Remembering a Baltimore Sports Legend
How well I remember Chuck Thompson shouting "Ain't the Beer Cold" when one of my beloved Orioles hit a long one.
The Baltimore Orioles were my passion as a young Baltimore child in an age with no cable, video games even, to my aged shame, no television. Thus I enjoyed listening to the games on radio as much as any media activity I may engage in today.
Chuck Thompson contributed to my enjoyment of those radio games as much as any other factor. Indeed I used to check the Newspost's sports section to see who was the announcer for each game.
At age 83, after a long career, Chuck Thompson died quietly of a stroke.
Chuck Thompson worked as a sports announcer from 1949 until 2000.
Drink a Gunther beer for Chuck. Because when he shouted across the radio waves "Ain't the Beer Cold" a thrill shot through me. Either Brooks Robinson had made yet another amazing dive in his role as human vacuum cleaner at third base. Or Boog Powell hit another bomber home run. Or Jim Palmer struck the last batter out to win the game.
The beer was, indeed, cold.
Baltimore Sun Obit on Thompson
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We Must Mourn Another Death
Thanks to Slick Rich. To join his list send a blank email to
join-SlickMisc@lists.spunge.org
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Mr. Common Sense.
Mr. Sense had been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons such as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm and that life isn't always
fair.
Common Sense lived by simple and sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not kids, are in charge).
His health began to rapidly deteriorate when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Mr. Sense declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student; but, could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Finally, Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense finally gave up the ghost after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot, she spilled a bit in her lap, and was awarded a huge financial settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust, his wife Discretion, his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by two stepbrothers, My Rights and Ima Whiner.
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Some Quick Thoughts
--Found a quick way to clean the shower stall. Clean it when you're in the shower!
Of course, this requires some planning. Which would be to put needed cleaning items in the shower BEFORE getting naked. It's not going to work if one gets into the shower and has no cleaning items. Also, caution must be taken to avoid getting caustic items such as Soft Scrub on one's skin.
Best thing, take a complete shower, then grab the Soft Scrub, Windex or other cleaning froufrou, which should be already in or near the shower. Clean the shower while naked and unconcerned about getting socks wet. Gather all cleaning supplies, exit the shower, and continue the more normal shower routine.
--There's been hints that Whacko Jacko is going to get on the stand to testify on his behalf.
If that happens I'll take everybody for a ride in my Jeep. However, it would take a bit of courage for him to do so and if nothing else, I'll respect him for it.
--The most effective short commercial of the day is the Whiskas commercials. The human is blithely opening up a bag of cat food and suddenly lions, tigers, cougars, leopards and ordinary domestic cats can be seen descending upon his house. The man hears the growls and roars from without and is in awe that all of this feline activity was caused by his opening the Whiskas bag. Well, hey, I giggle when I see it.
~~~~~~~
Clinton Architecture
Finally, a picture that depicts the Clinton library in a new light.
Bark of the Tree
by Mike Silvestri
“A Lazy Dog Mystery”
Burd Street Press
Amazon Link
Mike Daniels is a trail runner and a business consultant. He is not, you must understand, a jogger or hiker.
But establishing himself as a vaunted trail runner when all about him police, reporters and various criminals keep referring to him as a hiker is the least of Daniels’ problems. For he had the bad fortune to witness a burial in the woods during one such trail running session and since his life has been hell.
The tribulations of the trail runner anxious to constantly establish his credentials are indicative of the genuine humor that threads through this mystery. The sort of ongoing humor that draws the reader in, as if the reader and author are in on some inside joke and it feels rather nice.
There’s Abby, the protagonist’s dog, a fine companion and contributor to the tale as it unfolds. In fact, as the title might indicate, dogs are very much a large thread in the fiber of this story. Judging by the masthead’s assertion that this novel, the first by this novelist, is going to be part of a series with a canine theme.
I’d give Mr. Silvestri a solid A on the fine writing in the novel. The characters are unique and well-developed. The humor is steady and strong but does not take away from the seriousness of the tale.
I have some nits with this book. Yes, they’re minor and heck, I only mention them at all with the hope that Silvestri has time to correct them in future books in the series. All said with my tongue firmly in my cheek.
There were times in the reading of this novel that I lost my sense of disbelief. A term I only know because of my part time stint as a writing teacher. But any dedicated mystery reader would understand my lament.
As the tale unfolded, at times I found some of the connections to the ending to be a bit torturous. Thus I would lose my disbelief, if even momentarily, and realize that I was reading fiction. A good fiction piece should seduce the reader from the first word that this story could really happen until the reader than accepts, temporarily, that the words being read are true.
Though this book was a bit of a complex mystery, as all good ones should be, and most times the pieces of the mystery fell into place handily. I can’t help but think that the author needs a wee more practice at keeping the reader’s disbelief tweaked.
Still, I started the book and finished the book and enjoyed all my time in between. The humor, characterization, and writing were top caliber.
Review-"24"
I tuned into Fox's "24" this past week as many comments regarding the show passed mine ears in recent days.
It was obvious to me from the start that this show is well-written and closer to the truth than we'd like to think.
The basis for the series is an agency called the CTU, for "counter terrorism unit". After I ascertained this I became thoroughly lost. Which is my fault, not the show's.
For I am a TV watcher not dedicated to actually watching a show. This series requires complete concentration and such as working on Blogs or surfing the web are not possible. The action is tight and quick, the dialogue curt and pointed, the plot awaits no email.
I was able to figure out that yet another terror plot on America was foiled.
The biggest value this show brought to my awareness was knowledge of the many and varied ways terrorists COULD strike. It's mind boggling.
Women Only TV This Coming Week
I can't imagine any male yon reader would have much lust for the TV offerings as caught mine eye while perusing ExciteTV.com. But then my TV picks are generally with a female bent, as, well I am female.
On Wednesday, 3/16, at 10 pm, Style Network is featuring a show called "Craft Corner Death Match". Well hey, is that like an intriguing title or what? Now that I think of it, men might like this show. Could be two ladies mud wrestling while covered in yarn.
On Thursday, 3/17, at 8 pm, Food Network will cater a wedding. Seems all of the food gurus on the Food Network got together and combined their cooking skills to cater a wedding. Hey, I plan on watching.
That same night, at 9 pm, on NBC, The Apprentice is featuring a recap of events to date. This season's series is coming down to the finale and fans might want to take notes.
On Friday, March 18, from 9 to 10 pm, The Learning Channel is featuring "The Worst Dressed Couple in America". Stacy and Clinton, the somewhat obnoxious style gurus of TLC's show "What Not to Wear" will be choosing couples who don't dress well, awarding them a huge sum of money, and making lemonade out of duo lemons.
That same night, at 10 pm, NBC is showing it's new Law and Order show "Trial by Jury". Promo blurb from the network:
Truth or Consequences
When the murder of a young woman leaves detectives with three suspects, they work to turn them against each other to determine the culprit.
Cast: Bebe Neuwirth, Amy Carlson, Fred Dalton Thompson, Kirk Acevedo
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