Post-Birthday Weighty Random Thoughts

Since the tail end of November encompasses Thanksgiving, my birthday and Betsy's, I am now dealing with the inevitable sugar withdrawal and the coming Christmas carb frenzy. 

As usual, I gained five pounds this week.  It is almost impossible not to, since the week has been filled with potatoes, turnips, gravy, pie and birthday cake(s).  For example, this morning I had leftover birthday cake for breakfast.  Two pieces.  I intend to steel myself for four weeks of carb-less eating before Christmas.  Starting Tomorrow.  Assuming the cake is gone.  And the Costco muffins.  And the Oreos.

I believe that this carb orgy is some sort of genetic memory left over from my Galwegian ancestors. "Eat when food is plenty, since it will soon be scarce."

I am amused every year by the great number of ads for gym memberships, diets plans, etc. that come out in January.  We've spent six weeks stuffing ourselves until we have to bring out the "winter wardrobe."  Then, TV makes us feel guilty about it.

The problem is, of course, that these end-of-year holidays all revolve around great excesses of food and drink.  Not that this is a bad thing in general, its just not good for me.  As a somewhat obsessive/compulsive person, I find it difficult to leave the table when there are sweets to be had.  I am self-aware enough to know this, even if I'm unable to resist the temptation in the first place. 

Tomorrow is another day.  Have some pie.

Thanksgiving Hash

So, we got through Thanksgiving and my birthday with very little stress and no blood spilt.  With Betsy's birthday tomorrow (and gift already purchased), that issue is also put to bed.  We had our own Thanksgiving.  Turkey was average, but the spuds and turnips came out quite good.  The turkey is gone (mostly), and we've taken care of the rest of the leftovers.

We were invited up to one of my sister's for Thanksgiving, but we declined.  The idea of travelling up to NYC area on Thanksgiving Day is beyond my ability to comprehend.  If I want to be tortured, I can stay home.

Last year, about this time, I tried to explain to an acquaintance that I'm essentially an anti-social person.  His response was "you're not anti-social, just unsociable."   That's as good an explanation as any. 

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of the most important holidays in our house.  It comes right around my birthday and Betsy's, which makes it more special.  Plus, I love to cook but do my best with simple foods, like meat, potatoes and 2 veg.  In our house, I do the turkey, stuffing, green veg and turnips.  Eileen does the mashed potatoes.  Betsy and Eileen handle the desserts and Brendan assists in the set-up and clean-up.  Maybe I'll make bread in the bread machine.  Its a big cooperative effort.


I've already purchased Betsy's birthday present, so I'm safe there.  The other great thing this year is that I'm done with my Christmas shopping as well.  That doesn't mean much, since I only shop for Betsy and merely consult on everything else.

Getting Ready for Thanksgiving and its Aftermath

Thanksgiving is a very important holiday in our house, right up there with February 15 (Half-Price Valentine Candy Day).  Just about every second or third year, Thanksgiving falls on either my birthday (the 24th)  or Betsy's (the 27th).  This year is more special, since it falls before either birthday.  What this will amount to is a veritable bacchanal of  dessert from the 22nd to the 28th.

To prepare for this week of overindulgence, I am making the following preparations:

1.  Trying to lose 5 pounds in November.  This is difficult, since with the time change and the weather, I'm now in serious hibernation mode.

2.  Buying the biggest turkey I can get, since I'll have to jump back on Atkins as soon as the last pie is gone.

3.  Attempting to convince myself that dessert portion control is key.  This is not happening.

Our Thanksgiving menu is fairly traditional.  Roast Turkey (not fried), mashed spuds, turnips, green bean casserole, stuffing, gravy (by the bucketful), rolls.  Possible additions--creamed onions, something else green.  Then, for dessert, pumpkin, cherry and maybe apple pie.  We usually eat at 3 or so, which allows for a second go-round in the evening.

The 23rd will probably bring pie for breakfast and turkey leftovers for the rest of the day.

The 24th is birthday #1.  Leftover turkey and a Carvel cake.  I always get a Carvel cake.  I would drive to Yonkers if necessary.

Skip to the 27th.  Dinner will NOT be turkey.  We could have 20 lbs left, and it still wouldn't be turkey.  If there was nothing left in the store but turkey and vegetarian tofu lasagna, we'd be eating lasagna.  Dessert will be a chocolate cake with vanilla butter cream frosting. 

Breakfast on the 28th will, of course, be chocolate cake.

Waggies Appreciation Day

Today started normally, if any day at our house is "normal."  At 6:30 AM, I came down the stairs and heard Brendan repeating lines from movies and laughing to himself.  Check.  Made very strong coffee and took thyroid meds.  Check.  Turned on the radio and got blasted with very loud music that was not appropriate for that time of day.  Check.  Tuned radio to News and lamented the state of the world.  Check.  Began cooking very unhealthy breakfast.  Check.  Drank largest available mug of strong coffee, black no sugar.  Check.

Then things got a little weird.  Ironed Brendan's dress shirt and trousers, washed last night.  Check.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Brendan goes to Waggies, where he helps to make and package dog biscuits, which is usually a jeans and t-shirt kind of job.

From the Waggies website:

"Founded in November 2007, Waggies by Maggie & Friends is a nonprofit company headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware. Our organization employs persons with intellectual disabilities and takes pride in celebrating their work. We are a unique business that brings employees and volunteers together for the daily operation of producing dog treats. Being part of the Waggies team empowers our employees to be successful in their work and active members of the community."

Brendan has been with Waggies for several years and enjoys working there.  Today, Waggies is celebrating its Fifth anniversary today with a lunch and Brendan is acting as Master of Ceremonies for part of the festivities.

I'm sure he's going to do just great.

Post-Election Spin

Based on the latest talking heads, the word "mandate" has at least 2 meanings:

1. If you are the winner, "mandate" means you won the election;
2. If you are the loser, "mandate" means whatever you say it means.

So, its confusing.  In 2000, Pres. George W. Bush claimed a mandate even though he lost the popular vote.  That mandate led to 2 overseas wars put on the US Visa card, tax cuts for the rich, a real estate bubble and an economic collapse.

As Fr. Bosch used to say at LeMoyne, "Vox Populi, Vox Dei"  (the voice of the people is the voice of God).  In the last election, the people spoke, but mostly to argue.  In the end, they voted for Obama. 

I am also confused by recent pronouncements from Cong. Ryan saying the House Republicans have a mandate.  The House Republican majority was cut by 8 seats, so it wasn't what one would call a ringing endorsement.  I would submit that everyone hates Congress but loves their Congressman (or -woman).  I doubt that anyone voted for a Democratic Congressperson in order to put Pelosi back as Speaker or voted for a Republican to endorse the Ryan budget.  I just don't think people vote that way.  They vote for the person that came to their door, spoke at their kid's school, wrote them a letter on some issue of importance to them.  Maybe they helped keep the local air or army base open, or the local Post Office. 

If the President's mandate is thin, the House Republican mandate is non-existent.

Reading

As anyone at all acquainted with me knows, I am a voracious reader.  And a very eclectic one.  I enjoy combing through used bookstores in the history, Sci-Fi and mystery sections.  When push comes to shove, I'll read cereal boxes.

Since we are in the middle of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, this summer into fall, I read Bruce Catton's great 3 volume history of the Civil War.  Right now, I'm reading A Stillness at Appomattox.  I also read Stephen Ambrose's book on the lives of Crazy Horse and Custer.

In between, I've read a collection of Phillip K. Dick's short stories, 2 of which were the basis of successful films ("Total Recall" and "Minority Report").  Excellent stuff.  In the sci-fi category, I read a number of Harry Harrison's early works, which shows that sci-fi can have a humorous edge.  I also read a couple of his "Stainless Steel Rat" books, which are hilarious.

For some reason, I've also read a number of P.G. Wodehouses's "Jeeves" novels and short stories.  I'm not a great fan of the monied gentry, so that when Jeeves always comes out on top, it reinforces my existing prejudices.  The stories are well written, so a pleasure to read.

For variety, I've also read a bunch of Sayer's short stories and some Agatha Christie. 

Not very systematic, but I have a short attention span.

A True Story

So, I was waiting in a doctor's office for my bride to finish her appointment.  It was actually relaxing, with comfortable chairs and a Keurig machine.  After a rather extended waiting period, I spotted the wife emerging from the back and settling up with the receptionist.  The receptionist was mid-twenties and cute.  As they were moving funds to and fro and waiting for the card reader to spit out a receipt, I saw them huddling together, glancing in my direction and laughing.

Now, I know I can be a little paranoid, but I was unsettled by the obvious collection of glances and chuckles thrown in my direction.  I mean, really, I was good enough to act as chauffeur on this expedition and the least they could do was show a little gratitude.  How were the cute receptionist and the doctor going to get paid without me?

Once the mime exhibition was concluded, Betsy and I walked to the car.  As I started the car up, I asked what the joke was.  My wife said that the receptionist commented on how nice my hair looked.

I will admit that I am conceited as the next person (at least, if not more), but my conceits generally are more intellectual than physical.  The last time I received a sincere complement on my physical attributes (other than my bride, of course) was sometime in the mid-1970's.  (And now that I remember it, that may have been sarcasm as well).  But, I do have a full head of hair, turning gray but still full.  I am a great trial to my barber, who is hoping to taper off his work and retire; however, I always return with a full supply of the old brain insulation and back to work he goes.

So, my reaction to this complement was immediate.  The old sparkle in the eye was evident and I preened just a bit.  Looked at myself in the mirror, preened some more.

Then Betsy said:  "yes, she wants hair like yours when she gets old."

Well, That's Over

Now that the election is over, maybe we can begin to focus on solving our problems.  But, I think not.  I doubt that the fiscal cliff issues will get solved until the last possible moment.  For a while, there's going to be a lot of soul-searching and second-guessing by the losers, which is sure to take a lot of energy.

For a kid from the Bronx, Delaware is sometimes a very strange place.  There is a post-election tradition here called "Return Day."  If I have any of the specifics wrong, please excuse me.  On Return Day, the winners and losers in state-wide elections gather in Georgetown in southern Delaware.  The election returns are announced at the town square.  The main event comes when the winning and losing candidates for each office ride together in horse drawn carriages around the town and then go to a field where they bury a hatchet in a barrel of sand.  Then they go eat.

Burying the hatchet is more than a metaphor in Delaware.  I hope they make sure the edge is dull this year, given some of the attack ads.

Get Out and Vote

Its Election Day and there is a lot of uncertainty to the outcome, at least on the national level.  There was a great discussion on American History TV regarding the creation of the electoral college.
Initially, in the Articles of Confederation, the "president" was elected by the Congress tyo preside over the meetings and certify its actions in writing.

When the framers began crafting the Constitution, this idea was originally carried over, so that the legislature picked the executive.  Member of Congress would choose the members of the Electoral College, who would then elect the Executive.  With the idea of separation of powers was introduced, the idea that the legislative branch would elect the executive branch (meaning that it would be subordinate to it) was rejected.  Finally, they agreed to the current system:  each state has the same number of electors  as it has members in both houses of Congress.

What was interesting is that how the presidential election would work could have come out in many different ways.  Direct election was not seriously considered.

This gives us situations like the 2000 election, where the popular vote was won by one party and the electoral vote by another.  We may be in for another such situation in this election.

But, get out and vote.  There are many down ballot offices that will be decided today as well.

Starting Out

So, it's a day before the election and I'm ready for it to be over. 

With all the political rhetoric, maybe its time to take it down a notch.  My preference was not an easy decision.  Neither of the parties really speak to my issues.  Both parties have taken dogmatic positions with which I disagree.  In a representative government, citizens have the right to express their preferences.  We can do this in two ways:  by voting or abstaining.  You don't absolve yourself from your responsibility to choose by not voting; you are, in effect, choosing "none of the above."  

I choose to vote.  Living in Delaware, the presidential result is quite clear:  Obama will win Delaware.  Most of the down ballot races (at least in my district) are also relatively certain.  But, I choose to vote (depending on the race) to show support for certain policies and candidates, even if they lose.

What will the local (and national) media do after this is over?  I guess we will get all the car ads that the political ads displaced in the last few months.