History Warp (11/21-11/27): Hooping, Hopping & Big Helpings

Posted: November 21st, 2011 | Filed under: History Warp | No Comments »

There are certain disciplines which simply come most easily to lithe sub-teen girls.

Hula hooping comes immediately to mind. When the craze first hit way back in the yesteryear of my youth, it was the bane of my existence. I never could get the thing going and to stay up. Sally down the street would get a hoop spinning in the morning and not stop until she went to sleep.

Jumping rope is another. Though boxers, as well as those ingenues, are also excellent practitioners of the art.

All of which leads to this relatively useless bit of infomania.

On November 21, 1837, an Aussie by the name of Thomas Morris skipped rope 22,806 times. I assume it was without stopping.

* * * * *

I imagine for some glitterati, there are days when a guy’s in NY and needs to be in Paris in a hurry. Like he’s got a hot date that evening for dinner at L’Absinthe on Place du Marche St. Honore.

Other than Star Trekkian bodily transmorgaportification, there are few methods of travel that can get him there in time.

Which is why that bloke is lamenting the end of Concorde flight. The trips were expensive. They were cramped. But they were quick.

On November 22, 1977, that Concorde services between NYC and Europe began on a trial basis.

Sigh. They are no more. Calling Spock.

* * * * *

These are the strangest of times, with our society seemingly more contentious than ever. With our economy still wavering, as the rich get richer and the rest of us worry.

But there is still family. And friends.

And college hoops.

And trips to the beach or other favorite places.

Which means, despite our trials and travails, we have much to be thankful for.

So too, thought George Washington. On November 26, 1789, he declared a day of Thanksgiving.

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