Tragedy In Tucson

Today an attempted political assassination took place in the United States. The target of this terror, Democratic House Representative Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona, is in critical condition after being shot in the head by a twenty-two year old male. As of this writing, six people have died as a result of this despicable act.


Christina Taylor Green, 9 years old – Student Council Representative

Gabriel Zimmerman, 30 years old – Director of Community Outreach

John McCarthy Roll, 63 years old – U. S. District Judge

Dorothy Morris, 76 years old – Constituent

Dorwin Stoddard, 76 years old - Pastor

Phyllis Schneck, 79 years old – Constituent


In addition to Representative Gabrielle Giffords, thirteen others are injured, including Giffords’ staff members Ron Barber and Pam Simon.


The political divide in the United States has now taken lives and unless leadership renounces the trend of apartness, Tucson may only be the beginning of further tragedies. The country is at the precipice. Which direction people, which direction?



Gabrielle Giffords photo from the website bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com

Monday Morning Museum: Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Pierre-Auguste Renoir – Thursday 25 February 1841 Limoges, France to Wednesday 3 December 1919 Cagnes, France

French Impressionist Painter

Father of film director Jean Renoir

Here is one of my favorite Renoir paintings - Le Dejeuner Des Canotiers, 1880-81 - which to me evokes the joy of French life.

Next Monday's Artist - André Derain

Images:
Left: Portrait of Charles and Georges Durand-Ruel, 1882 from the website upload.wikimedia.org
Center: Two Young Girls At The Piano, 1892 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: The White Pierrot, 1901-02 from the website dia.org
Below: "Monday Morning Museum" logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Patriots Redown: December 2010 / January 2011

Game 12 – Monday 6 December 2010 – Patriots won - Home

New England Patriots: 17 7 7 14 - 45
New York Jets: 0 3 0 0 - 3

Total game points equal 48. Patriots 93.75% of the points. Jets 6.25% of the points.


Game 13 – Sunday 12 December 2010 – Patriots won – Away

New England Patriots: 7 26 3 0 - 36
Chicago Bears: 0 0 7 0 - 7

Total game points equal 43. Patriots 83.72% of the points. Bears 16.28% of the points.


The New England Patriots obtain the first playoff berth for the NFL postseason.


Game 14 – Sunday 19 December 2010 – Patriots won – Home

New England Patriots: 7 7 7 10 - 31
Green Bay Packers: 3 14 7 3 - 27

Total game points equal 58. Patriots 53.45% of the points. Packers 46.55% of the points.


Game 15 – Sunday 26 December 2010 – Patriots won - Away

New England Patriots: 7 17 7 3 - 34
Buffalo Bills 3 0 0 0 - 3

Total game points equal 37. Patriots 91.89% of the points. Bills 8.11% of the points.

The New England Patriots have the best record in the AFC East, they have obtained a bye for the first round of the playoffs, and they have home field advantage during the playoffs.


Game 16 – Sunday 2 January 2011 – Patriots won – Home

New England Patriots: 14 10 14 0 - 38
Miami Dolphins: 0 0 0 7 - 7

Total game points equal 45. Patriots 84.44% of the points. Dolphins 15.56% of the points


Regular Season totals: New England Patriots: wins 14, losses 2. The New England Patriots have the best record in the NFL. They play their first game of the postseason on Sunday 16 January 2011 in the Divisional round at home.


New England Patriots logo is from the website wikipedia.org

Patriots Pounce And Dominant Dolphins

The timing of my arrival at Sonny McLean’s this morning is so precise that Jen is opening the door as I reach the bar. There are three guys already waiting at the door and as I follow them inside, I wish Jen and Andrew a “Happy New Year”. The guys go to one of the high tables and I head towards the booth. The bar is still decorated with a Christmas tree, lights, wreaths, and garlands. A nice festive atmosphere. Settling into the booth and Jen brings me a Diet Coke. Soon more people arrive, including two older guys who, as usual, sit two booths away from me. And the two guys who sit in the darts area decide to stay there for the game. But I’m happy there’s fruit with my Sonny’s breakfast today. Some guy stops by and asks where Maurice is and I tell him he’s at South, a bar down the street. The bar fills up and it’s a good crowd. And the final regular season game for the New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins begins. The Patriots come out strong and score fourteen unanswered points in the first quarter – excellent! At some point during the second quarter, a guy comes and asks to sit at the booth – no problem. New England continues scoring in the second quarter and Miami still has not produced any points. At halftime, the score is Patriots 24, Dolphins 0. During halftime, Rich comes over. He finally bought his new television. It’s a thirty-two inch, High Definition, LED one, but the only problem is that he now has to get an HD cable box! That will happen tomorrow. Glad Rich finally has the television he wanted. The second half begins and the theme of New England scoring keeps on – another fourteen points in the third quarter. During the third quarter the guy in the booth leaves. And while I’m paying my bill during the fourth quarter, a couple, Chris and Heather, think I’m leaving, but they do join me for the rest of the game. Alas, the scoring stops for the Patriots in the fourth quarter, but begins for the Dolphins. However, Miami does not score enough in the available time to be a threat to New England. And the final score for the final regular game is the New England Patriots 38, the Miami Dolphins 7. Highlights of the game were that Tom Brady’s no pass interception streak continues and that Green-Ellis ends up with a thousand rushing yards for the season. With the wrap up of this game, the New England Patriots have the best record in the NFL at fourteen wins, two losses and with a playoff bye next week, will not play again until the 16th in the Divisional round at home. Congrats Pats on a terrific season and I’m looking forward to a spectacular postseason with a trophy at the end! Wish Chris and Heather a good rest of the Sunday and it is raining as I leave Sonny McLean’s, but I’m feeling only the sunshine of the victory and the upcoming postseason.


New England Patriots logo is from the website wikipedia.com

Happy New Year 2011!

Well, it’s the start of the second decade of the Twenty-first century and the day finds me in a different place than I was at the start of the first decade. Then I was living in Paris, France and fulfilling a long-time desire to call that city home. And home it was and, in reality, home it will forever be. I’m a New Englander who lives in California and whose heart is in the City of Light. I long to return to Paris, but I know I was fortunate to live in the place that so long ago captured my heart and refused to return it. Not everyone has that joyous experience and if there is some place you know that will give you unbelievable happiness, do whatever you can to obtain it. If where you are now is that special place, then you are indeed fortunate. I may never live in Paris again, but I know the wonder of having a dream fulfilled.

So, in this first year of a brand new decade, I wish you much happiness, excellent health, meaningful work, and most of all, the courage to seek your dreams and know the wonder. Happy New Decade!


“Happy New Year! 2011” graphic created by Adrean Darce Brent