Opening Stuff:
I have to say that there was nothing I liked better each year in my formative years than dressing up in Halloween garb and going out for candy with my friends. In the early days I probably wore my dad's "Air raid Warden" helmet and I doubt if we were able to use flashlights during those WWII blackout years. I remember the crispness of fall in the air and the wondeful smells of burning leaves; the happy looks of people as they filled my bag. I remember learning quickly who gave apples and who went over board with giant candy bars. Getting a Clarke Bar was a seminal achievement. I felt the same years later when I first took my kids around. Nothing had changed at all. The excitement of happy kids looking up at ole' dad. Then racing ahead. The crunch of leaves neath tired feet. Still the apple vs. candy houses. I remember the shy first steps towards a door and tighter gripping from a little hand. And that glance up for comfort and strength. I live in a place where there are no kids, and I miss it. Maybe tonight I'll go out and sit on curb with a bowl of big candy bars...and no apples. I'll probably get mugged.
The critics will surely find a way to disparage the Mittster for campaigning now during the aftermath of a major disaster in Media Center USA. Of course, the Prez will be enjoying the unique advantage of the best kind of campaign message, caring for citizens. Walking amidst the rubble with Governors and consoling the people around him. It's what he should do. It is what is needed when people think hope is gone. But, this race is important to everybody looking for, needing a different kind of hope. That hope for a better USA for generations to come, a promise which Romney can begin filling. Romney's challenge is to be out there, in these last few days, delivering a positive message that doesn't distract from the need for compassion for the suffering. I expect it will be a a positive tone clearly defining his own goals for America. And that he will not at all point out the President's weaknesses in this difficult time.
Of course, while the President is out there consoling, ex Pres Clinton is out there cajoling. When that lower lip begins to quiver, there is no better sweet talker than the Irishman from Arkansas. "O" must have promised the worlds best wheedler a lot, because "That Woman's" man is dong more for him and the Dems then anybody in America.
The Question:
I was thinking for some odd reason this morning of specialty entertainers like magicians and ventriloquists. And there have been some great ones through history, even before TV, if people today can imagine a world before the Tube. Name five of the best for each genre. (Hey, wait a minute -- you can't call it "The Tube" any more, How about "The Slab"?)
Today's Headlines:
--Mid Atlantic Region Discovering new Tragedies As Clearing Begins.
--Wall Street Open For Business: Markets Open Higher.
--Management Shake-Up Has Apple Shares Falling below 600.
--GM Profit Falls 12%; Big Auto Maker Follows Trend Of Lower Q3 Profit Reports.
--8.2 Million On East Coast Still Powerless.
--Meanwhile, The War In Syria Escalates During Truce; UN Makes Statements, Combatants Throw Bombs.
--Greek Gov Said Ready To Vote On Compromise That Would Begin Austerity Program; Bankrupt Country Could Begin To Take Steps Towards Survival; Banking Experts say It Will never Work.
Beware of witches with Teflon coated cauldrons.
The word "Autumn" as an adjective for menus always means squash, apples and pumpkin added - from coffee flavors to sauces for rib-eye steaks. How discouraging. How utterly intrusive to gastronomic happiness.
In China, slow growth means 7%.
The Great gift from Bush to Obama was the lesson of Katrina. While Bush did everything right from a practical point of view, it was learned that perception, magnified by the innate hatred of a myopic left wing, is more important. Flying in a plane saying "Gol-ly, look at that mess down there" is more improtant than what GW actually did -- declared a federal disaster area two days before the storm struck.
The greatest part of getting back power is not having that guilty feeling every time you open the freezer door.
The music for Aaron Copeland's opera The Tender Land is perfect for a creative morning. I happen to like Copeland. Some don't.
There are concerns that Apple does not have a high ranking official focused on product development. Of course, few companies have ever had a product manager CEO like Steve Jobs. Wall Street doesn't seem to be able to get over the death of JB. Maybe they're right. But, the company has to move on with what they have. And make the best of it. Cook looks more like an MBA guy in a Steve Jobs Halloween costume. But, he is what he is and he will remake the company, probably to look more like a normal corporation with annoying edicts and less like the free-wheeling innovators of the wild west. BTW, the new mini-Tab compares quite favorably against Nexus and Kindel Fire, except by a big margin in price. It is thinner, lighter with a bigger screen, and that's what 99% of users feel. It's now a matter of how light they want their wallets to feel.
Yesterday morning I had to go to a coffee shop in an area of town where there was power. It wasn't far and it was a great feeling walking in and seeing lights and a hubbub-O-people at 6:00 or so. I said "Thanks for being open" and ordered two to go. He said, "Regular or Pumpkin"? I replied, "Regular", and then stood there and thought Pumpkin? Why would anybody want pumpkin flavored coffee.
The "Pee Wee" cheerleaders in perfect costumes with perfect hair and clean smiling faces whooped it up for "Pee Wee" boys in too big shoulder pads strutting like their big league heroes played football for admiring, overwrought parents and ex-con coaches making bets with severe underworld characters. Yes the youth athletics which have been out of hand for a long time have taken another step down the black hole of our disintegrating culture, this time in Florida. Unbeknownst to the kids in The South Florida Youth Football League, they are playing for the pleasure of parents and coaches betting on games in a ring run by bookies coaches and parents where the "Take" for the championship game was $100,000. "Break somebody's head Jimmy, Mama needs a new pair of shoes". God help us.
The Answer:
Magicians: I first think of Harry Houdini when it comes to magic and I have to figure he, because of his pioneering tricks, comes out first on most polls. Next, my mind conjures up David Copperfield who isn't on the following Top Ten List. After Houdini you have Dante, Harry Blackstone Jr., Doug Henning, Richardi, Tihany, Mark Wilson, Siegfried and Roy, Lance Burton and Del Vernon. (Note: Among Magic fans, Criss Angle and David Blaine are the two favorites most over looked by the above list). Ventriloquists: I immediately think of Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy. Paul Winchell with Jerry Mahoney is another that slips into my mind. Dan Horn is popular among Ventriloquist followers. The Ed Sullivan Show once proclaimed Arthur Worsely as best ever. Personally, I liked Senor Wenses. Some of the best known were Jimmy Nelson (Farfel), Shari Lewis (Lambchop) and Jay Johnson (BobGrits). This is odd, because I have laughed at many ventriloquists over the years, but I have no knowledge of or remembrance of names even when viewing a list. You probably have some favorites.
I am seeing hurt that will not go quietly into the night.
My heart aches.
I pray.
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