Today’s Tidbits
This may be the most amusing headline of the day. From nypost.com: “Crown of thorns: After Miss Teen USA stepped down, the runner-up says she doesn’t want the title either.” Things just ain’t what they useta be.
From NYP: “CSI expert says murder in outer space is ‘inevitable’ — here’s why he’s studying sky-high crime already.” Sci-fi writers have been decades ahead of him.
Alas, the New York Empire State Tattoo Expo has come and gone. Photo from NYP:
From NYP, fodder for fiction writers: “Is this the future? Wild new tech can read someone’s mind — with shocking accuracy.” Sounds like the world of Minority Report (2002) is on its way.
Good news for many in this headline from newsmax.com: “Weightlifting Boosts Brain Power and Memory.” My dumbbell is only 20 pounds, so I’d be surprised if the benefit applies to a dumbbell like me.
Headline from NM: “Macron Failing as France Nears Demographic Suicide.” According to the article by Jeanne Smits: “France’s mainland fertility rate has dropped to 1.64 child per woman of child-bearing age, well below the required generation replacement rate of 2.1.” Macron, 46, is childless. I believe that, and his efforts to encourage births, is irony.
RIP master saxophonist David Sanborn, 78, who succumbed to cancer. Born in Tampa, he was playing with bluesmen Albert King and Little Milton at 14. He joined The Paul Butterfield Blues Band in 1967 and appeared at Woodstock with it. His first solo album, Taking Off, was released in 1975. More than 25 others have followed, including compilations. Eight went gold, one platinum. He won six Grammys. He performed on and hosted radio, television and web programs, including Saturday Night Live and Late Night with David Letterman. I was first introduced to him on NBC’s Night Music, of which he became the host after Jools Holland left. It aired late on Sunday night and featured an eclectic mix of musicians and singers. It’s my favorite music show of all-time. Unfortunately, it lasted only two years. As a sessionist he played on albums by James Brown, Bryan Ferry, Eric Clapton, Cat Stevens, Roger Daltrey, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Jaco Pastorius, the Brecker Brothers, Kenny Loggins, David Bowie, Todd Rundgren, Bruce Springsteen, Little Feat, James Taylor, Al Jarreau, Pure Prairie League, Kenny G, Loudon Wainwright III, George Benson, Donny Hathaway, Elton John, Carly Simon, Linda Ronstadt, Billy Joel, Roger Waters, Steely Dan, the Eagles, Grateful Dead, Nena, The Rolling Stones, Ian Hunter, Toto, and many others. He also performed at the live shows of many artists, including the Who’s Roger Daltrey. His work can be heard on the soundtracks of many movies and several TV shows. Here’s a quote attributed to him: “I think I just kind of put one foot in front of the other and wasn’t discouraged by setbacks. There are an awful lot of musicians out there. It’s about hanging in there, working hard, and being ready for a break, when and if it occurs. That’s really all you can do. Work hard and hope you get lucky.” He is survived by his wife and son. An awesome run run maestro. Thank you. Photo from GI:
My thanks to Frankie and Marty, who had a lot of good things to say about the Anti-Inflation Book Shop, and to the gentleman who overcompensated me for War and Remembrance by Herman Wouk; and to the woman who bought Heidi by Johanna Spyri and Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy; and to the woman who purchased two hardcovers in Russian; and to my Constant Benefactress, who insisted on paying for How to Stop Worrying and Start Living: Time-Tested Methods for Conquering Worry by Dale Carnegie, despite donating three books and a sturdy shopping cart that will come in handy should the one I’ve been using give way under the weight it bears. I am blessed.
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