Briefly. (Up late watching hokey last night)
I just had my annual physical. The doctor said, “Don’t eat anything fatty.” I said, “Like bacon and burgers?” He said, “No fatty, don’t eat anything!”
Trivia #1: On February 21, 1887, which US state became the first to make Labor Day a holiday? – California, Oregon, South Dakota, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Georgia
Trivia #2: In terms of MLB MVP awards by team, which of the following teams is not in the top five, number of players who have won the MVP award? – Giants, Yankees, Red Sox, A’s, Dodgers, Cardinals
Trivia #3: Which NHL team was the only one without a representative playing in the Nations Face-Off?
Stop complaining: The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has been tracking a measles outbreak in the South Plains region of the state. The agency first confirmed the outbreak on Feb. 5, and it has since been growing. A Tuesday update stated that 58 cases have been identified within the last three weeks as symptoms occurred. Only four are confirmed vaccinated. The rise in cases comes more than two decades after health agencies reported that the disease was “eliminated” in 2000. Said one doctor, “There is a 90% chance you will get it if you are unvaccinated and step into a room where someone with measles was two hours before.”
On this date: February 21, 1804, The world’s first steam locomotive, built by Richard Trevithick, runs for the first time along the tramway of the Penydarren Ironworks in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales
February 21, 1842, 1st known sewing machine patented in US by John Greenough of Washington, D.C.
February 21, 1965, Civil rights activist and Muslim minister Malcolm X is shot dead by Nation of Islam followers at Audubon Ballroom in New York City
February 21, 1980, American speed skater Eric Heiden wins 1,500m in Olympic record 1:55.44; 4th of record 5 gold medal sweep of events at Lake Placid
Go away: Boy, do I have a list…
The Red Sox play today…
Why is ‘AAA’ called Triple A, but AARP is A-A-R-P and not Double A-R-P? And why is ‘AA’ called ‘AA’ and not Double A? F*ckin-A, this stuff actually makes me think!
This week’s sign of the apocalypse: In 2008, American Airlines became the first major U.S. carrier to charge for checked bags, introducing a $15 fee as part of a cost-cutting measure. Since then, other airlines have adopted similar fees, with prices steadily increasing over the years. Now, a new debate has emerged about whether airlines should charge passengers based on their weight to help reduce fuel consumption and lower emissions.
Well, the NBA is at the break and the Celtics stand in 2nd place in the East, 5.5 games back behind Cleveland. They are 39-16, but an alarming 17-10 at home. They continue to be a work-in-progress.
Meanwhile, the Bruins are in 6th place in the 1atlantic division, 11 points behind the leading Panthers. They have work to do.
Good news: Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis analyzed how long 282 Alzheimer’s patients were able to continue living independently after taking two specific treatments: lecanemab (Leqembi) and donanemab (Kisunla). Both FDA-approved medications are designed to remove amyloid beta plaques from the brains of people with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, potentially slowing the rate of cognitive decline. On average, a patient with mild symptoms could expect to live independently for another 29 months without treatment, 39 months with lecanemab and 37 months with donanemab.
Not-so-good-news: Adenocarcinoma — which starts in the cells lining the air sacs in the lungs — is the most common type of lung cancer among people who have never smoked, comprising up to 50% of diagnoses in that group. Air pollution was cited as a key driver of this type of lung cancer, with the highest levels reported in East Asia, particularly China. Worldwide, adenocarcinoma made up more than 45% of lung cancer cases in males and nearly 60% of female cases.
Article I’ll skip: The coffee connoisseur’s guide to the top coffee pots for every type of coffee drinker. – Puh-lease!
4 Nations Face-Off. What a great idea for a mid-February world competition. Some great games, including last night’s OT win for Canada over the USA.
(Speaking of the 4 Nations Face-Off) They said it: “They should not be booing the Americans during that anthem. They have nothing to do with the political things that are going on. I do feel bad for those guys in that moment. I don’t think it’s right.” Canadien Bard Marchand in response to the Canadien fans during the opening game of Canada vs. USA. (There sounded as though there may have been boos early on during last night’s Canadian national anthem at the Garden but, if there were any, they were silenced quickly during a stellar rendition.
“Somewhere, Don Cherry is smiling.” Former Montreal Canadien and NHL color commentor, PJ Suban, after the three fights within the first 9 seconds of the first Canada/USA game.
My favorite actor nowadays is the buffalo from the Buffalo Wild Wings commercials.
Electric-truck maker Nikola Corp. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Wednesday after the company failed to overcome market and macroeconomic challenges. I truly believe we will all be driving electronic vehicles… very soon after we convert to metric system.
Slippery slope: A mother is speaking out after she says her 12-year-old daughter was denied a place on the heart transplant list at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital because of her vaccination status. “The doctors at Cincinnati Children’s were talking with us and told us that one of the requirements [for being] put on the list is to have the COVID vaccination and the flu vaccination,” Deal said. “That is against everything we believe in.” The family said they asked for a religious exemption, but the hospital declined – citing its transplant policy.
Truth does not mind being questioned. A lie does not like being challenged.
Trivia #1 answer: On February 21, 1887, which US state became the first to make Labor Day a holiday? – California, Oregon, South Dakota, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Georgia – Oregon was the first
Trivia #2 answer: In terms of MLB MVP awards by team, which of the following teams is not in the top five, number of players who have won the MVP award? – Giants, Yankees, Red Sox, A’s, Dodgers, Cardinals – Yankees (24), Cardinals (21), Dodgers (15), Giants (14), A’s (13), and the Red Sox are #6 with 12.
Trivia #3: Which NHL team was the only one without a representative playing in the Nations Face-Off? – The Metropolitan Division-leading Washington Capitals, second in the NHL in points.
Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.
Be careful out there. (It’s a jungle!) Like a midget at a urinal, stay on your toes!
Happy National Sticky Bun Day!
“Every day I work so hard bringing home my hard earned pay
Try to love you, baby, but you push me away
Don’t know where you’re going, only know just where you’ve been
Sweet little baby, I want you again”
– Led Zeppelin (Dazed and Confused)
Ed's Head On Friday 