I’M LIKE THE REST OF THE WORLD – shocked and saddened by the death of comic Robin Williams. Again, like most everybody else, I distinctly remember the first time I saw Williams on TV in Mork and Mindy. I couldn’t really believe how much he made me laugh. I’ve had a brush or two with depression. I’ve never reached the depths that Robin Williams must have attained on Monday night… when with the crush of depression he committed suicide by hanging. I’ve had some problems, but with the help of the VA and my daughter I seem to have beaten the odds. Robin Williams didn’t. I guess who spend their lives bringing joy to others sometimes have a difficult time bringing it to themselves. But, to hang yourself using a belt and a closet door is almost unthinkable. I liked everything Robin Williams did on the screen. But, my favorite movie was one the critics didn’t care too much for… that would be his version of “Popeye.” To me, he brought the comic-book and movie-short hero to life. Williams actually looked like Popeye is supposed to look and his voice was also the same as I figured it to be. USA Today, which is usually on top of any story such as this, did it again by telling its readers that “twice as many (people) die by suicide as by homicide.” A total of 39,518 persons committed suicide in the USA in 2011 – this according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Vital Statistics Report. In 2010 there were 38,364 suicides while 35,332 died in auto accidents, and 32,050 of prostate cancer. Murders kill about 20,000 people each year.
I READ IT SOMEWHERE… the US Department of Agriculture is predicting that there will be a record corn crop this year – something like 14 billion bushels. I was in Garland, PA on Tuesday, talking to Mr. Leofsky, and he told me he was expecting a bumber crop this year… and that he would give me “a couple of bags full if I’d come back in two weeks.” I just might do that…
MORE INFOR THAT this years PGA was one of the best. The TV ratings for the final round on CBS was 36 percent higher than last year’s final… and the best ratings for the event in the past five years.
THINGS MOST OF US don’t know… According to the Wall Street Journal, “total annual consumption of all types of potatoes has fallen nearly 25 percent since peaking in 1996 – to (an average of) 52 pounds per person in 2012… the last year for which the US Department of Agriculture has data.” You know, they just might be correct. I know my own consumption of potatoes (mostly mashed) has fallen almost drastically lately. However, I still eat the same amount of spaghetti as usual…
THE SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS, in an effort to stay even with the Los Angeles Dodgers, recently grabbed one-time Cy Young winner Jake Peavy for their pitching staff. Since then Peavy has started (and lost) three games – making it a 12 game run of futility for the 33 year old right hander in which his ERA is 4.94. See… sometimes trades just don’t work out, do they???
NOW, I REALLY DON’T care how much money would be given to any one charity – or even a ton of charities – I will not join in any kind of fund raiser that requires me to stand under a bucket pouring out ice water. This is one of the more stupid things people have devised in order to collect money. Yes, I know it is now considered as a “red hot social media phenomenon.” It is stupid. Issue your challenges all you want… it won’t happen here – regardless of anything you might offer.
WHAT’S THAT!!! The Erie Otters are less than two weeks away from training camp!!! Hey, that’s ice hockey!!!!! Where did the summer go???
SPEAKING OF WINTER (and I was)… here’s more bad news. The NBA season is slated to open October 28. Why, that’s only 75 days away. Repeating myself… where did summer go???
ALLOW ME TO ASK you a question. Are you part of the many who play in a fantasy football league? Well, I’ve been informed that the number is in the millions. I also read an article that – put together by a Chicago group labeled Challenger, Gray and Christmas – says an estimated sum of $13 billion (in lost productivity) is the cost for outfits that employ people who are involved in fantasy football… because those people spend what should be working hours by reviewing player stats and managing their teams. They used a lot of estimates (like $24.45 and 18.3 million players) in coming up with that $13 billion figure. Now, I imagine it does cost employers something. That’s because there are always some people who don’t spend 100 percent of their time on the job doing their job. Anyway, the fantasy football schedule usually lasts only 15 weeks. So, I guess most employers will simply have to put up with all these shenanigans. Still, $13 billion (actually 13.4 billion) is a lot of money.
THE AUTO EXPERTS tell us that August is typically the best time of the year for a car deal. This year, however, because of the big summer auto sales, some cars are in short supply in August. I am partial (these days) to the Lincoln model. And the one I’m interested in is the newly-devised compact crossover labeled MKC. But, I have had trouble in getting any kind of deal because there is only “an 11-day supply on the lots.” And this machine is “a very new vehicle in a really hot segment,” according to Ford sales analyst Erich Merkle. That means I’ll still be driving next year the same vehicle I am currently driving. Ah well, I’ll simply consider the whole thing a “sporting event.” How about that!!!
MONDAY NIGHT THE Cleveland Browns will make their second pre-season start (remember folks, this IS a practice game) when they take on the Washington Redskins. The 8 p.m. Affair is slated to be shown on ESPN. What the game really does is showcase the talents of the two fighting it out for the starting quarterback position. Now everyone and anyone even slightly interested in the NFL, is aware that rookie Johnny Manziel and so-called veteran Brian Hoyer are the two in question. And Hoyer isn’t really a veteran, having injured his knee in just his third game a year ago. Manziel, who won his Heisman Trophy as a freshman, has started to come on for the Browns after some lack-luster early training sessions. Hoyer is still listed as the “starting quarterback,” but this all could change before September 7th (opening day). First-year coach Mike Pettine has repeatedly stated the obvious (“Hoyer is the starting quarterback”)… but he’ll be changing his tune in about three weeks… four at the most. Hoyer has been quoted as “This is my team until someone tells me otherwise,” the man with the kneebrace said. Pre-season contests are usually games between newcomers trying to make a team. This one is almost the same… but with just a bit more bite. In fact, I may even take a peek at it Monday night (and I usually almost religiously stay away from such things.)
AND A FINAL NOTE… the odds-makers have Washington a 2 ½ point favorite to beat Cleveland Browns Monday night. Yes, there are idiots who will bet real money on a practice game. Dumb…
-Jack Polancy
Superior Toyota 