The Daily Dose/October 18, 2025
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™
Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.
GREAT MOMENTS IN LONG JUMPING: Today is the 57th anniversary of one of the great achievements in sports history: Bob Beamon setting the long jump record at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. Beamon jumped 29 feet, 2.25 inches, breaking the old record by almost two feet.
Already With The Dry, Technical Matter: It was Beamon’s first jump of the event, and he jumped so far the optical measuring device – hardly expecting the Beamonesque – couldn’t measure it, and a steep tape measure was brought in. When his distance was announced in feet and inches, Beamon was so overwhelmed he had an attack of cataplexy, that deal where an overwhelming circumstance caused you to lose muscular control.
If Dry, Technical Matter Is Inevitable…: Beamon broke the record of 27 feet, 4.25 inches established by Igor Ter-Ovanesyan of the Soviet Union in 1967, and the record is now held by Mike Powell of the US, who jumped 29 feet, 4.25 inches in 1991.
Oh Yeah: Beamon’s feat is still the Olympic record and remains the oldest Olympic track and field record.
Please Pass The Dry, Technical Matter: Mexico City is at an altitude of 7,300 feet, and conditions were so ripe for record-setting jumps the triple jump record was set five times in two days by three different people.
Some Philosophy Crap: One of the great lessons in this life is you never know what’s going to happen. Sure, the high altitude in Mexico City made for optimal conditions, but others were presented with the opportunity for greatness and no one else took advantage of it.
The Bottom Line: In a moment that demanded it, Beamon lived down the ages. It’s appropriate the term “Beamonesque” made our national lexicon. Like Joe Friday references, though, you seldom here it anymore because 1) it was a long time ago, and, 2) we humans now prefer appeasement to accomplishment and seldom do anything Beamonesque anymore.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow hits the road. Today’s Diary.
From the long walk to the elevators, to the decor that has all the charm of a gas chamber, to the small room, to the hardwood floors that leave your feet cold all the time, something is out of whack…
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On This Date
Extra, extra, read all about it.
In 1648 – The first trade union in what would become the United States is formed when shoemakers in Boston receive a charter from the Massachusetts Bay Colony for the Company of Shoomakers. They formed the guild not because they were disappointed in their earnings, but because of the “occasion of bad ware” turned out by some area cobblers and the desire to enact certain standards of quality. Some sources list Boston coopers as receiving a charter on this date also, and in 1659 the first union to fight for better wages and working conditions was formed in Lynn.
In 1950 – Connie Mack retires as the manager of Philadelphia Athletics after 50 years. Mack retired with a 3731-3948 record, records for wins, losses and games managed that still stand and his teams won five World Series titles, the last in 1930. Mack played in the major league from 1886-96, primarily as a catcher, and had a career batting average of .244. He bought a 25 percent stake in the new Athletics team in 1901 and died at age 93 in 1956.
In 1980 – Don Williams 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 Believe In You. The song also went #1 country in Canada, peaked at #24 on Billboard’s Hot 100, and remains Williams’ only pop hit. It was the eleventh of 17 #1 country hits for Williams in a chart career that spanned from 1973-92.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
Nothing is weaker than water, yet when united it can become a titanic force. It overcomes because it is relentless.
Deng Ming Dao
365 Tao
Answer To The Last Trivia Questions
Knowledge is power.
The Second Scottish War of Independence lasted from 1332 to 1357 and ended with a Scottish victory.
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
How many private sector American workers currently belong to a labor union? – Answer next time!
