Bob and I became friends about 10 years ago on AOL. Together we would rile up the right wingers in chat rooms and bask in our success at bringing stupidity front and center. We were a tag team and had many years of fun on AOL.
In 2005, I decided to start a blog. Bob had one and I figured, hey, if Bob can do it, so can I. My blog was extremely political, while Bob’s blog was more diverse. I remember when he got angry after my very first post on my very first blog got accolades from a prominent political blog, and I was featured front and center.
Bob was a mentor to me in the world of blogs. We never met, but we talked from time to time on the telephone. He knew me at my core, and we shared a world surrounded by depression and anxiety. He was there for me when I was suicidal. He was there for me when I was hospitalized. He was there for me when I was in pain. He was there during my cancer treatment. We were bonded in a way only he and I could understand and enjoy.
He called me on May 4 ... I missed the call. He never answered when I kept calling him back.
I miss him so much. I will never forget him. I hope he stays near me. I have so many friends in the next world (smiling) ... they will take care of him. I will pray that my family embraces him and helps on his new journey. At least the depression will be gone. And the anxiety.
I love you Bob.
Showing posts with label DJ Rix. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DJ Rix. Show all posts
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Riffing Off Of Rix's Post
I think I believed in Santa until I was about seven years old. I totally remember "hearing" the bells and sled and hooves on my roof one night! I also remember one night constantly getting out of bed to check out if Santa had come (only to find out later my mom was pissed off because she was trying to "assemble" two bikes for my sister and me, and I kept interrupting her!). After the last of the little ones in my family were over Santa, we didn't celebrate Christmas (as we were not really Christians, hence the religious part of Christmas was not what we adults or older children were into). Also, my mom did the decoration thing to the max. Way over the top for me. Even in her old age, she still hired someone to set up all of her decorations ... plastic sleigh with Santa and reindeer, lights everywhere, tree way over decorated, the whole shebang.
Like Bob, I too, had a mom that imbibed a bit too much. Actually, my mom was a complete drunk, and there were several Christmas occasions when I was older, but there were still some little ones, that my mom completely ruined the entire evening. Once she tipped over the tree. Once she never even bought a tree (when she got mad, she got mad). Once she pee'd in the refrigerator vegetable drawer .... both my sister and I never ate anything stored in that drawer again!
I was glad when I left that house and moved in with my aunt, uncle and cousins. No more drunks and no more beatings that usually accompany the drunken episodes.
But, somewhere when I was in my 30's, I re-discovered Christmas. Not in the religious sense, but it was born when my ex was fighting me for custody over my then 7 year old daughter, and claiming "Christmas" and my lack of doing anything during this time was somehow evidence I was a bad parent. So, I went out and got a tree and silly me, bought my first ever ornaments and lights. Man that was a costly adventure, close to $1,000 back then. But, since I actually LOVE CHRISTMAS music, it was an excuse to play songs, FINALLY! And, I found out that when I took the religion out of the holiday, I actually enjoyed it more as an adult.
I had one interesting holiday when I lived in Portland during the divorce period, and my daughter was 2 or 3 (the fight when she was 7 was his second attempt to get custody), and we were so poor we made all our own ornaments, and we actually cut our own tree from a local tree farm. Maybe next year, I will scan some of my Christmas pictures over the years.
I think my saddest Christmas was when my sister and I were sent to live with my grandparents for a year when we were 5 and 6 respectively (I was older), and we didn't see my mom for a year. She came to Baltimore, where we were living, for Christmas (bringing my baby cousin, Kelly, who was barely six months old) and stayed for a week. I cried for days when she left.
But, that was when I grew up when I should not have had to. I realized I didn't have a mom that was capable of taking care of me, and I had to take care of myself. Harsh reality at such an early age.
Anyway ... I am sure I will end this evening with some more posts that are more upbeat!!!!
Friday, November 11, 2011
Thursday, June 09, 2011
Saturday, January 02, 2010
What I Read Today
Many of my readers know that when I start a book, I generally finish it the same day I started it.
Today, Zaire wanted to go to McDonald's for lunch, the one with the playground. I find that when I go to Micky D's, and let him run around for an hour to two hours, it helps to have a book. I did try some People magazines once, that was joke. Hardly read anything in them, finished them up in less than half an hour, and then tapped my toes waiting for time to be up so I could drag Zaire off the playground and go home!
I started another Belva Plain novel entitled Crossroads. I read for about an hour and a half at Micky D's, got home at 4 p.m., read until I finished it about ten minutes ago, except for the half hour I took to make dinner for Zaire! The book was 322 pages, and like the other Plain novel I read in one day, Her Father's House, was exceptional. Having read two of her many novels, I am getting her "style," which involves the main characters saying things, and then in italics, their thoughts are written out. Of course, there are stories intertwined in each of the novels, but the writing style is beginning to be understood by me.
I tried to buy one of her books for a friend for Christmas, but at the only bookstore I had time to get to, Barnes & Noble, they only had her works in paperback, and I abhore paperbacks! Obviously, I am going to have to scour online book stores to buy any more Plain books, but it will be worth it.
Ever since I read that poll that said many Americans haven't read a book in two years, I've definitely increased my book reading, although, I doubt I'll ever be the book whore DJ Rix is (laughing!)
Today, Zaire wanted to go to McDonald's for lunch, the one with the playground. I find that when I go to Micky D's, and let him run around for an hour to two hours, it helps to have a book. I did try some People magazines once, that was joke. Hardly read anything in them, finished them up in less than half an hour, and then tapped my toes waiting for time to be up so I could drag Zaire off the playground and go home!
I started another Belva Plain novel entitled Crossroads. I read for about an hour and a half at Micky D's, got home at 4 p.m., read until I finished it about ten minutes ago, except for the half hour I took to make dinner for Zaire! The book was 322 pages, and like the other Plain novel I read in one day, Her Father's House, was exceptional. Having read two of her many novels, I am getting her "style," which involves the main characters saying things, and then in italics, their thoughts are written out. Of course, there are stories intertwined in each of the novels, but the writing style is beginning to be understood by me.
I tried to buy one of her books for a friend for Christmas, but at the only bookstore I had time to get to, Barnes & Noble, they only had her works in paperback, and I abhore paperbacks! Obviously, I am going to have to scour online book stores to buy any more Plain books, but it will be worth it.
Ever since I read that poll that said many Americans haven't read a book in two years, I've definitely increased my book reading, although, I doubt I'll ever be the book whore DJ Rix is (laughing!)
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
What Book I Read Today
Taking a page out of DJ Rix’s “what I read today/this week/this month,” here is an update on my most recent read.
First off, as I have noted on my blog before, I have this habit of starting a book and then not being able to put it down until it is finished. I can usually polish up a 350 pager in one day.
This book was entitled “Pursuit” by Karen Robards. The book revolved around the death of the wife of the president of the United States, lawyers, FBI, Secret Service agents, Washington elite, and whether the death was an accident or a murder. As I was reading, I could already see the movie, starring Harrison Ford as the Secret Service good guy, and Calista Flockheart as the really tiny lawyer who survived the crash that killed the president’s wife, the driver and another Secret Service agent. The book was fast paced, and you couldn’t really predict the ending. And just a scintilla of romance/sex.
However, since I tend to have the desire to finish off the books when I start them, I’ll have to give myself at least another week to recover from this recent read (especially since I didn’t go to work ... ha ha ha ... and read during the day!)
First off, as I have noted on my blog before, I have this habit of starting a book and then not being able to put it down until it is finished. I can usually polish up a 350 pager in one day.
This book was entitled “Pursuit” by Karen Robards. The book revolved around the death of the wife of the president of the United States, lawyers, FBI, Secret Service agents, Washington elite, and whether the death was an accident or a murder. As I was reading, I could already see the movie, starring Harrison Ford as the Secret Service good guy, and Calista Flockheart as the really tiny lawyer who survived the crash that killed the president’s wife, the driver and another Secret Service agent. The book was fast paced, and you couldn’t really predict the ending. And just a scintilla of romance/sex.
However, since I tend to have the desire to finish off the books when I start them, I’ll have to give myself at least another week to recover from this recent read (especially since I didn’t go to work ... ha ha ha ... and read during the day!)
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Funeral For A Friend - Love Lies Bleeding
This is the closest I could find to a live version of his recorded version of Funeral for A Friend. Inspired by DJ Rix's post tonight.
One of my all time faves of Sir Elton John.
One of my all time faves of Sir Elton John.
Monday, December 15, 2008
And What Book Did You Read This Week?
When I read Bob's blog, he's always talking about the books he is reading.
Last year I was alarmed by a report that came out that indicated most Americans had not read a book in two years. I was one of those Americans, despite having an extensive library at home with at least 100 or more books (not counting reference or coffee table books). I would go on book buying binges, and then maybe read one of them.
When I put my grandson into the art class at Barnsdall Park, I had an hour to kill every Saturday while waiting for him, plus another hour and half when we went to McDonalds for lunch afterwards (where he would play in one of those playschool contraptions they have for the kids).
The first week of his class was right when Paul Newman had passed away, so I brought along the People magazine and read it cover to cover, to kill the hour.
The next week, I brought a book. I looked through my shelves and shelves, and the book, Nights In Rodanthe, by Nicholas Sparks, caught my eye. I had no idea I had even bought it years ago, and now it was a movie, so I took the slim book and read that second Saturday. I finished it the following Saturday. It was a pleasing read, but I was not impassioned by it. When I get passionate about a book, I generally don't stop reading it until I finish it.
The next book I picked to read was entitled My Father's House by Bela Plavin. That one I started on the Saturday, but I actually had to read it to the end by Sunday. It was only 342 pages, so it was easy to finish it off in two days. The story was intriguing and it was a slow paced narrative, with a hint of mystery, impending doom/surprise/possible good ending around the corner.
Zaire's art class is over until I sign him up for new one in January. But, yesterday he wanted to go to McDonalds for lunch, so I looked for another book I hadn't read in my library. This time I picked Michael Palmer's The Society. Damn. I didn't even go to work today, so that I could finish it! It was 352 pages, an easy two-day read for me. When I read the acknowledgments about the people the author interviewed concerning managed health-care, a part of me wanted to put the book back. But, then again, I usually bought books for a reason, if I didn't read them right away. This book was very much like riding a roller coaster. Plot twists, fast paced, detective slash romance slash medical mystery, with an epilogue out of the movie Body Heat! The intensity of the storyline had me taking a Valium half way through (laughs).
There are, of course, many books that are just boring. The Nanny Diaries comes to mind.
I used to be a voracious reader. Between television and the internet, not to mention managing three blogs and having a full time job, and a weekend custody relationship with my grandson, reading books seemed to be a passion that subsided, especially given the many hours I would "read" the net.
I'm glad I read this new book, especially given the trepidation I had at reading the prologue and acknowledgments.
I don't have enough time in my day to really read, especially based on my need to finish the damn thing as soon as possible. But it has been fun finding time in my life to put reading back on the agenda.
Thanks, Rix, for the inspiration to read more.
Last year I was alarmed by a report that came out that indicated most Americans had not read a book in two years. I was one of those Americans, despite having an extensive library at home with at least 100 or more books (not counting reference or coffee table books). I would go on book buying binges, and then maybe read one of them.
When I put my grandson into the art class at Barnsdall Park, I had an hour to kill every Saturday while waiting for him, plus another hour and half when we went to McDonalds for lunch afterwards (where he would play in one of those playschool contraptions they have for the kids).
The first week of his class was right when Paul Newman had passed away, so I brought along the People magazine and read it cover to cover, to kill the hour.
The next week, I brought a book. I looked through my shelves and shelves, and the book, Nights In Rodanthe, by Nicholas Sparks, caught my eye. I had no idea I had even bought it years ago, and now it was a movie, so I took the slim book and read that second Saturday. I finished it the following Saturday. It was a pleasing read, but I was not impassioned by it. When I get passionate about a book, I generally don't stop reading it until I finish it.
The next book I picked to read was entitled My Father's House by Bela Plavin. That one I started on the Saturday, but I actually had to read it to the end by Sunday. It was only 342 pages, so it was easy to finish it off in two days. The story was intriguing and it was a slow paced narrative, with a hint of mystery, impending doom/surprise/possible good ending around the corner.
Zaire's art class is over until I sign him up for new one in January. But, yesterday he wanted to go to McDonalds for lunch, so I looked for another book I hadn't read in my library. This time I picked Michael Palmer's The Society. Damn. I didn't even go to work today, so that I could finish it! It was 352 pages, an easy two-day read for me. When I read the acknowledgments about the people the author interviewed concerning managed health-care, a part of me wanted to put the book back. But, then again, I usually bought books for a reason, if I didn't read them right away. This book was very much like riding a roller coaster. Plot twists, fast paced, detective slash romance slash medical mystery, with an epilogue out of the movie Body Heat! The intensity of the storyline had me taking a Valium half way through (laughs).
There are, of course, many books that are just boring. The Nanny Diaries comes to mind.
I used to be a voracious reader. Between television and the internet, not to mention managing three blogs and having a full time job, and a weekend custody relationship with my grandson, reading books seemed to be a passion that subsided, especially given the many hours I would "read" the net.
I'm glad I read this new book, especially given the trepidation I had at reading the prologue and acknowledgments.
I don't have enough time in my day to really read, especially based on my need to finish the damn thing as soon as possible. But it has been fun finding time in my life to put reading back on the agenda.
Thanks, Rix, for the inspiration to read more.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Happy Birthday To DJ Rix
Today is DJ Rix's birthday. Hope he at least gets out of the house for some Dunkin Donuts coffee and a treat!
My impression of him this morning!Monday, May 26, 2008
Some People's Memorial Day Memories
Drive to the cemetery, look at the little flags on the graves, & think on that, & think on how this day once helped to heal the deepest divisions of this nation, & how it still tells us that there are worthier sacrifices, ultimate sacrifices even.
Read it. Very good.
Funny how the DJ and I have flipped, blog style, politically, lately.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
THREE YEARS BLOGGING!
Today is my third year anniversary of my first blog post, which you can re-read here. Not only was it a featured post on MyDD, which I cross-blogged it at, MyDD nominated it for a Koufax award as best post of the year. Although I most certainly didn’t win, it was nonetheless, extremely gratifying to me.
I find it funny that three years later, my still Republican ex best friend is clueless. Here is an email he sent me on November 16, 2007, via a Yahoo email address that I give/gave out when I was using AOL as my blogosphere.
Yeah, I actually thought people on AOL had the ability to use their brains, but I have been proven wrong (with the exception of DJ Rix!)
My first year’s worth of posts have been fun for me to read over, as I was very much fired up. However, the second year that I started blogging was about the third year for Dkos., MyDD, Firedoglake, etc., and as we all know, these blogs became huge group blogs. As a result, I was not able to compete with their ability to break stories, as most worked on ads, fund raising, and pretty much became full time activities on their own. I still read them daily, but because I hold a full time job, it is patently impossible for me to be on the web scouring for stories to beat these guys, and as a result, my political posts were more redundant than original. I still like the blogging format, have a loyal following, and have enjoyed expanding my topics to music and other areas of interest to me.
Cross-posted at MyDD.
I find it funny that three years later, my still Republican ex best friend is clueless. Here is an email he sent me on November 16, 2007, via a Yahoo email address that I give/gave out when I was using AOL as my blogosphere.
Mel,
I noticed you haven't updated your liberal propaganda website. Does that mean you are no longer a leftist? Does that mean you have admitted defeat? It must be so discouraging to see who your party is touting as presidential hopefuls in 2008. As far as I can see my side will have no trouble keeping the White House in 2008, and it looks like we may even take the House and Senate back. Anyway, I hope you and your family are in good health and your life is going well. You really need to learn that politics should not consume your life so much. Afterall, I couldn't stand Bill Clinton, but that didn't prevent me from having friends that for some reason liked him. Have a great Thanksgiving.
Tony
Yeah, I actually thought people on AOL had the ability to use their brains, but I have been proven wrong (with the exception of DJ Rix!)
My first year’s worth of posts have been fun for me to read over, as I was very much fired up. However, the second year that I started blogging was about the third year for Dkos., MyDD, Firedoglake, etc., and as we all know, these blogs became huge group blogs. As a result, I was not able to compete with their ability to break stories, as most worked on ads, fund raising, and pretty much became full time activities on their own. I still read them daily, but because I hold a full time job, it is patently impossible for me to be on the web scouring for stories to beat these guys, and as a result, my political posts were more redundant than original. I still like the blogging format, have a loyal following, and have enjoyed expanding my topics to music and other areas of interest to me.
Cross-posted at MyDD.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Saturday, August 18, 2007
I'm A Social Nerd!
| What Be Your Nerd Type? Your Result: Social Nerd You're interested in things such as politics, psychology, child care, and peace. I wouldn't go so far as to call you a hippie, but some of you may be tree-huggers. You're the type of people who are interested in bettering the world. You're possible the least nerdy of them all; unless you participate in other activies that paled your nerdiness compared to your involvement in social activities. Whatever the case, we could still use more of you around. ^_^ | |
| Drama Nerd | |
| Science/Math Nerd | |
| Musician | |
| Literature Nerd | |
| Artistic Nerd | |
| Gamer/Computer Nerd | |
| Anime Nerd | |
| What Be Your Nerd Type? Quizzes for MySpace | |
I took this test after seeing it on Rix' blog. While the questions, to me, seemed a bit skewed to a younger group, I still turned out to be a "social nerd" or, more aptly, a hippie. It says I may not even be "nerdy." It is funny that it more or less does sum me up accurately.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Just Moving The Meme Along
Bob is interviewing me.
It's interview time:
1. What is the one thing in life you feel most anxious about? Death.
2. If you were given a shopping spree for 1 day what would it be for? ($10,000 credit, doesn't have to be a store but can't pay off bills). With only $10,000, I'd probably visit Home Depot and the like and make over my apartment.
3. What would be your dream vacation spot? I still love NYC, and it still ranks up there as number one for me.
4. Which celebrity, past or present, do you most wish was still in the public eye? John F. Kennedy, just because.
5. Where did you lose your virginity? In Fresno, California, in bed with my soon to be first husband, about a week before our wedding.
It's interview time:
1. What is the one thing in life you feel most anxious about? Death.
2. If you were given a shopping spree for 1 day what would it be for? ($10,000 credit, doesn't have to be a store but can't pay off bills). With only $10,000, I'd probably visit Home Depot and the like and make over my apartment.
3. What would be your dream vacation spot? I still love NYC, and it still ranks up there as number one for me.
4. Which celebrity, past or present, do you most wish was still in the public eye? John F. Kennedy, just because.
5. Where did you lose your virginity? In Fresno, California, in bed with my soon to be first husband, about a week before our wedding.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Thursday, June 22, 2006
What's The Point?
It's stuff like today's reading in the news media that so sadly disappoints me, and makes me just want to move away from political blogging, and join my friend, DJ Rix, in putting forth a more personal blog, with occasional political rantings.
It's the Santorum WMD meme that has me grumpy. He goes on FOX news and proclaims a certain document proves that there were WMD in Iraq. The problem is that the document refers to stuff found in 1991. However, over the next ten years, Iraq was under scrutiny by the world to get rid of any of his WMD. That's why the inspectors were on the ground in 2000 and 2001, making sure that Hussein was not reconstituting WMD! And, after DOD spokesman debunks Santorum's claims, the new meme emerges that the reason this document was hidden and not declassified until now, was that the United States was protecting Russia, France and China! Because, apparently, those countries had helped Iraq remove and hide the WMDs. Ha ha ha..... sorry, it's funny because it's sooooooo mistakenly wrong. But, regardless, that's what they're going to say.
See, the problem I have with this is because of that approximate 30% of the American people that still believe there was a connection between 9/11 and Iraq. It is these people that are going to buy this bullshit, hook, line and sinker. I mean, come on! When the vice president continues to this day to make that claim, how can you put the onus on the public?
I can only shake my head in wonder, as I watch the right wing pundits lap it up as if it was the fourth of July already.
Sigh.
It's the Santorum WMD meme that has me grumpy. He goes on FOX news and proclaims a certain document proves that there were WMD in Iraq. The problem is that the document refers to stuff found in 1991. However, over the next ten years, Iraq was under scrutiny by the world to get rid of any of his WMD. That's why the inspectors were on the ground in 2000 and 2001, making sure that Hussein was not reconstituting WMD! And, after DOD spokesman debunks Santorum's claims, the new meme emerges that the reason this document was hidden and not declassified until now, was that the United States was protecting Russia, France and China! Because, apparently, those countries had helped Iraq remove and hide the WMDs. Ha ha ha..... sorry, it's funny because it's sooooooo mistakenly wrong. But, regardless, that's what they're going to say.
See, the problem I have with this is because of that approximate 30% of the American people that still believe there was a connection between 9/11 and Iraq. It is these people that are going to buy this bullshit, hook, line and sinker. I mean, come on! When the vice president continues to this day to make that claim, how can you put the onus on the public?
I can only shake my head in wonder, as I watch the right wing pundits lap it up as if it was the fourth of July already.
Sigh.
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Friday, November 11, 2005
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