***
I think Cynthia is at maximum glow with only nine days until baby. I'm glad it is a girl because that is what she wanted, and I'd hate to have the battle over naming a baby boy Geddy Lee Turbitt or Dave Matthews Turbitt. I'm not Panamanian enough to seriously suggest Mariano Rivera Turbitt, which might be my third choice.
Alex is starting to get braver in the pool. I taught Carl, at age seven, to swim in about three days. Alex is younger, and I'm making headway, albeit slower.
***
I sense a high level of exasperation among most everyone with the power crisis -- especially when combined with the forthcoming austerity measures, the inability of CUC to buy gas for the power plant, possible PSS furloughs and the legislature's intransigence on perks like cars, cell phones and bloated discretionary budgets during this crisis. On some levels we deserve CUC. People returned failed politicians to office in the last election apparently buying into the rate reduction scheme a few weeks before election day. While millions were spent on Abramoff to keep easy immigration and cheap labor, what percentage of people seriously balked and urged that the money be used on routine maintenance at CUC and other essential services instead? How many people vote on family alliances and not only tolerate, but accept as the norm, waving, free beer and picnic tables as a platform? How much money is spent on unnecessary jobs that should be spent on critical services? People here were bought off cheaply and now the price is being paid.
***
The Ipod is most definitely my favorite invention since Al Gore created the "internets" that George Bush is so enthralled with. I've downloaded quite a few podcasts on things like sports, history, comedy and news, and those things fill in the downtime really well waiting in doctor's offices, or on line at the bank and other places. Having easy access to my vast music collection also means I hear more music. Just this weekend I got reacquainted with a killer album I hadn't listened to in a while: Alice in Chains Jar of Flies. What a great band that was -- as ephemeral as they were.
***
Alex is starting to get braver in the pool. I taught Carl, at age seven, to swim in about three days. Alex is younger, and I'm making headway, albeit slower.*** 
We spent a night at the new Palms on Easter Weekend. We got a great room with a fabulous view.
The sunset behind a cloud in my front yard isn't too shabby, either.
***
I sense a high level of exasperation among most everyone with the power crisis -- especially when combined with the forthcoming austerity measures, the inability of CUC to buy gas for the power plant, possible PSS furloughs and the legislature's intransigence on perks like cars, cell phones and bloated discretionary budgets during this crisis. On some levels we deserve CUC. People returned failed politicians to office in the last election apparently buying into the rate reduction scheme a few weeks before election day. While millions were spent on Abramoff to keep easy immigration and cheap labor, what percentage of people seriously balked and urged that the money be used on routine maintenance at CUC and other essential services instead? How many people vote on family alliances and not only tolerate, but accept as the norm, waving, free beer and picnic tables as a platform? How much money is spent on unnecessary jobs that should be spent on critical services? People here were bought off cheaply and now the price is being paid.
***
The Ipod is most definitely my favorite invention since Al Gore created the "internets" that George Bush is so enthralled with. I've downloaded quite a few podcasts on things like sports, history, comedy and news, and those things fill in the downtime really well waiting in doctor's offices, or on line at the bank and other places. Having easy access to my vast music collection also means I hear more music. Just this weekend I got reacquainted with a killer album I hadn't listened to in a while: Alice in Chains Jar of Flies. What a great band that was -- as ephemeral as they were.
***
I have a gut feeling that this new Indiana Jones movie coming out next month is going to be pretty good. I'm looking forward to it, and I can't remember the last time I went to the movies let alone looked forward to a release.
***
The second meeting of the cranky club took place on Friday. Ken, Bruce, Zaldy, Mike Ernest, both Brads -- Ruszala and Derksen and I solved many of the world's problems in a robust dialogue.
The second meeting of the cranky club took place on Friday. Ken, Bruce, Zaldy, Mike Ernest, both Brads -- Ruszala and Derksen and I solved many of the world's problems in a robust dialogue.
