Random Thoughts!

Cruz and Fiorina deserve each other.  It’s a challenge to decide who is the most repulsive.  For those of you who have naughty bedroom minds and a vivid imagination – shame on you.  Ugh – what a thought!

I learned from the movie, “Sherpa,” that these mountain people, many of whom depend on Mt. Everest climbers for their livelihood, have had a rough two years.  After an avalanche in 2014 the season was cancelled.  Last year an earthquake hit Nepal just as the season was beginning so there were no climbers.  I hear there will be a season this year, but with perhaps fewer foreigners than in the past.

I hope Steph Curry is a fast healer.

I’ve watched Charley Rose’s recent interviews with Obama.  Setting aside agreeing with him or not, given all the recent talk about whether his wannabe successors appear presidential, he does exemplify the demeanor and mastery of substantive knowledge a president should have.

I was in Syria in 2009, two years before their civil war began.  We had a wonderful time in Aleppo, the scene of much destruction and carnage as opposing forces fight for control of the city.  I keep wondering what it is like today in the part of town where we stayed and spent a lot of time.  I’ve tried to find out, so far with no success.

I went to my first ballgame of the year last week.  ATT Park was, as always, glorious.  I had my traditional Louisiana Hot Link and Anchor Steam beer.  Everything enjoyable except the game.  We lost!

ScienceTimes!

Brilliant items from today’s paper:

If you have Type 2 Diabetes, losing weight would be a good idea.

Of a billion dogs on the planet, 750 million are not taken care of by humans.  So if you really want to know about dogs you need to pay attention to these village dogs, street dogs, free-breeding dogs, ‘strays,’ who haunt the garbage dumps of the world.

Many think that vipers like cottonmouths and rattlesnakes strike quicker than other snakes.  Not so.  In a recent test, rat snakes that kill by constriction were just as fast.

One old-growth redwood tree can be home to more than 100 species of life.

Runners who suffer from blisters can avoid them by wrapping their feet in paper tape.  More effective than petroleum jelly, socks, lotion, or bandages.

If I’ve had shingles should I get a shingles vaccination anyway?  Yes.

For children with asthma, reducing air pollution reduces respiratory symptoms.  Makes sense.

Living near greenery may help you live longer.  Also makes sense.

From the author of a new study on obesity:  “Being overweight in adolescence is bad – we knew that before, and this study shows it’s really bad.”  Got it.  Teens should eat less.

Sports Report!

Giants go down 5 in the first inning and come back to beat the Dodgers 9-6.  Go Giants!

Warriors beat San Antonio in San Antonio for the first time in forever and tie the record for most wins in a season.  One more to go.  Go Warriors!

Leicester City continues its improbable run for the Premier League title, leads Tottenham by 7 points with 5 to play.  Go Foxes!

Juventus has a 6 point lead over Napoli in Serie A, heading for its 5^th Scudetto in a row.  Go Juve!

Jordan Spieth’s meltdown in the Masters was painful to watch.  Biggest collapse in golf history?  Probably not, but its right up there with the best/worst.

Hakuho, with the best record in Sumo history, should retire.  He’s bored and irritable.  Soon his bad behavior will destroy his legacy.  It’s time go, Hakuho!

Is it just me, or is there little interest in the upcoming Olympics?  Maybe a little of both.

Ken Burns’ new film on Jackie Robinson airs tonight.  I hear Jackie’s wife, Rachel, figures prominently in the story, which is appropriate.  I knew her when I lived in New York back in the day.  She is, indeed, extraordinary!

U.S. women soccer players are asking for equal pay.  Seems they are paid a fraction of what the men get.  No surprise there is inequality here.  I think what players, male or female, earn should be a function of revenue they generate.  If the women bring in more bucks than the men, they should be paid more.  Less they should be paid less.  Like it or not, in life we are not all equal!