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July 16, 2023
National Cherry Day 2023
    cherries

When I was a kid I used to love to snag the jar of maraschino cherries my mom kept in the fridge for garnishing Dad's highballs. I would put a significant part of the jar on a dish and squirt it with this aerosol whipped creme and tear them up. I would eat the fruit, syrup, and whipped creme right down. Sometimes I would awaken my mother who became rather stern regarding this practice, but I swear I was a repeat offender and DID offend again !

Over the years I cultivated a taste for cherries I bought at the farmer's market. These were kept in a large crate and I would obtain a bagful and depart to wash then refrigerate and devour them each and every one ending up with a rather noteworthy collection of pits. I don't know from where this affinity for the cherry arose ... only that it has stuck with me over the years to this day. I like tart cherries most of all but won't snub a sweet cherry either.

Today is National Cherry Day.

It is celebrated each July 16 in the throes of summer. I believe the weather became furnace like in it's honor. Cherries assume a taste profile called sweet to tart. They also have varying shades of color red to yellow and they are very useful ingredients in baking and mixology.

Cherries are said to have arrived in America along with the early settlers somewhere in the 1600s.

So if you like to partake of cherries I hope you'll indulge yourself today, National Cherry Day.
 

Tags: food
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July 15, 2023
National Woodie Wagon Day 2023
woodie
When I was a kid in elementary school the song Surf City was in vogue. It was about a city in southern California called Huntington Beach which was located in an area where I would reside much later in life.

You would hear it on the am radio and cover bands would take to it in their sets. My next door neighbor on Lavender Lane in the Aragona Village community of Virginia Beach the late John K Hall was all about cars and naturally the Woodie was one of those things he would engage in conversation.

He was always singing something from the many songs about cars as well. Things like Dead Man's Curve, The Little Old Lady from Pasadena, GTO, Fun Fun Fun, Drag City, Little Deuce Coupe, and the list went on ...

Thusly, even I — a lowly know nothing as far as everyone else was concerned — knew about the Woodie, surfing, and it had impact on my early life and existence in those days long gone by.

So today is Woodie Wagon Day.

It is observed each July 15 in homage to the woodie. It began as a station wagon or sometimes even a hearse to which wood panels were applied. When they became universally popular the automobile manufacturers started making them and up to that time they were an after market item provisioned by furniture makers and carpenters.

The vehicle eventually became a mainstay of the surfers because they provided superior transport annd storage for their boards .

Finally, in actuality I always spelled it with a 'y'. Silly me.

Surf City

Two girls for every boy

I bought a '30 Ford wagon and we call it a woodie
(Surf City, here we come)
You know it's not very cherry, it's an oldie but a goodie
(Surf City, here we come)
Well, it ain't got a back set or a rear window
But it still gets me where I wanna go

And we're goin' to Surf City, 'cause it's two to one
You know we're goin' to Surf City, gonna have some fun
You know we're goin' to Surf City, 'cause it's two to one
You know we're goin' to Surf City, gonna have some fun, now
Two girls for every boy

You know they never roll the streets up 'cause there's always somethin' goin'
(Surf City, here we come)
You know they're either out surfin' or they got a party growin'
(Surf City, here we come)
Yeah, and there's two swingin' honeys for every guy
And all you gotta do is just wink your eye

And we're goin' to Surf City, 'cause it's two to one
You know we're goin' to Surf City, gonna have some fun
You know we're goin' to Surf City, 'cause it's two to one
You know we're goin' to Surf City, gonna have some fun, now
Two girls for every boy

And if my woody breaks down on me somewhere on the surf route
(Surf City, here we come)
I'll strap my board to my back and hitch a ride in my wetsuit
(Surf City, here we come)
And when I get to Surf City I'll be shootin' the curl
And checkin' out the parties for a surfer girl

And we're goin' to Surf City, 'cause it's two to one
You know we're goin' to Surf City, gonna have some fun
You know we're goin' to Surf City, 'cause it's two to one
You know we're goin' to Surf City, gonna have some fun, now
Two girls for every boy

Lyricists: Brian Wilson & Jan Berry
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management,
Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Tags: people, things
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July 14, 2023
Pandemonium Day 2023
    Doom Monster
Pandemonium refers to a situation characterized by wild and noisy disorder and confusion in a manner which could only be described as severe uproar.

The word appears in John Milton's Paradise Lost as the "capital of Hell" and the word further has been defined as "demon".

Today is Pandemonium Day.

It is observed on July 14th annually and is a celebration of chaos and mayhem and is primarily a vehicle that one may derive different perspectives on the various upheavals of life.

Pandemonium would once fill my heart with terror but I have been desensitized by the stupid liberals and their insane notions.

I would encounter totally illogical interactions with people who discussed various things not remotely germane to the work at hand.

Finally, I simply began to reject the company of these individuals and they would go away.

Now they believe they have a right to promote upheval in the name of their deviant politics and that I am required by some unwritten law to endure them. Sorry, not gonna happen.

Figuratively or not, pandemonium has no place at work. I am quite the effective squasher of such mess in the office.

Suffice it to say that Pandemonium Day is an homage to all things disorganized, chaotic, and unpredictable. This situation is a broad spectrum phenomenon which may be trivial or devastating.

Goodness, sounds just like the idiotic democratic party of the US with all the many various reprobates which comprise their ranks.

So my personal feelings regarding pandemonium is that it exists somewhat like those realms in the video game Doom, which I used to play all the time.

Mayhem, death and destruction. You can consider them and their effects on this day — but endeavor not to go out and commit them.

Happy Pandemonium Day you devil.

See Also:

Krampusnacht 2019
Evoking Demons
False Impressions for Public Consumption

Tags: people, things
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July 13, 2023
Embrace Your Geekness Day 2023
Dr Amy Farrah Fowler portrayed by Mayim Bialik    
The appelation "geek" has been both a perjorative term and one of endearment or honor, depending on both to whom and from whom it is directed.

I was called a "nerd" early on prior to the advent of the common use of "geek". This is primarily by those with whom I have worked.

Those in my social arena pretty much thought I was "stupid" because they neither comprehended nor cared about my particular set of skills — which didn't become mainstream until well after my desire for any semblance of popularity ended ...

Be all of this as it may I have never really objected to either term and personally, I equate the term "nerd" with "geek" because I don't believe there is any fine distinction between the two.

A geek is a person who both knows about and displays high level interest in one or more subject areas — which is likely something technical or niche.

However, that act of engaging and discussing technical information at length and with great attention to detail also marks me as what I am.

Suffice it to say I am satisfied to sit before a person's keyboard and remove all doubt about just who knows what in the realm of technology.

See Also:

About
Smart is Cool Day 2022
National IT Professionals Day 2022
Embrace Your Geekness Day 2022
Geek Pride Day 2021
Geek Pride Day 2019
Geek Pride Day 2018
Geek Pride Day

Tags: people, technology
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July 12, 2023
Paper Bag Day 2023
The Unknown Woming
I utilize paper bags often. There are various things I need to transport that they seem to accommodate quite well.

I even went so far as to buy a bale of these thinking they were standard grocery bags only to find they were about half that size. My dismay over this persists presently.

This is likely because I couldn't get them out of my face because my mom doesn't think ANYTHING should ever be discarded.

I continue to remain a bit perturbed over this matter.

Today is Paper Bag Day. AKA World Paper Bag Day it goes down each July 12 annually in the name of the paper sack.

This all purpose carry all is a boon to humanity ...

Unless you buy an entire bale of the wrong size bags and then can't get rid of them — so much for a little satisfaction.

The origins of the day remain unknown. A lot of people were involved in the evolution of the paper bag so just snag one when you can and set it aside — as long it's the correct size.

See Also:

Paper Bag Day 2021

Tags: things
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July 11, 2023
World Benzodiazepine Awareness Day 2023
benzodiazepines     
I recall a time when I was immersed in the drug culture. It was not what I viewed as a viable lifestyle and I abandoned recreational pharmaceutical use back in the late 1970s for that reason. These things can't be substituted for reality because inability to function in the real world does not eliminate your problems though you may well be opting instead for some variant of your own misbegotten concoction.

Benzodiazepines are classes of heterocyclic organic compounds utilized as psychoactives and tranquilizers. These include — but are not limited to — drugs such as Valium, Xanax, Ativan, Restoril, Versed, Dalmane, Tranzene, and Librium.

I have known quite a few benzodiazepines addicts in my day. The thing that really chaps me is how the prescriber will allow their patients to fall through the severe withdrawal of these drugs once a problem is recognized. Also, it is amazing the lengths some will traverse to obtain these drugs by "hook or crook".

Today is World Benzodiazepine Awareness Day. It is observed each July 11 annually.

The day is used to spotlight the dangers of benzodiazepines and how frequently they fall into a pattern of abuse, particularly when taken over long periods of time. Overdose and dependence are two of the most frequent pitfalls of using benzodiazepines.

It has been my personal observation that people are better off avoiding benzodiazepines, particularly in the recreational arena as I so often find them utilized.

I have always been very thankful that I did not allow these drugs to overtake my life as I have seen them do with so many others I have known. Ultimately, you are responsible for your life and drugs can do great things unless misused whereby they interfere with health or mask reality by and large.

Tags: health
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July 10, 2023
National Kitten Day 2023
    Salem the kitten
I was never was a cat lover. My sister had a couple of cats when we were kids. My sister in law has had one a long time now and it has grown on me. My mom feeds a number of the neighborhood cats from her stock of half and half we purchase by the case for her coffee. No, I never was a feline aficionado. I do however refer to most cats I encounter as "kitty".

As a rule I do not pursue them, but I stopped persecuting them about 30 years ago and I am never unkind to a dumb animal for a long time now. My mom instilled kindness for animals in me long ago.

Today is National Kitten Day. It's a July 10th observance of baby felines.

All domestic and feral local varieties of cats begin their existence as kittens. Large cats like lions and tigers begin theirs as cubs. I think a cub would be more interesting to me personally but then I would always have this fear of being eaten sometime in the background of our relationship.

Whether you love them or hate them or are like me ...

Decidedly ambivalent today is a day to make that effort to befriend some feline in your midst.

I have found not persecuting felines to be rewarding in the antics I now occasionally enjoy.

Anyway, happy National Kitten Day and if you're a cat person you're okay with me.

Tags: things
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July 9, 2023
Fashion Day 2023
red frock    
My fashion days were back in the 1990s I believe.

It was then that I donned the latest fashions and spent a lot of money on clothes. Those days have past and I now were more utilitarian attire and since I retired shorts predominate my wardrobe.

Today is Fashion Day. It happens each July 9th since 2016. It provides an opportunity for everyone to put on their finest threads and strut their stuff.

We celebrate Fashion Day on July 9 every year. It arose predominately via social media and celebrates every day fashion choices by the populace.

The day is important as it gives everyone the opportunity to put their fashionable side on display and let the world see their unique aesthetic sense, be it through their clothes or accessories. Fashion is an integral part of American society since so many culturally diverse communities live and thrive in this country where every individual has a unique way of expressing their fashion sense.

Some use it as a day of public revolt against trends in fashion styles and wouldn't you know it the LGBTQ pervs instigated all of that. Revolting pretty much sums up the tastes of the LGBTQ pervs because let's face it ...

Abomination is abominable.

So on this occasion I hop you'll get out there and exhibt that flair, that taste, and je ne sais quoi, not to mention style only a heterosexual can truly understand and utilize.

Happy Fashion Day to yous guys.

Tags: people, things
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July 8, 2023
Pretty Infuriating
    Hotpoint Washer and Dryer

I have a new Hotpoint Washer and Dryer for the crib.

It seems that my relatively new washer abruptly decided it would not drain anymore. Rather than wait a week or so for the service guy I opted for a new pair to get on with my life.

The infuriating part of it all is that the Hotpoint appliances are made by General Electric.

My failing washing machine was a GE washer which not only failed to empty the tub anymore — but the tub is actually rusting, made of stainless steel and ALL.

Anyway it's 1500 dollars later and I remain both chapped over the washer and grateful for the new laundry appliances.

Onward, through the fog.
 

Tags: technology, ecommerce
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July 8, 2023
International Skinny Dip Day 2023
skinny dipping    
I remember the few times my compadres were skinny dipping. I recall everyone else abruptly disrobing and getting into the water then being the only one remaining fully clothed both times.

The first time was in Rosmon, North Carolina with Leroy and Joe Dodson et al. We were at a very cold mountain river and everyone shucked off their clothes and jumped in. Everyone except me that is. The second time was in Salley, SC with my dad and brothers and a few cousins. As in North Carolina I declined to disrobe in public in South Carolina as well.

Skinny dipping is not meant for we who are bashful. I had absolutely no desire to traipse around showing off all that I don't have.

It was an embarrassment and I was very careful to pick and choose my venues more carefully after that. All of a sudden I wasn't so quck to join anyone for a trip to the river. They all noticed this as well.

International Skinny Dip Day comes each July 8. Skinny dipping goes back long ago. Some famous people have decided it was appropriate to shed all garments and jump in the water ...

Shamlessly exhibiting their packages and parcels in public. Some people think nekkid is beautiful. I'm just not one to go on display.

It just wasn't anything in which I cared to participate. It also created a sense of avoidance in some social situations. I don't just accompany anyone for swimming at the ponds and lakes anymore. Cart your boorish exhibitionist ass elsewhere.

Happy International Skinny Dip Day to all of you with no shame.

Tags: people, places, life
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July 7, 2023
Alas poor Firewall I knew him well, Horatio
    Horatio Caine CSI Miami
Yeah, I've had to go all CSI Miami and lock down the web server with the firewall.

I was so hoping to leave it open but there simply isn't any modicum of resistence to exploit attempts even in the presence of no chance in hell of them getting through.

Luckily when I took it down I didn't discard the rules set.

Of the intruders, stupid php programers are the worst of them all. Not only are they unskilled but they don't even exhibit good judgement.

Also, too many seem to think wordpress is the only web cms interface in use. Someone sees a URL with 'blog' in it and they automatically think it's a wordpress construct. Think again camel breath,

I like something in a more custom and less decipherable back end if you please. I also have an addiction to tooling various maintenance and trapping subroutines. There is nothing more gratifying than throwing up a nice impenetrable exception in some exploiter's face.

Not much going on in the coding world these days as far as I can see. Just a bunch of oopers and AI clients it appears to me. Drag and Drop addicts.

While I'm all for the IDE in production environments I think the likes of powerbuilder are not the way to go. Call me fickle. I must have been raised compiling at a command line interface and debugging in notepad.

My fellows don't appreciate the fact that you can insert custom filters all over the place when you have a penchant for coding. I'm reaching the point where the blog may become by invitation only. Exploit attempts remain infuriating even though unsuccessful. No respect.

The stupidity of the tech community continues to run rampant. Must be googleitis ignoramus or microsoftosis dotnet vulgaris. Don't you wish you had been educated instead of indoctrinated ?

Firewall

Tags: technology, people
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July 6, 2023
National Hand Roll Day 2023
Hand Roll    
I am a big fan of sushi. Early on I often felt as though I could never eat anything raw.

Then one day I was taken to the sushi bar for a feast and then all bets were off.

Sushi has a lot of different forms. Some are regional and others universal. Temaki, or The Hand Roll is a form which incorporates ingredients arranged in a seaweed roll called noori.

I was amazed at the varieties of sushi available and I find Temaki to be one of the more convenient to eat ... but would point out that it is perfectly good etiquette to eat sushi with the fingers. Some would balk at this notion up front.

I have never been one to manner up in the presence of others — but have made efforts to appear somewhat "worldly" when dining at the local sushi bar at Inakaya Watanabe.

After all, sushi is about community and when you dine at a sushi bar there are many others in your midst checking out both your order and your handling of it. I am often asked what certain sushi in my order are called.

National Hand Roll Day is celebrated each July 6 annually under the auspices of Sushi Nozawa Group.

Ah, the flavors, the colors, the textures. It's truly a wonderful experience to dine at a good sushi bar. I have been known to range from The Ginza in Tokyo to several places in New York and Chicago to the local ones here in South Carolina. I have yet to have a bad experience.

Tags: people, places, things
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July 5, 2023
Mechanical Pencil Day 2023
    Hemingway SSl Mechanical Pencil
I believe my mechanical pencil era was in high school. It was then I thought a nice mechanical pencil eclipsed the dull and commonplace wooden number 2 with a pink pearl eraser hands down.

I know in the intervening years I have periodically owned other pencils. By and large I am a Bic Clic Stic man myself preferring black and blue ink medium points. Actually, the majority of my work for quite some time now entails a keyboard and various applications into which I make entries.

Today is Mechanical Pencil Day. It is observed annually on July 5 internationally.

The day celebrates the invention of the mechanical pencil and promotes that lost art of writing with pencils.

The Mechanical pencil has found it's place in both the classroom and the workplace. Draft works are made for pencil entries which permit those all too frequent corrections.

I recall how aghast I was to learn that public schools no longer teach cursive writing. This is just how far the educators have failed academia. They no longer educate, they indoctrinate. Then they decline to teach those skill which will carry a person through hard times.

I believe that regardless of the sorry state of education and educators in the United States in ALL their woke promoting dumbness that the mechanical pencil is here to stay.

Happy Mechanical Pencil Day !

Tags: things
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July 4, 2023
Independence Day 2023
Independence Day 2023

Another celebration of our independence from Great Britain is upon us. Time to reconsider the hardships endured by our ancestors in the name of freedom for the colonies which ultimately became the United States of America as the result of their resistence to rule by decree.

In this day we have freedoms unheard of in many nations. Unfortunately, those persons who would allow their emotions to overshadow facts and science has been a detrimental effect of the result of this freedom. These people say men can be women and women can be men. They cannot. They attempt to revise actual history with contrived versions supporting some fantasy narrative. They wish to teach psychosocial pseudoscience and portray it as having been subjected to the scientific method when it has not.

Their idiotic rantings are not the way.

On this day I wish you a happy holiday and urge you to resist all things woke. They are synonymous with stupidity and perversion. It would be a happier day for me personally if our nation weren't drowning in stupidity, perversion, and law breakers gone astray and running rampant such as those constituting the US democratic party.

Happy Independence Day anyway.

Tags: things, people, health
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