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- July 15, 2021
- General Tom Thumb died 138 years ago today
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Charles Sherwood Stratton was an American dwarf, who achieved great fame as a performer under circus pioneer P. T. Barnum. His stage name was"General Tom Thumb".
He was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut January 4, 1838. He was a fairly large baby at 9 pounds 8 ounces who abruptly stopped growing at about 6 months of age. Though very small his body was proportionate and fully functional. His siblings were of average size.
Phineas T. Barnum heard about him and contacted his parents then assumed tutelage of him. Barnum taught him how to sing, dance, mime, and impersonate famous people in the process of cultivating an act.
Charles Stratton made his first tour of America at the age of five. He incorporated routines that included impersonating characters such as Cupid and Napoleon Bonaparte. He performed song and dance numbers and even stand up comedy a straight man who was another member of the Barnum troupe.
As a marketing gimmick, Barnum gave Stratton the name General Tom Thumb and his tour was a huge success.
He was the toast of Europe and became an international celebrity. His fame and popularity made him the stuff of legend in his own lifetime.
He changed the perception of society from the standpoint of presentation of human oddities as entertainment. Before his performances the perception of so-called freak shows was unfavorable and he turned them into a favored form of theatrical entertainment in the United States.
His marriage to Lavinia Warren who was also a little person in 1863 became front-page news. There were 10,000 guests at the reception. The best man was George Washington Morrison aka Commodore Nutt who was another dwarf employee of Barnum. The maid of honor was Minnie Warren who was Lavinia's sister. After the wedding, the couple was received by President Lincoln at the White House.
Charles Stratton died unexpectedly of a stroke on July 15, 1883 at the age of 45 years. While alive he was quite over the top in polite society. His decedent affairs were equally spectacular. Over 20,000 people attended his funeral. His funerary monument features a lifesize statue of him atop a great marble headstone procured by PT Barnum in tribute to this most famous circus performer and showman.
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- July 14, 2021
- In a Perfect World ...
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In a perfect world people would come to your web site, look things over, peruse the assets then leave. Pause to look, listen, experience and go about their merry way. Uh huh.
However, this is NOT a perfect world.
Little unskilled assholes on the DIGITALOCEAN network think they need to attempt exploits at each and every opportunity with their libraries of exploit toolkit elements written by others.
Then all too many CHINESE exploiter wannabes want to hack your email server as well. One failure to negotiate TLS simply isn't enough. They need numerous reinforcements of the fact that there is security in place ...
And fixing to be even more so for them. They may wish to exploit; but I just escalate technical preventives on my end as consequences for their trouble.
So you break out that firewall you were trying so hard to stop using in the name of open netizenhood and general access to the world.
Back in the late 1970s I too used hacker toolkits because I mistakenly thought they imparted the appearance of technical prowess.
So instead of singing 'what a wonderful world' or something equally droll I have to sit and firewall DIGITALOCEAN and CHINANET assholes with wild abandon. I would much more prefer just letting people come on in but you take your world into your own hands on the internet. Guard your stuff or get robbed — or worse.
Drop that exploit bitches.
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- July 13, 2021
- Julius Caesar's Birthday 2021
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Gaius Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman. He was born on July 12 in 100 BC in Rome, Italy.
As a member of the First Triumvirate he led the Roman armies in the Gallic Wars prior defeating Pompey in a civil war then governing the Roman Republic as a dictator from 49 BC until his assassination in 44 BC.
He was also an accomplished author and historian. Much of his life is known from his own accounts of various military campaigns he led.
The letters and speeches of Cicero and the historical writings of Sallust and biographies of Caesar by Suetonius and Plutarch also record the events of his life for posterity.
Caesar is considered by many historians to be among the greatest military leaders ever.
On the Ides of March (March 15th) of 44 BC, he was assassinated.
It is said that 60 or so men participated in the assassination. He was stabbed 23 times.
Caesar's corpse lay where it fell on the Senate floor for nearly three hours before it was removed by other officials.
His final disposition was cremation. The Temple of Caesar was erected a few years later on the site of his cremation. Only the altar remains.
Following the death of Caesar, Mark Antony, Octavian aka Augustus Caesar, and others fought a series of five civil wars culminating in the formation of the Roman Empire.
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- July 12, 2021
- Paper Bag Day 2021
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The first job I had was sacking groceries at CE Tyler's Red and White in Wagener, SC while I was still in high school.
I worked there up until I thought I wanted to drive a school bus then kicked myself for leaving there to transport busloads of rowdy school children as it was a much less lucrative position by far.
Today is Paper Bag Day.
It is a day to mark the biodegradeable paper products which are very much superior to the plastic ones which are likely to remain in the biosphere as plastic pollution for extended periods of time.
Each July 12th that threat posed by plastic pollution and those thousands of years required for plastic waste to decompose comes to the fore.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a collection of marine debris in the North Pacific Ocean. Marine debris is litter that ends up in the ocean, seas, and other large bodies of water.
A large portion of this debris is comprised of various plastic things discarded by people.
Paper bags do not contribute to the accumulation of plastic pollution and are of renewable origins, may be recycled, and most important paper bags are biodegradable.
They reduce the need for plastic deposition in the landfills and that pollution such as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
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- July 11, 2021
- Skylab ended in 1979
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Back when I believed in an honest science surrounding NASA there were the astronauts of Gemini and Apollo and visions of what I thought were those brave new frontiers — which later on I learned were not so brave ... or even new.
I had no idea of the sinister aspect of those lies perpetrated by NASA all the while poor mouthing for more funding as they airbrush features from photographs and continually keep we who fund them in the dark. Ungrateful wretches.
I for one can handle the truth, that truth NASA has suppressed at every turn ... but I digress.
The predecessor to the International Space Station was called Skylab. It made possible low earth orbit operations and was an offshoot of the Apollo program.
Skylab as a concept was a bold change from the launch and reentry operations in progress up to that point.
It was a fledgling attempt at sustained orbital operations from a platform which did not reenter the atmosphere until after that time it's duty cycle had ended.
Skylab was our first space station. It was the forerunner of permanent manned orbital platforms operated by NASA.
It fell to earth on this day in 1979, some ten days after my honorable discharge from navy active duty, over the Indian Ocean ending it's operational life.
Memories, pressed between the pages of my mind ...
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- July 10, 2021
- Nikola Tesla Day 2021
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As the most walked on scientist of our age, Nikola Tesla is becoming more memorable as people gain an understanding of how the thieves Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse robbed him in conjunction with the government of the United States and the FBI in particular.
While the Republic continues it's steady progress down the toilet at the hands of the equally criminal democrats at least Tesla gains some of the renoun and respect he should have always had.
Governments allow stupid things in the name of money and distribution of funds ... like the oil companies and the leadership of the military industrial complex robbing the world of everything they can get their hands on.
We are far behind that technology we would presently enjoy were it not for the then president Truman and his National Security Act of 1947 which resulted in the criminal MJ 12, which enabled the nation to misappropriate anything and everything they wish carte blanche from citizens of the country creating a deep state and untrustworthy government.
Nikola Tesla Day is celebrated each July 10 as a Day of Science internationally. He and his work suffered at the hands of this good ole boy network created by Truman and enhanced by Eisenhower.
Why the voters are so stupid I will never know. The democrat party and their present executive administration is evidence for the fact that we love to elect criminals and the heavy handed and underhanded to office. The Tesla Memorial Society of New York and Tesla Forum from Australia proposed the proclamation of "Nikola Tesla Day" as a Day of Science.
The UN naturally wants to be part and parcel of this but they are just a large portion of the international criminal element and liars we need to eradicate from the face of the earth.
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- July 9, 2021
- 2011 Election Corruption Rally
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Stupidity and a lack of concern for others for whom you supposedly serve is an all too common hallmark of public political office in the United States anymore.
Every time I see the criminal dottering old fool Biden and his so-called crook ass antiamerican "handlers" allowing him to babble and drool in public addresses it disgusts and dismays me to know that our country will stoop to ANY depth to accommodate the bottom feeding liars, thieves, and dregs this present administration occupying the Whitehouse has become.
On this day in 2011 a rally was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to call for fairer elections in the country.
Funny, the democrat party was permitted to steal the 2020 US presidental election from President Donald Trump and nobody, including the outrageous backstabbing duty shirking Attorney General Mr Barr did anything about it. His predecessor, one Rod J Rosenstein was far worse. Smiling in President Trump's face then undermining him all the while. Some team.
The degree of refinement and sense of duty as well as the moral compass of our public officials seems to be diminishing steadily over time. I view this as a function of the leftist libtard orientation imparted to school children coupled with the idiotic rantings of the cutthroat me too defund law enforcement antifafied BLM tainted left in general. They have lost any semblence of intellectual prowess in their never ending blathering stupidity placed on public display for all to see.
They criticize Mr Trump who has done nothing but good for the country in the office of POTUS when it is the democrats, the so-called 'progressives' and the rest of the libtard left who are dragging us all down the toilet.
The brigand Obama's AG the scumbag Eric Holder referred to himself as a "wingman" whose duty was to persecute anyone and everyone upon whom the president would sic him upon. The money grubbing abusive criminal dregs of society at the pinnacle of power. This is the democrat party of the USA.
Mr Trump couldn't even get his AG to do his job while the servant crook Mr Holder was Obama's gd wingman — to the ABSOLUTE most piss poor worse chief executive to ever happen to the United States of America. Him and his first ladyboy big Mike. What a humiliation of the country.
The AG Mr Barr even went so far as to declare the notion of the 'stolen election' as 'bullshit'. So much for justice. Those who are supposed to uphold it cannot be trusted to do their duty. I am not optimistic for the elimination of all this corruption in The Republic.
I happily await the upcoming civil war. Don't tread on me.
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- July 8, 2021
- Remembering Rosemary Ellen Guiley
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Being somewhat a fan of paranormal investigations I watch a serial program on the Travel Channel called Paranormal: Caught on Camera.
Various submitted clips are evaluated and commented upon by experts in the paranormal field and among these was one Rosemary Ellen Guiley. She was born on July 8, 1950 and passed this earthly existence on July 18, 2019 at age 69.
I used to enjoy her segments because she exhibited great insight into the paranormal as well as correllatory information and related ancillary topical data which made for a well-rounded and complete presentation.
Her historical knowledge of Western esotericism was particularly impressive as it related to paranormal events both in the present day as well as over the centuries. She knew people, places, dates, and phenomena with practical experience gained in the field investigating paranormal events which shone through her presentations.
Ms Guiley was a writer, researcher, and television personality who worked within topics related to spirituality, the occult, and the paranormal.
She also did radio, worked as a certified hypnotist, held board positions with various research organizations, and has authored more than 49 books to include ten encyclopedias.
It is said that she died suddenly on Thursday, July 18, 2019. However, my research revealed that she was under hospice care and this is indicative of a known terminal event. Perhaps all of this is merely secondary. One may be under hospice care for extended periods.
At any rate, the world lost a wonderful researcher, information resource, and commentator on this world in which we live.
Rest in peace.
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- July 7, 2021
- World Chocolate Day 2021
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I have pretty much surrendered as a chocoholic some time back. I like chocolate in baked goods and specialty candy like bonbons, truffles, and of course various fruits and other tastes dipped in chocolate.
I suffered with severe acne as a child which would be exacerbated with every morsel of chocolate I consumed. Naturally the medical community said this did not happen when it most certainly did. Fudge brownies remain some of my most favorite treats to this day.
We celebrate World Chocolate Day, aka International Chocolate Day or simply Chocolate Day. It is a yearly celebration of all things chocolate. It goes down internationally each July 7.
Some historical circles mark July 7 in as the date upon which the introduction of chocolate to Europe happened in 1550.
This day should not be confused with National Chocolate Day in the United States which happens on October 28th. There are other observances in various countries as well.
Regardless, if you enjoy chocolate this is one of your days to indulge. I'm going to have a nice cup of Ghirardelli double chocolate cocoa mix in a mug of half and half. I don't do this often but the day calls for a touch of that which is normally verboden.
After all, we old bald fat dudes need to watch those carbs lest the metabolic syndrome X with it's associated adult onset diabetes gets us.
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- July 6, 2021
- National Fried Chicken Day 2021
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Fried chicken is one of those foods for which I indulge a life long enjoyment. My personal favorite fried chicken is Kentucky Fried Chicken original recipe and it is actively pursued by me on an intermittent basis with my favorite vendor being that KFC on Decker BL in Columbia SC.
The KFC location near my home on 12th Street in West Columbia simply doesn't cut it on the product or the service staff. Both are totally unsatisfactory.
I had been going to the local Zesto in Triangle City for fried chicken but theirs too has began to taste as though it were prepared in rancid oil and the wait staff began to get orders woefully wrong to the point that I never returned for terrible fried chicken and totally inept service.
We have another National Fried Chicken Day upon us.
Fried chicken is a southern concoction consisting of chicken pieces that have been coated with seasoned flour or batter and fried using the method of personal choice.
The aim of breading is a crisp coating or crust to the exterior of the chicken while retaining juices in the meat.
The scots were the first Europeans to deep fry their chicken in fat; though it was originally unseasoned. West African people had traditions of seasoned fried chicken in which they seasoned and battered chicken which was then fried in palm oil. The beginnings of what we call 'fried chicken' nowadays is the combination of Scottish frying techniques with the West African seasoning techniques. These were developed to a tee by the indigenous black cultures of the American South.
National fried chicken day is observed on July 6 and is a celebration of the evolution of fried chicken as it relates to the american palate.
Happy Fried Chicken Day to you !
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- July 5, 2021
- Lucky for Life ends in SC
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I play the lottery. I don't "expect" to win. It would simply be a life changing experience if I ever do. I try to moderate my play, remember the odds, and have realistic expectations.
I'm not one for the scratchers or the pick 3 or 4. I must say that I feel in the minority in my shun of the scratch off games because they appear to be very popular where I play my number picks.
I play the big games like Megamillions, Powerball, and Lucky for Life and try to maintain strict budgetary restraints I lacked early on.
Last week I received the news from my lottery vendor that the SC Education Lottery is dropping the game Lucky for Life in favor of enhancements to their pick 3 and pick 4 games, i.e., "Fireball".
Later, I hit the SC Education Lottery site which made the announcement:
Lucky For Life® is no longer available for purchase. Winning ticket holders have 180 days from the draw date to claim a prize.
For the duration of this game I have been playing two 5 set cards each week for as long as the game has been available to this jurisdiction. Since that game is not actually "ending" — just being "dropped" — it is possible that those numbers I have been playing along and along from the beginning might 'hit' and be winners ... in some other jurisdiction. This would be a great frustration for me personally due to a decision made by some arbitarily chosen perfunctory state employee who could really care less about me at all.
Sometimes I think those people chosen by the government to run the SC Education Lottery can't really tell their asses from holes in the ground. In evidence I give you the crook Ernie Passailaigue who has certainly seen better days in the reputation and popularity of those he has served in the past.
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- July 4, 2021
- Happy 4th of July 2021
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- July 3, 2021
- Dog Days 2021
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I've noticed an uptick in the heat and humidity and notice on the calendar that 'dog days' have arrived.
These particular 'dog days' are those mentioned in that old weather and folklore standard in the United States, the Old Farmer's Almanac. They do not correspond to established the meaning recognized in most European cultures.
However, being in the US of A I'm satisfied to stick with our own spin on this weather phenomenon ... and to stay in the air conditioning as well.
The dog days or dog days of summer are the hottest, most oppressive days of summer.
History marks the rise of the star system Sirius aka the "Dog Star" with associated heat, lethargy, droughts, sudden thunderstorms, fever, mad dogs, and even episodic bad luck since the ancient world as known in Greece. They are now taken to be the hottest, most uncomfortable part of summer in the Northern Hemisphere ... and they have begun.
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- July 2, 2021
- Stalking the elusive Bushy Tailed Tree Rat
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Now I'm not one to persecute woodland creatures. My plumber, Ed, called me down on that about 20 years ago and it did give me pause. I just try to differentiate between a woodland creature and vermin. I would say that I have issues with other people regarding the status of rodents in my life. However, I think more accurately the other people have issues with me.
Yes, I think of a squirrel as vermin. As such, I do not value it's life at all. I have had neighbors come into my yard and tell me not to trap them that they have as much a "right" to be there as me.
Well, I hate to differ but I don't consider rodents (along with a great many other animals) to be food animals and as such if they get into my truck engine and chew the wires and nest in my attic I'm afraid it's simply going to be capital punishment for the entire cohort and I don't really care who doesn't like it.
I even offer to give my complaining neighbors those captured squirrels if they wanted them. They didn't want them but they didn't want me to exterminate them either so I told the neighbors to put up or shut up and leave. Yes, I have no issues with being assertive, either.
Well, this leaves me in the fairly untenable situation of being faced with a wild animal that thinks I need to give it shelter and allow it to eat my bird food and let the bleeding heart neighbors get in my face and whine about my desire to dispatch them posthaste.
So now I intend to get the squirrelnator, a trap designed to catch animals in mass and comes with a basin so that you can drown them conveniently. Oh, the shame of it all. I want to persecute God's woodland creatures because they invade my living space.
Yes, I realize that it sounds pretty cut throat but you can come over and catch the rats and take them home and love and nurture them all you like. I'm going to kill the little buggers and eliminate them from my property. I hate to be so cold but they are simply vermin to me. Much like all those democrats and leftist libtards in the political sphere of my life.
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