Author: fasted86

Friday, February 6, 2026

by fasted86

Briefly.

I saw a man with one arm shopping at a second-hand store. I don’t think he’s gonna find what he’s looking for.

Trivia #1: In finance, what is a word for rapid fluctuation in the prices of stocks or shares?
Trivia #2: On February 6, 2005, the New England Patriots defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21 in Super Bowl XXXIX. Who was the MVP of the game?
Trivia #3: Who is Elis Lundholm?
Trivia #4: What two of the following teams are tied for most Super Bowl losses (5)? – New England, Buffalo, Minnesota, Denver, Kansas City, Washington, Pittsburgh

Sorry I missed your call. I watched it ring and everything.

On this date: February 6, 337, St Julius I begins his reign as Catholic Pope
February 6, 1865, General Robert E. Lee is appointed General-in-Chief of the Confederate Armies during the US Civil War
February 6, 1882, The society of the Knights of Columbus forms in New Haven, Connecticut
February 6, 1935, Board game Monopoly goes on sale for the first time
February 6, 1958, Future Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder Ted Williams becomes highest paid player in MLB when he re-signs with Boston Red Sox for $135,000
February 6, 1971, American astronaut Alan Shepard is the first to hit a golf ball on the Moon
February 6, 1982, “Centerfold” by J. Geils Band hits #1 on pop chart
February 6, 2014, Jay Leno hosts “The Tonight Show” for the final time (NBC)

Go away: NFL HOF voters

When asked if he saw his shadow, the Italian groundhog said, “I didn’t see nuthin’!”

Stop complaining: Oh, what the hell, go ahead and complain. The Boston area has seen 19 consecutive days with below average temperatures, with no end in sight.

Don’t be that guy. If the sign reads “yield,” WELL THEN YIELD!

Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: Drake Maye’s first three playoff starts stack up surprisingly well next to Tom Brady’s.

DYK: In his last 35 appearances, Scottie Scheffler has won 14 titles. That’s a 40% win rate right there. If that wasn’t enough, he has also finished within the top-10 sixteen times during this period. That has also included three runner-up finishes and two third-place finishes in a total of twenty-three top-5s. Incredible.

Is it too late in the season for the Seattle Seahawks to trade for Pete Carroll?

Speaking of the Super Bowl, since my team is playing, I love the hype!

I’ll give the NBA credit. When it comes to the trade deadline, they move!

Article I’ll skip: Actually, I couldn’t help myself. I did read; “13 Amazon must-haves for an unforgettable Super Bowl party.” My bad. I mean “football-shaped paper plates!” Shit, I guess you can’t have a party without those!!!

They said it: “Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” – Legendary football coach, Lou Holtz

Lesser-known Knights of the Round Table. The knight who performed in three rings: Sir Cus

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: The San Francisco 49ers have been riddled with injuries in recent years, and there is a theory about why. A viral theory, albeit unproven, says the 49ers’ unusually high number of soft tissue and non-contact injuries might be due to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from a big electrical substation next to their practice fields and Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. The claim is that being around it for years could weaken tendons and soft tissue, leading to more ACL tears, Achilles injuries, hamstring pulls and similar issues.

Trivia #1 answer: In finance, what is a word for rapid fluctuation in the prices of stocks or shares? – Whipsaw
Trivia #2 answer: On February 6, 2005, the New England Patriots defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21 in Super Bowl XXXIX. Who was the MVP of the game? – Deion Branch
Trivia #3 answer: Who is Elis Lundholm? – Swedish skier Elis Lundholm will make history as the first, and only, openly transgender athlete to compete in the Winter Olympics.
Trivia #4 answer: What two of the following teams are tied for most Super Bowl losses (5)? – New England, Buffalo, Minnesota, Denver, Kansas City, Washington, Pittsburgh – New England and Denver

Patriots – 26, Seahawks – 24 (Yes, I have 6,4 in a pool)

If you’ve never had a bad time in your life, just keep living…

Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.

Be careful out there. (It’s a jungle!)

Happy National Bubble Gum Day!

“Well you’re slim and you’re weak
You’ve got the teeth
Of the Hydra upon you
You’re dirty sweet
And you’re my girl

Get It On
Bang a gong
Get It On”

T. Rex (Band a Gong (Get It On))

Friday, January 30, 2026

by fasted86

Briefly.

Old age is a thing… last night I was in bed for 10 minutes when I heard the pizza guy cough. Then I remembered I came to my room to get my wallet.

Trivia #1: What are pyroclasts?
Trivia #2: From 1987 through 1993, the San Francisco 49ers had 5 Offensive Players of the Year (4 different players). Name them and, which one won it twice?
Trivia #3: Following Washington’s 38-9 loss to the Raiders in Super Bowl XVIII, the NFC won how many consecutive Super Bowls? – 1, 7, 11. 13. 15. 19, 34

The word “queue” is ironic. It’s just a ‘Q’ with a bunch of silent letters waiting in line.

On this date: January 30, 1018, The Holy Roman Empire and Poland conclude the Peace of Bautzen
January 30, 1487, Bell chimes invented
January 30, 1698, English pirate William Kidd takes his greatest prize, the Indian merchant ship Quedagh Merchant, upsetting English trade and causing a global manhunt
January 30, 1835, Richard Lawrence misfires at President Andrew Jackson in Washington, D.C. in 1st attempted assassination of a US President (A real marksman, that Lawrence!)
January 30, 1933, “Lone Ranger” begins a 21-year run on ABC radio
January 30, 1948, Mahatma Gandhi is assassinated in the garden of the New Delhi home he is visiting by Hindu extremist Nathuram Godse
January 30, 1952, American mathematician D.H. Lehmer and computer programmer R. M. Robinson verify 2^521-1 and 2^607-1 as Mersenne-prime numbers, using U.S. National Bureau of Standards Western Automatic Computer (SWAC) at the Institute for Numerical Analysis at the University of California, Los Angeles – Wait… what?
January 30, 1962, 2 members of Flying Wallendas’ high-wire act killed when their 7-person pyramid collapsed during a performance in Detroit – DOH!
January 30, 1962, Laughter epidemic begins at a girls’ mission school in Kashasha, Tanganyika, goes on to affect 14 schools and over 1000 people
January 30, 1972, Bloody Sunday: 27 unarmed civilians are shot (14 are killed) by the British Army during a civil rights march in Derry, Northern Ireland; the highest death toll from a single shooting incident during ‘The Troubles’
January 30, 1975, Erno Rubik applies for a patent for his “Magic Cube” invention, later to be known as a Rubik’s cube

Busy day January 30, I know. I got carried away.

Colorectal cancer is now officially the leading cause of cancer-related death among men and women 50 and younger, a significant increase from the 1990’s, when it was the fifth deadliest. As a friend of mine, and some of yours, once preached, “Get your butt checked!”

Go away: Tony Romo, NFL color analyst. Your time has passed.

Stop complaining: Just stop. We live in New England… You know who you are.

Headline of the week: PETA proposes a “reveal cake” for Groundhog Day in place of Punxsutawney Phil.

Don’t be that guy. Don’t live in New England and complain about the cold weather all winter long.

Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: Drake Maye has a sore shoulder 11 days before the Super Bowl.

Article I’ll skip: Timberwolves players release statement addressing ‘recent tragic events’ involving ICE in Minneapolis – Ya, with everything going on out there I want to know what NBA players have to say.

They said it: Jack Nicklaus turned 86 on January 21. Gary Player penned a short but emotional note to honor his rival and friend. “The gift of friendship with your greatest rival, Happy Birthday Jack. The greatest gentleman the game has ever known.”

Speaking of golf, since its creation in 2021, LIV Golf Ltd. has accumulated losses exceeding $1.1 billion. However, LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil says they’ve added half a billion dollars in sponsorship in the last 10 months, and that’s nowhere near where they’ll be in a year from now. My thought, with players jumping ship and returning to the PGA, will LIV continue to get those massive sponsorships???

Speaking of golf (in January… with temperatures up north continually in the teens and twenties), PGA tour pros log roughly 90 airborne hours and 37,000 miles versus LIV’s 218.5 hours and 102,105 miles every season.

Winning the lottery, you’re doing it wrong. John Eric Spiby, 80, who used his 2010 lottery winnings to run a drug empire from his cottage alongside his son and two accomplices, was sentenced to 16 years in prison in England after an investigation uncovered counterfeit pills worth up to $400 million. His son, John Colin Spiby, 37, was sentenced to nine years.

Lesser-known Knights of the Round Table. The knight who overcame obstacles: Sir Mount

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: Lake-effect snow will be less robust as some lakes are freezing over, such as Lake Erie, and cutting off the moisture supply for the snow bands heavier snow squalls. (How’s that global warming going?)

You’re not a parent until you’ve secretly wished your child’s sports team does bad in a tournament so you can go home early.

Trivia #1 answer: What are pyroclasts? – Rock fragments, crystals, or volcanic glass ejected during explosive volcanic eruptions.
Trivia #2 answer: From 1987 through 1993, the San Francisco 49ers had 5 Offensive Players of the Year (4 different players). Name them and, which one won it twice? – Jerry Rice (1987, 1993), Roger Craig (1988), Joe Montana (1989), Steve Young (1992)
Trivia #3 answer: Following Washington’s 38-9 loss to the Raiders in Super Bowl XVIII, the NFC won how many consecutive Super Bowls? – 1, 7, 11, 13, 15, 19, 34 – They then won 13 consecutive Super Bowls

There are no atheists in foxholes.

Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.

Be careful out there. (It’s a jungle!)

Happy National Fun at Work Day! – (Unless, of course, your job sucks)

I wonder if my recorded call has ever been used for training or quality purposes.

Come on downtown this afternoon as I’ll be serving ‘em up! It’s not too early to talk too much about the Super Bowl.

Less than 8 weeks until St. Patrick’s Day. Cheers!

Friday, January 23, 2026

by fasted86

Briefly.

Many years ago, cowboys would hang a lantern on their saddles at night so they could find the trail when they were far from home. This was early Saddle Light Navigation.

Trivia #1: Which one of the following was NOT in the inaugural class of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees on January 23, 1986 – Buddy Holly, John Hammond, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Muddy Waters, Elvis Presley, Ray Charles
Trivia #2: In what city was the first MLB game played under the lights? – Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Detroit, New York, Cincinnati
Trivia #3: Who is Ben DiNucci?

What do you call a magician who has lost his magic? Ian.

On this date: January 23, 393, Roman Emperor Theododius I proclaims his nine year old son Honorius co-emperor
January 23, 1368, In a coronation ceremony, Zhu Yuanzhang, aged 40, ascends to the throne of China as the Hongwu Emperor, initiating Ming Dynasty rule over China that lasts for three centuries
January 23, 1556, Shaanxi Earthquake, the deadliest ever recorded, kills 830,000 in Shaanxi Province, China
January 23, 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell becomes the first woman in the US to earn a medical degree, graduating from New York’s Geneva Medical College
January 23, 1943, Duke Ellington plays at Carnegie Hall in New York City for the first time
January 23, 1957, Wham-O Company acquires rights to the “Pluto Platter” plastic flying disc toy from inventor Walter Frederick Morrison; they rename it “Frisbee” in 1958 as a nod to the Frisbie Pie Company, whose empty tins were tossed by Yale University students (including Morrison) in the 1930s
January 23, 2016, 8 museum workers from Egyptian Museum, Cairo referred for prosecution for reattaching Tutankhamun’s beard with inappropriate glue

Go away: Rules Experts. I mean. Who are these buffoons?

Stop complaining: Unless you were scheduled on one of the nearly 1,300 flights canceled across the country through Saturday, as a sprawling winter storm that is set to blast more than 40 states from Arizona to Maine, makes its way across the U.S. Thousands of more flights are expected to be canceled into early next week. 

Don’t be that guy. Don’t make a Super Bowl prediction one week only to get it incorrect, then make a new prediction the following week.

Well, last week I said “Patriots/49ers Super Bowl.” This week?  Patriots/Seahawks.

DYK: Last Sunday’s Patriots/Broncos game (the AFC divisional round playoff game) was the most-watched event in ESPN history! That dates back to when ESPN started televising NFL games in 1987.

Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: Both NFL conference championship games feature a coach Sean vs. a coach Mike.

Article I’ll skip: Hoosier QB’s comments on love life resurface after national championship win.

Lesser-known Knights of the Round Table. The knight who showed up unexpectedly: Sir Prize

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: An Oklahoma teenager is behind bars after allegedly calling 911 to tell authorities he stabbed his brother to death after becoming “enraged” over a video game. Oklahoma City police were called to the scene of a domestic stabbing. When they arrived, officers learned two brothers, 19-year-old William Spencer and 25-year-old Nicholas Spencer, were reportedly playing video games when William Spencer became angry and allegedly stabbed his brother. 

Abducting a woman, you’re doing it wrong. Police have ruled a Florida man’s actions self-defense after he shot a felon who allegedly attempted to abduct his wife. Nicholas Palomo, a 36-year-old felon who had previously gone to prison for kidnapping and other crimes, attempted to abduct a woman who was walking her dog in Bradenton, Florida, on New Year’s Day. The woman managed to run away from Palomo’s car and warned her husband, who went outside to confront Palomo. Palomo began acting in a threatening way before advancing towards the husband. That’s when he allegedly opened fire on Palomo.

Chess teaches us about life: Only the female piece can do whatever she likes.

Trivia #1 answer: Which one of the following was NOT in the inaugural class of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees on January 23, 1986 – Buddy Holly, John Hammond, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Muddy Waters, Elvis Presley, Ray Charles – Muddy Waters had to wait until 1987
Trivia #2 answer: In what city was the first MLB game played under the lights? – Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Detroit, New York, Cincinnati – In a game where the Cincinnati Reds beat the Philadelphia Phillies at Crosley Field in Cincinnati
Trivia #3 answer: Who is Ben DiNucci? – Ben was signed to the Denver Broncos practice squad a few days ago and will serve as the team’s third-string quarterback on Sunday vs. the Patriots

There are no atheists in foxholes.

Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.

Be careful out there. (It’s a jungle!)

Happy National Pie Day! (As opposed to ‘Pi’ Day on March 14)

It’s a wonderful life.

“You must take the A train
To go to Sugar Hill way up in Harlem

If you miss the A train
You’ll find you missed the quickest way to Harlem

Hurry, get on, now it’s coming
Listen to those rails a-humming

All aboard, get on the A train
Soon you will be on Sugar Hill in Harlem”

Duke Ellington (Take the A Train)

Friday, January 16, 2026

by fasted86

Briefly.

Autocorrect has become my worst enema.

Trivia #1: Speaking of Dick’s (see below), you know the yellow whiffleball bat and ball, sold together? How much are they currently going for? – $8.99, $9.49, $9.99, $10.49, $10.99, $11.99
Trivia #2: Who was the last player to be named All-American at two different positions in the same season? – Bronko Nagurski, Charles Woodson, Bo Jackson, Deion Sanders, Travis Hunter, Toney Pendleton
Trivia #3: How many cross-laces are on an NFL football – 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Instead of going to Starbucks, I make my own coffee, yell my name out incorrectly and then light a $5 bill on fire.

On this date: January 16, 27 BC, the title Augustus is bestowed upon Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus by the Roman Senate
January 16, 1492, the first grammar of a modern language, Spanish, is presented to Queen Isabella
January 16, 1688, Infamous sword duel between George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham and Francis Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury over Anna, Duchess of Shrewsbury and mistress of Buckingham. The Earl is mortally wounded.
January 16, 1868, Refrigerator car patented by William Davis, a fish dealer in Detroit
January 16, 1945, Adolf Hitler moves into the Fuhrerbunker, his underground bunker in Berlin, where he lives until his suicide April 30
January 16, 1985, “Playboy” announces the end of stapling centerfolds
January 16, 2016, First-ever flower grown in space: a zinnia aboard the International Space Station using NASA’s Veggie system

Go away: Mike Tomlin

Stop complaining: Unless you don’t like the cold weather but have to deal with it. Then go ahead, complain.

The month of January is half over.

Don’t be that guy. Mall food, it’s a thing. Stay away. Don’t do it!

Article I’ll skip: Kenny Chesley says he does “witchcraft stuff” in wellness confession

Lesser-known Knights of the Round Table. The knight who exceeded expectations: Sir Passed

My observation: Dick’s House of Sport (that’s correct, name change) has more mannequins than any other store, by far. They even have families of mannequins, and some move!

Patriots/49ers Super Bowl.

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: A college basketball point-shaving scheme involving more than 39 players on 17 NCAA Division I teams resulted in dozens of games in the previous two seasons being fixed by a gambling ring that included a former NBA player. Twenty of the 26 defendants played college basketball during the 2023-24 and/or 2024-25 seasons. Four of the players charged have played for their current teams in the past week. (Folks, wake up. This is likely happening in any sport, at any level, that you can wager on.)

What does it mean when holy water sizzles when it hits your skin? Asking for a friend…

Good news: Historically, parents were advised to avoid feeding peanuts to babies for the first few years of life, but emerging research has confirmed that introducing them sooner — as early as infancy — could help stave off food allergies. A 2025 study led by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia analyzed medical records from dozens of pediatric practices across the U.S., finding that early introduction of peanuts resulted in a 27% decrease in peanut allergy diagnoses among children and a 38% decrease in overall food allergies.

R.I.P. Bob Weir (78) – American musician and songwriter best known as a founding member of the Grateful Dead. During his career with the Grateful Dead, Weir played mostly rhythm guitar and sang many of the band’s rock & roll and country and western songs. In 1994, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Grateful Dead and in 2024, he was awarded Kennedy Center Honors. 

Trivia #1 answer: Speaking of Dick’s, you know the yellow whiffleball bat and ball, sold together? How much are they currently going for? – $8.99, $9.49, $9.99, $10.49, $10.99, $11.99 – The bat and ball are selling for $8.99
Trivia #2 answer: Who was the last player to be named All-American at two different positions in the same season? – Bronko Nagurski, Charles Woodson, Bo Jackson, Deion Sanders, Travis Hunter, Toney Pendleton – Bronko Nagurski in 1929 (fullback and tackle at the University of Minnesota)
Trivia #3 answer: How many cross-laces are on an NFL football – 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 – There are 8

There are no atheists in foxholes.

Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.

Be careful out there. (It’s a jungle!)

Happy National Fig Newton Day!

It’s a wonderful life.

“You imagine me sipping champagne from your boot
For a taste of your elegant pride
I may be going to hell in a bucket, babe
But at least I’m enjoying the ride
At least I’m enjoying the ride
At least I’m enjoying the ride”

The Grateful Dead (Hell in a Bucket)

Friday, January 9, 2026

by fasted86

Briefly.

I saw a guy going up a hill pushing a cart full of four-leaf clovers, horseshoes and rabbits’ feet and thought to myself; “Wow, that guy’s really pushing his luck.”

Trivia #1: On January 9, 1977, the Oakland Raiders beat the Minnesota Vikings 32-14 in Super Bowl XI. Who was the MVP? – Kenny Stabler, Cliff Branch, Fred Biletnikoff, Dave Casper, Mark van Eeghen, Phil Villipiano, Ted Hendricks
Trivia #2: How many NFL quarterbacks have had a regular season with >=4,200 passing yards, >=30 passing TD’s, >=400 rushing yards, >=4 rushing TD’s and a passer rating of 110 or greater? Name them
Trivia #3: What is the only NFL team with a left-facing logo? No hint!
Trivia #4: On the Periodic Table, what chemical element is represented by ‘V’?

Did you catch the ending to the Georgia/Ole Miss game on New Year’s Day? Sorry Scamp…

On this date: January 9, 475, Byzantine Emperor Zeno is forced to flee his capital at Constantinople
January 9, 1349, Black Death Massacre: 700 Jews of Basel Switzerland, are burnt to death in a specially constructed building on suspicion of poisoning the community during the Bubonic Plague; part of a wave of pogroms across Western Europe
January 9, 1493, Christopher Columbus mistakes manatees for mermaids, describing them as “not half as beautiful as they are painted”
January 9, 1861, A Union merchant ship, the Star of the West, is fired upon by cadets from the South Carolina Military Academy as it tries to deliver supplies to Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina; considered to be the first shots fired in US Civil War
January 9, 1880, The Great Gale of 1880 devastates parts of Oregon and Washington with high wind and heavy snow (6 feet of snow falls in Seattle in 5 days)
January 9, 1958, In basketball, Cincinnati’s Oscar Robertson scores 56 points, Seton Hall team scores 54
January 9, 1984, Rock band Van Halen release their most successful album “1984” (I don’t know, I still like their older stuff better)

Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: A NASA team using the Hubble Space Telescope found an object in space never recorded before, nicknamed “Cloud-9.” Cloud-9 is a starless, gas-rich, dark-matter cloud considered a “relic” or remnant of early galaxy formation.

Stop complaining. Unless you live in Juneau, Alaska. A record-snowy December in Juneau, Alaska, wreaked havoc across the city with the unusually-deep snow sinking boats and causing roofs to collapse. Residents say there’s nowhere to put the cleared snow. This week, snow is starting to pile up again, with rain on the way making the situation even more dire.

“I’ll show you!”… You’re doing it wrong. Crystal D. Randall was charged in connection with a fire that tore through an apartment complex after she allegedly burned her boyfriend’s clothing in a barbecue pit. The flames “heavily and irreparably damaged” 13 apartment units.

Don’t be that guy. Don’t cut me off and then wave like I did you a favor. Don’t do that!

Article I’ll skip: Woman faces multiple charges after ‘mermaid’ skinny-dipping incident turns violent.

Lesser-known Knights of the Round Table. The knight who was never killed in battle: Sir Vivor

The Celtics have been playing remarkably well lately and are currently 3rd in the East. The Bruins? Not so much.

But enough of that, it’s Wild Card Weekend! (With a CFP appetizer!)

Good news: Of the more than 50 types of robots developed by RobotLAB, there are some that are manufactured to enter burning buildings to protect firefighters.

Trivia #1 answer: On January 9, 1977, the Oakland Raiders beat the Minnesota Vikings 32-14 in Super Bowl XI. Who was the MVP? – Kenny Stabler, Cliff Branch, Fred Biletnikoff, Dave Casper, Mark van Eeghen, Phil Villipiano, Ted Hendricks – The MVP was Fred Biletnikoff
Trivia #2 answer: How many NFL quarterbacks have had a regular season with >=4,200 passing yards, >=30 passing TD’s, >=400 rushing yards, >=4 rushing TD’s and a passer rating of 110 or greater? Name them – There’s been just one – New England’s Drake Maye this past season
Trivia #3 answer: What is the only NFL team with a left-facing logo? No hint! – The Philadelphia Eagles
Trivia #4 answer: On the Periodic Table, what chemical element is represented by ‘V’? – Vanadium – It is a hard, silvery-grey, malleable transition metal. Wait… what?

Until they invented the other side of Velcro, it never really caught on.

Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.

Be careful out there. (It’s a jungle!)

Happy National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day!

It’s a wonderful life.

“I live my life like there’s no tomorrow
And all I’ve got I had to steal
Least I don’t need to beg or borrow
Yes, I’m living at a pace that kills

Runnin’ with the devil
Runnin’ with the devil”

OK, let’s slow it down a little, shall we?

Friday, January 2, 2026

by fasted86

Briefly. (Another year, another day, another extension of my personal record for consecutive days alive. Still going…) Seriously, I hope you all have a healthy, happy 2026!

Studies have shown that people who have more birthdays live longer than those who do not have as many.

Trivia #1: In the Super Bowl era, who are the only two coaches who’ve won over 180 games but have never coached in a Super Bowl game? – No hint
Trivia #2: Actor Burt Reynolds played sparingly for what college football program? – Florida State University, University of Florida, University of Miami, University of Texas, LSU, University of Alabama, Northern Essex
Trivia #3: On the Periodic Table, ‘Pb’ is the symbol for what?
Trivia #4: Samuel Adams announced the release of its Utopias 2025, a “barrel-aged extreme beer”. Banned in 15 states, what is the alcohol by volume (ABV) of the beer? – 5%, 10%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 80%
Trivia #5: On December 26, the University of Florida International Panthers beat the University of Texas at El Paso Roadrunners in the First Responder Bowl. What company is the lead sponsor of the First Responder Bowl?

On this date: January 2, 69, Roman Lower Rhine army proclaims its commander, Vitellius, Emperor
January 2, 1570, Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible begins his march to Novgorod
January 2, 1811, Timothy Pickering of Massachusetts becomes the first US Senator censured by the body for revealing confidential documents of President Thomas Jefferson
January 2, 1906, Willis Carrier receives a US patent for an “Apparatus for Treating Air,” the world’s first modern air conditioner
January 2, 1974, Speed limit of 55 mph is imposed by President Nixon
January 2, 1982, The “Epic in Miami,” played in 85°F heat, sees the San Diego Chargers defeat the Miami Dolphins 41-38 in overtime in the AFC Divisional Playoff, setting numerous playoff scoring records
January 2, 1985, Leg-spin bowler Bob “Dutchy” Holland takes 4/90 for match figures of 10/144 as Australia beats the West Indies by innings in 5th Test in Sydney; Windies take series, 3-1 – Wait… what?
January 2, 2018, WHO reveals it will classify gaming addiction as mental health condition in its next Classification of Diseases

Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: On January 2, 1960, John Reynolds set the age of the solar system at 4,950,000,000 years

Stop complaining. New Orleans Saints star wide receiver Chris Olave will not play in Week 18 after a blood clot was reportedly found in his lung. The blood clot was caught early, and Olave was expected to be discharged from a hospital Thursday. Olave has no prior history of blood clots and is expected to be sidelined for about a month. (You never know…)

“Can I have fries with that?” – You’re doing it wrong: A grandfather was killed just days before Christmas in what officials have described as a “freak accident” at a McDonald’s drive-thru in Nebraska. Michael Dickinson, 69, was crushed to death after he was pinned between his vehicle and the payment window. It appears the deceased opened the door to further reach out of the window for payment purposes.

Say what you will, but some of the mannequins at Macy’s are hot!

Jeez Ed, grow up.

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: OpenAI says it is taking stronger steps to protect teens using its chatbot. OpenAI’s updated Model Spec builds on existing safety limits and applies to teen users ages 13 to 17. It continues to block sexual content involving minors and discourages self-harm, delusions and manic behavior. For teens, the rules go further. The models must avoid immersive romantic roleplay, first-person intimacy, and violent or sexual roleplay, even when non-graphic. They must use extra caution when discussing body image and eating behaviors. When safety risks appear, the chatbot should prioritize protection over user autonomy. It should also avoid giving advice that helps teens hide risky behavior from caregivers. These limits apply even if a prompt is framed as fictional, historical, or educational. (You people with young children… good luck!)

This week’s sign of the apocalypse, part deux: The Iowa State University football program has lost more than 40 players to the transfer protocol. Let the madness stop!

Don’t be that guy. It’s a new year. Go see a doctor and get checked out, you stubborn bastard. If you don’t do it for yourself, do it for someone else.

Article I’ll skip: US reduces proposed duties on Italian pasta following dumpling investigation

History repeating: Both Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes suffered torn ACLs in their 9th NFL seasons. Both ACL injuries came the year after losing a Super Bowl, with both QBs already having won 3 Super Bowls prior to that.

Lesser-known Knights of the Round Table. The uncover knight: Sir Veillance

Celtics/Bruins – meh.

Good news: Scientists may have pinpointed a way to reverse Alzheimer’s disease in an animal study. The study, led by University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, found that restoring a central cellular energy molecule in mice’s brains reversed the markers of the disease, including brain changes and cognitive decline.

What’s the difference between a poorly dressed man on a bicycle and a well-dressed man on a unicycle? – Attire

Trivia #1 answer: In the Super Bowl era, who are the only two coaches who’ve won over 180 games but have never coached in a Super Bowl game? –  Marty Schottenheimer and Chuck Knox. Schottenheimer went 200-126-1 with four teams. Knox went 186-147-1 with three teams.
Trivia #2 answer: Actor Burt Reynolds played sparingly for what college football program? – Florida State University, University of Florida, University of Miami, University of Texas, LSU, University of Alabama, Northern Essex – Florida State University
Trivia #3 answer: On the Periodic Table, ‘Pb’ is the symbol for what? – Lead
Trivia #4 answer: Samuel Adams announced the release of its Utopias 2025, a “barrel-aged extreme beer”. Banned in 15 states, what is the alcohol by volume (ABV) of the beer? – 5%, 10%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 80% – The ABV is 30%
Trivia #5 answer: On December 26, the University of Florida International Panthers beat the University of Texas at El Paso Roadrunners in the First Responder Bowl. What company is the lead sponsor of the First Responder Bowl? – SERVPRO (I know one of you who got this!)

It’s been 6 months since I joined the gym and still no progress. I’m going there in person tomorrow to find out what’s really going on.

Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.

Be careful out there. (It’s a jungle!)

Happy National Cream Puff Day!

It’s a wonderful life.

“Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone
It’s not warm when she’s away
Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone
And she’s always gone too long
Anytime she goes away”

Bonus “pick me up!”

Friday, December 19, 2025

by fasted86

Briefly.

And just like that, Christmas is upon us. This time next week, it will be over with. Merry, Merry to you and yours.

I am no longer allowed to go caroling at the psych hospital. I guess “Do You Hear What I Hear” was a bad song choice.

Trivia #1: What country started the Christmas tree tradition? – The United States, Germany, France, Italy, Jordan, Ireland, Denmark, Lowell
Trivia #2: What is the first rule in the Code of Elves in the movie ‘Elf?’ – There’s room for everyone on the nice list; Pour plenty of whiskey in your eggnog; The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear; Don’t eat yellow snow; Treat every day like Christmas
Trivia #3: What country is known for lighting advent candles each Sunday of December? – The United States, Germany, France, Italy, Jordan, Ireland, Denmark, Lowell
Trivia #4: What is the Grinch’s dog’s name? – Rex, Rufus, Rock, Fido, Fifi, Doug, Frank, Max
Trivia #5:  In the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” how many presents are given in total? – None, 78, 144, 256, 364, 962

On this date: December 19, 324, Licinius abdicates his position as Roman Emperor.
December 19, 1686, Robinson Crusoe, Daniel Defoe’s fictional character, leaves his island after 28 years of being marooned (according to the famous novel)
December 19, 1843, “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens is published, 6,000 copies sold
December 19, 1904, Dawson City hockey team begins 9 day walk to get a boat to Seattle to catch a train to Ottawa to play in Stanley Cup on Jan 13 1905
December 19, 1918, Robert Ripley begins his “Believe It or Not” column (NY Globe)
December 19, 1958, First radio broadcast from space, US President Dwight D. Eisenhower sends a Christmas message “to all mankind, America’s wish for peace on Earth and goodwill to men everywhere”
December 19, 1971, CBS airs “Homecoming A Christmas Story” as a TV movie that evolves into long running series “The Waltons”
December 19, 2001, A record high barometric pressure of 1085.6 hPa (32.06 inHg) is recorded at Tosontsengel, Khövsgöl Province, Mongolia.
December 19, 2016, At least 48 people die after drinking bath lotion in Irkutsk, Siberia, thinking it contained alcohol

Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: December 19, 2001, a record high barometric pressure of 1085.6 hPa (32.06 inHg) is recorded at Tosontsengel, Khövsgöl Province, Mongolia.

The best part of writing this on Friday is that the Patriots loss to the Bills is behind us. We’re on to Baltimore.

Stop complaining… Unless you’re a Chiefs’ fan – hahaha!

Stop complaining, part deux: A massive coast-to-coast storm is charging across the country, packing hurricane-force wind gusts and will impact more than 30 states by the end of the week. This comes as more people hit the roads and head to airports, with the holidays quickly approaching. This powerful storm is approaching the Midwest after powerful wind gusts left hundreds of thousands of customers without power across the Pacific Northwest, Northern Plains and the Rockies.  

Go away: Brian Walshe

Don’t be that guy. Whether you like the gift or not, at least look as though you appreciate it.

He sees you when you’re drinking...

Article I’ll skip: Detransitioner Chloe Cole shares complications after gender procedures

Lesser-known Knights of the Round Table. The knight too big to sit at the table: Sir Round

If you didn’t get a Christmas card from us, don’t feel slighted. This is at least the second year in a row we haven’t sent them out. We still love you dearly tough.

Good news: It’s Christmas time!

My biggest fear is being trapped in a small room with Santa. I have Claustrophobia.

Trivia #1 answer: What country started the Christmas tree tradition? – The United States, Germany, France, Italy, Jordan, Ireland, Denmark, Lowell – The answer is Germany
Trivia #2 answer: What is the first rule in the Code of Elves in the movie ‘Elf?’ – There’s room for everyone on the nice list; Pour plenty of whiskey in your eggnog; The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear; Don’t eat yellow snow; Treat every day like Christmas – ‘Treat every day like Christmas’
Trivia #3 answer: What country is known for lighting advent candles each Sunday of December? – The United States, Germany, France, Italy, Jordan, Ireland, Denmark, Lowell – The answer is Germany
Trivia #4 answer: What is the Grinch’s dog’s name? – Rex, Rufus, Rock, Fido, Fifi, Doug, Frank, Max – It is ‘Max’
Trivia #5 answer: In the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” how many presents are given in total? – None, 78, 144, 256, 364, 962 – There are 364 presents, one for nearly every day of the year! This is because each verse adds all the previous presents together. 

Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.

Be careful out there. (It’s a jungle!)

Happy National Hard Candy Day!

Life’s too short to be miserable. Remember, it’s Christmas time.

Christmas bonus! (Sorry, no cash bonus here…)

If you know me, you know of my often sick, twisted, sometimes off-color sense of humor. If you don’t, then please excuse this.

Friday, December 12, 2025

by fasted86

Briefly.

I tripped over a box of Kleenex the other night. I thought I was really hurt but it turns out that it was just tissue damage.

Trivia #1: Derrick Henry became the fourth player in NFL history to have 1,000-plus rushing yards and 10-plus rushing touchdowns in at least seven seasons. Pick the other three. – LaDainian Tomlinson, Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith, Adrian Peterson, Tony Dorsett, Eric Dickerson, Edgerrin James
Trivia #2: The soft drink Dr. Pepper has how many flavors? – 1, 4, 9, 12, 18, 23, 30

Keep your expectations low and they’re easier to meet.

On this date: December 12, 627, Battle of Nineveh: Byzantine Emperor Heraclius defeats Sassanid forces during the Byzantine-Sassanid War
December 12, 1858, 1st Canadian coins circulated (1 cent, 5 cent, 10 cent & 20 cent)
December 12, 1901, Guglielmo Marconi receives the first wireless signal, the Morse code letter “S,” from England at a receiver on Signal Hill in Newfoundland
December 12, 1930, Baseball Rules Committee greatly revises the rule book; a ball bouncing into the stands is now a ground-rule double, not a home run
December 12, 1968, Rolling Stones film TV show “Rock and Roll Circus”- guest performers include The Who, Jethro Tull, Taj Mahal, Marianne Faithfull, and John Lennon and Yoko Ono; the program never airs
December 12, 1980, Apple makes its initial public offering on the US stock market; 38 years later, it becomes the first US company valued at over $1 trillion, first over $2 trillion two years after that, and first over $3 trillion three years after that
December 12, 1997, Red Sox sign Pedro Martinez to record 6 year $69 million contract. (How’d that work out?!)
December 12, 2024, Six-time Super Bowl winning coach Bill Belichick is introduced as next head coach at the University of North Carolina. (How’s that working out?)

Last season, Detroit’s James Wood led the National League by striking out 221 times and Washington’s Riley Greene led the AL with 201. During the entire decade of the 1990’s, San Diego’s Tony Gwynn struck out 188 times.

Stop complaining… Super Bowl champion running back Kevin Faulk suffered a tragic death in his family for the second time. The former New England Patriots and LSU star’s 30-year-old daughter, Tanasha Faulk, has died. She is the second daughter of the former football player who has died. Kevione Faulk died in 2021 at the age of 19. Sad.

Go away (again!): The NBA Cup (A useless ploy to attempt to get more viewers)

Don’t be that guy. Don’t order red wine in an Irish pub.

Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: The Seattle Seahawks’ kick returner Rashid Shaheed covered 121.81 yards of total distance on his 100-yard kickoff-return touchdown on Sunday, hitting a max speed of 20.80 mph.

Article I’ll skip: Food and drinks that you should skip when you’re sick, according to doctors.

Lesser-known Knights of the Round Table. The knight no one believed – Sir Real

Playing pickleball, you’re doing it wrong. CCTV footage (in Malaysia) shows a 32-year-old player leaping over a safety rail at a Kuala Lumpur pickleball facility to retrieve a ball. The video then shows him jumping onto mesh netting that covered an open gap, but it tore under his weight and he plunged three stories to his death.

Your Boston Bruins have won 6 of 7 and are tied for the top spot in the Atlantic Division, while your Boston Celtics have won 5 of 6 and are tied for 3rd in the Eastern Conference. And let’s not even mention the storming Patriots who have a humungous game on Sunday against the Bills.

Good news: Legislation was introduced last week to require airlines to provide passengers with cash compensation and free rebooking for hours long flight delays. Under the bill, dubbed the Flight Delay and Cancellation Compensation Act, airlines would need to pay passengers $300 if their flight is delayed by more than three hours and $600 if their flight is delayed by at least six hours.

Incorrectly is the only word, when spelled correctly, is still spelled incorrectly.

Trivia #1 answer: Derrick Henry became the fourth player in NFL history to have 1,000-plus rushing yards and 10-plus rushing touchdowns in at least seven seasons. Pick the other three. – LaDainian Tomlinson, Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith, Adrian Peterson, Tony Dorsett, Eric Dickerson, Edgerrin James – LaDainian Tomlinson (8), Emmitt Smith (7) and Adrian Peterson (7)
Trivia #2: The soft drink Dr. Pepper has how many flavors? – 1, 4, 9, 12, 18, 23, 30 – There are 23 flavors

Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.

Be careful out there. (It’s a jungle!)

Happy National Ding-a-Ling Day!

Come on down this afternoon and let me pour a drink or open a beer for you. It would be my pleasure. If you can’t make it, tomorrow morning I’ll be ringing the bell next to the Salvation Army bucket in front of Market Basket in Riverside Plaza. Come on by and say “hello” and make a donation… you cheap prick.

Life’s too short to be miserable.

“I get off on ’57 Chevys
I get off on screaming guitar
Like the way it gets me every time it hits me
I’ve got a rock and roll, I’ve got a rock and roll heart”

Eric Clapton (I’ve Got a Rock ‘N’ Roll Heart)

Bonus! Come on now, get in the spirit!

December 5, 2025

by fasted86

Briefly.

I accidently drank a bottle of invisible ink last night. Now I’m at the hospital… waiting to be seen.

Trivia #1: What was the first college football team to use numerals on their uniforms (1908)? – University of Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, Harvard, Yale, University of Chicago
Trivia #2: Who became the first former major league player to commit full-time to Banan Ball? – Jackie Bradley Jr., Johnny Damon, Kevn Pillar, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Matt Carpenter, Daniel Bard

So, you knew last Friday was Black Friday. Did you know it was also Brown Friday? The busiest day for plumbers in terms of emergency calls. Last year, emergency calls to plumbers were up 27%. We won’t get into the reasons…

On this date: December 5, 63 BC, Roman consul Cicero delivers the last of his famous Catiline Orations before the Senate on the fate of the Cataline conspirators
December 5, 1349, 500 Jews of the Free Imperial City of Nuremberg are massacred during Black Death riots, part of a wave of pogroms across Western Europe
December 5, 1792, George Washington re-elected as US President
December 5, 1848, US President James K. Polk triggers the Gold Rush of 1849 by confirming a gold discovery in California
December 5, 1933, Prohibition ends in the US at 5:32 PM EST when the 21st Amendment to the US Constitution is ratified, repealing the 18th Amendment
December 5, 1971, Ian Drury performs his first gig with Kilburn and the High Roads at Croydon School of Art
December 5, 1974, Final episode of Monty Python’s Flying Circus airs on BBC TV
December 5, 2008, Former NFL star OJ Simpson is sentenced to 33 years in prison for kidnapping and armed robbery
December 5, 2024, Mathematicians solve a 122-year-old puzzle known as “Dudeney’s dissection” on how to dissect an equilateral triangle into a square using the smallest number of pieces

Who doesn’t root for Peyton Pritchard?

Stop complaining… Unless you have tickets to an NFL game at the end of this season. 5 of the 32 games in week #17 have not yet been scheduled for either the specific day or time, and zero of the games for week #18 have been scheduled. Pack your bags? Not yet!

Don’t be that guy. Clear the snow off your vehicle. Not half-assed, clear it off!

Article I’ll skip: Could Schwarber go to another NL East team?

A mysterious vomiting disorder tied to long-term marijuana use is now formally recognized by global health officials, a move experts say could help save lives as cases surge nationwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) has formally added cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) to its diagnostic manual, giving the mysterious disorder a dedicated code for the first time. CHS is a dangerous and sometimes deadly syndrome that affects chronic cannabis users, causing severe nausea, repeated vomiting, abdominal pain, dehydration, weight loss and, in rare cases, heart rhythm problems, seizures, kidney failure and death. 

Lesser-known Knights of the Round Table. The undercover knight: Sir Veillance

Good news: None. It’s f’n cold out!

The Patriots have recorded 10 straight games with 23 or more points scored and 23 or fewer points allowed, the longest such streak in NFL history. The previous two teams to achieve such a streak for eight or more games went on to win the Super Bowl (1984 San Francisco 49ers) or an AFL/NFL Championship (1961 Houston Oilers). Just sayin’.

A contest was held to choose the best neckwear. It was a tie.

Trivia #1 answer: What was the first college football team to use numerals on their uniforms (1908)? – University of Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, Harvard, Yale, University of Chicago – The University of Pittsburgh
Trivia #2 answer: Who became the first former major league baseball player to commit full-time to Banana Ball? – Jackie Bradley Jr., Johnny Damon, Kevn Pillar, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Matt Carpenter, Daniel Bard – Jackie Bradley Jr. (The evolution of Banana Ball has been rapid since 2022 and is only growing, with the Banana Ball Championship League set to play in front of 3.2 million fans next year)

Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.

Be careful out there. (It’s a jungle!)

Happy National Bartender Day! (No, I am not serving today, but next Friday.)

Never regret a day in your life. Good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience, worst days give you lessons and the best days give you memories.

There is a ghost in your home and it loves you. It gazes longingly from the doorway, yearning to know what you’re thinking. When walk through it, the ghost tastes your freshest thoughts. This is why you don’t remember why you walked into the kitchen.

Are you living or are you just alive?

“In the deserts of Sudan
And the gardens of Japan
From Milan to Yucatán
Every woman, every man

Hit me with your rhythm stick
Hit me! Hit me!”

Ian Dury (Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick)

Bonus!

Jimmy Cliff died several days ago. For him…

Friday, November 28, 2025

by fasted86

Briefly. I really tried…

Do you know what was more useful than the first telephone? The second telephone.

Trivia #1: The New England Patriots now have 20, 10+ wins in a season since 2000. What team has the second most (16) since during that period?
Trivia #2: What country was the first to grant women the right to vote (in 1893)? – Austria, Denmark, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, New Zealand
Trivia #3: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Seattle Seahawks) now has 1,313 receiving yards on the year, putting him on pace to top the NFL’s single-season record of 1,964. Who holds that record?

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving yesterday! You know, you really can’t beat a good drumstick. (See what I did there?) Seriously, drumsticks are the best. I just rip it off the turkey, start chomping on it and hold it up while I walk around the kitchen like a Viking.

On this date: November 28, 587, The Treaty of Andelot: signed between Queen Brunhilda of Austrasia and King Guntram of Burgundy; King Guntram names his cousin Childebert II as heirNovember 28, 1520, Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan begins crossing the Pacific Ocean
November 28, 1720, Anne Bonny and Mary Read are tried, found guilty of pirating, and sentenced to death in Spanish Town, Jamaica, although their discovered pregnancies win them stays of execution
November 28, 1932, Groucho Marx performs on the radio for the first time
November 28, 1958, Legendary cricket fast bowler Wes Hall makes his Test debut for West Indies v India in 1st Test at Bombay; Hall’s match figures 4/107 – Huh?
November 28, 1974, Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn suspends New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner for two years due to his federal conviction for illegal contributions to political campaigns – Yankees suck!
November 28, 1978, Atlantic Records releases “Briefcase Full of Blues,” the debut album by The Blues Brothers (Dan Akroyd and John Belushi); the album tops the chart and becomes the best-selling blues record of all time

“I just found out that my father was a mime.”
“You just found out??”
“Ya, he never spoke about it.”

Stop complaining… unless you’re traveling today. A large winter storm that could bring some of the biggest snow of the season to the Central U.S.. and Rockies is expected to significantly impact travel plans for millions of people across 40 states returning home from their Thanksgiving holiday starting on Black Friday.

Don’t be that guy. Pass the goddamn gravy!

Article I’ll skip: Wisconsin lake reveals ancient vessels that predate Egyptian pyramids

Making money, you’re doing it wrong. San Francisco 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk has been out all season with a knee injury he sustained during the 2024 campaign and was expected to return at some point in 2025. Apparently, the situation has become so strained that San Francisco has voided the guaranteed money in his contract for 2026, a $24.935 million option bonus. Aiyuk reportedly “failed to attend meetings and declined to participate in other team activities in recent months,” which led to frustration within the organization.

Good news: The are a ton of leftovers in our refrigerator!

A king and a queen walk into a bar. The bartender says; “I can’t serve you. You’re not 21.”

Trivia #1 answer: The New England Patriots now have 20, 10+ wins in a season since 2000. What team has the second most (16) since during that period? – The Green Bay Packers
Trivia #2 answer: What country was the first to grant women the right to vote (in 1893)? – Austria, Denmark, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, New Zealand – New Zealand
Trivia #3 answer: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Seattle Seahawks) now has 1,313 receiving yards on the year, putting him on pace to top the NFL’s single-season record of 1,964. Who holds that record? – Calvin Johnson

Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.

Be careful out there. (It’s a jungle!)

Happy National French Toast Day!

Never regret a day in your life. Good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience, worst days give you lessons and the best days give you memories.

I got fired from my job as a masseuse. Apparently, I rub people the wrong way.

Are you living or are you just alive?

Come on downtown this afternoon, I’d love to serve you. Bruins at 1pm, Bears/Eagles at 3pm. What an afternoon!

“Welcome to the Grand illusion
Come on in and see what’s happening
Pay the price, get your tickets for the show
The stage is set, the band starts playing
Suddenly your heart is pounding
Wishing secretly you were a star.”

Styx (Grand Illusion)

Bonus!