Scary strange times

I'm still here because the rapture didn't happen.

I'm sitting here in Starbucks listening to the World Cafe who has a guest named James Blake that does "soulful" electronica. His new "album" is acclaimed by all those who matter and it's pretty good. I've purchased some great music -- my definition - lately. Fleet Foxes, My Morning Jacket, Battles, Gang, Gang Dance, Lady Gaga, Bon Iver and a lesbian I really like called "Tender Forever." I saw her at the Warhol as an opening act sometime in 2006-2007.

Music is my crack addiction, my nicotine fix. I can't get enough of it.  But I guess I will have to cut back -- no more Paul's CDs for me. This is because I saw my financial advisor today who cheerily informed me that I will never be able to retire and will be living in a van down by the river -- a sly SNL reference. Pretty depressing. Making more money would help -- and I will have to get a new job because I will never make a lot of money working for the city. Or get a decent part-time job which I'm loathe to do because, well, I'm lazy and I worked two jobs a long time ago when I had my law practice and it was a royal pain in the ass and was very tiring. I'm now at least ten years older than I was then. I like my down time, my me time. Sigh. But I have to do something. Sue tells me no one our age will be able to retire, that it's now a distant, fond memory of the past. She may be right. But working for the City until I keel over isn't in my list of great wishes.

The LGBT community seems to be plagued lately by well placed right wing imposters. I say this in reference to the GLAAD and AT & T scandal. I wonder if this is happening in other areas. The LGBT community, labor, women, immigrants, and the jewish comunity are all under seige. There was a fascinating, truly scary article in Rolling Stone about the founder of Fox News, Roger Ailes, who worked for Richard Nixon. Some people in California are pushing anti-circumcision laws and, conveniently, one of them published an anti-semitic comic book. Guess who was the villan??

Our own Darryl Metcalfe is leading the charge against gay marriage and making it harder for the core constituents of the Democrat party --the poor, minorities and older folks -- to vote by proposing a law that requires ID to vote. Because you know, just like in Egypt, voter fraud is rampant in Pennsylvania.

Governor Corrbett is pushing charter schools which will bleed the public schools dry of pupils and resources and, conveniently, impact the teacher's union. Then there's Marcellus Shale allowing the drilling companies to do what they want. And the recently paased law that allows me to shoot first and ask questions later if I fear you. I wonder how that will turn out?? Then there is Poplawski. A prime case of what happens when an unbalanced individual has access to large quantities of guns and ammunition. He had 900 rounds in his house. What the f**k does one person need with that much ammo?? But the ole National Rifle Association says he can have it and should have it. God forbid we have universal health care in this country but, at least, we can have our guns and our ammo. And shoot first like in the Wild West when we feel threatened.

President Obama was in town. And the furries are in town. I missed the President and so far have missed the furries.

I am listening to Yacht's new album "Shangri-la" on NPR. Very bouncy and catchy. Too bad I can't add it to my list. You know, to avoid that van down by the river.

My mom, at age 73, is contemplating getting a computer. When she does, she can be the third follower of this little blog.        

A woman attacked the McCandless Target with a baseball bat for refusing to return her merchandise. She broke the windows out of three doors. Should recruit her for the Pirates. Except that she appears to need mental health help. I hope she gets it. Good luck with that here in Pittsburgh. While every other lesbian is a therapist we seem to lack qualified psychiatrists and adequate outpatient treatment.

Speaking of unhinged individuals, the Flaming Lips, one of my favorite groups, is issuing their music on some type of flash drives imbedded in unique gummy candy containers. Like skulls, fetuses and -- vaginas. I would love to get my hands on these, but I'm quite sure they won't come to Pittsburgh. Though... I should ask Paul"s CDs. Wait, wait, the poverty thing.

Oh well, I can always dream.