Aerosmith Cancel European Tour; Blame Pandemic

Aerosmith was supposed to do a rescheduled European tour this summer. Late yesterday, the band cancelled that tour citing pandemic concerns. There's no doubt the pandemic continues. The Omicron spike of COVID-19 has hit just about every major country in the world pretty hard... but summer is months away. Of course a major tour takes a lot of money and planning, so I understand having to make decisions in advance, but this just seems... suspect. Reading comments online, most folks seem to agree this cancellation is more a result of Aerosmith not wanting to tour anymore period, and less about controlling disease spread. At any rate, it sucks. At this point, I don't think Aerosmith will ever do a proper tour again. I'm glad I saw them live a few times while I had the chance.

Saxon, 'Remember The Fallen' -- New Video

From the new album Carpe Diem, Saxon has released a video for their song "Remember The Fallen." The track is about the ones we've lost from the COVID-19 pandemic. This is powerful stuff. A great song about a horrible situation.

Grammy Awards Postponed

Once again, the Grammy Awards have been postponed because of COVID-19. The awards show didn't happen last year because of the pandemic either. Back then, few folks were vaccinated. This time around, Omicron is basically infecting everyone that goes into public places. The show and awards presentation was scheduled for January 31. The show will go on during a future date this year.

After careful consideration and analysis with city and state officials, health and safety experts, the artist community and our many partners, we have postponed the 64th #GRAMMYs. https://t.co/oMzV1U9Tsc

— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) January 5, 2022

News Of The Week Roundup: Week 52, 2021 (Finale!)

We made it through all 52 weeks of 2021. That's 52 Sunday news roundup posts. I'm proud of being able to keep up with this during the year. Going forward in 2022, we will focus on something new each Sunday. I am not quite sure what yet. Check back next Sunday to find out!

What a final week of the year it was. Deaths and COVID-19 and horrible wildfires in Colorado dominated the news.

As many as 1,000 homes were destroyed by freak wildfires because of 100 mph winds around Boulder, Colorado earlier this week. Three people are still missing. 

Several hundred homes, a hotel and a shopping center have burned and thousands of people were evacuated in wind-fueled wildfires outside Denver, according to officials.https://t.co/bjVKnUWE9p

— The Associated Press (@AP) December 31, 2021

The pandemic continues, and what a shitshow it is! The CDC urged folks to not cruise at all right now (no kidding). Hell, I have a cruise to Greece booked for October. The way things are going I'm beginning to wonder if it will happen or not. This is the same trip I tried to take back in 2020. Obviously that didn't happen! I was on one of the very last cruises in February 2020 before the complete shutdown. People were just really starting to pay attention to the coronavirus then. Each night of the cruise, I would use my internet package to check in on the Diamond Princess debacle. Eric and I started being very cautious during our trip. We don't do buffets anyway, but we made sure to avoid any congregate dining options period. I always travel with Lysol wipes and I had actually packed masks before that was a "thing." I remember seeing masks on our flight home and thought "this is real now."

Speaking of the CDC... the powers-that-be created even more pandemic confusion by changing the isolation rules for folks who are positive but asymptomatic. Basically, it's back to work in a mask after day 5 if positive but no symptoms. Still stay home if you are symptomatic, please!

Shortened quarantines pose a risk that some people will go on to spread Covid-19 after their isolation period expires, the WHO said https://t.co/ZbBc7WNE7O

— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) December 30, 2021

Breaking News: The CDC raised its Covid warning for cruise ships to the highest level and added a blunt warning: Don’t board one. https://t.co/ljWwUOuEGl

— The New York Times (@nytimes) December 30, 2021

Harry Reid has died at 82. The pugnacious Democrat was a political force as Senate majority leader during two administrations. https://t.co/Af7n3iAxZi

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 29, 2021

Democratic political genius Harry Reid died a few days ago. He had pancreatic cancer, but also battled other illnesses in recent years. He didn't take crap from anyone and knew how to run a political machine. He grew up dirt poor and one interview I will never forget is when he talked about taking a gas station job to save up money to buy his mother some "new teeth." She was in hit in the face with a softball when young and her teeth fell out over time. There was never money to get them fixed until Reid stepped in.

And I leave you with this - help if you are so inclined.

Throughout Betty White's career she worked with a number of animal health, welfare, and conservation groups. Here are five you can support: https://t.co/z4o3HS5inv

— CNN (@CNN) January 2, 2022

News Of The Week Roundup: Week 51, 2021

I hope everyone had a nice holiday yesterday and happy Kwanzaa to those who celebrate! A short news roundup today, simply because I didn't follow many stories last week. I was just too busy with work and getting ready for Christmas.

Today marks the start of Kwanzaa, also spelled Kwanza (with one 'a' at the end). The celebration lasts until January 1. https://t.co/AyApeN5H9h

— CNN (@CNN) December 26, 2021

Some breaking news today - Desmond Tutu has died. He was a pioneer in the fight against apartheid. The world will miss him.

Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who won the Nobel Peace Prize for his struggle against the system of white domination known as apartheid, died Dec. 26 in Cape Town. He was 90. https://t.co/cLUCGeA1Ir

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 26, 2021

For the first time in two decades, no troops were deployed during Christmas because of war in Afghanistan. Thanks Biden. Thanks Trump.

Re-upping this work of deployed Marine Corps ingenuity. For the first time in 20 years, no deployed US troops marking Christmas in Afghanistan. https://t.co/C7P2hXln1D

— Hope Hodge Seck (@HopeSeck) December 24, 2021

The U.S. economy grew more than expected in the third quarter.

New: US economy expanded at an annualized rate of 2.3% between July and September - a slightly faster pace than the 2.1% previously reported.

— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) December 22, 2021

Cases of COVID-19 Omicron are exploding across the world. When you go into an indoor public place, wear a mask, but choose a better one than handmade cloth. Get an n95 or kn95.

Holiday travel is happening, despite Omicron. If you want to travel responsibly, here are some strategies you can follow. https://t.co/ph95Sln9W8 pic.twitter.com/xQ2Ls5YtWe

— The New York Times (@nytimes) December 26, 2021

Daily Covid cases have now exceeded all previous waves in UK and EU.

The contagiousness of Omicron. pic.twitter.com/K5pFEB8Zxw

— Vincent Rajkumar (@VincentRK) December 26, 2021

And I leave you with this - shut up and take my money!

AEROSMITH: 'On Tour: 1973-1985' Book Now Available https://t.co/U2lMR36jGH pic.twitter.com/Ms0LiekZaS

— BLABBERMOUTH.NET (@BLABBERMOUTHNET) December 23, 2021

News Of The Week Roundup: Week 49, 2021

We're rounding the corner to the end of the year. This past week had lots of crazy news. The saddest news has to be the horrible tornado outbreak overnight Friday into Saturday. December tornadoes are rare but they do happen. Of course, tornadoes don't usually cross into four states, causing mass destruction everywhere. Mayfield, Kentucky took the brunt of the devastation. This video shows the town just leveled:

This pretty much sums it up in :19. #Mayfield #MayfieldTornado #KyWx #WX pic.twitter.com/IcPL4XGtPS

— WxChasing- Brandon Clement (@bclemms) December 11, 2021

Latest info from NWS Paducah regarding the #Mayfield Tornado. It is at least an EF-3 with a width of 3/4 of a mile. Because it appears this may be higher end tornado (EF-4 or EF-5), they are sending experts and engineers Monday to help with the survey.https://t.co/rwPT6HyYAN pic.twitter.com/dychqBfN1v

— NWS Cleveland (@NWSCLE) December 12, 2021

"I know we've lost more than 80 Kentuckians. That number is going to exceed more than 100. This is the deadliest tornado event we've ever had," says Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear on the tornado aftermath. https://t.co/wVBWOeoDSG #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/OgEjXrnejm

— State of the Union (@CNNSotu) December 12, 2021

Some nut set fire to the Fox News Christmas tree. Fox anchors freaked out and were a little over the top about it (the tree is not a symbol of freedom or Hanukkah) but the act of arson still sucks!

A 50-foot-tall Christmas tree outside the Fox News headquarters in New York City went up in flames. One man has been arrested, the police said. https://t.co/dYeIAvMA5A

— The New York Times (@nytimes) December 8, 2021

The COVID-19 Omicron variant is spreading fast and will become the dominant variant in Europe as soon as this coming week. Get your booster if you haven't already.

Britain will accelerate its coronavirus vaccine booster program to counter the rapidly spreading Omicron variant, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said. “No one should be in any doubt: There is a tidal wave of Omicron coming.” https://t.co/55Q74VRZpD

— The New York Times (@nytimes) December 12, 2021

BREAKING: UK raises COVID-19 Alert Level from 3 to 4, citing Omicron threat

— BNO Newsroom (@BNODesk) December 12, 2021

Israel issues travel ban for UK, Belgium, and Denmark due to Omicron, meaning citizens are not allowed to travel there

— BNO Newsroom (@BNODesk) December 12, 2021

Sleep is one of the most important components of overall health. If you don't prioritize sleep, I suggest you make changes to do so. If I don't get enough sleep, I have trouble focusing on work, running well and am just irritable. Good sleep makes me function better overall and hate people less. Extra points if you can get your cat to sleep at the foot of the bed with you too!

Insufficient sleep can have widespread damaging effects on physical and mental health, including increased risk of developing heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and Type 2 diabetes, a growing body of evidence suggests. https://t.co/gMgY0ZK3oE

— The New York Times (@nytimes) December 12, 2021

In the "turnabout's fair play" column, this from California:

SCOTUS is letting private citizens in Texas sue to stop abortion?!

If that's the precedent then we'll let Californians sue those who put ghost guns and assault weapons on our streets.

If TX can ban abortion and endanger lives, CA can ban deadly weapons of war and save lives. https://t.co/N5Iur9PEUZ

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) December 12, 2021

California Gov. @GavinNewsom says he intends to use the creative method behind the Texas anti-abortion law, which the conservative-dominated US Supreme Court has declined to block, to pursue new laws cracking down on the manufacture, distribution and sale of assault weapons. pic.twitter.com/nTMW3VuvKj

— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) December 12, 2021

And I leave you with this:

Anti-Jacketers Rally Outside Burlington Coat Factory To Protest Liberal Cold Weather Conspiracy https://t.co/HynC8dA2iQ pic.twitter.com/PwPXybjwdl

— The Onion (@TheOnion) December 8, 2021

News Of The Week Roundup: Week 48, 2021

Some breaking news today: Bob Dole has died. The 98 year old former Republican Senator lead a long life with a pretty big political career. He was the 1996 Republican presidential nominee.

Bob Dole was a man to be admired by Americans. He had an unerring sense of integrity and honor. May God bless him, and may our nation draw upon his legacy of decency, dignity, good humor, and patriotism for all time.

— President Biden (@POTUS) December 5, 2021

Senator Bob Dole was a war hero, a political leader, and a statesman—with a career and demeanor harkening back to a day when members of the Greatest Generation abided by a certain code, putting country over party. Our thoughts are with Elizabeth and the Dole family.

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 5, 2021

BREAKING: Former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole died Sunday morning in his sleep, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation said. He was 98. https://t.co/n0e4scQGFp pic.twitter.com/YPiNcuIysF

— ABC News (@ABC) December 5, 2021

Here's some fresh hell: just what the world needs. More Russian warmongering.

JUST IN: U.S. warns of possible Russian invasion of Ukraine with 175,000 troops as soon as January https://t.co/iCsuorpfpZ

— CBS News (@CBSNews) December 4, 2021

The Omicron COVID-19 variant continues to spread. It's been positively identified in most U.S. states at this point and other major western nations, so it's pretty safe to assume it's everywhere with any significant population by now. Big group events still seem to lead to many infections. Who knew?

Minnesota man with Omicron met about 35 friends at Anime NYC and about half of them have since tested positive for COVID - WaPo

— BNO Newsroom (@BNODesk) December 4, 2021

Omicron possibly more infectious because it shares genetic code with common cold coronavirus, study says https://t.co/nWyTJQ3Sow

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 4, 2021

Another school shooting in America, this time in Michigan. Ethan Crumbley allegedly killed four classmates and injured others. He surrendered alive and is now in jail. His parents bought him a gun, despite calls from Ethan's school about troubling behavior. Then the parents fled and caused a manhunt and they are in jail too. Such a sad and odd story.

BREAKING: A Michigan teenager was charged with murder, terrorism and other charges for a shooting that killed four fellow students and injured others at Oxford High School, about 30 miles north of Detroit. Ethan Crumbley, 15, is charged as an adult. https://t.co/ZjOdIzUuZ7

— The Associated Press (@AP) December 1, 2021

Breaking: Accused Oxford High School shooter Ethan Crumbley's parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, have each been charged with four counts of homicide involuntary manslaughter.

— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) December 3, 2021

I leave you this - and note His Royal Highness is absolutely correct here:

Prince William says AC/DC's 'Thunderstruck' is his favourite Monday morning track to help him "get back into the grind of the week". So, what's yours? We'd love you to email today@bbc.co.uk and let us know which song, and why... https://t.co/P6CBqWFdGi

— BBC Radio 4 Today (@BBCr4today) December 5, 2021