Mullet Over
Old Bert Loomis really does not receive the credit he deserves
by James K. White | December 30, 2009
It is likely that you have seen photos of the famous public arena known as the Colosseum in Rome. It is about 2000 years old and in remarkable condition when age is considered. What you might not know is that the public arena in Verona, Italy is approximately the same age and size as the famous Colosseum and is still in use. Understandably gladiator events are way down, but the summer opera seasons find the arena packed with spectators applauding the singing of world class opera stars. People still marvel at the acoustics that are so effective that no loud speakers or microphones are used in the presentations. Yo, Verona.Those plastic bags from your favorite store are not really free. The plain cheapest bags average about 3.5 cents each and of course the costs become portions of the item purchase prices.
Remember the Beatles? Would you care to guess how many of the Liverpool Four were actually born in Liverpool?
Statistics indicate that almost two-thirds of Las Vegas gambling revenue is derived from slot machines.
Michelin has that cute mascot made of white tires and possesses a charming smile. He also has a name – Bibendum. Golly, I think that name is as unusual as Rumplestiltskin or Mullet Over.
World War II caused such a food shortage in London that the London Zoo made its edible fish available to the local citizenry.
On June 17, 1775 a famous battle occurred on Breed’s Hill. For reasons not completely clear to me, the fight is recorded in history as the Battle of Bunker Hill. The two hills are near each other and the Bunker Hill monument is located on Breed’s Hill.
The 1959 movie Ben-Hur won 11 Oscars (I refer to the award Oscar, not the fish oscar). The original Ben-Hur novel was written in 1880 by Lew Wallace while he was governor of New Mexico Territory.
On November 14, 1910 history was made when the first airplane was able to take off from a ship (a cruiser named U.S.S. Birmingham). The plane was piloted by a civilian named Eugene Ely.
Old Bert Loomis really does not receive the credit he deserves. He supposedly was the first to think of and use the basketball maneuver called dribbling. When the astonishment and protests declined, many of the fellow players liked dribbling. The ball bouncing was made legal and thusly permitted to be used during basketball games. You understand that this all happened a few years back. Way to go Bert Loomis.
Well, all four of the Beatles were born in Liverpool and I wish you a pleasant week.
Regina Brett's 45 life lessons and 5 to grow on
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don't ask, you don't get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
Regina Brett is a metro columnist at The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, Ohio. Regina’s work is online at http://www.cleveland.com/brett/.
Copyright Plain Dealer Publishing Co. Used with permission.