Florida Power and Light, the electric company down here, is giving all residents a target date of September 19 for a return of service. We are all hoping they are playing the same game they do at Disney. You walk up to an attraction and they tell you it will be a 45 minuet wait to get on the ride and when it only takes 20 you feel like you’re ahead of the game and have been given a great gift.

There is a rush you feel as you ride down the street and pass a convoy of power company trucks on their way to work on something. It was a unique sight last night as a small bunch of us were huddled around a laptop last night to watch a DVD of “Hellboy”. A generator buzzed away behind a shed as we sat in pitch darkness shoulder to shoulder trying to get the best view possible of the small screen. I missed my surround sound and 27” set so much right then.

I’ve been doing lots of reading over the past few days. There were a couple of books I picked up at a library sale a few months ago that I’ve never had the time to read. If I had the extra money I’d buy a few more to keep me busy. Charles Grodin is a very funny guy with a much more varied career than I had ever heard of before. I’d suggest anything written by him. I’m also reading “The Dark Side of Camelot” which seems to have been written by someone turned down by the Weekly World News. It understandable that the Kenendy family usually dismisses any book not sanctioned by them and they do sometime even do that to legitimate authors, but this one is such a pile of dung. It’s a lot like listening to Howard Stern. I keep turning pages just to see what he’s going to say next!

One of the oddest thing through all of this is all of the Instant Meteorologists there are around here. Walking through the office you listen in on conversation after conversation by people talking about “millibars”, “cold fronts” and “stationary fronts” as if they were working here and moonlighting on the Weather Channel. Before the storm, you would look at each one of these people and wonder how they had enough brain capacity to tie their own shoes.

I've been able to get online from work, so I wanted to give a quick update from Ground Zero. I got back to my trailer to find it still standing and intact. The only damage was actually a help to me. I was hooked up with DirecTV last Tuesday and the storm was kind enough to knock my old antenna for broadcast TV down. Unfortunately, it dropped it on my neighbor’s trailer; no damage though.

I have running water but no electricity. Nighttime temps are in the upper 70’s with humidity that makes sleeping as comfortable as jogging inside a sauna. Actually, I think I pass out from exhaustion more than I actually sleep. I’ve borrowed a cooler from a friend with power, which I’ve filled with ice, bottled water and sodas. I’ve been eating the canned food I stocked up with before the storm and have sampled the fine cuisine which are MRE’s. Tasty and really cool they way they heat he food.

I’ve been in lines the past three days since returning to the area for water, ice and food. The National Guard, Red Cross and inmates from the county jails have been manning these stations. Everything moves quickly and efficiently. I’ve also been very impressed with most people’s patience through these times. Everyone approaches intersections without lights slowly, waits patiently and courteously waves others through. Long lines at the gas stations are generally no problems either. One of the county sheriffs was on the radio earlier saying there have been instances of people not being so nice and ending up arrested for all kinds of domestic squabbles but I have yet to see any of that.

Everyone in my trailer park made out OK. We were all pitching in clearing one another's debris and we all share in water and ice as needed. We also end up together in clusters after dark enjoying the cooler air outside our houses than the humidity inside.

I have a bunch of photos, which I’ll post when I have power back at home. Driving around some area is like going through a war zone. Trees snapped in half, electric poles downed and rivers of what I hope is only water. After dark things take on a whole new dimension. They have a curfew which starts at midnight now and to drive around through retail areas which are usually ablaze in neon and bright signs in eerie in complete blackness. To go over some of the taller bridges and look out to see only pockets of light scattered miles apart gives a strange feeling n the pit of your stomach.

Ivan appears, for the time being, to be headed for the gulf coast area. When the early repots had it coming right up the middle of the state I was ready to repack and head out of state. I will wait for further updates. Since my trailer survived the 100 MPH winds I wouldn’t want to tempt fate with even tropical storm winds.

That’s the latest from purgatory. I will post with more info when able. I’m not sure how long I’ll have the access through here. Everyone here says that this is the price we pay for living in paradise. That’s so much easier to say on those beautiful days in February when you’re wearing shorts and a t-shirt when people up north are shoveling foot after foot of snow. Today, I’d argue that very strongly!

The anxiety is just about over. I just got a call from my landlord that my trailer survived the storm. I have been so nervous all day waiting to hear from him. There is still no power there, so this will be my last post for a few days. I will be leaving Naples sometime in the morning with a stop to see my son along the way.

I had all kinds of images running through my head as to what my place was going to look like. From a pile of timber and aluminum to a roofless, soaked leftover of a place. I will be taking lots of photos and post them once I can.

All my friends I have been able to reach have all been okay. Very anxious to get back over there and see everything.

I'm sure my sister will be glad to have her place back to herself. She has been very gracious and I don't know what I would have done without her. Yes, I had offers from other places around the state, not to mention those offers from back home in New England, but there's something a little more comforting about going through something like this with family.

That's good because if Ivan follows Frances I might be back here next weekend!!!!!

Have I mentioned lately FLORIDA SUCKS!!!!!!!!!

My sister and I went to the Naples beach which looks out on the gulf. As I looked out of the massively turning white water all I could think.....


I AM SO FUCKED!

I am holding out hope that my place, being on a small hill, is above where the highest water will surge from the Indian River. My place is also somewhat secluded. The other edge of that sword is that the storm might blow over all the trees surrounding me right onto the roof. My ride home is going to be the worst. Driving three hours not knowing exactly what I'll be going home to.

I feel a certain amount of guilt for leaving the area. Not being there to help others bother me a little. I know, I know. I'm safe and that's what's important. But I have been brought up with the strong sense of community service that it nags at me a little. Although, I'm sure there will be plenty to do even if I don't get back there until Wednesday!!!!!

For some good local reporting and some photos right from the area check out the Scripps papers.

The waiting is the hardest part.

Tom Petty was sooooo right. Frances has been taking her sweet freakin' time getting here. She is still aimed right at St. Lucie County. I sit here 180 miles away wondering if my trailer will still be standing when I get there. I keep hoping for the best as the storm weakens a little and has recently been downgraded to a category two hurricane.

The consolation is I get to spend the time with my sister although some of the differences in us get evident the more we talk together. She is a bit more conservative than I am so it makes for some interesting conversations. Also, being a couch potato, I am content to sit and watch TV for hours. I get the feeling there are other things she'd rather be doing. I am the good guest and keep remembering I am a guest here. We do have a good time together and are comfortable with each other.

As long as we have power I'll post when I can. Or, you may not see another post before next week sometime.

Into the breach!!!!

Have I mentioned lately I hate being in Florida?

At 5AM I woke up and immediately saw that the Weather Service had moved ground zero for the storm to my back yard. So, I finished packing the van and headed out by 7AM. And when I say packed, I mean PACKED. I only left behind the bare minimum of possessions. The hardest things for me to leave there were my father's old chair and me new recliner. I did have an offer from the guy I bought the recliner from to put it back in his storage room but time was of the essence in getting out of Dodge.

It's a very disconcerting feeling trying to imagine coming back to no house. When I saw the track of the storm headed right for my area images from Punta Gorda went through my head. I am writing from my sister's place in Naples, on the west coast. Being here with category 2 weather will be easier to go through than category 4 weather in Martin County. I could have stayed in the area and gone to a shelter but, knowing my luck, my van, filled with almost everything I own, would get obliterated by a falling tree.

I stopped to see Johnny on the way over here. If things go bad the Ex and the kids may even end up camping out here as well. Well, wouldn't that be unique! She is concerned about being evacuated and not having a hotel to go to. Luckily, Kathleen and she have remained friendly and our own relations have gotten better, so it wouldn't be a problem at all. Anything to keep the kids safe, more than anything.

The emotions of the moment got to me; just as I was leaving I turned around and hugged Jimmy before leaving. It's amazing to watch him hit puberty at full force. He was supposed to join Johnny on his weekend visit this time around. I'm hoping he and I can salvage what we once had. There was a long estrangement during the divorce. We have gotten much better, he did spend one weekend with Johnny and me but we have yet to spend lots of "quality" time together where we can really talk and get to know each other again.

Regrets, I have a few...........

Well, enough of that. I'll post again when I can. I took a photo of my poor overloaded van that I'll post here as soon as possible. I am safe and, unless this damned storm takes a nasty turn towards the south, I should remain that way.

Two friends from back north offered to have me come up to World Con in Boston this weekend.....you have no idea how tempted I was!!!!!!

Reason #5,221 why Florida sucks.....HURRICANES!

The most recent storm forecasts are now plotting the storm headed right for us. I have made some preparations and if worse come to worse I will head to my sister's in Naples. I am going to wait until Thursday to make that decision. I went to Walmart early this morning and met half a dozen other people stocking up on water. Luckily, I have the van and will be able to load most everything I own and head out of town.

This is one thing my sister, Kathleen, can't seem to understand. She keeps telling me to just put important papers aside and head out with some basic important things. With my financial situation, while it has improved in the recent months, if I just dropped everything and ran I would literally lose everything. Rebuilding would throw every advance I've made in my life right back to square one from when I first moved down here. I plan on putting as many of my clothes and possessions in the van as will fit. The trailer is a rental so I'm not worried about that, my landlord can rebuild his property. I'd at least like to have stuff to put into the trailer when I come back.

I also voted today in the Florida primary. All seemed to go well with the electronic voting throughout the state. This bodes well for November. Now, as long as the majority of voters have taken their heads out of their asses and seen what a yutz we have in the White House everything should go well in the general election.

I miss being involved in politics. Again, as a fallout from things being better in my life overall, I have been tempted to get into local politics. Reason# 2,132 why Florida sucks is that it's heavily Republican. It was so much easier when I knew the people in charge and we were all in the same party.

Just in time to have the receiver blown into the ocean, I have gotten hooked up again with satellite TV. Since I still owe Dish Network some money, I went with DirecTV. With the new recliner and a TV in the bedroom I'll probably never leave the house.

Now, if I could just find a job I could do from home, too!

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!


Oh, sorry, I was watching the Republican National Convention and and was lulled into a minor coma. God! What a boring convention. John McCain made Ted Kennedy's pathetic performance at the DNC look like a revival preacher. Rudi Guliani's speech was the best of the evening but that it was part of the nauseating politicizing of September 11 took any power out of what he was saying.

I know I'm a Yankee Democrat, but I turned it on with an open mind. I should have taped it to use later if I have trouble falling asleep.

Been a relatively quiet weekend. Went to see "Hero" with my friend Gary. Visually, it is right up there with "Tess"; each frame of this film could hang in an art gallery. A rich drama, layered story telling and great performances. The only problem, for me, was all the flying and gravity defying "Matrix" style fights have always looked stupid. I did enjoy it more than "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", but still am put off by the cheap looking effects. Gary tried explaining to me that this is a part of the Chinese mythology which is a staple of martial arts movies. All I know is that Bruce Lee never had to fly to make a kick ass martial arts movie!

My company sponsored a night at a St Lucie Mets game Saturday night. I had missed out on getting the free tickets at the office but found some friends who were attending so I blew the $4. I am by no means a baseball fan but going to a game with friends makes all the difference. Mike Piazza was there playing. I do know just enough about the game to have been impressed that I go to see him play.

Election season here in Florida is an odd animal. Hanging chads are just the beginning. Political supports here have this odd practice of standing on street corners hold signs for their favorite candidate and waving to passing traffic. I have no idea what good they think they are doing. I have always been tempted to ask some of them of even the local party officials what they think they are accomplishing or what message they are trying to convey. The only message I get is that the particular candidate has idiots for supporters.

You have to remember that it reaches close to 100 degrees down here with 120% humidity. There fools are out in the sun for hours on end. OK, so that might explain a lot right there. They are also out there in the rain, too. I hope they're still healthy enough when election day comes so they can actually vote for their candidate.

If they are dedicated enough to their candidate there are many more productive ways of spend their time. If they want to enjoy the sunshine, they can be going canvassing door to door. If they want the interpersonal people-to-people contact, make some phone calls....from an air conditioned office.

What's even more intriguing is whether or not they are educated about their candidate and what he/she stands for or if they're just out there as sun-worshiping lemmings.

Just more proof that Florida is screwy.

Yes, another great weekend with Johnny. On Saturday, I had to work a few hours in the morning so I left John alone for the first time. Nothing that is new for him with him mother, but it was the first time I got to experience this. Up until now he has always been a few steps away. As an infant he rode on back in a carrier. As a child he held my hand walking everywhere. I left him sleeping when I headed out to work at 8 AM and called to make sure he was awake around 10. Sure enough, he was up and the TV was blaring.

I called him back right as I was getting ready to leave for the day........no answer. I must have caught him in the bathroom.

I waited a few minutes and called again......no answer.

OK.....panic began to set in.

I called a neighbor and had her go over and make sure he was OK and make sure he picked up the phone the next time it rang. He was, of course, OK and had been in the bathroom when I called. It just figures it would happen the very first time.

We headed up to Daytona to check out a hotel I'm bidding as a Region 2 Summit location for '06. There is at least one other chapter bidding so it's going to be a tight choice. If this hotel doesn't win for Summit I am saving the contact and bid again for the '07 International Conference. For those of you reading who know nothing about Starfleet, my apologies. This is probably the closest I'll come to planning actual conventions again with out having most of my brain stem removed.

(Those who were there in the 80's are nodding their heads in agreement, I'm sure!)

After that we went to a cookout hosted by another Starfleet chapter in Orlando. Was a good time with about a dozen people from different Florida chapters. Johnny was only enjoying the hot dogs and hamburgers until the XBox came out. They hooked up two machines for a massive Halo game. We stayed until about 10. A long day with most of our time spent in the car.

Today we slept late but got out to go see "Alien Vs. Predator". It was better than I thought it was going to be. That was due in part because of Dan O'Bannon and Ron Schuset working on it. This is probably the closest there will be to an Alien sequel.

Back to another wonderful week at work. On the good side, I should be able to knock two items off of my Overtime List this week. The satisfaction of just getting that accomplished is just as good as having the money to do so.

My gastric bypass surgery was one year ago today. I have lost, so far, 225 pounds. It's as if I have a second birthday because my life started over again. Everything I do is different. I have energy like never before. If it weren't for my damaged knee, I'd be moving like I was my son's age. While I may have occasional food remorse, missing some of my former favorite foods, this was the best decision I could have ever made.

The funny thing about it is I really can't remember actually making the decision. I was sort of badgered into it by a co-worker. She constantly kept on giving me the reasons why I should and always shot down the reasons why I shouldn't. Before I knew it, I was going through the pre-surgery tests, had my approval and date all set.

I still have about 50 pounds to go. That seems so much easier to say after dropping the equivalent of a grown adult. I am looking at some sort of plastic surgery to trim some leftover skin in about another 6 months. Surgery was such fun the first time around. Well, at least I'll have the sedation and pain killers to look forward to!

For the geeks in the audience, I'm hoping you'll enjoy this little tidbit as much as I did when I noticed. For the past three months my water bill has been exactly $17.01. If you're scratching your head at the significance, feel good that you have a life. If you "got it" and are shaking your head at me, just remember you knew the reference, too. You're as pathetic as me.

I've been watching the coverage of the destruction on the west coast of Florida and have been feeling more and more lucky. I shudder to think what would have happened to my place if it had been hit by that strong a storm. It gives me the incentive to keep my place clean and somewhat orderly. When a storm came through a few years ago I was able to empty all of my belongings into my van in a matter of an hour. I'm sure, with the same panic, I could do the same thing now.

While no big Olympics fan, I have been watching bits and pieces and there have been two things I've noticed which have given me pause.

#1 Most of the gymnasts from other countries are these lithe, graceful and statuesque figures. The American gymnasts look like little truck drivers with necks as thick as their thighs. And that goes for they guys, too. Other gymnasts look like gymnasts. The Americans look like ads for steroids. Yuk!

#2 Why does the Japanese team have the name of their country spelled out on the back of their team jackets in English and not Japanese? I mean, if the American team goes to another county they don't change their team jackets. Shouldn't it be in the language of the home country?

Hurricanes are God's way of reminding us that Florida is supposed to be underwater. If it weren't for the Army Corp of Engineers it would be the Georgia coastline!

We dodged a bullet here as Hurricane Charlie passed north of us. For a while it looked as if it were going to give us a nasty weekend of weather. There were some towns on the gulf coast which were hit pretty hard and now the storm will be giving strong weather all the way into Maine. Being in a mobil home, these kinds of weather situations take on a whole new meaning.

Management at my job made, in my opinion, a bad error in judgement yesterday. They have always had a "secret police" approach to rumor control and this was another example of why that is bad. There are about a dozen television sets up in our building. They were installed to let the sales staff know when our commercials were airing. As the storm approached the sets were left off. Employees were left to gossip and spread rumors as to what was actually going on. The management mentality is that every possible second on the floor should be spent on the telephones; there is the concern that people will spend undue amounts oftime milling around the TV's waiting for updates instead of working. While I understand this, it hs the opposite affect. Instead of getting the information people need as they have a moment to watch a moment or two of an update they spent three times as much time spreading rumor and gossip. And the rumors and gossip were ravenous. With a category four hurricae bearing down on us peoples dedication to their families taked precedence over job responsibilities. But no, "Management knows best. Let us make the decisions". Give me a break. This way of handling this made the employees feel less valued. Its a shame that a company which can be so good to their employess can make such a poor error at times.

It was 30 years ago Nixon resigned. Its amazing to me to see events listed as "history" when I remember them as clearly as if they happened yesterday. I was always politically active, I guess. I was probably the only 11 year old who actually watched the Watergate Hearings on a daily basis. It was in my blood. My maternal grandmother was the first woman to be a member of the Rhode Island State Democratic Committee.

I was a Camp Aldersgate when Nixon made his speech. It was important enough that they had all the campers gather in the great hall to watch the president on a small color set. I made a place for myself right in front. I was probably the only person in the room under 17 who really cared about or conceived what was happening. Most other kids chatted back and forth or fidgeted on the floor. I took in every word and let the moment burn into my memory. Unlike most 12 year olds in the room, I knew who John Dean was, knew what John Sirica's job was and had visited the Watergate hotel on a recent visit to DC.

While Johnny has inherited my love of movies and my sense of humor, the love of politics seems to have passed him. Not being in the same house I haven't had the opportunity to show him the same importance of current events my parents gave me. My father taught me to read the newspaper and pay attention to the news. Mt mother was always involved in the community and introduced me to politicians.

There is always hope. Our visits are getting more regular and lengthy. I have brought him into a real congressman's office. While he may never want to run for office like I did but I may still get him to pay attention.

Let me preface this next post before I get nasty comments.

I love animals. I really do. I cried when my dog Chico died. I've had numerous pets through the years and have loved each one and I would love to have more pets if I had the room and money.

However, I cannot understand why a story about any water animal beaching itself makes national news like its a Jonestown tragedy. The story screams in bold headlines at the top on local newspapers, makes area anchormen teary-eyed and is covered by the major networks. Give me a break!

The ANIMALS are doing only WHAT COMES NATURALLY. OK, so we don't understand....so what? This is some instinctual happening which is supposed to happen. Its akin to thinning the herd. Some deeply ingrained genetic message tells these ANIMALS its time to sacrifice itself to save the species.

Would these same people crying over this "tragedy" have been screaming "stay in the trees" the first time primates began to walk upright?

Well, my luck continues in full swing. The A/C died again in my trailer. Because I didn't know to change the filter (remember, this is my first experience with central air, thank you!) the motor burned out. The landlord was decent about it though. First, a professional A/C guy came out and found the "problem" with the filter. Then when the motor finally died, he replaced it himself. He basically split the total bill right down the middle.

The cosmos, apparently knowing I had gotten out of that financially easily, decided that I should have to also replace the heater core on the van. Something had happened on the trip to Tampa. I had to top off the oil when we were leaving and it hasn't run right since. When I had the oil changed and the radiator flushed they found the problem. It should run OK as long as I baby it until I can get my mechanic friend on it. Down part, other than the added expense, is it may put off Johnny visiting this weekend. While I dodged a bullet not breaking down on the way back from Tampa, I don't want to run the risk of breaking down between here and Sunrise.

Again, its in the same category of having "just enough money". All my bills are getting paid for a change since I set up a separate account just for household bills. I pay into that every paycheck and what is leftover is mine to spend on what ever else. I've been doing this for a couple of months and have just about got a really good handle on it. I can see what needs to be paid and how I can shift finds around as needed to afford more of what I want. (See my "List of Reasons to Work OT a few posts ago!)

Where is that damned lotto ticket....haven't checked that yet today!

Back in Jensen Beach again. Sunday was pretty uneventful. Lee Stringer, a CGI artist friend of mine gave me some leads on breaking into voice work in Orlando. Like with most things, I'm hoping knowing someone makes it a little easier to make things happen. Commercial voice work would be OK but I've really got my heart on breaking into voice acting work. We'll see what happens.

While we never got together privately seeing Robin was great. She did a wonderful piece on stage, part of something she's been writing for a number of years concerning a woman's view of sexuality. While I have never been a big fan of her acting what she did this weekend was amazing. The fact it was something she wrote from her heart gave it a strength and honesty. She was talking about doing it on stage as a performance piece rather than publishing; should be successful either way.

While waiting for a moment to talk with her I had to opportunity to watch her with people getting an autograph. Robin and I met when she did her first convention for the BSTA in 1986. She was a little shy and unsure of what she had gotten herself into. Now she is as smooth as butter. She takes time with each and every person who comes to her and oveflows with sincere interest and concentration making each person feel special for the time spent with her.

While waiting for her I got a few minutes to talk with Michael Forrest. He played Apollo in an original Trek episode, "Who Mourn for Adonis". He is a very genial gentleman. We talked about being on display at conventions and shared travel memories of Yugoslavia. A nice surprise for the weekend.

Johnny has ended up spending the night here. It means I have to get up that much earlier in order to drop him off at his grandparents, but it also means I get to spend more time with him. Bonus!

I'm sitting in an empty meeting room at Vulkon Tampa. Was able to get out of work early to beat traffic and pick up Johnny. Got to my sister Kathy's by 9PM and she treated us to dinner. That effectively put me into a triptophan reaction and kept us from driving the rest of the way here. We stayed up talking and playing board games until around 1 AM. Kathy was having a ball playing a logic game called "Mastermind" with Johnny. In her own sneaky way not only playing a game but trying to get his gelatinous grey matter to work a little. I was impressed that it only took her five minutes to mention my long hair! I was just relieved not to find her waiting at the door ready with a pair of shears.

Up an out early to get here. Met up right away with friends from the area. Max and his crew are a good bunch of people and definitely fun to hang with. Surprised Robin Curtis in the dealers room. She looked up, made eye contact and then she did a classic double take as she realized it was "the old" me. We are going to try to get some time together to catch up. She is a genuinely warm and caring person it has been fun to get to know over the years. I'm dying to hear the details in her life since I saw her last.

Johnny learned quickly that Vulkon is not the same kind of convention Shore Leave is. I hope he doesn't get completely bored here. While he has an interest in movies and comics there is some of my sci-fi interests which I know he shakes his head at. But aren't kids supposed to think their parent's are weird anyway? Vulkon is good for meeting friends and doing a little shopping, if necessary; it's not like a "real" convention. But just like I enjoy the break from work and mononoty back home, I'm sure he's enjoying a break from his siblings at the very least.

While in Naples we got to ride by the park named for my mother. It affected me a little more than I expected. Since being so far away from where she is actually buried it's something of a surrogate tombstone of sorts. In the same way a granite tombstone is a connection to the person so is the sign at the park. There are probably thousands of people who have seen the name Rita Eaton in the past three years. Some probably don't even stop to wonder who she was. But there has been someone,from time to time, who has asked, "Who was that?" In some way that keeps her memory alive. Her name is still being spoken. I don't know if she ever even set foot in the neighborhood in which the park is located but for as long as the park exists, so does she.

More later.


Am now at James and Michelle Muench's. They are at the International Conference in Birmingham and offered for me to stay here while they are out of town. It's good to have friends where ever you go. Slightly screwed up the directions and were looking for the place in pitch darkness during a heavy rain storm. What fun!

The rest of the day at Vulkon went well. As with most Vulkons, nothing remarkable. Robin and I weren't able to get time together, but after all, she is working.

It finally happened after 13 years. Someone finally called Johnny "Towaway, Jr"!!!!! A proud moment. Well,for me anyway!

"Revenge of the Sith"?!

This movie had better not suck. Maybe it's like that old Smuckers commercial...it must be good give give it a name like that! What was wrong with "Rise of the Empire"? There is so much anticipation on this final movie. It's almost as if all Star Wars fans are holding out hope Lucas will make up for the past two movies with one final kick ass movie to end the saga with a bang. 10 months to go.

As I type this Ted Kennedy is making his speech at the DNC....and he won't shut up! Last night was such a killer opener. Jimmy Carter was great, Hillary perfectly subdued and Bill kicked ass. Then Ted comes on and sucked the air out of the room. He went on and on with a history lesson. He did have a few moments but over all it was a yawn-er. I have seen him give a speech and he CAN rip the roof off a building. He didn't do that tonight. He was stilted and his voice cracked like a teenager. I wish I had a copy of his 1980 speech so I could see a "good" Kennedy speech.

If it weren't for bad luck....came home from work and the A/C in the house has died. I'd be morecomfortable in my van. The landlord is supposed to get it fixed tomorrow; may give me an excuse to stay home until it gets fixed.

My funk at work seems to be over. I'm back to being top producer; whether that will improve my situation at work will remain to be seen. If anything, it is definitely helping the financial situation. To motivate myself I have posted the following list at my desk.

Reasons to Work OT.

Disney Passes
Fix the van's A/C
New TV
Satellite TV service
New PC
PDA
Thanksgiving Trip
Tampa Trip in March
Christmas Money
Recliner

That should keep me going for at least six months.

This morning in the shower I remember another reason why Florida sucks. No real cold water in the shower. My morning shower used to be a hot steamy and soaped up start to the day. The water would feel as warm and soothing at the bed I had just abandoned. Easing me into the day slowly....but not too slowly. In a habit I picked up from showing in junior high gym class, I would end the shower by shutting off the hot water completly and shocking myself into consciousness with a blast of ice cold water.

Apparently, since the ground never freezes down here, the water pipes in Florida never get insulated enough to hold a real chill. The coldest the "cold" water gets is a mild lukewarm. I was reminded of this on the trip to Maryland. Any showers south of the Mason Dixon just ain't the same.

While it was a short visit with Johnny today, it was another great one. We went to see "I,Robot". It was better than I thought it was going to be. While it was nothing like the original, they did hold on to some of Asimov's themes. It was a pretty good detective movie overall. I was impressed with Johnny's opinions. His tastes are refining more and more. We have a long ride to Tampa next weekend, I'll use the time to see how reading the book before hand changed his view of the finished film.

Was delayed by almost an hour on the way to see him today. Just as I was approaching his exit off the turnpike, traffic was stopped by a major traffic accident. A van had rolled and slammed into the jersey barrier. And I do mean traffic "stopped". When I saw the TraumaHawk helicopter landing I knew it was going to be a while. I was about a mile away from the scene of the accident and all traffic came to a complete standstill to where I turned the engine off and got out to look around. Another example of poor planning down here. I've been near all kinds of terrible highway accidents and have never seen a highway completly shut down until moving here. And this happens all the time. Apparently the graduates of the Remedial Highway Planning Classes who were hired by the Florida Department of Transportation never imagined there would be accidents on their roadways and that even while they were clearing said accidents the other people on the highway might just possibly want to get by and continue on their way.

I talked with Harry tonight to get find out how everything went this weekend. He was very touched by my having sent flowers. They are some of the very few who still call me "John". I had suddenly decided in my junior year in High School that everyone was going to call me "Jack" like my family did; it stuck with most people. All these years later I was still "John". I gave up trying and it beagan to take on a special aspect to it where the Barrows were the only ones who still did. They seemed to have forgotten that when they saw they card on the arrangement; "With Jove, John". It wasn't until they saw the silk banner simply saying "Ma" that they realized. Just my little way of actually being there when I couldn't.

November isn't that far away.

So, I'm not going to North Carolina. I will not say to Harry, "You were right". I made that decision as soon as my commission check hit the back at midnight Friday morning. I called Harry and told him that morning. However, when I got in my car after work that day I gassed up the car and actually contemplated going anyway. I really struggled with it. I had myself half convinced. By the time I got home, packed, took a short nap and left in the middle of the night I could have gotten there in plenty of time for visiting hours Saturday morning. I even went into my bedroom and picked up my suitcase three or four times. Luckily, the latest DVD of "The Sopranos" had arrived and I used that to distract me; I watched all four damned episodes in one sitting. Finally, it had gotten too late.

Then I woke up this morning figuring how I could time the ride to make it for tomorrow's funeral.

No, I'm still here. It can wait until November.

My plans with Johnny for the weekend have had to be altered al well. His mother hurt her ankle tripping over a life-size Barbi belonging to his little sister. She really did some damage and with Jimmy being out of town and her husband working late she needed him around to help corral the little ones and keep her off her feet. It's at least reassuring that the Ex and I can compromise and shuffle things around as needed without involving lawyers or a referee. He and I will go see "I,Robot" on Sunday and then head up to Tampa for Vulkon. Robin Curtis is one of the guests. I haven't seen her in about two years and she doesn't know about my surgery. This should be interesting. I also have some Fleet business to do. I'm getting a break by staying at the house of some friends who will be out of town. It will also be another chance for Johnny and I to spend some "quality time" together.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm. If I left right now I'd be in New Bern by 11PM.

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Ma Barrows has died.

Ruth Barrows has been one of my adopted mothers for about 25 years. From almost the very first day it was "Ma". I can't remember ever calling her "Mrs. Barrows". There was never a moment when I did not feel like a member of the family.

That's what makes being stuck here in Florida sucks so much. I am waiting until I get my commission check to see if I can afford to go to the funeral this weekend. It would work out perfectly time-wise, being on the weekend. I'm just not sure if I can afford it financially. Harry keeps telling me to save my money for my planned Thanksgiving trip. It's just very hard for me. Times like this are when family is supposed to draw together and I feel so frustrated being within a days drive and still not being able to be there. It's not only to comfort the rest of the family but to pay the tribute and show respect for Ma. I've missed so many in my own family back home in Rhode Island. 9 hours and a couple of tank-fulls of gas should not keep me from something this important. OK, Harry does have a point; spending time with the remaining family will be just as important in November. I know that. I agree with that. I have such an ingrained feeling of responsibility to be there; it's hard to fight.

It's not that she was the best "Ma". Harry has had a "unique" relationship with her. She made it tough to love her at times. However, when I got off the phone with Harry I immediately grabbed a photo album and found some old pictures from "way back when". There were pictures of Ma dancing with some of our friends during a party for Harry just before he went into the Marines. She is in the pictures arm in arm with different kids. Smiles. Laughter. She seems as youthful and happy as the teenagers with her. That's how I'll remember her.

Love you, Ma.

I'll miss you.

Still in a little bit of a funk at work. The bright spot was a victory of sorts I had with two women in my life all within the matter of about 10 minutes.

It was announced that we were to have a mandatory Saturday this weekend. This is my weekend to have Johnny visit so there was a major conflict. My sales figures have been funky right along with my mood, so I knew I might have a hard sell. I decided to try a compromise.

I called the Ex and told her my dilemma. I suggested that, if I could talk my boss into my working only a half day that I could leave Johnny alone at home. Without a moment's hesitation she agreed. We had written into our divorce decree that I couldn't leave him alone until he was 14. Of course that was written when there was LOTS of animosity between us and Johnny was only 3. The animosity has waned and John has matured. It's a relief to be able to talk and reason with her after all this time. It does no one any good the other way.

My next hurdle was my supervisor. Being a parent of a child around the same age, it was an easier sell that I thought. I may still have a slight pang of nervousness as I walk out the door Saturday morning but I think it'll be fine.

When both the boys were going to their first day of school my Ex was the teary-eyed one. I was a little less stressed over it. About 6 months ago, on one of John's visits, I wanted to walk down to the convenience store down the street. John did not want to go. I decided to leave him for the 10 minutes it would take to walk there and back. No problem, right?! I got as far as the end of my driveway and stopped dead in my tracks. I could not move. I started laughing at myself. He was grown....I could leave him...no problem.....I'll be right back. After 5 minutes of arguing with myself, I turned around and went back empty handed. At least this time, I'll have the job responsibility to force me out the door and not the cravings for ice cream!

Today my son is 13! In many cultures the 13th birthday is a rite of passage. Jews have Bar Mitzvah, African tribes begin teaching boy to become hunters. For me it means I am not the parent of a teenager!!!!!!!!

I love the fact that I can now look him straight in the eye without stooping. His voice is getting lower with almost every passing day. He seems to be as lucky as his old man in that his voice isn't going through the nasty Bobby-Brady-cracking. I just seemed to have awakened one day in my early teens with a voice like James Earl Jones. We did a play in Junior High School in which I did the off stage voice of God because I was the only boy in the building with a deep enough voice. Hey! It just dawned on me.....that was my first voice gig!!!!!!

I called John (I guess I have to call him that now all the time. "Johnny" probably seems too juvenile for him!) first thing this morning and wished him a happy birthday. I have a present to give him when he's here this weekend. Not going to revel it here in case he happen to read this. Trust me, he'll love it!

I'm still in a funk at work. This would one of those perfect time to win lotto!

Today was also the birthday of one of my best friends at work. Actually, Linda Orth is know as my "Liberty Wife". For a number of years we sat next to each other. No matter where we moved we got placed side by side. We joked in a Batteling Bickersons sort of way and people thought of us as an old married couple. He two daughter conspired to surprise her for her 50th birthday. It went off perfectly. All weeekend long she was bitching and moaning about how "noone was doing anythign for her brithday" and that her daughters could have "done something" to celebrate. The look on ehr face when she walked into the room fileld with about a dozen freinds and family members was priceless. Since I didn't get to Chuck E Cheese's for my 40th thins might be something for some people to consider for my 50th in another 8 years! Plenty of time to plan!!!!!

Went to see "King Arthur" today. I'd have to have a certified historian tell me that Arthur was actually how he was portrayed in this movie and not the romantically version we've all grown up with. They start off the movie with an official looking explanation that recent archeological discoveries have reshaped the image of Arthur and his knights. Then, I remember I was watching a movie. Not that Kate Beckinsail didn't look good it that leather outfit, but I really doubt most of what was presented. And it's all battles and politics we've seen done much better in "Braveheart" and "Gladiator". Overall, this was a pretty boring movie.

I also went to see "Spider-man 2" while I was there. I enjoyed it a little more this time around. It was a little long and, overall, I'd find it hard to say I like either the first or second any better than the other. The first two Superman flicks are still my favorite comic book hero movies along with the first Michael Keaton "Batman". Alfred Molina is the best part of the movie. The changes he goes through are striking making for a deep and rich villain who can be both hated and sympathetic.

And then there's Kirsten Dunst chained up at the end of the movie!!!!!

Something of a quiet weekend around here. Still seem to be going through a post-Shore Leave slump. My laundry from the trip still hasn't moved closer to the laundry room and I have to almost kick myself to get motivated. I'm sure if I don't get that wash done soon it'll move by itself!

I did get motivated enough to meet up with my good pal Dave Ryan and his wife as they drove through the area. They have recently moved to the Tampa area. It's good to have someone from back home in the same state. Now that the van is back on the road I hope to be able to see more of them.

I'm part of a team which is running for the leadership of Starfleet International. In the recent nomination phase of the election our team garnered 51 votes while our competition got 46.Should be a very close election. I am the candidate for the Chief of Operations position. This job oversees chapter reporting, corresponding chapters and chapters who are understrength. It's basically the job I'm doing in my regional position on the International level. Mt friend, Tom "Little Guy" Restivo had originally been up for the job but had to back out and he recommended me to Mandi Livingston, the person who is the lead candidate running for the president, or Commander Starfleet, position. I am really excited about this. I have been a member of SFI on and off since 1986. The best part about SFI is the idea that you belong to a club which reaches outside of your own local area. Even when the Boston Star Trek Association was in existance, even though we had almost 200 members from outside New England, it was still a local group. As a member of SFI you are in the same group as a member on the opposite coast or even another side of the planet. I guess the reason why I'm in this race has to do with my feelings about public service which got me into my inlovment in politics back home and the importance of volunteer work; returning something to your community. I was also very flattered by being asked. The election should make for an interesting summer!

A recap of the ride home.

We got up and out early Monday morning. As we made our way further south the idea of driving straight through began to circulate. We had all ended up spending up a little more then planned at the con and it would be nicer on our wallets to skip spending the extra on a few hours sleep. By the time we hit our lunch stop at a Sonic in Roanoke Rapids, NC we decided to go for the gold.

We got some really good seats at restaurants along they way as no one really wanted to sit next to the Funky Bunch. 16 hours with no air conditioning and only so much Febreeze made for a fun ride. Actually, it was rather fun. This was the first year we made it there and back again with no conflict of any kind. We all went where we wanted, got together when convenient, had fun,enjoyed each others company and rolled with the punches whenever something tried to make it a difficult weekend. We all agreed this was our best trip ever.

We seem to have gotten better that these road trips. Talk has gone around about alternatives to driving but unless someone wins lotto we'll probably pile right back into The Bull once again. Even with the mechanical problems on this trip, I feel she has one more ride left in her. Although, by the time we got to Florida the van was close to being renamed "Dory" after the Ellen DeGeneris character in "Finding Nemo". The power steering was moaning deep and slowly like Dory's whale-speak. Without these little problems we wouldn't have such good stories to tell.

Here is a web page with my photos from the trip.


The worst part of any weekend with Johnny is bringing him back. We got home, showered and jumped into bed for a well deserved sleep. The Ex wasn't feeling well so I ended up driving again to bring him there. Yea! Another three hours in the van!

When we got there I was surrounded by his little brother and sister. Jeffrey has always been happy to see me. He will run up and put a strangle hold hug on me. Carrie has gotten better. For the longest time she had either run from the room or hid under furniture. Part of it had to do with something her father told her about me. I was upset about it for a while until heard she did the same thing with almost anybody. Now she can't stop talking when I walk in the room. Because I finally can, I got down on the floor to play with Jeffrey and suddenly I was trying to play with both kids at the same time. Seems a little strange to be the center of attention for my ex's children from another husband. Strange, but I still love it.

Speaking of children from another husband. I am determined to make stronger efforts to reach out to and include Jimmy a little more. I've always felt bad about the distance which grew between us after the divorce. He and I have talked a little and he has come for a weekend or two with John. I just feel there is more I should be able to do. John has said he has asked about comeing for a visit again sometime and I would welcome that in a moment. Something to shoot for.

Don't know if it's just fatigue but I haven't had the same spark of energy at work since being back. I used to do overtime at the drop of a hat however,every day since getting back I bolt for the door at 5PM. I'm sure one paycheck with less overtime than usual will cure that!

I'm ba-ack!
 
I woke up Wednesday morning and I wasn't in the Hunt Valley Marriott......DAMN, was I pissed!
 
Still recovering and getting back in the swing of things. Also been having problems with my laptop. Will post tomorrow with all the details of our ride home. I'm also working on a link to a web page with all my pictures from the trip. 
 
Off to do lots of laundry.
 
 
 

OK, can I describe the another day at Shore Leave without using the word "great"? Probably not.

It was great!

Got to sleep in a little later than usual. Both going to sleep last night and waking up this morning was horsing around with Johnny. Moments like that I hope he holds on to as tightly as I do. There was a moment when we were headed back to the room from the pool and we raced each other. Couldn't have done that 9 months ago! My decision to have the surgery gets better and better with each day.

Was able to keep him pleasantly entertained throughout the day. While he and I share lots when it comes to movies and TV, Trek isn't something he's into as much as I am. He has had a fun time this weekend, though.

The best moment was at dinner. We got together with a bunch from the McAuliffe and filled up a local sports bar. On the TV was a WWF match. Suddenly John was the center of attention and was the expert all the adults turned to for information. He's been watching wrestling for years and knows that as well as I know Trek. His eyes were glowing as he bounced from grownup to grownup answering questions, sharing wrestling history and storylines and basking in talking with adults on an even level. Afterwards, he talked about it and still was on a high from it. I have got such a cool kid!

Ran into another old friend today. Dawn Yasharis is an old BSTA friend. We had been missing each other all weekend and couldn't stop meeting up at least five times during the day. The funniest moment was meeting her out side her room; directly across from mine!

Closed the bar with Bill and some of the rest of the Boston crowd. Did a nostalgia walk around the hotel. Sort of paying homage to memories of the weekend and from past conventions. It's odd to see the hotel after all the con stuff is gone. Parts of the rooms you walked past dozens of times during the weekend but never saw are suddenly jumping out in front of you. A nice way to say goodbye to the Hunt Valley Marriott for another year.

Probably won't post again until I get back to Florida. Should be a warn and interesting ride home but it is one all of my friends seem to be looking forward to despite the inconveniences. We have had a super time spending time just being with each other. Through every little setback no one has gotten upset, angry, peeved or despondent. There has not been a moment of disagreement or hurt feelings. OK, so we aren't home yet, but I have a good feeling that the trend will continue. We have all had fun. We have seen things we wanted to on this trip. We have done thing we wanted to get accomplished. Most important of all we did it with the best group of friends we could think of being with.

Only 365 days till we return!!!!!

Yet another great day in Hunt Valley!!!

If you're not a fan some of the details of what I've done during the day will bore you to tears. The highlight for me, and always the best part of this weekend is spending time with friends. Marc Nobel, who had lived in Florida and moved up here joined us today. He is making plans, finally, to move back to Florida. It is good to have him back in the fold.

Finally hooked up with my old pal, Bill Duffy. He is most pleased with my post surgery success. He even dared me to dance like I used to during Ten Forward, the convention dance party.

Hit a couple of the panels that both Johnny and I were interested in. I didn't want to completely bore him to death. He is enjoying the weekend. With him approaching his 13th birthday, I have given him lots more freedom. There have been times when he's been left to relax in the room by himself and I've even gotten him a key of his own to come and go as necessary without always having DAD around. He is developing so well and fits in with my crazed bunch of friends perfectly. We have some time to ourselves and have had a few father/son moments which make the weekend even better.

Talks are already going around about next year! I love that about this con. I have gotten my Florida crown as hooked on this weekend as I am. I seem to always pick the best friends!

Got a great compliment on this blog from Bill's friend, Tim. He's an avid reader! While that might not sound like much, he's an avid reader who's not family! I do this mostly for those who really know me to keep up and as my way of venting at the end of the day. It's a cool feeling to know someone else can read and appreciate what I spew out here. And, since I know you'll be reading this....Thanks, big guy!

Another great day, even with dealing with a broken down van. Got AAA to tow it away bright and early. Rented another car so we could get downtown and keep my appointment with Jim Langevin.

Timed perfectly with Jim's office to meet him as he got off the floor of the US Congress. He was tickled by my gift of a JFK bust for his office. When I was there three years ago I noticed that he didn't have one. As I told him, "You're a democrat, from New England, you've been to Hyannisport AND you know Kennedys....and you DON'T have one of these in your office!"

We had about 30 minutes with him for the two of us to play catch up and to meet my Florida friends. He was very interested in Kenny and Jim being in law enforcement. Just like with most of my really good friends, it was just as if yesterday was the last time we saw each other and not three years. Just before we left I had some personal time with him. He is very happy to see me post surgery. We got into some other personal stuff and I made sure his chief of staff kept my home number as he is looking to buy some Florida property not too far from me. He's another friend I'm determined to keep despite the mileage.

After lunch in the Congressional food court and getting lost in the tunnels underneath the House Office Buildings we headed to the World War II Memorial. What a beautiful place. I want to meet some of the idiots who opposed the design and slap them around. It is on such a grand scale, well deserving of those it commemorates. We took loads of pictures which I'll post after we get back home.

Speaking of getting home, the garage was able to bypass the A/C and get the belts re-connected and it's only coasting $86!!!! Dodged a major bullet there thanks to Jim and Kenny. It's going to be a warm ride home but at least we'll get there!

John is having a fun time and we are really starting to connect more on a more adult level as he approached puberty. It's amazing how his sense of humor is developing. The best moment was when he described doing something to his brother Jim almost verbatim of something I had done to a co-worker. Genetics is a wonderful thing!

The best part of this trip is re-connecting with good friends from back home. There have been a few here at the convention which have been surprises and that only makes it better. We are to a count of 5 the number of people who have said to him, "I remember you when you were thiiiiiiis little!" He just loves that!

One telling moment of how much homesickness I suffer during this trip was when Jim Langevin asked me where I preferred living and if I'd ever move back to Rhode Island. There was a very long pause. Everyone was waiting to see how diplomaticaly I answered that. I think they all know my real answer. I simply pointed to Johnny and said, "Here's the reason I'm there in the first place!" Rhode Island will always be home I just feel it more when I'm around settings like this. I have just as great a circle of friends in Florida as I did back home, so that's not the problem. Rhode Island will always be home.

Enough of that, there's more fun to be had this weekend. More reports when I can squeeze in time on the lobby PC; it's very popular. Gee, who wouldda guessed. Free internet and a hotel full of Trek geeks!!!!

Well, this trip has been one for the books so far!

I am writing this from the lobby of the Hunt Valley Inn. We made it here OK. Got right on the road and on schedule almost perfectly. Spent the night at South of the Border in North Carolina. Was pleasantly surprised by the size and condition of the room. OK, so it was slightly cheesy, but right in line for what you were paying.

Up and out after a rousing 5 hours sleep. It does break up the trip perfectly though. The stop over allows everyone to actually close their eyes and completely shut down; something some of our travelers have a hard time doing in a moving vehicle.

A greasy spoon breakfast and back on the road.

The first kink to our trip was the air conditioning dying out about 3 hours into the ride. Luckily, we were headed north and in the dark so it wasn't too bad. Although, we did buy some Febreeze to get ride of "the funk" of 5 sweating people. Jokes abounded about the van and its condition. Just as we were pulling in to the hotel comparisons were made to the Bluesmobile pulling up to Chicago City Hall. You know; they get out of the car and it falls apart.

Guess what happened!

The reason the a/c went was because the clutch on the unit seized up. As we're driving along the highway we are breathing in the delicious odors of burning ball bearings......and melting rubber. Yes....do the math....the serpentine belt let go. This was discovered when we got in the car after checking in and headed out to dinner. As I type I am waiting for AAA to take the van away to be fixed. Jim and Kenny used their "Badge Americard" and got a name of a local garage who should not rip us off being out of towners. Never a dull moment!

After the van leaves we are headed into DC for our tourist part of the trip. I have gotten offers of help from everyone else in the group to help with the repairs. Looks as if I'll be working some more overtime when I get home!

Other than that things have been going pretty well. We were very fortunate that the breakdown waited until we were at our destination instead of in the middle of the beltway at 6pm!!!

Always look on the bright side of life!

Had another great day with Johnny. Slept late but still made the first matinee of "The Terminal". Was very impressed with Hanks' job; was completely believable as a Russian and brought his usual depth to his performance. While it was better than "Catch Me if You Can" it wasn't a great Spielberg film. The best part of the film was the set. If I hadn't known going in that it was a studio set I would have thought they had closed down JFK airport to film.

Mostly, I was still impressed by my son choosing this film. His tastes are growing and I love to see that. Right before he went to bed I started introducing him to the Marx Brothers. We started with "Monkey Business". I would rather have gone with "Duck Soup" but not having that on tape or DVD I had to make do. He laughed in all the right spots and enjoyed some of the older puns. I'm sure I'll get him to sit through more of them. Another memory built. It was my father who showed me the Marx Brothers. I remember sitting with him and laughing our way through each and every one of these classics. Maybe some day he'll remember the same moments with me in the same way.

We got into a discussion about some family members and it came very close to divorce history. I almost bit a hole through my tongue as I kept from going any deeper into the subject than he was either willing to or was even interested in going. He seems very well adjusted and I know that when he's ready to ask about how we got to where we are, he will and there's no need to push it. OK, that works until he's 25. If he hasn't brought it up by then....he's had enough time to mull it over and I'll need to get it off my chest!

Tomorrow it's back to work. Luckily,it's only two days till VACATION!

A great Independence Day!

Had our chapter cookout which went very well. I picked up Johnny about halfway through the day. He seems to get bigger each time I see him. His little sister has finally started coming around to me. She used to hide every time I came into their house. Part of it may have been her being an overly timid child. Another part of it may have been crap about me she had been some not too favorable things she had overheard. She seems to have gotten over it either way. She seems to go out of her way to greet and talk with me whenever I'm around. I like the change. John's younger brother, Jeffrey, is another story. He has always been happy to see me and has taken to hugging me. I thought he'd choke me today he was holding on so tight.

We went back to the cookout for a while to eat and swim. Later in the evening John and I went to watch fireworks. We had some great moments in the time before they started when we just talked. It was all innocuous but we just talked. It's been a while since we've just shot the bull like that and it felt good. When he was a pre-schooler we would walk and talk. Sometimes we would invent superheroes. We would bounce ideas back and forth. It was free form and easy. So was our talking tonight.

I was afraid that we had gotten so caught up in being together that we didn't take time to enjoy it. There was the travel time to and from. Then we'd have meals and errands. Then there's be the "activity" for the weekend. We weren't just there together. Hopefully the next 10 days together will give us plenty of time for more moments together like that one.

One moment we already had he has no idea about was my watching watch girls. He could use a few lessons in subtlety. Like an epileptic watching a tennis match his head will snap around to tack a girl walking by. I'll at least have to buy him some dark sunglasses!

The Fourth of July always brings back some of my best childhood memories and favorite ones of my father.

Back home on Rhode Island fireworks are illegal. In the course of his job my father had to confiscate fireworks from people during the months leading up to Independence Day. Of course these explosives had to be destroyed somehow. Each year I became the most popular kid on my block.

As the families on my street gathered outside to watch the fireworks from Rocky Point amusement Park across the cove my father opened up the trunk of his car and pulled out three shopping bags full of bottle rockets, salutes and piles and piles of other various fireworks. Somewhere else in the city someone was cursing my father out for pissing on their holiday while my friends and I enjoyed as exciting a display as was being put on over the water.

Was OK with me!

I have a clear memory of my first illegal act; buying packages of salutes. There was the rush of adrenalin as I made the arrangements with another kid in Junior High School. The clandestine moment as we ducked out of a side door during the frenzied moments passing between classes to quickly exchange a few dollars for red paper wrapped oriental firecrackers. I don't think the pounding in my ears stopped until I got to where ever I sent to the off. I don't remember if I just set them off separately, in packages at a time rat-a-tat-tatting like a tommygun or aspyrotechnics tearing apart a plastic model kit. There was a wonderful exhilaration at having gotten away with defying my parents, school administration and the law in one fell swoop. I was such a rebel!

July Fourth also meant an Eaton Family cookout at my Aunt Loretta and Uncle Manny's. It was a chance to get together with parts of my father's family which I didn't get to see all that often. It was a lazy day of food and laughter. Because my grandfather had been married twice every Eaton family gathering brought out a different cousin which I has never before met. During the years I worked in radio, inevitably, I could only stop by for a short time before having to go work a few hours on the air. I would leave with promises that radios at the party would be turned to whatever station I was on so I could still be a part of the festivities. The tradition of the cookout dwindled after the death of my Uncle Jim. Just as things began getting better for me I had been planning on getting with my cousin Cindy to revitalize the tradition for our generation; then I moved to Florida. It is on my lottery wish list of things to do.

I only have one strong memory of a big fireworks display. It is so Norman Rockwell. It was a summer spent with my sister Joan in New Hampshire. With crystal clarity I can recall parking the car at a field and walking across the grass to find the perfect viewing spot. Rolling hills of green grass covered with families laid out on lawn chairs and blankets. I laid back on the grass and waited for the show with a distracting anticipation. The show seemed to go on forever. "Oohs" and "Ahhs" snapped through the air as fast as the fireworks themselves.

These days I always look forward to my latest and best tradition; my chapter's ID4 Cookout. Some of my friends have jobs which keep them away from weekend activities and make scheduling events everyone can attend difficult at times. However, everyone seems to make it to this party. While I sometimes bitch and moan about being in Florida, my friends take the edge off. I love being able to have as many together at one time as possible.

Here's to another great holiday!

The Don is dead.

In 1976, as the age of 14, I chose the CB handle of "The Wild One". That's how long I've been a fan. The first VHS tape I ever bought was "On the Waterfront". How could you not be a fan of this man? He was Jor-El for crying out loud! I recently reveled in sitting my son down to watch the Godfather movies. (OK, so we watched two out of the three in a row. Haven't gotten him to watch the third yet. Has he heard already how that one is?) With Brando's passing I'll probably get my hands on a copy of "On the Waterfront" to introduce to him.

He's ready for it, too. We were talking about things to do this weekend and he mentioned that he had seen "Spiderman 2". He then said that he'd really like to see "The Terminal". I was verry happy to hear him asking to see something with more than just explosions and special effects. The slow and gentle nudging into something with a little more substance seems to have started to be paying off.

I would like to go see Spidey again, though. I did some checking and I was a little off on my criticisms of the story line. I'm still not 100% sure of my total opinion of the movie so it does deserve another viewing. Johnny did say he liked the first movie better.

Well, I've got to go drop "The Godfather" in for a viewing.

Here's saluting you, Col. Kurtz.

God rest you, Terry Malloy.

Spiderman 2 is a very good movie.

But.....

Before I go further I want to consult with someone who knows Spidey history better than I. Spidey has long been a favorite. One of the reasons is he was a kid just like me. He was a bumbling, geeky teenager who never got the girl. Bruce Wayne was cool, but he was rich. Superman was.....well, Superman! Peter Parker was someone with whom I could identify. He was insecure and unsure of himself. When he put on the red` black and blue he became cocky, strong and a super hero. At the same time, though,he continued to struggle with who he was inside.

They have made what I felt was a major departure in the Spiderman mythos. I didn't mind, in the first film, that Gwen Stacey was supposed to be the love of his life or that Pete built a devise to swing webs instead of them being biological.

I am a Spidey fan, but I will admit to not being able to carry 40 years of history in my head like some are able to. Probably the same reason I never got into baseball; too many facts and figures to carry around.

I also don't want to give away too much to anyone who hasn't seen it yet.

Go see it. It is a good movie. Sam Raimi has progressed as a director and I thought he was pretty darned good anyway. Every character gets their moment to shine and the major characters are fleshed out even more. Anthony Molina IS Doc Ock. He was my favorite villain tied with Dr. Doom. They also do something with him which bothered me.

I'll go over the movie again after Johnny and I see it next week. It will give you time to see it and I won't feel guilty about spoilers.

Oh, and yes......I WANT TO MARRY KIRSTEN DUNST.

To kill time on breaks I occasionally browse through the Goodwill store which is in the same plaza as my office. I keep waiting for a cheap enough recliner to show up. As I went through the aliases I spotted something which made me stop and think.

Sitting amongst the faded dishes and old coffee cups was a little :World's Best Mom" statue. A little doe-eyed kid holding it's hands wide in a hug. It made me wonder where it had been before landing along side discarded housewares.

Was it given by a child who really loved their mother or was it a last minute given by someone who grabbed it in a cheesy gift shop or convenience store just to keep their mother quiet? Could it have been from a little child choosing a gift for the first time or a gag gift from a grown adult? Was the parent still alive and just making room in her belongings or was it part of a "going through belongings" process after a death? Did anyone remember under what circumstances the statue had been given? Any recollection of the reaction on either side? Who slimed more when it was revealed? Was it a hard decision to discard it? Did it still hold any sentimental value or was it just a nick nack which was now only worth the $.50 price tag Goodwill had placed on it?

The next thing I wondered was what would happen to all my things after I die? I am a mad collector of so much. Will it mean anything to my son or will it end up on some shelf in a Goodwill for pennies on the dollar?

There has been a little bit of a tradition in my family where we are allowed to take one trinket which belonged to a deceased family member as a way of remembering that person. Just looking around my place I can see things which belonged to my father, mother and a cousin. What will my family members take of mine to remember me?

Well, enough deep thoughts......SPIDERMAN 2 TOMORROW!!!!!!!

"Fahrenheit 9/11" is a very good movie and every American should see it.

It is flawed, however. It is a fantastic and very affective piece of filmmaking. It is very slanted, heavy in propaganda and does misrepresent some facts. Granted, every filmmaker has an agenda; whether to make an audience laugh or cry or to make a statement. This movie is no different. Moore makes no bones about it, too.

In no way do I support Bush. I believe he should have been forced out of office a long time ago. Moore is even less forgiving. He makes a big deal over how Bush reacted upon receiving the news of the 9/11 attacks. He narrates the footage of Bush in that Florida classroom dripping with sarcasm and a total misunderstanding of how a presidential staff works.

Moore also tries to make numerous financial guilt by association claims between the Bush family and the Saudi royals. Some seem plausible,but taken as a whole seem a big stretch. He wraps up his theory with a montage of a dozen photos of many apparent Saudi officials meeting with different members of the administration. Only because I pay attention to the news was I able to identify some of the photos as official and legitimate situations. To the casual viewer they are presents a rogues' gallery of evil doers plotting and planning with those in charge.

The ironic part of the day was coming home and hearing the news about the US Marine being kidnapped. I got angry all over again. This is a war which was based on a lie. I don't know how Bush sleeps at night. This is an important film which everyone should see before November. It should be taken with a grain of salt, but it should be seen.

Well, I'm a greedy bastard. They offered loads of overtime and VISA gift cards for each day we worked that overtime to help out one of our other departments at work. I opted for the OT and extras over having Johnny for the weekend. I labored over that decision since Wednesday. Those gift cards can buy the new tired for the van. I even called and asked my sister's advice on this one. John and I talked it over and since we're going to be together in just another week anyway we decided to go for the money. It was a tough decision deciding between spending the time with him versus having more money to make that time together better. For the longest time there's been a running gag with some of my older friends of "What happened to the good old days when our biggest worry was who didn't chip in on the pizza!".

It turned into a good weekend anyway. My good pal, Bruce Dolan, was in town to surprise his mother for her birthday. He ended up having a surprise for me as well. I had asked him to pick up some new Sonic cups for me. He has one right down the road while the nearest one to me is 2 hours away. He shows up with over 20 cups of different sizes and 4 advertising posters like they have on the sides of the building. He had explained to the manager he had a collector friend and was gladly given this supply. He even took Bruce's phone number for when they have more! Bruce is now what is called "an enabler". There is a perfect spot in the kitchen where I can display one poster at a time; changing the decor from time to time. How Martha Stewart! OK, so it's Martha with a twist!

I had to work past the time the surprise party started so I didn't get to see the initial expression of his mother's face but my late arrival was greeted as yet another unannounced plus to the day. I have quickly been accepted as another "son" in her family. We swam in the pool and ate barbecued ham. Deeee-lish!

From there I went to visit a friend's wife who had given birth earlier this morning. This is the 2nd girl for Jason and Dana Berry. Jason had just gone out to dinner with his mother and father when I arrived. I had bought a little plush Shrek and Donkey for baby Sarah. Dana decided to just leave them in the bassinet and see if Jason could guess who had visited. It only took a few seconds for him to figure it out! How could he have known?

I've been trying to screw up the nerve to call up my old boss. When he first left the company I had immediately written off a letter to him. Just as I was ready to send it I decided to call him. Then my phone got shut off. The letter gathered dust all the time the phone was off. I really feel the need to make the connection. I guess it's all part of my "carpe diem" reaction to Andy's death. I finally talked to Mike LaPlante today. We still can talk easily as if no time had passed, luckily. We are trying to make plans to visit during my trip up to Harry's in November. That would be grand. Still haven't reached Jay, damnit.

Tomorrow I see "Farenheit 9/11" tomorrow, so expect a review and possible political rantings. You have been warned.

Good Morning, America SUCKS!

For whatever my opinion matters; they suck.

For a while I had noticed that they had been going for the tabloid side of the news; always harping on the pain of a situation or the emotional turmoil involved instead of simply relaying the news.

This morning they wasted 10 minutes on a "story" about how when Vice-President Cheney bumped into Senator Pat Leahy of Vermont while on the floor of the senate he told Leahy, "go fuck yourself". They were all over his and other prominent politicians for using "THE F WORD". I know politicians and every one of them uses it. I don't think I would trust a politician who dosen't use it.

It's not any moral downsizing that the word is getting widespread exposure. The word has been around for a long, long time. My mother used it. I'm sure my son uses it.

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

It's just a word. Get over it.

Do I have the stupidest luck or what?

I finally grew back a set of gonads and called "the young lady" after about three months of no contact whatsoever. First I was relieved that I got her voice mail; got the contact with non of the nervousness of "actual communication". Then she called back!

We talked for about 20 minutes and have plans on getting together next week. She is now working at a bar & grill nearby. She sounds happy and things seem to have been going better for her since leaving the job.

I am really hoping things go well when we get together. I am going to continue using my regrown gonads by actually telling her how I feel about her and try to set things to be a little more involved.

I try not to build up hopes but I do get the feeling this could really be something good. My good friend Harry once equated my tendency to fall quickly for women with a guy going over Niagara Falls. "One minute he was there, next minute - whoosh!"

I think he exaggerates.

Well, maybe just a little.

Happy Father's Day!

I was the one who had to call Johnny today. I held off till after 8PM. I was hoping he would make the call first. I know, at his age, I sucked at making those kinds of calls, sending cards and buying gifts. I didn't get my mother flowers for Mother's Day until her last one. She was always the one who put cards in front of me for the monthly collection of birthdays and anniversaries. It's a little ironic I'm hoping for better from him.

But I did give in an call him and it was a great phone call.

I do know he's just like I was at his age. I occasional prod him as special events approach and it seems that the ex and her husband do the same my mother did; every thing is arranged for him to take credit for afterwards.

Someday it will all change. I look forward to getting that first unsolicited phone call from him just to shoot the bull.

I got myself a Guinness, a steak and a stogie to celebrate the day. Not too bad a day, really.

I can hear it like it was yesterday.

"WWWWHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! I'M GOING BAAAAAAAAACKWARDS!"

The scream pierced the dank silence of the hotel service corridor. A wheelchair loaded with the hefty body of a 17 year old boy careened backward down an inclined ramp. Three other boys raced after it to save him before slamming into the concrete wall at the bottom.

"Ah-ahhh! Let's do that again! That was cool!" The wheelchaired passenger screamed in joy to his friends.

The scene is a service corridor under the then Statler-Hilton in New York City. It was February 1977 at the Star Trek World Expo. The four teenage friends had traveled from Rhode Island to attend a major Trek convention, a first for some of them. One of them is wheelchair-bound. Their common interest in science fiction was one of the building blocks which had led to a decades long bond.

They have used the service corridors to make it easier to navigate the crowded hallways with their wheeled pal. Unseen to the public, the passageways snake around ballrooms, through kitchens and go from the top to the bottom of the hotel. The friends were making their way from the lobby up to the dealers' floor when they came to the ramp.

"Here, let me help, said one of the friends moving to push the chair to the top of the ramp.

"I can do it," said the strongly independent friend. "Strong" was an understatement. While the degenerative disease which put him in the chair had robbed him of lower body use he was a brick house from the waist up. All of the friends knew that you never wanted to be grabbed and held tightly by the wrist, or even worse, pulled into a bear hug. Asthma attacks had nothing in comparison to the breathing restriction inflicted by one of his "Playful" wrestling holds. And he laughed all the time doing it....the bastard!

From the beginning there was an understanding between these friends. Even though he was in the chair, he was just one of them. Sure, they helped when asked and made minor concessions to their friends limitations; but there weren't many. They went everywhere together. They did all the things teenage friends did together. This trip was a perfect example. They planned and saved for the trip for months. Never, in any of the planning, were the limitations of bringing someone in a wheelchair seen as a hindrance to going; it was simply part of the planning.

They may have asked about the disease at some point during the friendship, but it never mattered. They only wanted to answer their curiosity as to WHY their friend was in the chair. They spent hours together and never thought of him as anything other than just another one of the group.

Just as his chair crested the ramp his eyes widened as the realization hit that he was losing control. His arms began to flail as he grabbed at the wheels in a vain attempt to regain ground.

"Hey!" he called out to this friends steps in front of him.

"WWWWHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! I'M GOING BAAAAAAAAACKWARDS!"

That New York trip was one which I took with Andy Hastings, Bob Eggleton and Jay Kingston. Andy was the one in the wheelchair.

The was the instant image that flashed through my mind when I got the news that Andy had died on May 26th.

Then I cried.

The is the first death amongst my close circle of friends from my youth. This is the first real sorrowful loss I've felt since my mother's passing. Older relatives are one thing, but to have "one of us" die cuts in a different way. It means we are mortal.

I don't think I've talked to Andy in more than 20 years and that guilt weighs on me. There are so many people in my life I struggle with to hold on to against the battle of time and distance. I have rekindled friendships lost through the years and hold tight to the ones I can keep. I'm sure some would say that I live too much in the past; that I should take pleasure in what I have today. It's not that that isn't true. But why shouldn't I try my hardest to keep the joyous relationships I've had in the past as much a part of my life today as they were 20 years ago? "People come into our lives and they go out of our lives; it's a fact of life". I think that sucks. I have given in to that axiom a little easier in recent years but its never without a good fight.

I have thought of that weekend over and over since getting the news. And I smile. I even will laugh out loud when I think of Jay's dead-on impression of Andy as he sped backwards. I don't know how I'm really going to cope with this. I am wearing my Trek mourning badge in his honor. I am sending his parents a copy of this post because a Hallmark card didn't seem like enough. I will hold tighter to the friends I have and maybe not give up as easily as I have been to the affect the march of time has on friendships.

I called Bob immediately the other night and we talked like we always have. It might have been a year since we spoke last but it felt as if we had only hung up the phone yesterday. We talked about our lives and our circle of friends who knew Andy. I realized I didn't have the same ease with some of the others from that group.

Oh, shit....

Excuse me while I go call Jay.

Friends of mine here are used to me joking about being in Florida and my "hatred" of this state. I say that hurricane season and sink holes are just God's way of reminding us that the Florida belongs under water. If it weren't for the Army Corp of Engineers it would be the Georgia Gulf coast. That ever time I have dealings with eh Florida legal system I hear "Dueling Banjos" in the background.

I may have just found yet another reason. I understand that television news polls are not scientific and can be slanted by bored people with nothing more to do with their time than to repeatedly vote to make the results look good for their side, but AAAAAARRRRRGHHHH!

The local Fox affiliate had a poll tonight which asked if "After the 9/11 Commission Hearings do you still believe there was an Al Qaida/Iraq link?" and 46% ANSWERED YES!!!!!!

WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH THESE IDIOTS???!!!!!!

Dear God, please don't let Florida be the laughing stock of the country again. Please don't let Florida be the reason we have a lying bastard in the oval office.

Life and politics used to make sense before moving to Florida. There were Democrats everywhere. I knew Kennedys. I ate 3 months worth of meals at catered cocktail parties. I was almost a candidate. I was known inside the State House and by politicos around the state.

I still don't understand why the word "impeachment" hasn't come up in Washington. How can the President serve up such a stemming pile of crap to the American people which has caused so many needless deaths and still be in office? The last time there was impeachment talk was over a blow job; no one died because of that decision.

OK, OK. I'll calm down. It was just a stupid phone poll on a stupid Fox affiliate. People here really aren't that stupid. They've got to be able to see the obvious. Ray Charles is blind, dead AND buried and he can still see clearly THERE WAS NO CONNECTION between the two and it was a bullshit reason for invading Iraq.

OK, OK. I said I'd calm down.

I usually blow off lots of the jokes that people send me at work. Most of which I've seen dozens of times by the time it passes my PC. However, this one hit home with me. It seemed a good balance to the weekend's post; just so you don't think I'm the most depressed person on the planet. There is an optimist deep down inside!

$20 Bill

A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20.00
bill. In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?"

Hands started going up.

He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me
do this. He proceeded to crumple the $20 dollar bill up.

He then asked, "Who still wants it?"

Still the hands were up in the air.

Well, he replied, "What if I do this?"
And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor
with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty.

"Now, who still wants it?"

Still the hands went into the air.

"My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter
what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in
value. It was still worth $20.

Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the
dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way.
We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never
lose your value. Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to
those who DO LOVE you. The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by
WHO WE ARE. You are special - Don't EVER forget it."
Count your blessings, not your problems.

Something a little strange on my weekend with The Boy.

My ex had dug up a whole bunch of old pictures. There were a couple from my childhood and early 20's which I thought I had lost and am so pleased to have back. It was neat to go through these with Johnny and share some of my history with him. Another of those great connections I miss out on in the day to day being the "separated" parent. There were w whole slew from our wedding. It's bitter sweet to look at these after so long. To look at those two people who were so in love. You can see it in their eyes as they hold each other for the first times as husband and wife. The gentle touches and easy looks between them.

I have my favorites time travel fantasies where I go back to either Ford's Theater or Dealy Plaza and know in detail what I would do to save each president in each situation. When I try to do the same with my own life I come up a little short. Do I go back to my last marriage and make changes before it started to fall apart? Do I marry her to being with? Do I stay in Rhode Island when she wanted to move to Florida? Do I do the same rescue mission to my first marriage? Do I even start dating the first one? Do I go back further than that?

We all try to map out our lives and try to have a vision of what we want it to be. So much of mine at times feels to have more outside influences than I see in other people's lives. In the midst of my first divorce there was a moment when my ex confronted me with stories running around about me using drugs. If you know me well enough, your eyebrows just jumped. She had heard from someone from someone from someone through my job a rumor to that affect. The only drug I've used with regularity are asthma steroids. However, she took this as gospel. I went to a good friend on the job to hunt this rumor down. I came up on a dead end. To first have my marriage torn apart only four months after the wedding then to have this story passed around made me feel as if there weren't a moment in my life which someone else had more control over than I did.

I know we all have things we have to do in life. Most of us wouldn't be working the jobs we are if we didn't have to. It's just, at times, I still feel that frustration and helplessness I felt back then when I look at where I am in live compared to where I'd like to be.

OK, so there's that big "life retrospective" post I guess I was supposed to do on my birthday two weeks ago! Well, here's another little retrospective; a 39 year old photograph.


June 1965 

My parents brought me up to be polite. Sometimes, I have felt, too polite. I have always wanted to be one of those people who can get away with saying things right to someone's face and getting away with it. Like the scene in "Good Morning, Viet Nam", when Robin William tells the Sergeant Major that he is "the one man in the single greatest need of a blow job". I cringe away from that fearful of the ramifications it could have on me personally and otherwise.

The reason I say this is that there was a person who has left the job for greener pastures. When I heard the news the first thought that went through my head was saying goodbye to this person by saying, "I hope that you get a job which will allow you to take that stick out of your ass." I have to be content with it being a little fantasy in my mind because I could never, in a million years, being myself to say that to someone. OK, I can be a sarcastic and funny bastard but never in a malicious way. There are times, however, when times call out for an attitude adjustment.

And still I do not wish this person ill. I hope success is on the road ahead. I'm just glad that road is leading away.

Am I hypocritical by looking at people who are at or close to my post surgery weight with some of the same looks I used to get?

I see people who are morbidly obese like I was and I feel like crying out at them, "DO SOMETHING!" And I remember all my friends who tried quietly saying things to me and it did no good. I remember my sisters' emotional letter which was probably written through tears. I remember the stern lecture I got from George Takei. I remember the look of concern in my friend Mel's eyes as he told me how concerned he was about my weight gain.

My friend Tracy recently returned my copy of the very first talent show which was six months before my surgery and I can hardly watch it now. I am both amazed at my progress and horrified at how far gone I was. I guess it's all part of the process all bariatric patients go through and I hope I can come to better terms with it.

I do not, however, cry out. I keep it to myself (Well, till now) and console myself with the fact that I was able save myself. I still have about 50 pounds to go. I am going to be working on a possibility of circumventing fighting with my insurance company over getting the nip and tuck paid for sometime next year.

BTW, how do you like the pic?

OK, so last weekend got out of control. I should have maybe posted some missive about being 42.....but Naaaaaaaah! Then I just didn't have the initiative to actually post something during the week. I'd always like to have a "big theme" to write about and not just boring stories about how many times I scratched my ass during the day. Hell, even I wouldn't want to read about that!

Had another great weekend with Johnny. It always seems quieter here when he goes back. Never made it to "The Producers". Just glad they're finally planning making a film version of the musical.

Went to see "Shrek 2". On the way stopped in to see a friend of mine who hasn't seen me in 18 months. Not only was he surprised to see me but loved the weight loss. Couldn't talk him into going to see the movie. Was nice to visit. For whatever reason he suffers from a Floridian malady. Itstoofartodrive-itis. Almost anything outside of the residential zip code becomes a long distance trek to locals. I'm sued to traveling 1 hour for a Trek club meeting without thinking about it and sometimes I can't get people around here to go from one end of the county to the other.

It was nice to be able to get in a car and drive again. This week I'll get the ball rolling on getting the van back on the road. There's a whole back story to the whole car thing which I'll get into once it's all over and done.

No disrespect to Ronald Reagan, but I really got tired of "Reagan TV" today. OK, I know he was president, and I respect that. However, it's all the revisionist history that got tiring. You expect it from those who worked for the man but when news anchors act like the sun has burned out that I quickly lost interest. According to more than one "journalist" Reagan was "probably one of the greatest leaders of the 20th century".

GAG!

Did we forget Iran/Contra? Did we forget "the poor choose to be that way"? Did we forget "ketchup is a vegetable"?

Let me repeat one of those......Did we forget Iran/Contra?

Yes, he did some good.......but "best"? No so much.

OK, he's no George W, I'll give him that!