Ah, remember when jukeboxes only cost a dime

April 3, 1982 –I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts topped the charts on this date. The song was number 1 on the Billboard charts for two months after 23 major record labels refused to give her a deal. The video was directed by Arnold Levine, who also did many ofContinue reading “Ah, remember when jukeboxes only cost a dime”

The Long, Hot Summer premiered

April 3, 1958 – The 20th Century Fox film, The Long, Hot Summer, directed by Martin Ritt, and starring Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Anthony Franciosa, Orson Welles, Lee Remick, and Angela Lansbury, debuted on this date. The scorching Louisiana heat didn’t help Orson Welles’s temperament on the set. “He was having terrible difficulty living inContinue reading “The Long, Hot Summer premiered”

There is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven

The old ladies you usually pester with questions of a religious nature are busy today: they are doing the Stations of the Cross. Since you probably have not been to church since at least Christmas and more like than not, have completely forgotten your entire religious training (ACME will extend a Papal Dispensation to allContinue reading “There is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven”

If you can’t control your peanut butter,

you can’t expect to control your life. According to the Nation Peanut Board, Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwiches are good for the planet. A 2002 survey showed the average American will have eaten 2,500 of these sandwiches before graduating from high school. Today is Peanut Butter and Jelly Day. Peanut Butter and Jelly Day celebratesContinue reading “If you can’t control your peanut butter,”

Today is the Thursday of Mysteries

Also known as Maundy Thursday. It’s also known as Holy Thursday, Sheer Thursday (as in to cleanse or “sheer off” sin), Covenant Thursday, and Great and Holy Thursday, A day with many names, each pointing to something sacred, ancient, and deeply human. This day commemorates the Last Supper – Jesus‘ final meal with his disciplesContinue reading “Today is the Thursday of Mysteries”

Dave, I’m afraid …

April 2, 1968 – Stanley Kubrick’s influential science-fiction film 2001: A Space Odyssey, premiered in Washington D.C. on this date. The movie was not a financial success at first. MGM was planning to pull it back from theaters, but several theater owners persuaded them to keep showing the film. Many owners noticed increasing numbers ofContinue reading “Dave, I’m afraid …”