Schadendfruede

David Wildstein, New Jersey governor Chris Christie's bud, was in the cross hairs yesterday before a panel of New Jersey legislators yesterday seeking to find the reason for the Ft. Lee/George Washington Bridge traffic jam scandal.  

Wildstein with his lawyer appearing before the New Jersey legislators yesterday

I have to tell you folks folks I'm experiencing schadenfruede (a German word for "pleasure derived from the misfortune of others.")  It's rare than a troll like Wildstein is dragged out from his dank and stinking normal habitat underneath his rock and exposed to all for the parasitic, evil monster that he is at his core.  

Wildstein, whose main objective at his governor appointed job at the Port Authority seems to be to implement paybacks to those who didn't buckle under to the Christie bully and intimidation, pleaded the Fifth.  Anybody surprised?  I'm not.  When these repugnant slime balls get caught, they either claim "I don't recall" as the Master Troll Karl Rove has done on numerous occasions.

This is what really bothers me about cretins like Wildstein and Rove, they collect these massive salaries ($150,000 for Wildstein) and do nothing productive.  They are destructive.  Their only goal is to acquire more power for their masters.  They work behind the scenes, further degrading the American way of life for their own selfish aggrandizement of power and control. 

Thus, when one of these reptilian creatures is caught, I am enjoying seeing them squirm. Alas, my schadenfruede is only temporary because these troglodytes, once the spot light is off of them, always end up with lots of money and a cushy lifestyle while the rest of us (honest and trustworthy and not evil) try to make ends meet while trying to fend off this evil in all aspects of our daily lives. 

I try to avoid posting negative posts like this folks but sometimes my rage needs an outlet.  This is one of those times.  Back to the nice stuff tomorrow…..maybe.  In the meantime, watch your back because there are more "Wildsteins" out there working right now to undermine the good that is done by so many people.

Bully, Thug, Liar

Two Bullies, thugs and liars - Chris Christy on the left and Mitt Romney on the right - peas in a pod

Normally I try to stay away from writing about politics on my blog but sometimes I just have to give in to a story that I can't push out of my mind.

I'm sure you all know about New Jersey governor Chris Christy.  You know, the Great White Hope of the rapidly self-destructing Republican Party.  Chris Christy, Mr. Up Front Tell it Like It Is.  

Well folks, from recent events it seems like Governor Christy is a bully.  He's a thug.  He's a liar.  Gee, who would've ever of thunk?  

It appears from the smoking gun e-mails from Chris Christie's office yesterday that his office order the lane closings of traffic from Ft. Lee, New Jersey in September because the Democratic mayor of Ft. Lee refused to endorse Christie for his re-election.  This on the George Washington bridge, the BUSIEST BRIDGE IN THE WORLD.

Ft. Lee New Jersey lane closings - New Jersey politics at it's best/worst - punish the folks - the Republican mantra these days

When I first heard this story on the "Rachel Maddow Show" I didn't believe it.  I rather liked Chris Christy even though he seemed a bit of a bully to me.  At least he seemed honest and straightforward in this day of weasel politicians.  His approach was refreshing.  However, I thought that if he was responsible for this act of political retribution, I knew he was done as a national political candidate for the presidency.  Oh no, we can't have someone who would put people's lives at risk for a cheap political retribution.  I just couldn't believe it.

"Really" Chris, I hardly knew ye. 

This reminds me of Nixon and the Watergate scandal.  I remember when I first heard that story I couldn't believe it either.  This was in Previous Life when I was a staunch conservative Republican.  I.Just.Could.Not.Believe.It.  Then the smoking guy (the White House tapes) came out and I was forced to confront the truth….Nixon was a lowlife crook.  Now this is what I am believing about Chris Christy.  

Bully, Thug, Liar

So Mr. Up Front hides out yesterday, refusing public appearances.  GUILTY!  He says "He didn't know what was going on in his office."  LIAR!

The best Chris Christy can do now is at least have the balls that former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey and have a public press conference in which he apologizes to the people of New Jersey and then resign. Former Governor James McGreevey, who put his unqualified boyfriend on the state payroll as homeland security head, resigned in disgrace because he was a "gay American."  Christie put people's lives at risk by his foolish act of political retribution.  

You know what really galls me though?  That Christie put his high school buddy David Wildstein in a specially created post at the Port Authority at $150k a year.  Wildstein was the person who ordered the lanes to Ft. Lee closed.  

David Wildstein - 150K a year Christie buddy for political dirty tricks

Really?  Governor Christie?  This is how you spend the taxpayer's money in New Jersey and you want to be president of the United States?  

Stick a fork in him folks, he's done. You read it here folks.

You know folks, Christie's actions say something about today's Republican party in general.  No longer do we have the Republican Party that I grew up with.  The Republican Party that believed in individualism and free enterprise.  Now we have a Republican Party that is all about meanness, political retribution, and destruction.  Cut the taxes for the rich (like they don't already have enough money), drag the country into unnecessary wars to prove their machismo (Bush, Jr. and his testosterone issue), the war on women, and disenfranchisement of voters.  Yes folks, this is not your father's Republican Party and Chris Christie by his total ignorance of what he (or his office) did and his total arrogance that he thought he could get away with it.  Sort of reminds me of another Republican politician who thought he could bully and lie his way through his criminal acts.

Richard "I am not a crook!" Nixon and his Final Exit from the national scene.  Good riddance.  

Daddy Long Legs

There are no short legs in the Tipton men of my family.  We have average to long legs, no shorties.  

I'm 6'4" (or was before I shrunk).  My younger brothers are taller than I am at 6'5" and 6'6".  All of my Tipton uncles were all over 6 feet.  

My father Isaac was the tallest Tipton brother at 6"5" (he is in the back row on the right)

Growing up, I was 6 foot before I entered high school (middle school now).  I was always embarrassed by my height, feeling like the ugly duckling among my short legged classmates.  

I remember asking my Mother "why am I so tall?" She told me "You inherited that gene from your grandmother."  The grandmother she was referring to was my father's mother, Hester Lewis.  

My paternal grandmother Hester Lewis Tipton with 10 of her 11 sons - May 1939

I don't remember my grandmother.  She died in 1944, when I was only two years old.  My memory doesn't go back that far.

Hester Lewis Tipton on her wedding day July 18, 1908

All that I heard about my grandmother was that she chewed tobacco and had an Indian in her ancestry.  

When I discovered Ancestry.com I began my search for that Indian in her ancestry.  I found the Indian.  Her name was "Indian P. Keziah" and she was my 5th great grandmother and Hester's 3rd great grandmother.  

Thus, I was able to bring fact to a family legend.  Yes, we have an Indian ancestor but very distant.  "Indian Keziah" was born in 1770 and was married to my 5th great grandfather John Hughes. 

Last night, while I was updating my family tree I had a pleasant surprise.  One of my fellow genealogy chroniclers had posted a photo of my 2nd great grandfather, Sidney Erwin Hughes.

Guess what?  I found the source of the Tipton men's long legs!  

Sidney Erwin Hughes with his wife Nancy Miller circa 1880 North Carolina

Now folks them are some long legs!  Mystery solved.  

My hubby Bill told me that one of the first things that attracted him to me was my long legs.  

Me, August 1986

That's right folks, it wasn't my scintillating wit or my drop dead good looks that attracted Bill but my LONG LEGS.  Wow.  Oh well, whatever it takes to lure that man.

Here I am on on of those mountain tops in North Carolina researching my family roots - 1994

As ashamed as I was to have those long legs and height when I was young, these days I'm proud of my long legs and height.  Given a choice I would much rather be a "Daddy Long Legs" than one of these short, stubby legged guys.

Me with a typical short legged hillbilly during our 2010 trip south to research my family roots.  

Before I started to shrink, my inseam was 36 inches (it's now 34 inches).  Just to give you some perspective, I am the same height as that doofus Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, 6'4".  However his inseam is 32" compared to my 36".  He's all torso (great for swimming obviously) while I'm all legs.  

Phelps on the right

Folks, I love researching my history and discovering fascinating facts like this.  And I am especially glad that I don't have to go through life with short legs.  

FaceTime

Talking to my friend "Lar" on FaceTime

One of the many pleasures of switching over to an Apple computer, after years of frustration and expense with Windows based computers is the use of FaceTime.  Oh sure, I know about Skype.  Skype sucks.  I used it and I found it difficult to navigate, cloudy images and all too frequently invaded by big breasted Russian escorts soliciting me for their services.  WTF?  I'm on Skype and all of a sudden I see cleavage from some woman who I don't know?  

An image not welcomed on my computer (not that there is anything wrong with boobs)

A few years ago I finally gave into the entreaties of my friend Larry and another friend and switched to Apple products after my new Dell computer crashed, the third Dell computer I had to crash.  Enough was enough.  Even though my Apple computer cost more up front, I haven't been putting out ANY money for bringing in my Computer Guy to figure out the latest freeze on my Windows based computer.  

Shortly after I set up my iMac a friend suggested that I try FaceTime.  I was reluctant because I didn't want to be bombarded with Russian cleavage again. My friend assured me this wouldn't happen with an Apple computer.  

Reluctantly I downloaded FaceTime.  Guess what?  It was easy (as are all Apple products and functions) and NO UNWANTED BOOBS.  As a matter of fact, my life is enriched by FaceTime.  Now I can stay in touch with good friends like Lar, Dr. Spo, the Cajun and Pat.  I love it!  

Pat making a point on FaceTime

Who says the Digital Age contributes to being out of touch with our friends?  I say functions like FaceTime increase our communications and staying in touch with friends.  

Bloggerpalooza Update!

Marshall Manlove - Stage Hypnotist

Only 70 more days to Bloggerpalooza on March 15th!  

Yesterday I finalized our entertainment for this year's Bloggerpalooza.  We're having a comedy hypnosis show by Marshall Manlove. 

Ah yes, you've taken special notice to his surname "Manlove."  Just a happy coincidence folks, Marshall is straight but I have made him aware that our audience at the Bloggerpalooza is predominately gay.  He says he has "no problem" with that.  We're not talking "Duck Dynasty" here folks. 

I wanted to spring a surprise on you folks who will be attending the Bloggerpalooza but talking to Marshall yesterday, he suggested that I make everyone aware that he will be there performing his stage hypnosis show with volunteers from the audience (that would be US folks).  

Now as is true in any group of folks, not everyone will be in agreement with my choice of entertainment so let me assure everyone that you can choose to attend Marshall's show after the buffet dinner on Saturday night, March 15th, or not to attend.  There will be no charge for attending.

The charges will be the same as last year, $25.00 per person for the buffet dinner, this year prepared by Gary Papp of the Essential Chef. Gary and his wife Lorraine have catered many events at the Inn and I can assure you from first hand experience (I've eaten his leftovers), Gary and Lorraine's food is excellent!

Gary Papp, The Essential Chef

We can thank our Toronto friend Pat for the idea to use a stage hypnotist for our event.  Pat has seen several hypnotist comedy shows and can attest they are jolly good fun, especially with a group like ours.  When I was in the Army stationed at Ft. Devens, one of my fellow soldiers, Art Wall, used to perform informal hypnotist comedy in our barracks.  They were so much fun.  


I've always been fascinated by hypnosis even though I was never able to be hypnotized myself.  But you know folks, I'm willing to try this time.  I think the reason I couldn't "go under" back then in the spring of 1960 because I was at the Army Security Agency training school and had a security clearance.  Back in those bad old days where being gay ("homosexual" back then) was grounds for losing your clearance and being kicked out of the Army.  I was always afraid is I was "under" I would reveal my true nature……I was attracted to men!

Me (left) with my buddies Bill Allen and Dick Egan at Ft. Devens April 1960

But I digress.  Notice I always tend to make my blog postings about myself.  So narcissistic I am.  Oh well.  Back to our regular programming.

Folks, we're having a comedy hypnosis show at our Bloggerpalooza this year.  Be forewarned!

Below is a typical hypnotist comedy routine.  I couldn't provide a short video of Marshall Manlove but I can provide this one from Marc Savard's show in Las Vegas.  Marc, the hypnotist planted the suggestion that every time the song "Take My Breath Away" from the movie "Top Gun", these two very straight guys would get up and dirty dance.  I can't guarantee we'll provide a routine like this at our Bloggerpalooza event but we'll certainly try.  Say, plant a suggestion that Sassy Bear and Anne Marie would get up and dirty dance each time "Take My Breath Away" played.  Just an idea folks!

SNOW!

Me this morning, two steps outside our garage door in the 19 degree temps - there must be at least TWO inches of snow on the ground!  Good thing I stocked up on bread and milk yesterday!

Holy smokes!  When I left work last night at 11:06 PM it was snowing!  WHAT?  And here I've been lording it all over my friends in upstate Delaware (that would be you Lar) and Pennsylvania (that would be you Bill B.) that we NEVER get snow here in LSD (Lower Slower Delaware).  Folks, last night that bragging right ended for me. 

Well, let me tell you, driving home last night was no picnic.  This is the first time in my ENTIRE life that I've driven in a blizzard.  Always in the past Bill would pick me up in his '81 Jeep Cherokee but we left his vehicle go last year when it opened a money pit of repairs.  Folks, when I ventured out in that horizontal, big wet snowflakes, I had to put on my Big Boy Pants.  

The view of Pilottown Road lat night when I went out to my car.  Not a whole lot of traffic. Checkout the "sideways" snow a blowing.

I get to my car, "beep-beep!" open the door with my remote control, and then look for the snow/ice scrapper.  The temperature was about 35 degrees, thank goodness no ice.  Now where was that scrapper?  Ah, I found it!  I scrap the snow off of my driver's windows and get in my car.  Turn on the ignition and back out of the parking lot.  Any cars coming?  Nope.  Only Chuck, our maintenance guy in the other parking lot spreading rock salt, yelling to me "Be careful Ron! Those roads are pretty bad!"  Thanks Chuck!  I needed that encouragement, lace panties that I am driving in the snow.  

So I back out and begin my slow journey home.  I'm only about four miles from Casa Tipton-Kelly.  Normally I'm home in about fifteen minutes.  Last night?  Forty minutes.  Oh yeah.  Slow going all the way.  

I go down Pilottown Road a mile or so, then turn left on New Road.  Normally I don't see any cars at that time of night.  Wouldn't you know it last night I encountered FIVE cars coming at me.  WTF?  Then I couldn't see the road.  I was afraid of driving off the road into a ditch then I really would be a Damsel in Distress. 

Half way down the road I noticed I really COULDN'T see the road ahead of me, even through the blinding, horizontal snow.  I stopped my car in the middle of the road (yes I did).  Got out in the horizontal show which was beating against my weathered, 72 year old face.  Checked my headlights to see if they were on….they were but covered with snow.  I immediately assessed the situation and wiped the caked snow off of my headlights. Viola!  Lights ahead of me again.

Back to my car, covered in heavy wet snow now (my car seat upholstery - I hope this is clean snow and won't leave watermarks) and resume my slow crawl home.  

Finally, after what seems like a really long time, I arrive at the end of New Road where it turns onto Rt. 1 north, the last leg of my ride home from work.  Home to Alaska!  

Thank God there were no other cars out on Rt. 1 as I made my right turn to merge into traffic where there was no traffic.  But where is the road?  Another "WTF?" moment.  WHERE IS THE ROAD?  Now I'm to a religious guy except when I'm in a scary situation like this.  So I started to pray.  "Please God, let me find this road so I can get the f_ck home."  My God doesn't mind a little cultural vernacular from me when I'm making an emphatic point.  

I had another good two miles to go.  Still no vehicles going north of south on Rt. 1.  Was I the only fool out here?  I had visions of missing the road and getting stuck in a ditch.  We have a LOT of ditches here in LSD (Lower Slower Delaware). Flat land, drain offs.  

A couple of times I heard the "BRRRRR!  BRRRRRR! which indicated to me that I was at the edge of the road.  That is the sound made when you fall asleep at the wheel and your car tires run over the side of the road that has those treads imbedded in it to wake up nodding off drivers.  Thank God!  Yes, "Thank you God".  I did have a momentary vision of my red Subaru Forester being discovered int the bright sunlight the following morning, stuck in the snow off the side of the road with my cold, stiff, OLD body behind the wheel.  The rescue folks who would discover my frozen body would wonder "Who was this fool who was out driving around in this blizzard?"  Well folks, I'm glad to say I got another stay of demise, I made it home.  And again,  with my newly found religion I said "Thank God!" when I drove my snow ladened car into my driveway.  Home, safe and sound.  

Bill was waiting for me, worried almost to a frazzle; poor Bill.  He was relieved that I was home and said "This is good for you because when I'm no longer around (Bill is 85) you're going to have to learn how to drive in weather like this."  Ah, so true, so true.  

Now I was home.  I could have stayed at the hotel. One of the advantages of working at a hotel, if you're snowed in you have a place to stay.  I really didn't want to stay at the hotel though.  I have a very comfortable home and I wanted to sleep in my own bed, not a bed that hundreds of who knows who slept in.  Besides, I didn't want to be stuck at the hotel the next day or so. That happened once when I worked at the Hampton Inn in Lionville, Pennsylvania.  I was stuck there for three days, literally.  It had rained all day then the temperatures dropped and everything, including my red Forester (an earlier model) was literally frozen to the ground. I.could.not.move.my.car.  

I live at that hotel (in the same underwear)

for three straight days.  I ate hotel breakfast food and whatever else was in the kitchen.  I lived and breathed that hotel for three days.  Hey folks, I like hotel work but I don't want to live there.  I felt so liberated when the temperatures finally warmed up and I could break free of my ice prison.  

When I woke up this morning I was exhausted.  My whole body ached.  Wow.  And I didn't even shovel any snow.  Must have been all that anxiety. But here I am folks, at Casa Tipton-Kelly telling you all about my adventures.  And here I stay for the next three or more days.  I don't have to go back to work until next Wednesday.  Hopefully all this white stuff will be gone by then.  

The view from our garage this norming at sunrise - must be at least two inches of snow on the ground.

Ah yes indeed.  Every day is an adventure and I love it!  Beats the alternative.

The view from our back deck this morning

Happy New Year 2014!

Happy 2014!

We made it folks!  If you're reading this you're alive as I am.  Well, sort of.  I woke up this morning with a terrific headache and aching all over.  No, I wasn't out last night celebrating the new year.  Actually, I had to work at the hotel yesterday.  My boss called me and asked if I could come in because my co-worker was nowhere to be found.  Ron to the Rescue.  I didn't mind though.  

Yes, I "celebrated" New Year's at the hotel as I do every year. I thought this year would be the exception but it wasn't and I wasn't surprised.  The hotel was almost full last night but all the guests were in good spirits and posed no problems other than the usual "how do I get this TV to work?"  None of that "Where's the ocean view?" and "I want a different room because I'm looking at a building out of my window."  

DAMN!  They did it!  They dug up Dick Clark!

My shift ended at 11:00 pm and I was home by 11:20, in time to change, make a smoothie and watch to see if "Rocking New Year's Eve" brought out Dick Clark's corpses (it was in his will) to bring in the new year.  They didn't.  On CNN Kathy Griffin (who I actually like) was making her lame jokes with Late to the Gay Outing Party Anderson Cooper.  I tuned in just as Anderson was begging Kathy to take off the handcuffs before the ball dropped in Times Square.  What did I miss?  Maybe I don't want to know.  

Body language says it all folks.

CRINGE ALERT!

Made my smoothie, had TWO slices of my Sour Cream Raisin pie, watched the ball drop and took the lame picture that I posted at the top of this blog and then I was off to Dreamland.  

Smoothie!

Sour Cream Raisin Pie!

Working again tonight folks, and tomorrow night. 

Happy New Year!