The Daily Dose/Tuesday, March 21, 2023
The Daily Dose/March 21, 2022
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™
Leading Off
Notes from around our human experience.
Leading Off will return.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow decides to take this week’s state VSO training remotely. Today’s Diary.
Plus, we can take Thursday’s session at The Shire, in our jammies, which will allow a smooth transition into Friday’s day off from the VSO.
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On This Date
Extra, extra, read all about it.
In 1963 – The Alcatraz Federal penitentiary closes its doors, after 29 years. Alcatraz, also known as the Rock, had opened in 1934, mainly as a prison for those who caused too many problems at other federal prisons. Over the prison’s 29-year history, there were 14 escapes involving 36 prisoners, none of whom lived to report a successful escape, though not all of them were found, either. Previously it was a United States Army prison and the Alcatraz’s longest-serving inmate was Alvin Karpis, who served 26 years and it used to be US Army prison.
In 1991 – Ron Tugnutt of the Quebec Nordiques – now the Colorado Avalanche – establishes a new NHL regular season record for most saves in a game and Ray Bourque of the Boston Bruins establishes a new NHL record for most shots on goal in a game in a 3-3 tie at the Boston Garden. Tugnutt had 70 saves, breaking the record of 65 established by Mario Lessard of the Los Angeles Kings in 1981. Borque had 19 shots, scoring once, and broke the record pf 16 which had been twice before and both records still stand. The Bruins’ 73 shots on goal also established an NHL record that still stands.
In 1981 – REO Speedwagon is at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 for the only week with Keep On Loving You. It was the fifth chart single for the group, their first of four Top 10 hits, and their first of two #1 songs. The song also went Top 10 in eight other countries, peaked at #7 in Great Britain, and was Billboard’s tenth biggest song of the year. The band took its name from a vehicle that had been for sale in America in the first half of the 20th century.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
The few, like the many, sometimes stumble in the murk of life’s complexities. Human affairs cannot find perfect matters nor wait for perfect solutions.
I.F. Stone
The Trial of Socrates
Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.
Of the songs that spent time at #1 on the Hot 100 in 1982, five spent at least six weeks at the top: Physical, Centerfold, I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll, Ebony and Ivory, and Eye of the Tiger. Physical spent six weeks at #1 in 1981.
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
Who holds the NHL record for most saves in a playoff game? – Answer next time!
The Daily Dose/Monday, March 20, 2023
The Daily Dose/March 20, 2022
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™
Leading Off
Notes from around our human experience.
IT COULDN’T HAPPEN TO NICER PEOPLE: The news was heartwarming: that Donald Trump said he expected to be arrested this week and that Russian leader Vladimir Putin has been charged with war crimes by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Brass Tacks: We’re on the record as saying Trump’s only real goal is to draw attention to himself, so he should be in hog heaven because the arrest of a former president of the United States will be about as big news as there is. Trump has already started ranting and raving about this, tho his support is dwindling and maybe an arrest will nail the coffin shut on his public life. We’re not betting on that, though. Our country is partisan and fractured right now that not even the shame of arrest will hinder some supporters.
From The Mother Land: Putin, of course, has more than the kidnapping of children to answer for, and perhaps the bombing of hospitals and deaths of civilians will be addressed later.
Dry, Technical Matter: The ICC was established by the Rome Treaty in 1998 and began its work in 2002 and is headquartered in The Hague. Russia does not recognize the ICC nor, for that matter, does the US, which withdrew its signature from the Rome Treaty in 2002.
For The Love All That Is Sacred: Please, do not confuse it with the International Court of Justice, a UN organ that hears disputes between nations, exciting things like fishing rights mediation and border disputes.
The Bottom Line: We’d be shocked if either Trump or Putin ever stand trial. Trump will plead to something or another while Putin will never set foot in any place where he could possibly be arrested. Still, tho, both are getting what they deserve.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow gives change to a guest who needs to do some laundry, but finds out she does not need detergent. Today’s Diary.
“Your employer provides laundry detergent???”
She laffed because my tone was pretty funny, making it sound like providing laundry soap was an extraordinary employer benefit, on par with three months paid leave for dandruff…She nodded solemnly, itself moderately funny.
“Yes, indeedy…Bleach, too…If we want it.”
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Click here to get in on the laughs.
4Ever & Ever ($8.99) and monthly ($2.99) plans available.
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 2003 – The US and coalition forces begin an invasion of Iraq. The capital of Baghdad was taken three weeks later and President Bush declared major combat operations over on May 1, though US troops would not leave Iraq until 2011. The war was fought despite war not having been declared by Congress, as mandated in the Constitution. The first US forces to enter Iraq were CIA forces, who arrived in July 2002.
In 1958 – The La Salle Explorers win the NCAA basketball title, defeating the Bradley Braves 92-76 in Kansas City. It was the first and only national championship for La Salle and was the second and final runner-up finish for Bradley. The Explorers had defeated Penn State in the semifinals while Bradley had defeated Southern California and this was the fourth of nine national championship games played in Kansas City’s Memorial Auditorium.
In 1982 – Joan Jett & the Blackhearts are at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 for the first of seven consecutive weeks with I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll. The song went to #1 in six other countries, including South Africa and Sweden, peaked at #4 in Great Britain, was Billboard’s 3rd-biggest song of the year, and ranked 72nd on Billboard’s 60th Anniversary Hot 100 in 2018. It was the third of eight Top 40 hits for the group, their second of three Top 10 hits, and remains their only #1 song. It was the first #1 song of the Hot 100 era by a band – as opposed to a singing group – that was led by a woman.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
Philosophy does not mean reading books about wisdom, it means training oneself in the practice of wisdom. The essence of the matter is that a man should so mold his life and conduct that his happiness shall depend as little as possible upon external things.
Will and Ariel Durant
The Story of Civilization, Vol. III: Caesar to Christ
Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.
Billboard’s #1 soul song of 1977 was Float On by the Floaters, which spent six weeks at #1. It also peaked at #2 on the Hot 100.
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
How many songs that hit #1 in 1982 spent at least six weeks at #1? – Answer next time!
The Daily Dose/Sunday, March 19, 2023
The Daily Dose/March 19, 2022
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™
The Sunday Bottom 5
A ranking of some things.
1. World Leader Criminal Charges – Donald Trump expects to be arrested while Russian leader Vladimir Putin is charged with war crimes by International Criminal Court…Trump produces expected blather about taking our country back, which we’re trying do, back from his ignorance, lies, and incompetence…Sunday Bottom 5 pollsters “strongly suspect” Putin is unlikely to extradite himself, though warrant does cut down on foreign vacation options.
2. Bank Failures – Sunday Bottom 5 pollsters hardly smart enough to figure out if recent US bank failures isolated incidents where customers needed money, obliging bank to sell securities that had lost value or whether it heralds an imminent collapse, but remain “pretty sure” we’re going to be OK.
3. USA! USA! – The current 3-hole staple…American Century long gone and country will be, too, as US still far closer to the oblivion that awaits it than the prosperity, influence it once had because no nation can survive perpetual war, deep social divides, and an utter lack of national vision forever…Sunday Bottom 5 pollsters “strongly suspect” America has until half-century is out to show it can govern itself before someone comes in and does it for us.
4. March Madness – Good gravy, upsets galore ensure only people still possessing perfect brackets are a couple of Farleigh-Dickinson undergraduates who were stoned when they made their picks and a secretary in Reno who always picks by top secret formula color of uniforms and cuteness of mascots.
5. King Charles III – While not something the palace is trumpeting, younger folks in Commonwealth countries not entirely thrilled with monarchy, with 44% of Canadians and 39% of Australians – both technically under Charles’ rule – favoring their countries becoming republics…Sunday Bottom Sports Book currently has it at 50/50 that Prince William has a throne to inherit.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
Sure, Read Free Sunday (RFS) is a thing today.
The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow has no takers for his $350 hotel room. Today’s Diary.
They were both guys and I don’t know if they were at a bar doing an immediate cost/benefit analysis (CBA) for a suitably drunk chick or if they simply didn’t want to spend the money…
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Click here to get in on the laughs.
4Ever & Ever ($8.99) and monthly ($2.99) plans available.
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 1931 – Nevada legalizes gambling for the second time. Gambling had a long, somewhat legal history in Nevada, as miners brought assorted games of chance with them and the state first decriminalized some forms of gambling in 1869, though it was criminalized in 1909. The Bank Club in Reno opens the following day and the first gaming license was issued Mayme Stocker for the Northern Club on Fremont Street.
In 1950 – Babe Zaharias wins the first women’s golf major of the year, winning the Titleholder’s Championship with a final round 75 to defeat Claire Doran by eight strokes. It was the second of three Titleholder’s Championship titles for Zaharias and her sixth of nine major titles…Later in the year, Zaharias won the Western Open and the US Open to become the first woman to win all major golf titles in one calendar year.
In 1977 – Natalie Cole is at #1 on Billboard’s soul chart – then known as the Hot Soul Singles chart – for the fourth of five consecutive weeks with I’ve Got Love on My Mind. It was the fifth of 32 soul hits for Cole, her fifth of 17 Top 10 hits, and was her fourth of six #1s. The song later peaked at #5 on the Hot 100 which, along with Pink Cadillac, remain her biggest pop hits.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
Mere longevity is a good thing for those who watch life from the sidelines. For those who play the game, an hour may be a year, a single day’s work an achievement for an eternity.
Gabriel Heatter
Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.
The NBA record for most free throws in a season is 840, done by Jerry West of the Los Angeles Lakers in 1965-66.
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
What was Billboard’s biggest soul song of 1977? – Answer next time!
The Diary of a Nobody/March 18
It’s Read Free Sunday (RFS) at The Diary.
It’s Sparrow, an average man passing an average life…
Saturday, March 18
The big news at the hotel is that some genius – Chris is the leading suspect – actually velcroed the bell to the base of the sign!!!…I am not making that up…Good gravy, we stood and stared at – with our hands on our hips, of course – in amazement for a good 30 seconds…This is wonderful because the bell – a doorbell, actually – sometimes can be tuff to find but with it velcroed to the base of the sign BOOM this isn’t a problem; because the bell is secured to the sign, it cannot be lost…Unless the sign’s lost, of course…Then it would be ruff sailing, tho I suppose we could make a new sign and use the old bell.
The Daily Dose/Saturday, March 18, 2020
The Daily Dose/March 18, 2022
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 travels to the next county. Today’s Diary.
The big news is we got to our fave Mexican joint today for the first time in a while…Recall we’re going thru a spell where we are not eating either processed sugar or flour, so tortillas are out HOWEVER nothing inside our fave burritos is on the Index of Prohibited Foods, tho perhaps the quantity we consumed today wasn’t in the spirit of weight loss and overall general good health…
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Click here to get in on the laughs.
4Ever & Ever ($8.99) and monthly ($2.99) plans available.
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 1990 – The largest art theft in US history occurs, when twelve paintings estimated to be worth $500 million – plus a brass drinking vessel – are stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. Two thieves, posing as police officers responding to a disturbance call, were let into the museum by security who then handcuffed the guards. No arrests have been made and none of the paintings have been recovered. The empty frames remain hanging in their original locations.
In 1959 – Bill Sharman of the Boston Celtics establishes a new NBA playoff record for most consecutive free throws made in a 131-109 win over the Syracuse Nationals – now the Philadelphia 76ers – in game one of the Eastern Division Finals. Sharman made his 56th consecutive free throw, a streak that began in the 1958 playoffs, research into whose record he broke was inconclusive, and the record still stands. The regular season record is 97, by Michael WIlliams, from March to November 1993.
Today – Morgan Wallen is at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the first week with Last Night. It’s the 26th Top 40 hit for Wallen and his first #1 song. The song is one of a Hot 100-record 36 songs Wallen has on the chart this week, breaking the record of 27, done by Drake on July 14, 2018. The song is currently in its fifth consecutive week at #1 on Billboard’s country chart, his sixth #1 country hit.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
Lost in the cacophony of Oprah and O.J. are those classical values that once made a Saturday afternoon track meet so appealing. Of running for the love of competition, of throwing a javelin for applause and an olive wreath. Of sweating for hours on a lonesome track at dusk for the chance of maybe one day hearing the anthem. Of honor and glory and the spirit of victory, not the spoils.
Mark Zeigler
The San Diego Union-Tribune
6/20/95
Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.
The female elected head of state who served the longest is Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, who served 16 years, 16 days from 2005-21.
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
Who holds the NBA record for most free throws made in a season? – Answer next time!
The Daily Dose/Friday, March 17, 2023
The Daily Dose/March 17, 2022
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 changes up his sprints a little. Today’s Diary.
Rest between sets concludes when you’ve stopped hyperventilating and we were hoping to get ten lines in, but after three we realized that further lines would require EMS support and stopped…
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Click here to get in on the laughs.
4Ever & Ever ($8.99) and monthly ($2.99) plans available.
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 1969 – Golda Meir is elected Israeli prime minister by her party’s central committee. She succeeded interim prime minister Yigal Allon and was the first female head of state in the Middle East, the fourth female elected head of state anywhere, and remains Israel’s only female prime minister. Meir was born in Kyiv, then part of the Russian Empire, served until June 1974, and died at age 80 in 1978.
In 1988 – The Loyola Marymount Lions and the Wyoming Cowboys establish a new NCAA basketball tournament record for most points in a game in a 119-115 Loyola win in an opening-round game in Salt Lake City. The 234 points broke the mark of 216 established by UNLV and San Francisco in a 1977 second-round game and the record is now 264, by Loyola Marymount and Michigan in a second-round game in 1990. The regular season record is 331 points, when Loyola Marymount defeated US International 181-150 in January 1989.
In 1962 – Gene Chandler is at #1 on Billboard’s soul chart – then known as the Hot R&B Singles chart – for the fifth and final consecutive week with Duke of Earl. The song originated from some vocal exercises Chandler and others in a vocal group he was in did before actually singing and the Earl refers to Earl Edwards, another member of the group. It was the first of seven Top 10 soul hits for Chandler and remains his only soul #1. Earlier, the song had spent three weeks at #1 on the Hot 100.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
Fate poses harsh questions. We answer with our lives.
Deng Ming-Dao
Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.
The five current American League teams that were part of the Western League in 1894 are the Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox (Sious City Cornhuskers), Baltimore Orioles (Milwaukee Brewers), Cleveland Guardians (Grand Rapids Rippers), and the Minnesota Twins (Kansas City Blues).
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
Who is the longest-serving elected female head of state in history? – Answer next time!