St Petersburg

 St Petersburg

Russia

Spring 2013

The architecture of the city was beautiful. The food was delicious. The people were reserved. The vibe was scary. I enjoyed my visit and I was a bit relieved to leave.

Why I travel

Why I Travel 

I am leaving for a trip to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in a few days and every time I tell people where I am going they laugh. And then they ask "why."  And then they ask why can't I just go to Paris. And they questions baffle me just as much as my travel destinations baffle them.

Having traveled to over 85 countries across all seven continents, I’ve realized that the most transformative journeys are the ones that confront my assumptions, test my comfort zones, and challenge my core beliefs. I no longer seek destinations that echo my worldview. I seek those that disrupt it and make me uncomfortable.

The places that have left the deepest marks on me are the ones that forced me to question who I am, what I believe, and why. To only visit places that align with my values would be to trap myself in an echo chamber. True growth doesn’t come from affirmation; it comes from friction. When I immerse myself in belief systems, cultures, and histories that contrast with my own, I’m forced to reevaluate the foundations of my thinking. Sometimes, I emerge with new convictions. Other times, my beliefs are strengthened, not out of ignorance, but because they’ve been tested.

This is why I mostly travel to places that challenge me. Not because I enjoy discomfort, but because it’s the only way I know how to evolve. I want travel should shake me up, wake me up, and reshape how I see the world and myself. 

May 2024

 MAY 2024

PA, DE

1- W- PA

It was a gorgeous day and I couldn't figure out how to spend my time. I was going to drive to the beach and spend the night. But I have placed myself on a budget restrict.  I am going through too much cash flow.  So I decided to hang here but I didn't want to go too far away from WC. So I grabbed a book and went to Everett Park but didnt get out of my car becasuse I was just too lazy. So I drove around town, exploring neighborhoods. I came home and walked around town and then hung in the lounge for a little bit with Pete. I need to step it up quite a bit.

2- TH- PA/DE

I slept so well last night and I woke up ealirer the usual and I got up earlier than usual.  But then, three hours later, I was exhausted and I sat down in my blue chair and clsoed my eyes and fell in to a deep sleep.

And then I went to the fitness center and walked on the tread mill for 40 minutes. So now, I have been to the fitness center three times in teh last 7 years.

Jaye, Dom and I went to Andrea's house for dinner.

5100+ steps

3- F- PA

I got a new phone plan.  I now have access to Netflix.

Jitters held a first annual hot dog eating contest and it was disgusting and fun to watch.

5100+ steps

Twitter: So I guess there is voter fraud. Kimberly Zapata (R), found guilty in a ballot fraud case, was sentenced to probation & fined $3,000. The EC deputy director was accused of illegally requesting military ballots & sending them to State Rep Brandtjen (R).

4- SA- PA

I finished my 10 day of medicine protocol for my cold and I still have a productive, nagging cough and am still so damn sleepy. I slept soundly until 12:30 PM and then I got up and farted around the apartment and went out to get something to eat and that exhausted me. So I took a nap and slept soundly until 10:30 PM.

I didn't get my steps in today.  I didn't have the energy.

5- SU- PA

It was rainy and chilly and unpleasant.  I need the sunshine. but I did sleep well last night so all is good with the world.

I met Deb and Lisa at the Cheshire Brewery (1) in Elkins Park.  I ordered a Hazy IPA, a DIPA and a stout and my beers were medocre but the afternoon was pleasant so that was good.

I came home and sat in the lounge with Pete for a while. He talks crazy to me sometimes and i have just begun to ignore what he says.  But he never has a take on a situation as I do. Today he told me that it is going to come out soon that China and th USA purposely released the covid virus to get rid of old people becasue we have too many people in the world.

I went to the fitness center and got my 5000 steps in.  I need to go here every day.

6- M- PA

I told Tricia that my cough is still lingering and now she is all over me to get back to the doctor's office.  But I don't want to go back.  I just want to get better. But I did send the dr a message today in hopes that she would order more medicine for me. So then I waited all day for her to call me back.  But she didn't. And i had a full day scheduled but couldnt do any of it becasue I had to wait to her from teh dr.  So maybe tomorrow, I'll get back in to life.

I got my steps in today.

7- TU- PA

dr appt

coaching session

salsa party

I got my steps in today.

8- W- PA

I made my way to Tannery Run Brewery (2) and liked it.

I had a facial. I love to get facials.  I think I should go once a week.

There is no cough today.  I dont know how to act.

Twitter: Im 68. I'm grateful for my social security, medicare, reduction in insulin, lower drug prices, reduced prices in hearing aids, a stable economy, the infrastructure bill & more. I'm relieved that immigrant children have been reunited with their families. I am voting for Biden.

9- TH- PA

It's Jim's 70th birthday

My mom died 26 years ago.  It seems like it was just yesterday.

I gave my cough medicine to Nick.  He's sick as well and not taking any meds so I gave up my cough meds and now I wish I had held on to a few of them.

I think my summer garden is complete. I went to Walmart and bought 5 more geraniums and that should be enough. Three of the five plants that I bout last week as struggling and fading away already.

Kim and I sat in the lounge for about two hours. I haven't seen her for over three weeks since I've been sick so it was good to catch up.

I got my 5000+ steps in today.

10-F-PA

I went off to the movies to see a french film, Driving Madeline.

For the last few months, my blog has been getting hundreds of views each day and Ive been wondering how this has been happening since I am posting from a dead site.  And today, I've gotten no views and now I am wondering what's happening.

Twitter: Stormy Daniels taunted Trump on Twitter after two days of testimony during his hush money trial, “Real men respond to testimony by being sworn in and taking the stand in court. Oh...wait. Nevermind.” Huff Post #TrumpIsACriminal #TrumpForPrison2024 #TrumpTrials #TrumpIsALoser

11- SA- PA

I had nightmares about hitting dogs with hammers as self defense.

Joanna and I went to the the new bookstore coffee shop on Gay street.

A large group of Springfield people went to hear Sue Descano preform tonight at the Darlington Art Center. There were teachers student and parents there. And it was nice to see most of them. And it was dreadful see some of them.

Twitter: So I guess Nikki Haley is now under serious consideration for the VP spot. Look what the orange idiot posted on Truth Social: “Nikki Haley is not under consideration for the V.P. slot, but I wish her well!” #TrumpIsALiar

12- SU- PA

It's Mother's Day.

tricia's house

It's Jaye's birthday so I went to her house to celebrate. 

flat tire

In the evening, I was walking down the hallway in my apartment building. A man come down the hallway with his dog, loose on his leash. The dog charged at me and began scratching my leg. The man tried to grab the dog but couldn't I was screaming and then a large dog came out of nowhere and charged towards me. The moment was chaos. The man finally got his dogs in his apartment. He never apologized. He never came out to see if I was alright.

5100+ steps

13- M- PA

it was a gorgeous day.

ran errands

reported my dog attack to management.  They are going to address the issue with the guy. And I was told that he is moving out soon.

I sat in the lounge and talked with Gina and Pete.  They started on thier position with Israel and Palestine.  I am so fucking sick of both sides.

I'm not getting many people to review my blog these last few days.  I wonder where they went.

I got my 5100+ steps in.

14- TU- PA

I had another training session and it went well. I performed better than last week.  I am making, slow, positive improvements.

I got my steps in today. 

We had our first MMA dinner of the year.  It was great to see everyone and I just love that we enjoy each other's company after all these years.

15- W- PA

I didn't take a gummie before I went to bed and I paid the price.  I tossed and turned all damn night and should have taken something at 6AM and still didnt and then I got up mid morning, got dressed, had breakfast, slipped back in to bed and slept soundly for hours. I had wild dreams about finding a storage site were all of my stuff I gave away as I was downsizing from two homes.  I went through everything and struggled again with parting with all of this junk.  If I could do back in time, I would do everything not to over consume in all aspects of my life.  I have an insatiable abundance of things. 

I have a sports injury today.  My big fat ass hurts. It appears as if I strained my ass from exercise yesterday. So, now, after 68 years of life, I have a sports injury.

16- TH- PA

dinner with Sharon and family

Jaye came over and we worked out in the fitness center for an hour. We plan on doing this on a weekly basis.

17- F- PA

I had another reoccuring school dream.  I was chaperoning a field trip with Karl D and Joe O and they both abandonment me and left me with all of the kids.

I went to the Lonely Planet Brewery and liked it.

18- SA- PA

In the late afternoon, I met Sally and Stacey at the Artillery Brewery (3).

It was Porchfest in West Chester and I had an assignment to manage the tent for Uptown.

19- SU- PA

OMG, it was beautiful day.

I had dinner with the Flatleys at Kathy's country club.

I didnt get my steps in. I just didnt feel like it and that's OK becasue I've been doing so well.

20- M- PA

Tricia and I went to Deb Green's workplace. Deb is retiring in a few weeks and we wanted to see where she spent so much of her time all these years.

21- TU- PA/DE

personal trainer

drive to dewey beach

sitting on the beach

great dinner

walking on the Rehobeth Boardwalk

Dewey Beer Company (4)

kathy texted me to see if I wanted to come to NY to visit with Selia

I got my steps in today.

22- W- DE/PA

siting on the beach

exploring Rehobeth and Lewes

Selia sent me a photo of the boys in Larchmont

I got my steps in today.

23- TH- PA

emergency call

I bought more flowers for my balcony garden

The clysdale horses came through town this afternoon.  They are beautful beasts

Square Bar

Sella called me twice today.

24- F- PA

Its Margarita day, the first day of the pool season. Kevin made over a gallon of Margaritas for us and we sat in the lounge and drank all afternoon. And as the booze took effect, Kevin, Pete and Barb ordered tickets to the Rolling Stones in June. And we were all filled with so much happiness.

Since Joanna is never interested in our drinking, I texted her to see if she wanted to go somewhere for dinner. Surprisingly, she picked the new Bierhaul Restaurant. So Kevin, she and I went off there and she later told me that it was Kevin's idea.

Selia called again and Kathy texted me to let me know that Selia is having a tough time in life. And I blocked her phone number because I just dont want to go back to the friendship.

25- SA- PA

It was a gorgeous day.  The sun was up and shining and the air was warm and comfortable and the pool was open and people were so damn happy and I spent most of the day inside, doing nothing.

I did tend to my balcony garden and so far, I have the best garden in the building. Now, I have to confess that only one other apartment has a garden and his garden is only slightly smaller than mine. So maybe I should get more flowers and get out there and overwhelm his garden.

Gina and I watched the Caitlin Clark basketball game.  We have become fans.  And the game was a disappointment so I don't know how long I am going to be a fan of basketball. But I am still very impressed with her.

26- SU- PA

I wandered around town and had drinks with Andrea and her friend. We checked out the house on Darlington Ave. That beat up old house could be a great find for some young people who are willing to fix up the place.

I walked over 7100 steps today.

27- M- PA

It's Memorial Day today and I have the good fortune of not knowing anyone who died in a war.  But I think most people in the world do not have that good fortune.

In the afternoon, I drove in to Philly to go to the Crime and Punishment Brewery (5) with William and Tom. It was fun to talk to these two young guys and get their perspective on life today.  William doesn't care about the border issues. He's OK with letting everyone in. And if he were in charge, there would be no borders at all, anywhere in the world.  Let people roam freely and live where they want.

I got my steps in today!

28- TU- PA

I took an old woman for her cancer treatment.

Michelle D wrote to me and told me that Rosina had a brain hemmorage yesterday and is in critical condition.  That breaks my heart. 

I got my steps in today.

29- W- PA

I walked around the Audubon gardens with Tricia. The inclines beat the shit out of me.  I have to work on that before I go on ky trip.

Nikki Haley, a former US Ambassador to the UN, went to Israel and signed one of the missiles which will be used agains the Palestines. She hopes this bomb kills them all.  This dreadful, hateful image will hint her and us for years to come.

30-Th- PA

Michele texted us to tell us that Rosina's surgery was successful. Now, she must have a long recovery ahead of her.

I went to my personal trainer and he kicked my ass.  I was so tired, I could hardly make it home.  I took a nap until 5ish and got up and tried to get with the program.  But i was so tired and I ached so damn much so I went to bed for the night around 10.

However, when I woke up in the afternoon, the verdict for trump came in: GUILTY on all 34 counts. FUCK HIM!!!I didn't work on my steps today as I was too damn tired.

Sharon and I went to World Cafe to watch Maggie Rose. I need to go to more live concerts.

31- F- PA

I had drinks with the SHS social studies teachers. Then I came home and had drinks with people in the building. There is a young woman in the building who has been introduced to me on several occasions and I don't remember any of these occasions so I have offended her. To make up for my bad behavior, I asked her if she wanted to go out for drinks and she said yes. but she asked Kristen to join us. I think she needed a little back up in case we didnt hit it off. We started  at Ironhill and then headed over to places on Market Street and we ran in to Haley and she joined is and we had a great time.

I got my steps in today.

2460032

Norway

 Oslo, Norway

Spring 2013

Oslo was beautiful, clean, friendly, quaint and very expensive. I went to the Nobel Prize Museum, an art museum and this sculpture garden.  And then I paid $15 for a bottle of beer and that hurt. But I am over it now (13 years later).

Making Our Way Down the Amazon- Peru

 We were on a tributary river of the Amazon.  We were in battered, made-made wooden boat.  The guide had a huge machete that he used to wack away at branches and brush that got in our way. I left like I was  in the middle of a National Geographic movie.

Copenhagen, Denmark

 Copenhagen, Denmark

Spring 2013

I only had one day in Denmark so we went to the part of town that is notorious for selling cannabis  in the open. At this time, it was illegal to sell pot but the police looked the other way because this little part of town had become such a tourist attraction.  So busloads of people stopped by each day.  We were not allowed to take any photos and many of the merchants had all of their merchandise on a study sheet that could be gathered up securely at the moment's notice in the event the cops came by and tried to maintain some superficial semblance of law and order. The merchants could flee quickly and securely.

I didn't buy anything.

A Girl With A Monkey- Peru

 A Girl With A Monkey

Peru

Summer 2003

I am in a wooden boat, floating down a tributary of the Amazon River. The moment is right out of a National Geographic Magazine.  My guide sees this little girl, standing on the banks of the river. She is holding a wild monkey and my guide paddles over to her, extends his hand and asks to hold the monkey. She complies and she gives him this adorable monkey. My guide turns to me and offers the monkey to me. I don't want to hold him. I don't like to touch wild animals. What if it has rabies?

And lucky I didn't have to touch him. He quickly bit my guide in the hand which allowed him to break loose and scurry back to the little girl. And when I got home, I scurried to my infectious disease doctor and inquired about the rabies shot.

Pat Carbine

 

Pat Carbine
Born	January 31, 1931 (age 94) Villanova, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Alma mater	Rosemont College (B.A.)
Occupation	Magazine editor
Known for	Co-founder of Ms.

Patricia Theresa Carbine (born January 31, 1931) is an American feminist and magazine editor. She was executive editor of Look, which was the highest position held by a woman at a general interest magazine, and the vice president and editor-in-chief of McCall's. She was one of the founders of Ms. magazine and served as one of the first publishers and the first editor-in-chief.

Early life

Carbine was born on January 31, 1931, in Villanova, Pennsylvania.She attended Mater Misericordiae Academy between 1936 and 1948. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Rosemont College in 1952.

source: Wikipedia

I met Pat in 2023 while I was at a ceremony at our common high school Alma Mater. I was being recognized on stage and she was sitting in the audience. The principal introduced her to the crowed auditorium and she stood up and waved to us.  I had never heard of her.

But, apparently, as she was climbing the ladder of pushing for women and equity, journalists would contact our high school and ask questions about Pat.  Apparently, the administration claimed that she never attended our school.  Apparently she was an open lesbian. Apparently, her stand on abortion was offensive for this Catholic girls' high school. So they just pretended that they didn't know her. But today, on the day of her 75th year since she graduated, she was finally recognized.

Student Activism

After the Parkland mass shooting, the kids who survived wanted to stage a national protest and were encouraging students around the country to join them in a specific name.  This challenge made national news and students and principal alike were interviewed by the media to see if students were goin to participate and if schools would tolerate this activism.  In th midst of all of this, I posted my position on Facebook:

 If I were still a high school principal, I would meet with my student council leaders and help them organize an event for this day. This is a teachable moment and an opportunity for students to lead. I wish them luck and offer my support.

Here were some responses form the community:

FROM A FORMER STUDENT:  You were truly a wonderful principal and always had the students’ best interests at heart.

MY RESPONSE: - you could still be involved and help them organize! You would be just what they need!

FROM A FORMER TEACHER: I won't go to SHS because I don't want to step on that principal's toes. But I'm going to make contact with some people I still know. This would be a very empowering moment for kids. After so many of these killings, I have become afraid. I can't imagine how they feel.

MY RESPONSE:  I totally understand. I know you would be involved if you were still there. I heard that students from Parkland were going to DC to March on April 20th which is the anniversary of Columbine. I hope these students can help with the long overdue change needed.

FROM A PARENT: Someone needs to step on his toes, Bridget E Kelly 🙊 My son is a senior at SHS, he showed me this and didn’t think kids would walk out. I told him how we pulled the fire alarms back when I was in HS to support you! 😊

Oil Treatment

Oil Treatment

Kathmandu, Nepal

December 2017

 OMG, I let some woman drip hot oil on to my forehead for two hours and they were the most relaxing two hours of my life. And when I left the spa, my hair looked like Medusa but I didn't care because I felt was if I was floating through life.

Trump Haiku # 5

 Haikus of Descent #5

I am using AI everyday to generate haikus about the orange idiot's failed leadership. This the 5th edition of the series.

Topic: Trump's recklessness in causing a market crash:

Markets rise, then fall,

Tweets like thunder shake the ground

Balance lost to pride.

Topic:  trump not attending the return of our four fallen soldiers

Flags at half-mast wave,

Empty space where he should stand

Silence holds their names.

Topic:  trump's lack of interest in his job:

Desk gathers still dust,

Golf course echoes louder now—

Duty fades to fog

Topic:  so many of us are waiting to hear that trump has died

Whispers in still air

so many hearts hold their breath,

news not yet spoken.

Topic: Trump's unheathy relationship with Putin:

Trump bows to the czar, 

                                shadow deals beneath the glare

                                     Putin smiles, ice-thin.

Topic: Trump's is owned by Putin

Trump kneels in the frost,

Putin’s hand upon his spine

a nation held cold.

Topic: Trump's loyalty to Putin:

Flags slip from the pole,

red threads woven through the stars—

loyalty bleeds out.

Topic: Trump's admiration of Putin

Trump dreams of strong men,

shirtless gods on tanks of steel—

his oath fades to mist.

Topic: Trump the dictator

Trump laughs as walls crack,

ice winds blow through liberty

we watch freedoms drown.

In My Opinion: Sending Individuals to a Prison in El Salvador

Sending Individuals to a Prison in El Salvador

Our America Today

April 2025

The decision to send a legally sanctioned individual to a prison in El Salvador is both outrageous and deeply troubling. El Salvador's prison system has faced global condemnation for human rights abuses, overcrowding, and inhumane conditions. Subjecting someone, regardless of their legal status, to this treatment undermines the principles of justice, due process, and international human rights standards. Legal sanction does not equate to a forfeiture of dignity or basic protections. 

Transferring individuals to environments notorious for violence, lack of medical care, and minimal oversight raises serious ethical and legal concerns. It signals a dangerous precedent, where punishment trumps rehabilitation and human rights are disregarded. Furthermore, it erodes public trust in the rule of law and tarnishes the integrity of legal systems that prioritize fairness. 

Outrage is not only justified, it is necessary to demand accountability, transparency, and the upholding of fundamental human values across borders.

Betrayal

Usually, I write every day but I haven’t  touched my computer since Sunday afternoon when my friend called me to tell me that her husband has been harboring a second family for the past 9 years. I am devastated, anger and bewildered. But i just couldn't write about it. So today, I thought I have to write something before I imploded from my anger.  I used AI and this is what came up and it describes my emotional state perfectly.

I am struggling to put my emotions into words, weighed down by a sadness so heavy it feels impossible to lift. Someone I trusted, someone I called my friend, has shattered that bond beyond repair. He confessed that he had been living a lie: happily married but with a second family hidden away,  It was as though the ground beneath me disappeared. Every conversation, every shared moment now feels tainted, rewritten by this betrayal I never saw coming. I believed in him, laughed with him, and offered loyalty that now feels foolish. The pain isn't just from the lies, but from the ease with which he told them, the casual way he let me build a friendship on false ground. Grief and anger rage together inside me, and I wonder if I ever truly knew him at all. His confession ended more than a friendship. It has damaged my ability to trust.