Is it real, or is it Memorex? A view of the DNC from Chicago with Kodak moments behind us

I will start this with a confession. I did not watch the Democratic National Convention on television. Political speeches are bad for my blood pressure. I could not have both political speeches and salt, so guess who won. :Jesus talked about salt as if it were a good thing. I don't remember any positive references to politicians from the Saviour.
So what makes me qualified to comment? I do read both Chicago newspapers. And I might look up the text of a speech on the web. Reading it does not make my blood boil the way watching a politician praise another politician who can advance his or her career, or negate the accomplishments of an opponent.
BTW, I will not watch the RNC either. If I hear one more person talk about Rezko, I'll scream. Obama admitted that while he did not do anything illegal, it was "boneheaded" (his word, not mine) of him to have a real estate deal going on with someone who was being investigated for corruption. He admitted it was stupid. How much more can you expect from a politician?
Anyways, this is not what I am refering to in the title of this post. I am refering to Chicago politics. I don't know if it made national news at all, but local news has been abuzz for the last couple of days because Jesse Jackson Jr. hugged Bobby Rush at a breakfast at the DNC given by Daley, and called for healing and unity between Chicago politicians. Then mayor Daley hugged Congressman Jackson, who was in tears. Then the Congressman called for unity between Speaker of the IL House Madigan and IL governor Blagoyevich. Yes, they too emabraced. A Kodak moment. Let's just say that they have not worked well and played with others since the beginning of Rod's second term. The gossip is that Madigan won't work with Blago because he wants him to look bad so his daughter Lisa can be elected governor next term. That is ridiculous. Rod Blagoyevich is quite capable of looking bad all by himself! He does not need help! (Yes, he's done some good things, but he has the political savy of my dead golfish Henrietta!)
The title of this post refers to the debate amongst ourselves here in Chicago whether this lovefest was for real or was it put on for show. My belief is yes. Both. The Democratic Party in IL has the potential to make Obama look bad. Obama says he can unify the country, but his own party in his own state can't get along any better than preschoolers who all want to be on the tire swing at the same time. They need to not only show unity for the sake of their nominee, but they need to actually be unified so they don't embarass him
So yes, I think it is for real. I believe they will work harder to work together. I just wish they could have done it for the sake of those who they represent, the voters, instead of for the sake of their nominee.

Daughter of Time

I have just finished reading a mystery by Josephine Tey called Daughter of Time. It is not exactly a new mystery, since it was written in the 1950's, but it is new to me. Also new to me is that my CDO is going in a new direction. I usually end up having to read everything an author wrote after I begin a different author, especially if I liked the book. I really did like the book, but am now trying to read everything I can about Richard III.
You see, this book is a piece of historical fiction in which the main character is trying to determine if Richard III actually murdered his nephews in the tower as commonly portrayed in history books. The author makes a good case for someone else to be the culprit, though I won't spoil it by telling you who just in case you want to read it (If you don't want to read the book, but want a summary, click on the title of this post).
I have been googling Richard III in an effort to find out if this information is accurate and the conclusion plausible, or if it was just a story with facts tweeked to justify the ending. It seems from my research that the facts check out, though other conclusions can be drawn besides the one the protagonist comes up with. I myself like the theory that they were sent abroad, and later executed upon return as "pretenders" (not the band). I am contemplating writing to a history professor I had when I was in college, and asking her opinion. How odd would that be? Would she realize I am CDO, or would she think it was perfectly natural to ask an expert in Tudor history her opinion on Henry VII's predecessor as if I was in her class last year instead of twenty years ago? Would she care that it is odd? I have always been odd, and she always seemed to like me. I can't expect her to remember me, though. I can only hope she likes odd people as a general rule, instead of me specifically. Maybe I should write a research paper on it, send it to her, and ask her to grade it with comments. That's it! That is what I will do! Thanks for reading.
God bless!

Change My Name? My Husband Prefers Catsmeat Potterpeerbright

I thought this one was lots of fun the first time around, so I thought I'd share it with you all again. I hope you all find it fun, too. And that if you ever get a comment on your blog from Henrietta Beretta or Angel Snickers, that's probably me..
December 5, 2008
I got this from Buzz by Annie today. I love these cut and paste things. This was fun!

1.YOUR ROCK STAR NAME (first pet, current car):
Henrietta Beretta

2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME (fave ice cream flavor, favorite type of shoe):
Pistachio Drew

3. YOUR NATIVE AMERICAN NAME (favorite color, favorite animal):
Pink Bunny

4. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME (middle name, city where you were born):
Margaret Chicago

5. YOUR STAR WARS NAME (the first three letters of your last name, first two of your first name):
Sch He (I am going with my maiden name, since I wasn't married when Star Wars came out, yes Beth, I know you weren't even born, I was like, a baby, okay)

6. SUPERHERO NAME (2nd favorite color, favorite drink):
Blue Drambuie

7. NASCAR NAME (the first names of your grandfathers):
Frank Stanley (or Stanley Frank, which sounds better?)

8. STRIPPER NAME (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy):
Angel Snickers

9. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME (your fifth grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter):
Golliet Green Bay

10. SPY NAME (your favorite season/holiday, flower):
Easter Carnation
11. CARTOON NAME (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now):
Cantaloupe Nightgown

12. HIPPIE NAME (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree):
Cheerios Willow

I Read the Latest Stephanie Plum Book

I have mentioned before that I love to read mysteries. I believe I have also mentioned an obsession with books authored by Janet Evanovich. The Stephanie Plum series is very enjoyable for its humor and creativity. I especially love the character Grandma Mazur. She always does something so wacky and free spirited, it makes me not dread getting old. Getting old will be an excuse to do whatever I want and not give a hoot about what any one else thinks.
I have finished reading her latest book, Fearless Fourteen. I waited forever and a day and a half to get the book on interlibrary loan. I do not buy books if I can help it. I do not have a paying job. My husband is the only person getting a paycheck. We both get books from the library first if we can. Sometimes, if we love the book and want to pass it to friends, we later buy the book. You can't tell a friend "You really must get your name on the list at the library to get out this book on interlibrary loan. It is fabulous!" Not unless asked. As a matter of fact, I originally started reading Evanovich because my husband's cousin lent me the first three novels at once, and I was hooked!

Spoiler Alert!
I did not feel, however, that this was her best mystery. I think the humor was every bit as evident as it is in any of her mysteries. My disappointment is in the mystery itself. The culprit isn't introduced in the story until he is discovered. What a disappointment! I love to figure out who did it. I knew it was an inside job before the main clue. I counted on the culprit having been introduced somewhere in the book. I even reread the book! Not even a passing mention. Would I recommend this book? That depends on what you want to read. If you want to read something that is fall down laughing funny, 100% yes! If you want to read a mystery, no, no, no, no a thousand more times no!

Also, if you can't stand books with sexual situations between nonmarried people, you won't like this series. I don't approve of premaritial sex, but I accept it as a reality in some people's lives, and can deal with reading about it so long as it is part of the plot and not the plot.


Have a great day!