Today's Tids Issue 2,789
Opening Stuff:
Interesting that NFL Free Agency and the hunt for the new Pope begin on the same day.
Personally, we
in New England like Cardinal Patrick O'Malley for Pope. He's the Bishop
of Boston and formerly was the Bishop of Fall River, just up the road
over the state boarder. But, the Odds makers (Odds makers? the Vatican
outlawed betting on the Pope in 1591. It's still illegal in the US) have
the top five in order as Cardinals Angel Scola, Italy; Odillo Pedro
Scherer, Brazil; Peter Turkson, Ghana Africa; Tarcissio Bertone, Italy;
Marc Quellet. These are all nice guys, and have accomplishments in the
Church. But, O'Malley, he's different. A native of Lakewood Ohio, he
first walked upon the bigger US clerical stage wearing sandals and a
simple brown robe of the Capuchin Friars. O'Malley has a lot of degrees,
speaks 6 languages from Portuguese to German and Hebrew, likes the
theater, is a blogger, helps the poor, solves big messy problems -- It
is, though, the man himself who
stands out. Affable and humorous with a twinkle in his eyes. A uniter
and a fixer. A pope for the times.
The Question:
Double "Q" Day -- 1. Name the four Baldwin Brothers. What do they all do? 2. Name the five biggest Cruise lines.
The Headlines:
--Judge Blocks Bloomberg Bombastic Bans On Big Drinks; Fans Of Common Sense And Intelligence Applaud.
--Ryan Spearheading Republican Plan To Balance Budget; Ryan Would Do Away With Unwieldy ObamaCare; President Frowns.
--Copter Crashes In Afghanistan Killing 5 Americans.
--Small Earthquake Rattles Southern cal.
--US Intelligence Agencies Say Cyber Attacks Have Surpassed Physical Terrorism As Biggest Threat To US.
--Venezuelan Election Commences.
--Falklanders Vote Overwhelmingly To Keep British Rule.
--Samsung Galaxy S4 Newest Challenge To Apple.
North Korea continues to play Russian roulette with the world.
Commerce in the taxi industry is known as Fare
Trade.
Why countries don't work like the US, Department:
--Down
in Venezuela yesterday it was register for Presidential candidate day.
So the Chavez henchman, ex-bus driver, union leader, socialist arrived
with all of his manic devotees, There were so many singing and shouting
supporters that poor Henrique Capriles, the only challenger to the
Chavez dictatorship, was blocked from
getting into the government building to register! Not allowing
opponents to register completely eliminates the problems of voter fraud.
Brilliant! --Of course the Kenya President-elect, won with 50.03
promising that he will only occasionally attend his trial on Human
rights violations leaving him plenty of time for the running of the
government. ow, there's a campaign promise unmatched in the world, even
in Chicago. Observers expect the trial to be declared after Kenyatta
has either killed or bribed all witnesses. Democracy marches on.
How many of you know what
a Sarcacocca is? Give up? Ok, it is a Sweet Box. How many of you know
what a Sweet Box is? Well, also known as a Christmas Box, it is a genus
of 16-20 species of flowering plants native to eastern, southeastern
Asia and the Himalayans. They are a shiny evergreen leaved plant that
blooms in an array of flowers. It is fragrant and relaxing, unless you
are trying to spell the name.
If you are seeing a big blank space up above, it is a pic of Sarcacocca.
That Sagrada Familia
is one amazing piece of art. Oh, I know it's a Cathedral unlike any
cathedral, and an architectural masterpiece, but I see it as pure,
magnificent sculpture. It is the 1882 work of Architect Antonio Gaudi,
and is still under construction, probably til 2025, 28 when the central
tower twice the height of the current building will be completed. It has
become the life work of several architects who followed the inspiration
of Gaudi and his meticulous plans. It's impossible to describe, so
check this out:
If I was a Catalonian, I'd want to secede.
It looks like the public saw
through the insincerity of Obama's scare tactics after all. His numbers
are down, and not just on job approval, but
personal likability too. In a new study out today the McClatchy-Marist
Poll has 0-Man's job numbers at 45% approval and 48% disapproval. Even
more interesting is his decline in personal image from a positive 53-44
in November to 48-48 now. In addition, Congressional Republicans are now
viewed at best at fixing the budget and indebtedness. The Ol's Prez is
probably sitting in that Oval Office thinking, "And, I picked up the
check. Rats."
Say it ain't so, Wes Welker.
The Conscience: Chapter 16 continues.
I ducked back into a small alcove, watching Angelica hook the arm of
the old man with hers, and pull him along, away from where I stood. He
looked happy as turned his head towards hers. Not the old grouch,
taciturn man I saw drinking coffee. There was a little spring
in his step.
When they were 75 yards or so ahead, I stepped back into the maze of
streets, sidewalks and allies. Even from the distance, I could see the
two were enjoying each other. I felt a little pang in my heart. Was I
jealous? Of course I was. I'm kind of shallow that way.
I walked a little faster, easily hiding myself in the crowds that
seemed to be scurrying around this labyrinth -- cosmopolitan dressed
business men and women, beefy longshoreman, diligent looking boatyard
workers and the tourists, which always stand
out in a crowd in their sneakers. Sneakers? I'm dating myself, walking
shoes and maps. I wonder if Nike is thinking of introducing a touring
shoe. There were a number of younger people all with cell phones all
talking wildly to someone. Maybe a pickpocket partner. Pickpockets were
prevalent around here I'd been told.
I patted my wallet and looked around for approaching people. I was in
the clear. My quarry were now about fifty yard til the end of a building
I was just approaching. I quickly moved to my right, then left, running
down the opposite side of the building parallel to Angelica and her
lover. My stomach didn't like that description. My plan was to bump into
her accidentally. I slowed, hoping my timing would result my meeting
her as
she and the old man reached the corner. I put my head down and
squinted, not wanting to look eager.
"Signore Jeff!" I looked over and saw Angelica dragging the old, tired
lover towards me. "What a surprise. I meet you in the strangest places.
How odd." She glared into my soul. She knew. I was caught. I expected
her to turn and put a big kiss on that ugly old geezer's lips. Serves me
right. She pulled the man closer. Jeff Morgan, This is Antonio
Biglietto, my Nonno! Isn't he beautiful?"
"Nonno?" Lover?
"Oh, I mean my Grandfather and favorite man in the world! Isn't he wonderful.
"I blushed. "He certainly is, I now said happily. I wanted to throw my
arms and hug him. But, he grabbed my hand in his and placed his other on
top, shaking vigorously. "Signore Jeff Morgan, Angelica dice che sono
un uomo buono!"
I looked puzzled and
Angelica filled in, "He says you look like a nice man."
The Answer:
1.
Of course you know the ubiquitous Alec. The others are on the tip of
your tongue, right? Daniel, Billy and Stephen. Alec is the oldest and
Stephen, who is about to get off the hook with NY for not paying or
reporting Income taxes. is
the youngest. The four from Long Island all tried acting but only Alec
really made it. Billy was best know for Backdraft, Flatliners, and
Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Stephen made noise in The Usual Suspects, The
Young Riders and Born on the Fourth of July. Daniel has probably been
least known, but was in Zero Dark Thirty, and has several slated for
this year. 2. he biggest cruise
ships are mainly owned by the Royal Caribbean International. They have a
series of ships "...Of the seas". 1(tie) Allure and Oasis of...; 4
(tie) Freedom, Liberty and Independence of seas; 9 (Tie) Navigator,
Mariner of... Norwegian Epic is #3, RMS Queen Mary #7 and #8 MSC Davina,
#11 MSC Fantasia, MSC Splendida. The biggest carnival Line ships are
tied at 16 -- Carnival Dream, Magic and Breeze. Disney Dream and fantasy
are tied at 19. Celebrity comes on board with three at 22.
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