Well, it was my hope and plan to tell you all that today I unretired, and was sworn in again as a police officer with my old department. The best laid plans.
Last Monday I had my second-ever trip to the ER. I don't go down easy, but this brought me to my knees. In the intervening week, I've been back there two more times. The situation simply is not resolving, and I am as uncomfortable as I've ever been in my life. Of course, I can't get in to see the specialist who can hopefully resolve this until Friday. I will simply have to suck it up until then.
So, Officer Cynical is going away for a while. I'm out of new posts, and right now I don't have the oomph to generate more. I'd hoped being back on the street would give me a new source of fun stories, but that's now on hold. I don't know for how long.
I'll keep you posted.
Monday, March 28, 2016
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
"Vacation"
After my second-ever visit to an emergency room yesterday, I'm taking some time off. Not a huge deal, but I'm pretty uncomfortable. I'll do my best to get back to it on Monday. There also may be some big news coming, so stay tuned. Stay safe, everyone.
Monday, March 21, 2016
When They Stop In The Middle Of The Street With Their Foot On The Brake.....
21-year-old Darriyone Zamone Clark-Brown was arraigned on several charges including attempted murder in the incident after he fired a shot at a police officer at the beginning of a traffic stop. The officer was not hit, a chase ensued, Brown then fled on foot and was caught a short time later with the help of a K-9. Thankfully the officer was not hurt. Great work by the responding officers.
Friday, March 18, 2016
Accent Grave Over the 'E'
W.C. Fields died long before I was born. I don't remember anymore how or when I became aware of him. I do remember spending one New Year's Eve during high school alone watching a W.C. Fields marathon at a local movie theater (yes, I was that popular). I think he is the funniest person ever to grace a movie screen. In my opinion, only Peter Sellers comes close to Fields' comedic talent.
W.C. Fields was born William Claude Dukenfield in January, 1880. He began his stage work as a juggler on the vaudeville stage. He became a world-class act, and toured several continents as "The Eccentric Juggler", dressed in hobo-like attire. Remarkably, for someone who later became instantly recognizable by his voice alone, he worked silently in his early juggling act. He added dialogue later when he took his act to Broadway. Some of his juggling prowess was demonstrated in the 1931 film Her Majesty Love and the 1934 movie The Old-Fashioned Way.
Fields worked in silent films from about 1915 into the 1920s, transitioning to sound films in the 1930s. He made a series of two-reelers, including:
The Golf Specialist
The Dentist
The Pharmacist
He went on to full-length films, many written by Fields himself, for Paramount and for Universal. These include: You Can't Cheat an Honest Man, The Bank Dick, My Little Chickadee, and Never Give a Sucker an Even Break, and many others. Perhaps one of his most famous - and hilarious - scenes is the porch scene from It's a Gift.
Fields also worked in network radio, in particular with Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy. Fields maintained an ongoing feud and insult exchange with Bergen's dummy, Charlie McCarthy.
Fields married Hattie Hughes in 1900, and they had one son. They separated less than a decade later, but never divorced. Fields corresponded with Hattie and supported his son until Fields' death.
Much has been said and written about W.C. Fields and his abuse of alcohol. Like so many quotes that have been attributed to Fields, it becomes hard to separate fact from fiction. I don't doubt that he was a heavy drinker, and that it shortened his career and his life. He spent considerable time in a sanitorium in his final years, and is said to have suffered from D.T.s. He died of a stomach hemorrhage on Christmas Day, 1946, at age 66.
Fields is one of the few persons in films that can make me laugh with a look, a gesture, or one of his sarcastic, cynical asides - usually muttered under his breath. Almost all his characters were rather shady curmudgeons, struggling to make their way in the world and do right by their families. It's amazing to me how alike many of his characters were, but how fresh every scene seems, no matter how many times I see them. Woody Allen called Fields one of only six genuine comic geniuses, the other five including Peter Sellers and two of the Marx Brothers. It's too bad that they're all gone, and there's no more of their work to come. But they were so good, what they left behind is enough to sustain us for a lifetime.
W.C. Fields was born William Claude Dukenfield in January, 1880. He began his stage work as a juggler on the vaudeville stage. He became a world-class act, and toured several continents as "The Eccentric Juggler", dressed in hobo-like attire. Remarkably, for someone who later became instantly recognizable by his voice alone, he worked silently in his early juggling act. He added dialogue later when he took his act to Broadway. Some of his juggling prowess was demonstrated in the 1931 film Her Majesty Love and the 1934 movie The Old-Fashioned Way.
Fields worked in silent films from about 1915 into the 1920s, transitioning to sound films in the 1930s. He made a series of two-reelers, including:
The Golf Specialist
The Dentist
The Pharmacist
He went on to full-length films, many written by Fields himself, for Paramount and for Universal. These include: You Can't Cheat an Honest Man, The Bank Dick, My Little Chickadee, and Never Give a Sucker an Even Break, and many others. Perhaps one of his most famous - and hilarious - scenes is the porch scene from It's a Gift.
Fields also worked in network radio, in particular with Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy. Fields maintained an ongoing feud and insult exchange with Bergen's dummy, Charlie McCarthy.
Fields married Hattie Hughes in 1900, and they had one son. They separated less than a decade later, but never divorced. Fields corresponded with Hattie and supported his son until Fields' death.
Much has been said and written about W.C. Fields and his abuse of alcohol. Like so many quotes that have been attributed to Fields, it becomes hard to separate fact from fiction. I don't doubt that he was a heavy drinker, and that it shortened his career and his life. He spent considerable time in a sanitorium in his final years, and is said to have suffered from D.T.s. He died of a stomach hemorrhage on Christmas Day, 1946, at age 66.
Fields is one of the few persons in films that can make me laugh with a look, a gesture, or one of his sarcastic, cynical asides - usually muttered under his breath. Almost all his characters were rather shady curmudgeons, struggling to make their way in the world and do right by their families. It's amazing to me how alike many of his characters were, but how fresh every scene seems, no matter how many times I see them. Woody Allen called Fields one of only six genuine comic geniuses, the other five including Peter Sellers and two of the Marx Brothers. It's too bad that they're all gone, and there's no more of their work to come. But they were so good, what they left behind is enough to sustain us for a lifetime.
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Little Known Psychiatric Disorders
Yuckophobia: The fear of having Karl Malden ask to borrow your handkerchief.
(Thank you Johnny Carson)
(Thank you Johnny Carson)
Monday, March 14, 2016
March 14, 1945
The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
PVT FRANKLIN EARL SIGLER
Rank and Organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 2d Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division. Place and Date: Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 14 March 1945. Entered Service at: New Jersey. Born: 6 November 1924, Glen Ridge, N.J.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 2d Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands on 14 March 1945. Voluntarily taking command of his rifle squad when the leader became a casualty, Pvt. Sigler fearlessly led a bold charge against an enemy gun installation which had held up the advance of his company for several days and, reaching the position in advance of the others, assailed the emplacement with hand grenades and personally annihilated the entire crew. As additional Japanese troops opened fire from concealed tunnels and caves above, he quickly scaled the rocks leading to the attacking guns, surprised the enemy with a furious l-man assault and, although severely wounded in the encounter, deliberately crawled back to his squad position where he steadfastly refused evacuation, persistently directing heavy machinegun and rocket barrages on the Japanese cave entrances. Undaunted by the merciless rain of hostile fire during the intensified action, he gallantly disregarded his own painful wounds to aid casualties, carrying 3 wounded squad members to safety behind the lines and returning to continue the battle with renewed determination until ordered to retire for medical treatment. Stouthearted and indomitable in the face of extreme peril, Pvt. Sigler, by his alert initiative, unfaltering leadership, and daring tactics in a critical situation, effected the release of his besieged company from enemy fire and contributed essentially to its further advance against a savagely fighting enemy. His superb valor, resolute fortitude, and heroic spirit of self-sacrifice throughout reflect the highest credit upon Pvt. Sigler and the U.S. Naval Service.
March 14, 1945
The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
PVT GEORGE PHILLIPS
PVT GEORGE PHILLIPS
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 2d Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, on 14 March 1945. Standing the foxhole watch while other members of his squad rested after a night of bitter handgrenade fighting against infiltrating Japanese troops, Pvt. Phillips was the only member of his unit alerted when an enemy handgrenade was tossed into their midst. Instantly shouting a warning, he unhesitatingly threw himself on the deadly missile, absorbing the shattering violence of the exploding charge in his own body and protecting his comrades from serious injury. Stouthearted and indomitable, Pvt. Phillips willingly yielded his own life that his fellow marines might carry on the relentless battle against a fanatic enemy. His superb valor and unfaltering spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of certain death reflect the highest credit upon himself and upon the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
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