Author Archives: dcaligari

March 13, 1781 –Scottish astronomer Sir William Herschel discovered Uranus (which he named ‘Georgium Sidus,’ in honor of George III,) on this date, which he first mistook for a comet. It is the first planet discovered with the aid of a telescope. Uranus is the seventh planet from the Sun and is named after theContinue reading “Feel free to guffaw like a small child”

March 13, 1982 –William Shatner, dons his man girdle once again when T.J. Hooker, costarring Adrian Zmed, premiered on ABC-TV, on this date. The series was originally to be titled The Protectors, which would be the title of the show’s pilot. Creator Rick Husky originally developed the show as a newer version of his previousContinue reading “T.J. Hooker premiered”

Did you forgot to set the clock ahead – we’ll wait (while we madly dash around the house ourselves.) Here’s a short film explaining Daylight Saving Time – Do you need some more time (did you get the clock on the microwave? None of you still have a VCR?) Maybe you should watch this oneContinue reading “Just opine – you’ll have one less hour for drinking today – start earlier”

March 12, 2001 –The Chris Isaak Show, a television sitcom which follows a fictionalized version of the life of American rock musician Chris Isaak, premiered on Showtime on this date. The character of Mona is based on a real woman at the Bimbo’s 365 Club in San Francisco known as “Dolphina“. In the 1930s, aContinue reading “The Chris Isaak Show premiered”

March 12, 1922 –At the end of the Second World War, America dropped two atomic bombs on Japan. Each bomb killed so many people so quickly and made the world so safe for peace-loving democracies that America began feeling pretty good about things and forgot all about being Depressed, etc. This caused the hula-hoop, theContinue reading “Live, travel, adventure, bless, and don’t be sorry”

Hey, before you go to bed tonight, we lose an hour of sleep – Daylight Saving Time starts at 2 AM tomorrow morning, so don’t forget to turn all those clocks, microwaves, DVD players, etc. ahead. Please do this work yourself: the time you save may be your own.

March 12, 1888 –The day before started off seemingly fine – the temperature was mild as a light rain began to fall on March 11th, 1888. And then the weather changed. The rain became heavier and by the next day, the rains changed to heavy snow and buried the unprepared city in drifts of upContinue reading “Don’t complain about the weather today”

Today is Alfred Hitchcock Day. Since Hitchcock was born in August, and died in April, I have no clue why we celebrate in March – its arbitrary and capricious, which makes me like it even more. Besides, it’s a miserable day outside today, so why not. But please, feel free to bludgeon someone to deathContinue reading “It’s a bit of a mystery (to me)”

March 11, 1970 –The first album by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Déjà Vu was released on this date. The album, the second for Crosby, Stills & Nash and first with Neil Young on board. It was the high point for the band, selling over 7 million copies and inspiring legions of singer-songwriters. By theContinue reading “Déjà Vu premiered”

March 11, 1811 –Ned Ludd (not a real person) led a group of workers in a wild protest against mechanization on this date. Members of the organized bands of craftsmen who rioted against automation in 19th century England were known as Luddites and also Ludds. The movement, began near Nottingham as craftsman destroyed textile machineryContinue reading “Luddites of the World Unite!”