DAILY DIRT: A 1983 remark about the Soviet Union ringing true again

Daily Dirt for Wednesday, June 8, 2022

Who wants to make a sojourn to Deadhorse, Alaska? … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 306 of The Daily Dirt.

1. We’ve been spending some time this week in the 1980s, so how about we hop in the wayback machine today for a little time capsule action?

I’ve put the dials on 1983. Any of the following bring back some memories, good or bad?

• Price of a gallon of gas: $1.24.
• Legendary college football coach Bear Bryant dies at age 69.
• “Pet Sematary” by Stephen King was released.
• “Dallas,” “Dynasty” and “The A Team” were the most popular shows on TV.
• The Sony Walkman sold for $229.
• An RCA VCR ranged from $399 to $888.
• Prince’s “1999” was the No. 1 album.
• Song of the year was “Every Breath You Take” by The Police, with Sting on lead vocal.
• Coca-Cola and Pepsi begin heavily marketing no-caffeine sodas.

And finally, an interesting quote from President Ronald Reagan: ““(The USSR) is a focus of evil in the modern world.” 

2. Add these to the ever-expanding list of the crazy-named towns we have uncovered:

• Zzyzx, Calif.: Of course it’s in California.
• Between, Ga.: OK, I’ll say it … between what?
• Deadhorse, Alaska: It’s near the Arctic Ocean. Of course the horses are dead.
• Nameless, Tenn.: Is home to fewer than 100 people, but four times a year a local store offers free moon pies. Yes, I’m serious.
• Rough and Ready, Calif.: Population is 511. Not sure about any free moon pies.

3. Some dandy “Found on Facebook” items that simply couldn’t wait for their scheduled appearance on The Daly Dirt:

• “I’m thankful for all the different ways I can eat potatoes”.
• “Tip: How to keep brownies fresh? Eat them all in one sitting”.
• “When the waitress asked if I wanted my pizza cut into four or eight slices, I said, ‘Four. I don’t think I can eat eight.'”
• “Based on the amount of laundry I do, I’m pretty sure there are people living here I have never met yet”.
• “Johnny Depp is the first man to ever win an argument with a woman”.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — If I had to pick one celebrity who has likely visited Zzyzx, Calif., it would be Johnny Depp.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. He should probably explain what a VCR is.