October 15th, 2020
“(ṣabā il kẖayr) صباح الخير”, or “Good Morning!” in Arabic spoken in Egypt. It is Day 210 of the California Lock Down. Like every one else in the world, San Diego county is trying hard to figure out a way to open back up for business without killing everyone. The recent reports do not seem to support the theory that this can be done safely. Dire predictions of a “second wave” happening as we move closer to winter are oft repeated. We all should try to do our part – distance, hand washing and masks but also thinking about how we can reduce or prioritize our contact with others as we try to manage our lives.
I fired myself from the US Census Bureau this week. My supervisor was diligently trying to keep me engaged but ever since I returned from up north all my work assignments have been under 5 cases each day and most of those should have been closed before. It was a great experience and if we are around in 10 years, I would do it and recommend others do it.
This week I learned some stuff:
• I have a good friend who is dear to me, even though he is righteous wrong on his political leanings. Of course, he often accuses me of being a raving liberal. Me! See what I mean. All kidding aside that is a skill that we need sorely! We should make “Graceful Disagreement” a require subject before graduating or getting your drivers license. My friend and I honestly differ on many of things but we can defend our beliefs and principles while remaining respectful not denigrating any others. So my buddy doesn’t have to agree with me ever as long as he never stops being my friend. We (or at least i do) enjoy our graceful disagreements as much as do any other part of our relationship. We check in from time to time to see if we are still both wrong in each others reckoning. I mean, you never know, this could be the week, one of us sees the light 🙂 but probably not. I learn things either way.
• October 15th is the 288 day of the year (because 20 is a leap year – but there still only 71 days till Christmas!). Today in 1878, the Edison Electric Light Company(General Electric now) begins operations; On this day in 1956, FORTRAN, the first modern computer language, is first shared with the coding community; In 1989, Wayne Gretzky becomes the all-time leading points scorer in the NHL; On this day in 1990, Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to lessen Cold War tensions and open up his nation; Today in 1995, Saddam Hussein is reelected president of Iraq through a referendum; In 2008, The Dow Jones Industrial Average closes down 733.08 points, or 7.87%, the second worst percentage drop in the Dow’s history; Friedrich Nietzsche, German composer, poet, and philosopher was born today in 1844; John L. Sullivan, American boxer(first heavy weight Champion in gloved boxing), actor, and journalist was born today in 1858; Lee Iacocca, American businessman and author is born today in 1924; Barry McGuire, American singer-songwriter(Eve of Destruction) and guitarist was born today in 1941; Penny Marshall, (Laverne) American actress, director, and producer was born today in 1943; Pat O’Brien, American actor died today in 1983; And finally, Johnny Sheffield, costarred with Cheetah, portraying Boy in the Tarzan TV series from 1949 to 1955; The American actor passed away today in 2015.
Website Update:
This week we made the following changes:
• Week 2 for our Vocabulary Quiz!!!!
• Last week for our New UJT Musical Trivia Quiz!
• This week I added a new EYE-Tallian Pasta Salad recipe for you and some Tx Sour Cream Enchilada (shout to Jenny) that will make you smile.
Writing, Ceramics and Painting Update:
• This week I managed avoid attending all of my classes. Again.
• Grandpa Stories is still not re-published.
Weird-Stuff-O-Meter:
• I have been improving my procrastination game. I seem to find amazingly interesting things to contemplate as opposed to tackling the huge backlog of old guy stuff to do around this house. Then, of course I am to focused on perfecting my guilt I completely missed my chance to clean the fish tanks.
• I stopped the Census stuff but it looks like I am going to be a SD County poll worker in a couple weeks. I got all excited for a bit, then I corrected the job name spelling from POLE Worker to POLL Worker.
Music Update:
Once again, your fossilized DJ takes you on another meander through the dusty cobwebs of my library. This week features a number of, From the Vinyl!!!!” favorites that I hope you will enjoy.
This week’s UJT Radio Program:
• Al Stewart – Flying Sorcery — From the Vinyl!!!! This is a deep cut of a really really good album that came out in 1976.”Year of the Cat”. Peter White on acoustic and Tim Renwick doing electric lead…make this song!
• Little Feat – All That You Dream – From the Vinyl!!!! This was released their amazing, “Wait for Columbus” album released in 1978.
• Venice — The Point — Beautiful harmonies. This one comes from their “Venetian Vinyl”.
• Dan Fogelberg — Nether Lands — I miss Dan. This is the title cut from his 1977 release. Which I for one think of as one of his of more amazing chunks of really good music.
• Taylor Swift — State of Grace — From the Vinyl!!!! This here is some a serious tall stack of smart young woman. To me, she is a force to be reckoned with. This one is a little different that some of her work. Works this giant beat from the beginning and builds from there, State of Grace is from her 2012 release, “RED”. I love the guitar work by Nathan Chapman did on this record!
• Jethro Tull — Reason For Waiting — Dusted this song off and let it remind me how much Tull moved me. This one comes from their 1969 release, “Stand Up”. When you opened the album a wooden cabin carving thing stands up! Hey it was 1969, we were easily entertained.
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!