Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
Look at the title phrase. Now imagine yourself chanting it over and over, for hours on end. That is what someone once tried to get me to do, when I was a senior in high school. It's the mantra of a religious sect known as Nichiren Buddhism, and it was an offshoot of that sect that is known today as the Soka Gakkai that was trying to "enlist" me. I went to a home and watched people chanting non-stop to an idol and after a few minutes, excused myself and left.
I read more about it later in a book about the 1965 graduating class of Palisades High, written around the time of their tenth reunion. One of the grads had been involved with this group, and with Scientology. What he went through was the most fascinating part of that book.
An open note to Anna-Megan Raley, who was blogging under the psuedonym Claire Crawford. Don't diss other women that you think are a bit pudgy to be working as professional cheerleaders. Even if you are correct, it's a no-win for you. If you want to be a cheerleader, be one. I saw the video of you taking part in a pro cheerleader tryout, ostensibly as part of a 'story' you were doing. The backlash you suffered was earned.
Clint Eastwood says he'd love to be directing films when he's 105. I hope he is and that I'm around to be in the audience, enjoying those films.
I'm sure you've seen those Progressive Insurance commercials featuring "Flo". But did you know that the comedienne/actress who plays her was in five episodes of "Mad Men" during its first season?" Or that she had a role on the short-lived TV show about the GEICO "Cavemen"? She's so popular now, Progressive sells "Flo" costumes for those who want to be Flo on Halloween. $39.99 includes wig, headband, apron and shirt.
We all know that it bugs me to see people texting while driving. I found a more egregious example of it that really drove me crazy, over the weekend. I saw a man driving his car, texting (he had the phone in the hand holding the steering heel), and occasionally glancing back at the baby in the car seat in his vehicle's rear seat. Bad enough to put yourself and other drivers at risk with texting and driving (at around 40 mph), but to put a baby at risk? Whatever it was could have waited.
Among the stars making appearances during May sweeps in an effort to boost ratings, Katey Sagal will show up on "Glee". Having heard her sing back in the day when she belted out tunes at the Great American Food and Beverage Company at 9th and Wilshire, let me assure you she can indeed carry a tune.
Some of the very fortunate few who got to watch the Rolling Stones perform on Saturday night at Echoplex are raving about how good the show was. Amazing to think they've been rocking stages for 50 years and still have the chops to thrill audiences. I tip my cap to them.
Are you ready for Luke Skywalker hearing Darth Vader say "No, Luke, I am your bizhe'e"?? That's the Navajo word for "father" and about a dozen native speakers of the Navajo language are being sought to work on the project to dub the film into that langauge.
Movie Quote of the Day is from "The Replacement" (2000): "Nigel 'The Leg' Gruff": "Let's play football, bitch." (just before kicking someone in the balls during a bar fight)
This Date in History:
On this date in 1253, Nichiren first "propounds" the phrase Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.
On this date in 1788, Maryland becomes the seventh state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.
On this date in 1789, Lieutenant William Bligh and 18 sailors were set adrift.
On this date in 1792, France invades what is now Belgium, beginning the French Revolutionary War.
On this date in 1920, Azerbijan is added to the Soviet Union.
On this date in 1944, nine German E-boats attack U.S. and UK forces rehearsing for the D-Day landings, killing 946 Allied personnel. (FYI, the Germans referred to these craft as S-boats)
On this date in 1952, General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower resigns as Supreme Commander of NATO.
Also on this date in 1952, the U.S. occupation of Japan ends as the Treaty of San Francisco goes into effect.
On this date in 1969, Charles de Gaulle resigns as President of France.
On this date in 1970, President Nixon authorizes U.S. combat troops in Vietnam to attack the sanctuaries of the enemy that are located on the other side of the Cambodian border.
On this date in 1986, the USS Enterprise becomes the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to transit the Suez Canal.
On this date in 1988, a flight attendant is blown out of an Aloha Airlines flight and falls to her death, after the fuselage rips open.
Famous Folk Born On This Date:
Edward IV of England
James Monroe
Lionel Barrymore
Harper Lee
James Baker
Saddam Hussein (rot in hell)
Marcia Strassman
Bruno Kirby (RIP, we miss your talents)
Jay Leno
Barry Larkin
John Daly
Kari Wuhrer
Bridget Moynahan
Elisabeth Rohm (interesting, both Moynahan and Rohm played assistant district attorneys in Manhattan on television dramas)
Penelope Cruz
Alex Riley
And on this date in 2007, we lost "Mr. Excitement", Tommy Newsom, frequent substitute director of the Tonight Show band, during the Johnny Carson days.
Today's Tax Tip:
Did you know that if you are supporting your parent, and providing more than 50% of their total support, assuming they can meet a few other tests, you can claim them as a dependent; even if they don't live with you?
I read more about it later in a book about the 1965 graduating class of Palisades High, written around the time of their tenth reunion. One of the grads had been involved with this group, and with Scientology. What he went through was the most fascinating part of that book.
An open note to Anna-Megan Raley, who was blogging under the psuedonym Claire Crawford. Don't diss other women that you think are a bit pudgy to be working as professional cheerleaders. Even if you are correct, it's a no-win for you. If you want to be a cheerleader, be one. I saw the video of you taking part in a pro cheerleader tryout, ostensibly as part of a 'story' you were doing. The backlash you suffered was earned.
Clint Eastwood says he'd love to be directing films when he's 105. I hope he is and that I'm around to be in the audience, enjoying those films.
I'm sure you've seen those Progressive Insurance commercials featuring "Flo". But did you know that the comedienne/actress who plays her was in five episodes of "Mad Men" during its first season?" Or that she had a role on the short-lived TV show about the GEICO "Cavemen"? She's so popular now, Progressive sells "Flo" costumes for those who want to be Flo on Halloween. $39.99 includes wig, headband, apron and shirt.
We all know that it bugs me to see people texting while driving. I found a more egregious example of it that really drove me crazy, over the weekend. I saw a man driving his car, texting (he had the phone in the hand holding the steering heel), and occasionally glancing back at the baby in the car seat in his vehicle's rear seat. Bad enough to put yourself and other drivers at risk with texting and driving (at around 40 mph), but to put a baby at risk? Whatever it was could have waited.
Among the stars making appearances during May sweeps in an effort to boost ratings, Katey Sagal will show up on "Glee". Having heard her sing back in the day when she belted out tunes at the Great American Food and Beverage Company at 9th and Wilshire, let me assure you she can indeed carry a tune.
Some of the very fortunate few who got to watch the Rolling Stones perform on Saturday night at Echoplex are raving about how good the show was. Amazing to think they've been rocking stages for 50 years and still have the chops to thrill audiences. I tip my cap to them.
Are you ready for Luke Skywalker hearing Darth Vader say "No, Luke, I am your bizhe'e"?? That's the Navajo word for "father" and about a dozen native speakers of the Navajo language are being sought to work on the project to dub the film into that langauge.
Movie Quote of the Day is from "The Replacement" (2000): "Nigel 'The Leg' Gruff": "Let's play football, bitch." (just before kicking someone in the balls during a bar fight)
This Date in History:
On this date in 1253, Nichiren first "propounds" the phrase Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.
On this date in 1788, Maryland becomes the seventh state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.
On this date in 1789, Lieutenant William Bligh and 18 sailors were set adrift.
On this date in 1792, France invades what is now Belgium, beginning the French Revolutionary War.
On this date in 1920, Azerbijan is added to the Soviet Union.
On this date in 1944, nine German E-boats attack U.S. and UK forces rehearsing for the D-Day landings, killing 946 Allied personnel. (FYI, the Germans referred to these craft as S-boats)
On this date in 1952, General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower resigns as Supreme Commander of NATO.
Also on this date in 1952, the U.S. occupation of Japan ends as the Treaty of San Francisco goes into effect.
On this date in 1969, Charles de Gaulle resigns as President of France.
On this date in 1970, President Nixon authorizes U.S. combat troops in Vietnam to attack the sanctuaries of the enemy that are located on the other side of the Cambodian border.
On this date in 1986, the USS Enterprise becomes the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to transit the Suez Canal.
On this date in 1988, a flight attendant is blown out of an Aloha Airlines flight and falls to her death, after the fuselage rips open.
Famous Folk Born On This Date:
Edward IV of England
James Monroe
Lionel Barrymore
Harper Lee
James Baker
Saddam Hussein (rot in hell)
Marcia Strassman
Bruno Kirby (RIP, we miss your talents)
Jay Leno
Barry Larkin
John Daly
Kari Wuhrer
Bridget Moynahan
Elisabeth Rohm (interesting, both Moynahan and Rohm played assistant district attorneys in Manhattan on television dramas)
Penelope Cruz
Alex Riley
And on this date in 2007, we lost "Mr. Excitement", Tommy Newsom, frequent substitute director of the Tonight Show band, during the Johnny Carson days.
Today's Tax Tip:
Did you know that if you are supporting your parent, and providing more than 50% of their total support, assuming they can meet a few other tests, you can claim them as a dependent; even if they don't live with you?
posted by me at 2:22 PM
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