Category: PAPA’S MISS/MASH (Page 4 of 4)

This topic may be premature for you but I cannot not resist a vision that I have of two future career paths. Sometimes thoughts simply pop in and out of my mind. Right now a hot topic is global warming. (Howcould anyone miss the clamor?) As is true with almost any subject, many folks nowadays believe that government solves problems. You live in an age when great faith is placed in politicians and bureaucrats. Someday I will describe their iceberg theroy of governing, but for now think long and hard before you credit them as the “best and the brightest.”

Hopes for changing the weather/climate is certainly not a new concept. There is quite a long history of making things better. I’ll spare you the tales of special chants, rain dances and magic. Get right into the 1800’s. One concept called for huge plots of forest to be lit ablaze to generate heat to shake up the atmosphere. Of course, in succeeding years more enlightened minds felt that rain often followed Civil War battles. So war had to play a role in improving the planet. Move on the the 1890’s when concussions in the air caused by huge explosions generated weather change. (A smaller version of the Big Bang?) And, last century we seeded clouds. Never give up. Which brings me to suggested careers for you after university if the best and the brightest remain dedicated to new energy.

PROSPECTING or SCIENCE. Take your pick. If alternative energy sources come to fruition (Wind-Solar-Tons of Batteries) there will be a need for loads of lithium, copper, zinc, nickel, chromium and cobalt. I’m not talking pick and shovel work. There’ll be a need for gouges into the earth to satisfy need. We’ll all be better off with frenzied chasing after minerals. No one notices the 78 mines currently designated as Super Fund sites. The public won’t be any wiser in 20-40 years if more sites are added. Dig at your hearts content. Think geologist for a career.

Or, maybe a nuclear scientist. “Atoms for Peace” was a concept going back to 1953. Therein lies a possible answer for future energy. It has lost a political battle over safety/fear to date but actual bright minds are getting closer to safe, sustainable nuclear energy. It’s a source that may be ripe for development. If you contemplate such a career just be sure that you understand the difference between fission and fusion.

None of you have lived long enough to have “old memories”. Papa has lived for a fair amount of years. It is interesting that at times something comes up that leads to questioning the reliability of one’s memories. February 3rd is known as the “Day The Music Died.” I first recall hearing that term (Or, perhaps the day rock and roll died.) in the 1960’s. My roommate mentioned it. I wasn’t up on my music knowledge so I had to ask what he was talking about. He explained the tragic airplane accident in a Iowa cornfield that took the lives of famous performers. I especially liked one popular song of Buddy Holly because it reminded me of a John Wayne line in “The Searchers”.

On the anniversary of that 1959 plane crash, “day in history” features proclaim that the music dying day line first came from a 1971 song. That’s impossible because my roommate used the phrase in the 60’s. He was sharp but not so sharp he could predict the future. Now, the logical conclusion is that the phrase was indeed used by fans throughout the 60’s and then used in the 1971 song lyrics. However, there is no mention of that possibility that Papa could find despite quite a bit of searching the internet. Has Papa’s memory in essence been wiped clean? A know it all wag might suggest that Papa’s memory has slipped. In that regard I know that on some past events the memory is there but the specifics could be intertwined. The lesson is to not bet on memories as 100% fact. But, a factual nugget does still rattle around upstairs.

With time on my hands I will now seek out old newspapers/magazines from the 1959-1971 era in search of a popular culture mention of the phrase in use before “American Pie.” You’d think that would be a good chore for tech savy grandkids. That’ll be the day.

Right out of the box, a US women’s hockey star from what many consider the greatest university, was injured against Finland. That means the university is down to ten players competing in this Olympics that have school ties; 4 US and 6 Canadian. Speaking of Canadian, there is a hockey player from Baddeck. Everyone in the family is or someday will be familiar with that Bras d’Or town. It is close to the heart of Papa’s universe. I don’t know how it works but she is on the Chinese team by way of the U of Minny-Duluth.

Papa’s hometown was once the source of many USA speedskating Olympians. In the 1940’s/50’s the director of recreation started a team that raced on frozen lagoons in the area. Many of those kids dominated speed skating on a national level. The Pettit indoor oval is located back home and it is still a big training facility and site of competitions. But, many ice skaters now have in-line skating backgrounds; such as from Florida. Not much outdoor ice in the Sunshine State. Back home in the winter, playgrounds were flooded with water inside snow banks to create rinks. A current US Olympian’s dad plowed an oval on the family pond for training. He’s still young but who knows? Watch Jordan Stolz if you view any Olympics besides hockey with players from a marvelous university. Florida a pipline to speedskating team? How times have changed. But, Wisconsin still feeds the Curling team.

When is it cold enough? Not yet is the best answer right now. Let’s hope a more dramatic drop in temperature happens soon. Like overnight in Green Bay!Come and get it 49’s. Bone chilling, teeth clattering cold would do nicely. 5:15 P.M. Pacific. We might get a peek at 50 degrees in the Northwest before the sun sets. Go Pack Go.

Cellophane nearly did Papa in the other night. What should have been a joyous time baking cookies became a nightmare. Crushed candy canes were needed. Everyone knows that cellophane was used to wrap candy canes since at 1920. But, the wrap of my youth was always loosey, goosey. It was limply encasing the cane. Air gaps, similar in size to black holes, existed at both ends. A large air bubble was accommodated at the J curve. Lots of places to snag and pull. Or, cut. Or, best yet, rip off with teeth.

Today’s candy canes are snuggly protected under a clinging sheath that defies opening. It is the most advanced process yet developed to render Papa powerless and vulnerable. My self-esteem went south when shrewd lawyers decided that he best defense against product liability was the make it impossible to use a product. Thus, much to my chagrin, courses, degrees and schools that specialize in packaging engineering were created. If any on my grandkids ever wish to pursue “packaging engineering” for sadistic profit please be aware of page 37, paragraph 12, subsection k of my last will and testament.

I’d rather that a progeny develop a new merit badge with the Boy Scouts as a Senior Content Accessible Guide. Just as useful as walking the elderly across a crosswalk. And, safer for the scout.