Goodbye 2003

As we approach the end of another year I have had a chance to reflect back not only on the past year but my life in general. Earlier this week the San Francisco Chronicle ran an article entitled Passages 2003 in which it listed the people who have departed this world during the year. Many of the names I was not familiar with...many were...and here I would just like to list those who touched me in some way during my lifetime. They are (with date of death) as follows:

April 1 - Leslie Cheung
June 11 - David Brinkley
June 12 - Gregory Peck
June 29 - Katharine Hepburn
July 27 - Bob Hope
Sept. 11 - John Ritter
Sept. 12 - Johnny Cash
Oct. 29 - Franco Corelli
Oct. 30 - Franco Bonisolli
Nov. 9 - Art Carney
Dec. 8 - Hans Hotter

Life will not see the same without them.

In closing I wish each and every one of you a very Happy, Properous, and Healthy New Year.

Final week, or, final 19 hours...

Now begins the second short week in a row and my final week with the firm. Then it is on to a permanent vacation, more or less. With this cold rainy weather here in SF I am really looking forward to my journey to Thailand in January.

Still no new hires at work and they have even deleted the two open positions from the firm's HR website page. I wonder what is going on?

Went to another holiday party last night at a friend's apartment and now Wednesday night it is the big one - New Year's Eve. It looks as if the rain may go away or at least decrease considerably by then. Actually, I don't care what happens once I reach my destination as long as I can stay dry on the way there.

San Francisco's new mayor, Gavin Newsom, takes office on the 8th of January. His transition team is in place and apparently rather large despite the city's large deficit. Could they all be volunteers????

Morning after

The day after Christmas was a quiet day as I only ventured out twice. The first time going to Trader Joe's for some wine and other goodies and then to Cala Foods for food items that I regularly buy.

Last night a friend came over and we watched a movie that neither of us would go to the theater to see: Finding Nemo. Yes, it was a kids movie but there was enough in it to interest adults too and since my friend is studying animation it was natural that he should watch it. In fact, the evening started with his own animation whose features looked every bit as good as the Disney/Pixar film. And that comment was not influenced by the wine we were drinking.

Speaking of wine, however, after the film we went out to our favorite local pub where we both switched to beer for several more hours so this morning I am feeling a bit groggy. I guess one might call it a hangover. Now I must prepare for New Year's Eve which will be something special this time since the 31st of January is my last day of work prior to retirement.

No plans today although I hope I can catch the Metropolitan Opera Broadcast somewhere on Internet radio, perhaps KING-FM from Seattle. Today's performance features Berlioz' Benvenuto Cellini which I have never heard in its entirety. Then there is another party to attend on Sunday evening but that one will probably involve less consumption of alcohol than last night.

It is very chilly here in SF. It is 42F/5C on my patio deck at 9:30 AM and my heater has been working overtime last night and this morning.

I need something to keep me warm today. I wonder what I should do...

Merry ??? Christmas

Well, not for everyone. In fact, I will probably be haunted by what I saw today upon leaving the office at 12 noon. Upon reaching the street level I found a couple of fire trucks, several police cars and a couple of ambulances near the corner of Drumm & Sacramento with lots of yellow police tape blocking off the streets in the area. Everyone seemed to be looking up and I did not see what they were looking at, but then I did. There was a man dangling from the outside of the (approximately) 14th floor balcony of the Hyatt Regency Hotel. He seemed to be moving somewhat but I could not tell exactly how he was suspending himself there. I do not know how long he had been there but I watched in hopes the fire and police personnel could get him down safely. That was not to be as he finally let go or lost his grip and fell to the sidewalk. That was a sickening sound when he hit. Someone described it as sounding like smashing a large watermelon.

As a result of this situation I could not catch my # 1 bus in its usual location so I sought out an alternate route. By that time however they were running the new ETBs under battery power from wired territory through some unwired streets and then over to Sacramento Street and the regular route. I did not try to catch one, opting instead to catch something on Sutter Street.

It has been a somber afternoon for me as a result of those images. The sound too, of his body hitting the pavement will be something I will long remember. I hope I don't have any nightmares tonight as a result of this.

Tomorrow is another day and I will be joining friends in Oakland for Christmass dinner. I look forward to this and need this to get my mind off of today's events.

Christmas in the City

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the apartment building
Not a creature was stirring, except the noisy neighbors upstairs;
The stockings were in the laundry basket in hopes that the
maid would soon be there...

..when out on the patio deck there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the couch to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the drapes and turned on the light...

...When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but the neighbor's cat and a racoon in a standoff on the fence...

-x-x-x-x-x-

Well, not as romantic or fanciful as the Major Henry Livingston Jr./Clement Clarke Moore poem but something I can relate to anyway.

-x-x-x-x-x-

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a Good-Night"

Where were you when...

In this case I was at work (11:14 AM) removing something from a cabinet when a co-worker mentioned that we were having an earthquake. I would have never noticed but for her remark. I stood up and heard a creaking sound from our roll down cage and then I felt a very slight rolling motion. I could have overlooked that completely. It was very minor here in SF. Not so minor in Paso Robles but then not major by any stretch of the word either.

Tonight I decided to watch the Raider/Packer game. Bad idea! It is the 4th quarter and it is 34 to 7 Green Bay. Oh well, at least the 49ers won on the road yesterday, their first road win this season.

Good question!

Is there really anything to write about at this time? Well, at least we are only a couple of days away from the pagan holiday hijacked by the Christians now known as Christmas. After that we can get back to normal, whatever that is. For me it won't exactly be normal as I will only have two-and-a-half days left at work and then I retire but don't get ready to put me in a wheel chair and push me over to Laguna Honda hospital. I certainly can't predict what my health will be like five or ten years from now but right now is the perfect time to retire so I can enjoy and extended vacation.

At work in recent years I have become known as "Mr. World Traveler". Since 1998 I have been in France three times, one time in the U.K. (a brief stay in London), and I have been in Italy, Taipei, Singapore, Shanghai, and Thailand, and I am scheduled to return to Thailand soon for my second visit. Where will I go next? Good question! I want to return to Paris but I really should go back to London as my previous visit was far too short and there are some things I would like to see there and I would like to visit a friend in York.

Being a rail fan the London Transport Museum would be high on my list. I also need to explore the Underground lines and outlying areas. I can just enjoy walking around a city to see what it and its architecture and life styles are. I don't need to go to touristy sites all the time. They are usually too crowded and overpriced anyway. First, back to BKK and Chiang Mai. After that I can start thinking about the next journey.

Ciao!

Dumb and dumber?

SYDNEY (Reuters) - An Australian who called police to report thieves were trying to break into his home and steal his cannabis plants wound up getting arrested himself.
Police called to a house in Adelaide, capital of the state of South Australia just after midnight discovered four men trying to steal the plants, which were being grown in two rooms there.

They arrested the men -- and the 23-year-old homeowner, who was later charged with illegally growing 16 cannabis plants.

"He was calling from underneath his bed," a police spokesman told Reuters. "I don't know what he was thinking. Perhaps he was smoking too much of his own product."

On the lighter side


This out of London...

After a year of rumors, lawsuits and tabloid intrusions, the British royal family is dealing with another scandal after a Sunday newspaper revealed that a servant has starred in a gay porn film.

According to The People, as well as appearing in the film, which was never released, Steve Kaye is keen to sell to the highest bidder his stories of orgies and drug taking at the palace.

He claims that security is slack at Buckingham Palace, and that poorly paid servants often organize parties involving drugs and sex, despite senior royals being in attendance.

The 25-year-old Kaye, who works part time in a clothes shop, was due to work at Sandringham Palace on Christmas day serving Queen Elizabeth II (news - web sites), the tabloid claims, although it is thought the revelations will lead to him being fired.

Sources told the newspaper that the footman's porn film, shot nearly four years ago, was too hardcore for the U.K. market. His participation in the film, however, could have posed a blackmail threat, the newspaper reported.

The royal family has not commented on the incident, which rounds off another difficult year that included conspiracy theories over the death of Princess Diana, lawsuits from her butler Paul Burrell and a "comedy terrorist" gate-crashing at Prince William's birthday party. The family was tainted further by rumors of gay rape within Buckingham Palace, while servants of Prince Charles were criticized for their handling of the problem.

However, the story that gained most coverage was one that could not be mentioned in U.K. press for legal reasons, and linked a senior royal with a servant.

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I am beginning to think that Buckingham Palace must be a very interesting place to live. You almost need a score card to keep up with the events there these days.

Crazy World

The practice of a growing number of U.S. busineses to export jobs to other countries ("outsourcing") is the most despicable practice in a long time. People complain about the economy not recovering fast enough and that there are not enough jobs yet these rich bastards at the top keep sending these jobs (not theirs of course) to countries where they can pay lower wages. Then a few months down the road they lay off thousands of workers in the U.S. Is it no wonder that many people in this country cannot afford goods and services? Is it no wonder that the economy remains sluggish? It doesn't take rocket science to realize that but short term greed by the CEO's of many companies in the U.S. is contributing to the problem. What we need are a number of corporate meltdowns in quick succession and then, just maybe these selfish, self-serving bastards might change their mind. Unfortunately it is going to take an act of congress to get changes made but then that is not going to happen because they are just a corrupt. Is it no wonder why families murder there own? The gross incivility amongst a great many American is rapidly bringing this country down. I just hope we aren't exporting our mental, emotional, and social problems to other countries too.

Xmas music

Another reason I dislike this season (Are there others?) is the horrible sappy music one hears on the radio all the time. There are very few popular Christmas songs that I have ever liked and at the risk of being boiled in oil I will say that my favorite is "The Little Drummer Boy" with "Winter Wonderland" being second. My favorite of the religious carols is "Once in Royal David's City". For my taste that is the most beautiful but of course there is the majestic "Adeste Fideles" or "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" to rouse the spirit. To be fair however, I can lay part of the blame for my dislike of pop Christmas music on the atrocious arrangements and they get worse year by year.

Monday after

Well, I survived the firm's Christmas party on Saturday night, this year held at the Omni Hotel. My digestive system almost didn't but that is another story. Anyway, I spent much of the evening drinking white wine (never found the hard liquor bar) and telling people about my retirement at the end of this month. Some had heard rumors and some were genuinely surprised.

Now if we can only get one or two very competent people hired prior to my departure so that I can start the training but I am not gong to hold my breath on that one as I have only 9 full days remaining here, then it is Hasta la vista baby. I have told my superiors, however, that I can make myself available for training after the first provided, of course, I am not off to Borneo or somewhere else. Ha!

Christmas shopping occupied much of my time over the weekend and I have completed that but I need an appropriately sized box for one of the items. Guess I will check out the UPS store during my lunch hour. If that does not work I will have to return to MBE on Saturday morning.

I hope this week goes smoothly and quickly as the next two weeks will be only 2-1/2 work days long each.

Cheers...

Problems...problems...but we got a new mayor and D.A.

Gavin Newsom is going to have his hands full with the problems including those radicals who want a free ride on the Muni to heaven knows what else. Mark Morford writes about this in today's Chronicle.

Blog, blog, whose gotta blog

NEWS FLASH! Today's race for mayor in San Francisco results in tie vote to be decided by the California Supreme Court.

Also, Angela Alioto pulls Gavin Newsom's hair out.

Golden Gate Bridge Directors buy new stealth cars so they do not have to pay $5 bridge toll.

Retired Mayor Willie Brown to become caretaker of Michael's amusement park.

George Bush to retire and raise turkeys. (He has lots of experience there.)

Dick Cheney to buy tie factory to help ailing business.

Michael Dukakis rejected as Dean's campaign manager.

-30-

If you can't beat them...


BERLIN (Reuters) - A German vicar inadvertently supplied his parish with dozens of hard core porn films in an unsuccessful bid to teach people about the life of Christ. Frithjof Schwesig, vicar in the southwestern town of Lampoldshausen, had ordered 300 copies of a video film portraying the life of Christ as told by the gospel according to Luke.

"In a first batch 20 to 30 videos were distributed and we immediately got a reaction from five to seven people saying we must have given them the wrong film," he said. "It was a real porn film. Within an hour our staff had collected all the videos. Really, all were withdrawn."

Schwesig said there had been a mistake at the Munich video copying plant and his staff established in a viewing session that night that 200 of the videos were pornographic.

Undaunted, Schwesig said he was pressing ahead with the life of Christ video campaign.

"It's extremely successful," he said.

-x-x-x-x-x-

Yeah, I bet it was successful. heh heh heh

Favorite Letter to the Editor

This one made my day. Read on...

Priestly humor
Editor -- A brief e-mail from a priest friend greeted me Wednesday morning: "The consecration of Gene Robinson as bishop of the New Hampshire Diocese of the Episcopal Church is an affront to Christians everywhere. I am just thankful that the church's founder, Henry VIII, and his wife Catherine of Aragon, and his wife Anne Boleyn, and his wife Jane Seymour, and his wife Anne of Cleves, and his wife Katherine Howard, and his wife Catherine Parr are no longer here to suffer through this assault on traditional Christian marriage.''

Fr. LARRY N. LORENZONI, S.D.B.

San Francisco

No decision

I watched the debate between mayoral candidates Newsom and Gonzales on TV last night and still do not know who to vote for. Early on I favored Newsom but at the same time I am bothered by the fact that he was appointed to the Board of Stuporvisors by Willie Brown whom I despise. Matt Gonzales seems like a nice chap and has some nice ideas but I fear he is too naive to be effective. With Newsom I fear that all of the most extreme liberal nut cases who want something for nothing will hound him till his dying day, or last day in office, whichever comes first. Once again it is not easy to vote in San Francisco.

Nothing special

This week is starting out like all other weeks except that I learned that my co-worker is leaving the firm next week and that the firm is moving to new space in late 2004. That is probably enough news in the office for this week but it won't be.

I am really ticked off about the plans of devlopers for thousands of acres near Lake Tahoe. They would create a city bigger than Truckee, California which has remained relatively stable in it population over a number of years. So why does the area need a city that is bigger than Truckee other than trying to make a huge hunk of money? The rape of this planet has got to stop.

Apparently Placer County officials are willing to go along with this plan so I can only assume that they only see dollar signs dancing in front of their eyes. They are blind to the tremendous amount of harm that this project will do to the Sierra Nevada region.

We have trash TV, trashy movies, unhealthy food, trashy music, dishonest CEOs, dishonest government, oh, the list goes on and on, and we are creating an uninhabitable planet for future generations. I wonder where and when the next big asteroid collision will occur. Sometimes I think that this planet needs to start all over again.

Monday blahs

I am paying for the four day weekend today. The amount of work greeting me and my co-worker this morning was equal to a month's worth of paper work. Yikes! Doesn't anyone on the tax staff believe in taking national and firm holidays?

Well, if you want a good laugh checkout the Cosmic Goat blogspot.

This should take your mind off your worries...maybe.