It’s been eventful

Happy Saturday morning. This afternoon we’re off for a short walk around the corner. There, with the street blocked off, we’ll join our annual neighborhood block party. The weather will be sunny 83 and thus a perfect time to catch up with friends and acquaintances. Yesterday Marcia put out the ‘stuff’ that will become our mandatory side-dish offering.

But for now, I’ve started our morning coffee pot. Not really a fan of Starbucks (never have been), I couldn’t help but follow their somewhat urgent downsizing – by hundreds of stores. I suspect that this also means that a slew of ‘barista’s’ will be exploring other avenues. Bottom line, I am just happy that I buy the coffee bean, I grind the coffee bean, and I brew the result. And, as a bonus, the smell of fresh coffee wafting throughout our little condo beats anything Starbucks could offer.

Trickle Down Incompetence – These past weeks I’ve run across reference to both Federal and Local information which was either ‘classified’ or ‘held private’. Both, as in nearly all situations, should have been made completely transparent and available to a free people. But modern society has government which is so crazily overreaching that even the most mundane is held ‘classified.

Nearly 90 years ago the world opened newspapers and tuned in radios with bated breath to follow the adventures of Amelia Earhart, Aviation Pioneer, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, and many other firsts. Trying to reach her fuel stop on an island in the South Pacific she disappeared while trying to be the first woman to fly around the world.

Now, as with every President since that mystery, the request to release the records of her ‘final’ trip was once again brought up. Last week Friday President Trump ordered those classified records released. My question is “why were these records held for 90 years? What was so critical to the safety of the nation to keep details lock and key? Why is government so preoccupied to classify almost everything?

My thinking is that none of it was due to some grand worry, concern, or some imposing plan. I think that what happened is that government is so overgrown that no one wants to just decide. To do something it needs to be run up and down the ladder. Not just THE ladder, but several hundreds of ladders. The result being a much easier (think of ‘safer’ to make) non-decision. Was this just another case of trickle-down incompetence?

Volunteering again – Mid-week America’s River Roots festival will get into full swing. Of the nine Tall Stack steamboat paddlewheel boats arriving the furthest to ply the nation’s river system is the Natchez out of New Orleans (1,100 miles). It’ll assemble the largest gathering of Tall Stack Riverboats in the nation. Add to this all sorts of music and foods, all having the makings for a grand time.

Then mid-week Wednesday my stint as a volunteer at the festival’s “Kentucky Bourbon Experience” will begin. While most of the activities will be on the Ohio side, the ‘Experience’ will take place in a 300’ riverfront tent in Newport Kentucky. From that vantage point I should have a wonderful view of all the boats and activities.

1000 miles – apart is Kirstin from here. Yet all last evening we were so together. How so?

Last evening Jon Batiste on the stage of Austin City Limits was live streamed. And it was an unbelievable show showcasing his amazing musicality with Jazz, Country, Rap, Classical, Gospel, Rock, and Blues; this incredible show was as good as I’ve ever seen. Also, I found out that his guitarist is just 22 years old. This last thought Kirstin shared as we kept texting back and forth.

Both of us watching the same show and sharing with each other each of the many “oohs” and “aahs” we experienced. This is what made the evening even more special.

So, here is what we watched. It’s the full concert (2-hours 18-minutes – actual concert starts at the 14-minute mark); only watch it when you have the time. Play on the largest screen you have. And if you have a sound bar be sure it’s on. Then, afterwards, be sure to thank Kirstin since she was the first to alerted.

Oh, Oh – And now I need to peek out the front door and find out why, in the dark, a Fire Engine is backing into our driveway.

Just got back inside after talking with the arriving Police. It appears someone is on next-door’s roof, shirtless, and thinking about jumping. Welcome to a regular morning at the Corner of Chaos & Mayhem.

An hour later: it appears that the ‘jumper’, now brought down and taken away by ambulance.

And since it’s now after eight o’clock I’ll park it for this week and post. Have a great week everyone.

Life is AMAZING! – what a time to be alive!

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:

Who has not heard of Charles Dickens author (1812 – 1870)? But did you know that he invented words still in use? Which of these words came from Dicken’s imagination?

1) “whizz-bang”
2) “sassigassity”
3) “messiness”
4) “sawbones”
5) “comfoozled”
6) “mildewy”
7) “jog-trotty”