Thirty-ninth Day

Yesterday many of us listened via live stream as the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit listened to oral arguments in the case of Washington et al (Minnesota) v Donald Trump (I'm not sure that's the exact name of the case).

In that case, the Trump administration is appealing a ruling by the Federal District Court in Seattle which halted the Trump administration's 'pause' on immigration from 7 majority Muslim countries and refugees from Syria.  

Here is my bullet list of the events:

Trump puts in the travel ban.  Note: Members of the administration both say it is and is not a "ban".

Chaos in the airports as people with legal rights (green card holders, for example) to be here are turned away or detained.

Washington state's Attorney General submits a lawsuit against the Trump administration because the ban is detrimental to citizens and business in the state. The state is asserting 'standing' in the case because state universities have professors and students here from one or more of the 7 countries. And the state says the ban is illegal (I believe)

The Federal Judge agrees that the travel ban should be halted until such time as the court can hear the case in full - about whether the ban is legal or not.

The Trump administration appeals that ruling.  They want the ban in place while the court is deciding whether it's legal or not.

In the course of the oral arguments to the appeals court the judges asked if either side had evidence that would be presented at the Federal Court trial that was significant.  The Washington Solicitor General argued that they did have evidence - the president's own words, along with his advisors, that this is a "Muslim Ban".  The Trump admin, while arguing that the ban was based on National Security issues, didn't have any evidence...it's just the president's right to make these rules and the courts should not interfere.

It seems obvious to me - if Washington state prevails in the Federal Court hearing about the travel ban itself, they would have proven the Executive Order was unconstitutional.  If the Trump administration wins, then no one's rights have been trampled and they can continue their search for terrorists.  I think the civil rights are more important.  

For that reason the ban should NOT be in place while it's merits are debated.

If a terrorist does get in during these days when the travel ban is not in place - Trump will milk that for all it's worth.  I believe he would allow something horrible to happen just so he could say "I told you so".  I believe that of him. He's shown himself to be petty and mostly concerned with his own ego. 

Some links - I included some sites from the 'right'. I wanted to include the WSJ, but they don't let me read their articles unless I subscribe or register or something.  That's why I included Fox, Bloomberg, Cato, and Heritage

New York Times

Washington Post

Seattle Times

FOX News
Bloomberg News
Cato Institute
The Heritage Foundation

Thirty-eighth Day

Well, I screwed up again!  I could have sworn I posted yesterday.
Sigh.
I was distracted by my first snowfall while at this apartment.  Yay!
Also distracted by how cold this apartment is.
And, distracted by all the expensive things I'm supposed to pay for - dental implants, heating, blinds, remodel, condo assessments, retirement.  How am I supposed to pay for all of this?
I'll leave it at that today because I'm hibernating in the only semi warm spot in my apartment - and it's     68 degrees.  It doesn't seem like that should feel as cold as it does but my nose is chilled.
I'm writing this on my iPad and it's not responding well, which is also why there isn't a photo associated with this post.
Oh yeah - and Betsy DeVos got confirmed only because Pence had to break the tie.
This woman Never attended a public school, and didn't send any of her children to public school, and yet she is now the Secretary of Education.  She supports school choice and a voucher system.
Donald Trump is the worst President this country has ever seen and he's chosen his Wall Street friends and big money donors to be part of his government.  What a horrible President.

Thirty-sixth Day

May 14, 2010 - Portland, Oregon.  I took a photography class my last six months in the Portland area.  We took a 'field trip' downtown to take photos. It was fun.


I visited Mom this afternoon - very rainy, it's supposed to snow tonight.
Super Bowl Sunday.
New England Patriots vs Atlanta Falcons.

While driving home I heard the tail end of a Snap Judgment piece by Joyce Lee called "Dropping the Ball".  She talked about being a teacher to a young student, Avery, who had an idea that he'd be in the NBA so didn't need to study.  She tried hard to help Avery and open his eyes but he didn't respond.  She finally started feeling resentful of Avery because she had invested a lot of time trying to help him and he didn't receive it.  She didn't pay as much attention to him - she gave up.  Soon, Avery dropped out of school.
Reflecting on the incident she said:
"I thought about Avery all the time, especially on graduation. When I signed up to be an educator, I signed up to witness all of my children graduate. But, when it came to Avery, I dropped out. When I saw that he wasn't learning the way I wanted him to learn, I dropped out. When he became too much of a challenge I didn't Work Hard and Think Harder like my class motto.  I didn't even show maturity by not taking Avery personally.  Instead, I gradually, but surely, threw in the towel...just like he did."

I thought that was powerful.
It's a switcheroo...yeah, the kid wasn't interested and was full of attitude, but she realized she'd done exactly what he did because she was frustrated.

Something to think about!

Thirty-fifth Day

President Trump speaks during the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington on Thursday. (Win Mcnamee/Bloomberg News)

What a change from all those pretty pictures I usually post.  

I can't imagine working with or for Donald Trump.  He's petty, vindictive, unnecessarily aggressive, turns every interaction to praising himself, lies and exaggerates, and he enjoys hurting people.  
That's the impression I get from his Twitter feed. 
In his business I understand he insisted people call him Mr. Trump. Even the people who worked most closely with him.  That offends my sense of equality.
He speaks while he's thinking (if you can call it that) and is easily influenced by those around him.
He will treat someone atrociously, and if that person (ex: Obama) turns the other cheek and gives Trump courtesy and praise, Trump tells everyone how fantastic Obama is.  If Obama critiques him in any way, though - Trump will be like an emotional attack dog and he'll jump back into the pit.  
He's not a role model for the children I hope people are raising.

For all those people who for years talked about 'character' and how important it is in a leader (re: Bill Clinton), they sure didn't seem to care about character when they voted for Donald Trump.  

I understand people say he's a different person one on one.  They say he's more reasonable and personable.  They say the rest of it is just posturing.  
For me, that's no reassurance.  I don't have expectations that I'll have a one on one relationship with Trump so all I care about is how he acts in public - that's my only interaction with him.  I think he acts like someone I wouldn't want to have a relationship with. And he's certainly not someone I feel comfortable representing me to the rest of the world.


The people I need to learn more about are Steve Bannon and Jeff Sessions - apparently they're the ones pulling the strings.  


Well, that's all for now.  Enjoy your day! :)

Thirty-fourth Day

June 2005, Japanese Garden at Washington Park in Portland, Oregon

This is one of my favorite photos that I took.  

I almost forgot to write this entry again today.  I remembered in the early afternoon while I drove to Whole Foods for a sandwich.  Then I forgot.  I remembered again in the middle afternoon.  Then I forgot.  

Sheesh.

I long to be one of those people who has a routine they adhere to.  

You know: "Dave could be counted on to sit at the corner booth in Bill's Tavern every day at 4:00."

On one hand I'd be irritated by the obligation to be somewhere at a specific time.  

On the other hand it sounds peaceful and friendly.

Anyway - it might make me remember to write in this blog every day.  

Hey - here's a routine I bet I do...I bet I've posted this photo before, and I bet I've lamented not being a person who has a standard routine.  

I can be counted on to not change much in the last 20 years...I have some of the same problems now that I did then.

***

Last night I read some more of my book.  Not a lot, but some.  I'll get back into the swing of that in the next week I hope.

I'm still torn between trying to 'normalize' all the Donald Trump shenanigans so I can have some peace of mind, and getting worked up about almost everything he does.

In the last couple days I haven't heard as much news. I check in only for a short time, get what I can and move on. 

Maybe tomorrow I'll do some more reviewing.  I subscribe to NY Times, Washington Post, and Seattle Times.  I mostly watch CBS News.  Every once in a while I'll check in with Fox News for a short time to see what they're saying.  I will read Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg articles.

I listen to NPR Weekly Roundup and Washington Week in Review on PBS (miss you Gwen Ifill!), and a few podcasts.

As I write it out - it seems like too much, but honestly, I don't do it every day.

A lot of my news comes from Twitter links.

Thirty-third Day

August 21, 2004 - A Rainy Day in Beaverton

The anti-Trump protests need to be more selective about what we protest.

We should protest very specific actions - not everything he does.

When we protest everything,  nothing is important.

People will stop listening.

This is a marathon, not a sprint, and we need to be more strategic.

When I grew up there was a saying:

"sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me".

The ultimate plea for nonviolence.

Trump uses a lot of words that are meant to hurt, and the more we react to them the more energy and good will we expend on nonsense.

We need to choose actions that a lot of people would agree with.

We should protest the Refugee portion of the Executive Order, not the whole Executive Order.

Also, we should walk away when any violence begins.

And not protest at night.

Anarchists are just itchin' to create chaos.  

I don't know if they are real anarchists, or just overly aggressive young men who like to destroy things (I assume it's mostly males)

Those are my thoughts today.

The truth is Trump is doing so many damaging things it's hard (for me) to know for sure which are bluster and which will fundamentally change America as we know it.  

I spent the whole election overestimating the degree to which my thoughts and ideas are part of the mainstream.  I never thought it would come to this.

Thirty-second Day

Clouds

AARGH, AACK, GAH, GRRRR!!!!!

How did I miss yesterday's entry???????

Well, I've been working up to that, I guess.  I kept forgetting until later in the afternoon.

Darn - what a disappointment.  At no point during the day did I think to add an entry.

Maybe that's because I turned the TV off while I worked?

Oh dear - I am bummed.

On the personal front, days 30 and 31 didn't yield anything worth discussing.

Around the world - lots of protests about Trump and the Executive Order related to refugees.

The problem has jumped to crisis status because the rollout was horrible.  Not only were people in transit affected, but people with green cards were also affected.  Trump said if he'd told people about the 'ban' ahead of time, all the bad guys would come right away.  He sure has a lot of respect for the ability of 'bad guy's to be organized and ready to go at a moment's notice.

My feeling is that if he'd rolled it out differently and not included refugees, he wouldn't have as many protestors..  The refugees already have a two year process before entering the United States. 

He also made a mistake by calling this a 'ban' and in an interview talking about Muslims and Christians. 

Other issues as well.  Trump's an idiot.

The real trouble is the people running the White House. And it's not Donald J Trump.  He's the child in the room and does what others tell him because he doesn't even care.

I think we'll see that more and more as his term continues.

Last night he selected a Supreme Court nominee.

Just like many people, I am still really angry that Obama's nominee wasn't even spoken to by Republicans, and I'm doubly angry that Republicans are dismayed by Democrat's (possible) plan to hold up the nomination.  They can dish it out, but they can't take it.

Hey people - you live by the sword, you die by the sword.

Horrible, horrible people.  

I have no patience or respect or calm about Double Standards and Hypocrisy.

I watched the episode of Black-ish called "Lemons" last night.

That was an excellent episode and encapsulates all of my emotions about our new state of affairs.

I feel activist, I feel defeated, I feel like spreading love, I feel lost, I feel angry, I feel pragmatic.

Here are lots of articles about the episode...

The Atlantic

Vox

Slate

Washington Post

Business Insider

New York Times

Fox News

Vulture

The era of Trump is upon us and none are safe.

Sigh.

Thirtieth Day

May 2004 - On a walk near my apartment in Oregon.  It's the pond behind my apartment.

So, another day has passed. Another weekend has passed.
I might be getting back to okay...YAY!
I feel like reading after work.

And tomorrow is payday!  I've been squeaking by in the last week. As much as I tried to NOT spend money, I still managed to spend a couple hundred on food and canvases.  Grrr.

I'm pondering Donald Trump.  The ban on refugees has people up in arms.
Me too.
It's not very American to ban refugees from a war torn country.
Not to mention, singling out Christians as the lot that will get special priority - that's definitely not American.  We are a secular government and don't make choices based on a person's religion.
And, it was rolled out in the most chaotic fashion imaginable.
Lots of crappy stuff about his Executive Order.

At the same time, I do favor a bit of a look see about people who want to come to our country to live.  I don't like when people who come here have ill intent against the United States.  It seems like they're taking advantage of our (generally) good nature.  If your sole purpose for coming to the United States is to hurt the United States - then I don't want you here.  We should look out for that lot.

But, those kinds of people could come here as tourists.
Are we going to check every tourist that comes to the US?
That's not gonna happen.

So - I think we have to err on the side of FREEDOM and our RULE OF LAW.

Twenty-ninth Day

Donald Trump signing an Executive Order on Friday January 27, 2017 to ban Syrian refugees from entering the United States indefinitely, and banning entry to US for people from Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Yemen, Syria, Libya and Somalia for the next 90 or 120 days.

Yesterday the !@#$ hit the fan when people traveling to the US were detained or turned away at the airport after Donald Trump's Executive Order.  There were protests at airports where people were detained, including Sea-Tac

Donald Trump's order is more wide reaching than previous bans, it wasn't in response to a specific incident, it didn't involve any of the countries where terrorists have come from (Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan et al), and it was hastily implemented so even people with Green Cards were unable to enter the US.

In addition, Donald Trump changed the people who are part of the National Security Council.  The NSC is the main forum a president can use to discuss national security and foreign policy issues. 

As of January 28, 2017 the Military Advisor (Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff) no longer has permanent status on the NSC

As of January 28, 2017 the Intelligence Advisor (Director of National Intelligence) no longer has permanent status on the NSC

As of January 28, 2017 the White House Chief Strategist now has a permanent status on the NSC.

Why?  It doesn't make any sense that when you're having a discussion about National Security and Foreign Policy you would not require the Military and Intelligence Advisors be part of the discussion and you would want your White House Chief Strategist.

I guess a President is allowed to be advised by whoever he wants. And, the Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and Secretary of Energy (a laughable Rick Perry who didn't even know the Energy Department is in charge of our nuclear stockpile) are part of the discussion so maybe Trump feels like that's all he needs.  

I'm concerned that Trump's national security and foreign affairs decisions will be based on politics rather than what is in the long term best interest of the United States - and humanity.

Here is a link to what Trump did yesterday from the Washington Post


And this

To be clear, I think people should follow the law when coming into this country (I don't get illegal immigration - I guess they often overstay their visas?), and I don't mind a process where people are vetted before granting green cards or whatever else we give people (see? I obviously don't know much about immigration and people coming to the US), but this policy of Donald Trump's is over-reaching and doesn't respect the nuances of life.  No refugees?  Christians get priority?  It's affecting people who have a legal right to be here.  This process requires more finesse than a political grand gesture, which is what Trump has done.  

Trying to keep up with this stuff was what I did yesterday.  

Also of note:  I always forget about the Australian Open because the time difference means I'm asleep when they're playing. When I DO try to watch, it's not live - it's three hours behind, so by the time the matches are on in the West Coast time zone - it's already over in real life.  

Even though I didn't watch - the championship matches promise to be classic battles.  

Venus Williams vs Serena Williams.  They're both over 30 and still play outstanding tennis.

Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal.  Again, both over 30 and playing brilliantly.

We aren't likely to see those match-ups again.  Stunning.  (Serena and Roger won)

Twenty-eighth Day

In August 2009 my niece visited me in Portland.  We walked around parts of downtown.  This photo was from an antique store in that district between the Pearl and the River.  I can't remember what (if anything) it's called.  

Yesterday was Friday - TGIF!  Yee Haw!
I don't have anything to say.  I worked, I hibernated.

Donald Trump signed an Executive Order for a temporary ban on all entry from seven different nations; Iran, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan.  The current ban is for 90 days.  According to the linked article, this could be just the first step.  Trump thinks he's protecting US Citizens from terror.
So, one niggling thing - the Executive Order doesn't mention a Muslim ban specifically.
However, in his speeches he talks about protecting America from Islamic Terrorists.  Plus in an interview with The Brody File on CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network) he said Christians would get special priority.  So - even if the actual Order doesn't say it, this is a ban on Muslim people - a religious test for entering the United States.

Issues:

• Retribution from the countries and their allies
• Syrians fleeing civil war
• Unlawful in US
• Mean-spirited; not representative of our national values (Statue of Liberty)
• Historical precedent shows its wrong - holocaust, Japanese internment
• Doesn't solve terrorist problem because most terrorists who come to US are not from these countries.

The execution of the order has been sloppy and confusing.  Within 24 hours people were already being detained.  It's like some people were all too happy to start detaining people.
There are court challenges to come.

Donald Trump is creating our worst dystopian nightmare.

Trump also spoke to five world leaders today (Saturday the 28th), including Vladimir Putin of Russia

Twenty-seventh Day

Water, sun on the rocks, Medina Beach, November 2013

Another day has passed.

I played cards last night.  

Work yesterday.

Still struggling a bit, but I think today will be better.

I'm looking forward to the weekend.

Maybe I can get myself in the right frame of mind to get back to the way I felt at the beginning of the new year.

There's a lot of stuff going on politically that I'd love to comment on, but I think it would take pages and pages, which isn't what this blog is for.

(Though, on that note, I notice it's becoming a sketchy diary of my days which is also not what this blog is for!)

Today is another march in Washington, except this time its Pro Life to protest Roe v Wade.  

Ugh.

I completely disagree with these people and I don't know why our country should base our laws on religious belief.

I don't even want to write it, but to be fair, the Pro Life group thinks this country supports murder because of Roe v Wade. If I thought the government was supporting murder I'd be protesting as well.

Come to think of it - I do:  Black Lives Matter, Guns, Environment.  

So - I have to give them their right to protest.

But, how will we ever get along?

I'm getting to the point where many of my fellow Americans don't have the same values I do.

We have to share some values in order to peacefully coexist in one country.

Otherwise, what are we doing it for?

What's so great about the United States as a country?  Why not break up?  I'm beginning to question these things because I don't see how I can coexist with people who disagree with me and won't compromise or collaborate. 

I'm willing to allow regulations on abortion, but I also want regulations on guns.  

What I hear is that the other side wants zero abortions and no restriction on guns.

How is that going to work?  How are we to live together?

I'll leave it at that for today.  Very sad.

Twenty-sixth Day

LJB gave me the Lucky Bamboo on the left when I moved from Oregon in Jun 2010. By the time of this photo (Nov 2013) its grown quite a bit.  I purchased the one on the right as a friend for the one on the left.  I'll take a picture of them again one of these days because they're both now quite a bit bigger!

I forgot to write in the am again this morning!
I'm a lump.
I got nothing.  Even when I called my Mom last night I didn't have anything to say.
I still don't.
I'm sorta frustrated with me and the world and the fact that I don't feel like doing anything.
I gotta get back into the spirit.

I'm adding this to the blog post because I think it's a damn fine picture of LJB. 

Twenty-fifth Day

Picture of the Space Needle the day I went to Seattle for King County jury duty.

Yesterday I read about TWO pages of my book.

I had one phone call about LJB from a friend; nothing with the family or others.

I've been putting photos of John on Facebook, but nobody else is.  I'm confused, I thought that's what people do.

I want to get back into the swing of my peaceful, productive days like the beginning of the year when I read a book and was calm. Almost there.

***

The beginning of Day Six of the Trump Administration

Trump causes official drama (Presidential actions below) and he causes unofficial drama (Twitter, believes the election he won was rigged with 3 - 5 million illegal votes and that's why he didn't win the popular vote)

As far as official drama through yesterday, according to WhiteHouse.gov, these are the things he’s done:

January 24, 2017

                Executive Order to expedite environmental approvals for High Priority Infrastructure projects. In other words, infrastructure is high on Trump’s list of priorities because it helps with jobs and our economy. Some of the projects (as requested by governors or agency heads) are to be considered high priority by the Chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality.  When that’s the case, the Chairman of the CEQ will expedite procedures and deadlines for completion of environmental reviews and approvals for the project. 

                Presidential Memorandum streamlining permitting and reducing regulatory burdens for domestic manufacturing.  In other words – because the Trump administration supports the expansion of domestic manufacturing, this memo advises Agency heads to expedite the reviews and reduce regulatory burdens that affect domestic manufacturing.  The Public has 60 days to contact the Secretary of Commerce to comment on the federal actions to streamline permitting.

                Presidential Memorandum regarding construction of pipelines.  In other words – materials and equipment (steel et al) used for pipelines located in the US be produced in the US.

                Presidential Memorandum regarding construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline. In other words – that pipeline is going through. TransCanada Keystone Pipeline L.P. can resubmit their application and all the agencies should consider it approved.

Presidential Memorandum regarding construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. In other words – that pipeline is going through.  Dakota Access LLC has already submitted their applications and the project is mostly complete.  The Memorandum orders the Army Corps of Engineers to review and approve, in an expedited manner, the requests for approvals.

January 23, 2017

                Presidential Memorandum Regarding the Hiring Freeze.  In other words – The executive branch has a hiring freeze; no new civilian employees. There will be no vacancies filled and no new positions created (exceptions: military, and national security or public safety as approved by head of agency, and those positions that require Presidential appointment or Senate confirmation).  A plan will be prepared to reduce the Federal Government’s workforce through attrition. 

                Presidential Memorandum regarding withdrawal of the US from the Trans Pacific Partnership Negotiations and Agreement.  In other words – we will not be a signatory to the TPP.  Note: the treaty was not going to be approved by Congress anyway.

                Presidential Memorandum regarding the Mexico City policy.  In other words – a Foreign NGO must certify they will not perform or actively promote abortion as a method of family planning using funds from ANY source (including non-US funds) as a condition for receiving US government global family planning assistance.  This memorandum not only reactivates the policy (started in Reagan years and turned ‘on and off’ via Presidential Memorandum ever since) but expands the type of US Aid that will be at risk.  Now, an NGO must certify the abortion stuff in order to get ANY US global health assistance – including AIDS and Maternal and Child Health assistance.

January 22, 2017

January 21, 2017

January 20, 2017 (Friday, Inauguration Day)

                Executive Order to minimize the economic burden of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act pending repeal.  In other words – the Trump administration supports repeal of the ACA, until such time as it is repealed the agency directors can exercise their authority to waive, defer, grant exemptions from, or delay the implementation of any portion of the ACA that would impose a fiscal burden on anyone.

                Presidential Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies. In other words – a few less regulations, please.

SUMMARY:  Stop with the regulations, don’t worry about those environmental reviews, if you’re a foreign NGO and want money from the US government for any health related programs don’t even mention the word abortion, build manufacturing plants, buy and use American steel, stop wasting time and energy maintaining and enforcing that pesky Obamacare, Trump will negotiate trade with countries individually so no need for any alliances, Oil is King, and make do with the employees you have ‘cause you’re not getting any new ones.

Twenty-fourth Day

In June 2016, MFT invited me to a 'party' at another person's house. It was a thing where we paid x dollars and were provided the materials to make a crafty DIY home decor project.  It was a fun evening and I hung my board in the bathroom.  I loved this gal's house.  From what I saw the rooms had an easy flow and with the decorations, the home felt warm and comfy.  I'm not sure I'd want it for my home, but I was really comfortable in her home as a guest.  The star of the evening (from my perspective) was this spread she had on the dining table.  I don't eat most of it anymore (vegan), but just looking at it made my mouth water.  There are meats, and cheeses and bread, and fruit and crackers and cookies and cakes.  This is my kind of spread.  Mm-mm good.  It makes me happy to look at it.

Yesterday - start of a new work week.  I did okay.
Last night I went to dinner with the Brace family.

I don't have too much else to say.
As I've mentioned before - posting in the morning is throwing me off.  I feel like I have interesting things to say, but by this time the next day I forget what it was.  I'll have to come up with a way to notate some ideas that I can go back to when I write the post up.
Otherwise you (dear reader) will think I'm BORE ING!!!  Ha!  We all know I AM boring, but I'd like to believe I think one or two interesting thoughts in the course of a day - lately, I can't even muster that.

Twenty-third Day

Last year I went to TedxPortland, courtesy of MbMB - it was FABULOUS!  The theme was Wonderland.

It's Monday morning - the beginning of a new work week, and the first workday after LJB died.

Yesterday was quiet. I came home from LJB's house in the early afternoon.  

I did some internet surfing and thought about  LJB.  

***

Trump had a strange, rambling speech at the CIA on Saturday.  He was trying to mend fences with the CIA (tweets and interviews), but spent much of the time talking about the size of the inauguration crowd, how smart he is, how young he feels, and the "dishonest" media.  

The audience was composed of CIA employees who had volunteered to attend (since it was a Saturday).  They were standing in front of the memorial for CIA agents who gave their life in service. 

It wasn't received well by everyone...

     CBS This Morning

     NY Times

     

And, from Fox News (wow, how obvious was that?)

     

Trump and Alternative Facts

Twenty-second Day

John, at the Bellevue Botanical Gardens, October 2010

LJB died last night at 9:38 pm

I'm grateful to have been a part of John's life.  He made me feel I was special. 

He taught me that Reaching Out is the way to stay connected.

John often said "Life is Good When You Live". I didn't fully embrace that saying all these years - I knew it was true in an abstract way, but I didn't take the time to think about what it really means. 

In the last few months I've seen what it means and I understand it now in a more profound way. 

John exemplified that spirit of living for me.  

He talked every day about the things he was grateful for. 

He lived by knowing each moment.

As a result, his Life Is Good.

Life is Good, When you Live.  I hope I'll be as gracious in my life as John was in his.

I imagine he's having a wonderful time finding out all the best places to go in the New World.

I will probably have more to say in the coming days or weeks about John.  Or not.  I'm not sure.

He was an interesting person and we had a great history.  He wasn't without some challenges (not just the physical variety), but he was always good-spirited, kind, and generous.  

He made room for me in his life, and for that I'm better.

Twenty-first Day

The year was 1992.  Twenty-five years ago.

I was dating GG.  Still in phone contact with ET and neighbor JM.  Phone calls with friend SI, and SK.  If I took a sick day, did I also really go to dinner with SK?  I must have 'cause the times are listed.  How did that work? We worked together.

On the 25th I went to a Thirty-Something Party.  It was a high school 'reunion' of sorts that I believe KandTM organized.  It was at a hotel in the area and GG went with me.  I have a fairly decent picture of the two of us at that party that I might come across one of these days.  

Well - that was my life 25 years ago.  

***

I didn't visit LJB yesterday.  I was pretty tired.  TMI Alert - I think about my digestion a lot. It kept me up the night before, plus there was the inauguration and festivities that I watched while working.

***

Shout out to two of my favorite comedies that recently ended their seasons...

The Good Place

Hilarious

Fantastic Acting

Interesting Premise

Brooklyn 99

Hilarious

Fantastic Acting

Great Workplace Comedy

Twentieth Day

I don't know why I'm having so much difficulty finding photos of President Obama from today or yesterday.  It's very frustrating!!! 

Today is the inauguration of Donald J Trump as President of the United States.
Gulp.

I wouldn't mind if Donald Trump surprises me.

***

Yesterday I visited LJB in the afternoon.  He opened his eyes and he smiled at me twice.  Very surprising!

***

I'm watching the inauguration live.  Here is an observation: The five Trump children walked in just now.  The two oldest in front walking side by side, the next two oldest behind them walking side by side. Finally, following behind - walking alone - is the youngest, Baron.  Why wouldn't those older kids (parents themselves) take better care of Baron?
He is keeping his head turned from the camera, and even now, while they're waiting for the First Ladies and Presidents to enter, he is standing alone, looking down and swaying side to side.
...now I see him talking to someone.

Seated together, left to right...Jimmy Carter, Roslyn Carter, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, George Bush, Laura Bush.

Melania Trump is being escorted in, now...all in blue.  She's very stoic, like an Ice Queen - and I don't mean that as a comment on her personality.  She looks sort of scared and uncomfortable to me, but she smiles when they enter the the stage area.

Now, Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi are escorting President Obama and Vice President Biden.

The one thing I won't miss about the Obama years is how mean people were to President and Michelle Obama.  People said horrible things.  It was sickening and sad.  What kind of people are they?

Am I correct? I thought I heard a part of the crowd say O-ba-ma and then they got drowned out by Trump chants.  CBS cut very quickly I thought.

Now, we see Trump being escorted through the building - he looks very stressed out and uncomfortable.  All this pomp and circumstance isn't something he, or Melania, look like they take to very easily.
I remember watching Obama do this for the first time as well.  It must be overwhelming. But, I have to say - the Obama's looked more personable doing it.  Is that a true observation, or my bias?
Trump didn't bother to glad hand a bunch of people on the way to his seat.  He shook hands with the Obama's and Bidens.  That was it.  (Good - glad handing is boring).

While the first speaker talks about the inauguration, Trump looks sad, serious, and bored.

Considering how many people didn't vote for Trump, and Trump's record setting disapproval rating upon becoming President, we do have a wonderful tradition of a peaceful transition of power.  I appreciate it.

Three Christian prayers so far.  Is the inauguration always this biblically religious?  I recall it being less Christian and more general.  This is quite traditional bible praying.

While the Missouri State University Chorale sings, they're showing a shot of Trump with Baron behind him...man, they both look so sullen; like they'd rather be anywhere than where they are.

Chuck Schumer speaks about how important our faith and devotion to our country has been in the success of America.  I have to say...I'm not quite so devoted.  I mean - I love the United States.  And I will sacrifice to make it better.  But, I don't know how to deal with the people in our country who don't want to work together; collaborate and compromise.  We have to make it work together.  People who don't want to work together have given up the idea of America.  I don't mind if they aren't part of the country.  I don't mind disagreeing - but I really dislike people who choose not to work with their fellow Americans on behalf of the whole country.  So - I think they've already decided they don't care about America; they only care about getting what they want.  Ugh.

Pence just took the oath of office from Clarence Thomas.  I wonder if he chose Clarence Thomas, or if it was Clarence Thomas's turn?  Apparently, it's Thomas' first time to give the oath of office at an inauguration.

Uh - oh...Trump is about to take the oath of office.

And...it has happened.

Oh dear.  Here we go.

Now - let's hear the 45th President of the United States of America, speak for the first time as President...

...well, his speech is definitely about change. I will link the text here after it becomes available.
I wish I could come up with the words to describe this speech.
He's using phrases and ideas that seem to come from the beginning of a political thriller action movie. At some point during the movie there will be war and standing in long lines.

I wish Obama didn't have to applaud and pretend to be nice.  That was a messed up speech.
Trump wasn't even done shaking hands with the people who disagree with him when the crowd had already stopped clapping.

I guess whatever will happen next is about to happen.
I am worried.

***

Even Bob Schieffer says it will take the rest of the day to unpack that speech!

***

Ohhhh...we just saw Obama wave before boarding the helicopter.
I miss him already, again!
Tears.

Nineteenth Day

Missing Barack Obama Already by Nicholas Kristof

Last night - HOA Meeting to vote on sale of 108.  I spoke up a few times.  Yay?

I stopped by LJB's house for a short time in the late evening - when I told him it was me talking (I though maybe he wouldn't know) he nodded his head very definitively.  Later, I thought I saw a smile.

We're about to lose Barack Obama as our President.  I'm so sad.  

In the face of so much disrespect from Republicans in general and Donald Trump in particular (birther), he was gracious and calm.  I hope the respect that most of us have for him has overcome all the mean-spirited energy.  

What a man, what a man, what a mighty good man! (Shoop!)

Eighteenth Day

Washington Park Arboretun in Portland Oregon, October 2008

I almost forgot to write this blog entry.

Yesterday I spent 1/2 the work day visiting JLB.  Then I took a nap at home.
Then, back to JLB's house.

That's all.

Seventeenth Day

In honor of my work colleagues and the Portland ice storm predicted for later today that they'll have to deal with, here is a picture I took from my Oregon apartment on December 21, 2008

I don't know how these days are moving from one to the next and nothing is happening.

I work full time.

I visit LJB.

I try to watch television, but end up surfing the internet.

Oh - that might be the problem...surfing the internet.

Sigh.

Gotta give it up!  

It's the same thing as sitting on the couch flipping through channels, which I used to do as well.

The only way I gave that up was because of TIVO and the Season Pass

That's what's on my mind this morning!  

Sixteenth Day

Downtown Bellevue Park in September 2015

I spent yesterday (Sunday) afternoon and evening with LJB along with some other of his friends and family.

I notice a lot of people don't want to read or know what's going on in the news these days (Thanks Donald Trump!).  On the other hand, the activists say - now is the time to stay alert and make noise - we can't let this be 'normal'.

I'm torn.  

I want to fight, but I'm not a great joiner. And it's exhausting to see what kind of people we're up against; they make no sense, they're hypocritical, they're prone to reflexive action, they are fearful and suspicious, they're partisan at the expense of democracy, they're religious at the expense of democracy, they're bigots at the expense of democracy, they deny our role in climate change at the expense of our planet, they'd rather make new institutions than fix the ones we have (education), they want the rest of the world to be afraid of us, they're judgmental, they support old technologies at the expense of our future (oil), and they don't have compassion for people they don't agree with.  (Not everyone is all of those things.)

Super Mario Run is NOT Mario 64!!!  It's more boring and it doesn't make me feel like I'm in an interesting world.  Disappointing.  I'm still playing, but not with the same level of enthusiasm I started out with.

In fact, this game just makes me long for Mario 64.  

I had a Wii for a while and played Mario Galaxy, but I never finished it.  I didn't have the same lifestyle I did when I played Mario 64 so I couldn't devote much time to it.  

As I've mentioned before, it takes me a huge number of tries to accomplish a trick or move.

I'm reminded of an ice world in Mario 64 where a coin was hidden underneath a sheet of ice or something.  I couldn't get that for the longest time.

I haven't been reading in the last several days. I've been spending the workday evenings at LJB's house and coming home tired and hungry.  I'm out of sorts right now.

I've spent a few hours a day/night at his house for the last 5 days.  I'm already pooped!  I can't imagine how people do more - but I know they do.  I feel like a louse for not being up to it.  

Maybe it will be easier now that work deadlines have subsided for the time being.

That's all for today.

Fifteenth Day

My collage

I made this collage with my Salon Gals. It makes me happy to look at. Its an amateur attempt done in a bit of a rush, I'm sure. We were supposed to include things that make us happy.  So, mine has done the trick!  

I've still got it, so I think I'll make a more permanent version of this; one that I can hang on the wall.

***

Yesterday (Saturday) I spent the day watching this season's episodes of the Great American Baking Show.  It's the American version of BBC's The Great British Bake Off, which airs on PBS in America as The Great British Baking Show.

In 2016 the BBC lost the rights to televise the GBBO so Mel and Sue, the British host team left, followed by Mary Berry, one of the British judges, who was always thought of as the heart of the show.  

Apparently the Great American Baking Show has had low ratings.  The show is exactly the same as the PBS airing of the GBBS except the bakers seem a teeny less experienced and they don't speak in British accents.  The American show replicates the British cheery good-natured competition, which is often cited as a reason for the British show's popularity in America.  

I thought it was fun and lovely. 

I imagine one of the other charms of the British show, that we don't see in the American version, is the British contestant's way of describing things.  They have their own British-isms, that Americans find interesting.

There's nothing to be done about that.

***

I spent another evening at LJB's house last night.  This morning he's seeing his children and I've just gotten word that he opened his eyes to see them.  Huge joy for everyone about that.  

His other best friend JE will see him a little later this morning.  

Then, I expect he might leave us this evening or overnight.  Who can know of course.  I hope he will leave in the best possible way for him.