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Monday, May 27, 2019
My Comment on the European Union is Posted in the New York Times -- Now My Bucket List is Complete
Shine from within
The closer you draw to our Heavenly Father, the more His light and joy will shine from within you.
Dieter F. Uchtdorf.
Inside me lays a dormant lamp
that ought to shine but seems too damp;
too timid, tired, proud, and weak --
and yet belongs on mountain peak.
My testimony I must bear
no matter what the scorn or care.
Oh may I draw so nigh to Thee
my joy and light all men can see!
Sunday, May 26, 2019
Review of Netflix Shows: RIm of the World. Lucifer. What/If. The Umbrella Academy. The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Wanda Sykes Not Normal. Dead to Me.
I finally got me a big screen TV, so now even the most egregious streaming drivel appears like a big budget movie in my living room. As a public service, I am screening as many different shows on Netflix as I can, and giving you, dear reader, the benefit of my incisive critique. So go get yerself a bowl of popcorn, sit back, and relax -- your old Uncle Tim is gonna let you know about the good stuff. And the bad.
I actually watched the whole shebang. It moves along briskly after the obligatory intro of the four main kiddy characters. But this ain't Disney, folks. Lots of swearing and sexual innuendo. The film has a warning about 'violent alien activities' at the very beginning, but anyone who's ever trimmed fat off a steak has seen worse.
It's not a family movie, for the reasons cited above. So I suppose it's for adults in their second childhood. Like me.
Oh, and the plot? Aliens attack the world and four brave kids manage to turn things around after the usual angst and lame potty jokes.
LUCIFER
The devil's got an English accent, just like James Bond the First. Kinda looks and acts like him too. I always figured that Mr. Scratch would sound more like John DiMaggio, who voices King Zog on Disenchantment.
This particular devil owns and runs a bar. Just like dozens of other TV characters throughout the seeming centuries of cliched television script writing -- beginning with radio's Duffy's Tavern (which, to tell the truth and shame the devil, I have enjoyed listening to more than watching this current Netflix hodge-podge.)
This show follows the adventures and follies of half a dozen metrosexuals who interact with the devil. For an intelligent older adult (which I often impersonate) this show is a no-show, a definite yawner, and so weak on theology that even Jesuits and Pharisees will find it snooze-worthy.
WHAT/IF
Two things I abominate are lengthy exposition, and young professionals on the make. And by long exposition I mean more than two minutes to get up to speed. And by young professionals on the make I mean handsome young men and beautiful young women. I gave the first episode of this show ten minutes, then exlaimed "Pfui!" and checked my email. It's a promotion from Hilton Hotels. And still more compelling than What/If.
Wanna know the plot? Watch the darn thing for yourself -- I'm not sure there is one until season two.
THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY
Now this show started off with a bang, so I settled back to see if it could take me somewhere.
Then it got slow and introspective just because an eccentric millionaire died. It's always the eccentric millionaire that gums up the works. Eccentric millionaires should be banned from entertainment media; they give regular normal millionaires a bad name.
But then came the talking chimpanzee factotum and I was hooked.
Then it turned into a murder mystery. Kinda. And a flashback, sort of. Then I had to go to the bathroom and look for a snack, but didn't find anything appealing. That's what I get for not stocking up on potato chips before the Social Security runs out towards the end of the month.
In for a penny, in for a pound -- and so there had to be time travel involved. And there is.
But the talking chimp is sorely neglected. You can't have too many talking apes when it comes to a Netflix -- but wait a minute! Chatty chimp is back, speaking at the graveside.
Ultimately, the show left me wanting a cruller from Griddy's Donuts. And if that sounds cryptic, it's no more veiled than this show's plot line.
Oh, and the world ends in eight days. So will I watch the next episode? Not unless I get some fresh pastry or a fresh bag of Cheetos.
THE CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA
First Lucifer as saloon keeper; now a fetching teenage girl signs the Black Book in return for an acne-free eternity. Plenty of night fog and intimations of creepiness. I'm not into adolescents, even under supernatural conditions. In my book they all turn into warlocks and witches anyways, so a show about just that doesn't keep me on the edge of my seat. So I'll sit back in my recliner and see what happens . . .
Okay, so now they're undressing, taking their pants down and jumping on each other. Feh! I think there may be some chips stashed away behind the ramen noodles . . .
I recommend this show for undiscriminating moon-calves.
WANDA SYKES NOT NORMAL
So she doesn't like Trump, and has to swear about it like a truck driver on parole. Okay, I'll give the girl ten minutes to see if she can kick the obsession for easy laughs . . .
Okay, Wanda. Time's up. I guess nobody can talk about Trump anymore without being rude and crude. Next time get indignant about global warming, will ya? There's a possibility we can DO something about that . . .
DEAD TO ME
A rollicking comedy about a grieving widow. Husband dead from a hit-and-run driver. California rich. Just the thing a 65 year old Caucasian Male eking out a meager existence on Social Security is dying (pardon the pun) to watch. Please pass the brie and Kangen water.
It's getting late, so I think I'll find a Netflix animal documentary narrated by David Attenborough and let it lull me into a gentle coma for the night . . .
Forgive to be Forgiven
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
New Testament. Matthew 6:14-15.
Why is it easier for me
to forgive a stranger
than one I love?
How can I let malice
stain my heart towards
those who come closest?
When will I learn
to live
the Savior's great command?
What keeps me shackled
to the past,
reliving intimate sorrows?
Forgiveness, sweet forgiveness
can only free me --
Lord, help me find it
and give it!
Saturday, May 25, 2019
Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Border-Wall Schemes
A federal judge late Friday dealt a blow to the White House’s plans to build a wall along the southern U.S. border, blocking Trump administration officials from moving forward on construction projects with funds that Congress hadn’t approved.
NYT
The judge, he rapped his gavel twice
and said to border walls "no dice"
when they are wrongly funded so --
it's Congress must cough up the dough.
The President, he has no cause
to execute a specious clause
to gouge the money for his fence
from any place but Congress hence.
The people, I am glad to note,
are not about to blindly vote
their president more power yet
to put us deeper into debt.
A Time to Give Up Your Secrets, Dan Coats.
The intelligence agencies signaled on Friday that they would not easily give up their secrets. Dan Coats, the director of national intelligence, pledged to cooperate with the review but also warned that the secrets of the intelligence community, or I.C., must be protected.
NYT
(Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. Bible. KJV. Luke 12:3.)
Like a worm in luscious fruit,
like the pebble in a boot,
secrets fester and destroy
man's morality and joy.
Keeping mum and playing sly
sends our best laid plans awry.
When transparency departs,
we are left with sterile charts.
When the world is classified
vital truths are cast aside.
May the truth in my heart rage
(unless you want to know my age.)
The Father is aware of us, knows our needs, and will help us perfectly.
Elder Brook P. Hales
The Father is aware of us, knows our needs, and will help us perfectly.
Brook P. Hales.
The only flawless deeds are done
by our Father and his Son.
The Father is aware of all;
his Son has saved us from the Fall.
So give them praise unceasingly
and their perfection you shall see.
Friday, May 24, 2019
Meine brillanten Äußerungen werden in den größten Zeitungen veröffentlicht
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Airlines and Passengers Prepare for Summer Snarls
The summer travel season is poised to inflict pain on both U.S. airlines and fliers.
A record 257 million people are expected to fly with U.S. airlines this summer, according to trade group Airlines for America. Those travelers will likely have to deal with the consequences of multiple issues weighing down the nation’s air travel network, including the extended grounding of Boeing Co.’s 737 MAX jets, runway closures and labor shortages.
WSJ
My baggage is lost; my seat is too small.
The meal that I'm served a goat would appall.
An air marshal glares upon my blank face,
and likely is going to give me a tase.
Departure delayed; arrival unsure --
is this any way to start a grand tour?
My seat belt's too tight -- am I getting fat?
Behind me there sits a squalling young brat.
The tarmac is hot; I smell the asphalt.
This summer of flying is ruined by default.
I wonder, did Wilbur and Orville pretend
that flight into H*ll would not quickly descend?
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