Humor

03
Oct
2023

Just another TUESDAY

Today is German Unity Day, a public holiday in Germany. Since 1990, the ‘Tag der Deutschen Einheit’ has been a national holiday in Germany. It is the only official national holiday. All other holidays are managed at a federal level.

On November 9th 1989, the Berlin Wall fell, paving the way towards the reunification of Germany which had been split at the end of the second world war. The reunification of Germany took place on October 3rd 1990 when the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) was incorporated into the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG).

Following the GDR’s first free elections on March 18th 1990, negotiations between the GDR and FRG culminated in a Unification Treaty. Further negotiations between the GDR and FRG and the four occupying powers produced the so-called “Two Plus Four Treaty” granting full sovereignty to a unified German state, whose two halves had previously been bound by a number of limitations as a result of its post-WWII-status as an occupied nation. The treaty was signed on September 20th 1990.

Convenience…

BADA BING!!!

If you need the threat of hell to be a good person, then you’re just a bad person on a leash.

It’s not procrastination if I never had any intention of doing it in the first place.

Winter is coming. Don’t forget to reverse your battery so that the heat comes on in your car instead of the AC.

Mom: So what did you do at school today. Kid: Not enough. They want me to come back tomorrow.

Sister Teresa was known to be the smartest nun in the convent. She was better known as nun the wiser.

‘Don’t kid yourself’ would be a great slogan for a condom company.

I still think ‘nonfungible’ sounds like ‘cannot be turned into a mushroom’.

Sometimes I think I’m too picky. Then I watch my dog looking for a place to poop.

I’ll call it a smartphone the day I yell “Where’s my phone?” and it yells back “Down here in the cushions!”

Today is the birthday, in 1941, of Chubby Checker, US singer, (Ernest Evans), 1960 US No.1 & UK No.14 single ‘The Twist’, 1962 UK No.2 single ‘Let’s Twist Again’). ‘The Twist’ is the only song to go to number 1 on the US singles charts twice. Once in 1960 and again in 1962. Be sure to watch this fun video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im9XuJJXylw

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Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, sixties and seventies
02
Oct
2023

MONDAY is a holiday somewhere…

Today is Tuvalu Day, a public holiday in Tuvalu. October 1st is the National Day of Tuvalu and marks the date it gained its independence from the UK in 1978. If it falls on Sunday it is celebrated as a holiday on Monday.

Tuvalu is made up of three reef islands and six atolls spread over ten square miles. Tuvalu is situated halfway between Hawaii and Australia, making it one of the most isolated countries on Earth; as well as one of the smallest and most low-lying nations on earth. Its highest point is only 4.6m (15ft) above sea level.

In 1819, the island of Funafuti was named Ellice’s Island after a British politician; the name Ellice was then applied to all nine islands. The islands came into Britain’s sphere of influence in the late 19th century, when each of the Ellice Islands was declared a British protectorate by Captain Gibson of HMS Curacoa in October 1892.

A referendum was held in 1974 to determine whether the Gilbert Islands and Ellice Islands should each have their own administration. As a consequence of the referendum, separation occurred in two stages. The Tuvaluan Order 1975, which took effect on 1 October 1975, recognised Tuvalu as a separate British dependency with its own government.

The second stage occurred on 1 January 1976, when separate administrations were created out of the civil service of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony.

Elections to the House of Assembly of the British Colony of Tuvalu were held on August 27th 1977, with Toaripi Lauti being appointed Chief Minister in the House of Assembly of the Colony of Tuvalu on October 1st 1977. The House of Assembly was dissolved in July 1978, with the government of Toaripi Lauti continuing as a caretaker government until the 1981 elections were held.  

On October 1st 1978, Tuvalu became fully independent as a sovereign state within the Commonwealth realm, with Toaripi Lauti becoming the first Prime Minister.

Get ready…

What a deal!

Today is the birthday, in 1951, of Sting, (Gordon Sumner), singer, songwriter, The Police, (1983 UK & US No.1 single ‘Every Breath You Take’, plus 4 other UK No.1 singles). Solo, (1990 UK No.15 single ‘Englishman In New York’ plus over 15 other UK Top 40 singles). As a solo musician and a member of The Police, he received 16 Grammy Awards and has sold over 100 million records. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMOGaugKpzs

Posted by Tom in eighties music, Humor, Music
29
Sep
2023

FRIIIIIIDAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!

Today is Chuseok in Korea. The Harvest Moon Festival, or Chuseok (meaning ‘Autumn Eve’), is one of Korea’s most cherished holidays. It takes place on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, which means it usually takes place in September. Though the dates may be similar in some years, it is not an Autumn Equinox festival. The festival is usually a three-day public holiday. If the dates fall over a weekend, an extra day may be taken on the following Monday.

According to legend, Chuseok originated as a result of a weaving competition held between two princesses in the Silla dynasty. The goal was to see which of their teams could weave the most cloth. The fierce competition lasted for a month, ending on the 15th day of the 8th month on the lunar calendar during the full moon. As punishment, the losing team had to prepare a bountiful feast for the victors.

The Harvest Moon Festival is the busiest travel day in Korea with over half the Korean population traveling. Most people visit family to prepare food, honor their ancestors, and cherish relatives both living and deceased.

One of the main Harvest Moon Festival traditions is the food preparation, especially of songpyun; a traditional Korean rice cake made with pine needles. In Korean, Song means ‘pine tree’ and Pyun means ‘rice cake’.

Oddly for a festival that takes place on a full moon, the traditional shape of a songpyun is a half moon. This is said to reflect the natural optimism of Koreans – a full moon can’t get any fuller, but a half moon shows there is room for improvement.

Overheard…

SIGNZZZZZZZZZ

Tomorrow is the anniversary of the premier performance of Porgy and Bess by the amazing George Gershwin. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7-Qa92Rzbk

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Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, opera
26
Sep
2023

TWOSDAY? TOOSDAY? 2SDAY??

Today is September Revolution Day in Yemen. The holiday commemorates the overthrow of the Imam Muhammad al-Badr on this day in 1962, which led to the creation of the Yemen Arab Republic.

When the Ottoman Empire collapsed in 1918, Imam Yahya Muhammad declared northern Yemen an independent sovereign state and proclaimed the Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen in 1926. A King and an Imam, Yaha ruled Yemen until his death in 1948, when he was succeeded by Ahmad bin Yahya. On September 19th 1962 Ahmad died in his sleep. His son, Muhammad al-Badr was proclaimed Imam and King.

From its inception, the kingdom had proved unstable with various revolts and assassinations taking place and Al-Badr’s reign would prove very short-lived.

Only a week after he ascended to the throne, army officers with the support of Egypt, staged a coup overthrowing the monarchy and deposing al-Badr on September 26th 1962. Abdullah as-Sallal, the commander of the royal guard, declared himself president of the Yemen Arab Republic. This event marked the start of the North Yemen Civil War which would last for the next six years.

In 2014 a second civil war began which is still ongoing.

Catmouflage

BADA BING!

Ever since the pandemic, I’ve reached dazzling new heights of how ugly I’m willing to be in public.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again because I have a terrible memory.

Me: Correct me if I’m wrong… Internet: Sir, we will correct you even if you’re right!

Unless you fell off your treadmill and smacked your face, no one wants to hear about your workout.

Trying to think of a tree pun but I’m stumped.

It’s not your fault Adam. Study finds that 100% of men would eat any fruit given to them by a naked woman.

I was playing hide and seek today. I was winning until the cops let the dog loose.

Me: Doc, it hurts when I do this. Doc: But, you’re not doing anything. You’re just sitting there. Me: Exactly.

Every member of Congress has been ranked from smartest to Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Evangelicals spent thousands of years warning about the antichrist. Then, when he shows up, they elect him president.

Just once I’d like someone to call me “sir” without having to add “You need to calm down or we’re going to have to ask you to leave”.

Today is the birthday, in 1948, of British-born Australian singer, actress and activist Olivia Newton-John. She scored the 1978 UK & US No.1 single with John Travolta, ‘You’re The One That I Want’, and the 1981 US No.1 & UK solo No.7 single ‘Physical’. She was a four-time Grammy Award winner whose music career included five No.1 hits. Newton-John, who battled breast cancer three times, was an advocate for breast cancer research. She died on 8 August 2022 from cancer at her home in the Santa Ynez Valley of California, at the age of 73. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWz9VN40nCA

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Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, sixties and seventies
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