The Daily Dose/March 7, 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 buys some more lottery tickets. Today’s Diary. 

Recall we parlayed a $15 gratuity at the hotel into $200 and whittled that down to $80 or so which was successfully parlayed into $8…You’d think we’d get the point here, but we haven’t and there were this morning with sufficient winnings and some loose dollar bills we had lying around The Shire to buy eight more quick picks…

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

In 1876 – Alexander Graham Bell receives US patent #174465 for the telephone. Bell had filed his patent application on Feb 14, a little after Elisha Gray had filed a patent caveat – a notice of an intent to file a patent application – and claims that Bell had stolen Gray’s idea were not upheld in court. The first telephone call was made three days later when Bell called his assistant Thomas Watson at Bell’s Boston laboratory. 

In 1930 – Georgetown High School of Chicago defeats Homer High School 1-0, the only point coming on a free throw in the first quarter. After getting the ball back, Georgetown started stalling, which was uncontested by Homer until late in the game. It was the third and final 1-0 high school boys’ basketball game on record and the national high school girl’s basketball record book does list the lowest-scoring games. 

In 1992 – Mr. Big is at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 for the second of three consecutive weeks with To Be With You. The song went to #1 in eleven other countries including Australia, Denmark, and Norway, peaked at #3 in Great Britain, and was Billboard’s 12th-biggest song of the year. It was the first chart single for the group, their first of three Top 40 hits, and remains their only #1. The song was not intended to be released as a single but became a hit after a radio station in Lincoln, Nebraska started playing it. 

Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.

…corruption of morals and character by the progress of knowledge and art is almost a law of history.
Will and Ariel Durant
The Story of Civilization, Vol. X: Rousseau and Revolution

Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.

The chief justice of the United States at the time of the Dred Scott decision was Roger Taney, who served from 1836-1864. 

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

What musical instrument is Elisha Gray considered the father of? – Answer next time!

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The Daily Dose/March 6, 2022
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™

The Sunday Bottom 5
A ranking of some things.

Leading Off will return. 

Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually. 

The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow is still considering travel options for his spring vacation. Today’s Diary. 

Then, just for funsies, we thought why not fly out of Sparrow Regional???…

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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 1857 – The US Supreme Court issues what History refers to as the Dred Scott decision, ruling 7-2 that slaves are not US citizens and have no constitutional rights. The case was brought by a slave named Dred Scot, whose master had taken him from Missouri to northern territory where slavery was prohibited, with Scott suing for freedom upon return to Missouri. Scott and his family were freed later in the year and Scott died of tuberculosis in 1858.

In 1976 – Wilfred Benitez of Puerto Rico because the youngest world boxing champion in history, winning the WBA light welterweight title with a 15-round split decision over Antonio Cervantes of Colombia in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Benitez was 17 and remains the youngest title holder ever. Benitez would later win the welterweight and light middleweight titles while Cervantes would later regain the light welterweight title. 

In 1961 – The Miracles featuring Smokey Robinson is at #1 on Billboard’s soul chart – then known as the Hot R&B Sides chart – for the eighth and final consecutive week with Shop Around. It was the second soul hit for the group and their first of four soul #1s and the song also peaked at #2 on the Hot 100. A version by the Captain and Tennille peaked at #4 on the Hot 100 in 1976. 

Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.

…and what is still grander and more wonderful, going back into himself, there to study man and to know his own nature, his duties, and his end.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.

The last author to have their work placed on the Catholic Church’s Index of Forbidden Books was Simone de Beauvoir (The Mandarins; 1954)

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

Who was the chief justice of the United States at the time of the Dred Scott decision? – Answer next time!

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The Daily Dose/March 5, 2022
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™

The Sunday Bottom 5
A ranking of some things.

1. Alex Murdaugh – Convicted of murder despite a botched investigation that produced zero physical evidence against him – much less murder weapons…Still though, you lied regularly and are an admitted druggie and thief and you didn’t have to be Joe Friday to conclude you were the lead suspect. 

2. Antoine Davis – Pete Maravich heirs sleeping soundly again as University of Detroit Mercy basketball player comes within four points of breaking all-time collegiate major-division scoring record, which isn’t too bad…Season over for Titans, as 14-19 record unlikely to get them into even the Team Manager’s Association postseason tournament. 

3. USA! USA! – 3-hole staple back, still a shooting gallery, still living on the extreme fringes, still far closer to the oblivion that awaits it than the respect and prosperity it once had…Sunday Bottom 5 pollsters remain “pretty sure” US has until this half-century is out to do something before Russia uses Ukraine as staging point for US invasion. 

4. Lunar Standard Time – European nations – with nothing better to occupy their time right now – propose a single time zone for the moon…Currently, lunar time is determined by whatever country is operating there, and the idea actually makes some sense, as does the idea of Martian Standard Time…Or would make sense if us humans were actually sending people to the moon and Mars, which we’re not…Don’t get us started. 

5. Euthanasia In Belgium – Assisted dying law extends to any competent person who wants it, including recent death of woman on 16th anniversary of her slashing throats of her five kids…  Assisted death legal in some states for terminally ill, but Sunday Bottom 5 pollsters look around and see strong arguments for legalizing it for everyone. 

Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually. 

Q: Is it Read Free Sunday at The Diary?
A: Indeed it is.

The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow has a new duty at the hotel. Today’s Diary. 

…once we get it down it really shouldn’t take more than ten minutes or so, but when you have a job in no small measure because of the lack of work involved, you tend to whine about new duties.

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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 1616 – The Catholic Church places On The Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres by Nicolaus Copernicus on their Index of Forbidden Books. The book had been published in 1543 in Nuremberg and puts the sun at the center of the universe with the planets revolving around it, known as the heliocentric theory, which differed from Catholic teaching, which had the Earth at the center of the universe. The book was dropped from the index in 1835 and the Index was abolished in 1966.

In 1996 – The Dallas Mavericks establish a new NBA record for most 3-point shots in a game in a 127-117 win over the New Jersey Nets. Dallas attempted 49 3-point field goals, making 18, research into whose record they broke was inconclusive, and the record is now 70, by the Houston Rockets in January 2019. Also in the game, George McCloud of the Mavericks tied the NBA record for most 3-point attempts by a player with 20, a record now held by Klay Thompson of Golden State (24, October 2018). 

In 1994 – Celine Dion is at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 for the fourth and final consecutive week with The Power of Love. The song also went to #1 in Australia and Dion’s native Canada, and peaked at #4 in Great Britain. It was the eighth Top 40 hit for Dion and her first of four #1s. In 1986 a version by Jennifer Rush, who co-wrote the song, peaked at #57 and in 1985 a version by Air Supply peaked at #68. 

Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.

Lose trust in democracy and democracy dies. Lose trust in capitalism and it fails too. The progress of humanity depends upon trust.
Penny Mordaunt
Leader, UK House of Commons

Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.

The last American to win the ladies’ singles Olympic figure skating gold medal was Sarah Hughes at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games. 

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

Who was the last author to have works placed on the Catholic Church’s Index of Forbidden Books? – Answer next time!

Share Gaylon! Go!

The Daily Dose/March 4, 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 renews his acquaintance with Phil at a local body shop. Today’s Diary. 

Phil, as it turned out, remembered my name, but not my face:  

– You know, Phil, I have a beard now…That might be why you didn’t recognize me.
Phil, rather seriously, dismissed me.
– Nah, you’re ugly…I don’t remember ugly.  

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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 1998 – The US Supreme Court rules unanimously that federal laws banning sexual harassment also apply when the workers are of the same sex. The suit was brought by Joseph Oncale of Louisiana against his employer, Sundowner Offshore Services, where he was employed at a roustabout, who said he was regularly subjected to humiliating actions by the rest of his crew. Previously, both US District Court and Court of Appeals had ruled against Oncale. 

In 1967 – Peggy Fleming of the US wins the world figure skating title in Vienna, defeating Gabriele Seyfert of East Germany and Hana Maskova of Czechoslovakia for the gold medal. It was the second of three consecutive world titles for Fleming, who would win the gold medal at the 1968 Grenoble (France) Winter Olympics. The competition remains the last time the world championships were held at an outdoor rink. 

In 1978 – Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings are at #1 on Billboard’s country chart – then known as the Hot Country Singles chart – for the first of four consecutive weeks with Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys. The song remains the only #1 for the duo and was the seventh country #1 for Jennings and the third for Nelson. The song also went #1 country in Canada, peaked at #42 on the Hot 100, and won the Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.

Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.

The future of Britain isn’t decided by politicians, it’s decided by the character of the British people. Their character is the national destiny.
Penny Mordaunt
Leader, UK House of Commons

Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.

The United States Marine Corps became part of the Navy Department in 1834. 

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

Who was the last American to win the women’s singles gold medal at the Olympics? – Answer next time!

Share Gaylon! Go!

The Daily Dose/March 3, 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 has a good workout. Today’s Diary. 

Sprints felt really strong, too, so strong we wouldn’t’ve been surprised if the Chariots of Fire theme had started to play in the background… 

———

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 1776 – The United States Marine Corps conducts its first amphibious landing in the Raid of Nassau in the Bahamas in the American Revolution. The raid was unopposed and American Marines held the port for two weeks as Americans searched for gunpowder and other supplies. The Corps was then known as the Continental Marines and were disbanded after the Revolution and reformed in 1798. 

In 1981 – The Edmonton Oilers and the New York Islanders tie the NHL record for the highest score in a tie game in an 8-8 tie played in New York. The teams tied the record established by the Montreal Maroons and the New York Americans on February 18, 1936, and the mark was tied on six other occasions before the NHL ended tie games with the adoption of the hoot-out rule in 2005.

In 1984 – Rockwell is at #1 on Billboard’s soul chart – then known as the Hot Black Singles chart – for the first of five consecutive weeks with Somebody’s Watching Me. The song also peaked at #2 on the Hot 100, went #6 pop in Great Britain, and was Billboard’s 12th-biggest soul song of the year. Rockwell is the son of Motown Records founder Barry Gordie and the song featured backing vocals by Michael and Jermaine Jackson. It was Rockwell’s first chart single and his first of two pop and soul hits.

Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.

The future always arrives as a minority.
The Honorable Penny Mordaunt
Leader, UK House of Commons

Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.

Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls holds the NBA record for the most points in an NBA playoff game, scoring 63 vs the Boston Celtics in April 1986.

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

When did the United States Marine Corps become part of the Department of the Navy? – Answer next time!

Share Gaylon! Go!