January 25, 2008
Hi. Sorry this is late. I think I may have finally kicked this thing though, after sleeping for like 50 hours over the past three days. Ugh. But I'm feeling good now, yeah! INSTANT BREAKFAST!
*****
On this date in 1792, the London Corresponding Society was founded. They wrote SO many letters to other cities, none of which were ever returned, because they were, in fact, the first corresponding society. Instead, they took to writing each other letters, but that wasn't nearly as exciting.
OK, actually, the LCS was a radical reform organization founded by John Frost (not the mythical creature who nips your nose) and Thomas Hardy (not the author of Jude the Obscure) that protested against wars and for greater representation of working class peoples. The British government (surprise!) took poorly to their suggestions, and tried changing laws, arresting people, holding members without trial, and all the usual stuff. The group ultimately split under pressure in 1799, but they still, from time to time, would write each other letters remembering the good times they once had.
*****
Correspondence of the Weak!
IBEater Original Recipe Meg whispers:
"I've been so busy I've been slacking on my IB reading, but I still occasionally look at Fridays - sometimes the Correspondence of the Weak is even funnier when the context of people's comments is completely unknown."
I've been so busy I hardly even write Instant Breakfast anymore. At least on time.
IBEater Deena reads the news-paper:
"wait. are you now writing the On This Day factoid for the new york times? Because this sounds a lot like something you'd make up:
Although I haven't YET been hired to write the factoid for the New York Times, I think it's only a matter of... um... time. I mean, I would have inserted a bit in there about how Robert "F." Scott and Roald "No N Necessary" Amundsen then fought to the death with the loser being impaled on the South Pole for all time. Something. I'd work on it, were I writing for the NEWSPAPER OF RECORD.
IBEater Morgan had me all worried:
"i wish to be the first to claim to be your father. paternity tests galore!"
But then IBEater My Father set my mind at ease:
"Hi son…."
Note to IBEater Meg: this is presumably one of those times when it's funnier out of context.
Everybody sent such nice emails when I wasn't feeling well this week, with the nicest of all being from IBEater Salty:
"I will never let you forget this."
Oh, Salty Salty Salty. You and I, friend, must FIGHT TO THE DEATH AT THE SOUTH POLE.
IBEater RachelA intones:
"I hope you feel better. I'm overtired and can't figure out where your show is happening on Friday, or how much it is. Can you help me, please?"
Absolutely! The show is tonight (tonight!) at 8pm (8pm!) at 169 Avenue C (by 10th Street!) and it's free (I think!). Hope to see you all there! I'm going to "teach" you about "art history!"
IBEater Andy doesn't like poetry:
""If I wanted to, could I be David VII McGee? Or would I have to clone six of me, and then that guy could be?"
truly unfortunate rhyme."
Hey, man. I was just trying to get my Seuss on.
IBEater Jesse has an idea for my name change:
"I think you could still be David I McGee, or even I David McGee. Just imagine this exchange:
Some Dude/Dudette: Who the heck are you?
You: I am I David McGee!
Some Dude/Dudette: ...What was that? Do you, like, really love the movie "I, Robot"?
You: Well, it was a book first or something, but no, that's not it....
Some Dude/Dudette: Is it a biblical thing or something?
You: ...No....
Some Dude/Dudette: Then what's up with it?
You: My name's Dave. Just... never mind.
(You hang your head in shame and live a life of disappointment forever more.)"
So, I think what you're saying is: don't change it. Gotcha.
IBEater Jason--who is GUNNING for my job, apparently--will take you into the weekend with his replacement Instant Breakfast for the one I didn't write on Monday. What? Exactly. I'll see you on MONDAY unless this Martian Death Flu hasn't released its grip on me yet. Until then, have a great weekend. And if you live in South Carolina, don't forget to vote. OK, bye!
*****
Unsubscribe Information
No mysterious information about your absence yesterday?? Or did Gmail conspire against me to not bring me my Monday edition of IB?? Or was there just to many things that happened in history yesterday for you to decide and you just went with nothing?? Here are my top 5...
1. "1189 - Philip II of France and Richard I of England begin to assemble troops to wage the Third Crusade." Phillip 2 + Richard 1 = 3 Crusade...I think there is a math joke in there somewhere.
2. "1893 - The Tati Concessions Land, formerly part of Matabeleland, was formally annexed to the Bechuanaland Protectorate which is now Botswana." Formerly and formally - need I say anything more?
3. " 1925 - Albania declares itself a republic." Ahh, our good friend Albania with their glorious flag and anthem...if ever an excuse to send out the links again, this would be it!
4. "1968 - Vietnam War: Battle of Khe Sanh - One of the most publicized and controversial battles of the war begins." Donny was a good bowler, and a good man. He was one of us. He was a man who loved the outdoors... and bowling. If you need an explanation (search for Khe Sanh).
5. "2004 - Canada: The residence of reporter Juliet O'Neill is searched by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) investigating leaks concerning the deportation of Maher Arar." I think that there was something more to this story - perhaps relating to her sister April and some Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) - no????
And as a bonus - only one day later we already know that yesterday was historic. "2008 - Black Mondayin worldwide stock markets. FTSE 100 had its biggest ever one-day points fall, European stocks closed with their worst result since 9/11, and Asian stocks drop as much as 15%." I think this is the 40 billionth "black" day in history, apparently black is still IN in 2008 and everyone's hopes of "(Insert Your Favorite Color Here) Monday" will have to wait until 2009.
*****
On this date in 1792, the London Corresponding Society was founded. They wrote SO many letters to other cities, none of which were ever returned, because they were, in fact, the first corresponding society. Instead, they took to writing each other letters, but that wasn't nearly as exciting.
OK, actually, the LCS was a radical reform organization founded by John Frost (not the mythical creature who nips your nose) and Thomas Hardy (not the author of Jude the Obscure) that protested against wars and for greater representation of working class peoples. The British government (surprise!) took poorly to their suggestions, and tried changing laws, arresting people, holding members without trial, and all the usual stuff. The group ultimately split under pressure in 1799, but they still, from time to time, would write each other letters remembering the good times they once had.
*****
Correspondence of the Weak!
IBEater Original Recipe Meg whispers:
"I've been so busy I've been slacking on my IB reading, but I still occasionally look at Fridays - sometimes the Correspondence of the Weak is even funnier when the context of people's comments is completely unknown."
I've been so busy I hardly even write Instant Breakfast anymore. At least on time.
IBEater Deena reads the news-paper:
"wait. are you now writing the On This Day factoid for the new york times? Because this sounds a lot like something you'd make up:
ON THIS DAY
On Jan. 18, 1912, English explorer Robert F. Scott and his expedition reached the South Pole, only to discover that Roald Amundsen had gotten there first.
No way. That would be horrible! Can you imagine? And to think I got pissed off when I had to retype an essay in 10th grade from my handwritten notes when the power went out and I lost my whole AP American History paper on why I effing loathe Alexander Hamilton. Man he was just horrible.
Well don't I feel a fool!"Although I haven't YET been hired to write the factoid for the New York Times, I think it's only a matter of... um... time. I mean, I would have inserted a bit in there about how Robert "F." Scott and Roald "No N Necessary" Amundsen then fought to the death with the loser being impaled on the South Pole for all time. Something. I'd work on it, were I writing for the NEWSPAPER OF RECORD.
IBEater Morgan had me all worried:
"i wish to be the first to claim to be your father. paternity tests galore!"
But then IBEater My Father set my mind at ease:
"Hi son…."
Note to IBEater Meg: this is presumably one of those times when it's funnier out of context.
Everybody sent such nice emails when I wasn't feeling well this week, with the nicest of all being from IBEater Salty:
"I will never let you forget this."
Oh, Salty Salty Salty. You and I, friend, must FIGHT TO THE DEATH AT THE SOUTH POLE.
IBEater RachelA intones:
"I hope you feel better. I'm overtired and can't figure out where your show is happening on Friday, or how much it is. Can you help me, please?"
Absolutely! The show is tonight (tonight!) at 8pm (8pm!) at 169 Avenue C (by 10th Street!) and it's free (I think!). Hope to see you all there! I'm going to "teach" you about "art history!"
IBEater Andy doesn't like poetry:
""If I wanted to, could I be David VII McGee? Or would I have to clone six of me, and then that guy could be?"
truly unfortunate rhyme."
Hey, man. I was just trying to get my Seuss on.
IBEater Jesse has an idea for my name change:
"I think you could still be David I McGee, or even I David McGee. Just imagine this exchange:
Some Dude/Dudette: Who the heck are you?
You: I am I David McGee!
Some Dude/Dudette: ...What was that? Do you, like, really love the movie "I, Robot"?
You: Well, it was a book first or something, but no, that's not it....
Some Dude/Dudette: Is it a biblical thing or something?
You: ...No....
Some Dude/Dudette: Then what's up with it?
You: My name's Dave. Just... never mind.
(You hang your head in shame and live a life of disappointment forever more.)"
So, I think what you're saying is: don't change it. Gotcha.
IBEater Jason--who is GUNNING for my job, apparently--will take you into the weekend with his replacement Instant Breakfast for the one I didn't write on Monday. What? Exactly. I'll see you on MONDAY unless this Martian Death Flu hasn't released its grip on me yet. Until then, have a great weekend. And if you live in South Carolina, don't forget to vote. OK, bye!
*****
Unsubscribe Information
No mysterious information about your absence yesterday?? Or did Gmail conspire against me to not bring me my Monday edition of IB?? Or was there just to many things that happened in history yesterday for you to decide and you just went with nothing?? Here are my top 5...
1. "1189 - Philip II of France and Richard I of England begin to assemble troops to wage the Third Crusade." Phillip 2 + Richard 1 = 3 Crusade...I think there is a math joke in there somewhere.
2. "1893 - The Tati Concessions Land, formerly part of Matabeleland, was formally annexed to the Bechuanaland Protectorate which is now Botswana." Formerly and formally - need I say anything more?
3. " 1925 - Albania declares itself a republic." Ahh, our good friend Albania with their glorious flag and anthem...if ever an excuse to send out the links again, this would be it!
4. "1968 - Vietnam War: Battle of Khe Sanh - One of the most publicized and controversial battles of the war begins." Donny was a good bowler, and a good man. He was one of us. He was a man who loved the outdoors... and bowling. If you need an explanation (search for Khe Sanh).
5. "2004 - Canada: The residence of reporter Juliet O'Neill is searched by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) investigating leaks concerning the deportation of Maher Arar." I think that there was something more to this story - perhaps relating to her sister April and some Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) - no????
And as a bonus - only one day later we already know that yesterday was historic. "2008 - Black Mondayin worldwide stock markets. FTSE 100 had its biggest ever one-day points fall, European stocks closed with their worst result since 9/11, and Asian stocks drop as much as 15%." I think this is the 40 billionth "black" day in history, apparently black is still IN in 2008 and everyone's hopes of "(Insert Your Favorite Color Here) Monday" will have to wait until 2009.
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