I think of a comic strip such as this one from 2009 as “hitting for average.” In four panels, it has no less than three gags. In the first gag, Arlo makes a quip at the expense of Ludwig the cat; the third panel is a sight gag, with Arlo as caveman facing down a saber-toothed beast with what appears to be a seven iron, or perhaps a six; in the fourth panel is the standard punchline. I say “hitting for average,” because it’s like the indispensable baseball player who can be depended upon to get on base with above-average regularity. Of course, it’s the homerun hitters who make all the money.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas holiday.
183 responses to “Evolving Situation”
Boy I wish that could be my resolution. I have done that already. I packed up the too small jeans but almost couldn’t get the size I have in dozens of colors. I almost had to call my garden pet helper in to yank!
So my resolution is lose the regained weight plus some more by eating healthier and exercising.
Today’s ‘Composers’ Datebook’ is interesting in itself. But, among other things, it demonstrates that tyrants can be capricious. To get to it, click on:
http://www.yourclassical.org/programs/composers-datebook/episodes
and read the most recent episode or, if you do it after Fri. 30 Dec. ’16, scroll down to the 30 Dec. episode, the one about Franz Lehar.
No idea*, of course, why that seems relevant now. After all, Adolf died in his bunker 71+ yr. ago.
Peace?
*N.B.: tongue-in-cheek
Debbie’s father has been having problems caused by prostate including infections. He has indeed reached point he cannot be left alone. She is considering staying there with him so he can remain at home. He is in mid 80s.
She has not quite smoking but has cut back dramatically. She is under a lot of stress from home, more than her dad.
Her dad lives in town not out in country but he has no car nor does Debbe. He has to be taken to many appointments.
One year, JJ took some time off around Christmas, and we had, as I recall, 500+ (possibly near 600) comments by the time he returned. Of course in those days there was no worry about the orphans getting locked out.
Friday Favorites, on MPR starts a goes 3-7 pm. Some broadcasts on APR may be delayed broadcasts. It should contain at least 2 items requested by Villagers, one or more related to Sat. ’16 or Sun. ’17, and one related to Wed. 28 Dec. Peace,
Jackie, I’m 5’7″, and when I first made that resolution, I weighed 160, meaning that cold weather went right through me. I’ve managed to get up to 163.8, but still need several more pounds. Gaining weight isn’t easy when you’re diabetic unless one of your meds causes weight gain, or you just don’t watch what you eat.
I was thrilled when I learned that extra weight (caused by increased appetite) was a side-effect of my mealtime insulin. I gained two pounds.
Thanks for the enthusiasm, everyone.
Sideburns, good going from the other side of the tape. Refreshing to read the struggle from a different angle.
GR6, had an item from earlier today I thought might check a few of your interest boxes. I used to consider Craig Ferguson the best late night host available. So I still like to see him in whatever he does. He hosts a syndicated game show with celebrity guest contestants. Today’s re-run had a chef I hadn’t known, Daphne Oz. This young lady could be Alicia Silverstone’s niece, very strong resemblance. But I’m told I see things weird. I hope she is a strong chef, as she cannot play password very well. Cute to see her try though.
http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/national/no-2016-wasnt-the-worst-year-for-celebrity-deaths-and-well-prove-it
This was interesting.
I thought TCM’s in memorium segment this year chose music that was brighter yet still solemn. It was nice. Like Old Bear’s martial music, unexpected but pleasant.
Jimmy, I hope you don’t mind. But I really have to mention Brian Basset’s strip from yesterday. Red’s triumphant raised arms in a subtle last frame is a real spirit lifter.
http://www.gocomics.com/redandrover/2016/12/29
Anon [6:25] was me. Background data use was up so I dumped cookies, must have done all history instead.
But I came back to ask about Hogfather. Since I haven’t read, but was struck by the similarity to Hogmanay, Scottish New Year. Is that link made obvious in Discworld, or am I making bad connections?
I have no idea about Hogmanay but it doesn’t sound related. The hog in Hogfather is related to an actual hog (boar). The kids and I just re-watched this today.
Morphy: Pratchett often pulled words from Scottish and other dialects, past or present, and then twisted them to his own purposes. It seems likely that his Hogswatchnight is derived from Hogmanay, to some degree at least.
I wondered, thanks. One of the neat tricks in creating a universe is giving it words. Rowling’s storylines may have wandered a bit toward the end; but the way she took words and gave nuance to them was fun. Diagon Alley ~ diagonally
Back from Tulsa. Had a healthy bourbon glazed salmon and fresh green beans dinner with salad. That’s it. Forgot to take photo for my salmon fishing friends so they’ll know I am back on track.
Talking to waitress I learned she was going to the Tulsa performances of the Beethoven suites with a blind date from Kansas who had invited her to go and buying her a suitable dress. She has never heard classical music. She is not young but being from Wichita, Kansas she was surprised when I mentioned their opera company. I told her to go, have fun and don’t say as in Pretty Woman when asked if she enjoyed it “I liked to peed in my pants.”
The absurdity of this was not lost on me, I know no one in Oklahoma that would invite me to the Beethoven series and I have my own clothes.
Heard this afternoon from the Ford body shop in Springdale, Arkansas where Trigger is being towed. They are a Ford repair shop and an Allstate repair shop, both certifications, so perhaps my truck will get repaired properly.
I hope.
Goody goody. My guardians son owns the Allstate agency in Springdale, Arkansas. Named for my step dad. Cousin.
I thought so. Didn’t say so when they called.
Just watched “Queen of Katwe” with my wife. Great story, good actors, but they rarely gave me a clear enough view of the chessboards. I’ll be adding that one to my personal collection in a few months.
TruckerRon, Even when integral to the story, directors are convinced chess has no action and more than five seconds will put the audience to sleep. Or they get tired of the technical adviser telling them ‘white on right’.
I have been carless since moving back in October. I sold my Montero Sport back to my brother before moving.
Today I signed off on the paperwork for a 2009 Honda Element. I will pick it up on Wednesday. When you are 6′ 5″ it is as hard to find cars that fit you as clothes. This one has plenty of both leg and head room and is a very practical drive. It is silver with black interior. Seeing as how we have a Trigger and a Bullet, I think I’ll call it “Silver” in honor of the Lone Ranger’s horse!
Looks like this: http://images.gtcarlot.com/pictures/45789833.jpg
Chess was an integral part of that Harry Potter movie where they played on life size board and got killed if they made a bad move.
Maybe they need to play it like that with the option of off with their heads!
About every 6 months some group of doctors that can’t get anything else published announces that anyone diagnosed with prostate cancer should not bother with any kind of treatment. Well they can take a real close look at where my prostate used to be. It can be very slow to spread but it can also spread with unbelievable speed. My doctor says if I had waited a little longer to have the surgery I would be dead by now. They only had to remove the prostate and didn’t touch anything else. I remain cancer-free nine years later. It all starts with getting your lab work done every year and if the doctor wants to do some biopsies, do it. It doesn’t hurt but very little and the alternative could be trying to apologize to your family.
info on Discworld. Haven’t read any of this site yet, as I just found it.
http://wiki.lspace.org/mediawiki/Main_Page
That is a very nice looking car Mark. Are you sure there wasn’t a hero that rode in a silver box? Sort of like the hero in the telephone booth? Superman or Dr. Who?
Just kidding, I think Silver is a good name, not taken.
Who was that masked man?
Jackie, that would cause tournaments to end sooner. But not having any competition left would be boring. Like Daffy Duck probably borrowed from someone else, ‘It’s a great trick, but I can only do it once!”