This is a photo of:

a.  Brooklyn apartment of author Salman Rushdie

b. Newly discovered secret hideout used by Saddam Hussein near Basrah.

c. Three old Persian Rugs in the home of a NYC cab driver that were estimated to be worth over 1 million dollars.

d.  Sigmund Freud's consulting room couch.

e. Hotel room in Cairo that Sarah Palin refused to stay in due to "shabbiness".

If you guessed "c"  you're wrong, but if you guessed "e" ...you're still wrong.  The answer is "d".  And the couch is in serious disrepair and in desperate need of restoration.  If you have about 8,000 bucks to spare, you could be its savior--for which you will receive a full tax write off--and a complimentary "transference." 

Talking to my brother few weeks back, and he made mention that USA today eerily resembles the Roman Empire during its decadent decline.  I listen when my brother talks  ancient history cause he knows his stuff, and his thoughts prompted me to do a little searching around the topic...

Steven Strauss at Salon.com weighed in nicely and cites 8 particularly striking similarities..complete article at:  http://www.salon.com/2012/12/26/8_striking_parallels_between_the_u_s_and_the_roman_empire/

But if you haven't the time or inclination to read long articles foretelling the fall of the empire, I offer the following as a shortcut to the same general conclusion.

  

Check out the Grill on this baby!
This stunning silver sucker is the ultimate silencer for babes to the manor born.    Interested buyers:  It’s 14K white gold with 278 diamonds — ONLY $17,000.

Getting tennis elbow at the cocktail party? Wanna catch that Bridal Bouquet without spilling a drop?
Then you want the Wine Lanyard.  
The manufacturer promises that...

"You will never have to worry about soaking your date or fellow party guest again. This Silicone Sling leaves your hands free for all kinds of gestures and activities."

Those Taste Buds on your Colon will be delighted! 


Directions1. bring 4 cups of filtered water to  boil.  2. Grind 4 tablespoons  PurEnema Coffee  3. Reseal  PurEnema Coffee bag.  4. Add  4 tablespoons of PurEnema Coffee to the boiling water or as directed by your health professional.  5. let boil  5 minutes then simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.  6. Remove from heat,  allow to cool to 98 degrees F. then Strain   7. Pour into Clean Colon Kit or other zero toxicity enema device.  8. Perform Coffee Enema as directed by your healthcare professional.

And the coup de grace-less. 

Wonder if the  Romans wore togas with Veni, vidi, vici stitched on...yes,
victory is sweet--and aside from the combined 100 million dead, assorted miseries and unfortunate other stuff that happened along the way, there's no denying who came out on top. (It was just the USA right?)  But regardless, two in a row is not much of a streak...you need a three-peat if you really want bragging rights. 

But it's easy to be snarky and find fault--the harder task is to confront oneself and ask if perhaps the clearest indication that the empire is on the downslope is that so many of those who might endeavor to make some much needed repairs are simply watching the parade from the sidelines and...blogging.




P.S.  thank you Blogspot for once again making the laying of a layout so difficult and frustrating. Give my best to Customer Service rep. Thomas, who tried and tried to be of assistance but was limited by the fact that he knows nothing.