Author Archives: dcaligari

5:00 a.m. on November 11, 1918 – French Army clerk Henri Deledicq finished typing the peace treaty that would end World War I. He had put the carbon paper in backwards. Ten minutes later, in a railroad car in France, military leaders signed copies of an armistice that were completely unreadable. World War I endedContinue reading “We shall not sleep, though poppies grow in Flanders fields”

Another British retailer, Very (think Target) has dropped a humorous advert for their festive campaign, allowing people to cut themselves some slack this Christmas. So remember you’re allowed to forgive yourself for all of your bad behaviour this year because of Xmas, according to Very (please do not blame me or ACME if you getContinue reading “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas”

November 11, 1985 –One of the first major films dealing with AIDS, An Early Frost, starring Aidan Quinn, Gena Rowlands, Ben Gazzara, and Sylvia Sidney, premiered on NBC-TV on this date. This was the first feature film about AIDS made either for TV or theater release. Producer Perry Lafferty said that NBC lost $500,000 inContinue reading “An Early Frost”

November 11, 397 –St. Martin of Tours, another in the series of anorexic visionaries, patron saint of France, soldiers (he is known as the he man’s saint), reformed alcoholics and winemakers, died on this date. When the armistice fell on the Saint Martin’s Day, November 11, 1918, the French people saw it was a signContinue reading “If people need me, I will not refuse the work –”

November 10, 1969 –Come and play. Even at 52, everything’s still A-OK (even on HBO.) Sesame Street premiered on PBS-TV on this date.

November 10, 4004 BC –Are you having that , “Gee, I’m feeling rather shamed about my engorged genitals today“, here’s the reason why: Adam and Eve, all our forebearers, were driven from Paradise on this date, according to our good old friend Rev. Ussher. For some reason, the first Gideon Bibles were put in hotelContinue reading “So that’s why”

Before you go – In a truly British fashion the sports wear company Barbour has somehow tied Paddington Bear, re-waxing of a coat (apparently the key to the entry into British aristocracy) and Christmas into a 90 second commercial – It’s cute and all, but our English cousins are weeping into their spotted dick overContinue reading “Begin thinking about your Christmas card list”

November 10, 1973 –Elton John hit No.1 on the Billboard album chart for the third time with his seventh LP, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, on this date. The double disk set became his best selling studio album with worldwide sales of over 15 million copies, certified 8× platinum. Elton and his songwriting partner Bernie TaupinContinue reading “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”

Banging your head against a wall for one hour burns 150 calories. Alternatively, you can walk your dog for 45 minutes, which also burns 150 calories – and is much less painful. Or you burn about 200 calories during 30 minutes of active sex. You decide.

Some crematoria in Sweden and Denmark have begun selling surplus heat from their furnaces for use in houses. Many see this as entirely sensible, avoiding the need for crematoria to have expensive and energy-hungry cooling towers. But others wonder if it breaches an ethical code drawn up the International Cremation Federation, a body set upContinue reading “Is it hot in here?”