Random Notes
The warm weather is here, which means ant season has begun. I lay out traps and the mice drag them away. What are they doing with them?
The warm temps also mean I’ve opened up the windows. It’s amazing that I hear nothing in the fall and winter when the windows are closed, but when they’re open I hear every car horn, every obscenity uttered by the drivers going through the intersection, every drunk walking by, every dog going to the dog groomer next door barking its head off.
James Bond auditions have officially begun. I was going to try out, but I think I’m a little old for the role so I’ll let someone younger have it.
The author of a book on truth in the age of AI is investigating how fake AI quotes ended up in the book. Hopefully he’ll find out who did it.
But here’s something that makes me feel good about the future: College grads are booing commencement speakers who talk about AI being the future.
Whatever you do, don’t ask Paul McCartney to take a selfie with you.
Is this the best headline of all-time?
Yes, I have ants and mice. My home is a regular Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom.
Goodbye CBS News Radio
After almost 100 years, the news institution is ending this month. Here’s CBS Sunday Morning with a look back.
Uploaded to YouTube by CBS Sunday Morning
Call Me
I miss payphones. Is that weird?
Yes, I know that smartphones exist and have eliminated the need to put a quarter in a public phone on a street corner (also, I’m not sure how many people even carry change anymore), but they’re still something that I wish were available.
So does engineer Patrick Schlott: He’s installing VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) payphones across Vermont. They look like regular old payphones, and they’re free to use. You can find them outside of stores, libraries, schools, and town halls. You can call 911 on them, and if you dial 0 you get a direct line to Patrick himself.
Headline of the Week
“Got Maggots? These Doctors Are Bringing the Bugs Into Their Practice on Purpose”
RIP Barney Frank, Mark Fuhrman, Claudine Longet, Ann Robinson, Tom Kane, Greg Hyman, David Burke, Joe Sedelmaier, Dennis Rush, and Dennis Locorriere
Barney Frank served Massachusetts as a congressman for over three decades and was one of the first politicians to reveal that he was gay. He died Tuesday at the age of 86.
Mark Fuhrman was the Los Angeles police detective discredited during the O.J. Simpson murder trial. He died earlier this month at the age of 74.
Claudine Longet was an actress and singer who became infamous in 1976 after shooting her boyfriend, skier Spider Sabich. She was the former wife of singer Andy Williams. She died recently at the age of 84.
Ann Robinson starred in the classic 1953 sci-fi film The War of the Worlds. She died last September at the age of 96.
Tom Kane was a prolific voice actor who worked on thousands of animated films, TV shows, video games, and commercials. He died Monday at the age of 64.
Greg Hyman was the co-inventor of Tickle Me Elmo. He died earlier this month at the age of 78.
David Burke played Dr. Watson on The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes series starring Jeremy Brett. He died last week at the age of 91.
Joe Sedelmaier directed many classic commercials, including the “Where’s the Beef?” spot for Wendy’s and the Federal Express “Fast Talking Guy” ads. He died earlier this month at the age of 92.
Uploaded to YouTube by Wendy’s
Dennis Rush played Opie’s friend Howie on The Andy Griffith Show. He appeared on many other TV shows and in the movie Man of a Thousand Faces. He died Saturday at the age of 74.
Dennis Locorriere was the lead singer of Dr. Hook, known for such songs as “The Cover of Rolling Stone,” “Sharing the Night Together,” and “When You’re in Love with a Beautiful Woman.” He died Saturday at the age of 76.
This Week in History
First Kentucky Derby (May 17, 1875)
The first winner of the race was Aristides. This year’s winner was Golden Tempo.
Johnny Carson’s Final Tonight Show (May 22, 1992)
Stephen Colbert’s last Late Show was last night, but I don’t think he’ll be as missed much as Carson was when he ended his run.
This Week in Saturday Evening Post History: “Spring Yardwork” by Thornton Utz (May 18, 1957)
Time to get those yards ready for cookouts and other warm weather activities.
Memorial Day Recipes
I have not been to a cookout in 25 years.
Smitten Kitchen has recipes for a Fake Shack Burger (you can probably guess from the name what it’s a copy of) and Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwiches. Small Town Woman has Dill Pickle Potato Salad, while Country Living has Root Beer Baked Beans.
The Pioneer Woman has Chili Dogs, Allrecipes has a Jamie’s Sweet and Easy Corn on the Cob, and Good Housekeeping has a Mixed Berry Cobbler.
Actually, I think it’s been 35 years since I’ve been to a cookout.
Next Week’s Holidays and Events
Indianapolis 500 (May 24)
The 110th race airs on Fox at 12:30 p.m. ET.
French Open (May 24)
National Memorial Day Concert (May 24)
You can watch it on PBS stations at 8 p.m. ET.
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