Sports Rant

Oh look, Nadal won the French Open...shocker.  Who'd he beat?  Choke-avik?  Joke-avik?  Something like that.  He beat a dead horse.

A horse is a horse, of course.  Watched California Chrome come up short in his bid for the triple crown.  I didn't buy into the hype, but was still fairly disappointed.  With only 11 triple crown horse racing winners (compared to like 54 baseball triple crown winners), it is indeed a rare hoof feat.  The last being Affirmed in 1978, just a year after Seattle Slew did it.  Something like 20 horses have failed to produce on the 3rd leg.  He came up lame and couldn't hold off the other fresher racers, which makes it even more difficult to complete this hat trick in the modern era.  Still, we could have used a hero in these trying times - even if it was just a horse.

Super Bowl L will be plain ol' Super Bowl 50.  They said "L" was graphically challenged.  They said "Who would buy a hat with an L on it?"  Lenore would!   It should be Super Bowl L - for lame.

Kings appeared to be running away with the Stanley Cup finals.  At least it's not New York.  Still should have been the Hawks!  I blame Josh, who despite his birth in the Windy City, rooted for the more local team.  I'm only a little bitter...

Finally, since I posted about the Flubbies, they have won 5 games in a row.  They now possess the 4th worst record in baseball.  Progress!  Lame, but progress.  June swoon indeed.

Mutual of Omaha presents:

...the rare and elusive Jillian in the wild.  Seldom seen outside of her natural habitat - in front of an iPhone - the born boogie boarder made an exceptional outing, appearing for a friend's beach birthday bash.  

Art by Bubbe

D-Day

“Between the optimist and the pessimist, the difference is droll. The optimist sees the doughnut; the pessimist the hole!” ~ Oscar Wilde


Today is National Donut Day - the first Friday of every June.  I wish it was June every month.  Began in 1938 by the Salvation Army, the holiday celebrates those who served...donuts in World War I.  And it celebrates donuts!  (not to be confused with International Jelly-filled doughnuts day)  It's pretty ironic that the celebration coincides with the 70th anniversary of D-Day.  Who knew the D stood for donuts?  I'd probably parachute into enemy territory for a Maple Bourbon too...

Ode to the Donut

Deep fried and sweetened,

You can't wait to be eaten.

Sprinkled or covered with glaze,

You cannot escape my lusty gaze.

Tasty torus shaped piece of dough,

How I love you so!

A very important power point presentation by Jilly

Pulp Fiction

June Swoon

So, after watching the Old Man Show this morning, I was perusing this antiquarian paper format of transmitting a recount of recent happenstance, when I came across the funny sports pages.  I was not astonished to acknowledge that the Cubbies already possessed a stranglehold on the leagues worst record.  On the bright side, how can you get any lower than the lowest winning percentage in all of baseball?  I'm not sure, but as a true Cubs fan who has survived a multitude of June Swoons, I have faith they'll come up with something.

It got me thinking about the word "swoon".  No, it's not a fat swan nor a special spoon for eating watermelon.  It actually refers to a state of hysterical rapture or ecstasy, to be overcome with emotion - like when young bobbysoxers went nuts over Sinatra.  In retrospect, that doesn't seem to hysterical, but rather justified.  Oh yeah, "swoon" also means to faint or lose consciousness.

And a quick Google search surprisingly related the word to the stock market more than the Cubs.  So far, the old adage, "Sell in May and go away," hasn't held true.  The market continues to make steady, but not exponential new highs.  Rates are low, earnings decent, and easing continues.  Never fight the Fed.  A lack of exuberance keeps the indexes marching upward.  No hysterical rapture here.  That being said, I trade both long and short.  And hopefully, my account continues to move in the right direction.

So, although the Cubs don't seem to resemble The Second Coming anytime soon, it would be difficult to play anymore unconsciously than they already have been.  Difficult, but not impossible.  If only I could take the Cubs both long and short as well.  I remain an equal opportunity optimist.

Besides, we have to see if the Blackhawks can stave off elimination for the 7th time this post season and return to the Stanley Cup finals tonight!  Here's hoping no one faints in June, we see lots of fat swans, and eat plenty of watermelon.  And welcome to Jillian's 11th birthday month, my 16th anniversary (swoon!), & graduation from middle and elementary schools!

p.s.  Hawks just lost in overtime after not being behind the whole game.  Major bummer.  It's gonna be a long June.  At least I'll have several more hours of free time, now that I don't have to watch the finals...