Glued to Cable News

Today's Tids Issue 4,225

For Calm Harbors:

I’m feeling the north winds blow. The howling in the early morn rattles the windows, shakes sturdy trees. The coffee perked merrily, under control, while the outside world underwent a climactic change. I love the sounds of morning, the rustle of flowers in light breezes and waves rippling ashore; the thunderous storms with their lusty gusts thrill my heart. While human storms may wage, I will be contented in my winds.

One of the big problems with cable news is that it gets extremely repetitive during the big story weeks. And, much of the opinions come from programmed zealots (Or better, hired verbal assassins) from opposing sides supporting their own concepts. What good is that in the bigger picture. Zero.

I buy 99.874% of my diet Coke or Pepsi when it is on sale for a $1/Large Bottle or less. Who buys all of the rest of that inventory at the high prices?

The IMTS (International Manufacturing Technology Show) exposition is the trade show for the US manufacturing industry. In fact, it has been one of the largest trades shows of all industries and occupations for many, many decades. Yet even in its heyday back in the fifties and sixties it did not get the attendance it got this past early September. It set an all-time record. That’s not too bad for “Dying” industry.  To some, significant, relevant change looks like death. To others, it looks like an opportunity. It appears that good old American opportunists are winning.

Think about the mass hysteria of the past weeks that has decimated the constitutional concept of presumed innocent. Think about all of the futurists who think mass voting on issues by electronic means would be good for the country. I’m always surprised by the low ratings of Congress. Maybe they aren’t getting what the loudest of the populace wants because they are deliberative in their thoughts for the public good. Unfortunately, in these hectic irrational times, it may be because they are being tugged by small extremist organizations with loud voices. Whatever happed to politicians being elected to serve “all of the people”? That’s why we established the protective concept of deliberative bodies, who should be able to wade through the daily sewage.

The Question:

One of the great all-time musical eras was the Big Band Decade. Name the top big bands. Bonus: What were the best big band songs of the times.

The Headlines:

--Supreme Court Nominee/Accuser Combatants Sit Before Senate Committee.

--Senate Repubs Interview Man Who Says It was He Was Who Ford Was Thinking Of, Not Kav.

--Fed Ups Interest Rates To Slow Inflation; Says Economy Is Very Strong; Markets Expected To Waggle.

--Kirk A New Tropical Storm is Gaining Power In Atlantic.

--Trump/Rosenstein Meeting Off.

--Dems Scouring College Campuses For Accusers.

--Amazon Opens New NYC Brick And Mortar Store.

While watching the myriad Political commercials this season I am thinking that what it all boils down to is voting for the person who misrepresents the truth the least.

My little mind is boggled most by the thought of Americans not getting along; that angst over pet issues can cause anger and disrespect between basically like people.

Comedians have always thrown darts at sitting presidents. But now, they dip them in Curare*.

I should be learning more about Computer and mobile device gaming so I may keep you entirely informed on many aspects of life. But frankly, I could care less about computer games, and know just about nothing. Sorry.

I always knew that this free-love era of the 70’s was not going to lead to good things. Lovers remorse.

The NFL is crazy so far this year. The Bills beat the Vikes? The Titans beat the Jags? Other teams like the Skins, Lions and Perhaps Giants also beat odds-on favorites. This Tids Mighty Pickin’ Squad (TMPS) had another mediocre week going 8-8 for a total lousy season of 24-22-2. It will be tough getting to our annual goal of 75%. Week four begins tonight with two preseason favorites – Minn and LA Rams. Rams have held up their part of the bargain, but Vikes have been less than impressive. Gotta pick the Rams. After that, this week’s posers should be Bengals-Falcons, Lions-Cowboys, Dolphins-NE, Saints-Giants Ravens-Steelers. and I’m thinking Eagles at Titans. (“Posers” means I can’t figure it out.) Ok, I’m liking the Bennies over a Falcon team that finds a way to lose. Frankly, the Cowboys have looked dreadful, and the Lions could be keyed up after looking good in last week’s win. Lions. The Pats just lost to the IR another RB Burkett, and a good promising rooking linebacker, Bradly. Tough one here. Pats at home in an early season “Must win” situation and they aren’t showing me anything. But I’m picking them on hope. I thought the Saints had something coming into the year, but now, not so much. The Giants beat a Texans team last week that has not looked good at all. I’ll pick Saints.

For the rest I’m picking Bucs over Bears, Pack over Bills, Colts over Texans, Jax over Jets, Seahawks over Cards, Raiders over Browns and Chargers over Niners. A couple surprises in that group could be Texans winning because they must, and Browns winning because they are really good.

Just so you know, a Local man, “a self proclaimed graphic artist, hippie, first responder” reported that he was involved in a sexual assault on a boat in Newport Harbor that also included Kavanaugh. Whitehouse jumped on it, but it has been since recanted entirely. And Kav, was never in Newport. Just so you know. The haters are in the woodwork.

You may have noticed in my writings I have begun to shorten Kavanaugh to Kav. It is not because of some new found familiarity…it’s just that I’m trying to save ink.

Murphy Brown’s return to TV tonight has many of her old fans on the edge of their seats in anticipation. The news is that it is a one joke show about all things anti-Trump. There is some rumors saying that the surprise guest will be the Hill. But what is really going on according to sources is that Diane English, the producer/originator also back after two decades, is hoping the President will say something nasty about the show and spur viewership among trump haters. Isn’t it a wonderful world we live in? 

Remodeling a bathroom can add a lot to the enjoyment and value of a home. And, it doesn’t have to be that expensive. Here are five very hot bathroom trends. 1. Stand out with eye striking handles, faucets and drawer pulls. 2. Bright bold wallpaper designs can make you smile every time you enter. Cost is peanuts. 3. Try a little smart tech like autofilling bathtubs (That is if you actually like sitting in dirty tub water), voice activated mirrors (Like “Who’s the fairest…?”) and sound system, LED enhanced shower heads. (Electric wires in my shower!). 4. A nice new contemporary look is achieved through the use of concrete – in floors, walls, counter tops and sinks. I like it. 5. Free standing tubs become a center of attraction, that is if you like taking baths…or else it is just a center of attraction.

What’s with this new trend of women attacking men in public for just being men, like the guy whose crotch was splashed with bleach solution while he was just sitting there on the subway reading with legs splayed.  

When big societal events occur, I look for discussions among intelligent unemotional people with no axes to grind.

*Curare is a main poison used in blowgun darts. There many plant, insect and mammal based poisons that attack the muscular system or heart still being used regularly in Southeast Asia, Africa and South America

The Answer:

This era of musicians is incredibly rich (And I don’t just mean Buddy). It is tough to put the bands in order. I’m thinking that Glenn Miller would be up there, probably #1, but that Benny Godman and Duke Ellington, and the Dorsey Brothers would be on top. Harry James, a Goodman spin-off, had a good band as did Artie Shaw. The great drummers Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich went off on their own with pretty good both had their bands. Count Basie was up there as was Woody Herman and Les Brown. Lionel Hampton had a great little Trio when he wasn’t playing with Goodman. And as the fifties came upon us, Stan Kenton became very popular with a new sound in the big band style. Bonus:  The best Big Band songs could be ranked as #1 - In The Mood (Miller) followed by Sing, Sing, Sing (Goodman), String of Pearls (Miller, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (Andrew Sisters), Begin the Beguine (Artie Shaw), Take The A Train (Ellington), Stompin’ at the Savoy (Goodman), Chattanooga Choo Choo (Miller), Tuxedo Junction (Miller), Woodchopper’s Ball (Woody Herman), Tangerine (Jimmy Dorsey), Opus One (Tommy Dorsey), Perdido (Ellington), Pennsylvania 6-5000 (Miller). There are many more I would put in the top rung, and I would have had Dorsey’ Opus One higher. And how about Sentimental Journey by Les Brown. One overlooked in the list I was using was Night Train by Buddy Morrow.

From the mountains, to the prairies,

To the Oceans white with foam,

God Bless America, my home sweet home.