The Daily Dose/February 3, 2025
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™

Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.

Leading Off will return. 

Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually. 

The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow is greeted with an open alarm panel door. Today’s Diary. 

The alarm panel door in the back office server room was open when we reported for duty at the hotel tonite…This is never good because, of course, there is no reason to have the alarm panel door open if an alarm hasn’t going off…

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On This Date
Extra, extra, read all about it. 

In 1789 – The Electoral College meets for the first time in New York City and elects George Washington president of the United States. Under the system then effect, each elector voted for two candidates, with there be no differentiating between votes for president and vice president. Washington was named on all 69 ballots, with John Adams coming in second with 34 electoral votes, with ten others receiving at least one electoral vote. The 1st US Congress would certify the election on April 6, and Washington was inaugurated on April 30. 

In 2007 – The Indianapolis Colts win the Super Bowl, defeating the Chicago Bears 29-17 in Miami. It was the second and most recent Super Bowl win for the Colts and remains the only Super Bowl loss for the Bears, to go along with one title. It was the first Super Bowl since the first one where neither team was seeking their first title, and remains the only Super Bowl win for an AFC South team. 

In 1989 – Sheriff is at #1 on the Billboard Hot for the only week with When I’m With You. It remains the only hit song for the group and the only reason they are not considered an ultimate one-hit wonder – an act whose only chart single goes to #1 – is the song had first been released in 1983, peaking at #61 on the Hot 100 and at 38 in their native Canada. Keyboardist Arnold Lanni wrote the song as a present for his girlfriend because he was too broke to buy her a present. 

Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.

And slowly I thought “OK, now it’s impossible. That’s sure. So let’s start working.”
Philippe Petit
On the prospect of walking across the Twin Towers on a tightrope. 

Answer To The Last Trivia Questions
Knowledge is power.

Both Austria and Poland have appeared in 13 Olympic ice hockey tournaments without winning a medal. 

Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.

When was John Adams inaugurated vice president? – Answer next time!

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The Daily Dose/February 3, 2025
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™

Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.

HERE WE GO AGAIN: We elected pettiness, vindictiveness, and ignorance, so it’s hardly the Upset of the Year that President Trump has shown these qualities since his presidency resumed on Jan 20. 

Dry, Technical Matter: President Trump’s latest tariffs are all of these things. They are going to cause inflation, retribution, bad will, and general havoc. They are senseless. They are not, of course, a surprise, because President Trump has been talking senselessness since he announced his candidacy nine years ago. 

Whew…At Least There’s That: At least Trump is not spreading that gobbledygook he spread during his first term about tariffs causing foreign countries to write checks to the US treasury. Even he knows that’s false. Here’s how the tariffs will work, and you do not have to be Adam Smith to understand it.  

Econ 101: Let’s say you own Company A. Or, better yet, let’s say you buy widgets from Company A, widgets that are imported from Canada. The tariff will add 25% to the cost of the widget for Company A, a tax that Company A will pay to the US treasury, not Canada. This is merely another business expense for Company A and they will pass it on to us consumers. This means we will be paying more for our widgets, making the tariff merely another tax on us. 

Get Your Official Daily Dose Policy Right Here: We’re taxed enough. The tariffs are a barrier to the free trade that should be the hallmark of our American economy. It will wreak havoc on economies the world over, and you and me – we the people – will be stuck paying the bill. 

The Bottom Line: We elected this, so we have nobody to blame but ourselves. We knew nonsense like this would happen, and we elected it anyway. Now, midterm elections are next year and there are only 1,447 days remaining in this administration, but that isn’t doing us any good in our battle with today’s witlessness. The American Century is long over and if we’re not paying attention to our democracy, the American Experiment will be over soon enough, too.

Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually. 

The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow has three instances of big news to report. Today’s Diary. 

The big news is we are shaving our head again…

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Would you like 4Ever & Ever access to Gaylon’s crap?
Of course you would.
Click here. It’s only $24.99.

Click here for complimentary chapters of all of Gaylon’s books.
It’s easy reading on any device. 

———

On This Date
Extra, extra, read all about it. 

In 1961 – Man lands on – as opposed to crashing into – the lunar surface for the first time when the Soviet Union’s Luna 9 lands around the lunar equator on what be the far left side looking from Earth. The spacecraft transmitted man’s first pictures and video from another heavenly bodyand Luna 9 utilized an airbag to land, and touched down at a speed of 14 mph. The first pictures were released by scientists at an English observatory, who pirated the signals. Contact with Luna 9 was lost on Feb 6 when its batteries died. 

In 1924 – Canada wins the Olympic ice hockey gold medal, defeating the US 6-1 in the final game of the final round. It was second of a record nine Olympic hockey gold medals for Canada and was the second of a record eight silver medals for the US, to go along with two titles. Great Britain earned the bronze medal. Ice hockey had first been contested at the Olympics at the 1920 Antwerp Summer Games. 

In 1968 – The Lemon Pipers are at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 for the only week with Green Tambourine. It was the first of three chart singles for the group and remains their only Top 40 hit. The song also peaked at #7 in Great Britain and was Billboard’s 47th-biggest song of the year. The band formed in Oxford, Ohio in 1966 and disbanded in 1969. 

Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.

Everyman achieved his own greatness by reaching out beyond himself, and so it is with nations…Only when a nation means something to itself can it mean something to others.
Werner Von Braun

Answer To The Last Trivia Questions
Knowledge is power.

Paul Coffey of the Edmonton Oilers holds the NHL record for most goals in a season by a defenseman with 48 in 1985-86. 

Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.

What countries have participated in the most Olympics without winning an ice hockey medal? – Answer next time!

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The Daily Dose/February 2, 2025
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™

The Sunday Bottom 5
A ranking of some things.

1. Donald Trump – Petty, vindictive, and ignorant – exactly what American citizens and the rest of the world are looking for in a president…It’s not as if this is a bulletin, either, as all these traits have been on display for years…The American electorate has merely chosen to disregard them.

2. Tariffs – All together now: tariffs are paid by the American company importing the goods…They then pass this expense on to us consumers, making such tariffs, in essence, a(nother) tax on you and me – we the people…Thanks, President Trump!!!…We deserve better than you, but we couldn’t be bothered to elect better

3. USA! USA! – The 3-hole staple…A hundred years from now all new people – including Americans, if there are any left – will look back at us and the Trump Era and wonder exactly how America – the nation that split the atom and put men on the moon – dumbed down enough to twice elect Donald Trump president…We are now as ignorant as he is.  

Los Angeles Lakers – Lakers – as they’ve done for decades – continue to get best players in NBA to play for them with trade for Luka Doncic…SB 5 pollsters “pretty sure” Lebron James has some good years left, so maybe Lakers can return to making some noise in the NBA playoffs and tie the goddamned Celtics for most NBA titles (18). 

5. Donald Trump Fact Check: – Click here for lies and misinformation from President Trump’s witless response to the Washington, D.C. plane/helicopter crash…From the New York Times. 

Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually. 

The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow considers opening a sportsbook. Today’s Diary. 

Shortly after Tammy arrived, we wandered up to her and said we should offer prop bets on which of us front deskers would be the first slaughter Madam Blab…

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Would you like 4Ever & Ever access to Gaylon’s crap?
Of course you would.
Click here. It’s only $24.99.

Click here for complimentary chapters of all of Gaylon’s books.
It’s easy reading on any device. 

———

On This Date
Extra, extra, read all about it. 

In 1653 – New York City – then known as New Amsterdam – is incorporated as the seat of the colonial government of New Netherland, part of the Dutch Republic. New Netherland became part of the British colonies in the New World in 1664, and it was renamed New York. Today New York City has a population of 8.8 million people, is the biggest city in the US and 35th-biggest in the world. 

In 1977 – Ian Turnbull of the Toronto Maple Leafs establishes a new NHL record for most goals in a game by a defenseman in a 9-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings. Turnbull had five goals, breaking the record of four goals done six times previously, and the record still stands. Turnbull also remains the only NHL player to score five goals on five shots. 

In 1974 – Dolly Parton is at #1 on Billboard’s country chart – then known as the Hot Country Singles chart – for the only week with Jolene. It was the fifth of 39 Top 10 country hits for Parton and her second of 21 country #1s. The song also went #1 country in Canada, peaked at #60 on the Hot 100, and was Billboard’s 6th-biggest country song of the year. 

Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.

[Trees] endure rain, snow, wind, and cold…Neither bad fortune nor good fortune will alter what they are. We should be the same way. We may have great fortune or bad, but we must always be true to our inner selves.
Deng Ming-Dao
365 Tao

Answer To The Last Trivia Questions
Knowledge is power.

King Manuel II of Portugal went into exile in England when the Portuguese monarchy was abolished in 1910. Later attempts to restore him to the throne failed. 

Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.

Who holds the NHL record for most goals in a season by a defenseman? – Answer next time!

Share Gaylon! Go!

The Daily Dose/February 1, 2025
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™

Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.

Leading Off will return.

Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually. 

The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow does some work at the hospital, but not too much. Today’s Diary. 

Asher and ol’ Sparrow didn’t steal money at the General Hospital Security Department (GHSD) like we did last nite, but it was hardly as if we were overpaid tonite, either…

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Would you like 4Ever & Ever access to Gaylon’s crap?
Of course you would.
Click here. It’s only $24.99.

Click here for complimentary chapters of all of Gaylon’s books.
It’s easy reading on any device. 

———

On This Date
Extra, extra, read all about it. 

In 1908 – King of Portugal Carlos I and his heir apparent are assassinated in the Square of Commerce in Lisbon. Two assassins, both republican sympathizers, were killed immediately, and Carlos was succeeded by his son Manuel II, who reigned until October 1910, when the monarchy was abolished. The official report from an investigation into the matter was eventually lost and no trials were held. History refers to the incident as the Lisbon Regicide. 

In 2004 – The New England Patriots win the Super Bowl, defeating the Carolina Panthers 32-29 in Houston. It was the second of an NFL-record six Super Bowl wins (tied with Pittsburgh) for the Patriots and remains the only Super Bowl appearance for the Panthers. The game was scoreless until 3:05 remained in the second quarter and combined for 37 points in the fourth quarter, both Super Bowl records. 

In 2020 – The Box by Roddy Ricch is at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the third of eleven consecutive weeks. The song went to #1 in six other countries including Latvia and Greece, peaked at #2 in Great Britain, was also in its fourth of twelve consecutive weeks at #1 on Billboard’s soul chart, and was Billboard’s 3rd-biggest song of the year. It was the second of eight Top 40 hits for Ricch and was his first of two Top 10 and #1 hits.  

 Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.

Progress, once started, is endless…We proceed because we must.
Gore Vidal
Empire

Answer To The Last Trivia Questions
Knowledge is power.

The first team not from Montreal or Winnipeg to win the Stanley Cup was the Ottawa Silver Sevens in 1903. 

Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.

Where did Manuel II go after his reign ended? – Answer next time!

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The Daily Dose/January 31, 2025
By Gaylon Kent – America’s Funniest Guy™

Leading Off
Notes from around the human experience.

USA! USA!: Lost in the cacophony of President Trump’s executive order barrage is this bigger-picture thought: 

America is facing its biggest internal threat since the Civil War. 

Get Out Your History Books: Back then, the enemy was ignorance. 

Back To The Future: Today, the enemy remains ignorance. 

Dry, Technical Matter: In the 19th century, ignorance convinced people that keeping fellow humans in bondage was right. Today, it is ignorance that sold people the idea that Donald Trump is qualified to lead our country. 

A House Divided…: There was a time when slavery – now universally condemned – had its defenders, including a vice president of the United States, John Calhoun, who called slavery “a good…a positive good”. 

A House Still Divided: Now, the president of the United States is a convicted felon, a lying, ignorant sexual predator who believes the moon is part of Mars and that the US must possess Greenland. He is ignorance personified and now, because we’ve twice elected him president, America is ignorance personified. 

This Just In: We’ve always felt there was a time when both the US media and citizenry would’ve rejected Trump and ignorance of this magnitude. That time has passed, though and the media embraced Trump. Nevermind he blathered witlessness off the top of his head; Trump meant ratings and clicks, so the media heralded how he was changing the narrative so, instead of dismissing him, they escorted him directly into the primaries, the nomination, and the White House. 

The Bottom Line: Abraham Lincoln once said America could never be defeated from without, only from within. It’s happening now. We are a country that is not only believing the lies Donald Trump tells us, but we are also beleiving the lies we are telling ourselves. We deserve better than this, but we didn’t elect better than this. We elected lies and ignorance; we deserve everything we get the next four years. 

Today At The Site
Writing worth reading. Usually. 

Today’s Diary entry is on the house. 

The Diary of a Nobody – Sparrow has a leisurely night at the hospital. Today’s Diary. 

In fact, we got so much done when we wandered into the security office (SO) at 0630 we only half-jokingly told Asher that it would be nice to be able to relax and do some security work for the last four hours of the shift…

———

Would you like 4Ever & Ever access to Gaylon’s crap?
Of course you would.
Click here. It’s only $24.99.

Click here for complimentary chapters of all of Gaylon’s books.
It’s easy reading on any device. 

———

On This Date
Extra, extra, read all about it. 

In 1606 – Guy Fawkes and three others are executed for treason for a planned revolt by English Catholics to kill King James I and blow up the House of Lords. The attack had been planned for the Nov 5 state opening of Parliament, but an anonymous letter to a member of Parliament betrayed the plotters and Fawkes, and others, were arrested at the House of Lords, Fawkes guarding a stash of gunpowder. History refers to the incident as the Gunpowder Plot and to this day a ceremonial inspection for gunpowder is conducted before the opening of Parliament. 

In 1901 – The Winnipeg Victorias of the Manitoba Hockey Association (MHA) win the Stanley Cup with a 2-1 overtime win over the Montreal Shamrocks of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) in Montreal to sweep the series in two games. It was the second of three Stanly Cup wins for the Victorias and remains the only Cup loss for the Shamrocks to go with two wins. Winnipeg would lose the Cup following a challenge by the Montreal Hockey Club the following year, with the challenge era ending after the 1913-14 season. 

Editor’s Note: this item first appeared in 2019.
In 1976 – Earth Wind and Fire is at #1 on Billboard’s soul chart – then known as the Hot Soul Singles chart – for the second of two non-consecutive weeks with Sing a Song. The song was the groups second of eight #1s on the soul chart and it also peaked at #5 on Billboard’s Hot 100. Earth Wind and Fire had a total of 19 Top 10 singles on the soul chart between 1974 and 1988

Some Philosophy Crap
The wisdom of the ages. Whatever.

When we are unhurried and wise, we perceive that only great and worthy things have any permanent and absolute existence – that petty fears and petty pleasures are but the shadow of reality.
Henry David Thoreau
Walden

Answer To The Last Trivia Questions
Knowledge is power.

Rich Girl was the first #1 song on the Hot 100 for Daryl Hall and John Oates. It spent two weeks at #1 in 1977. 

Today’s Stumper
Match wits with Gaylon. It’s not that hard.

Who was the first team not from Montreal or Winnipeg to win the Stanley Cup? – Answer next time!

Share Gaylon! Go!