~ TheOldBarbershop ~: End Of An Era? ...

"TheOldBarbershop" - created along the lines of the old barbershops, same but different, where folks would gather to visit with friends - share life experiences - tall tales - or maybe discuss politics, religion, sports, news, weather, current affairs or just about anything interesting or imaginable

- "the free right to unbounded exercise of reason and freedom of opinion" - characters with character preferred ... "the only barbershop in the civilized world with such a veritable smorgasbord of divers and sundry features, all perpetrated by the most incomparable and sapient, albeit infamous, conglomeration of colorful characters ever assembled" ... with a little help from the misadventures of our friends in Washington, the Media, Major League Baseball, and the Atlanta Braves.

We thought it might be good to tell folks a bit about the old barbershop, its history and its barbers ... somehow I got elected ... that's another way of saying that the Southern Jackass is a whole bunch bigger than me!Miss Carol says I'm an old rambling wreck from Georgia Tech ... and all four are true, but I ain't no engineer! It ain't by intent that I ramble but as you'll see, it takes me four pages to write what others do in less than one ... advance sincere apologies! If you've read our story then welcome back! If not ... you don't know what you been missing ... Oh Boy! Please take a moment and find out why we call it Plato's Place!

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hello all

The Old Barbershop, circa 300 b.c. ... its first proprietor was also the founder of the Democratic Party though I understand he didn't attend this year's convention, some say it was due to gas prices but, I don't think he was invited ... nice fellow by the name of Democritus, though his shop didn't really start out having no name. Methinks you'll recognize the names of some the lead barbers during those early days: Anaxagoras, Empedocles, Parmenides, Xenophanes, and Socrates. Plato watched Socrates who taught him everything he knew about cutting hair ... turned the shop over to Plato and went fishing with Isaac Newton. Plato designed a complete set of new bowls ... of different sizes and shapes, and some high quality cutting tools too ... truly an advancement in the technology of the day ... and, man could he cut hair ... that was in about 387 b.c., based on some of his manuscripts recently sold on EBAY, that were so dated. He got so famous that the shop became known as Plato's Place, and the lead barbers that followed were famous too ... Speusippus, Xenocrates, Polemon, Crates, and Crantor ... every one a member of the Barbering School Hall of Fame. Plato's Braves

That's right, Plato's Place was a barbering school ... that's why some folks called it Plato's Academy ... he set the standard for barbershops ... they even had music for the barbers and patrons to listen to ... they talked about most anything and everything, including the Athens' Braves ... free candy and grapes too, same as us ... only different. Aristotle was a long time patron, cut a good head of hair, and made the hall too, but was never the Place's lead barber. Arcesilaus bought out Plato's Place in 265 b.c. ... remodeled and renamed it "The New Barbershop" ... ever since then, folks have referred to Plato's Place as "The Old Barbershop" ... it was before my time but folks say Plato hung a sign over the door to his Place ... "No free Hair Cuts" ... no, methinks that was something Polonius said to Laertes ... Plato's sign supposedly read "Let no one who cannot think geometrically enter". We looked for that sign all over the shop ... even under the floor and in the attic ... never did find it ... but, back in the Back Room under all the trash was a battered old sign ... so caked with dirt and crud that you couldn't even tell it was a sign ... not until we used some ST37 to clean it up ... "No Free Hair Cuts" ... it's true! we checked the county records and they show that Laertes owned the old barbershop long before we bought it. Dang! Double Dang!! Well that's a mighty valuable artifact ... and it would be neat to use it, but the Southern Jackass(SJA) thought it best that we hone our skills and get more patrons before adopting such a rule. Most folks would've been satisfied but finding that old sign really piqued my interest and I renewed the search for other treasures ... more money in finding such things than in barbering, methinks ... and besides, no folks to get mad when you snip off a piece of their ear. I finally found what I was looking for ... that's right, the ancient old sign that Plato hung up in the shop, back when it first opened ... "never give up" ... no, that's what I say, not the sign ... the sign reads "Let no unfair or unjust person enter" ... well, that's not exactly what folks thought it said ... but it was Greek to them so they didn't really know. old barber

Yes, I misuse and abuse this language I love ... sometimes even intentionally ... but, we must first laugh at outselves if we are to laugh with others ... and even were that not the case, folks usually see and hear what they expect and/or desire. Where am I headed? ... only TheShadow

The ShadowThe Shadow knows for sure, and he hasn't told me a thing ... there may be some misdirection for effect, but chances are it'll simply be me getting my bearings and changing course ... gee, haw, mush, whoa! We in the old barbershop like both Grand Opera and the Grand Ole Opry ... ain't much difference ... good barbershop too! Oops, almost forgot ... here in the new old barbershop, you have to stay alert ... else, no telling what you're liable to miss! We, especially me, like to embed hidden polls, audio, and video ... other stuff too! Them poles is pretty easy to spot ... you'll know when you see one ... just remember to toggle the pole to open and close. Whenever you see words in blue, likely as not there's an audio, video, or something else hidden behind it ... a single click is all it takes, well sometimes two. Speaking of getting your bearings and changing course ... you see where it says pages followed by them numbers in purple boxes ... I sometimes use multiple pages and this is just page one! Luckily for you, I'm the only one what does ...

Sometimes I think all great thoughts have done been thunk ... and all great deeds done been did ...Methinks it's as easy to become victimized by an overwhelming sense of irrelevance as it is by an unwarranted sense of relevance or self-importance ... I'm not sure which claims more victims, but there are a whole bunch of us that have tasted both ... that's for sure! ... Seems the old barbershop is all about history ... Our old friend the Christmas Stealer writes about it ... The "Weed's" dad teaches it ... Miss Carol studied it and we're all living it, whether or not we so realize. And, from a baseball perspective, for the last three years, come the All Star break, the Braves were it ... history. What we are, we are ... what we've been is history ... what we're going to be ... and do ... is history waiting to be written. As a result of what is, it's anticipated that changes are in store for the Braves ... we've already had some ... and more are yet to come, or so methinks ... ... and yes, for the old barbershop too! Dang, Double Dang! Oh the humanity!! ... There's nothing wrong with the Braves!! We can win it all, mostly with what we've got ... it's not a matter of money ... the talent hasn't disappeared ... it's the heart, soul, leadership and those things above the neck that may need fixing! We're still on the outside looking in ... but, close your eyes, use your ken ... there's nothing wrong with your vision, the picture's crystal clear ... No, I don't think this is going to be about baseball ... maybe, but rather what we've been ... what we are ... and what we can or will be. Mama always said ... and Daddy agreed ... first impressions are important, only in that they're hard to overcome ... and Daddy emphasized that it may take a man some time to establish his good reputation ... but only a moment to destroy it! Many of us can attest to the validity of that ... including me, Bobby Cox and the Braves methinks ... at least one or two Understood perhaps by few, and rejected by those who are victims of an unwarranted sense of self, is that we ourselves are the ones most responsible for the perceptions held of us by others ... Why all this talk about baseball and the Atlanta Braves here in the old barbershop? The answer is simple ... history! Jimmy Smith (JJS), The Southern Jackass (SJA) and I first "met" on a baseball blog sponsored by a "fishwrap" known as the "Atlanta Journal & Constitution" or the "AJC" ... yes, and young Matthew too. Miss Carol and I met long ago, back when Plato was still running the Shop, methinks I was intrigued by that blog ... well, to be honest, mostly it was this poor, befuddling Africian journalist from Uganda who seemed to be preoccupied with toes and their relevance to baseball performance. I couldn't help but feel embarrassed for him ... but, he had his tiger by the toe and wasn't about to let go, I thought. Because of my friendship with others from East Africa, I was aware of some of the many cultural differences, including their thinking and manner of self expression ... though I must admit that his were unique. While my experiences with them had never involved baseball ... soccer, a game of the feet, was a different story ... and of course, they were all into walking, running and bicycling. It did help explain his preoccupation with toes, I thought ... In spite of his awkwardness; his strange third person and lowercase manner of self expression ... for some reason I found him rather humorous and insightful. It wasn't until some time later that I found out that all that was but a sham ... there was no Jimmy Smith, Ugandan journalist ... that was just a character he made up to fool folks, like the screen masks the others wore, only different! His real name is James Jeffery Smith, born right there in Georgia, same as me ... his grandfather had brought his family over from Uganda back in 1941 as things were heating up in North Africa, settling in Cordele. All this knowledge he had about Africa came from what he was told by his daddy and granddaddy growing up ... and more recently, visits to his relatives back in Kampala. No matter what you may have heard, that's the real skinny! Regardless of the sham, or perhaps because of it, ... for better or worse, he's the real reason for my participation on the AJC's Braves' blog! Regarding the changing of perceptions held by others, Mama said "tain't easy McGee" Fibber McGee

... after the 'Fibber' ... "but, telling folks they're wrong is a knife that ain't gonna cut soft butter, much less the cake" ... Speaking of which, I can attest to that too ...

I knows that my abilities at self-expression are severely limited, and my bouts of "hoof-in-mouth" disease are infamous in some circles ... but, mine are always good intentions, at least I so rationalize, and do certainly so hope ... No, tain't easy McGee, but that's life and it's a ride that's been worth the taking, methinks ... and I'm appreciative of all who have tried to understand ... me, us and what we're about. I'm especially appreciative of the few crazies who have an understanding and appreciation of my own distorted sense of humor and what I sometimes try to seriously convey ... and all the resulting friendships ... goodness ... This isn't where I was headed ... how did I get here? ... or is it hear?

Yes, the insights, imagination and wit of James Jeffery Smith, the Ugandan journalist of Cordele (JJS) ... these are among my most favorite things. More importantly, he's my friend! Jimmy Smith

Nobody knows what Jimmy really looks like, at least until now ... he can say more with a couple of words and a picture than most of us can in two or three pages ... you'll find proof positive on the walls of the Shop and his frequent comments!

There you'll also find his ward and our favorite columnist, Baby Seal ... and his entourage of some very special friends! Like the wonderful Sarah Cannon said more often than I say "methinks" ... "Howdeeee! I'm jest so proud to be here!" with these two unbelievable talents ... and if that sounds contrived to you, then kiss my grits! No, I wouldn't wish my grits on anyone ... I don't eat 'em myself ... but, it's true, every word, give or take a lie or two!

Yes, the "Southern Jackass" was there too when I arrived ... No need to put up no picture, everybody knows what he looks like ... he's made sure of that and he's self named too ... did his best to convince folks he was what he seemed to be! Did a good job, he did ... some may wonder how it is that "SJA" received total and unequivocal acceptance from Bob, journalist ... while others did not? Have you ever pondered that? ... I'm sure some have and their conclusions would be most interesting. Could be it's because we're so much alike ... or maybe that opposites attract. I'll never tell ... but, I started calling him "The Southern Jackass, Most Honorable", almost from the beginning! I will tell you too that when he asked if I would like to help him fix this place up and maybe cut some hair, I thought he was plum crazy ... but being his friend, I couldn't rightly say no! It would have helped some had he told me that he was a master barber and the best danged wordsmith and story teller in the whole wide world! We're all unique ... it's just that the Southern Jackass and the Ugandan Journalist are so much more unique than others! It's hard to comprehend such creative genius ... but it's awfully easy to enjoy! ... For some strange reason, JJS gave me the title of "journalist" ... maybe because we took the Atlanta Journal when I was a little boy ... I thought it was a joke but it made me feel good that he did! The original Bob, journalist was far more of a character than a mask ... though that was never understood, for better or for worse, regardless of my repeated efforts to make it clear. However, my preoccupation with the importance of understanding meaning, motivation and intent rather than words was, and is, me ... like Jeffery says, what a man says is more than just a bunch of words strung together. The rumor that I psychoanalyze is ill founded too, a misconception and a joke ... indeed, it's something about which I know nothing, except that it's a big word ... but I do know the "why" is usually more important than the "what" ... as is effective use of the third eye and ear more important than the use of the other two, or is it four? Excluding those most severely victimized by an overwhelming sense of irrelevance, most of what the majority of us do is either agenda or self-interest driven. That's both good and bad depending on how well it's kept in proper perspective, or so I honestly believe ... of course I do support some agendae, oppose others ... stand up, stand up I say ... for that in which you believe ... better that than staying seated, methinks ... the King of England and taxes you know. "When you don't stand up for what you believe in ... it's much the same thing as standing up for those things you don't!" ... we didn't find no such sign but my guess is that Plato probably taught that in his barbering school. It seems to me that among those many forces deep down inside that causes the Southern Jackass to be what he is ... is a true blue, foursquare compulsion ... God didn't pass that around to everybody. For some, nay for many, friendships are a matter of convenience ... friends are but bedfellows based on agenda, and when the chips are down or adversity must be faced, those folks come up short, or at least those friendships become fractured ... not so with SJA and JJS ... They have that compulsion while most of us do not ... perhaps they do because we don't ... I believe we should, but I'm not sure it's a reasonable expectation. Compulsion or no, my friendships are not agenda based, and I treasure my friends ... all of them! I'm somehow reminded of having once been told of someone's disappointment in my liking folks who didn't like them ... 'twas the wrong thing to say! ...

In the Shop, I talk a lot about mirrors and self-portraits ... the perception that others have is one thing, how we see ourselves is another. The notion of mirrors and self-portraits ... seemed rather easy to grasp ... but, when you try to grab hold of it, things just ain't as simple as they might seem, ... ; Registration code (if you have it) ; Reglink opened in new frame? ; Name of new frame for reglink ; resolution (1-8) ; pause (value = milliseconds). ; Num. of horizontal tiles ; Num. of vertical tiles ; Num. steps for tile rotation (8 .. 32) ; Optional background image ; Red in background (0 .. 255) ; Green in background (0 .. 255) ; Blue in background (0 .. 255) ; Optional image over applet ; Over image X offset ; Over image Y offset ; Memory deallocation delay ; Task priority (1..10) ; Min. milliseconds/frame for sync Please download Java(tm). danged if some self-portraits aren't almost photographic in their reproduction while some mirrors give distorted renderings of reality. It's not enough to just use any old mirrors for reflection ... they must be of the right stuff and kind. I talk a lot about things of which I know nothing too, but if I didn't, I wouldn't have anything to say ... it's another thing that differentiates SJA and JJS from most methinks ... SJA's ability to reflect and look deep down inside ... and to be honest with himself ... is rare ... at least my experience has been that most either cannot or are unwilling to so do ... it is not just coincidence or happenstance that Polonius, a secondary character, is among the best remembered of the Bard's creations ... for his advice to his son Laertes ... "to thine own self be true" Why? Methinks it's because of recognition, not only of it's importance, but also it's rarity as an innate quality ... and for those who try, the difficulty lies within it's effecting ... I'm envious of this jackass, true blue and foursquare, who knows himself so well ... it's that for which I always strive but almost always fail ...

Most of us hear it ... then knowingly nod, hardly giving it another thought ... but, nothing much compares with it's profundity ... It's hard to find a post I've written that doesn't mention me mama. It's true that I sometimes take a little license when referring to Mama ... but, my mother is the picture I try to paint. She admonished me, it seems like 10,000 times, when I articulated and/or apologized for my weaknesses, limitations and faults ... "that's my boy you're talking about ... careful what you say"! She did far more than that when others joined in and articulated my weaknesses, limitations and faults! ... Now you have my perception of JJS and the true blue and foursquare Southern Jackass ... but after so writing and reflecting, I'm not sure that I can answer the questions ... truth is, I've forgotten what they were! However, it was rather obvious that them two were something other than how they were being perceived ... honest, consistent, of good heart, and opposed to apathy was the impression I then shared with others and I can assure you that I am now sure that they are indeed that ... that, and oh so much more! They're my friends, JJS and SJA ... so careful what you say!

Mother knew Polonius ... and agreed with him too ... though she would loan anyone in need anything she had, without expectation of it being returned, including money. Like Houseman's wisdom ... Mama's words weren't truly appreciated until long after they were received .. though they were the topic of frequent discussion ... Being true to yourself ... knowing yourself .. the individual behind the many masks ... it's a rare gift, perhaps the rarest of all .. the trick methinks, is knowing how to use it ... Knowing who and what we are ... recognizing our limitations ... shortcomings ... and weaknesses ... that's power that the majority of humanity does not possess. Unfortunately, those few so gifted frequently turn it into a liability rather than an asset. They allow the realization of their limitations ... shortcomings ... weaknesses ... and past failures or rejections to give them fear of failure rather than confidence in success as it should ... and when adversity is encountered, they see history repeating itself ... oftentimes giving up in frustration rather than defining and addressing the problems ... Those who confuse self-portraits with mirrors admire themselves and blindly go forth with total confidence, for they believe they possess all the answers, usually surrounding themselves with non-threatening, kindred spirits ... they are the truly enlightened! ... Say it ain't so Joe! ...

Back to the trick ... Thanks to Prince Albert Gore's invention ...

that which he purloined from Vinton Cerf methinks ... everyone has a potential audience of millions ... nay, billions I say ... and with such potential, folks can easily get disciples and a flock, no matter what it is they're preaching ... Polonius ... Mama ... Jesus Christ ... Buddha, and the Dalai Lama too ... they each said ... to thine own self be true! In plain talk, don't apostatize! Mama's admonishment was out of concern that I would allow critical self-evaluation to undermine my self-confidence, thus preventing me from being all that I could be ... and though I protested, methinks her concerns were probably well justified ... just think, I coulda been a contender ... I coulda been somebody! I'm still uncertain of where I was going and not really sure of where I've been ... but here we are, right back where we started again ... Yes, "TheOldBarbershop" is about history too ... we are what we are as a result of our experiences! Our views ... interests ... memories ... stories ... decisions ... beliefs, our likes and dislikes too ... all reflect our past history ... I hope others will share theirs with us ... in so doing, they'll be making history too ... TheOldBarbershop is diverse from most ... or I would so hope ... if not, you can rest assured that's it's soon going to be. "No Free Hair Cuts Here" ... well, maybe one or two, but everybody carries his weight ... our sign, all polished up and ready to be hung, is the one methinks Plato first so did, right here in the shop some 875,000 days ago, give or take a few ... "Let no unfair or unjust person enter." No, we ain't replacing no mirrors ... though we're going to watch them close ...

and if you can't think geometrically, that's okay ... the three of us can't cut hair neither, were it not for them bowls, but as you can see ... it was that or jail for Jimmy, SJA and me! It's done wonders for us too ... I've slept at the Holiday Inn Express twice, methinks SJA's becoming more famous than Chill Wills and jimmy smith is getting ready for a serious run for the Presidency! We truly love sports and our team(s) and that will always be on the agenda ... but for goodness sake, there are so many Braves' blogs already out there ... and Tigers ... and Mets ... and Yankees ... and Cards ... and Orioles too, just to name a few ... Ashu, our young barbering buddy from India loves Cricket and is a Manchester United fan too ... so have no fear, you can always talk sports here! Our vision is to feature a flow of diverse topics such as world affairs, politics, religion, tall tales, current events, true stories pertaining to actual life events and sports, including the Braves ... some topics that aren't presently being discussed on most of the other sites, and those which may not be warmly welcomed on many others ... topics such as those you might find if you walked into an old barbershop on a busy Saturday morning ... just a friendly and lighthearted atmosphere, with everyone being treated equal ... simply a place where folks feel welcome and comfortable discussing whatever might be on their minds ... a place that ultimately stands on no other foundation than that of the strength of it's characters and quality of it's content ... To this end we've added some "Special Features" and as with the Braves, more changes are yet to come and the future looks mighty bright indeed!

We've been truly blessed to add first Matthew then Miss Carol and now Ashu too ... to help with the barbering chores ... from three characters to six! There's always room for one or 100 more ... whether it be occasionally or all the time! You got a story to write, a memory to share ... or something important to say where comments won't do it justice, we'll find a barber's chair ... put your name on it, and figure out a way to git her did! It don't really have to be important ... What is important is that we share ... thoughts, ideas, memories, stories, and yes, recipes too ... if we don't, chances are, one day they'll be lost forever! Plato and them boys knew that. If we can bring a smile or two, maybe sometimes a tear ... cause somebody to pause and ponder ... and in the process make a new friend ... beats making money, now don't it?! Well, that's a bit about us ... folks that have read what I've writ know that Daddy said "you can't tell much about a man by listening to his well rehearsed and memorized spiel" ... he said that a long time ago but it's still true ... maybe more than ever before! For the few who have read this far ... you're either a glutton for punishment, a relative, or a throwback as rare and treasured as any antique, regardless of your age! The fad these days seems for everybody to network and add as many FRIENDS as possible ... we too want to add as many friends as possible ... we have no ads for you to see or click ... we're looking to make friends, real friends ... we hope you'll visit often and will take the time to leave a comment or two, if only to say hi, each and every time you do! Your comments are important to us barbers ... how else can we know if you want a Flattop, Mohawk or Mullet ... your nails polished or buffed? And besides, they make our day! While time changes most everything, our Proprietor's original greeting was truly

inspired ... and it's one thing that won't ... "Welcome to "TheOldBarbershop" ... characters with character preferred, ladies too ... please take a seat and wait your turn ... leaf through a magazine or shoot the breeze with a friend ... when it's your turn in the barber's chair, be ready to share an interesting story, a tall tale or whatever is on your mind ... tips encouraged and appreciated ... no topic off-limits ... if you can't behave, use profanity, pick fights or spit on the floor you will politely be shown the door" ... "Let no unfair or unjust person enter." That means we welcome all beliefs and points of view ... just keep it fair and keep it just ... that's a must! No free haircuts except on special occasions but the candy's always on the house! No matter the grandiloquence, regardless the form ... this is what "TheOldBarbershop" is to us ... this is where our passions lie ... it's of little significance whether we have a multitude of visitors each day ... or just a few ... as one good friend said, "to thine own self be true, to hell with the naysayers!"

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One of Miss Carol's favorite expressions ... reserved especially for me is You're a crazy person!! She knows me well ... the simple truth is that I'm crazy ... about her!! She wants you to know how much you all mean to her ... Matt, Jimmy and John, but especially all those who have visited the shop and had reason to pause reflect and smile!

TheSouthernJackAss' Stall!	Issues Facing Sports	Thoughts From Centerfield	Barbers International	Miss Carol's Salon ...
Links To The Old Barbershop's Special Features
Humor, Satire, Tall Tales ... all with a kick ... from the one and only ...	Tiger Woods	Braves Making Noise, Covering MLB Rumor Mill	Our Man In India	Ask Miss Know It All Incident At Niihau
Barbershop's Cookbook	Barbershop Poles	Magic Moments	Gone - Not Forgotten	Non-Political Politics
... Favorite Family Recipes ... Grandma's Teacakes		Priceless!	Alex Lees

Saturday, December 13, 2008

End Of An Era? ...

The Doolittle clan had been peddling lemonade each summer for several decades now from a movable stand situated in the center of the town square ... an endeavor which had become a family tradition ... this industrious undertaking had always been an extremely profitable enterprise, until just recently ... the local economy had tanked, and folks weren't spending much money on lemonade these days ... at least they weren't spending it at the Doolittle stand ... which under such inauspicious conditions, appeared to be hanging on the brink of certain failure, and ultimate closure ... could it be the end of an era? ... Lester Doolittle was an indolent young fella, but had always considered himself to be a thinker of the highest order ... so Lester took it upon himself to think of a way to assure the continued existence of Doolittle Lemonade Inc. ... consequently, he settled on the idea of going before town council to request a huge monetary bailout ... he would simply tell them how important it was to the town's future economic vitality that Doolittle Lemonade not be allowed to go out of business ... no matter the cost ... On the day council members had gathered to hear Lester's urgent appeal ... he combed his hair, donned his best Sunday-go-to-meetin' suit, climbed on his shiny, new Schwinn bike and headed across town to council chambers ... to his surprise, as he wound his way through the tree lined streets, he saw numerous other lemonade stands with folks waiting in long lines to purchase tall, icy glassfuls of his competitors' lemonade ... the sounds of laughter, children playing and birds singing filled the balmy, summer air ... life seemed good ... how dare they buy lemonade from anyone other than a Doolittle! ... When Lester's turn came to present his petition before council members ... he nervously rose to his feet, gathered his composure, then sheepishly proceeded to explain how folks weren't buying Doolittle lemonade ... how the town's economy wouldn't be able to survive without the Doolittle lemonade stand ... how the Doolittle lemonade stand would have to go out of business unless an enormous bailout was awarded on behalf of the town ... finally, Lester surmised that if Doolittle Lemonade Inc. were allowed to go out of business, that certain doom and everlasting destruction lurked just around the corner for all of civilized humanity ... Senior councilman Smith cleared his throat, raised an eyebrow and began to speak ... "Mister Doolittle, your family has been operating a lemonade stand around these parts for as long as I can reasonably remember ... and the Doolittles have made a lot of money over the years" ... he continued, "I also recall that the Doolittles have always used bad lemons and cheap corn syrup when making their lemonade, while other lemonade stands use only the finest lemons and pure cane sugar as their ingredients ... the Doolittles have served their lemonade in small Dixie cups with no ice, while other stands utilize tall glasses with plenty of ice, and even a straw upon request ... the Doolittles were never dependable, only opening their stand when convenient to the Doolittles, while other stands are open on a regular basis ... other stands reinvest the majority of their profits back into their lemonade stands, the Doolittles never put any profits back into Doolittle Lemonade Inc. in order to improve Doolittle lemonade or to maintain the Doolittle lemonade stand, the Doolittles however do use their huge profits to purchase luxury items such as fancy clothes and shiny, new Schwinn bikes ... and last, but not least, the Doolittles currently charge a dollar for a small cup of so-called lemonade, while other stands are charging no more than a quarter for a tall, icy glassful of superior quality lemonade ... the Doolittles can only blame the Doolittles for their own precarious and long foreseen conundrum ... it would be neither fair to your competitors, nor prudent for the taxpayers of this town to subsidize the continued, extravagant and reckless existence of Doolittle Lemonade Inc. sir!" ... "the answer is emphatically NO!" ... Lester slowly ambled out the door bearing the stark realization that he would now have to go out and find another job ... the Doolittles had known for quite some time that their lemonade was deficient in quality and excessive in price, but they had never been genuinely concerned with the concept of customer satisfaction, and had done nothing ... the Doolittles were only interested in making a quick and easy dollar ... eventually Lester was able to obtain gainful employment selling lemonade for one of his previous competitors ... lemonade stands were still flourishing all around town, and the town's economy had not collapsed under the weight of the loss of Doolittle Lemonade Inc. ... the sounds of laughter, children playing and birds singing filled the balmy, summer air ... life seemed good ... the end of an era had come and gone with little fanfare ... A poll relative to this post is located in the sidebar --sja

62 comments:

BOB said...: Shades of Jumbo's cousin Adam!

Fantastic!

You're making it tough to decide ...; December 13, 2008 5:22 PM
BOB said...: Certainly the Southern Jackass is a rare old bird indeed!

Acknowledging that it may indeed be impossible to truly know a man from a few hundred blog posts, the following may prove enlightening to those so interested ...

Like Jimmy Smith, he is from Africa ... no, not Uganda, Kenya, ... or Cordele ... the "Southern" should be a clue ... South Africa ... more specifically, its offshore islands.

While some might mistakenly think the Southern Jackass ornery, stubborn and dangerous, his clan is actually endangered though most of the small islands where they live are now protected ... efforts have also been made to protect the new mainland colonies at Betty's Bay and Simonstown ... and this is successfully preventing human disturbance and attacks by predators.

One colony, that they themselves started at Boulders Beach, is unique in that they have voluntarily inhabited suburbia ... and a public bathing space.

Despite a traumatic history of abuse from vicious landowners, they have increased from a few individuals to a colony of over 1000.

But, ... believe it or not, they are still forced to compete with seals for the limited space available.

Not all seals are as friendly toward the Jackass as our Chopper ... some individual seals actually kill and eat the Jackass ... it's true!; December 13, 2008 5:39 PM
BOB said...: While Kawakami isn't the ace that Burnett could have been ...

he is an accomplished veteran ...

with the potential ...

to find initial success ...

Unbelievable!

Quick, somebody count toes ...

No, not Kemosabe's ...

Wren's and Bowman's!

Well, it would be better than Bobby calling him Commie ...; December 14, 2008 5:25 AM
Carol said...: Great post and a timely issue. Of course, at my age now, my mind works a little backwards. I feel a little empathy (just a little, mind you) for Lester. We had a couple of things in common. He had a Schwinn bicycle. I had a Schwinn bicycle. Mine was a Schwinn Wasp. It was red and white and beautiful. I got it for my sixth birthday and we drove all the way (24 miles) to the Schwinn shop in Harlingen, TX to pick it up. I had to use training wheels for a while – how embarrassing! But, soon I was racing free around the neighborhood and . . . well that’s a story for another time.

I also had a non-profitable lemonade stand with my neighborhood friends. However, rather than demand a government bailout, I recruited my neighborhood friends and we put on a circus. Family and friends attended and we made enough to retire the debt of the non-profitable lemonade stand. What was my circus act? Hanging upside down from my swing set until all the blood rushed to my head and I lost consciousness. I hit my head on a metal handle on the way down. Well that explains some of the weird things that I have done in my life.

Hopefully, no one from the lemonade stand business will read this post. We don’t want them getting any stupid ideas about merging with The Greatest Show on Earth.; December 14, 2008 6:58 PM
BOB said...: Carol's memory is unbelievable ... like a sponge, she soaks it up and retains it all ... and uses it to her advantage after you think she's long forgot ...

She still remembers how to make good lemonade ... even better limeade ... on occasion.

Still unprofitable too, methinks ... in Brownsville, she just went out in the yard picked what she needed ... on occasion in Nashville, we've paid two dollars for 3 good lemons ... well, good may be stretching a point.

However, we've found a way around those high prices ... a didn't need no bailout neither!

Both our local Mexican Bistro and our favorite "Meat & Three" offer free lemonade!!

Actually, Red Lobster's may be the best ... free water with lemon to drink ... extra free lemons for the seafood ... and unlimited sugar at the table ... made to suit your personal taste ... hard to beet!

The automakers are in the wholesale lemonade business ... rather than a bailout, maybe they could start selling limes ... ya think?

How come her picture's bigger than mine?!; December 14, 2008 8:03 PM
Gil in Mechanicsville said...: SJA. Somehow your use of a "lemon" ade stand has so many parallels with the other purveyors of lemons no on our door step, hat in hand.

Great choice and great parody...

Carol, I was never able to afford a Schwinn, I made do with a Western Flyer I received from Santa until I saved up enough money to buy a Columbia Newsboy Special. Yep, carried both morning and afternoon routes plus the Sundays. You learn a lot about people and the difference good customer service makes at a very early age when you are a paperboy.

Lessons I guess the AJC have forgotten.; December 14, 2008 8:09 PM
journalist jimmy smith said...: gil, this journalist also had a columbia . . . same bike as gil, only different. jimmy smith can remember riding that columbia all the way to east atlanta (after this journalist's arrival from uganda and prior to this journalist's time in cordele when the authorities were looking for jimmy smith for mailing a hartebeest to north carolina, but that is a story for another day). jimmy smith can remember parking that columbia in front of the madison theater and going in to watch a movie and then coming out 2 hours later and the columbia was still there waiting for jimmy smith. well trained columbia. different times, too.

and as to the lemonade stand . . . remember that the "well run" foreign car factories operate in newly constructed facilities on land that was given to them and that these manufacturers have all manner of tax incentives and other goodies that are/were not offered to the big 3 factories. atlanta once had 2 gm and a ford factory - and all are gone.

has it been made easier for foreign companies than for domestic to compete here?

lure the ones not already here. prodigal son? not saying so . . . but what if?

and tonight jimmy smith and baby seal went to the georgia aquarium and baby seal is not feeling too well and has gone to bed early. troubling for baby seal, very troubling.; December 14, 2008 9:55 PM
BOB said...: I had a red wagon, red scooter and a red tricycle ... no training wheels for me, no siree Billy Bob!

I had forgotten that the Ford Plant had closed but well remember when it opened in Hapeville after the war ...; December 14, 2008 11:58 PM
BOB said...: Yes, Yes, Yes ...

Yes, we'll work for a dollar a year if you'll just bail us out ... we did our best ... just didn't realize the dynamic ... nobody could be expected to have seen it coming ... we're all good people ... we all care about our companies ... and our workers ... it's not the money ... with the millions we've amassed, we can afford it!

Yes, just the nonsensical mumblings of an old man ... who cares ... but it is disturbing to me ... I always thought that management served at the pleasure of ownership ... and that mismanagement got shown the door ... sometimes with extended vacations at the expense of the state.

Yes, the vast majority of crooks do express remorse and ask forgiveness ... after they get caught and their attempts to escape accountability have been exhausted.

While there may be good arguments for parachutes when flying in risky, unproven aircraft, ... in bad weather or wartime ... them what's made of gold or platinum should be melted down and used first to feed starving children ... and then to educate them.

Of course, it wouldn't surprise me none if the actual value of those parachutes would cover the cost of the bailouts too!

I do know that folks on the high wire are a more bit careful when there is no safety net below ...

Risk theory was once more art than science ... but today, there's little excuse for the position in which these large, well established companies find themselves ... truly, there's none ... other than greed and the willingness to engage in risky and/or unsound business practices.; December 15, 2008 12:41 AM
Gil in Mechanicsville said...: Excellent posing Bob. I saw many examples of what you say during my career with the Evil Empire. Much of it comes from trying to keep up with the Jones. Often they see someone else appear successful and they think, "Why not me?".

Well, now we see that they were not as successful as they seem. GREED...
My dad always told me, "You can't cheat an honest man".. Well, maybe not but you can scam a gullible one. This is especially true when the ones doing the scamming are those of good reputation or positions of trust. Is is not why the Bible tells us that it is ministers of the Word who will be punished seven times worse for their transgressions.

The current scandal involving the bilking of investors out of $50 billion dollars will result in the perpetrator seeing less time in jail than some poor smuck who robs a 7-eleven of $20...; December 15, 2008 9:50 AM
Carol said...: Gil, nothing wrong with a Western Flyer. Some of my biker friends had Western Flyers.

Despite the underlying serious message of the Proprietor's post, this has brought back a number of happy memories for me. My biker gang days in the Riverside area of Brownsville, TX. Those were the days that you could let your child ride around the neighborhood alone or with a group of other kids. Of course, as we all know, what your parents don't know -- won't make them loose sleep at night.

I still remember that feeling of almost flying you could get by racing your bike as fast as could be and then going down a slight incline. We only had slight inclines in the Valley since the Rio Grande Valley is the delta of the Rio Grande River and not actually a valley. Yes, I grew up in paradise. Palm trees and the ocean and frequently warm enough to wear shorts on Christmas day.

Bob didn't have the bike experience growing up. In Atlanta, they lived on an extreme incline and his father thought that it was too dangerous having bikes. His father was most likely right but I still think that every child should have a bike.; December 15, 2008 10:30 AM
Bobby Lee Bujeau Prejean said...: Aaiiieeee, that's some reaaal good steaming hot coffee with chicory! I drink about 2 gallons of steaming hot coffee with chicory each day. I think it prevents corrosion.

What a waste to drink lemonade when steaming hot coffee with chicory can be had for only a small amount of money.

I buy my coffee with chicory in large bags and, when I brew it, I brew it to be steaming hot. Then I have steaming hot coffee with chicory.

Today, I am drinking my steaming hot coffee with chicory from an uninflated NFL football bladder. It tastes a little powdery, but that's okay.

Why are there no steaming hot coffee with chicory stands in the neighborhoods? Maybe I can take that idea and make some money. Coffee on the corner, so to speak.; December 15, 2008 2:31 PM
Gil in Mechanicsville said...: "Coffee on the corner, so to speak."

Yep, called Starbucks I think....; December 15, 2008 4:12 PM
BOB said...: I need some help ... for those so inclined ... located below the current post is an imported version of the post ... different color and font ... don't care about that ... but otherwise, how does it compare and render on your computer?

Put your comments with either post ... I'll read them!

Thanks!

This is www.theoldbarbershop.com ... right? Wouldn't want to miss out on a chance to advertise!; December 15, 2008 8:55 PM
BOB said...: Thanks for the input Gil ... tried to make it clear that I was uninterested in font and/or color ... but appreciate that info.

The primary problem appears to be that the height of the "containing box" for that document is set at a fixed number of pixels ... so that for browsers set at a low resolution, the user gets only a portion of the document ... and must use a scrollbar ... while those at a high resolution have escessive space at the bottom.

Bummer ... wanted to use the "object" tag to import documents into posts ... many benefits if I could overcome that stupid problem.; December 15, 2008 11:21 PM
BayAreaSteve said...: Bob,

I may have posted on other sites throughout the interwebs that I find it unseemly for you to advertise on your own blog.

As far as the "test" post, all I can see is the date line, followed by the heading "End of an Era - Test," and then a big, empty white box.; December 16, 2008 12:08 AM
BOB said...: Steve, I'm just pleased as punch to have your feedback ... while computer problems have precluded checking my emails over the last hour, methinks you're the 7th to so indicate ...

Others so reporting are using Internet Explorer 6, methinks ...

Not yet sure why ... but, if the problem with the other browsers can be resolved, I'm pretty sure some code using the "embed" tag rather than the "object" tag will take care of the IE browser nuances.

Thanks!; December 16, 2008 12:39 AM
BayAreaSteve said...: My limited mind has always struggled comprehending your posts, Bob. But, never so much as when you use embed, and object, as they relate to computers.

If "restart" doesn't help me, then I prey to India for assistance.; December 16, 2008 1:23 AM
BayAreaSteve said...: Aah, an illustration of the limited mind.

Let's pretend I used "pray," and blame it on the fact that I'm agnostic.; December 16, 2008 1:26 AM
BOB said...: Steve, you're not by yourself ... I can't understand me neither ... and the world is far too complex for me to even contemplate how it all works ... but while it's beyond my comprehension, I need to but to recognize the complexity of its simplest elements, from a blade of grass to our ability to think, for me to acknowledge the existence of God ... we need not to understand for indeed we can't truly so do ... but there is purpose, whatever it might be!

And hopefully, we conduct ourselves so as to further that purpose ...

Man cannot comprehend God ... the real beginning ... something being created from nothing ... it doesn't compute, regardless of how many times you reboot.

Perhaps it's the fact that it is so totally beyond my comprehension ... that makes me so certain ...; December 16, 2008 3:15 AM
Mister E Blogger said...: Bob, the post appears as an unfilled block and

nothing in it to se; December 16, 2008 9:49 AM
Jason Beefeater said...: Thats a good story and make me laff but my cousin Lester may find it unfunny.

I not believe that is real story since I have not heard of Doolittle inc and if it was it was real story about Lester I would know.; December 16, 2008 5:33 PM
BOB said...: Welcome Jason! ... the Boss will be pleased that you found his post humorous ... we try hard to avoid toe trifling and that includes stepping on same ... hope your cousin will understand and get a kick out of too!

Thanks everyone for the feedback ... still working on the problem(s) but for some unknown reason, the Boss thinks I can multi-task and post while I so do ... I tried to explain that my other good finger is still sore from typing my last post.; December 16, 2008 6:12 PM
journalist jimmy smith said...: bad news for rappers in today's ajc wrapper. l'il wayne is accused of copyright infringement and t-boz faces foreclosure. journalist came upon these stories while searching for news of atlanta's baseball team.

and rafael furcal may be teasing frank wren. now, it is reported the dodgers will have an opportunity to match or better the offer from the braves.

oh, the humanity! player's coach. where is the loyalty?

and in other news . . . thrashers beat senators. why would caroline kennedy want to be a senator?

and, bob, it is never too late for a bicycle . . .

and jimmy smith recalls seeing all the bicycle riders going by last weekend . . . wearing plastic pants and colorful jerseys with ice cream ads on them . . . and with gaily colored shoes and helmets and little gloves and with pouches on the bikes . . .

jimmy smith will not call this sissified behavior but never did this journalist wear plastic pants while riding a bicycle - and never will this journalist. same can probably be said for journalist bob. can't imagine journalist bob in colorful plastic pants.

jimmy smith better go now before this journalist says something that will cause this journalist to be banned from this blog. it is during the holidays that jimmy smith makes cutting edge posts that sometimes can be misinterpreted by blog hosts. of course, sja is a much more lenient blog host than others in jimmy smith's experience.

and jimmy smith may go read one of the other blogs today and see what has changed - if anything. better spelling, purhaps?; December 17, 2008 9:12 AM
journalist jimmy smith said...: JernaliSt bOb, I am iN biG trOublE. I bRoke jImmY Smith'S ObaMa plAte thAt hE oRdEred on TV. It wAs sitTing oN thE tAbLe ANd I aCCidently knoCked it ovER. CaN yOu HelP mE bEForE jiMMy SmiTh finDs ouT? CaN You loaN me yoUR oBamA coMMemoRative plaTe aT lEasT unTil afTEr ChRistmaS?; December 17, 2008 4:06 PM
journalist jimmy smith said...: baby seal is in big trouble . . . using this journalist's computer and breaking the obama plate, too! that's it! an ad will be placed in the ajc. will anyone see it?

baby seal for sale. good at small engine repair and journalism. former beet writer but now a columnist. reformed from beet writing. good personality. limited typing skills. can be had cheap. eats whelk and pie. occasionally krystals. forced to sell due to economic downturn. sacrifice.; December 17, 2008 7:10 PM
Gil In Mechanicsville said...: JJS... Don't be too hard on Baby Seal. Tell you what, I'll send you a Jimmy Cater plate and an Al Gore for President bumper sticker for good measure if it will ease your pain.

I was going to send them to Frank Wren but I got a better offer from the left coast. Don't think he will care if I sent them to you, after all, I already have his money....; December 17, 2008 8:04 PM
BOB said...: Chopper and I are in big trouble ... I broke Carol's computer ... she's worried we lost everything ... records and addresses ... links ... birthday reminders ... sizes ... going back maybe 10-15 years.

Hopefully, it's only the OS and not the drives ... she's looking for a gun ... dial 911 and pray for me!

The computer problem is real!!

However, jimmy, you should forgive Chopper ... you're his role model!

... and the Braves need a pitcher; December 17, 2008 8:10 PM
Gil In Mechanicsville said...: Bob...surly you know you have to back up everything on a computer... Of course when I here all the hoopla over putting all medical records on computers I become afraid...very afraid...; December 17, 2008 9:10 PM
journalist jimmy smith said...: bob, surly? jimmysmiththinksnot. bob may be timid right now with carol after bob but have never known bob to be surly. grumpy, maybe, but not surly. :-)

and what will the braves do for pitching? fernando cadahia, perhaps?

jimmy smith really believes that the braves are a second tier organization now. no pitching anywhere and top young prospects have been traded elsewhere. formula for losing.

and tushy and raffy . . . let them play elsewhere. can mondesi and jordan be had for a reasonable dollar? hard times, remember.

and what would francoeur do? wwfd?

and no announcers left, either. sad.

maybe santa claus will bring the braves some pitching and some defense and maybe chino can win 30.

oh, the humanity!; December 17, 2008 10:28 PM
BOB said...: Sir James ... always good ... but your best in a while, methinks ... great!!

Gil ... you can call me surly, you can call me bob ...

I did back it up on ... the computer that doesn't work ...; December 18, 2008 3:40 AM
Gil In Mechanicsville said...: see what happens when you drop an "h"???

And locked out of my account again... I may have to become another Mr E Blogger...; December 18, 2008 8:11 AM
baBy sEal, coLLumist said...: MaTT, thaT iS sOMe gOOd baSebaLL talK. I liKe iT VeRY much.

I thiNK A.J. iS tOO uGly to bE a BraVEs plAyer.

KeeP thE bAsEbaLL inFormAtion comIng. If yoU eveR nEEd soMe heLp tYpinG yoUR poSts I cAn hElp. CaN yOU woRk soMe hiStoRy in, toO? I aM hoMe sChoolEd bY JimmY SmiTh anD neeD thE wOrk.

A noTe to aLL blOGgers . . . JimmY smIth waS stEamed at mE yeSterdaY bUt eVerythIng is oKay noW. I paIntEd a nEw ObAmA plAte anD iT seeMs to havE seTTled JimmY smIth dowN soMe.

SomEbody hAs stOpped caLLing FraNK WreN, Frank. ThAt iS beCauSE FraNk is mEssinG uP.

LaSt sQuiRREl oUt oF thE AJc buiLding pleAse tuRn off thE liGHTs.; December 18, 2008 9:14 AM
Carol said...: Well, fortunately for Bob, he has sort of fixed my computer. He still has a way to go, like restoring my mouse and keyboard. I'm using a old, old, dirty mouse and we won't even begin to try and describe the keyboard.

My computer was fine until he started messing around with his the other day. Then, boom!

So far, it doesn't look like I have lost any documents. Let's just keep our fingers crossed.; December 18, 2008 9:59 AM
Gil In Mechanicsville said...: And Matt... Great post I have clamored for a spending cap for some time now but I fear the owners are afraid to stand fast in the face of financial ruin. A fool and their money are soon parted is the conventional wisdom. he Yankees might just be the biggest fools ever. Then again, maybe they didn't have any money invested in the stock market...; December 18, 2008 11:19 AM
Matthew, Dad to Walter and Abigail said...: Hopefully the "Thoughts from Centerfield" will enliven debate and bring in new patrons to the ole shop. The title is taken from the song, "Put Me In, Coach," which may be the best baseball song ever written.; December 18, 2008 2:31 PM
BOB said...: My, my ... Miss Carol does have a way with words ... too bad she can't use them here in the Shop!

Sometimes, the old ways are best ... the Microsoft's Tech ... one of Boonjay's cousins, methinks ... said I couldn't solve the problem without my reinstalling the operating system which would have required reinstalling all the applications and ... identifying and installing many drivers ... the same solution suggested by my IT professional nephew.

Well, I pretended to do that ... successfully installing a second, "dummy", operating system in the same partition of the hard drive containing the old system ... called it Doolittle in honor of Lester!

Didn't try to install any applications or drivers ...

Then, I went into the boot.ini file and changed all references to "Doolittle" to the name of the old system ... of course, it wouldn't let me save the modified file as "boot.ini" ... but I felt kinda smart for having thought of it!

Strange, it would let me rename the "boot.ini" file ... so I did ... to "doubledang.ini" ... modified it as before ... and then saved it as boot.ini!

Rebooted ... and I'll swanee, it worked!!

Yes, it took several hours over two days because of conflicts with her mouse and keyboard but, had I not so done, I would still be working on it, ... and in trouble, methinks.

That may all sound technical ... dull and boring ... but, the long and short is that I snookered Bill Gates' software ... that's exciting stuff!!; December 18, 2008 3:38 PM
BOB said...: Matt, that's truly a great first entry ... Thoughts From Centerfield will definitely enliven debate and bring in new patrons to the ole shop ... methinks!

Thanks to the Boss for his kind words ... "Matt (in conjunction with the tireless efforts of our own Bob) has been kind enough to create this feature which will be updated on a regular basis" ... but, while that's easy for him to say ...I want everyone to know two things ... first, I did get tired ... and second, all the credit goes to Matt ... he did all the work!!

However, while perfection will likely be an unrealized objective, it is a work in progress, and everyone's patience will be greatly appreciated ...

Addressing two unasked questions raised in emails ...

First, please include all relative comments within the general comment section of the current post ... regardless of what it might be entitled ... at the moment, that's "End Of An Era"

Second, If you like the approach and have an idea for a similar feature, please contact me!; December 18, 2008 4:16 PM
baBy sEal, coLLumist said...: BRakinG nEwS!!
Soccer kick kills grazing pigeon
The Associated Press

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Buenos Aires, Argentina — An attempted shot on goal killed a pigeon during an Argentine league title match.

A soccer player in Buenos Aires made a powerful kick that went toward a group of pigeons looking for seeds in the grass. An explosion of feathers followed and the pigeons flew away — except one.

Several players on the San Lorenzo team surrounded the wounded bird as it tried to fly away but then collapsed. The referee scooped up the dead pigeon and placed it off the field.

Saying “poor pigeon,” San Lorenzo defender Gaston Aguirre called the kick “unfortunate.”

WHat'S unfoRtunate iS tHat thE Ajc woUld rUn thIs stORy. SloW daY in hiP hOp aPParenTly.; December 18, 2008 7:18 PM
baBy sEal, coLLumist said...: nEw meaNing to thE naME piGeon toEd. JimmY SmiTh wiLL bE pROUd I aM blOGginG toEs.; December 18, 2008 7:21 PM
baBy sEal, coLLumist said...: BraKinG NewS!

MorE jErnaLIsm froM thE AJC:

McDonough thief hurled cat into air
Associated Press

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Police are looking for a man they say robbed a McDonough forestry building and then flung a cat into the air as he escaped.

Police in Henry County said they just obtained video from the incident that occurred in October at the Georgia Forestry Commission.

It shows a man stealing two axes from vehicles parked outside the commission building.

The tape also shows the forestry cat, Wildfire, greeting the man. Police say the suspect grabbed the cat and tossed it 30 feet into the air. The cat landed on a roof and then the ground, where it fled, uninjured.

ThRoW a Cat iN oCtobEr anD makE the PaPer in DeCEmber. ThIs proVes thEre iS no hiP hOp neWs todaY.; December 18, 2008 7:25 PM
Gil in Mechanicsville said...: "Police say the suspect grabbed the cat and tossed it 30 feet into the air. The cat landed on a roof and then the ground, where it fled, uninjured."

There is a witty remark in there somewhere but I am loath to type it right now... :-); December 19, 2008 6:01 AM
Carol said...: For Trekkers, it's a sad day. Majel Barrett passed away yesterday.

For those of you who don't understand the above, a Trekker is a Star Trek fan that doesn't run around in a home-made uniform with fake pointy-ears. Those folks are called Trekkies. Majel Barrett Roddenberry was the widow of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry.

In Star Trek TOS (the Original Series), she played Nurse Christine Chapel. In Star Trek TNG (the Next Generation), she played Ambassador Lwaxana Troi. She was also the computer voice for most of the Star Trek series and movies.

Bones and Scotty are gone and now Nurse Christine.

Yes, I was an original Star Trek fan. There weren't very many of us, just a few ordinary folks like me and NASSA.; December 19, 2008 10:19 AM
Gil In Mechanicsville said...: Yes Carol, I was a big fan of Star Trek too, all the subsequent series, not so much...

Live well and prosper....; December 19, 2008 5:10 PM
BOB said...: Goodness!

First you say you do, ... and then you don't ...

and then you say you will, ... and then you won't ...

you're undecided now, ... so what are you gonna do?

That about sums up Matt's latest thoughts from centerfield!

That young preacher is a wonder ... the last time we chatted, he said Abbey and The Weed were keeping him busy and he might have a new entry up by Monday if Walter would stop destroying his keyboard ... and a grand entry it is too!

I was taught that "your word is your bond" ... and ... it still is for this McBrayer, though I often get into trouble for promising more than I can deliver.

The AP now has a followup on the story ... Schuerholz Calls Furcal’s Agents Dishonest ...

Four points made in that article that may be of interest...

(1)Frank Wren would not say if the Braves would stick by their stance of refusing to conduct business with Tellem’s clients ... "I’m not going to revisit it ... John and I discussed it. It just doesn’t do any good to keep this story alive. We’re moving forward. I’m not going to go backward."

(2)The players union is likely to maintain that a team cannot boycott players based on which agent they retain.

(3)Tellem defended the actions of Kinzer, saying in a statement Thursday that there was never an agreement between Rafael Furcal and the Braves.

He added, "In fact, the Braves were fully aware that Furcal was not prepared to make a decision but had requested an opportunity to sleep on it before deciding."

(4)ANGELS" RE-SIGN RIVERA Outfielder Juan Rivera decided to stay with the Los Angeles Angels, agreeing to a three-year, $12.75 million contract.

Somebody is a fibber ... a character without character ... methinks ... perhaps the Boss or the thinking kid in Center will email Wren and Tellem ... and tell'em ... that is invite them to visit the blog ... and share the skinny!; December 19, 2008 10:08 PM
Carol said...: Gil -

Peace and long life.; December 19, 2008 10:22 PM
Matthew, Dad to Walter and Abigail said...: Hope the patrons will enjoy the latest musings from out in center. Bob says the post is good, but then again, he was attacked by his car hood today. Not sure of his judgment right now. :); December 19, 2008 10:26 PM
BOB said...: Well, if you can't trust a preacher, who can you trust??

In all innocence and in the strictest of confidence, I shared how I was almost decapitated by my vehicle's malfunctioning hood ... and now the new's is spread all over the shop, if not the town.

And now he's questioning my judgment too ... now if that don't beat all!

Well, two can play that game ...

He told me that his wife ... just home from giving birth to lil' Abbie ... sent the kids ... that's right, Walter and Abbie to the store to get groceries ... can you believe it ... and he expected that they would be exhausted when they got in ...

Well, like he said, I was almost beheaded today and maybe like Frank and John, I got things confused or misunderstood ... what he said, ... word for word ... was "Jennifer has had the kids getting groceries, and will be EXHAUSTED when they get in"

And I offered some good advice ... and some real good ideas for Sunday's Sermon ... gave him some mew material, including several great jokes ... bet he didn't tell you that, did he?!

Even told him how to stay out of the doghouse with his wife ... bet he didn't tell you that either, did he?!

Better not say anything more ... the Boss likes him!; December 20, 2008 3:51 AM
BOB said...: Matt said "Baseball ethics is probably a contradiction in terms, but it would be nice to see our esteemed commissioner step in, investigate the actions of these agents, and if indeed they violated the terms of the CBA, their credentials as agents should be stripped" ... I think I agree with that ... but it's a two edged sword, methinks ... if they haven't, then perhaps someone might suggest that Liberty Media be removed, along with John and Frank.

Mama always said to be careful of that for which you ask ... of what you do and what you say ... for like Tommy's hawk, the worm also turns ... on second thought, maybe that was Polonius.

It may be but the iceberg's tip that we're seeing ... from the outside looking in ... Bud Selig Selig received $14.5 million in the 12 months ending Oct. 31, according to Major League Baseball’s tax return ... that's unthinkable and inexcusable ... I would have done it for less than half of that ... or worked for one month and resigned.

My guess is that Frank got snookered again ... and it made John mad ... but I believe him when he says them other boys didn't play fair ... and regardless of no dumb agreement, I don't think you ought to have to have a drink with folks you don't like ... or do no business with 'em neither!

Never have ... never will!!

It wasn't always that way ... and the bad guys didn't always go free because of no technical junk neither ... sure, there were exceptions ... Hoppy was allowed to wear black, including his hat ... but, of course, Topper was white!

White was white and black was black ... was

No, folks what get $15 million a year ... ain't gonna rock no boat and risk drowning the golden goose!

Talk's usually cheap ... but, my guess is that the Dodgers ain't gonna support no such notion ... maybe Obama could make it happen ... appointing Selig as Secretary of State would help ... heck, the man's got international experience and clout ... created a Classic ... and made the All Star Game important! Natural politician ... letting everybody vote 25 times!

indeed, I doubt that even Senator Mitchell would undertake such an endeavor ... not that he would be asked.

No, methinks integrity is an endangered species ... in baseball ... most everywhere ... much like Miss Mitchel's Old South

We need to take the politics out of politics ... or at least put principle above principal and personal or capital gains.; December 20, 2008 6:23 AM
journalist jimmy smith said...: not even mike hampton . . . not even mike hampton. no one wants to play for the braves. with a chance to sign elsewhere (even for less money) a player will abandon this braves organization. why?

journalist jimmy smith will tell bloggers why:

sticky all over the clubhouse and dugout - sticky all the time.

have to put up with silly little nicknames like "fooky" . . . what manner of man wants to be called "fooky"? can play for joe torre and be called "furry". furry is more manly than fooky.

all the good endorsements are already taken. can't be the spokesman for the siding doctor - already taken by bobby cox.

hit three homeruns one night and sit the next night because a lefty is going for the other team. can't keep any momentum going - good or bad - unless named francoeur.

manager will bat francoeur with bases loaded again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again . . . same result. one trick pony.

no one willing to shake hands with the manager after a great play. can do this in l.a. but not in atlanta. too risky.

these are some of the reasons frank wren cannot sign ballplayers for the atlanta braves.; December 20, 2008 6:26 PM
Matthew, Dad to Walter and Abigail said...: Bob, Journalist is perhaps unfamiliar with an old Baptist tradition. Instead of violating his confidence in telling about the attack by the killer car hood, I was merely sharing a prayer request.

One can say anything about a person as long as it is in the context of a prayer request, right?

Now, where is that reference from the Book of Threats...; December 20, 2008 10:33 PM
Carol said...: Well, now that you all know about the Killer Car Hood, I can share with you how close Mr. Bob came to being the late Mr. Bob.

For months the car display has been telling us the the wind shield wiper fluid was low. Finally, Friday, Bob stopped at an auto supply store and bought some. We then drove to our neighborhood meat and three for lunch. I got out of the car and started walking toward H & T's. Fortunately, I looked back and saw Bob under the hood of the car. Going under the hood of our car is a two person job. One person has to hold the hood up and the other does what ever needs to be done. The mechanism to hold the hood up has been broken for years. When I saw what he was doing, I ran back and got there just as the hood slammed down on the top of his head. I got the hood off of him, checked the top of his head for severe injuries and then fulfilled my wifely duty of lecturing him.

He bore it all with much more grace than usual. Usually, if Bob stubs his toe, it's national news. But this one, which really had to hurt a great deal, he pretty well took in stride. Maybe he did suffer a concussion.

In any event, it did stimulate his appetite. He ate 4 pieces of fried fish, 3 hush puppies, most of his boiled cabbage and most of his green beans. We surprised Hattie (owner of the restaurant)when we paid the bill. It was the first time we left without taking home Bob's leftovers. There weren't any.; December 21, 2008 5:39 AM
journalist jimmy smith said...: much as toe injury, head injury is to be avoided.

when this journalist first learned that journalist bob had a hood on journalist bob's head . . . jimmy smith was thinking parka. never did this journalist consider that journalist bob had an automobile hood on journalist bob's head.

and in this time of automobile industry strife!

it is fitting that bob would suffer this injury while sja's "end of an era" post is still up. there may be hidden meaning. all should consider why a hood mechanism would be broken on a domestically produced automobile - resulting in injury to journalist bob, a product of local schools.

yes, 4 fish filets and 3 hushpuppies later and journalist bob is on the road to recovery. still, did not finish journalist bob's veggies.

this journalist wishes that journalist a speedy recovery from the injury that journalist suffered. and a poultice has been prepared and is in the mail. may sting a little and my cause hair loss and perhaps the first layer of skin. should be effective mosquito control, though, if any mosquitos out in december.; December 21, 2008 8:01 AM
Gil In Mechanicsville said...: And Bob.... whatever you do, don't smoke the poultice.... Will cause you to have more than visions of sugar plums.....; December 21, 2008 1:33 PM
Darius said...: Hood can have different meanings.

I grew up in the hood. I was wearing a hood but they still ID'd me from surveillance photos. I wore a different kind of hood at graduation. Some call me a hood now. I hood out with my buddy when my Mama was looking for me. But I never was hit in the head by a hood.; December 21, 2008 4:09 PM
BOB said...: Grew up living next door to some folks named Hood ... and indeed they were the Hoods of the Hood ...

Actually, methinks I ate all the green beans ... their cabbage is the best I've eaten in many a year ... they drain it, except for me ... got to have me pot likker and cornbread too!

"Manager will bat Francoeur with bases loaded again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again . . . same result. One trick pony" ... now jimmy, that's unfair ... like young Carey says, you must consider the Law of Averages.; December 21, 2008 6:12 PM
BOB said...: Actually, Bobby sent Frenchy over to Mississississippi and he got things straightened all out in just a few days ...

Maybe it's something in the water

I once said that Jeff could hit for power and average .400 too!

... but, not with Bobby managing and/or TP coaching, methinks ...

I really agree with jimmy about the one trick pony ... Bobby Cox!

Jeff needs a new manager, new coach and a good psychologist ...

It wasn't that long ago that youngsters wanted to play with Atlanta ... they had a reputation of loyalty and promoting from within ... it just seems like a long time ago ...; December 21, 2008 10:52 PM
Gil In Mechanicsville said...: Bob, I think some of that loyalty went out the door the day Time Warner took over....

And Bob, the hood ornament belongs on the top side of the hood... you are not suppose to wear the hood as an ornament.

You have a Seville right... It's two gas struts that support the hood, they can be changed in about 10 minutes...; December 21, 2008 11:41 PM
Carol said...: Gil -

Thanks for the info about the gas struts. I'm making a list of things needing attention on the car. We'll take it to Rocky after the first of the year and get some of these nagging things taken care of.

We actually have found a good honest mechanic here in Nashville.; December 22, 2008 6:31 AM
Gil In Mechanicsville said...: The other alternative is to cut off an old broom handle and use it as a prop... Just depends on which is more convenient.. :-); December 22, 2008 12:58 PM
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