Sneakeasy's Joint

It has been a wild ride, these last 5 yrs. and 5 months

Since May 5, 2002, 135,267 people have paid my humble blog a visit...

Reading 1820 posts...

Leaving 1350 comments...

And linking with 212 trackbacks...

Numerous Bloggers have honored me with inclusion in their Blog Rolls.

The Blogosphere has grown, and evolved, and so have I ( I gave birth to a niche Blog, in 2003, that has outstripped its parent in daily traffic, and popularity, and helped spur the growth of that niche ever since, and will continue to do so. ).

Change is good.

So is Evolution.

I became a Blogger in May 2002, and over the years writing on that Blog allowed me to share the news, and share my opinions, and my life.

Thru that Blog, and my BikeBlog, I re-discovered a talent for poetry, and Creative Writing, and amateur journalism, and I discovered the courage to change my life for the better, a journey that had begun in 1998, and is a work in progress.

In the past 9 months I've come to accept that there are far more people, with larger audiences, more resources, and more time on their hands, to spread the word, and fight the Blog Fight with regards to issues such as Illegal Immigration, The Muslim Threat, the 2008 Election, and the future of America incumbent on its outcome, than I, and that the best thing for me, and my growth, as a person, and a writer, was to move on.

I have been something of a Creationist, around here, bringing to life various "personalities", "organizations", and Concepts, in addition to that other Blog.

So where do I go from here?

What, and where, is my place in the Blogosphere of today?

To what few regular readers I've ever had...

I can't thank you enough for the support, and encouragement, and even opposing opinions, you have shared here over the years.

To all those who have me in their sidebar...

I can't thank you enough not just for the support, and encouragement you have shown by such a link, but for the approval of, and recognition of the quality writing, and the thoughful intelligence, and humor, that I ( and Nikita, too! ) hopefully have put into what appeared here, that such a link indicates.

I have no way of knowing exactly how many Blogrolls I'm on, so have no hope in hell of lettting all of you know that I'm moving on...

What, and where, is my place in the Blogosphere of today?

How different from SEJ will it be?

Will you know it when you stumble upon it?

Happy hunting!

Hee, hee! ;-D

( If anyone stops by, and has questions, use the e-mail in the sidebar. )

Hiking, and Biking, and Writing on Hot Summer Days

With my vacation in August I plan some cycling, and hiking, and writing.

I want to revisit some old rides, to take photos for inclusion in old stories , and to explore some urban hiking opportunities in the OC.

Vacation Time is Near

Regular readers, here, if I have any, will notice some changes in the sidebar, I'm sure, and wondering what's up?

Well, yes, change is in the wind, and I'll be working on it thru August.

I've been Blogging for over 5 years, and have been thinking about the future. ;-D

A Busy Week Keeps Me Away

I've had a lot going on the past week, or so, but am back now.

House cleaning, BikeBlogging, and concern about the Bus Driver's Strike that has recently hit the OC. among other things.

I have to ride my bike BOTH WAYS on the commute to work.

Thats 22 miles! ;-D

Time Flies When You are Having Fun

This rating was determined based on the presence of the following words:

• hell (3x)
• sex (2x)
• ass (1x)

Geez.... I feel slighted, not to mention insulted.

While no Potty Blogger, not by a long shot, I've used more R, and X-Rated, words than those, and more often, too boot! ;-D

How they can conclude i'm even close to being R- Rated is beyond me. ;-D

I joined the Blogosphere in May 2002, back when the place was young, and the Mainstream Media didn't have a clue about what was about to hit them ( Some might argue that they STILL don't know what hit them. ).

A lot of words have flowed from my fevered brain since then.

This is my 1801st post.

1335 comments have been made to what I have written.

212 Trackbacks have been made to posts of mine.

There have been over 130,000 visitors to this fine establishment.

Numerous Bloggers have honored me with inclusion in their Blog Rolls.

The Blogosphere has grown, and evolved, and so have I ( I gave birth to a niche Blog that has outstripped its parent in daily traffic, and popularity. ).

Change is good.

So is Evolution.

I have been something of a Creationist, around here, bringing to life various "personalities", "organizations", and Concepts, in addition to another Blog.

So where do I go from here?

What, and where, is my place in the Blogosphere of today?

The SEJ Seal

The Mad Macedonian Will Set You Free! ;-D

When Cats and their Humans get Sidetracked

Nikita, and I wish to apologize for the intermittent posting of late.

Nikita, especially, wants to assure everyone that he will be continuing his report about the Pet Expo soon!

I've been busy, and Nikita has been busy watching me being busy. ;-D

When a Bachelor Pad Begs for a New Look

In 1998 my sisters, and I, sold the family home, the 4 bedroom house I had grown up in, and lived in, since 1969, when I was 9 years old, and my youngest sister was just a year old.

I moved into a tiny 1 bedroom bungalow, and there I lived for four years before moving to a studio apartment in Costa Mesa, then to my current, not quite 1 bedroom in Santa Ana.

In all those years I didn't have enough furniture, or enough money to spend on it, to spruce things up.

I managed on the bare minimun.

 

A bed, a desk, a folding chair, and a dresser with 6 drawers, are what you see looking south, from my front door.

Not much to speak of is it?

Not even any pictures on that wall back there, and I've got tons of photos packed away in photo albums.

Well, there is a photo of my Mom over the Desk, and a copy of the Desiderata, on a beautiful wood plaque, alongside a poem by my baby sister, called Big Brother.

Looking north, toward my front door,  there are my Bookshelves, and the coffee table with my TV and stereo.

As I said.... no furniture to speak of.

While I was taking the photos you see in this post Nikita decided to check out the 2nd floor walkway, taking advatage of one of the few times I leave the front door open for any length of time.

Sooo, I turned 47 today

I'm just so excited, and happy, I could dance!!! ;-D

WWGOT: What Would George Orwell Think?

From Bloomberg.com comes an interesting story from Great Britain.

Blair said citizens have to sacrifice some freedoms to fight terrorism, illegal immigration, and identity fraud.

"George Orwell Was Right: Spy Cameras See Britons' Every Move......"

Here is a question for you:

Which country would you rather live in?

A. United Kingdom.

B. Saudi Arabia.

C. United States.

D. All of the Above.

E. A and C.

Think Carefully, and Choose Wisely.

In the spirit of Political Correctness, Diversity, and not insulting the beliefs, and sensitivities, of those who think differently than I....

I will graciously refrain from giving MY answer. ;-D

So! How was your Christmas?

I spent the day trying to make my 1st YouTube Video. ;-D

My "Christmas" was Saturday morning at my Sisters house having breakfast, and opening gifts, since the Sisters both would be making the rounds of their hubby's relatives the rest of the day, Sunday, and Monday. ;-D

The highlight was the utter horrified panic, freakout, my soon to be 2 year old nephew had when he thought his Mom was going to throw in the trash the 2 huge trucks that had suddenly become his two most favorite toys. ;-D

As his eyes got big, and his face got redder than a tomato, he screamed, and cried his horrified, and confused, little heart out for almost 10 minutes before we could calm him down, and sort out the misunderstanding.

My Sisters, and I, tried to remember if we had had such moments when we were that age, and were stumped. ;-D

But back to me, and my day.

Sunday evening, and most of Monday, I tried for hours to tape myself reading a poem,and failing, before finally getting it right.... sort of.

While it is just a bit too dark, and works fine on Windows Media Player, it was a disaster when converted to YouTube, and so stays private there.

Before this my only attempt was a 30 sec. video of my cat shared among friends.

I am still proud of myself.

Doing what I did was a major accomplishment, and is a confidence builder for future efforts, including possibly taking on the challenge of a Podcast.

Making a video, especially alone, even a 3 minute one, can be intimidating to someone who has never done it before. ;-D

Mad Macedonian Chosen Time Person of the Year

I had to share the honor, though. ;-D

Look at 2006 through a different lens and you'll see another story, one that isn't about conflict or great men. It's a story about community and collaboration on a scale never seen before. It's about the cosmic compendium of knowledge Wikipedia and the million-channel people's network YouTube and the online metropolis MySpace. It's about the many wresting power from the few and helping one another for nothing and how that will not only change the world, but also change the way the world changes.

The tool that makes this possible is the World Wide Web.

This honor means a lot to me, and I am thrilled to receive it.

At the tail end of the last century I took a huge, and long over due, step toward changing my life for the better by buying a computer, going online, and joining  the original Time Online Community of Message Boards ( Pathfinder, if I remember correctly. ) that once thrived on the website of the magazine.

I met people there, online, and in person, who brought me out of a lifelong shell of loneliness.

They gave me the courage to express myself, with opinions, and creative writing, and to travel by airplane halfway across the country for two 4 day weekends.

I still hang out online with a very select few of those folks, including 1 who changed my life, yet again, by persuading me to join the Blogosphere, in the Spring of 2002.

They gave me the courage to change careers, and offered support as I moved to Orange County.

I now have 2 Blogs ( The other one is here, and was opened in January 2003. ), and the best paying job of my life, and an outlook on life that I did not have all those years ago.

The Internet has had a similar effect on the lives of millions of people all around the world, in free countries, and those not so free.

We share our interests, lives, and opinions, and discover all the world has to offer without always having to rely on the Mainstream Media to bring it to our attention, and explain it to us.

We communicate on a daily basis with more people, from more places, all around the world, than we could have once dreamed of, and our lives, and the world, are better for it.

For the 1st time in years I'll be buying, and reading, a copy of Time Magazine, in order to see what it has to say about something. ;-D

***UPDATE - 945AM***

A friend commented this morning:

I remember an ad for small paper cups that said, "Your name on each cup FREE (if your name is Dixie)."

After sleeping off the, um, celebration, and thinking about it in the light of day....

I believe the folks at Time wimped out.

They SHOULD have chosen President Ahmadinejad of Iran.

If Hitler was worthy, why not him?

The world needs to be awakened to the danger we all face.

***END UPDATE***

A Sneaky Thanksgiving 2006

This being a Holiday and all, in these parts, everyone is cooking up a storm, even some of us Bachelors. ;-D

Some folks are digging into Turkey  on the day Shep Smith, on Fox News yesterday, called "Genocide Day" for Turkeys... "Thank God!"

Betcha Peta Peeps were frothing at the mouth over that one. ;-D

I, however, have other ideas. ;-D

Give MY Recipe ( Sneakeasy's Crockpot Roast du Bachelor ) a whirl, anytime ya please. ;-D

Happy Thanksgiving! ;-D

Dear Soldier, Sailor, Airperson, and Marine

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!! :-D

The Fight for the Future of America Begins Now

Amercans Voted for Change!

They want us to go in a New Direction!

And that is where we will go!

_________________________

As you can see Nancy Pelosi's theme has the Left all fired up and at least 1 local Moonbat is "Ready to Roll!" ;-D

And if what I've been hearing is true, then many Conservatives helped them get there by either abstaining, or voting Democrat, as a protest against the many mistakes of the Bush Administration that they could not overlook for the many positives.

What a woefully misguided decision.

When I registered to vote in 1978, when I turned 18, it was as a Democrat, and as I reflect back on those days it is to realize that I did so not really because I believed, or even fully understood, Liberalism, but because my mother was a Democrat, and I loved, and was busily supporting her during difficult times for our family.

I was a Reagan Dem before I went astray during Bush 1.

Where I began to go astray, politically, was when I let my anger, at the missteps, and supposed illegalities, distract me from the Big Picture truths about everything successful about Conservatism.

The voices of the Far Left were in full-throated attack, and I ate up their "investigative reporting", and became angry about a lot of things.

The hardships of my lonely life distracted me from the essential messages espoused by Conservatives from Jerry Falwell to Ronald Reagan:

Americans must believe in themselves, and their nation, and have at least some little bit of faith, whether in a God, or in themselves, in order to accomplish anything worthwhile in this world, and this life.

I soaked up Clintonism, and then became disillusioned again, and voted for Bush 2.

When I went online in 1999 my life began to change.

I have engaged other people, traveled, read, changed careers and more in the last 7 years.

In May 2002 I was encouraged to join the Bloggerverse by a very wise friend who saw my intelligence, ability, and talent, and knew this was a wonderful way for me to put it all to use.

This led to reading the works of other Bloggers, especially Conservatives, as my support for the War Against Terror grew, and it also led to my reading more of the social, political, and economic writings of Conservative Bloggers, and magazines.

I also began to express my own evolving opinions here as well.

Reading, and listening to Rush, and Sean Hannity, I began to realize how very much I actually agreed with what I read, and heard, and how much I disagreed with much of what the Far Left was saying, and had been saying, and doing for years.

Some folks, many of them friends, on the Left were not happy, and let me know it.

I wasn't disuaded. Not one little bit.

In October 2003, after the Ca. Elections, I switched Parties, and became a Republican.

I guess I've gone from thinking I was a Center Left Democrat to realizing I'm more of a Center Right Republican, and inching further right the more I read, and hear of the beliefs, and policy prescriptions, of the Left in this country.

I believe that Liberalism, and the Democratic Party, are in trouble, and their policies are troubling, because their vocal, politically powerful, and active, practitioners are far from their more moderate mainstream, less politically active, comrades.

The more I thought about the ideas, and policies of Liberalism, especially the less than moderate side of it all, the more I realized it didn't appeal to me.

I am not the same person I once was.

Now the Moonbat Wing of Liberalism has been returned to power, in 1, and maybe both, Houses of Congress, thus giving them hope that they can bring this President down, and win the office outright in 2008.

A Southern Dutchman and a Mad Macedonian Meet in San Clemente

This is going to be a long post, folks, so grab the munchies, a couple of beers, and maybe a hankie or 2, and settle in....

One of the most important things about the rise of the Internet over the last 15 years has been its impact on how people meet, engage, and become friends with, other people.

It began with Online Forums, including those where folks exchanged messages just by e-mail, and evolved into sharing ones life, interests, and opinions, thru Blogging, and the wonderful ability to comment on others blogs, and receive comments on your own, and now we have YouTube, and simlar video sharing sites.

This is a story of how my life was, and continues to be, changed by such encounters, and friendships.

It is a celebration of ongoing friendships, and a way for me to pay tribute, in a small way, to 2 friends I lost in the Summer of 2005.

For me going online, and joining a Community at the old Time Online Film Forum, in 1998, changed my life.

I was a loner in a deadend job, unsure of myself, where I was headed, and whether I would ever have friends, and relationships, to enrich my life.

Thru the Forums I joined I gained friends, and an audience, for my opinions, and my creative writing, and a place for just being me.

I went to dinners with a few local members, and in 2000 was invited to a 4 day  wedding weekend in Phoenix, and in Sept., 2001, to a 4 day weekend trip to hang out with people in Chicago.

I had never taken plane trips before, or traveled so far alone, and the experiences of those weekends changed my life yet again.

During these early years I ventured into the Political, and Social, Forums, as well, and discovered a once proud Community, on one thread, with a long, distinguished, history, that was in its apparent, dying days, as few people ventured into it.

Suddenly I found myself with 5 new friends, 2 Conservatives ( 1 male, 1 female ), and 3 fellow Liberals ( All Women ).

When Time closed its Message Forums 2 of the Communities I was in went to other forum sites, to soldier on, but this one small group took our relationship into one of those formats where you can get your communiques by e-mail.

As that momentious year of 2001 went on Sept. 11 came, and went, and my politics began to evolve as I left Liberalism behind for good, and went searching for something infinitely better, eventually becoming a Conservative ( Moderate Persuasion ).

By the middle of 2003 I was losing the friends on the message boards because they were so far to the Left that the slightest step to the right was, um, frowned upon, heh, heh.

The amazing thing was that this was not happening among my e-mail friends.

6 wonderful, diverse, and opinionated, people, of various ages, income levels, and careers, had found that we also had a lot in common, and could talk about so many things, from our lives to the world around us ( And share photos of ourselves, our homes, and pets. ) and we didn't have to talk about Politics, or Religion, to do so either ( Though it has slipped in on occasion. ).

These people encouraged my entrance into the world of Blogging, in 2002, and lent a sympathetic ear, and plenty of wise counsel, as my life has evolved, and my circumstances, personally, and financially, have changed for the better.

I am not the same person I was before going online, and I am definitely not the same person I was before Sept. 11, 2001.

I had thought of delving into our Archives to find examples of e-mails from Susan, and Carolyn, that showed what they meant to me for a tribute long before now, but never had enough time, and finally realized that there was just too much to choose from.

The politics of Susan, and Carolyn, were to the Left of my own Liberalism to different degrees, but they accepted, and understood, my own evolution to the Right, and did not let that affect our friendship.

Susan read my Blogs often, and commented over 30 times in 3 years, and Carolyn, ahh, Carolyn...

Being a former journalist she encouraged my Blogging wholeheartedly, and did me the honor of  giving me a tour of Chicago when I visited a few days before Sept. 11, 2001.

( This collection of old Forum posts gives you the flavor of the trip to Chicago, and my visit with Carolyn, and another, self-guided, tour with another Journalist friend that ends with me, um, rather drunk.  It offers a brief insight into my frame of mind 4 days after Sept. 11 as well. )

As the years went by we learned that Carolyn had Cancer, and she shared much of her experience with us, though her e-mails became less frequent as her, and her husband, took the time to travel overseas.

Susan had medical issues as well but, we learned later, kept much of the story to herself.

In the late spring of 2005 Susan suddenly stopped e-mailing, and though Carolyn had as well, it was not as noticeble to us.

Finally, in Sept., after months of having e-mails to Susan bounce, one of us did some Internet sleuthing, and this was how we learned of the fates of our friends:

The Social Security Death Index for our dear Suze Q was found. ( Jan. 1948 - June 2005 ).

The obituary for our dear Carolyn:

Carolyn C.

CHICAGO - Funeral Mass for Carolyn C., 66, of Chicago, formerly of Champaign, will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at Holy Cross Church, 403 W. Clark St., C.

The Rev. Stephen Willard will officiate.

Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery, Champaign.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Owens Funeral Home, 101 N. Elm St., C, with a parish wake service at 5:45 p.m.

Mrs. C. died at 2:30 a.m. Thursday (Aug. 11, 2005) at home.

Family, and friends, apparently had no knowledge of their longtime friendships with us, and so we almost never new what happened.

The tragedy of Susan came home to us when we discovered a Memorial Website dedicated to her.

She had friends in other forums, and their tributes are quite moving.

The site has a page about events leading up to her death, and it broke our hearts to read it.

We strongly believe that we, and her many other online friends, provided her with the friendship and caring that she deserved.

As one of us remarked in a note left in the guestbook: "Her sweet and distinctive "voice" online will be missed by all who knew her."

I saved the tribute I wrote on a Memorial Page of the Cancer Support Group Carolyn was involved with, and our group made a donation in her honor.

Dear Carolyn, Just learned of your passing. God, how I missed your regular input, the past year, in our community! One of the greatest pleasures of my life was the day we spent together touring Chicago, when I visited there in 2001, just days before 9/11. Your advice, and encouragement, as my life changed over the last 6 years meant so much to me.

Carolyn had humor, and wisdom, and so much courage.

She was proud of her Irish heritage, and loved genealogy, and photography, and flowers.

Behind her sunny facade Susan was obviously suffering greatly.

It sounds as if she just gave up...

One friend battling to the end, the other slipping away by degrees, and no one the wiser.

So now there are 4 of us, 3 Conservatives, and a Liberal, and we continue experiencing the Journey of Life together.

In the Blogosphere I have gained many friends through linking, commenting, chat rooms, and e-mailing, and I'm sure that is true for all Bloggers to one degree, or another.

Many Bloggers have had the pleasure of meeting in person, and developing all sorts of relationships, both personal, and business, related, but there is another side to this world that, like the story I have just shared, touches our lives.

In fact, due to the nature of Blogging, it may even touch us more deeply.

Let me tell you about an Emigre With a Digital Cluebat....

A New Mouse in the House

For about a week I've been dealing with a sick Mouse in the house.

No, not THAT kind, but the one I use with my computer.

The one that came with my Dell, a year ago, was having serious stop/start issues which made using the computer difficult, if not impossible at times.

So I put it out of its misery today, and installed a new one based on recommendations of a couple of friends.

I'm a happy camper again. ;-D

When the Old is Called Home and the New Gets the Call

One of my Uncles recently passed away, this month, just short of his 71st Birthday.

He was a self-proclaimed former Hell's Angels member who married, had kids, got religion, and went to school to be a preacher, becoming a Southern Baptist Minister in the early 70's.

Like his older brother, he could tell a good off-color story, too.

Through the years he was responsible for the growth of many new congregations in Arizona and Colorado, among other places, and his Military Funeral was very well attended.

The other day, as I was perusing the list of African American Blogs on AfAmReport, I came across a great blog by a woman just beginning the journey of Service to God, as a Minister of the Gospel as practiced by the Lutherans, I believe ( She is apparently an Intern at a church, and gives sermons, and performs other activities as well ).

Well, Vicar Andrena wrote a piece, and a Sermon, last week, that caught my attention.

Eye Report, the Doc Explains

I saw my eye Doc to day to discuss 3 tests grom a couple of month a go.

I learned why it took so long to get back to me on my test results.

Someone misfiled my file folder alphabetically in the H's, or somewhere. ;-D

Anyway, while my eye pressure was not normal at the time of the tests, it is now in the high end of normal today.

The Doc is unsure I have Glaucoma, though the signs are a mixed bag of results that lean in that direction.

He showed me images, and charts, of my results, that clearly show the issues of concern.

My Right Eye has less optic nerve than expected, and it is really obvious.

My Left Eye is not so bad off.

On the Visual Field Test, a test that involved pressing a clicker each time I saw a flashing dot, thus showing where I might have blind spots:

The Left Eye results were significantly abnormal.

The Right Eye results were pretty normal.

What this all means as a Glaucoma Indicator:

High Eye Pressure/ Normal Eye Pressure results are a borderline indicator.

The Abnormal Optic Nerve Appearances, though Borderline, are the strongest indicator.

With regards to the Visual Field Test he says it 's possible my unfamiliarity with the test caused part of the results.

This puts me in the "Glaucoma Suspect" Class, like so many people with my conditions.

Therefore he wants to repeat the tests in early November before going further.

As things stand if the next tests are similar to these results I could go blind in the Left Eye ( The one that recently had Cataract Surgery ), in 10 - 15 years, without treatment ( A regimen of eye drops ) to slow the progress down.

On top of that I may eventually need Bifocals because I am having a hard time reading tiny print on labels ( For now I bought a $7, 2x2, magnifying glass until my next Doc Visit. )

Will You Look at This!

When I wrote a review about the film United 93, a month ago, I included parts of an essay by George Will.

I decided to write him about my review:

Dear Mr. Will,

I have been a fan, and avid reader, of yours for many years.

I never dreamed I'd have reason to write to you, but your recent column was compelling, and neccessary, and I wanted to tell you that, and thank you for it.

This evening I saw United 93, and it affected me greatly.

I wrote a review on my Blog, Sneakeasy's Joint, and incorporated parts of your important essay into what I had to say:

Again, THANK YOU!

Sincerely yours,
KIRIL KUNDURAZIEFF
Santa Ana, CA.

The Mad Macedonian!

I knew the chances were slim of getting a reply.

Happy Day of the Ma to all the Wimmens out there!

Today is National Be Nice to Yer Sainted Ma ( Or she'll kick yer sorry hide! ) Day.

It is more commonly known as Mother's Day.

If, like me, your Mom has passed away, then think about the good times in honor of her memory.

This summer will mark the 16th anniversary of the death of my Mom.

Our Moms, for good, or ill, play an important role in shaping who we become, and in the years since she died, as I have lived on my own for the 1st time in my life, I have been coming to undestand how, despite the overwhelming good she did, she still had a negative impact on my personal, social, and emotional, developement that I have worked hard at overcoming in the last 8 years.

I didn't need "Couch time" to come to this conclusion.

Just thinking back as I began to take the needed steps to change my life, and grow as a person, made me aware of how, in a sad way, helping care for her kept me from turning my attentions outward, and toward creating a life for myself away from my immediate family.

In many ways my Mom was a very insecure person.

She relied on Govt. Aid, and the help of friends who paid her for the help she gave them, to have an income for our family.

Why she never tried to re-educate herself for the job market after my Dad became mentally ill in 1969 and, 5 years in, it became clear he was never coming out of it, is a mystery that will never be answered, except that maybe she was so totally devoted to raising us kids that it never occurred to her to do this.

I CAN say that her devotion to us got us educated, and kept me, and my sisters, out of trouble.

Her over protectiveness held me back, but also affected her relationship with my sisters, who were much more tuned in to the world of their peers than I was with mine, and thus rebelled in various ways that I did not dream of doing ( Though we did have our conflicts ).

This rebellion, though, led to my younger sister becoming the hard striving Sheriff's Deputy she is, the lover of cooking ( A trait of our Mom's ), a person devoted to friends, and family, and a fine, caring, Mother in her own right at age 37, with a 2nd child now on the way a year later.

This rebellion gave my other sister, eventually, the strength to leave a destructive marriage, after the birth of her daughter ( A year after the death of our Mom ), and to educate herself for the jobs she has had since, and to become a fine Mother in her own right.

As for me...

From age 9 to age 30 my life revolved around my Mother, and also my Father.

I was so afraid of taking chances, and so concerned about how doing so might affect not just my life, but my Mom's, despite her urging me to try for something more, that I stayed with what was safe, comfortable, and known, for longer than made sense.

With both deceased I was finally alone, but nothing really changed in my life.

I did much to help my sisters, by bringing them into the family home for various lengths of time, but it was not until 1998, with the sale of the home, and my bankruptcy, that I was FINALLY, truely, on my own, in my very own place.

I FINALLY began to take stock of  my very lonely existence, and the no-future job I had, and resolved to take the 1st steps toward a better life.

Maybe my Mom is looking down on me, proud that I was, and have been ever since, finally taking steps to change my life for the better.

I have fond memories of my Mom:

Her cooking, her singing, her humor, her knitting, her love of gardening, her pride in my accomplishments.

Playing checkers, and the 1st time I beat her, and then never, ever, lost again.

Her cooking.

The years of playing 1000 Rummy, our own version of the popular card game, using 2, ( or was it 3, I forget! ) decks of cards.

Did I mention her cooking??? ;-D

So, here's looking at you Mom!

I hope you are proud that by getting a computer in 1999 I took the 1st steps to "get a life".

I hope you are proud of my finally leaving that old bookstore job after 18 years,  in 2001, and of the career choices I've made in the 5 years since.

I hope you are proud of the friendships I've made, and the 2 trips I've taken out of state as a result ( 2000 and 2001 ).

I hope that you are proud of my intermittent efforts at cooking a serious meal for myself, and my determination to learn more.

I hope you are proud of my efforts at creative writing, my being profiled in 2 newspaper stories, and of my wonderful 2 Blogs ( Born in 2002 and 2003 ).

I hope it will make you proud that I am slowly beginning the challenging effort to improve my ability to use my new computer, printer, and camera by exploring their capabilities, and by starting to take various, short, free online courses offered through my work.

I hope that you will forgive me for not having gotten hitched, and provided you with a Grandson to carry on the name, by now, but will still put in a good word with whoever handles such matters, that, even at age 46, I'm still game, if that is what destiny has in store for me ( If that is not my destiny, then so be it. Everything happens for a reason, even my life up to this point, I have come to believe. ).

I'm going to celebrate this day, in your memory, by going out to dinner tonite.

COMMENTS WANTED!

Writer assures folks he will not be displeased with dissenting opinions:

This means, dear reader, that you can comment on EVERYTHING I've written that strikes your fancy, or pisses you off.

My e-mail is also here somewhere for those who wish to comment in that fashion only.

Over the last 4 years ( See celebration, here ) your comments, and e-mails, have made what I do here most rewarding.

I will say it again,

(1) To those my past and future writings have pissed off, and may continue to piss off, PLEASE feel free to post a comment as to WHY what I've written has gotten your underoos in a bunch. Be courageous! Dare to  share your views!

(2) To all y'all who have discovered something I have written that you enjoy, let me know it.

(3) Share your opinions on the subjects covered here with me, and your fellow readers of the COMMENTS, I won't bite, I promise!

(4) If someone posts SPAM, and ESPECIALLY ANY comments of a rude, crude, or threatening nature towards ME or MY READERSHIP, THE BOUNCER, NIKITA ( He DOES Bite when required ), WILL DELETE YOUR COMMENT ASAP with no explanation from him, or me, required unless we choose to give it.

I value the concept of free speech and the holding, and sharing, of differing opinions, and believe that the COMMENT SYSTEM, and even e-mail, opens a dialog between you the readership, and me, and will do what I can to ensure your visit here is a pleasant one, whether you agree with my writings, or not.

Welcome to my world. :-)

A Date to Remember, and to Celebrate

MAY 7, 2002 - a date which will live in the History of the Bloggerverse - the World of Blogs was suddenly and deliberately joined by a 42 year old, then Moderate Liberal, named Kiril Kundurazieff, and his 4 year old Cat, Nikita and his then protege, from the original location of The Maceyugoserbulgarigreekadonian Compound, on Blogspot, in Pomona, CA.

The man was at a stage in his life when, after 3 years online, he was ripe for new challenges, and the expansion of his little universe of experiences, and knowledge, and so, at the encouragement of a Conservative friend in the wilds of San Francisco, boldly took the 1st steps toward writing freedom, and participation, as a PJ Pundit, in the Army of Blogging Davids that make up the then young, but growing, worldwide Online Conversation.

Indeed, just hours after he had set up his site, the man was posting joyfully, and intelligently, to his blog and the person responsible for turning him on to Blogging, and a small cadre of other supporters, including 2 liberals, and another Conservative, delivered a formal "rousing cheer" to the birth of this new endeavor. Even as it seemed the announcement went unheard in the wider world, the simple truth was that the 1st few months contained a few - unheralded - hints -of the bright, and exciting, future that lay ahead for this new voice - crying out to be heard in the Bloggerverse.

It will be recorded that the writer has created almost 1500 entries from a Blog called Sneakeasy's Joint, filled with stories, poems, reviews, opinions and essays, a trip, or 2, humor, and more that make it obvious that he has deliberately , and openly, chronicled the days, weeks, months, and years of his experiences, and the events he has witness since that fateful day all those years ago. During the intervening time the Blog has deliberately moved from Blogger to Movable Type, to its present home on Typepad, and the writer has grown, and matured as a person, and a writer, and evolved to become a Moderate Conservative, and a tiny, but respected, presense in the ongoing conversation.

The birth, and growth, of that 1st Blog in that small 1 bedroom apartment in the Inland Empire has caused severe angst to The Minions of W.A.C.K.I.E. their fellow travellers of all stripes on the Far Left, and even the military forces of those America, and its allies, are fighting in The War Against Terror. Very many American lives, and the lives of others around the world, have been touched. In addition new Blogs have been reported to have been started due to the example he has set.

In January, 2003, The Mad Macedonian also launched a popular BikeBlog. In the same year he moved to Orange County, the heart of Conservatism in California. In Summer 2005 he attacked the challenge of a drastic change in career. Last fall he honoroably retired his very old computer, and gingerly joined the fast paced world of computing, and DSL with a new Dell Computer. This spring he survived the perils of Cataract Surgery to see even more clearly than ever the world around him. This morning the cat just yawned at all the hullaballoo over this anniversary, and promptly went back to sleep.

The Mad Macedonian has undertaken a personal journey of struggle, and growth, extending throughout the the past 8 years, and is ongoing. The facts of that momentous day in 2002 speak for themselves. The people of the United States, and the world have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and conversation of the Bloggerverse.

As the above Mad Macedonian, and the Blogger-in-Chief of Sneakeasy's Joint, and The Cycling Dude, and with the help of my trusty Bouncer, I am determined that all measures be taken for the continued growth, and success, of these, and possibly future writing endeavors.

Always will I remember, and cherish, the contributions, and encouragement of my HTML Guru, friends, and family. No matter what I will make sure that this premeditated step taken into the wider world, will continue to be a powerful voice for knowledge, freedom, democracy, bicycling, and Pussys everywhere, contributing to absolute victory over those who have other ideas for the future of our planet.

I believe I speak with a clear purpose when I assert that I will not only express myself to the uttermost but will make very certain that these blogs shall never tire in their efforts to bring information to the internet masses.

Disagreements, and even hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that Liberals, and terrorists, are out there, that our territory is under threat from Illegal - Immigration, that Europe is under threat from religious extremism, and the consequences of the failue of its own mishmash of politics since World War 2, and the end of the Cold War, and that our interests, as Conservatives, Americans, Bloggers, and writers expressing our opinions, in a constantly evolving new medium, are in grave danger from several fronts.

With growing confidence in my own abilities - with unbounded determination, and the encouragement of friends, and family - I will continue to triumphantly write, and grow as a person - so help me Instapundit, and The Ecosystem.

***NOTE ON LINKS AND AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO COMMENT***

As I sit here I wish to say that I welcome your comments, and e-mails, and eagerly encourage you to peruse the stories linked in this celebratory essay, and the collection of links to other blogs, and websites, in the sidebars.

Why?

Because reading does a body good. :-D

I apologize for all broken links in any older stories, and hope you enjoy my posts regardless.

All any Blogger can ask potential readers to do is decide whether to Explore This Blog, or Don't...

***END NOTE***

Oh, and thank you FDR for the inspiration!

Technorati Tags: Blogs, Blogging, Bloggerverse, Liberals, Liberal, FDR, Pundit, Conservatives, Conservative, Europe, politics, Maceyugoserbulgarigreekadonian, freedom, democracy, knowledge, terrorists

Welcome OC Blog Readers and Visitors from Points Beyond

I would sincerely like to welcome readers of OC Blog who have been drawn here by an article and comments, the other day, that link to a story of mine on what I witnessed Monday night.

I'd Like to repeat my welcome extended early to readers coming here from other recent coverage of this blog as well.

I have been here posting from The Maceyugoserbulgarigreekadonian Compound since May 2002, 1st as a resident of Pomona, then Costa Mesa, and now Santa Ana.

Perhaps you locals in the readership saw the Daily Pilot Story about me, and 2 other local Bloggers, last fall?

I welcome your comments, and e-mails, and eagerly encourage you to peruse my Catagory archives, and the collection of links to other blogs, and websites, in the sidebars.

I particularly encourage you to check out my Creative Writing posts, my Orange County Posts ( Saving the political ones for another time ), the non-politics entries in my Opinions, and Essays, my Creative Writing, my Genealogy posts, the Bookcrossing posts, the Humor posts, the Cat posts, the series on my visit to the Getty Center, and the series of posts I call Reagan, Conservativism, and me.

Why?

Because relaxing reading does a body good.

I also believe that A Happy Blogger is a Healthy Blogger!

My thoughts on Politics, Immigration, and The War Against Terror, among other hot button issues, will still be here, don't worry. ;-D

I am the product of an Immigrant Father, have a peculiar sense of humor, am a cat lover, a Bicyclist and BikeBlogger ( Includes articles on cycling the OC, and surrounding counties. ), still Single, a Harmless Little Fuzball and, statistically speaking, rarely cuss up a storm ( Trust me on this: I did an internal search, a while back, of my over 2000 posts, and millions of words, over 4 years, on 2 blogs, looking for instances of certain popular naughty words, and the results would bore you. )

All any Blogger can ask potential readers to do is decide whether to Explore This Blog, or Don't...

From the Desk of

I've always found that line amusing for some reason.

It's not the DESK that wrote the Press Release, Article, Column, Letter, E-mail, or whatever, afterall. ;-D

Although, to give some very famous desks their due....

IF they could....

Can you imagine some of the stories they would have to tell?

Here, at The Maceyugoserbulgarigreekadonian Compound, Ground Zero is a simple affair that still needs a drawer added to make it whole, but it is sufficient until I decide to get a better one.

But back to my question.

Imagine what stories the desks in the White House, and Congress, and leaders around the world, would have to tell!

Imagine if they each had their own Blog! ;-D

Think of any famous person throughout history, especially writers, journalists, politicians, and royalty.

The tabloids would be all over them looking for dirt.

The weekend TV talk fests, and all of talk radio, would be so serious in their interviews, and discussions.

Book Publishers, and Movie Studios, would be fighting for the rights.

Life for these folks would be glorious!

Until the next Big Story came along, or they got bored with the subject.... ;-D

Technorati Tags: Desk, Letter, Book, Movie, Article, Column, Maceyugoserbulgarigreekadonian

I Dig Photography!

You may have noticed a return of photographs to SEJ recently.

There is a reason for this.

Late last year I bought my 1st Digital Camera, a Canon PowerShot A400, and am starting to finally play with the little darling.;-D

It is a bit daunting to learn to use it, but I am determined.

This means that I can download photos onto my computer, and make a picture suitable for posting on either of my Blogs.

That ought to liven things up around here a bit, on occasion, ya think? ;-D

Have you now, or ever been, Hypnotized?

I have a friend who tells the following story:

I once had a college communications professor who asked the class to
raise their hands ff they had ever been hypnotized. 

A few hands went up.

He then asked how many had watched TV for more than 15 minutes
without leaving the chair/sofa. 

The whole class raised their hands.

"You've all been hypnotized", he said.

TV - Electronic Soma.

Hee, hee. ;-D

Between 1970 and 1998, I, like everyone else, had my favorite TV shows.

On different channels, during the same hour, even!

When the VCR came along I was in heaven because I could tape all my favorite show when not at home, and never miss an episode.

Then I began to think about what else was missing in my shut-in life, and the very 1st step I took was to stop watching all but 2 of my favorite TV shows.

In a couple of more years I even stopped watching them.

These days I only watch news programs, and sports, and the occasional cartoons in passing.

Over the last 4 years I've watched the occasional Video, and DVD, but one of the biggest changes is that while I still read books as much as ever, I don't read the Newspaper as often, and rarely read Magazines.

The other change, of course, began when I got a Computer and went online at the end of the 1990's.

I read a lot online, and became a Blogger.

I wonder how many Bloggers, and other Computer users, are "Hypnotized" by their Computer, and have fortgotten that there is more to life than sitting in front of their computers reading, writing, Blogging, and Gaming all day long?

Join me doing something else, why don't you?

Take a Bike Ride, go for a Walk, or a Hike, visit, a Museum, or 2.

You won't miss anything, trust me. ;-D

Technorati Tags: Bike, Walk, Hike, TV, Video, DVD, Computer, Blogging, Blogger, Blogger, Newspaper, News, Magazines, Hypnotized

Debating Where to Ride a Bicycle

Did you know:

"There are many people who think that bicycling is especially dangerous, not recognizing that cyclists travel more miles per fatality than pedestrians and more hours per fatality than passenger vehicle users."

Those words, and more can be found on the website of Ken Kifer.

I bring this up because, on my BikeBlog, The Cycling Dude, I have spent the last few days debating an angry man in Colorado who is  both a Motorist, AND a Bicyclist, and has some serious "issues" with BOTH.

He is afraid to ride his bike on the street, and this clouds his judgement in discussing the issue of where, and how, a person can ride safely.

The debate so far:

1. Angry Coloradoan Suggests Cyclists Pay Taxes.

2. Angry Coloradoan Defends Letter and Berates BikeBloggers.

3. Angry Coloradoan 3: The Letter not Published.

4. Angry Coloradoan 4: I believe in what I say.

Technorati Tags: Bicycle, Pedestrians, Motorist, Travel

Nephew Watching and Target Shopping

Now THAT'S the way to spend a birthday! ;-D

I went to visit Sister Deputy, and Deputy Toddler, this morning and spent a couple of fun hours watching, and interacting with ( Toss the ball to Uncle Kiril! ), the little guy as he played outside in his Playpen full of Toys and a tiny slide.

Not only can he walk but he is a smart little dude. ;-D

He is big for 1 yr. old, and is bigger than a friend of his who is 18 mo. old.

He has the beginnings of a vocabulary that has grown from Mamma and Pappa, when he was about 7 or 8 months old, to versions of Ball, and Bubble, among other words.

When he  gets fixated on a toy that requires him to do more than hold it he knows what to do.

He pushes a toy lawn mower around.

It is funny to watch him enter this little "room" with windows from which he can enter the slide, and slide down.

He has to not only step over this little step at the entrance, but remember to lower his head as well, and it is funny to watch. :-D

An example of how he thinks for himself occurs when he makes his toy Police Car go down the slide.

He, of course, needs to go get it if he wants to repeat the action.

So he navigates the entrance, walks all the way around the Slide contraption, making his way around scattered toys and, undistracted by those temptations, retrieves his car, turns around, and smiling triumphantly, returns to roll the car down the slide again with a proud, and funny, laugh of accomplishment.

I brought my Sister a Birthday Present ( Her BD was the 2nd ) that  was related to the birth of my Nephew last year.

I had saved complete copies of the OC Register for the day of, and the day before, his birth.

I recently FINALLY had a chance to go to a Comic Shop, in Long Beach, that sold large enough bags, and backing boards to put them in, and so was able to finally give her the papers.

I also gave her a copy of the paper that featured my Interview, and front page picture, from last years as well. ;-D

She gave me a $50 Gift Card to Target. ;-D

On my way home I stopped at the one close to my home.

I found the perfect T-Shirt!

It's Black, and on the front, in funny white printing, is the following:

I'm Strange, Maybe Even Crazy, But There's Never a Dull Moment!

Hee, hee. ;-D

I also got a pair of pants.

Then I picked up 2 DVD's:

The Special Collector's Edition of Titanic on DVD: The one with deleted scenes and an Alternate Ending among other things.

The 1st DVD Edition of Schindler's List  with its many extras.

Not too shabby for just under $50. ;-D

Eye Survived Cataract Surgery Fine

It has been a week since Cataract Surgery on my Left Eye, and my vision is making progress.

You will have noticed that posting has been kept up on a daily basis.

Up thru yesterday most of those posts were set up before my surgery so as not to stress my eye for the 1st week.

So what's the story of my Surgery, and it's aftermath?

It was a very interesting experience.

For 4 days before my Thursday Surgery I had to put drops in the eye, 4 times a day, to help sterilize it against infection.

The morning of the festivities, an hour before getting to the hospital, I was supposed to put drops in the eye to begin the process of Dilation.

Since No relatives were available to take me to the Hospital I rode the bus, and got there an hour early ( 1045am ) so as to use the Drops.

I know, I know... What a Genius! ;-D

Well, I got sidetracked by the only confusion of the day. ;-D

Seems the paperwork at the reception desk said I was still supposed to be getting one of the more expensive surgeries, and lenses, and so the Clerk asked me for $1000 up front!

Well, after 30 minutes of checking the records, and onsite supplies, and making phone calls, the confusion was settled, and it was determined that, yes, they DID have the correct surgery, and lense set up, and ready for my procedure.

Ok, NOW can I go put those drops in my eye, Nursey???

I then had to convince them that I received the OK from my Surgery Co-ordinator to take a Taxi home afterwards, but they didn't go along until they consulted the Anesthesiologist assigned to my procedure, and got HIM to ok it as well.

I spent  some time filling out various bits of paperwork, including a form regarding wishes in case of complications resulting in my being unable to communicate.

Filling out such a paper tends to focus your mind on what's important... trust me.

Overall, everyone was helpful, and understanding, of my concerns, and questions, throught this confusing 1st hour.

Finally, about noon, I was let in to the Inner Santum.

Let's get this show on the road! ;-D

Technorati comes to Sneakeasy

Now I've gone, and done it!

I've now Officially joined Technorati by adding links in the sidebar, and will be adding Search Term Tags to almost every post.

Rank: 82,408 (93 links from 30 sites) out of 29.1 milllion sites! ( Feel free to check out my page in the link in the sidebar ) ;-D

EYE go under the knife on Thursday

As reported last month I will be getting Cataract Surgery on my Left Eye.

The Big Day is Thursday.

I will be off the job for a month, but the 1st 3 weeks I will get 75% of my regular pay thru work, and State Disability, and the 4th wek will be full vacation pay from work as I take my scheduled vacation.

Normally a person wears a patch for a few days, then their vision is sort of blurry for a week.

Most folks can go right back to work, but since I sit in front of a computer screen for 8 hours a day, 6 days a week, I wasn't willing to put my newly worked on eye thru that so soon.

I see the Doc for Post-Op the day after, and March 2nd, and since there is still an infinitesimal chance of a problem cropping up I'm staying out a bit longer.

So how will that affect Blogging?

In the 1st week maybe a lot so I'm preparing posts in advance that will be scheduled to appear on certain days.

Hopefully I'll be back at full visual strength by my Birthday on March 5th.

Eye have made my decision

I've made a decision about my eyes.

It is a decision some might question considering the Options I had to choose from.

I hope my explanation helps anyone else with a similar decision as they sort throught their own choices.

I have decided to only do what is necessary to stablize my eyesight;

The cataract surgery and corrective lenses that are covered by insurance.

That is the 1st Option I described last month.

The Left Eye, now, the Right Eye, later.

I needed to sort out what is medically necessary from what is cosmetic and/or would be "nice" to have.

I have worn Glasses all my life, and as much as I would DEARLY love to do something to clear up completely my vision problems the cost just seems too high to risk my future on.

I carried too much debt once before, and went bankrupt.

I am just  now creeping into the middle class and reaping modest rewards for my hard work...but to go into more consumer debt on a limited income is simply not wise.

I am just now beginning to rebuild my credit with 2 manageable lines of credit, and specific purchases, through Sears, and Dell.

I want to get a new TV, and Stereo, this year, and then I plan to pay it all off by mid 2007 or the end of 2008, but taking on even the smaller of the financing for my eyes would not allow that, and my debt would double if I did the other.

As it is I would maybe have to buy a new pair of Glasses, if they can't just switch the lens in the pair I just bought 4 months ago, and just paid off.

I would have to pay off the new ones over a few months.

I want to finally slowly build my savings

I got a raise this month to $10.53 an hour, and next summer that will go to $11.91.

Who would have thought that 3 years ago?

Sister Deputy offered to help me, but when I ask myself what would happen if my circumstances changed, or even if hers changed, then the decision is clear.

The 1st Option, the one that gives me new lens in 1st the Left Eye, then the Right one in a year, will give me a drastically better lens, and drastically better prescription for my Glasses.

I would still be Nearsighted, but not like now.

It does not take care of the Astigmatisms, but maybe 4 years from now taking care of those would be an option I could pay for.

I am going to talk to the Liason at the Eye Doc, and get my decision finalized.

I know  my Sisters care about me, and want to help, but as much as I would like to have near perfect vision, and not wear glasses ever again, I'm not willing to risk paying a heavy price if life circumstances changed for the worse.

Colonoscopy Report: You can do it again if ya want Doc

Hee, hee. ;-D

I don't know what all the freakin' fuss is about over Colonoscopies.

Other than a little, um, pressure, on the entrance to the back door, I didn't feel a thing.

I honestly thought I was awake, and talking, and that that was BEFORE I was to be knocked out for the duration!

I was talking, and joking with the Lady Nurses, explaining about yesterdays Live Blogging, and enjoying their, and the Doc's, amusement at my little sign taped to my butt as they were putting needles in me, and attatching monitors to my skin.

I also responded to their instructions about breathing, and moving as this was going on.

This, to me, was only less than 10 minutes.

All of a sudden they said the fun was over, and I was puzzled by that.

They said that I awoke a couple of times, and responded to their instructions then went back to sleep.

Just like that it was over, and I missed it!

No feeling of going/being out of it, in a haze of drugs, no chance to ogle the screen and view the tour in progress.

I never felt woozy, even afterwards, and when I got home I was able to eat a nice bowl of Chicken Noodle Soup, and Crackers, and will be having hot dogs, and a salad, tonight.

The run-up to this was full of humor as I told the various receptionists I dealt with that this was their last opportunity to talk me out of this, and got laughs about my blogging, and the sign on my butt from them, and the initial Prep Nurses.

Each Receptionist, and Nurse, asked me to spell my name, and give my birth date, as they looked at my paperwork.

It's an odd part of their job, but I laughed and assured them I was the same person I was 5 minutes ago, and that I was the only person in the building who could accurately spell my name from memory. ;-D

I got a few grossly cool pics of my innards, including one of the exit from the Poop's point of view, and they even took a shot of my stickered Butt. ;-D

The upshot of all of this, and the good news, is that they found no polyps, or other problems. ;-D

With this glowing recommendation, Guys, I expect to hear, in the news, of an inexplicable rush on Colonoscopies in the coming weeks.

Right Guys?

Um, Guys?

Guys??????

Jeez, what a bunch of Girly Men! ;-D

Heading to the Hospital with both ends smiling

In a half hour I'll be hopping the bus to the Hospital for my Coloscopy.

Do Butt Docs have a sense ofhumor?

We shall see because I got a plan. ;-D

I will have the following message taped to my ASS for all to see when I remove my clothes:

DRIVE CAREFULLY!!

SPEED LIMIT

55MPH

WATCH FOR CURVES

IN ROAD!!

Stay tuned for an eventual "After Procedure" report, and analysis. ;-D

Losing it

As mentioned yesterday I began the day weighing 191 lbs.

This morning I weighed 186lbs.

A loss of a whopping 5 lbs! ;-D

I recommend Nulytely to anyone disatisfied with Jenny Craig. ;-D

A Special End to a very trying day

It's almost 10pm as I write this, and that noxious potion, and the cute little pills, I took earlier, have been having their way with my system in preperation for my Colonoscopy tomorrow.

Earlier this evening, however, I received an e-mail that made my day, and made it all worthwhile. ;-D

As mentioned this morning I would be spending a lot of time reading a particular book in my collection to pass the time as I "passed" other things.

I have been reading The Politically Incorrect Guide to American History by Thomas E. Woods, Jr..

Who said sitting on the Throne couldn't be edumicational? ;-D

At around 5pm I received an e-mail with the following Subject:

Best of luck on the colonoscopy.

The Body of the message was as follows:

Best wishes for your good health!

Best,
Tom Woods
Author, The Politically Incorrect Guide to American History

ThomasEWoods.com

I sat there...

Looking at that message in stunned disbelief.

How in the hell did he find out about little ol' me?

A check of my Sitemeter Stats provided the answer.

Blame Google Blog Search. ;-D

Someone in New York did a search for "thomas e woods".

What he found is a tad embarrassing for me, not to mention maybe poor Mr. Woods himself.

When you follow the link you will discover the TOP 10 results, of 174, for the search term "thomas e woods".

Guess who is #1 when sorted by RELEVANCE?

A visit to Mr. Woods Website confirmed that, yes, he indeed DOES live in New York with his family.

Well, DAMN!

Just knock me over with a feather, and call me deeply touched, and very honored! ;-D

Needless to say I sent a note back:

Um, WOW! does NOT even come close to what I'm feeling right now.

Dear Mr. Woods,

Your e-mail just made my day!

I find it hilarious, and a tad embarrasing ( on your behalf ) that my post is #1 for a search of your name on Google. ;-D

What possessed you to do that search today, of all days, or do you do that on a regular basis?

Anyway, your book is an enjoyable, and informative, read and, when done I'll be recommending it with a review.

Thanks for the well wishes!

It means a lot. ;-D

KIRIL KUNDURAZIEFF
Santa Ana, Ca.

What a way to end the day. ;-D

***UPDATE***

1020PM...

Mr. Kundurazieff,

Thanks for your kind reply.  From time to time I run my name through Google blog search just to see what's going on.  I've had several books come out one after the other, and it's interesting to see if and where they're being discussed, etc.  It's just something fun I do once in a while.

All the best,
Tom Woods

***END UPDATE***

You know, it's little things like this that make me feel like I'm the luckiest guy on the planet sometimes. ;-D