Monday Musings...
There are those that could argue that is was just another weekend; boring, mundane, and without anything of note. And while many summer weekends ARE just like that, I contend that there was much to consider. But like I love to say: "If you don't look for something, you probably stand a damn good chance of never finding it".
-- I saw that former ABC commentator Jim McKay passed away. Now if there ever was an icon for reporting...HE was it. He wasn't a participant in all those games and contests that he called, but he had a great way of making US feel like we were right in the mix of things. Talk about real Olympic coverage. No one better.
I recall always watching WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS with dad, and McKay's commentary provided the right mix of insight, facts, and excitement. Then again, this was a world long before the advent of ALL the sports channels we have today (24/7) at the push of a button on our remotes. Nice to know it took ALL those channels to do much (if not all) of what Jim McKay did in ONE HOUR every week. And HE did it with style...and with objectivity unsurpassed by anyone today.
The sports reporting world has truly lost a pioneer and legendary commentator.
--I noticed that the Harrison (read COSTAPLENTY) Square "deal" is still going strong. This week our very own City Council will be deciding on the latest TAX ABATEMENT for the HOTEL that's supposed to go there. Add THAT to the abatement for the RETAIL as well as the CONDOS being built on that mudhole. It's a foregone conclusion that Council will vote "sure screw the taxpayers what the hell" again on this. I mean they're NOT going to deny it. You know that much.
I have to laugh at this clusterf$ck...I really do. We can add THIS abatement to the ever-growing list of ABATEMENTS covering the city. Like the Renaissance Pointe houses that are being built in the Hanna-Creighton-Pontiac area. Oh, and if you happen to have an existing house (there), even YOU can qualify for GRANT MONEY (one guy got $40K) to fix the place up. How's THAT for a sweet deal?
That's my MAIN reason for staying put (for now). Sooner or later the city will want to turn MY part of this growing south side ghetto into what it USED to be, namely an area of nice neighborhoods. So I'll be sure to have MY hand out (for a change) for all that GRANT MONEY that will be available, unless I'm the wrong color or make too much money, in which case there will be seven types of hell to pay...to ME (anyway).
I look at it as a win-win...no matter what goes down.
--We made it to HOMICIDE #15 (for those following in the city's murder pool at work). This time it was a 49 year old WHITE MAN, and if memory serves me correctly, this is the FIRST Caucasian homicide this year (the DOJ does lump Hispanics in that group, so it may be skewed).
I guess all those meeting against BLACK YOUTH VIOLENCE is paying off...we're killing older white folks instead. Nice job. Good to know that the Urban League is doing "their" job.
Now I suppose all we need is the local chapter of the Gray Panthers or AARP to start some pow-wows against the (future) violence against THEM. Let's be PROACTIVE here, people.
--And those walking around Quimby Village at 0200 hours might want to rethink their exercise regimen. Seems a woman was shot there this morning (1700 block of Bluffton Rd.), and is currently in the hospital. Sure hate to think she was hooking or getting drugs. After all, THAT kind of thing NEVER happens down here...HAHAHAHAHAHA....yeah, right.
--The national average price for a gallon of gasoline is sort of "officially" $4.00. Around our city it's hovering JUST below that mark. I really have to crack up when it comes to people who cast aspersions as to WHY we're in this pickle in the first place. Look in your garage at that monster truck you're driving that gets 12 MPG (on a good day going downhill).
All I say to them is that they better grow a helluva LOT more fingers, because there are a LOT of reasons (and people) to point to.
England gave up "control" of the geographical area or Arabia to the native Saudis in the late 1940s, auto makers worldwide have done little if anything to make gas consumption a priority (even after the oil embargo if the 70s), America has not opened ONE new refinery in about the same period of time....and on and on it goes.
They're ALL threads, that when combined, make a damn nice "sweater" that we ALL must (unfortunately) wear...no matter HOW MUCH it makes us "itch".
--In a related story, Toyota has a new hybrid prototype vehicle (hydrogen fuel cell technology) that now has a range of OVER 500 MILES (double that of it's predecessors). It ain't Doc Brown's DeLorean yet, folks.
Yo, GM...how's about you guys taking MY 1983 Firebird, and see if you convert it into a hydrogen-powered, retro-fitted "future car" that not only gets 50 MPG, but has a range of OVER 1000 MILES? I'm offering you the chance. I just want to have some folding money left in my pocket after I leave the damn gas pumps. What say we strike a deal, eh?
Face it, retrofitting ALL the fossil-fueled lead-sleds and gas-guzzlers would be a good start. That is, unless this new technology will severely DROP the cost of a NEW car (no, I won't be holding MY breath waiting for THAT to occur - and neither should you).
Only the rich will be able to drive around. well them, and the drug dealers (who also have money to burn).
Damn shame we can't find a method to fuel a car to run on MARIJUANA. The drug dealers would be out of that line of work, we'd all be higher than kites every damn day, and the owners of convenience store that sell junk food would be the new class of millionaires.
That would kill SO many birds with one stone...it wouldn't even be funny.
But it would be SOoooo groovy, man.
"Don't bogart that tailpipe, dude".
Avoid the heat today if possible, drink plenty of water, and keep that body core temp down, kapesh?