Look to the skies

It’s the start of Manhattanhenge time again (today and tomorrow.) For all of you Illuminati conspiratorialists, ponder the fact that many of Hip Hops multi-millionaire performers are New Yorkers. Also consider that the two times of Manhattanhenge happens to correspond with Memorial Day and Baseball’s All Star break. Manhattan’s grid was originally proposed in 1811,Continue reading “Look to the skies”

Monkeys in Space

May 28, 1959 –America launched a Jupiter rocket on this date, containing a rhesus monkey named Able and a squirrel monkey named Miss Baker. After experiencing nine minutes of microgravity, the capsule successfully returns to Earth with both monkeys intact. However, Able died during surgery to remove his electrodes. Able was then stuffed and mountedContinue reading “Monkeys in Space”

The Chrysler Building opened

May 28, 1930 –The Chrysler Building, the premier Art Deco skyscraper in New York City, had it’s opening ceremony, on this date. Standing 1,047 feet (319 meters) high, it was briefly the world’s tallest building before it was overtaken by the Empire State Building in 1931. With the construction of One World Trade Center, itContinue reading “The Chrysler Building opened”

River Deep, Mountain High released

May 28, 1966 –Ike and Tina Turner released the classic song River Deep, Mountain High, on this date. (Although this is credited to Ike and Tina Turner, Ike had no part in the recording process. Turner was paid $20,000 up front to made sure that he was not in the studio during the sessions.) ItContinue reading “River Deep, Mountain High released”

Golden Gate Bridge opened to pedestrian traffic

May 27, 1937 –The Golden Gate Bridge, arguably one of the Wonders of the Modern World, connecting San Francisco with California’s Marin County opened to pedestrian traffic on this date. More than 200,000 made the first-day trek. Harold Wobber had the good grace to wait until August 7, 1937, to take the first leap intoContinue reading “Golden Gate Bridge opened to pedestrian traffic”

Keep this in the forefront of your mind

With this being the start of the Memorial Day Weekend and many COVID restrictions have been thrown to the wayside, some of you bunkies will be on the road this weekend. Your old pal wants to remind you, once again: (also hit the road before 2pm or after 9 pm today.) (Just in time forContinue reading “Keep this in the forefront of your mind”

That’s a lot of papal bull

In case you need some cocktail conversation – Pope Gregory IX declared war on cats in the 13th Century, issuing a Papal Bull Vox In Rama. He said that black cats were instruments of Satan. Because of this belief, he ordered the extermination of these felines throughout Europe. However, this plan backfired, because the killingContinue reading “That’s a lot of papal bull”

Please refer to your handy church bulletin

Saint Vitalis of Assisi (not to be confused with St. Vitalis of Milan, patron saint of grey haired Lotharios) was an Italian hermit and monk who died in 1370. He became a saint despite an early life marked by licentiousness and immorality. However, in an attempt to atone he went on pilgrimages to various sanctuaries.Continue reading “Please refer to your handy church bulletin”