Polled for the First Time Ever
Earlier this week while expecting a phone call from overseas, I answered the telephone despite the “Unavailable” notice on my Caller ID box, something I normally don’t do. It wasn’t the call I was anticipating, but instead an automated mayoral political poll sponsored by Philadelphia’s WCAU-TV (Channel 10, NBC).
WCAU revealed the results of that poll today:
According to the poll of 619 registered voters, if the [Philadelphia mayoral] election were held today [Ed.: Actually, the day on which participants were solicited for their opinions.], 55 percent said they would vote for [incumbent Mayor John F.] Street (D) and 41 percent said they would vote for [challenger Sam] Katz (R). [Ed.: Margin of error: +/- 4 percent.]
So I was one of those 619 people. Kind of cool. Or not. Okay, probably not. Anyway, it was the first time I participated in a genuine public opinion poll, and I thought it was neat.
As previously noted here, I’m planning to vote for Mayor Street, but I’ll say one thing for Katz: I like the way he just happens always to be on the other side of town when President George W. Bush comes to Philly trolling for votes, something he’s been doing quite often, by the way.
(I know, I know, I’m not supposed to be blogging. Back to the job search, my friends.)
The Race for Mayor: Philadelphia
Time doesn’t permit my going into detail on this matter, but for what it’s worth, The Rittenhouse Review and TRR endorse incumbent Mayor John F. Street (D) for reelection as mayor of Philadelphia.
Light Blogging Ahead
Strange, isn’t it, and annoying too, how real life and all of its demands can get in the way of the fun stuff?
Like spending time with your family and friends, pursuing a hobby or craft, taking a vacation, or stowing away funds to buy something special for yourself or someone you care about.
Unfortunately, real life can get in the way of blogging too.
In the coming weeks there will be fewer posts than usual at both of my blogs, Rittenhouse and TRR: The Lighter Side of Rittenhouse, as, well, real life is suddenly in the way.
Real life in the sense of finding a new job (and possibly a new place to live), selling various and sundry items on eBay to raise some much-needed cash, and paying more attention to a few health-related issues I have been neglecting.
I hope to find time to post now and again, but frankly I don’t know what the next several weeks will bring. Please come back once in a while and see if there’s anything new.
This isn’t the end of Rittenhouse, a statement I think will please the site’s many loyal readers -- for whose support, encouragement, and kind words I once again extend my thanks and appreciation -- and also a statement that I assume will engender at least a little grumbling among my persistent critics. Both reactions are, I think, part and parcel of a blogger’s life.
In the meantime, the shopping and recommended-book links to Amazon.com from Rittenhouse will remain open for business and donations can continue to be made through PayPal through the link on the sidebar at right.
See you soon.
Perhaps one day someone will explain to me why I would want, let alone need, a camera embedded in my cell phone. Until then, I think I’ll manage.
Today’s quote of the day, and yes, I realize TRR doesn’t publish one every day -- hell, this may even be TRR’s first quote of the day, I don’t know -- goes to Lower Merion (Pa.) Police Sgt. of Detectives John Stillwagon, commenting on a robbery at the Wynnewood, Pa., Whole Foods Market:
I love Luke.
Don’t worry. This is a story appropriate for the entire family.
Luke is one of my nephews. He’s six years old and known within his extended family as, among things, “Shower Man.” Luke is already over the whole taking baths thing. Luke is a “shower man.”
Okay, so this week Luke went to religious instruction for the first time. His class is held on Tuesdays after school.
After the first class, Luke’s mother, my sister-in-law Janet, was quick to remind him that he would have to attend CCD class each and every Tuesday afternoon.
No problem.
That’s cool by Luke.
“Then I won’t have to go to church on my day off since I already went,” Luke responded.
Wait a minute . . . Since when do six-year-olds have days off? And since when do they decide when and whether they attend Sunday mass?
Earlier today I was walking through the Gallery at Market East in Center City Philadelphia and ducked into Kmart to pick up some things for the world’s greatest English bulldog, Mildred.
I feel really good when I do this, at least as far as my wallet is concerned. Mildred’s dietetic dog biscuits (Shhhhhh! She’s very sensitive.) go for $2.98 a box at Kmart compared with $9.98 at the nearest pet supplies store. Such a deal! And a great price on the jumbo pack of T-Bonz, too.
Pleased as I was to load up on discount-priced treats for the rarely grateful or appreciative Mildred, I was dismayed to see Kmart employees hard at work . . . installing Christmas displays!
It’s only October 2 fer cryin’ out loud!
Did you know, and I’m betting you didn’t, that you can use a shower cap pilfered from a hotel room in your kitchen on a everyday basis?
I didn’t either!
But Heloise, she of “Hints From Heloise” fame, did, or at least does now, thanks to one of her readers, Missy Rubin of Alexandria, Va.
Miss Rubin writes (to Heloise, not to me):
What to do with all those shower caps you collect at hotels? You can use them instead of plastic wrap or foil to cover food, and it’s so much easier. Also, you can wrap your shoes in them when packing for a trip.
I can say honestly that I never would have thought of either use for a hotel shower cap. I also can say honestly that I’ve never checked out of a hotel with a shower cap in my possession. So little did I know.
If TRR readers have any other suggestions for how to use a hotel shower cap, aside, that is, from using a hotel shower cap as a home shower cap, do take the time to write me a letter (okay, an e-mail) so I may share your wisdom and creativity with other readers.
I’ve been trying to brush up on my German lately by, among other things, listening regularly to programming distributed over the web by Deutsche Welle.
If you can understand some German, or even have had just a little exposure to the language, I highly recommend dropping by over there. You’ll hear the hochest of hoch Deutsch, as the broadcasts are read by Germans with voices possessing incomparable clarity, tone, and inflection. It’s almost creepy how good they are.
The best place to start, I think, is at the “audio on demand” page.
Oh, and if you’re for in the mood for an “old Europe” view of the world, you can also listen to and read Deutsche Welle’s programming in English and 29 other languages.
My only question: What’s that annoying music-box like tune playing in the background?
A Janitor Sings Judy
Okay, this is kind of weird. Right now, in the courtyard, one of the building’s maintenance men is singing an old Judy Garland song. Quite loudly, too.
“Clang, clang, clang went the trolley. Ding, ding, ding went the bell. . . .”
Just thought you’d like to know.