Clean Slate
Paddy Power World Darts Championship, London, Reuters photo by Zac Goodwin/PA:
RIP Shecky Greene, 97. Born Fred Sheldon Greenfield in Chicago, he served in the Navy during WWII. He had a long run in stand-up. He also had a screen career that spanned 1956–2000, largely in TV, most notably in eight episodes of Combat! He did more than 60 of The Tonight Show and was a panelist on many game shows. He appeared in several films, among them Tony Rome (1967), History of the World: Part I, Splash (1984). He owned several night clubs in different cities. He married twice, the second lasting from 1986 until his passing. He had his share of troubles, as many celebrities do, but he overcame them. He feuded with Old Blue Eyes and created this joke about it: “Frank Sinatra once saved my life. A bunch of guys were beating on me and Frank said, ‘OK, that’s enough.’ ” Greene is a member of the National Comedy Hall of Fame. He was a father of five. Well done, Sir. Thanks for the laughs. Facts from various sources, photo from Google Images:
Is this legal? Headline from nypost.com: “Obese employees may soon face fines in an effort to tackle weight issues.” I’ll be surprised if an uproar isn’t raised.
Social media is abuzz with speculation as to why billionaires are building shelters. According to an article by Eric Mack at newsmax.com: “Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is building a 57,000-square-foot underground bunker, estimated to be worth $270 million, on the northeast side of Hawaii’s Kauai Island, The U.S. Sun reported. Zuckerberg’s island hideout will feature more than a dozen buildings, 30 bedrooms, and 30 bathrooms…” My guess is these folks don’t know anything more than the rest of us do and are simply leaving nothing to chance, especially since they have money to burn.
Is this a signal to buy? Headline from foxnews.com: “US economist predicts 2024 will bring ‘biggest crash of our lifetime’.” It seems these guys are seldom right.
Why is this day different than any other? I’ve discovered, as a Trump supporter, I’m an American Idiot, according to Green Day, who reworked the song lyrics for its performance last night. I have a lot of company, all those who believe the progressive agenda is idiotic. Unfortunately, the elites seem to have won the battle for the USA.
The return of sunshine made the floating book a joy on the first day of the new year. My thanks to the kind folks who made donations and to Wolf, who took home two books in Russian, and to Revilo/Oliver, who purchased The Look of Things by John Berger, North Korea: Another Country by Bruce Cumings, and The Psychoanalyst and the Artist by Daniel E Schneider; and to my Constant Benefactress, who bought Nightmares & Dreamscapes by Stephen King. We started talking and it led to heavy drinker Hollywood stars such as Peter O’Toole and Sid Caesar, which led to the second reminiscence of the day regarding my novella Class of ’67. My father and I loved Caesar’s lampooning of passionate Italians and for years we imitated his “in de la panza,” making a stabbing motion at each other. I also mention Alan, a retired cabbie, who passed away at 79, in ‘67. One day he told me about his aunt, who was in her 90’s and may still be living. Contrary to the many who have opted for do not resuscitate orders in the event of hopeless odds, she had an order in writing to revive. We had a great laugh over that and I included it in the book. Thank you, Sir, and for the many books you gave me. I hate to see anyone go, but at least he will no longer suffer the constant pain a car accident long ago brought him. RIP.
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