Briefly. (I enjoyed, as always, the NFL draft last night. I did not enjoy the Bruins or Red Sox games. I’m a little tired this morning…)
I remember the first year we were married. One rainy Saturday, our afternoon, outdoor plans were canceled. I asked my wife what she was going to do all afternoon. She said she wanted to restuff some decorative pillows. She sent me to the fabric store to buy some cotton batting. I went out and drove right past the fabric store and went to the Club and drank beer all afternoon… Gone, but not for cotton.
Trivia #1: Who is Vincent Damon Furnier?
Trivia #2: The Red Sox Aroldis Chapman is third all-time in strikeouts by a relief pitcher. Which of the following are first and second? – Billy Wagner, Rich Gossage, Craig Kimbrel, Hoyt Wilhelm, Jesse Orosco, Kenley Jansen, Mariano Rivera, Bob Montgomery
Trivia #3: What team was involved in the only two, Stanley Cup Game 7’s that went to overtime? – New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Newburyport Clippers
Trivia #4: Which NBA player was the first to win two NBA Finals MVP awards? – Michael Jordan, Willis Reed, Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry West, Mike Marcoux
On this date: April 24, 1459, Fra Mauro completes his Map of the World in Venice for King Alfonso V of Portugal – largest known world map from Medieval Europe and the first to show Africa as a free-standing continent
April 24, 1704, First continuously published newspaper in America, The Boston News-Letter, is published in Boston by John Campbell
April 24, 1908, Mr. & Mrs. Jacob Murdock and their children depart Los Angeles in a Packard Thirty, endeavoring to become 1st family to travel across United States by car; arrive in NYC 32 days, 5 hours and 25 minutes later
April 24, 1956, AL umpire Frank Umont is 1st to wear glasses in a regular season game
April 24, 1979, US State of Georgia designates Ray Charles’ rendition of “Georgia On My Mind” (written by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell) as official state song
April 24, 2018, Streaming music services overtake worldwide sales of CDs and vinyl for the first time
It’s one of those years, a great time to be a Boston sports fan.
I’ll only comment on Mike Vrabel briefly. I really can’t be bothered with this crap. I will say I believe he is finished as the coach of the New England Patriots. D-U-N
Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: The United States faces a growing wildfire threat in the coming months, with fires in 2026 forecast to burn between 5.5 and 8 million acres across the country. – Now, that’s a tragic prediction, I get it, but it’s also a pretty ridiculous disparity (5.5-8). Useless, I say.
Article I’ll skip: Scott Baio admits producers wanted him gone from ‘Happy Days’ for not doing his job
This week’s sign of the apocalypse: At a Beijing half marathon trial, a humanoid robot went down hard right before the start line, literally breaking apart. The robot tripped on the elevated, protective mat used to hide wires that were running across the street. The robot face-planted before kicking its legs around as pieces flew.
Good news: Billionaire Michael Dell and his wife, Susan Dell, have become the first donors to give more than $1 billion to the University of Texas at Austin, funding a massive new medical research campus and hospital system powered by artificial intelligence. The couple’s latest investment includes a $750 million gift to help build the UT Dell Medical Center, a planned “AI-native” hospital expected to open in 2030 as part of a more than 300-acre advanced research campus.
Don’t be that guy! Don’t litter… anything… at all!
Trivia #1 answer: Who is Vincent Damon Furnier? – Alice Cooper
Trivia #2 answer: The Red Sox Aroldis Chapman is third all-time in strikeouts by a relief pitcher. Which of the following are first and second? – Billy Wagner, Rich Gossage, Craig Kimbrel, Hoyt Wilhelm, Jesse Orosco, Kenley Jansen, Mariano Rivera, Bob Montgomery – Rich Gossage (2nd), Hoyt Wilhelm (1st)
Trivia #3 answer: What team was involved in the only two, Stanley Cup Game 7’s that went to overtime? – New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Newburyport Clippers – The Detroit Red Wings (1950 & 1954)
Trivia #4 answer: Which NBA player was the first to win two NBA Finals MVP awards? – Michael Jordan, Willis Reed, Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry West, Mike Marcoux – Willis Reed
Never discuss infinity with a mathematician, they can go on about it forever.
Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.
Be careful out there. (It’s a jungle!)
Happy National Pigs-in-a-Blanket Day! (And ‘Happy Birthday’ to brother, Paul! The last day of the year we are the same age.)
“Other arms reach out to me
Other eyes smile tenderly
Still in peaceful dreams I see
The road leads back to you
I said Georgia, oh Georgia
No peace I find (peace I find)
Just an old sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind (Georgia on my mind)”
Ray Charles (Georgia On My Mind)
The following was sent to me and has to be shared as a bonus. It’s a little long and may be a little much for some of you. I mean, Neil appears outright angry!
Ed's Head On Friday 