February 6th, 2020
“Beyanîbash!” or “Good Morning” in Sorani Kurdish, which is spoken in western Iran and much of Iraqi Kurdistan.
I had more success getting the 5-7 portions of fruits and veggies than getting my exercise regime started during my first week in the New Weigh Program. I like to think that most of my difficultly in started up the exercise was due to a number of scheduling issues.. but mostly I think I just didn’t want to. I will make myself get busy this week, especially since the back yard project is finally done … YEAH!!!!
Did you watch the SuperBowl? It was a great game!! I wanted San Fransisco to win but in the end Kansas City just wanted it more. No one on that field has any reason to feel badly about the outcome. It was the epitome of professional football play in all aspects of the game.
This week I learned some stuff:
• I learned how to grout tile this week. It was my first time and it shows but all in all it turned out ok.
• I learned that after twenty years of having a rather huge Wisteria planting in my backyard, that I have been taking care of them completely wrong. Seems one should prune ones Wisteria more often than once every 20 years or so. Who knew! Anyway, it seems that twice a year (once in February/March and once in July/August). Anyway, keep your eyes on the skies and watch out for geezers getting the ladder thing wrong!
• I learned that the scam site that I ordered my impossibly good deal from was not done messing with me they sent me a very cheap pair of knock off Rey Ban sunglasses all the way from China. I am waiting for their prepaid return shipment label to return it.
• February 6th is the 37th day of the year (leaving only 324 days till Christmas!). On this day in 1579, The Archdiocese of Manilia was established by papal decree; Massachusetts becomes the sixth state to ratify the US Constitution; in 1819, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles founds Sinagpore; In 1862, Forces under the command of Ulysses S. Grant and Andrew H. Foote give the Union its first victory of the war, capturing Fort Henry, Tennessee; Today in 1900, The Permanent Court of Arbitration, an international arbitration court at The Hague, is created when the Senate of the Netherlands ratifies an 1899 peace conference decree; In 1959, Jack Kilby of Texas Instruments files the first patent for an integrated circuit; On this day in 1988, Michael Jordan makes his signature slam dunk from the free throw line inspiring Air Jordan and the Jumpman logo; In 1898, Babe Ruth, American baseball player and coach was born; Ronald Regan, American Actor, politician and 40th President of the United States was born on this day in 1911; Eva Braun, Geman, wife of Adolf Hitler was born in 1912; Rip Torn, American actor, was born in 1931; Tom Brokaw, American newscaster and author was born in 1940; Bob Marley, Jamaican singer/songwriter, joined the party for the first time in 1945; Natalie Cole, American singer/songwriter and actress was born in 1950; We lost America actor, Joseph Cotton in 1994; Janice E Voss, American engineer and astronaut (flew 5 space shuttle missions) passed away in 2012.
Website Update:
• A “New” Vocabulary Quiz, woohoo!!1 .
• Last week for the Music Trivia Quiz.
• I added a very nice Beef and Bean Stir Fry recipe and a new Tandoori Chicken recipe that I tried out on my new grill this week.
Writing, Ceramics and Painting Update:
• Classes start again this week .Woohoo.. back to work on my thank you card paintings and my ceramic totem pieces. My next adventure after never-ending backyard-project-from-hell ends, is going a stained glass project. I have been researching it and even have a couple of ideas drawn up. The bad news is that I have none of the tools or materials I will need to start ..so there is that.
• Grandpa Stories is still not re-published.
Weird-Stuff-O-Meter:
• I always thought I took my plant parenting pretty seriously but I found out that was just ignorance and lack of focus. First, I found out that I was doing my bamboo all wrong then I found out that my Wisteria should have turned me in for creating a hostile work environment too. I will try to do better, I promise!
Music Update:
Another tiptoe though the archives to share some things you might missed or never have heard or at least not heard recently.
This week’s UJT Radio Program:
• Elliot Smith — Tomorrow Tomorrow — I don’t even remember when I found this song so when it popped up in my play list I was really impressed. This on is from his album “Xo” released in 1998.
• Vance Joy — Lay It On Me — This another great song from VJ. This is a deep cut from his “Nation of Two” album released in 2018.
• The Shins – Phantom Limb — These folks’ sound remind me of early Beach Boys. This one comes from their 2006 release, “Wincing the Night Away”.
• James Gang — The Bomber — From the Vinyl!!!! Back in the day there was this little 3 piece band out of Detroit… This one is from their second album, “James Gang Rides Again” released in 1970, featuring Joe Walsh’s version of Bolero.
• Rush — XYZ — My youngest brother, Michael turned my on to this amazing piece of music. I remember Rush from back in the day but totally missed this album, ‘Moving Pictures, released in 1981.
• Jackson Brown – Rosie —“Running on Empty” released in 1977 was his fifth album but quickly became one of my favorites.
• Steely Dan — Doctor Wu — This one is just a Miami song. I can close my eyes and see the Cuban gentlemen playing backgammon in the park smoking their stinky cigars and laughing. Great percussion and Phill Wood’s sax is special on this one. This one is a sound track for too much cocaine and weirdness. This one came from their, “Katy Lied” album released in 1975.
That’s it… Do the best you can; Laugh every chance you get; And always remember … The best is yet to come! As always, thank you for being my friend!