No trophies in May.

Today's Tids Issue 4.662

Just being us:

 

I think lot of people would be amazed by how much they touch other people positively just by leading a good and caring life.

 

It’s the last Tids’ day of May. As I usually do at the beginning of months, I wrote my typical intro for this month known for big traditional happenings. Nothing happened. That’s weird in itself.

 

Feefiphobia: Constant, intense fear of Giants.

 

Do you think that Trump’s new anti-social media order will affect the Tids? Aaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!

 

Regular people are becoming angered as they see politics creeping into the Covid thing. As long as we have politicians, we will have politics muddying up harmony, and subverting rational thinking.

 

The Question:

What do people think are the best Classical Symphonies of all time?

 

The Headlines:

--China/Hong Kong Problem Expected To Push Markets Down To End Positive Week Negatively.

--Minneapolis Protestors set Fire To Police Precinct Building And Others; Protests Erupt In Cities Across The Country.

--SpaceX Second Try Scheduled For Tomorrow, And Then Sunday; Weather Forecasts don’t Look Promising For Either Day.

--Corona Cases Surge After South Korea Re-opening; Schools There Closed Again; Brazil Cases Continue To escalate Rapidly.

--30 Groups In India Attempting To Develop CV Vaccine.

--US Indicts 28 North Koreans In $2.5 Billion Scheme To Illegally Process Payments Used To Fund NK Nuke Program.

--Costco Planning To Bring Back Food Samplings.

--Microsoft Bringing Out New Bundle That Expands Capabilities Of Windows 10; Computer Mavens Say It Is Good.

 

The youngest Kennedy (Bobby’s Grandson) running for Massachusetts Senator next door here, has launched new commercials now running on RI stations for Southeast Mass which is in Providence Metro. He is running on the give-away the store platform.

 

The beauty of Mount Rushmore before it was carved was unpresidented.

 

I think Twitter went a bit over board when they put a warning on a new Trump Tweet, saying it was “glorifying violence”. The tweet read, “These thugs are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd and I won’t let that happen.” It went on to say he had talked to the Gov and the military is here to help.

 

Our town has a law that prohibits carrying open containers of alcoholic beverage on public streets. Ina an effort to help restaurants during the Covid crisis, the governor permitted Take-out, To-Go contrails. Out of town revelers are drinking on park benches and seas walls and sandy dunes thinking the non-drink rule has changed. It hasn’t. te sate forgot that cities have rules too.

 

There’s a new Netflix documentary on the creepy predator Jeffery Epstein. It gets boring after showing early promise.

 

It is hard for me to envision any other circumstances that would exonerate the wanton act of the Minneapolis police who let Floyd die.

 

Interestingly, in a small survey, it appears that the people are much more for the baseball owners than the players. I’m ready for baseball for sure. I love the game. Too often the things that bother me about the game revolve around money, like losing favorite players to free agency, and now the possibility of an entire season. Maybe that survey speaks to the fact that a lot of people are working just to find food.

 

The Answer:

Can you say Beethoven? 3,200 voters did, over and over again. Numbers 1,2 and 3 were Ludwig’s 9^th, 3^rd and 5^th. Number four was the “New World” (9^th) of Anton Dvorak. #5 was Beethoven’s 7^th followed by Tchai’s 6^th, Mahler’s magnificent 2^nd, Mozart’s 40^th, Shostakovich’s 5^th and Mozart’s 41s. The next ten are Beethoven 6^th, Mahler’s 5^th, Tchai’s 5^th, Schubert’s 8^th (Unfinished), Berlioz Symphony Fantastique, Bahm beautiful 4^th, Brahms 1^st, Mahler’s 9^th, Tchai’s 4^th and Rachmaninov’s 2^nd. Going to 25 we have Sebelius 2^nd, Schubert’s 9^th (which should be ahead of that unfinished), Mahler’s 1^st, Bruckner’s 8^th and Shosty’s 7^th. I’m a big fan of Brahms’ symphonies, and would put a couple of his above Ludwig. Oh yeah, Brahms #3 was number 26. The Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony which became quite famous as the music behind the wonderful movie Breaking Away is #27. I like Mahler, but was surprised to see him so firmly embedded at the top. Ludwig’s 7^th was my first 33LP.

 

Have a great weekend, E-v-e-r-y-b-o-d-y!!

 

Touch someone with kindness.

What’s that old song…People.

Today's Tids Issue 4.661

Helping out:

 

Every morning good people awaken to go out and spread comfort and laughter and love and contributions to the betterment of other people near and far. That’s one of the reasons I like mornings.

 

Let’s talk about youth sports. I’m hearing over and over, the phrase, from parents and coaches, “We’ve got to do something for the Kids.” Here’s a novel idea. How about if the kids do something for themselves. Or better, how about if all the town governments and schools say, “Here kids are all the fields. Go out and play.” And the kids go out and choose up sides and play ball. And have fun. Works for me.

 

One of the overlooked classes during this pandemic shutdown are the many struggling who rely on therapy groups. Meetings are almost always over five people and often held in church basements. You know like AA, many varieties of mental health recovery groups, battered women and so many, many more. Yes people who depend on social engagement just to get through a day, where life is often hanging by a thread; teetering on a cliff where one misstep…

 

The media focuses on a lot of things found on low hanging branches, but too often they don’t dig deep enough to understand the whole story. Or I might say, there is a hole in their stories.

 

Yet, there are inescapable facts in life: For instance, it is well documented that women who carry a little extra weight live longer than men who mention it.

 

The Question:

For what two great efforts is British writer Ian Fleming best known?

 

The Headlines:

--Market Futures Point to Nice Opening; New Jobless Claims Expected At 2.1M.

--Corona Deaths Pass 100,000; Health Officer Says California Is Opening Too Quickly.

--Protest Against Police Handling Of George Floyd That Lead To Unnecessary Death Turn Ugly; Looting, Riots Erupt, Protests Develop In Cities Across the Country; Trump Orders FBI To Pursue Case.

--Pompeo Declares Hong Kong No Longer Autonomous; This Could Threaten China Trade With US.

--Cuomo Urges Trump To Spend Big Bucks On Infrastructure; Cuomo Said To Have Granted Nursing Home Execs Immunity After Receiving Big Campaign Contribution..

 

You could draw a conclusion that people who don’t wear masks are not considerate of other people. Or, they don’t think Covid is important enough to learn what’s going on.

 

Word of mouth department:

This is true. The great classical composers Bach, and later Handel had their eyes operated on by the same doctor. They both went blind. Beethoven was saved from such word of mouth recommendations because he was deaf. “How did they like my ninth?” “Good, Ludwig. Very good. The people loved it” He couldn’t hear his music but he could see the smiles on faces.

 

If America was running on common sense, this might be the lowest voter turnout in history. Biden or Trump. Trump or Biden. Roll that around in the history books of days to come.

 

I understand why people protest about injustices, like that in Minneapolis. I don’t understand why looting invariably goes along with it.

 

Selling your house? Make it colorful and inviting outside. Plant a nice-looking garden. Winter? Make a snowman with welcoming arms and happy eyes. Enhance your street side mailbox with paint or upgraded post. Paint your front door in eye-catching but sensible colors. And Make the porch look warm and pleasing with a couple of rockers and hanging plants, or if no porch, put a couple of Adirondack chairs in the front lawn (Nicely trimmed of course). Yeah, I’d like opt live there.

 

There is an interesting battle developing around the fringes of the 1^st Amendment Freedom of The Press. What really is Press? Most agree for sure that twitter is not press, and thus doesn’t have the protected authority to pursue its own truth. It is simply an advanced form of the telegraph with is used to transport information. It is up to the journalist to sort it out as news or not news. But yesterday the Twitter people said they will fact check what is sent over their services from whims to research. Personally, I have always held in disregard many web sites making billions from the backbreaking work of the editors and reporters and writers who actually find, research and create the stories. Without somebody else’s free content, many services become irrelevant. Will be an interesting conflict indeed.

 

Watching that video of the cenral park women calling police about the calm back bird watcher, I immediately thought, tis woman needs a lot of help. It turns out this woman has fatally fanaticized in the past, and it almost cost a good man his family. She conjured up the thought that a married exec at her Lehman Brothers job was romantically involved with her, and then sued him for alienation. There was no truth to the story.

 

The Answer:

Ian Fleming is remembered best for all of the great James Bond spy novels. He rose to fame after JFK said he loved those books. But, Ian was also known for his children’s books, most notably Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

 

From my point of view, the Covid thing feels better. But then I haven’t just been laid off or am I scrambling find bread scraps for my family. People need people more than ever, and all I hear is why can’t I go to the beach. This is a time to forget me-ism.

What we had; what they dream.

Today's Tids Issue 4.660

Upon knowledge comes knowledge:

 

If the weather comes through, today will be a truly significant day in our country’s ability to regain space superiority since 0-Man retired Nasa ventures. Not only is national pride at stake, but this is a private venture which will be watched intensely in Wall Street. It is a significant engineering feat that could return a few ounces of self-esteem to a populace beaten down by rampaging nasty germs. And keep ambitious dreams alive.

 

(Note: Weather is improving. Official blast off time is scheduled for 4:33:35 PM EDT)  

 

One of my early lessons in learning how to live within a society with understanding was to look for grey instead of only picking black or white*. I got that from SI Hayakawa’s book, “Language in Thought and Action. It was a great primer in for clear two-way communications, and in general living thoughtfully with all varieties of people. It was viable and instructive when written in 1949, when I read it in 1961 and today maybe even more so with its reprinting. Basics of undertaking never change. Just the people’s avoidance of them.

 

Did you hear about the pitcher who found himself after losing a big game in the throes of depression?

 

Ideological inflexibility tempers normally intelligent brain’s ability to see clearly. And certainly, blocks brains from listening.

 

Political operatives aren’t worth the time watching on TV. They are paid to avoid the truth. As opposed to politicians who are born that way.

 

Only twelve men have walked on the moon. Four of them are still alive, five if you count Brian Williams.

 

I have to finish this mess before it gets hot this afternoon, or my mind becomes sluggish. Right now, I’m sharp. Right?...Right?...Right?

 

The Question:

Taylor Swift has been one of the all-time most prolific pop tunes writers, producers and singers. Can you name 5 of her hits? tree? One?

 

The Headlines:

--Consumer Confidence Index Shows Slight Increase; Markets Open Higher, Continue In Positive Territory; Asia/Euro Sticks Higher As Countries loosen Restrictions.

--Trump Staff Tells Prez To Stop With Inane Offensive Tweeting.

--Musk Two Astronaut Space-X Test Ready To Blast Off If weather Cooperates.

--Tropical Storm Betha Hits NC Coast; Expected To Move Northward.

--Data On Aggressive Quarantines In Singapore And Hong Kong Show That Fatalities Do Not Have To Be Assumed Result Of CV Contraction.

--Hot Vaccine Stock Moderna Dropped Significantly After 4 Top Execs Sold $29 Million In Shares.

--Minnesota Anti Police Protests Arise After Death Of Black Man In Disturbingly Unexplainable Custody Actions.

 

What does the Easter bunny get for making a basket? Two points, just like everybody else.

 

Did you see anti-Trumper George Will’s column yesterday that endorsed RI’s Governor Gina Raimondo for Biden VP? Until I read that, I didn’t know our Gov walked on water and was so pro-business. You never know what is right before your eyes. For the record, I have always been a huge Wills fan, and continue to enjoy him despite slings and arrows thrust upon him. In other words, don’t let ideology get in the way of enjoyment. Just be alert enough not to be hoodwinked.

 

Everybody should spend more time trying to educate themselves to know to truth about facts so they can read opposing opinions with having severe bouts of anxiety, and perhaps learn something along the way.

 

*That was not a racist statement.

 

Dressing for cold versus heat: In cold you can layer up. In heat if you layer down it eventually becomes illegal.

 

Ugly Coincidence: UConn murderer and dangerous gun toting fugitive Peter Manfredonia grew up on the same street as Newtown Conn mass killer Adam Lanza.

 

I was thinking last night -- are Madonna, Lady Gaga and other singers who relied on gimmicks known more for their gimmicks than their songs? The United States of Gimmicks.

 

I was so bored in isolation that I memorized six pages of the dictionary. I leaned next to nothing.

 

To be re-elected, Trump is going to need every single vote he can muster. But lately he seems to have a knack of alienating plenty of voters; the latest being the people of toss-up state North Carolina. Not smart. Repubs really need that one for Congress,

 

Always having a date available for a big occasion is called Social Security.

 

The Answer:

Honestly, I have no idea about Swifts Greatest hits, but ere we go. Number 1 is Shake It Off, followed by You Belong With Me, Blank Space, Love Story, I Knew You Were Trouble, We Ae Never Getting Back Together, Bad Blood, I Don’t Wanna Live Forever, Wildest Dreams and Style. Billboard celebrated TS as Artist of the Decade and just published her 40 greatest hits based on Billboard sales. I played several of the above trying to find one I liked. I didn’t.

 

Generations. Generations. Generations.

Ours is one to remember when.

There’s is one to dream anew.

Perhaps they’ll find along the way,

The good of what we knew back then.