Ignorance, Stupidity or Loyalty...?

Today's post is "what it is", because I have things on my mind that I need to vent due to what is going on in our lives and how the "world will be affected" by the choices made in a few weeks. I say the world, because everybody will be affected by the outcome of America's Vote in November.

This is NOT to cause controversy or to turn people against me. It is MY OPINION and that is MY RIGHT! Before you "judge" what I have to say, remember that my father's ancestry is from Germany and my mom's family being American Indian started out in England. My roots are from Europe. As an American, I didn't forget my heritage, however, I did allow myself to be influenced my my fist hand knowledge of what it is like to be an American living outside the country listening, living and understanding what and how people view America and its people. I am an American, maybe more than people who "think" they are an American because of my ancestry being an American Indian.

I live outside of my country because "my country" WON'T ALLOW" my partner, who I chose, to live within my country because of laws. The people made those laws that basically say, "As an American, only an American can choose another American to have as a life long partner and he or she MUST be Straight!" So much for Democracy, Freedom of Choice.....

As I listen each day to our candidates, I find it embarrassing that there are people in American Politics that have little to no education in Politics. In Europe, Politicians go to school to get degrees in Politics because they know at an early age that they will pursue a career in politics; NOT based on popularity. It seems and appears that in America, if you know someone in politics that can possibly get you to be elected, then that's the person you choose, not based on their education in politics.

As I listen to Sarah Palin speak, I am embarrassed that the Vice Presidential Candidate uses such words as "gotcha", "betcha", "gonna", wink, wink.... I don't believe that "she" represents the majority of Americans. Do Americans really speak like this? I'm American and I certainly don't talk like that.

I am also embarrassed that Sarah Palin is proud to be holding a gun. There are photos of her standing over animals that she shot and killed and even displays a huge bear skin with head on the back of her sofa in her home.

What "WE Americans" still haven't realized or Don't Care to understand is that on December 15th, 1791 when the Bill of Rights were accepted into our Government, the people were still at war in an uncertain time. The second Amendment; the Right to Bear Arms was to protect the people and to allow them to protect themselves against enemy as well as the government. Are we still at war with each other that we need to protect ourselves and that gives us the right to hunt, hurt, kill animals as well as people? So much for the 21st Century! Then we wonder why the world looks at us as Bullys! Yes, Bullys! We have the reputation world-wide for being bullys and the Ugly Americans! How can we be proud of that reputation? Or, Maybe we don't care about our reputation and Enjoy the Negative Reputation.....?

Democracy There are several varieties of democracy, some of which provide better representation and more freedoms for their citizens than others. However, if any democracy is not carefully legislated to avoid an uneven distribution of political power with balances such as the separation of powers, then a branch of the system of rule is able to accumulate power in a way that is harmful to democracy itself. The "majority rule" is often described as a characteristic feature of democracy, but without responsible government it is possible for the rights of a minority to be abused by the "tyranny of the majority."

Stupidity (also called fatuity) is the property a person, action or belief instantiates by virtue of having or being indicative of low intelligence or poor learning abilities. Stupidity is distinct from irrationality because stupidity denotes an incapability or unwillingness to properly consider the relevant information. It is frequently used as a pejorative, and consequently has a negative connotation
Ignorance The condition of being uneducated, unaware, or uninformed
Loyalty comes most naturally amongst small groups or tribes where the prospect of the whole casting out the individual seems like the ultimate, unthinkable rejection. Loyalty to tribes evolved from the evolutionary tactic that there is a greater chance of survival and procreation if animals form packs/tribes.

Politics is the process by which groups of people make decisions. The term is generally applied to behavior within civil governments, but politics has been observed in all human group interactions, including corporate, academic, and religious institutions.
Politics consists of "social relations involving authority or power"[1] and refers to the regulation of a political unit,[2] and to the methods and tactics used to formulate and apply policy

Do we really follow the political party out of Loyalty even though we may NOT agree with the politics? Do we NOT listen to the candidates and wait for them to talk, discuss and tell US "what they are going to do to solve the problems as well as the crisis that we are in?" Is it good politics when the candidates feel necessary to "rip each other's reputation apart rather than tell us the solution to the problems?" Is it better as Americans to remain Ignorant and not educate ourselves on the issues at hand with the politicians?
When I hear Sarah Palin speak and say things such as; "gotcha", bethcha", "wanna", "gonna", wink, wink, Are we Stupid to allow a person such as her to be the Vice President of the United States and if McCain dies in Office; She will be the President of the United States?

I am NOT one for DIRTY POLITICS which is how the Republican Party is trying to get the votes to The White House. In all of the newscasts that I watch, not once have I heard McCain nor Palin talk about the ISSUES, SOLUTIONS, nor THEIR PLANS to get America going forward and positive for the future again. They DON'T say that the American People are hurting in this Economic Crisis. They DON'T say that there is a Recession on the Border of another Depression. Hundreds of Thousands of American People have Lost their jobs, their homes, their hope for a future. Where can they turn now for help? How do they and When do they rebuild their lives for themselves and their families? Banks and Businesses have gone Bankrupt, closed and will not open again. People are losing their pensions, investments, retirements, insurances, savings....Is this what American People deserve because of Bad Politicians not knowing how to provide a stable government for the people?

I will end this by saying this....Wake Up America and Vote Carefully. Think about what has happened based on 8 years of BAD GOVERNING. I know how I will vote, hoping for a change and hopefully to help Americans again. Americans had a chance to change this 4 years ago and maybe we wouldn't be in this situation now. But, if America votes the same way again, then the Reality of more Turmoil will show itself once more.

A Reality Check is in the Making! Now and the Future of America!

Where was I for 5 days...?

Here I am again: Time Lapse..., much longer than I realized with writing on my Blog. So much has happened, so much is happening and I even had time to get off our little rock in the Caribbean for 5 wonderful, busy, hectic, but yet, relaxing days. If you were to look at these photos, you might think that I am in the Caribbean, or in St. Tropez. Before reading on, scan down, look at the photos and ask yourself, where was Bill for 5 days?

What a beautiful place! What a beautiful location! And, What wonderful, friendly, warm, kind, and gracious people! I was in Florida. Yes, the good ole USA. The beaches of Ft. Myers, Sanibel Island and surrounding beaches are absolutely beautiful!

I went to Fort Myers, Florida. Believe it or not, it was my first time visiting this beautiful city and surrounding areas. You might be asking, "why would he travel to Ft. Myers?"

Phil and I are buying a vacation home in a small community out side of Ft. Myers called Lehigh Acres. It's a small community that is up and coming and can be considered"exclusive" by some. It's a small, quiet, community. Close to Naples Florida and Cape Coral Florida.

Phil and I decided that it was time to "consider" buying another home in the states. The economy and housing market is up for grabs for everybody. Houses are more than half of their value right now and you could "almost" consider buying 2 for 1 with the prices.

Here's how it happened....Phil & I started searching the internet looking at random areas throughout Florida. Remember, Forida is one of seven states where there are no income taxes. Having had a home, yes, "HAD" is the key word here, we decided to liquidate the house in upstate New York.

I still genereate an income in the states being a Mohegan Indian and having the Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino as my income source of revenue; the house in New York consituted me to pay taxes to NY State.

In Florida, I don't have to pay income tax any longer. And, trust me, I pay "BIG" taxes in New York for having had a home located there.

So, like I said, we started searching the web for a home. North Florida, Central Florida, East Florida, South Florida and thennnnnnnn, Western Florida at Fort Myers and surrounding areas.

It is like being in the Caribbean without being in the Caribbean. The people are not stressed, polite, calm, easy going, extra friendly and most of all, helpful.

Prior to leaving St. Martin, we found a home, on a 1/2 acres, built in pool, concrete and not bad at all. I had been in contact with the broker/agent for almost 2 1/2 weeks getting information, photos, blueprints, price negotiations....blah blah blah. I finally told him that the house was "sold", prior to leaving and said, "I'll be there on the 28th of April and we'll close the deal".

I arrived on Monday, with a meeting planned at the house for Tuesday morning at 11am.

He finally arrives. I had already arrived 2 hours earlier, taking about 100 photos, walked around the neighborhood, talk to the "future neighbors". He arrives: all smiles, keys in hand, and as he's opening the door, he tells me "there's been a sudden change in events". Me: "oh really, what kind of change of events?" Him: I found out that this house has been in contract since last Thursday". Me: (to myself: "Fucking Asshole!), I now enter the house and in his brief case, he takes out about 40 printed copies of "other homes and lays them on the kitchen counter and says, I might be interested in looking at....." Me: "I've been in touch with you for almost 3 weeks, negotiating, having you draw blueprints, take photos, tell you outright that the house is sold, I get on a plane with the intention of buying THIS HOUSE, and you have the BALLs to tell me that this house is in contract?" Me to myself: ("Fucking Asshole!") I told him I was not interested in doing business with him and that he was "DISMISSED" I thought he was going to die first, then I thought he was going to cry, and then I thought he was going to Die again.....you get the picture. ("Fucking Asshole!")

I called the listing agent and made an appointment to see her. Same nonscense!

Meanwhile remember, I went to buy THIS house and now had 3 days left in Florida to do WHAT? I have the sun in St. Martin. ugh, fuck, ugh, shit, Fucking Asshole!!!!!! NOW, the call that I didn't think I would have to make. How I dreaded making this call. How do I tell Phil that we weren't going to buy that house? I call Phil and tell him the story.....HIS RESPONSE: "Fucking Asshole!" (not to himself) I won't elaborate, but it was worse than this. However, his response sounds much better with the French accent! lol

I started searching the web at the hotel room for hours and hours into the night. I go to sleep and at 4am Wednesday morning, I start searching and leaving messages for other agents to: "Call me, Be Serious, My time was LIMITED, I came to buy a house, DON'T WASTE My Time, I was leaving in 3 days and I Will leave with a house SOLD."

At 7:30am, a ReMax agent called me and told me that I could go and see him and he would make sure that the his Entire Day would be spent showing me houses. His name: Brian Goss of ReMax Edge in Lehigh, Florida. (239-470-9504 cell) You want to buy a house, call Brian.

Brian is/was the Best! He reserved his entire day showing me houses from one extreme to the other, one price range to the other, homes with views, homes without views, big, little, cute, fancy, PRETENSIOUS, which he learned very quickly was not the way to go with me, on the water, on ponds, on canals, "Simple Brian, nice, but, we like simple."

Well, after about 35-40 houses, we found a few that I liked, but, I couldn't make a descision without e-mailing the photos to Phil so he could help to decide which one?....1 hour, 2 hours, almost three hours later, we decided on THE ONE!

Believe it or not, I thought that THIS house would be the one that Phil wouldn't choose. I thought there was too much tile, too much glass, a screened in built in pool 34x18, smaller yard, 3 bedrooms, livingroom, dining room, kitchen, Florida Room overlooking the built in pool, 2 bathrooms, 2 car garage..... I thought it was too fancy. blah blah blah.

I called Brian back at 5:30pm that night and told him the house was sold and I would see him at 9am the next morning with a check in hand. He asked if Phil was alright with the descision and I told him that we made the descision together based on the pictures I had taken and e-mailed. I met with him and asked if I could have the keys to go back, take more pictures and measurements. No Problem! However, here's the best part. I didn't know where the house was located. (duh duh duh) I had to ask directions. How does a person buy a house and have to ask directions to get back to it? We had looked at so many houses, crisscrossed so many roads and avenues, that I honestly didn't even know where the house was located. lol lol lol lol

(now who's the fucking asshole? lol lol lol lol) Like I always say, "it's not easy being me!"

The end result is this: I arrive back in St. Martin on the 2nd of May. Productive Trip. I open my e-mail 3 days later and GUESS WHAT.........? The original house that Phil and I wanted to buy went back on the market.........................! Can you imagine? Both, the original agent that I had Dismissed and the listing agent had the balls to e-mail me to tell me the house went back on the market and asked me if I was still interested in the house because the other deal fell threw on the house.

I haven't responded and I don't think I will. Not even for courtesies sake! Phil and I are happy with our descision and hope to take a few weeks in July TOGETHER to go shopping for the house and do all the fun stuff that goes along with buying a new home! Caramel & Piccola will love the place as well as the pool.

What Have I Been Doing....?

It's been a while that I've even looked at my Blog, never mind even think about writing. It's True, "timing is everything".

For the past month, yes a month has passed already, I've been taking care of myself ALOT! I've been busy at work teaching and with the "new title" of "Director of English", I guess you could say, I have my time laid out for me at work. I've been putting book orders in for the next school year, working with my director for budgeting costs for next year. I've been asking for donations from businesses for picnic tables for the school and just had a generous offer from ACE MegaCenter in Cole Bay to give the school 6 picnic tables for the kids. Now, they will have proper place to sit outside and talk, eat or relax. These kids are/were sitting on cement blocks and trash cans. Next, I will be looking for donations for 20 computers with printers for research for the kids. That will be difficult!

BUT, I still find time for myself. Phil's rarely home and when he is, we eat a late lunch and then he's off to sleep until he has to leave for work at 6:30 to whenever! I still visit him at night at Captain Olie's for a few hours or we wouldn't see each other that much. The staff of workers are great as well.

I've lost almost 20 pounds with walking, exercise and doing away with the SWEEETS! lol Occasionally, I take a spoon of Phil's desert, whatever it might be and then I feel sick and realize that my body doesn't need the sugar anymore.

I've started my Intermediate or second course in French and received a diploma from the first session and I can honestly say, "I'm Proud of myself for studying French and continuing on to the next level". Speaking and Writing the language is becoming almost my first thoughts when I speak now or have to write something. A student asked me a few days ago what I wrote on the board because I didn't realize that I wrote the directions in French. ugh!

I've been walking from Oyster Pond to French Quarter and back "almost everyday". I feel Great and the clothes are fitting much looser also. lol I feel better and I don't even see the distance anymore. I listen to my Ipod and just keep walking.

And I've started growing Pineapples. Yes, Pineapples. Since I'm the one who's now maintaining most of the chores at the house; yard, animals and cooking due to Phil's work schedule; everytime I go shopping and have to throw the vegetables tops or bottoms as well as the fruits away, I started to think that maybe I can start growing them and not waste them.

Our good friend's Barbara and Dee, Barbara calls Dee "her gardener". Well, I guess Phil now has his own garderner also. Our yard is starting to look like a potted nursery.

I buy alot of Pineapples because they're healthy and natural sugars that give the energy a person needs when exercising as much as I am doing. I started researching on the internet about pineapple growing and found that they are one of the "most difficult plants to grow as well as a 2 year period to arrive at 1 fruit". It takes approximately 2 years to grow one pineapple, so you need to be patient. The tops need to be trimmed and cut a certain way to allow the roots to grow.

You can see the progress so far that I accomplished with my plants.

It takes about 3-4 weeks for the rooting to start in the glass of water. PATIENCE is the key when growing pineapples. Just when you're ready to give up, out pops a root at the bottom of the pineapple top and you think WOW!

Aside from the pineapples plants, I've attepted to grow leak and garlic as well as onions, but the cats have been attacking those plants and using the pots as their potty. Nice! I have to find another way to grow them and keep the cats away.

Everything is good here and as you can see, I'm busy doing things for me for a change! Stay tuned for more of my Saga in the Caribbean!

Busy Working and Flying from tree to tree.....

Well, it's been a long time again since even thinking about the Blog. I've been extremely busy with work as well as my French Class on Mondays and Wednesdays. A few more sessions of this course and I'll be starting my second course in French. I'm doing well and quite proud of myself for my accomplishment.

I've been busy at work also. Between teaching and Academic Advising of the teachers for curriculum, it's quite hectic. My days are not as long as they use to be.

I've done another trip/excursion with my students. Flying from the trees on 1000 foot cables at 350 feet above the trees.

This time I took them to Lotterie Farm and did the Fly Zone Experience-The Ultimate Course. This is the highest of all three courses and the cables that you fly on between trees extend in some parts of the course to over 1000 feet long and up to 350 feet above the tree tops. What an experience and the ultimate rush. The course invloves cables, cable bridges and ladders up and down trees that lasts over 2 hours to complete the course. A work glove on the left hand is your brake. FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE! I would advise everybody to do this so that you can test yourself and experience the thrill of a life! My students couldn't believe as well as myself that we were doing the things we were doing.

It was a Great Day!

As for Phil, he's working, working, working! He loves being the new manager of Captain Oliver's and I think people will start calling him "Captain" soon because he's always there. There are ovious changes and everyday is a new adventure for him. He's been given full authority and unlimited power as to what he wants to do at Captain Oliver's. New menus, new decoration, new ideas, and the staff loves him. I have my bar stool that "I've claimed to be mine" when I visit each night at 9pm to observe the excitement of what goes on.

I have plenty of time for myself now. There are lots of walks on the beach with the pups and time to read and just relax when I am at home and not working. I have 5 days off from work and I'm going to enjoy every minute. I'm going to catch up on my reading and just enjoy the days and take the pups to the beach as much as possible. The construction of the new development is rising in front of the house and there are now more obstacles to get to the beach. It was once easy to walk out the door and onto the beach, but now, there's construction equipment, construction material etc. etc. Not very nice for a piece of land that was once so beautiful and natural.

I'll try to write more with less time in between my writings as long as time allows.

A time to Reminisce

Well, this is the time of year when I, possibly all of us, remember the wonderful years of growing up and lost someone close to us. The holidays have always been special for me because it really is a time to remember what we are fortunate to have; and, I don't mean material things.
My parents Always made Christmas a special time and my mom especially, made this holiday mandatory for all of us to be there as a family. I'm the last of 6 kids; three boys and three girls. The unique thing about my family is this: Even though Christmas was mandatory to be home for the holidays, at no point were we ever in the same house together totally Six Together. Most of us would be there together, 5 minus 1, 4 minus 2 and then one or two would leave and the last one(s) showed up within minutes of the other one leaving. Talk about scheduling. It wasn't intentional, it was just poor timing, My mom never saw her adult kids in the same place together. Strange thing!
The tree was always decorated with Christmas Ornaments handed down from one generation to another. We probably had Christmas Ornaments dating back hundreds of years that were brought with the past generations to America. My moms family originated in England and my dads family originated in Germany.
I remember one strange piece that always hung at the top of the tree. Back in the 40's, (I think), Planters Peanuts for a promotion put small Planters Peanut men in the cans of Peanuts. (the peanut man being one with the top hat and crossed leg standing leaning on a cane) Well, this peanut man was Always the last piece to be put on the tree and always made the tree complete due to tradition. The little peanut man found its place years before because my dad opened a can of peanuts, found the little peanut man inside and didn't want to lose it, so he hung it on the tree and it always found its way to the treee for all of the years that followed.
The house was Always decorated inside and out with garland and lights. At that time people stayed in touch by mailing Christmas Cards through the mail and not the computer. My mom would hang the cards on one wall of the living room by stringing rows of garland the enitre wall height and lay the Christmas cards over the garland for all to see. I remember hundreds of them.
Dinners were celebrated on Christmas Day as well as Christmas Eve. My parents had an open door policy for the holidays for friends and family and the house was always alive. Instead of bringing gifts, friends would bring bottles of alcohol or dishes of food or desserts. Not gifts that costs moneys or has a "price" that represents, "look at my gift, it's worth more than theres!"
Talk about Value and Learning Experience for a child growing up in a wonderful environment such as this! I wonder whatever happened to that little peanut man?
I will always remember the good times and the times that I tested my parents parenting skills and sent them over the edge more than I should have. I cherished both of my parents, but, my mom was my protector even into adulthood. After all, I was the "baby", her baby. My dad was all military and strict as all could be. Small little German, but tough as hell.
My mom died when I was just 24 in 1985. She's been gone 23 years and my dad died a few years ago without the family even knowing that he had died until almost 2 years afterwards because his wife didn't get along with his kids and chose not to inform us when he fell ill. But, this is another story.
Somewhere I feel cheated that I only knew my mom for 24 years, while my brothers and sisters new her for more years. But, through all of this, I became stronger. I don't forget her at all. Her face is imbedded in my mind, her voice is now fading from my memory, the laughter that filled the house while growing up, but, I live with ALL or "most of what I can recall" my memories of my childhood and my years of adulthood while she was here.
If we keep the memories strong, the people we love that are no longer here, stays with us forever.
I'm not a religious person because I am not perfect and I'd be sinning daily and I don't have time to go to confession because it would take too much of the priests time. lol But, I am a Spirtual Person and I honestly care about peoples well being and happiness. I live my life each day to be better than the day before and keep a low profile in life.
This Christmas was spent with Phil's family; lots of champagne, wine, good French food and wonderful French Pastries for dessert. And his sister finally found the words to explain me to people during an introduction, I'm now her Beau Frere, which means brother in law. It took her more than 10 years. But, it's better than a Belle Souer, which would be her sister in law.....lol Happy Holidays to Everyone!

Sleep, Rest and Relax....

Have you ever thought about taking time for yourself? I mean to just be able to STOP everything and say, "HEY, I'M TIRED!" As I continue to add more responsibility to my already hectic schedule, I'm becoming more work-a-holic and less time for me!

At work, I've added 4 more classes to my already busy schedule. WHY?

This is why......!

There are 2 groups of children, approximately 34 students who, since the beginning of the school year has had NO ENGLISH CLASSES due to a teacher who is out on leave. Yes, you read that correctly; NO English Classes at all since the beginning of the year. Three and a half months......

I see these kids sitting around everyday outside of the classes on the benches during their scheduled English Class everyday. I spoke with the Administrator and asked him if I could have permission to fill in my free classes, which would normally be used for prep for my classes. He was "surprised" that one of his teachers would actually ask for more class time and more responsibility. No attempts have been made to replace the teacher because she is one of the "Born Here Teachers" who's job is secured, WITH pay until she decides as to when she wants to return. Teachers are in short supply on St. Maarten, so there isn't anyone to replace her; if they could replace her.

I told him that I would take the 4 classes during my free/prep classes and teach them English.

Well, he said, "yes of course", still confused when he passes my classes and once in a while asks, "How are you holding up?" I tell him, "everything is fine and going well." Which in all honesty IS true. The kids are great and finally working in English. And, I'm meeting another group of kids at the school.

Teachers are asking me each day as to why I would want to add more classes to an already hectic schedule and, that I am just making the administrations job easier.

Well, discreet as I am and professionally as possibly, my resonse is this;

"This isn't about EGO or about making an administrator's job easier or looking for anything in return, it's about the kids that are being neglected in a system bigger than them and ultimately will pay the price of their education from the acts of people who know how to use the sytem to their benefit....."

I won't lie, I'm tired, no, let me rephrase that, I'm totally Fucking Exhausted, running on air, have become a work-a-holic like my previous life in NY.

As you know, I'm taking a French Class on Monday and Wednesday nights in Marigot from 6:30pm-9:00pm. My day starts at 4:15am and I might make it to bed by 11:00pm.

I'm not complaining; I took the responsibility for myself for the benefit of the kids.

The French Class is for me and my own educational and personal benefit.

Phil is busy with getting his life back in order and I might add, he's doing GREAT!

Maybe that's why I'm working harder each day and adding responsibility to my busy schedule.

Our daily lives continue each day to a different beat now. When I am home with Phil, he's in the office and I'm somewhere in another part of the house working or studying a book of some sort either in French or English, in one language or another.....lol (Maybe this is MY Therapy?) I also became a work-a-holic after my mom died to get through the ordeal and I realize now; I see a pattern here! Work, Work, Work!

I'm looking forward to the Christmas Break starting on the 22nd of December for 2 wonderful weeks. I'm looking forard to catching up on some long needed and well deserved REST!

Stay tuned for more of my Life's Saga's.