Weirdness: October 2009

Our sneak attack on Poland

http://snafu-ed.blogspot.com/2009/10/us-navy-ship-mistakenly-fires-on-polish.html

BWAHAHAHAHA! They suspect NOTHING!

'Tis a gloomy cloudy afternoon here at the Manor. Not quite sunny, not quite dusk; a perfect representation of the date's significance as a conduit between life and death, harvest's bounty and winter's want, light and dark.
We're ready for the trick-or-treaters, even as we begin to put away some of our decorations and bring down the fireplace tools for the coming November nights. For many, tonight's a time for parties, for begging and for fright. For others of us, it's a time for telling stories of those who have passed on, of opening up an old bottle of cabernet, and of shuffling the Tarot. Have fun tonight, folks!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpizS9h-1Xk

my next lawn ornament...

http://www.thewirelesscatalog.com/cgi-bin/hazel.cgi?action=DETAIL&item=VG1442

That's SIR Dracula...

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hKJUd8SrxWG6jajaoNmozBNQX_xQ

a little recognition for Karl Wagner

http://www.metropulse.com/news/2009/oct/28/knoxville-ready-karl-wagner-horror-festival/

One of my fave authors.

the world's worst products/crafts/sale items

http://www.regretsy.com/

Gothtober...

http://www.gothtober.com/

As we finish up the month I'll once again direct folks' attention to the short films at Gothtober. Cute stuff!

the death of chalkboards

http://blogs.abcnews.com/campuschatter/2009/10/death-of-the-chalkboard-declining-sales-driven-by-cheap-whiteboard-production.html

I can't say I'll really miss the screeching noise, the dust, or staying after school to wash the damn erasers....

MST 300 JOL's

http://www.mst3kinfo.com/?p=4186

Pretty neat!

Happy Nut-Crack Night!

http://www.worldwidewords.org/weirdwords/ww-nut1.htm

Happy National Magic Day!

http://www.ehow.com/how_2310806_celebrate-national-magic-day.html

Today's October Song

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

Well, we made it, a song for each day of October. We started with a cover of The Monster Mash, and we'll end with the fantastic original by the late great Bobby "Boris" Pickett - the Guy Lombardo of Halloween.

Happy Birthday Kinkster!

http://www.kinkyfriedman.com/

Happy Birthday Tom Paxton!

http://www.tompaxton.com/

Happy Halloween!

neat Haloween cakes

http://www.yeah-oops.com/2009/10/30/coolest-halloween-cakes/

Haystack Art

http://www.yeah-oops.com/2009/10/30/cool-haystack-art/

Pretty impressive.

cat costumes for Halloween

http://www.yeah-oops.com/2009/10/30/hilarious-halloween-costumes-for-cats/

The Cold Call Of Cthulhu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m_W5Nkjub0&feature=related

Essential.

Darth Vader - Symphony Conductor

http://www.dangerousminds.net/index.php/site/comments/darth_vader_moonlights_as_symphony_conductor/

a new pumpkin record!

http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/viewnews.php?id=167638

my recommendation for this weekend - watch Nosferatu

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

An absolute classic.

Wii Wee Death

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8333197.stm

Happy National Candy Corn Day!

http://www.candyusa.com/Candy/CandyType.cfm?ItemNumber=1582

Happy Haunted Refrigerator Night!

http://www.wellcat.com/october/haunted_refrigerator_night.htm

Today's October Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcGb24n9hvM&feature=PlayList&p=40961B061BBCFF63&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=5

Today, we offer a rather tepid fanvid for the legendary Roky Erickson performing I Walked With A Zombie. Knowing Roky, it's probably based on real life.

Happy Devil's/Cabbage/Tick-Tack/Mischief/Corn/Goosy Night / Trick/ Gate/ Beggars Night!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil's_Night
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mischief_night

Happy Birthday, Internet!

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

a nice little article about L'Auberge

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/display.php?id=38026

I LOVE this restaurant. It is one of my five favorite places to eat in the region, and if anyone is visiting here or is living here and hasn't been by, I can't recommend it too highly. Absolutely superb. The Christmas Goose has become a tradition for Linda and I every December. Essential.

http://www.laubergechezfrancois.com/

some neat micro photographs

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/10/photomicrography/

The Wish Tree

http://dengedenge.com/2009/10/wish-tree-in-england/

Never had heard of this before.

nice collection of vintage Halloween images

http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzee_que/sets/72157608733936546/

Steampunk carousel

http://vimeo.com/2658800

a,h de gaulle, always charming

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1223484/British-War-Hero-Captain-Peter-Lake-helped-liberate-France-rudely-told-home-French-leader-reveals-Government-files.html

One of many historical footnotes about a man I loathe...

Beware The Bobbit Worm!

http://bitsandpieces.us/2009/10/29/bobbit-giant-penis-eating-worm/

The lovely but deadly Lorena was a local gal. You could go down to Shirlington and look in the window at the manicure shop and see her working her magic on the customers fingernails. Good times...

neat steampunk light switch plates

http://brassgoggles.co.uk/blog/200910/steampunk-light-switch-plates

some fun Halloween-based ads

http://www.yeah-oops.com/2009/10/28/27-creative-halloween-advertisements/

The Classics ---In Manga Form

http://www.somethingawful.com/d/awful-links/cliffsnotes-manga.php

13 Cemetery Road...

http://www.sunjournal.com/node/425950/

the cutting edge of place settings

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6455477/Woman-swallows-78-items-of-cutlery.html

I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/space/6455493/Exploding-star-from-13-billion-years-ago-caught-on-camera.html

a short article on some of Lovecraft's influence in rock music

http://www.sfbg.com/entry.php?entry_id=9332&catid=107&volume_id=452&issue_id=456&volume_num=44&issue_num=04

Lovecraft audiobook download!

http://audiobookcorner.blogspot.com/2009/10/hp-lovecraft-rats-in-walls.html

The Rats In The Walls...

Today's October Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6GzVCYqoyY&feature=related

The video for the The Ramones performing Pet Sematary (sic).

Happy Birthday Ralph Bakshi!

http://www.ralphbakshi.com/

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

I've always enjoyed Bakshi's animations. And Wizards is one of my all-time fave movies, flawed though it is.

Happy Birthday Bill Mauldin!

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

http://www.stripes.com/02/nov02/mauldin/

http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/swann/mauldin/

One of the greatest cartoonists, ever. Perhaps only Thomas Nast is more important. A genius and Essential.

Happy Punkie Night!

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

the wearable hummingbird feeder

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8twCvJJtT0A&feature=player_embedded

This is so cool! I'm a big fan of hummers, we have just a couple around here in the Summer.

(Thanks for the link, Edie!)

Tee Hee!

http://www.amish-online-dating.com/

Our U.N. delegate is finger lickin' good!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6444738/KFCs-Colonel-Sanders-tricks-his-way-into-UN-to-pose-for-official-photo.html

Today's October Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75xFyuD-62w&feature=PlayList&p=57BE5E2858D64EA5&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=3

The Shaggs are legendary for their awfulness. Their song It's Halloween is no exception. (When I worked at a record store at Dupont Circle many moons ago, we'd put this on at closing to help clear the customers out of the store...).

Happy Birthday Elsa Lanchester!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0006471/
http://www.cultsirens.com/lanchester/lanchester.htm

Whiskey - properly chilled

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/environment/090909/shackletons-whisky

unusual rings

http://www.yeah-oops.com/2009/10/27/unique-rings/

cute spiders

http://zuzutop.com/2009/07/cute-little-jumping-spiders/

Steampunk Fashion

http://steampunklib.vox.com/library/post/the-beautiful-people-of-steam.html?_c=feed-atom

Neat-O!

October washes away

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdodc1Eu1nA

It has been raining on and off for about the last twelve hours here at the Manor. I think we've had rain about six out of the last eight days and the gloom is as thick as the humidity.

the last German surrenders

http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=158341

Fascinating tidbits from WWII. This is the first account I've read of the German force in Svalbard. I'd known they had a weather station up there, but not how large the troop operating it was or what had happened to them. I would point out that about 30 years ago I nearly developed a rather satirical wargame based on the German occupation there, positing Norwegian and British commandos versus a small but elite force of nazi meteorologists, (their unit was to be named the Leibstandarten Louie Allen, named after a local and popular TV weatherman from my youth). Alas, I never got beyond the initial planning stages for developing the game.
It's also good that the author mentions the guerilla warfare that continued in the Ukraine for approximately 10 - 15 years after the war, something almost unknown in Western historical circles. I don't think that conflict has been covered at all in the West, (and perhaps not in the East, either). I think it would be interesting if some historian were to ever be allowed access to the Soviet archives, (and perhaps interviewing some of the survivors) and write a history of it.

EEEWWWWWW!

http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=92850&catid=158

Virginia's Finest....

Has anyone seen Eldridge Cleaver?

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,26265381-12335,00.html

Paint VS Chemical Warfare

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8321657.stm

Is that a python in your pants?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/norway/6442084/Pictured-Man-tries-to-smuggle-14-pythons-into-Norway-by-taping-them-to-his-body.html

Jaws....

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1223001/Great-White-Shark-bitten-nearly-half-BIGGER-monster.html

The Prisoner released on blu-ray

http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2009/10/the-prisoner-patrick-mcgoohan-blu-ray.php

Today's October Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0GVMFKvn4U

Well, you know I was gonna work Bruce into this set, one way or another. A Night With The Jersey Devil...

Happy Birthday Lara Parker!

http://www.laraparker.com/
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0662430/

http://www.darkshadowsonline.com/where-parker.html

The prettiest reason for watching Dark Shadows...

Happy Birthday John Cleese!

Genius. Essential.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000092/

http://www.thejohncleese.com/

http://www.cleeseblog.com/

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

http://pythonline.com/

Happy Birthday Gary Tallent!

http://www.garrytallent.com/
http://perso.wanadoo.es/tallent/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gary-Tallent/56948021702

Happy Birthday to You Bet Your Life (the radio show)

Premiered on this date in 1947. Great stuff!

http://www.radiohof.org/comedy/youbet.html

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

http://www.otr.net/?p=ybyl

The Unified Field Theory of Superman's Powers

http://www.qwantz.com/fanart/superman.pdf

more info on the world's coolest La-Z-Boy

http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/26/police-to-auction-off-nitrous-fueled-motorized-la-z-boy/

nice listing of Halloween music downloads

http://cool-mo-dee.blogspot.com/2009/10/halloween-music-from-around-web.html

10/30 - A Boris Karloff marathon on TCM!

http://www.tcm.com/thismonth/article.jsp?cid=253075&mainArticleId=253073

the vampire slayer...

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,26257193-26103,00.html

the tiniest model train

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6414891/Worlds-smallest-working-model-train-set-unveiled.html

my next t-shirt

http://www.cthulhulives.org/store/store.lasso?1=product&2=12

the cutting edge of USB devices

http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/usb-gadgets/9c89/

the equalizer t-shirt

http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel/interactive/8a5b/

The Adventures of Lil' Cthulhu!

http://polaris93.livejournal.com/1622556.html

Awwww....

Plush Zombie Attack

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lBFkbAwwbg&feature=player_embedded

Plush Sushi

http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/plush/c4a6/

Today's October Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdxR4Ngvh20&feature=PlayList&p=D56585585C4E5A2E&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=3

A fanvid for British loony Screaming Lord Sutch performing Dracula's Daughter.

Happy Birthday Doonesbury!

It began as a daily strip on this date in '70.

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

http://www.doonesbury.com/

Happy Birthday Natalie Merchant!

http://www.nataliemerchant.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1_QkHuHTLo&feature=related

the cutting edge of misidentification

http://lacrossetribune.com/news/weird-news/article_9d0d120b-28e0-5ad6-ac49-ff322644fdf5.html

cellphone symhony

http://bitsandpieces.us/2009/10/25/cellphone-symphony/

Just a commercial, and it sounds fake to me, but the potential is there.

Halloween in Japan

http://cool-mo-dee.blogspot.com/2009/09/halloween-in-japan-flickr-group-pool.html

the cutting edge of drive-by shootings

http://www.buffalonews.com/258/story/838341.html?imw=Y

the cookbook...

http://www.lulu.com/content/4956212

a new book out on Spandau and hess

http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/oct/25/books-farewell-spandau/

Count Gore

This is his season - that Ghost Host With The Most. Gore is showing a new movie this week - Mark of the Damned, and has a review/retrospective on Blacula! Essential!

http://countgore.com/gore/

the legend of the ultimate haunt

http://www.snopes.com/holidays/halloween/haunted.asp

Today's October Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWME4d1BRCk&feature=related

A fanvid for Weird Al Yankovic's Nature Trail To Hell.

Half a league, half a league, half a league onward...

Today is the anniversary of the Charge of the Light Brigade, perhaps the most romanticized and well-known military blunder in Western history.
http://poetry.eserver.org/light-brigade.html

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

Betty Boop Meets Dracula!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WM7rB_ecU4E&feature=related

Classic...

The House On Haunted Hill - online

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

Yes, it's kinda primitive, and yes, there are holes in the plot you could drive a truck through - big deal, I love this movie! Vinny gets to act creepy and Elisha Cook gets to act scared and crazy - you can't go wrong with that.

a little bit of Dave "The Rock" Nelson on Youtube

For those of you out of the loop, Nelson is generally considered one of the worst film producers of all time - amateur or pro. His films are legend on the fringe. I don't think there's any such thing as an outtake in a Nelson movie - everything is left in. Acting, directing, dialogue, film technique - the man is unique, to say the least. Needless to say, I consider myself a serious fan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPJzccHean0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTraffJBkYo&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoggvrirpRA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG3iUcnP_vo&feature=fvw

http://www.psychotronic.info/ioam/rock/index.htm

keeping pets can get so complicated

http://bitsandpieces.us/2009/10/24/drinking-in-front-of-his-bird/

Barnabas at the White House!

http://musicyouwont.blogspot.com/2009/10/barnabas-at-white-house-jonathan-frid.html

I don't remember this at all; weird.

new book - the women of Hammer Films

http://thevaultofhorror.blogspot.com/2009/10/all-hail-bible-of-hammer-horror-babes.html

Neat-o!

Squirrel Royalty

http://www.dangerousminds.net/index.php/site/comments/dead_squirrel_dressed_as_queen_victoria_for_sale_on_etsy/

When you're in trouble - call Jesus

http://www.urlesque.com/2009/10/23/jesus-christ-bail-bonds/

I love it when people attempt to defend incompetence and negligence

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091024/ap_on_go_ot/us_northwest_airport_overflown

Today is the Manitou Springs Colorado Coffin Races!

http://www.manitousprings.org/pdf_events/coffin_races_rules_forms09.pdf

http://www.peakradar.com/event/detail/37293

Today's October Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF8l38UZZYA

A classic. Lambert, Hendricks & Ross perform Halloween Spooks.

Happy Birthday Butch & Sundance!

Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid premiered on this date in 1969. I've always loved this movie, (despite a lot of critics not doing so). The bicycle scene is one of the best in filmdom.

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_5l6rIUu4A

Happy Allantide!

http://www.suite101.com/blog/elizayetter/allan_day

the balloon boy Halloween costume!

http://www.microflight.com/Balloon-Boy-Halloween-Costume-Kit

(Thanks for the link, Perry!)

The Paul Lynde Halloween Special online!

http://classicshowbiz.blogspot.com/2009/10/paul-lynde-halloween-special-with.html

An amazingly wretched show - a classic. The important thing is that it was the last "witchy" performace of the legendary uber-witch, Margaret Hamilton.

Charge by the pound...

http://www.mddailyrecord.com/article.cfm?id=158873&type=Daily

the Ted Williams Halloween costume...

http://deadspin.com/5385651/there-goes-the-greatest-halloween-costume-that-ever-lived?/456

Beer!

http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2009/10/pop-preview-birch-barley-and-church-key-grand-opening-thursday/

http://dcist.com/2009/10/first_look_churchkey.php

RIP Soupy, White Fang & Black Tooth

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1624524/20091023/story.jhtml

(Thanks for the link, Perry!)

the mood tail....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6efDVkmI5pc&feature=player_embedded#

Abomination

There's a rumor going around that "craft" slushies will be the next big thing on the bar scene around DC. Just like the old 7/11 Slurpees. I can think of nothing more putrid.
One of the most nightmarish moments of my life occurred many years ago while visiting the little mall at Union Station. They had a bar there which apparently was trying this idea out, and had a bank of those see-through plastic barrels located on the wall behind the bar, (just like 7/11 had 'em behind the cashier). As you sat at the bar, trying to down your drink, these things would be filled with psychedelic-colored pseudo-fruit concoctions, all swirling away. It was vomitous.
I remember when Slurpees first came out, and have fond memories of racing up to 7/11 to try the latest flavor, (and get the promotional button. Remember "I Have Slurped"?). But those are the memories of grade school. And I have absolutely no desire to go to a bar to relive them. This is a horrible idea.

mormon underwear has competition!

http://community.livejournal.com/vintage_ads/1437490.html

The Children Who Fought hitler

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1222375/The-children-fought-Hitler-How-British-expats-Third-Reichs-fiercest-foes.html

A fascinating footnote to the War.

pics from a local yard haunt

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/creativeapps/slideShow/Main.jsp?token=804449517211%3A1610126317

Amazing.

the friendly skies

http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=92710&catid=168

the cutting edge of la-z-boy DWI's

http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=92716&catid=168

hitler and balloon boy

http://www.boingboing.net/2009/10/21/hitler-finds-out-bal.html

(Thanks for the link, Missy!)

True Gamesman

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091023/ap_on_re_us/us_monopoly_world_championships

Today's October Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVkq_vrdmJY&feature=PlayList&p=B254FFDFC674CF77&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=2

Another local legend, this is doom meisters, Pentagram, performing Sign Of The Wolf.

Happy Birthday Weird Al!

http://www.weirdal.com/

Happy Birthday Ellie Greenwich!

http://www.elliegreenwich.com/

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

Genius. Essential.

Happy Birthday Johnny!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001992/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Carson

http://www.johnnycarson.com/carson/

The Addams Family Halloween episode

http://classicshowbiz.blogspot.com/2009/10/addams-family-halloween-episode-with.html

a local landmark for Halloween tourists - The Exorcist Stairs

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/1598

emergency zombie attack rations

http://cmmginc.secure-mall.com/shop/?shop=1&cat=172&

X marks the spot

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/6395738/Man-with-XXXXXXX-number-plate-receives-parking-fines-for-every-unidentified-car-in-city.html

interesting article on the interaction of our brains with time

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20427311.300-timewarp-how-your-brain-creates-the-fourth-dimension.html

The notes on schizophrenia are fascinating.

Tina Strobo - Heroine

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/17/nyregion/17metjournal.html?_r=1&hpw

Today's October Song

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

Today's entry is by local legends, The Slickee Boys, performing The Brain That Refused To Die.

Happy Brithday to The Sterile Cuckoo!

Premiered on this date in 1969. Beautiful movie. Certainly the best one I've ever seen about school-days romance. Great theme song, too.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065037/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yL5lb7V6PNY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg0-a4zlwNM&feature=related

Happy Birthday Bobby Fuller!

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

http://r.duffy.home.att.net/fuller/

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

Great talent.

Kinky is coming to the Birchmere!!!

http://kinkyfriedman.com/events?page=1

I guess this gives a whole new meaning to "Trigger Happy"...

http://www.examiner.com/x-3035-Everyday-People-Examiner~y2009m10d21-Horsesex-scandal-man-in-trouble-again

(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

The future of D&D?

http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/surfacescapes-puts-dungeons-and-dragons-on-surface-makes-your-d20/

Pretty neat, actually!

(Thanks for the link, John!)

music from bottles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5APJNzv9QI#t=1m05s

Kinda strange....

my next USB flash drive

http://www.yeah-oops.com/pic/show.php?img=10071_UniqueFlashDrives21.jpg.html

modular robot - with a few bugs...

Be sure to catch the last couple of seconds of the film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIn-sMq8-Ls&feature=player_embedded

(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

Magpie Grief?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/6392594/Magpies-feel-grief-and-hold-funerals.html

the strongest fingers in the world

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6385592/Man-proves-he-has-worlds-strongest-fingers.html

I believe the average DC driver's middle finger gets more of a workout than this guy's...

more on body part replacement

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8314442.stm

pretty interesting.

a step on the way to limb regeneration

http://www.discoveryon.info/2009/10/master-mechanism-behind-regeneration.html

toilet art...

http://izismile.com/2009/10/20/unusual_wall_or_a_toilet_art_20_pics.html

to look for extraterrestrials, look for extraterrestrial trash

http://www.phenomenica.com/2009/10/look-for-pollution-trails-to-find.html

http://hasthelargehadroncolliderdestroyedtheworldyet.com/

I love the internet. It's so informative!

(Thanks for the link, Nick!)

A new song to Cthulhu!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxScTbIUvoA&feature=player_embedded#

Happy Birthday Samuel Taylor Coleridge!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Taylor_Coleridge
http://www.online-literature.com/coleridge/

One of my faves...

RIP Vic Mizzy

http://www.vicmizzy.com/

Brilliant composer.

(Thanks for the head's up on this, Perry!)

Today's October Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdWVQQbYDY8

Pretty obscure in the States, this is an early New Wave horror tune by the Revillos called She's Fallen In Love With A Monster Man.

Only Ten Days Until Halloween!

It smells like Autumn leaves outside

It's a wonderful Fall evening here at the Manor...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzqBttT7PBE

See ya tomorrow.

that special bond between a mother and her son

http://www.fark.com/cgi/comments.pl?IDLink=4711817&tt=s

Woody Allen sells vodka

http://community.livejournal.com/vintage_ads/1429302.html

I don't remember this ad.

cats that look like hitler

http://www.catsthatlooklikehitler.com/cgi-bin/seigbest.pl

The Internet is amazing....

(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

neat yard haunt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOw-SF7ZPIA

A new Python documentary

http://www.historywire.com/2009/10/a-new-monty-python-documentary-looks-back.html

Nilsson & Ringo's Son Of Dracula online!

http://www.dangerousminds.net/index.php/site/comments/son_of_dracula_harry_nilsson_and_ringo_starrs_comedy_horror_rock_opera/

It is a terrible movie, but I've also always found it interesting, and there's some great music.

the cutting edge of car upholstery

http://www.dangerousminds.net/index.php/site/comments/russian_car_made_with_whale_penis_leather_trim/

some neat scarecrows

http://pumpkinrot.blogspot.com/2009/10/scarecrows-of-ivy-hall.html

new horror magazine

http://sheneverslept.com/newsandreviews/archives/924

Ringo, Beware!

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_ODD_DRUMBEAT_DISPUTE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2009-10-16-21-10-46

Today's October Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvO1b3f4DGs

Ah, we'd race home from school to see who Barnabas would bite. This is the theme to Dark Shadows.

Happy Birthday Art Buchwald!

A Washington Institution from a time fast disappearing. He was also a ver nice man.

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

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/19/AR2007011900444.html

Happy Birthday Bela!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000509/

http://www.lugosi.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZ2ObnoXLpY

One of my all-time faves. Horribly under-rated and mistreated.

Happy Birthday Margaret Dumont!

The ultimate straight "man". Absolutely wonderful.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0241669/

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

Happy Birthday Tom Petty!

http://www.tompetty.com/
http://www.myspace.com/tompetty

Happy Birthday Carolyne Mas!

One of my fave rock'n'rollers. I just love her music.

http://www.carolynemas.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg3sDnhAljQ

Home Haunt News

http://www.homehauntnews.com/

A nice little online resource for home haunters and other Halloween enthusiasts.

The present (and future?) reality of Air Force combat

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htmoral/20091019.aspx

Interesting article.

Apparently, we come gift-wrapped!

http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/10/16/tech-space-ibex-ribbon.html

let the "Good'N'Plenty" jokes begin!

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-sexiest-scent-for-women.html

the strangest Halloween costumes for babies

http://www.momversation.com/blog/15-weirdest-toddler-halloween-costumes

The chestbuster is a classic....

new sport - Darwinian mountain climbing

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/north_west/8313108.stm

Since they thought more about success than their compatriot's life, I'm surprised these budding ninjas didn't just get it over with, Kung Fu his ass and eat him for sustenance.

(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

NicK Lowe* and Time Passages

Linda and I went out to The Barns to see Nick Lowe last night. It was just him, solo and acoustic, and he provided a warm and enjoyable performance. He started the show out with a newer song called People Change - brilliantly picked. Sitting out in the foyer before being admitted to the show, I was people watching and remembering the last time I'd seen Nick. It was a little over 30 years ago, with the brilliant Rockpile. I gazed out at the milling concert goers last night and thought, what the hell happened, people? Almost everyone, especially Nick, was quite gray. The fewyoung people in the crowd were clearly the children of parents attending, etc. I'd say that th average age was about 58-60. I don't know whether to be amused or disturbed. At any rate, it was fun, and he did do I Knew The Bride When She Used To Rock'N'Roll, (which was our wedding song), along with other ol' faves like What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love & Understanding and Cruel To Be Kind, (it was difficult not to sing out loud and along with him on that one, it's part of my DNA at this point). My one disappointment was that he didn't perform Switch Board Susan, although to be fair, that's really meant to be played by a band, at full ear-bleeding volume, with me in the front row...

the crazy things that parents say

http://crazythingsparentssay.com/

(Thanks for the link, Audrey!)

Octomatics

http://www.infoverse.org/octomatics/octomatics.htm

Of course, Tom Lehrer was there first:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8Vb8CWJ-Ho

"This Man" viral marketing

http://assme.org/2009/10/12/thisman-org-is-probably-viral-marketing-so-shut-up-and-quit-freaking-out-about-him/

leech evidence

http://news.stv.tv/oddly-enough/131108-australian-robber-pleads-guilty-after-leech-provides-dna/

Pretty neat!

an electronic hand that can "feel"

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8313037.stm

Amazing.

The Test Drive - "How does it handle cliffs?"

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6366055/Elderly-woman-test-drives-car-over-edge-of-cliff.html

Versailles II

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6371231/Man-turns-his-Hampshire-council-flat-into-a-replica-Palace-of-Versailles.html

All I got was a green rash and a bunch of steel flatware sticking to me...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8310792.stm

I'm getting into real estate!

http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/arxiv/24239/

Today's October Song

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

Today's entry is by Barnes & Barnes, (featuring famous child star Billy Mumy). Cemetery Girls is a spooky little number, featuring a few references to Billy's portrayal in a Twilight Zone episode. Wonderful stuff!

Anniversary of the War of Jenkin's Ear

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_Jenkins'_Ear

My favorite name for a war....

Happy Yorktown Surrender Day!

http://battleofyorktown.com/

http://www.patriotresource.com/battles/yorktown.html

Happy birthday Tor Johnson!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0426363/
http://www.briansdriveintheater.com/torjohnson.html

Don't forget - Oct. 27th - the Drag Queen Races at Dupont Circle

http://dc.about.com/od/specialevents/ig/DC-Drag-Queen-Race-/

some neat Halloween light shows

http://halloweenmagick.blogspot.com/2009/10/halloween-lights.html

"Getting to know you; getting to know all about you..."

http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/state/new_jersey/20091016_ap_njassemblycandidatesellssextoys.html

I Can Breathe Again!

http://www.snopes.com/medical/disease/onion.asp

You don't know what it's like living with a thousand pounds of peeled onions scattered throughout the house....

RIP Steve Ferguson of NRBQ

http://www.myspace.com/stevefergusonrhythmandblues

(Thanks for the notice, Missy!)

local - Halloween at Cox Farm

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/15/AR2009101502168.html

the dress dress code

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/10/17/college.dress.code/index.html

50 Dark Movies, Hidden In A Painting

http://www.mms.com/us/dark/dark_game.jsp

Just found this and haven't ahd time to fully look it over, but this looks kinda cute. The M&M folks have created a Boschian-like painting, (and Bosch is one of my faves) and "hidden' 50 movie titles within the symbolism.
I'm just a little amazed; I never thought I'd be mentioning M&M's and Hieronymus Bosch in the same sentence!

Today's October Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfjcnuzLkq4

A fanvid, not particularly appropriate to the song. The original, I believe, was composed by Burt Bacharach!

Happy Birthday Bunnyman!

A local legend, his first appearance was on this date in 1970, just down the road from the Manor, in fact. There's been an unbelievable amount of bullshit written or spoken about him since then. The real story may be found here:
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/vr/bunny/bunny.htm

That isn't to say that one can't have fun with the idea:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5Bk4CXebP0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-54cB-Ie6s&feature=related

Happy Birthday Laura Nyro!

http://www.lauranyro.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Nyro

Happy Birthday Chuck Berry!

A Giant.

http://www.chuckberry.com/

http://www.rockhall.com/inductee/chuck-berry

RIP Flo Bretholz

An old acquaintance of Linda's and mine. A lovely Lady who shall be greatly missed by family and friends.

Today's October Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uV9xIzzcHg

If it's Halloween, you've just gotta play Warren Zevon's Werewolves of London.

Happy Birthday Hollywood Squares!

A remarkably entertaining game show. Premiered on this date in 1966.

http://www.classicsquares.com/

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

Happy Birthday Jim Seals!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seals_and_Crofts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BthCLLO-PY0&feature=related

Happy Birthday Tom Poston!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0692976/
http://www.tomposton.com/

Great comedian.

nice article on early attempts at calculators and computers

http://www.neatorama.com/2008/01/25/the-wonderful-world-of-early-computing/

Going Green!

http://cbs2chicago.com/watercooler/berlin.green.brothel.2.1252422.html

General Zod - Kitchen Designer

http://www.oliverwillis.com/2009/10/16/zod-kitchens/

Wonderful!

Get A Life!

Klingon Rap Music...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HekpXSI-N_o&feature=player_embedded#

Firesign Theatre - a review of their latest shows and a Nick Danger performance!

http://www.dangerousminds.net/index.php/site/comments/waiting_for_the_firesign_theatre_or_someone_like_them/

Classic. Brilliant.

the cutting edge of adoption pricing

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33318499/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

Portable Black Hole

http://www.nature.com/news/2009/091015/full/news.2009.1007.html?s=news_rss
Of course, the Beatles were way ahead on this phenomena: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNFum0P5pP0

The Holy Spirit

http://www.metro.co.uk/news/world/article.html?Father_Jack-style_drunken_priest_ejected_from_pulpit_for_swearing&in_article_id=752418&in_page_id=64

Martian Communication Solution

http://news.stv.tv/scotland/west-central/130708-researchers-find-way-round-mars-communication-problem/

Pretty neat.

unbelievable video speeds and detail

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091013210441.htm

Amazing.

and the inevitable Balloon Boy humor...

http://www.urlesque.com/2009/10/15/balloon-boy-meme/

(Thanks for the link, Audrey!)

Pickle Light

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUbpm8CdesY&feature=player_embedded

Camera Van

http://www.urlesque.com/2009/10/16/camera-van/

Awwww, My First Fail

http://myfirstfail.com/

balloon boy

http://www.kdvr.com/news/kdvr-balloon-boy-found-101509,0,6905331.story

Stunt, or stupidity? Regardless, the Fifth Dimension faced this same situation so many years earlier:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAQf1uAHaXM

Kitten Mittens!

http://vodpod.com/watch/2137584-its-always-sunny-in-philadelphia-kitten-mittensvideo

(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

Today's October Song

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

Another great song about the writer's contact with an occultist. This is Country Joe and the Fish meeting Not So Sweet Martha Lorraine.

Happy Dictionary Day!

http://www.oed.com/

Happy Birthday Nico!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nico
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjjDmX9Tkss

You have the right to remain silent

http://www.themorningstarr.co.uk/2009/10/15/deaf-and-mute-sex-attacker/

This story is just so weird all the way around. First of all, what the hell is that illustration of a hand gesture with the article? Why is it there? And did the writer of the article really mean to say that the victim "beat Lecuyer off" ? And the story itself - grunting noises, the note that was both threatening and apologetci, the fact that the victim didn't call the police immediately, etc.

The Miskatonic Acid Test

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0g0Zac3oEc&feature=player_embedded#

Ah yes, reminds me of my school days...

I've always wanted to see this film. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like it's ever getting released.

The cutting edge of business names

http://failblog.org/2009/10/14/business-plan-fail/

Happy National Grouch Day!

Halloween Haters

http://www.newsday.com/business/halloween-haters-say-boo-humbug-1.1520720

I suspect this is little more than a media-created . Regardless, they're wimps....

Today's October Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYjgh-znxB4

Heart preforms Magic Man. Ah, this was quite popular right around this time of month in '75.

RIP Captain Lou

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/10/captain-lou-albano.html

A legend....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJNrsNe54AE

Vintage Halloween Displays

http://vintagehalloweencollector.blogspot.com/2009/10/halloween-displays.html

I love this stuff...

Tee hee!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/6306610/Fish-fingers-swimming-around-in-Londons-Sea-Life-aquarium.html

Excited By The Savings!

http://www.2news.tv/news/local/64091247.html

Thumper - NO!

http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/article.html?Sweden_burns_rabbits_to_heat_up_winter&in_article_id=752176&in_page_id=2

rumble strip power

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/14/AR2009101401510.html?wprss=rss_metro

Cute.

Well, so much for "cloud computing"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/12/AR2009101203012.html?wprss=rss_technology/personaltech

Geeky Jack-o-lantern designs

http://www.thinkgeek.com/blog/2009/10/design-geeky-pumpkin-template.html?cpg=106H2

(Thanks for the link, Nick!)

The Museum of Everything

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturepicturegalleries/6309236/The-Museum-of-Everything.html

This sounds so COOL! I wonder if I'm in it?

(Thanks for the link, Missy!)

and more wuss America

http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=92353&catid=168

Facebook idiot

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8306032.stm

patriotic squirrels

http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091013/NEWS/910130390/-1/NEWSMAP

Wuss America

http://www.verizon.net/newsroom/portals/newsroom.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=newsroom_portal_page__article&_article=2380340&_count=1

Mussolini - British Agent?!?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/6321201/Italian-dictator-Benito-Mussolini-was-recruited-by-MI5.html

Fascinating, (if true...).

the revolt of the universe?

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/13/science/space/13lhc.html?_r=3&pagewanted=all

the cutting edge of snuggling

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33290495/ns/us_news-weird_news/

new medical procedure - the spider pill

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/6300636/Spider-pill-offers-new-way-to-scan-for-diseases-including-colon-cancer.html

Interesting. The possibilities for mischeif and evil also seem present...

Today's October Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB2X0404RRU

Redbone performs Witch Queen of New Orleans.

Happy Birthday Justin Hayward!

http://www.justinhayward.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7vfjJHcfeE&feature=related

Wedding Cake - Alien Style

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjrzBorpfiR-fRw_8zF5zsdj_xQtAtPTRWsiBwPar4GkbCpypdJKGmJZOc0Q_CQNghJi97WKM65oBriItPBOjE5_wV578C_pxKl_zjz-mxPObqltxARvUlVhdiGY0j424MrOxeA/s1600-h/jet+city+giger.jpg

Fantastic!

(Thanks for the link, Nick!)

Ten Creepy Ads

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/11/the-11-creepiest-unintent_n_316963.html?slidenumber=0#slide_image

(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

a memorial essay to Karl Wagner

http://www.thecimmerian.com/?p=5870

One of my fave authors.

The Kenova Pumpkin House

http://parasearcher.blogspot.com/2009/10/kenova-pumpkin-house.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWUgc5jit-M&feature=player_embedded

Amazing.

report from the HPL Film Festival

http://sheneverslept.com/newsandreviews/archives/596

The Boris Karloff Blogathon

http://frankensteinia.blogspot.com/2009/10/announcing-boris-karloff-blogathon.html

Swiss neutrality

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125538837430881287.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLTopStories

It's amusing to see a country that was an ACTIVE, if secret, ally of nazi Germany (despite the cover-up) is now afraid of dealing with the U.S. as if we're going to somehow soil a soul already so blackened...

Witches! Hubba hubba!

http://my-retrospace.blogspot.com/2009/10/vintage-halloween-spooky-dames-and.html

a unique story of the OSS during WWII - Jews returning to nazi Germany to spy

http://blogcritics.org/books/article/book-review-they-dared-return-the/

An aspect of the war I'm totally unfamiliar with, (outside of the "Final Redoubt" stuff). This sounds fascinating.

just another day in the District

http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=92281&catid=168
Yes, DC government in action, again! Of course, I wouldn't expect pimps to know anything about putting out fires.

my fave archaeologist

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20091013_Penn_archaeologist_recreates_ancient_brews.html?page=1&c=y

a little fun with Bach for Halloween

http://www.bindaaspoll.com/videos/Halloween/coolHalloweendance.htm

Today's October Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymh1o09vRWE

Santana performs Black Magic Woman..

Happy Birthday Lenny Bruce!

http://www.lennybruceofficial.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISXw7dmo9Co

Happy Birthday John Ford Coley!

http://www.johnfordcoley.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRFZUB3NzGs

A guilty pleasure, but I've always liked this guy.

Happy Birthday Paul Simon!

http://www.paulsimon.com/
http://www.paul-simon.info/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46bkXgxb66E

Happy Herb Day!

a little classic Halloween fun - Richard Pryor, Exorcist

http://www.hulu.com/watch/1601/saturday-night-live-the-exorcist-ii

Absolutely Classic.

Um, I guess I can go for that 3 year renewal to TV Guide now...

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5geddMD9F2E4JN9acD5IJvqHtll9AD9B8P09G0

Pumpkin Shortage!

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/oct/12/great-pumpkin-crop-is-elusive/

film of Bruce performing Wrecking Ball

http://www.brucespringsteen.net/news/index.html

Cool! Some nice comments about the concert at Giant's Stadium too.

(Thanks for the link, Erik!)

the paint fight

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH1vHu9v2YY

Marge Simpson - Playboy Bunny

http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE5984FN20091010?feedType=nl&feedName=usoddlyenough

I only read it for the cartoons....

Have It Their Way!

http://www.cabel.name/2009/09/kashiwa-mystery-cafe.html

This reminds me of the much-missed La Casita, in old Arlington, (a/k/a Speedy Gonzales's). Probably the best Mexican food I've even had in this region, it was a real dive. You'd want to go in a group, the larger the better. We only spoke English, the Korean waitress only spoke her native tongue, and the cooks only spoke Spanish. The result is that after all the inaccurate translations, there was a better than even chance you wouldn't get exactly what you ordered. We'd compensate by a bunch of us going in and ordering a wide variety - and then trade amongst ourselves whatever we got, usually ending up with what we'd actually ordered.

Graham's Number

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham%27s_number

This sounds like the start of a possible gag in the Hitchhikers Guide....

the Mall....

http://www.pbs.org/pov/utopia/

neat-looking clocks

http://kclaydonfurnishings.ning.com/photo/album/show?id=3421928%3AAlbum%3A17

the cutting edge of home-made products

http://www.dirjournal.com/shopping-journal/15-most-bizarre-home-made-products-cute-or-not/

very pretty smoke effects

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

The Gömböc

http://plus.maths.org/issue52/features/gomboc/index.html

Strange little exercise in mathematics

interesting little article about NASA's "lost" female astronauts

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/10/mercury-13/

the Silver Swan automaton

http://meinekleinefabrik.blogspot.com/2009/09/even-better-than-real-thing.html

Pretty neat!

Richard Feynman uses chess to explain the exploration of physics

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1dgrvlWML4

Fun stuff!

Urban Piano

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivg56TX9kWI

neat-o!

steampunk computer mouse

http://66.196.80.202/babelfish/translate_url_content?.intl=no&lp=ru_en&trurl=http://forum.modding.ru/viewtopic.php%3ft%3d27791%26start%3d0%26postdays%3d0%26postorder%3dasc%26highlight%3d%26sid%3d37eb341666c0d85e8965f4779c871b6b

I want this....

Britain's Atomic Chicken Mines

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

Northern Virginia Brewfest is coming up

http://novabrewfest.com/fall/

Peter Bergman (of Firesign Theatre) has his own Youtube channel

http://www.youtube.com/user/MrPBergman

an oldie but goody - some Halloween-type pranks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gMDkp815SE

headlines in Australia

http://www.defamer.com.au/2009/10/woman-denies-performing-oral-sex-on-ute-driver/

Today's October Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFD7KGBUtKI&feature=fvw

Both the Addams Family show and its theme song are classics.

Happy Birthday Melvin Franklin!

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

http://www.angelfire.com/stars/classictemptations/Melvinbio.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T7TgNdN8k8

Happy Birthday Sam Moore!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_David_Moore
http://www.rockhall.com/inductee/sam-and-dave

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_juH0AHvwk

Happy Columbus Day!

Trafalgar Union Jack for sale

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/8297418.stm

Interesting. I'm a little surprised that something couldn't/wasn't worked out with the Imperial War Museum to own this.

(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

my watch must be broken...

Linda and I are driving home last night and pass a house on our street which already has Christmas lights up and turned on.

Today's October Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8sONyA6eTk&feature=player_embedded

Zacherley performs Dinner With Drac, a classic horror host and song.

Happy Pulaski Memorial Day!

A great patriot, now almost forgotten.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazimierz_Pu%C5%82aski

http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~sarmatia/405/254thompson.html

http://www.poles.org/PulaskiBio.html

Happy Birthday Mike Nelson!

http://www.michaeljnelson.com/home/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_J._Nelson

http://www.rifftrax.com/

http://www.mst3kinfo.com/

Host of MST 3000. Genius. Essential.

Happy Birthday to To Have And Have Not!

Premiered on this date in 1944. Great movie - one of my faves, containing one of the best film scenes - ever. Taught me how to whistle...

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037382/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Have_and_Have_Not_(film)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY4zkWUTvQM

Happy Anniversary to Saturday Night Live!

Premiered on this date in 1975.

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072562/

http://snlarc.jt.org/

20 Days Until Halloween!

Free Mojo!!!!!

http://www.amazon.com/Unlimited-Everything/dp/B000R04UOA/

Virtually everything that Mojo Nixon has releases is now apparently available for free download through Amazon. Amazing.

(Thanks for the link, Missy!)

the cutting edge of Mary Tyler Moore fandom

http://www.dangerousminds.net/index.php/site/comments/the_masturbating_to_mary_tyler_moore_society/#When:15:53:25Z

high-speed film of bullet impacts

http://bitsandpieces.us/2009/10/10/bullet-impacts-at-1000000-frames-per-second/

The Cutting Edge of Christian Cookie Cutters

http://consumerist.com/5378467/ok-someone-should-have-thought-this-veggietales-cookie-cutter-through

The Honeymoon

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/oct/10/couple-accused-of-burglary/

Count Gore DeVol's Night of the Living Dead tribute!

The movie: http://www.countgore.com/gore/lab.htm

Interviews: http://www.countgore.com/gore/library.htm

Fun stuff!

Her Majesty's Royal Navy

Rum, sodomy, the lash - and Queen....

http://shock.military.com/Shock/videos.do?displayContent=78540&page=291

(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

Today's October Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_YlipgNR8I

A fun little fanvid to a rather obscure fave of mine, Graveyard Rock by "T arantula Ghoul & The Gravediggers"

Happy Birthday Ed Wood!

The Master...

http://mailer.fsu.edu/~lflynn/edwood.html

http://www.edwood.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_D._Wood,_Jr.

Absolutely, totally, deliriously Essential.

Happy Birthday Kirsty MacColl!

http://www.kirstymaccoll.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirsty_MacColl

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISzoUdtMSH4

Great talent.

Happy Birthday Diamond Dave!

http://www.rotharmy.com/forums/index.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Lee_Roth

Wuss America

http://kdka.com/halloween/Bobtown.trick.treating.2.1237280.html

I'll be curious how the brave government of this little backwater reacts if they see some kid out in costume knocking on doors for candy - wrestle them to the ground, taser them if they resist, prison sentences? What a bunch of losers. Wouldn't of lasted ten minutes in the old days in my neighborhood....

Now, it's officially Halloween Season!

Capistrano has its Swallows, Hinckley Ohio has its buzzards, but the Manor has its Wolfesbane - and every October it blooms, right on schedule.

Time Warp record bid

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/sussex/8297469.stm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDCYFshhSkQ

Healine of the Day

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1218880/One-gay-man-lesbians-legged-cat-poisoned-curry-plot.html?printingPage=true

Star Trek meets Monty Python

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

(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

Happy Leif Erikson Day!

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

RIP Generous George's

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/business/Generous-Georges-Says-Goodbye-59942547.html

An Alexandria Institution. George used to come into the record store every once in awhile. Nice guy, great pizza, am sorry to see the place go.

the latest casualty of WWII

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6279209/Lobster-blown-up-in-unexploded-mine.html

Today's October Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxlXChuX0AI&feature=fvw

This entry is Will Smith's video for Nightmare On My Street.

Happy Birthday John!

http://www.johnlennon.com/html/news.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lennon

http://www.rockhall.com/inductee/john-lennon

http://www.thebeatles.com/

Happy Birthday Jackson Browne!

http://www.jacksonbrowne.com/
http://www.jrp-graphics.com/jackson_browne.html

Happy Birthday to The Ox!

http://www.johnentwistle.com/

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

The Talking Piano

http://www.dangerousminds.net/index.php/site/comments/the_speaking_piano_from_hell/#When:14:44:20Z

Fun!

Dud Milk Dud

http://blog.oregonlive.com/nwheadlines/2009/10/idaho_woman_mistakes_own_heari.html

A funeral for Poe in Baltimore

http://naturalplane.blogspot.com/2009/10/edgar-allan-poe-to-receive-funeral-he.html

Lovecraft's The Whisperer In Darkness to be filmed!

http://grimreviews.blogspot.com/2009/10/filming-of-whisperer-in-darkness.html

cyborg beetles!

http://singularityhub.com/2009/10/07/free-flying-cyborg-beetles/

Cthulhu Ski Mask!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/djonesgirlz/3990247016/

The Life & Death Of A Pumpkin - A Classic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-1aui-wluE&feature=channel

Today's October Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z97AIua152U&feature=related

A fanvid for Whodini's Haunted House of Rock.

Imagine was released on this date in 1971

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imagine_(song)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okd3hLlvvLw

the future: unmanned military ships/boats

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htsurf/20091007.aspx

the cutting edge of ballast

http://bitsandpieces.us/2009/10/06/kid-used-as-paperweight-atop-van/

Can You Face The Horror of the Invasion of the Space Cheese?!?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/somerset/8175347.stm

(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

a nice day

It's very blustery outside this afternoon, but the sun is shining, the leaves are starting to change color, Born to Run was just played on the radio, and the wolfesbane is about to bloom here at the Manor. A nice day.

plasma rockets to mars?

http://www.kurzweilai.net/news/frame.html?main=/news/news_single.html?id%3D11235

(Thanks for the link, Phil!)

The Great Pumpkin

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6267287/Ohio-teacher-sets-world-record-with-1725-pound-giant-pumpkin.html

Brain-Computer Interface news

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006102637.htm

Fascinating stuff.

circular rainbow

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6264978/Circular-rainbow-seen-from-aircraft-window.html

pretty neat

nice article on Old Bay being 70 years old

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/06/AR2009100600778.html

A regional essential. Absolutely wonderful on everything.

dummy paratrooper for sale

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/6262848/D-day-dummy-to-be-sold.html

An interesting footnote to WWII. If I remember correctly, these dummies are portrayed in the famous movie about D-Day, The Longest Day.

Today's October Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtyJbIOZjS8

Jacko was one sick puppy, but this is a great video. Who'd of thunk that the second* most famous dance sequence in history would involve zombies?

*Gene Kelly's Singing In The Rain will always be #1...

Happy Birthday John Mellencamp!

http://www.mellencamp.com/
http://www.myspace.com/johnmellencamp

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

new memorial to Allied secret agents

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8289847.stm

Well overdue.

Today's October Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNt_5y5jfPY

No video here, just the great Bo Diddley song, Bo Meets The Monster. Classic.

Happy Mad Hatter Day!

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~ari/madHatter.html

Happy Ivy Day!

http://www.gradesaver.com/classicnotes/titles/dubliners/section14.html

the Gandhi Pen...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8287754.stm

I believe Weird Al was way ahead of the curve on this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfvLcozLwtE&feature=related

a blog just for parodies of American Gothic

http://americangothicparodies.blogspot.com/

The Internet is a wonderful thing.

I believe we have a Darwin Award Nominee

http://juneauempire.com/stories/100409/loc_500794027.shtml?dumbass

Probably the most dramatic way to check if a gun is loaded.

Today's October Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPabu18mDwM

Hey, we're talkin' horror - you gotta include Alice Cooper. This is his video for Feed My Frankenstein.

Anniversary of Love Me Do

The first single by the Beatles, (on their own). Released on this date (in Britain) in 1962.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xuMwfUqJJM&feature=related

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

Happy Birthday Monty Python!

Premiered (in Britain) on this date in '69 - forty years ago!!!! One of my faves. Geniuses, one and all, and absolutely Essential.

http://pythonline.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vuW6tQ0218

Happy Anniversary to You Bet Your Life!

The TV version of You Bet Your Life premiered on this date in 1950. Fun stuff!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042171/

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ9J4M5xN3k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YH6CrMR1eg&feature=related

the Google request...

http://www.eatliver.com/i.php?n=4827

Seven Secrets

http://www.cracked.com/article/147_7-secrets-only-two-living-people-know-for-some-reason/

What's most interesting about this list is how uninteresting the secrets really are. Drying out brine shrimp eggs is natural - hell, I've done it myself! Col. Sanders himself attacked the buyers of his chicken recipe, claiming they'd reduced the "secret" herbs and spices to little more than salt - that's the real secret to the current recipe. Playing a shell game with Cromwell's head is something only the inbreds in royalty would worry about. Coke is successful due to marketing and corporate muscling, not taste, (Tab, on the other hand, when mixed with copious quantities of bourbon, is pure Soma). I couldn't give a rat's ass about mud, the real secret is that others are willing to pay money for it, (why can't I ever come up with this stuff - "Oh, but it's QUALITY Shit, Madame, you wouldn't want to buy any other brand...".

understand what you're wearing....

http://www.yeah-oops.com/pic/show.php?img=8859_FailAgain21.jpg.html

a few unusual scarecrows

http://www.yeah-oops.com/2009/10/02/funny-scarecrows/

Play Ball!

http://naturalplane.blogspot.com/2009/10/shock-ted-williams-frozen-head-used-for.html

the cellphone...

http://gizmodo.com/5362885/this-guys-cellphone-takes-augmented-reality-to-a-whole-new-level

Healthcare-themed restaurants

http://www.vitabits.co.uk/health-blog/themed-restaurants/

Tres weird...

Russians in the comics

http://majakovskij.livejournal.com/60878.html

hairy situation

http://bibliodyssey.blogspot.com/2009/09/waiter-theres-hair-in-my-satire.html

the strange ad

http://community.livejournal.com/vintage_ads/1399531.html

Men hanging around in their underwear in what appears to be some sort of subterranean grotto looking at a rather unusual, (and impractical) aquarium. What the hell is going on?

Harvest Moon is today!

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/When_is_the_harvest_moon_in_2009

Today's October Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEmALYV72sc

Black Widow never got much notice in the States. But they were a pretty good occult-oriented band contemporary with Black Sabbath when they were starting up, although Widow had a more prog-rock sound. This is them performing a witchcraft tune called Come To The Sabbath.

Janis died on this date in 1970

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7JVxE2SYxo

Happy National Taco Day!

Happy Birthday Sputnik!

Launched on this date in 1957.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sputnik_1

Happy Birthday Buster Keaton!

http://www.busterkeaton.com/
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000036/

interesting article on the video aspects of new weapon systems

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htarm/articles/20091003.aspx

Austira protects wildlife - or nazi treasure?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/austria/6251537/Austria-to-ban-diving-for-Nazi-diamonds-in-Toplitz-Lake.html

There are so many rumors about that damned lake that I suspect it'll be impossible to keep treasure hunters away, and I suspect Austria's government will be one of them...

The Battle of Britian - on land!

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/news/2009/september/30/battle_of_graveney.aspx

An interesting footnote to WWII.

RIP Marek Edelman

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8288156.stm

I always am in awe of those people. Unbelievable courage.

Interview with the Darkest Of The Hillside Thickets

http://www.innsmouthfreepress.com/?p=1933

Cthulhu rock'n'roll.

Happy Birthday Charles Middleton - Ming The Merciless

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0585481/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_B._Middleton

Great character actor - and what a character! Some day I want to write one of those self-help books for managers and businessmen entitled "Management Secrets of Ming The Merciless". We're talking #1 on the NYT bestsellers list, people.

Happy Birthday Eddie Cochran!

One of my faves. Vastly under-rated.

http://www.eddiecochran.info/

http://www.rockhall.com/inductee/eddie-cochran

http://www.eddiecochran.net/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRjlZ8x2uQM

Happy Birthday Lindsey Buckingham!

http://www.lindseybuckingham.com/
http://www.myspace.com/lindseybuckingham

Happy Anniversary, Captain!

Captain Kangaroo premiered on this date in 1955.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047718/

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

Happy Birthday to The Dick Van Dyke Show!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054533/

http://www.dickvandykeshow.com/

Great, great show. Perhaps the greatest sitcom of all, certainly it's my favorite. Premiered on this date in '61.

Happy Birthday to The Maltese Falcon!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033870/
Premiered on this date in 1941. One of my all-time fave movies. Absolutely Essential.

Today's October Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akt3awj_Ah8

A wonderful video of Black Sabbath performing their anthem. Great tune.

Twilight Zone episodes online!

http://www.cbs.com/classics/the_twilight_zone/index.php

new MST 3000 DVD release!

http://www.mst3kinfo.com/?p=3976

Alert Alfred Hitchcock!

http://electricchildren.com/wordpress/?p=745

Rent-A-German

http://www.rentagerman.de/

Make your Oktoberfest extra special!

Yule Deer

http://helenair.com/news/weird-news/article_2f1a3399-81a5-5ad3-baef-d4daeb46f8fc.html

2009 Ig Nobel Awards announced

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8285380.stm

The University of Florida is ready for Zombie Invasion!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33130861/ns/us_news-weird_news/?GT1=43001

(Thanks for the link, Nick!)

Today's October Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A175TP5dtP0

Here we have Frank Zappa detailing his experiences with an occultist in Camarillo Brillo.

Happy Birthday Groucho!

Probably my favorite comedian. An American Treasure. Genius. Essential.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000050/

http://www.groucho-marx.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jh9hJaEDmF4

Happy Birthday Budd Abbott!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0007941/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bud_Abbott

One of my faves.

Happy Birthday Charlie Brown!

Peanuts premiered on this date in 1950.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_M._Schulz

http://comics.com/peanuts

Happy Birthday to The Twilight Zone!

Great show, one of the best, ever. PREMIERED 50 YEARS AGO TODAY!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052520/

http://www.twilightzone50th.com/

Gothtober Started!

http://www.gothtober.com/

interesting article on military's use of cellphones in combat

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htecm/articles/20090930.aspx

breakthrough in cybernetics

http://www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2009-09/age-telekenetic-cyborg-monkeys-upon-us

I don't know if this'll work...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa1i375FuGw

For every day in October I'll try to find and post a song dealing with Halloween, horror, the occult, and all that fun stuff. I'm not sure there's enough out there to support this effort, but we'll see. Our first entry is the legendary Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band performing the equally legendary Monster Mash. Enjoy.

Picture Is Unrelated

http://pictureisunrelated.com/

A fun little compilation/blog of all those weird little photos out there.

(Thanks for the link, Audrey!)

just another day around the District

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=1775364

Happy Birthday, American Pie!

Released in October of '71, the exact date seems to be unknown. Great song. I understand every reference but one - the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost - any ideas, folks? By catching a train for the Coast, it implies they're going to California, (at least I've never heard of the East Coast described merely by the one word, "Coast", so am assuming we're talking L.A.). The elegant reply would be for Woody, Arlo and Pete Seeger. McLean was something of a disciple have visited L.A., (I believe Woody lived there in the 30's), but it just doesn't seem to fit a lyric whose placement in the song would imply 69-71, (Woody being long dead by then).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6uEjifqTaI&feature=related