Last night’s PBS NewsHour featured ice cream maker Ben & Jerry’s.
With the Corporation for Public Broadcasting defunded by Trump, PBS is showing its solidarity with another defunded TV show.
Author: DOuG pRATt
JJWild
Oh, no. Jim Wild has died. This news is hitting me hard.
Jim was a computer system integrator who I worked with frequently and closely for 25 years, from 1982 until he sold his company, JJWild, Inc., to Perot Systems in 2007. Although I didn’t work for Jim, I visited his computer lab so often that he had an employee badge made up for me, so I could come and go freely, as needed. (Perot, later acquired by DELL, wasn’t so accommodating.) Jim had a quiet way about him as he pulled resources together from multiple technology companies to make things happen. He was one of those people who never seemed to be in a hurry, and yet everything was done promptly. Jim Wild was a rarity in the business, wanting to please everyone he could and, in every instance I can think of, succeeding.
I enjoyed every one of my countless dealings with Jim, and the feeling seemed to be mutual. The last time I saw him was at a social gathering in August, 2019.
HAWWWK-AAAaaa!
A few weeks ago, a pair of red-tailed hawks took up residence in the neighborhood.
One or both of them can be heard calling throughout the day.
Chipmunks and squirrels beware! Mr. and Mrs. Hawk are here!
Yellen, Not Shouting
A very worthwhile chat with former Fed Chair and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.
Fantastic 4D
The cliché theme “it’s all about family” in movies and TV continues with Fantastic 4: First Steps. The first Fantastic Four movie from Marvel Studios, rather than Fox.
I saw the movie in IMAX 3D. The effect adds something to the viewing experience, but if I go again it will be without the discomfort of wearing the 3D glasses over my distance glasses.
F4 is a rather unusual movie in its presentation and pacing. From the start it’s a different breed of superhero flick, but only until the Fantastic Family meet Galactus, when the action becomes more typical of Marvel movie installments.
I like the retro Sixties vibe, which is notable for its lack of New Yorkers smoking cigarettes. Of special significance, the credits include a nod to Jack Kirby. It isn’t a co-creator credit but it’s nice nonetheless, and it “stans” alone, without Mr. Lee.
Oz Quacks Like a Duck
First there was the partisan propaganda contained in a fawning message from Social Security about the “Big Beautiful Bill.” Now there’s this from the Medicare:
Douglas,
I’m Dr. Mehmet Oz, head of the Medicare program, and I’m excited to introduce my new email series to help you stay healthy. As a doctor, I believe simple daily habits, like smart food choices and regular exercise, can help keep you healthier for longer and prevent future health problems.
One of the simplest ways to start is walking! Just 30 minutes of walking a day can:
Lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes
Help manage your weight
Strengthen your bones and muscles, and reduce the risk of falls and injuries
Boost your mood and mental well-being
If 30 minutes a day is more than you can do right now, start slowly and gradually increase your time and distance. Remember to wear sturdy shoes and warm up before your walk.
Talk with your doctor during your yearly wellness visit about how walking might fit into your personalized prevention plan. I encourage you to take that first step. Even a short walk today is a step toward better health tomorrow.
Stay well,
Dr. Oz
Dr. Oz is playing it very safe with this gentle advice. There’s an option to unsubscribe from his “stay healthy” series, and I might do that; but first I’m interested in seeing if any quack medical claims from his TV show start creeping into these messages.
https://www.factcheck.org/2022/01/dr-fauci-still-treats-patients-contrary-to-dr-ozs-claim/