nice site devoted to my boy, Bosch
posted by mendip at
3:53 PM
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0 comments
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
The Cutting Edge of Gold Plating
Throw out those bronzed baby shoes!
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyID=6955300&src=eDialog/GetContent§ion=news
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyID=6955300&src=eDialog/GetContent§ion=news
posted by mendip at
1:50 PM
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0 comments
Waterloo Weirdness
This is an interesting story connecting data on the Battle of Waterloo and modern medicine:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/11/041123115803.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/11/041123115803.htm
posted by mendip at
6:46 AM
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0 comments
Monday, November 29, 2004
The Lake - spelling bee nightmare
http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg
http://www.oldewebster.com/history/lake_chargogg.htm
http://www.oldewebster.com/history/lake_chargogg.htm
posted by mendip at
6:59 PM
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0 comments
All Things Must Pass Anniversary
Tomorrow is the anniversary of the release of George Harrison's magnum opus, All Things Must Pass. What an album! Suddenly, the "quiet Beatle" wasn't so quiet any more! I really loved that album. I considered it a monster at the time - 3 LP's worth of Harrison's creativity spewing out after being cooped up behind the demigods of Lennon & McCartney. The musicians' list reads like a who's who of ultra cool, circa 1970. The singles were inescapable on the radio all winter long. For anyone who wasn't around then - this is what was happening in early '71.
Right at that time I was starting to study Hinduism and Buddhism, so this pop approach REALLY hit hard. It was just so cool! I'm not saying that it always worked, but here was a talented guy really trying to use the art he knew to convey the spirituality he was searching for and experiencing. This is one of those albums where I bet I've gone through half a dozen tunes as being my faves over the years. It really depends on my mood and where I am; and that's another neat thing about this work - there's something for everyone here, I think. From the somber tunes like Isn't It A Pity, to the progressive jams, to the playfulness of Apple Scruffs (ten Beatles trivia points if you know what the title is referring to....), Harrison tried, (and I think succeeded) to show he was a performer to be reckoned with, across the board.
Oh, my fave cuts right now - I'm kinda divided. The title song has always been important to me, it reflects the impermanence of things (it's very Buddhist). At it's root, I don't think it's a very happy tune, but I think it tries to be accurate. I'll always take accuracy over wishes. But I think my real fave is What Is Life. It's a weird but wonderful juxtaposition of a rather dour spiritual quest with a real rocker of a tune backing it up. I had the joy of seeing it performed by George at the Cap Center 30 years ago and it brought the house down. It's the closest thing to a Springsteen "moment" of rock satori that I've ever experienced, (outside of The Boss himself, of course). At any rate, thanks for reading, and thanks for a wonderful album George, you Dark Horse, you!
Right at that time I was starting to study Hinduism and Buddhism, so this pop approach REALLY hit hard. It was just so cool! I'm not saying that it always worked, but here was a talented guy really trying to use the art he knew to convey the spirituality he was searching for and experiencing. This is one of those albums where I bet I've gone through half a dozen tunes as being my faves over the years. It really depends on my mood and where I am; and that's another neat thing about this work - there's something for everyone here, I think. From the somber tunes like Isn't It A Pity, to the progressive jams, to the playfulness of Apple Scruffs (ten Beatles trivia points if you know what the title is referring to....), Harrison tried, (and I think succeeded) to show he was a performer to be reckoned with, across the board.
Oh, my fave cuts right now - I'm kinda divided. The title song has always been important to me, it reflects the impermanence of things (it's very Buddhist). At it's root, I don't think it's a very happy tune, but I think it tries to be accurate. I'll always take accuracy over wishes. But I think my real fave is What Is Life. It's a weird but wonderful juxtaposition of a rather dour spiritual quest with a real rocker of a tune backing it up. I had the joy of seeing it performed by George at the Cap Center 30 years ago and it brought the house down. It's the closest thing to a Springsteen "moment" of rock satori that I've ever experienced, (outside of The Boss himself, of course). At any rate, thanks for reading, and thanks for a wonderful album George, you Dark Horse, you!
posted by mendip at
6:14 PM
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0 comments
Happy Birthday Stan Rogers!
For those of you who are folkies, Stan Rogers needs no introduction. For the rest of you, Rogers is generally considered the best Canadian folk singer, ever. And I put him in the top 5 folksingers of the baby boomer generation. He has a clear, strong voice, and a wonderful songwriting ability. Rogers died in a plane crash in 1983 shortly after playing a show at the Birchmere, (a gig I foolishly missed). He made half a dozen albums, all of which are worthwhile listening to. My personal fave is “Between The Breaks…Live!”. I like every cut on it. The album includes “White Collar Holler”, Stan’s gentle satire of modern work as well as “Mary Ellen Carter”, a song, really an anthem, to inspire anyone trying to do something positive in the face of derision and overwhelming odds, (the man must have been a Socialist…).
Rogers is one of those people for whom the phrase “If only they’d lived….” Really rings true to me. He was right on the cusp of breaking into the American folk music market in a big way when he died. In addition, I sincerely believe he had the capability f reaching an even wider audience in the States. For the past 30 years it’s been almost impossible for any folkie to break through to the mass market, but I think Stan could have – he was that good; and he would have done it with quality intact. We really lost someone in ’83. The main site for Rogers is at: http://stevebriggs.superb.net/stanrogers/. Do yourself a favor and check him out.
Rogers is one of those people for whom the phrase “If only they’d lived….” Really rings true to me. He was right on the cusp of breaking into the American folk music market in a big way when he died. In addition, I sincerely believe he had the capability f reaching an even wider audience in the States. For the past 30 years it’s been almost impossible for any folkie to break through to the mass market, but I think Stan could have – he was that good; and he would have done it with quality intact. We really lost someone in ’83. The main site for Rogers is at: http://stevebriggs.superb.net/stanrogers/. Do yourself a favor and check him out.
posted by mendip at
5:57 PM
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0 comments
Sunday, November 28, 2004
Firefly film update
For all fans of the wonderful sci-fi show, Firefly: the movie, Serenity, has been announced for 11/30/2005. One year to go....
And for those of you who don't know what the hell I'm talking about, this was a short lived series on the Fox network that is one of the best shows I've seen in the past decade. The DVD's are available and I strongly recommend checking 'em out. It's a fun and charming show.
And for those of you who don't know what the hell I'm talking about, this was a short lived series on the Fox network that is one of the best shows I've seen in the past decade. The DVD's are available and I strongly recommend checking 'em out. It's a fun and charming show.
posted by mendip at
3:21 PM
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0 comments
Christmas Rapping
The song, Christmas Rapping, by the Waitresses is one of my fave rock'n'roll Christmas tunes. The group was led by Chris Butler, a minor mainstay of the famous Ohio River Valley new wave scene (think Pretenders, Devo, Tin Huey, Pere Ubu, etc.), and the singer was Patty Donahue, whom I regret to report died about eight years ago. I think the song has it all, a cute little pop beat, nice delivery, with charming and slightly offbeat lyrics. Butler's story is linked below, it's NOT particularly charming, but just goes to show that sometimes accidents have significance beyond what anyone expects.
http://www.nutscape.com/ChrisButler/screed1.htm
http://www.nutscape.com/ChrisButler/screed1.htm
posted by mendip at
1:07 PM
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0 comments
Researching Memory Loss
Thought this was an interesting article about the research into memory loss and how it might be prevented:
http://g.msn.com/0MNBUS00/2?http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6595798/site/newsweek&&CM=EmailThis&CE=1
http://g.msn.com/0MNBUS00/2?http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6595798/site/newsweek&&CM=EmailThis&CE=1
posted by mendip at
6:38 AM
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0 comments
Saturday, November 27, 2004
NORAD's Santa Tracker
Every year I send this link out. This may be the coolest thing the Government does. NORAD takes time off from tracking possible nuclear attacks on us, and monitors Santa's progress on Christmas Eve. Very neat stuff.
http://www.noradsanta.org/
http://www.noradsanta.org/
posted by mendip at
3:18 PM
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0 comments
Another film on the way....
Looks like someone is going to do a film version of Chambers' Yellow Sign stories (which I highly recommend to all students of classic horror and suspence). This was one of the major influences on Lovecraft & the Cthulhu Mythos.
posted by mendip at
1:53 PM
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0 comments
Love Cracked
Looks like someone is doing a mockumentary about Lovecraft's life:
http://biffjuggernaut.com/main.htm
http://biffjuggernaut.com/main.htm
posted by mendip at
1:49 PM
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0 comments
Tarot stuff
http://trionfi.com/0/i/c/ALL-78/
Not the best organized site I've ever come across, but has some nice pics comparing different decks, info, news, etc.
Not the best organized site I've ever come across, but has some nice pics comparing different decks, info, news, etc.
posted by mendip at
1:35 PM
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0 comments
For Northern Virginians
I know I've sent this out before, but want to urge all you "old timers" to check out http://www.norvapics.com/. The site contains pictures and memorabilia from post war Northern Virginia. The discussions taking place on the Message Board are great fun (there's currently a rousing discussion about duckpin bowling in Falls Church and elsewhere going on). It's a pretty neat resource for local history and folklore.
posted by mendip at
7:01 AM
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0 comments
Alert Monty Python!
A neat article about serious codebreaking efforts to find the Grail.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1360111,00.html?gusrc=rss
Of course, a vorpal bunny guards the treasure and will kill all who venture near....
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1360111,00.html?gusrc=rss
Of course, a vorpal bunny guards the treasure and will kill all who venture near....
posted by mendip at
6:25 AM
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0 comments
more supernatural fiction on the way...
Be sure to check out Hippocampus Press at http://www.hippocampuspress.com/. They've got all sorts of Lovecraftian stuff coming out for the holidays.
posted by mendip at
6:21 AM
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0 comments
New CAS next month!
THE FANTASTIC WORLDS OF CLARK ASHTON SMITHJames Van Hise is shooting for a late December release for THE FANTASTIC WORLDS OF CLARK ASHTON SMITH. This book examines Clark Ashton Smith's life and work from many perspectives, with such articles as The Books of CAS by Joseph Bell & Roy Squires, the poetry of CAS, The Weird Fiction of CAS, a 1950s comic book story by Basil Wolverton which was clearly based on The Vaults of Yoh-Vombis and more. Artwork is also prominently featured here, with illustrations by Richard Corben, Frank R. Paul (numerous pulp illustrations), Alien Koszowski, Rick McCollum, Tim Kirk, and Clark Ashton Smith himself as he sometimes illustrated his own pulp stories in WEIRD TALES.
THE FANTASTIC WORLDS OF CLARK ASHTON SMITH (edited by James Van Hise) is 8 1/2 x 11, 192 pages with a full color front cover byFrank R. Paul (from WONDER STORIES illustrating The City of the Singing Flame) and full color back cover from the British pulp magazine TALES OF WONDER (also illustrating The City of the Singing Flame). Each book is $17.95 + $7.00 priority shipping or $3.00 media mail (overseas shipping will be more).
Order from: James Van Hise, 57754 Onaga Trail, Yucca Valley, CA 92284. Email: Jimvanhise@aol.com
THE FANTASTIC WORLDS OF CLARK ASHTON SMITH (edited by James Van Hise) is 8 1/2 x 11, 192 pages with a full color front cover byFrank R. Paul (from WONDER STORIES illustrating The City of the Singing Flame) and full color back cover from the British pulp magazine TALES OF WONDER (also illustrating The City of the Singing Flame). Each book is $17.95 + $7.00 priority shipping or $3.00 media mail (overseas shipping will be more).
Order from: James Van Hise, 57754 Onaga Trail, Yucca Valley, CA 92284. Email: Jimvanhise@aol.com
posted by mendip at
5:56 AM
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0 comments
Friday, November 26, 2004
WMD
We almost lost Erie:
http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2004111250060
Cheers,
Mr. Whipple
http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2004111250060
Cheers,
Mr. Whipple
posted by mendip at
6:01 PM
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0 comments
New Zealand - Land of Opportunity
This sounds suspciously like my own high school graduating class. I am glad that we set an example that even today resonates in the international arena. Remember the Titans!!!
http://tlc.discovery.com/news/afp/20041115/career.html
http://tlc.discovery.com/news/afp/20041115/career.html
posted by mendip at
4:19 PM
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New Lovecratian book
This looks kinda interesting: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1930846258/qid=1101446288/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/002-4209393-0825614?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
The guy uses his Palm device like a hand of Glory, apparently.....
The guy uses his Palm device like a hand of Glory, apparently.....
posted by mendip at
9:44 AM
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0 comments
T.C. Williams update
Yes, they're going to tear down my old high school. I admit to being kinda ambivalent about the whole thing. I'm not one of thsoe people who was really into high school, nor am I overly nostalgic. On the other hand, there's something at least slightly comforting about driving or walking around and being able to see something out of one's personal past. That'll be gone soon. The new structure will mean nothing to me. There's going to be a lot of ghosts excised when those walls come tumbling down - the sound of Ed Raskind's sharp quips echoing down C Hall, the sinister clouds of the smoking hall, the Darwinian terror of the rest rooms, etc. All uprooted. At any rate, here's a link to the construction plans:
http://www.acps.k12.va.us/construction/tcw_112404.pdf
http://www.acps.k12.va.us/construction/tcw_112404.pdf
posted by mendip at
1:54 AM
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0 comments
C.A.S. site
I've always been a big fan of the American fantasy writer, Clark Ashton Smith. Here's a nice site devoted to him: http://alangullette.com/lit/smith/
posted by mendip at
1:34 AM
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0 comments
NecronomiCon to Resume?
It looks like there's going to be an attempt to resurrect NecronomiCon (THE convention for all fans of the Cthulhu Mythos). Virtually no details yet, but here's the site:
http://www.necronomi-con.com/
http://www.necronomi-con.com/
posted by mendip at
1:25 AM
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0 comments
One of my fave cartoons
I still find "Making Fiends" to be one of the most charming little cartoons I've ever seen.
http://www.makingfiends.com/
http://www.makingfiends.com/
posted by mendip at
1:22 AM
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Test Posting #1
This is a test of posting. This is a link: http://www.c-span.org/
posted by mendip at
12:38 AM
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0 comments
