Monday Musings...

Welcome to the beginning of a new week, and one which will prove interesting as far as the weather goes here in the Heartland of America.
Between the hype of the Super Bowl and all these frigging presidential "debates", it was nice to NOT have to endure any of either at the "Fortress" this weekend.
That's not to say we didn't have a thing to watch on TV. More about that in a minute.
Our Hooiserland weather will see us with cloudy skies (don't let that sunshine fool you - it's gonna change) and spotty light snow rolling in today. By the time the middle of the week arrives, we're talking accumulations of several inches of snow.
As can be expected, temps will be lower than we've enjoyed, with today's high around 35 degrees. It WILL be getting colder.
So what say we get that morning drink and set about seeing what's going on elsewhere?
*** First out of the cereal box is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
February 8 -
---Today is NATIONAL BOY SCOUTS DAY

(celebrating the birth of the boy scouts)
---It's also NATIONAL KITE FLYING DAY

(seriously...in the middle of WINTER??? What areyou...nuts?)
---And, it's NATIONAL CLEAN OUT YOUR COMPUTER DAY

(well, that's always easier said than done, right?)
*** Happy New Year...to all of those celebrating the CHINESE one.
Yes, it is the Year of the Monkey (and living where we do, I am not going to touch that with a ten-foot pole...lol)

Here's a story from the UK that tells you all you would want to know:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/12144891/chinese-new-year-2016-year-of-the-monkey.html

And you already know I was born in the year of the Dragon, as was Bruce Lee.
(any resemblance between us is purely coincidental...LOL)
*** Next up, Yeah, okay, the Denver Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers (24-10 coulda seen that coming a mile away) to win the 50th playing of the Super Bowl (and I didn't have to sit through the game, thank God).

Just plain "righteous".

And that's it for me in sports...ROFL.
*** Next, the Hallmark Channel delivered the goods with their Kitten Bowl as did Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl (although the puppy bowl was only 2 hours long...used to be three, like the Kitten Bowl.

Anyway, THOSE two shows were a great way to pass the day.
Something about the cuteness factor adds to the fun.
They still have too many overused "bad puns" with the Kitten Bowl announcers.
Need to tone that back a bit.

And they had some HUGE puppies in the Puppy Bowl. I like it when the "players" are all similar in size.
Toss in a spaghetti dinner with meatballs and sausage and the day was pretty much complete.
---Later on, I happened upon a movie called Despicable Me 2, and I thought "Ahh, WTH...lemme see what the buzz has been about over the last few years."

Well, I was glad I stayed with the flick...it had some REALLY funny spots in it, and I can see why kids LOVE those "minions".
Well, they DO have one named BOB (the other main ones are named STUART and KEVIN.
There is also DAVE, PHIL, TIM, CARL, and JORGE.

That's the "short list" (no pun intended) as there are  SO many more, and no, and they don't ALL look alike.
Plus,  the gibberish they say is funny as well. You pretty much get the gist of WHAT they're saying, but the language is wonderfully incomprehensible (maybe they're politicians...LOL) . Makes me want to see the other movies now.
*** Next up, what do you think happens when you decide to race someone on S. Clinton St anr your driving skills are NOT up to the occasion?

Well, let's try this story on for size and find out:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local/crime/Car-involved-in-street-race-runs-into-house--1--critical---Fort-Wayne-Police-say

Yep, as could be expected...a CRASH was the result.
(surprise, surprise)
This took place in the 3300 block of S. Clinton around 1850 hrs last evening.
(right around South Side High School).
The car smacked into a house after some impromptu "aerobatics" as it came to rest.
Three people were inside the car and were taken to hospital with two in serious and one in critical condition.
As usual, no names were released, and police ARE investigating the incident (good for them).
*** This story almost got by me, but I found it anyway. Here's the link:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local/Proposal-would-eliminate-city-s-safety-director-position

Wow...TWO empty suits. Who knew?

Wow, voices of reason at last in city council...can we stand the strain?
We don't (really) need that position of Public Safety Director (other than to coach Garry Hamilton in doing HIS job), so it would save the city $161K to eliminate York's job (and perhaps one of his THREE pensions), right?
All we really need is a GOOD police chief - someone who KNOWS the job and wasn't promoted thanks to affirmative action.
Councilmen Paul Ensley and John Crawford, along with Jason Arp make a great point when it comes to fiscal responsibility, rather than frivolous spending as King Henry's reign has been prone to do.
*** Next up, I thought this story was a bit on the "typical" side. See for yourselves:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local/crime/Police-seize-counterfeit-merchandise-from-13-businesses

Yep, 13 locations in Ft. Wayne were raided by the excise police and counterfeit merchandise was seized.
What is typical about this, is that SEVEN of those 13 locations are in the city's (...all together, kids...) SOUTHEAST side.
Like I commented...probably NOT the type of retail Glynn Hines wants to see down here, but he's not said a word.
And that speaks volumes.
Many times, you GET what's DESERVED (no more, no less), and if you look at the majority of the "clientele", you understand a LOT more than anyone wants to let on, right?
All about "status over substance" with some people.
*** Last back to the cupboard...it's going to be interesting to see how much crime took place over this Super Bowl weekend, because you just KNOW that even the biggest of events in our society have become a breeding ground for the predatory among us.

You don't really want to point out the worst in people, but it's something that needs to be done, lest we all become complacent enough to permit such activities.
I always say we're better than that...and we SHOULD be.
What is so wrong with WANTING to be better, anyway?
Doesn't hurt others, doesn't inflict itself unnecessarily upon others, and certainly does not cause undo harm to anyone...at least it shouldn't.
It's when people "settle" for average (mediocre) and are perfectly content with that.
Then you got trouble.

Those of us who do strive for becoming better people aren't caught up in that, but, nevertheless, we are affected by those others who who can't (or won't) even try to be better individuals.
All WE can do is live the example in the hope that others see...and learn.
We're not perfect, but a desire to not fall into the same rut that so many have become acclimated to already should be that benchmark that we want to gravitate towards.

Be well, make  difference to someone,and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.