THE LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR

Do they have a height requirement? Seriously, some were are my church yesterday. They were short. So were the ones who used to solicit at my dad's office.

"THERE IS A BALM IN GILEAD...

...to make the wounded whole."

SATURDAY NIGHT VIDEOS!

http://www.youtube.com/vatican#play/all/uploads-all/0/XpT6pm7NBbQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqvhkLO_tq8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT2OWigvQjY

http://s236.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/fooma2001/?action=view&current=Untitled3.flv

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uK92NYwBMts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeJPYhPX8UU

http://www.youtube.com/donjojohannes#play/uploads/30/YR68DWMpK8Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1-tDvENdkE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPlcTWIe-xU&feature=PlayList&p=C90A4142A0BC7426&index=3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIWKyKUMy34&feature=related

SUN IN VIRGO

The sun is now in Virgo, an earth sign. For a kickass reading, see www.spiritinmatters.com

Москва слезам не верит

“Not everything works out right away, and Moscow was built not in one day…” “we go on living and make summer dresses from gauzy cotton…we should be prepared for however strong may be the blizzards their bondage is bound to come to an end.”

"Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmFopq25P8A&feature=PlayList&p=DE0E5AC7B846B9D3&index=0&playnext=1

WEEK 35

I guess Teddy Kennedy’s death is the big news story this week. People talk about his resilience and how many setbacks he overcame. Hopefully I’ll do the same.

TACO TIME...

...at the press club. Keeps me going.

SOMETHING WEIRD

Had a client react in a way I've never seen before.

WHAT TO DO....

...without about 490 unuseable business cards? Maybe no one will notice.

HOG WILD

Got the bathtub faucets fixed, a new toilet flapper, got the A/C installed and got a new refrigerator.

THE OTHER WOMAN

“At four I was madly in love with Alan Hirsch, who was madly in love with Cynthia Fishman. He played doctor with me but swore he would marry her when he grew up. At age four I was already the other woman.”

Gail Parent

I was not the other woman until I was about 28. Before that I only had to DEAL with the other woman. Not sure which is less fun.

At four I was madly in love with Jeff R, who was three. Even then I had a thing for younger men. Don’t think Jeff was Jewish, but he drove my parents and grandmother up a wall. Hmmm, should have seen the behaviour pattern starting even then.

OH, NO!

Apparently I am an annoying Facebooker: http://bit.ly/ZVkgA

SATURDAY NIGHT VIDEOS!

http://www.youtube.com/vatican#play/all/uploads-all/0/Qcn5JvN5bu4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvpmWf_2-bA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulzDKHhZe5U

http://s236.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/fooma2001/?action=view&current=Untitled10.flv

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z62ikGqIuUY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-TwWijC-LY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnjYrP5J6rE&feature=PlayList&p=933B4207AB53C00A&index=105

http://www.youtube.com/user/donjojohannes#play/uploads/28/YR68DWMpK8Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPU0-JNYMg8&feature=PlayList&p=C90A4142A0BC7426&index=2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEisgXwJv5I&feature=related

A SCARY EXPERIENCE

Came home this afternoon to a condo full of smoke. Pigs are ok, but we are gonna need a new fridge

WER WIRD DENN WOANA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX07DWSqrTk

Du sitzt in da Eckn, dei Make up is ja scho ganz verschmiert!
Sog, konn i di net tröstn, ja wos is da denn passiert?
Hot a vielleicht gsogt, daß a jetz auf a andre steht und daß a scho seit drei, vier Wochn mit ihr geht?
Wimperntusche lauft da übers Gsicht, sog wia schaust denn aus?
Moanst es huift, dann woan di hoit an meiner Schuiter aus!
I konn da nix versprechn, doch i glaub dös geht vorbei;
nimm mei Taschntuach und schneiz di erst moi richtig nei!
Wer wird denn woana, Baby Blue!
Mit so schöne blaue Augn wia du!
Mit so schöne blaue Augn wia du!
Mit so schöne blaue Augn wia du!
Mit so schöne blaue Augn wia du!
Du stehst auf da Brückn, wuist vielleicht sogar ins Wasser geh?
Madl für a Wasserleichn bist ja doch vui z’schee.
Wärs vielleicht net möglich, daß er dir scho nimmer gfoit und außerdem is d’Isar doch scho sackrisch koit!
Wer wird denn...
Du stehst ja nu oiwei ganz verlaßn in da Kältn rum;
du hoist da ja an Schnupfn,
Madl sei doch net so dumm!
Ja bis in vierzehn Tog wern deine Schmerzn scho vergeh,
doch i glaub, fürs erste huift a Taßn hoaßa Tee!
Wer wird denn woana, Baby Blue!
Mit so schöne blaue Augn wia du!
Mit so schöne blaue Augn wia du!
Mit so schöne blaue Augn wia du!
Mit so schöne blaue Augn wia du!

Günther Sigl

"IF A MAN WANTS INNER BEAUTY...

...he'll take an X-ray."

Joan Rivers

Interesting that Ellen DeGeneres is now spokesperson for Cover Girl Cosmetics. Not that I think Ellen is ugly, just doesn't seem like her thing.

WEEK 34

A week crippled by fear. I have even been afraid to do normal things that need to be done – making phone calls, paying bills, etc. Even a homeless guy on Connecticut Avenue asked me why I looked so sad. At least the economy shows some signs of improvement and my financial situation shows signs of stabilizing. Unfortunately, there are things about which I can’t blog, at least not yet.

ON FEAR

Coincidentally I ran into Deb Price at the press club today. Years ago she signed a book for me with the inscription "Don't Let Fear Choose Your Path." I thought she was psychic and had written that message just for me, but evidently at that time she wrote it for everyone, still, it was what I needed to hear at the time and what I need to hear again.

YOU GOT WHAT IT TAKES

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkDw428mTW4

Ow! You don't drive a big fast car, no
You don't look a-like a movie star
And on your money we won't get far
But baby, you got what it takes,
Oh! to satisfy
You got what it takes to set my soul on fire
But oh, oh, whoa-oh, whoa-oh whoa-oh-oh yeah
You got what it takes for me Ow!
You don't live in a beautiful place
And you don't dress in the best of taste Oh!
Nature didn't give you such a beautiful face
But baby, you got what it takes,
Oh! to satisfy
You got what it takes to set my soul on fire
But oh, oh, whoa-oh, whoa-oh whoa-oh-oh yeah
You got what it takes for me
Now when you're near me, ooo-wee
My head goes around and around
And when you kiss me, a-little girl
My love comes tumblin' down, you send me
You don't live in a beautiful place
Oh, you don't dress in the best of taste
And nature didn't give you such a beautiful face
But baby, you got what it takes, Oh!
to satisfy You got what it takes to set my soul on fire
But oh, oh, whoa-oh, whoa-oh whoa-oh-oh yeah
You got what it takes for me
Now when you're near me, mmm-mmm
My head goes around and around and around and around
And when you kiss me, a-little girl
My love comes tumblin' down, you send me
You don't live in a beautiful place, no
You don't dress in the best of taste
And nature didn't give you such a beautiful face
But baby, you got what it takes
Yeah, yeah, yeah Yeah, you got what it takes
Baby, I'm tellin' you
You got what it takes

Gordy/Gordy/Carlo

AND THE OSCAR FOR BEST-WINNING ACTRESS...

...goes to me.

THINGS ARE TOUGH..

times are hard. Here's your fucking tarot card. Hustled readings on DuPont Circle. Made three dollars.

A GUIDE TO SELF-CARE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2lYO7o6HBo

Button up your overcoat,
When the wind is free,
Take good care of yourself,
You belong to me!
Eat an apple every day,
Get to bed by three,
Oh, take good care of yourself,
You belong to me!
Be careful crossing streets, ooh-ooh,
Cut out sweets, ooh-ooh,
Lay off meat, ooh-ooh,
You'll get a pain and ruin your tum-tum!
Wear your flannel underwear,
When you climb a tree,
Oh, take good care of yourself,
You belong to me!
Button up your overcoat,
When the wind is free,
Oh, take good care of yourself,
You belong to me!
Boop-boop-a-doop!
When you sass a traffic cop,
Use diplomacy;
Just take good care of yourself,
You belong to me!
Beware of frozen ponds, ooh-ooh,
Stocks and bonds, ooh-ooh,
Peroxide blondes, ooh-ooh,
You'll get a pain and ruin your bankroll!
Keep the spoon out of your cup,
When you're drinking tea,
Oh, take good care of yourself,
You belong to me!
Don't sit on hornet's tails, ooh-ooh!
Or on nails, ooh-ooh!
Or third rails, ooh-ooh!
You'll get a pain and ruin your tum-tum!
Keep away from bootleg hooch
When you're on a spree,
Oh, take good care of yourself,
You belong to me!

DeSylva/Brown/Henderson

OBSERVATIONS AT KAISER PERMANENTE

1) There was a guy in a Georgetown University Maintenance shirt. So much for employees’ getting care at the hospital there.

2) The woman who did my intake told me she sometimes works 12 hours a day, can’t afford to pay this month’s power bill, and can’t afford a landline phone or home internet access. Gee, I wonder where those $300+ dollar premiums are going?

3) A woman came out of the radiology department limping. This was a staff member, not a patient.

I AM PRAYING...

...without ceasing.

1 Thessalonians 5:17

REINVENTING MYSELF

Unfortunately it's time to do that. Why does the prospect not make me happy?

HANGING IN THERE

That's about all I can do. And it seems that 's what everyone else is doing, too.

SATURDAY NIGHT VIDEOS!

http://www.youtube.com/vatican#play/all/uploads-all/0/o0QkDhUJrS0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYCz8vSGTDI

http://s236.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/fooma2001/?action=view&current=VID00049.flv

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x9VKuKL_1Y&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uK92NYwBMts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOhzydhezEs&feature=channel_page

http://flimmr.passagen.se/movie/beavis_and_butthead_the_final_judgement_of_beavis.action

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FPv2toi5og

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTb13cRK1ss&feature=PlayList&p=C90A4142A0BC7426&index=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ4ndgoVnxo&feature=related

NEXT YEAR IN REVIEW

From Holiday Mathis:

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (AUGUST 14). You have a knack for starting trends and that will pay off for you this year. Health and fitness improvements give you strength and confidence. When you're in a fantastic mood, things keep going in the direction you favor. The sale of a large item happens in September. Invest in June. Capricorn and Aquarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 7, 2, 33, 50 and 18.

IT'S ALWAYS SOMETHING

Just as I was planning on ditching my insurance, M notices what feels like a cyst in my left hand. So that means at least another doctor's appointment. Probably it would go away if I stopped massaging and stopped typing, but hardly an option.

WEEK 33

The week started with murderous heat and of course it's been nice all summer, so I like a dummy I didn't have the new AC installed. Now the heat doesn't show much sign of letting up -- good luck getting E to install it.

At least the economy shows some signs of improvement, and I am finally working up the energy to do little but big things I have been putting off for months, years...

WOW, ANOTHER YEAR

"Nobody has scolded me, Everyone has smiled. Isn't it delicious To be a birthday child?"

Rose Fyleman

And another birthday. Spent the first part of it dealing with government bureaucracy, not sure whether it will do any good. And just like on my 30th birthday when I felt unloved, like a failure, etc, unexpected support appeared from family and friends. And a Higher Authority. All kinds of little signs.

HEALING MYSELF

I think I am coming down with a massive sinus infection. And tomorrow I will be somewhere I don't want to be. I am in the studio with no eucalyptus oil to be found, so I am putting all kinds of other stuff up my nose.

BABY STEPS

My DSL kit arrived. And birthday wishes are already coming in. Don't think I have dreaded a birthday so much except for maybe my 30th.

SWEET RELIEF

The mini-heatwave has broken, and I'm slowly getting it together.

HOT, HOT, HOT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrhf_zgtmAg&feature=PlayList&p=59E9710F39829660&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=6

Temperatures have been around 99 degrees and we are all melting.

RING, RING II

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEbZqnC2oN4

Or maybe it should be click, click. After months, maybe years of waiting I have bundled phone and DSL, upgraded my cell phone plan and opted for the Comcast promotional package. Hopefully it will save me at least two or three hundred bucks a year.

SATURDAY NIGHT VIDEOS!

http://www.youtube.com/vatican#play/all/uploads-all/0/qUD-xryNuIA

http://www.youtube.com/user/MrMrsKermie#play/uploads/4/PHUV0VWyw_8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYMQDg4mqG8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bsw1T0nDfw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr9w0fnIbZ8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZupHlrSDwc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYCz8vSGTDI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhunMW7FsyE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTb13cRK1ss&feature=PlayList&p=C90A4142A0BC7426&index=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OQidaRjmuI&feature=related

SISTER SMILE

Today is the feast of St. Dominique: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZupHlrSDwc&feature=related

However, this post is dedicated to “Soeur Sourire” (Sister Smile) or The Singing Nun, played by Debbie Reynolds. Her real name was Jeanine Deckers or Sister Luc Gabriel. She was a Belgian Dominican nun whose single “Dominique” hit number one on the Billboard Charts in 1963, with all proceeds going to her convent. However, she left the convent in 1967 to become a teacher and embrace her lesbian sexuality.

Unfortunately almost 20 years later the Belgian government claimed she owed them fifty to eighty thousand dollars in back taxes for royalties collected from the song. Deckers claimed all the money went to her convent, however no receipts could be found. She descended into drug and alcohol abuse and a nervous breakdown, committing suicide with her partner in 1985.

Wikipedia says "In a great irony, the very day of her suicide and unknown to her, the Belgian association that collects royalties for songwriters (SABAM) awarded her approximately $300,000 (571,658 Belgian francs)- - more than enough to have paid off her debt and provide for her."

TALK ABOUT "SHIT FLOATS"

The farting preacher has a new TV show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxswIibzQOo&feature=related

But he doesn't fart, so he's not nearly as funny.

WEEK 32

Taught one English class this week, paid the rent on the studio in two days. Feeling sick on an off, but better when I get more sleep. Duh. Unfortunately, lots of things I can’t blog about now.

I have used my Blockbuster Pass to rent a couple "House" DVD’s. House is like Beavis and Butthead – he says what I think. And there’s also the question of where professionalism becomes detachment or downright coldness.

THE GLORY OF LOVE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_2PAwX86m4

You've got to give a little, take a little,
and let your poor heart break a little.
That's the story of, that's the glory of love.
You've got to laugh a little, cry a little,
until the clouds roll by a little.
That's the story of, that's the glory of love.
As long as there's the two of us,
we've got the world and all it's charms.
And when the world is through with us,
we've got each other's arms.
You've got to win a little, lose a little,
yes, and always have the blues a little.
That's the story of, that's the glory of love.
That's the story of, that's the glory of love.

Billy Hill

I AM BEAUTIFUL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks2NDF1XNFA

Spoken: Don't look at me

Every day is so wonderful
And suddenly, i saw debris
Now and then, I get insecure
From all the pain, I'm so ashamed
I am beautiful no matter what they say
Words can't bring me down
I am beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring me down
So don't you bring me down today
To all your friends, you're delirious
So consumed in all your doom
Trying hard to fill the emptiness
The piece is gone left the puzzle undone
That's the way it is
You are beautiful no matter what they say
Words can't bring you down
You are beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring you down
Don't you bring me down today...
No matter what we do (no matter what we do)
No matter what they say (no matter what they say)
When the sun is shining through
Then the clouds won't stay
And everywhere we go (everywhere we go)
The sun won't always shine (sun won't always shine)
But tomorrow will find a way
All the other times 'cause we are beautiful no matter what they say
Yes, words won't bring us down, oh no
We are beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring us down
Don't you bring me down today
Don't you bring me down today
Don't you bring me down today

Linda Perry

HORSE AND RIDER...

...seemed to be obeying superior orders."
Laura Esquivel

ANATOMICAL QUESTION

I cannot remember the name of that bone on your ankle that juts out like a bump. At any rate, I smacked it against a pole on the train and it smarted for a while. None of the books/charts/web sites are any help.

OUR LADY OF THE SNOWS

Today is the feast of Our Lady of the Snows.

FORTUNATELY...

...none of the people in the Bridgeville shooting are related to me. Any time I hear about someone going berserk in Western Pennsylvania I pray it's not none of my relatives.

HERE YOU COME AGAIN

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSQGqIxdHQ0

Here you come again
Just when I've begun
To get myself together
You waltz right in the door
Just like you've done before
And wrap my heart'
Round your little finger
Here you come again
Just when I'm about
To make it work without you
You look into my eyes
And light those dreamy eyes
And pretty soon I'm wonderin'
How I came to doubt you
All you gotta do
Is smile that smile
And there go all my defenses
Just leave it up to you
And in a little while
You're messin' up my mind
And fillin' up my senses
Here you come again
Lookin' better than a body
Has a right to
And shakin' me up so
That all I really know
Is here you come again
All you gotta doIs smile that smile
And there go all my defenses
Just leave it up to you
And in a little while
You're messin' up my mind
And fillin' up my senses
Here you come again
Lookin' better than a body
Has a right to
And shakin' me up so
That all I really know
Is here you come again
Here I go
And here you come again
Here I go

Mann/Weil

GOOD THINGS

The Romany woman who haunts Connecticut Avenue offered me a reading. And told me she sees good things.

MAMMA MIA!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WY57jGNCN8Q

I've been cheated by you since I don't know when
So I made up my mind, it must come to an end
Look at me now, will I ever learn?
I don't know how but I suddenly lose control
There's a fire within my soul
Just one look and I can hear a bell ring
One more look and I forget everything,
w-o-o-o-oh
Mamma mia, here I go again
My my, how can I resist you?
mia, does it show again?
My my, just how much I've missed you
Yes, I've been brokenhearted
Blue since the day we parted
Why, why did I ever let you go?
Mamma mia, now I really know,
My my, I could never let you go.
I've been angry and sad about things that you do
I can't count all the times that I've told you we're through
And when you go, when you slam the door
I think you know that you won't be away too long
You know that I'm not that strong.
Just one look and I can hear a bell ring
One more look and I forget everything,
w-o-o-o-oh
Mamma mia, here I go again
My my, how can I resist you?
Mamma mia, does it show again?
My my, just how much I've missed you
Yes, I've been brokenhearted
Blue since the day we parted
Why, why did I ever let you go?
Mamma mia, even if I say
Bye bye, leave me now or never
mamma mia,
it's a game we play
Bye bye doesn't mean forever
Mamma mia, here I go again
My my, how can I resist you?
Mamma mia, does it show again?
My my, just how much I've missed you
Yes, I've been brokenhearted
Blue since the day we parted
Why, why did I ever let you go
Mamma mia, now I really know
My my, I could never let you go

Andersson/Ulvaeus/Anderson

THE PURPLE FLOWERS...

...make me so happy.

FATHER WHAT-A-WASTE

Can you say "Thorn Birds?"

SATURDAY NIGHT VIDEOS!

http://www.youtube.com/vatican#play/all/uploads-all/2/iUOIKby37A4

http://www.youtube.com/user/MrMrsKermie#play/uploads/3/FBJFhPPRHT4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a54Ch8-7g6I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcEl55TWXMY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DI-7UMzMc5k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8mq9FiTNNQ

http://thatcatholicshow.sqpn.com/2008/05/08/that-catholic-show-behind-the-scenes-fishing-pole

http://www.dailymotion.com/bookmarks/grickle/video/x2com6_raising-arizona-precredit-sequence_family

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el4qK4jBhU8&feature=PlayList&p=C90A4142A0BC7426&index=5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ylGv7Jqu6k&feature=related

UNFORTUNATELY

I deal with people like this one a daily basis. At least this makes it bearable: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJB2Q9gh2uE&feature=related