Sunday

 Finally, today is Sunday. After a very trying week, finally I can take some time off.

Today in the world

It is Saturday and things are pretty much the same over in Europe. The exception is that various countries are announcing restrictions against Russia. Like Czechs forbid Russian airline flyovers, Polish soccer team will not play against Russia in World Cup soccer game, and I am sure there are many others.   

Interesting to watch the world's response and how carefully they all thread. They said this morning that up in space in the space station there are American and Russian astronauts working together in a joint operation. What now? Will the Americans evict the Russians or the other way around? They can't even spit on each other because the spit will float in the non-gravity environment.

It will be interesting to see in the future how each country will try to get back into the good graces of Russia. Because in time they all will, we can be sure of that. Russia has the gas, Russia has the oil, and all those countries are on the same continent. Som even next door. But this is politics, and this is what politicians do. Bend the way the wind blows. It is easy, because politicians have no backbone.

And this applies to all politicians. Americans and all other countries. No qualms about anything they do.

Deja vu

Watching to unfold the Ukrainian events is reading the same scenario as it unfolded in Hungary in November 1956. This is deja vu. They are using the same excuses for attacking as they used way back then. At that time they came in under the pretense of rescuing the beleaguered communist government. 

Veni, vidi, vici. They came, saw and conquered. And they stayed for about 40 years! I am not the wisest person in the world, but I have my own opinion about this fiasco. I pretty much guess what the outcome will be. But the bottom line is that because of the sanctions Russia will use the eye for an eye attitude and us the consumers will pay for the increased prices across the board. Because prices of everything will go up.

Today all countries are interconnected financially as well as economically and any problem in one location (war, financial, economical) will have effect at other locations, like here. The US is always boasting that we are self-sufficient energy wise, yet as soon as there is a problem somewhere else in the world our gasoline priced soar. Why?

We are very quick to help other countries when they are in trouble. But what about us here? 

Here is short story I remember reading in a paper. I vaguely recall that a long time ago a locality here in the US had some kind of a municipal problem where they needed financial assistance. The local government denied this request. So, the locality wrote to the Soviet government and asked for help. The Soviets immediately agreed. Once this story surfaced the local authorities immediately found the necessary capital just to avoid the embarrassing situation.

  

Ukraine

This morning there was nothing else on the news channels but Ukraine, which is understandable. I have two questions on this subject.

1.- Did all the Russian soldiers who entered Ukraine had face masks on?

2.- Did anybody at the border crossings checked if the Russians had their vaccinations? If not what other documentations they had. A machine gun is not an i.d.

It seems that the covid issue is now taking second place or did it entirely disappear? Politics, politics and politics.

This entire affair reminds me when in 1956 the Soviet army entered Hungary after the October 23 revolution. The Hungarians bravely fought the Russians but were obviously outnumbered. The international community supported the Hungarians but only in words. Nothing was done except useless demonstrations in large cities of the world.

The garbage Radio Free Europe kept broadcasting that "keep fighting, hold out, help is on the way, we are coming..." These false promises cost many, many lives. The international community had no desire to get involved with the mighty Soviet Union. And that was the sad truth,

Just like the international community has no desire now to confront the mighty Russia. Words are cheap. Promises don't cost anything. But when the sun comes up every country takes a stock of itself, its interests and decides what road to take in order to avoid a national or international calamity.

I read that the Hungarian Foreign Ministry requested the Russian ambassador to convey their objection to this war. I am sure that Putin is now shaking in his boots because Hungary dared to raise its voice. Putin does not care even when the US is complaining. Why should he care about other countries?

Trump said this could have never happened during his administration. Maybe so, but this is unfortunately not his administration.

Maybe Bidden should make Trump a special ambassador and send him to talk to good old Vladimir!

Peace

Last night (in EST) was the funeral service for my friend in Australia. Because of the 16 hours time difference their Wednesday morning was Tuesday night where we are. My wife and I were invited to watch it on line which we did.

It was a very respectful and somber service. There were a lot of people present and many more connected online. He was a well liked, loved person with many friends and wit a lovely family. I admit, my wife and I shed tears many times during the service. It is hard to accept that he is no longer here with us, but with the suffering he went through this might be better for him. No more pain, no more suffering. He is at peace now.

Now his family and friends have to come to acceptance with the situation. As I always said, life goes on and the sun will come up next day!

Rest in peace my good friend! 

Tuesday

Today, Tuesday I went to the dermatological surgeon's office to remove the stiches from the cut he made last week on my face. The removal went easy and according to him I'm done. No need to see him unless there are other Mohs procedure are necessary. Hopefully there will be none.

He made a cut on my face that needed 19 stitches to keep the sides together. Once it heals, I will really look like somebody who just came out of a barfight. That is fine. I am too old to worry about my looks and I will not require cosmetic surgery.

_______________________

I mentioned earlier that my very good friend who lived in Australia passed away. Today is his funeral and for the sake of his family and friends it will be visible online. I was invited to participate and since I am unable to be physically there, I will be there on a monitor. Sad event!

_______________________

There is nothing else in the news but Ukraine. Serious trouble is brewing there. I already expressed my opinion about Ukrainians and how they behaved with the Jewish population during WWII. So, I have no sympathy for them at all.

The Big Lie

2020 and 2021 were supposed to be bad for businesses. A lot of small businesses closed because they could not afford the restrictions caused by the pandemic. That is understandable. Many large businesses slowed down or stopped productions because of the same restrictions. These are also understandable. Hollywood was crying crocodile tears about how they were not able to produce anything because of the same reasons. They also met with understanding nods.

However, and this is the big however!

How comes that tv and the movie houses are full of new productions that were created in 2020 and 2021? Were they produced from home, from someone's kitchen? Or were they just lying to gain the people's sympathy, and went ahead and worked like nothing happened?

Now, I really don't know what and whom to believe.

Here is something else. I read this morning that Bill Gates gave an interview last Friday where he said that another virus is very likely. How does he know? Is he a medical professional? Maybe he knows because he is part of the planning group! Also, last week there was an international security conference in Munich, Germany where government officials were the participants. I guess the Ukrainian problem was the main topic. Why was Bill Gates there? Is he a government official? Maybe he is part of an invisible government.?

Sunday

 Sunday, Sunday rest day.

Politicking

Even the blind man can see that this entire pandemic, endemic and mask thing is nothing but politics. It started during a republican administration and now it is maturing then seem to slow down during a democratic administration. Democrats want to take credit for the slow down but in my opinion they have just as nothing to do with it as the republicans had at the start of the pandemic. 

The federal government tried to institute a general mask mandate, but they realized they did not have the power to do that, so they left it to the individual states. Republican governors have largely stopped or never instituted any mask mandate while democratic governors are still sticking to it. Neither side has any strong scientific explanation for their acts, they just do it because they are politicians.

I love to watch C-Span and within that the live broadcasting from the Senate floor. That circus is better than any live tv show. Anyway, the democrats all walk around with the masks on like trying to hide who they are, while the republicans walk around without any masks. Now, why is that? What happens when a masked and an unmasked senator get together? 

In the House of Representatives masks are mandated by the old lady in charge, so they all must wear it regardless of their party affiliation. To some like her, wearing a mask is not such a bad idea because they look b better with the masks on. 

The tragical events with Ukraine are looming over our heads but, in this country, the main subject is mask or no mask. How pity can we get? This proves that we only think of ourselves and nobody else. Biden is rattling his nonexistent sword but in reality, nobody is taking him seriously. Least of all Putin.

Booster

The ones in authority and in the know are pushing the booster shot. But its effectiveness is extremely questionable. There are negative results near and far that prove the exact opposite. The media is not publishing any of these results and the question is why?

The belief is that dormant illnesses like cancers in remission are awakened by the booster shot and create tragical results. There are more than one such occurrence is known. Medical professionals can label these as coincidences, but who knows and who will tell.

A 22 year old athlete who lived a healthy life received the booster shot. Ten days later he became ill and six weeks later he passed away. 

My friend in Australia received his booster shot and two weeks later he became seriously ill. His cancer that was in remission metastasized and six weeks later he died. 

55, 72 and 93 year old women got their periods two weeks after receiving the booster shot. These are not normal occurrences.

These are small, and to some unimportant numbers but if we look into it who knows how many such irregularities might be found. But nobody is looking into it! Or nobody dares.

When a certain model automobile develops a particular problem, even if it has just one fatality nationwide that model is being recalled for adjustment or repair. Why not the booster shot?

Maybe because the powers to be expecting a much higher fatality rate than what was reached to date?

Memories

When bad news is lurking in the shadows I dread when the phone rings. Inevitably it does and the dreaded bad news becomes a reality. Sadly, I just lost a very good friend. This friend has been around from the time I left Hungary, which was 65 years ago. And that is my entire adult life. He lived on the other side of the planet but that did not stop us to stay close.

We talked frequently, we kept up on our family situations and our health conditions. From the time we parted company in 1957 we only met once in Hungary but was a great meeting. It was good to see each other. In 1996 his son and new bride visited us in New York and that left me with good memories.

He was a good man, a good husband and father. He always spoke proudly about his son and grandsons. When we talked on the phone, he was always very inquisitive. What are you doing, how is the weather over there, what is for dinner  etc, etc?

If we hinted that there was a health issue and a doctor's visit was scheduled, he always called to inquire about the results. He cared! Thanks to technology we lately communicated through facetime and that was almost as good as being there in person.

That dreaded phone call came Wednesday afternoon from his son. Even though it was not unexpected it still came as a shock. For me, it was like I lost a close family member. My wife loved him for his care and wit and took this loss very hard. They were very close. Whenever my wife went on a long distance trip, regardless of the 16 hours' time difference he stayed with her on the phone, and they were talking and talking about nothing and everything.

There were nine of us friends who stuck together after leaving Hungary. Not all childhood friends, but friends from way back. Now there are only the six of us left.

Sad, very sad.

 

Valentine's Day

Monday was Valentine's Day. If not a national holiday here it should be. On the media they talk about nothing else but the importance of this day. Just like Mother's Day. This one day of the year we are supposed to express our love. What about the other days of the year?

Anyway, Abigail had dinner with her boyfriend the day before that, so she was free. We decided to take her mom to a Korean barbecue place. With Abigail's exception neither of us been to such a place. I tell you honestly, I really liked it. 

They sit you front of a hot plate (Korean style) and bring you your choices of meat, raw. By placing them on the hot. hot metal you cook them to your liking. Abigail was the chef because she knew the drill already. This is an all you can eat arrangement and we did eat! There was such a variety to choose from that it was not easy, but we managed. 

Service was good. As soon as we finished what was front of us, they brought more meat forward, so by the time we finished we our money's worth. I am always open to new experiences, mainly if it involves eating.

It was good, it was tasty, but I will still take a good goulash soup, a solet or a wiener schnitzel anytime!

My face

This past Monday I had another skin surgery. I'm getting bored of this already. There was a little growth on my left cheek that turned out to be cancerous and the doctor decided that it should be cleaned out with the Mohs procedure. No big deal, I am a veteran of this stuff.

This Monday was the day for this event. Same place, same doctor, I am a regular by now. There before 9 am and psychologically prepared. This thing was long. I didn't leave the place until about 12:30 pm. The good thing was that it only took one incision because that took out all the cancer.

The bad thing is that my entire left face is bandaged up and I think once the bandages removed, I will look like a Teutonic knight (not too many Jewish Teutonic knights existed). After the process was done the stiches were removed from my right hand and next week the stitches are supposed to be removed from my face, also.

Busy, busy, busy. I hate my skin. Giving me trouble from my early years. Not all bad, though. In 1961 since I was classified as 1A I received a congratulatory letter from President Kennedy saying that I am drafted. Wasn't too happy about it because Vietnam was already boiling. I said goodbye to my loved ones and reported as ordered to Whitehall Street in New York. 

I do believe that Somebody was looking out for me because the same day I was home already. At that time I had a small but stubborn and not too pretty skin infection, and because of that I was not accepted. I also think that my total color blindness contributed, too. Anyway, I was told to go home, which I unsadly did. Shortly after this event I was reclassified as 4F. Thanks to my skin!  

LGBTQ

I am sick and tired of watching shows, films where suddenly women start kissing women and men start kissing men. Most of the time these acts absolutely do not fit into the storyline. So, why do they do it?

Is it that because the LGBTQ community is asking for equal time like some other groups or just because they want to show that a large part of the human race is like that? Take for example NCIS Hawai'i. A pretty good crime show happening in Hawaii. A few shows into the season two government agents, both women started kissing and fell into bed. Why? It had and it has nothing to do with the weekly storylines. So why show it?  

I accept that there are homosexuals and lesbians in this world, and I have nothing against them, for them either but I am totally against flaunting it and trying to shove them down my throat. Anybody's sexual preference is their own business but for tv shows and movies to imply that our world is overran by such individuals is a little exaggerating.

And, when they install such characters into storylines, and they have no impact to the stories that is totally unacceptable. At least to me.

Here is my take to these characters. There are women who think that they are men. They dress in men's fashions, have man style haircuts and take on the role of a man in their relationships. But as long as they pee sitting down in the ladies' rooms, they are women!

Sunday

Regardless that I skipped some days before, a Sunday is a Sunday. Now I will legitimately skip today. 

Paddington

Ok, so I forgot to write yesterday. Sorry about it, but I will make it up with today's writing.

Speaking of being a softie. Friday, Abigail talked us into watching a movie by the name of Paddington. Now, if nobody gets killed within the first five minutes, I am usually not interested. But being surrounded with my wife and Abigail I was "forced" to watch this. And, to tell you honestly, I was not sorry.

This was a partially animated, partially real actors movie, and it was cute to say the least. It was so good, that when Abigail said they already have a Paddington 2 we decided we had to watch that too, which we did. Three hours of continuous softie movie watching. To admit it like man, I did shed some tears at the end, and so did my wife.

This does not mean that from here on all I will watch cutie or romantic movies. Still action and sci-fi are my favorites. But when my family commands, I obey! If I want to eat dinner, I better obey.

But I do recommend watching Paddington.

Olympics, again

The Winter Olympics are on, and since I am slightly disabled, I have plenty of time to watch it. NBC is showing it almost full time on three stations, at least on our cable plan. Because of their political outburst the Chinese so far did not reciprocate, but who knows.

It happened many times that even though they have three stations to show, two shows identical events. Bad programming. As much as I love snow and winter sports, I find their broadcasting events pretty boring and repetitious.

To me the most boring event (as I mentioned it before) is curling. I find nothing exciting about watching men or women pushing a 60+ pound of stone on ice trying to knock the opposing team's rocks from their current location while some teammates are running around screaming and sweeping the ice. I don't understand the rules and I really don't want to.

Bobsledding is ok, while not too exciting but luge (sledding) and skeleton are ridiculous. To me these are no sports at all. What is more the double luge is almost pornographic. Two men on top of each other is a little more than my pure heart can take. Maybe if it were a mixed team...?

I think the Chinese went out of their way to provide a faultless and flawless Olympic atmosphere. I think they also have control over the weather because since the Games started there were beautiful perfect sunny days on the mountains.

The 16 hours difference makes it a little difficult to see things as they happen, but this comes with the territory.

Skin

I am back, for now. I will tell you why there was no communication lag.                                                  Monday morning, I was scheduled for a dermatological procedure called the Mohs procedure. When there is a cancerous surface growth on the skin this procedure is used to remove it.

It works this way, the doctor removes a thin layer of skin from the area, then it is examined under microscope. If it is determined that this specimen is positive, another layer is removed and on and on until the result shows that there is no more cancer detected. If one is lucky enough one or two such moves are necessary, then the location is cancer free.

That is what happened to me. I had a cancerous growth on the surface of my right hand and that needed to be removed. Fortunately, my surgeon was so good that one cut did the trick. After the first sample was taken and examined, I was told that there would be no need for any further moves. I was very happy about it because even though they gave me several shots for not feeling the pain I was far from enjoying myself.

Even though the cut was about 1 centimeter diameter it resulted in a 2-inch cut in my skin that needed to be stitched. Right now, my hand is bandaged and next Monday the stitches are scheduled to be removed.

Now, since I have another similar growth on my left cheek, just under my eye that will be removed also on next Monday. You can imagine how I am not looking forward to this.

Ever since I was a young boy, I had some form of issues with my skin. And loving the sun in the past 50+ years did not help my situation. But until now the problems stayed in the background. Now, at my age I have no choice but to take my lumps. I had a great time in the previous 50+ years now I am paying the piper. 

Sunday

I had a very "tiring" week. I must have a day off, and this is it. 

Olympics

Friday the XXIV Winter Olympics started in Beijing, China. I was watching the opening ceremony, and it was breathtaking. The entire thing, the participants, the technology were just beyond belief. It was very nice to watch. If stupid Savannah Guthrie of NBC wouldn't have started politicizing it could have been much more pleasant. If she thought that her speech had any impact on the Games, she was wrong.

What she might achieve with such outburst that the Chinese might make life for the American tv people more difficult, and us the viewing public will be shortchanged. She has the typical ugly American stand. I come into your country, and I will change everything to my way, like it or not. That is like coming into my house and immediately starting to criticize my life, my house.

Being in the cushy New York studio and shooting off her mouth she is also jeopardizing the security of the staff currently in China. But an idiot will always be an idiot. I am just surprised that a network like NBC allows her to be like that. She can speak up for the Uyghur, but it will have absolutely no meaning as far as Chinese politics are concerned.

This is the perfect example of politicizing the Olympic Games. Those athletes went there to compete for their national and individual glories, and they really don't care about politics. At the end of their roads, they might make a lot of money or just live their lives with the knowledge that this time they did the best they were able to.

Watching the Opening Ceremony, I realized why there is a microchip shortage in this world. The Chinese needed them for the hi-tech show they put on.

Virginity

Today I lost my virginity. The lady I saw was very nice to me. I told her, be gentle with me, because this is my first time. She said don't worry I will take care of you. It won't hurt.

Now that I aroused your curiosity to unimaginable heights, I will explain what happened. On this coming Monday I will have a and because that is dermatological procedure done on my hand and because that is considered surgery their rule is that 72 hours before a covid test is required. Regardless that one already has the vaccine.

So, this morning my right nostril was brutally invaded. My family already had this test several times, but I was able to avoid it until today. Until today I remained a virgin. Actually, I was a little disappointed because it was over in less than a minute. She went into my nose, scratched my brain and it was done. Now, I am waiting for the result which I hope will show that I am as healthy as an ox (old ox).

There must be money to be made with these tests, because in our neighborhood there are curbside testing stations all over. Every other pharmacy sets up a testing station and people line up. I guess they all want a piece of the pie. Why not?

This proves my point. No matter what bad thing happens somebody makes money out of it. This is the American way!  

Poor Abigail

I know that college is not easy. I know that in order to obtain knowledge one has to work very hard. But I still feel sorry for poor Abigail. She is a very good student. High school was fairly easy for her. First year college was also easy. Maybe the fact that in her first year she did not have to go in and all her classes were done online contributed to her good grades. But she is very conscientious and studies hard.

This year the college returned to some semblance of normalcy and most of her classes are in person, meaning she has to get up early in the morning and take the subway into Manhattan. If classes are finishing late, we drive into the City to pick her up. That was the case this past Tuesday.

The day for her started with a 7:30 am class and ended at 8:30 pm. Because of that early hour start, my wife decided to go with her on the subway. They left the house a little after 6:30 am, in total darkness. She went with her because of the crazies that are to be found on the subway stations. Then we and Robin drove into Manhattan to pick her up at the end of her day at 8:30 in the evening. Very long day. It consisted of chemistry labs and other science classes.

Unfortunately, that is the way it will be throughout this semester. I really feel sorry for her because this is really a very long day. Longer than a workday. But this will in a way prepare them for the real life where time has very little meaning when work at hand is considered. That was unfortunate, fortunately she likes what she is studying and joyfully takes her lumps.

Abigail for whatever reason likes chemistry and organic chemistry. Both are like the Chinese alphabet to me. Never liked them, never will. She is so good that she will tutor other students in her college. Right now, she is studying forensic science but if that doesn't work out, she might go into teaching chemistry on a high school level. 

I think she got her smarts from me, not the chemistry part.

Marseille

Many, many years ago, when I was a very young boy my parents assigned me to a school in Budapest where French was taught. The plan was that first year we learn French and successive years more and mor subjects would be in French. Back then this was the main language in Europe and my parents' idea was that another language would not hurt. It was a good idea.

Unfortunately, Stalin had another idea and by the second year Russian relegated French to a few hours a week, and by the third year it totally disappeared from the curriculum. My parents did not want me to lose what I already learned and hired a private tutor who came to the house a couple of times a week to continue my education.

By the 1956 events I spoke French fairly well and that made me select Canada as my then first choice since they spoke French over there. Well, this didn't work out as planned. I came to the US and started to learn English with vigor. As English moved into my head, French started to move to the backrooms of my brain. Sad, but that is what happened.

Now, I can understand a little but have real problem finding words. We visited the French Caribbean St. Martin many times where they really don't want to speak English (true French style) and I was struggling to speak, so just turned to English. It does not upset me, but I would have liked to retain some of my knowledge since I worked for a long time for it.

Nowadays, I am watching a TV show on Netflix that is called Marseille. As you guess it is about Marseille and I find it very interesting. It is totally in French with English subtitles. Sadly, when I try to listen to the French, I do not understand any of it no matter how hard I try. Sad, isn't?

Sorry

I forgot to write. This comes with old age. Sorry!

Ukraine

This is totally my opinion, and it is based on things seen through my eyes. I will be politicizing now.

Russia has the Mother Russia complex. During the Soviet times it was huge country with which included many smaller socialist republics, Ukraine included. These republics were not independent but subservient to the mighty Soviet Union. Upon ending the soviet regime all these countries decided to leave the bosom of Mother Russia and go on their own with various successes.

Now Russia is a smaller, not small mind you, country but I think it is still dreaming of their bygone might. They honestly believe some of these territories belong to them, historically or politically. So, at this time and not the first time, they decided to take on Ukraine. I really don't know if they ever considered the international outcry their threatened attack would create. 

European countries are in a very peculiar situation. They don't know what to do. Since most of those countries getting their oil and gas from Russia, they certainly don't want to piss them off. Russia has the tendency to shut the pipeline off at the smallest hint of disagreement. If that would happen Europe is looking to a long and cold winter.

Now Ukraine. I have my opinion about Ukraine. As far as I know during World War II, they behaved worse toward the Jewish population than the Germans did. Many instances they outdid the Germans. Ukrainians are well known antisemites. They just plainly hate Jews. I have absolutely no sympathy towards the Ukrainians. So, whatever happens to them at the hands of the Russians, as far as I am concerned, they deserve it and a lot more.