Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Rambling Tuesday: Annette, Kim Jong Un, & River Otters

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The childhood sweetheart of my dreams
passed away Monday.

The Mickey Mouse Club of the late 50's / early 60's is in mourning.


Annette Funicello 
is no more.


My heart is saddened.

I first fell in love with Annette, not on the Mickey Mouse Club, as one would expect.  In fact, I very seldom watched that show.  The ending made me cry.


M-I-C ... see you real soon
K-E-Y ... why, because we like you
M-O-U-S-E


That was the rap music of the day.

No, I first fell in love with Annette in the Christmas movie "Babes In Toyland" released in 1961.  She was the only thing worth watching the movie for, unless you got into toys doing battle with bad guys and such.  It was amazing the things watching her could do to a seven year old boy!

Later, Annette donned a one piece swimsuit and joined Frankie Avalon in multiple "Beach Party"
movies.  She was a full figured girl, not one of the skin and bones look that parades itself as the sheer look of today.  No, Annette had a body ... but she didn't flaunt it.  Well, maybe a little when she sang songs of the era.

Instead, Annette played the role of a sensible person ... intelligent if you please ... that knew how to use her mind, hold on to true American values, and demonstrate common sense approaches to the problems that always seemed to face her.  Yet, she was a true beauty.


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My mother hated her.

In fact, after listening to me talking about Annette after viewing "Babes In Toyland" for the 5th time, she turned to me and said, "She's not as pretty as you think.  She wears tons of make-up to cover up all the bad pimples she has.  It's just the way Hollywood makes you think she's beautiful."

I never believed her for a second.  I think she was just trying to tell me to find someone my own age.  Annette was born in 1942, so she was 12 years older than I.


Yet, I was always attracted 
to older women.

Television offered me a few others to swoon over.  Connie Stevens, a sultry blond with a cotton candy voice tugged at my heart in "77 Sunset Strip", Gloria Winters, as Penny in "Sky King", was a sweet, young delight, and who could forget "The Farmer's Daughter" with the gorgeous Inger Stevens.


Still, Annette was my girl!

Annette died due to complications of Multiple Sclerosis.  She was 70 years old.  

There's a beach party in Heaven tonight!  There's a bending of the rules as bikini bathing suits and 60's rock music fills the scene.  The Rat Finks motorcycle gang are watching, as always, wishing they could participate.  Even the main man upstairs has his Mouseketeer ears on in honor of the occasion.

So, Annette, all I can say is, 

M-I-C ... see you real soon
K-E-Y ... why, because we like you
M-O-U-S-E


And on Earth, life goes on ...


  1. Kim Jong Un, the young leader of North Korea, seems devoted to making a name for himself.  He's threatened the United States, civilized Asia, and just about any country that will listen to his tirades, with nuclear attack.  (The only difference between men and boys is the cost and size of their toys!  Actually, he's suffering from a complex caused by having been given the female name of "Kim" by his mother years before, and forced to get a haircut while wearing a bowl on his head.  Perhaps we need be watchful of Moon Unit Zappa!)
  2. In the wake of the Rutgers coaching scandal, the athletic director, Tim Pernetti, has resigned from his job.  Don't feel sorry for him, yet.  He will collect $1.1 million dollars from the university in severance pay.  (Let's see, fail to do your job and become a millionaire!  Where the hell is that type of job when I was unemployed!)
  3. Nebraska, Wyoming and Colorado is preparing for a Winter blizzard to hit.  It is predicted that enough snow may fall to create numerous transportation and manufacturing problems.  (Wait a minute, isn't it officially Spring?)
  4. At the same time, Kansas, Oklahoma and North Texas are expected to experience hail and tornadoes.  (If you have a dog named Toto, be particularly careful.)
  5. Prescription drug prices are outrageously high, especially at CVS Pharmacies.  Consumer Reports called drug stores throughout the United States comparing prices in various retail outlets.  The prices were determined to be the lowest at Costco, while the highest were at CVS.  (Example: a month's supply of Plavix ... Costco $15, CVS $180!) (My wife has worked at CVS for 20 years and makes $12.15 an hour.  Guess it's all going to the CEO, like it usually does.  Talk about making a profit by selling drugs!)  
  6. United Airlines has been determined to be the worst of the 14 major U.S. airline carriers.  Overbookings, lost luggage, and smaller toilets seem to be at the root of the problem.  (No more Mile High Club flying united on United, you might say!)  Btw, Virgin America was rated as the Number One airline.  (I have a feeling they'll change their name in a few years when they reach puberty.)
  7. A River Otter was seen in Colorado for the first time in 100 years.  (This might indicate that no one was looking for one.)
Till next time ... keep smiling!



Editorial:  

Allow me to start by saying that I am neither a Louisville or Michigan fan.  

Yet, in my opinion, the NCAA and/or CBS decided that a great way to welcome Coach Rick Pitino into the Basketball Hall of Fame, as well as show tribute to the last season the Big East existed, would be to make sure Louisville defeated the University of Michigan in the championship game of this year's March Madness.  As has taken place many times this season and tourney, questionable officiating, especially during the last 9 minutes, swayed the game to Louisville's corner.  

This was predicted to occur by yours truly in another blogger's blog prior to the game ever taking place, and was judged to be correct by statistics and replays.  Funny that even the announcers made several comments during that time of the game about questionable officiating calls.  Funny how that seems to be a common theme this year.

I have nothing against Louisville and believe them to be a quality team.  They have heart and skill, and the motivation provided by Kevin Ware, who made a tremendous sacrifice last week.  However, as has happened way too often, the losers didn't deserve the loss in the manner it was dealt them.

My heart goes out to all of those schools, and especially to the kids that gave their hearts and souls to the game this year, only to have them jerked out by such lousy individuals that control the game's ratings needs, advertising, and officiating.  It is a sad day for basketball, a sad day for the players, and a sad day for the true basketball fan.  

Perhaps, next year will be different.  Perhaps, greed and ratings will no longer play into the final results.  
Perhaps, it will snow in Texas in July.

17 comments:

  1. I never knew Annette Funicello (sounds Italian?) but she sounds like she was quite a lady. It's weird how it hits us when celebrities pass. Well, the ones we really admire and respect anyway. I remember driving to work one morning with Geoff and they announced on the radio that Heath Ledger had passed away. I couldn't believe it and was in tears. Geoff was asking me what the matter with me was. It wasn't that I thought Heath was a sex god or whatever - I respected his work and he was so YOUNG!!! At least we still have the movies. :) Love the news round-up. Weird to think that some parts of the US are still in winter mode when we've hit autumn here already. Have a great day Rich! :)

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    1. Melanie - Annette was WAY before your time! lol Her heyday was in the early 60's. One might call her one of the first "teen queens" to hit the silver screen. No major movies, just a bunch of beach party films aimed at the teenage audience. The news was rather weak this week. Just not much happening for a change. Plus, I gotta admit, I've been working so much, the brain is wore out by the time I sit down to write. I tried to comment on some blogs the other night, and fell asleep in my computer chair reading the first one. I hope your day is fantastic! Many Thanks!

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  2. That last comment cracked me up. Seriously, it was finally 70 degrees here yesterday and by the end of the week it probably won't crack 50 degrees again. Where the hell is spring? But I did here about Annette Funicello and must say I was truly saddened by this. She really was a fine lady and just a damn shame what MS did to her. And the actual news is just too damn crazy to even comment on now!! Ramble on Rich! :)

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    1. Janine - Really good of you to stop in. I've been reading your blogs on my phone, but can't comment from it for some reason. I guess I'm just kind of disappointed in the way games are swayed these days. I've been watching the officiating more than the games and am really upset at what they see, but don't call, for the team they sway the game for. It's ridiculous. Annette was my first screen love, but there have been many since. I'm still kind of partial to Tanya Roberts, especially her outfit in a movie called "Sheena." :) Many Thanks!

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  3. I love your tribute to Miss Annette. Maybe your mom was a little jealous because Annette was the first girl to stand next to her on the pedalstool :)

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    1. Kerri - Thanks so much for stopping by. I've been so busy at work I haven't had a chance to visit hardly any blogs lately. I almost didn't post this one because I do feel bad about it. I think you're right about my mother. Perhaps she did want to be my one and only and the jealousy shone through. I lost her when I was 13, so asking her is impossible. I'll just have to be settled with the assumption. Many Thanks!

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  4. Annette was a true lady and with her passing so goes a bit of our childhood. What surprised me about yesterday's news was that Annette got top billing over Margaret Thatcher? We are a sentimental lot us Americans.

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    1. Cheryl - Really good to see you again. I've been working so many hours I apologize for not making the rounds as I should be doing. Every day, we get closer to the end, and events like this do remind us of that. As far as Margaret Thatcher is concerned, perhaps it's because she was a politician. I, personally, have no sadness when one passes. Maybe others feel as I do these days, as we recognize them for the "slime" many of them exhibit every second of the day. Not saying Margaret was in that caliber, but unfortunately, her line of work puts her in a class of employment most despise. Many Thanks!

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  5. Welcome back, Rich.

    Kim Jung needs to build up his self esteem in other ways than threatening countries...gosh!

    Annette was suffering from MS...so atleast she could give up that body and be free!

    Great post!

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    1. Ruchira - How good to see you again! I've missed you! I've been so busy working that I've been somewhat neglectful of visiting many blogs. I've got about 250 email notification to go through ... one day. : ) I agree about Kim. He definitely was a neglected youth that now seeks attention. And, Annette is much better off. I just hope the folks she's around appreciate her as many of us did. Many Thanks!

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  6. The news never ceases to be interesting, no? Condolences for the loss of your love. I am terribly sorry.
    I hope the new job is going well, by the way. And that's no fun that your wife makes only $12.15 after 20 years. THAT is robbery and it goes on WAY TOO MUCH in this country now.

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    1. Cyndi - My dear friend, it's so good to see you! My apologies for not visiting your blog as of late. I'm working in excess of 12 hours a day now, six days a week. I actually started to read a blog the other night and fell asleep in my computer chair. Check out some old Beach Party movies. TCM has them on from time to time. You might get a kick out of their corniness! I agree about the pay. My wife is one not to leave a job. It's maddening knowing that she could be making so much more if she'd just look for one. Alas, she enjoys the four weeks of vacation she's earned though. Many Thanks!

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  7. Of course I will comment on the basketball editorial (though I will say I was very sad to hear about Annette as well). I once again agree with what you've said. I seriously thought my husband was going to have a stroke after watching the officiating of the game last night. And you're right, all the sports radio/tv shows were talking about it today. You've really opened my eyes to what can go on in the world of both professional and college sports. I agree, it's sad. I will never watch another college game the same way again. I too hope next year will be different...

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    1. Emily - Good of you to stop in and comment. I know it's a tough day after last night's officiating farce! When I made that comment in your blog, I was hoping that I'd be wrong. It's really sad that it held true. The end of the first half, when the calls on Louisville suddenly became absent, and the run was made set the tone. Then, with about seven or eight minutes to go in the 2nd half, it started again. I've watched it in the "eyes on the officials" for several weeks now, and it's become way too evident. Why have a tourney if it's going to be fixed? Let's just call it "Professional Wrestling" and be done with it! Many Thanks!

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  8. The whole M-I-C...K-E-Y was something I'd totally forgotten about. Perhaps I was a sensitive child, but I remember that making me extra-sad even then. I love how your mom told you that it was just Hollywood making her beautiful and how much Hollywood has changed (as in skeletal is pretty now? WTF???) and that you loved her anyway.
    I didn't watch any of the games (I know sorry) but I'm happy to hear that Louisville won *I heard it here FIRST* because that is the team my husband told me to pick for my work March Madness pool. Hey, maybe I even won?

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  9. PS I am from Colorado and travel back often. I will keep a lookout for the river otters. I can verify that you're right...nobody has been looking for them...

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    1. Kristi - Really happy to see you here. The close used to make me sad, like you. It was almost like you'd never see them again. Who knew it would one day be true! :) My mom was probably a little jealous as I was infatuated with Annette for a while. I guess she didn't want her "little" boy to grow up. I do hope you won the money in the pool. At least some good would come out of the fiasco if that happened. And do lookout for the river otters! It would be a shame to run over the only one anyone's seen in a hundred years! Although Wile E. Coyote might be happy to see it! Beep Beep! Many Thanks!

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