Month: February 2024
RIP “Michael Virgil JOnes”
US wrestling star Michael Jones – known by ring names including Virgil and Vincent – has died at the age of 61. “Virgil passed peacefully at the hospital this morning [Wednesday],” wrestling referee Mark Charles III – known professionally as The Count – announced on X, formerly Twitter. His death was also confirmed in posts on his social media accounts. Jones was best known for his work in the World Wresting Federation (WWF) during the 1980s and 1990s.
Jones, who was born in the US state of Pennsylvania, attended Virginia Union University, and played as a defensive back for the college football team. Jones later worked at his uncle’s loading and moving company and began entering bodybuilding competitions. After a chance meeting with Tony Atlas in a Pittsburgh gym; Atlas recommended Jones to Pro Wrestling in 1985. In the same year, he began training with Afa of the Wild Samoans. He wrestled as an amateur and started wrestling professionally in the mid-1980s under the name Soul Train Jones. He debuted with the WWF, now known as World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), in 1986 and rebranded himself as Lucius Brown, which was later changed to Virgil. This persona as the bodyguard for Ted DiBiase, known as The Million Dollar Man, launched him into fame and lasted several years.
Jones left the WWE in 1994 and worked for two years on the smaller independent circuit before joining the now defunct World Championship Wrestling (WCW) under the persona Vincent. He briefly reinvented himself as Curly Bill for the wrestling outfit the West Texas Rednecks before leaving the WCW in 2000 when he retired due to injury. Jones continued to make independent appearances as his various personas before his health began to deteriorate. In 2022, he revealed that he had dementia and colon cancer. He also suffered a number of strokes. Fundraising pages had been set up online to help pay for Jones’s medical bills and, later, to pay for expenses including clothes and toiletries.
Among those to pay tribute to him following news of his death on Wednesday were WWE Hall of Fame inductee Jake “The Snake” Roberts. From 2018, Jones resided in Marianna, Pennsylvania. On April 16, 2022, he revealed that he had previously suffered two strokes and had been diagnosed with dementia. A month later, he said he was diagnosed with stage-two colon cancer. Jones died on February 28, 2024, at the age of 61. His cause of death hasn’t been made public.
Famous People Born On February 29th
Attention, leaplings! Your special day that only arrives every four years is finally here. “Leaplings” or “leap day babies” denote the small percentage of the population born on Feb. 29, or leap day.
Henri Richard :
Richard didn’t quite have the career of his brother, the legendary Maurice “Rocket” Richard. That being said, he had a 20-year NHL career and won 11 Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens. Richard, known as “The Pocket Rocket” went on to have a Hall of Fame career and was named one of the NHL’s 100 best players in 2017.
Dennis Farina :
Before he was an actor, Farina was a cop in Chicago. It makes sense, as for his entire career he looked, and sounded, like a Chicago cop and often played authority roles. His extensive, impressive career included roles in movies like “Midnight Run” and “Get Shorty.”
Antonio Sabato Jr :
Sabato first gained notoriety as an underwear model before becoming a mildly successful actor. You’ve also seen him on reality shows like “Dancing with the Stars.” However, if you’ve heard of him, it may be because of Sabato’s outspoken political views. He’s made some baffling comments, including a weird preoccupation with asserting Barack Obama is secretly a Muslim.
Simon Gagne :
We now have two NHL players born on this day. Gagne isn’t going to make the Hall of Fame like Henri Richard, but he’s no slouch. He twice had 40-goal seasons with the Flyers and finished his career with a total of 291. His 601 career points helped him make two All-Star Games as well.
Cam Ward :
And we have a 3rd hockey player! Ward took over as the starting goalie for the Carolina Hurricanes during the 2005-06 season. That team happened to win the Stanley Cup, and Ward actually took home the Conn Smythe as playoffs MVP. Alas, that would be the peak of his career. While he played in the NHL for over a decade, Ward finished his career with a 2.74 GAA and .908 save percentage.
Morarji Desai :
Morarji Desai was an Indian independence activist and politician who served as the 4th Prime Minister of India between 1977 and 1979 leading the government formed by the Janata Party. During his long career in politics, he held many important posts in government such as Chief Minister of Bombay State, Home Minister, Finance Minister and 2nd Deputy Prime Minister of India.
Khaled:
Khaled Hadj Ibrahim better known by his mononym Khaled, is an Algerian raï singer, musician and songwriter. To date, Khaled has sold over 80.5 million albums (10 diamond, platinum, and gold) worldwide, making him one of the bestselling Arabic-language singers in history. Among his most famous songs are “Aïcha” & “Didi”.
Ferran Torres :
Ferran Torres is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a forward or winger for La Liga club Barcelona and the Spain national team. Torres began his career at Valencia, where he made his senior debut in 2017. He moved to Manchester City in 2020 and won the Premier League and the EFL Cup in the 2020–21 season. He departed for Barcelona in January 2022. He has represented Spain internationally at various youth levels, and made his debut for the senior team in 2020.
Love Birds Are A Noisy But Good Addition To Your Family
I am more of a dog person and I even like cats. If given the choice I would pick a dog to have as a pet and add to my family and then perhaps second would be a cat. I love dogs and cats. However at times I have had other pets in my family. Top among there are love birds.
Love birds are part of the parrot family – a fact I did not know until now – and are rather cute. I think they are rather popular in India or atleast in Kerala for many decades. Keeping them in these large cages, because they couldn’t survive for long in the wild, are a great way to keep yourself entertained as you hear their chirping and the sound of the little wings flapping as they move from one perch to another. We used to keep a few throughout the years; initially just a couple in a smaller cage that we setup in the living room and then around 6 to 8 of them in a much bigger cage, which we kept outside on the porch but covered & protected by the sun and rain as they were under the large sun shade.
I would love to keep a few birds again. They do give out a lot of joy. Ok, they aren’t the kind of pet that you touch, who come to you, who react to you and show that love that is so special but they do have a place in your home.
FOOD REVIEW #471
Eight Events That Occurred On A Leap Day Throughout History
1692: The first warrants were issued for the arrests of three women in the Salem Witch Trials.
On Leap Day in 1692, three women — Sarah Good, Sarah Osborne, and Tituba — were accused of witchcraft, marking the beginning of the Salem Witch Trials. The fate of the women was bleak. Good was hanged for refusing to confess, Osborne died one year later in prison, and Tibuta, a slave, admitted to her alleged crimes and was eventually released from prison.
1736: Ann Lee, the founder of the Shaker Movement in America, is born in Manchester, UK.
Ann Lee joined the Shaker movement, a pacifist sect of Christianity, in 1758. After having a “divine realization” 12 years later, she became the leader of the religious movement in Europe. In 1774 she received another divine message telling her to establish a Shaker church in America. Two years later, she had gathered a following in Albany, New York.
1908: “Dutch scientist Heike Kamerlingh Onnes announces he discovered “solid Helium.”
On Leap Day in 1908, Heike Kamerlingh Onnes made an announcement proclaiming that “solid helium” was observed in his laboratory. But the Dutch scientist was slightly mistaken. Onnes, known for his groundbreaking work in liquifying helium, had been experimenting with temperature and tried to condense the gas into glass tubes. During this process, the helium appeared to solidify. Aghast by this discovery, Onnes was quick to announce his findings the very next day. But his observations were off, and weeks later it was realized that this phenomenon occurred only because of the presence of hydrogen.
1936: The Soviet government renames the First Leningrad Medical Institute “The Pavlov Institute” two days after Ivan Pavlov’s death and preserved his brain.
Ivan Pavlov became known worldwide for his psychological study of “conditioning,” or training someone to behave through a learned reflex. The researcher is held in high regard. In 1904, he received a Nobel Prize in physiology/medicine for his research on digestion.
1940: Actress Hattie McDaniel became the first African American to win an Academy Award.
Hattie McDaniel won Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mammy in “Gone with the Wind.”
1964: The first royal baby born on Leap Day.
In 1964, Princess Alexandra of Kent gave birth to a son, James Ogilvy, on Leap Day. The baby is believed to be the first royal baby in history born on February 29.
1980: Buddy Holly’s glasses were found, 20 years after he died in a plane crash.
Buddy Holly’s famous black glasses were rediscovered by a police officer on Leap Day over two decades after the singer died in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, in 1959. The thick-rimmed glasses had been buried in the wreckage and turned into the County Sheriff’s office a year after the crash. At that time, they were put into an envelope and completely forgotten about, until February 29, 1980, when County Sheriff Jerry Allen came across the frames and returned them safely to Holly’s wife.
1996: The Siege of Sarajevo is lifted.
After nearly four years of continuous attacks by Serbs, the siege of the Bosnian capital Sarajevo was finally declared over on Leap Day in 1996. This event marked the longest siege in the history of modern warfare.
3 Albums By Rock Bands That Turned 40 In February 2024
February 1984 saw a few releases overall but in particular 3 of rock.
Wings of Tomorrow is the second studio album by the Swedish rock band Europe. It was released on 24 February 1984, by Hot Records in Sweden, and by Epic Records in the United States. Wings of Tomorrow is the last album to feature drummer Tony Reno, before being replaced by Ian Haughland, who is still the current drummer. This album precedes the world famous The Final Countdown. Wings Of Tomorrow had 4 singles released – Lyin’ Eyes, Storming, Dreamer & Open Your Heart – the latter of which got a new lease on life with a slightly different version in 1988.
Out of the Cellar is the debut studio album by the American heavy metal band Ratt, released in 1984 by Atlantic Records. The album was an immediate success, with wide airplay on radio and heavy rotation on MTV of its singles, especially the hit “Round and Round”. The album is certified as triple platinum by the RIAA. The album brought Ratt to the top of the glam metal scene in Los Angeles. Out of the Cellar would prove to be the band’s most successful album. It also contains other popular songs such as “Wanted Man”, “Lack of Communication”, and a re-recorded version of “Back for More”.
The Works is the eleventh studio album by the British rock band Queen. It was released on 27 February 1984 by EMI Records just shortly after recording for the album had been completed in the United Kingdom and it is the band’s first studio album to be released by Capitol Records in the United States. The album contains the classic hits I Want To Break Free, Radio Ga Ga as well as other singles It’s A Hard Life & Hammer To Fall. fter the synth-heavy Hot Space (1982), the album saw the re-emergence of Brian May and Roger Taylor’s rock sound, while still incorporating the early 80s retro futuristic electronic music (at the behest of Freddie Mercury) and New York funk scenes (John Deacon’s topic of interest).
Eight Facts About The Flying Squirrel
Flying squirrels — which actually glide, not fly — date back to at least the Oligocene Epoch, and now come in 43 species across Asia, Europe, and North America. They sail from tree to tree on a special membrane between each front and back limb, a trick that has evolved multiple times in history. (Aside from flying squirrels, it’s also used by other aerial mammals such as anomalures, colugos, and sugar gliders.)
1. Those Adorable Eyes Are for Night Vision
Big, round eyes are one reason why flying squirrels look so cute to humans. But while this trait typically indicates infancy in mammals — like the wide eyes that endear us to babies and puppies — flying squirrels retain their disproportionately plump peepers into adulthood. They evolved big eyes to collect more light for better night vision, an adaptation shared by many nocturnal animals, from owls to lemurs.
2. They Can Glow at Night
While we know all species of flying squirrels are active at night, it wasn’t until recently that researchers discovered some also glow at night. They also learned the flying squirrels glow more strongly on their undersides. It’s still unclear why the squirrels give off a fluorescent effect at all, but the researchers have several theories, including avoidance of predators at night, communication among the squirrels, and navigation of snowy and icy terrain.
3. Instead of Wings, Flying Squirrels Have ‘Patagia’ and Wrist Spurs
The furry, parachute-like membrane between a flying squirrel’s front and back limbs is known as a “patagium” (the plural is patagia). These flaps catch air as the squirrel falls, letting it propel itself forward instead of plummeting. But to make sure the patagia catch enough air, flying squirrels also have another trick up their sleeves: cartilage spurs at each wrist that can be extended almost like an extra finger, stretching out the patagia farther than the squirrel’s tiny arms could on their own.
When a flying squirrel wants to reach a tree that’s beyond jumping distance, it just boldly leaps out into the night, as captured in the video above. It then extends its limbs, including its wrist spurs, to stretch out its patagia and start gliding. It lands on the trunk of its target tree, gripping the bark with its claws, and often immediately scurries to the other side to avoid any owls that might have seen its glide.
4. Flying Squirrels Can Glide 300 Feet and Make 180-Degree Turns
They may not really fly, but flying squirrels still cover impressive distances in the air. The average glide of a northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinusis) is about 65 feet (20 meters), according to the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, or slightly longer than a bowling lane. But it can also go much farther if needed, with glides recorded up to 295 feet (90 meters). That means an 11-inch (28 cm) northern flying squirrel could glide almost the full length of a soccer field, or about as far as the Statue of Liberty is tall. It’s also remarkably agile, using its limbs, fluffy tail, and patagia muscles to make sharp turns, even pulling off full semi-circles in a single glide.
5. 90% of All Flying Squirrel Species Exist Only in Asia
Wild flying squirrels can be found on three continents, but they aren’t evenly distributed. Forty of 43 known species are endemic to Asia, meaning they naturally exist nowhere else on Earth. And relatives of flying squirrels have inhabited parts of Asia for roughly 160 million years, according to research on flying-mammal fossils that hail from the age of dinosaurs.
6. Only 3 Flying Squirrels Are Native to the Americas
Flying squirrels exist across a large swath of North and Central America, except for sparsely treed places like deserts, grasslands, and tundra. They’ve adapted to a wide range of forests in dramatically different climates, from Honduras to Quebec and Florida to Alaska. Yet unlike their highly diverse relatives in Asia, all these American flying squirrels hail from just three species. There’s the northern flying squirrel and the southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans), plus the Humboldt’s flying squirrel (Glaucomys oregonensis), identified as a species in 2017 after previously being classified as a subspecies of northern flying squirrel.
7. Baby Flying Squirrels Need a Lot of Mothering
Southern flying squirrels are savvy survivors, but they only get to that point with a lot of motherly love. Their ears open within two to six days of birth, and they develop some fur after about a week. Their eyes don’t open for at least three weeks, though, and they remain dependent on their mothers for several months. “Females care for their young in the nest and nurse them for 65 days, which is an unusually long time for an animal of this size,” the UMMZ adds. “The young become independent by 4 months old unless they are born later in the summer, in which case they usually overwinter as a family.”
8. Flying Squirrels Don’t Hibernate, but They Do Hygge
Despite inhabiting frigid forests in places like Canada, Finland, and Siberia, flying squirrels don’t hibernate. Instead, they become less active in cold weather, spending more time in their nests and less time foraging. (They do still venture out during winter, though, like the Japanese dwarf flying squirrels in the video above.) They’re also known to deal with harsh winter weather by huddling together. Multiple squirrels sometimes share a nest for this reason, beyond just immediate family members. They can reduce their metabolic rate and body temperature to save energy.
RIP Pankaj Udhas
Veteran Ghazal singer & playback singer Pankaj Udhas has passed away at 72 after a prolonged illness on February 26. The singer’s family released a statement confirming the death of the ghazal maestro. “With a very heavy heart, we are saddened to inform you of the sad demise of Padmashri Pankaj Udhas on 26th February due to a prolonged illness. Udhas family.” The singer passed away at 11 AM today at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai. According to reports, he was diagnosed with cancer a few months back and was not meeting anyone. The singer’s last rites will be performed on Tuesday (February 27). Pankaj Udhas’ daughter Nayaab also shared the news of his father’s demise on social media.
Pankaj Udhas, a name synonymous with soulful ghazals, has captivated audiences for over four decades. Born on May 17, 1951, in Jetpur, Gujarat, India, Udhas’ musical journey began at a young age, nurtured by a family steeped in music. Udhas’ early career saw him singing for Hindi films and even dabbling in Indian pop. However, his true calling lay in the realm of ghazals, a form of Urdu poetry set to music. In 1980, he released his first ghazal album, “Aahat,” marking the beginning of a prolific career that would see him release over 60 solo albums and numerous collaborative projects. Udhas’ melodious voice, coupled with his nuanced understanding of ghazal poetry, resonated deeply with listeners. He became a pioneer in bringing ghazals to the mainstream, making them accessible to a wider audience beyond connoisseurs of the genre.
Udhas’ dedication to his craft has been recognised with numerous prestigious awards, including the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Ghazal Singing, and the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honour. Beyond his musical prowess, Udhas was known for his humble and down-to-earth personality. Pankaj Udhas’ voice is forever etched in the hearts of ghazal lovers everywhere.
Orphan First Kill (My Thoughts & Review)
RIP Kenneth Mitchell
Canadian actor Kenneth Mitchell has passed away. Mitchell revealed that he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He has used a power wheelchair since October 2019. By August 2021, Mitchell had lost the use of his voice due to the disease. He is known for his portrayal of 3 different Klingons in Star Trek Discovery – Kol, Kol-Sha, and Tenavik in seasons 1 & 2, as well as the wheelchair ridden human Aurellio, in season 3!
Among his prominent roles, in 2002, Mitchell had a recurring role on the TV series Odyssey 5, which was created by Manny Coto and starred Peter Weller. He played the older son of Weller’s character who was a little estranged from his astronaut father & younger brother. In 2004 he played real life American hockey player Ralph Cox in Miracle and went on to play a main character in the American post-apocalyptic action drama television series Jericho. He went on to have a recurring role in Ghost Whisperer an Switched at birth and starred in the 2013 tv movie Tasmanian Devil on SYFY alongside Mike Dopu Roger Cross, Rekha Sharma & Danica McKellar.
He has been in numerous guest appearance on tv after moving to the Los Angeles area before playing 3 different Klingons in Star Trek Discovery. In Season 1 he played Kol, from the house of Kor, the commanding officer of the Klingon military. He also portrayed Kol-Sha, the father of Kol, in the season 2 episode “Point of Light” and Tenavik, a Klingon monk who is the child of Ash Tyler/Vog an T’rell. In 2019, Mitchell appeared in two flashback scenes as the father of Carol Danvers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe feature Captain Marvel. Mitchell was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as “Lou Gehrig’s disease”) in August 2018, and has been using a wheelchair since October 2019. he role of Aurellio was subsequently written for him as a hoverchair user, to retain his talent for the show and incorporate his wheelchair use. The USS Mitchell, which featured in Discovery season 4, is named for him.
Mitchell is survived by his wife actress Susan May Pratt, who he married on in 2006, and their two children, a daughter (born 2007) and a son (born 2012).
Arsenal 4 Newcastle United 1
Arsenal underlined their Premier League title credentials as they recorded their sixth consecutive win with a dominant display against Newcastle. The result sees Mikel Arteta’s side sit two points behind leaders Liverpool and a point behind second-placed Manchester City at the top of the table. The outcome of this contest appeared inevitable from the moment visiting defender Sven Botman turned the ball in after Gabriel’s header from a corner had been well saved by Newcastle goalkeeper Loris Karius. While there was an element of bad luck to that for the Dutch defender, who simply could not get out of the way as his Newcastle team-mate Tino Livramento tried to clear, there was little else about Arsenal’s performance that was owed to good fortune.
The Gunners’ intensity and fluent passing repeatedly carved Eddie Howe’s side apart, particularly down the Magpies’ left flank with Livramento and Botman enduring difficult evenings. Kai Havertz swept in a deserved second shortly after, with Gabriel Martinelli making the most of indecision in the Newcastle defence to cut the ball back into the German forward’s path. With Arsenal continuing to press, Bukayo Saka twisted and turned Livramento one way and then another before dispatching a left-foot shot into the bottom left corner add to the hosts’ advantage. Arteta also enjoyed the luxury of being able to take off his captain Martin Odegaard, Havertz and Saka well before full-time after Jakub Kiwior’s effort deflected past the helpless Karius from another Declan Rice corner.
Newcastle, who remain eighth in the table, managed a late consolation courtesy of Joe Willock’s looping header, but there was little else for the visiting supporters to cheer. By this stage last term Arsenal’s title challenge had already begun to implode, with defeats by Everton and City sandwiched either side of a home draw against Brentford. In the end they finished five points behind Pep Guardiola’s side, having enjoyed an eight-point advantage towards the end of January. However, while their early-season form has not been as impressive this time around, they look to be peaking nicely for the run-in. An outstanding sequence of results since January has included a deserved victory over Liverpool, and they have now scored 25 goals and conceded just three times in six matches in the English top flight.
Not only are they playing with the swagger of early last season, there seems to be a new resilience to this Arsenal team that has perhaps not been evident since their last title triumph in 2004. At times in the intervening period, Arsenal have been notably targeted aerially by other Premier League sides at corners and free-kicks. However, Arteta has a physically imposing side – with the likes of Gabriel, Ben White, Kiwior and William Saliba all capable in the air – and no side has scored more set-piece goals than the Gunners’ 19 this term.
FOOD REVIEW #470
Star Trek Discovery’s 5th & Final Season Comes Out In Just Over A Month
The 5th and final season of Star Trek Discovery is soon upon us. As per the update from Paramount, the 10 episode season will premier on April 4th and end on May 30th. The most divisive of the Star Trek shows which debuted back in 2017, season 5 follows the crew of the starship Discovery in the 32nd century, more than 900 years after Star Trek: The Original Series, on a galactic adventure to find a mysterious power that has been hidden for centuries and which other dangerous groups are also searching for.
Sonequa Martin-Green stars as Michael Burnham, captain of the Discovery, along with the returning Doug Jones, Anthony Rapp, Mary Wiseman, Wilson Cruz, Blu del Barrio, and David Ajala. They are joined by Callum Keith Rennie (yes from Due South, Hard Core Logo & Battlestar Galactica) who plays a new character named Captain Rayner, war-time Starfleet captain struggling to adjust to peace. He is joined this season by fellow Canadians Eve Harlow as Moll & Elias Toufexis as L’ak – who look like they will be the main villains of the season. Returning in supporting roles are Oded Fehr as Charles Vance, Chelah Horsdal as Laira Rillak, Tara Rosling as T’Rina, David Cronenberg as Kovich & Tig Notaro as Jett Reno.
While I admit that the show deserves credit for the fact that we have had four other shows after it’s early success, I am not sad to see it end. There is way too many problems with the show, the casting the writing and the acting. Special effects is awesome and I must say that I did like the 1st season and the second season – mainly for getting us Pike, Una & young Spock and the spinoff Strange New Worlds. The crying, the whispering, the head titling and Space Jesus and the “feelings” – ugh. I have so many issues with the acting and casting choices of Mary Wiseman an Blu Del Barrio as well as David Adjala but I am so glad that they got rid of Ian Alexander as he was terrible! Hoping that season 5 will be way better.
Ten Terrific Facts About Tacos
#1: Tacos have been around for a very long time
How long? Well, some believe the taco was invented between 1000 and 500 B.C, although the word ‘taco’ originated from Mexican silver miners in the 18th century. At the time it was used to describe the thin sheets of paper wrapped in gunpowder that was used as an explosive, although the miners did enjoy a more flavorsome alternative as part of their staple diet. For more, check out our post on the history of the taco.
#2: Some tacos may be out of your price range
We pride ourselves on our tacos and the affordable prices that come with them. However, there is one high-end resort in Las Vegas that sells tacos at a whopping $25,000. These tacos are costly because they are infused with gold and you have to be a guest at the resort’s Presidential Suite if you want to buy one. Our advice? Stick with our tacos. They are far more affordable and probably just as delicious!
#3: The world’s largest taco was quite a mouthful
How big do you like your tacos? We bet it’s smaller than the world’s largest taco that was constructed in Queretaro, Mexico, on November 20, 2011. It was 246 feet long, stretched an entire city block, and was filled with carnitas (pulled pork).
#4: There is a day to celebrate tacos
October 4th is National Taco Day in the US so celebrate this great day with a meal at your favourite restaurant.
#5: Taco is translated as ‘light lunch’
The word taco means ‘light lunch,’ which is quite ironic when you consider the fact that people like to fill their tacos with all kinds of delicious and sometimes heavy fillings!
#6: Tacos can be filled with anything
What do you like in your tacos? Many people enjoy them filled with pork, chicken, and other meats, but they can be served as vegetarian dishes too. Some people like to fill their corn tortillas with fried grasshoppers, so there really can be a taco for all tastes!
#7: Some people eat tacos at a specific time of the day
Taco time can be anytime, right? Sure, especially if you’re in the mood for a delicious snack. However, according to Mexican tradition, there are specific times to eat a taco. Seafood tacos are meant to be eaten at lunchtime and antojitos are supposed to be eaten at dinner time to stave off any nighttime food cravings.
#8: The first-ever food truck was probably a taco truck
There may be some debate over this one but it is believed that the first official food truck was a taco truck, opened by Raul Martinez, a Mexican immigrant in 1974, outside of an LA diner. So successful was Raul, that he now owns the King Taco chain of restaurants!
#9: Tacos are out of this world
We mean this literally, as astronauts often consume them when they are out on their missions, as tacos are supposedly less messy to eat in a zero-gravity environment.
#10: Tacos have their own TV show
Not only can you eat tacos but you can watch them too! The Spanish-language series, Taco Chronicles, is on Netflix, so take a peek if you want to learn more great facts from the wonderful world of tacos!
Slayer To Reunite For A Couple Of Shows; Possibly More?
Slayer have officially reunited and announced their first shows, which will take place later this year at Riot Fest and Louder Than Life Festival. Slayer played their final show at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif. on Nov. 30, 2019, but they’re officially back, and Tom Araya, Kerry King, Paul Bostaph and Gary Holt make up the lineup. Riot Fest is set to take place in Chicago, Ill. from Sept. 20 through the 22, and it will mark Slayer’s return to the stage after nearly five years.
The thrash legends also one of four headliners set to perform at Louder Than Life, which will take place over four days from Sept. 26 through the 29 at the Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Slipknot, Motley Crue and Korn are the other three headliners for the event. So far, these are the only Slayer performances that have been announced, so it’s unclear whether they’re going to tour or release new music again. Their last album, Repentless, came out in 2015. King recently announced his new solo band and his first album, and also shared that he hadn’t spoken to Araya since their final show in 2019. However, it seems that has changed.
Slayer has had issues with drummers in the past, having gone through 3 during their tenure starting off with original drummer Dave Lombardo leaving the band twice due to issues with finances and later due to wanting to be with family, the second time being in 1992. He was replaced with Paul Bostaph who himself left in 2001. Slayer asked Dave if he wanted to play a few gigs with them, which led to him joining full time and stayed till he as fired in 2013. Once again he was replaced by Paul. Also they lost founding member guitarist Jeff Hannemann in 2011.
In early 2011, Hanneman contracted necrotizing fasciitis on one of his arms, which was reported to be due to a spider bite while he was in a hot tub of a friend. He had surgery which led to a few weeks recovery but then Hanneman died of liver failure on May 2, 2013, in a Southern California hospital near his home. The official cause of death was announced as alcohol-related cirrhosis. For a while the band did not know if their fanbase would approve a change but eventually Exodus guitarist Gary Holt, who had filled in for Jeff when he was ill, was announced as a full time member. Repentless, the band’s twelfth studio album, and so far final abum, was released on September 11, 2015.
Despite the long farewell world wide tour, and most fans feeling like it was the last we would see of the band, we now get this announcement. Since the end of the tour Tom Araya has stayed out of the spotlight, not attending events or giving interviews. Recently Kerry King had announced his solo album and band, so this comes a s surprise.
FC Porto 1 Arsenal 0
Arsenal were stunned as Galeno scored in stoppage time to give Porto the advantage from the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie. The Brazilian winger took a few touches to set himself before curling a wonderful finish into the net, past the despairing full-stretch dive of David Raya. Sergio Conceicao’s home side should have been ahead at the break after Galeno hit a shot off the post and somehow put the rebound wide. That was a huge let-off for Arsenal, but Galeno made no mistake in the fourth added minute at the end of the game. Nico Gonzalez’s powerful strike had earlier sailed over the bar as the home side tried to open the scoring in the first half. The Gunners dominated possession but failed to have a single shot on target in the match, with William Saliba and Kai Havertz heading wide from corners.
The second leg will take place at Emirates Stadium on 12 March, when Arsenal will aim to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2009-10. Arsenal had plenty of set-piece opportunities but lacked a precise finish. From one of those situations, a corner from Declan Rice was met on the volley by Leandro Trossard who blazed over the bar. In their first Champions League knockout tie since 2017, Arsenal looked nervy and failed to show the dazzling form that has brought them 21 goals in their opening five Premier League games of the calendar year. For only the second time on record (since 2003-04) the Gunners did not have a shot on target in a Champions League game, previously failing in such a way at Barcelona in the last 16 in March 2011.
Bukayo Saka was kept quiet by the Porto defence while Havertz put his headed chance off target as clear-cut openings were few and far between. Mikel Arteta’s side were seemingly holding on for a draw but switched off right at the end and were duly punished by the brilliance of Galeno. Porto sit third in the Liga Portugal, seven points behind Benfica and Sporting Lisbon, but they were always in control against Arsenal, who have yet to win at the Estadio do Dragao in four attempts, drawing once and now losing on three occasions. The Gunners have won the first leg of just one of their last 12 two-legged knockout ties in the competition (D2, L9), losing each of the last seven first-leg matches. Arsenal will need a much-improved performance in London next month if they are to ensure it is not eight successive last-16 eliminations from Europe’s top-tier competition.