Do you remember when politicians stood their ground, spoke eloquently, and actually made sense? Some still do.

On this day in 1955, after 130 home basketball wins, Georgia Tech defeated Kentucky 59-58. In a shocking turn of developments, it was the first Kentucky loss at home since January 2, 1943.

Speaking of basketball, have you played basketball on Wii Sports Resort yet? Oh. My. Gosh. If I play against the computer I do pretty decent. If I play against my kids, I lose everytime. I want to get a Wii Fit and some other stuff, but the wife has put a small delay on the wii accessories idea.

No problem. We’ll get it soon enough. Then she’ll be hooked too.

On this day in 1945, actress Ava Gardner made news. What did she do? No, she didn’t set a record selling horse supplies or win the academy award. She married bandleader Artie Shaw.

She married Mickey Rooney in 1942, Artie Shaw in 1945, and then Frank Sinatra in 1951. She was married three times in 8 years. A record? Not really, but look at the names. Wow.

On this day in 1997, John Denver died.

On October 12, 1997, Denver was killed when the Long-EZ aircraft he was piloting crashed just off the coast of California at Pacific Grove, shortly after taking off from the Monterey Peninsula Airport.

The Long-EZ is a two-seat experimental aircraft, designed in the 1970s by Burt Rutan. Denver’s particular plane, N555JD, bought used, had been changed from Rutan’s original published plans: the fuel tank selector valve had been moved from a location just aft of the nose gear wheel housing and between the pilot’s legs to the bulkhead behind and to the left of the pilot’s (front) seat.[10] This is of possible significance because it is believed Denver may have lost control of the aircraft during attempts to operate the fuel selector valve after running out of fuel in one tank. Witnesses stated that the plane made a sudden pitch-down plunge into the water, leading to speculation that, in reaching around to the rear, Denver bumped or kicked the side-stick control. The official investigation decided that he had likely inadvertently pushed the right rudder pedal trying to gain leverage to turn in his seat to reach the fuel handle.

No matter how hard I try, I never receive any cool Halloween invitations. Each year I celebrate Halloween by dressing up as something different and each year it seems to get better and better, but yet, I never get invited anywhere.

On Hallows’ eve, the ancient Celts would place a skeleton on their window sill to represent the departed. Originating in Europe, these lanterns were first carved from a turnip or rutabaga. Believing that the head was the most powerful part of the body, containing the spirit and the knowledge, the Celts used the “head” of the vegetable to frighten off any superstitions.

This year I am thinking of going as a skeletal Mr. Potato Head. Maybe then I’ll get some recognition.

On this day in 1955, “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof” debuted on Broadway. Here is a clip from the movie version.

So you remember what it was like to leave your doors and windows open during late winter/early spring? I did, until tonight, when we had to close up the house because a dorky neighbor decided that 9pm was the only time he could burn his leaves and trash.

Jerk.

On this day in 2001, Dale Earnhardt died in a crash on the last lap of the Daytona 500.

On this day in 1983, Dave Winfield, an outfielder for the New York Yankees, was warming up and accidentally killed a seagull when he threw the ball. He was actually arrested for cruelty to animals after the game.

On August 4, 1983, Winfield, while warming up before the fifth inning of a game at Toronto’s Exhibition Stadium, accidentally killed a seagull with a thrown ball. He doffed his cap in mock sorrow. Fans responded by hurling obscenities and improvised missiles. After the game, he was brought to the Ontario Provincial Police station on charges of cruelty to animals and was forced to post a $500 bond before being released. Quipped Yankees manager Billy Martin, “It’s the first time he’s hit the cutoff man.” The charges were dropped the following day.[5] For years afterward Winfield’s appearances in Toronto were greeted with loud choruses of boos, but he later became a fan favorite due to his outstanding play once he joined the Blue Jays.

I remember 1983 quite well, it was my first year in college, time seemed to stand still. Now I have two Nautica watches just so I can keep up with reality, let alone the internet.

You can find out more about this day in history at the History Channel, Those Were The Days, and InfoPlease.

On this day in 1868, Christopher Latham Sholes patented the Type-Writer and the world has never been the same.

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