monday

Now that I am a US citizen, I have a responsibility to turn up and serve on jury duty.
I got summoned and went along today.
They told us how random it was.
You get picked once every 4-6 years.
I don't know how they do it.
Old and young. Seemed to me that every nation was represented.
You get sent to one of 6 locations, I think, where there are lots of trials going on - criminal and civil.
They put out magazines for you to read and send you off to lunch for an hour.
What are the chances then, that, thinking, "I need to stretch my legs" as I look for a place to eat my homemade cheese sandwich, someone calls my name and sitting in the back of the sorting area, there's a whole bunch of people I know.
Using lap tops.
The court has wi-fi.
Fancy that.

2 january 2009 - Moon in Aries 9:40pm

Moon in Aries - it's a good time to start new projects.

December 30th - daytime

I have just come back from a lovely weekend in snowy Woodstock. I went to the little town on the other side of the river, with my record collector friend Tim and his wife Beth. We found one of those rare record shops that has loads of books all over the place and bits of stereo equipment and shelves and shelves of records. And 45's. Some in disgraceful condition, but some not bad. Tim found a few good ones. We had a wonderful drive over the Rip Van Winkle bridge, across the racing Hudson River, and back along the snow ridged very well laid roads, passed the iced up pond, and back to their place. They have one of those rooms that has been added on that's all windows and when you look out in summer it's all green. At the moment it's tall bare trees and the sunset last night made it look like the mountains were on fire.
I came back on the bus which belted along at 70 miles an hour. I got the seat at the front. It was like being flown home very close to the ground. A lot of houses were decorated on route of course.

I'm glad the nights are going to get lighter now. And just around the corner - 2009. Amazing isn't it.

Orion - stars in the sky tonight

Here is Orion with the stars joined up. The three stars in the middle are his belt and if you are in a dark place you will be able to make out the sword in the middle. The star in the top right hand corner is pronouced beatle juice. Orion has a dog called Sirius. Sirius is one of the brightest stars in the sky.
The story goes that Apollo was jealous that Orion liked Artemis who was a pretty magnificent hunting goddess. One day, Orion went swimming and Apollo dared Artemis that she couldn't fire her bow and arrow and hit "that thing" bobbing about in the water. She got him. It was Orion. I don't know what she did to Apollo. He's the sun god and he's still in the sky [splay hands]. Artemis arranged that Orion would always be in the night sky. Some old bits of parchment refer to Artemis as goddess of the moon - so maybe that's why she has him up in the sky with her
What I like best about the story is that the gods put his dog up there with him.
Sirius.
Just to the right.
You might have to tilt your head a bit.

christmas eve - glad madoff didn't make off with my money

it was kind of barmy warm last night after the rain.  I had to deliver something to my friend up Central Park West so I went on my bike.  In my new silver wellington boots.  I have pictures of myself in 1966 wearing pyjamas and wellington boots.  There was a big snowfall in England that year - and i wouldn't take off my boots then.  Some things never change.  Maybe it was that Christmas Eve stay up til he comes over thing.  

So I'm biking back and I turn left into the park.  

It's all black and white in there.  

Clean snow.

Black trees.

Silver pond.

Midtown ahead of me and I realize I haven't been near midtown for a while.  I see the Empire State Building is glowing red and green. 

And I look to my left and see all those big fancy apartments with their lights on and I start to notice how many have got Christmas trees lit.  It was around 9:30 - 10.  And I see how many rooms people have up there. 

I think it's weird that Madoff made off with all that money.  Where is it?  Where is all the money that people gave him?  I just can't imagine it.  I am hearing of one super rich person after the next.  I passed the Beresford.  My ex boss lives in there.  She was friends with Fred Wilpon who had money in the Mets.  I wonder if he asked her to invest with him.  

What will Central Park West look like next year?

  

kentucky derby - hillary clinton, please don't bet my horse

am i the first with the conspiracy theory? did Eight Belles drop because Hillary Clinton placed a bet on her?

A few years ago i bet a filly called FLYING COLORS. Even with odds of 45-1 i figured the only filly in the race is either going to run fast or check out the boys. She ran fast and I wonalotta money with a win place and show bet.

Yesterday, I was watching the race with M. He insisted on calling Denis of Cork, Penis of Cork because a real Dennis would have two N's. It made the commentary during the race rude but funny - he's coming round the bend. he's doing what he can to get there - he's in the back, he's coming to the front of the .... you get the picture.

He came third from being last.

It was so sad to know that Eight Belles didn't get off the track. I hoped the other horses didn't know about it. Although how could they not?

Apparently euthanasia is an injection of an air bubble into the veins and i don't know. does it go to the brain or the heart. It's supposedly quick.

But, maybe I've watched too many Godfather movies. I understand that Mrs. Clinton, a runner in the elections as we know, wasn't actually at the Derby [was she tied to a chair somewhere?]- her daughter placed the bet. Conspiracy theory anyone?