Johnny Appleseed - Joe Strummer

Just because.

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- And some people wonder why people can't take global warming seriously

- Good news for Luther fans

- Agreed - this is what coaching is all about

- Which is why they changed his name from Frederick the Awake

- Heh heh - awesome!

- Possible Northern Exposure revival. Always wondered why that show is not available on streaming services.

Adam West

An American icon passed away this weekend. Was Adam West a comedic genius as some suggest or simply a man with a very good sense of humor, uncommon humbleness and a rare generosity of spirit.  Doesn't matter - he was Adam West and to an extent he exemplified the best in us.

There was a reason Conan O'Brien and Robert Smigel thought of him as Lookwell. There was a reason Seth McFarland wanted Adam West as the mayor on Family Guy. He was wanted because he was funny and one of the nicest guys you'd ever want to meet.

His Batman touched the American psyche as noted by the fact that the day he passed the organist at Fenway Park played the theme from his Batman show between innings in his honor. The Batmobile from his show recently sold at auction for $4.2 million. Proof of the tangible contributions and impression Adam West made in many ways to the lives of so many.

Loved how Adam West listed himself in the Yellow Pages. Then this this story of him getting kicked out of a Hollywood orgy.

Oh and I also endorse this idea. All the other Batman's should attend his funeral.

Patriots Super Bowl Rings

The new Patriots Super Bowl ring is a thing of beauty. The Patriots deserved their celebration. Some may take the fact that it has 283 diamonds as a swipe against the Falcons but in New England 28-3 has become synonymous with "never give up". That's why you'll see 28-3 signs on heartbreak hill in the Boston Marathon for decades to come.

Admiral William H. McRaven

University of Texas 2014 commencement speech. Great advice.

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- The elections in England give us - the worst high-five in history?

- Heh heh - it's funny because its true!

- Heh heh - it's funny because it's not true

- Habits vs Goals - much better to change your habits

- Scientists find 300,000 year old homo sapiens remains and tools. History of man older than thought.

- Will the first "flying car" actually be a helicopter you can also take on the highway?

- Fascinating - the government can track you via what you print out at home

- "Fuck you I'm Millwall" Battle cry of a hero.

- Cool read - the social psychology of flatulence. Science!

Ghosts

I've decided that I'm not going to believe in ghosts. Why? Well the reason is pretty simple.

Every kid is taught that ghosts say "boo!" Who decided this? It's become unanimous. According to our culture and accepted norms - ghosts say "boo". But why would your spirit in death be saying something you never said in life? When was the last time you said "boo"? Were you impersonating a ghost?

The only explanation is that nobody has ever spoken with a ghost. And that must be because they don't exist. Logic.

As an aside - I think it would be funny if someone re-cut the movie Ghost so that Patrick Swayze's dialog after he dies is replaced by someone just repeating "boo!" over and over.

Long Strange Trip

I would say I' a fan of the Grateful Dead but I'm hardly a Deadhead. Last night I finished the documentary on the Dead - Long Strange Trip - on Amazon Prime and I highly recommend it.

First thing to discuss is the length. Some may be scared off the documentary because they've heard it is 4 hours long, which is true. However, Amazon Prime has broken it into 6 cohesive "acts" or episodes which is very manageable. This is easily one of the top 5 music related documentaries I've ever seen (I'll have to do that list soon).

The documentary follows the band from its formation and its crucible of the "acid test" to the death of Jerry Garcia. From a band going out on the road and coming back as broke as when they departed to the money making machine they became at the end. Some very amusing and insightful stories were told along the way.

Now I know some would argue that there has not been an end and that the Dead lives on but Dead and Company or the other band offshoots are just not the same (although I must admit I'm thinking about seeing them at Fenway Park this summer).

So watch the documentary. I think you'll enjoy it.

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- Why Trump was right to leave the Paris Accords

- Draw your own conclusions

- One of the all-time great photos

- History will not be kind to President Obama (and for damn good reason!)

- Debbie Wasserman Shultz Crank Yankers failure (you can't make this shit up)

- Heh heh

- Very cool - Dinosaur "Mummy" unveiled with skin and guts intact

- Good advice

D-Day

That was General Eisenhower's D-Day speech 73 years ago today.

Here is the speech Eisenhower planned to give if things went badly. Thank God he never had to give this speech.

Happy Birthday to Robert Kraft

Happy 76th birthday to the best owner in pro sports - Robert Kraft.

Question of the Day

If a man goes to a family petting zoo and publicly has sex with one of the goats - is he a pervert? What if having sex with goats isn't against his religious beliefs? Is he still a pervert? Or are you an Islamophobe?

The Aristocrats!

Lab Rats

Where do the white lab rats and mice come from? Think about it. Are they some sort of snow rodents? I don’t think so. They are probably some sort of genetic anomalies. I think scientists should have to note that fact in their findings. Instead of reading something like, “Scientists find that excessive caffeine causes cancer in lab mice” – the report should read, “Scientists find that excessive caffeine causes cancer in genetically altered rodents.” Makes a difference on your reaction doesn't it? 

Wynona's Big Brown Beaver - Primus

Just felt like hearing this song today.

Otto Frederick Rohwedder

It bothers me that whenever you see a list of great Americans these lists always seem to exclude Otto Frederick Rohwedder. He's the man credited with inventing sliced bread. What's greater than sliced bread?

Dick Cheney on George H. W. Bush

Recently came across this quote from Dick Cheney regarding President George H.W. Bush:

If you were to go out and design a President to be Commander in Chief in a crisis like Desert Storm, you couldn’t do any better than what we had with George Bush. In terms of his experiences, combat pilot in World War II, UN [United Nations], China, CIA, Vice President. He was a delight to work for in that regard. So a lot of what followed after that, whatever successes we enjoyed and so forth, you have to start with the man. 

I thought that was worth pondering.

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- Expiring vs long-term knowledge. Another argument for spending more time reading books and less time on social media.

- One of my favorite paintings

- If I lived in Spokane I'd so apply for this. I'd even let them call me Bill, Randy or Dave for the day.

- Another of my favorite paintings (and yes I am going to hell)

- Scott Adams on Kathy Griffin.

King Phillip's War

One of the least remembered episodes in New England's history is King Phillip's War.

The bloodiest war in America's history, on a per capita basis, took place in New England in 1675.

At the center of this cataclysm was one man, Metacom, leader of the Pokanokets, a tribe within the Wampanoag Indian Federation. At an early age, when relations between the natives and settlers were less stressed, Metacom was given the nickname of King Philip by the English, because of his haughty mannerisms. One of the many ironies of this conflict is that Philip was the son of Massasoit - the same Massasoit who had helped the Plymouth Pilgrims survive their first winter in the New World. A father's kindness would became a son's curse.

This war almost drove "white" settlers from New England but the settlers prevailed by killing scores upon scores of Indians. It is no coincidence that beyond that first Thanksgiving you never really hear about Indians in conjunction with New England history. That's because they were almost all dead.

Top 5 - Famous People who Started as Accountants

Here is my Top 5 list of famous people who started off as accountants.

1. Bob Newhart - started out in accounting. This isn't really surprising. Bob is a favorite of mine.

2. Peter Falk - before he was an actor he was a CPA - who knew?

3. John Grisham - I think most people knew that the famous novelist was a lawyer but did you know he received his undergraduate degree in accounting from Mississippi State University?

4. Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell - he graduated from Cal Poly University-San Luis Opispo with a degree in business and accounting. It would be kinda cool to bring a UFC champ to an IRS audit.

5. (Tie) Kevin Kennedy - the former MLB Manager was a CPA. Supposedly in the minor leagues he did his players’ tax returns to make extra money. He's the only guy on the list who was probably better as an accountant than in the profession he's best known for. (Tie) Gibby Haynes - lead singer of The Butthole Surfers. He went to Trinity University and earned his degree in accounting. After graduating he worked for over a year at an accounting firm before starting the band. Pepper is one of my favorite songs. 

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

If Kathy Griffin really wanted to set fire to her career she could put that severed Trump head for sale on eBay with the proceeds going to Planned Parenthood... I'm adding all of these drives to my bucket list... "The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane" - Marcus Aerelius. Sounds like pretty good advice for using the Internet these days... Very cool. Faster please!... Mae West said it 100-years ago and it is still true today, "Those that are easily offended should be offended more often"... I'm confused - is Covfete the new Harambe? Or are we all still "stuck on stupid"?... If a monogamy gene could be isolated in humans - could future prenup agreements require that gene to be activated prior to marriage?...  It's funny because it's true!...  Was very surprised to learn that in the modern world more people die from suicide than from war and violent crime combined... I did not know this. Good knowledge to have... There should be a Kickstarter to replace all of the statues of Confederate generals in the South with statues of Gregg Allman...