Heart to Heart.

Today's Tids Issue 3,028

Opening Stuff:

 

Well, it's that day when hearts seem bigger. A day when when people pause a bit for romantic titillation. Whether you are a grouchy old curmudgeon or a spry youth, there is something special in the air on the day of Saint Valentine. No matter the commercial symbolism, it always comes down to that little pump in your chest. It's a special day that just about everybody can feel, whether they like it or not. Love is just too powerful.

Noel Coward once said that, "The perfect martini is filling the glass with gin and waving it in the direction of Italy." That's because a Martini was a combo of Gin and Italian dry vermouth and olives. Lemon twists are also acceptable. That's a martini. Period. Yet today somebody will probably promote a "Sweetheart Martini" with Pinnacle Strawberry Shortcake Vodka, Creme de' Bananess (Banana Liqueur), Cinnamon schnapps, with a luscious, big red strawberry garnish. Sounds dreadful to me, but somebody will build it. And they will come. Note: Please do not try this at home as I just made it up.)

It never ceases to amaze me how every Winter people talk about snow as if they have never seen it before

The Question:

If you are brave enough to hit the crowded V-Day restaurants, you may want to order a vodka martini. There are some truly weird flavors out there being marketed by pretty well known brands. Name 10 of the strangest you have seen.

The Headlines:
--Rand Paul Sues Barak Obama Over NSA Surveillance.
--Kerry Says China Willing to Push NK On Nuke Plans.
--Stocks Wandering; Industrial Production In Jan Down 0.3%; Street Still Weighing Effect Of Disappointing Retail and Employment Numbers.
--Harry And William Out With the Folks Sandbagging During British Floods.

--Indonesia Mount Kelud Volcano Erupts; 100 Thousand Evacuated.
--BitCoins Hit Again By Hackers; Gold Reaches Highest Point Since November.
--Tiger Marauding over 125 miles Through India Villages; Nine Killed So Far; Thousands living in Fear.
--Jos. Bank To Buy Eddie Bauer; Men's Warehouse Sidelined..

There's political steamroller plowing down the boulevard like we've never seen before, and it's Name is Hillary Clinton.

Any time you feel a little low, that you may not be good enough to make it, that you're dull and uninteresting and that nobody notices you...just remember that Hugh Downs made it big.

One thing killing States Rights is Federal Judges.

This minimum wage idea being floated around by Dems is one of the biggest taxpayer scams of all time. Inept politicians are looking to solve economic problems by forcing wages instead of easing restrictions that would grow an economy and create better wages from good jobs. And what really does a minimum wage do? For one thing is riles all those working hard for earned increases from achievements. So now these loyal toilers want to be paid better than the MinWagers and their give-away program. Companies now concerned about losing good employees pay out more and company profits deteriorate so that stocks go down destroying portfolios of retired people who are forced to go on welfare thereby increasing the cost of government who was forced to tax minimum wage workers.. And I didn't even mention that cost of product going up beyond the means of the min wage crowd. No, there's no collateral damage from minimum wages. Basically, Dems want to order companies to pay for votes for them in November.. That's about it.

Theo Epstein is having a difficult time in Chicago because he didn't walk into a locker room full of Dan Duquette's players.

Yesterday's storm was kind of a bummer here. Actually it was weird considering that Long Island got 14 inches and we, not that far away, lost snow.

I see where the shining example of alternative energy is a solar farm in the Mojave Desert that requires 5 square miles to generate what a power plant in a city block can do today. When the government is behind something, efficiency just isn't a consideration.

Some fawning sports guy for SI is trying to sell the idea that Derek Jeter could be considered directly responsible for the growth of MLB from $1 Billion to $9 Billion. Shoot me.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--The first of the movies timed for V-Day is te remake of Endless Love. The original was one that captured a moment, but those special moments are generally impossible to recreate, especially fro old critics.. But new audiences probably will enjoy the romance between a girl, a smart new HS raduate with a gleaming future, and blue collar boy with a troubled past. She is enthralled and he falls heard. Her father wants it to end while her mom eng=courages he rot follow her heart. The pair lets their consuming passion determine their future.
--About Last Night is your basic modern times romantic comedy. It follows two bar crowd and bedroom couples who finally have to reconcile themselves with the real world. It's probably fair, and not on my list.
--Winters Tale brings the 20 year old book to life for lovers day. This is your basic good versus evil film, so you do have somebody to root for. It is full of miracles and crossed destinies as as it follows across 100 years in Mythic NYC the intense love of a man for a woman. The man, a second story thief, Colin Firth, falls in love with a young woman dying from consumption, Keira Knightly. He strikes out to save her but must rid himself of his demons. It is slow at times, but I think will be worth the time.
--I like the mindless RoboCop films so I could be sucked into the latest. A major company in 2028 producing drones wants to bring their technology to US consumers. They pounce upon the misfortune of a good cop injured severely in the line of duty. They rebuild him into half man, half robot, but forget that he has a responsible human heart and will track down evil doers, even if it is them.

The Conscience; Chapter 36 continues.
       Finding that little device had some kind of cleansing effect. I had this feeling now that I was in control, even as I feared where this all might take me. Now I was only anxious that the night would pass quickly so I could call Angelica.
     The next thing I knew was my eyes were blinking wildly to blazing sunlight coming in through the window, an intense glare reflecting off the harbor waters. God, I thought, how that would hurt if I had drank myself in to a stupor. I might get used to this sobriety thing, if I could get there. 8:00 o'clock, I jumped up, moved to the phoe and pressed 5 numbers quickly, before hesitating, remembering the small device, now my advantage. I though for a few seconds of what I would say to Angelica, and completed the call.
     "Angelica Biglietto," a very official voice answered.
     "This Jeffery Morgan of Morgan and Associates"
      She broke into hysterical laughter realizing how stiff and out of character she must ave sounded. "Mr. Morgan, how kind of you to call. Are you ready to work?" I could hear the twinkle in her voice. And I reacted with a big smile into the phone. But, I knew I had to keep this conversation official.
      "Would you be available to meet around 10:00 so we could get started on dotting i's?" I was hoping she'd sense something. I think she is pretty good at feeling vibrations.
      Why certainly Mr. Morgan," she responded, "If your people are ready to proceed, I think we can begin to bring this deal to an end."
      "I will see you then."
      "Did you say thee was something bothering your eyes?"
       She always finds a way to leave me smiling, especially when she plays with English slang. "No, Angelica, are you being a Tease?" I hung up

The Answer:

How about "Pancakes with Maple Syrup" vodka from Burnett? Sure, or you could choose, Pinnacle Rainbow Sherbert, Smirnoff "Rootbeer Float", Three Olives "S'mores", Alaska Distillery "Smoke Salmon", Pinnacle Red Loquorice",  Vincent Van Gogh "PB&J", Alaska "FireWeed", Bakon "Bacon Flavored", Three Olives "Loopy", Smirnoff "Whipped Cream", Three Olives "Grape" and 360 "Buttered Popcorn". God help us.

In case you didn't notice, today I'm spelling Smirnoff correctly. I guess in my drinking days I could see the label through the haze.

When you see him, see her, walking towards you, you sense a quick gasp, an intake of air; you're heart beats a little faster, fills your chest. That wonderful warm ache increases with each beautiful step your lover and you take towards each other. You stop, you feel the glowing honesty of a beautiful smile drawing you closer. You are mesmerized by knowing eyes, peering deeply within as only those in love can. You stop. And feel the immense satisfaction of being loved and returning the gift. You take each other in your arms. You stand, unmoving, in the most beautiful embrace. One of the most wonderful moments a human can achieve. Happy Valentine's Day everybody. I think you'll feel the embrace in this music below, Elgar's Enigma Variation #10.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF9WcCsPkLEhttp://

Edward Elgar wrote the Enigma Variations for his friends, one variation for each from his best pal to his mother to the woman he loved.

Have wonderful day and a terrific weekend...E-v-e-r-y-b-o-d-y!