Monday 2/20/23
Celebrate:
Clean Out Your Bookcase Day
Love Your Pet Day
National Cherry Pie Day
National Comfy Day
National Handcuff Day
National Leadership Day
National Muffin Day
National Student Volunteer Day
Northern Hemisphere Hoddie Hoo Day - The day is celebrated by going outside at noon and yelling "hoodie-hoo". This is done to chase away winter and make way for spring.
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Former President Jimmy Carter, who at 98 years old is the longest-lived American president, has entered home hospice care in Plains, Georgia, a statement from The Carter Center confirmed Saturday.
After a series of short hospital stays, the statement said, Carter “decided to spend his remaining time at home with his family and receive hospice care instead of additional medical intervention.”
(full disclosure here - this was posted at 9:30p Sunday for a 5am Monday post)
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Speaking of Presidents Day - It's Presidents Day celebrating George Washington and Abraham Lincoln who have birthdays near today.
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Richard Belzer -- famous for his work on 'Law & Order' and in the standup comedy world -- has died, he was 78.
News about his death spread like wildfire Sunday morning, with none other than Laraine Newman -- an original 'SNL' cast member, who worked alongside Belzer from the mid-'70s through the '80s -- confirming the latest.
She wrote, "I'm so sad to hear of Richard Belzer's passing. I loved this guy so much. He was one of my first friends when I got to New York to do SNL. We used to go out to dinner every week at Sheepshead Bay for lobster. One of the funniest people ever. A master at crowd work. RIP dearest."
Belzer was most known for portraying Det. John Munch on 'Law & Order: SVU', dating back to 1996. He'd starred in over 300 episodes of the fan-fave cop series ... playing the quick-witted and razor-sharp Munch for several years. His character was written off in 2016.
His famous police character had also existed even before 'SVU' came around ... Munch had existed in another TV universe -- namely, on the classic hit 'Homicide,' where he starred opposite Ned Beatty, Daniel Baldwin and other big actors for seven straight seasons.
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Researchers from North Carolina State University are suggesting that we eventually add a fourth, WHITE light . . . although the color doesn't matter.
The idea is that as more and more automated cars are on the streets, they'd be able to communicate with each other . . . and the traffic lights . . . to coordinate the optimal, most-efficient traffic flow.
So, no more stopping for a few minutes at a red light when no one is coming.
The white light would indicate to HUMAN DRIVERS that there are enough automated vehicles in the area to navigate intersections on their own . . . and that YOU should just follow the lead of the car in front of you. If they stop, you stop . . . if they proceed through the light, you do too.
You know what....ust pretend you understand what that means.
If this ever happens, it's a long way off . . . a decent chunk of the cars on the streets would have to be automated for it to work.
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There's a new pill to treat constipation, but it doesn't contain any drugs. Instead, it just VIBRATES.
The brand name is Vibrant. The FDA approved the pills in August, and they just became available as a prescription this week.
You take one pill each night before bed, and the vibration stimulates nerve cells in your gut that help you go.
You have to activate each pill before you swallow it. Then it vibrates for about two hours . . . stops for six hours . . . and starts vibrating again for another two hours. They buzz for three seconds at a time, followed by a three-second pause.
Doctors tested it on 200 people who suffer from "persistent constipation," meaning fewer than three bowel movements a week. 40% said it helped them go at least one additional time per week. There was also less straining involved.
Some people could feel the pills vibrating inside them, but said it wasn't uncomfortable or painful. They currently cost $69 a month and aren't covered by insurance yet.
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King Charles’ search for big-name performers for the Coronation concert at Windsor Castle continue with word that Adele and Ed Sheeran will reportedly not take part despite the invitation, on account of them being too busy to come.
The concert is scheduled to take place May 7, the day following King Charles III’s coronation where he will be crowned at Westminster Abbey, and screened by the BBC. Several thousand tickets are expected to be made available to the public by ballot.
Though Ed Sheeran, who played at Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant in June 2022, has a show scheduled in Texas May 6, he has previously done back-to-back shows by transporting in his private jet.
As for Adele, her last public calendar commitment before the Coronation concert is March 25 in Las Vegas.
It is also reported that the king wishes to see Harry Styles, Lionel Richie, and the Spice Girls sing at his special event. None of them have confirmed,
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The British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards or Baftas were given out yesterday.
Best film - All Quiet on the Western Front (along with Director, Adapted Screenplay,
Outstanding British Film - The Banshees of Insherin
Leading Actress - Cate Blanchett
Leading Actor - Austin Butler
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Today's Useless Fact of the Day - In Victorian times, treadmills were used as a prison punishment to prevent idleness. Some British convicts in the 1800s were forced to trudge on treadmills for HOURS a day.
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