TUESDAY, Jan 4 – DAILY PREP TEXT VERSION

MORNING SIDEKICK DAILY PREP TEXT VERSION FOR TUESDAY, January 4, 2022
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COMEDY MP3s POSTED ON OUR PREP SITE FOR TODAY: THE BOOK OF BUBBA FETT; CONTEST – MIXED-UP MOVIE

TODAY IS …
(All days repeat annually on today’s date unless otherwise noted; days may or may not be called “National”/”International”/”World” depending on source; sources listed often have additional info. We generally do not list special days which were created by commercial companies for the purpose of marketing, or the hundreds of disease awareness listings which occur each year.)

NATIONAL SPAGHETTI DAY

POP MUSIC CHART DAY – The first pop music chart was compiled by the American magazine “Billboard” on this day in 1936.

TOM THUMB DAY
Birthday of Charles Sherwood Stratton (January 4, 1838 – July 15, 1883), better known by his stage name “General Tom Thumb.” Stratton was a little person who achieved great fame and wealth as a performer under circus pioneer P.T. Barnum.

TRIVIA DAY

WORLD BRAILLE DAY

WORLD HYPNOTISM DAY

January is:

Adopt a Rescued Bird Month
Be Kind to Food Servers Month
Celebration of Life Month
Family Fit Lifestyle Month
Financial Wellness Month
Get Organized Month
National Candy Month
National Clean Up Your Computer Month
National Hobby Month
National Skating Month
National Train Your Dog Month
Walk Your Pet Month

ENTERTAINMENT & CELEBRITIES

BETTY WHITE DID NOT DIE FROM A COVID BOOSTER

The internet being what it is, Betty White’s manager had to issue a statement on Monday that the beloved actress did NOT die from a COVID booster shot. Betty, in fact, died last week – less than three weeks before her 100th birthday – as a result of “natural causes,” according to Jeff Witjas, her agent and close friend. Witjas said, “People are saying her death was related to getting a booster shot three days earlier, but that is not true. She died of natural causes,” he told the magazine. “Her death should not be politicized — that is not the life she lived.”
* Okay, then – wait – she got the booster THREE DAYS earlier?
* It gave her a boost alright – right into the next world.
* Betty’s agent also clarified that Betty…
– Did not die in a bar fight.
– Did not die in the throes of passion with Robert Redford.
– Did not die from wounds suffered in the War. The Spanish-American War, I mean.

THE BUZZ

WAYS TO SLIGHTLY IMPROVE YOUR LIFE WITHOUT TRYING

From Britain’s The Guardian, here is a list of simple ways to make your life better that don’t take much effort. And I believe I can speak for all Americans when I say, no effort is right up our alley.
(Note: the actual list is 100 items long. We’re scoping it down the most interestring, but the full list is here: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/jan/01/marginal-gains-100-ways-to-improve-your-life-without-really-trying)
– On the fence about a purchase? Wait 72 hours before you buy it.
– Tip: the quickest supermarket line is always behind the fullest shopping cart. Greeting, paying and packing take longer than you think.
– Bring fruit to work.
– Bring fruit to bed!
– Keep a bird feeder by a window, ideally the kitchen. It’ll pass the time when you’re washing dishes.
– Always bring ice to house parties (there’s never enough). (* Should I bring fruit?)
– Sharpen your knives.
– Set aside 10 minutes a day to do something you really enjoy – be it reading a book or playing Halo.
– Don’t be weird about how to stack the dishwasher.
– If possible, take the stairs. (* Bring fruit!)
– Be polite to rude strangers – it’s oddly thrilling.
– Go for a walk without your phone.
– If you’re going less than a mile, walk or bicycle.
– If you find an item of clothing you love and are certain you will wear for ever, buy three.
– Try taking a cold shower (30 seconds to two minutes) before your hot one. It’s good for your health – both physical and mental.
– Say hello to your neighbors.
– Learn the names of 10 trees. (* Would it not be better to say hello to your trees and learn the names of your neighbors?)
– Dry your cutlery with a cloth, it keeps it shiny.
– Hang your clothes up, ideally on non-wire hangers. NO WIRE HANGERS!
– Skinny-dip with friends.
– Always use freshly ground pepper.
– Keep your keys in the same place.
– For instant cheer, wear yellow.
* I just want to point out that virtually every one of these things requires effort.
* “Skinny dip with friends.” Where the hell did THAT come from? And should you bring fruit?
* The most important takeaway from this list is, never start writing a newspaper column 15 minutes before deadline.

OLD SPORTS INJURIES

A survey conducted by ThermaCare Ultra Pain Relieving Cream looked into the physical activity levels of 2,000 Americans. Here are some of the results:
– A third (32 percent) are still experiencing recurring pain from an old sports injury.
– A quarter (25 percent) have injured themselves just while warming up, while 45 percent believe they have injured themselves due to a lack of stretching or warming up.
– Most people said they injured themselves either by moving incorrectly or pulling something. (* If you’ve injured yourself pulling something, you’re doing it wrong.)
– Over half (52 percent) have injured themselves in a silly or embarrassing way. Tripping on the sidewalk was most common, followed by falling down the stairs and simply by walking.
The Top 10 Activities That Cause Injuries:
1. Running
2. Weightlifting
3. Biking
4. Baseball/softball
5. Walking
6. Football
7. Soccer
8. Swimming
9. Bowling
10. Aerobics classes
* And if you’re weightlifting while swimming, the injury rate is even higher.
* If you’ve injured yourself walking, maybe it’s time to take up crawling.
* I’ve injured myself due to a lack of warming up. Reaching to turn off the alarm clock.
* I guess the guy who threw this story together on deadline never heard of… SKIING!!!!

U.S. NEWS

MAN FALLS OFF BIKE, STABS SELF WITH SWORD

A Zephyrhills, Florida man was hospitalized last Saturday evening after he fell off a bicycle and accidentally stabbed himself with a sword that was in his backpack. Rescue crews say the man was ox carted – er, rather, he was airlifted to an area hospital. His condition is currently unknown.
* I’d say his condition is ke-bobbed.
* When he was growing up, how did he live through the “running with scissors” phase?
* This used to happen a lot during the Crusades, too.
* When the female EMT came running up, did he do one of those “M’lady” things?
* Should have asked for a scabbard for Christmas.

TWINS BORN IN DIFFERENT YEARS

California twins were born just 15 minutes apart but in different years. One was born minutes before midnight in 2021 on New Year’s Eve and the other at exactly midnight on New Year’s Day 2022. Fatima Madrigal was at Natividad Medical Center in Salinas, California, when she gave birth to baby Alfredo Antonio Trujillo at 11:45 p.m. on Saturday night, December 31st, and then, 15 minutes later, gave birth to Alfredo’s sister Aylin Yolanda Trujillo exactly at midnight of the new year, meaning she has a different birthday.
* Maybe she took the scenic route?
* Can’t blame the little sister. Who wants to come into the world in 2021? It was an awful year.
* That’s one way to make sure you get your own cake on your birthday.
* You know what this’ll mean when they get older – every New Year’s, mandatory double shots.

“DATE MY DAUGHTER” BILLBOARD GOES UP IN TIMES SQUARE

Last week, a billboard went up in Times Square, New York reading “Date my daughter,” with a photo of 30-year-old Molly Davies and the URL for her dating profile. The stunt came about in an unusually touching way – Molly’s mother Beth had placed a profile for her daughter on dating app Wingman. Beth is currently battling breast cancer, and said she wants “a good man for my daughter to love” and “to know I am leaving her in good hands.” The people at Wingman were touched by her story, and paid for the 47-foot-by-25-foot advertisement at the crossroads of the world, right above Tonic. Bet’s cancer has metastacized, so time is of the essence if she and husband Rick are going to walk Molly down the aisle together. As for Molly, she’s a medical-device salesperson in Boston who wants “someone who adores me and someone I adore as well. I want someone who adds to my life. If this broadcasts that, it will all be worth it.” Molly says she’s letting her mom have the fun of filtering through profiles and responses.
* Fun. Right.
* This’ll be great for all the guys who date her, ’cause – no pressure.
* Wasn’t this the plot of one of those Christmas movies on the Lifetime Channel? If not, it will be next year.
* This is like a next-level version of “The Bachelorette.” And just as creepy.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

FRENCH COLLEGE OFFERS COURSE IN FANCY EATING

A college in France called Sciences Po Lille is now offering a masters degree in “Boire, Manger, Vivre” – which translates to “drinking, eating and living.” Students in the program will have the opportunity to explore pressing questions, like “what is a good coffee?” and what are the “secrets of the fifth flavor, umami?” Classes cover a range of subjects that intersect with the culinary world, including food tech, labor, philanthropy and “gastro-diplomacy.” Academic directors say the course is designed to preserve France’s place as the world’s most treasured culinary destination. Fifteen lucky students were selected for study during its inaugural year, out of 70 applications. The college says they would become the “envy of their colleagues.”
* Well, sure, they’ll be envied. What McDonald’s WOULDN’T want to hire somebody like this right out college?
* “Gastro-diplomacy” is when you can eat your date’s dessert without them yelling at you.
* Do you get an automatic F if you eat in the school cafeteria?
* Now when someone calls you a pompous ass, you can show them your diploma so they’ll see how hard you’ve been working at it.
* Coming next: a masters degree in breathing.

TRENDING

SURVEY: TAKING DOWN THE XMAS DECORATIONS

A new survey of 2,000 U.S. residents from photo products website Canvaspop finds nearly half of Americans judge their neighbors for waiting too long to take down their festive winter decorations.
– Three-quarters of those surveyed believe Christmas decorations should be taken down before the end of January.
– On the other hand, 54 percent don’t want to be the first ones on their block to pack up their lights and inflatables.

ALMANAC

NOTABLE DATES, UPCOMING U.S. OBSERVANCES

January 17, Monday – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 27, Thursday – Int’l Holocaust Remembrance Day (UN)
February 1, Tuesday – Chinese New Year (The Year of the Tiger)
February 2, Wednesday – Groundhog Day
February 12, Saturday – Lincoln’s Birthday
February 14, Monday – Valentine’s Day
February 21, Monday – Presidents’ Day / Washington’s Birthday
March 1, Tuesday – Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras
March 13, Sunday – Daylight Saving Time Begins
March 17, Thursday – St. Patrick’s Day
March 20, Sunday – Spring begins, Spring Equinox is 11:33 a.m. EDT
March 21, Monday – First full day of Spring

BIRTHDAYS

D’Arcy Carden (actress, “The Good Place”) … 42
Deana Carter (country music artist) … 56
Dave Foley (actor, “Dr. Ken,” “Hot in Cleveland,” “Newsradio,” “Kids In The Hall”) … 59
Michael Stipe (lead singer with REM) … 62
Matt Frewer (actor, “Orphan Black,” “Falling Skies,” “Eureka,” “Max Headroom”) … 64
Patty Loveless (country singer) … 65

BIRTHDAY QUOTE QUIZ – Ask your listeners “Who said it?” HINT: Today’s their birthday!

“I’m just not that fascinating a person.”

(A) Meghan Markle
(B) Kim Kardashian
(C) Michael Stipe

ANSWER: (C) Michael Stipe

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

COVID 19 – ONE YEAR AGO:
– British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a new national lockdown for England as a new wave of COVID-19 variant was spreading rapidly, with more hospitalizations than the first wave.

2010 – Dubai opened the world’s tallest skyscraper, the 2,717-foot gleaming glass-and-metal tower Burj Khalifa.
* I say put in a bungee jump ride.

1887 – Thomas Stevens became the first man to bicycle around the world, from San Francisco to San Francisco.
* He nearly drowned!

1885 – The first successful operation to remove a person’s appendix was carried out in Iowa.
* The doctors went on to successfully removed his wallet.

1863 – 4-wheeled roller skates were patented by James Plimpton of NY.
* Giving us roller-hockey, roller derby, and, for a brief, sad period … roller disco.

1790 – George Washington delivered America’s first State Of The Union Address.
* And everyone agreed it was the best State of the Union Address they’d ever heard.

1493 – Columbus left the New World to return from his first voyage.
* Main reason: no decent hotel rooms in the New World.

THIS DAY IN MUSIC HISTORY

2020 – Miley Cyrus reached a settlement in the $300 million copyright infringement lawsuit that accused the singer of stealing her 2013 hit “We Can’t Stop.” The lawsuit, filed in 2018, was made by Jamaican songwriter Michael May, who alleged that “We Can’t Stop” replicated his 1988 track “We Run Things.”

2008 – At the height of her cuckoo-period, Britney Spears was carried out of her home on a stretcher and taken into custody after police were called in a dispute involving her children. Police were called to Spears’ home over a family custodial dispute. After nearly three hours, Spears handed over her children, two-year-old Sean Preston and one-year-old Jayden James, to her ex-husband Kevin Federline.

2004 – Britney Spears had her surprise marriage to childhood friend Jason Alexander annulled less than 55 hours after tying the knot at the Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas.

2000 – Spice Girl Melanie “Mel G.” Gulzar split with her husband of 15 months. In a statement, the singer said she intended to “remain good friends” with husband Jimmy Gulzar, whom she met on the Spice Girls’ 1998 tour.

1999 – Ol’ Dirty Bastard, the Wu-Tang Clan rapper whose real name was Russell Tyrone Jones, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on three felony counts of terrorist threats stemming from a Sept. 16 battle with bouncers at the House of Blues in West Hollywood. Jones died on November 13, 2004 of a drug overdose.

1979 – No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “Too Much Heaven” by The Bee Gees. The group donated all proceeds from sales of the single to UNICEF, the United Nations agency dedicated to helping the world’s children.

1967 – No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “I’m a Believer” by The Monkees. At seven weeks, it became the longest-running No. 1 song since the Beatles’ “I Want to Hold Your Hand.”

1965 – Leo Fender sold the Fender Guitar company for $13 million.

1954 – Elvis Presley recorded a 10-minute demo in Nashville.

1950 – RCA Victor announced they would manufacture LP records.

1936 – The first pop music chart was compiled by the American magazine “Billboard.”

X-TREME TRIVIA CHALLENGE

Every installment of X-Treme Trivia Challenge includes three mystery factoids. Create your own “Impossible Question” contest – great for listener giveaways and phone interaction starters! Also a perfect sponsorship opportunity!

1. 90% of the time in relationships, THIS choice is left up to the woman. What is it?
Which side of the bed they sleep on

2. 46% of people in the dating world say they would end a relationship over THIS. What is it?
If they didn’t like the other person’s family

3. 85% of people surveyed said their relationship would be better if their partner stopped doing THIS. What is it?
Snoring

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