Singles and Doubles Vol 3
Back By Popular Demand
1st INNING
Is there anyone out there who reads an actual newspaper anymore? Newspapers have been around for centuries, but now, thanks to the internet, they’ll be going the way of the dinosaur. They have been vitally important to a well-informed citizenry and soon they will be extinct. I cannot remember the last time I sat down and spent an hour or two with a newspaper in my hands. It is kind of sad, you know? But, people like me are part of the problem. I want newspapers to stay around, but I don’t want to go out and buy one when I can turn on my computer and get all the news I need. (sigh)
2nd INNING
Senator Dianne Feinstein of California has been in the news a lot. Some people think she is too old and infirm to be an effective United States Senator. And, I am one of them. Senator Feinstein has had a great career, however, it seems obvious she is not up to the job anymore. And to see her get dragged in the press for being too feeble to do her job is heartbreaking. My question is - why isn’t someone in her family or on her staff stepping up to protect her? Sure, it would be a tough conversation to have, and she almost certainly would resist leaving the Senate, but she deserves better than this. Why should this be what she is remembered for? I just do not get why her family and staff are letting this happen.
3rd INNING
I was watching a baseball game the other day and I saw the dumbest thing. It was early in the game and the outfielders had to deal with a difficult setting sun. A fly ball was hit to centerfield and, understandably, the outfielder lost it in the sun and it fell for a double. I wondered why he did not have sunglasses. Until I saw the replay. He had sunglasses all right, but they were on the bill of his cap, not his face. WTF?? Fat lot of good they’re doing you up there, buddy. Then after that mishap, did he put his sunglasses on his face? Why, no he did not. Apparently, to this player, styling is more important than seeing and catching the ball. I know I sound like a cranky old geezer, but, come on, that is ridiculous.
4th INNING
If I am ever in the position of having to choose a last meal, I am choosing Long John Silver’s. I love that greasy, sodium-infused, batter-covered, deep fried fish. There is, however, a tragic aspect to my love of Long John’s. The nearest one is 71 miles away! We try to work in a visit whenever we have to go that way. I think my seafood-hating wife kind of tolerated my love of LJS at first, but now she seems fine with it because she likes their chicken. And, she just wants me to be happy, too, of course. I had a milestone birthday a few years ago and she asked me where I would like to go to celebrate. I said Long John Silver’s so we drove 71 miles to get fast food fish, then drove another 71 miles to get back home. And, it was well worth it.
5th INNING
Best Comedies in TV History
Curb Your Enthusiasm
The Office
Green Acres
Cheers
Veep
6th INNING
When I am out in public, I almost never want to do a stop and chat. I just want to go wherever I’m going, do whatever I’m going to do, then go home. That’s it.
The other day, I was out walking. I had on my large, oversized headphones, which to me, is a sign to the world that I have no interest in interacting. I’m just not a friendly person, I guess.
Anyway, I’m out walking along and I see a guy coming in my direction. And, I think what I always think, “I hope I don’t have to interact with this person.” When we get close enough, I see he is saying something to me. So, I have to stop and pull off my headphones and have a little chat with this guy. Dang.
I suppose there is nothing wrong with having these little stop and chats with strangers. We are sharing the same area of the planet after all. But, if anyone sees me out in public, do me a favor and simply walk on by like I’m not even there. Thanks.
7th INNING
The Song of the Week: “Green Grass and High Tides” by The Outlaws from “Outlaws”, released in 1975, written by Hughie Thomasson. This song happens to be the greatest guitar song of all time, and is my second favorite song of all time. It is nine minutes and forty-nine seconds of guitar heaven. Just a fantastic piece of work.
8th INNING
So, another debt ceiling crisis has come and gone. And, with a Democrat in the White House, we all knew how this was going to go - the hypocrite Republicans in Congress would manufacture up another artificial crisis. Recent history shows they meekly voted for raising the debt ceiling three times without conditions when a Republican was President, prior to Joe Biden. But, with Biden, and when Obama was president, too, all of a sudden spending cuts have to be negotiated to get any Republican votes to raise the debt ceiling, or else they would let the government shut down and default on its financial obligations. Which, as everyone knows, would screw our economy big time. Well, everyone knows that except for the guy that lost to Biden. This loser encouraged the Republicans to let the country default. This should come as no surprise, considering the guy’s record as a “businessman”. He declared bankruptcy, what, six times? (By the way, what kind of moron goes bankrupt running a casino? The games are rigged in favor of the house!) And, how many times has he been sued for nonpayment of bills for services rendered? I would consult an Ouija board for financial advice before that lying asshole.
9th INNING
A warm kitty on your lap.
Someone you love next to you.
Your team is winning.
A bowl of butter pecan ice cream.
Life doesn’t get any better.
