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April 5, 2023
National Walking Day 2023
    walk

Long ago and far away I was visiting my best old ex-friend Irene at her home in Lancaster, South Carolina.

She was watching Sesame Street with her daughter Hope who, though grown now was a very young child at that time.

They played a bit which has stuck with me over the years in that I have caught myself humming the little ditty from time to time since then.

It was called "New way to walk" by the Oinker Sisters and at that time I thought it to be hilarious.

Today is National Walking Day.

Observed each first Wednesday in April it goes down on April 5 this year. National Walking Day is as it appears — a day to note the easiest way to achieve a higher degree of health and fitness through aerobic exercise. A walk for half to one hour a day can drastically improve your health and work toward the prevention of ailments such as adult onset diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.

Walking can improve both the quality and length of your life.

Tags: health, people, places
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April 4, 2023
The Taxman Cometh 2023
1040-SR    
Yeah I filed my taxes last night. This is the first year I've waited this long. Usually my forms are in the mail at the end of February.

I think that I have reached a subtle "end of the road" from a standpoint of gainful employment and taxation. It was pretty uneventful given my rather low earnings for the year and the fact that all I did was putz around at home all year. I didn't owe any taxes nor did I get any refund. Meh.

As previously I filed the 1040-SR thinking it might give me some imaginary edge. Think again camel breath ! The situation has lead me down the path of considering if I even need the tax software next year. Perhaps I'll find some suitable part time work for a retiree. My search up to now is pretty much a waste of time. Search engines are totally useless in this matter.

So here I sit all filed and legal yet feeling that I've been screwed by Biden's government yet again. It must be some sympathetic screwing to the wall I'm getting — I have resigned myself to the lesser entity I have become. Could be worse, like it was last year when they really reamed me.

Death and taxes. The only two totally inevitable events in life. I've had quite my fill of the latter.


Tags: things
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April 3, 2023
World Cloud Security Day 2023
     cloud security
So today we have World Cloud Security Day. To completely understand this topic we need to know just what a "cloud" is. "The Cloud" is a term referring to other people's computers on the internet which are then leased to customers lacking the skill to implement and maintain their own clusters or other implementations.

They typically offer failover, backup, disaster recovery, backend configuration and maintenance, and a variety of other provisioning which is available — likely as an element of a fee schedule.

Now, I've never been a fan of the cloud. This is simply outsourcing by the inept to those only slightly more skilled. I for one choose to manage my own assets and assume granular control of those assets to the point of firewalling a good part of the "cloud" due to the various exploit attempts of their customers. If they would take care of their own business as well as they attempt to assume mine they would be much better off in both the skill and respectability department.

So World Cloud Security Day is observed each April 3rd to help raise awareness in the IT and security communities about the growing threats organizations associated with remote and hybrid work and BYOD.

I keep abreast of such data myself as a matter of personal pride. If you take care of business you should be able to handle the bulk of security threats out there because largely they are attempted by unskilled denizens of the cloud.

The cloud is not your friend. If you are of sufficient skill level, you can do everything those who wish to "sell" you nothing can do. They are there to let you outsource to them and pay them and since you're so stupid they do great amounts of business under those pretexts. I understand this is the first World Cloud Security Day. Know the risks associated with remote access and device

Our "drag and drop" generation of programmers are the crux of the problem and I forsee a day where AI implementation will make all humans obsolete just prior to their destruction of everything on the planet.

Tags: technology
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April 2, 2023
Palm Sunday 2023
Palm Sunday    

Oh the memories of Easter in my childhood.

Mom was always one to scrub and dress us up for church most Sundays as I recall, but particularly around those holidays surrounding Christ and the signature events of christaindom.

There was chorus practice and presentations with which we were involved frequently during those days.

I dare say that I have not felt closer to God Almighty since my childhood and my mother's direct influence.

Palm Sunday aka Passion Sunday is a Christian feast that happens the Sunday before Easter.

Like the holiday of Easter itself the day moves around on the calendar. This year it falls on April 2.

This feast commemorates Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem which is found in each of the four canonical Gospels.

Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week and the Sunday prior to Easter.
 

Tags: scripture
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April 1, 2023
April Fools Day 2023
Biden the April Fool
Courtesy of your democrat crooks.
Tags: people, politics
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March 31, 2023
Transgender Day of Visibility 2023
Human sexuality comes in 3 configurations:

XXFemale
XYMale
         Mosaic

These three variants of gender are the result of genetics and comprise a wide spectrum called "normal".
Females produce a gamete called an ovum aka "egg". This fuses with the male gamete which is called a sperm during sexual reproduction. The female gamete is larger gametes than that of the males.

Females and males are results of the anisogamous reproduction system. Anisogamy is a form of sexual reproduction where there is union or fusion of two gametes which are different in size and form. Anisogamy is predominant among multicellular organisms.

Intersex people are individuals born with any of several sex characteristics including chromosome patterns, gonads, or genitals that do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies.

    trans mess
That is it for the normal span of sexual beings upon the planet. There is another group who feel that they are born the wrong gender. This misconception is abnormal and results in a person who masquerades as a gender they are not. These deviants are called 'transgender' by their own declaration and they are abominations. They do not occur naturally.

Today is supposedly Transgender Day of Visibility. It is to recognize the sick individuals comprising the transgender community. Such is the day for a group who ignore their genetics and claim to assume a different gender than that assigned by their genome. These people are males who believe themselves to be females and females who believe themselves to be males. They think that they may achieve gender through the process of "feeling" that it exists and the fact that it is a figment of their imaginations is neither here nor there.

They manipulate their phenotype with cosmetics and surgery to give an appearance of the desired gender while remaining their genetic gender configuration all the while.

So March 31 is a dark day for the intellectual prowess of human beings who tout things which are impossible as an attribute to be admired. I have little tolerance for being in the presence of the deranged and this is precisely what transsexuals are: deranged. They don't even know what they are and can have little insight otherwise.

The international sphere is beginning to reject these people as the miscreants that they are. It was only a matter of time. In the USA where we celebrate the abnormal this condition is still supported by a bunch of overly permissive liberal individuals who choose to ignore reality and condone the so-called "transsexual" person and their mistaken take on reality.

The so-called transsexual is a person's mistaken amalgamation of bad body image and unrealistic fantasy. It is not a reality of the human condition beyond the confines of the individual's mental health. The rest of you may do as you will; but excuse me while I decline to put up with your trans idiocy. Instead of pursuing some misguided 'trans day of vengeance' you might consider getting a grip on reality.

The ability to be understood begins with your own understanding. It is obvious that understanding is lacking in the existence of transgender individuals. This militant turn with the murders of innocents in the news will only result in your downfall.

Tags: health
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March 30, 2023
Torrents Day 2023
bits    
I once was an IT Manager for a local computer distributor.

Adding to the difficulties of this environment were the continuous telephone calls handling 'cease and desist' orders for downloading unauthorized copies of software and media from torrent sources.

Torrents are a mass download construct for persons to share various things and unfortunately many of them have copyrights.

So I don't use torrents in my activities because I write my own software and view all the licensed media I can stand.

I'm a "reader" of pages and I decline to amass copyright infringement evidence. It seems that the denizens in the shop of the computer distributor had other ideas. This is where the torrent activity occurred. They did not have to take cease and desist complaints from legal departments. They didn't seem particularly concerned regarding the ramifications of persistent violation either.

Today is torrents day, designed for those who like the idea of sharing large files for whatever reason. So if you use torrents, more power to you.

I for one will stay away due to my history fielding phone calls from various legal departments complaining of copyright infringement.

Tags: technology, people, things
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March 29, 2023
World Piano Day 2023
Pianos are keyboard instruments with strings which are struck by felt covered wooden hammers said to be invented by one Bartolomeo Cristofori on or about the year 1700.

I fancy myself a piano tinker. I don't really play, but "play at" tone poems and the like. I have not had formal lessons but have had incidents where my playing had people wondering ...

I use an 88 weighted key hammer action digital piano. I don't go for the abbreviated keysets nor the 'synthesizer' key actions.

Korg D1 Digital Piano

Today is World Piano Day. It goes down on the 88th day of the year and corresponds to the number of keys on a full sized keyboard.

This year, it happens on March 29.

World Piano Day was founded by a group people interested in the instrument and it's qualities and possibilities.

See Also:

International Stage Management Day 2023
National Buy a Musical Instrument Day 2022
World Piano Day 2022
Little Richard's Posthumous Birthday
Vince Guaraldi
Donald Fagen's birthday 2019

Tags: things
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March 28, 2023
National Triglycerides Day 2023

I've had a persistent problem with triglycerides.

They are a fat substance in the blood which may cause disease in the presence of excessive levels.
 

A triglyceride is an ester derived from glycerol and three fatty acids. Triglycerides are the main constituents of body fat in humans and other vertebrates, as well as vegetable fat

An ester is a compound derived from an acid in which the hydrogen atom of at least one acidic hydroxyl group of that acid is replaced by an organyl group.

From the literature
    triglyceride ranges

Mine hover around 200 mg/dL which at first glance may be construed as excessive.

However, when you note that this is a lot lower than the 4800 from where they started you begin to realize that things are under better control than they might be otherwise.

I was told by Dr Bill Robinson in Columbia SC that my laboratory results are due to inferior genetics.

He has left the country for parts in the carribean and seeing how his substandard ethics and limited skills have caught up with him — it's just as well.`

Today is National Triglycerides. Each March 28th we set aside a day for noting just where our triglycerides levels lay and consider any actions or lack thereof we may require.

Triglycerides are important lipid compounds that help with providing us with energy. However too much of this fat in the blood can be harmful.

See Also:

National Triglycerides Day 2022
 

Tags: health
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March 27, 2023
World Theatre Day 2023
theater    

In my youth I fancied myself an actor of stage and screen. Toward that end, my childhood friend Chris and I would film various remakes of monster flicks as suited our fancy in that innocent time before I seriously considered paying bills.

Today is World Theatre Day. It is observed annually on March 27 under the auspices of the International Theatre Institute (ITI) since 1961. The day marks the thespian arts in entertainment and social impact upon the world.

The observance was initiated by ITI President Arvi Kivimaa in his June 1961 proposal at the ITI's 9th World Congress in Vienna. It was seconded and supported by the Scandinavian contingent of the organization. I was 6 years old.

So in this day of shallow pursuits I think it's important to remember those meaningful endeavors more than ever.

Happy World Theater Day to you !

See Also:
 

International Stage Management Day 2023
World Theatre Day 2021
Birthday of the late Chris Gagnon
My Bucket List Was Emptied Friday, May 30, 2014
May Eve
I've seen a lot of Serling in my day
          Remembering David Ogden Stiers
Remembering Carol Channing
Remembering Miss Kitty Carlisle
Remembering Grace Kelly
Doris Day RIP

 

Tags: people, places
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March 26, 2023
Solitude Day 2023
    solitude
I am somewhat partial to solitude these days. I'm not antisocial, just leaning slightly UNsocial in that I would prefer a quiet evening at home to a night on the town anymore. Wasn't always this way.

I just never pursued this urge to merge or mingle. Never was one to go dancing. Never wanted to hang out at bars. It's a mere environmental preference. My surroundings are more sedate than they were in the old days.

Today is Solitude Day. It is observed on March 26 in the name of that peace to be had in silence and being alone. It's not a case for introverts and anti social behavior ...

It's just another state of being.

Temporal — and not meant to be a driving force in your life. There's nothing wrong with wanting a little peace and quiet.

You can be outgoing and gregarious some of the time. You can be quiet and reflective some of the time. There is even that interactive middle ground where you're socially aware but not immersed in it all.

Solitude and remoteness has it's place in society as well. You can be secluded without being lonely. I get out and interact with others every day. Then I reserve a part of my day for sitting at the machine and writing or research or grooving to the vibes or combinations thereof.

It's just something I do. An aspect of me. One of many.

Tags: people, places
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March 25, 2023
National Medal of Honor Day 2023
Harold Speedy Wilson    
My late friend Dewitt Casey was a marine and as such naturally gravitated toward the Marine Corps League in his latter years.

He became good friends with a local man named Harold "Speedy" Wilson who was a medal of honor recipient. Dewitt and Speedy would spend hours at the now defunct "Gold Nugget" bar on Sunset BL at Leaphart Road in West Columbia just this side of I-20.

Speedy had this large ceramic mug with a big bicycle bell attached and he would ring this when he had emptied his mug and would be provided free refills in honor of his service to his country.

Speedy was a was a quiet sort by and large unless you got him riled and I enjoyed the company of these fellows during the late 1990s. They are both passed now leaving me with my memories and missing the company.

Today is National Medal of Honor Day. It is held each March 25th in honor of that valor of our most courageous servicemen and servicewomen in the United States military.

The award is presented by the President of the United States, and is given only to those military members who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. The brigand traitor Obama and the imbecile Biden are not qualified to issue any military awards to anyone for any reason.

There are actually three different versions of the Medal of Honor, for the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force. Coast Guard members and Marines are eligible to earn the Navy version.

    Medal of Honor Marine Corps Korea

Harold Edward "Speedy" Wilson

Details

Rank:Technical Sergeant (Chief Warrant Officer 4)
Conflict/Era:Korean War
Unit/Command:
3d Platoon
Company G
3d Battalion
1st Marines,
1st Marine Division
Military Service Branch:U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
Date:April 23, 1951
Place:Hill 902 near Hwachon Reservoir, Korea
Citation
For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as platoon sergeant of a rifle platoon attached to Company G, in action against enemy aggressor forces on the night from 23 to 24 April 1951. When the company outpost was overrun by the enemy while his platoon, firing from hastily constructed foxholes, was engaged in resisting the brunt of a fierce mortar, machinge-gun, grenade, and small-arms attack launched by hostile forces from high ground under cover of darkness, T/Sgt. Wilson braved intense fire to assist the survivors back into the line and to direct the treatment of casualties. Although twice wounded by gunfire, in the right arm and the left leg, he refused medical aid for himself and continued to move about among his men, shouting words of encouragement. After receiving further wounds in the head and shoulder as the attack increased in intensity, he again insisted upon remaining with his unit. Unable to use either arm to fire, and with mounting casualties among our forces, he resupplied his men with rifles and ammunition taken from the wounded. Personally reporting to his company commander on several occasions, he requested and received additional assistance when the enemy attack became even more fierce and, after placing the reinforcements in strategic positions in the line, directed effective fire until blown off his feet by the bursting of a hostile mortar round in his face. Dazed and suffering from concussion, he still refused medical aid and, despite weakness from loss of blood, moved from foxhole to foxhole, directing fire, resupplying ammunition, rendering first aid, and encouraging his men. By his heroic actions in the face of almost certain death, when the unit's ability to hold the disadvantageous position was doubtful, he instilled confidence in his troops, inspiring them to rally repeatedly and turn back the furious assaults. At dawn, after the final attack had been repulsed, he personally accounted for each man in his platoon before walking unassisted one-half mile to the aid station where he submitted to treatment. His outstanding courage, initiative, and skilled leadership in the face of overwhelming odds were contributing factors in the success of his company's mission and reflect the highest credit upon T/Sgt. Wilson and the U.S. Naval Service.

Medal of Honor Recipient Harold Edward "Speedy" Wilson

Congressional Medal of Honor Society

See Also:

Medal of Honor Day 2020

Tags: people, places, things, weapons
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March 24, 2023
National Cocktail Day 2024
In my Navy days I held cocktail hour pretty much throughout my enlistment. I could go for a mixed drink and was partial to vodka and gin at the Enlisted Men's Clubs in Orlando and Great Lakes. I didn't drink on base at Charleston because I had other venues to which I would venture out on liberty. At that time I had cultivated a taste for beer anyway.

I found that with time my excursions to bars became increasingly sparse and I eventually drank a snootful of some shot glass cognac or other brandy at home or not at all. Nowadays it's not at all for many years.

Today is National Cocktail Day. It is observed every March 24 in celebration of alcoholic drinks for those who indulge.

Cocktails may drum up various memories of days gone by. I know some who drink them just to be social. I know others who go out of their way to drink them. Me ... I pretty much stopped drinking some 30 years back; not that I wouldn't have a drink with someone now if appropriate.

In general, during National Cocktail Day we make note of those bevereges which remind us of good times and good friends. My personal memories primarily surround copping a buzz. Tying one on. Getting schnockered if you will ...

National Cocktail Day was created by one Jace Shoemaker-Galloway as a fun day to celebrate drinking as a social function. IMHO this one could have been foregone for something a little more meaningful in the context of life.

Happy National Cocktail Day if you're so inclined !
cocktails

Tags: people, places, things
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March 23, 2023
National Puppy Day 2023
snowflake
snowflake
snowflake
snowflake
I had a couple of dogs growing up.

Bootsie, Angus, and Mae.

They were my companions and I grew very fond of them over that time we were together.

Today is National Puppy Day, a day ostensibly for cuteness and fluff and indulgence ... unless you're a puppy in China and other nations who consider canines a food animal as opposed to a companion animal.

Then you're likely headed for preparation and your big day on some serving platter dripping with secret sauce.
 
Countries with canines on the menu
Cameroon
China
Republic of Congo
Ghana
India
Indonesia
Morocco
Nigeria
North Korea
Phillippines
Tonga (Polynesia)
South Korea
Switzerland
Timor-Leste
Thailand
Uzbekistan
Vietnam
Remember this the next time you spend tourist dollars


See Also:

Things I won't Eat
 

Tags: things, food, places
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