Weirdness: May 2007

OMG!!!! The Robot Revolt Begins!!!!

http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/31/robot-lawnmower-kills-danish-man-begins-resistance/

I knew it! Thank goodness I read all the old Magnus comics! http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/m/magrbt.htm

(Thanks for the link, Chris!)

Ozzy sings Mr. Crowley

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSnj8X1zAZI

Neat!

John performs Instant Karma

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqP3wT5lpa4

Very cool. I remember listening to this all through the early Spring of '70 - this and Frigid Pink covering House of the Rising Sun!

Shocking Blue perform Venus

http://bedazzled.onlinestoragesolution.com/venus.mov

I always liked this song.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/31/technology/31basics.html?pagewanted=1&8cir&_r=1&emc=cir
I love guys who have more money than sense. So, Mr. Fancy Pants Millionaire "Audiophile" Doktor dropped twelve grand on JUST a pair of speakers so he could listen to simple music downloads?!? ..Snort.....Sniffle......Giggle......BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Doc, I got a formula one racer here for you to handle the drive-thru window at McDonalds! While we're at it, let me sell you some gold leaf toilet paper and maybe a whoopee cushion made from mink. In the famous words of Bugs Bunny - What a maroon! Dr. Patel, I've got a bridge to sell you that you're just gonna love!

(For those of you not in on the joke - EVERYTHING about digital music in this article is at least twenty years old, the idea that there's someone out there who claims to be seriously into music, (or at the NYT), who is just figuring this out, is pretty pathetic.)

the touch screen computer

http://www.nytimes.com/technology/poguesposts/index.html?8cir&emc=cir

Hmmm, I wonder. There's no denying the impressiveness of the technology. But I have to kinda go with some of Pogues' comments about it not being practical for many computer functions. I also suspect that, as in so many things, acceptance will be greatest amongst the young who are exposed ONLY to it. Running my hands back and forth over a table top just seems like some sort of hi-tech version of finger painting to me, and pretty silly, to boot. (I admit to being somewhat reactionary in my personal tastes - I miss my dial phone!). And for anyone suffering from Essential Tremor or Parkinsons, this new method will be pure torture. I also suspect it will be quickly surpassed - my own prediction would be a dual system using voice commands and a lens fitted over the eye (like a small screen placed on one lense of a pair of glasses), or some sort of eye reading beam projected from the computer screen itself. Still, if you're a deaf mute who likes finger painting, this should be just up your alley!

Outspoken Organist Ousted Over Offending Orgasm Outlet

http://www.wftv.com/news/13417663/detail.html?treets=orlc&tid=2654358485813&tml=orlc_strange&tmi=orlc_strange_1_10000505312007&ts=H

Hollywood Zombie Trading Cards!

http://www.hollywoodzombies.com/

Collect 'em all!

(Thanks for the link, John!)

Church Sign Smackdown!

http://wuzzadem.typepad.com/wuz/2006/03/church_sign_sma.html

The Clash perform London Calling

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ9v0TQv9wo&mode=related&search=

Such a cool band...

Monsoon - Ever So Lonely

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr5-DITnIlw

Probably the best fusion of Indian and Western pop music. Should've been huge. Their cover of Tomorrow Never Knows is classic.

Holly & The Italians - Youth Coup & Rock Against Romance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aLZnCjD8vQ

One of the lost greats from the 80's. Her debut album was one of the best. And her duet with Joey Ramone on I Got You Babe is classic.

True West - Steps To The Door!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC3VUh3go1U
Perfect psychedelic drone...

Doc Martens has no sole...

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/music/la-et-punkboots26webmay26,1,3496834.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

(Sorry kids, Converse AllStars are the only cool shoes...)

(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

a blog from Shocklines

http://shocklines.livejournal.com/

A great source for supernatural horror fiction.

Czech Weirdness

http://www.radio.cz/en/article/91640

Happy Birthday Mel Blanc!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000305/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel_Blanc

Jackson Browne - Running On Empty (with a little help from Bruce)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrYx5FN2RiY&mode=related&search=

Ah, the summer of '78. A perfect song to go tearing down Indian Head Highway to. One of those tunes that's works well on an AM radio and very prescient lyrics for those of us with a hovering gas guage and one too many idiot lights flashing on the dashboard...

Gary U.S. Bonds - Quarter To Three

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxHpsYw6tc0
One of the great frat rock anthems.

Liz Phair performs Fuck & Run

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2akK4tYSwY&mode=related&search=
Poor recording, great song.

Nine Inch Nails and Peter Murphy cover Dead Souls!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ7mb_vvXBI

My fave Joy Division song performed by two artists that they heavily influenced. Cool...

The Drifters - Saturday Night At The Movies

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO3_rYa3azI
Through a variety of lineup changes, I think these guys remained one of the best doo wop groups.

DC Needs A Slogan!

http://www.wonkette.com/politics/smarm-city-dept%27/dc-needs-a-slogan-264269.php

With all due respect to Wonkette, I really feel that the best and only slogan for our fair city is Mayor-For-Life Marion Berry's immortal words: "Bitch Set Me Up!". I'd just love to see that on all the license plates and welcome billboards.

a monument to Heydrich's assassins

http://www.radio.cz/en/article/91794

LONG overdue...

HMT Rohna & the German "smart bomb"

http://www.madison.com/tct/mad/topstories/136812
Another fascinating tidbit from WWII.

the mystery of the gold stars

http://www.charlotte.com/breaking_news/story/138233.html

I confess to being a little intrigued by this footnote to WWII history. Why gold?

Memorial Day

Unlike so many holdiays and occasions, I can't bring myself to say "Happy Memorial Day!"; it seems to me that that would come across as something stupid or obscene. It's an interesting date for several reasons - because it doesn't lend itself to easy commercialism, it honors the dead, and while there are ceremonies and parades, (especially around here), it seems to me that it favors most an individual interpretation. And it can be a source of questioning as well as rote ritual.
A quick search on the Internet will reveal many articles and speeches regarding the Day. This is a recent one I chanced upon that I enjoyed.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/5/27/115436/633

Mary Chapin Carpenter - This Shirt

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

Another of DC's finest, and an almost supernaturally perceptive poet.

Nils Lofgren - Moontears

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgZ5L-v9ba8

DC's finest!

The Stones - Gimme Shelter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGAWE7l-fgU&mode=related&search=

Sublime danger...

another interesting WWII footnote on an American spy in Albania

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?articleId=90646572-bb8e-4f9c-9dce-84e17083b621&headline=John+Clayton%3a+Recalling+exploits+of+WWII+spy+from+Laconia

weird little footnote to WWII - press ganged Scottish criminals

http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=824452007

beware of nazi raccoons!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/25/AR2007052502272.html

The Cthulhu Weenie Roaster!

http://www.friday.com/bbum/2007/05/26/cthulhu-eater-of-souls-roaster-of-dogs/

Eater of souls, Roaster of dogs...

Happy Birthday Vincent Price!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001637/
http://www.seahaas.com/thepit/price.html

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

One of the Immortals...

Happy Birthday Christopher Lee!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000489/

http://www.christopherleeweb.com/

Happy Birthday Dashiell Hammett!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dashiell_Hammett
http://www.mysterynet.com/hammett/

The Angels - My Boyfriend's Back

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAZE7Sp920s
Fun stuff!

Link Wray - Rumble

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUHz0i8_ziA

DC's own...

The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGIelcG0r3s
A great opening to one of my fave films starring three of my fave actors and featuring what may be the best film title song of all time, (by the brilliant Ennio Morricone). Everything about this production is Essential...

Shiver me timbers....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/25/AR2007052502147.html?nav=rss_metro
Arrr, the freedom of the Seven Seas and the salt spray in your face....in Silver Spring?!? I guess they speak of their adventures with Davy Jones' Fire Hydrant...

This WILL be me someday, maybe tomorrow...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/whisperingibis/511580888/in/set-72157600256707690/

Happy Birthday Stevie Nicks!

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

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

Happy Birthday Marion!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000078/
http://www.johnwayne.com/

1910 Fruitgum Company - Indian Giver

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suiD3zGPC4E&mode=related&search=

I don't care. I love this song!

13th Floor Elevators - You're Gonna Miss Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYh5oMDlWwQ&mode=related&search=
Classic. Essential. (Yes, that's an electric jug, the second coolest psychedelic instrument ever (after the sitar...)). Poor Roky - Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad.

The Cramps cover The Green Fuzz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42Q-4Js8fYg

Green Fuzz is one of the great lost rock'n'roll records, originally recorded by someone named Randey (sic) Alvey on a 45 so obscure that I doubt anyone owns it and with such terrible sound quality that it sounds as if a cardboard box was placed over the mic during the recording. It is one of the greatest rock songs ever made, (in my not so humble opinion). It was thankfully rescued from total oblivion by being reissued on one of the old Pebbles collections, (which are themselves now collector's items); and from there we get this cover by those masters of the dangerous and the obscure - The Cramps. This video has nothing to do with any of the above, but it is a nice collection of old Weird Tales covers and somehow it seems totally appropriate that one more strange little kink be added to the glory and the legend that is The Green Fuzz...

Klaus Nomi covers Lightning Strikes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELknoJC2WEQ
Once you hear this version, you just can't go back to Lou Christie...

(Whenever I play this tune, Linda can't get it out of her head for days....)

Al Stewart - On The Border

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv5qLEYoSHM&mode=related&search=

Good ol' Al; who else would/could do a pop song on the Spanish Civil War?

Aretha - RESPECT!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eDkvP6Ei3Q

OW!

The Sisters of Mercy - Temple of Love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROnXv7Z7v28

Neat goth dance music.

Hogzilla II

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8PBKB5G0&show_article=1&image=large

I believe this is how most monster movies begin...

http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/20070422222547data_trunc_sys.shtml

video of the Stones' Sympathy For The Devil

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMVDklW6qwk&mode=related&search=
One of my fave songs, and one of my fave videos.

Cthulhu throw pillow!

http://www.entertainmentearth.com/prodinfo.asp?number=TYV12525#LargeImage

The Search For Spock!

http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/news/planetVulcan.cfm

FREE REGGIE!

http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=104&sid=1149976

deadly marketing

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/25/us/25cemetery.html?ex=1337745600&en=293409f4c1b45de4&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

High Seas Cthulhu book!

http://www.esp-books.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=221

a little something for that Cthulhu Cultist on the go!

http://blog.wired.com/tableofmalcontents/2007/05/cthulhu_cthursd_8.html

Tee hee! The iGasm!

http://weblog.infoworld.com/robertxcringely/archives/2007/05/apples_bad_vibe.html

(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

Neat! TV episodes online!

http://www.tv-links.co.uk/

A real cool resource, (while it lasts).

(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

Munchkin Cthulhu game

http://www.sjgames.com/munchkin/munchkincthulhu/index.html

Gay Pride comes to Miskatonic!

http://www.cafepress.com/gay_miskatonic

Monster Mash online!

http://davesworld56.blogspot.com/2007/05/bobby-boris-pickett-original-monster.html

Virtual Kidnapping...

http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=105&sid=1149273

Meet a man who will die never having talked to a woman...

http://www.wired.com/entertainment/hollywood/multimedia/2007/05/gallery_starwars

Cool, however...

http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=3205955&page=1&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312

On the one hand, I really support this type of thinking. On the other hand, it's pretty damned pathetic that some feel they need to buy a book for instructions on how to be a real kid (and not some wimpy soulless drone).

genetic music...

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2007/05/24/proteinmusic_tec.html?category=technology&guid=20070524093000&dcitc=w19-502-ak-0000

The Addmas Family on Broadway!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070522/ap_en_ot/theater_addams_family

Batmobile Battle!

http://www.wftv.com/video/13376670/index.html?treets=orlc&tid=2654358485813&tml=orlc_strange&tmi=orlc_strange_1_10000405242007&ts=H

Happy Escargot Day!

http://escargot.free.fr/eng/cooking.htm

Yum!

Happy Birthday Tommy Chong!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001045/

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pd74BKx0x-w&mode=related&search=

Happy Birthday Mr. Zimmerman!

http://www.bobdylan.com/moderntimes/home/main.html

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

http://expectingrain.com/archives.shtml

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUz2OulZ-q4

the cutting edge of bras

http://www.enlighted.com/pages/nervebra.shtml

Bad Company perform Bad Company

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0ryRksbQvU
Another tune I always liked.

The Big Bopper - Chantilly Lace

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA0NYM3kn_U

I know it's silly, but I smile everytime I hear this song.

Little Richard - Lucille

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mcxej1zJKTo

The Queen of Rock'n'Roll!

The Kinks perform Waterloo Sunset

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

Beautiful song.

Psychedelic Web Radio!

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

Features DJ's and ads from that time. Very cool.

Happy Birthday Douglas Fairbanks, Sr.!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001196/

http://douglasfairbanks.org/

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

Transvision Vamp - Baby I Don't Care

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQEEx8akBd4

One of the great under-rated power pop bands. I think only reocrd clerks knew about these guys. Wonderful band, knew what riffs to steal, and when...

The Association - Windy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU8vOQNvd3c

It is difficult to believe that it's been 40 years almost to the day that I first heard this played on WPGC. The Association were never considered a particulalry hip band - but I always like them and their harmonies, and this was my fave song by them. It's a beautifully innocent little tune that perfectly reflects a gentle time in my life. (And for what it's worth, the band wasn't all that out of touch - they had what I believe was the first Top 40 hit about smoking grass - Along Comes Mary...).

REM & Bruce - Man On The Moon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BisS5JxeUW0&mode=related&search=

Wonderful....Two explorers of the American psyche meet in the emotional wilderness. Dr. Stipe, I presume?

Five Stairsteps - Ooh Child

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RDW__oo9JU

One of the great soft soul songs...

Inkubus Sukkubus - Wytches

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2D6C2IC1U0&mode=related&search=
One of the great neo-pagan bands out there.

Moody Blues perform Nights In White Satin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qkw9zoIFPHw

One of my faves. Perfect for a slow Spring night...

Madrid's Jungle!

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/05/theres_a_jungle.php

(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

the solar plane

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=070522153315.36ku3qfm&show_article=1

Defining & explaining Consciousness

http://www.world-science.net/exclusives/070520_consciousness.htm

This could become quite interesting...

The Challenges Facing Today's H.S. Graduates

http://www.theonion.com/content/video/in_the_know_teenagers_and_alcohol

neat new Cthulhu props and stuff!

http://www.cthulhulives.org/store/store.lasso

The John Dee Elder Signs are really well thought out, combining the Mythos with his actual occultic work.

Happy Birthday Arthur Conan Doyle!

http://www.sherlockholmesonline.org/
http://www.siracd.com/

http://www.sherlockian.net/

before the Beatles - The Jefferson Airplane in a rooftop concert

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHkgMLXY7wg&mode=related&search=

(Thanks for the link, Pete!)

artificial wishbones

http://www.luckybreakwishbone.com/index.php

I guess the Luck is artificial too...

X - White Girl

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W35e_ztm3-I

Another very cool band.

a nice collection of performances by The Turtles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjnIR7KFSgg&mode=related&search=
Wonderful band. Flo & Eddie could really sing. I still remember the day back in '67 I walked into a little record store off Main Street in Montrose Colorado to pick up She'd Rather Be With Me, (along with Little Bit O' Soul by the Music Explosion). Very cool.

Jackie Wilson perform Baby Workout

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

Ow! Mr. Excitement!

The Honey Cone - Want Ads

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUqsBBR8XEI

Great group - should've been bigger.

The Chiffons perform One Fine Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4KN1MkUwkQ

Great song for a Spring day...

The Saints - I'm Stranded

http://bedazzled.blogs.com/bedazzled/2007/05/im_stranded_the.html

One of the great early Punk bands.

Sandra Lou - Le Banana Split

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SW7gmlzsz54&mode=related&search=

French girl-group bubblegum! Miniskirt and go-go boots, what more do you need?

neat "card trick"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voAntzB7EwE&NR=1

(Thanks for the link, Nick!)

WWII & a keen grasp of the obvious

http://www.register-herald.com/local/local_story_140225453.html

Sigh. I'm getting pretty sick and tired of the myth that's once again stated in this article about the Eastern Front of WWII somehow being ignored or unknown. Perhaps among our historically uneducated public it is, (but then they don't know ANY thing about the war - who fought, who won, when it happened, where it happened, etc.). But amongst students of history, it's VERY well known. Russian archives and memoirs may have been difficult to come by, but the German sources weren't, (and many British historians have concentrated on this Front as well). I remember Bantam publishing several excellent studies and memoirs about it decades ago when I was in high school. Ballantine's famous series devoted many volumes to the conflict, as has Osprey in recent years. Hell, old wargame companies and mags often focused on the famous battles and campaigns in Russia. If you had enough money in the 70's you could buy one game that fought the entire campaign out at division/brigade level! Yet I keep reading pop pieces about "new & astounding revelations" that I knew from easily available sources 25 - 35 years ago! Just because John Wayne or Harrison Ford didn't make a movie about an event doesn't mean it's somehow hidden from those of us who are literate and interested in the topic. Let's take our eyes off the boob tube for a moment and at least try to raise the bar...
As for the author's mewling that nazis shouldn't die like they did at Stalingrad, I can only reply: My dear, that's EXACTLY how they should die..."

"the second Pearl Harbor"

http://starbulletin.com/2007/05/20/editorial/special.html

Interesting footnote to WWII.

the sixth sense...

http://www.mindhacks.com/blog/2007/05/quinn_norton_has_her.html

This is going to occur more and more...

The Cthulhu Sculpture

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDgaN2AUMCk&eurl=

Damn You!

http://www.youaredamned.com/

Two Anniversaries

Happy 62nd to Bogey & Betty; and Happy 25th Linda! We made it!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDEOqU86MZc

a place to hang your hat

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_2335990.html?menu=

Traffic Control

http://concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070518/REPOSITORY/705180340

(Thanks for the link, Chris!)

Happy Armed Services Day!

http://www.defenselink.mil/afd/military/history.html

Happy Birthday to Mad Dogs & Englishmen & Joe Cocker!

http://www.cocker.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FMq0iDX1yE

An amazing talent. The son Ray Charles never had...

Happy Birthday Joey Ramone!

http://www.joeyramone.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKiE0LT6PJI

One of the greats! And great missed.

I Have Returned..

We had a nice time visiting with Linda's family (Thanks, Gail & Don!). The flight out to Chicago went well enough, if you don't count the thuggish insolence of the TSA personnel. I now know why Lorton Prison was closed - they got jobs out at Dulles.
At any rate, the weather was perfect and the company more so. When we returned to Dulles Airport, the taxi driver we got attempted to rip us off by ignoring my precies directions home and tried to take us ten miles and about forty traffic lights out of our way. I believe he was seeking vengeance for his grandfather's defeat at Rourke's Drift. Well, they lost again.
An illegal alien trying to cheat me within ten minutes of landing on the ground - There's No Place Like Home!

We're outta town for the weekend...

See you next week!

a film on Ian Curtis & Joy Division!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6667197.stm

IT BEGINS TOMORROW!

The Mike The Headless Chicken Festival in Beautiful Fruita* Colorado! Feel the Power and Majesty!

http://www.miketheheadlesschicken.org/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-4T69Bq3zM

*My mother's hometown...

the special bond between a mother and her son...

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyid=2007-05-16T200942Z_01_EIC671369_RTRUKOC_0_US-GERMANY-CRIME-MOTHER.xml&src=nl_usmorningdigest

a nice interview with Trace Beaulieu (of MST 3000)

http://www.quickstopentertainment.com/2007/05/16/interview-trace-beaulieu

Happy Birthday Maureen O'Sullivan!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001577/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maureen_O'Sullivan

the good old days

http://community.livejournal.com/vintage_ads/323389.html

The Happy Meal

http://www.wusa9.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=58703

Be Nice To Nettles Week!

http://www.nettles.org.uk/

I'm planning on going out and stinging my skin right now!

(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

Frankenstein Soundtracks for download!

http://soundtrackrarities.blogspot.com/2007/05/frankenstein-1931-guiseppe-becce.html

The Spy Princess

http://story.malaysiasun.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/f825b92e19df636a/id/248796/cs/1/

An interesting story of espionage from WWII.

When Sprint Attacks!

http://www.cellular-news.com/story/23169.php

Cool idea for a horror movie...

Propeller Beanies!

http://www.propellerheadhats.com/store/

As a full-fledged fan of Beanie & Cecil, I used to wear one of these. The "official" version was (I think), plastic and the rotor had a pull string that could make it fly off, (where it would promptly lodge itself on the roof, in a tree, etc.). Very cool.
I continue to be a slave to fashion.

new book on Bela Lugosi

http://www.popmatters.com/pm/books/reviews/38926/bela-lugosi-by-gary-d-rhodes-with-richard-sheffield/

Upcoming Renfests in the region

http://www.rennfest.com/

http://www.parenfaire.com/

http://www.varf.org/

We Believe In Fairies!

http://www.marylandfaeriefestival.org/

The Domesday Book Online

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/domesday/
The Internet is amazing.

Die Home Depot, Die!

http://www.123jump.com/market-update/Home-Depot-Disappoints-with-30-Profit-Drop/21936/
The two H.D. stores that are by me suck - Big Time. Next on the chopping block: Lowe's....

The Return Of Sly Stone?!?

http://music.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2080154,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront

Ladies & Gentlemen: The National Anthem

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FhwTZPSe0c

Talking Heads perform Psycho Killer at CBGB's

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agXsxYiMZZA
Classic. Does anyone remember how chilling and outre this album sounded back in '77?

Buddy Holly - That'll Be The Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pribHw93OPc

One of the greats...

The Supremes - Stop! In The Name Of Love

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

A great live version.

T-Bone Burnett Re-issue!

http://www.rhinohandmade.com/browse/ProductLink.lasso?Number=7729

DC is #5 for Rude Drivers

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070515/ap_on_re_us/road_rage

I can't believe those punks in Miami are at the top. Well, we'll just see about that. HEY! ALLIGATOR BOY, GET YOUR ASS OUTTA THE WAY, CAUSE WE'RE GONNA BE #1!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm talkin' Shirley Highway at 7AM; I'm talkin' Baileys Crossroads at 5PM; and I'm talkin' Gtown every god-damned minute of the day! We are gonna rise, people, we are gonna rise!

Lego Church Of The Flying Spaghetti Monster

http://www.reasonablyclever.com/lego/fsm/

Amazing!

(Thanks for the link, Nick!)

The Long & Winding Road

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

Let It Be was released (in America) on this date in 1970...

Happy Birthday l. Frank Baum!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L._Frank_Baum

Heart - Crazy On You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcAn3z7D1Pc

A very nice version of a great song. Fall of '76...interesting times.

Ian Hunter & Mick Ronson - Once Bitten Twice Shy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNeLAS3axKI

Great song from a dim and mis-spent past...

Richie Havens - Just Like A Woman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqHQ0QtIZh8
Classic cover. Havens is one of those rare people who can take someone else's song and instantly make it his own. He is a treasure.

The Who perform I Can See For Miles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuYgdYc0Ie4

Cool!

2007 World Fantasy Convention in Saratoga Springs, NY

http://www.lastsfa.org/wfc2007/

a nice interview & article on Glen Campbell

http://news.independent.co.uk/people/profiles/article2525672.ece

mmm mmm good!

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=3170062&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312

Unrequited Love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJr2evLANsE&eurl

micro art

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/6647855.stm

Happy Pack Rag Day!

http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/852.html

(Sometimes it's celebrated on May 1, but the few communities in England which still celebrate it tend to do so on this day).

Remember kids...

a surreal ad

http://community.livejournal.com/vintage_ads/315996.html

This is supposed to sell soap?!?

the world's weirdest bass guitar collection

http://altguitarbass.com/weird/

Sugar Cookies of Cthulhu!!!

http://www.belly-timber.com/2005/12/28/look-what-we-left-out-for-santa-cthulhu/

Yum!

Ah! NOW it's official: Summer in DC!

http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=25&sid=1139552

It's just doesn't feel like summer around here until the manholes start exploding. It should surprise no one that after dozens of incidents over several years, the city government still doesn't have a clue as to what causes this phenomena. It's just our own little version of Old Faithful...

Anniversary of the Rebecca Riots

http://history.powys.org.uk/history/rhaeadr/rebecca.html
This would make a fun historical reenactment!

pre-Barnabas Dark Shadows episodes being released

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=6004

Cthulhu-inspired music

http://www.krispenhartung.com/mandolin-from-mars/index.htm

(didn't do much for me)

Anniversary of the Whiskey Rebellion

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

Happy Jamestown Day!

http://www.jamestown2007.org/

http://www.apva.org/history/index.html

http://www.historyisfun.org/

Happy Leprechaun Day!

http://classiclit.about.com/b/a/169497.htm

Happy Mothers Day!

an article about Cerphe

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/rawfisher/2007/05/cerphes_upwashingtons_rock_sur.html#comments

Another DC radio legend. 'HFS in the late 60's was really something - hard to tune in, dangerous, forbidden...

my next belt

http://www.comcast.net/news/index.jsp?cat=GENERAL&fn=/2007/05/11/661084.html&cvqh=itn_gator

the bad day

http://www.comcast.net/news/strange/index.jsp?cat=STRANGE&fn=/2007/05/11/660992.html

new Michelle Shocked album!

http://www.pr-inside.com/michelle-shocked-s-gospel-roots-inform-r122189.htm

Happy Birthday Geroge Carlin!

http://www.georgecarlin.com/

Happy Birthday Burt Bacharach!

http://columbiarecords.com/burtbacharach/

http://www.bacharachonline.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMdN9FOrJTk

There Once Was A Man From Nantucket...

Happy Limerick Day!

http://www.holidayinsights.com/stpat/limerickday.htm

Wheel of Fortune

With Weird Al Yankovic, Little Richard & James Brown!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3GbzvisUE8&eurl

Run Away!

http://www.citizen.co.za/index/article.aspx?pDesc=36741,1,22
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcxKIJTb3Hg

Truly - Out On A Limb

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/05/10/ap/strange/main2788430.shtml

Insert puns here:

new Patti Smith album!

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/05/10/084608.php

Happy Birthday Eric Burdon!

http://www.ericburdon.com/
http://members.aol.com/DennisKQV/burdon.htm

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

A great singer. Growing up in the old neighborhood, there were two bands you HAD to be listening to - the Stones and the Animals. One of the first rock albums I ever bought was by the Animals, it's one of those records I'd just listen to every day, over and over again. "It's My Life" is a part of my DNA...

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8NZd7NlHbQ&mode

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9oZkyz0xco

Happy Birthday Phil Silvers!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0799014/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Silvers

One of my faves...

the cutting edge of real estate...

http://www.buyuranus.com/

The VW Beetle

http://thrillingwonder.blogspot.com/2007/05/what-can-be-done-with-vw-beetle-part-2.html

the travails of body farming

http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=104&sid=1137643

Jackie DeShannon sings When You Walk In The Room

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JRv6iCCYQo

Great song, Jackie could both write 'em and sing 'em.

Mazzy Star - Fade Into You

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

Well, we seem to be experiencing the first of Summer here at the Manor. The humidity is already in the swampy range and persperation is gathering on my glass of Pimm's Cup. And this strikes me as a perfect song for the moment. The sun's staying up longer now, but that just means the shadows grow longer too...
This'd be a good day to go canoeing on the old C&O Canal. Haven't done so in way too many years. Some of you reading this were on some of those past expeditions. We outta shake the dust off and try it sometime soon.

The Moody Blues - Nights In White Satin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9muzyOd4Lh8
I always loved those "middle 7" albums...

The Who - My Generation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdRs1gKpeGg&mode=related&search=

doggie tech

http://www.wired.com/gadgets/miscellaneous/multimedia/2007/05/gallery_doggietech

Unreal...

an old acquaintance speak at Loudon school about the Holocaust and the Resistance

http://cmsweb1.loudoun.k12.va.us/509759161361/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=424231&C=75780

Leo is my brother in law's father in law. A very nice guy and fascinating to talk to about his experiences during the war. I highly recommend his book:

http://www.amazon.com/Leap-into-Darkness-Wartime-Europe/dp/0385497059

Wine & War

http://northdenvernews.com/content/view/759/2/

online archive on WWII Resistance Fighters

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,2483369,00.html?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf

artilce on Ukarainian guerrillas during WWII

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L09625264.htm

The politics of WWII has always been full of complexity and subtlety, moreso than we are generally taught.

Russian memoirs of WWII becoming available

http://www.guardonline.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=39533&format=html

the cruise ship

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/503533/rough_cruise/

(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

911 Calls...

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/228638/funny_911_calls/
(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

Gay Cruising with Kukla & Ollie!

http://community.livejournal.com/vintage_ads/311936.html

I had no idea...

Zombies (the band) Reunion & Reissue

http://modcentric.blogspot.com/2007/05/zombies-time-at-charts.html

Ebay Weirdness

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/My-Imaginary-Friend-Jon-Malipieman_W0QQitemZ230124251712QQihZ013QQcategoryZ88433QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I didn't think you could do that, I keep losing my grip

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/man-chops-off-own-head-with-chainsaw/2007/05/09/1178390349892.html

Loch Ness Shrubbery

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sussex/6637265.stm

Religious Persecution!

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200705/s1918411.htm

Does no one respect the Old Ways anymore? Can't someone perform a simple hideous human sacrifice to Cthulhu without fear of interruption? Why, even here in Northern Virginia it's becoming nearly impossible to conduct obscene rituals on blasted heaths, gibbering insane and obscene oaths, and calling down dark and loathsome beings from the cold vastness of space without some busybody intevening. And I don't even remember the last time we had a human sacrifice without some sort of unpleasantness from the police. I tell you, blaspheming occultism sure isn't what it used to be. We need a return to tradional values!

HauntCon is coming!

http://home.comcast.net/~monstermaze/haunters_gathering.htm

some Cthulhu kitsch

Chicago is way ahead of India

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyid=2007-05-08T141159Z_01_DEL224113_RTRUKOC_0_US-INDIA-ELECTION-LIVINGDEAD.xml&src=nl_usoddlyenough

Mayor Daley made sure the dead had plenty of electoral representation in his day...

German air raid shelter/towers of WWII

http://thrillingwonder.blogspot.com/2007/05/strange-towers-of-third-reich.html

A strange little footnote to the war...

Revenge of the Dead

http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=104&sid=1135380

latest on the Antikythera Mechanism

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/05/14/070514fa_fact_seabrook?currentPage=1

3-D Printer news

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/07/technology/07copy.html?_r=3&ref=technology&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Orpheus - I Can't Find The Time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT-iQ_yLEX4

It's a very pretty Spring morning here at the Manor and I am once again reminded of more innocent times. This is a perfect song for such. "I Can't Find The Time" is one of those tunes that when you mention it to folks my age, they tend to claim ignorance of it. But then you play it for 'em and you get, "Oh! I remember this!". One of the great soft rock love songs. Very pretty and almost forgotten now. I will leave it to each of you to interpet that...

solar sails and space travel

http://www.wired.com/science/space/news/2007/05/solarsail

A very happy, and a very sad anniversary

Today is VE Day, but also the anniversary of the crushing of the Warsaw Uprising & the death of one its inspiring leaders, Mordecai Aneilewicz.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V-E_Day

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/Anielevich.html

http://www.ushmm.org/outreach/wgupris.htm

British Amerindians

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6621319.stm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6E98ZRaU1s

Neat library!

http://living.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=703302007

I'm envious...

Miskatonic University Dice Bag

http://catalog.chaosium.com/product_info.php?products_id=709

For my inner nerd...

Sly & The Family Stone - Medley

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKzwbKhRvD8
A great medley from one of the coolest bands ever.

Katrina & The Waves - Walking On Sunshine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlAstW1rafg
Always liked them. They were formed by Kimberley Rew, formerly of the Soft Boys, (another unjustly ignored band...).

? & The Mysterians - 96 Tears

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hZ4IQuAo-k

Beer Cannon!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zxlFoZhOC4&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJsoybEdm84&mode=related&search=

Ramones - Teenage Lobotomy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOEE6cWpLPc

Stalin's mother's memoirs discovered

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article1752327.ece

misdiagnosis

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyid=2007-05-07T144119Z_01_L07270132_RTRUKOC_0_US-BRITAIN-SPREE.xml&src=nl_usoddlyenough

New (to me) music blog devoted to girl groups and singers from the 60's

http://blow-up-doll.blogspot.com/

Has cuts by the Shangri-Las and Peggy Lipton!

interesting article on cell death and resuscitation

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18368186/site/newsweek/

Cold War Museum at Lorton

http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=25&sid=1134077

Happy Birthday Gabby Hayes!

The archtypal Western sidekick...

http://www.gabbyhayes.org/

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0371025/

Happy Birthday Darren McGavin!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0569000/

http://www.darrenmcgavin.net/

Kolchak...

nice article on MST3000 & Rifftrax

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/06/arts/television/06newm.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Zombie Rules

http://film.guardian.co.uk/features/featurepages/0,,2072639,00.html

(Thanks to Infidel753!)

interesting article on Satlin's youth

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/book_extracts/article1751508.ece

interesting interview about the "Singularity"

http://www.reason.com/news/show/119237.html

As always, I'd recommend folks check out the posts and links at Infidel753: http://www.infidel753.blogspot.com/ for much more info and opinions.

The Prisoner to be available online!

http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,,2070307,00.html

news about My Little Cthulhu

http://paperorplastic.vox.com/library/posts/page/1/

Happy Birthday Orson Welles!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000080/
http://www.wellesnet.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_War_of_the_Worlds_(radio)

http://members.aol.com/jeff1070/wotw.html

Essential.

Satisfaction!

In 1965, Keith Richards created the classic guitar riff that would become "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction." He played it for Mick Jagger in a hotel room in Clearwater, Fla.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_2aHrXza8I

Happy Birthday Bob Seger!

http://www.bobseger.com/

http://www.segerbob.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2aBOTNGWMY

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

An interesting holiday when we celebrate the French being the only nation ever militarily defeated by Mexico... ;)

Happy National Hoagie Day!

http://whatscookingamerica.net/History/HoagieSubmarinePoBoy.htm

Happy Birthday Michael Palin!

http://www.pythonline.com/plugs/palin/index.shtml

http://www.palinstravels.co.uk/

http://www.canaveralgumby.com/palinUNofficial/index.html

Ekranoplans

http://thrillingwonder.blogspot.com/2007/05/ekranoplans-showcase.html
Interesting Soviet hovercraft.

strange AIDS posters

http://www.newscientist.com/blog/shortsharpscience/2007/04/redirect-your-animal-instincts-with.html
I'm not sure this really gets the message across. I can only echo one reader's comment: I will never have sex with a scorpion again.

The Top 25 Urban Legends

http://snopes.com/info/top25uls.asp

all sorts of Robert E. Howard stuff going on!

http://www.thecimmerian.com/?page_id=648

http://www.thecimmerian.com/?page_id=247

http://www.rehfoundation.org/index.php

http://www.beyond49.ca/TDM/index.html

http://www.thecimmerian.com/?p=609

Live Flight Tracking

http://flightaware.com/live/

Amazing...

(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

The Undertones - Teenage Kicks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAtUw6lxcis
The fact that this is almost completely unknown in the Sates is to our everlasting shame - one of the greatest pure rock'n'roll songs ever.

Mary Chapin Carpenter (and some friends) - Hard Way

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf7dn4VrYXs

DC's Finest. Period. Essential.

Chicago - Beginnings

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHpoF8Qnm6E
It's probably impossible for younger readers to believe this, but in the '69-'71 era, Chicago was considered quite hip, even cutting edge. Those first three LP's were monsters! Beginnings is probably my second favorite song by them.

Jimmy Ruffin - What Become of the Broken Hearted

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyjE0joLYAU&mode=related&search=
Another under-rated talent.

Cream - Strange Brew

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0DhVYuoMM4

Manfred Mann - Fox On The Run

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybnE_v50rr0

A classic version of a classic song. In the early days of the Birchmere, (when it was in a narrow storefront out behind Shirlington), you'd go in and it always seemed like whoever was on stage was always playing this...

Upcoming Horror Movies

http://www.upcominghorrormovies.com/

the widower

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6619983.stm

solar tower

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6616651.stm

Cool!

mmmmmmmm, the pause that refreshes...

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=3139250&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312

Nazi Robot Attack!

http://www.e-motionaldesign.com/blog/nazi-robot-attack/

Cool animation!

getting directions

1. Go to Google
2. Click on "Maps"
3. Input New York, NY to London England

(Thanks for the info, Roger!)

shoe tying trick

http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=337180&fr=yvmtf

(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

and a little something for you parents:

http://community.livejournal.com/vintage_ads/300248.html

a vibrator with a 300 page instruction book

http://community.livejournal.com/vintage_ads/302890.html
Insert Joke Here:

Tee Hee!

http://www.ziff.net/404/404.htm

The ultimate Error Message!

the cutting edge of realtor woes

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-ap-wi-odd--deadtour,1,7655312.story?track=rss&ctrack=1&cset=true

The Brooke Shields Alphabet mystery

http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/article.html?in_article_id=47622&in_page_id=2

Mercury poisoning

http://www.wusa9.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=58251

Perhaps it's all legit, etc. to evacuate whole regions when there's some sort of mercury "spill". But I, (and a lot of you reading this), used to PLAY with mercury back in the 60's. We'd watch it roll about from one hand to the next. I feel no ill effects, unless one counts my fondness for tea parties with Alice...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlwtwYSLBfU&mode=related&search=
Yup, the WHOLE thing! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just relax, have a joint, and pass me that bottle of Mateuse...

(if you're my age, the drum solo in this song is part of your DNA...)

Weirdness

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Monday, May 28, 2007

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Friday, May 25, 2007

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Monday, May 21, 2007

Two Anniversaries

Sunday, May 20, 2007

I Have Returned..

Thursday, May 17, 2007

We're outta town for the weekend...

Wednesday, May 16, 2007