One Sweet Day" by Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men - this song was number 1 for something like 16 weeks. It showed up on JEOPARDY! when I was on in 1998, and for the life of me, I couldn't remember the title. (I kept thinking One Fine Day, but I knew THAT was wrong. Category was Songs By the Numbers for $200.) When the Regis Philbin-hosted Who Wants to be a Millionaire was on, I think it was involved in a $250,000 clue. Oh, the song itself? It's OK. I like the B2M harmonies.
1995 ... "Take a Bow" by Madonna. Not remembering.
1994 ... "The Sign" by Ace of Base. Annoyingly catchy.
1993 ... "Informer" by Snow. Heard, don't recall.
1992 ... "To Be with You" by Mr. Big. Don't know.
1991 ... "Someday" by Mariah Carey. All of Mariah Carey's songs from a certain period sound exactly the same to me.
1990 ... "Escapade" by Janet Jackson. I like Janet actually, but this was pretty lightweight.
1989 ... "Lost in Your Eyes" by Debbie Gibson - heard it, not remembering.
1988 ... "Never Gonna Give You Up" by Rick Astley. Actually, I've probably heard more often in the 21st Century than at the time. Meh.
1987 ... "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi. Never was a big Bon Jovi fan. Own none of their albums. It was as good a song as they did, I suppose.
1986 ... "Kyrie" by Mr. Mister. Recall liking this, but I'd need to hear it again.
1985 ... "Can't Fight This Feeling" by REO Speedwagon. It became popular to dump on the Spudwagon, but it's no worse than that corporate rock sound of any number of songs of the era.
1984 ... "Jump" by Van Halen. My fondness probably comes from David Lee Roth on the video.
1983 ... "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson. Classic tune. Own.
1982 ... "Centerfold" by J. Geils Band. I always liked the storyline. Own.
1981 ... "I Love a Rainy Night" by Eddie Rabbitt. Dopey.
1980 ... "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" by Queen. Lesser Queen; still, I used to try to imitate it. Own.
1979 ... "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor. Anthemic. Still, I still hear Jim Carrey do Tony Clifton, singing "I Will Surveeve" in the Man on the Moon movie. Own.
1978 ... "(Love Is) Thicker than Water" by Andy Gibb. Andy Gibb was born on March 5, 1958 (and died March 10, 1988). You'd think I'd remember a big hit from a fellow Piscean, especially a dead one, wouldn't you? I really don't.
1977 ... "Love Theme from 'A Star Is Born' (Evergreen)" by Barbra Streisand. Like Barbra's voice. What can I say? Oh that the movie was filmed in part at the Union College campus in Schenectady, NY, which gives it special props. Own.
1976 ... "December 1963 (Oh, What a Night)" by The Four Seasons - guilty pleasure, for sure. Own. (n.b., I see that some people don't believe in guilty pleasures. OK.)
1975 ... "Have You Never Been Mellow" by Olivia Newton-John. Dopey song, pleasant voice. Own.
1974 ... "Seasons in the Sun" by Terry Jacks. Hated this song. Its sing-songy verse, its pretentious lyrics.
1973 ... "Killing Me Softly with His Song" by Roberta Flack. Saw Roberta sing this live. A fan. Own.
1972 ... "Without You" by Nilsson. For some reason, when he wails "Can't li-i-i-ive..." it always gets to me, as though he really WOULD die. Own.
1971 ... "One Bad Apple" by The Osmonds. This especially annoyed me, this faux Jackson Five song.
1970 ... "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel. Beautiful instrumentation, practically tear-inducing singing by Artie. Own.
1969 ... "Everyday People" by Sly & the Family Stone. My first favorite Sly song. Why CAN'T we all get along? Own.
1968 ... "Love Is Blue" by Paul Mauriat. A lovely instrumental. Own.
1967 ... "Love Is Here and Now You're Gone" by The Supremes. I'm not much on people talking in songs. This is a rare exception. "You stripped me of my dreams..." Own.
1966 ... "The Ballad of the Green Berets" by S/Sgt. Barry Sadler. I hated the politics of the song, yet had a grudging admiration for its unambiguous sincerity. It did inspire a truly dreadful 1968 John Wayne/David Janssen film that I saw at the time.
1965 ... "Eight Days a Week" by The Beatles. The verse is pretty basic, but the chorus with the brief a cappella bits is nice. Own.
1964 ... "I Want to Hold Your Hand" by The Beatles. The chorus and verse are good energy. But it's the bridge that really makes it work. Own.
1963 ... "Walk like a Man" by The Four Seasons. I was ten at the time, and a guy singing "walk like a man" in that register just cracked me up, I'm afraid to admit. A greater appreciation came later. Own.
1962 ... "Hey! Baby" by Bruce Channel. I have at least three versions of this song, but I'm not particularly remembering his take.
1961 ... "Pony Time" by Chubby Checker. Only vague recollection.
1960 ... "Theme from 'A Summer Place'" by Percy Faith. Another pretty instrumental. Own.
1959 ... "Venus" by Frankie Avalon. Liked this, actually, in spite of myself.
1958 ... "Don't/ I Beg of You" by Elvis Presley. Like Don't; not remembering the other. Own.
1957 ... "Young Love" by Tab Hunter. The Sonny James version of this same song also went to #1 in 1957, and I like it a lot, but I don't know the Tab Hunter version at all.
1956 ... "Lisbon Antigua" by Nelson Riddle. Don't know.
1955 ... "Sincerely" by The McGuire Sisters. Lovely harmonies. Think Andrews Sisters or Lemmon Sisters. Own.
1954 ... "Make Love to Me!" by Jo Stafford. Don't know.
1953 ... "Till I Waltz Again with You" by Teresa Brewer. Don't know.
ROG

Take Good Care of Yourself

I've been reading about that "sandwich generation" of people, usually women, who both have their own children and are taking care of their aging parents. My "baby" sister, who has a daughter who just turned 17 late last year, is in that situation vis a vis my mother. I've been down to help, my wife has, my other sister has twice in 2007, but I'm sure it's not the same as dealing with the every day stuff.. My mom's 81, and in reasonably good health, though she takes enough pills that, instead of using those containers that separate one's daily doses, it separates the morning pills from the afternoon from the evening on a weekly basis.

From the Census: "The 65 and older age group is projected to increase to 88.5 million in 2050, more than doubling the number in 2008 (38.7 million). The 85 and older population is expected to more than triple, from 5.4 million to 19 million between 2008 and 2050."

One of the things the younger sister came across is this from various sources, which I'm posting on Grandparents' Day:

Likely the best thing a caregiver can do for their loved one is to take care of themselves.

Caregivers tend to put their own needs on the back burner - - - but if you're not healthy, you can not provide assistance to another.

- When did you last have a medical check-up?
- When did you last engage in a fun, favorite activity?
- When did you last get together with friends or family for some fun?
- When did you last sleep all night?

It's okay and important to take care of yourself!

Research indicates that 46% - 59% of caregivers are clinically depressed. When did you last talk about your feelings with someone?

Pay attention to . . .eating right, getting enough sleep and exercising some!

Check out . . . the Caregiver Stress test.

Is There Some Equipment That Will Help?
"Having the right equipment can make caregiving tasks simpler, faster and more efficient. Discuss needs with your doctor. Ask for a physical or occupational therapy evaluation. Contact agencies from the phone book under Hospital Equipment and Supplies or under Medical Equipment and Supplies."

Where Can I Find Some Support?
"I'd just like to know I'm not in the boat by myself! Support groups, training and counseling may be the answer. Groups meet at various times in different locations all over the country. They are all different - - - one size does not fit all!"
Two quick hints:
1. Have a job jar and when the well-intentioned friend or family member says, "Let me know what I can do to help." Have the suggestions ready!
2. Tell the family - "The doctor wants Mom to have X,Y, and Z. I can do Y and Z. Who can do X?
Transportation, Food and Finances Are Real Problems
Being a caregiver can exhaust not only physical and mental resources but financial reserves as well.
Tips for getting the information you need:
- Be specific and to the point
- Be prepared with all the information you may need in front of you
- Leave a clear message if necessary
- Get the name of the person you speak with
- Be prepared for some delays - the system may work slowly
- Plan ahead when possible
- Try to call early in the morning; avoid Mondays and Fridays, if possible.

Just Need A Break!
Res-pite (rés·pit) a break, relief, breathing space.
Caregivers need time for themselves and breaks are a necessity to maintain good physical and emotional health.
Possible sources for respite - Experiment till you find the right fit!
- Family Members
- Faith community care-teams

Quick Tips
- For a mini break, try this relaxation technique. . .
- Do some deep breathing:
Breathe in through your nose to the count of four,
Hold your breath for four counts,
Blow out slowly through your mouth. Repeat several times.

What Can I Do About Important Legal Issues?
One of the best things to do to avoid a crisis is to Plan Ahead!
- What is the plan if you get sick or are injured in an accident?
- What are your care-recipient's wishes for end of life care ? (examples: tube-feeding, ventilation, Do Not Resuscitate)
When you or your loved one can no longer make decisions - who can and who will make those decisions?
Issues to consider:
- Living Wills*
- Durable Powers of Attorney*
- Guardianship
- Health Care Power of Attorney*

Consult with an Estate and Elder Law Attorney.
* Remember documents are not official until they have been notarized.
Keeping a caregiver notebook:
As tedious as this may sound to some people, it can be a blessing when needed. Good record keeping can document tax deductions for dependent care, explain financial costs to siblings, and be a guidebook for substitute caregivers. We suggest the following be kept in your caregiver notebook:
- A copy of the Durable Power of Attorney and any medical advance directives.
- Insurance information regarding Medicare, Medicaid, supplemental insurance and any long-term care insurance.
- Names, telephone numbers and addresses of friends and clergy of your loved one.
- Emergency contact information.
- Contact information for health care including doctor names, specialty, and telephone numbers: information (i.e. patient advisory handouts) and hospital preference or limitations. Include any home health agency you regularly work with or prefer.
- A schedule of a typical day. This will help any respite friend or worker follow and know what to expect. Include information on topics such as naps, mealtimes and TV or radio programs.
- Dietary information including favorite foods and dislikes as well as any allergies.
- Description of problem behaviors such as wandering, agitation, locking him or herself in the bathroom.
- If your loved one has some dementia and asks repeated questions, make a list of the correct answers for any homecare worker or friends to follow.

How Will I Know If It's Time for Long Term Care?
Long Term Care (LTC) describes residence in one of the following:
- Family Care Home
- Assisted Living Facility
- Nursing Home

Residents receive supervision/assistance 24 hours each day. You continue to be a caregiver and advocate, but the care is a shared responsibility.

There is a range of care from independent living to nursing home residency with many care possibilities in between. Caregivers need to be realistic about how much care their loved one needs. Talking honestly with the doctor is very important.

Note the tell-tale signs that indicate the need for a change. . . The loved one may need more care than you are able to provide.
- How often is care needed?
- What type of care is needed - non-medical, skilled nursing or Hospice?
- Are the financial needs a burden?

- - -The Caregiver may have reached her/his limits.
Are you:
- Snapping at the loved one over little things
- Being constantly irritated
- Seldom laughing anymore
- Feeling constantly tired or pressured
- Losing sleep, sleeping too much, sleeping restlessly
- Yelling or screaming, having crying jags or rages
- Withholding affection
- Withholding assistance to the care recipient
- Blaming the care recipient for being in this situation
- Refusing to go out anymore
- Withholding expenditures for goods, services or loved one's needs because he/she is going to die soon and it is wasted money?
(Adapted from Senior.Mag.com, 2002)

Be honest with yourself!

Local Training Is Generally Available
Learning more about your job as a caregiver can give you more confidence in your role and more success.

There is wonderful information on the internet that you can use to educate yourself. We highly recommend the following sites:

National Family Caregiver's Association

National Alliance for Caregiving; alternate site.

Family Caregiver Alliance

AARP

Community-based training is also often available

What's Wrong With My Loved One?
The more you know about the care-recipient's illness the better prepared you'll be to deal with behaviors and needs. You'll have some idea about what to expect.

A good evaluation by the doctor is essential for making a care plan. The doctor will need input from the caregiver about their observations and concerns.


Basic Facts About Adult Day Programs
Adult Day Care and Adult Day and Health Care programs are services designed to provide group care and supervision in a place other than one's home on a less than 24-hour basis to adults who may be physically or mentally challenged. These programs consist of organized activities and services, during the day, that support an adult's personal independence and promote his/her social, physical and emotional well being. The Adult Day and Health Care program differs from Adult Day Care in that an on-duty nurse provides health care monitoring, immunizations, medicine administration and various other nursing related activities supporting each participant's health. Normally meals (breakfast, lunch and an evening snack) are served daily, transportation to and from the facility is provided or arranged and off campus trips are conducted several times a year. A typical Adult Day Program will begin as early as 6 a.m. and end as late as 6 p.m. Throughout the day the participants engage in various arts, crafts, aerobics, music programs, religious programs and recreation programs. Some programs offer gardening. Specialty services (physical, occupational, speech and respiratory therapy; manicures, pedicures, hair styling and dental screenings) are arranged on site by many programs. Ideally, the Adult Day Program helps care providers by meeting all of their loved ones needs during the day, so that the working care giver can work, the fulltime care giver can get a break and the participant can enjoy life to its fullest.

Adult Day Programs costs range from $35 to $60 per day depending on the degree of care and services a participant needs. Some programs cater to seniors while others serve people with a variety of challenges (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Downs Syndrome, ALS, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Stroke Victims, Mentally Retarded, Diabetics, Brain Injury Survivors, amputees, paralyzed, etc.). All programs require a medical examination with a doctor's recommendation for participant enrollment.

Advantages for Caregivers and Participants:

Caregivers are Able To:
- Return to fulltime employment.
- Continue their education.
- Gain valuable respite or breaks from fulltime care giving.
- Acquire much needed to time to raise their own children.
- Acquire valuable time to cultivate their marriage.
- Acquire much needed time to plan long term care events.
- Receive much needed financial relief.
- Acquire much needed time to grieve.
- Connect with a support system to help manage loved ones.

Adult Day Care Participants are Provided:
- A safe and stimulating environment daily.
- Medical monitoring daily rather than annually.
- Medicine administration daily.
- A well balanced nutritious meals daily.
- Life enhancing and educational programs daily.
- Physically and mentally challenging exercises daily.
- Personal care/hygiene services daily.
- Rehabilitative services daily.
- An environment that promotes self-esteem and self-worth daily.
- The ability to return to their own home and own beds each evening.

ROG

THREE QUESTIONS: Did you watch? Will you watch?

I hear the Olympics were on a couple weeks ago. I was so busy that I FORGOT to watch the Opening Ceremonies, and watched very little of it until the next weekend when my wife and daughter were watching female divers. Then the Monday of my wife's jaw surgery, I caught three hours, mostly men's volleyball vs. Japan. That Wednesday evening, my wife taped some programming we watched a little on Friday.

1. How many hours of the Olympics did you watch? I'd say I did about six, all told.

I realized that I seem to have lost the ability to watch television in real time. A nest of commercials come on and I grab the DVR remote to zap through them, all in vain.

The next spectacle was the Democratic convention. No, I did not watch.
OK, I did watch, but none of it in real time. I saw John Kerry show a lot more moxie on behalf of Obama than anything he said on his own behalf four years ago. I saw Hillary Clinton's good speech, but oddly, I was more affected by the theater of the roll call vote. Finally, on Monday, I finally saw Obama's speech, which said what it needed to say, outlined specific positions that comforted me , specifically regarding the rights of gays, and took some velvet glove shots at McCain. I'll probably seek out speeches by Michelle Obama, Joe Biden and especially Dennis Kucinich, who apparently gave a real barn-burner.

After that, the Republican convention, which I also did not watch. But I will see Sarah Palin and John McCain's speeches in due course..

2. How much of the conventions did you see? So far, Dems about 3 hours, GOP zero, but that'll change.


Besides, I was busy getting ready to go to Chicago for a different convention, that of the Association of Small Business Development Centers where a colleague and I gave a presentation this past Thursday on "Blogging with the SBDC – Implementing Web 2.0 Technologies at Your Center". We rehearsed it the previous Friday in front of the other librarians, which my colleague liked but I hated, because it makes it seem more stale to me. How did it go? I'll tell you later.

This fall's new programs are coming up. What I'll watch its what I watched last year: various news programs, JEOPARDY!, Pushing Daisies, Dirty Sexy Money, The Office, and in the vain hope they'll kill off the Izzie Stevens character, Grey's Anatomy. I may try 30 Rock again, if only to placate a couple people. My wife will watch Dancing with the Stars, and inevitably I'll get sucked into it, if only to find out what this Misty May person looks like in ballroom attire.

3. What will you watch this fall?

ROG

Larkfest and Pinksterfest

There are two great Albany annual traditions that I try to attend. The one coming up is Larkfest on September 20. the other is The Tulip Festival, a/k/a Pinksterfest. Once upon a time I used to live between Washington Park, where the Tulip Festival is held, and Lark street (guess what's held there?), and I could easily walk to both events. Now, less than three miles away, but a different calculation.

I think the venues really determine the differences. For Pinksterfest, the city gardener carefully plants varieties of tulips so that at least some of them will be coming into bloom on Mother’s Day weekend. This year, Carol, Lydia, and I were going to go to the Festival on that Saturday afternoon after attending a child’s birthday party, but we could find no parking whatsoever, so my wife let me out of the car and I traipsed into Washington Park. I got to see my requisite half dozen people I only seem to see once a year, including those in social activism row. I could hear the sounds of the Spin Doctors playing familiar tunes, yet I ended up passing on them in favor of the sounds of a band called 10 (something), a local band that apparently played popular cover songs. They were doing a tune called "Jump," for instance, which all the kids were dancing to, but it was neither the Van Halen nor the Pointer Sisters versions that I was familiar with. I knew it was a cover version only because I asked someone in the audience – which can tell you how out of it I can really be musically.

For LarkFest, the merchants (and the church) on the street seem to be the prime beneficiaries of the thousands of people who gather there, although there are other vendors. While both claim to be family-friendly, the anti-open booze container law seems to be violated even more often at LarkFest. Also, the park is green space, while the Lark street event is far more physically constricted, which gives it a certain vitality, among the shoving.

The key: go early.
ROG

Jamestown and Williamsburg

Lost Details of the Vacation

I’ve told you about our vacation that the family took back in April, back when gas was cheaper, but there were a couple of details I left out. One is that if you’re ever driving anywhere near Baltimore, and you see a road sign saying "Travel plaza ahead," it is NOT one of the places where you can stop, get coffee and gas, and rest. It’s actually a bus and train station, and it is NOT easy on/off the highway. In fact we drove several blocks before we could find the single McDonald’s which served food.

On the way there, we passed a car that was stopped at the light. When the driver didn’t go forward, we waited several seconds before we honked. He still didn’t move, so we passed him and went down the street. We couldn’t tell as we looked back whether he was okay, or injured, or deceased. So we got to the travel station, and I walked back. The car was still at the intersection. When I got several steps along, he finally apparently woke up and drove off.
***
The highlight of the trip was Jamestown, for my daughter loved the boats and the hands-on Indian and colonial villages.

Colonial Williamsburg was less fun, but only because we didn't think it was worth the high cost of a single-day ticket, which is all we had time for; a multiple day ticket WOULD have been worthwhile. Still, Lydia was placated by a fife we bought her (no, not Barney Fyfe.) And it WAS a beautiful day for a picnic. The one "free" place we got to was a church that high ranking officials such as governors, had special seats designated for them. The first two governors are names well known to most Americans, Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson.
ROG

Blogging about blogging can be habit-forming

We've gotta stop meeting like this.

As a result of a difficulty I had with one of my other blogs on Blogger - this weird bX error that others suffered through too - I copied this blog (and that one) in its entirety to WordPress this past month. I’m not that familiar with WordPress, though my Times Union blog appears on it, so I will play with that at some point. But this Blogger blog will still be my primary blogging outlet until further notice, if only because whatever minimal promotion I’ve done has been to the Blogspot address. Also, I haven't followed up to post the subsequent items on WordPress, so that is a factor.

I added a couple of bloggers to my sidebar. One is Gary who describes himself as the "old dude". He’s only 16 years older than I am, so I wouldn’t call him old at all; gotta be at least 25 years older than I am to be old. He's, er, more politically conservative than I am, but he can tolerate me, then I can tolerate him. In fact, it was Gary's sidebar that inspired me to START to tweak mine, so that at least I can see when at least some of the bloggers listed they last posted. (Yeah, Yeah, I can do the RSS feed thing; I just haven't.)

I also added Demeur from Gary's sidebar, just for some political balance. (Did I mention that Gary's rather conservative?) Also, WayneJohn seems more comprehensible than the so-called "blogger help".

Another is yet another damn blog from Alan David Doane, who currently kvetches a lot about his dental work. See, I do all my kvetching right here. And speaking of ADD, I liked this link he found about what makes a good blog.

My near-twin Gordon had a post about all the cool things he’s doing on his blog. I must admit I didn’t understand about 70 percent of it.

One of my blog posts was linked to the Comic Reporter this past month with this single sentence: "One retailer recalls the 1987 Comic-Con." No mention of my name; no mention, even, of FantaCo. Talk about being damned with faint praise.

I came across a blogpost that read as follows: "A friend of mine, Roger Green, often reminds me that the enemy of excellence is not the pitiful or horrible, but rather just the good." No, it was not me. I found the post and replied: "It seems also true the perfect can drive out the good; if I can't be perfect in my relationship with God, I might as well give up."

Another blog post about face transplants cites "Roger Green, president of the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons, said: "This particular surgery is a way of giving back a life to a patient who has been horribly scarred by burns, trauma or a tumour."
***
In other news, my HP printer died, quite a few months ago, actually, and I was forced to go out and buy a new one. It’s a Brother, which not only prints but copies, scans, and if I had a phone line for it, faxes. It only cost $70, but after you add in the USB port cable and various ink cartridges, it was closer to $200. Still, once I’ve mastered the scanning technique - assuming I master the scanning technique - you’ll be able to see some of the results on this blog.
ROG

One Step Beyond

Monk / Nun
Take Your Secret Self 1 Step Beyond today!
Created with Rum and Monkey's Personality Test Generator.

Going 1 step beyond I am all about spiritual truth, bread and bad haircuts. For me the best part of the day is spent in quiet meditation where I don't have to worry about my big ears and people laughing at me. No one really understands the depth of my soul, which is in here somewheres. I study, I work, I feed deer and am kind to little bunnies. I am making this a better world by shutting myself away from real life. Somehow. I am certain life's questions can be answered by sleeping on hard things and chanting.

***

Your result for The Director Who Films Your Life Test...

Francis Ford Coppola

Your film will be 61% romantic, 29% comedy, 34% complex plot, and a $ 45 million budget.

Filmography: The Conversation, The Godfather (and Pt. 2 and Pt. 3), Apocolypse Now, Peggy Sue Got Married, Jack, etc. He even used his clout after The Godfather to get George Lucas' classic American Graffiti made. But then he notoriously went WAY overbudget with Apocolypse Now which sort of maimed his career since. He's been doing a lot of small films lately which may give your life story an inside track. A high-budget simple romantic drama is best in the hands of this modern master filmmaker.

Take The Director Who Films Your Life Test at HelloQuizzy

***
My sister, knowing my lifelong love of Wal-Mart (I seriously jest), sent this:
BANNED FROM WAL-MART...........

Mrs. Fenton insisted her husband accompany her on her trips to Wal-Mart.
One day she received the following letter from her local Wal-Mart.

Dear Mrs. Fenton,

Over the past six months, your husband has been causing quite a commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and may be forced to ban both of you from the store. Our complaints against Mr. Fenton are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras

1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in people's carts when they weren't looking.
2 . July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute intervals.
3. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice, 'Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it right away.'
4. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&M's on layaway.
5. September 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.
6. September 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told other shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from the bedding department.
7. September 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying and screamed, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?'
8. October 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror while he picked his nose.
9. November 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked the clerk where the antidepressants were.
10. December 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming the 'Mission Impossible' theme.
11. December 6: In the auto department, he practiced his 'Madonna look' by
using different sizes of funnels.
12. December 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through, yelled 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'
13. December 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed a fetal position and screamed 'OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!'
And last, but not least ...
14. December 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile, then yelled very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here!'

Regards,
Wal-Mart

ROG

No Labor Involved

It's Labor Day. No one's reading blogs today. Time to be lazy and post a bunch of stuff from YouTube and elsewhere.

Watch the entire full length documentary Who Killed the Electric Car? right here.
***
A sad Sesame Street moment.
***
It's only water, part 1
HERE.
***
Lightening it up a bit, this video from the Smothers Brothers Show, or a reasonable facsimile, of the classic Mason Williams song:

***
Still thinking about Isaac Hayes. And so was the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain.

***
Ode To Joy, Muppet style

***
A great episode of WKRP in Cincinnati.
***
It's only water, part 2


ROG

Because I Am A Lemming

I am participating in BlogDay2008:
BlogDay was created with the belief that bloggers should have one day dedicated to getting to know other bloggers from other countries and areas of interest. On that day Bloggers will recommend other blogs to their blog visitors.
With the goal in mind, on this day every blogger will post a recommendation of 5 new blogs. This way, all blog readers will find themselves leaping around and discovering new, previously unknown blogs.

I must say that I like getting out of my comfort zone now and then. So I did the next blog thing on Blogger. I avoided the ones with fewer than five posts for no particular reason. I found these:

Nicole Jarecz Illustration by Nicole Jarecz, Detroit, MI, United States. A junior at the College for Creative Studies, majoring in illustration.
Unsurprisingly, she does a lot of drawings, many of which I like. Occasionally, she even talks.

VERACRUZ TURISMO DIGITAL. Las Noticias de Turismo del Estado de Veracruz Mexico
It's in Spanish, and I don't really read Spanish, but it seems to be a site about the
culture of Veracruz. Has photos, so it was worth looking at.

Kundalini Splendor.
Poems and Reflections on the Spiritual Journey by Dorothy Walters
She writes: "I invite you to contact me." She has a kindly face. Pictures accompany her photos. I'm not much into poetry, I'm afraid, but the page gave me a soothing feeling, somehow. Clearly, my favorite of the five.

ADESPOTO Halandriou
Σύλλογος φίλων των ζώων Χαλανδρίου
It's all Greek to me. This person from Athens takes photos of animals. I like animals OK, but my Greek is non-existent, so the context is lost on me. Yet that's all right.

吕昕展 臭Baby部落格.
Shinzhan 吕昕展, Mersing, Johor, Malaysia
OK. Not my favorite kind of page; that is, a bunch of pictures of somebody's kid with no context, plus short videos. I don't mind an occasional pic- been known to do it myself, but no narrative, even if I could read Chinese.
Still, I'm fascinated by this page because I put it through the Google translator, and the title of the page reads: "Lu Hsin-Chin foul Baby blog". Really. Does this mean in translated Chinese what it means in English? And in the Chinese title: Are there no characters for "baby" in Chinese?

ROG

QUESTION: Time vs. Quality of Life

A couple weekends ago, we (OK, my wife) bought furniture for our porch. They come in these large cardboard boxes. Once upon a time, these boxes would have ended up in the garbage, but there I was cutting up the boxes, making them ready for the recycling. It took time, over a half hour for all of the boxes. It was a tradeoff between by time and the quality of life I want to maintain.

I'm recalling the local experiment the local paper Times Union did with test riders bus riders. One of the riders said, "I don't know how anyone could subject themselves to that. (I excoriate them here.)

So the question is simple in structure: What do you do that could be done faster but that you feel is important to take on in a slower manner? My wife makes brownies from scratch. Maybe you participate in a gardening project. There's a "slow-cook" movement that you might be part of. Perhaps you sew, knit, crochet. I was going to note that we compost, but I just don't think of the time we spend separating the compostables from the other items as that substantial, though it does reduce the amount of trash we put out weekly.
***

Miss Wasilla for 1984, Sarah Palin.



ROG

Michael Jackson Turns 50

I remember in the mid-1970s, Andy Rooney, the guy on 60 Minutes, used to do these occasional pieces, these "humorous" mini-documentaries about restaurants, or different ways people sing the song "Misty".

One piece was about who is famous. I recall that while Paul McCartney was famous, Michael Jackson, then with the Jackson Five, was not, at least in his mind, Famous meant generally recognized, regardless of generation.

Well, if asked now, I'm sure Andy would consider him famous, or perhaps a bit infamous.

I like quite a bit of Michael's music, particularly the early J5 and the early parts of his solo career. Last year at this time, I noted that I thought his 1979 album, Off the Wall, was better than his massive 1982 album, Thriller. The first cut from the earlier album can be found here. His electrifying performance at Motown 25, which I haven't seen since the mid-1980s, still brings a smile to my face.

And I noted that since I share his disease, I viscerally understood some of his craziness (the surgeries, the mask, not the hanging a baby over a balcony.)

So, on his half century mark, I'm disinclined to go beat up Michael. I'll leave that for others. I'll just wish him well.







ROG

Mud pie

So I needed a hook, and one was provided to me.

On Monday, July 21, I went to pick up a newspaper called The Capitol, a free monthly newspaper covering what passes for state government in Albany. It was located in one of those blue boxes not unlike those you'd find when one is buying a daily newspaper. Sitting on top of the pile of papers inside the container was an aluminum pan filled with what was meant to look like manure. At least, that's what I hoped, since I didn't bother studying it too closely. I took a copy of The Capitol, wrapped it around the pan, and threw it away in the nearest receptacle. But I needed to wash my hands right away, It was evident that the individual putting the pan in expected someone to reach in lazily and get this substance on his or her hand.

About three days later, I'm telling this story to a white male person of my acquaintance. I added that I wondered if the act was in any way racially motivated. I based it on two facts: 1) the cover story was about Barack Obama, or more correctly, which NY state legislators might become Presidential timber like former Illinois state legislator Obama did; 2) the box was located in front of a black-owned business. He said, "C'mon, that's a stretch", and I dropped it for a time. Later, though, I mentioned it again, and he wondered why. But a couple minutes later, he had an epiphany. "Oh, but why WAS that pan placed there?"

That was primarily what I was really trying to say; the thing was there for SOME reason, and curious librarian minds wanted to know if it was merely a random prank or something more significant.

Bringing up race - or the possibility of racism (or sexism or homophobia) is fraught with danger. Some will suggest that one is/I am looking through a prism of race; quite possibly true. Just mentioning race, some will suggest, IS the problem, a position that I do not ascribe to; the current presidential campaign suggests that does not work, at least not yet. Sometimes you have to talk about it anyway.

As Jay Smooth put it: "Race: the final frontier"

FantaCo Chronicles: Webslinger, si; Freak Brothers, No

FantaCo was the comic book store/publisher/mail order center/convention house where I worked from May 1980 to November 1988. It opened August 28, 1978, 30 years ago today. And it closed on August 28, 1998, 10 years ago today.

The Chronicles were comic-book-sized magazines about various comic book characters. I’ve previously talked about the X-Men Chronicles, how much I liked working with Raoul Vezina, but hated having to retrieve the wet cover from Dave Cockrum. I’ve noted how Jim Shooter screamed at us for using the Jack Kirby interview in the Fantastic Four Chronicles. I’ve mentioned how Marvel appropriated parts of the Daredevil Chronicles for its Daredevil Omnibus; I tend to agree with the criticism that it leaned too heavily on Frank Miller’s period, ignoring Wally Wood and other DD history.

Next up, the Avenger Chronicles, edited by Mitch Cohn. I always thought the George Perez cover was a bit lackluster, but it was a decent enough book. It features a lengthy essay by me about the Avengers/Defenders War, detailed nearly as much as one would have described the Peloponnesian War.

Which brings us to the Spider-Man Chronicles. This is my favorite book in the series. I loved the varied layout that I instituted, which I though gave it a clean, modern look. I felt that I had finally developed a good line of contributors I could count on, and I felt for the first time that I really knew what I was doing. My favorite feature might have been humor cartoonist Fred Hembeck interviewing Spidey scribe Roger Stern, complete with illos.

The mag was almost hassle free. Well, except for two little things. One, of course, was the cover; it's always the cover. I had, or more likely Mitch had contacted Frank Miller about drawing it, as he had done for the Daredevil Chronicles, and he had agreed, but at the last moment, he had to beg off, leaving me very much in the lurch.

I couldn’t use the back cover done by Joe Staton, because it wouldn’t have worked design-wise. Let me mention here Joe was possibly the sweetest man I’ve known in the comic book industry and who I would see from time to time in the store.

So, what to do, what to do. Pretty much in desperation, I called John Byrne, who had done the Fantastic Four cover. He whipped it out so quickly that it did not negatively affect the production schedule we had set with the printer. Say what you will about John Byrne, who apparently has been known to say some controversial things, but he saved my bacon -- twice. I will never say anything bad about John Byrne.

The other problem was a drawing that Raoul Vezina had done of Spider-Man upon which he had put on the lyrics of the Spider-Man cartoon show. Rather like this:

We had contacted the copyright holder, seeking their permission to use those lyrics, and waited. And waited. And waited. We were even willing to pay them a reasonable amount of money for the rights. But ultimately, their response at the 11th hour was that we couldn't use the lyrics at all. Ultimately, Raoul changed the words so it merely said "Spider-Man, Spider-Man, Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man," which we believed to be a copyright fair-use solution.

After having dealt with Marvel, sometimes with some great difficulty, FantaCo decided to go in a different direction with the series. We put out the Chronicles Annual, an overly broad history of what else was being published at the time, which Mitch and I edited. Then we decided to look to the "independent publishers" and put out Chronicles based on their characters. The first one we were going to do was the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers Chronicles, which Mitch was going to edit. It was announced in our monthly newsletter, Fantaco Nooz, and Mitch reminded me that we even had a Gilbert Shelton cover, which looked a lot like this, obviously later used instead for a Freak Brothers anthology: But for reasons that now escape me, that book never saw the light of day. After that, I was supposed to edit the Kitchen Sink Chronicles, and there was even passing conversation about getting a Will Eisner cover. That too never got off the ground.

Well, *I* forgot the reason those magazines didn't come out. Fortunately, an THE authority on FantaCo publications remembered. That would be Tom Skulan, founder/owner/big kahuna of FantaCo, who I've been in touch with for only a couple weeks after a nine- or ten-year hiatus. He noted that the Freak Brothers was never done because FantaCo did not receive enough material for a full issue; I guess some potential contributors were, like, too laid back. The Kitchen Sink Chronicles was never done because the initial feedback FantaCo got about it indicated that, unfortunately, it would be a very small print run, which broke my heart. Thus, as a magazine series, the Chronicles came to a bittersweet end, though one much later FantaCo BOOK was always thought of as a continuation of the series.

ROG

The Omnivore's Hundred

ADD writes:

Andrew Wheeler posted this challenge on the Very Good Taste blog...here are the rules:

1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten. (I've opted to italicize; my blog, my rules.)
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4) Optional extra: Post a comment at www.verygoodtaste.co.uk linking to your results.

Alan's American Variant: I asterisked (*) any items that are unknown to me. Most of the starred items, I have heard of, but I don't know what they are. Pathetic, I know.

(Oh, Johnny B. hates tomatoes, it seems.)

The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:
1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho*
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi*
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses*
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes - specifically apple
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper*
27. Dulce de leche*
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda*
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl (I've had each, but not together; would certainly eat it if offered)
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly*
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects
43. Phaal*
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu*
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi*
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle*
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine*
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin*
64. Currywurst*
65. Durian*
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost*
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu*
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong*
80. Bellini*
81. Tom yum*
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate*
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa*
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano*
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake

I should note that I didn't cross off anything, because I'd try it in theory. Faced with a whole insect, who knows?
Also, many of the thinks I checked on the list, I tried only once, and didn't particularly enjoy.

ROG

The Lydster, Part 53: Room of Many Colors

Lydia is susceptible to allergies, not just peanuts, but also including dust mites. So it is incumbent upon us to scrub her walls thoroughly periodically. Last year, during the process, Carol and her father painted Lydia’s room a peach color that Lydia didn’t like for reasons of design that were lost on me. So this year, when she was asked what colors she would like on her walls, Lydia told them, and Carol and her father complied. The room is now pink. And blue. And purple. And yellow. And green. With a floor that’s a color called Rose Balcony. And now Lydia is very happy with a room that she can call her own. They also painted a white chair pink to match her bedding. Joseph, the 11th son of Israel, would be pleased.
***
Other sources of allergies, which I share with her, are grasses and ragweed, which we monitor. Saturday, while I was cutting the grass, Lydia came outside to pick some wildflowers. That afternoon, she had shortness of breath, and that night she coughed for three hours; cough medicine is of no use, but the drugs in the nebulizer eventually did the trick.
***
I don't often say things like, "Boy, is my girl smart!" OK, maybe I do. But it seemed like only a few weeks ago, she insisted that twenty-nine was followed by twenty-ten, my insistence to the contrary notwithstanding. But now she can count to one hundred and beyond. Shades of Toy Story.


Picture #1 courtesy, of Earthworld Comics, May 2008.
Picture #2 courtesy of Uthaclena, August 2008.

ROG