Today's a new day!

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Congratulations, YoungGunDad!

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Posts: 500 | Location: Georgia | Registered: July 15, 2005

You are an official OLD TIMER! YEA!!!!!

It IS a new day!

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Originally posted by YoungGunDad:
I'm counting!

so are we. there's method behind your madness.

congrats ya "old timer"

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Congratulations YoungGunDad...500 posts! Now you're an HSBBW Old Timer!

Naw...that's too cliched! You being from Georgia, and along with the wondrous power of ethylene gas, you are now considered "a ripe old peach"!

Now if you will please fill this out and submit it to Mn-Mom she can get you enrolled in the program. After successfully completing your training you will be issued a license that will allow you, under certain circumstances, to cruise the net at the speed you desire and possibly even after dark.

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Application for the 8 Hour AARP Driver Safety Program Class.

Taught grudgingly by the Geriatric Protection and Safeguard Unit of the Rochester, MN Police Department.

Your Name (As best as you can remember.): _________________________________________________

Your Address (It's probably written down somewhere...try the little book in the drawer next to the sink. Look for Your Name Here under the "Y" tab.): ____________________________________________________________

Telephone Number (Check under the phone...it's scribbled there.): ____________________________

E-mail Address (It's a new fangled type of mail...has nothing to do with the Post Office...too hard to explain here...just leave it blank.): _________________________________________________________________________

Date you wish to attend (Note: You have bowling on Wednesdays, volunteer work at the recycling center Thursday mornings, and dry-cleaning to pick up when you can think of it.):________________________________

The classes are held the first Saturday of the months: Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec., Jan., Feb., Mar., and Apr., unless a holiday lands on the first week-end and/or Prange Way (Ok! Ok! Call it Herberger's...sheesh!) has their once-a-year Embroidered Goods and Scented Candles Blow Out Sale!. Then, of course, it will be the second Saturday. Or easier yet...

"Thirty days hath September,
April, June and November;

February has twenty-eight alone,

All the rest have thirty-one;

Excepting leap year: that’s the time
when February’s days are twenty-nine."

And don't forget...the scented candles are in Kitchen and Bath, not Housewares.

The classes run from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Daylight Savings Time if you haven't remembered to change your clock) and are held at the Rochester Government Center- Community Rumpus Room (Lower Level next to the shooting range...don't confuse the two!). Only two potty breaks will be allowed for each session and their times will be voted on early during the first session-these times are, unlike the bunch of you, firm--no exceptions!. Coffee and crumb cake will not be served any longer because of the recurring problem we encountered last year with squirming students requesting frequent unscheduled potty breaks. Classes cost $10.00 and this fee will be collected the first 30 minutes of the class...and in case you are wondering, Geritol© and Sanka© brand coupons will no longer be considered as payment for the course. And the mothballs...leave them at home. No one thinks they are funny anymore.

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Happy Motoring and remember to go before coming to class!


Welcome to the club YoungGunDad!

Thank you all for welcoming me to the club of Old Timers! Wait, the sound of that just doesn't come across too good! lol. All of a sudden I feel the need to slam down some geritol......

And yes...there was a method to my madness. I can't get anything over on you guys can I?

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You'll find they have an E-Z Off screw cap...enjoy!

Going forward I am going to try and make my future posts more informative, enlightening, humorous, and filled with right-wing ideas....lol. This will surely help me make sure that I keep my carbon footprint smaller here on hsbbw!

P.S. When do the benefits of being an Old Timer kick in, and when do the magic wand with associated magic words ship?

I'm already standing by the mailbox like Ralphie on A Christmas Story waiting for my Little Orphan Annie decoder ring!

My wife was there! I chose not to go. I don't like crowds and I knew my legs couldn't take all the walking. But my wife wanted to be there. She flew into Baltimore Friday night and stayed with a child hood friend and took AMTRAK to DC Saturday morning and stayed with a first cousin who lives less than five blocks from the capitol. She attended every event and returned last night from witnessing the Inauguration of our 44th President. Here are her words:

"Since I had received an invitation/ticket to the Inauguration, I had what amounted to a 'front row seat.' I wish I could effectively describe the mood and atmosphere of the place. But suffice it to say that everyone there had the expressions on their faces as though they were actually 'seeing' people for the first time. It was obvious that White people were perceiving Black people in a new and different light. The same holds true for Black people who were perceiving White people in a new and different light. I stood shoulder to shoulder with White, Black, Asian and Hispanic people who had tears in their eyes as Barack Obamo repeated the Oath of the Office of President. Everyone, all 2 million of us, went out of our way to be courteous and friendly as if to say that this is the tone that Barack is setting and I want to be a part of it. According to news accounts, there were no arrests, NOT ONE, related to the Inauguration. Everyone seemed to be on their best behavior. I just wish this feeling could last.

I carried along with me the pictures of my grandparents, who were born in the 1890's and the pictures of my great-grand parents who were born in the 1850's, and who were former slaves in Mississippi. Neither one of them would have dreamed that a black person would have become President of the United States of America, due to the times in which they lived. But each one of them had hope that their children and grandchildren would see a better day and be viewed as a human being rather than some one who was sub-human as they had been viewed. I believe that day was fully realized on Inauguration Day. All the excuses that some White people have used over the generations as a reason to hate Black people due to the color of their skin - GONE! All the excuses that some Black People have used as a reason to hate White people or a crutch to not become productive, successful, self-sufficient members of our society - GONE! Anyone who did not understand or realize the significance of this Inauguration, well, let me put it this way: If you know of someone who does not understand and appreciate the significance of this Inauguration Day, then no explanation is possible. For those who do understand, then no explanation is necessary.

For me, as a Black girl, born and raised in Mississippi, who grew up with the "white only" and "colored only" signs, who never went to school with a White person, who couldn't drink from the same water fountain as whites, who had to sit in the balcony of the movie theater segregated from whites who sat in the seats on the floor, who had to go to the back door of a restaurant if I wanted to be served as late as 1970, to have witnessed what my grandparents thought was an impossibility, gave me new hope for our country. After having lived through all that I have endured, I still have faith in my fellow man. Catfish and I were raised not to be bitter, or vindictive and we instill that into our children. I hate no one and I hope no one hates me due to the color of my skin. I know that whites have nothing to fear as it relates to Barack. If there is someone out there who feels that he is not going to look out for the best interest of ALL Americans, fear not. After all, he did spend nine months in the womb of a white woman. He is a part of all of us, literally.

I don't know what kind of President Barack will be. Only history will judge that. I do know that he is surrounding himself with people of all stripes---democrats, republicans, Blacks, Whites, Asians, Hispanics--- all of whom appear to be very intelligent and ready to hit the ground running in an effort to lead our country into a successful and prosperous future. I'm going to do my part in helping him to achieve his goals for America and I would ask everyone to do the same."

I thought my fellow posters would like to hear from the perspective of someone who was there.

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Catfish...thanks for sharing that. Please tell your wife it was very uplifting!

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quote:

Originally posted by YoungGunDad:
P.S. When do the benefits of being an Old Timer kick in?

Here YoungGunDad, take this and read the back of that Geritol© bottle...



...you'll find your answer somewhere.

The marking of territories is beginning in DC. I wouldn't say the honeymoon is over by any stretch. However, it's pretty clear Obama's not going to be able to walk all over the Democrats in Congress.

Already today we're hearing from CNN (what I think this thread called the 'most balanced' media party),
-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wants Bush tax cuts on wealthy rolled back (Obama doesn't)
-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has said he works with Obama, not for him
-Obama threatened a veto before even becoming president (assume congress didn't care for that muscle flex)

The "DC polka" has begun.

catfish

the best post i've seen in awhile,brought a smile to my face.

thank you for sharing the experience.

very nice Ms. Catfish

btw- IMHO, you've also done an excellent job grooming Mr Catfish over the years

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catfish, Thanks for posting that eyewitness report. It didn't bring a "smile to my face", as it did to 20dad, but it gave me goosebumps,a lump in my throat, and mist in my eyes. I'm really glad that your wife wrote that for us, and if there was ever "required reading", this is it. I think I'm going to print it out and read it to the kids I substitute teach. (As a sub, sometimes I must "ad lib". This will be in my "ad lib folder".) I know that many many students and their teachers in the western burbs of Chicago will enjoy hearing an account of the inauguration.

How many degrees of separation would this be? Let's see, from the kids to me to you to your wife to the President. Only 4!!!!!

Thanks, again.

p.s. Once again, the magic of this magnificent website and the marvels of the thread. It was suggested to be closed, but look how well it turned out!!!!! It's awesome.

rz1... You know what they say. The person who rocks the cradle, rules the world. She certainly rocks my world! Uh..Did I say that right?


play baseball...I think we were typing at the same time. Thanks, my wife will be happy to hear that you plan to share her thoughts with your students.


gotwood4sale...Thanks,I will tell her.

Seems to me a little humor (for both sides) might be appropriate at this time....

Jon Stewart - Obama's Inaugural Speech

Smile! Its kinda funny.

Too funny, jb. I didn't realize Bob the Builder was Obama's Executive Communications guy...

Confusion reigns.... as usual.

My memo indicated Bob was appointed Secretary of Labor.
(Its a union gig.)

Thanks for sharing that Catfish, and Mrs Catfish for writing it ---- "Today's A New Day".

Here's my account.

Saturday, January 17, 2009
My wife and I boarded our flight to BWI with about a hundred kids from Tempe AZ, Las Vegas, and Durango. Loudest flight I’ve ever been on but it didn’t bother us at all. It was nice to have all that youthful energy traveling together to witness history. Baltimore came quickly.
A little cold, Saturday’s high was 20, but it felt more like the low teens when we stepped outside. A quick drive through the Mall on our way to our friend’s cozy apartment on Constitution Ave. gave us a preview of just how big of an event this inauguration will be. My jaw dropped for the first of many times on this trip.
Met some of more friends at a wine bar and then went to dinner. All of these people have connections to NM politics, and some great stories. More friends joined us later including one who works for Sen. Durbin. D.C. is a busy place on a frigid night.
Sunday
Watched the Sunday news shows and enjoyed a relaxing morning. That gave way to an intensely exciting afternoon. We walked a couple miles down Constitution Ave., with, through, and past a multitude of foot traffic to the Lincoln Memorial for the “We Are One” celebration. I’ve never been party to such a large-scale event, and it was truly a spectacle of super human proportion. I witnessed unbelievable organization with hundreds of volunteers, uniformed police, and military everywhere. We were extremely fortunate to have reserved tickets, as this allowed us access through a much less crowded gate. Some of the lines we passed seemed to have no end. Once inside we found a friend alongside the reflecting pool towards the stage, but still quite a ways away from the stage. Grateful for the huge Jumbotrons, as without them the performers were reduced to colorful dots on a gorgeous background. I feel so inept commenting on the show itself, as my modest reporting can't do it justice. Suffice to say that I was blown away by the production, the talent, and the passion shown by all of the performers, from the Marine Band’s spine-tingling rendition of Copeland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man,” to the uncommonly beautiful Beyonce' singing “America the Beautiful.” In between we bore witness to some of the greatest artists of our time giving perhaps their most memorable performances. Not too bad for a free concert, and never a dull moment. Without a doubt the best show I’ve ever seen! I have to find the DVD.
Monday
Started off MLK day, a newly proclaimed day of service, at RFK Stadium. More incredible organization from the Obama campaign staffers, these kids have learned so much and will be able to help keep the Dems on a productive track for many years to come. The thousands of volunteers were enthusiastic beyond belief. A highlight here was an opportunity to write letters for the troops. That struck me as something we shouldn’t need prompting for, but with cards, pens, and clipboards provided it sure was helpful.
Afterwards we made our way to the Senate Office Buildings to pick up our Inaugural tickets. Very nice guided tour of the two buildings compliments of our friend, including a thorough tour of Jeff Bingaman’s office. We took lunch in the Senate cafeteria, which came in at less than $25 for three.
Afterwards we poked through totally bloated cross-town traffic towards Georgetown to see a popular art exhibit featuring images inspired by Obama. We were stunned to find Governor Schwarzenegger perusing the gallery, but then again why not? D.C. has long been known as a highly unusual atmosphere.
Back to the apartment for a great home cooked meal of red chile enchiladas and beans, and ultimately an early night. All agreed that it was wise not to consider any of the inaugural balls. Not our style, we probably couldn't have afforded it, and besides we’ll be better off with the extra rest. Tomorrow morning will come early and it’s bound to be cold. A little extra time was spent before bedtime planning the inaugural clothing layers. Somebody commented that looking like the Michelin Man wasn't such a bad thing.
Tuesday
Minimal sleep due to all-night traffic, helicopters, and sirens; still no complaints as we marched out at 6:30 for a one-mile walk to the Capital Mall. We picked up fellow travelers along the way, and by the time we got to the Capital we were wading in a massive human river. Marine 1 flew out of a steam cloud and right over us on approach to the East Capital drive, where it waited to take 43 away for one final time. It took a good while to get to the silver gate line, and once there things slowed down to the pace of a glacier. Despite the biting cold, all were good spirited and friendly, even with the constant personal space incursions and frequent stepped-on toes.
Our silver gate crowd nearly got ugly as we reached a bottleneck and things stalled just inside the gate, which was still a ways from the checkpoint. More than anything, people wanted to know what was happening and the Capital Police weren’t talking much. Once we squeezed through the funnel there were numerous stations and we sailed right through onto the Mall to find the nearest port-a-potty. Turns out that out fears regarding this matter were overstated, and I wouldn’t need the Stadium Pal after all. We heard later that many silver ticket holders never made it through this gate.
We ended up near the reflecting pool on the west grounds, next to a big tree populated with fearless young monkeys scrambling upwards for a better view. They were minor irritants, and caused some below concern that they would fall and do damage to others. From here we could see the Inauguration Platform through some trees, but the people on it were reduced to mere specks. Grateful again for the Jumbotron, and the tall strings of loud speakers. We could at least hear well.
The crowd on the mall was loud and proud. The TV coverage didn't do it justice. The boisterous millions gave warm receptions to many of the dignitaries, while Lieberman, Cheney, and Bush were roundly booed. The ceremony was right on time, and all seemed right in the world knowing that this indeed was going to happen. For the first time that day, the sun shined bright and provided some rays of warmth for all.
A slight stumble by the Chief Justice went nearly un-noticed and was soon forgotten, but the sound of two million people cheering wildly and a profoundly presidential twenty-one-gun salute will never be forgotten. Knowing that the United States of America has once again made a majestic and peaceful transition to a new president is a truly great feeling. I love this country!
Getting out was much easier. Although weary and sore, hearing Stars and Stripes somehow made everyone feel strong enough again to march briskly. Tired and getting colder by the minute, we were none-the-less happy. I’m sure that many of the two million were thinking the same thing, food! Somehow we beat most of the crowd to a popular eatery on 8th Street and found a table right away. Beer and pork chops never tasted so good.
Wednesday
Got a special treat courtesy of our friend, a personal tour of the Library of Congress and the Capitol building, including an introduction to Sen. Bingaman, and a ride on the Senate Subway with Sen. Roberts from Kansas. The honorable senator is a nice man, and even a bit chatty. What a treat. Turned out there were lots of senator sightings : Schumer, Boxer, Hagen, and Udall were all right there in those hallowed halls. Saw the Rotunda Room, the new visitor center, and Statuary Hall where the new President had lunch with select congress members just the day before. Also got a peek down the steps leading to the Inauguration Platform, and a good luck rub at the spot where Lincoln lay in State.
Our Capital tour complete, we headed out to a nice lunch, again on 8th St, and before we knew we were headed back home towards Albuquerque. Not to overuse the word, but the inaugural experience was really a great one, and much greater than imagined. No matter your political persuasion, the sights and sounds of America coming together to swear in a new Commander In Chief are truly a great thing. Who knows if the national spirit of oneness will last? I do know the memories will not soon fade.

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quote:

Originally posted by justbaseball:Smile! Its kinda funny.

Perhaps they have the same speechwriter?[

Kudos to those in Washington! I was there in spirit!

spizzle

sounds almost as good as a day game at fenway.

i've found myself to be a little envious,and i'm not political in the least.

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Originally posted by spizzlepop:
Loudest flight I’ve ever been on!

Oh my spiz...your airline choices out of Albuquerque must have been severely limited after deregulation!



Seriously...thanks for the first hand account. This truly is a great country!

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Seems to me a little humor (for both sides) might be appropriate at this time....

Jon Stewart - Obama's Inaugural Speech

Smile! Its kinda funny.

That was funny. Thanks for sharing.

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What's the deal with the recent favor we have given left handed Presidents? We now have our the 5th in the last 35 years...but only 3 in all the years prior to that. Strange. Conspiracy?

Remember, the right half of the brain controls the left half of the body. This means that only left handed people are in their right mind.

Have a lefty day...

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Remember, the right half of the brain controls the left half of the body. This means that only left handed people are in their right mind.

Just think of how great things would be if you lefty's could use your whole brain like us right handers.