OK, here's a regressive exercise I had been avoiding. Yahoo! Avatars. It reminds me of playing with Barbies and GI Joe. There are almost as many accessories and fashion choices. I kept it simple (for now). Extra bonus: a link to a library that has a problem with porn. Jeez!

I was asked how Election Day was. To be fair I was just asked how "the day" was. But I was focused on electoral activity from 4:30 am until, well, at least now. So this was my answer:

Long, painful & mercifully over. I can't feel my toes. But I did enfranchise at leat 7 new voters, including one new citizen, and did some (very rudimentary) translation for a lovely deaf woman who asked me for help. And explained the machines with glee to a dozen or two, mostly fidgety, kids.

A demain.

Ick!

Not being very big on banning books, imagine my surprise when I take out a semi-random title from a suburban Pennsylvania public library and get X-rated material. I am not exaggerating in the slightest.

I wasn't particularly pleased when Stephen Elliot's anthology "Politically Inspired" turned out to contain some liberal drivel. But the bits in its "erotic" chapters don't border on the grotesque -- they cross the line.

I'm sure this is yet another reason God hasn't blessed me with a kid: I can't begin to imagine what I'd do if my 11-year-old managed to get his hands on something like this.

Here's another quandary for those brighter minds than mine. Those companies doing business in China -- are they opening it up or are they perpetuating a totalitarian system of government?

I'd suspect the truth lies in the middle, and I can't pretend to write the history of China before it even happens. I will, however, bring this effort by Google to bolster free speech -- or perhaps to put a free speech spin on a controversial company -- to netizens' attention.

I like the fact that they include a list of in-links.

Enjoy your cyber and paper reading, whether it's controversial or plain vanilla. Of course, it's always a good idea to help your library circulate books that strike your fancy. It's an equally good idea idea to give feedback to them so their aquisitions people can put themselves in the shoes of the so-called average reader.

I've got to say, I already feel guilty for not tuning in to memorial names recitation at the World Trade Center. Hope you don't fall into that trap.

I am remembering. I have not forgotten. I am hoping history will not distort that awful day, while I, of course, hope time will heal all our losses and wounds.

My relatives heard from me today, as did that good man I mention here from time to time. I am trying to respect this day by living fully and respectfully, and by supporting this great country, its democratic processes and its elected leaders. I pray for all those who have lost someone or had their lives changed as a result of America's struggle against terrorism -- in short, for all of us.

I am trying to particularly remember those who are in harm's way, and those who try to keep harm from visiting our towns, cities, 'burbs and coutryside.

If you're up to some reading, please check out Rich Galen's reposting of his September 11, 2002 column and the New York Post Opinion pages' fine coverage of the anniversary.

Looks as though my access to the Internet may be sporadic for a bit. Given the occasional and sometimes random postings I lob onto here, a service interruption may not even be noticed. However, I'm absolving myself of any responsibility to even *think* about this blog until I get service reestablished. Or until I get a good, reliable place to post from a public Internet connection. Ta ta for now.

That second poem? Cummings. I pinned it down the other day, but haven't been able to post 'til now.

Fox News' Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig are out of Gaza. No word yet on how this was accomplished, although BBC World's Anita McNaught, Olaf's wife, opened a televised news conference prior to the pair's arrival in Jerusalem by stating an obvious fact: they will never be able to acknowledge some players in the process.

It is good to be relieved for the sake of the families and employers involved -- and it's nice to hear some good news for a change.

Both journalists looked to be the picture of health. Pictures can be deceiving, though, and I hope they do both enjoy good health, get crucial rest and continue to find happiness in their pursuits.

How kidnappings, abductions and detentions, supply lines and funding sources play into a commitment to end terrorism remains a volatile issue. Figuring out how governments, non-government militias and fringe terrorist groups interact -- and who gets the guns and bread when, how and from whom -- are questions that brighter minds than mine must continue to try to address.

In the meantime, two guests at the Hotel Terror were able to check out. They did, indeed, leave.

Ah, love. Yeah, right. Sure.

Well, I did run into what I thought was poetry -- good poetry -- in my early teens.

The first belongs to e.e. cummings; I haven't yet made a trip to a library to find a source for the second one -- it may have been an original one of mine or a less well known e.e. cummings work. I'm betting it also belongs to cummings. From my handwriting on the pair of them, I'd guess I was in the seventh, eighth or ninth grade. (around the same time I was doing dozens of extremely naive haiku studies of trees)

First cummings' iconic work:

since feeling is first
who pays any attention
to the syntax of things
will never wholly kiss you;

wholly to be a fool
while Spring is in the world

my blood approves,
and kisses are a better fate
then wisdom
lady i swear by all flowers. Don't cry
-- the best gesture of my brain is less than
your eyelids flutter which says

we are for each other: then
laugh, leaning back into my arms
for life's not a paragraph

And death I think is no parenthesis

e.e. cummings

And this one, of unknown parentage:

except in your
honour,
my loveliest,
nothing
may move may rest
-- you bring

(out of dark the
earth) a
procession of
wonders
huger than prove
our fears

were hopes: the moon
open
for you and close
will shy
wings of because;
each why

of star (afloat
on not
quite less than all
of time)
gives you skillful
his flame

so is your heart
alert,
of languages
there's none
but well she knows;
and can

perfectly speak
(snowflake
and rainbow mind
and soul
november and
april)

who younger than
begin
are, in the worlds move
in your
(and rest, my love)
honour

P.S. Please let me know if you'd like me to publish emailed & snail-mailed lists. Comments on this blog are public right now, so post gently, but I'd be delighted to get some feedback from any semi to fully literate readers. I cherish the bandwidth this blog takes up, and I'd like to think kindly of anyone who might post, too.

We'll see if I can even keep the links current on this puppy, let alone bang out prose for it. I'm in reporting-and-writing-for-a-real-live-paper mode, in my home state of Pennsylvania. But I'll tell ya something. I really, very badly need some Christmas lists from folks. I don't know if my immediate family tries to keep up with what I write, but I'm begging them, in particular, to send their lists to me -- one way or another. And it'd be fun to check out what all of you clowns who have looked at this blog like -- just in case I ever win the lottery. It's gonna be another homemade Christmas this year, one way or another, but it helps to know what you guys are diggin'.

[significant pause]

Some good news. And I can't believe that I failed to mention my St. Patrick's Day fun. Not only did I get to share corned beef with my darlings (mother and other), but I also rode in a St. Patrick's Day parade for the first time ever. Sort of! I rode in the cab of the truck which sailed along carrying Atlantic Highlands councilmen Lou Fligor, Kim Spatola, Carl Nolan and Pete Doyle. I also saw -- and heard -- the most bagpipers I've heard since I attended the Nova Scotia Tattoo. Happy belated St. Patrick's Day!

Feed my blog! I, of course, failed to mention a Southeastern Pennsylvania political event I attended recently: the March 15 Swann/Matthews reception in West Conshohocken. A number of Montco regulars were among the more-than-respectably-sized crowd that swarmed the candidates. I even asked for a grip & grin with the candidate. I'll freely admit he looks better than I. He also comes across as a soft-spoken guy who can get his message across. I continue to like him as a candidate, and I'm sure he's got what it takes to be an excellent governor. And, those of you who read me who also pray, please say a quick one for me. I've been looking for work since November, and have been out of work since just before my birthday. I'm getting a fair number of interviews: What I need is to seal the deal with someone. If I'm lucky I'll get benefits, but what I really need to do is to contribute to this marvelous American marketplace and to bring in some money.

If there's a more perfect love poem than this, I have yet to read it -- or write it.

fwiw

Sorry I missed this one: a Philadelphia area Lincoln Day dinner In attendance? According to a friend who was there, Zimmerman Treichel, Gale, Specter, Santorum, Matthews and Swann gave good face. Apparently some guy running against Treichel was also there. There are doubtless dozens of omissions in that tiny list, there were sins of omission by some politicos -- and there was an Iverson sighting at the afterparty.

Pittsburgh wins again -- Looks like former Steeler Lynn Swann will stand as the Republican candidate in the upcoming Pennsylvania gubernatorial race. Party leaders and committemen are apparently convinced of both his substance and his charisma, and I believe they should be. Most people I've spoken to seem enthusiastic, and all agree that he at least has a shot at replacing Rendell. It will take a concerted effort from all corners of the party -- and, of course, Swann and his political team -- to turn a shot at victory into the taste of victory. May the best man win!

Glad I missed it? The news - as usual - gets a little too "real."

Bob & Doug (I *swear* a CNN reporter in theater called them that -- on the air) both have head injuries. Woodruff has had shrapnel removed form his head and neck. They are described as "seriously injured," but stable. Take a moment to think about & wish well all casualties and hostages everywhere.

This, too. I mean, what the?? Pray for all the servicemen, journalists and others in war zones. Pray for our troops' success and speedy return home to the arms of those who love them, those who miss them. Pray for justice and for peace. And that's enough earnestness and enough religion for any Sunday!

What the?

A tiny, unassigned little opinion piece on Supreme Court judicial nominee Samuel Alito: Leave the Man Alone Already Somebody would probably have to comb private records to determine whether I ever managed to become an official, card-carrying member of the Young Republicans. Over the years they've sure seemed to be nice folks. I've certainly attended (and plan to continue to enjoy) lots of YR events and meetings. And I remain proud of the affiliation on my voters card -- particularly considering the GOP's big tent that officially enfolds people of all hue and creed who share a common outlook. Even an engenue understands that lawmakers sometimes feel compelled to employ obstructionist tactics when they have philosophical objections to candidates. However, bipartisanship is not a four-letter word, and bashing is outre. The quizmasters on Capitol Hill should stop letting party politics get in the way of the business of the nation.

More inevitability? For, I'd say, two years I've largely posted to this blog when I felt guilty of neglecting it and when I had experienced something noteworthy. Today, after the tv woke me up -- a fairly common occurrence given my prediliction for watching late night tv -- I watched a few news items in a row on CBS that seemed, well, blogworthy. Is the news improving, courtesy of Bob Schieffer? Am I enjoying thinking about the news again? Or are my creative juices slowly thawing? Is it possible that all three are happening? -------------- I'm semi-publicly giving myself three assignments, which I'm hopeful I'll revisit in future posts. If you stop back, I don't know if you'll find just writing and thinking exercises, reporting or analysis. I hope you'll find poetry, preferably just on the final item. (1) the interview Schieffer (?) did with the Ohio bishop who says he was abused by Roman Catholic clergy (2) the disabled veteran who just had plastic surgery to replace half his skull after he ran into an IED in Iraq (3) a more conventional love poem -------------- Another little bit of praise for tv: If I can find the listings for "Classic Arts Showcase" on WHYY, I may try to occasionally wake up early some days to exercise in front of the tube before work. It's that good!