Not being able to read a clock face doesn’t count anymore.

Today's Tids Issue 3,274
Opening Stuff:

I was never able to snap a whip to urge on a horse taking my family to Grandmas, but people who did remembered it fondly. It is kind of a sacrilege to drown nostalgia in pools of reality. But kids who go digital at the age of 2 or 3 will build the world that conflicts violently with the love memories pasties for us and our children. Education will change dramatically. Former key jobs will be lost forever, and only the truly aware will move semi seamlessly into the new community. Communications changed forever years ago, as have social relationships, and society in general. Old Unions with fight it as hey  did with demise of railroads.  It is an acceptability challenge for all who loved where they came from, enjoyed what they did and accomplished. I totally rhapsodize over the way I grew up, and will never stop being a dreamer, but I also see existence in the new present as a wonderful challenge that we should all enjoy. Actually, I kind of like the new reality, because I have never been to good at tying my shoe laces.

 

I expect that more people are doing jigsaw puzzles as is very moment  than we would ever expect.

 

While the micro chip will change society forever, it is certainly not all a good thing. The simplicity of tweeting bomb threats that have stopped air traffic is not a good thing. The inevitable stock market manipulation and possibility of hacker induced crashes is not a good thing. The destruction of a person’s integrity is certainly detrimental to an orderly civilization. He mass dissemination if non facts is not a good thing. The crowd accusation of innocent people as guilty is certainly not a good thing. Like we have for millions of years, we still have to deal with foibles and inconsistencies of humans; we still must have  a foundation of knowledge and morality and ethics. That, should never change.

 

This brings us to the Super Bowl and the NFL, the least capitalist moneymaking entity on America, with communist style government safe guards and states and cities paying for their “Factories”. But, we love it regardless. I have been tired of the hype and antics for a week already but I am really excited about seeing a very good game coached b two excellent strategists. I love Russell Wilson and Lynch is dangerous as hell. The Seattle secondary is very good, as are their “O” and “D” lines. But then, the Pats are no slouches either. I think the Pats “D” is much improved since their “D” induced SB losses to the Jints. The question for me is, can the Pats offense make a dent in the Seattle defense. I’m thinking I’d like a 30 to 10 Pats win so my heart will survive. But, it looks more like a nail biter with the Pats pulling it out by 5 points. But then, I am an insufferable homer, Enjoy your wings and Cheetos. I’m going for KFC and gravy.

 

The Question:

Name the last five Superbowl Champions and the MVP’s. Bonus: Name the last five Halftime entertainers.

 

The Headlines:

--Romney Not Running For Presidency.

--Non-Terrorist Group Taliban Kills Three Americans In

--Dow Decimated As Overall Earnings Show Weakness; Amazon Stock Roars After Excellent Earnings Report; High Flying Amazon Competitor Alibaba Stock Killed After Weak Earnings A criticism From China Gov.

--Senate Approves Keystone Pipeline Bill Despite Veto Threat.

--Bomb Blast Rips Pakistan  Shiite Mosque Killing 49; Key Kurd Commander Killed In Iraq Kurds Setback After ISIS Attacks In Oil Rich Kirkuk; 19 kille, 28 Wounded In Baghdad Bomb Atacks.

--No Charges Against Zimmerman After recent Arrest.

 

I really like that Shriner’s TV commercial featuring the real children loving their smiles, their dancing their running. Makes my heart feel funny.

 

The opening paragraph was really intended to be about massive changes we can expect in education with the evolution of the digital child. Maybe I’ll do that Monday.

 

Definition of terrorism: “Man Made Disaster.” Or, Mad Man Made Mayhem.

 

In story about Uber working to comply with cities and state legalities, an executive said “We won’t make as much profit being lawful.” A bank robber could say the same thing.

 

One of my least favorite classical pieces has always been The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.

 

This is a sad little piece: On an Ibiza cliff on that picture perfect Mediterranean Island, as the red glow of the setting sun washed vivid colors  across the rocky scene, a young women jumping up and down for joy after accepting a marriage proposal, misjudged the edge of the cliff and fell to her death. I don’t know what to say. God.

 

Reading between the Lines Movie reviews:

--The Critics love Black and White which is about a hard drinking white Grandfather (Keven Costner) of a 7 year old black granddaughter (Jillian Eestell) who must take care of her after his wife, the girl’s grandmother died. Her white mom is dead and the black father has disappeared. It’s about racism and girl getting  Costner to stoop drinking and grow up and become an adult. The other big conflict is the emergence of the husband’s family’s grandma. It will get big ratings, but not really on my radar.

--The other critically acclaimed film is The Most Violent Year, which has possibilities for me. It is about a wrestling match of a marriage where the husband  (Oacar Issac) is a successful Hispanic entrepreneur in the home heating oil biz in union controlled NYC, and the wife (Jessica Chastain) is his bookkeeper and an incredibly tough, gun toting daughter of a Mafia kingpin. The conflict is always about morals and ethics with the wife always testing, trying to get the upstanding husband to bend the rules, and he having to make decisions in a tough b business environment that are illegal. I’d go.

--In Black Sea, Jude Law is an over the hill explorer submarine captain, who is hired by a treasure hunter group to find the sunken Nazi sub that may be full of cold, all while the Russian fleet lurks nearby. It is a thriller, and I would be prone to rent it, at least. Not a critical fave, meaning to me that it is not loaded with social BS.

 

The Answer:

Of course the Seattle Seahawks won last year and linebacker Malcolm Smith was the MVP. The rest of the last five are Baltimore – Joe Falcco; NY Giants – Eli Manning; GB Packers -- Aaron Rogers; NO Saints – Drew Brees. Bonus: Katy Perry will be out there lost in the crowds of dancers this year and will be following Bruno Mars and Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2014. The rest of the last five are Beyonce Destiny’s Child; Madonna, LMFAO, Cric de Soliel, Nicki Minaj, MIA, Cee Lo Green and Andy Lewis in 2013; For 2012 we had Black Eyed Peas, Usher and Stash; 2011 was The Who.

 

Malcom Smith?

 

Have a good tailgating, hard rooting and hopefully a smiling Pats victory weekend, E-v-e-r-y-b-o-d—y!

 

By the way, I like Pete Carroll too, always have – even when he was being lambasted by the Patriot’s sports writers and talk show goonies. It’s good to be loyal.

The incredible feeling of accomplishment.

Today's Tids Issue 3,273

Opening Stuff:

 

Church steeples out numbered masts as I looked out across to the Winter harbor, at the icy streets below my small window. It was part of my morning ritual before heading to the hopefully creative keyboard, checking out lawyers arriving, parking below, opening trunks and hauling out giant wheelie suitcases for another day in the court house a block away. After the years, you begin to see familiar faces, and expect a wave or a friendly smile before these intrepid legal minds put down their heads and trudge purposely off down the cobblestone road. The waves and the smiles never come, but my imagination revs up as I see the defendants arriving in their beat up cars, with court outfits slightly better than T-Shirts and low hung pants, or simple dresses instead of body revealing tights. I envision them standing next to these lawyers who have become stories at my fingertips; I see in my mind them enacting the crimes small and large, and plot how lawyers will mount a defense. The dreamer at work. Today, as I started to move away,  my eye caught the orange Dodge SUV, the car of a long time regular, pulling in quickly. She was late today I thought. She came to a screeching halt, jumped out and ran to the lift gate, which had popped open. She seemed tense, not the calm controlled woman I have observed. She pulled out the handle of her large roller briefcase and moved towards the exit. Within four or five steps, a small white Ford van bolted into the lot, cutting her off. She dropped the bag and started to run, but was quickly tackled by a man who had jumped out, and as a second man appeared she was dragged into the van, hands covering her mouth below wide frightened eyes. I dropped my coffee cup, and ran down the stairs, skipping several, almost falling. I opened the door and only heard the eerie silence of a cold day. The briefcase and the woman were gone.

 

In case you are wondering, I have my monthly writer’s lunch today. I had to get in the mood.

 

After a two week, 24/7 media barrage on deflated balls, please spare us the same on the brewing story about Bruce Jenner “Transitioning”. Hey, wait a minute!

 

My heart rate is increasing rapidly. Just about 81 hours to go before Kick-Off!

 

The Question:

A lot of people put their homes up for sale in the Spring. What are “6 steps to get your house ready to sell”   Bonus: Who are considered the USA’s five best all time poets.

 

The Headlines:

--US Jobless Claims drop 14.

--President Expected To Push For Reversal Of Sequester Cuts As Part Of His Upcoming Budget.

--AG Nominee Supports Obama Immigration Action; Boehner Says He Will Bring Suit.

--Fear: Russia Using High Frequency Trading To Crash Markets.

--Alibaba Crashing; Down To 88.

--Romney Blasts Clinton In Speech; Rubio Wins Conservative Group Straw Poll; Perry says Criminal Case Won’t stop Him.

--Yemen Rebels Take Over Military Base Outside Of Capital.

Iran Quietly Surrounding Middle East With Ally Affiliations.

--Jordan Issue Prisoner Swaps Ultimatum To Jordan.

--US Communist Party Chairman John Bachtell Has Published A 2,023 Manifesto Saying, “American Communists Are Eager To Work With The Democrat Party To Advance The Modern Communist Agenda…”

 

We have this Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy in town. It is pretty well connected to DC and the world of politic s and current events. So I was thinking that I might not go to many events when the first headline I read in the Newsletter was “President Obama’s State of the Union Echoes Recommendations from the Pell Center”. But reading further I noticed they were talking about the Center’s leading role in cybersecurity and the problems with ID stealing. Editors should rethink their headline writing if they want to draw from or relate to a broader community. Always read the whole story.

 

UConn Women’s Basketball is going to have trouble maintaining their competitive edge, and perhaps successful recruiting in the future, if they can’t get into a league where they are tested instead of winning by 60 or so points. The women’s B-Ball team is in fact held hostage by the mediocrity of the men’s Football program. Stay tuned.

 

Obama proved again that he doesn’t get America when he proposed a tax on College Savings programs. He doesn’t seem to get “Do it yourself” America, where a giant segment of the population at many income levels doesn’t sit around waiting for government handouts. He didn’t seem to have a clue that taxing programs like the 529 would kill the initiative of a strong middle class. Thankfully, gridlock works.

 

I have to believe that watching Circ de la Synphonie, a talented and imaginative aerial and acrobatic performance group that executes its magic with local symphony orchestras, would be a majestic evening. They are currently performing with the RI symphony, a very fine orchestra which always delivers.

 

A lot of the ObamaCare recipients (6.9 Mil) who received subsidies to help pay premiums are going to be surprised when the find they have to pay back money after doing their income tax (about 350,000.). Of course, the real bad news will come in 2025 when, according to the CBO, the cost of providing for the uninsured will be $1.35 Trillion or about $50K per person. CBO says it costs $1.993 Trill to pay for subsidies and widespread expansion of Medicaid and “Children’s health insurance. Health is fast becoming the biggest US industry and, as opposed to manufacturing, it mainly produces debt.

 

Want to see why the good paying manufacturing jobs are disappearing…check out this Tesla auto manufacturing operation:

http://www.youtube.com/embed/8_lfxPI5ObM?rel=0

 

Is anything worth anything anymore, Department:

Loretta Lynch, the woman who says she is not Eric Holder, had to back track big time after telling congress that US Citizens and Illegal Immigrants are equals in the job market. If we create Nation that ends striving for something, something will become irrelevant.

 

The Answer:

!Eliminate questions by making repairs to the obvious 2. Declutter – open up  3. Start packing, freeing up space in closets and storage areas  4. Downsize furniture to make rooms look bigger  5. Depersonalize – remove collectables and family photos (Personally, I like to look at family photos when buying. These people look like us is meaningful to me) 6.  Curb Appeal Spruce up outside with tasteful flower plantings and removal of scrubby stuff. Bonus: The five most influential poets in  American history are Walt Whitman, T.S.Eliot, William Carlos Williams, Wallace Stevens and Sylvia Plath. Huh! I was kinda thinking that Robert Frost, Emily Dickenson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Edgar Allen Poe and were pretty significant. How about William Cullin Briyant, Ralph Waldo Emerson, John Greenleaf Whittier, Oliver Wendell Holmes, James Russell Lowell, James Whitcomb Riley and Henry David Thoreau? Then we had Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wadsworth, or Carl Sandberg. Ezra Pound and E.E. Cummings, who were no slouches either.   But what do I know about poetry beyond what I learned in Grammar school. BTW, The first well known women poet in the Colonies was Anne Bradstreet, whose verse described the wilds of America to the British back home.

 

Maybe I’ll start a new novel about what goes on in parking lots. Could be weird.

 

Enjoy the cold or hot, wherever you are.

When the bridges close, an island is truly an island.

Today's Tids Issue 3.272

Opening Stuff:

 

Apple is up over $8 dollars already in early trading (9:45) after smashing its earnings records producing $18 billion in profit for the last Quarter.  Yikes, squared! This is good news for tech stocks. FaceBook is reporting today, so the market is on the edge of their swivel chairs one more time. On the other hand, the Bears are making noise about the basic fundamentals of the market, especially after seeing deadly returns from the so-called stable companies, P&G, DuPont and Microsoft (Although this morning the Dow stocks were buoyed by a strong profit showing and 3% price rise by Boeing) Additionally, the rise of the US dollar is killing corporate profits abroad. There will probably be a renewed push to get that oil price back up which could take some of the glow off of consumer confidence. But for Today, take a gigantic bite out of the big red apple and forget about that half a worm you see.

 

Meanwhile, a child wonders if chicken pox and goose bumps are related.

 

Kim Kardashian, who just came out enthusiastically for the Patriots in the SB because “I like the way they play football”, thinks the soft football thing is all hype. And Kim Kardashian knows hype!

 

The Question:

Name ten well known celebrities (Sports and Entertainment) who are Muslims.

 

The Headlines:

--Wall Street Likes It’s Fruit Diet; Apple Breaks Records.

--New England Cleaning up After Big Storm; Ma, RI, Ct, NH, Me see snow totals over 25 inches; Coast In South shore Mass devastated In Places; 110 Ft. Tall Ship Used In Pirates Of Caribbean Blown Off Stand In Newport RI.

--2 Israeli Soldiers, UN Peace Keeper Killed By Hezbollah In Border Skirmish.

--Militants Rampaging In Nigeria.

--Seattle, New England Fine Tuning For Great game As Media Insanity Continues Around Phoenix.

 

While Apple is good for a healthy investment diet, an 8 oz cheese burger on buttered potato bun with burger lettuce and tomato and a sauce made from mayo, ketchup, mustard, garlic, paprika and cayenne pepper could make your portfolio belch profits. All eyes on the street are aimed at the so-called healthy burger IPO – Shake Shack. Actually, the burger -- made of 4 oz sirloin, 2 oz brisket and 2 oz chuck – isn’t that much more healthy, but everybody wants a shot at Mac who is reeling under the assault from health food addicts. Of course, the line for getting a bite of the IPO will be longer than that waiting to get in a newly opened Chic-fil-A.

 

I would tend to follow sports writers who know and can explain exactly how a good Offensive Line works and what  it does.

 

Did you hear about the writer who wrote “Book on Urinals” so he could be #1?

 

A lot of people go out before the winter and buy generators. I knock on wood. Sometimes it works.

 

I have started watching Wheel of Fortune on the regular channels instead of HD. Vanna looks better with a few extra pounds.

 

Stupid Criminal, Department:

The governor closed all of the roads here in RI during the storm. It worked beautifully as the citizens stayed home and the plows went out into clutter free roads and performed their grueling all night deeds. Except – one lone driver who decided to roar up interstate 95 at 75 mph in the middle of the raging blizzard. The State Police took notice, chased and pulled over the 25 yo. Man form Providence. Mr. Stupido was wanted on warrants! He was arrested.

 

Often, I like background singers better than the so-called star.

 

When frogs park illegally, they get towed.

 

Bobby Jindal says we already have a “Muslim invasion”. He explains that in forming their own “no-go zones” with their own culture and values they are not immigrating or assimilating but in a way invading -- establishing a separate country. He is actually cautioning the USA, as it is widely known that this is exactly what has happened in Europe and appears in some places to be occurring here. These small “countries” within The USA are potential breeding grounds for terrorists, lone wolf or organized forces.  He is the son of Immigrants from India and is concerned about lax immigration enforcement by the 0-Admin. You’ll probably be hearing more about this as he has to stand out during the Republican 7-10 hour primary debates with 16-20 candidates.

 

Martin Brodeur, the guy who made Lou Lamorillo look like a genius, retired yesterday. When you define “clutch”, you are talking about one of truly great playoff goalies.

 

Really…I love shoveling snow. The cold air and feeling of muscles at work; the quiet and the solitude; the pristine landscape of pure while. The feeling of contentment and a body pushed. Hell, I shovel a little snow here each morning, just to stay focused.

 

The Answer:

In no special order US celebrity Muslims are Janet Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, David Chappelle, (David Bowie wife) Iman Abdulmajid, Shaquille O’Neill, Amal Clooney, Mike Tyson, Dr. Oz, Ice Cube, Casey Kasem, Omar Epps, Snoop Dog, Ellen Burston, Cassias Clay, Lew Alcindor and a host of one word name Singers, Rappers and Hip Hop artists of whom I’m not familiar.

 

In case you have been wondering, Melissa McCarthy and Jenny McCarthy are cousins.

 

Well, off to get my shovel and boots. Hope you are languishing somewhere nicely.

 

With thanks to Bill Keane, and McNelly and Brookins.

The Americans Starts tonight at 10:00 on Fx.

 

One of the hot new musical groups on the scene I’m hearing about seems to be The Lone Bellow. Here’s one, and uyou can check out others shown at the site. Or you can reply saying it sucks. It is peaceful, great for those glorious moments after shoveling snow:

https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A0LEVjhdCMlUJSsAn.MPxQt.;_ylu=X3oDMTB0b2ZrZmU3BHNlYwNzYwRjb2xvA2JmMQR2dGlkA1lIUzAwMl8x?p=music+bellow&tnr=21&vid=3FDF301342771F533D113FDF301342771F533D11&l=228&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DUN.608047295161239976%26pid%3D15.1&sigi=11rmjdal4&rurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Drq4maPzyeCM&sigr=11bh7rsp3&tt=b&tit=The+Lone+Bellow+-+Fake+Roses+%28Official+Music+Video%29&sigt=11jhj667s&back=https%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fyhs%2Fsearch%3Fp%3Dmusic%2Bbellow%26ei%3DUTF-8%26type%3Dverizon_access%252Fverizon_dsl%26hsimp%3Dyhs-vz%26hspart%3Dvz&sigb=13kiv6mq7&hspart=vz&hsimp=yhs-vz

 

Knock on wood.

Today's Tids Issue 3,271
Opening Stuff:

 

This morning I put out my official Tom Brady Bobble Head Doll! Bring on the damn Seahawks! And all of those Patriot naysayers.

 

Because you are seeing this, it means I am happily living in a world with power.  I went out to sweep snow that had blown in through big doors at the front of this old church in which I live. While sweeping I was concerned that the snow could ruin the floor below. Then I thought that this church was first built by Congregationalists in 1735 and remodeled by Baptists in 1862. It seems to have met the test of time very nicely. Isn’t it odd how we humans can focus on the ills of the moment while forgetting all of the accomplishments of the past. But maybe the past has been brought into the future because thousands before have focused on their own task at hand. Just one of those thoughts while sweeping.

 

According to all reports, Scott Walker, my personal favorite, seems to have done the best job of all in last weekend’s Republican Iowa affair. He is a guy who gets things done, and has the ability to bring along enough rational thinkers from both sides to make himself electable. I worry about the union leadership ganging up on him in a Presidential election. But, the enlightened membership of these times have an ability to see the truth, even if it hurts.

If the World goes completely to plastic, how will we ever knock on wood again?

 

The Question:

This is one of those questions asked mainly to keep the memories of courageous people alive. Who were the other two astronauts who were killed in a flash fire aboard a space capsule along with Gus Grissom 48 years ago today? Bonus: What was the first name of the always affable Gus?

 

The Headlines:

--Big Northeast Blizzard Misses Out On History; Wind Velocity Lives Up to Predictions; Philly, NYC Spared; New England Gets Up To 30 Inches In Some Regions; Severe Cold Settles In.

--Wall Street Awaiting Apple Report; Street needs “Wow” Factor Or It Could Gut Tech Sector; New IPhone Catching Up to Samsung.

--Wall Street Leery: A String Of Bad Earnings Reports From Dow Components Increasing Worry Factor; Other Bad News: Durable Goods Orders Drop 3.8%; Home Prices Lower; Stocks Expected to be Affected By New Repots Today On Consumer Confidence Index, New Home Sales, Richmond Fed Manufacturing Survey; Check Your Parachutes.

--Kurds Force ISIS Out Of Kobani.

--Army expected To file Charges Against Bergdahl.

--Medical Experts Advising Women As Young As 16 To Get Pap Smear Test; New Sexuality Puts More At Risk; According To British Authorities, Cervical cancer Up 33% In Past 10 Years.

--Libyan Gunman Invade Luxury Hotel Killing 8, Taking Hostages.

--Drone Found Inside White House Fence Flown By Hobbyist; Incident Raises More Questions About Future Protection Of Presidents

 

Are your ready for The Americans, which lifts the iron curtain on another season of intrigue and angst, tomorrow at 10:00PM on Fx. Yikes!

No wonder I can’t get the distance out of Wilson golf balls. They’re deflate.

 

US Air power has still got it. I think the ISIS retreat from Kobani is additional proof that if you let the generals take charge, magic happens. Did anybody really think that Islamists in pick-up trucks, no matter how organized they are said to be, are any match for serious US airpower, and new tech target identification capability? If you let the military what it does best, the US will win.

 

The snow seems to have let up early in NYC which enable the financial market to get in the trenches and wrestle with today’s slew of expected reports. We may not like the blizzard that follows! Get your shovels ready.

 

While I have been knocking on wood all morning, I’m still rushing to get this Tids out just in case there is a chance of a power outage. Knock on wood.

 

I always thought of my car as a little haven away from the madding crowd. But, Eric Holder thinks my car, and millions of others, are just a terrific way to keep track on citizens habits. Yes, the US Government’s Justice Department is building a national data base to track in real time the movement of vehicles around the country. This growing collection system uses a license plate reader program. Isn’t technology grand?

 

Oh yeah, and there are indications that some of the new offerings recommended to Docs by Medicare are basically designed to reduced costs at the expense of superior care; where costly procedures are eliminated in favor of tests that may or may not provide a proper diagnosis of current and future problems.

 

It is still snowing here quite heavily with gusts in the 30-40 range. Knock on wood.

 

You may have missed it, but the newest focus of the NFL deflation investigators seems to be on how long it takes a Patriot bellboy to perform #1 or #2 in the men’s room. Yup, the guy toting two bags of footballs stopped in the tiny room for 90 seconds on his way to the playing field. Looks like a Pissing match between Goodell and Kraft.

 

More and more journalists are asking the question, “Are we crazy?” The football fiasco focused their attention on how easy it is to sucked in to news trivialization. And one I read even went so far to criticize the manic attention to Charlie Hedbo while Boco Haram were killing thousands in Nigeria. You know the Tids editorial board has talked about this for years, and I know you have responded with your opinions of disgust for a misdirected news media. Maybe this football thing has some value after all.

 

The Answer:

Grissom’s buddies also killed were Edward R. White and Roger B. Chaffee. Good men who should never be forgotten. Bonus: Gus Grissom’s real name was Virgil.

 

While I like a lot of the rock music of the 70’s, Jason Mraz seems to be getting  into a lot of attentive ears lately.

https://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=utf-8&fr=ytff1-yff16&p=jason%20mraz%20i%27m%20yours%20lyrics&type=

 

I leave you with that Jason ditty while I trudge through the blizzard to buy my Stevie Nicks tix.

 

Snuggle in and enjoy. And if you’re on a beach somewhere with sun broiling your back, just know that it is beautiful here, quiet and uncluttered.

 

The energetic yet soothing beauty of a winter’s storm.

Today's Tids Issue 3,270

Opening Stuff:

If you think that your head will explode if the deflated ball talk continues, wait ‘til they start tomorrow on ”The Snow Storm”. I’ll wait and see, but I know one thing for sure – the Governor Gina Jobs parade and economy revival won’t mean a thing unless she dons a plaid shirt and puts on jeans and workboats, messes up her hair and assures us in continuing broadcasts that we are safe. Governorships are made and broken on big storms. The only issue that gives me angst about the storm is getting out the Tids without power. Having all those ideas clogging my head, typos and all, without letting them pour free upon a screen could result in a nuclear blast of seismic proportions. Duck and cover – The Tids are coming.

As you might have noticed over the years, I abhor elitist silliness. Now, there is this acclaimed movie out called Ida, which I expect 99.9 44/100^th’s of people pronounce “Ida, as sweet as apple cidah…” But, nooooo, the Hollywood critics insist that it is Eda – as in “She’s too big to feedah…”. Spare me.  I not only say “Too-may-tow”, I spell it with a “e” at the end. Horrors!

There’s only 32 days left til Baseball spring training. And there are just about 75 days left before serious pot hole season. Reserve your realignment appointment now.

Hot news for Gourmet dinner parties: The Frito-Lay Corporation has just announced a sugar/cinnamon version of Cheeto’s – Sweeto’s. This makes planning for friend and family gatherings easier for people on the move because with just two bags you have your Hors devours and dessert. Watch them dive in and come up smiling! Zowie! Who says America isn’t what it used to be.

Marshon Lynch could be the difference.

The Question:

That did Charlie Brown’s father do for a living? Bonus: Where, when and what was the name of the first beer sold in cans?

The Headlines:

--Northeast Awaits Projected “Biggest Storm Since ’78. New England Governors Breaking Out Plaid Shirts.

--Markets Regaining Positive Mo After Early Losses.

--Leftist Anti Austerity Party Stuns Greece With Surprising Victory; Moving fast To Form Coalition Government, And Demand Less Severe Terms For Bailout Money; Greece Could Be Forced Out Of EU If gimmie Government Grasps Too Much Power; Merkel Warns Greece To Stock To Current Program.:

--Russia Warns West: Do Not Blackmai L=Us Over Ukraine.

--Malaysia Air Site Hacked By ISIS; US Flights Cancelled.

--American Sniper Surges Through January Movie  Sales Records With $217 Million  Take After Ten Days.

--“K” Gets 1,000.

--Mattel Reports Weak Results; CEO Resigns; Disinterest In Barbie The Cause.

--Anglican Church Consecrates First Woman Bishop.

--Device, Possible Unmanned Aerial Drone, Found On White House Lawn.

Ernie Banks was one of my all time favorites. I was never a recipient of his sunshine like smile, but those who knew it said he lit up a room with positive energy like no other human being. And he hit 512 homers to boot. I think everybody would like to see the Cubs win a ring for the Bankster.

It is said that a guy named Wilson Bently took 5,000 pictures of different snowflakes I the late 1800’s Think about what a guy like that would do with YouTube!

If you think about it, the new Greece leftist group is not acting much differently than Wall Street who after getting billions wants some of the harsher new rules eased. I promise you, if the gov bailed out my losses, I would fulfill my promises.

If you see an inordinate amount of oddly placed “N’s” and “V’s” in the Tids, it generally means I’m missing the space bar. And “M’s” represent mishit commas. Bill Belichick told me that was a good explanation for typos.

If you think Brady/Belichick have problems with soft footballs, how about that explanation dilemma for Cristina Fernandez, the President of Argentina! Exactly one hour before Prosecutor Alberto Nisman was to announce “Explosive Allegations against her and her regime”, Alberto was found dead with a bullet in his head. At first Fernandez said she was sad for his suicide. Now she is deflating her first explanation saying, “we will do everything possible to bring his murderer to justice”. At least Rhode Island doesn’t have dead bodies, at least that have been reported.

If you ever see me going into a “Vaping” center, shoot me.

For decades the Repubs have been arguing that because of resultant increased spending, lower taxes for all would indeed create more revenue for the government with new and better jobs. So what have we seen with the lower gas prices? We have enjoyed record tax collections, and surprisingly better profits for gas stations. Economics works if the Government steps aside.

The best golfer today that nobody talks about is Bill Haas.

In an effort to get sales back on track, Mattel is offering a new Barbie fashion package for today’s predicament: It’s a complete wardrobe and suicide note kit for stockbroker Barbie and Ken jump off a Wall Street Tower dolls. They are made to splat, but easily regain their shapes for repeated jumps in new outfits. It also includes outfits for the inevitable reality show that follows.

The Answer:

Charlie Brown used to love going to his Dad’s barber shop and listening to the discussions -- and then walking home with his father. Bonus: The first canned beer was sold by the Richmond Virginia brewery “Gottfried Krueger”  in 1935. Just in case you run out of trivia at the corner pub.

One of the Tids most incredible readers just sent the Tids staff a complete Super Bowl Patriots Survival package filled with every kind of Cheeto’s imaginable. You can always tell when a Tidster throws a deflated football by the orange fingerprints on the side. Yes Mr. Goodell, I’m guilty – and I’m lovi’ it! The Tids is at loss of words on how to say thank you!! Zowie!

Snuggle in! This storm is going to be a magnificent beast.

There are just too many news people and not enough news.

Today's Tids Issue 3,269
Opening Stuff:

Bad Times can be good  //  Good times can be bad //  But, if you keep on smiling  //  You'll never be sad!

Many artists are good at art. The artists you remember capture the human moment.

In a 60 Minutes interview scheduled for this Sunday, Boehner and McConnell take the air out Obama’s proposals faster than the Pats can deflate a football. And, that is a real story worth the time – America still works and Emperors will be quashed.

8 of the 10 most expensive wines in the world are Burgundy’s.

The ECB Trillion dollar bond buyback program is both stimulating and confusing at the same time. Euro Bonds are soaring and the Euro is falling like the Patriot’s image. The US markets still haven’t determined whether or not it is good or bad. Take a Tums, and wait ’til February.

The Question:

Trader Joes is a grocery shopping phenomenon. What do you think are the five top reasons that people shop there.

The Headlines:

--Euro Stocks Up 2% As QE Keeps Bonds Above Water; China Stocks Strong..

--Saudi King Abdullah Death Could Bring New Uncertainty To Already Tense US Relationship; Changes At Top In Yemen Moves Former US Ally Closer To Iran; Iraq And US Advisor Generals Say They Are Close To Moving Against ISIS In Mosul.

--GE A Big Earnings Winner.

--US Airstrikes Muting ISIS Advances; Killing Leaders.

--Brady, Belichick Know Nothin’; Deflated Balls Diluting Significance Of Real News.

--GOP Base Pressuring Congress To Target ObamaCare.

When the three big Network nightly news programs begin their programs with soft footballs, you know that the USA has totally lost its collective mind. Obama continually skirts the laws of the land in behalf of his agenda, and you hear nary a word. It’s downright weird.

The Media seems to be finally turned off by Sharpton’s antics. There are some indications that they not running to his press conferences.

There are only 336 shopping days ‘til Christmas. Black Friday has been rescheduled for the 28^th day of the month that does nothing, August. “Get your Back to School and Christmas shopping all done in one day!”

It is really hard to find a place to buy a good radio.

The reason the Tom Brady news conference about nothing went so long, is because the National Press (CBS, ABC, NBC) have to ask questions twice. Once with camera on them and the second time with the camera in the interviewee. The world isn’t as spontaneous as it appears.

A scenic landscape is a human moment, because that’s what people see.

An NHL player trying to sneak a curved stick into the fray is considered a minor infraction.

Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:

--Everybody thinks Jennifer Aniston should have received at least a mention for Best Actress for her role as a Pill popping, physically and emotionally scarred woman in Cake. It supposed to be a comedy but the humor is very hard to find, except for an occasionally funny one liner from Jennifer. It’s about trying to get a woman out of her funk after her own physical trauma and the suicide death of a friend. That doesn’t seem funny

--In the scary thriller The Boy Next store, Jennifer Lopez makes the ultimate bad date choice when she hooks up with the new neighbor who is a Norman Bates style psycho. Not bad.

--Johnny Depp and Gwyneth Paltro go very British in this comedy-action movie which is kind of a silly romp with some awful humor and a waste of good talent. Depp plays an art dealer and Gwyneth his wife, who together travel the world with man servant Jock (Last name Stropp – get it, bad humor) with the major problem being Depp’s ogling eyes. It sounds like it sucks.

The Answer:

Personally, I’m not huge devotee of this popular place. I have had some mediocre stuff, but prices are good as is some of their stuff – even meat. I was observing the clientele and their apparent intense love for shopping there. They were not just shopping, they were at Sunday church services. The reasons people hop there: 5. Cultural awareness never tasted so good – Ethnic foods well displayed “So that even ‘backwater hicks’…(Hey wait a minute, the Hicks family is one of my major genealogical lines! Arrogant bastards’ some of these elitist writers.) But I digress. Number 4. Customers are treated like Rock Stars ; all personnel seem extraordinarily friendly and knowledgeable. 3. “Foodie” Virgins are comfortable in a new world of specialty foods that could be intimidating. Everything is well labeled and clearly explained. 2. The food is cheap. While appearing to be a gourmet delight, you won’t need a body guard to protect your wallet here. The prices are really good for a lot of stuff, although coffee is no great deal; or are some cheeses. 1. Two Buck Chuck ($3 Bucks on East Coast) is the best wine buy anywhere. The wines are very good and any you will never find a better price for better than acceptable quality. If you are embarrassed looking smart by saving money, Just pour Chuck into an old Domain Leroy Musigny Grand Cru Bottle…that is, if you can afford the $4,490 bottle in the first place.

The one big thing I miss from the good ole' recession days are the lower priced hotel rooms.

I hope you have a special weekend that is entirely inflated, E-v-e-r-y-b-o-d-y!

Let’s get back to the game.

Today's Tids Issue 3,268
Opening Stuff:

It seemed a sea of molten glass, this becalmed winter’s day. A long swell rose, out far upon a reef, like a glistening mercury pool. The silver waters infected me as a soothing narcotic.

 

The latest rumor going around the NFL Headquarters is that Giselle Bundchen paid the ball boys handsomely to let the air out of the footballs. She didn’t want Tom’s newly painted fingernails to chip.

 

The Question:

Melvin Gordon died. In case you didn’t know, he was the Tootsie Roll king. During his year reign of 50 years as Chairman, CEO of the company his wife inherited from her father, Gordon brought many other well known candy brands into the tasty company. Name them.

 

The Headlines:

--DoJ Expected To Clear Furguson Police Officer Darren Wilson.

--ECB Bond Buying Strategy Has Little effect On Market.

--Massive Fire In Luxury Edgewater NJ Apartment Complex Forces Hundreds To Chilly Streets.

--At Press Conference This Morning, Bill  Belichick Says He is “Shocked” By Deflated Ball Allegations.

--Jeb And Mitt Meet In Utah To Talk Presidential Politics.

--Japan Scrambling To Save ISIS Held Hostages.

--Powerful NY State Official, Sheldon Silver, Arrested On Coruption Charges.

 

I’m liking the new fashion trend which is promoting minimal makeup. The cosmetic people seem to be refocusing towards good looking skin without excessive color intrusions. I love a natural woman. Where the eyes reflect the beauty of the soul, and the smile that radiates is from the heart.

 

The Dems were hootin’ and hollerin’ at SOTU over his wise ass slam against Repubs from 0-Man about him winning both elections. There are many across he this great land who thought that was incredibly unpresidential, maybe the worst ever for a speech before both houses of Congress, The Supreme Court, the Military and “Honored Guests. Is the president going to jive his way through the next two years?

 

Cialis has a new commercial featuring remedies for deflated balls.

 

By the way, have you noticed all of the snickering over the phrase “Soft balls” on the morning talk shows, like they invented humor. It was originated behind the Catholic school by 12 year boys.

 

I haven’t done it in a while, so here is then latest average age of deceased from this morning’s obits. There were 25 entries, one being a husband and wife who died within weeks of each other. Ah love. The average age this morning is 82.56. One of the deaths was a24 year old man. If I take that out, the average increases to 85.  It must be ObamaCare that’s keeping us going so long.

 

There have been 8 deaths already this year from drug overdose.  This is a sad situation.

 

Microsoft continues to make intelligent U-Turns in a very competitive world. While older super tech giants IBM and HP see traditional revenue streams fading, Microsoft is becoming quicker at recognizing threats, especially losing their operating software dominance in new style devices to Apple and Google. Microsoft has just announced that it is willing to lose $500Mil and give away to existing MSoft software owners free software  for tablets and mobile devises. The new CEO is looking like a pretty savvy guy and Bill Gates is applauding his innovative moves. They have the talent, and now the motivator to move quickly onto new courses. And, with about $89 Billion in revenue, what’s $500 m if gets them in the race to control the future.

 

Isn’t it about time for the sportswriters to get off the sanctimonious soap box and start talking about match-ups and X’s and O’s?  It‘s going to be a helluva game. And you have two coaches more alike than not; two coaches who aren’t whiners and sore losers like Harbaugh, who  many say started this deflated ball thing though his old pal Pagano.

 

Also, there is an increasing chorus arising from the NFL knowledgeable singing, “Hey, they beat them 45-7, and 28-0 in the second half with fully inflated balls.”   

 

There is little chance of the Repubs wanting to work with the President. They know no matter what they do, he will take to the stage and issue snide, demeaning remarks – and take full credit for anything that appears to be non-partisan. It’s really sad.

 

The Answer:

Tootsie was a pretty secretive private company but were always looking for sweet additions which included Charms Blow Pops, Sugar Babies caramels, Junior Mints and DOTS. Personally, I awys loked a good grape Tootsie-Pop.

 

Well, off to find another special quiet place, where nature deflates the cacophony of an intrusive culture.

I think I hear Paul Revere.

Today's Tids Issue 3,267

Opening Stuff:

 

(Stretching) “Oh man, that felt great. Aaaah! Hey, wait a minute, is that speech over yet? I must have fallen asleep. Rats, I missed it again. Did he say anything about the middle class? Of course, he must have sine that is the new Dem campaign for 2016. I imagine also that he must have said he would work with the Repubs, which would be really new since he has tap-danced around that since is first days on Pennsylvania Ave in  2009; And odd, since he announced two more irrevocable vetoes before the speech. Or am I dreaming still. Maybe he set course for a new America that we can all enjoy, that mitigates disharmony, and plants seeds for a unified love-in we haven’t seen since 1776. But I doubt it. He’s much too narrow a thinker. Well, I’m sorry I missed it again, but SOTU’s have just become a big meaningless bore, no matter which Prez is in  charge.” It’s good to feel rested.

 

I have been out several times this morning walking in that amazing 28 degree, crystal clear weather. There is really nothing better than that. The political cobwebs suddenly disappear and you see and meet good people all around you. The good people -- that’s the only state of the nation I need.

 

Speaking of murky minds, that deflated ball thing is getting serious. It’s too bad too, because blocking, tackling, never-say-die running and consistent intensity won the game; the inflation of the ball doesn’t mean a thing there. Seattle though should be worried, The Pats players get mad when no sports scribe writes about how well they played the game last Sunday, and only focuses on tearing apart a team that played extremely well in favor of a more sensationalized story. Do they hate the Pats because Belichick doesn’t kiss their feet at press conferences? Let’s hope the Pats get there punishment soon, so we can get back to talking aout football.

 

Actually, there is some wiggle room between Repubs and 0-Man – Trade Agreements, tax reform and a little bit of Cuban Diplomatic relations. Of course those are broad subjects. It will be in the nitty-gritty where the grimaces of sarcasm emerge.

 

The Question:

I was thinking g of the great Maureen Connelly, a courageous and great tennis player whose life was cut short by ovarian cancer. Her accomplishments were awesome. Why was she nicknamed “Little Mo”. Bonus: Quick, what kind of lizard appears in the Geico commercials?

 

The Headlines:

--President Sets His own Agenda In SOTU Last Night.

--Bulletin: European Central Bank (ECB) Proposes About $50 Billion In Bond buys/Month.

--Chinese Stocks Soar to best Gains In 5 Years.

--Gold Bugs Seeing Some Light As Stocks Stutter.

--$200 Million Ransom Demand May Indicate ISIS Financial Desperation.

--Rebels Hold Yemeni President Captive At his House.

--Palestinian Stabs 11 Israeli’s On tel Aviv Bus; Iran Revolutionary Guard Vows Punishment for Israel After Killing Of Genal In Syria; Senate And Prez To Butt Heads Over Iran Sanctions.

 

One of the bright spots for stock investing, if you have the stamina to weather the rolling seas, is that the stock dividend yields are above Treasuries, which is considered quite bullish. This is only the 4^th time in 50 years when that has occurred. It will appear painful for a month or so as earnings are digested and a calmer picture of the global economy emerges, but this underlying yield advantage should carry stocks into a new positive buying period. Then, the only real annoyance will be the gloating hawkers of Gold.

 

Why do so many people clean their house to get ready for their cleaning lady?

 

Where have you gone, Little Mo Connelly, Department:

I just read all of the names of the women who played in the first round of the Australian Open. Other than the Williams Sisters and Carol Wozniak I was pretty much lost. For your edification, the US losing players were Shelby Rogers, Taylor Townsend and Sloane Stevens. The US winners were Serena and Venus, Varbara Lepchnko, Lauren Davis, Madison Keys, Anna Tatishvili, Madison Brengle, Nicole Gibbs, Irena Falconi and Coco Vanderweghe. Wait a minute, did I say Coco Vanderweghe? Yikes, does that send me rapidly back in time. First she is the niece of basketball player Kiki (What’s with those Vanderweghe’s) and the granddaughter of Coleen Kay Hutchins (Miss America 1952). Hutchins married  her bother Mel’s New York Knick teammate Ernie Vanderweghe. Ernie was a terrific, hustling player, but he became an all-star with miss America by his side.

 

One of the bigger twitter wars of the moment is between a former White House operative named Bill Burton, United Airlines and Conservative travelers. Apparently UA uses as its default news station “Newsmax TV”. Burton went berserk on the plane and immediate tweeted the WH and UA. UA came up with PC statement and caved. The Conservative travelers in a rage sent out tweets which indicted the former finest airline in the nation as weenies, gutless and not worthy of their patronage. Newsmax TV is quite conservative, but is also becoming one of the fastest growing news services for business like the Airlines.

 

In response to Russ Wilson’s tears of joy, Aaron Rogers says that “God doesn’t really care about the outcome of football games”

 

It is rare the day I eat a ¼ pounder from Mac’s place, but, when I I do, I always wonder why I don’t do it more often. Once you get rid of the pickle, it’s pretty great eating.

 

You have to wonder how many people these days have ever heard of Taffy.

 

If I was buying art, I might be looking for the emergence of some good Latina artists. A massive population shift changes everything.

 

Did you read where the ObamaCare system is sharing personal data with marketing companies?  That’s painful. I never use cookies or take any other internet marketer suggestions telling me it is good for me to give away all of my most cherished secrets because it makes it easier for me to buy things. I’ll take privacy.

 

Duh, Department:

Surprise: “RI Delegation Applauds Obama Speech.” Hell, you could barely see the puppeteers strings move.

 

The Answer:

Maureen was dubbed Little Mo because her firepower even at 16 was compared to “Big Mo”, the Battleship USS Missouri. Maureen was the first women to complete the Grand Slam in One year. Before she was done in by a horse riding accident at teenage of 20, she had won 9 Grand slam tournaments. Bonus: The Geico commercial lizard is a Gecko! Just wanted to see if you were awake.

 

Have a sensational Wednesday. You can’t help loving a day like today, that is, if you are in RI walking amidst he chilled breezes blown off the sea.

 

Today is Wednesday, isn’t it? Or did I sleep an extra day? Te SOTU is one powerful sedative.