Eight Feet Deep

It is vacation time for the next 11 days. Kind of. It seems I can’t go a vacation period without having to interact with Dell or Verizon. This time I will be interacting with a Verizon store so they can properly install my wireless broadband program. It seems it wasn’t loaded up right the first time.

I spend so much time going in and out of Verizon stores, you’d think I’d get my own parking place. Perhaps a little placard like a disabled driver. I’m not making fun. I do technically qualify as disabled, just not where I can get a parking sticker. Maybe when I have to be dragged out of my truck and inside a place.

Next week I have some actual freelance work to do. I know, I know, vacation. But then I get to take what I consider a vacation. As I mentioned here before I am flying to El Paso to see an old friend for about four days, five days. You have to be a really good friend to put up with a visitor that long. But these people are the best. Also, it feels good to be writing for money again, even if it is a local welcome folks type.

Sorry I can’t write something better than mundane. Maybe later. I was thinking about writing a post  about Hale-Bopp, the Great Comet of 1997. Maybe 96. I know it was pretty great in 97. But maybe and later, as I and I alone, said.

Greece is the word.

No. I am not talking the musical “Grease,” heavens no. I am talking the country over that-a-way.

The debt-ridden southern European country, a spark away from a burn with rioting and assorted strife as we speak, was at least partially responsible for some of the nearly 1,000-point nose dive in the stock market today. Or, as CBS News has just reported, someone may have pushed the wrong button.

Ooops!

Now companies such as Proctor and Gamble, and Citigroup are asking: “Was it one of our idiots who wrecked the market for awhile this afternoon?” Apparently, the market ended up 300-some-odd points down, depending on who you want to believe.

Trouble in Greece could really be trouble with a capital “T,” which of course, rhymes with P and that stands for pool. That is if you are in need of loving you a little “Music Man.”

Me, I was walking across my office this morning and tripped on nothing, landing on my hands and knees. I’m not sure why. It may have something to do with diabetes, with my diabetic shoes, what the f**k.  Yes, that’s a statement and not a question. But I am about to start loading my new Nautica wallet. I said “Nautica” like it meant something. I’m sure it does to someone. I just needed a wallet as my old one was about to disintegrate.

What a wonderful world it would be … if everyone had a great wallet, whatever you fancy.

A new Republican talking point being circulated hadn’t gotten a lot of traction until today when it caused White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs to blow a gasket.

Gibbs, during a White House news briefing, once again took Fox News to task over an interview. This time  former FEMA director Mike “Heckuva Job Brownie” Brown was the star. Brown had appeared on the network’s commentary program hosted by Neil Cavuto. During the interview Brown said the White House was purposely letting the oil spill get bigger in order to renege on an Obama promise to expand offshore drilling.

Rush Limbaugh had in the last few days questioned the timing of the explosion, saying the Senate was about to reach a compromise on an energy bill that included the offshore drilling. The blowhard radio commentator and de facto head of the Republican party said  “They,” supposedly meaning the Obama administration, were sending “SWAT teams” to the Gulf:

“So, since they’re sending SWAT teams down there, folks, since they’re sending SWAT teams to inspect the other rigs, what better way to head off more oil drilling, nuclear plants, than by blowing up a rig? I’m just noting the timing here.”

Former White House Press Secretary Dana Perino also made sure the morning crew got the Republican marching orders to spread unsubstantiated and libelous rumors. Perino appeared on “Fox and Friends” the alleged “fair and balanced” network’s excuse of a morning show. Perino wondered aloud if what happened with the explosion and resulting oil spill was deliberate. This, Perino said after claiming that she “was not trying to spread a conspiracy theory.” Nooooo. Of course not, just delivering the party’s line. That would be, of course, the new and empowered lie du jour , now gaining some importance now that Gibbs decided to call out Fox after its White House correspondent asked a question at the presser this morning.

You know what Gibbs, heaven’s knows I have a temper and so do millions, but you get the big bucks to ignore such egregious bullshit. Everyone knows the drill when it comes to Republican talking points:  Ignore them. Brush them off your shoulder like the little flakes of dandruff who are delivering such ignorant propaganda.

What about it Gibbs? Why not just shake your head and say “F***ing idiots,” and go about your business.

The calm from the Emirates airline pilot and controllers at New York’s JFK certainly must belie what is going through their heads as they are told to return to the gate. The reason was that the suspect in the unsuccessful Times Square bombing was on board and federal authorities were about to arrest him.

Below is the conversation as it took place prior to the arrest of Faisal Shahzad, a Pakistani native who had only been granted U.S. citizenship during the past year. The tape is via LiveATC.net, on which live air traffic control communications can be heard from certain world airports.

Of course, the Rightists are already mealy-mouthing the arrest and the fact Shahzad was read his Miranda rights. It’s something I suspected would begin but still, can’t they find something meaningful to debate?

Have you ever heard that old expression: “Don’t get your bowels in an uproar?” No? Well you just heard it.

If you don’t know already, the phrase means don’t get all upset. Except in my case. That is because mine are in an uproar.

I know it’s not polite conversation to talk about matters such as the “DIE-ree-uh” word. But when you got to go …

This afternoon I was out doing some field work and, oh my, I’m glad my place isn’t too far. I passed a police car parked as if it might be looking for speeders. I might have been going over the limit a bit. I just didn’t want him to stop me because he’d never believe me. Well, he might, but I don’t want to think about it.

I took two sick hours and here I am at home. I don’t know what it is exactly causing my problem. The affliction visiting this afternoon is pretty rare for me. I think that might be because I have to take a synthetic opioid  pretty often for pain.

But, I will get better. I might have to curl up into a ball and spend some time on the porcelain throne first. But get better I will.