Thanksgiving week is here

Last night I was watching a documentary (part 1 of 2) on Woody Allen. I have been a fan of his work for many years. He still writes by hand and transfers his notes using a very old typewriter. How does he "cut and paste" the interviewer asked? With a scissors, glue stick and a stapler. Some people, old habits die hard.

Yesterday I was thinking about something for the blog. I ran it by Wanda who said I may offend people if I used it. After much thought I am going to go ahead with the idea and I'll tell you why. I think one of the most important things in life is the ability to laugh. If that means poking fun at myself, so be it.

The Goblins that work in Gringots bank are all Jewish. The bankers and storekeepers in all the old movies were Jewish after all, so why not. In the Spencer Tracy/Mickey Rooney movie, "Boy's Town" there is one Jewish kid in the entire town of boys. His name is Moe, of course, and he runs the general store. I could go on but I think you get the point.

Years ago I had a used car for sale. I was asking something like five hundred bucks. One guy came to look, took it for a drive, and actually said, "Five hundred, any chance of me jewing you down?" I didn't get upset, people are going to think what they think. I said, "No, the price is firm but if you keep talking I may raise it a hundred."

All these years later, I still think that's funny.

It's the time of year when trying to lose or maintain weight is very difficult. The holiday season where cookies and pie, candy and cake is in abundance. I can feel my gut pushing against my pants waist even now. I have got to make a concerted effort to work out more and eat less.

Wanda and I took the cherry pie out of the freezer on Friday. She covered the crust edges with foil and baked it at the instructed time. Last night I ate the last piece. God, it was delicious.

I've started to work out on the Wii more often which is good. I wish it would stop asking me if I would like to hear a fitness tip every morning. I clicked yes for several weeks before I realized it's idea of a fitness tip was much different than mine. The virtual trainer wants to impart wisdom and knowledge on me, I guess the least I could do is listen.

Add the Nintendo Wii to the ever growing list of things that make me feel guilty.

Does the tone of the blog today seem slightly ambiguous? Every time I start to write a thought the stock market drop pops into my head. The committee that was formed to come up with budget and deficit reduction ideas has finally come to a conclusion. The 12-member panel of Congress appeared ready to declare failure in its attempt to agree on how to bring the federal budget deficit down by $1.2 trillion over 10 years.

Seems to me the people who are in a position to speak for all of us are incompetent. Shouldn't they all get fired?