When Will It All End?

During our trip back to Wisconsin, I took a break from the news cycle for four days. Although I glanced at the headlines of the U.S. Today in the rack, I did not read much during our hurried trip from Arizona. That is a considerable sacrifice for a newshound like me.

Now I have resumed my daily multiple doses of the news: reading the paper, watching at least two networks new shows, and leafing through news magazines when one appears. I found I didn't miss too much.

Sort of like the soap operas where you can miss a day or two, or heck a week or two, the national news is about the same. Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama are still fighting it out, much to the dismay of Howard Dean and other Dems, and much to the glee of Sen. McCain and other Republicans. Of course, it will only intensify and get worse until one of the two yells "Uncle!" and then comes out smiling in support of the other. Wot a country!

I actually enjoy this kind of news, switching with abandon between CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News. I listen to the pundits and wanna-be commentators who offer their opinions, for what they are worth. In my opinion, humbly, I am sticking with my statement that Mrs. Clinton will not prevail. That is unless Mr. Obama's "friends" continue to implode his campaign. As of today he can withstand the scrutiny of his pastor's vitriol, his Chicago contributor's felonies, and his colorful background. However, a few more revelations coming out in dribs and drabs might begin to erode support from an already cynical populace.

The same is true for Hillary, of course, and because she already has such a high negative rating, another faux pas, especially if it pins the Truth Meter needle again, will be enough to settle the battle.

Yet today's news is really not just the "same old, same old". It is nuanced just enough to keep us interested. I am not looking forward to the day when there is only one candidate per party to deal with.

No Longer MIA

I apologize for the barren period here while we traversed the country coming home to Wisconsin from Arizona. The WiFi was spotty, or most often non-existent at the RV Parks in which we stayed. We took the old Route 66 back from Phoenix (picking it up in Holbrook, AZ) but were derailed from our plans by the flooding in Missouri.

We had planned to shoot from Tulsa to Springfield, MO, then to St. Louis, and on up through Illinois. We were advised to avoid the St. Louis area, so we headed north through Kansas and Iowa.

We are now home although tired after the long drive and the subsequent unloading of our motor home. Never knew we had so much stored in that coach.

The Blog will now continue at its regular pace barring any unforeseen circumstance. I hope you will continue to read.

The Bank Job - A Decent Film

I am usually a sucker for films "based" or "inspired by a true story". That's probably why I enjoy historical novels - the basic truth with a little flesh on the bones, so to speak.

My wife, Diana, left the movie with me and as I about to say that I really liked it, she spoke first.

"I didn't like it" she said quietly. I was surprised because she loves most action thrillers.

"Well, I did", I responded and asked further, "What's not to like?" Without giving away too much, I will say she did not like the seamy side of English life portrayed in 1970s London.

Well, I found it to be interesting, and I defended the porn references by saying it was a true story. Diana was not convinced so we left it at that.

The Bank Job, with mostly unknown actors save Jason Statham who is slightly more known, was executed really well. The story was exciting, the filmography did the job without the latest camera jerkiness seen too often these days, and the story line was able to be followed.

I wish Jason would shave at least once in a blue moon; I got tired of seeing his double 5 o'clock shadow in every scene. I guess it is de rigeur for leading men in action films these days.

Overall, the film came through with all the best and left the viewer satisfied at the end with a complete story. I know there are some who like to have a little mystery when the credits roll, but I like closure. Those mystery seekers should buy No Country for Old Men and watch it over and over and over.

Watching Our Language

Has anyone else noticed the subtle deterioration of our language, now being peppered with curses, obscenities, and scatological references? Maybe it's not so subtle really. Maybe I am just getting more sick of hearing even the lesser offensive language on prime time TV.

Why can't one be "ticked off" instead the ubiquitous "p**sed off". Even Jane Fonda, on morning network TV thought it was OK to use the C word, a most offensive English word. The network had to apologize. What does it add to the language? Some would call it the spice of the vernacular, but I'll go with the vision of sprinkling warm, rotting fish guts into the seafood chowder. It adds flavor but takes away from the savory Piscean essence.

Prime time offers us "ass", "damn", "hell", and would you believe, "b*tch" without shame (I know, I know... they are all in the Bible -- Hey,I used that excuse as a kid also). The reality shows, or let's call them "reality" (wink wink) shows, allow the cast to use their flowery language with a short beep to allegedly cover the foul epithets. But have you ever noticed that some shows manage to leave the "***king" sound in that heinous "f" word, leaving no doubt of what was said. I will say, however, that there are some responsible shows that not only bleep out the swearing, but they put the hazy blob over their mouths so we don't get a shot at testing our lip reading skills.

I don't subscribe to the belief that those who use foul language are limited in their language skills and have to resort to swearing to put some oomph in their discourse. Could be true for some, but I know many very smart people who intentionally choose to accent their conversation with some of the famous 7 words of George Carlin. What I don't know is why. I will admit that I am not without the need for an occasional bar of soap in the mouth, but it usually is when my dander is up. No excuse, but you won't find me swearing in any polite conversation.

This week a study was announced that showed the PG movies with little or no swearing made more money, almost twice as much, than PG movies that had the language rating. Apparently others are not quite as accepting of the blue language as some might think.

We could all make a little effort in this area. First, by not using the spice too often. Second, by teaching our kids that it does not enhance their image with those who count. Finally, when hearing raunchy words in mixed company, draw on your mother's sage warnings of "Watch your language", or my favorite, "Do you eat with that filthy mouth?"

And by the way, at least three of Carlin's banned words are now in common usage on TV.

Going Home - Leaving Arizona for Wisconsin

We started our early retirement by heading southwest in our 39 ft. Winnebago motor home last October and planted ourselves in Apache Junction, Arizona for the winter. We have enjoyed the past five months immensely. We have met new people, seen new sights, and just plain enjoyed the contrasts between the Arizona desert and the Wisconsin North woods. We now love both.

So, as long as we are able, we will return to this beautiful desert area each fall to avoid the bone-chilling cold that our chilled bones appreciate less and less each year. I have been told numerous times by those we left in Wisconsin that this was the year to be gone. Record snowfalls, record temps - is all we needed to make another life decision that will likely surprise our family and friends.

Our beloved 2005 Winnebago is now for sale. We will drive it home, clean it out, spiff it up, and hope that we find a buyer. What we decided was that, although we still loved the RV lifestyle, we knew we would return to the Phoenix area. We can get to California, Sedona and the Grand Canyon, and Las Vegas in a few hours from this area. So what did we do?

We bought a house in a 55+ community in Mesa. Actually it is not built yet, but will be this summer. It is not a large house, but it is bigger than the motor home and with its two bedroom, two baths, will allow us to have a few of our friends and family visit us during those snowy Wisconsin winters. Oh, we will still travel, only now we won't be able to take our lodging with us. But it all works out.

We can't wait to get back home to Wisconsin, but honestly, we will be looking forward to returning to Arizona to see our new house next fall. We don't want to wish our lives away, so will try to stop projecting ourselves into next winter.

Anyone want a good deal on a nice motor home? Give us a call.

The Terror Continues: Civilian Killings Rebound

Like most Americans, I was brought up to see human life as most precious. We mourn all who die from the stillborn child to the elderly grandparent. Even today when touring a Civil War battlefield or cemetery, I am appalled at the carnage. Yet, even that enormous loss of life in military battles makes infinitely more sense than when truly innocent people are killed for political reasons.

Yet I wonder if we are becoming desensitized to the senseless destruction of human lives in Iraq and other venues of the Middle East. Last week we read about 35 civilians, including children, who were blown away by a terrorist bomb. Although the body count from such bombings is somewhat less than it once was, it should still rock our senses. There seems to be not a whit of regard for each innocent life taken by those committing the acts. One must wonder about the value that the local culture places on life when those members of their society see fit to kill people because they happen to be of the wrong Islamic sect.

Looking more closely at the news features after a bombing in the shopping area, I notice that there are people, relatives and friends, who seem to be as distraught as one could be over a senseless death. Women beat their chests, men can be seen weeping openly and cannot even stand on their own because of the overwhelming grief they must feel. So I again must reassess and realize that their culture does indeed value life. So these terrorists must be the most inhuman and inhumane beings on the earth. They must be true savages, true sociopaths, who see nothing wrong with advancing their cause by committing serial and mass murders. No God of any religion would truly abide those terrible deeds.

But we, in the relative safety of our homes, see these news stories, shake our heads and go on with our lives. I suppose it is because we are helpless to do much about it. Our surrogates, the soldiers and marines, are doing their best to stop these atrocities.

Every thinking American must, at once time or another, have thought about if such things were to happen in the U.S. If a terrorist bombed an ice cream social in Lebanon, Kansas and 35 cone eaters were killed, our hearts would not only go out to the victims and survivors, we might even attend their funerals.

We Americans would certainly mark the date of the massacre and may even put up a stone monument to commemorate the tragedy. Prayers would be said by tourists who passed the site for many years to come.

Unfortunately there isn't enough marble in the world to honor the innocent in the Middle East.