Weekend Open Thread
Three Kings Day, January 6, is the first of the days of Epiphany. January 6 is also the first day of the Carnival Season, which culminates in Mardi Gras. This year’s Mardi Gras occurs on March 4, 2025. Enjoy your weekend!
Category: Open thread
Oh, wise and all knowing Magic 8-Ball, can Hack Stone be unburdened by scoring the first highly coveted and rarely awarded title of First Commenter for the This Ain’t Hell Weekend Open Thread of 2025, or will he bear the shame of yet again coming in second or third? Magic 8-Ball says…
“Smoke on the F5 Key…Hack Stone is First…” (Apologies to Deep Purple)
A Congolese Rat to you Mr. Stone. Been pounding the pud for what…a coupla hours now? No wonder your sales figures for obsolete Red Hat Software are in the toilet.
What every teenage wannabe guitar player picks out on the guitar store’s merchandise.
At least the intro.
Correction, GB. That’s what wannabe bassists play. Wayne’s World established that wannabe guitarists play Stairway. 😜
That’s another one – but these noobs try Smoke On the Water on our Strats and Teles
Honestly, they do. I just shake my head.
Hack Stone was refreshing around the standard posting times, 12:00, 12:30, 12:45, took a swig on his Lipton Iced Tea, saw it dropped and smashed down refresh to score the highly coveted and rarely awarded title of First Comment. Credit goes to that Y3K software that was just installed.
Okay, you Adorable Deplorable Garbage, listen up for your Weekend Safety Brief:
1. Don’t convert to Radical Islam after viewing a ten minute video on YouTube.
2. If you convert to Radical Islam and intend to commit jihad with a suicide bombing, be sure that you have do not have Duty NCO this weekend.
3. If you rent a 5 bedroom home in Bethesda Maryland for $6500, be sure to pay your rent, otherwise you will find yourself residing in a 1980’s vintage Jaguar.
4. If Phil Monkress calls you after normal business hours and tells you that he needs you to do him a solid, do not commit until he tells you what he wants you to do.
5. If you plan on taking flight this weekend in a private aircraft, ensure that your fuel tank has enough to reach 200 yards beyond your destination.
6. If you find yourself in the custody of law enforcement this weekend, establish dominance by telling your cellmates that you are personal friends with Steve Burrell, the fourth most hygienically challenged man in the world.
7. If you need a can of medical paint driven around South Jersey for some reason, be sure to hire a professional, like Ronald “Gunny Driveway” Mailahn.
Now go out there and have fun, but not too much fun, we have to be back at work on Monday.
Hack, what is medical paint?
If you look up Ronald “Gunny Driveway” Mailahn’s Missing Linked-In page, he provides transportation for “medical paint”. One would assume that he meant “medical patients”, but upon further consideration, he could barely manage driving a can of Sherwin Williams to the local methadone clinic, so medical patients would probably be better off taking a bus.
For a good laugh, look up the Linked In pages for some of the more entertaining morons who have amused us over the last decade or so, to include the Vice President of a proud but humble woman owned business formerly in the employ of All Points Logistics. He is actively seeking employment. Hack looked up some of the companies that he claims to have worked for since Phil Monkress stopped taking his calls, and most of these “major companies” seem to be nothing more than a Mail Drop in a seedy strip mall.
Looks like Ronald Mailahn’s Linked In is no longer linked. So who are we going to reach out to drive our paint around?
Does that make him the missing link?
Something is missing, alright.
Back when Gunny Driveway had a shot at taking it all in the Fecal Four, Hack Stone went on to a South Jersey Facebook page seeing if he got some hometown for support for the “youngest Sergeant Major in the Marine Corps”. One of the people who commented was a lady who said that he was dating her niece. Small world.
I always like my additions to the Weekend Safety Brief:
Add: 5. Don’t give the finger to outlaw bikers
You don’t have to GIVE them your finger…they’ll just cut it off and take it with them.
When I stopped at a stop sign for a long group of bikers to pass in the 70’s a hells angel pulled up along side me and said “ don’t ride behind us or it will be the last thing you do” 500 to 1 I turned the other direction. Black Hills in SD.
6. Don’t start any fights. But if you find yourself in one, you better finish it.
5b. Know how to understand and execute Air Traffic Controller’s directions.
You did not end your transmission with “over”, over.
Daniel Bernath; He never met a man he didn’t sue.
That’s too much for me to remember.
How about if I convert to rad islam I just go out and blow up a Tesla?
All hail the 1st King Wot of 2025.
May he 8 ball the magic for all time.
And the crown interceptor are handed over gently to Hack to rule, Ginger Lee, with great kindness and generosity and wisdom
I notice he isn’t trying to make people gainfully employed with plum jobs though. At least none that I’m aware of.
“plum jobs”
I am going to miss “driving miss bitches”.
FIRST!
Magic 8-Ball says…
Not even gonna try for FIRST, since Hack and the King have gotten in there already. But what I will do is wish all a Happy and Prosperous New Year and drop some start-of-January trivia for you. How’s that?
DID YOU KNOW…?
Did a professional baseball pitcher ever strike out 27 batters in one no-hit game?
By Commissioner Wretched
didyouknowcolumn@gmail.com
Copyright © 2025
And it’s 2025!
The calendar has rolled over, we’ve all (or at least most of us) survived another New Year’s Eve unscathed, and we’re ready to launch into yet another turn around the Sun.
I don’t do the New Year’s Eve partying any more; once you’ve done it, there doesn’t seem to be much sense in doing it yet again, so I don’t.
But if you did, I hope you had a great time, and the headache the morning after has gone away by now.
Happy New Year, my friends! Let’s break in some new trivia, shall we?
Did you know …
… a medical condition exists in which people believe they’re really the star of an imaginary reality television show? The condition is currently called Truman Syndrome, based on The Truman Show, a 1998 movie in which the central character, played by Jim Carrey (born 1962), was the unknowing star of a 24-hour-a-day reality show. The condition predates the movie, but the term was coined in 2008. The delusion is not recognized by the American Psychiatric Association, however. (If I had it, my delusion would be a comedy.)
… the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918 did not begin in Spain? The disease was named that because Spain, which was neutral in World War I, did not have any kind of media blackout on stories and could freely report on how the flu was affecting the population. Nations which were involved in the war could not report on the disease, and that led to the belief that the flu had started in Spain. (The flu makes me sick.)
… sailors in the Royal Navy must have special permission to grow beards? Most navies (and other branches of armed forces) prefer the clean-shaven look, with mustaches authorized. But if you want to grow a beard in the Royal Navy, you can … provided you get permission. It’s not a walk in the park after that, either. Regulations state you must grow the beard in two weeks, then present yourself to the Master at Arms. That individual decides whether the beard is presentable enough to be permitted in uniform. (If I grew a beard in two weeks, it would look just like a two-week five o’clock shadow.)
… McDonald’s™ restaurants in Scotland were boycotted because of a beverage? One of the most popular beverages sold in Scotland is Irn-Bru™, a citrus-based carbonated soft drink that far outsells Coca-Cola™. When McDonald’s opened a restaurant in Glasgow and patrons noticed Irn-Bru was not sold there, they considered it an insult and the location was boycotted until the beverage was added. Additional trivia note: Irn-Bru has been a part of Scottish life since 1901, and even has its own tartan. It has long been the best-selling beverage in Scotland that is not alcoholic (Scotch whiskey is the ultimate best-seller).
I have a long goatee, took 5 years to get where it is now. Have stopped shaving my cheeks for up to 4 months, trying to grow a real big boy beard, and always end up looking like I got the mange. Bullshit, says I! Dad and brother could do it, I was apparently robbed. No way I could grow acceptable facial hair in that short a time.
… a no-hitter in which every opposing batter struck out has only happened once in professional baseball? On May 13, 1952, pitcher “Rocket” Ron Necciai (born 1932) was on the mound for the Bristol Twins, a farm team for the Pittsburgh Pirates, in the Class-D Appalachian League. Necciai pitched a no-hitter against the Welch Miners that day in which he threw 27 strikeouts. Every Miners out recorded in every inning of that game was a strikeout. Necciai didn’t make a perfect game, however, because four Welch batters reached base – one walked, one was hit by a pitch, there was one error, and on what would have been the 27th strikeout, the catcher dropped the third strike and the batter made it to first base. That gave Necciai the chance to strike out one more, which he did … so I guess you could say he fanned 28 batters that game. Necciai only pitched part of one season in the Major Leagues with the Pirates, running up a 1-6 record. Additional trivia note: Necciai was something of a strikeout whiz in the Appalachian League. In addition to his 27-K game, he also pitched games in which he struck out 24 batters and 21 batters. His Major League career yielded a total of only 31 strikeouts, however. (The Peter Principle at work, eh? Look it up, kids.)
… the American Air Force was very small at the beginning of World War I? When war broke out in Europe in 1914, what we now call the Air Force was actually part of the U.S. Army’s Signal Corps. Called at first the “Aeronautical Division” then the “Aviation Division,” the Air Force did not become a separate branch of the Army until 1918, when the Division of Military Aeronautics was crated. It became the Army Air Corps in 1926 and the Army Air Forces in 1941, before becoming a separate branch of service in 1947. But at the start of the first World War, the Aeronautical Division had a total of 118 men – 18 pilots and 100 support personnel. Additional trivia note: The only man to hold five-star general rank in both the Army and the Air Force, Henry H. “Hap” Arnold (1886-1950), wore his original “aviator’s badge” on his uniform his entire career, even after the now-familiar “wings” badges were designed. The original badge featured an eagle holding Signal Corps flags, suspended from a bar reading, “Military Aviator.” (Quite the flight of fancy, no?)
… the Nigerian version of Sesame Street does not have the character of Cookie Monster? In Nigeria, most children do not have access to cookies, so the producers of the Nigerian version of the childrens’ show created Zobi the Yam Monster. (I’ll let you guess what he likes to eat.)
… the largest land mammal in existence is the African bush elephant? These guys are big. How big, you ask? Try this – a fully grown adult can stand 13 feet high and 24 feet long, trunk to tail. (That, my friend, is big.)
Now … you know!
“1918, when the Division of Military Aeronautics was crated“
Box them up and ship them home. 😉
Good catch … I swear, I proofread this stuff but things get past me. My bad.
Same here. It is almost like the spelling gremlin attacks when I hit enter.
Better than “cratered”.
The re-enactors group was dressed up as 19th century US Army Signal Corps soldiers; they were demonstrating wig-wag communications to us tourists. One of the re-enactors asked me what I thought. I replied it was interesting and even more so because the USAF started as part of the Signal Corps. The re-enactor grew enraged and told me if I knew anything about the USAF I would know the USAF started with the Air Corps. He then called me a wanna-be and demanded I get out of his eyes. Well, some people just can’t handle the truth.
I find my life is easier and happier when I refrain from talking to Signalers, real or pretend.
{runs}
Go ahead, run. I’m not gonna chase you. You gotta come back sometime!
I have stings. I have cups.
They still make dirty magazines.
Are you sure about that, wiredog?
See? You’re back already.
See? The Peter Principle is proven…
According to one account, the Spanish Flu had its first outbreak at Fort Riley Kansas. It’s been said that the US Army Cavalry Museum there on Post is THE most haunted building on that Installation from those who passed away in it, a big number during the epidemic, that building was once the Post Hospital.
Was on the hunt for FGS, CW (that struggle has been REALLY reelz of late) when I popped back in to see if the WOT had dropped. Didn’t think I’d beat out the Stoned Hacker (or anyone else) being as HS had been pounding his F5 Key like a high dollar hooker for several hours by then, but one has to try. 3 second difference in 1st and sloppy seconds. I can still claim EARNING the 1st FIRST of the year with the HOT from NYD, adding to my string of uninterrupted HOT FIRSTs. Your Trivia Posts are always an entertaining and educational bright spot every week. Keep ’em coming (tho a Book 3, again, on the Adventures of Eddie Lee would keep The Gun Bunny occupied for a time also). I snuggled up with the new pupper New Year to keep him calm with the anticipated fireworks coming from the ‘hood and an eye out for the NYD HOT, didn’t even drink enough to get more than a very mild buzz so the only headache I have is watching teh stoopid of the usual politicians doing their usual thing. Jim Carrey causes a medical condition in me. Makes me sick to see his face and hear his voice. Never cared for him, not sure exactly why. Some schools of thought are the “Flu” was one of the attempts of biological warfare. Seeing what we saw since 2020 helps support that theory. My beard comes and goes, depending on the weather or what Historical Program I may be teaching. Does take a tad more than 2 weeks to get any length. Only way I could eat a Micky D meal is if I were drunk on Scotch and there was nothing else to eat. Too bad baseball became a bunch of overgrown, underworked, over paid crybabies. Gave up on them back in the 90s when they went on strike. Not much use for sports ball of any sort now either. NFL lost me before the “kneeling” began and college ball with this NIL, portal, and early draft thing. My Dawgs… Read more »
Army Aviation had Signal Corps dudes in Balloons during the WBTS, along with an Artillery FO to bring the damn damn down on opposing forces. Them Damned Insurrectionists Johnny Rebs had the gall to make the FIRST Aircraft Carrier when they placed a balloon on a ship to attack part of the Federal James & Potomac River Fleet. Modern Army Aviation came about on the down low trying to get around the “Key West Agreements” when the Chair Force didn’t want to do close in ground support.
Cookie Monster ain’t got nothing on me when it comes to cookies…and I do loves me some sweet tater pie.
I thought that the largest land mammal in the world was Stacey Abrams. Who knew that the African Elephant was bigger than that African?
Thank you, again, Good Sir. And do mention me to Lois.
I can’t remember if I’ve written about this, but the US Army did score one air-to-air kill during Vietnam. It was kept quiet as it ran afoul of that Key West gentlemen’s agreement.
https://warisboring.com/the-armys-only-air-to-air-kill-since-wwii-was-done-with-a-50-cal-in-vietnam
I don’t recall if you’ve covered this one either, but if you haven’t, you should.
Now that’s bad ass! (too bad about the camera).. “bring all weapons to bear”..
My maternal grandfather had joined the (GO) Army and was training to go “Over There” when the Kaiser capitulated. (Paternal Grandfather was in and “Over There” as a cook.)
But Maternal Grandfather caught the Spanish Flu and was hospitalized. No one knew if he was alive or dead – communications being what they were.
When he was discharged from the hospital (and, I guess, the Army) he had to walk home. I think from Baton Rouge to the farm.
Lots of folks lost to that bug.
Hope he took the old highway 190 for that trek. Probably took 10 days depending on the time of the year. There were trains back in those days.
Numma-seven as I award myself yet another Honorary First!
((((OVER))))
Epstein did not kill himself.
The Media is not our friend.
5th. Not bad
Present is the best I can do…
Happy 2025, ya filthy animals, cudos to Hack, and thanks to all of you that keep this thing running- you will never know how much it makes me smile.
Shit, I forgot – OVER
This just popped up on Hack’s company issued cell phone. Severe weather conditions in the National Capital Region approaching, so if you have a Vice President of a proud but humble woman owned business residing in a broken down Jaguar in your driveway, be sure to bring them inside. Remember, if you are cold, they are cold.
Have a great weekend y’all!
Don’t forget to top off the things that need it. Ammo is cheap(ish), get after it!
I have 15 servings of red beans and rice in the freezer chilling out until it is ready to run through the freeze-drying machine. Just finished the holy trinity+ prep for the jambalaya to be freeze dried after that.
A freeze dryer is on my wish list, just a bit out of reach at the moment..
Tractor Supply.
Between tractor supply and farm and home, you can get just about anything. Rural king as well if you have one local.
Yeah, I’ve seen em there, but then I see the price tag… maybe someday..
Yes, it took me a while to get around to it. I kept looking at the factory food buckets, and they all worked out at over $4.00 per meal. At that rate I have already made about 1/4 of the purchase price of the machine.
Good deal! happy with the results so far?
Yes. Read the instruction carefully before you start, it is a little complicated at first.
I have shopped at both and prefer Rural King, IMO Tractor Supply is awful proud of their merchandise if you know what I mean!
Wow. Just wow.
I’ll leave you to something this and all its splendor:
https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/national-international/new-orleans-las-vegas-highlight-extremist-active-military-veterans/3750667/
I’d say “enjoy” but anyone with a room temperature IQ will be left with crippling angst and profound WTFitis.
Welp…this year did start out WTF. Pass me the glue pot.
FUCK MSM/NBC ETC.
Down the warm hole we go I know there was a link with reference to this in the other thread, but seriously?!?!
——
“First off I am not under duress or hostile influence or control. My first car was a 2006 Black Ford Mustang V6 for verification.
“What we have been seeing with “drones” is the operational use of gravitic propulsion systems powered aircraft by most recently China in the east coast, but throughout history, the US. Only we and China have this capability. Our OPEN location for this activity in the box is below.
“China has been launching them from the Atlantic from submarines for years, but this activity recently has picked up. As of now, it is just a show of force and they are using it similar to how they used the balloon for sigint and isr, which are also part of the integrated coms system. There are dozens of those balloons in the air at any given time.
“The so what is because of the speed and stealth of these unmanned AC, they are the most dangerous threat to national security that has ever existed. They basically have an unlimited payload capacity and can park it over the WH if they wanted. It’s checkmate.
“USG needs to give the history of this, how we are employing it and weaponizing it, how China is employing them and what the way forward is. China is poised to attack anywhere in the east coast
“I’ve been followed for over a week now from likely homeland or FBI, and they are looking to move on me and are unlikely going to let me cross into Mexico, but won’t because they know I am armed and I have a massive VBIED. I’ve been trying to maintain a very visible profile and have kept my phone and they are definitely digitally tracking me.
“I have knowledge of this program and also war crimes that were covered up during airstrikes in Nimruz province Afghanistan in 2019 by the admin, DoD, DEA and CIA. (Cont)
…..” CIA. I conducted targeting for these strikes of over 125 buildings (65 were struck because of CIVCAS) that killed hundreds of civilians in a single day. USFORA continued strikes after spotting civilians on initial ISR, it was supposed to take 6 minutes and scramble all aircraft in CENTCOM. The UN basically called these war crimes, but the administration made them disappear. I was part of that cover-up with USFORA and Agent [Redacted] of the DEA. So I don’t know if my abduction attempt is related to either. I worked with GEN Millers 10 staff on this as well as the response to Bala Murghab. AOB-S Commander at the time. [Redacted] can validate this.
“You need to elevate this to the media so we avoid a world war because this is a mutually assured destruction situation.
“For vetting my Linkedin is Matt Berg or Matthew Livelsberger, an active duty 18Z out of 1-10 my profile is public. I have an active TSSCI with UAP USAP access.”
————
So the big question is are we or are we not in for Red Dawn III General Tso UFO Boogaloo ?
Whatever comes, Chimpy…I’ve done all that I can do to…Prepare
But what if he’s telling the truth?
Jus’ sayin’…
What happened to Austin’s efforts to root out extremism in the ranks?
Present & FIRST (h/t HS) in the hearts of the Grandkids.
Was off teaching guitar, getting supplies for the upcoming week. Nights in the 20s, days in the 40s for the first of the week.
Yankees may scoff, but forget that our infrastructure is designed differently and the humidity makes a lot of difference. Had a sister-in-law from Denver that scoffed at us, until they moved down here and she couldn’t get warm.
Got brood lamps (if you’ve raised chickens, you know) for the wellhouse and #1 Grandson’s pipes. Checked wrappings on the other pipes.
God bless you all.
Happy weekend.
Random, but fitting for a board like this Now Musk is pretending he’s a badass – he apparently keeps a WW1 trench knife embedded in a bedroom wall because ‘it’s better for CQB’. This, coming from the guy with a bunch of personal security who are actually well-trained, of course:
https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1875020490689118292
If that’s not edgy enough, here’s his one from last year:
https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1726989224073896365
Ok LC, good find. those are funny
Yes…it is…