Crown Jewels

Hello World,     Happy Fathers Day! Sunday would be the perfect time to give dear old Dad his due, and then some, with extra awesome sauce for good measure, and don't spare that cherry on top, while you're at it, by golly. Not every father is handy around the house, or good at sports, or quick with a joke, but each and every one of them can be celebrated for what they are good at, whatever that may be. Of course, sometimes you really have to wonder. Last week on The Golf Channel, the studio announcers were discussing the upcoming U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills on Long Island, and how players can be affected in big tournaments, letting the pressure get to them, so that even simple short putts become dicey, and chipping out of a bunker can easily turn into a disaster. One of them wrapped it up by commenting: "This is where nerves start to show their face." (!!!) Honestly, do these people even listen to themselves when they speak??? It goes without saying that you don't know whether to laugh or cry, and wailing and gnashing of teeth might not be out of the question either, I dare say. Back to the drawing board with you, pal.     Of course, the big news of the month was when the unthinkable happened on Saturday, and media darling Justify claimed the Triple Crown at Belmont, one might say in decisive fashion, going wire-to-wire, and continuing to pull away from the pack at the finish. This marks the 2nd Triple Crown in 3 years, with American Pharoah in 2015 - or looked at another way, the 2nd Triple Crown in 40 years from the time of the previous winner in 1978. After charging through the slop at the Kentucky Derby, and the fog at the Preakness Stakes, I wondered how the inexperienced colt would respond to the clear and dry conditions at the Belmont, but I needn't have worried after all. Justify bolted out of the gate, took the lead, and it was never a horse race after that. I thought Bravazo, who chased him around the two previous races, would give it more of the old college try than was evident on the track that is affectionately known as The Big Sandy - and in the meantime, the handicappers lined up behind Hofberg (who skipped the Preakness altogether) - but in the end, it was the unsung Gronkowski who finished second, with Bravazo a distant 6th out of the 10-horse field. Justify takes his place in thoroughbred history, becoming only the 2nd horse (after Seattle Slew) to win the Triple Crown while being undefeated in his racing career. And after American Pharoah, and now Justify, I think we can well and truly lay to rest the long-standing curse of Affirmed, once and for all, and give his unquiet evil spirit a chance to hang up his horseshoes at long last. [Insert diabolical horse laugh here.] Yeah, I'm not buying it either.     In other sports news, it all came true as hypothesized, as the scrappy Golden State Warriors went ahead and swept the vaunted Cleveland Cavaliers in 4 games last Friday, making it look easy while snagging back-to-back NBA titles. In fact, these same 2 teams have clashed in the last 4 final series, with the Warriors winning it all in 2015, 2017 and 2018, and the Cavaliers taking the trophy in 2016. The Cavaliers were founded in 2012, and can already claim 4 appearances in the Finals, which is a pretty good percentage. On the other hand, their West Coast rivals began life as the Philadelphia Warriors in 1947, and won the title in their first season, as well as 1956, which is also nothing to sneeze at. Of course, all of this is small potatoes compared with the mighty Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers, who have carried off a total of 33 trophies between them, and nobody is even remotely close to achieving those numbers, then or now. And all of that was without the evil spirit of Affirmed, mind you.     Meanwhile in the wonderful world of business and industry, I was driving to work last week, and found myself beside a sturdy white van replete with a full complement of extension ladders piled on top of the roof, and looking for all the world like it was planning to go do some serious work somewhere, and plenty of it. On all sides of the exterior, it had been very carefully and professionally printed with the following message: COMMERCIAL / RESIDENTIAL     However, one couldn't help but notice that it completely and utterly neglected to mention the name of the business in any way, or what business they might be in, of which ladders were obviously an integral part. (I couldn't keep from thinking that at least a picture would have helped.) But I still thought that it was reassuring to know that whoever they were, and whatever they might do, they were prepared to meet all of my potential commercial or residential needs, regardless of whatever those needs may or may not hypothetically be. That is, as long as it's not truck painting, obviously. Elle