Astrud Gilberto

05
Jun
2024

Oops! WEDNESDAY already!

Today is Constitution Day in Denmark. Constitution Day (Danish: Grundlovsdag) commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the Danish constitution of 1849 by King Frederik VII, which established Denmark as a constitutional monarchy, following the Danish Constituent Assembly of 1848 and 1849. From 1660 until 1849 Denmark had been an absolute monarchy.

The constitution was completely rewritten in 1866 and again on June 5th 1915, when women’s suffrage (given the vote) was introduced. It additionally honors the constitution of 1953, which was adopted on the same day.

many Danes celebrate their nation’s democracy and constitution with fællessang (group singing) and udendørsarrangementer (open-air gatherings) in public parks, where pølser (hotdogs) and beer are enjoyed by friends and family alike in the typically warm Scandinavian June weather. Concerts, theatre performances, art exhibitions, and other cultural events are organized to celebrate Constitution Day. These events showcase Danish talent and creativity while reflecting the cultural diversity and richness of the country.

Flag-raising ceremonies are held in different cities and towns across Denmark. The Danish flag, known as the Dannebrog, is raised in public spaces, symbolizing unity and national pride.

Denmark can claim the oldest monarchy in Europe. Queen Magrethe II can trace her direct lineage back to the 10th century.

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On this day in 2023, Brazilian samba and bossa nova singer Astrud Gilberto died at home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania aged 83. Her version of ‘The Girl from Ipanema’ won a Grammy for Record of the Year in 1965. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIdYg3wy9kI

Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, World
07
Jun
2023

WENZ-DAI

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. 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.

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.

SIGNZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

I was saddened to read yesterday of the death of Astrud Gilberto, whose soft and sexy vocal performance on “The Girl From Ipanema,” the first song she ever recorded, helped make the sway of Brazilian bossa nova a hit sound in the United States in the 1960s, died on Monday. She was 83. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1uEy-n4IsU

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Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, World
29
Mar
2023

a fine WEDNESDAY

Today is Martyr’s Day in Madagascar. Also known as Commemoration Day or Insurrection Day, this holiday commemorates those who died in the 1947 uprising against French rule. While estimates of the number of Malagasy casualties vary wildly from 11,000 to 100,000, the indisputable violent repression of the uprising had a major impact on the country.

Today is the birthday, in 1940 of Brazilian samba and bossa nova singer Astrud Gilberto Her version of ‘The Girl from Ipanema’ won a Grammy for Record of the Year in 1965. Here’s another of her songs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9srw5FRm5eA

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Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, World
29
Mar
2022

Day of Tues

Today is Martyrs Day in Madagascar. Also known as Commemoration Day or Insurrection Day, this holiday memorializes the thousands who died in the Revolt of 1947 against the French occupation.

Quite the woman!

Bada Bing!

I watch so many crime shows, when I turn off the TV, I wipe my fingerprints off the remote.

WW These aren’t Weight Watcher pills. You’ve been reading them upside down.

I named my new pet llama Dolly.

I haven’t gotten anything done today. I’ve been in the produce department trying to open this stupid plastic bag.

Is it OK to pull the bag of wine out of the box and stab a straw in it like it’s a giant adult Capri Sun? Asking for a friend.

A man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a busy street. Suddenly, the light turned yellow just in front of him. He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk. 

The tailgating woman hit the roof, and the horn, screaming as she missed her chance to get through the intersection. As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a police officer. He took her to the police station where she was placed in a holding cell.

After a couple of hours, the policeman opened the cell door and said, “I’m very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the ‘What Would Jesus Do?’ bumper sticker, the ‘Follow Me to Sunday School’ bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk. Naturally, I assumed you had stolen the car!”

Why buy it for $7 when you can make it yourself with $92 of craft supplies?

If you see me talking to myself just move along. I’m self-employed and I’m having a staff meeting.

Extroverts: I haven’t left the house in 3 days. Introverts: You gotta bump that number up. That’s a rookie number.

Just bought a personalized license plate… BAA BAA. For my black jeep.

Today is the birthday, in 1940, of the amazing Astrud Gilberto. She was born in Bahia, Brazil and raised in Rio de Janeiro. She gained international attention in 1963 with her recording of ‘Girl from Ipanema’ which won a Grammy for song of the year. She recorded two tracks on the album ‘Getz/Gilberto’ which featured Stan Getz and her husband, João Gilberto along with Antônio Carlos Jobim. These two tracks were her very first professional recordings and she was paid the standard session fee of $120.

Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, sixties and seventies
29
Mar
2021

Oh…Monday

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Bada Bing!

The ship stuck in the Suez should be named in honor of Mitch McConnell.It’s big, full of crap, and obstructing everything in its path.

I recently wrote a sitcom about airplanes. It never took off. The pilot was terrible.

She was wearing unscented perfume. It came in a little empty bottle.

My friend writes songs about sewing machines.He’s a Singer songwriter, or sew it seams.

Do not regret past mistakes. All decisions, good or bad, led you to where you are today.Disregard this if you are in prison. 

Why do psychics have to ask you for your name?

A Catholic priest announces at church one day, “I will be in Rome next week. If any of you have a wish, I will light a candle in Rome so that the wish will come true.” A woman announces, “My husband and I have been married for several years, but have never borne any children. Can you light a candle so that we can have children?” “I will do that,” says the priest. Five years later, the woman says to the priest, “Since you went to Rome and lit that candle, I have given birth to two pairs of twins and a set of triplets, and now I am pregnant with quadruplets!” She then gives the priest a plane ticket to Rome. “You are too kind,” says the priest. “You don’t need to thank me.” “I’m not thanking you,” says the woman. “I just want you to blow out that candle.”

Today is the birthday, in 1940, of Astrud Gilberto. She was born in the state of Bahia and raised in Rio de Janeiro. She married João Gilberto in 1959. She sang two tracks on the influential 1964 album Getz/Gilberto, including the one below. She had never sung professionally before. This clip is taken from a 1964 movie.

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Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, sixties and seventies