Author Archives: dcaligari

December 2, 1972 –Carly Simon released her hit, You’re So Vain, with background harmonies supplied by Mick Jagger (who just happened to be in an adjoining studio at the time,) on this date. Carly Simon started recording this with Harry Nilsson singing backup, but Mick Jagger ended up singing on it instead (listen for himContinue reading “The first time you figured out what ‘Gavotte’ was”

He knows just how I like my martini – full of alcohol Homer Simpson The first Friday of December is National Bartender Appreciation Day, (as opposed to World Bartender Appreciation Day, which is on February 24.) Raise a toast to the men and women working the late nights, quenching their patron’s thirst.

For those of you playing the home game, you may open the first window in your calendar, (usually the chocolate isn’t very good, this one may be different.)

December is the twelfth and last month of the year according to the Gregorian calendar. This is used in almost all the world today. It was the tenth month in the early Roman calendar. It became the twelfth month in a later Roman calendar. Until 46 B.C., December only had 29 days. But the RomanContinue reading “Kindness is like snow — it beautifies everything it covers”

December 1, 1989 –The very silly National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Randy Quaid, Juliette Lewis and Johnny Galecki, opened on this date. After failing to get the Christmas lights to work one last time, Clark Griswold takes his frustration out on the plastic decorations in the front yard. Chevy Chase actuallyContinue reading “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation premiered”

December 1, 1984 –The Eddie Murphy mega-hit, Beverly Hills Cop, co-starring, Judge Reinhold, and John Ashton, premiered in Los Angeles on this date. To cast the roles of Rosewood and Taggart, the director paired up various finalists and asked them to do some improvisation to get a feel for their chemistry. He paired up JudgeContinue reading “Everyone got to hear about the Neutron Dance”

December 1, 1957 –It’s a big night on Ed Sullivan Show: Buddy Holly and the Crickets, Sam Cooke, and The Rays all perform for the first time on national TV.

November 30, 1858 –The Mason Jar was invented and patented (U.S. patent #22,186) by Philadelphia tinsmith John Landis Mason. I wonder if he knew his jar would be used as a cocktail glass.

November 30, 2004 –Ken Jennings‘ reign as Jeopardy! champion ended when he lost his 75th game to challenger Nancy Zerg, on this date. The clue: Most of this firm’s 70,000 seasonal white-collar employees work only four months a year.  Nancy Zerg, who was in second place with $10,000, revealed her response: H&R Block.  Her $4,401Continue reading “Ken Jennings Jeopardy! win streak ends at 74”

November 30, 1977 –Bing Crosby’s last Christmas special premiered on this date. The program was recorded in September, and Crosby died that October. The show is remembered for Crosby’s unusual duet with David Bowie, where they sing a modified version of Little Drummer Boy, with Bowie singing the new Peace On Earth lyrics composed byContinue reading “The strangest pairing on TV”