Sameness is dull.

Today's Tids Issue 4,597

Close Margins:

I think we are in an era called the “Paradox of Skill” That means that over time the difference between the absolute best skilled and those behind becomes closer to the point where the margin of difference may be determined by luck. We see it all the time as the differences between skill level separations condense in areas of general living, like for instance NCAA basketball teams, stock pickers, singers and musicians, politicians, CEO’s and yes Tids writers. I think this is pretty interesting when you look around the world. When you see who got the breaks.

Yeah, I know -- you make your own breaks. But, there are just a lot more equal people looking for a margin. And working harder to assure it.

Some of the most dangerous occupations are among those in jobs perhaps looked upon as mundane. Two that come to mind are Convenience store clerks and drive-through window employees, two classes of jobs that can come under attack at any given moment.

Speaking of drive-though, yesterday Christiana churches of all denominations set up drives through ashes stations at their churches. Selfies were prominent and social media sites wre filed with happy Lent   Did you aheot buya hot corss bun first?

To meet the deadline, the developers of the Hovercar worked tirelessly.

The Question:

Name the Ten Greatest TV Dramas of All Time.

The Headlines:

--Pandemic Worries Sends Stocks Into Deep Quarantine; Fear Driving Markets; Consumer Confidence Levels Remain Strong.

--US Military Preparing To Aid In Fight Against Possible Pandemic; VP Mike Pence In Charge.

Shooter Kills Six In Molson-Coors Brewery Attack.

--Israel Bans Travel Outside Of Country; Iran To Jail, Flog Citizens Who Spread Rumors About Virus.

--Trump Campaign Setting Up “Community Centers” To Get More Black Votes.

--Hindu-Muslim Clashes In New Delhi India Increase. 27 Dead.

--Dem Leadership Concerned About Optics Of Debate Brawl; Biden Guarantees Victory; Bloomberg Found A Happy Place With SC Debate Audience.

When designing for a small room that always looks cluttered remember these guidelines; 1. Develop a focal point. Build out form a single character looking chair for instance. 2. Tale your décor up to the ceiling. Use verticality at the top. Make the room look bigger by using all the air. 3. Make it bright with cheery painting and curtains and lots of interesting lighting. Make sure windows if any stand out. 4. Use light (As opposed to bulky) appearing furniture that works well for storage. Gets the clutter out of the way. Clutter always makes rooms look small.  

Personally, I like clutter. It makes places look lived-in and homey

Remember about a week ago when I wrote that the worst Puns are considered the best for achieving the lofty position as Pun Master? Try this baddie: The rock climber was much boulder than his wife and decided to climb the world’s tallest mountain. When asked what she was going to do with him gone so long, she responded, ‘Alpine for his return and climb walls with boredom.” 

That’s pungent, alright. Scaling odiferous heights.

One of the big problems with the Coronavirus is that too many people these in charge in business or government don’t know really know that much about it upon which to make good decisions. anything about it. Where it’s going? When it will cease? Or, will it cease? Everything will be overdone in an abundance of caution.

More people should study the Bell Curve. I’m big on that. It helps you understand the distribution of talents, intelligence, morality and other human traits regardless of stereotypes attributed to gender, race, nationality et.al. One reason so many arguments of today are so fallacious is that they are based on faulty premises, lack of knowledge.

The skill level margins between Presidential candidates are indeed getting closer. They are all nearly similar in the unlikable category.

Want to be happy? Take a vacation in Ireland. You’ll be walking on Eire.

Actually, likable candidates don’t seem to get the votes these days.

The Answer:

There will be arguments I’m sure on this one. #1 was Breaking Bad (I thought it Was Murder She Wrote!). Next is The Sopranos followed by The Wire, Game of Thrones, M*A*S*H, Twilight Zone, Band of Brothers, Lost, The Americans and #10, Sons of Anarchy. I’ll take you to 25. #11 is House, followed by Fargo, Sherlock, West Wing, Mad Men, Star Trek: The Original,, Buffy the Vampire, Deadwood, Dexter, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Stranger Things, Justified, Firefly, The X-Files and at #25 Downton Abbey. One of my favorites now in its final season, Homeland, is #37. I’d put it in the Top 10. NCIS is 50. A couple of other “Network” faves, CSI and Law and Order series are in the 40’s. Three of my favorites, The Americans, Justified and Fargo made the top 25, so I’m basically happy.

This just in from a reader: AOC is demanding that her neighbor’s Toyota Corona be quarantined.

Keep looking forward. Somebody may be closing the gap on you.