You’re My Best Friend……..

This is a great song by the band Queen. I was listening to it, thought it sounded great. I then decided to look at the lyrics.

Ooh, you make me live
Whatever this world can give to me
It’s you, you’re all I see
Ooh, you make me live now honey
Ooh, you make me live
Oh, you’re the best friend
That I ever had
I’ve been with you such a long time
You’re my sunshine
And I want you to know
That my feelings are true
I really love you
(Ooh) Oh, you’re my best friend
Ooh, you make me live
Ooh, I’ve been wandering round
But I still come back to you
(still come back to you)
In rain or shine
You’ve stood by me girl
I’m happy at home (happy at home)
You’re my best friend
Ooh, you make me live
Whenever this world is cruel to me
I got you, to help me forgive – oo oo ooh
Ooh, you make me live now honey
Ooh, you make me live
Oh, you’re the first one
When things turn out bad
You know I’ll never be lonely
You’re my only one
And I love the thing
I really love the things that you do
Oh, you’re my best friend
Oh, ooh, you make me live
I’m happy (happy at home)
You’re my best friend
Oh, oh, you’re my best friend
Ooh, you make me live
Oo oo ooh
You, you’re my best friend

It made me think of my dog and how much I miss him.

The Skill of Bruce Lee by Todd Jacobucci

Bruce Lee is fantastic. Incredible self discipline. An innovator. Tons of guts. I’d like to take a moment today to display his skill. This video is from the movie “Enter the Dragon”. Lee takes on Bob Wall.

An amazing set of skills indeed.

KISS – “The Hottest Band in the World”

This is how the band Kiss introduces themselves before a concert. I happen to like quite a few of their songs – particularly from the original foursome. Here are some faves of mine:

My Favorite Guitar Solos….

There are some songs can go from good to great due to an outstanding guitar solo. Today I was thinking of guitar solos that literally make the song. So, Ive decided to list some of my faves today. Mind you, this doesn’t include songs that are nothing but a guitar solo (an example being “Eruption” from Van Halen). It has to be a regular song that contains a guitar solo. This is what I have come up with – the title of the song and the band that created it. There is no particular order:

1. “Heartbreaker” by Led Zeppelin

2. “In the Evening” also by Led Zeppelin

3. “Jane” by Jefferson Starship

4. “Money” by Pink Floyd

5. “Stone in Love” by Journey

6. “Shock Me” (live version) by Kiss

7. “Hotel California” by The Eagles

8. “Juke Box Hero” by Foreigner

9. “Reelin’ in the Years” by Steely Dan

10. “Jesus is Just Alright” by The Doobie Brothers

My favorite songs by The Who

Great band. Great songs……….

We Will Get Through COVID-19……

With a Little Luck……..

Potential Coronavirus Vaccine

As I live right outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I was real happy to find this out:

UPMC and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine scientists on Thursday, 4/2/20, provided details on a potential coronavirus vaccine. The vaccine goes on like a Band-Aid, doesn’t require refrigeration and could be massed produced rapidly to battle the global pandemic.

UPMC has approached the U.S. Food and Drug Administration about beginning clinical trials for the vaccine and UPMC officials expressed hope that the vaccine could be tested on people within a few months.

“Testing in patients would typically require at least a year and probably longer,” Dr. Louis Falo, professor and chair of dermatology at Pitt’s School of Medicine and UPMC, said at a news briefing Thursday.

“This particular situation is different from anything we’ve ever seen, so we don’t know how long the clinical development process will take. Recently announced revisions to the normal processes suggest we may be able to advance this faster.”

The vaccine – called PittCoVacc, short for Pittsburgh Coronavirus Vaccine — uses lab-made pieces of viral protein to build immunity. It is delivered by a microneedle array to increase potency.

The array is a fingertip-sized patch of 400 tiny needles that delivers the spike protein pieces into the skin, where the immune reaction is strongest. The patch goes on like a Band-Aid and then the needles — which are made entirely of sugar and the protein pieces — simply dissolve into the skin.

“We developed this to build on the original scratch method used to deliver the smallpox vaccine to the skin, but as a high-tech version that is more efficient and reproducible patient to patient,” Falo said. “And it’s actually pretty painless — it feels kind of like Velcro.”

Mass-producing the microneedle array involves spinning down the protein-sugar mixture into a mold using a centrifuge. Once manufactured, the vaccine can sit at room temperature until it’s needed, eliminating the need for refrigeration during transport or storage.

Potential good news for sure!

Coronavirus Stimulus Package

One-time payments of up to $1,200 should start going out in the next three weeks (today is 3/26/20) to most Americans who file individual tax returns. Those who file joint tax returns will get up to $2,400.

The payments will be sent via direct deposit to Americans who already have provided the Internal Revenue Service with their bank account information. For those who haven’t, the checks will be mailed.

If you’ve already filed your 2019 taxes, the IRS will use those returns to determine your rebate. If not, your 2018 returns will be used to calculate your check.

Individuals with an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less will be eligible for up to $1,200 ($2,400 for joint tax returns) and $500 for each qualifying child. Those with little or no tax liability will get at least $600 ($1,200 for joint returns).

The payments will start to phase out for Americans who earn more than $75,000, or $150,000 for a joint return. The amount you receive will be decreased by 5% of the amount your income exceeds $75,000. For example, a single person with an $85,000 salary would get $700 after subtracting 5% of $10,000, or $500.

The payments will phase out completely for single filers with incomes exceeding $99,000, $146,500 for head of household filers with one child, and $198,000 for joint filers with no children.

You don’t have to apply to receive the money. If you’ve filed income taxes in the past two years, you will automatically get a check.

Coronavirus Tips

Prevention and treatment of the new coronavirus

There is currently no vaccine to prevent infection. The best way to do so is to avoid exposure to this virus. The CDC recommends the following every day preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

For travelers

Travelers to China should:

Avoid non-essential travel to Hubei, including the province’s capital, Wuhan.
Avoid contact with sick people.
Discuss travel to China with their health care provider. Older adults and travelers with underlying health issues may be at risk for more severe disease.
Avoid animals (alive or dead), animal markets, and products that come from animals (such as uncooked meat).
Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
If you traveled to China recently and feel sick with fever or a cough or have difficulty breathing, you should:
Seek medical care right away. Before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your recent travel and symptoms.
Avoid contact with others.
Do not travel while sick.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.

Treatment

There is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for 2019-nCoV infection. People who are infected should receive supportive care to help relieve symptoms. For severe cases, treatment should include care to support vital organ functions.

People who think they may have been exposed to the virus should contact their health care provider immediately.

The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones are an outstanding band. Having released their first album in 1964, the band has been in existence for 56 years now. Incredible longevity. Led by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the band also includes Ron Wood and Charlie Watts. Former members are Brian Jones, Bill Wyman and Mick Taylor. For me, The Rolling Stones are my third favorite band. I thought I’d take a moment today to present some of my favorite songs by them.

Probably at the top of the list: