tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-202322612024-03-07T02:10:56.146-06:00Newscoma Has MovedNothing here to see, head to www.newscoma.wordpress.comNewscomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06314104886871823355noreply@blogger.comBlogger1420125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20232261.post-5910360392070871112007-04-02T15:10:00.000-05:002007-04-02T15:13:10.647-05:00Nothing Here To See<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFcxNH8nSWcuy_wsUy1xvajF9AtRTPuI218WEsGFiXOUBbWOujU-Ff-drBR1igChrzppcdU_LWlxnLUyRrqFADBAfPNCH-t0v_dPKpmX4TKumnWUaUxwsI7JDD1i30RTACz_IY/s1600-h/Mabel+Astroheader+two.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFcxNH8nSWcuy_wsUy1xvajF9AtRTPuI218WEsGFiXOUBbWOujU-Ff-drBR1igChrzppcdU_LWlxnLUyRrqFADBAfPNCH-t0v_dPKpmX4TKumnWUaUxwsI7JDD1i30RTACz_IY/s400/Mabel+Astroheader+two.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048926110933920898" border="0" /></a>Change your links or feedburners to <a href="http://www.newscoma.wordpress.com">www.newscoma.wordpress.com</a>.Newscomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06314104886871823355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20232261.post-54174030514009668722007-03-04T16:54:00.000-06:002007-03-04T16:58:12.615-06:00The Quarterly Reminder<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7gzlPQjHvWKFaNPi1dyrPSVXxhECTRBR8FeKWkT7vZijbd2nnXxKs7AICRLTt-iZlvc832ybgaKPSNxhUk35TG3Pu1qkVRr4wbhHuXgyGIvUjh1g3xnQvOJTqic6CfZ8UJrZ/s1600-h/mabel+in+chair.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7gzlPQjHvWKFaNPi1dyrPSVXxhECTRBR8FeKWkT7vZijbd2nnXxKs7AICRLTt-iZlvc832ybgaKPSNxhUk35TG3Pu1qkVRr4wbhHuXgyGIvUjh1g3xnQvOJTqic6CfZ8UJrZ/s400/mabel+in+chair.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5038207335473258098" border="0" /></a>
Over at The <a href="http://www.newscoma.wordpress.com/">Wordpress. </a>
Come on over to the new and improved Newscoma.
Must I tell you this all the time?
Grab your favorite frothy beverage and see the 300 posts you've missed that I've thrown together after drinking beer and frothing at the mouth over the last two months.
Yeah, I'm OCD.
Bring your hiney.Newscomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06314104886871823355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20232261.post-1167602575034003822006-12-31T16:00:00.000-06:002006-12-31T16:02:55.090-06:00An Invitation To Dance<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/1600/683891/newscomaheader.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/400/280304/newscomaheader.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>We are up and running over at the new place.
Get on over <a href="http://www.newscoma.com">there</a>.
Go on.
I'm waiting. I've blogged like a fiend all day and your missing it.Newscomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06314104886871823355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20232261.post-1167575193532202602006-12-31T08:13:00.000-06:002006-12-31T08:26:33.693-06:00Today Is Moving Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/1600/276623/DSC_0006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/200/227320/DSC_0006.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
During the last year, I've written 1441 posts, had ups and downs in readership (thanks all of five of you) and enjoyed myself thoroughly.
It's been a good time for the most part.
But alas, change is gonna come today.
Although I haven't mastered my new blog at Word Press and I still haven't got all my links and crap up, I'm digging how much I like it.
So come on over to <a href="http://www.newscoma.com">www.newscoma.com </a>or <a href="http://www.newscoma.wordpress.com.">www.newscoma.wordpress.com.</a>
Feedback welcome.
It will be the same cast of characters as before. I'm still trying to upload pictures but I have a Flickr account now so you can see what everyone looks like etc.
Thanks to all of you have made my life so enriched and wonderful. Now change those links, by golly.
I also have a new e-mail address at newscoma at gmail dot com. The other ones still work, but I'm trying to get away from Yahoo as much as possible.
So I'm not going anywhere, just moved across town.
Ya'll come on over.Newscomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06314104886871823355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20232261.post-1167543012786059592006-12-30T23:19:00.000-06:002006-12-30T23:30:12.846-06:00So It's Squeegee Monkey's Birthday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/1600/869836/December%2029%20003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/400/266319/December%2029%20003.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Happy Birthday, you old bastard.
Homer actually is a very lucky woman.
And, he's a liberal, so there.
And smarter than anyone knows. I'd even venture to say he should be your best friend because he's one of mine.
And he'll cut you if you touch his Irish Whiskey.
So Happy Birthday, Squeeges.
You look pretty good to be about a thousand years old.Newscomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06314104886871823355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20232261.post-1167541086902057482006-12-30T22:26:00.000-06:002006-12-30T22:58:06.966-06:00The Last One About Saddam Hussein<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/1600/664258/story.saddam.hanging.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 188px; height: 143px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/320/4841/story.saddam.hanging.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
I just watched the execution of Saddam Hussein. I don't know why I did it?
Curiousity maybe.
On a camera phone filmed as the former dictator stood as his executioners put the noose around his neck, darkness and rapid quick flashes of light and his face. He didn't really look that scared in all honesty. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/12/30/hussein.funeral/index.html">CNN </a>is reporting he had fear in his face. (The Website didn't though.)
I didn't get that at all.
He talked quite a bit but I don't speak Arabic so I don't have a clue.
More chaos as the video continued to roll on the cell phone's camera.
Then the horrible sound of of his feet giving way under the platform as it was let go, the noose tight around his neck. The cell phone showed lots of movement and was very scattered and a lot of what appeared to be gleeful cries or that's how I heard it.
Then his swinging body. Not like what you would see in a Clint Eastwood movie but different in a way I can't explain but I'm not going to go back and look at it again. It was his eyes that were so strange.
I'm not sure if he was dead or alive at this point. I've seen more than one person die, and you usually just now. But I've never seen a person hang, so I have no idea how long he lived when the noose pulled taut.
I had the opportunity to go to an execution in my official capacity once.
I declined.
I felt like shit like this would change me somehow if I did this. I may work as a reporter, but that was not something I wanted to be apart of. Another media person from here went. His staff said he was haunted, especially because he took delighted glee in going.
They say he won't talk about it.
I don't know. I'm really torn about the execution. I've said before that it goes without saying that Hussein was one brutal, terrible cruel man. There are others still lurking around this world where power means everything and simple human dignity has no value whatsoever. The situation that Sharon and Sam Davidson have written about so eloquently about Darfur comes to mind.
We know Hussein relished in his power at the expense of human life.
In the end, does it really make a difference. Once an ally with this country, he lost his usefulness and we took him out.
And I'm torn.
Because the man that was responsible for bombing the World Trade Center is still running around.
And then I read that <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061230/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq">December is the worst month ever </a>for our soldiers in Iraq.
And I can't help but be numb about this very bloody, sad time in our lives where American soldiers stay in a foreign land that really, really hates us.
And, although I'm not a person who prays, I do tonight for those men and women who are over there because of this war. And for the men and women I personally know whose sons died over on foreign land. Because I see these families every day.
Every single day.
So Saddam, you won't be missed by me, quite honestly. But I won't mock your death either because I do believe every life has value.
Unfortunately, you didn't feel the same way and that is what created your demise.
<div style="text-align: right;">Photo from <a href="http://www.cnn.com">CNN</a>
</div>Newscomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06314104886871823355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20232261.post-1167503625776084352006-12-30T12:30:00.000-06:002006-12-30T12:33:45.836-06:00I'm Moving Out<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/1600/257766/seal.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 155px; height: 155px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/200/470071/seal.png" alt="" border="0" /></a>
I'm going to be moving in the next few days to www.newscoma.com.
I'm still doing some housekeeping, so bear with me and I'm not done yet.
I'll let you know when I'm all pretty.
Actually, I'm sort of sad leaving Blogger (you know my first time but just like your "real" first time, I've had issues. Some glorious, some of the suck. Some premature starts and stops. Some mind-blowing experiences.)
You get my drift.
I've tried to keep this relationship going, but alas, there are just too many ifs (Okay, I'll stop with that line of crap.)
I'm leaving this blogspot address open for the archives and for the memories. I also want people to be able to enjoy <a href="http://www.tnrin.blogspot.com">Tim</a>'s beautiful design. I just adore it, and him and he really is clever. We'll be meeting in March if things go well. <a href="http://www.atomictumor.com">Atomic Tumor</a> also left some feedback recently that I might want a change.
He was right.
<a href="http://www.thelynnsterzone.com">Lynnster </a>is the one that sold me on this so my new stuff will be over at wordpress. It does appear to be easier to use (can't figure out how to post pics but I do now proudly own a flickr site for my crappy photography.) I realize it will take months to get me back on your blogrolls once I start this puppy up.
Alas. Do a girl a favor here.
If anybody has some advice leave it in the comments on how to do this properly and give me some time to get all my links up and whatnot.
Happy New Year's Eve Eve.Newscomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06314104886871823355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20232261.post-1167451495705848042006-12-29T21:46:00.000-06:002006-12-29T22:29:59.180-06:00"Dancing Around The Body"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/1600/94703/hussein.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/320/646805/hussein.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/12/29/hussein/index.html">It's over. </a>
CNN is reporting the Iraqi government has pictures and videos of Hussein's execution.
They are also saying they will review them to before they determine what they will show us as, the viewer.
I hope not, quite frankly. I think it sets up a really creepy precedent. It's being reported that his executioners danced around his body. Of course no one can be sure what this actually means.
And yet, the debate is about whether or not people need to see this to prove he actually is dead, that it's not a ruse.
Incidentally, this is the picture I usually attribute to Hussein. I don't know why, but it resonates with me because it reeks of so much wasted, evil power. He was a bad man and although that sounds like a naive statement, it really is as simple as that. I don't think his death is going to change anything though. Some folks will be pleased but there most likely will be an upsurge of violence.
Will see what happens long-term.
At this point, I'm just watching it unfold.
UPDATE: Here's a <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/29/business/media/29cnd-netw.html?_r=2&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1167447796-zzc7LwJexVWg9xu9OAbs2w&oref=slogin">link </a>regarding the issues of television footage of the execution of Hussein.Newscomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06314104886871823355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20232261.post-1167448478297431392006-12-29T21:10:00.000-06:002006-12-29T21:14:38.353-06:00Al-Hurra Reporting Hussein Has Been ExecutedMembers of the Arab Media Corp including <a href="http://www.alhurra.com/Index.aspx">Al-Hurra </a>are reporting that Saddam Hussein was executed roughly ten minutes ago. CNN and MSNBC haven't independently confirmed it as of now.
Now, what's going to happen in the streets of Baghdad? That's my question.Newscomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06314104886871823355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20232261.post-1167432294926716362006-12-29T16:17:00.000-06:002006-12-29T16:44:55.050-06:00And Now I Am One ...In celebrating the first year of this blog, I've found myself with little to say. My mind has been filled with a lot of static today.
It's this time of the year, albiet late, that I'm ready to get back to some normalcy. Today, I sat down and watched the news as Pres. Gerald Ford's remains were honored by the country and with a <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16393733/">private service</a> for the family, and the whole "When will it happen?" buzz over <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16389128/">the execution of Saddam Hussien and the Muslim holiday</a> that is to begin tomorrow and how that will impact when he will go to the gallows.
So, today is all about death. having gone through three major funerals in the last four months, the idea of all of this public spectacle is disconcerting to me. When Bear asked if she could watch "Fairly Odd Parents" I readily agreed.
It was just too much on this weird, sort of warm, winter day.
In some ways I've mellowed over the past year since I started this blog. I've allowed myself to become more transparent. My initial thoughts of what I wanted to do here has changed. I really don't know what I was thinking about a year ago.
Now I see it as a journey. I'll stumble, make mistakes and hopefully pick myself back up and keep on walking.
So today, I say thanks for all the things I've received and the wonderful things this blogging thing has given me. I've made some lovely new friends. I've been yelled at a few times too. My integrity has been questioned on a couple of blogs, which sort of tripped me out. But that's okay too.
I sometimes have been too personal. Other times, I've been vague.
And through it all, I've grown.
And that's something.
So I leave you with a pick of my canine kid, Mabel, who is taking a bit of a nap here on Christmas Day. Here's to another year.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/1600/138944/December%2029%20011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/320/72822/December%2029%20011.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
We'll see how it goes.Newscomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06314104886871823355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20232261.post-1167402041016444602006-12-29T07:59:00.000-06:002006-12-29T08:24:44.443-06:00Sharing More Of The DebaucheryMore of me playing around with the new camera as people pose unmercifully at Tammy Lynette's Birthday Bash.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/1600/462459/December%2029%20026.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/320/832818/December%2029%20026.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
Badger (<a href="http://www.cravensworld.wordpress.com">Beth C.</a>) gets a kiss from an old friend. She doesn't really seem to be in the mood for this sweet gesture but that's our Badger. That she allowed this was amazing. I tried to kiss her on the mouth but she said she'd cut me. Why do I always get this reaction with people? I need to work on my skillz.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/1600/607397/December%2029%20021.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/320/355561/December%2029%20021.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.mockingbirdisms.blogspot.com">Writers</a> from the <a href="http://www.batesvilleusa.blogspot.com"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Paper</span></a><a href="http://www.batesvilleusa.blogspot.com">, </a>a hubby in a hat and Cool Daddy John all enjoying an adult beverage.
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/1600/313278/December%2029%20031.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/320/684883/December%2029%20031.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>This is a pic from the old friend in the top picture with his <a href="http://www.mascosonthefarm.blogspot.com">wife</a>, his boss is the cool woman with the short dark hair who is giving the hypno eyes and then the lovely Karami. This pic was posted to also highlight that I had set my Bass down to take this pic.
Evidence of my debauchery.
Did I mention that we had a great time as Tammy Lynette had no idea we were throwing her the party.
I know you guys don't know these folks, but I do.
And I just adore them all.
And being my blog and all on its one year anniversary, I thought I would share some of the folks who make my world very pleasant.
Waiting for the Tylenol to kick in.
Squirrel Queen is nursing me back to health. It might take a week or two but I should live.Newscomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06314104886871823355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20232261.post-1167400639846809102006-12-29T07:35:00.000-06:002006-12-29T07:57:20.286-06:00A Party, And A Really Bad HeadacheWe had a party for Tammy Lynette's 50th Birthday last night. Yeah, my head hurts. Good Lord, we drank so many adult beverages last night that I have been rendered sterile. I guess that's okay as when we got rid of Edna recently, that was sort of a given. Anyway, as I'm playing with the new camera, I decided to post a couple of pics from her bash. She is a dear person, the place was packed, and I even sang for her (my Marilyn Monroe Happy Birthday reendition.) Here are some highlights: <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/1600/88565/December%2029%20030.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/200/754465/December%2029%20030.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Up first, remember Tammy L. will cut you if you don't celebrate her birthday. One of the Powers That Be is watching, ready to jump into action if necessary. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/1600/263153/December%2029%20015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/200/339468/December%2029%20015.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
The tall Power That Be that makes me get all tongue tied stands with a man notorious for making his own Popskull for the masses in Hooterville. I got some for <a href="http://www.thedryspot.blogspot.com">Smiley</a>, but we may have to use it to get the tar off the bottom of my car. I think it works both ways. If you are wondering what Popskull is, all I know is that I think they also make it in prison in the toilet so prisoners can also imbibe with adult beverages. Alas, no Popskull last night. But we did have plenty of Bass. Wait, that was just me.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/1600/494765/December%2029%20020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/200/403647/December%2029%20020.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
Tammy Lynette's son, Chops (yes that is his real name, he's the one in the Stone Temple Pilots shirt) is serenading his mother on her birthday. Chops is the coolest and we all dig him. He has appeared on this blog before after he got inked a few months back. The guy on the guitar is a cop. I don't know his name. He is a cop and a guitar player. He didn't shoot anyone but this morning, I wish he would come on over to Chez Coma and put me out of my misery.
Going to find the Tylenol.Newscomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06314104886871823355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20232261.post-1167305934326114572006-12-28T05:37:00.000-06:002006-12-28T05:38:54.380-06:00Almost A YearTomorrow is my one year anniversary of Newscoma.
Alas, I went back in the archives and <a href="http://newscoma.blogspot.com/2005/12/inaugural-post_29.html">found my first post.</a>
Bizarro World.Newscomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06314104886871823355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20232261.post-1167304776353084302006-12-28T04:45:00.000-06:002006-12-28T05:19:36.486-06:00Union Votes On National Agreement On WednesdayNo Internet for hours yesterday so I couldn't correct my Gerald Ford story that I hacked up yesterday (I had to put it in the comments before Frontier's wireless went down and I couldn't answer e-mails. I've vowed not to write about GOP politics when I was seven ever, ever again. I'm a doofus. Alas, Hooterville had no wireless for what seemed a millennium yesterday and I couldn't clarify.)
It was back this morning. But, I was busy yesterday anyway because the Local 878L met and voted on the tentative agreement that the United Steelworkers and Goodyear had hashed out last week.
I went to the picket line as retirees walked for union members as they had to go vote to get some quotes for my story running today. As "Press and Scabs" weren't allowed at the meeting, we had to do what we could to get some semblance of a story. Yes, the man who spoke yesterday to the union members at Obion County High School, according to my sources, put "Press and Scabs" in the same sentence.
Where the picketers stopped the trucks and cars entering the plant, a member of security pointed his camera at us (evil media) the entire time. For some reason, it really hacked me off that the guy with the camera was following our every move but I didn't have to deal with it everyday like other folks, but it was just weird. Also the guy had on a ski mask that covered his entire face and I couldn't help feeling like I was in some surreal sci-fi movie. I waved and smiled at him although I wanted to throw my reporters notebook at him.
The USW won't say anything. Goodyear won't say anything. It does create some problems of getting accurate information.
But union members did decide to talk to us later in the day and I scrambled. Thanks to one guy who has not been afraid to speak his mind to me, I have in my hot little hands an actual copy of the agreement they voted for.
So there Union and Goodyear.
The changes I see, and I'm no authority about unions, is that Goodyear will close its Tyler plant within the year. I'm also hearing there will be a lot of early retirements (at least here) once they go back to work. Many people weren't happy with the COLA, and health care for the retirees will go into a VEBA account. Goodyear is going to up the money they put into that (around $1 billion.)
The word on the street is the local guys passed this overwhelmingly (street gossip is 68 percent. That is completely unofficial.) but Goodyear and the local hall won't announce this until every union member has voted in the United States and in Canada and the agreement is ratified.
The retirees on the line were interesting. They were optimistic about the vote, but one man I spoke to did say that this basically was just a band-aid and that within the next few years, Goodyear most likely would be moving off shore.
"I just wanted to keep what health care I had," he said. "I can't even vote."
Now the way I understand it (I am no authority on unions), if the contract is ratified this weekend, the workers will probably go back to work sometime in the middle of next week.
Long day. Is it a band-aid long term?
Probably.
Will it bring a sigh of relief for now?
Yes.
Here are a couple of blogs watching the new developments. <a href="http://wwwsecondchance.blogspot.com">Local</a>, the <a href="http://www.goodyearsolidarity.blogspot.com/">blog </a>from the USW, and the <a href="http://www.gkdsolidarityexpress.org/">actual site</a>.Newscomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06314104886871823355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20232261.post-1167225843402349972006-12-27T07:18:00.000-06:002006-12-27T07:25:50.806-06:00The Cool Kid's Club, In Which I'm Not A MemberOkay, wish me luck. I'm going to tackle learning the new camera today. Why it is intimidating me?
I do not know.
I also want to see if I can get it to do the movie thing. Mabel's status as a superstar needs to be documented.
Man, I miss my 35 mm where I had maybe not mastered it, but I could take a good damned picture.
Alas, having the new digital is something I need to learn especially <a href="http://www.freepress.net/conference/=Venue07">if I'm going to Memphis for the Media Reform Conference in two weeks.</a>
I'll never be in the Cool Kids Club.
Where is <a href="http://www.wonderdawg777.blogspot.com">Wonderdawg </a>when you need him for cool camera advice.
Anyway, if you are going to the conference, give me the heads up and we can meet for cocktails or coffee. I have had some issue finding rooms downtown, but I think I have a couple of options in the vicinity.
You see, I feel like I need to go and this is of the good. There is so much to learn.Newscomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06314104886871823355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20232261.post-1167223123966620292006-12-27T06:08:00.000-06:002006-12-27T06:38:44.086-06:00Top Five From HootervilleThe tall one from the Powers That Be and I were talking yesterday about the top news stories of our community over the past year. He suggested I write an overview to document what happened over the year 2006 overall.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/1600/219654/Laird%20Funeral.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 117px; height: 186px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/320/568712/Laird%20Funeral.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
So I did. Took me about an hour along with research so I will share it with you, kind readers.
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Number One : </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://newscoma.blogspot.com/2006/08/human-kindness-does-exist.html">The death of Sgt. Dustin Laird</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span> It was a devastating loss to our community and we had to deal with the not only the death but the remains not being returned to the family for nearly ten days, Westboro Baptist Church showing up, the (much appreciated) presence of the Patriot Guard and a family so devastated they asked us to keep other media away (not something we felt comfortable with, but we did it for Dustin's father.) As we were friends with the family, we tried to be reverent, and in retrospect I think we were. Everyone grieved, people openly cried in restaurants and in public.
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Number Two : </span><a href="http://newscoma.blogspot.com/2006/11/goodyear-update.html">The United Steelworkers/Goodyear Strike.</a>
Completely numbing from an economic standpoint to several counties in northwest Tennessee and Western Kentucky. There was much prejudice against the strikers, Goodyear and the USW were not very forthcoming with information yet would become angry when we had to rely on outside sources for what was going on and we saw a lot of anger.
Lots of anger.
"Scabs" crossed the line, but there wasn't any violence. The tentative agreement these last days of this year brought some cautious hope because there is an underlying tone of whether or not Goodyear will continue to seek going off shore, which would, in many ways destroy this area. The community has become so inmeshed with Goodyear that the area would take a hit. I really don't believe this is over in the long-run.
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Number Three-</span> <a href="http://newscoma.blogspot.com/2006/02/weakley-county-family-given-their-land.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Eminent Domain</span></a>
A family living in Weakley County put up huge signs the size of billboards that said that the local utilities company was going to condemn their property to build a central office. As this is ag country, the local farmer became very political very quick in coming out to assist the family. A local judge ruled in favor of the condemnation, but the board of WCMES met and backed out of the deal. Public opinion was as much a reason for the change of heart as was, I believe, the local election that was sitting on the horizon.
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Number Four</span> - <a href="http://newscoma.blogspot.com/2006/05/22-percent-of-registered-voters.html">New County Mayor</a>
It was a fight. When candidate Houston Patrick won the democratic primary in May, the incumbent, Ron Gifford, came out swinging. As Patrick is in his mid-seventies and a pastor, Gifford said "He was an old man who took a young man's job" and that he "was a preacher that made a deal with the devil." Weakley Countians were not amused and although Gifford said he wasn't running a write-in campaign in August, he sort of did. Gifford did not have a computer or a cell phone and called himself a confederate democrat (or something a long those lines). His stubborness and the name-calling assure Patrick an easy second win in August.
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Number Five -</span> Two sports teams bring the community together
Nope, The Greenfield Girls Basketball Team and UT Martin Skyhawks Football Team didn't win in their playoff situations, but they were inspiring because it had been nearly two decades since the Skyhawks (formerly Pacers) had even been to the show and the girls team wasn't supposed to hit Murfreesboro at all, but did. Sports and a small newspaper are very, very big deals. This is more of Squirrely's area.
So there you go. Small town news at its finest.Newscomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06314104886871823355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20232261.post-1167196483479863172006-12-26T23:03:00.000-06:002006-12-27T06:55:21.930-06:00Breaking: Gerald Ford Dies at 93<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/1600/110142/ford.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/320/36178/ford.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
Former First Lady Betty Ford <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061227/ap_on_re_us/obit_ford">just reported on CNN that her husband</a>, President Gerald Ford has died at 93 years old.
<blockquote>Ford had battled pneumonia in January 2006 and underwent two heart treatments — including an angioplasty — in August at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.</blockquote>
He apparently never recovered from the recent health issues he went through. The vice-president, under the turmultous years under Richard Nixon, took the office reluctantly after Nixon resigned from office after Watergate. What makes Ford interesting is that when he ran in 1972, he had never run for a national office before.
Squeaky Fromme tried to kill him as well as another woman whose name escapes me during his brief time as president.
He only spent 865 days in office. I was 12 years old when Jimmy Carter defeated him.
My memories of Ford are limited. If my memory serves me right, he was a different kind of Republican in a different time who would most likely be considered a moderate in this day and age.
Ford died at his home earlier this evening.
<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">UPDATE:</span> I should have looked it up on the handy dandy Wikipedia before I posted last night and two very fine people showed me the way on where I messed up on this post. First of all, Ford ran in 1976. My intent was to say that he ran in '72 as vice president but I flubbed it. He did defeat Reagan in '76 in the primary (thanks Desi and Sharon). Also he was a member of congress for a multitude of years. I guess my eight to ten year old brain didn't retain all the info. So, as we would do in the newspaper world, here is my clarification. Want to get it right.</span>
<div style="text-align: right;">Photo credited <a href="http://www.newsday.com/media/photo/2005-12/20948689.jpg">here</a>.
</div>Newscomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06314104886871823355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20232261.post-1167184292312393172006-12-26T19:43:00.000-06:002006-12-26T19:51:32.376-06:00"From tomorrow, any day could be the day."3o Days.
<a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061227/ap_on_re_mi_ea/saddam_s_sentence">It could happen at any time.</a>
<p></p><blockquote><p>The sentence has already stoked Iraq's sectarian rage, with the Shiite majority demanding Saddam's death and his fellow Sunni Arabs calling the trial tainted.</p> <p>"From tomorrow, any day could be the day" Saddam is sent to the gallows, the chief judge said. Saddam was condemned to death for his role in the execution of 148 Shiite Muslims from the small northern town of Dujail, after a 1982 assassination attempt.</p> <p>The decision came on a particularly bloody day in Baghdad, where at least 54 Iraqis died in bombings and police discovered 49 apparent victims of sectarian reprisal killings. Separately, the U.S. military announced the deaths of seven American soldiers.</p></blockquote><p></p><p>And the clock starts ticking.
</p>Newscomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06314104886871823355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20232261.post-1167179662174608622006-12-26T18:26:00.000-06:002006-12-26T18:34:22.230-06:00Goodyear Stock Up, And Local Meeting TomorrowGoodyear workers in Union City will be meeting tomorrow afternoon (we initally thought it was Thursday, but it's actually set for the 27th) at a huge high school gymnasium in Troy, Tenn at 1 p.m.
This afternoon, I was out and about and my cell phone rang off the hook asking me if I would be there.
The answer is no.
Only members are invited for an informational session. I'm still unclear if they will vote as no one is really saying, but the other reason the phone has been ringing is what will happen to the guys who crossed the picket line.
I do not know the answer to this question either, but I should know more by tomorrow afternoon.
What I do know is this from an <a href="http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/T/TN_GOODYEAR_STEELWORKERS_TNOL-?SITE=TNJAC&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT">AP story</a> from this afternoon.
<blockquote>Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. shares rose Tuesday above a one-year high in the stock market's initial reaction to the company's tentative agreement with the United Steelworkers, a deal that may end a strike that began nearly three months ago. <p class="ap-story-p">Goodyear shares rose 40 cents, or 2 percent, to $20.12 by the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange. The Goodyear shares had traded within a 52-week range of $9.75 to $19.75.</p></blockquote><p class="ap-story-p"></p><p class="ap-story-p">I can tell you the emotional impact. There is a tense relief among many of the union workers I've spoken to as well as some of the local businesses who are have also weathered this economic storm on our community.</p><p class="ap-story-p">That, my friends, I do now. We will see.
</p>Newscomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06314104886871823355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20232261.post-1167170803366590952006-12-26T16:02:00.000-06:002006-12-26T16:06:43.426-06:00At Any AgeOh <a href="http://shauna.opishposh.com/?p=366">how true,</a> even at 41 years old.
<blockquote>I’m 27 years old, and it still feels a little strange being on the adult side of the Christmas dance. It’s like being the woman sawed in half instead of watching the magician from a front row seat. The magic is still there, but I’m viewing it from a completely different angle.</blockquote>
And yes, I get it. Both sides. Being the adult, and watching the scene at Christmas unfold in front of me.
The nieces were what is important as the presents slowly came from beneath the tree, still reeling from watching "It's A Wonderful Life" from the night before.
Of course, as they get older they ask things like "Tick, how much did this cost?"
*sigh*
But it was still great.
Better than great actually to just see their beautiful faces as they opened their gifts, their eyes sparkling, their mother smiling sweetly and we realized that there are special times such as these.Newscomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06314104886871823355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20232261.post-1167132372313409732006-12-26T05:21:00.000-06:002006-12-26T05:26:12.400-06:00More On The Goodyear/USW Tentative AgreementNews from Goodyear. Much of this has been compiled from press releases but I think it shows that there is a great deal of optimism in the air. This is the unedited version of what we will run in today's paper,
<blockquote>Although the picket line surrounding the massive Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company plant didn't stop on Christmas Day in Union City, union workers who've been on strike since Oct. 5 had a little bit more to be optimistic about after an 11-week strike appeared to be headed into the new year.
Late Friday, word trickled down to Union City and surrounding areas that a tentative agreement had been determined during negotiations in Pittsburg, which buzzed throughout the area during the holiday weekend. The United Steelworkers (USW), which represents over 12,000 active union workers in the United States, tentatively agreed Friday to a contract that would end the strike over health care benefits and Goodyear's plan to close a tire factory in Texas.
According to the USW's website, gkdsolidarityexpress.org, the two factions reached the tentative agreement on a new three year contract that the union said “secures retiree health care benefits and dramatically increases Goodyear’s investments in union facilities.”
“This agreement validates the solidarity of our members and their families, who wouldn’t allow the company to walk away from obligations earned through a lifetime of hard work and loyalty,” said USW President Leo W. Gerard in a press release.
“We owe a debt of gratitude,” he added, “to the entire labor and activist communities, which rose with unprecedented solidarity to challenge Goodyear’s assault on our members.”
“By securing solid medical and drug benefits for current members and retirees in the midst of today’s health care crisis,” said Thomas Conway, USW Vice President and the Chair of the union’s Goodyear negotiations, “our bargaining committee was able to drive the proverbial wolf away from the door for tens of thousands of retirees and thousands more workers who are nearing retirement.”
The Tentative Agreement was endorsed by the USW’s Goodyear Policy Committee, made up of local union leaders from the company’s master contract facilities throughout the U.S. Members at these locations will vote at ratification meetings in their communities on December 28. Although details of the tentative agreement will not be released until USW members at Goodyear have voted in a ratification election scheduled for next week, the union said that the agreement addresses three crucial areas of concern by:
* Establishing an innovative company-financed trust of more than $1 billion that will secure medical and prescription drug benefits for current and future retirees;
* Enhancing the ability of USW-represented plants to meet the challenges of global competition by having Goodyear triple its capital investments to at least $550 million in those plants; and,
* Maintaining affordable, high quality medical and prescription drug coverage for active members and retirees.
In addition, the tentative agreement requires Goodyear to rescind its demand for immediate closure of its Tyler, Texas plant, and instead provides for a one-year period of transition during which workers will have the opportunity to take advantage of sizeable retirement buyouts. The Tyler plant came out of the 2003 negotiation as the one unprotected facility, but despite determined efforts by international and local union leaders and strong support from the community, plant security could not be won beyond the end of 2007.
“Though we’re not entirely happy with the outcome at Tyler,” Conway said, “we were able to ensure that as long as Goodyear stays in the market for the tires built at Tyler, those tires will have to be produced at USW-represented plants in the U.S. The company simply won’t be able to outsource that work or service this market segment with imports from China or anywhere other than a USW facility.” “What we achieved would never have been possible if we hadn’t struck,” said Ron Hoover, USW Executive Vice President.
Negotiations between the USW and Goodyear began in June of this year. With a contract expiration date of July 22, 2006 approaching, a day-to-day extension agreement was reached that gave both parties the option of terminating the agreement upon delivering 72-hour notice. Lack of progress in bargaining talks forced the USW to deliver notice on October 2 and 15,000 USW members in 16 plants throughout North America struck on October 5.
The ratification vote will be taken following informational meetings at each location. A majority of the majority principle applies meaning that a majority of the locals as well as a majority of the overall membership must vote to accept the Tentative Agreement as the new contract.
The USW represents more than 850,000 members in the U.S. and Canada. Some 70,000 are employed in the tire, rubber and plastics industry.</blockquote>
This is a good sign and not completely unexpected although none of us really thought this would happen until January. As of now, the local union will meet on Thursday (subject to change) for an informational meeting and then the possibility of a vote.Newscomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06314104886871823355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20232261.post-1167098342439646312006-12-25T19:50:00.000-06:002006-12-25T19:59:02.570-06:00"I'm Going Away Tonight."<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/1600/976387/james_brown.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 146px; height: 159px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/320/290527/james_brown.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
I think the <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/Music/12/25/obit.brown/index.html">last words</a> of James Brown are interesting
<p></p><blockquote><p>Brown died early Monday at Atlanta's Emory Crawford Long Hospital of congestive heart failure, his agent said. He was 73.</p><p>"The most difficult thing is for me to stand here without him. We were a team," Charles Bobbit, Brown's personal manager, told reporters Monday. </p><p>Pausing to fight back tears, Bobbit said he was at Brown's bedside when he died.</p><p>Brown told him, "I'm going away tonight." </p><p>Then he took three long, quiet breaths, and closed his eyes, Bobbit said.</p></blockquote><p></p>
Brown probably fought a lot more battles than we will ever know. He was human, made some <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Brown#Later_years_and_death">huge mistakes</a> but taught white folks like my momma (who was a female, white girl singer herself back in the early sixties who loved soul music and the blues and sang it herself, thank you very much) that it was okay for music to make you feel all sexy and feral.
Sexy and feral is not a bad thing.
And, that my friends, was pretty damned cool.Newscomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06314104886871823355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20232261.post-1167091691334813682006-12-25T17:34:00.001-06:002006-12-25T18:08:11.536-06:00A Lovely ChristmasSo, it's Christmas night.
Awesome Eve and following day. Absolutely so lovely that it was exquiste and probably the best Christmas since my mother died.
I received more than I deserve, including two of Bruce Campbell's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/If_Chins_Could_Kill:_Confessions_of_a_B_Movie_Actor">books</a>, some clothes (much needed. Homer and Squirrel Queen come through again) and a digital camera that Squirrel Queen is going to have to show me how to use (it even makes little movies apparently.)
I learned on a 35 mm/Black and White. I've got some learning to do.
Yeah, let us remember I'm 41 years old. It takes me a bit of time, but the camera is a pretty good one and I'm just thrilled to have it. Gotta do some reading in the manual, but those Bruce Campbell books look so appealing to pick up first.
The most lovely little items were the things I least expected. My father (now known as Big Daddy and his wife, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hello_Nurse_%28Animaniacs%29">Hello Nurse (from Animaniacs) b</a>ought me a small antique Royal Typewriter key with the Mad Hatter inside of it. I LOVE Alice in Wonderland (Collected Alice stuff for years) and it was a sweet, lovely present that I've touched tentatively all day with such sweet wonder I can't believe I actually have it in a necklace around my neck. This, and the awe-inspiring poem <a href="http://thedryspot.blogspot.com/2006/12/12-days-of-blogger-christmas-day-12.html">here </a>were magnificent sentiments of friendship and hope.
Squirrel Queen also gave me a Bigfoot. Pictures are forthcoming as soon as I figure out the camera and even Big Daddy laughed over the Bigfoot, which has a stamp pad where it makes Bigfoot prints when you step it around on paper. There was even a Weekly World News in the box with it.
Hello Nurse and I bought each other the same gift. It was small and delicious and just wonderful. I feel so good about it that she and my father now have blogger nicknames. It was so appropriately delightful and relieving to know that things are going to be okay.
The best present was spending part of two days with Big Daddy, who gave out Christmas cards with our blog names on them. Even the nieces blog names were written on the envelopes along with Squirrel Queen, Homer, Squeegee Monkey and, delightfully, newscoma.
*sigh*
The healing has begun and it was wonderful. So wonderful that I can hardly breath.
Sadness filled the air at SQ's family's house. The grief of losing two loved ones in such a short period of time sat like dense fog on the Christmas activites.
It'll will heal within the luxury of time. We will heal her, but now she needs time to remember and grieve.
We actually went on our annual trek to church (it didn't fall in) and SQ cried as Christmas carols were sung, reminding her of her grandmother who had died two weeks earlier because she went to church everytime the doors opened. She cried softly, and sadly later in the service, I fumed, not at her but at the pastor's reading of this thing about pacifists and liberals and gays that sounded like one of those forwarded e-mails people send to each other but, TO HIS CREDIT, his sermon on the historical activities aligned with the Nativity were really good. I will give credit where it's due. I don't think he thought anything other than what he was reading was cute (I did not) but I believe that it is little stuff like this that causes bigger problems.
I'll need some time before I go back.
Little did he know his guests. And this was the church I was born and raised in. It's not terrible, but it just hit me wrong. But everything else was fantastic.
So, it was a lovely Christmas.
I'm one happy camper.Newscomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06314104886871823355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20232261.post-1166990876986083102006-12-24T14:01:00.000-06:002006-12-24T14:12:11.126-06:00Merry Christmas To All Of You, By GawdMerry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
In homage to Bill Watterson from <a href="http://theindependentvoice.tripod.com/theindependentvoice/calvin-and-hobbes-terrorist-will-win-christmas.gif">The Independent Voice</a>.
We miss you, Bill.
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/1600/498225/calvin-and-hobbes-terrorist-will-win-christmas.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/400/212092/calvin-and-hobbes-terrorist-will-win-christmas.png" alt="" border="0" /></a>
And I would be remiss not to mention this:
Happy Festivus, <a href="http://www.squirrelsonsnark.blogspot.com">Squirrel Girl</a>.
You are well-loved by all of us.
OOO
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/1600/759461/xmas_squrrel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/400/37565/xmas_squrrel.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Newscomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06314104886871823355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20232261.post-1166968591457228262006-12-24T06:43:00.000-06:002006-12-24T07:56:31.670-06:00Annoying Autobiographical Pause #789<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/1600/463313/Christmas%20Card%202004%20Girl%20with%20Holly.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 211px; height: 276px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4515/1729/320/942374/Christmas%20Card%202004%20Girl%20with%20Holly.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Christmas Eve is the day that my family always gets together to celebrate each other. I think because my mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer just a few days before the holiday back in 1996, we took a hit of Christmas spirit that has never been properly replaced.
You will never know how much my sister and I loved her and that we still grieve to this day. Pounding, toxic grief that will leave for awhile and then come back with a vengeance so exquisitely painful that it knocks our breath out.
I lost some of that 'loving' feeling when she died 14 months later on a cold February afternoon. I watched her take her last breath, her death not the pretty lies shown in the movies.
She died hard.
Over the years, I let that spirit of Christmas slip away. I blamed everyone for my grief and it turned into resentment and anger. I became petty.
I became, quite frankly, a person I didn't like very much.
This Christmas, I'm trying to repair fences with my father as I hurt his feelings. When I wrote things on this blog, I was in an estranged sort of place with him. I was angry at the woman he married because she hurt my feelings more than once. She has a biting tongue, but the thing I forgot is that she wasn't acting out of character, and half the stuff she said she just said, but I put more weight into it than I should. I was so excited for him when they got married and actually was partly responsible for them meeting, but I felt like she was treating my sister and I like we were guests in his life and I don't want to be a guest in my father's life.
I want to be his daughter.
This again was my perception. I'm not blaming here her. I'm blaming the situation.
My estrangment caused many of the problems. It was my issues not theirs, and for this, in the early hours of Christmas Eve, is my one biggest regret over the past two years.
The closeness that my father and I used to share was severed, first by his new relationship and then by my sense of abandonment and me acting petty and taking a butcher knife to our ties with each other. I found that my dad, who had always told us stuff, was now keeping what I perceived as "secrets" which really hurt my feelings and this is where I got into "I'm Done" mode.
I also am concerned about my father's loss of hearing. I used to think he wasn't listening, but now in sad retrospect, I realize he can't hear. I wish he would use his hearing aid, but it really bothers him so I can't ask him to do something that is uncomfortable for him. I have no idea how it feels to go through this. Here is a man who loves music so much to have in small, uncomfortable ways that have snuck up on him so elusively to lose a sense that has given him so much joy.
Why do I bring this up?
Because I'm trying to be a better person. Being human, I've made mistakes. Huge ones, but on the other hand I was reacting to my emotions at the time.
He's trying. I'm trying. It's the best we both can do.
Some things won't be repaired on both sides, I'm sure. But forgiveness is what Christmas is about. And if anything were to happen to him, I would be devastated because I love him so very much.
So we will see how this goes. So to my father and to his wife, I'll give it a shot, walk away when it hurts and revel in the joy when it works.
And this year, this is my Christmas.
Because I miss my father.Newscomahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06314104886871823355noreply@blogger.com0