Sopranos: when the hell are you coming back to TV? Is this a mob thing? Repeats and delays like crazy... see below.

Growing up, Gotti (A&E, Mon nights, 9 - 10pm est)
I am so tired of listening to Victoria Gotti go on about her 'boys'. When this show first started, I totally wanted to see what these Gotti's and her family were like, sure I was curious. Now, after watching repeats after repeats, I am not liking it anymore. Especially the commentary by Victoria, how she goes on about nothing, her voice is just so bland. Does she still work at Star Magazine? I haven't seen her writing in the mag's - not that I read the thing, just for the pix, I like to see what everyone's wearing. So, Vic tends to wear White or Black. Apparently she has extensions, which is disappointing cause I liked her hair. I love her Louis bag, and am considering getting something like that . I am glad they introduced 'Robert' into the show - he's quite funny, along with Luigi aka the 'Count' Luigi de Marco from Rome. sure, whatever. I think there is supposed to be one more season, and now she is moving from her mansion because she's lacking in privacy. Geez, what did you expect?! I am intrigued by the whole mafiosa thing, however, this show is too kookie to even try to associate them with the Mob, which may be their intent, but I don't really think that this family is close to normal. Her sons annoy the hell out of me, but they are young. okay. bring on some more.

more reality stuff: Intervention (A&E, Sun nights, 10pm est)
I like this show. I have to disagree with some comments written up about how this was done, misleading the participants. Interventions are like that. If you need to put on a farce to get them to the intervention, then so be it. The fact that the participants have already admitted to having a problem and willing to be in some documentary on addictions, why should there be any legal consequences for the producers if at the end, they are offered the opportunity to get better? These people are in a documentary, and like any talk show that brings people on for one reason (springer-esque) and then present something totally different to them, only to have all kinds of crap occur as a result? So I disagree with the reviews of some newspapers that say this is a crappy show, I think its real, and also, I don't think the world needs to see the time in rehab because everyone is different (this was commented when at the end of the show, they only show their progress after several months, have you ever seen someone in major withdrawal from, say, crack/cocaine/heroin? Nor I, but I hear its NOT a pretty sight.)

Ciao.

Bahamas:

The Commonwealth of the Bahamas, as they are officially known, is made up of some 700 islands and 2,500 cays or islets scattered over 750 miles of the Atlantic Ocean. This 100,000 sq./mile archipelago begins about 50 miles due east of West Palm Beach, Florida, where Freeport on the island of Grand Bahama is located, and extends lazily some 500 miles sourtheastward, finally ending among the Turks & Caicos Islands [another Caribbean no-tax haven, geographically (but not politically) part of the Bahamas]. Only about 25 of the Bahama islands are inhabited, and three-fourths of the people reside on just two islands - New Providence (where Nassau the Capital is located) and Grand Bahama Island (Freeport). The Bahamas - The Perfect No-tax Haven: has one of the largest volumes of tax haven business in the world. There is no personal or corporate income tax, no capital gains tax, no withholding tax, no inheritance tax, no death duties, no employment taxes, no sales taxes, and no probate fees in the Bahamas. Corporations, individuals, partnerships, trusts, and estates (including nonresident controlled Bahamian corporations) all enjoy this immunity. The principal source of revenue for the government comes from company registration fees and customs duties. [source: Tax Havens]

Just like the Swiss with their numbered accounts, privacy and confidentiality rules/laws, not so for those drug dealers trying to hide dosh. Whatever, Bahamas sounds wonderful, no taxes! I have just finished my taxes ( I do them myself). I don't think I will ever come out better than when I was collecting government assistance. The more money I make, the less money I take home, the more taxes I pay, and less money available to invest. I am the real loser when it comes to taxes. Myself, and numerous others who just can't get ahead. It's time to consider a new locale. This country lacks balls and run by a bunch aging politians who are probably operating with only a few brain cells. Honestly, elections are a waste of time, considering the choice of candidates are few and the parties they represent are all out to please everyone. Impossible, what the hell is wrong with everyone! G-d is on a rampage throughout this world and we all should be attentive to this rath. It never amazes me how the most decent, well-respected persons can be dirt within 10mins of hearing a news story on the local news broadcast. I can't stand the news anymore, I'd sooner watch dumb infomercials or tv ads, both are more informative.

Ciao.

One year later...

Wow, its been a full year and nothing new has happened. Well, the addition of my little pug Silas. He's 5 months now and is quite a handful, but well worth it.

Now, it will be just a little difficult to get about - F. has a car now. It's been handy for going back and forth to work. Now, I will or may have to get used to going by public transit to work.

I want to go to Paris this summer, maybe meet up Andreas and go back to Berlin for a little while. I am trying to save so that I may take extra time off and spend a month over there. I figure if I can save two enough for two months, I should be okay. I was thinking of going to Asia, but in the summer I am sure it must be bloody hot or rainy (more so later in the fall). Either way, I would think around this time might be better.

Funny, how this time of the year, everyone is off to some other place in the world, so why is it that this has got to be the worst place to be during Jan - March? Näturlich, ich habe nicht 'luck'. Well, ich muss jetzt gehen.

Ciao!