Rant #2,212: Today's the Day

It is August 29 today, the 241st day of the year (although during Leap Years, it is the 242nd day of the year).

So this year, we are 241/365 through the year, or slightly more than 66 percent done with this year.

We are two-thirds through 2018, with just one third to go.

And my family and I are just one day closer to our vacation.

Since I consider myself burnt out, I am personally one day closer to being doused.

In recent history, today is the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force Academy, which began operations today in 1958 in Colorado Springs, Colo. Many of our leading military men and women have graduated from that institution during the past 60 years.

Also, 52 years ago today, in 1966, the Beatles performed their final live concert before a paying audience at San Francisco's Candlestick Park. The Fab Four basically became a studio act for the rest of the band's life span, churning out works like "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" in the process.

More recently, in 1997, Netflix was launched today as an Internet DVD rental service, a far cry from what it is today, as probably the premier pay streaming service in the world.

And in 2005, who could forget the devastation that Hurricane Katrina brought to the Gulf Coast on this day? Some areas that were within its swirl have yet to recover.

Some interesting people count today as their birthday.

Betty Lynn was born today in 1926. You might not know the name, but this actress--who was pushed as a pretty ingenue in the late 1940s and through the 1950s--is perhaps best known for playing the part of Thelma Lou, Barney Fife's girlfriend, on "The Andy Griffith Show."

William Friedkin, the popular film writer, director and producer, who is perhaps best known for helming "The French Connection," was born today in 1935.

In 1936, Senator John McCain was born, so he just missed his 82nd birthday before he died a few days ago.

Actor Elliot Gould was born today in 1938. He carved out his own niche as an actor from the shadow of his then wife Barbra Streisand as being one of then-"New Hollywood's" rebels, appearing in a number of hit movies such as "M*A*S*H."

Robin Leach was born today in 1941, so the popular journalist and TV host just missed his 77th birthday when he passed away a few days ago.

Michael Jackson was born today in 1958. As full of excess as he was in talent, this performer pretty much defined popular music in the 1980s after breaking away from his talented family into a solo act.

There were other notable births, but with Jackson, I better stop while I am ahead.

As for deaths, while I don't want to get too deep into that subject, Gene Wilder died today, two years ago in 2016. Whether acting in Mel Brooks' masterpieces or his own work, this guy absolutely, positively knew what "funny" was during his lifetime.

So although August 29 really is a pretty non-descript day, not unlike hundreds of others on our calendar, for some, August 29 is a bellwether day, a day that is extremely important to them for one reason or another.

Me, again, I am one step closer to vacation, and that is my personal direction today.

Get through the day, and move onto the next one, where I am even closer to my vacation goal.

It can't some soon enough.