God damn Yahoo mail.

Today's Tids Issue 2,996
Opening Stuff:
Looking forward to 2014, I just gotta think that somewhere in the constitution there's something that protects the incandescent light bulb.

I must be somewhat of a dolt, considering that critically acclaimed and sure-fire Oscar films often leave me cold; that I fail to understand the excitement.

You can generally measure the courage of a good leader by how loudly the comfortable cry foul.

The Question:
Name the Top Ten celebrities who spell T-r-o-u-b-l-e! I know, I know, there are only seven letters in trouble.

The Headlines:
--Suicide Bombers Kill 30 In Russia; Olympic Officials Up Concerns Over Games Safety.
--ACA Signs Up A Million In December.
--Feeling Snubbed By US, And US Iran/Syria Policy, Saudi Reaches Out Too New Allies.
--Assad Sends Message To Pope: Says He Is Protecting Syrians Of All Religions From Islamic Aggression.
--Google And Apple Competing To Become Auto Industry Digital Standards.
--Income Opportunities For Americans Declining.

In case you're wondering, Yahoo mail failed to save a couple of brilliant Tids, so I started this morning angrily catching up. You never quite recreate the originality of a first thought, much less capture those that go missing.

Let's hope that the NFL playoffs will be as exciting as yesterdays playoff Sunday to get into the playoffs. You have to wonder how strong the San Diego team is when in a must win game they barely squeaked by a KC team minus 22 starting players, including 8 Pro Bowl electees. Aaron Rogers proved why he is considered great. LeGuarette Blount of the Pats was the greatest player of the year for a day amassing over 340 yards on the ground. Anybody can win this Superbowl.

In a new National Poll of substance we learn that 81% of Americans are favorable to the concept of the Affordable Care Act. For the same sample, only 68% like the idea of ObamaCare. Ah, an educated electorate!

Judging by the number of strange typos in the last Tids, I guess I'm one of those who contribute to that unfounded myth that gives teachers a bad name.

If young people think old people are grumpy today, wait until governments worldwide start cutting pensions and increasing retirement age.

As "Pot America" Day nears, what are the odds of a mass migration to Colorado and Washington? Oldsters go to Florida for sun, dreamers go to Nevada to lose it all, the gimmie crowd comes to RI for free stuff and now -- High-Ho it's off to pot we go. It's Classic states rights competitiveness in action, right?

"One more day" is a great song from Les Miz and also a phrase of frustration for UPS. All was fine this Christmas until the last day when their 293 airplane force was just not enough. FedEx has about 563 planes, but are smart enough not to rely on the consumer, where mass hysterical reactions are only a package away, especially, when it's little Johnny's Christmas present! So, how does UPS make sure they have enough planes for last minute shoppers, but not so many that it sucks the life out of profits?

It was a sad headline that read, "Thousands in RI (Millions in Nation) to receive a raise". The raise of course was one by law, minimum raise, and not from real economic growth in the country. But, that's where seem to have gone, where the cheering hails mandates instead of rewards from accomplishment. It's a form of imprisonment.

I tend not to agree with "Letters to the Editor" sent from West Kingston.

The Social Media, which obliterates borders, threatens to make America just like the rest of the world. Lest we forget, America was created for greatness based on not doing what the rest of the world had done wrong for years. Our biggest illegal immigratnt problem may be found on FaceBook and Twitter, et. al.

BTW, the majority of teens have officially dubbed FB "yesterday's" place to be seen... and ceded it to Moms, Pops and Grandparents.

The Conscience: Chapter 31.
     "That's weird," said Joe as the twosome hit the high spot on the Mount Hope Bridge leading from Bristol to Portsmouth RI.
      "What's weird, Chucky?" Joe was intent on getting this easy job over with, and relaxing for a while in a place away from Sanna. But, he knew she had reeled in his sex crazed partner and that was not good for the team. Why does a great looking, classy but sinister woman have sex with a slob like Chuck, he asked himself. To own him, that's why. And if she owns Chuck then she owns me too.
    "That skyscraper over there. It just comes up out of farmland and the sea beyond it. Looks out  of place."
    "Let's hope we don't look out of place in this hayseed down." The road had changed from a country street to a smattering of commercial properties. Joe looked down at their new, shiny boat shoes, and smiled at how outrageous they might appear to a real Yankee.
   They turned right at the Melville Marine Area sign and within a minute they were in a small industrial area consisting of mainly of dozens of boat builders and marine accessory companies. They spied the sign to the marine engine company that matched their information, and drove right up to the big metal building, parking on a bed of crushed clamshells. Chuck looked down at the former bivalves, "Didn't we pass a restaurant?"
   Joe punched him. "Get the satchel"
     
The Answer:
There are two "L's" in hell and the name of Number One pampered trouble maker for 2013 -- Lindsey Lohan. After Lindsey you have Kanye West, Charlie Sheen, Chris Brown, Emma Roberts (Julia's niece), Reese Witherspoon, Justin Bieber, Lamar Odem, Naomi Campbell and Miley Cyrus. Lamar won't be on the list next year, because he will be nowhere, unless he latches on to Dennis Rodman and chums it up with Kim.

Somewhere out there, a great Tid or two that was in here Sunday is floating around in Yahoo purgatory for fallen away nuggets of wisdom. I hate that.

Time to buy your hats and noise makers, but don't buy them for me.