therealtamara

The 5 minute rule

Our favorite astrophysicist, Neil DeGrasse Tyson, posits this time limit on arguments.

“If an argument lasts more than 5 minutes,” he says, “you’re both wrong.”

Couldn’t be simpler or sweeter.

They’re so good

Staying on to see Daddy Long Legs after An American in Paris accentuates a long-standing question.

Who is better? Kelly or Astaire? Which style is more exciting and innovative?

Why do we need this needless comparison? Who will heed this inconsequential debate?

Yes. We could call upon apples and oranges to end the discussion.

In fact, I think I 🤔 shall.

Countdown

An email warning me that there are just twelve shopping days until Christmas struck me as clever* and crass*.

Clever* because there are 12 days of Christmas if that old song is right. My true love gave to me…

My favorite is the “three French hens.” On day 12, we are gifted with “twelve drummers drumming,” which is quite the finale.

Crass* because it’s proper to complain about the commercialization of the holy day.

Legend has it that the newborn in the manger received gifts as well.

The song, a carol which dates back to the 18th century, is all about presents. It’s practically a scavenger hunt of giving.

Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen are a little less mercenary and demanding in their Twelve Days.

But what I wanted by my Christmas tree was your sweet self
Your love makes the season sublime
And that’s what I wanted for Christmas
That’s what I needed for Christmas
Yes, that’s what I wanted for Christmas, all the time
Twelve Days Of Christmas lyrics © Concord Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group

Grace

What is something others do that sparks your admiration?

Grace under pressure is a remarkable quality.

Dancers practice this as a matter of course. It is the baseline for their art.

I am in awe!

Not a cartoon

What’s your favorite cartoon?

Dec 12, 1975, was the best Johnny Carson episode I ever saw.

Johnny Carson and Carol Wayne presented one of Johnny’s shyster impersonations that was spot-on.

Bob Hope did sketches featuring a very funny Angie Dickinson in outtakes from the special he was promoting.

Dean Martin was cartoonishly drunk.

Charles Nelson Reilly, as usual, all but came out, and I am sure the NBC sensors would not have liked that.

Once Martin left the stage, CNR did honor him by talking about what a generous actor Dean Martin was.

Here is a link to a YouTube of the segment.

AMNH & Environs

Most all my memories of the museum of natural history are lovely.

There were the times I took my best friend’s little boy to free Fridays at which I learned so much. My husband and I were fond of the planetarium as a date destination.

To illustrate how long it’s been since I was there, the other day, I realized in passing that the planetarium had been redesigned.

Nice visiting the neighborhood. Again.

Observed in my travels

People present differently in different parts of our city.

The lady walking in front of me was dressed to the nines [as the saying goes]. She was strolling after her midday’s shopping. Her outfit was carefully put-together and just a tad eccentric.