Blog

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!

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!

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

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)

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

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.

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 1^st 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)

Briefly.

I am alive and I am well and I am taking a day off.

May we all have a righteous day!

For you, a toast:

Here’s to a long life and a happy one.
A quick death and an easy one.
A pretty girl and an honest one.
A cold beer and another one!

Be careful out there, it’s a jungle.

Briefly.

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s amore. When you swim in the sea and an eel bites your knee, that’s a moray.

Trivia #1: What was Ted Williams’ lowest batting average in 1941 when he finished the season over .400? – .000, .250, .295, .308, .324, .333
Trivia #2: How many 1,000 yard receiving seasons did the Steelers’ Lynn Swan have in his career? – 0,1,2,3,4,5,6
Trivia #3: Which of the following was NOT a prior name for the current Atlanta Braves baseball team? – Milwaukee Braves, Boston Braves, Boston Bees, Boston Doves, Boston Nationals, Boston Reds
Trivia #4: Who is Oluwafemi Oladejo?
Trivia #5: What is the nickname for Roger Williams University? – Goats, Hawks, Panthers, Wildcats, Warriors, Flames, Kings

On this date: May 2, 1878, US stops minting 20 cent coin
May 2, 1909, Honus Wagner steals his way around the bases in 1st inning against Cubs
May 2, 1948, The “Battle of Alcatraz” takes place, killing two guards and three inmates
May 2, 1997, “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery”, starring Mike Myers and Elizabeth Hurley, is released
May 2, 2011, Osama bin Laden, the suspected mastermind behind the September 11 attacks and the FBI’s most wanted man is killed by US special forces in Abbottabad, Pakistan
May 2, 2016, World Snooker Championship, Crucible Theatre, Sheffield: Mark Selby of England beats China’s Ding Junhui, 18-14 for his second world crown

My wife told me to take the spider out instead of killing it. We went out. Had a few drinks. Nice guy. He’s a web designer.

Go away: John Elway

They said it: “It sounds like a joke, but for me it’s really important.” – Dodgers’ rookie pitcher, Roki Sasaki, on the team installing state-of-the-art, multi-function, heated-seat, bidet-equipped Japanese style toilets in the clubhouse this past winter to persuade him to sign with the team.

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: A college springbreaker accused of torching two Tesla Cybertrucks in Missouri has been released from federal custody after his lawyer argued that remaining in jail would disrupt ongoing sex-change treatment. 

Not that I want to know firsthand, but what do you think Mel Kiper’s hair looks like when he rolls out of bed? The same???

I actually enjoy the NFL draft. It can be excruciating though in between picks.

Speaking of excruciating, how about play reviews in the NBA?! Mingya!

Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: In the NBA, teams that win the tip-off win roughly 56% of the time.

My wife filled out a form for me that asked for simple information; height, weight, gender, date-of-birth, eye color and hair color, for example. For my hair color she put ‘gray’ and I thought “damn, she’s right!”

Article I’ll skip: Everything you need to build your own chicken coop.

Trivia #1 answer: What was Ted Williams’ lowest batting average in 1941 when he finished the season over .400? – .000, .250, .295, .308, .324, .333 – It was .308 on May 2^nd of that season
Trivia #2 answer: How many 1,000 yard receiving seasons did the Steelers’ Lynn Swan have in his career? – 0,1,2,3,4,5,6 – He didn’t have one! 880 in 1978 was his highest
Trivia #3 answer: Which of the following was NOT a prior name for the Atlanta Braves baseball team? – Milwaukee Braves, Boston Braves, Boston Bees, Boston Doves, Boston Nationals, Boston Reds – Those were ALL prior names
Trivia #4 answer: Who is Oluwafemi Oladejo? – The #52 draft pick in this past NFL draft by the Tennessee Titans, a linebacker out of California.
Trivia #5 answer: What is the nickname for Roger Williams University? – Goats, Hawks, Panthers, Wildcats, Warriors, Flames, Kings – The Hawks

A guy sits next to me on the train.
MAN: Loads of psychopaths around here.
ME: Really?
MAN: Loads mate.
ME: How do you know?
MAN: There’s signs, aren’t there?
ME: I guess???
MAN: I love them.
(47 minutes of awkward silence)
The guy leaves the train and immediately gets on a bike. I then realize he was talking about ‘cycle paths.”

Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.

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

Happy National Dos de Mayo!
And Happy National School Lunch Hero Day!

Before you go on… you’re humming “That’s Amore”, aren’t you?

– Dean Martin (That’s Amore)

The song was written for the 1953 film, The Caddy, starring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. It’s performed when the characters return to Italy and reunite with their family. Contrary to popular misconception, the song is not about Italian partisans. The lyrics describe romantic love, using Italian imagery like pizza and pasta. The song helped rehabilitate Italy’s image as a romantic country after the fascist era. (TMI???)