sixties and seventies

Jan

2023

THURSDAY the twelfth of something

Today is Zanzibar Revolution Day, a public holiday in Tanzania. The day marks the 1954 revolution that overthrew the Sultan following independence from Britain. Zanzibar is a series of islands off the east coast of Africa. On December 10th 1963, the islands’ status as a British protectorate ended, with Zanzibar becoming a constitutional monarchy, with Sultan Jamshid bin Abdullah as ruler.

The monarchy was short-lived – just over a month later, on January 12th 1964, a revolution led by John Okello of the Afro-Shirazi Party (ASP) overthrew the sultan. The revolution resulted in over 20,000 casualties. Arabs and Indians bore the brunt of the violence, with many more fleeing the country.

Nice license plate for a hearse

INTROVERTS…

Some mornings…

Today is the birthday, in 1959 of Swedish pop singer-songwriter, guitarist, Per Gessle, with Swedish group Roxette, who had the 1990 US No.1 & UK No.3 single ‘It Must Of Been Love’. Roxette have sold an estimated 75 million records worldwide.

Jan

2023

First WEDNESDAY of 2023

Today is Day of the Martyrs in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a public holiday. It commemorates those who died in the struggle for independence from Belgium. On January 4th 1959, riots broke out in Léopoldville after police had broken up a meeting of the independence group ABAKO. After two days of violence, 47 people, all Congolese, had been killed and 379 Africans and Europeans had been injured.

Be careful how you make that PB&J!

Today is the birthday, in 1946, of Arthur Conley.

Dec

2022

Last FRIDAY of 2022

Today is Rizal Day, a public holiday in the Philippines. Known in the Philippines as ‘Araw ng Kabayanihan ni Dr. Jose Rizal’, this day marks the anniversary of the execution of José Rizal on this day in 1896. Dr. José Rizal is a National Hero of the Philippines, credited with playing a key role in starting the revolution against the Spanish colonizers.

Wine tasting…

CATS – the 2022 story…

SIGNZ

I was saddened to ready today about the death of Ian Tyson. Ian and Sylvia were one of my favorite groups in the sixties. They had a lot of great songs that were kinda sad – here’s one that I still like a lot.

Dec

2022

WEDNESDAY after Christmas (but before New Year’s Day)

Today is Incwala Day, a public holiday in Eswatini. Incwala is Eswatini’s most important cultural event and celebrates the start of the harvest season. In the run-up to the festival, men journey to the coast of Mozambique to gather water. It is only after the king eats the first fruit that the people can partake of the harvest. This is why the festival is sometimes called the ‘First Fruits Festival’, but that event takes place on the fourth day and the festival extends over six days, full of rituals and traditions developed over many centuries.

Car needs work…

Bada Bing!

Every job Medusa had, she had to go through sexual harassment training. She couldn’t stop objectifying people.

I start my new job at the guillotine factory today. I’ll beheading there soon.

I’m getting really sick of millennials’ attitudes lately. Walking around like they rent the place.

Well, I am as about as worthless as the ejection seat on a helicopter right now.

Most people think I’m arrogant…But who cares what peasants think.

As the year comes to an end, I urge my friends to take care of yourselves and avoid accidents because spare parts for old models like you are no longer in stock.

I decided to make sure my wife woke up with a big smile on her face this morning. I can’t have sharpies in the house anymore.

If you’re ever feeling useless in your job, remember, some guy has to put nutrition information on bags of ice.

I saw a guy going up a hill with a wheelbarrow full of horseshoes, four-leaf clovers, and rabbits’ feet. I thought, “He’s pushing his luck”.

Always jingle all the way. Nobody likes a half-assed jingler.

Here’s a great music video from long past…

Dec

2022

THURSDAY sometime in December

Today is Santa Marian Kamalen Day in Guam. Santa Marian Kamalen (Our Lady of Camarin) is the Patroness of the Marianas. She is also referred to as the Dulce Nombre, the “Sweet Name,” and associated with a 300-year old statue of the Virgin Mary, which is venerated by Roman Catholics in Guam. The statue is said to have arrived on a Spanish galleon that was shipwrecked in June 1690 on Cocos Island. It was then found by a fisherman. The statue is 28 inches (70cm) tall and made from wood and ivory. It is enshrined high above the main altar at the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral Basilica, in Hagåtña, the capital of Guam. The December 8th date is intertwined with Santa Marian Kamalen. On that day in 1941, the statue was moved for safekeeping just as the Japanese bombed the island during the second world war. After the war, the image was enshrined back at the cathedral on December 8th 1945.