WHITHER TWITTER?

One of the most useless electronic treats introduced in the last few years has to be "Twitter". Unless it is used as a genuine news-breaking device, or something comparable, the whole idea seems foolish. I really don't care if you are "going to bed"! Yes, we all go to bed. Maybe that is news... and something to "tweet" about.

Barry tweet: "I just filed a blog posting."

Average reader: "... great... "

WILLIAM SHATNER - CANADIAN NAVY

As reported by the National Post newspaper today, there is a Facebook campaign afoot to get famous starship captain, and sometimes actor, William Shatner to be designated as honourary Captain in the Canadian navy. (To be technical about it, the 'naval arm of the Canadian Forces' would be accurate; formerly the RCN, or Royal Canadian Navy, and after that the seagoing part of the Canadian Armed Forces.)

There are 200 members so far signed up on the Facebook page. If I were on that social networking site I would throw my name into the pile.

"I'm a soldier, not a diplomat. I can only tell you the truth."

"Peace or... utter destruction... it's up to you." (Captain James T. Kirk was not referring here to an external threat -- by him -- but "self destruction".)

Make him captain!

TED KENNEDY - AMERICAN

Senator Edward M. Kennedy dies at the age of 77 from brain cancer. When I read the news this morning I was shocked and sad as he seemed to be someone in the "U.S. government" who had a heart in addition to a brain. Hard to believe, I know. The good news is, angry right-wingers can rejoice now that another political conscience (and consciousness) has vacated the power structure. Let's face it, a lot of Republican-brains are happy -- they are a hateful lot.

The CBC National news last night had a story about Wikipedia and how that outfit is getting tough on people who get carried away with editing pieces on "those still living". In the story was an example of this: When Ted Kennedy was stricken last year with his malady, someone had re-written the Senator's entry to say he had "died".

It may have been one of those angry right-wingers I mentioned above.


Toronto Star obituary...
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/686600

MIDNIGHT ON DOCTOR WHO

In the name of deserving a welcome break I turned on Doctor Who just as the opening titles started up. The episode was "Midnight"; soon after I realized I not only saw this one before but had actually liked it, which is saying a lot with my relationship being the way it is with the new Who.

It reminded me very much of an episode of the old Outer Limits television series. "Counterweight" appeared in that series' second season, a year considered by many fans to be lesser than the first. By the way, this particular OL installment features a cool stop-motion animated creature. Knowing what I do about visual effects I would guess that that bit of animation cost more money to render than the entire visual effects for Who's "Midnight" did. No question about it, in fact. (Ah, technology!)

"Counterweight" is a more successful episode: It enjoys a better sense of drama, and is supported by Harry Lubin's spooky music.

HEWITT'S 60 MINUTES

Don Hewitt, creator of the CBS news magazine program 60 Minutes (1968 - ), and who passed away last week, is being profiled on tonight's installment of the show.

INCREDIBLE STRUCTURES

After reading in the Toronto Star about an hour ago that there is a battle between two Russian female tennis players at this year's Roger's Cup final today in Toronto, I decided to pop on the CBC when I got back home.

My god, and I do mean God, that Maria Sharapova has a beautiful body. She looks tall, too. To die for.

(That's right, ladies and gentlemen, Barry is getting a little excited. With his short attention span, however, it never lasts very long: "Hey, my hot dogs are ready!")

Time for me to go into that sport... I heard there is better money in it than in blogging.


(As I post the above it is Sharapova 4, Dementieva 6 -- they are at 40 each; whatever that means. I have never understood how scoring works in tennis.)

DON HEWITT OF 60 MINUTES FAME

As I mentioned in previous postings, I read about someone and the next day I get the news they died. Last evening I read up on 60 Minutes creator/producer Don Hewitt; who passed away today at the age of 86.

I watched 60 Minutes on Sunday, which had an interview with Michael Vick (now I know who he is and I do remember the 'dogfighting' story), and yesterday I read the Wikipedia entry for the venerable CBS news magazine program and its creator.


Toronto Star obit...
http://www.thestar.com/news/obituary/article/682955

PAPARAZZI IN A BOX

I took a stroll about an hour ago and walked past a novelty store which has interesting items on display in the window. Where back on June 3rd I reported seeing a Sigmund Freud action figure, tonight I saw something every bit as bizarre... "Paparazzi". Through the box's cellophane window were 8 or 9 riff-raffy-looking paparazzi action figures; in various obnoxious poses. Admittedly I looked around for a Sean Penn action figure -- in a 'bust-up' pose. There weren't any. Maybe it's something you have to mail away for. (Include "paparazzi" box top and 25 cents.)

TRAGIC, REALLY

See if you can outdo me here...

I was cleaning up last week, looking for some important paper files, when I came across a box full of odds and ends of bills, receipts and that sort of thing. There before my eyes was this:

Amex Bank of Canada
Listing of Charges and Credits -- Shoes... ($)57.49
Total -- ($)57.49
Billing Date -- 04/11/92

... get the joke?

See if you can beat that! (Yes, I know I might just qualify as a loser.)

PLAYING STUPID - ONE

Okay, so I am not as pop-culturally literate as some of you might think -- if you did at all -- and here is the evidence. Yesterday as I slid around on the Internet I was jolted twice by the realization that I am not 'with it': There was a poll on cnn.com which asked 'do you think Michael Vick should be allowed to return to the NFL?'. Even with the "NFL" prompt I still blurted "who's Michael Vick?". Next... I kept seeing headlines about some television series, by the name of Mad Men, coming back. I did not know what Mad Men was, nor that it had even left.

I still don't; no, I did not go to Wikipedia to read up. The joke is better that way.


(I titled this posting with the add-on "One", fully expecting there could be more.)