Tom

25
Sep
2023

MUUUUUUUUUNNNNDAY

Republic Day is observed today in Trinidad and Tobago. This holiday commemorates the first session of the parliament on this day in 1976.

Trinidad and Tobago proclaimed its independence from Britain on August 31st 1962 with Queen Elizabeth II remaining as the head of state.

In 1976, Trinidad and Tobago decided to abolish the monarchy and become a republic within the Commonwealth. On August 1st 1976, the new constitution was promulgated, and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago was proclaimed, with the last Governor-General, Sir Ellis Clarke, becoming the first President.

The 1st Republican Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago held its first session on September 24th 1976. It is this date that is marked by Republic Day. If it falls on Sunday the holiday is observed the following Monday.

Today is the birthday, in 1933, of American songwriter and a folk music artist Erik Darling. With The Tarriers their version of the ‘Banana Boat Song reached No. 4 on the Billboard chart. He was also a member of The Weavers, and had a 1963 US No.1 hit with ‘Walk Right In’ with the Rooftop Singers. That’s him with the 12-string guitar in this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-qiC1jynmc

Posted by Tom in folk, Humor, Music
22
Sep
2023

…and FRIDAY rises in the east!

Today is Independence Day in Bulgaria. This holiday is known locally as ‘Ден на независимостта’ and it marks Bulgaria’s independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1908.

In 1877, Russia declared war on the Ottoman Empire. The conflict eventually resulted in the creation of a Bulgarian principality within the Ottoman Empire, albeit with reduced land. After the chaos caused by the Young Turks Revolution, the Great Powers abandoned their support for the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria declared its independence under Prince Ferdinand. The following day, Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia and Greece annexed Crete.

It takes a village…

The Eiffel Tower

Epitaphs…

Today is the birthday, in 1958, of Joan Jett, American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer. Founding member of The Runaways and with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts scored the 1982 US No.1 & UK No.4 single ‘I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll’. She is also known as the Godmother of Punk. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5ecqUhec-s

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Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, sixties and seventies
21
Sep
2023

and another THURSDAY rolls into our lives…

Today is Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day, a public holiday in Ghana. This holiday commemorates the birthday of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first President. Kwame Nkrumah was one of the major driving forces behind leading the Gold Coast to independence from Britain in 1957 – the first sub-saharan African country to achieve independence. At his Independence Day speech he told his new country’s citizens that “we have a duty to prove to the world that Africans can conduct their own affairs with efficiency and tolerance and through the exercise of democracy. We must set an example to all Africa.”

He was a pan-Africanist and he worked hard to eliminate tribalism over the opposition of the traditional chiefs. He was instrumental in the creation of the Organization of African Unity. He exploited the cold war by oscillating between east and west extracting concessions from both sides.

In February 1966, while Nkrumah on a state visit to Vietnam and China, his government was overthrown in a military coup, allegedly with CIA involvement. Nkrumah never returned to Ghana and died in April 1972.

Today is the birthday, in 1947, of Don Felder, guitar, vocals, the Eagles, (1977 US No.1 & UK No.8 single ‘Hotel California’, plus 5 US No.1 albums. ‘Greatest Hits 1971-1975’ is the second biggest selling album in the world with sales over 30m). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZxhQJC9hWk

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Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, sixties and seventies
20
Sep
2023

Mercoledì today

Today is Ganesh Chaturthi in Mauritius – a public holiday. It is the culmination of the annual ten-day festival honoring the rebirth of Ganesha.

The elephant-headed god has an interesting story. The most popular tells the story of Goddess Parvati who is the consort of Lord Shiva. One day when Parvati was having a bath she rubbed some dust and oil from her body and created the shape of a boy. She then infused life into the shape and Ganesha was born.

Parvati told her son to guard the door when she has a bath. Lord Shiva came to visit and Ganesh would not let him in. How was Ganesh supposed to know Shiva was his father? So he fought with Shiva. Ganesh’s head was severed in the ensuing scuffle. 

As you can imagine Goddess Parvati was very upset. She asked Lord Shiva to bring her son back to life. Shiva sent his men to look for a head replacement for Ganesh. The brief was to bring the head of the first living creature they find facing North which is a direction associated with wisdom. Shiva brought Ganesha back to life and thus the story is one of rebirth and regeneration.

The Art and the Artist…

spellcheck fail…

SIGNZ

Today is the birthday, in 1949, of Chuck and John Panozzo, bass and drums, Styx. John Panozzo died on 16th July 1996. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5MAg_yWsq8

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Posted by Tom in eighties music, Humor, Music
19
Sep
2023

MARTES

Today is the Day of the Glories of the Chilean Army, a public holiday in Chile. It commemorates the glories of the Chilean Army and culminates in a grand parade in O’Higgins Park in Santiago.

The purpose of this holiday is to remember all those who have fought in Chilean battles, in which the country has been victorious or defeated; the courage and courage of those who protected the country and its inhabitants are remembered.

Police puppies at Chile’s annual military parade

Now?

“Oh, no—this hot dog is conjuring memories of the carefree, golden summers of my youth, which means it’s not vegan.”

What??

BADA BINGLE!

George Santos just announced he’ll be the new starting quarterback for the NY Jets.

Fifty Shades of Gray is only romantic because the guy is a billionaire. If he was living in a trailer, it would be a Criminal Minds episode.

Afraid of dying alone? Become a bus driver!

Mars has relented and will now add an alpha male M&M. It’s all white, extra bitter, and will melt down when mixed with colored M&Ms.

Once you hit a certain age you become permanently unimpressed by a lot of shit.

I just realized I can’t say the night is young and so are we anymore.

The cat who was completely obsessed with my bump when I was pregnant, is quite uninterested in the baby now that she’s out. It’s a weird way to find out my cat is a republican.

Owning a dog is perfect for people who never want to eat a whole sandwich by themselves ever again.

Why hasn’t one of Taylor Swifts’ ex-boyfriends written a song yet called “Maybe You’re the Problem”?

You can’t fix stupid. But you can sell it a red hat.

On the chocolate package, it says “resealable”.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

If the bacon package isn’t resealable then it contains one serving. That’s just science.

I was born a male, I identify as a male. But according to Stouffers, I am in fact a family of four.

Today is the birthday, in 1943, of Cass Elliott, singer, Mamas and the Papas, who scored the 1966 US No.1 & UK No.3 single ‘Monday Monday’. After the breakup of The Mamas & the Papas, Elliot embarked on a solo career and had the 1968 hit ‘Dream a Little Dream of Me’ from her solo album of the same name. Elliott died from a heart attack on 29th July 1974 while staying at Harry Nilsson’s London flat in the UK. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ0PZRYin2s

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Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, sixties and seventies