Smiley Anders for July 10, 2012
Defining the art of consulting
The learned Dr. Loren Scott, a longtime consultant on economic issues, tells us that “the definition of a consultant that Daryel Prust provided in your Monday column was incomplete.
“Daryel said a consultant was ‘someone you pay a lot of money to look at your watch and tell you what time it is.’
“He left out ‘and then they keep your watch.’ ”
The End
Roy Johnson says evidently nobody in the Governor’s Office has been reading
this column (no surprise there).
We’ve been running comments regarding “worn-out and overused phrases,” says Roy, and in the Saturday paper (in an article on Medicaid cuts) the Governor’s Office “responded with one of the most overused of all: ‘At the end of the day…e_SSRq
“Whenever I hear or read that one, my day is ended, and I turn off.”
If the shoe fits…
Years ago I started calling contributor Dan Burkhalter “The Carencro Curmudgeon.”
Dan says one Sunday “I ran into Billy Pucheu, former Evangeline Parish district attorney, at the Steamboat Warehouse restaurant in Washington, and he asked me about the origin of the name.”
Dan says he tried to explain, but it might be time for me to define the word for readers.
So here’s what Webster has to say about it:
“Curmudgeon: A surly, ill-mannered, bad-tempered person; cantankerous fellow.”
Well, Dan, you asked …
Nice People Dept.
“Regular Reader” says, “A few days ago I went to the Kean’s Fine Dry Cleaning in Bocage Village to take some books for Friends of the LSU Libraries’ Book Bazaar.
“As I approached the door, a young man outside rushed over to open the door for me.
“A young man inside came to take my two bags of books.
“I told him I had another bag in my car, so he followed me out and took that bag for me.
“I really appreciated the kindness of those two polite young men.
“I imagine they would be surprised to know they assisted a 95-year-old woman.
“However, they may have thought I am 100.”
Feeling harmonious?
“Barbershop Bill” Bozzelle of the Singing Valentines Quartet says folks who enjoy barbershop harmonies should know that the Ascension Community Theater presents the musical “The Music Man” this month, “featuring a barbershop quartet and other ‘Americana’ music.”
There will be eight performances between Thursday and July 22. You can get tickets at ascensioncommunitytheatre.org, or call (225) 647-1230.
(Bill says he’s singing in the play’s barbershop quartet, but hopes you won’t let that stop you from coming out.)
Looking for people
Speaking of show biz:
Boots McArdle says in 1951 a group of LSU students, members of the Newman Club at Christ the King Catholic Chapel, performed “South Pacific” for the state convention of the Knights of Columbus.
Boot says, “Many of those ‘old timers’ are still around (some can still sing).
“We plan to meet at Christ the King for 10 a.m. Mass on July 22, followed by refreshments and ‘passing a good time’ in the Activity Center.
“We will then relive ‘South Pacific’ by attending the 2 p.m. matinee of the Baton Rouge Little Theater production.
“Any old timers who would like to participate will be welcome.”
Call (225) 819-0153.
Worthy causes
On Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. the Taco de Paco food truck will be at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center on Essen to launch its new “The Bird is the Word” taco, with proceeds benefiting the cancer center.
During July Taco de Paco will donate $1 for every “The Bird is the Word” taco sold, and also accept donations to the center.
To find out where the truck will be each day, go to its Facebook and Twitter accounts or the website http://www.tacodepaco.com.
Special People Dept.
- Robert Loyd, of Denham Springs, celebrated his 93rd birthday July 3.
- Elaine Ventress Johnson, of Heritage Manor, celebrates her 91st birthday Tuesday.
- Anita Thibodeaux, of Brusly, celebrated her 91st birthday Friday.
The quiet man
Marvin Borgmeyer says he overhead this comment in a restaurant recently:
“Women like the strong silent type — because they think he is listening!”
Don’t say it!
Dudley Lehew, of Denham Springs, continues our discussion of “moments when you really don’t want to hear ‘Oops!’ ” with these examples:
- “Your wife is reconciling your monthly bank statement.”
- “You are in the middle of changing a baby boy’s diaper.”
- “Your anesthesiologist is putting you under for a serious operation.”
- “Your teenage son is tinkering with the engine of your new car.”
- “You’re just finishing the season’s first gumbo — and discover there’s no Tabasco!”
Write Smiley at Smiley@theadvocate.com. He can also be reached by fax at (225) 388-0351 or mail at P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821.