I missed April Fool’s Day by just one. But still, we live the spirit of it. In any case, dealing with a resident patient, I have been getting a rapid education on mobility aids and general sickbed crap. I’m amazed, though shouldn’t be, at market response to any needs, real or imagined. We’re inundated by Amazon boxes, SP’s bedside looks like a handicapped version of those TV gadget reviews, we have a wheelchair that would make Ironside proud, and every gadget has an app.

The only thing on the table that’s not a gadget or a pill vial is a large toenail of mine that fell off an injured toe after a few months, and due to its size and disgustingness, it demanded to be kept. I call him Leo. And every time someone comes in the house, the first thing I ask is, “Wanna see something cool?” Leo has definitely reduced the number of repeat visitors.

Anyway, I should do the birthday ritual. Birthdays today include the originator of disposable cars; a guy without whom Disney would be another unknown failed animation auteur; perhaps my favorite comic actor (as opposed to acting comic); the definitive Jed Clampett; the inspiration for generations of pigs; Sloopy’s fantasy woman; arguably the finest female voice in classic pop; an actually interesting “public intellectual”; a guy who died before he could record my outgoing voice mail message; and a guy who was a real riot.

OK, let’s do some Links, shall we?

 

Coincidentally, I used to know a guy named Buster.

 

Clarence must feel the same embarrassment about her that SP feels about me.

 

A long piece, really worth the read. 

 

I stopped going to the movies because everything was a remake or a sequel. 

 

The propaganda mill doesn’t even try to pretend anymore.

 

MEEEEE! LOOKA MEEEEEEEEE!

 

The tut-tutting reaches a fever pitch. “More research will be needed…”

 

Old Guy Music is because I was in the mood for a guitar god. And this was McLaughlin’s debut album. Progressive British jazz. Real JM fans will recognize this as the Ur version of Follow Your Heart.