sixties and seventies

10
Jun
2024

eyes open…monday? MONDAY!!!

Today is the day of the Dragon Boat Festival in many places. The Tuen Ng Festival, otherwise known as the Duanwu or Dragon Boat Festival, has been celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar for millennia. During this festival, people across Asia, and especially Central and Southern China, gather to watch dragon-shaped boats race along river banks and lakes. 

Legend has it that the holiday honours the tragic death of Chu Yuan, who died in 288 BC. At the time of Warring States, Chu Yuan was a poet and the minister of the state. The King was captured during fighting and in honour and remembrance of the old King, Chu Yuan wrote a poem called “Li Soa.” This angered the new King, who ordered Chu Yuan into exile. Instead of leaving his beloved country, Chu Yuan threw himself into the Mi-Lo River.

The legend proclaims that the people tried to rescue their honored statesmen by chasing him down the river, beating drums to scare away the fish and throwing dumplings into the river so that the fish would not eat his body. Today’s celebrations symbolize the vain attempts of the friends and citizens who raced down the river to save Chu Yuan.

Despite the legend, the festival’s origin is much, much older and is actually connected with very ancient beliefs in the power of the spirits that animated the world and the need to propitiate them. The wish to appease the Water Dragons, who were the spirits of the rivers, will have started on the banks of the great rivers with China’s first agriculturalists.

A dragon boat is a huge war canoe traditionally made from teak that has a dragon’s head carved into the bow and a dragon’s tail carved at the stern. The boats can range up to 100 feet in length and seat anywhere from 20 to 80 paddlers, varying in size. A sacred ritual is held before the race when the eyes are painted on, which is said to “bring the boat to life.” A drummer who sits mid-boat and keeps the time of the oar strokes on a huge drum accompanies all boats.

A gunshot sets the boats off and the beating drums and cymbals from the crowded shores fill the harbors with noise. The races last all day; on the shores of Hong Kong people celebrate with lively song and dance, rooting on their team.

Modern toys…

Today is the birthday, in 1941, of Shirley Owens, singer with American girl group The Shirelles, notable for their popularity in the early 1960s. They were the first all-female black group to have a No.1 hit record with ‘Will You Love Me Tomorrow’ in 1961. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnPlJxet_ac

Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, sixties and seventies
07
Jun
2024

The miracle of FRIDAY

Today is Sette Giugno, a public holiday in Malta. Meaning ‘Seventh of June’ in Italian, this public holiday in Malta commemorates four rioters who were killed by British troops on June 7th 1919.

In 1800, the British had assisted Malta in removing the occupying French forces and the Maltese people had asked to become a sovereign nation in the British Empire. This was ratified in the treaty of Paris in 1815.

Following the end of World War I, tensions had been rising due to the inability of the colonial government to ensure basic supplies to the island. This had led to some merchants being seen to have made a lot of money from the situation, while others fared badly. Added to this was the feeling that political moves for greater autonomy and independence for Malta were seemingly going unheard.

In early June 1919, a change in the governor of the island was treated with scepticism by some and on June 7th, a crowd started removing British flags from buildings that had been flying at half-mast across the island due to the recent death of the President of the Court.

The mob grew in size and turned their attention to the homes of the merchants who had been doing well from the recent supply issues. It was at one of these houses that a standoff between the mob and the army ended in tragedy with the soldiers firing and killing three protestors and injuring fifty others. The uprising continued for a few days during which time, a fourth civilian died from injuries received while resisting arrest.

The uprising was short-lasting, but the bloody events of June 7th 1919 led to the National Assembly drafting the new Constitution. Two years later, Malta was given responsibility for self-government and home affairs and the first Maltese Parliament was set up.

SIGNZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

OOPS!

Today is the birthday, in 1940, of Thomas Woodward, (Tom Jones), Welsh singer who has sold over 100 million records. Scored the 1965 UK No.1 and US No.10 single ‘It’s Not Unusual’ plus over 20 other UK and US Top 40 hit singles. Jones was awarded an OBE in 1999 and received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II for “services to music” in 2006. From 2012 to 2015 Jones was one of the four coaches on the BBC television talent show The Voice UK. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIIU9xkGAMs

Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, sixties and seventies
06
Jun
2024

It’s already THURSDAY!

Today is Swedish National Day. Also known as Svenska Flaggans Day (Swedish Flag Day), this public holiday commemorates two historical anniversaries: the coronation of King Gustav Vasa in 1523 and the ratification of the modern constitution on this day in 1809, which established a separation of governmental power.

Sweden had been a part of the Kalmar Union along with Norway and Finland under Danish leadership. The Union was an effort to counter the growing power of the Hanseatic League. Swedes rebelled repeatedly against Danish rule. Eventually, Gustav Vasa organized a rebellion and conquered most of Sweden. He was elected King of Sweden on June 6, essentially ending the Kalmar Union.

BADA BING!!!!

The first 5 Florists I called from the internet knew nothing about flooring or carpet. And suddenly I’m the idiot.

I started dating a TV weather girl. It’s nice to date a woman that’s wrong most of the time.

Me: Alexa, remind me to go to the gym. Alexa: I have added gin to your shopping list. Me: Close enough.

My family told me to get help for my drinking, so I hired a bartender.

TO THE PERSON THAT STOLE MY SHOES WHILE I WAS ON THE BOUNCY CASTLE. GROW UP!!!

Lance isn’t a common name these days, but in medieval times, they named boys Lance a lot.

Are you eating Rice Krispies? No, I’m getting out of bed!

Funny thing about getting older. Your eyesight starts getting weaker but your ability to see through people’s BS gets much better.

Today is the birthday, in 1936, of Levi Stubbs, American baritone singer, best known as the lead vocalist of The Four Tops, (1965 US No.1 single ‘I Can’t Help Myself’, 1967 UK No.6 single ‘Standing In The Shadows of Love’). He was also a voice artist in film and animated television series, most famously for the voice of the alien plant in the 1986 comedic horror film Little Shop of Horrors. Stubbs died on 17th Oct 2008. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUOntQocGWk

Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, sixties and seventies
04
Jun
2024

Back on TUESDAY

Yesterday was Emancipation Day in the Kingdom of Tonga – a public holiday. This holiday marks the abolition of slavery in Tonga in 1862. Emancipation Day represents a turning point in Tongan history as commoners were freed from the virtual ownership of chiefs.

Tonga is a Polynesian kingdom located in the Pacific Ocean, 1,250 miles north of New Zealand. It is composed of over 170 South Pacific islands, of which only about 36 are inhabited.

In some countries, notably those in the Caribbean, Emancipation Day means the abolition of slavery by the European colonial powers in the early part of the 19th century. Emancipation in Tonga means the abolition of the system of serfdom which had been used by the local chiefs for centuries as a means of forced labor.

On June 4th 1862, Tonga’s first Christian king, George Tupuo I declared the abolition of serfdom in the official emancipation edict as part of his 1862 Code of Laws:

“All chiefs and people are to all intents and purposes set at liberty from serfdom, and all vassalage, from the institution of this law; and it shall not be lawful for any chief or person, to seize, or take by force, or beg authoritatively, in Tonga fashion, anything from anyone.”

Another important event that took place on June 4th is also celebrated on this day. Tonga became a British protected state under a Treaty of Friendship in May 1900, to fend off European settlers and rival Tongan chiefs who had tried to overthrow the king. This Treaty of Friendship and protected state status expired on June 4th 1970 under arrangements established prior to her death by the third monarch, Queen Sālote.

Emancipation Day is celebrated at the end of the annual three-day Ha’apai Festival, which promotes the beauty, cuisine, and culture of the Ha’apai Islands.

Today is the birthday, in 1944, of Holly Michelle Gilliam, from American folk rock vocal group The Mamas & the Papas who had the 1965 hit ‘California Dreamin” (which she co-wrote), the 1966 US No.1 single ‘Monday Monday’ and the 1967 hit ‘Dedicated to the One I Love’. She later established a successful career as an actress in film and television beginning in the 1970s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-aK6JnyFmk

Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, sixties and seventies
29
May
2024

WEDNESDAY appears again

Today is Election Day in South Africa. Like most democracies, South Africa has declared election day to be a public holiday both to make it easier for citizens to vote and to emphasize the importance of this fundamental democratic right and responsibility.

Birds and Bees…

Ridiculous over-packaging…

BADA BING!

A new study finds that married couples have a higher chance of divorce than single people.

Yesterday I gave my food to a homeless person………and today the homeless person gave me a book titled “HOW TO COOK”.

At the library, I asked the librarian if they had any books on turtles “Hardback?” she asked. “Yes,” I said. “and little heads that go in and out.”

It’s the start of a brand-new day, and I’m off like a herd of turtles.

When I say, “The other day,” I could be referring to any time between yesterday and 15 years ago.

I run like the winded.

When you do squats, are your knees supposed to sound like a goat chewing on an aluminum can stuffed with celery?

I don’t mean to interrupt people. I just randomly remember things and get really excited.

When I ask for directions, please don’t use words like “East.”

If people don’t like you, it’s okay. You only need to be concerned if dogs or cats don’t like you.

I’m at that age that the next day my body whispers to me, “Please don’t do that again”.

You guys should see the stuff I don’t post. It sits in a folder labeled I think it’s funny but somebody will be offended.

Stormy Daniels was not surprised Trump’s defense was small and didn’t last long.

Him: How much for the gold circle of death? Her: Sir, those are engagement rings.

When men refer to themselves as “alpha males” I hear that term in the context of software. Alpha versions are unstable, missing important features, filled with flaws, and not fit for the public.

Common sense is a flower that does not grow in everyone’s garden.

Today is the birthday, in 1945, of Gary Brooker, English singer, songwriter, pianist and founder and lead singer of the rock band Procol Harum who had the 1967 UK No.1 and US No.5 single A Whiter Shade Of Pale. (one of the few singles to have sold over 10 million copies) and scored the hits ‘Homburg’, ‘Conquistador’. Brooker founded The Paramounts in 1962 with his guitarist friend Robin Trower and has also worked with Eric Clapton, Alan Parsons and Ringo Starr. He died from cancer on 19 February 2022 age 76. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJxpKlTID2Q

Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, sixties and seventies