Musings of a Marked Man

A video greeting from the Fall Down Family!

This is just a test

Facebook and Twitter are cool but we Baby Boomers had our own social media growing up. What's the word, hummingbird?

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Watching the penultimate episode of one of the best dramas on the tube (Detroit 1-8-7) last eve we heard just a bit of this haunting melody. We knew we had heard it before but couldn't remember where. A bit of Googling took me to a movie we had seen a couple of years ago which shows how good music can stay with you. Link

When the family is all together at Christmastime, there are often impromptu performances of appropriate holiday music.  Suzi grabbed my iPhone and captured Tracy Rae and Maraliasson watching as Tara and Tanna entertained us with a lovely rendition of the Christmas Carol "Still, Still, Still". If you pay close attention you can see the occasional introduction of Suzi's left index finger into the scene.

Not really a big Christina Aguilera fan but being from Pennsylvania I was looking forward to watching one of Pittsburgh's own sing the National anthem to open the Superbowl.  Well, everyone knows she fumbled the lyrics and has been savaged in the press and on TV for it.  It must be difficult to stand in front of a hundred thousand people and sing our most patriotic song with the sound reverberating and echoing back to ya but hey, if you accept the invitation you better be up to the task.  Whitney Huston set the bar in 1991 when she opened the 25th Superbowl.  She chose a great arrangement, was backed by an orchestra and didn't try too many vocal gymnastics.  Will anyone ever be able to top this?

Before TIVO we used to have appointment television; Bonanza, Columbo, The Wheel........  Shows that couldn't be missed.  Modern Family would definitely have made my 'must see" list.

Although it wasn't reported on last night's broadcast of the battle between the New York Jets and my beloved Pittsburgh Steelers, it was reported by the Onion Sports Network this morning that a play occurred during a "Television Time Out" early in the 3rd quarter.  Not realizing the clock was stopped, the Jets thought  they might be able to take advantage of the Steelers' apparent lack of attention by quickly lining up and snapping the ball.  Mark Sanchez did not get a clean snap and the ball rolled to the ground causing the entire Pittsburgh defense and several members of the Jets offensive line to dive for the loose ball.  After 30-40 seconds of whistle blowing and tugging and pulling at the players by the officials, James Harrison emerged from the bottom of the stack holding a human heart.

The 1930's...what an interesting time in world history. FDR's New Deal helps America claw it's way out of the great depression and into a "dustbowl". Ghandi begins his Civil Disobedience movement in defiance of British rule of India. Hitler and Mussolini rise to power and pursue their territorial expansions. Radio becomes the dominant media and ushers in the "Swing Era". The Hindenburg goes down in flames in New Jersey. James Braddock defeats Max Baer and Jesse Owens frustrates Hitler at the Berlin Olympics. For the first time in history the King of England steps down from the throne to marry a twice divorced American woman who may or may not be a German spy. Let's see....what can we make a movie about? Hmmm....I know! How about the story of a little known Royal with a speech impediment? Albert Frederick Arthur George, more formally known as His Highness Prince Albert of York or Bertie to his closest friends and family, ascended the throne up

Can the Stillers do it again? Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of their season.

Several members of my family look eerily like certain celebrities. Does your family have any celebrity look-alikes? Look-Alike #2

Several members of my family look eerily like certain celebrities. Does your family have any celebrity look-alikes? Look- Alike #1