Power Outage

A REAL VALENTINES SURPRISE

I had it all set up --- a Valentine surprise to melt any woman's heart. I planned to get a friend to sing a tear-jerk duet early Valentines morning. Even though we both were busy we wanted to do this. He picked the songs and I transformed it into a medley. The concept came quickly but I labored for hours on the chords and the interchange. My wife thought it was just for my friend's wife but I had secretly planned another song for her. Thursday morning I coordinated the practice schedule and he said he was going to try and escape from his chores. I waited all day but he never called. Then I buzzed an hour before we were supposed to meet and he came up with excuses. Even then, I was willing to accomodate each problem. However, thoughts of understanding degenerated to thoughts of bloody murder when he came out with the real reason --- he had to work early on Valentine's Day. In other words, he couldn't sing after all. I couldn't believe it! Why didn't he say so from the beginning so I need not have wasted so much time away fom work? I guess the surprise was on me.

Some people are clueless to the generosity bestowed by others. Usually there isn't any malice involved so how can I get angry? . Mostly it's just beyond their capability. You can't blame a dog if he can't fly, can you? Sometimes I wonder why I should even bother and risk getting hurt. Well, I "bother" because it's the right thing to do. We help because we CAN and not because there's a reward.
He's still my friend but I'm still killing him tomorrow!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Wisdom from Tom of Pasadena, CA

Power Outage
Sent by Debbie of Moreno Valley, CA

We had an outage at my place this morning and my PC, laptop, TV, DVD, iPad & my new surround sound music system were all shut down.
Then I discovered that my iPhone battery was flat and to top it off it was raining outside, so I couldn't play golf.

I went into the kitchen to make coffee and then I remembered that this also needs power, so I talked with my wife for a few hours.

She seems like a nice person.

Mel Brooks starts a foundation to save the word schmuck
Sent by Tom of Pasadena, CA
(Edited for length and strong language)

NEW YORK - Saying he could no longer stand idly by while a vital part of American culture is lost forever, activist and Broadway producer Mel Brooks has founded a private nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the word "schmuck."

An emotional Brooks stopped short of kvetching at a schmuck fundraiser Monday.

"Schmuck is dying," a sober Brooks said during a 2,000-person rally held in his hometown of Williamsburg, Brooklyn Monday. "For many of us, saying 'schmuck' is a way of life. Yet when I walk down the street and see people behaving in foolish, pathetic, or otherwise schmucky ways, I hear only the words 'prick' and 'douche bag.' I just shake my head and think, 'I don't want to live in a world like this.'"

The nonprofit, Schmucks For Schmuck, has compiled schmuck-related data from the past 80 years and conducted its own independent research on contemporary "schmuck" usage. According to Brooks, the statistics are frightening: Utterances of the word "schmuck" have declined every year since its peak in 1951, and in 2006, the word was spoken a mere 28 times-17 of these times by Brooks himself.

Perhaps more startling, only 23 percent of men know what schmuck means, and only 1.2 percent of these men are under the age of 78. If such trends continue, Brooks estimates that by 2015, such lesser-used terms as "imbecile," "dummy," "schlub," and "contemptible ne'er-do-well" will all surpass schmuck, which is projected to completely disappear by the year 2020 or whenever Brooks dies.

"The world cannot afford to lose this valuable and versatile word," Brooks told reporters during a charity auction in Manhattan's Upper West Side Tuesday, where attendees bid for the chance to have a private lunch with Brooks and repeatedly call him a schmuck. "You can be a poor schmuck, a lazy schmuck, a dumb schmuck, or just a plain old schmuck. A group of people can be collectively referred to as schmucks. You can call someone a schmuck, and you can be called a schmuck. You can even call yourself a schmuck." Plus, it's just so fun to say, Brooks added. "Schmuck."

Many of the foundation's volunteers say they share Brooks' passion for the word "schmuck," as well as his outrage that it is slowly disappearing from everyday use. They claim that if they do not act now, the trend could create a snowball effect.

"Today it's schmuck, tomorrow it might be toochis," said SFS volunteer Harry Steinbergmann, 82. "What's next, schlemiel? Putz? Schlimazel?"

Videos of the week: (click on the picture)

Jay Leno Political Montage
Contributed by Don of Kelowna, B.C.

I'm gonna miss Jay Leno. Last week was his final appearance hosting the Tonight Show (reminds me why I don't like NBC). It gathered 15 million viewers so I'm happy he went out with a bang! Anyway, here's a collection of his favorite videos.

Valentine Surprise
Contributed by Tom of Pasadena, CA

You feelin' romantic this Valentine's Day? Men, can you top this man's elaborate plan? Women, I betcha you'd love to be in this woman's shoes.

Weird Valentine Cards from the Past
Contributed by Mike of New York

This is a link to a collection of strange Valentine messages of yesteryear. They had such a different approach to courtship then. I suppose the women thought this was romantic, huh?

Istanbul and Not Constantinople with Fred Astaire
Contributed by Fernando of Makati, Philippines and Alex of Manila, Philippines

I don't blame you if you don't understand the title. Just watch the video. Someone remixed the video and audio of Fred Astaire and friends. Pretty catchy music. They appear to be actually saying that.

Marlene Dietrich Sings
Contributed by Fernando of Makati, Philippines and Alex of Manila, Philippines

I didn't think Miss Dietrich could sing. This must have come from someone's film archives. The message still resonates today.

Snow Plow
Contributed by Charlie of New York

Here's an invention that will come in very handy for many of us who are experiencing heavy duty winter storms. Happy Valentine's and try to keep warm.