Taking A Trivia Break

Taking A Trivia Break 

D. S. Mitchell

COVID-19 Briefings

I have watched Trump’s Coronavirus Task Force briefings for the last three weeks or four weeks. I think the first one I watched was on March 10th. For some reason they just keep getting longer and more ridiculous. Over the last week I have gotten in the habit of turning off the volume when I see that Trump is about to start talking. Truthfully, every time he opens his mouth I can’t shut off the volume fast enough.

Find A Bucket

Yesterday, I watched the briefing without turning off the volume. I have no idea what I was thinking. While the CDC is now recommending that citizens wear face coverings, to protect others, Trump says he will not be wearing one. As usual, Trump has totally missed the point of the face covering. He went on a rant about the ‘resolute desk’ and then said he “couldn’t see himself wearing a mask”, while he was meeting, “kings, queens, and dictators”. I don’t know how those world leaders feel, but I know I would like to see him shut up and put a bucket over his head.

YouTube Training

Trump obviously thinks more of a photo-op than the safety and well-being of those he is coming in contact with. He however continued, that those who want to wear a face mask are free to do so. Leadership at its worst, and most dangerous. I will be wearing a facial covering, because I want to protect people I may come in contact with. Many of those people are relatives and friends that I love and want to safeguard.

A Chinese Suggestion

This  week I have been on YouTube learning how to make masks out of men’s handkerchiefs. I have practiced how to make those face coverings, and although I’m a bit clumsy, I think I’ve got it. Some suggest placing  a section of paper towel in between the layers of your homemade masks. I will do that also. It is such an easy extra step. Whatever the experts tell me to do, I will do. I was an RN for nearly 40 years. I take the advice of  medical professionals seriously. RT’s (respiratory therapists), doctors and other nurses’ advice is usually pretty damn good.

A Blogger’s Life

The focus of my blog is the American political system. The blogger’s life is a good life, most of the time. There are times however, when U.S. politics and political rhetoric saps a person’s patience and energy. Currently, I am outraged that Donald Trump is using the Coronavirus Task Force briefings to promote his own political interest. Political spin is not appropriate at this moment. I hope that television outlets begin to give Democratic front-runner Joe Biden more TV time.

Even Today

Today, I am taking a break from politics to think about something else for a few minutes. I know that Trump will soon hijack the airwaves, with another   briefing.  I’m just going to take a deep breath, and try to keep a positive frame of mind. As a distraction for myself this morning, I began compiling a few interesting trivia facts about America. Enjoy.

 

1.) Monopoly:

Charles B. Darrow created the Monopoly game in 1934.  Originally he marketed his homemade version of the game locally. In 1935 Parker Brothers bought the rights to the game  The life lessons are obvious; stay out of jail, do community service, pay your bills, amass real estate wealth, and collect your rents.  It is without a doubt, the most popular board game in history. Monopoly is part of my childhood memories and consumed many rainy afternoons.  The base lesson is that in America, the person with the most money wins. From a philosophical position I don’t believe  that is the best lesson to teach.

2.) The Indy 500:

The Indy 500 is held in Indianapolis, Indiana every year, on Memorial Day. The event has been going strong since 1911. Every year, thirty-three cars race around the Indianapolis Speedway for 500 miles to the cheers of excited viewers. It is the most famous racing spectacle in the world. An estimated 400,000 people are at the track each year, while millions more watch on television.

3.) Duct Tape:

Duct tape was first developed during WWII to connect heating and air conditioning ducts. It rapidly gained a following and was used to seal ammunition cases, repair jeeps, weapons and planes.  This super strong, cheap vinyl, fabric-reinforced, pressure-sensitive tape is a staple at my house and I suspect many other American households.

4.) Window Screens:

In 1823, in an issue of American Farmer there is a mention of  “woven wire for window screens.” The first patent for a window screen was submitted on July 7, 1868. So, window screens are not a new thing. It is an American solution to a world-wide health problem. Window screens can be the first line of defense against insects. The screens are an ultra easy non-polluting system. Nothing more than mesh wire stretched over a metal or wooden frame will keep bugs outside.  What’s amazing is that the rest of the world has yet to embrace this low-tech discovery.

5.) Sasquatch:

Bigfoot, or Sasquatch is an American creature of myth and legend.  Sassy is reportedly a big, hairy, upright-walking, ape-like humanoid, that smells extremely bad. Bigfoot supposed wanders the deep forests and rugged back country of the Pacific Northwest. Over the years, these creatures have inspired multiple movies and hoaxes. The Progressive Insurance Co. has created several amusing ad campaigns using the Bigfoot character. Although I was born, and still live in the great Northwest, I have never seen such a creature.

6.) Chapstick:

Chapstick was invented by a Virginia pharmacist in 1870. It would be wonderful if every ailment could be soothed as easily as chapped lips. Great stuff.  I’ve carried one in my pocket from the time I was 12, until just a few years ago when I switched to Blistex.

7.) The Catcher in the Rye:

Holden Caulfield is the central character of a coming of age story first published in 1951.  This seemingly ageless novel has enjoyed incredible popularity since its original publication. There have been an amazing 35 million copies sold, worldwide.  The Catcher’s author, J.D. Salinger died in 2010. During his life he doggedly resisted a screen version of the story and up until now his family has followed that mindset. I read the book 3 times my sophomore year in high school. In fact, that ragged worn paperback holds a hallowed space on my book shelf to this day.

8.) The London Bridge:

London Bridge was built in 1831 over the Thames River in London, England.  The bridge was determined to be inadequate to support the weight of 20th century traffic and was scheduled for demolition.  An American entrepreneur and oil tycoon,Robert McCullock  thought Lake Havasu City, Arizona needed a tourist attraction. In 1968 McCullock purchased the bridge for $2.4 million dollars. When I visited Lake Havasu City I walked across the bridge. The bridge spans less than 1,000 feet. It connects pedestrians, motorists and cyclists in Lake Havasu City to an island in the Colorado River.

9.) Acoma Pueblo:

Acoma Pueblo is a communal structure built of adobe. These multiple dwelling units and defensive structures were built by Native Americans. There are several pueblo sites built around the southwestern United States. There are a few Hopi Indians still living in the Acoma historic pueblo. Acoma Pueblo was built on a massive sandstone mesa 55 miles west of Albuquerque, NM.  The pueblo dates from the early 9th century and is considered the oldest continuously inhabited village in the United States. I have only seen this amazing place in pictures. Maybe, someday I can see it in person.

10.) Hell’s Canyon Recreation Area:

Hell’s Canyon covers 652,488 acres of breath-taking beauty.  Nine hundred miles of trails wind through this beautiful wilderness region straddling the Oregon-Idaho border.  Hell’s Canyon is the deepest gorge in North America cut over millennia by the majestic Snake River. I have spent many  incredible weekends hiking and fishing this wilderness wonderland when I lived in Eastern Oregon.

11.) Boat Owners:

There are about 11.9 million pleasure boats registered in the United States. Those craft range from small runabouts to multi-multi-million dollar yachts.  Like many other boat owners, Donald Trump had his first best day when he bought a 110 foot yacht and named it the Trump Princess.  He had his second best day in 1991-and so did the creditors of his gambling empire-when he sold the Trump Princess to a Saudi Prince for $40 million.

12.) Whale Watching:

Boat tours leave ports like Seattle and San Diego to watch Gray Whales migrate the Pacific coast of America.  Ships off of the east coast also follow and record processions of Humpback whales. I lived on the Oregon coast for many years and had the pleasure seeing on numerous occasions the magnificent Gray Whales as they migrate close to Oregon’s rugged shoreline on their 12,000 mile migration route from feeding areas in the north Arctic Ocean to southern Mexico, and then back again.

13.) Saint Cupcake:

Truly, a bit of heaven.  Whether it is Saint Cupcake Cinnamon Rolls or Caramel Sea Salt Brownies, Saint Cupcake has something for everyone. There are three stores to serve your sugar fix in Portland, Oregon.  The first store opened in 2005 and they have satisfied thousands of locals since then. Saturday is a great time to stop by, when the bakers make their Red Velvet and Carrot cupcake specials.  OMG, Portland, I love you.

14.) Wyoming Dinosaur Center:

The Dinosaur Center at Thermopolis, WY is a 16,000 square foot complex. The facility includes a museum, working dig sites and a complete laboratory. It is possible to actually take part in a paleontological dig. The museum is open year round. The site houses more than 50 mounted skeletons, including a full mount of Supersaurus vivianae excavated from a quarry near Douglas, Wyoming. These monsters will make you feel very small. There is a gift shop selling small fossils, gems, t-shirts, books and educational materials. It’s an experience you won’t forget. I was there in 2000 and it was a memory making experience.

15.) Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta:

In 1972 the first Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta was organized by Albuquerque balloon pilot Sid Cutter. Thirteen balloons participated, taking off from a local mall parking lot. Since that early start it has become the largest hot air balloon festival in the world. It lasts for nine days in October.   Last year, over 800,000 people attended. The fiesta has become the most photographed event in the world.  I have not attended the festival. I am not into crowds. The thought of sharing space with nearly a million people sends shivers up my agoraphobic spine. But, watching the spectacle on video is  amazing.

16.) The Sierra Club:

Today, we face serious challenges to our environment. A warming climate, unprecedented levels of pollution, and powerful special interests undermining basic protections. We have little time—which is why the Sierra Club is bringing people together to build the most powerful and effective environmental movements the world has ever seen. Sierra Club is the oldest grassroots environmental organization in the United States. The purpose is preservation, protection, and enhancement of the natural environment. Founded in 1892 it has grown to become “our environmental conscience.”  3.4 million members want to remind us that our wilderness places are worth fighting for.

17.) Frozen Dead Guys Festival:

This home-grown event  pays homage to Bredo Morton (aka Grandpa), who is frozen and stored in a Tuff Shed on dry ice high above Nederland, Colorado. Locals call it a bit weird, I call it wacky. Grandpa was brought to Nederland by his relatives.  The intent was to build a cryonics facility in the town.  The lab was never built.  At this point, American marketing and entrepreneurship took over, leading to the Frozen Guys Festival. Only in America. The festival includes coffin races, a polar plunge and Frozen Dead Guy ice cream. I am happy to admit that I have never been to Nederland, or participated in this freakish festival. The 2020 festival has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

18.) Will Rogers:

Will Rogers, was an entertainer, a newspaper columnist, radio personality, and movie star. Rogers died in 1935. His quotes are amazing. I wish he was here now, I think he would have plenty to say about today’s political scene.  Here are a couple of his priceless and timeless thoughts. 1.)You can be killed just as dead in an unjustified war as you can in one protecting your own home. 2.) A Man only learns by two things, one is reading, and the other is association with smarter people. 3.) Ten men in the country could buy the world and ten million can’t buy enough to eat. 4.) No man is great if he thinks he is. 5.) The Republican platform promises to do better. I don’t think they have done so bad. Everybody’s broke but them.

19.) Phi Beta Kappa:

Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest and most prestigious academic honor society in the country. Today, there are about 500,000 living members. The Phi Beta Kappa society includes 17 former presidents and 131 Nobel Laureates. I was not a Phi Beta Kappa scholar.  I am proud to say, however, my son is a member.

20.) Unusual Town Names:

This is America, we can call our town any damn thing we want. There’s Ding Dong, Texas; Possum Grape, Arkansas; Lizard Lick, North Carolina; Dunmovin, California; Yreka Zzyzx, California; No Name, Colorado; Zap, North Dakota; Buck Snort, Tennessee; Gnaw Bone, Indiana.  Those interested, can find Climax in Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. If you are looking for Intercourse it’s been found in Pennsylvania. I have to admit I have only been to Yreka, California, not even Yreka Zzyzx.

Trivia

Trivia is one of those great things you can save and use at opportune moments.  It’s fun to be the queen of weird information.  I didn’t say misinformation, I said weird information. Hope you enjoyed this few minutes of escapism.