Category Archives: Uncategorized

Thursday, July 16, 2015 – The Invasion of Texas and Tom Lehrer is Alive and Well

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Thursday, July 16, 2015 – The Invasion of Texas and Tom Lehrer is Alive and Well

I see where Jade Helm 15 – aka The Invasion of Bastrop – has begun. The concerned citizens, such as a former sheriff from Arizona (that tells us a lot) and his volunteers are “shadowing” the exercise – with their still concealed (until September 1) handguns. And Goobernor Abbott has ordered State Guard to monitor them and the rest of the goings on.

This is a military training exercise across multiple states. Military officials have said the topography in selected areas is ideal to replicate foreign combat zones. What foreign combat zone does Bastrop represent?

Meanwhile, The United States signed an agreement with Iran. In light of the two “events” I bring you once again, from 1965 and equally as relevant today – the genius of Tom Lehrer, from That Was The Year That Was with “Who’s Next?” Sing along and Just change “Alabama” and sing “ We’ll try to stay serene and calm when BASTROP COUNTY gets the bomb.

Who’s Next? By Tom Lehrer

First we got the bomb, and that was good, ‘Cause we love peace and motherhood.

Then Russia got the bomb, but that’s okay, ‘Cause the balance of power’s maintained that way. Who’s next?

France got the bomb, but don’t you grieve, ‘Cause they’re on our side (I believe). China got the bomb, but have no fears, They can’t wipe us out for at least five years. Who’s next?

Then Indonesia claimed that they Were gonna get one any day. South Africa wants two, that’s right: One for the black and one for the white. Who’s next?

Egypt’s gonna get one too, Just to use on you know who. So Israel’s getting tense. Wants one in self defense. “The Lord’s our shepherd,” says the psalm, But just in case, we better get a bomb. Who’s next?

Luxembourg is next to go, And (who knows?) maybe Monaco. We’ll try to stay serene and calm When Alabama gets the bomb. Who’s next? Who’s next? Who’s next? Who’s next?

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Tagged Bastrop county, Jade Helm 15, Tom Lehrer, Who's Next? Iran

Wednesday, July 15, 2015 – Sarah Palin Will Bring Dignity?

Posted on July 15, 2015 | 2 comments

Wednesday, July 15, 2015 – Sarah Palin Will Bring Dignity?

Cecil, this one is for you. With the 17 and counting candidates for president already running in the GOP race, Sarah Palin is their answer? Even Ms. Palin does not want to be associated with these people. The bold highlights are mine.

http://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/poll-palin-would-bring-much-needed-dignity-to-republican-field

WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)—The former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin would bring much-needed dignity to the 2016 Republican field, a new poll shows.

According to the poll, conducted by the University of Minnesota’s Opinion Research Institute, Palin’s ability to articulate her positions on issues with precision and restraint is sorely lacking among other entrants in the G.O.P. race.

Additionally, voters said that the former governor’s breadth of knowledge in the fields of economics, foreign affairs, and American history would place her head and shoulders above the current crop of Republican hopefuls.

In the words of one voter who was surveyed, “When I hear some of these candidates talk, I sure do miss Sarah Palin.”

Despite the overwhelming sense that she would contribute gravitas* and intellectual rigor that have been woefully missing from the G.O.P. contest, a Palin candidacy appears unlikely, a spokesman said.

“Governor Palin is very flattered by this poll, but she is concerned that being associated with this field of candidates could harm her stature,” he said.

—–

* gravitas – high seriousness (as in a person’s bearing or in the treatment of a subject) I had to look it up. Sounds like something one orders in a Tex-Mex restaurant. I’ll have an order of the gravitas.

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Tagged Borowitz Report, GOP, Sarah Palin

Tuesday, July 14, 2015 – Viva la France! – Play La Marseillaise!

Posted on July 14, 2015 | 2 comments

Tuesday, July 14, 2015 – Viva la France! – Play La Marseillaise!

On July 14, 1789, the Bastille in Paris was stormed by the people of France, a significant event in the French Revolution. A year later, that day was designated to celebrate the unity of the French nation. Today, Americans celebrate all things delicious and French — macarons, baguette, crème brulée, brie cheese, ratatouille, quiche.

And of course – wine and champagne!

Here is one of the great scenes from one of the greatest movies of all time – Casablanca. You must remember this…

But it has the great Humphrey Bogart, the patriot Paul Henreid and the stunning Ingrid Bergman. It is the scene where Victor Laszlo (Henreid) says “Play La Marseillaise!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HM-E2H1ChJM

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Tagged Bastille Day, France, French Revolution, Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, La Marseillaise

Manziel Monday – July 13, 2015 – I Am Older and Have More Insurance Than You Do

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Manziel Monday – July 13, 2015 – I Am Older and Have More Insurance Than You Do

Yes, I stood in line for almost two hours to get Johnny Manziel’s signature yesterday, Sunday, July 12, 2015.

I chose the white mini-helmet to have Johnny Manziel sign. The particulars of how I was able to obtain a ticket to the event, why I chose to obtain it and how much money I spent to obtain his signature plus the inscription of “Heisman 12” are another story. Today is the backstory of why I chose the white mini-helmet.

With Certificate of Authenticity

The Autograph

Date: Wednesday, July 2, 2015 – Confirmation of being a ticket holder for event on July 12. Eventually only 350 tickets were sold. Each item you wanted him to autograph required a ticket. Large ticket items (full size helmets, footballs, posters) were $150.

Date: Thursday, July 3, 2015

Place: Aggieland Outfitters, College Station, Texas – AKA – Drive By Credit Card Amount Increases

Need: Something for Johnny Manziel to sign on the Johnny Manziel Resurrection Tour.

Conversation with clerk – aka 18 year female student:

Me: I cannot decide which mini- helmet I want him to sign. I think I will go with the white one because that was the one The Aggies wore when we defeated Alabama in 2012.

Clerk: Oh no. That was an away game, so it would have been the black one!

Me: Thoughts to self – Did you just tell me I was wrong? I am older, have more insurance and confident enough to bet any sheepskin on my wall that I am smarter than you. And I will forget more about Aggie football than you will ever know. I know where I was and who I was taking to on the phone (Ms. Navasota, T. McE) as the clock ran out (read: witness) when score was Texas A&M 29 and Alabama 23 in Tuscaloosa in 2012.

Me: I will take the white one.

A couple of shots. Gig ‘Em.

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Tagged Aggieland Outfitters, Heisman Trophy 2012, Johnny Manziel, Texas Aggies; football

Friday, July 10, 2015 – Snarky Friday – Big 12 Football

Posted on July 10, 2015 | 1 comment

Friday, July 10, 2015 – Snarky Friday – Big 12 Football

Ann Richards is smiling over this headline.

“Baylor is the reason OU and Texas aren’t OU and Texas any more.”

Read on should you want all of the details with charts and graphs. But at this point in time, with 17 starters returning, I am going with Baylor.

http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2015/7/9/8907421/baylor-football-2015-preview-schedule-roster

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Biggest strength: KD Cannon and Corey Coleman lead what might be the deepest, most terrifying receiving corps in the country.
Biggest question mark: Both the offense and defense must replace leaders named Bryce (quarterback Petty, linebacker Hager), and while almost everyone else is back, there’s a void until proven otherwise.
Biggest 2015 game: The trip to TCU (Nov. 27), of course.
In one sentence: Baylor returns 17 starters from a team that missed the Playoff by an eyelash last year; two leaders are gone, sure, but the Bears are the safest bet in the Big 12.

At least something in Texas makes former governor Richards smile. We all know the state of politics does not.

RIP – Ken Stabler – 1945-2015 – The Snake

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Tagged Ann Richards, Baylor football, Big 12 Conference, Ken Stabler

Thursday, July 9, 2015 – Throw Back Thursday

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Thursday, July 9, 2015 – Throw Back Thursday

Did you learn music by playing one of these at Magnolia Elementary School in the late 1950’s to early 1960’s? Mine still has my name where Mr. Don Jeter wrote it in the upper left corner. I believe I was in the Fourth Grade. Of course I had “previous musical experience” because of the bottle band in third grade. Anybody remember being in the bottle band?

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Wednesday, July 8, 2015 – “You like me. You really like me!”

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Wednesday, July 8, 2015 – “You like me. You really like me!”

Trivia Question – We know that it was Sally Field who said “You like me. You really like me!” as part of her Academy Award acceptance speech for Best Actress in 1985. For what movie was she accepting the Oscar?

So you like me too. Now show it. I would like to see some stars over Here’s What I’m Thinking.

One may read Here’s What I’m Thinking (HWIT) in several ways – through DRDRD85.me or via Facebook or via Twitter. When you leave a comment on any of those mechanisms, I am able to see who leaves it.

However, when you access HWIT, near the top, beneath the title, are a range of stars – one to five. This allows you to rate what I wrote. Unlike Facebook comments or HWIT comments, I cannot see who rates or assigns stars.

Move your curser over the number of stars to highlight. It is called a Likert scale for those of us who had to suffer through tests and measurements and statistics classes.

So if you really like what I wrote, please give it five stars. However, if you think it sucks and/or you disagree, give it one star. I cannot see who gives stars. So, dear Sister, et.al, here is your chance to disagree in total anonymity.

Remember – the goal of HWIT is to make you smile and/or think – not necessarily to agree.

“You like me ….” is the speech Sally Field gave when she won her second Oscar for Best Actress for Places in the Heart in 1985. You didn’t say Norma Rae, did you? She won Best Actress for that movie in 1980.

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Tagged Here's What I'm Thinking, Norma Rae, Places in the Heart, Sally Field

Tuesday, July 7, 2015 – New words

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Tuesday, July 7, 2015 – New words

In an effort to keep your brain active over the dull summer months, here is your vocabulary word for the day.

floccinaucinihilipilification

\flok-suh-naw-suh-nahy-hil-uh-pil-uh-fi-KEY-shuh n\

noun 1. Rare. the estimation of something as valueless (encountered mainly as an example of one of the longest words in the English language).

Valueless – Kinda like today’s post. Consider it an antidisestablishmentarianism type of post.

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Monday, July 6, 2015 – What a Finish!

Posted on July 6, 2015 | 5 comments

Monday, July 6, 2015 – What a Finish!

What a great finish to the Fourth of July with the United States women winning the World Cup. Congratulations to all. I am proud of all of you! And I know what a “hat trick” is. Thank you, Carli Lloyd.

In other news from the Fourth of July – for my sister, Carolyn Sue, Lisa, and anybody who knows about the “spicy monkey on your back” … Sometime you just got to make some gumbo!

And it was some good, yea! As the great Jimmy Buffet says “It’s a little like religion and a lot like sex; you should never know when you gonna get it next.”

That’s it. No more today! Happy Monday.