Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Once in a Blue Moon, One More for the Road, -and- All Bets Are Off


Once in a Blue Moon - second full moon in month to usher in 2010
One More for the Road - Sturgis woman has record-setting blood-alcohol level of .708
All Bets Are Off - fired casino worker kills in standoff at Southern California casino kills one, self

On this day in history: December 30, 1977 - Ted Bundy escapes from a jail in Aspen, Colorado by using a hacksaw. He moves to Chicago, then Michigan, Atlanta, and finally Florida, where he commits a series of grotesque murders.

Born on this day in history: December 30, 1928 - Bo Diddley (1928-2008) Singer, songwriter, musician and rock pioneer Bo Diddley was born Ellas Bates (some reports say Otha Ellas Bates) on December 30, 1928, in McComb, Mississippi. Bo Diddley, with his infectious rhythms and strong guitar work, was one of the early pioneers of rock and roll music. At a young age, he was sent to live with one of her cousins, Gussie McDaniel, in Chicago. McDaniel adopted him and he took her last name. For years, he studied violin. Then after hearing the music of blues legend John Lee Hooker, he switched to the guitar. Diddley attended vocational school for a time, learning how to make violins and guitars. But he eventually dropped out. After working odd jobs and playing on street corners, Diddley started getting gigs at neighbor bars in Chicago. In 1955, he scored a recording contract with Checker, a subsidiary of the well-known blues label Chess Records. That year he scored his first rhythm and blues (R&B) hit with the self-titled single "Bo Diddley" and its B-side "I'm a Man." Diddley then reached the top 40 charts with "Pretty Things" in 1956. Other famous songs include "Who Do You Love," "Mona," and "Before You Accuse Me." Appearing on television, touring, and recording new material, Diddley remained popular until the mid-1960s. As rock and roll tastes changed, he started producing few albums, which weren't met with the same enthusiasm as earlier efforts. Still he remained a powerful live performer who toured heavily. A 1979 tour with the punk rock group, The Clash, introduced Diddley to new audiences. In 1987, Diddley was recognized for his role as a pioneering force in music by being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. More recently, he won a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Rhythm and Blues Foundation Pioneer Awards in 1996. That same year, he released his last studio album, Man Amongst Men, which was warmly received by critics. Sometimes called "The Originator," Diddley has inspired countless acts that have followed in his musical footsteps, including Buddy Holly, Bruce Springsteen, the Rolling Stones, the Who, and the Doors. Diddley died of heart failure June 2, 2008, at his home in Archer, Florida.

Scripture of the Day: Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God... - John 1:12

Video of the Day: "Blue Moon" - Chris Isaak





I have installed Wind OS 1.0 on my iPhone. It makes the iPhone considerably friendlier and more familiar! Click to enlarge.









The Weather
Rain fell throughout the night. Apparently, it was not heavy rainfall. It is not raining now, and it is not forecast to rain today. There is a chance of showers in the early evening. Rain is forecast for tomorrow and Friday. Saturday and Sunday are predicted to be sunny and warm. Today is considerably warmer than yesterday. It is 44° currently and forecast to reach 52° this afternoon. It was pleasant encountering no rime upon Mr. Nitro this morning!

Technology News
Nokia hits Apple with latest patent complaint
Leaked Nexus One documents: $530 unlocked, $180 with T-Mobile
Report: T-Mobile ready for Google phone launch
More attacks expected on Facebook, Twitter in 2010

Mysterious Events Next Door
Laura is home. She is not feeling well this morning and did not journey to Chico. She took this photograph with her iPhone of mysterious events next door. Click to enlarge.