Manualist

by

On a Monday Morning Finale

Embed from Getty Images

M.A.S.H had one. So did Seinfeld, Friends, Dallas, Star Trek: The Next Generation, The Fugitive, St. Elsewhere, Newhart, and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Did you know that Howdy Doody, Leave It to Beaver, and Route 66 also had them? Because of long presence of Monday Morning Entertainment here, it deserves a series finale!

Although the first Monday Morning Entertainment appeared on January 12, 2009, it didn’t become a regular feature until late August 2009. I designed the feature to start the week on a light-hearted note … and hopefully a laugh and/or a smile.   Now, – post #256 – the finale. To me – through the help of animals, comedians, movie scenes, personal oddities, and more – mission accomplished .. thus a special Thank you to You Tube.

How was your weekend? We had family visiting, but still found time for the ballroom floor, an outstanding piano recital by a young man off to college in the fall to study piano, and work.

Embed from Getty Images

I’ve enjoyed gathering the odd celebrations, and Monday Morning Entertainment was one of the vehicles to bring these dates to you. For one final time, here are Your Celebrations for the Week.

(Week) Sun Safety Week, Fishing Week, Great American Brass Bands Week

(Mon) Leave the Office Early Day, Flip a Coin Day, Go Barefoot Day, Heimlich Maneuver Day, TGIM Day (Thank God It’s Monday), Oscar the Grouch Day, Say Something Nice Day, Stand for Children Day, Pen Pal Day, Hazelnut Cake Day

(Tues) Bubba Day, Yell “Fudge” at the Cobras in North America Day, Dare Day, Rotisserie Chicken Day

(Wed) Repeat Day, Itch Day, Chimborazo Day, Running Day, Tailors Day, Chocolate Macaroons Day, Running Day, Rocky Road Ice Cream Day,Repeat Day, Itch Day, Chimborazo Day, Running Day, Tailors Day, Chocolate Macaroons Day, Running Day, Rocky Road Ice Cream Day

(Thurs) Cognac Day, Frozen Yogurt Day, Audacity to Hope Day, International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression, Cheese Day

As a salute to past videos to start your week, below are a few of my favorites for you to enjoy. Which did you watch? Have a good week.

by

Opinions in the Short: Vol. 169

On Politics
Sure seems that both parties are still believing in the governing-by-ultimatums approach

Political observers notice that Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has been very unhappy with various cabinet choices by President Obama. The probable reason is simple – he faces a primary challenge in 2014.

Congress may have reached a end-of-the-year tax compromise, but the next 3 months are going to be business as usual – nothing

A special thanks to Alex Jones, guest on Piers Morgan, for demonstrating my point about a national conversation regarding gun control. For those that did see it, here’s an interesting 6 minutes.

On This Week’s Headlines from The Onion

  • Ornithologist forced to participate in History Channel’s “What if Human Beings Suddenly Became Birds” program
  • Walgreen manager certain dead father would have been proud of Crest toothpaste display
  • Asshole on plane greeted at baggage claim by whole family
  • Four copy editors killed in ongoing AP Style-Chicago Manual gang violence
  • Man returns to work after vacation with fresh, re-energized hatred for job
  • Biden’s handlers suggesting he forget the words “pink” and “stink” together

Interesting Reads
Piano pleasures
Augustine’s two books and Genesis
Humans as violent animals
The development of jazz
Seven shapers of technology in 2013
Infographic: The Internet – a decade later

On Potpourri
Wow – baseball spring training is 5 weeks away.

Earlier this week, the baseball writers didn’t elect anyone to the Hall of Fame. That;s fine – and so is the treatment to the steroid guys. But their vote reminded me of something they said in the past. They stated that Pete Rose’s eligibility had run out, so he wouldn’t appear on the ballot. Hello – because he was never eligible to be on the ballot, how could his eligibility expire?

Good news – Saturday will deliver the first classic cartoon post of 2013.

To send you into the weekend, let’s take a trip to the Star Wars’ Cantina for the band – well, a different version of it. Have a good weekend! In the words of Garrison Keillor, Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.

by

On a Monday John

Regular Monday visitors may be scratching their head, but you are in the right place, on the right day, and will receive your entertainment nugget.

On one hand, john is slang for toilet, bathroom, and prostitute patron. Other times, we think about famous people named John as John Kennedy, John Adams, 25 different popes, John Wayne, John the Baptist, and countless others.

At this blog and others hosted by distinguished people as Al, Mckenzie, Melissa, Nonnie, Padre Steve, and others, we too know John. This Ohioan with Illinois roots is a regular visitor and commenter – yes, philosophical legend. Through his use of military history, science fiction, satire, humor, and experience with interpreting goat speak, John frequently graces our presence with his ______. (you can fill in the blank)

It’s a toast to John! If Rossini would have only had the foresight to title this famous work as the John Tells Overture. Have a good week everyone. Oops, I almost forgot – and you too John. Make sure to tell Blackjack (the goat) about this post.

by

On Hands Monday Music

With a title like this, you may be expecting Handel. Although that may be a good idea for the future, Handel isn’t today’s theme.

Since football season is underway, today is the perfect time to introduce hands into the Monday Morning Music feature. After all, we hear broadcasters use terms as good hands, bad hands, hands team, and hands of stone to describe various abilities.

Opinion in the Shorts Vol. 35 brought you One-String Willy playing Flight of the Bumble B-String on a one-string guitar. Well today, it another rendition of the same song, but this time with hands – thus renamed Fart of the Bumble Bee. I’m sure Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov is ever so proud of these guys.

by

All Hands on Deck

Hands as defined by Merriam-Webster:

The terminal part of the vertebrate forelimb when modified (as in humans) as a grasping organ

Hands as stated in Wikipedia:

The two intricate, prehensile, multi-fingered body parts normally located at the end of each arm of a human or other primate. They are the chief organs for physically manipulating the environment, using anywhere from the roughest motor skills (wielding a club) to the finest (threading a needle).

Football season brings us the onside kick, so coaches respond with the “hands team.” “Lending a hand” to those in need is an important part of human culture.  Bosses very in their management style as some are hands-on while others prefer a hands-off approach.

Lovers hold them, the faithful placing them together in a sign of prayer, others communicate with them, surgeons seek a steady hand when dealing with a life, artists create items that stimulate the mind and the heart,  and ET warmed our hearts with a single touch.

I dedicate this post to hands: those 19 bones (in each hand) that can do so much. Click each name below to learn more about what hands can do.

Any favorites?