Herb Caen
April 3, 1916 – February 1, 1997
Written Works:
Baghdad-by-the-Bay 1949
Don't Call It Frisco 1953
Columist, San Francisco Chronical/Examiner 1938-1997
Awards: Pulitzer Prize Special Citations and Awards
I’m not about to try and add on to the many works written about this man.
I never got the opportunity to shake his hand, but I did catch a glimpse of him once.
Its one of those things where I can tell you… you had to be there!
Anticipating the arrival of the newspaper, with few exceptions; shuffling through all the other pages of headlines, arriving at his daily column, easing back in you chair with a cup of coffee… Ah, life was good and no matter what the issues of the day, it would be okay in a little while.
I could honestly say, his column made the price of the paper, or a subscription, well worth the money spent!
As much an icon to San Francisco as its many landmarks… I still miss his three-dot journalism.
One has to wonder, what he might think of today’s journalistic endeavors?
I’ve watched and read quite a few, hoping to stumble across that simplistic perspective, that dry wit, the intimacy of knowing the topic on which was being reported… and I’ve come up short.
Everything today seems to drama, debate and inciting the issues.
You probably wouldn’t see him on the myriad of talk shows…
You might catch him on Letterman or Leno!
Being “Politically Correct” was more an explored gray area, then the template on which he built his column. One can only imagine his take on the swing towards being too politically correct in his beloved San Francisco and the nation.
His influences to my generation were many… He allowed us to explore social and political issues, not trying to impose his thoughts… Have a look at the pulse of “The City by the Bay” via his eyes… Laugh at ourselves and ask questions… All this and more, from the comfort of our kitchen tables and morning coffee.
You sir, were ahead of your time.
“I tend to live in the past because most of my life is there.” Herb Caen
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
TV Commercials
You either hate them or…
I don’t really hate them, but I do “Mute” them!
I have that button memorized on the remote; I can do it with my eyes closed!
I am aware that they do serve a purpose, although some do fall into the category of, “More Information Then I Need To Know!”
Do they have to be so LOUD?
I guess they figure that you’re in the kitchen grabbing a snack, or in the bathroom, “answering the call” and the manufacturer wants to assure that you’ll hear their spiel for their product.
Wake Up Madison Avenue! That was then… This is now!
For the most part, folks today are at least quasi health conscience.
Do you honestly think people are going to run to the kitchen, the moment your deodorant commercial comes on?
As for the other… According to your commercials: “Low cost disposable catheters are now available through you healthcare provider.”
[See what I mean about too much info?]
The Pharmaceutical companies have climbed on board too!
Some of those gems that air in prime time are a hoot!
The manufacturer is touting their “Silver Bullet” of medication for whatever the issue is…
“Possible side effects may include heart attack, stroke or death…”
Hello!
Aren’t those three areas that we’re supposed to try and avoid!
In fairness to some of those ad campaigns…
You have cranked out some memorable beauties and I do have one, from awhile back, I did enjoy!
Car Commercial, little kid says, “Zoom, Zoom” with a catchy little jingle.
I was back on my bike, going down Beach Hill, full speed…
Did I go out and buy one of those cars? No, but I enjoyed the memory and it did make me smile.
Why a posting about TV Commercials?
Coming up on February 7, 2010 [Check your local listings] they’ll be this little sporting event, called The Super Bowl!
The premier launch vehicle of all TV Commercials big and small.
Watching the game has become a tradition, likewise seeing what commercials make you laugh or that captures your attention.
Oh yes I’ll be watching and my hair trigger will be removed from the “Mute” button on the remote.
[Perhaps a long shot but, GO SAINTS!]
"I predict one of these two teams will win the Super Bowl" – Gilbert Gottfried
I don’t really hate them, but I do “Mute” them!
I have that button memorized on the remote; I can do it with my eyes closed!
I am aware that they do serve a purpose, although some do fall into the category of, “More Information Then I Need To Know!”
Do they have to be so LOUD?
I guess they figure that you’re in the kitchen grabbing a snack, or in the bathroom, “answering the call” and the manufacturer wants to assure that you’ll hear their spiel for their product.
Wake Up Madison Avenue! That was then… This is now!
For the most part, folks today are at least quasi health conscience.
Do you honestly think people are going to run to the kitchen, the moment your deodorant commercial comes on?
As for the other… According to your commercials: “Low cost disposable catheters are now available through you healthcare provider.”
[See what I mean about too much info?]
The Pharmaceutical companies have climbed on board too!
Some of those gems that air in prime time are a hoot!
The manufacturer is touting their “Silver Bullet” of medication for whatever the issue is…
“Possible side effects may include heart attack, stroke or death…”
Hello!
Aren’t those three areas that we’re supposed to try and avoid!
In fairness to some of those ad campaigns…
You have cranked out some memorable beauties and I do have one, from awhile back, I did enjoy!
Car Commercial, little kid says, “Zoom, Zoom” with a catchy little jingle.
I was back on my bike, going down Beach Hill, full speed…
Did I go out and buy one of those cars? No, but I enjoyed the memory and it did make me smile.
Why a posting about TV Commercials?
Coming up on February 7, 2010 [Check your local listings] they’ll be this little sporting event, called The Super Bowl!
The premier launch vehicle of all TV Commercials big and small.
Watching the game has become a tradition, likewise seeing what commercials make you laugh or that captures your attention.
Oh yes I’ll be watching and my hair trigger will be removed from the “Mute” button on the remote.
[Perhaps a long shot but, GO SAINTS!]
"I predict one of these two teams will win the Super Bowl" – Gilbert Gottfried
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Mother Nature
“Water, Water, Everywhere…”
It’s been a rough week and one for the record books here in the “Sonoran Desert”, Phoenix Arizona… This week, at least year to date… We’ve already received more rain then in all of 2009! [According to one published report]
Rain is good! It makes things grow…
[Well maybe not for the weeds]
The winds from these last storms, I could have done without.
The grapefruit tree in the backyard is half-naked, having been stripped of a lot of its leaves. Fortunately all the other trees, shrubs and cacti are still standing. Not the case in the entire neighborhood… Trees are down, debris is everywhere and the small pond in the backyard is a nice new touch to the landscape.
An early report on one of the local stations stated the possibility of a tornado having touched down, just a moderate distance from here.
A later report stated, that a tornado had not touched down.
Nice thing about the weather reports…
If you don’t like what you’re hearing, change the channel.
According to the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix...
[A great place to visit]
The rains in January usually indicate what the Wild Flower population of the Sonoran Desert will be in the spring. Light rain = Slight blooms, Heavy rain = Abundant blooms.
This year, the desert should be awash in color!
“…But not a drop to drink.”
Gilbert water, from the faucet does have some local notoriety.
Its legendary properties are known in Mesa and Tempe, two cities that border the town.
[I was clueless to the tap water issue when I relocated here]
Straight from the tap, there are days it smells as if you’ve tapped into the neighbor’s swimming pool, others like someone is doing a bleach wash…
It’s the only faucet water I’ve encountered that dissolves terra cotta flowerpots, erodes metal and can etch through stainless steel.
Thank goodness for bottled water and faucet filters!
Spring is but a few [long] weeks away…
So here’s to Mother Nature…
You’ve been at it longer then I have; I’m anticipating this spring’s showcase!
It’s the only time of year here, that "sand or dust" are not the predominate colors.
“The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man.” Author Unknown
It’s been a rough week and one for the record books here in the “Sonoran Desert”, Phoenix Arizona… This week, at least year to date… We’ve already received more rain then in all of 2009! [According to one published report]
Rain is good! It makes things grow…
[Well maybe not for the weeds]
The winds from these last storms, I could have done without.
The grapefruit tree in the backyard is half-naked, having been stripped of a lot of its leaves. Fortunately all the other trees, shrubs and cacti are still standing. Not the case in the entire neighborhood… Trees are down, debris is everywhere and the small pond in the backyard is a nice new touch to the landscape.
An early report on one of the local stations stated the possibility of a tornado having touched down, just a moderate distance from here.
A later report stated, that a tornado had not touched down.
Nice thing about the weather reports…
If you don’t like what you’re hearing, change the channel.
According to the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix...
[A great place to visit]
The rains in January usually indicate what the Wild Flower population of the Sonoran Desert will be in the spring. Light rain = Slight blooms, Heavy rain = Abundant blooms.
This year, the desert should be awash in color!
“…But not a drop to drink.”
Gilbert water, from the faucet does have some local notoriety.
Its legendary properties are known in Mesa and Tempe, two cities that border the town.
[I was clueless to the tap water issue when I relocated here]
Straight from the tap, there are days it smells as if you’ve tapped into the neighbor’s swimming pool, others like someone is doing a bleach wash…
It’s the only faucet water I’ve encountered that dissolves terra cotta flowerpots, erodes metal and can etch through stainless steel.
Thank goodness for bottled water and faucet filters!
Spring is but a few [long] weeks away…
So here’s to Mother Nature…
You’ve been at it longer then I have; I’m anticipating this spring’s showcase!
It’s the only time of year here, that "sand or dust" are not the predominate colors.
“The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man.” Author Unknown
Friday, January 22, 2010
An Apple a Day…
Eat Right… Exercise… Drink Plenty of Water… Maintain a Healthy Body Weight… Five Servings a Day… Get Eight Hours of Sleep Each Night… All Things in Moderation and See Your Doctor Regularly… Did I miss any? These were the Credos, The Mantras, The Rules I was raised with and lived my life by…
[I do enjoy veggies, but you still can’t get me to eat liver!]
I’ll pass on the ads for Wheaties, Cherrieos, Wonder Bread and Flintstone Vitamins right now…
Wait a minute… What about heredity?
It’s said, “You can choose your friends, not your family…”
Well let me tell you, the gene pool that makes up the primordial ooze you’re made of… You don’t get to choose that either!
I was bemoaning a recent routine trip to the doctor’s office the other day…
“Men Your Age…”
Its not like I haven’t heard that phrase before!
I was in my middle to late twenties the first time I recall this phrase being uttered in my direction, with my name attached to it!
If you think about it, the phrase seems to indicate that there is reference material associated somewhere with men my age…
So where is this manual, this dictionary, this all knowing all seeing script and how do I get a copy of it?
Is it for Doctors only?
What’s in Chapter 5?
[Yes, I like to sneak a peek ahead when I read…]
I’m pretty sure I know how it ends…
My friend Karl suggested that there is such a book and I quickly asked, what’s its title? I wrote down the title, thinking it was a little strange and not realizing till later, when I got off the phone, that Karl was pulling my leg…
“Old Age Is Not For Sissies” by Lois L. Kaufman and Lyn Peal Rice
A comic book! Of course, I would still like to get a copy of it!
I think what Karl was trying to tell me, no matter what comes down the pike at me next… Remember to laugh, because there isn’t jack shit you can do about the rest!
I think its time for a snack, maybe a nice cold Apple...
"Everything is funny, as long as it happens to somebody else." Will Rogers
Thursday, January 21, 2010
A Place To Start
Received an email from Sheila Turing noting the passing of yet another Gateway Regional High School alumni, Dave Bassler.
The name didn’t sound familiar from my graduation class [1969], so off to the yearbook in an attempt to place a face with the name.
David Bassler was in the second graduation class [1970] from Gateway Regional High School.
Sort of makes you wonder if our numbers are dwindling to so few, that compressing the information may be an attempt to conserve resources?
Yearbooks seem to have a knack of triggering many cascading recollections…
Flipping through those pages, looking at the photos, seeing all those youthful expressions, full of promise… Those classmates you admired, for whatever reason… Those who prompted crushes and hormonal rushes at the most awkward of times… and those you remember as being just plain asses!
It also prompted me to search “Gateway Regional High School” on the Internet…
Not certain as to the, “Why” I did the search, but I’m glad that I did!
Wikipedia is probably one of thee best sites I’ve ever stumbled across!
…And there it was, “Gateway Regional High School (New Jersey)”
I read the entire page!
I was surprised to see just four, “Notable Alumni” listed.
An All American Wrestler, Principal Investigator – Mars Science Payload, Academy Award Winning Film Editor and a Poet and Author.
Somehow I thought that there would be more?
I seem to recall a lot of bright [unique] notables back then…
Then I went back to the yearbook and started putting faces with names…
Not satisfied with that, I launched a search on the web by name, where I found their BLOGS.
Have only started reading one of the BLOGS I’ve come across so far, but I am impressed with the similarities, the small town hopes, dreams and aspirations that I recognize at my own core.
So this is where I start.
"I consider myself fortunate… I still have Hope and I still remember how to Dream." Greg Park
The name didn’t sound familiar from my graduation class [1969], so off to the yearbook in an attempt to place a face with the name.
David Bassler was in the second graduation class [1970] from Gateway Regional High School.
Sort of makes you wonder if our numbers are dwindling to so few, that compressing the information may be an attempt to conserve resources?
Yearbooks seem to have a knack of triggering many cascading recollections…
Flipping through those pages, looking at the photos, seeing all those youthful expressions, full of promise… Those classmates you admired, for whatever reason… Those who prompted crushes and hormonal rushes at the most awkward of times… and those you remember as being just plain asses!
It also prompted me to search “Gateway Regional High School” on the Internet…
Not certain as to the, “Why” I did the search, but I’m glad that I did!
Wikipedia is probably one of thee best sites I’ve ever stumbled across!
…And there it was, “Gateway Regional High School (New Jersey)”
I read the entire page!
I was surprised to see just four, “Notable Alumni” listed.
An All American Wrestler, Principal Investigator – Mars Science Payload, Academy Award Winning Film Editor and a Poet and Author.
Somehow I thought that there would be more?
I seem to recall a lot of bright [unique] notables back then…
Then I went back to the yearbook and started putting faces with names…
Not satisfied with that, I launched a search on the web by name, where I found their BLOGS.
Have only started reading one of the BLOGS I’ve come across so far, but I am impressed with the similarities, the small town hopes, dreams and aspirations that I recognize at my own core.
So this is where I start.
"I consider myself fortunate… I still have Hope and I still remember how to Dream." Greg Park
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