Low expectations.

 

 

Today's Tids Issue 5,393 

Relaxing in impossibility:

 

 

Rat’s! I didn’t win the $10K from Wheel of Fortune last night. I guess it’s going to be that kind of week. I hope Wall Street's wheel is spinning better the next four days. 

 

Maybe Bill Belichick could tap into the NCAA transfer portal to fond a good QB for the rest of teh year. 

 

What happens when all of the hostages are returned? 

 

I've decided I need to read more. So I'm muting audio and putting up subtitles on TV. 

 

The Question: 

“Rocky” took the country by storm in 1976. Name the four leading characters.  

 

The Headlines: 

--Truce Continues; Hostages Returning, Aid Shipments Continue. 

--Stocks Open Flat but Move Higher in Late Morning; Money Community Awaiting GNP and Consumer Inflation Numbers (PCE) Later in the Week. 

--Idaho to Ask SC to Approve Near Total Abortion Ban. 

--Charles Koch’s Anti Trump Group Endorses Haley. 

--Hunter Biden Offers to Testify Publicly Before Congress. 

--In India, 41 Men Trapped Collapsed Tunnel for 17 Days Rescued; Smiles and Hugs all Around. 

 

I really like that Ruby Lee, the sixteen-year-old classic country singer on The Voice this year.  

 

On the other hand, “The Gilded Age” seems a bit ordinary this year. It sems filled with a lot of “Why should I care” characters in the midst of “Who care’s" scenarios. And the inside scenes are way too dark. 

 

A snail without a shell doesn’t move any faster. In fact it is kind of sluggish.  (A golden Oldie) 

 

Most of what we hear in the news comes from the vocal minority.  

 

Disney is learning that the average person is mainly interested in fun entertainment and not subliminal or overt social messages dominating movies and TV series. Yes, their bottom and top lines are telling them that rather clearly. The Company is trying to regain its reputation for family fun after succumbing to wokeness. And most importantly, trust. 

 

1976 was a transitional year for me. A big one as I joined two guys to form our own advertising Agency. It was the beginning of an amazing period for me.  But not nearly as amazing as it was for America 200 years ago. Men did something about their plight and in 1776 they all found a way to set aside minor differences to come together proclaiming a Declaration of Independence. Yes, in 1976 we all, from coast to coast, celebrated the founding of America the Beautiful. This was our 200th anniversary and I remember standing on the Point Judith RI rocks waiting for a glimpse of the tall ships parade coming out of Newport. But, alas, after several hours standing in the dense fog one guy said, “Anybody know when they are coming,” “Oh, I just heard on the radio that they passed by an hour and half ago!” It was the day they say when the ocean actually rose, not because of a warming atmosphere but because all the people waiting there on that rocky shore were throwing rocks into the sea. Isn’t it odd the little things you remember on such a momentous day. 

 

So, that was the highlight of 1976, America’s birthday, and moving beyond for me. But “Rocky” came out of nowhere to win the hearts of people and eh box-office title; as did Jimmy Carter to beat Ford for President. And out of nowhere came a tidal wave in the Philippines ot kill 5,000 and the Legionnaires Disease to strike at 4,000 in a hotel in Philadelphia. But it was all smiles for Nadia Comaneci in Montreal and over in Toronto where the new CN Tower became the tallest building in the world. A couple of s Steves named Jobs and Wozniak took a hike into an Apple orchard. The Dow inched back over 1000 and I bought a new house, a 1779 colonial with a beat-up old barn and asparagus and rhubarb patch. A 25 inch Zenith TV cost $599 and a men’s sports jacket cost $37.15. Average national income was at $16K. Barry Manilow, a jingle writer for advertising became a popular starting with songs like “I write the Songs” Other top hits were Silly Love Songs, Don’t go Breaking my Heart, Oh What a Night, Fifty Ways to leave your Lover. After Rocky we had some notable films like “All the Presidents Men’, The Omen, The Bad News Bears, Marathon Man, Taxi Driver, A Star is Born and Carrie. But the really relevant top song for the year no matter what was, America the Beautiful.  

 

Nikki Haley seems to be the candidate out there with the fewest negatives. I think Americans might be looking for fewer negatives in their leadership this coming year.  

 

In case you are interested the Seven Modern Wonders of the world are the Roman Coliseum, Machu Picchu, Chichen IItza, Christ the Redeemer statue (Brazil), The Great Wall of China, The Taj Mahal and The City of Petra.  

 

I went to the clothing store to buy new camouflage pants but I couldn't find any.  

 

My friends seem to be putting away their golf clubs. I'll keep mine active for a little while longer. You never know.  

 

The Answer: 

While Ricky maybe been uplifting and inspiring, it may have been too bloody for say an eight-year-old. Sylvester Stallone became a sensation. He was supported by Talia Shire, Burgess Meredith, Bert Young and Carl Weathers as the foe, Apollo Creed. It won Oscars for Best Pic and best Director. 

 

One of the things about getting old is you finally realize that some things really are impossible. So, you just enjoy the simplicity of what comes to you each day. And somehow the impossible dream becomes just pleasant thoughts. And you think, hey, things are pretty darn great.