October 29th, 2020
“(Сән хонвт! (Sän xonvt), or “Good Morning!” in Kalmyk, a Mongolic spoken in Mongolia, Russia and China. d. It is Day 224 of the California Lock Down. I seriously thought about backing down on my commitment to work at the election poll because the Covid numbers keep going. I decided to attend the training over the weekend and learn about the steps being taken to protect poll workers and the voters. I was impressed. The folks at the ROV are taking the Covid threat very seriously. We spent over 40% of our first training day learning how we are going to protect ourselves and our customers.
This week we lost one of my favorite song writers. JJW who wrote one of my favorite songs. “Mr. Bojangles” shuffled off this mortal coil this week. RIP Jerry Jeff Walker and thank you helping with the sound track of my life.
This week I learned some stuff:
• California, I think, has done a good job reacting to and trying to reduce the impact of Covid. With something like this, its hard to find that sweet spot between protecting ourselves and running the business of the state. And no one is going to agree with everything that has been done or not been done as the case may be. But I was very surprised to learn, that wearing a mask is not a prerequisite to voting in the election. It is a pre-requisite to vote inside the polls. The outside greeter will ask the individual to double the distance between themselves and other voters while in line at the site. Once their ballot as been provided, they will take their application to vote and provide curbside voting services for them.
• I am, and I hope everyone is as well, ignoring the polls surrounding the election. We all need to do the right thing independent of what any of the pundits or projections have to say. Our role is simple. Vote. Do your part. And then hope for the best and deal with the results.
• October 29is the 303rd day of the year (because 2020 is a leap year – but there still only 57 days till Christmas!). Today in 1876, Sam Houston is inaugurated as the first President of the Republic of Texas; On this day in 1979, using a filament of carbonized thread, Thomas Edison tests the first practical electric incandescent light bulb (it lasts 13 1⁄2 hours before burning out); In 1884, the International Meridian Conference designates the Royal Observatory, Greenwich as the world’s prime meridian; On this day in 1934, In East Liverpool, Ohio, FBI agents shoot and kill notorious bank robber Pretty Boy Floyd; Today in 1964, Jean-Paul Sartre is awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, but turns down the honor; In 1966, The Supremes become the first all-female music group to attain a No. 1 selling album (The Supremes A’ Go-Go); Franz Liszt, Hungarian pianist and composer was born today in 1811; Timothy Leary, American psychologist and author was born today in 1920; Ann Rule, American police officer and author is born today in 1931; Christopher Lloyd, American actor, comedian and producer was born today in 1941; Annette Funicello, American actress and singer was born today in 1941; Jeff Goldblum, American actor and producer was born today in 1952; Spike Jonze, American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter was born today in 1969; Paul Cézanne, French painter died today in 1906; And finally, Red Barber, American sportscaster passed away today in 1992.
Website Update:
This week we made the following changes:
• A New Vocabulary Quiz!!!!
• Week two for the UJT Musical Trivia Quiz!
• This week I didn’t add any new recipes for you. Select one from the pile or just check back next week.
Writing, Ceramics, Stained Glass and Painting Update:
• I have added stained glass to this section because lately it’s the only creative thing I do besides cooking. Started back on my project using Lead Came instead of foil. I am learning the I have to be more precise in my glass cutting using this method or at least it seems so, I am recutting a couple of pieces.
• This week I managed avoid attending all of my classes. Again.
• Grandpa Stories is still not re-published.
Weird-Stuff-O-Meter:
• I know some of you folks disagree with my conviction that Donald Trump is perhaps the very worst thing to happen to our country since the founding fathers put off the slavery issue till after the country was formed, in order to get the constitution done. I find the procedural manipulations by that chinless weasel Mitch McConnell and his ilk disgusting and the resulting Supreme Court appointment equally so. This is another case where basically good people justify their amoral actions by pointing to the result – by any means possible. I also feel that some have had to work very, very hard to overlook the gapping flaws between what has been said and what is truth and what they believe is right.
• I am looking forward to working the polls for this election. The process is well thought out. The tools are better (if not perfect) than the Census toolset.
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, perhaps more eclectic, favorites that I hope you will enjoy.
This week’s UJT Radio Program:
• The Allman Brothers Band – One Way Out — This one is one of my favs, by one of my fav bands, on one of my fav live albums. This is from their “At Fillmore East” released in 1971.
• John Mayer – Daughters – This young man blew me away listening to the radio in bumper to bumper traffic in Seattle’s version of the LA I-5 parking lot. From his 3 album, “Heavier Things” released in 2004.
• Mark Knopfler — One Song at a Time — This is a very sweet cut from his “Down the Road Whereever(Deluxe)” released in 2018.
• U2 — Where the Streets Have No Name — This is the song that introduced U2 to me. It still brings tears to my eyes when I hear it. This is from their “Josha Tree” album released in 1987.
• Electric Light Orchestra — Turn to Stone — Recently my poker game moved to a new venue with live music on the nights we play. These bands are cover bands so we enjoy trying to remember the bands name or the song or album and recently these boys came up.. they weren’t the band but got me to remembering this song from their 1977 release, “Out of the Blue”.
• Venice – The Man You Think I Am – These guys do good work! They are craftsmen in a business where there is sooo much noise and glitz, we forget that there are just good people making good music that we should hear. This is from their “Home Grown” album released in 2008.
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!