toby2day's Blog

toby2day's Profile |

Share |

Bookmark |

Get your own free blog

Iconic Images and Today

All the news, and memorials, and rememberances, and art work, and photo work, and ..and...for today, Sept 11, 2011 had me thinking. (But isn't that what this is all about?)
I remember that horrible day. I remember sitting glued to the TV, with my sons, lucky when I could get through to family and friends, because so many systems were overloaded, or just plain shut down. Trying to wrap my head around...we've been attacked! But then wondering what kind of people strike at unarmed civilians? Looking around at my neighbors...the house full of sailors across the street...running to their cars so they could get to their ships and duty stations. I had to drive out that day...but bridges were closed, streets were empty. Armed military and police at tunnels, and bridges, and gates. Dogs sniffing along bridges, and tunnels and roadside. Navy and Coast Guard passing slowly under bridges...with lights...looking. The skies overhead...unusually...silent and empty.
But this isn't where my thoughts turned these last few days. Instead...I turned to ads...art work... images that say everything that needs to be said.
I thought about back in the 70's...The Crying Indian campaign. Anti-pollution...we all remember the beautiful canoe trip down a beautiful river...to land on a shore strewn with trash, and smog clogging the once pristine air...and the tear on that proud face. (Iron Eyes Cody) Iconic. Saying everything, with out a word.
Farther back...Rosie the Riviter, Loose Lips, Uncle Sam wants you...and on and on. NO hype...no shouting of a message. NO repeating ad infinitum rants. A simple image...that says everything.
Now...back to 9-11. In the days that followed there were images. Not the ones of the towers falling, or the planes hitting, or the Pentagon burning. Other images that spoke volumes.
Image: Lady Liberty, grimly determined, stepping off her pedestal and rolling up her sleeves.
Image: Fire and Rescue Workers, Police...steadfastly walking up stairs...to heaven's gates. (I am always reminded of the woman who got out...interviewed saying..."I was going down those steps and meeting these wonderful brave firemen going up")
Image: Lady Liberty weeping
There were many in those following days. Now...ten years later we are once again remembering. We are shown photo after photo, film after film...of the attack, of the horror. I am numbed..again.
But those quiet images. Those simple pictures...obviously drawn from the artists grief, and shock, and anger, and pride...speak more to what is the American spirit, than all of the talking heads of today. They can pontificate. They can shout and rant.

Me...I'll hold these images close, and remember.

Posted by Toby2day at 11:35 on September 11th, 2011 at 11:35AM
0 Comments \| 2467 views \| Permalink \| Flag

Dec. 7th. 1941 (a pause to remember)

)

Posted by Toby2day at 18:49 on December 7th, 2010 at 6:49PM (updated Dec 7th, 2010)
0 Comments \| 2741 views \| Permalink \| Flag

I love being blocked for having an opinion

Yes...I do so love being blocked for holding an opinion.

Especially when it's by the open minded. That really let's me know where I stand.
Somewhere around the less than informed and totally bereft of any consciousness.

Completely unaware of the reality of 'what's really at work".

Oh well.

I come by my opinions not lightly. Never have.

If I don't agree, or even if I do agree...but make a point contrary to what is expected...then click goes the block button.

I say I come by my opinions honestly. Take it or leave it.
Be incredulous. I really don't give a damn.

But don't be so rude as to send me a PM and when I respond blow me off with a "whatever"...and hit block.
you want to discuss...then discuss.
done't tell me I made a low blow and not acknowledge your own.

I explained mine.

Have some guts and explain yours.

Or not....
Whatever.

But I'll stand by my opinion.

Using someone who has been through a level of hell as a cause celebre...a rallying point...is continuing the abuse of that person. In one simple word....it's WRONG. And while the intentions of some of his supporters is pure....most of them are simply using him and his situation for their own ends. I repeat. WRONG.

Whatever.

Posted by Toby2day at 21:26 on June 15th, 2010 at 9:26PM
2 Comments \| 3211 views \| Permalink \| Flag

Memorial Day: Lest We Forget

A moment to remember those who gave all.

Posted by Toby2day at 18:53 on May 28th, 2010 at 6:53PM
0 Comments \| 3234 views \| Permalink \| Flag

Common sense injection

OK, reality check time.

I've noticed a few things...here on EP, and in the media, and gawds...on the street.

1. The spill that is threatening the Gulf is not the fault of the current admin. As much as some want to say it is....
common sense people. Think for just a second... that's all it would really take...two if you need a breath while you ponder.
Oil rigs are not spontaneously generated in the middle of deep water. They take YEARS, to find the right spot, and then build, construct...put together. That means this one was in the works a while before it exploded, killed 11 people, and began to spew. The current admin has been in a year and change. Let that conspiracy go... find a new one.

2. Fox news... just say no...change the channel. The only thing it's good for is the latest hairstyles on anchor people and poorly aimed humor. Common sense...there is No way that the President is born anywhere but the US, and is a real native born citizen. The vesting process, by all the depts and people involved would have definitely caught that one. Especially since at least half are affiliated with the right side of the aisle. Common sense. The President and the admin have no interest in or desire to 'take your shootin' irons'.

3. There is no move by the US or anyone else to turn the registrations of legally own fire arms over to the UN for a data base. Surprise...no one cares!!! Common sense.

4." Loose Change" was a movie, posing as a documentary, done by (at first) a couple of 19 year olds. They have gone through several revisions. Why? Because there information keeps being debunked by ...OMG...REAL facts and science. Imagine that. There was no conspiracy with in our government. Think!!!

5. No...the H1N1 vaccine was not a way to implant tracking devices in people. No...vaccines in general are not a way to implant tracking devices in people. I don't care that some politician wearing a tin foil hat puts it to a vote on the floor in their state legislature. I don't believe that any state that actually passed that (GA. comes to mind) did so for any reason other than to get the person to sit down so true legislative business could be handled. Think!!!

6. Tolls are still taxes. It doesn't matter what you call them. You can call a pig a goat...it's still a pig. Period.

7. The newest Tea Party darling is just as uninformed as the rest of them. His statements about the "spill" are pretty much the rantings of someone enamored of his own voice and still riding his election win high. Common sense. Think!!! oh wait...breathe too.

. Last...and this is my current favorite... There is NO WAR on Women.

Shout til hell freezes. There is not a war on women in the US.
The US government is not going to give every woman a video camera to carry with her at all times. That, beyond being impractical is hitting the realm of lunacy.

Communities and gyms, and dojos, and martial arts studios already give classes specifically for women's self defense. A lot of them are already free. Girls are frequently taught in gym classes in school, as well as some girl scout gatherings.

Law enforcement already uses DNA in a data base. It's collected from the crime scene as well as the woman (or in some cases, man). It is already checked against known perps, and filed in case another attack occurs.

Women (and men) can already obtain pepper spray, and in some states tasers, fire arms, and martial weapons. Would you suggest women be issued Tanks for their use in running errands, next?

Yes there is still work to do. But... the tirades of a fish wife in the market are not going to see those changes occur any faster. In fact...that conduct hinders our cause more than anything else.

I am a survivor of violent crime. As a teen and again as an adult.

I resent ...I can't word that strongly enough, resent...some myopic- visioned individual with serious delusions...casting aspersions on my sons characters and integrity....btw..sons,.they are male. They are NOT hetero male crime worshipers. I don't even know what the heck that is supposed to mean...other than some catchy phrase that sounds almost nefarious. Feminists, suffragists.... these are my family...I was born into a family of feminists, fought for women rights all my life. Never once have I heard that only the lesbians fight for our rights and represent true feminism. Yes they do fight along side us, but so do many men. Our sons, husbands, fathers, and brothers.

Common sense.

I guess the key word in all this is sense.

Something I have noticed sadly lacking of late.

Posted by Toby2day at 18:22 on May 22nd, 2010 at 6:22PM
0 Comments \| 3250 views \| Permalink \| Flag

This Afternoon: Nickleback

This is just one of those songs that gets in your head and makes you smile.

Out with my son this afternoon, and not sure howm any times we played it.

Enjoy !!

Posted by Toby2day at 17:00 on May 16th, 2010 at 5:00PM
2 Comments \| 3254 views \| Permalink \| Flag

You may not see me around for a while

No..I'm not stomping off in a huff, and no one has ruffled my feathers so badly I'm going on hiatus. :)

Some of you know my dearest cousin. Basically my big brother, and partner in crime has cancer.

Non-hodgkins lymphoma IV. This has been an on again off agin battle. Some highs and a few lows.

Some of you may know what that, what THIS all feels like, for the family and for the patient. You have all at different times been supportive when I needed a shoulder. Some have offered valuable suggestions, and insights, for my cousin.

Today he recieved the news that he is not responding this time. That the cancer has 'changed', and spread and further there is nothing more medically that can be done.

They are beginning to make care plans for his comfort.

Thank all of you for just being the wonderful people you are. This sounds perhaps a little disjointed. Sorry.

You were the strength I needed when Cody died so suddenly.

This time however, since we aren't sure of a time line, I need to be there for my Bro.

So, I'll be on and off.

My thoughts right now are a little busy..gotta pack, take care of things here, etc, etc.

Love to each of you.

Take care of each other.

Peace out!!

Posted by Toby2day at 19:51 on April 29th, 2010 at 7:51PM
1 Comment \| 3259 views \| Permalink \| Flag

Wipe out

It's a beach day.

Posted by Toby2day at 19:58 on April 18th, 2010 at 7:58PM
0 Comments \| 3347 views \| Permalink \| Flag

Never Know

I don't know why, but I can put videos here, but not on my story pages. :( Oh well. Enjoy. Have a smile or two.

Posted by Toby2day at 08:46 on April 18th, 2010 at 8:46AM
0 Comments \| 3252 views \| Permalink \| Flag

keep on trying // poco

Just having one of those kind of days.

Posted by Toby2day at 20:39 on April 14th, 2010 at 8:39PM
0 Comments \| 3263 views \| Permalink \| Flag

Peace on Earth 1939

This is a little late in the year. But something timely for us to remember any way.

Peace all!!

Posted by Toby2day at 18:25 on April 9th, 2010 at 6:25PM
0 Comments \| 3281 views \| Permalink \| Flag

Fireflies

LOL. Cranked it up and got the closet cleaned out!!! Wooot!!!!

Posted by Toby2day at 13:26 on April 5th, 2010 at 1:26PM
1 Comment \| 3250 views \| Permalink \| Flag

How twisted it is

How twisted and demented a mind it is, that would ignore a person, a family member for most of one's life.

How vile it is, to disrespect a person, so much so, that even in death you can can ignore them.

What kind of sickness is it, to disinter his ashes, and have them shipped, parcel post, so they can sit on the mantle of your fireplace. In the one place on Earth that he least wanted to rest. With the two people he dispised the most?

All so you can mouth the words.."how romantic". And perhaps squeeze a few cions from somewhere else.

Excuse me while I hurl.

Posted by Toby2day at 16:12 on March 9th, 2010 at 4:12PM
0 Comments \| 3260 views \| Permalink \| Flag

Not even Orc hunting helped tonight

Usually a rowdy night of D&D at least gives me a few laughs on Friday night.

But tonight...with all that has been going over and over in my mind I just couldn't get into it.

Three random encounters...Orcs and an ogre. Deep dwarves didn't even manage to pull me out of the melancholy I've been sliding into. Darn, and my little elf was dong some major damage too.

Oh well, this weekend will pass. But tonight I so wished I had my elf companion with me, my rogue prince. LOL.

We made an awesome tag team. He with his back stabs and bait and switch; me with eldritch blast, and a little dagger play of my own.

It's just going to be another very long night. Maybe I can numb myself to sleep with an overdose of thought dulling TV.

Posted by Toby2day at 22:37 on February 12th, 2010 at 10:37PM
0 Comments \| 3254 views \| Permalink \| Flag

Grrr...700 Club

Grrrr.

Here it is...Sunday...the Jan. 31, and I'm all set and comfy...

All ready to watch the first meeting of the Pens and Redwings since the the Pens won the cup last year.

Got my coke, got my chips, got the remote...all set..and....

Arrgghhhh....NO!!!!!!

700 Club. WTF??!!

let me check...

NBC...yep.

right channel...yep.

TV menu? hmmm....grrrr.... 700 Club telethon.....GRRRRRR!!!!!

Bad enough I have the nut bag and his TV station down the frigging street.

Bad enough he babbles like an idiot most of the time.

(examples: he 'prayed' away a hurricane; the twin towers was because of pagans, and homosexuals; Katrina was God's punishment on a modern Sodom, and Haiti made a voodoo deal with the devil)

Now the frigging programming of NBC local affiliate has been bought for a GD telethon....what the bloody hell is wrong with begging for money on his own channel?

Isn't that why he has his own channel? Yes I know Fox bought it and made it the 'family' channel. Which is why I couldn't be paid to watch anything on it.

But dammit....an entire day of this bigoted, sanctimonious crap?

"Send us what you can...we'll pray for you", "Send us money to continue our work?"

If you have to beg on channels other than the one you own you may want to look at what you are peddling.

GRRRR.....700 Club....GRRRRRR!!!!

and assorted deleted expletives.

At least he can't pre-empt the Royal Rumble.

So my evening is 'saved'.

Posted by Toby2day at 15:27 on January 31st, 2010 at 3:27PM (updated Jan 31st, 2010)
0 Comments \| 3253 views \| Permalink \| Flag

Mind Flayer would starve here.

Yep.... it's another Firday night. And we have a meat shield. Hopefully I can keep behind it... "bring it fuzzy!!"

Posted by Toby2day at 13:57 on January 1st, 2010 at 1:57PM
1 Comment \| 3261 views \| Permalink \| Flag

Yep...another night around the table....roll that 20.

Well....it is another night at the ye olde table. Ragnar the invincible fighter has returned...(those portals do come in handy).

Raise a tankard or three...and sing a rousing song. The adventure continues.

Posted by Toby2day at 14:44 on December 26th, 2009 at 2:44PM
1 Comment \| 3253 views \| Permalink \| Flag

A Pirate;s Night Before Christmas

A slightlydifferent version than the one I'll be reading tonight to my younglings.

Avast, me mateys...Happy Christmas!

Posted by Toby2day at 07:03 on December 24th, 2009 at 7:03AM
0 Comments \| 3248 views \| Permalink \| Flag

Forget stuffing the stockings

Stuff the holidays. Merry Christmas? Humbug..

Happy Holidays, Season's Greetings, Yuletide Greetings, Happy Channukah, Kwanzaa geetings...

BBbblllttthtt!

Just take all your smiles and greetings and 'blessed days" and go bless someone who gives a damn.

Leave me alone with it all.

I tried very very hard to get in the spirit. Really I did. Set up a tree....alone. Decorated it...alone. Fielded the wise cracks about this ornament and that one....alone.

Planned not one but two different holiday dinners (yule for me and christmas for everyone else) nope... not doing either.

Mine is stupid wicca shyte...hahahaha. And Christmas well it's just another day... and no money no money no money. BS. I know this, they know I know. But it's all polite snipes. If I snipe back I'm a biotch. If they do it and I cry (gawds I hate doing that) then I can't take a joke.

My youngest's last holiday home. I wanted special...for him. Nope...

Have I mentioned that I hate the holidays?

I hate the fake greetings and well wishes.

I loathe the happy soccermom droids rushing about for their urchins, as if they were royalty.

I loathe it all. And worse it comes earlier every year. I've been listening to Christmas music and hearing Jingle bells since before Halloween.

But I can't tell them all to take a fast train to hades.

Even here... on tolerant EP I actually had someone nimwit ask..."what's Yule?"

Gee I don't know...it only predates that glorification of a supernatural being you celebrate. But I can't say that. And truly I probably don't mean that either.

I just don't give a damn. I don't care about the petty bickering.

I don't care about the drama. I don't care what you are looking for for your special someone...who isn't really going to give a damn about whatever it is anyway.

Cynic? Me? Whatever....

I see greed and just plain vile self absorbed personages (they are much to grand to be simple people) bandying about words like they are all knowing. Condescending bunch of jackasses. Yeah... I said it...so what?

Pontificating fools. I can't think of a single thing any of them say worth remembering more than the time it takes to tell them to get stuffed.

Oh...and I'm over the whole "Jesus is the reason for the season" too. NO he isn't. It's all a marketing ploy. Period. Even the original church had a hard time settling on just the right day to observe it. Had to do with the liturgical calendar and when offerings could be expected to be higher. And what pagan holiday they could co-op for thier purpose.

What? Me a cynic? Nah....

just sick and tired. Very sick, and very very tired?

Of hippocrites and vipers. Panic mongering bullies. Psuedo-elitists...

The benifits of a classic education I guess... I can compare things around me to Antigone, Dickens, Dante. The down side of doing that is seeing that nothing has changed. People, in general, are still miserly greedy prigs. Mean spirited and cruel.

Yeah I said that too. Do I believe it? You bet I do.

read some of the politcal crap on here sometime. Postulating, snide, greed... and that's just the polite ones.

My soul has been ripped apart and I get hit on by some perv wanting to help me forget by cybering. KISS MY A$$. And remember that express train to hades?.. Be under it.

So... I give up. I quit.

It has finally been beaten out of me... I can not find it in myself to care about anything too seriously.

And that wish for inner peace...that's gone too.

Yep... those stockings hung by the chimney? Stuff 'em.