I see that Independence Day is approaching and, once again, our wonderful political "leaders" feel it necessary to make sure that it is celebrated as a three-day weekend, since it happens to fall on a Saturday this year. Now when the actual day (July 4, for those who aren't sure what I'm talking about) was on a THURSDAY, ONE day was enough for appropriate bank, postal, and other federal holidays. But, since the actual day is a SATURDAY this year, we have to give all those people a day off on Friday, July 3 because we have to have a three-day weekend because...? I mean it isn't as though Congress (either House) is actually doing anything anyway, but a day off they can blame on an "official" holiday, rather than just being lazy, is a "good thing."
The holiday, of course, also means that Omaha will be blessed with that ancient tradition of blowing one's fingers off with fireworks all over the place. I will confess that it IS sort of fun to sit on the front porch and watch the rockets fly up and go "boom" all around you. Having spent too much time dealing with only partially safe pyrotechnics for the stage, I do NOT choose to indulge. I like my fingers just as they are and, considering some of the stupid stuff that I have done for productions, I have little interest in taking those sorts of chances at my current age. So, I'll enjoy watching other people spend THEIR money to take a chance on removing their fingers while terrorizing local dogs, veterans, small children and their wives.
The other day, I saw an article in our local paper about how some history museums (including the local Durham Museum) were collecting stuff to commemorate the reaction to the COVID pandemic. It included a reference to a piece by Savannah Savick, who imagined how Bill Nye the Science Guy is probably reacting to the current ignorance of and downright ignoring of science during the pandemic. I was taken by this, so I copied it to include in this post.
The holiday, of course, also means that Omaha will be blessed with that ancient tradition of blowing one's fingers off with fireworks all over the place. I will confess that it IS sort of fun to sit on the front porch and watch the rockets fly up and go "boom" all around you. Having spent too much time dealing with only partially safe pyrotechnics for the stage, I do NOT choose to indulge. I like my fingers just as they are and, considering some of the stupid stuff that I have done for productions, I have little interest in taking those sorts of chances at my current age. So, I'll enjoy watching other people spend THEIR money to take a chance on removing their fingers while terrorizing local dogs, veterans, small children and their wives.
The other day, I saw an article in our local paper about how some history museums (including the local Durham Museum) were collecting stuff to commemorate the reaction to the COVID pandemic. It included a reference to a piece by Savannah Savick, who imagined how Bill Nye the Science Guy is probably reacting to the current ignorance of and downright ignoring of science during the pandemic. I was taken by this, so I copied it to include in this post.
I confess that that painting reminds me of a sign I copied from somewhere which touches on the same sort of idea, even though it suggests that the "magic" which science sometimes appears to be, although, of course, it isn't.
Anyway, I liked that sign, so I thought I'd include it, even though it implies that "Magic" isn't real, an idea which I disagree with. After all, the arts produce a sort of magic every day.
On the other hand, perhaps my favorite quote from Robert A. Heinlein is captured in the following and seems applicable, especially to pandemic deniers:
On the other hand, perhaps my favorite quote from Robert A. Heinlein is captured in the following and seems applicable, especially to pandemic deniers:
Speaking of signs (I've collected a lot of pictures of signs and sign-like objects), I have found a few more which I think I will include in this post. Having found this one --
somewhere, I was reminded of my long held belief that the folks who created that TV series, which ran from 1978 -- 1982, really wanted to make it KRAP in Omaha, or something like that, but knew that no network or sponsor would buy into a series with a title like that. So, they moved the station to east of the Mississippi to make it WKRP, because they could sell that. It's all complete speculation of my part, of course, but it makes a deal of sense to me, even though I certainly can't prove it; and I have no interest in trying to do so. I just enjoy the idea.
As I think I've said before, I've been doing a lot of reading while staying home for the past few months. That reminded me of this sign.
As I think I've said before, I've been doing a lot of reading while staying home for the past few months. That reminded me of this sign.
This idea has brought me a good deal of comfort during my "self-isolation" to try to remain safe during this time. And, I expect it will continue to do so, as I have little faith that we are as close to an end to this as some would have you believe. Anyway, it has made me think a good deal about the apparent inability of a great many people to find ways to keep themselves occupied, and perhaps even stimulated, without being able to go to restaurants, bars, etc. I find it sad that, apparently, so many require "activity" to keep themselves satisfied during this trying time. Yes, I like "going out" too, but I can find less dangerous ways to occupy my mind, books being one of the most satisfying.
Of course, I have enjoyed "getting together" with the others in the Omaha Sherlockian Society via Zoom, which I will admit isn't quite as much fun as our "face to face" meetings, but the Zoom "meetings" have been (and I expect will continue to be) interesting and enjoyable.
Speaking of the O.S.S., we have generally used name badges when we meet face to face, as there are, sometimes, new members and we don't all really know each other all that well. Zoom fills that in for us, so they aren't needed when we "meet" that way. In any case, when I ran across this picture of a name badge, I was quite amused.
Of course, I have enjoyed "getting together" with the others in the Omaha Sherlockian Society via Zoom, which I will admit isn't quite as much fun as our "face to face" meetings, but the Zoom "meetings" have been (and I expect will continue to be) interesting and enjoyable.
Speaking of the O.S.S., we have generally used name badges when we meet face to face, as there are, sometimes, new members and we don't all really know each other all that well. Zoom fills that in for us, so they aren't needed when we "meet" that way. In any case, when I ran across this picture of a name badge, I was quite amused.
I suppose that one has to be a Princess Bride fan to really appreciate it, but, as I am a fan (of both the movie and the book), I like it a lot.
Well, I suppose that I've pursued this line of thinking about as far as it's worth going at the moment, so I'll wrap this up. Still, I can't resist including one more which I found worthy of considerable thought. Maybe some will think it worthy of a moment, or more, of reflection.
Well, I suppose that I've pursued this line of thinking about as far as it's worth going at the moment, so I'll wrap this up. Still, I can't resist including one more which I found worthy of considerable thought. Maybe some will think it worthy of a moment, or more, of reflection.
Don't blow any fingers off; but enjoy the Independence Day holiday. Whatever you may think of some our Founding Fathers' personal behavior, they were a product of their times and they still did come up with some ideas which we should be able to agree are worthwhile principles, even if we have modified them according to a more modern appreciation of the varieties of human life. While the idea that their references to "all men" may have been, essentially, limited to white, male property owners, I'd like to think that most of us have progressed in our thinking to include a much broader definition of those who should be included as being "... endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
People are fallible, but sometimes their ideas are pretty good, even if those idea require some reinterpretation over time. I think that's worth celebrating.
Have a great Fourth!
I'll be back in a couple of weeks...
LLAP
Dr. B
People are fallible, but sometimes their ideas are pretty good, even if those idea require some reinterpretation over time. I think that's worth celebrating.
Have a great Fourth!
I'll be back in a couple of weeks...
LLAP
Dr. B
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