Headline News | Emerald City Journal

Gap in Seattle Schools Test Scores of Blacks

Published on December 22, 2011

The American born blacks are doing lots worse than the immigrant blacks in their test scores in math. They use words like this is an “alarming” or “comparison shocks some”. I am no expert at anything but feel the need to give my spin on what I would think makes this happen. Everything has a pay off, there must be an incentive to do something. From the time you are a toddler you must eat your “veggies” to get your piece of cake.

I have always been amazed at how the Asians come over here, not knowing our language or culture and get to be the top achievers. Maybe there is something in their genetic make up but mostly it’s the way they are brought up at home. They are taught to study. They are taught to better themselves. I don’t know a thing about American born Blacks and Somali born blacks but I would imagine their genetic make up is the same. That being the case it has to be attitude. There are some rich Somali blacks and there are some rich American born blacks, so lets stick with the run of the mill type.

My take on this is our welfare society has ripped all ambition form the little American born blacks. I am using a broad paint brush and there are exceptions but for some reason American born blacks are raised to believe that because their great, great, great, great Grandaddy MIGHT have been a slave they should be handed everything on a silver platter. There are 3rd and 4th generation blacks who have lived on welfare. They even whine about that. Lets just take one family for an example. A little American black is born to a Mommie that has no idea who his daddy is or if she does know she wont say because she would not qualify for welfare. He can still slip in the backdoor of her “free rent” apartment, and eat from her food stamp supply of food. They can go to emergency rooms free, get a welfare check that gets raised every time she has another baby. That baby grow up knowing he is way better off to JUST HAVE FUN and not study, his Mom does not try to get him to study or support himself. He has a better life(better apartment, and food) than the little white boy and girl that got married and both have to work at flipping burgers and have no insurance.

If the United States stopped giving free rent and food to the Mommies and Daddy’s whose kids are doing so poor in school it would stop. There should have to be a pay off. The Mommies are home all day and could be teaching their pre schoolers all sorts of things, instead they give them no reason to do well in school at all. No punishment, no rewards and probably the parents dropped out of school and on and on. Lots of Somali blacks came here from war torn countries and refuge camps but still do better than the blacks who had a much better life here. The American born blacks are actually being harmed by insisting on things instead of earning things. Even trying to force whites to integrate with blacks backfired. I have worked with blacks, I have rented to blacks, I have lived beside blacks. I do not hate blacks but its how they act that makes me like them, not because someone is trying to force me to live or work with one.

Cut of Mommies welfare check and food stamps if she cant help her child with his school work. If she knew unless he went to school and brought a passing grade home, “she would get fired from her job of collecting freebies”. It would change in a hurry. The American born blacks have a huge chip on their shoulders that the Somali blacks don’t and until that changes these little blacks would rather hang on corners in gangs or stay out all night because Mommie doesn’t care what they do. She doesn’t care if they bring home a good report card. Give them an incentive to study.

I was a really really poor little farm girl, baby of 12 that caught on early that if I was going to do anything different I had to study. I was the first in my family to graduate from high school. I was the valedictorian of my class. My parents made all of us little kids sit at the old kitchen table and study by a kerosene lamp. We had no running water, we had a three holer outhouse so if you think for one minute being poor automatically makes you do poor in school, YOU ARE DEAD WRONG. There was a willow switch waiting if we brought home a bad report card. There was no welfare or food stamps. We were taught, “work if you want to eat”. The little American born blacks don’t have a clue what its like to be poor. They have no incentive, they have been robbed of that. They have to want to better themselves but giving them more freebies is not the answer. Maybe school work camps for the children, and make Mommie get a job, even a low paid one.

Hope this generates some thoughts. Until you change the mind set of the American Born Blacks that they are so poor, so picked on etc etc nothing will change. LLL

Ron Paul For President

Published on December 21, 2011

I once wrote an article here about the trillion dollar deficit he have in America. It was created for both humor and factual info about our Government spending habits. It includes and outline of the worthless agencies we have created just to use up tax money and things we may want to cut. I admit I was inspired by the “HOPE” brand Obama brought to the people. It sold him and his campaign. The campaign grew in power and eventually overshadowed everyone else running. American was hooked. I for one didn’t vote for Obama. Looking back that was a good decision, however, I not sure the outcome would have been that different though. I believe McCain would have handled the war spending better and in general made larger cuts on spending. Hardcore fans still have “HOPE” for Obama’s “HOPE” campaign and many will leave Obama high and dry. He just didn’t deliver, unfortunately.

I talk about political brands and how money buys campaigns. Because of this, I am predicting a win for Mitt Romney. He has the best brand to date and with more money you can get the exposure needed to convince the public for their vote. It’s easier for companies to invest in you (with contributions). It’s also easier to get endorsements from the other runners. If a runner up is failing in the polls/votes and realizes they don’t stand a chance, the guy with money will take care of his/her expenses for running (or debt) for their endorsement. After a few endorsements, you grow even stronger in the public eye. Sadly, this is how the game is played.

I also look at Newt Gingrich. He has a fair amount of money from doing “historian work” for Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Both companies were federally backed when the housing bust came as you know. He says he was just a “historian” but Newt collected 1.6 million that we know if publicly. In reality, he was hired to calm down the republicans making them turn down the heat and back off of the companies. It was a cleaver move by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae and Newt was in on it. Unfortunately, Newt is just another politician playing all the games that the others are playing. Sad but true.

The more I read about Ron Paul in the news the more I like this guy. He has no brand and lacks the money really needed to win, however. He is not the best speaker or salesman (like Romney or Gingrich) but I truly believe this guy can get the job done. He doesn’t really care for the Federal Reserve, wants to cut five departments (needs to be done drastically), lower corporate taxes, and allow younger workers to opt out of the failing Social Security system. He won’t kiss anyone’s ~~ass~~ rump and he’s not a political tool like the others. He wants to cut $1 trillion from the federal budget during his FIRST YEAR in office – which is great. I am tired of hearing how we are going to cut a trillion dollars over 10 YEARS currently! We are 15 trillion in debt right now and spending over 4 billion a day. We don’t have 10 years for such a little cut. He would like to cut is presidential pay to 40K compared to the 400K it is now. There is a lot more but the point to all this is that this guy is a do’er. I truly believe he will do what he says he’ll do and won’t be bought out like the others.

My voting strategies have developed over time but now with every canidate locally or presidential, I look for a person who will put their neck on the line and make a solid decision (good or bad). A decision to cut. A decision to fire. I just want a decision on something to solve the problems. Most politicians today don’t do that and that’s part of the problem. It’s just the same old some and dance. They want to keep everyone happy by not cutting anything or firing anyone (less work means you need to let people go). They sit around and think up new ways to build revenue on a failed system. They build tolls on the roads or add traffic cams for the city. Increase street parking to $8 and hour until 8pm in Seattle. These additions continue to rise because of people wanting to keep their jobs (get re-elected) while back-dooring these little money makers. Another is tax the rich. That is a simple one because most of the voters are broke as a joke and it doesn’t relate to them “so who cares” lets just take it from them right?

Whatever your decision is for the presidential campaign pick someone who will cut and isn’t easily influenced. That is the only “HOPE” we have to turn this country around.

Seattle New Years Eve Parties

Published on December 20, 2011

I must admit one of the my favorite nights in Seattle is New Years Eve. My other favorites include Halloween and now Santanarcy ( you must go to this if you haven’t before). There is something about these nights that people just love. Everyone is friendly and in a talkative mood. The environment is much different than your typical Friday or Saturday night.

New Years Eve falls on a Saturday this year so it should be a really exciting night. I have done some research and came up with what I believe are your best options for ringing in 2012.

Seattle Indulgence Party

I have been to this party the last two years. It was fun but expensive at $60 + $6.23 service fee per ticket. The event is held at one of Paul Allen’s Palaces (Called the Seattle EMP). It’s a big event with 3 levels and different music. For the last 3 years its been the same format. Usually 80’s (at the small side bar), some cover band (big stage), and hip hop (upstairs). The last two times I was there the small 80’s band outshined the main band playing on the big stage. The big stage dance floor is busy but never full. I just checked and I looks like it’s the same this year. There will be line outside to get in. They are pretty slow checking in the tickets. They do provide a lot of free hats and party favors. The most disappointing thing about this location (beside the ticket price, drink prices, main band) is that you can’t step outside to see the space needle fireworks when the big moment arrives. You are stuck inside the location and are not allowed to leave. Well… you can leave but you just won’t be let back in. There is no balcony or any big windows to watch it. That is a big disappointment because you literally are right next door to the space needle. Being so close to it (hearing the fireworks outside) and having to watch it on TV just sucks. That is very disappointing.

Bonza Bash

This will be held at the Hyatt Olive 8 Hotel in Seattle. I haven’t been to it personally. Tickets cost even more than the Indulgence Party. They are $70 +$7.23 service fee per ticket. I would say this is one of more luxurious events of the night. It’s black tie which means lots of tuxes and black dresses. I like more casual locations when It comes to the dress code (Indulgence is casual) so I won’t be visiting this one. If you have a date planned and you want to wine and dine – then this place maybe for you.

Euphoria Masquerade Party

This looked interesting. It’s a masquerade party so people will be all dressed up (high fashion) with masks. I think this would be another good location if you have a date or wife and will be partying with the special person. As a single guy always ready to mingle, this one is off my list. One, there will be lots of couples there. Two, if everyone is wearing masks how you going to talk with people and get that special kiss at night? Sounds like a lot of work for the single people. This event is held at Seattle’s Republiq and ticket prices are about $17 dollars.

Masquerade Party At Pink

Another Masquerade party. This one is located at the Pink Ultra Lounge. Cost is $15 for ladies and $25 for gents. I have been the Pink Ultra Lounge before, however, not for any NYE parties. The location is better than the Republiq event. I won’t be visiting due to the masks and ultra classy dress code (like republiq) but if I had to choose I would pick Pink.

Roaring 20’s Party

Located on Pier 56 aboard the ship The Royal, this event will be a dress up event. You can expect to see gangsters, molls, politicians, hit men, jazz singers and Hollywood starlets. The ticket price is $245. per ticket. I won’t be going due to the ticket price and there are just so many cheaper options available.

Sparkle Party

This is held at the See Sound Lounge in Belltown. That location is great. Ticket prices at the door are $40 ($30 advance). I have this on my favorites to check out and probably will show up. The music is electronic which can get annoying after about the first hour. One positive is that they say they are staying open until 3am. Unlike all the others closing at 2am. Noc Noc is the only other club that stays open late that I know of (5am). Belltown is probably one of the best locations in Seattle for nightlife. If you don’t like this location, you could easily walk around the block and find something else happening.

THE ISLANDER Boat Party

This looks pretty good. Ticket prices are $40 per ticket. I saw last years video of the event and looks good. The only problem I see is if the party is lame I’M STUCK ON A FREAKING BOAT! I am also nervous of the gender ratio like how many women to men. Nothing worse then getting stuck on a boat with a bunch of dudes on New Years Eve (unless that is your thing). Last year it was named the booze cruise and I once experienced a booze cruise in Hawaii – it was awesome! I’m considering this one.

Ambers

In Belltown this is one of my favorite locations. If all else fails I will be visiting here because you just can’t go wrong with it. Cover has always been free, however, it is NYE so I am unsure if they will charge.

Tia Lou’s

Located next to Ambers this is a good dance club. Again you can’t fail going here if you need a solid location. $20 at the door if you decide to visit.

So there you have it folks my top picks for Seattle New Year Eve parties. If you’re going out or staying home just have fun and take a second to set some goals next year. What can you do better or what do you want to accomplish in the new year? It’s a new year and an opportunity to start something new in your life.

In fact, do yourself a favor. When the clock strikes 12:05 am, take a few seconds to look at the bright moon above and think how blessed you are. At the end of the day, we are all humans made of flesh and bones and really blessed to just be living life on this big green planet traveling 66,000 mph. From the big blue sky, the fresh air we breath, to the shining seas full of life, we’re just small pieces in this big universe. Our time on this planet is short and one day our flesh and bones will be returned to this big planet. Breath in and breath out – before you know it…. that is life……you have to make the most of it.

This night is a fresh start and one of those rare opportunities every year you can experience that feeling.

OK now back to the party!!

Penn State Case

Published on December 19, 2011

After reading/hearing about these coachs, assistant coaches, and assorted officials I just have to put my spin on this horrible story. I am a Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and thru the years I have watched these sports figures get by with even murder. Think O.J. here. For some reason the coaches get salaries that are totally over the top. The schools get famous because they have jocks that can kick a ball, or shoot a hoop or whatever the flavor of the day is at that time.

Thru my many years of watching little league baseball, junior football, soccer etc and see how these little boys aspire to be GREAT/FAMOUS like these idiots we read about. The schools offer scholarships to little boys who they think will do good in sports but instead of the little hopefuls having to really study and get good grades they get pushed ahead, helped to cheat on tests, and once they get into college and hurt their knee or something they can barely read and write and are forgotten about. The players(that score a lot) and coaches can do almost anything and not get punished. Everyone will lie for each other to protect the school from negative publicity. Now on to what my story is about.

This is about Mike McQueray. Why isn’t he fired or perhaps put in jail? Its almost aiding and abetting a rapist to just walk away and tell someone a couple days later. In my way of thinking the buck stops with him. If he were a decent human being, a real man, a person who has any conscience when he walked in a locker room 9 years ago and saw a naked Jerry Sandusky holding a naked little boy around the hips up against him he would not have thought for one second who to tell. He would have jumped right onto the back of the rapist/molestor and beat the holy crap out of him. His first concern as a normal human would have been the little boy. No one will ever know what he told or to who, but for sure he really screwed up being a good citizen. Shame, double shame on him, and I do believe in Karma whether he does or not. As for the so called trial, the only winners will be a bunch of lawyers. They will drag this sucker out as long as possible and will focus on whether McQueray said the boy was being raped or molested. What difference did it make? Now is will focus on perjury, if he does not repeat word for word what he told who 9 years ago. Probably be a big mistrial. McQueray seemed to think he told the Athletic Director Tim Curley and then Vice President Gary Schultz his concerns in the 2002 incident and said he told them there severe sexual acts going on and that was all he needed to do. Rapist/child molester Sandusky should have been arrested that day or for sure been booted from the school even for nothing more than naked horseplay(his words) with little boys. If punishment to Sandusky had been sure and swift look at the misery these little boys could have been spared? Think how good the school’s reputation would be? But lying, covering up, making excuses have really brought Pen States reputation down. A so called well loved head football coach Joe Paterno was fired. He should have been fired. They all should, but most of all Mike McQueray who did not act like a good concerned human being that day nine years ago in the locker room. How could he walk away and not challenge the HORSEPLAY between a man and a little boy?

If I were a judge and it were possible to do(which of course it isn’t) I would turn the stinking slimball Sandusky over to the Mothers of the little boys who were raped, with the order to give him the Lorina Bobbitt treatment, one slice at a time. They are still more interested in protecting the schools reputation(it has none to protect anymore). They are questioning if he saw genitals etc, just stupid stupid stuff. I am not into porn but I think during intercourse you would never see anyone’s genitals. They lost the focus completely of what this crime that the school let happen with the top guys all knowing something was very wrong for years. Why is McQueray still working there? LLL

Lawmakers Push to Overhaul Initiative System

Published on December 17, 2011

A group of lawmakers are going to tackle the states popular initiative system. They never have liked the idea that we the people could gather signatures and actually make something happen. They have tried every road block they can come up with to make it hard for us to make our wishes known. They can’t stand Tim Eyman because he has helped make the initiative system so public. They find every thing wrong with an initative we the people get enough signatures for that they want to start a proposed constitutional amendment to require the voters to state where the money will come from to fund what the initiative requires the state to do.

I can’t believe that for once I have to agree with the lawmakers to that extent, but not have them tinker with the system with a constitutional amendment. The voters approved training for long-term-care workers and it will cost money. Everyone including the lawmakers are going to get old or ill eventually and might need someone to care for them and since it’s a life or death situation lots of times, some training certainly is needed and should be paid for by the state. If it were some unnecessary thing we got enough signatures for like a sports stadium, a tunnel, the schools glass palace, a monstrosity of a glass library or more fancy buildings then we should state how we intended to fund them, but its not we the people doing those things it’s our lawmakers. We the taxpayers did not want those things but the lawmakers can dream up expensive crap, and they have a way to fund it. Just add a fee, a tax or whatever they feel like. So far no initiative has done anything like that so leave our process alone., but if we ever did get enough signatures for something stupid like the lawmakers have done we should say how it will be funded.

Just as the other Washington and this Washington are saying they are dead broke. cutting, slashing, cutting school years, laying off Fireman and Police etc today’s Times NWSATURDAY Dec. 17,2011 has this article stating $60M State windfall to boost preschool education. They say it’s a Federal Grant. Without getting into the preschool education needs I am pointing out if the Federal Government is broke how at this point in time can they hand out a Federal Grant of sixty million. There is no Santa Clause working there. They had to take it away from workers in some way and skim off a lot to process the amount they took from us to come up with this huge grant. Makes no sense at all. They have so many pots of money to dip into but still say they are broke. Where is the pot of gold to pay for training long care heath workers? They could find it if they wanted to but will try to screw up signature gathering to challenge the lawmakers.

Seattle Times Fund For The Needy

Published on December 17, 2011

The NWSUNDAY section of Dec 4, 2011 had a full page about how Senior Services will help disabled or elderly remain in their own homes by doing minor repair for them. The article was well written by Carol Ostrom. It all sounds wonderful and up until about two years ago what is written was basically true. I am elderly, live in an old house alone and I used that service. They did minor electrical work, minor plumbing and minor repair. I paid for all material but only had to pay $10.00 an hour for wages. We need help with repairs and can’t pay the price that plumbers and electricians charge.

For the past two years they do NOT return phone calls. The phone says leave a message. No one will ever call back. No one will answer an e mail. No one will answer snail mail. Letters do not come back saying no such address. E mails seem to go to someone because no message says they are undeliverable. I immediately e mailed Times reporter, Carol Ostrom and told her that she should check out whether this place even exists anymore and if it does and service for anyone. She thanked me and said she would check it out. This brings up the point of how much you can believe about where your money will go if you donate. The Times say all money goes to the charities so I am not faulting the Seattle Times, but if they are not checking out the places they are highlighting to tug at your heart strings and encourage you to give then it should not be collecting donations. A while back there was an article about Senior Services not being able to account for a large amount of money. Something is very wrong here. But no one wants to find out what is wrong.

I don’t think anyone should donate to the Seattle Times Fund for the Needy if they wont even check to see if a place they are collecting money for exists. How do we know if the other things they write glossy reports about exist? Don’t send money, find your own place to spend your money, a needy family or pay lay a ways, or pay someone’s rent for a month or whatever makes you feel good but don’t fall for what you read in the papers, it’s not always true.

On TV they are telling about how some people have been going in K Mart and paying off the lay-a-way accounts where people are struggling to make a Christmas for their children. That sounds like a much more sure way to help someone who really needs it. But so many places that sound good use up most of what you donate to rent a building, pay themselves and a bunch of relatives wages and sometimes almost nothing goes to where you thought your money was going. If Senior Services exist, how does a person reach them? Obviously the Seattle Times Reporter is not interested in finding out if what she wrote is true or not. Maybe someone who reads this can find out.

UPDATE (12/21/11):

This is to update the article about Senior Services and the Times fund for the needy. Since I contacted the Times the “communication dam” broke wide open. No one seems to know why they never answered my emails, phone calls and seemed to be out of business. I am really sorry I had to go that route to get their attention and actually thought they did not exist anymore.

Since then I received the following from the manager at Senior Services:

Again, I am so sorry for your troubles and would like to help rectify the situation in any way possible. I want you to know we will come fix your immediate minor home repairs at no cost even if your certification has expired. I can only imagine your frustration and I want to be sure your needs have been met. Please let me know directly what minor repairs you need and I will do whatever I can to be sure they are fixed asap at no cost to you. After these repairs are made, we will go through the regular certification process to determine your eligibility for the next three years. If you have suggestions or would prefer to have one contact for your requests for the future, I am happy to make those accommodations.

I then was contacted by two people who work at senior services to tell me I have a file there and am certified to use their service until October 2012. They contacted me to schedule a date to do my minor repairs. They would have came yesterday but I scheduled for January 12, 2010. I am sure they will do the job and always in the past the people and the workmanship were tops. I paid for material and only $10.00 and hour. It’s a great service for seniors but not if they don’t answer emails or phones. I think that has changed now. They say they changed their website but no one has a clue as to why the last year they were impossible to contact.

Polly The Georgetown Squirrel Discovers Illegal Immigrants

Published on December 16, 2011

You have all read about Polly the Georgetown squirrel by now, if not this is the time to do it. This chapter is meant to be funny and entertaining. Polly is not a Democrat or Republican so just enjoy.

In the beginning: There was a huge hazel nut tree in a yard two houses from the old lady’s house where I moved to. My Great Grandparents, Grandparents and all the siblings lived in that tree. We had a big communal nest. We had all the nuts we could eat, and bury in people’s yard for winter. Life was good. One day a bulldozer came and knocked our tree down. Tore up the yard which was our food storage. Ruined our nest. In other words just ruined our lives as we knew it. Mom and Pop were crying and told us kids there was nothing they could do to help us. Each squirrel was on his own. I had seen this bird feeder in an old lady’s yard a couple houses over and thought that would be nice. There was a huge, beautiful noble fir tree full of cones with nuts in them. I don’t know what to call them because they cant be pine cones and I never heard of noble fir cones. That’s not important anyway. I adopted the old lady and it was not hard to train her to take care of me at all. Life was getting better.

The old lady bought a squirrel sign and would put food on it by her back door. One day she put a whole bag of peanuts on it and I thought it was just for me. She meant It to be for my mom and dad or any homeless squirrels. But only squirrels. I started eating and just passed out in the bag. She pulled me out and said, “what do you have to say for yourself?. I didn’t know I had done anything wrong and said,” I cant believe I ate the whole thing”. Life was good.

I had been working full time planting sunflowers and had her yard all planted when she sent me to her rental property to work. It was a long walk, and I had to carry the seed in my mouth. I worked and worked and not a thing came up. The old lady said I was getting lazy and just eating the seed and she might just quit feeding me. I was so sad. She gave me one more chance and lo and behold I discovered the problem. That yard was full of the ugliest little white faced critters and they were digging up the seed I planted. They were tiny and I was not afraid so I said, “hi I am Polly the Squirrel, who are you?” They said we are Anchor Babies. I had never heard of an animal by that name. I told them to quit digging up my seed but they said it was my job to take care of them and furnish them with food they needed. I said well “dream on” because I am not coming over here any more at all. I think they were illegal immigrants. I told the old lady and she loved me up and said she was sorry and just eat on the back porch. She did not send back to the rental property. Life was good again.

I'm a Anchor Baby... Just trying to help

When I adopted the old lady she had two resident cats which came with the adoption package so not only did I have to train her, I had to train the cats. I don’t hate other animals but we should not hurt each other and we should pull our own weight. One cat was named Frosty(white) the other was Talulu (Tortoise color). She told me they had to get along with me and I could not eat their food, yuck cat food. They hate seeds and nuts, so we got along fine. You can see in the pictures that I eat with each of the cats, and Talulu will guard me while I nap. I know some cats kill squirrels but not these two nice cats. Frosty would kill a bird and bring it as a gift to the old lady, and that was not nice at all, but cats do that. Life was good.

Talulu takes care of me. Mom says...NO eating me Talulu!

One day a black squirrel showed up. My gosh he was different. I thought he was really bossy but the girls loved him. We called him Blacky. He said he was a community organizer and that we should share our wealth. I was about ready to challenge him to a duel when he said, “I have brought a lot of acorns”. Man I like acorns. The old lady had some once and they were soooooo good. We welcomed Blacky with open arms and all of a sudden those anchor babies were in my seed pan and on the railing and had taken over my scratching post. Still not an acorn had been brought to us squirrels. One day the Mom of the anchor babies showed up at my special spot and said she had been appointed as peace keeper and that she had a lot of acorns, so we fell for that line from Blacky. All hell broke loose on the back porch. I discovered a huge illegal immigrant napping on the corner of my deck but am afraid to introduce myself to him. Look at MY beautiful noble fir there is an illegal immigrant in it too. Nice cones are all gone. Life stinks for sure.

I'm Blacky and I brought a lot of acorns. — Blacky the community organizer

This place is RADICAL!! Free food and housing... We're staying forever.

Hey I am visiting also can I get some food? I will just be chilling here ok

While I'm here I am going to take these cones also

Seattle’s Corson Avenue War Zone – PT. 2

Published on December 16, 2011

This is a follow-up post we created when Georgetown’s Corson Ave was shut down for several months while they made it “more safe”. The Georgetown Corson Ave post had some initial photos we took. We have several more now available. This has to be one of the worst road jobs I have ever seen. They didn’t even pave the road! Now it just has a bunch of patches all over the place.

520 Bridge Toll Is Here

Published on December 9, 2011

Hope you’re ready to pay the man more because the 520 bridge toll will be starting on the 29th of December. Just another example of “thinking stuff up” to generate more revenue for the state and it’s financial troubles instead of actually fixing the root of the problem – spending. It’s been discussed on this site over and over again from different angles but it’s the norm when it comes to financial troubles. It’s just an easy fix and sell to the public I guess. I honestly believe most people are sheep and follow the crowd anyway and that is how most of this stuff is passed. With some TV ads and the use of scarcity the crowd falls for it.

If you commute and use the 520 bridge regularly like going to work daily you can expect to pay around $1,600 per year. I wouldn’t call that pocket change. It’s about $160 a month.

I guess toll are one of the new avenues for generating more money. It’s not enough that we pay for the roads with our taxes and almost 50% of your car gas is taxed. Parking in Seattle will cost you $8 dollars an hour! I predict we’ll see a lot more down the road and maybe even the viaduct when that project is completed. That would be an easy approval for the Seattle council members. Add in the HOV lane fees they are collecting now. If you’re not connected with the Good To Go program (to debit your account automatically), even more fees are applied. It’s all just crazy.

The 520 bridge toll is a slap in the face to so many people. We’ve talked about the financial planning at the Washington Department of Transportation and have proven that they can’t manage a dollar. They are worse than the USPS. This will only put more money in their pockets and even less on the roads. 1,000,000 dollars a week in fact.

What I find even more sleazy about the 520 bridge toll is that the state received a federal grant. It was a $123,000,000 million dollar ~~payday~~ grant that pays for helping subsidizing buses, toll equipment and other expenses related to the new toll. Public transport, van pools, are already except vehicles etc they don’t have to pay the toll anyway (or tabs) so really it’s just a incentive to start a new toll! Gosh $123 million dollar paycheck is a sleazy incentive to start a toll don’t you think?

Here is a good question, living in Seattle, why would anyone want to go the east side to do any shopping anymore? The reality is businesses and local sales will only decrease hurting the situation even more. If you’re from Seattle or the east side and want to shop – it’s going to cost you an extra $7 dollars. It’s almost not even worth leaving the house anymore. You can get a better deal online, pay no sales tax on it, and get free shipping.

Polly the Georgetown Squirrel

Published on November 23, 2011

Hello, my name is Polly. No I am not an alcoholic. I am addicted to people. I had been stealing sunflower seeds from a bird feeder in the front yard of a big white house in Georgetown. I had to walk along a cyclone fence rail, jump in a tree, then jump to the feeder. I had hurt my foot and was having trouble with all of that so I decided to go to the back door and see if perhaps she kept her seed where I could steal a few easier, without all the jumping and climbing. Well wouldn’t you just know my luck, there sitting on the back steps was this old lady. I had not planned on that and I was halfway up the steps. She just sat there looking at me. I thought at least she would scream and get up and go in her house but she didn’t seem afraid of me at all. Most people think of squirrels as ugly rats with bushy tails. I was pretty sure I could out run her if I had to so I just kept going up the back steps slowly waiting for her to go in her house, but she just sat there and said, “well along comes Polly”. She put her hand out palm up and kept talking to me. She told me what a nice squirrel I was and how pretty I was. I was in total shock. Nothing like that had ever happened to me. I got closer and closer and smelled her hand. She did not try to swat me or grab me. She got up slowly and kept looking back so I followed along. I was in a sort of trance. She went in her back door and came out with a handful of peanuts. She sat down again and kept talking and coaxing to walk up her stretched out leg and get a nut. I was so hungry and I just sat there and ate. She finally made me climb into her lap to get a nut. I got full and slowly went home.

The next day I still thought it had to have been a dream but decided to try it again. I went to her back door and when she saw me out she came with a dish of sunflower seeds and peanuts. This time she put her hand on my back. I was ready to protect myself but when she scratched between my shoulders it felt soooooooo good. Well after a week or so of this she got down on her hands and knees one day to get eye level with me and explained that if I was going to be a roommate I had to start to work for my food.

If you're going to stay around here Polly, you're going to have to work.

She had a dishpan of dirt and was potting little plants. I kept getting in the pan to try to help but she gave me a pan of dirt of my own and I began to raise my own sunflowers. I would eat some seed, and plant some seed.

I'm working planting seeds (and eating some). It was a lot of work.

Gosh more work for this lady. I better get some food soon.

Time went on and I was really happy. It was getting close to Christmas and I had worked so hard I thought I deserved a” Squirrels night out”. That’s the night I met Big Red. I told him where I got my food and took him home with me for the night and to the old lady’s house for breakfast. She gladly fed us both, but Big Red was not going for any petting and for sure not any work. I had to drive a sleigh in a Christmas scene but Big Red would not do it. He didn’t do things fun with me anymore but showed up for breakfast. He was just a gigolo. He even had the nerve to bring along a few friends but all got fed.

Riding the sled with Big Red. He didn't really want to play or have fun.

Eating after a big night out. This old lady takes care of me and Big Red she is so nice.

I was not feeling so chipper anymore but kept up with my job. I knew I was pregnant so I began to build a nest up above the old lady’s back porch. She had good stuff to make a nest with, like pretty plastic tale cloths with soft backing. I ripped those things to shreds.

Oh no!! I'm preggo and need to get my nest started. This will work!

I had twins and kept it a secret but when they started to leave their nest I knew she would soon find out, so I waited til one day she was sitting on her stairs again and I told the twins it’s time to see the nice lady who feeds us. I had to help them up the stairs and she sat still and I picked them up and put them in her lap. Love at first sight for everyone. She talked to the babies just like she did me so my worries were over. I had taught my babies how to get their own food. I didn’t have to teach them to climb a tree or anything. But I did have to stand guard and teach the cat that we were the boss. I sat on the railing watching and would tell the babies what to do. I use the cats scratching post for my high rise and look out.

I have something to tell you lady. These are my babies.

Yummy Mom taught us well....the food just comes to us.

Look how little I am I can fit in this pot.

Six years have gone by and I have twins a couple times a year. I am the only one that has a full time job but the whole gang of us are waiting every morning for our big pan of goodies. the other squirrels climb her leg and help themselves to nuts and let her pet them, but I am her favorite. Life is good for this Georgetown Squirrel. She brushes me with the cats brush. She makes sure I get to observe every holiday and pose with the decorations. I am a really lucky squirrel but she is a mighty lucky lady to have such a nice pet. This is a win win deal. It shows that people, squirrels, and cats can live in harmony if they try.