The Daily Dose/November 12, 2021
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™

Leading Off
Notes from around our human experience. 

UH-OH: One of the things we take great pride in here is the accuracy of the historical tidbits we offer, both here and in On This Date and it is, frankly, rare when we make a mistake. We have a variety of source materials at our disposal and an interest in and a knack for research and usually anything mentioned here can be taken to the bank. 

Regular readers of this crap know that from time to time we’ve trotted out the alleged fact that Elvis Presley, the Everly Brothers and Billy Ray Cyrus are the only acts to have #1 songs on Billboard’s Hot 100 and their country and soul charts. 

What The Hell’s Going On Here?: We were wrong. While doing research into Ray Charles’ career we found out he, too, is a member of the club, with several pop and soul number ones and a #1 country hit – Seven Spanish Angels – with Willie Nelson in 1985.

Dry, Technical Matter: It’s important to note that this survey begins with the start of the Hot 100 in August 1958. Before that Billboard had a variety of charts in all three categories – most played on radio, most played in jukeboxes, best sellers, et al – and our feeling accomplishing this feat before August 1958 is not all that significant. 

Dry, Technical Matter: The first to do it was Bing Crosby, who had the trick turned by 1944. Crosby had the first #1 pop hit in 1940, the tenth soul #1 song in 1942 and the second country #1 song in 1944. 

The Bottom Line: A line we’ve used from time to time is “we regret but are not particularly surprised by the error”, but in this case we were. We don’t recall the exact research we did, but we remember being rather pleased with it and thinking we’d nailed it: that Elvis, the Everly Brothers and Billy Ray Cyrus were the only acts to have #1 songs on the Hot 100 and Billboard’s soul and country charts. Shows what we know. We’ll keep slugging it out on the front lines of research and trust you’ll forgive the occasional error. 

Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually. 

The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow does some bonus shredding at the hotel. Today’s Diary. 

There was enuff [shredding] so it took a good 15-20 minutes to get thru, but it all fit in the receptacle and after everything was done it was a simple matter to put the shredded paperwork in one of those green 33-gallon trash bags….This saved several blue bags – not to mention mostly filling the green bag so there was no wastage – and that’s a win for the environment.  

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———

On This Date
The long march to today. 

In 1966 – America’s Gemini 12 mission splashes down in the Atlantic Ocean east of the Bahamas and south of Bermuda. Commanded by James Lovell and also manned by Buzz Aldrin, the mission completed 59 orbits of Earth and featured 5-and-a-half hours of spacewalking from Aldrin. The Gemini program is generally considered to have been a complete success, having shown man can function outside a spacecraft and can dock with other spacecraft. 

In 1960- Elgin Baylor of the Los Angeles Lakers establishes a new NBA record for most points in a game in a 123-108 win over the New York Knicks. Baylor had 71 points to break the record of 64 he had established on Nov 8, 1959. Baylor’s record was broken by Wilt Chamberlain who had 78 points on December 8, 1961, and Chamberlain holds the all-time mark with 100 points on March 2, 1962. 

In 1986 – Boston is at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the second and final consecutive week with Amanda. It was the sixth Top 40 hit for the group, their third top 10 hit and remains their only #1 song. The song also went to #1 in Canada and peaked at #10 in Norway. The name Amanda does not refer to a specific person but was selected because it fit with the musical and lyrical flow of the song. 

Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever. 

The one with the best command of the English language is usually the one who knows when to keep his mouth shut.
Dear Abby

Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.

The NHL record for the longest unbeaten streak from the start of a career by a goalie is 16, by Patrick Lalime in the 1996-97 season. 

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

Who are three NBA players who have scored at least 64 points in a game more than once? – Answer next time!  

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The Daily Dose/November 12, 2021
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™

The Sunday Bottom 5
A ranking of some things.

1. US Space Program – NASA announces 2024 moon landing – which wasn’t going to happen anyway – moved to 2025 – which probably won’t happen, either – due to budget constraints…And because Amazon got their shorts in a knot and are suing over the awarding of a contract to Tesla. 

2. US Space Program II – Why are we going back to the moon anyway???…This is like climbing Mount Everest again…Yay for us, but what’s the point???…Let’s go to Mars instead…Actually, had we cared to, we could be looking back on over 30 years of Mars exploration right now but America didn’t care too and can no longer send anyone into space…Our loss.  

3. Donald Trump – The 3-hole staple…SB5 pollsters “strongly suspect” future generations will wonder why anyone gave time of day – much less media coverage and votes – to someone who believes 1) the moon is part of Mars; 2) Colorado borders Mexico; and 3) the Revolution was won by the securing of British airports…Plus he will always have blood on his hands for a non-existent COVID response…Which one of these elements continues to earn him support???

4. Las Vegas Raiders – Cutting 1st-round draft pick after driving drunk, crashing Corvette and killing someone???…Check…Cutting another 1st-round draft pick after video of him wielding gun surfaces???…Check….Head coach resigning after emails showing he’s racist and misogynistic surface???…Check…SB5 pollsters “pretty sure” this is awfully deep doo-doo even by Raiders usual renegade standards. 

5. Fake News – Click here for made up stuff some wizards amongst us either chose to believe or are stupid enough to really believe…From the AP. 

Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually. 

Yay for Read Free Sunday (RFS) at The Diary.

The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow has an 0400 chat with a long-term guest. Today’s Diary. 

Because I asked, he said the dog’s name is Nova and even tho queries weren’t made on why he was so named, yours truly was favored with the lowdown on that, too…Evidently when two stars are dying the gasses from one will overtake the other star and BOOM it explodes in a flash of white and become a supernova, and that’s how the all-white Nova got its name…Now we know, in case this ever comes up in the future. 

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Click here for complimentary chapters of all of Gaylon’s books.
It’s easy reading on any device. 

———

On This Date
The long march to today. 

In 1960 – Ruby Bridges, 6, of New Orleans becomes the first Black child to attend and all-White elementary school in Louisiana, attending William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans. Bridges was escorted by federal marshals and was taught by one teacher, a White woman named Barbara Henry, for over a year because no other teacher would teach a Black student. Bridges still lives in New Orleans with her husband and four children. 

In 1971 – Gerry Cheevers of the Boston Bruins begins his NHL-record unbeaten streak of 32 consecutive games in an 11-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings. Cheevers would not lose a game again until March 29, 1972, a 4-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, going 24-0-8 during that time. Cheevers broke the record of 23 established by Frank Brimstek of the Bruins in the 1940-41 season and his record still stands. 

In 1960 – Ray Charles is at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the only week with Georgia on My Mind. It was the first of three #1 songs for Charles and his second of ten Top 10 hits. The song also peaked at #24 in Great Britain, at #3 in Billboard’s soul chart and in 1978 a version by Willie Nelson went to #1 on the country chart. In 1985, Charles and Nelson went #1 country with Seven Spanish Angels, making Charles one of four acts (Elvis, the Everly Brothers, Billy Ray Cyrus) to have hit #1 on all three major Billboard singles charts. 

Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever. 

Either the people would overthrow the government or, more likely, the government would overthrow the people.
Gore Vidal
Empire

Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.

The longest winning streak in the Harvard/Yale football series in nine, by Harvard from 2007-2015. The longest unbeaten streak in the series is eleven, by Yale which went 10-0-1 from 1876-1889. 

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

Which goalie holds the NHL record for the longest undefeated streak from the start of a career? – Answer next time!  

Share Gaylon! Go!

The Daily Dose/November 12, 2021
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™

Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.

Leading Off is running intermittently for now. 

Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually. 

The Diary of a Nobody – At the county building, the Building Department is both shorthanded and busy. Today’s Diary. 

Mike: Sparrow, you wanna return some calls???
Sparrow: Me???…I know nothing about building or buildings.
Malia, shaking her head dismissively: We can work with that…Just tell everybody no.

———

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
The long march to today. 

In 1927 – The Holland Tunnel, running under the Hudson River and connecting New York City with New Jersey, opens. Construction had begun in October 1920 and the two sides of the tunnels connected in October 1924 and the tunnel is ventilated by four towers and 84 fans – 42 intake, 42 exhaust – which can replace air within the tunnel in 90 seconds. The toll was 25 cents, charged both ways, until 1970 and today is $16, charged heading into New York City. 

In 1875 – Harvard and Yale meet in football – a rivalry simply known as The Game – for the first time, with Harvard winning 4-0 in a game played at Hamilton Park, a bit north of where the Yale Bowl now stands. Like most games of the era, it was a combination of soccer and rugby and featured 15 players to a side and remains the first game where both teams wore coordinated uniforms. Yale leads the series 68-60-8 and the 2021 game will be played at Yale on Nov 20. 

In 1982 – Marvin Gaye is at #1 on Billboard’s soul chart – then known as the Hot Black Singles chart – for the second of ten consecutive weeks with Sexual Healing, the 14th and final #1 soul song for Gaye. The song also peaked at #3 on the Hot 100 and at #4 in Great Britain and due to when it charted was Billboard’s biggest soul song of 1983. Gaye was shot to death by his father in the family’s Los Angeles home in 1984, a crime his father served a 6-year suspended sentence and probation for. 

Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever. 

I balanced sometimes between principle and inclination…So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable creature, since it enables one to find or make a reason for everything one has a mind to do.
Benjamin Franklin
Autobiography

Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.

Billboard’s #1 song of 1955 was Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White by Perez Prado, which spent ten weeks at #1. 

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

What is the longest winning streak in the Harvard/Yale football series? – Answer next time!  

Share Gaylon! Go!

The Daily Dose/November 11, 2021
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™

Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.

Leading Off is running intermittently for now. 

Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually. 

The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow has a strong workout but is careful not to do too much. Today’s Diary. 

…you get too full of yourself and the next thing you know you’re trying to move more than you should and BOOM, you’re tearing a muscle or your heart’s exploding, both of which are bad for morale. 

———

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
The long march to today. 

In 1912 – The body of explorer Englishman Robert Falcon Scott and two members of his Antarctic expedition party are found by a search party on the Ross Ice Shelf, at about 82 degrees south latitude. Scott and his men had reached the South Pole on January 17 only to find a tent and a letter dated December 18, 1911, left by Norwegian Roald Amundsen. Based on the position of bodies in the tent, it’s thought that Scott died last, on either March 29th or 30th. 

In 1995 – Dan Marino of the Miami Dolphins establishes a new NFL record for most career passing yards in 34-17 loss to the New England Patriots. Marino passed for 333 yards, giving him a career total of 47,299 to break the record of 47,003 yards established by Fran Tarkenton of the Minnesota Vikings and the New York Giants from 1961-78. The record is now held by Tom Brady of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (81,854, 2000-present).

In 1955 – Roger Williams is at #1 on Billboard’s Best Sellers in Stores chart – a predecessor to the Hot 100 – for the third of four consecutive weeks with Autumn Leaves. It was the first of 22 hits on a Billboard pop chart for Williams, remains his only #1 song and was Billboard’s 4th-biggest song of the year.  Long considered a jazz standard, Williams’ version was the most popular of seven that hit Billboard pop charts in 1955. 

Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever. 

We took risks, we knew we took them; things have come out against us, and therefore we have no cause for complaint...
Robert Falcon Scott

Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.

Chaka Khan’s biggest solo hit on the Hot 100 was I Feel For You, which peaked at #3 in 1984. Her appearance on Steve Winwood’s #1 song Higher Love (one week, 1986) was uncredited. 

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

What was Billboard’s #1 song of 1955? – Answer next time!  

Share Gaylon! Go!

The Daily Dose/November 11, 2021
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™

Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.

Editor’s Note: today’s Leading Off item originally ran – with a few minor changes – on Veterans Day 2017. It was rehashed in 2019 and is offered again today and regular readers of this crap know the possibility of seeing it again in 2022 cannot be entirely dismissed. 

TEN HUT!: You know, honestly, we cannot remember Veterans Day being the big deal it is today while growing up. And we come from a family of many veterans.

9/11 changed that, of course, because since 9/11 – when first responders became heroes – the reverence for veterans has grown, too. We are routinely thanked for our service now, which never used to happen before 9/11, and on Veterans Day we could scam complimentary meals left and right if moved so to do.

FunFact: We generally don’t go out of our way to do that, though. On the other hand, we don’t throw a tantrum if we’re not presented with a check.

What A Surprise, Dry, Technical Matter. November 11 has been an American holiday since 1938, born out of the earlier celebrations of the armistice that ended the major fighting in World War I  at 11 am on November 11, 1918. Originally known as Armistice Day, it became Veterans Day in 1954.

War Is Hell: Fighting continued right up until the eleventh hour, too. Some units didn’t want to make themselves vulnerable by yielding an advantage while some didn’t want to have to haul their ammo away why others wanted the best possible position should fighting start again. In all, over 2,700 men died on November 11, including a Canadian two minutes before peace took effect and an American at 10:59.

USA! USA!: Life in the service was pretty routine for most of us. Personally, we served on an old diesel submarine, the USS Blueback, the last diesel combat submarine in the United States Navy. We’re still pretty young and if we get regular exercise and watch between-meal treats we one day we might well be the last diesel boat veteran in this country.

Fly In The Ointment: Some, of course, did not serve routine tours. Some died in the service of their country and some contributed exploits we are still talking about today. Some are not entirely pleased with their service and too many are homeless and each day an average of 22 vets will kill themselves, choosing to continue their service on heaven’s parade ground.

The Bottom Line: Looking back at honorable service to your country is one of life’s great prizes. We are the son, brother, grandson, cousin and nephew of veterans and we hardly have an exclusive on that. You’re welcome. It was our privilege. 

Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually. 

The Diary of a Nobody – At the hotel, the keyboard at the back office desk is a mess. Today’s Diary. 

…it looked like it had been used as a serving platter…Not only were there crumbs all over the place, but there was some gunk on the keyboard which is bad for morale because it’s good policy to be suspicious of gunk on a keyboard…

———

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
The long march to today. 

In 1911 – A freak weather phenomenon causes many cities in the US Midwest to experience record highs and lows on the same day. In Springfield, Missouri the temperature went from 80 degrees at 3:45 pm to 40 degrees in 15 minutes and would fall to 13 degrees at midnight. In Rock County, Wisconsin a blizzard followed a tornado within an hour and in Chicago people died of both heatstroke and cold. History refers to the episode as the Great Blue Norther or 11/11/11. 

In 1981 – The Minnesota North Stars become the second NHL team since the red line was implemented in 1943 to score 15 goals in a game in a 15-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets. After a Jets goal at the 5:02 mark in the second period made it 4-2, the North Stars scored the final eleven goals. The only other teams to score at least 15 goals in a game are the Detroit Red Wings (15; 1/23/44) and the Montreal Canadiens (16; 3/3/1920)

In 1978 – Chaka Khan is at #1 on Billboard’s soul chart – then known as Hot Soul Singles Chart – for the first of three consecutive weeks with I’m Every Woman. It was her first solo hit after several years with the group Rufus and was her first of six #1 soul songs. The song also peaked at #21 on the Hot 100 and at #11 in Great Britain and in 1993 a version by Whitney Houston peaked at #4 on the Hot 100 and at #5 on the soul chart. 

Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever. 

I have always thought that one man of tolerable abilities may work great changes, if he first forms a good plan, and makes the execution of that same plan his sole study and business.
Benjamin Franklin
Autobiography

Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.

The NHL record for the most tie games in a season is 24, by the 1969-70 Philadelphia Flyers. 

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

What was Chaka Khan’s biggest hit on the Hot 100? – Answer next time!  

Share Gaylon! Go!