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— an exhibition entitled The Iconic Jersey: Baseball x Fashion— tracing the iconic American-style baseball shirt in the sport, on the runway, and in everyday life — is at the Worcester Art Museum to September 12th.
YOUR WEEKEND READ is this report about an Iraqi weightlifter who defected to the US during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, where team officials told him that — during the Opening Ceremonies — “Not to look at President Clinton … as he wanted to destroy our country”….. yet when the weighlifter did and saw a smiling/clapping president … he knew he had to execute his plan.
SPORTING NOTES— this afternoon, England will host Italy at Wembley Stadium in London for the European championships in soccer — on ESPN at 3:00 PM Eastern — and especially if England wins: you may hear the Neil Diamond song Sweet Caroline played, much as it has been at Boston’s Fenway Park.
THURSDAY's CHILD is named Simba the Cat— an English kitteh who comforted a woman’s son after his father died and is now up for a National Cat Award …. in the in the 'Furrever Friends' category.
CHEERS to yesterday’s Cheers & Jeers meet-up luncheon in Kittery, Maine at a restaurant on the edge of the Atlantic ….. nice to see some familiar faces.
More (group) photos are sure to follow.
HAIL and FAREWELL to the Irish-born, New Zealand-raised and US resident Rick Laird— the bassist in the original line-up of the pioneering jazz-rock band The Mahavishnu Orchestra of the 1970’s — who has died at the age of eighty. In a band of manic virtuosos, he was the glue-and-nails that held it all together. Although I knew that tensions within the original Mahavishnu Orchestra would prevent there ever being a reunion concert (one that I would want to see more than any other) ..... still, this is a story ended.
FRIDAY's CHILD is named Binx the Cat— who was found alive Friday in the rubble of the collapsed Champlain Towers South condo building in Surfside, Florida and reunited with his family … who lived on the ninth floor of the complex.
BRAIN TEASER— try this Quiz of the Week's News from the BBC ...… and the usually easier, less UK-centered New York Times quiz (no common questions).
THE OTHER NIGHT yours truly hosted the Top Comments diary with a look at headwaters of some famous US rivers … and origin points of the Mother Road.
YOUNGER/OLDER BROTHERS?— actor Steve Carell and musician Alice Cooper.
...... and finally, for a song of the week ...........................… no time for any sort of profile: year-end work with the auditors in (and my boss on an extended vacation) among other things … instead, a quick song.
Of all of George Harrison’s solo work: my favorite is his 1970 tune What is Life with its driving rhythms underneath. According to this comment on the official video:
Harrison's widow and son (Olivia and Dhani Harrison) held an online competition in which filmmakers were invited to create a video clip for "What Is Life". The winner would receive a $5,000 cash prize and their entry would become the official video for the track, appearing on the George Harrison YouTube channel and other media platforms.
Olivia and Dhani selected Brandon Moore of Oakland, California as the winner. Moore's video comprises dance interpretations by Emma Rubinowitz and Esteban Hernandez of the San Francisco Ballet, filmed in the streets and woods of the San Francisco Presidio.