Oops! JetBlue’s face is a little red this week.

“A shift in weight and balance during deplaning” was the stated cause of a JetBlue passenger jet tilting back on its tail, and then seesawing forward again, at JFK International on Sunday, October 22nd. Luckily, no one was injured; but I have to wonder what the passengers who were standing in the aisles, reaching for their carry-ons or waiting their turn to exit, thought when they found themselves sliding back toward the tail and forward again. Probably not amused. The incident does serve to remind me, however, that I’m not the only one who occasionally finds myself off-balance due to a weight-shift. It can happen to an airplane, too.

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Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is in talks with the Musee Grevin in Paris — a wax museum that sounds much like Madame Tussaud’s in London — to have his likeness “improved.” It seems some people have complained on social media (where else?) that his doppelgänger’s skin has been “whitewashed.” Mr. Johnson is multi-ethnic, and apparently his statue is “suffering from a melanin deficiency.” Those are not my words — I swear, that’s what the CNN article said. Frankly, I find the whole thing refreshing; certainly far better than the bad old days when a few Black people actually tried to make themselves look Whiter. Seriously . . . shouldn’t we all just be as proud of ourselves as The Rock is?

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Have you ever seen a pangolin? They’re just too cute for words . . . in a Jurassic Park sort of way. Also called scaly anteaters, they’re found in Asia and Africa, and are an endangered species. And their body parts are being bought by 72 licensed Chinese drug manufacturers, backed by major global banks, for use in at least nine different medications. Now, wait a minute, you guys! They’re endangered! Just stop that . . . right now! Apparently, some of the same companies are also decimating the populations of leopards, similarly endangered. If I start an “Adopt-a-Pangolin” movement, will you join me? For one thing, you’ll never have another ant in your kitchen. And I guarantee you’ll have the most popular pet in your neighborhood.

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Martha Stewart, according to a CNN headline, “does dress her age, thank you very much.” At 82, she’s apparently in great shape, and doesn’t plan to give in to her advancing years. She says she still dresses the same way she did when she was 17. Let’s see, now . . . that would have been 1958. So, which one do you think she most resembles (below)?

And by the way, that ‘57 Chevy looks like a Bel Air. Anybody else remember those?

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No, this is not Kim Kardashian! But it is her underwear. Or, rather, underwear being designed and sold by her company, Skims, now aiming at the male market. Apparently, “Men’s sizes will also encompass Skims’ body positivity focus and stretch from extra small to 5X.” Knowing how the Kardashian women love to appear in public wearing nothing but their mostly see-through undies, I wonder whether the men are now being encouraged to do the same. Uhh . . . no comment.

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No, this isn’t Kim K. either. But, though she and her siblings are everywhere in the news lately, I couldn’t find a single picture of any of them that was fit to reprint, so I went with the enigmatic (and decently clothed) Mona Lisa. Just sayin’ . . .

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I haven’t even reached the Entertainment section, yet here she is — the lovely and ubiquitous Taylor Swift, at yet another Kansas City Chiefs game, cheering on the equally omnipresent Travis Kelce. And people are still speculating as to whether they’re a couple? Really? The business-savvy Ms. Swift certainly knows the value of publicity; and it’s a pleasure to note that she’s keeping it wholesome — unlike a few others of whom we see far too much!

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In the Science department, the moon has now been found to be 40 million years older than originally estimated, based on further testing of materials brought back by the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. Remind me never to have myself carbon-dated!

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Finally made it to the Entertainment column, and found it oddly lacking in shockers this time. But . . .

First it was Will and Jada; now the ever-beautiful and multi-talented Meryl Streep and her husband of 45 years, Don Gummer, reveal that they too have been separated for the past six years. Sorry to hear that. But what is this — a thing in Hollywood? Pretending to be happily married years beyond your marriage’s expiration date? I can’t imagine why. I mean, it must be quite a strain, always smiling and looking adoringly at each other that way. It’s their own business, of course, but I don’t think I could carry it off.

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Well, let’s see what else we can dig up. Jennifer Garner and Reese Witherspoon are “true friends.” Oh, good; I was worried about that. There’s speculation about a “Crossroads” sequel for Britney Spears. Eh. And more of the usual drek from Will and Jada. Yawn.

I guess that will have to do for this episode, folks, but I’m sure the gossip mill will pick up soon. See you when it does.

TTFN,
Brendochka
10/25/24

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