Who Should Be The New Craig Ferguson?

Many of us are bummed that Craig Ferguson is leaving the Late Late Show. I may have a replacement. A little off the wall, but I think the fans of Craig would approve.

Craig is a recovering alcoholic and drug user. Craig is a Celt. Craig is a very proud naturalized US citizen. Craig is an energetic supporter of our troops. Craig is completely crazy. Craig is 52 years old.

My replacement candidate has all these same qualifications. He is a recovering alcoholic and drug user. He is a Celt. He is a very proud naturalized citizen. He is an energenic supporter of our troops. He is completely crazy. He is 55 years old. 

Any guesses yet? I think that last fact is a killer. Craig is 52, my candidate is 55. The networks always want to go younger. Jimmy Fallon was considerably younger than Jay Leno, Stephen Colbert is more than 15 years younger than Letterman. The one exception is Seth Meyers who is slightly older than Fallon but both are around 40.

The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson was/is an oasis in the late night TV landscape. Letterman, Leno, Kimmel, Fallon, Meyers, Arsinio, Conan all did mostly the same show. A topical monologue, a comedy bit at the desk, an interview with a big star promoting their latest project, a lesser celebrity interview, maybe a comedian and a musical act. Craig hardly ever did a topical monologue but it was still funny. He didn't get the big stars and even when he did, he barely mentioned their big movie/TV show/tour/play/project. He often had on an obscure author or an international actor. He very rarely had a musical guest. 

Part of the difference between Ferguson's show and the others was the way CBS has treated that time slot for decades. They never have spent much money on the show. It started with Tom Snyder, two chairs, a table and a couple of ashtrays. The big difference was that Craig was different. He didn't seem to care how popular his brand of humor was. He wasn't concerned that the very good New Zealand author wasn't trending on social media. Craig was mostly funny and irreverent but when a serious guest came on with a serious issue, he showed great knowledge, insight and asked probing questions. For those that don't know, Craig Ferguson won a Peabody Award for his interview of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The humor is bawdy and off center. Craig flirts with every woman who comes on the show and thankfully many play along and flirt back. He is also not afraid of dead air. An awkward pause is one of his classic bits. 

So, Mr. Ferguson is leaving and we need a new wacko. I think Stephen Colbert will be good as Letterman's replacement but I predict the show will be mostly a traditional late night show. Plug the network shows, get the big stars on to plug their movies, get the reality/social media bimbos on, have a musical guest. We need an off the wall non-conformist on the late night landscape.

Have any idea who my perfect but very obscure recommendation is? He already works for CBS. The scheduling may be a problem if he keeps both jobs, but it is possible. You can get a preview of his twisted mind (or lack of) now.

Still no guess? It is .................... David Feherty. He is an Irish born (Northern Ireland) US citizen with an extremely warped sense of humor. He hosts an interview show on Golf Channel so he has the basic talk show skill. He is not a professional comedian, but he has done monologues and is naturally funny. He is very curious about everything, as is Craig.

I know it's a stretch and I have no idea if David would even take the job if offered. That's my suggestion, what is yours? There have been no leaks from CBS so maybe I'm right.

wjh 

Scattershooting 07-06-14

Scattershooting while wondering whatever happened to the great

Sean Connery

Sunday's Summary

My incomplete recap of the week

If anybody thinks we have heard the end of the Obamacare - Hobby Lobby (emphasis on lobby) situation, you are mistaken. The businesses and their lawyers will be pushing the limits of this decision for years to come. What parts of what laws must a corporation obey? It was a 5-4 decision today in favor of theocracy. Don't gloat, the next one may be 5-4 in the other direction. The line dividing individual freedoms vs. the good of society is always moving. As is the line between my freedoms and yours.

The only thing longer than a couple of innings of T-Ball is a NY Yankees game. Rays win in 12 innings.

So, good news they finally came out and recharged my AC today. Works great. Temp and humidity now bearable. Bad news, my inside unit is dripping condensation. Good news, that unit is in the ceiling above one of my bath tubs. It all drips into the tub. Other good news, I'm half deaf and probably won't be able to hear the drip, drip, drip... when I go to bed. Old age can be a blessing some days. Bad news, no answer at the office all afternoon. Left an online maintenance request on the complex web site. Very 2014.

Update - Well they fixed the leak and also had to replace the door in the ceiling that covers the unit. The old one was a rusty, moldy mess. Unfortunately the less than great of our two maintenance guy did it after conferring with the more competent one. Pretty sloppy install and he trashed the bathroom. This guy moves at the speed of sloth. I'm going to hose down the bathroom now.

Update #2 - When I went to hose down the tub, I discovered that the idiot broke my shower head. Cracked the connection between the head and the hose.

A quick #TBT photo. Here is the 1956 Buick Beast that we had when I got my license. I drove it our sophomore & junior years. Solid white exterior with red & black interior. It had automatic transmission and an AM radio. That was it, no A/C, no power anything, steering, brakes or windows. It was a workout to drive and almost impossible to parallel park. I borrowed a neighbor's VW Bug to take my driving test in. The beauty of the Beast was that it could hold a large portion of our student body and often did. Anybody remember crowding into this classic car at a football game or at Bono's?

Happy Independence Day!

That was enjoyable. Spent the evening at and around the Bedford 4th Fest. The classic car show was a disappointment. Far fewer cars than past years although there was a 1957 Chevy Bel Air, the all time classic car. Then we saw top Bedford fire fighter Joe Lynn and had a nice conversation. Back to a very nearby neighborhood for beverages and a light dinner. Out to the driveway with chairs and cold beverages to watch the fireworks. There was a local opening act of fireworks in the Cul de Sac followed by the main act from the city. We were downwind from the launch site and were rained on by ash and embers. Kaboom!

Here is a timeless classic for #SongSunday. It is the Patsy Cline version of a song written by Willie Nelson. Amazingly this song was never a #1 hit but peaked at #2 on the country charts in 1962. Enjoy Crazy. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QEDb3xzdec

We went to the relatively new Chop House Burger in Euless (121 @ Glade) for lunch today. This is not the same as Chop House Burgers (with an S in Arlington) We had the Chop House burger, Wine Country burger, truffle-parmesan fries and a couple of beers. Everything was good. The burgers look kind of small compared to the giant ones at other places but it was a little thicker than many and more than enough for lunch. My medium-rare burger came out more like medium-well but was still juicy. The fries are the small thin cut variety with crispy edges and ends. Just the way I like them. The menu is relatively small with only three choices for a beef burger plus a chicken, tuna, turkey or falafel version. The place was over half full on a Sunday around 1:00 PM. and the service was prompt and courteous. I'm sure I'll be back when I'm in the neighborhood. 

wjh

Very Random Thoughts - July 2014

• I recently saw a PBS show on party/dance tunes from the late 1950's and early 60's. Many of the old groups had saxophones, Little Richard even had four sax players at one time in his group. They sounded great. We need more saxophones. 
• It appears that Republicans will tolerate gay members at their conventions but they will not allow them to advocate their agenda or views. That's because we wouldn't want any debates at a political convention. 
• Farts are funny whether you are an infant or a geezer. 
• Mother's Day will always be a bigger holiday than Father's Day. Rightfully so (usually).
• If God is both the father and the son (and the holy ghost) how do they (he) work out Father's Day? Who gives and who receives? It's a divine dilemma.
• If you are a Coors Light fan does it bother you that their whole advertising campaign is about how cold it is? Nothing about taste or quality ingredients, just temperature. How does the the manufacturer and brewmaster control that from brewery to lips?
• I'm feeling rather buff, well dressed and even kinda handsome. It's all relative, I went to Walmart this morning. There's always a sight or two.
• Are you ever puzzled why a business would be bragging about being established in 1987, then you realize that's over 25 years ago. 
• There is no doubt that the players in the World Cup are great athletes. It's too bad they are such bad actors. 
• If a soccer player is ever in your way, in any situation, just touch or bump them and they will fall down. You can then step over or around them.
• What's wrong with this country? Michael Jackson died five years ago as a broke, drugged out weirdo. His estate has made $700 million since his death.
• Many of the owners and family members in local business TV commercials really don't belong in TV commercials.
• Apparently, absolutely is the new yes. As in, are you a pretentious person? Answer, absolutely. 
• What would happen if every time a politician said something (anything) 51% of the country shouted Bull Shit. The public would be right way more than 51% of the time.
• You can find a study or a poll to support any viewpoint you espouse. 
• I noticed after I used some sour cream that it was expired. Tasted fine and I didn't die or get sick. Isn't "fresh sour cream" an oxymoron?
• Why doesn't General Motors (GM) just get it over with and recall every vehicle they ever manufactured?
• Ann Coulter says soccer popularity is a sign of decay in America. Actually, Coulter and her kind are the sign of decay.
• We are all a minority in some places or at a disadvantage in certain situations. Try to remember that when you think a different minority isn't entitled to all the rights and advantages you enjoy.

wjh

Scattershooting 06-29-14

Scattershooting while wondering whatever happened to the great

Bill Russell

Sunday's Summary

My incomplete recap of the week

Monday was my youngest son Matt's birthday. It seems like just yesterday he looked like this. He's a tad bigger now, 20 years later. Happy Birthday Son!

Arrrrrrrrrrgg!

Sure is fun to watch Adrian play every day.

I'm feeling rather buff, well dressed and even kinda handsome. It's all relative, I went to Walmart this morning. There's always a sight or two.

Don't hear this Beatles song very often. It's a good one. No Reply -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILdBDOPoEDQ

Well this sux. I really wanted to ride the the big metal roller coaster in these thunderstorms. Apparently Six Flags is closed because it is flooded.

Vanderbilt and the SEC win the College World Series. That's a sweep of the CWS for the SEC. Florida won the softball version a couple of weeks ago. Congrats Vandy & the SEC.

 

I had recorded Robin and Marian a couple of weeks ago on TCM and finally watched it. I sort of remembered the movie when it came out in 1976 and liked it. You know what, I still like it. How can you go wrong, it starred Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn and had Robert Shaw as the bad guy Sheriff of Nottingham. Little John, Will Scarlet & Friar Tuck were there too. Everybody a couple of years past their prime. Sad ending but very enjoyable. This is not Sean in a Bond film or Audrey in Breakfast at Tiffany's.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075147/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Here it is Sunday again. That means it's time for #SongSunday. I'm going to bet most of you haven't heard this song in 20+ years. The group didn't stay on top long and only had two hits (a 2 hit wonder) but this is a damn good song. From the Beau Brummels, Laugh Laugh.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ4WE0GviLg

I am also going to post the other Beau Brummels hit. Another good song you probably haven't heard in forever, Just a Little. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYneeXVOAyA

Here is a cartoon that fits in with #SongSunday.

How is your team doing? It is about the halfway point of the baseball season. I root for three teams and two out of three ain't good. My teams are the Rangers, Rays and Braves. The Rays have the worst record in the American League and the Rangers are only two wins better. Atlanta does have a slim lead in the NL East. I don't hold out much hope for the Rays or Rangers this season. Wait til next year. Hopefully the Braves can hold on.

GO TEAMS!

 

wjh

Gator's Cajun Grill

Here is a review of the fairly new Gator's Cafe in Colleyville. On Thursday, 6/26, my son and I went to Gator's for dinner. We discovered upon arrival that it was Thirsty Thursday and Happy Hour all day. I'm not sure what that means exactly, but I assume drinks, wine and beer were sold at a lower than normal price. Thirsty Thursday should in no way be confused with Throwback Thursday, #TBT.

Gator's is a Cajun themed restaurant located on highway 121 between Hall-Johnson and Glade. It is in the building next to La Hacienda Ranch. This particular location has seen numerous incarnations over the years. None have been overly popular or successful. This iteration is owned by longtime restaurateur Johnny Ragland who also owns J.R.'s Steak & Grill just up the road. The space has a dining area with tables and booths, a bar in the middle, some bar tables and an outside deck adjacent to the bar area. The dining area is nothing special but OK. There are eight to ten TVs in the dining room and more in the bar area. There was also a live singer/guitarist performing in the bar. He sounded OK, but thankfully was barely audible in the dinning area. I like to have conversations with my meals.

My son and I are both fans of Cajun & Creole cuisine so we were anxious to try this place. Matt had the shrimp etouffee and I had the blackened red fish. Both were delicious and despite large portions there were no doggy bags this day.

Shrimp Etouffee

The etouffee filled a large round plate with plenty of good size shrimp and some sausage all in a thickened sauce. Matt did add a little Tabasco sauce. The blackened red fish was a large, flaky, tender fillet that was topped with shrimp creole that also included sausage slices. The blackening spices and sauce were both very flavorful. The server warned me when I ordered the red fish that it was spicy. It didn't disappoint. We like our food spicy, but I can see where this dish might be a little too spicy for some. Our entrees were also served with a cornbread muffin that had real corn kernels.

Blackened Red Fish with Shrimp Creole

Now the bad news. The service was less than stellar. Our waitress came shortly after we were seated and took our drink order. Then she disappeared. Matt commented that they must be brewing the beer. Finally another server came by to ask what our drink orders were. She delivered them in a couple of minutes and took our meal orders. To our surprise, our dinners came out fairly quickly but were delivered by yet another server. The waitress who took our meal order came by a minute later to ask how the food was. I was still chewing my first bite. Several minutes later our original server came by to ask how we were doing and to offer excuses about forgetting us. She was busy. Then we were again forgotten for the rest of our meal. Eventually our initial server came by and I asked for the check. Luckily we weren't in a hurry because that step took a long time too. When the waitress came back with the credit card receipt she didn't have a pen. My son pointed out that the waiter taking the order for the table next to us had an apron full of pens. Our server grabbed one and we were able to complete the transaction and be on our way. I noticed that this pattern did not just apply to us. Other tables around us wound up having multiple servers. The booth next to us had one drink delivered by the bartender. I hate having a team of people serving me and in this case that team not doing a very good job.

We are not talking about a huge place that was jam packed. Half of the dining area was empty. So, what's the problem? Did we draw an incompetent waitress? Are they understaffed? Do they have a bad system? Is it bad management? The answer is probably yes to all of the above.

The summation: Food good to very good. Atmosphere OK. Service needs much work.

I may go back when I get a Cajun craving but certainly not when I'm in a hurry. Maybe I'll try lunch some day.  

wjh

Android ART vs Dalvik

Quickly, my take on Android's (Google) runtime ART vs Dalvik. This is not a bits & bytes scientific analysis, just my impressions. I just upgraded a Nexus 7 (2013) to Android 4.4.4. On that note, I think Google took their time on rolling out the OTA updates to Nexus devices.

I will confess that I am an old school big iron dinosaur. As such, I am prejudiced toward ahead of time compiled executables vs just in time compilers. Admittedly part of that prejudice is because back in the day it took several minutes to hours to compile a program. Even low level assembler code took time to assemble and link. There was no way we would compile or assemble our code every time we wanted to execute it. I realize that languages, compilers, hardware and everything else have changed. Still, in my view it has to be better and faster to invoke an executable module rather than code that has to go through a compile step before the device knows what to do with it. I also assumed that already compiled programs would be smaller than code that still needed compiling. I have not checked this.

So, what's my take on ART vs Dalvik? I switched to ART months ago. I switched for the reason mentioned above plus I tend, and like, to try new stuff. I almost immediately noticed that it took longer to install or update apps. That is not a big deal. Unless you are updating several apps and need the full resources of your device immediately. I have noticed that when upgrading Android OS that it takes much longer for the "optimizing apps" step. I've gone through two upgrades since switching to ART. This too is not a big deal. How often do you upgrade Android releases?

The one thing that bothers me is that, at least at this point, the ART option does not seem any faster at run time. Maybe this is because ART is not as mature as Dalvik. It doesn't seem to matter though since Google is slowly eliminating Dalvik, so ART better get better.

I will always try the new stuff and will usually let my prejudices/experience prevail. With the technology we have now, already compiled should always beat not yet compiled. Unfortunately the difference is negligible or non existent at this point. At least to old human eyes on a Nexus 7 (2013).

I'd be interested in hearing from real world folks who have gone through this change. Any significant improvements or degradation with ART?

wjh

Scattershooting 06-22-14

Scattershooting while wondering whatever happened to the great

Tony Gwynn (RIP)

Sunday's Summary

My incomplete recap of the week

We just lost Tony Gwynn today (6/16). One of the best hitters of his generation and a good guy. Only 54 years old. RIP.

Funny. Casey Kasem not afraid to make fun of himself. RIP Casey. Remembering the great Casey Kasem with this classic Top Ten from 1993

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_qMMZgmLF8

It's about time. I predict this new emoji will get a lot of use. Coming soon to a computing device near you.

USA wins their first match in the World Cup against Ghana 2-1. It got exciting in the last 10 minutes. 

GO USA!

This is ridiculous. Just saw an ad on TV for Axe Messy Look paste. Apparently it is stylish to have messy hair but you need a product to achieve that look. It must work, the guy in the commercial got the hot babe as soon as he put this goop in his hair.

Two HOF guys. RIP Tony. Remembering Baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn with this special Top Ten list from 2007.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPJjjhJOGpA

I always suspected that was what was upstairs.

The times we live in -

Funny -

The defending softball champion WGTR unveiled their new 2014 jerseys Wednesday. More colorful but same great logo. Same results as the old shirts, they crushed the opposition.

GO WGTR!

It's #TBT again. Here are some photos from spring of 2004. Dad was in the hospital and for a while we thought we were going to lose him. My oldest son and his family, including their couple month old son, flew in to see Grandpa/Great Grandpa. Dad pulled through and lived two more years. This is the only photo of the four generations of the Holmes Boys. There is now another great grandchild but Dad died before he was born. Uncle Matt loved his new nephew. RIP Dad.

 Perfectly clear -

It was drive-in night on Thursday. Jimmy Buffett and all the local Parrot Heads were at the Coyote Drive-in tonight in Ft. Worth. The concert was broadcast live to 80 other drive-ins around the country. Very cool.

The Frogs have croaked. TCU is eliminated from the College World Series with a 6-4 lose to Mississippi. Still, a great season. 

Better than a carrier pidgin -

Thought I'd switch to pastels for the summer - 

Know the feeling?

For ‪#‎SongSunday‬ this week we have a great duet. A beautiful love song by Linda Ronstadt & Aaron Neville, two of the best voices of our generation. This video from 1989 caused some flap because it depicted a black/white relationship. Unfortunately Linda can no longer sing because of Parkinson's. Aaron is still going strong at 73. "Don't Know Much", but

I know I like this song.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD6TfEWtIYI

The USA team snatched a tie from the jaws of victory. In the World Cup match against Portugal they get a 2-2 tie. Portugal scored with about a minute left in the game. USA still in good shape to advance.

GO USA!

wjh