Crabs and Beer!

Thoughts from the depths of the Eastern Shore

2 2 2SDAY

Today is Navy Day in Chile. In Chile, it is known as The Day of the Glories of the Chilean Navy (‘Día de las Glorias Navales’) and marks the date of the battle of Iquique on May 21st 1879.

The battle took place during the War of the Pacific between Chile and Peru. The town of Iquique in the north of Chile was under Peruvian control. Chile had blockaded the port with two ships. In response, Peru sent two ships to break the blockade.

The Peruvian ships were more modern and the battle soon ended with defeat for the Chilean navy. At first glance, this may not seem to be a great basis for a holiday celebrating the glories of the navy, but during the battle, great courage was shown by the captain of one of the Chilean ships, Arturo Prat.

Prat’s bravery inspired many Chileans and following his death, there was a large rise in the number of men enlisting in the navy. The legacy of Prat’s heroism can be said to have led to the eventual victory of Chile in the War of the Pacific.


Bada Bing!!!!!

There is no such thing as a grouchy old person. The truth is, once you get old, you stop being polite and start being honest.

If I were a plastic surgeon, I would 100% put a squeaky toy in every breast implant.

Make your pancakes more awesome by referring to maple syrup as ‘tree blood’.

Overheard at a used book store – “Shouldn’t Orwell’s ‘1984’ be in the non-fiction section by now?”

Dad: Son, one day you’ll be a man. Son: Dad, I’m already 36. Dad: But the Autozone guy had to change your wiper blades.

Fellas, if the relationship fails don’t blame only her. It takes two people to mess up a relationship. Blame her and her mother.

Q: What candy do you eat on the playground? A: Recess Pieces!

Mom: What’s the magic word we use to get what we want? Son: I’m offended.

When I’m at a hospital I put half-eaten sandwiches in coma patients hands to give their families hope.

Statistics show that six out of seven dwarfs are not happy.

Unlike the brain, the stomach warns you when it’s empty.

One day you are young. The next day you have to use strategically placed pillows to sleep so your body doesn’t break in half.

If every time someone asks you to do something, you quietly gasp and mumble, “Like the prophecy foretold”, people will stop asking you to do things.

The fact that Jellyfish have survived for 650 million years despite not having brains gives hope to many people.

I was pulled over by a cop and he asked me if I had a police record. I said Roxanne.

More women may be psychopaths than previously thought says the Guardian.com. Yessss! I love to see more women in male dominated fields!

You can feed a lot of squirrels into those pneumatic tubes at the bank before the teller finds the shutoff switch.


Today is the birthday, in 1941, of Ronald Isley, from American group The Isley Brothers who first came to prominence in 1959 with their fourth single, ‘Shout’, and then the 1962 hit ‘Twist and Shout. The Isley Brothers also scored the hits ‘This Old Heart Of Mine’, ‘Summer Breeze’ and ‘Harvest for the World’. Sixteen of their albums charted in the Top 40. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEjLFpU2pJ4

Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, sixties and seventies

MONDAY owns us

Today is Cameroon’s National Day. Also known as Unity Day, this holiday marks the adoption of a unitary state on this day in 1972.

Cameroon National holiday holds immense cultural and historical significance for the people of the nation. It serves as a symbol of national unity, bringing together individuals from diverse linguistic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds.

Cameroon became a German colony in 1884, known as Kamerun.  After Germany’s defeat in the first world war, the administration of the colony was divided between Britain and France, becoming UN Trust Territories after the end of the second world war and the creation of the United Nations.

The United Nations Trust Territory known as French Cameroun achieved independence from France on January 1st 1960, and British Southern Cameroons became a federated state within Cameroon on October 1st 1961. 

On May 20th 1972, in a national referendum, Cameroonians voted for a unitary state as opposed to the existing federal state.  President Ahmadou Ahidjo then abolished the federal system of government in favor of a unitary state, the Republic of Cameroon.


A mystery…


Today is the birthday, in 1946, of Cherilyn Sarkasian, (Cher), American singer and actress, one-half of the folk rock husband-wife duo Sonny & Cher who had the 1965 UK & US No.1 single ‘I Got You Babe’. She became a television personality in the 1970s with her shows The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, watched by over 30 million viewers weekly during its three-year run. Solo hits include the 1991 UK No.1 single ‘The Shoop Shoop Song’, 1998 UK No.1 & 1999 US No.1 single ‘Believe’, plus over 15 other UK Top 40 singles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOSZwEwl_1Q

Posted by Tom in eighties music, Humor, Music

FRIDAY already?

Today is Constitution Day in Norway. It is the National Day of Norway and is an official national holiday each year on May 17th. Among Norwegians, the day is referred to as ‘Syttende Mai‘ (simply meaning May Seventeenth), Nasjonaldagen (National Day) or less commonly, Grunnlovsdagen (Constitution Day).

Following the Napoleonic Wars, Norway’s Constitution, which declared the country as a kingdom independent of Sweden was signed at what is now widely considered one of Norway’s most symbolic markers of national pride, the Eidsvoll Manor House, officially beginning its path to total independence.

Constitution Day is often kicked off by many Norwegians with a traditional 17. Mai breakfast of smoked salmon, scrambled eggs, and a fresh loaf of bread, accompanied by a glass of champagne. Breakfast is just the start of the spring holiday that many view as a time to indulge in guilty food pleasures, especially ice cream and hot dogs. The national pastry for May 17th is pavlova, a cake filled with cream and fruit made from a meringue mass.

The May 17th celebrations vary across Norway, but they all follow a traditional pattern that makes this a day centered on the children.

The highlights are the children’s processions, made up of school classes marching through the local community, led by the school band. Most children have their own small Norwegian flag to wave, and the route is lined with enthusiastic onlookers. The first children’s processions were duly arranged in 1870. Since 1906, the Royal Family have gathered on the balcony of the Royal Palace in Oslo to wave to the children marching by.

Gratulerer med dagen, Norge!


Today is the birthday, in 1961, of Enya Ni Bhraonain, from Irish family band Clannad who had the 1982 UK No.5 single ‘Harry’s Game’. Enya had the solo, 1988 UK No.1 single ‘Orinoco Flow’, and the 2001 US No.2 album ‘A Day Without Rain’. Enya is Ireland’s biggest selling solo artist and second overall behind U2 with an estimated 75 million records sold worldwide. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wfYIMyS_dI

Posted by Tom

Did someone say THURSDAY?

Today is SPLA Day, a public holiday in South Sudan. This holiday commemorates the foundation of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army on this day in 1983.

The Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) was founded as a rebel movement on May 16th 1983. It was led by Commander-in-Chief John Garang de Mabior. Along with the political wing, Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, the aim of the SPLA was to establish an autonomous Southern Sudan, initially within a united Sudan.

Its military actions against the Sudanese government became the Second Sudanese Civil War that would last until 2005. After South Sudan gained its independence in 2011, the SPLA became the army of the new country. 


Nothing I could add here…

BEAR WITH ME

Thanks Debra!


Today is the birthday, in 1947, of Barbara Lee, singer, from American all-girl group The Chiffons who had the 1963 US No.1 single ‘He’s So Fine’, and the 1972 UK No.4 single ‘Sweet Talking Guy’, (first released in 1966). Lee died on 15th May 1992. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvyOqKhKWQ4

Posted by Tom in doo-wop, Humor, Music

WEDNESDAY in the middle

Today is a public holiday in South Korea to celebrate Buddha’s Birthday. This national holiday is also known as ‘Seokga tansinil’. In Korea, the date of the birthday of Buddha is determined by the Lunisolar calendar. It takes place on the 8th day of the 4th month of the Lunar calendar, which means it usually falls in late April or early May.

Buddha’s birthday has been a public holiday in South Korea since 1975, with the number of followers of Buddhism in South Korea estimated at 10 million.

The holiday is marked by lantern festivals and temples open their doors offering visitors free tea and a meal of rice and vegetables called bibimbab. People also hang lotus lanterns in their homes and streets as well as covering the temples with lanterns during the holy month.

In Seoul, there is an evening parade from Tapgol Park to Jogyesa on the Sunday before the actual holiday. Though it’s a national holiday, shopping sites, restaurants, and entertainment sectors such as movie theaters open as usual on Buddha’s Birthday.


SIGNZ


Today is the birthday, in 1937, of American singer, guitarist Trini Lopez, who scored the 1963 US No.3 & UK No.4 single ‘If I Had A Hammer’. Other hits included ‘Lemon Tree’, ‘I’m Comin’ Home, Cindy’ and ‘Sally Was a Good Old Girl’. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp1z8EzZ5Hs

Posted by Tom in folk, Humor, Music