A Guinness World Record

Happy Saturday Morning – it’s another busy one after the frenetic days of last weekend – thanks for joining in with today’s Ramblings. Happy Saturday.

I’m posting a wee bit early today due the old Highway 127 yard sale which has grown and is now the “World’s Longest Yard Sale”. This sale goes for 630 miles and goes through 5 States and right through the ‘Nati, very close to Cathy and Jason’s. This year Cathy is joining the fray – and we’re filling the little Corolla dragging some of our treasures onto her tables.

But before we head out, we’ll make sure our coffee thermos is filled up.

Chaos and Mayhem – is alive and well. Although there are times when we don’t sit and stare at the worst or craziest offerings seen in an urban setting.

Sometimes it’s a calm study of all that keeps a neighborhood both running and ship-shape. The photo below is the latter:

Guinness World Record – had their team here for our annual Paddlefest. If we assembled over 1200 human powered craft on the river at the same time we’d earn a slot in the book. At somewhere near 1800 we beat it handily. In fact, if I have it correctly, an early (dawn) group of scheduled 15-mile racers were already off the water and thus were probably not counted.

Here are a few pictures of the event. You might see some rain drops in a few pictures. This is due to a thunderstorm, including lightning, which caused the Coast Guard and various other Safety boats clear us off the water for a time.

Going Full Power – with startup (or is it upstart) Valar Atomics. It would appear that everything these days deals with data and Ai. And the next piece of the Ai puzzle appears to revolve around the need for power. Since, assuming that all the hurdles are cleared it will take a full decade to bring a power plant online.

Staying ahead of competition is the big deal and to do that the name of the game is; power, power, power. Keeping that in mind the solution Valar Atomics is offering is huge.

Groceries – Every so often in these Ramblings you’ll hear me blather on about some event or find at a grocery(?) store called Jungle Jim’s. I’ve never even come close to seeing a place like Jungle Jim’s.

Tevita will find any specialty item he requires to make a Tongan dish. I can find anything I am looking for, be it a Dutch or Indonesian dish. People drive for hours to the place.

Yesterday afternoon Marcia and I came across this interview with ‘Jungle’ Jim and the people around him that make the place work. I thought I’d share the video with any out of towners.

Quotation – a sharp tête-à-tête between: Sir Winston Churchill and George Bernard Shaw who offered Churchill a pair of tickets for Shaw’s next evening’s reading. Shaw told Churchill to bring a friend, “if you can find one.” Churchill, ever the quick thinker promised he’d attend the reading and replied: “if there is one.”

These two men’s tongues were daggers

This week’s Interlude – Given the right moment and I can find myself immersed in any one of a myriad of musical genres (except for Rap). This week I’ll let you know that I quickly learned to appreciate the singer I am featuring this week. Many a mile was driven with one of her CDs in the car’s player.

Raised in her grandmother’s brothel she started her career singing on street corners. As her talent became noted she eventually began collaborating with the likes of Maurice Chevalier and Yves Montand. She appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, Carnegie Hall, and the Moulin Rouge multiple times (I was fortunate to see a show at Moulin Rouge on business travels).

Born Édith Giovanna Gassion (a hint). According to singer/actor Charles Aznavour, her funeral procession was the only time since the end of World War II that the traffic in Paris had come to a complete stop. Hint number two, her singing style is labeled as being a cabaret style chanteuse.

Remember, no cheating on the answer – listed below so you can confirm being correct.

Enjoy!

Life is AMAZING!

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:

“Walk Like and Egyptian” the song and the accompanying moves were made hugely popular by Steve Martin during his SNL stint. But, other than sand, pyramids, mummies, and Lynxes, the ancient Egyptians had a very sophisticated culture. Which two (2) of the noted items were NOT a part of an ancient Egyptian’s home as part of their day-to-day life?

1. Pots
2. Stone Pillows
3. Sun Glasses
4. High Heels
5. Woolen Socks
6. Cosmetics and Perfumes
7. Board Games
8. Tweezers

Last week Bonus Points answer – # 7
Answer, this week’s Interlude: Edith Piaf, song: “Non, je ne regrette rien” (No, I regret nothing)