The Daily Dose/Sunday, July 11, 2021
The Daily Dose/July 11, 2021
By Gaylon Kent
America’s Funniest Guy
The Sunday Bottom 5
A ranking of some things.
1. Rose Bowl – With College Football Playoff (CFP) inevitably expanding, venerable American institution on its last legs as only options appear to be play ball with CFP or continue Pac-12/Big Ten New Year’s Day tradition with second-place teams…Either way, it will probably be a historically inevitable sayonara to the Granddaddy of Them All.
2. Donald Trump – You would think two impeachments and an indictment of his company (though not him personally) would be enough shame to shut former president up, but need for attention so great he’s back on the campaign trail, showing he still has nothing to offer anyone except hatred and ignorance.
3. Lauren Daigle – The 3-hole staple is back at #1 on Billboard’s Hot Christian Singles chart, though with latest single Hold On To Me as You Say holds down #3 spot after 130 non-consecutive weeks at #1, a Billboard all-chart record…Envious, desperate Morman Tabernacle Choir considering taking out contract on Daigle to open up space for them at top of Hot Christian Singles chart.
4. Donald Trump Supporters – Former president remains a lying sexual predator who believes the moon is part of Mars…And that the Revolution was won by the securing of British airports…Sunday Bottom 5 pollsters remain “pretty sure” asking Trump supporters which of these elements continues to solidify their support still reasonable question.
5. USA Basketball – First, country that invented game unable to rustle up three guys who can beat Holland in qualifying for inaugural 3-on-3 Olympic tournament, now real 5-on-5 team falls to dreaded Nigeria in Olympic tune-up, its first loss ever to an African team…Sunday Bottom 5 pollsters “pretty sure” they’re going to double down outstanding bar tab balance on Iran in key Olympic pool play game.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
Q: Is it Read Free Sunday (RFS) at The Diary?
A: Of course it is. Go, read it now.
The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow’s not impressed by hot air balloons. Today’s Diary.
…that infernal balloon rodeo is in town…This may sound exciting but it’ not because it’s not as if there are balloon races or balloon rides or anything else fun to do…There’s not, there’s just a bunch of balloons taking off and flying around for a while…It’s kinda like ski jumping…Wow the first time you see it in person, moderately interesting the second and third times and well, that was nice a few minutes later.
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On This Date
The long march to today.
In 1798 – The United States Marine Corps is re-established by an act of Congress, in preparation for a war with France, known to History as the Quasi-War. The Corps had originally been founded in 1775 and was disbanded after the Revolution. The Marines became part of the Department of the Navy in 1834 and today has a strength of approximately 186,000 on active duty and 38,000 reserves.
In 1900 – Charlotte Cooper of Great Britain wins the women’s singles title at the 1900 Olympic Games in Paris, becoming both the first women’s singles Olympic champion and the first female individual champion in any Olympic sport. Cooper also won the mixed doubles title with Reginald Doherty and would also five Wimbledon titles between 1895-1908. Tennis was dropped as an Olympic sport after the 1924 Games and returned in 1988.
In 1992 – Sir Mix-a-Lot is at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 for the second of five consecutive weeks with Baby Got Back. The song also peaked at #27 on Billboard’s soul chart, at #56 in Great Britain and was Billboard’s second biggest song of the year. The song was Sir Mix-a-lot’s only Top 40 hit. The title refers to a woman’s backside and not someone retreating from a previously established, perhaps dangerous, position.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
He had meant to survive the war and he had survived. Now he must pay the price for this sensible caution and use his life properly.
Gore Vidal
Washington, D.C.
Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.
Billboard’s biggest song of the 1960s was also the #1 song on their 60th Anniversary Hot 100, The Twist by Chubby Checker, which went to #1 twice, in 1960 and 1961-62, for a total of three weeks. The song that spent the most weeks at #1 on the Hot 100 in the 1960s was Hey Jude by the Beatles (nine weeks).
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
Two players have won four Olympic tennis medals without winning a gold medal. Who are they? – Answer next time!
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The Diary of a Nobody/July 10
It’s Reaf Free Sunday at The Diary.
It’s Sparrow, an average man passing an average life…
Saturday, July 10
Amy was being chatted up by a couple of ruffians – attention she rather enjoys – when yours truly reported for duty, so it was up to yours truly to help the gent looking for a room when yours truly favored the world with his arrival at the front desk…The town is completely booked and the guy, a working man in town for a while – was looking for a room as soon as we could deliver one.
The Daily Dose/Saturday, July 10, 2021
The Daily Dose/July 10, 2021
By Gaylon Kent
America’s Funniest Guy
Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.
Leading Off is in time-out. It will return.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
The Diary of a Nobody – At the VSO, Sparrow makes some coffee. Today’s Diary.
…expectations for this pot were, frankly and officially, “Low” and it would not have been the Upset of the Year had this turned out to be something you could put in your car for better engine performance.
But it wasn’t…Heck, it was actually pretty good, and Ralph, a building inspector, had some and said it wasn’t the worst he’s ever had, either, so either it really was OK or Ralph and I have no taste buds whatsoever.
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Columns, books, shopping lists, click here to get in on the laughs.
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———
On This Date
The long march to today.
In 1553 – Lady Jane Gray is proclaimed Queen of England, four days after the death Edward VI. Jane was the great-granddaughter of King Henry VII and a cousin of Edward, who had named Jane his successor in his will. Popular support for Edward’s half-sister Mary Tudor led to Jane’s overthrow on the 19th and in August, Parliament declared Mary queen and Jane a usurper. Jane was executed the following February.
In 1999 – The United States defeats China 5-4 on penalty kicks in the championship game of the Women’s World Cup at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. The game had been scoreless after regulation and extra time and was the second of four World Cup wins for the US (1991, 2015, 2019). Brazil defeated Norway in the third place game and the tournament was the first to consist entirely of female officials.
In 1961 – Bobby Lewis is at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 for the first of seven consecutive weeks with Tossin’ and Turnin. The song was also in its second of ten consecutive weeks at #1 on Billboard’s soul chart and was Billboard’s biggest pop and soul hits of the Year. The song was also Billboard’s fourth biggest song of the decade and ranked 36th on the 60th Anniversary Hot 100 in 2018. It was the first of two Top 10 hits for Lewis and remains his only #1 appearance on either chart.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
No man’s knowledge here can go beyond his experience.
John Locke
Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.
Eight US presidents have died in office. Four (Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley, Kennedy) were assassinated and four (W.H. Harrison, Taylor, Harding, FDR) of natural causes.
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
What was Billboard’s biggest song of the 1960s? – Answer next time!
Go Gaylon! Visit Gaylon on Facebook here.
The Daily Dose/Friday, July 9, 2021
The Daily Dose/July 9, 2021
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 some notes from the day’s lawn mowing. Today’s Diary.
…that used to be one of the greenest parts of the lawn, but I suspect trimming the trees last year has taken its toll because it is not getting the shade it used to and is brown where it used to stay a lush green all season…That is also happening in Sector D, which runs against the alley…That tree got the equivalent of a crew cut and Sector D is, too, browner than ever.
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Click here for complimentary chapters of all of Gaylon’s books.
It’s easy reading on any device.
Columns, books, shopping lists, click here to get in on the laughs.
4Ever & Ever ($8.99) and monthly ($2.99) plans available.
———
On This Date
The long march to today.
In 1850 – President of the United States Zachary Taylor dies at the White House of a stomach ailment, perhaps caused by eating too much at a 4th of July celebration. Taylor was 65 and had been elected in 1848 following service as a general in the Mexican-American War and was succeeded by Vice President Millard Fillmore. Taylor was the second president to die in office, following William Henry Harrison in 1841.
In 1958 – New York Yankees manager Casey Stengel and his right fielder Mickey Mantle testify before in Washington, D.C. before a US Senate subcommittee investigating baseball’s antitrust exemption. Casey answers questions for 45 minutes, giving testimony that is often as confusing as it is rambling, with Mantle adding his “…views are just about the same…” The antitrust exemption, not enjoyed by any other sport, is still in force today.
In 1977 – Alan O’Day is at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the only week with Undercover Angel. The song also peaked at #1 in Canada, at #43 in Great Britain and was Billboard’s ninth biggest song of the year. It was the first of two chart singles for O’Day and remains his only Top 40 hit. In 1974, O’Day had written the #1 hit Angie Baby for Helen Reddy, at a time when writing #1 songs for yourself and someone else was a relatively rare feat.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
Marriage, the last refuge of men unable to fend for themselves.
Garrison Keillor
Leaving Home
Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.
The last year there was an All-Comers bracket and a Challenger Final at Wimbledon was 1921. Since 1922, defending champions have had to defend their title by playing their way through the main draw.
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
How many US presidents have died in office? – Answer next time!
Go Gaylon! Visit Gaylon on Facebook here.
The Daily Dose/Thursday, July 8, 2021
The Daily Dose/July 8, 2021
By Gaylon Kent
America’s Funniest Guy
Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.
CAPSULE BRASS ENSEMBLE CONCERT REVIEW: C Street Brass, The Granary, Hayden, Colorado: We don’t get out too much, but a concert a few blocks from our house – and at no cost to us – on a Wednesday evening was simply too convenient to pass up.
Dry, Technical, Matter: C Street Brass is a quintet founded in 2008 and currently based in Pittsburgh and this was their first performance since The Virus Era hit. Because we are such ignoramuses here, we recognized very little of the setlist. They did identify one song as being the third movement of something or another even zeroes like us recognized their rousing finale, Amazing Grace, but other than that IDing the number beforehand didn’t help too much.
In-Review Venue Critique: The granary, built in 1917, was long neglected before a locally prominent family bought and restored it in the Double Aughts. It could use a PA system and some spotlights, but otherwise was a nice place for a show. Naturally, it’s next to the railroad track, and a train, as if on cue, rolled past right as the last number began.
But We Digress: Here is the official Daily Dose rating scale: 1 – The very best; 2 – Very good; 3- Good; 4 – Average; 5 – Lousy
Final Rating: 2 – Very Good: Our ignorance of people blaring horns is boundless, so we really aren’t qualified to pass judgement on those who do this for a living. That’s not going to stop us from doing so, of course, but it does prevent us from giving either the highest or the lowest marks because we’re not qualified to issue them.
The Bottom Line: If C Street Brass is in your neighborhood, go see them. They not only put on a diverse musical show but like all great performers, they gave the impression there was no place they’d rather be than playing music for us and be it in a small town granary or Carnegie Hall, you can’t beat that.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow screws up. Today’s Diary.
While Mr J was at the desk waiting for me to find a room without anyone else in it, the real occupants of 108 called, curious as to what happened…I told him it was an Official Sparrow Screwup (OSS) and after a minute or so was even reduced to offering “every apology” a nice English phrase and brother, if ol’ Sparrow is going English on you something really got butchered…I even asked if I could take $50 off his bill and while this wasn’t the point of his call, he authorized it without even consulting his wife.
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Click here for complimentary chapters of all of Gaylon’s books.
It’s easy reading on any device.
Columns, books, shopping lists, click here to get in on the laughs.
4Ever & Ever ($8.99) and monthly ($2.99) plans available.
———
On This Date
The long march to today.
In 1099 – The Siege of Jerusalem begins as a religious procession of 15,000 reportedly starving Christians surround the city of Jerusalem. The siege ended on July 15, when the Christians entered the city, slaughtering a reportedly large though undetermined number of Muslims and Jews, which marked the end of the First Crusade. The First Crusade was ordered by Pope Urban II in 1095 and the Crusades would continue off and on until the early 13th century.
In 1905 – May Sutton of the United States becomes the first foreigner to win a Wimbledon title, defeating Briton Dorthea Douglas (later Dorthea Chambers) 6-3, 6-4 in the ladies singles championship. Sutton won seven matches in the All-Comers bracket before beating Douglas in the Challenge Final, the only match the defending champion Douglas was obliged to play. Sutton would win Wimbledon again in 1907 and in 1904 had won her first Grand Slam title when she won the US Open.
In 1950- Moon Mullican is at #1 on Billboard’s Best Sellers in Juke Boxes country chart – a predecessor to today’s country chart – for the fourth and final consecutive week with I’ll Sail My Ship Alone. It was the seventh country hit for Mullican and remains his only #1 song. The song also peaked at #17 on Billboard’s pop chart. Mullican was also an accomplished songwriter, whose work influenced later acts like Hank Williams, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
Life is a gamble. Stake it on yourself.
Deng Ming-Dao
Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.
The first governor of California was Peter Burnett, who served from 1849-51.
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
What year was the last Wimbledon tournament to have an All-Comers bracket and Challenge Final? – Answer next time!
Go Gaylon! Visit Gaylon on Facebook here.
The Daily Dose/Wednesday, July 7, 2021
The Daily Dose/July 7, 2021
By Gaylon Kent
America’s Funniest Guy
Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.
LEADING OFF, DRY, TECHNICAL MATTER: In today’s popular On This Date feature, Anita Ward’s #1 song from 1979 Ring My Bell is featured. With typical thoroughness, it’s noted Ring My Bell was her only Top 40 hit and only her follow-up peaking at #87 kept her from being an ultimate one-hit wonder on the Hot 100: an act whose only Hot 100 entry hits #1.
Oh, Jesus H: Ms. Ward misses out on membership in a rather exclusive club because the list of one-hit wonders is not long. Last February – when we last updated you on this vital topic – there had been 15 ultimate one-hit wonders. It hasn’t changed, either, as everyone who has hit #1 on the Hot 100 since has had either previous and/or following Hot 100 hits.
Wow, Dry, Technical Matter: Now, it should be noted the list only includes acts who’ve appeared on the Hot 100, which debuted in August 1958. Before that, Billboard issued assorted pop charts and for many years these had fewer than 100 positions and a one-hit-wonder on those charts doesn’t really have the statistical significance as being a Hot 100 one-hit-wonder does.
Please Pass The Dry, Technical Matter: Seven of the ultimate one-hit wonders have come this century. The first was The Elegants, who hit #1 in 1958 with Little Star while the biggest song by a one-hit wonder was In The Year 2525 by Zager and Evans, which spent six weeks at the top.
The Dry, Technical Bottom Line: The staff here at On This Date knows you’re busy and may not have the time required to keep track of every goddamned one-hit wonder. You can count on us to do that for you. We’re here to help.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow spills coffee on the scratch paper. Today’s Diary.
The coffee cup was off to the left, almost touching both the scratch paper pile (SPP) and that metal desk organizer deal and yours truly was reaching for something or another and somehow the coffee cup was backhanded…
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Click here for complimentary chapters of all of Gaylon’s books.
It’s easy reading on any device.
Columns, books, shopping lists, click here to get in on the laughs.
4Ever & Ever ($8.99) and monthly ($2.99) plans available.
———
On This Date
The long march to today.
In 1846 – In the Mexican-American War, the Conquest of California begins when US troops occupy Monterey and two days later taking Yerba Buena – present day San Francisco – both without firing a single shot. Hostilities in California would end the following January, the war itself in February 1848 and California would be admitted to the Union in 1950.
In 1931 – The Chicago White Sox and the St Louis Browns establish a new major league record for the longest game without a strikeout in a 10-8, 12-inning Chicago victory. The game featured five pitchers, seven walks, 103 combined plate appearances and 93 at-bats. Research into whose record the teams broke was inconclusive and the record still stands.
In 1979 – Anita Ward is at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 for the second and final consecutive week with Ring My Bell. Despite Ward not particularly liking the song, it went to #1 in four other countries, including Norway and Great Britain, peaked at #1 on Billboard’s soul chart and was Billboard’s ninth biggest song of the year. It remains Ward’s only Top 40 hit and only a #87 hit later in the year prevented Ward from being an ultimate one-hit wonder, an artist whose only chart single goes to #1.
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
Regards Voltaire
Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.
Phil Collins’ biggest hit on BillBoard’s soul chart was Easy Lover, a duet with Philip Bailey, which peaked at #3 in 1985.
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
Who was the first California governor after it achieved statehood? – Answer next time!
Go Gaylon! Visit Gaylon on Facebook here.