Stories: Old West & Beyond-12.03.24
“Life is like a 10-speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use.” —Charles M. Schulz
###
Good Morning. It’s Tuesday, December 3, 2024.
On this day in 1992, a young engineer sat down at his computer and sent the first SMS message in history, introducing a way for people to communicate without talking to one another.
—FROM THE WILD WEST—
___A GAVEL AND GIGGLE JUICE
Judge Roy Bean's saloon doubled as his courthouse, where he used his business savvy to put money in his pocket and perfect the craft of self-promotion. "Hang ‘em First, Try ‘em Later.”
###
___LAW WEST OF THE PECOS
Judge Roy Bean packed a lot of living into his lifetime. During his journey, he created and practiced his brand of justice.
—FROM HERE & THERE—
___THE CASE OF THE MYSTERIOUS HIJACKER
A long-hidden parachute may be the key to solving one of the most high-profile crimes in US history.
###
___MEDAL OF HONOR ONCE AWARDED IN SECRECY
Major Charles Loring Jr. earned the nation’s highest honor for the ultimate sacrifice he made in the Korean War. But the award was made in secret. Here’s why.
###
___IMPOSSIBLE TO IGNORE THIS VISUALLY VIVID VERTICAL VILLAGE
In Albania, a new building is attracting sometimes puzzled attention. The 230-foot high structure comprises house-shaped blocks. Although confusing at first glance, each block has a valuable and specific purpose.
###
___THE “DOOR TO HELL,” “ISLAND OF THE DOLLS,” and “BUBBLEGUM ALLEY”
The world’s most bizarre travel destinations are worth a visit.
###
___MOVIES AND SERIES TO WATCH FOR IN DECEMBER
Several new flicks are heading for a streaming service near you. Here are nine of them.
###
—WORD OF THE YEAR - AGAIN—
___AND ANOTHER WORD OF THE YEAR IS. . .
Earlier this year, the Cambridge Dictionary named manifest the Word of the Year. This week, Dictionary.com bypassed “brainrot,” “brat,” and “weird” to name Demure its Word of the Year.
—REFLECTION—
“And I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, ‘If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.’” —Kurt Vonnegut
###