The Lexus and the Olive Tree

I read the above titled book several years ago and was very impressed with the concept that promotes globizations and international trade and though I have a degree in economics and understand international trade benefits, I have found myself longing to stay community based, consumer local products and American produced goods. The best SUV is the Range Rover, it's gorgeous and masculine, but I think I'd rather drive a Cadillac Escalade - it's American. Italian shoes, nope, Prada, nope! Nike, American but made in Korea...how about Converse instead. Whether it's watches, coats, cars, electronics, whatever, we should be able to find locally produced products. Most of the benefits argued in international economics really haven't been passed on to the consumers. Hey, a pair of Nike's cost about $5 to produce, but sell for $140, and we see this over and over, though the academics argue the savings to society, really we're talking about the profits to huge corporations and their investors, and particularly the managers who draw huge salaries. I have grown to care less about global politics, these large ideology arguments, and care more about what is happening in my household, or community, the neighborhoods, and city where I live and commute. Somewhere, somehow, the interests of multi-nationals have supplanted my community interests.

Where is my Boo

My youngest daughter, my Boo, turns 17 years old in February, and I only recently had to face the truth, my Boo, the daddy's baby, has grown up and now won't fit into my image of "My Boo..." Perhaps, it's her voice, the tone of a young woman who answers my phone call and says, "Hey, I'm in the middle of homework now and can't talk," It was a flash, a minute ago that it happened, when you know your Boo is gone. Daddies Boo, always loved to hear her daddies voice, who loved his calls no matter...well, this week I had to say Farewell to my Boo. Instead, it's Hi, Nia Anne Perry, the duaghter who has grown into a young woman............

Macio at 50

I turned 50 years old recently, and I'm fairly optimistic about my future years, as I anticipate many more to come. I'm healthy, fairly fit, and just a few months ago ended a lifetime of smoking cigarettes. I'm single but searching to find that female association that fullfills my life. I'm also broke, or without any assets, but earn a good living. My financial woes are principally the consequence of an aggressive and overburdened child support assessment years ago, that continues to deplete my resources. One daughter now 18 y.o. and another 16 1/2, and a huge arrears to follow. Yes, I probably hold some contempt for my x, and a whole lot of contempt for a family law system, so biased to effectively destroy and limit another persons life.