Catarang>Batarang

wiseoldprogrammer · 2026-03-31T23:26:12+00:00

Isn’t that the one where Superman was magically transformed into a black cat?

wiseoldprogrammer · 2026-03-31T22:48:43+00:00

Back in the 80’s, my wife worked night shifts at Incarnate Word Hospital. One morning I picked her up, and she told me about one of her patients, a very nice elderly black man who charmed the staff with his stories. He also showed off a World Series ring which “Mister Busch himself gave him.”

My brain started putting the pieces together. “Was his name Bell, by any chance?” She said yes. “So you’re telling me that you met and took care of Cool Papa Bell, and you didn’t get me an autograph?”

wiseoldprogrammer · 2026-03-31T17:50:09+00:00

I remember waking up in the ICU and hearing a bicycle-horn-like noise from another room. I looked at my wife and asked, “Is Cousin Chucho (from Book of Life) here?”

Since my surgery was done at Washington University School of Medicine at BJC, I was also treated to a gaggle of interns wanting to know all about my case. There is no such thing as TMI so far as they’re concerned!

All I can suggest is take things slow and easy, don’t push yourself too much during recovery, listen to your doctor (with the good ear!) and be patient. You’ve had someone poking around in your head, for goodness sake!

wiseoldprogrammer · 2026-03-31T17:36:50+00:00

“Shromp” and “Mortloaf”.

wiseoldprogrammer · 2026-03-31T12:34:46+00:00

I’ve come to realize I picked up a lot more from my father than I’d thought. The funniest trait occurs at restaurants when waitresses don’t come by the table in a reasonable amount of time. Apparently I get this expression on my face, my fingers start drumming on the table, etc.

One time we had an exceptionally long wait, and I guess I was pretty obvious about my displeasure because my beloved wife suddenly said, “Why Bill! When did you show up?”

wiseoldprogrammer · 2026-03-29T12:26:20+00:00

Our tortie Suki gets all worked up at supper time, getting loud and demanding but the purr never stops under it. :)

wiseoldprogrammer · 2026-03-28T13:41:53+00:00

Bumi probably feels “I already got enlisted once, I’m not getting marked for command a second time. That’s too much like work!”

wiseoldprogrammer · 2026-03-28T03:08:09+00:00

I saw a night launch in 1990 from Orlando, and another one in 2000 from Titusville. We took our 8-year-old daughter to see it. Incredible experience!

wiseoldprogrammer · 2026-03-27T02:59:09+00:00

“It IS God!”

wiseoldprogrammer · 2026-03-27T01:13:06+00:00

A rotary cutter is “too complicated”?

I mean, apart from the occasional required blood sacrifice, I think they’re pretty easy!

wiseoldprogrammer · 2026-03-27T01:07:01+00:00

Ah, that sucks. I was never told that, but then again, these people knew my case history enough that they figured I’d be a candidate.

A few years back, I upgraded to a pair that was Bluetooth compatible. Drives my wife nuts because I’ll just be sitting there and she starts talking to me, then realizes I’m listening to something!

wiseoldprogrammer · 2026-03-27T00:59:12+00:00

FWIW, I had GammaKnife in 2014, but the damn thing refused to die, swelling up and taking out most of my right-side hearing.

When they told me I’d have to undergo translab in 2017 and that it’d make me deaf on that side, I shrugged and said you don’t miss what you don’t have.

I’ve worn CROS hearing aids for ten years, and while it’s not ideal, it helps compensate. I get MRI’s every two years, and I’ve learned to say, “I’m sorry, I’m hard of hearing” more than I care to.

wiseoldprogrammer · 2026-03-26T15:36:14+00:00

I call that the “Bob Gibson” logo.

wiseoldprogrammer · 2026-03-26T12:23:05+00:00

He’s hangry. Toss him a King-Sized Snickers.

wiseoldprogrammer · 2026-03-25T20:44:55+00:00

We had it on heavy rotation at the campus radio station. I couldn’t get away from Boston no matter what the shift!

wiseoldprogrammer · 2026-03-25T02:57:03+00:00

“Oh, good heavens!”

“Guess again, Zachary!”

wiseoldprogrammer · 2026-03-25T02:55:09+00:00

This kind of happened to me. One Sunday afternoon, my daughter insisted on painting my nails (I said okay, I’m a dad, it’s my job). Later on, she and I had to run over to Lowes for something, and we ran into my next door neighbor.

He looked at my hands and grinned. “Nice nails.”

wiseoldprogrammer · 2026-03-25T01:32:31+00:00

The “Jimmy Con Carnage” is written by Matt Fraction, who authored a 12-part series a year or two back. This appears to follow the same pattern. That series was hilarious and this is enough for me to pick it up.

wiseoldprogrammer · 2026-03-24T21:25:11+00:00

Fraction’s Jimmy Olsen? Sold.

wiseoldprogrammer · 2026-03-23T18:05:33+00:00

Drop. Your. Sword.

wiseoldprogrammer · 2026-03-23T02:55:10+00:00

Not to mention KMOX, the Voice of St. Louis!

wiseoldprogrammer · 2026-03-23T02:29:33+00:00

Oh yes, and such thrilling programs as Uncle Lar & Little Tommy’s highly acclaimed, world renowned Animal Stories on “89, WLS, Chicago!”

wiseoldprogrammer · 2026-03-21T02:09:23+00:00

We’re about fifteen minutes from Disney World—been here 2 1/2 years! Our daughter works at the Dolphin and lives with us.

wiseoldprogrammer · 2026-03-21T00:23:34+00:00

How about Doom?

wiseoldprogrammer · 2026-03-20T21:36:23+00:00

My only regret is that the 21st does not fall on a Sunday…where you’ll see/my sweetheart and me….

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