I post a weekly diary of historical notes, arts & science items, foreign news (often receiving little notice in the US) and whimsical pieces from the outside world that I often feature in "Cheers & Jeers".
OK, you've been warned - here is this week's tomfoolery material that I posted.
CHEERS to Bill and Michael in PWM, our Laramie, Wyoming-based friend Irish Patti and ...... well, each of you at Cheers and Jeers. Have a fabulous weekend .... and week ahead.
ART NOTES— works by the Belgian-born Post-Impressionist painter Louis DeWachter in an exhibition entitled An Artist’s Life in France will be at the Orlando, Florida Museum of Art, through May 2nd.
YOUR WEEKEND READ is this essay (from 2017) on the rebound of the John Birch Society in Texas — and far beyond — with ever more relevance.
THURSDAY's CHILD is named Benny the Cat— a New Hampshire kitteh who went missing seven years ago, yet reunited with his family due to his microchip.
IN THE WORLD OF SPORTS AGENTS (not always renowned for their honesty) — in 2003 an NBA player (for the Miami Heat) named Anthony Carter wanted to exercise his contractual option for a one-year deal worth $4.1mill — instead, his agent Bill Duffy forgot to do so in time and his client (having come off a poor season) had to accept a lot less with a different team. Duffy vowed to make his client whole … and this year, finished his repayments. That act has ensured Duffy a sports agent career to this day.
FILM NOTES— On the night Muhammad Ali won the heavyweight championship in February 1964 (by knocking out Sonny Liston), he celebrated in a Miami hotel room with three of his closest friends: Sam Cooke, Jim Brown (a star NFL player) and Malcolm X. This directorial debut of Regina King imagines their conversation.
ATTENTION, READERS - this year's quiz from King William's College (a prep school located on the UK's Isle of Man) - with said quiz known as its General Knowledge Paper officially - is now available.
It consists of 18 groups of 10 questions - with the first section on events from 1920 (100 years ago), another on events of 1820 and a final section on events of 2020. All questions are quite cryptic.
Hint: each group has a common theme (although perhaps not immediately recognizable) that helps if you can answer at least one of that group's questions ... thus giving slight hints about other answers. It is among the most difficult general knowledge quizzes on earth (quite British literature-laden, as you might well imagine). I usually achieve a sizzling 2 (or 3) correct.
At this link is this year's quiz - and no talking during the quiz! The answers will be available a few weeks from now.
FRIDAY's CHILD is a Russian kitteh who was rescued from a plastic bag on a trash-sorting conveyor belt … now, the regional Ministry of Environment has named him an honorary deputy environment minister.
FINANCIAL MATTERS— I did receive the $600 direct deposit relief payment this past Wednesday — hopefully this time: I will not receive that deceptive letter from the IRS that contained the boastful letter signed by … you-know-who.
I still, however, haven't received the funding my conservative friends are certain is floating around. (Dunno why; I've sent in numerous meet-up and canvassing expense reports, with detailed receipts). Where the hell is my SorosMoney ?
BRAIN TEASER— try this Quiz of the Week's News from the BBC ...… the New York Times quiz is off this week.
OLDER-YOUNGER BROTHERS?— former Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) and film star Owen Wilson.
...... and finally, for a song of the week ...........................… my annual New Year’s song. This is the very mellow, contemplative Goodbye, December from bluesman John Mayall - whom I saw give a standout show eight years ago at age 79 (and who is now 87). This song, though, comes from his 1971 recording Back to the Roots (featuring many of his former star musicians in guest roles).
This tune showcases Eric Clapton (as well as the late Canned Heat bassist Larry Taylor). Happy New Year, everyone.
Time for reflection Winter is here Goodbye, December The passing away of the year
Watching the day of the wind Blowing the dirt from the sky Clearing the air for tomorrow Bidding December goodbye
Make celebration Another year is gone Now part of history Gotta be moving along
Look for the sunrise Old days are dead Goodbye, December Got a big future ahead