Humor

20
Dec
2023

‘W’ is for WEDNESDAY

Today is Macau SARE Day. Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment (SARE) Day (known as ‘Dia Commemorativo do Estabelecimento da Região Administrativa Especial de Macau’ in Portuguese) is celebrated on December 20th and commemorates the Chinese government assuming formal sovereignty over Macau on December 20th 1999. This day is an Obligatory holiday in Macau according to the Article 44th of the Law no. 7/2008 issued on August 18th 2008.

Macau first became a major settlement and trading post with the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th century. In 1557, the Portuguese established a permanent settlement in Macau, paying an annual rent of Silver to the Chinese. Up to 1863, the Portuguese continued to pay an annual tribute to stay in Macau.

Following the Carnation Revolution of 1974 in Portugal, the new Portuguese government decided it would relinquish all its overseas possessions. In 1976, Lisbon redefined Macau as a “Chinese territory under Portuguese administration” and granted it a large measure of administrative, financial, and economic autonomy.

In June 1986, the Chinese and Portuguese governments commenced negotiations on the sovereignty of Macau. The two countries signed a Joint Declaration in 1987, making Macau a special administrative region (SAR) of China. The Chinese government assumed formal sovereignty over Macau on December 20th 1999.

SIGNS!!!



‘..

No good birthdays today but WInter is Here… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPdk5GaIDjo

Posted by Tom in classical, Humor, Music
19
Dec
2023

Welcome to……..’TUESDAY’

Today is National Heroes and Heroines Day, a public holiday in Anguilla. Anguilla is a British Overseas Territory in the Eastern Caribbean. In 1962, Anguilla was joined to St. Kitts and Nevis as an associated statehood.

Resentment against this political decision grew, and in May 1967, the people of Anguilla marched on the Police Headquarters and evicted the Royal St. Kitts Police Force from the island.

On 19 December 1980 Anguilla fully seceded from the association. To mark this important event, a public holiday called Separation Day was established to celebrate the anniversary of political separation of Anguilla from the territory of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla.

In the years since, the Government of Anguilla renamed the holiday to National Heroes and Heroines Day. The holiday has now evolved into a general celebration of the people who have played an important role in the history of Anguilla and made significant sacrifices for the prosperity of this small but proud island nation.

Bada Bing!

These days, if it has “Liberty”, “Freedom”,  or “Patriots” in its name, rest assured it has little if anything to do with any of them.

The first thing that a cult does is convince you that everyone else is lying.

Someone just called my 9YO “gay” on Xbox and he responded with “I’m straighter than the pole your mom dances on”. 

If a non-white Santa Claus makes you upset, wait till you hear what Jesus looked like.

Shout out to all the married folk out there waiting for their spouse to fall asleep on the couch so they can watch what they really want to.

If you think standing by our allies is expensive, wait until you see the cost of abandoning them.

You can’t set a Hallmark movie in the South. Unexpected snow isn’t magical down there. It’s terrifying and always leads to grocery store fights.

You know you’re getting old when you run into your friends at the pharmacy instead of at the nightclub.

I rescued a cow from a slaughterhouse today. I named it Jake from Steak Farm.

I love it when my pet sighs, like, what ails you, my little unemployed freeloader?

You can be your own Secret Santa with tequila and Amazon Prime.

We have to stop saying “How stupid can you be?” Too many people are taking it as a challenge.

I don’t drink or do drugs. At my age, I can get the same effect by standing up too fast.

My friend Sarah accidentally left her Pepsi 60 miles south of Tampa. That’s the location of Sarah’s soda.

Today is the birthday, in 1944, of Zal Yanovsky, The Lovin Spoonful, (1966 US No.1 & UK No.8 single ‘Summer In The City’). Died of a heart attack on 13th December 2002. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs8ZNa73OS4

Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, sixties and seventies
18
Dec
2023

M is for wet MONDAY

Today is Qatari National Day. Qatar National Day (Al-Yaoum-al-Watani) commemorates the day in 1878 when Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani succeeded his father, Sheikh Muhammad Bin Thani, as the ruler of Qatar.

Qatar had started to develop into an important settlement in the eighteenth century. Following periods of control from various local regions, including agreements with the British, the Ottoman Empire arrived in 1871 at the request of the Emir.

On December 18th 1878, Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, succeeded his father, Sheikh Mohammed bin Thani, as ruler of Qatar, becoming its first Emir in a lineage that continues to this day.

Ruling Qatar until his death in 1913, Sultan Jassim is revered in Qatar as ‘The Founder’ as under his rule he unified the tribes of the peninsula marking the creation of the modern state of Qatar. His leadership, both political and militarily, defined Qatar’s status a nation in the view of the two key powers in the region at that time – the Ottomans and the British.

In 1916 Qatar became a British protectorate. Qatar gained independence from the United Kingdom and became an independent sovereign state on September 3rd 1971. September 3rd was originally celebrated as Qatar’s National Day.

The ducks want an explanation.

“The quote is “I’m sexy and I know it”

sqrt(1+tan^2) can be verbalized as “sec” and so this formula is the “sec of c”

“I’m sec C and I know it””

Today is the birthday in 1943, of Keith Richards, ‘The Human Riff’, guitarist, singer, songwriter and founding member of The Rolling Stones who have had over 35 Top 40 singles and albums. Rolling Stone magazine said Richards had created ‘rock’s greatest single body of riffs’. Classic albums include: Sticky Fingers and Exile On Main Street. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiRQT2AXGrw

Posted by Tom in eighties music, Humor, Music, sixties and seventies
15
Dec
2023

The stars tell me it’s FRIDAY!

Today is Rugby World Cup Win Public Holiday in South Africa. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a public holiday after the country won the 2023 Rugby World Cup in Paris in October.

Mr Ramaphosa said the government wanted the day to be a “a day of hope, a day of celebration and unity. Our sportsmen and women have shown us what is possible”. Following the team’s World Cup win in Stade de France, Mr Ramaphosa said he wanted the team’s unity to become a greater feature of society.

Christmas! It’s time to post my first Christmas song of the season. Here is the Mongolian version of ‘Jingle Bells’ by the Altai Band, complete with throat singing and traditional instruments. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJkiYNeDsw4

Altai Band

AI can bring us together…maybe

Biden and Trump - the best friends ever.

maybe not…

Today is the birthday, in 1955, of Paul Simonon, bassist with The Clash, who had the 1979 UK No. 11 single ‘London Calling’ and the 1982 US No. 8 single ‘Rock The Casbah. Their 1991 UK No.1 single ‘Should I Stay Or Should I Go’, was first released 1982. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMaE6toi4mk

Posted by Tom in eighties music, Humor, Music
14
Dec
2023

It’s THURSDAY, I’m told

Today is the Day of the Workers of Oil, Gas, Power and Geological Industry in Turkmenistan. This holiday pays tribute to the hardworking individuals who contribute to the development and prosperity of Turkmenistan’s oil, gas, power, and geological industries. It is a time of great pride and celebration as the country recognizes the pivotal role these workers play in shaping its economy and future.

On this day, the streets of Turkmenistan come alive with colorful parades, traditional dances, and impressive displays of the latest technology and advancements in the energy sector. It is a perfect opportunity for travelers to immerse themselves in the local culture and witness the impressive strides made by the country in this field.

The oil and gas industries are very important to the Turkmenistan economy. As of May 2011, the Galkynysh Gas Field was estimated to possess the second-largest volume of gas in the world. Turkmenistan is home of the Darvaza Gas Crater (shown below) located in the Karakum Desert which has been burning since the 1980s.

SKULDAZE

Today is the birthday, in 1946, of Jane Birkin, English actress, singer, and songwriter who had the 1969 UK No.1 single with Serge Gainsbourg ‘Je t’aime…Moi non plus’, the only French language UK chart- topper. She is also known as being the namesake of the popular Hermès Birkin bag. Birkin was found dead at her home in Paris on 16 July 2023, age 76. I have no idea why this song was so popular – maybe you can figure it out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahHWxwajQL0

Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, sixties and seventies