Happy St. Patrick’s Day! MARCH 17th is always St. Patrick’s Day!
“Wherever you go and whatever you do, May the luck of the Irish be there with you.”
“Here’s to being single…Drinking doubles…And seeing triple!”
A Toast to Absent Friends!
First, a very important message for all my Friends:
PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY!
GET HOME ALIVE, DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE! “KNOW WHEN TO SAY WHEN!”
“FRIENDS DON’T LET FRIENDS DRIVE DRUNK!”
“May the rocks in your field turn to gold.”
Saint Patrick’s Day is a cultural and religious holiday celebration held on March 17, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick (385–461), the patron saint of Ireland.
“May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rains fall soft upon your fields.”
Saint Patrick’s Day was made an official Christian feast holy day in the early 17th century and is celebrated in more countries than any other national festival!
“May the leprechauns be near you, To spread luck along your way. And may all the Irish angels, Smile upon your St. Patrick’s Day.”
“Here’s to a sweetheart, a bottle, and a friend. The first beautiful, the second full, the last ever faithful.”
“To all the days here and after May they be filled with fond memories, happiness, love and laughter.”
Historically, religious restrictions (due to Lent) on eating and drinking alcohol were lifted for Saint Patrick’s Day, which led the holiday’s tradition of alcohol consumption.
Holiday celebrations involve going to church, public parades & festivals, parties known as cèilidhs, consumption of alcohol, drinking green beer and/or Irish whiskey with friends, prominent displays and “the wearing of the green” and/or shamrocks (three and four leaf clovers).
“May you taste the sweetest pleasures that fortune ere bestowed, and may all your friends remember all the favors you are owed.”
“May the hinges of our friendship never grow rusty.”
“Four blessings upon you… Older whiskey, Younger women, Faster horses, More money”
“It is better to spend money like there’s no tomorrow than to spend tonight like there’s no money!”
Saint Patrick’s Day has become an International Holiday with parades and celebrations around the world. They get drunk in Tokyo, Japan too!
St. Patrick’s Day in Tokyo, Japan
St. Patrick’s Day in Tokyo, Japan
“May your mornings bring joy and your evenings bring peace… May your troubles grow less as your blessings increase!”
We like Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
“I have known many and liked not a few, I’ve loved only one and this toast’s to you.”
“Best while you have use of your breath There is no drinking after death!”
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“May the winds of fortune sail you, May you sail a gentle sea. May it always be the other guy who says ‘this drink’s on me’.”
“A bird with one wing can’t fly.” (So have another drink!)
7am St. Patrick’s Day
7pm St. Patrick’s Day
Dirty Kerry!
Fighting Irish! Put Up!
Fighting Irish! Shut Up!
The Notre Dame Leprechaun is the official mascot of the Fighting Irish sports club at the University of Notre Dame since 1965. It was designed by artist Theodore W. Drake for $50 in 1964.
The Fighting Irish logo is a side view of The Leprechaun with his fists up, ready to fight. The live version is a student dressed in a cutaway green suit and Irish country hat. He carries a shillelagh (a wooden club), leads cheers, interacts with the crowd and supposedly brings magical powers and good luck to the team. (“RUDY! RUDY! RUDY!”)
“Who’s the WILDMAN now?”
“May the luck of the Irish Lead to the happiest heights And the highway you travel Be lined with green lights.”
“May the Four Winds Blow Them Safely Home”
“Merry met, and merry part, I drink to thee with all my heart.”
THE YEAR OF THE RED FIRE ROOSTER! 祝贺大家新年好！
(or Chicken, referring to barnyard fowl of either sex)
Roosters have these five virtues:
Literary skills, military prowess, courage, benevolence and trustworthiness
Roosters have these personality traits:
They are observant, hardworking, resourceful, courageous, talented and
trustworthy with a strong sense of timekeeping and responsibility at work
Gung Hay Fat Choy! Happy Chinese New Year 2017!
The Spring Festival begins on Saturday, January 28 at midnight.
The first day is for welcoming the deities of the heavens and earth.
It is tradition to light fireworks and firecrackers, burn bamboo sticks
and make as much noise as possible to chase off evil spirits.
FIREWORKS! GUNG HAY FAT CHOY!
NOTE: The lunar year of the Rooster starts on January 28th. The “Start of Spring” is February 3rd according to the Chinese solar calendar.
The first day is also a time to honor family elders and visit the oldest and most senior members of the extended families (parents, grandparents and great-grandparents).
For Buddhists the first day is also the birthday of Maitreya Bodhisattva, the Buddha-to-be. They also abstain from killing animals and meat consumption on the first day.
People walk under a Chinese Lantern display during New Year’s Eve celebration in Chinatown Manila, Philippines February 18, 2015 (REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco)
“May you realize all your ambitions”
According to ancient Chinese superstition, lighting fires and using knives is considered bad luck on New Year’s Day, so all food is usually cooked beforehand. It is also considered bad luck to use a broom during the New Year’s celebration.
FIREWORKS! HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!
Usually the best way to avoid bad luck is to wear red, but because the fire element for 2017 is RED, do not use red in your clothes and accessories! Red colored stones like ruby, garnet and pink topaz should also be avoided. Instead, use colors that complement red and the fire element. Earth colored items (browns or yellows) are most suitable. Purple and lavender colors will also be lucky. Amethyst and topaz will bring luck and success.
Gung Hay Fat Choy! Happy Chinese New Year!
NOTE: There are 13 lunar months instead of 12, and 384 days in 2017. To keep the Chinese lunar calendar within half a month of the traditional solar calendar, there’s a leap month (a second lunar month 6 starting July 23rd) in The Year of the Rooster.
The Chinese Zodiac:
The Chinese zodiac is a recurring 12-year cycle. Each year is represented by one of 12 animals. Sorry Roosters, those in their birth-sign year will supposedly have bad luck.
NOTE: You will need to work hard and be patient to achieve your goals this year! Maintain a positive frame of mind. Meditation will help keep you calm and serene.
“May your happiness be without limit”
祝贺大家新年好! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL! 恭喜發財!
The San Francisco Chinese New Year Festival and Parade is the oldest and largest celebration outside of Asia, and the largest Asian cultural event in North America. Over 100 groups participate in the annual Chinese New Year Parade held since 1958. It is attended by ~500,000 people and watched by another 3 million television viewers.
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“I dream of Jeanie with the light brown hair… Borne, like a vapor on the summer air!”
– “Jeannie With The Light Brown Hair” by Stephen C. Foster
The fear of the number 13 has been given a scientific name: “triskaidekaphobia” and the fear of Friday the 13th is “paraskevidekatriaphobia” or “friggatriskaidekaphobia”.
Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day in Western superstition.
Friday, October 13, 1307: To free himself from his debts, Philip IV of France arrested hundreds of the Knights Templar. He tortured them into admitting heresy and then burned many of them at the stake.
The first documented mention of the day can be found in Henry Sutherland Edwards’ 1869 biography of Italian composer Gioachino Rossini (known for “The Barber of Seville” 1816and “The William Tell Overture” 1829), who died on Friday, November 13th, 1868 in Paris, France:
“He was surrounded to the last by admiring friends; and if it be true that, like so many Italians, he regarded Fridays as an unlucky day and thirteen as an unlucky number, it is remarkable that on Friday 13th of November he passed away.”
“Friday the Thirteenth” a 1907 book written by American businessman Thomas Lawson, may have further perpetuated the superstition. In the story, an unscrupulous broker takes advantage of the superstition to create a Wall Street panic on Friday the 13th.
On “Black Friday” September 24, 1869 a failed plot to corner the market at the New York Gold Exchange and left many wealthy investors broke. Jay Gould and James Fisk (aka The Gold Ring) tried to buy as much gold as they could to drive up the price. The plot was discovered, President Ulysses S. Grant released $4 million worth of gold into the market, the price of gold dropped and the speculators were ruined.
“When Black Friday comes I’m gonna dig myself a hole Gonna lay down in it ’til I satisfy my soul”
– “Black Friday” by Steely Dan
Biblical origins: Jesus was crucified on Good Friday. There were 13 guests at the Last Supper the night before the crucifixion. Judas Iscariot, the apostle who betrayed Jesus, has been named as “the 13th guest”.
Norse mythology traces the superstition back to a story of a banquet at Valhalla where Loki, the demi god of mischief came unannounced as the 13th guest and caused chaos.
According to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, North Carolina, 17 to 21 million Americans suffer from Fear of Friday the 13th. Symptoms range from mild anxiety and a nagging sense of doom to full-blown panic attacks.
Many businesses (like airlines and casinos) suffer from severe losses on Friday the 13th. Most high-rise buildings, hotels and hospitals don’t have a “13th floor” and most airports avoid having gates with the number 13. In many countries, having 13 people at the dinner table is considered bad luck.
There is little evidence that Friday the 13th is actually an unlucky day. Studies have shown that Friday the 13th has little or no effect on events like accidents, hospital visits and natural disasters.
Friday 13th is a lucky day in many Spanish speaking countries. Instead Tuesday the 13th (13 Martes) is considered the unluckiest day. The ancient Greeks also consider Tuesday (and especially the 13th) an unlucky day. Friday the 13th is also considered a lucky day for children to be born on.
Alfred Hitchcock, “the master of suspense”, was born on August 13, 1899. His directorial debut was the film “Number 13” in 1922.
There will be another Friday the 13th this year (2017) in the month of October.
FULL MOON FRIDAY!
The “Wolf Moon” peaked at its full phase yesterday: Thursday, January 12 at 6:34am
Ask yourself: What did you want in 2016 but never found or accomplished?
Prepare for a new lunar month and year!
Take time to reflect on the past year under the clear light of the full moon.
Whatever your goals are, plan on how to get what you want most in this new year.
JoshWillTravel PO Box 18376, Encino, CA 91416 joshwilltravel@yahoo.com
Today, January 13th is Stephen Foster Memorial Day!
“Gwine to run all night! Gwine to run all day! I’ll bet my money on de bob-tail nag. Somebody bet on de bay.” – “De Camptown Races” (or “Gwine To Run All Night”) by Stephen C. Foster
Stephen C. Foster (July 4, 1826 – January 13, 1864)
Stephen C. Foster died on January 13, 1864 at the age of 37. Born on July 4, 1826 in Lawrenceville (now Pittsburgh), Pennsylvania. He is known as “The Father of American Music.” He wrote over 200 songs, primarily parlor and minstrel music, including “Oh! Susanna” (the anthem of the California Gold Rush) “Camptown Races” “My Old Kentucky Home” (became the official state song of Kentucky in 1928) “Old Folks at Home” (became the state song of Florida in 1935 and the lyrics were modified as the times changed) “Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair” “Old Black Joe” and “Beautiful Dreamer” (released after his death). Many of his songs had Southern themes, yet Foster never lived in the South and visited it only once in 1852. Three Hollywood films have been made of his life: “Harmony Lane” (1935), 20th Century Fox’s “Swanee River” with Don Ameche (1939) and “I Dream of Jeanie” (1952).Stephen Foster Memorial Day is a United States Federal Observance Day according to Title 36 of the United States Code. It was made law in November of 1966 and was first celebrated in 1967.
“I came from Alabama with my banjo on my knee,
I’m goin’ to Louisiana, my true love for to see,
It rained all night the day I left, the weather it was dry,
The sun so hot, I froze to death. Susanna dont you cry.
Oh Susanna! Oh, don’t you cry for me!
I’ve come from Alabama with my banjo on my knee.”
– “Oh Susanna” by Stephen C. Foster
Al Jolson as E.P. Christy sings “Oh Susanna” from the film “Swanee River” in 1940
(in minstrel show blackface):
And Al Jolson performs “Swanee” in George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” in 1945:
Bing Crosby sings “Swanee River” from the film “Mississippi” in 1935:
Korean American Day #KoreanAmericanDay
Commemorates the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States in 1903 and honors their contributions to American culture and society. President George W. Bush issued a proclamation on the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first Korean immigrant in 2003. The U.S. House and Senate passed simple resolutions in support of Korean American Day in 2005.
The Flag of South Korea
National Peach Melba Day #NationalPeachMelbaDay
Peach Melba was invented in 1892 or 1893 by the French chef Auguste Escoffier while employed at the Savoy Hotel in London to honor the Australian soprano Nellie Melba. Made with peaches, vanilla ice cream, raspberry sauce and topped with spun sugar, the dessert was originally called “Pecheau Cygne” or “Peach Swan” and was served inside a swan-shaped ice sculpture.
Escoffier’s Classic Peach Melba (see the recipe below)
National Sticker Day #NationalStickerDay
R. Stanton Avery, born on January 13, 1907, was the original creator of the adhesive label with a removable backing. National Blame Someone Else Day #BlameSomeoneElseDay
(always celebrated on the first Friday the 13th of the year)
and it’s National Rubber Ducky Day #NationalRubberDuckyDay
(the earliest patent for a rubber duck toy was in 1928 by Landon Smart Lawrence)
Russian Sculptor Peter Ganine designed and patented a floating toy “uncapsizeable duck” in 1949 (US Patent 153426 & 153514, over 50,000,000 were sold) which closely resembles the rubber ducky we have today. The rubber ducky was inducted into the New York Toy Hall of Fame in 2013 (founded in 1998, the New York Toy Hall of Fame has only inducted 52 other toys). According to a 1973 “Sesame Street” calendar, Rubber Duckie’s Birthday is on January 13. Duckie made his debut in a February 1970 episode.
Designer Rubber Ducky (made of hard plastic)
NFL PLAYOFFS on Saturday and Sunday!
Seattle Seahawks vs. Atlanta Falcons
Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys
And as of yesterday the San Diego Chargers are now the Los Angeles Chargers!
Monday is a HOLIDAY!
Martin Luther King Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968)
Monday, January 16, 2017 – Martin Luther King Day Federal Holiday
Commemorates the birthday of American civil rights leader Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., (born Michael King Jr.) on January 15, 1929 and celebrates his life, achievements and civil rights legacy. He was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee on April 4, 1968. The federal holiday was created in 1983 and first observed in January 1986. The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. was dedicated in 2011.
View From The Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963
From the King Center website (www.kingcenter.org): “On this day we commemorate Dr. King’s great dream of a vibrant, multiracial nation united in justice, peace and reconciliation; a nation that has a place at the table for children of every race and room at the inn for every needy child. We are called on this holiday, not merely to honor, but to celebrate the values of equality, tolerance and interracial sister and brotherhood he so compellingly expressed in his great dream for America.”
MLK’s “I HAVE A DREAM” Speech
Delivered on August 28, 1963 at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C to over 250,000 people on the National Mall. the speech was originally written as a homage to Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, and was timed to correspond with the 100-year centennial of the Emancipation Proclamation.
“I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.’ I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today. I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today.”
NOTE: Martin Luther King Jr. was named “Man of the Year” by TIME magazine in 1963, and was the youngest person ever awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. The full speech did not appear in writing until August 1983, 15 years after his death, when a transcript was published in The Washington Post. The Library of Congress added the speech to the United States National Recording Registry in 2002. The National Park Service dedicated an inscribed marble pedestal to commemorate the speech at the Lincoln Memorial in 2003.
Coming soon! THE YEAR OF THE RED FIRE ROOSTER The first day of Chinese New Year is Saturday, January 28, 2017.
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Ingredients:
1 ½ cups water
1 ¾ cups sugar
2 tbsp lemon juice
½ tsp vanilla extract
4 peaches (fresh fruit is preferred, but canned peaches will work)
1 pint vanilla ice cream (or substitute frozen yogurt or dairy-free)
Raspberry Sauce:
1 ½ cups fresh raspberries
2 tbsp confectioner’s sugar
½ tbsp lemon juice
Instructions: 1. Combine water, sugar, lemon juice and vanilla extract in a large saucepan. Heat on low until sugar has dissolved. Increase heat to medium and bring to a boil. Cook at boiling for about 3 minutes and then return to simmer.
2. Cut the peaches in half. Place in the sugar syrup and poach about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Test with a knife to determine if they are done and when finished poaching, place them on a plate to cool.
3. After the peaches have cooled, peel off the skin and remove the pits.
4. For raspberry sauce: combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and puree until very smooth. Strain through a colander and into a bowl.
5. Assemble the dessert by placing 2 peach halves in a bowl along with a scoop of ice cream. Spoon raspberry sauce on top and serve immediately.
Happy National Rubber Ducky Day! Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman created a series of giant floating rubber ducks in 2007.
The ducks ranged in size and appeared in 25 cities around the world.
Q: Best casinos for a first time gambler?First trip to Vegas, and I have some money set aside to gamble. I’m fairly new to gambling, so what’s a good overall strategy for a first timer? Best casino’s and games to play? Any tips to help my luck? Thanks! – Neil B.
A: Most of the Casinos in Las Vegas have programs where they will teach you how to play the table games and basic strategy. Just ask at the “Player’s Card” desk and always get a Player’s Card at the casino to earn “Comps” and other freebies while gambling.
Read a few good books, watch a DVD or two, go online and learn from the pros via youtube, etc. before you go!
Best games to play: Blackjack, Craps and Baccarat have the best odds for the player with basic strategy. Keno, Slots and Video Poker will give you the longest play for your money. Again read a book or watch a tutorial to learn about finding the best odds on the games!
Worst games to play: Roulette, Spin the Wheel/Wheel of Fortune and all the other weird table games. And any game where you don’t know the rules, basic strategy and the odds against you.
Best advice for the first time gambler: set a budget for how much you are willing and can afford to lose! Leave your ATM card at home and win or lose just have fun. (Losing sucks)
NOTE: The Big Las Vegas Strip casinos require larger minimum bets for table games, and the table minimum will increase depending on time/day/crowd/event. Find lower table minimums Downtown on Fremont Street and at the smaller “off-strip” casinos. Your money and your play time will last longer!
GOOD LUCK!
National Council on Problem Gambling 24-Hour Confidential National Helpline: 1-800-522-4700 www.ncpgambling.org
