PERSONAL NEWS #81
Saturday, November 19th, I was invited to a friends [fellow Kucitizen] home in Brooklyn to see Robert Greenwalds documentary called "Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price". Linda, like many others throughout the US, opened her home for folk to come together and view this important, eye-opening film. It was a good turnout [12+] at Linda's place and I helped out in the kitchen, plus serving pizza and wine. Halfway thru the film we stopped for a brief "refreshment" break and intense discussion on the film itself, plus other topics. Not everyone’s "views" were harmonious, but all had a chance to speak their minds, some more than others. I'm so glad I got to see this film and eventually share the info with a friend who works at one of those crap stores. Passing on or sharing this info is vital in waking up more Americans to what this abusive, greedy, corrupt company is all about. In a message from Don Hazen at AlterNet.

"Every new Wal-Mart store creates a ripple effect; family businesses close up shop, factories shut down, communities get squeezed, and fulfilling careers are turned into nightmare chores. Meanwhile, taxpayers are footing the bill for the healthcare of thousands of Wal-Mart's employees, while the company receives exorbitant tax breaks from the very same communities Wal-Mart will eventually discard. These are blatantly anti-family, anti-American practices. We must demand change from Wal-Mart. This film will be a powerful, emotional, entertaining and visual mechanism designed to jumpstart this effort. Demanding change in the way the company conducts business in the US and across the globe."

On Monday, November 21st, I joined fellow NYC/LOTR fans Jackie and Becca for drinks and dinner at Cosi. This particular Cosi is just south of Union Square. We hung out there once before, back in September, and had a really good time. This time it was busier and couldn't get the table we wanted. So we hung out at the bar until a suitable table was available for us. Jackie had a glass of wine, Becca had water and I had a Cosmopolitan. I hadn't seen them since September and they weren't able to attend my October party. So we had alot of news and gossip to catch up on. And yes, we even talked about LOTRs. [smiling] After sitting at the bar for 45 minutes, we got abit annoyed and reminded the "hostess" we were still waiting for a table. Finally got a table, not in the best "section" in Cosi, but at least it was a friggin table so we could order dinner. Don't recall what I had to eat, but overall the food is pretty decent and prices are average. Very much enjoyed the evening and got home around 11:15pm.

Visited the family for the long Thanksgiving holiday - November 23rd through November 27th. We even got some snow the morning of Turkey Day. Nothing like a fresh snowfall to make everything look so white and pretty. Overall it was a decent holiday weekend. Except for the lower back going out, the 4 hour anxiety attack "late" Saturday evening and having to deal with "certain" relatives. As to the latter ... my sincere and heartfelt apologies to my dear parents, but if I didn't have to deal with "certain" relatives at all things would be, for the most part, sooo sweet. Won't say no more and leave it at that. [Ladies do not air dirty laundry in public.] As to the lower back situation, well, finally found not one but two wonderful message therapists. Amen! The first was at the Wilton Mall in Saratoga Springs and the second [Gloria Collery @ The Right Touch] has a practice in Greenwich, NY. I highly recommend the latter if you live in that area or just passing through. Her office number is 518-692-9798. [When I got back to NYC I also visited my chiropractor.] Not sure what brought on the anxiety attack, but it was one of the worst I have ever had in years. Yeah folks, it was NOT a pleasant experience.

One of the holiday weekend highlights for me was visiting "Over the Moon" bead and gift shop [http://www.overthemoon3.com] in Cambridge, NY. The owners ... Heather & Sara ... are wonderful ladies and so helpful. [They also provide classes on beading.] I love going into their shop for beads and get earring making advice. This year I am creating bead earrings as gifts for friends. It’s an enjoyable, satisfying challenge. As well as being therapeutic. Also working on creating "peace" style earrings for sale at future DoP events. 50% of proceeds will go to NYC DoP. [I believe I mentioned this in a previous "personal news" update.] Also got to catch up on viewing cable TV, since I do not own cable TV in NYC. Love to watch the Food Network, Discovery & History channels, plus there was a James Bond movie marathon on Spike TV. Got to see most of "Goldeneye" with the handsome Sean Bean as bad boy 006/Alex Trevelyan. Sigh!

MESSAGE FROM "NOT IN OUR NAME": REGARDING THE "GRANNY PEACE BRIGADE"
On Tuesday, January 10th, 2006 at 9:30 a.m. the 18 grannies of the Granny Peace Brigade will appear at Criminal Court [NYC] in connection with their October 17th action at the Times Square Recruiting Center. The Grannies, many of whom have maintained a "Bring the Troops Home" vigil for two years on Fifth Avenue, attempted to enlist but locked doors prevented them from entering the recruiting center, whereupon they sat down on the sidewalk. The police then arrested them and they were put into wagons, handcuffed (in back). Among the eighteen is Molly Klopot, longtime NION supporter and activist for peace and justice issues, who at 86 is not the oldest granny. Another woman is 90.

Come and join with others at their court appearance. Let's demonstrate our support for these courageous women, who already spent jail time when they were booked in October, not to mention their many hours vigilling on Wednesdays for the past two years. Norman Siegel is representing them and the courtroom will be large enough for you to attend. [The Duchess volunteered on the Siegel campaign during the 2005 NYC Public Advocate race. These grannies are being represented by a man who is compassionate and devoted to the people, not corporations nor the Bush Regime.] Mark your calendar:

TIME: 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 10th
PLACE: Criminal Court at 100 Centre Street (Leonard is the cross street.)
Plan to come early as security lines are invariably long.For more information: 1-800-95 No War ext.716

MORE PERSONAL NEWS
On Tuesday, November 29th, I attended my first Ferret Meetup in 2 years. [Didn't want to run into an ex-beau, so I avoided the meetups all together. Yeah, I know, rather silly of me. I was going through a rough patch at that time due to other situations.] The meetup was held at a terrific Avian & Exotic Veterinarian Center on the upper Westside of Manhattan. [Anthony Pilny, DVM at 568 Columbus Avenue in NYC or call 212-501-8750.] I arrived about 5 minutes late or so due to subway troubles and the rainy weather. Didn't know who'd be there or what to expect. So one can imagine my delighted surprise upon entering to see Sharon and Melissa. Hadn't seen Sharon since the October 2003 meetup, but we stayed in touch via email. Melissa I had met at my first ferret meetup back in August 2003, but also saw her two months before [early October 2005] at the Fort Tryon Park Renaissance Faire. Didn't know she’s acquainted with dear Eileen, whom I've known since high school. [Dear blog readers, you may remember me talking about Eileen in a past "Personal News" in connection with a June wedding I attended.] When everyone [8 of us which included the vet & his assistant] had arrived and settled in we partook of a light repast of assorted veggies, chips and wrap sandwiches. The nice couple from NJ brought along their two adorable, but hyper ferrets, plus the vet showed us the spotless facilities and gave a fascinating slide presentation.

On Wednesday, November 30th, our NYC DoP Steering Committee held its first conference call at 9:30pm. Carol hosted it with Marni and me contributing ideas and suggestions. A few essential ideas were we really need to incorporate and develop a media plan. Overall, it was a most productive call.

Friday, December 2nd, I hooked up with my friend Larry for dinner. Met up after work at his place in Chelsea, which is a rather cool, decent neighborhood. Nice penthouse style apartment with views looking south in Manhattan. We had a so-so dinner at a Japanese/Thai restaurant and discussed several topics. [Actually, the chicken with peanut sauce wasn't that bad.] Back at Larry's place he kindly took digital pix of my assorted bead earring creations. Plus put them on a disc for future use and viewing. I headed back to Brooklyn shortly after 10pm.

YEP, THAT’S RIGHT, MORE LIBERAL NEWS -- TRUTH & JUSTICE IS ON THE RISE

THE GREENING OF GOLDMAN SACHS
Traci Hukill, AlterNet
One of the world's leading investment banks concedes there are real financial costs to ignoring the environment -- and they don't intend to get stuck paying them.
http://www.alternet.org/story/29901/

KUCINICH SAYS HE WANTS TRUTH ABOUT DEATHS OF 3/25 MARINES
Congressman asks marines to declassify report on August killings.
News Channel 5
http://www.newsnet5.com/news/5846063/detail.html

ABRAMOFF'S CRIMES ARE INDICATIVE OF DEEPER CESSPOOL
Commentary by Robert Sheer
http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0104-21.htm

CHICAGO VS. HUGO CHAVEZ
Jessica Pupovac, New Standard News
Rather than accept cheap diesel from Venezuela, the city chose to raise commuting costs for low-income residents.
http://www.alternet.org/story/30296/

RICH MAN, POOR MAN: HUNGRY CHILDREN IN AMERICA
Cesar Chelala, Seattle Times
http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0104-24.htm

2005 WASN'T ALL BAD
Katha Pollitt, The Nation
Bush is on the defensive. The GOP is mired in corruption. The media are waking up. Here are 14 good things that happened in 2005.
http://www.alternet.org/story/30294/

COURT DOESN'T NEED SCALIA CLONE
Helen Thomas, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0104-26.htm

'STRAPPED' FOR ADULTHOOD
Jodie Janella Horn, PopMatters
A new book explores the societal and financial reasons that today's twenty and thirtysomethings are finding it nearly impossible to stay afloat.
http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/30041/