I always admired Harvey Korman. He built an enormously successful career out of being a nut. In 10 years on the Carol Burnett Show he ad libbed his way to 4 Emmy awards. He was a large part of the success of the Mel Brooks movie, "Blazing Saddles." He was one of a kind. He'll be missed. Korman was 81.
American Hollywood actress Sharon Stone says that the recent Chinese earthquakes were the result of "Bad Karma" stemming from China's involvement with Tibet. She has since apologized for the statement. This is after she found out that she insulted the largest populated nation in the world. Or, was it after she found out that Christian Dior pulled her ads from Chinese stores? The woman gives bimbos a bad name!
There was an earthquake, today, in Iceland. Your thoughts Sharon?
Well, the Memorial Day weekend is over. With gas prices near $4/gallon and rising is shouldn't be a surprise that people stayed home in record numbers.
I watched some TV - John Wayne and Frank Sinatra in war movies! Did you know that, in real life, neither spent a day in uniform?! True.
One of the most honest and somber Memorial Day salutes, at least in my mind, is at the Indianapolis 500. Here's a world class sporting event where much of the pre-race activities are devoted to remembering our fallen ancestors. That's right Billy Bob, remove you hat and put your beer down...for a moment of silence. Seriously,it means something to me, almost as much as when I saw the traveling Viet Nam Wall Memorial. That was an awesome tribute.
Then, there's the actual Indy 500. It's broadcast live on ABC-TV, except in the Indianapolis area where it's blacked out. Some of my neighbors have cable and watched it on the Decatur, Illinois station. Me, I suffered through listening to acquaintance (not friend) Mike King and the radio coverage. And, excuse me, I have a question! If Danica Patrick were not a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model, would we give a rats rear end about her or how she was forced out of the race. I hear that earlier in the race she was warned about "blocking."
Did Mike King forget to tell us about that.
John Odom is a 26 year old professional baseball pitcher. He was traded from the Calgary Vipers of the Golden Baseball League to the Laredo Broncos of the United League. I mention this because he was not traded for another player nor for some cash nor for a future prospect. He was acquired by the Laredo team for 10 Prairie Sticks Maple Baseball Bats! To be specific, these bats are double-dipped black, 34 inch, C243 style bats. According to the Prairie Sticks Web Site, their maple bats retail for $69 each, discounted to $65.50 for purchases of six to 11 bats.
The Broncos are tied for third place in the United League with a record of 5 & 5.
Somehow, this reminds me of my radio career.
I know that there are serious things hapening in the world. Cyclones, earthquakes, war, terrorism, illness, world hunger. The list goes on. Some of these problems are man made. Surely and regrettably, the lack of solutions to these problems are often also man made.
Lacking in importance to these issues is the recent poor play of the New York Yankees. Having been a Yankees fan since the day after the Dodgers left Brooklyn, I must say that their recent performance, in view of the teams individual talent, ability and personal income, sucks. This talk of golden thongs makes things even worse! I think I have discovered the reason for the Yankees' on-the-field troubles. They are playing their home games in the most famous sports venu in the history of mankind. At the end of the season, they will tear it down and move across the street. (Click on picture) The current Yankee Stadium has inspired tens of thousands of players and millions of fans. Could it be that some of the deceased faithful are unhappy with the demise of the old ballpark? Think of this the next time you hear of an $80,000-a-day Yankee Pitcher get rocked for six runs in the early innings at the big ball orchard in the south Bronx.
If you don't believe in ghosts, I understand. Ghosts only get involved with serious stuff!
Here's something for those of us who have too much money! From the Wall Street Burger Shoppe, it's the $175 hamburger. It used to cost $150. The price increased only because they wanted it to be the most expensive hamburger in New York City. (Logical?)
Here's what's in it:
A Kobe beef patty, lots of black truffles, seared foie gras, aged Gruyere cheese, wild mushrooms and flecks of gold leaf on a brioche bun.
What the hell is this stuff? Can I find this stuff at Kroger?
They say that they sell 20 or 25 of these $175 hamburgers a month - in their upstairs dining room! They are famous for their $4 burgers, serving hundreds a day - in their regular downstairs dining room.
I wonder if this would fly in Terre Haute? How about a $12 "General Burger?" I'l have to get back to you on this one...
Good Monday morning! During the weekend the price of gas (self serve regular unleaded) inched to above the $4 level on Long Island and in Chicago. With the Memorial Day weekend coming, $4 is surely in everyone's future. One of the best sites for monitoring gas prices is www.gasbuddy.com. This chart is from Gas Buddy and tells the story...
(Click on the image for a better view)
I realize that there are places in the world where $4 for a gallon of gas is a bargain! There are also places where $1 will buy several gallons. General Tom's advice: Keep your tires inflated, keep your air filter clean and give "big oil" a message be avoiding Exxon-Mobil, Texaco-BP products.
This is probably too much information, but NY Yankee Jason Giambi says that when he's in a hitting slump, he can immediately start to hit by wearing a thong! He says he wore one today as he homered, in a losing cause, against the Mets. The theory is that the thong is so uncomfortable that Giambi is forced to focus (or something) so he can hit the ball. Johnny Damon, on the right, is also a believer!
I should note that the Yankeees are in last place in the American League East. The NY Daily News donated 26 thongs to the Yanks. This includes one for Manager Joe Girardi. They still lost. With their payroll (and talent) they should be embarassed. Instead, they are making fools of themselves.
Joe McCarthy is turning over in his grave!
It's Thursday morning. I'm still waiting for former senator John Edwards to endorse this blog!
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Syesha Mercado gets bumped from American Idol, last night. Unfair, she has a better singing voice/range than the remaining contestants. She also has much better "stage pressence" and about half a dozen more teeth! She'll be a bigger star.
Rev. John Hagee is a televangelist, based in Texas. I never heard of the guy. I don't watch that kind of crap on TV. Anyway, Hagee, a public supporter of John McCain for President, apologized this week for some statements that he made about Catholics and the Catholic Religion. Hagee has cited the Inquisition and the Crusades as evidence of anti-Semitism within the Catholic Church and has suggested that Catholic anti-Semitism shaped Adolf Hitler's views of Jews.Christ-like views? McCain should bury this guy. Hagee cheapens Christianity with remarks like these. The only thing dumber than Hagee's comments are the geniuses who send him money! Hagee can apologize all he wants. (It's good for business, eh?)
As for me, apology: not accepted!
The man is 67 years old and after being in the music business for 42 years with 46 albums under his belt, he scores his first #1 album - Home Before Dark! Diamond's disc moved 146,000 copies for the week ended Mother's Day, per Nielsen SoundScan numbers.
Diamond has sold over 125 million albums, written 36 Top 40 hits, chalked up 15 Top 10 albums and picked up both a Grammy and a Golden Globe.
Who knows? He might have a future in the music business. I say he should stick with it.
Lawrence Peter Berra or as the world knows him, Yogi, is celebrating his 83rd birthday,today. I grew up watching him play left field for the Yankees. In the early '60's he'd also share catching duties with Elston Howard. Berra never looked to be an athelete. He'd explain that 90% of baseball is one-half mental. Maybe that's how he got to set so many records - especially World Series records. They say it was especially difficult to pitch to Yogi because he was famous for swinging at, and hitting - bad pitches. If they ever kept a stat for "foul" homeruns, he'd hold the record! Yes, he's famous for his "Yogi-isms" like, "It ain't over 'til it's over." or "Nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded!" or "If folks don't want to come out to the ballpark, who's gonna stop 'em?" Hard to argue with that logic! Yogi was more than a "Hall Of Fame" baseball hero. Not many people know this, but on D-Day, a young Yogi Berra was part of the invasion at Omaha Beach!
Happy birthday, Yogi!
Word is out that the Taliban is attempting to recruit new members over the internet. You may already be a Taliban member! Here's how to find out if you are or not:
You May Be A Taliban Member If . . .
1. You refine heroin for a living, but you have a moral objection to beer.
2. You own a $3,000 machine gun and $5,000 rocket launcher, but you can't afford shoes.
3. You have more wives than teeth.
4. You wipe your butt with your bare left hand, but consider pigs "unclean."
5. You think vests come in two styles: bullet-proof and suicide.
6. You can't think of anyone you HAVEN'T declared Jihad against.
7. You consider television dangerous, but routinely carry explosives in your clothing.
8. You were amazed to discover that cell phones have uses other than setting off roadside bombs.
9. You've uttered the phrase, "I love what you've done with your cave."
10. You have nothing against women and think every man should own at least two.
11. You bathe at least monthly whether necessary or not.
12. You've ever had a crush on your neighbor's goat.
According to the song,
"In heaven there is no beer.
That's why we drink it here.
And when we're gone from here
All our friends will be drinking all the beer!"
Then, there's 67 year old Bill Bramanti from suburban Chicago.
Bill, well, Bill likes his beer. Pabst Blue Ribbon to be exact.
He wants to be burried in a coffin with the Pabst Blue Ribbon logo. He modified a standard casket so that while he remains vertical, he can use the box as a giant beer cooler! Come to think of it, I think I saw that Major League Baseball is selling their franchise logos to coffin manufacturers.
Me? I'm waiting for NASA to jump on the bandwagon. I can use all the help I can get!
The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) represents some 120,000 actors. I'd say that maybe 1% of these are notable zillionaires who you see in People Magazine. The others are trying to chase a buck in a very strange business. This strange business is changing. DVD sales and internet streaming of shows and movies are the issues. The writers pointed this out with their strike. Now, the actors are ready to do the same. These people who make a living playing "make believe" are "playing serious." I feel sorry about the residual effects on the support staff who have no direct ties to SAG. Aside from that, I really don't give a rat's rear end. So, why am I posting this? Because some of you may care. If you do, I'd like to point out that there's nothing like watching a good ballgame - in person or on TV. The worst part of an actors' strike would be the rampant sprouting of lame reality shows. (Lamer than this blog) Stuff that's less-than-worthy of cable TV channels. Oh, well, I guess you can blame all of this on the rising price of gas. If there is a strike, I'll have to come up with a list of activities for you to do - like watch the Don Ameche Marathon on AMC!
The American Beverage Institute is a restaurant trade association with strong links to U.S. wine, beer and spirits suppliers. They promote responsible drinking by adults.
They paid for the ad, on the right, that was in USA Today, last week and some people are crying foul.
I think it's funny.
Yeah, she has a problem. Yeah, she's human. Just like we are! We are all capable of becoming irresponsible drunks, putting the public at risk with our behavior. The picture of young Lindsay is PUBLIC property. It is a mug shot taken during a drunk driving arrest. She's a celebrity who's famous for her acting and for her off screen irresponsibilities.
If the shoe fits...or if the ankle alcohol monitor bracelet fits....
I was surfing the net and came across a picture of an old friend, from Montana, Tera Patrick. Here she is - in her regular street clothes. For those of you who don't know, Tera is an actress and a businesswoman. If you click the picture, you'll get the full effect.
Have a nice weekend.
Here's an item that should make you feel a little better about things. Actor Denzel Washington and his wife, Pauletta visited his hometown (& mine) of Mount Vernon, NY, today. (Mt. Vernon is a great place to be from.) He spoke to High School kids and told them that scientists are more important than entertainers. He and his wife quietly award college scholarships for neuroscience research. He reminded the kids that while actors, rappers and basketball stars get more recognition, someone in a hospital bed is more impressed by a good doctor. He says inner-city students might not be aware of all the opportunities available, and he urged the excited Mount Vernon kids to apply for his scholarships.
Isn't that cool?
Hollywood, are you paying attention to this stuff?
Hillary Clinton returns to Terre Haute, Indiana. Golly she must really care about us - a lot! Actually, she cares about our votes. This time she has an 8PM appearance at a local High School Gym which is located less than a mile from where this blog is being scribbled. At this point all she needs to talk about is the same ol' stuff. Obama is self-destructing with his former pastor's radical rantings. Barack was effective when speaking from a position of strength, now he's desperate, saying stuff like when he was growing up, he was less privleged that other neighborhood boys. (They must have gone to better Ivy League schools) He should be talking about the splendid way that Hillary created and maintained her campaign staff. Possible prelude to the real thing?
The whole thing would be amusing if not for the fact that there's a good chance that one of these misfits will probably be opening their mail at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Hopefully, I'm not rich enough to be affected by either of these two.
