Hard to think that THIS time NEXT week, Christmas will be OVER...(sighs).Yeah, I know. The only thing left will be the POST-CHRISTMAS shopping frenzy (for all those seasonal half-priced items).
But, that's NEXT week...
THIS week, it's a whole other ballgame, kids.
Unfortunately, all is not "hollyhocks and jingle bells" on the SE side of Fort Wayne.
*** It appears that HOMICIDE #27 has been committed early Sunday morning at a house located at 555 E. Rudisill (At Monroe).
Gee, didn't we just HAVE a shooting last week in the same area?
Here's the link to the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20101220/LOCAL07/312209990
There was a birthday party at the house on Rudisill, and we all know (down here) what THAT can often entail besides a whole lotta LOUD, right?
Marvell L. Fair, age 31, of Fort Wayne got more than he wanted for Christmas when he was shot multiple times outside the house. This may have stemmed from an argument Fair had while going outside to "warm up his car".
One nearby resident, who has lived in the area for TWENTY SEVEN YEARS stated the neighborhood "has really gone downhill".
Welcome to OUR world, people.
I've said the EXACT same thing over JUST the last DOZEN or so years...seems to be a bit of a trend here, don'cha think?
I told the quadrant captain that crime was moving SOUTHWARD for at least the past 7-8 years.
Now, we've got it damn near all around us.
Sounds a bit like FORT APACHE (the Bronx), but without the Nu-Yawk accents.
(Good thing crime's going down, though...at least according to the FWPD administration, otherwise I'd be REALLY worried)
See? You miss a day...you miss a LOT down here.
And a shooting Saturday night in an apartment complex off of St. Joe Center road has another man in serious condition.
Here's the link:
http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/fort-wayne-police-investigate-saturday-night-shooting
Looks like the perps have exceeded even MY expectations (of ONLY 25 homicides) for 2010.
Maybe I should up the number for NEXT year...'ya think?
(Santa couldn't get me enough weapons and ammo THIS Christmas...perhaps some steel plating or foot-thick concrete insulation for our "fortress"!)
But wait...there's more.
*** Wifey and I began her Christmas break in fine style this weekend...with our weekly trip to the Scotts in Waynedale on Saturday morning (around 0800).
Traffic was wonderfully light, and in spite of being caught at damn near EVERY light, was rather UN-eventful...(even though the post office only had ONE person running the show...not good at this time of year)...UNTIL we got within a 1/2 mile from home.
Then, someone tripped the frigging IDIOT SWITCH in our area of the ghettohood...
(usually, this can occur as early as 0900, which it apparently DID).
We were traveling northbound on Fairview heading to Pettit to turn eastbound, just past the DO-IT-BEST and coming to the Pizza Hut and the West side entrance to Southgate Plaza, when we saw a person decide to (lazily) turn RIGHT IN FRONT OF US into the plaza. I stood on the brakes and tried NOT to skid or burn a flat spot on the tires (gotta love anti-locks).
And this idiot purposely TOOK HER DAMN TIME...she was totally oblivious to the fact that she did a HUGE NO-NO in front of an oncoming car.
It was all I could do to stop BEFORE we made contact (and even at 20 MPH, that can be a chore when it's that cold outside and the stopping distance has all but been eliminated).
We stopped within 3 feet of her POS Dodge Dakota pickup. It was a black woman driving (if you could even call it that), and all I can say is that we are damn fortunate that NO ONE was following us, or the Wifey's Caprice would be a few feet SHORTER in length.
Times like that you're glad you weren't even going the posted limit of 25 MPH...I can tell you.
Suffice it to say, I went from 0 to LIVID in 1.4 seconds, and rounded the corner and entered the plaza looking for this stupid ass.
I found her walking from her truck, (which had a huge *V* crease in the rear bumper, so she's been stupid BEFORE while driving) to which we DID get the license plate number (God plate UP 7635, in case any local officers read this post).
She had just gotten out and put up her hood (so I wouldn't notice?), and I slowed WAY down and stared at her as we rolled past under 2 MPH. I almost got out and said something, but in MY area, it seems the white man is ALWAYS wrong (unless you're into the drug scene or a criminal)...remember that, folks.
I told the missus that had I struck her, damage to her TRUCK would have been the LEAST of HER worries.
This driving "near-miss" is what I tell you all about...you can NEVER be too cautious out there, and you NEVER know when your Guardian Angel might have to clock back in, and keep your butt from becoming road-fodder at the hands of some idiot.
These freaks will come at you from the weirdest direction...and when you LEAST expect it.
So, in the final analysis, let's say we dodged that bullet, and that this dumbass woman is now on my "radar".
It's thing like this that make one very appreciative to be under the watchful eye of those in "higher authority" at Christmas.
'Nuff said about that.
Moving on...
*** Now, I know most ALL of you have been humming SOME Christmas song for a while now. Many of us have had several (and a few have had brain lock on ONE particular song...I know I get that way sometimes).
We have more Christmas-related songs than you can shake a bough of holly at...
And thankfully, most of it IS good.
(and NONE of it is hip-hop OR rap...yay for the gooid guys)
When it comes to REAL "Christmasey" music, with no comedy or light-heartedness...as in nothing but the REAL DEAL, you have GOT to claim the classics!
Handel's MESSIAH has got to be near the top of every list here.
And the bigger the choir...the better (for me).
Then there is most anything that either Mannheim Steamroller OR Chanticleer performs for the holidays...both of them are marvelous.
Tchaikovsky's THE NUTCRACKER is a yearly favorite for people of ALL ages.
Considering that MOST of our "traditional" carols come from centuries ago by people we've all but forgotten.
Ever hear of Charles Wesley? (Hark the Herald Angels Sing)
How about Adolphe Adam? (O Holy Night)
Or even Philip Brooks & Lewis Redner? (O Little Town of Bethlehem)
The hymn/carol JOY TO THE WORLD is THE most published Christmas hymn in America.
It was written back in 1719 by Isaac Watts and the music was added in 1839 by Lowell Mason.
Talk about "staying power", hmm?
Having received my "school letter" in CHOIR a LONG time ago (yes, they did give them out for THAT), I have a special affinity for such music...and it's damn good, too.
Then we have the "modern classics", as I like to call them.
Among them is the Vince Guaraldi Charlie Brown Christmas music.
And there is always the Chipmunks Christmas song.
Burl Ives wanting us to have a "Holly Jolly Christmas", along with Gene Autry singing about "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" were always in the mix, too.
We remember "Jingle Bell Rock" (when it was a brand new song) by Bobby Helms, and Brenda Lee's " Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree".
Of course, Christmas would NEVER be Christmas without Nat King Cole's THE CHRISTMAS SONG.
Nat's Christmas album is one of the most masterful recordings, and a MUST for any Christmas music lover's library.
And, thanks to Irving Berlin...we also have the notable tune WHITE CHRISTMAS, made famous by Bing Crosby in the movies HOLIDAY INN, and later WHITE CHRISTMAS (a personal favorite).
You can also pick and choose YOUR favorite artist past OR present, because most ALL of them have put out some sort of Christmas album.
Neil Diamond's earlier Christmas albums are wonderful, as is Barbra Streisand's first album.
(and to think they're both JEWISH...OY! - but still damn good to listen to)
Dean Martin, Perry Como, Sammy Davis, Jr., Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Pat Boone...and the list goes on.
All WONDERFUL albums for Christmas time.
Newer entries in the holiday season include Michael Crawford, Sarah MacLachlan, Harry Connick, Jr, and Michael Buble.
Mind you, there are albums with Christmas songs sung in the manner they SHOULD be sung.
None of the "trilling" that modern song divas pursue...(all over the octaves like a whirling dervish seeking the note)
Reminds me of those God-awful renditions of the Star-Spangled Banner we hear at sports events.
Sing it the WAY it was written...NO "ad-libbing" or "creative licensing", kapeesh?
All those dots with flags on that music scale are there FOR A REASON.
Now, if you really want to grab some holiday musical spirit, get anything that's ORCHESTRAL in nature...all music, NO voices (you can provide the vocals...if you can recall all the words).
Or, you can always grab an ANDREA BOCELLI album and sing along in LATIN (Adeste Fidelis - O Come All Ye Faithful).
In the end, it does pretty much come back to "THE CLASSICS", though, right?
You really need "A little Christmas" too, right this very minute, as THAT song goes.
Lord knows what the next hour can bring down here, and the best thing you can do is keep as seasonal a heart as you can.
So what songs are YOUR favorites? Got some new ones, or do you prefer those classic songs that never seem to go out of style?
I know Larry the Cable Guy has some real funny takeoffs on traditional carols, and the (growing in popularity) "Have a Ramahanukwanzmas" is one of my "new" favorites. Here's the link to the YouTube video (because I can't figure out how to EMBED them properly yet):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAzdJjbs8oE&feature=related
Enjoy your shopping adventures this week...beware of those driving dented up Dakota pickups who WILL turn in front of you, always warm up you car (armed)with a friend...and if you're black, make that a WHITE friend, as per Chris Rock's advice on NOT GETTING YOUR ASS KICKED by the PO-LICE, as seen HERE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj0mtxXEGE8
And yes, this IS a public service announcement (with graphic language)...and funny AS HELL...!
You CAN have a great holiday seson...if you WANT to (and if others stay the f$ck out of YOUR way).
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay safe out there, America.
Marvell L. Fair, age 31, of Fort Wayne got more than he wanted for Christmas when he was shot multiple times outside the house. This may have stemmed from an argument Fair had while going outside to "warm up his car".
One nearby resident, who has lived in the area for TWENTY SEVEN YEARS stated the neighborhood "has really gone downhill".Welcome to OUR world, people.
I've said the EXACT same thing over JUST the last DOZEN or so years...seems to be a bit of a trend here, don'cha think?
I told the quadrant captain that crime was moving SOUTHWARD for at least the past 7-8 years.
Now, we've got it damn near all around us.
Sounds a bit like FORT APACHE (the Bronx), but without the Nu-Yawk accents.
(Good thing crime's going down, though...at least according to the FWPD administration, otherwise I'd be REALLY worried)
See? You miss a day...you miss a LOT down here.
And a shooting Saturday night in an apartment complex off of St. Joe Center road has another man in serious condition.Here's the link:
http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/fort-wayne-police-investigate-saturday-night-shooting
Looks like the perps have exceeded even MY expectations (of ONLY 25 homicides) for 2010.
Maybe I should up the number for NEXT year...'ya think?
(Santa couldn't get me enough weapons and ammo THIS Christmas...perhaps some steel plating or foot-thick concrete insulation for our "fortress"!)
But wait...there's more.
*** Wifey and I began her Christmas break in fine style this weekend...with our weekly trip to the Scotts in Waynedale on Saturday morning (around 0800).
Traffic was wonderfully light, and in spite of being caught at damn near EVERY light, was rather UN-eventful...(even though the post office only had ONE person running the show...not good at this time of year)...UNTIL we got within a 1/2 mile from home.
Then, someone tripped the frigging IDIOT SWITCH in our area of the ghettohood...(usually, this can occur as early as 0900, which it apparently DID).
We were traveling northbound on Fairview heading to Pettit to turn eastbound, just past the DO-IT-BEST and coming to the Pizza Hut and the West side entrance to Southgate Plaza, when we saw a person decide to (lazily) turn RIGHT IN FRONT OF US into the plaza. I stood on the brakes and tried NOT to skid or burn a flat spot on the tires (gotta love anti-locks).
And this idiot purposely TOOK HER DAMN TIME...she was totally oblivious to the fact that she did a HUGE NO-NO in front of an oncoming car.It was all I could do to stop BEFORE we made contact (and even at 20 MPH, that can be a chore when it's that cold outside and the stopping distance has all but been eliminated).
We stopped within 3 feet of her POS Dodge Dakota pickup. It was a black woman driving (if you could even call it that), and all I can say is that we are damn fortunate that NO ONE was following us, or the Wifey's Caprice would be a few feet SHORTER in length.
Times like that you're glad you weren't even going the posted limit of 25 MPH...I can tell you.
Suffice it to say, I went from 0 to LIVID in 1.4 seconds, and rounded the corner and entered the plaza looking for this stupid ass.
I found her walking from her truck, (which had a huge *V* crease in the rear bumper, so she's been stupid BEFORE while driving) to which we DID get the license plate number (God plate UP 7635, in case any local officers read this post).She had just gotten out and put up her hood (so I wouldn't notice?), and I slowed WAY down and stared at her as we rolled past under 2 MPH. I almost got out and said something, but in MY area, it seems the white man is ALWAYS wrong (unless you're into the drug scene or a criminal)...remember that, folks.
I told the missus that had I struck her, damage to her TRUCK would have been the LEAST of HER worries.
This driving "near-miss" is what I tell you all about...you can NEVER be too cautious out there, and you NEVER know when your Guardian Angel might have to clock back in, and keep your butt from becoming road-fodder at the hands of some idiot.
These freaks will come at you from the weirdest direction...and when you LEAST expect it.
So, in the final analysis, let's say we dodged that bullet, and that this dumbass woman is now on my "radar".
It's thing like this that make one very appreciative to be under the watchful eye of those in "higher authority" at Christmas.
'Nuff said about that.
Moving on...
*** Now, I know most ALL of you have been humming SOME Christmas song for a while now. Many of us have had several (and a few have had brain lock on ONE particular song...I know I get that way sometimes).
We have more Christmas-related songs than you can shake a bough of holly at...
And thankfully, most of it IS good.
(and NONE of it is hip-hop OR rap...yay for the gooid guys)
When it comes to REAL "Christmasey" music, with no comedy or light-heartedness...as in nothing but the REAL DEAL, you have GOT to claim the classics!Handel's MESSIAH has got to be near the top of every list here.
And the bigger the choir...the better (for me).
Then there is most anything that either Mannheim Steamroller OR Chanticleer performs for the holidays...both of them are marvelous.Tchaikovsky's THE NUTCRACKER is a yearly favorite for people of ALL ages.
Considering that MOST of our "traditional" carols come from centuries ago by people we've all but forgotten.
Ever hear of Charles Wesley? (Hark the Herald Angels Sing)
How about Adolphe Adam? (O Holy Night)
Or even Philip Brooks & Lewis Redner? (O Little Town of Bethlehem)
The hymn/carol JOY TO THE WORLD is THE most published Christmas hymn in America.
It was written back in 1719 by Isaac Watts and the music was added in 1839 by Lowell Mason.
Talk about "staying power", hmm?
Having received my "school letter" in CHOIR a LONG time ago (yes, they did give them out for THAT), I have a special affinity for such music...and it's damn good, too.
Then we have the "modern classics", as I like to call them.Among them is the Vince Guaraldi Charlie Brown Christmas music.
And there is always the Chipmunks Christmas song.
Burl Ives wanting us to have a "Holly Jolly Christmas", along with Gene Autry singing about "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" were always in the mix, too.
We remember "Jingle Bell Rock" (when it was a brand new song) by Bobby Helms, and Brenda Lee's " Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree".
Of course, Christmas would NEVER be Christmas without Nat King Cole's THE CHRISTMAS SONG.Nat's Christmas album is one of the most masterful recordings, and a MUST for any Christmas music lover's library.
And, thanks to Irving Berlin...we also have the notable tune WHITE CHRISTMAS, made famous by Bing Crosby in the movies HOLIDAY INN, and later WHITE CHRISTMAS (a personal favorite).
You can also pick and choose YOUR favorite artist past OR present, because most ALL of them have put out some sort of Christmas album.
Neil Diamond's earlier Christmas albums are wonderful, as is Barbra Streisand's first album.(and to think they're both JEWISH...OY! - but still damn good to listen to)
Dean Martin, Perry Como, Sammy Davis, Jr., Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Pat Boone...and the list goes on.
All WONDERFUL albums for Christmas time.
Newer entries in the holiday season include Michael Crawford, Sarah MacLachlan, Harry Connick, Jr, and Michael Buble.
Mind you, there are albums with Christmas songs sung in the manner they SHOULD be sung.
None of the "trilling" that modern song divas pursue...(all over the octaves like a whirling dervish seeking the note)
Reminds me of those God-awful renditions of the Star-Spangled Banner we hear at sports events.
Sing it the WAY it was written...NO "ad-libbing" or "creative licensing", kapeesh?
All those dots with flags on that music scale are there FOR A REASON.
Now, if you really want to grab some holiday musical spirit, get anything that's ORCHESTRAL in nature...all music, NO voices (you can provide the vocals...if you can recall all the words).
Or, you can always grab an ANDREA BOCELLI album and sing along in LATIN (Adeste Fidelis - O Come All Ye Faithful).
In the end, it does pretty much come back to "THE CLASSICS", though, right?
You really need "A little Christmas" too, right this very minute, as THAT song goes.
Lord knows what the next hour can bring down here, and the best thing you can do is keep as seasonal a heart as you can.
So what songs are YOUR favorites? Got some new ones, or do you prefer those classic songs that never seem to go out of style?
I know Larry the Cable Guy has some real funny takeoffs on traditional carols, and the (growing in popularity) "Have a Ramahanukwanzmas" is one of my "new" favorites. Here's the link to the YouTube video (because I can't figure out how to EMBED them properly yet):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAzdJjbs8oE&feature=related
Enjoy your shopping adventures this week...beware of those driving dented up Dakota pickups who WILL turn in front of you, always warm up you car (armed)with a friend...and if you're black, make that a WHITE friend, as per Chris Rock's advice on NOT GETTING YOUR ASS KICKED by the PO-LICE, as seen HERE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj0mtxXEGE8
And yes, this IS a public service announcement (with graphic language)...and funny AS HELL...!
You CAN have a great holiday seson...if you WANT to (and if others stay the f$ck out of YOUR way).Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay safe out there, America.
((PS - For all you nightowls, or those on third-out, there is a LUNAR ECLIPSE tomorrow around 0133 hours with totality starting around 0231 hrs., and lasting for about 70 minutes...last time this happened was 400+ years ago, and the NEXT one will be in 2094))
((PPS - Oh, yeah...only 5 shopping days until Christmas))
6 comments:
Glad you are skilled with the evasive driving techniques as it sounds like you needed them.
My fav songs are the old carols (Silent Night, etc.)--the history and tradition are important to me.
Bob G:
100 homicides here in KCMO. Killa City indeed. Now, the pols are pontificating on the issue.
Idiot drivers--I ranted too.
Cloudy skies--don't get to see the eclipse--bummer.
Have just a lovely week! :-)
T.O.
Slam:
It was a combination of evasive driiving (not wanting to place the car sideways was the first step), and a WHOLE lotta luck added in, trust me.
Just wish I had a lightbar on the roof...that would have REALLY made MY day (and taught HER a lesson with a nice, healthy citation)....
NEVER a LEO around when you NEED one, eh?
(LOL)
Right now, I NEED those old carols...to help me unwind.
Thanks for taking time to stop on by today.
Have a great week.
T.O.:
I told the Missus that the other day...I was SHOCKED!
We can also add COLUMBUS, OH to the "century" mark with 100 homicides, too.
Yeah, no eclipse for us (either)...dang it.
Idiot drivers...why not BAN THEM???
(whatta great idea, Bob)
Thank you for taking time to stop by and comment today.
Have a great week.
Dear Bob,
I have an aversion to a good deal of Christmas music. Maybe I worked too much darn retail.
But I love the traditional ones. And I love "Baby It's Cold Outside" and others with the wry thing going.
We city dwellers are pretty funny. In my building, a host of one Christmas party put a video of a fireplace fire on his DVD. He hung his stocking over it, LOL. I guess he needs a video of a chimney too, so Santa can crawl down it!
ROFL,
Ann T.
Ann:
I once worked retail as well, and there are certain versions of carols that still make MY skin crawl...LOL.
Regarding the gentleman with the fireplce DVD...that is priceless...LOL.
(reminds me of the aquarium DVD)
All he really needs is some balsam fir INCENSE and am infra-red heater to make it "cozy".
And no, Santa makes "allowances" for rowhome and condo dwellers...LOL.
(and that comes from a VERY reliable source)
Have a great day.
Stay warm out there.
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