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BLAINESWORLD
#604
4.28.2008 In this issue: 1. Reflections 2. FYI 3. Mother 4. Reviews . . . THE VISITOR, etc. 5. TV alert 6. Praise 7. Websites 8. Computer tip 9. What I want in a man (a woman's list as she ages) 10. A quote I like 11. Thought for the day 12. Advance planning department _________________________________________________________ 1. Reflections A. Cynthia, my beautiful bride, and I had the pleasure of celebrating my cousin Grace's surprise birthday party last Saturday night . . . the bash featured a boat cruise around Manhattan, and my cousin David is to be commended for arranging the lovely evening. Everything was superb: the boat ride, the food, the dancing and even my cousin Blaine's picture-taking . . . see below for the shot he took of (l-r) my cousins Peter and Blanche, Cynthia, yours truly, and my cousin Joan:  B. Last weekend, I also attended the annual Pennsylvania Higher Education Spring Conference at the Crowne Plaza in King of Prussia, PA . . . on Friday night, we got to hear Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz (D-13 in Pennsylvania) . . . she spoke about the upcoming national election and what is needed to move this country forward . . . I then moderated a lightening rod, which was an exchange of ideas from leaders of the 10 colleges who were on attendance . . . on Saturday morning, we heard about the Faculty and College Excellence Act . . . this is a nationwide initiative on the part of the American Federation of Teachers and other organizations to address the growing staffing crisis that is threatening the quality of higher education across the United States. C. During the week: * I attended an informative "Media Event," held at Bucks County Community College . . . this year's topic was "Crime and Punishment: Covering the Police Beat" and featured informative presentations by Bill Moushey of THE PITTSBURGH POST GAZETTE, Erin O'Hearn of Channel 6 Action News and J.D. Mullane of THE BUCKS COUNTY COURIER TIMES. KUDOS to Tony Rogers, the College's excellent journalism professor, for arranging the program. It brought back memories of when I was a student host of a similar program at Rider University, back when God was a little girl, and I was thinking of a career in journalism. * And still on memory trail, I attended a session at the College for those contemplating retirement next year . . . being there was almost a surreal experience . . . I kept thinking that it seemed like only yesterday (actually, some 31 years ago at the end of this spring semester) that I began my college teaching career at Bucks. D. OK, OK . . . in case you haven't figured out the answer to the question that I raised last week, here's the difference between a left- and right-handed pencil (as mentioned at a recent meeting of the Bristol Rotary) . . . take any pen or pencil you're writing with, and put it in your right hand . . . pretend you're writing with it . . . look at the writing; you should be able to read it . . . put that same pen or pencil in your left hand . . . when you attempt to read it, you'll see that the writing is upside down . . . that's the difference; i.e., the writing is reversed. YOU CAN STILL GET THE ABOVE PENCILS: Just drop me a note: Blaine Greenfield, 15 McElroy Lane, Belle Mead, NJ 08502 . . . put down the words "PENCIL REQUEST" in the lower left corner of the outer envelope, along with my name and address . . . then please include a stamped 6.5 x 9.5 inch envelope with your name and address on the outside of that inner envelope, along with $1.13 postage. ***** BLAINESWORLD BEST AWARD ***** This week, it goes to Brian Kurtulik--a retail sales representative with Verizon Wireless in Bridgewater, NJ. Cynthia's phone was not working all that well . . . so we went to have it fixed or replaced . . . Brian told us that we could do that, but if we waited another two weeks, we would both be entitled to new phones . . . he thus saved us a few hundred dollars. When we went back to get our new phones, we naturally asked for Brian . . . he was again most helpful, proving us with excellent service . . . we were impressed that he had us up and running in less than 30 minutes. If you're a Verizon customer or want to become one, you won't go wrong by working with Brian . . . he can be reached at brian.kurulik@verizon.wireless.com. CHANGE SUBJECT DEPARTMENT: Here's something you might not know . . . if your company has a corporate account with Verizon, you can save (as an individual user) some 15% on your monthly bill . . . check this out the next time you're in a Verizon store; e.g., if your company does have such an account. Back To Top _________________________________________________________ 2. FYI Tommy John in 52 WEEKS (see also Sections 4C, 10 and 11) compared golf with baseball . . . methinks that his following answer provides useful advice for others, too: In baseball, we tend to think a guy is good if he throws the ball 98 miles per hour. But it doesn't necessarily mean you can get batters out. In golf you can hit the ball 350 feet, but if you're in the woods you can't find the light of day. So, the guys who generally win in golf are the guys who can keep the ball in the fairway, shape their shots, hit it high, hit it low-do the things you have to do. That relates to pitching because you do the things you have to-curve the ball, take a little off, put a little on. By doing that, you become a better golfer and a better pitcher. FYI, part 2 * Joyce in New Jersey (responding to something that Em in Minnesota wrote last week): I have know Cynthia all of my life. That is because she is my sister. We recently had a nice talk about her life and her relationship with Blaine. I can see how happy she is and she feels so blessed having met Blaine. They truly are the perfect couple and they complement each other. He has been a wonderful addition to our family, and we love him. * Nancy in Pennsylvania: The best news is that I gave my son "The Easy Way to Stop Smoking" book that you gave me without any great hope of it working. He had totally stopped by the time he was 1/3 of the way through the book! He was so excited that he bought another copy of the book (he didn't want to give up his copy) and sent it to his brother. I can't thank you enough. I would recommend it for anyone. He even suggested that nonsmokers read it! THE OFFER REMAINS: If you'd like a FREE copy of THE EASY WAY TO STOP SMOKING by Allen Carr--sent with my compliments--just send an email to my assistant Bridget: hughesbr@bucks.edu . . . put STOP SMOKING BOOK in the subject line . . . in the body of your email, include your name, snail mail address, email address, and phone numbers . . . I only ask that you keep me informed of your progress . . . or of the progress of anybody else you give the book to . . . and, also, that if you get it for yourself or for somebody else that the book gets read within 30 days of receipt. * Chuck in Pennsylvania who just so happens to be THE GUY that I always contact for buying used cars: I just set up a new website last weekend for anybody who might be interested in me helping them buy a used car: http://ww.thecarcafe.net Or feel free to give me a call at 215.499.5364. MY TWO CENTS: You won't go wrong if you deal with Chuck . . . I bought my last two cars, the Subaru followed by the Toyota Avalon, from him and couldn't have been more pleased . . . not only did he save me several thousand dollars, but he made the whole car-buying experience virtually stressless. * Shelly in Pennsylvania (for anyone interested in a house at the NJ shore): We have one on the market! A mere block and a half from the beach (just cross Atlantic Ave.) in Ventnor. Off-street parking for at least two cars, a LARGE fenced yard with a BIG storage shed. FANTASTIC neighbors (not intrusive, just really nice!). And, it's a LEGAL DUPLEX! The main unit: Three bedrooms, 1 + 1/2 baths, nice deck with ocean view off master bedroom, pantry, sunroom . . . very sunny and bright! The bottom unit: Two bedrooms, full kitchen and bathroom, separate entrance. We put in new siding and new windows throughout, and are selling at less than what we paid for it--bad timing for us, good for the buyer. If anyone's interested, please contact Carol Shaw at Prudential . . . her cell phone number: 609.432.1986 or take a look at it online: http://www.prufoxroach.com/search/search_results.cfm?newstruct=yes&displaycount=20&searchName=&displayPhotos=1&quickform_type=street&quickform_value=richards%20ave&searchTab=1 * George in Pennsylvania: When someone looks at the discounted rate for a airfare advertised on the Internet, it pays to read the fine print. Example: A fair may be advertised at $ 79.00 one-way. However, when you go to book it, you may get a much higher rate. What they do not tell you is that the fair is $ 79.00 each way plus all the taxes and airport fees. Instead of advertising $ 158.00 round trip, plus tax and airport fees, they advertise $ 79.00 one way. If you're booking a one way ticket, sometimes it pays to look at a discounted round trip ticket. Example: I was going to pay $ 210.00 for a one-way ticket. However, when I booked the ticket round trip, the price was $ 179.00. You need to check with the airlines to see if their is any issues with not using the second part of the ticket. Back To Top _________________________________________________________ 3. Mother Ivan tells his shrink, “Last night I dreamed you were my mother.” “How do you feel about that?” asks the psychiatrist. “I haven't had time to think about it,” says Ivan. “I overslept this morning. Then I remembered I had an appointment with you, so I gobbled down a Coke and a cookie and came straight here.” "A Coke and a cookie?” the doc replies. “You call that breakfast?” Back To Top _________________________________________________________ 4. Reviews A. Do what you can to find THE VISITOR, an independent film that so far is my favorite of the year . . . it's the story of a disillusioned Connecticut economics professor whose life is changed by a chance encounter in New York City . . . there he encounters a couple living in his apartment as a result of a real estate scam . . . he befriends them and, in doing so, is taught to embrace life as he learns to play the African drum . . . he also falls in love . . . Richard Jenkins, a veteran character actor (probably best known for his work in SIX FEET UNDER) has this first major starring role . . . I hope it won't be his last . . . I also hope that he receives an Oscar nomination for his work here . . . Haaz Sleiman as the man he befriends and Hiam Abbass as the man's mother are both equally excellent . . . rated PG-13. B. Forget all the awards that were won by THERE WILL BE BLOOD, now out on DVD . . . although Daniel Day-Lewis is superb as the oil man who dominates the film, I found it both boring and overlong--and violent, too . . . rated R. You'd do much better by renting STARMAN . . . it is a science fiction film that will even appeal to those who don't like that genre . . . Jeff Bridges in an Oscar-nominated performance plays the title character, an alien that has come down to Earth on a peaceful scouting mission . . . he is befriended by Karen Allen (an actress that I wish had been in more movies), and their relationship will tug at your heart . . . the accompanying soundtrack is also excellent . . . rated PG. C. Reading 52 WEEKS (see also Sections 2, 10 and 11) by Dave Hollander feels like it would be if you got to sit down for a beer or cup of coffee with a whole bunch of your favorite athletes to shoot the breeze. The author spent a year tracking down and then interviewing such notables as Mike Richter, Steven Nash, Ricky Henderson, Bill Bradley, John Wooden, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, to name just a few . . . he also conducted the last interview ever recorded with George Plimpton. Some of what was said had me laughing out loud; e.g., when Chuck Wepner was asked about who he gave a negligee to before the Ali fight: * I bought her [my second wife] a powder blue negligee, and I gave it to her the night before the Ali fight. I said to her, "Phyllis, I want you to wear this to bed tonight, because tonight you're gonna be sleeping with the heavyweight champion of the world." So I came back to the hotel after the fight, and she's sitting on edge of the bed in the negligee, and she says, "Do I go to his room or does he come to mine?" She had a pretty dry wit. In the meantime two of my girlfriends were at the fight sitting right beside my wife. I also got a kick out of reading what Mariano Rivera thinks about when he pitches: * I don't talk to the ball, but deeply in my mind I say "You know what, this pitch is gonna be a strike. Ball, you better get there." As a pitcher, we do that sometimes. You're in a situation and you say "I have to go to the corner. Don't move from there." [Mark] Fidrych was verbal--he was saying it. I don't say things. I just keep inside." And then there I was amazed to find out that Lawrence Taylor never bothered to lift weights . . . as he notes: * When I first got in the league I thought it would be about physical strength, and I lifted hard. You know I was lifting over 400 pounds. But as I developed as a player, after my first year or so in the league I found out it wasn't so much physical strength as it was mental fitness. So instead of lifting I tried to beat people with my mind--be in places, follow the ball, know where the ball is going to go, see the play before it's run, and understand the game of football. I tried to win the game with my mind rather than winning it with my physical abilities. This is a great book for any sports fan . . . you'll only regret that you weren't the guy getting to have these conversations! D. Heard I THOUGHT MY FATHER WAS GOD, edited and read by Paul Auster . . . this is a collection of stories that came as a result of a call to listeners of National Public Radio's WEEKEND ALL THINGS CONSIDERED . . . more than 4,000 were submitted. I couldn't really tell whether they were fact or fiction; it really didn't matter . . . after taking me a while to warm up to them, I quickly became interested in what others had to say about such subjects as Animals, Families, War, Love, and Dreams. Some stories were mundane, but many others were quite moving . . . in particular, I was touched by the one involving a small boy's realization that his mother has pawned her wedding ring so that she can buy him a school uniform. As the author notes: [I was most interested in] stories that defied our expectations about the world, anecdotes that revealed the mysterious and unknowable forces at work in our lives, in our family histories, in our minds and bodies, in our souls. . . . I was hoping to put together . . . a museum of American reality." He has succeeded . . . my only criticism has to do with the narration . . . Auster handled the stories from male readers just fine . . . I would have preferred a member of the opposite for stories from female readers. Back To Top _________________________________________________________ 5. TV alert A. If you're not yet tired of reality shows, check out FARMER WANTS A WIFE . . . it's all about 10 big-city girls out to work the land to win the affection of a 29-year old Missouri farmer . . . according to Alex Strachan, Canwest News Service: "No cliche is left unturned, no sensibility left undisturbed in a show so tacky, so silly and so representative of everything that's wrong with reality TV that it's actually fun to watch, in a cheap-thrills kind of way. It'll be a big hit!" . . . . Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on CW B. NBC begins its summer concert series on TODAY with a concert performance on Friday . . . look for it to run in the 8:30-9 a.m. time slot . . . for information on other concerts on NBC featuring such performers as Mary J. Blige, Donna Summer and Kenny Chesney, please click: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24371189/ C. THE SHELL SEEKERS is an adaptation of Rosamunde Pilcher's best-selling novel . . . it stars Oscar winner Vanessa Redgrave as a woman who reflects on her life as she nears the end of it . . . Saturday at 9 p.m. on HALLMARK. D. Every Wednesday and Sunday in May, TCM commemorates the 10th anniversary of Frank Sinatra's death with a prime-time block of programming featuring his music and film work . . . the salute begins on Sunday at 8 p.m. with FRANK SINATRA: A MAN AND HIS MUSIC, an Emmy-winning 1965 concert, followed by the 1943 musical HIGHER AND HIGHER. Back To Top _________________________________________________________ 6. Praise There was a little old lady, who every morning. stepped onto her front porch, raised her arms to the sky, and shouted: "PRAISE THE LORD!" One day an atheist moved into the house next door. He became irritated at the little old lady. Every morning he'd step onto his front porch after her and yell: "THERE IS NO LORD!" Time passed with the two of them carrying on this way every day. One morning, in the middle of winter, the little old lady stepped onto her front porch and shouted: "PRAISE THE LORD! Please Lord, I have no food, and I am starving. Provide for me, oh Lord!" The next morning she stepped out onto her porch and there were two huge bags of groceries sitting there. "PRAISE THE LORD!" she cried out. 'HE HAS PROVIDED GROCERIES FOR ME!" The atheist neighbor jumped out of the hedges and shouted: "THERE IS NO LORD; I BOUGHT THOSE GROCERIES!" The little old lady threw her arms into the air and shouted: "PRAISE THE LORD! "HE HAS PROVIDED ME WITH GROCERIES AND MADE THE DEVIL PAY FOR THEM!" Back To Top _________________________________________________________ 7. Websites A. To obtain the latest gas prices in your area, please click: http://autos.msn.com/everyday/GasStations.aspx?m=1&l=1&zip=19054&x=22&y=16 Even if you save a few cents, it may be worth it . . . related to that idea, consider getting a AAA VISA card . . . I get an additional 3 cents off on each gallon of gas at certain stages. B. You can see Madonna's latest concert on Wednesday night for free . . .and you'll be seeing it live, too, by clicking: http://music.msn.com/inconcert No time has been specified, but I imagine it will be sometime after 8 p.m. . . . the show will also be archived for a limited time. C. BLAINESWORLD, the website, remains up and running . . . to view it, please click: http://www.blainesworld.net In the unlikely case you missed it, go to the homepage and see my greeting (by moving your cursor over the picture of my face on the right) . . . then make sure you follow my eyes as you move your cursor to one of the headings on the left. Back To Top _________________________________________________________ 8. Computer tip You can do a free reverse phone number lookup with Google . . . it's both fast and pretty easy . . . to see for yourself, go to: http://www.google.com Then type in any number you want; e.g., 215 968 8000 (hyphens are not needed) . . . that one will get you the main switchboard at Bucks County Community College. For more information, please click: http://websearch.about.com/od/dailywebsearchtips/qt/dnt0703.htm Back To Top _________________________________________________________ 9. What I want in a man (a woman's list as she ages) Age 21: 1. Handsome 2. Charming 3. Financially successful 4. A caring listener 5. Witty 6. In good shape 7. Dresses with style 8. Appreciates finer things 9. Full of thoughtful surprises 10. An imaginative, romantic lover Age 32: 1. Nice looking 2. Opens car doors, holds chairs 3. Has enough money for a nice dinner 4. Listens more than talks 5. Laughs at my jokes 6. Carries bags of groceries with ease 7. Owns at least one tie 8. Appreciates a good home-cooked meal 9. Remembers birthdays and anniversaries 10. Seeks romance at least once a week Age 43: 1. Not too ugly 2. Doesn't drive off until I'm in the car 3. Works steady--splurges on dinner out occasionally 4. Nods head when I'm talking 5. Usually remembers punch lines of jokes 6. Is in good enough shape to rearrange the furniture 7. Wears a shirt that covers his stomach 8. Knows not to buy champagne with screw-top lids 9. Remembers to put the toilet seat down 10. Shaves most weekends Age 54: 1. Keeps hair in nose and ears trimmed 2. Doesn't belch or scratch in public 3. Doesn't borrow money too often 4. Doesn't nod off to sleep when I'm venting 5. Doesn't re-tell the same joke too many times 6. Is in good enough shape to get off couch on weekends 7. Usually wears matching socks and fresh underwear 8. Appreciates a good TV dinner 9. Remembers your name on occasion 10. Shaves some weekends Age 65: 1. Doesn't scare small children 2. Remembers where bathroom is 3. Doesn't require much money for upkeep 4. Only snores lightly when asleep 5. Remembers why he's laughing 6. Is in good enough shape to stand up by himself 7. Usually wears some clothes 8. Likes soft foods 9. Remembers where he left his teeth 10. Remembers that it's the weekend Age 76: 1. Breathing. 2. Doesn't miss the toilet. Back To Top _________________________________________________________ 10. A quote I like Dave Hollander in 52 WEEKS (see also Sections 2, 4C and 11), interviewed legendary basketball coach John Wooden. He wrote: One of your most famous quotes of many famous quotes is, "Be quick but don't hurry." What does it mean? Perhaps even better was Wooden's explanation: When you hurry you're more apt to make mistakes. But you have to be quick. If you're not quick you can't get things done. Those that hurry, in so doing, will get off-balance. And balance is perhaps the second most important word we have. It has to be physical, mental, and moral balance in everything. So when I say be quick but don't hurry that means you've got to stay under control and you've got to execute quickly, or you might not get it at all. I think many teams hurry to try to make up when they get behind and when you hurry you oftentimes fall farther behind. You've got to still just play your game but you've got to be quick. Back To Top _________________________________________________________ 11. Thought for the day Little League by Dave Hollander My father loves to tell this story. For kids who are either too young or not ready there is something below Little League. It is a vast wasteland where neither parents nor children are sure what to do but they show up anyway, play their roles, pay their dues, and together acquiesce to the structured ennui. Some places call it “T-Ball” (they hit off of a stationary “T” not a pitcher). We called it the “Farm Team.” Not much happened in those games. The strongest kid was usually the pitcher. He rarely got it over the plate and, when he did, the batter rarely hit it. In the last inning of one game a miracle happened: somebody hit the ball. A lazy fly ball was hit to me in left field. To everyone’s shock and dismay, I had my back turned to the batter and home plate, looking up at the sky. The shrieks from parents and teammates screaming my name caused me to turn around just as the fly ball fell untouched a few feet from me and the winning run scored. Afterward, my father delicately inquired as to why I wasn't paying attention to the game. Untroubled by it all, I explained to him that, at that moment, a flock of birds had flown overhead and I turned to look at them. “Dad,” I said “I can catch a fly ball any time, but I will never see those birds again.” Right then and there, if he wasn't sure before, my father knew I'd be a different case. SOURCE: Reprinted with permission of the author from 52 WEEKS (see also Sections 2, 4C and 10) by Dave Hollander, a book I really liked as evidenced by the fact that I cited it four times in this week's issue. Back To Top _________________________________________________________ 12. Advance planning department A. I'm presenting on "Networking to uncover the hidden job market" at a Job Search workshop for veterans . . . if you qualify and/or know somebody who might be interested, the date is May 1 from 5-9 p.m. at Bucks County Community College . . . I'll be the first speaker . . . there's no charge, but you need to register by calling 215.968.8490. B. On Saturday at 2 p.m., the West Windsor Township Human Relations Council and the West Windsor-Plainsboro African American Parent Support Group will present a free screening of Michael Moore's SICK," Which explores the health care crisis in the United States, in the West Windsor, NJ Library . . . following the viewing of the film, there will be a brief presentation and open discussion . . . light refreshments will be served . . . for more information, write to hassanrsyed@yahoo.com or aapsg2007@aol.com. C. Prize-winning union-themed play this Saturday night: Organizing Abraham Lincoln A play by Lonnie Carter & Rich Klimmer Winner: First Prize Playwrights' Center/Guthrie Theater 2-Headed Challenge Commission The play tells the story of graduate teaching assistants organizing at the imaginary Abraham Lincoln University. Many of the TUGSA organizers whose successful union struggle inspired this prize-winning drama will be present for a discussion following the show. TAUP is proud to present a unique cultural evening. Inspired by actual events that happened here at Temple, this will be a union benefit for families of Philadelphia hotel workers. Saturday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m. Rock Hall, Temple University 1715 North Broad Street, Philadelphia General admission at the door: $15 Students, Seniors and Unemployed: $5 For information: 215.204.7641 D. A one-of-a-kind piano will be used in a unique fundraiser at Bucks County Community College on May 6. The 500,000th piano made by Steinway & Sons will be played in a concert featuring the world premiere of Prof. Steven Bresnen’s “Gloria Patri,” performed by the BCCC Concert Choir. Funds raised will be used to buy four new Steinways for the college. The concert will be held at 7 p.m. in the Music and Multimedia Center on the Newtown campus. For more information, call 215.968.8425. Back To Top ________________________________________________________ PS. Please join me in praying that we soon get our remaining soldiers back from Iraq and that peace resumes in Israel . . . also, make it a great week! ---------------------------------------------------------- SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBCRIBE INFORMATION To subscribe to this publication, please send an email to: bginbc@aol.com and put SUBSCRIBE in subject line . . . if you wish to unsubscribe, just send an email to same address and put UNSUBSCRIBE in subject line. |
