| wwww.ericluck.net Eric Luck, the website January 2007 |
| Get my new mystery/suspense novel, "Most Fortunate Son," by clicking on one of the following links: Amazon.com Barnes and Noble.com Booksamillion.com PublishAmerica.com |
|
www.flickr.com
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
email me at
eric@ericluck.net
eric@ericluck.net
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
www.flickr.com
|
|
Well, I see my old favorite soap opera rolls on. That would be “Anything Said By The Seemingly Extra Crazy Pat Robertson.”
Sorry, I just could not stand to put another pic of Pat Robertson up. You get an unspoiled snow field in Steamboat Springs, Colorado instead.
He has now made his annual predictions of socio-economic demise based on his personal messages from the Lord. A very un-scientific review of his
previous predictions indicate that Pat’s personal messages from the Lord may only be about 4% accurate. Yep, that means maybe 96% inaccurate. Does that
mean the Lord is just messing with Pat or that the Lord enjoys messing with us? Could it be that the Lord is really busy with actual important stuff and only
checks in with Pat once a millennium for a good chuckle?
I had better email Pat and ask.
It is still a little disconcerting that a self-declared man of God deems it necessary to annually participate with the flock of psychics, telepathics and mentalists
that predict how often Britney will forget her panties, whether or not Kate Hudson or Reese Witherspoon will remarry first, did Shelly Winters really die or not,
that a new King Kong will emerge from the jungles of Nicaragua to terrorize White Plains, NY, or that more and more people will dress up as pirates in their
every day lives. This is as close as the religious community can come to Dave Letterman’s “Psychic Sandwich.”
There is something to be proud of.
I’m telling you that I do not seek this stuff out. It finds me.
Pat’s accuracy of prediction may only be as high as 4% if you give him the 2006 e-coli outbreak at Taco Bell OR The Olive Garden as a confirmation of his
prediction that millions would die from a devastating tsunami in the USA during 2006. Even though the U.S. was not hit with a tsunami, last week Robertson
cited last spring's heavy rains and flooding in New England as partly fulfilling the prediction. Let’s see…New England heavy rains and devastating tsunami.
Close enough.
There have been others that did not quite turn out.
I know. I am just shocked.
According to a February 15, 1988, Washington Post article, Robertson said, "I heard the Lord saying 'I have something else for you to do. I want you to run for
president of the United States.'" After trailing George H.W. Bush and Senator Bob Dole in the Republican primaries, Robertson's 1988 presidential campaign
ended before the Republican convention. A February 2004 article in Church & State magazine (published by Americans United for Separation of Church and
State) noted several Robertson predictions that turned out to be false, including that Russia would invade Israel in 1982, and that there would be a worldwide
economic collapse in 1985. The article went on to mention that "In his 1991 book, The New World Order, Robertson predicted that U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller
would be elected president in 1996."
His accuracy might drop to nearly 1% unless you allow the Wendy’s finger-in-the-chili incident in California from several years ago to also count as a “yes” in
the US tsunami prediction for 2006.
Are people really still sending this man money for any reason?
Why, yes they are. Thanks for asking.
Check this out. In March 2006, it was reported that contributions to Robertson’s 700 Club were up 21% to $160 million annually. Don’t believe it? Read about it
here: http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=101773&ran=28699
One hundred sixty million dollars annually.
For those of you with way too much time on your hands, I refer you to my previously written rant on Pat’s apparent retardation, entitled “Frighteningly
Unintelligent Design” from one year ago, January 2006. If you click on it, page down to Pat’s demonically smiling mug. Pat is one of the few entertainers who
can make me blow Dr. Pepper through my nose just by reading about things he says. There’s another Hallmark moment for you. Enough about Pat.
Resolutions for 2007 should now all be submitted. Pencils down. Near the top of my list is to reduce the flipping off of ALL other drivers. Yep, 2007 will be the
year I finally only flip off those drivers that really, really deserve it. If that works out to be anywhere close to all of them, let’s just say that I would not be surprised.
All I can do is make the effort. The rest is up to you other drivers.
January 12, 2007 Happy Birthday, brother
My brother turns 48 years old today.
That rancid smell up ahead is fifty.
Here he is at Christmas, 1959 with
our mother's father, Dave. I was always crazy
jealous over that tank. I continue to claim that it
was intended for me and they just let him sit on
it so he wouldn't cry. As you can imagine, he claims
otherwise. We both have great memories of Dave. He
was a terrific guy. This shot was taken at our other
grandparents' house in Grandview, Texas. We both
also remember that recliner that Dave sits in. There was
a matching one to his left. Our grandparents had one for
each of them, but truthfully, I think they bought two so Kirk
and I wouldn't fight so much. We don't fight anymore.
As you may know by now, I have given my pal, Pat Robertson,
way too much thought during the new year. His desire to
convey to us his views of the Lord’s thoughts in the form
of predictions for the future continues to make me chortle
aloud at the most inopportune moments. But it made me
look back a little bit in history to see what might have been
predicted 100 years ago and how accurate any such
predictions might have been.
Since hindsight is the clearest of perspectives, a quick look back 100 years might really be revealing. So, here are just a few things
that were true just 100 years ago in the United States.
From U.S. statistics for the Year 1906:
The average life expectancy in the U.S. was 47 years. Yikes. Hey, Kirk. You'd be dead by now.
Only 14 percent of homes in the U.S. had a bathtub.
Only 8 percent of homes had a telephone. I know my son doesn't read this, but really. No phones. How would he survive?
A three-minute long-distance call from Denver to New York City cost eleven dollars.
There were a total of 8,000 cars in the U.S. My son would like to own 8,000 cars himself.
There were only 144 miles of paved roads in the U.S.
The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
Alabama, Mississippi, Iowa, and Tennessee were each more heavily populated than California.
With merely 1.4 million people, California was the 21st most populous state in the Union.
Amazing that the San Francisco earthquake (est. magnitude 7.8) killed 3,000 and left nearly 300,000 people homeless. What
would that intense of an earthquake do today?
The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower.
The average wage in the U.S. was 22 cents per hour.
The average U.S. worker made between $200 and $400 per year.
A competent accountant could expect to earn $2,000 per year, a dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000
per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.
More than 95 percent of all births in the U.S. took place at home, which makes me shudder remembering the bathtub number
above.
Ninety percent of all U.S. doctors had no college education. None. Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of
which were condemned in the press AND the government as "substandard."
Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering into their country for any reason.
Five leading causes of death in the U.S. were:
1. Pneumonia and influenza
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke
The population of Las Vegas, Nevada, was 30 people.
Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and iced tea had not been invented yet.
There was no Mother's Day or Father's Day.
Two out of every 10 U.S. adults could not read or write.
Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.
Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at the local corner drugstores. Back then the pharmacist said,
"Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of
health."
Eighteen percent of households in the U.S. had at least one full-time servant or domestic help. Yep, more of us had a maid than
had a bathtub.
There were about 230 reported murders in the entire U.S. for the entire year.
Maybe I will cut old Pat some slack. I could never have predicted then any of where we are now. I have never known Pat to make
predictions except for the upcoming calendar year. Maybe he ought to ask the Lord about some longer term views.
My brother turns 48 years old today.
That rancid smell up ahead is fifty.
Here he is at Christmas, 1959 with
our mother's father, Dave. I was always crazy
jealous over that tank. I continue to claim that it
was intended for me and they just let him sit on
it so he wouldn't cry. As you can imagine, he claims
otherwise. We both have great memories of Dave. He
was a terrific guy. This shot was taken at our other
grandparents' house in Grandview, Texas. We both
also remember that recliner that Dave sits in. There was
a matching one to his left. Our grandparents had one for
each of them, but truthfully, I think they bought two so Kirk
and I wouldn't fight so much. We don't fight anymore.
As you may know by now, I have given my pal, Pat Robertson,
way too much thought during the new year. His desire to
convey to us his views of the Lord’s thoughts in the form
of predictions for the future continues to make me chortle
aloud at the most inopportune moments. But it made me
look back a little bit in history to see what might have been
predicted 100 years ago and how accurate any such
predictions might have been.
Since hindsight is the clearest of perspectives, a quick look back 100 years might really be revealing. So, here are just a few things
that were true just 100 years ago in the United States.
From U.S. statistics for the Year 1906:
The average life expectancy in the U.S. was 47 years. Yikes. Hey, Kirk. You'd be dead by now.
Only 14 percent of homes in the U.S. had a bathtub.
Only 8 percent of homes had a telephone. I know my son doesn't read this, but really. No phones. How would he survive?
A three-minute long-distance call from Denver to New York City cost eleven dollars.
There were a total of 8,000 cars in the U.S. My son would like to own 8,000 cars himself.
There were only 144 miles of paved roads in the U.S.
The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
Alabama, Mississippi, Iowa, and Tennessee were each more heavily populated than California.
With merely 1.4 million people, California was the 21st most populous state in the Union.
Amazing that the San Francisco earthquake (est. magnitude 7.8) killed 3,000 and left nearly 300,000 people homeless. What
would that intense of an earthquake do today?
The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower.
The average wage in the U.S. was 22 cents per hour.
The average U.S. worker made between $200 and $400 per year.
A competent accountant could expect to earn $2,000 per year, a dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000
per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.
More than 95 percent of all births in the U.S. took place at home, which makes me shudder remembering the bathtub number
above.
Ninety percent of all U.S. doctors had no college education. None. Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of
which were condemned in the press AND the government as "substandard."
Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering into their country for any reason.
Five leading causes of death in the U.S. were:
1. Pneumonia and influenza
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke
The population of Las Vegas, Nevada, was 30 people.
Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and iced tea had not been invented yet.
There was no Mother's Day or Father's Day.
Two out of every 10 U.S. adults could not read or write.
Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.
Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at the local corner drugstores. Back then the pharmacist said,
"Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of
health."
Eighteen percent of households in the U.S. had at least one full-time servant or domestic help. Yep, more of us had a maid than
had a bathtub.
There were about 230 reported murders in the entire U.S. for the entire year.
Maybe I will cut old Pat some slack. I could never have predicted then any of where we are now. I have never known Pat to make
predictions except for the upcoming calendar year. Maybe he ought to ask the Lord about some longer term views.
January 27, 2007 Mountain of Hot Red Liquid
This was the torchlight parade on New Year Eve in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
This was the torchlight parade on New Year Eve in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
January 20, 2007 Valentine Hopes
January 30, 2007 Which Face Shall I Wear Today?
There are only a few blogs that I look at on this here www. About half of them are pretty much photographs and photographic stuff
only. That must mean that I only read them for the pictures. The ones I actually read are generally part of my quest for a smile or
two.
I have now come in for a landing on my explanation for why I don’t read very many of them. Firstly, reading and/or writing more than
a few words is hard. It requires thought, and is especially difficult when you are suffering from listless, pounding tiredhead a full
on 90% of the time. Secondly, I am at least a little like you in that I just don’t want to read it. As for the writing part, not that many
people read it even if I write it, so what exactly is the point? Thirdly, after looking back at what I have written, mostly I wouldn’t read
that junk either, so what exactly is the point again?
Let us summarize. Writing is difficult. Reading is tedious. Mostly nobody reads what is written anyway. This explanation took years
of study and there you have it. If you need anything else studied, just let me know. Meanwhile, let's go watch Jeopardy.
One of those few blogs I was reading lately took a look at the Academy Award nominated films since 2000 and evaluated how
many of them had actually been seen by the writer. Bunny recently incorrectly related to someone that I do not want to go the
movies anymore. That is not true. I do not want to go places where there are any other people. I love movies.
As proof that she is wrong, I note for the record that there are exactly five of the 35 movies nominated for Best Picture since 2000
that I have not seen. Excuse me, but that means I have seen 30 of the 35. Listed below is the list of all the Best Picture nominees.
See how many you have seen.
Of my five unseen in order of oldest first, I will review the ‘whys’ for you and for Bunny right here and right now.
1. Gosford Park – I have no idea why I have not seen it. It sounds like it is chock full of proper Brits who might as well be speaking
in tongues to my ear. Since I am embarrassed to need subtitles for a film spoken in my mother tongue…did not see it and
probably won’t. Oh, she’s a fine crumpet, ‘at one she is. Be feedin’ me bubble n speak or not a proper butty this night, or nuthin’
but a ice lolly, so ‘ere ya have it, guvn’ah
.
2. Finding Neverland – so, the first trend emerges. Brits are somewhat involved here I suspect. Although, I have had a crush on
Kate Winslet since forever and have not missed any of her other films at all. Bunny knows that I would leave her for only a very few
women currently on the Earth, and then only if they called me. I could never muster the energy to call one of them. Bunny knows
that Kate is one of them and she knows that if I ever stalked any of them, I’d start with Kate. I even know this movie is about the
origins of the Peter Pan story. It sounds like one I would like and Bunny confirms it was a good one. Might see it on the Kate factor
alone.
3. Brokebutt Mountain – not gonna happen. I don’t want to see Heath Ledger kissing Jake Gyllenhall, even if they are pretending
and doing it really well. Don’t care. Not interested. Those boys wouldn’t pay to watch me kiss Bunny either, so drop it.
4. Munich – this one is a little bit like the 9-11 movies I have written about previously when I discussed my pal, Oliver Stone. I know
this story. I know how it turns out. I know that it is not good. I know who the bad guys are and what they do. I know there are some
bad guys on the other side who followed up and I don’t like what they did either. The real life story brought me to tears. Why would I
want to see it acted out again even if it is done really, really well? I am told there are no guys kissing. Maybe I will see it someday.
No promises.
5. Babel – unfair to say I have not seen it. It has been out only a very short time and is the only 2006 nominee I have not seen. I will
see it…but only on a Tuesday at noonish when very few people are there.
That is it. Saw all the rest. I didn’t like them all, but I saw them.
Now, in earlier postings I have poked significant fun of the Academy in regards to its nominations and awards in the music
category (see March 2006 - Academy is Proud to Present). There they exhibit the knowledge and ability of a bunch of long term
mental patients. But when I look at their awards over the last six years for Best Picture, there are very few arguments to lay forth.
Traffic, Moulin Rouge!, Chicago, Mystic River, Ray and Crash. All were the picks of their respective years and worthy in my
estimation.
Of the four nominees I have seen this year, I enjoyed Little Miss Sunshine the most. Bunny says that is because they modeled the
Alan Arkin character after me. Real funny. That one won’t win. Enjoying a film is no measure of the best picture. What is wrong with
you? Did you enjoy Mystic River? No. Did you enjoy Crash? No you did not. Stop it. It was a terrific story but torture to watch. And
don’t even start with the ‘I enjoyed Traffic’. Puhleeeeze. Nobody enjoys the antics of the drug addled viewed through a shaky, hand
held camera. But the Academy likes the serious ones best. All the other nominees this year fall in that line.
I will be watching. Pass the Fiddle Faddle.
2000 Gladiator
Chocolat
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Erin Brockovich
Traffic
2001 A Beautiful Mind
Gosford Park
In the Bedroom
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings
Moulin Rouge!
2002 Chicago
Gangs of New York
The Hours
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
The Pianist
2003 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Lost in Translation
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Mystic River
Seabiscuit
2004 Million Dollar Baby
The Aviator
Finding Neverland
Ray
Sideways
2005 Crash
Brokeback Mountain
Capote
Good Night and Good Luck
Munich
2006 Babel
The Departed
Letters from Iwo Jima
Little Miss Sunshine
The Queen
There are only a few blogs that I look at on this here www. About half of them are pretty much photographs and photographic stuff
only. That must mean that I only read them for the pictures. The ones I actually read are generally part of my quest for a smile or
two.
I have now come in for a landing on my explanation for why I don’t read very many of them. Firstly, reading and/or writing more than
a few words is hard. It requires thought, and is especially difficult when you are suffering from listless, pounding tiredhead a full
on 90% of the time. Secondly, I am at least a little like you in that I just don’t want to read it. As for the writing part, not that many
people read it even if I write it, so what exactly is the point? Thirdly, after looking back at what I have written, mostly I wouldn’t read
that junk either, so what exactly is the point again?
Let us summarize. Writing is difficult. Reading is tedious. Mostly nobody reads what is written anyway. This explanation took years
of study and there you have it. If you need anything else studied, just let me know. Meanwhile, let's go watch Jeopardy.
One of those few blogs I was reading lately took a look at the Academy Award nominated films since 2000 and evaluated how
many of them had actually been seen by the writer. Bunny recently incorrectly related to someone that I do not want to go the
movies anymore. That is not true. I do not want to go places where there are any other people. I love movies.
As proof that she is wrong, I note for the record that there are exactly five of the 35 movies nominated for Best Picture since 2000
that I have not seen. Excuse me, but that means I have seen 30 of the 35. Listed below is the list of all the Best Picture nominees.
See how many you have seen.
Of my five unseen in order of oldest first, I will review the ‘whys’ for you and for Bunny right here and right now.
1. Gosford Park – I have no idea why I have not seen it. It sounds like it is chock full of proper Brits who might as well be speaking
in tongues to my ear. Since I am embarrassed to need subtitles for a film spoken in my mother tongue…did not see it and
probably won’t. Oh, she’s a fine crumpet, ‘at one she is. Be feedin’ me bubble n speak or not a proper butty this night, or nuthin’
but a ice lolly, so ‘ere ya have it, guvn’ah
.
2. Finding Neverland – so, the first trend emerges. Brits are somewhat involved here I suspect. Although, I have had a crush on
Kate Winslet since forever and have not missed any of her other films at all. Bunny knows that I would leave her for only a very few
women currently on the Earth, and then only if they called me. I could never muster the energy to call one of them. Bunny knows
that Kate is one of them and she knows that if I ever stalked any of them, I’d start with Kate. I even know this movie is about the
origins of the Peter Pan story. It sounds like one I would like and Bunny confirms it was a good one. Might see it on the Kate factor
alone.
3. Brokebutt Mountain – not gonna happen. I don’t want to see Heath Ledger kissing Jake Gyllenhall, even if they are pretending
and doing it really well. Don’t care. Not interested. Those boys wouldn’t pay to watch me kiss Bunny either, so drop it.
4. Munich – this one is a little bit like the 9-11 movies I have written about previously when I discussed my pal, Oliver Stone. I know
this story. I know how it turns out. I know that it is not good. I know who the bad guys are and what they do. I know there are some
bad guys on the other side who followed up and I don’t like what they did either. The real life story brought me to tears. Why would I
want to see it acted out again even if it is done really, really well? I am told there are no guys kissing. Maybe I will see it someday.
No promises.
5. Babel – unfair to say I have not seen it. It has been out only a very short time and is the only 2006 nominee I have not seen. I will
see it…but only on a Tuesday at noonish when very few people are there.
That is it. Saw all the rest. I didn’t like them all, but I saw them.
Now, in earlier postings I have poked significant fun of the Academy in regards to its nominations and awards in the music
category (see March 2006 - Academy is Proud to Present). There they exhibit the knowledge and ability of a bunch of long term
mental patients. But when I look at their awards over the last six years for Best Picture, there are very few arguments to lay forth.
Traffic, Moulin Rouge!, Chicago, Mystic River, Ray and Crash. All were the picks of their respective years and worthy in my
estimation.
Of the four nominees I have seen this year, I enjoyed Little Miss Sunshine the most. Bunny says that is because they modeled the
Alan Arkin character after me. Real funny. That one won’t win. Enjoying a film is no measure of the best picture. What is wrong with
you? Did you enjoy Mystic River? No. Did you enjoy Crash? No you did not. Stop it. It was a terrific story but torture to watch. And
don’t even start with the ‘I enjoyed Traffic’. Puhleeeeze. Nobody enjoys the antics of the drug addled viewed through a shaky, hand
held camera. But the Academy likes the serious ones best. All the other nominees this year fall in that line.
I will be watching. Pass the Fiddle Faddle.
2000 Gladiator
Chocolat
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Erin Brockovich
Traffic
2001 A Beautiful Mind
Gosford Park
In the Bedroom
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings
Moulin Rouge!
2002 Chicago
Gangs of New York
The Hours
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
The Pianist
2003 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Lost in Translation
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Mystic River
Seabiscuit
2004 Million Dollar Baby
The Aviator
Finding Neverland
Ray
Sideways
2005 Crash
Brokeback Mountain
Capote
Good Night and Good Luck
Munich
2006 Babel
The Departed
Letters from Iwo Jima
Little Miss Sunshine
The Queen
