Mullet Over
BY JAMES K. WHITE | MARCH 7, 2012
“Elvis TV Remedy Syndrome”
The African language Xhosa is one of the strange (to us) “click” languages. In English we occasionally use a similar click sound when we communicate with a horse or shake our heads in disapproval (tsk tsk). However, the sound is generously sprinkled throughout languages such as Xhosa, Zulu, Phuthi, Swazi, and Ndebele. Nelson Mandela speaks fluent Xhosa.
The black market value of rhinoceros horn has skyrocketed. Not only are live animals at high risk in their native habitats, but the endangered animals are being slaughtered by bold criminals who break into zoos. Even timeworn preserved specimens in museums have been stolen or disfigured by having horns removed. As totally false rumors circulate claiming that powdered rhino horn can be used to cure cancer and increase libido, the illicit market price per ounce has surpassed those of both gold and cocaine.
In 1912, the Japanese city of Tokyo (led by Mayor Yukio Ozaki) bestowed a gift of 3,000 cherry trees on our nation’s capital. The trees thrived and we now enjoy an annual National Cherry Blossom Festival (March 20 thru April 27). Unfortunately, in 2010, disease and insect infestations dictated that most of the original trees had to be destroyed. All plants that were removed have been replaced with healthy cherry trees.
I do believe that most of us have been tempted to replicate one behavior that singer Elvis Presley actually effected. I do not refer to becoming a Hunka Hunka Burning Love. Instead, I allude to the habit of The King of Rock and Roll (yes, both) being so disgusted with what he saw on television he would fire a large caliber handgun at his current (they were frequently replaced) TV set. Just prior to the blast, he would usually say (I approximate) “That will be enough of that #*X@%X##!”
A few years back, a precocious nine year old tourist named Taylor Wilson so impressed a guide at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center that the guide sought out the center’s director and told him “You gotta see this kid.” At age 13 Taylor met with a renowned physicist and informed the scientist he intended to construct a fusion reactor. The renowned one dismissively replied that first the kid should master calculus. Taylor did. Watch the news for more on Taylor Wilson (now age 16 and featured in a current science publication).
Well, I hope that you do not acquire the “Elvis TV Remedy Syndrome” (ETRS) and that you have a most pleasant week.
James White is a retired mathematics teacher who enjoys sharing fascinating trivia. He can be reached at [email protected].
You reap what you sow
“Good morning,” said a woman as she walked up to the man sitting on ground.
The man slowly looked up.
This was a woman clearly accustomed to the finer things of life. Her coat was new. She looked like she had never missed a meal in her life.
His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him, like so many others had done before. "Leave me alone," he growled....
To his amazement, the woman continued standing.
She was smiling -- her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows. "Are you hungry?" she asked.
"No," he answered sarcastically. "I've just come from dining with the president. Now go away."
The woman's smile became even broader. Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm.
"What are you doing, lady?" the man asked angrily. "I said to leave me alone.
Just then a policeman came up. "Is there any problem, ma'am?" he asked.
"No problem here, officer," the woman answered. "I'm just trying to get this man to his feet.
Will you help me?"
The officer scratched his head. "That's old Jack. He's been a fixture around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?"
"See that cafeteria over there?" she asked. "I'm going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile."
"Are you crazy, lady?" the homeless man resisted. "I don't want to go in there!" Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up. "Let me go, officer. I didn't do anything."
"This is a good deal for you, Jack" the officer answered. "Don't blow it."
Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner. It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived.
The manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by his table. "What's going on here, officer?" he asked. "What is all this, is this man in trouble?"
"This lady brought this man in here to be fed," the policeman answered.
"Not in here!" the manager replied angrily. "Having a person like that here is bad for business."
Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. "See, lady. I told you so. Now if you'll let me go. I didn't want to come here in the first place."
The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled. "Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?"
"Of course I am," the manager answered impatiently. "They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms."
"And do you make a godly amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?"
"What business is that of yours?"
I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company."
"Oh."
The woman smiled again. "I thought that might make a difference." She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a giggle. "Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?"
"No thanks, ma'am," the officer replied. "I'm on duty."
"Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?"
"Yes, ma’am. That would be very nice."
The cafeteria manager turned on his heel, "I'll get your coffee for you right away, officer."
The officer watched him walk away. "You certainly put him in his place," he said.
"That was not my intent. Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this."
She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared at him intently. "Jack, do you remember me?"
Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes. "I think so -- I mean you do look familiar."
"I'm a little older perhaps," she said. "Maybe I've even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry."
"Ma'am?" the officer said questioningly. He couldn't believe that such a magnificently turned out woman could ever have been hungry.
"I was just out of college," the woman began. "I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything. Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked the streets for days. It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could get something to eat."
Jack lit up with a smile. "Now I remember," he said. "I was behind the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy."
"I know," the woman continued. "Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into trouble. Then, when I looked over and saw you put the price of my food in the cash register, I knew everything would be all right."
"So you started your own business?" Old Jack said.
"I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up. Eventually I started my own business that, with the help of God, prospered." She opened her purse and pulled out a business card. "When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons. He's the personnel director of my company. I'll go talk to him now and I'm certain he'll find something for you to do around the office." She smiled. "I think he might even find the funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet. If you ever need anything, my door is always opened to you."
There were tears in the old man's eyes. "How can I ever thank you?" he said.
"Don't thank me," the woman answered. "To God goes the glory. Thank God. He led me to you."
Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the entrance before going their separate ways.
"Thank you for all your help, officer," she said.
"On the contrary, Ms. Eddy," he answered. "Thank you. I saw a miracle today, something that I will never forget. And, and thank you for the coffee."
Have a blessed day and remember to be a blessing.
Puzzle Solutions
For All Signs: Mercury, ancient god of travel, communications and routine business, has begun a retrograde cycle and on March 12 the retrograde is making a clear turn to the rear. He turns direct on April 4. Standard astrological advice suggests: 1) Delay the initiation of important new projects. 2) Use this time to research and investigate alternatives for action but make no final costly decisions on major plans. 3) Avoid writing or signing contracts. Often there are loopholes or missing parts which can create difficulties later. 4) Avoid major purchases of transportation or communication equipment. The time is most favorably used to compare alternatives, research details, finish projects started long ago or look deeply into one's interior psyche (I.e. Hypnosis, prayer, meditation, psychotherapy). Whatever is lost or misplaced on a Mercury retrograde will resurface.