The Daily Dose/Monday, January 24, 2022
The Daily Dose/January 24, 2022
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™
Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.
Leading Off is running intermittently right now.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow has a relative oddity at the hotel. Today’s Diary.
…both [cash] drawers were dead solid perfect: no overages, no undropped cash, nothing.
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———
On This Date
History’s long march.
In 41 AD – Claudius becomes emperor of Rome following the death of his nephew Caligula, who had been murdered by the Praetorian Guard, who’s assignment was to protect the emperor. Like all Roman emperors, Claudius was required to continually shore up his support, but had the time to preside over trials and begin the Roman conquest of Britain. He would serve until 54 AD and was succeeded by his grand-nephew and adopted son, Nero. History is unclear as to whether Claudius was murdered or, at age 63, died of old age, but it strongly suspects the former.
In 1981 – Mike Bossy of the New York Islanders becomes the second NHL player to score 50 goals in 50 games in a 7-4 over the Quebec Nordiques. Bossy matched the feat established by Maurice Richard of the Montreal Canadiens in the 1944-45 season. Bossy entered the game with 48 goals and scored both goals in the last five minutes of the game. The feat has been done six times since, including twice by Wayne Gretzky, who had 61 goals in 50 games in both the 1981-82 and 1983-84 seasons. In 1981-82 Gretzky also scored 50 goals in a record 39 games.
In 1981 – Dolly Parton is at #1 on Billboard’ country chart – then known as the Hot Country Singles chart – for the only week with 9 to 5, her 13th of 14 #1 country hits. The song also peaked at #48 in Great Britain, would later spend two non-consecutive weeks at #1 on the Hot 100 and was Billboard’s 9th-biggest song of the year. It earned Parton an Oscar nomination in 1980 and won Grammy Awards for Best Country Song and Best Female Country Vocal Performance.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
As he had unwittingly done so many times in the past, George III saved America’s neck just as it was about to be chopped off…With all those trump cards to play, George III might well have won the game. But he was rigid, inflexible, proud and obstinate.
David Schoenbrun
Triumph In Paris: The Exploits Against Benjamin Franklin
Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.
Steffi Graf won one Grand Slam doubles title, at Wimbledon in 1988 with Gabriela Sabatini.
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
Which song won the 1980 Academy Award for Best Original Song? – Answer next time!
The Daily Dose/Sunday, January 23, 2022
The Daily Dose/January 23, 2022
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™
The Sunday Bottom 5
A ranking of some things.
1. COVID 19 – While SB5 pollsters aren’t doctors and certainly have never played one on television, they’re “pretty sure” virus is never going away and should start being treated with the respect it should have commanded in the first place, namely all of us waking up every morning and asking ourselves what do we have to do not to get COVID today and then going out and doing those things.
2. Transgender Athletes – While SB5 pollsters appreciate Mother Nature sometimes getting gender work orders screwed up, and talk about sensitivity and inclusion certainly is appropriate, biological girls must be allowed to compete with other biological girls…Those born boys should not compete against girls, regardless of how they identify.
3. Donald Trump – The 3-hole staple…Instead of being banished in shame for leading the January 6 insurrection, instead of being reviled for the blood on his hands for an inept coronavirus response, instead of being dismissed for believing the moon is part Mars, ignorant blatherskite continually heralded as the pacesetter for the 2024 GOP nomination.
4. NCAA – Ultimate example of pimp, whore and john wrapped up in one bungling organization, group recently passed new constitution to reinforce its continuing irrelevance…SB5 pollsters “strongly suspect” NCAA should just pass everything off to SEC – which is the real power in major division college sports anyway – to focus on runner small school championship tournaments, which is something they actually do rather well.
5. President Joe Biden -While infinitely better than his predecessor – a loaf of bread would have been an improvement – President Biden already bearing striking resemblance to President Jimmy Carter.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
It’s Read Free Sunday (RFS), and today’s Diary entry is on the house.
The Diary of a Nobody – Chef Sparrow farts around with his spinach recipe. Today’s Diary.
The big news is yours truly farted around with the secret recipe for Spinach a la Sparrow…
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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
History’s long march.
In 1849 – England’s Elizabeth Blackwell receives a medical degree from the Geneva School of Medicine in New York, the first woman doctor in the United States. Blackwell had started as a teacher, and became interested in medicine after an ill friend noted that had she had a female doctor she might not have suffered so much. Her sister Emily was the second female doctor in the US and both worked for the Union during the Civil War, with neither of them ever marrying.
In 1988 – Steffi Graf of Germany defeats Chris Evert 6-1, 7-6 (7-3) in the finals of the Australian Open. It was the first Australian Open title for Graf and the second of 22 major singles titles, the second most behind Margaret Court. Later in the year, Graf would win the French Open, Wimbledon, the US Open and the Olympic gold medal, the only non-wheelchair player to accomplish the feat, sometimes known as the Golden Slam.
In 1971 – Dawn – later known as Tony Orlando and Dawn – is at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 for the first of three consecutive weeks with Knock Three Times. It was the second chart single for the group, their second of six Top 10 hits and their first of three #1s. The song went to #1 in five other countries, including South Africa and Great Britain and was Billboard’s 10th-biggest song of the year. A version by Billy “Crash” Craddock later in the year peaked at #3 on Billboard’s country chart.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
Her prudence, tact and courage astonished her contemporaries, who were accustomed to male incompetence or violence.
Will Durant
The Story of Civilization, Vol. VI: The Reformation
Editor’s Note: the subject of this quote was not noted.
Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers scored at least 60 points in a game six times in his career.
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
How many Grand Slam doubles titles did Steffi Graf win? – Answer next time!
The Diary of a Nobody/January 22
Indeed, it’s Read Free Sunday at The Diary.
It’s Sparrow, an average man passing an average life…
Saturday, January 22
There were eight arrivals when yours truly reported for duty…Amy advised that while the weather here has been good, the pass, apparently, was out of hand as was the tunnel on the Interstate that you take from the big city…This was verified by the trickle of guests that arrived throughout the morning, all advising they were happy to have made it after I’d welcomed them.
The Daily Dose/Saturday, January 22, 2022
The Daily Dose/January 22, 2022
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™
Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.
Leading Off is running intermittently right now.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
The Diary of a Nobody – At the VSO, the department Christmas party is canceled. Today’s Diary.
The Department of Human Services Christmas Party was scheduled for this afternoon – I am not making that up – but the latest COVID outbreak means you need county approval for anything more than sitting alone in your office now so the party was put off…
———
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
History’s long march.
In 1506 – The pontifical Swiss Guard is formed when the first 150 Swiss soldiers arrive in the Vatican to guard Pope Julius II. It has been deactivated and reformed over the centuries and today, while still an armed force, is primarily responsible for guarding the pope and the Apostolic Palace. They are commanded by a colonel and the Pontifical Swiss Guard is the 5th-oldest active military unit in the world.
In 2006 – Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers establishes a new NBA record for most points in a game by someone not named Wilt Chamberlain in 122-104 victory over the Toronto Raptors. Bryant had 81 points, the second-highest total after Chamberlain’s 100, Bryant had 28 field goals, seven 3-pointers and 18 free throws in 42 minutes. Bryant eclipsed the previous high for most points by someone not named Wilt Chamberlain established by David Thompson, who had 73 points for the Denver Nuggets in April 1978.
In 1977 – Stevie Wonder is at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 for the only week with I Wish. It was the fifth of nine #1 songs on the Hot 100 for Wonder, a total that includes appearances with Paul McCartney and Dionne and Friends. The song also went to #1 in Canada, peaked at #5 in Great Britain and was also in its second of five consecutive weeks at #1 on Billboard’s soul chart.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
For Lewis and Clark there would only be a little bit of practical knowledge, some theoretical nonsense, and a small supply of mostly worthless medications.
David J Peck.
Or Perish in the Attempt: Wilderness Medicine in the Lewis and Clark Expedition
Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.
The first #1 song on Billboard’s disco chart was You Should Be Dancing by the Bee Gees, which spent five weeks at #1 in 1978.
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
How many times did Kobe Bryant score at least 60 points in an NBA game? – Answer next time!
The Daily Dose/Friday, January 21, 2022
The Daily Dose/January 21, 2022
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™
Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.
Leading Off is running intermittently right now.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow spends most of his day off doing things. Today’s Diary.
Heck, the day was so grueling yours truly wasn’t in his chair reading until – horror of horrors – 1500 or so and by then he was exhausted and ready for sleepies…
———
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
History’s long march.
In 1861 – Jefferson Davis of Mississippi – future president of the Confederate States of America – resigns from the United States Senate. Two days later Davis would be made a general in the Army of Mississippi and in February became president of the Confederacy, serving until the Confederacy fell in 1865. Previously, Davis had been the US secretary of war from 1853-57. Davis had graduated from the US Military Academy in 1828 and had seen action in the Black Hawk and Mexican-American wars.
In 1978 – Roberto Duran of Panama becomes the undisputed world lightweight champion, defeating Esteban de Jesus of Puerto Rico in Las Vegas. Duran had a 12th-round TKO over de Jesus taking de Jesus’ WBC title while defending his WBA title for the twelfth time. Duran would vacate the lightweight title the following year to concentrate on higher weight classes and would later win welterweight, super welterweight and middleweight titles.
In 1978 – Cerrone is at #1 on Billboard’s National Disco Action chart for the first of four consecutive weeks with Supernature/Give Me Love/Love is Here. The song also peaked at #70 on the Hot 100 and at #72 on Billboard’s soul chart and remains Cerrone’s only appearance at #1 on a Billboard chart. Though largely unknown in the US, Cerrone, born Marc Cerrone in France, has had a long career as a musician, composer and producer and has sold over 30 million records worldwide. Today the chart is known as the Hot Dance Club Play chart and has been suspended since last March when dance clubs closed due to COVID.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
He forged fiercely a path for his truth, until at last kings, popes, and emperors catered to him, thrones trembled before him, and half the world listened to catch his every word.
Will Durant,
On Voltaire
Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.
The British House of Lords currently has 772 members. It is the second-largest legislative body in the world behind the Chinese National Peoples Congress (2,980).
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
What was the first #1 on song on Billboard’s disco chart? – Answer next time!
The Daily Dose/Thursday, January 20, 2022
The Daily Dose/January 20, 2022
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™
Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.
Leading Off is running intermittently right now.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
The Diary of a Nobody – At the hotel, there’s more hilarity with the airline crew. Today’s Diary.
At 0615 the bell rings and it turns out to be the van driver for the United crew wondering where in the hell his passengers are…
———
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
History’s long march.
In 1265 – The first English parliament to include both lords and citizens with common interests meets at Westminster Palace in London. The parliament was called by Simon de Montfort, a rebel who had defeated King Henry III the year before, though Henry was not killed and still reigned, though he did not exert political control and Montfort would die in battle against royal forces the following year. The House of Commons became a permanent fixture in Parliament in the 14th century and today has 650 members.
In 1968 – Peggy Fleming wins the gold medal at the US figure skating championships in Philadelphia, her fifth consecutive, and final, US title. In February Fleming would win the ladies singles gold medal at the Grenoble Winter Olympics in France, the first American figure skating gold medal following the 1961 airplane crash that killed the entire US women’s team and which was also the only US gold medal at the Grenoble Games.
In 1979 – Barbra Streisand is at #1 on the Billboard 200 album chart for the third and final consecutive week with Barbra Streisand’s Greatest Hits, Vo. II. It was the second of ten #1 albums for Streisand and her ninth of 29 Top 10 albums. The album produced the chart single You Don’t Bring Me Flowers, a duet with Neil Diamond that had spent two weeks at #1 the year before and was a song both had released previously on their own.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
They would triumph, or die, as one.
Stephen E Ambrose
Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson and the Opening of the American West
Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.
Jim Croce’s other #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 besides Time in a Bottle was Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown which spent two consecutive weeks at #1 in 1973.
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
How many members does the British House of Lords currently have? – Answer next time!