There will also be an old Harley Chopper, named Rosinante, placed in the background. And a bottle of bourbon.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Farewell Luncheon
A very nice affair at the Albany Pump Station. I had fish and chips, a pear cider and a Bookers.
They gave me a lovely gift card for Colonie Center...L.L. Bean and Barnes and Noble all the way!
Monday, March 3, 2008
The Big Lie
Not too long ago, Senator Clinton released a t.v. ad with children asleep in their beds and a voice-over alluding to her readiness and Senator's unreadiness to handle a foreign policy crisis in the middle of the night.
The Big Lie is not about whether Obama is ready to handle a crisis (based on how he ran this campaign, I think he is ready for just about anything). The Big Lie is that Hillary Clinton says she is ready...and capable...of handlng a crisis. If her campaign is evidence of anything, it is that this politician can't see beyond her own ambition. She did not anticipate that Obama, who was doing boring wonkish town halls in the towns of Iowa, could rise above substance and reach into the hearts of Americans of varied ideologies. She mocks hope...ironically the name of the town from which her former president husband hailed and which they promoted in the 1992 campaign. She had no plan beyond February 5. She had no plan to deal with caucus states. She finds a reason to blame her failure on everything but herself. She can't think in three-dimensional terms.
Do we need this in the Oval Office, at 3 a.m., which a crisis happens...a president who can't see beyond her own needs and her own ambitions.
I trust McCain with the red phone.
I trust Obama with the red phone.
I do not trust Clinton. Her campaign's incompetence is a sign...don't think that these people would not be running the White House if she won. I'd rather roll the dice with Obama.
The Big Lie is not about whether Obama is ready to handle a crisis (based on how he ran this campaign, I think he is ready for just about anything). The Big Lie is that Hillary Clinton says she is ready...and capable...of handlng a crisis. If her campaign is evidence of anything, it is that this politician can't see beyond her own ambition. She did not anticipate that Obama, who was doing boring wonkish town halls in the towns of Iowa, could rise above substance and reach into the hearts of Americans of varied ideologies. She mocks hope...ironically the name of the town from which her former president husband hailed and which they promoted in the 1992 campaign. She had no plan beyond February 5. She had no plan to deal with caucus states. She finds a reason to blame her failure on everything but herself. She can't think in three-dimensional terms.
Do we need this in the Oval Office, at 3 a.m., which a crisis happens...a president who can't see beyond her own needs and her own ambitions.
I trust McCain with the red phone.
I trust Obama with the red phone.
I do not trust Clinton. Her campaign's incompetence is a sign...don't think that these people would not be running the White House if she won. I'd rather roll the dice with Obama.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Work in Progress: American Quixotic
I've always wanted to do a "Don Quixote" piece and have decided to capture him right before his mind totally goes, as he is surrounded by his books. As a nod to my current employment status, I wanted to dress him in more modern garb...boxers, a bathrobe, a t-shirt, kind of in tribute to "the Dude" in the Big Lebowski. When this is done, the ground will be littered with stacks of books.
Before I started reading the book last June, I always wondered whether the man was mad or just perceived as mad...Cervantes clarifies that he was indeed mad. I want to get him at that moment...right before he goes over.
Before I started reading the book last June, I always wondered whether the man was mad or just perceived as mad...Cervantes clarifies that he was indeed mad. I want to get him at that moment...right before he goes over.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
New Painting....and Chili
Yesterday was my first full day aware that my time as a state worker is over. I went to work in the a.m. and then left at 12:15 (I am 30 hours of time I need to burn or lose). I picked up some groceries at the supermarket across from where I live and made chili. And finished this painting, as a housewarming gift for a friend.
Cabin in the Woods
Chili, with a Sierra Nevada Stout base and a shot of Hudson Valley Bourbon.
Cabin in the Woods
Chili, with a Sierra Nevada Stout base and a shot of Hudson Valley Bourbon.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Liberation - Bureaucracy-Style
"Dear Mr. McLain: Effective March 5, 2008 close of business, your services as a Research Associate for the Council on Children and Family Services, Item #04302 are no longer needed."
And with that first paragraph, a gracious follow up paragraph and a very gracious meeting with the associate commissioner of human resources (with our counsel present), my 12 year gig as a political appointee in the State of New York began its final two weeks.
The truth is, for the past year, the shoe could have dropped and it could have been worse. The previous administration, the one for which I came to Albany, was very cold and ungracious in its laying off of the previous governor's employees. I am glad it was this gracious...after all, I voted for the present governor and I wish him well.
But this is about liberation. This was the last major area where change needed to happen. I needed to get out of my cubicle. I needed to be out in the world. I am seriously considering getting a permit to drive a truck, so I can learn to drive and get a CDL. Why not get paid to do something I enjoy doing? Or perhaps I could lobby. Or apply to work for one of the two campaigns for president.
So, I see this new development as a positive...sure with some fiscal setbacks...not a negative.
I wanted out, but was not sure I could do it myself.
Well, I'm out...and I am free...and as I have 32 hours of personal leave, I can work half days for the next week and a half.
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