A funeral...not a future!

One Step Foward!

A positive image/perception of American people-of-color has made slow, but steady progress over the years...recently capped off with the election of this nation's 1st black president. The Oprahs, Huxtables, Powells, Tigers and a multitude of others have also helped to boost this perception/acceptance(?) of an American minority not only in this country...but around the globe. Who would have ever thought...

Two Steps Back!

A young life is savagely taken in Chicago...and the savagery is there for all the world to see! Not only did these "Ns" (more about that in future posts) murder one of their own...but they took it to a new level. They didn't shot him or stab him (not that either is less repulsive) but they beat him to death with 2-by-4s and then finished him off with lethal kicks to the head! Barbaric...sub-human. Left to die on the street...an innocent young honor student with a future ahead of him. Left to die for all the world to see (you can find it on youtube.com). It makes me sick!

In this country...one is considered innocent until proven guilty. I don't see any innocence here! Not only should they be held liable...we should incarcerate the parent(s) as well!

Once I heard this story...I thought if that were my child left to die on the street...I would seek revenge...an eye-for-an-eye. Given the chance...I would sneak up behind any one of the four suspects with a baseball bat (or better yet...a 2-by-4)...and would have given them what the gave that young man! The idea that I'm even thinking of this sickens me even more...but I don't think I'm by myself on this!

A future denied! Rest in peace...Derrion Albert!

Frenchman's Cove

We are the guests of Mr. & Mrs. JW at their Frenchman's Cove timeshare on the island of St. Thomas. Mr. JW, my best friend of over 20 years, and Mrs. JW...extended the invite a few months ago. It was an offer we couldn't refuse!

Frenchman's Cove is part of a Marriott resort complex that also includes Frenchman's Reef (a hotel), and Morningside...a collection of beach bungalows. It's a beautiful resort located just a few miles outside of Amalie. The shot below is of Morningside's beach...just a short walk from Frenchman's Cove.

Life is a beach!

They don't have sunsets like this back home!

Thanks for inviting us J&J....and...

Happy Birthday Mrs. JW!

zerosixnine's aircraft rules/regulations

Below are a few simple thoughts for you (and yours) to consider to ensure that zerosixnine enjoys his flight with you...should we wind up on the same aircraft!

• once you board the aircraft...if your seat assignment is in row 27...please don't start looking up at every number posted above each row...as you work your way from row #2 to row #27! It's simple math! If I need to explain this to you...you really shouldn't be flying!

• if you can't manage to place your carry-on baggage in the overhead compartment on your own (without the help of others)...it's really not carry-on baggage...is it?

• if you can manage to place your carry-on luggage in the overhead bins...please do so without blocking the aisle so that the rest of us can proceed to our designated seats. Not sure? Just look over your shoulder and if you see one or more persons standing there...you're blocking the aisle!

• if you have a toddler traveling with you, don't consider it "cute" to watch said toddler wobble up and down the aisle...with you a few feet behind it...admiring how cute it is! If you can't control said toddler now...your in for big trouble down the road!

• within 30 seconds (a minute...max) after your infant/toddler starts screaming/crying, please escort said infant/toddler to any available restroom until it is no longer screaming/crying.

• upon landing and the flight attendant announces..."please remain in your seats, with your seatbelts fastened, until the captain has turned off the fasten seat belt sign"...please don't be one of the half dozen or so a**holes who ignore this announcement!

• once the captain has actually turned off the "fasten your seat belt sign" and you're not seated in 1st class, there really is no reason for you to jump up out of your seat and start grabbing your carry-ons from the overhead bins (assuming that you were able to put them up there on your own in the 1st place!) Relax! You're not going anywhere for at least another 10 or 15 minutes. This is especially true if you're located in row 15 or higher!

• finally...the baggage claim area. How many black bags do you grab off the conveyor belt...only to put them back on...after you realize that said bag is not yours! This really annoys me, especially when said bag is MINE! (The one with the red ribbons on one handle and the yellow ribbons on the other!)

Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to flying with you in the near future!

10 minutes of attitude!

Thursday, Sept. 24th.

4:00 AM
Alarm goes off! Destination...St. Thomas, USVI via American Airlines flight # 1165 with a connection in Miami to join our good friends, J&J, at their timeshare.

6:10 AM

We make it to JFK in a record 40 minutes...and arrive at the long term parking lot. Jump on the next Airtran (airport monorail system)...destination...terminal #8. Considering the time of day, Airtran is fairly crowded with travelers! As we arrive at terminals #1 through #4...a few passengers get off. We arrive at terminal #5 (jetBlue) and almost 2/3 of the remaining passengers get off! (Is there a party at terminal #5 and we were not invited???)

6:30 AM

Arrive at terminal #8. Once inside, we approach a uniformed AA employee (AAE) and ask for assistance. There are about 50 to 60 passengers in the domestic area (less than the number that got off at terminal #5). We tell AAE our destination and flight time...and AAE immediately points us to the AA queue manager (AAQM) who is at the front of the check-in line (because we can't use the automated kiosk for St. Thomas). We approach AAQM and AAQM yells out "Miami...7:30! waits for an open counter...and then directs us to proceed to counter #21.

Counter 21 - ticket agent (TA) - "Name and identification please"
Me - (handing over requested information and placing two bags on the check-in scale) "we're on flight # 1165 to Miami"
TA - "I know...you're late!"
Me - (politely) "Isn't this a domestic flight (to Miami)? I thought we needed to arrive an hour before flight time."
TA - (without looking up) She looks at her watch. "It's 50 minutes before flight time! You're late and your bags still need to go through x-ray" (Perhaps she got up earlier than 4:00AM?)
Me - I start to wonder if I'll ever see my bags again.
TA - "That'll be $30."
Me - "$30?"
TA - "Yes - $15 per checked bag"

PS. We made it to the departure gate as others were boarding...and our bags actually made it all the way to St. Thomas. I wonder if I would have received a $30 refund if they didn't?

Epilogue:
American Airlines (AMR) closed at $8.02 with a total market capitalization of $2.2 billion. They were formed almost 80 years ago and are the world's largest airline ( in terms of mileage flown). They serve 265 cities with 655 aircraft.

jetBlue (JBLU) closed on Friday at $6.01 per share with a market capitalization of $1.8 billion (just $0.4 billion short of AMR). jetBlue started in 1999 (just 10 years ago) and currently flies to 59 destinations (excluding St. Thomas) in 12 countries. jetBlue doesn't charge anything for checked baggage!

No more good-byes!

Saturday, Sept. 19th
Just prior to his departure...we were in the kitchen talking about all the incredible....wonderful...happy things that had happened over the previous three or so weeks. A wedding...that we all thought would not happen (visa complications)...but did, a new addition to the family (aka...my grandson, Romell), multiple gatherings with family, friends, food, drinks and laughter...and another new addition to our extended family (aka...Mikael)! It was truly an awesome and eventful couple of weeks!

So there we were...my soon-to-be departed son-in-law (SiL) heading back to Munich, Germany, his wife...my oldest daughter (MOD), my youngest daughter (MYD)...her newborn son (Romell)...me & The Mrs.

I don't recall who came up with the initial thought, but it was unanimously agreed that we would no longer use the word "good-bye" whenever it came time to leave one another. "See ya' later" was a much better option! The latter just left us all with a feeling that we would see each other soon thereafter (maybe Xmas?) rather than...God knows when?

There were hugs and kisses, then we loaded the car and SiL, MOD and I left for JFK Airport.

SiL checked in for Delta flight 81 to Amsterdam with connecting service to Munich. The three of us proceeded to the security clearance area. SiL gave me a hug...and reminded me of our pact. We hugged each other and he hugged/kissed his wife (MOD). I got a little "va-klept" (I'm not your basic alpha macho male)...SiL came back and gave me another hug and we said, "See ya' later!...he went through the security clearance...looked back and gave us another "See ya' later" wave...and then he was gone.

Sunday, Sept. 20th
Now it's MOD's turn to leave. LGA to Philadelphia...connecting service to Frankfurt, Germany and then on to Nuremberg. MOD and I leave for LGA...with a stop at the local supermarket...to pick up some sushi for her to eat en-route to the airport. MOD pays for said sushi.

We arrive at LGA. I drop off MOD on the departure level...park the car and return to departure area. MOD is checking in...and chatting with ticketing agent (TA).

MOD - "Will my luggage transfer all the way through to Nuremberg?"
TA - "Yes."
MOD - "Great!"
TA - "Is this your Dad?"
MOD - "Yes."
TA - "Sir, would you like to accompany your daughter to the gate area?"
Me - "I can do that???" (been traveling for mucho years...didn't know this was an option!)
TA - "Is your car just outside on the departure level?"
Me - "No...I'm in the the parking lot."
TA - "Great!" (TA passes me a "complimentary" boarding pass...to get me through security) WOW! (being nice doesn't have to be hard!) Many thanks TA...I wish I would have gotten your name!

MOD and I take off shoes, belts, keys, (me...flip flops) etc. (thanks to Mr. Bin Laden!) and pass through security and proceed to departure gate. MOD sees news/book kiosk and mentions she'd like to get a crossword puzzle book with the added benefit that I can pick up my Sunday New York Times! We proceed to cashier. MOD goes into her jumbo pocket book...I tell her "Don't worry...I've got it". We leave kiosk!

MOD - "Dad?"
Me - "What's up?"
MOD - (Still digging through her jumbo pocket book)..."I can't find my wallet!" (she had used her passport to get this far through the airport security complexities!)
Me - "Let's find a table...and you can empty your (jumbo) bag."
MOD - "Uh oh!"
Me - "What?"
MOD - "I think I left my wallet in the car." (15 minutes to boarding time!) You remember the sushi purchase!

We run back to the security checkpoint and explain the situation to the security folks. They tell me once I retrieve the missing wallet (left in the passenger door-side pocket...of all places!)...I can return to the security check-in area...and they will then pass the wallet to MOD. Knowing that they will not let me back in (past the security area), I bear hug MOD and say "See ya' later!"

Once again...I'm va-klept! Run to car! Wallet is there. Return to departure/security area. Pass wallet to security person...she runs it through security conveyor belt and hands it to MOD. MOD and I wave to each other from afar (she's on one side of security and I'm on the other).

I yell out..."See ya' later!" She gave me two thumbs up...I return to the parking lot.

Epilogue:
Had that Ticket Agent not given me that complimentary pass...I would not have known that MOD had left her wallet in (the door pocket) of the car. Even if MOD realized her wallet was missing...prior to boarding...she couldn't call me...because...yours truly...left his cell phone at home! Thanks again Ticket Agent (TA)! It's not hard to be nice!

No more good-byes!

Some of my best friends are Southerners!

Former President Jimmy Carter says racism plays a major role in opposition to President Obama



2008 exit polls indicated that 43% of whites, nationwide, voted for Obama.

• Alabama........10%
• Mississippi....11%
• Louisiana......14%

According to a poll conducted by dailykos.com, southerners were asked if President Obama was born in the United States.

• Yes.............47%
• No..............23%
• Not sure....30%

Percentage of the (American) population with less than 9 years of education!

Percentage of a county's residents (in America) in poverty in 2000.
....but is there a pattern here?

Text of Kennedy's letter to President Obama

By The Associated Press (AP)

Text of a letter Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., wrote before his death to send President Barack Obama, as provided by the White House.
___

May 12, 2009

Dear Mr. President,

I wanted to write a few final words to you to express my gratitude for your repeated personal kindnesses to me — and one last time, to salute your leadership in giving our country back its future and its truth.

On a personal level, you and Michelle reached out to Vicki, to our family and me in so many different ways. You helped to make these difficult months a happy time in my life.

You also made it a time of hope for me and for our country.

(read the complete letter here)

Welcome to the Tea Party!

August 18, 2009
"Our hope for this tour", said Mark Williams, birther, FOX News contributor, and featured speaker on board the Tea Party Express, "is that patriotic Americans will be encouraged by these rallies, and realize that there are millions of people out there supporting this cause. Contrary to what Katie Couric will tell you," continued Williams, "we are neither fearful or ignorant, we are the soul of this nation"

September 14, 2009
And now from the soul of this nation..."Obama is an Indonesian Muslim!"

Changed the Blog Title

Went from one blog title to another.   It was..."Don't Quote Me on This".   It's now..."Don't Get Me Started!"   I like the latter better!

A belated Happy Birthday...Mr Darwin

February 11th, 2009 was Charles Darwin's 200th birthday. Somehow I missed this and didn't know it before today...but I stumbled across some little Darwinian tidbits during my foray into the world wide web today.   Charles Darwin shocked the world by declaring humans and apes are related – an idea Leonardo da Vinci had 350 years earlier

Compliments of the Gallup organization:

• One-third of Americans believe the Bible is Literally True. There is a high inverse correlation between education and belief in a literal Bible.

• Only 39% of Americans believe in Darwin's Theory of Evolution. There is a strong relationship between frequency of church attendance and education in the belief in Darwin's theory.
  

• The majority of Republicans doubt the Theory of Evolution...and more Americans accept the theory of "Creationism"
  

The Divas & A Dude

I went to a book club gathering today…my first.   It was a wonderful few hours with incredible people, great food & wine, and great conversation.

Background…a few months ago, I sent an e-mail to several dozen friends lauding the merits of   "Hold Love Strong" and its’ author…Matthew Goodman.  Jack N., my lifelong friend, is a member of that book club…and was a recipient of that e-mail.

Jack recommended the book to his club…and extended an invite (to me and the author) to come to their monthly gathering.  I couldn’t commit until the last minute…but boy…was I glad I did!

It was great.  I met Beverly, the hostess (and quite the cook) of this month’s gathering and other club members...Phyllis, Karen & Pat.

Each…incredible/accomplished women in their own right…with a love for reading, travel, politics…and on and on….and all in possession of Kindles!   I’m also told that each…along with Beverly & Jack…can throw together some mean meals!

All agreed that Matt...and his book..."Hold Love Strong" were awesome!

I don’t get to read as often as I’d like, but this was definitely an incentive!  The original name of the group was…The Divas of Diversity!   Once they extended an invite to Jack to join the group, they changed the name to…The Divas & A Dude!

The Bible Belt

Aside from the quickie-divorce Mecca of Nevada, no region of the United States has a higher divorce rate than the Bible Belt. Nearly half of all marriages break up, but the divorce rates in these southern states are roughly 50 percent above the national average

9/11

My youngest daughter was attending Cooper Union. That morning I dropped her off at the local Connecticut Metro North train station...business as usual...around 7:45AM...destination Manhattan. Cooper Union is 2 miles from the WTC complex.

The planes hit...the anxiety was overwhelming. My baby was in Manhattan! Finally, the phone finally rang at 11:30AM. She was calling from a pay phone (you remember those) from the basement of Cooper Union. Hardly anyone knew of this pay phone because, at the time, all the other students had cell phones...except, of course, my daughter! Cell phone service was out!

She saw the south tower fall.

I asked her to call me every hour and I would give her updates...based on the latest news from CNN & MSNBC. She said she wanted to leave...but I begged her to stay put!

Around 3:00PM she called to say she was going to walk the 50+ blocks to Grand Central Train Station. I was reluctant and anxious. Train service was restored around 4:30PM and she caught the 1st train out! I met her at the platform. It was a reunion I will never forget!

In New York City...2750 people lost their lives that day.

What do Ecuador, Peru, Jamaica, Germany & Mexico have in common?

It's Sunday, Sept. 6th... the day after the wedding (see below)...Labor Day weekend in America. My youngest daughter (mother of Romell...see 1st entry) calls to see how the wedding went and what we were doing. Two months earlier...knowing that her due date was too close to the wedding date... she checked "Will not attend" on the rsvp card. We shared some of the wedding details with her...but not all the excitement...because we didn't want her to feel that she missed a lot (she did!).

Anyway...she tells us we're invited to her in-laws for an impromptu backyard BBQ. The Mrs. makes her newly discovered "international" potato salad (recipe forth coming...maybe?), and her infamous baked beans. I make 2 gallons of my newly discovered/created...rum punch (recipe forth coming).

Best friends of my daughter/son-in-law are also invited. They bring their newborn son. He was born one week after Romell. He is one week old...Romell is two weeks! Pictures are taken...babies side by side. A bunch of oohs and aahs!

Midway through the evening...we're all on the back deck...drinks in hand watching the fire in the fire pit. There are about 16 of us in all....aged one week old to an aging baby boomer (me)! The Mrs. makes a statement..."Wow" she says. We all look at her. Huh?

She says "take a look around"..."I was born in Jamaica". She then points out that our youngest daughter's mother-in-law is from Ecuador and her husband is from Peru. My daughter's/son-in-law's best friend is from Mexico...and his wife is from from Columbia. My oldest daughter's husband (German) smiles. I smile (my grandparents are from Bermuda). A good time was had by all.

IMAGINE!

The Wedding

Saturday, Sept. 5th...2:30PM.   Wedding invite says...2:30PM

2:30PM - We arrive at church...Son-in-law and I change into wedding gear (suit, tie, "dress" shoes, cuff links, etc. in church parking lot).   Not sure the Mrs. is thrilled about this...never-the-less...

2:40PM - We enter the church and take our seats.   First time my son-in-law sees his Mom & Dad since their arrival from Dresden, Germany.   Also first time he sees his sister and her boyfriend since they arrived from Frankfurt, Germany.   Hugs and laughter...and stories about JFK Airport!   More guests arrive.   It's readily apparent that this is an international affair!   A stream...a rainbow...of people from all corners of the earth...continue to fill the pews.   All here to celebrate the union of two...who are also from different corners of the earth.   Parents of the bride and groom are in the receptacle area greeting guests as they arrive.   Bride's parents are dressed in traditional Nigerian wedding attire.   Many entering the church are in similar attire.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

3:05PM - The minister announces the bridal party has finally arrived.   Parents of the groom entered the sanctuary followed shortly thereafter by the mother of the bride....in all her Nigerian finery.   Shortly thereafter...the organist cranks up the pipes and in enters the bride on the arm of her father in his traditional Nigerian garb.   She is beautiful...radiant...it was awesome...like a fairy tale!

From Nightmare to Fairytale

The nightmare began about seven weeks ago at the U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany...but more about that later.

Set the clock back 6 years. They met (saw each other) at a bus stop near Dartmouth College (in New Hampshire)...both working on the final stages of their medical degrees. New to the area...he asked her if this is where to catch the bus to the campus.

He...a young (soon-to-be...American certified) anesthesiologist born in Dresden, Germany (before the fall of the wall). He...the older brother of my son-in-law. She from Nigeria, completing her studies in obstetrics & gynecology (OBGYN).

I don't know when it actually happened, but somewhere along their journey...they knew that they wanted to be one. There were cultural differences to overcome...not of their own making...but of their circumstance.

Fast forward 6 years...education completed...medical residencies completed! Cultural differences accepted and respected. Parental blessings bestowed! A commitment to be one! In April, a Nigerian wedding ceremony...including gifts to the bride's parents and other Nigerian traditions. From his side...only his parents were able to attend. An American wedding date is set...Sept 5th, 2009! 100+ invitations sent to family & friends around the world!

A job for her...a job OFFER for him!

The Nightmare!
Notice the word offer! He was in this country on a student visa. To work in this country, he needed a work visa. To get the latter...you need to show proof of a job offer in this country along with other details (of which I know very little). Once you have the job offer (and related details)...you need to leave the United States... and officially apply for the work visa (while outside the United States). Once the work visa is granted...you're allowed to re-enter...and begin work.

Under normal circumstances...there is probably a week to ten day wait. At least this was his (our/every one's) understanding. Most applicants who need to meet this (exit/entry) requirement usually go to Canada/Mexico, have their paperwork processed and return...with little, if any, problem. (I'm taking creative license here...but that's what I'm told). He opted to go back to Germany...to visit his parents/friends during his expected week to 10 day stay. He packed his bag accordingly...a small carry-on.

Shortly after his arrival, he went to the U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt to secure the work visa. He handed over the paper work and his passport and was told...pretty much..."don't call us...we'll call you!" This is early July. Wedding date set...Sept 5th! A few days pass. Anxious...he called the embassy...got the generic voice activated response. (You know the one...if you are calling about blah blah...press one, about other blah blah...press two...and so on). He tried several attempts to speak to a real person (especially the one who worked with him on that 1st visit)...to no avail.

He tried daily. Finally, miraculously, he got a real person. "Sir...there appears to be a problem/exception with your visa request. Since you are changing status from student to work visa...it is my understanding that you may need to remain outside the United States for anywhere up to two years!"

Early to mid August...his mom arrives in the U.S. from Germany (and stays with us) to be followed by his Dad later that month. Of course...this is under the assumption that there will indeed be a wedding! Her parents arrive from Nigeria. Several e-mails & telephone calls back to the groom regarding visa status. No new news! The clock is ticking...anxieties begin to swell. Mid August...letters to Senator & local congressmen...followed up with calls to the local immigration office. Still no visa. Ongoing calls back and forth to their lawyer(s). Still...no visa!

Friday...August 28th...reality sets in...bride loses all hope and starts to contact people to tell them "this is probably not going to happen". She will call church, caterer, florist, etc on Monday to cancel. I call my daughter (also living in Germany...she and her husband (groom's brother) are coming regardless. Can't afford penalty of canceling tickets and extremely difficult to change vacation plans with his employer. We will make the best of it, but still...it was an ugly weekend. Flights were canceled, e-mails were were sent, tears flowed. What was supposed to happen on Sept. 5th was not going to happen!

The Fairytale!
Monday, August 31st
A call from U.S. Consulate. Visa is approved! "Please arrange to pickup your passport on Wednesday at the U.S. Embassy in Frankfurt!" Text messages fly, phones ring, e-mails sent! Twitter is twittering! Wedding is on...in FIVE DAYS!!!

Groom's sister and her boyfriend arrive at Newark airport mid-afternoon. Picked up by her Mom & family friend (Mom is now staying in New Jersey with said friends). Boyfriend's 1st trip to America. They too decided to come not knowing whether or not there would be a wedding. Expensive and difficult to change plans with their employers. Upon arrival...they learn that the wedding is on!

Wednesday, Sept. 2nd
Groom travels to Frankfurt...no surprises! Picks up passport. Alerts bride that he actually has the passport in hand! Books flight! More e-mails, text messages, twittering, etc.

Thursday, Sept. 3rd
Plan is to pick up son-in-law at JFK via Amsterdam (KLM flt# 3081) at 1:00pm.

Flight is codeshare with Delta flight #81. Website states flight is on time and will arrive at Terminal #3, gate B20. Park in parking lot #3...got to arrivals area. It's deserted. Go upstairs to departure area and ask someone "official looking" about KLM#3081. Am told that I'm in the domestic arrivals area and need to exit the building...travel along and exterior walkway...to the rear of terminal 3 for international arrivals. I hike the recommended route to the rear of terminal 3. Look up at the arrivals display and sure enough KLM 3081 is at the gate...at Terminal #4!

But...I digress!

Groom's father to arrive at JFK via Frankfurt later that evening. Will be met by wife, daughter & daughter's boyfriend. Boyfriend is designated driver. Did I mention that this is his 1st trip to America! Have you ever been to JFK Airport??? Have you ever tried to figure out how to get out of JFK Airport??? A nightmare!

Plan to pick up daughter...LaGuardia Airport at 9:30PM (US Airways flight 703...originates in Frankfurt; connecting flight via Philadelphia). Flight from Frankfurt arrives early in Philadelphia. Daughter calls...can catch an earlier flight...arriving at 7:00PM. $50 extra...done deal! Father & daughter back home before 8:00PM.

Groom arrives at Newark Airport at 10:00PM. Exhausted by his ordeal...not to mention the 6 hour jet lag. Met by bride. (Boy...that must have been some reunion!)

Friday, Sept. 4th
Get marriage license. Get fitted for tuxedo. Final fitting for wedding gown. Wedding rehearsal...rehearsal dinner (ended around 11:00PM...and yes...groom is still awake. (Unbelievable..it's 5:00AM back in Germany!)

Saturday, Sept. 5th
Sometime around 4:00PM, in front of 100+ guests from Africa, Germany, Italy, Mexico, England and across America...an incredible mix/blend of races, religions, nationalities... the bride and groom are pronounced husband and wife. Applause & tears!

Nigerian parents and German parents hug and embrace the bride and groom. Nigerian parents & German parents then hug and embrace each other. More tears & smiles & applause!

No doubt...this will be talked about for decades to come. A story for their children and grand-children...and all the family and friends who lived through this with them. Fairytales do come true!

IMAGINE!