January 2008
161 posts
“Television is very tiring.”
– Sonali Bendre, actor, model, and excellent television critic, was born on this day in 1975.
“You got to have smelt a lot of mule manure before you can sing like a hillbilly.”
– Hank Williams Sr., singer, songwriter and musical patriarch, died on this day in 1953, in the backseat of a hired car.
Happy Holidays:
This is New Year’s Dishonor List Day - the day when the good (if overly sensitive) folks at Lake Superior State University issue a list of words that should not be used, but are. A lot. Read the 2008 list. Notice that the article they published describing their list uses one of the words on the list.
It’s also Z Day. Now, I figured this would be about letting the Zs go first for...
December 2007
190 posts
I'll Give You 24 Cents for a Half Dollar:
Clerk 1: "I heard it's your birthday tomorrow; how old are you going to be?"
Clerk 2: "24."
Clerk 1: "You're almost half a century old!"
via Overheard Lines
“If you have to ask how to be sexy after 40, you probably can’t do it.”
– Bebe Neuwirth, actor who’s managing, was born on this day in 1958.
“Diaper backward spells repaid. Think about it.”
– Marshall McLuhan, educator, philosopher, and apparently not a family man, died on this day in 1980.
Happy Holidays:
Today is the day science adds a second to our year, if we need adjustment.
It’s also Universal Hour of Peace Day.
“As far as I’m concerned, being any gender is a drag.”
– Patti Smith, female, protopunk singer and poet, was born on this day in 1946.
Bonus Entertainment Value:
Two of the Monkees were born on this day, too: Mike Nesmith (1942) and Davey Jones (1945).
Did you know that if you walk into a room with 30 people in it, there is a 70% chance that two of them will share a birthday? Read about the birthday paradox.
“If you want to execute me, I’ll bring my own f*cking rope.”
– Saddam Hussein, President and despot of Iraq, was shot to death (not hanged) at his execution on this day in 2006.
Happy Holidays:
I’ve got nothing.
It’s “It’s About Time Week” (through tomorrow), but the only way to celebrate is with an ecard.
“The voice of God, if you must know, is Aretha Franklin’s.”
– Marianne Faithfull, singer, songwriter, collaborator and talent scout, was born on this day in 1946.
“You never know what a fool you can be till life gives you the chance.”
– Eden Phillpotts, novelist, poet, insurance officer, who apparently believed himself a fool, died on this day in 1960.
Happy Holidays:
It’s National Sign Up for Summer Camp Month, and you still hae a few days left. Learn more about summer opportunities.
Plus, it’s day two of the December edition of Chocolate Day.
Dude, I've Got More Brains in My Whole Head Than...
Dude #1: Oh my god, what is that smell?
Dude #2: That's the smell of wisdom weed. It's why Rastafarians are so smart.
via Overheard in New York
It Happened Today:
On this day in 1895, August and Louis Lumière charged admission for the very first time for a projected moving picture show in a theater, Sortie des Usines Lumière à Lyon (Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory, which was, as the titled suggests, plotless and castless, as were the 2000 or so other moving pictures that the Lumières filmed. Thinking the projection of moving pictures a fad, the...
“I never thought of myself as being a good songwriter. There are a ton of other...”
– Alex Chilton, singer and songwriter who is often covered, but whose version of Benton Woods’ Oogum Boogum (listen) is in my top three favorite covers, was born on this day in 1950.
“I can write better than anybody who can write faster, and I can write faster...”
– A.J. Liebling, author who was either faster or better than just about everyone, died on this day in 1963.
Happy Holidays:
Today and tomorrow is (are?) National Chocolate Day. So is October 28. Go figure. Of course, any excuse for chocolate, and there are a mess of chocolate-related holidays. Woo hoo!
“I am at heart a gentleman.”
– Marlene Dietrich, German actor who found success in Holywood, and who clearly never looked in the mirror, was born on this day in 1901.
“Rochester!”
– Jack Benny, actor and comedian who was strong enough to give the best lines to women and african americans at a time when many actors wouldn’t be seen on stage with women and african americans, died on this day in 1974.
Happy Holidays:
Kwanzaa started yesterday, and it runs through the first of next year.
“There are few circumstances which so strongly distinguish the philosopher, as...”
– Charles Babbage, mathmagician and difference engineer who persevered for his entire lifetime in the face of criticisms the thought undeserved, was born on this day in 1791.
“Maybe the words that I say is just another way to pray.”
– Curtis Mayfield, singer, songwriter and civil rights activist, died on this day in 1999.
Happy Holidays:
Yesterday was great, right? Today is worth whining about - it’s National Whiner’s Day.
It’s also Boxing Day in the rest of the English-speaking world.
“Euphemisms are unpleasant truths wearing diplomatic cologne.”
– Quentin Crisp, author, actor, racontuer, was born on this day in 1908. No, really - he was a racontuer!
“I don’t know what the secret to longevity as an actress is. It’s...”
– Joan Blondell, actor, author, showbiz kid, died on this day in 1979.
She was in good company; other Christmas deaths include Dean Martin, James Brown, Charlie Chaplin and WC Fields.
Happy Holidays:
It’s A’phabet Day (No “L” Day). This is the day we celebrate all the people we didnt’ send cards - and since i haven’t sent any yet, I celebrate YOU. I love you.
Non-educable, but happy:
Girl counting her money: Excuse me, ma'am -- are there four quarters in a dollar?
Older lady: Yes, my dear.
Girl: Oh, great! Thanks!
“Deep down I’m pretty superficial.”
– Ava Gadner, one of the greatest actors of all time and a serial matrimonialist, was born on this day in 1922.
“Be interesting, be enthusiastic… and don’t talk too much.”
– Norman Vincent Peale preacher, theologean, positive thinker, died on this day in 1993.