It's an anecdotal world.

Today's Tids Issue 2,485
Opening Stuff:

Is Intel the harbinger of Q4 reports to come? There have been rumblings as far back as the late summer about the shortfall in the PC supply chain. The rumblings may in fact have been early warnings about sour notes in the jazzy electronics products markets. And, it's not just slowing sales for PC's, but the inability to get components to make them if/when sales return. If you read between the circuit boards, the next wave for the popular tablets will be hardened, workhorse PC competitive tablets beginning, they say, with the soon to be announced IPad3. The big question, "Where exactly is Microsoft as a player in this potential paradigm shift?

One of the keys to less anguish during the pre-Christmas rush, is to never buy cheap Scotch tape imitations.

The more you think about the ills of America, the more apparent it becomes that term limits is the answer.

It's the Independents, stupid!

The Question:

George Gershwin was an incredible musician/composer, somewhat like a Leonard Bernstein, who was adept at creating exceptional jazz and popular music along with serious classical moments. Name five pieces of Gershwin's timeless music.

The Headlines:

--Retail Sales Miss Expectations For November.
--Small Bounce-back Seen For Markets Today.
--Repubs Now More Confident Adding Canadian-Texas Pipeline To Payroll Tax Saving Bill; Big Bill Would Also Curb Fed Agency Spending But Not Many Annoying Regulations.
--Canada Withdraws From Kyoto Protocol; First Country Out Deals Blow To Climate Nuts.
--Prez Says US Will Stick By Iraq.
--Sandusky Abruptly Waves Hearing That Would Have Him facing Accusers; Masses of Journalists In Area Expected To Go Ice Fishing..
--"No News" News: Corzine Re-testifies That $1.2 Bil Is Still Missing.
--Obama Asks Iran To Return His Airplane.
--Chelsea Makes TV "Reserved" Debut With Puff Piece On Black Woman Helping Kids In Ark.

I don't go to Chinese restaurants that put peas in their fried rice. Period.

A reader observes that Governor Chafee-lite will probably call the Hanukkah Menorah, the Holiday Candlestick.

Chinese take-out is made in America.

When you think about it, all of our current ills in households, government entities, companies and whole countries boils down to irresponsible spending of money they don't have.

I used to worry about losing a few good people due to term limits, but now I know that keeping a few good people isn't enough of a payback.

Newt sounds like a politician and Mitt sounds like somebody who's accomplished something.

It appears to this observer that redistricting in RI will make my town beholden to South Providence, and that we will be saddled with little prevaricator Cicilline for two more years.

Stores really look busy this Christmas. But, it's discounts that's drawing them in -- and drawing profits down. TV cameras can show masses of people, but they don't focus on the cash across the counter. It's like political soundbites that don't begin to tell the whole story.


Almost Near: Chapter 55 continues. --
Samantha's eyes lit up, and Tucker immediately turned his head towards her glance, There stood Defective Sparrow, smiling down at Samantha. "How are you feeling this morning You look great." He smiled broadly.
Tucker swung his head back to Samantha, "What happened to you?"
But Samantha stood without answering and went over to Sparrow, touched his wrist, "Thanks for yesterday. Sorry I'm so unstable!" She laughed and looked over at Tucker. "As in trippng, I mean." And she laughed even harder at the little joke. Turning to Tucker, "This is Detective Sparrow of the Police department her. he's looking back into the death and disappearance of my father and mother's suicide. John, this is Tucker Louttite, the man I rely on for my sanity. He has told me he knew my parents."
Sparrow, still laughing at Samantha's humor, moved his admiring glance away from Samantha and put out his hand, "Nice to meet you Mr. Louttite." Then he pulled out a chair and sat as Samantha returned to her chair. He nudged it closer to Samantha. "You may be just the man we needed, Mr,.."
"Tucker, you can call me Tucker."

The Answer:

Frankly, I first think of "Rhapsody in Blue". But, The "(Piano) Concerto in F" and "American in Paris" are equally great examples of contemporary classical music. On the popular and Broadway side, Porgy and Bess is an American institution. Other shows are Strike up the Band, Lady be Good, Funny Face and Girl Crazy. Among his singes, as they would call it to day, we have Summertime, I Got Rhythm, Swanee, Embraceable You, Someone to Watch Over Me, Shall We Dance, I've Got a Crush, Somebody Loves Me, It Ain't Necessarily So on You and mountains more. One of his little known pieces for piano and vocal that could be really big today is "Vodka".

As they say in the tune, "I'm just drifting along with the breeze", avoiding any temptation at all to go Christmas Shopping. Procrastination is a wonderful thing,