sixties and seventies

03
Jan
2024

First WEDNESDAY of the year!!

Today is Winter Solstice, a national holiday in the Kingdom of Bhutan on January 2nd each year. Known as Nyilo, in the Bhutanese calendar, this is the first day of Winter and the shortest day of the year.

Nyilo, according to the Bhutanese calendar based on Buddhist astrology, is the first day of winter and the shortest day after which the days start getting longer until the summer solstice. Of course, on an astronomical rather than an astrological basis, the Winter Solstice takes place on December 21st or December 22nd.

Nyilo literally means “the return of the sun”. As with other new year’s days around the world, Nyilo is an auspicious day on which past mistakes can be removed and the benefit of good deeds is multiplied. It is considered as a sacred day and everyone is discouraged from taking part in negative activities.

Traditionally on the eve of Nyilo, Children visit every home in their village, singing “Lolay” – ancient verses which basically wish a prosperous or good new year to the house, home and family of the people the children are visiting. In return, the head of the family gives the children gifts of rice, meat and other ingredients, with which they cook a sumptuous meal or go for a picnic the following day. It’s a custom that children should be in odd numbers when visiting homes, as even numbers bring bad luck.

Today is the birthday, in 1945, of American singer, songwriter Stephen Stills who was a member of Buffalo Springfield, Crosby Stills Nash & Young and Manassas. With CS&N he had the 1969 UK No.17 single ‘Marrakesh Express’ and the 1970 US No.1 album Deja Vu plus the 1971 solo UK No.37 single ‘Love The One Your With.’ Stills’s first solo album, Stephen Stills, (1970) went gold and is the only album to feature both Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj8FlXGPcOQ

Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, sixties and seventies
29
Dec
2023

Final FRIDAY of the year

Today is Independence Day (Mongolian: Монгол Улсын тусгаар тогтнол), a public holiday in Mongolia. This holiday commemorates Mongolia’s independence from China on this day in 1911.

From the end of the 17th century, Outer Mongolia had been a territory of the Chinese Qing dynasty. A move for Mongolian independence had been stoked at the start of the 20th century after the Qing dynasty implemented cultural assimilation policies in Outer Mongolia to strengthen the Chinese identity of the territory.

In May 1911, the Xinhai Revolution led to the overthrow of the Qing dynasty and established the Republic of China. The turmoil in China was pounced upon by the Mongols, and on December 29th 1911, Mongolia officially declared its independence from China. The spiritual leader of the Tibetan Buddhists was proclaimed Bogd Khan of Mongolia, becoming the head of state.

The Republic of China invaded Mongolia in 1919. They were ousted in 1921. The Soviets then supported Mongolian independence leading to the Mongolian People’s Party declaring independence for a second time on July 11th 1921. This second independence is commemorated each year on Revolution Day which marks the start of the Naadam Festival and is the National Day of Mongolia.

Today is the birthday, in 1946, of English singer, songwriter and actress Marianne Faithfull and one time girlfriend of Mick Jagger. She achieved popularity in the 1960s with the release of her hit single ‘As Tears Go By’ (written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Rolling Stones’ manager Andrew Loog Oldham) and became one of the lead female artists during the “British Invasion” in the United States. She was 17 when this song was released.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8EykQaZ8CU

Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, sixties and seventies
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
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