( Disclaimer: Tonite's Title Contains A Slang Cuss Word-Viewer has been warned ).... "Shut the Fuck Up!"

Here's hoping everyone is waiting with baited breath for the next installment of G.P., er, here's hoping everyone had a Merry Christmas. I noticed the venerable Chick-Fil-A wasn't afraid to advertise the greeting on their outdoor message boards. Good for them! I wonder how many people were offended. Who cares! I don't.

I have a hard enough time listening to drivel from my co-horts at work and at play. Sometimes you want to tell people to "shut the fuck up, will ya?" How's that for Christmas candor?

I know of one person who talks incessantly, only ceasing to inhale breaths of air.

On a dissimilar vein I have been listening to an "oldies" station based in Griffin, Ga. 88.9 FM. Songs from the 60's and 70's. Some I haven't heard in many moons. Presented tonight for your listening pleasure is this one. Dig the 60'sish sound of the organ.

Farewell and adieu, v.c.

P.S. I love you! People!

"Christmas-Only One More Shopping Day, eh?"

The next-to-the-last Christmas song of the season features the delightful Olivia Newton-John.



Speaking of the aforementioned:

"Christmas Song" or "3 Days Left"

I liked this song as a kid. Seems this trio is making a comeback. ALVIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More Cowbell

"

I haven't heard this song in a minute. But it embodies the 60's and is a forgotten tune from the era. The band was originally called Chicago Transit Authority but Mayor Daly and his staff deemed the name to be ill-fitting and, thus, they were required to change the name. They dropped Transit Authority and settled on "Chicago."

And the Christmas song:

"Those SOB's Will Never Embarrass Me Again"

While putting together the montage from Texas circa 1963 I ran across this.

The night before the Kennedy assassination, Lyndon Baines Johnson met with Dallas tycoons, FBI moguls and organized crime kingpins - emerging from the conference to tell his mistress Madeleine Duncan Brown that "those SOB's" would never embarrass him again. It's a jaw-dropping deposition and it's the biggest JFK smoking gun there is - despite the fact that it has received little media attention.

Before her death on June 22 2002, prolific author and lecturer Robert Gaylon Ross had the opportunity to conduct an 80 minute sit-down interview with Madeleine Duncan Brown and from that lengthy discussion the truth about exactly who was behind the assassination of JFK was exposed....

"It was a political crime for political power," said Brown as she highlighted how people who were set to testify against Johnson for indictment proceedings, related to illegal kickbacks Johnson was receiving from agriculture programs before the assassination, were mysteriously set-up in homosexual scandals or found dead having allegedly shot themselves five times in the head.

"Had the assassination not happened the day that it did, Lyndon Johnson would have probably gone to prison - they would have gotten rid of him - he was so involved with some of this," said Brown.

Having had her own (and LBJ's illegitimate) son and nanny disappeared by Johnson's hitmen after the assassination, and upon hearing of the strange deaths of many other people connected to the events in Dealy Plaza, Brown felt that she was safer out in the light and decided to let the world hear her story....

Part of the interview with Ms. Duncan is on the link.

As chronicled before by yours truly, I saw LBJ a few months later. He was riding in a bullet-proof limo down Peachtree Street. He had the door open and was waving to the crowd. I vividly recall the moment. A part of history. The closest I ever came to the President of the U.S. Ten feet away at the max.

Was he involved in the death of JFK? Or is this just another conspiracy theory?

It's almost Christmas. This song from the crooner
extraordinaire.

"Don't Tase Me, Bro' one of the 'Top Ten Quotes of 2007'"

"Don't Tase Me, Bro," a phrase that swept the nation after a U.S. college student used it seeking to stop campus police from throwing him out of a speech by Sen. John Kerry, was named on Wednesday as the most memorable quote of 2007.

Fred R. Shapiro, the editor of the Yale Book of Quotations, said the plea made by University of Florida student Andrew Meyer on September 17, accompanied by Meyer's screams as he was tased, beat out the racial slur that cost shock jock Don Imus his job and the Iranian president's declaration that his country does not have homosexuals.

#2 was from Miss Teen South Carolina such as....

Third was Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's October comment at Columbia University in New York, "In Iran we don't have homosexuals like in your country."

Shock jock Don Imus comments about the Rutgers University women's basketball team: "That's some nappy-headed hos there," was fourth.

8. "(I have) a wide stance when going to the bathroom." -- Idaho Republican Sen. Larry Craig's explanation of why his foot touched that of an undercover policeman in a men's room.

The rest of the list is here:

P.S. To think John Kerry could have been the President is skerry. He stood by and did nothing while the student was being tasered. And why was the young kid being escorted out for asking questions? Free speech, eh? Yeah, right.

P.S.S. This is a funny video someone did on youtube. Hammertime? Hammer was so-nicknamed because of a resemblance to....Hammerin' Hank Aaron....one of the players coined the name when Hammer was a batboy for the Oakland A's.

P.S.S. Almost forgot the Christmas tune.

"Christmas Time"

It's almost Christmas. So Golden Pond would like to do its part in supplying the spirit. Each day until the merry holiday on the 25th, the proprietor of these parts will include a Christmas song.

Tonite's first one will be a tune from back in the day. Must have been early sixties because the Catfish family had this one and it spun around the turntable at 45 rpm's. I do remember the 78 rpms. Brittle as grandma's peanut concoctions. Once as a young whiskersnapper, I accidentally stepped on "Robin Hood" riding through the glen by Nelson Riddle and his band. When listening after that, there was a distinct click every revolution. Pissed me off it did.

Speaking of tonite's singer, his movie "Roustabout" and one of my favorites is on the telly. So it's time to wrap ( pun ) this up.

And whatever happened to the "Jordanaires. Or is it Jordannaires?

P.S. Dear Bobby Petrino. Good luck at Arkansas. Offensive genius? Huh?

P.S.S. Rock, what happened to the Cowboys? The media was blaming Jessica Simpson for Romo's culpability in the loss? What's the scoop? Were you happy to see "The Tuna" leave Dallas? And do you every visit the grassy knoll? Or the depository? Conspiracy? And what about the Warren Report, eh?

"Burger Queen?"

Interesting advertising ploy. Freak out? Le Chic?



P.S. These customers are pathetic. Give me back my Whopper! More evidence the world has gone mad.

"Flaming Pie"

The title Flaming Pie (also given to one of the album's songs) is a reference to a humourous story John Lennon told journalists in 1961 on the origin of The Beatles' name when they became newly famous: "I had a vision that a man came unto us on a flaming pie, and he said, 'You are Beatles with an A.' And so we were." The album itself has a definitively Beatles flare to it; "The Song We Were Singing" was written about the Lennon/McCartney writing team

 

"Don't Quit....Unless You're Bobby Petrino"

I've had some real asswholes as bosses. Briggs at Piccadilly comes to mind, and he definitely reminds me of Bobby Petrino, ex-Falcons coach who snuck away to Arkansas and then joined in on a "Wooo Sooie Pig" chant to engage the faithful.
How did the Falcons players feel about their ex fearless leader:

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Falcons players returned to practice Wednesday, the day after Bobby Petrino announced his resignation as head coach. Below is a sampling of the reaction to Petrino's sudden departure from the players he coached for 13 games this season.


CB DEANGELO HALL

"He was new to this [head coaching in the NFL], and I think he was just built to be a college coach."

"The key to success on this level is that guys want to have to play for you... He's coming in thinking that he needed to put the fear of God into someone, but that's not the case at this level. Maybe in college, but not at this level."


QB JOEY HARRINGTON

"We stood up there and took the arrows for him. He preached team, and he preached family; and then he quit on us. That's not what a man does."

"He lied to us. After the Monday night game [against the Saints], he said we all need to go home and take a look in the mirror, and see what we can do to make this team better. And then he left."


S LAWYER MILLOY

"It's kind of messed up. If he doesn't want to put the hard work into it, then I don't want him being my coach."

"To see him with the big Razorback behind him, smiling; to see his wife accepting flowers, like it was the Kentucky Derby, I got mad."

"He allowed us to be embarrassed on national television, while he's cutting a deal [with Arkansas]... We didn't realize we had a cancer on our team in the form of a head coach."


CB CHRIS HOUSTON

"While he was here, I didn't know too much about Petrino. He wasn't a player's type coach. [Former Arkansas Head Coach] Nutt was the type of coach you can call on a day-to-day basis. You look to him as a father-figure. I didn't feel that way with Coach Petrino."


WR JOE HORN

"I hurt for our owner, who definitely expressed how hurt he was."

"When you stress to other men how you should act and what a man should do, when you put it up on the bulletin boards and hang it up on the wall, and then you don't live by it, it makes it look bad for you."


RB WARRICK DUNN

"I got a letter from him. To me, that shows no sign of respect. That's no class...to lie to Mr. Blank the way he did, and the next day after the game the way he did. He short-changed us.

"I feel for our fans, because those are the people who suffer."

"I don't have anything to say to him [Petrino]. What do I need to say to him? Coach Petrino is the past, and Coach Thomas is the present."


WR RODDY WHITE

"I've never seen anything so selfish like that ever in my life.

"When I got [Petrino's] letter this morning, I just threw it off my seat onto the ground and walked away. I wasn't going to read about what he says and how selfish he is."

"If you're going to preach being a team player, you have to BE a team player."

"For him just to quit on us like this - after him preaching 'don't ever quit' to us - it just doesn't make sense to me."

P.S. I never liked the asswhole. Reminded me too much of Briggs.

 

"Bobby Petrino Leaves Falcons"

It's been a bad year for the Falcons; and now it gets worse-the coach bolts and accepts the head coaching job at Arkansas. And after Arthur Blank told the Monday Night Football viewing audience that next year would be different. He had a committed coach and "moving forward" and yadi yadi yadi. Seems Arthur has been stood up at the prom again.


Personally, I think that Bobby Petrino found out that Atlanta is a different bird. [ pun unintended ] We, who toiled for years in this market, know it ain't nothing like Louisville....or Arkansas. Here are some comments from the comcast message bored:

That is a straight B!tch move. 3 more game in the season and you up and quit. ZERO class. he could have still taken the ARK job and finished off the season. He is a spinless B!tch.

This really should not come as a surprise to anyone. Bobby Petrino is a weasel that does not have any loyalty to anyone but himself. He meets with Auburn boosters when they are not happy with Tommy Tuberville. He leaves a Louisville team that he had built to go to the Falcons when Louisville looks like they were national championship contenders. He betrayed all of the Louisville players he had made promises to.

He tells the Falcons owner Arthur Blank that he is in it for the long haul but quits even though he has given his word that he will be back in 2008. I say good riddance and if I was an Arkansas fan, I would not make any long term plans with him as he will be gone when the next job come open.

YES I can blame him. He went on week after week trying to get the most out of his players. Trying to get them to buy into his system and give 100% effort. Then he leaves in the middle of the season!!! This guy is a classless jerk bullsh!tter, who quit on his team, and quit on the owner, who gave him one of the most coveted jobs in all of sports.

He deserves every bit of bad pub he gets on this one.

Petrino = Loser!!!!!


Bobby Petrino is a scumbag and I am glad he will not be smelling up the city of Atlanta.

P.S. The Rankin Smith family owned the club for many moons. Since the team's inception and until it was sold to Mr. Blank in 2003. Through those futile years of ineptitude personified, the Smiths were affectionately known as "The Clampetts." Conjures up images of: Yee doggies, double-naught spies and the cement pond. Wonder what delicacy Granny's a'conjuring up today? Eh?

"What Is Barack Obamas Religion?"

My friend and ex-co-worker at a well known cafeteria chain-in the southeast, anyway-has an interesting article on Barack Obama on his web site, Hootsbuddy's Place.

I had the pleasure of talking with him today while he was at work. I thank him now for taking time from his busy day to "conversate" with me.

P.S. Michael Vick got his sentence today, a 23 months stay in prison. Terence Moore, a controversial sports writer for the Atlanta Journal Constitution, just made this comment on ESPN:

Question: Will Michael Vick ever play for the Atlanta Falcons again?

His answer: "The chance of Michael Vick returning to the Falcons is as likely as Atlanta changing the name of Peachtree Street."

Selah

"The Day The Music Died"

 

"In My Life" and "In His Own Write"

Once again I forgot the importance of a date. December 8th, 1980. It's the day the music died....for me.

"She Came In Through The Bathroom Window"

This song from Abbey Road reminds me of trudging to Smelling Hall [ an eatery on campus ( Truck U. ) ] and devouring all the goodies at my disposal. It was my first time away from home, so I was free from the authoritarian rule of my mother.

I could eat anything I wanted. Even got to put my choice of salad dressing on my salad. Mom liked french; I hated it. And to this day-no french for me.

Give me roquefort, er, bleu cheese or ranch. Sometimes thousand islands but never french. Arghhhhhhhh!

Life is a banquet, eh? v.c.

P.S. The Dawgs got screwed in the BCS. Hawaii? Truck U.

"Git R Done!"

My e mail is on the fritz. Can't access it. Seems I received too many. Comcast had alerted me that I was living on the edge and to delete them. I ixsnade some of them but not enough. Evidently.

I was getting like 30-40 a day. Mostly spam ones. Need $1500.00? [ who doesn't ] And buy prescription drugs online. Etc.

Jeff Foxworthy was on Danny Deutsch's show tonight. How he quit his job at IBM and decided to become a comedian fulltime. While following-up on this intriguing story, I ran across this bit from Larry, the Cable Guy. Pretty funny.

"Song"

"Liner Notes"

First published on Golden Pond November 28, 2004.

Remember the liner notes on l.p.'s. A little bonus for buying the record. My company's recipes have liner notes at the bottom which help sort out the complexities and nuances. A helping hand, if you will. Some of my favorite notes are republished here from July 2003. Submitted for your approval and perusal. Entitled re: Recipes/Hooterville. And here it is:

As for recipes, my favorite notes:

1) Au Jus: Should be the same color as coffee. ( Is this before or after a treatment of urn cleaner? )

2) Soft Rolls: If one falls on the floor, discreetly retrieve. Look for grit, hair, or any other foreign matter. [ includes critters ] Brush off against clothing or blow hard to remove. May be used for bread pudding if the above fails to remedy.

3) Roast Beef: Cook to an internal temperature of 130 degrees. Blood should ooze when slicing on the serving line.

4) Yellow Cake: Do not insert a toothpick in the middle of the cake to see if it's done. Only at home does this method work. And you are not at home. So whatever you do, don't use a toothpick. They are reserved for our paymasters leaving the establishment. ( a toothpick is a good sign. It means the paymaster enjoyed the food. )

5) Raspberry Argentine: When running this delectable gelatin with the fancy name, be prepared for guests, er, paymasters using your bathroom facilities a bit more during the course of the meal. Contains prunes, the organic laxative. Pink Floyd's 'just another brick in the stalls" would constitute a synchronistic occurrence. )

6) Fried Green Tomatoes: Should be 1/4 ripe. ( Who can determine 1/4 ripeness with a green tomato? )

7) Stewed Tomatoes: Buy day old bread from the Piggly Wiggly. Best value. Serve stewed tomatoes when your cook is feeling lethargic and not on top of his game. And you've run out of creative solutions to empty pans. WARNING: May become habit-forming.

8) Chop Beef Sardinia: Invented by Sandy Fajitas ( a legendary character ) back in the day. Mr. Food Cost. Also peruse the fresh kale recipe and leftover garnishes. Cooked and served after garnish pre-requisites have been met. Waste not; want not.

9) Milk: some guests, er....may be lactose intolerant. ( made that up: no one was lactose intolerant, back in the day ) And no one had acid reflux as well.

10) Diamonds and rust: You know what memories can bring; they bring diamonds and rust. Apologies to Joan Baez. Submitted for the bored's perusal. Back on the night train. Ready to crash and burn-I never learn.

Farewell and adieu, v.c.

P.S. The postscripts from the above post have been removed by request of me, the author.

"Slap Shot"

 

There's never been a film like "Slapshot!"

"Slapshot" Tastefully Vulgar?

Some consider this movie to be the best sports movie ever. Move over "Brian's Song;" "The Longest Yard;" and Ronald Reagan as the "Gipper."

According to the clip "Slapshot" was made for $6 million in 1977 and barely broke even. I saw it back then and laughed me arse off.

It does have salty language. But the Hanson Brothers and Strother Martin as the stingy G.M. along with Paul Newman make for a special treat.

The movie focuses on a fictitious "Federal League" team called the Charlestown Chiefs. The team, a perennial loser and in financial trouble due to mill closings in the town, is due to be folded at season's end.

Through the course of regular business, the team picks up the Hanson Brothers, violent goons with child-like mentalities. Reggie Dunlop, the veteran player-coach (played by Newman), perceiving them to be eccentric and unreliable, initially chooses not to play them. Finally, in a moment of desperation and passiveness, he brings the trio of thugs into the game to see what they can do. Their big open-ice hits and overly aggressive - bordering on homicidal - style of play is greatly praised by the fans in desperate need of something for which to cheer.

"Child of the 60's"

It's good to see the Hootster back at work. I know the old boy was in deep withdrawal not being able to write his infanous "H.P." He is a child of the 60's you know. He is also a bit "longer in the tooth" than me as the old saying goes.

I remember the 60's. I remember being in the dorm lobby at Pain, er, Payne Hall while at Truck U. and seeing a California transplant rummaging in the ashtray urn looking for smokable butts. Pimply and red-headed he was a free spirit and a child of the decade.

I remember a compadre I met there whose name was John Davis, but who we called "Skuzzy." I remember his wiping his butt on the washing machine at Payne and encouraging any of us to smell his production. Thanks, but no thanks.

I remember David from Sparta who was a match for me in baseball trivia.

I remember our dorm resident assistant shaking his head as Trent went sliding by his room after we had had a water fight.

I remember Steve Woodford who was seriously contemplating burning down the military building [ ROTC ] on campus.

I remember "Bear" who was a big joker with a beard. We were all envious because we couldn't grow one. He liked playing volleyball allah yours truly.

I remember my second roommate Rick, who turned me onto hashish, and whose old lady whose name was Margaret.

There were a lot of interesting people in the dorms. And there was music. At one time I hated "Take Another Little Piece of my Heart" by Janis Joplin, because some guy left the single on the turntable and it played at least one hundred times.

I remember going to see "Steppenwolf," "Chicago," and others while matriculating at Truck U.

I was sort of a child of the 60's. And as John Lennon once remarked after recording "Double Fantasy:" "the seventies were a drag."

Child of the 60's, v.c.

P.S. Tonite's tune is by a band who has never been on Golden Pond. They are still revered today.

P.S.S. Welcome baker Kotter, er, Hootster.

P.S.S.S. Later, The Doors appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, a popular Sunday night variety series that had introduced The Beatles and a young, wriggling Elvis Presley to the nation. Ed Sullivan requested two songs from The Doors for the show, People are Strange, and Light My Fire. The censors insisted that they change the lyrics of "Light My Fire" from "Girl we couldn't get much higher" to "Girl we couldn't get much better." This was reportedly due to what could be perceived as a reference to drugs in the original lyric. During the rehearsal, Jim changed the lyrics to be in compliance with host Ed Sullivan. Morrison then proceeded to sing the song with the original lyrics on live TV. He later said that he had simply forgotten to make the change, which Manzarek corroborates to the present day. This infuriated Sullivan so much that he refused to shake their hands after their performance. They were never invited back.[7]The producer of the show reportedly screamed at the monitors as Morrison sung the lyric, that The Doors would never do the Ed Sullivan show ever again. Jim came back to that comment by stating "Hey, we just did the Ed Sullivan show."

"Remembering"

Dear Rock, I forgot to mention that I, T.H.E. Cat, recalled the show which starred Robert Loggia. I didn't watch the show, however. Must have been scheduled against "Leave It To Beaver'; "Get Smart;" or "Man From Uncle." Or maybe it was up against "The Girl From Uncle;" "Candid Camera;" or "Saturday Night at the Movies."

Or maybe it was matched against "The Lawrence Welk Show with the Lennon Sisters;" "Laugh-In;" or "Bonanza."

My cousin, David, dug it. He and his friends dressed in black to hide in the shadows and to mimic their idol.

I must admit not knowing what T.H.E. stood for. My guess would have been Teddy Harry
Euranus.

On a dissimilar note, what's up with the NFL? One of the biggest games of the year [ Cowboys and Packers ] and it ain't on national television. I don't have the NFL channel on my cable system. The bright side is not listening to the droning-on of one, Bryant Gumbel.

Gotta go with the Packers in this one. Even tho' they're 7 point underdogs. I haven't liked the Cowboys since the overthrow of the Landry regime. Even tho' it has been chronicled as to how the former ownership was tight with the money.

Take care and "Go Pack!" v.c.

P.S. I do have HBO and there's a good special on the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry. From Woody Hayes to Bo Schembeckler. One of the jokes from a Michigan alumni:

"How do you get an Ohio State graduate off your front porch?"

Answer: "Pay him for the pizza!"

"In the Belly of the Beast"

Otis Nixon was a fan favorite here in Atlanta during the 90's when he roamed centerfield [ apologies to John Fogerty once of CCR. ] He had some personal demons allah T.H.E. cat.

He once made "the catch" as it's referred to. One of the best this humble reporter has ever witnessed.

Here's the article dealing with his addictions and his new-found career as a preacher.




P.S. Rock, One of your boys got canned today at Ga. Tech. Chan Gailey. Seems he couldn't beat....the Dawgs. 0-7. And the fans quit coming, and they were a'grumbling. Don't feel sorry for him. Ga. Tech has to pay him the balance of his contract. $4 million over the next 4 years. And you don't want to see the Favre show? Schedule a counseling session for yourself....pronto.

Do you recall he was signed by the Falcons and traded to Green Bay after his rookie season? Now how smart was that?????????????????????

"Dear Rock,"

So you and the family were at the game on Thanksgiving. Romomania, eh?

The Steelers and Dolphins are mired in a 0-0 slugfest early 3rd quarter tonight with Jaws, Mike Turico, and the nerdy newspaper reporter on MNF. And whatever happened to Howard Cosell and Dandy Don. Frank Gifford-does anyone remember that O.J. once manned the telecasts?

I really liked Dandy Don, an SMU graduate. He was always in Tom Landry's doghouse [ see above photo of the team ranked number 5 in the BCS sweepstakes. Go Dawgs ]

I'm glad that Al and the old football coach, Dandy John Madden, don't do MNF anymore. But I was surprised ESPN canned Joe Theissman.

The Falcons hung in there against the Colts but to no avail. A personal foul call when we ran into the Indy punter sealed our fate. And the new coach, Bobby Petrino, is lost in a time warp.

WHo's gonna win this week. Cowboys or Packers? Are you going to the game?

Sincerely, Dear Cat

"Speeder Gets Tasered"

Here's the actual video of a speeder [ ahem, alleged ] getting tasered as he walks back to his car. His wife, who is 6 months pregnant, is riding, er, shotgun.

When pulling up the youtube video, there is another one of a man who dies at the Vancouver Airport. How? Tasered to death. Plus it didn't help that one of the security persons had his knee on the man's throat.

"Yesterday"

I was looking at some of my Yahoo legacy and ran across this one. Even tho' I wrote it, I was envious of the writing style and creativity. I don't think I could write one like this again. It starts off with the old grease board we utilized for specials; and then it concentrates on unmasking the identity of one fellow poster, the enigmatic pictruandtru. Anyhoo, as Red used to say, here's a blast from the [ not-so-distant ] past:


Back in the day of grease boards and daily specials H.W. [ Acronym for Hell-Whole, my emploment venue ] would feature on Wednesdays, the "Mexican Special. Most of the time the enchiladas, cheese and beef, would sit patiently in its niche, awaiting a sale. And awaiting they did. Cos we didn't sell many. Plus, they would normally appear from the kitchen stuck together. It was easier to play a game of tiddlywinks than to pry an enchilada from the pile.

Tostados? Jay Leno would be proud. Our picante was the mysterious pico de gallo, which is mexican for "red rooster." Today the Pic contingent might want to put melted cheese on its tostados perhaps causing the merchandaise to fly off the "line."

I digress. My main focus for writing: Another "Who is Pictruandtru?

a) Lt. Ray Calletano

b) Che Guevara

c) General Antonio López de Santa Claus, er, Anna

d) Pepino- Mexican farmhand on the "Real McCoys"

e) Karl Rove

f) Bernie Ebbers

g) Is introducing a new pico de gallo to "Pace." Patent pending. Copyright infringements and contracts still in discussion with the think-tank of lawyers. To be marketed as "Red Rooster" Picante Sauce

h) Freddie Prinze's brother, Rafael Prinze

i) Pedro Foxworthy

j) A frequent guest at LUB, who notices line speed, smiling faces, the absense of a tea cart ( lady ), and the aromas of chicken fried steak and burritos served on LuAnn plates.

k) Hootsbuddie in disguise. Have you ever noticed hoots and pictru are the only members of our fraternal order who just happen to post with the LUB bored. Coincidence? I think not!

l) Hal Wallis the producer of most of the King's movies. [ not Slim Whitman of yodeling fame ] "Fun in Acapulco" is one. [ see hurling on the boats as the cascading waves provoke mucho seasickness, circa 1991 was it?

m) Owner of Chihuahua's Inc. and has sold many to the Bennett clan

n) Former district manager for Taco Bell.

o) Teleplay writer who came up with the line "Eez not my job!" for the old sitcom, "Chico and Da Man."

p) Invented Chop Beef Sombrero for PIC when it needed a new dish to compete with the avalanche of Mexican restaurants that were popping up like Eggos. [ "let go of my eggo" may have been his handiwork as well ]

q) Assistant director to John Wayne on the set of the "Alamo." May have coined the word "pilgrim" for the duke. An urban legend that has heen bandied about. No confirmation as of this writing.

r) A descendant of Ponce de Leon, Christopher Columbus, Magellan, and Vasco de Gama.

s) A U.S. Customs Team Member who patrols the Mexican/U.S. borders. Known to the illegal aliens ( apologies in advance for using the offensive term, here ) as "Slip me Fitty Pictru" and you may proceed unabated.

t) Loves his coronas with lime and eats the worm in the tequila bottle. Can you say Jose Cuervo?

u) As a manager at PIC, he would sing "La Cucaracha" to Eco-Lab when reporting pest sightings at his unit. Addendum: They didn't think it was funny. Source: Karl Rove! Or was it "Deep Throat?" Apologies to Linda Lovelace.

v) Was instrumental in procuring chili pods ( see "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" ) for the texas chili. Even wrote a detailed instruction booklet on how to soak the suckers. Sans seeds.

w) Robert Listen's right hand man back in the day who authorized the use of frozen carrot chips for the popular carrot souffle.

x) Malcolm X disciple

y) Y because we like you. Apologies to the Mickey Mouse club.

z) Z for xenophobia. Look that one up in your Funk and Waggnolls.

aa) A fellow drunk and alum who graduated from that higher institute of learning known as Truck U.

bb) Bats

and farewell and adieu, v.c.

"Thankful"

I am thankful for:

1) My old Buick Park Avenue which has 152,000 miles and is showing signs of wear and tear.

2) I am thankful for Golden Pond, my escape from the real world.

3) I am thankful for TCM, which shows classic films from yesterday. With no commercials.

4) I am thankful for the Hootster, who introduced me to blogspot.

5) I am thankful for my friend in southern Florida who goes by the moniker of ibbq4you2.

6) I am thankful for Rockhead and pictruandtru, two members from the Yahoo bored.

7) I am thankful for NFL football and Major League baseball.

8) I am thankful for the memories afforded to me by the Boston Celtics of the 80's. With Larry Bird, the Chief, D.J., Kevin McHale et al.

9) I am thankful for Bobby Cox and the Atlanta Braves who went from wrst to first in '91 and have been winning titles ever since. The last 2 years-well, nobody's perfect.

10) I am thankful for my computer, because I can google to find articles of interest; view youtube classics; and write a column with an alias known as v.c.

11) I am thankful for Steverino and Slippery and to anyone who sends me an email.

12) I am thankful for my 2 kids and Kitty. And everyone in the family, including my liberal sister, Olga.

13) And lastly, I am thankful I can write this "Thanksgiving" message.

"Bored, Tubby, and Mild"

"I like smoking lightning; heavy metal thunder."

The above quotation is from Steppenwolf, and the line which coined a music genre: Heavy Metal. See Led Zep for more details.

My buddy, Steverino, sent me this funny link about baby boomers. I laughed, cos ain't it the truth? You won't know until you peruse the link.

P.S. I smoked a lot of pot; popped a lot of pills....

"Perhaps This Movie Played At The Starlight: Back in the Day"

Cinemacom DVD Home Page
1950's Sci-Fi Fun

The Leech Woman DVD-R
with Coleen Gray - Grant Williams - Gloria Talbott
An unusual variant on the 'fountain of youth' formula, with the magic incredient being a fluid that is only obtained by killing a guy. The captures below show Coleen Gray's before and after, and what happens when she doesn't get the juice.

"Perfection In Every Detail"

Trans is an album by Neil Young, released in 1982. Recorded partially and released during his notorious Geffen era in the 1980s, Trans baffled many Neil Young fans. Some suggested that the album could be a satirical message that Young was trying to send about the direction music was headed in the future. A Vocoder features prominently in five of the nine tracks. While the album was poorly received, some critics point out that the melodies are strong and that the album involves Young addressing new musical movements, as he did previously on Rust Never Sleeps and later with the grunge movement.

The story behind its creation is very interesting. Neil Young found that when using a vocoder when communicating to his son (who was born with cerebral palsy), he was able to elicit a better response. The emotional power of this experiment shows in the lyrics, particularly in the track "Transformer Man" with the lines "So many things still yet to do / But we haven't made it yet."

Perfection In Every Detail: "Sample and Hold!"

Enclosed is the link. I don't want 'em to delete it like last time, when I encoded it as a youtube presentation.

"Take A Leak Outside"

The drought has a foot-hold on our little city; and my buddy in Florida says his town is experiencing the same.

My advice is for men-women, too if they're game-to take it outdoors-not to the house-and take a leak outside.

Water conservation techniques never include this simple remedy. We should be able to save billions of flushes per week. Get on the bandwagon; write your congressman or woman.

P.S. Tonite's song is a favorite of my sister, who hails from the blustery city of San Fran.

One hit wonders, btw.

"It May Look Like Him But It's Not"

Some of you tuning in will undoubtedly mistake the picture above as the Hootster. I repeat. It is not the Hootster, world-renowned author of Hootsbuddy's Place.

It's a photo of Uga, world renowned mascot of the Georgia Bulldogs. [ my alma mater aka Truck U. ]

The "Dawgs" [ not "Dawg" Chapman-he of no black lineage ] are facing the dreaded Kentucky Wildcats this Saturday, who are led by Andre Woodson-he of Heisman consideration-and Rich Brooks, the coach.

Should be a jim-dandy and one I'll Shirley miss because I'll be a'working.

Tonite's foray is a quickie. I'm tired and have a wake-up call at 3 a.m. So fluff piece it is.

Life is but a cabaret, ol' chum, v.c.

P.S. Due to the fluff piece, no postscripts.

"Veterans Day"

They coined a phrase about me: "a day late and a dollar short." I didn't even know it was Veteran's Day today, until I heard it on the radio.

I was classified 1-A back in 1974 and had even gone to take my physical. There were rumors circulating that the draft would soon go the way of 8 track tape players. The rumors turned out to be true, so I was never called to serve in the military.

Instead, I began my illustrious career with Piccadilly Cafeteria. As a Manager Trainee while pulling down a whopping $4.00 an hour. I soon became the Associate Manager and was deemed worthy of a $.50 an hour raise. At $4.50 an hour I thought I was in the dough-in more ways than one. [ see Piccadilly Cafeteria made from scratch ]

I found out later the other Associate Managers were grossing $5.25 an hour. But I was young and had my sights set on the Manager's job. Not sure what the g.m. was making back then. Probably $9-10 an hour. And he also qualified for an MBO bonus. [ management by objective ]

I worked hard. We were only supposed to work a 40 hr. week, but because I was the Associate, I worked about 45 hrs. I topped out around $5.50 an hour. Or maybe I made $7.50. Hell, I can't remember-oldtimers you know.

I became the g.m. in '79. And made about 20 grand a year. We soon went to a system where the company gave you 8% of the controllable profit. And not soon afterwards, they moved it up a half per cent to 8.5.

We were a well-paid bunch back in those days-way above the average. I remember making more than the minimum salary of a 1st year Major League ball player. Those days are gone as they now make over $400,000 a year.

But, yes, it was '74. The draft disappeared, and I began-in earnest-a career in the wonderful world of food bizdom.

A day late and a $ short, v.c.

P.S. Oh, I'm on my way-I know I am. Somewhere not so far from here....

"Dawg"

 

"Post #1699" and "Back on the Bandwagon"

Sorry, but I had never heard of "Dawg" Chapman until the media frenzy of this week. Another celebrity bites the dust by exposing himself as one who uses racial epithets. "Dawg," say hello to Kramer, Jimmy the Greek, Al Campanis, and all of the others who went before.

"Dawg" really screwed up and his attempts at swaying the population via Larry King and Hannity and Colmes fell on deaf ears. I feel for him, because he just committed career suicide. And I know all about that.

Anyway, the jist of tonite's foray is not about any other dawgs, but the birds of prey known as The Atlanta Falcons. They went to Charlotte, N.C. today and dismantled the Panthers. 20-13. And add in New Orleans loss and the Falcons are only "one" game behind in the NFC South standings. This is the time where "Who'd a thunk it" is quite appropriate.

The Falcons began the season in turmoil. Everyone knows the Mike Vick story. And then we've got a new head coach from the college ranks-Bobby Petrino. And everyone knows that hot-shot college coaches can't make the transition to the pros. See Seve "the old ball coach" Spurrier for more details. And we signed a young kid to kick field goals and cut Morten Anderson, the greatest field goal kicker of all time.

The kid had more tattoos than field goals in his brief appearance here. He was fired and Morten Anderson was signed....again. And then the veterans started complaining. Most notably Deangelo Hall and Algie Crumpler. [ an Algie Crumpler-btw-is not a mussel that receives Atlanta's drinking water in nearby Florida, but our all-pro tight end. ]

But, lo and behold, the Falcons won today. And are only a game behind in the standings. I have officially jumped on the bandwagon. And if we keep winning, perhaps we can start filling the Dome again.

So best of luck, Dawg-you'll need it. And to my team, the Atlanta Falcons, Super Bowl, here we come.

I was not pressured nor coerced in any way to write this foray from Arthur Blank. See Home Depot for more details, v.c.

P.S. "bites the dust" is attributed to "Queen." I also see a little silhouetto of a man, Scaramouche,scaramouche will you do the fandango-
Thunderbolt and lightning-very very frightening me-
Galileo,galileo....

P.S.S. I offered an invitation to two readers and as of yet have not heard from them? You know who you are.

"Slow On the Pond" & "More Cowbell"

Not much going on, except the "Dawgs" [ my alma mater ] whupped-up on the defenseless Auburn Tigers today in Sanford Stadium. Aka, "between the hedges." And Ohio State lost; and so did Boston College, so "the Dawgs" will move up a notch in the BCS sweepstakes.

On a dissimilar vein, another "Dawg" has had his share of problems this week. This "Dawg" attempted damage control when he found out he wasn't black-after all. He may be black now-toast, that is.

On another dissimilar vein, I say "more cowbell."



P.S. If I were black, I might say: "It's all good."

"Gestapo"

 

"Fugitive Nabbed After 33 Years"

It has well-chronicled in many forays from me that the world has gone mad. This tale is quite intriguing. I read the entire rather lengthy article. Once the case was turned over to the U.S. Marshalls, Ms. Garvin had little chance to remain free. "If the case comes to the Marshal Service, it never goes away," said Supervisory Inspector James Ergas.

Here is another bizarre story from the naked city:

On the run for 33 years, Deborah Gavin knew the day would come when the long arm of the law would catch up to her.

She just didn't expect that day to be Wednesday.

The 53-year-old Gavin, who escaped from a Georgia prison while serving time for armed robbery in Gwinnett County in the early 1970s, said as much to U.S. Marshals as they cuffed her outside her home in Frankston, Texas....

Thirty-three years is a long time," Ergas said. "They didn't want to jump a 53-year-old woman and drive her to the ground if it was the wrong person."

At 2 p.m. Wednesday, the marshals surrounded her house and knocked.

Gavin came to the door with a shotgun, heard them out and surrendered peacefully....

The board will take into consideration several factors in determining whether she will serve out the six years remaining in her sentence. Among them, her age, her health and how she's conducted herself over the years.

Post Script: She worked for about a decade at East Texas Medical Center, about 24 miles from Frankston. There, said her husband, doctors nicknamed her "Gestapo."

Post Script II: Perhaps Tommie Lee Jones can reprise his role as U.S. Marshal Gerard, if the story is made into a movie.

Post Script III: "Gestapo" conjures up a few images, eh?

"Rooms For Rent 50 Cents" or "Old As Dirt"

I lived in pre-historic times when cigarettes were $.25 a pack; movie theatres charged $.50 to view the flick; cokes were a nickel; and bubble gum was a penny a piece. And gasoline hovered around a quarter. One ex patron of mine used to brag about gasoline wars at the pump-he said his station went as low as $.19 a gallon in order to beat the guy down the street.

When I saw the Fab 4 in 1965 the tickets were $4.50. Hard to believe these days when a latte at Starbucks costs around 5 bucks. And gas is creeping up to $3.00 a gallon.
I could fill up my "bug" for around $2.50. And at 25 miles to the gallon, I could go to L.A. [ lower Alabama ] and back.

As one pundit once exclaimed: "Who'd a thunk it?"

Here's a clip from yesteryear. I watched this comedian's show when I was a youngster. And loved it.



P.S. I'm so old that I remember when bottle cokes went from 5 cents to 6 cents. Didn't last long as they soon went to a dime.

"Gimme Shelter"

A new movie about the Rolling Stones [ a documentary ] will be out soon. Just them singing songs and some repartee behind the scenes. I saw the preview when I went to the movies the other day. I must be getting old, because I can't remember the movie. Oldtimers is seeping in.

The film is by Martin Scorsese. What amazed me was how old all these guys looked, even Mick. So much for cinema magic. Oh well. You can't always get what you want. v.c.

P.S. Cos I've tried. And I've tried. And I've tried. And I've tried. I can't get no....

P.S.S. Sometimes I just want to sing-to myself.

"Vertigo"

 

"You Were Perverted, Too."

Thanks, Rock, or Dear Rock.

Which reminds me. I should write another "Dear Cat" foray into the infantile. Those were a lot of fun. My favorite was: "Dear 'She Blew My Nose and Then She Blew My Mind'" in response to a fabricated illusion invented by yers truly.

Via my column I also introduced the word "eh" to my buddy, Marty, who we all know hails from the "Sunshine State," and who uses the word with regularity. Must be some Canadian blood in the catfish family. And when I ventured out into a "Dear Fratbro" spinoff, he was the only one who seemed to enjoy it. He always liked my offbeat ones anyway.

I have had a spike in readership lately. Not sure why? Maybe the Koreans, Icelandics, Fujis, et al have been tuning in. Or perhaps it's my new template. To me it looks more polished and professional. Btw, I know you guys mentioned the Fab 4 song ( "Golden Slumbers; "Carry That Weight;" and "The End ) but no one mentioned my "Vertigo" heading. Look at it closely and you can hear the ocean, er, see an optical illusion.

The food biz sucks but what you gonna do? If I left I'd be a fish out of water. [ pun intention left to the creativity of the readership. ] I just found out tonite that my grandfather, who died from moonshine poisoning, at age 64 dreamed of selling fish sandwiches in downtown Charleston when he retired.

My grandmother [ dad's side ] was a cook at a public school, and my dad peeled spuds in the Navy, circa 1945. So, alas, it was my destiny, eh?

It's always good hearing from the "Rockhead." I will write you via your electronic mail soon. That will be a hoot, and one I look forward to.

Farewell and adieu, v.c.

P.S. The title of tonite's foray is intended to spike readership. My most viewed post is the one I did on "Flesh Gordon." So I'm looking for all the perverts from New Guinea, Wales, and Okinawa to hit the "Pond."

"Let's Hear It for the Food Biz"

I worked at my last job during the months of March to June 07. My head was obviously in a bad place, as I peruse these forays from that time period. I had not been an assistant manager for over 30 years, so it took some time getting used to being barked at as opposed to doing the barking. I didn't mind that part as much as I resented the attitude of the mgmt. staff which acted as if I had never been in the biz. Plus, they said I was too laid back. Hell, I was learning a new system, a new menu, etc. I had never done "eggs" before. And we served them by the dozens. Here are some of the excerpts from my brief sojourn as an asst. mgr. with a well-known company, most of which are jest off'n the interstate:

I hate the food business. Maybe that's too harsh. I loathe and despise the food biz. Wait a minute. That's even more harsh. I dislike the food biz.

Every now and then yours truly likes to reflect, if you will. And tonite's the night for refelecting.

I think I've had enough of this freakin' job. I see no future, unless you classify working 60-70 hours a week; every weekend; every holiday; every night; a good gig.
Me? I've had enough of the rat race. I would like to sit back and truly watch the wheels go 'round and 'round.

The food biz sux. And it's for suckers who want to give their lives up. The g.m. at my store is a living, breathing example of such servitude. He gets his willies off by increasing sales and being the big man on campus. And what kind of life has it afforded him? He just worked 3 weeks in a row without a day off. And he was whining and moaning-albeit proudly-how tired he was for his dedication

And strategies for running a business make me want to hurl. A big rock onto someone's noggin. You never have have enough help. Why? Because some bean counters devised a plan that does not work as far as growing your business. But will work for making your labor goals while working the shit out of you and the, er, team members.

Just wanted to get that off my chest. Have a great nite!

It was funny today. My new company uses Piggly Wiggly white vinegar for something. Not sure what. Mebbe it's for the guests who want it on their salads or greens. Who knows? But there it was. P.W. white vinegar. My old d.m. would have had a hissy:

"V.C. Mr. Hamilton [ founder of the cafeteria chain ] put a lot of thought and love into our recipes. Don't bastardize what he did, son. Now throw that shit away and get me some Heinz in here with a quickness."

He also told me how he once saved one of the cook's life. One afternoon she fell into the deep fat fryer. Quick-witted, my d.m. pulled her out of harm's way. He ripped off her clothes and threw her into the ice bin until the 911 guys got there.


It was another grueling week in the food biz. Standing on your feet all day and getting dirty from the flour for the biscuits and the dumplins'. Flour all over your shoes and pants. And then there were the usual problems. Billy Bob, the backup cook, was feeling lousy-he had been throwing up all day-and had to make a hasty retreat when yours truly came on borde.

I stepped up to the plate and ran his shift through the Easter breakfast and Easter afternoon. The recipes are easy-much easier than the ones at a semi-well known cafeteria chain. My new company claims it makes its food from scratch, but it ain't really. Let's just say semi-scratch.

My new work environs are laced with managers who all hail from other food biz locations. Applebee's for one; Krystal Hamburgers for another. The latter mgr. is 52 years old, and the other day hollered at me saying "don't worry about the food cost; you can't overserve the okra, fill 'er up!"

I guess I was moving too slow but I was grappling with the okra which was under a heat lamp. A few minutes later he admonished me by saying: "that's too much corn [ in the serving spoon ] shake some off."

I'm not exactly a rookie when it comes to serving the two aforementioned veggies, and I know, without equivocation, I have served more corn and okra to my guests than "Carter has liver pills." And more of the two than Tommy has sold those little squared burgers.

I really resented these intrusions, but because I haven't been too lucky in the employment arena lately, I let it slide. But I didn't like his vocal intonations. I harken back to employees ( team members ) who routinely said of mgrs: "he/she don't know how to talk to people."

P.S. Carry that weight, eh?

"For Yasgur's Farm"

listening to this song again makes me want to climb up that mountain one more time and put the headphones on and turn it up to maximum volume. Not ONE bad song in the bunch. love seein' the lyrics.

I can recognize the legendary FELIX PAPPALARDI's vocals half asleep. And the guitar man is LESLIE WEST, who created the greatest tone and vibrato in rock history. And that includes Clapton and Hendrix. Jack Bruce called West the best vibrato man that ever lived...

remeber this time and music so very well. Even though I was only 9 years old at the time my mother was only 25 years old and she played the woodstack soundtrack album a lot back then. I also went to see the movie when it came out!

What song are they writing about? This one....

"Down on Me"

I second that emotion!

"Food Themes From the Food Man""

Because I'm a food service kind of guy, who remembers broccoli spears-"don't give me the stems"-the following video clip is dedicated.

And the next clip is dedicated to diversity.

"More Cowbell"

 

"I Got A Fevah...And the Only Prescription....Is More Cowbell"

This has got to be one of the funniest bits ever from Saturday Night Live. From any comedy show. Period. Combine Christopher Walken with Will Farrell and the rest of the crew from SNL and you got magic.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=71770844627024590

The sketch is presented as though it is an episode of VH1's Behind the Music. It begins with what is said to be film from the 1976 recording session that produced the band's biggest hit, "(Don't Fear) The Reaper." The producer (Christopher Walken) introduces himself as "the Bruce Dickinson" and tells the band they have "what appears to be a dynamite sound." The band members are impressed at this compliment because of Bruce Dickinson's supposed high standing in the music industry (note that "the" Bruce Dickinson is not Bruce Dickinson, lead singer of Iron Maiden - see below).

"I Am the Greatest"

I happened to find this pearl while posting Pearl's video last night. It's a cute song. And one yours truly had forgotten due to the passage of time.

The song is from Ringo just after he went solo amidst the breakup of the Fab 4.

P.S. Happy Halloween

When i was a little boy,
Way back home in liverpool,
My mama told me, i was great.

Then when i was a teenager,
I knew that i had got something going,
All my friends told me i was great.

And now i'm a man,
A woman took me by the hand,
And you know what she told me...i was great.

I was in the greatest show on earth,
For what it was worth.
Now i'm only thirty-two;
And all i wanna do, is boogaloo!

Hey!

I looked in the mirror,
I saw my wife and kids,
And you know what they told me...i was great.

Yes, my name is billy shears,
You know it has been for so many years.
Now i'm only thirty-two;
And all i wanna do, is boogaloo!

Hey, hey, hey, (hey, hey, hey) yeah!

(hey, hey, hey)

I'm the greatest and you better believe it, baby!

"Guitar Bands Are On the Way Out, Mr. Epstein" ( Rejection )

Tonite's story is amazing; and it's good to know the two deceased members of the Fabulous 4 were second and fourth respectively. how in the world did Albert Einstein make the list? It's incredible that James Dean, who died in the 50's and only made 4 films is 10th on the list.

The Fab 4 story is amazing in itself, and, of course, I'm prejudiced when it comes to the lads from Liverpool. The famous line from a Decca Records excecutive who rejected while telling Brian Epstein, the Beatles manager, that "guitar bands were on the way out." Crca 1962. What an idiot he turned out to be.

Here's the story. Dead yet still bringing in the moolah.

NEW YORK - Elvis Presley is still the King.

Presley, who earned an estimated $49 million in the past 12 months, has reclaimed the No. 1 spot on Forbes.com's list of Top-Earning Dead Celebrities. He last topped the list in 2005.

John Lennon ranks second with earnings of $44 million, followed by Charles M. Schulz ($35 million), George Harrison ($22 million), Albert Einstein ($18 million), Andy Warhol ($15 million), Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss) ($13 million), Tupac Shakur ($9 million), Marilyn Monroe ($7 million), Steve McQueen ($6 million), James Brown ($5 million), Bob Marley ($4 million) and James Dean ($3.5 million).

P.S. Yours truly googled the line from Decca Records. It wasn't just an executive but the head of the company. Duh!


( Here tis' ) The Beatles had hired Brian Epstein as their manager and he signed them up for an audition with Decca Records. The head of Decca Records told The Beatles manager, "Guitar groups are on their way out Mr. Epstein.". The Beatles were devastated by their failed audition but Epstien secured them a contract with Parlophone Records. George Martin became their A&R Man. In August of 1962, Pete Best was replaced by Ringo Starr.

P.S. Who'd a thunk it? Eh?

P.S.S. Tonite's featured video is one from Pearl ( circa late 60's ) whose backup band was "Big Brother and the Holding Company." Terrific song!

"Red Sox Nation"

 

 

 

 

"Brooms Perplex New Zealand Fans"

Baseball has come and gone for another season. The Red Sox Nation won it all Sunday night. I have a love for baseball that goes back to when I was a kid and cutting out baseball cards on the back of my favorite Post cereal box. They even had cards inside Kahns Hot Dogs. Here are some funny baseball moments- 2 from this weekend and one from 1997.

"I knew we were in for a long season when we lined up for the national anthem on opening day and one of my players said, 'Every time I hear that song I have a bad game.'" - Forida Marlins Manager (1997-1998) Jim Leyland

Defintition of Sweep: to win (every game, round, hand, etc., of a series of contests): The Yankees swept the three-game series.

Denver, Colorado-True Story: Some New Zealand tourists asked a sports writer why fans wearing caps with "B" on the front were carrying brooms Sunday as they made their way towards Coors Field. The Kiwis wanted to know if those people were going to clean the stadium.

They weren't familiar with the World Series or the concept of a sweep, which Colorado fans hoped their Rockies could avoid Sunday night when they faced Boston in Game 4 of baseball's Fall Classic.

“My Postseason baseball games too slow to keep interest
By Mark Bradley | Sunday, October 28, 2007, 06:19 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution



Mark Bradley Denver — I love postseason baseball — in theory. The reality is rather different. I don’t love nine-inning games that begin at 8:36 p.m. EDT and end 4 hours and 19 minutes later. Saturday night’s Game 3 had a lot of things to keep you interested — a big Red Sox surge, a big Colorado comeback, a clinching Boston countermove — but how many in the Eastern Time Zone (outside New England, that is) stayed up to watch....

The first World Series game I ever attended took 2 hours and 1 minute less than the one I witnessed here Saturday night. Think about that. I’ve been thinking about it all day, and I have to confess: If I hadn’t been getting paid, I wouldn’t have watched Game 3 to the end. Life’s too short. As Lenny Megliola of the Metro West Daily Post said when the official time of 4:19 was announced, "My first marriage didn’t last that long.”

P.S. And whatever happened to Chico Escuela who immortalized the saying: "Baseball been berry berry good to me."

"Repeat From Yesterday"

There's a search engine on each blog. I punched in "Fab 4" and found this post from yesteryear. I thought the picture heading was neat so....here it is.http://vietnamcatfish.blogspot.com/2006/08/one-of-my-first-forays-as-blogger-or.html

"Elvis' Upright Bass" and 'Heartbreak Hotel'"

"Family Man"

 

"Family Man" or "You Can Always Go to Paris."

I consider myself a movie buff. Duh! And this is an audio clip from one of my favorite ones. I have always liked a "time travel" flick. Going back to the past actually.

There are many examples: "Back to the Future;" "Peggy Sue Got Married;" "The Final Countdown" with Kirk Douglas; to name a few.

The audio clip has Nicholas Cage imploring Tea Leoni to have a cup of coffee with him. "You can always go to Paris," he says.

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/mp3clips/newmoviespeeches/moviespeechthefamilyman.mp3

"Hoots"

I tried to leave a comment on H.P. but my computer isn't working too good these days. I had so many problems trying to copy and paste on my Max McGhee post last nite that I got irritated and didn't see your [ tip of the cap ] post until today.

The Cowsills had a couple of good tunes and were the prototype for the Partridge Family which followed later. I even caught myself humming a few bars to "Indian Lake" while stowing away the supper dishes.

I'm watching "Rules of Engagement" on the telly. Right up your alley. Stephen L. Jackson and Tommie Lee Jones. Takes place in Yemin-r.u.y.a. Did he need to fire into the crowd of people who had his marine squadron in harm's way is the jist of the story.

P.S. I liked the video, too. Treat Williams, eh?

P.S.S. Steverino, my old friend from Rowdy High, sent me this, and I thought it was cute. And spot on, as someone would say. The hootster, perhaps?

You know you are too old to Trick or Treat when:

10. You get winded from knocking on the door.

9. You have to have another kid chew the candy for you.

8. You ask for high fiber candy only.

7. When someone drops a candy bar in your bag, you lose your
balance and fall over.

6. People say: "Great Boris Karloff Mask,"
and you're not wearing a mask.

5. When the door opens you yell, "Trick or " and can't remember the rest.

4. By the end of the night, you have a bag full of restraining orders.

3. You have to carefully choose a costume that won't dislodge your hairpiece.

2. You're the only Power Ranger in the neighborhood with a walker.

And the number one reason Seniors should not go Trick Or Treating...
*
*
*
1. You keep having to go home to pee.


No matter, have a HAPPY HALLOWEEN anyway.

"First Super Bowl Hero Max McGhee Dies After Falling Off The Roof Of His House"

Max McGhee loved to imbibe; he wasn't supposed to play in the first Super Bowl, circa 1967, after staying out past curfew and well, imbibing. But as fate would have it, Boyd Dowler sustained an injury and fate stepped in. And so did Max...onto the field, that is.

His first catch was for a touchdown. And before it was over, he caught 7 passes, two for touchdowns. An instant hero as the Packers drubbed the Kansas City Chiefs 35-10.

"When it's third and ten," McGhee once said, " You can take the milk drinkers, and I'll take the whiskey drinkers every time."

"Favorite Tune From Back In The Day"

 

"920 Calories-60 Grams of Fat-Yummy! Hardees New Breakfast Burrito"

ST. LOUIS - The people who brought you the Monster Thickburger and the 1,100-calorie salad are at it again _ this time for breakfast.

Hardee's on Monday rolled out its new Country Breakfast Burrito _ two egg omelets filled with bacon, sausage, diced ham, cheddar cheese, hash browns and sausage gravy, all wrapped inside a flour tortilla. The burrito contains 920 calories and 60 grams of fat.

Brad Haley, marketing chief for the St. Louis-based fast-food chain, said the burrito offers the sort of big breakfast item normally found in sit-down restaurants with an added advantage.

"It makes this big country breakfast portable," he said.

There you have it. More gams of fat we can ingest. I saw on the telly where even the French are gaining weight. So much for slim and chic, eh?

P.S. You have to love the sentence in paragraph 2: Hardee's on Monday rolled out its new Country Breakfast Burrito. Rolled out is definitely what will happen. In more ways than one. Selah, v.c.

P.S.S.

"Fired" I Can Relate!

ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel's career as a color commentator on ESPN's Monday Night Football lasted for only two Mondays. According to the New York Times, Kimmel was relieved of his duties following his second MNF appearance after making a jocular remark about Joe Theismann, who was fired last season, "watching from his living room with steam coming from his ears." The remark was greeted with dead silence by the other MNF broadcasters, Ron Jaworski, Tony Kornheiser, and Mike Tirico. On Tuesday, Monday Night Football producer Jay Rothman called Kimmel's comment "classless and disappointing. It was cheap." He said Kimmel will not return.

P.S. The game in question-Falcons vs. the Giants-is the lowest viewed game-ever-on MNF. Maybe they should bring back Joe Theisman, who when in college at Notre Dame, changed the pronunciation of his name to rhyme with Heisman, as in the Heisman Award, for which he wanted consideration.

BTW: Joe is 57 years old.

"Rockies for Coolbaugh"

As the umps discuss whether or not Manny Ramirez just hit a home run in tonite's ALCS, here's a heart warming, yet tragic, story from the baseball world.

It was the ninth inning that day. The Drillers had a runner on first and a 28-year-old utilityman, Tino Sanchez, a left-handed hitter, at bat. Mike was busy, concentrating on the baserunner and his lead. According to reports, Mike told him, “If you’re going from first to third, you’ve got to be sure,” and those were his last words. Sanchez pulled an inside pitch and it traveled like an arrow straight at Mike, struck him behind the left ear, and in the words of an attending doctor, he was dead by the time he hit the ground. It was a freak. An inch either way or the other, the doctor said, and he’d still be alive.

Help Wanted"

Working Condition Requirements

• Ability to walk/stand on hard surfaced floors for long periods of time • Ability to evaluate product quality through taste, texture, color and odor
• Bend and reach to demonstrate such activities as stocking shelves, serving customers, or cleaning
• Lift 25 lbs to demonstrate such activities as putting away stock or lifting large measures of product.
• Tolerate up to 5-10 minutes in the walk in freezer at a temp of 10 degrees F • Tolerate up to 15-20 minutes in walk-in cooler at a temp of 40 degrees F
• Tolerate exposure to various weather conditions (i.e. walk up window). • Valid driver’s license and must be insurable on rental vehicles
• Ability to work hours ranging from 5:00am – 10:00pm including weekends

I was perusing Career Builder just now and saw these requirements for a Manager's job in the food biz. The ones highlighted are my favorites.

The next one is interesting. Perhaps the proprietor at H.B.'s place may be interested. If he's willing to move to Columbus. You may be welcome back, but seems I burned my bridges. Alas.

Asst Managers
Company: Piccadilly Rest.

Description
Piccadilly Restaurant Management Interviewing Assistant Managers in Columbus. Fax/Email resume 972-318-7135 or [Click here for email] Questions 800-594-7036

Source - Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

P.S. Hoots, For auld times sake, how 'bout a reprint of your classic post detailing your exit fom the firm. Apologies to John Grisham. It was entitled "Help Wanted" or something like that. Apologies to John Grisham.

"Paul McCartney: 'Divorce is Hell'"

Even Paul McCartney is not to immune to life's problems. His wife, Linda, died in the 90's from breast cancer. And now he is going through a divorce. He was so much in love, that he didn't bother to get a pre-nuptial agreement. Seems his ex wants a couple of hundred million. Moving forward, that is.

In the following article Paul says he would like to tour again when he and his ex can work things out. I'm all for that, of course.

Calling his divorce a hard day's night is an understatement as far as Paul McCartney's concerned.

Making rare public remarks on his split from Heather Mills to the U.K.'s Radio Times magazine Tuesday, the former Beatle compared the ongoing proceedings to "going through hell."

"Going through divorce is a very painful thing," the 65-year-old McCartney told the publication. "As Winston Churchill once said, 'If you're going through hell, keep going!' The only solution is to remain dignified. If I don't keep a silence about it, I lose this idea of being dignified. But I've a wonderful baby. She's a great joy to me, as are my elder children, so I'm a lucky man."

P.S. "We Got Married" is the name of the video. And one of my favorite songs from Paul "Post Beatle."

"Fear Strikes Out" [ Jimmy Piersall ]

My TCM newsletter arrived today via the internet. And, of course, there's a lot of vintage stuff in it. One movie mentioned is "Fear Strikes Out," starring Anthony Perkins as the demented Jimmy Piersall, whose stern father pushes and pushes him until he snaps.

They tried to put me into a small sanitarium and I ran away. I had just gotten so wound up that I lost all control of my memory," says Jimmy Piersall on ESPN Classic's SportsCentury series.

I have always been a HUGE baseball fan, and I remember seeing the movie as a youngster on the now defunct "Saturday Night at the Movies" on NBC. And I remember the "real" Jimmy P. playing for the BoSox. [ Boston Red Sox for the uninitiated ] I saw it a few years ago, and it's hard to picture Anthony Perkins as a ballplayer. He's a bit too feminine to me to register any believability. But it's still a good flick about mental illness. And baseball, even tho' Anthony Perkins was picked for his acting prowess [ ? ] and looks rather than for his athletic abilities. I don't think the boy could have batted his way out of ye olde paper bag, much less stroke the ball past the pitcher's mound.

He's great, but you have to play him in a cage," said Casey Stengel, his manager with the New York Mets.

Piersall was born on Nov. 14, 1929 in Waterbury, Conn. He became a local legend at 14, playing and starring in a league featuring men twice his age.

Piersall's mother, Mary, suffered from mental illness. From 1936-46, she was often committed to a sanitarium. "If my father was preparing supper when I got home, it wouldn't be necessary for us to exchange a word," Piersall said. "I knew that meant my mother had gone away again."

Submitted for your approval is the original trailer for "Fear Strikes Out." And if Karl Malden was yer daddy, you'd probably whiff as well.

"Potpurri"