goddess of clarity: a blog about politics, culture, and serenity

Archive: November 29 - December 12, 2004

December 7, 2004 — 13:10 EST

I would like to tell individuals just be calm and if there are lines, don't wait. Come back another day, and if the individual clinics or nursing homes don't have the [flu] vaccine right now, let us know. The worst thing for seniors to do is to wait in line and get sick while they are waiting in line. Please, just understand that we're on top of this thing, and we are doing everything we possibly can to protect you and we're going to be able to continue to do so.

Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy "Please Panic In Your Designated Subgroups" Thompson, 2001-2004

—lori.

December 6, 2004 — 12:18 EST

Mr. Goddess has created his own blog, mediaville, ny 14607. He's already started pontificated about all things related to the media, plus he tends to say "Bollocks!" when agitated (which is always entertaining). Check it out!

—lori.

December 1, 2004 — 18:10 EST

The following is a CBS Special Presentation! I'm psyched already because tonite is Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer night. I just hope I get home from work in time; there's nothing like a bottle of wine and a good Rankin-Bass puppet animation Christmas special, I always say. And apparently, this is Rudolph's 40th anniversary, making this the longest-running holiday special in television history! For 40 years, Yukon Cornelius, and Herbie the Elf Who Wanted to Be A Dentist, and the whole gang on the Island of Misfit Toys have been delighting freaks and outcasts everywhere with their positive message of acceptance and tolerance and triumphing in the end of those who would ridicule you. Yeah, I'm talking to you, Lee Ann Cutlip! Maybe I don't want to join in your stupid reindeer games, did you ever think of that? No? Maybe that's cuz you're stupid stupid stupid!

I'll take that glass of wine now.

—lori.

December 1, 2004 — 13:02 EST

America has to continue to be America. All we're saying with a general alert is to continue to live your lives, continue to be American, but be alert, be on guard.

Homeland Security Secretary Tom "Elevated is the New Normal" Ridge, 2002-2004

—lori.

November 30, 2004 — 12:18 EST

Had a very parental Thanksgiving down in Pennsylvania, which was quite nice. The PA Turnpike workers were out on strike, so I saved myself about four bucks in tolls. I tried to parp my horn in a friendly, supportive manner to the workers who were on the picket line on Thanksgiving, but Mr. Goddess' horn does not have a friendly tone. It's more of a "get the hell out of me way!" tone, plus you have to practically punch the steering wheel to get any sound at all. So I'm not sure if my expression of solidarity came across in quite the spirit in which it was intended.

On Friday, Mr. Godess and I took the train into New York to see the sites. We went into the New York Public Library (completely amazing), Saks Fifth Avenue (less amazing; something is wrong in a world where a purse can cost $1,200 and people will buy it), Rockefeller Center (saw the first iceskate of the season), Central Park (beautiful at sunset), and Starbucks. Which brings me to my most surprising discovery of the trip: there are no coffee shops in midtown Manhattan that do not begin in "Star" and end in "Bucks." I don't know what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn't seeing dozen of people walking down 8th Avenue holding red holiday Starbuck cups like the latest Fall fashion accessory. I mean, where's Central Perk?!

My other discovery was that people pushing children in strollers think they own the streets, and it should be made clear to them that they SO DO NOT! I'm sorry, but on the Friday after Thanksgiving, if your kid can't fend for himself, he stays home.

—lori.