The Day after our Governor Fell from Grace

December 10, 2008

Uncle Marty chose Georgie V’s, not close to anything, so Janet was iffy about coming until the last minute. Milton said he would show but ended up not coming at all. Marty started off bringing us up to date about his house; they can now park both cars in their garage. He said he assumes that someone, not naming names, will bash into the side and they will soon need to replace something about the doors.
Marty also told us about playing chess with the boys at the chess club at Highland Park Library. Sometimes there are an uneven number of children, and an adult is conscripted to play, which is how he ended up playing against a 6 year old who is known as a killer chess player. Marty was sweating, concentrating hard, when the little guy made a mistake. Did Uncle Marty ask him if he wanted to redo the move? Did he offer guidance of some kind? Nope. He swooped in and won the game. And did he feel great about it? Well, it’s Uncle Marty, so you guess!
Grandma wanted to talk about the details of the upcoming trip, like who is bringing what medicines (and should she bring her Cipro even though it expired in 2006…Dr. Janet assured her that it was okay), how are people getting to the airport (we should try to use Grandpa’s driver if possible), she is going to start packing now since it takes her a long time to get organized for both Grandpa and Grandma, etc.
Grandma also wanted to talk about the birthday gift Sevonne and I picked out for her from Neiman’s that she just returned this week, and how will that work because she didn’t want a store credit so they put it back on my card. They were beautiful earrings, she admitted, but too heavy for her ears so they hurt. I refused to talk about the returning of birthday gifts at lunch; why does it need to be discussed in front of everyone else? Grandma says ‘because I never talk to you’. Yeah, except for every morning when I call to check in.
Uncle Marty brought up all the excitement of our governor Rod Blagojevitch being taken to jail yesterday; about that great Patrick Fitzgerald who is so much better than his predecessor and who inspires hope in integrity. We all liked how the FBI swooped in on Blagojevitch…maybe now we’ll all learn how to spell his name...and we wondered if his wife, who Janet reminded us is Jewish, will also go down. She is heard on at least one of the hidden tapes using profanity and suggesting that she knew something about what Rod was doing. She is the daughter of Dick Mell, who never really liked her husband the governor and who was basically shafted early on by his son in law, Rod.
Janet thinks the wife is crooked; and Marty told a story about our friend and colleague Doug Imber doing a real estate deal into which she, Patti Blagojevitch, tried to insert herself. Why? Because she wants more money. How was it even possible, I wondered? Doug is such a good guy; he fended her off, but it must have rattled him. We all know she did a lot of business with the shyster Antoine Rezko, same guy who arranged for Obama to buy his lovely Hyde Park home, and whose name was bandied about as one of the unsavory characters with whom Obama has a relationship.
Certain amount of speculation proceeded about Obama’s connections and knowledge of events….this is his vacant seat that is the source the governor’s attempts at extortion/bribery. And how will that be figured out now? Grandma expressed disdain for Jesse Jackson Jr, who is on the list, and brought up the possibility of Mark Kirk. But he is a republican so that is doubtful, even if an election were called. Grandma suggested that all politicians are crooked, but I defended Mark Kirk, and Janet said that he doesn’t go to sports events, takes no money from anyone, refuses any gifts, and anything that could possibly be taken as gift. She did however see Joe Biden sitting near where she and Gadi sit at this weekend’s Bulls game.
Janet says there is no longer any edible food at Bulls games; nothing vegetarian, and they don’t let you bring in food. I’m going to check with Gabie’s friend’s mom, because they always cater fabulous kosher feasts in their box at Bulls games, and sometimes invite friends along. Gabie is invited for this Saturday night….I told Janet if she is going she should go look for their box and invite herself in to eat something! The friend’s mom was an old friend of our departed cousin Jackie, so it wouldn’t be so terrible or strange for Janet to stop in and say hello even if she doesn’t know them.
Back to talking about Mexico, Marty wonders about the workout facilities, and although it’s just a room, Janet thinks they have all the right equipment. I think the beach if very small in this place, and you have to go back and forth a number of times to reach even a mile, but Janet says it’s better to walk back and forth on a quiet beach than to brave hordes of people on some of the nicer beaches. I waxed prolific about the yummy food at Dreams; the guacamole and eggs every morning, the fruit smoothies, delicious salads and good ice cream. Janet gushed about the coffee. The food at this place is excellent.
Grandma reminded us all about how dangerous it’s all going to be, how the kids should never be alone in town. Janet remembered that Milt and Ibby went into town almost every day when we were in Cabo a few years ago, so there will usually be adults nearby if kids want to go browsing in the shops. I plan to sit myself on the beach and only get up to eat or go back to the room. I feel no need to shop in the town or eat in the town. Janet said that all her best serving plates were from Puerto Vallarta….they have special things there and no where else. Still, there is nothing I need but sun and sand and a cool drink (plus a bowl of chips with guacamole). We are all looking forward to this vacation!