Water Deals
I am a longtime fan of Al Roker of “Today.” Al was the commencement speaker yesterday at Siena College’s graduation ceremony. Al’s address to the Class of 2025 was interesting. Here are the excerpts:
“As you, the class of 2025, prepare for your next part of your journey, truth has been part of your path here. Faith has been an integral part of your path here. Compassion has been part of your path here. You’ve been given a unique opportunity, a superior education that weaves together knowledge, faith and truth together.”
And this:
“So, in other words, no matter how pretty you package it, if there’s no substance, it does not matter. Truth matters, and that’s never been more relevant than right now. We are in a moment when truth is under attack, when the loudest voice, too often, drowns out the most honest one, where misinformation spreads faster than facts, and that’s why your voices matter.”
“Whether you’re going into journalism, business, science, art, education, public service, your responsibility is the same: To lead with integrity. To ground yourself and those around you in truth. To resist the temptation to chase viral over vital. And when you run into somebody — like I did early in my career in Cleveland — who tries to reduce you to a stereotype or just a number or throws ignorance in your face, you don’t let that define you. You define the moment.”
And finally, this:
“While to some ‘diversity’ is a dirty word, to those committed to just and equality, it is not. In fact, part of your Siena mission says, and I quote, ‘We seek to build a community strengthened by diversity, where members work together in friendship and respect, committed to building a world that is more just, peaceable and humane,’ which is so important.”
Let me quote Paul Simon again:
“I get the news I need on the weather report
Oh, I can gather all the news I need on the weather report.”
Nice job, Al.
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Since the 1990s, I have had five-gallon jugs of water delivered to my home. I started out as a Sierra Springs customer. Then Sierra Springs merged with Sparkletts. I then started getting Sparkletts water delivered by Sparkletts – Sierra Springs. A few weeks ago, I received a notice that an outfit named Primo Brands would now be delivering my water. I had to alter my online account information, and my delivery schedule was switched. This Saturday, my water was delivered by a Sparkletts driver in a Sparkletts truck and voila, see the featured photo. Yep, Ozarka. I certainly don’t have a problem with Ozarka. These water deals, mergers, and acquisitions will get me to check out my water invoices to see if they are sticking it to me. I wonder if we are headed toward water monopoly territory.
The upside to ordering five-gallon jugs is that I don’t have to stock up on water when a hurricane is sitting out in the Gulf.
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“The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” came out in 1966. It is one of my favorite westerns. I caught part of it on the flat screen this past weekend. The final scene in the middle of the cemetery with Blondie, Tuco, and Angel Eyes is a classic for sure. It lasts a long time – maybe five minutes – with masterful editing and a riveting music score. I mentioned 1966, because that is when I saw it when it was first released. I saw it at the Brunson Theater in Baytown. That is the only time I have seen it in a theater. It got me to thinking. How would an audience today react to that final cemetery scene.
I still have the movie soundtrack of “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” on vinyl. The soundtrack album was at the top of charts for about a year after it was released. Hugo Montenegro, who is no longer with us, was nominated for three Grammys for his version of the “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” theme song which reached #2 on the singles chart.
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The Astros split the four-game series in Arlington this past weekend. They are 24-22 and are in Tampa Bay for the next games.
