What a drag it is getting old…..
“Kids are different today,” I hear every mother say
Mother needs something today to calm her down
Add though she’s not really ill, there’s a little yellow pill
She goes running for the shelter of a mother’s little helper,
And it helps her on her way, gets her through her busy day.
Item 1: Fortunately the CBA has its members, music, jams, and get togethers to eliminate the need for any of Mick and Keith’s little yellow pill. Friends, music, picking and grinning, and you have the pure unadulterated joy of making music and the joy it brings. An Alka Seltzer or Bloody Mary might be all the “help” a jammer needs after a long night of strumming and a few sips of the grape.
Item 2: I used to enjoy watching football especially my SF 49ers. With all the negative things that have been happening around the NFL, I feel a little dirty and ashamed after I watch a game.
Our own locally grown quarterback has been fined for “offensive language.” That offensive language has turned out to be a racial slur. A number of other players have rap sheets that do not reflect positively on themselves or the 49er organization. If Bill Walsh or George Seifert were still the head coach there would be about six to seven players who would either be gone or on the bench.
This whole fiasco has been a black mark on the NFL and I doubt if there is anything, anyone, or any solution that can wipe away this stain. The fact that my SF 49ers are part of this criminal element makes me sad, disgusted and almost ready to turn off the game. The spirit is willing but the body is oh so weak.
Some say the outrageous salaries are to blame. Some say it is the way we treat the college players with comfortable scholarships and the apparent lack of necessary school work that needs to be done. Some say it is just too “Me oriented” and a sense of misplaced entitlement. Whatever the reason wouldn’t it be great if a person got a scholarship to UC Berkeley based on intelligence and actual need and not on how far you can hurl a football.
Item 3: Here is a bit of information for the younger folks out there. Back in the 50’s and early 60’s, professional baseball players and football players had to take a second job in the off season to make ends meet. Many of them took jobs selling cars, doing promotional advertising, etc. Things have certainly changed.
Item 4: The Roosevelt’s on PBS. Ken Burns has put together another remarkable program showing us the magnificence that was Teddy, FDR, and Eleanor. Teddy is giving a speech and is shot in the chest by an assassin. The bullet is impeded a bit by his glass case and some papers containing his next speech. Teddy stops, he unbuttons his coat sees that his shirt is plastered in blood.He then looks at the audience and back at his bloodied shirt and calmly says in a monotone voice, “I’ve been shot but it will take more than one bullet to shut me up.” Teddy buttons his coat back up and continues to orate for another solid hour before he is led away to the nearest hospital.
Eleanor Roosevelt set the bar high for civil rights and the rights of women. She doesn’t get the credit she so valiantly deserved. She was a magnificent first lady, woman, and human being. If someone is looking for a role model Ms.Roosevelt would be a great start.
FDR: If you are comfortable with English as the national language, not German or Japanese, and have worked in a union or enjoyed its benefits, and have received a social security or disability check then a doff of the hat to FDR might be prudent. President Roosevelt got more done in his first 100 days in office than our past four presidents achieved in their entire terms.Whether you are a Democrat, Republican, Independent, etc. Congress and the Senate should be refusing any pay or health insurance coverage until they begin to earn it. Hell the Oakland Raiders have got more done than our elected officials.
Item 5: Speaking of a series the baseball kind. If the Giants beat Pittsburgh in the one game wild card playoff, then if they outlast the talented Washington Nationals, and then trounce the dreaded Blue Meanies (who will beat St. Louis in the first round) the SF Giants will bring home the coveted World Series Crown once again. Of course a lot has to happen but the Orange and Black will rise to the occasion and get it done!
When it is all over it will be a long cold winter from November to April and I am going to miss Kruk and Kuip.
Item 6: Turlock is making a lot folks nervous with a mountain lion that has been stalking the local city streets. A video of it has been placed on the screen for local residents to see just what they have to fear. As of this writing the mountain was seen just two nights ago by a local police officer.
Item 7: Red Dog Ash performing again in Newman and all over. Check it out!
Until November 7: Read a book, hug a child, pet a dog, stroke a cat, eat a bar of chocolate and give thanks.