The Daily Dose/May 4, 2024
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™
Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.
CAPSULE BOOK REVIEW: The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House, by Kate Anderson Brower: Of course, there is no shortage of books on presidents and the presidency. But there aren’t many books on the inner workings of the White House, and even fewer are told by those who work there.
Higher, Faster, Stronger: But Brower was motivated. A longtime Washington reporter, she was interested in the inner workings of the White House, and she did what might well have seemed improbable, considering how few White House employees feel like talking about the building and the families they serve. But Brower talked to a variety of former workers, including ushers, electricians, maids, butlers, chefs, and florists, to produce a book that is as entertaining as it is an important piece of history.
From Dallas, Texas…The Flash, Apparently Official…: Especially poignant are the glimpses we get into Jackie Kennedy in the aftermath of her husband’s assassinations and what went on at the White House during 9/11.
Dry, Technical Matter: A couple of things were interesting to note: how virtually everyone hired at the White House knew someone working there – and how some jobs run in families – and how despite working at the world’s most prestigious addresses, White House workers had families, too, and often found themselves working multiple jobs to make a go of it.
Get Your Official Daily Dose Rating Scale Right Here: 1 – The very best; 2 – Very good; 3 – Good; 4 – Average; 5 – A steaming pile.
Final Ranking: 3: This is a good book. If the presidency or the White House itself doesn’t interest you – or if hearing from the hired help offends your sense of propriety – don’t read this book. But if the presidency or the White House itself does interest you, then you will enjoy it.
Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually.
The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow still hasn’t mowed the lawn. Today’s Diary.
”Wet grounds” continues to be the preferred excuse and compounding matters was it never got above 40° and it was windy besides.
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On This Date
Extra, extra, read all about it.
In 1959 – The first Grammy Awards were held in simultaneous ceremonies in Beverly Hills and New York City. Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Domenico Modugno, Ross Bagadsarian, and Hendy Mancini each won two awards, and Mort Sahl hosted the ceremony. The 66th Grammy Awards were held this past February and to date Beyonce (32) and Georg Solti (31) are the only artists to win more than 30 Grammys.
In 1924 – The Paris Summer Olympics begin, with France defeating Romania 59-3 in a rugby game at Olympic Stadium. The Games would officially open on July 5 and run through July 27, with the US winning the most gold (45) and overall (99) medals. It was the second time Paris had hosted the Summer Games (1900), and this summer they will host them for the third time.
In 1959 – George Jones is at #1 on Billboard’s country chart – then known as the Hot C&W Sides chart – for the fourth of five consecutive weeks with White Lightning. It was the first of 13 #1 country songs for Jones, who recalled being drunk for the recording session, which took approximately 80 takes, though producers ultimately went with the first one. The song also peaked at #73 on the Hot 100 and was written by The Big Bopper, who had died a couple of months earlier.
Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.
Others might be content with what was; he could think only in terms of what should be.
Harvey Wiencek
Master of the Mountain
Answer To The Last Trivia Question
Knowledge is power.
Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C., is the only major league stadium to have hosted batters who got six RBIs in an inning three times.
Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.
How many Olympic Games have been held in France? – Answer next time!
