JSS: U.S. Flag Day-- Paul's Birthday on WXRT'S Breakfast With the Beatles-- Piano and Violin Dirges for the "C-- The Sunday Chicago Tribune These Days

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  U.S. FLAG DAY TODAY--  Today is the birthday of the United States Flag.  On June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress  passed on that date, the new nation's flag was put thusly:  "Resolved:  That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."

Hope you put your flags out.  I have my usual U.S. flag at the garage, the smaller one at the mailbox out by the street and a 76 Bennington flag hanging up on the porch.

2.  PAUL'S BIRTHDAY ON WXRT'S BREAKFAST WITH THE BEATLES--  It has now started, so tune in at www.wxrt.com for Terri Hemmert's annual salute to Paul McCartney on his 78th birthday, which is June 18, 1942.  Nothing but Paul songs, with and without the Beatles for two hours.  It runs from 8 am to 10 am, CDST.  Listening to it right now.

3.  PIANO AND VIOLIN DIRGES FOR THE "C"--  Sure getting tired of all those coronavirus commercials on TV with the "dirge" piano and violin soundtracks.  I may never be able to listen to this sort of music again.

4.  THE SUNDAY CHICAGO TRIBUNE THESE DAYS--  Just went out and picked up my Sunday Chicago tribune out in the driveway.  That's right, I still get the old hardcopy newspaper.  I sure am going to miss this treat when it's gone.

Sadly, today's Sunday Tribune is about the same size as the old daily Tribunes.  The old Sunday Tribune had a whole lot of heft to it.

CRAZY COUNTRY SONGS:  "If I Had Shot You When I Wanted To, I'd be Out By Now."

JSIS In This Real Different Time: Piano Dirges-- __________ Times

JSIS--  Just Some Interesting Stuff

1.  PIANO DIRGES--  To use and overused term for 2020, in these troubling times, we are definitely going to bring about a big change in our lives.  Have you noticed all that piano dirge music accompanying the commercials these days?  I may not ever be able to hear a piano play again without these memories.  It's like seeing an old movie or TV show with the World Trade Center towers in it.  Not a fun memory.

2.  _______ TIMES--  And, another pair of words that you hear on the commercials all the time is ___________ times.  Put your favorite disaster word into the blank.  Actually, I have turned these two words into a sort of drinking game.  Every time you hear those words together, you take a drink.  Dangerous Times (Sip), Trying Times (Sip), Sad Times (Sip).

By the way, I had to take a lil' ol' sip with the title of the last post.

By the way, with the title of

You won't last a real long time.  Maybe two or three commercial breaks.

These Trying Times (Hey!!  Another Sip.)  --RoadSip

LAUGHTER HELPS WITH THE "V":  And, I was just about to start going to the gym again this week.  (Well, that's my excuse anyway.

Who's Tired of "Uncertain," "Trying" and "Challenging" Times?

Watching TV and listening to the radio, I am getting just a bit tired of hearing these "times."

"Uncertain Times"

"Trying Times"

"Challenging Times"

A drinking game for those of you stuck at home these days.  Every time a commercial comes on using one of these terms are a similar "times" word, take a shot.  You'll soon forget.

Also getting tired of the dirge piano plinking away in so many commercials.

Plink the Times.  --RoadDog

LAUGHTER TO DEAL WITH THE "V":  To the tune of "Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover."

"This isn't Spring Beak, Jake
Stay home if you're sick, Dick
Just follow the rules, fools
And stay virus free!"

Billy Joel Does Beatlemania His Way

From Wikipedia. //// Thuis is an outgrowth from the previous post from yesterday's This Date in Beatles History. I mentioned that on Feb. 21, 1964, Billy Joel joined the New York-based British Invasion band "Echoes." //// You'll never guess what event influenced his decision. Hint: Feb. 9, 1964. //// Said Joel: "That performance changed my life.... Up to that moment I'd never considered playing rock as a career. And when I saw four guys who didn't look like they'd come out of the Hollywood star mill, who played their own songs and instruments and especially because you could see the look on John Lennon's face...." //// According to Wikipedia, Billy Joel formed the Echoes, not just joined them. His website has a picture of the band with a very young Billy Joel. They specialized in British Invasion covers and became popular in New York. Sure that being a professional musician, he quit high school and let his hair grow. //// The band began recording in 1965. (Dare I go to You Tube to see if there are any Echoes songs? Do I have enough time to do that?) He was hired as a pianist in Bobby Vee's band but got fired right away for refusing to wear a matching jacket. //// In 1965, the Echoes changed their name to the Emeralds. Joel left them in 1967 to join the Hassles. //// Just An Update On the Last Post. --RoadDog