Turkey Time- POEM

 

Gobble -Gobble,

it's time for turkey,

Thanksgiving is here,

The floats

The parades,

everything that comes with it,

What's on your table?

Of course, turkey,

but what else,

is on that table,

Ham,

Mashed Potatoes,

pies

Everyone has their own celebration,

others don't celebrate,

while I do,

with my family,

that I love,

it doesn't mean,

I won't think about food

Some people talk,

about what they will do,

in the new year to come,

while others,

talk stuff,

people don't want to talk about,

Don't forget the football,

no matter what team plays,

every house,

will have it on,

besides the parades,

football is number two,

in our household

Turkeys,

are always needed,

on the Thanksgiving,

table,

as well as the stuffing and sides,

and the pies,

for dessert

Whatever you have,

whatever you do,

whoever you see,

remember,

what Thanksgiving,

is really about,

and don't forget the Turkey

HAPPY THANKSGIVNG

Notting Hill 25 years later

 

   It has been 25 years since certain movies came out. Notting Hill was one of them. Staring both Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant (they're ok) this movie takes place in England at a Traveling Book Store where Hugh Grant's character, William Thacker works at. Julia Roberts portrays Anne who is an American actress who is a big-time movie star.

   They would soon enter into a love connection that will change both their lives.

   Notting Hill is an actual place in West London where the movie takes place. Hugh Grant's character Will has a flat mate who is.... somewhat of a dimwit and not as helpful when it comes to answering phone calls. But he does give out ok advice.

  Will suddenly meets Anne who enters his bookstore and wanders around looking for something to read. They start to talk and make somewhat of a connection. He even invites her on a date realizing it's also his sister's birthday.

  She comes along as his plus one. Everyone he knows from his friends to his sister all can't believe he is with Anna Scott. 

  There are pretty good actors in the movie that play a supporting role. Rhys Ifans is his flat mate, and I don't think I've seen him in anything except that Adam Sandler movie Little Nicky that flopped. Another British actor I'm aware of play's will's friend Bernie. Hugh Bonneville portrays the character, and I have seen him before in other movies like Paddington and the Downtown Abbey series. 

  Sadly, the actress that portrayed the sister, Emma Chambers, passed away a few years ago.

 This movie is one of the top Romantic comedies back in the late 1990's. Julia Roberts was everywhere. Even if I wasn't a huge fan of her, I did enjoy her in this movie especially. About an American actress finding love with Hugh's character who runs a travel book shop. 

   There's a famous quote in the movie that sums up near the end.

 It's from Julia's character Anna that says, "I'm also just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her."

   What does she do? Rejects her offer. Why? Well, she also had some skeletons in her closet when it came to some racy photographs popping up and apparently, Will's flat mate told everyone.

  25 years later, I still love this movie. Remembering most of the lines to the scenes of a few men judging Anna's performance. Will comes to the rescue, although has to be saved when Anna decides to one up the men that mocked her.

  Solid burn. Near the end, he comes to realize he absolutely loves her.

   Before leaving for America, Hugh's character pours his heart out to her saying what a complete dodo he was and that he felt that she is the right person for him. During a press conference, a journalist asks her how long she would be staying in London.

  She asks him to repeat the question after Will's speech repeating with the answer, "indefinitely."

 25 years later, this movie is still being remembered for the romance, the drama and the comedy it brings us. Knowing that both actors are still doing ok, Hugh's still acting; not sure about Julia, this movie is still one of the best in the top 10 of romantic comedies. It also gave us a song by Elvis Costello, "SHE"

Shrinkflation getting worse

 

    Have you notice something strange happening to your food or your laundry detergent, or anything else that you've been buying lately at a supermarket? Have prices been getting...higher and the size of a Pringle or a Dorito is.... smaller?  Well, I think the reason we have seen drastic changes in prices as well as what we purchase....is because of Shrinkflation.

   When did this start....and how? Well, when I was young back in the 90's a lot of things were considered less frugal. Cheap if you want to say. But since the mid to late 2000's, prices started to change and the product of a graham cracker or a soda drink started to show a change as well.

  And it's not just food. It can be the size of a tissue box or even gum. Yes...even gum is feeling the shrinking. And as the years gone by, it starts to get worse. With certain companies changing the flavor of chocolate or increasing sales while shrinking their product to save money. It's everywhere and I don't think it's gonna stop anytime soon.

  What is causing all this to happen? Could be the lack of material used to make not only the product the container itself. Have you noticed certain foods have changed? I hate Toblerone, but I know they have changed their bars recently. Breyers ice cream has felt the pain as well. Changing the name 'Ice Cream' to 'Frozen Dairy Dessert' Is it because of Shrinkflation? Or is it a change in certain flavoring of a certain ice cream?

    There are many ways to avoid Shrinkflation when at a supermarket. Going to those huge chain stores like Sam's Club or Costco and buy in bulk. Some others suggest it's best to go organic since some of their certain foods have avoided the shrinkflation. Others think just to ditch the brands. Instead of getting Cheerios, getting an organic brand of cold oat cereal would be best. But I don't think many people are going to be doing that.

  No matter if you buy your brand or in bulk, the prices are still going to skyrocket. Some people complain that it isn't fair. Sadly, life isn't, but we can always find ways to better our life to save money as well as not worry about the Shrinkflation.

 Shrinkflation will never stop. Many governors have tried for corporations to put an end to it with no avail. Even now around mid 2020's, it seems prices are getting higher, and products are getting smaller. A never-ending cycle with companies trying to save money by using cheap fillers or chocolates in their products. Even Hershey is guilty of doing this by using different chocolates to make their bars taste not only disgusting, but smaller.

   It's hard to save money in desperate times. We all need to food to live as well as many other amenities. Knowing it will be a long time before things are back to normal (God knowing if it ever will be). All we have to do is try to survive in a world that isn't fair but know one day things will get back to normal and Shrinkflation will end. We just have to dream that it will one day happen.

I miss you, Grandpa- POEM

 

A man,

I wish I knew,

today,

would be 111,

and I still miss him today

My grandfather,

a man I would look up to,

yet vaguely,

remember him

and yet,

I still feel,

he's with me,

and I remember,

small things,

that made me smile

remembering,

how much,

I love chocolate,

and how,

he introduced me,

to it,

before I was one

Wishing I knew,

more about him,

as I get older,

losing him,

at a young age,

of only eight

Seeing him,

once a year,

on Memorial Day,

when I go upstate,

to say hello

You ate still watching over me,

as I try to remember you,

and yet,

I wish I knew you more,

I still love you,

and I know,

you're looking down on me right now,

and smiling,

Happy birthday, Grandpa

Presidents: Good and Evil

 

  A new president has been elected to run for the next four years. History has been made...but not for anything good. He's the first president that is considered a criminal. Yes, once again.... Donald Trump (f***ing hate him) is going to be the next president.

    

  It's got me thinking, even though the worst President (in my opinion) is running for office, I wondered, what other presidents are considered bad. Not Trump bad but wasn't considered the best when serving their country. 

Herbert Hoover- Running in 1929 to 1933, it was during the great depression. Herbert Hoover, now named for a vacuum, delt with fuel trade as well as making America bet better through the great depression. Not knowing much about him, he did his best but wasn't considered a likable president.

 Milliard Filmore- Running from 1850 to 1853, it was during when Slavery was strong in the South. He didn't do much to help but make it worse. He even became a joke on Seinfeld being the 8th president, and not considered a president that was well liked. 

 James Buchanan- Running from 1857 to 1861, Buchanan was around the slavery era, and he did nothing but make it worse by making certain Southern states become a Confederacy. It would take a few years before slavery would end. But he didn't make anything better.

DISHONORABLE MENTION: 

 Richard M. Nixon- Was considered one of the worst presidents before Trump arrived, Nixon had been considered a felon as well. However, he eventually admitted it after the Watergate Scandal and decided to leave in disgrace. However, he didn't make America any better, but he isn't the worst anymore

LIKEABLE PRESIDENTS to THE BEST:

George W. Bush- Running from 2001 to 2007, He was an ok president, not the best. But he got us through hard times during 9/11 trying to protect everyone from our safety from terrorist. He also did some things that didn't make people happy. However, he was ok.

Bill Clinton- Running from 1993 to 2001, Clinton will always be the first president in my memory. Why, because he was considered a pretty positive president. Even when there were accusations on his cheating, somehow, he eventually comes out strong. He even plays the Saxaphone

John F. Kennedy- Running from 1961 to 1963, this was one president that should have lived to see his dreams come true. He even got people's hopes and dreams to happen. Having people believe we can walk on the moon one day. Sadly, his life was cut short in a cruel act of gun violence. He was considered one of the best presidents to even live.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: 

Jimmy Carter- Running from 1977 to 1981, I don't know much about his Presidential run, but I know about what he had done afterwards, and still does today with the help of his grandchildren. Running Habitats for Humanity and building homes for people. He is also the longest living president and still alive at the age of 100. Although his dream of a female president didn't come true, he still has made history.

Barack Obama- Running from 2009 to 2017, History was made with having the first African American president, but one of the best. He and his wife, Michelle, made this county what it could with making healthier food choices to stop childhood obesity for making the Obamacare act. He also was the first president that I voted for, and I was glad that I made history happen. (well not just me)

BEST PRESIDENT:

 

Abraham Lincoln- Running from 1861 to 1865, Abraham became a part of history after abolishing slavery, eventually ending the Civil war from the North and South of America. He's done a lot and has been portrayed by many actors. Just like all the presidents have. Sadly, after slavery ended, he was assassinated by John Wilks Booth. Not only was he the tallest president, but one of America's best.

 Many of these presidents, almost all of them, have made history. Some of it for the good, while others...not. Even though we will have a repeat of what happened from 2017 to 2021, I pray it won't get worse, and soon...after him, we will make history again. Having the first female president of the United States.

   If so.... I know who it will be. 

Christmas....all over....again

 

Halloween is gone,

the holidays are,

fighting,

as Tom Turkey,

waits patiently for,

his arrival

Yet another holiday emerges,

stronger,

then the one,

that's coming,

it's Christmas,

all over,

again

Both holidays,

celebrate,

family,

tradition,

and much more,

why can't Thanksgiving,

have a time of its own

Two holidays,

merging into one,

can't we have,

a moment,

to breathe,

Thanksmas,

a new tradition

or merging two holidays,

together

This year,

the bird,

will be late,

to the table,

as Christmas music,

is starting to play,

in the background

It doesn't matter,

what week in November,

it is,

it will play,

and make your ears bleed

And don't forget,

Black Friday deals,

used to be after you ate,

the Turkey dinner,

now,

it's earlier,

and earlier,

and earlier

Every year,

it gets earlier,

as we get the Christmas candy,

next to Halloween candy,

stations start playing 

Christmas music,

after Halloween ends

Brace yourselves,

it's Christmas,

all over,

again,

and we can't,

stop it,

so,

let's get ready,

this year,

is almost over