Weirdness: September 2006

online recordings of Poe's poems

http://www.angelfire.com/pa3/poeaudio/ra.html
Including a few by Basil Rathbone and Michael York.

For all fans of Klarkash-Ton

http://www.eldritchdark.com/

The Eldritch Dark website has become pretty much the official site for the fans of one of my fave Fantasy authors, Clark Ashton Smith. They have a new "look" to their site and I highly recommend it to all interested in the romantic, decadent, sardonic, and wondrous works of CAS.

Xombie on Myspace

http://www.myspace.com/officialxombie

I've really enjoyed this cartoon so far.

AMC Monsterfest Is Coming!

http://www.monsterfest.amctv.com/schedule.jsp

'Tis The Eve Of The Black Month!!!

http://www.halloweenonlinemagazine.com/party/party1-1.html

Happy October Eve! Time to get ready for Halloween! As always, I heartily recommend the Gothtober calendar at:
http://www.gothtober.com/

Check it out each day!

We're back!

We just got back from a little two day trip to Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Had a wonderful time - lots of good food. Managed to find a couple neat new Halloween figurines, also gave me a chance to start re-reading the Guns Of October while sitting around the B&B. Good stuff!

For DC "Old Timers": a WPGC tribute site

http://www.amandfmmorningside.com/splash.html

This is so cool! In the mid sixties, if you were a kid, you really only ahd three stations, (all of them on AM), and those were WPGC, WEAM and if you were into Soul music, WOL. ((There were one or two more, whom I barely remember. WEEL broadcast out of some hole in Fairfax; I doubt they had more than a hamster on an exercise wheel for power, the signal always sucked)).

At any rate, if you remember any of this nonsense, you've gotta check this site out. They've got nice bios of the disc jockeys, station stories, and recordings of soundchecks and commercials from those times. There are some nice memories here. So here's to JA The DJ, Harv Moore, Bob Peyton and Tiger Bob, and to my personal fave - Cousin Duffy!!!

Forget about Godzilla - Beware of the Monster Earwigs of Germany!!!

http://www.wonkette.com/politics/funny-pictures/forget-iran--fear-germany-203986.php

Tokyo Rose died

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/27/AR2006092700133.html?nav=rss_nation

I've read some of the arguments for her innocense over the years and remain unconvinced. The one thing strongly in her favor is that I do beleive she was simply caught in Japan at the wrong time. But I find it highly doubtful that such an allegedly patriotic American would end up broadcasting propaganda for the Emperor. There were many thousands of American and other allied prisoners of the Japanese, (including many women); I don't remember all of them being offered cushy jobs in the propaganda ministry while secretly "helping" the Allied war effort. It just seems a little too convenient.

another sign that we are in the End Times

http://insider.washingtontimes.com/articles/normal.php?StoryID=20060927-120612-5672r

I cannot believe that anyone, especially those with allegedly "sophisticated palates" are switching to Rye Whiskey, one of the foulest things I've ever put in my mouth. In my mis-spent youth, we ALWAYS referred to it as "Old Overcoat", simply because that's what it tasted like. I am not surprised that the Daily Moon is promoting it, since I disagree with them about eveything else, why should this be any different. (I will leave it to you on how seriously to treat reporting from a newspaper that explicity believes its publisher is Jesus Christ). I will also point out, that despite the implications of the paper's reporting, Rye is NOT a subcategory of Bourbon. Doubtlessly the Daily Moon believes that Twinkies are a subcategory of Grand Marnier Souffle. As for the marketing of "premium" rye, as far as I'm concerned that's like talking about premium Boone's Farm, you can only take it so far.
I can't believe people are choking that swill down...

the cutting edge of car ignitions

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/southern_counties/5382878.stm

Library Smut

http://thenonist.com/index.php/thenonist/permalink/hot_library_smut

Actually, some very nice pictures of some of the world's coolest libraries.

Halloween Radio

http://www.neverendingwonder.com/radio.htm

I'm going to recommend this again. NeverEndingWonder Radio is a web based station offering a huge and eclectic mix of horror and Halloween themed music and shows. And starting October 1st, two more stations will come online here: WelcomeToWeirdsville will feature humorous Halloween tunes, while Halloween On Broadway will focus on horror themed musicals. Very cool stuff here, and quite a few rarities.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Loaf!

http://www.meatloaf.net/

http://www.meatloaf-oifc.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tW1N2FbaX1A

Happy Birthday Thomas Nast!

http://cartoons.osu.edu/nast/

America's greatest editorial cartoonist. Creator of the modern Santa Claus.

Happy Birthday Sam Adams!

http://www.lucidcafe.com/library/95sep/adams.html
One of my heroes. If Washington is the Father of our country, Adams was the midwife. One of the four or five Essential men of the Revolution.

Paul Lynde Halloween Special clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agP3_QgGYpQ&eurl=
Besides a chance to see Lynde again, this features the wonderful Margaret Hamilton reprising her Wicked Witch role. Classic!

The Model A Coffin Car!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-Model-A-Haunted-Halloween-Coffin-Car-Casket-Hearse-Gothic_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6234QQihZ010QQitemZ200030046265QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Where's Ed "Big Daddy" Roth?!?

Dylan & Petty perform Louie Louie!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFoaFgsXN-I

Here Comes The Sun...

Abbey Road was released on this date in 1969, (in Britain).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbey_Road_(album)

Teddy Bears - The Silent Killer

http://wusa9.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=52328

Hauntings...

With Halloween approaching, we've got all sorts of pro and semi-pro haunts starting up soon. This first list is of sites that I'm aware of in the mid Atlantic region, the second list is of web pages that can help you locate Haunts outside this area. Enjoy!

Regional Haunts:

http://www.themonstermaze.com/

http://www.darkwoodmanor.net/

http://www.geocities.com/shockwave326/nightmare_forest.html

http://www.creepyhollowhayride.com/

http://www.screamforest.com/

http://www.bennettscurse.com/

http://www.thebatesmotel.com/

http://www.kimskrypt.com/

http://www.coxspoint.com/

http://www.mcginnishill.com/

http://www.campodyssey.org/FF06/ffhome.htm

http://www.hauntedlandon.com/

http://www.nightmaresfromelmridge.com/

http://www.goatmanhollow.com/

http://web.mac.com/markoff/iWeb/MHF/WELCOME.html

http://www.miracletheatre.org/show/hellhouse/

http://www.jasonswoods.com/

http://www.hauntsofrichmond.com/

http://members.cox.net/mjarboe/Halloween.htm

http://www1.paramountparks.com/kingsdominion/fearfest/

http://www.lineborovfd.com/Haunt/index.htm

http://www.fearandevil.com/

http://www.baysox.com/events/house/

http://www.hauntedhikemd.com/

http://www.forest.nightmare-manor.com/

http://www.creepynights.org/

http://www.dlvfrd.org/haunt/index.html

Finding a Haunt in your area:

http://www.hauntfinder.com/

http://www.hauntworld.com/states/index.php

http://www.hauntedhouseonline.com/find_haunts.cfm

http://www.hauntedhouse.com/search/Haunted_Attraction_Directory/

http://www.findahaunt.com/

http://www.hauntedhousenation.com/

http://find.mapmuse.com/re1/interest.php?brandID=CORN_MAZES

http://www.googhoul.com/index.cfm

http://find.mapmuse.com/re1/interest.php?brandID=HAUNTED_ATTRACTIONS

cellphone concert

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5369842.stm

Weird Diving Deaths...

http://articles.news.aol.com/news/_a/mystery-surrounds-deaths-of-coast-guard/20060924144909990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001

The Return Of Sulu!

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--people-georgetake0923sep23,0,945256.story?coll=ny-region-apnewyork

Have It Your Way...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/5371500.stm

Happy Birthday Rocky Horror!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Air3658de9k

Dr. Frankenstein..

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060922/od_nm/austria_heads_dc

One of the heads was named Abbie Normal, I believe...

the curse of Superman!

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/a-curseory-glance-at-superman/22271-8.html

nice cover & video of Bela Lugosi's Dead

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBBPxaG8C4c

For about 15 years now, the Electric Hellfire Club have been providing us with a wonderful soundtrack for damnation. This is the their cover of the (in)famous Bauhaus tune.

video of Smith singing Baby It's You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABcB2dVNdFQ
Many people have covered this tune, but this is my favorite. The group was Smith and this video is from a great music program in 1969 called The Music Scene. Both should have had long successful runs, and both were ignored by the public. Pathetic.

Eddie Cochran - Summertime Blues

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97elblDi3tY

One of the greatest rock'n'rollers of all time. Vastly underappreciated. Ahead of his time in so many ways. One of those guys who really did die way too young.

.

vidoe of Gerry Rafferty singing Baker Street

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KW6SSkEM5o

Wattstax - Black Moses - Shaft

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Yxhk8Zt1QI
It's easily parodied now. But in '73 this was as cool as it got.

take a sad song, and make it better...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8578037198587328970&q=Hey+Jude+is%3Afree&hl=en

Hey Jude hit #1 on this date in '68. Nice tune. I'm feeling old...

Happy Birthday Jim Henson!

http://www.henson.com/

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001345/

http://www.jimhensonlegacy.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Henson

Another genius, sadly missed.

Hokey Smokes! Happy Birthday Rocky & Bullwinkle!

Their show premiered on this date in 1961. Great stuff!

http://bullwinkle.toonzone.net/

http://www.rockyandbullwinkle.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rocky_and_Bullwinkle_Show

video of the Turtles singing Can I Get To Know You Better

http://bedazzled.blogs.com/bedazzled/2006/09/jimmy_durante_m.html

Introduced by Jimmy Durante (!?).

new book on Poe from Arkham House

http://www.arkhamhouse.com/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=arkhamhouse&Product_Code=0-87054-185-4

The Ultimate Conspiracy

Can you, dare you, crack THE NORMAN ROCKWELL CODE???

http://thenormanrockwellcode.lycos.com/player.html

A cute little film and a nice Don Knotts impression.

(Thanks for the link, Nick!)

Isn't this how the film "Alien" began?

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/09/22/D8KA2UUO1.html

Happy Birthday Brother Ray!

http://www.raycharles.com/

The Straight Dope discusses Merkins

http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3_232.html

One of my favorite words; difficult to introduce into casual conversations, however.

a nice interview with Little Steven

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060922/ENT/609220327/1031/ENT

Happy Birthday Bruuuuuce!

http://www.greasylake.org/

http://www.backstreets.com/

http://www.springstomania.com/

http://www.brucespringsteen.net/site.html

See ya at Greasy Lake...

Happy Birthday Butch & Sundance!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=howEAqstkzQ

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064115/

Released on this date in '69, still one of my faves...

new book - High Seas Cthulhu!

http://www.eldersignspress.com/

Ellen Foley - We Belong To The Night

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlD9g2JzD5U
A great singer, unfortunately born about ten years too late to take advantage of the Brill Building years - that would have made her a star. Her work with Meatloaf and Ian Hunter was wonderful too. Here's a video with the latter:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEfR-DyuHjI&mode=related&search=

Ask A Ninja - The Number Three

http://www.askaninja.com/node/1244

Star Wars Monty Python

http://www.fugly.com/videos/6137/star-wars_monty_python.html

White Wedding...

http://www.cheap-chic-weddings.com/wedding-contest-2006.html

a farewell from Buchwald?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/20/AR2006092001785.html
Maybe I'm reading it wrong, but I get a hint of finality here. Another footnote and/or constant in my life, fading out. Someday I'll get around to writing a real appreciation of the man.

photolog of Burning Man 2006

http://marc.merlins.org/perso/bm/2006/

Happy Birthday Professor Kingsfield!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002144/
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAhouseman.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Houseman

Coffin Books

http://nicholimagi.com/nekobat/coffinbooks/coffinbooks.html

Hmmm, am I too old to be playing with dolls?

http://www.headlesshistoricals.com/index.html

Happy Birthday Chuck Jones!

http://www.chuckjones.com/

Interesting research on "shadow people"

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/09/060920-shadow-person.html

My shadow person claims the article is bunk...

nice scarecrow for Halloween

http://halloween.necrobones.com/detritus.html

Happy Birthday H. G. Wells!

http://www.online-literature.com/wellshg/

Boyce & Hart - I Wonder What She's Doing Tonight!

http://bedazzled.blogs.com/bedazzled/2006/09/boyce_hart_i_wo.html
Great pop song, lousy video...

the hidden killer...

http://www.mytelus.com/news/article.do?pageID=oddities_home&articleID=2385173

"Not Guilty" he said offhandedly...

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/articleArchive/sep2006/stolenhand.php

more on the space elevator

http://edition.cnn.com/2006/TECH/space/09/18/space.elevator/index.html

Happy Birthday Jay Ward!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Ward
http://members.shaw.ca/fffff/index.html

http://www.rockyandbullwinkle.com/jwt/

A Genius. Essential.

the intro to The Prisoner

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22T9na7GDFw

My all-time fave TV show, (and the most important one).

Joe Jackson - Is She Really Going Out With Him?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RWyFX3UO_E

Ah yes, 1979...

new Goth box set from Rhino

http://www.rhino.com/gothicbox/?P=RHINews0906

Nightmare Before Christmas in 3D on October 20th...

http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/index.html?dlink=nightmare

The return of 45 Grave!

http://myspace.com/45GRAVE2005

It's Party Time!

Lene Lovich - Lucky Number

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvErh74r-5Q

New Wave/Slavic/Pop. I remember back in '79 she was going to be the next big thing...

We're #1! We're #1!

http://www.wonkette.com/politics/district-of-columbia/were-number-1-201478.php

I love Civic Pride....

"Aside from the murders, DC has one of the lowest crime rates in the country. "
Mayor-For-Life Marion Barry

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/18/AR2006091801305.html

I sympathize with the main thrust of Fischer's article, about the lack of music in District schools. But his example brings up one of my pet peeves. When it comes to being the National Anthem, the Star Spangled Banner stinks. NOBODY knows the words to the damn thing, and no one has the voice range necessary to sing it. And it's just about a single obscure battle to save Baltimore, Hon.
No. What we need is a song that everyone knows the words to, that anyone can sing, and that has a subject matter near and dear to our hearts. There's only one song that matches all of these criteria - the theme song from Gilligan's Island. Oh, you're laughing at me; but just think about it for a sec - you know the words, and so does everyone you know. I think infants may be born now knowing the words, it's so embedded in our DNA.
Nine tenths of the world's population probably has never heard of Baltimore, much less Ft. McHenry. But I bet equal numbers know of Gilligan and the Skipper, (the show is in syndication throughout the globe, and has been for decades). This is a winner...

http://home.mn.rr.com/classictv/Gilligan'sThemeSong.html

the Bishop of Bolton is a big weenie

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/5354030.stm

very cool resource - historical photograph collection

http://www.picture-history.com/

CTHULHU LIVES!!!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloop

for all of your Halloween candle needs...

http://www.darkcandles.com/cp-app.cgi?=&pg=cat&ref=halloweencat

I love these guys, very neat selection, and some excellent scents.

for all of your Halloween candle needs...

http://www.darkcandles.com/cp-app.cgi?=&pg=cat&ref=halloweencat

I love these guys, very neat selection, and some excellent scents.

ARRRR, Matey!

http://www.talklikeapirate.com/piratehome.html

Bowie - Heroes

Just for one day...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejJmZHRIzhY

Arthur Brown - FIRE!

You're gonna burn...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M-F-X1DGAQ

Very neat online book on the making of the Beatles Revolver album

http://revolverbook.co.uk/

(Thanks for the link, Pete & Perry!)

I Am An Army Of One...

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/09/18/terracotta.tourist.ap/index.html

Happy Play-Doh Day!

Talking Heads - Psycho Killer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzEadbTCKDA

A nice rendition of a classic song from the edge. I saw 'em perform it once - a wonderful show. Cliff, Karen and I were at the old Ontario Theatre. It was a typically sullen November night in DC, but there was a nice vibe in the hall. We were somewhere around the first or second row, but off to the side. Security was provided by a Kung Fu club and one of their bruisers was standing directly in front of us and the stage. When this song started he whipped out a pair of nunchucks and did a display to the beat of the music that was awesome. It was like some chop suey epic - rods spinning almost beyond the comprehension of the mind or the ability of the eyes to follow, and very dangerous. Just like the song. A very cool evening.

don't forget - a lot of horror movies are coming up on TV

http://www.tv-now.com/stars/horror.html

The Standells perform Dirty Water/Why Pick On Me!

http://spikepriggen.onlinestoragesolution.com/standells_HP.mov

A lip-synch, but still cool.

a nice article on the Pail & Shovel Party at the University of Wisconsin

http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/pranks/liberty.html

Addams Family DVD news

From the Monsterbash Yahoo Group:

Fox Home Entertainment have announced the Region 1 DVD release ofThe Addams Family Volume 1 for October 24th, 2006 priced at$29.98 SRP. Volume 1 includes the first 22 episodes spread across3 double-sided discs presented in their original Full Frame aspect ratio with English Mono audio.
Disc 1 side A:
1. The Addams Family Goes to School
2. Morticia and the Psychiatrist
3. Fester's Punctuated Romance
4. Gomez the Politician
Disc 1 side B:
5. The Addams Family Tree
6. Morticia Joins the Ladies League
7. Halloween with the Addams Family
8. Green Eyed Gomez
Disc 2 side A:
9. The New Neighbors Meet the Addams Family
10. Wednesday Leaves Home
11. The Addams Family Meet the VIPs
12. Morticia, the Matchmaker
Disc 2 side B:
13. Lurch Learns to Dance
14. Art and the Addams Family
15. The Addams Family Meets the Beatnik
16. The Addams Family Meets the Undercover Man
Disc 3 side A:
17. Mother Lurch Visits the Addams Family
18. Uncle Fester's Illness
19. The Addams Family Splurges
20. Cousin Itt Visits the Addams Family
Disc 3 side B:
21. The Addams Family In Court
22. Amnesia in the Addams Family
Special Features:
* Commentary: "The Addams Family Goes to School" by Arthur Hiller(Director)*
Featurette: "You Rang, Mr. Addams"*
Featurette: "Snap, Snap"*
Theme Song Karaoke

Dracula Tours!

http://www.beyondtheforest.com/Pages/DRAC1.html

Police in the D&D world....

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0347.html
(Thanks for the link, Nick!)

Coronation Day!!!

America's greatest ruler, Emperor Norton I, was self coronated on this day in 1859. Long live the Emperor!!!

http://www.zpub.com/sf/history/nort.html

And here's to you, Anne Bancroft!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000843/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Bancroft

I know she sort of resented the whole Mrs. Robinson thing, which is too bad. She played many great roles, but few get to be identified with and help define a social archetype.

Happy Birthday Fee Waybill, you white punk on dope!

http://www.thetubes.com/waybill.htm

Show-biz and glam, decadence and silliness, satire, excess, and a wink. The Tubes were great fun, and their mid-seventies shows were the stuff of legend...

Happy Birthday Friedrich von Steuben!

One of my heroes...

http://www.americanrevwar.homestead.com/files/VONSTUB.HTM

http://www.answers.com/topic/baron-von-steuben

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baron_Friedrich_von_Steuben

Happy Birthday Elvira, Mistress of the Dark!

http://www.elvira.com/
http://www.myspace.com/2macabre

The Yellow Sign - The Movie!

http://www.lurkerfilms.com/cat/wtc01.html

French-Canadian D&D

http://www.mangoat.net/?q=node/698

Pretty good little film. At times, embarrassingly funny!

cool new Halloween prop

http://www.zippyvideos.com/3749829745875876/halloween_video/*simnzsays

nice article on the Navajo Code Talkers

http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060915/NEWS01/109150100

The Mis-Adventures of hello Cthulhu

http://www.hello-cthulhu.com/?date=2003-11-30

Great Halloween Web Radio

http://www.neverendingwonder.com/

3 great Halloween-themed stations coming online!

Happy Birthday Lauren Bacall!!!

One of my faves! Smart, sexy, classy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MheNUWyROv8

http://themave.com/Bacall/

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000002/

Fireworks!

http://www.fugly.com/videos/6056/tinfoil-fireworks.html

new book on REH

http://www.hippocampuspress.com/other/two_gun_bob.html

the latest Cthulhu fashion accessory!

http://www.entertainmentearth.com/prodinfo.asp?number=TYV12503

a YouTube tour of Count Gore De Vol's Dungeon!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-elrIs8Ync
The Ghost Host with the Most!

the beer cannon

http://youtube.com/watch?v=tJsoybEdm84

HiYo Silver!!!!!

http://www.wimp.com/blwoe/

Halloween Opera arts & crafts show in Pennsylvania

http://www.halloweenopera.com/

H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival in Oregon

http://www.hplfilmfestival.com/

cool mapping resource for Halloween

http://find.mapmuse.com/re1/interest.php?brandID=HAUNTED_ATTRACTIONS
Find a haunted house attraction near you!

Extreme Ironing News

http://www.underwatertimes.com/news.php?article_id=61072584910

Think of the wine bottle it came from!

http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_1275499.php

Yum!

Happy Birthday Torgo!

http://www.torgo.org/torgo/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torgo

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Reynolds_%28actor%29

Tee Hee!

http://go.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=technologyNews&storyID=13490177&src=eDialog/GetContent

So much for the invention that was going to change the very way we lived...

Grace Of My Heart

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116442/

I missed this film when it came out about ten years ago, and just got around to catching it on DVD. One of the most charming movies I've seen in a long time. It's not a perfect flick, but it's a great timepiece about the struggles of being a female songwriter in the sixties. The main character is based on Carole King, and there are excellent caricatures of people like Don Kirshner, the Everlys, Brian Wilson, Little Eva, the Cookies, the Drifters, Ellie Greenwich, Jerry Goffin, Lesley Gore (who comes out in the movie!), and a few neat walk-ons by folks like China Kantner and Chris Isaak. But the lead, played by Illeana Douglas, and her interactions with everyone else are really moving, (particularly with John Turturro's Kirshner/Spector character). The soundtrack is dead-on, with tunes provide by Bacharach & Costello, Gerry Goffin, Lesley Gore, Joni, and Los Lobos, amongst others. A very touching movie. I've watched it three times in the past week.

Curtis Mayfield performs SuperFly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrHezTLex2s
One of the most under-rated songwriters of our time.

The Raiders' Coach

http://bubblegumfink.blogspot.com/2006/09/paul-revere-rodders.html#links

Despite having watched just about every episode of Where The Action Is, I don't remember this rod - does anyone?

Food!

Things To Eat Before You Die

Recently, Yahoo had a site of the day devoted to bloggers listing their favorite foods and meals; things they’d recommend to others or that had a special meaning to them. The address is: http://www.travelerslunchbox.com/journal/2006/8/21/calling-all-bloggers-things-to-eat-before-you-die.html.
It’s a cute idea, and as a professional hedonist, one I found quite attractive. I didn’t post my selections to the Traveler’s Lunchbox for a couple of reasons. First of all, my blog isn’t public, (and I prefer to remain a man of mystery when it comes to the Internet); and there’s no way I could limit myself to a mere five foods! This is important stuff here! So here are some of my ideas and suggestions. They aren’t in any particular order, (there’s no way it could be done, you’d truly be “comparing apples and oranges”); and some are based on a particular time and/or locale as much as the food itself. And that is also as it should be. Eating isn’t just shoving something into your mouth. It’s a moment that involves all the senses as well as one psyche. So, here we go, enjoy!

1. Goat kabob, Naan, and chick peas at Shineys.
Shineys is a wonderful Pakistani bistro in Annandale, and the best kept culinary secret in Northern Virginia. I was introduced to it by a couple of Pakistani coworkers about five years ago. They knew of my love of food and wanted me to experience the “true” taste of their cuisine. It’s fantastic, and Linda and I have been visiting there at least once or twice a month ever since. I’ve never had a bad meal there – chicken, beef, lamb, spinach, rice, samosas, all have been great! But their goat kabob is wonderful, their Naan, (flat bread) is just the right dryness that I love, and the chick peas are to DIE for. Even when Linda is fixing us a meal, I’ve sometimes run up to Shineys just to pick up a bowl of chick peas for a side dish. I could go on for paragraphs, but we’ve got a lot of ground to cover. I can’t recommend Shineys enough, though. They have no web site, but the address is at 4231-D Markham Street, in Annandale, (in the Seoul Plaza). Be aware, the place is VERY plain looking; you’re not there for the decorative effects. But the staff is VERY nice, and you won’t be disappointed with the food.

2. Calamari at Laporta’s.
Laporta’s Restaurant is at 1600 Duke Street. My old friend Ralph helps run it. They don’t also don’t have a website, (what’s up with that, Ralph?). I’d describe the menu as Continental, and I’ve had many great meals there. But the real star of the show is their calamari – very lightly coated, perfectly cooked. I get hungry just thinking about it. People go there just for the calamari. Certainly Linda and I have.

3. Linda’s escargot.
Well, for this I guess you’d need special reservations. I’ve eaten a lot of escargot in my day, in all sorts of restaurants. But Linda’s is THE best. Of course, we have it with fresh French bread, and she usually fixes a side dish of cold spinach with smoked Gouda sprinkled on it. The match is perfect. Cooked in their shells, smothered in homemade herbal butter – yum. The first time she fixed this for me, I proposed that night, (I’m not kidding). Yes, the butter is bad for me. BFD. This is sacrament.

4. Bing cherries on the Western Slope.
The area around Grand Junction Colorado is known for its orchards. Some of the best peaches and apricots I’ve ever eaten have come from there. But one food incident really stands out. I think it was 1965 and my mother was driving Ed and me from my cousins Jim and Dolores’s place to my Uncle Harry’s house (about 75 miles away). Along the way, we stopped at an orchard in an area now known as the Redlands. We bought some very good apricots and a small bucket of bing cherries. Shortly afterwards, we got caught in a terrible hail storm that followed us all the way south to Harry’s place. While the storm raged around us, my brother, my cousins and I stood under the eaves on the back porch gobbling cherries and spitting the pits out, seeing how far we could get ‘em. It felt like a scene out of Tom Sawyer. The cherries were great, as was the company and the free nature show as ice pelted all around us. The area’s much more built up now, and quite a few of those orchards are gone. And I’ve never had cherries quite so good.

5. Grand Marnier soufflé at L’Auberge Chez Francois.
The second best restaurant in the region. Everything about it is excellent. Unbelievable food and service; another place that I could just keep writing on and on about the wonderful experiences I’ve had there. Here’s their website: http://www.laubergechezfrancois.com/. Every time we go, I just gotta order the house specialty for dessert – the Grand Marnier soufflé. The perfect capper to a perfect evening. Light, sweet, and delicious.

6. Stone IPA and Arrogant Bastard beer
Linda and I used to make our own beer, (as many of you know). We gave it up for several reasons, but this is the main one. Stone Brewery is perfect. I LOVE this beer. The IPA is my fave and considered one of the best in the history of mankind. And Arrogant Bastard is well named. One will get you through the day. Stone’s site is http://www.stonebrew.com/ , and it can be purchased at Rick’s at: http://www.rickswine.com/ .

7. Mr. Vitall’s rice.
My old sitar teacher made this for me one time and it was love at first taste. I got the recipe from him and Linda fixes it for us often, (she won’t let me post the recipe!). It consists of basmati rice sautéed in butter, cooked in chicken stock, and a whole bunch of other steps. It creates a light rice dish with a taste that hints at butter and nuttiness. Very nice balance. Wonderful stuff.

8. Five Guys hamburgers
The best burgers in the region, (and the fries are fantastic too!). This is one of those places where you can tell the pros, EVERYONE who knows food can be found there – rich and poor, black and white, etc. Only the Maine Avenue fish market has a more diverse crowd. http://www.fiveguys.com/ .

9. Virginia Gentleman Bourbon
The blood is the life, Mr. Renfield…
http://www.asmithbowman.com/

10. Pizza from Villa Capri
Long gone, unfortunately. My old friend Ron introduced this place to me around 1973/4; they were located on Pickett and Van Dorn Streets. It was beautiful thin crust pizza with lots of cheese and very little tomato sauce. I’ve never had any other pizza as good. It was a nice family restaurant.

11. Banana Split with my Dad.
It was the summer or 1965, and my family was vacationing (again) in Colorado. We were visiting my Uncle Hobart in the town of Cortez. I always loved ice cream, as did my father; but I’d only had it plain or as a sundae. I remember asking him about banana splits and one afternoon he took me out to the soda counter at the town’s drug store and we ordered up a pair. It was just him and me there and I really enjoyed the split. For years afterwards, whenever we’d go traveling we would stop at the local dairy freeze/King/Queen/whatever and sample their splits. It became sort of a tradition with us. But I’ll always remember that first one the best.

12. Beers at the Vienna Inn.
They don’t serve the best beers, (see #6 above), but the V.I. is my favorite place to drink ‘em. Like Five Guys and Maine Avenue, everyone comes there. Casual, unpretentious in the extreme and very comforting. Check ‘em out at http://www.viennainn.com/ .

13. Steak tartar and French fries at Café de Paris.
Ah, the memories! And now it’s no more. I’ve mentioned the Café in the past. After a long night of serious drinking in Gtown you always wanted to end up there just before last call (2AM), order a couple of nightcaps and a plate of steak tartar with a side of their fries. The taste was incredible. The potatoes were really quarter sections – very thick. I’m not sure how they were prepared but believe there was a hint of wine and Worcester Sauce. Whatever, they were the best I’ve ever had. And the steak with French bread was another treat. A wonderful balance of meat and herb, perfectly spreadable. And the bistro was perfect, it really did look and smell like a French eatery. The clientele reflected that, a real international gathering. And because it was open 24/7, it was always available. Linda is still appalled about one of our earliest dates. I picked her up for Sunday breakfast and took her there. She couldn’t get over me ordering steak tartar at 8 in the morning. I am a professional. I really miss that place. A real treasure.

There are other dishes, places and memories, but I think a baker’s dozen should do it for now.

one way to undermine Stalinists...

http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/article1578729.ece

Wasn't this in Austin Powers?

http://www.wftv.com/news/9847338/detail.html?treets=orlc&tid=2654358485813&tml=orlc_strange&tmi=orlc_strange_1_10000309142006&ts=H

Arrr, Matey!

http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=25&sid=912177

I believe these actions make White's Ferry an outlaw boat. Thus: PIRATES ON THE POTOMAC!!! Shiver me timbers! I intend to immediately start a rumor of buried treasure at Glen Echo. Arrrr.....

Happy Birthday Lone Ranger!

http://nimst.tripod.com/cgi-bin/UC1.html

http://www.celebhost.net/claytonmoore/

One of my earliest childhood memories...

Happy Birthday, Witches!

Salem was founded on this date in 1628.

http://www.salemweb.com/guide/witches.shtml

Beatles Stamps!

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20060912-125843-9924r

(Thanks for the news, Pete!)

Management of Dead Bodies in pdf!

http://www.paho.org/english/dd/ped/DeadBodiesFieldManual.htm
I've never had problems managing them before, but want to stay up to date...

(Thanks for the link, John!)

Management of Dead Bodies in pdf!

http://www.paho.org/english/dd/ped/DeadBodiesFieldManual.htm
I've never had problems managing them before, but want to stay up to date...

(Thanks for the link, John!)

Route 42

http://fortetwo.net/

weird title for a movie

http://www.thequeen-movie.com/

Should have been "Inbred Bitch"...

MyDeathSpace

http://www.ghostdroppings.com/comments.php?id=7642_0_1_0_C

The Kinkster's TV Ads!

http://www.kinkyfriedman.com/multimedia/_video/goodshepherd/

http://www.kinkyfriedman.com/multimedia/_video/CleanEnergy/

Ben-Hur Rides Again!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5337836.stm

I'm looking forward to the leprosy outbreak...

The Horta Lives! Alert Captain Kirk!

http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Science-Fiction-News.asp?NewsNum=734

new technology - seeing with your tongue

http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/story?id=2401551&page=1

Fascinating...

Monster Mags!

http://www.gdarkness.com/monstermags/

I love this stuff. My family used to visit my uncle Hobart in the town of Cortez Colorado. He lived just four blocks from the "downtown", which had a drug store with the best selection of comics and monster mags I've ever seen. My brother, our cousin Marshall, and me would hike down there daily to pick up the latest copies of Eerie and Creepy. The dark stories, the Frazetta covers - they were so cool! I wish someone would bring 'em back...

Tick Tock Toys

http://www.theimaginaryworld.com/page4.html

Just discovered this, a site devoted to childhood toys and pleasures. (It includes pics of Storybook Land in Woodbridge!)

more neat horror & Halloween recordings added to Scar Stuff

http://scarstuff.blogspot.com/

This is a real treasure trove...

Scrambled Eggs

"Yesterday" was released 41 years ago on this date. Incredible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-Qq5dr8JLk

Fanatastic - Billiards and Dominos

http://media1.break.com/dnet/media/2006/9/pool_shot_rube_goldberg.wmv

(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

Ray Rage!

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2353742,00.html

Let's see, some guy spends his life going up to large dangerous animals, and molesting them. When the inevitable happens, and one manages to succesfully defend itself, I'm supposed to be all shocked and grief stricken, and finally seek "revenge" against the species that objected to being poked. Get a life, people.

fun stuff!

http://www.nationx.dk/coats/

(Thanks for the link, Sandy!)

Tee Hee!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5335400.stm

"Two" Many Madeleines

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/09/10/wmad10.xml

Capitalism In The News!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5333912.stm

Why not use a picture of a skull?

http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,71724-0.html?tw=wn_index_1

Either that, or a continuously played recording of "Billie Don't Be A Hero". That'd keep me away...

the world ends

http://www.religionnewsblog.com/15749

Why am I never told these things?

the trick-or-treat challenge

http://blog.toneland.net/node/99

I like it! Makes it a challenge! Eat or be eaten...

new edition of Cthulhu Live released!

http://catalog.chaosium.com/product_info.php?products_id=885

Happy Anniversary to The Monkees!

They premiered on this date in '66. The pre-fab four! And actually, one of the more interesting stories in American Pop culture.

http://www.monkees.net/

Happy Defenders Day!

http://www.bcpl.net/~etowner/ssbintro.html

Happy Birthday H. L. Mencken!!!

One of my faves...

http://www.mencken.org/

http://www.io.com/gibbonsb/mencken.html

The Baby Boomer Death Clock

http://www.boomerdeathclock.com/

(Thanks for the link, Rick!)

Ringo!

Ringo replaced Pete Best on this date in 1962.

the young Hitler

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=404301&in_page_id=1770

This'll make a fascinating read for American historians, I've seen references to it for years. (not surprisingly, he appears to be full-fledged nutter...).

Interesting Resistance Fighter of WWII

http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_92471.asp

Happy Grandparents Day!

http://www.grandparents-day.com/

neat article with news and speculation on new aircraft out of Area 51

http://www.popsci.com/popsci/aviationspace/95e16f096bd8d010vgnvcm1000004eecbccdrcrd.html

Gay Robot

http://www.myspace.com/gayrobot

Warhol says everyone will have their 15 minutes of fame...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43IU9ptPq34&mode=related&search=

I say they'll each have their own Numa video...

Happy Birthday Otis!

http://www.otisredding.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZNX4yNDuaA

One of my faves...

Forget about bringing liquids onboard an airplane, stop Bonnie Tyler from singing!

http://bedazzled.blogs.com/bedazzled/2006/09/passengers_comp.html

Oh, the humanity!

Ed - your Halloween prayers have been answered:

http://www.chickenhead.com/stuff/costumes/index.asp

My brother is the cheapest person on the planet when it comes to Halloween costumes...

very nice article on Kasenetz-Katz and their Bubblegum Empire

http://www.bubblegum-music.com/kasenetz

(forgive me, Pete!)

I'm not a huge fan of Mannheim Steamroller...

but I just heard they're releasing a second Halloween album next week called Halloween 2 - Creature Collection. Amazon's got it listed.

Guitar Court with French & Saunders!

Hysterical!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5OHPgne1S4

(Thanks for the link, Missy!)

Chimera

http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/story?id=2315693&page=1

Fascinating story....

Don't Tread On Him...

http://www.channel4.com/news/content/news-storypage.jsp?id=33046906

Happy Birthday Star Trek - 40 years old!

It premiered on this date in '66. Now it's a religion, people speak Klingon, etc. etc....

http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/index.html

http://www.stwww.com/

Happy Birthday Sid Caesar!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0128377/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sid_Caesar

Happy Birthday Peter Sellers!

http://www.petersellers.com/

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000634/

The Avengers Opening Credits

The opening credits of the Prisoner are my all-time fave in TV history. This is my second:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dk8CGENO6qo&NR

Speaking of The Prisoner, these are cute parodies:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLXshSkZiFs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bi_gSMuAemI&mode=related&search=

video of Dusty singing Brand New Me!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJHpG9TUeB0
Beautiful...

this is so cool!

I just heard about this. Why wasn't I told?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zombie_Walk

http://www.zombiewalk.com/

http://www.renaessance.com/lurchindex.html - in D.C.!

an amazing little bow & arrow performance

http://www.wimp.com/orsfe/

the Pentagon's flying saucer...

http://www.defensetech.org/archives/001472.html

the wooly edge of papermaking

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/5315904.stm

cool new Google service!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/5317942.stm
Amazing!

Happy Birthday Chrissie Hynde!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrissie_Hynde
http://www.pretendersarchives.com/MainMenu.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xiul5lgn3zA

Cooooool......

Happy Birthday Buddy Holly!

http://www.buddyholly.com/

http://www.rockhall.com/hof/inductee.asp?id=119

another WWII tidbit of interest, regarding Basil Lidell Hart

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2341518,00.html

another footnote from WWII

http://www.khnl.com/Global/story.asp?S=5357880

An amazing story from WWII

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/09/04/national/a143413D47.DTL&feed=rss.news

RIP Pvt Gabaldon...

Teardrop Memories

http://www.teardropmemories.com/

Antiques and geegaws of death...

USAF's Frisbees of Death!

http://www.defensetech.org/archives/002723.html

Happy Birthday Lafayette!

http://www.marquisdelafayette.net/

An under-rated revolutionary. A really extraordinary person. The son Washington never had.

Barbara Lewis on video!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1iOwE658NU

A vastly under-rated talent. A beautiful and sophisticated voice and delivery. This is another artist I hope to someday write a little essay on, pointing out how great they really were.

the new pet rock

http://www.mypetfat.com/whatismpf.asp

The return of The Monster Times!

http://www.monstertimes.com/

neat little footnote on British codebreaking during WWII

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060904/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_britain_spies

nice article on Mount Weather

http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,1859632,00.html

The article doesn't mention the ghosts up there...

Fangoria Convention coming to Jersey later this month

http://www.creationent.com/cal/fangony.htm

nice video tribute to Bill Shatner's Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gTZBGpV7XQ

(ironic that Star Trek was actaully filmed at Desilu Studios)

Happy Birthday Al Stewart!

Another of my faves - a great pop balladeer. And what song topics! Not just your standard boy meets girl stuff - Al's written great tunes about Nostradamus, Hitler's invasion of Russia, the Basque resistance to Franco, the Cold War, Josephine Baker, the Lost Generation, and a host of other historical topics. And then there's his biggest hit, (and another of my faves), - The Year of the Cat. Wonderful memories of roaming the streets of Gtown on cold Winters' nights in the mid 70's filled with equal parts of anticipation, desperation, and cockiness. Contemplating a crime...

http://www.alstewart.com/

http://alstewart.famousfolk.com/

http://www.nevillejudd.com/

http://rylibweb.man.ac.uk/data1/sy/jch/alwords/alslist.htm

Hi Bob, Happy Birthday!

http://www.bobnewhart.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Newhart

The master of deadpan. One of my faves. A genius. Essential.

(and check out the Steve McQueen war film, "Hell Is For Heroes" in which Newhart gets to do his telephone schtick in the middle of a battle!). The third weirdest war movie ever made!

Papa Was A Rolling Stone...

The events in this great Temptations song took place on this date...

http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,434399,00.html

I bet this would be a pretty interesting read. There's a doctorate waiting for someone willing to contrast and compare humor amongst the populations of the major belligerents. For instance, did anyone else have the equivalent of our Warner Brothers cartoons during the war?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036679/

http://home.nc.rr.com/tuco/looney/lists/war.html

Weirdness

Saturday, September 30, 2006

We're back!

Thursday, September 28, 2006

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Monday, September 25, 2006

Hauntings...

Sunday, September 24, 2006

Saturday, September 23, 2006

Friday, September 22, 2006

Thursday, September 21, 2006

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Monday, September 18, 2006

Happy Play-Doh Day!

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Addams Family DVD news

Saturday, September 16, 2006

Friday, September 15, 2006

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Food!

Wednesday, September 13, 2006