Birthdays

On By scottpetersenIn Birthdays1 Comment

I had a birthday this week.  Funny how music brings things home.

I remember with clarity listening to John Denver’s “Rocky Mountain High.”  The music opens “He was born in the summer of his twenty-seventh year . . .”   At the time I was 26, recently married and I wondered what being 27 would be like.  A few years before, the Beatles had released “When I’m 64.”  And I thought wow is that old.  And now 64 is history.  Pretty soon, God willing, it will be Paul Simon’s “how terribly strange to be seventy.”

There’s the classic question posed to Maurice Chevalier on his 80th birthday – “how does it feel to be eighty years old“?   To which he replied “sure better than the alternative.” And now he’s long gone.

We are but flickers of light. Our task – if not obligation – is to shine as brightly as possible for family, friends, the underprivileged and our world.  And then be remembered.  Monsieur Chevalier also said “you don’t stop laughing because you grow older.  You grow older because you stop laughing.”  That’s pretty good counsel.

Time Out

On By scottpetersenIn Time Out1 Comment

For the last 3-1/2 years, I have been posting 2 or more times daily. Until mid January, it’s been every Wednesday and Sunday – for two years. A combination of “stuff” put posting on hold. I hope to be back on track shortly.

Animals

On By scottpetersenIn Evil, TortureLeave a comment

In Pakistan, 145 students (mostly Muslim children) are slaughtered by the Taliban. And the civilized world calls the perpetrators “animals.” In Western Iraq, 322 men, women and children (all Muslim) are massacred by ISIS and dumped into a well.  And we call the perpetrators “animals.” In the Syrian town of Abu Hamam, ISIS assassins murder every male over the age of 15. More than 700 victims. And the media calls the perpetrators “animals.”  In France – Islamic radicals just murdered 17  And the world decries the “animals” who did this.  Thousands killed by Al-Qaeda in Pakistan.  Thousands exterminated by Boko Haram in Nigeria. And let’s no forget 9/11.  Mercy – when will this madness stop? 

When you read and hear – day after painful and sickening day – of massacres and horror beyond belief perpetrated by Muslim extremists (and their insatiable craving for more blood), one comes to the conclusion that some people really are “animals.”   Yet using that term is an insult to a lot of respectable dogs, cats, lions, frogs, turtles, porpoise, jellyfish and pigs.  These “people” are worse than “animals.”  These “animals” are rabid.  And we all know what we do with rabid animals.  They are destroyed.  I don’t think even the ASPCA or PETA would object. . . .   

9.5

On By scottpetersenIn 9.5, Scoring points1 Comment

Last Saturday, Donna asked if I would want to make dinner.   I was quick to say “sure.”   And I trotted off to Fresh Market to reconnoiter. The result was a 9.5.

I took flounder filets, rolled in gluten-free bread crumbs, basted lightly in olive oil and then baked for 14 minutes at 375.  Flounder is a buttery, tasty fish.  Hard to go wrong.  My vegetable medley was a take off on a prior theme.  Fresh shiitaki mushrooms, washed, dried and sliced; a sweet onion – sliced; and some organic carrots – chopped. All was put into a covered skillet, smothered in olive oil and nipped with pepper and turmeric.  After about 40 minutes (stirring frequently), I drained and added a wee bit of honey to caramelize. Finally it was my fresh guacamole (avocado, cilantro and lime juice) with gluten-free hummus chips.  And a few slices of fresh mango.  We enjoyed a Liberty School pinot noir and some San Pelligrino.   Dessert was a Talenti Sicilian pistachio gelato to which I added small chunks of 72% dark chocolate. 

It didn’t hurt that I hand crafted a menu with my usual art work, put on a little Gato Barbieri, lit a few candles.  And I did the dishes. 

I know what you’re thinking . . . .”Petersen – you &@^$x#!% – you’re making me look bad.” 

There Goes the Neighborhood

On By scottpetersenIn Illinois gets an F, Inversion, Taxes, There goes the neighborhoodLeave a comment

You live in a neighborhood where every time you step out the door, a group of thugs grabs you and take your money. They leave you a few bucks but they take much of it.  The same thugs dictate where you can go, what you can do, who you can hang out with and how you may spend your life. They are on top of you. Always.  Jamming new rules and demands down your throat.

And then someone from the neighborhood says “I moved to a new neighborhood. There are thugs but they’re not so bad.” And so what do you do? What would you do? Move?  Hmmm?   And so we have “inversions.”

The United States is one of the most heavily-taxed and heavily-regulated countries in the world (if you disagree – try Google).  The corporate tax rate is now the highest in the world.  And we punish and demonize the shrinking number of businesses and individuals who actually pay taxes (think Pareto’s Principle).  We are lurching toward the insidious social system that has wrecked Europe’s economy.   So you tell me — what is corporate America supposed to do?  American businesses are under siege.  Regulatory walls are closing in.  Roofs are collapsing.  The smart move is to get out of town.  So some do.  Moving operating headquarters overseas or at least to states which are conducive to business.   After all – why stay in a neighborhood that hates you?    

There’s a big difference between evading taxes and avoiding taxes.  The ignorant say that corporations (and individuals) are evading taxes.  That’s a lie.  Businesses take advantage of legal exemptions (do you cheat because you take a mortgage deduction?).  And they avoid taxes.  Legally.  If those in Washington were smart, they would revise the punishing tax code and make America competitive with the rest of the world.   But that’s expecting way too much.  Ideology and politics get in the way.  Great. 

The Lottery

On By scottpetersenIn A new way to play the lottery, The LotteryLeave a comment

In 1996, 14 members of my old law firm won the Illinois State Lottery.  All six numbers on a Wednesday night drawing.  $4.4 million over 20 years divided 14 ways.  I was one of two attorneys to participate (you can do the math).   No one retired. . . .

I still play a $1.00 Lotto ticket to the tune of $104 a year.  For yucks.   Same family numbers each week.  I win a few bucks here and there but so far, lightning has not struck twice.  Why?  The odds of winning are one in 20,358,520.  The odds of winning the Powerball are 1 in 175,223,510.

I’ve always thought that states could reap a huge windfall of tax money by taking a new approach.  Instead of picking 6 or 7 numbers (between 1 and 52 or whatever) – pick one single number between 1 and 175,223,510.  You’re gonna have a lot of people picking “711” or their birth year or their child’s birthday (1252007).  But how many people will pick 12 or 147,996 or 174,224,011?   You probably won’t have many who pick in the stratosphere of numbers.  And yet — the odds remain the same.  What will happen?  The quick answer — no one will win.  State coffers will overflow.  And politicians will have to think up new ways to waste money. 

As for me, I’m gonna play 106,228,003.  And take it to the bank.  Ka-ching ka-ching . . . . .

Favorite Movies

On By scottpetersenIn Favorite moviesLeave a comment

Okay okay!  All I had to do was mention a few of my favorite movies and I received perhaps 20 emails from friends  (all guys by the way) with their favorite movies.  “You gotta mention. . . ”  “The best of all time was . . . .”  “Don’t forget. . . .”   Soooo I will reference here my buds’ agglomeration of top movies:

“Bridge Over the River Kwai”

“The World’s Fastest Indian” (about a motorcycle – not a Native American)

“Revenge of the Pink Panther” (I love this one)

“Glory Road”

“Hoosiers”

“The Best Years of Our Lives”

“Ben Hur”

“Uncle Buck”

“It’s a Wonderful Life”

“Weekend at Bernie’s”

“My Cousin Vinny”

“Legally Blonde”

“Casablanca”

I have to confess, there are a few I have not seen.  So I’ve asked Donna to put them on our Netflix list.  Her response?  “We’ll see, Scott.  Maybe after “When Harry Met Sally” “Roman Holiday” “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” “Gone with the Wind” “Shakespeare in Love” “An Affair to Remember” “Sleepless in Seattle” . . . .

The Greatest Game Ever Played

On By scottpetersenIn Francis Ouimet, The Greatest Game Ever PlayedLeave a comment

We all have favorite movies. Mine include “Planes Trains and Automobiles” “The Pink Panther” “The Shawshank Redemption” “Airplane” “Young Frankenstein” any Steve Martin, Laurel and Hardy or Three Stooges offering (yes – I know). Those – and a few others – are movies I can watch again and again – for escape (see post of January 6, 2013).  But there are also a few that I enjoy for inspiration.  “Breaking Away” “Remember the Titans” “Rudy.”  These movies never get old. 

I like golf.  And the best golf movie I’ve seen – which always has my eyes misty at its close – is “The Greatest Game Ever Played” (2005; directed by Bill Paxton).  At the age of 7, young Francis Ouimet (1893-1967) gets a job as a caddy at a posh country club in Brookline, Massachusetts.  The young man learns to play golf – practicing at every opportunity.  One day a club member – Mr. Hastings – invites Francis to play a round despite member objection.  Francis shoots an 81.  With a 9 on one hole.  Francis enters a qualifying round for the U.S. Amateur Championship – borrowing $50 from his father.  He misses the cut by one stroke.  His father insists he get a “real” job.  And that’s that.  For nearly a year.

Francis works in a sporting goods store in Brookline.  One day, the President of the U.S. Golf Association enters the store and invites Francis to play in the U.S. Open.    And in 1913, Francis – age 20 – competes in the U.S. Open at The Country Club in Brookline.  His caddy (despite objection and “tsk tsking” from the elites) is a 10 year old boy – Eddie Lowry – who plays hookey from school to caddy for Francis.  The result?  Francis defeats the world’s greatest golfers – Harry Vardon and Ted Ray.  And wins the tournament.  Wow! 

The movie is true and historically accurate except that in the movie Francis wins the playoff on the last hole by one stroke.  Truth be told – he dusted Messrs. Vardon by 5 strokes and Ray by 6.     

Christmas 2014

On By scottpetersenIn Isaiah 9, Luke 2, Merry ChristmasLeave a comment

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given . . . . and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David). To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:4-7

I can’t believe it’s Christmas. Again. Time seems to move so swiftly. The days are long but the years are fast. . . .

My best wishes to all of you for a Happy and Blessed Christmas, New Year and Holiday Season!!

Baskin’ Robins

On By scottpetersenIn Baskin' robins, HumorLeave a comment

Two large robins were sitting in a tree. It had been raining hard and they were hungry. The pair looked down and there on the ground were dozens of large thick worms. One looked at the other and gave a nod – “let’s go” he said in robin language.

The two flew down and began devouring worm after worm after worm. The sun came out and it warmed. And the pair ate more and more worms until they finished the feast.  They smacked their beaks and tried to launch. But the two had eaten so many worms that they could not get off the ground. “Let’s just sit here in the sun and rest” said the one. The other – eyes glazed over nodded in agreement and sat back to rest in the warm sunlight.

Meanwhile a huge alley cat was skulking through the bushes. He saw the two robins and slowly crept — and pounced. He ate both birds with a smile. “I just love baskin’ robins” he thought.