Solar Eclipse, April 8, 2024

Don't let the sun go down on me.

 

Brick didn't want to miss the solar eclipse that was happening this year, so he went down close to Carbondale, Illinois, to catch a glimpse of this rare phenomenon. He was so keen on getting the best angle for totality--he couldn't find his special glasses! Oh, Brick! 

There he was on someone's deck, various inappropriate glasses strewn around, unable to see the eclipse without damaging his eyes.  He quickly accessed a search engine for alternate filters and came upon a video about using floppy disks to view an eclipse. Surely a guy on YouTube with a tutorial from 2017 would have the applicable info! 

Unfortunately, Brick was in a hurry and didn't exactly follow instructions.

Four minutes of free access!

Brick didn't see a thing, but his efforts worked--he did not damage his eyes.

St. Patrick's Day, today!

Brick went out to watch the local St. Patrick’s Day parade today.  He stood safely against a wall so no one would trip on him, a bottle of Green River on hand by his side.  Despite wearing a smile, an Irish cap and a pin inviting a kiss upon the Irish, no one took Brick up on his offer.  He is merely an average brick, not the Blarney Stone.

Happy New Year!

Brick is not much of a party block, but even he is happy to wish 2020 goodbye and welcome in 2021! Woo hoo! Let's pop the Champaign and get busy!

Surf's up—way up!

Wow, what a weekend! Brick hit the beach before the end of summer and almost became another statistic for Shark Attacks 2020!

Brick was happily floating with his towel on an inner tube that had been caught in a rip current. Brick waited until his flotation device got free and then just let the tide bring him back to shore. He was just within sight of the beach umbrellas when there was a sudden eruption of water, screams of people, frantic splashing, upended boogie boards, lost floaties, and--pure panic!

A shark was doing its own Up Periscope imitation and nearly got brick! Who might have not been its true target as a very small, yappy comfort dog and her owner were nearby in a swan floaty. 

They call me Bruce?

The shark rose up so fast its wake shoved brick (and the swan and its terrified riders) onto the beach. Brick got salt water in his eye and lost his inner tube, but not his towel—and at the end of the day that’s what is important.

 

And not getting swallowed by a shark. That too.

Happy Halloween!

Halloween is one of Brick’s favorite holidays. The costumes, the decorations, the rock candy—it’s all so festive. Brick wanted to make a memorable costume this year—something that would stand out.

With time running short and the help of a few household items, Brick was transformed.

 

This time, it's personal.

Brick stopped at his first house and knocked. 

Guess what I am!

The owners sure were scared!  Amid yells and kicks, Brick ended up in the driveway.

He was quickly investigated by local authorities. Brick stayed calm, didn't move, and smiled the whole time to show he is mostly harmless.

Finally, he passed the smell test and was free to go.

 

Brick decided to go home before he caused any more excitement. He tried to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters, but everyone that came to the door quickly backed away. 

So he ate a whole bag of fun-sized Kit-Kat’s® by himself.

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Brick Go Bragh!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Brick and friends spent most of the day hanging out at a local bar. He had some green root beer and wore a green button so he wouldn't get pinched.
A few inebriated patrons tried to use their souvenir chips on Brick as if he was a video game. They were disappointed there was no payout. Brick took it all in stride.

Brick isn't big on drinking, anyway. He was voted to be the designated driver for his group. Then they remembered...Brick has a total lead foot. So they all took the bus home instead.

Just to be safe.

via GIPHY

Happy Towel Day!

May 25th celebrates Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. It is celebrated around the world as Towel Day. "On that day, fans around the universe carry a towel in his honour."

Brick didn't want to be left out, so he plunged right into an omnibus edition--determined not to miss a thing...or an obscure reference. He was at the library a long time. It took him 42 straight days! When the lights went out at night he just waited until opening time the next day. The library staff didn't seem to notice him at all. He just sat there reading like a bump on a log with a book.

What a hoopy frood!

He had his towel by his side the whole time. One might ask, why did he stay and read the edition in one, unending session? Couldn't he go home at night and come back later?

  

Almost done? Ready to throw in the towel?

He didn't have a bookmark and wanted to keep his place. That's Brick, practical to the end.