Happy birthday Dr. Seuss

He would have been 105 today. He is the source of many fond memories from my childhood!

"A spectre is haunting Europe..."

Wingnuts beware. Today is the 161st anniversary of the publication of the Communist Manifesto. Undoubtedly that fifth columnist in the White House has some private secret celebration planned.

You will note that the good folks at The Spectator seem to have cropped the words "fifth columnist" from the article as written by pre-eminent right wing nut case Melanie Phillips but, once again, they have been found out by Google cache!

Today's celebrity birthday

Roe v Wade is 36 today and I reckon it will make 40!

Happy Birthday!

Today is the 110th birthday of surrealist painter AND famous Belgian René Magritte. All is not what it appears to be.

Happy birthday Bob

Bob Dylan turns 67 today. Many happy returns.

Happy birthday Tony

Tony Benn turns 83 today. Many happy returns.

For your delectation here is a clip of the Honourable Mr. Benn savaging the Dis-Honourable Mr. Bolton. Enjoy!

Happy birthday to...

Rod Stewart, Pat Benatar, Jim Croce and....


ME!

Many happy returns

Today is Stephen Hawkings's 61st birthday.

Today in infamy - anti-anarchist edition

One hundred and sixty five years ago today "The Anarchist Formerly Known as" Prince Kropotkin was born in Moscow. He was once a resident of Bromley and has one of the borough's few blue plaques on Crescent Road which I pass on my way to my doctor's surgery.

Do you think he knows?

Sixty four years ago today Keith Richards was born in the ever lovely Dartford in Kent.

Happy birthday Mr. Clarke

As I noted yesterday today is Arthur C. Clarke's 90th birthday. He's sent us a message.

They're havin' a party

Should you happen to be in Colombo today you probably already know that tomorrow is Arthur C. Clarke's 90th birthday. There is little doubt that his science fiction helped get me through a troubled adolescence. (I've had to get through a troubled adulthood on my own!) The Sri Lankan government is having a bit of a do for him.

Happy birthday Art.

As usual I am late!

Happy (belated) birthday to Knut the Polar Bear who was one year old yesterday. (Only a day late is really, really good for me. Just ask my ex-wife!)

Today is Jimi's day

On this date sixty five years ago a blessed event occurred, Jimi Hendrix (my personal saviour) was born, and the universe has never been the same.

Birthday celebrations - guitar players only

Fifty one years ago today the late, great Duane Allman was born in Tennessee. I had a chance to see the Allman Brothers twice in Philly before he died and there is no doubt he was one of the all time greats (and "Layla" was his song).

A year later a lesser but still quite good guitarist, Joe Walsh was born in Ohio.

Belated birthday wishes

Even though I rarely agree with his conclusions or philosophy I think that P. J. O'Rourke is a good writer, an excellent portrayer of the American zeitgeist and a very funny man. He turned sixty yesterday.

Happy birthday!

If the Bishop James Usher is to be believed, and I am not suggesting that we shouldn't believe him, tomorrow is the 6011th birthday of the Universe and all that! The fateful event will should take place at about 6 PM so you'd best start lighting the candles for the cake now!

Happy Birthday!

Günter Grass.

Birthday greetings

Sixty years ago today one of my very favourite singer-songwriters, John Prine, was born. Have a good one John and many happy returns!

Here he is with Nanci Griffith performing his song "Speed of the Sound of Loneliness"