The Swim of Things

 

Diana Nyad is one of those cultural icons that I admittedly didn't know much about.   I vaguely remembered that she once swam around the island of Manhattan.  Because of my pop culture ignorance, a lot of what I learned in the movie "Nyad" was new information to me.   And entertaining to boot.

For instance, I didn't know that Nyad's main dream in life was to swim the 110 mile open ocean distance between Cuba and Florida.   It's virtually impossible to do and that's a good thing.  Otherwise, we'd have a lot more illegal immigrants in this country than we already do.

But I digress...

Nyad tried to do this swim when she was 28 and failed.   Along with childhood memories of being molested by her coach, she is constantly reminded that she didn't succeed with this swim.  And decides to try one more time despite the fact that, in 2010, she was 60 years old.

So, coupled with her coach and best friend Bonnie, she sets out to do just that.  The first four attempts are a potpourri of disasters from battling currents to being stung by poisonous jelly fish.   One such sting actually stops her heart.   But she presses on...almost annoyingly.   Talk about your bucket list.

Given that Nyad is still alive and they made a movie out of this, even the uneducated like me can figure that she does eventually succeed.   And it all makes for quite a compelling movie.   

The yin and yang of it all is Nyad herself.   Played by Annette Bening, the performance is marvelous.   But, if Bening is being authentic to the real person, Diana comes off as quite the self-centered bitch.  She's so mean to people that I'm surprised they didn't leave her to drown.

That said, the real sparkler in this movie is the always welcome Jodie Foster as Bonnie.  She responds to Nyad as much of the audience does and there are times where you want to hug the swimmer and there are times when you want to root for a shark or a jelly fish.

But, I learned something through this film and it is quite good entertainment.  See it for Jodie's performance alone.

Available in theaters and on Netflix.

LEN'S RATING:  Three-and-a-half stars.

Dinner last night:  Lasagna from my freezer.

This Date in History - November 29

 

Happy birthday in Heaven to our old and cherished friend Vin Scully.   We miss you.

800:  CHARLEMAGNE ARRIVES AT ROME TO INVESTIGATE THE CRIMES IMPUTED TO POPE LEO III.

CSI:Vatican.

1549:  THE PAPAL CONCLAVE OF 1549-50 BEGINS.

That is one long meeting.

1729:  NATCHEZ INDIANS MASSACRE 138 FRENCHMEN, 35 FRENCH WOMEN, AND 56 CHILDREN NEAR MODERN-DAY NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI.

35 French women for 138 Frenchmen and only 56 children?

1781:  THE CREW OF THE BRITISH SLAVE SHIP ZONG MURDERS 133 AFRICANS BY DUMPING THEM INTO THE SEA TO CLAIM INSURANCE.

And, no, Rachel Maddow, Trump was not the captain.

1783:  A 5.3 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE STRIKES NEW JERSEY.

Except nobody lived there to feel it.

1847:  MISSIONARIES DR. MARCUS WHITMAN, HIS WIFE, AND 15 OTHERS ARE KILLED BY INDIANS, CAUSING THE CAYUSE WAR.

Talk about your Whitman Sampler.

1877:  THOMAS EDISON DEMONSTRATES HIS PHONOGRAPH FOR THE FIRST TIME.

Playing at 2 RPM.

1890:  THE MEIJI CONSTITUTION GOES INTO EFFECT IN JAPAN AND THE FIRST DIET CONVENES.  

Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.

1902:  THE PITTSBURGH STARS DEFEATED THE PHILADELPHIA ATHLETICS, 11-0, AT THE PITTSBURGH COLISEUM, TO WIN THE FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP ASSOCIATED WITH AN AMERICAN NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL GAME.

Yay!  I had Philadelphia with 12 points.

1927:  DODGER BROADCASTER VIN SCULLY IS BORN.

National holiday petition, please!

1929:  US ADMIRAL RICHARD BYRD LEADS THE FIRST EXPEDITION TO FLY OVER THE SOUTH POLE.

As the Byrd flies...

1944:  WORLD WAR II - ALBANIA IS LIBERATED BY THE PARTISANS.

The Partisans, but which side?

1947:  FIRST INDOCHINA WAR - FRENCH FORCES CARRY OUT A MASSACRE AT MY TRACH, VIETNAM.

My Trach is Your Trach.

1949:  COMIC GARRY SHANDLING IS BORN.

And we lost him too soon.

1952:  KOREAN WAR - US PRESIDENT-ELECT DWIGHT EISENHOWER FULFILLS A CAMPAIGN PROMISE BY TRAVELING TO KOREA TO FIND OUT WHAT CAN BE DONE TO END THE CONFLICT.

Well, you can tell them to stop shooting for one.

1955:  COMIC HOWIE MANDEL IS BORN.

Celebrate by putting a rubber glove over your head.

1963: US PRESIDENT LYNDON JOHNSON ESTABLISHES THE WARREN COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE THE ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY.

Just make sure you say Oswald worked alone, wink, wink.

1967:  VIETNAM WAR - US SECRETARY OF DEFENSE ROBERT MCNAMARA ANNOUNCES HIS RESIGNATION.

He got out just as we were really starting to lose big.

1969:  YANKEE CLOSER MARIANO RIVERA IS BORN.

Too late to watch the Mets win the World Series.

1972:  ATARI ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF PONG, THE FIRST COMMERCIALLY SUCCESSFUL VIDEO GAME.

Ping, Pong.

1981:  ACTRESS NATALIE WOOD DIES.

Or "is murdered" depending upon your viewpoint.

1986:  ACTOR CARY GRANT DIES.

The Corpse and the Bobby Soxer.

1887:  KOREAN AIR FLIGHT 858 EXPLODES OVER THE THAI-BURMESE BORDER, KILLING 115.

So, play the number 858115 in today's lotto.

1999:  TV HOST GENE RAYBURN DIES.

"Gene doesn't look so good today.   That's because he's________."

2001:  BEATLE GEORGE HARRISON DIES.

Our Sweet Lord.

2009:  MAURICE CLEMMONS SHOOTS AND KILLS FOUR POLICE OFFICERS INSIDE A COFFEE SHOP IN WASHINGTON.   

That's a waste of four good donuts.

2016:  MTM FOUNDER GRANT TINKER DIES.

Saw him multiple times here.   In a car wash and a restaurant twice.

Dinner last night:  Salad.

Hollywood Then and Now - November 2023

The good news is that this is about an old movie theater that still exists even though it's changed considerably.

Now I can't be sure of this but I think the AVCO Theater on Wilshire Boulevard in Westwood just might be one of the first cinemas I went to in Los Angeles.   It certainly was the drawing card for all the big pictures.   Like, for instance, this photo from 1977.

As the Saturday night drawing power of Westwood dwindled over time, somehow the AVCO continued.   It morphed into an AMC Theater and now exists as one of those dine-in IPic theaters.    Inside it looks much different.   But, at least, it still features a silver screen.

Thank goodness.   We can still have nice things.

Dinner last night:  Route 66 chili from Bristol Farms.

Monday Morning Video Laugh - November 27, 2023

 Honoring the late Matthew Perry with some classic work from "Friends."

Dinner last night:  Chinese spare ribs.

The Sunday Memory Drawer - The Hollywood Christmas Parade Is Back...

 

...again.   It's happening tonight.  And this means I can to tell an age-old story about my experience working that parade.  Spoiler alert: if you are a fan of the late Florence Henderson, you might want to click away at this juncture.  

It used to be called the Santa Claus Lane parade, then the Hollywood Christmas Parade. Now, it's the Hollywood Santa Parade. Whatever the case, this was once a big deal and star magnet. From the days when they got the likes of Bob Hope, Lucy and Desi, and Jack Benny to ride on floats, all they get now is the overnight jock at Hot 97 and perhaps some empty-headed bit player from "The Bold and the Beautiful." I can remember watching it in syndication when I was a kid in NY.   For some reason, the Hallmark Channel has been running it lately as a respite to the five dozen made-for-TV Christmas movies they have.

But, whatever the case, nobody is going to take away from me the experience of actually working at this travesty for about five years straight when I first moved to Los Angeles. I was a volunteer. A community organizer, if you will.

A friend of mine from church (now sadly deceased) used to be in charge of the parade volunteers. So, I was sucked into this "insider's" look at the parade. Except the first year, my assignment was less than plum. Armed with a walkie-talkie that I couldn't figure out, I was stationed as "crowd control" in the middle of Hollywood Boulevard. To make matters worse, I was forced to fear this hideous red vest that made me look like an accident flare on the 405.

While I was not exactly sure why, I allowed myself to get vacuumed up into this disaster the following year. Except this time around, I was put where I indeed belonged. In the celebrity gathering area---the so-called "green room." Which happened to be conveniently located in the bar of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. This is where the D-listers fortified themselves for the upcoming drive down chilly Hollywood Boulevard. 

I saw Santa Claus poised on a bar stool sucking down a beer. 

The "renowned" Lorenzo Lamas was there with his whole family and was screaming at his nanny. 

Comedian Rip Taylor sauntered in and, almost immediately, a parade official pointed discretely at Rip's head. This was the signal that his wig was crooked. Rip gave it a slight tug at the side and recreated his hair styling feng shui.

This would be my perch at the parade for the next three years and nothing could have been sweeter. Watching celebrities behave badly and then slap on an instant smile for the hordes of adoring fans lining the gutters outside. 

The last year I worked the parade, I was stationed at the door to the "green room." My job was to welcome the celebrities as they drove up and entered the hotel. So, a car pulls up on schedule and out comes two heralded TV moms. Marion Ross from "Happy Days" and Florence Henderson from "The Brady Bunch." Why these two were carpooling is still a mystery to me. But, nevertheless, out they popped and approached the door. 

Unbeknownst to me, there were three 10 year-old girls lurking about---probably hotel guests. As soon as they saw Mrs. C and Carol Brady, they ran over for autographs.

Marion Ross was a total pro to these kids. Ever gracious, she thanked them for recognizing her and personalized autographs for each of them. Florence did the same, but I could see only the faintest glimmer of a smile.

Now, it was my turn. I held the door open, ready with a smile and a hello for their entrance.

Marion Ross came over first. She wished me a good evening, a Happy Holiday season, and thanked me for holding the door open for her.

Florence Henderson approached next. Once again, I held the door open, ready with a smile and a hello for her.
Except Flo scowled at me.

"You needed to do a better job keeping those kids away from me."

Huh??? 

I was stunned by her brazen nastiness. All I could mutter was a voice-cracking "Excuse me."

"You heard me. We can't get blindsided by autograph hounds when we show up for these things."

In my own world of suitable responses, I wanted only one. 

"You fuckin' bitch!" 

But, I needed to be professional, even though I doubted if I would ever work with her, since she really hadn't done anything new after The $100,000 Pyramid in 1985. I also felt compelled to say something as a semi-representative for the parade.

I responded. "I am sorry, Miss Henderson. I did not see them. And I am sure they are very excited in seeing somebody they have enjoyed on one of their favorite reruns."

She dismissed me with a frown and a wave of her clenched fist. I hoped that she would choke on her Polident-cleaned dentures. Or maybe somebody would bash her skull in with a bottle of Wesson Oil. This woman had parlayed a career out of some crappy TV show that was almost 30 years old. She owes any celebrity to those kids who are, for some bizarre reason, one more generation enamored with that pre-teen-targeted sitcom.

I didn't work the parade the next year. Not if I couldn't live up to Florence Henderson's high standards.

Okay, since Florence has gone to that big parade in the sky, I guess I should be kinder.

Nah.

Dinner last night:  Sandwich.

Classic Movie Trailer of the Month - November 2023

 This had the misfortune of being in theaters the weekend JFK was shot in 1963.

Dinner last night:  Ham sandwich.

Your Amazon Christmas Shopping Catalog

I am sure that there are people that do that.   Shop on Amazon for the holidays.  Back when, I remember when I used to see people on airplanes order stuff from that Sky Mall magazine, which is now defunct.

Regardless, it all points out how lazy we can be.   So, on this big shopping day of the year, let your fingers do the clicking.   And don't forget to put in your security code.  There is plenty o'junk to be had.

Take, for instance, this dandy attic tent. You can use it to prevent those nasty leaks from the crawlspace upstairs that drive your heating bills skyhigh. But, you could save a lot more money if you simply paid attention to what my father was always yelling at. "Stop opening the door so much." At the same time, I'm looking at this item and I'm wondering if it muffles noise as much as it insulates. Because, if the Frank family had an attic tent, little Anne might still be alive today.

I've gotten e-mail and junk mail on how to re-construct my family tree. I've never bothered because A) I know where most of my relatives are and B) I don't want to know where most of my relatives have been. But, now you can actually do it for your dog as well. Any folks who buy this service are officially insane. Will you feel anymore empowered if you find out that little pooch of yours is a direct descendent of Lassie or Rin Tin Tin? Or you may find out your little pride and joy might have some connections you would like to ignore? Because, frankly, you never know where that bitch has been.

Finally, the little kitty has some privacy to do her thing. Meanwhile, as secluded as it is, you can rest assure that the litter will still wind up all over the floor. And the smell will remain as pungent as ever. I actually know folks who keep litter boxes in their kitchen. Hmmmm? Is that tuna fish bad? Or is our favorite feline have a little digestive issue with that new flavor of Whiskas?

For people who really, really, really don't want anybody on their property. And still, it'll be some Sunday afternoon and you'll get some Jehovah's Witness ringing your front door bell.

Wash your hair and the shower stall at the very same time. Multi-tasking to the Nth degree. And, after you've spent too much time playing with this in the shower, show up to work late, and get fired, you can then use this device to make a few dollars while wiping off windshields on the off ramp from the Bruckner Expressway.

You want to talk about lazy? Here's a patch of indoor grass that you can use when you don't want to get off your fat ass and walk the pooch. Are you kidding me? Half of the fun of the bathroom experience for little Scratch is sniffing around and finding a spot that another fellow canine has already marked with some poop. Can you duplicate that in your own living room? I think not. Unless, of course, you want to squat yourself on this thing and give the dog something to remember for the rest of his life.

Dinner last night:  Traditional turkey dinner at Cecconi's.

The Thanskgiving Tradition Around This Blog....

 ...a rendition of "Turkey Lurkey Time" from the musical "Promises, Promises."   It takes heightened prominence this year as we fondly remember the late composer Burt Bacharach.

Enjoy this as well as your holiday meal.

Dinner last night:  Sandwich.

This Date in History - November 22

 

Finally!   After all these historical Wednesdays, we at last hit the date that changed America forever.   Let's see what else happened on this fateful day.

498:  AFTER THE DEATH OF ANASTASIUS II, SYMMACHUS IS ELECTED POPE IN THE LATERAN PALACE, WHILE LAURENTIUS IS ELECTED POPE IN SANTA MARIA MAGGIORE.

Hey, Pope, you can't say that Santa Maria Maggiore hasn't been nice to you today.

1307:  POPE CLEMENT V ISSUES THE PAPAL BULL PASTORALIS PRAEEMINENTIAE WHICH INSTRUCTED ALL CHRISTIAN MONARCHS IN EUROPE TO ARREST ALL TEMPLARS AND SEIZE THEIR ASSETS.

You mean Simon Templar?

1574:  SPANISH NAVIGATOR JUAN FERNANDEZ DISCOVERS ISLANDS NOW KNOWN AS THE JUAN FERNANDEZ ISLANDS OFF CHILE.

Now that's clever marketing.

1718:  OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA, BRITISH PIRATE "BLACKBEARD" IS KILLED IN BATTLE.

"Mrs. Blackbeard jumped up and cried 'oh, no.'  The pirate ship sailed on."

1837:  CANADIAN JOURNALIST AND POLITICIAN WILLIAM LYON MACKENZIE CALLS FOR A REBELLION AGAINST THE UNITED KINGDOM IN HIS ESSAY "TO THE PEOPLE OF UPPER CANADA."

And my mother used to say Canada was "Upper US."

1869:  IN SCOTLAND, THE CLIPPER CUTTY SARK IS LAUNCHED, ONE OF THE LAST CLIPPERS EVER BUILT.

A big deal apparently because it got its own liquor bottle.

1899:  PIANIST HOAGY CARMICHAEL IS BORN.

No, he did not invent the sandwich.

1902:  PHYSICIAN WALTER REED DIES.

Not in need of his own hospital now.

1921:  COMIC RODNEY DANGERFIELD IS BORN.

Gee, his 42nd birthday sucked.

1924:  ACTRESS GERALDINE PAGE IS BORN.

Gee, her 39th birthday sucked.

1928:  THE PREMIER PERFORMANCE OF RAVEL'S BOLERO TAKES PLACE IN PARIS.

How raveling.

1935:  THE CHINA CLIPPER INAUGURATES THE FIRST COMMERCIAL TRANSPACIFIC AIR SERVICE, CONNECTING CALIFORNIA WITH MANILA.

But it's no Cutty Sark.

1940:  ACTOR TERRY GILLIAM IS BORN.

Gee, his 23rd birthday...oh, you get the point.

1942:  WORLD WAR II - GENERAL FRIEDRICH PAULUS SENDS ADOLF HITLER A TELEGRAM SAYING THAT THE GERMAN 6TH ARMY IS SURROUNDED.

That took a lot of chutzpah.

1943:  WORLD WAR II - US PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER CHURCHILL AND CHINESE PREMIERE CHIANG KAI-SHEK MEET IN CAIRO TO DISCUSS WAYS TO DEFEAT JAPAN.

Hope somebody had a handicapped parking spot.

1943:  TENNIS STAR BILLIE JEAN KING IS BORN.

Big deal, she beat up a guy.  Not the first and not the last.

1954:  THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES IS FOUNDED.

No animals were harmed in the founding of this society.

1955:  ACTOR SHEMP HOWARD DIES.

The second greatest man to die on this date.

1958:  ACTRESS JAMIE LEE CURTIS IS BORN.

So you know what Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh were doing last February.

1963:  IN DALLAS......

Do I have to finish this?   Seriously, think about how history was altered on that day when he was shot.

1963:  FOOTBALL PLAYER HUGH MILLEN IS BORN.

And is a complete afterthought.

1963:  WRITER ALDOUS HUXLEY DIES.

Back seat, dude.   Brave new world and all.

1963:  POET C.S. LEWIS DIES.

Nobody noticed.

1968:  THE BEATLES RELEASE THEIR WHITE ALBUM.

You couldn't call it that today because it would be considered racist.

1974:  THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY GRANTS THE PALESTINE LIBERATION ORGANIZATION OBSERVER STATUS.

What about bathroom privileges?

1975:  JUAN CARLOS IS DECLARED KING OF SPAIN FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF FRANCISCO FRANCO.

So this wasn't just a Chevy Chase joke?

1977:  BRITISH AIRWAYS INAUGURATES A REGULAR LONDON TO NYC SUPERSONIC CONCORDE SERVICE.

Don't bother looking for frequent flyer miles.

1980:  ACTRESS MAE WEST DIES.

Come up and see her some time.   Way up.

1986:  ACTOR SCATMAN CROTHERS DIES.

I'm guessing that wasn't his real first name.

1987:   TWO CHICAGO TV STATIONS ARE HIJACKED BY AN UNKNOWN PIRATE DRESSED AS MAX HEADROOM.

A big deal for about 32 seconds.

1990:  BRITISH PRIME MINISTER MARGARET THATCHER WITHDRAWS FROM THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY LEADERSHIP ELECTION, CONFIRMING THE END OF HER PRIME MINISTERSHIP.

I'll bet this was a good day down in the coal mines.

1992:  ACTOR STERLING HOLLOWAY DIES.

Winnie the Pooh!

1995:  TOY STORY IS RELEASED AS THE FIRST FEATURE LENGTH FILM CREATED COMPLETELY USING COMPUTER GENERATED IMAGERY.

The first Pixar film and still the best.

2005:  ANGELA MERKEL BECOMES THE FIRST FEMALE CHANCELLOR OF GERMANY.

But she did not take her oath on Air Force One.

Dinner last night:  Salad.

Len's Recipe of the Month - November 2023

 

Truth be told, I love cooking for Christmas, but really don't enjoy doing it for Thanksgiving.   

But when I did...and the photo above is one of my last forays into the Thanksgiving kitchen...I managed quite nicely.

Now don't think you're getting recipes for everything you see.   The herb roasted turkey breast is a recipe from Ina Garten.   Look it up.   The cranberry sauce?  Well, Ocean Spray puts the recipe on the bag.   And the green bean casserole?   There are a variety of takes on that via the Food Network website.

But I will share with you recipes for two of the sides you see.   And, for me, a great meal is all about the sides.

For instance, look at the roasted vegetables.   So darn easy and people will think you slaved for hours.   Get some red bliss potatoes and slice each into two or three pieces.  Then peel an onion and then slice that up.   Finally, get some baby carrots.  The bag variety works fine.   Throw all of this on a baking dish.  Add about a tablespoon of chopped rosemary.   Then a tablespoon of kosher salt.   Pepper to taste.   Liberally drizzle olive oil over the veggies until they are all coated.  

Toss in a 325 degree oven for about 30-40 minutes.   The flavors blend so naturally.   Your guests will be impressed.

They will also be wowed by my stuffing, too.   And that's so easy to do if you use a slow cooker.  Plus if you use a cellophane liner for the crock pot, it's an easy clean-up.

In a pan with some olive oil, saute about a cup of chopped celery and one chopped onion with some minced garlic.   After about five minutes, add about 1 1/2 pounds of ground pork sausage.  Brown that all up and give it a good mix with the other stuff.   

Essentially you're almost done.

Pour the mixture into your slow cooker.   Add a box of stuffing croutons.   Mrs. Cubbison is the best.   To the mixture, add a teaspoon of rosemary, a teaspoon of sage, and a teaspoon of thyme.   Put in about a teaspoon of kosher salt and then pepper to taste.

Because you need liquid for a slow cooker, pour in a cup of chicken broth or stock.  Set it on low for about six hours.

You will be shocked how good it is.   And moist.   

Hey, just because Thanksgiving is past, you can always try these two sides for Christmas.  Or Kwanzaa.   Wait.  I don't cook for that one either.

Dinner last night:  Orange chicken from Bristol Farms.

Monday Morning Video Laugh - November 20, 2023

A Thanksgiving classic rerun.   Always worth another visit from "Everybody Loves Raymond."

Dinner last night:  NY steak.

The Sunday Memory Drawer - Camelot Plus 60

 

Given how infrequently I read a book, it is double surprising that I would rady something a second time.  But that's exactly what I did, knowing that the 60th anniversary of this event was fast upon us.   The most horrific memory in our history.

As friends know, I am a bit of a JFK assassination geek.  Let's face it.  When I was twelve years old, I was reading the 700-page "Death of a President" by William Manchester.  At the time, that was allegedly the most complete account of this notorious day in Dallas.  Since then, I have devoured any and all books, documentaries, and analyses of what happened on November 22, 1963.  A book full of the Kennedy autopsy photos was on my coffee table for two years.  Not the same elegance as a rain forest compendium published by National Geographic, but you get the grisly picture.   In more ways than one.

A bunch of years ago, there was a movie release that nobody paid attention.   The film "Parkland" was sadly ignored by almost everybody and that's sad because it was a marvelous depiction of the JFK assassination as seen through the eyes of those people on the fringe of the event, i.e. the Parkland Hospital doctors, the Dallas FBI agents, the assassin's brother, etc..  It was clearly one of the best movies I saw that year and the DVD was out virtually the very next week.

But, as I read through the closing credits of "Parkland," I noted that one of the sources for the screenplay was this book by famed crime writer and historian Vincent Bugliosi.  You'll remember him from his outstanding work on "Helter Skelter," which took us moment-by-moment through the Manson Family murders.  But I had never heard of his book on the JFK shooting.  I had clearly missed it.  

Given my affinity for "Parkland," I immediately bought the Bugliosi book.   And couldn't stop reading it.  Of all the JFK assassination works I have encountered, this was clearly the best.  Because, after all this time, I learned things in this book that I never knew.  There was new information for me and major kudos to Vincent Bugliosi for giving them to me.

For instance, I never knew that there were anonymous phone threats into the Dallas Police station against Lee Harvey Oswald the night before he was killed.  

I previously thought that Oswald never regained consciousness after being shot.  Well, apparently, in the ambulance, he did for a moment and thrashed around wildly.

I also never knew that, on the night of the President's burial at Arlington, Jackie Kennedy and his brother Bobby made a midnight trip to the gravesite for prayers.

This book, which is so copiously researched and written, tells a story that is so gripping that it almost seems new to the reader.   I turned each page with anticipation to see what was happening next.  This is a tough feat to accomplish with a history book.

The second half of the work is almost exclusively devoted to the Dallas Police investigation of the murders of the President and Patrolman J.D. Tippett and it is almost as compelling as that CSI show you watched last night.  Indeed, Bugliosi talked to everybody and his bibliography and footnotes go on for almost 100 pages.

With this book, Bugliosi also has another achievement.  He turns me into one of those folks who no longer believes in the conspiracy theories revolving around this day.  I've read and seen all the stories about what people think happened in Dealey Plaza.   It was Russia.  It was the CIA.  It was the Mafia.  It was Elmer Fudd up in the window and Oprah Winfrey with a rifle on the grassy knoll.  

Nope.   

Once you read this book, you will believe that it was Lee Harvey Oswald up there on the sixth floor.   By himself.   And Jack Ruby was just a kook who was so delusional that he thought America would regard him as a hero.  With Bugliosi at the helm, you can't accept anything but this scenario as fact.

And I plan to read it again ten years from now.

Dinner last night:  Eggplant parmesan at Rao's.

Classic TV Theme Song of the Month - November 2023

It seems fitting to post this one this month. 

Dinner last night:  Lasagna from my freezer.

Your Weekend Movie Guide for November 2023

 

Well, one long nightmare is open.   The legendary and now restored Egyptian Theater in Hollywood is back in business after being closed since March 2020.  Netflix has pumped some dollars into this restoration.   The streamer will run their stuff during the week but weekends will be programmed with classic films by the American Cinematheque.

So now, we at least have an option than just piling into an AMC outlet to see the latest junk Hollywood is promoting,  You know the monthly drill, gang.  I'll drift through the movie listings and give you my knee-jerk, gut reaction to what's polluting our screens.

Of course, you could opt for whatever the Egyptian is unspooling.

The Marvels:  Never have, never will.

Five Nights at Freddy's:   Make it one night at home.

Priscilla:  From Sofia Coppola.   All about Mrs. Elvis.   Unless it covers the "Dallas" years, I'm not interested.

Killers of the Flower Moon:  Scorsese's latest and I hear good things.  But three plus hours???

The Holdovers:   I hear good things about this Alexander Payne comedy.  Met him several times when we shared the same hair stylist.

Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour:   Isn't this over yet?

What Happens Later:  Meg Ryan and David Duchovny are ex-lovers who reconnect in a snow-bound airport.  Wonder if they find their old careers there.

After Death:  A documentary about what happens after you...will, you know.

Dream Scenario:  Nicolas Cage keeps showing up in peoples' dreams.  Not mine.

Best. Christmas. Ever.: Has this look of an idea that Hallmark threw out.

The Hunger Games - The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes:  Proud to say I have never gone hungry.

Journey to Bethlehem:   Mary and Joseph, you should have used Booking.com.

It's A Wonderful Knife:  George Bailey is such a cut up.

Saltburn:   A student at Oxford has quite the summer.   The trailer looks like a gay rom com to me.

Next Goal Wins:  Probably has nothing to do with the NY Jets.

Thanksgiving:  A slasher movie.  Turkey gravy isn't supposed to be red.

Radical:  Starring Eugenio Derbez.   Anybody?

Anatomy of a Fall:   The Dodgers in most Octobers.

Dinner last night:  Chicken noodle soup.

A

Remembering When

 

Wow, you turn around and it's sixty years later.   We will be shortly remembering Friday, November 22, 1963.   I still recall it clear as day.

Now you would think that I have seen everything possible about that fateful day.  Well, somehow mysteriously, the new National Geographic documentary has provided us all with things we have never seen before.  Oh, this is not a film that espouses any theories or conspiracies.    It actually approaches things from the angle that Oswald was the lone shooter.   But it affords looks at 11/22 that were new to me and probably you as well.

Through home movies and the memories of six people who were there and are still with us, this is all fresh information.   From Jackie's Secret Service guy to a Westinghouse reporter to the kid who drove Oswald to work that day, this is an incredibly compelling and new look at something old.

I was riveted and watched all three hours in one night.   So should you.

LEN'S RATING:  Four stars.

Dinner last night:  Salad.

This Date in History - November 15

 

Happy birthday to Petula Clark, the singer most likely to be found on my mother's record player.

565:  JUSTIN II SUCCEEDS HIS UNCLE JUSTINIAN I AS EMPEROR OF THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE.

Justin time.

1532:  COMMANDED BY FRANCISCO PIZARRO, SPANISH CONQUISTADORS UNDER HERNANDO DE SOTO MEET INCA EMPIRE LEADER ATAHUALPA FOR THE FIRST TIME.

Inca dinka doo.

1533:  FRANCISCO PIZARRO ARRIVES IN CUZCO, THE CAPITAL OF THE INCA EMPIRE.

Hog gets in his name in here twice.

1777:  AMERICAN REVOLUTION - AFTER 16 MONTHS OF DEBATE, THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS APPROVES THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION.

Typical government.  Nothing gets done quickly.

1791:  THE FIRST US CATHOLIC COLLEGE, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY, OPENS ITS DOORS.

Hoya doin'?

1806:  LIEUTENANT ZEBULON PIKE SEES A DISTANT MOUNTAIN PEAK IN COLORADO AND IT IS LATER NAMED PIKES PEAK.

Duh.

1864:  AMERICAN CIVIL WAR - UNION GENERAL WILLIAM TECUMSEH SHERMAN BEGINS SHERMAN'S MARCH TO THE SEA.

Duh, the sequel.

1882:  LAWYER FELIX FRANKFURTER IS BORN.

Hot dog!

1905:  CONDUCTOR MANTOVANI IS BORN.

Also likely to be found on my mom's record player.   As well as most elevators.

1914:  HARRY TURNER BECOMES THE FIRST PLAYER TO DIE FROM GAME-RELATED INJURIES IN THE "OHIO LEAGUE," WHICH IS THE DIRECT PREDECESSOR TO THE NFL.

Concussion, I am guessing.

1926:  THE NBC RADIO NETWORK OPENS WITH 24 STATIONS.

Bum bom bum.

1929:  ACTOR EDWARD ASNER IS BORN.

Oh, Mr. Grant...

1932:  SINGER PETULA CLARK IS BORN.

Seriously, my mom had every one of her records.

1939:  IN WASHINGTON DC, US PRESIDENT FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT LAYS THE CORNERSTONE OF THE JEFFERSON MEMORIAL.

Something he hadn't done with his own wife for some time by now.

1942:  WORLD WAR II - THE BATTLE OF GUADALCANAL ENDS IN A DECISIVE ALLIED VICTORY.

And results in probably three John Wayne movies.

1943:  THE HOLOCAUST - GERMAN SS LEADER HEINRICH HIMMLER ORDERS THAT GYPSIES ARE TO PUT ON THE SAME LEVEL AS JEWS IN CONCENTRATION CAMPS.

Oh, no, not the gypsies, too???

1954:  ACTOR LIONEL BARRYMORE DIES.

It was a wonderful life.

1958:  ACTOR TYRONE POWER DIES.

Powerless.

1959:  THE MURDERS OF THE CLUTTER FAMILY IN KANSAS, WHICH INSPIRED TRUMAN CAPOTE'S BOOK "IN COLD BLOOD."

Now uncluttered.

1966:  PROJECT GEMINI - GEMINI 12 COMPLETES THE PROGRAM'S FINAL SPACE MISSION.

Paging Apollo....

1969:  VIETNAM WAR - IN WASHINGTON DC, ALMOST 500,000 PROTESTERS STAGE A PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATION AGAINST THE WAR.

With probably only two Port-0-sans available.

1971:  INTEL RELEASES THE WORLD'S FIRST COMMERCIAL SINGLE-SHIP MICROPROCESSOR.

So all IT people get today off.

1976:  ACTOR JEAN GABIN DIES.

Pepe LeMoko!!

1978:  ANTHROPOLOGIST MARGARET MEAD DIES.

I know I did a book report about her once.

1979:  A PACKAGE FROM UNABOMBER TED KACZYNSKI BEGINS SMOKING IN THE CARGO HOLD OF A FLIGHT FROM CHICAGO TO WASHINGTON, DC.

And as you know, there is no smoking on airplanes.

2006:  AL JAZEERA ENGLISH LAUNCHES WORLDWIDE.

And closed about ten years later with approximately six viewers.

2007:  BASEBALL PITCHER JOE NUXHALL DIES.

Was once the youngest player ever to play baseball.  And he still died.

Dinner last night:  Hamburger.

Are You Happy Now?

 

I was thinking this could be one of my "Moron of the Month" posts.   But the 44th President of the US is hardly stupid.  Indeed, he is diabolical.  Perhaps we could nominate him as...

Villain of the Century.

Yes, I just wrote that.   Because he is.   The elder statesman, frequently sainted.   A doppelganger for TV's Benson, this guy has been incorrectly revered for years.  And, in light of recent events that he has commented on, I respectfully ask a lot of my friends a single question.

Are you happy now?

If you're a Jewish liberal, you probably have second thoughts given his recent anti-Israel remarks.   They got publicized for a change.   Of course, his donation of millions of dollars to Iran on his last days in the White House did not.   But, trust me, the sinisterness has been there all along.   He got your vote because you did not bother to do your homework.

I continue.

If you're a Hollywood writer or actor, you proudly voted for this scumbag not once, but twice.  Now, in recent days, you may have heard that Barry O has been championing AI as designated by Old Man Biden.   The same AI that you have been fighting against in those strikes that have crippled the industry.   POTUS 44 doesn't give a rat's ass how this will impact your careers.   

And, yes, you voted for him.  With glee.  And mix in that he and his plump sow of a wife have a ten million dollar deal with Netflix and several other production studios...the very people you were picketing.

Are you happy now?   

Every day and in every way, we are learning that this guy is not a friend of yours or mine.   He and "his wife" are the very elitists you allegedly detest.

Don't you wish you paid more attention fifteen years ago?

Dinner last night:  Leftover BBQ ribs.