DAILY DIRT: Don’t go near the porcupines, or you could find yourself in a real prickle

I’m not sure what a group of Eighingers would be called … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 964 of The Daily Dirt.

1. Have you ever noticed the weird names that have been given some groups of animals?

Well, I have … 

• — A group of ferrets is called a business. 
• — A group of porcupines is a prickle. (Somehow, this actually seems quite fitting.)
• — A group of vultures is a wake. (Again, quite fitting.)
• — A group of sloths is a snuggle.
• — A group of platypuses is a paddle.
• — A group of bunnies is called a fluffle.
• — A group of kittens is a kindle.
• — A group of crows is called a murder. (Why?) 
  — A group of larks is an exaltation.
• — A group of rattlesnakes is a rhumba
• — A group of ravens is an unkindness.
• — A group of parrots is called a pandemonium.
• — A group of armadillos is a roll.

On a similar, yet unrelated note: 

The process of an alpaca giving birth is called an unpacking.

2. Did you know (Part 25) …

That the late Telly Savalas (“Kojak”) was the godfather of actress Jennifer Aniston (“Friends”).

That former NASCAR driver Ricky Rudd is the uncle of actor Skeet Ulrich (“Cream”).

That the late astronomer Clyde Tombaugh, the scientist that discovered Pluto, was the great uncle of Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw.

That John Williams, who composed the theme songs for “Jaws,” “Harry Potter,” and “Star Wars,” is the father of Joseph Williams, former lead singer of Toto and the voice of the adult Simba in “The Lion King”.

That Brian May, the longtime Queen guitarist, is also an astrophysicist and member of the NASA team that interprets scientific data.

3. Spin.com’s top 10 rock stars of all time:

• 1. Keith Richards (“Richards was the sound of the band, and the real rock star, the guy who really didn’t give a damn, including from time to time, it seemed, whether he lived or died.” )
• 2. Prince
• 3. Jimi Hendrix
• 4. Jimmy Page
• 5. David Bowie
• 6. Bruce Springsteen
• 7. Bob Dylan
• 8. Mick Jagger
• 9. Grace Slick
• 10. Kurt Cobain

I’m not necessarily saying this overall list is open to question or outright ridicule, but it also had Elvis Presley at No. 100. Seriously? Love him or hate him, Elvis deserved far better than that.

Some other bizarre rankings:

61. Aretha Franklin

50. John Lennon

46. Elton John

40. Chuck Berry

32. Eric Clapton

30. Ike Turner, who was ranked more than three times higher than No. 97 Tina Turner.

16. Freddie Mercury

And, not even included on the list were such names as Paul McCartney and Rod Stewart. But Micky Dolenz of the Monkees made the top 100 at No. 96 — ahead of Elvis.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Aside from Prince being properly mentioned near the top (which I’m shocked that Steve didn’t shit all over that one, noting his failure to appreciate the greatness of The Prince of Paisley Park) this list is hot garbage. JRG

Steve Thought O’ The Day — My goal is now to see a snuggle of sloths.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. All the ladies want a snuggle of Steve’s.