Today marks the third and final Friday the 13th of 2009. It’s best observed rationally … wear garlic necklaces, lucky rabbit feet and knock on wood for 24/7. Even if it hurts knuckles and blockheads.
And good news incantations never hurt:
Yup, the Boeing news was bad. So it’s good to know that other important Washington companies are doing well. Costco continues its success, most recently with the opening of a Manhattan store — its 563rd warehouse worldwide. Now they just have to bring back “Seinfeld” so they can have a wacky Costco episode.
Nordstrom is also doing well and, of course, Amazon is one Kindle and a $9 hardcover book away from setting more record profits.
On Thursday, famed investor Warren Buffett and Microsoft founder Bill Gates told students at Columbia University that recession-wise, “the worst is behind us.” That’s reassuring news. As was Buffett’s recent “all-in wager” on the economy — his purchase of Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad. It seems an excellent move and has a really great side benefit — America’s wise business magnate can now be described as “famed investor and railroad baron Warren Buffett.” The U.S. hasn’t had a great railroad baron in years.
In sports, the Seattle Sounders finished a fantastic first season, setting attendance records, making the playoffs and causing Major League Soccer bigwigs and everyone else to wonder why this didn’t happen a long time ago. No matter. They are here now, satisfying a deep need for scarf-wearing, beautiful-game-loving thousands.
It’s also refreshing to read about professional athletes who are not overpaid, who truly appreciate their fans, and are grateful for team perks such as being served lunch after practice.
In baseball, most Mariner fans were happy to hear that Ken Griffey Jr. will back again next year. His quick agreement to play for less, and play less, is welcome even if it causes baseball super agent and greed magnate Scott Boras vicarious pain to even hear such a thing. Well, especially if it gives Boras indigestion.
Much has been written about Griffey’s unifying influence in the clubhouse, due in no small part to his sense of humor. His choice to play Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” theme on the P.A. system for Adrian Beltre’s first at-bat after returning from a particularly personal injury was worth re-signing him alone.
Most important, and intriguing, is the still-blossoming bromance between Griffey Jr. and Ichiro Suzuki. (Theme song no longer: “All By Myself.” Eric Carmen, not Celine Dion.)
The friendship bodes well for the good fortunes of the franchise. We’re sending out garlic-fry necklaces to M’s management for not breaking the spell.
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