March 2025 – PIZZA FOR BREAKFAST

Why Jack Lemmon Is Still So Hot

Please enjoy this previously published post from PIZZA FOR BREAKFAST…

Over the years, I’ve developed a huge crush on the actor, Jack Lemmon. I’m not sure when it first started, but I’ve been a fan of his movies for many years. So much so, I’d have married him if I had the chance.

Mr. Lemmon wasn’t exactly the most striking and handsome actor of his time. For his roles, he mostly stuck to the representative next-door-type fella. But, it’s the familiar faces that we grow to covet – those dear and sincere expressions from a faithful friend that we hold close to our hearts. They always know how to get us to laugh, too.

That’s what Jack Lemmon has becomes to me. And that’s why I have a giant crush on the fella. Why, if we were both around in the same day and age, I’d do everything I could to run across his path.

It all started with one of my favorite movies: Some Like It Hot. Hailed by many as one of the best comedies, Mr. Lemmon was nominated for an Oscar as best actor in a leading role. As musicians on the run from the Mafia, Lemmon and his best buddy turned to dressing as women in order to avoid recognition.

But while his cohort – Tony Curtis – attempts to resemble a demure and ladylike figure, Lemmon seizes a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and runs the charade, having fun the entire way.

I couldn’t help falling in love with the actor as Lemmon made each line stand out:

Sweet Sue: “Are you two from the Poliakoff Agency?”

Tony Curtis (as Josephine): Yes, we’re the new girls.”

Jack Lemmon (as Daphne): “Brand new!”

Above: Tony Curtis as “Josephine.” Jack Lemmon as “Daphne.”

Lemmon becomes even more irresistible and entertaining as he attempts to fight off the advances of an amorous millionaire. He becomes brazen when dealing with the “opposite” sex.

Osgood to Daphne: You must be quite a girl!

Lemmon (as Daphne): “Wanna bet?”

THE COMEDY CONTINUES

Leave it to Director Billy Wilder to cast Lemmon in another terrific movie one year later. Lemmon’s sweet demeanor in The Apartment led me to believe there are caring people in this world. Playing CC Baxter in the film, Lemmon was compassionate and moralistic. When faced with turning the other cheek in order to gain his own good fortune, CC Baxter chose to stick to his principles – an admirable trait and one that makes him win the girl in the end.

Plus, how much fun was his cozy apartment, a respite from the wintry weather with its small rooms, old stove that required lighting the pilot light, and well-meaning but nosey neighbors.

It’s the type of place you could love to curl up in with a loved one on a snowy Christmas morning. Who can blame Shirley MacLaine for falling in love with him in that story — especially when he strains his spaghetti with a tennis racket.

LEMMON’S PROLIFIC CAREER

Years later, Jack Lemmon was just as adorable as a lonely codger in Grumpy Old Men. It was no surprise for me that he won the affections of the local beauty in that rom-com – the lovely Ann-Margret.

Jack Lemmon was nominated several times for Oscars, winning Best Supporting Actor in 1956 for Mr. Robert and the Best Actor award for Save the Tiger in 1973. Later, in 1988, he won the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Film Institute. An impressive career, to be sure.

I give Jack Lemmon my own award: Funny. Adorable. Sincere. His movie characters grab your attention and steal the show.

He also stole my heart.

Except I don’t mind one bit.

Essential Strategies for Commuting

We all have our own methods for navigating our daily lives — this includes commuting to and from the workplace.

Be it train, bus, ferry, car or good old-fashioned walking, we must know the tricks to get us past the hurdles, the surprises, the challenges that we face almost daily.

My spouse has his troubles as he navigates the tri-state each morning on his way to work. I worry about him, as other vehicles cruise right past him and he’s already doing 70MPH. Yet, this stress is typical for most of us before we even arrive at our workplace.

A little over one year ago, I started taking a shuttle bus between Chicago’s Union station and my office building. The first six months went well, until a replacement driver was thrust into play.

He’s a mild-mannered fellow, and I don’t mean to throw him under the bus [pun intended]. Problem is, he’s a very timid driver and that’s not something you can be when driving in Chicago’s Loop — especially during rush hour.

He once turned the bus and rolled up onto the curb. Hey, this happens to the best of us. Except he didn’t come down from the curb — rather, he kept driving with his port-side wheels running along the curb for another half block. Somehow, he didn’t seem to be bothered by this episode.

He also drives very slowly and hesitates when there’s a stale green light. Rather than taking his opportunity and crossing the intersection, he slows down and eventually stops at a yellow light. Because of this habit of his, there were a few times when I caught my evening train by the skin of my teeth.

And I’m not happy when I’m frustrated.

I SEARCHED FOR ALTERNATIVES…

Fed up, I realized it was time to find alternative options. Fortunately, there are many available choices in this City.

I TURNED TO THE CTA

I found CTA’s No. 156 LaSalle bus takes me very close to my office. Plus I’m saving at least $40 per month with the bus vs. the private shuttle. Two positives for me!

A third positive occurred when a slight bus detour went into effect due to bridge repair work. Now I can hop on/hop off the CTA bus since it stops right across the street from my building. How lucky is that! For once, I’m hoping construction work takes a very long time.

TROUBLE ENSUES

Sure. This was all going quite well with the CTA. That is, until they change their departure schedules at whim. In the morning, I’ve missed a few buses, since the departure time had been amended and the bus leaves two minutes earlier than what I expected.

My frustration builds…

One evening, I was waiting for the bus around 5:15PM. There I was, happy as a clam that I only had to cross the street to get to the bus stop. Two other commuters waited along with me, as we stomped our feet and wiggled about in order to keep ourselves from freezing in Chicago’s sub-zero temperatures that week.

Imagine our surprise when the 156 bus swooped by us, as the driver clearly took the incorrect route and sped right past us down a different street!

THIS IS WHERE STRATEGY KICKS IN

I uttered a few words which I will not repeat here. However, all was not lost. I “quickly” trudged back to my building and caught the 5:15 shuttle to Union Station.

Discussing this new route with my co-worker, she had troubles of her own. It seems the bus driver on the detour was unaware that he should stop at the temporary detour stop. Even as she jumped up and down on Clark Street and furiously waved her arms, the driver sailed right past her — not once, but twice! — on a frigid January evening.

She and I made alternative plans. We now catch the bus two blocks further down, where we know the driver should not miss us. It’s not something we look forward to in the cold weather, but what choice do we have??

THINGS ARE NEVER PERFECT

I took my 156 bus this morning, and all went well. I pulled down the “stop cord” as we approached my destination. I made my way toward the front of the bus and readied myself to alight at my stop.

Except today’s driver just kept on driving — no slowing down — no hesitation whatsoever.

“I need to get off here, please!” I called out.

He said nothing. But he did swing his bus over the corner, where I alighted for the 99th time this year and made my way to the office.

I guess I shouldn’t complain too much. At least I have options for transportation. Plus, I’m saving $$ overall. I always consider the fact that I’m utilizing my brain cells in a positive manner, as I maneuver and strategize my way through the city — morning and night. At this point in my life, keeping my cognitive skills in order is imperative to me.

So, if commuting doesn’t keep you on your toes — nothing will.

Thank you for reading – PIZZA FOR BREAKFAST

What’s the Deal With Empty Containers?

Some go so far as to call it “weaponized incompetence.”

What’s the deal with empty containers left in the refrigerator? I know I’m not the only one who finds empty containers left in the icebox at home. Somehow, the food is entirely gone from its vessel… yet a lone plastic or cardboard container is still sitting there.

Or how about a glass milk jug that sits vacant on the shelf without any liquid within? Are we simply keeping the bottle for no particular reason?

I know who the culprit is at home. You guessed it… it’s my spouse.

He blatantly ignores me when I angrily ask “Why is there an empty carton in here? Why can’t you just throw it out?!”

He looks the other way, knowing that I’ll growl out of frustration and take it to the recycling bin myself.

IT’S NOT ONLY AT HOME

I was chatting with a pal at work this morning in the coffee room. I opened the refrigerator door to place some strawberries inside. There I spotted a dinner plate.

A completely empty dinner plate — except for a few crumbs.

“Um, does this need to be in here?” I asked my chum.

She took a peek. “Oh, gee whiz! Take that out!” she ordered.

She took another look inside the ‘fridge. “Look,” she pointed out. “There’s an empty glass just sitting there.”

And so there was. It was nestled in the door, among the bottles of salad dressings and packaged protein drinks.

What the heck? This is a professional office, for crying out loud!

I took both items out and placed them in the sink.

“Men!” my friend chided.

“Mm-hmmm” I agreed, in my self-righteous tone. I was downright aghast. Just to prove my point, I placed my hands on my hips and shook my head.

That’ll show ’em.

WHEN WILL IT END?

I went back to my desk yet remained curious. I couldn’t concentrate on my work. A quick GOOGLE search should solve the question that ruminated in my head.

With intent fingers, I typed in my question of the day: Why do people put empty containers back in fridge?

As usual, I found like-minded folks like me who were having the same sensitive issue.

Apparently, it’s a common problem for many. Research reveals it’s typically the domestic partner who’s the habitual offender. Indeed!

Remedies ranged from putting the dirty container under the partner’s pillow, while others stated it “demonstrates contempt” and go on to strongly recommend a prompt divorce.

Others chimed in, calling the behavior “weaponized incompetence.”

Interestingly, there was one individual who finds this conduct annoying, yet fixable — they leave comments to the effect: “My partner’s partner does it sometimes. They’re working on it though.”

IS THERE ANY HOPE FOR REFORM?

I’m still waiting for this tragic habit to end at my house. Yet, it’s not just empty containers. Sometimes it’s just old, moldy food that sits in our ‘fridge for way too long. Just the other day, my partner pulled out the cocktail shrimp he buys every week when it’s on sale at Jewel.

“Is this any good?” he asked.

“I don’t know… what does the expiration date say?”

“Expired three days ago…” he mumbles.

Without hesitation, he returns the old shrimp straight back into the refrigerator and shuts the door.

Meanwhile, I just roll my eyes and remember that divorce attorneys are expensive.

Thank you for reading – PIZZA FOR BREAKFAST