Ramblings – Page 16 – Irene North

On going home

On 2017-07-04

A pricker bush at Winding Hills Park in Montgomery, New York.

When I left New York at 18 in 1988, I was off to college, but I was also searching for a place to fit in.

As I walk in the lush greenness, the familiarity of Middletown, it is not my home. It’s the place where I grew up, the town that shaped who I am today, but it’s not a place where I fit in.

Something happened to my family in the years that I’ve been gone. They’re more conservative. More entrenched in what they are doing. More easily shaped by the words spewed forth on the television or by their friends and neighbors.

They’ve got the car, the house, the kids, the white picket fence, the stability. But none of that was anything I ever pursued. And yet, there’s that non-spoken condemnation and the looks because I chose a different path.

20 things in two weeks

By Irene

On 2017-06-25

In Ramblings

During my vacation over the past couple of weeks, some random things popped into my head. I’ll have some more in-depth things soon.

My posts take 2-6 hours to write and another 30 minutes to post. I have dozens I want to do, but never seem to be able to find the time to get them done.

Also, my cat, Cinders, has been on my lap since I returned home from vacation. There is little else I can do except pet her. My legs are numb. Her claws are permanently embedded in my leg.

Providing social media accounts doesn’t make anyone safer

By Irene

On 2017-06-10

In Ramblings

The Transportation Security Administration has never been more than security theater.

Ever since the TSA was created, it has had problems. Whether employees were stealing from luggage or getting arrested for a variety of crimes, including child pornography, it has always been more about security theater than catching terrorists.

Where do we draw the line?

By Irene

On 2017-06-03

In Ramblings

Crass jokes and people pushing the envelope has been, and probably always will be, with us. They were written on the walls in Pompeii and the walls of modern public restrooms. We may chuckle or cringe, but how far is too far? And who gets to decide when we have crossed a line.

In the past week, two entertainers have been accused of crossing the line of good taste. One, Kathy Griffin, has been fired from her job and has lost many sponsorship deals. The other, Bill Maher, has apologized for his comments.

I am embarrassed for my country

By Irene

On 2017-05-29

In Ramblings

My first trip abroad was in the Spring of 1985. My high school French class took a trip each year and I knew I wanted to go. I remember the cost was $1,073 for the ten-day trip. Every penny I earned delivering newspaper went toward that trip.

My French teacher, Mrs. Mazzone, drilled it into our heads we would be ambassadors for America. Our behavior would reflect what people would think of Americans. Careful admonishments were made about how we should act in public and private during the trip and we learned about cultural differences we should expect.

I have many questions about this photograph

By Irene

On 2017-05-24

In Ramblings

This photograph is making the rounds this morning on the Internet and I have many questions.

Why is Trump smiling while everyone else is dour?
Why do I think Trump just passed gas and is as happy as a 12-year old?
Why are Ivanka and Melania wearing head coverings for the Pope, but did not do so in Saudi Arabia? It is the custom in both places.
Why is everyone wearing black? Did they all attend a funeral? Was it America’s funeral?
Why is the Pope an extra step away from Trump?

Revisiting a president’s desire to destroy the Constitution

By Irene

On 2017-05-22

In Ramblings

Each day, Americans are faced with the reality of the Trump Administration’s desire to take away our rights or threatening our welfare in some way. On April 30, one of his surrogates, White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, said the president is still considering “opening up” the libel laws.

When other people cause the magic to fade

By Irene

On 2017-04-02

In Ramblings

On any given Sunday, the movie theater was where you used to be able to find me. Cinemas 6 in the Caldor Plaza was about a mile’s walk from home. It eventually expanded to become Cinemas 9. My friend, Doug, and I would spend the day there, arriving for the first show around 11 a.m., and leaving after the last, near midnight.

Before going, a plot was made of each movie and which theater it was in or the time listing from the newspaper was torn out and kept in my pocket. As each movie ended, we walked with the exiting crowd, slipping into the next open theater.

Employees and management didn’t seem to mind. We didn’t cause trouble. If we were loud and disruptive, we’d be kicked out.

I am the law

By Irene

On 2017-03-27

In Ramblings

He is the law. You should be afraid. Or enthralled. It depends on how twisted you are.

Transgender news is news even if you don’t want to read it

By Irene

On 2017-03-05

In Ramblings

“Have you seen the paper today?” a man I know asked, clearly irritated. I nodded yes, but wondered why he was so angry. My bewildered look prompted him to open the newspaper and turn to a story about a transgender man going to court.

“Nobody cares about that shit here,” he said, throwing the paper on his desk. The story was about Gavin Grimm, a transgender man, and his case being heard at the Supreme Court. “No one wants to see that. It doesn’t matter.”

Writings

Category: Ramblings Page 16 of 17

On going home

20 things in two weeks

Providing social media accounts doesn’t make anyone safer

Where do we draw the line?

I am embarrassed for my country

I have many questions about this photograph

Revisiting a president’s desire to destroy the Constitution

When other people cause the magic to fade

I am the law

Transgender news is news even if you don’t want to read it