Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show...(the opening lines of David Copperfield as written by Charles Dickens;inspired by MTM). Or at least this ACCOUNT will, perhaps, have a reflection on whether I'm going to be the hero in my own life.
You want love?
We'll make it
Swim in a deep sea
Of blankets
Take all your big plans
And break 'em
This is bound to be awhile~~~Your Body Is A Wonderland; John Mayer
Sunday, 20 March in the AM, have a desire to Pursue, only to be thwarted with immediate and stern disapproval.
Am asked a question, to which the answer of this question, is already known.
Monday, 21 March, in the AM, send an email that is received with outrage.
Tuesday, in the very very early hours of the morning, is a homeward-bound anticipation, finally attained.
And in the afternoon of Tuesday, 22 March I am in a telephone conversation that gives
me a sense of hope and vitality, again.
And then there is this Benefit Offset National Demonstration Program(what an acronym for a start-up-project), that I want to participate in. Participation is decided by lottery and not initiative(gggrrr); Stephanie Pennington & Carol are key operatives.
So as I'm thinking, and journal-entering for Wednesday, 23 March---about the railroads(my way to retreat)---the Tonawanda RR section near my house comes alive with an extended horn-sound. That has to be the AMTRAK Maple-Leaf Ltd, passing through!!
Also on Wednesday, comes Byron!!! No!! Not a hurricane(they have male names now)!! A hurricane would certainly have MOVED MORE.
No, this is Byron, (Brown). Brown absolutely HAS to be one of the worst mayors ever to sit in City Hall. A joke; a mockery of an office that was once held in such high esteem, that a monument of Grover Cleveland was erected adjacent to City Hall to give testimony to what the office, when served well, depicts. For those whom may not know---this Grover Cleveland is the same Grover Cleveland who was our 22nd and 24th president, of the United States. Check out this kind of Grover Cleveland rationale'. Cleveland vigorously pursued a policy barring special favors to any economic group. Vetoing a bill to appropriate $10,000 to distribute seed grain among drought-stricken farmers in Texas, he wrote: "Federal aid in such cases encourages the expectation of paternal care on the part of the Government and weakens the sturdiness of our national character. . . . "
It is cold~~~and the snow that has been falling since the early hours of Wednesday, continues to do so throughout the day. And apparently, as Fate would have it, since it is well into March, at least in the City of Buffalo, the concept of plowing---or salting the streets, had become an "I-know-Nothing" Sargent Schultz disposition. By 5PM, there is no longer a 'silent-shroud-of-snow' on the streets. It is now a two-inch-layer of compacted; driven-over, sheet of I-AM-IN-TROUBLE-NOW snow surface. While trying to get enough momentum to get across West Eagle Street, I just open my throttle up and go for broke. There APPEARS to be no vehicles, as I'm going to bust out onto West Eagle Street, in between two parked cars. I had to. I would have never made it using the sidewalk to get to Delaware Ave, to cross at the light. With the snow on the sidewalk, even with the throttle fully open, I got in the middle of the E/B lane~~~and---got stuck. I kind of 'think' on the fly. I guess I was thinking; sure I am stuck, but the vehicle coming my way can't be going fast on these surface conditions so they can stop in time---if they have to, right!?!? I got lucky!! Two women came into the street and pushed me all the way across so I was able to get to the covered ramp, and my vehicle, safely.
Oh wait!! There is more!!
While the snowfall itself, stops---the temperatures don't. They drop appreciably throughout the night. So what snow has fallen, isn't about to melt away. Of course, with the mental midgets that occupy City Hall, it is my speculation that from Brown, on down, they all thought that that is what was going to happen.
I was so livid Thursday 24 March, in the AM, coming into my place of endeavor.
Everything that I had anticipated---did still in fact exist. I mean---there are no vehicles parked along the curbs overnight in downtown Buffalo. This area of the City, should be a plow-and-salt PR extravaganza to demonstrate that, at least to some extent, the City still has a response-engine throttled to answer the snowfall issue. Not a prayer's chance in hell!! As I am driving over the surfaces of West Eagle Street to make my way into the parking Ramp, I am already thinking, Lou~~~get ready, you are going to have your 'work' cut out for you. It takes some Fred Flintstone leg and feet kicking, but I get my scooter and myself across the street, and up the mid-street driveway, to give me access to the sidewalk and ramp to get into the building.
Getting through all this evoked an angry thought in my mind. And by the time I got upstairs, and started to 'settle-in' to my assignment area, I was now so livid, I had to open up my FACEBOOK account and post on my Wall that..."he ought to be shot, on sight!!!"
I knew I had dragged in a little snow & slush. As I was starting my endeavors and the room-temperature was starting to have its effect, I was going to find out just how much. As I am cranking away at my responsibilities, I am periodically looking over my right shoulder. Keep in mind, I'm in an area that is shared by other associates. And even though I am a little 'different', I am self-conscious to make sure this difference stays as diminished, as possible. After some time, I realize that I am going to have to take matters into my own hands. Nobody has 'said' anything yet~~~and I am not going to give anybody that chance, either!! To be honest, I have no idea where this little scooter had all this slush stored, to have what was happening, taking place. By 09:30AM, there was a four-foot diameter sitting-puddle that my scooter was in the middle of. Embarrassed?!?!? Damned Straight. It is not like I can just run to the cloak-room, throw down saw-dust absorbent, and sweep this away. It is not like we have maintenance to swing by and effect damage-control. Housekeeping is a part-time function effected by ECDSS, and welfare-to-work clients. They don't show up till 13:30PM. I'm not going to leave a semaphore like this, till the afternoon. I put my thinking-cap on and go to work. I was fortunate enough to have a large pile of recyclable porous newspaper in a container, under my desk. I laid it out, and I was very pleasantly surprised!! The puddle was starting to get absorbed, immediately. Picked the first layer up, and dropped a second. While getting back to my assignments, I let the second layer, and the room temperature have their respective effects. About an hour later, the obvious, was now virtually non-existent.
The Operations Manager has been so impressed with my conduct-under-pressure, he gave me something new to immerse myself into, to break up the routine. That made me feel accepted and appreciated.
I am going to venture this, because it is still such a 'hot' topic. And yes I agree as the representative from Virginia has stated~~~that we CANNOT be the Sheriff of the World. However, just as the Bushites are waiting for history to render the verdict on the Second Iraq War of 19 March 2003, I am going to hopefully see what History will say about Obama, and his choice to intervene within Libya. Based largely on humanity, not oil, we made a commitment to intervene militarily to aid the freedom-fighters, and their attempt to overthrow the oppressive Muammar Gaddaffi regime that has held power for 41 years. Obama made his decision largely on the input of three women. Through the United Nations “Right to Protect (R2P)” provision that was invoked by Secretary of State Clinton, National Security advisor Samantha Power, and U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice, the President decided to take action in Libya. The freedom-fighters of Libya, are largely civilians who chose to voice their disgust against the yolk of tyranny and oppression. With them not disbanding, Gaddaffi chose the butchering and housecleaning approach to removing this 'menace' from his nation. Instead of retreating under the pressure, the protesters took up small-arms, as our minutemen did, during our American Revolution. But in this confrontation, David, and all his kinsmen, women and children, were going to get slaughtered, by Goliath. With so many other domestic and international issues on the plate, this decision has been chided by both, the typically hawkish Republicans, as well as the Democrats. Two pundits in one week have already labeled this the Goldilocks Policy.
It will all boil down to~~~TRIPOLI. No doubt, The USMC will want a Say in That matter.
--{-=@
Hickok
The Promise
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
A Space-Walk; Taking the Collective-Winds From Our Sails
Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show...(the opening lines of David Copperfield as written by Charles Dickens;inspired by MTM). Or at least this ACCOUNT will, perhaps, have a reflection on whether I'm going to be the hero in my own life.
Off you go again alone and its with a very heavy heart I part from you. No more kisses and tender caresses for ever so long — I want to bury myself in you, hold you tight in my arms, make you feel the intense love of mine.
You are my very life Sweetheart, and every separation gives such endless heartache... Romantic letter from Tsarina Alexandra of Russia
Friday, 18 March, from an historical perspective, jettisoned me back my days of yore; as a yet thirteen-year-old, in 1965. In the early days of The US Manned Space Program, those were some pretty 'heady' days for me. And I'll be the first to admit, that with so much going on in the race for the Moon between the two Cold War super-powers, The USA, and the Soviet Union, it was tough to keep track of everything!! But with what facts I was able to understand and comprehend as the underpinning, I so enthusiastically looked forward to every 'next-endeavor' the US Manned Space Program would TELEGRAPH to the world. And while I noticed that many around me were still into model cars, souping-up-cars, and being immersed in the British Invasion, Piccadilly Square, British Walkers, Desert Boots, Penny Loafers, Greek High School Fraternities & Sororities, and GI Joe dolls, I was fascinated by man's effort to make real, what Jules Verne, and others, have conjectured for millennium.
Keep in mind, this is 1965. And as proclaimed by President John F. Kennedy, in a speech in 1961, we were to get a man on the Moon---by the end of the decade. The reality of this objective was that at this point in the race for the Moon, the Soviets~~~were cleaning-our-clock.
The "space race" between the Soviet Union and the United States might have been on, but our first attempts at catching up, ended in spectacular explosions. On 12 April 1961, Soviet cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin was launched into orbit around the Earth on Vostok 1. The Soviet Union achieved yet another first when it launched not only the first woman, but also the first civilian, in space-- Valentina Tereshkova, on 16 June 1963, in Vostok 6. Launching a woman was reportedly Korolyov's idea, and it was accomplished purely for propaganda value. Admittedly, it was working!!! Those whom were paying attention, felt another arrow in their heart. Tereshkova was one of a small corps of female cosmonauts who were amateur parachutists, but Tereshkova was the only one to fly. During this time, the Americans announced their ambitious plans for the Project Gemini flight schedule. These plans included major advancements in spacecraft capabilities, including a two-person spacecraft, the ability to change orbits, the capacity to perform an extravehicular activity (EVA), and the goal of docking with another spacecraft. And this TELEGRAPHING of our ambitions was our Achilles Heel. The Soviets continued to use this to keep their propaganda machine, and associated space accomplishments, in high gear. Invariably, the 'firsts' continue to stack against us. On 12 October 1964, the Chief Designer delivered another Soviet space-first when Voskhod 1 launched the first multi-person spacecraft, with three cosmonauts in a modified Vostok spacecraft. With all of the aforementioned, the USA had as yet to launch their first two-manned Gemini Capsule. While it will launch on the top of the USAF Titan-II rocket, this Gemini 3, will launch on March 23, 1965,and do a typically American method-of-operation, a modest---3-orbit space flight
Pivotal to all of space-exploration is that, at some point, the astronaut/cosmonaut is going to have to venture out of his spacecraft. As we boldly proclaimed our objectives of the Gemini Program, the one objective that was much ANTICIPATED, as if to say; "Go Where No Man Has Gone Before", was our intent to have an astronaut "walk-in-space". Specifically, while being tethered to an umbilical-cord, Astronaut Ed White on June 3, 1965, would float out of the hatch of his Gemini 4 capsule, into the void of space.
This was to be THE FIRST-EVER "SPACEWALK"---or Extravehicular Activity (EVA). This
endeavor was much anticipated because, among other things, it would put America into overdrive with efforts to get neck-and-neck with the Soviets, in the race for that orb, 286,000 miles away.
On 18 March, 1965, the Soviets---pulled off yet another FIRST. And this one DID STEAL OUR THUNDER. This did take the collective-winds right out of our sails. Everybody, from NASA, and President Johnson, to the average American felt the figurative 'blow'. The press was discussing this for weeks. With the escalation of the Viet-Nam War bringing home some real-life reality-checks, this 'race', in particular, was getting called into question.
On this day, Alexei Leonov, born Alexey Arkhipovich Leonov on May 30, 1934; one of the first group of Soviet cosmonauts, became the first human to conduct a SPACEWALK(EVA). This historic spacewalk took place during the Voskhod 2 mission. He was outside the spacecraft for a little more than 12 minutes.
At the end of the spacewalk, his spacesuit had inflated in the vacuum of space and he could not re-enter the airlock. He was able to open a valve and bleed off some pressure. Eventually, he was able to force his way back into the space capsule.
Ultimately, even with the very modest start-up, The Gemini/Titan Program would be the unheralded stepping-stone. By-and-large history's forgotten legacy, this two-year segment of our space-exploration actually had us breaking away from the Soviets by leaps-and-bounds, yielding to the Apollo/Saturn Program, and a now unobstructed path to the moon.
--{-=@
Hickok
Taylor Park
The Promise
NB: The 9.0 earthquake that hit Japan, on 11 March was powerful enough to shift
the earth on its axis and make it spin a little faster, shortening the day by 1.8 millionths of a second. And, it shoved the island nation one parking-space to the east.
...work in progress(trying to get a photo attached; technical-savvy not yet available)
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Loyal Dog Won't Leave Injured Friend Behind - HELP JAPAN'S LOST & INJURE...
Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show...(the opening lines of David Copperfield as written by Charles Dickens;inspired by MTM). Or at least this ACCOUNT will, perhaps, have a reflection on whether I'm going to be the hero in my own life.
A moment in time is all it takes
Crossing a path another one makes
A love connect so perfectly made
Gone unnoticed, thru life they now wade~~~Author/Anonymous
Loyalty~~~whatever the circumstances.
Will be attempting to find out a progress report on these two beleaguered
canines
...work in progress
--{-=@
Hickok
Taylor Park
The Promise
A moment in time is all it takes
Crossing a path another one makes
A love connect so perfectly made
Gone unnoticed, thru life they now wade~~~Author/Anonymous
Loyalty~~~whatever the circumstances.
Will be attempting to find out a progress report on these two beleaguered
canines
...work in progress
--{-=@
Hickok
Taylor Park
The Promise
Monday, March 14, 2011
Full Cycle of Life
Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show...(the opening lines of David Copperfield as written by Charles Dickens;inspired by MTM). Or at least this ACCOUNT will, perhaps, have a reflection on whether I'm going to be the hero in my own life.
1. You shall cross the barren desert, but you shall not die of thirst. You
shall wander far in safety though you do not know the way. You shall speak
your words in foreign lands and all will understand. You shall see the face
of God and live.
R. Be not afraid. I go before you always. Come follow me, and I will give
you rest.
2. If you pass through raging waters in the sea, you shall not drown. If
you walk amid the burning flames, you shall not be harmed. If you stand
before the pow'r of hell and death is at your side, know that I am with you
through it all.
3. Blessed are your poor, for the kingdom shall be theirs. Blest are you
that weep and mourn, for one day you shall laugh. And if wicked men insult
and hate you all because of me, blessed, blessed are you!~~~Josh Groban; Be Not Afraid.
Wednesday, 9 March 2011 was one of those days that had several things all rolled
into one. As a matter of fact, there was so much going on---that due to the conflict of interest, I had to decline one of the items. I was supposed to be at the Wellington Pub with my AIRBORNE/D H L Express brethren. But that simply wasn't going to happen.
For starts, it was two of my sister's birthday. So I had to make sure that the birthdays were given their proper recognition. My sisters Mary & Rose(third and fourth ranked; in a family of eight siblings, were born on the same day~~~two years apart. And as well, they represent the widest spread of the intervals between children. What can I say; Catholic Family Planning---in the 50's!!
The bigger challenge was to recognize Ash Wednesday in the sense of the solemnity it deserved, and still try to pull something off that was---overdue.
The Fallon Friends Ensemble had not really been together for awhile, now. In being the events-coordinator for much of this kind of activity, there has been a series of circumstances that seemed to become barriers for me. The weather has impeded my ability to get around. And I had been dealing with some health issues, and some life; job-transitions, etc. I was especially conscious of the fact that when Bob Marzullo was in our area during the Christmas time period, we weren't able to share any experiences, together.
Looking into the CRYSTAL BALL, I saw conflicts like March Madness, St Patty's Day, and Spring Breaks, that would only further delay a rendezvous.
For better, or worse, I decided on Wednesday 9 March 2011, at Malone's Restaurant in Kenmore NY~~~7:30PM!!!
I was thinking that if we didn't try to have a little get-together soon, it would not happen until well into April, or May.
As I stated in the emails, this was an effort to have some good friends get-together after an extended dry-spell. I realized the solemnity of the day, but I thought we could all use a little friendship, fellowship, some crazy stories, and a little laughter.
The turn-out was very good. We had many of the regulars; and some new kids on the block showed up as well. Frank Battaglia, Bishop Fallon, Class of 1970---along with his wife Mary Pat---joined in the festivities. The regulars included Barbara Barrett, Sue McKnight, Bob Grunthaner, Carm Panaro, Norb Warnes, Blaine Wegs, myself, and My Scooter!! Everybody had a great time|||| And we only had a couple of 'sheathe-your-swords' moments|||
Thursday, 10 March, I was involved in the selection-process for my wife's replacement transportation. The car she did have, and had developed a bit of an attachment to, had been in an accident---and had subsequently been rendered as; totaled.
There were two cars involved in the accident and, thank God, nobody was injured. Our son, Andrew was borrowing the vehicle to run a couple of errands. While starting his way through the intersection E/B, he was given the green light on, the other car was coming through the intersection, S/B. We were of course grateful the occupants of both vehicles were alright, Andrew was heads-up enough to secure witnesses to substantiate he had the right-of-way.
So after using a 'rental' for several days, Donna made contact and developed some information and choices on a couple of vehicles from a dealership in Williamsville, NY. The results of this was her getting a very good deal on a White, four-door, 2010 Elantra!! She has already gotten a few miles under her belt with it~~~and feels that she has made a good choice. It had come down to an Accent, and the Elantra. The Elantra had more value-added features---including AUTO-START!!! This is nice with winter still keeping a strong grip on our Western New York month of March.
Friday 11 March 2011, was a good Friday!! While it was snowy, blustery, and cold I found myself taking in the sights and sounds of the Hamburg, NY area. With friends, the Day included a Fish-fry, visiting a friend with a dachshund, spending some time at The Fairgrounds Casino---culminating with watching local disco music artist Lance Diamond and His Ensemble, perform!!
While making my way through Hamburg looking for this highly touted recreation area called Taylor Park, I made a mistake---which had me come face-to-face with the recognition of a past foster-home experience. This would have been 1957, attending SS Peter & Paul Church and School, as a first-grader. I think it was Pine St?|?|?|?
There it was---right in front of me. And of course, back then, hamburg, NY---was a rural community.
work in progress on its two most memorable moments; actually three, of this foster-home experience|||||
Have to include Sunday, 13 March 2011 in this essay. Sunday I am attending my grand-daughter Brooke Lyn's Birthday Party at the
Cheektowaga Recreation Center. Intermittent to the party, I am scootering
over to the Rink area to watch the Youth League Saints/Grizzlies, play
hockey. This one youth, in particular, gets my attention. Wearing #2, I also
notice his last name on the back of his Saints jersey; Anastasia. Watching the way this lad was handling himself on and off the ice, I am thinking
that some day I'm going to read of his name in the Hockey News. I decide to approach a parent to inquire of this young man's first name. This starting-center's first name is shared; Austin Anastasia!!
With their first-period concluding, I return to the Birthday Party. Some of the adult males are flipping their attention between the party on the one hand, and the Sabres/Senators hockey game that is on a wall-attached plasma TV,on the other. It is at this point that I am informed of some very very sobering News. Buffalo Sabres hockey great, and the left-wing portion of the legendary FRENCH CONNECTION, Rico Martin, is dead. While details are still being put together, it appears that while behind the wheel of his vehicle, he sustains a heart attack. His vehicle crosses the E/B lane and hits some stationary objects along that curb area. He is 59 years old. Life is so immeasurably precious.
The Cycle of Life; my instincts have me seeking out and learning more of this young local hockey talent. While being part of this experience, I am also to learn of the tragic death of an Icon, in this same sports genre.
--{-=@
Hickok
Taylor Park
The Promise
1. You shall cross the barren desert, but you shall not die of thirst. You
shall wander far in safety though you do not know the way. You shall speak
your words in foreign lands and all will understand. You shall see the face
of God and live.
R. Be not afraid. I go before you always. Come follow me, and I will give
you rest.
2. If you pass through raging waters in the sea, you shall not drown. If
you walk amid the burning flames, you shall not be harmed. If you stand
before the pow'r of hell and death is at your side, know that I am with you
through it all.
3. Blessed are your poor, for the kingdom shall be theirs. Blest are you
that weep and mourn, for one day you shall laugh. And if wicked men insult
and hate you all because of me, blessed, blessed are you!~~~Josh Groban; Be Not Afraid.
Wednesday, 9 March 2011 was one of those days that had several things all rolled
into one. As a matter of fact, there was so much going on---that due to the conflict of interest, I had to decline one of the items. I was supposed to be at the Wellington Pub with my AIRBORNE/D H L Express brethren. But that simply wasn't going to happen.
For starts, it was two of my sister's birthday. So I had to make sure that the birthdays were given their proper recognition. My sisters Mary & Rose(third and fourth ranked; in a family of eight siblings, were born on the same day~~~two years apart. And as well, they represent the widest spread of the intervals between children. What can I say; Catholic Family Planning---in the 50's!!
The bigger challenge was to recognize Ash Wednesday in the sense of the solemnity it deserved, and still try to pull something off that was---overdue.
The Fallon Friends Ensemble had not really been together for awhile, now. In being the events-coordinator for much of this kind of activity, there has been a series of circumstances that seemed to become barriers for me. The weather has impeded my ability to get around. And I had been dealing with some health issues, and some life; job-transitions, etc. I was especially conscious of the fact that when Bob Marzullo was in our area during the Christmas time period, we weren't able to share any experiences, together.
Looking into the CRYSTAL BALL, I saw conflicts like March Madness, St Patty's Day, and Spring Breaks, that would only further delay a rendezvous.
For better, or worse, I decided on Wednesday 9 March 2011, at Malone's Restaurant in Kenmore NY~~~7:30PM!!!
I was thinking that if we didn't try to have a little get-together soon, it would not happen until well into April, or May.
As I stated in the emails, this was an effort to have some good friends get-together after an extended dry-spell. I realized the solemnity of the day, but I thought we could all use a little friendship, fellowship, some crazy stories, and a little laughter.
The turn-out was very good. We had many of the regulars; and some new kids on the block showed up as well. Frank Battaglia, Bishop Fallon, Class of 1970---along with his wife Mary Pat---joined in the festivities. The regulars included Barbara Barrett, Sue McKnight, Bob Grunthaner, Carm Panaro, Norb Warnes, Blaine Wegs, myself, and My Scooter!! Everybody had a great time|||| And we only had a couple of 'sheathe-your-swords' moments|||
Thursday, 10 March, I was involved in the selection-process for my wife's replacement transportation. The car she did have, and had developed a bit of an attachment to, had been in an accident---and had subsequently been rendered as; totaled.
There were two cars involved in the accident and, thank God, nobody was injured. Our son, Andrew was borrowing the vehicle to run a couple of errands. While starting his way through the intersection E/B, he was given the green light on, the other car was coming through the intersection, S/B. We were of course grateful the occupants of both vehicles were alright, Andrew was heads-up enough to secure witnesses to substantiate he had the right-of-way.
So after using a 'rental' for several days, Donna made contact and developed some information and choices on a couple of vehicles from a dealership in Williamsville, NY. The results of this was her getting a very good deal on a White, four-door, 2010 Elantra!! She has already gotten a few miles under her belt with it~~~and feels that she has made a good choice. It had come down to an Accent, and the Elantra. The Elantra had more value-added features---including AUTO-START!!! This is nice with winter still keeping a strong grip on our Western New York month of March.
Friday 11 March 2011, was a good Friday!! While it was snowy, blustery, and cold I found myself taking in the sights and sounds of the Hamburg, NY area. With friends, the Day included a Fish-fry, visiting a friend with a dachshund, spending some time at The Fairgrounds Casino---culminating with watching local disco music artist Lance Diamond and His Ensemble, perform!!
While making my way through Hamburg looking for this highly touted recreation area called Taylor Park, I made a mistake---which had me come face-to-face with the recognition of a past foster-home experience. This would have been 1957, attending SS Peter & Paul Church and School, as a first-grader. I think it was Pine St?|?|?|?
There it was---right in front of me. And of course, back then, hamburg, NY---was a rural community.
work in progress on its two most memorable moments; actually three, of this foster-home experience|||||
Have to include Sunday, 13 March 2011 in this essay. Sunday I am attending my grand-daughter Brooke Lyn's Birthday Party at the
Cheektowaga Recreation Center. Intermittent to the party, I am scootering
over to the Rink area to watch the Youth League Saints/Grizzlies, play
hockey. This one youth, in particular, gets my attention. Wearing #2, I also
notice his last name on the back of his Saints jersey; Anastasia. Watching the way this lad was handling himself on and off the ice, I am thinking
that some day I'm going to read of his name in the Hockey News. I decide to approach a parent to inquire of this young man's first name. This starting-center's first name is shared; Austin Anastasia!!
With their first-period concluding, I return to the Birthday Party. Some of the adult males are flipping their attention between the party on the one hand, and the Sabres/Senators hockey game that is on a wall-attached plasma TV,on the other. It is at this point that I am informed of some very very sobering News. Buffalo Sabres hockey great, and the left-wing portion of the legendary FRENCH CONNECTION, Rico Martin, is dead. While details are still being put together, it appears that while behind the wheel of his vehicle, he sustains a heart attack. His vehicle crosses the E/B lane and hits some stationary objects along that curb area. He is 59 years old. Life is so immeasurably precious.
The Cycle of Life; my instincts have me seeking out and learning more of this young local hockey talent. While being part of this experience, I am also to learn of the tragic death of an Icon, in this same sports genre.
--{-=@
Hickok
Taylor Park
The Promise
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Transitions Week
Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show...(the opening lines of David Copperfield as written by Charles Dickens;inspired by MTM). Or at least this ACCOUNT will, perhaps, have a reflection on whether I'm going to be the hero in my own life.
The wise man said just walk this way
To the dawn of the light
The wind will blow into your face
As the years pass you by
Hear this voice from deep inside
It's the call of your heart
Close your eyes and your will find
The passage out of the dark~~~"Send Me An Angel"; the Scorpions
So I punch-in, at my place of endeavor,on Monday 28 February, and with my scooter in tow, make my way over to my cubicle. The first cautionary semaphore that goes up is that My Chair is resting up against The Den divider. I'm thinking, alright, I guess somebody used my station on Friday. After all, I'm only an RPT(regular-part-time), so another P/T'er was in that day, and used the cubicle---and a chair more suitable.
As I get into the cubicle area, it is like~~~WHOA!!!! Damned!! What was once mine, as an RPT, belonged to somebody else---IN THE ALTOGETHER. It was like I was in the wrong place because this station, in one day(Friday), had been already set-up, as if to say this person was embedded here---for years. Besides the part & parcel essentials of the trade & craft that would be on all of the desks, the divider surfaces were laced with personal effects. Two things pop in my head. Alright---if I still belong here, where should my location be??? And number two, even as I am an RPT, I did bring in SOME personal-effects. Where in God's name---are they??? Compounding all this angst is that, for some unknown reason everybody, including the supervisors, were coming in, in the low-range speed-setting. So in this period where EVERYTHING seemed in this TIME-WARP-SEQUENCE of suspended animation, I decide I'm going to 'comb' the area for the items---that belonged to me. Including going into one of the drawers, I was able to find 'some' of my personal effects. But not all; gggrrr!!!
Included in this question-mark was an envelope of business cards that amounted to all the networking contacts that I had forged while involved with my volunteer efforts in the Portal Program at The Belle Center. And in conjunction with this were two lengthy journals and names and phone numbers of professional and personal contacts associated with that AmeriCorps Buffalo volunteer initiative. The thought of that possibly being dumped, sickened me. I was trying hard to see all of this as a glass; half-full. In EVERY instance up until now, including NOT having myself and my scooter thrown out of the third-floor-window during that first fire-drill, management and fellow associates all seemed to be supportive. Sooner, or later, somebody SHOULD come in, and shed some light on this mystery.
Gratefully, in due course, Joel does come in. Yes, he says, Friday we made some changes with the sitting arrangements, and 'you' are now sharing the station-area
with another RPT. He, gratefully, went on to say that they took the liberty, on Friday, to place my personal-effects in the left corner of the station-area. He added for me to take my time and get myself settled in, because one of the administrators wanted to walk me through a new application that they felt I was ready
to immerse myself in. I was relieved in doing my set-up, to FIND the business cards and the two journals that reflected my initiatives, thoughts, and successes during The Belle Center period in my life.
The one nuance that I found out very early on with this cubicle is that the hard-drive is an older one. In effect, getting onto, and navigating through, the internet connection is like watching the grass grow. With the County's policy of discouraging personal internet use during company-time, I of course did not want to be observed with my hands-in-the-cookie-jar. So I just pounded away, on my VOTER INQUIRY/EDIT option, all day.
So Wednesday, 1 March 2011, during the course of my activity, Mike S. saunters by my cubicle. Mike S. is the resident computer/IT guru. We are now on a first-name basis. The reason for this is because he recognized me(and my scooter), at a Blues Festival we both coincidentally attended a couple of weeks ago, at Ying's Wings & Things. We briefly exchanged a couple of niceties, and went on taking-in the Festival. This encounter though, allowed me to feel more comfortable in approaching him and mentioning that my particular cubicle had a slower hard-drive. While he initially cautioned me that the premium hard-drives were in short supply, one-half hour later he is back, with a premium hard-drive in his hand ready to install it, on my behalf. It is great to know people, in 'high-places'!!
I actually did have to use it---honestly---to GOOGLE an address to find out if the location that I was working on, was still in Erie County, or was to be classified as out-of-county(OOC). The internet connection cranked right up for me!!
Thursday, 2 March 2011, I, finally, was able to check out some cuisine that I was looking to do---for a few weeks now. And this is Italian cuisine---in Hamburg, NY.
The American Legion Post 527 has a Spaghetti Dinner Night, every Thursday. Since my wife, Donna, was on one of her housekeeping assignments, and I was, in effect, already half-way there---being Downtown, I decided---to give it a try. I found out about this little fellowship refuge originally through the young ladies of the Annunciation High School Class of 1969 Alumni. One of the Class of 1969 Alumni is the wife of the current Commander of the Legion Post. At $6.00 for a full-plate, you couldn't go wrong. It was served on a china plate---not a paper-plate, and the serving was heaping. It was hot, and it had two meatballs to top it off. There was plenty of bread to dunk---and had a salad and a slice of cake for dessert, included. What was really sweet was that one of the aides brought the whole serving, on a cafeteria tray, to my table for me. I didn't have to muss or fuss with a juggling-act, and my scooter.
For Friday 3 March, I decide I am finally going to put out a rally-call for a get-together. Here is the deal. We haven't really been together for awhile, now. Weather, health issues, life, and job-transitions seemed to be putting a damper on possible initiatives.
Looking into the CRYSTAL BALL, I see activities like March Madness, St Patty's Day, and Spring Breaks, getting in the way of attempted fellowships. I was thinking that if I didn't put one on the map now---it may not happen until April, or the Cinco de Mayo!!! The other complication is that the 8th is Fat Tuesday(Mardi Gras), so therefore the 9th is Ash Wednesday.
I am proposing a get-together on Wednesday 9 March 2011, at Malone's~~~7:30PM!!! Those whom want to gather, and still comply with the fasting can JUST DRINK; responsibly!! Others can drink, and dabble in side-orders---like fries. Others can have a fish-fry. And still others can do what they want!!!!
Blaine is a FACEBOOK contact, so I will advise him by way of FACEBOOK EMAIL. And of course our lovable Carm Panaro is computer and phone challenged---so I will send up smoke-signals for him!!
I know Norb has been asking about this~~~and has been trying on his chapeau-ensemble to figure which of his head coverings will be most suitable!! And Blaine has been inquiring, and suggesting a usurpation of my authority, to get one of these under way, as well. I'll, of course, be there with my scooter!! As I have said, this is an effort to have some good friends coming together, after an extended dry-spell. I realize the solemnity of the day, but I thought we could all use a little friendship, fellowship, some crazy stories, and a little laughter.
Oh, don't worry, Ash Wednesday, or not---it will be lively. I already know that many 'different' things are going to be covered!! Including excessive use of the
EXCLAMATION POINT!
Sheathe your Swords!!
--{-=
Hickok
[Taylor Park]
The Promise
The wise man said just walk this way
To the dawn of the light
The wind will blow into your face
As the years pass you by
Hear this voice from deep inside
It's the call of your heart
Close your eyes and your will find
The passage out of the dark~~~"Send Me An Angel"; the Scorpions
So I punch-in, at my place of endeavor,on Monday 28 February, and with my scooter in tow, make my way over to my cubicle. The first cautionary semaphore that goes up is that My Chair is resting up against The Den divider. I'm thinking, alright, I guess somebody used my station on Friday. After all, I'm only an RPT(regular-part-time), so another P/T'er was in that day, and used the cubicle---and a chair more suitable.
As I get into the cubicle area, it is like~~~WHOA!!!! Damned!! What was once mine, as an RPT, belonged to somebody else---IN THE ALTOGETHER. It was like I was in the wrong place because this station, in one day(Friday), had been already set-up, as if to say this person was embedded here---for years. Besides the part & parcel essentials of the trade & craft that would be on all of the desks, the divider surfaces were laced with personal effects. Two things pop in my head. Alright---if I still belong here, where should my location be??? And number two, even as I am an RPT, I did bring in SOME personal-effects. Where in God's name---are they??? Compounding all this angst is that, for some unknown reason everybody, including the supervisors, were coming in, in the low-range speed-setting. So in this period where EVERYTHING seemed in this TIME-WARP-SEQUENCE of suspended animation, I decide I'm going to 'comb' the area for the items---that belonged to me. Including going into one of the drawers, I was able to find 'some' of my personal effects. But not all; gggrrr!!!
Included in this question-mark was an envelope of business cards that amounted to all the networking contacts that I had forged while involved with my volunteer efforts in the Portal Program at The Belle Center. And in conjunction with this were two lengthy journals and names and phone numbers of professional and personal contacts associated with that AmeriCorps Buffalo volunteer initiative. The thought of that possibly being dumped, sickened me. I was trying hard to see all of this as a glass; half-full. In EVERY instance up until now, including NOT having myself and my scooter thrown out of the third-floor-window during that first fire-drill, management and fellow associates all seemed to be supportive. Sooner, or later, somebody SHOULD come in, and shed some light on this mystery.
Gratefully, in due course, Joel does come in. Yes, he says, Friday we made some changes with the sitting arrangements, and 'you' are now sharing the station-area
with another RPT. He, gratefully, went on to say that they took the liberty, on Friday, to place my personal-effects in the left corner of the station-area. He added for me to take my time and get myself settled in, because one of the administrators wanted to walk me through a new application that they felt I was ready
to immerse myself in. I was relieved in doing my set-up, to FIND the business cards and the two journals that reflected my initiatives, thoughts, and successes during The Belle Center period in my life.
The one nuance that I found out very early on with this cubicle is that the hard-drive is an older one. In effect, getting onto, and navigating through, the internet connection is like watching the grass grow. With the County's policy of discouraging personal internet use during company-time, I of course did not want to be observed with my hands-in-the-cookie-jar. So I just pounded away, on my VOTER INQUIRY/EDIT option, all day.
So Wednesday, 1 March 2011, during the course of my activity, Mike S. saunters by my cubicle. Mike S. is the resident computer/IT guru. We are now on a first-name basis. The reason for this is because he recognized me(and my scooter), at a Blues Festival we both coincidentally attended a couple of weeks ago, at Ying's Wings & Things. We briefly exchanged a couple of niceties, and went on taking-in the Festival. This encounter though, allowed me to feel more comfortable in approaching him and mentioning that my particular cubicle had a slower hard-drive. While he initially cautioned me that the premium hard-drives were in short supply, one-half hour later he is back, with a premium hard-drive in his hand ready to install it, on my behalf. It is great to know people, in 'high-places'!!
I actually did have to use it---honestly---to GOOGLE an address to find out if the location that I was working on, was still in Erie County, or was to be classified as out-of-county(OOC). The internet connection cranked right up for me!!
Thursday, 2 March 2011, I, finally, was able to check out some cuisine that I was looking to do---for a few weeks now. And this is Italian cuisine---in Hamburg, NY.
The American Legion Post 527 has a Spaghetti Dinner Night, every Thursday. Since my wife, Donna, was on one of her housekeeping assignments, and I was, in effect, already half-way there---being Downtown, I decided---to give it a try. I found out about this little fellowship refuge originally through the young ladies of the Annunciation High School Class of 1969 Alumni. One of the Class of 1969 Alumni is the wife of the current Commander of the Legion Post. At $6.00 for a full-plate, you couldn't go wrong. It was served on a china plate---not a paper-plate, and the serving was heaping. It was hot, and it had two meatballs to top it off. There was plenty of bread to dunk---and had a salad and a slice of cake for dessert, included. What was really sweet was that one of the aides brought the whole serving, on a cafeteria tray, to my table for me. I didn't have to muss or fuss with a juggling-act, and my scooter.
For Friday 3 March, I decide I am finally going to put out a rally-call for a get-together. Here is the deal. We haven't really been together for awhile, now. Weather, health issues, life, and job-transitions seemed to be putting a damper on possible initiatives.
Looking into the CRYSTAL BALL, I see activities like March Madness, St Patty's Day, and Spring Breaks, getting in the way of attempted fellowships. I was thinking that if I didn't put one on the map now---it may not happen until April, or the Cinco de Mayo!!! The other complication is that the 8th is Fat Tuesday(Mardi Gras), so therefore the 9th is Ash Wednesday.
I am proposing a get-together on Wednesday 9 March 2011, at Malone's~~~7:30PM!!! Those whom want to gather, and still comply with the fasting can JUST DRINK; responsibly!! Others can drink, and dabble in side-orders---like fries. Others can have a fish-fry. And still others can do what they want!!!!
Blaine is a FACEBOOK contact, so I will advise him by way of FACEBOOK EMAIL. And of course our lovable Carm Panaro is computer and phone challenged---so I will send up smoke-signals for him!!
I know Norb has been asking about this~~~and has been trying on his chapeau-ensemble to figure which of his head coverings will be most suitable!! And Blaine has been inquiring, and suggesting a usurpation of my authority, to get one of these under way, as well. I'll, of course, be there with my scooter!! As I have said, this is an effort to have some good friends coming together, after an extended dry-spell. I realize the solemnity of the day, but I thought we could all use a little friendship, fellowship, some crazy stories, and a little laughter.
Oh, don't worry, Ash Wednesday, or not---it will be lively. I already know that many 'different' things are going to be covered!! Including excessive use of the
EXCLAMATION POINT!
Sheathe your Swords!!
--{-=
Hickok
[Taylor Park]
The Promise
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