A Name You Should Know: Emma Lazarus
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
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One of the first successful Jewish American authors, Emma Lazarus was a poet and essayist who wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, writing numerous powerful works against anti-semitism, supporting immigrants rights, and even arguing for the creation of a Jewish homeland before the Zionist movement came into being. But she is best known for her immortal American poem, “The New Colossus” which appears on a bronze plaque at the base of the Statue of Liberty. You know the one, ‘give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,’ that one. Unfortunately, many politicians currently wish to have it removed, along with the torch… to be replaced with a stop sign 🙂
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GO THERE! …at your own risk
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
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They don’t get much more haunted than Ireland’s Leap Castle, where, in its heyday, death and violence were part of the daily routine. During its renovation, a dungeon was discovered with spiked floors and piles of human bones. So, it’s safe to say there are hordes of ghosts roaming around up in this joint. But wait, there’s more! Having once been the meeting place for dozens of occult activities, it is believed that a hostile Elemental creature, nicknamed “It”, was summoned to Leap Castle from… wherever Elementals are summoned from. This little grey humanoid makes his presence known first with the stench of rotting flesh, and though it hasn’t made as many appearances, it remains the most feared apparition in the castle, commonly known not just to intimidate but to attack thrill-seeking tourists.
GO THERE! …and bring a flashlight!
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
El Panteon de Belen is an historical cemetery built in Guadalajara, Mexico, in 1848. Though it closed in 1896, it remains open to the public as one of the most incessantly haunted cemeteries in the world.  So, of course the best time to be there is for the special nighttime tour.
The most popular day of the year?
Hallo-what? No, silly!
November 2, Mexico’s Day of the Dead!
History Schmistory: October 8. Today never happened.
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
1582: Italy, Portugal, Poland and Spain adopt the Gregorian calendar, officially eliminating this day from existence.
GO THERE!
Monday, October 7, 2024
It’s Halloween season, so it’s time to get to know some of the more spooky, scary and downright creepy destinations in the world, starting with Portugal’s Capela dos Ossos, or Chapel of Bones.
This 16th Century chapel is stacked wall to wall with human bone remnants from the once overcrowded cemeteries, with the intention of embracing death as an ephemeral and joyous spiritual transition. But really, it just ended up being super creepy. The inscription at the door: Nós ossos que aqui estamos pelos vossos esperamos (“We bones, lying here, for yours we wait.”) Makes us go all prinkly!!
Ludicrous Latin: Veni, vidi, vici
Monday, October 7, 2024
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History Schmistory: October 7. A Painful “Memory”
Monday, October 7, 2024
1982: Cats, the musical opens on Broadway and runs for almost 18 years, just above the average life-span of your typical household cat.
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Deadword of the Day: Seeksorrow
Sunday, October 6, 2024
Seeksorrow: Describes a person who finds some form of enjoyment out of being incurably miserable.
As in: The typically seeksorrow musician decided it might be time to make a comedy album.
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Deadword of the Day: Blatterations
Sunday, October 6, 2024
Blatterations: Senseless roaring or screaming as a histrionic attempt to annoy.
As in: I don’t care who you are, cease the blatterations and say the lines properly!
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History Schmistory: October 6. Around the World in 4,833 days.
Sunday, October 6, 2024
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2007: Modern day adventurer, Jason Lewis completes his human-powered circumnavigation of the globe, having hiked, biked, roller bladed, kayaked, swam and pedaloed his way around the entire planet! The trip was supposed to take around 3-4 years, but he had a few hang ups, like capsizing in two oceans, going to jail, being robbed at machete point, breaking both of his legs, dodging the bullets of a civil war, and being attacked by malaria, blood poisoning, altitude sickness and a crocodile, just to name a few. All told, when reaching his original starting point, Jason Lewis had traveled nearly 46,000 miles in 13 years. As far as we’re concerned he deserves a lifetime lazy-pass. Though he probably wouldn’t even use it.
