7-1-11

Ø  TODAY’s “Geez”:

·        1200 - In China, sunglasses are invented

·        1862 - Internal Revenue Law imposes 1st federal taxes on inheritance, tobacco & on incomes over $600 (progressive rate)

·        1899 - Gideon Society established to place bibles in hotels

Ø  Free Rambling Thoughts…

A windy day…again. The local paper told us today that Flag had more wind this spring than normal. Duh. Some of my day lilies lost their blooms, even though they were ‘protected’ from the worst wind. Oh, well. After a morning and afternoon of high winds, it is now calm. Kinda nice.

My Colorado River trip is only 13 days away. I am getting really excited. I did realize today that it has been about 10 years since I have done any camping, and about 20 years since I have done more than a long weekend. This will be an adventure.

My brother is headed for Chicago for the weekend, then on Sunday, back to NYC for the fourth. Sounds like fun. Mary is having a birthday BBQ at her house on the 4^th. Should be fun. She starts Medicare tomorrow, so this is a big birthday. She really enjoys being a ‘born on the 4^th of July Babe.’ She still believes the entire country is doing the fireworks for her. LOL. Of course I will be at the annual parade in downtown Flagstaff.  Nothin’ like a small town parade on the 4^th.

I’m still working on my letter to Rep. Gosar about my decreased SS check. I want to be short and succinct. Not easy for me. I’m still a little too emotional and tell more than I need to. I’ll get it done.

Ø  Trivia Quiz…(answers at the end of post)

1.      Which character is the most famous creation of Edgar Rice Burroughs?

2.      Which state is called the Bear State?

3.      Who played Emma Peel in the 90’s film version of The Avengers?

4.      Which Michael starred in Doc Hollywood?

5.      What is the capital of the state of Louisiana?

6.      Which veteran pop singer has the first names Roderick David?

7.      What came after The Brady in the sitcom title?

8.      What did teenager Anne Frank leave behind that was published after her death?

9.      Who had a 60’s No 1 with Stop In the Name Of Love?

10.   Who liked Richard Burton so much that she married him twice?

11.   In which decade did pole last get the chance to see Halley's comet?

12.   At what time of year did Eddie Cochran get the blues?

Ø  Zoom-ed in Picture…Can you Identify what this is? (Answer at end of post)

Ø  Hmmmmm…

·        Number of ‘Aerial Achievement Medals’ awarded by the US Air Force to drone operators since January 2009: 3497

·        Number awarded to pilots of manned aircraft during that time: 1408

Ø  Somewhat Useless Information…

·        The town of Tarzana, California, is named for the fictional character Tarzan, having been the home for many years of Edgar Rice Burroughs, the creator of the Tarzan saga.

·        Battleships are always named after states, submarines after fish, cruisers after cities, and destroyers after naval heroes.

·        Until 1796, there was a state in the United States called Franklin. Today it is known as Tennessee.

·        The blazer jacket is named for a British ship, H.M.S. Blazer. The ship's captain insisted that his crew always wear blue jackets with metal buttons, even for casual duty.

·        The name "pumpernickel" was coined by Napoleon's troops during the Napoleonic Wars. His men complained that although they were often poorly fed, there was always bread for Napoleon's favorite horse, Nicoll. Thus the word "pumpernickel" was coined - pain (bread) pour (for) Nicoll.

·        When the planet Uranus was discovered by Sir William Herschel in 1781 it was named "Georgium Sidium" in honor of King George III of England. FOr many years the planet was known as the "Georgian." Not until 1850 was it christened Uranus in accordance with the tradition of naming planets for Roman gods.

Ø  Yeah, It Really Happened…

GOLD COAST, Australia - An Australian beach volleyball player says she is selling ad space on her body to help her attempt to make it into next year's Olympic Games in London. Claire Kelly said she is selling tattoo space on her body for $10,400 to $52,000 so she and her partner, Carla Kleverlaan, can join the beach volleyball world pro tour and play the required 12 events to qualify for the Olympics, Melbourne's Herald Sun reported Monday.

"It's taken me months to get the courage to do this and now I'm going through with it," Kelly said.

"I was thinking, 'Tattoo my body with a business logo just so I can have a chance to play for my country at the Olympics? I'm crazy'!”

"This is my dream and it seems crazy not to try to do something to realize the dream. We need to head off on the world tour before the end of July. We need financial backing, so I can't let fear stop me," she said.

Kelly said she is not concerned about potential criticism of her moneymaking scheme. "The tattoos mean much more than just the money or the business," she said.

"The tattoos signify having the courage to have a crack at something bigger, having the guts to at least try."

Ø  Guffaw…or at least smile…

A bar owner locked up his place at 2 AM and went home to sleep. He had been in bed only a few minutes when the phone rang. “What time do you open up in the morning?” he heard an obviously inebriated man inquire.

The owner was so furious, he slammed down the receiver and went back to bed. A few minutes later there was another call and he heard the same voice ask the same question. “Listen, the owner shouted, “there’s no sense in asking me what time I open because I wouldn’t let a person in your condition in—“

 “I don’t want to get in,” the caller interjected. “I want to get out.”

Ø  Searchin’ “You Tube” I found…

There is no Poop Fairy  This is where I grew up.

Ø  Daybook Information…

Ø  …Happening This Month:

·        Air-Conditioning Appreciation Days

·        Bereaved Parents Awareness Month

·        Bioterrorism/Disaster Education & Awareness Month

·        Cell Phone Courtesy Month

·        Dog Days

·        Eggplant and Lettuce Month Link

·        Family Reunion Month Link

·        Family Golf Month Link

·        Freedom From Fear of Speaking Month

·        Hemochromatosis Screening Awareness Month

·        Herbal/Prescription Awareness Month

·        International Blondie and Deborah Harry Month

·        International Group B Strep Awareness Month Link

·        International Women with Alopecia Month

·        International Zine Month

·        Mango and Melon Month Link

·        National Black Family Month

·        National Blueberries Month

·        National Child-Centered Divorce Month

·        National "Doghouse Repairs" Month

·        National Grilling Month

·        National Ice Cream Month

·        National Horseradish Month

·        National Hot Dog Month

·        National Make A Difference to Children Month

·        National Recreation & Parks Month

·        National Share A Sunset With Your Lover Month

·        National Wheelchair Beautification Month

·        Nectarine and Garlic Month Link

·        Sandwich Generation Month

·        Smart Irrigation Month

·        Social Wellness Month

·        Tour de France Month (2-24)

·        Women's Motorcycle Month

…Happening This Week:

·        1-4  International Chicken Wing Week

·        1-7  National Unassisted Homebirth Week

Ø  TODAY IS

·        Creative Ice Cream Flavor Day

·        Build A Scarecrow Day

·        International Chicken Wing Day

·        Second Half of The Year Day

·        U.S. Postage Stamp Day

·        Zip Code Day

·        Burundi--Independence Day (from Belgium 1962)

·        Canada--Canada Day (1867, became a self-governing dominion of Great Britain and a federation of four provinces: Nova Scotia; New Brunswick; Ontario; and Quebec)  

·        China--Half-Year Day

·        Rwanda--Independence Day (from Belgium 1962)

·        Ghana--Republic Day (since 1960)

Ø  Today’s Events:

…  IN ARTS

1929 - US cartoonist Elzie Segar creates "Popeye"

…  IN ATHLETICS

1903 - 1st Tour de France bicycle race begins

1904 - 3rd modern Olympic games opens in St Louis

1917 - Robins (Dodgers) play their 1st Sunday game in Brooklyn

1948 - Brooklyn's Roy Campanella debuts as catcher

1997 - Nevada Athletic Commission suspends Mike Tyson for biting Holyfield

…  IN BUSINESS

1874 - 1st US kidnapping for ransom, 4-year-old Charles Ross, $20,000

1916 - Coca-Cola brings current coke formula to the market

1931 - Ice vending machines introduced in LA 25 lbs, 15 cents

1941 - Bulova Watch Co pays $9 for 1st ever network TV commercial

1979 - Sony introduces the Walkman

… IN EDUCATION

▬

…  FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

1520 - According to many sources, Hernán Cortés and his followers will attempt to escape from Tenochtitlán (modern Mexico City) by way of one of the causeways.

1675 - The first scalps are taken by whites in "King Philip's War."

…  IN INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

1535 - Sir Thomas More goes on trial in England charged with treason

1543 - England & Scotland sign Peace treaty of Greenwich

1858 - 1st Canadian coins minted (1, 5, 10 and 20 cent)

1999 - The Scottish Parliament is officially opened by Queen Elizabeth on the day powers are officially transferred from the old Scottish Office in London to the new devolved Scottish Executive in Edinburgh.

… IN RELIGION

1517 - 1st burning of Protestants at stake in Netherlands

1656 - 1st Quakers (Mary Fisher/Ann Austin) arrives in Boston (arrested)

1879 - Charles Taze Russell publishes the first edition of the religious magazine The Watchtower

…  IN SCIENCE

1874 - 1st US zoo opens (Philadelphia)

…  IN US POLITICS

1776 - 1st vote on Declaration of Independence

1847 - 1st US postage stamps go on sale, 5 cent Franklin & 10 cent Washington, NYC

1861 - War Dept decrees the KA & TN are to be canvassed for volunteers

1862 - Congress outlaws polygamy (1st time)

1863 - Battle of Gettysburg, Pa; Lee's northward advance halted

1863 - Free city delivery of mail begins in 49 US cities; postage 3 cents per oz

1898 - Teddy Roosevelt & his Rough Riders charge up San Juan Hill

1907 - World's 1st air force established (US Army)

1916 - Dwight Eisenhower marries Mary `Mamie' Geneva Doud in Denver Colo

1943 - "Pay-as-you-go" - 1st withholding tax from paychecks

1950 - 1st 407 US soldiers flown to South Korea

1961 - Haleakala National Park forms in Hawaii

1966 - Medicare goes into effect

… ARTISTS:  AUTHORS:  COMPOSERS

1934 - Sydney Pollack, director (Tootsie, Presumed Innocent)

Twyla Tharp, choreographer (Twyla Tharp Dance Troupe) turns 70

1902 - Billy Wyler, director (Ben Hur, Mrs Miniver)

…ATHLETES

▬

…ENTERTAINERS (ACTORS/SINGERS…)

Daryl Anderson, actor (Animal-Lou Grant) turns 60

Pamela Anderson actor, model turns 44

Dan Aykroyd, Ottawa Canada, comedian/actor (SNL, Dragnet) turns 59

Andre Braugher actor turns 49

Leslie Caron, Boulogne-Biliancourt France, actor (Lili, Father Goose) turns 80

Jamie Farr, Toledo Oh, actor (Klinger-M*A*S*H, AfterMASH) turns 77

1916 - Olivia de Havilland, Tokyo Japan, actress (Adventures of Robin Hood)

Deborah Harry singer turns 66

Tab Hunter, actor (Tab Hunter Show, Lust in the Dust) turns 80

1941 - Sally Quinn,  CBS newscaster (Morning Show) turns 70

Liv Tyler actor turns 34

… ENTREPRENEUR & EDUCATORS

1807 - Thomas Green Clemson, mining engineer, endowed Clemson University

1908 - Estee Lauder, CEO (Estee Lauder's cosmetics)

1869 - William Strunk Jr., American grammarian 

…POLITICIANS

1912 - David Brower, environmentalist/president (Sierra Club)

…SCIENTISTS / THEOLOGISTS

1840 - Robert S Ball, Irish mathematician/astronomer

Ø  Today’s Obits:

2004 - Marlon Brando, actor ("The Godfather", "A Street Car Named Desire" and "On the Water Front") dies at 80

1860 - Charles Goodyear, American inventor dies of heart attack on hearing of his daughter’s death at 60

1995 - Wolfman Jack, disc jockey (Midnight Special), dies of heart attack at 57

1991 - Michael Landon, actor (Bonanza, Hwy to Heaven), dies of cancer at 54

2000 - Walter Matthau, American actor dies at 80

1997 - Robert Mitchum, actor (Winds of War), dies at 79

1974 - Juan D Peron, president of Argentina (1946-55, 73-74), dies at 78

1894 - Allan Pinkerton, American private detective dies at 75

1681 - Oliver Plunkett, Irish saint dies at 51 (hanged, drawn, quartered)

1896 - Harriet Beecher Stowe, US author (Uncle Tom's Cabin), dies at 85

2005 - Luther Vandross, American singer dies of heart attack at 54

Ø  ANSWERS:

Ø  Trivia Quiz

1.      Which character is the most famous creation of Edgar Rice Burroughs?

a.      Tarzan

2.      Which state is called the Bear State?

a.      Arkansas

3.      Who played Emma Peel in the 90’s film version of The Avengers?

a.      Uma Thurman

4.      Which Michael starred in Doc Hollywood?

a.      Michael J Fox

5.      What is the capital of the state of Louisiana?

a.      Baton Rouge

6.      Which veteran pop singer has the first names Roderick David?

a.      Rod Stewart

7.      What came after The Brady in the sitcom title?

a.      Bunch

8.      What did teenager Anne Frank leave behind that was published after her death?

a.      Diary

9.      Who had a 60’s No 1 with Stop In the Name of Love?

a.      Supremes

10.   Who liked Richard Burton so much that she married him twice?

a.      Elizabeth Taylor

11.   In which decade did pole last get the chance to see Halley's comet?

a.      1980s

12.   At what time of year did Eddie Cochran get the blues?

a.      Summer time  (Summertime Blues )

Ø  Close Up Picture

Brick Saw

Ø  …AND THAT’S ALL FOR NOW

6-30-11

Ø  TODAY’s “Geez”:

·        1908 - Giant fireball most likely caused by the air burst of a large meteoroid or comet impacts in Siberia (Tunguska Event)

·        1914 - Mahatma Gandhi's 1st arrest, campaigning for Indian rights in S Africa

·        1936 - 40 hour work week law approved (federal)

·        1956 - United DC-7 & TWA collide over Grand Canyon killing 128

·        1984 - Last sixpence minted in Great-Britain (in use since 1551)

Ø  Free Rambling Thoughts…

Thankfully the humidity was much higher today, so while we had major wind, it was not a Red Flag Day. 2011: The summer of wind. It was again, really warm, but the wind made it feel a little cooler.

I made my SS appointment. It only took about 45 minutes to get me done. I am preparing a letter for our representative about how a law passed in 2005 cut my SS by about 40%.  For those wondering, for the past years I got a SS statement every year informing me that I would be receiving about $340/month. There was never anything in this letter that said anything about Civil Service people would receive substantially less. Surely that great computer should have known that I had many years of no SS tax, and when I did, it was minuscule. Did that computer actually think that I was living on that few dollars all those years. Nothing I can do about it. I also found out that SS sees me without the ‘III’ at the end of my name. The lady asked if my SS card had the III on it. I said yes. Then she said, well a long time ago, they used to type the name on the card with a typewriter. As if that is an excuse. Anyway, it took about 20 more minutes to get the information for my SS card. Now I will have a brand new card—made by a computer, which, as we all know, never makes a mistake. The only good news today out of this meeting is that my checks start in July. That is faster than the BIA when I retired for sure. It took BIA about 3 months to get me the right amount. In the meantime I got 80% of my check. Then I finally got a ‘make-up’ check. No big deal, and the $151/month will be a little added income. I’m sure glad that that is not my only income.

Ø  Trivia Quiz…(answers at the end of post)

Returns tomorrow…the website I get these questions from is down.

Ø  Zoom-ed in Picture…Can you Identify what this is? (Answer at end of post)

Ø  Hmmmmm…

·        Percentage of Afghans in a survey who said they believed NATO forces were in their country do rebuild the country: 1

·        Percentage who said NATO was there to destroy Islam: 9

Ø  Somewhat Useless Information…

·        In ancient Japan public contests were held to see who in a town could break wind loudest and longest. Winners were awarded many prizes and received great acclaim.

·        The pilgrims in Massachusetts used a special tool in church, a wooden ball attached to a long string on a stick. If anyone fell asleep during a sermon (which might go on seven or eight hours) a specially appointed member of the clergy would hoist the pole over the reprobate's head and whack him with the wooden ball.

·        When ancient Egyptians priests held a banquet, a large mummy was often carried into the feast chamber and propped up at the table where all the priests could see it, a reminder that even while at pleasure, death was ever near.

·        In Elizabethan England the spoon was such a novelty, such a prized rarity, that people carried their own folding spoons to banquets.

·        When gentlemen in medieval Japan wished to seal an agreement, they urinated together, crisscrossing their streams of urine.

·        At Versailles, during the reign of Louis XIV, it was considered gauche to knock on a door with the knuckles. Instead one scratched with the little finger of the left hand, and for this purpose courtiers let that particular nail grow long.

Ø  Yeah, It Really Happened…

BRIDGEWATER, Ohio - Authorities in Ohio, responding to a report of a domestic dispute, said a woman sprayed them with her breast milk while they were attempting to detain her. The Delaware County Sheriff's Office said they were called to the Bridgewater Banquet & Conference Center early Saturday on a report of a domestic dispute and a man there told them he had been attending a wedding with his wife, who he said became drunk and struck him multiple times, WBNS-TV, Columbus, reported Monday.

County Sheriff Walter Davis III said the woman, Stephanie Robinette, 30, of Westerville, had locked herself in a car and deputies attempted to coax her out, but she was uncooperative. "When deputies attempted to remove Robinette from the vehicle, she advised the deputies that she was a breast-feeding mother and proceeded to remove her right breast from her dress and began spraying deputies and the vehicle with her breast milk,"

Davis said. Davis said Robinette was arrested and charged with domestic violence, assault, obstructing official business, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

Ø  Guffaw…or at least smile…

This farmer had a wife who nagged him all the time. One day while he was outside plowing the field, she came out and started nagging him. While she was doing this, the mule kicked her and she died. At the funeral, the ladies came up and talked to the farmer.

The farmer nodded his head "yes". The men came up and talked to him and the farmer nodded his head "no”.

Well this other man wondered why he nodded his head "yes" to the ladies and "no" to the men. Then, he went up to the farmer and asked him why.

The farmer replied,” Well, when the ladies came up, they told me how pretty my wife's dress was and how pretty she looked. When the men came up, they asked,’ That mule for sale?'

Ø  Searchin’ “You Tube” I found…

Billy Mills 10,000 Meter Gold Medal Final

Ø  Daybook Information…

…Happening This Week:

26-7/2

·        National Mosquito Control Awareness Week

·        National Prevention of Eye Injuries Awareness

·        Fish Are Friends, Not Food! Week

Ø  TODAY IS

·        Leap Second Time Adjustment Day

·        Meteor Day

·        National Bomp Pop Day

·        National Handshake Day

·        Guatemala--Armed Forces Day

·        Congo-- Independence Day (1960 from Belguim)

·        Sudan-- Revolution Day (1955)

Ø  Today’s Events:

…  IN ARTS

1936 - "Gone With the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell, published

1938 - Superman 1st appears in DC Comics' Action Comics Series issue #1

1951 - "Victor Borge Show," last airs on NBC

…  IN ATHLETICS

1559 - King Henry II of France is seriously injured in a jousting match against Gabriel de Montgomery

1859 - Charles Blondin is 1st to cross Niagara Falls on a tightrope

1933 - Card's Dizzy Dean strikes out 17 Cubs to win 8-2

1934 - NFL's Portsmouth Spartans become Detroit Lions

1962 - LA Dodger Sandy Koufax no-hits NY Mets, 5-0

1970 - Cincinnati's Riverfront Stadium opens, Braves beat Reds 8-2

…  IN BUSINESS

1755 - Philippines close all non-catholic Chinese restaurants

1896 - W S Hadaway patents electric stove

1953 - 1st Corvette manufactured

1960 - US stops sugar import from Cuba

1992 - 1st pay bathrooms in US open: 25 cents (NYC)

… IN EDUCATION

1860 - The 1860 Oxford evolution debate at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History takes place

…  FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

1802 - A treaty with the Seneca Indians is concluded today on Buffalo Creek, in Ontario County, New York. All Seneca lands in Ontario County are ceded to the "Holland Land Company", and they will be given new lands on Lake Erie. Nineteen Indians will sign the treaty. A 2nd treaty is also signed today with the Seneca. They will receive $1200 for what is called "Little Beard's Reservation. John Taylor, and 12 Indians will sign this document.

…  IN INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

1894 - Korea declares independence from China, asks for Japanese aid

1934 - "Night of Long Knives," Hitler stages bloody purge of Nazi party

1981 - China's Communist Party condemns late Mao Tse-tung's policy

1990 - East & West Germany merge their economies

… IN RELIGION

▬

…  IN SCIENCE

1893 - Excelsior diamond (blue-white 995 carats) discovered

1930 - 1st round-the-world radio broadcast Schenectady NY

…  IN US POLITICS

1834 - Congress creates Indian Territory (now Oklahoma)

1865 - 8 alleged conspirators in assassination of Lincoln are found guilty

1906 - Pure Food & Drug Act & Meat Inspection Act adopted

1943 - Gen MacArthur begins Operation Cartwheel (island-hopping)

1972 - 1st leap second day; also 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985

1982 - Federal Equal Rights Amendment fails 3 states short of ratification

… ARTISTS:  AUTHORS:  COMPOSERS

1929 - James Goldman, American screenwriter

…ATHLETES

Sterling Marlin, American race car driver (NASCAR) turns 54

Billy Mills, Pine Ridge SD, 10k (Olympics-gold-64) turns 73

Michael Phelps, American swimmer, Olympic Gold turns 26

1912 - Dan F. Reeves, NFL team owner (Cleveland/LA Rams)

"Iron" Mike Tyson, youngest heavyweight boxing champ (1986-90) turns 45

…ENTERTAINERS (ACTORS/SINGERS…)

1943 - Florence Ballard, rocker (Supremes)

1934 - Harry Blackstone Jr, magician (Blackstone Book of Magic & Illusion)

Rick Gonzalez actor turns 32

1917 - Lena Horne, actress/singer (Stormy Weather, Wiz)

Dorothy Malone, actress (Peyton Place) turns 86

Vincent D'Onofrio, American actor, CSI TV franchise turns 52

1914 - David Wayne, actor (Adam's Rib, Andromeda Strain, 3 Faces of Eve)

… ENTREPRENEUR & EDUCATORS

▬

…POLITICIANS

1819 - William A Wheeler, (R) 19th VP (1877-81)

…SCIENTISTS / THEOLOGISTS

▬

Ø  Today’s Obits:

1961 - Lee de Forest, inventor (Electron Tube), dies at 87

1995 - Gale Gordon, comedian (Our Miss Brooks, Here's Lucy), dies at 89

2003 - Buddy Hackett, American comic dies at 79

1996 - Margaux Hemingway, model/actress (Lipstick), commits suicide at 41

1983 - Mary Livingstone, [Sadye Marks] Comedienne, (Jack Benny), dies at 77

2003 - Robert McCloskey, American children's book writer and illustrator dies at 88

1520 - Montezuma II, the last Aztec emperor, killed Spaniards at 54 for not bringing peace to Aztecs  

1953 - Charles William Miller, father of football in Brazil dies at 79

1785 - James Oglethorpe, English general and founder of the state of Georgia dies at 89

1670 - Henrietta Anne Stuart, Princess of England, Scotland, and Ireland dies of gastroenteritis at 26

1934 - Gustav Ritter von Kahr, Prime Minister of Bavaria killed in the Night of the Long Knives murders at 72

Ø  ANSWERS:

Ø  Trivia Quiz

Returns tomorrow

Ø  Close Up Picture

Ø  …AND THAT’S ALL FOR NOW