Tamae Watanabe has reached the summit of Mt. Everest at age 73, the second time she has done it. She was the oldest woman to accomplish the insane feat at age 63, now besting her own record.
Today, at 39, I’m going to try making it to the end of the Long Beach Flea Market.
In honor of Mother’s Day, I’m rerunning this post about my grandmother, titled: “Behold, The Magic 8 Ball.”
Mattel’s Magic 8 Ball, that fascinating decision maker for the “I don’t know” crowd (you know who you are). What’s inside, you ask? Signs point to me telling you.
Inside that little black sphere is an icosahedron… here’s a nice rotating one. And no, Tippi Icosahedron was not in “The Birds.” (Sorry, Morgan.)
There are, you math whizzes know, 20 possible answers inside the ball…
● It is certain
● It is decidedly so
● Without a doubt
● Yes – definitely
● You may rely on it
● As I see it, yes
● Most likely
● Outlook good
● Signs point to yes
● Yes
● Reply hazy, try again
● Ask again later
● Better not tell you now
● Cannot predict now
● Concentrate and ask again
● Don’t count on it
● My reply is no
● My sources say no
● Outlook not so good
● Very doubtful
I would like to add my own 20 answers to a Magic 8-Ball, inspired by my sage grandmother, who had all the answers:
Why you asking me?
Do I bother you with such nonsense?
You think I know?
Yeah, sure, if you think so.
You really want my answer?
Ich vais nisht!
You need to ask?
Go know!
I have no idea.
You already know the answer.
Sit down until you know.
You really want an answer from a plastic ball?
I never thought about it.
Ask him!
Ask her!
Why ask?!
If you have to ask…
Seriously, you’re a putz.
I’m not in the mood for your questions.
Eat!
The 8-Ball, as we know it now, was created in 1950. But the original gizmo was invented by one Albert C. Carter, who based the original design on one his clairvoyant mother used. Then a guy named Max Levinson and his brother-in-law Abe Bookman partnered with Alabe Crafts in 1946, and they sold it as the Syco-Seer. Not a good name, although they had it inside a glitzy crystal ball. Brunswick Billiards turned it into the 8 ball in 1950. Mattel somehow got a hold of it.
It’s been raining all weekend in Los Angeles, so here’s a cheery scene from “Stormy Weather” with the Nicholas Brothers, Harold and Fayard, with Cab Calloway and his big band. They taught Michael Jackson.
Here’s a ray of beige sunshine to brighten up your foggy Sunday, at least for a moment or not.
The Duchess of Cornwall pushed up her sleeves, soldered her hair and sat down to listen to little Daniel Tarjanyi, 7, read to her at the Cavendish primary school in Chiswick. His mother is a lunch lady at the school. God bless all lunch ladies everywhere.
Camilla’s previous visit to Cavendish inspired the child to read, and he’s been a non-stop reading machine ever since.
It seems that other people are finally beginning to notice Camilla’s saintly powers. She also appears to be getting larger.