Coyote/Roadrunner Cartoons …

It’s a funny thing about memories.  There are enjoyable memories that, if a new iteration presented itself, you would partake of it and enjoy it over again.  One example might be a new Coyote/Roadrunner cartoon.  The old ones bright a smile to your face and there must be hundreds more contraptions that the Coyote might devise now that Amazon.com can deliver stuff from Acme Industries overnight and we know for sure that none of those contraptions will work.  But it would be fun …

On the flipside, there are enjoyable memories that, if a new iteration presented itself, you would probably prefer not to experience anew.  One example there might be a boxing match involving Manny Pacquiao versus Floyd Mayweather.  Ten years ago, they staged an exciting and highly anticipated bout for the world welterweight title; Mayweather won that fight.  When they fought before, both men were long-established fighters in their mid-to-late-thirties.  Both have moved on, and I know that I have certainly not considered a rematch between these two men as an important element that has been missing from my life.

Notwithstanding, there might be a rematch in 2026.  At some sort of a press event in the Philippines, Pacquiao had this to say:

“Right now, we have a lot of negotiations about my next fight; there’s a possible rematch with Floyd Mayweather.  There’s a lot of ongoing negotiations right now, so it’s hard to plan what fight I’m going to post. I’m waiting for the final negotiation.”

As of this morning, Manny Pacquiao is 46 years old.  His birthday is next month so any fight involving him in 2026 would have him at age 47 at best.

As of this morning, Floyd Mayweather is 48 years old.  His birthday is in February so any fight involving him in 2026 would likely have him at age 49.

As of this morning – – and almost assuredly at any date in the future – – I have no interest in seeing two geezers slugging it out as if they were still top-shelf fighters.  But it might happen anyway – – even if I would much prefer a new Coyote/Roadrunner cartoon.

Moving on …   There are some things that are wonderful by themselves plus they just go well together like Chateaubriand with a Premier Cru Bordeaux.  Conversely, there are some things that are fine on their own but should never be mixed.  Consider the elements/makings of a mustard milkshake.  Let me present two “things” here and consider if they naturally go together or not:

1. FIFA
2. World Peace Prize

That sure looks akin to the mustard milkshake above, but it appears that it will become reality rather soon.  The newly created “FIFA Peace Prize” will be awarded as an adjunct to the World Cup draw on December 5^th.  The 2026 World Cup will be staged in North America and the draw for the Group makeup will happen in Washington.  The FIFA Peace Prize intends to “recognize exceptional actions for peace.”

FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, had this to say as the new prize was announced:

“In an increasingly unsettled and divided world, it’s fundamental to recognize the outstanding contribution of those who work hard to end conflicts and bring people together in a spirit of peace.”

I don’t know about you, but I am not going to be on the edge of my seat as the winner is announced.

Finally, this statement from H. L. Mencken on the subject of peace seems an appropriate way to end this rant:

“War will never cease until babies begin to come into the world with larger cerebrums and smaller adrenal glands.”

But don’t get me wrong, I love sports………