Author: fasted86

Briefly.

Procrastination is totally a good thing. You always have something to do tomorrow plus, you have nothing to do today!

Trivia #1: Who is the last American to win the U.S. Open singles title? – Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, John Isner, Pete Sampras, Juan Carlos Ferrero
Trivia #2: Tom Brady is entering his 23^rd NFL season, but he is short of the NFL record. What player holds that record and how many seasons did he play?
Trivia #3: What distinction do the following PGA golfers have in common? – Hale Irwin, Gary Player, David Graham, Bernhard Langer and Justin Rose
Trivia #4: What is the pressure-sensitive, hot melt adhesive glue called that is used to stick credit cards to paper?

Let’s get together before we get much older.

In tennis news, the US Open is still going on…

Boy, did the defending Super Bowl Rams look terrible last night or did the Bills look formidable? I think a combination of both.

On this day: The United States of America was formally created by an act of the Second Continental Congress on September 9, 1776. 

More than a dozen states are debating whether to adopt California’s plan to ban new gas cars by the year 2035. Several of the 17 states are likely to move forward with the plan, including Washington, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon and Vermont. California’s restrictions are the strictest in the country, mandating that all new vehicles run on either electricity or hydrogen by 2035.

Ya, because California has the power. Not! Here they are today in crisis due to the excessive heat. Also, remind me again what we are going to do with all those lithium batteries…

Speaking of the CA heat, a series of wildfires are spreading throughout the state amid one of the worst heat waves in history. And here we were bitching a couple of weeks ago about a few hot days in a row.

Joshua Walker, a basketball coach from Louisiana, broke five world records in one day. Walker made the longest basketball shot (113’ 6”), the longest behind-the-back shot (48’), the farthest hook shot (80’), the farthest bounce shot (95’) and the farthest shot made backward (84’).

Good news: A burgeoning new field of forensic science called investigative genetic genealogy, which combines cutting-edge DNA analysis and traditional genealogy is being used to uncover decades-old secrets and crack the coldest of cases. The technology originally focusing on non-criminal human identification cases, such as helping adoptees find their biological families.

There was an article in the local paper on Wednesday with the headline ‘Merrimack Valley braves the rain at the polls.’ Help me out. What is “brave” about going outside in the rain?

Look at the offenses, namely the quarterbacks, in the AFC West. Raiders (Derek Carr), Chiefs (Patrick Mahomes), Chargers (Justin Herbert) and the Broncos (newly acquired Russell Wilson). There should be some points scored there!

Encore! – You’re doing it wrong. Canadian singer Weeknd abruptly stopped his sold-out SoFi Stadium concert in Inglewood on Saturday night just three songs into the set, telling fans he had to cancel the show after losing his voice in the middle of “Can’t Feel My Face.”

Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: The Red Sox have 24 pitchers with at least one loss, the most in Red Sox history. (Useless, but astounding!)

I am a hopeless Red Sox fan.

Article I’ll skip: The real reason Meghan isn’t mourning in Scotland with the royals

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: A teacher at San Juan High School in California, identified as Danielle Serio, is known as “Flint.” Flint posted repeatedly on TikTok about books in the “queer library” and said it was available to students and has been active for five years. The “queer library” in her classroom was filled with over 100 books – some of which contained sex imagery, information on orgies, sex parties and BDSM. 

I hate the Yankees, news(?), and am not exactly a fan of Aaron Judge, but hitting more homeruns than any other Yankee in history is rather impressive.

Quote for the week: “why God gave us two arms.” – Dr. Ashish Jha, the White House’s COVID-19 coordinator, raised eyebrows on Tuesday for describing his recommendations for annual COVID boosters along with flu shots.

R.I.P. Queen Elizabeth II (96) – longest-reigning British monarch (1952-2022). So much to say but simply a legend.

Ya, I would have made for a great monarch when I was 25.

Trivia #1 answer: Who is the last American to win the U.S. Open singles title? – Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, John Isner, Pete Sampras, Juan Carlos Ferrero – Andy Roddick (2003)
Trivia #2 answer: Tom Brady is entering his 23^rd NFL season, but he is short of the NFL record. What player holds that record and how many seasons did he play? – George Blanda (26 seasons)
Trivia #3 answer: What distinction does the following PGA golfers have in common? – Hale Irwin, Gary Player, David Graham, Bernhard Langer and Justin Rose – They have all won official tournaments on all six continents on which golf is played.
Trivia #4 answer: What is the pressure-sensitive, hot melt adhesive glue called that issued to stick credit cards to paper? – It is known as gummy, snot or booger glue. Really.

I made a huge ‘to do’ list for today. I just can’t figure out who’s going to do it.

Be careful out there. (It’s a jungle!)

Happy National Teddy Bear Day!

The Foo Fighters paid tribute to drummer Taylor Hawkins, who died back in March due to an apparent accidental overdose, with a concert at London’s Wembley Stadium last Saturday night. A star-studded event featured the likes of Paul McCartney, Rush, Queen’s Roger Taylor and Brian May, AC/DC singer Brian Johnson and the Pretender’s Chrissie Hynde. Hawkins’ son Shane played the drums in the band’s final tribute song ‘My Hero.’ Enjoy.

“Don’t the best of them bleed it out
While the rest of them peter out
Truth or consequence, say it aloud
Use that evidence, race it around

There goes my hero
Watch him as he goes
There goes my hero
He’s ordinary”

– Foo Fighters

Briefly.

Hippos can run faster than humans on land and swim faster than humans in the water, which means the bicycle is your only chance of beating a hippo in a triathlon.

Trivia #1: Who has the most receiving yards in the NFL since 2016? – Davante Adams, Travis Kelce, Mike Evans, Deandre Hopkins, Julio Jones
Trivia #2: The Rams’ Cooper Kupp won the NFL Triple Crown last season for receivers (most catches, yards, touchdowns). Since 1967, only three others have accomplished that feat. Which three of the following? – Marvin Harrison, Jerry Rice, Steve Smith Sr., Terrell Owens, Sterling Sharpe, Anquan Boldin
Trivia #3: Which is not a legal political designation? – Democrat, New Alliance Party, Independent Third Party, Rainbow Coalition, Prohibition Party, World Citizens Party, Natural Law Party
Trivia #4: Bartolo Colon announced his retirement from professional baseball (he wants to pitch a couple of games in the Dominican Winter League) after playing 21 MLB seasons (1997-2018). Which MLB team did the big-headed one NOT play for? – Indians, Expos, White Sox, Angels, Red Sox, Royals, Yankees, A’s, Mets, Braves, Twins, Rangers
Trivia #5: It is estimated that how many people across Asia, Europe and Africa were killed during World War II? – 1 million, 12 million, 24 million, 30 million, 41 million, 60 million

At this time next Friday, the NFL season will have started. Buckle up!

Go away (for good this time), Sarah Palin

On this day: On September 2, 1945, the Japs formerly signed documents of surrender ending World War II.

Congratulations to Rory McIlroy for winning the FedEx Cup.

Article I’ll skip: Manti Te’o spotted after catfishing doc goes viral, opens up about future

“Emergency COVID money”, don’t get me going.

“Warning”, you’re doing it wrong – An immediate evacuation notice from the Emergency Alert System that interrupted regular TV programming in the Los Angeles area Wednesday, telling the entirety of L.A. County and the “Eastern North Pacific Ocean” area to evacuate due to a fire was sent in “error” by Los Angeles County, the Ventura County Sheriff said.

If you haven’t seen it, look it up. A high school in Illinois did a “Mom’s Night” where the mothers suited up and got to tackle their sons. It’s great!

Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: Not really for this topic but I’m not sure where to include it… bear with me. A neighbor of Nikolas Cruz testified that the then 10-year-old went on a killing spree “…trying to kill every toad in the neighborhood…” during his penalty trial which will determine whether he is sentenced to death of life in prison. Full disclosure, I and others (no names of course), once killed countless toads once, ‘back in the day.’ None of us went on to massacre 17 people at the local high school.

I was in a discussion last night about which of the Williams sisters, Venus or Serena, would win in a fight. I don’t care how big/huge Serena is, give me the older sister. (There really was such a discussion)

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: The World Health Organization has invited the public to find a new name for monkeypox, calling for help in coming up with a less stigmatizing designation for the fast-spreading disease amid concerns about the name. Experts warn the name can be stigmatizing to the primates it was named after, but who play little role in its spread, and to the African continent that the animals are often associated with. (I did not make that up)

Quote for the week: “Welcome to College GameDay, week zero.” – ESPN’s Reece Davis one week before college football officially got under way.

Trivia #1 answer: Who has the most receiving yards in the NFL since 2016? – Davante Adams, Travis Kelce, Mike Evans, Deandre Hopkins, Julio Jones – Travis Kelce (7,269)
Trivia #2 answer: The Rams’ Cooper Kupp won the NFL Triple Crown last season for receivers (most catches, yards, touchdowns). Since 1967, only three others have accomplished that feat. Which three of the following? – Marvin Harrison, Jerry Rice, Steve Smith Sr., Terrell Owens, Sterling Sharpe, Anquan Boldin – Jerry Rice (1990), Sterling Sharpe (1992), Steve Smith Sr. (2005)
Trivia #3: Which is not a legal political designation? – Democrat, New Alliance Party, Independent Third Party, Rainbow Coalition, Prohibition Party, World Citizens Party, Natural Law Party – Kind of a trick question here as the answer is Independent Third Party. The actual name is Interdependent Third Party
Trivia #4 answer: Bartolo Colon announced his retirement from professional baseball (he wants to pitch a couple of games in the Dominican Winter League) after playing 21 MLB seasons (1997-2018). Which MLB team did the big-headed one NOT play for? – Indians, Expos, White Sox, Angels, Red Sox, Royals, Yankees, A’s, Mets, Braves, Twins, Rangers – he did not play for the Royals
Trivia #5 answer: It is estimated that how many people across Asia, Europe and Africa were killed during World War II? – 1 million, 12 million, 24 million, 30 million, 41 million, 60 million – 60 million!

When I dunk my cookies, I think of you… and hold them under until the bubbles stop.

Be careful out there. (It’s a jungle!)

Happy World Coconut Day!

I have always tried not to repeat songs in this section however, with the addition of video, some are just worth repeating. Having said that, I have found that some tunes do not have proper video. I’m am opting out of those. I hope you enjoy.

“And if I say to you tomorrow
‘Take my hand, child, come with me
It’s to a castle I will take you
Where what’s to be, they say will be.’

Catch the wind
See us spin
Sail away
Leave today
Way up high in the sky

But the wind won’t blow
You really shouldn’t go
It only goes to show
That you will be mine
By taking our time”

Briefly.

Police officer at a guy’s front door: “I’m sorry sir, but it looks like your wife got hit by a truck.”
Guy: “I know, but she’s got a great personality.”
Police officer: “What?”

Trivia #1: What is the biggest union in America today, in terms of members (including inactive and lifetime members)? – Int’l Brotherhood of Teamsters, Service Employees International Union, Education Association of the U.S., United Auto Workers, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Trivia #2: Who is Einar Gustafson?
Trivia #3: Which MLB pitcher is NOT in the top 10 for career strikeouts? – Steve Carlton, Phil Niekro, Bert Blyleven, Don Sutton, Greg Maddox

Go away, Tom Brady. (Hold on, Tom Brady! Yes. He doesn’t play for my team any longer and I don’t give a rat’s ass whether he is at camp in Tampa or on a beach in the Bahamas. Let’s just play some football already!)

Life really is like a box of chocolates.

The Patriots took a knee to end last Friday’s preseason game. It’s the preseason! Don’t you have at least some sort of play to work on rather than taking a freaking knee?!

Article I’ll skip: Sylvester Stallone is going through a divorce, but he’s a superhero in his new movie ‘Samaritan’.

Incredible stats, I think. J.D. Martinez, despite his long slump that has seen his batting average drop to .275, is still 2^nd in the AL and 4^th in all of baseball, in doubles. Even so, he is 5^th on the Red Sox in RBIs.

Maybe it’s because I haven’t tried it but I doubt it. I like to do a lot of stuff when I drink, but throwing axes is not something I’m eager to try.

Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: ANY preseason NFL statistic.

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: Youth basketball participants in Los Angeles are still being required to wear masks while they are on the court. (What is actually hysterical is that I read this and saw a picture of a game in progress supposedly proving this policy. The problem is, in the picture the kids’ faces are blurred for obvious reasons but you can’t see the masks either!)

Meanwhile, a boutique in Beverly Hills is banning customers from wearing masks, citing a recent wave of robberies wear employees were unable to identify thieves because they were masked. It’s madness, I tell you!

I’m somewhat of a traditionalist, don’t rock my boat. The Red Sox, as with every other MLB team, play ALL teams next season based on the new MLB schedule. I’m struggling with this however, the Sox do have a pretty cool road trip next May to San Dingo, LA (Angels) and Arizona. And the Dodgers are coming to Fenway in August, if you’re into that…

“I told you to put the seat down!!!” Udele Burno of Maryland has been charged with mowing down, and killing, her boyfriend with her car.

The WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Telethon was held this past Tuesday/Wednesday. I hope you caught some of it. The Jimmy Fund has been the official charity of the Boston Red Sox since 1953, making it the nation’s longest philanthropic partnership with a professional sports team. Back in 1948 it was then future Patriots’ owner Billy Sullivan who arranged a visit to “Jimmy” by star players from the Boston Braves.

DYK: 89 cents of every dollar donated benefits the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s lifesaving mission. In the grand scheme of things, that’s pretty good.

The nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates that the student debt relief plan will cost taxpayers between $440B-$600B over 10 years. Just to be clear, there is no plan to eliminate student debt. There is a plan to transfer that debt to those who don’t owe it.

Quote for the week: “If you see what is right and fail to act on it, you lack courage.” – Confucius

Funny how the night moves, with autumn closing in.

Trivia #1 answer: What is the biggest union in America today, in terms of members (including inactive and lifetime members)? – Int’l Brotherhood of Teamsters, Service Employees International Union, Education Association of the U.S., United Auto Workers, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers – The Education Association of the U.S.
Trivia #2 answer: Who is Einar Gustafson? – A cancer patient who, in 1948, had the “Jimmy Fund” named after him. The name ‘Jimmy’ was used to protect his identity. His identity was finally revealed in 1998.
Trivia #3 answer: Which MLB pitcher is NOT in the top 10 for career strikeouts? – Steve Carlton, Phil Niekro, Bert Blyleven, Don Sutton, Greg Maddox – Phil Niekro (#11 with 3,342 K’s)

I so good at forgetting shit I don’t even know where I was going with this.

Be careful out there. (It’s a jungle!)

Happy National Cherry Popsicle Day!

“I woke up in a Soho doorway
A policeman to my name
He said, ‘You can go sleep at home tonight
If you can get up and walk away.’

I staggered back to the underground
And the breeze blew back my hir
I remember throwing punches around
And preachin’ from my chair

Well, who are you?”

Briefly.

Why is everyone at the gym asking me why I’m sitting on the stationary bike? I’m going downhill, dude, mind your business.

Trivia #1: Which teams won their respective championship in 2018 in the NBA, NHL, NFL and MLB? Note; the championship game was played in 2018. One point for each, knowing that points here are meaningless.
Trivia #2: Who is Joel Pritchard?
Trivia #3: Name the manager of the Baltimore Orioles

Go away, Will Smith

The Red Sox scored their 8^th run Wednesday night, ending their streak of 31-games scoring fewer than 7 runs, their longest streak in 30 years.

Boy, what a turn the housing market has taken. The average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage climbed to 5.22% compared to one year ago where it was at 2.86%. Of homes that went into contract in July, 16% were cancelled compared to 12.5% one year ago. Those two facts, coupled with recession fears, have also caused builders to become skittish on building new homes. A mess.

Article I’ll skip: Celeb fitness trainers reveal Hollywood’s workout secrets

We all have our teams, don’t we? I am a hopeless Red Sox fan.

Just file it under “better late than never.” Bob Jablonski of Jersey City, N.J., was only 14 in 1947 when he checked out the book “Hitler,” by Oden Rudolph, from the James J. Ferris High School branch of the Jersey City Free Public Library.  Jablonski recently returned the book to the library 75 years later — at age 89, to be exact. As it turns out, the Jersey City Free Public Library eliminated overdue fines over a year ago, in Feb. 2021.

Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: The world’s largest fine for an overdue library book to date is $345.14, according to The Guinness Book of World Records website.

So long, James White who announced his retirement from the New England Patriots. You might recall, especially you Falcons fans, that White scored one of the most memorable touchdowns in Patriots’ history in overtime to win Super Bowl LI.

Motorcyclist who identifies as a bicyclist sets world record.

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday that it will no longer recommend schools or daycares quarantine students or run test-to-stay programs if students are exposed to COVID-19. The agency also said it is no longer recommending unvaccinated people quarantine after exposure, saying around 95% of the U.S. population has either been vaccinated or had COVID-19 already, or both. – Ya, whatever

Trivia #1 answer: Which teams won their respective championship in 2018 in the NBA, NHL, NFL and MLB? Note; the championship game was played in 2018. One point for each, knowing that points here are meaningless. – NBA (Golden State Warriors), NHL (Washington Capitals), NFL (Philadelphia Eagles), MLB (Boston Red Sox)
Trivia #2 answer: Who is Joel Pritchard? – A World War II army veteran, is credited with inventing Pickleball.
Trivia #3 answer: Name the manager of the Baltimore Orioles – Brandon Hyde

The tiger and the lion may be more powerful, but the wolf doesn’t perform in the circus.

Be careful out there. (It’s a jungle!)

Happy National Potato Day!

“Lonely feeling deep inside
Find a corner where I can hide
Silent footsteps crowding me
Sudden darkness but I can see

No sugar tonight in my coffee
No sugar tonight in my tea
No sugar to stand beside me
No sugar to run with me”

– The Guess Who

Briefly.

Knowing my luck, I’ll be reincarnated as me again.

Trivia #1: What is the mascot of Colby College?
Trivia #2: What is the full name of Colorado’s Triple A affiliate playing out of Hartford, CT in the Eastern League?
Trivia #3: Who is Gregory Foster?
Trivia #4: On Tuesday night, Shohei Ohtani joined Babe Ruth as the only two players in MLB history with 10 or more wins (pitching) and 10 or more homeruns (batting) in a season. What was Babe Ruth’s career season high for wins? – 17, 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 27, 31

Go away, Marshawn Lynch

I paid $3.97 for regular, unleaded gas the other day. No, that is not good. It sucks. Some might think it’s “good” because it’s not $5.00+ but $3.97 is still outrageous. Come on, people!

Until death do us part – A California radiologist says he has video evidence of his wife, a dermatologist, spiking his drinks with dangerous household chemicals (Draino) on multiple occasions – after he developed internal injuries and hid cameras in their kitchen.

The yankees recently shipped outfielder Joey Gallo to the Dodgers. Gallo was “hitting” .159 in 82 games with 106 strikeouts. Since switching teams, he has held true to form hitting .267 with eight strikeouts in 6 games.

Article I’ll skip: Are corn flakes good for you? The history of the popular Kelloggs’ breakfast cereal

I watched football last night. How cool is that!

Fire is the devil’s only friend.

They said it: “I want to signal a crisis.” – National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) President Patrick Yotes during the third annual Faith & Blue conference in Washington, D.C. Yotes was referring to the fact that law enforcement officers are leaving their jobs “at a rate we’ve never seen before,” with some departments seeing decreases by as many as hundreds of members compared to the same time last year.

When you realize 2022 and 1963 are as far apart as 1963 and 1904… I’m just going to need a minute…

People often ask me, never in my life, “Ed, what has Tim Tebow been up to lately?” Well, ahead of his 35^th birthday, Tim has been laser focused on building a new Tim Tebow Foundation (TTF) Protection Center in Thailand for 40 girls at a time in his effort to stop human trafficking. Atta boy, Tim!

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: AgeSpan’s Robotic Pets Program helps individuals with dementia achieve the comfort, companionship and loyalty of their own pet with battery-driven robotic pets. Pets offered include a golden retriever, a tuxedo cat and a tabby cat. (I put this here as a sign of the apocalypse, but think about it. The robotic pets make sounds, respond to petting AND when you have had enough of them, you just shut them off! No cleaning up after them, no taking them for a walk, etc. Heck, I might get one!)

This week’s sign of the apocalypse, part deux: California Department of Education advocates books promoting gender transitions to kindergarteners

R.I.P. Olivia Newton-John (73) – Grammy Award-winning Australian singer and one of the biggest pop stars of the 70’s, also starred in the American classic film “Grease.” She battled breast cancer for nearly 30 years.
R.I.P. Bruce Shwoegler (80) – Local, former WBZ-TV meteorologist for 33 years. A Navy veteran, author and teacher, he won New England’s first Emmy Award for Outstanding Meteorologist and is in the Massachusetts Broadcaster’s Hall of Fame. He worked 5 days in a row during the Blizzard of ’78 because “the others guys couldn’t get in.”

Trivia #1 answer: What is the mascot of Colby College? – The Mules
Trivia #2 answer: What is the full name of Colorado’s Triple A affiliate playing out of Hartford, CT in the Eastern League? – The Hartford Yard Goats
Trivia #3 answer: Who is Gregory Foster? – On Monday, Foster was recognized by Guinness World Records for eating 17 ghost peppers – also known as bhut jolokia – in 60 seconds. (DYK: Ghost peppers can register 1 million or more Scoville Heat Units (SHU), while a jalapeno pepper registers between 2,500 and 8,000 SHU)
Trivia #4: On Tuesday night, Shohei Ohtani joined Babe Ruth as the only two players in MLB history with 10 or more wins (pitching) and 10 or more homeruns (batting) in a season. What was Babe Ruth’s career season high for wins? – 17, 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 27, 31 – 24 wins in 1917 with your Boston Red Sox.

Life gets mighty precious when there’s less of it to waste.

Be careful out there. (It’s a jungle!)

Happy National Vinyl Record Day! (Rock on!)

“Everybody, listen to me
And return me to my ship
I’m your captain, I’m your captain
Though I’m feeling mighty sick

I’ve been lost now for days uncounted
And it’s months since I’ve seen home
Can you hear me? Can you hear me?
Or am I all alone?”

– Grand Funk Railroad

Briefly.

Why does my wife always wait until I’m at the opposite end of the house before asking me to ‘Merm frner mernferr brnerfer!’?

Trivia #1: Who is the only player in the Patriots era with 40 sacks, 40 QB hits and 40 tackles for a loss? – Richard Seymour, Teddy Bruschi, Rob Ninkovich, Ted Johnson, Mike Vrabel, Jamie Collins
Trivia #2: NBA/Celtics great Bill Russell won 11 NBA titles. He is tied with whom for the most championships in a major sport?
Trivia #3: What does MSWA stand for?
Trivia #4: With a win on July 31, last week, the Red Sox avoided being just the 3^rd team in MLB history to go a full calendar month without a victory for a starting pitcher. What two teams have accomplished this feat?

Go away, Phil Mickelson.

Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: Bryson DeChambeau admits to losing touch with Tiger Woods after joining LIV golf

Article I’ll skip: How A-list Hollywood celebrities build relationships after romance

They said it: “This is just weird.” – Christian Vasquez to Kevin Plawecki as he went to bat for the first time against his former Red Sox teammates.

They said it, part deux: “A Black man is getting a standing ovation in the Deep South for breaking a record of an all-time baseball idol. What a marvelous moment for baseball.” – Vin Scully when Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run to break Babe Ruth’s record in 1974, against the Dodgers.

They said it, part trois (hey, I’m on a roll) – “Don’t be sad because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” – Vin Scully during his final broadcast in 2016.

Tim Daniel, of Granby, Colorado, caught a 7.84-pound brook trout in Monarch Lake back in May breaking a 75-year-old state record.

I guess the Red Sox finally had enough of JBJ’s .200-.230 batting average. (.228 career)

People used to ask me, “Ed, what is going on with Noah Vonleh?” – Noah just signed a one-year, non-guaranteed contract with the Celtics and will vie for a roster spot. Haverhill MA’s Vonleh spent the previous year in China playing for the Shanghai Sharks.

Your directional first, THEN your brakes! It’s not all that complicated.

The Las Vegas Raiders beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-11 last night. That’s right, football!

And this is why I will never live in the south year-round.

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: I honestly don’t know where to start…

R.I.P. Bill Russell – The ultimate champion. 2 time CA High School State Champion at McClymonds HS in Oakland, 2 time NCAA Champion at University of San Francisco, 1956 Olympic Gold Medalist, 11 time NBA Champion, 5 time NBA MVP, 12 time All Star, first black coach in any major sport, 1975 Hall of Fame Inductee as a Player, 2019 HOF inductee as a coach, 1980 – Voted “Greatest NBA Player of All Time” by the Basketball Writers Association, 21-0 in Game 7’s, 21,620 rebounds (22.5 per game average for his entire career), Presidential Medal of Freedom Winner
R.I.P. Vin Scully (94) – Iconic, legendary voice of the Brooklyn/LA Dodgers for 67 years. Scully was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame that year and had the stadium’s press box named for him in 2001. The street leading to Dodger Stadium’s main gate was named in his honor in 2016. That same year, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Trivia #1 answer: Who is the only player in the Patriots era with 40 sacks, 40 QB hits and 40 tackles for a loss? – Richard Seymour, Teddy Bruschi, Rob Ninkovich, Ted Johnson, Mike Vrabel, Jamie Collins – Rob Ninkovich
Trivia #2 answer: NBA/Celtics great Bill Russell won 11 NBA titles. He is tied with whom for the most championships in a major sport? – Henri “Rocket” Richard
Trivia #3 answer: What does MSWA stand for? – The Massachusetts Sports Wagering Act
Trivia #4 answer: With a win on July 31, last week, the Red Sox avoided being just the 3^rd team in MLB history to go a full calendar month without a victory for a starting pitcher. What two teams have accomplished this feat? – The 1996 Detroit Tigers and the 2022 Pittsburgh Pirates

Do Transformers have car insurance or life insurance?

Be careful out there. (It’s a jungle!)

Happy National Underwear Day! (And, Happy International Beer Day!)

“When it’s not always raining there’ll be days like this
When there’s no one complaining there’ll be days like this
When everything falls into place like the flick of a switch
Well my mama told me there’ll be days like this”

– Van Morrison

Briefly. (Not after last week!)

I’m kinda glad dinosaurs are extinct because I’m pretty sure I’d try to ride one after a few drinks.

And there it is, another personal record for consecutive days alive!

Trivia #1: Who was the main antagonist of the cartoon Underdog?
Trivia #2: Who is Elisjsha Dickens?
Trivia #3: What is the PGA record for most career aces? – 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 – Bonus: Who holds the record?

I’ve expressed my disgust in the past of how bills come out of the ATM facing different directions, but the other day my bills were not only facing different directions, some of the corners were folded! Pisses me off!

Speaking of being pissed off… it amazes me how one can walk through the woods at a particular pace and a mosquito buzzes in your ear at the same pace. Argh! Hey, did you ever sleep out in a tent as a kid and there was always that one mosquito??? Drove you nuts, didn’t it?

Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: The Red Sox’ Alex Verdugo has played more games in left field this season than anyone in MLB.

Great stuff about Big Papi and his HOF induction last Sunday. As was voiced on the radio Sunday afternoon, shame on the Red Sox and MLB for scheduling a Sox home game in the afternoon during his induction.

Article I’ll skip: ‘Scariest Celebrity Shark Encounters’ or… ‘Meghan Markle denies she lied to Oprah amid lawsuit’

They said it: “Paulie might have moved slow, but it was only because Paulie didn’t have to move for anybody.” – Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) speaking of Paulie Cicero (Paul Sorvino) in the movie Goodfellas.

BIG 3-run jack by Xander Bogaerts last night! Ya gotta keep him!

Republicans shut out the Democrats 10-0 yesterday in the annual Congressional Baseball Game for Charity at Nationals Park in D.C.

I don’t care how old or oft-injured Julio Jones is, he is just another weapon for Tom Brady. And look at the Pats…

Damn, it’s been hot lately, huh? I do feel for people without AC or at least some sort of temporary relief.

Today’s music ain’t got the same soul, I like that old-time rock ‘n roll.

Speaking of the Patriots, what is wrong with our Boston Red Sox? They had a nice run back in June but both pitching and hitting have been at issue all season. Injuries are now playing a part but they are just not that good. I think you have to give Cora a pass this season. I hope he’s not the scapegoat.

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: The Red Sox are behind the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East standings.

Maybe because I haven’t watched a lot of ESPN lately (or any TV for that matter), but I haven’t seen Chris Berman in a while.

Are you playing Mega Millions tonight? DYK: The odds of being struck by lightning are 20,000 higher than hitting the jackpot. Chew on that for a minute.

It’s raining in Vegas!

R.I.P. Mickey Rooney Jr. (77) – Eldest son of Mickey Rooney, was an original Mouseketeer. He, his brother and another were thrown off the show before the end of the first season.
R.I.P. Paul Sorvino (83) – American actor, opera singer, businessman, writer and sculptor, starred in Martin Scorses’s Goodfellas, the series Law & Order and other roles.
R.I.P. Tony Dow (77) – Known as big brother Wally Cleaver to all, said his daughter-in-law, “I’ve never heard Tony say a bad or negative thing about anyone.”
R.I.P. – Charles Johnson (50) – 1994 first-round pick by the Steelers, later Super Bowl XXXVI champ with the Patriots. The wide receiver was found dead in a hotel and the cause of death was not revealed.

Trivia #1 answer: Who was the main antagonist of the cartoon Underdog? – Simon Bar Sinister
Trivia #2 answer: Who is Elisjsha Dickens? – The 22-year-old, legally armed gunman who, by all accounts, saved dozens of lives by taking down a gunman at a shopping mall in Greenwood, Indiana who had opened fired on innocent people. Too bad we haven’t heard more about this hero.
Trivia #3 answer: What is the PGA record for most career aces? – 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 – Bonus: Who holds the record? – 10 – Hal Sutton and Robert Allenby

People are so judgmental. I can tell just by looking at them.

Be careful out there. (It’s a jungle!)

Happy National Waterpark Day!

“Oh war, I despise
‘Cause it means destruction of innocent lives
War means tears to thousands of mothers’ eyes
When their sons go off to fight and lose their lives

I said, war, huh, good God, y’all
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing, say it again”

– Edwin Starr

Taking a week off, y’all. Hope to see you all next Friday.

I’ll leave you with this:

Briefly. (Vacation, ya know?)

Welcome back to Plastic Surgery Anonymous. I see a lot of new faces today!

Trivia #1: Which players are not in the top 4 of tennis Grand Slam title wins? – Pete Sampras, Bjorn Borg, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Jimmy Connors
Trivia #2: What year did the sitcom “F Troop” go off the air? – 1959, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1970
Trivia #3: What do the following golfers all have in common? – Ted Ray, Bobby Jones, Gene Sarazen, Henry Cotton, Tom Weiskopf, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy

Article I’ll skip: Ivana Trump’s love life: A look back at her romances over the years

“The Shift” – In baseball, what’s wrong with it? These guys are professionals. If you can’t hit the ball the other way, shame on you. Get out.

They said it: “He’s a tremendous driver of the golf ball.” – Paige Mackenzie, Golf Channel – Puh-lease! OK, he can hit the f*n golf ball, just say it!

Now, about my not getting out often. DYK: Deandre Ayton just signed a 4-year, $133M contract with the Phoenix Suns after Phoenix matched the same offer made by the Indiana Pacers? I never heard of the guy.

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: Mermaiding, the artistic swimming activity in which people wear mermaid fins and tails, is growing in popularity around the world.

River keeps on flowing, never worried ‘bout where it’s going.

R.I.P. Larry Storch (99) – Comedian, actor whose acting career lasted six decades. Navy veteran. Cpl. Randolph Adarn, appeared in all 65 episodes of the sitcom, F-Troop. He appeared in, amongst others, All in the Family, Trapper John, M.D., Married with Children.

Say perhaps to drugs.

Trivia #1 answer: Which players are not in the top 4 of tennis Grand Slam title wins? – Pete Sampras, Bjorn Borg, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic – Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors
Trivia #2 answer: What year did the sitcom “F Troop” go off the air? – 1959, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1970 – 1967
Trivia #3: What do the following golfers all have in common? – Ted Ray, Bobby Jones, Gene Sarazen, Henry Cotton, Tom Weiskopf, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy – They were all wire-to-wire winners of the Open Championship

Be careful out there. (It’s a jungle!)

Happy National Gummi Worm Day!

“It was the third of September
That day I’ll always remember,
Yes, I will
‘Cause that was the day that my daddy died
I never got the chance to see him
Never heard nothin’ but bad things about him
Mama, I’m depending on you
To tell me the truth
Mama just hung her head and said, “Son,..

Papa was a rolling stone.
Where he laid his hat was his home.
And when he died, all he left us was alone.
Papa was a rolling stone.
Where he laid his hat was his home.
And when he died, all he left us was alone.”

– The Temptations

Briefly. (maybe next week)

Gas prices are so high the mailman is working from home. He called me yesterday to read my bills to me.

So, when I was doing that ‘work thing’, I got these posts out pretty early in the morning. Now, I find myself racing to do the same. Hence, numerous typos and erroneous factoids. I’ve got to clean it up so, if the posts aren’t as early as in the past…

Having said that, from last week’s post, 7% of high school athletes go on to play in college, only 1-2% play for D1 schools. And for you locals, Uncle Billy O’Brien did not play for the Amesbury Maples (I should have done the math), but his father did.

Trivia #1: Who is Scooby Wright?
Trivia #2: Who I Miki Suto?
Trivia #3: Over this past weekend, what was 5^th on the list of most popular bets for online customers behind baseball, tennis (Wimbledon), basketball and soccer?
Trivia #4: Baker Mayfield is 4^th for the Cleveland Browns in all-time passing yardage. Who are the first three? – Vinny Testaverde, Bernie Kosar, Otto Graham, Brian Hoyer, Tim Couch, Brian Sipe, Frank Ryan

Article I’ll skip: Aaron Rodgers gets first ‘deep and meaningful’ tattoo with astronomical elements

They said it: “The Pac-12 without USC and UCLA is like the American League of baseball without the Yankees and the Red Sox” – Bob Hertzel of The Times (West Virginia)

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: If you did put a little action on this year’s Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest and you took Joey Chestnut’s over at 74.5 (he ate 63), help is on the way. Some sportsbooks are issuing refunds to ‘over’ bettors due to a protester who rushed the stage and was subsequently roughed up by Chestnut. The assumption here is that the interaction, albeit brief, potentially impacted the results.

The Sox are in the midst of 14 games vs Tampa Bay and the yankees, leading up to the all-star break. The Red Sox play 40% of their remaining games against the AL East. Wow!

This week’s sign of the apocalypse, part deux: Megan Hess ran the Sunset Mesa funeral home and a human body parts business called Donor Services from the same building in Colorado. She admitted in federal court on Tuesday to defrauding at least a dozen families who wished for their loved ones to be cremated. Court records show her body dealer firm harvested heads, spines, legs and arms, and then sold them – mostly for surgical and educational purposes.

The Browns’ Baker Mayfield has been shipped to the Panthers. Who do the Panthers open the season against? You guessed it, the Browns.

I’m going to miss the Baker Mayfield commercials.

Let it be.

Just a little politics… The Justice Department is suing Arizona over a law that is slated to take effect next year that would require voters to provide proof of American citizenship to cast ballots in federal elections. Said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division; “Arizona has passed a law that turns the clock back on progress by imposing unlawful and unnecessary requirements that would block eligible voters…” Help me out here, why is requiring proof of American citizenship an “unnecessary requirement?”

I don’t care how many times you’ve been there, imagine playing your way into the Wimbledon semi-final only to pull out with an abdominal tear? Rafael Nadal, you’re bummin’.

Guy #1: I’m addicted to buying old Beatles records.
Guys #2: Sounds like you need help.
Guy #1: No, I already have that one.

The USFL has an interesting alternative to the onside kick. The team that scored can, instead of kicking off, choose to try to convert a fourth-and-12 from their own 33-yard-line. If they convert, they keep the ball. If they don’t, the other team gets the ball at the spot of the play. I like it!

R.I.P. James Caan (82) – One of the signature stars of 1970’s Hollywood starring as Santino “Sonny” Corleone in The Godfather. The American actor/director starred in numerous films during a career that lasted from 1963-2021. DYK: During the peak years of his stardom, this actor had rejected a series of starring roles in movies that went on to become big hits for other actors. Some of these films were ‘The French Connection’, ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’, and ‘One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest.’

R.I.P. Bradford Freeman (97) – The last of the “Band of Brothers”, East Company, 101^st Airborne. He jumped into Normandy on D-Day at age 19 and participated in every major battle with his unit. He was portrayed in the mini-series as James Farmer.

Trivia #1 answer: Who is Scooby Wright? – Linebacker for the Birmingham Stallions who had a late pick-six to ensure the Stallions victory over the Philadelphia Stars in the USFL Championship game.
Trivia #2 answer: Who I Miki Suto? – The female winner of Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. She ate 40 dogs for the win.
Trivia #3 answer: Over this past weekend, what was 5^th on the list of most popular bets for online customers behind baseball, tennis (Wimbledon), basketball and soccer? – Bets on Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest
Trivia #4 answer: Baker Mayfield is 4^th for the Cleveland Browns in all-time passing yardage. Who are the first three? – Vinny Testaverde, Bernie Kosar, Otto Graham, Brian Hoyer, Tim Couch, Brian Sipe, Frank Ryan – Brian Sipe, Otto Graham and Bernie Kosar are 1 thru 3.

Be careful out there. (It’s a jungle!)

Happy National Day!

Responding to a request, I am providing a link to the song below and will do this weekly. I hope you enjoy.

“Hello there, my old friend
Not so long ago it was til the end
We played outside in the pouring rain
On our way up the road we started over again

You’re living our dream oh you on top
My mind is aching, Lord it won’t stop
That’s how it happens living life by the drop”

– Stevie Ray Vaughn