Tuesday, December 14, 2004
1492-11: Jerez and Torres Discover Smoking; Jerez Becomes First European Smoker
Rodrigo de Jerez and Luis de Torres, in Cuba searching for the Khan of Cathay (China), are credited with first observing smoking. They reported that the natives wrapped dried tobacco leaves in palm or maize "in the manner of a musket formed of paper." After lighting one end, they commenced "drinking" the smoke through the other. Jerez became a confirmed smoker, and is thought to be the first outside of the Americas. He brought the habit back to his hometown, but the smoke billowing from his mouth and nose so frightened his neighbors he was imprisoned by the holy inquisitors for 7 years. By the time he was released, smoking was a Spanish craze.
Source: http://www.tobacco.org/History/Tobacco_History.html
Rodrigo de Jerez and Luis de Torres, in Cuba searching for the Khan of Cathay (China), are credited with first observing smoking. They reported that the natives wrapped dried tobacco leaves in palm or maize "in the manner of a musket formed of paper." After lighting one end, they commenced "drinking" the smoke through the other. Jerez became a confirmed smoker, and is thought to be the first outside of the Americas. He brought the habit back to his hometown, but the smoke billowing from his mouth and nose so frightened his neighbors he was imprisoned by the holy inquisitors for 7 years. By the time he was released, smoking was a Spanish craze.
Source: http://www.tobacco.org/History/Tobacco_History.html
Saturday, December 04, 2004
Singing about The Man Who Had to Shoot His Dog
I subscribe to Napster, and I was listening to it last night as I chatted online. I had Napster create a custom radio station for me, based on the songs in my library. It started off great, a few songs into it they played one of my favorite Sonic Youth songs. "The music they pick for you always sucks," remarked my friend.
"It's all in the math," I replied, "Tonight their algorithm is working." I felt lucky.
Then it happened. The radio broke into an old spooky country song I never heard before. It was something about 'Ole Shep'. The song went on and on. My father had a dog named Shep when he was a boy, I think it was the first and last pet HE ever owned. We had different pets growing up, but Shep was the last pet that was truly his.
Great, I thought, maybe I can make a CD as a Christmas gift. The last album my father bought was Paul Simon's Graceland, back around 1986.
At this point I couldn't tell if Shep was a dog or a horse, but it didn't matter. Then somehow a veterinarian got involved in the song and suddenly Shep was on his deathbed. The guy started singing about having to shoot ole Shep and I still couldn't tell if he was singing about a dog or a horse. It went on and on, getting sadder at each twang. Finally, the song ended with a verse about how Shep was the best dog in the world and how the man would never again have a friend so faithful and true.
Thoroughly depressed by this song, I resolved to find something different for Dad's gift this year.
I subscribe to Napster, and I was listening to it last night as I chatted online. I had Napster create a custom radio station for me, based on the songs in my library. It started off great, a few songs into it they played one of my favorite Sonic Youth songs. "The music they pick for you always sucks," remarked my friend.
"It's all in the math," I replied, "Tonight their algorithm is working." I felt lucky.
Then it happened. The radio broke into an old spooky country song I never heard before. It was something about 'Ole Shep'. The song went on and on. My father had a dog named Shep when he was a boy, I think it was the first and last pet HE ever owned. We had different pets growing up, but Shep was the last pet that was truly his.
Great, I thought, maybe I can make a CD as a Christmas gift. The last album my father bought was Paul Simon's Graceland, back around 1986.
At this point I couldn't tell if Shep was a dog or a horse, but it didn't matter. Then somehow a veterinarian got involved in the song and suddenly Shep was on his deathbed. The guy started singing about having to shoot ole Shep and I still couldn't tell if he was singing about a dog or a horse. It went on and on, getting sadder at each twang. Finally, the song ended with a verse about how Shep was the best dog in the world and how the man would never again have a friend so faithful and true.
Thoroughly depressed by this song, I resolved to find something different for Dad's gift this year.
