Blog

June 8, 2018: On June 8, 1920, during a Cincinnati Reds-New York Giants baseball game, several Cincinnati players got into a heated argument with the umpires. Uninterested in the rhubarb, Reds’ all-star outfielder Edd Roush went to sleep on the outfield grass using his glove as a pillow. Several … Read more about Our Interminable National Pastime

June 1, 2018 Fifty years ago, today, Simon and Garfunkel’s, “Mrs. Robinson” became the number one single in the U.S.  The song is forever intertwined with the top grossing movie of 1968, “The Graduate”. Mike Nichols, the film’s thirty-three- year-old director wanted an eclectic sound track and … Read more about And Here’s to You

May 18, 2018 Normally I wouldn’t give two crumpets about a royal wedding, but with three twenty-something daughters, I periodically look at wedding costs. Thus, I may take a peek this weekend to see if I can get some tips although I have already ruled out Windsor Castle as a Curtin wedding venue. I … Read more about Observations on Wedding Costs

May 11, 2018: May 12, 2018 marks the 93rd anniversary of the birth of the late Hall of Fame catcher and philosopher, Lawrence Peter Berra. The son of Italian immigrants, Yogi Berra dropped out of school after eighth grade to help support his family. He held jobs in a coal yard and shoe factory … Read more about The Man and The Myths

May 4, 2018 The first two movies made about the Bounty Mutiny debuted in 1916 and 1933 but it is the three latter versions that are the most famous. Because of the story’s allure, the greatest stars of their generations sought out and secured lead roles. Imagine being in charge of casting. Are … Read more about Mutiny at the Movies

April 27, 2018: The word “mutiny” usually triggers the word “Bounty” and regardless of when you were born, the image of Fletcher Christian is that of a hero whether he is portrayed by Clark Gable, Marlon Brando or Mel Gibson. Captain Bligh is a villainous tyrant whether he is played by Charles … Read more about Mutiny

April 20, 2018: Raise a glass of Beefeater Gin to toast the 92nd birthday of Queen Elizabeth II or as she is officially titled "Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom, Canada and of her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the … Read more about Happy Birthday, Your Majesty 

April 6, 2018: As a rather shallow movie buff who prefers Clint Eastwood to Fellini, I never knew much about Hedy Lamarr except that her name was the inspiration for a great running gag in Mel Brook’s classic, “Blazing Saddles”. Mel as Governor Lepetomane continually annoys Lieutenant Governor, … Read more about Hedy Lamarr and your Cell Phone

March 31, 2018:  On the occasion of Good Friday and the First Seder, we toast Sir Isaac Newton, the father of modern physics who also happened to be a  preeminent scholar of Christianity and Judaism. As a side note, today is the 391st anniversary of Newton’s death.  Newton was born in … Read more about Isaac Newton, Galileo, and John Maynard Keynes Walk into a Bar 

March 23, 2018: March 24 marks the 144th anniversary of the birth of Ehrich Weisz in Budapest, Hungary. The boy’s family moved to Appleton, Wisconsin in 1878 where his father served as Rabbi of the Zion Reform Jewish Congregation. Unfortunately, Rabbi Weisz never learned to speak English and … Read more about One Fascinating Dude

March 16, 2018: Terry and I are on vacation in New Orleans all week so the only research I am doing is on restaurants and jazz clubs. However, as fortune has it, today is the birthday of the late Henny Youngman. So, we’ll fill up space with several of his jokes that you can try out at your St. … Read more about Take My Wife