Feb
16
Waikiki
Our next outing takes us to Waikiki which is a neighborhood of Honolulu, Hawaii. Towering over Waikiki is the world-famous Diamond Head. The beach at Waikiki is known for its surfing. Waikiki was a retreat for Hawaiian royalty in the 1800s. The area has lots of hotels and high-end stores these days.
Today in history:
- 1901 – Actor Chester Morris was born. He’s best known for playing the title roll in the Boston Blackie series of detective movies.
- 1903 – The world’s most famous ventriloquist Edgar Bergen was born. He began his career in vaudeville but eventually moved to movies and television. He was also the father of actress Candace Bergen.
- 1909 – Actor Hugh Beaumont was born. He’s best remembered for his role as Ward Cleaver in the iconic Leave It to Beaver.
- 1921 – Actress/dancer Vera-Ellen was born. She starred in movies and danced with all the greats: Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Danny Kaye, and Donald O’Conner.
- 1923 – Howard Carter unsealed the burial chamber of King Tut.
- 1937 – Wallace H. Carothers received a United States patent for nylon. Just in time for women to wear nylons instead of silk stockings during World War II!
On TV tonight: Just Wipeout.
Reading: Still reading The Far Side of the Stars. I’m hoping to finish that tonight.
Feb
15
Mount Athos
Another virtual trip to Greece which, unfortunately, is not a place I’d care to go for real right now. Mount Athos was once the home of nearly 40,000 monks. That number has dwindled to only 2000. As it happens, those of us who are female couldn’t visit the monasteries at Mount Athos any other way but virtually. Only men are allowed to set foot there. But there are some great pictures on the site.
Happy 248th birthday, St Louis! 
Today in history:
- 1882 – Actor John Barrymore was born. He began his career on the stage but began making movies in 1913 and made over 60 during his career. He was the brother of Lionel Barrymore and Ethel Barrymore and the grandfather of Drew Barrymore.
- 1899 – Actress Gale Sondergaard was born. She also began on the stage but moved to movies in 1936. She was the first actress to win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (for her role in Anthony Adverse–yeah I’ve never heard of it either).
- 1907 – Actor Cesar Romero was born. His career spanned almost 60 years in radio, movies and television. He’s probably most famous for his role as The Joker in the 1960s Batman TV series. But in his younger days he often played the romantic lead. And I always thought he was a hottie even in his 70s.
- 1949 – Gerald Lankester Harding and Roland de Vaux began excavating Cave 1 of the Qumran Caves, where they eventually discovered the first seven Dead Sea Scrolls.
On TV tonight: Ghost Hunters and a new series on H2 (formerly History International) called Top Guns which, like Top Shot is hosted by Survivor winner (and hottie) Colby Donaldson.
Reading: Now I’m reading The Far Side of the Stars by David Drake.
Feb
13
Let There Be Light
I decided on my own to do a post about lighthouses today. I’ve never visited any lighthouses but I’d love to even if I couldn’t walk to the top. I get tired just thinking of doing that! The most famous lighthouse of ancient times is the Lighthouse of Alexandria which was built in 280 BC. The first lighthouse in North America was built in St Augustine, Florida. The earliest American lighthouse was Boston Light which was built in 1716 on Little Brewster Island. It was destroyed during the American Revolution and rebuilt in 1784. The oldest American lighthouse still standing is Sandy Hook Lighthouse in New Jersey. It was built in 1764 and is still operational. For other cool lighthouses around the world, check this out. For lighthouses just in the United States, go here.
On TV tonight: my new favorite show Alcatraz, Castle, and Hawaii Five-O.
Reading: Now I’m reading Lt. Leary, Commanding by David Drake.