Happy Birthday Dad

You are missed.

The ultimate 13th Floor Elevators collection - 10CD!!!

http://decrepittapes.blogspot.com/2009/06/13th-floor-elevators-sign-of-3-eyed-men.html

(Thanks for the link, Perry!)

very strange beers

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/11/27/booze-cruise-the-top-ten-weird-and-wonderful-beers-from-around-the-world-115875-21855416/

the longest base jump

http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/2009/12/best-of-adventure/dean-potter-video

Unbelievable.

An old boss of mine now trains people to this (!). If interested, I'd highly recommend him: http://www.thebrothersgray.com/. As for me, I will just sit here, thank you.

Elf Flash Mob

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvw3H3LUQwQ&feature=player_embedded

Cute, but I prefer zombie flash mobs...

The Stone Forest

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/11/stone-forest/alvarez-photography

Amazing and beautiful.

Tee Hee! Nanny State Beer.

http://www.brewdog.com/blog-article.php?id=163

Of course, I'd argue that Coors or Bud Lite already qualify as too low in alcohol, (and taste) to be considered anything other than polluted water.

new publisher of horror, fantasy and sci-fi

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

I hope they succeed, but 4 mags at once sounds much too ambitious to me...

I Want To Hold Your Hand

Released (in Britain) on this date in 1963. Magic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iim6s8Ea_bE

Happy Birthday Stan Rogers!

http://fogartyscovemusic.skyrocketlabs.com/

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

One of the greatest folk singers - ever.

Happy Birthday Rocky & Bullwinkle!

Premiered on this date in 1959.

http://www.rockyandbullwinkle.com/

http://bullwinkle.toonzone.net/

Happy Birthday Felix Cavaliere!

http://www.felixcavaliere.com/

Happy Birthday Peter Bergman!

http://www.firesigntheatre.com/albums/bergman.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Bergman_(comedian)

Genius. Essential.

another nice review/slam on the new Prisoner

http://stupidevilbastard.com/2009/11/how-to-ruin-the-prisoner-in-six-easy-steps/


I am SOOOO glad I didn't stick around to watch this whole pile of shit.


(Thanks to Infidel753 for the link!)

Happy Birthday Jon Stewart!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0829537/

http://www.thedailyshow.com/

Anniversary of the release of Horses by Patti Smith

One of my fave albums by one of my artists. Released on this date in '75. Absolutely knocked me off my feet when I bought this. So cool.

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPvR7wNwRAo

Anniversary of the Alice's Restaurant Massacree of 1965

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_7C0QGkiVo

Linda and I play this tune every Thanksgiving. An essential bit of Americana.

Happy Birthday Barry Gordy!

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

http://www.rockhall.com/inductee/berry-gordy-jr

Genius.

Internet Museum of Flexi Discs

http://www.wfmu.org/MACrec/

Very cool! Some one needs to get all the old Trouser Press flexis out online.


(Thanks for the link, Perry!)

Bruce, and the "other" education

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/27/opinion/27brooks.html?_r=1&sudsredirect=true

A nice article about my religion.


(Thanks for the link, Erik!)

Tee Hee!

http://www.fark.com/cgi/comments.pl?IDLink=4802537&tt=s

interesting article/interview about a Chinese H-bomb mishap

http://www.airspacemag.com/military-aviation/AS-Interview-Yang-Guoxiang.html?c=y&page=1

The League of Victorian Imagineers

http://www.galaxy.net.nz/steampunk/

Cool steampunk!

The Punk Rock Advent Calendar

http://www.punk-christmas.com/index.html

Amusing idea...

Boris Karloff narrates Rip Van Winkle

http://cool-mo-dee.blogspot.com/2009/11/boris-karloff-narrates-rip-van-winkle.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Cool-mo-dee+%28Cool-Mo-Dee%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

Cool!

a smuggled Thanksgiving meal

http://gizmodo.com/5413714/astronauts-sneak-turkey-into-the-space-station

the bionic eye

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1231172/Blind-man-fitted-bionic-eye-sees-time-30-years.html

Absolutely amazing. I love technology like this.

a stagecoach built from toothpicks

http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/local-wane-warsaw-Toothpick-stagecoach-headed-to-Ripley's

What an impressive waste of time.

jumbo jet home

http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/801816-man-turns-his-house-into-a-jumbo-jet

For ultimate realism, he should hire a cook who will only serve him peanuts unless paid extra, lose his clothing (luggage), and have a child constantly screaming in his ear and kicking the back of any chair he sits down in. Before entering the house he has to take off his shoes and belt and go through a metal detector. Ah, home sweet home!

puppy boob jobs

http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/801868-scooby-booby-doo-dogs-get-boob-jobs

the cutting edge of, well, the cutting edge

http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/801754-whats-wrong-with-using-a-chopping-board-like-everyone-else

This guy would make a hell of a Mohel...

nice article on real video wargames

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htcbtsp/articles/20091127.aspx

a little nostalgia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us6lUPDavNQ&feature=player_embedded

I vaguely remember this, I think one of my school friends must have owned one back in the day. It looks very cool, even now! Unfortunately, there were no controls for strafing runs...

Hubba Hubba! The Cutting Edge of Erotica!!!!

http://furnitureporn.com/

brainiac

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/6663953/Hapless-robbery-caught-after-robbing-security-guard-in-own-street.html

hugs & kisses

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/vietnam/6663834/Vietnamese-man-dug-up-wifes-corpse-so-he-could-hug-her.html

Happy Sinkie Day!

http://www.sinkie.com/#sinkieday

Happy Birthday Jimi Hendrix!

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hSW67ySCio

the cutting edge of aquarium store sales

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/store-goes-topless-for-black-friday

There are at least two or three puns running around in my brain right now...

the gas leak

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/26/2754023.htm

RIP His Tremendousness

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/6656951/His-Tremendousness-dies-aged-73.html

There's a whole international subculture of pseudo/micro/artificial states that I used to study. There have been a whole bunch of scams, but others almost resemble a Marx Brothers movie. Fun stuff!

I've never been a scooter type of a guy - until now....

http://www.aroundglobe.net/2009/11/bazooka-vespa-french-proud.html

Skirt around congestion, or through it!

news on computer brain implants

http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2009-11/intel-wants-brain-implants-consumers-heads-2020

If this comes to pass, and I'm guessing that it will, I think the choice to do this is going to be very much based on generation. I see few folks my age or older reacting well to this idea.

great moments in American edumicashun

http://www.cracked.com/article/211_the-6-most-horrific-lessons-ever-taught-in-elementary-school/

Needless to say, Florida features prominently in here...

tough dating scene in Dundee

http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/2744572/Helen-Hodge-rips-out-lover-Billy-Duncans-testicles.html

some neat chess sets

http://www.zuzafun.com/cool-chess-sets

A game I've always regretted being horrible at.

Kingdom of Amarugia?

Anybody know anything about this place? An area in Missouri - it supposedly tried to secede sometime around the Civil War. A brief search on the Internet has revealed virtually nothing about it, and I've never heard of it before today.

the absolute cutting edge of homo erotic model railroad advertising

http://community.livejournal.com/vintage_ads/1504126.html

Yippie yourself, Roy!

I had no idea of Ovaltine's power!

http://community.livejournal.com/vintage_ads/1507440.html

You too can become Jackson Pollack!

https://wbx-files.s3.amazonaws.com/jacksonpollock_by_miltos_manetas.swf

I always thought it'd be cool to market one of those "paint by numbers" kits for one of Pollack's works....

morning...

It's a VERY foggy morning here at the Manor. I'd put visibility at 150-250 feet. But, per tradition, we've got Arlo playing on the stereo as Linda prepares this evening's feast. We go out tonight to our friends Frank and Nancy (we're bringing one of the turkeys) for a big dinner party. And then it'll be time to start decorating for December. The wheel turns...

We'll Always Have Paris....

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034583/

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

http://www.filmsite.org/casa.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8N2fsSxRQI

Premiered on this date in 1942. My all-time favorite film, viewed over 125 times. Absolutely a part of my DNA.

Anarchy in the UK!

The delightful tykes in the Sex Pistols released this ballad on this date in '76. Fun stuff!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TZ_9-rbslo

Happy Birthday Tina!

http://www.tinaturnerfanclub.eu/

http://www.bestoftinaturner.com/

A force of Nature. Wonderful.

Happy Birthday Charles Schulz!

http://www.schulzmuseum.org/

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

http://www.flyingace.net/

Happy Thanksgiving!

Most of the stuff about the Pilgrims is bilge. But any excuse to get together with family and friends is okay with me. I hope you're able to do so in health and happiness.

For Whom The Bell Tolls...

http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/article.html?Steamy_clock_tower_couples_outdoor_sex_display_thrills_crowds&in_article_id=777411&in_page_id=2


(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

new (to me) Monty Python-inspired card game

http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/games/ae1c/

Space Shuttle Flyby

DOUBLE FLYBY ALERT: Space shuttle Atlantis undocked from the
>International Space Station (ISS) this morning at 4:53 am EST.
>Their separation sets the stage for double flybys of many towns and
>cities on Wednesday evening, Nov. 25th, when Atlantis and the ISS will
>soar through the night sky side by side--a fantastic sight.
>Atlantis is not scheduled to land until Friday morning, Nov. 27th, so
>the double apparitions will continue on Thursday, Nov. 26th,
>Thanksgiving in the United States. Check the Simple Satellite Tracker
>for flybys: http://spaceweather.com/flybys .


I was unaware of the flyby link - very cool resource.

(Thanks for the notice, Larry!)

nostalgic toy cars

http://dropoutrecords.blogspot.com/2009/11/more-nostalgic-toys.html

I owned the Aston Martin!

Bruce to appear on Costello's TV show

http://www.examiner.com/x-27082-Bruce-Springsteen-Examiner~y2009m11d24-Bruce-Springsteen-to-appear-on-Elvis-Costellos-show-Jan-20-and-27

Happy Birthday Percy Sledge!

http://www.psledge.com/

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQh112HQsoE&feature=related

"Smart" Armor

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34132832/ns/technology_and_science-innovation/

Pretty cool!


(Thanks for the link, Chris!)

Boris Karloff on This Is Your Life!

http://cool-mo-dee.blogspot.com/2009/11/boris-karloff-on-this-is-your-life.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Cool-mo-dee+%28Cool-Mo-Dee%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

Apparently, more than Rudolph's nose glitters...

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=456&sid=1821543

UFO to be made into a new film

http://geektyrant.com/2009/11/joshua-jackson-cast-in-ufo-feature-film/

The series was great fun and I highly recommend it. The remake will probably suck.

WWII Aerial Intelligence Photos Online

http://english.kompas.com/read/xml/2009/11/23/13474334/Aerial.Images.by.Daring.Allies.Revealing.Hitlers.Weapons

Very neat!

interesting Thanksgiving turkeys

http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Food/Thanksgiving-Turkey-Gone-Wild.html

get your very own Salem Death Warrant!

http://www.pyramidcollection.com/itemdy00.asp?c=03&SKW=house+gift&SKW2=&TKW=&Scat=Y&GEN1=Home+and+Gifts&OR=Y&parent=1&T1=P28948&PageNo=5&pos=6

Actually, this seems unbelievably over-priced....

The Canadian Threat

http://failblog.org/2009/11/20/suspicious-fail/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+failblog+%28The+FAIL+Blog+-+Fail+Pictures+%26+Videos+at+Failblog.ORG%29

obi's capitalism

http://www.slate.com/id/2236460?wpisrc=newsletter

Happy Birthday Mystery Science Theater 3000!!!

Probably my second favorite TV show of all time, (after The Prisoner).Premiered on this date in 1988. Absolutely Brilliant and Essential!

http://www.mst3k.com/

http://www.mst3kinfo.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystery_Science_Theater_3000

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094517/

Happy Birthday Forrey!

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

http://www.seeing-stars.com/museums/ForrestAckerman.shtml

Super-Cool!

fanvid for Pianosaurus performing Sun Will Follow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4wylXOYLQI

An under-appreciated pop band from the mid 80's - playing all toy instruments. There first (and I think only) album was actually quite good.

ELO performs Do Ya

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEwFssgvsC0

Ah, time does not seem to have been very kind to ELO, I don't think their hipness quotient is particularly high at this point. But in the early and mid 70's it was, and I thought some of their work was great. They took Lennon's psychedelic phase and ran with it for all it was worth.

the extraordinary rock formations of Manpupuner

http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/featured/seven-gigantic-rock-figures-rising-beneath-urals/17781

Awesome! I've never heard of these before now. Absolutely stunning.

Happy Sabbath of the Undead!

At least that's how this date was referred to in the old Hammer horror movies, (in The Satanic Rites of Dracula), probably as a cute nod to Karloff's birthday.

Happy Birthday Boris!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000472/

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

Happy Birthday Harpo!

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

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0555617/

http://www.harpomarx.net/

Happy National Cashew Day!

Yum!

Had a nice time in C'Ville

Thanks Carol!

Happy Birthdya to the White Album!

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

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


Played it so much that it's a part of my DNA.

Happy Birthday Little Steven!

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

http://www.littlestevensundergroundgarage.com/

One of my faves. Essential member of the E Street Band, key player in the early years of Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes, leader of the Disciples of Soul, and creator of the greatest Internet radio station, ever.

Happy Birthday Terry Gilliam!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000416/

http://www.terrygilliam.com/

http://www.smart.co.uk/dreams/



Mad genius. Essential.

Off to Charlottesville for the weekend!

See ya tomorrow.

Happy Birthday Frankenstien!

The movie premiered on this date in '31. One of my faves. Brilliant.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0021884/

Happy Birthday Ingrid Pitt!

The Queen of Hammer Horror.

http://www.pittofhorror.com/

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0685839/

Happy Brithday Chef Alferd Packer!

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

Pumpkin Pie Peril!

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Rain-may-put-pumpkin-pie-in-apf-1323181927.html?x=0&.v=7

all sorts of Bruce news!

http://consequenceofsound.net/2009/11/20/bruce-springsteen-details-2010-plans-might-collaborate-with-ray-davies/

fanvid for The Knaves performing The Girl I Threw Away

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

A perfect example of pre-psychedelic pop garage, by a band that only fanatics know of. Pity - what a fantastic sound and song. Should've been #1.

Robin Lane performs Don't Cry

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6m_k6NDnn6o

Poor Robin, she just seemed to fall through the cracks back in '79-80. She and her band, the Chartbusters had a nice sound and some good critical buzz, but never quite made it. I think she needed one or two more hook-laden power pop songs to tip the balance.

The Pointer Sisters perform Fire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rarro42uIVU&feature=related

A great song, (written by Bruce for Elvis). It was about this time of year in '78 that it was a hit,if I remember correctly.

38 Special video for Caught Up In You

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

A real guilty pleasure for me. I'm about as far from their urban cowboy market as it's possible to be, but I've always liked their songs, a lot. Go figure...

fanvid for REM performing Sitting Still

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

This is not the album version, but the B-Side from their double-secret ultra-fabulously rare first single.*



*Missy, it's even more fabulously rare than that, but I didn't want to come across as too taunting... ;)

skateboarding dog plays a videogame?!?

http://www.yeah-oops.com/2009/11/20/skateboarding-dog-plays-video-game/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+YeahOops+%28Yeah+Oops%21+-+The+Center+of+Funny+Stuffs+-+Funny+Pictures%2C+Funny+Videos%2C+and+Flash+Games%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

It was going to be a very Merry Christmas, indeed!

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,575847,00.html?test=latestnews

WE'RE #1! WE'RE #1!

http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/health/dc-rated-number-1-for-stds-111809

neat article on cuttlefish (with some nice pics and film)

http://www.ultrafeel.tv/octopus-psychedelic-color-language/

gummy octopus candy

http://www.stupid.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=store&Product_Code=FEAR&Category_Code=

Yum city!

neat pic of a green flash from the sunset

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap021110.html

People often ask me, "What's your secret for your youthful complexion?"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/nov/20/peru-gang-killing-human-fat/print

my diagnosis - at last!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8367283.stm

This would also explain my work phobia, church phobia, shopping for clothing phobia and sticking hot needles into my eyes phobia.

the reincarnation of Jacko

http://www.aroundglobe.net/2009/11/michael-jacksons-face-on-baby-scan.html

The Best Springsteen Parody

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/midnight_sun/blog/2009/11/meet_bruce_springstone.html


A very nice article on the Bruce Springstone single, with a link to hear it. Highly recommended!

new model kits coming from Monarch

http://www.nostalgicnook.com/monarchmodelkits.html

This is so col. These are based on the old monster models marketed by Aurora in the early and mid 60's, (of which I owned hald a dozen or so). For you modelers and monster fans, these are almost guaranteed to become major collector's items.


(Thanks for the link, Phil!)

Happy Birthday Dick Smothers!

http://www.smothersbrothers.com/

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

Happy Absurdity Day!

http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/November/absurdityday.htm

the fry spider

http://bitsandpieces.us/2009/11/19/fry-spider/

PETA goes to war!

http://www.military.com/news/article/peta-offers-troops-bin-laden-bites.html?ESRC=topstories.RSS

fanvid for Planet Gong performing Floating Anarchy

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

An acquired taste, but I always thought this was a cool song.

Paul Roland performs The Blades of Battenburg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4zpuwos0Uw

One of my fave artists - totally unknown in the States, which is a great pity. Sort of a cross between Al Stewart and Syd Barrett. Brilliant.

Peter Tosh performs Bush Doctor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3M3glJzK7c&feature=related

A minor classic.

Peter Gabriel performs Red Rain

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7m7Q9VwYqw

Great song. Perfect for a dismal November.

The O'Jays perform Used To Be My Girl

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxT1fZ0kISs&feature=related

Always liked the O'Jays.

fancy firearms

http://www.yeah-oops.com/2009/11/18/excellent-firearm-decorations/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+YeahOops+%28Yeah+Oops%21+-+The+Center+of+Funny+Stuffs+-+Funny+Pictures%2C+Funny+Videos%2C+and+Flash+Games%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

A Frazetta sells for a million!!!

http://www.thecimmerian.com/?p=7401

Wow! I call first dibs on The Sorcerer and The Death Dealer!

airline ad

http://community.livejournal.com/vintage_ads/1493354.html

Wow! Here's something you young whippersnappers will never experience - a plane with room! And the picture with the child - reading! - not screaming while kicking the back of my chair! There room for two people to pass in the aisle! It doesn't resemble the rowing scene from Ben Hur, like many of my flights do!

The Squished Penny Museum

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

the cutting edge of legal escalation

http://www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx?id=360599

Zonk!

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Leeds-pupils-turn-alien-investigators.5838675.jp

the geezer bandit

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8367478.stm

mysterious stone cairns in West Virginia

http://www.wvgazette.com/Outdoors/200911140679

The Teacher

http://www.boingboing.net/2009/11/16/leopard-seal-teaches.html

Pretty neat!

GET A FUCKING LIFE!

http://holykaw.alltop.com/dad-speaks-only-klingon-to-child-for-three-ye

This is the lamest excuse I've ever heard for inflicting your dorkdom on a child. OF COURSE he's going to acquire the language. Now the poor thing has to acquire a REAL language. This has nothing to do with learning experiments and everything to do with this kid's father being a first-rate dick. Sheesh!

Paying the Piper

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/6590892/D-Day-piper-to-be-honoured-by-the-French.html

I always was impressed by this guy's "perfrmance". A Legend.

Pigeon Impossible

http://www.pigeonimpossible.com/

Pretty animation neat! And a nice view of DC with the Washington Monument portrayed as you've always expected....


(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

Postal Service Kills Santa?!?

http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=828&sid=1817164

I'm a little confused as to why/how a child molester in Maryland should stop an operation in the Arctic...


(Thanks for the link, Linda!)

Kinkster!

Well, we had a nice night. Went down to the Birchmere to see one of my all time faves, the original Asshole From El Paso, Kinky Friedman. It was a fun show, maybe a little more lowkey than in the past, (the Kinkster is now 65, and takes breaks between songs). He was ably backed by longtime stalwarts DC Ratso and Little Jewford who performed several solo numbers, (those are the Kinky breaks I was mentioning). Interestingly, Kinky's long-time theme song, They Ain't Makin' Jews Like Jesus Anymore, was NOT performed! But he did my two faves, Sold American* and Rapid City, as well as several other classics like the Wild Man From Borneo and Homo Erectus.
He also read from his latest book, a collection of short stories about his heroes when growing up. He read a very moving section he'd written about his own Father.
And he gave a sort-of campaign speech. Kinky's running for the governorship of Texas. I think he might just win the primary...
Like I said, it was sort of a low-key night. Kinky, like the rest of us, is slowing down. But I'm glad I went.


*Sold American is one of the greatest songs of loss and failure. I remember my last day at William & Mary, before dropping out; the car was packed, I had one last exam to take, and would be driving directly home from there - no looking back. Not since Napoleon dragged himself out of Moscow had there ever been a sorrier retreat.
At any rate, just before leaving my room, I called up the DJ on the college's wonderful radio station, WCWM, and requested he play Sold American for me, which he graciously did. I shuffled out with the radio still playing in my room.

an oldie but goody....

http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1907543

a short article on some new beer styles

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/17/AR2009111700693.html

I'm glad they mention my boys at Stone.

the worst Halloween....

http://video.adultswim.com/robot-chicken/the-worst-halloween.html

Shots for Santas!

http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/article.html?Santa_group_demands_swine_flu_vaccine_priority&in_article_id=772406&in_page_id=2

get the tetra min ready!

http://www.phenomenica.com/2009/11/ocean-on-jupiters-moon-europa-may.html

hamster hotel...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/france/centralfrance/6589449/French-hamster-hotel-lets-guests-live-like-rodents.html

ninja fail

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/theblotter/2010286564_police_would-be_ninja_impaled.html

You'll Shoot Your Eye Out..

The famous and unavoidable film, A Christmas Story, was released on this date in '83.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085334/

Happy Birthday Graham Parker!

http://www.grahamparker.net/

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C2SkcC3TXc

One of the great under-appreciated rockers. Genius.

great moments in Ohioan hygiene

http://bitsandpieces.us/2009/11/17/is-this-limited-to-ohio/

today's #1 weird geopolitical brouhaha

http://www.fark.com/cgi/comments.pl?IDLink=4775310&tt=s

the cutting edge of Google autocompletes

http://autocompleteme.com/

I can see this becoming an all-consuming waste of time...


(Thanks for the link, Linda!)

Dellshau's airships

http://pelicanist.blogspot.com/2009/11/dellschau.html

There's a steam punk adventure movie in all of this....

Happy Homemade Bread Day!

http://www.sourdo.com/index.htm

Linda just baked up a San Francisco-style sourdough for me this weekend. Yum!

nice article on a couple of Maryland breweries

http://www.dcfoodies.com/2009/11/touring-maryland-by-brewery-frederick-and-flying-dog.html

nazi Christmas

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/christmas/6587738/How-Hitler-and-the-Nazis-tried-to-steal-Christmas.html

A little footnote from WWII...

They own every Barry White album...

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/news/597993/Ive-found-the-man-of-my-screams-Michelle-Thompson-has-300-orgasms-a-day.html

Mussolini's Mistresses' Diaries Published

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33973018/ns/world_news-europe/

Perhaps they are authentic, but I'm not sure if they'll be that interesting. The article seems to focus on when and how bad Benito's antisemiticsm and racism were. I'm not sure that plotting out in detail all the mindless thuggery that was in Mussolini's mind is all that important or interesting to me. Apparently, the diaries don't contain any mention of possible negotiations with the British from 1936 - 1941. Now, that would be significant.

the cutting edge of Star Wars beddy-bye

http://gizmodo.com/5378464/drop-the-knife-the-tauntaun-sleeping-bag-is-now-real

Happy Birthday Gordon Lightfoot!

http://gordonlightfoot.com/

Happy Birthday Duck Soup!

Perhaps the greatest Marx Brothers movie. Premiered on this date in 1933.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0023969/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duck_Soup_(1933_film)

Happy Birthday Peter Cook!

http://www.petercook.net/

Al Stewart perform Time Passages

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dKEG86cndE

One of my favorite songs, it was hit about 31 years ago to this day. Unbelievable. It's an appropriate song for this time of year. Change. Death. And Memories - too many to count, now. The leaves around the Manor are giving one last burst of color efore blowing down and leaving us to a typical DC winter's gray. Time Passages.
See ya tomorrow.

David Bromberg performs Oh Sharon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N86YBxFhaqA

Classic. One of those tunes from the 70's that whenever you hear it, it's difficult not to imagine yourself in an incredibly smoky room filled with a variety of strange smells and even stranger people.

Stan Ridgeway video for Drive She Said

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7iARb-JpaY

Brilliant. Raymond Chandler + amphetamines.

fanvid for Young Holt Unlimited performing Soulful Strut

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H1u5ks6MIs

Wonderful tune. If you went to T.C. Williams high school in 1969, this song was inescapable.

a motorcycle hearse

http://hauntstyle.blogspot.com/2009/11/another-motorcycle-hearse.html

drilling for whiskey

http://www.kansas.com/news/weird/story/1057298.html

bacon and beer

http://www.blameitonthevoices.com/2009/11/bacon-mug.html

Don't you hate getting rear-ended in traffic?

http://www.komonews.com/news/offbeat/70088062.html

an anti-ageing gene?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/6576240/Scientists-identify-gene-that-can-help-you-live-to-100.html

faster than the speed of light?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/3303699/We-have-broken-speed-of-light.html

a nice little blog devoted to DC Metro

http://unsuckdcmetro.blogspot.com/

Bruce's senior moment...

http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=114&sid=1813304


(Thanks for the link, Linda!)

I Am Not A Viewer - I Am A Free Man!

Well, I watched the first 45 minutes of AMC's remake of The Prisoner. And then I turned it off. Now, some of you will immediately object and ask how a six hour show can be judged by just the first 15%. But that's not my problem, you see, it's really the producer's. As one gets older and more experienced, one's patience erodes, (and I had very little to begin with in this life). We've seen/heard it before, we know what we like, etc., and we don't need to waste precious time on repeats and twaddle. If a book doesn't pique my interest within 50 pages, I put it down; and if a show can't arouse my curiosity or sense of wonder in the first 10-20%, I go elsewhere. It's not worth sitting through shit. I've done that before - things never get better, only worse, and a good writer/producer/creator knows that. A good one is good right from the beginning. Anyone who say that they want their audience to wade through hours of boredom for "the big finish" is simply being lame and lacks talent. And this remake is lame.
It's no wonder that McKellen was so vicious in his criticism of the original series in his interview with the NYT. This production obviously hates it - #6 (more on numbering later*)has all the gravitas and force of will of a wet noodle. McGoohan's character was strong, resourceful, and VERY dangerous. The Village is both puzzled and fearful of him - he says he'll tear it down, and you're left feeling that he'll succeed. The whole point of #2's coming and going serves a variety of symbolic points (I won't bore you with details), but we're just left with Mac, who doesn't come across as menacing, so much as an irritating and arrogant old twat; (Linda and I are big fans of the old series, Rumpole of the Bailey. McKellen's character reminds me of nothing more than the worthless old frauds, the judges, in that series. The ones that good ol' Rumpole would run circles around). McKellen clearly has enough "star power" that it was felt wise to make #2 a permanent and equal player to #6 - even giving him a family! (A wife! C'mon, Ian....). And so we are presented with the #2 soap opera. Yawn. The penultimate example of authoritarian bureaucracy and criminality is reduced to a nattering old fart dealing with a teenage son. And the symbolism of revolving masters is left in the dustbin.
And we always knew why McGoohan was in the Village - we have no idea what this new clown is there for. He doesn't seem very important at all, or even worth the trouble, (and don't tell me I should've stayed tuned for the answer. The original took care of that quickly and efficiently in the opening credits).
And then we have the love interest. The producers obviously feel there's not enough of a plot going on to hold our interest, so we'll titillate with a woman who contains enough botox in her lips to give Daffy Duck a run for his money.
And so, in 45 minutes, I'm left with some guy I STILL don't "know" or care about, trying to run away from a crotchety old fart in a town built of Alpine architecture in the Namibian desert (another slight irritation to me - I'm told it's real. If so, I can only say that I look forward to wikiups in Tyrolia...).
Look, if you like it, go ahead and watch it, I don't care. But do yourself a favor, catch the original series. It's so much more interesting. Patrick McGoohan was a genius, please check it out.

*In a show that was based heavily on symbolism and metaphor, it's amusing to see the current production miss out on it. In the original, everyone is NUMBER 2, or 6 or whatever. Now, it's just the number. We're all so informal now, even the dehumanizing numbers have been reduced to nicknames like Skip or Dot. The original series knew that the word "Number" had to be there in one's moniker, to prevent any lack of familiarity and as a constant reminder to one and all of their state. But in this new version, we have Classification Lite. I don't know why AMC was so keen to make this. They obviously didn't like or understand the original.

Klaus Nomi covers Lightning Strikes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gma5IUNMTn0

Ol' Klaus was an original, there's no denying that. Fun stuff!

fanvid for Firetown performing Carry The Torch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udQU3GetlY4

Another one of those groups and tunes which should've been bigger. Anybody even remember these guys?

Booker T and the MG's perform Time Is Tight

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHq4laFwAEM

Wonderful tune to drive to.

The Jive Five perform My True Story & What Time Is It

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

I always loved What Time Is It. Great song.

Argent performs Hold You Head Up

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ_UuPH3cyw

Always liked this song.

Happy Birthday Pet!

http://www.petulaclark.net/

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKCnHWas3HQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D6iz2Otd2M


One of my faves. I'll always have a crush on Petula...

Happy Birthday Jack Burns!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0122698/

Happy Birthday to A Night At The Opera!

Premiered on this date in 1935. One of my faves.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0026778/

http://www.nightattheopera.net/

Orpheus performs Can't Find The Time

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

Almost forgotten now. Mention this group and song title to someone over 50 and you'll probably get a blank stare. But then play it for them and suddenly that look will change to instant recognition - "Oh, yea! I remember this!"

The Ramones perform Rock"N'Roll High School

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T9_LWLcpFw

What can I say, one of my all-time fave movies. I love this film. Perhaps Roger Corman's finest. (They really did blow up the school....)

The New Radicals video for You Get What You Give

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91WgM6dNLTE

Always liked this tune.

The Specials video for Ghost Town

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ2oXzrnti4

For a few moments, it looked like this song would really break them into the American market. Oh well.

Bruce cockburn video for Wondering Where The Lions Are

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL4CdHd9ma4

Beautiful song.

little hitlers and wuss America

http://theodoramichaels.com/articles/meep.php

I am SOOOO glad I don't go to school nowadays. MEEP!

Barry Richards & Groove In

A local "legend", often made fun of; but Barry was in and out of DC radio and TV for years, playing rock'n'roll.

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


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVnnI8vhduY&feature=related


(Thanks for the links, Perry!)

lost Star Trek cut - found

http://www.airlockalpha.com/node/6877

Happy Birthday Veronica Lake!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000043/

neat sandwiches

http://www.insanewiches.com/

Isaac Hayes performs Shaft

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zM3mfMHGnXI

Fun stuff! And so cool!

fanvid for the Stones performing Dandelion

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

Pretty good video, and of course the song is an essential Classic.

Shocking Blue performs Venus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2DBcbZc3ck

Holland's finest. This song always seemed to be playing on jukeboxes in the bowling alleys I was hanging out at in those days.

fanvid for the Chocolate Watchband performing Dark Side of the Mushroom

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAAVqK9trlo

One of the coolest bands - ever. A perfect representation of American mid-60's garage psychedelia.

Jim Croce performs Lover's Cross

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rQJ6KQjDG0

I hate Croce's rockers, but love his ballads. Really wondeful tunes for a morose November.

Brooke Benton performs Rainy Night In Georgia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qr5djzzeA3M

Well, it's a damn rainy night in Virginia too. This is one of the great songs by another woefully under-appreciated performer.

Karla bonoff performs Trouble Again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZDwn7hfi4c

An under-appreciated singer/songwriter.

AnAmerican who fought for the Soviets in WWII

http://en.rian.ru/culture/20091112/156812681.html


An interesting little tidbit from WWII.

a little quiz for you parents out there: Is your son the Anti-Christ?

http://igloooftheuncanny.blogspot.com/2009/10/is-your-son-antichrist-handy-cut-out.html

When Thanksgiving Dinner Attacks!

http://www.loudountimes.com/news/2009/nov/12/wild-turkey-chase/

I find it incredible that an animal could linger for hours/days along Route 7 and not get hit by a vehicle. People - you just aren't trying...

re-discovery of Japanese submarines

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/13/science/13wreck.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

the language gene discovered?

http://english.cctv.com/20091113/101221.shtml

A rose by any other name...

http://www.aroundglobe.net/2009/11/would-you-like-to-live-in-butt-hole.html

Happy Friday the 13th!

Happy Birthday Robert Louis Stevenson!

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

nice article about the Vienna Inn

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/11/AR2009111114424.html

Nietzsche Family Circus

http://www.losanjealous.com/nfc/

Wonderful!


(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

the wheel turns

I'm sitting in front of a merry little blaze here at the Manor. Tis the first use of our fireplace this Season.

Isn't this how Planet Of The Apes begins?

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/11/12/chimps_speech_gene/

O, What a tanlged web we weave...

http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2009/11/11/Police-Spider-Man-impostor-slugs-man/UPI-39681257995283/

The cutting edge of Duets

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LCuFl55L5Y


Excellent!


(Thanks for the link, Tom!)

Ha! The Graduate (film) was right!

http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/20091011181440data_trunc_sys.shtml

Facebook - the early years

http://bitsandpieces.us/2009/11/12/facebook-youre-doing-it-wrong/

THE Thesaurus

http://www.good.is/post/thesaurus-rex/

Very cool. I want this....

Neat "computer" made from matchboxes and beans

http://www.boingboing.net/2009/11/02/mechanical-computer.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Kinda cute!

Cthulhu Sculptures!

http://www.frontiernet.net/~josefk/

Happy Birthday Neil Young!

http://www.neilyoung.com/

Happy Birthday Molly Pitcher/Margaret Corbin!

http://www.distinguishedwomen.com/biographies/corbin.html

Mid November

Well, it's been a cool, dreary and rainy day here at the Manor. But Linda made a new sourdough loaf from some neat San Francisco yeast I'd purchased. I'm sitting here, sipping some pumpkin wine, and the whole Manor is full of the smell of the freshly baked bread as well as a monstrous turkey breast roasting in the oven. I'm calm.

Wuss Virginia

http://www.welovedc.com/2009/11/11/county-may-shut-down-wine-and-sunsets-in-virginia/

There's a reason we always referred to it as "Fuckyou County"...

very cool photo of Devil's Tower

http://www.pdnphotooftheday.com/2009/04/1137

Ever since seeing this, I've been molding mashed potatoes into its likeness...

the cutting edge of swine flu protection

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/chi-talk-bra-maskoct29,0,4631334.story


(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

The Arlington Cemetery National Wreath Project is in one month

http://dc.about.com/od/christmasevents/a/WreathsAcrossAm.htm

www.wreathsacrossamerica.org


I've written about this in the past. Normally, stuff like this doesn't do much for me, but I admit to being moved by this, (as I am by Arlington Cemetery* in general). It's quite a somber sight, I can tell you.



*The DC area is full of sights and things to do, of course, but I always recommend half a dozen as being in my "essentials" list - the Washington Monument, Mt. Vernon, the Capitol, the Viet Nam Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial (at night), and Arlington (including the Tomb of the Unknowns).

Oh - The Hopsmanity!

http://www.dangerousminds.net/index.php/site/comments/hindenburg-brau_most_expensive_beer_ever/



(Give yourself three points if you get the joke in the title).

The Last Of The Navajo Code Talkers

http://news.discovery.com/history/navajo-code-talkers-veterans.html

a collection of truly bad Kenny Rogers-based "art"

http://www.maxim.com/music/articles/84933/11-awesome-pieces-kenny-rogers-art.html

The internet is so interesting...

What if The Matrix was filmed in the silent movie era?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAu74d4fGt0


Wonderful!

some unusual restaurants

http://www.simonseeks.com/blog/most-weird-wonderful-and-bizarre-restaurants-around-world

Thanksgiving Day Fashion!

http://www.stupid.com/fun/RTRK09.html

the hot foot

http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=132729

I thought I felt a breeze!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1226672/Asteroid-scrapes-past-Earth-just-8-700miles-away--15-hours-warning.html?ITO=1490&referrer=yahoo

an amazing simulacrum

http://www.nature-spot.com/2009/11/badlands-guardian.html

Happy Veteran's Day!

http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/

Happy Birthday Marshall Crenshaw!

http://www.marshallcrenshaw.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JnPA4Ad-3s

Happy Birthday Jonathan Winters!

http://www.jonathanwinters.com/

Joe Walsh & The Eagles perform In The City

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_anJN-MRig8&feature=related

Always liked this song. Reminds me of Baltimore...

Peter Paul & Mary cover 500 Miles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwB2A9HHaCU

Beautiful.

Dave Mason performs We Just Disagree

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8_FOQ7-P30

A sad and lonely song from a sad and lonely time.

fanvid of Steely Dan performing Here At The Western World

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umoHZbKnUW4&feature=related

Great song.

OMG! For A Few Dollars More in online!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5PgzH-za7o

My fave spaghetti western! I know most folks go for The Good, The Bad & The Ugly, or Once Upon A Time In The West, (and they are absolutely essential Classics for anyone with an ounce of coolness within their soul), but this is my fave. Lee Van Cleef rules!

I am just $4.98 away from reciting poetry!

http://community.livejournal.com/vintage_ads/1472380.html

DC gets fruitcakes for the Holiday Season!

http://triangle.bizjournals.com/triangle/othercities/washington/stories/2009/11/09/daily9.html

Bye Bye johnny - rot in hell!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/09/AR2009110903055.html


Barring intervention from the Governor, (who is just stupid enough to do so...). We can say goodbye to the sniper. My only regret is that his concubine, malvo, isn't going the same way. Instead we'll be taxed to take care of his worthless ass for what will hopefully be a short life full of immense pain. But at least we are safe from from one great danger to life in District. If we can now get rid of the loathesome John Catoe and the METRO board, the second great killer of our citizenry will be out of our way.

short article on African troops in WWII

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8344170.stm

An under-appreciated role in the war, and in the beginning of the liberation of the colonies.

The Physics of Surfer Dude

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/6532614/Surfer-dudes-theory-of-everything-the-magic-of-Garrett-Lisi.html

Happy Birthday Ennio Morricone!

http://www.enniomorricone.com/

Happy Birthday Screaming Lord Sutch!

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

Happy Birthday Carl Stalling!

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

Happy Birthday Claude Rains!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001647/

the inevitable TV show about Marion Barry

http://dcist.com/2009/11/marion_barry_filming_a_reality_tv_s.php

Mayor for Life....

Big Ben uses Twitter!

http://twitter.com/big_ben_clock


(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

Toys For Tots (if your Tot is mengele...)

http://www.urlesque.com/2009/11/09/japan-thinks-dead-women-and-cats-are-fun-to-play-with/

Procol Harum (and Frampton) perform Conquistador

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qih2Re9RVHg&feature=related

Great song.

fanvid for Larry Williams performin Bony Maronie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9440ynAgxrU

A Classic.

The Islys perform That Lady & Live It Up

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng8n76liv4Y

So cool....

Jonathan Richman performs Roadrunner

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPCHU-cBWwk&feature=related

One of the greatest songs in the history of mankind...

a real Munster mansion!

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

Bad escape plan, Dude.

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=1807133

the car thief

http://www.cbc.ca/cp/Oddities/091106/K110613AU.html

The French War Against Science!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/large-hadron-collider/6514155/Large-Hadron-Collider-broken-by-bread-dropped-by-passing-bird.html

A Squab with a Baguette? That's all the evidence I need!

Genome mapping becomes commercially viable

http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre5a5079-us-genome-cheap/

The next 50 years are going to be very interesting....

the robot Olympics

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8346185.stm

Let's Give It To 'Em, Right Now!

The Kingsmen released their version of Louie Louie on this date in '63. The very essence of Rock'N'Roll.

http://www.louielouie.net/


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx-8_GI4d2c

Get A Life!

On this date in the future year, 2346, the Romulans proceed with the Khitomer Massacre, orphaning Worf...
http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Khitomer_Massacre

Happy Birthday Hedy Lamarr!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001443/bio


http://www.hedylamarr.com/about/biography.htm


Brilliant, Patriot, Talented, and drop-dead Beautiful.

Happy Chaos Never Dies Day!

http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/November/chaosneverdiesday.htm

vanvid for Johnny Burnette performing The Train Kept A-Rollin'

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

I can't understand why this guy isn't openly revered. One of the great rockabilly madmen.

The Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose perform It's Too Late To Turn Back

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R8PhnQJaWI

One of my faves. A beautiful example of early 70's pop/soul.

fanvid for the Mood Six performing Plastic Flowers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hyl0_MgB808

Always liked these guys, though they're virtually unknwon in the States. They were a neo-psychedelic band out of Britain in the 80's. Very nice sound.

some neat photos of DC

http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=3999

Happy Cook Something Bold and Pungent Day!

Joi Lansing video for Web of Love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-gRLYVw_LI&feature=player_embedded


Just discovered this weird little gem. Looks like a perfect scene for an Austin Powers movie.

Ramming a U-Boat!

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_13741393

A rather daring maneuver.

Happy Birthday Rickie Lee Jones!

http://www.rickieleejones.com/

http://www.myspace.com/dutchessofcoolsville

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTP3ScWi7rc

Happy Birthday Bram Stoker!

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

George performs All Things Must Pass

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2rDp6FnbP0

The leaves are falling like raindrops here at the Manor. The wolfesbane is dying back. And although the days are mercifully warm, the nights are cool and we had our first frost this morning. It was around this time in that Harrison released his magnum opus, and it was poerfect for this time of year and that time in my life - and still is. See ya tomorrow.

Cat Stevens performs Where Do The Children Play

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2rDp6FnbP0

My fave song by Cat. Great songwriter and singer, (before he became a maggot...).

Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers perform Why Do Fools Fall In Love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q96ylFiQK_I

What a great song and group of performers. Cool....

Billy Joel's video for Uptown Girl

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F-nt7aC_JQ

Joel is another guy that I get irritated at. Sometimes I think his songwriting is great, but most of the time I think he's just coasting. But I LOVE this song and the accompanying video. A dead-on tribute to the Four Seasons and the whole Jersey ethos. You done good, Billy.

Hall & Oates video for Wait For Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZTCxL-v1x4

I was never a big fan of H&O during their heyday, but have come to enjoy them more with the passage of time. But I always enjoyed this tune, which is a little ironic - they were on the downhill slide, commercially, by the time this was released, and I don't think it did particularly well, sales-wise. But it fit my situation at the time quite well. (And no, she didn't wait....).

Cthulhu cocktails

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-5200-LA-Cocktails-Examiner~y2009m10d31-Twelve-Lovecraftian-cocktails-from-the-HP-Lovecraft-Film-Festival

unusual tombstones

http://www.yeah-oops.com/2009/11/06/unusual-tombstones-from-around-the-world/

If at first you don't succeed...

http://www.topix.net/news/weird/2009/11/skorean-woman-passes-drivers-license-test-on-950th-attempt-over-4-years-and-4-200

Soviet paintings from WWII

http://www.allworldwars.com/Soviet%20War%20Paintings.html

An incrdeible and moving collection.


(Thanks for the link, Infidel753!)

A Lovecraftian romantic comedy play

http://ubyssey.ca/culture/?p=10881

Bruce is writing an autobiography

http://www.crawdaddy.com/index.php/2009/11/04/springsteen-s-autobiography-in-the-works-and-other-news/

Happy Birthday Johnny Rivers!

http://www.johnnyrivers.com/


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

Happy Birthday Joni Mitchell!

http://jonimitchell.com/

http://jonimitchell.com/

Cab Calloway performs Reefer Man

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D44pyeEvhcQ


Iconic, brilliant, essential.

Eddie Floyd performs Knock On Wood

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1p9h1ISE18I

Classic.

Rachel Sweet performs B-A-B-Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pT4XHkahBJ8

It's a pity. When Rachel started out she was really hot stuff for those first two albums, with a lot of good critical buzz. And then - nothing. Oh, there was an occasional song or record, but nothing like what we were expecting. Too bad.

Classic (public domain) movies online

http://www.classiccinemaonline.com/1/index.php

Pretty cool. Has classics like the House on Haunted Hill and They Call Me Trinity.

The Museum of Unworkable Devices

http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/museum/unwork.htm

This is so neat. I've always regretted having absolutely no mechanical ability. If I had, I'm sure an entire wing of the Museum would be devoted to my efforts.

The Return of Aurora-Style Monster Models!

http://www.monarchmodels.net/

This is so cool! I loved the old Aurora monster models. They were a passion of mine in grade school. And these new subjects look to be done in the same style.


(Thanks for the link, Phil!)

a mysterious Google town...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/google/6474746/Mystery-of-Argleton-the-Google-town-that-only-exists-online.html

WWII fades into history....

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/20091105/remembrance-day-approaches-one-six-children-think-auschwitz-istheme-park-and-one-ten-think-hitler-wa.htm

Anniversary of the release of It's My Life by the Animals

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

http://www.metrolyrics.com/its-my-life-lyrics-the-animals.html

One of my all-time favorite songs. Part of my DNA.

Happy Birthday Jonathan Harris!

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

The King of Camp Villains.

Happy Birthday Trace Beaulieu!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0064546/

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

Genius. Essential.

SONiA performs Who's So Scared

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCi3W59-6rM&feature=related


One of my faves. Baltimore's finest.

The Marvelettes perfrom Please Mr. Postman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nuEY6fQgzk


The Marvelettes always seem to get short-shrift when it comes to the Motown story. For me, they're a brilliant example of that transition from street R&B to the smoother and more commercial Motown Sound that was on the horizon.

Pink Floyd's video for See Emily Play

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18efPLq34xA&feature=related


Perfect British psychedelia.

fandvid of Bram Tchaikovsky performing Girl Of My Dreams

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbcABkQsLB8


Great power pop. Should've been bigger.

neat wine cork figures

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SvKA-v5UXLI/AAAAAAABLrE/Oarg83f56io/s640/kjhgkjhgkjhgkjhgjhjhj.jpg

children's car seats in Alabama

http://www.local15tv.com/news/state/story/Ala-mom-gets-jail-let-teen-ride-in-box-atop-van/0dNC_z1YmE6DeLhiF2Jw1A.cspx?rss=218

the dumbest way to open a bottle of wine

http://www.yeah-oops.com/2009/11/04/unusual-way-to-open-wine/


I pray that someday they discover the corkscrew....

cooking ON a train...

http://www.nebraska-locksmith.com/articles/ManifoldM.pdf

the cutting edge of amnesia

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/11/04/transient.global.amnesia/index.html

That's nothing. Beautiful women are always denying they ever had sex with me...

The Streetlight Started It!

http://news.stv.tv/scotland/134832-drunk-man-challenged-lamppost-to-fight/

Ringo in a water droplet

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/the-beatles/6501395/Beatle-Ringo-Starrs-face-seen-in-water-droplet-on-lotus-leaf.html

Ah-Choo!!!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1225255/Woman-allergic-husbands-sperm.html

The Fear Of Flying App

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20091103/od_nm/us_flying;_ylt=AqZNWS5YCdvplEYfeVYy2_qs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTFmYzcyNGNhBHBvcwMyMDYEc2VjA2FjY29yZGlvbl9vZGRfbmV3cwRzbGsDc2NhcmVkb2ZmbHlp

I am a genius

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8339647.stm

irony...

http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/article.html?Man_dressed_as_breathalyser_arrested_for_drink-driving&in_article_id=761714&in_page_id=2

Happy Devil's Stone Day!

http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/england/devon/folklore/the-devils-stone-shebbear.html

Happy Guy Fawkes Day!

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chqi8m4CEEY

Happy Birthday Peter Noone!

http://www.peternoone.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxDh2sYQRpo

Happy Birthday Art Garfunkel!

http://www.artgarfunkel.com/

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

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

Happy Birthday Manos!

Premiered on this date in 1966. One of the best bad movies of all time. Torgo lives!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060666/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manos:_The_Hands_of_Fate

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBAMDPLo70o

Cthulhu Cake!

http://www.greatwhitesnark.com/2009/11/04/frosted-evil-cthulhu-cake-geeky-cake/

the emergency chute test....

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/airline-passenger-used-emergency-chute-during-takeoff-as-a-test-14548797.html

Stealers Wheel performs Star

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

My fave song by them. Always liked it, (as well as Rafferty's later work).

Renaissance performs Ashes Are Burning

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi_QCi4rjZM&feature=related

Annie could sing. Another band that should have been bigger.

Led Zeppelin performs Misty Mountain Hop

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLvXLp4f1gs

Great tune.

There were three initials that the Beatles forgot to include on "Dig It"

http://www.thebeatles.com/#/news/APPLE_AND_EMI_TO_RELEASE


And, the original:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeDMFIwcocI&feature=related

the poor man's Christmas display

http://failblog.org/2009/11/03/holiday-lighting-win/

(Thanks for the link, Audrey!)

Michael Palin on the Tonight Show with Carson

http://classicshowbiz.blogspot.com/2009/11/tonight-show-with-johnny-carson-with.html

RIP Carl Ballantine

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


(Thanks for the news, Phil!)

Pumpkin Fashion

http://bitsandpieces.us/2009/11/02/pumpkin-pants/

That guy looks like he's having a little too much fun, if you catch my drift...

review of Bruce's concert

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/03/AR2009110303646.html

I wasn't able to make the concert, but this seems a pretty accurate take. The writer appears to be bluffing his way through, I doubt he's seen Bruce before, typical for the Post, (you should have seen Born to Run performed when it first came out, kid, THAT was a show...). I would also violently disagree with the slander at the end of the article about the song Higher & Higher. That is a GREAT song, always has been, always will be, and the post and the pups who work at it aren't fit to lick the boots of the great Jackie Wilson. The post needs to teach its pups that if you want to be a clueless callow dweeb, you should keep it to yourself.

Happy Birthday Will Rogers!

An American Original and Treasure.


http://www.willrogers.com/

http://www.cmgww.com/historic/rogers/

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

Alice Goes Through The Looking Glass

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Through_the_Looking-Glass

Happy Waiting For The Barbarians Day!

Happy Birthday Chris Difford!

http://www.chrisdifford.com/

http://www.squeezeofficial.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pehHNJWKf3g

Cthulhu Christmas Stocking! ((or is that "stalking"...)

http://www.nobleknight.com/ProductDetail.asp_Q_ProductID_E_2147367939_A_InventoryID_E_2147486936_A_ProductLineID

neat high school team mascots

http://blogs.static.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/30849.html


And let's not forget the Arkham University's Fighting Cephalopods!

the Stones perform 2000 Light Years From Home

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

Wonderful, fun stuff!

Roseanne Cash performs Seven Year Ache

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xr7DVZVIqaA&feature=related

Beautiful song.

Vince Taylor performs Twenty Flight Rock

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-B3vlMGiwU&feature=related

A little too smooth to make it in the American rockabilly scene, I still like Vince.

a little something (or someone) for the ladies...

http://emailsfromcrazypeople.com/2009/11/01/this-is-sort-of-a-tough-sell-eh-ladies/

a new book on U.S. blimps during WWII

http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=01aa00a22e71ca7d

The "Night Witches" of WWII

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/documentaries/2009/11/091102_night_witches.shtml

Another interesting aspect of the War.

terrorist teapot

http://www.suck.uk.com/product.php?rangeID=103&catID=9

Pleasant Dreams....

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

The Days of Wine & Roses...

The Dream Syndicate released they're brilliant album on this date in '82. Wonderfully bleak... Essential.



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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww5DJjiH_zQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qdXvjx7zV4

Happy Birthday Lulu!

http://www.lulu.co.uk/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lulu_(singer)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAbbXbZKph0


One of my faves.

Happy Birthday Kevin Murphy!

http://www.kevinwmurphy.com/

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0614436/

http://www.mst3kinfo.com/

One of the geniuses behind MST 3000. Essential.

Burroughs reads Poe

http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2009/11/burroughs-narrates-poe-video-mp3.html

Pretty cool...

Wuss America and "Shalloween"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lenore-skenazy/as-goes-halloween-so-goes_b_340163.html

I wrote about this plague of wussiness years ago.
http://funwithmendip.blogspot.com/2005/10/halloween-past-present.html#comments

Rosebud...

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_13681477

an excellent pair of articles on Karl Wagenr

http://www.metropulse.com/news/2009/oct/28/dark-muse-karl-edward-wagner-part-1/

http://www.metropulse.com/news/2009/oct/28/dark-muse-karl-edward-wagner-part-2/

He really was a wonderful storyteller.

vampires must stay away from basketball games

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yT-F5QznjrA&feature=player_embedded#

Blue Oyster Cult performs Don't Fear The Reaper

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdXfkkyI1nQ

Seems appropriate with the Day of the Dead and all....

I believe the Onion has captured the spirit of modern air travel

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/united_airlines_exploring

Pirate Radio - the film

http://www.filminfocus.com/focusfeatures/film/pirate_radio/

I definelty want to see this. Even if it's an exageration. Music and pop culture needs this now more than ever.

Washington in the 60's broadcasts tonight

http://www.weta.org/tv/local/washingtoninthe60s

Yes, I'm going to be glued to my set.


(Thanks for the link, Ed!)

Danish Dinghy Dodges Disaster!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091101/ap_on_re_eu/eu_world_s_largest_cruise_ship

Happy National Deviled Egg Day!

http://www.deviledeggs.com/

Yum!

Happy Day of the Dead!

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

Al Stewart performs Song On The Radio

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amygls03rCM&feature=related

If I remember correctly, this song started to get airplay around this time in '78. Always liked it, and I always suspected it was one of at least two that Al wrote about a mutual friend. Those were weird and sad times both for me and her, (I couldn't speak for Al).
As I'm writing this, there are about a hundred crows flying over the Manor. Make of that what you will.

interesting article on book reviews

http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/adam-penenberg/penenberg-post/viral-loop-chronicles

new book of Lovecraftian fiction

http://grimreviews.blogspot.com/2009/04/new-lovecraftian-anthology-black-wings.html

November...

We only had about 30 trick-or-treaters last night. It was raining off and on; I'm sure that was a big discouragement. And about 2/3 of the houses in our immediate neighborhood had all the lights off, etc. So anyone travelling through would see pretty slim pickings for the amount of distance they'd have to walk. Oh well.
And so, we're putting away all of our Halloween decorations, and preparing for the long Winter. Long ago, November was known as the Blood Month, a time to slaughter those animals one wasn't prepared to keep until Spring, (our Thanksgiving is a rather bleached reminder of those times and the ceremonies that accompanied them). It's a time for hunkering down.
If yesterday was gloomy, today is positively morose here at the Manor. It's been raining all night and looks like the drenching will go on for all of today. I don't know when we'll be able to take in the outdoor decorations. One amusing point - someone left 4 Chick comics by our outdoor display. But the rain soaked them and left them unreadable, though; (I'm a big fan and collector of Chick). My soul will just have to remain in peril...

Carson, DeLuise, and the Egg Trick

http://www.milkandcookies.com/link/138148/detail/

Classic.


(Thanks for the link, Margrete!)

Cthulhu costumes!

http://www.buzzfeed.com/expresident/cthulhu-costumes

Happy Birthday Dan Peek!

http://www.danpeek.com/

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd2Ch6WBeQU&feature=related

Happy Birthday Jim Steinman!

http://jimsteinman.com/

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyA0-N3UZ1Q&feature=related