So Tony Hayward finally gets his life back!
The buzz at the donut hole revolved around the ouster of BP's CEO, Tony Hayward. He is finally being removed from overseeing the Gulf oilspill clean-up and is being sent to Siberia. Is that still the terrifying wasteland where political dissentients were sent? What took the company so long to actually remove Mr. Hayward? He doesn't actually step-down from BP until October to allow for a smooth transition, and he is getting a huge golden parachute, but still, under his leadership, the company has suffered a horrible public image. Not that it isn't deserved. After all, the Gulf of Mexico has suffered a severe ecological disaster.
Although oil may not be visible on many of the Gulf Coast beaches, ultraviolet light shows its presence. The water has a different feel to it as well. Where small fish were abundantly found near the shore, there are fewer and fewer of this this summer.
When will those living along the Gulf and making a living along the Gulf get their lives back?
Have you ever engaged in a private conversation in a public place? Have you ever listened to one? It happens all the time! What is said in a public place reveals a lot about ourselves.
Thursday 29 July 2010
Wednesday 28 July 2010
The Dancing Iguana
Do people speaking on their mobile phones in public realize that they are in public, or are they trying to impress those around them by their ignorance?
A woman, obviously a tourist, was speaking very loudly on her phone, bragging about how she had seen tar balls on the beach in Pensacola, Florida. She lamented the fact that the tar balls were only 1-2 inches in diameter and wondered why everyone was so up in arms about their appearance on the beaches. She noted that the beaches were quite deserted, with only clean-up crews around to pick up these "little balls of tar."
Does she not understand the consequences of the presence of these "tiny" tar balls on some of the most beautiful beaches of the Gulf Coast? Does she not realized that the BP oil spill, the cause of these tar balls has caused irreparable damage to the entire Gulf of Mexico? That the fishing and shrimp industry has been damaged, that the migratory birds have had their habitats destroyed?
The tar balls on the beaches are serious, not something that tourists should be gloating over.
A woman, obviously a tourist, was speaking very loudly on her phone, bragging about how she had seen tar balls on the beach in Pensacola, Florida. She lamented the fact that the tar balls were only 1-2 inches in diameter and wondered why everyone was so up in arms about their appearance on the beaches. She noted that the beaches were quite deserted, with only clean-up crews around to pick up these "little balls of tar."
Does she not understand the consequences of the presence of these "tiny" tar balls on some of the most beautiful beaches of the Gulf Coast? Does she not realized that the BP oil spill, the cause of these tar balls has caused irreparable damage to the entire Gulf of Mexico? That the fishing and shrimp industry has been damaged, that the migratory birds have had their habitats destroyed?
The tar balls on the beaches are serious, not something that tourists should be gloating over.
Tuesday 20 July 2010
Whippany (New Jersey) Diner
Who is Fat Allen?
The young girls sitting in the booth next to us were wondering who this "Fat Allen" person was. They kept hearing this name on the news, but couldn't figure out who he was. Apparently, they weren't listening to the full news stories to realize that the "Fat Allen" in question is actually "Thad Allen", the retired Coast Guard Commander who is the Government's pointman on the Gulf oil spill clean-up.
The young girls sitting in the booth next to us were wondering who this "Fat Allen" person was. They kept hearing this name on the news, but couldn't figure out who he was. Apparently, they weren't listening to the full news stories to realize that the "Fat Allen" in question is actually "Thad Allen", the retired Coast Guard Commander who is the Government's pointman on the Gulf oil spill clean-up.
Tuesday 6 July 2010
Canal Place Theater, New Orleans
We hadn't been to the Canal Place movie theater since before Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. We recently decided to go to the theater so see a movie. The first clue that something was different about the theater was that before we paid for our tickets, we were shown a seating chart and were asked to select our seats. We were then escorted into the theater and into our seats.
The theater has been completely renovated post-Katrina. The movie experience here is now a "dinner" theater. We were seated in large, comfortable seats, with a small swing arm that could serve as a table. The usher handed us a menu and a napkin wrapped around flatware. The menu offered, in addition to standard movie fare of popcorn and candy, other such items as sandwiches, pizzas, and pastas. Beverages included wines and mixed drinks as well as sodas. Of course, this is New Orleans. No self-respecting restaurant would consider not serving alcohol!
While the movie was forgettable (Solitary Man), the experience at the theater was a treat.
The theater has been completely renovated post-Katrina. The movie experience here is now a "dinner" theater. We were seated in large, comfortable seats, with a small swing arm that could serve as a table. The usher handed us a menu and a napkin wrapped around flatware. The menu offered, in addition to standard movie fare of popcorn and candy, other such items as sandwiches, pizzas, and pastas. Beverages included wines and mixed drinks as well as sodas. Of course, this is New Orleans. No self-respecting restaurant would consider not serving alcohol!
While the movie was forgettable (Solitary Man), the experience at the theater was a treat.
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