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You have come to the spot to absorb diatribes, rantings, historical references, stories, quotes and music for your eyes and ears. Read. Absorb. Learn. Grow. It is part of your daily experience. Learning concepts, ideas, and principles that make meaning in your life is a spiritual quest. Wasting time on senseless crap like useless social media postings, stupid video postings and other mindless crap wastes your time, your mind and your soul. Enrich yourselves with all the world has to offer to make you a better person and make our communities better, safer places.
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DuPont announced that its new synthetic polyamide fiber will be called "nylon". Although Dupont patented nylon in 1935, it wasn't until this day in 1938 that Dupont introduced the nylon to the public at World's Fair in Flushing Meadows, New York. Three thousand members of the Women's Club attended a forum called "We Enter the World of Tomorrow". Why women? Why nylon? Nylon is a versatile plastic used to make any number of products, including the infamous nylon stockings. Nylon consists of large molecules with repeating chemical structures, known as synthetic polymers. Dupont chemist Wallace Carothers developed the first strand of synthetic polymers known as nylon 6,6. Different forms of nylon have different practical applications. The first commercial product to use nylon came on the market in February 1938 of that year in the form of Dr West's Miracle-Tuft, a toothbrush with nylon bristles. However, the synthetic polymer fiber used was nylon, but Exton. Dupont targeted women as a key market for nylon products. Soon after it entered mass production, the revolutionary fiber replaced costly silk used in stockings. Thus, the term "nylons" became synonymous with stockings. Many believe that the name is an amalgamation of New York (NY) and London (Lon), but this is in fact incorrect. According to Dupont, the company said that the polymer was named Nuron, spelling "no-run" backwards. Due to trademark conflicts with the name, Dupont changed Nuron letter by letter until they agreed upon the term nylon. Read more at the Science Institute History site.
What goes better with nylons than Velvet. If you like The Smiths or The Cure, you will love Eugulls, an English band formed in Leeds in 2009. The four lads in the band included Mark Goldsworthy on guitar, Henry Ruddel on drums, Liam Matthews on guitar, Tom Kelly on bass, and George Mitchell, the Peter Murphy double on vocals. The band released an EP, several singles and two LP's. The band appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman, performing their song "Possessed". Franz Ferdinand chose Eugulls as their opening act for their 2014 UK tour. The band received notable press attention from NME, The Guardian, Loud and Quiet, Vice, Stereogum, Yorkshire Evening Post, The Fader, and Pitchfork Media. Steve Lamacq from BBC Radio 6 chose Eugulls as his new Favorite Band in 2013. If you read the fan comments and listen to their tunes, you might just get hooked. But all good things come to an end. In May 2021, singer George Mitchell confirmed during an interview that he left the band. As he pursues his passion as a painter, he also started a new musical project called "Honesty". Learn more about Eugulls at the official Partisan Records website.
Good old Ms. Liberty was dedicated on this day in 1886. It was a gift from our dear old long-time allies, the French. The French were the ones who helped the American colonists win their independence from the British crown, only to suffer from great debt. The Sun King and his reign lost power to one of the greatest revolutions in history, which saw the rise of Napoleon and soon Robespierre. The great sculpture sits atop Liberty Island in New York Harbor and represents the Greek goddess Libertas. "The New Colossus", written by Emma Lazarus in 1883, was memorialized in 1903 with a bronze plaque placed on the inner walls of the Statue's pedestal. Most people just remember "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. . . ". It is currently displayed in the Statue of Liberty Museum.The statue welcomes immigrants to our shores but one must ask if its spirit remains. Of course, this regime has reverted to Jim Crow mentality with its "whites only" messaging. Check out the live view cam shots from the Statue of Liberty and much more.
Graham William Nash is an English born, American musician, singer and songwriter. Graham Nash is best known as a member of Crosby Stills Nash and Young, However, his career expands beyond the group. Raised in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, Nash, along with school friend Allan Clarke, co-founded the Hollies, one of the UK's most successful pop groups. Nash, Allan Clarke, and guitarist Tony Hicks formed Gralto Music Ltd, a publishing company which handled their own songs, GML later signed the young Reginald Dwight, a.k.a. Elton John, to play piano and organ for the Hollies on several recordings. Nash initially met both David Crosby and Stephen Stills in 1966 during a Hollies US tour. Nash left the Hollies to form a new group with Crosby and Stills. The trio later became a quartet in 1969 with Neil Young.Thus, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young entered the music scene. Nash achieved greater success, penning many of CSN's most-commercial hit singles. In 1972, during CSNY's first hiatus, Nash and Crosby formed a successful duo. After the duo, Nash pursued his solo career. He co-founded Musicians United for Safe Energy, a musical project against the expansion of nuclear power. Nash collaborated with many musicians over the years but still pursues writing songs that hit on political and environmental themes. Nash holds four honorary doctorates, including one from the New York Institute of Technology, University of Salford and Lesley University. He received an appointment as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his contributions to music and the arts. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted Nash two times, once as a member of Crosby, Stills & Nash in 1997 and as a member of the Hollies in 2010. Check out the official site of Graham Nash.
On this day in 1929, the stock market crashed, setting off a domino effect leading to the Great Depression that created a global financial crisis. The Great Crash, known as Black Tuesday, was the most devastating stock market crash in the history of the United States, when taking into consideration the full extent and duration of its after effects. The crash, which followed the crash of the London Stock Exchange in September, signaled the beginning of the twelve year Great Depression that affected all people in all Western industrialized nations. This followed on the heels of the Roaring Twenties, a time of mass consumer confidence, a decade of decadence over production, wild speculation in stocks and high consumer debt. Sounds like a repeat if you are not paying attention. Read more about The Crash.
J.B. Lenoir was an American blues guitarist and singer-songwriter, active in the Chicago blues scene during the 1950's and 1960's. Born in Monticello, Mississippi, his full name was simply "J. B.". The letters were not his initials. His father introduced him to the music of Blind Lemon Jefferson, which became a major influence in Lenoir's pursuits. While getting his chops wet in the blues scene, he worked with legendary blues artists Sonny Boy Williamson II and Elmore James. When he moved to Chicago, he performed at local nightclubs with musicians such as Memphis Minnie, Big Maceo Merriweather, and Muddy Waters, thus making him an elemental part of the Chicago blues scene. He recorded for various labels including J.O.B. Records, Parrot, Checker and Chess Records. His Bayou Boys included blues great pianist Sunnyland Slim, the guitarist Leroy Foster, and the drummer Alfred Wallace. His desire to use blue music as an avenue for social and political commentary distinguished him from many other bluesmen of the time. Parrot Records forced him to re-record his controversial song "Eisenhower Blues", as "Tax Paying Blues". The Civil Rights Movement and Free Speech Movement inspired other songs such as "Alabama Blues" and "Down in Mississippi". He died on April 29, 1967, in Urbana, Illinois at the young age of 38 from injuries he suffered in a car crash. In 2011, Lenoir earned his rightful posthumous induction into the Blues Hall of Fame. Listen to his complete singles collection from 1950 - 1960 at the Discogs official site.
The broadcast of Orson Welles's radio dramatization of H.G. Wells's War of the Worlds caused great alarm and nationwide panic as listeners feared a genuine invasion from Mars. Welles played the notable voice of "The Shadow" in the hit mystery program of the same name. Welles delivered the "War of the Worlds" as the actual play, not as a radio hoax. He had no idea of its effects on the audience and its impact on entertainment history. The broadcast started on Sunday, October 30, at 8 p.m. An announcer started with "The Columbia Broadcasting System and its affiliated stations present Orson Welles and the Mercury Theater on the air in 'War of the Worlds' by H.G. Wells." The dramatization began the same time as most of these Americans were listening to the very popular ventriloquist Edgar Bergen and his dummy "Charlie McCarthy" on NBC. Listeners tuned to CBS at 8:12 pm after the comedy sketch ended. By then, the story of the Martian invasion was well underway. After the initial introduction an announcer followed with the weather report. Then, the announcer took listeners to "the Meridian Room in the Hotel Park Plaza in downtown New York, where you will be entertained by the music of Ramon Raquello and his orchestra". Music played and then the announcer broke into the music to report that "Professor Farrell of the Mount Jenning Observatory" detected explosions on the planet Mars. The radio returned to the dance music then followed with another interruption informing listeners that a large meteor had crashed in a field in Grovers Mills, New Jersey. A supposed announcer at the crash site described a Martian emerging from a large metallic cylinder. In a terrified voice, he said, "Good heavens, something's wriggling out of the shadow like a gray snake". Using sophisticated sound effects and great actors, listeners believed an invasion was actually happening. An announcer reported that widespread panic had broken out in the vicinity of the landing sites, with thousands desperately trying to flee. Thus, an actual panic ensued. An investigation by The Federal Communications Commission found no law was broken. The broadcast launched the acting, directing, and production career of Orson Welles, leading to a masterpiece film classic, Citizen Kane. Listen to the original broadcast of War of the Worlds.
Simple Plan is a Canadian rock band from Montreal, Quebec, formed in 1999. The band consisted of Pierre Bouvier on lead vocals and bass, Chuck Comeau on drums, Jeff Stinco on lead guitar, and Sebastien Lefebvre on rhythm guitar and backing vocals. Lead vocalist Pierre Bouvier and drummer Chuck Comeau met in a band named Reset but Chuck left for college. Chuck met with high school friends, guitarists Jeff Stinco and Sebastien Lefebvre to form Simple Plan. Soon Pierre jumped on board with the band when friendships reignited. David Desrosiers, who left Reset, joined the band as a bass player, freeing Pierre Bouvier to focus on vocals. Desrosiers left the band for short periods of time, once for family emergency, once for depression and finally for good after being accused of sexual misconduct on social media. The guys chose the name Simple Plan after the 1998 film of the same name. Known for their extensive touring schedule, their more memorable performances included playing at the 2010 Winter Olympics closing ceremony, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, at the 2016 NHL Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts to perform the Canadian national anthem and the band appeared as themselves in the film New York Minute. They performed the theme music for and were featured on an episode of What's New, Scooby-Doo? Simple Plan released six studio albums, one EP and two live albums over their stint. The members of Simple Plan created the Simple Plan Foundation, which focused on teen problems ranging from suicide to poverty to drug addiction. The foundation donated $10,000 in aid to help the victims of the 2011 earthquake that hit Japan. In 2012, to mark the band's 10th anniversary, the book Simple Plan: The Official Story was released, which was used as a fundraiser for the Simple Plan Foundation. The band received numerous awards including the CASBY, Juno Fan Choice, Allan Waters Humanitarian and NRJ Music to name a few. Check out more at the official website of Simple Plan.
This is Halloween. This is Halloween. What is Halloween? For many, it is a night of eggs, whip cream and tomatoes used to bombard poor little kids who are out enjoying a night of Trick or Treat. Shame on you! It is my night also to go out and partake in adult libations at numerous homes. Rather than waste that money and energy on some idiotic activity, take those goods to the local food pantry and help fight hunger in your community. Enjoy the Halloween treats that neighbors give you little begging selfish kids. In fact, Halloween was a time to go to homes of neighbors and help cleanse the home of evil so that spirits of the dearly departed could return the next day. Click here to read about the interesting history of Halloween. Interested in witches? Did you know some people are still executed today for witchcraft? Read more about this interesting and weary fact. Finally, why is the great pumpkin you carve called a Jack O Lantern? Watch some great Halloween movies if you get a chance - Labyrinth - Charlie Brown's Great Pumpkin - Gremlins - Beetlejuice - Coraline - Coco - The Nightmare Before Christmas!
Al Jourgensen, producer, singer, and instrumentalist, founded Ministry in Chicago, Illinois in 1981. While a student at UIC. he found his comfort in the punk, new wave scene of Chicago. He joined the band Special Affect as their guitarist. Following their split, he formed a short-lived band called the Silly Carmichaels. He met the co-founders and co-owners of the indie record label and shop Wax Trax! Records who recommended him as a touring guitarist for Divine, the drag queen performer. He soon began to create his own music in his apartment. He presented his tunes to Wax Trax Records. The label suggested Jourgensen record a single and form a touring band, which Jourgensen decided to call Ministry. Originally a synth-pop band, Ministry evolved into one of the pioneers of industrial rock and industrial metal with very danceable grooves. The band's lineup changed frequently, leaving Jourgensen as the sole original member. Three of the studio albums: The Land of Rape and Honey , 1988, The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste, 1989, and Psalm 69, 1992, met with success. The first two certified gold while Psalm 69 certified platinum by the RIAA. Their following albums met with mixed reviews although Ministry hits its highest chart position on the Billboard 200 at number nineteen with one, Filth Pig. Warner Brothers dropped Ministry and Jourgensen went into rehab for his addiction problems. Following Jourgensen's recovery, the band released numerous albums, returned to its roots and revitalized their commercial success. The band received six nominations for six Grammy Awards but left empty handed. If you were lucky like me, you saw Ministry in the small venues like Metro and Avalon and just danced the night away with others. Visit the offical website of Ministry to learn more.
TGIF: Treats Given If Frightening
Be the scorn of all your peers. Get street cred. Be the beast. Got an
original TGIF? Submit the survey with the TGIF. maybe I will post it.
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