We Have Moved.......

Yes we have decided to move our assets to: http://ormyofone.wordpress.com/

Please come and sit a spell at the new place. To our friends here, we will continue to visit you on a regular basis.

Thanks, and kind regards,

Ormy Underhill.

The French......

What else can be said in the aftermath of their World Cup debacle? Well........"In the lilt of Irish laughter you can hear the angels sing".

Three Men Make a Tiger

Proof by assertion: There is a point at which a message, repeated often enough, becomes accepted truth.

As conduits for information, Organized Religion and the Internet are alike in this respect. Just a thought.

Ubuntu

A concept originating with the people of southern Africa, that success does not come without the help of others.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu wrote, "A person with Ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, for he or she has a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured or oppressed."

I want that Ubuntu.

Touchdown Jesus

A bolt of lightning struck the landmark, 62 foot statue, which stood outside a church in Monroe, Ohio. Mind you, not just a hit, it literally erupted into flames, leaving only its charred steel skeleton reaching towards the sky. I must disclose that I was left a bit disturbed by the spectacle. It was after all an act of God.

I don't want to ponder the theological implications of things, so I have simplified the event in a way that will allow me to sleep at night.

a. It is World Cup time.
b. God is a football fan. As in the real football mate.
c. Thou shall not depict him, or anyone else in the family, playing any other sport.

The lads might want to include a vuvuzela in any future sculptures. Just sayin......

It's the Circle of Life........

my 13 year old son noted. Movie theatre employees seem to fall at either end of the age spectrum. The kid selling the tickets is 15 and in high school. The person tearing the stubs is a soon to be octogenarian. We buy our popcorn never contemplating, that somewhere in between, a life has been lived.

Salmon do that also I think.......

Eye Advice

Some things you have to get just right, because they go from good to bad in the blink......

Women......too much eye makeup.

Men......too much eye contact.

No Mas!

How I remember those two words. For a long time I could not reconcile them with the proud man, and boxer Roberto Duran. But "no mas" he did utter, as he abruptly turned his back on Sugar Ray Leonard that night in New Orleans. I am  older, and just now beginning to understand. No mas need not be surrender, sometimes it means that you get to stop on your own terms.

Microsoft Word

We argued today. Spell check says I've misspelled my name. Have not......!

Quicksand

You are in it. How you got there will be important only after you get out. What do you do now?

1. Drop everything. Everything? What if you don't have much left?

2. Relax. How do I do that?

3. Take a deep breath. You will need it. See number 2.

4. No frantic moves. Yea now I remember. That's how I got deeper.

5. Rest between efforts. It takes a while to get out. Be patient you say?

6. Reach out. There may be a helping hand you do not now see.

Does anybody else dream about this?

They Can't Make It Stop Either

I don't want to trivialze the BP oil catastrophe, but what ever happened to, "don't start what you can't finish"? In retrospect, I realize the prospect of Mother Earth being a hemophiliac was never contemplated. Why not I wonder? What ever happened to preparing for the worst case scenario? I'm not saying  BP did not think outside the box, but certainly not about what was in it.

Pandora's box.......a cautionary tale.

Can't Make It Stop

Time that is. Doesn't seem like so long ago that I thought in terms of, "I can't wait until". I am trying to remember on what morning I awoke to the change, or even if it happened overnight.

I don't really want it to stop.......just slow down a little. Time with my son for instance, should more resemble a baseball game, rather than  four 15 minute quarters of football. Nine full innings, no matter how long it takes.

That's what I would do if I made the rules.

Thanks Paul

We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don't know what to do, we never give up. In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again. (2 Cor 4:8-9 CEV)

Always good to get a reminder.

Togetherville

That's what they call it....Facebook for kids under 10. What are they thinking?

Royal Quiet DeLuxe

Hemingway's favorite typewriter.......I would look marvelous with one. It would always have a slightly yellowed sheet of paper at the ready, and interesting stories would come from it. Bullfighting and boxing........yes, those would be worthy subjects, along with hunting and fishing. My days would begin with a bracer in hand, and cigar in my pocket. People would refer to me as a man's man, an educated literary fellow........the most interesting man in the world. Oh, all that I could be, if only..........

Lost......is it over yet?

I have heard from a lot of bummed out people who followed the show for 6 seasons. The cause of their complaint, is not that it is over, but that they don't know what it was about. Did it all have meaning they wonder? To whom can they now turn to answer the unanswered? Did it really all happen (as in real life)? When will the first volume of "Lost Theology" be published?

Hello it was a TV show folks, just like Fantasy Island!

Although now that I think about it, weren't there were 3 parallel universes, with an island each for Ricardo Montalban, Ceasar Romero and Fernando Llamas. I am so confused all of a sudden....da plane boss, da plane......yes how many the sleepless nights contemplating it all. It will never be over will it?

Jesse James...you gotta be kidding

Serial adulterer Jesse James claims that he "wanted to get caught". Okie-dokie. Furthermore he sought treatment for a combination of sex addiction AND anger management, which no doubt were the result of his being a "victim of childhood abuse". He does not specify whether he was an altar boy, or spent any time under Father Mulroney.

On the other side of the coin is America's Sweetheart, Sandra Bullock, who no doubt was initially infatuated with the subject's sexual addiction tendencies. Ha ha........she thought it was all about her. What part of, HE WAS PREVIOUSLY MARRIED TO A PORNO QUEEN, did she not get?
But hey, I don't get any of this either....

Rand Paul Says...

restaurants need not serve cafe con leche nor coffee black. What say ye?

Ugly Feet.... Should There Be a Law?

Should offenders be prohibited from wearing open top shoes? A law passed perhaps? Sandals a misdemeanor, flip flops a felony?

Before further discussion, a disclaimer. I am not referring to the the ugly that is the result of birth defects, or bad genes. You can't help that. I am talking about ugliness as a consequence of neglect, poor hygiene, lack of grooming, or years of wearing pointy-toed high heel shoes.

We have outlawed nudity, intoxication, and smoking in public spaces. Can we not find an elected politico willing to take up this fight? Will the Tea Party Movement take up the cause?

I am going out on a limb, but Sarah Palin probably has pretty feet.

Coulrophobia

Fear of clowns.

Yep, I am afraid of clowns. Afraid in the sense that they make me uncomfortable.....make my skin crawl. There is nothing funny or happy about them. Something sinister lurks behind those painted smiles.

We caution our children to be wary of strangers, yet we foist these two-faced creatures on them at kiddie birthday parties. Later we wonder why little Jimmy climbed into the car with the smiling man that offered him candy. When viewing pictures of the local pedophiles posted at the library, I am always on the lookout for Ronald McDonald.

Have you ever closely observed the clowns at a circus or carnival? Well I dare you to take a careful look-see. Don't even get me started on the Joker-Heath Ledger affair.......done in by his inner clown. Your thoughts?

One group is exempt from the foregoing.... rodeo clowns. Though I guess your rank and file rodeo bull might disagree.

Poor Barry the Dog

I try not be amazed at the weirdness of life every time I pick up the newspaper. Seems like my own life is strange enough, so who am I to judge right? Perhaps then, one of you may comment on the following story just off the press:

A 57 year-old man strangled his pit bull pet with a zip tie, and threatened to do likewise to his family members. The man, Vladimir Stefanovich Struk, told the cops he killed "Barry" the dog because it was, "in the house and living better than him."

Makes me want to roll up a newspaper and spank ole Vlad for being a bad, bad man!

Fight Night What Happened

The main event between Santiago and Bailey went the distance. The former with 31 career wins showed his experience, while Bailey the more youthful, was game and pressed the action. At the end Santiago prevailed with a majority decision victory. The kid has talent, comported himself admirably and will go on to add W's to his current 10 win record. That said, my gut tells me that his will be a journeyman career, providing a stiff test for guys moving in, or just out of the rankings. Good luck my friend, have a restful flight home.

As a note of interest, there will be no need to learn conversational Russian at this time.

Fight Night Under Cards

Wow........I've seen the soles of someone's shoes every bout so far.

Fight Night Angelo Dundee

Angelo Dundee is in the house, and I can't believe how great he looks at age 89. The camera crew moves towards him as he graciously holds court in the corner. I have not seen him in person for about 15 years, but he is none the worse for the passing years.

The brunette continues to glance my way and I will hang unto the fantasy until proven otherwise. I detect a Russian accent, she being a far cry from the media portrayed babushkas of my youth. She draws near and passes by..........

Fight Night Line Forms To The Right

Going on 30 minutes before the first scheduled fight, and a little jostling taking place in the general admission line. The reserved and ringside patrons oblivious while sipping on their cocktails.

Some sharp looking women are striking prominent poses in skin tight jeans and tops. Oh the tanned brunette with a single shoulder strap has caught my eye. I think she may be stealing glances in my direction....or not. Seven hostess types file by in black mini skirts and high heels, a visual (virtual) smorgasbord before me.

The line snaking through the lobby is now efficiently swallowed by the double doors leading into the ballroom, yet somehow the mass around me is not diminished.

Fight Night Six Thirty-ish

Kid Bailey just came by.......relaxed but with the start of a determined game face coming on. I feel rather relieved to see this for some reason.

The crowd is beginning to sift in looking for their seating credentials. Unlike Vegas, a more casual dress code is in effect, although the air of excitement and anticipation the same nonetheless. Boxers in the later fights commingling with the throng as they make their way to the dressing rooms.

Fight Night.......Afternoon

I have decided to post periodic reports from the "fight hotel" lobby. First fight on the card scheduled for 7:30 pm.

I spent a few minutes chatting with my Light heavyweight pal William Bailey, at around 4:30 this afternoon, and I was surprised at his mellow disposition. It is in contrast to the more "deer in the headlights" look on some of the under card boxers I have passed in the lobby. A few in fact have a little of that, back and forth pacing action going on, typical of an animal in a cage.

The lobby is currently filled with "boxing people". Trainers, managers, promoters and assorted entourage types. The conversations revolving around past fights, future fights and of course fight politics. Best be present is my advice, as attendance determines whether one is a participant, or subject of conversation.

Talk about stark contrast..........within seconds passed by one of the round girls and shortly after by a female boxer on the under card. Both sexy in totally different ways. I am so confused by this.

Women and Travel

I did most of my travelling earlier in life.

Initially as a child, living in three countries by age 10..... a life in exile, but alas that best left for another blog. Later between divorces, seems more dramatic than marriages, I went on an extended "walkabout" that took me across the country and the globe. Also best left for another post. The point being that I am perfectly content to limit my travel these days to places one might reach by automobile or short flight. Spelled domestic travel.

My problem then is that most women's dating profiles include the need for travel, along with fine dining, the theatre and romantic walks on the beach. I am all on board for the eating, culture and romantic activities, as they may be accomplished in very short order and to a definite end. The travel requirement though, has represented not only a thorn in my side, but often also a dagger in the heart.

I keep thinking there must be a previously well travelled lass out there, just dying to make my acquaintance.

The Sweet Science

Thinking of taking in a live boxing card tonight.

Headlining the bout are, Danny "The Bronx Bomber" Santiago, fighting William Bailley of Bakersfield, California. Considering the names of the pugilists, and boxing resumes, the Bomber should be considered the clear favorite.

The "kid" Bailley as I refer to him, is a well natured young man, separated from home by the vast width of this country. I had occasion to speak with him after the weigh-in, finding him upbeat and relaxed, and with no apparent anxiety over his prospects. He seemed just happy to be here.

He has no local following, so I shall be his rooting section. An ormy of one.

Mutual Funds

I just read that according to Morningstar there are about 7,700 stock, bond and money market funds. How many are enough?

According to the article one ETF is dedicated to aluminium. Would that encourage you to wrap in foil instead of storing in ziplocks?

Another fund aims to invest in companies that can (may) profit from growth in the developing world. Mind you not the actual companies in the developing world. An example: I am familiar with you, and think that one day you will be rich. If and when you make a fortune, I will attempt to have lunch with you weekly, in the hope of becoming rich myself. Others will invest in me today, since I may profit from you some distant tomorrow. Hmmmmm...?

How many rabbits are enough?

Old Money

Just how old does it have to be?

Graveyard Watch

Who was the first person to serve the graveyard watch?
What were they watching........whom?
Was someone watching back.......something?
Where were they.......then?