It has been a relatively quiet year for A Page That Aches. But still, there were some highlights/lowlights. We said farewell to "W" in January and welcomed a new President in the US. And Coleman publicly cried foul and proceeded to take the State of Minnesota to court (after promising not to). February brought a new season of Idol,Neil Diamond appeared on the Grammys and Micheal Phelps proved himself to be a DOPE! In March we had Coleman continuing his court case and talking out of both sides of his mouth. Michelle Bachmann demonstrated that she was still a nutbag. In April, Conservatives approved of teabagging and threw parties to show people how and why. Finally, Senator Franken in July. Hot August Night/NYC DVD. Obamacare, State Fair. Go TWINS!!, Cold Fingers, Heavy Snow and Happy Dog.
Its all there- check it out month by month.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
On the second day of Christmas...
I am finding myself exhausted from (what would seem to be constant) snow removal for the past two days. Bailey still loves it and does not seem to tire from tunneling under it. I need to try to get a photo of his tail sticking up out of the snow. it is hillarious.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Cold fingers- Heavy Snow- Happy Dog
I wish I could find the same delight in the snowfall we received last night that my dog seems to enjoy. His little black head bobs up and down in the snow drifts and at times the only sign of life in my yard is his curly little tail wagging freely out of a white blanket that covers the earth (looks like a creepy underground monster in a B-movie).
At the same time I blow the snow off of the sidewalks, trying to set a new speed record, well aware that I will be doing a repeat performance tomorrow or the next day.
The same dog who enjoys the newfallen snow is the culprit for a merciless attack on my gloves (the right one is missing a pair of fingers). As a result, my right hand enjoyed the tingling sensation that can only be known when wet flesh meets ice-cold air.
But for now the sidewalks are clear, the dog is dry once again and sleeping.
My muscles are feeling slightly worked and my fingers are thawing nicely.
This Christmas Eve morning finds me well. I wish the same for you.
At the same time I blow the snow off of the sidewalks, trying to set a new speed record, well aware that I will be doing a repeat performance tomorrow or the next day.
The same dog who enjoys the newfallen snow is the culprit for a merciless attack on my gloves (the right one is missing a pair of fingers). As a result, my right hand enjoyed the tingling sensation that can only be known when wet flesh meets ice-cold air.
But for now the sidewalks are clear, the dog is dry once again and sleeping.
My muscles are feeling slightly worked and my fingers are thawing nicely.
This Christmas Eve morning finds me well. I wish the same for you.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Comments temporarily suspended to get rid of spammer
I keep getting a spam comment on a post made six months ago. I want to take up this blog agan at some point, but in the meantime I can't monitor a spammer every day.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Michelle Bachman
Okay, I have been funny before about Michelle Bachman and have called her loony or insane, or even stupid.
Seriously, I think she is none of these things. Let's try- in all seriousness- a manipulative liar who is motivated only by the idea of getting and holding on to power (which currently, she understands to be TV airtime).
In the link provided Michelle Bachman refuses to say what she believes about so-called "birthers" (even though she herself has asked questions about Obama's legitimacy) and at the same time keeps saying her constituents are asking "where are the jobs?"
She helped Bush create the disasterous economy that caused the collapse of manufacturing in this country and now she is pretending that such poor stewardship of our economy and the losses of jobs are not connected.
She's like a mean old lady walking around kicking puppies and then yelling at children for not taking care of their dogs.
She may be stupid, I don't know. She may be crazy, I have no way of knowing that either. Actually, our nation could survive that. But she is a mean spirited, self interested, egomaniacal, self promoting liar.
That is what makes her most scary.
Seriously, I think she is none of these things. Let's try- in all seriousness- a manipulative liar who is motivated only by the idea of getting and holding on to power (which currently, she understands to be TV airtime).
In the link provided Michelle Bachman refuses to say what she believes about so-called "birthers" (even though she herself has asked questions about Obama's legitimacy) and at the same time keeps saying her constituents are asking "where are the jobs?"
She helped Bush create the disasterous economy that caused the collapse of manufacturing in this country and now she is pretending that such poor stewardship of our economy and the losses of jobs are not connected.
She's like a mean old lady walking around kicking puppies and then yelling at children for not taking care of their dogs.
She may be stupid, I don't know. She may be crazy, I have no way of knowing that either. Actually, our nation could survive that. But she is a mean spirited, self interested, egomaniacal, self promoting liar.
That is what makes her most scary.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
GO TWINS!!!
Extended Season Play- Post Season Play- The best reasons to like Baseball.
It is your typical Autumn day, 50 degrees and rainy.
The only thing that would make this all better is if we had an outdoor stadium.
It is your typical Autumn day, 50 degrees and rainy.
The only thing that would make this all better is if we had an outdoor stadium.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Tea Baggers Unite
Michelle Bachmann just needs to be in the news- doesn't she? One wonders why she didn't appear at the State fair to have open dialogue with MN citizens.
Obama Care
This should (but probably won't) settle down Catholic opponents to Health Care reform:
No Federal Funding of Abortion in this plan and (as if it had to be said) no death panels.
He made a strong case for a public option based on the goal to make insurance affordable for all. In the process, he dispelled myths that Health Care Reform would be a governmental takover of the health care industry. ( Note that Rep. Charles Boustany of Louisiana continues to promote this untruth).
MsNBC indentifies Rep Joe Wilson of SC as the idiot who yelled . "It's a Lie!!" when Obama stated that Health Care Reform will not provide coverage for illegal aliens.
It is time to shut out Republicans who refuse to do anything except sit on their hands and obstruct this process.
No Federal Funding of Abortion in this plan and (as if it had to be said) no death panels.
He made a strong case for a public option based on the goal to make insurance affordable for all. In the process, he dispelled myths that Health Care Reform would be a governmental takover of the health care industry. ( Note that Rep. Charles Boustany of Louisiana continues to promote this untruth).
MsNBC indentifies Rep Joe Wilson of SC as the idiot who yelled . "It's a Lie!!" when Obama stated that Health Care Reform will not provide coverage for illegal aliens.
It is time to shut out Republicans who refuse to do anything except sit on their hands and obstruct this process.
Obama Care
This term created by the Right Wing to scare people into thinking health care reform is a conspiracy to take away your benefits and ultimately kill you (death panels) has not until now existed.
The question is whether the President's speech tonight will create an actual Obama Care or continue to leave it to congress to create an actual plan.
The challenge for the president is to set forth guiding principles that will be used by congress to shape an ultimate plan.
If anyone asked me I would tell him to completely ignore the right wing and tell the Dems to start working as if they actually held a majority.
The question is whether the President's speech tonight will create an actual Obama Care or continue to leave it to congress to create an actual plan.
The challenge for the president is to set forth guiding principles that will be used by congress to shape an ultimate plan.
If anyone asked me I would tell him to completely ignore the right wing and tell the Dems to start working as if they actually held a majority.
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Saturday, September 05, 2009
Civil Discourse over Health Care- Who'da thought?
His enemies called him an angry partisan liberal. He has been accused of lowering the level of civil discourse. Yet Al Franken, at the Minnesota State Fair, manages to conduct a civil discussion with 'TEAP' members who are known for shouting down their opponents and disrupting town hall meetings across the country.
Check out the link. Way to go Al! Keep it up!
Check out the link. Way to go Al! Keep it up!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Hot August Night/NYC DVD Review
Anything negative about this DVD I said in July of 2008 after seeing the concert.
The most remarkable thing about this concert package is the way it captures the experience of a Neil Diamond Concert.
Usually Neil Diamond on TV does not come close to measuring up to Neil Diamond in person. And while I would not trade the real concert experience for anything- this DVD comes darn close. From camera angles that make you feel like part of the audience, to close ups of individual band members and Neil himself and the timing of the show itself, this is a cmpletely satisfying dvd.
It would be easy to complain about problems with the show itself- like the repetitive calling out of "last chorus" for Sweet Caroline (probably the result of editing together the encores of several nights). I also was reminded of how disappointing YDBMF was this last time out. Perhaps it is time to retire this gem.
In spite of what anyone else might say or think, I am glad for Song Song Blue on this DVD. The importance of this song in Neil's carreer cannot be denied. It adds a nostalgic feel to thew concert and Linda and he singing it together is thoroughly enjoyable.
It is probably very uncharitable for me to say so but I continue to be distracted during "I'm a Believer". The girls l,ook incredibly unconfortable dancing in this sequence and remind my of Rocky, Brad and Janet in the final floor show of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Maxine, Julia and Linda, together, are one of my favorite parts of a Neil Diamond concert. But the camera angles during this song are truly unfortunate.
"Crunchy Granola" and "Done too Soon" help to recall an age when we were all younger. "I Am I Said" at this earlier point in the show helps to celebrate the consumate lyricist and poet and places the song appropriately in his carreer. "Hell Yeah" creates an excellent capstone for the concert and for Neil's career (so far).
This dvd is truly a gift for Neil's fans. The $12 price tag is entirely worth it and actually an extreme value.
The most remarkable thing about this concert package is the way it captures the experience of a Neil Diamond Concert.
Usually Neil Diamond on TV does not come close to measuring up to Neil Diamond in person. And while I would not trade the real concert experience for anything- this DVD comes darn close. From camera angles that make you feel like part of the audience, to close ups of individual band members and Neil himself and the timing of the show itself, this is a cmpletely satisfying dvd.
It would be easy to complain about problems with the show itself- like the repetitive calling out of "last chorus" for Sweet Caroline (probably the result of editing together the encores of several nights). I also was reminded of how disappointing YDBMF was this last time out. Perhaps it is time to retire this gem.
In spite of what anyone else might say or think, I am glad for Song Song Blue on this DVD. The importance of this song in Neil's carreer cannot be denied. It adds a nostalgic feel to thew concert and Linda and he singing it together is thoroughly enjoyable.
It is probably very uncharitable for me to say so but I continue to be distracted during "I'm a Believer". The girls l,ook incredibly unconfortable dancing in this sequence and remind my of Rocky, Brad and Janet in the final floor show of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Maxine, Julia and Linda, together, are one of my favorite parts of a Neil Diamond concert. But the camera angles during this song are truly unfortunate.
"Crunchy Granola" and "Done too Soon" help to recall an age when we were all younger. "I Am I Said" at this earlier point in the show helps to celebrate the consumate lyricist and poet and places the song appropriately in his carreer. "Hell Yeah" creates an excellent capstone for the concert and for Neil's career (so far).
This dvd is truly a gift for Neil's fans. The $12 price tag is entirely worth it and actually an extreme value.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
I hate Walmart!!!
I have not been a customer of Walmart for nearly 3 years for reasons that are largely my own. Mainly, I care about local economies and justice in employment. But I am not a fanatic and do not presume to tell others what to do or not do in this area.
But, since Neil Diamond saw fit to release his new concert dvd "Hot August Night/NYC" as a Walmart exclusive I chose to break my personal policy for this case and buy the dvd/cd pack ($12).
I ventured in to a Walmart about 3.5 weeks ago and asked about ordering a dvd for pick-up in the store (as opposed to ordering on-line and paying shipping). The completely unhelpful person in the dvd/cd/electronics section told me that the dvd could only be purchased on-line and would not be available in store.
Well, I went back and ordered my copy on-line and had to register with Walmart on-line in order to do that (even though I used an alternative on-line payment method).
After all that hassle, I was waiting patiently for the 14th, the official release date for the dvd and my anticipated shipping date. So, as I wait I get wind from various websites and friends on-line that the dvd is in fact available in stores and was made availabe on Tuesday the 11th.
Buying one in the store should have been a very easy process but I encountered a second wave of incompetence from the people working the registers.
So now I return to my personal boycott of Walmart stores. I believe my blood pressure will return to normal soon, at least I hope so.
I plan to do a full review of the dvd experience later but want to make two points.
The 2009 take of 'Sweet Caroline' on the cd is an enjoyable treat and reinforces my contention that this is the way this song should be song. There is a 2009 version of "Play Me" as well and it is okay but not special. The rest of the cd is a rehash of original releases and a disappointment.
The DVD quality is striking and so far I am enjoying it. But Like I said, I will do a complete review later.
My best advice right now would be to go to your local Walmart and buy this dvd/cd pack. It would be worth it at twice the price.
But, since Neil Diamond saw fit to release his new concert dvd "Hot August Night/NYC" as a Walmart exclusive I chose to break my personal policy for this case and buy the dvd/cd pack ($12).
I ventured in to a Walmart about 3.5 weeks ago and asked about ordering a dvd for pick-up in the store (as opposed to ordering on-line and paying shipping). The completely unhelpful person in the dvd/cd/electronics section told me that the dvd could only be purchased on-line and would not be available in store.
Well, I went back and ordered my copy on-line and had to register with Walmart on-line in order to do that (even though I used an alternative on-line payment method).
After all that hassle, I was waiting patiently for the 14th, the official release date for the dvd and my anticipated shipping date. So, as I wait I get wind from various websites and friends on-line that the dvd is in fact available in stores and was made availabe on Tuesday the 11th.
Buying one in the store should have been a very easy process but I encountered a second wave of incompetence from the people working the registers.
So now I return to my personal boycott of Walmart stores. I believe my blood pressure will return to normal soon, at least I hope so.
I plan to do a full review of the dvd experience later but want to make two points.
The 2009 take of 'Sweet Caroline' on the cd is an enjoyable treat and reinforces my contention that this is the way this song should be song. There is a 2009 version of "Play Me" as well and it is okay but not special. The rest of the cd is a rehash of original releases and a disappointment.
The DVD quality is striking and so far I am enjoying it. But Like I said, I will do a complete review later.
My best advice right now would be to go to your local Walmart and buy this dvd/cd pack. It would be worth it at twice the price.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
