Gone to Phoenix, back Friday.
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Tidbits
HAPPY 96TH CAROL CHANNING!
She was up for an Emmy for every stage role she ever played on Broadway. She was married four times, the last being her high school sweetheart - they reconnected after he read her kind words in her memoir. He died, age 92, in 2011.
She was also famous for bringing her own food to restaurants and other peoples homes; in fact, she bragged that she hadn't eaten "restaurant food" since 1949. She accepted dinner invites, but brought her own food in plastic containers. She ate seeds at the dessert course. She never drank alcohol. Maybe there is something good about organic only and no alcohol. 96 is a pretty good run ...
STARBUCKS SEEMINGLY UNAWARE OF UNEMPLOYMENT
Starbucks has announced plans to hire 10,000 "immigrants" over the next five years. This effectively takes away jobs from 10,000 American-born applicants.
NEW PHONE SCAM -SO JUST SAY "NO."
Phone rings. You answer. Caller says, "Can you hear me?" You reply (if you can) "Yes." That three-letter word just provided the okay for the caller to use a stolen credit card, phone number to okay purchases that you didn't make. The kind where permission is asked before something unusual is purchased. Just Say No and hang up.
WHAT ALTERNATE UNIVERSE DID THEY COME FROM?
This applies to members of both of our political parties. Today's example is Sally Yates, the former interim Attorney General who said her conscience would not let her carry out Presidential directives. Did no one ever tell her that it isn't about her? That a big part of the real world expects a hiree to follow instructions? Is this the end result of "Every kid gets a medal" for showing up on the T-ball or Little League field? And having to do nothing more? Sally, honey, what you do in this kind of situation is quit. Prudence would dictate that you get another job before you quit, but that is up to your own discretion. Handy tip - you cannot receive Unemployment if you quit. You only get it for being fired which you just were. Make sure they spell your name right on the check.
She was up for an Emmy for every stage role she ever played on Broadway. She was married four times, the last being her high school sweetheart - they reconnected after he read her kind words in her memoir. He died, age 92, in 2011.
She was also famous for bringing her own food to restaurants and other peoples homes; in fact, she bragged that she hadn't eaten "restaurant food" since 1949. She accepted dinner invites, but brought her own food in plastic containers. She ate seeds at the dessert course. She never drank alcohol. Maybe there is something good about organic only and no alcohol. 96 is a pretty good run ...
STARBUCKS SEEMINGLY UNAWARE OF UNEMPLOYMENT
Starbucks has announced plans to hire 10,000 "immigrants" over the next five years. This effectively takes away jobs from 10,000 American-born applicants.
NEW PHONE SCAM -SO JUST SAY "NO."
Phone rings. You answer. Caller says, "Can you hear me?" You reply (if you can) "Yes." That three-letter word just provided the okay for the caller to use a stolen credit card, phone number to okay purchases that you didn't make. The kind where permission is asked before something unusual is purchased. Just Say No and hang up.
WHAT ALTERNATE UNIVERSE DID THEY COME FROM?
This applies to members of both of our political parties. Today's example is Sally Yates, the former interim Attorney General who said her conscience would not let her carry out Presidential directives. Did no one ever tell her that it isn't about her? That a big part of the real world expects a hiree to follow instructions? Is this the end result of "Every kid gets a medal" for showing up on the T-ball or Little League field? And having to do nothing more? Sally, honey, what you do in this kind of situation is quit. Prudence would dictate that you get another job before you quit, but that is up to your own discretion. Handy tip - you cannot receive Unemployment if you quit. You only get it for being fired which you just were. Make sure they spell your name right on the check.
Sunday, January 29, 2017
Of Note, Cupcake, Put Your Protest Sign Down and Read
2016 -
80 million international passengers entered the United States through various airports.
Of them, 325,00 arrived every day.
Of them only 1 per cent or 32 and a half passengers were inconvenienced per day. ("Half passenger" - child under 10?)
source: Dept. Homeland Security, 1/29/16 weaselzippers.com which ran the full article and the DHS statement.
80 million international passengers entered the United States through various airports.
Of them, 325,00 arrived every day.
Of them only 1 per cent or 32 and a half passengers were inconvenienced per day. ("Half passenger" - child under 10?)
source: Dept. Homeland Security, 1/29/16 weaselzippers.com which ran the full article and the DHS statement.
Saturday, January 28, 2017
Goldfish Crackers
Buyers Remorse
A super fan of the late Judy Garland blew $15,000 to buy the crypt space next to hers. In his quiet moments, listening to one of her albums, he may have felt a certain satisfaction that he has done this. He may never (most certainly didn't) have lain next to her in life, but in death ...
And then Garland's daughter Liza swooped in, unstopped the crypt door and shipped her ass to California for re-burial. What will he do now? Sell his crypt and buy a new one out here? Sue Liza - on what I cannot imagine legally.
Cock-a-Doodle-Do
Today starts the Chinese new year and according to that calendar, 2017 is the year of the Rooster. There is a great site - chinahighlights.com - that explains what Roosters can expect in the way of luck, what are lucky foods and so on and so forth.
Fire 1957 - 2017
Earth '09 - '69
Gold '21 - '81
Water '33 - '93
The Rise of a New Class of Elitists?
And that would be those people who can afford to buy and have installed an underground shelter in their back yard or back 40
.
The spokesman for Rising S Co.com - the manufacturer, said that demand has risen 700 per cent and that he relates it to "Trumpocalyse" or "Trumpnado" but added that the same thing happened when Barack Obama was elected. The firm is located in Murchison, TX, where they have more than plenty of land under which to excavate.
Curious, I went to see and a partial list is:
Mini-bunker - $39,500 (serves one)
The 10 x 20 version runs $58,500 to an up-graded $65,500.
The 10 x 30 is $74,500 to an upgraded $80,500
The 10 x 40 is $85,500 to an upgraded $95,500
The Ultimate In Protection (if not swank) is called The Fortress and the floor plan looks ready to be shipped to Idaho or Wyoming, states that seem to favor militia-type residents. There are dorm rooms (I think I remember three) filled with bunk beds to accommodate more Soldiers of the Obliteration of American Politics or whatever. They may be collecting money for awhile - $1,009,999.
Despite the fact that these bunkers all have modern conveniences (composting toilet, shelves capable of holding two years worth of canned food) the one thing that stopped me cold was this:
What if you are on a prescription that keeps your heart pumping, kills the cancer, etc., etc. In the event of a disaster, pharmacies are going to be closed. You're outta luck, dude. Risk it and stay above ground where God put us.
The $6 Restaurant Bliss
Normally I try not to review local restaurants for those readers who might have difficulty getting here to dine at them. Il Fornaio has 21 restaurants in the US, so let's have at it.
They also have a Happy Hour that runs from 4 to 6 p.m. Cutely, a specific menu of drinks and food are all $6! Isn't that precious??? In the spirit of this sixy-ness, six of us gathered there last night.
This really is a bargain - here are some of the things ordered with their "real" price next to them. Do the mental arithmetic and re-price them at $6 and I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
Bruschetta (old bread, toasted with stuff on it) $10
Carpachio (best shot at getting Mad Cow Disease in a Restaurant) $15
Pizzas from $14 to mostly $18 each,, but they are large.
Best of all? Bellini's! $6! I had two and quietly cooed to myself. A Martini Fornaio is $12.
So hah!
A super fan of the late Judy Garland blew $15,000 to buy the crypt space next to hers. In his quiet moments, listening to one of her albums, he may have felt a certain satisfaction that he has done this. He may never (most certainly didn't) have lain next to her in life, but in death ...
And then Garland's daughter Liza swooped in, unstopped the crypt door and shipped her ass to California for re-burial. What will he do now? Sell his crypt and buy a new one out here? Sue Liza - on what I cannot imagine legally.
Cock-a-Doodle-Do
Today starts the Chinese new year and according to that calendar, 2017 is the year of the Rooster. There is a great site - chinahighlights.com - that explains what Roosters can expect in the way of luck, what are lucky foods and so on and so forth.
Fire 1957 - 2017
Earth '09 - '69
Gold '21 - '81
Water '33 - '93
The Rise of a New Class of Elitists?
And that would be those people who can afford to buy and have installed an underground shelter in their back yard or back 40
.
The spokesman for Rising S Co.com - the manufacturer, said that demand has risen 700 per cent and that he relates it to "Trumpocalyse" or "Trumpnado" but added that the same thing happened when Barack Obama was elected. The firm is located in Murchison, TX, where they have more than plenty of land under which to excavate.
Curious, I went to see and a partial list is:
Mini-bunker - $39,500 (serves one)
The 10 x 20 version runs $58,500 to an up-graded $65,500.
The 10 x 30 is $74,500 to an upgraded $80,500
The 10 x 40 is $85,500 to an upgraded $95,500
The Ultimate In Protection (if not swank) is called The Fortress and the floor plan looks ready to be shipped to Idaho or Wyoming, states that seem to favor militia-type residents. There are dorm rooms (I think I remember three) filled with bunk beds to accommodate more Soldiers of the Obliteration of American Politics or whatever. They may be collecting money for awhile - $1,009,999.
Despite the fact that these bunkers all have modern conveniences (composting toilet, shelves capable of holding two years worth of canned food) the one thing that stopped me cold was this:
What if you are on a prescription that keeps your heart pumping, kills the cancer, etc., etc. In the event of a disaster, pharmacies are going to be closed. You're outta luck, dude. Risk it and stay above ground where God put us.
The $6 Restaurant Bliss
Normally I try not to review local restaurants for those readers who might have difficulty getting here to dine at them. Il Fornaio has 21 restaurants in the US, so let's have at it.
They also have a Happy Hour that runs from 4 to 6 p.m. Cutely, a specific menu of drinks and food are all $6! Isn't that precious??? In the spirit of this sixy-ness, six of us gathered there last night.
This really is a bargain - here are some of the things ordered with their "real" price next to them. Do the mental arithmetic and re-price them at $6 and I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
Bruschetta (old bread, toasted with stuff on it) $10
Carpachio (best shot at getting Mad Cow Disease in a Restaurant) $15
Pizzas from $14 to mostly $18 each,, but they are large.
Best of all? Bellini's! $6! I had two and quietly cooed to myself. A Martini Fornaio is $12.
So hah!
Friday, January 27, 2017
Fair Play and Corporate Smarts
Fearful of being crushed under a load of rage from those who find movie stars innately smarter than the rest of us, here is a list of Republicans in show biz and their ages. The degree of craziness you want to assign to each of them is your bidness:
Dennis Rodman 55
Mike Tyson 50
Arnold Schwarzenegger 69
Bruce Willis 61
Sylvester Stallone 70
Clint Eastwood 86
Jon Voight 78
Wayne Newton 74
James Caan 76
Lindsay Lohan 30
Don King 89
Richard Petty 79
Alice Cooper 68
Corporate Smarts
Kraft Heinz (cheese and ketchup) are promoting the adoption of "Smunday" as a national holiday. "What the hell is 'smunday'?" you ask? It is the renaming of the Monday after Superbowl Sunday which will be devoted to staying home and either continuing the celebration or recovering from the indulgences of the day before.
It is a PAID HOLIDAY. This will, of course, give business owners a frisson of horror, but many people don't show up on the Monday After, in retrospect, what else is new?
This is and it's a brilliant piece of PR. Rather than pay $5 million for a 30-second commercial during the game, the wizards came up with something newsworthy which is FREE - "Gee, I wish I worked for Kraft Heinz" or just a simple, "Lucky bastards - Vera, where's my lunch box?"
In an attempt to legitimize, so to speak, this idea, consumers are asked to sign a petition advocating smunday. If more than 100,000 signatures are collected, then the petition will be presented to whoever it is that decides these weighty matters (Supreme Court? Congress?)
Probable cost: a new Kraft Heinz Website detailing the idea and asking for a signature. BTW signing an online petition is useless because in real life you have to sign (handwrite) and then print your name for it to be legal. Not do-able in cyberspace. Online petitions are used mostly for a how's the wind blowing? check.
Dennis Rodman 55
Mike Tyson 50
Arnold Schwarzenegger 69
Bruce Willis 61
Sylvester Stallone 70
Clint Eastwood 86
Jon Voight 78
Wayne Newton 74
James Caan 76
Lindsay Lohan 30
Don King 89
Richard Petty 79
Alice Cooper 68
Corporate Smarts
Kraft Heinz (cheese and ketchup) are promoting the adoption of "Smunday" as a national holiday. "What the hell is 'smunday'?" you ask? It is the renaming of the Monday after Superbowl Sunday which will be devoted to staying home and either continuing the celebration or recovering from the indulgences of the day before.
It is a PAID HOLIDAY. This will, of course, give business owners a frisson of horror, but many people don't show up on the Monday After, in retrospect, what else is new?
This is and it's a brilliant piece of PR. Rather than pay $5 million for a 30-second commercial during the game, the wizards came up with something newsworthy which is FREE - "Gee, I wish I worked for Kraft Heinz" or just a simple, "Lucky bastards - Vera, where's my lunch box?"
In an attempt to legitimize, so to speak, this idea, consumers are asked to sign a petition advocating smunday. If more than 100,000 signatures are collected, then the petition will be presented to whoever it is that decides these weighty matters (Supreme Court? Congress?)
Probable cost: a new Kraft Heinz Website detailing the idea and asking for a signature. BTW signing an online petition is useless because in real life you have to sign (handwrite) and then print your name for it to be legal. Not do-able in cyberspace. Online petitions are used mostly for a how's the wind blowing? check.
Thursday, January 26, 2017
Save Your Sanity - Don't Watch the Oscars
The 2017 mess has been labeled the 89th Oscars! WOW! with much fanfare. It has long been my habit to remind Himself that I will be watching it, drinking and commentating with some gusto. This is the one night of the year that I consider "must see" TV. No, not since the first broadcasts, silly - they didn't have TV then! Or me.
My girlfriends back in the day would all gather at one or another's apartment and have a rip-roaring good time speculating on who was drunk (us after the first hour) who was high on something not prescribed by their doctor, social gaffes and outrageously bad taste outfits. Believe me, we all looked forward to this night despite never remembering anything about it the next morning.
Comes now the 89th. And with it comes great division between our two great political parties. Several "Hollywood stars" have taken it upon themselves to lecture the rest of us re voting choices not favorable to their party.
The last thing I need is for some know-nothing to lecture me on what I should do or think or both. I don't take direction as they certainly seem to do.. Movie stars are graced with one talent - acting - and are largely unaware of anything outside their world. This is fine. Just don't have the audacity to stand up and deliver an opinion. Yes, we are all entitled to them, but I wouldn't expect a brain surgeon to give me his thoughts on roller skating, if you will.
I would say stick to what you do best (and that applies to every single one of us) and leave the politics out of it. Boooring.
My girlfriends back in the day would all gather at one or another's apartment and have a rip-roaring good time speculating on who was drunk (us after the first hour) who was high on something not prescribed by their doctor, social gaffes and outrageously bad taste outfits. Believe me, we all looked forward to this night despite never remembering anything about it the next morning.
Comes now the 89th. And with it comes great division between our two great political parties. Several "Hollywood stars" have taken it upon themselves to lecture the rest of us re voting choices not favorable to their party.
The last thing I need is for some know-nothing to lecture me on what I should do or think or both. I don't take direction as they certainly seem to do.. Movie stars are graced with one talent - acting - and are largely unaware of anything outside their world. This is fine. Just don't have the audacity to stand up and deliver an opinion. Yes, we are all entitled to them, but I wouldn't expect a brain surgeon to give me his thoughts on roller skating, if you will.
I would say stick to what you do best (and that applies to every single one of us) and leave the politics out of it. Boooring.
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Latin Errors
A dear friend now residing in New Zealand closed off an e to us with the phrase "Ka Kite Ano" remarking that's a common phrase there.
Because it had "ano" in it and I had two years of high school Latin, I deduced that she was writing "Happy New Year." As both NZ and Australia are commonly referred to as "Down Under" I just assumed they were on a different timetable and that Jan. 23rd was as nothing to them for best wishes.
But to make sure I was right, I Googled the phrase and ... drum roll ... it means "See you later" in Maori.
Now teased by why ano there isn't year here, I turned to faithful Google.
Back-up for my assumption:
Spanish: Feliz Ano Nuevo
French: Bonne Annee
Okay, dissecting further. Maybe "ano" for later is a reference to "year" and if you didn't plan to see whomever you were addressing for a year or more, it was appropriate to use "year" for "later."
Still puzzled, but damned glad anyhow for two years of Latin. Erred though I did. Off to restore my amour-propre (self respect) with a few pages of Winnie Ille Pu (Winnie the Pooh, Latin edition.)
Because it had "ano" in it and I had two years of high school Latin, I deduced that she was writing "Happy New Year." As both NZ and Australia are commonly referred to as "Down Under" I just assumed they were on a different timetable and that Jan. 23rd was as nothing to them for best wishes.
But to make sure I was right, I Googled the phrase and ... drum roll ... it means "See you later" in Maori.
Now teased by why ano there isn't year here, I turned to faithful Google.
Back-up for my assumption:
Spanish: Feliz Ano Nuevo
French: Bonne Annee
Okay, dissecting further. Maybe "ano" for later is a reference to "year" and if you didn't plan to see whomever you were addressing for a year or more, it was appropriate to use "year" for "later."
Still puzzled, but damned glad anyhow for two years of Latin. Erred though I did. Off to restore my amour-propre (self respect) with a few pages of Winnie Ille Pu (Winnie the Pooh, Latin edition.)
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