Hall or Bust.

 

Today's Tids Issue 6,045 

Tap-a-Million: 

 

Do you think that Trump extended the ceasefire so the NFL Draft could go on without interruption? The NFL is that big, in case you haven’t noticed. 

 

How about that special ops officer who bet $33K in the "Predictions Market” on the timing of the removal of Madura and made $400K. The  DoJ just came after him, indicting him on charges of using confidential information for personal gain and theft of non-public government information. Then there were three congress people banned by Kalshi for betting on themselves to win their elections. Think of the potential for insider info at many levels being used in the prediction markets. The temptation is higher than ever because the bet just takes a tap on the key. Hear a nugget tap a key. Welcome to the latest digital slippery slope. 

 

“I could tell my parents hated me. My bath toys were a hair dryer and a radio.” -- Rodney Dangerfield. 

 

The Question: 

How many golfers does it take to change Lightbulb?  Bonus: How many South Americans does it take to change a lightbulb? 

 

The Headlines: 

--As Peace talks Meander under Cease Fire Agreement, AI is Back on Stage as Among Key Investor Concerns. Nas and S&P End Week Higher. 

--Nike Laying Off 1400; Meta Cutting 10% of Employees. 

--New DoJ Chief Says Firing Squad, Electrocution and Gassing Added to Lethal Injections as Official Tools of Execution; This Begins Fed Return to More Active Execution of Worst Criminals.  

--Musk Fans Turned Off by Daily Comments on Race.  

--Wikoff and Kushner Off to Pakistan for Weekend Peace Talks; Iran Nixes Offer.  

 

Last night, the NFL draft was held before massive cheering crowds. You spend a lot of time waiting, watching scenes of people you never heard of being hugged and happy.  

 

Beware of responding, even in the slightest way to text messages from area code 949. It is a phishing expedition often with a simple phrase like, “Are you available at noon?” With that a response of any kind tells them your number is a live number. Other messages may be more complex and even threatening. Don't react ot 949. In any way. 

 

I am becoming more and more skeptical of everything. In my immediate response to the Vrabel-Rusnni caper I thougtht they were picture edited out of context designed for internet sensationalism. But now it seems quite apparent that something was brewing between the two.  

 

“People who live in glass houses might as well answer the door.” Morey Amsterdam 

 

The revenge policies of the WH seem to be going global this week as an email surfaced about the US reconsidering UK’s sovereignty over the Falkaland and a push to remove Spain from Nato, This is because the Prez is unhappy with the response from these nations to his Iran situation.  

 

The sequel to Prada might not ne a bad movie after all. It appears that it will focus more on the demise of print journalism in favor of digital likes and dislikes. I know it is sacrileges to some for me to say I don't like Meryl Streep, but I am not a fan. But the plot seems interesting despite her presence. 

 

One movie that looks like the loser of the year is the Michael Jackson biopic. Can you say possible Razzie.  

 

I was going to try to get tis out early and run to a meeting. But I decided to hold off and look fo something that is actually interesting before signing off for the weekend. 

 

There should be a children’s song, “If you’re happy and you know it, keep it to yourself and let your dad sleep.” – Jim Gaffigan. 

 

 

The Answer: 

“Fore”. Bonus: “Brazilion”. 

 

Have a great weekend, E-v-e-r-y-b-o-d-y!! 

 

 

Dreams or challenges.

 

 

Today's Tids Issue 6,044 

 Falling to 31:

A woman keeps having disturbed dreams, shouting things like "Hobbit!", "Gandalf!", and "Mordor!".She is always Tolkien in her sleep... 

In general I tend to be i awe of people. It seems like all of the time I'm meeting somebody who is just brilliant in so many ways. Yeah, with a neighbor or a friend or a relative, young or old I often hear a sensible solution to world problems argued endlessly by anointed experts. We should listen to ourselves. 

 

Hey, the NFL Draft is on TV Tonight. It will be its usual extravaganza with draft experts trying to outdo each other. If you have a couple of hours to watch mostly nothing happening, tune in, I will. I'm easily duped. 

  

The Question: 

Who was Ruth Slenczynska? 

 

The Headlines: 

--Software Stocks Lead Markets Down Early After IBM Reignites Fears of AI Disruptions Across Sector; Fragile Peace Talk Progress has Inventors Worried Again; New Jobless Claims Creep Up. 

--US Intercepts Iran Supertanker in India Ocean. 

--Pentagon Fires Secretary of Navy John Phelan; Most likely Reason according to Insiders is Slow Progress of building Out Trump’s Prized Hope for a “Golden Fleet”.  

--Tesla Earnings Beat Estimates; Stock Wavers as Investors Show Concern for Slow Growth of Robo Taxi and return on AI Investments.  

--Trump Orders Military to “Shoot and Kill” Small Iranian Boats Clogging Strait. 

--Trump Admin Reclassifies Cannabis as “Less Dangerous”. 

 

“I'm always chasing rainbows, Watching clouds drifting by. My schemes are just like all my dreams, Ending in the sky,” 

 

I was thinking of that pretty melodic song of yore. I was thinking that perhaps after all of these decades of chasing dreams I should settle down and get practical. But I looked up the lyrics for that song and found it was an anthem of a loser. A glass half empty guy. Yet, I thought, if you don't chase rainbows, if you don't dream you may not ever find anything, You may have missed out on the best things you found. So, I guess I'm not ready to become practical yet.  

 

If you watch the Stock market, the key to billions now-a-days is to sell high one day and but low the next. Have we ever had a clearer pattern for short term guidance. Yes, lately we have had consistently alternating highs and lows tied to predictable peace talk rhetoric. 

 

The new average grocery expenditure for a family of four is $1,450/month. That is the average for a range that goes from $950 to $1,700 depending on location, resources and personal spending guidelines. The biggest single surge occurred during the 2020-21 Pandemic years.  I am continually amazed when checking out at the size of costs for a few essential items. But I continue to find good deals on Potato Chips. I work hard on essentials. 

 

I have to apologize. Sometimes I write long Tidlets what I think are are thoughtful and meaningful, yet that probably only I understand. Yesm you are still sane if you don't get what I mean 

 

The 70-80 degree temps of last week were a real fooler now that the cold has returned in earnest. It just reminds me why mid May is the best time to plant up here in New England. I hate the thought of shivering plants. 

 

If a teacher tells you that that your dreams are the future, how come they won’t let you sleep in class? 

 

Fired Secretary of the Navy John Phelan was a Trump supporter and contributor. He made is money mainly as a private equity guy managing the fortunes of Donald Dell. As reported above, Phelan was fired mainly over disagreement between he and Hegseth and #2 Stephen Feinberg over the progress of the Golden Fleet initiative. The “Golden Fleet” is a Trump concept with intention of fast tracking ship building to catch China which is away our in front of the US. The aim is to build 20-25 “Trump Class”: ships which are 30-40,000 Ton Battleships capabelof carrying lasers, rail guns and Hypersonic Nuke Missiles. The first of these ships is due in 2028. Critics are wary of the need for battleships in an era of “stealth precision missiles”.  

 

The Answer: 

Ruth Slenczynska was the last living pupil of RRachmaninoff. As a 4-year-old child she was heralded as one of the worlds greatst child prodigies since Mozart. Her first recital was at the age of four and her first appearance a with symphony, The Paris, was at age seven. At the age of 9 she was called in to substitute for Rachmaninoff who had to bow out of a Paris performant due to an arm injury. The great maestro looked at the shaking little girl who appeared at is apartment door, pointed a finger saying “That plays the Piano”. Yet He quickly took time or clam her and make her comfortable. At rehearsal he realized that she was an incredible performer. They became closest of friends from that point on, Ruth performed for 9 decades and is beloved by all, not only those who have heard her play, but all who have ever met her. Her relationship with her fanatical musician father is a different story. She died today.  

 

I have decided to pursue my dreams. Good night. 

 

There are lots of Dream songs-- Dream On by Arrowsmith is always good. Coldplay, Dave Matthews and Taylor Swift have given us musical dreams too. But some feel the best classic dream sons is this one: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVRunwyoTMA