UPDATE: 2/1…Friends, I just learned of the shuttle disaster. I
wish I could erase a lot of what follows, but I have to leave it
up. I would urge you, however, to go to the archives and re-read
what I posted just a few days ago, the 1/28 edition of Bar Chat.
I don”t know what compelled me to do that piece, outside of the
fact it was an anniversary date, but I was perhaps the only one
in the world to do so.
1/31…Blackjack update: Darnit, after my great start the
losing streak continues. I lost another $100 last night, meaning
I am now down $95 for the trip. This afternoon I will actively
seek work washing dishes.
NBA Quiz: 1) Who are the only four to score 70 in a regular season
game? 2) Aside from Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan, who is
the only player to average 35 a game for a season? 3) In the ABA’s
nine seasons (1967-76), who holds the single season scoring mark of
34.6? 4) What ABA player won 4 rebounding titles? Who won 3?
Answers below.
Tahiti
So we arrived in Tahiti Wednesday morning and the approach to the
harbor was pretty cool. We”re docked in Papeete (Poppy-ye-tay…you
pronounce every vowel in these parts). Soon I was on a tour to the
Gauguin Museum. As you all know, Paul Gauguin did his worst work
on the island. Well, thankfully we had a terrific tour guide, important
because 2 of the 3 1/2 hours was spent just driving around. Let
me tell you, this isn”t my idea of paradise. 80% humidity, year
round, lots of traffic and giant, man-eating mosquitoes.
I mean for crying out loud, I haven”t gotten sick on the ship yet,
but I”ll die of malaria because these suckers with the 30-foot
wingspans had me for lunch. They also say “there are no dangerous
land animals or snakes” on Tahiti, but you look up into the
spectacular mountain canyons, covered in jungle, and you”re
thinking, “King Kong is up there…maybe a whole family of ”em.”
I also saw that in the coconut groves, there was aluminum foil
halfway up the trees. That”s to prevent rats from climbing up
and eating the cocunuts. But, as any reader of Bar Chat knows, this
means the rats can climb into your home and up on your bed, and that,
sports fans, is a potentially deadly encounter. Plus the rat has
been bitten by all the diseased mosquitoes. Nope, you can have your
Tahiti.
As for Gauguin, what an ass he was. The natives despised him since
he slept around with their 13-year-old daughters, which in turn led to
his contracting syphilis. He was booted off the island and fled to
Atuona in the Marquesas where he died in 1903, alone, and with
leprosy to boot!
Hermann Maier
I meant to note that Maier just accomplished one of the great
sporting achievements when the skier won a Super-G race at Kitzbuhl
just 17 months after almost losing a leg in a terrible motorcycle
accident. True courage.
Cruise Update
There are more nice people on this ship than I originally gave credit
for, and to all those onboard, I now apologize. But there are still a
ton of pretentious sorts! Hell, I’m playing blackjack with this guy on
Saturday evening and I said, “Who do you like in the Super Bowl?”
He cut me a look as if to say, ‘How dare you invade my space!’ And
then he snorted something. I also learned that I should stay out of the
sauna…not that I was thinking of using it. Ah, let’s just say there is
some stuff going on in there that is rather disgusting, if you catch my
drift.
But anyway, the food is great!
How’s this for a menu?
Appetizers
Green Lip Mussels marinated with Provencial Vinaigrette
Smoked Chicken Breast with Black Figs and Reggiano Parmesan
Shavings, Aged Balsamic Vinaigrette
Char Grilled Portabello Mushroom with Creamy Pepper Boursin
Spicy Thai Fish Cakes, Home Made Papaya and Pineapple Chutney
[I went with the Portabello. Us Chex Mix guys always go for a good
Portabello when presented one.]
Main Course
Broiled Fillet of Ocean Perch al Brodetto, Mussels and Clam Broth
with Tomatoes, Boiling Potatoes
Lobster Ragout “Newburg” in Creamy Madeira Sauce, Saffron Rice
Ring, Green Asparagus, Leaf Spinnach
Ragout of Morels over Seared Foie Gras Medallions, Sweet Onion
Brioche
[There were other entrees, but I ordered the Lobster Ragout. It went
well with my Grolsch.]
We had a horrible comedian last night, Mick somebody, who billed
himself as “the funniest man in Britain.” Ha!
Here is a drink I hadn’t seen before…Nutty Breeze
Captain Morgan Spiced Rum (great commercials)
Amaretto
Mint Leaves
Pina Colada Mix
I don’t know the proportions, so go crazy!
King Neptune
So we passed the equator on Monday. I got a certificate and
everything to prove it. Some of you may know there is a specific
ceremony for this…others, like yours truly until Monday, may not.
But it goes something like this.
The tradition dates back to the 13th century. Since it had been
decided that the world was round and not flat (personally, I’m still not
so sure), the Spanish and Portugese explorers ventured further south
and west without fear of sailing off the edge of the world. The
excitement of sailing into the southern part of the world became a
special event commemorated in a quasi religious / mythological play
involving King Neptune (big partier…though he has a bad temper)
and his court who were “crossing the line” for the first time. These
initiations took on various forms, some of which were highly
dangerous. “Pollywogs” would be coated with various nasty liquids
found in the bilge of the ship (which often helped spread gastro, too)
and then suspended by the ankles and plunged into the sea. At which
time they were often feasted upon by schools of ravenous sharks, or
so I imagine.
Now then, where were we? Did you know that on January 30,
1945, the worst tragedy in maritime history took place? It was in the
last days of World War II and the Red Army was making its final
push into Nazi Germany. The German cruise ship Wilhelm Gustloff
was packed with about 10,000 people, mostly women and children,
as it entered Kiel harbor. The boat was hit by torpedoes and the best
estimate is that 6,000-7,000 died. The reason why this received so
little publicity at the time (and a glance through ten of my World War
II history books had just one reference) is because the Germans
didn’t want to be seen equating their losses with those they inflicted
on others. Regardless, this was a terrible tragedy in its own right.
Top 3 songs for the week of 1/26/74: #1 “You’re Sixteen” (Ringo
Starr) #2 “Show And Tell” (Al Wilson…very underrated tune) #3
“The Way We Were” (Barbra Streisand…communist pinko)
NBA Quiz Answers: 1) The only four to score 70 in a regular season
game: Wilt (6 times), David Thompson, 73 (1978), David Robinson,
71 (1994), Elgin Baylor, 71 (1960). 2) Aside from Wilt and Jordan,
the only player to average 35 for a full season is Rick Barry, 35.6 in
1966-67 for the San Francisco Warriors. 3) Charlie Scott scored
34.6 in the ABA, 1971-72 (Virginia? I forgot to bring that part of the
answer along…it would also cost me $10 to look it up on this freakin’
computer system onboard). 4) Artis Gilmore won 4 ABA
rebounding titles, Mel Daniels won 3. The other two were won by
Swen Nater and Spencer Driftwood, err, Haywood.
Next Bar Chat, Tuesday.
