What Are You Thankful For?

What Are You Thankful For?

This is Informational and a Non-Fiction Post

Editorial

This has been a year of great failures. The so called Super Committee who were supposed to figure out how to cut 1.2 Trillion dollars from the Federal Budget failed because of a lack of will to do what’s right and outright fear of their corporate masters and their lobbyist handlers who have all but enslaved them to a lavish lifestyle, Senators, Congressmen and Congresswomen bought and paid for, working for anyone but the people who elected them.

90 Banks have failed in Iowa, MF Global led by former Goldman Sachs exec and former New Jersey Governor John Corzine failed and lost over 600 million dollars of retirement money. But the biggest failures this year come in the fact that America has failed to educate our children to current world standards, almost making the guarantee that we will become a third world nation in the next 30 years.

But in all these failures we have much to be thankful for. Like what you may ask? As bad as things are they could be worse. If someone you love is still living, be thankful. If you have a roof over your head and food on your table (no matter how humble or meager the portions respectively) be thankful. If you have your health, no matter how bad you think it is, be thankful.

If you can express yourself by writing to the White House or Congress and not be locked up for your opinion no matter how spot on or totally anarchist it is, be thankful.

If you can read, do thank a teacher. If you can read in English, thank a Marine. Our military is still the finest in the world and our global power is still unmatched to this day, for that, be thankful. If you own a gun, if you can fire that weapon at a range or in your yard, or if you can hunt and not yourself be hunted by your government, be thankful. If you have any hope that things can get better and will by working with friends, family and fellow believers, be thankful.

When a day called ‘Black Friday’ gets more attention than a National Day of Thanksgiving, we have proof that our Nation has lost its values, marginalized its own meaning and forsaken its traditions. If we give into the despair brought on by an intransigent congress, a piss poor economy and Corporate shysters who could care less about you except as a prospective purchaser, than we have lost this nation.Every November since before the founding of these United States, Americans have celebrated Thanksgiving.

But I beg you not to give in and steal back our Thanksgiving.Giving thanks to God, with neighbors, friends and family for the blessings that liberty and hard work have given us. But recently we have all but forgotten about God, we have let secular interests that mask insidious anti-Christian and anti-Theistic agenda’s take root and steal the meaning of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is now the day before Black Friday.

I know that being with your family can be stressful. But they are your family and there is much to be thankful for. Even if you don’t have much, you can share with someone who has nothing to eat or has nowhere to go.

The worst thing in the world is to be alone on Thanksgiving Day, although many people are. Not all our leaders are totally tone deaf to the suffering of the American people. But we must release our own cynicism when our leaders acknowledge the Nations traditions and its people.

Today the President of the United States announced the following: “In times of adversity and times of plenty, we have lifted our hearts by giving humble thanks for the blessings we have received and for those who bring meaning to our lives.

Today, let us offer gratitude to our men and women in uniform for their many sacrifices, and keep in our thoughts the families who save an empty seat at the table for a loved one stationed in harm's way. And as members of our American family make do with less, let us rededicate ourselves to our friends and fellow citizens in need of a helping hand.

As we gather in our communities and in our homes, around the table or near the hearth, we give thanks to each other and to God for the many kindnesses and comforts that grace our lives. Let us pause to recount the simple gifts that sustain us, and resolve to pay them forward in the year to come.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 24, 2011, as a National Day of Thanksgiving.

I encourage the people of the United States to come together whether in our homes, places of worship, community centers, or any place of fellowship for friends and neighbors to give thanks for all we have received in the past year, to express appreciation to those whose lives enrich our own, and to share our bounty with others.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.”

(To read the whole proclamation go to http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2016820498_proclamation24.html)

In a year full of failures and losses we still have much to be thankful for. The worst days for some of us Americans would be a pretty fair day for anyone else anywhere else on the face of this planet.

So it all boils down to the question; What are you thankful for?

RJ

Deer Hunt 2011

Deer Hunt 2011

The Order of Giimoozabi KeeMoSabe also known as “Bwana” convened its inquiry on Fred almost immediately after the hunt on Saturday afternoon.

It was early Saturday Night and the ‘Dark Inquest’ was called to order. ‘Old George’ presided over the hearing. Bernie called the hearing to order. At that time Lucky presented his testimony to the inquest.

“He shot at a Yearling, not just that but fired at that deer outside of the directed hunting area near a populated area with buildings” said Lucky. “How many shots were fired at the Yearling?” growled Old George. “Four Shots” Lucky said with an attitude. Lucky was dismissed and the Order called its next witness who was escorted by her Father. She was a 9 year old girl.

Old George made sure the girl was comfortable in the hunt club meeting area with a bottle of water and a candy bar. Old George asked the little girl, ‘Suzie’ what she saw. “I looked out of the window at my Uncle Lucky’s and saw that man (pointing at Fred) shoot Bambi…then he took out a knife and…and…” Suzie then started to cry. Old George said ,“That’s all, thank you Suzie.” Suzie and her Dad (Lucky’s brother-in-law) then left the hunt club.

Then Ricky was called to testify. Ricky recounted “Fred fired the first shot that essentially gutted the Yearling, but the animal was still alive. Fred fired two more shots that brought the Yearling down, but the deer was still alive. Fred fired his fourth shot to the yearling’s head which finally dispatched the animal.” Old George asked, “did you believe that at anytime that Fred was a safety threat to the other hunters or the hunting environment?”

Ricky swallowed hard and answered in one word, “Yes”. Old George had Ricky step down. Old George said that he had heard enough and was ready to render a decision. Old George took the Dark Order into a closed session. The decision was rendered in 15 minutes (it took that long because they had to get down the first few beers).

Old George delivered the decision. “You will surrender your Ulster County buck tags and be suspended from hunting the area for this season. Although you were in total compliance with State regulations you violated this Order’s safety and conduct codes. You are also fined 15 cases of beer which must be delivered in 30 days or risk dismissal from this Order. Do you understand and comply?”

Fred, with a look of utter disgust on his face said, “I will.” The Dark Inquest adjourned and we went back to N.F.’s place near the landing zone. Fred bitched and moaned how he was railroaded, how his own son felt he broke the rules and how his ‘friends and fellow bwana’ did not speak up much in his behalf. That’s when Bernie went off. Bernie had sat quietly through Fred’s rant until he talked about ‘friends’.

Bernie was one of the ‘Dark Elders’, a Senior member of the Order of Giimoozabi KeeMoSabe who decided the punishment for Fred. “Listen Fred, I might sound like a dick but if N.F. didn’t get me on scene while the hunt was going on Lucky would have closed the hunting grounds down and R.J. would have butt stroked you. Your too old to be fucking up on the hunt, you might be too old to fucking hunt.”

Before Fred could draw another breath, Bernie laid into him some more. “As far as tags for the county go thank God that Jake lent you tags or you wouldn’t be hunting in the first place…you don’t have tags to turn in so it’s no money out of your pocket.

Also, what’s with you fucking up the hunting area…pissing all over the place, deer can smell that for miles. That’s why no deer show up when you hunt and that’s why I don’t hunt with you.”

Bernie kept rolling, “You have no respect for the hunting area, no respect for the environment and no respect for yourself, if you did you wouldn’t show up to the hunt half hung over and you would show a little more radio discipline when you communicate with you fellow hunters…that’s why you have an earpiece so the deer don’t hear the mike being keyed and figure out that it’s not a nature sound asshole.”

Fred slumped in his chair and said “so you guys want me out?” Bernie snapped, “No dick breath, we need you…your going to be our example to the young hunters coming up on what not to do when hunting. Besides your good for at least another 10 cases of beer, but don’t worry, I’ll bleed you slowly. Does that make you feel better Fred?” Fred said “oh yes, fuck me real slow.” Fred then snapped “You guys make me out to be a total asshole and that’s not necessary.”

“OH YES IT IS” quipped N.F. as he piped up, … “Fred, your losing your eyesight, your hearing and your common fucking sense but to send home the message what were going to do is make sure you follow all the way through with your ‘harvest’.” Fred turned pale as Bernie walked him out to the barn where N.F. had earlier tied bull horns on the yearlings bloody head and hoisted up its bullet mangled carcass on a block and tackle, head down to bleed out.

Bernie had Fred skin the yearling with his bare hands getting blood all over himself. Fred, now bloody was directed by Bernie to butcher the deer under his direction, something that Fred swore he’d never do because he found it ‘gross’.

“Yeah, Fred…you shot the illusive ‘Yak Deer’ now on the endangered species list (N.F. had several pictures taken of Fred with the yearling with the Bull horns on its head) don’t you feel like a big time game hunter, don’t you Fred.” “Get off my case N.F.” shouted Fred then Bernie picked up where N.F. left off. “Pay attention to what your cutting Bwana, your almost as good a hunter as Elmer Fudd.”Fred doesn’t mind shooting animals but likes to have professional butchers do the dirty work. Fred was feeling the guilt and remorse for taking the yearling as N.F. goaded him mercilessly.

But the end of the matter wasn’t going to come until all souls got back inside N.F.’s house. Lucky showed up with his little niece Suzie. Lucky sat down with Suzie and had Suzie meet Fred whom she was both angry at and terrified of. This encounter was what Fred needed, more than this, it helped Suzie understand things a little better.

“Mr. Fred why did you shoot Bambi…what did Bambi do to you?” Fred said, “Suzie we hunt because there are a lot of deer, so many that many will starve to death, and many more will cause accidents being hit by cars or causing the people who hit them or try to avoid them to die in car accidents. We hunt deer and use the meat to live on, we make meals from deer meat to help us lower food bills.”

“But Bambi was a baby…do you eat baby deer?” N.F. looked at Fred like the persecuting attorney at a murder trial and softly said, “that’s a good question, Fred, do you eat baby deer?” Fred was sweating, “If we throw Bambi away her little life would be taken for nothing and that would be more wrong than having shot her, which was a really big mistake on my part because we don’t shoot baby deer which are called Yearlings.”

“But you did shoot Bambi, didn’t you” cried Suzie. “Yes I did, and I was punished for it and I can’t hunt at Lucky’s farm anymore this year. Suzie, I’m sorry I shot Bambi. There will be other Bambi’s that will grow to be big strong deer because they will not be shot at by the good hunters who hunt, and I will be a good hunter from now on. OK Suzie?”

Lucky said to Suzie, “Mr. Fred said he was sorry, are you gonna accept his apology?" Suzie said “OK, don’t shoot anymore baby deer.” Fred, red faced and humbled said, “I promise, I won’t.” Suzie said “shake on it” and Fred shook Suzie’s hand. Lucky and Suzie bid everyone good night and went back to their home at the hunting grounds in Ulster County (about half hour from N.F.’s). Fred found a corner in the den and lamented with his friend Gordon, that is, the bottle of Gordon’s Gin.

Sunday’s hunt was totally non-eventful, Fred was there, sitting on the porch while we were out in the woods. A big doe did come into my firing zone. I took aim and fired. The shot fell short and the doe bolted. When we got back to the truck and headed out N.F. said, “you shoot bulls-eyes at the range, but a Marine rifle expert misses a doe so big you could have it with a rock. Feeling guilty about hunting RJ?”

“Nope, that big Doe was pregnant…let’s wait a year for another target to shoot at N.F.” I felt there was no need for any more excitement this weekend. No need for inquisitions and regrets.

RJ

Updates and Accolades

I wish to thank everyone who attended the Veterans Day Toast and for all who participated in body and spirit. Thanks goes to the Proprietor, Jimmy D. and the crew Chrissy, Rita, Jessica, Ernie and Carol Lee. Thanks To George for all the Deli Delights and to Steve J. for all his skills as a Chef and for his time. And thanks again to Tony the Florist for the rose.

Thank You All!

Game On Pool Team has no longer to endure shooting on a pool table that is holier than the Pope's Robe. Their is a new shooting felt on the table that isn't cursed by witches or influenced by demonic spirits, Ouiji boards or Leprachans.

A shout out to Robin at Side Street Bar in Cedarhurst. Wonderful job with handling a recent party for several regulars.

Congratulations to Madeline and Jim on the Bold O'Donaghue Pool team who are still shooting pool very competitively on the Long Island Pool League. Madeline and Jim are senior citizens of the WWII generation who are still showing up the kids in their 40's 50's and 60's. And beating up on the baby's in their 20's and 30's.

Bronko's Bar & Grill in South Hempstead (exit 20 of of the Southern State Parkway) is still having the lunch special, half pound burger with fries or onion rings and two domestic beers for just $10. Hurricane Harry's on Woodcleft Canal in Freeport is reported to have a happy hour special worth checking out.

Condolences to all the Jet Fans who lost money betting they would beat the New England Patriots and the Denver Broncos. I figure most of you will know better next time. Once the roller coaster is going downhill it won't stop until it reaches bottom.

More blog posts to come...

PMS RAGE

PMS RAGE

I thought it was the moon going in and out of its phases that caused the psychotic behavior. I was half right. Almost every female in their late 40’s on up was in ultra bitchy mode as October went into November.

As I set up Game On for Veterans Day with Armed Forces Flags and assorted unit flags from the five branches I just couldn’t help notice the rabidly vicious attitudes of some woman bartenders.

It was when one particular conversation I had became loud and even after several quiet appeals to make my point, I was shouted down. I left. If it were one woman I would consider it an aberration, that is, a woman having a bad day and night. But I witnessed at least three other incidents of crazy bitch behavior at two other establishments. So I thought about it and will tell you about one of the incidents.

I visited “G” one day at my North Baldwin hideout when things got rough in my world. “G” is always cool, funny, vivacious and in control. As I got out of my car, I saw one of the regulars run out of the bar holding the side of his face.

He didn’t say a word to me and took off. As I walked in the bar I noticed two guys, both ghost white pale and sort of disturbed.

“G” walked out of the back with food and a smiling face, but she was not quite herself. I heard her apologize to one of the patrons for ‘going off’ on one of her regulars who was looking to scam her out of a beer.

And then I heard the young guy say, “when he started pointing his finger in your face, you went off alright…I never saw a hand move so fast and strike so hard in all my life.”

“G” blushed (she never does that and she’s the one who tells some of the most sexist jokes I ever heard) and continued her duties. “G” did tell me all about it and then said something I never considered. “G” said “I got myself checked out by my doctor who said that women in their late 40’s and 50’s even after menopause can fly into rages over anything due to a chemical imbalance, he told me to get vitamins and zinc.”

‘G’ “if I say anything to piss you off, please don’t hurt me.” “RJ, I know the kind of hurting you like and I wouldn’t do that because you would like it too much.” I asked ‘G’ “do Doctors have a name for this ‘thing’?” “Yeah, RJ it’s called PMS Rage.” ‘G’ got me thinking about other women around her age (minus her great looks) that have might have the same problem.

I learned from ‘G’ that stress, aggravation, lack of sleep and/or poor eating habits can contribute to this ‘disorder’. I know it’s a disorder because PMS Rage results in extreme disorderly conduct.

I talked to a Doctor friend of mine who comes into see ‘G’ every once in a while. Doc explained it to me. He quoted an article by Dr John R. Lee, “The zinc and copper levels imbalance that occurs is the primary mechanism why PMS causes women to convert mild irritation to out and out rage. Ha.

When the zinc and copper is out of synch, it is an automatic thing that happens in the brain, you truly go mad. It's not a weakness on your part (the woman) it's the copper and zinc. And progesterone helps to restore that, estrogen makes it worse.”

I asked, Doc, what the hell is ‘progesterone’? “Progesterone is secreted by the empty egg follicle after ovulation has occurred, known as the corpus luteum. It is highest during the last phases of the menstrual cycle, after ovulation. Progesterone causes the endometrium to secrete special proteins to prepare it for the implantation of a fertilized egg. When fertilization does not occur, it prevents the body from creating and releasing more eggs in the later stages of the menstrual cycle.”2

Doc, break it down in English for me please. “RJ, if a woman doesn’t ovulate or have her period, or has her period but the egg doesn’t make itself ready to receive seed or semen, then a woman’s body is suffering a chemical imbalance. This imbalance makes it near impossible for a woman to act rationally…almost anything can make them nasty or violent.” “That explains a whole lot Doc. Thanks”

Unfortunately, I have found out from observation and an article by the CDC (Center for Disease Control) that American women do not get proper advise or help most of the time because this condition is misdiagnosed or even ignored by gynecologists.

Some American women often do not go to the Doctor at all, attributing their outbursts to the conditions in their lives or the people they live or work with.

So, the moral of this blog entry is women, no matter how pretty or petite, when enduring PMS which can cause PMS rage, a woman when in this rage condition, can kill or injure a man in less than half a heartbeat. And if you lay a hand on them (women), even in self defense, you will be arrested and jailed no matter how right you are. So, men…understand that a chronically cranky bitch is probably in need of medical attention.

If that cranky bitch is your bartender, advise her to see a doctor. Then be nice and/or leave quickly.

2. http://pcos.about.com/od/normalmenstrualcycle/f/Progesterone.htm

RJ