China

On By scottpetersenIn Xi JinpingLeave a comment

President Trump is scheduled for a summit in May — in Beijing – with China’s Xi Jinping. China’s economy has been doing well. Education is big. Astronauts. Space stations. And the culture is nothing like it was during the reign of Mao Zedong. Mao was the epitome of evil — a mass murderer who is credited with the starvation and execution of 45 million of his own people during the five years from 1958 to 1962. And we’re not counting the before and after. . . . .

Xi Jinping has had a role to play in China’s rise but also in its wobbling economy. He is covetous and thinks that history will smile on his power. And aggression. He grows the military. Builds islands in the South China Sea. And threatens. Hong Kong is victimized and Taiwan is in his sights. Mao’s poisonous visage has surfaced. And Xi severely punishes those who disagree.   Yet when we analyze history — aggression, war and discord just don’t work. It might be in Mr. Xi’s best interest to recognize three things: life is short; his time will end; and yet – he could still be a hero. Simply by adopting the qualities of one. Courage. Compassion. Integrity. Charity. Friendship. Reconciliation. Compromise. Building bridges and not burning them.

Unlike Putin and Russia, I perceive Xi and China as having a chance in this department. Think of the leaders who are remembered as heroes. Leaders with the qualities mentioned above. And character – Lincoln, Gandhi, Jacinda Ardern, Mother Teresa, Malala Yousafzai, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Winston Churchill, and so many others. Wouldn’t it be great if world leaders would strive for reconciliation and accord instead of using brutality and discord against their own people and others?

I’d love to meet Mister Xi. I might say 醒来我的朋友 (“Xing lai wo de pengyou” or “wake up my friend“)! “Maybe you could still be a hero. . . .” This applies to all world leaders as well. . . . .

Bowling

On By scottpetersenIn Bowling1 Comment

[A repeat from July 12, 2013] My father used to go bowling when I was a kid.  Gunnell’s Bowling Alley in Mt. Prospect. Sometimes he’d take me along.  He’d want me to watch – and learn – but I always brought a supply of dimes to play the pinball machines over by the exit.  Ready to make a fast getaway.    My dad’s team members all wore the same gray short-sleeved shirt with the team name and their names stitched in pink.  “Pete” “Dave” “Carl” “Al” and so on.  I still have my father’s bowling shirt in the closet.  Or attic.  Somewhere.  

Does anyone “bowl” anymore?  And if so, for what purpose?   You throw a big heavy ball — trying to knock down “pins.”  You spend time in the alley.  And then you’re in the gutter.   You do well and you get a “strike.”  But that’s what unions do — which is always bad.  Three strikes and you have a “turkey.”  Next best is a “spare.”  Like a spare tire.  Which you want to avoid around your midsection.  And if you do poorly, and don’t knock any pins down, people avoid looking at you (like this dude is really bad. . . . .).

I haven’t bowled in years.  I may never again.  The last attempt was a neighborhood gathering 35 years ago (“Let’s all go bowling“).  Donna looked at me and said “oh let’s go” so I smiled, drove to the bowling alley, rented the shoes (have you ever smelled the shoes they rent at bowling alleys?) and then didn’t bowl.  I drank some Dos Equis beer and looked at the pinball machines.  But I had the shoes on.  And a Hawaiian shirt.  I guess I looked like a bowler.  But my feet haven’t been the same since.  I can’t understand.  You try to aim a big, heavy black ball.  And then roll it.  Trying to hit some far off target.  Makes no sense whatsoever.  I’m gonna go golfing. . . . .

It Ain’t Perfect . . . .

On By scottpetersenIn Bob Rotella, Golf is not a Game of PerfectLeave a comment

I have heard it said that golf is 65% mental and 35% mental. Having played “at” the game for a long time, I believe it.  The game of golf doesn’t happen on the fairway or on the green.  It takes place between the ears.  

I just finished reading (for the third time) Dr. Bob Rotella’s classic work – Golf is Not a Game of Perfect.  I like to feel that I have been steeped in the cerebral nuance of the game to the point that I should be on the PGA Tour.  Well, maybe the Hooters Tour.  Or the Old Guys with Bad Breath Tour.  But so far, I’m in a holding pattern.  With a 16+ index and an inconsistent short game.  And long game.  And putting game. . . . .

Rotella is a master though at providing positive reinforcement.  At each reading, I have a pen in hand.  Making marginal notes.  Writing on 3″ x 5″ cards.  Scribbling Rotella’s wisdom on the blank pages fore and aft.   You would think that with such diligence, my game would be. . . . never mind.  

Dr. Bob’s mantra is to concentrate on the short game.  Pick the smallest possible target.  Visualize the ball going into the hole.  Negative thinking is almost always successful.   If I were to distill this (really wonderful) tome into one word, it would be “confidence.”   Confidence in club selection.  Setup.  Swing.  And result.  It hasn’t worked for me.   Yet. . . . Maybe if I read the book again . . . .     

Shangri-La

On By scottpetersenIn Shangri-LaLeave a comment

When I go on vacation, I’m looking for a place like . . .well, like Shangri-La.  When I was little,  my father would sing a song that included the term “Shangri-La.”  He would do a lot of humming and then belt out “Shangri-La!”   

The term “Shangri-La” is a actually fictional location first mentioned in the book Lost Horizon (1933) by British author James Hilton.  The place is described as a “mystical paradise” – isolated and insulated from the rest of the world.  Everyone in Shangri-La is permanently happy and the people live beyond their lifespans — aging slowly and joyfully.   

Shangri-La is reputed to be situated on the western end of the Kunlun Mountains in China.  Many villages and locales have claimed to be THE Shangri-La but so far there is nothing definitive.  Hilton said he was inspired to invent – and write about – “Shangri-La” after reading articles in National Geographic Magazine about the travels of botanist/ethnologist Joseph Rock.  But Hilton died in 1954 so he’s not talking. 

There are dozens of contemporary references to “Shangri-La.”  President Franklin Roosevelt, who was fond of Hilton’s novel, named the Presidential retreat (now “Camp David”) “Shangri-La” in 1942.  After the Doolittle raid on Tokyo in 1942 (“Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo”), when asked where the bombers came from, FDR quipped “Shangri-La.”  Later in the War, the U.S. Navy launched an aircraft carrier of that name given FDR’s reference.  It would sure be nice if Washington could become a Shangri-La but I’m not holding my breath . . . .         

Tip and the Gipper

On By scottpetersenIn Ronald Reagan, Tip O'NeillLeave a comment

Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill (1912-1994) was a Democrat Congressman from Massachusetts and Speaker of the House. He received his nickname “Tip” as a boy since he shared his surname with a ball player – James “Tip” O’Neill. Ronald Reagan (2011-2004) was a Republican Governor of California and President of the United States. He grew up in Central Illinois and received his nickname “The Gipper” from his 1940 role as George Gipp in the movie “Knute Rockne – All American.”

During the 1980’s, Tip and The Gipper became friends when they crossed paths in Washington. Despite political differences, Tip and The Gipper genuinely liked each other. More importantly, they respected each other. After the assassination attempt on President Reagan, only a few people were allowed to see him. One of the first was Tip. According to Reagan aide Max Friedersdorf, when Tip entered Reagan’s hospital room – he walked over, grabbed The Gipper’s hand and said “God bless you, Mister President.” Reagan lit up and gave Tip a big smile. Tip then got down on his knees and said a prayer for his friend – and recited the 23rd Psalm.

Chris Matthews – the MSNBC talk show host – served as an aide to Tip O’Neill and was a witness to this friendship. In 2013 he published Tip and the Gipper: When Politics Worked. Tip O’Neill’s son – Thomas – offered his own narrative of his father’s friendship with Reagan in a New York Times article (“Frenemies: a Story”). Tip and the Gipper often dined together (especially on St. Patrick’s Day) and in 1986 when Tip was honored at a Tribute for the Speaker of the House – The Gipper made a keynote address.

I am disgusted by the angry and hateful rhetoric we hear from our politicians (don’t get me started). In my opinion – as citizens – we should demand that our politicians shake hands with each other. Have dinner with each other. Play pickleball. Go camping. Or whatever. Tip and The Gipper had a rule: no disagreement after 6:00 p.m. It’s okay to disagree but do it respectfully. Like Tip and the Gipper. . . . .

Observations

On By scottpetersenIn Humor2 Comments

·  A cold seat in a public restroom is unpleasant. A warm seat in a public restroom is worse

·  Apparently an RSVP to a wedding invitation “Maybe next time,” isn’t the correct response.

·  Don’t irritate old people. The older we get, the less “life in prison” is a deterrent.

·  Aliens probably fly by Earth, go home and lock their doors.

·  I really don’t mind getting older, but my body is taking it badly.

·  I miss the 90s when bread was still good for you and no-one knew what kale was.

·  Do you ever get up in the morning, look in the mirror and think “This can’t be right.“

·  My wife asked me to take her to one of those restaurants where they make food right in front of you. I took her to Subway.

·  I picked up a hitchhiker. He asked if I wasn’t afraid, he might be a serial killer? I told him the odds of two serial killers being in the same car at the same time were extremely unlikely.

Tehran

On By scottpetersenIn "Tehran"1 Comment

Did I get your attention?

For the last few months, Donna and I have been watching a T.V. series — “Tehran.” It is an Israeli spy thriller that debuted on January 22, 2020. A few months later the series went global on Apple TV. There are three seasons – with a fourth currently being filmed.

The series is steeped in intrigue and espionage. It follows the work of Tamar Rabinyan — a young Jewish woman who was born in Tehran and raised in Israel. Speaking both Farsi and Hebrew, she is recruited by the Mossad to work undercover and ply her specialty — computer hacking. Her objective? Prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. While the action takes place in Tehran, filming is done in Athens — a city that bears the distinct “feel” of Iran’s capital. With the language constantly shifting from Farsi to Hebrew to English, the subtitles have helped a great deal. Glenn Close and Hugh Laurie have major roles. Laurie assumes the role of nuclear inspector Eric PetersOn. And kindly note the character’s name has a Swedish “sOn” and not the Danish “sEn”. . . . .

In November 2021, “Tehran” received an Emmy for the best drama series. And Rotten Tomatoes gives Season One a 94% rating. Tehran — more specifically the government of Iran — has been a state sponsor of violence, terrorism and evil for the last 47 years (including the murder of tens of thousands of its own citizens during recent protests). If you want to get a taste of the city, the politics and a sense of what’s happening now — you might wish to check out this captivating series.

Old Dutch Grape Juice

On By scottpetersenIn Old Dutch grape juiceLeave a comment

[An oldie from December 11, 2016] When I was a State’s Attorney at 26th & California, Friday lunches and dinner when a jury was deliberating were often enjoyed in the wonderful enclave of Italian restaurants at 23rd and Oakley.    

Those were the days. Marconi’s. La Fontanella. Febo’s. Toscana Bakery. And others. Each offering delicious fish, meat and pasta dishes.  A commodity sadly lacking from the menu of one restaurant was wine. Vino rosso. The restaurant did not have a liquor license and thus could not – technically – sell wine (or other alcoholic beverages).

However — as stated on Febo’s menu (Febo’s did have a liquor license) — Un pranzo senza vino, e come un giorno senza sole (a day without wine is like a day without sunshine). So, to remedy the situation, this unnamed restaurant offered “Old Dutch grape juice.”  Yep.  If you wanted a glass of wine with lunch or dinner, you would look at the waitress and say “I will have some Old Dutch grape juice.”  The waitress would nod.  And disappear into the kitchen.  She’d fill an Old Dutch grape juice bottle to the brim.  With superb red wine from a keg in back. 

Now you’re probably asking if they ever got in trouble – no liquor license and all.  Answer?  Never.  Not with police, judges, States Attorneys, lawyers, alderman and occasionally Mayor Richard J. Daley (who I saw on at least two occasions) all sitting there – asking for “Old Dutch grape juice” (har har hardy har har).  Toward the end of my stretch – the restaurant finally obtained a liquor license.  But they still served Old Dutch.  With a smile. For old time’s sake.

The Pirate Drill

On By scottpetersenIn THe Pirate DrillLeave a comment

Our first cruise on Regent Seven Seas, we navigated through the Arabian Sea, the Straits of Hormuz, the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, Suez Canal and into the Mediterranean. On our third day out — in advance of traversing the narrows between Somalia and Yemen, we had a “Pirate Drill.” Seriously.

We attended the mandatory emergency lifeboat drill on the first day. But it was the “Pirate Drill” that had everyone talking. And slightly unnerved. Because of the risk of Somali pirates (“extremely remote, folks“), we had a drill for that contingency.

We were told to listen for “Code” announcements. “Code Yellow” (an unknown sighting) meant the crew and staff had to report to duty stations. “Code Orange” (a possible encounter) required all passengers to leave staterooms and gather in halls and aisles in the center of the ship. And “Code Red” (encounter) meant that all passengers were to sit or lie on the floors and the ship would turn on the after-burners. Going left and right to avoid the pirates. And yes, we practiced a Code Red.

But I was ready for those pirates.  Little did they know that when I was 21, I studied kung fu.  AND I always carried my miniature Swiss Army knife complete with tiny scissors.  

The Great Hash Brown Cook Off

On By scottpetersenIn Hash brown potatoes, Hash brown recipe1 Comment

[A tasty repeat from September 10, 2013]  Donna and I spent a long weekend in Park City, Utah, with some good friends. One evening, we planned to make dinner and dine in. Soooooo I volunteered to make my world-famous hash brown potatoes. No big thing. Well, my friend Jack said “I make hash browns too. Why don’t we have a cook off?”  I thought hmmmm . . .  a cookoff.  With that, the gloves were down, the aprons on and the skillets ready. We went to Fresh Market where I bought some large (ideally organic) yellow potatoes (I used 8) and two large yellow onions. I was stoked.  Jack bought similar ingredients. We went back and fired up the stove.

I halved, then thinly-sliced the onions.  I washed the potatoes and pitted any “eyes” or rough spots (gotta be perfect).  Then cut into small chunks.  I put the onions and potatoes into a large fry pan with olive oil then covered on low heat.  The object – to cook the potatoes slowly by steaming them with the onions.  I stirred frequently.  This is a slow process – taking 45 minutes or more.  Gradually the potatoes softened and the onions began to darken.  I added garlic powder, pepper, salt and a little Italian seasoning.  Then I tossed in a large spoon of butter.  Mmmmmmm . . . . When the potatoes were ready, I turned up the heat and took off the top to do a little pan roasting for perhaps six or seven minutes.  At this point, well done chopped bacon is an option. 

The result was wonderful.  Jack’s offering was a counterpoint to mine.  He first boiled the potatoes and chopped them small and tossed in with finely-chopped onions.  He used butter only.  His were more traditional flat hash browns with the delicious buttery taste.  Mine were chunky and more of a roasted potato dish.  The gathering happily devoured both.  No winner was declared.  It was a toss up!  🙂