Dogfight

We’ve now had our first taste of the contest between Senators Obama and McCain and I still know for whom I voting.  I could not believe that in the 90 minute debate McCain not once looked at Obama.  His eyes were constantly moving, but he never addressed Obama or looked at him.  I could see the frustration on Obama’s face every time he made a point and tried to include McCain in the conversation.  McCain spoke far too long on his accomplishments and how well versed he is in everything.  I am so glad that Obama kept his cool when McCain raked him over the coals and made some very cutting remarks.  I don’t know if I could have held up under the pressure that McCain applied.

 

Some said the debate was an even match and not once did anyone remark about McCain’s lack of looking at anyone other than Jim Lehrer, the commentator.  To me, it was not an even contest and I eagerly await the vice presidential debate next week to see what Palin pulls out of her hat.  That’s right, she doesn’t wear a hat!!

 

Anyway, you can tell for whom I’m voting and I don’t think I’ll be disappointed by my vote.  Change is coming and let’s see what it brings.

Headed east

Yup.  I can’t believe it, but I’m headed east today out of this rural town to the “big” city to do some shopping.  I have $43 in my pocket and am wondering just exactly what I can buy.  Silly of me to want to spend some money with all the debts I have,, but I deserve a break from the routine and this binge will do it for me.  I’ll probably stop and shop at Big Lots since things are so cheap there.  I need a new flash drive so maybe there’s one that’s in my price range and I’ll buy it…..

 

It’s sad not to have the money, but I should count the blessings I already have.  The cat doesn’t need anything and George doesn’t really, either.  But I know me and how I go crazy when I go shopping.  Sometimes I can’t stop myself.  Ever been that way?

 

Cousin Phyllis is going along on this trip and it’ll be good for her to be out of bed and on the move.  Since she spends each day in bed, this will “really” be a change for her and one that I hope she enjoys.  It’ll be nice to have her company, too.

 

Happy shopping!

In between assignments

I’ve finished 14 reviews for Pop Syndicate (http://www.popsyndicate.com) and have sent them to my editor for approval or notice that some need more work.  7 have been returned and I’ve posted them.  I’m still waiting for the other 7 to come back.  I’ve already ordered another 14 CDs to review and am waiting for them to arrive in the mail; they’re sent by Media Mail so that’s like a slow boat to China.  Once I receive a batch of CDs, I scan the cover and size it for use, then listen to the music.  I’ll listen to all 14 CDs and then go back and write my review.

 

I always look forward to receiving the CDs because I haven’t been working on my novel and listening to the CDs gives me something to do with my day beside sit staring at the computer screen.  It gets very boring waiting for the CDs to arrive.  If I made myself do it, I could work on my novel.  I’m kind of at a crossroads, though, and don’t know where my novel is headed at this point.  In other words, I’m stuck.  I’ve written over 180 reviews since last April and enjoy the writing experience.  I should say the same thing about my novel, but that takes extreme concentration and there are time when I can’t focus on the characters long enough to start writing.

 

I’m sure things will work out as I wade through all the words circling around through my head.

Rushed

I’ve been rather busy these last several days.  There is nothing like going out to use your truck and find the driver’s window broken out, your stereo system stolen, and a $1,000 rifle gone (They left the case and the rock to break the window.).  They even broke the driver’s side mirror.  I found out quickly that you are NOT supposed to drive a vehicle if you don’t have a side mirror (The police stopped me several time on the way to the junk yards.).  I was very angry about the gun because of the cost and learned from the car insurance agent that since the gun was not attached to the truck, they would not cover it.  I’m checking to see if my homeowner’s will cover the loss…..

 

So, I feel rushed.  I’ve had to get a rental vehicle and that meant an extra drive I had not counted on making.  Plus, I’m trying to finish up 14 reviews for Pop Syndicate (http://www.popsyndicate.com) in a timely manner and this has gotten in the way.

 

Well, I guess I’ll just have to roll with the punches–as they say.  It could be a lot worse, like the truck being stolen….

 

Have a great day!

Unions

I have friends in New Jersey who were just joined together in a civil ceremony.  They’ve been together for 30 years and debated for a long time whether to go through a civil union.  I’ll call them Bill and William to keep their true identities safe.  Bill, the younger of the two, now wants a divorce.  In a conversation with him yesterday, he said that William is not pulling any weight in the household.  He lays around because he’s sick, won’t empty the sink of dirty dishes and put them in the washer, leaves dirty clothes for Bill to wash, and he sees other men.  Bill is very angry with William right now and I couldn’t give him any advice.

 

You would think after being together so long they would have settled all differences.  They haven’t.  Bill tried hard 10 years ago to do everything he could to appease William, i.e., doing all the wash, cleaning the house and many other things.  He did it thinking he would be rewarded with more love from William, but it never happened.  Instead, William played around with other men, didn’t offer to help with the wash or other household chores.  Of course, William works full time and puts in lots of overtime because of his job.  Bill, on the other hand, is disabled and stays at home.  He says there aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done on their two-story house that has a full basement.

 

I’m at a loss about giving advice.  It’s not that I don’t want to.  I’m afraid if I give advice and Bill follows through and things explode, I’ll be blamed.  I don’t want that.

Conventions

I’m glad the Democratic and Republican conventions are over.  I watched last night’s convention, hoping there would be something new from the Republican hopeful for president.  Senator McCain is not used to a teleprompter.  He may be good at town hall meetings where he is surrounded by “friends” while he speaks, but he was uncomfortable last night and it was very evident.  He is not a powerful speaker although he was able to make his points and promises if elected.

 

His speech ran 45 minutes or so and although I learned something about his time in Vietnam, he presented the information in a less than passionate way.  The commentators (CBS) thought his speech was more powerful and palatable than Governor Palin’s speech on Wednesday.  I disagree.  She was in control throughout her speech and had biting bytes about Democrats and Obama in particular.

 

I don’t want more of the same even though McCain showed evidence that he wants to “disconnect” himself from the current leadership.  He really didn’t put that much distance between him and Bush.  It’s still the same old thing and I grew tired of McCain’s speech about halfway through what he was saying.  There just wasn’t any fire in his approach.  At times I even shuddered when he floundered and had to repeat himself.  I felt sorry for him.

 

Enough said.  Guess you can tell I’m leaning more to the Democrat’s side.

Digs

Witty and with a dry sense of humor, Gov. Palin certainly gave it to the presidential nominee of the other party.  Her Democratic cuts were sincere and very much to the point.  I was reminded when the governor of Texas gave her speech at the Democratic convention and said, “Poor George.  He can’t help it.  He was born with a silver foot in his mouth.”

Each party is allowed to make digs at the other, but I don’t seem to recall that many digs by Senator Clinton or Barama and their convention.  Perhaps I’m wrong and only heard what I wanted to hear.  I think if I’d heard any disparraging remarks, I would have switched to HBO and watched a movie. 

Now you know for whom I’ll be voting!

Only Tuesday

I can’t believe it’s only Tuesday.  Where did Monday go?  This year–unlike all previous years–there was no celebration in the Thompson household.  My cousin’s husband usually barbecues pork steaks and I fix potato salad and jello.  We would have a salad or cole slaw.  But, this year was different.  My cousin’s husand had to work so any thought of a barbecue went down the drain.  He must’ve gotten home late or we could have had a celebration for the evening.  Not to be.

 

So what did I do all day?  Work on music reviews for Pop Syndicate.  Oh, I also worked about an hour on my novel.  That was a refreshing break from writing reviews.  I cannot believe I spend so much time on CDs every day.  I must be a glutton for punishment.  Although I’m retired, I spend a good 8 hours working on the computer.  Mandi satisfies herself with her toys or the scratching post while I work.  She lays at my feet while I work or looks out the windows for birds and squirrels.

 

I have a doctor’s appointment late this afternoon and Mandi hates it when I’m gone.  I’ll be gone a good three hours and she clings to me when I return.  I feel sorry for her although I’m sure after the first shock of my disappearance is over, she naps on the sofa or under a bed.