Author Archives: dcaligari

It’s also the birthday of the god of stone. On this day, it is forbidden to move any stone, including stone roller, stone mill and stone mortar, so this day is also known as “Shi Bu Dong”(meaning do not move any stone). In addition, it is also forbidden to cut into a mountain for rockContinue reading “It’s the Tenth day of the Lunar New Year.”

February 20, 1962 –… Godspeed John Glenn. While aboard Friendship 7, John Glenn orbited the Earth three times in 4 hours, 55 minutes, becoming the first American to orbit the Earth. Remember, NASA hadn’t invented the astronaut diaper yet; I bet he had to pee something wicked. The people of Perth in Australia all turnedContinue reading “Around the World”

It’s the birthday of the Jade Emperor, the King of Heaven on this day, as well. The Jade Emperor is also known as the Yù Huáng or Yù Dì, the Ruler of all Heavens (of which the Chinese have over 30), Earth and the Underworld/ Hell, Creator of the Universe, later the Emperor of theContinue reading “The Ninth Day of Lunar New Year”

Badfinger were a British pop band signed to the Beatles’ label Apple. One of their best songs was Without You which appeared on their second album No Dice. It was released as a single on November 9, 1970. Paul McCartney once described the ballad as “the killer song of all time“. Harry Nilsson started aContinue reading “Sorry for the Earworm”

The Eighth day of the Lunar New Year is believed to be the birthday of millet, an important crop in ancient China. According to the folk proverbs, if this day is bright and clear, then this whole year will be a harvest year; however, if this day is cloudy or even rainy, then the wholeContinue reading “Hang on folks, we’re half way through”

Elm Farm Ollie (known as “Nellie Jay” and post-flight as “Sky Queen“) was the first cow to fly in an airplane, doing so on February 18, 1930, as part of the International Air Exposition held in St. Louis, Missouri. On the same trip, which covered 72 miles from Bismarck, Missouri, to St. Louis, she alsoContinue reading “Did your milk really need to be this fresh?”

Yeah, yeah, I know, it’s National Drink Wine Day every day in my home. Hey, I make wine disappear – What’s your superpower? While, I can’t find the basis for the holiday, I have my suspicions: George, the English Duke of Clarence, was convicted of treason against his brother King Edward IV and murdered inContinue reading “Another Red Letter Day”

The Seventh day of the Lunar New Year is commonly referred to as “Ren Ri” (the day of human), because according to the legend, Nu Wa (a Goddess in Chinese mythology who is believed to create the world and human beings) created human beings on the seventh day. Humans were made using mud, mixing yellowContinue reading “I was told there would be cake.”

Memento mori! – Today is Ash Wednesday, you’re not being helpful – please don’t try to wipe the the smudge mark off your friend’s forehead. (Anyway, did you find the plastic baby in the King Cake? ) So begins forty days (remember that the six Sundays between today and Easter don’t count as part ofContinue reading “Hominem te esse memento!”

Today is the Sixth day of Lunar New Year and the God of Poverty visits each household. According to the legend, the ghost of poverty is a son of Zhuan Xu (an emperor among the Three Emperor and Five Sovereigns in ancient China). He was short and weak, and liked wearing ragged clothes and eatingContinue reading “Clean up time”