Friday 16 May 2008
Mail Call
Hi, my name is Rob, and this is a web site about my street in Fresno.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTjvXDEAO0E With the picture used and this tune, you are 'au fait' with MOI to know I am having a go at you. Well, I do not want folks to think it is always the high road taken.
I get a right good giggle about some of the mail I receive. Moi gets the old fashion sort(that would be by post) and then there is EMAIL. There is so much mail that at times I despair as to how I will get it all sorted out. One of the tricks MOI has learned is to give some mail a higher value, so that when it comes in I know it is mail worth ready. I filter loads of mail, but the junk keeps coming. Most goes right into the rubbish, never seen or read. I do get some that gets through. Having not bought a lottery ticket in London of late, I am gobsmacked to be reminded that the '250,000.00 pounds sterling' won in latest drawing is waiting for MOI. Then there are some right horrid things that must get through due to whole world having my address. Lots of offers to look in at all sorts of 'ladies'! Well, I never!
Members of this site get right through to MOI. Tons of mail! Shameless of you to write this old geezer a right clever story and then end with 'PLEASE, PLEASE - DO NOT PUT ON THE INTERNET'. I honour the request and try to figure a way to use without 'outing' the sender. Then there are the folks who write and want it to get used. I am right careful with that. A good story is not worth going to the lock up for or having to sleep in a cardboard box when the sue MOI.
I got mail from a chap yesterday that I do indeed love to hear from. He sent MOI a link to a podcast. I tried for over an hour to get the bloody thing to work. It never did. Either MOI is thick as a brick or right daft. No clue why the bloody thing will not work.
Then I got mail from Councilwoman Sterling's office. That is always worth reading. The email I got will surprise folks;
Rob:
Thanks for wanting to lead the march against drugs in your neighborhood. After looking at schedule and our phone conversation this morning, Ms. Sterling looks forward to being there with you and the neighbors on June 3
at 5 pm.
gb
You will marvel at the latest mail from Councilwoman Sterling. Most folks had bet that there would not be a reply or that she would take part in the March. Perhaps, there is hope for the old girl. I did promise in the letter I sent that if the May 27th date did not work, she could give MOI one that did. As you can see that is to be JUNE 3rd at 5pm. It is in writing. Unless the earthquake comes, or time stops, MOI will be at the ready on that date to lock step with Councilwoman Sterling down the alley. Hmmmmmmmmm, do you think we could talk her Chief-of-Staff into getting into the coffin? How is that for drama.
I got mail from a lovely lady who had sent MOI an email. I was gobsmacked as the addresses attached to it almost blocked out the sun. I have never seen an email that had so many addresses attached to. I mailed her back and she laughed, said it was to have been a bcc:! To tell true, I want to believe that, but I do get mail from folks who go out of way to give MOI more good addresses to sent even more pedantic letters to. If you are reading Lovely Lady, I did not 'out' and hope you get the giggle.
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Posted by Rob Defrees on Friday 16 May 2008 - 02:42:35 |
Thursday 15 May 2008
HARD TIMES WILL NOT KILL CALAVERAS
Hi, my name is Rob, and this is a web site about my street in Fresno.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVE72Ae82Tw Click on link for something to ponder.
This old geezer got an email flash from on of the local telly stations warning of the heat wave coming. Personally, I am prepared. The new flat at the El Capri has central air(how grand is that) and have tested and it works bloody brilliant. Mind, I am tight with a quid and will not overuse, one have to remember the monster PG&E and am not likely to feed it more than I have to. Having lived in Honolulu and done without central air, I know that fans can cool off and cost so little.
The road I live on is not one where folks have buckets of cash. Folks here have to be right careful with their monies. Many of the units on the road have 'swamp coolers' and smart way to cool, but they still cost. Jeff Saylor and MOI were checking cooling units at 150-178 N Calaveras until late last night. There was a clever chap up on the roof getting all of the coolers up and working. Armando Garcia, the owner had made sure that this was done. The clever chap ran along the roof, pulling off covers and taking apart and fixing. There are some empty units and when parts were needed they were borrowed to put on units that were in need. There was a new tenant that had need and Gwen also needed. I am quite sure that all were taken care of. I will knock on doors at El Capri and make sure that each and every one there works as well. One lovely lady at El Capri is not one to spend buckets of cash to cool and she will not use central air and has a swamp cooler installed. She was right mad at MOI and accused MOI of turning off the water to. I can be daft at times, but this time I was not at fault. The lovely lady had turned off the swamp cooler and that was reason it did not work.
There are very young and very old folks living on my road. Heat will bother them greatly this coming summer. I am proud of the fact that every property owner I know personally, has made sure that their tenants will not have problems with being cool. I worry about the folks on the road who will not be so fortunate. I worry about the folks in the neighborhood that will not be so fortunate. I will try to make sure that one and all are safe.
The lovely folks at Dickey Playground have told MOI the following;
'Hello Rob......the wading pool will be operated this summer beginning June 9th. This schedule falls in line with the Recreation Swim program at 15 sites throughout Fresno. The wader will be filled and drained....daily. Recreation staff will monitor ......lifeguards are not required for that minimal depth of water. '
Mj This is grand news for the community!
Last year this was not the case. I am so pleased the small children will have a place to go and get cool. That is what a community is all about. Using the parks in the community! And the parks providing a perfect place to bring the community together.
The snap used and the tune is not MOI begging for Cash for the road. I just want to remind that folks here are faced with challenges each and every day. There is beauty and like the snap it sometimes makes one feel that is chained up, that the road and community is locked out of the whole by virtue to placement. Hard economic times are coming to the road, as they are to whole of Fresno and California. The Governor is trying to put together a budget. There is a massive shortfall. Cuts will be made.
Folks on my road will feel the cuts to services made. Medication will be harder to come by. Help for the old will be cut. Programs for small children will end or be cut back. Working mothers will face new challenges as to how to get care for children while they work.
I can not save the world. I can try to save the folks who live on the small patch of each I call home. Neighbor by neighbor. Not just MOI, but other wonderful folks who have come together to help. There are the folks on the road who are dealing with AIDS, mental illness, addiction, abuse, neglect. Many of the problems that will suffer due to the cut backs coming.
When folks do not feel brilliant they tend to look for ways to make themselves feel better. Alcohol and 'poison'! You can get pissed for very little if you buy the cheapest alcohol and just pour down cake-hole until in a fog. You can get 'high' with 'poison' for very little. Actually, the small price is not so small as am told that the poor buggers have to get more and more to 'chase the high'. With the summer months soon to be here, the drug dealers selling 'poison' will be here. They want the cash. All of it.
Marching behind the units on my road and Glenn, in the alley, might smack as a bit dramatic. My dears, it is meant to be. The coppers have been brilliant, they are trying very hard to get the clever clogs. Yet, the problem continues. All in Fresno, and all in the neighborhood, know where to go to get 'poison'. That is why the drug dealers stay. MONEY.
I ordered a 'grime reaper' costume, a coffin, tombstones and copper whistles yesterday. MOI paid for all out of own pocket. Am brassed off that some still want to tell MOI that I can not spend my cash to do good. Rubbish. I think that drama is needed to call attention to the problem. The coppers tell MOI that one drop of guard and the drug dealers will set up shop. I do not want that to happen.
My little band of marchers is growing. There is a lovely lady who is joining the march. She is brave. This lovely lady knows first hand how the 'poison' destroys life and eventually kills. This lady has AIDS. She is fighting for her life. She is fighting for folks she does not know.
My dears, we on Calaveras are fighting for YOU.
Last year this was not the case. I am so pleased the small children will have a place to go and get cool. That is what a community is all about. Using the parks in the community! And the parks providing a perfect place to bring the community together.
The snap used and the tune is not MOI begging for Cash for the road. I just want to remind that folks here are faced with challenges each and every day. There is beauty and like the snap it sometimes makes one feel that is chained up, that the road and community is locked out of the whole by virtue to placement. Hard economic times are coming to the road, as they are to whole of Fresno and California. The Governor is trying to put together a budget. There is a massive shortfall. Cuts will be made.
Folks on my road will feel the cuts to services made. Medication will be harder to come by. Help for the old will be cut. Programs for small children will end or be cut back. Working mothers will face new challenges as to how to get care for children while they work.
I can not save the world. I can try to save the folks who live on the small patch of each I call home. Neighbor by neighbor. Not just MOI, but other wonderful folks who have come together to help. There are the folks on the road who are dealing with AIDS, mental illness, addiction, abuse, neglect. Many of the problems that will suffer due to the cut backs coming.
When folks do not feel brilliant they tend to look for ways to make themselves feel better. Alcohol and 'poison'! You can get pissed for very little if you buy the cheapest alcohol and just pour down cake-hole until in a fog. You can get 'high' with 'poison' for very little. Actually, the small price is not so small as am told that the poor buggers have to get more and more to 'chase the high'. With the summer months soon to be here, the drug dealers selling 'poison' will be here. They want the cash. All of it.
Marching behind the units on my road and Glenn, in the alley, might smack as a bit dramatic. My dears, it is meant to be. The coppers have been brilliant, they are trying very hard to get the clever clogs. Yet, the problem continues. All in Fresno, and all in the neighborhood, know where to go to get 'poison'. That is why the drug dealers stay. MONEY.
I ordered a 'grime reaper' costume, a coffin, tombstones and copper whistles yesterday. MOI paid for all out of own pocket. Am brassed off that some still want to tell MOI that I can not spend my cash to do good. Rubbish. I think that drama is needed to call attention to the problem. The coppers tell MOI that one drop of guard and the drug dealers will set up shop. I do not want that to happen.
My little band of marchers is growing. There is a lovely lady who is joining the march. She is brave. This lovely lady knows first hand how the 'poison' destroys life and eventually kills. This lady has AIDS. She is fighting for her life. She is fighting for folks she does not know.
My dears, we on Calaveras are fighting for YOU.
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Posted by Rob Defrees on Thursday 15 May 2008 - 04:06:36 |
Wednesday 14 May 2008
COME BLOW A POLICE WHISTLE, COUNCILWOMAN STERLING!
Hi, my name is Rob, and this is a web site about my street in Fresno.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11Owx4t0pJQ Oi!! Click on this link and follow the story. I think you will catch on quickly as to my desire to both give you a good read but a right good giggle.
Councilwoman Sterling,
Mr. Gregory Barfield, your Chief-of-Staff, makes me very aware of
how right busy your schedule is. With that in mind I want to give
you the opportunity to mark your diary.
May 27th, 2008, 2 weeks from today, that is a Tuesday, I want to
hold a march in the alley behind 433 N Calaveras. This alley is
important as it is being used by drug dealers selling 'poison' and is also
being used by punters seeking 'poison'. The coppers are doing all
they can to get them but they come back.
Drug dealers hate the bright light of television cameras and the noise
of angry neighbors. Doing a very public march will draw attention
to them, more important, it will let their punters know that they are being watched.
If the drug dealers have no punters for the 'poison' they close up shop.
The 'poison' is bought by more than members of the neighborhood. All
of Fresno knows that they can 'score' there.
May 27th is a Tuesday, you have to be here for City Council. You will
be in town and not far from where the march will take place. I will buy the
police whistle for you. I will buy the placard. All you have to do is show some
courage and come down and march with the folks you were elected to
serve. To protect the district you were elected to serve.
I will be there with others. I am not afraid.
Councilwoman Sterling, you have told me in the past that you care. That you
serve ALL of the district. If you get the courage to march, perhaps another
road in your district plagued by crime might step forward and do the same.
I will let the whole world know I have invited you. I will let the news media know I have
invited you. I will let the coppers know.
If May 27th is already booked in your diary, pick a date. Any date. I will
work with you.
Councilwoman Sterling, I challenge you to show your district that you
are hands-on in the fight to protect the lives of children.
Cheers,
RobDeFrees
119 N Calaveras Street #E
Fresno, Ca 93701
My dears, you are 'au fait' with MOI. I tell all of the world who I write and I do love to share replies. I will be gobsmacked if Councilwoman replies. You may wonder why. Do let me tell. I send many letters to the Councilwoman's office, most of the time it falls to her Chief-of-Staff to reply. I have to believe that he speaks for her and she is aware of what was asked and agrees with the replies sent.
Yesterday, I sent several letters(well, emails) to the Councilwoman. Mr. Gregory Barfield was right quick in getting a reply back to MOI. He even wasted no time in sending a reply to an email while I was snug in my bed. There was no reply to this request. In the past, Councilwoman Sterling ignores what she does not want to deal with. Or she tells MOI that she felt emails were just background material for her office to be aware of. Mr. Barfield(who stands in the shadow of Councilwoman Sterling, waiting for her to anoint him her replacement on the City Council) will play the game of pretending not to understand the request or to say that Councilwoman Sterling will have to get back to MOI.
Let me share what Councilwoman posts on her District #3 website:
'Basic city services define the quality of life in a neighborhood. When the services are not working, the neighborhoods suffer. Our neighborhoods should not be confronted with blighted conditions, including drug dealers, abandoned homes, unsuitable housing, and unkept alleys. I will work with all neighborhood residents and landlords to the best of my ability to eliminate these problems. But I can’t do these things without you.'
This is the official CALL TO ARMS that Councilwoman Sterling uses to tell members of her district what she stands for. It is what she tells the world that she believes in the reason she was given the sacred trust to serve the folks of District 3, and the good folks of the City of Fresno. She also says that she can not do these thing without YOU(meaning the folks who live in the district). This old geezer must be one of the ones she does not consider to be YOU, as she does not take seriously the passionate nature of my willingness to help rid her district of problems. There is more from her official greeting:
'The neighborhood and its residents are the core of our community. It is incumbent upon us all to build a strong foundation for our city, our district and our neighborhoods.'
Councilwoman Sterling must be talking about neighborhoods that voted for her. She can not be talking about the neighborhood I live in. Councilwoman Sterling and her Chief-of-Staff are only now giving a great deal of hands-on. And that is a fight each and every day. I am reminded that there are others in the community and that they can not afford to give more attention to the needs of my road, my neighbors or my neighborhood. I have heard this tale from many folks in the district.
I think it is time for Councilwoman Sterling to 'walk the walk'. Put up or shut up. Better still, retire before the end of her term and let someone with the courage and energy to do the job take on the task. Doubt that the poor dear will give up her pay packet and she wants ever so much to get another one when she is made redundant.
Right, if you clicked on the link you will have heard the catchy tune, if you watched the video you will have seen the old geezer tire and give up dancing. That is poor Councilwoman Sterling(well you have to allow for some stretch of the imagination) she is so wore out from her labours working for the residents of District 3. I just know that poor, tired Councilwoman Sterling will find some way to tell MOI that she can not take part in a MARCH. I will keep you posted......................
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Posted by Rob Defrees on Wednesday 14 May 2008 - 03:20:24 |
Tuesday 13 May 2008
True Meaning of May 10, 2008
Hi, my name is Rob, and this is a web site about my street in Fresno.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR2rvxSUr7w This link is not Colin playing. It is however another young person singing the national anthem, the very same that Colin played so brilliant at the 'Evening of Music'.
Rob,
We would be honoured if you would use his real name with an addition: Colin Clark-Bracewell (Musson). I will read him this email and it will bring him great pleasure as it has me (terrible grammar).
It is a pleasure knowing you as well. I can't tell you the number of people who asked who you are and why you are doing this for Fresno and the people. You have inspired many, including myself. Thank you for that gift of "gold" that I will treasure and share with others. Inspiration can be difficult to teach and you have modelled it perfectly, thanks for helping us learn values that ares sometimes lost or hidden due to fear or the business of life: human kindness and compassion to support others and what you believe in. Someone said to me once, "Sometimes when you take a stand, you stand alone." Rob, you took a stand, and at first you stood alone, then, hand by hand you drew a crowd and stood united with others that believe they can make a difference as well.
The ripple effect that will come from this is obvious to many and as you you said, "If it has saved one person from drugs or abuse, then it was worth it."
Cheers to you and all that helped you!
Michelle Bracewell-Musson
P.S. You may post this if you so choose.
I will allow another person to sum up the great day we all had on May 10,2008. It is a day that will stay with us that were there forever.
HI ROB...GWEN P. HANSEN HERE. SATURDAY NEEDS TO BE
REPLICATED ACROSS THE CITY. YOUR EFFORTS WILL BE
MANIFESTED IN THE CHILDREN WHO WERE THERE IN ABUNDANCE
ON A SAFE AND CLEAN STREET AND IN AN OVERWHELMING
FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT. OFFICER TONY NEXT TO ME
EPITOMIZED ALL OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD
TEACHER ELICITING PLEASES, THANK YOUS AND ENGAGING IN
CONVERSATION "WITH A POLICE OFFICER". THERE NEXT TO
DICKEY PLAYGROUND WHERE MY EDISON GIRLS SOFTBALL TEAM
PLAYED IN THE 60'S AND IN THE HEART OF WHAT MANY
FRESNO'S PEOPLE SHUN MEANING THE DOWN TOWN, YOU DEMON-
STRATED WHAT CAN BE DONE....NOT FOR JUST A DAY BUT
FOR DAY AFTER DAY. BUT THAT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN PEOPLE
ARE ENGAGED. THAT IS WHAT WE DID WHEN I WORKED WITH
THE URBAN COALITION IN THE 60'S. IT WASN'T GOVERNMENT
DOING IT BUT IT WAS PEOPLE LIKE YOURSELF. WE HAVE
LOST THAT, UNFORTUNATELY, ON THE WHOLE. IT HAPPENS
HERE AND THERE BECAUSE OF PEOPLE LIKE
YOU....CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU FOR ONCE AGAIN
SAY, "PEOPLE CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE AND THE
DIFFERENCE WILL ONLY HAPPEN AND STICK WHEN WE THE
PEOPLE MAKE IT HAPPEN." GWEN
Ms. Hansen is 78 years young and as sharp as a tack. She manned a voter registration table at the event. She is passionate about trying to make folks realize how great America can be. I am right proud to have made her my mate(that is friend)!
There is so much more to say but think that it is important to let one and all know that Civic Pride and LOVE of country was much on display on my road. That same spirit can do on every single road in Fresno. We just have to remind the Dwarfs who really runs the show.
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Posted by Rob Defrees on Tuesday 13 May 2008 - 02:24:33 |
Monday 12 May 2008
TRUE HEROES OF CALAVERAS
Hi, my name is Rob, and this is a web site about my street in Fresno.
Rob,The Day was a huge success. Congratulations. I must say… Rob you have become near and dear to me and in my thoughts even when I am away from everything and lost in my temple my thought are with you. Your courage and willingness to put yourself out have been a model for me. Thank you for your friendship.Jeff
In part, the letter from Senator Dianne Feinstein reads;
'IN ADDITION, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE FRESNO POLICE DEPARTMENT WHO ARE WORKING OVERTIME TO CLEAN UP STREETS SUCH AS CALAVERAS ACROSS THIS GREAT CITY. WE ARE SO BLESSED IN CALIFORNIA TO HAVE DEDICATED AND BRAVE PEOPLE SUCH AS YOU WHO RISK YOUR LIVES EACH AND EVERY DAY TO PROTECT US. THROUGH YOUR MANY ACTS OF HEROISM AND COMPASSION, YOU HAVE EXHIBITED YOUR ALLEGIANCE TO THE HIGHEST STANDARD OF PUBLIC SERVICE.'
'ON BEHALF OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE, I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY DEEPEST GRATITUDE FOR YOUR PASSION AND COMMITMENT TO SHOW WHAT CAN BE DONE WHEN A COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER TO ENACT CHANGE. I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST IN YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVORS.'
The brave officers shown in the snap are Captain Dennis Bridges, Officer Tony Casarez and Officer David Rady. They are but 3 of the faces of the coppers who have given so very much to make the folks on Calaveras and my neighborhood feel that the coppers do care and are a very real part of the community.
There are many more snaps of the event, but this old geezer mucks it up when he tries to pt more than one on the post. My angel will try to correct that.
I am so committed to the continued fight to rid the road of 'poison' that I am soon to hold a march in the alley in back of 433 N Calaveras. The drug dealers selling 'poison' and their punters will not give up. With police whistles and placards, I hope the band of neighbors who march with MOI will be able to scare them off. I will let you know when it happens. I know that there are neighbors up on that part of the road who will fight with MOI. Councilwoman Sterling is served notice that if she is truly concerned about our road and a part of her district she has written off, that she and her Chief-of-Staff, best put on good walking shoes and be here. If Councilwoman Sterling stays away, she shows that she is a coward. That 'NO NEIGHBORHOOD LEFT BEHIND' is a meaning less slogan she mouths to collect support for another pay packet.
The gloves are off. Councilwoman Sterling and the other dwarfs sitting on the City Council are served notice that 'poison' is the number one concern in this City. Shame on them if they will not leave the comfort of the 'Ivory Tower' and join the fight to rid out City of 'poison'.
Fresno is OUR CITY. Fight for the right to make it BEST.
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Posted by Rob Defrees on Monday 12 May 2008 - 03:04:17 |
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 'SAY, DO YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING........SAY, DO YOU HEAR THE DISTANT DRUM' Rob Defrees @ (08 May : 03:18) (Misc) |
| 'All the world's a stage and most of us are desperately unrehearsed.' Sean O'Casey Rob Defrees @ (14 Apr : 01:13) (Misc) |
| 'AMERICA IS NOT A COUNTRY WHERE THE SMALL GESTURE GOES NOTICED' Rob Defrees @ (07 Apr : 00:29) (Misc) |