Mickey Z
Cool Observer
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Rings
nice story, heartwarming to read.
As it happens we just had a death in the family. My gran’s sister and best friend, at the age of 93 passed away. Not a surprise of course and 93 is a good innings for anyone and she went with her family around her so it was as good as these things can possible be.
The interesting thing is that she had been sick for some time but eventually died on the day that would have been her 70th wedding anniversary.
Some people would say fate or something like that but my gran, who spoke to her every day, is of the opinion that she specifically held on until that day.
Now that’s romance.
Posted by michael from not scotland on 01/06 at 09:02 AMslightly less romantic…
i was wondering when fuckface would stick his oar in…
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7813067.stmPosted by michael from not scotland on 01/06 at 10:58 AMcome to think of it, it has been reported many times that fuckface has shares or at least is involved with the carlyle group so he may well be personally profiting from all this indirectly.
Posted by michael from not scotland on 01/06 at 11:08 AMHeh, I guessed right Michael. No-one needs a smack in the face more.
I can’t manage anything worth saying about the continuity of love and life (head-cold), I’ll just say “Awwwwwww!”
Posted by Mew from clophill on 01/06 at 11:30 AMthat’s a great story, Mick...thanks for sharing it.
Posted by JOS from Chicago on 01/06 at 11:47 AMHello Expendables...from the soon-to-be-snowy Astoria.
Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria on 01/06 at 12:26 PMA fine tale, MZ, and photo too. Fiction doesn’t hold a candle to the truth. I wear a Celtic weave ring on my pinky. Part of my heritage, but also helps me remember to stay in motion.
#2 is a laugh out loud one-liner, michael. The link, not so much.
April in DC: I’m there. My only concern is being sure of a seat after traveling 500 miles. Maybe if I bring my ‘zine press credential…
Posted by Zen Prole from Turtle Island on 01/06 at 12:39 PMThanks, Zen. Michele took that photo on Feb. 20, 2008, what would’ve been my Mom’s 72nd birthday. We were at Angelica Kitchen in NYC because my Mom loved the mashed potatoes there. It was the day we spread some of her ashes in various locations.
As for April 25, I’m psyched you’re planning to be there. I expect Expendable Maxwell (we are on his turf, after all), too.
Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria on 01/06 at 01:20 PMYes you can expect that I’ll be there! If anyone needs transportation let me know.
Posted by Maxwell Black from Arlington Va on 01/06 at 02:54 PMmore horror from Gaza:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/06/gaza-israel
Posted by JOS from Chicago on 01/06 at 03:29 PMI would love to see a Jensen/Z event live but I will never again set foot across the border.
I would not even ask my mate (who is guilty of being brown and “foreign looking") to attempt it.Your country is a friggin creepy place man and as bad as Canada has become in the past decade I still do not get that weird militarized police state feeling I last got in Murka, and that was well before the 9/11 psyop and resulting social decline.
I mistakenly approached the Alaskan Border in the 90’s while on a pleasure drive in the Yukon Territories and two grim faced storm troopers with machine guns looked like they were about to take aim when I did a quick U-turn to avoid Alaska (aka occupied Canada).
I was shocked they posted soldiers with machine guns at a border crossing were the countryside looked like the surface of the moon and traffic was dime thin.
I suppose you are accustomed to home but when I last entered the USA there was a huge Soviet style flag billboard on the roadside that read, “Welcome to Reagan Country”. Twisted.
I just can’t imagine what the place feels like now.
I’m sure that the D.C. area is rife with that kind of hair raising vibe X 10.Please make sure somebody films the event and posts it up.
p.s. sweet story.
Posted by Youngfox from Neoconada on 01/06 at 03:38 PMThanks, JOS. That same scenario is being played out across the globe, the US has the power and influence to stop it all, but instead the beat goes on.
I hear you, Youngfox...and I’ll certainly try to get the event filmed. In the meantime, say hello to your “foreign looking” mate for me, okay?
Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria on 01/06 at 03:57 PMGreat stories everyone - and I loved the line about Alaska: “occupied Canada!”
7 businesses (6 restaurants and a dry cleaner) burned down on my street last night. Fortunately none of the elderly/disabled in the next buildings were harmed - just evacuated last night. No vegan restaurants fortunately! $5 million in damages. It looks like a bomb site. It’s 2 min. away from where I live.
I don’t have any romantic stories to tell but I am more than willing for new ones to happen - anybody know any great gay men?? (; (my captcha word is “girls” - but I prefer boys!)
Posted by RichG from Boston on 01/06 at 04:08 PMHey Rich, you seem like such a compassionate and socially aware soul. I can’t imagine you haven’t already met Mr. Right at a protest rally or activist meeting. Or would that be Mr. Left?
Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria on 01/06 at 04:15 PMMichael, great use of fuckface btw!
Youngfox I have every intention of filming it from several angles this time. And to add to the spooky vibe you get from the USA, you would be shocked at the location of the event. Not not only is it walking distance to my soul crushing job, it’s also walking distance from the Pentagon and hundreds of other terror organizations!
The entire “neighborhood” has the giant USA Today building looming over it with a giant Big Brother screen looking down.
Anyhoo, I hereby call on the first ever Expendable Summit! You all have plenty of time to make plans and I’ll be happy to cart anyone around town. It could be a hoot. Any New York Expendables that are low on funds can take the Chinatown NY to Chinatown DC bus for $35.
Posted by Maxwell Black from Arlington Va on 01/06 at 06:39 PMhi
i got a big response for ‘fuckface’ and nothing for my great-aunts death story but there you go.
with regard to fuckface… as mickey said the last time i abused that deficient, sanctimonious mass-murdering, blood-sucking, thieving, craven, poodle, suck-up bastard…
“he does inspire hatred doesn’t he?”
Posted by michael from not scotland on 01/06 at 06:48 PMMickey and Michael, They were some very nice thoughts on Love.
a state of being
beyond peaceful and cared about
a level of consciousness
acknowledging all that’s in the universe
and in awe of this life
knowing all is the samePosted by joe of maine from on 01/06 at 07:04 PMNice, Maxwell. It would be great to see a batch of Expendables there but I certainly understand it’s not that simple. Also, we’re working on lots of ideas, re: video (including live streaming video). Long way to go yet but it’s so cool that folks are excited.
Michael: I was gonna comment on your great aunt but hadn’t gotten to it yet. Your story reminded me of a fascinating coincidence. “Grandma Helen” was the matriarch of my family. She and her husband Joe had an amazing marriage but she out lived him by many years. Nearly two years ago, she passed away at 95 years of age on - get this - her husband’s birthday.
Where’s Joe and RMJ today?
Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria on 01/06 at 07:07 PMOops...there’s Joe now. We were simultyping.
Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria on 01/06 at 07:08 PMjust a little question for you all. would be interested to hear…
Posted by michael from not scotland on 01/06 at 07:34 PMthank you joe
and one for you…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Zk0Behkb2k
Posted by michael from not scotland on 01/06 at 07:59 PMLovely story, Mickey. My Mum also wore her wedding ring so long that she could not remove it in the end - and it did go to the grave with her last November. As for Mr and Mrs Helga, they wore their wedding rings so rarely that we decided a few years ago to have them melted down and made into a bracelet. I now wear that bracelet as often as possible.
And hello, Michael, Mew, JOS, Zen Prole, Maxwell Black, Youngfox, RichG and Joe of Maine from a warm Daylesford. Take care!
Posted by Helga Fremlin from Daylesford, Australia on 01/06 at 08:36 PMThanks for sharing, Helga. I like to offer personal stories because they often bring out common emotions, experiences, etc.
Provocative question, Michael, and on to which I do not have an instant answer. On a somewhat similar theme, I often feel regret that I didn’t talk more with my Mom about how she felt when her father died. I think it would have been good for her at the time and useful for me now.
Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria on 01/06 at 08:57 PMSorry about that Michael. I pop in and out here throughout most days and just kind of skim through. Every time I poked in today, your “fuckface” was just sitting there saying “hola Max.”
I’ve told Mickey that I suck at comments here. I’m like the wallflower at the Zed party who suddenly gets all chatty! Also, since I skim (rather than read everything) I tend to miss the big picture of the day. In this case you probably had more on your mind than calling someone a fuckface.
I also tend to shy away from the family death subject. I always feel like I’m going to say the wrong thing and make it worse. I’m not very experienced with the subject. A little background:
My mom had me when she was 16 years old and thus I have a very young family for my age, (I’ll be 35 in March.) Because of this situation I’ve been fortunate enough to have never buried a loved one. I’ve also dodged a bullet with never losing a close friend. Of course I’ve been to plenty of funerals, but it’s never been too close to my inner circle.
But I’m getting older and I know my turn to feel this grief (or death for that matter!) is coming. And it’s terrifying.
Right back, I’ve got to pick up my wife…
Posted by Maxwell Black from Arlington Va on 01/06 at 09:05 PM...and back. So, I wasn’t being insensitive...I was just being a coward!
I was also just so freaking excited about the event in Arlington that it was about the only thing I really noticed here today.
Any takers yet on the summit?
Posted by Maxwell Black from Arlington Va on 01/06 at 09:31 PMNice story, MZ.
Posted by Jeremy from Taipei on 01/06 at 10:30 PMCrap, I told you I suck at this Z!
“I tend to miss the big picture of the day.”
No shit Max.
It was a moving story buddy. I think I’m a chickenshit when it comes to dealing with serious human emotions. Abstractions are so much easier.
Hope to see as many of you as can make it to the Arlington thing. Let me know if I can help organize it or anything.
Posted by Maxwell Black from Arlington Va on 01/06 at 11:53 PMStories of your mothers brings up my own mother’s journey over the past 7 years. I was adopted when I was 9 years old. By the time my father died in ‘01, my parents had known each other for 72 years and been married for 52. He died after 3 years of illnesses - diabetes, heart disease and lung cancer were only 3 of his problems - he lost his eyesight and his feet. We were worried about my mother; she had spent 52 years completely in service in a patriarchal powered marriage. Luckily, she has THRIVED and is busier than ever - at 84 - than she ever was. I joke she has more energy than I do! She and I have gotten much closer since my dad died too. She is more relaxed and despite sometimes overdoing she is a role model for growing older with spirit and a “can do” attitude!
Posted by RichG from Boston on 01/07 at 01:26 AMThanks again for sharing, Max and Rich.
And Max: relax. No one is judging you here. Read what you want to read and comment on whatever catches your eye. No rules.
I’ll leave this post up a little longer. I like what it has inspired.
Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria on 01/07 at 05:52 AMA new post is up. See you there.
Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria on 01/07 at 11:34 AMHi all…
Great story on the front page. It shows the real value and importance of family.Youngfox #11...Great to see you here. If the mate you speak of is who I think it is - she is a role model for all of us with her heart of gold.
Mickey...Those of us who are too far to attend the DC event, will be with you in our thoughts and look forward to hearing all about it. I wonder if Bill Blum knows about it and will be able to attend????
Posted by RMJ from Ward Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts on 01/07 at 11:42 AMThanks, RMJ. The last time I spoke in the DC area, Bill Blum was certainly there, selling books and greeting attendees. I expect to see him and maybe Dave Zirin on April 25.
Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria on 01/07 at 11:45 AMMickey,
The only thing wrong in your post today on the WNT website is that the people you say are indigenous were, in fact, folks that trans-migrated from Europe during the last ice age thousands of years ago. Though they may have been here for a longer period of time, they too were war-like, many of the tribes, and may have wiped out other pre-homo sapiens in the survival of the fittest wars that occurred during our transition to the current state of who man is today. None of us are indigenous, and sad to say, the patterns of behavior we perpetrate is in our DNA. The only difference is that, as a race (all of humanity),we can chose to be better. Granted our world is taking a path none of us would like go down, but it is how you perceive your world and what you do to keep others from going down that wrong road as well that makes you a better human.
I agree with most of your postings, but try, if possible, to be less cynical. You will still be Mickey Z., writer extraordinaire, but there is some positivity you can convey, I can see that because you are able to observe the terrible, and if you can see the horror, you can see the light too. PeacePosted by T.P. McWhorter from Malta on 01/15 at 11:30 AM
Next entry: Ecofeminism
Previous entry: Resist, resist, and resist some more
Copyright © 2005-2007 Mickey Z.
