There was another fire here locally last week and I'll be damned if one of those "Teddy Bear Memorials" didn't soon appear. I don't get these. Typically when a youngster meets an unusually cruel fate, the scene of their demise becomes an instant memorial. I'm not sure why people do this.

Sadly, the one who can benefit from all of the gifts isn't around. And we really don't know if they even liked these items in the first place. Maybe they were into Star Wars or Transformers or something else.

As an observer, I get misty when I read about these things or see them on the news. That's why I don't watch "Extreme Home Makeover". But I am not affected to the point where I purchase a bear to make myself feel good about the situation. Can't we do something more practical with our time and money?

And who becomes the caretaker of said memorials? And what's the statute of limitations on when to take it down? A week? A month? And who gets the remnants at that point? These things beg to be answered, I think.

Meal of Links

Here is the rest of the 100 Greatest Cover Songs. Some excellent choices, but others, especially near the top, seem to be chosen for their sheer audacity. If you choose some videos, try to watch Social D's "Ring of Fire" (Obviously a homemade one), Nirvana's "The Man Who Sold The World" (and if you ever hear Lulu's version, it's really good, too. But it is a great Bowie song, so no surprise), "I Fought The Law" by the Clash, "Bizarre Love Triangle" by Frente! (a beautiful record), "Viva Las Vegas" by the Dead Kennedys (when punk was punk), and Devo's "Satisfaction". But if you can watch one video, make it "Proud Mary". This is the Ike and Tina Turner Revue at its best. It's from a "Soul Train" with Don Cornelius (is that a napkin or a tie?) and his afro plus Japanese subtitles (Ha, I still introduce Graham Central Station as Don). The girls are shakin' it, the horn section is at the little kids' stage on the side, and everybody's groovin'. Tina is a tour de force on this one. "...we never, ever, do nothin' nice and easy."

Time tries to do a Top 100 Albums list. First of all, compilations should not be on the list! Second of all, no "Dark Side of the Moon" or "The Wall" or any Allman Brothers or Elvis Costello. Uh, that makes the list null and void. End of discussion.

Another art crime. A Goya was stolen in transport. Interesting caper.

Exercise Yard

I think Michigan has a big game this week. Or so I've been told.














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59 Across: Lacoste of tennis (4 letters) Answer: Rene