Saturday morning--October 23 already??

Hello readers!

It's after 9 am here in Nashville on a Saturday morning. So that means German music fills the air here at 1224A. Deutscheland Echo radio program on WNWI from Chicago over the internet. http://www.birach.com/wnwi.html

Well, I think I am settling in to my new responsibilities at the office. The initial rush was a shock, and especially when there is no one to take over the duties I currently had. So I am really stuck with two jobs. I look forward to working more with Kim, Tom, Leah, Hanan and Greg. I think we'll be a good team!! Keep tuned in for stories---it may be interesting.

Hold on while I get a becher auf kaffee.

That's gute!

Was reacquainted with a long lost friend last night. So glad to be back in touch Scottie. And so glad you are doing well. Sorry to have kept you on-line so long...hope you made it to work ok this morning!!

Got a great e-mail from cousin Lindsay in England yesterday. I had told you earlier about finding the entries for the burial of my great-great-great-grandfather, Thomas Bell, and the baptism of William Bell his youngest son. I sent the certificate numbers to Lindsay since she is a great help in ordering them. She received them yesterday and found Thomas died October 10 1840 in Radcliffe Terrace, south af Amble in Northumberland, from a leg amputation. William was born March 31, 1841 to a husband-less Susan, and was a twin. Have no record of the other baby in the baptisms, so we must assume it died soon after birth. Lindsay is so right when she said "what a tough life poor Thomas and Susan must have endured". She is so right...that type of life couldn't be lived--mainly ENDURED.

Well, election day is creeping up. Everyone decided who to vote for yet? I went and early voted on Tuesday. I voted my conscience and pushed the Republican button. I looked at my check stub from last month and one from October 2000. My Fed Tax Withheld was sizably less on last months stub than the October 2000 one, eventhough my gross pay was close to 12% more. So I got more money as gross pay and paid less tax on the higher amount. To me that is good. I am better off than 4 years ago. I feel safe here. I fly, I drive, I go into crowds. Bush is doing a good job on homeland security. Regarding Iraq, I don't like our troops being there, but did anybody like our troops being in Europe of the Pacific in World War II? Hussein was a thug, a thug poses terror no matter who it is directed against. Regarding comments that Iraq never attacked America...I beg to differ! American forces patrolling the no-fly zones in American planes under the UN banner constantly came under attack in Iraq over the years since the Gulf War. That was part of the cease fire Hussein signed and then broke. This is not a new war but the completin of the UN and coalition sanction Gulf War in 1991. WE HAD TO SEE IT THROUGH. The problem I have is the spending has gone out of whack. I know it is war time...so that explains some of it. But Congress needs to realize there is a finite amount of money! I am not thrilled with Congressional leadership and would like to see a change in the Republican hierarchy there. So Vote vote vote. Like we said in Chicago--vote early and vote often!!

OK, so the Fall Classic is set to begin tonight--Boston vs. St. Louis. If you know me well enough, you know where my fancy lies. ST. LOUIS! I love the city and want them to really blast Boston. I say St. Louis in 6 games.

Looks like the NHL (National Hockey League) is going nowhere fast. A large number of players have go to Europe and are playing in the European leagues. Some are playing in the developmental AHL (American Hockey League). When are they going to get off their high horses and realize that they are losing their fan base....just like baseball did a few years back. Hockey wasn't that strong to begin with and this is only hurting.

Well, that's about it from here. Thank you all for reading and sending me great comments and support. Click on the WNWI link and try some German music! I want to go back to Chicago for a few days and am making a list of the restaurants!!

Mark