Today's Tids Issue
4,023
For Joy: For the Love Beyond the Starry Mantle.
I
was going to make this my Merry Christmas-to-all,
end-of-the-week Tids. But there are too many housekeeping chores left undone,
like the Football Picks and Movie reviews, and of course assorted thoughts and
observations of incredulous human idiosyncrasies. And who knows, perhaps one
more bad pun. So, for many of you who are looking for uncluttered relaxation
after a workweek, and others just looking a few days ahead to the simple joy of
getting together with people you love, I will make this Tids painless, hoping
not to interrupt your pleasant non-violent visions of sugar plum fairies and
bellies that shake like a bowl full of jelly.
Today’s
business headline: BitCoins Drop 25% in 24 Hours.” So,
what did you expect?
I’m
bothered by the news that the Pope will be presiding over
the funeral of the real sex abuse enabler, apparently unremorseful Bernard Law.
Some will say the Pope’s presence represents the church’s ability to forgive.
But, I think that for forgiveness we need a little humility first. And I have
seen nothing in Law but arrogance. Law has gotten away with everything and the
victims still feel the pain.
Someday
when I grow up I’d like to be Daniel Barenboim
conducting Beethoven’s Ninth before a symphony orchestra with massive chorus on a
magnificent, gigantic stage. Standing there at the podium, looking at was
before me, I’d be so overcome with emotion that I’d probably never be able to
lift my baton. But, it’s a great dream. I feel the chills. Or, am I coming down
with a cold.
The
Question:
Who wrote the lyrics for the Chorale in Beethoven’s
9th? Bonus: What were
considered the biggest movie flops for 2017?
The
Headlines:
--Markets Slightly Lower; Consumer Spending Up More
That Anticipated; Demand For Durable Goods Rises; Consumer Savings Drop.
--Congress Pass Bill To Avert Shutdown; Same Problem
Will Arise In Late January.
--Nicki Stares Down Generally Assembly As They Vote
To Nix Trump’s Condoning Of Jerusalem As Israel capital; Netanyahu: Several
Countries Panning To Move Embassies To Jerusalem..
--Papa John Pizza Founder, CEO Out After Criticizing
Kaepernick Kneeling Atrocity; Matt Damon May be Shunned Because Of is rational
Statements About Sex Abuse.
--VP Mike Pence Makes Surprise Visit To troops In
Afghanistan; VP Tells News People that The Admin and He Fully Supports The
Mueller Investigation..
--Judge Throws Out Suit Against Trump For Business
Practices.
--Great Sports caster Dick Enberg, 82, Found Dead At
Home.
There
are more and more types of crackers popping up on grocery
store shelves. Many are based on unique and mysterious, supposedly healthful
grains from far-away places. But to me, after all of these years of innovation,
I’ll take a Saltine anytime over anything. It has the right crunch, flaky
texture, nice tinge of salt, and doesn’t get in the way of the taste of what’s
on it.
We
live in a world of smart marketers who know how to take advantage
of a human need to authenticate their lives. Yes, a lot of people will pay more
than necessary simply for the word “Natural”, “No GMO’s” and “Lactose” of “Gluten
free”.
BTW,
The Academies of Science and Cornell Alliance for Science have concluded that
GMO’s don’t cause cancer, obesity, gastrointestinal illnesses, kidney disease,
autism or any allergies. However, GMO hysteria might be injurious to your
common sense.
People
in the news I could care less about: Alex Guerrero.
Ski
Jumpers are inclined to be fast.
Our
NFL Pickers had a decent week bringing our yearly percentage
back to 70% (157-67). The only problem with late in the year picks is
determining which teams still feel like playing. Probably the three most
meaningful games where both teams have a shot at something are Falcons-Saints,
Patriots-Bills and Seahawks-Cowboys. Others with hope for the playoffs are the
Lions, Titans, Ravens, Chargers and Chiefs. Without question the game of the week
is NO against Atlanta, and I’m going with NO. The Seahawks looked dreadful last
week, and who knows which Cowboy team will show up. I’m expecting the Seattle
team to be mad. The Bills-Pats game is a poser too. The Bills need it to continue
towards a playoff spot. They are good, but the Pats who can continue to lock up
home field advantage is also looking reasonably good. I’ll stay with my team. I
expect Ravens to stay in the race beating the Colts and the Titans to lose out
versus the suddenly powerful Rams. I’m picking the lions over the Bengals,
Chiefs over Dolphins and Chargers over Jets. For the rest I have Vikes over the
Pack, Browns over the Bears, Panthers over Bucs, Skins over Broncs, Jags to
halt the Niners win streak, Cards over Giants, Eagles over Raiders and Steelers
over Texans. No, that is not a typo – I said Browns to beat Bears.
Interestingly,
brick and mortar stores now have the decided edge over online during these
last-minute shopping days. You can see it, touch it, pay for it and bring it
home, just like magic. No agita waiting for UPS of FedEx. How refreshing. – pay
for it and bring it home.
I
just hope that the big money fascination with Bit Coins
does not interrupt an orderly market.
It
appears that two areas where the new tax bill could inflict
pain are companies with large debt interest, and people with large alimony
payment deductions. Maybe there will be a premium put on better management of
businesses and marriages.
Reading
Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--When Winston Churchill is on the Screen, people listen.
And, they are saying that nobody has made Winston look better than Actor Gary
Oldman. But, of course the power of the words are from Britain’s great PM, the
man himself; the moving orator. This film is about the severe threat of a Nazi
invasion and the drama at Dunkirk, a time in history when all eyes are on the
newly installed PM. I’ll go.
--Jumanji is four HS kids becoming avatars in a game
after discovering old computer game. They are drawn into the jungle and the
adventure begins.
--The Pitch Perfect franchise has been an enduring
series. This time the girls have a reunion following a post college break up.
At a USO tour, they become involved in an international conspiracy. Probably ok
for most, but the Critics don’ like it.
The
Answer:
Frederick Shiller’s “Ode to Joy” was Ludwig’s
inspiration for probably the greatest symphony every written. Bonus: Here’s the Top Ten list of big
budget highly promoted movies that audiences shunned: “A Cure for Wellness”,
“Tulip Fever”, “The House” (Ferrell-Proehler), “Collide”, “King Arthur: The
Last Sword”, “Ghost in the Shells”, “CHiPs”, “Mother”, “Unforgettable” and
“Life”.
You
may know that Beethoven was deaf when we he went to the
premiere of his master work. At the end the applause was deafening, but the
audience recognizing the master’s hearing loss, through their hats and scarfs
into the air so he could see and feel their appreciation.
Take
the time to feel the Joy:
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