Weirdness

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

I'm Outta Here!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BztQEF8Z6ms

Off to my beloved Colorado for ten days. See you in July!

Cops Catch Coked Crop Crusher!

http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/article.html?in_article_id=54522&in_page_id=2

nice overview of Internet radio's Day of Silence

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/rawfisher/2007/06/day_of_silence_internet_radio.html

Happy Birthday Peter Lorre!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000048/
http://www.eviltwin.velvetsofa.com/Lorre/peter.html

Monday, June 25, 2007

Bruce sings an acoustic version of Born To Run

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfzov0Cq90o
The soundtrack of the life of many of you reading this. Interesting how this slow version adds a forlorn maturity to it. You don't have to like this song; but if you don't, you aren't of my generation, you didn't grow up on the East Coast, and you're probably dead.

a medley of Carolyne Mas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg3sDnhAljQ
One of my faves from the late 70's. Totally unknown and forgotten. A damn shame.

Life In DC

http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=3303910&page=1
I would say that our Long National Nightmare Is Over, but knowing how these things work, I'm sure there'll be appeals and more suits, etc., etc., ad infinitum.

Alert Mel Gibson!

"They'll get my Sporran when they pry it from my cold, dead, crotch!"

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6234290.stm

All You Need Is Love...

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

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


The first global broadcast...

Happy Ratification Day!

Virginia ratified the Constitution on this day in 1788.

http://www.usconstitution.net/rat_va.html

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Hubba Hubba - The Women of Wikipedia!

http://wikiwomen.blogspot.com/

The Ramones perform Judy Is A Punk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWHAL_q1ne8&mode=related&search=
Very early live clip - cool!

The Vanilla Fudge perform You Keep Me Hanging On

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71cGLyOKhSc

Ah, happy memories!

Aerosmith perform Back In The Saddle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkYn8TdFS9o

Classic 70's Rock...

Seals & Crofts perform Summer Breeze

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYgzayIscYU
A nice Summer tune...

The B-Movie Celebration!

http://www.bmoviecelebration.com/
This looks cool, but too far for me to attend, (central Indiana)

The Association of Halloween Haunters

http://www.ahh-halloween.com/

For prop builders, etc....

Antiques to die for...

http://ecommwire.com/?id=2047&keys=Funeral-Goth-Death

RIP Hank Medress

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070623/ap_en_mu/obit_medress

Happy Birthday Ambrose Bierce!

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

http://www.biercephile.com/

http://www.alcyone.com/max/lit/devils/

Patron Saint of Cynics!

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Vote Vampyre in 2008!

http://abcnews.go.com/WN/Politics/story?id=3309588&page=1&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312

Oedipal Advertising

http://community.livejournal.com/vintage_ads/344040.html
Disturbing....

Metro news for locals

http://whyihatedc.blogspot.com/
As Metro turns into just another entrance to Hell.

Peeping Cthulhu Plush on the way!

http://www.entertainmentearth.com/prodinfo.asp?number=TYV12533

the ugliest dog

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8PUBUIO1&show_article=1&image=large

cell phone horror movie

http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/crime/story/91460.html

Happy Birthday Stuart Sutcliffe!

http://www.stuartsutcliffeart.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Sutcliffe

Friday, June 22, 2007

The Flys for download

a now forgotten garage band from McLean...

http://www.garagehangover.com/?q=Flys

Lorenzo St. DuBois performs Love Power! (from The Producers)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkYBJId7WZs&eurl

I love this movie, and this scene. "That's Our Hitler!"

Richard Hell & The Voidoids perform Blank Generation & Love Comes In Spurts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIELFj2UYKc&mode=related&search=

Classic NY Punk.

Surf's Up! The Radical Rodents!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdbxLk8_C8c
Cool!

(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

Wuss Nation - Beware the Sandcastles of Death!!!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,2108878,00.html
Falling into holes can hurt. Duh.

Scramjet successfully tested

http://www.newscientisttech.com/article/dn12075-scramjet-hits-mach-10-over-australia-.html

Thursday, June 21, 2007

The Ronettes perform Be My Baby

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oL_l7m4gRk
Essential. Ah Ronnie....

World Party - Ship of Fools

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdeIZkZo2PM

One of my faves. Some might consider it a wonderful musical description of the amorality that drove the European conquest of the Western Hemisphere, but I think there's more to it - the National Anthem for Cynics and Pessimists. Save me from tomorrow...

The Reivers - In Your Eyes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkgkueS1sIw
Criminally under-rated and ignored band. Another of those groups I think you had to work in a record store to know about. I love everything they recorded. Just wonderful...

Mazzy Star - Fade Into You

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

Beautiful...

Kinetic Sculpture

http://www.glumbert.com/media/kineticsculpture

Neat!

Alert Monty Python!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/06/20/wgrail120.xml
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eMkth8FWno

I Double Dog Dare You!

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_2382340.html?menu=

Happy Birthday Ray Davies!

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=57780525

http://kinks.it.rit.edu/

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

Happy Birthday Nils Lofgren!

http://www.nilslofgren.com/

http://www.shinesilently.com/

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

Happy Birthday Berke Breathed!

http://www.berkeleybreathed.com/pages/index.asp

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

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

SONiA performs Is There Anybody Here?

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

A nice cover of Ochs. I consider SONiA and Disappear Fear to be one of the great undiscovered treasures of pop culture. She's created some of the most moving music of the past 15 years.

http://disappearfear.com/home.php

The Righteous Brothers perform You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling

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

Great vocals. Classic Spector production..

Diana & The Supremes perform Stop! In The Name Of Love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDPjYZxi0n8
Classic. Essential.

neat toys!

http://www.theweaponshop.com/index2.html

Cthuloid Love

http://www.eatliver.com/i.php?n=2121

weird ad

http://community.livejournal.com/vintage_ads/338926.html

Lovecratian Specimen Jars

http://manydeadthings.blogspot.com/2007/05/lovecraftian-horrors-in-specimen-jars.html

Criminal Garden Gnomes!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6766631.stm

Armed Robbery?

http://www.wftv.com/news/13534877/detail.html?treets=orlc&tid=2654358485813&tml=orlc_strange&tmi=orlc_strange_1_10000206202007&ts=H

Or "Legged" robbery?

Did you want fries with that?

http://www.nbc6.net/news/13533136/detail.html

Happy Birthday Errol Flynn!

http://www.errolflynn.net/
http://www.cmgworldwide.com/stars/flynn/home.php

Happy Birthday Brian!

http://www.brianwilson.com/
http://www.surfermoon.com/

http://www.thebeachboys.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0x7Wt3q2mY

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

cancel all my appointments after 2060...

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23401099-details/The+world+will+end+in+2060%2C+according+to+Newton/article.do

The Hollies - Carrie Anne

http://bedazzled.blogs.com/bedazzled/2007/06/carrieann_the_h.html

One of my faves. Great tune from the summer of '67.

DC Law

http://www.daytondailynews.com/peters/content/opinion/peters/peters1.html

Check out the cartoon at the bottom of the page.

Happy Birthday Alan Cranston!

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

The only American that Hitler ever sued!

Happy Juneteenth!

http://www.juneteenth.com/

Monday, June 18, 2007

Nico - All Tomorrow's Parties

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KiU5P4ihIQ&feature=dir

Cold Norse Goddess of Smack, Ennui and Oblivion...

Meatloaf - Paradise By The Dashboard Light

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0ns8t9iQck

One of the great rock videos. That's the lovely Karla Devito singing with Mr. Loaf, (the lovely Ellen Foley sang on the album version). The old Key Theater used to show this clip just before their regular midnight Rocky Horror bacchanalia back in the 70's.

The Isleys - Shout!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL9xOLpwI0I

Ow!

Tommy James performs Crystal Blue Persuasion

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m9d4IyCmIs

A song I will forever associate with summer fun and innocence. In '69, my brother Ed bought this album while we were vacationing out in Colorado, and played it at least once a day on my Uncle Harry's old console stereo. Wonderful memories of hanging out with my cousins in the front yard, eating watermellon, blowing off firecrackers, and watching the most beautiful sunsets....

ARRRR! It's Pirate Toast!

http://www.mcphee.com/items/11735.html

Waterloo II

http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=105&sid=1169590

Wuss Nation

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/17/AR2007061701179.html

I hereby most sincerely apologize to any and all of you whom I have shaken or held hands with, hugged, kissed, high-fived, back slapped, or nudged. Only now, thanks to the Fairfax Ween Police, do I realize the great harm, damage, embarrassment, terror and trauma that such behavior inevitably leads to. Please, find it in your hearts to forgive me - from a distance of at least three feet. I hope we can all move beyond this horrendous situation and live productive lives in total isolation from each other, as the Vienna School System intended.

Steampunk Contraptions

http://www.wired.com/gadgets/mods/multimedia/2007/06/gallery_steampunk

Cool!

The Zombie Notes Newsgroup

http://zombienotesnewsgroup.blogspot.com/

WWII Code Talkers to get stamp

http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=311457&area=/insight/insight__international/

several new Cthulhu Mythos books coming out

http://www.hippocampuspress.com/

New CAS!

http://www.nightshadebooks.com/book.aspx?bookid=153

Happy Birthday Paul!

http://www.macca-central.com/default.php

http://www.mcbeatle.de/macca/index.shtml

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

Sunday, June 17, 2007

BlobFest!

http://www.thecolonialtheatre.com/html/BlobFest.html

Life in PG County...

http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=25&sid=1169012

(Thank goodness the sheep escaped unharmed...)

Happy Bunker Hill Day!

http://www.masshist.org/bh/

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

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Father's Day

In my lifetime, it seems that the media has gone from portraying fathers as omnipotent godlings, to authoritarian bastards, to stooges for their kids' wisecracks. The Metro Section of today's Post has an obnoxious and petty article picturing them as ignorant and buffoonish know-it-alls, (I'll give the Posties this, if anyone is an expert on know-it-all clowns, it's them). I have my own dark theories as to what motivates these people and their portrayals, but will spare you.
I can only say that my father never matched any of those ludicrous descriptions. I hope yours doesn't either. Family relationships can be tricky things; but I hope you can enjoy your father's company tomorrow, (or soon). Happy Father's Day.

flamed out

Werner von Braun had the good graces to die on this date in 1977. (For whatever reason, he's buried in Alexandria (!?!) in that graveyard across the street and a quarter mile East of T.C.)

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

Monterey! 40th Anniversary!


The Summer of '67 is now 40 years past. Unbelievable. Nowadays, folks usually talk about Woodstock, but in my opinion, the Monterey Festival was really the musical event of the 60's. It was the last time you'd really have music from AM & FM radio being played together. And it introduced the wide world to Jimi, Janis, Otis Redding and Ravi Shankar (in a performance that literally sold 10,000 sitars...), and a couple dozen other great performers. The film is essential.

























Friday, June 15, 2007

another Elvira?

http://www.reuters.com/article/televisionNews/idUSN1421066720070615

the cutting edge of kids' menu items

http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=104&sid=1168237

Shoot. My parents only took me to Tops Drive-In and Hot Shoppes....

Wus Nation

http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=104&sid=1168024


The article misses the point, as usual. Zero tolerance isn't the issue. It's what you have zero tolerance for. And we have become a nation of lil' scaredy pants weens. I think most of these junior commissars would faint if they'd gone through a single day of grade school with me. High school would've killed them...

a nice medley by The Doors

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6CpbBEFLZc

Great stuff. I suppose it's more proof of a misspent youth to always being slightly amazed to hearing Alabama Song and the rest while sober...

Translator - Everywhere That I'm Not

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hslQ-7KuynI

Great New Wave tune.

the nazi mascot

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/06/10/wnazi110.xml

A very strange and horrible little tale.

New (to me) Game - Zombies!!!

http://www.twilightcreationsinc.com/zombies/

This company, and their games, looks pretty fun.

Gaming Conventions coming up

http://www.boardgamers.org/confluence/

The Space/Baby Monitor

http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=104&sid=1167721

Happy Magna Carta Day!

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/magna_carta/legacy.html

http://www.webmesh.co.uk/magnacarta.htm

the long & winding road...

Lennon & McCartney first met on this date in 1956...

http://www.beatles.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HcqW-TDLMk

Happy Birthday Ernest!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001815/
http://www.jimvarney.org/

Thursday, June 14, 2007

life in DC

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/14/AR2007061400999.html?nav=rss_metro

The Rutles perform Get Up & Go (their last public concert)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OF4LKc-zslo
Tee Hee!

neat video for a guilty pleasure

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfNwJMjhm1o

I always loved this tune. Reminds me of summers spent out West in the 70's...

Kirsty MacColl - A New England

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fwtFSEovro
Poor Kirsty, very under-rated and gone all too soon.

Beach Boys - California Girls

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XS0tr2SWago
One of the prettiest intros for a pop song, ever.

the scholar

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyid=2007-06-14T153824Z_01_DEL92632_RTRUKOC_0_US-INDIA-FAILURE.xml&src=nl_usoddlyenough

Doctors' Order...

http://emuse.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/24203/

En Garde!

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,20797,21897382-3102,00.html?from=public_rss

The End of Fridgehenge!

http://www.forteantimes.com/blogs/editorial-blogs/news/915325/fridgehenge-dismantled.thtml

Happy Flag Day!

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

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Rocky Burnette - Tired Of Toein' The Line

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

Fun song, wretched video. From one of the first families of R&R.

Little Ricahrd performs Lucille

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

Ow!

Blondie - Dreaming

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

Fun song!

Invisibility research in the news

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/12/science/12invis.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&ref=science&adxnnlx=1181646003-0XToT76NU8qqdmbTnmhXJg&oref=slogin

Insane For A Day

http://www.wired.com/techbiz/media/magazine/15-06/st_insane

Seems like a normal day to me...

neat experiment about reverse time

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/319367_timeguy12.html

an old whale's luck runs out

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070612/ap_on_sc/century_old_whale

Happy Birthday Basil Rathbone!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001651/
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001651/

Happy Birthday Paul Lynde - The Center Square!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001489/
http://www.paullynde.info/

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

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Proactive Ambulance Care

http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/local_story_163071430.html
If you didn't need them before you called, you certainly will after you did so.

Synthetic Life & Designer Microbes

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6733797.stm

The Worst Traffic Bottlenecks

http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=25&sid=1164958

DC only has #7! Come on people, let's get out there and try harder!

(Actually, this survey seems to only take into account Interstate highways. Seems like a pretty limited definition to me. I also question any results that don't include the Beltway at Wilson Bridge)

The Shirelles - Will You Love me Tomorrow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLOweTZJt98

Classic.

Monday, June 11, 2007

life in DC...

http://whyihatedc.blogspot.com/2007/06/if-this-cat-is-alive-i-will-give-you_06.html

the cutting edge of Chinese engineering

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyid=2007-06-11T124146Z_01_PEK169701_RTRUKOC_0_US-CHINA-COLLAPSE.xml&src=nl_usoddlyenough

Remember Kids...


A Heroine of the Holocaust

http://www.washingtontimes.com/world/20070609-105141-5180r.htm

The Caterpillars of Death!

http://www.people.co.uk/news/tm_headline=serial--pillars--&method=full&objectid=19273516&siteid=93463-name_page.html

The (almost) return of MST 3000

http://www.wired.com/entertainment/hollywood/news/2007/06/mst3k

Happy Birthday Gene Wilder!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000698/

Sunday, June 10, 2007

goin' a thousand miles an hour

I'd written a day or two ago about Summer being a time of potential and freedom. Sometimes that means getting the hell out. Here are some tunes. Hope you escape....

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgbAtASU6D4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHv8Rok9UfA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO0v8p6rSTU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMy2bmSAIeA

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

Leon Russell performs Jumpin' Jack Flash (and Young Blood)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_u72N4Ojcc&mode=related&search=
The Master of Space & Time...

(Performance is from the Concert for Bangladesh, with an all-star band)

Petula Clark performs I Know A Place

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBuXmGzbobo
Sigh. Pet. I will always have a crush on her...

J. Geils Band performs Looking For A Love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBoFx9HLChQ
One of the great White R&B bands. Criminally under-rated.

Pointer Sisters - Fire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIw6Ki8V_iY&mode=related&search=

Great cover. Originally written by Bruce for Elvis...

Iggy performs 1969 & I Wanna Be Your Dog

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIw6Ki8V_iY&mode=related&search=

Another classic.

the Stones perform Street Fighting Man

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

Fun stuff!

Urban Cactus Highrise

http://inhabitat.com/2006/11/07/urban-cactus-building/

Neat!

The latest on Count Gore

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

That Ghost Host With The Most is showing Bela Lugosi in The Return of Chandu and a demo of stage hypnosis.

Saturday, June 09, 2007

Elric onscreen!

http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=20750

Happy Birthday Jackie Wilson - Mr. Excitement!

http://www.jackiewilson.net/

http://www.history-of-rock.com/jackie_wilson.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Epev3esCykM&mode=related&search=

Bruuuuce!

Springsteen signed with Columbia Records on this date in 1972.

http://www.brucespringsteen.net/

http://backstreets.com/

http://www.greasylake.org/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAvolRT3sX4

Friday, June 08, 2007

The FAQ

http://www29.compaq.com/falco/detail.asp?FAQnum=FAQ2859

new British sub

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23399926-details/Britain+launches+nuclear+sub+that+can+hear+a+ship+from+across+the+Atlantic/article.do

Summer...

Full of promise and freedom, or at least memories of those times/illusions. Of hiking up the Billy Goat Trail, renting a canoe from Fletcher's, scuffling around Gtown, wine tasting at Lindens, riding White's Ferry, feasting on crabs, night croquet, and picnicking out on Merriweather Post's lawn.
It's going to be about 95 degrees today in Byzantium, and the fireflies have been out in force around the Manor these past few nights. Summer is here! These are some fave tunes from summers past. Grab a cup of Pym's and relax.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYEK4zuNOqU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2ILr9qgDjI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EocQf-Ry0n0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4J_Tu2d4HA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OgV6o8NjcU

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9oZkyz0xco&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Mi0g9JMo14 (I attended this show...)

life in DC

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/rawfisher/2007/06/the_suit_suit_a_suitable_solut.html

interesting speculation about the future (computers, our brains, etc.)

http://www.kurzweilai.net/meme/frame.html?main=/articles/art0691.html

alternatives to Wikipedia

http://oedb.org/library/features/top-7-alternatives-to-wikipedia

I hoped they tried paper and rock first...

http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=104&sid=1161499

goose barnacle sea monster!

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4088281a10.html

Vulcan!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6733203.stm

Happy Birthday Nancy Sinatra!

http://www.nancysinatra.com/

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

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005434/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OU7Nezg7Ls

Thursday, June 07, 2007

The return of True West!

http://www.truewestreunion.com/

A great band.

(Thanks for the link, Pete!)

Insert joke here:

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyid=2007-06-07T150814Z_01_L07107291_RTRUKOC_0_US-POLAND-AFGHAN-KEYS.xml&src=nl_usoddlyenough

an excellent article about the economics of music on the "fringes"

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=25889

A very good analysis which I think can be applied to virtually all other musical genres not considered "Top 40". I am not sure I agree with the author's point of view that taxes should be used to subsidize one's music. I remember dealing with the old JCOA music distributor in the '80's. They prided themselves on being avante guard and for an artistic elite, and then whined about nobody buying their records. I'm not sure taxing me to support them really appeals to me. Just because somebody wants money isn't a good enough reason for me to give it to them.

What I see as the problem is the government subsidizing the essential monopoly that controls pop culture, (through radio and television). The current efforts by the State to virtually outlaw Internet radio are a perfect example of this. The author complains about the market, but I think he's buying into a fiction - there is no market. It's two or three megacorporations run by the same type of people, (accountants) and controlling the law-making process in such a way as to guarantee their control. I won't go into detail on this - there are plenty of sites out there which do. Contrary to what the author says - I WANT there to be a real market in pop culture - we just aren't allowed to have it. Now, I'm not saying that that will inevitably result in the resurrection of avante guard jazz, or performance art, or doo wop, or any of a hundred sub-genres and pop cults. But it would give them a chance to be exposed to new audiences, (especially through Internet radio). Some art forms simply won't make it, I'm not sure that means they need to get paid money by the government*. (Lots of activities don't make it - I tried my hand at designing wargames (which failed) and you don't see me demanding a subsidy). If you create something that people want and they can get access to it, then it will survive. The government and the major media companies are trying to stop that - and to me, that is the fight.

*I do however see the value for preserving such music from a museum-like point of view. But I



(Thanks for the link, Erik!)

Frontier Cthulhu - a new anthology

http://www.chaosium.com/article.php?story_id=248

cool article on "Field Sense"

http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/magazine/15-06/ff_mindgames?currentPage=2
Fascinating stuff! But I'd be inclined to expand such studies to more mental, emotional and political activities. There are great parliamentarians who had the same sense in their chosen field; and mentalists and "cold readers" like Kreskin also exhibit this hyper-perception. I can honestly say that in my younger days I experienced it when immersed in playing the game "Diplomacy". One almost intuitively knows exactly what is going on, how people are thinking, and what is going to happen; without really being aware of why/how one knows. (One theory I have is the brain's ability to notice and evaluate very subtle eye and mouth movements, and slight vocal pattern changes in others). Although it's been over twenty years, I still remember those few experiences as being quietly amazing.

The Tooth Fairy Attacks!

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=29&art_id=nw20070416222808802C816438

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Blood for Oil...

http://www.local6.com/automotive/13452051/detail.html

life in DC

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/05/AR2007060501930.html

So, we have deer obeying traffic signals. That puts 'em right behind dogs, and several notches ahead of Metro drivers on the evolutionary scale.

Happy Birthday Pigpen and Rubber Duck!

The events in the song "Convoy" took place on this date....
For those of you too young to remember, this silly little tune launched a national fad and obsession with CB radios. There are few things more ridiculous than a nation of people suddenly affecting an Arkansas accent on a handful of uppers and babbling about speed traps in some sort of redneck code.
McCall went on to become mayor of the beautiful little Colorado mountain town of Ouray.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaammaHevT0&mode=related&search=

Happy Birthday Damien Thorne! You little devil, you!

Today's his birthday, (according to the film, The Omen).
It's ALL for you Damien!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075005/

It Begins...

Rock Around The Clock hit #1 on this date in '55.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4ByIgBIVD4

Gary "U.S." Bonds!

http://www.garyusbonds.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_U.S._Bonds

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

Happy Birthday Levi Stubbs!

http://www.history-of-rock.com/four_tops.htm

http://www.answers.com/topic/levi-stubbs

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

The fantastic lead voice of the Four Tops.

Happy Birthday Nathan Hale!

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

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

D-Day Anniversary

An amazing event. One the greatest rolls of the die.

http://www.britannica.com/dday

http://www.dday.org/

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

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

International Association of Haunted Attractions

http://www.iahaweb.com/

Lawrence Welk meets the Velvets

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i48BP1PUoFI

I know I've emailed and posted this before - but I love it. Just take the needle out of your arm and put it on the record ;)

Joan Jett joined by Bruce to perform Light Of Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN39ERJzr_w

Perfect driving song. Rock'n'roll as religion...

Patti Smith - People Have The Power

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY4hqxuqb98

One of my fave poets/performers/priestesses.

Joni performs Both Sides Now

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djbBA5VIYu8

Beautiful...

The Clash cover I Fought The Law

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ae_Gv8KoiZA

Great stuff!

The Library of Classic Vampire Stories

http://www.dagonbytes.com/thelibrary/vampire/index.html

Monday, June 04, 2007

Bitch Set Me Up!!!!

http://www.dcist.com/2007/06/04/driver_who_hit.php

Classic, classic D.C.!!!

Larry Miller & his Five Levels Of Drinking

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6OZKdHWY58

Classic comedy routine.

soon, no one will be able to afford to live in DC...

http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=25&sid=1157058

Chinese Products VS Saturday Night Live sketch

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070602/ap_on_he_me/chinese_toothpaste;_ylt=AoXWFxjbGRYfshUaRXsILwDMWM0F

It's a Floor Wax! It's a Dessert Topping! No kids - IT'S BOTH!!!

EXTRA! EXTRA! Belian Army finally finds an oppenent they can defeat!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070601/od_nm/belgium_caterpillars_dc;_ylt=Asm0RCASl.P8L6rTkWBI8o7MWM0F

Leave 'em laughing?

http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=104&sid=1157131

I've always wanted to visit this town...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/03/AR2007060301155.html?nav=rss_print/asection

This sounds so cool!

new under-water weapons

http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2007/06/underwater_guns

The Black Widow....Of Love

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18984762/wid/11915773?GT1=10109

D-Day

The anniversary is coming up in a couple of days, causing a spate of articles to be printed in local papers, etc. Here's a few:

http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/203720.html

http://www.argusobserver.com/articles/2007/06/03/news/us/us01.txt

http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/06/ap_wwiinoveltytoyssaves_070602/

Anniversary of the Battle of Midway

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/midway/midway.htm

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



An amazing battle and vicotry for the U.S. Determined that Japan would not win WWII.

Sunday, June 03, 2007

Golden Earring - Radar Love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NF01SpB6joI

Another tune I always liked - great night driving music...

Billy Joel - Piano Man

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ujp7DMDFR2Y
I'm not a real big fan of Joel, but he's done a couple tunes I really enjoy, and this is the best. Reminds me of an old bar on Pennsylvania Avenue that Edmund and I used to visit back in '74 called The Exchange. Our old high school geography teacher, Ed Raskind, worked there as a bartender. One of the most interesting teachers I've ever had. In a high school filled to the brim with characters, stories and situations, Ed was a Legend*. Intelligent, educated, sarcastic, sardonic, street-wise, subversive and hip. There'd always be a great tale to tell after hanging out with him - in the class or behind the bar. I was lucky to know him, and I hope he's doing well, wherever/however that may be. Cheers.


*Someday I'll have to get around to writing more on Raskind. He really was a one-of-a-kind teacher. I think I've menitoned before that there's an "old" movie out there called Getting Straight (starring Elliot Gould and Candace Bergen). Although the plot revolves around a university, I still feel it's almost exactly what days at TC were like - and there's a lot of similiarity between Gould's character and Raskind.

NRBQ perform Wild Weekend

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJlec3F0fN8
Poor video, great band.

Blotto - I Wanna Be A Lifeguard

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KhXbtUldqg
A fun, (and almost forgotten) band from the late 70's.

Only 150 Days Till Halloween!!!


Evie Sands - I Can't Let Go

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzQ6ycgCEd8
One of the best Brill Building songs and performers. Classic.

Happy Jack Jouett Day!

http://www.jackjouetthouse.org/jackjouettstory.htm
http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/1961/1/1961_1_56.shtml

Happy Birthday Curtis Mayfield!

http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/Curtis%20Mayfield.html

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQqTxK7VhSk

One of the Immortals. Essential.

Ode To Billy Joe...

The events in this great Southern Gothic song took place on this date...

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZt5Q-u4crc

Happy Birthday Leo Gorsey!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0329832/

Saturday, June 02, 2007

Bowie performs Changes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCwfQVL5x2k
Another great tune.

Roseanne Cash - Seven Year Ache

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

Always liked this tune.

Jags - Back Of My Hand

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO91ImN7LG0
Good late 70's power pop.

Do you suffer from Indigestion?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5-J1TnMaok

Cool commercial!

Radio Free Cthulhu

http://www.radiofreecthulhu.com/

Friday, June 01, 2007

a nice article on CAS

http://www.blackgate.com/articles/smith_clark_ashton_part_1.htm

And spoken word recordings of some of Klarkash-Ton's stories and poetry are available here: http://www.eldritchdark.com/writings/spoken-word

Simon & Garfunkel perform Mrs. Robinson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vPJKtwC9JI&mode

Cool. Essential.

Ron & Rod - This Old Heart Of Mine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsayLq8VnfM
One of my fave songs and videos. Wonderful.

Chicago performs Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is

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

An early recording of my fave Chicago tune.

Little Steven & The Disciples Of Soul - Under The Gun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR-5Nlxa59g
Ah, it was such a cool show. Steve and the boys were playing the Bayou back in '84. He came on stage, looked straight at the crowd, paused, and then said "You guys in DC - you're REALLY under the gun!", and then launched into this song.

Dexy's Midnight Runners - Come On Eileen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ThWaMnlSZM&mode

A great song by an unfortunately inconsistent band.

The Jam - In The City

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivm0inFdJL8
They never made it over here - pity. They were a great band.

Graduation Day

Linda and I have received a record number of graduation announcements this year from friends and family. We congratulate you all. I wish I had some wonderful piece of Sacred Wisdom to convey to you, but I seem to be fresh out. I will simply add some hopes and wishes: that you are proud of your accomplishments; that those teachings and experiences will serve you well in the future; and that that future will be healthy, happy and honorable. Cheers!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHr6GbWPBVQ

neat keyboards

http://www.wonderfulinfo.com/amazing/keyboard.htm

Insects + Watch Parts

http://www.insectlabstudio.com/index.php/item/286

Cool!

Escher Lego

http://www.andrewlipson.com/escher/relativity.html

Pretty neat!

When hamsters attack!

http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/article.html?in_article_id=51095&in_page_id=2

Beware their Exercise Wheels Of Death!!!

Awwww...

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_2355951.html?menu=

(You just know this is going to end badly...)

It Was FORTY Years Ago Today...

Sgt Pepper Taught The Band To Play! Unbelievable.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sgt._Pepper's_Lonely_Hearts_Club_Band

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eYOkq5f530&mode=related&search=

Genesis 6:4

Be Afraid, Be Very Very Afraid....

June is National Accordion Awareness Month.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2QOnxbRiYU&mode=related&search=