2014 was dominated by changes in my personal life, specifically, the ongoing drama of Kris' dumping me and urging me to abandon my home. We have reached an accommodation, and it remains to be seen how stable that is, but I am hopeful.
Professionally I am very pleased to have won my first (and so far only) case before the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. For 2015 I intend to seek another client and win another case.
However, my professional endeavors acquired a new focus with Veterans and Friends of Puget Sound. I had been reluctant to assume the directorship of the organization, until I realized that I was merely being shy. The mission needs someone to step up and there's no reason why I can't do it. The first step is to convene an annual meeting in January and have the Board agree to a plan encompassing the things we've been doing anyway plus those we plan to do. As Roberto Zamora said, in the beginning he didn't know what he was doing but it had to be done so he went ahead. That's what I want to do.
This evening I am deliberately going out and socializing, because I want to. Highland Park Improvement Club should be a good venue. I'll be back in 2015!
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Federal Reserve Proposes New Holiday: Bankermas !
(HUMOR ALERT!)
Last year, nearly one penny out of every dollar spent in the United States of America went for salaries and bonuses at Wall Street firms, prompting demands for a new federal holiday: Bankermas!
"Many holidays, such as Christmas or Thanksgiving, include gestures of helping the less fortunate," explained one banker. "But are these really significant? America's 1,085,000 federal minimum wage workers, all together, made $26 billion in 2013. That same year, America's 165,200 investment bankers awarded ourselves $127 billion in total compensation (salary and bonuses). That makes us more than five times as important as the working poor; our paychecks are nearly one percent of the $16 Trillion GDP! (technically: 0.75%). We deserve a celebration: Bankermas!"
Pundits cheered this accomplishment, "Every time you buy a 99 cent hamburger, what happens to that other penny?" one asked. "Don't worry, it's not lost; one way or another, it ends up safely in the pocket of a Wall Street banker! If you spend $100 on groceries, 75 cents of of that goes to the people who helped collapse the economy. If you spend $10,000 on a used car, $75 that goes to Wall Street - almost enough for a champagne lunch or half an hour with one of their hookers."
On television, a blonde in a short skirt explained, "George Washington gets a holiday for something he did over two hundred years ago. Why shouldn't Wall Street bankers get a holiday for something they're doing right now?"
Congress is expected to act quickly on the proposal. "There's an election every other November," said one campaign manager, "And we all know that a happy Wall Street banker is a generous Wall Street Banker!"
---
(see: http://fortune.com/2013/08/28/wall-street-bonuses-to-top-2009/ )
Last year, nearly one penny out of every dollar spent in the United States of America went for salaries and bonuses at Wall Street firms, prompting demands for a new federal holiday: Bankermas!
"Many holidays, such as Christmas or Thanksgiving, include gestures of helping the less fortunate," explained one banker. "But are these really significant? America's 1,085,000 federal minimum wage workers, all together, made $26 billion in 2013. That same year, America's 165,200 investment bankers awarded ourselves $127 billion in total compensation (salary and bonuses). That makes us more than five times as important as the working poor; our paychecks are nearly one percent of the $16 Trillion GDP! (technically: 0.75%). We deserve a celebration: Bankermas!"
Pundits cheered this accomplishment, "Every time you buy a 99 cent hamburger, what happens to that other penny?" one asked. "Don't worry, it's not lost; one way or another, it ends up safely in the pocket of a Wall Street banker! If you spend $100 on groceries, 75 cents of of that goes to the people who helped collapse the economy. If you spend $10,000 on a used car, $75 that goes to Wall Street - almost enough for a champagne lunch or half an hour with one of their hookers."
On television, a blonde in a short skirt explained, "George Washington gets a holiday for something he did over two hundred years ago. Why shouldn't Wall Street bankers get a holiday for something they're doing right now?"
Congress is expected to act quickly on the proposal. "There's an election every other November," said one campaign manager, "And we all know that a happy Wall Street banker is a generous Wall Street Banker!"
---
(see: http://fortune.com/2013/08/28/wall-street-bonuses-to-top-2009/ )
Saturday, December 27, 2014
The Littlest Christmas Tree: A Study Of Celery
And meanwhile, it has been my Christmas Tree!
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Merry Christmas and a Visit to the VA Hospital
 |
| New Computer at CLC Donated by DAV 23 |
After a leisurely coffee and working a puzzle in the paper, I loaded a carton of books into the car and set out for the VA Hospital. It just felt like an appropriate thing to do, to restock books on a holiday and perhaps greet shut-ins.
Parking was plentiful, but the South Entrance didn't let me get far. A sign said for security reasons to go use the entrance near the ER. This was enough of a walk that I was glad I had brought only one box.
I had intended to go to the PCC on the 2nd floor, since I'd noticed a small play table for children there, and had children's books to drop off. However, the elevator didn't go there - most likely that was shut down for the holiday as well - so I simply stocked the adult books at the cart near the CLC, and was thanked by a visitor.
I then went to the CLC and was happy to see that one of the computers was installed. They used sturdy metal computer desks and secured the unit with a cable. I tinkered with it - of course it was Windows 8, which I find clumsy - but I was able to get to the DAV website and VAFpugetsound.blogspot.com easily. I took a picture to show the DAV chapter that their donation was in use.
Home again, I gardened a bit, mostly moving some of the Red Hot Poker plants that were too close too the sidewalk. The way they reproduced, I'm about ready to offer extras to friends and neighbors (and indeed, yesterday I stuck one inside the fence at Don's house - a harmless prank that may beautiful the area - we'll see.)
I saw the new neighbors were moving into Brian's house, but otherwise didn't see many people in person. This was a quiet holiday, which is not a bad thing, and I am happy to have gotten some things done.
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
The War On Christmas Started In 1942 With Happy Holidays!
Hollywood launched the musical "Holiday Inn" setting Christmas as just another day on the calendar with the Bing Crosby repeatedly saying, not "Merry Christmas", but "Happy Holidays!"
Look at the lyrics and revel in their depravity:
"Happy holidays, happy holidaysThere is no mention of Christ, no mention of God or salvation; indeed, the use of the plural shows that Christmas is being lumped together with whatever other holidays the "calendar keeps bringing"!
While the merry bells keep ringing
May your every wish come true
Happy holiday, happy holiday
May the calendar keep bringing
Happy holidays to you."
but wait! the music changes to an ominously sporty jingle ...
"If you're burdened down with troubleThis is just a motel ad! The reason for the season is just to go for a drive and spend some money. Well, at least that is in the proper capitalist spirit, but what comes next?
If your nerves are wearin' thin
Park your load down the road
And come to Holiday Inn
If the traffic noise affects you
Like a squeaky violin
Kick your cares down the stairs
Come to Holiday Inn."
"If you can't find somebodyOMG! Christmas is for hooking up!?!?!
Who will set your heart a-whirl
Get in your car and motor to
The home of boy meets girl
If you're laid-up with a breakdown
Throw away your vitamins
Don't get worse, grab your nurse
And come to Holiday Inn."
This would be completely scandalous, except the lyrics explicitly promote heteronormative sexuality. The good news in all this is that the War On Christmas may have started with debauchery, but at least it was straight debauchery!
Monday, December 22, 2014
Monday: Not A Car Accident
Today I was driving in downtown Bellevue when I saw an odd thing: at the intersection of 4th and 104th, two cars were stopped and the drivers were standing outside them talking. At first I thought it was just a fender bender, with the drivers exchanging insurance information, but they seemed quite angry and almost ready to hit each other. They were in the inner lane of the road, blocking the use of that lane; I could have gone around them but I stopped and observed. It looked like a fight was about to break out so I called 911 - at the very least, there had been an accident. I read the license plate of the nearer car and a brief description - I could tell it was an Audi from the four circles design. The car in front was a green taxi; its driver was black and the Audi driver was white.
I saw the two men still shouting but I don't have a positive memory of either one of them taking a punch - they might have shoved each other but I didn't see it. I tried to get a photo but didn't want to mess up the 911 call either.
Then the driver of the car in the back got in his car and drove off, north. The other driver was quite angry and pulled over to talk with some construction workers in yellow vests, on the north west corner of the intersection. I pulled in front of him, still on 911, and suggested to the operator that I get the remaining driver on the phone. I gave my phone to that driver and he started talking.
Soon a motorcycle cop came up, asked if anyone was injured, and when we said no, asked us to pull into the parking lot across the street. He held up traffic while we did so.
He started questioning the driver as I waited, and it was a minute or two before I realized that he thought I was the other driver in the altercation; when he realized I was just a witness, he was about to let me go when the subject came up of the driver's cellphone, which he said the other guy had taken. I had seen the other driver holding a cell phone up and away from the other guy, and just assumed he was video'ing the whole thing, but now the taxi driver was saying it was stolen. The cope said I should wait and he'd get a statement.
Eventually another policeman drove up; the motorcycle cop was on traffic duty, not crime investigation, so he drove off. It was interesting to listen to the cop ask questions; the driver was quite angry and did not know how to give his story in a calm and straightforward way. I don't know whether he was making things up about the other guy throwing him down, or whether he was misunderstanding the questions - either way, it seemed a complicated process. My story was much simpler, since I hadn't seen any actual punching (although it might have happened) and I didn't have any photos; fortunately I gave the license number over the phone so I didn't have to remember.
In retrospect, I could have drive by and done nothing, but the situation didn't look right, and I'm glad I stopped. It was not a car accident, as I had feared, but something in its way even stranger.
I saw the two men still shouting but I don't have a positive memory of either one of them taking a punch - they might have shoved each other but I didn't see it. I tried to get a photo but didn't want to mess up the 911 call either.
Then the driver of the car in the back got in his car and drove off, north. The other driver was quite angry and pulled over to talk with some construction workers in yellow vests, on the north west corner of the intersection. I pulled in front of him, still on 911, and suggested to the operator that I get the remaining driver on the phone. I gave my phone to that driver and he started talking.
Soon a motorcycle cop came up, asked if anyone was injured, and when we said no, asked us to pull into the parking lot across the street. He held up traffic while we did so.
He started questioning the driver as I waited, and it was a minute or two before I realized that he thought I was the other driver in the altercation; when he realized I was just a witness, he was about to let me go when the subject came up of the driver's cellphone, which he said the other guy had taken. I had seen the other driver holding a cell phone up and away from the other guy, and just assumed he was video'ing the whole thing, but now the taxi driver was saying it was stolen. The cope said I should wait and he'd get a statement.
Eventually another policeman drove up; the motorcycle cop was on traffic duty, not crime investigation, so he drove off. It was interesting to listen to the cop ask questions; the driver was quite angry and did not know how to give his story in a calm and straightforward way. I don't know whether he was making things up about the other guy throwing him down, or whether he was misunderstanding the questions - either way, it seemed a complicated process. My story was much simpler, since I hadn't seen any actual punching (although it might have happened) and I didn't have any photos; fortunately I gave the license number over the phone so I didn't have to remember.
In retrospect, I could have drive by and done nothing, but the situation didn't look right, and I'm glad I stopped. It was not a car accident, as I had feared, but something in its way even stranger.
On Demand Web #MCLE - 4freeCLE - December 21, 2014
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Early Morning At The Barre
Saturday mornings I have been taking a "Barre Basics" class at the Y. This is a deceptively simple-looking class in exercising barefoot, often with feet extended so I'm standing on the balls of my feet - or even the ball of one foot. It must be good for me, based on how rapidly I burst into sweat and my need to take it easy to heal. It's not fun the same way that zoomba is, but it certainly is an efficient use of time, and its exercises are things I can do on my own, without equipment, during slack time. I feel the need to exercise most every day, since I am aging every day and need to keep the body tuned-up.
After this class I picked up Cyril and we went to the DAV 23 meeting. It was sparesely attended, perhaps due to the holidays, but it was good catching up on the news and saying hello to all.
Last night Kris and I met at Zeek's Pizza; we agreed it was a good public place for discussion, since it didn't have any emotional associations and the food is good. We had a good time talking things over, perhaps too good because we didn't get to the difficult stuff Kris wanted to talk about. Therefore she brought it up once we got home, and it was rather fraught, but we got through the discussion and ended up calmly not really having an agreement except to remain calm for the next while, and gather more facts; we really can't make decisions about the house until we have a valuation. On other matters, we don't seem to have much to disagree about; I'm not happy about the way things went but in retrospect they seemed inevitable considering the people involved. We are still pretty good friends, and while that sounds like a cliche it is also a fact. I have faith that it can all be worked out in a fiscally sound way, although mine is a minority opinion it seems.
Thinking things over, I have to accept responsibility for not understanding the cryptic messages Kris was sending me over the years. I do feel that she should have been more straightforward, rather than dropping hints, but she is as she is and once I figured out that she talks in a certain way, I could have usefully pondered her saying like a Kremlinologist studying who stood on Lenin's tomb. Had I realized that the money issues were such a big deal, and her encouraging me to pursue public service was directly opposite of what she wanted, I could have changed to accommodate, but I just did not understand her, and I could have put more effort into decryption.
After this class I picked up Cyril and we went to the DAV 23 meeting. It was sparesely attended, perhaps due to the holidays, but it was good catching up on the news and saying hello to all.
Last night Kris and I met at Zeek's Pizza; we agreed it was a good public place for discussion, since it didn't have any emotional associations and the food is good. We had a good time talking things over, perhaps too good because we didn't get to the difficult stuff Kris wanted to talk about. Therefore she brought it up once we got home, and it was rather fraught, but we got through the discussion and ended up calmly not really having an agreement except to remain calm for the next while, and gather more facts; we really can't make decisions about the house until we have a valuation. On other matters, we don't seem to have much to disagree about; I'm not happy about the way things went but in retrospect they seemed inevitable considering the people involved. We are still pretty good friends, and while that sounds like a cliche it is also a fact. I have faith that it can all be worked out in a fiscally sound way, although mine is a minority opinion it seems.
Thinking things over, I have to accept responsibility for not understanding the cryptic messages Kris was sending me over the years. I do feel that she should have been more straightforward, rather than dropping hints, but she is as she is and once I figured out that she talks in a certain way, I could have usefully pondered her saying like a Kremlinologist studying who stood on Lenin's tomb. Had I realized that the money issues were such a big deal, and her encouraging me to pursue public service was directly opposite of what she wanted, I could have changed to accommodate, but I just did not understand her, and I could have put more effort into decryption.
Friday, December 19, 2014
Friday: Four Foods
 |
| Food Or Not Food? |
The milkshake evoked the memory of taste, with a thickness that recalled cream and a sweetness that recalled flavor. When I match it up against an orange, the orange wins totally. The sweet had a more complete flavor, and I can feel my body reacting with approval.
My housemate buys Atkins bars to provide nourishment without bad stuff. This morning for breakfast I microwaved a sweet potato, which also provides nourishment without bad stuff: also without packaging, and without unneeded expense. The bar was 1 or 2 dollars, the sweet potato was a quarter or maybe 50 cents. From the standpoint of economy, environmental responsibility, and taste, there is simply no competition between these food items!
This month I am transitioning to a diet of no processed foods, or at least minimal processed foods - I'm not a fanatic and don't mind the occasional sin. As I make the transition, I am noticing that I am saving money and getting better taste. I know, people have told me this before, but there is nothing like having the actual experience!
The only real advantage processed food has is convenience. I bought the fast food because I had not packed a lunch beyond two oranges. The solution is to be organized. It's easier to actually do the organizing if I think of it as an investment: if I save $50 in fast food by putting in one hour on Sunday, that's effectively $50 an hour!
Sunday, December 14, 2014
4freeCLE: Free Continuing Legal Education! December 14, 2014
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)