Vacation Edition

A lot has happened in the last week beyond this new format. I'm no longer a full time employee and have taken up (although not until we get back from vacation) my new part time status. I *AM* however, now officially a full time student as I chucked a huge amount of coin at the University of Toronto a few days ago. I worked very hard this summer and it was worth it as I was able to save over 60% of my tuition for the year. I've selected all my classes and here's a look at what will be filling my head in 04-05: HIS334- 19th & 20th Century Central Europe HIS377- 20th Century American Foreign Policy HIS344- Conflict & Co-operation in the Cold War Era HIS425- Historiography HIS426- Historians USA300- Thinking About the US and I can't wait!!! I've been communicating with some people from my college (Trinity) and learning more and more about the wonderful (and very historic) part of the university to which I now belong. Apparently the Trinitrons (as we are known at Trinity College) tend to be despised by the other colleges because our traditions are the oldest (and the most firmly held) and we're a bit pompous (so of course *I* fit it!!!). Now the Trinitrons will tell you it's just jealousy because Trinity is the hardest college to get into but they also fully embrace the pompous label. The night before classes start I will participate in the Matriculation and Convocation ceremony where I'm officially entered into the Book of Trinity. The few people that I've talked to are already, it would seem, intrigued that I'm quite a bit older than most other Trinitrons. Hopefully they will be more eager to meet me than to mock me. This week I was also able to start playing softball with my father-in-law again. We've lost both games (I swear it's not my fault!), but considering I had a year lay-off, I don't think I played all that poorly. We have one more game tonight and then a weekend tournament in a few weeks. Better late than never I guess. Shelley and I (and Dixie and Willow of course) are at this moment preparing for a week-long vacation to Virginia to see little Christina's baptism, relax with our wonderful friends, play golf (ok that's for me), enjoy the beach, and generally re-charge our batteries for the next little while. It will be nice not to have the make the drive alone this time as sometimes the miles start to drag- especially at night. I know many people look forward to reading details of Shelley's latest renovation projects. She is currently designing a patio area behind the workshop that will eventually have a trellis and serve as a summer time relaxation spot. Also, since next summer we want a deck in place, the patio will be a more natural surrounding with the raspberry bushes within reach. Here's what it looked like before- http://stamant.org/Albums/ShelleysGardens/images/100_4252.jpg and here's what it looks like so far (with still lots to do of course)- http://stamant.org/100_4608.jpg and a closeup- http://stamant.org/100_4612.jpg Here is how she describes what she wants to do: "the first level, which is directly behind the garage, on which i will put the old enamelled sink from our old kitchen. it's original to the house. the sink will be used for potting plants. i would like to put some trellis over the spot and some wavy white curtains, and in the summer i can lounge there and drink lemonade and just reach out and pull raspberries right off the bushes beside the fence" Well, that's it for this week since I've still got lots of packing and cleaning up to do before we leave in 12 hours (not to mention get ready for a softball game). Perhaps there will be a mid-vacation update at some point, but until then... Cheers

The Completely Interactive Edition

For the few of you who have been living under the proverbial rock, this is a 'blog'. I've decided to move my TGIF over to this format in an effort to save valuable inbox space in your (my reader's) email program because I've noticed of late I tend to get long winded with lots of run ons and poor grammar just willy nilly wandering off topic into some stream of consciousness rambling that resembles really nothing close to actual articulation...see! This way instead of getting some huge KB space crunching email, you'll now be able simply click a link each week and read. You can also check throughout the week for a wild update or two that might pop up. Basically it is now interactive and totally up to you. By the way this also will serve as a back up in case my email program totally crashes and I lose everyone's email!! So that's a bit of thought behind it. Those of you with access to my other blog incarnations feel free to keep tabs as well, I'm not giving those up. Also, if you're intimimately familiar with blogs and commenting you may skip the next section, pass go and collect $200 and free community chest card! Commenting info: at the bottom of each post there will be a little link to click and drop comments to me. You click the comments key, then click a Post a Comment link and it will take you to a page where, if you aren't a blogger person, you may choose Post Anonymously. Here's a sample of good comments: "Ron, enjoyed the post this week." or "Ron, you are quite witty." or "Ron, you are handsome beyond all words. All should bow down before you and worship your greatness. Here's a million dollars just because you are so wonderful!" Here's a few BAD comments: "Ron, I hate you, I wish you were dead" or "Ron, it would seem you've forgotten what my attourney said the last time...leave me alone!!!" or "Dear Loser, Get a Life!" (each of these, I think you'd agree, are pretty negative and might cause me to cry) Okay on to other business. I hope you like this and I hope you'll read it (and more importantly I hope I remember to post on it) which I'll do again right after this. You might see as you check back that I'll be reposting past TGIFs that were in the mail version. This is because I'm trying to archive them and in no way should be interpreted as an example of my egomaniacal tendencies (yeah right). You also might note that in the right hand column is a list of post titles which are an easy reference guide in case you've missed a few things. Also, at some point the layout may change...or not...this is rather minimalistic and I kind of like that! Cheers

Ron's Really Starting to Worry Me

Oy! This has been a trying week for me and I'm not in a great frame of mind so I'll try to keep this recap brief (though I can't say the same for my deeper thought rant...see below...and if you never read it, please read today's because I took extra time to transcribe quotes and fact check...like I wish actual media would do...but methinks I grumble too fast)... Um... Well first the good news- I was able to score the extra class that I wanted [Historiography & Historians], and it fit nicely into my schedule. I also started doing some research for a lengthy project about Presidential pardons that I hope to turn into something in the next few years (maybe a doctoral thesis? or just a regular flight of fancy??). Either way it has me motivated for a particular thread of inquiry and the longest journey begins with a single step...blah blah sanctimonious self-serving blah blah. See I told you I'm having a rough week. Even my good news doesn't thrill me. I saw "The Village" last week... (man is this one exciting email or what? I'm sure you're expecting like music or frolicking clowns or something by this point but it just ain't happenin' Sparky...plus in the words of David St. Hubbins of Spinal Tap, "Clowns make people sick") Here's a random weird thought...if you mugged a mime would they make any noise? One would assume they would drop the charade of not being able to communicate to at least politely request that you stop beating them up...then again they could be slaves to their craft and stay 'in character'. Then again if they are the type to do that, they probably wouldn't be able to tell the police who did it, right? Now please, I implore you, do not go randomly pummelling mimes. No instead pick one particular mime out and stalk them relentlessly, then jump them when it is most convenient for YOU! I'm kidding, I'm kidding...except not really. (No seriously I'm just kidding) (Do it, you know you want to) (No, No) See, Al Franken calls that "kidding on the square". It's when you say something in a joking manner that actually you mean, but not really, but yes. Or that Eddie Izzard head nod bit? (I throw that out for my sister who loves Eddie Izzard as do I) So to recap, I don't want folks bludgeoning mimes on my authority then pointing the finger of guilt in my direction...besides it's probably legal to beat up mimes in Canada...it's sort of looser up here. But I really do. Ok, well if you've lasted this long with this email you're either a) enjoying it b) phoning the police or c) Googling your local "Mime College" to pick a worthy victim Either way, you're a committed sort and I applaud your 'moxie'...though I really don't know what that means...or if it is spelled correctly...and I don't have time to spell check...I saving my energy for the mimes. ahh...see how I brought it all together? that's the genius of comedy my friend! Well now I feel slightly better. Apparently the thought of inflicting pain upon grease painted weirdoes 'does something' for me. Or it just could be the medication. (At this point you have to be impressed that I've stretched the rather thin material of mime-beating into this long an email...impressed or annoyed...or frightened- tomato, tamahto) So it's raining now. I rarely discuss the weather with you folks because well...what does it matter what it's doing HERE since almost all of you are hundreds of miles..you know..NOT here (I just felt like not using the word away...it was an editorial choice on the fly and gave me that rather Chandler Bing-ish sarcasm voice I have). I mention the weather because as I watch my CNN I see an hurricane bearing down on Florida (notice how I used 'an' appropriately there?) Poor, poor Florida. It just can't catch a break. Hurricane, Hurricane, Gator Attacks, Hurricane, Disenfranchising African-American Voters, Hurricanes, Rickey Williams going off to Hong Kong to smoke pot, Hurricanes. I mean, what gives? Somebody's pretty p'od at Florida. I mean they are wildfires, earthquakes, and an actor-governor away from being California! I kid Florida for all their vote-finagling and California for all their vote-voiding...really...just kidding...on the square. This week's deeper thought: Spin, Spin, Huh??, or: Why I Threw Socks at Dick Cheney's Head This Morning Why? Well the fact that Dick Cheney is shamelessly mischaracterizing what John Kerry said the other day, and the media just doesn't call him on it, for starters. I've read 4 stories about Cheney's speeches over the last 24 hours, where he's criticizing John Kerry's "sensitive" comment and none of them...NONE mention the actual quote. Here see for yourself- [This is Cheney]: "America has been in too many wars for any of our wishes, but not a one of them was won by being sensitive. President Lincoln and General Grant did not wage sensitive warfare -- nor did President Roosevelt, nor Generals Eisenhower and MacArthur. A 'sensitive war' will not destroy the evil men who killed 3,000 Americans and who seek the chemical, nuclear and biological weapons to kill hundreds of thousands more." Boy that John Kerry must have really said something stupid, kowtowing to the terrorists like that. I hate him. I'll never vote for a traitorous person like that for president...oh except... [Here's what John Kerry ACTUALLY said]: "I believe I can fight a more effective, more thoughtful, more strategic, more proactive, more sensitive war on terror that reaches out to other nations and brings them to our side." But wait a sec...that's not what Dick Cheney said you said. Could he just be mistaken? Maybe Vice President Cheney wasn't able to get the full text the speech because he was in an "undisclosed location" again, hiding from the 'evil men'? That must be it. Except... Here's what Lynne Cheney said in response to Kerry's statement: "With all due respect to the Senator, it just sounded foolish. I can't imagine that al Qaeda will be impressed by sensitivity." See how insidious this is?? Where...WHERE...did Kerry say he wanted to impress "al Qaeda" with sensitivity? Kerry was talking about bringing our allies (our real allies not Tongo and the Solomon Islands) back to our side. I don't *infer* this mind you, I *know* this because it happened to be WHAT HE SAID!!! Let me check again in case I can't read...."...reached out to other nations and bring them to our side...", yep I was right. Oh, they say, he implied sensitivity to al Qaeda Um except... al Qaeda isn't a nation therefore he couldn't POSSIBLY have been referring to the terrorist organization when he used the word 'nations'. (/scratches head) Hmm...well what then do you suppose he meant? Clearly, Kerry was talking about diplomacy to regain the trust and respect of our allies and rededicate those forces to fighting terrorism...which is pretty much what a President should be doing. I mean unless we want to abolish the State Department...and recall all our ambassadors. Of course the Bush Administration has gotten REALLY good at creating an echo chamber. They take some part of a quote, discard the parts that don't fit their version of the facts and then dispense it as truth and repeat, repeat, repeat, until it all sounds plausible and you, the home viewed has heard it some many times that it becomes "fact". It doesn't take a FOX Secrets of Magicians special to know how and why they get this done...although when it comes to promoting the mischief of the Bush Administration...FOX would be apropos. I still support the war, because I believe we are better off without Hussein than with him and there was no way he was leaving without being taken down by the US...but all the post war planning that I read about before the war that convinced me this would be handled differently was a sham. In the end, I don't care that there's no WMD, except for the fact that it makes us look foolish and ruins any chance we have of getting other nations to believe us on Iran, Syria, North Korea etc. No, in my opinion it never should have been the primary cause- ridding the world of a murderous dictator and reintroducing democracy and human rights. That should have been the justification. Except that is something that traditionally Republicans don't support...they call that 'nation building'...more on that later. The UN, which levied sanctions against Hussein's government, should have been forced to admit that their oil for food program was a sham, which is why the sanctions weren't working, and that many countries (Germany, Russia, and France) were subverting the sanctions, helping Hussein steal from his own people. THAT should have been the justification also. Well that's two great justifications in my book. But Bush and Co didn't want to make the harder argument. They didn't want to present the complex (real) evidence, preferring to use the easy (sexy, fake, contradicted) evidence. Do I think they did it with malice? No. But I think they did it with cynicism in their hearts and a complete disregard for the American people...including the majority that didn't elect them. (yeah I know, I hate it when people drag that up usually...I'm just cranky today) I also think that it underscores the fundamental divide between Republicans and Democrats- they think short term, we think long term. From tax policy, to investments in education and job training, to health care; Democrats look at what long term effects policy will have. An example: Creating Head Start benefits long term educational opportunities for at-risk children so they are less likely to fail, fall victim to systemic problems in their communities, thereby lowering, potentially, crime rates, and creating better citizens- a small investment in the early years reaps the benefits down the road. That is an example of long term planning. (and, by the way, real family values) When it comes to the war, Bush and his advisors seem to only think about the 'war' phase with no thought to the 'peace' phase, because, in the nature of Republicans, is a distaste for 'nation building'. Want proof? Here's what George W Bush said when he was running for President in 2000: Oct. 11, 2000, in Winston-Salem, N.C., Bush said: "I don't think our troops ought to be used for what's called nation-building. . . . I think what we need to do is convince people who live in the lands they live in to build the nations. Maybe I'm missing something here. I mean, we're going to have a kind of nation-building corps from America? Absolutely not." Except now we're nation building in Afghanistan and Iraq (as we rightly should be). Saying you're against something, then turning around and engaging in that action...isn't that textbook definition of "flip-flop"? Well maybe not from an administration that: First opposed a Department of Homeland Security when it was proposed by Democrats...then supported it when it was overwhelming popular with the country First opposed the creation of the 9/11 Commission when it was proposed...then supported it when families of the victims of 9/11 loudly demanded it First opposed extending the time period of the commission when they asked for it stating that they needed more time (largely because, btw the Bush White House was stonewalling the release of documents)...then supported it when it was clear people wanted a complete report. Now I don't know about you...but that is called 'flip-flopping'. Imagine what the GOP would be saying if Bill Clinton was in the White House...hmmm By the way, here's my all time new favorite Bush quote: "I’m not sure the role of the United States is to go around the world and say this is the way it’s got to be. I want to empower people. I want to help people help themselves, not have government tell people what to do. I just don’t think it’s the role of the United States to walk into a country and say, we do it this way, so should you... I’m not sure where the vice president’s [Gore's] coming from, but I think one way for us to end up being viewed as the ugly American is for us to go around the world saying, we do it this way, so should you. I think the United States must be humble and must be proud and confident of our values, but humble in how we treat nations that are figuring out how to chart their own course." -also from the Oct 11 debate with Al Gore. Humble...even the most partisan Bushie can't honestly believe we've come close to being 'humble' Humble...you're either with us or against us Humble..."old world Europe" Humble. But not Sensitive!! Till Next Week Cheers, Ron ********** http://www.johnkerry.com/front/splash.html

The FALLS and falls Edition

Greetings all. I have recently added a few family members to this email list so to the uninitiated this is my weekly (lately semi weekly) update about all things ME (and my wife and dogs). There are usually photos interspersed as well (shut up Steve Snyder!!). As always if you don't want to be included send me an email and I'll remove you, but you'll be missing out on the fun. Hmmm I didn't really sell that all that well did I?? Maybe I should take a page from movie and book promotions. "I laugh all the time. I find your stories funny"- my mother in law "Two Thumbs Up"- Ebert & Roeper "People are going to start getting restraining orders against you" - my wife "Step out of the car please sir"- police officer "Get your stinkin paws off me you damn dirty ape"- Charlton Heston Anyway on to the insanity. Well it has been another fun filled week here in the St.Amant Compound North. All was going well...until today...more on that later. As you'll obviously notice this is coming at you a day earlier than normal which ties into the above comment...so be patient will ya. Last week I turned in my letter of resignation for the full time position. It was tough but there's just no way with my school schedule this fall (oy, I looked at the syllabi for two of my classes...work work work). I'm hoping they are going to let me stay on a part time basis a couple of days a week. It will help pay some bills and keep me in the loop for next summer when I can work likely as much as I want. It will be tough not to see the night shift guys because for the most part they are good people, but I won't miss being awake at (looks at watch) 5:00am and not seeing Shelley except on weekends. Unfortunately I had a setback that will hopefully not damage those chances...but again...it's coming up later (sheesh...you people just can't sit still can ya? Be honest. How many of you really just want to scroll down and get the suspense over with...hands please?? I thought so. Well it's YOUR mouse so scroll down if you must but you are throwing off this carefully choreographed narrative not to mention probably screwing with the space/time continuum but whatever...if you tear a whole in the delicate fabric of time because you can't wait like the rest of us then the safety of the universe is on your head...remember they don't name schools after jerks who nearly destroy the universe with their insatiable curiosity...how many J Robert Oppenheimer Middle Schools have YOU been to? See what I mean?) Back to the story at hand. Friday night- date night- Shell and I went to see Bourne Supremacy. Good movie! Saturday we spent the say at the Snyder Family Picnic. It was great to see some of the Snyder family that I only seem to get to see at Christmas. We also had a nice warm sunny day for a change as this summer has been rather short on those. Uncle Larry and Aunt Gloria were fabulous hosts, and we all got to play with their new puppy who still didn't have a name. Of course everyone wanted to play with the puppy but since she had no name to answer to, it made calling her a wee bit difficult. Some pictures: http://stamant.org/Albums/SnyderFamilyPicnic-07.31.04/Image1.htm (by the way for those of you who held off scrolling down and reading the 'reveal' you are to be commended for your restraint...for the rest of you nosy Nates who DID scroll down and read ahead...a) you should be ashamed of yourselves and b) how stupid and pathetic am *I*?) To continue- Sunday, getting absolutely NO sleep, we drove to Niagara Falls to see Scott, Ali, and the kids. The traffic was horrendous because it was a holiday weekend AND the Canadian Border patrol was staging a 'Work to Rule' where, in protest to the disparity in pay compared to the US guards, they subject every car and person to a complete inspection. Normally it takes a little over an hour to get to the Falls from our place, Sunday it took over 3!!!! But we got there, had a great time and here's more photos: http://stamant.org/Albums/Vacations/Image40.htm Ok so now... Those who've waited long enough have my undying gratitude for adhering to the chronology of my stories...those who DID NOT wait and have already read the following parts...I guess you're done. You may go now and probably watch the last 4 minutes of Citizen Kane, eat your dessert before dinner, and read the last chapter of a mystery novel because clearly that is the sort of reckless person you are...you just don't seem to care for the feelings of me- your humble servant. Frankly we should all just shun you. Everyone....let's turn our backs now on those sad sacks who couldn't hold it ok? We shall not speak their names. Let us hang giant scarlet letters about their necks so all will know. [THIS IS THE SPOT WHERE THE TRAUMA BEGINS] The Splat Story- August 4, 2004: Wednesday morning. Day. Interior of a small bungalow in country town in Canada. A woman prepares to go to work slaving away for her soon to be semi-employed husband with delusions of grandeur, vainly attempting a return to College. As she kisses him goodbye and leaves to toil away on a long summer day, her husband makes plans for a nice long shower and a restful sleep before having to go to work in a giant freezer, lifting heavy tubs of ice cream and such. The husband is nearly finished with his shower, and as he dutifully returns his shampoo bottle to the hanging rack, he loses his balance on the slick bathtub surface....... In the process of turning around, the husband slips and begins the classic cartoon-*whup whup whup* peddling feet motion which instead of allowing for the regaining of balance, merely speeds up the unbalancing and eventually (in what I swear to God seemed like 5 minutes of flailing legs) sends the husband lurching backwards out of the tub area. Crashing his shoulder, back and...well there's no delicate way to say it...ASS into the side of the toilet. Hanging there in a hammock like sling of the shower curtain (which didn't break?) and water flying everywhere, the husband vainly tries to return to an upright position (not an easy thing to do from this nightmare of a plastic shower curtain cocoon and a slick watery bathroom tub floor). Now to survey the damage... To myself I sustained bruising of the shoulder, back, leg and ego. I stiffened up throughout the day and had to call off from work which I know just pleases them to no end :( I've taken loads of Tylenol and I'm able to sit up and move okay now but I'm a sore puppy. I'm going to head into work tonight though. I also banged my head pretty good on the tank of the toilet and had a nice little bump there but no concussion (my wife was mainly worried about that part but I've had concussions before so I know when I DON'T have one) Other damages: The toilet tank has a huge crack in it and will have to be replaced. C'mon...look at me...look at a toilet tank...something was getting cracked in this and bring some "heft" to a fight...dig? (sorry I was watching Samuel L Jackson movies lately so I broke into jive for a second). So that's my story of spending the morning naked and wet, flailing like a hooked tuna, proving the laws of physics work (Mass and Force create Energy) and proving that God thinks I'm a big joke. There's no Deeper Thought this week as it would seem Tylenol wins out over political diatribes, so who says there isn't a silver lining to every grey cloud? Cheers, Ron p.s. Luckily for you there are no available pictures of my fall because eek...who needs actual images to go with the horrific mental ones you already have?