AMAZON

Saturday, February 07, 2009

Insignificant Observations

Just a bit of codswallop, mates.

Today is Matt-Man’s birthday. Please click over to Bagwine Ruminations and wish the young man a happy one. OK?


I read in a biography of Charles Schultz that it wasn’t until after he introduced a cat to the cast of his Peanuts comic strip that he realized that he could not draw a cat. From that point on, the cat was always outside the pane.


Sometimes I have attempted to make a point by telling a story only to find my listeners looking at me with blank faces. Then, I usually say, I suppose you really had to be there.


An old college chum sent me this story:

I went to Wal-Mart to buy something and I gave the cashier my bank debit card to pay for it and the card was rejected.  I said, ok, let's do the USA Visa card, and that was rejected too.
 
That worried me a little, so I called my bank and they said that my card had been compromised along with a bunch of others and the bank had cancelled all of them.  They sent me a letter to that effect, however I didn't get that being, as I am, in Texas.  They will issue me a new bank debit card when I get back.
 
Then I called USAA and they told me they had put a stop on my card, due to the charge I rang up for my new computer down in Florida.  They tried to call me at home, but again, I'm in Texas.  So I'm flat out of credit.  They said next time to call them and let them know I'm travelling and they'll keep it in action.  They did re activate my card while I was on the phone.

My response: Computers make our lives so much easier.


All Kentuckians do not root for the University of Kentucky Wildcats. At least 25% root for the University of Louisville Cardinals. Since I have degrees from both universities, when they play each other I can become a bit schizoid. Of course, I also smile because I know my alma mater will win.


Many years ago I received as a birthday present a book that contained only the words of Winston Churchill, A few of my favorites are:

 

  • A politician needs the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month, and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to explain why it didn't happen.
  • A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.
  • An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.
  • Eating words has never given me indigestion.
  • He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire.
  • History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.
  • I am prepared to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter.
  • I may be drunk, Lady Astor, but in the morning I will be sober and you will still be ugly.
  • Lady Nancy Astor: Winston, if you were my husband, I'd poison your tea.

Churchill: Nancy, if I were your husband, I'd drink it.

 


I once did some research on U.S. wars and learned that the United States has fought 12 major wars in our brief history. If one considers all of the other wars, such as the war against Tripoli, the numerous wars against Native Americans, the Pilipino “Insurrection”, the invasions of Granada and Panama, etc., there has not been a decade in our history when the U.S military has not been involved in conflict.

Perhaps Oscar Wilde was correct when he said, America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without a period of civilization in between.


Hmmmm… I suppose you really had to be there.




18 comments:

  1. just stopped by to say hi! I hope that you and Alex have a great weekend.

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  2. Well done, Rev. Saint. Yes, the "serious" made it through the humor.

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  3. I love Winston Churchill's irreverent and barbed retorts. One of my favourites...when debating about it being a breach of grammar to have a sentence ending in a preposition, to paraphrase, he said:

    "It is an error up with which I shall not put."

    Which points out just how ridiculous and pedantic the English language could be if we let it.

    Did you realise he suffered from bipolar disorder and during the depressive episodes, he use to refer to them as his "black dog"? During the manic episodes, he wouldn't sleep for days on end and would have his staff dropping like flies with fatigue all around, yet he would still keep going.

    For a man with such a disabling condition, he certainly did make history and led England into victory during WWII. I could go on and on, but I won't take over your post (grin).

    Keep well, Nick. How's the leg?

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  4. Whenever we travel I always let my bank know to avoid my cars being stopped, it's much easier!

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  5. Mike Golch : Thank you! The temperature here today is supposed to be in the mid-50s F. I believe I’ll have a grand day, as will Alex the furball, who is at the moment catting around outside.

    Azsonofagun : Thank you. So I need not have added that last sentence?

    Puss-in-Boots : Thanks for the Winnie story. You could have gone on and on about him and I would have enjoyed every sentence.

    Thanks for asking. Both of my legs have been painful since my trip to the VA clinic on Thursday. Perhaps all of that walking and the getting in and out of the car has caused some sort of trauma.

    Akelamalu : Thank you for the good advice. I’ll pass it on to my old college chum.

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  6. Hi Nick ~~ I hope you are feeling better by tomorrow after the trip to the clinic. Thank you so much for your blessing and wishes for our country. Today has been ghastly ~ highest temp ever recorded 46 C in the years that have been recorded, since 1856. Some lives have been lost as well as lots of homes.
    I am so glad you are to get a good wheel-chair and glad Tasha was able to take you. Take care, my friend.Regards, Merle.

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  7. Go U of L!!!!! I'm a Louisville girl, through and through.

    Love Churchill.

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  8. lol.. some funny stuff today ;) epic boobs... i know a few. HA!

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  9. Interesting ruminations.You are definitely not part of the volgivagant.

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  10. Looooooooove the boobs. I just wanted to say thanks for all of the shout outs and kind comments of late, Nick. They come at a time that I have needed them. Thanks buddy. Cheers!!

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  11. Hi Nick,

    I like your wild and varied post.

    Peace and Love to you this cold Sunday morning.

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  12. LOL! Thanks for the chuckle this a.m. Needed one !

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  13. Something over here always makes me smile when I pop over -- Thanks for the grins. =)

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  14. I wondered why I never got updates from you ~ dur! I WAS NOT FOLLOWING

    also these idiot slow computers I waited 5 mins and still no list of who else was doing it: you'd think it was some kind of State Secret...

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  15. We're still a very young and naive country despite our might and excess.

    Wonderful pic of the epic boobs.

    A side note, we had young members of the UCC congregation next door sit in on our Friday night service and my Rabbi did a Q and A with them afterwards. I thought of you and had to share that story. The good will will between out two faiths continues on a small level.

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  16. Great Churchill quotes, Nick. Thanks for sharing them.

    Hugs to you and Alex.

    Laurie

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