Category: Columns

This video news clip is about the unknown Japanese workers who are putting their lives in peril to avert a nuclear disaster. This is a sobering reminder about what workers do.

The right in this country has declared war upon the working class. It is hard for me to imagine the Koch brothers putting their lives in peril to avert nuclear disaster. Maybe that’s worth thinking about too.

Sometimes when I look at our species, at the things we do, the wars, the isms, the way we so easily cast aside opportunities to better our lives, I wonder are our brains fried? Have we no spiritual pride? Have we no natural instincts imbedded inside our hearts and souls that can lead us to be more loving towards each other and act as our moral guide?

Aren’t we aware that our children are watching at our side and they, like other animals, cannot survive if they don’t see a model for how they should live their lives?

If you haven’t checked out Google Art Project yet, you’re in for a treat. The site uses a technology similar…

On April 15th there will be a “National Day of Silence” during which hundreds of thousands of students nationwide will…

Recently I sat and wrote and chatted with some of the coolest people alive. No jive. Most of them happen…

I pause with a picture to just look at my face, the wrinkles, the gray in my beard, the few…

Banksy’s street art surprises one. It grabs the eye and attention by juxtaposing contradictory elements that leave some lingering question about what we perceive as inherent reality. His work is a combination of the satirical and subversive.

A little while ago I read a book by longtime Tucson Citizen sportswriter, Steve Rivera: The University of Arizona Basketball Vault, the History of the Wildcats.

What a nice trip down memory lane the book was for me as I’ve followed Wildcat basketball since the 40’s. And, never in my wildest dreams, did I ever think the program would evolve to what it is today although the school had a couple of pretty good teams in my childhood.

One of the things I learned 40+ years ago, when almost the only airline flying into San Diego International Airport was PSA, that the planes stopped taking off at 11:30 pm and didn’t begin again until 6:30am.

Off to my wonderful OBcean tax preparer Byrna, with visions of Shepard Fairey dancing through my head. Byrna reminds me that the good news is that My Beloved and I, card carrying union members, have enough income to pay taxes. Hey! We’re middle class- for the moment! Our taxes are generally computed on a short form and last year our Federal and State tax rate was 13%. And the truth is we are ok with that- except for the war funding.

February 21st – a day of joy; a day of sorrow. Today is my birthday; Today also marks the 17 month anniversary of my husband’s death. Right next to my birthday candles will be a memorial candle to Bob. This article is not so much about my birthday as it is about Bob’s death. You see, he died of LUNG CANCER 18 months after it was diagnosed.

Bob was a smoker for 30 years. He admitted to smoking 3 packs a day before he quit 34 years ago. If he “admitted” to 3 packs a day, one can’t help but wonder just how many packs he really smoked daily. It doesn’t matter, because he ranked giving up smoking as his #1 accomplishment in life. His Ph.D was secondary to giving up smoking.

A meeting was held on Friday regarding the status of the VFW. As of yet, there does not seem to be any other available building in the 92107 area code. They only have a few days (?) left to move into the Pt. Loma facility, without jeopardizing their liquor license.

I do not know if this is fact – or fiction – but I was told that the rent for the Pt. Loma facility is next to nothing and the agreement was that the VFW would fix it up using their own monies.