Waiting

For the Bus

I forgot that today was President's Day, so I arrived at the bus stop at the wrong time, the schedule having changed because of the holiday. Instead of just standing at the bus stop doing nothing, I decided to wander around downtown a little bit.



I used the clock on First Church to make sure I didn't lose track of time.



They had a "naughty needles" sale at the wool store for Valentine's.



This is a picture I took of my friend Zak last summer. He's really into tattoos.



Soon Zak will be opening this restaurant downtown. Everybody's really excited about it.



Bulbs were blooming in this window.



However it will be some time yet before they bloom outdoors - especially with snow predicted for tonight.

Campaign Developments



Howie Carr mentioned the local congressional races in his Boston Herald column yesterday:

Is there a Republican revolution in Massachusetts? Maybe, but so far there seem to be a lot more generals enlisting than privates.

Consider how many Republicans have taken out nomination papers against Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Worcester and Havana). The answer is five. Five!

Richie “the Sheik” Neal has three Republicans officially eyeing his seat. Ditto, Niki Tsongas. The ancient John Olver, in the bluest of the blue First Congressional District, has two Republican challengers, plus an independent.

Who are the three challenging Neal? Well of course there's libertarian Republican Dr. Jay Fleitman and social conservative Tom Wesley, but who is the mysterious number three? Everyone is whispering that it will be former State Senator Brian Lees.

Meanwhile, Neal challenger Tom Wesley has started a new website designed to highlight Neal's role as a loyal foot soldier for the congressional establishment in Washington, voting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over 98% of the time. Wesley also points out that Neal has had many fundraisers outside the district, even having a post office box to collect the cash down in Maryland. From Wesley's press release:



Why is there a post office box for the “Richard Neal for Congress Committee” in Chevy Chase, Maryland? Because it is closer to Washington, D.C.? We really don’t know, but there have been plenty out-of-district fundraisers that benefit Richard Neal that you should know about. Check out www.NealPelosi.com to see them.

Funny

Multi-media artist Kelsey Flynn strikes an Ed Sullivan pose with her parents in anticipation of The Really Big Show at the Academy of Music February 28th.



I generally don't like redneck jokes, but this poem is cute:



Susie Lee done fell in love;
She planned to marry Joe.
She was so happy 'bout it all
And she told her Pappy so.
But Pappy said, 'Susie, gal,
You'll have to find another
I'd just as soon ya Ma don't know,
But Joe is yo' half brother.'

So Susie put aside her Joe
And planned to marry Will.
But after telling Pappy this,
He said, 'There's trouble still ..
You can't marry Will, my gal
And please don't tell your Mother,
But Will and Joe and several mo'
I know is yo' half brother.'

But Mama knew and said to her,
'My chile, do what makes ya happy.
Marry Will or marry Joe,
You ain't no kin to Pappy.'


Today's Music Video

More newness from Northampton's School for the Dead.