I got some pretty good stuff for my birthday. I got two Beatles t-shirts (good thing, my supply's been running low) and an interesting book about the Beatles which I've started to read. It's called "Magical Mystery Tours: My Life with the Beatles," and it's by a fellow named Tony Bramwell, who claims to be a childhood friend and assistant of the Beatles. He paints a good picture of the personal lives of his friends Paul, George, and John (he didn't meet Ringo till later). Paul McCartney is quoted on the cover: "If you want to know anything about the Beatles, ask Tony Bramwell. He remembers more than I do." Shockingly, I've never heard of this guy, but his recollections merit further reading.

Happy birthday to my friend Sean, who turns 16 today (the day after I do). Hope you enjoy your birthday.

Today my grandmother came over. She's staying with us for a few days because they're doing something to her house (exterminating it, I think). That should be a nice change of pace.

Has anyone ever ruled the entire world? No. But many entities over the history of the world have made it their goal, to varying degrees of success. This list ranks the top 27 world powers in recorded history by their greatest extent in area. So, looking back on history, who has controlled the most land? It's not the celebrated Roman Empire (#17), the mind-bogglingly large Mongol Empire (#3), the United States (#12), Alexander's empire (#19), or even the Communist world (#2). The answer may surprise you (if you haven't been using your brain).

(The title of this post is the motto of the Isle of Man. In Latin it is "Quocunque Jeceris Stabit." In Esperanto I figure it is "Kien ajn oni ĵetas ĝin, ĝi staros." Now figure out this English-language colloquialism translated into Esperanto: "Mi ne havas vivon.")