Big Blue Huddle

https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/shopping-all/iconic-stores-you-grew-up-with-that-are-no-longer-around/ss-BB1d6Dby?ocid=msedgntp

Some of these I never heard of as they were probably located in parts of the country where I never visited.

Locally, I can name many more that were fixtures in the NY Metro area for so many years and sadly have gone

Abraham & Strauss department stores  (A&S)
E.J. Korvettes
Sterns Department stores
Caldor
Filene's Basement
Robert Hall
Learners
Sam Goody
J.J. Newberrys
Alexanders
Levitz furniture and then don't forget the Supermarkets
Waldbaums
Pathmark
Grand Union
A&P

And maybe the best of them all  Crazy Eddie

WE are vacationing in Virginia right now, in the Shenandoah Mountain area.

When buying gas thru out most of the northeast, it is always 10% ethanol. Since we have been here,  I have filled up with gas that is all gas and no ethanol. Immediately I have noticed that I am getting much better gas mileage. I seem to be averaging about 5 miles more a gallon because of it.

Anyone else have experience with gas not ethanolized?

https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-aud-nw-nyt-climate-drought-western-us-20210617-ueojc3bc5jhifeehfxz3yxpn3a-story.html

It is unbelievable the numbers for heat in the other parts of this country. I listen to the news and shutter, how can it be that hot and it's not even summer. We seem to say this every year and it just keeps going.

And then there is the drought that has gripped the Western States going on 5 years now with no relief in sight. My brother lives outside Durango, Colorado and after speaking to him last night, they are in bad shape. This is supposed to be the season where they get the runoffs from winter snows, yet it didn't happen and the drought is much worse. It will affect many of the major cities out west.

Is there a long term solution?

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/we-ve-been-telling-the-alamo-story-wrong-for-nearly-200-years-now-it-s-time-to-correct-the-record/ar-AAKSLsZ?ocid=msedgntp


Imagine if the U.S. were to open interior Alaska for colonization and, for whatever reason, thousands of Canadian settlers poured in, establishing their own towns, hockey rinks and Tim Hortons stores. When the U.S. insists they follow American laws and pay American taxes, they refuse. When the government tries to collect taxes, they shoot and kill American soldiers. When law enforcement goes after the killers, the colonists, backed by Canadian financing and mercenaries, take up arms in open revolt.
As an American, how would you feel? Now you can imagine how Mexican President Jose Lopez de Santa Anna would have felt in 1835, because that

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/newsus/hoover-dam-a-symbol-of-the-modern-west-faces-an-epic-water-shortage/ar-AAKLo2I?ocid=msedgntp

Eighty-six years after its completion in 1935, the infrastructure at Hoover Dam continues doing what it was designed to do: holding water and sending it coursing through intake tunnels, spinning turbines and generating electricity. The rules for managing the river and dividing up its water

The US Navy's new pilotless tanker plane just refueled an aircraft carrier fighter jet for the first time, and this is what it looked like

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/news/the-us-navy-s-new-pilotless-tanker-plane-just-refueled-an-aircraft-carrier-fighter-jet-for-the-first-time-and-this-is-what-it-looked-like/ar-AAKN57J?ocid=mailsignout

We were talking about how warfare has changed over the course of history. Here is a definite advancement.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/realestate/inside-the-amazing-bunker-city-the-size-of-manhattan/ss-BB15cjRH?ocid=msedgdhp

Inside the amazing 'bunker city' the size of Manhattan


Explore the world's largest survivalist community
While countries around the world continue to grapple with the current pandemic, there

https://www.msn.com/en-us/video/peopleandplaces/this-bouncing-robot-can-hop-four-times-its-own-height/vi-AAKrCHy?ocid=msedgntp

Pretty cool. Now if they would take my advice and market it. I know my grandkids would be howling for one, or two, or three.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/newsworld/hero-rat-who-sniffed-out-dozens-of-landmines-is-retiring/ar-AAKIjua?ocid=msedgntp

Is there a 'rat' HOF???

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/china-s-artificial-sun-sets-world-record-by-running-at-216million-f/ar-AAKCIws?ocid=msedgntp

Are they on to something that we are on the outside of? Seems like a huge leap into the future if so.

There is always a lot of debate about whether or not the Good Old Days were really that good? For those of us that go back, say to the 1950s and 1960s were they really THAT good.

My reason, we were young and had little responsibility back then. Times seemed so much more relaxed and life, in general, for me anyway, was better.

Today we have so much better technology, so much better medical care, but is life really better?

I believe there is so much more pressure today to succeed, to sort of Keep up with everyone else.

My wife and I were discussing newly marrieds today. Most HAVE to have that gorgeous wedding, have to have that wonderful home to move right into, and when kids arrive, those kids have to have the best of everything. Parents have to work just to keep up. Where is the waiting for things instead of today's -I want it right now whether or not we can afford it.

IN today's world, violence seems just out of control on so many levels. We never had mass shootings, never had these unruly marches or gatherings on a regular basis.

I just feel that the pressure to 'keep up' in today's world has made it a far more unlikeable place than what we refer to as 'the good old days.

Just a terrific video of a legendary song being played around the world

Sit back and enjoy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQK5RKqXIYY

Obviously, this is subjective, but overall, I can't argue with most of them, at least the ones I've seen.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/news/the-best-death-scenes-in-cinema-history/ss-AAKhhIk?ocid=msedgntp

I would add a couple of my own

Joe Pesci/Tommy DeVito in Goodfellas
Vincent/John Travolta in Pulp Fiction
Sonny Corleone/ James Caan in the Godfather
HAL in 2001, A Space Odyssey
Bonnie and Clyde
Maybe the most famous death scene-The Wicked Witch of the West
James Cagney/Cody Jarrett--White Heat
King Kong
And the one that still makes me tear up--Old Yella

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/italian-cable-car-plunges-to-the-ground-killing-at-least-14/ar-AAKii7c?ocid=msedgnt

Just a horrible accident. The only survivor was a little child who did sustain multiple injuries.

All we seem to hear these days are more and more people, famous or not, being accused of sexual harassment.

First I need to say that I truly believe that no woman, or man, has to be subjected to any sort of sexual harassment, but are some carrying this subject a bit too far? Myself, I am from a completely different generation. In my day, women seemed to like to be whistled at, even ogled a bit and now when a man makes a pass at a woman he is accused of sexual harassment. I see women dress so inappropriately with literally their breasts hanging out, skirts so tight they can't sit down. WHY--to attract attention? I would think so, yet when a man seems to react to that, he gets accused of harassment.

Is this term being thrown about too loosely these days. Why do women seem to wait years to say something? Is it a money grab, attention grab, or fear of reprisals?

I am really curious as to how others, maybe from a younger generation see this.

Again, I am not saying any woman needs to be harassed sexually or any other way. Guys like Harvey Weinstein are scumbags who used power o gain sexual favors from women and the old days of the 'casting couch are finally over. But for myself, when I see women dressed so sexually and then when a man seems to try to 'make a move' he is accused of sexual harassment. Are the days when say construction workers making a pass at pretty women, over and that will be sexual harassment?

Christopher Mellon on military's UFO encounters

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/christopher-mellon-on-military-s-ufo-encounters/vi-BB1gQrkp?ocid=msedgntp

The more we hear and now see, how can we not believe we are not alone.

 I was just going thru some of my files and came across this. Something EVERYONE has seen at some point, but darn it, I watched it for maybe the 1000th time and it still makes me laugh. Maybe the most famous skit of all time, so sit back and enjoy it once again, and get ready to laugh out loud. ( and don't tell me you didn't  )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mETrbHTqBXs

We used to watch his show faithfully and always laughed our heads off

A few samples

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GB5dmv9WYVY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx5P9zlN2nc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaP-uRfBBdY

Last year, at this time, anyone who had money in a retirement account, ANY account that is in the Stock market, were pulling their hair out and thinking that they may have to work till they are 90. We were going on a Trans Atlantic cruise, leaving March 1, and while we were sitting in the cruise terminal, waiting to board and knowing we would be out of touch for the next 2 weeks, I was desperately trying to reach our 'advisor' to see what we should do. Finally, as we were boarding, he called me, told me to relax, enjoy the cruise and things will be back to normal very soon. We did follow his advice and look at the run the Bull market has had since then. I know we are pleased. Our investments are pretty low risk, so we may not lose as much, but we also won't become millionaires either. So, is this going to end anytime soon?

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/24/business/dealbook/bull-market-bubble.html

The bull market is now a year old, with the S&P 500 up nearly 75 percent from its low point at this time last year. That recovery, The Times

I know Mr. Tarantino's movies, like the Coen brothers, are an acquired taste. Myself, I have acquired that taste and basically LOVE almost all his movies. He is getting better with age, as with his last movie Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.

So take a look at this list of the most memorable characters from his movies. Can't argue with any of them. Myself, I would have switched Travolta's character with Samuel Jackson's. I think, from all his movies, Jules Winnfield was the most quoted and the best overall.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/news/the-25-greatest-characters-from-quentin-tarantino-films/ss-AAIT6nz?ocid=mailsignout&li=BBnb7Kz#image=26

Bob Hope... It's Priceless



He would never be allowed to perform with his acts, today.

Girls, short skirts, off colored jokes, religious christmas songs, all politically incorrect.

GREAT GREAT MAN.

This will most likely be the very best ten minutes of your day. hope you all enjoy this great AMERICAN PATRIOT.

++++++++++++++++

Here's a history lesson for today Alan Alda first saw Bob Hope in WWII. Until the day he died his Dad never ever missed a Bob Hope special.  Alan remembered him laughing and crying at every show but he never understood why.  Now he knows.

A little travel back in time. Warning.  This might make your eyes wet!  Those were the days.....jokes were funny, not disgusting.......and the girls were dressed to make them look pretty, not vulgar... This is some priceless footage..... This is a great e-mail.  It makes me thankful that I am old enough to have lived in the time of Bob Hope.





https://biggeekdad.com/2011/02/bob-hope-christmas/#.YFyJlTvjjC8.link

We have a 70-page thread on movie quotes, some obscure, others are huge softballs.

AFI put out a list of the top 100 several years ago, so let's take a look at those memorable quotes from movies. I'm sure you will remember most of them and if you are not sure what picture it comes from, just ask.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/594Oxq4c0XA?feature=player_embedded%20%3E

Subaru Has Designed a Flying Motorcycle. Seriously.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/subaru-has-designed-a-flying-motorcycle-seriously/ar-BB1fi5q4?ocid=msedgdhp

Subaru has filed a U.S. patent application for a"land-and-air" vehicle, which amounts to...a flying motorcycle.

Indeed, the drawings in the patent application depict perhaps the most literal interpretation of that: a conventional motorcycle tucked into an airplane fuselage.

Based on the application, it seems the wings of this Subaru flying machine would tuck into the sides on the ground, and the vehicle would operate much like a conventional motorcycle. During takeoff, the wings would extend outward with their propellers facing upward, which would allow for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) functionality with a fixed rotor at the rear.


First I thought Weeze, but NO, I can just see Bob flying down the PA Tnpke waving hi to all the other cars.

Born to Be Wild--

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lICA96wxiuI

Wonderful video


Enjoy the ride

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRCIzZHpFtY&t=320s

I a couple of weeks the 2021 baseball season will begin. Over the years, baseball and Hollywood have had a great relationship, with many baseball themes movies made. Some were good, some were stinkers and some have become classics.

Take a look back at this retrospective of Baseball and Hollywood

Baseball and Hollywood: A retrospective

https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/news/baseball-and-hollywood-a-retrospective/ss-BB18LaRQ?ocid=msedgdhp

There was a movie that wasn't mentioned here, that I, in particular,' loved, Kill The Umpire with William Bendix. Otherwise a pretty good list.

26-Year-Old Hopes to Be First Woman with Down Syndrome in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/more-sports/26-year-old-hopes-to-be-first-woman-with-down-syndrome-in-sports-illustrated-swimsuit-issue/ar-BB1eLPxB?ocid=msedgdhp


Mikayla Holmgren already made history by competing in the Miss Minnesota USA pageant

50 Celebrities Who Turned Down Major Movie Roles

https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/news/50-celebrities-who-turned-down-major-movie-roles/ss-BB1d8NKV?ocid=msedgdhp

Some I already knew, but many I did not. Just think how things would have been if another celeb played a major role. The entire movie would have/ would have been complete different.

Mel Gibson as The Gladiator,
Burt Reynolds as James Bond

Some really interesting insights into how actors think about roles and t heir image also.

WE were away last week. Got home yesterday and turn on the TV after dinner to our favorite movie station TCM, so what is on, my favorite all-time movie, The Maltese Falcon, with Bogie at his film noir best and just a magnificent supporting cast. How can I not stop and watch it again,
Then as the movie ended, the host comes on and tells us Casablanca is on next, just another movie I have seen so many times, I almost know the script by heart, but who can turn it off once it starts, so it was Humphrey Bogart night in our house last night.
Many people consider Casablanca as one of the greatest, if not THE greatest, American movie ever made. After Casablanca, Citizen Kane came on, another movie that is proclaimed as the greatest American movie ever made. (Myself, I say it The Godfather) but that may be a topic for another thread. I started watching Kane, but sort of dozed off and missed most of it. Funny I have seen Kane several times, but it is not a movie, like Falcon or Casablanca that I would watch every t time it is on.

So a wonderful night of movie watching.

So what is your all-time favorite movie?

Enjoy


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44UC6muN8KY&ab_channel=Sacla%27UK