Rest in Peace Miss Shirley Brahms

Wendy Richard, a fine actress, perhaps best known as Miss Shirley Brahms in the classic Are You Being Served? series on BBC television which ran for nearly 13 years. She worked with legendary Mrs. Slocombe (Mollie Sugden) who stole the show. Ms. Richard also starred in the iconic British Soap Opera The Eastenders for over 20 years. Not being a soap fan, I've not watched it really and can't say much except that it's been very popular.

She played a ditzy-blonde and was very likeable -- always trying to keep away Mr Lucas who had designs on her. She was fpart of the impeccable cast that helped make this series a runaway success on both sides of the Atlantic.

Rest in Peace Miss Slocombe.

Random Stuff For Today v3

First, a special shout out to Shane whose (soon to be ex) hockey coach -- Phil at Incredible Ice -- is a fucking prick. Shane, you'll be fine and be in Mites -- Mite's to his dad -- soon enough. We all got your back.

Next up, we have some upsetting news. National Geographic, in this article talks about a rare quail which was photographed for the first time before being sold as food at a poultry market. Scientists had suspected the species—listed as "data deficient" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's 2008 Red List—was extinct. A TV crew documented the live bird in the market before it was sold in January.

Third up, special thanks to the friends who are keeping after me. I need it. Special thanks to WJM. I got a good group. You never know who your friends are until the chips are down.

Fourth up is a guy who really pisses me off. Richard Williamson the rogue holocaust denying bishop is back in the news again. He is reported to have questioned the number of Jews who were deliberately gassed as part of Nazi policy during World War Two. He had been resident in Argentina, but was given 10 days to leave by the country's government. The Vatican has ordered him to retract his comments.

In a Swedish television interview last November, Bishop Williamson claimed that historical evidence was "hugely against six million having been deliberately gassed in gas chambers as a deliberate policy of Adolf Hitler ... I believe there were no gas chambers ... I think that 200,000 to 300,000 Jews perished in the Nazi concentration camps but none of them in gas chambers." The Argentinian government branded his view "deeply offensive". The bishop had previously been photographed in the company of historian and Holocaust denier David Irving. He was met at Heathrow by Mr. Irving's spokeswoman who said she was offering him "practical help".

The interview he gave to Swedish television was filmed in Germany and because denying the Holocaust is a criminal offence in Germany, an investigation is under way. The Church and Pope Benedict XVI have come under severe criticism for the decision - taken before his comments were broadcast - to lift the excommunication on him.

I got a weather report on Mom's trip. In case she reads this post, I'll tell her as a hint: Yes, Mom, after careful consultation they are, indeed, having weather. I hope this reassures you and helps you pack. Monday or Tuesday you'll know. Woo-Hoo!

(No change. Re-submitted to fix formatting).

Michael Jackson

I've decided to blog about Michael Jackson briefly. Why so? He's auctioning off tons of his stuff. I realize nobody I know would actually want it, but still. Looking through the online auction catalog is utterly fascinating. You can order one for $100 or $500 with autograph. As if.

I met Michael Jackson once when on Concorde -- whilst exiting the on-board bathroom. Really. He was married to Lisa Marie Presley at the time. The story's recounted in my personal website's Concorde pages so I won't repeat it here. I can't find the story anywhere.

Anyway it was the same flight on which David Bowie and Iman were on. The return flight had Robert DeNiro. Anyway, I will skip all the details for now -- but I wonder where I wrote about this -- maybe a long ago email to friends. I am thinking this was in an email way back in 1993 after Labour Day weekend when this all happened. Maybe I have a copy archived on one of my Apple II disks that I can no longer read. No idea. If any of you have a copy of that old email, forward it to me and I'll post it.

Anyway, he was in the waiting room for the flight but in a secluded side room. On board he was in the back of the aircraft with Lisa Marie. They appeared, in all honestly, to be very much in love. Anyway, nature called mid-flight, and I went to use the lavatory. I took a whizz, washed my hands, opened the door, and who should be standing in front of me? Michael Jackson. He's taller than you might think. I smiled, said excuse me, he muttered something, and went in. That concluded my interaction. Concorde is always fun and that was my very first trip (and only one on Air France). It was memorable because it was celebrity packed.

This auction made me think of it.

Meat. Yummmmmmmmmm......

First, some prep-work for this anecdote: http://www.digitalcity.com/2009/02/19/diner-vs-dinner-biggest-steak-challenges-across-the-country/ (Reading this will put you in the right frame of mind for this post. It will probably also make you hungry.)

PETA - People Eating Tasty Animals
Support PETA -- more meat for me

My record is approximately 40oz achieved at Kokomo's at the Mirage in Las Vegas -- including a potato, some bread, a bottle of Fiji water, and a piece of cheesecake they brought me to eat because they didn't think I'd eat it all. I got witnesses. That's the short version.

The long version of the tale: I was at Kokomo's many years ago with Austri or Maury -- not sure who. I was starved* and couldn't decide which item to order, and being starved I may have been a little cranky. I asked the waiter "What's the biggest steak on the menu?" because none of them listed the size in ounces. He said "the prime rib" was the biggest. So that's what I ordered. I ate all the bread, and was looking forward to my dinner. I steadily ate my way through it, devouring it solid including my baked potato (butter and bacon bits). I felt way fuller than I should have been, and I did notice it looked pretty big.

When I was done, the waiter, the chef, and the maître d' all came over and applauded. I was thinking WTF? and the waiter informed that since I was such a smart ass** they gave me a 2-1/2 pound piece (aka 40oz). They brought me a piece of cheesecake when I informed them I was full, but not ready to explode. I shared the cheesecake. The cheesecake was on the house, the prime rib I was charged for. I don't remember how much, but it was about double the normal price. I happily paid it.

And, if you're ever in Las Vegas, Kokomo's still serves an excellent prime rib (considerably smaller than what I ate). It's one of my favourite restaurants there.


* I know, what's new?
** Does this surprise anyone?

Why Murphy Rocks

Everyone who reads this blog or visits my website knows I am a fan of Concorde. Yay, Concorde. I miss her and remember my flights on her with great fondness -- and it still remains the most amazing thing I have ever done. I'll stop being effusive and let you read my several web pages about flying on the edges of the atmosphere and seeing the curvature of the earth outside your window and the dark purple of outer space (and it is a very, very dark purple).

Murph is a pilot. He flies 757/767 for AA if he has time between hockey events. Seriously, though he's a great guy. I've mentioned him before.

So here's the model he gave me as a present. It's real travel agent size and very high quality -- not some knock off or anything. These are two views -- a top down and a straight on. It's now in my bedroom. Click on the photos to go on to Flickr for the larger images and additional comments.





I'm tired and need to go to bed, but I was too excited to do so without posting this. So, in conclusion, THANK YOU MURPHY!!!!!

Shout-outs to Erin who is getting sick for a third time and Jose for helping me when needed even if he probably thinks I'm a nut-case.

Trumped Again

I wrote way back in 2004 about Donald Trump and how poor I thought his business acumen was. I can't believe I've been blogging for so long, but here it is 2009 and today, he did it again. Yeah, no joke. How the hell can you bankrupt a casino empire twice.

I would encourage you to look at my old blog entries (click the "casino" label to see all of my posts about them). The one thing I can tell you is that all well-run casinos make money. Lots and lots and lots of money. And Mr. Trump has managed to run his into the ground three times now. Just because you're famous doesn't mean you're smart. I think Trump's bamboozled people for a long time -- he should stick to the ever-awful Apprentice.

Anyway, in other news Disney has re-done the venerable It's A Small World* and added lots of Disney characters to it. People are in an uproar but I don't see why. Sure it was a pure ride, one of the last, but you knew it was going to happen.



It's Disney's legacy and they're prostituting it. But it's not as bad as what Yormark has done with the Panthers. It could be worse. Honestly it doesn't bother me as much. Though some of the placements are a bit odd: Donald Duck in Mexico (I get the movie reference but he isn't Mexican). Lilo and Stitch are Hawaiian yet they appear in the Polynesia segment: just wrong there.

I probably have shout-outs but I'm not making any. Though I probably should torment my mother a little about her birthday trip which is just 18 days away and she has no idea where we're going. I was going to drop a hint to confuse her like: we'll be Russian around. But that is mean and nearly as misleading as it is helpful. And then she'll kill me.


* The song just popped in your head, didn't it?

Random Stuff For Today

First, to those who give a shit, Happy Valentines Day. I currently do not. Sorry. Second, thanks to the many people who showed support on my previous quote about friends and family :)

Third, today skating was fun, though breakfast was so slow it was horrible. We got to the rink near 1040 instead of 10. But it was Adrian, John, and Liz. We skated through the session, though Liz's new skates were not sharpened properly. They were not even and will need a cross-grind job. We'll probably do Incredible Ice next week since that's where she bought them -- they ought to fix it for free as a proper cross-grind job isn't so cheap.

Afterwards, we took Adrian home and then to my home. I did a computer "errand" for John and Liz. I figured we'd talk for a few and they'd go on their way. They stayed until 430 and we just talked geekitude and hockey. I really enjoyed it. I like them a lot. I'm enjoying getting to know them more. Very real people.

In other news, a special "glad you're okay" to Vanessa "Mrs Murphy" who is fine after yesterday and is already back to work. And, apparently, Josh who got back in touch with me has blown me off again as it's been a week since I sent him the email and he hasn't answered.

The Rangers lost to the Panthers in OT (SO) which thrilled me to no end. Chew on that Mr. Ludwig. You wont the bet, but we won the war. Hahahahaha :) That Johnny Jones kid did the national anthem. I mentioned him either here or my message board a year or two ago. I still think he's got a fantastic voice and one day will be on American Idol or something like that. I'm still recollecting last night's (see previous post) Bettman thing and enjoying it.

Lisa Beskin (52nd street crew) posted an article to her Facebook feed. I must share that article. I have all sorts of mixed feelings about it, too. Nobody will stop kids from having sex, though I think they should: and quite a few adults along with them. Seriously, though, look at this picture and tell me it doesn't bother you. I won't get into the abort or not thing here, but this is an example of what's wrong with parents these days. That's really what went wrong here. Though I do admire the kid for wanting to do the right thing and be responsible for the kid, it's obvious he has no idea what he's in for.

Lastly, one last word on Sirius XM which is due to declare bankruptcy later this week. Their liabilities are about $683 million dollars. They are paying Howard Stern $500 million (that's a HALF BILLION dollars). Do the math. They can't get loans to cover their debt. Not that I hate Mister Stern but I see an obvious solution to their problem :)

Tomorrow, we've got Smokey Bones and a rare (for us) matinee hockey game. And I gotta get up early to see Mom and Grandma for day-late Valentine's day.

And for your HTML geeks, this page was good. I learned stuff.

A Meeting with Johnson, Martin, and Bettman

I attended a small 'conference' with Chad Johnson (Senior VP sales & Marketing of the NHL Florida Panthers), Jacques Martin (the GM of the NHL Florida Panthers), and Gary Bettman (Commissioner of the NHL) before tonight's game. It was an invitation only event and about 150 or so people were there.

I did not take notes, so this is from memory. I do have two photos which are included.

Martin (left) and Bettman (right)

First Chad Johnson* started as Martin and Bettman were running late from their media interviews. Chad took questions from the floor to kill time and he was very forthright, which I appreciate as that is not common with many Panthers executives. I want to give him full credit.

There were a number of questions of interest relating to the Panthers. My question (to loud applause) was "Have you ever walked in when there's a concert? Why does our building look like there's not a hockey team here?" He actually took out his notebook and jotted some notes. He then said "you should have asked WILL we do something?" and seemed to imply they might. Then again, they use duct tape to hold down the carpet, so my trust in the organization is mixed.

There were questions about advertising (second level LED board: no // advertising in urinal: much laughter and an admission that sometimes they dance on the line of good taste)). Questions about the new TV screens and why don't they show game stuff (advertising commitments). Why they no longer play the radio over the speakers in the restrooms and concourses during the games ("they don't do that?" -- he didn't know and jotted that down). Why no out of town scores (he promised to see what he could do)? He also indicated they have some old equipment and are looking at replacing the scoreboard with something like the Capitals have but probably not this coming season.

When asked why aren't the Cats in the media more, he blames the media. In the case of the Miami Herald he's right. Because even I've spoken to them and they don't give a shit. Chad's okay in my book. He was about to answer more questions when Martin came in with Bettman.

Wow Bettman is way shorter than I thought. What surprised me is that he's really funny and unassuming. I liked him. He gave a speech about the state of the league. He insists the league is in good shape for this year and next year (though he didn't speak as to whether our team or any team would be moving.) I actually enjoyed his talk. I like him a lot more than I did before. He answered lots of questions from the floor.

Martin talked a bit and the first question was about Jay Bouwmeester and here's the real kicker. He said "we are actively listening to offers from other teams" and they will decide at the deadline "if we'll trade him, keep him and try to sign him" and he made it clear if the team's in the playoff picture it will be a factor. He also said they are very comfortable with where they are and they don't particularly care if he's traded. That says volumes. They made him many offers and "it's the player's choice whether to accept it or not." My money is he's gone before March 4th. Bettman butted in and said "you're not going to hear a GM be that forthright very often" before going on about how this is one of the downsides of the Salary Cap** -- this new style free agency. But his point was that it works because if you lose one player, you have to spend to get another because there's a maximum and minimum cap.

Bettman was asked about the shootout (not by me surprisingly) and he said, pretty much, that with approval ratings at 80% they weren't even asking fans whether to keep it or not. That topic, sadly, is a dead horse. I hate it, and I did, as always, walk out of tonight's too: I continue to not support it. Bettman also did a "shameless self promotion for my XM radio show on Thursdays." and got a laugh for his efforts.

Martin (left) and Bettman (right)

After it was done, I went over and spoke to Bettman a few minutes. He's really nice, personable, and you just don't expect that of a guy many people call "weasel-boy." I liked him. Really. He even signed some autographs for fans (I didn't ask) including my guest who had the temerity to wear a Rangers jersey -- the only one in the room.


* Chad and I first met on the famous road-trip where I went with the team to Atlanta. Some time after that, I had a run-in with him, and I'm not even sure that he remembers me. It was way back in the lockout days. I was really irritated at something the Panthers did (false advertising and, as always, I had to say something) and we got in a bit of an argument and he gave me my season ticket money back and called me "unproductive." Eventually we made peace a few days later. I harbour no ill-will towards him. But I should always come clean against with any past issues. He's all right in my book.

** He used the words Salary Cap

Sirius XM about go bankrupt

http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSN1247896120090212

Sirius XM is in big trouble. As a subscriber, I'm worried. I fault Howard Stern. Here's a company losing a ton of money and they pay this guy a half BILLION dollars for a contract. (I don't really fault Howard but the myopic management team that gave him the bucks.)

Why the FCC let them merge, I'll never know. They agreed as a condition to merger to not raise their rates, but they've effectively done so. They've tried to cut costs. The world is, apparently, not ready for satellite radio. Oh, and Sirius charges for listening online where XM let you do it for free. Another "bonus" from the merger. Pay more, get less, and the company still fails.

I wonder if they'll ask for bailout money too.

Shout out to A: cheer up. Really.

Rock Beach Grill (Pembroke Pines, Florida) Review

This past Friday evening I ate at the above named restaurant at 11825 Pines Blvd, Pembroke Pines. The service started out pretty good. I had ordered a Mango Lemonade to drink and it was quite tasty. I ordered a second one, which arrived and I took a sip. I noticed something in it. It was a small spider and it was swimming. It eventually drowned by the time the waiter came back. I pointed it out. He briefly apologized and brought another one. Which had a small spider in it -- I suspect it was the same one and they thought I'd not notice it. I sent it back again, got an apology, and another one was brought -- spider free. We'll get back to this.

The food was decent and under any other circumstances, I'd go back. But I won't. Why?

When there's a problem of a "bug" nature, a manager should come and apologize. I'm willing to let that slip on the first round. The second time, inexcusable. Worse, when the third one (bug free) came he tried to tell me it wasn't a spider but something from a "lime" -- limes don't go in lemonade and lime parts don't have legs and crawl.

The service from that point on went down hill. I didn't ask for a manger, though I should have. What really pissed me off was the fact they CHARGED me for the lemonade and refill. That should have been on the house. We paid, left, and will never return.

Ice Skating today was fun. Just Evan, John, and me. Breakfast included Liz and Dave as well. Glad we're doing this. It's healthy and fun. Saw John's new skates. Liked 'em a lot. Nice work. Makes me want a new pair.

In other news, I heard from Josh. Really. Wow. I'm gobsmacked and working on seeing what develops from that. That is good news. A most welcome voice from my past -- and I don't welcome most voices from the past. Once something is buried, it should stay that way.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

“Friends are God's way of saying 'sorry' for your family.” A friend said that to me and I must say I'm truly enamoured of it because it's so spot-on. I like my friends. I want to expand the list a little, but I'm content with what I've got. I think most of 'em I can count of for most things. At least one I can count on for absolutely anything -- and he's proven himself. Twice. Had dinner with the Higgi, Erin, Timmy, Liz, and Johnny after the movie.

Ah, yes, the movie, Coraline. It's much like the book though there are some changes like a character who isn't in the book. I think that was to change the pacing because some stuff had to go. The book was darker and scarier, and more vivid. However I feel the film maker preserved the world as Gaiman envisioned it, no small feat. The soundtrack was a bit irritating but that's a quibble. It's very Nightmare before Christmas because it's the same people, and it was a good choice for both the feel and view of this world. That's what it needed.

It was enchanting seeing the characters I read brought to life in the way I envisioned them. Some characters weren't quite as scary as I remembered, but I think the edge was taken off all around. The movie is rated PG but there are some very PG-13/R rated innuendo and visuals snuck in. It's quite enjoyable. I'd see it again. We did not see it in 3D and I didn't miss it.

Neil Gaiman is so talented I can't stand it.

Tomorrow is skating. See the usual thread if you want to go. Johnny and Liz have skates. YAY!

My Own Plane Scare

The recent news about the airplane that went down in the Hudson brought my own mishap to mind. I've told a few people but mostly I kept my mouth shut because I was never able to find my proof -- I thought it vanished. Today, it appeared. I've scanned it and added it to my Flickr page.

Me and Dad flew Eastern 158 from MIA to DCA (Washington National airport). It was a birthday present for me from my Dad in 1988. We left, the flight was uneventful. We got near Washington, DC and the pilot said "we have a landing gear problem" and advised us to prepare for a hard landing. We circled, dumped fuel, and then came into land. They stopped all other airport traffic, and as we got closer, you could see the lines of fire and foam trucks on the sides of the runway.

We hit, and by hit, I mean HIT. It was a very hard landing, one of the tires had apparently blown on take off as the pilot explained to us. What wasn't expected is that on landing the other two -- both on the left side of the aircraft -- would also blow causing the landing gear strut to dig into the runway. So here we are flying down the runway, sparks flying, and foam shooting all over the place. We stop right at the end of the runway -- blocking both runways. The pilot did his best to keep the plan straight even though it keep trying to veer as we went down the runway and I'm sure his efforts kept it from being worse.

The tried to open the rear door (727s had them then) to get us out, only it wouldn't open. Then they couldn't open the front door because it was leaning on the tarmac. Some 90 minutes later, a hydraulic jack was used to prop the plane up. After that, we were all safely removed from the plane on to waiting buses. The cabin crew was terrific the whole time. There were no injuries on board: not one.

We exit the plane and notice Eastern had draped a big tarpaulin over the plane so you couldn't see their name. Seriously. I wish I had saved the articles my relatives had. Anyway, EAL took us into the terminal and got us our luggage and sent us on our way. They never apologized or anything. It was like nothing had happened. We got to the hotel some four hours late, and there were numerous messages from my relatives who all knew I was on that flight and had seen our plane on the national news. As it turns out, we caused havoc in all major airports from Chicago east.

In a side note, our return flight to MIA several days later made an unscheduled stop in Greensboro when it was determined we didn't have enough fuel to make it back.

And, now you know why I just don't worry about plane crashes anymore. I've experienced my air disaster.

Today, special shout outs to Paul: Nice to see your sorry ass again. I'm glad you're doing well. Evan: No, you will never, ever know what I mean by that Beatles clip -- but you read the answer and didn't even know it. And the word of today is "Burberry." And Murph liked his gift. Murph is a class act all the way. Skating thread updated: Sunday 10am, Pines. Woo-Hoo.

Welcome Facebook People :)

Today, I found you could link your blog to your Facebook profile in the 'news' tab, so I did. I'd like to welcome all the Facebook people who didn't know I had a blog. Feel free to join the 213,000 people before you that have already been bored to death by my blog. It's probably more than that, but the counter, well, I didn't quite install it right away having no idea anyone would actually give a shit. Silly me.

Tara had made a Facebook post "25 things" and, honestly, I ignored it because it scared me a little. Then Erin did it, and I ignored it. Then guilt set in. So today I did that "25 things" post as well. In it you list 25 random things about yourself. I was all over. I mentioned my love of subways (the undeground train and not the abhorrent sandwich chain) figuring I was close to alone in my fandom of said trains. Amazingly, I am not. Wow.

So what subways have I been on? London, Paris, Toronto, Montreal, New York, San Francisco, Miami*, Charlotte*, Atlanta, Cleveland, Taipei, Chicago, and Hong Kong. I have seen but not ridden on Shanghai. I give San Francisco's BART and Hong Kong's MTR the highest marks of the lot. However, for sheer fun value the hands down winner is London. So I welcome all subway geeks too :)

Skating is on again this weekend (details are here for those who wish to attend, and I'm always willing to offer rides from my house for friends who wish to meet.). This new system is working well since A inexplicably abandoned me. We're going to rotate rinks and days so everyone who wants to play has a chance.

Tomorrow, Thursday, I am sending a gift to someone. This pleases me. And none of you have any idea what I am talking about. This pleases me even more. Friday, we shall see how it is received.

I gotta get back to work and stop killing time.


* Some people do not count these.

At least you've got your job....

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