Tuesday, September 30, 2008

A Fabulous Weekend, followed by...

I will post pictures as soon as my lazy butt gets in gear but I was self-Indulgent yesterday and only finished a few things.


I don't know how everyone is taking the news but I only have One Question: Why is it that fixing Social Security, which provides for and Protects most citizens "too expensive" to fix but Wall Street shows us their Absolute Incompetence and we are ready to pony up 770 Billion in order to "temporarily fix" their problems? Remember, these folks are the ones who say they "are the experts" What, exactly are they expert at? Will taking their "bad debt" really make everything better or just allow them to Dump their financial "shit" on us and continue on their Merry Way?

The Romans had a solution for this: the Jubilee year, where all debt was cancelled- public and private so everyone started with a clean slate. I'm Certain it wouldn't occur to anyone to do this so I'm throwing it out there. No one can miss out on Profits, can they? Is Forgiveness really possible? This Whole "Crisis" feels like a Shell Game; a 3 card Monty of a thing. and this president (and John Mc Cain) wants us to put part of out Social Security into This Swamp? Chile did this and people Lost 15-20% of their deposits in fees, assessments etc...

If Wall Street wants a Bail-out, We want Social Security fixed for the foreseeable future- let That be their cost and I would agree. but then again, what do I know? I'm only a regular guy.

Saturday, September 27, 2008


Off to Saugerties- The Garlic is calling Me!
We are off to the Hudson Valley Garlic Festival! Although it s wet today, I'm sure we will have a great Garlicky time-We always do! I love harvest festivals! If you're local, the weather is supposed to clear tomorrow, stop by and say Hi, just don't get too close- I might have Garlic on my breath, but, come to think of it, so will everyone else so I may not stand out. BTW: the guy whose face is printed on the scarecrow is Bob Yerina, a garlic farmer and Great Guy who shows everyone how to braid- just look for the sign.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Tell Her This- Del Amitri

More from Julia Nunes. For someone doing all her own backup work, she Good!

Monday, September 15, 2008

From the NY Daily News:

Hero EMT slain in love triangle
; girlfriend's ex sought
BY OREN YANIV, TAMER EL-GHOBASHY and SIMONE WEICHSELBAUM DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS
Updated Monday, September 15th 2008, 7:57 AM

Jason Ruiz
A hero paramedic who once jumped onto the subway tracks to rescue a stricken woman was stabbed to death early Sunday, cops and relatives said.
Police have arrested the woman's enraged ex-boyfriend, Enrique Pizarro, 25, at about 11:30 p.m. Pizarro was charged with murder and possession of a weapon.
Jason Ruiz, 30, an FDNY emergency medical technician with a long record of bravery, answered a knock on the door of the woman's Sunset Park, Brooklyn, apartment about 1:30 a.m.
The woman's ex-boyfriend immediately started arguing with the pair and pulled a knife.
The suspect stabbed Ruiz, whose father is a retired police detective, twice in the chest and ran off, cops said.
"I heard the screams," said Mario Velazquez, 40, a neighbor. "When the [victim] screamed, somebody ran off."
Ruiz was taken to Lutheran Medical Center but died an hour after the stabbing, cops said.
"It was an unfortunate tragedy," said Ruiz's cousin Carlos Pantoja, 33.
Ruiz's girlfriend had been "harassed" by her ex-boyfriend recently, family members said. Cops said they knew the suspect's identity and were hunting him.
Ruiz, a paramedic for four years, was mourned by fellow emergency medical technicians as a fallen hero.
They hung his uniform at their office at Woodhull Hospital in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Flowers surrounded Ruiz's helmet. Candles sat by his overalls.
"He would do anything for anybody," said EMT Yvonne Aparicio, 30.
"The department is saddened by his loss," said FDNY spokesman Jim Long. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."
In July, Ruiz was recognized for rescuing a woman who had suffered a seizure and fell onto the subway tracks at Marcy and Myrtle Aves in Brooklyn, Long said.
Ruiz and his partner, Juan Rios, jumped onto the tracks without waiting for the power to shut off, pulled the woman to safety and provided emergency care.
"He was the first one on the tracks doing what he was trained to do," said Rios, 27.
He was awarded a medal for "meritorious acts" in 2006 and 2007.
"He was very loyal," said the sister of Ruiz's girlfriend, who asked not to be named. "He was a good guy."

Funeral details will follow. Jason, shield #3805 will be Missed...R.I.P. Brother
His attacker turned himself in and he was arraigned earlier tonight.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Matt Damon Speaks my mind on:Sarah Palin






9/11


I will be staying home today. I normally would go to one of the services or ceremonies that will be held but today I feel that remembering in private is my best option. I ask any of you who see this to say a prayer for all the victims of 9/11.

Sunday, September 07, 2008



Henry "Hank" Eck, Requiescat In Pace



Hank Eck, along with his son Ken, were the Friday crew for S.O.A.C., my volunteer corps for I believe the better part of Five years. Hank and I were the day tour and his son would take over in the evening I rode from 7am to midnight. Hank had retired from the Phone company and in addition to having been the Chief of the local fire department, he was active in his retirees association (the Pioneers), the ambulance and other groups. He was a tall, Funny and Hard Working guy who cared about people & was ( and still is) My Inspiration for what it is to be a Great Partner! He passed away yesterday at age 82. Words are insufficient to describe my sense of Loss.


Decency is all too Overlooked. Hank was a Decent man, concerned with the welfare of others and always ready to lend a hand. When there was Trouble-there was Hank! Humility is Disparaged. Hank was self effacing. Manners are almost missing in public today. Hank really was a Gentleman. It wasn't an act, like it seems to be for so many others. He will be Missed.

Saturday, September 06, 2008

That Green Gentleman, PATD cover

YaY! Julia is Back! If you haven't heard her, check her ouit on Youtube under jaaaaaaa Love the Uke