Today's Tids Issue 3009
Opening Stuff:
I realize that the florist was trying to be clever, but "Twigs" as the name of a flower shop?  Must be for those without "green thumbs".

A Reggiano is a Reggiano is a Reggiano. Not! Roses will not be thrown to laud all of these Prince of Parmesans, or should I say Parmigiano. The only similarity is that they all are way more expensive than your basic Kraft shaker. But, when you hit a good one, it is heaven. And I will continue to chase it down. It's one of those "I'll know it when I taste it" things.

The Questions:
Name five of Betty White's most memorable ventures. Bonus: Name three actors who have played Jack Ryan of Clancy Book fame?

The Headlines:
--Raging LA Forest Fires Dying Down; 3 Men In Custody.
--Bad Year For Goldman Will Produce Salaries Cuts of 3%.
--Some Early Profit Disappointments Have Stocks Slipping; Consumer Confidence Index Is Down.
--News Of Benghazi Report Of Hillary's State Department Missteps Played Down In National Networks.
--Jews Fear Online Resurrection Of Hitler's Mein Kampf.
--Top Internet Security Analysts Say ObamaCare Site is Shameful;

I'm just writing on fumes this morning as my big game nerves have completely taken over. I think that SF is really tough, but I'm loving this Seattle defense, so I'm going with Pete Carroll's team. Of course, when it comes to predicting the other game, it is all about my heart. I like the way my beloveds have been playing, and I just have a hunch that they will find a way to eke one out. But, personally I think the vibration from my blood pump have taken over reason. So, take it for what it's worth.

A new report from a RI  Watchdog group says that The Legislature was right and that  Governor Chafee should never have signed on to establish the state's own exchange for ObamaCare. The reason, the state can't afford to operate to the "mandate's" standards after Fed Funds disappear. Yes, like with all fed give-aways there are serious mandates that come along with it, mandates that cannot generally be fulfilled by entities that actually have to watch their budgets. 

One of the problems with Network sitcoms is that the rest of the world thinks everybody in the USA is a jerk or fool...or worse.

And how about those reality "stars" who are forced into outrageous outrageousness when ratings begin to slip. It's like watching a gasping fish flipping to find the way back to the water.

Like Christmas, MLK Day is being watered down, going from "I have a dream..." to "I have a deal..." Yes consumerism just can't leave an event standing for what it is. The birth of Jesus, the birth of freedom and compassion -- nothing means anything any more unless it is attached to dollar signs.

Speaking of special days being commandeered by commercialism, I wonder if that terrible looking Valentines Day "Open Heart" trinket means that love really isn't forever? 

The ban on profiling is a lot like affirmative action -- both are based on assumptions not in evidence.

Matthew McConaughhey looks like he had one great face lift from head to toes.

Are roads all of a sudden less safe, or are the new me generation drivers less considerate, less cautious?

If I were a young architect in this fast rising on-line buying world, I'd a have a drawer full of sketches about how to convert giant malls into affordable housing in 10-20 years.

Ironically, yesterday I made mention of the lovable Professor from Gilligan's Island. Russell Johnson died yesterday. He was terrific element to a series that had many great contributions. Well, maybe "great" is an over reach for a silly comedy.

Reading Between the lines Movie Reviews:
--The critics don't like Jack Ryan: Shadow recruit, but then I lately have seen a lot of the so-called critically acclaimed efforts, and have been left bewildered. I will be there as Jack, a financial analyst working for a billionaire Russian, finds himself framed by his Boss. He joins the CIA and the race is on. How can that be bad!
--Devil's Due smacks of Rosemary's baby. After a happy honeymoon and early pregnancy the Hubby notices odd changes in his wife. Get the picture. I might watch it some night on late night TV.
--The Nut Job is the latest in animated comedy's for the kids. In this caper, a squirrel and his rat friend plan to rob a nut store and find themselves embroiled in much more. Pretty good one.

The Answer:
Betty White has been all over the place. I liked her best in the Mary Tyler Moore Show. but she has been a Golden Girl. Currently she is in a show I will never watch (Franly, I didn't even know it was on) -- Hot in Cleveland. She has made many great guest appearances on TV, like her award winning efforts in The John Larroquette Show and on SNL. She was also in Boston Legal, The Golden Palace, Date With Angels and Life with Elizabeth. And she's still working while she's old. People like her for that. I think she is funny, sometimes. Bonus: The three other Jack Ryan's other than Chris Pine in the new movie were Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford and Ben Affleck. I would only have guessed Harrison.

How can this be a bad weekend with a game on Saturday! That's about all I have to say.

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