Giving something new (old?) a try

I enjoyed two new or almost new experiences today. A friend and I went to the Venice restaurant for supper this evening because it had received a good review in Sunday's paper.  I think I have only been there once before and that was many years ago, but I will be back.  I had the best manicotti I've had in years.  Second almost new experience, I was flipping through the channels later this evening and got hooked watching "To Tell the Truth". I remember this TV show from many years ago.  I think Gary Moore was the host. Does anyone but me remember him?  I'm happy to report that this new version of an old theme is still very entertaining.

fascinating statistics

Two interessting comments heard on news shows over the last two days. First comment, "When more people move into areas where bears live, there are more likely to be attacks on people by bears." After that comment, the person being interviewed did seem to realize what he had said and admitted that was logical. Second comment, "More people suffer from fireworks related injuries around the 4th of July than at any other time of year." Really?  I wonder why that is?  These are almost as good as one of my all time faorite comments "Anyone who has ever eaten white bread is likely to die."

Is this how to keep a secret?

Heard on "Inside Edition" this evening - In case of  a nuclear disaster, the US has top secret bunkers located deep under ground in several locations around the country. The report explained who would get to hide out in these bunkers and showed scenes of what some areas look like inside.  Ok, I found that mildly interesting. Since it doesn't appear that I'm on the list of very important people to be saved I'm not too concerned. What did confuse, amuse me was that, during this report the reporter went on to name all of the locations of these bunkers. So what I want to know is, if these are TOP SECRET bunkers how come everyone seems to know where they are and even what they look like inside? Perhaps top secret means something different than it used to? I know that pot, gay and text don't mean waht they did in my youth but secret????

Scrabble anyone???

Which one of these words doesn't belong?  NASACORT, TRESIBA, LYRICA, VIBERZI, PREVDGEM, XARALTO, TRIVAGO, GLUCERNA, TRULICITY.  If you guessed Trivago you guessed correctly. Trivago is a hotel search site.  All of the others are medicines. I have a theory about how they come up with names for newly invented medications. I suspect they toss a bunch of Scrabble tiles out on a table, making sure there are plenty of Xs and Zs, and just see what falls together.  I actually think I could have been pretty good at making up names.  Too bad this wasn't a career option when I started my work life. How about ZAMBARQU or PLAPYMOBUS?

I like BBC productions

One of the joys of NetFlix is that I can watch British series (serieses?). I'm particularly fond of one called "Midsommer Murders" Each episode runs about one hour and 40 minutes and they are always good twisty mysteries. Last year, when I was in Scotland, I happened to catch an episode on a TV station there - with commercials. It seemed very strange to be watching a show with which I was very familiar interspersed with commercials for products and providers I had never heard of. Onn of the reasons I enjoy British shows, dramas and comedies, is that the actors look like ordinary people. The heroines aren't all super glamerous with 'Barbie' figures. As I'm writing this I realize that on American series it really seems to be only the women who have to be super glamerous. I know I'm generalizing here but it seems to be true. The only recent US show I can think of with fairly ordinary looking people is the drama :This is Us". Maybe that;s why that show also appeals to me.

Taking the plunge

Well, now I've done it. Three friends and I have been planning to go with a tour group to the British Isles in September. Due to recent terrorist activity in London I admit to having second thoughts about the trip, but we talked it over and decided, not that we're super brave or anything, that we will go anyway. As my son pointed out I'm more likely to be injured or killed in a traffic accident here at home thatn to be involved in a terrorist attack. I'm not sure if I find that rationale very reassuring. It reminds me a little of my dear mother-in-law's attitude toward death. "When it's your time, it's your time," she would say, "and there's nothing you can do about it."  This sentiment was always followed by this advice "Be sure to lock your doors and drive carefully." Well, anyway, I mailed in my final payment today so London, here I come.

Scary times..

My oldest grandchlld turned 16 today. Until now he really hasn't shown much interest in driving but suddenly I hear that his mom, my daughter, has taken him out to practice driving. A week ago he told me that his dad has also taken him out dirving. My daughter tells me she has a video to show me. That's something I'm glad I didn't have to contend with when I was a beginning driver.  I remember very clearly being taken out for driving practice by each of my parents. They were both very good drivers themselves but their teaching techniques were very different. When I was driving with my mom she talked me through the whole process, told me every move to make.  My dad, on the other hand simply glowered silently, never uttering a word until I did something wrong. Things were not helped by the fact that our car had 3-speed standard transmission and no power steering. The truth is I never did get my license until, after numerous training sessions with friends and driving instructors, throughout my college years, I bought my first car the summer before I started my first teaching job and knew I absolutely had to be able to drive.  My first car was a used Corvair ( you remember, the Unsafe at Any Speed car). It's true what they said, it did roll over very easily. But I will not fret.  I'm sure my grandson will be a much better beginning driver than I was. I will not fret, but I will pray a lot.