Grandparent's Day

The Friday before Thanksgiving was Grandparent's Day at Shoham's school. and Sabbas Joel and Tim made the dedicated trip to Albany to see Shoham in class, and to see her Moms and sister Advah. We don't get enough visits in, so it's always good fun. We also took them Hanukkah gifts. Advah got a doll and Shoham had made a list of books she wanted from her school's Book Fair. Then it was a stop at the frozen yogurt shop before the trip home.

Here are my sweeties.

And my honey.

My Amazon Reviews: Kings Of Leon "Mechanical Bull"

Ride it or Buck it.
4 Out Of 5 Stars

Having been a fan of Kings of Leon since "Youth and Young Manhood," it's been interesting to watch how they've changed and matured as each album comes along. "Mechanical Bull" is their slickest yet. Cleanly produced, vocals upfront, heck, even strings (on "Comeback Story"). It's also the Kings' most blatantly commercial album, even more so than "Come Around Sundown." If you found that album to be too much for you, you're not going to like "Mechanical Bull."

However, I do. It's OK for a band to progress beyond their roots. With all the infighting going on after "Sundown," I'm surprised we have an album at all. But, as they say, blood is thicker than water, and when Caleb Fallowill sings he'd "take one in the temple for you" (on "Temple"), he could easily be talking about the relationship he's got with his fellow bandmates. They're back to bringing out the best in each other, including some very tasty guitar on "Coming Back Again" from Matthew Followill, who is in top form throughout "Mechanical Bull." Be it the arena sized soloing ("Rock City") or even just using it for subtle coloration ("Beautiful War"), he's become a force to be reckoned with.

"Mechanical Bull" revels in that diversity. Between the aforementioned strings, the pedal steel on "On The Chin," and the album's leaner feel, Kings of Leon are finding their way to greener pastures. And that's no Bull.

     

Vacation to Florida Sunshine

After all the work Joel and I did in the aftermath of his father's passing, we made a decision to take a break for a week. Thanks to a week in a time share courtesy of one of my Aunts and AAA, we settled on Orlando and Disneyworld, with a side trip to Universal Studios.

The weather was very cooperative, with highs in the mid-70's and not to chilly at night. I was able to take my fill of roller coasters (Joel doesn't like thrill rides), with the exception of the Harry Potter rides at Universal. Seems they have size restrictions on these rides and I have a bit too much in the waist to fit the chairs. But the Aerosmith Rock and Roller Coaster (Disney) was a wild trip (one of the indoor - in the dark rides that really whips you around), and the Incredible Hulk (Universal) with some wild corkscrews and open air loopers.

I was also seriously impressed by the new 3-D technology. The Disney feature "Mickey's PhilharMagic" and Universal's Amazing Spiderman ride put the images right in front of you, along with effects like waterspray and heat blasts to add to the experience. Along with the new animatronics (the Aerosmith Coaster had the full band performing a skit before you boarded the cars) made the fantasy all the more realistic. It was a week to make my feet ache and give us many smiles. It was a real bummer to have to come back to snow and sub-freezing temperatures!

More pictures and amusing stuff here.

Joel's Father Syd gives ua a scare

Hello all,

 

We're back in PA after a few really scary days. We almost lost Syd this week. He was admitted to the hospital Monday with problems breathing and was diagnosed with pneumonia. Then he had heart, respiratory and kidney failure and had to be put in an intermediate care unit with a BiPap machine (a full face oxygen mask that looks like something from a space project). 

 

When we got called on Wednesday, it was the Doctor basically saying 'get here now.' We drove down as quickly as possible and began camping out in Syd's apartment. Fortunately for all involved, it's just a few blocks from the hospital so getting over to see him was easy. Syd looked awful and it was tough for the two of us to see him that way. He was aware of us there, but couldn't do much.

 

The next day, we were able to communicate with pad and paper. He was telling us stuff he wanted us to get, which included things he wanted for the apartment, which we took as a good sign. If he wanted things for his place, it meant he still thought he was going to go home. However, the doctor also met with us and gave us the big "quality of life/end of life" talk, which shook us all up.

 

It must have really done a number on Syd, because the next day he was breathing well enough to get the Dr's to remove the BiPap mask and place him on a regular nose/nostril feed for his oxygen. By Friday afternoon, he was talking again and no longer needed the notepad. He was also doing well enough to want to watch the baseball playoffs Friday night.

 

On Saturday, the younger granddaughter (Miriam) took the train from Philadelphia and spent the day with us. The Doctor told us that his kidneys were improving their function due to medications, and were no longer the greatest problem Syd was facing. He was VERY happy to see Miriam, and also pleased that he could still watch baseball. His lady friend, Nan, was there on and off, and she has been a big help. 

 

However, Syd still tires very quickly. We were limited in visits to about 90 minutes/ two hours before he would become too worn out and we'd leave for lunch/dinner/errands. The Doctors seem to think that his next step will be a rehab center and then, maybe, he'll be back in his apartment after a few weeks. Given where he was Wednesday night, this is a serious turnaround. We drove back late in the evening with Miriam after spending a little more time with Syd and being kicked out of the hospital because of the hour (and a test they needed to run on a patient in the next bed). 

 

Thanks for all your thoughts and well wishes.

The 2012 CLAW Author's Forum

CLAW weekend was a total delight, but the highlight for me was being moderator to the Author's Panel. I nick-named it the "Black Leather Bookshelf" in the shameless plug division, at the same time, the panelists were like a who's who. The order was me at the end of the table, with Guy Baldwin, Gloria Brame, Jack Rinella and Race Bannon seated along with me.

Gloria I had never met before, and she promptly became a thrill to be with. She was funny, flirty and very smart, and her antics with Guy were all but show stealers. We all read from our works, and then took questions. The audience eagerly participated, filling almost 90 minutes as we each took turns responding. Guy was his usual irascible self, adding to the entertainment value.

I feel so damn lucky to have been a part of this. Joel took the pics, and there are more through the link.

Goodbye Sophie Cat: A Tribute.

We had to let Sophie Go today. The cancer finally got her. I'm devastated and heartbroken.

Passings: Mel Tabbert

My friend and former co-worker Mel Tabbert passed away in his sleep early Wednesday in his sleep after a long period in a nursing home. He was 68, and we'd been friends since I started working in the customer service department of TLA.

But during that time, he was having serious health issues. In the summer 2007 I had to go through some major stress a few weeks with him. I'd been doing Home Health care for him since the previous summer, when he was essentially a shut in. Mel got a Sheriff's Notice on his apartment door on a Weds statting that he had till Monday to be out of his place or he'd be forcibly removed. His apartment was basically a bedroom in an old building that is right near city hall, since renovated into condos. His itty-bity room had an asking price of over 100,000. He'd gotten behind on his rent, couldn't work, couldn't even leave the room (he had been outside once since the previous August) and needed serious help. Of course, he was in a total panic.

With the help I've been giving him since '06, connections at the Pennsylvania Council On Aging got him an emergency bed at a Nursing Home. We had to call them and insist that Mel's paperwork get fast tracked or he'd be on the street. I assisted him with his move that Monday morning. But he was still under a great deal of stress. I’d been taking suitcases of what few possessions he has left out over the weekend and giving him a shoulder to cry on...there were a lot of tears and hand holding. He was very frightened and rang my cell phone several times a day.

He needed 24 Hour professional care (something I am just not qualified for) and a good bed, which the nursing home provided. I signed him onto my cell-phone program to give him a lifeline to the outside world. I would visit every couple of weeks or so, take him movies (I got his a cheap DVD player) and snacks. Since he could not leave his room without assistance, I often had to play patient advocate for him. (He had only one sister; she is disabled and lives in MN.)

Last week he was having problems breathing and was taken to a hospital where they did a "stuffing" for a sinus issue. When he came back to the hospital Thursday, I dropped in and brought him some throat lozenges. we had a good talk, I showed him some of the latest pictures of the grand-girls and Sophie Cat, and as I was leaving he told me I was his guardian angel. I gave him a hug and told him "I love ya, buddy," like I usually did.

He did not wake up Wednesday. He "coded" in his bed and the staff called 911 while performing CPR. While Mel was still taken to the University of Penn via ambulance, he never revived. He was declared at the UoP emergency room. He was 68, which just seems too young these days, but more than anything else, he's no longer suffering. The nursing home let me gather his things, but there wasn't much. What I took were mostly things I'd taken to him over the years, some Military certificates (he was in the Navy during Vietnam) and a few wall posters he'd had. The staff was used to seeing me and told me they all liked Mel for being funny and generous, and we all shared a few cries. I have his Santa on my desk. I'm going to need some memories.

Palm Springs Leather Weekend.

Joel and I used some airline miles and an invite from our friend Peter Fiske to attend Palm Springs Leather Weekend. It was nice to get out of the house for a change and try to alleviate the fact that my depression has reached an almost crushing level of despair, along with my computer networking class being far and away harder than I ever imagined it to be.

Luckily, there are only two of us in the course and that allows the prof to answer all of my annoying questions. I fear I may not be able to catch up to the level of technology the course involves.

However, let's share some of the pictures.

My friend Alex Ironrod opened the weekend by reading from his new novel "Leather Nights" (a murder mystery) at Gear. I was pleasantly surprised by the turnout for him. I should add that I wrote his back-cover blurb.

My friend Bryce, whom I had not seen for a few years. This was in the party behind the Tool Shed where I'd set up a book table.

Mikal Bales (aka Daddy Zeus of Zeus Studios) took the time to come over to The Barracks on Saturday to say hello. He may be one of the men in California that I've missed the most since moving away. His new beau, Mick, is very sweet.

The gentleman here, Marshall, was a close friend of my late master, Gary Taylor. We had not seen each other since 1999. We had a long and somewhat emotional talk while he visited.

The notorious Gagbear and George (WetInSF) visited. It was nice to finally meet Jim after years of chat.

In what I can only say was the oddest moment of the weekend, singer Gregory Gray walked up to my table and said - in a thick Irish accent - "You don't even remember who I am, do ya?"

He was right, I didn't.  I interviewed Gregory over the phone in 1994 for Frontiers Magazine when his album "Euroflake In Silverlake" was released. When he played a show at the Virgin Megastore, I picked him up and we went to The Faultline for a wild night. He picked up a date and returned to his hotel after a few hours, and I'd not seen him since. That he remembered me and decided to hang out again was delightful and fun. Turns out he's a PS regular now and we have several mutual friends.

Of course, it wouldn't be a hot weekend if there weren't plenty of good looking men running about. (Hi Nipper!) That is, until The Barracks got busted for overcrowding (and yes, the place was mobbed), and the cops cleared everyone out. My first ever bar raid! Ah, well.

Then it was on-board the big old jet airliner for the trip home, for which we had enough miles to get first class seats. I never realized how comfortable flying could be before this. It made the end of the weekend easier to deal with. We arrived home to one very happy kitty. Now it's back to studies.

I am going to make a great effort to write more posts and reviews, if only to force my brain to write things.

Joel's Father Syd turns 90. My video tribute.

The Inhabitants of my Mom's backyard.

While the Red Sox were beating the Phillies…

Sophie takes a nap.

International Gay Rodeo Association: It Gets Better

Graduation Day: Miriam Gets her Masters

Joel's Youngest daughter received her Master's Degree from Penn on Sunday. She was the highest GPA in her class and was chosen as one of three students to speak at the ceremonies.

This also meant visits from the rest of the Manon family and - best of all - the grandkids!
More pictures can be seen Here.

The Weekend: Spanky's Viewing, Dinner, and a Street Fair

A mixture of sadness and friends. I got up early enough on Saturday to drive to Asbury Park and attend the viewing and services for Spanky. There were many people there, some from a great distance. Spanky was the real definition, to me, of a hero. Someone who did good works without waving flags or whoring for attention; just getting his hands into the dirt and making things happen. The number of people visiting was testament to just how hard he worked and just how much he was loved.

That evening, a friend of ours had invited us for dinner. A tasty Italian dish!! And his home is so neat and orderly that Joel was inspired enough to clean the kitchen...table. It's a start, at least. Joel is a bit of a hoarder.

Sunday we decided to wander a local street fair during the afternoon, in the neighboring town of Media. There were a lot of art/crafts vendors and flea market style stuff. We decided to buy an autographed Phillies shot from a Sports Vendor, which now hangs in the living room. It was a lovely day to walk the streets and view the people. I wish I'd taken my camera for the multiple woof opportunities.

Instead, here's a picture someone took of me and Joel in Boston last weekend at the Bat Mitzvah.

Visiting The Grandkids!

More pics through this Linky..

New Year's Traditional Dinner! Pork and Sauerkraut

Two Years of my life in Pictures

The Holidays

The holdays were good to us, here in Springfield. Joel and I exchanged gifts (A gave him a framed Van Gogh print from our trip to Amsterdam 2 summers ago, he got me a lovely new computer monitor) and we had a big turkey. With a lot of leftovers. We took in Tron Legacy, which we both enjoyed. It is a huge homage to a batch of other classic films, and I loved seeing the "Black Hole" poster.

On Christmas Day, we had made plans to visit my family the next Sunday. Then the weather forecasts began to get increasingly nasty, and at 5 I called my Mother and said "We're coming, now..." I loaded Joel and the gift bags into the car and took off down the PA Turnpike at a relatively illegal rate of speed. We had an excellant visit with Mom, two of my Aunts, my neice and her boyfriend and one of my cousins. The gifts were largely ceremonial and non-serious, but the Charlie Brown Shirt was my favorite by a wide berth. There were also a huge amount of cookies to be had, even if only for a few hours. Oh yes, my Aunt Deb gave me the Keith Richards book, which I can't wait to dig into!
 
The warned of storm did arrive Sunday as forecast. I was supposed to be at work on Sunday at 11:30 PM and was concerned as to how this was going to occur. My final decision was to get some overtime and leave before the worst of the snow was to arrive. When I checked the Company Hotline at 6pm, the message was that all shifts would still be working. The drive was made very deliberately, and when I at last pulled into the parking lot, my cell phone rang. It was my supervisor, calling to let me know that shifts were cancelled.

Little Blue Mercury was turned around and back home I came. In the morning, there was about 8 inches of snow in the yard, which took me about 90 minutes to dispatch with blower and shovel. The wind is extreme right now, so getting to work will likely again be a painstaking episode. However, this minor weather issue did not keep me and Joel from having a good Christmas. I hope everyone else enjoyed themselves, as well.

Fighting Homophobia

Originally posted by  at Spirit Day

 

On October 20th, 2010, we will wear purple in honor of the 6 gay boys who committed suicide in recent weeks/months due to homophobic abuse in their homes at at their schools. Purple represents Spirit on the LGBTQ flag and that’s exactly what we’d like all of you to have with you: spirit. Please know that times will get better and that you will meet people who will love you and respect you for who you are, no matter your sexuality. Please wear purple on October 20th. Tell your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors and schools. RIP Tyler Clementi, Seth Walsh (top) RIP Justin Aaberg, Raymond Chase (middle) RIP Asher Brown and Billy Lucas. (bottom) REBLOG to spread a message of love, unity and peace.

Keeping America Stupid: Military Republican Division

NYT Morning Headline: Move to End 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Stalls in Senate

Because it seems that, according to Rebublicans, the only thing more of a threat to our nation than Islamic Jihadi Terrorists are openly gay US servicemen.