Weirdness: June 2005

http://www.savetoby.com/updates/13.php

I love emotional extortion! (I also love the taste of rabbit...). The interesting thing is how NO pay service on the Internet will allow this guy to solicit donations. I guess they consider eating a rabbit immoral, as opposed to the tidal wave of pornography, mortgage scams, fake pharmaceuticals, ponzi schemes and "date" services that banks are soooo willing to support on the 'net. Thank goodness for Standards!

very cool news resource

http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/flash/

This site has various maps from around the world pinpointing the locations of major newspapers. As you run your mouse over the spots, that paper's front page for today is displayed. Double clicking on the spot will bring up a pdf of the front page as well as a link to the actual paper. Tres neat!

When Hemadrones Attack!

http://www.courttv.com/scripts/features/clickBack.asp?tempV=105649&urlP=/trials/news/0605/24_krause_ctv.html

Clearly, the authorities are attempting to cover up THE TERRIBLE TRUTH about subterranean flesh eating Chinese monsters. The Truth is out there!

Britain's Future?

http://news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=710322005

Shopping Site For Zombies

http://www.brains4zombies.com/brains.html

ZWI

http://www.wftv.com/news/4659838/detail.html

Local Books

http://www.arcadiapublishing.com/about.html

Just discovered this publisher devoted to books on local history (including Arlington). Neat!

True Gamesmen!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050626/ap_on_fe_st/mexico_chess_record

A great article about Manos!

http://www.elpasotimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050627/NEWS/506270336/1001

Hide & Seek Prank

http://www.wimp.com/sport/

Of course, any Monty Python fan knows how serious this sport really is...

insane skydiving

http://www.alldumb.com/item/12283/

Coffee Art

http://www.damnfunnypictures.com/html/Coffee-Art.html

competition ofr Domino's...

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/06/20/phone-drugs050620.html

Special Agent Eugene Mirman

http://www.alldumb.com/item/12355/

Creepy Album Covers

http://www.damnfunnypictures.com/html/Creepy-album-covers.html

The Face

http://www.alterfin.com/dominique/

Good News for Zombiephiles!

http://www.archive.org/details/night_of_the_living_dead

You can now watch the classic Night Of The Living Dead online!

when nature calls...

http://www.clarkmade.com/show.html

The Eye of Sauron Lives!!!

http://www.newscientistspace.com/article.ns?id=dn7564

A very nice article about the upcoming Serenity film - in the Weekly Standard!

http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/005/757fhfxg.asp?pg=2

Happy Birthday Captain!

http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/K/htmlK/keeshanbob/keeshanbob.htm

http://timstvshowcase.com/kangaroo.html

http://www.tvparty.com/lostterrytoons.html

Happy Birthday Dark Shadows!!!

Yes, 'twas on this date in '66 that someone had the bright idea of introducing a vampire to a soap opera. Everybody had to rush home from school so as to catch at least part of the 3:30 broadcast. Vampirism, lycanthropy, witchcraft, and ghosts were all the rage, (It didn't hurt having a young Kate Jackson or Lara Parker to stare at...). Of course the plots were cheesy, the action was lame and plodding, the dialogue was so stilted it could have been featured in a circus act; but it was neater than anything that had come before it in daytime TV. It solidified the vampire as a creature of pity and romance in an entire generation of kids, and gave me something to do after school. So, for those of you who remember, I'll see you at the Blue Whale tonight...

http://www.darkshadowsonline.com/

http://www.zurc2.com/dstw.html

NextFest report

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=scienceNews&storyID=8892306&src=rss/scienceNews

Happy Birthday Peter Lorre!!!

M, The Maltese Falcon, Casablanca - everybody's favorite slimy dude!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000048/

http://www.seahaas.com/thepit/lorre.html

What Egyptian God Are You?

http://selectsmart.com/FREE/select.php?client=egyptiangods

Haunted Attraction Magazine

http://www.hauntedattraction.com/

Life without clicking

http://www.dontclick.it/

The Food Timeline

http://www.foodtimeline.org/

Kinda neat.

a new episode of Xombie is out!

http://www.xombified.com/main.html

One of my fave cartoons...

The Onion of the Future!

http://www.theonion.com/2056-06-22/index_b.php

Goth Gifts

http://www.pushindaisies.com/candypress/scripts/default.asp

real bionic man

http://www.local6.com/news/4643968/detail.html

Very cool.

Zombie Infection Simulation

http://kevan.org/proce55ing/zombies/

Bee Fight

http://www.wimp.com/bee/

Fascinating photography.

Red Sox & Mastercard

http://www.wimp.com/left/

the evolution of man & woman

http://walter.no.sapo.pt/humor/2001-06-28/humor-044.gif

Stoen Brewery's new release!

http://www.stonebrew.com/irs/

neat new computer screen made out of fog!

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/briefs/20050620/fogscreen.html?source=msn_cml

the return of Pub Rock!

FYI - Not Lame Records is now advertising a new band called the Virginia Sisters. They sound like classic '76 pub rock. Do anything you wanna do, but I'd advise checking them out...

the forgotten Beatle...

Happy Birthdya Stu!

http://www.beatlesagain.com/bstu.html

http://www.stu-sutcliffe.com/

D.C. government in a nutshell

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/20/AR2005062001003_pf.html

neat Ford commercial featuring King Kong

http://www.wimp.com/kong/

Copier Repair

http://www.wimp.com/fatlady/

Lesson #1 in Artillery - Beware the Kickback

http://www.wimp.com/artillery/

Ha! The Sperm Journey!

http://www.alldumb.com/item/12245/

Snail Crossing

http://www.alldumb.com/item/12260/

I Triple Dog Dare You!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/1/hi/england/tyne/4102394.stm

near article on solar sailed spacecraft

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/19/AR2005061900653.html?referrer=emailarticle

Happy Birthday Brian Wilson!

http://www.brianwilson.com/

It's kinda interesting that I've only gotten into Wilson's music since becoming an adult. Perhaps it fits into that old saying of youth being wasted on the young. I can't say anything about Pet Sounds that hasn't already been said a thousand times before. And there's no need to - just listen to it...

The REAL Tasmanian Devil!

Happy Birthday Errol Flynn!!!

http://www.inlikeflynn.com/

http://www.errolflynn.net/

Fathers Day

This is no longer a particularly happy day for me, nor for many of you reading this. The reminders seem constant in ads on the web, in newspapers and the media. For those of you who can connect with your father, I hope you do so. For those of you who are fathers, I'd like to suggest you take your kids out for a banana split. Forty years from now they'll still remember that gesture with a smile. I guarantee it.

Dick Cavett on DVD!

Another tidbit from ICE - the Dick Cavett shows featuring rock performers are being released on DVD starting in August. It'll be called Rock Icons. Neat stuff! The Janis interview is a classic...

Children of Nuggets!!!

ICE magazine is reporting that Rhino will release this title on August 30th, consisting of bands from the 70's & 80's continuing the Nuggets tradition. Performers to include Chris Stamey, the Cramps, the Dream Syndicate, Teengae Fanclub, Julian Cope, the Bangles, and the Soft Boys. Essential.

nice site devoted to Warren comics

http://www.pixeltube.com/wmc/sindex.html

Monster Trading Cards!

http://www.goodstuffcards.com/

Including Dwight Frye and Tor Johnson!

Eerie Horror Film Festival

http://www.eeriehorrorfest.com/

Only 12 Days Left To Save Toby!

http://www.savetoby.com/

There are even sites in reaction to Toby:

http://www.screwtoby.com/

http://www.whereistoby.com/

http://www.kidnaptoby.com/

http://www.helptoby.com/

http://www.reallysavetoby.com/

Bakshi & Frazetta's "Fire & Ice" to be released!

http://www.dvdtoons.com/news/783

Cool!!!

Norman Roswell

http://www.normanroswell.com/

When I'm 63...

Happy Birthday Paul McCartney!!!

fanzine devoted to Warren Publications

http://www.spookyfanzine.com/

Cool!

Anitques Roadshow & the Stones...

http://www.brokennewz.com/displaystory.asp_Q_storyid_E_1256antiqueston

real life tetris

http://www.ifilm.com/ifilmdetail/2673363?htv=12

some new Cthulhu t-shirts

http://www.kthulhukitsch.com/shirts.html

The Muppet Show is being released on DVD!!!

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=3506

Cthulhu music package

http://www.middlepillar.com/releases/mpp979.html

I know nothing of this band or its music. I just know that I must own it...

Happy Bunker Hill Day!!!

http://www.ehow.com/how_10196_celebrate-bunker-hill.html

http://www.noblenet.org/year/bunkerhill.html

Monterey Pop Festival anniversary!

It was on this date in '67 that it began. My fave music festival - the last time that you'd see a real mix of pop, soul & rock - AM & FM performers. The DVD on it is awesome. It made or solidified the popularity and reputations of the Mamas & Papas, Hugh Masekela, the Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin with Big Brother & The Holding Company, Canned Heat, Otis Redding, the Who, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Laura Nyro, the Association, the Buffalo Springfield, Ravi Shankar, Eric Burdon & the Animals, the Byrds, Simon & Garfunkel, Country Joe & The Fish, Al Kooper, the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, and Quicksilver Messenger Service. Essential.

the cutting edge of pizza toppings

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/3227978

Bewitched in Salem

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050616/ap_on_en_tv/bewitched_statue

Alert Queequeg!

http://theadvertiser.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,15601086%255E910,00.html

Act of God

http://www.abpnews.com/pages/photo_window.cfm?PAGE_ID=165&FILE_ID=238&IMAGE_NO=1

Ultima Vegetarian

http://www.alldumb.com/item/12206/

Darth Prankster

http://www.alldumb.com/item/12202/

Barter

http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/4611894/detail.html

Alert Michael Caine!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4096706.stm

This is complete and total bullshit. Oprah has about as much chance of being Zulu as I do. Her grasp of history is about as good as mine of vapid television production. How pathetic.

Cheers,
Shaka Blau

The Long & Winding Road....

On this date in 1956, Lennon first met McCartney...

Happy Birthday Ernest!

http://www.peteranthonyholder.com/cjad28.htm

EEEEEWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.bucksherald.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=789&ArticleID=1053787

a nice article about the code/puzzle at the CIA

http://books.guardian.co.uk/news/articles/0,6109,1504317,00.html

drunk armadillo

Justifiable homicide

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,159330,00.html

Gene Splicing

http://www.fungod.com/coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=20

the squirrel

http://www.wimp.com/talented/

Monster Mini-golf

http://monsterminigolf.com/

Bad Bunnies!

http://www.mangoat.net/archives/1113863399310.jpg

Forget about Ant Farms - This Is Cool!

http://www.antlionfarms.com/

Classic...

http://www.ifilm.com/ifilmdetail/2672935?showw=no&refsite=6721&htv=12&htv=12

Triumph The Insult Dog interviews Jacko's fans

the James Bond vehicle guide

http://home11.inet.tele.dk/ifo/bmt216a/

the oldest astronomical computer

http://www.math.sunysb.edu/~tony/whatsnew/column/antikytheraI-0400/kyth1.html

cool!!!

Rock & Roll - Thesaurusized

http://www.mcsweeneys.net/2005/5/12falvey.html

Happy Birthday Basil Rathbone!!!

http://www.basilrathbone.net/

Another Fave! Whether he was Sherlock Holmes tracking down villains or crossing swords with Errol Flynn, Rathbone was suave and classy.

Happy Birthday Paul Lynde!

Most game shows suck. A few can be fun and even challenging, (Jeapardy, Win Ben Stein's Money, and Password come to mind). And some have had their moments, such as To Tell The Truth and What's My Line. But imho only two were truly entertaining, Groucho's You Bet Your Life and the classic episodes of the Hollywood Squares. And a big reason for that was the guy in the center box: Paul Lynde. Quick witted, sharp, and catty, you knew when a contestant called on him that the joke was already revving up. (Wally Cox and Charlie Weaver were also fine comedic stalwarts). I won't go on, just check out some of his game question answers. Very cool dude who lived a sad life - I don't think he realized how good he was, where he was.

http://www.classicsquares.com/lyndesquares.html

The Orphanage of Cast-Off Mascots

http://www.lileks.com/institute/orphanage/index.html

Madame Talbot's

http://www.madametalbot.com/

A strange little web store selling dark and gothic Victorian bric a brac.

School Closings (tee hee!)

http://www.damnfunnypictures.com/html/Carolina-News-Owned.html

Trust, in a marriage, is a beautiful thing

http://forgetmenotpanties.contagiousmedia.org/index.html

a neat little article about the Corryvrekan Whirlpool

http://heritage.scotsman.com/myths.cfm?id=630222005

RIP Leon Askin

Everyone knew him as General Burkhalter on Hogan's Heroes, but I'll always remember him playing a Soviet Commissar in the brilliant film comedy, One Two Three. He had the best line in the movie. When asked by a rapidly deflating idealist if everyone in the world is corrupt, he quickly replies that he doesn't know everyone....

Claybots

http://news.scotsman.com/scitech.cfm?id=632012005

The up and coming technology is just amazing, isn't it?

Leftover Lunch

http://leftoverlunch.contagiousmedia.org/index.htm

the origami house!

http://www.robogumby.com/papercrane/

How the Mighty have fallen!!!

Frankenhooker

http://www.frankenhooker.com/friends.htm

It would be an interesting exercise to try and come up with some sort of (normally) unimaginable sexual fetish that ISN'T represented on the Internet. I am almost afraid to try and google the combinations I could come up with, for fear of finding that there really are sites devoted to guppies and latex, tapioca and electric fans, anything involving the Wilson Bridge, or George Will in a tutu. The mind shudders.

Bullseye!

http://www.tonyahardingshotjfk.com/pages/1/index.htm

As many of you know, I have always been entertained by conspiracy theories. This one is a beauty! Tonya Harding is a reincarnation of Lee Harvey Oswald. Oh yea, and I almost forgot to mention, the webmaster is a reincarnation of the Egyptian god, Ra. A classic.

The Motherboard Chronicles

http://www.brokennewz.com/displaystory.asp_Q_storyid_E_1130mbcone

A classic. It's nice to know that someone else has the same experience with machines that I do.

Find Those Black Sheep Ancestors!

http://www.blacksheepancestors.com/

Entrances to Hell!

http://www.entrancestohell.com/

the power of compressed air

http://www.wimp.com/compressed/

when catfish try to eat basketballs

http://www.damnfunnypictures.com/html/Catfish-and-a-Basketball.html

interesting article about the "rods from God" weapon system

http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/005/700oklkt.asp

Happy Birthday Nancy Sinatra

http://www.nancysinatra.com/

I can almost hear some of you laughing me as I type this - but damnit, Nancy is Cool! She started out with a bunch of forgetable records in the early 60's and then ran into a gravel voiced dude named Lee Hazelwood, and the hits poured out - Friday's Child, Sugar Town, Summer Wine, Jackson, Lady Bird and the ultra-cool psycho-mystical Some Velvet Morning. And let's not forget her theme song, the immortal These Boots Are made For Walkin' - proto-feminist battle cry or the national anthem of S&M - you decide. Neat sutff!

Mmm, mmm, Good!

Arrrr Matey! The Office Pirate!

http://www.pirates-life.com/video.html

Cephalopodic Robots - Can Mecha-Cthulhu be far behind?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4617291.stm

The Cutting Edge of Immigration

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050607/ap_on_re_us/chain_saw_border

The Storm Of The Century - And More...

For those of you outside the D.C. area, last night witnessed one of the most spectacular lighting storms in my lifetime. The thunder and crash of the bolts was deafening, and there are many here still without power today. But the storm was much more than that, so much more….
It all began at this time last year. We were in the midst of a massive cicada hatching and the whole region was inundated with the little beasties. Roads became slick, trees were denuded, and some folks in a dead panic. A true example of nature’s dominance over man. I began to think, if I could control such a horde, I could, dare I say it, RULE THE WORLD! But How?!? There was no way to exert such control over near-mindless bugs; and even if one could, the next hatching would be 17 long years off – longer than it takes to drive through Falls Church! There had to be a way…And then it came to me! I needed to create MY OWN cicadas. By creating them myself, they would psychologically “imprint” themselves to follow me as a “parent” figure, such as many other animals do. They would do my bidding, obey my every whim, perhaps even pick me up at the airport! The possibilities were endless and seductive.
The next question was how to create my own horde. And again, in a flash, it came to me – I would take the parts of dead cicadas, put them together to form new beings and reanimate them! It was SO simple! Now, I can almost see you smirking and nodding in mockery at me, just like the professors at the academy. But I’ll show you – and them! For I possess the secrets of Life AND Death!
I had not been idle this past year. My researches were arcane and moved far beyond the pale limits of current scientific knowledge. I still had my “Visible Man” model from 4th grade, a catalog from Edmund’s Scientific, and a nearly complete set of Health & Wellness magazine. And the hours I spent poring over the free pamphlets in my doctor’s waiting room – I knew I was ready! I had left the text books and lectures of my professors far behind.
Cicada parts were needed, of course. Oh, it was gruesome business, going out in the dead of night, digging up their little graves and bringing the cadavers back to my lab. All had to be done in the strictest secrecy. The neighbors here are an ignorant and superstitious lot. There have already been several regrettable incidents in the past, based on their irrational response to the pursuit of science. The way they breed, you’d think they’d hardly miss one or two children, but their rapaciousness knows no bounds. I do take some small measure of blame in these matters. I was not always as cautious as scientific propriety demands. That time in the grocers when I walked by the milk cartons with the kids’ photos on them, I simply couldn’t stop giggling while screaming “If they only KNEW the TERRIBLE TRUTH!!!” But I still maintain that the resulting unpleasantness was unwarranted and nothing more than the ignorant fear mongering of uncouth rabble. There is no respect for honest research here.
At any rate, I had painstakingly acquired the parts necessary for my new creation, which I had decided to name Cicadastein. I had even acquired female organs for a second creature – a bride. Through mating, I could save myself the trouble of operations - my army of doom would breed itself into existence!
For days I labored over my creations, carefully constructing them. My head swooned from the deadly vapors of Elmer’s Glue, but nothing would stop me! I was too close! I had to go on! At last all was ready for the final phase – and this is where failure revealed itself. I needed power, and massive amounts of it. The electrical connections we had here just weren’t enough. You’d think that living in the wealthiest county in America would preclude such a problem. But North Springfield seems to be in some sort of utilities ghetto. We only got cable internet a year ago or two ago. And during that last hurricane, the power went off and took days to return. I’ve already written in the past about the near cholera epidemic we had to endure and the savagery that the neighborhood sank into during those dark days. Well, things have not improved. For each time I began my reanimation of the creature, every circuit in the neighborhood blew and I had to put up with the whining of peasants and pointless interruptions by ignorant gendarmes with their tiresome questions. No, this would not work – I needed more power!
Well. this week’s weather reports gave me the solution. Last night I had rigged metal framed kites on the roof of Blau Manor, connected by steel thread to my lab’s generator. I’d also attached several extra lighting rods to the chimney, with the same wired destination. I was ready. By midnight, the storm began in earnest. The wind howled in mournful tones, carrying the kites aloft. Rain battered the Manor in sheets, and all about us was a din of thunder that was deafening. I had already made the final preparations, and had extra Elmer’s on hand in case of emergency. Power coursed through the turbines, there was smoke everywhere, with a strong smell of ozone in the air, every hair on my body stood on end from the static electricity, as great arcs of it flew and cascaded amongst the machines I’d assembled – adding their whining and humming to the tumult above. At this point I had screamed out to Igor, er, I mean Linda, to get on the roof and help adjust the kites and rods to get the maximum number of lightning strikes at the height of the storm, but she cravenly refused, (The woman is impossible! How am I to take over the world with these constant interruptions and displays of pettiness? It’s always me, me, me! But what about Science?!?).
Despite this mulish Luddite attitude, I continued, confident that success was at hand. At that instant, a direct strike hit the Manor. There was a blinding explosion of sparks that threw me off my feet. I may have blacked out for a moment, and I noticed that my beard was smoking and my clothing had been singed when I shook myself awake. When I got up, I went over to Cicadastein. I saw no movement, but still placed my stethoscope against his chest – and heard it!!! It was a steady thumping noise! Its heart was beating - strongly! My joy knew no bounds! I think I nearly fainted, to be truthful. I ripped off the stethoscope and threw my head back – ready to proclaim my membership in the House of the Gods, when cruel Fate played her wicked hand. For upon removing the stethoscope, it became obvious that the thumping I’d heard had merely been Linda banging on the bedroom wall, yelling that it was now nearly one o’clock, and to stop making all that damn racket and get to bed.
A little piece of me died that day, (I think it was a piece of my beard). But serious scientific inquiry can never be stopped by such temporary setbacks. There is another storm predicted for Friday. I am ready. Additional research has led me to what went wrong. You may have suspected it too – it was the Elmer’s. Next time, there’ll be no mistakes – Epoxy.

And here's to you, Mrs Robinson

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=828235

Apparently, she didn't understand the importance of her roles. The Miracle Worker is about hope, Mrs. Robinson, about corruption... 'Tis the times we live in....

Canadian Coastal Cape Colonized!

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1118146364014_8/?hub=SciTech

Sino Seamen Successfully Sail - Secure Seacoast - Settlement Seen! Startled Scholars Scoff!

A neat article on EC Comics

http://www.reason.com/0506/cr.fh.the.shtml

a nice little Halloween site...

http://www.samhain.com/

Jews Rock!

http://www.jewsrock.org/index.cfm

Alert Captain Nemo!

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1642355,00.html

new killer drone for the military

http://www.defensetech.org/archives/001584.html

Happy Birthday Damien, you lil' devil, you!

According to the film dialogue, Damien Thorne was born on this date...

The "temporary fad" that won't go away

Bill Haley & His Comets' Rock Around The Clock hit #1 on this date in 1955 - FIFTY YEARS AGO! I love that song.

Happy Birthday Gary "U.S." Bonds!!!!

http://www.garyusbonds.com/

A great shouter, Quarter To Three is still one of the best drunken rave-ups of all time. The two albums he did with Bruce and Little Stephen also shine (Dedication & On The Line). Linda and I've seen him perform twice. The second time, I admit, was a little too sloppy and loose; but that first concert was wonderful, his rendition of Daddy's Come Home (off of Dedication) was one of those moments of an old stage vet, weary, but still in control, taking charge of a song and the audience in a way only 25+ years can allow you to. Very moving.

Happy Birthday Levi Stubbs!!!

First of all, I just LOVE that name! Secondly, Stubbs is the lead singer of the Four Tops, one of my fave Motown performers. The guy has a great voice that can take some of the softer sounding Holland Dozier & Holland songs and add just a little bit more R&B grit to 'em. The Tops' hits include"I Can't Help Myself", "Bernadette" and a dozen other great tunes, as well as Linda and Susan's favorite : "Ain't No Woman Like The One-Eyed Gott". ;)

Happy Birthday Nathan Hale!

One of my heroes...

http://www.ctssar.org/patriots/nathan_hale.htm

http://ursamajor.hartnet.org/als/nathanhale/

D-Day anniversary today

So much has been written about this over the years. I just read Stephen Ambrose's book, D-Day, a couple of months ago. It just leaves you with a sense of wonder about those guys sailing, flying and slogging their way into Normandy. Almost overwhelming to contemplate.

Carnival of Souls webcast!

http://www.countgore.com/Lab.htm

That Ghost Host With The Most, Count Gore De Vol is webcasting one of the better cult horror movies: Carnival of Souls. Cool stuff!

Neverland Ahead!

important words to know

http://home.earthlink.net/~ortyortwein/id18.html

OMG!!! IT'S TORGO_MANIA!!!

Just got this email from the MST3000 folks:

What's the worst movie ever made? The subject is open to debate, but for over a decade, many MSTies have agreed on one answer: "Manos: The Hands of Fate." Now "Entertainment Weekly" joins that consensus with a four-page article highlighting Torgo, the Master and other denizens of Hal Warren's infamous creation. Oh, and it quotes a certain Michael J. Nelson, too. Look for the June 10, 2005 issue in a mailbox or magazine rack near you.

Anyone who has not swooned to the magnificence that is Manos is missing out on a deeply spiritual experience! Once you've seen the character, Torgo - there's no going back!

Jack Vance's Dying Earth In Print!

I jsut found out that all four books of Jack Vance's Dying Earth series have been combined in paperback and entitled Tales Of The Dying Earth. These are some of my all-time fave stories! Vance is a wonderful writer of literate, erudite, sardonic wit. His fantasy books are small treasures of imagination. Amazon is carrying it; I'm sure everyone else is too. No serious collection of fantasy literature is complete without it.

when chickens get depressed

http://funreports.com/2005/05/17/59822.html

Fascinating - a site devoted to one wheeled vehicles

http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/TRANSPORT/motorwhl/motorwhl.htm

the missing frog

this is very cute

http://lostfrog.org/

On this date, Billy Joe MacAllister jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge

I still remember quite clearly getting ready for school each morning in the early Fall of 1967. My mother would have the radio going in her bedroom, and every day we'd hear Bobbie Gentry's Ode To Billy Joe. I think it's a wonderful tune, kinda spooky, almost creepy in the instrumentation. I consider it the national anthem of Southern Gothic culture. A very nice mix of sounds. Hearing it every morning at that age kinda wraps a song around your DNA, I still enjoy the record, and it still keeps me interested in its tale.
There are very few real mysteries in pop culture. Oh, there are always lyrics to be decoded. There are whole cottage industries devoted to going through some of the songs of Dylan, the Beatles, the Doors and REM. But that's a kind of symbolic cryptography; actual story-based mysteries are few and far between. The only other one that comes to mind offhand is who was Carly Simon singing about in You're So Vain, (the smart money says it was Beatty). But Bobbie Gentry created a plotline that is just as intriguing now as it was nearly 40 years ago. Just what the hell did Billy Joe and that girl throw off the Tallahatchie Bridge, and why did he follow it a day or two later? There was the movie made in the 70's - I've not actually seen it, but the plot I've read about seems unlikely to me. It doesn't really fit the lyrics and the idea that a novice C&W singer in the mid sixties was going to write about a gay boy's suicide as their first commercial release doesn't really ring true to me.
There are sites out there that go into analysis of the song in great detail, but none of them really crack the case. The mystery is still there. There are only a couple of ways to get the answer: Bobbie Gentry ain't talkin', and neither is the Tallahatchie...

http://www.geocities.com/odetobobbiegentry/lyric/lotbj.htm

Do you speak Jive?

I just saw an announcement that on 11/15 there's to be a DVD release of: Airplane: Don't Call Me Shirley Special Collector's Edition!

While Sargeants Played A Marching Tune...

Sgt. Pepper was released on this date (in America) in 1967.

Weirdness

Thursday, June 30, 2005

Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Tuesday, June 28, 2005

Monday, June 27, 2005

Happy Birthday Captain!

Happy Birthday Dark Shadows!!!

Sunday, June 26, 2005

Happy Birthday Peter Lorre!!!

Saturday, June 25, 2005

Friday, June 24, 2005

Thursday, June 23, 2005

the return of Pub Rock!

the forgotten Beatle...

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Monday, June 20, 2005

Sunday, June 19, 2005

Fathers Day

Saturday, June 18, 2005

Dick Cavett on DVD!

Children of Nuggets!!!

When I'm 63...

Friday, June 17, 2005

Thursday, June 16, 2005

Monterey Pop Festival anniversary!

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

The Long & Winding Road....

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

Monday, June 13, 2005

Friday, June 10, 2005

RIP Leon Askin

Thursday, June 09, 2005

Wednesday, June 08, 2005

Tuesday, June 07, 2005

The Storm Of The Century - And More...