(Not) Missing Super Bowl 50

I did not watch the Super Bowl this year, primarily because I am 10 hours ahead of California time, and I had two important appointments the next day.  I needed the sleep more than the thrill. I could have gone over to a local establishment in my town, frequented by a largely Anglo crowd and possessing a large screen TV; I understand from acquaintances who did attend the all-nighter there that it was pretty good as far as Super Bowls go.  On account of the local alcoholic beverage control regulations, there were limitations on the service of intoxicating drinks during gametime hours.

I am not a fan of Lady Gaga, but, to her great credit, she at least did the National Anthem justice; unlike Beyonce, who insulted true Americans (and who was never a candidate for my adulation).  Quite frankly, I am more interested in the athletic aspect of the Super Bowl than in the show business aspects of the pre-game and half-time entertainment (though athletics has long morphed into show biz, including and especially at the Super Bowl.  The Romans had their Bread and Circuses, we have the Super Bowl and similar events).

The best football game I ever watched was back in the late 1970's, while I was in Georgia on business.  It was between two high school teams, and devoid of the hype and show production typical of major athletic events today.  Everyone on the field was there to play football, and the half-time show was just the respective schools' marching bands, who were there to play patriotic music.

Those were the days.

Memorial Day 2013

Today, my wife and I each ran a few small shopping errands to procure items which might conceivably prove convenient tomorrow, which happens to be Memorial Day 2013.

We each are old enough to remember an era when most retail business establishments were completely closed on Memorial Day.  But now, most retail shops are open on Memorial Day.

There is nothing wrong per se with going to the beach on Memorial Day (which will be off the table for many on account of the low temperatures which now perform the valuable service of making the "global warming" proponents seem like smacked toochases).  There is nothing per se wrong with having an outdoor barbecue on Memorial Day.  There is nothing per se wrong with sleeping in late on Memorial Day.  [Neither my wife nor I particularly plan to do any of those things tomorrow].

But it must be remembered that Memorial Day is not about us going to the beach; it is not about us having a barbecue; it is not about us sleeping in late.  Memorial Day is about the ones who did not come back, who cannot go to the beach, who cannot join us for a barbecue, and who now sleep in eternal repose.

And so, out of principle, we are trying to avoid doing any shopping on Memorial Day if we can help it.

To the soldiers and sailors and Marines and airmen who did not come back:  Rest in Peace!  There still are plenty of grateful Americans who have not forgotten you.

Flagging the Fourth of July

I'm at home today, the Fourth of July, doing paperwork and avoiding the crowds and the traffic.

Seems that a goodly number of real estate salespeople, from diverse realty offices, have a gimmick to get their name in front of the populace: Planting minature American flags on people's lawns (with a business card, of course).

The prospect of a slide down the slippery slope of crass commercialism is marginally troubling, but it IS nice to drive, walk, run or bicycle down the street and see all the flags at the curbsides. And if it takes some good old American commercialism to make it happen, then that is not such a bad thing!

I was out riding my bike today for a good workout. I was riding down a marginal road by one of the the main streets here. The marginal road, of course, has all of the homes, and it is separated from the main highway by a long traffic island, planted with trees and grass. On the traffic island I saw an American flag on the ground. So I put on the brakes, turned around, picked up Old Glory and stood it up straight, then saluted it and continued on my way.

That's really all there is to report from here. It isn't much.

But in some respects, it really IS a big thing!

Happy Birthday, America!!!