Almanac of Absurdities 8/31/2010

Big Time Crime day: In the early morning hours of this day in 1888 Mary Ann Nichols, a 43 year old Whitechapel Prostitute, was found gruesomely murdered, the first victim of the killer who came to be called Jack the Ripper. On this date in 1948, actor Robert Mitchum was busted in a Hollywood Drug Raid. He ended up doing 60 Days for Conspiracy to Possess Marijuana. Van Morrison’s Birthday.

Almanac of Absurdities for August 30

Queen Cleopatra of Egypt commits suicide rather than come under the authority of Octavian…after her attempt to seduce him, reportedly, failed. That was 30 BC. In 1918 Vladimir Lenin was shot and wounded after a speech. On this day in 1963, the “Hot Line” was installed between the White House and the Kremlin. It’s National Holistic Pet Day, whatever that means.

Almanac of Absurdities 8/29/10

On this day in 1966, at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, the Beatles wrapped up their final tour, and performed their final formal concert. There was that stand on top of the building in 1968, but that only kind of counts. A lot of good directors were born today: Preston Sturges, Richard Attenborough, and William Friedkin, and coincidentally director Joel Schumacher was born today too. Also Michael Jackson’s birthday.

Almanac of Absurdities for 8/28

Cool Birthdays today: George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, Marvel Comics Genius Jack Kirby, Leo Tolstoy and Jack Black. Martin Luther King held his 200-thousand person Rally in Washington DC and delivered the “I Have a Dream” speech on this day in 1963, and in 1898 on this day Caleb Bradham came up with a new name for his soft drink product: “Pepsi-Cola.”

Almanac of Absurdities 8/27/10

Today appears to be National Oil & Gas Industry Appreciation Day. I'm sure each of us will mark this important observance in our hearts in our own way, I know I will. It's Paul Rubens Birthday, and if you know that he's Pee Wee Herman, SCREAM REAL LOUD. And it's Tuesday Weld's birthday...even though it appears to be a Friday in this particular case.

Almanac of Absurdities for Aug 26, 2010

In a time of employment troubles for talented people, It's worthy to note that on this day in 1498, Michelangelo got a job. He was commissioned to carve the Pieta by a wealthy French Bishop. It's Albert Sabin's Birthday. He created the oral version of Salk's Polio Vaccine, and saved a generation of baby boomers from the heartbreaking disease. It's Women's Equality day. Most men would be lucky to be equal to most women

Almanac of Absurdities for 8/25/10

It's National Kiss and Make Up day. Look, just do it. Grow up.