Today's Tids Issue 2,186
Opening Stuff:
What did the zero say to the eight? “Nice belt!”
The opening day of NFL training is for sports nuts what Christmas Eve is for kids. It’s all about hope and nothing about reality.
When the Tids Editorial board decided to dub the new President “Prime Time”, little did they know that he could also be known as “Daytime”, “Night Time” and “Good Time”. And of course now, many say it should be “Time to go”.
We need some kind of a new economic engine. The great depression ended with the start of the war effort. We had home building for the post war baby Boom. We've had dot coms. And of course we had the misguided attempt to make homes available for all, even if they couldn't afford it. Hey... how about government subsidized up-to-a-million-dollar weddings for all.
The Question:
Groups of animals are not just all called herds. In fact they have some pretty strange designations. Give me the group names for the following animals: Cats, Coyote, Rabbits, Clams, Crows, Crocodiles, Elephants, Foxes, Gnus, Giraffes, Hummingbirds and Rhinos. Friday Bonus Q: Today marks the 50th anniversary fo the first exhibition football game of the American Football League (AFL now AFC) Name the two participants.
The Headlines:
--GDP Reports Out Today Likely To Show Economic Slowdown In July.
--Government Admits recession Deeper Than Previously Thought; 2.6% Economic Shrinkage Said To Be Worst declein Since 1946.
--China Overtakes Japan As World's Second Largest Economy; Is US Next?
--Ellen Rumored To be Out At American Idol; Jennifer Lopez Top Candidate.
--Gates Calls Release Of Secret War Docs Potentially Treasonous Acts.
--July Deadliest Month For US Troops In Afghanistan After Nine Years Of War.
--Head Of Mexico’s Largest Drug Cartel Killed.
--Rangel Charged; Congressional Trial Likely To be Campaign Season Sideshow The Dems Don’t Want.
--Wild Fires Explode North Of LA; Thousands Flee Homes.
--Calcium Supplements Linked To heart Attacks In Elderly Women.
Back to More Stuff:
You hear a lot of groaning about the weakness of TV lineups this summer. (Including my own) But within the cable network schedules are some real winners. Of course Mad Men is a favorite of many. As is Closer and HBO standards Entourage and True Blood. And there are plenty more. USA’s Burn Notice, Hot in Cleveland (Betty White Show), The Gates (Another attempt at scary – See 2009 Harper’s Island), Scoundrals (Family of small time crooks), Memphis Beat and Boston Med. Boston Med has become a fast favorite of many. (One new show Good Guys with Tom Hanks kid may be the worst show eve brought to TV.) But…Rubicon (On AMC) is the show I may have been waiting for all summer. Mainly because the program promotion relies heavily on the word “Conspiracy”. I’m ready for Sunday at 8:00PM!
Henny Youngman upon finishing golf said, “I hit two good balls today.” I stepped on a rake.” Ouch.
I see no reason why Kerry should pay up to Massachusetts. He was perfectly legal keeping his boat in Newport, Rhode Island. And besides…as any sailor worth their salt knows…the best sailing in the world is off the coast of Newport.
An observant reader writes to ask why I didn’t combine this question: "What will the people do when they get bored with YouTube?" with the Tids from the other day featuring "Stupid is as stupid does". It would have reminded me, he says, that the answer to the question would be: The stupid people will never get bored with YouTube.
Another respected reader wrote to inform me that immigrants sneaking into the US isn’t technically a crime, because sneaking into the US to suck money out of the Treasury isn’t a prosecutable action. It is only a deportable action. But is just plain wrong and if allowed to continue will lead to chaos. So, we can’t prosecute them. They doesn’t explain why we aren’t rounding them up and deporting them.
Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 86 continues. –I just sat there a moment and looked at him. The fast fading, false sense of bravado was leaving me flat. My resolve to return to my life of six months ago was dissolving with each beat of my loving heart. I tried to think of my children, but I only saw Kent’s imploring eyes. I tried recapture last night in bed with Paul, but I was overcome with my yearning for Kent. What do you want me to do Kent I said silently to myself? Do you want me to abet in whatever you are involved?
Kent looked over towards Marie and then reached across the table and caressed my hand. Which opened warmly to receive him. He smiled incredibly lovingly. “I want to take you home right now. I want to fly away with you to a place where we will never be found.” He was imploring me to understand something I couldn’t see. Something untold. He didn’t have to worry, I would. “I should have not asked you here tonight. I thought I could just talk and then leave quietly.” He looked sad. Not in control. Like he always was. Like I always am.
“You’re leaving,” I said plaintively. Weakly.
“But, Sarah/Maggie, this very moment has made me know that I am totally in love with you. You deserve to have your own beautiful life back. And I could let you do that because my love is so great that I want you to be happy most of all. Wherever you go you would always have my heart with you. But my happiest life would only be one where you are always by my side.”
I felt stunned. Yet entirely rapturous. I couldn’t speak. I could only look into those eyes that saw the world and loved the world the way I do.
“I have to leave. Believe me Sarah/Maggie, I want to be with you forever.”
He squeezed my hand. I felt his love to the core of my body. I couldn’t say a word. My eyes must have said it, because his smile was the perfect response to my state of exotic luxury. He got up and left. He didn’t finish his pie. He always finished his pie.
Hey, the Clintons can spend their money any way they want. After all, this couple who never had the chance to participate in the American dream of owning their own home until 2000, deserve to spend wildly like any good American. And, if they can manage to put it on their credit card, good for them. Keep the irresponsible spirit alive in well in the world’s greatest economy.
The Clintons didn’t invite the Prez and wife Sleeveless because they wanted the wedding to personal for their daughter. Now in my lifetime I have seen the marriage of many Presidential daughters and I have never seen $2-3 Million dollar affairs, closing of NY Hudson River area airways for about 16 hours or a steady stream of major publicity about private and personal wedding. I wonder how much money the Clintons will make on their book about the wedding.
Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--Charlie St. Cloud is really a vehicle for the career path growth of teen fave Zac Efron. He actually doesn’t do so well in this film that often struggles. But, it may be interesting. Zac plays a super high school sailor who gets a scholarship to Stanford. And then, something goes terribly wrong. He becomes a recluse living in an out of the way cottage as a caretaker of a cemetery. But, he is eventually saved from is own torments. What happened and who will save him. That is the question.
--Dinner for Schmucks sounds terrible but could be very entertaining. The latest Steve Carell vehicle also stars Paul Rudd. (So many of the Carell movies have been mediocre it is hard to start believing again). This one is good and quite funny. The essence of the plot is about Rudd a career hungry young exec and a bumbler Carell. The big event is where young execs look for losers to bring to a big corporate dinner so the rest of the high powered crowd can laugh at them. But something happens along the way.
--Cats & Dogs is a not so funny sequel. It tries to be a “Roadrunner” style cartoon but the antics just doesn’t measure up. It is a hodgepodge that amay amuse those with half a brain or under the age of three.
--The opening line of the review for The Kids Are Alright says it is a perceptive, funny, tearful, dramatic, offbeat look at the American family today. Offbeat is the operative word as the family is headed by two lesbian parents each with an artificially inseminated child. The oldest child at 18 decided to find dad, and that’s where the gnashing of teeth begins. Dad turns out to be a free-spirited, marginally irresponsible, motor cycle riding owner of a restaurant called Local Food. Obviously the kid gravitates to dad, much to the dismay of mom and mom II. But I guess what really bothers me about this movie is that dad raises organic vegetables for his restaurant. God, how clichéd can a movie be?
The Answer:
Cats – Clowder or Pounce; Coyote – Pack or Train; Rabbits – Warren; Clams – Bed; Crows – Murder; Crocodiles – Congregation or Float; Elephants – Parade; Foxes – Skulk; Gnus – Implausibility; Hummingbirds – Charm; Giraffes – Kaleidoscope, Journey or Troop; Rhinos – Crash.
Check em’ all out at http://www.hintsandthings.co.uk/kennel/collectives.htm (That is if you have npo life); Bonus: The 1st two teams from the old AFL to have a go at it were the Boston Patriots and Buffalo Bills. The Pats won.
The Beginning of the Weekend:
Maybe the newest reality show for next summer will be about a wedding and will be called Chelsea. Sounds like a distinct possibility to me.
It's going to be perfect weather in the east. It will be perfect down here if all of the tourists and day trippers to enjoy the weather in there back yards.
Love your day!
Layng quietly in fields
Glstening lights
Showing posts with label economy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label economy. Show all posts
Friday, July 30, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Celebrity is a big cover-up.
Today's Tids !ssue 2,182
Opening Stuff
The brilliant red Sky; The brisk cool air; The soft, small waves below my feet breaking quietly on the shore; As if not to disturb a world still sleeping soundly. It’s too peaceful, I thought. It’s too perfect, I knew. Why ruin this serenity of nature with the anger of Tids? Nah!
Highly regarded Italian filmmaker Michelangelo Antonioni once said “Scientific man is already on the moon, and yet we are still living with the moral concepts of Homer.” So? Mich seemed to have a problem with rigid morality in general. Many of his quotes express similar abhorrence of moral people. So here’s the issue: This guy is in a position, as are many of the Hollywood elite, to get inside the minds of people. And one of his basic ideas is that morals should be relaxed. But then, what would you expect from Hollywood.
English Patient is still the most boring highly acclaimed picture of all time. Where did that come from?
The Question:
Aaaah Pucini! He made the music upon which lover’s hearts fly. Arias that electrify the soul. Name five of his operas. Expert bonus points: Name three of his most beloved arias.
The Headlines:
--Hugo Warns US: Get Out Of Columbia Or Cut Off Oil.
--White House Irate Over Leaked War Documents.
--0-Man Takes To Campaign Trail With New “Blame It On Bush” Rhetoric.
--US And South Korea Show Off Power IN Waters Off North Korea; NK Warns Nuke Retaliation For Games.
--European Banks Endure New Stress Tests Better than Expected; Euro Economic Recovery Now Looks Stringer Than US.
--Former CIA Chief Says Attack On Iran More Likely Now.
Back to More Stuff:
Lessons Learned Department:
Many years ago we lived in a two family home in the blue collar neighborhoods of Turtle Creek and Wilkins Township outside industrial Pittsburgh. The owner of our place lived next door and worked at a huge Westinghouse Electric Factory. He was a quiet, gentle man with a pleasant wife and teen daughter. One day he arrived home with a twinkle in his eye, and immediately came up to me, which was unusual in itself. “Look what I bought” he said proudly.” I looked at what he held and saw a 33 Album of Puccini’s Madam Butterfly. “Want to hear It,” he asked before I could even utter a comment, or at least a grunt of approval. Moments later the beautiful Un Bel Di filled the air. He stood silently. His eyes glistened as he looked to the sky. His chest swelled. You never know what kind of beauty resides in the heart of humans.
Doncha get the feelin’ that the media is looking forward to a war between the professional protestors and their gimme’ crowd and the good citizens of Arizona. They are looking for blood on the streets of Phoenix and they are sending many cameras down there to help incite it.
I had to love the cartoon Sunday morning that showed two battle warn US soldiers behind a sandbag wall in a desolate Mid East dessert and a newspaper on the ground with headlines that read: “Lindsay Lohan”, “Mel Gibson Rant” and “Kate Gosslin Going Camping With Sarah Palin.”
The US economy has become based upon adding expense to the cost of living of everyday people. The next big intrusion on people’s sensible budgeting will be anything related to carbon footprint credits and trading them on some phony exchange. It isn’t just overtaxing by the Government that is becoming a burden, but what the Government mandates to add to the cost of staying alive. Oh yeah, and after that, “Licenses to own homes.”
I have been remiss on commenting about the US Government funding of the Compact Power company, a US battery for electric car manufacturer, part owned by Korean giant LG. It’s not the Korean ownership that bothers me most. It is the fact that the Big Brother is usurping the Wall Street connection. If there is value in Compact Power, should the Clueless Lane folks be jumping aboard? Or are they too busy creating convoluted international investment scams to pay attention to it? Somehow the system is broken and the more the Gov jumps in, the longer it will stay broken.
Not only has India introduced a $35 competitor to iPad, but it has successfully started manufacturing the $2,150 Nano car and perfected the $2,000 heart transplant operation. While we mark up the cost of caramel laden coffee. The point is that while the “Skimmers in charge” will always make barrels of dough, the economies from now disparate countries will tend to equalize…raising pay in currently undernourished countries and decrease average pay in former leadership nations. So the global economy is good for those in charge, but will tend to diminish or even eliminate the great US middle class. It’s just the way economics works over time. And it is very sad.
Correction: In a piece about RC priest pedophilia I reported a mistakenly quoted sentence in the newspaper that said the Vatican equated the sin of pedophilia as equal to the sin of woman becoming ordained priests. The actual report is that on a new list of major sins the two were both included. The main point that still remains is that the Vatican continues to botch its announced anger at pedophile priests.
Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 85. –I sat there stunned as Isabelle coolly lopped my friend Sally off of my program. When she told Sally, two heads glared my way; Sally with a “help me” plea; Izzy with a “I’ll talk to you later” stare. I acquiesced quickly to Izzy, but did offer a comforting hand to Sally. Who looked totally befuddled. A brilliant mind, a good person; axed for no apparent reason other than a few pennies. But, I know that it is about her recent talks with Sarah. Pure and simple. Isabelle is going into defensive mode. She’s panicked. That’s dangerous.
When, after a few cold moments of silence, Isabelle uttered “That’s it” and looked down at her desk, I stood, walked calmly to Sally. “Let’s go”. I helped her up and found her unsure on shaky legs as I walked her back to her desk. Her mind was obviously racing as she didn’t make a sound. It wasn’t moments after Sally sat to laconically go through her desk, when a couple of security guards strode in. I told them we didn’t need them. They started to respond, “Mrs. ….’ I put on my anger mask and said in a voice that I have used often to make men cry. “I’ll take care of this.” They left. But they lingered, now sheepishly, in view of the door.
After another hour, Sally was ready to go. I waved off the goons and walked her down the hall, past the receptionist where the two had their last smiles together. I didn’t say much. I let Sally fume. Fuming is often the best medicine. I was more concerned by the crack in Izzy’s wall. I had to begin mending.
Sally started up her little VW, and drove slowly away. At the gate she accelerated in obvious anger.
I smiled at that. I opened my cell phone and dialed Sarah.
Compensation/Pay Czar Feinberg says he will not try to recoup from companies given bailout money the $1.6 Billion paid in bonuses to executives. His reasoning: “Shaming them is punishment enough.” Hey Feinberg! These people have no shame. Haven’t you noticed? God, what a disingenuous world we live in.
And why does the United States of America have something called a “Pay Czar” any how?
I have always considered the US Free Enterprise sacrosanct. But, I have also firmly believed that the owners of business have a responsibility to operate their businesses in a way that provides for the population of US people who endorse their freedoms. A nation of freedom is based on trust, and too many people are seeing too much evidence of business people abusing that trust. The US works when everything is a two way street. And that includes the Government too.
Where have you gone “Caveat emptor”?
The Answer: Puccini operas are among the most performed, cherished everywhere. Tosca, Turandot, Madam Butterfly, La Boheme and Menon Lescout. There are so many fantastic arias. But here are three: Nesson Dormal (Turandot), Recondita Armonia (Tosca) and O Soave Fanciutta (La Boheme). Oh yeah – UnBel Di (Madam Butterfly).
The End:
The front page feature for the Sunday New York Times was heralded by the headlines “Supreme Court Most Conservative in Decades.” How great is that? Especially considering that we have people who espouse to the philosophies of the likes of Michelangelo with the power to influence the numb.
Turn off the noise. Turn on an aria.
Opening Stuff
The brilliant red Sky; The brisk cool air; The soft, small waves below my feet breaking quietly on the shore; As if not to disturb a world still sleeping soundly. It’s too peaceful, I thought. It’s too perfect, I knew. Why ruin this serenity of nature with the anger of Tids? Nah!
Highly regarded Italian filmmaker Michelangelo Antonioni once said “Scientific man is already on the moon, and yet we are still living with the moral concepts of Homer.” So? Mich seemed to have a problem with rigid morality in general. Many of his quotes express similar abhorrence of moral people. So here’s the issue: This guy is in a position, as are many of the Hollywood elite, to get inside the minds of people. And one of his basic ideas is that morals should be relaxed. But then, what would you expect from Hollywood.
English Patient is still the most boring highly acclaimed picture of all time. Where did that come from?
The Question:
Aaaah Pucini! He made the music upon which lover’s hearts fly. Arias that electrify the soul. Name five of his operas. Expert bonus points: Name three of his most beloved arias.
The Headlines:
--Hugo Warns US: Get Out Of Columbia Or Cut Off Oil.
--White House Irate Over Leaked War Documents.
--0-Man Takes To Campaign Trail With New “Blame It On Bush” Rhetoric.
--US And South Korea Show Off Power IN Waters Off North Korea; NK Warns Nuke Retaliation For Games.
--European Banks Endure New Stress Tests Better than Expected; Euro Economic Recovery Now Looks Stringer Than US.
--Former CIA Chief Says Attack On Iran More Likely Now.
Back to More Stuff:
Lessons Learned Department:
Many years ago we lived in a two family home in the blue collar neighborhoods of Turtle Creek and Wilkins Township outside industrial Pittsburgh. The owner of our place lived next door and worked at a huge Westinghouse Electric Factory. He was a quiet, gentle man with a pleasant wife and teen daughter. One day he arrived home with a twinkle in his eye, and immediately came up to me, which was unusual in itself. “Look what I bought” he said proudly.” I looked at what he held and saw a 33 Album of Puccini’s Madam Butterfly. “Want to hear It,” he asked before I could even utter a comment, or at least a grunt of approval. Moments later the beautiful Un Bel Di filled the air. He stood silently. His eyes glistened as he looked to the sky. His chest swelled. You never know what kind of beauty resides in the heart of humans.
Doncha get the feelin’ that the media is looking forward to a war between the professional protestors and their gimme’ crowd and the good citizens of Arizona. They are looking for blood on the streets of Phoenix and they are sending many cameras down there to help incite it.
I had to love the cartoon Sunday morning that showed two battle warn US soldiers behind a sandbag wall in a desolate Mid East dessert and a newspaper on the ground with headlines that read: “Lindsay Lohan”, “Mel Gibson Rant” and “Kate Gosslin Going Camping With Sarah Palin.”
The US economy has become based upon adding expense to the cost of living of everyday people. The next big intrusion on people’s sensible budgeting will be anything related to carbon footprint credits and trading them on some phony exchange. It isn’t just overtaxing by the Government that is becoming a burden, but what the Government mandates to add to the cost of staying alive. Oh yeah, and after that, “Licenses to own homes.”
I have been remiss on commenting about the US Government funding of the Compact Power company, a US battery for electric car manufacturer, part owned by Korean giant LG. It’s not the Korean ownership that bothers me most. It is the fact that the Big Brother is usurping the Wall Street connection. If there is value in Compact Power, should the Clueless Lane folks be jumping aboard? Or are they too busy creating convoluted international investment scams to pay attention to it? Somehow the system is broken and the more the Gov jumps in, the longer it will stay broken.
Not only has India introduced a $35 competitor to iPad, but it has successfully started manufacturing the $2,150 Nano car and perfected the $2,000 heart transplant operation. While we mark up the cost of caramel laden coffee. The point is that while the “Skimmers in charge” will always make barrels of dough, the economies from now disparate countries will tend to equalize…raising pay in currently undernourished countries and decrease average pay in former leadership nations. So the global economy is good for those in charge, but will tend to diminish or even eliminate the great US middle class. It’s just the way economics works over time. And it is very sad.
Correction: In a piece about RC priest pedophilia I reported a mistakenly quoted sentence in the newspaper that said the Vatican equated the sin of pedophilia as equal to the sin of woman becoming ordained priests. The actual report is that on a new list of major sins the two were both included. The main point that still remains is that the Vatican continues to botch its announced anger at pedophile priests.
Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 85. –I sat there stunned as Isabelle coolly lopped my friend Sally off of my program. When she told Sally, two heads glared my way; Sally with a “help me” plea; Izzy with a “I’ll talk to you later” stare. I acquiesced quickly to Izzy, but did offer a comforting hand to Sally. Who looked totally befuddled. A brilliant mind, a good person; axed for no apparent reason other than a few pennies. But, I know that it is about her recent talks with Sarah. Pure and simple. Isabelle is going into defensive mode. She’s panicked. That’s dangerous.
When, after a few cold moments of silence, Isabelle uttered “That’s it” and looked down at her desk, I stood, walked calmly to Sally. “Let’s go”. I helped her up and found her unsure on shaky legs as I walked her back to her desk. Her mind was obviously racing as she didn’t make a sound. It wasn’t moments after Sally sat to laconically go through her desk, when a couple of security guards strode in. I told them we didn’t need them. They started to respond, “Mrs. ….’ I put on my anger mask and said in a voice that I have used often to make men cry. “I’ll take care of this.” They left. But they lingered, now sheepishly, in view of the door.
After another hour, Sally was ready to go. I waved off the goons and walked her down the hall, past the receptionist where the two had their last smiles together. I didn’t say much. I let Sally fume. Fuming is often the best medicine. I was more concerned by the crack in Izzy’s wall. I had to begin mending.
Sally started up her little VW, and drove slowly away. At the gate she accelerated in obvious anger.
I smiled at that. I opened my cell phone and dialed Sarah.
Compensation/Pay Czar Feinberg says he will not try to recoup from companies given bailout money the $1.6 Billion paid in bonuses to executives. His reasoning: “Shaming them is punishment enough.” Hey Feinberg! These people have no shame. Haven’t you noticed? God, what a disingenuous world we live in.
And why does the United States of America have something called a “Pay Czar” any how?
I have always considered the US Free Enterprise sacrosanct. But, I have also firmly believed that the owners of business have a responsibility to operate their businesses in a way that provides for the population of US people who endorse their freedoms. A nation of freedom is based on trust, and too many people are seeing too much evidence of business people abusing that trust. The US works when everything is a two way street. And that includes the Government too.
Where have you gone “Caveat emptor”?
The Answer: Puccini operas are among the most performed, cherished everywhere. Tosca, Turandot, Madam Butterfly, La Boheme and Menon Lescout. There are so many fantastic arias. But here are three: Nesson Dormal (Turandot), Recondita Armonia (Tosca) and O Soave Fanciutta (La Boheme). Oh yeah – UnBel Di (Madam Butterfly).
The End:
The front page feature for the Sunday New York Times was heralded by the headlines “Supreme Court Most Conservative in Decades.” How great is that? Especially considering that we have people who espouse to the philosophies of the likes of Michelangelo with the power to influence the numb.
Turn off the noise. Turn on an aria.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
The sponge economy.
Today's Tids Issue 2,179
Opening Stuff:
Washington these days is all about the Democrats forcing the Republicans into “When did you stop beating your wife” dilemmas. It’s a savvy political strategy that will result in a lot of bad and very expensive laws
A reader after reading the Comedian list and the “…Standing in the rain.” line, sent along this poignant message from Comedian/cancer survivor: "The secret of happiness is not to curse the storm, but to learn how to dance in the rain."
The Question:
Business people find it hard to be without their smart phones. It has become a necessary appendage. What do Business travelers use their phones for most?
The Headlines:
--Relief Well Should Reach Broken Well This Weekend.
--Government Watchdogs Tell Congress That 0-Man’s Mortgage Salvation Program Is Not Working; That US treasury Has Failed To Fix The Program.
--Pedophile Hedge Fund Billionaire Jeffery Epstein Set free After Five years Of Legal Wrangling.
--Scientists Discover Star In Galaxy 100 Times More Massive Than Sun.
--Obama Gang Outlines New Sanctions Against North Korea.
--Wall Street Flat Awaiting Bernanke.
--0-man Signs Finance Overhaul Bill.
Back to More Stuff:
As of yesterday, the national debt was $13.1 Trillion and growing at a rate of $1.5 Trillion per year. To be able to start paying down the debt, the Government budget must generate surpluses of $500 Billion to $800 Bil per year. That ain’t gonna happen because nowhere in the White House or Congress do I see people jumping up saying they can’t afford this or that mammoth bill.
What are we starting to notice as earnings report are delivered? Lower than anticipated revenue (Top Line) but healthy bottom lines. This is typical of a recovery in normal times. I don’t think these are normal times. These are times when average wages are forced to decline meaning that real growth rates will decline too. And revenue will fail to return even over time.
You can never have enough khacki shorts for Summer.
Through the Same Eyes: I have entered the severe writer's block phase of this novel. Be patient.
Cute little Lindsey Lohan is looking about 45 years old these days. Jeez, acting must be tough on the body.
Supermarket prepared “Home cooked” meals are never as good as what I remember as home cooked meals. But a lot of people must be buying a lot of them because they are ubiquitous.
Isn’t a ubiquitous a South American dish using the bark of the Cockspur Coral Tree?
I’m still slaving away poring out the Tids, but my mind is on a vacation in a secluded get-away. I fact, it is so secluded that I haven’t been able to find it for weeks.
Somehow, to me, a summer landscape doesn’t inspire a lot of poetry.
The Answer:
56% use it to adjust travel plans. 49% use it to make dinner reservations; 43% -- Get sports scores; 41% -- Check into hotel, But, surprisingly a full 39% use smart phone apps to find a coffee shop.
So, are they telling me I should by a $400 smart phone so I can find a coffee shop? Don’t you think that there is something really sad about an economy that relies on coffee shops and coffee shop locators?
Opening Stuff:
Washington these days is all about the Democrats forcing the Republicans into “When did you stop beating your wife” dilemmas. It’s a savvy political strategy that will result in a lot of bad and very expensive laws
A reader after reading the Comedian list and the “…Standing in the rain.” line, sent along this poignant message from Comedian/cancer survivor: "The secret of happiness is not to curse the storm, but to learn how to dance in the rain."
The Question:
Business people find it hard to be without their smart phones. It has become a necessary appendage. What do Business travelers use their phones for most?
The Headlines:
--Relief Well Should Reach Broken Well This Weekend.
--Government Watchdogs Tell Congress That 0-Man’s Mortgage Salvation Program Is Not Working; That US treasury Has Failed To Fix The Program.
--Pedophile Hedge Fund Billionaire Jeffery Epstein Set free After Five years Of Legal Wrangling.
--Scientists Discover Star In Galaxy 100 Times More Massive Than Sun.
--Obama Gang Outlines New Sanctions Against North Korea.
--Wall Street Flat Awaiting Bernanke.
--0-man Signs Finance Overhaul Bill.
Back to More Stuff:
As of yesterday, the national debt was $13.1 Trillion and growing at a rate of $1.5 Trillion per year. To be able to start paying down the debt, the Government budget must generate surpluses of $500 Billion to $800 Bil per year. That ain’t gonna happen because nowhere in the White House or Congress do I see people jumping up saying they can’t afford this or that mammoth bill.
What are we starting to notice as earnings report are delivered? Lower than anticipated revenue (Top Line) but healthy bottom lines. This is typical of a recovery in normal times. I don’t think these are normal times. These are times when average wages are forced to decline meaning that real growth rates will decline too. And revenue will fail to return even over time.
You can never have enough khacki shorts for Summer.
Through the Same Eyes: I have entered the severe writer's block phase of this novel. Be patient.
Cute little Lindsey Lohan is looking about 45 years old these days. Jeez, acting must be tough on the body.
Supermarket prepared “Home cooked” meals are never as good as what I remember as home cooked meals. But a lot of people must be buying a lot of them because they are ubiquitous.
Isn’t a ubiquitous a South American dish using the bark of the Cockspur Coral Tree?
I’m still slaving away poring out the Tids, but my mind is on a vacation in a secluded get-away. I fact, it is so secluded that I haven’t been able to find it for weeks.
Somehow, to me, a summer landscape doesn’t inspire a lot of poetry.
The Answer:
56% use it to adjust travel plans. 49% use it to make dinner reservations; 43% -- Get sports scores; 41% -- Check into hotel, But, surprisingly a full 39% use smart phone apps to find a coffee shop.
So, are they telling me I should by a $400 smart phone so I can find a coffee shop? Don’t you think that there is something really sad about an economy that relies on coffee shops and coffee shop locators?
Monday, July 12, 2010
The world gets nuttier.
Today's Tids Issue 2,172
Opening Stuff:
Every once in a while, there is nothing better for the soul than hearing Kermit the Frog sing “Rainbow Connection”. – “Someday we’ll find it, That Rainbow Connection, The Lovers the dreamers and
Me.”
Saint Andrew’s where they play the British Open this week is one of those courses that Tiger eats up. He has breezed through and won the previous opens he has played there. So, this should be a great test of his current psychological make-up. It should be a very interesting weekend from that point of view alone. Even more exciting on this week of a great world’s tournament is the fact that we have nice diverse group of good players from many countries who could win it. And, that always makes for the best tournaments.
The Question:
P.T. Barnum would have loved the idea of 10,000,000 watching the James decision show. Give me five famous P.T. Barnum quotes.
The Headlines:
--Ugandan Bomber Targets World Cup Watchers Killing At Least 64.rong China Trade Data.
--World Stock Markets Up On Solid China Trade Data.; US Markets Idling Waiting For Earnings News.
--Justice Department Exploring Criminal Charges Against BP.
--Congress Returns From Week Off; Financial Reform One Of Many Nagging Issues TO Be Resolved.
--American Credit Scores Falling; And Additional 43,000,000 Dip Below 599.
--Investors Quietly Moving Out Of Mutual Funds Into Money Markets (Cash).
--BP Happy With Re-Capping Process.
--Spain Wins World Cup; Armstrong Out Of Tour.
--Swiss Reject US Extradition request; Free Polanski.
Back to More Stuff:
Note to Jesse Jackson: “Slavemasters” don’t pay slaves $30 Million a year.
I’m learning that the capitalism driven Asians have a new favorite US landmark for photo taking – The Bull on Wall Street.
These new flat brimmed baseball caps have become arrogant fashion statements as opposed to hats that guys wear.
As you know, The Tids Financial Editor has been monitoring an amazing set of trend curves – the separation of the economy curve from the soccer curve. As the soccer trend line grows upward, the economy shows it woes and declines. (Check it out.) And of course it culminated yesterday when Spain, one of the most beleaguered, near bankruptcy economies won the World Cup. So all of you who hopped on this every four year band wagon and will be rooting for a USA victory in 2014…don’t! It could be the end of the US economy as we know it. Play lacrosse, the original American game!
When track stars run on the beach, it’s quick sand.
Winter can’t come soon enough for me. Or, at least a cool Fall.
Somebody should drag Jesse Jackson off the stage before he falls and hurts himself.
There are more flops in WC soccer than on Broadway.
I think I’m beginning to like golf again.
There’s a web site I just heard about called “O-mama.com. Basically it seems to be based upon the idea that if Moms can effectively run the households of America, then their words and ideas should be available to all, including those running (An exaggeration unless it is associated with “Into the ground”) the Government. But what this paranoid aging male is seeing is another group of people trying to manage other people’s lives.
But, I’d be all for these eager Moms if they could get the people leaving their homes (And that includes their husbands and selves) to dress like civilized humans. God, the mass of humanity walking the streets have never looked worse.
The Answer:
One that represents The United Sheep of America more than any is his most famous “There’s a sucker born every minute.” But he has many other pithy sayings: “Without promotion something terrible happens. Nothing”. “Every crowd has a Silver Lining.” “If I shoot at the Sun, I may hit a Star.” “Money is a Terrible Master but an Excellent Servant.”
The great celebrations often have less people.
Opening Stuff:
Every once in a while, there is nothing better for the soul than hearing Kermit the Frog sing “Rainbow Connection”. – “Someday we’ll find it, That Rainbow Connection, The Lovers the dreamers and
Me.”
Saint Andrew’s where they play the British Open this week is one of those courses that Tiger eats up. He has breezed through and won the previous opens he has played there. So, this should be a great test of his current psychological make-up. It should be a very interesting weekend from that point of view alone. Even more exciting on this week of a great world’s tournament is the fact that we have nice diverse group of good players from many countries who could win it. And, that always makes for the best tournaments.
The Question:
P.T. Barnum would have loved the idea of 10,000,000 watching the James decision show. Give me five famous P.T. Barnum quotes.
The Headlines:
--Ugandan Bomber Targets World Cup Watchers Killing At Least 64.rong China Trade Data.
--World Stock Markets Up On Solid China Trade Data.; US Markets Idling Waiting For Earnings News.
--Justice Department Exploring Criminal Charges Against BP.
--Congress Returns From Week Off; Financial Reform One Of Many Nagging Issues TO Be Resolved.
--American Credit Scores Falling; And Additional 43,000,000 Dip Below 599.
--Investors Quietly Moving Out Of Mutual Funds Into Money Markets (Cash).
--BP Happy With Re-Capping Process.
--Spain Wins World Cup; Armstrong Out Of Tour.
--Swiss Reject US Extradition request; Free Polanski.
Back to More Stuff:
Note to Jesse Jackson: “Slavemasters” don’t pay slaves $30 Million a year.
I’m learning that the capitalism driven Asians have a new favorite US landmark for photo taking – The Bull on Wall Street.
These new flat brimmed baseball caps have become arrogant fashion statements as opposed to hats that guys wear.
As you know, The Tids Financial Editor has been monitoring an amazing set of trend curves – the separation of the economy curve from the soccer curve. As the soccer trend line grows upward, the economy shows it woes and declines. (Check it out.) And of course it culminated yesterday when Spain, one of the most beleaguered, near bankruptcy economies won the World Cup. So all of you who hopped on this every four year band wagon and will be rooting for a USA victory in 2014…don’t! It could be the end of the US economy as we know it. Play lacrosse, the original American game!
When track stars run on the beach, it’s quick sand.
Winter can’t come soon enough for me. Or, at least a cool Fall.
Somebody should drag Jesse Jackson off the stage before he falls and hurts himself.
There are more flops in WC soccer than on Broadway.
I think I’m beginning to like golf again.
There’s a web site I just heard about called “O-mama.com. Basically it seems to be based upon the idea that if Moms can effectively run the households of America, then their words and ideas should be available to all, including those running (An exaggeration unless it is associated with “Into the ground”) the Government. But what this paranoid aging male is seeing is another group of people trying to manage other people’s lives.
But, I’d be all for these eager Moms if they could get the people leaving their homes (And that includes their husbands and selves) to dress like civilized humans. God, the mass of humanity walking the streets have never looked worse.
The Answer:
One that represents The United Sheep of America more than any is his most famous “There’s a sucker born every minute.” But he has many other pithy sayings: “Without promotion something terrible happens. Nothing”. “Every crowd has a Silver Lining.” “If I shoot at the Sun, I may hit a Star.” “Money is a Terrible Master but an Excellent Servant.”
The great celebrations often have less people.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Don't worry; Stand out in the rain.
Today's Tids Issue 2,163
Opening Stuff:
Our California watchdog informs us that California welfare recipients are allowed to use their state issued debit cards to withdraw money at casinos for gambling. Is this a great country or what!
“Free Balloons” Department:
I can hear the first graders asking, “Now exactly what am I supposed to do with this” as the school nurses in Provincetown, Massachusetts hand condoms!! Yikes. But that is the requirement of a new law in this quaint Tip-O-the-Cape town which is well known as a haven for the gay. Are the minds of residents so attuned to flamboyant sexual activity that they have lost sight of the possibility of rational behavior among their youngest? Maybe we could ask Elena Kagan about that.
The Question:
Name the five top characters on “The Love Boat” and the actors who played them. What was the real name of the boat?
The Headlines:
--RI Dem Convention Snubs Powerful Lynch Brother team; Endorses Caprio (Gov.), Cicilini (Congress); History Shows That Endorsed Candidates Not Sure Things In Primaries.
--Kagan Questioning Begins In Earnest Today.
--10 Long Time Soviet Moles Arrested.
--High Court Rules Hand Guns Ok.
--Stocks Expected To Go Lower On World Worries.
--Poor Housing, Jobs Reports Combined With continuing Large Retail Sales Indicate Declining Economy Or A Recovery That never Happened; Economists Crying New Blues.
--Supreme Court Says Ok To Proceed Against The Vatican In Sexual Abuse Case; Vatican Maintains It Has No Liability.
Back to More Stuff:
I heard the question asked on a radio program, “Is Bill Clinton worried that the Al Gore sexual dalliance with a massage therapist will place a stain on his administration?” It’s one of those things I wish I thought of first.
The stuff about the health care program is leaking out like a slow water board to Abu Grabe. The latest I have heard is a 3.5% tax on real estate transactions beginning after the next Presidential election in 2013.That means that if you sell your house for $400K the government gets $14 Thou! That’s great news for downsizing retirees.
Meat and Potatoes Department:
Remember when potato based Vodka was the favorite of alcoholics because it was odorless. But then came fruit flavored vodkas and it became hard to tell if a person was drinking too much or just a health nut. Now you have to wonder if vodka makers are drinking too much. With the introduction of “Smoked Salmon” and “Bacon” vodkas you can shortly expect “Meat “ flavored vodkas. “Don’t you think Bob smells a little like ground chuck?” Beef breath will become the new term of disfavor. And a how about Sally got porked last night? Whoops.
Russian Roulette Department:
One of the more relaxing places in this universe is the summer outdoor shower. That is, until you hear distant thunder. And you have just begun. You start counting the seconds between rumble and flash. 11seconds! Toes, ankles, calves. 10 seconds. Thighs, waste, butt. 9 seconds. Arms, chest, back. 7 seconds. Time to wash the hair. Where is that shampoo? Damn! 6 seconds. Wash. Rinse. 4 seconds. You take a deep breath. Is there time for a shave. Go for it. Oops a nick. No time to stop the bleeding. Get the chin. Oh no, I missed some on the neck. Phew! Finished. Flash!! 2 seconds. Time to dry. It’s starting to rain. Can’t dry any how. Don’t for get to wrap the towel around your waste. Don’t panic. Run…now. Inside. EeeeeHah! Crrrrrrrrack!
Of course…I could just stand out in the rain and lightening and get washed and dried at the same time! Ouch.
George Will wonders how Elena Kagan would react to the observation by James Madison: “The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which remain in the state governments are numerous and indefinite.”
Actually, Will raises and suggests many good questions for the woman who has an “Aversion to vapid and hollow” (Confirmation hearings) devoid of “Legal analysis.” Like, what would be her opinion on whether or not the fed’s enumerated powers on interstate commerce could cover just about everything from obesity to poor student testing to mandates for carrying health care insurance. Will wonders what her opinion might have been on watching “equal opportunity” under the new1960’s Civil Rights Law transform immediately into “Unequal” Opportunity for minorities. It could be lively if Senators were capable of asking questions with real substance.
Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 80: --I sat looking at the steering wheel for minutes. I really don’t know how long I sat there after Kent left. He leaned warmly against me as he gave me a high five. I hate high fives and I know he does too. He was acting again for Marie. A charade. Were my tears a charade too? No, this time they were real. I am confused. I wanted to go home with him. I wanted to jump into that bed and make love even better than it has been these past two months. But, for the first time I had thoughts about my deceptions. I thought about Paul. I felt the love of the kids. I knew also that I had an ulterior motive. I had to manipulate Kent to stay close to him. At first I thought Kent was doing the same to me. But, there was something real about him. His caring seemed real. His concern about my reputation seemed earnest. His desire to be with me seemed overwhelming. Yet he was measured. Looking for something. Guarding something. What? My cell phone rang. It was Paul.
“Why, Hi Paul”, I said cheerily. How easy it is for me to switch emotions. ‘Do you miss me?”
“I always miss you”, he answered pleasantly. And it made me feel good inside. Stronger. Needed. What’s wrong with me.
“Me too,” I muttered softly. Too softly?
“How’d you like to have a cup of coffee with me out here at BiEm. I have some interesting new stuff about Bromsky and his niece.
Something real for a change I thought, and I smiled inwardly. “Of course Paul. I don’t even need an excuse to have a cup of coffee with you during the day.” He agreed totally with me. I have no morals I thought. I hung up and started the car. I backed out and started home to clean up before going to meet Paul. I didn’t notice the Ford Focus as I left Maries parking area.
I don’t know about you, but with the spate of daytime retail establishment robberies, I always look around at other people when entering a convenience store. Actually the thieves are behind the counter charging $1.84 for a 20oz. soda pop.
I fear we will live in uncertain economic times up til the November elections. The Dems will send out favorable recovery reports and the GOP will counter with doubtful recovery reports. The traders will make bundles off the confusion and the average guy who really needs it will flounder. Just be prepared to be cautious. These are the days when it is possible to twitter an economy.
The Answer: The characters on the Pacific Princess were Captain Merrill Stubing (Gavin McCleod), Julie McCoy (Lauren Tewes), Adam Bricker (Bernie Kopell)< Burl “Gopher” Smith (Fred Gundy), Isaac Washington (Ted Lange), Vicki Stubing (Jill Whelan), Ashley “Ace” Covington Evans (Ted McGinley) and Emily Heywood (Marion Ross). Bonus Q: What did Ashley “Ace” Covington Evans do on the boat?
The Big Finish:
The Supreme Court is one of America’s greatest safeguards. You would hope it was always sound and sensible in the face of the loonies in Congress and consumate politicians in White House . But in the wake of all too many 5-4 decisions, I fear that this august body is just another group of politicians. And Kagan appears to be the most ostensible Pol of them all.
Of course, the real issue is how will the Red Sox continue to be competitive with all of the injuries and a line up of aging journeyman and untested rookies?
Opening Stuff:
Our California watchdog informs us that California welfare recipients are allowed to use their state issued debit cards to withdraw money at casinos for gambling. Is this a great country or what!
“Free Balloons” Department:
I can hear the first graders asking, “Now exactly what am I supposed to do with this” as the school nurses in Provincetown, Massachusetts hand condoms!! Yikes. But that is the requirement of a new law in this quaint Tip-O-the-Cape town which is well known as a haven for the gay. Are the minds of residents so attuned to flamboyant sexual activity that they have lost sight of the possibility of rational behavior among their youngest? Maybe we could ask Elena Kagan about that.
The Question:
Name the five top characters on “The Love Boat” and the actors who played them. What was the real name of the boat?
The Headlines:
--RI Dem Convention Snubs Powerful Lynch Brother team; Endorses Caprio (Gov.), Cicilini (Congress); History Shows That Endorsed Candidates Not Sure Things In Primaries.
--Kagan Questioning Begins In Earnest Today.
--10 Long Time Soviet Moles Arrested.
--High Court Rules Hand Guns Ok.
--Stocks Expected To Go Lower On World Worries.
--Poor Housing, Jobs Reports Combined With continuing Large Retail Sales Indicate Declining Economy Or A Recovery That never Happened; Economists Crying New Blues.
--Supreme Court Says Ok To Proceed Against The Vatican In Sexual Abuse Case; Vatican Maintains It Has No Liability.
Back to More Stuff:
I heard the question asked on a radio program, “Is Bill Clinton worried that the Al Gore sexual dalliance with a massage therapist will place a stain on his administration?” It’s one of those things I wish I thought of first.
The stuff about the health care program is leaking out like a slow water board to Abu Grabe. The latest I have heard is a 3.5% tax on real estate transactions beginning after the next Presidential election in 2013.That means that if you sell your house for $400K the government gets $14 Thou! That’s great news for downsizing retirees.
Meat and Potatoes Department:
Remember when potato based Vodka was the favorite of alcoholics because it was odorless. But then came fruit flavored vodkas and it became hard to tell if a person was drinking too much or just a health nut. Now you have to wonder if vodka makers are drinking too much. With the introduction of “Smoked Salmon” and “Bacon” vodkas you can shortly expect “Meat “ flavored vodkas. “Don’t you think Bob smells a little like ground chuck?” Beef breath will become the new term of disfavor. And a how about Sally got porked last night? Whoops.
Russian Roulette Department:
One of the more relaxing places in this universe is the summer outdoor shower. That is, until you hear distant thunder. And you have just begun. You start counting the seconds between rumble and flash. 11seconds! Toes, ankles, calves. 10 seconds. Thighs, waste, butt. 9 seconds. Arms, chest, back. 7 seconds. Time to wash the hair. Where is that shampoo? Damn! 6 seconds. Wash. Rinse. 4 seconds. You take a deep breath. Is there time for a shave. Go for it. Oops a nick. No time to stop the bleeding. Get the chin. Oh no, I missed some on the neck. Phew! Finished. Flash!! 2 seconds. Time to dry. It’s starting to rain. Can’t dry any how. Don’t for get to wrap the towel around your waste. Don’t panic. Run…now. Inside. EeeeeHah! Crrrrrrrrack!
Of course…I could just stand out in the rain and lightening and get washed and dried at the same time! Ouch.
George Will wonders how Elena Kagan would react to the observation by James Madison: “The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which remain in the state governments are numerous and indefinite.”
Actually, Will raises and suggests many good questions for the woman who has an “Aversion to vapid and hollow” (Confirmation hearings) devoid of “Legal analysis.” Like, what would be her opinion on whether or not the fed’s enumerated powers on interstate commerce could cover just about everything from obesity to poor student testing to mandates for carrying health care insurance. Will wonders what her opinion might have been on watching “equal opportunity” under the new1960’s Civil Rights Law transform immediately into “Unequal” Opportunity for minorities. It could be lively if Senators were capable of asking questions with real substance.
Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 80: --I sat looking at the steering wheel for minutes. I really don’t know how long I sat there after Kent left. He leaned warmly against me as he gave me a high five. I hate high fives and I know he does too. He was acting again for Marie. A charade. Were my tears a charade too? No, this time they were real. I am confused. I wanted to go home with him. I wanted to jump into that bed and make love even better than it has been these past two months. But, for the first time I had thoughts about my deceptions. I thought about Paul. I felt the love of the kids. I knew also that I had an ulterior motive. I had to manipulate Kent to stay close to him. At first I thought Kent was doing the same to me. But, there was something real about him. His caring seemed real. His concern about my reputation seemed earnest. His desire to be with me seemed overwhelming. Yet he was measured. Looking for something. Guarding something. What? My cell phone rang. It was Paul.
“Why, Hi Paul”, I said cheerily. How easy it is for me to switch emotions. ‘Do you miss me?”
“I always miss you”, he answered pleasantly. And it made me feel good inside. Stronger. Needed. What’s wrong with me.
“Me too,” I muttered softly. Too softly?
“How’d you like to have a cup of coffee with me out here at BiEm. I have some interesting new stuff about Bromsky and his niece.
Something real for a change I thought, and I smiled inwardly. “Of course Paul. I don’t even need an excuse to have a cup of coffee with you during the day.” He agreed totally with me. I have no morals I thought. I hung up and started the car. I backed out and started home to clean up before going to meet Paul. I didn’t notice the Ford Focus as I left Maries parking area.
I don’t know about you, but with the spate of daytime retail establishment robberies, I always look around at other people when entering a convenience store. Actually the thieves are behind the counter charging $1.84 for a 20oz. soda pop.
I fear we will live in uncertain economic times up til the November elections. The Dems will send out favorable recovery reports and the GOP will counter with doubtful recovery reports. The traders will make bundles off the confusion and the average guy who really needs it will flounder. Just be prepared to be cautious. These are the days when it is possible to twitter an economy.
The Answer: The characters on the Pacific Princess were Captain Merrill Stubing (Gavin McCleod), Julie McCoy (Lauren Tewes), Adam Bricker (Bernie Kopell)< Burl “Gopher” Smith (Fred Gundy), Isaac Washington (Ted Lange), Vicki Stubing (Jill Whelan), Ashley “Ace” Covington Evans (Ted McGinley) and Emily Heywood (Marion Ross). Bonus Q: What did Ashley “Ace” Covington Evans do on the boat?
The Big Finish:
The Supreme Court is one of America’s greatest safeguards. You would hope it was always sound and sensible in the face of the loonies in Congress and consumate politicians in White House . But in the wake of all too many 5-4 decisions, I fear that this august body is just another group of politicians. And Kagan appears to be the most ostensible Pol of them all.
Of course, the real issue is how will the Red Sox continue to be competitive with all of the injuries and a line up of aging journeyman and untested rookies?
Thursday, June 17, 2010
National Demagogues Day.
Today's Tids Issue 2,155
Opening Stuff
Some days you wake up and all of your thoughts are incredibly beautiful.
I have to be honest with you…when it’s Henry Waxman asking questions of BP CEO Tony Hayward, I find it very easy to root for Hayward.
The Question:
Give me 10 great uses for Baking Soda!
The Headline:
--Stocks Wallow In Pool Of Questionable Economic Recovery Reports;
--Texas GOP Rep Joe Barton Accuses White House Of $20 Billion BP Shakedown.
--Rising Jobless Claims And Poor Manufacturing Report Cripple Early Markets.
--New Estimates Put Afghan Mineral Wealth At $3 Trillion.
--Sea Animals Moving Towards Shore to Escape Oil.
--Congress Playing White Knight’s Against Oil Smeared BP Head; TV Watchers Seeing Congressional Demagoguery At Its Best
Back to More Stuff:
A couple of days ago I did a little tongue in cheek piece about the interesting correlation between the decline of American culture as we knew it and the rise in popularity of Soccer. Yesterday, a couple wanted to rent our little cottage for a week as their son was getting married in the area. Nice people. I learned that he had been in RI (He’s from Arkansas for a convention of US Soccer officials of which he is President. I told him I loved soccer!
Declining towards general cultural lunacy Department:
A teacher at a Coventry RI, Tiogue Elementary School gave is 8 year old students an assignment to create a hat that would honor the “Armed” forces. Good idea. On young boy proudly walked in with his camouflage baseball style cap – and American flag on the frond and a 2 inch plastic pin next to it that was a soldier carrying a weapon. The kid balloon was burst violently as he was rushed to the Principal’s office by an aggrieved teacher and then sent home. Kids are not allowed to bring guns to school…even for an “Armed” Forces day celebration by showing member of the “Armed” Forces with arms! I can’t take it any more.
It looks like the only double dips we can we look forward to during the next few months are ice cream cones. There will be plenty of double dip recession forecasts popping up, but most economists are calling for a slow growth economy with little sharp downward risk. – 2.3%-3.5% growth with about 5 Million new jobs over two years. The economy will be sluggish, but not dead, they say. I would stay really, really conservative.
Who woulda thunk it, that Kendrick Perkins absence would be a major determent to the Boston Celtics chances of taking home the Trophy. After all, they are loaded with big named stars. But, a guy like Kendrick is the essence of what the word “Team” really means. He clogs the middle, blocks out, sets picks, all of the little things that few ever notice yet are so meaningful to a winning team. Champions have always been made up of starts and well integrated contributing team members. Too often in our celebrity world we forget how things really work. How takes highly skilled, yet faceless “stars” to make things work. Perk reminds us of that.
Have you noticed how when there is a huge media consuming event like this endless oil slick drama, that there is a dearth of other news. Maybe there really just isn’t a lot of real news. Ya think?
Through the same Eyes: Chapter 78 continues. –I sent the kids scurrying and then reluctantly pressed the talk button on my cell phone. I took a deep, deep breath to ease my nerves and apprehension. “Hi Kent!” I said in a little more upbeat manner than I thought I felt at the moment. “I was hoping you’d call.” I continued.
“I thought you were avoiding me.” I couldn’t tell how he sounded. He has that ability to be inert.
“I think of you all the time.” That’s what I said -- I think of you all the time. “You know what you do to me, don’t you.” But does he know what he’s doing to me now, I thought.
“You sound good, Sarah/Maggie. You sound very good.” He changed the subject. Got softer. I have to be strong. I have to stay in control.
“Thanks, Kent” I had a long day and I feel surprisingly great after it.” Stay in control I said to myself. Stay calm. Lead like I always do. “How about having breakfast with me at Marie’s tomorrow morning.” I never thought that such a small remark could affect me so positively.
“I’d love to see you now,” he responded, again softly. I’ve missed your warm body and soft skin against mine.”
He was having an effect on me. I felt that wonderful familiar warmth spreading throughout my body. ”I can’t talk now.” I lowered my voice. “I feel you too.” I did. But I need to stay in control. What will I do when I see him in the morning.
“Ok, Morning it is,” he snapped unemotionally. And then, “I will have trouble sleeping tonight.”
“We’ve had some wonderful mornings together’” I said in a now raspy voice. Then I hung up before I lost my control
One congressman on the Oil panel suggested that governemtn regulators should be sitting along side Hayward too. I couldn’t agree more. Just as Fannie and Freddie officials should have been sitting along side the Goldman characters during that inquisition.
The Answer:
It makes great toothpaste. Dabbed under the arms it neutralizes body Oder. It can be an effective antacid or relieve the itches from insect bites. Mix it with shampoo for your hair or with gentle liquid soap for washing hands. You can clean sponges or polish silverware. It can take the odor out of refrigerators or sports equipment. And it can put out kitchen fires.
The Final Score:
This is the beginning of a great four days of sports. The NBA final is tonight. The US Open at Pebble Beach starts this afternoon for four days. And if you think soccer is worth watching you can find lots of that. Amd there is always your favortie baseball team. In Boston the fans are taking bets on whether the return of Manny will genrate more cheers or boos. It should be boos. Unfortunately, too many people seem to like rewarding bad behavior. I think they feel it makes them kinder.
Opening Stuff
Some days you wake up and all of your thoughts are incredibly beautiful.
I have to be honest with you…when it’s Henry Waxman asking questions of BP CEO Tony Hayward, I find it very easy to root for Hayward.
The Question:
Give me 10 great uses for Baking Soda!
The Headline:
--Stocks Wallow In Pool Of Questionable Economic Recovery Reports;
--Texas GOP Rep Joe Barton Accuses White House Of $20 Billion BP Shakedown.
--Rising Jobless Claims And Poor Manufacturing Report Cripple Early Markets.
--New Estimates Put Afghan Mineral Wealth At $3 Trillion.
--Sea Animals Moving Towards Shore to Escape Oil.
--Congress Playing White Knight’s Against Oil Smeared BP Head; TV Watchers Seeing Congressional Demagoguery At Its Best
Back to More Stuff:
A couple of days ago I did a little tongue in cheek piece about the interesting correlation between the decline of American culture as we knew it and the rise in popularity of Soccer. Yesterday, a couple wanted to rent our little cottage for a week as their son was getting married in the area. Nice people. I learned that he had been in RI (He’s from Arkansas for a convention of US Soccer officials of which he is President. I told him I loved soccer!
Declining towards general cultural lunacy Department:
A teacher at a Coventry RI, Tiogue Elementary School gave is 8 year old students an assignment to create a hat that would honor the “Armed” forces. Good idea. On young boy proudly walked in with his camouflage baseball style cap – and American flag on the frond and a 2 inch plastic pin next to it that was a soldier carrying a weapon. The kid balloon was burst violently as he was rushed to the Principal’s office by an aggrieved teacher and then sent home. Kids are not allowed to bring guns to school…even for an “Armed” Forces day celebration by showing member of the “Armed” Forces with arms! I can’t take it any more.
It looks like the only double dips we can we look forward to during the next few months are ice cream cones. There will be plenty of double dip recession forecasts popping up, but most economists are calling for a slow growth economy with little sharp downward risk. – 2.3%-3.5% growth with about 5 Million new jobs over two years. The economy will be sluggish, but not dead, they say. I would stay really, really conservative.
Who woulda thunk it, that Kendrick Perkins absence would be a major determent to the Boston Celtics chances of taking home the Trophy. After all, they are loaded with big named stars. But, a guy like Kendrick is the essence of what the word “Team” really means. He clogs the middle, blocks out, sets picks, all of the little things that few ever notice yet are so meaningful to a winning team. Champions have always been made up of starts and well integrated contributing team members. Too often in our celebrity world we forget how things really work. How takes highly skilled, yet faceless “stars” to make things work. Perk reminds us of that.
Have you noticed how when there is a huge media consuming event like this endless oil slick drama, that there is a dearth of other news. Maybe there really just isn’t a lot of real news. Ya think?
Through the same Eyes: Chapter 78 continues. –I sent the kids scurrying and then reluctantly pressed the talk button on my cell phone. I took a deep, deep breath to ease my nerves and apprehension. “Hi Kent!” I said in a little more upbeat manner than I thought I felt at the moment. “I was hoping you’d call.” I continued.
“I thought you were avoiding me.” I couldn’t tell how he sounded. He has that ability to be inert.
“I think of you all the time.” That’s what I said -- I think of you all the time. “You know what you do to me, don’t you.” But does he know what he’s doing to me now, I thought.
“You sound good, Sarah/Maggie. You sound very good.” He changed the subject. Got softer. I have to be strong. I have to stay in control.
“Thanks, Kent” I had a long day and I feel surprisingly great after it.” Stay in control I said to myself. Stay calm. Lead like I always do. “How about having breakfast with me at Marie’s tomorrow morning.” I never thought that such a small remark could affect me so positively.
“I’d love to see you now,” he responded, again softly. I’ve missed your warm body and soft skin against mine.”
He was having an effect on me. I felt that wonderful familiar warmth spreading throughout my body. ”I can’t talk now.” I lowered my voice. “I feel you too.” I did. But I need to stay in control. What will I do when I see him in the morning.
“Ok, Morning it is,” he snapped unemotionally. And then, “I will have trouble sleeping tonight.”
“We’ve had some wonderful mornings together’” I said in a now raspy voice. Then I hung up before I lost my control
One congressman on the Oil panel suggested that governemtn regulators should be sitting along side Hayward too. I couldn’t agree more. Just as Fannie and Freddie officials should have been sitting along side the Goldman characters during that inquisition.
The Answer:
It makes great toothpaste. Dabbed under the arms it neutralizes body Oder. It can be an effective antacid or relieve the itches from insect bites. Mix it with shampoo for your hair or with gentle liquid soap for washing hands. You can clean sponges or polish silverware. It can take the odor out of refrigerators or sports equipment. And it can put out kitchen fires.
The Final Score:
This is the beginning of a great four days of sports. The NBA final is tonight. The US Open at Pebble Beach starts this afternoon for four days. And if you think soccer is worth watching you can find lots of that. Amd there is always your favortie baseball team. In Boston the fans are taking bets on whether the return of Manny will genrate more cheers or boos. It should be boos. Unfortunately, too many people seem to like rewarding bad behavior. I think they feel it makes them kinder.
Friday, June 11, 2010
One (!) Can make a Great Week.
Today's Tids Issue 2,151
Opening Stuff:
Some weeks are better than others. This one was supercalifragilisticexpealidosis. And that, despite my sinking golf game.
Hold your Breath and Pray Department:
Because of her announcement that she was dropping out at Capetown due of technical difficulties, I stopped reporting on Abby Sunderland, the 16 year old who hoped to be the youngest to sail solo around the world. I guess I missed the re-launch announcement, because Wednesday her blog said she was in the Indian Ocean and making good time. But she was concerned about an approaching storm that could bear winds up to 60mph. Then yesterday morning it was reported that after two serious knockdowns she was missing. It may just be only a communication outage caused by the submersions, I thought at the time. Then distress signals were delivered and the good news was that they had to be activated by hand. But, they were of the type that would have come from a life raft, or even worse, a survival suit. Joyously, this morning we learned that this diminutive, tough young girl with a great sense of optimism and good humor was found adrift, as enthusiastic as ever. Though a little rattled. Her parents lifetime and skilled sailors did what sailors do best. They prayed.
Last night there was a big debate in RI among the six Gubernatorial candidates (Two Dems, A Moderate party [New} candidate, an independent, and a Tea Party Republican and a regular Republican. After paying close attention to the debate for an hour, I am voting for the Moderator Tim White who was better than any have seen nationally or otherwise. And who had an amazing grasp of the issues. But if he isn’t drafted, I’d have to say that Frank Caprio (Dem) and John Robitaille (Non-Tea Party Republican) looked best to me.
The Question:
Everybody likes a little muscle in their cars. I always feel a little safer knowing I can react and get out of the way faster. Which 5 cars give you the most horsepower tor the money?
Today’s Headlines:
--May Retail Sales Plummet; Surprise 1.2% Drop Raises Questions About Durability of Recovery; Rattles Clueless Lane.
--New Report Says Gov. Erred With AIG Bailout; Says Solutions Would Have Been Better If Found In Private Sector.
--FDA Endorses First Oral Drug For MS.
--Abby Sunderland Found Alive And Well; Rescue Boats Steaming Her Way.
--Oil Flow Worsens.
--Pope Promises Forgiveness; Promises Action To Eliminate Abuse Problems In Future.
Back to More Stuff:
Knowing media inspired human reactions well, I expect there will be an uproar over letting young kids enter into extreme events like Abby’s feat and climbing Everest. I won’t be surprised at all if Congress tries to pass a law suppressing young achievers. Or if child and family services or some nanny group arrests the parents for child abuse. I say, let them do it.
I just found a quote from a now deceased by highly regard Canadian sports writer and columnist, Robinson Davies: “I have never been able to resist tormenting people with no sense of humor.” This is the new Tids anthem and applies beautifully to groups like vegetarians, soccer fans, exercise nuts and liberals in general.
By the way…why don’t we rename the Tea Party the “Gaspee Party”?
That is just a reminder that the world is all about PR! In the formation of the great and independent United States of America, great men did great things throughout the colonies. Boston just had better writers living in the area. Ask George Washington who came to Boston expecting to find the most honorable of soldiers but instead found a rag tag group of unenthusiastic farmers. It’s all about branding.
But, it will take a superhuman publicity effort to resurrect the image of the winner for the Dems in the South Carolina primary. A guy named Alvin Green one the Dem race for Senate candidate and nobody, including the SC Dem Party, knows how he did it. The State party chairwoman has asked the out of work former soldier to step down. He has been recently charged by the police with procuring or promoting obscenity ( Apparently he sat down next to a student in computer lab and showed her pornographic photos and then asked to go to her room She got scared and called police). But, why would that preclude him form being a strong police candidate? The real humor in the election of this man who did no fund raising, placed no ads or had no website is that doesn’t seem to be aware of what’s going on in the world. Is answer to most reporters questions on national topics is “Oh, I think I hear my phone ringing.” There is no hope.
You may look pretty odd wearing fleece into the local supermarket in the middle of summer, but you will be the only person not shivering in front of the meat, veggie and freezer departments.
If you go through life in a haze you will never know your windows are dirty.
And my guess is that medical and maybe even marijuana in general will be in wide spread use and probably legal for the most part. Which will probably put window washers out of work.
If you think the recovery is sluggish and the markets are adrift, wait til you see what happens when the Bush tax breaks end in 2011. I could be the double dip recession
Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 77 Continues. –“What about Kent worries you, Henry? I always seemed to find him an uncomplicated, kind of cold yet a simple pleasant person.”
“It’s less about what I see in him,” Henry started, :”but more about what’s pointing at him. Frankly I’m with you. Despite the fact that your ages and personalities were quite dissimilar, you were more like two peas in a pod than you could imagine. Both energetic although in different ways. Both smart. Both insightful. But, I have learned lately that you Sarah have a soul. I’m not sure about Kent.”
I interrupted. “You think I have a soul and Kent doesn’t?” I stared at him. “Why would you say that?”
“Well my friend, I see how you look when you talk of your children. I see how happy your husband Paul is when he is near you. He draws goodness from you.” He smiled at me. I think he thought I should be glowing at his words. “But, with Kent I more and more see a man who only cares about himself.”
I just sat and thought about what he just said. Me who has no emotions about a family and especially Paul when I’m in Kent’s bed. I’m the soulless one. Do I really care about anybody? At least Kent cares about me. I’m all he has. My phone interrupted my self examination.
“Oh! Hi.” I mouthed to Henry, it’s Kent. “
“Did you get home safely?” he asked.
“Oh yes. I am so happy to be with Jill. I hadn’t realized how long a day could be when I haven’t been active.”
“I feel a need for you.” He said in an aching voice.
“Me too I answered.”
“Can’t you talk?” He asked.
“Jill is right here with me. I’ll call you later. But thanks for caring about me.” I hung up.
“That was an odd conversation. Why did he call?” asked Henry. But now he looked like a detective.
“He just wanted to see how felt after my first day back. He was pretty attentive while I was in the hospital. I guess that’s just how it is between detective partners. I smiled as hard as I could. Henry did too. I think he did.
How about the US Government proposing to sue to stop BP from paying dividends to shareholders. That would wake about $40 Million in income out of the pension fund for the Largest NJ State Workers group. Britain citizens are already outraged in advance of the proposed action as BP is Britain’s largest corporation and over fifty percent of citizens rely on it for income.. mainly pensioners. I have always felt since Day 1 of the 0-Presidentcy that Obama didn’t like Great Britain. It’s just a feeling I have had.
Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--I remember when the A-Team first came on the tube I rejected it out of hand as sophomoric. But, I have to say it grabbed me and became one of my favorite mindless entertainment weekly engagements. The critics will dismantle the new movie, but the fans will love it. The movie has plenty of action , the usual unique caper and the same team of unlikely characters working together. They are a former special forces unit trying to clear their names after an unjust accusation of wrongdoing..
--The Karate Kid also puts a new face on an old winner. This time the kid is a girl and Jackie Chan plays her helpful master. This one too will be liked by the fans and given moderate grades by the critics.
A series of photos showing our presidents at the podium has Obama standing before a bare curtain and all the other Presidents standing before the American flags.
The Answer:
If you want to get out of your own way at the best price check out the best inthese classes: Affordable Small Cars: Kia Forte, Smart Fortwo; Pick-ups: Chevy Colorado, Ford Ranger, Hummer H3T; Sports Cars: Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Mazda MX5 Miata, Nissan 370Z; Vans: Kia Sedona, Chrysler Town and Country; SUV’s: Nissan Xterra, Dodge Nitro, Mercury Mariner(oops).
The Tids word for to day is caring. It's always good for two hearts.
Opening Stuff:
Some weeks are better than others. This one was supercalifragilisticexpealidosis. And that, despite my sinking golf game.
Hold your Breath and Pray Department:
Because of her announcement that she was dropping out at Capetown due of technical difficulties, I stopped reporting on Abby Sunderland, the 16 year old who hoped to be the youngest to sail solo around the world. I guess I missed the re-launch announcement, because Wednesday her blog said she was in the Indian Ocean and making good time. But she was concerned about an approaching storm that could bear winds up to 60mph. Then yesterday morning it was reported that after two serious knockdowns she was missing. It may just be only a communication outage caused by the submersions, I thought at the time. Then distress signals were delivered and the good news was that they had to be activated by hand. But, they were of the type that would have come from a life raft, or even worse, a survival suit. Joyously, this morning we learned that this diminutive, tough young girl with a great sense of optimism and good humor was found adrift, as enthusiastic as ever. Though a little rattled. Her parents lifetime and skilled sailors did what sailors do best. They prayed.
Last night there was a big debate in RI among the six Gubernatorial candidates (Two Dems, A Moderate party [New} candidate, an independent, and a Tea Party Republican and a regular Republican. After paying close attention to the debate for an hour, I am voting for the Moderator Tim White who was better than any have seen nationally or otherwise. And who had an amazing grasp of the issues. But if he isn’t drafted, I’d have to say that Frank Caprio (Dem) and John Robitaille (Non-Tea Party Republican) looked best to me.
The Question:
Everybody likes a little muscle in their cars. I always feel a little safer knowing I can react and get out of the way faster. Which 5 cars give you the most horsepower tor the money?
Today’s Headlines:
--May Retail Sales Plummet; Surprise 1.2% Drop Raises Questions About Durability of Recovery; Rattles Clueless Lane.
--New Report Says Gov. Erred With AIG Bailout; Says Solutions Would Have Been Better If Found In Private Sector.
--FDA Endorses First Oral Drug For MS.
--Abby Sunderland Found Alive And Well; Rescue Boats Steaming Her Way.
--Oil Flow Worsens.
--Pope Promises Forgiveness; Promises Action To Eliminate Abuse Problems In Future.
Back to More Stuff:
Knowing media inspired human reactions well, I expect there will be an uproar over letting young kids enter into extreme events like Abby’s feat and climbing Everest. I won’t be surprised at all if Congress tries to pass a law suppressing young achievers. Or if child and family services or some nanny group arrests the parents for child abuse. I say, let them do it.
I just found a quote from a now deceased by highly regard Canadian sports writer and columnist, Robinson Davies: “I have never been able to resist tormenting people with no sense of humor.” This is the new Tids anthem and applies beautifully to groups like vegetarians, soccer fans, exercise nuts and liberals in general.
By the way…why don’t we rename the Tea Party the “Gaspee Party”?
That is just a reminder that the world is all about PR! In the formation of the great and independent United States of America, great men did great things throughout the colonies. Boston just had better writers living in the area. Ask George Washington who came to Boston expecting to find the most honorable of soldiers but instead found a rag tag group of unenthusiastic farmers. It’s all about branding.
But, it will take a superhuman publicity effort to resurrect the image of the winner for the Dems in the South Carolina primary. A guy named Alvin Green one the Dem race for Senate candidate and nobody, including the SC Dem Party, knows how he did it. The State party chairwoman has asked the out of work former soldier to step down. He has been recently charged by the police with procuring or promoting obscenity ( Apparently he sat down next to a student in computer lab and showed her pornographic photos and then asked to go to her room She got scared and called police). But, why would that preclude him form being a strong police candidate? The real humor in the election of this man who did no fund raising, placed no ads or had no website is that doesn’t seem to be aware of what’s going on in the world. Is answer to most reporters questions on national topics is “Oh, I think I hear my phone ringing.” There is no hope.
You may look pretty odd wearing fleece into the local supermarket in the middle of summer, but you will be the only person not shivering in front of the meat, veggie and freezer departments.
If you go through life in a haze you will never know your windows are dirty.
And my guess is that medical and maybe even marijuana in general will be in wide spread use and probably legal for the most part. Which will probably put window washers out of work.
If you think the recovery is sluggish and the markets are adrift, wait til you see what happens when the Bush tax breaks end in 2011. I could be the double dip recession
Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 77 Continues. –“What about Kent worries you, Henry? I always seemed to find him an uncomplicated, kind of cold yet a simple pleasant person.”
“It’s less about what I see in him,” Henry started, :”but more about what’s pointing at him. Frankly I’m with you. Despite the fact that your ages and personalities were quite dissimilar, you were more like two peas in a pod than you could imagine. Both energetic although in different ways. Both smart. Both insightful. But, I have learned lately that you Sarah have a soul. I’m not sure about Kent.”
I interrupted. “You think I have a soul and Kent doesn’t?” I stared at him. “Why would you say that?”
“Well my friend, I see how you look when you talk of your children. I see how happy your husband Paul is when he is near you. He draws goodness from you.” He smiled at me. I think he thought I should be glowing at his words. “But, with Kent I more and more see a man who only cares about himself.”
I just sat and thought about what he just said. Me who has no emotions about a family and especially Paul when I’m in Kent’s bed. I’m the soulless one. Do I really care about anybody? At least Kent cares about me. I’m all he has. My phone interrupted my self examination.
“Oh! Hi.” I mouthed to Henry, it’s Kent. “
“Did you get home safely?” he asked.
“Oh yes. I am so happy to be with Jill. I hadn’t realized how long a day could be when I haven’t been active.”
“I feel a need for you.” He said in an aching voice.
“Me too I answered.”
“Can’t you talk?” He asked.
“Jill is right here with me. I’ll call you later. But thanks for caring about me.” I hung up.
“That was an odd conversation. Why did he call?” asked Henry. But now he looked like a detective.
“He just wanted to see how felt after my first day back. He was pretty attentive while I was in the hospital. I guess that’s just how it is between detective partners. I smiled as hard as I could. Henry did too. I think he did.
How about the US Government proposing to sue to stop BP from paying dividends to shareholders. That would wake about $40 Million in income out of the pension fund for the Largest NJ State Workers group. Britain citizens are already outraged in advance of the proposed action as BP is Britain’s largest corporation and over fifty percent of citizens rely on it for income.. mainly pensioners. I have always felt since Day 1 of the 0-Presidentcy that Obama didn’t like Great Britain. It’s just a feeling I have had.
Reading Between the Lines Movie Reviews:
--I remember when the A-Team first came on the tube I rejected it out of hand as sophomoric. But, I have to say it grabbed me and became one of my favorite mindless entertainment weekly engagements. The critics will dismantle the new movie, but the fans will love it. The movie has plenty of action , the usual unique caper and the same team of unlikely characters working together. They are a former special forces unit trying to clear their names after an unjust accusation of wrongdoing..
--The Karate Kid also puts a new face on an old winner. This time the kid is a girl and Jackie Chan plays her helpful master. This one too will be liked by the fans and given moderate grades by the critics.
A series of photos showing our presidents at the podium has Obama standing before a bare curtain and all the other Presidents standing before the American flags.
The Answer:
If you want to get out of your own way at the best price check out the best inthese classes: Affordable Small Cars: Kia Forte, Smart Fortwo; Pick-ups: Chevy Colorado, Ford Ranger, Hummer H3T; Sports Cars: Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Mazda MX5 Miata, Nissan 370Z; Vans: Kia Sedona, Chrysler Town and Country; SUV’s: Nissan Xterra, Dodge Nitro, Mercury Mariner(oops).
The Tids word for to day is caring. It's always good for two hearts.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Gandhi giot it right.
Today's Tids Issue 2,149
Opening Stuff:
Sometimes the perfect opening for the Tids just walkss up and slaps you across the face. As did a note yesterday from a reader about Mohandas Gandhi’s “Seven evils that can destroy an individual and even countries: ‘Politics without Principle, Pleasure without Conscience, Wealth without Work, Knowledge without Character, Business without Morality, Science without Humanity and Worship without Sacrifice’!” I can’t add anything to that.
So…did you hear about the guy who when telling his new airline hostess girlfriend he had some baggage, she responded, “it has to fit under your seat or in the overhead compartment.”
And God looked down and said let there be Steve Strasberg, and Steve Strasberg smote the enemy with a heavenly array of fastballs, curves and change ups! And the angels said “Let the new phenomena begin.” And the media became self indulgent. And the Congress worshipped the golden calf. And then God said, “What have I created”.
The Question:
Name the five leading web Browsers.
The Headlines:
--Woman Romp In Major Primaries; Millionaires Fiorina And Whitman To Take On Boxer And Moonbeam In Cal; Tea Party candidates Do Well; Arkansas Centrist Dem Lincoln Beats down Union Special Interst Millions; DC Shake Up Looming.
--Illegal Teen Killed As Stone Throwing Mexican Mobs Assault US Border Guards; Mexico Irate.
--NK Warns UN Not to Open Debate On SK Ship Sinking.
--French Government Selling Off 1,700 Gov. Owned Buildings To Help Lower Growing debt Problems; Social Promises Outflank Economic Reality
--Goldman Looking At New Legal Headaches As Settlement Talks With Australian Hedge Fund “Timberwolf” Break Down; Fund Had Invested $100 Million In Now Toxic Mortgage-Linked Security.
--Celtics Lose Advantage.
Back to More Stuff:
I have a new bumper sticker for my golf bag: “I’d rather be skiing.” My game is ice cold.
I remember when the 42’ Merc was the most sought after car by teens with the mechanical gene. Chopping and channeling anybody? Then it became the brand that nobody needed.
I’m really big on tradition. But, the auto industry continues prove that spending big money on old favorites is a bad idea.
There is no truth to the rumor that the Ya-ya-ya…(Well you know who I mean)…those guys with the funny flat brimmed hats…have already offered Steve Strasberg $100 Million for the 2016 season.
In case you missed it, the Pew Research Center ongoing Poll (March 2009 – Present) tracking the opinions of people on Obama’s handling of the economy continues to track lower. The proportion of folks who say his policies have mad the economy worse are up from 16% to 29%. The curve that says “No change” or “Too early to tell” has fallen from 53% to 38%. Perhaps more interesting though, is that after 13 months of the bailouts and Recovery Act “Jobs”, exactly the same say “Is now recovering” (13%) and even more now (50% versus 48%) are saying “Will take a long time to recover.”
Somehow the small news item about Russian soldiers guarding the site of the disastrous crash of a Polish Airliner that took the life of President Kascynski and Family, taking and using bank and credit cards from the dead victims, says a lot about the general state of morality in the world today.
For years up here in little ole’ RI, the state legislature has been trying to get the folks to go along with their plans to bring casinos to the Ocean State (Read that Oceans of Debt State). To do this the citizens must vote for it on a referendum and have by wide margins consistently voted it down. So now, I se they are putting it forth as “State Run” casinos. Why would the ever think that the addition of the descriptive phrase “State Run” would make more palatable to the voter. It may be great for legislative friends and relatives…but have you been to the DMV lately.
A columnist ran a story under the headline: “Blaming Obama for not being God.” Here’s the deal columnist person. When you naively (Or not) cast a wide net to the unwashed masses for votes by promising a free HD TV in very pot, it is practically impossible to not to disappoint. Even after adding trillions in debt. The people who didn’t vote for him always thought of him as a false god. A devil standing on a cliff urging us to believe and fling ourselves to the desert below. No thanks.
Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 76 continues. –“Hi Henry,” opened Kent in his usual, yet friendlier than normal matter of fact tone “How’s our caper going?”
“Well, Detective Middleton,” Stop the detective crap Henry, I thought. “We are making progress.”
“That’s good. Just want to be sure you didn’t need me for anything. Oh, have you talked to Sarah lately?”
“Nope.” A distinctive pause beyond Henry’s folksy style. “I think she’s in Boston trying to catch up on her real job.” Another pause. “This past month or so has been tough on her, you know.”
“That I know, Henry.” I was about to end it and hang up when Henry continued.
“You know that Laura girl?” Of course I do Henry, but I ain’t talkin’ I thought. “Well she is missing.”
“Really!” Missing!” I said in a surprising tone. “I thought you told me you had just talked to her. How could you say she is missing so quickly?”
“Well,” he responded…”Police can tell when something is different.” Then he added, “Did I ever tell you there’s a lot of similarities between you and Sarah Durham. I bet she could see inside your brain.” He paused a second and then added, “Gotta go. I’ll call you when I need some more input. Always enlightening to talk to you Kent.”
I barely got out “Thanks” when I heard the click.
So I guess Jason did make it look like something suspicious at Laura’s apartment. That is too bad. How can “experts” be consistently stupid, I thought? I wonder what Old Henry is really thinking. Maybe I’ll drop in and surprise him tomorrow.
There’s an awfully lot of really smart and talented people in this world who will never get to center stage. But it doesn't make them any less smart or talented.
Quiz Answer: The five top browsers are Internet Explorer, Firefox (Mozilla), Google Chrome, Safari (Apple) and Opera. I try Firefox from time to time, but honestly, I’m just as happy using the same one all of the time. I have Safari and Chrome on my desktop, but never see any reason to confuse my mind with them.
Maybe they should inscribe the words of Gandhi around the grand cornices of the national Capitol Building across the green from the towering monument to our George Washington. Of course we would also have to inscribe in big red letters “This is not what to do.” Do you think they would get it?
I wonder what gandhi would say if he read Todsy's Tids and noticed that in three consecutive tidlets I started with the word "I". It probably wouldn't be nice.
Opening Stuff:
Sometimes the perfect opening for the Tids just walkss up and slaps you across the face. As did a note yesterday from a reader about Mohandas Gandhi’s “Seven evils that can destroy an individual and even countries: ‘Politics without Principle, Pleasure without Conscience, Wealth without Work, Knowledge without Character, Business without Morality, Science without Humanity and Worship without Sacrifice’!” I can’t add anything to that.
So…did you hear about the guy who when telling his new airline hostess girlfriend he had some baggage, she responded, “it has to fit under your seat or in the overhead compartment.”
And God looked down and said let there be Steve Strasberg, and Steve Strasberg smote the enemy with a heavenly array of fastballs, curves and change ups! And the angels said “Let the new phenomena begin.” And the media became self indulgent. And the Congress worshipped the golden calf. And then God said, “What have I created”.
The Question:
Name the five leading web Browsers.
The Headlines:
--Woman Romp In Major Primaries; Millionaires Fiorina And Whitman To Take On Boxer And Moonbeam In Cal; Tea Party candidates Do Well; Arkansas Centrist Dem Lincoln Beats down Union Special Interst Millions; DC Shake Up Looming.
--Illegal Teen Killed As Stone Throwing Mexican Mobs Assault US Border Guards; Mexico Irate.
--NK Warns UN Not to Open Debate On SK Ship Sinking.
--French Government Selling Off 1,700 Gov. Owned Buildings To Help Lower Growing debt Problems; Social Promises Outflank Economic Reality
--Goldman Looking At New Legal Headaches As Settlement Talks With Australian Hedge Fund “Timberwolf” Break Down; Fund Had Invested $100 Million In Now Toxic Mortgage-Linked Security.
--Celtics Lose Advantage.
Back to More Stuff:
I have a new bumper sticker for my golf bag: “I’d rather be skiing.” My game is ice cold.
I remember when the 42’ Merc was the most sought after car by teens with the mechanical gene. Chopping and channeling anybody? Then it became the brand that nobody needed.
I’m really big on tradition. But, the auto industry continues prove that spending big money on old favorites is a bad idea.
There is no truth to the rumor that the Ya-ya-ya…(Well you know who I mean)…those guys with the funny flat brimmed hats…have already offered Steve Strasberg $100 Million for the 2016 season.
In case you missed it, the Pew Research Center ongoing Poll (March 2009 – Present) tracking the opinions of people on Obama’s handling of the economy continues to track lower. The proportion of folks who say his policies have mad the economy worse are up from 16% to 29%. The curve that says “No change” or “Too early to tell” has fallen from 53% to 38%. Perhaps more interesting though, is that after 13 months of the bailouts and Recovery Act “Jobs”, exactly the same say “Is now recovering” (13%) and even more now (50% versus 48%) are saying “Will take a long time to recover.”
Somehow the small news item about Russian soldiers guarding the site of the disastrous crash of a Polish Airliner that took the life of President Kascynski and Family, taking and using bank and credit cards from the dead victims, says a lot about the general state of morality in the world today.
For years up here in little ole’ RI, the state legislature has been trying to get the folks to go along with their plans to bring casinos to the Ocean State (Read that Oceans of Debt State). To do this the citizens must vote for it on a referendum and have by wide margins consistently voted it down. So now, I se they are putting it forth as “State Run” casinos. Why would the ever think that the addition of the descriptive phrase “State Run” would make more palatable to the voter. It may be great for legislative friends and relatives…but have you been to the DMV lately.
A columnist ran a story under the headline: “Blaming Obama for not being God.” Here’s the deal columnist person. When you naively (Or not) cast a wide net to the unwashed masses for votes by promising a free HD TV in very pot, it is practically impossible to not to disappoint. Even after adding trillions in debt. The people who didn’t vote for him always thought of him as a false god. A devil standing on a cliff urging us to believe and fling ourselves to the desert below. No thanks.
Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 76 continues. –“Hi Henry,” opened Kent in his usual, yet friendlier than normal matter of fact tone “How’s our caper going?”
“Well, Detective Middleton,” Stop the detective crap Henry, I thought. “We are making progress.”
“That’s good. Just want to be sure you didn’t need me for anything. Oh, have you talked to Sarah lately?”
“Nope.” A distinctive pause beyond Henry’s folksy style. “I think she’s in Boston trying to catch up on her real job.” Another pause. “This past month or so has been tough on her, you know.”
“That I know, Henry.” I was about to end it and hang up when Henry continued.
“You know that Laura girl?” Of course I do Henry, but I ain’t talkin’ I thought. “Well she is missing.”
“Really!” Missing!” I said in a surprising tone. “I thought you told me you had just talked to her. How could you say she is missing so quickly?”
“Well,” he responded…”Police can tell when something is different.” Then he added, “Did I ever tell you there’s a lot of similarities between you and Sarah Durham. I bet she could see inside your brain.” He paused a second and then added, “Gotta go. I’ll call you when I need some more input. Always enlightening to talk to you Kent.”
I barely got out “Thanks” when I heard the click.
So I guess Jason did make it look like something suspicious at Laura’s apartment. That is too bad. How can “experts” be consistently stupid, I thought? I wonder what Old Henry is really thinking. Maybe I’ll drop in and surprise him tomorrow.
There’s an awfully lot of really smart and talented people in this world who will never get to center stage. But it doesn't make them any less smart or talented.
Quiz Answer: The five top browsers are Internet Explorer, Firefox (Mozilla), Google Chrome, Safari (Apple) and Opera. I try Firefox from time to time, but honestly, I’m just as happy using the same one all of the time. I have Safari and Chrome on my desktop, but never see any reason to confuse my mind with them.
Maybe they should inscribe the words of Gandhi around the grand cornices of the national Capitol Building across the green from the towering monument to our George Washington. Of course we would also have to inscribe in big red letters “This is not what to do.” Do you think they would get it?
I wonder what gandhi would say if he read Todsy's Tids and noticed that in three consecutive tidlets I started with the word "I". It probably wouldn't be nice.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
National Day of Morning.
Today's Tids Issue 2.138
Opening Stuff:
Now what?
Tis a day of morning indeed. Because even after a commendable final episode for “24” that included a Presidential meltdown, a couple of tense assassination events, a shot to Jack’s chest and a teary good-bye between Jack and Chloe – it ended. And the reaction I had wasn’t “Man was that a great ending”. It was “It’s over and I’ll never have it to look forward to again. It was hollow.
One of the outcomes of a disappearing manufacturing base is the artificial inflation of non productive wages to maintain the semblance of strong middle income populace. The result becomes an economic house of cards based on economically unsustainable tax supported state and local government jobs and many fairly unskilled service jobs. A recent example of this came to light when several RI towns thought they could save money by converting water meters from manual reading to electronic reading. They went out for bids and were the process of accepting one from Ohio, when they were informed that there is a RI “Make Work” law requiring that Licensed RI plumbers do all of the work. The bid they wanted would cost $365K to replace 7500 meters. The one they would be forced to accept by law would cost $526K for only 3500 meters. Can you say Greece!
The Question:
Name the five most infamous Germans of WWII.
The Headlines:
--World Stocks Weaken On Euro-Economy Fears.
--North Korea Threatens Military Action In Disputed Waters; US Begins Submarine Maneuvers In Same Area.
--Oil Taker Collides With Bulk Carrier Off Singapore.
--Lindsay receives Serious Ankle Bling.
--Britain Bans Doctor Who Linked Autism With Vaccine.
--Cal Legislature Pushing For $5 Billion In Tax Increases As Opposed To Necessary Budget Cuts.
--Analysts Looking At Cooling Of House Sales.
Back to More Stuff:
Protective Helmet Society Department:
Our save-you-from-yourself national leaders have infiltrated the venerable Naval Academy at Annapolis. Yes the leader of the country’s fearless marine based military is about to ban a 70 year old obelisk climbing ritual because somebody might get injured. A good fun, everybody love’s annual event will be banished from the face of the earth because of blatant nannyism. What’s next? Are we to succumb to more lobbying by the manufacturers who forced hi-tech car seats upon us? Only this time the effect will be forcing children to wear helmets until they are seven?
Common sense runs amok even in battle. The so-called beginning of the end Afghan offensive is stalled where it began in Marjah. Many who looked at this based on past Taliban activities could see it failing over time. The Generals are hemmed in by artificial deadlines, and the Taliban are best at abiding time. In the meantime, blood is flowing faster than the Gulf oil spill as the bad guys routinely lop off heads of Marjah collaborator suspects and scare the bejesus out of Afghans in general –undermining the objective the campaign which was to acquire unyielding allegiance for the citizenry.
A reader sends along this bit of quirkiness. Two animal rights defenders were protesting the cruelty of sending pigs to a slaughterhouse in Bonn , Germany . Suddenly, all two thousand pigs broke loose and escaped through a broken fence, stampeding madly. The two helpless protesters were trampled to death.
I am always looking to better my health. So in an effort to “Go Brown” – replacing whites like rice and bread with brown versions – I am mixing KFC gravy with my rice. It takes on a healthy glow and tastes great.
Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 74: I felt more comfortable with Paul in bed last night. But I kept thinking the intensity wasn’t the same as with Kent. Was it because of the adventure with Kent. Was it because Kent Middleton was a special person. That Kent was like me and we were totally compatible. I was trying to calm my self with motherly chores like getting the kids breakfast and then laughing with them as they ate. All to what? Assuage my guilt. Or to procrastinate my feelings. Where were my feelings anyhow. I never felt anything but pleasure when with Paul…or Kent.
The phone rang. The woman I hate most in life, the caller ID lady garbled the name of “Clax Tonwill” and I picked it up the receiver. “How are you feeling” were his first words. The he went on about my plans.
Today was my first day to drive back to work and test my energy. (Even though Kent has thoroughly tested it already and I passed with flying colors.) “I’m feeling good, and should be there by 10:00. I ave had a few meeting, as you know with Izzy and others, but I really want to catch up with you. Get your opinions. A lot has happened since I was in the accident, and I am positive that I am light years behind you.”
“Don’t worry Boss,” he replied in his usual comforting way. Then he added somberly. “You will be interested in talking to our lawyers about the conspiracy mess and how it may relate to the company’s fortunes.”
“Thanks, Bill, I can hardly wait.”
I have noticed lately that when talking about antiques you I have to use the expression “at the previous turn of the century.”
A terrorist named Khay Rahnajet didn’t pay enough postage on a letter bomb. It came back with “Return to Sender” stamped on it. Forgetting it was a bomb, he opened it…and you can understand the rest of the story.
The Answer:
After Hitler, the leading men in the 3rd Reich were Herman Goring, Joseph Goebbels, Rudolf Hess, Heinrich Himmler, Ernst Rohm and Martin Bormann. They wouldn’t have lasted so long if Jack bauer had been on the scene.
It's Over:
The good news is that Jack was last seen running, probably to the set of the promised movie. I can hardly wait.
KThunk. KThunk. KTnunk.
Opening Stuff:
Now what?
Tis a day of morning indeed. Because even after a commendable final episode for “24” that included a Presidential meltdown, a couple of tense assassination events, a shot to Jack’s chest and a teary good-bye between Jack and Chloe – it ended. And the reaction I had wasn’t “Man was that a great ending”. It was “It’s over and I’ll never have it to look forward to again. It was hollow.
One of the outcomes of a disappearing manufacturing base is the artificial inflation of non productive wages to maintain the semblance of strong middle income populace. The result becomes an economic house of cards based on economically unsustainable tax supported state and local government jobs and many fairly unskilled service jobs. A recent example of this came to light when several RI towns thought they could save money by converting water meters from manual reading to electronic reading. They went out for bids and were the process of accepting one from Ohio, when they were informed that there is a RI “Make Work” law requiring that Licensed RI plumbers do all of the work. The bid they wanted would cost $365K to replace 7500 meters. The one they would be forced to accept by law would cost $526K for only 3500 meters. Can you say Greece!
The Question:
Name the five most infamous Germans of WWII.
The Headlines:
--World Stocks Weaken On Euro-Economy Fears.
--North Korea Threatens Military Action In Disputed Waters; US Begins Submarine Maneuvers In Same Area.
--Oil Taker Collides With Bulk Carrier Off Singapore.
--Lindsay receives Serious Ankle Bling.
--Britain Bans Doctor Who Linked Autism With Vaccine.
--Cal Legislature Pushing For $5 Billion In Tax Increases As Opposed To Necessary Budget Cuts.
--Analysts Looking At Cooling Of House Sales.
Back to More Stuff:
Protective Helmet Society Department:
Our save-you-from-yourself national leaders have infiltrated the venerable Naval Academy at Annapolis. Yes the leader of the country’s fearless marine based military is about to ban a 70 year old obelisk climbing ritual because somebody might get injured. A good fun, everybody love’s annual event will be banished from the face of the earth because of blatant nannyism. What’s next? Are we to succumb to more lobbying by the manufacturers who forced hi-tech car seats upon us? Only this time the effect will be forcing children to wear helmets until they are seven?
Common sense runs amok even in battle. The so-called beginning of the end Afghan offensive is stalled where it began in Marjah. Many who looked at this based on past Taliban activities could see it failing over time. The Generals are hemmed in by artificial deadlines, and the Taliban are best at abiding time. In the meantime, blood is flowing faster than the Gulf oil spill as the bad guys routinely lop off heads of Marjah collaborator suspects and scare the bejesus out of Afghans in general –undermining the objective the campaign which was to acquire unyielding allegiance for the citizenry.
A reader sends along this bit of quirkiness. Two animal rights defenders were protesting the cruelty of sending pigs to a slaughterhouse in Bonn , Germany . Suddenly, all two thousand pigs broke loose and escaped through a broken fence, stampeding madly. The two helpless protesters were trampled to death.
I am always looking to better my health. So in an effort to “Go Brown” – replacing whites like rice and bread with brown versions – I am mixing KFC gravy with my rice. It takes on a healthy glow and tastes great.
Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 74: I felt more comfortable with Paul in bed last night. But I kept thinking the intensity wasn’t the same as with Kent. Was it because of the adventure with Kent. Was it because Kent Middleton was a special person. That Kent was like me and we were totally compatible. I was trying to calm my self with motherly chores like getting the kids breakfast and then laughing with them as they ate. All to what? Assuage my guilt. Or to procrastinate my feelings. Where were my feelings anyhow. I never felt anything but pleasure when with Paul…or Kent.
The phone rang. The woman I hate most in life, the caller ID lady garbled the name of “Clax Tonwill” and I picked it up the receiver. “How are you feeling” were his first words. The he went on about my plans.
Today was my first day to drive back to work and test my energy. (Even though Kent has thoroughly tested it already and I passed with flying colors.) “I’m feeling good, and should be there by 10:00. I ave had a few meeting, as you know with Izzy and others, but I really want to catch up with you. Get your opinions. A lot has happened since I was in the accident, and I am positive that I am light years behind you.”
“Don’t worry Boss,” he replied in his usual comforting way. Then he added somberly. “You will be interested in talking to our lawyers about the conspiracy mess and how it may relate to the company’s fortunes.”
“Thanks, Bill, I can hardly wait.”
I have noticed lately that when talking about antiques you I have to use the expression “at the previous turn of the century.”
A terrorist named Khay Rahnajet didn’t pay enough postage on a letter bomb. It came back with “Return to Sender” stamped on it. Forgetting it was a bomb, he opened it…and you can understand the rest of the story.
The Answer:
After Hitler, the leading men in the 3rd Reich were Herman Goring, Joseph Goebbels, Rudolf Hess, Heinrich Himmler, Ernst Rohm and Martin Bormann. They wouldn’t have lasted so long if Jack bauer had been on the scene.
It's Over:
The good news is that Jack was last seen running, probably to the set of the promised movie. I can hardly wait.
KThunk. KThunk. KTnunk.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Experts are a dime a dozen.
Today's Tids Issue 2,129
Opening Stuff:
It is very unsettling to see that world economics seem to have more to do with problems of out of control, over socialized governments than whether or not business is winning or losing.
After a day of golf on a crystal clear but blustery 43 degree day, there is nothing better for warming the soul than piping hot rice with rich pork gravy.
The Question:
Name the ten greatest all time men and women tennis players.
The Headlines:
--Spain Makes More Cuts Offsetting Worries About Expanding Euro-Debt; European Stocks Rebound Smartly On News.
--Market Opener Up Sharply.
--Surprise!: Gas Prices Expected To Tumble For Summer Driving.
--Brown Steps Down; Queen Smiling As Conservative Cameron Takes Post; Conservative Quickly named To cabinet Posts; Coalition Partnership Gets Top Business Post.
--10 year Old Dutch Boy Only Survivor In Libyan Airliner Crash That Killed 96.
--US Home Prices being Cut As Tax Credit Program Ends.
--Morgan-Stanley Shares Drop On News Of Derivatives Probe.
--Celtics Excel in 5th Game.
Back to More Stuff:
Is technology taking over? Last week we had Klutz boy pushing the wrong button on stick trade and computerized programming taking away from humans control of most people’s wealth. And now we have a Zombie satellite – affectionately known among the nerd herd as Zombiesat. Well this former Galaxy 15 lost contact when a solar flare fried its brain. But, the brainless orbiter still operates at full power. Confounding scientists. And you know how dangerous that can be. We have seen the brainless in DC and Wall Street operate on full power and look what that’s gotten us.
I enjoyed listening to the singers last night on American Idol. The judges seemed to have some problems with song choices, but, frankly, I was generally entertained by all. Especially with the Lee/ BoSox duet and to a slightly lesser extent Big/Casey pairing. But, of course some were better than others. After all, this is a competition. I thought B0Sox was the best and I thought Lee was a close second, better than some of the judges thought. Casey was quietly pleasing and sang it well. I thought Big, although enjoyable, didn’t quite reach the promise of the song. Mike will probably go this time. Oh, Siobhan may have been the best this week it she was still there. But, that’s just me.
Question of the day: Are politicians just shallow dummies, or do they really want to destroy the country.
Gas prices could have been the political game changer come November if they had gone upwards of $5.00 as some experts were predicting as little as a month ago. But, the new estimates of “lower” gas prices could make the voting public feel relaxed coming out of a summer, going into campaign season. Everything about politics in reality is mood.
Some days Spell-Check is dumber than a politician.
Why do I have this feeling that the new Robin Hood movie will bear no resemblance to my youthful love of the resourceful thief, the merry men, Little John, Will Scarlet and Maid Marion?
The Biggest Panhandler Department:
As you may you by now, two brothers from RI won the big Million dollar prize for winning the Amazing Race TV competition. Each brother will receive $325,000. But Big Brother who did nothing will get $350,000, more than the two who busted their scrawny butts meeting and surpassing challenges beyond their own belief. But, unfortunately that appears to be real life these days -- The strivers are getting less and less.
One thing for sure…Congress in its typical grandstanding investigation of the oil spill will provide lots of information for the lawyers who will be bringing on the law suits.
Of course, the scariest thing going on in the world today is the fact that the geniuses still can’t figure out why the stock market dropped 1000 points in less than a half hour.
Have you noticed that in all areas -- sports, economics, politics – the popular phrase “experts say” has become totally unreliable?
Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 71 continues. –“I’m far smarter than poor old Seymore, aren’t I Sally?” I felt Sarah/Maggie press her neck back into my thumb. I released the pressure and walked around to look into Sarah’s eyes. She looked reddish. A little unnerved.
“What I meant…” Sarah started but Sally drown her out blurting,
“Why of course you are, were…whatever.” I felt like the wicked stepmother in Snow White. Sarah the mirror reflecting my heart and Sally my brain. And me begging for approval. Have I become this shallow?
I put an end to the stammering. “Seymore was a brilliant guy. And I admired him even though I didn’t particularly like him. His ambition just got in his way and we became the fortunate recipients of his misdeed.” I scrunched Sarah’s shoulder in a natural gesture. She smiled up at me. The tension disappeared. Sally was glad the discussion was over. But I have to wonder where this conversation between them would have gone if I hadn’t walked in. Sarah, if you need any more technical insights you can stop in as you leave.” Her unseen foot ran up my calf. She smiled and said meekly Ok. No problems with Sarah I thought. I peered as far into her eyes as I could and she responded with that look I have come to love. It halted me for a moment. “Hope to see you later,” I said as I left. I looked up at the doorway and saw standing there, Sarah’s husband Paul. “Here for your weekly techno-meet?” I routinely asked. How long had he been there?
He just answered, “Yes I am”. Then he stepped aside. He looked as cold as me.
A reader commenting on Monday’s “24” and torture sequence said it was “hard to stomach…”!
Speaking of stomachs, did you hear about the personal trainer who told his client that she should exercise – restraint!
Kagan has many of the characteristics of an unabated liberal. Probably, even a chortler who plays well the “good ole’ boy” game to move forward. For instance, people like her who would ban army recruiting on campus certainly aren’t reasoned giants, but small minded emotional midgets. Yet this person who has also advised against banning late term abortions, does not consider gay marriage a right, is not morally against capital punishment and believes that terrorists have less rights. I don’t really know what or who she is. But even though she seems not to look at all issues through one ideological microscope, I have a feeling that this brainy NY-er does not represent the views as what I would like to see for America.
In another small political item, the former Mass state senate seat of Scott Brown went to a republican.
The Answer:
Tied for Tenth among males are McEnroe, Becker, Wilander and Edberg. 9. Jimmy Conners 8. Bill Tilden 7. Andre Agassi 6. Bjorn Borg 5. Ivan Lendl 4. Roy Emerson 3. Rod Laver 2. Pete Sampras and #1 is Roger Federer. There will be lots of arguments on a list like this – Budge is better than Sampras. How about Jack Kramer and Pancho Gonzales/ ken Rosewall? But lists are typically skewed in favor of the most current. Number 10 for the women is Justine Henin. 9. Evonne Goolagong (My personal favorite) 8. Serena Williams 7. Monica Selas 6. Billie jean King 5. Helen Wills Moody 4. Chris Evert 3. Margaret Smith Court 2. Steffi Graf and without question number ! Martina. I would have put in there Mo Connelly and Althea Gibson…and maybe Maria Bueno (19 Grand Slam titles!). Suzanne Langton?
"All you need is..."
So, all of this tennis talk reminds me that this is a great day for love! Enjoy.
Opening Stuff:
It is very unsettling to see that world economics seem to have more to do with problems of out of control, over socialized governments than whether or not business is winning or losing.
After a day of golf on a crystal clear but blustery 43 degree day, there is nothing better for warming the soul than piping hot rice with rich pork gravy.
The Question:
Name the ten greatest all time men and women tennis players.
The Headlines:
--Spain Makes More Cuts Offsetting Worries About Expanding Euro-Debt; European Stocks Rebound Smartly On News.
--Market Opener Up Sharply.
--Surprise!: Gas Prices Expected To Tumble For Summer Driving.
--Brown Steps Down; Queen Smiling As Conservative Cameron Takes Post; Conservative Quickly named To cabinet Posts; Coalition Partnership Gets Top Business Post.
--10 year Old Dutch Boy Only Survivor In Libyan Airliner Crash That Killed 96.
--US Home Prices being Cut As Tax Credit Program Ends.
--Morgan-Stanley Shares Drop On News Of Derivatives Probe.
--Celtics Excel in 5th Game.
Back to More Stuff:
Is technology taking over? Last week we had Klutz boy pushing the wrong button on stick trade and computerized programming taking away from humans control of most people’s wealth. And now we have a Zombie satellite – affectionately known among the nerd herd as Zombiesat. Well this former Galaxy 15 lost contact when a solar flare fried its brain. But, the brainless orbiter still operates at full power. Confounding scientists. And you know how dangerous that can be. We have seen the brainless in DC and Wall Street operate on full power and look what that’s gotten us.
I enjoyed listening to the singers last night on American Idol. The judges seemed to have some problems with song choices, but, frankly, I was generally entertained by all. Especially with the Lee/ BoSox duet and to a slightly lesser extent Big/Casey pairing. But, of course some were better than others. After all, this is a competition. I thought B0Sox was the best and I thought Lee was a close second, better than some of the judges thought. Casey was quietly pleasing and sang it well. I thought Big, although enjoyable, didn’t quite reach the promise of the song. Mike will probably go this time. Oh, Siobhan may have been the best this week it she was still there. But, that’s just me.
Question of the day: Are politicians just shallow dummies, or do they really want to destroy the country.
Gas prices could have been the political game changer come November if they had gone upwards of $5.00 as some experts were predicting as little as a month ago. But, the new estimates of “lower” gas prices could make the voting public feel relaxed coming out of a summer, going into campaign season. Everything about politics in reality is mood.
Some days Spell-Check is dumber than a politician.
Why do I have this feeling that the new Robin Hood movie will bear no resemblance to my youthful love of the resourceful thief, the merry men, Little John, Will Scarlet and Maid Marion?
The Biggest Panhandler Department:
As you may you by now, two brothers from RI won the big Million dollar prize for winning the Amazing Race TV competition. Each brother will receive $325,000. But Big Brother who did nothing will get $350,000, more than the two who busted their scrawny butts meeting and surpassing challenges beyond their own belief. But, unfortunately that appears to be real life these days -- The strivers are getting less and less.
One thing for sure…Congress in its typical grandstanding investigation of the oil spill will provide lots of information for the lawyers who will be bringing on the law suits.
Of course, the scariest thing going on in the world today is the fact that the geniuses still can’t figure out why the stock market dropped 1000 points in less than a half hour.
Have you noticed that in all areas -- sports, economics, politics – the popular phrase “experts say” has become totally unreliable?
Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 71 continues. –“I’m far smarter than poor old Seymore, aren’t I Sally?” I felt Sarah/Maggie press her neck back into my thumb. I released the pressure and walked around to look into Sarah’s eyes. She looked reddish. A little unnerved.
“What I meant…” Sarah started but Sally drown her out blurting,
“Why of course you are, were…whatever.” I felt like the wicked stepmother in Snow White. Sarah the mirror reflecting my heart and Sally my brain. And me begging for approval. Have I become this shallow?
I put an end to the stammering. “Seymore was a brilliant guy. And I admired him even though I didn’t particularly like him. His ambition just got in his way and we became the fortunate recipients of his misdeed.” I scrunched Sarah’s shoulder in a natural gesture. She smiled up at me. The tension disappeared. Sally was glad the discussion was over. But I have to wonder where this conversation between them would have gone if I hadn’t walked in. Sarah, if you need any more technical insights you can stop in as you leave.” Her unseen foot ran up my calf. She smiled and said meekly Ok. No problems with Sarah I thought. I peered as far into her eyes as I could and she responded with that look I have come to love. It halted me for a moment. “Hope to see you later,” I said as I left. I looked up at the doorway and saw standing there, Sarah’s husband Paul. “Here for your weekly techno-meet?” I routinely asked. How long had he been there?
He just answered, “Yes I am”. Then he stepped aside. He looked as cold as me.
A reader commenting on Monday’s “24” and torture sequence said it was “hard to stomach…”!
Speaking of stomachs, did you hear about the personal trainer who told his client that she should exercise – restraint!
Kagan has many of the characteristics of an unabated liberal. Probably, even a chortler who plays well the “good ole’ boy” game to move forward. For instance, people like her who would ban army recruiting on campus certainly aren’t reasoned giants, but small minded emotional midgets. Yet this person who has also advised against banning late term abortions, does not consider gay marriage a right, is not morally against capital punishment and believes that terrorists have less rights. I don’t really know what or who she is. But even though she seems not to look at all issues through one ideological microscope, I have a feeling that this brainy NY-er does not represent the views as what I would like to see for America.
In another small political item, the former Mass state senate seat of Scott Brown went to a republican.
The Answer:
Tied for Tenth among males are McEnroe, Becker, Wilander and Edberg. 9. Jimmy Conners 8. Bill Tilden 7. Andre Agassi 6. Bjorn Borg 5. Ivan Lendl 4. Roy Emerson 3. Rod Laver 2. Pete Sampras and #1 is Roger Federer. There will be lots of arguments on a list like this – Budge is better than Sampras. How about Jack Kramer and Pancho Gonzales/ ken Rosewall? But lists are typically skewed in favor of the most current. Number 10 for the women is Justine Henin. 9. Evonne Goolagong (My personal favorite) 8. Serena Williams 7. Monica Selas 6. Billie jean King 5. Helen Wills Moody 4. Chris Evert 3. Margaret Smith Court 2. Steffi Graf and without question number ! Martina. I would have put in there Mo Connelly and Althea Gibson…and maybe Maria Bueno (19 Grand Slam titles!). Suzanne Langton?
"All you need is..."
So, all of this tennis talk reminds me that this is a great day for love! Enjoy.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Nausea at Ray's Creek.
Today's Tids Issue 2,104
Opening Stuff:
Remember when a Shrimp Cocktail was a premiere appetizer at any restaurant and often a highlight of special occasion dining? Now the little swimmers are ubiquitous accompaniments to all occasions large and small. “Oh no, not shrimp again!” They still taste great though. Actually I have my cocktail party sports jackets made with specially lined waterproof pockets. When you are tired of talking about the weather and health insurance plan options, reach in your pocket and offer a shrimp. You’ll be the hit of the do.
How many people across this great nation last night threw up on their living room carpets while watching the introduction of the new Tiger Woods self serving commercial featuring the voice of his dead father? The Woods rescue plan is as despicable as his total disregard for morality.
The Question:
What significant event in the history of recent American Culture happened this week?
The Headlines:
--New Jobless Claims Rise Unexpectedly.
--Icelanders Leaving Homeland In Drove Amidst Volcanic Disruption And Corruption (Or Maybe Stupidity) Induced National Bankruptcy Fears.
--Riots Force Kyrgyzstan To Form Interim Government Backed By Army; Opposition Want US Base Closed.
--Stocks Expected To Pull back After Months Of Gains; Opening Futures Down.
--0-Man, Mevedev Sign Nuke Treaty; Pact Contains Easy Out For Russia.
--Oil Prices Fall After Month Long Rally.
--Search Continues For 4 remaining Missing Miners In West Virginia; B-Ball Team Coach Huggins, Brings Gear, Good Will To Help Console Relatives Of Dead.
--Greece Plunges Deeper into Crisis; Borrowing Costs Surge.
Back to More Stuff:
GM, 61% owned by taxpayers lost $4.3 Billion in the last half of 2009. That’s the period after it emerged from bankruptcy. But here is the real problem. They need to add a hefty $12.3 Billion to their pension fund by 2014. If they let their pension fund fail the pensions will be paid by the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation funded totally by you, me and Aunt Lizzie. It doesn’t appear that GM will out of bankruptcy for long. GM is just the tip of the iceberg in this country’s growing underfunded pension programs. For instance the 3 biggest California State pension funds are ½ Trillion dollars short. Taxes will go out of site to pay for California and plenty of other states. Can you say Greece?
Woods must have the same image rebuilders as 0-Man. All of the new photos are of a smiling Tiger! :o)
American Idol had a lot of drama last night. Big Mike sang for his supper and he sang with great emotion and heart…and talent. I think the judges like having him on the show anyhow. Next week two singers will go and nobody can be saved again. I’d like to see Tim and Andy go, which would leave a pretty good group of competitive singers. I rate the rest BoSox, Casey, Siobahn/Lee tie, Big Mike/Kate tie and Aaron. And, there are times like last week when the surprisingly big voice of Kate can move her towards the top.
The US during its greatest periods of economic growth, the eras that molded this country of the free into the giant of powers, dominated the world in the manufacture and sale of machine tools. Rhode Island became on of the richest States because of them. Machine tools are the basic instruments of a manufacturing economy. Machine tools are the basic instruments of the highly leveragability manufacturing economy. The US is still the third largest consumer of these tools, but has declined significantly on a per capita basis. China has soared in consumption and was 6x that of the US last year. On the production side, the US is now down from its top spot to seventh behind China, Germany, Japan, Italy, South Korea and Taiwan; And just a nose above Switzerland.
A new IRS report says that half of the US households don’t pay any taxes. Does that mean that fifty percent of Americans take care of the other half. And obviously not the better half. Also noted is that 10% of earners pay 73% of taxes. So, why is Obama looking to expand income redistribution programs?
Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 65. Laura just left for Worcester where she waits on tables in a small restaurant in an old mill. As usual she left me in a blissful state of pure satisfaction. We agreed that she should avoid coming here for a while. I suspect that this investigation into the Bromsky affair is just beginning I would hate to have to sentence her to joining her uncle. Maybe I can find a few hours with Maggie/Sarah later today.
The new data is producing some amazing results and speeding our progress. Isabelle loves me. I am a most intriguing person for just being a socially awkward scientist. I smiled to myself. I picked up my phone and called Henry. “Hi my friend,” I said. He informed me that my partner in crime, Sarah had just left. Actually he invited me to join him for a minute or two. He said he’d like to bounce a few things off my “brainy” head. Then he did the folksy chuckle. He was a man to watch.
While driving over I called Sarah who agreed readily that she would love to have a diet coke with me. She added that she was feeling stronger today. And I could tell she was smiling when she said it. I loved to watch her vacate her morals.
According to the new Forbes Survey, The Ya, Ya, Ya…(WYKWIM)…the NY hedgefunders are the most valuable baseball team with a net worth of about $1.8 Billion. The Beloveds are second at $830 Million. The rest are the Mets, LA Dodgers, Cubs, Phillies, Angels, Cards and White Sox.
And, I think shrimp taste better with a little mayo in the red cocktail sauce. Incredibly tangy. And, also for better taste, you’ll achieve delectable consistency and satisfying bite appeal when cooking raw frozen shrimp as opposed to thawing previously cooked frozen shrimp. That’s just one man‘s opinion. And of course you have to learn how to time the cooking perfectly.
The Answer:
For the first time, the venerable American Idol which has been skunking just about everybody for years by super wide margins, lost the battle of Tuesday night to Dancing With the Stars 23 to 21.8 million. An observer says it is because of a good celebrity dancer lineup and mentions Kate Gossilin and Pamela Anderson! Kate Gossilin? Pamela Anderson? These are stars?
Maybe it is the absence of the ditsy Paula. But, more likely it was the poor to fair performances of the singers on the first live AI shows. Remember the Tids pointed out the failure of Seacre Remember when a Shrimp Cocktail at restaurant was a premiere appetizer at any restaurant? Now the little swimmers are ubiquitous accompaniments to all occasions large and small. OIh no, not shrimp again! That still taste great though.
st to mention voting totals. They must have really declined.
The End:
Reading about the demise of America day after day makes me despondent. But then I think of all the great people still out there working hard, and loving sincerely, and I say…maybe we can still do anything we want.
Opening Stuff:
Remember when a Shrimp Cocktail was a premiere appetizer at any restaurant and often a highlight of special occasion dining? Now the little swimmers are ubiquitous accompaniments to all occasions large and small. “Oh no, not shrimp again!” They still taste great though. Actually I have my cocktail party sports jackets made with specially lined waterproof pockets. When you are tired of talking about the weather and health insurance plan options, reach in your pocket and offer a shrimp. You’ll be the hit of the do.
How many people across this great nation last night threw up on their living room carpets while watching the introduction of the new Tiger Woods self serving commercial featuring the voice of his dead father? The Woods rescue plan is as despicable as his total disregard for morality.
The Question:
What significant event in the history of recent American Culture happened this week?
The Headlines:
--New Jobless Claims Rise Unexpectedly.
--Icelanders Leaving Homeland In Drove Amidst Volcanic Disruption And Corruption (Or Maybe Stupidity) Induced National Bankruptcy Fears.
--Riots Force Kyrgyzstan To Form Interim Government Backed By Army; Opposition Want US Base Closed.
--Stocks Expected To Pull back After Months Of Gains; Opening Futures Down.
--0-Man, Mevedev Sign Nuke Treaty; Pact Contains Easy Out For Russia.
--Oil Prices Fall After Month Long Rally.
--Search Continues For 4 remaining Missing Miners In West Virginia; B-Ball Team Coach Huggins, Brings Gear, Good Will To Help Console Relatives Of Dead.
--Greece Plunges Deeper into Crisis; Borrowing Costs Surge.
Back to More Stuff:
GM, 61% owned by taxpayers lost $4.3 Billion in the last half of 2009. That’s the period after it emerged from bankruptcy. But here is the real problem. They need to add a hefty $12.3 Billion to their pension fund by 2014. If they let their pension fund fail the pensions will be paid by the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation funded totally by you, me and Aunt Lizzie. It doesn’t appear that GM will out of bankruptcy for long. GM is just the tip of the iceberg in this country’s growing underfunded pension programs. For instance the 3 biggest California State pension funds are ½ Trillion dollars short. Taxes will go out of site to pay for California and plenty of other states. Can you say Greece?
Woods must have the same image rebuilders as 0-Man. All of the new photos are of a smiling Tiger! :o)
American Idol had a lot of drama last night. Big Mike sang for his supper and he sang with great emotion and heart…and talent. I think the judges like having him on the show anyhow. Next week two singers will go and nobody can be saved again. I’d like to see Tim and Andy go, which would leave a pretty good group of competitive singers. I rate the rest BoSox, Casey, Siobahn/Lee tie, Big Mike/Kate tie and Aaron. And, there are times like last week when the surprisingly big voice of Kate can move her towards the top.
The US during its greatest periods of economic growth, the eras that molded this country of the free into the giant of powers, dominated the world in the manufacture and sale of machine tools. Rhode Island became on of the richest States because of them. Machine tools are the basic instruments of a manufacturing economy. Machine tools are the basic instruments of the highly leveragability manufacturing economy. The US is still the third largest consumer of these tools, but has declined significantly on a per capita basis. China has soared in consumption and was 6x that of the US last year. On the production side, the US is now down from its top spot to seventh behind China, Germany, Japan, Italy, South Korea and Taiwan; And just a nose above Switzerland.
A new IRS report says that half of the US households don’t pay any taxes. Does that mean that fifty percent of Americans take care of the other half. And obviously not the better half. Also noted is that 10% of earners pay 73% of taxes. So, why is Obama looking to expand income redistribution programs?
Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 65. Laura just left for Worcester where she waits on tables in a small restaurant in an old mill. As usual she left me in a blissful state of pure satisfaction. We agreed that she should avoid coming here for a while. I suspect that this investigation into the Bromsky affair is just beginning I would hate to have to sentence her to joining her uncle. Maybe I can find a few hours with Maggie/Sarah later today.
The new data is producing some amazing results and speeding our progress. Isabelle loves me. I am a most intriguing person for just being a socially awkward scientist. I smiled to myself. I picked up my phone and called Henry. “Hi my friend,” I said. He informed me that my partner in crime, Sarah had just left. Actually he invited me to join him for a minute or two. He said he’d like to bounce a few things off my “brainy” head. Then he did the folksy chuckle. He was a man to watch.
While driving over I called Sarah who agreed readily that she would love to have a diet coke with me. She added that she was feeling stronger today. And I could tell she was smiling when she said it. I loved to watch her vacate her morals.
According to the new Forbes Survey, The Ya, Ya, Ya…(WYKWIM)…the NY hedgefunders are the most valuable baseball team with a net worth of about $1.8 Billion. The Beloveds are second at $830 Million. The rest are the Mets, LA Dodgers, Cubs, Phillies, Angels, Cards and White Sox.
And, I think shrimp taste better with a little mayo in the red cocktail sauce. Incredibly tangy. And, also for better taste, you’ll achieve delectable consistency and satisfying bite appeal when cooking raw frozen shrimp as opposed to thawing previously cooked frozen shrimp. That’s just one man‘s opinion. And of course you have to learn how to time the cooking perfectly.
The Answer:
For the first time, the venerable American Idol which has been skunking just about everybody for years by super wide margins, lost the battle of Tuesday night to Dancing With the Stars 23 to 21.8 million. An observer says it is because of a good celebrity dancer lineup and mentions Kate Gossilin and Pamela Anderson! Kate Gossilin? Pamela Anderson? These are stars?
Maybe it is the absence of the ditsy Paula. But, more likely it was the poor to fair performances of the singers on the first live AI shows. Remember the Tids pointed out the failure of Seacre Remember when a Shrimp Cocktail at restaurant was a premiere appetizer at any restaurant? Now the little swimmers are ubiquitous accompaniments to all occasions large and small. OIh no, not shrimp again! That still taste great though.
st to mention voting totals. They must have really declined.
The End:
Reading about the demise of America day after day makes me despondent. But then I think of all the great people still out there working hard, and loving sincerely, and I say…maybe we can still do anything we want.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Obama in full campaign mode.
Today's Tids 2/2/10
Opening Stuff:
Ten Congressmen saw their shadow this morning meaning we’ll continue to have bad government for 6 months. After that, it will totally collapse as scared incumbents rush to get re-elected.
As we see “Prime Time” flitting from town to town watching basketball or making short speeches on just about anything, we know that the President is in full campaign mode. In fact he barely left campaign mode after inauguration. One problem…politicians never tell the truth during campaigns!
The Question:
Today, we have the birthdays of Tom Smothers (73) and Graham Nash (68). Name five of the top songs for each.
The Headlines:
--0-Man Blames Out Of Sight Budget On Bush.
--Exxon-Mobil Retains King Of Profits Title Even As Profits Dip 56%.
--New Research Shows That Abstinence Programs Work With Teens.
-- Haiti Food Convoy Attacked By Armed Gang.
--Illinois Dem Primary Today Could Be Another Test Of 0-Man Coattails; GOP Anxious To have Obama Protégé Win.
--Phil Says Winter To Stay.
-- New England Likes Sub Building Portion Of 0-Man Budget.
More Stuff:
New style thicker toilet paper makes a better Kleenex substitute.
0-Man has ridden acidic Bush Bashing to the top, and now wonders why there is so much negativity in politics.
One thing we can all be happy about is that the insurance companies are handling our medical programs and not Verizon.
If you ask me, the eBook business has a lot of sorting out to do before if becomes a stable industry. Amazon’s retreat to McMillian’s pressure is just the first sign of things to come. Apple looks confused as they try to figure out the market for the iPad. The book publishers still own the content, and with it all the power. Amazon and Apple for the present are just distribution channels. You have to think that Apple execs would cringe at the use of an adjective like “Just” as in “mere” in association with their brand. But frankly. All of the cool gadget makers rely on the creativity of others to make their products viable.
A good reader sends along a quiz that helps answer the Question: “Where are you politically.” I like it because it includes as one of three answers “Maybe”. That’s in addition to the usual “agree” and “disagree”. Try it http://www.theadvocates.org/quizp/index.html
This Oregon tax thing is bothersome. Basically it was a teacher push trying to find a back door route into the taxpayer’s pockets after they have maxed out the property tax system. There comes a time in life when you just can’t buy everything you want. It’s going to be a long time before people can adjust to the new world of reality; that we are now a nation without economic borders.
You may have noticed in the news that Rhode Island has reduced the age for blood bank donors to 16. It must be part of that “Twilight” trend so popular with teens.
If you need a blueprint for the new economy, take a look at the textile industry. This was the economic engine for the northeast for about a century or so. As unions got tougher there, they closed the plants and moved to the non-union south. Things went well for a while til the wages started spiraling upward ala old NE. Aha, lets go to third world countries. Damn good idea. The third world countries naturally grew economically and…you guessed it...wages went up! Now the search is on for an even poorer nation. And you know what will happen next. Meanwhile the US needs jobs and people will start working for lower pay, and maybe with the help of a growing immigrant population, textiles return to New England which has little economy left other than big government. This is not about whether unions are good, bad or indifferent. It’s just the way things work.
The odds against my retirement plan working just got longer as more states jumped on the Powerball-MegaMillions bandwagons.
Archie Manning was a much more exciting quarterback than either of his two sons. But then maybe it was because he had to scramble for his life playing on poor teams.
24-um:
I feel like a little kid on Christmas Eve each Monday waiting for the start of “24”. Last night I opened the package and got what I wanted. Annie Wershing as Renee Walker continues to give us award winning performances. She is lost, and it appears that next week she comes to Jack for help. I have had trouble figuring out the Dana-abuser boyfriend angle, but now I’m thinking there is something in that warehouse they are robbing other than money. Like uranium? Why do I have in the back of my mind that the new younger aide to the President has something evil on his mind? I left last night with just the right amount of tension in my aging body. Now I have to wait a whole week. KThunk. KThunk. KThunk.
The Novel:
Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 52 continues. –As I sat listening to the very logical mind of Mr. laid-back sheriff at work, I relaxed knowing that Henry had put it together. He was on his way to Isabelle, and of course I should not be there. But, I know somebody who should be on her way up to BiEmbryo with her team. Now Henry’s words became a distant sound as my whole body and mind focused on my Sarah/Maggie. I had to talk to her. I had to see her. I still heard now the drone of Henry as I stood. He stopped and looked up. “Henry, I think you have everything under control. Drop by my office after you see Isabelle.” He smiled. “Thanks Middleton. I see that you still know how not to waste time when the job appears over. But, I may need you join me with Isabelle after I and the state police layout our concept.” My mind was now in the hospital room with Sarah, but I managed to say “No Problem. Then I turned and left. One good thing about having a reputation as a bore is that nobody is concerned when you don’t appear overly friendly. I got in the car, pulled out my phone and dialed Sarah’s room. I heard a weak, raspy reply, “Hello”. Even in a weakened condition, her voice was powerful to me. “Hello my love, it is me.” “I’m happy”, she answered. “I’m coming to see you. But, you should know what is happening.
More Stuff:
This could be a good year for Sandra Bullock as she is a sentimental favorite for Best Actress. Or it could be bad. She is also leading for the Razzie for worst actress in All About Steve. It ios also the fave for worst movie. Personally, I think we need more of a spotlight on Razzies. They’re good for H-Wood humility. As you may know, they have named 10 movies this year for Best Picture. Avatar is a big favorite, but the little dreary piece Precious seems to be in the wheelhouse of Hollywood voters. The others are Blind Side, Up, Up In The Air, District Nine, An Education, The Hurt Locker, Inglorious Basterds and A Serious Man. Actors are Bridges (Fave), Clooney, Firth and Freeman. Actresses are Bullock, Mirran, Mulligan, Sidibe and Streep.
This squabble among golfers over the new ban on square grooves is another mirror of our society. The real issue is legality versus intent. I agree with McCarron who argues, regardless of the legality of an agreement that allowed Pings before 1990, the intent of the new rule was to get rid of square grooves. The vast majority of golfers agreed. Maybe Michelson is planning on a run for congress next year. He is starting to sound like one of those rascals.
The Answer:
Graham Nash is best known for Chicago and Immigration Man. Others are Simple Man, We Can Change The World, Be Yourself and Better days. Tom Smothers was more of a comic, but he and his brother Dick sang many tunes very well: Tom Dooley, Chocolate, Crabs Walk Sideways, Michael Row the Boat Ashore, Mom Always Likes You Best and Talk to the Trees.
The End:
When 0-Man came down upon the Supreme Court, it sounded a lot to me like his comments calling out the “Stupidity” of the Cambridge Police Department. The Prez has a chance to raise the level of discourse back to statesman, but his emotions keep on belying his claimed intentions.
Opening Stuff:
Ten Congressmen saw their shadow this morning meaning we’ll continue to have bad government for 6 months. After that, it will totally collapse as scared incumbents rush to get re-elected.
As we see “Prime Time” flitting from town to town watching basketball or making short speeches on just about anything, we know that the President is in full campaign mode. In fact he barely left campaign mode after inauguration. One problem…politicians never tell the truth during campaigns!
The Question:
Today, we have the birthdays of Tom Smothers (73) and Graham Nash (68). Name five of the top songs for each.
The Headlines:
--0-Man Blames Out Of Sight Budget On Bush.
--Exxon-Mobil Retains King Of Profits Title Even As Profits Dip 56%.
--New Research Shows That Abstinence Programs Work With Teens.
-- Haiti Food Convoy Attacked By Armed Gang.
--Illinois Dem Primary Today Could Be Another Test Of 0-Man Coattails; GOP Anxious To have Obama Protégé Win.
--Phil Says Winter To Stay.
-- New England Likes Sub Building Portion Of 0-Man Budget.
More Stuff:
New style thicker toilet paper makes a better Kleenex substitute.
0-Man has ridden acidic Bush Bashing to the top, and now wonders why there is so much negativity in politics.
One thing we can all be happy about is that the insurance companies are handling our medical programs and not Verizon.
If you ask me, the eBook business has a lot of sorting out to do before if becomes a stable industry. Amazon’s retreat to McMillian’s pressure is just the first sign of things to come. Apple looks confused as they try to figure out the market for the iPad. The book publishers still own the content, and with it all the power. Amazon and Apple for the present are just distribution channels. You have to think that Apple execs would cringe at the use of an adjective like “Just” as in “mere” in association with their brand. But frankly. All of the cool gadget makers rely on the creativity of others to make their products viable.
A good reader sends along a quiz that helps answer the Question: “Where are you politically.” I like it because it includes as one of three answers “Maybe”. That’s in addition to the usual “agree” and “disagree”. Try it http://www.theadvocates.org/quizp/index.html
This Oregon tax thing is bothersome. Basically it was a teacher push trying to find a back door route into the taxpayer’s pockets after they have maxed out the property tax system. There comes a time in life when you just can’t buy everything you want. It’s going to be a long time before people can adjust to the new world of reality; that we are now a nation without economic borders.
You may have noticed in the news that Rhode Island has reduced the age for blood bank donors to 16. It must be part of that “Twilight” trend so popular with teens.
If you need a blueprint for the new economy, take a look at the textile industry. This was the economic engine for the northeast for about a century or so. As unions got tougher there, they closed the plants and moved to the non-union south. Things went well for a while til the wages started spiraling upward ala old NE. Aha, lets go to third world countries. Damn good idea. The third world countries naturally grew economically and…you guessed it...wages went up! Now the search is on for an even poorer nation. And you know what will happen next. Meanwhile the US needs jobs and people will start working for lower pay, and maybe with the help of a growing immigrant population, textiles return to New England which has little economy left other than big government. This is not about whether unions are good, bad or indifferent. It’s just the way things work.
The odds against my retirement plan working just got longer as more states jumped on the Powerball-MegaMillions bandwagons.
Archie Manning was a much more exciting quarterback than either of his two sons. But then maybe it was because he had to scramble for his life playing on poor teams.
24-um:
I feel like a little kid on Christmas Eve each Monday waiting for the start of “24”. Last night I opened the package and got what I wanted. Annie Wershing as Renee Walker continues to give us award winning performances. She is lost, and it appears that next week she comes to Jack for help. I have had trouble figuring out the Dana-abuser boyfriend angle, but now I’m thinking there is something in that warehouse they are robbing other than money. Like uranium? Why do I have in the back of my mind that the new younger aide to the President has something evil on his mind? I left last night with just the right amount of tension in my aging body. Now I have to wait a whole week. KThunk. KThunk. KThunk.
The Novel:
Through the Same Eyes: Chapter 52 continues. –As I sat listening to the very logical mind of Mr. laid-back sheriff at work, I relaxed knowing that Henry had put it together. He was on his way to Isabelle, and of course I should not be there. But, I know somebody who should be on her way up to BiEmbryo with her team. Now Henry’s words became a distant sound as my whole body and mind focused on my Sarah/Maggie. I had to talk to her. I had to see her. I still heard now the drone of Henry as I stood. He stopped and looked up. “Henry, I think you have everything under control. Drop by my office after you see Isabelle.” He smiled. “Thanks Middleton. I see that you still know how not to waste time when the job appears over. But, I may need you join me with Isabelle after I and the state police layout our concept.” My mind was now in the hospital room with Sarah, but I managed to say “No Problem. Then I turned and left. One good thing about having a reputation as a bore is that nobody is concerned when you don’t appear overly friendly. I got in the car, pulled out my phone and dialed Sarah’s room. I heard a weak, raspy reply, “Hello”. Even in a weakened condition, her voice was powerful to me. “Hello my love, it is me.” “I’m happy”, she answered. “I’m coming to see you. But, you should know what is happening.
More Stuff:
This could be a good year for Sandra Bullock as she is a sentimental favorite for Best Actress. Or it could be bad. She is also leading for the Razzie for worst actress in All About Steve. It ios also the fave for worst movie. Personally, I think we need more of a spotlight on Razzies. They’re good for H-Wood humility. As you may know, they have named 10 movies this year for Best Picture. Avatar is a big favorite, but the little dreary piece Precious seems to be in the wheelhouse of Hollywood voters. The others are Blind Side, Up, Up In The Air, District Nine, An Education, The Hurt Locker, Inglorious Basterds and A Serious Man. Actors are Bridges (Fave), Clooney, Firth and Freeman. Actresses are Bullock, Mirran, Mulligan, Sidibe and Streep.
This squabble among golfers over the new ban on square grooves is another mirror of our society. The real issue is legality versus intent. I agree with McCarron who argues, regardless of the legality of an agreement that allowed Pings before 1990, the intent of the new rule was to get rid of square grooves. The vast majority of golfers agreed. Maybe Michelson is planning on a run for congress next year. He is starting to sound like one of those rascals.
The Answer:
Graham Nash is best known for Chicago and Immigration Man. Others are Simple Man, We Can Change The World, Be Yourself and Better days. Tom Smothers was more of a comic, but he and his brother Dick sang many tunes very well: Tom Dooley, Chocolate, Crabs Walk Sideways, Michael Row the Boat Ashore, Mom Always Likes You Best and Talk to the Trees.
The End:
When 0-Man came down upon the Supreme Court, it sounded a lot to me like his comments calling out the “Stupidity” of the Cambridge Police Department. The Prez has a chance to raise the level of discourse back to statesman, but his emotions keep on belying his claimed intentions.
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