One of the three R's: Revolt...

This city will never move pass go! Ranters hate the idea of commerce downtown, ranters hate the idea of sports downtown, ranters hate housing downtown, ranters hate smoke, ranters hate smoky places, now ranters hate that our schools that have all been built prior 1978 need to be fixed up. If your house was nearing thirty years old, or forty, or eighty years old might you need a heating system? Might you need driveway repairs? Of course the vocal citizens of Fort Wayne do not want to perform any repairs to the schools. If you have a family of four the traffic in and out of your house over seven years can show definite patterns on carpets, plus all the "stuff" that happens. Imagine your house with 100, 500, 1,000 people in there daily?!? I am always so surprised by the vocal citizens of Fort Wayne who would give up their child to get a beating parlor or a casino but would do nothing to make sure the school has heat for that child. I do not have children, but I do think the schools should be safe, heated, structurally sound. Perhaps I live in a bubble, but I see that the idea of progress is a necessity for our community. We need commerce downtown, sports downtown, schools that are in good condition, and Marshall Fields. Well, perhaps I am in a bubble we will never get Marshall Fields back! When the petition to save the schools or watch them fall in on themselves, make the right choice. Do your own research. Visit a school. Talk with a teacher perhaps you will learn more than what the ranters are wanting you to know.

Flying without a recipe

Last night some friends came over all with the intent to have a good time. All they were guaranteed were the following: appetizers, wine and mixed drinks. The requirements: bring a food item and stand back and watch two people prepare a meal based upon what was received.

Well this is what walked in the door:

1. Rice

2. Spinach fettuccine

3. Bulk sausage

4. Chicken breasts

5. Black beans

6. Crackers

7. Roasted peppers

8. Talipa

9. Heavy Cream

10. Kale

11. Mango

12. Red and orange peppers

13. Italian cheese

14. Bag o salad

15. Louisiana (flown-in) sausage

16. Mozzarella cheese

17. Spinach

18. Garlic

19. Lemon

Well, the two chefs whipped up a meal based upon the ingredients. The meal was spinach fettuccine with a garlic and olive oil with a cheese sauce. Jambalaya. Talipa, cracker coated, with a cream reduction sauce. Wilted greens with lemon and garlic. Needless to say, it turned out to be a fabulous meal. 18 friends gathered to break bread and share drinks on a sleety icy night. Perhaps it was the 8 bottles of wine, the pitchers of pink grapefruit martinis, or maybe it really was a kick ass meal! The gourmet club kicked it up, as an informal gathering. With the test pilot out of the way, I think this party theme may be sampled one further time.

Iced-cubed!

According to my pup, Clyde, the weather sucks! He was upset late last night that when he stood on the snow bank where he likes to make his own version of snow cones, he kept sliding. He looked at me, as if I did something to him, but I just laughed. P.S. dogs do not like it when people laugh at them (with them) etc. Not only did this happen once, it happened twice. He is a bit of a grump mood right now, so hopefully by the next outing the iciness will have subsided.

No mints on the pillow?

Harrison Place may have its first anchor! Beyond the dead weight of the ney sayers in our community, which has been like an anchor tied to man's feet and tossed into the water, some great progress should be realized. The hotel is not a Budget Inn or Motel 6. (Though I think a Motel 6 would have been kind of cool, to drive downtown and see all the hotel lights on, never have seen that hotel with all of its lights on!!) This would be a Marriott. (Yeah, I could earn more points with all my plastic cards because I have Marriott rewards too!) This hotel has a spa, a pool, a fitness center. The hotel would add 250 rooms, a ballroom for meetings and receptions and all for a price tag of $47 million dollars. Fortunately, not many of the boo-hiss club of Fort Wayne has responded or picketed the concept. This is because of their own American Idol, Anna Nicole Smith, who passed away. With all the tv court battles, best of showings, and live up to the minute news, most of the people who complain about the idea of Fort Wayne growing with the times have become self absorbed in Anna. Perhaps a thought for the new hotel owners, consider adding a special Anna Nicole Smith corridor. I am sure that Fort Wayne ney sayers could not and would not bemoan this tribute. Sometimes when we think-like the foothills of the Ozarks we end up living-like the foot hills of the Ozarks. The debate continues and you should be a part of the discussion. In March, the community has an excellent opportunity to hear facts not stories about the proposed redevelopment of a section of Fort Wayne which has little economical impact and no recent corporate investment. Watch for more details about an event at the Allen County Library March 14 6:00 p.m. If you are a young leader or an old ram, be a part of the future. Your voice can be heard if you listen long enough to understand the discussion.

Butt I am Catholic...

In religious terms, Wednesday was Ash Wednesday for the Catholic world. I was born Catholic, went to a Catholic college (this was to repent for the other three colleges I went to first). However with the Diocese blood in my veins I am not a very religious person. I do not attend an organized church nor do I attend one on holidays. Actually, this post does not have much to do with Ash Wednesday to begin with, just the platform to talk about the new smoking ban set to take place in a few months. I wonder if Ash Wednesday will be taken off the books too, since where there is smoke there is fire, which produces the necessary ashes for the holiday ritual? Recently a group of people gathered to protest smoking prohibition. From what I read in the papers, heard on the radio, it was anything but organized and in the end it was just a platform to talk politics not issues. I am not a smoker, never tried to smoke a cigarette in my life, but I am not sure I am an advocate for the smoking ban. I do believe it causes changes for people who smoke. Whether it be a cough, yellowing, smoke smell or cancer. However, as reported earlier in the blog, so does bubble bath, so I guess take your chances. What I do believe is that each person should still have the right to smoke, and owners of establishments should have the right to decide and the public would determine what merit, if any, would prompt patronage. So, next year on Ash Wednesday there may just be no ashes.

We won't be back after this...

There once was an old man who watched tv. He actually sat in front of the tv for over one year. He was dead mind you, but he was sitting in front of that tv for a year, dead! This is a true story, a man in New Jersey passes away while watching tv. He lives alone. No one finds him for over a year. Now, mind you, this guy does not live in some country home where no one lives within 20 miles, he lives in a house that is less than twenty steps of someone elses! So how is this remotely possible that his paper, his mail, his bills have not piled up higher than last week's snow? Trust me, I miss one bill by one day, and the national guard is called out by Discover! This man not only got to have his tv, electricity for free for a year? Who cut his grass? Guess city code enforcement never sited him for failure to keep his yard up. What about snow!?! Didn't someone find it odd that no path was ever plowed, that the ordinance for city sidewalks was never followed? Too frickin odd for me, to even believe this event went down as it did.

You're so fun....

In the past 48 hours reports have surfaced that you should not serve up peanut butter to your children, it has been recalled. Then we get a report that bubble baths have been found to cause cancer in children. I keep thinking, how is this possible that we can have kids in bubbles for years and now it is found to be the start of the cancer bug.

Soap has been around since 2800 B.C. (yes I did some research, did not just make this up). In 467 A.D. it is believed that the bath went out of style, filth went on the rise, which caused many plagues to include the Black Death.

So from all accounts, I am thinking it is not the bubbles nor the bath that is causing the cancer, it may be something else. Don't take away the one joy a kid has (well, other than High School Musical).

Just eat a candy bar, please!

Last night, to break the routine of snow, a friend and I went to see A Cirque Du Soleil production, Delirium at the Coliseum. We were fourth row center and there was nothing we missed with these amazing seats. I have not followed the Cirque programming but have always heard that the shows were unforgettable. I really enjoyed the show, it has tons of percussion, and amazing bodies on both the women and the men. Even though the fat lady never sang, the show did come to a close. Every cast member had the correct number of ribs. It was like a real life anatomy class, never seen bodies so fit and lean and flexible. The music was hip, the light show was outstanding, the graphics, the skilled acrobatic maneuvers. The show had four large Imax screens from floor to ceiling. It truly was a full on production of the senses. Especially near the end when large white balloon like things were breezing through the air and nearly got tagged by one. All and all, another great night in Fort Wayne, taking in the arts, culture and fun of friendship.

YUM!!

Well, if you were tempted to try the chocolate cover Altoids, you may want to scurry to the grocery for the Hostess Streussel Cakes. These are not the cakes with those pellets of cinnamon, that looked like gerbil food, no this is a perfect blend of cinnamon and sugar along with soft cake. I endorse this message :) All I know is that one box does not seem to last very long. Great for a nice winter day, a hot cup of Chai and a bit of Anita Baker playing in the background. Enjoy your day!

Cross my heart!

Well, today is the day when lovers fall deeper in love, and those not in love learn to further despise this holiday of joy, prosperity and self loathing. Finding a table at a restaurant is impossible. The cost of flowers skyrocket. Chocolate is sold like gold. Ladies wear more red on Valentines Day than any other day. Of course, I have nothing planned, no celebrations, no singles-only event, even. But many years ago, this date has gone down in history. It was ten years ago today that I stopped breathing. The day that my organs started to shut down, leaving me on medication for the rest of my life due to a faulty thyroid. A bit of heart weakness from the event (and this had nothing to do with just have being married month prior to this)... Through a series of test, studies and a good old fashion EKG. Nine years later, I am doing pretty well. I have days where the medication does not give me the ability to keep up without being fatigued, but I always keep pushing to make sure that I make everyday better for others as well as myself. The condition is not life threatening, unless I stop taking the medication. So, as long as my medication does not get hid or lost, I will be here until it is really time to go! To all you happy hearts out there, enjoy your holiday. to all of us not taken hearts, someday we can share in this day of glory.

My cake and eat it too....

All I can say is I hope you enjoy the blizzard as much as I am today! Heheheheheheheehe

Not your grammy's music!

The Grammy's went solo, no true host and really did not appear it listened to the public. Case in point, Dixie Chicks were a go-go as they snatched up three key awards. Mary J. Blige won, and read the phonebook of all the people who have thanked her, knew her, met her or sold drugs to her. Bless Jesus too! Five or so wonder-acts received the highest honor by being placed in the hall of fame. But there was not much fame for them. A camera shined in their face, but they were not given an award, nor were they able to thank anyone. It was the best of the after-thought to remember those who have come before all the other acts. To top the night off, one person who has never been a known singer, sung through the miracle of text messaging. Teamed up with Justin Timberlake was some chick who no one will probably ever recall her name. Some of the live music was enjoyable, but the mosh-pit in the middle of the stage was everything to include distracting. What is up with Gnarls Barkley?!? Wonder if Tennille is aware that her captain is on tour without her! It was nice to see the Police reunited. It was also good that Enya (not shown) won best New Age Album. I also had no idea that Ike Turner released an album ... and won! Best (Black) and Blues album. Oh yeah, Robin Troop was the Justin Timberlake singer (probably should write that one down, so when people say ... remember that one girl who sung at that award show .... wonder what she is doing now, who was she anyway.... you will know the answer (and she could just be bussin' your table!

Fort Wayne.... losing again!

This just in... Fort Wayne lost a famous tag line "fattest city". In fact, Fort Wayne did not make the top ten list of fattest cities! My guess is, that the survey that was conducted to see the healthiness of the residents was sent by mail. My assumption is, that it was just way too cold for many people to walk to their mailbox to gather their mail and the special self-addressed stamped envelope to give the dimensions of their body. Quickly, due to the weather, overall laziness, Fort Wayne has become healthier! For this, we must rejoice, pass me my slice of celebratory cake!

The fattest cities:

1. Houston

2. Chicago

3. Detroit

4. Philadelphia

5. St. Louis

6. Cleveland

7. Atlanta

8. Columbus, Ohio

9. Dallas

10. Charlotte

In due time...

In observation of the passing of superstar Anna Nicole Smith, this blog will be on a temporary hiatus for the next 24 hours. Just going to open my last 6 pack of Zima and remember all the good movies, television shows that the superstar made over her life. She was so talented, I am sure that the full day coverage of her death from E! and other television programming will be watched my millions. Nothing is more debilitating to our nation, than this passing.

Another great talent..... gone

Unless you live under a rock, you probably are in the same state of mourning as many others with the passing of superstar, super talent Anna Nicole Smith. She was just 39. Life is just not fair is it!?! She rose to fame after being a model for magazine print, then found love and married a gentleman, but that was ripped out from underneath of her, with his untimely death. Leaving her to fight a court battle for the little possession he had from his greedy family. Luckily, Anna was a fighter, and she became a television star, showcasing her raw talent on a show that had the same name as her. So much like that of Mary Tyler Moore, or the Carol Burnett Show, Anna Nicole Smith Show will always be recalled as a show that changed a generation. Anna recently lost a person, well ironically, she lost her son, but I was referring to the great weight loss. She was looking fine! Fine enough that she had her confidence back and married the man who could have been the father of her five month old child. Throughout the day, water coolers and special newscasts will highlight this illustrious career of a rags to riches story. Our own modern day Marilyn Monroe, has left our planet. I hope everyone has enough strength to make it through the day.

Astro..nut

One more whack job has been nabbed by the police. Sadly, the count is too low to have made a difference in our society. I am certain you have heard the reports about the lady from Texas, a true astronaut, drove to Florida with an intent to harm the lady she thought may be with a guy she liked. She strapped on a large depends and drove through multiple states to show up at the airport to haunt or stalk another lady. Oh, not just that she went to kill her. She loaded up her car with a gun, a mallet, tubing and lord knows what other tools to end the life of the person she thought was her nemesis toward another man. Let me not forget to add, the freak astronaut is married and has children. Irony as it, the defense claims that she is just over stressed. She balances children and a high pressure job and she just had a bad day. Screw your bad day lady, you are stuck in a cylinder in space. Not much stress there, you don't have to sit through American Idol. You don't have to go shopping for groceries or attempt to drive to the store (without being hit by old people). You don't have much stress in contrast to the rest of America. Last night I flipped on Nancy Grace to see if she was eating astronaut for supper, and low and behold, she was softer than I expected. I wanted to call the show and say execute this whack job. Then I thought, if they were to do that, then she would become more famous than that horse that bit the dust last month. Come to think of it, I am not a big fan of astronauts either! They took away Pluto and I don't think I will ever forgive NASA and the cronies who work there for this horrific educational moment.

Not just cracker-jacks!

Today, I am asking to share your voice. Fort Wayne has an opportunity that few cities ever receive and that is for a company to walk in and give money to help change our future, for the better. Over the next couple months, investors, politicians, and citizens alike will be speaking up and speaking out for or against the development of a Harrison Square. You have read the paper or seen on television or heard on the radio that Fort Wayne may get a ball diamond in the heart of the city. Well that is just a piece of the cake. There also would be a nice, fresh hotel. There would be condo living units, there would be retail establishments and entertainment venues all in this multi-block restoration. If this opportunity passes our community by, we will never see our Downtown with much more retail than the occasionally handy crafted jewelry or a nick nack shop open from 12-3 on odd days of every third month! Retail that is not another Hallmark store, nor a Subway, prospectively, this will be retail that we do not have in Fort Wayne. Could be upscale, but definitely would be fresh. The ball park would have a running track for those hell bent on sweating up a circle. Whether or not you like baseball, the bigger question is do you want your Downtown to be a destination or a historical archive once known as our past. Your voice, even if it is no to this entire concept, needs to be brought to light. Take the time to write a letter or phone your city council. Write the newspapers to share your two cents. Call talk radio when the topic raises its head. Just get more informed about this community investment before you say no to the ball diamond, because if all it was or could be is baseball then trust me an out of town, nationally recognized company would not be offering to help give our city the electric shock it has needed for years.

Yellow ? what!?!?

I purchased a computer for the office to maintain records etc. I just happened to stumbled across this picture to let me know that there is tech support out there if I struggle with getting the computer connected properly. I purchased it from the men in blue, you know Best Buy. I do believe this kitten has probably a better chance of answering my questions, if I have them, more than the twelve year old staff at Best Buy.

Strung together

I think I have found our secret defense weapons, Janice Dickinson and Nancy Grace. This weekend, as I was wrapped from head to toe to avoid frost bite, I stumbled across the Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency. As I watched, I determined she is just as ruthless as our CNN pal, Nancy Grace. I wonder how these two women are off camera. I wonder if they are rude, heartless and destructive when rating points are not the highest objection. It makes for good television, but how does it make for living a life. Oh, I know, "if they were men, we would not be having this conversation". True, if they were men, someone would have taken them outside and knocked the living daylights out of them. What I think I have found is that they have in common a secret evil necklace that when they wear it makes them vicious. These pictures see this fashion no-no as perhaps the link between nice and evil. Watch for the necklace on other women today as you make your way through life.

Free lunch program...

I received a phone call that I won a free lunch to El Jarrico or something close to that on Goshen Road. You.come.today! Well, I did show for my free lunch, no grand hoopla, no streamers or special reserved table, but I could have anything I wanted from the menu. I was conservative, had an Iced tea along with a chicken chimmi. Oh yeah, baby, I know my lingo! I brought some paperwork from the office and sat in my booth and minded my own business. The place was actually very busy. Across the aisle, an elderly couple sat, talking up a storm, relatively loud. Perhaps both were in need of a battery replacement in the hearing aid, but this is simply a thought. Anyway my crispy chimmi arrived and I began to enjoy it for all it was worth. It was very funny to watch this couple interact, I assumed they were a couple. Imagine all those years of being together, the stories they could recant. The lady leaned forward and said to her male companion, "lean forward I got something to tell ya". He leaned forward and she said (don't read this outloud if you have children in the room) she said... "Last night he wanted to do me from behind, and I said to him, I am 68 and I can't do it from behind!" Needless to say, I pushed my chicken chimmi forward, put down my fork and proceed to lose my appetite rapidly. Sadly, just because one leans forward to tell a secret, one must recall to tone the voice down so not to share the secret with the entire restaurant! Just goes to show, there is NO free lunch without some strings. I guess at 68 it may be too late to try new things or at least she knows her boundaries!

Make your own dinner!

Think of the great restaurants that have left the landscape of Fort Wayne. Jimmy's Pizza, Godfather's Pizza, Harlequins, The Wharf, The Moonracker, Margie's Cafe, Family and Friends, La Hacienda, Heritage House, Duff's, Burger Chef (and Jeff), Lucky Steer, Bill Knapp's, Joe's Crab Shack (well that was not that great), Shooney's, Taco Cabana, Chi Chi's, Most of the Domino's, Denny's, Hacienda, Pizza Treat, Charky's, Chaussers, Almost all of the Azar's Big Boy, Hot and Now, Damon's, Bill Knapp's, The Hobby House, Walgreen's diner, Bombay Bicycle Club, Peppercorns, Taco Taco, Chen's, Misota, Zoli's, Papa Suzzetti's, TJ Pasta's, Ryan's, Rib Room Express, Humpty Dumpty's. Some where great, some fine, some where mediocre, but some we have forgotten.

Fourteen days of pasta!

It is never too early to plan ahead. I am meeting with a travel agent to gather some ideas about my October excursion to Italy. I am going to be going for 14 days, I think. Hoping to visit Rome, Venice, Tuscany, Island of Capri, Naples, perhaps Sicily. I want to make sure that I am not riding a bus, on some geriatric tour of the state. Initially I thought a tour could be a simple answer to not knowing much language, or how to drive in a foreign country etc. Except when I received the tour brochure, I was a a bit surprised that the pictures made the people in the D. O. McCombs preplanning brochure look young. I want a bit of guidance while I am there, perhaps a driver, who can point out some great haunts but not be in my face talking, talking, talking aimlessly about something that does not float my boat. Well, unless I am in Venice, and then I do want someone who can float my boat, because I really want to make sure I don't sink to the bottom and find Hoffa. I am a vacationer of one, as of now. I am going to make this adventure a part of my being and see a place I have wanted to see for many years. Perhaps I may find relatives over there that I don't have, won't claim or won't discuss when I return. Oh, you all know you have some broken branches in your family tree. My tree is far from a weeping willow. So, today I am going to garner some vision about the place my family had called home.