CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS EVE WITH THE RIZZO'S

WELCOME AND COME ON IN!!!!!

FINALLY!! Christmas Eve has arrived. The presents are wrapped , beneath the tree they sit.
I hope this year, everything will fit!
The food is prepared
The table is dressed

Festivities were held Scott and Traci's house.  Spent overnight there so we did not have to drive and drink. "HIC!!!!"  or was it the other way around....
Had fun playing video games with Cormick and Bryson.  Missed our daughter Lisa and husband Tim living in Hungary but were spending  Christmas Eve at St. Peters in the Vatican.  Had a call from them.

Cookies along with crackers,cheese and dip

led the way 

Spiral Ham

Rolls

Lasagna

fruited salad

Bring on the WINE!!!!!

More gifts showed up in the

morning by some miraculous way.  Was Santa still around?????

Cormick, Traci, Scott, Bryson

and Gabriella (Gabi)

Father of Santa 

Grandma Tuell, Grandma Margot

and Scott.......discuss the festivities

Gabi.......with one new toy

Opening presents is so much fun.  This year Scott, our son, played Santa  and gave out the presents. Of course, most went to Bryson and Cormick, but we all had a great time in sharing this time together. 
THANKS SANTA!!!!!!!!!!



Now, here's another little video I put together about a little town in Eastern Washington that was a little timber town that was going down the tube.  They had to put something together to make it survive economically and the town coucil came up with the idea to revitilize it by making it into a  tourist attraction.  They modelled it after a little Bavarian village and it turned out to be more than  they could ever know.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0odF8FMdYEI


guess I better start thinking about a New Year's resolution!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, MY FRIENDS

TIS-THE-SEASON

Happy Chanukah To All My Friends & Relatives Who Celebrate this Holiday!   Have a Fun & Joyous Holiday!


Merry Christmas and wishes for a Very Happy New Year ! to those that celebrate the Christian Holidays.
 
This special time of the year brings so many fond memories of growing up into mind. It seems that as I sit here thinking of..... days gone by..... tears of joy seems to wet these old eyes.
I remember vagely, that  some time in my life ....I really did believe............there was a Santa.  Growing up Christmas day was celebrated.  Many years later (after being married to a Swede Christmas Eve was the celebrated day, as done in Europe) Perhaps it was because they are nine hour ahead of us in time.???

 Prior to that day and usually well after Thanksgiving, I would see some signs of the holiday with stores being decorated, people rushing around buying presents but in my mind this was just for those people that did not celebrate the way,     we did.     I did have an inclination, at that time, that there was a little connection with a religous holiday but...........wasn't quite sure.............and just didn't care.  Just get me my wish list  present.. 
Sure,  I remember seeing fathers out and about before Christmas.........decorating their houses....getting Christmas trees decorated,  putting presents under the tree before Christmas day.... but this was just because Santa had so much to do in one night................all over the whole world.............and especially at my house......that these guys were just helping him out.  At our  house, decorations outside the house, inside the house, tree decorating, presents under the tree all .... miraculously appeared on Christmas day........The little food left for Santa and his reindeer was left on a plate on the table after Christmas eve dinner and   cookies and milk for the reindeer left by the front door..........on a TV table.     WHA  LA  !!  the dish was cleaned the next morning.  Along with that, there were a few lights on the outside of the house, usually around the front door...since we had no fireplace.  The tree appeared in the same spot every year decorated to the hilt, presents under the tree, the smell and sounds of the coffee peculator, bacon and eggs and hot rolls all seemed to appear from nowhere.    (Mom would put spices and food incense in the oven, turn the oven on so the smell would seem fresh .......and real).    I never realized that at that time of my life, my mom and dad probably worked their tail off after I was in bed   trying to make this whole thing as SANTA reality.  Little did I know.............and for that matter cared............that on the way home from work, my dad probably visited the Christmas tree lot........"that had closed for the day"...........to pick up a left over tree (but it was still the most beautiful tree I had seen)  had the lights layed out and checked and just had to be put on those little hooks that seemed to be around the door......'all year round.'.........and I thought Santa did all this!!!!   Mom had cleverly hidden the presents under the beds,   in closets and where ever she could think of, ready to come out.   If there was snow, my dad would go outside and use this stick with a knob at the bottom of it to make it look like reindeer track along side Santa's size 11 boot  tracks.  Did I really care if these tracks reflected  that reindeer had six legs and walked .....along side Santa instead of in front of him............and where the hell was the sled marks???? and for some reason the tracks mysteriously stopped 5 or 6 foot from the front door as if they were helicoptered   in........and who gave them the key to the door?????but I didn't think about this stuff back then, I just wanted to know what was in all those packages under the tree!!!  If it didn't snow, of course there were no tracks.......but there was no sign that they had been inside the house.....except for all the cookies being gone.............without the sign of crumbs!!!!!  That was just a job saver for dad.            Guess, it was about the time that I turned 8 or 9 that I had heard from some.......know it all kid....that this was just a bunch of............you know what!!!!  Santa did not come and do all this work and stuff............for me!!  what a crushing blow!!!!.  Then on the other hand...........what did I care.......just give me my presents.  What a brat!!!!
I should have realized that something was up.  On Christmas day.................just a few hours after the greatest morning of the year, we would pack up all those ..................left over packages.........that had been left at our house........ by mistake ..........for my cousins and head  first to church and then to Grandma and Grandpa's house where everyone met for Christmas lunch and exchange gifts.  How could Santa make so many mistakes with leaving presents all over ........by mistake????  but who cares!!!!!

It was such a fun time of life.......growing up and having the imagination of whatever you wanted to believe in. Something as this to bring families so close, even for this little time.  Sometime down the road, reality would set in and now it was my time to portray this to my kids and now I have watched my kids pass.........some of this on...........in a bigger way.  In those days gone by...... things seemed so simple,  so real .............Times have changed !!!!!!

Now, it's your time to sit back and reminisce...............about days gone by.
PEACE ON EARTH.......GOODWILL TOWARDS MAN
TREAT OTHERS AS YOU WISH TO BE TREATED!!!!!       Good wishes  Goodnight!

ARE YOU BI-LINGUAL????

 For the longest time, I have wondered how awesome it would be to be bilingual.  During high school, I even made the attempt to learn another language...........Spanish...........with Senorita Phillips.   OH sure! I learned how to say my name and how to ask another person their name, along with a few phrases........but.....put me into the middle of Spanish Harlem  and I was totally lost both physically and mentally, unless of course ... I wanted to know the name of the big guy beating the hell out of me for getting onto .............HIS TURF...... I realized  that many of my classmates were able to grab onto things faster than I did..... so I just strung along and learned as much as possible.   As years went by,  I picked up phrases from other languages, phrases that I would use from time to time  in toasting, throwing down my weapon, asking for clemency and asking a young lady to show me home..........or was it to take her home.......I forget, but it just didn't work as well and the person who taught me said it would, so I gave it up.   Anyway,  some years later in joining SAS, I found that I was being sent to Stockholm for some classes, so I said to myself..........self.......best thing to do is learn some of that Swedish stuff,   after all ............The city of free love was calling.........which I also found to be really a myth. After 30 years with the company, someone finally convinced me to become more efficient in the language so off to Sweden I went........to the University of Lund........WOW!!!  do I get to wear one of those silly caps collage students wear?   It was  one of those courses whereby you immediately change your whole speaking life in a matter of minutes.  No more English until you are on the airplane back to the USA. Eat, sleep and literally become a Swede overnight.  It was tough going but after 5 weeks I walked away and actually thought I was born a Swede. I stayed with my bosses mother in her house, Her brother lived just in the house to the rear of the main house, so I spoke Swedish 24/7 per say.  It was really funny on the airplane coming back home. I was travelling with her mom, who  spoke very very little English.   I did notice that the more we drank on board the better my Swedish became and the better her English became.  In Immigrations inspection in Seattle she had to interpret for me.  I will never forget the last day of my course ,  I got a letter the night before my exam from Margot.  Our dog had dug her way under the fence in our backyard and was gone all night but the next morning she was sitting on the front door step and promised never to leave the yard again,  Our son, who was at Emery Riddle collage in Arizona had decided to leave school, sell his books, and drive back to Seattle ..........because he missed his girlfriend.............our daughter had been dating a guy 10 years her elder and was planning to move in with him.      BOY!!!!! WHAT  a disaster to bring up just before exams.  That morning, instead of taking the bus, as I usually did, from school, I decided to walk 5 Swedish miles back home.......all the way talking to myself.  Guess the local population thought I was some retard. Best news, tho, I passed and carried home my diploma,  OOHHHH!!!! what a wonderful day.  I can remember, quite clearly, my first day back to work where I was just going to astonish everyone with everything I learned.  I spoke Swedish to everyone including the crews, who on one hand some were Norwegian and some Danish but we all understood each other, ..............I think.  To this day, Margot still questions my Swedish,  seems  I speak with a little bit of Danish dialect, since Lund is in the southern part of Sweden , and Stockholm in the central part.  Similar to the dialect difference in the States between the North and the south. Margot compares it to someone speaking Swedish and eating hot potatoes at the same time.

I mention all of this because I think everyone should try and speak another language.........why????? ........I haven't the slightest idea but its fun.   Here's a little clip I found to be quite humorous about learning Italian (which is my next challenge in Life).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URU33qxPtPU

Along the same lines  ( in some respect)  I recently made contact with an old friend and work colleague via skype.  He happens to live in one of the Carolina's  and I briefly worked for him both with SAS and after SAS as a consultant.  We would send emails back and forth but I must say..........skype........the free online phone service where you actually see the person you are talking with (we originally got it to talk to our daughter, who lives in Hungary) is really fun. I suggest everyone get connected by going to http://www.skype.com/ and signing up. Then get in touch with me.  The call is free. You do need a web cam on your computer but you can always pick one up if it's not already installed.  Give it a try.


For some time now, my email box is overwhelmed each day with POLITICAL MISINFORMATION................something I call................garbage!!!!!  Very simply put, I have never in my mind imagined how gullible people are to believe what comes over the cyberspace circuit. I can't believe how stupidity overwhelms intelligence........and in most cases.......you don't know who they are passing this stuff on........    Do you actually believe what you are reading or passing on................or is it something you actually want to believe.

CONGRATULATIONS TO MY REPUBLICAN FRIENDS

  Well, now that our season of BS has come to an end, it is time to see exactly what our Republican  friends have to offer.............."in the name of the American people."  Have they been able to increase their vocabulary from their famous two letter word........NO............to perhaps an three letter word..............YES.........    This morning I listen quite closely to Eric Cantor, the new majority leader in the house.  Like always,  he said absolutely nothing, when asked for specifics in what the republicans will bring to the table. I heard only that ..........everything will be put on the table...............what does that mean???? I heard only the typical rhetoric that I have heard for the past 2 and a half years.  Now, before you bring out the party horns and the party hats.....just think ,  the American people have given you the keys back to the house,  if you continue to screw things up  like continually looking in the rear view mirror,  they can take your keys away from you.  Like  my basketball coach used to say.....the ball is in your side of the court........bring it forward.  Personally, I say, bring on all those ideas you spoke about, don't' keep them a secret any longer.  Let's see what you have to offer............How will you invent new jobs?  How will you reduce the budget without increasing taxes or what programs will you cut ? How will you prevent illegal immigration?  speak up guys .and then the American people will judge........once again.
 So,  now it's your time or like some say...........PUT UP OR SHUT UP!!!!!!!   Most of all, I certainly hope that they don't start the 2012 crap until 2012.  I am one tired puppy over this gridlock.    I look forward to hearing what those Teapartyers will bring to the table.     My guess..................NOTHING! except more gun permits and less social security and health care......except for them.
After listening to the news last night (11/04) and reading the paper this morning (11/05)  I can now foresee .....BUSINESS AS USUAL......... in our government, even thought this is not what the American people want!!!!!  The new speaker Boehner has now turned his prior statements around and has declared that the agenda of the house is to rescind all of the mistakes made by the Democrats the past 2 years.......guess that means...........we can expect the usual ................nothing done in the house.  Meanwhile the minority leader in the Senate, our friend (or enemy) as you look at it  stated that his prime job is to be that Obama will be a one term President........this meaning to me that nothing will get done here either.  Same old gridlock crap that we had for the past two years.  Meanwhile here sits the major population on the sideline watching the biggest waist of time going on in front of us.  THIS IN THE NAME OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE...................what a bunch of crap!!!!!!!!!  Having said that and at the possibility that I will loose readership in this blog, all you friends out there that actually were naive enough to believe anything different,  you have two years left of getting nothing done from our government except the sitting around complaining how the other guys did not do what we wanted.  BOO HOO HOO!!!!!!!  CRY BABIES.

Now, off to other topics.  Just heard that American Airlines has proposed to the TSA the possibility of permitting passengers to tag and price their own bags.  It in no way will change the security process in place, since no change will be made behind the scenes where the actual security takes place. Having said that, it is now more likely that more layoffs will be created in the Airline industry.  Along with more job loses is the fact that clearwire communication will be laying off,  more out of work people.  Just how do we create jobs when no one has money to spend on buying things and business has learned how to sell goods without the use of people.  WHO DO WE OWE THIS TO???????  This is nothing new to business.  Went into a couple of stores yesterday and found that more and more are doing away with checkout clerks and putting in "CHECKOUT YOURSELF  MACHINES"   Pretty smart now we shop, checkout and bag out own stuff but no reduction of cost for the items.  This, of course still with the same thought as to big business acquiring small business and combing products which has been a concept for many many years.
I remember back to my employment days,  fifteen years ago,  we constantly looked for ways to reduce staff even to the extent to pay a little more but expect a little more.  My own motto on the job was.   "increase productivity per person" for a quarter more an hour. Not that I had anything to say on their salary structure.

SSSSoooooooooo!!!  let's see now.   This is the second time in two years we have been asked to vote for change...........................AND ................we have the same old          NO,,,,,,,NO,,,,,,,,,NO CHANGE unless you do it my way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!      and may I add........IF you think your tea party people are gong to do anything different for you.............you better take up drinking  wine!!!!!!!!!!!

HERE WE ARE.......ONCE AGAIN.....ELECTION OF OUR HERO'S

Well, here we are once again.............Election day coming up.   Have spent the last 5 months of listening to BS from both parties .........however..........getting my daily dose of laughter from.......THE TEA PARTY.......second version, who I swear have been putting either date drugs or just plain marijuana into their tea pots.   Where they get their ideas from.......I don't know........except it seems that most of them were perfectly happy with either the stone age or they all want to become a part of the Amish population.......My suggestion if this is what you want    DO IT........move to Pennsylvania and DO IT!!!!!........  At any rate they don't seem to want health care improved (looking at them.....you would think that 99% of them need some kind of medical care)  they don't want to pay for fuel and taxes so that let's out cars and any improvements and they don't want government...........so I guess they can all roam the streets with guns strapped to their sides and sell as many pencils as they can whittle in a day.    ................SO THEY CAN KEEP THEIR MONEY.............what in the world are they thinking????? Perhaps it would not be so bad if a few of them were elected..........so that the crazies are also represented.   Only good idea I heard so far is the term limits idea.  Now, if you look at who has started this movement, Mr Armey, from Texas, is a millionaire, so guess he will be our leader and we all will be working for him.   Does that mean we are his slaves?? 
There is one thing that I was taught growing up that I apparently have not paid any attention to,.... but wished that I had.  My Dad would always say to me.........Son,  if there is one thing I want you to remember it's to ..........NEVER, NEVER    discuss politics or religion with friends or outside the household.  It will create nothing but  arguments and trouble.......................Dad...................your so right.  I lived by this for about 2/3 rds of my life but since retirement , (I guess its the lack of time to spend on other things)  these subjects seem to find there way into.....almost.....daily conversations.  Dad would say,  "where I go to worship.....".my God"  "is up to me and me alone"   " when I go into the voting booth and pull that curtain behind me, only God and I know what I am doing with my vote"
I think that we as a society have just become to lax in discussing these things as openly as we do.   Perhaps the press has helped with this by supposedly giving us to much ........INFORMATION..........or should I say............OPINION............that this has become a talking topic.  I really feel that this is not always information but their opinion since they seem to have a ...certain little way......of presenting it, that it seems like information.
Negativity is running rampant between candidates and now spreading into the general electorate.  It seems candidates no longer tell you want they WILL TRY AND DO FOR YOU      but how worthless the other guy has been  for you.........................I know things are bad.............but how will you make it better!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLOn2iPlfbA

Just be honest for a change and give facts and by that I mean.........ALL OF THE FACTS..........NOT pieces of things from here and there.  Seems like everyone likes working with photoshop in pictures and words and here.........I blame both parties.   Get with it man..........the truth will win over.    If your looking for a way to the facts  go to  http://www.factcheck.com/        

Hope you continue to follow my blog,    but just in case you don't  you will be missing out.   I will still be here writing.
(all opinions in this blog are protected by the opinion  rights, of the writer)
:)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Halloween comes ONCE AND YEAR and am I ever glad about that. If I look back in time, I recall that this was one night I simply loved.  Out with my friends dressed up........in old clothes we had hanging around the house.........none of this store bought stuff, ........ running  from one house to another with our paper bag, old pillowcase or just any bucket we could find, collecting any kind of candy, apple, cupcakes, cookies or even pennies  anything that one could scratch up at that moment, just to keep us from ringing the bell and running away.  As time went by things were constantly changing.  I reached an age where it was parties and scavenger hunts in groups,  then onto adult hood, where we would become more sophisticated in out outfits but still the party's instead of the running around.  Finally, the time came when I found myself taking my kids out and standing at the end of the driveways with other fathers or mothers that were leading their kids around........checking the candy wrappers to make sure they were securely sealed before we let the kids have it and then checking the apples for razor blades or any marks not known to apples.  We would not let them eat cookies or anything that looked like it was home baked for fear of them containing drugs or other STUFF.  Finally, we even sent our drug sniffing dog out with them with an old tee shirt of mine on and fake rabbit ears, even the dog felt embarrassed but she sniffed everything in their store bought little pumpkin.  Oh, what proud parents we were.  Margot would end up sewing their little costumes from odds and ends from around the house.  I even started a new trend around our neighborhood where I would follow the kids and the dog to the door and wait until all the kids got their stuff and the dog sniffed it all.........then I politely ..........handed them my shot-glass for them to fill up with something to keep me warm.........or as in the case of Seattle..........DRY!!!!    soon it didn't even bother me that I had not had dinner yet and had to traipse around the neighborhood for two hours. I was HAPPY ..........to be doing it.
Then came the time when ..........those little kids, I use to walk around the neighborhood............became ME in disguise taking their little kids around ,  OH what a joy for grandparents.  Watching our little Batman and Robin running from one house to another,  Each year another NEW costume secretly developed two months prior to outdo any of the neighbors kids.   Now....... I find myself occasionally just shutting off the outside light.....and any light that would be seen outside and sit in the dark reading the paper.......makes me feel like the days of Abraham Lincoln  reading to candle light..................making sure no........little monsters come up to my door and want me to share MY COOKIES OR CANDY WITH THEM.

Nowadays, Halloween ideas start sprouting up in August,  Thanksgiving ideas middle of October and it seems Margot starts thinking about Christmas at our July 4th celebration with gift ideas and even shopping trips.
Growing up, My parents had a Christmas Club account at the local bank that they got the beginning of December.  It was similar to a savings account that even paid some  interest if I am correct. My Dad would faithfully deposit his extra change, usually about two bucks a week into this account so that MY Christmas wishes could be fulfilled.......thinking back........we didn't have credit cards. This was the only money they had for presents.......BUT I ALWAYS GOT WHAT I WISHED FOR........ Christmas eve my dad would go out to buy the Christmas Tree. I could never figure why he waited so long but as I aged I discovered that Christmas eve, the guy selling the trees would either close up early and leave whatever trees were left over or would give them away for practically nothing.  The tree always got decorated by Mom and Dad after I was in bed. Dad would leave his empty dinner plate next to the tree to........PROVE.....Santa and his reindeers were there, ate the food and left ......JUST WHAT I ALWAYS WANTED......under the tree. Guess it was about the time I entered HIGH SCHOOL.........when I figured out .............this was just a rouse.          Never saw any reindeer droppings inside or outside the house.
Anyway, long story short here is a little video of celebrating Halloween in Italy. ENJOY!!!!!!!  (HOW DID WE EVER GET OFF THE SUBJECT OF HALLOWEEN- TO CHRISTMAS!!)
Here's another video you make get a kick out of.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQB9X1n-BF8&feature=player_embedded

.

KEEPIN' THE LITTLE WOMEN HAPPY

Every so often, I might catch the tail end of a conversation between Margot and a friend, either from across a table or on the phone.

I try to compute all this information into a vision and low and behold I end up usually with something as pictured on the left.

I don't know if she does this on purpose to try to  make me a better person...........or if she is doing it just just to make herself .. happy. The true reason is not important.........what is really important is that she gets all the happiness one deserves being married to the guy pictured and..... if bitching will do it so be it.

Everyone needs a reason to ............keep living........it's no wonder that I constantly check the obituary each day to see if I can continue to keep ............the little women...........from just fading away into... cruisin' mode or...... "let's see how much of Vito's money I can spend today"  Now..this is not to say that I am the perfect person to give Margot any reason to alterer any longterm plans, ........but I am.   Margot still bitches on why she constantly finds clothes that I wore 10 years ago still hanging in the closet , even though, they might be a little worn or fit a little tighter than they did the day they were bought.  Well,  it's simply because I want.... HER to remember the better days and for.... ME  to remember the younger days.....when the dreams of being able do  young people  things WERE REALITY.   Occasionally though, I will find a sweater or old pair of pants in the Goodwill bag.   ...."but,  honey,  this sweater is my gardening sweater (I hate gardening)  or these pants are my  ......bumming around pants.......seems like I'm constantly bumming around.   To beat all though, I discovered my $900 Armani suit  size 38 waist----42 chest, still in the cleaners plastic bag hanging on a hook marked  DONATE TO THE POOR.  Why in the world would you get rid of this perfectily good suit?  suppose we have to go to a wedding or a funeral,  what would I wear?    Well, it always looks like it's tight on you  .What do you mean it tight??   it just needs a little alteration.......perhaps an elastic waistband.......or extention buttons for the jacket. It's still  a great suit.  Wide lapels are coming back. Besides, if we donate this to the poor they will loose their status as..........."the poor"...........just think, they wouldn't be able to stand on the street corners asking for free money  for their..........cafe a lay........

Bottom line..........I guess I'll continue to try and make her happy and give her a reason to...............bitch.

*******************************************************************************
JUST IN CASE YOU ARE ONE OF  US THAT WANT TO FLATTEN THAT
BULGE THAT HAS FOUND ITS WAY BETWEEN THE BREAST AND THE HIPS  TRY THIS!!!!!

Ingredients
2 tbsp pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
4 (6-oz) red snapper fillets
2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 cup dry white wine
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 ½ tbsp capers, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup torn fresh basil

Directions
In a small, dry skillet over medium-low heat, toast the pepitas (pumpkin seeds) lightly. Do not allow them to brown. As soon as you begin to smell them, take them off the heat. Preheat the oven to 400 ° F.
Sprinkle red snapper with 1 tsp salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet and place fillets skin side up in the hot oil and sear until it turns color. Turn fillets and add lemon juice, wine and butter to the pan. Add capers and tomatoes and simmer until the tomatoes release some juices (for about 1 minute).
Place pan in the oven until the fish is finished and cooked through (about 7-10 minutes). Baste the fish with some juices and transfer to serving plates. Add 1/4 cup of basil, pepitas and salt to the pan and stir until the basil is wilted. Spoon the mixture over the fish and garnish with basil

Good Luck.

More on the serious side now........I have been thinking about how to end the war in Afghanistan.  Well, I contacted a friend of mine in Jersey..........that's New Jersey.    Check this out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Avw0n9b2o9U



THAT'S ALL FOR NOW FOLKS!!!!!!!

"THINKA..... BOUT IT!!!!!!"

My little bit of Politics begins to show with each writing of this book of memoirs.   It was a great day, when a Catholic became President (JFK)........I remember going to church that day and getting some ashes on my forehead, even though it was not Ash Wednesday.   Now finally and I use that word loosely,  someone has got the solution to all our WAR PROBLEMS.  Finally, someone with half a brain.  You HAVE GOT TO LOOK AT THIS!!!!!!!!!!  pay no attention to the little commercial at the beginner about something going on in Washington State.   Don't know how that got into it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Avw0n9b2o9U


It's always fun to look back to your high school days. I only wish I had taken as many photo's then as I have within the past 45 years, since the birth of our first kid.  The closets are loaded with pictures, mostly out of focus, but still fun to rummage through.   Now , in my old age, I find myself becoming an amateur photo bug and even trying to make my own movies and slide shows.  I would love to try and put one together for our High School Days.

Now, I have blown this photo up SO YOU CAN SEE THE FACES ................and unfortunately it comes into the printing on the right side of the page but I tried to place it so that it loses nothing important.

Here's something I just found in an old box of pictures.  It goes back to my High School days in New York.  OOHHH!!!!!   those were the days.   For all and any of my high school friends that read this blog, lets play......NAME THAT TUNE..........or better yet.........NAME THAT TUN....ER!!!!!!!! STARRING  Dr. Ben Suchoff and his marching madness!!!   OOOOOHHHHHH!!!!!!the sweet sound of Music.
How many can you name??????



Here's another you probably will LOL at.  My very first car  a 1946 Crosley.  Doug Schner reminded me of this one day last week.  Had to search for the photo.

What a blast I was in this little honey!!!!!!

WELL I'LL BE DIPPED.............IN TURMOIL....!!!!!

Time for a little fun today!!!!  Just read my "Daily BLA BLA BLA"  an article by syndicated columnist Froma Harrup,     WOW!!!!!!  I suggest that ALL DEDICATED REPUBLICANS READ THIS .Perhaps then you can talk about something NEW!!!!! and something the American people might agree with yoall!!!!  Just go to:


The Scandinavian country is cutting taxes, but it's also making a commitment to spending cuts and deficit reduction.

Here's another article that might be of some interest .   Just goes to show how the minds of man works.



http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/10/05/pledge-to-america-attracting-little-attention-on-gop-campaign/?a_dgi=aolshare_email


Now, just so you don't get the idea, that I lost my sense of humor, I found this amongst some long lost emails I received. 

Abbott_&_Costello_Explain_The_Stimulus_Plan.wmv  

Have a good week     great fun next  week.

AM I BORED.........OR JUST STUPID?????

The day is starting off, as usual,  two cups of coffee, daily ritual paper in hand.......yup still alive and kicking.  Got so many things to do, just can't decide what to do first...........so guess I'll just rest today and think on how to aggravate Margot. The more I think about what I just wrote, the more I feel I should run for an elected office.  I've got all the qualifications that our present officials have. I check my pulse.....or polls every so often, I spend time in the rest room so apparently I am full of (you know what)  I have an opinion, (and theirs is wrong) I do very little (daily) or nothing at all,  I criticize what the other side is doing but am keeping my (correct) thoughts to myself until I'm able to find another person with the same idea as mine and most importantly I know what the constitution says.........and if I forget for a moment, I can always look it up on Google.
I must admit, that I do read the paper each day with the interest of a dead fish.  I only look at what I think is going to lead to me laughing.....I hate reading about bad news, needless to say the paper for reason, is getting smaller and smaller in size. Nowadays, it seems that our politicians are becoming better at trash talking than some of the greatest basketball players that stood on the hardwood. It seems that whenever I open the paper, turn on the TV or radio, all I hear is "he promised but he lied" "he hasn't kept his promise" they just don't understand""they did not do their job"   So many negatives!!! I sure did a lousy job in my voting.  This time I promise to do better........oh oh! another promise..........but this time I will VOTE FOR MYSELF!!!!!!   that way , I know what I'm really getting.  Then again, do I really want to divulge the things that I don't really think matters?   Am I willing to have people question why I didn't have a passport before the age of 18? Why I made 547 trips outside the USA over a period of 50 years?  Am I willing to have people look at my high school scores or why I went to a university outside the USA or why I didn't graduate from University (like it really makes a difference) I know two of the riches men in the world that didn't graduate, but instead can BUY THIS COUNTRY. Do I really want people to know...........how many women, I MAY  have been with...........Or why I never considered TAKING DRUGS,   or why I drive a foreign car. Will they question my religion, I was born into?  If I'm a true Catholic, why do I believe in pro-choice, why don't I go to church each and every Sunday and why do I eat meat on Friday?   If I am a true American, why don't I carry a gun to the Seattle Mariner baseball games, or worst, If I'm really a New Yorker, why am I not a Yankee or Mets fan. The answer is  very simple,   BECAUSE!!!!!

We did have one man promise to be a uniter.............not a divider...........low and behold, he divided not only his country,  BUT THE WORLD.  Yet, I heard no comments. We also had a man, that promised change....that didn't work either,  simply because there are those that do not want change.......or at least change that they don't want..........Keep things the same.  they say

  Looking back, I can now understand the true meaning of     " Monday morning quarterbacking"   Do nothing, until the other team does it and then..........CRITICIZE IT.  Tell everyone how terrible it was, how stupid and dangerous it was..............BUT NEVER, NEVER OFFER A SUGGESTION!!!!!  Just keep saying    The American people don't want this........never, never say  who those American people are. 

Shall I run for office?  Do I really want to be water commissioner? Will I use this powerful position to intimidate?........."""".The next time your dog craps on my lawn.........I'm gonna shut your water off!!!!!""""
YOU BET I WOULD!!!!  BUT THEN I WOULD BE LIKE EVERY OTHER POLITICIAN. 

So guess I'll just stay the same old lovable guy I am, wake up each day, check the newspaper, have my two cups of coffee, figure out how I will aggravate Margot today,  Think about how ........I.......and Ms. America can bring peace to the world..............but,  like the Liberal in me, keeps pressing my button, I will continue to offer my suggestions...to myself.............like it or not.

KEEP SMILING   :)

MIRACLES ARE REAL!!!!!!.......or NOT

This morning started off as usual,  up at 7AM,  downstairs, turned off the alarm,  opened the front door and there it was in it's usual spot............The daily "blow me out of the sky"   newspaper.  Checked first the obituary to see if I was listed before me having my first cup of coffee.  A little rainy today, so guess I have to sit inside with my cup and my paper.  Ichiro, our star right fielder had just set another record of getting 200 hits or more per season for the past 10 CONSECUTIVE years.  WOW!!! amazing.  Nothing really new on the front page........some grandmother just shot her 2 granddaughters, husband and herself.    Guess she just went birzurk.   SSSOOOOO might as well have another cup of coffee before I proceed with the reading of the daily " Whatcha say bro"................WOW! the coffee seems to be working a little faster than usual today.........so better take my paper ............to the reading room with me.       Just opened to page 2 ...........HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!!  IS THIS REALLY TRUE.?...... The Republicans have got a plan.....and it's in writing???????   Maybe they had this all along but were holding it secret for the right moment.   WOW!!!!  PLEDGE  TO AMERICA............like the sound of it already.  Lets see now what does this all mean!!!!!    Well, Boehner is looking good,  tan, tall and what's that he has in his hand.........a tea kettle??  and he's making this announcement from where?................a lumberyard?   must have a secret meaning.     Got to read this.

Seems, like I heard all of this before.............let's see now......OH YAH!!!!!!1994  Newt Gingrich.....outside some ice cream parlor or something like that..................CONTRACT WITH AMERICA................  great titles.  Lets see what the difference is.   NNNOOOTTTHHHIIINNNGGG!!!!!        Well  in all fairness.....the cover is different, the presenter is different, the place it was presented from is different, but the inside is IDENTICAL.   Could it be that it was duplicated??????NAH, the Republicans wouldn't do that. They can't believe that the people that they want to protect are that stupid.  OH WEll  I would like to see the title as  PLEDGE TO AMERICANS.

NOW FOR SOMETHING YUMMY
Put some excitement into your kitchen and try these little puppies from Sweden.  They are tart tins or in Swedish Sandbakkelse(almond tarts)
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 beaten egg
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon almond extract
Cream softened butter and sugar, add beaten egg and extract, mix well.  Gradually add sifted flour, mix well, (dough will be Using a pastry brush, butter tins with melted butter, Press walnut size pieces of dough into tins working from middle until dough is spread uniformly up to edges of tin, Put tins on baking sheet. Bake 375 degrees until golden brown, about 10 minutes,  Cool in tins.  Remove carefully by tapping bottom of tins.

Serving suggestions

Serve them just as they are.  For dessert:- Fill with jam, lemon or chocolate pudding, cream cake fillings, etc.  Top with whipped cream.

See you next week!!!!!!!!

DREAM ALONG WITH ME!!!!!................or not

Doing a double-take on the title??? I don't blame you, but to use a phrase from the Terminator of California, just because it sounds girly man doesn't mean it is. It solely depends on your DREAMS!!

Under 10 years old........I constantly thought about being a great baseball player........well that ended very abruptly at the age of 19. Just over the 11 years old mark, I dreamt about having the hottest looking chick in school just following me around all the time. That ended a lot sooner than the baseball dream. Now, the only dream in my mind is to be able to open the newspaper each day and not find my name listed in the Obits. Mind seems to be OK .......still able to APPRECIATE.......women........however they no longer have to be the best lookin in the class as long as they have a brain.............and willingness to take care of me in my old age. I guess while I'm dreaming, they might as well have some kind of an awesome bod......if for no other reason than to just keep me DREAMIN'
 I guess, different people have different dreams. It seems that the miss America's all seem to have the dreams of spreading peace over the earth along with feeding the children of the world or..............bringing all people together for one big party!!! Well, I'm happy to hear that they are interested in that.... perhaps they can spread some sense to our lawmakers about getting off their fat asses and do something for the people they keep talking about protecting......then again.......some times I think those young, good looking Ms. America's do have a brain bigger than those politicians I speak of.............along with a dream!!

THINGS I REMEMBER..............FROM HIGH SCHOOL

Dr. Suchoff----- could never figure out why we had to call him DOCTOR ....he flunked medical school........get over it. OH!!!!! a PHD!!!!........in music?

Jacket or Sweater clubs........if I remember this correctly, Jackets were for the girls clubs. Sweaters were worn by the guys (Athletic letterman sweaters). If a guy wore a jacket or v.v. the meaning was that those two were........."going steady"

Having your lunch at: Tiny's.......could never get over how they got their name. Neither Lester (Albert) or his dad were TINY.............. Woodmere Diner, Schneiders,Cafeteria or brown bag heaven depending where your group ate....................

Fishing off the dock at Woodmere dock at the end of Woodmere Blvd. I remember my dad would love to take me there just to hang my feet over the edge of the dock, throw my line in, which was a stick with a long piece of string on it and topped off with a safety pin and a worm. Never caught anything but it was just the thrill of being there, with my dad.

Becoming a member of the Hewlett Fire Dept during my senior year, and a member of their tournament team. Racing off to fire's during class. WOW! what a thrill!!!!!!!!

SHORES.......or was it Shore's......or was it Shores' well whatever it was, the burgers and shakes were great but could not compare to the peer friendship that ended up there after the games. OK! Lets meet at Shores!!

"Give me a bucks worth  ( 5.75 gals ) " and check the oil and water.........OH don't forget to wash the windows and put new air in the tires. THOSE WERE THE DAYS!!!!!!!!!!


Ever since my first REAL........job with Scandinavian Airlines..........I have always believed in how much education and insight travelling gives a person. No matter what I read in books, the sheer experience of ..........BEING THERE............and seeing, talking, and listening to the people was by far more than one could learn through books. With this experience I have always encouraged others to do the same. Over that period of some 50 plus years now, I must say that I have had the opportunity to visit many cities in many parts of the world and there have been many cities that I have missed. I always enjoyed the little towns rather than big cities primarily because I always considered the big cities as tourist centers,  I wanted to get out amongst the locals.  This year, we visited a city, I have always wanted to go to but never did............I would like to share a little of that city with you now.  More than likely you have been there but I wanted to share with you the experience of not only seeing the city but looking at the handy work of putting it together for you.............something new for me and I found it to be a lot of fun.    Welcome to  Venice, Italy.   ENJOY!!!!
                                     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p073JLHOKlY

Hopefully there will be more of these or something like it.

I NEED.........WORK............OR SOMETHING!

GOOD ADVICE: 

The correct way to treat a good wine...

Open the bottle to allow it to breathe.

If it does not look like it's breathing, give it mouth-to-mouth resuscitation....................I've just resuscitated my 1.5L   bottle of  Montipulciano

PRACTICE DOES MAKE PERFECT

I'm sure you will get a kick out of this.................or at least it will bring a smile to your face.  Only in Italy.
                        http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=hN8CKwdosjE



WHAT'S FOR DINNER???

After spending the past year and a half, looking at this lump growing between my chest and my hips, I  really feel that I have to do something about it.  What?...........I really don't know .  Margot, is constantly telling me to........cut down on my portion size.............SAY WHA!!!!! If you want me to cut down serve me my food on a smaller plate. This is one thing that really bugs the hell out of me in France.  They bring you food on a 10" plate and only the middle 4" has any food on it...........the rest of the plate has all kinds of sprinkles, squirts of different  condiments and your plate looks like it is a painting.....It looks so pretty I certainly don't want to eat it, but I do!!!!.........with a smiley face.     Portion control, surprisingly is the trick.   Each portion is not to be larger than the size of your hand when made into a fist..........does it count if I wear my boxing gloves??   I really like it when my meat........steak or fish....covers at least 7" of my 10" plate, my potatoes are served on a separate plate and my veggies on another..........THAT'S THE REASON THEY ARE CALLED.............SIDE DISHES!!

Now.....you name the diet and I have been there, and done that.........even to the point of being inoculated with urine from pregnant women..............OH WOW!!!!  perhaps that's the reason for this big pouch!!

Here again,   not only did I not like sizing my portion but I also did not particularly like reducing the number of meals per day.....................I did like increasing them though. so, here I sit waiting for lunch...........speaking of which why not try out this sandwich.      I will have a DIET coke with it though, to cut down the calories.


HAM & CHEESE  SANDWICH

1. Spread slices of rye bread with pepper jelly and top with sliced ham, Jack cheese and thinly sliced cucumbers

OK!    only 6 hours to dinner.

FALL IS........IN THE AIR!!!!

Beginning of September..........Chill and a little wind as I sit on the deck, More coffee weather than wine weather.  Usually September, October are very good months in the Pacific Northwest ...........BUT.........some farmer sitting on his deck in unknownsville, Kansas that writes the FARMERS ALMANAC each year has now predicted the upcoming weather for the country.  His prediction for the PNW is more than usual rain, colder than normal and some snow.   WOWWIE!!!!!!!  talk about getting all up in arms........not only that but this guy must really have it in for us in this part of the country by giving us a worst than normal beginning of Fall.

After visiting for the past month, Lisa, our daughter, has now departed for her home in Hungary.  She was here attending two weddings and was expecting to participate in the Seattle Triathlon but spent that weekend out at the lake summer house of our son Scott and his family. One wedding took place in Bozeman Montana, so Margot drove over with Lisa so that gave them the chance to visit Yellowstone and spend some mother, daughter time together. It was a lot of fun having her here and it gave us all some time to sit back and talk.

Scott and his family have been spending time out at the summer place, doing all the water sport  things one does with a place on the lake. Since Cormick and Bryson are starting school this week, it will be time to lift the boat and bring it on home.  The seadoo will stay until possibly next weekend.

Looks like the guys are having a little pow wow while mom Traci takes the picture.


Hey Traci,   while your up...........bring me another beer!!!!





anybody see the dog?

 


              she's......... where??


I'm not taking her for another ride right now.     We just got back and she refused to hold onto the ski rope!!!!!





Now, this winter, Margot has some  things to do around the house
so guess I'll have to begin some of those things.











Lisa and Scott.............
SEEDOOOOOO'N

       Gabi....................and..............Traci................just coolin off.

SUMMER  TIME   AND THE LIVIN' IS EASY!!!!!!!!!!

PIECES OF FIVE....................

Doing the amount of travelling that I did while employed and having continued that after retirement, one tends to meet many, many people.  Along these paths, I have made many lasting friendships and to this day still correspond with many.
Some are friends, relatives, business associates and just drinking buddies, but never the less they will always be close to my memory.
T..I..D..B..I..T....

One of them, to which, I promised to make mention off in this blog is the nephew to my wife.  Stefan, will always remain in my mind as a young man, who played a hell of a game of golf, but now as a upcoming photographer. He has studied photography in the States and started his career here also. Having now moved back to Stockholm, Sweden, at least for a while, he has taken this career with him. I ask you to check out some of his photo's at:

http://www.stefansvensson.com/ 


DRINK OF THE DAY!!!!

If you have ever had .....and IRISH NUT DRINK......you know that they are .....ssmmootthh....... but here's  the recipe from a favorite spot of mine in Seattle.
one mug of your favorite choice of coffee
add 3/4 ounce of Bailey's Irish Cream
and 3/4 ounce Frangelico
top with fresh whipped cream
sit back and relax!!!!!!!

T....I....P..
When going into a bank in the dead of winter.......NEVER, NEVER wear a ski mask or hooded jacket .....above all NEVER put your hands in your pockets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


P..L..A..C..E......T..0.......V..I..S..I..T

As I look back in time, I recall very little about vacations growing up.  My mom and dad really left little to wonder about as far as what other people did with their private time.  They spent... I would say.... 99% of our non working time enjoying family and family outings.  I can only remember one true " vacation" taken upstate NY where we actually checked into a motel.........that even had a pool.  The total time spent there was 3 days.....enough time for my mom and dad to see some property they wanted to buy, make a bid for it and signing the papers for it.  "But  dad.....when can I play in the pool?  "Another time Vito, now it's time to pack up and head home." Nine years later on my 19th birthday, mom and dad gave me a airline ticket to Miami Beach and I stayed with an aunt and uncle.  Now, my uncle was the leader of a band playing at the Fountainbleu Hotel and was able to get me into the pool there.......... It wasn't until I joined SAS that I started to travel.  
My personal opinion about this is that the earlier one starts to travel, the more respect they have for how others live, since children seem to find it easier to see the best in people.  Seeing different cultures and understanding something about each one tends to educate how a person feels towards their fellow man.  Going back to the same spot each year, really doesn't do it,  exposure to others will. Having a summer home or a winter cabin is fine to spend time with family but going off to other places really has a lot to do with how you feel towards others in the world.
I would like to occasionally, submit a short story, video or just some photo's about my journey ..............through life


JAMACIAN STYLECHICKENTHIGHS
KEEP PLENTY OF WATER..........or .........BEER    nearby.

Complete the menu with mashed sweet potatoes and a mixed green salad. For more heat, leave the seeds in the jalapeño.
Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 2 chicken thighs)
Ingredients
1/4 cup minced red onion
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon finely chopped seeded jalapeño pepper
2 teaspoons cider vinegar
2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs (about 1 1/2 pounds)
Cooking spray

Preparation

1. Combine first 10 ingredients in a large bowl; add chicken, tossing to coat. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add chicken to pan; cook 4 minutes. Turn chicken over; cook 6 minutes or until done.

Nutritional Information                  (WHO REALLY CARES)
Calories:187 (27% from fat)
Fat:5.7g (sat 1.4g,mono 1.7g,poly 1.4g)
Protein:27.5g
carbohydrate:5g
Fiber:0.5g
Cholesterol:115mg
Iron:1.6mg
Sodium:503mg
Calcium:21mg

SHORT TOPICS

A good friend passed this on to me and I thought it a realistic opinion of our politicians,      so off to print it went!  I know he is a conservative, although he says he is more center..........than I consider him.   Anyway, this is fun.
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

Cannibal Lunch

A cannibal was walking through the jungle and came upon a restaurant operated by a fellow cannibal. Feeling somewhat hungry, he sat down and looked over the menu.

Tourist: $5.00
Broiled Missionary: $10.00
Fried Explorer: $15.00
Baked Democrat or Grilled Republican: $100.00

The cannibal called the waiter over and asked, "Why such a price difference for the politicians?"

The waiter replied, "Have you ever tried to clean one? They're so full of s__t, it takes all morning."

GROWING UP IN HEWLETT

Growing up in a town of.......oh.........I would say about 7,000 people (back in the late 40's early 50's) was really great.  Can't really think of to many things, that one had to stand in any great line for, perhaps a couple of minutes at the A&P or at Wall's bakery...especially after church on Sunday morning.  They made absolutely the best rolls, bread and especially coffee cake.  I might even say they were slightly, just slightly better than my mom's.  I can't for the life of me now, remember the name of the upscale food store on Broadway located in between Wall's bakery and St. Joseph Church.  I do remember working there for a while as a shelf restocker.......or whatever we called ourselves..........and a bagger.  Loved to help the ladies out to the car, since it was always a quarter tip to help put another gallon of gas into my car.  Worked there alongside another student from Woodmere.......Wally Johnson.......he,at that time dating a gal by the name of Joan  Materiale.    OH YAH!    BIG APPLE FOODS.......I think. I think it was Steve Garfinkels dad that owned the Amoco station on West Broadway at the tip of Mill Rd and Hewlett Pkwy.  Wonder why they called it Parkway?    was it because it had a grassed medium separating the two roadways?? well anyway.  The big hangout in those days was SHORES  where Broadway met W. Broadway especially after the football games on Saturday's that were usually played at Hewlett elementary field.  I lived right around the block from Dick McSweeney (Mill Rd) the son of Dan McSweeney (director of athletics and baseball coach for Woodmere High) and Billy Hicks (Sturlane Place)  so needless to say, entering High School my walking to school partners were those two guys.  Every so ofter Paul Edelstein (Sturlane Place) would join us.  Steve Garfinkel also lived on Mill Rd having moved there from  up around Hewlett elementary. I also remember working at the Esso Station on the corner of Mill Rd. and Penninsula Blvd for a buck an hour.  That was an experience and a half.........can't write to much about that on the blog. All I can say is...........the guy would spend his whole life at Jamaica Racetrack and leave some 16 year old kid and the guys father who must have been 70 at that time to run the station. Now ........when I say Jamaica Race Track .........I certainly did not mean he was a jockey!!!!!!  The guy did have one good idea.......one summer.......he hired a young lady.....name slips my mind but she was one grade ahead of me,   put her into a tight t-shirt and had her washing each cars windows.   Noticed an increase of revenue from  $1 please--------2--------fill it up!

DO YOU REMEMBER?????

STUDYHALL with Mr. Gregory (shop teacher) loved to have fun with one specific lady, I know who she is but do not want to say, but he would call her up to the his desk just to send her back to her seat again.  Wonder why he loved to see her walk???  I remember there were two rather large pictures of airplanes that hung on the wall in the back of the class.  Some guys would stand back there and swing the pictures back and forth and make airplane sounds, at the start of study hall.  Mr. Gregory had the habit of coming into the room, grab a ruler or the blacboard pointer and smack it on the side of the desk to call the study hall to order.  Now.......to make it interesting, I remember the teachers desk sat on a platform perhaps 8" off the floor so that the teacher and desk was always perched higher than the students...........anyway..........long story short.........one day some genius students decided it was time to stop this ruler routine and placed the front legs of the desk just over the front edge of the platform.  Students were talking as usual, airplanes flying as usual, Mr Gregory walks in, grabs the wooden blackboard pointer and  gives the side of his desk ONE BIG WHACK!!!!!,  THAT moment, that desk fell forward off the perch leaving a grin on all of the students faces, but one ..........angry as all hell.............study hall teacher.   Now, he couldn't send all of us to  Mr. Pringles office but that bloody study hall was one quiet place...........AND NO ONE WAS EXCUSED TO GO TO THE RESTROOM.! ...........................................FOREVER.......................

MAY I SAY THANKS FOR LISTENING............

On to the sweeter things in life.

TIRAMISU  CAKE

1 box (18.25 oz) devil’s food cake mix, prepared as box directs, substituting coffee for the water

1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp freshly made espresso or strong coffee

2 Tbsp coffee-flavored liqueur (such as Kahlua, optional)

2 tubs (8 oz) mascarpone cheese

1 cup heavy (whipping) cream

1/3 cup sugar

Garnish: unsweetened cocoa powder and coffee beans

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F. Line a 13 x 9-in. baking pan with foil, letting foil extend about 2 in. above pan at both ends. Coat foil with nonstick spray.

Spread cake batter in prepared pan. Bake as box directs. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Holding foil ends, lift from pan. Trim rounded top off cake with a long serrated knife until flat. Holding foil ends, lift cake and return cake to pan.

Mix 1⁄4 cup espresso and the liqueur in a small bowl; brush over top of cake.

Stir mascarpone and remaining espresso in a large bowl until blended. Beat cream and sugar in a medium bowl on high speed until soft peaks form when beaters are lifted. Fold into cheese mixture until smooth. Spread over cake, adding swirls with back of a spoon.

Lightly dust cake with cocoa stirred through a strainer. Cut in squares; cut squares diagonally in half. Garnish with coffee beans.
Planning Tip: Can be completed up to 1 day ahead. Refrigerate covered

YUMMY!  YUMMY!

I know that many of you, see things in a different light than I do.  I just want to say thanks for hanging around. I will try my hardest NOT to make this A totally Political blog.  It's just that some things are so funny to me, that I just have to give mention to it.  I do appreciate it for you to hang around and reminisce about the old days.  I would like to tell you about some of my trips.  

Occasionally, when I find myself, sitting on my deck............day dreaming.....or........night dreaming depending on the time of day, that I'm doing it, arguing a point of the conversation that I'm having with MYSELF.!!    Sound familiar?  I can no longer hold in my laughter over the days politics or those that profess that they are career politicians.  This day and age, in my opinion, have produced the greatest amount of comedians amongst our elected officials.  Now.......the reason I had in the past, presently and will continue in the future to call these people, used car salesman, rest totally with the fact that they are unable to answer a yes/no question in less than 250 words or 5 minutes which ever comes first.  Perhaps it's the difficulty of the English language, or the misunderstanding of the English language or their incapability to use words people understand or the ego, that they all seem to posses, that they want to show us underachievers (defined by them, as anyone other than a person that agrees with them) that they belong to the "NEW WORD OF THE DAY" group.  It was most amusing this past Sunday, on MEET THE PRESS, that house minority leader Boehner was asked IF he was in favor of letting the tax cuts of the Bush administration expire.............the answer...........yes or no.    His reply, however was a stand up comics standard of 20 minutes and he based all of his reply on WHAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANTED.  First of all, I wonder if he meant only those American people of republican persuasion,  because certainly he did not include the American people of Democratic persuasion. After his 20 minute ........no lets be fair.........his 3 minutes reply he circled the question like a professional group of Indians circling a covered wagon.  The interviewer tried, continuously to try and tie down some kind of answer but found himself totally confused at any reply given.    The best part was during his reply he brought up the point of turning over the gavel to the house to Pilosi, 18 months ago. I guess time just marches on since in essence, it was 43 months ago. In line with these little mis-givens he also stated that Obama even agreed with Mr. Mark Zandi  a republician economist , fact is, that Mr.Zandi is a registered democrat, BUT........has done some work for the republican administration under Bush but Boehner refuses to comment on Mr. Greenspan,  who happens to be a republican and has worked for several democratic presidents and urges to let the tax cut expire.  Economist are economist,  why did he make the (incorrect) point of a republican economist, unless it was strictly to fill in his 3 minutes.  If that's the case, TELL IT LIKE IT IS.............not...........AS YOU SEE IT AS IT IS NOT.   At the very least, I wish ALL POLITICIANS would learn the words    YES.......or.......NO ...........AND THEN they can offer an explanation as to why!!!!!!   

So, as it seems that American people are defined as only those people that agree with the persons political agenda that is speaking, I guess we can also be the minority of the overall American people concept.   HUH!!!! If I'm not one of their American people, why do I have to pay American taxes??.........good point Vito.........but if you want to continue to drive on your street..........you better pay your republican taxes since the overpayment was laid during a Republican administration............but .............the Republicans want to give me back some of my taxes.................OH!...........that's only for the people making over $250,000/yr.........................SORRY!!!!!!

Enough politics for now,  I'm going back to my kitchen and work on a new receipe for hot dogs,  I'm thinking about boiling them, then slicing them down the center........stuffing them with mustard, relish and some onion........tying them with cooking string........whatever that is.........and putting them on the grill........................             

MORE THOUGHTS............by..........VITO

Well, let's see now........Mariners just lost their forth straight to the White Sox.....9-5......clicked thought the TV schedule and have found  NOTHING!!!! worthwhile to look at.    Guess I'll take my wine, snacks, computer and ear set for the TV out to the deck, look up at the stars and the moon, and start another post for the blog.   I hope you got a little kick out of the last one. It sure was fun putting it together.

Now, if you were ever........on the road and forgot your wine bottle opener......one's imagination certainly would come into play.  I remember watching the old movies, where this would happen and the hero.......or villain........would always .........just whack the bottle across the edge of a table or wall and WALLAH!   the top came off clean as a whistle.   The one time I tried that, Margot thought I had tied dyed my shirt and pants.    Worst part, I wasted a good bottle of TWO BUCK CHUCK.
LOOKING through my archives of things everyone should know, I found something that could help those in need, when trying to open a bottle of wine.  Now it is in French...... but no problem........just watch the motions:

http://www.wimp.com/wineshoe

Now, you may not always have a shoe along.......but let's hope so.  Also, bring a shoe HORN.....with you, to celebrate your success. At this point, the French would probably come up with:

 préférez-vous rouge ou blanc avec vous des frites françaises aromatisées crêpes? 

For those of you that do not speak other languages, have fun with this one.

Someone recently asked me if I was enjoying retirement.  I really did not know how to answer their question! At the time (1994) it seemed like the thing to do.  I had completed my 38th year with SAS, I was feeling a little tired, I had the financial resources and I wanted to play more golf.  I had already turned down 5 previously offered packages and could almost feel the anticipation in the Personnal Directors voice when the deal was offered.  OH, it was not offered to just me but to about ...........say........100 or so other employees and you could almost see the handwriting on the wall that not many more packages were about to come through.  Up to this time, it seemed the company made some kind of offer every 4-5 years.  This one,  happened to clinch this deal.  There  was a message from up above...........NO  !    NOT FROM GOD!     but from our head office in New York.  "Vito.........let me just be up front......there are not going to be anymore deals in the near future.  Now,  I'm taking this one and I urge you to really consider this package."   Well.......the way it turned out -------He was right------------this was a deal made in Heaven and one ..........A PERSON COULD NOT REFUSE.......  OH, glory be!   what to do??  Needless to say............I looked at the offer.........talked it over with Margot...perhaps a hundred times.....and decided that even though, I was still a young 59,  let's do it. It was made officially in April 1994 but I was extended with a separate contract until December 1994.  Those extra nine months were simply heaven on earth.  I had my package, I could almost come and go as I pleased, although I still stayed my usual 9-10 hours a day, I felt no pressures to check myself and make sure that every decision was back up with fact.......in other words,  COVER my ass ........and I could go out a play golf anytime I wanted.   As a matter of fact........I even took my two days off,  per week and did not carry my cell phone with me........WOW!!!!  MY kind of job.  Only problem is once December arrived and I no longer had to get up at 6AM, shave, shower, get into my pilots uniform (even though my dad use to say I looked like a bus driver)...........and..........by the way, I wasn't a pilot but wore a uniform that looked like one, with stripes and braids and medals,   no.......not really I'm making that up,  NO MEDALS....head out to work, things begin to change.
(to be continued)

 

RETIREMENT.......101.........

During the months leading up to that BIG day,  Margot and I had spoken, planned and mapped out our way through retirement.  It was finally decided that Margot, still having a job, would remain at work, this giving us the sense of independence that we had over the previous years. No change of lifestyle was the thought of the day. Her earnings were hers to use in anyway she desired and of course mine was to be shared equally after all the bills were paid.          How did I.......ever get suckered into that!!!!!........well...another thought of the day.    WE'LL GIVE IT A TRY!!!.    (for 6 months and then re-evaluate).  I still wanted to play golf but Margot was desperately trying to talk me into the travel idea.  WHAT in the world would I want to travel for. That's what I have been doing for the past 39years?    Well, guess you have figured out who won that argument.........I'll never forget those first 6 months of retirement. 

The plan was a cut and dry one.   TRAVEL.....was the name of the game.  Anita's mother was visiting her from Sweden, (Anita, was, at that time, my boss but was also retiring the same time) Margot had gone to visit her sisters in Sweden and it was planned that Anita and I would go to the SAS Christmas party and the very next day Anita, her mom and I would leave Seattle for Miami, FL.  meet Margot who would fly in from Sweden via Newark and the four of us would fly off to Aruba to start off our retirement.

DEC 5-------OFFICIALLY retired  but also that night was the SAS Christmas party, held at the Swedish Cultural Center in downtown Seattle, with a view overlooking Lake Washington.. Great food, good friends and colleagues, outstanding band (and still one of the best) Bobby Madina (husband of one of our employees) and his red-hot chili peppers or something like that.  Anyway, I convinced him, or did he convince me to sing  NEW YORK, NEW YORK.  and the party began.


If you would like to meet Bobby  contact him at  http://www.bobbymedina.com/   or get onto his facebook and you can listen to his music. He loves to JUMP AND JIVE.


That night we had a snow storm, left the party a little early with another couple, the lady, Inge was taking Anita's place in Seattle.  We dropped Inge and Fred off at their hotel near SeaTac airport and after having a couple of guys, ( I would have loved to give these guys $20 apiece but once I got my wheels moving, I had to keep going)  help us get out of a snow drift that we had slid into made our way on the freeway back to Anita's dropped her off and made my way home.   During the night, the snow had stopped and come morning I made it back to Anita's house to pick her and her mom up and off to the Airport.  Our flight departed on time and went via Houston to Miami.  Arrived pretty much on time and we started to search for Margot.  We caught up with her and now the four of us were on our way to sunny ARUBA!!!!

That night, we decided to go over to the Hilton Hotel for dinner and a little harmless gambling.  After dinner the roulette tables began chanting our names so off we went.  I remember leaving about 9PM to head back to our hotel just next door.  Anita and her mom left at the same time but Margot decided to spend another hour at the table.

It was 0130, when I suddenly awoke, finding an empty unslept  area of bed next to me. OH!! where was Margot, could someone had kidnapped her and killed her, hid her body in the bushes somewhere.  I jumped out of bed, quickly got dressed and started to make my way over towards the Hilton.  On the way, I visualised all kinds of bad things happening, to the extent I found myself looking into bushes along the sidewalk for her body.  The distance was very short but the time seemed to stand still.  I entered the Hilton main entrance, perhaps 15 minutes later, walked through the lobby with perhaps as many as 25-30 people mingling around, came to the Casino area, which was very active, .........intensely looked around and my eyes automatically went towards the roulette table area.    There she was..........still in her same seat.........why Margot???, was a question I was asking myself as I approached the table.  My question was soon answered.  There sat Margot, the only person at the table, with stacks of chips (20 to a stack)........of all colors....... in front of her  with a grin on her face as if she had just been crowned Queen of Sweden..............But....be strong Vito......don't act like some little puppy dog..........."MARGOT!.........Are you aware of what time it is"  said I with a stern voice........."YES, but look at what I'm doing"........with a little touch of a sheepish grin......said she. " I really don't care, I think it's time to cash in and head back to the hotel "   said I.  as I turned and headed back to the door and towards our hotel, occasionally looking back to see if MY command had been followed. I made my way to our room, got ready for bed ...........and a discussion...........but as I watched the hands of the clock slowly move ahead I kept thinking of all the things I would say.      Finally........the sound of the key into the door.......the click of the light switch  and the entrance of that grin ........but no crown.  " WELL, don't you feel foolish"   were the first words I heard from her.  "How you embarrassed me in front of the croupe" or whatever that guy is called that spins the wheel .   "ME?  ME?  ME???"  said I in reply to her question, as she calmly counted out in hundred dollar bills, enough to pay for this vacation....... and the next one coming up.  "Yah, I do honey, but I was worried about you"  All that needed to be replied by her .......was............"DON'T do it again..................................  OH!!!!  WAS this what retirement was going to be like??????   YYYYYAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!! SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!!!!!