Ridley's Believe It Or Not--This Day In History--January 7, 2014

Ridley's Believe It Or Not--January 7, 2014:  Slow day for holidays unless you have a Time Machine and are celebrating Distaff Day in Medieval Europe or in Japan eating seven herb rice porridge and celebrating 七草の節句(for those who cannot read Japanese characters-- Nanakusa no sekku, and scraped from the bottom of the holiday barrel two weird ones--Tempura Day (at least goes with 七草の節句) and Rock Day which leads readers to believe I have lost my marbles; but on this day in 1890 W.B. Purvis received a patent for a fountain pen; 1894 William Dickson received a patent for motion picture film; in 1927 the first Transatlantic telephone service commenced between London and New York City; and in 1954 IBM demonstrated the first machine translation system (how is that for 64 years of communications progress?).

            Why use a pen when a computeer will do? "The pen is the tongue of the hand, a silent utterer of words for the eye." Henry Ward Beecher, noted 19th Century clergyman, writer and campaigner for the abolition of slavery and for women's suffrage (also known for dodging by a hung jury a trial for adultery).  Great concept as long as handwriting is legible which is why Robin Cook as a doctor probably uses a computer.

            Kudos to Seminoles last night and condolences to an underdog Auburn team that played their hearts out, only to lose in the last few seconds. Kudos also to the voters who voted for Winston as this year's Heisman. Farewell to the BCS--you will not be missed.     
            Take five from the first full week of work in 2014  and please enjoy the 140 character poems on events of interest on my twitter account below (if you like them, retweet and join 134 growing  followers and  please follow me) and follow my blogs. Always good, incisive and entertaining poems on my blogs--click on links below. www.alaskanpoet.blogspot.com for an original poem for Christmas just posted and poem on the 2013 in  review just posted and www.alaskanpoetcommentary.blogspot.com for poem on the President's birthday gift to Michelle and why a War on Spending Inequality might be needed--you will enjoy it.  
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Ridley's Believe It Or Not--This Day In History January 6, 2014

Ridley's Believe It Or Not--January 6, 2014:  Beginning of Carnival (Eppiphany to Shrove Tuesday) and for those who are downwind of you or who love to read Jack and the Beanstalk to their children, Bean Day; and on this day in 1912, to the delight of those who have a need to know why California may slide into the Pacific Ocean, the German geophysicist Alfred Wegener presented his first theory of the continental drift; in 1931 one of the world's greatest inventors, Thomas Edison, filed his last patent (died 9 months later); and in a testament to musical longevity, in 1964 the Rolling Stones appeared on their first tour as a headlining group, possibly performing their last headlining  tour in 2013.             Is there the right doctor in the house? “The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human body, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease…” Thomas Alva Edison. Wise words as the ACA kicks in while drug reimbursement rates drop and the costs of prescriptions and the relieance on prescriptions rise.             Enjoy tonight's last BCS college football championship--Florida State versus Auburn             Be you a Seminoles fan watching opponents throw in the towel             Or a Tigers fan watching your team on a winning prowl             Cheer for your team and the end of the BCS             Finally, a move to playoffs and a true championship test                        Take five from the first full week of work in 2014  and please enjoy the 140 character poems on events of interest on my twitter account below (if you like them, retweet and join 134 growing  followers and  please follow me) and follow my blogs. Always good, incisive and entertaining poems on my blogs--click on links below. www.alaskanpoet.blogspot.com for an original poem for Christmas just posted and poem on the 2013 in  review just posted.  www.octechlaw.com www.alaskanpoet.blogspot.com  www.twitter.com/alaskanpoet www.alaskanpoetcommentator.blogspot.com  www.alaskanpoethistory.blogspot .comwww.facebook.com/Alaskanpoet  www.linkedin.com/in/octechlaw

 

Ridley's Believe It Or Not-This Day In History-January 5, 2014

Ridley's Believe It Or Not--January 5, 2014:  National Bird Day and the 12th Day of Christmas (after a house full of six days of increasing numbers of birds and more pipers and drummers than the human ears can withstand, finally the last day); and on this day in 1940 FM radio was first demonstrated by the FCC ; in 1949 President Truman in his State of the Union unveiled the Fair Deal; and in 1974, to the disbelief of the cruise ship passengers stranded in the ice at Antarctica for weeks during the holidays, the warmest sustained temperature 59 degrees was recorded in Antarctica.             Mystery of why the cruise to Antarctica braved the hazards of getting stuck in the ice. "Even the cleanest air in the centre of the South Pacific or somewhere over the Antarctic has two hundred thousand assorted bits and pieces in every lungful. And this count rises to two million or more in the thick of a Serengeti migration or over a six-lane freeway during rush hour in downtown Los Angeles." Llyall Watson, noted  maverick scientific polymath and explorer who wrote the best-selling book Supernature.    All  All things being equal, I  would recommend instead a cruise to Alaska.                      As you enjoy the start of NFL playoffs, take five and please enjoy the 140 character poems on events of interest on my twitter account below (if you like them, retweet and join 134 growing  followers and  please follow me) and follow my blogs. Always good, incisive and entertaining poems on my blogs--click on links below. www.alaskanpoet.blogspot.com for an original poem for Christmas just posted and poem on the 2013 in  review just posted.            www.octechlaw.com www.alaskanpoet.blogspot.com  www.twitter.com/alaskanpoet www.alaskanpoetcommentator.blogspot.com  www.alaskanpoethistory.blogspot .com www.facebook.com/Alaskanpoet  www.linkedin.com/in/octechlaw

 

Ridley's Believe It Or Not--This Day In History January 4, 2014

Ridley's Believe It Or Not--January 4, 2014:  Two all time favorite holidays, 11th Day of Christmas (if you love bagpipes like I do--get out your ear plugs 11 bagpipers piping) and National Trivia Day ( yet another reason to look forward to these factoids); and on this day in 1863 James Plimpton patented the four wheel roller skate; in 1896 Utah outlawed polygamy permitted under Mormon law (and was admitted as the 45th State; and in 1965 in his State of the Union Address President LBJ  announced the formation of the Great Society. Thank God there's not room enough on an officer's  motorcycle for this piece of equipment: “New Rule: Stop calling bagpipes a musical instrument. They're actually a Scottish Breathalyzer test. You blow into one end, and if the sound that comes out the other end doesn't make you want to kill yourself--you're not drunk enough.”  Bill Maher, The New New Rules: A Funny Look At How Everybody But Me Has Their Head Up Their Ass.  With apologies to the soul of my mother who loved bagpipes and spent many frustrating years trying to learn how  to play them such that her cats would not immediately all hide their tails, thinking that one of their fellow felines had just had their tail stepped on.                     As you enjoy the start of NFL playoffs, take five and please enjoy the 140 character poems on events of interest on my twitter account below (if you like them, retweet and join 134 growing  followers and  please follow me) and follow my blogs. Always good, incisive and entertaining poems on my blogs--click on links below. www.alaskanpoet.blogspot.com for an original poem for Christmas just posted and poem on the 2013 in  review just posted.   www.octechlaw.com www.alaskanpoet.blogspot.com  www.twitter.com/alaskanpoet www.alaskanpoetcommentator.blogspot.com  www.alaskanpoethistory.blogspot .comwww.facebook.com/Alaskanpoet  www.linkedin.com/in/octechlaw

Ridley's Believe It Or Not--This Day In History January 3, 2014

Amazing how quickly when the Tide changes, it ebbs quickly. Kudos to Oklahoma and condolences to the Alabama Crimson Tide. Hope your day is a good one, weekend better and you enjoy these factoids of history for this day, January 3, 2014. Count your blessings regardless of the number of resolutions  for 2014 that are still active.

Ridley's Believe It Or Not--January 3, 2014:  Really scrapping the bottom of the barrel for holidays and resorted to an old favorite Tenth Day of Christmas (clear the furniture to accept the 10 Lords-A- Leaping); but on this day in 1938, the March of Dimes Foundation was established to find a cure for polio; in 1959 The Great Land (Alaska) was admitted as the 49th State; and in 2000 the last original weekly comic strip Peanuts was published. An easy barometer on how the world is doing: 'If the salmon and the steelhead are running, then as far as I am concerned, God knows that all is well in His world---the health of the environment is good if the salmon and steelhead are around. It is that simple."  Former Oregon Governor Tom McCall. As a former salmon seiner could not agree more but might add "and your seine is outside the markers and they are jumping in its direction with not a jellyfish to be seen floating into,  with little if any wind and enough Sun to keep the mosquitos and noseeums at bay."  Why doesn't Alaska's former governor come up with gems like that?                    As you put an end to the short 24/7 work week after New Year's Day and the disappointing loss by Stanford in the Rose Bowl, take five and please enjoy the 140 character poems on events of interest on my twitter account below (if you like them, retweet and join 134 growing  followers and  please follow me) and follow my blogs. Always good, incisive and entertaining poems on my blogs--click on links below. www.alaskanpoet.blogspot.com for an original poem for Christmas just posted and poem on the 2013 in  review just posted.

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Ridley's Believe It Or Not--This Day In History January 2, 2014

Ridley's Believe It Or Not--January 2, 2014 No holidays of note unless celebrating Carnival Day in Saint Kitts and Nevis and if here celebrating Run It Up the Flagpole and See If It Sticks Day (good day for ACA excuses as people start going to their doctors not knowing if they have insurance); and on this day in 1903 President Teddy Roosevelt shut down the post office in Indianola, Mississippi due to its refusal to accept a Black and female postmaster; in 1974, President Nixon signed legislation, in reponse to the OPEC oil embargo, lowering the nation's speed limit to 55 m.p.h.; and in 1980 in response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, President Carter recalled the U.S. Ambassador to Moscow and delayed Senate action on SALT 2, signaling an end to the detente that had prevailed during the Nixon administration (we also boycotted the 1980 Olympics held in the Soviet Union).

If you concentrate on saving life and limb as opposed to fuel economy, what is the Speed limit?
"Never drive faster than your Guardian Angel can fly." Anon Wise words.  
As you fire up the 24/7 work week after New Year's Day and the disappointing loss by Stanford in the Rose Bowl, take five and please enjoy the 140 character poems on events of interest on my twitter account below (if you like them join 134 growing  followers and  please follow me) and follow my blogs. Always good and incisive and entertaining poems on my blogs--click on links below. www.alaskanpoet.blogspot.com for an original poem for Christmas just posted and poem on the 2013 in  review just posted.      

Ridley's Believe It Or Not--This Day In History January 1, 2014

Ridley's Believe It Or Not--January 1, 2014 (Today Through Rose Colored Glasses):  New Year's Day, Last Day of Kwanza, and Public Domain Day (to the bane of authors and artists watching their works go off of copyright into the free public domain; and on this day in 1890 the first Rose Bowl Parade was held; in 1891 the first college bowl game, the Rose Bowl, was played between Stanford and Michigan ; in 1925 Notre Dame in its only Rose Bowl appearance and led by the "Four Horsemen" in their last ride beat Stanford; in the 1929  Rose Bowl Cal Bears player (to no one's surprise)  "Wrong Way" Riegels recovered a Georgia Tech fumble,  was spun around and ran back 65 yards toward his own goal line, stopped at the goal line by his own teammates to avoid a safety, then tackled by Georgia Tech on the three yard line (Georgia Tech in its only Rose Bowl won 9-7); in the 1941 Rose Bowl, Stanford, using the T formation, beat Nebraska in its only Rose Bowl appearance; in 1954 to the delight of viewers lucky enough to own color TVs, NBC broadcast the first coast to coast color telecast of the Rose Parade; and in 1970 Stanford's only Heisman Trophy winner, Jim Plunket, led Stanford to upset number 1 ranked Ohio State.          Why of all the bowl games, coaches want to go the Rose Bowl: " I'm glad we're not going to the Gator Bowl."-- Lou Holtz, noted football coach and now sports commentator with a great sense of humor on being pelted with oranges when his Arkansas team was in the Orange Bowl. 

          A New Year's  Wish

           On this the first day of the New Year facing a clean fresh sheet

           It  matters not which team prevailed and which one went down to defeat

          It matters not whether the resolutions you made, you will or will not keep

           But rather how life's bouquet of petals, leaves and thorns you choose to greet

           With a smile to ignore the chaff and to find the kernels of satisfying wheat

           Or with negative  frowns or grimaces to all positive thoughts unseat

           But in either case rest assured that your fresh sheet is not wet concrete

           And any losses or setbacks  on your sheets you do not have to repeat

           Enjoy the morning and the fact the flowered floats move slowly, not fleet

           You can almost smell the roses on TV, an amazing colored treat

           Be you Cardinal or Spartan fan, live for a purpose as you take first steps today on the  

                                                           2014 street          

           © January 1, 2014 Michael P. Ridley, aka the Alaskanpoet

HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR    

After enjoying the Rose Bowl Parade (unbelievable as usual) and waiting for the start of the Rose Bowl (Go Cardinal!), take five and please enjoy the 140 character poems on events of interest on my twitter account below (if you like them join 133 growing  followers and  please follow me) and follow my blogs. Always good and incisive and entertaining poems on my blogs--click on links below. www.alaskanpoet.blogspot.com for an original poem for Christmas just posted and poem on the 2013 in  review just posted yesterday. A special thanks to all of those who have followed by tweets and blogs in 2013 and hopefully will continue in 2014.