Bag of Randomness for Wednesday, May 29, 2019

  • On ‘Jeopardy’ last night, one contestant described his occupation as “therapeutic humorist”. Another contestant fit the psycho ex-girlfriend persona to a T, so much so, Alex Trebek told her, “You’re starting to scare the hell out of me.” Speaking of Trebek, he looks great for someone who is undergoing chemotherapy to fight pancreatic cancer. He admitted in a recent ‘CBS Sunday Morning’ interview that he’s wearing a wig, and I’ll say it’s exceptional, you can’t tell he’s bald.
    • Pauley asked, “When you recorded the ‘Jeopardy!’ segments featuring James [Holzhauer], was that before you had had your diagnosis?” “Some of it was before, and some of it was after,” he replied. “And so, what the challenge for ‘Jeopardy!’ viewers is right now is to figure out, ‘Is that Alex’s real hair, or is that a full hairpiece?’ Because they all know that when you start chemo you lose your hair. So, which is it?” Noticing Pauley studying his hair, Trebek said, “This is not the real me. We have the summer months off. So hopefully, my own hair will grow back. ‘Cause I like my own hair!”
  • A 9/11 fact many of you may have already known but I did not until yesterday –
    • The authoritative study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology estimates there were 17,400 people in the two towers combined. Of the total, 87 percent evacuated. Of those who were below the points of impact, 99 percent survived.
  • Almost all fire departments have a similar looking symbol our outline, but I never knew how that came to be until a few days ago. It’s patterned after the Maltese Cross. Here’s my butchered abbreviated version:
    • This emblem had its beginning during the Crusades and was the symbol of the knights of that period. The cross design was adopted and put into use by the early Knights of Malta (Knights of St. John). Large crimson-colored capes were worn over the suits of armor. Not only were the capes symbolic, but they also helped provide a defense against one of the newest weapons of war–fire. As invading forces attacked a castle, the defenders would throw containers of naphtha and other flammable liquids. With their fellow troops engulfed in fire, the Knights of Malta would approach on horseback, rip off their capes, and use them to extinguish the flames on their burning fellow fighters.
  • The Lion King was on ABC last night. Whenever that movie is referenced, I automatically think of the Steven Curtis Chapman song “King of the Jungle”, in particular, the part which goes, “K-I-N-G of the J-you-N-G-L-E . . . He is the king of creation.”
  • On Pooping In The Dark—no Lights, No Phones, No Distractions – This Story Is Part Of A Series On How We Make Time—from Productivity Hacks And Long Walks To Altering The Function Of Our Own Circadian Clocks.
  • What I Learned Trying To Secure Congressional Campaigns – This article is specifically about campaign security, or how to keep candidates and their staff and families safe from people trying to break into social media, read their email, or wire their campaign war chest to Nauru.
  • Flying a plane upside down under a low bridge is crazy and impressive.

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Bag of Randomness for Tuesday, May 28, 2019

  • Our family has been watching the HBO John Adams mini-series. It’s hard to believe it’s eleven years old, and I forgot how much I enjoyed David Morse‘s portrayal of George Washington.
  • The series led me to research a few things and I discovered, to my surprise, there has never been a fatality reported due to tar and feathering and the tar used was usually pine tar, not the black tar we associate with roofing and roadwork. I’m not advocating that it wasn’t brutal, just it wasn’t what I thought it was.
  • I’ve also been watching the new HBO miniseries Chernoble. I can remember the first time I heard about the actual accident, it was told to me by Clarice Tinsley and she was explaining if the radioactive air would reach the Dallas area and whether or not local residents should be concerned. She then moved on to a story about the local Comanche Peak Nuclear Plant. I was eleven at the time, and if memory serves correct, she was wearing a blue or purple dress with a large metallic necklace.
  • I’m really enjoying Scott Pelley’s new book. It focuses on virtues or character traits (and flaws) of people in extraordinary events, each chapter is titled accordingly. The first chapter is over 9/11 and he goes into vivid detail. I like how he takes time to educate the reader. For instance, he describes firefighting terminology, ranks, and organization/leadership structure. For instance, the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) has five Borough Commands. Within them exists nine firefighting Divisions, each headed by a Deputy Division Chief). Each Division has four to seven Battalions, each led by a Battalion chief. Each Battalion consists of three to eight firehouses and consists of approximately 180–200 firefighters and officers.
  • Pelley stated he lost his job as the ‘CBS Evening News’ anchor because of his complaints of a hostile work environment. As much as I love and admire the man, I think it’s more adequate to state that as one of the reasons he was removed from the coveted spot. He also lost it because of ratings and his agent negotiating a salary and contract not in line with management and rating results.
  • I don’t have a logical explanation for this, but I find it weird for the NCAA World Series to be played outside of the regular academic school year yet I’m okay with college bowl games being played during the holiday break.
  • The 1995 version of me would faint from this news – Founding Members Of dcTalk, Petra, WhiteHeart & Jars Of Clay Form New Supergroup
  • Last night’s Final Jeopardy – When this game was introduced in 1860, it had squares like intemperance & poverty & if you hit the suicide square your game was over.
    • What is Life?
  • Man allegedly hiding drugs in butt accidentally shoots himself in testicles, report says
    • It’s the Editor’s Note which is the kicker: Editor’s Note: This story initially reported the man accidentally shot himself in the penis. He actually accidentally shot himself in the testicles.
  • Following this on Twitter was a fun event, I wish I could make such a positive impact on a community that I’d be loved like this – More Than 300 Neighbors Throw Retirement Block Party for Beloved Mailman of 34 Years — and Raise Money for His Dream Vacation
  • I’ve run into a handful of organ donation honor walks. I’d encourage you to at least skim through one of these videos. Here’s a story of a mother in Iowa who shared footage of her 1-year-old daughter’s honor walk, (getting wheeled into organ donation surgery) who had been declared brain dead after contracting a virus. ‘Amazing Grace’ is such a fitting song for everyone to sing. For those interested in becoming an organ donor and giving the gift of life, visit Donate Life America.

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