Sunday, December 31, 2006

Happy New Year!

I was flipping around the dial the other day and stopped on a televised sports talk radio show, on either MASN or ESPN, I can't remember which. I didn't catch the guys name, but he said that Terrel Owens was going to be in New York tonight at Times Square, at midnight, just to make sure the ball does in fact get dropped. And they say TO isn't a team player.

Super, Super!

Sunday, December 24, 2006

Merry Christmas

Well it is Christmas time again. I hope all are well, and enjoy the season.

I also hope you have had the opportunity to hear some of the classic songs of the season. There are some great lyrics out there that really tug on the old heart strings and create nostalgic feelings... real Norman Rockwell moments.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas... just like the ones I used to know.

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire...

Peace on Earth... can it be.

It's Christmas time in Hollis Queens Mom's cooking chicken and collard greens Rice and stuffing, macaroni and cheese And Santa put gifts under Christmas trees. Decorate the house with lights at night Snow's on the ground, snow white so bright In the fireplace is the yule log Beneath the mistle toe as we drink egg nog.

We can't get these little antlers to stay on.
Have you tried staples?

Thursday, December 21, 2006

This is only a test...

After composing a lengthy post two nights ago about the skill and athletic talent that is the NBA, and specifically the New York Knickerboxers, only to have my PC crash (it must know that I'm a Mac convert). I have decided to take short shifts on the old blogosphere.

So after all this, I have a challenge for those willing to read further.

Yesterday, I was listening to the radio, 80s at 8:oo, and in reference to the new Rocky Balboa movie, they had a theme for the hour: any song title or artist that could be associated with Rocky. Pretty creative and funny stuff before they got to an obvious choice from one of the soundtracks.

And this is where my challenge to you comes in, because this tune has been in my brain ever since, and while it is not even one of my favorite songs, it always makes me laugh. Now, I dare each of you to try and sit absolutely still in your chair when this song enters and plays in your brain:

"Living in America"


Its much more difficult than you thought isn't it?

And now, if you're anything like me, it will remain lodged in your brain for days.

Super highways, coast to coast, easy to get anywhere
On the transcontinental overload, just slide behind the wheel How does it feel
When there's no destination - that's too far
And somewhere on the way, you might find out who you are

Chorus: Living in America - eye to eye, station to station Living in America - hand to hand, across the nation Living in America - got to have a celebration

Rock my soul Smokestack, fatback, many miles of railroad track
All night radio, keep on runnin' through your rock 'n' roll soul
All night diners keep you awake, hey, on black coffee and a hard roll
You might have to walk the fine line, you might take the hard line
But everybody's working overtime

(chorus)

I live in America, help me out, but I live in America, wait a minute
You might not be looking for the promised land, but you might find it anyway
Under one of those old familiar names
Like New Orleans (New Orleans), Detroit City (Detroit City), Dallas (Dallas) Pittsburg P.A. (Pittsburg P.A.),
New York City (New York City) Kansas City (Kansas City), Atlanta (Atlanta), Chicago and L.A.

Living in America - hit me - living in America - yeah, I walk in and out Living in America
I live in America - state lines, gonna make the prime, that I live in America - hey, I know what it means, I Living in America - Eddie Murphy, eat your heart out
Living in America - hit me,
I said now, eye to eye, station to station Living in America - so nice, with your bare self Living in America - I feel good!

You're Welcome.

"Sing. All you have to do is sing. Cause Mick Jagger is one ugly..."

Sunday, December 03, 2006

Hey, You Guys!!

Believe it or not, this is another post about PBS. The bane of my childhood (when we only had channels 2 through 13), now a refuge of quality in a sea of mediocrity, awash in a zillion ho-hum channels.

Naturally it is fundraiser time on PBS (when isn't it?), you know, when the best shows are on in shorts segments, surrounded by lengthy pleas for financial assistance. But yesterday, it was worth keeping in the "last channel" button of my remote. You know, watch something else while they are in studio with the phones, and flip back in hopes that they are back to the show.

Suspense killing you yet? Home of Fargo North, Decoder... and everyone's favorite literary soul man Easy Reader.... The Electric Company.

I had forgotten how cool that show was for being a spin-off of Sesame Street, and educational and being on PBS. It was a 'best of' clip show, but I had forgotten how great it really was. In addition to placing nearly a dozen obscure things that have existed in my brain, but not remembering where from, well WOW mystery solved.

As a parent I can completely see the educational benefits of the show. Even though, I too Love to Learn (after all, Education is Boss!!) As a kid, I guess I picked up some of the educational stuff through osmosis, while watching the sketches for Spiderman, Grover, Cosby, and the aforementioned Easy Reader. Of course, I know that I didn't learn everything... I still have a great appreciation for a well placed run-on sentence, or two, or even three, from time to time, like now, and perhaps tomorrow, and maybe the next day.

Where was I? Oh, that's right, the Electric Company. It is out on DVD, and it is definately worth a look. Those of us who are parents, it is a no brainer to go out and buy it for ourselves, ahem, I mean our kids.

"T-I-O-N... -tion, -tion, -tion"

Sunday, September 03, 2006

Happy Little Trees... an ode to PBS... or just a trip down memory lane.

Yesterday, we were awoken to the prodding of B, politely requesting waffles. Of course, yesterday he wanted C, not me to go downstairs. A and I followed a few minutes later.

Anywho... we flipped on the tube, (I still like tubes versus LCDs, plasmas, etc. but that is a post for another day).

zipping through the guide, what do my eyes find? The best of the joy of painting! Yes, Bob Ross, the happy tree guy. I was always, and continue to be, amazed at how quickly the man could take a blank canvas, and in a matter of minutes create a landscape so realistic it you'd swear it was a photo.

It was cool to watch again, and listen to him talk. The contradiction of a voice that would be perfect for bed-time stories, and talent so amazing that you would hang on every word.

It reminded me of a time when there were only channels two through thirteen, many of which were duplicates, and I was the remote control. (commercials start... cue: "Rob, flip it to Hee Haw for a minute") Channels 2 and 4 were both NBC, 6 and 11 were CBS, 7 and 13 were ABC, 3 was the blue and red updated local weather and current time channel (really only useful for our Atari 2600), 5 was WTTG long before it was FOX 5, 10 was DC 20 (home of the ever popular Captain 20), 12 was the Christian Broadcasting Network, and then there was channel 8, PBS rarely watched during the week (I never really cared for Sesame Street, especially after Mr. Hooper died), Mr Rogers was only really interesting during Picture-Picture segments. But on the weekends, after a morning of cartoons, wrestling, kung fu theatre, and creature feature on DC 20, before Lawrence Welk and Hee Haw (what a combo there), there was the underwater world of Jacques Cousteau and The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross.

What a great time to be a kid, the 70s and 80s. A special treat was going to the Tastee Freeze for a small swirl cone, or a trip to Skate Land with a couple of friends, where we'd blow all our money on Pole Position ("...Prepare to Qualify!"), or a trip to the old mall when it was just the mall, having a slice of Tony's Pizza or a Bavarian soft pretzel while sitting on the ledge in front of Langrall's listening to the soundtrack of a trip to the mall in the 70s, the organist in the piano/organ store.

Good Times... Good Times...

dyNOmite!

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Who Wants to be a Super Hero?

Who doesn't? Be honest, I think we all want a utility belt...

I missed episode two, felt a little bummed about that, but to my releif (and yours, if you've bothered to read this far) SciFi will be re-playing the first two episodes Thursday evening prior to the new one at 9pm. Starting at 7pm is the premeire, where we are introduced to this league of would be crime fighters. Episode two at 8pm, followed by a brand spanking new edition (pun intended) at 9pm. So set your VCRs, pop your popcorn and enjoy!

And tune in next week... same bat time... same bat channel...

I would've gotten away with it too, if it hadn't been for those meddlin' kids.

Thursday, July 27, 2006

Holy Guilty Pleasure!


Alright, stop what you're doin', cause I'm about to ruin the image and style that you're used to... I look funny, but...

Who Wants to Be A Super Hero? I don't know if any of you happened to see it, I only caught the last 20 minutes or so, but this show is hilarious.

I happened upon it after taking B upstairs and tucking him in. I caught the super hero challenge where, when called upon by Stan Lee via personal communicator, each mild mannered contestant had to find a place to discreetly change into his/her fantasticly amazing alter ego and race across a crowded public square to a designated location. They were all told that they should do this as quickly as possible, and obviously not be seen tranforming into their secret identity. But here in lies the rub, the producers planted a young girl near the finish line, crying and looking for her mother. Only about half even noticed the young maiden, altered their course, and escorted her to the security office that was plastered with enough signage for anyone with their eyes open to see.

There are some great characters though, some wierd, some strange, all the way to outrageous. My new favorite hero though is Major Victory, I almost laughed out loud as he saved the day. Looking like part morning news anchor, part power ranger, this un-caped crusader leaped through the square as deftly as Will Ferrell in Anchor Man, with a sprinkling of Belushi breaking into Dean Wormer's office, and a heaping helping of the Super Star pulling a Kramer as the World's oldest ball boy (naturally, for this visual substitute rolls of toilet paper where tennis balls should be). The guy doesn't have any facial hair, but for some reason the first thing that jumped into my brain when this guy started speaking was the great poet, Leaping Lanny Poffo.

Junior, put the evidence in the car...

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Red Headed Step-Child

Or at least that is how it seems the NHL is regarded by ESPN.

I followed a link from the Caps web site to the ESPN Espy awards ballot, the cool thing is that Alexander Ovechkin IS up for two awards, however I was surprised that "The Goal" wasn't one of the nominations up for best play of the year. I mean, there he was, on.... and still had the presence of mind to put the puck toward the net, and Bam! Are you feelin' it Evel? It goes in the net. It was even cooler than the lacrosse style goal from years back. But ESPN doesn't like to reward or promote sports they don't carry or create. You like Spicoli type X-Gamers? The Espy ballot is full of them...

You take the van... I'll keep the dog.

Friday, June 23, 2006

Ladies & Gents... The New Lead Singer of O-Town...








Or maybe the name of the band is 68 degrees... she looks like even more of a little girl now than when she had Super Mullet in Pittsburg. Have you paid your taxes there little lady?

Thursday, June 01, 2006

You ever play in Springfield?



Separated at birth? You decide...

Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Major Milestone

Its party time at the old homestead... why, you ask? did the Caps win the Patrick Division? no ...did Esa score in the Cup final? sorry, no again ... did Bettman realize that the Flames actually won the Cup in 2004, and sandblast the Lightning off the side of the silver chalice? no, afraid not

...did B recognize the need to use the potty, and get there in time to go without wetting his pants? Yes!!! ding, ding, ding... cue the confetti! strike up the band! break out the Lawrence Welk bubble blower!

Our little guy felt it coming and high-tailed it to his little Winnie the Pooh potty in the nick of time. He was thrilled, we're thrilled, elated, proud. This is a huge success for him, after several days of near misses and close calls, he did this one all on his own.

"If anyone knocks me into the boards..."

Saturday, May 13, 2006

Sports hereos? or Compensated endorsers?

This is the random thought that dropped from brain today, actually I've wasted several minutes on countless occasions pondering this.

Isn't it funny that one generation's Pitcher is the next generation's Pitch man? For example, I'll freely admit that it wasn't until I joined a baseball card club as a child that I realized that Joe DiMaggio was more than just Mr. Coffee. And then there was that popular fellow from the Moneystore, Phil Rezutto (btw, in my world, right at this moment, there are no point deductions for spelling errors). Who could have known that he ever played baseball? Is it possible that one day one of my boys will be dumbfounded and say: "Dad, did you know that Michael Jordan played basketball before he started selling Hanes underwear with that guy who has been in a movie with everyone? "

I could probably go on and on for like dozens of minutes, but could great actors have had previous lives in sports? I mean Merlin Olson didn't do anything prior to being Father Murphy, right?


Right?

Saturday, May 06, 2006

Kids are Awesome!

I'm only re-posting because I was hit by a spam comment. (I hate spam I am, I will not eat it in a boat, I will not eat it with a goat.) So, not knowing how to delete a single comment by itself, I copied the original post, and then deleted it.

This is cool.... well its cool to me, and that's all that really matters. We took B up to bed earlier, and he didn't want to go upstairs without Mommy and baby A, that's cool... real cool ...but wait, there's more. So after brushing our teeth, and kissing his baby brother on the head, B is ready to settle down for bedtime stories. Tonight his choice was a collection of pocket sized Winnie the Pooh Christmas books, seven books, five pages each. One of them was 'Cozy Caps'. I hadn't even turned the first page, when the music to my ears chimed: "Daddy... Caps play Hockey. Let's go Caps". Now, I did tell him that cap is another name for hat, and that Caps is short for Capitals. So, when the Caps win the Stanley Cup next... well, lets not get too giddy... if they ever reach the mountain top, my boy has been there in the valley with the rest of us, hoping and cheering. Game On!

Thursday, April 20, 2006

Reach out and touch someone

Wow, I'm a big slacker... haven't posted in 3 weeks. Same quandry... wonderful random thoughts while driving. Sit in front of the computer, and my mind turns into cottage cheese... and I hate cottage cheese.

anywho.

Does anyone else hate cell phones as much as I do? What a wonderful invention, that through overuse and abuse, has become one of the worlds' greatest annoyances.

Now, I know all the positives of having one these pocket sized comm-links, but lets explore some of the ways people have forgotten their manners. Just the other day, C and I are having a nice lunch at the Olive Garden... when all of the sudden, two tables over a fire alarm goes off, no... an ambulance drives by, no... wait I think its the Bat phone, no, not the Batphone? Well only the caped crusader would/should need to have the volume of his phone ON, and cranked to ELEVEN, and that's only when expecting a call from Commissioner Gordon. Well, this guy didn't even look like Bruce Wayne.

And, answer me this. Why do movie theatres, and even churches need to remind people to silence their phones? Because people are lazy, ill mannered, stupid, inconsiderate, just some English pigs with no brain.

And then there are the ring tones. Do we really need to here the first ten seconds of someone else's favorite song digitalized like it was played through a child's See 'N Say, but at the volume of a 94 civic with the complete slammed ground effects kit and rollin' with the boomin' system. You know , the Hi-Fi equipped with the TK-421 upgrade? (those little rolling juke boxes are a whole rant to themselves, but for another time)

What if the hostesses of restaurants were given the right to confiscate the offender's phone until they finished their meal? Just like Game Boys in Physics class: "If I see it again, its mine until the end of class!" Wouldn't that be awesome.

Feel the anger.

Friday, March 31, 2006

Random Radio Rant

I'm free associating here... it's been two weeks since my last post... kinda sounds like the beginning to a confessional of the technical age... and I'm not even Catholic... anywho.

Trying to come up with a topic... the peanut is neither a pea, nor a nut... discuss.

Seriously, I'm drawing a blank. I had all these great thoughts while on my hour long commute, but now, here with my computer... nothing.

Wait, Im visualizing my drive... Why can't DJs just play music, read the traffic report, weather report, play music, play commercials, and play more music? Why do they all think they are the next Don & Mike, or Bob & Tom, or Rick Dees? Disc Jockeys, commence with the jockeying of Discs! ...or mp3s, or 8-tracks, or cassettes, really any media with something between Aerosmith and ZZTop will do. Just stop talking! If it is talk radio, I suppose you are allowed to talk, but get to the point already.

Keep it swinging.

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Mysterious 33

Rolling Rock, Eddie Murray, Don Beaupre, Larry Bird, Tony Dorsett, and now me.... what do all these have in common? yep, 33...

And that is about all there is.

Of course, if all the rest of them threw down 33 Rolling Rocks, I might have a chance at being a better hockey player than Eddie, a better basketball player than Donnie B., heck I might even be able to hit more 3's than TD.

I can here it now... "Ladies and Gentlemen... Starting tonights game... The Single Greatest Chest Bumping CameraMan... Put your hands together.... Mister Brendan Haywood"

Wait, that's not me. Maybe I could be a better first baseman than Haywood. He may have better extension, but I've got patience at the plate.

Cool now... Hush, hush.

Sunday, March 12, 2006

I've been tagged

OK, I'll play too... like most of you, I don't feel comfortable forwarding the pyramid of e-mails, but as a blog post... it seems to be the perfect place for these... I've actually been pondering a quiz type post similar to this for a couple of weeks, but I'll save that for another time... movin' right along.

4 Jobs I’ve had
Ice cream counter /Fry cook
Retail athletic apparel sales
State highway worker - summers in college
Producer/Editor/Videographer

4 Movies I Can Watch Over & Over
The Empire Strikes Back
Smoky and the Bandit
Slap Shot
Batman - 1966

4 TV Shows I Love To Watch
Scrubs
How I met your mother
Overhaulin'
Rides

4 Places I’ve Been On Vacation
Disney World
Sea World
Hockey Hall of Fame - Toronto
Bloomington Gold Corvette show

4 Favorite Dishes
Meatloaf
Homemade Mac & Cheese
Crab Imperial
Chicken Pesto Ravioli

4 Websites I Visit Daily
Slam Sports - better hockey info than on any US sites
WashingtonCaps.com
imdb.com
ebay

4 Places I’d Rather Be
Fairfield
the Fabulous Hog Neck Arena - "you all play hockey.... on Ice?"
Horsebridge
a hammock

later

Monday, March 06, 2006

Nonsense Ole Chum!




Thanks B.

I took the superhero quiz (http://quizfarm.com/test.php?q_id=92013), and guess who I am? Turns out they didn't have the best photo, so I decided to post this one instead.

Robin.. hand me the shark repellent Bat spray!

Thursday, March 02, 2006

Blimey! an Irish Limey!


This trip down memory lane has reminded me, since Wild World commercials used to run on WDCA during WOW! and before that on the Captain 20 show, that's right... Captain 20, just like Richard Dawson, lives.



I hope you all were as lucky as I was to stumple upon the good Captain's in studio interview with Don and Mike a couple of weeks ago. As always, when the Captain is around, Count Gore DeVal isn't too far away. I found his link on the steaming show log...

http://www.captain20.com/
http://www.countgore.com/

good stuff, definately worth a look.

give all my best to Chef Combo.

The Blonde David Copperfield

I stayed home with B. the past two days, a little to sick for daycare. Anywho, I was flipping around the channels during the morning news and who do I see on the Fox 5 morning news? That's right Adventure World fans... The Blonde David Copperfield, Joe (don't call me Ray) Ramano. He was mystifying the masses with his mild mannered magical manuvers. Oh Joe, we knew you when...

Hey remember when it was Wild World? After they had gotten rid of the wild animals... before Cal was their spokesman... when Big John Studd was in all their commercials. That was back when only Disney World was cooler.

Fire up the smoke machines!! and I'll puke in the bushes... and we can all HallowScream down the tracks of the Crazy Train...

we're doomed.

Sunday, February 26, 2006

Product Placement ...is Nothing Sacred?

First let me thank my wife and my sister in law for nudging me off the slacker sofa and back onto the blogger train.

Now on with the show. Product placement.

I will concede that I Do Realize that it is expensive to produce a major film, especially an animated film. But is it necessary to draw in product placement? Apparently so, I guess to get voice work from Drew Barrymore and Will Ferrell requires a little more than faith in the box office receipts. I took my son to a matinee today, two tickets to Curious George, $13.... One Medium popcorn and one medium Diet Soda, there went the credit card. You know the rest... Priceless.

Here we go, we found a nice seat, sat down to share our popcorn and soda... on with the previews. It was nice, no commercials for things that aren't sold at the snack booth like Mac and Cheese, or Mercury Cougars, or Madden 2009. Just simple ordinary coming attractions.

On with show... "look Daddy Curious George! He's silly!, Curious George is pretty cool Daddy! I want to see it again Daddy!"

Well I don't want to give away any plot points here... so

[Spoiler Alert! Do not read any further if you don't want to know what happens until you get a chance to see it yourself.]

On the cargo ship George knocks over several crates of fresh fruit... DOLE fruit.

Later, when the Man in the Yellow Hat rushes to rescue George before he is sent back to the jungle, he speeds off in a Volkswagon (I guess he was obeying His own Speed).

The funny thing is that these two product logos were drawn with a much higher level of detail than the backgrounds and even the characters. That is the thing that kind of irked me... I'll allow the space for marketing, and I know it didn't mean a hill of beans to the kids in the theatre whether it was Dole or Green Giant, Volkswagen or Ford (although my son would probably recognized if it had been an Explorer), but draw your "subliminal" advertising in the same fashion as the rest of the film, thats all I'm saying. Other wise fade to black cue a real commercial and then return to flick.

Eaze on down... Eaze on down the road....

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Inspiration vs. Motivation

Ever have one or the other, but not both at the same time? That is the quandry that has kept me from posting the last few weeks. "Aha... Eureka! I have a great idea! but... i don't feel like sitting in front of the computer right now", OR... "when I get home I HAVE to post my thoughts on this..."

and then the other side.... "wow, I haven't posted in a while... I really should post something... hmmmmmm, but what? Oh, maybe this..... nah, too boring..... or that, nah, no one would get it, or I'd have type the whole back story.... ah forget it.... maybe tomorrow...."

But when those two orbiting forces align, look out... its gold Jerry!

Unfortunately.... this is not one of those times... And I think, that is what keeps most of our society, or at least me, from reaching our, my, full potential.

I really should do this... but I don't know where to start... or that'll take too long... any of these sound familiar?

I lost my train of thought.... I love trains, I would love to set up my old train set... if only I had the time, or the space... Oh there it is, circled back into the station.

Motivation vs. Inspiration.

Is there any way to unite these awesome forces? form of ... a giraffe... form of ... an ice bridge.... nah, thats been done

oh, no my peanut butter is on your chocolate..... but isn't your chocolate really in my peanut butter?

Pudding.... or Popsicles? how about both!

Oh well, enough of that...

Random thought... does anyone else think that Ford missed out on something this year by not resurrecting the Torino nameplate? My uncle had one, it was an early 70s model, two doors, as I recall it was a sort of root beer color, with a tan top... I miss that car.

Later.

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

My friend Killer recently posted his reflection on what is wrong with youth sports... Parents... while I agree, I think there is even more to it than unruly parents, passive parents can be just as bad.

I know I'm getting dangerously close to a rant here, but it is the media's fault too. Just like their own parents and coaches, kids emulate their heros. Remember how we all used to be Eddie Murray on the playground (positive), or put our siblings in a figure four leg lock because we had seen Ric (Wooo) Flair do the same thing Saturday (negative) morning between the Superfriends and the Kung Fu feature. Well, now in addition to the 25 hours a day of DunkCenter, er Sports Center, we have video games where even the tame 'E for everyone' sports games have showboating, and mid game fights... why, because WE can't get enough of it. The media should use some discretion, yes, but if the public wants something, some media outlet will gladly serve it up. Whether it be highlights of an NBA zero, er hero choking his coach or refusing a trade.... or MAN vs. Beast on FOX...etc.

Also, there is our ridiculous need (as a society) for instant gratification (fueled in large part by the media)... we don't want to work or study, we just want to rain 3's, slam dunk, hit 75 out of the park, do our little Homer Simpson endzone dance (without thanking the quarterback, linemen, blockers, coaches, etc.)... whatever to get our endorsement deal, so we can feed our kids like Patrick Ewing, or have 'the basic necessities of life'... pimped out rides on fly dubs, rolling with the booming system, or a crib that would be the envy of the MTV set.

We're all guilty... we're all rubberneckers straining to see the trainwreck... who of us hasn't looked up from the newspaper when there is a hockey fight? Who of us hasn't thrown the TV Guide or the remote across the room when the Caps squandered a 3 games to 1 lead in the playoffs? Or screamed at the players on TV to 'kill' their opponent? I'm ranting.

My point is this... my junior high (you kids call it 'middle' school now) principal had the best philosophy, I'll paraphrase...We all need to first GOVERN OURSELVES ACCORDINGLY.

So lets 'vote with the remote' if you will. Now that I have one child and another on the way, I have been working on controling my temper and my language... I am also trying to filter the content that comes into my home. We watch television as a family, although most of the time it is Disney DVDs, we still watch Bryan's favorite show, (although its not the same without J. Peterman). If a promo for a violent or creepy show or movie comes on and my son is in the room, I change the channel... or distract him if I can't grab the remote.

There I go again, try to give two cents and drop the whole piggy bank.

Peace out.

Sunday, January 22, 2006

This is only a test blog, I'm new to this venue. Hopefully I'll be able to type... right down to earth, in language that everyone can easily understand. But if you can't understand what I'm saying, I'll translate: Remember to drink your Ovaltine. or, we're going to need a bigger boat. or, I pity the fool. or, when your hot, your hot... when your not, your not. (now try and get that song out of your brain)... well, as the Frugal Gourmet once said on PBS... "I bid you peace"