The Explorers' Club
№ CCLXXXIX - John Martin Poyer (1861-1922) & the quarantine that saved American Samoa from the "Spanish flu."







There was not a single death in America Samoa attributable to the influenza pandemic. In nearby Samoa, then administered by New Zealand as Western Samoa, 22% of the population perished in the plague.

Coming Attractions
{a} "This Week in Motorsport"—lots of catching up to do (two F1 grands prix & the Indy 500, et al.), plus the build-up to Le Mans
{b} "Project PANDORA"—how things are faring with The Interpreter
{c} "Project MERCATOR"—pub quiz in Flint
{d} "Kith & Kin"—visiting Where's Teddy? & The Cupcake
{e} "The Explorers'Club"—behind schedule, again!, curse my bones
{f} "Project GLOWWORM"—my "hipster" moustache

The Rebel Black Dot Songs of the Day
"Weird Al" Yankovic, "Canadian Idiot" from Straight Outta Lynwood (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: Not only did I watch yesterday's F1 Grand Prix du Canada this afternoon, but this morning I also read a disturbing article about the lack of free speech in the Dominion of Canada & the police-state tactics being used to quell those who dare to speak as their consciences demands. So, that awful, awful country has been on my mind quite a bit today.

Sonntag, 10 Juni
The Lovin' Spoonful, "Summer in the City" via iTunes (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: On odd choice, I admit, given that I spent most of the day in the country, at the summer place that inspired the previous day's R.B.D.S.O.T.D., but it is "Summer in the City"'s description of heat & the merciless nature of the Accursed Sun that brought the tune to mind.

Samstag, 9 Juni
Fountains of Wayne, "The Summer Place" from Sky Full of Holes (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: "We've got the space if you've got the time."

Freitag, 8 Juni
Ben Folds Five, "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head" (live) courtesy REDACTED (T.L.A.M.)