January 7th, 2024 has arrived. This morning, I think I’ll remind you of what your goal should be: Happiness is an emotional state characterized by feelings of joy, satisfaction, contentment and fulfillment. Do yourself a favor and search on “happiness” and read some “how to” articles. I think you can stumble into a state of happiness but it’s easier to get there if you follow a map. It will be worth the effort. Today’s celebratory events are Harlem Globetrotter’s Day, I’m No Going to Take it Anymore Day, International Programmer’s Day, National Bobblehead Day, No Pants Subway Ride Day, Old Rock Day, and (drumroll) National Pass Gas Day!! Farting gets its own day. Now some history: On this day in 1608 Jamestown Virginia was destroyed by fire. On this day in 1822 the colonization of Liberia began. The US purchased land on the Western coast of Africa to create a Black African state for America’s freed slaves. On this day in 1892 a mine in Krebs Oklahoma exploded killing 100. Blacks, trying to help rescue white survivors were driven away with guns. This is the day in 1927 that the Harlem Globetrotters played their 1st game in Hinckley, Illinois. On this day in 1948 President Truman raised taxes to pay for the Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe after WWII. The US contributed 5 percent of our GDP to the plan which in today’s dollars would be $173 billion. On this day in 1970 a group of farmers sued Max Yasgur (he was the farmer that owned the 600 acres used for “Woodstock Festival”) for $35,000 to pay for the damages caused by the attendees. Today’s quotes come from Nikola Tesla. Nikola said, “Anti-social behavior is a trait of intelligence in a world full of conformists.” “It will soon be possible to transmit wireless messages around the world so simply that any individual can carry and operate his own apparatus.” Tesla died in 1943. “Electric power is everywhere present in unlimited quantities and can drive the world’s machinery without the need of coal, oil, gas, or any other of the common fuels” Then he said, “No free energy device will ever be allowed to reach the market.” That’s enough for today. Abide.
