Today's Tid's Issue 5,065
Well, we made it again:
One thing I have noticed as I have aged is that time appears to get shorter, but the time between seeing loved ones seems much longer. Maybe to me that’s why I already feel I am in Christmas Eve a day early because my anticipation is so high. Time is everything.
Some things that don’t make sense are often are the most cherished of all.
The main reason I want this Covid Pandemic thing to end is so I won’t have to listen to the interminable newscast repeating the same stories every night.
Today is “National Christmas Movie Marathon Day”. be sure to watch Charlie Brown and Love Actually.
Will Peta still let you tell shaggy dog stories in today’s era of animal rights? Here’s an old favorite that has a bit of a Christmas/Winter’s feeling to it:
There is the story of a group of chess enthusiasts, good friends all, who had a long day of chess matches. Late in the evening these friends went to the lobby of the large hotel where the matches were held, to talk a bit and rest. While their chat began quietly it gathered steam and got quite animated. They were telling each other of their successes of the day. One said he had won so many matches, another told of how he had beaten better players than himself. After a while of this, the hotel manager came over and summarily threw them all out, saying, "I can't abide chess nuts boasting in an open foyer".
Shoot me!
The Question:
We see lots of Creches aroud this time of year with assorted animals and people in them.
The Headlines:
--Markets Open ad Continue Strong Again; New Jobless Clams Still below Pre-Pandemic Numbers.
--More Reports Substantiate Mild Effects Of Omicron.
--FDA Approves Merck’s At Home Covid Pill Following Yesterday’s; Approval of Pfizer.
--Police Reform Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon Carjacked At Gunpoint In Crime Ravaged Philly.
I watched the Kennedy Center Life Achievement awards and all of its pomposity last night. My question: Why can’t the celeb commenters just come out and talk naturally about their celebrity pal, mentor or idol insisted of walking on stage haughtily and theatrically. You know, talk like anybody else would talk when the spotlight is off. Is there an award we don’t know about, “Best dramatic performance by an old friend and admirer?
Oh, and the best line of the night came form David Letterman: “We have a very diverse audience here tonight, the left and the extreme left.”
The Tids Pickers had so-so week last week and it could be worse this week. Lots of games that can go ether way with lots of teams needing wins to competitively stay. Last week we were 11-5 (TB losing 9-0 to NO and Cards losing badly to Lions; Yikes) brought our record to 152-73-1 (68%). Alas, now I have to get to this week. I think I’ll start with a really tough pic between to coach less teams with a propensity to lose in any way possible -- Jets and the Jags (Nicely phonetic too). I am picking the Jags at home. Onward to real games.
The tough game picks are everywhere this week. Almost all of these matches below are do or die at some level for both teams: Niners-Titans, Browns-Packers, Cards-Colts, Pats-Bills, Bengals Ravens, Eagles Giants (Mostly Die for Giants), Rams-Vikes, Chiefs-Steelers and Saints-Dolphins. Bot teams really need this game and I will go anxiously with the Niners. The Pack even on a short rest week should beat a Browns who become dangerous in this must win situation. The Colts looked almost great last week and the Cards staggered again. This is a crucial game for both. I’ll go Cards. My Pats have to win and I think they will. The Bills are angry but the Pats will be back after a bummer last week. If the raves don’t try for “2” again, they will win it. I like the Eagles Over the Giants It is a NFC East showdown. Iggles (Philly-Speak) looked great Tuesday. Hope they get some rest. I have a gut feeling that the Vikes will rise up and beat the sometimes-vulnerable Rams. The Steelers have been surprisingly resourceful lately, but KC has the players. I go KC. The Saints ad Dolphins are both hanging by a thread for postseason. I go Saints “D”.
Here are the rest of the so-called “easy” picks in a year where crazy upsets have been more the rule. The Lions surprised last week and I was happy for them, but I’ll stay with the Falcons who still have a chance. I like the Chargers over the Texas, Bucs over the Panthers, Bears to take down the Seahawks in an upset, Broncos over the faltering Raiders, and Cowboys over the suddenly staggering WFT’s. One thing that may affect these picks are the Covid induced delays of last week. Who will be tired and try to let up a little, the Pack?
Here’s a headline that may indicate one reason why America is getting weaker: “NCIS Fans Are Tweeting About Pauley Perrette's Dramatic Hair Transformation.” Danger ahead.
Here’s another reason: Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon who sponsored the Police reform Bill yesterday was carjacked at gun point I her home district of Philadelphia… where crime is entirely out of hand, Defunding and intimidating police forces, tearing out their guts, liberalizing criminal acts, may have been the worst liberal democrat move of all time.
Today is also National Pfeffernusse Day! Say what? Pfeffernusse translates to “Pepper Nut” and they are those little German chewy powdered sugar-coated balls of tastiness made of (not black pepper or nuts) but White and Brown Sugar, Honey or Molasses, Cinnamon, Ginger, Cardamom, Nutmeg, Allspice, Cloves, Cayenne Pepper, Salt Baking Soda, an Egg and all-purpose flour.
Personally, I like shortbread.
The Answer:
It appears tome according to Luke 2:16 that it was just Mary, Joseph and Jesus. But later, according to Luke 2:8: “And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” So it is conceivable that a shepherd or two were there too, maybe with a couple of lambs. And maybe angel appeared. Ther are many references to the appearance of three Wisemen but that would have been a bit later. But I can’t find exact times. But then, I’m not the greatest of bible readers.
Beethoven’s ninth is often referred to as “Ode To Joy” which is especially appropriate for Christmas. Here is a story of a recent performance:
A symphony was performing Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and things were getting a bit crazy. In the fourth movement, the lead violin player got some string and tied the conductor's music to the stand. Meanwhile, the basses had been sneaking shots of whiskey through the entire performance and were completely plastered by this point. The bass trombone player looks up from his latest issue of Field and Stream to ask his neighbor what in the world was going on. The guy turns to him and says "Well, it's the bottom of the ninth, the bases are loaded and the score is tied."
Oh no, not again! To make up for that, here is a pleasant performance of Ode To Joy:
No comments:
Post a Comment