Let them eat cake....

 
I'm getting to the point where it is getting far too painful to listen to the daily news; not a day goes by when you don't hear about another business closing down and unemployement numbers go up higher and higher! Talk about the birth of the Blues! Last Sunday I attended the Oscars ( not that I move in the company of film stars, I just know people who are Academy members and some were up for awards you don't have to be a director or an A-list actor to get an Oscar). One thing I did notice, was the fact that this year there wasn't as much bling-bling on the actresses. However, one actress from Slumdog Millonaire wore a necklace that would blind you. Ironic, that a woman from the poorest country should wear the most expensive bling-bling! Still, the fashions were outrageous and the parties were over the top, you would never know that our country is in near it's breaking point. Let's fiddle around while Rome burns! What do those actors who earn million of dollars a film care if half of America aren't working. Well, they will care when those Americans can aford the over-priced tickets for their movies! And let's face it ladies and gents most Hollywood films are awful! The last film that took my breath away, was the film version of Neil Gaiman's enchanting children's book "Coraline". Yesterday I heard that "Zales" the diamond store is going out of business, so guys who are sitting on the fence, it's a good time to buy that engagement ring for real cheep! Drinking to the madness! Brother can you spare a dime!

A rock & a hard place

 

Well, wonder of wonders, those talking head of State Government FINALLY passed a budget! And quess what? Average Joe and Joanne will be paying taxes through the nose and getting less service for their dollar! What amazed me, but not surprised me, our Governor Schwarzenegger made certain that the Film Industry will be getting a big Tax Cut! Excuse me? Well, I guess he realizes that soon he will be out of a job because no citzen in their right mind will vote to keep him in! He may need another acting gig but has his nerve showing his face in the State again! He also made certain that big businesses in the State will get a tax cut. Yes, as always, let keep those Fat Cats well fed on our dollar! Education is taking the biggest cut; I thought we had a State Lottery to help them out but that money is being cut into to pay other State's bills, like the pay of those talking State Heads, I guess! And people, wonder why I drink!

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears..

 

I'm always amazed by people who don't study or know history. For it does indeed, repeat itself. Last week while watching the HBO show "Rome", I couldn't help but think of our state of the Union. Like our country. ancient Rome's economy was torn apart by years of Civil War, in the show Mark Anthony was telling a lead Senator that Juluis Caesar's plan to recover the economy was to start a group of Public Works programs, using and paying free Roman's instead of the Patrician's slave labor, an ancient Rome's stimulus program. Last weekend, while talking to a male friend, who works as a Financial Planner, said how upset he is with our new President for the stock market still being so low. And I said, who did he think Obama was, Harry Potter? He was going going to wave a magic wand and presto, the economy was going to be strong again? It took, EIGHT years for our economy to crash and burn! Eight years of the fat cats out-sourcing American jobs, then go crying to Congress for money because Americans can not afford to buy their foregin made products! Unions are almost gone! And CEO bicth about how Unions made employing Americans too expensive, yet they have a Golden Parachute if they lose their job! Bloody hell, what were they thinking? Americans need job; plain and simple and greed has to stop. A company can still make a profit using American labor, not as much as using Chinese prison labor but then American workers don't use lead paint to paint children's toys.

They say, history is written by the winners, but that isn't exactly true. History is written by survivors! We should listen to their words of wisdom by experience!

My funny Valentine

 

Yesterday in the back of the Los Angeles Times front page section was this ad for Valentine's gifts you can buy at the 99 cent only store. Love Cuff? Red & Pink thong panties, Men of Iron Condoms, Pregnancy Test and whipped cream! How classy can a guy be to buy his Valentine a gift from the 99 cent only store? Love Cuff? Whatever happen to roses and a heart-shaped box of chocolates? Oh well, with a thong in my heart...

I'm singing in the rain.....

 

It's been raining on and off in the BU. Yesterday I had to helped a neighbor with sand bags, the price of having beach front property, my friend's house is beach front but is elevated and protected from the waves by a long stone staircase. My shoulder is sore but it was kind of fun. Afterwards we drank hot spiced lemon tea-spiked with Jim Beam and ate pigs in blankets my favorite junk food. Because of the mositure from the ocean it;s easy to grow a beautiful garden. Just took this photo ten minutes ago, last month I went to Home Depot and bought some flowers to plant (as a thank- you gift for my friend for allowing to house-sit for him) and they're doing so well! How the sun is out and so are the surfers. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH--wipe out!

Don't know why , there's no sun up in the sky , stormy weather

 

At last the rain has returned to Southern California, I hope it stays! We need rain so much out here! I'm still fighting this flu bug. I feel as weak as this current economy. This is the last few weeks of house-sitting at the BU (Malibu) and I will miss hearing the sounds of the waves each night. The Chinese believes that the sound of water can be so powerful for psyche and it's easy to believe for I feel so peaceful here.

Happy Ground Hog's Day

 


If Candlemas Day be fair and bright,
Winter will another flight:
But if it be dark with clouds and rain,
Winter is gone and will not come again.

The Ground Hog saw saw it's shadow.

It's been summer weather out here in Southren California, today in the high 70's. And although the surfers love it our farmers are concern. The grape crop is suffering, so be prepared to pay more in wine, as well as our strawberry corp, be ready to spend more on strawberries. But hey, what isn't going up in cost? And more businesses are closing down. Even in chi-chi high end Malibu restaurants and local shops are concern. Yestreday, I was at a very fine resturant over looking the ocean and noticed that it was as packed as I would think it should be on a late Saturday aftrenoon and the bartender and I started chatting and he said that they were cutting back on the staff due to the lack of business. So even the spoiled & rich and famous are feeling the pinch of this economic slow down. Economic Slow down my eye! Let's call it for what it is, a DEPRESSION! Brother can you spare a dime!

Happy Ground Hog's Day!