Today marks the three hundred and thirtieth birthday of the Frenchman François-Marie Arouet, better known by his nom de plume, Voltaire (1694-1778).
Born into a bourgeois family during the reign of Louis XIV, the “Sun King” (r. 1643-1715), Voltaire suffered tragedy at a young age when his mother died. Never close with his father or brother, Voltaire exhibited a rebellious attitude toward authority from his youth. His brilliant mind was fostered in the care of the Society of Jesus, who introduced him to the joys of literature and theater. Despite his later criticisms against the Church, Voltaire, throughout his life, fondly recalled his dedicated Jesuit teachers.
Although he spent time as a civil servant in the French embassy to the Hague, Voltaire’s main love was writing—an endeavor where he excelled in various genres, including poetry, which led to his appointment as the royal court poet for King Louis XV. Widely recognized as one of the greatest French writers, and even hyperbolically referred to by ...
Happy National Strawberry Parfait Day y'all! May your layers be perfectly defined and your cream sweet enough to mask the bitter taste of today's comedy submissions.
To add a bit of structural integrity to your day, it is fortuitously also National Log Cabin Day. I strongly suggest combining celebrations by attempting to build a miniature woodland fortress out of frozen parfaits, though I appreciate the concept of "unmeltable dairy" might be a bit too familiar to American fast-food fans.
If that sounds like a structural disaster waiting to happen, you can always seek divine intervention, as today is also Global Beatles Day. Personally, I'm just sitting here Letting It Be while praying that Yesterday's terrible puns don't completely ruin my morning.
Anyhoo, it’s time for our weekly division of pure, unadulterated pain. Congratulations to last week's victor, but which of these fresh crimes against comedy will take the crown this time around?
Please do exercise your ...
Padre - Tom Miller invites you to a Coffee Talk, Speakeasies, Schmoozes, Tea Times, Afterhours and other gatherings.
https://teams.live.com/meet/93792382189049?p=DiBHsYfuECPgDrG7vO
2026 Coffee Talk with the ADD Irregulars
Thursday, January 1, 2026
6:00 AM - 8:00 AM (CST)
Occurs every day starting 1/1 until 12/31/2027
Coffee Talk - Daily beginning at 6:00 AM Central Time Zone - USA
White Pilled Wednesday - A break from the heaviness of news and current events to focus upon things more personal & positive for the first hour of Coffee Talk.
Afternoon Chats - Most Tuesday, Friday & Sundays 2:00 PM Central
Other chats as posted in the community.
Good Morning, Digital Neighbors! Happy Thursday to all you supporters at the Rubin Report, Phetasy, Outspoken, and at Padre’s. A few quotes for your morning reflection as you make your way through the internet. I often worry about doomscrolling and political drama replacing actual meaning in my life. While I am very concerned about the “state of things” and how poorly many things are going, I do my best not to let the click-baity drama of 99% of internet content rob me of any more time than it already does. On a related note, thank you for letting these musings be one of the things that receives your time and attention. Happy Thursday, dear neighbors.
It is never safe to look into the future with the eyes of fear. — E. H. Harrison
A crowd of troubles passed him by as he with courage waited; He said, “Where do you troubles fly when you are thus belated?” “We go,” they say, “to those who mope, who look on life dejected, Who meekly say ‘good-bye’ to hope — we go ...
