Overheard in the Therapy Room

Therapist: "I want you to name some things for me. Name a material used to build houses."

Patient: "Wood."

Therapist: "OK. That's right. Name an animal that gives off a bad odor."

Patient:"A skunk."

Therapist: "Great. Now, name a salad made with shredded raw cabbage,"

Patient: "Awful."

I prefer potato salad, so clearly, he's right.

In a session later in the day:

Therapist: "I'm going to give you three words and I'd like you to tell me what I am describing. For example, if I say 'leader, white house, election', you would say 'president', OK?"

Patient: "OK."

Therapist: "Here's the first one. 'woman, rule, throne'."

Patient: "A woman's toilet."

The Duchess of Coolsville

Lisa and I went to see Rickie Lee Jones last night at the EchoPlex. We have seen RLJ together many, many times.
After each concert, we come out saying, "I think that was the best one ever."
I think Lisa is right though. The best RJL concert was when she performed at The Wadsworth. Just Rickie, a guitar and a piano.
But, last night was a really close second best.
And, because she brought her dog, Juliet, onstage, I will forgive the couple of songs from "Ghostyhead".






For those of you who are not familiar with Rickie Lee, I found this EchoPlex rehearsal video on YouTube. Just a taste of her genius.

Roscoe's

I think Briana demonstrates here exactly why everyone should try Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles.
Dylan demonstrates the use of a napkin.
And, Ryan?
He demonstrates how to smile through it all.

Ah.... the joys of having a blog.

The Lady of the Now Sound

I was wondering if someone like the "iminitable Mama Cass" would ever make it on American Idol today.
Probably not.
The music business seems to want to sell an image.
That's too bad. Because in the 60's and 70's people could sing. And, not everyone sounded the same.
When you heard Janis on the radio, you knew it was Janis.
When you heard Joni on the radio, you knew it was Joni.
When you heard Marvin on the radio, you knew it was Marvin.
They had voices.

To me, all the Britneys and Christinas all sound the same.

Which is probably why I don't like much pop music today.

Raising McCain

McCain on the Economy:

" This issue of economics is not something I've understood as well as I
should. I've got Greenspan's book."

" I'm going to be honest. I know a lot less about the economy than I do
about the military and foreign policy issues. I still need to be
educated."

McCain on the War:

"Only the most deluded of us could doubt the necessity of this war."

"There are neighborhoods in Baghdad where you and I could walk through
the neighborhoods today." (Well, maybe with the 22 soldiers, 10 armored
Humvees and 2 Apache Heliocopters that surrounded McCain when he
visited a neighborhood marketplace in Baghdad).

When asked by a member of a crowd in New Hampshire about Bush's statement that we could be Iraq for 50 years, he replied, "Maybe 100."

McCain on Torture:

Sen. McCain sponsered the 2006 Detainee Treatment Act that prohibits the use of any cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment by the military.

"You torture someone long enough, he'll tell you whatever he thinks you want to know."

McCain states he opposes torture: "It's not about who they are, it's about who we are'

The Senator then went on to vote AGAINST a bill that would extend that ban on torture to the CIA and other intelligence agencies."

McCain on Social Issues:

"It's not social issues I care about."

It's the social issues I care about. Well, that and the economy. Ok, that the economy and the war.
I guess there isn't much McCain and I agree on.

Except that maybe he doesn't understand the economy as well as he should.

Obama and Security

The 9/11 commission gave the current government 5 F's and 12 D's for implementation of it's recommendations.

- Obama introduced legislation to strengthen chemical plant and drinking water security.

- Obama also introduced legislation to establish guidelines for tracking, controlling and accounting for spent fuel at nuclear power plants.

- Obama wants to preserve the integrity of our borders with additional personnel, infrastructure and technology at the the border and ports of entry.

Obama on Fiscal Responsibilities

Though the Republicans have always claimed to be the party of fiscal responsibility, their actions have spoken louder than their words.

Here are some of the Senator's ideas:

- Reverse Bush tax cuts to the wealthy.

- Cut pork barrel spending.

- Enforce Pay As You Go budget rules which require new spending commitments or tax changes to be paid for by cuts to other programs or new revenue.

- Simplify tax filing for the middle class. Experts say, Obama's plan will save Americans up to 2 billion in tax preparers fees. Not to mention the time and headaches that accompany tax season.

Obama On Iraq

Iraq and Diplomacy:

Senator Obama did not vote for the war in the first and therefore in not to blame for the mess we are in there.

Here is how he will handle the situation.

- All combat brigades will be out of Iraq within 16 months. No permanent bases will be in Iraq. This approach will press the Iraq leaders to take responsibilty for their future.

- Some troops will remain in the country to protect the embassy and diplomats.

- If al qaeda attempts to build a base in Iraq, Obama will keep troops in Iraq or elsewhere in the region to carry out targeted strikes.

Obama 2008

I have a friend who always says, "I just don't know what Obama stands for."
Here is some of what he is saying.

Energy and the Environment:

-Plan to reduce carbon emission 80% by 2050. This will be acheived by implementing a market based cap and trade system to reduce carbon emissions. All pollution credits will be auctioned. A 100% auction ensures all polluters pay for every ton of emissions they release rather than giving these emission rights away to coal and oil companies.

- Develop incentives that reward forest owners, farmers and ranchers for planting tress, restoring grasslands or undertaking farming practices that capture carbon dioxide from the air.

- Invest $150 Billion over 10 years in clean energy. How? By advancing biofuels, accelerating the commericialization of plug in hybrids, invest in low emission coal plants and transitioning a new digital electrical grid.

-Double energy research and development funding.

- Obama's energy independence and climate change plans will invest in America's highly skilled manufacturing workforce and manufacturing centers to ensure American workers will lead the way in pioneering green technologies.

My Funny Valentines

McCain Music Parady

Like hope, but different.

No hope. Same old thing.

First Out

Sorry Flora!

Future Liberal??

A boy after my own heart.

Overheard In The Therapy Room

Therapist: "I'd like you to finish these analogies."

Patient: "Like what?"

Therapist: "Well, for example, red is to stop as green is to...you would say 'go'."

Patient: "Oh, OK."

Therapist: " Good. here's the first one. Hat is to head as gloves are to...what?"

Patient: "Hands."

Therapist: "Great! Here's the next one. Bark is to dog as quack is to...?"

Patient: "Doctor."

Out Of The Mouths Of Babes

Challenger

The pastor was giving a sermon on evangelism. He was explaining that most of us come to Christ through an encounter with a believer. His point was that it is our responsiblity as followers of Christ, to share the "good news" or gospel.

The pastor was talking about how when there is a big event, we all tend to remember who it was that gave us the news.

His example was the Challenger Disaster.

Christy( on my left): "I was in the 6th grade."
Briana (on my right): "I was in the 3rd grade."
Me (in the middle): "I was a grown-up."
They tried to stifle their laughter.

I didn't hear much more of the sermon after that.

Songs for a 30-something's IPOD

I have a friend who will be turning 30 next month.
I happened to hear some of the songs she has on her ipod.
John Denver.
The Mamas and Papas.
Cat Stevens.

I linked a few others that she might like from my era:

This Peter, Paul and Mary song is one I listened to all the time as a kid.

Jim Croce was another one of my favorites from the 70's. He died too soon.

This Harry Chapin song is another classic tune. He died too soon.

Nobody compares to Janis Joplin. She died too soon. I'm still not over it.

While my friend preferred California Dreaming, this is my favorite Mamas and Papas tune.

The Miracle Worker

This man made my computer come back to life tonight.

Thanks Tommy!!!