Snarky Tom's Rants, Raves and Ruminations

I did not know this doctor. I had no knowledge what she did. None of her tribulations or successes. I knew nothing...until she died. It's impossible to know everybody in the world. That's a given. And it's just as impossible to know some or any of the front line medical combating the COVID-19 Coronavirus. Dr. Breen was one of those front line medics. Dr. Lorna M. Breen This is not so much a nod to this dear woman as much as to give you an idea that there are thousands like her dealing with all this and in many cases, we take it for granted or just are inadequate to showing appreciation. All the Blue Angel and Thunderbird flyovers over New York City, New Jersey and Philadelphia is not going to show the appreciation that the front liners would get as much as having the PPE needed to do their jobs. “She tried to do her job, and it killed her,” said the father of Dr. Lorna M. Breen per a New York Times interview and article. Many of the medical community who die are kill...

I watch a lot of television. Mainly because, I don't go out. I don't like crowds or to mix it up with strangers in bars, clubs and other social establishments. I used to love to attend concerts. In my younger years, I attended many rock concerts in sports venues with friends and strangers squeezed together like canned fish sitting in a haze of smoke getting a contact high from clouds billowing above our heads listening to music with decibels high enough to make our ears bleed. I was young. It was fun. But nowadays, I just can't be bothered. I'd rather sit home and live vicariously through the cable programming that I pay $200 plus per month. This past weekend I stumbled on a program called the The Lake Erie Murders. It's a series on ID (Investigative Discovery) Channel. These shows disturb and anger me. Mostly because I see how fuct up our legal system is...in every state. This time I'm pointing my "Finger of Shame" at Maine and Michigan. And especia...

Two days ago, Queen Elizabeth II had her 94th birthday. It got me thinking: She has always been queen since I've been alive. There are a minority of Brits who are living that can say they remember life when her father, King George VI, ruled. She's been monarch, Queen of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms, since 1952. For those mathematically challenged that's a buttload of years (68). Queen Victoria ruled about 64 years (1837-1901). Vicki held the record until 4 years ago when Queen Lizzie II past her and every other monarch that ever lived. Very impressive. See what tons of money can do for you. Give you long life and good health. Of course, her mother, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, lived to 101, passing in 2002. Longevity may be in her DNA or in her bones. Good for her. With any luck, she'll be the only British monarch in my lifetime. Yes. That means she'll outlive me. I don't doubt that that could happen. She is the longest-serving femal...

I hate commercials. All commercials. Even the funny ones after a while are annoying to the nth degree. But lately because of the COVID-19 pandemic, they've been aimed at advertising home delivery or curbside pick-up of EVERYTHING! I mean, everything. Bob's Furniture has a commercial informing the buyer that they will deliver your online purchase to your location contactless. Which is great if you really need that loveseat or couch, but you better be able to lug your purchase inside by yourself. Just about all restaurants are now delivering though through 3rd party delivery systems (Uber Eats, Grubhub, Door Dash, etc.). Commercials have been barely tolerable in their original huckster format, but now adding this constant reminder that we are imprisoned in our own houses and can't go to our favorite restaurants to sit down and enjoy a meal in peace is borderline sticking the knife in and giving it a twist. Contactless delivery is great if you don't mind the delivery perso...

If you've been stuck inside for nearly a month or more and you've seen the President on the tube spouting about opening up America again, sit the fahk down and listen up. First, he can open up America to his heart's delight. No one is compelled to obey. The states' Governors will decide if it's safe to go outside and play. Don't listen to his pied piper's song and walk into the sea. Stay Home. This is far from over. A fact: Nothing like this has ever happened in 99.99% of the humans living today. The last time something like this occurred was in 1918. It actually lasted two full years. It went on killing long after everyone thought it was done with us. Matter of fact, the second wave of the Spanish Flu of 1918 killed more people than did the first wave. A tale of two cities: In late 1918, with this global flu outbreak, there were two cities in the United States. One was prepared and proactive, St. Louis; the other was foolish and naive, Philadelphia...

I know most of you or at least some of you are really feeling cooped up and are going crazy not being able to leave the house and go to your usual haunts: The Malls, The Bars, The Restaurants, etc. I know how you feel. I miss, well, none of that. I don't have any favorite places that I frequent more than home. I am a firm believer that one should never drink at home and certainly never alone. That's just plain too sad. But I'd like to virtual drink with you today. A subject that has always fascinated me is beer. Many years ago, about 20 - 25 years to be more precise, I was became a hobbyist of zymology. I was a novice zymologist. What is a zymologist? A brewmaster. A brewer. Someone who makes beer. I thought it would be fun. It was, but it was so damn expensive and a lot of work. There are many places you can purchase kits and equipment. The local beer store may carry kits. Even your supermarket may have something like this. The places that you really want to seek ou...

I had mentioned something about this in my post, Hate , but would like to embellish. I despise Toyotas. No, I hate Toyotas. I should clarify. I don't hate the vehicle. I'm presume that it's a well built commodity that everybody seems to own or want to own. And I'm sure it's more than just the very attractive spokesperson, Jan (Laurel Coppock), in the TV commercials. According to  Statista , in 2019, Ford and then Toyota were the most purchased automobile brands in the United States. Laurel Coppock (Jan from Toyota) I'd like to state (without evidence); 1 out of 5 drivers really suck at driving. When I say suck, I mean: They cut off other cars while lane changing,  They don't use turn signals,  They drive past dusk with headlights off, They speed, They tailgate, They run through red traffic lights and stop signs,  They are reckless and erratic, They crash (sometimes into each other, but mostly into other makes and models), They disrupt my life...