The Daily Dose/April 9, 2024
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™

Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.

Editor’s Note: this item originally ran on August 22, 2017. 

CAPSULE ECLIPSE REVIEW: Total Solar Eclipse, August 21, 2017, Intersection of Wyoming State Highway 220 and Natrona County Road 321, Natrona County, Wyoming: We’re not the most exciting people on the planet here at The Daily Dose, but we had never seen a total eclipse before and with one there for the taking a mere three or so hours away, we decided to go.

Our chosen spot is not too far from the middle of nowhere, which is good because there weren’t a whole lot of people there. On the drive up, there were probably more cars on the road than there would be tomorrow, but not too many people were heading to the middle of nowhere. We got to the designated intersection at 11 am, 42 minutes before totality began, after a drive of a bit more than three hours.

Parked nearby was an older gentleman who turned out to be named Larry. Larry had eclipse glasses. I  didn’t. A friendly sort, he came up and said hi and I offered to exchange a view of the eclipse with his glasses for a view of its progress with my lousy, homemade pinhole camera.

Thank You, Carl Sagan: I remembered our pinhole camera from the 1979 partial eclipse in grade school and they are so easy to make even we can do it: You take a piece of cardboard, cut a hole in the center, put some tin foil over it and poke a small hole in the center. When the time comes, you hold the cardboard up to the sun so the shadow shows up on the piece of white cardstock you brought with you. It actually shows up rather well. Not as good as looking through eclipse glasses, but still a satisfactory way to follow the moon’s progress.

Larry was very generous with his glass and good company for the 45 minutes or so we spent together, one of those supremely rare and good moments when you share a once-in-a-lifetime experience with someone you will see once in your life. Larry had driven about five hours to the middle of nowhere and this was his first total eclipse, too.

Dry, Technical Matter: A few minutes before totality you could notice it getting darker and cooler which caused Larry to put on a sweater against the arctic cold that was about to blow in. We then shared his glasses for one last look before totality.

Larry: Two minutes…Long time coming.
Me: Yeah…Worth the wait, though…

It got noticeably darker one final time – Larry would note is seemed like 7pm – and there it was, a moment you hoped might happen with no guarantee it ever would: a total eclipse. The atmospheric conditions weren’t conducive to spectacular corona but no matter. The black disc surrounded by a white ring was satisfactory.

We had one minute and 18 seconds of totality, 78 seconds in a lifetime with billions of them. Larry muttered some words of wonderment under his breath, but other than that we kept quiet, content with how we were taking in a sight we might never see again.

And then it was done. A white ball was the first sign Mr Moon was continuing its journey and after that we stood there dumbly for a few seconds as light returned and the temperature warmed up, though Larry kept his sweater on. There wasn’t much reason to stick around after that, so Larry and I  shook hands and parted, two explorers whose paths briefly crossed before diverging. 

Some Philosophy Crap: Watching a total eclipse is a great way to make you feel insignificant. What struck us was the fact the moon has been getting in the way of the sun like this for billions of years and will probably do so for billions more. This eclipse looked just like the ones before us humans were around to see them and bore a striking resemblance to the ones that will happen long after we’re gone. Ponder that and then go home and admire the blue ribbon your artichokes won you at last week’s county fair and try to feel important. 

Final Ranking: We’re giving this an A, our highest rating, both circumstantially because we were there and intrinsically, because of the show Mother Nature put on for us. A day worth waiting for. 

Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually. 

The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow misses the eclipse. Today’s Diary. 

…ol’ Sparrow couldn’t be bothered to get out of bed for it.

———

Would you like 4Ever & Ever access to Gaylon’s crap?
Of course you would.
Click here. It’s only $24.99.

Click here for complimentary chapters of all of Gaylon’s books.
It’s easy reading on any device. 

———

On This Date
Extra, extra, read all about it. 

In 1865 – Gen Robert E Lee surrenders the Army of Northern Virginia to Union General Ulysses S Grant at Appomattox Courthouse in central Virginia. This followed a brief morning skirmish, which ended when Lee realized the Union army was more fortified than he had thought. Grant offered generous surrender terms, allowing Lee’s men to keep their sidearms and to take their mules home for spring planting, and he also provided rations for the starving Confederate army. 

In 1896 – Edwin Flack of Australia wins the gold medal in the 1,500 meters at the Athens Summer Olympics. Flack’s time of 4 minutes 33.2 seconds defeated Arthur Blake of the US by .4 seconds and Alvin Lermusiaux by 2.8 seconds. Earlier in the Games, Flack had won the gold medal in the 800 meters and would later win the bronze medal in tennis doubles, one of the first three athletes to win medals in different sports at the Athens Games. 

In 1966 – The Righteous Brothers are at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 for the first of three consecutive weeks with (You’re My) Soul and Inspiration. It was the fifth of 12 Top 40 hits for the group, their fifth of six Top 10 hits and was their second and final #1 song in Hot 100 career that lasted from 1963 through 1990. The song also peaked at #15 in Great Britain and was Billboard’s 12th-biggest song of the year.  

Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.

We may not arrive at our port within a calculable period, but we would preserve the true course.
Henry David Thoreau
Walden

Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.

Al Downing of the Los Angeles Dodgers gave up Henry Aaron’s 715th home run. 

Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.

How many others have won Olympic medals in different sports? – Answer next time!

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The Daily Dose/April 8, 2024
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™

Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.

HEY, WHERE’D THE SUN GO???: As you may have heard, there is a solar eclipse visible in the US today, with totality cutting a long swath from southern Texas to Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. 

A Warm, Personal Remembrance: We went through no small amount of trouble to see totality in 2017. It was worth the trip, and if you have an opportunity to catch some totality today, by all means, go and do it: it’s a few unforgettable seconds in a lifetime with billions of them. 

Here Comes The Dry, Technical Matter: Though eclipses are predicted with precision now, that hasn’t always been the case. You may find it surprising to learn, however, that the first predicted eclipse came in 585 BC, a time when us humans weren’t entirely certain what caused solar eclipses in the first place. It was predicted by a Greek philosopher named Thales, a zany who probably didn’t get invited to many parties. 

Oh Jesus H: The first recorded solar eclipse was chronicled on tablets found in what is now Syria, though it isn’t clear whether it happened in May 1375 BC or March 1223 BC. 

This Whole Item Is Dry, Technical Matter, Isn’t It?: Solar eclipses occur when the moon passes between the sun and the earth, which happens about every six months, a period dullards refer to as “eclipse season”. However, because the moon’s orbit is neither a perfect circle and is tilted a few degrees with respect to Earth’s orbit besides, a shadow doesn’t always hit Earth. 

See You At The Next One: The next total eclipse will occur in August 2026, with totality in northern Europe and the Arctic. The next one with totality visible somewhere in the Lower 48 will not happen until 2044. 

The Bottom Line: Watching the moon completely block out the sun is rather poignant, one of the few experiences on this planet that does not change: today’s eclipse is exactly the same as the one billions of years ago and the same as it will be billions of years from now. If that doesn’t make you feel small and inconsequential for a small while, it should. It’s a feeling as rare as it is good. 

Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually. 

The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow has some fun with a guest desperate for a room. Today’s Diary. 

 Oh, you’re in a bind???…That’s $200 more…

———

Would you like 4Ever & Ever access to Gaylon’s crap?
Of course you would.
Click here. It’s only $24.99.

Click here for complimentary chapters of all of Gaylon’s books.
It’s easy reading on any device. 

———

On This Date
Extra, extra, read all about it. 

In 2002 – Astronaut Jerry Ross, a former Air Force colonel, because the first American to fly into space seven times when the space shuttle Atlantis takes off from the Kennedy Space Center. Ross broke the record of six that had been established by John Young and Franklin Chin-Diaz, the record still stands, with Chin-Diaz later tying it. Ross had first flown into space – on Atlantis – in 1985, retired in 2012, and spent a total of 58 days in space. 

In 1974 – Henry Aaron of the Atlanta Braves establishes a new major league record for most career home runs in a 7-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was Aaron’s 715th career home run breaking the record of 714 established by Babe Ruth from 1914-35. Aaron retired in 1976 with 755 home runs and the record is now held by Barry Bonds with 762. Aaron had hit his first home run on April 23, 1954 for the Milwaukee Braves. 

In 1989 – Keith Whitley is at #1 on Billboard’s country chart – then known as the Hot Country Singles chart – for the first of two consecutive weeks with I’m No Stranger to the Rain. It was the ninth of 15 Top 40 country hits for Whitley, his sixth of eleven Top 10s, and was his third of five #1s, all consecutive. The song also went #1 country in Canada and was Billboard’s 7th-biggest country song of the year. Whitely would die a month later, at age 34, from alcohol poisoning. 

Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.

There’s no need to struggle against yourself
Deng Ming-Dao

Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.

Jack Nicklaus won his sixth and final Masters in 1986. 

Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.

What pitcher gave up Henry Aaron’s 715th home run? – Answer next time!

Share Gaylon! Go!

The Daily Dose/April 7, 2024
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™

Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.

The Sunday Bottom 5
A ranking of some things.

1. Ecuador – Aichiwawa, noted South American country storms Mexican embassy in Quito – sovereign territory under international law – to arrest former vice president…This is rich from country that housed Julian Assange in its embassy in London and got shorts in knot when British threatened to enter it by force. 

2. NCAA Women’s Basketball – Iowa/UConn national semifinal averaged 14.2 million viewers, ESPN’s highest-rated chick basketball game ever…Hey, major league baseball, the last time your World Series topped that number was in 2019. 

3. Mass Shootings – The 3-hole staple…Big numbers this week, as 13 mass shootings – defined as having four (4) or more deaths/injuries – produced ten (10) deaths and 59 injuries, marked improvements over last week and inching 2024 closer to 2023 average of 1.8 mass shootings per day…Florida leads Parade of States this week with three (3) shootings. 

4. Oakland A’s – Team announces they will play in Sacramento from 2025-27 while new Vegas stadium is built instead of playing in minor league stadium in Las Vegas…This might be smart moneyball, but good gravy, you are throwing away a three (3)-year opportunity to build a fanbase and build up some goodwill, which would pay long-term dividends. 

5. Fake News – Click here for some of the news some wizards amongst us actually believed…Courtesy of the AP. 

Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually. 

Sure, it’s Read Free Sunday (RFS) at The Diary. Enjoy with Sparrow’s compliments.

The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow has the latest from the gym. Today’s Diary. 

The big news is that Rack Your Weights – Thank You message we put up on the whiteboard a couple of weeks back is not only still there, but the message is being headed…

———

Would you like 4Ever & Ever access to Gaylon’s crap?
Of course you would.
Click here. It’s only $24.99.

Click here for complimentary chapters of all of Gaylon’s books.
It’s easy reading on any device. 

———

On This Date
Extra, extra, read all about it. 

In 1976 – British MP John Stonehouse, long a suspected Czechoslovakian spy, resigns from Parliament. Stonehouse is also known for having faked his own death two years earlier when he left some clothes on a beach in Miami when he was actually on his way to Australia with his mistress, where he was later discovered, though he was originally thought to be one Lord Lucan. Stonehouse would later serve time in British prisons following conviction on assorted fraud and conspiracy charges and died of natural causes in 1988. 

In 1963 – Jack Nicklaus wins the Masters with a 3-foot putt on the final hole to defeat Tony Lema by one stroke at Augusta National Golf Club. It was the first of a record six Masters titles for Nicklaus and remains the highest Masters finish for Lema, who would win the British Open the following year. It was the final Masters for Horton Smith, who had won the first tournament in 1934, and Gene Sarazen, who had won the second Masters, actually made the cut and finished 49th. 

In 2012 – Fun featuring Janelle Monàe is at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the fourth of six consecutive weeks with We Are Young. The song went to #1 in eleven other countries – including Iceland, Israel, and Great Britain – was Billboard’s 3rd-biggest song of the year, and its 29th biggest of the decade. It was the second of three chart singles for the group, their second and final Top 10, and remains their only #1 song. 

Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.

A cosmos without known cause or fate is an intellectual prison; we long to believe that the great drama has a just author and a noble end.
Will Durant
The Story of Civilization, Vol. VI: The Reformation

Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.

Sugar Ray Leonard won the light welterweight gold medal at the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympics. 

Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.

When did Jack Nicklaus win his final Masters? – Answer next time!

Share Gaylon! Go!

The Daily Dose/April 6, 2024
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™

Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.

HERE WE GO AGAIN: It is getting increasingly difficult nowadays to have a major sporting event without some sort of officiating controversy. It happened again in Friday’s second NCAA women’s national semifinal, where Iowa defeated UConn 71-69. With 3.9 seconds, UConn’s Aaliyay Edwards was called for an illegal screen while the Huskies tried to set up a final shot. 

Upon Further Review: It was a good call because Edwards was not completely vertical during the screen. She stuck out an elbow and leaned into the defender, which gave her an unfair advantage. A foul call was appropriate. 

&%#$#^&!!!: Even louder were the shrieks that the call should not have been made because of the circumstances. Phrases like “you can’t make that call,” “let them play,” and our favorite, “let the players decide it,” were ringing from sea to shining sea. When an official hears this, they can go to bed knowing they earned their game fee because comments like this are not about the call itself but about you having had the guts to call it. 

Get Your Official Daily Dose Policy Right Here: These comments are witless. First off, if you’re not going to make that call then exactly when are you going to make it? In preseason scrimmages? And the players did decide it, with one of them committing an illegal screen with 3.9 seconds left.  

Oh Yeah: It was the fourth illegal screen call of the night on UConn, so you can’t whine about inconsistency. It had been a foul all night. 

The Bottom Line: This country is going to hell. Instead of being praised for A+ off-ball coverage, the crew is getting pounded for having had the courage to make the right call late in a close game. This really isn’t a bulletin because officiating has long been the second-most misunderstood trade, right behind prostitution. On the other hand, better to take crap for making the call than swallowing your whistle and not calling it. 

Editor’s Note: Gaylon is a retired high school sports official. 

Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually. 

The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow loses his mind. Today’s Diary. 

The floors were swept, the carpets and rugs vacuumed, and the cat box cleaned out…We got laundry done, too…

———

Would you like 4Ever & Ever access to Gaylon’s crap?
Of course you would.
Click here. It’s only $24.99.

Click here for complimentary chapters of all of Gaylon’s books.
It’s easy reading on any device. 

———

On This Date
Extra, extra, read all about it. 

In 1865 – The last major battle of the Civil War between elements commanded by Generals Ulysses S Grant and Robert E Lee takes place near Farmville, Virginia. The battle was a victory for the Union, with Confederate troops having over 7,000 captured and an unknown number killed and wounded. The battle came three days after the Confederate capital of Richmond fell and History refers to it as the Battle of Sailor’s Creek. 

1987 – Sugar Ray Leonard wins the WBC middleweight title, defeating Marvelous Marvin Hagler in a split decision at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. It remains the only middleweight title fight for Leonard, who earlier had won welterweight and light middleweight titles nad would later win super middleweight and light heavyweight titles. It was the final fight for Hagler, who retired still holding the IBF and WBA middleweight titles. 

In 1959- Frankie Avalon is at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the fifth and final consecutive weeks with Venus. The song also went to #1 in Belgium, peaked at #16 in Great Britain, at #10 on Billboard’s soul chart, and was Billboard’s fourth biggest song of the year. It was the fourth of 13 Top 40 hits for Avalon, his third of seven Top 10 hits and his first of two #1s (Why, one week, 1959). Avalon’s given name was Francis Thomas Avallone. 

Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.

Older voters who had lived through the Depression and two world wars fretted that America had somehow lost its grit and will to sacrifice.
Evan Thomas
Ike’s Bluff

Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.

Thomas Jefferson is the only US president to serve two full terms without vetoing a bill. 

Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.

In what weight class did Sugar Ray Leonard win the gold medal at the 1976 Olympics? – Answer next time!

Share Gaylon! Go!

The Daily Dose/April 5, 2024
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™

Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.

Leading Off will return.

Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually. 

The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow laments the coming of spring. Today’s Diary. 

…and there is no small amount of work to be put it to get the yard ready for spring. 

Needless to say, we don’t want to put in this work.

———

Would you like 4Ever & Ever access to Gaylon’s crap?
Of course you would.
Click here. It’s only $24.99.

Click here for complimentary chapters of all of Gaylon’s books.
It’s easy reading on any device. 

———

On This Date
Extra, extra, read all about it. 

In 1792 – President George Washington becomes the first president to veto a bill passed by Congress, a bill that would’ve changed how seats in the US House are apportioned. Over the centuries US presidents have vetoed 2,592 bills, with Congress overriding 112 of those. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who served three full terms and part of a fourth, vetoed the most (635) while seven presidents didn’t veto any. The last veto was this past Jan 24 by President Joe Biden. 

In 1982 – Jim Kaat of the St Louis Cardinals establishes a new major league for most consecutive seasons by a pitcher in a 14-3 win over the Houston Astros. It was the 24th consecutive season for Kaat breaking the record of 23 established by Early Wynn from 1939-63. Charlie Hough and Jamie Moyer later tied the record and it is now held by Nolan Ryan, who pitched in 27 consecutive seasons from 1966-83. This is also the major league record for most seasons by anyone, a mark shared with Cap Anson, 

In 1969 – Glen Campbell is at #1 on Billboard’s album chart – then known as the Top LPs chart – for the fourth and final non-consecutive week with Wichita Lineman. It was the sixth of 18 chart albums for Campbell and remains his only #1. The album produced two chart singles, including the title track, which went to #1 on Billboard’s country chart and peaked at #3 on the Hot 100. The album also went to #1 on Billboard’s country album chart.

Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.

…any kind of respect or appreciation for themselves had been squeezed out of them so thoroughly that they seemed to feel their lives were as they should be. All they seemed to be concerned about was not getting beaten.
Alex Haley
Roots: The Saga of an American Family

Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.

The record for most weeks spent on the Billboard Hot 100 is 91, by Heatwaves by Glass Animals from 2021-22. 

Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.

Who is the only US president to serve two full terms without vetoing a bill passed by Congress? – Answer next time!

Share Gaylon! Go!