A few random boring things today for you on the most boring blog in the world.

In the birthday listing, you will see the name Philo T. Farnsworth. Every time I mention the poor guy, I get a blank stare. He deserves better than that. Just because his invention has been abused by becoming nothing more than a form of entertainment, and lowest common denominator entertainment at that, does not negate that he was a genius.

So, what did he do? He invented television, that's what. Furthermore, he invented the old vacuum tubes and other systems that were early tvs during Prohibition, and had his lab raided by G-men convinced he was running a distillery. He gave them a full tour that put their minds at ease, he was just a "nutty professor" in their eyes after that.

The final item has a "naughty" word in it, so I will insert a second random discussion, my take on "naughty" words. I feel about them as my grandmother did. My grandmother K was a lovely woman, and taught me how and when to use such language.

It was one Thanksgiving, and we had traveled back to the farm to visit for the holiday. My grandfather got it into his head that he did not just want a traditional turkey for the meal, he also wanted a duck. He nagged at my grandmother, and she got more upset, yet quieter, and finally someone drove her to the store to get a few needed items (she never learned to drive).

Upon coming back from the store, she began unpacking her purchases, and this quiet, lovely grandmother, who had never been heart to utter anything remotely "naughty" -- no one in the family even knew that she understood the meaning of the word -- told him, "And I got your F***ing duck, too!"

My grandfather was stunned into silence, realizing that for once in his life he had pushed her beyond the limit. This taught me that using what is generally considered to be foul language should be saved for the utmost in extreme situations, as it loses effectiveness when used too often.

In fact, I have noticed that people who sprinkle such words through their sentences like too much salt because they don't know how to use other seasonings have no way of letting people know when they really and truly mean something has gotten to them.

In my final randomness, what follows is an assessment of health care. Just to be totally clear, I did not write this, nor I do not know who did. It seems to be circulating on the net, so if you have seen it, I apologize. I do think it sums up the situation quite well, so I quote it here in its entirety:
The American Medical Association has weighed in on the new Healthcare Reform Proposals:


The Allergists voted to scratch it, but the Dermatologists advised not to make any rash moves. The Gastroenterologists had sort of a gut feeling about it, but the Neurologists thought the Administration had a lot of nerve.


The Obstetricians felt they were all laboring under a misconception. Ophthalmologists considered the idea shortsighted. The Pathologists yelled, "Over my dead body!" while the Pediatricians said, "Oh, grow up!"


The Psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness, while the Radiologists could see some advantages in it. Surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing. The Internists thought it was a bitter pill to swallow, and the Plastic Surgeons said, "This puts a whole new face on the matter."


The Podiatrists thought it was a step forward, but the Urologists were pissed off at the whole idea. The Anesthesiologists thought the whole idea was a gas, and the Cardiologists didn't have the heart to say no.


In the end, the Proctologists won out, leaving the entire decision up to the *ssholes in Washington.


Today is:

Buhe, Ethiopia (Christian remembrance of the Transfiguration.)

Candlelight Vigil for Homeless Animals Day

Edingurgh International Festival, Scotland

Festival of Random Access Memory

Independence Day, Afghanistan

National Aviation Day

National Medical Dosimetrist Day

National Soft Ice Cream Day

Potato Day

St. John Eudes' Day

St. Sebald's Day (a/k/a Sebaldus) (Patron Saint against Freezing)

The Rustic Vnalia -- Old Roman goddess Venus, Festival of Ripening

Grapes


Birthdays Today:

(Hold on to your hats, this was a very popular day for famous people to

be born, apparently.)

Snuffleupagus (year unconfirmed)
LeAnn Womack, 1966
John Stamos, 1963
Adam Arkin, 1956
Mary Matlin, 1953
Jonathan Frakes, 1952
John Deacon, 1951
Tipper Gore, 1948
Bill Clinton, 1946
Jill St. John, 1940
Diana Muldaur, 1938
Willie Shoemaker, 1931
Gene Roddenberry, 1921
Malcolm Forbes, 1919
Jimmy Rowles, 1918
Ring Lardner, Jr., 1915
Philo T. Farnsworth, 1906
Ogden Nash, 1902
Coco Chanel, 1883
George Bellows, 1882
Orville Wright, 1881
John Dryden, 1631


Today in History:

Roman Senate compelled to elect Octavian, later Augustus Caesar, Consul, BC43
Augustus Caesar dies, 14
Crusaders defeat the Saracens in the Battle of Ascalon, 1099
Mary Queen of Scots arrives in Leith to assume the throne, 1561
Five women are executed for witchcraft in Salem, Mass., 1692
The New York Herald reports the discovery of gold in California, 1849
Hurricane Dianne kills 200 and does about $1 Billion in damage, 1955