Fifth Avenue Forum

Powderfinger... deep, deep cut... I mean, to the bone.

I thought Powderfinger was one of Young's most popular songs, but maybe I just thought so because it's **** great.

I thought Powderfinger was one of Young's most popular songs, but maybe I just thought so because it's **** great.

Well, now I gotta go listen to it.

Cortez the Killer is my favorite Young song

Cortez the Killer is my favorite Young song

yes

I thought Powderfinger was one of Young's most popular songs, but maybe I just thought so because it's **** great.

ok

I thought Powderfinger was one of Young's most popular songs, but maybe I just thought so because it's **** great.

This is great... And timely

TIL that the Swiss watch industry owes its origin to religion. John Calvin, the leader of the religious movement that still bears his name, spent years working and preaching in Geneva, Switzerland. Although his ideas were initially opposed by the city leaders, Calvinism eventually won wide acceptance, and Calvinists came to control the government. Calvin preached against "superfluity, such as curled hair, jewels, and golden rings," and the government in the 1500s enacted a religious ban on such things as "rouge, jewelry, lace, immodest dress, swearing, gambling, and playing cards." Geneva, however, had been a major trading and manufacturing center for goldsmithing, enameling, and jewelry, so a whole lot of people in town suddenly needed to find something else to do to make a living. The ban on jewelry had an exception for "functional" devices like pocket watches, so the skilled Geneva jewelry industry refocused on watches and clocks, and that led to the Swiss becoming the world leader in timepiece manufacturing.

I am reminded of Ron White telling the story of his honeymoon in Greece, and the merchant telling him the donkey ride cost the same as the tram.

"if I were you, that'd be my biggest secret."

I went down a Wiki rabbit hole about Brittany last night. For all of my obsession with geography, European history, etc., Brittany was kind of a blind spot for me.

Believe it or not, it started from a Talking Heads search. Tina Weymouth's dad was Admiral Ralph Weymouth, who died last year at 102. HIS wife was the granddaughter of Anatole Le Braz, noted Breton poet.

It is still governed as a separate nation under the French government, I believe.

It is still governed as a separate nation under the French government, I believe.

What? No.

It is still governed as a separate nation under the French government, I believe.

What? No.

Oh. Maybe during the 16th century then

It is still governed as a separate nation under the French government, I believe.

What? No.

Oh. Maybe during the 16th century then

Absolutely a bucket-list destination for me. Spectacular coastline.

#FreeBrittany

I really thought be meant Spears...

#FreeBrittany

Reading about the Breton separatist movement was interesting.

It is still governed as a separate nation under the French government, I believe.

What? No.

Oh. Maybe during the 16th century then

Absolutely a bucket-list destination for me. Spectacular coastline.

Yup, would love to visit Brest and travel along the coast.

TIL Swaziland was renamed Eswatini in 2018

I first read that as Switzerland and was vey confused.

Swaziland changed their country's name to eSwatini in mid 2018...

Check the game notes, bub...

TIL Swaziland was renamed Eswatini in 2018

The king of Eswatini (it is an absolute monarchy) has 15 wives. Puts Henry VIII to shame.

Yo-Yo Ma’s concert cello was built in 1733 by an Italian luthier, Domineco Montagnana.

Albeit it’s probably the ship of Theseus at this point but still, that’s really cool

Also valued at 2.5 million

Is there any point whatsoever to this or they just own old instruments for the cool factor?

They don’t make em like they used to.