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Friday, July 25, 2025

Briefly.

Her: Honey, do you love me?
Him: Yes
Her: And do you stop smoking for me?
Him: Yes
Her: And drinking too?
Him: Yes
Her: And can I manage your salary?
Him: Sure
Her: And you will never chase women?
Him: Never
Her: And will you even give your life for me?
Him: Of course. Why would I need a life like this?

“Finished with my woman because she couldn’t help me with my mind.”

Trivia #1: Who is Terry Gene Bollea?
Trivia #2: What does “N.I.B.” stand for in the hit Black Sabbath song?

On this date: July 25, 1814, English engineer George Stephenson introduces his first steam locomotive, a traveling engine designed for hauling coal on the Killingworth wagonway, named Blücher.
July 25, 1832, first railroad accident in the US, Granite Railway, Quincy, Massachusetts, kills one
July 25, 1854, Walter Hunt receives the first U.S. patent for a paper shirt collar
July 25, 1866, Ulysses S. Grant is named the first General of the Army
July 25, 1933, First Dutch live radio concert: American jazz orchestra led by Duke Ellington
July 25, 1946, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis stage their first show as a comedy team at the 500 Club in Atlantic City, New Jersey
July 25, 1965, Bob Dylan is booed by sections of the crowd at the Newport Folk Festival for performing with an electric guitar, beginning the era of folk rock
July 25, 1969, 70,000 attend Seattle Pop Festival (across 3 days); performers include Bo Diddley, Flying Burrito Brothers, Ten Years After, Guess Who, Santana, Tim Buckley, Byrds, Ike & Tina Turner Revue, Chicago Transit Authority, Chuck Berry, Led Zeppelin, and The Doors
July 25, 1997, Scientists announce the first human stem cells to be cultured in a laboratory using tissue taken from aborted human embryos
July 25, 2019, US Justice Department announces the resumption of the use of the death penalty, scheduling five executions

“Of all the things I value most in life, I see my memories and feel their warmth and know that they are good. You know that I should.”

Go away: Rafi Devers. You hypocritical, two-faced, 1st-base-playing A-hole.

“They can put a man on the moon quite easy. While people here on earth are dying of old diseases.”

Article I’ll skip: Winona Ryder kept a bizarre memento from Christopher Walken for years.

Kiss-Cam, you’re doing it wrong: Kristin Cabot has resigned from her role as chief people officer at Astronomer, a week after a video of her cuddling up with CEO Andy Byron at a Coldplay concert went viral on social media.

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: A large, late-July heat dome will shift back and forth across a large part of the United States through the end of the month, with 100 million people or more to endure 100 F on a daily basis.

“Politicians hide themselves away, they only started the war. Why should they go out to fight? They leave that role to the poor… Yeah!”

How about Scottie Scheffler, the best golfer on the planet! He’s now one major away, the US Open, from completing the career grand slam of golf. Now get this. Next year’s US Open, to be played at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York, is set to complete on Sunday, June 21st. Not only does June 21st fall on Father’s Day next year, it is also Scottie’s birthday! Whoaaaa, huh?!

“Is it the end, my friend? Satan’s coming ‘round the bend. People runnin’ ‘cause they’re scared. The people better go and beware.”

Good news: A 6-year-old Florida boy who fell into a pool and started drowning was saved due to the quick-thinking heroics of a stronger – and it was all caught on camera. Surveillance video shows the young boy, named Oscar, arrive at the pool in Fort Lauderdale with an adult. He tries to jump onto a pool float, but loses his balance and falls into the pool. Roque Ivan Ocampo was passing by when he heard the screams for help and ran to assist. As Ocampo quickly takes his shoes off, he dives right in to save Oscar. – Editor’s note: OK, I get it. The guy is a hero. But he took off his shoes first???

R.I.P. John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne (76) – An English singer, songwriter and media personality. He rose to prominence during the 1970s as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath, during which period he adopted the nickname “Prince of Darkness”. Osbourne co-founded Black Sabbath in 1968, providing lead vocals on their first eight albums, from 1970 to 1978. The band pioneered heavy metal music. Osbourne was fired from Black Sabbath in 1979 due to his problems with alcohol and other drugs. He then began a successful solo career with Blizzard of Ozz in 1980 and released 13 studio albums, the first seven of which were certified multi-platinum in the United States.

Osbourne performed his final show at the Back in the Beginning concert in Birmingham on July 5, 2025, amid health issues, having announced that the concert would be his last show. Ozzy donated all of the proceeds to Parkinson’s research.

Trivia #1 answer: Who is Terry Gene Bollea? – Terry was better known as the American professional wrestler, Hulk Hogan. Hogan was widely regarded as one of the most recognized wrestling stars worldwide, the most popular wrestler of the 1980s, and one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. R.I.P.
Trivia #2: What does “N.I.B.” stand for in the hit Black Sabbath song? – Nativity In Black

“Nobody wants him, they just turn their heads. Nobody helps him, now he has his revenge.”

Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.

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

Happy National Talk in an Elevator Day!

“Three flecks in the sky, warn you, you’re gonna die. Storm coming, you’d better hide, from the atomic tide.”

In a major breakthrough, scientists have successfully grown human vocal cords in the lab. The results speak for themselves.

I hope you appreciate, if you realize, the aforementioned Black Sabbath lyrics throughout today’s blah-blah-blog. Ozzy and I go way back.

“Big black shape with eyes of fire
Tellin’ people their desire
Satan’s sittin’ there, he’s smilin’
Watches those flames get higher and higher
Oh, no, no, please, God, help me”

– Black Sabbath (Black Sabbath)

Black Sabbath Bonus!

Friday, July 18, 2025

Briefly. I gotta go climb a mountain with my wife.

I’m getting to the age where it’s rude to pull out a bottle of ibuprofen if I don’t have enough for everyone.

Trivia #1: What is the average weight of a hummingbird? – .04-.06 oz, 0.9-.11 oz, .14-.16 oz, .17-.19 oz, .2-.22 oz, 11-13 lbs
Trivia #2: What was the first trophy given to the British Open champion? – A championship belt, a claret jug, a silver sword, a plaque, a trophy, a life-long membership to St. Andrews Golf Club
Trivia #3: Who is the player with the most runner-up finishes at the British Open? – Harry Vardon, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Sam Snead, Tom Morris, Greg Norman, Dane Hubbard

On this date: June 18, 64, Great Fire of Rome begins under the Emperor Nero
June 18, 1768, Boston Gazette publishes “Liberty Song,” America’s first patriotic song
June 18, 1896, George Giffen is 1st to complete 1000/100 double, in 30th Test Cricket (Wait… what?)
June 18, 1913, MLB New York Giants pitcher Christy Matthewson gives up a walk for the first time in 69 innings
June 18, 1938, Douglas “Wrong Way” Corrigan arrives in Ireland after a 28-hour flight, supposedly leaving New York flying for California
June 18, 1953, Elvis Presley pays $3.98 to make his first demo at Sun Studio in Memphis, recording “My Happiness” and “That’s When Your Heartaches Begin” and reportedly gives the record to his mother as a belated birthday present.
June 18, 1966, Carl Sagan turns 1 billion seconds old (Hey, I read it on the internet)
June 18, 1976, Nadia Comaneci (14) becomes the first gymnast in Olympic Games history to score a perfect 10 score (doing so 7 times) at Montreal Games
June 18, 1980, Billy Joel’s “Glass Houses” album tops US charts, featuring “It’s Still Rock ‘n’ Roll to Me”
June 18, 2008, Billy Joel performs last of two concerts dubbed “The Last Play at Shea”; the final concert event before demolition of the 1964 baseball stadium in Flushing Meadows, Queens, NYC; featured guests include Roger Daltrey, Tony Bennett, Garth Brooks, and Paul McCartney
June 18, 2013, Detroit, Michigan, files for bankruptcy, becoming the largest US municipal bankruptcy ever at $18.5 billion

Go away: Stephen Colbert. Well, at least he’s been told to go away.

I watched some of the homerun derby the other night. It is just not the same without Chris Berman.

Article I’ll skip: Former Epstein attorney reveals what he knows about sealed ‘client’ names

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: A surging wildfire ripping through eastern Utah wilderness over the weekend triggered a rare “firenado”, unleashing a terrifying mix of wind and flames that left one home and several other outbuildings severely damaged.

We should start referring to ‘age’ as ‘levels’. So when you are ‘level 80’ it sounds more badass than just begin an old person.

Just when I went on trashing on my Red Sox, they’ve won 10 games in a row. Pennant Fever, baby!

Flying, you’re doing it wrong. Felix Baumgartner, the Austrian skydiver best known for his record-setting dive from space, died in a paragliding accident in Italy Thursday. He was 56. Baumgartner was reportedly flying a motorized paraglider in the coastal town of Porto Sant’Elpidio in the Marche region of Italy, where he was said to have crashed into a hotel pool. 

Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: Charles Schwab said that Americans now view $2.3 million as the benchmark for counting as wealthy, pointing to what they see as a worsening economy. That marked a $200,000 decrease from 2024.

Good news: The Open Championship is live, now!

Sad news: A decorated former police officer and ex-Baltimore Orioles minor league player tragically died while rescuing swimmers from a rip current off the coast of South Carolina. Chase Childers, 38, is being called a hero after he drowned while trying to help several swimmers in distress near Pawleys Island in South Carolina on July 13. The former police officer was not the only one to go help the swimmers, but unlike the others, Childers did not return to shore. During his time as an officer in Cobb County, GA., Childers received a lifetime achievement award.

Trivia #1 answer: What is the average weight of a hummingbird? – .04-.06 oz, 0.9-.11 oz, .14-.16 oz, .17-.19 oz, .2-.22 oz, 11-13 lbs – The average weight of a hummingbird is .14.-.16 oz.
Trivia #2 answer: What was the first trophy given to the British Open champion? – A championship belt, A claret jug, A silver sword, A plaque, A trophy, A life-long membership to St. Andrews Golf Club – A championship belt
Trivia #3 answer: Who is the player with the most runner-up finishes at the British Open? – Harry Vardon, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Sam Snead, Tom Morris, Greg Norman, Dane Hubbard – Jack Nicklaus

Just another tricky, just another tricky day for you… you’ll get through.

Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.

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

Happy National Tropical Fruit Day!

I wasn’t making any progress with my Bucket List so I just changed the “B” to an “F” and I feel a whole lot better about it.

“We didn’t start the fire
It was always burning
Since the world’s been turning
We didn’t start the fire
No, we didn’t light it
But we tried to fight it”

– Billy Joel (We Didn’t Start the Fire)

After a weekend wedding in VT, I’m tucked into the White Mountains of NH and this is where my head is really at…

Friday, July 4, 2025

What a country!

As you know, Ghandi walked barefoot most of the time, which produced an impressive set of calluses on his feet. He also ate very little, which made him rather frail and, with his odd diet, he suffered from bad breath. This made him a super calloused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis.

Trivia #1: The oldest (1785) known Independence parade is held where? – Boston Massachusetts, Bristol Rhode Island, Charleton South Carolina, Providence Rhode Island, Canton Massachusetts, Richmond Virginia
Trivia #2: Every Independence Day, who many times does the Liberty Bell ring?
Trivia #3: What US President was born on July 4?
Trivia #4: What was the total number of people who signed the Declaration of Independence? – 1, 13, 26, 34, 48, 56, 63, 77

On this date: July 4, 1634, the city of Trois-Rivières is founded in New France, later to become the Canadian province of Quebec
July 4, 1776, US Congress proclaims the Declaration of Independence and independence from Great Britain
July 4, 1789, 1st US tariff act signed by President Washington
July 4, 1803, The Louisiana Purchase is announced to the American people by President Thomas Jefferson
July 4, 1826, Past presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both die on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, President John Quincy Adams calls “visible and palpable remarks of Divine Favor”
July 4, 1831, “America (My Country ‘Tis of Thee)”, with lyrics by Samuel Francis Smith, has 1st public performance at Park Street Church in Boston, Massachusetts
July 4, 1845, American philosopher and naturalist Henry David Thoreau moves into his shack on Walden Pond
July 4, 1884, Statue of Liberty presented to US in Paris
July 4, 1917,  Troops of the Russian Provisional Government open fire on protesters in Petrograd during the ‘July Days’ of unrest
July 4, 1934, Hungarian physicist Leo Szilard patents the chain-reaction design for the atomic bomb
July 4, 1939, Lou Gehrig is first MLB player to have his number (4) retired on his “Appreciation Day” at Yankee Stadium, makes iconic “luckiest man” speech
July 4, 1959, America’s new 49-star flag honoring Alaska statehood unfurled
July 4, 1969, 140,000 attend 2-day Atlanta Pop Festival in Byron, Georgia; performers include: Janis Joplin; Blood, Sweat & Tears; Chicago; Led Zeppelin; Delaney and Bonnie; Creedence Clearwater Revival, Canned Heat; Joe Cocker; Chuck Berry; Spirit; and Johnny Winter
July 4, 1970, Casey Kasem’s “American Top 40” debuts on LA radio
July 4, 2009, The Statue of Liberty’s crown reopens to the public after 8 years, due to security reasons following the World Trade Center attacks

Go away: Sean “Diddy” Combs

Article I’ll skip: Even a small amount of processed foods linked to chronic disease, study suggests. (I can’t wait to eat a couple of grilled hotdogs this afternoon!)

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: Haiti’s criminal gangs have exerted “near-total control” over the capital, as escalating violence pushes the Caribbean nation “closer to the brink.” (See “Good News” below)

Stand beside her, and guide her.

The Colorado Rockies just won their 20th game of the season… on July 3rd!

Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: Nolan Ryan and Phil Niekro both reached the 3,000-strikeout milestone on July 4.
Useless information supposed to fire my imagination, part deux: Edward Rutledge, who was 26 years old, was the youngest person to sign the Declaration of Independence.

Good news: We, Americans, live in the greatest country on earth. (If you are reading this from outside the US, move!)

Trivia #1 answer: The oldest (1785) known Independence parade is held where? – Boston Massachusetts, Bristol Rhode Island, Charleton South Carolina, Providence Rhode Island, Canton Massachusetts, Richmond Virginia – Bristol, Rhode Island
Trivia #2 answer: Every Independence Day, who many times does the Liberty Bell ring? – 13
Trivia #3 answer: What US President was born on July 4? – Calvin Coolidge, July 4, 1872
Trivia #4 answer: What was the total number of people who signed the Declaration of Independence? – 1, 13, 26, 34, 48, 56, 63, 77 – 56 people signed the Declaration of Independence

Just another tricky, just another tricky day for you… you’ll get through.

Don’t give up, don’t ever give up. (About those Red Sox… I’m trying…)

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

Happy Independence Day! (Think about that… and celebrate!)

What is a four-letter word with a small laugh in the middle. It really is.

“God bless America, land that I love
Stand beside her and guide her
Through the night with a light from above
From the mountains to the prairies
To the oceans white with foam
God bless America, my home sweet home
God bless America, my home sweet home”

– Kate Smith (Bobby Orr and Espo at the end, classic!)

Tearing up…

BTW, I’ll be taking a break next Friday while on a 3-day wedding celebration extravaganza. Until the 18th

Friday, June 27, 2025

Briefly.

The meteorologist who devised the wind chill factor has died. He was 86… but felt like 75.

Trivia #1: Who is Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco?
Trivia #2: Who was the first professional basketball player to be drafted straight out of high school?
Trivia #3: What two things do Damian Lillard, Jason Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton all have in common?

On this date: June 27, 1358, Republic of Dubrovnik is founded
June 27, 1778, Liberty Bell returns home to Philadelphia after the British departure
June 27, 1864, US Civil War: Atlanta Campaign – Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia: Union General Sherman makes unsuccessful frontal attack on Confederate defense
June 27, 1940, USSR returns to the Gregorian calendar, using Sunday as a rest day, after 6 years using a Russian six-day calendar
June 27, 1950, North Korean troops reach Seoul, causing the UN to ask member states to aid South Korea. Harry Truman orders the US Air Force and Navy into the Korean conflict.
June 27, 1970, Festival Express opens in Toronto, Canada – The Grateful Dead, The Band, Janis Joplin, Flying Burrito Bros, Buddy Guy, Great Speckled Bird, and Delaney & Bonnie & Friends cross Canada together by train, for 5 shows in 3 cities
June 27, 1980, 1st female state police graduates (NJ)
June 27, 1994, Aerosmith is the first major band to let fans download a full new track for free from the internet

Go away: Stephen A. Smith. ESPN re-signed Stephen A. Smith to a five-year, $100 million contract earlier this year. Smith’s role at ESPN was a frequently discussed subplot of the NBA Finals, during which he served as ESPN’s lead pre-game and halftime analyst. His coverage was met with near-universal disapproval from fans, commentators, and former players.

My interest in the current state of the NBA is such that I didn’t even know the recent draft was happening.

Article I’ll skip: John O’Keefe’s family breaks silence after Karen Read’s murder acquittal 

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff revealed the software company uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology to perform a good deal of its work. He said that AI “is doing 30% to 50% of the work at Salesforce now.” The company has been using AI to automate in areas such as engineering, coding and customer service tasks.

 Skydiving, you’re doing it wrong: A champion wingsuit flyer who featured in a BBC documentary called The Boy Who Can Fly has died after he was critically injured in a jump last weekend. Liam Byrne, 24, was taking part in a high-risk jump at nearly 8,000 feet above sea level in the Swiss Alps on Saturday when tragedy struck. Byrne, of Scotland, was wearing a wingsuit, a specialized webbed-sleeved jumpsuit with membranes between the arms, body and legs which allows a diver to glide flight in the air.

The fan who yelled derogatory comments about Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte’s late mother during the team’s 4-1 win over the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field Tuesday is banned indefinitely from all MLB ballparks. The 22-year-old fan admitted to taunting Marte. Marte, 31, was left in tears after the fan yelled derogatory comments about his late mother, Elpidia Valdez, who died in a car crash in the Dominican Republic in 2017. Editor’s note: I say to bring back public stoning for this bastard.

Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: New England Patriots’ quarterback Drake Maye got married.

Good news: The Red Sox season is more than half over.

Nutritional fact of the week: Hostess Twinkies, per serving (2 “cakes”), have 9g of fat, 30mg of cholesterol, 360mg of sodium and 31g of sugar. Yummy!

Trivia #1 answer: Who is Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco? – Lugee was known professionally by his stage name Lou Christie, an American pop and soft rock singer-songwriter widely known for hits in the 1960’s.
Trivia #2 answer: Who was the first professional basketball player to be drafted straight out of high school? – Moses Malone in the 1974 ABA draft.
Trivia #3 answer: What two things do Damian Lillard, Jason Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton all have in common? – They all tore their Achilles tendon in this year’s NBA playoffs and they all wear the number “0”.

Don’t give up, don’t ever give up. (About those Red Sox… I’m trying…)

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

Happy National Onion Day!

I might not be a 10 on the beach, but I’m a solid 8 at Walmart!

“Listen to me, baby, you gotta understand
You’re old enough to know the makings of a man
Listen to me, baby, it’s hard to settle down
Am I asking too much for you to stick around?”

– Lou Christie (Lightning Strikes) – R.I.P.

Bonus!

Friday, June 20, 2025

Briefly.

Sad news. I broke up with my girlfriend, Lorraine. She found out I was seeing another woman, Claire Lee. But the good news is I can see Claire Lee now, Lorraine is gone.

Trivia #1: The Stanley Cup weighs how much? – 17 lbs., 21 lbs., 26 lbs., 32 lbs., 37lbs., 41 lbs.?
Trivia #2: Whose name has appeared on the Stanley Cup the most times? – Jean Beliveau, Henri Richard, Claude Provost, Scotty Bowman, Red Kelly, Yvan Cournoyer, Richard Sprague
Trivia #3: What is the nickname for Coastal Carolina University? – No hint, you either know it or you don’t.
Trivia #4: What team won the UFL Championship last Saturday? – St. Louis Battlehawks, Michigan Panthers, Memphis Steamboats, Houston Roughnecks, Arlington Renegades, San Antonio Brahmas, DC Defenders

On this date: June 20, 1756, Black Hole of Calcutta: 146 British soldiers, Anglo-Indian soldiers and Indian civilians are imprisoned in a small dungeon in Calcutta, India where most die from suffocation and heat exhaustion
June 20, 1819, The SS Savannah reaches Cork in Ireland after a 29 day and 11-hour voyage from Savannah, Georgia to become the 1st steamship to cross the Atlantic or any other ocean
June 20, 1867, US President Andrew Johnson announces the Alaska Purchase
June 20, 1893, Lizzie Borden acquitted of the 1892 axe murders of her father and stepmother in Fall River, Massachusetts
June 20, 1949, Tennis star Gussie Moran shocks Wimbledon by wearing a short dress “to look good” and “move more freely on the court”
June 20, 1969, 200,000 attend Newport ’69, then largest-ever pop concert in Northridge, California. Jimi Hendrix gets $120,000 to appear
June 20, 1980, Musical comedy film “The Blues Brothers”, starring Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, and featuring appearances by Aretha Franklin; Cab Calloway; and Ray Charles opens in 594 theaters
June 20, 1999, ICC Men’s Cricket ODI World Cup, Lord’s, London, England: Australia wins its second trophy with 8 wicket win over Pakistan; Player of the Match: Shane Warne (AUS) 4/33 (9) – Wait… what?

Go away: Rafael Devers (Oh, he already left?)

Article I’ll skip: Petition started to banish Sophie Cunningham from WNBA for her ‘violent’ Caitlin Clark antics.

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: A family of five’s breakfast at Disneyland in California has gone viral after a father shared a photo on social media of the meal’s pricey nearly $1,000 receipt. The father took to social media to share his sticker shock after he received a $937.65 bill for breakfast at Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures. The guest said that the meal was for two kids and three adults, with the total including a $150 tip — just over 20% of the original amount.

Yuk! Lay’s Bacon Grilled Cheese potato chips were selected as the winner of the 2025 “Do Us a Flavor” fan contest. Paula George of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, submitted the winning flavor, which received the most fan votes.

Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders are finally getting a significant bump in pay after years of lobbying. Squad members are getting a 400% increase in pay. 

Colloge Baseball World Series? Come on, Coastal Carolina!

Good news: Bill Gates is speaking out about his personal experience with Alzheimer’s — and his hope for progress in fighting the disease. Gates lost his father in 2020 at the age of 94 after battling Alzheimer’s. Today, motivated by his own experience with the common dementia, Gates — who serves as chair of the Gates Foundation — is committed to working toward a cure for the common dementia, which currently affects more than seven million Americans, or one in nine people over 65. Gates expressed optimism about the “massive progress” being made in the fight against Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

How about PGA golfer, US Open winner, J.J. Spaun! His last shot went in for the longest putt of the day – 64’ 5”!

Trivia #1 answer: The Stanley Cup weighs how much? – 17 lbs., 21 lbs., 26 lbs., 32 lbs., 37lbs., 41 lbs.? – It is 35 ¼“ tall and weighs 37 lbs.
Trivia #2 answer: Whose name has appeared on the Stanley Cup the most times? – Jean Beliveau, Henri Richard, Claude Provost, Scotty Bowman, Red Kelly, Yvan Cournoyer, Richard Sprague – Henri Richard (11 times)
Trivia #3 answer: What is the nickname for Coastal Carolina University? – The Chanticleers
Trivia #4 answer: What team won the UFL Championship last Saturday? – St. Louis Battlehawks, Michigan Panthers, Memphis Steamboats, Houston Roughnecks, Arlington Renegades, San Antonio Brahmas, DC Defenders – The DC Defenders defeated the Michigan Panthers 58-34 (I imagine only degenerate gamblers got this answer)

I hope you have a bright, bright, sun-shining day!

Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.

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

Happy National Hike with a Geek Day!

When scientists said the universe is made up of protons, neutrons and electrons, they forgot to mention morons.

“I can see clearly now, the rain has gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright, bright sun-shining day
It’s gonna be a bright, bright sun-shining day”

– Johnny Nash (I Can See Clearly Now)

 Bonus tune!

Friday, June 13, 2025

Briefly. (Very! I mean, it’s Penta Day) We’ll get back at it next week.

Welcome to the Karma Café. There is no menu… you get what you deserve.

Trivia #1: Who was the only player under par after 72 holes in three straight U.S. Opens? – Ben Hogan, Curtis Strange, Xander Shauffele, Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Fuzzy Zoeller, Dane Hubbard

Yankees/Red Sox… all weekend, again!

Go away: Phil Mickelson

Article I’ll skip: Archeologists uncover 4,500-year-old rattles that reveal ancient parenting techniques.

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: A recall of mislabeled cases of Dr. Pepper Zero Sugar has been upgraded amid a serious health risk. The FDA and Dr. Pepper announced a voluntary recall last month of 19,203 12-pack and 24-pack cases of 12-ounce cans of Dr. Pepper Zero Sugar. The cases of soda were found to contain “full sugar.” The FDA defines a Class II recall as “a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”

Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: The tees at Oakmont Country Club are Perennial poa annua/bentgrass. Really, this is pertinent information?

Good news: Good weather forecast for The Penta today!

Trivia #1 answer: Who was the only player under par after 72 holes in three straight U.S. Opens? – Ben Hogan, Curtis Strange, Xander Shauffele, Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Fuzzy Zoeller, Dane Hubbard – Curtis Strange

Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.

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

Happy National Golf Cart Day! (really!) And of course, Happy Penta Day!!!

Remember, if you have one foot in the future and one foot in the past, you’re shittin’ on the present.

Yankees suck!

To the person who stole my anti-depressants: I hope you’re happy now.

Here’s to Charlie!

“Misty morning, clouds in the sky
Without warning, the wizard walks by
Casting his shadow, weaving his spell
Funny clothes, tinkling bell

Never talking
Just keeps walking
spreading his magic”

– Black Sabbath (The Wizard)

Bonus: The Beach Boys (Surfin’ U.S.A.) – R.I.P. Brian Wilson

Friday, June 6, 2025

Briefly.

Yes, English can be weird. It can be understood through tough thorough thought, though.

Trivia #1: Thalassophobia is the fear of what?
Trivia #2: What player has hit the most extra inning homeruns (22) in MLB history? – Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Alex Rodriquez, Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr., Jim Thome
Trivia #3: What is the most popular pet in the United States? – Dogs, Cats, Fish, Hamsters, Gerbils, Zebras

Yankees/Red Sox… all weekend!

Go away: This is a very, very long list. Thankfully, you are not on it.

On this date: June 6, 1716, French transport the first African slaves to Louisiana
June 6, 1752, 3rd great fire in Moscow in 2 weeks; 1/3 of city destroyed
June 6, 1795, Fire destroy 1/3 of Copenhagen; 18,000 injured
June 6, 1844, Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) formed in London
June 6, 1925, Walter Chrysler reorganizes the failing Maxwell Motor Company and founds automobile manufacturer Chrysler Corporation in Detroit, Michigan
June 6, 1941, MLB New York Giants use plastic batting helmets for 1st time
June 6, 1944, Operation Overlord: D-Day begins as the 156,000-strong Allied Expeditionary Force lands in Normandy, France, during World War II
June 6, 1946, Henry Morgan is 1st to take off shirt on TV
June 6, 1965,The Rolling Stones release music single “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”
June 6, 1994, West Indian cricket batsman Brian Lara hits world 1st-class record 501 not out and 390 runs in 1 day for Warwickshire vs Durham at Edgbaston; only quintuple-hundred in first-class history (He did, really!)

“Do not touch” must be one of the scariest things to red in braille.

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: A woman in Texas has died after contracting a fatal brain amoeba from contaminated water. The patient, 71, had used a nasal irrigation device filled with unboiled tap water from an RV’s water faucet. The woman was staying at a local campground at the time.

Edmonton wins, Pacers win. Yawn.

Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: Fox News Channel beat all broadcast networks in a key metric last week as CNN had its lowest-rated week of the year. I really don’t care.

Here’s a cool tidbit I came across. You’d think a homerun in the 20th inning would be a game winner. Tommy Harper hit one for Seattle on July 27, 1969, but Joe Lahoud of the Red Sox hit one with a man on in the bottom of the 20th and they won.

Good news: Some World War II veterans have landed in France to mark the 81st anniversary of D-Day. A group of about two dozen veterans who served in Europe and the Pacific traveled back to the once bloody beaches of Normandy. The veterans in Normandy are reportedly treated like “rock stars” in the region, being handed notes and hearing many “thank yous.”

Don’t look now but the Colorado Rockies have won 3 games in a row! It was their first series sweep in over a year.

Article I’ll skip: Rare 5,000-year-old burnt bread discovered in Turkey stuns archaeologists.

Trivia #1 answer: Thalassophobia is the fear of what? – An intense, persistent fear of deep water, particularly the ocean or sea.
Trivia #2 answer: What player has hit the most extra inning homeruns (22) in MLB history? – Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Alex Rodriquez, Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr., Jim Thome – Willie Mays
Trivia #3 answer: What is the most popular pet in the United States? – Dogs, Cats, Fish, Hamsters, Gerbils, Zebras – Dogs are the most popular

I’m reading a book, “How to Be Humble When You’ve Never Been Wrong in Your Life”

Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.

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

Happy National Doughnut Day!

Remember, if you have one foot in the future and one foot in the past, you’re shittin’ on the present.

Yankees suck!

Many years ago, I may have smoked a little pot while listening to this tune… once or twice.

“Look over yonder
What do you see?
The sun is a-risin’
Most definitely
A new day is comin’, whoo-hoo
People are changin’
Ain’t it beautiful, whoo-hoo
Crystal blue persuasion”

– Tommy James & The Shondells (Crystal Blue Persuasian)

Bonus! (Classic video)

Friday, May 30, 2025

Briefly.

I’ve reached the age where I can’t tell whether I’ve sustained an injury or that’s just how I am now.

Trivia #1: What holiday was first observed in the northern US states in 1868?
Trivia #2: The Brooklyn Dodgers named was adopted in 1932. Which of the following was NOT a prior name for the team? – Brooklyn Atlantics, Brooklyn Yorks, Brooklyn Grays, Brooklyn Bridegrooms, Brooklyn Superbas, Brooklyn Robins
Trivia #3: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the highest-capacity sports venue in the world. Approximately how many permanent seats does it have? – 95,000, 155,000, 210,000, 257,000, 296,000, 325,000, 350,000.
Trivia #4: For you locals, remember Eddie Andelman and his Sports Huddle radio program in the 1970’s? What was Andelman’s wife name and how did he refer to her?
Trivia #5: In game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, the Indiana Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton became the first player in NBA playoff history with 30+ points (32), 10+ rebounds (12), 15+ assists (15) and zero turnovers. Which two of the following are the only others with such numbers but with 1+ turnovers? – Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, JoJo White, Larry Bird, LeBron James, Scottie Pippen, Kobe Bryant, Nikola Jokic

Go away: The “tush push.” It’s coming back to the NFL for another season.

On this date: May 30, 1431, Hundred Years’ War: 19-year-old Joan of Arc is burned at the stake by an English-dominated tribunal in Rouen, France.
May 30, 1821, James Boyd patents rubber fire hose
May 30, 1896, First reported car accident occurs; Henry Wells hits a cyclist in NYC.
May 30, 1911, 1st Indianapolis 500: Ray Harroun driving a Marmon Wasp for Nordyke & Marmon Company comes out of retirement, wins inaugural event; average speed: 74.602 mph
May 30, 1922, Cubs and Cardinals trade outfielders between morning and afternoon games of doubleheader; Max Flack goes to St. Louis, Cliff Heathcote heads to Chicago; both get hits for new clubs in the nightcap. (Can’t make it up)
May 30, 1937, Memorial Day Massacre: Chicago Police Department shoot and kill 10 unarmed demonstrators during the “Little Steel Strike”
May 30, 1967, American motorcycle daredevil Robert “Evel” Knievel’s motorcycle jumps 16 automobiles in Gardena, California.

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: Large Language Models (LLMs) can be useful, but they also open the door to risks. Instead of harmless questions, someone could ask for a detailed profile on a person, and the model might generate a surprisingly thorough report. While these tools have safeguards and often refuse certain requests, clever phrasing can sometimes bypass those limits. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take much effort for someone to use ChatGPT to gather personal information about you. Scary

Man, the Red Sox suck in so many different ways… I do hope they manage to turn things around.

Stop complaining: A massive landslide thundered down a mountainside in Switzerland on Wednesday, destroying a village and burying homes under rocks, mud and water. At least one person is missing. The massive landslide destroyed 90% of Blatten, Switzerland, a town nestled in a valley below a steep mountainside.

Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: On May 30, 1996, Wendy Guey won the 69th National Spelling Bee spelling ‘vivisepulture.’

Trivia #1 hint: It was first called “Decoration Day.”

Good news: A group of high school students jumped into action in upstate New Tork to help a family escape a fast-moving fire. The group worked together in the emergency with one calling 911, another checking the burning garage, and a third making sure the family inside knew what was happening.

Article I’ll skip: Stephen A. Smith calls out ‘incredibly alarming’ part of alleged Biden scandal.

Trivia #1 answer: What holiday was first observed in the northern US states in 1868? – Memorial Day
Trivia #2 answer: The Brooklyn Dodgers named was adopted in 1932. Which of the following was NOT a prior name for the team? – Brooklyn Atlantics, Brooklyn Yorks, Brooklyn Grays, Brooklyn Bridegrooms, Brooklyn Superbas, Brooklyn Robins – The Brooklyn Yorks. DYK: The name “Dodgers” was adopted in 1932, stemming from the term “Trolley Dodgers” used in the early 20th century to describe fans who had to dodge trolley cars on their way to games at Ebbets Field.
Trivia #3 answer: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the highest-capacity sports venue in the world. Approximately how many permanent seats does it have? – 95,000, 155,000, 210,000, 257,000, 296,000, 325,000, 350,000. – 257,000 permanent seats with room for an additional 100,000 fans. (Race car driving is not a sport. Just sayin’)
Trivia #4 answer: For you locals, remember Eddie Andelman and his Sports Huddle radio program in the 1970’s? What was Andelman’s wife name and how did he refer to her? – The Fabulous Judy
Trivia #5: In game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals the Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton became the first player in NBA playoff history, with 30+ points (32), 10+ rebounds (12), 15+ assists (15) and zero turnovers. Which two of the following are the only others with such numbers but with 1+ turnovers? – Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, JoJo White, Larry Bird, LeBron James, Scottie Pippen, Kobe Bryant, Nikola Jokic – Oscar Robertson (twice) and Nikola Jokic

I just bought a Humpty Dumpty toy from Aldi. It’s wicked cool, it comes with Aldi Kings horses and Aldi Kings men.

Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.

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

Happy National Mint Julep Day!

Remember, if you have one foot in the future and one foot in the past, you’re shittin’ on the present.

“Rock and roll, Hoochie Koo
Lawdy mama light my fuse
Rock and roll, Hoochie Koo
Truck on out and spread the news”

– Rick Derringer (Hoochie Koo) – R.I.P.

This is left over from last week. When you have 18+ minutes to kill, enjoy! – https://youtu.be/VXED2AVlbR0?si=VRDOEw2bXTR4q1oE

Friday, May 23, 2025

Briefly. (Naaaah)

I got myself a senior’s GPS. Not only does it tell me how to get to my destination, it tells me why I wanted to go there.

Trivia #1: George Wendt attended what school for two+ years? – The University of Chicago, Notre Dame, Western Illinois, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago State University, DePaul University
Trivia #2: In golf, what does “CT” stand for in “CT test?”
Trivia #3: The Montreal Canadiens have won the most Stanley Cups (24). What team is second with 13?
Trivia #4: What NFL franchise has never had a 4,000-yard passer in one season?

Go away: Jordon Hudson

On this date: May 23, 1040, Battle of Dandanaqan: Tughril’s Seljuk army defeats Ghaznavid force, near Merv (present-day Turkmenistan), brings about the fall of the Ghaznavid Empire. (wait… what?)
May 23, 1785, Benjamin Franklin announces his invention of bifocals
May 23, 1845, New York City Police Department (NYPD) is formed, replacing an old night watch system
May 23, 1903, 1st automobile trip across US leaves San Francisco for New York, (arrives July 26)
May 23, 1934, American outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow – Bonnie and Clyde, are killed by police in an ambush near Sailes, Louisiana
May 23, 2021, 21 runners die in freezing conditions during an ultramarathon in Yellow River Stone Forest Park, Gansu Province, China

This weather stinks.

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: A Texas man is suing Whataburger after he requested no onions with his meal but got them anyway. The documents claim that Wilson visited a Whataburger location on July 24, 2024, and ordered a “fast-food meal” without onions. However, Wilson claims that the order did contain onions — which apparently then triggered an allergic reaction for which he had to seek the care of medical professionals.

I really don’t believe the Celtics lost because of Tatum’s injury. What now??

Speaking of the Red Sox… how gross were/are those Linda Blair-green uniforms??

Stop complaining: Your house wasn’t just randomly hit by a crashing airplane (San Diego).

So, the Toronto Maple Leafs still have not won a Stanley Cup since 1967. Those poor mamas and papas in Toronto. Apparently, all the ‘leafs’ are brown…

If you recall, last season the Chicago White Sox finished with the worst record in MLB history, 41-121. They were 14-34 at this point in the season. The Colorado Rockies are currently 8-42! Their run differential is -153, 64 runs worse than the next-worst team.

Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: The New England Patriots are favorites in 11 of their 17, 2025 regular-season games.
Useless information supposed to fire my imagination, part deux:  Scientists have now calculated that the universe will end in 10 to the power of 78 years from now. (That’s 1 followed by 78 zeroes.) So ya, you better hurry-up and clean out your garage.

Good news (if you play pickleball): Patriot Place and ELEVENO Pickleball are teaming up to bring outdoor pickleball courts to the shopping, dining and entertainment destination later this summer. The 17,000-square-foot facility will feature six professional courts, a shaded player lounge, food and beverage offerings, and more. The new facility will be built on a converted parking lot (across from Trader Joe’s and Restoration Hardware Outlet), on the same footprint as Winter Skate. Pickleball players of all ages and skill levels will be able to enjoy these new courts through the end of October, at which point the courts will close for the season to begin the installation of the seasonal skating center, Winter Skate.

Last week, I got into Tim Tebow and the 3:16 numbers thing. (Go back if you missed it). How’s this? Cecil Fielder and his son, Prince, both hit 319 MLB homeruns. Both hit exactly 49 homeruns in the fourth inning, 29 in the fifth inning and 18 in the ninth. With two outs, each hit 97 homeruns. Wowza!

I was sitting there eating lunch when I realized; cottage cheese is not actually, in reality, a cheese. It’s just a curd to me.

Article I’ll skip: Wait 2 hours after waking for coffee to avoid cortisol-caffeine crash, says dietitian.

I have not listed an “R.I.P.” in a while but really have to mention George Wendt (76). His ‘Norm Peterson’ character on Cheers was legendary. “Norm!!!” And though he appeared in many other movies and shows, who can forget “Da Bears!”?

I didn’t read this on the internet but instead heard it on the radio (ya, I still listen to that thing). There has been precipitation on the weekend in Boston, even if it was just a race, for 22 consecutive weekends! That will get to 23 tomorrow.

Sign on a fence: “Don’t cross this field… unless you can do it in 9 seconds because the bull can do it in 10.”

Trivia #1 answer: George Wendt attended what school for two+ years? – The University of Chicago, Notre Dame, Western Illinois, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago State University, DePaul University – He attended the University of Notre Dame (He was expelled after receiving a 0.00 GPA during the first semester of his junior year.)
Trivia #2 answer: In golf, what does “CT” stand for in “CT test?” – “CT” stands for Characteristic Time. It’s a measurement recorded in microseconds that indicates how long the ball stays in contact with the clubface during impact. Think of it as a scientific way to gauge how “springy” or “hot” a driver face is. The longer the contact time, the more trampoline-like effect the club has, which can translate to higher ball speeds and longer drives. The PGA tests randomly and both Rory McIlroy and Scottie Sheffler were forced to switch their drivers before the last week’s PGA Championship. (That didn’t bother Sheffler!)
Trivia #3 answer: The Montreal Canadiens have won the most Stanley Cups (24). What team is second with 13? – The Toronto Maple Leafs.
Trivia #3 answer: What NFL franchise has never had a 4,000-yard passer in one season? – The Chicago Bears

Speaking of the PGA, it was really too bad to see LIV golfers John Rahn and Bryson DeChambeau poop their pants down the stretch in last weekend’s PGA Championship. Love that!

If you spell the words “absolutely nothing” backwards, you get “gnihton yletulosba”, which ironically means absolutely nothing.

Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.

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

Happy National Lucky Penny Day!

Remember, if you have one foot in the future and one foot in the past, you’re shittin’ on the present.

“One way or another I’m gonna find ya
I’m gonna getcha getcha getcha getcha
One way or another I’m gonna win ya
I’m gonna getcha getcha getcha getcha
One way or another I’m gonna see ya
I’m gonna meetcha meetcha meetcha meetcha
One day, maybe next week
I’m gonna meetcha, I’m gonna meetcha, I’ll meetcha
I will drive past your house
And if the lights are all down
I’ll see who’s around”

– Blondie (One Way or Another)

Bonus: Ode to the aforementioned Maple Leafs.

Friday, May 16, 2025

Briefly.

My personal record continues for consecutive days alive! Salute!

Customer at the counter of a bagel shop: “I’d like to buy a bagel with cream cheese.”
Cashier: “Sorry, we only take cash.”

Trivia #1: Who is the only athlete to be drafted by 4 professional sports teams?
Trivia #2: Who was Angelo Moriondo?
Trivia #3: There have only been two games in MLB history where a pitcher went exactly 2.1 innings, allowed exactly 12 baserunners and surrendered exactly 11 earned runs. Who is that pitcher?

On this date: May 16, 1817, Mississippi River steamboat service begins
May 16, 1866, US Congress authorizes the nickel 5 cent piece (replaces silver half-dime)
May 16, 1894, A fire in Boston destroys the South End Grounds baseball stadium and 200 other buildings
May 16, 1902, deaf-mutes face each other for 1st time as Dummy Hoy leads off for the Reds against Dummy Taylor of the Giants, Reds win 5-3 (I did NOT make that up!)
May 16, 1939, US food stamps are 1st issued in Rochester, New York
May 16, 1965, The Campbell Soup Company introduces SpaghettiOs under its Franco-American brand
May 16, 2013, Human stem cells are successfully cloned

Don’t look back.

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: Tim Tebow lives! On Jan. 8, 2009, Tebow led the University of Florida to 24-14 national championship victory over Oklahoma. On Jan. 8, 2012, Tebow’s Denver Broncos beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-23 in the AFC wild-card round in an overtime thriller. Beyond the date holding significance to Tebow, what transpired in those football games reaffirmed Tebow’s faith in God. During Florida’s national championship victory in 2009, Tebow wrote “John 3:16” on his eye black that he wore that game. In the win over the Steelers Tebow threw for 316 yards, his yards per rush were 3.16, his yards per completion were 31.6. The ratings for the night were 31.6 and the time of possession was 31:06. Whoa!

The Celtics live another day! (Do the Lakers play this weekend?)

Stop complaining: Hurricane Maria brought 155 mph winds as it made landfall near the city of Yabucoa, on the southeast portion of Puerto Rico, on Sept. 20, 2017. The storm knocked out 95% of cell towers, leaving residents without the ability to communicate. Power, already scarce due to Hurricane Irma just weeks before, was knocked out on the entire island. Flooding on the island was rampant, with 13 locations reaching record flood stage. Structural damage to buildings was widespread, and nearly all road signs and traffic lights were destroyed. Out of the nearly 3,000 deaths attributed to Maria, only dozens were as a result of the actual storm. The rest of the fatalities were caused by lack of access to clean water, food and power for an extended period of time. Today, many areas of the island remain in shambles, many residents are living in poverty and with subsequent storms, earthquakes and the continuous threat of further weather-related events, complete recovery is in question.

Don’t look now, but the Colorado Rockies are 7-36. Yikes!

Celebrating your winnings, you’re doing it wrong! Law enforcement officials in Pinellas County, Florida arrested a Kentucky man who, just days after winning the $167 million Powerball jackpot, allegedly kicked a deputy during a fight at a resort.

Trivia #1 hint: Those teams are in 4 different sports leagues.

Red Sox vs the Braves tonight: Garrett Crochet vs. Chris Sale. That should be pissah!

Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: The NFL schedule has been released. The Patriots will travel the sixth-fewest miles in the league this season, a welcome shift from last year when they logged the fourth-most.

Article I’ll skip: NBA great Shaquille O’Neil floats theory on Blue Origin flight

The Chuck (Charles Barkley) GPT commercials are hilarious.

Trivia #1 answer: Who is the only athlete to be drafted by 4 professional sports teams? – Dave Winfield (drafted by the San Diego Padres (MLB), Atlanta Hawks (NBA), Utah Stars (ABA), Minnesota Vikings (NFL))
Trivia #2 answer: Who was Angelo Moriondo? – Angelo was an Italian inventor who received a patent for the 1st espresso machine on May 16, 1884.
Trivia #3 answer: There have only been two games in MLB history where a pitcher went exactly 2.1 innings, allowed exactly 12 baserunners and surrendered exactly 11 earned runs. Who is that pitcher? – The Red Sox’ Tanner Houck, both games this season!

I once dated a girl who had a twin and people would always ask how I could tell them apart. “It was easy”, I said. “Alison painter her nails red and Bob had a beard.”

Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.

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

Happy National Classic Movie Day!

Remember, if you have one foot in the future and one foot in the past, you’re shittin’ on the present.

“I can see, it took so long just to realize
I’m much too strong not to compromise
Now I see what I am is holding me down
I’ll turn it around, oh, yes, I will”

– Boston (Don’t Look Back)