Scattershooting / The Darth Vader-nator Strikes Back?

I'm back once again because it's time once again. Guess that means more Scattershooting for the masses amongst us, and there are things going on in our world and in your kitchen. Well, regarding the latter, it might seem that way....

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Sometimes, the rumor mill, crazy and out-of-control that it can get at times, puts images and ideas in people's minds. Did you know that Arnold Schwarzenegger was originally considered by the producers of the original Star Wars to play Darth Vader? No, because it hasn't happened, but a recent YouTube video has actually surfaced with a comedian utilizing Schwarzengger's voice as the evil man in black. Can you imagine Ahh-nold providing, at least, the voice of Darth Vader? It's the Darth Vader-nator!

This is the kind of thing that will spur many to do what one just did. Arnold would offer the perfect foil for Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Other YouTube offerings with similar ideas have since followed.

Out of all the science-fiction flicks Arnold had ever done in his career, you'd think that he'd at least have been considered to play that character. I think if he had, then he would have done it rather well. As we see it now, we'll just have to deal with YouTube videos giving us a good laugh.

May the farce be with you?

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An Oklahoma barbecue chain has recently closed a few of its locations, despite recent and aggressive expansion in numerous states. The Rib Crib has shut down a few of their locations, usually due to low performance or not enough customers. One of the locations they closed was in Lubbock, near 82nd Street and Slide Road, happening just yesterday. I have always wondered if the franchise would make it in Lubbock, but considering that they have had that location for thirteen years, I consider it to have been a success. The closing does come as a surprise, given that the Hub City isn't quite as fickle as some other places when it comes to eating out. Only recently has the area become a hotbed for good barbecue choices. Lately, though, Rib Crib has closed, along with one of the Dickey's locations on the city's south side, the latter closing one month ago. Most of the local offerings are fair to midline, but with Evie Mae's and the Texas chain Rudy's in the picture, Lubbock had stepped up its game in the West Texas barbecue scene. Rib Crib, Okie barbecue at its finest, will be missed in Lubbock.

Hopefully, in the future, they can be given a second chance.

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Why can't Rush Limbaugh remember his own EIB e-mail address? It's been elrushbo@eibnet.us for about a year, and yet, he still sez dot com on his broadcasts. It's dot u s now, Rush. Do you need to put a reminder note in your studio so you can remember? Just saying.

By the way, I do thank him for continuing to stand up and boldly proclaim the right thing for America. For that, he should press on.

On a similar note, Sean Hannity has trouble pronouncing journalist Sharyl Atkisson's last name. It's At' - kis - sun, not Atkinson. No N, Sean.

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You won't believe who I spotted shopping at a Frisco, Texas, Kroger while I was making my rounds there. This was a Sunday morning, a couple of weeks ago. Guess who I saw?

None other than Chuck Swindoll, pastor of Stonebriar Community Church. He had apparently taken some vacation time, and so, he was spotted going into the bread aisle at Kroger, and later, again, in the checkout line ahead of me. Wow! He even had a casual shirt and some shorts on. On a Sunday morning, no less! Amazing what people one can run into on any given day. Even pastors go Krogering.

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Matt Vasgersian may be the most entertaining baseball announcer on TV today. In checking out highlights of plays the FOX-TV broadcaster called in the past, there's just no containing his over-the-top enthusiasm. Tends to say "Santa Maria!" after an exciting play or a home run.

But what really stands out is the Astros greatest play of the year, in which an impossible relay throw cut down the Yankees' Brett Gardner back on July 1. Catch it on this link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LY_al0V4jQ

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Sirius XM's 60s On 6 is now periodically doing a feature called The Best Of Brucie. In other words, it's a compilation of some of the finer moments of Bruce Morrow's long run with the channel, with what him doing programs on Wednesday and Saturday only. Sooner or later, an arrangement like what's happening now was going to happen. Cousin Brucie is not getting any younger, but his programs have gotten very sloppy in recent years, and it might be that the channel may be cutting back the Cuz's workload. I'm just saying that that's a possibility, but the real reason is not known.

Oh, by the way, he had a real Freudian slip not too long ago on a broadcast. A listener requested the song, "Grease" by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Morrow's question to the listener? "How long have you been greasing it?" I'll leave whatever thought on that to you.

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Can our do-nothing Congress just please repeal ObamaCare? Pretty please? Nothing is more frustrating than a Republican-led Congress, who has gotten, supposedly, everything that they could want to get things done, only for them to not seize advantage when they have one. That stupid (Un-)Affordable Care Act has got to go, folks, and for more than the obvious reason. The repeal has to take place if you want cuts on your taxes! And I want more money in my pocket, folks.

The sad thing is, if Republicans don't act, then it's possible that we could be in danger of giving this country back to the Democrats as early as next year. What could be encouraging, though, is this: The Democrats don't have any good candidates and more Americans are seeing right through them that they continue to lose elections.

So, could it be possible that Republicans can win elections in spite of themselves? My only prayer is that real conservatives will run in primaries and defeat establishment candidates who don't really stand up for principles. The Establishment is the problem right now in America.

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The Houston Astros continue to roll, and that's despite injuries to four starting pitchers, including one who just made his first start of the year over the weekend (Collin McHugh). Offensively, things have been more than expected, but nonetheless, a welcome sight. For the rest of the season, the Astros will have some company in the other league. The Los Angeles Dodgers are also enjoying life at the top, having gone through a two-month-long hot streak that's helped them overcome a slow start.

Astros-Dodgers World Series?? Might happen if Houston can find a way to beat the Cleveland Indians, their only obstacle thus far.

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From Memory Lane: I still recall a trip that I took to Austin with a friend many years ago. We were on the road, and there was a day in Austin where I exited off of Interstate 35 at Woodland Avenue. At that interchange, we approached the traffic signal and spotted a panhandler. But this was no ordinary panhandler, mind you, as he didn't look a poor, scruffy person, but more of a gentlemanly-looking guy who might have done this as a publicity stunt. His help sign did not say "hopeless" or "hungry" or anything like that. No. His sign read like this:
"Need a case of beer, and fuel for my lear jet".

You can't make that stuff up. I admit, my friend and I, we got a big kick out of that.

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It still baffles me why hydrogen peroxide, previously the top antidote for many known ills, got pushed aside last century in favor of other healing products which doctors and specialists eventually favored. Thankfully, hydrogen peroxide had made a comeback in recent years. Many wounds are continuing to be healed thanks to this magnificent product.

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Back to Houston for a second: I am planning a brief road trip to go see the Astros at Minute Maid Park next Monday. In the last four appearances I've made at MMP, the Astros are 4-0.

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Hope you have a winning week this week, and may everything come up roses.

And there you are.