Friends, if you’re ready to stop fitting into the slots others have assigned you, then you’re ready for The Life 101 Project.
The Life 101 Project: Start summiting your mountains today.
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The Course: https://tinyurl.com/4dbw3t5z
The Podcast: https://tinyurl.com/479zxeeh
https://thelife101project.com/
The Daily Dose/August 24, 2026
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™
Leading Off
Notes From Around Our Human Experience
ALREADY WITH THE DRY, TECHNICAL MATTER: Last week in this space we discussed America’s national debt, which has now passed $40 trillion, a figure that has doubled in the last nine years and should astound and flummox every one of us. While doing some research for that column, we came across a couple of figures from this fiscal year:
Dry, Technical Matter II: Both tariffs and corporate income taxes are expenses businesses pass on to us. (Tariffs are paid by importers and, eventually, by us). Add those figures up, and that is $728 billion being taken away from us. Add in the $500 billion we spend getting our taxes done, and that is $1.3 trillion that is not in our pockets, bank accounts, or retirement funds; that is $1.3 trillion we are not saving, spending, or blowing at the track.
Gaylon For Congress…Vote Early, Vote Often: This is wrong. We’re taxed enough, and we don’t need hidden taxes like corporate tax payments or tariffs passed on to us. We deserve a personal income tax code that isn’t 9 million words long, and we deserve a one-page personal tax return. We deserve an economy anchored in low taxes, free markets, and organized American workers.
The Bottom Line: The status quo is not going to deliver any of these things, however. You know it, I know it, and you know what? – they know it, too. So it’s time to rid ourselves of the status quo. It’s time for concerned and conscientious citizens – like you and me, we the people – to start demanding this Election Day.
Editor’s Note: Gaylon is the Libertarian Party’s nominee for Congress from Colorado’s 2nd District. Visit his campaign site here.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow eases into work at the hotel. Today’s Diary.
We were pleased with this, tho, because it gave us a good long stretch of indulging in our new fave pastime: sitting on a lobby couch – with coffee – and watching Robert work…
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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 1981 – Mark David Chapman is sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for murdering John Lennon the previous December. Chapman was arrested at the scene, and later pled guilty to 2nd-degree murder, over the objection of his attorney, who had reservations about his mental state. Chapman, described as a model prisoner, has been denied parole 14 times, most recently last year, and is currently housed at a state prison north of New York City.
In 1940 – Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox, normally an outfielder, makes the only major league pitching appearance of his career in a 12-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers in the first game of a doubleheader. Williams pitched the last two innings, giving up a run on three hits, with a strikeout and zero walks, and went 0-for-4 at the plate. The Red Sox won the second game 8-7, with Williams going 1-for-3, with two walks and three runs scored.
In 2002 – Nelly featuring Kelly Rowland is at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 for the second of seven consecutive weeks with Dilemma. The song went to #1 in ten other countries, including Switzerland and Great Britain, was in its first of nine consecutive weeks at #1 on Billboard’s soul chart, and was their 4th-biggest song of the year and their 11th-biggest of the decade. It was the second of four #1s for Nelly, and remains the only #1 for Rowland.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
Success has to be snatched by the speed and daring with which unarmed lions boldly move against nervous creatures.
Plutarch
Roman Lives
Answer To The Last Trivia Questions
Knowledge is power.
Billboard’s #1 album for 1980 was The Wall by Pink Floyd, which spent 15 consecutive weeks at #1.
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
Mark David Chapman fired at John Lennon five times. How many of those shots hit Lennon? – Answer next time!
The Daily Dose/August 23, 2026
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™
The Sunday Bottom 5
A ranking of some things.
1. US National Debt – $40 trillion!!!…Sunday Bottom 5 pollsters “pretty sure” this total – which isn’t going to go down anytime soon – is as incomprehensible as it is ultimately destructive…The US hasn’t been debt-free since 1835-36, and hasn’t had an annual budget surplus since the turn of the century.
2. Major Division College Football – All is still chaos, as NCAA currently fighting to keep some who’ve played in NFL exhibition games this season from returning to college teams…Every element – players, teams, colleges, conferences, networks – still in it for themselves, with everyone still chasing every possible dollar…A good start to remedying this mess would be playing the CFP championship game on New Year’s Day at the Rose Bowl.
3. Gaylon For Congress…Vote Early, Vote Often – The 3-hole staple…Gaylon fighting urge to scold country for being well entertained and well fed, leading to nation with full bellies and empty minds, no longer capable of anything great or hard anymore…Nobody really wants to hear this, though, so he will continue to harp on the ignorance of Donald Trump and our perpetual wars, which people are also uncomfortable hearing about.
Editor’s Note: Gaylon is the Libertarian Party’s nominee for the US House from Colorado’s 2nd District. Click here to contribute to the campaign.
4. New York City – Socialism rears its inefficient, ugly head as Mayor Mamdani announces plans to pay for day care for those who need help and to open city-owned grocery stores…Sunday Bottom 5 pollsters “strongly suspect” these will not only interfere with businesses who need to make a profit, but prove to be fiscally irresponsible, too.
5. Donald Trump Fact Check – Click here for Donald Trump’s lies concerning South Korea.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow strongly suspects his tai chi class may be over. Today’s Diary.
…because even Lao Tzu might have better things to do on a Saturday than give some wingnut tai chi lessons.
———
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 1927 – Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti are executed for murder in Massachusetts. They had been convicted in 1921 of murdering two people during an April 1920 armed robbery of a shoe company in Braintree. Sacco and Vanzetti’s biggest crimes were being Italian immigrants and anarchists, and they were convicted despite the utter lack of evidence. Protests against their conviction were held around the world, though all appeals and clemency requests would be denied. The pair declared their innocence to the very end.
In 1947 – Maynard, Pennsylvania wins the first Little League World Series – then known as the National Little League Tournament – defeating Lock Haven, Pennsylvania 16-7 in the championship game in Williamsport. The tournament featured ten Pennsylvania teams and two from New Jersey, and the field it was played on still stands. Today the Little League World Series consists of ten US and ten foreign teams, and the US has won 40 titles, with Taiwan winning the most of any foreign country with 18.
In 1980 – The Rolling Stones are at #1 on the Billboard 200 album chart for the fifth of seven consecutive weeks with Emotional Rescue. The album also went to #1 in Canada, the Netherlands, and Great Britain, and was Billboard’s 35th-biggest album of the year. It was the eighth of nine #1 albums for the group, and produced two chart singles, including the title track, which peaked at #3.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
…people who had dealings with him came to see that he was a man of substance and self-esteem, destined for great achievements.
Plutarch
Roman Lives
Regards Cato the Elder
Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.
The first US women’s national tennis championship – now the US Open – was played in 1887 in Philadelphia.
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
What was Billboard’s #1 album of 1980? – Answer next time!
The Daily Dose/August 22, 2026
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™
Leading Off
Notes From Around Our Human Experience
USA! USA!: America’s national debt hit the $40 trillion mark this week, a figure that is almost beyond comprehension. It has doubled since 2017 and is easily the highest on Earth, with China second at $21.4 trillion.
Running The Numbers: Here are some figures associated with our national debt:
The Bottom Line: The numbers are so overwhelming and flummoxing, we couldn’t provide our usual context and witless commentary, and you don’t have to be Alexander Hamilton to know debt at this rate isn’t sustainable. Eventually, that and our perpetual wars will destroy our once-great and once-proud country.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow strikes his usual troubleshooting pose. Today’s Diary.
It certainly wasn’t any place logical, like with other nearby lobby/hallway light switches, and yours truly ended up standing in the middle of the lobby, staring at everything crossly with his hands on his hips…
———
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 1642 – The First English Civil War begins, when King Charles I raises his royal standard on a hill near Nottingham Castle. Royalists and Parliamentarians had been bickering for years over the church, taxes, and control of the army, and the war ended with a Parliamentarian victory in 1646. Charles I was later arrested for treason and was executed in 1649.
In 1885 – Richard Sears wins the US National Tennis Championship – now the US Open – defeating Godfrey Brinley 6-3, 4-6, 6-0, 6-3 in Newport, Rhode Island. It was the fifth of seven national championships for Sears – all consecutive – and remains the only Grand Slam singles final for Brinley. Sears is one of three men to win seven titles, and the only one to do it in consecutive years. The tournament was played in Newport through 1914, when it moved to New York City.
In 1970 – Bread is at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 for the only week with Make It With You. The song also peaked at #2 in Canada, at #5 in Great Britain, and was Billboard’s 13th-biggest song of the year. It was the first of twelve Top 40 hits for the group, their first of five Top 10 songs, and remains their only #1. The song was written, produced, and sung by Bread front man David Gates.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
All other major disputes on important issues ended in compromise thanks to the fact that the men of power were afraid of the masses and the people held some respect for the senate.
Plutarch
Roman Lives
Answer To The Last Trivia Questions
Knowledge is power.
The only Olympics where the US women’s soccer team failed to win a medal was at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, where they lost to Sweden in the quarterfinals.
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
When was the first US women’s tennis national championship? – Answer next time!
The Daily Dose/August 21, 2026
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™
Leading Off
Notes From Around Our Human Experience
USA! USA!: The last time out here we talked about New York City mayor Zorhan Mamdani’s plans for free daycare for certain residents, and vouchers for others. While researching this, we were reminded that Mamdani had earlier announced plans for city-owned grocery stores.
Dry, Technical Matter: Mamdani wants to put one city grocery store in each of the five boroughs, starting with one in East Harlem next year. Its goal is to offer staples like fresh produce, meats, seafood, dairy, and selected frozen or pantry goods at 30% off prices charged at other grocery stores.
More Dry Technical Matter: They can do this by eliminating the need to make a profit and using city-owned properties, which avoids city fees and taxes.
Please Pass The Dry, Technical Matter: Mamdani is a Democratic Socialist, an exciting element of the party that has seen 38 candidates win primary elections so far.
USA 101: Good gravy, why doesn’t the mayor just go and wipe everybody’s asses for them, too? Governments competing with the free market is not what this country is about. It will undercut small businesses, and the first lawsuits have already been announced.
Fly In The Ointment: This means both major parties are under the influence of their most extreme wings. Democrats are now hell-bent on providing cradle-to-grave coverage for everyone, while the Republicans continue to enable the idiocy of Donald Trump, and it’s now to the point where our country is no longer recognizable to its citizens or the world.
The Bottom Line: There was a time when Americans would not have tolerated either the idiocy of Donald Trump or government-run grocery stores. But we Americans are well fed and well entertained, now. We have full bellies and empty minds, and we are no longer capable of anything hard or great. We deserve better than this – and we are certainly capable of better than this – but we’re not demanding that right now, either of our country or of ourselves.
Editor’s Note: Gaylon is the Libertarian Party’s nominee for Congress from Colorado’s 2nd District. Visit his campaign site here.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow again shows flexibility at the gym.
…our plan to return to Room 2 for the last two deep breathing sets was foiled because of yet another old biddy let’s-lie-down-on-mats-and-yap class.
———
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 1831 – A slave named Nat Turner begins a rebellion in Southampton County, Virginia. Joined by 70 or so slaves and free Blacks, they used knives and hatchets to kill around 70 Whites. The following day, state and local militia killed over 150 Blacks, and the rebellion was completely suppressed on Aug. 23rd. Turner was caught in late October and was tried, convicted, and executed. History refers to the incident as either the Nat Turner Rebellion or the Southampton Rebellion
In 2004 – The US wins the women’s Olympic soccer gold medal with a 1-0 overtime win over Brazil at the Beijing Summer Olympics. It was the second of five Olympic gold medals for the US, and was the first of three silver medals for Brazil, which remains their highest Olympic finish. Earlier in the day, Germany defeated Japan for the bronze medal. Women’s soccer became an Olympic sport at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
In 1982 – Zapp is at #1 on Billboard’s soul chart – then known as the Black Singles chart – for the first of two consecutive weeks with Dance Floor. It was the fourth of nine Top 40 soul hits for the group, their third of five Top 10s, and remains their only #1 song. The song also peaked at #1 on Billboard’s Bubbling Under the Hot 100 chart, and the group’s biggest pop hit was Slow and Easy, which peaked at #43 on the Hot 100 in 1993.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
It was not the practice of Caesar’s men to accept mercy, but to offer it.
Plutarch
Roman Lives
Answer To The Last Trivia Questions
Knowledge is power.
USS Constitution’s last combat engagement was on February 20, 1815, when it defeated two British ships off the coast of Portugal.
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
Which was the only Olympics where the US women failed to win a soccer medal? – Answer next time!
The Daily Dose will return.
You are commanded to click here to read today’s entry in The Diary of a Nobody.
Thank you for being here,
It’s Sparrow…An average man passing an average life.
Wednesday, August 19
Sparrow’s Night Off
Ol’ Sparrow’s proverbial Nite Off Cup (DOC) runneth over ebcause for the third consecutive week we had one, and it went very well…Like other nite’s off, we got to the gym and got our rest, had a couple-three snorts, and there were the usual grandiose plans for actually accomplishing things that, as per Standard Sparrow Policy (SSP) didn’t materialize.
