STARTING THINGS OFF

I hope all of you had a safe and fun New Year’s Eve and got a jumpstart on your resolutions. I’ve been busy since the get-go, so I’ll be brief and may not be providing much fodder for the next week or so. Of course that could change as soon as I start scanning the Mideast reports but anyway …

Ups So Far

King Kong. In this three hour-plus version of the big ape story, I went in with much trepidation figuring my ADD self wouldn’t be able to sit still that long. Even though you know the tale, the time goes fast. There’s one part while the crew is searching for the kidnapped Ann Darrow that could have been left out and cut maybe five or 10 minutes from the movie, but other than that, it was well done, entertaining, and worth a look on the big screen. Thumbs up.

The New York Giants. They beat the Oakland Raiders in a game that naturally shouldn’t have been as close as it was, Tiki had another exemplary game carrying the offense, and some picked up subs for the injured starters did yeoman work and kept the Giant defense in the game. The end result? The G’ints won and get home field for the Carolina Panthers this Sunday at 1 p.m. LRRP’s World is picking the Giants (there’s a surprise).


Downs So Far

Dick Clark. I know this isn’t going to be PC, but as “valiant” and “courageous” as Dick Clark’s performance was on New Year’s Eve … man, you gotta’ know when to fold them. And the “when” was before New Year’s Eve 2006. Clark has been a television institution of sorts, but stroke recovery or not, that performance bordered on appalling (jaw dropping would have been more descriptive of our reaction, but would probably be in bad taste!). It’s too bad he’ll go out being remembered that way, but apparently ego knows no limits. And for those of you who didn’t witness this debacle, the media treated it — at best — totally unrealistically. Then again, what else have we come to expect?

Miners Trapped. Thirteen miners are stuck in a coal mine in West Virginia. Now THAT is a rough occupation. As of this morning it doesn’t sound good for their survival, but hope and fortitude often succeed when all else fails. Our prayers for them and for their families. I’ve caved with some guys who specialize in this kind of rescue work and the stories they tell go beyond heroic … and most are volunteers. I wish them well also.