Change Of Pace
Do you recall the ‘Our Gang’ movies?
July 16, 2008
Gene Upshaw played in Super Bowls during three different decades. He is the only person to have accomplished this feat. Gene grew up in Robstown, Texas.
Do you recall the Our Gang (a.k.a. Little Rascals) short movies? There were over two hundred episodes made. The dog featured in those shows had a big circle around one eye and was named Pete (sometimes Petey). Pete was a Pit Bull Terrier (really).
Have you ever experienced the construction of a building that seems to drag on and on? The cathedral of Cologne had its foundation laid in 1248. It was not until 632 years had passed (1880) that the cathedral was completed. Generally, the 13th century original plans were followed religiously.
Elvis Presley had 837 consecutive sold-out shows in Las Vegas. Elvis won only three Grammy awards and all three were for gospel recordings. The Elvis (deceased) estate grossed 2 million dollars more in 2007 than did the business enterprises of Beatle Paul McCartney (alive).
The most powerful earthquake ever scientifically recorded hit China in 1960 with a 9.5 reading on the Richter scale. For comparison, the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki was estimated to register only a 5 on the Richter.
The famous British explorer Captain James Cook died on one of the Hawaiian (Sandwich) Islands in 1779 as a result of a fight with natives that apparently started over a pair of missing blacksmith tongs.
Sri Lanka currently exports more tea than does any other country in the world. The folks in Sri Lanka celebrate their New Years in April and have a quaint New Year’s tradition where people get on suspended beams and endeavor to knock each other down (usually with pillows).
Since 2000 Canada has exported more passenger cars to the United States than has any other country.
Stevie Wonder was born as Steve Judkins.
Have you ever flown on a DC-9 or DC-Something? Have you ever wondered what the “C” stood for? Commercial. “D” stands for Douglas and “9” stands for nine.
Saint Nicholas was a 4th century guy who lived in Turkey. I do not think that this coincidence led to turkey becoming a favorite Christmas meal.
Arnold Schwarzenegger (then only an actor) purchased the very first Hummer manufactured for civilian use in 1992. The vehicle was just over 7 feet wide and weighed about 6,300 pounds.
Americans consumed over 29 billion aspirin tablets last year. I would assume that parents swallowed most of these little white pills.
In 1878 the famous Harrods in London attracted large crowds when the store installed England’s very first escalator.
Well, be patient if you are involved in the construction of a cathedral.
A few silly jokes
A new teacher was trying to make use of her psychology courses. She started her class by saying, "Everyone who thinks they're stupid, stand up!"
After a few seconds, Little Gloria stood up.
The teacher said, "Do you think you're stupid, Little Gloria?"
"No, ma'am, but I hate to see you standing there all by yourself!"
Little Gloria's kindergarten class was on a field trip to their local police station where they saw pictures tacked to a bulletin board of the 10 most wanted criminals.
One of the youngsters pointed to a picture and asked if it really was the photo of a wanted person.
"Yes," said the policeman. "The detectives want very badly to capture him."
Little Gloria asked, "Why didn't you keep him when you took his picture?"
Teacher: Gloria, what is the chemical formula for water?
Gloria: H I J K L M N O.
Teacher: What are you talking about?
Gloria: Yesterday you said it's H to O.
The math teacher saw that little Gloria wasn't paying attention in class. She called on her and said, "Gloria! What are 2 and 4 and 28 and 44?"
Little Gloria quickly replied, "NBC, CBS, HBO and the Cartoon Network!"
Little Gloria watched, fascinated, as her mother smoothed cold cream on her face. "Why do you do that, Mommy?" she asked.
"To make myself beautiful," said her mother, who then began
removing the cream with a tissue.
"What's the matter?" asked Little Gloria. "Giving up?"
Little Gloria attended a horse auction with her father. She watched as her father moved from horse to horse, running his hands up and down the horse's legs, rump, and chest. After a few minutes, Gloria asked, "Dad, why are you doing that?"
Her father replied, "Because when I'm buying horses, I have to make sure that they are healthy and in good shape before I buy."
Gloria, looking worried, said, "Dad, I think the UPS guy wants to buy Mom."
The teacher noticed Gloria’s composition on "My Dog" was exactly the same as her brother's.
“Did you copy your bother’s report?” the teacher questioned her.
“No, teacher,” replied Gloria, “It's the same dog.”