Everything goes better with Tabasco, or so I'm told....

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/291398

Jesi

http://www.slate.com/id/2255105/

Interesting. I wonder if this was the inspiration for a rather similiar scene in the Peter O'Toole movie, The Ruling Class?

Interesting article on the Kiska battlefield of WWII

http://www.adn.com/2010/05/29/1299993/forgotten-battlefield-kiska-one.html

I'm not positive, but believe that I had an uncle who was an Army engineer in this battle.

Happy Birthday to A Big Hand For The Little Lady!

Premiered on this date in '66. One of my fave movies, and one of the only ones that I know of that captures the personalities of True Gamesmen!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060165/

Happy Birthday John Bonham!

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

Happy Birthday Clint Eastwood!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000142/

Memorial Day

http://www.usmemorialday.org/

http://www1.va.gov/opa/speceven/memday/

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/oldguard-052302.htm

Saying "Happy Memorial Day" sounds stupid; and I've always viewed the retail world's focus on sales this day to be distateful. I will simply say that I hope the meaning and symbolism of today are not lost on you.

And yet more bullshit problems with Facebook

http://www.thefacebookwizard.com/

The Running Game

http://www.buzzfeed.com/ashleytalong/the-running-game-hpz

Trannies 1, Inca Police 0...

I now understand how a hundred syphlis-ridden Spaniards conquered them....

The worst way to advertise a punching bag

http://community.livejournal.com/vintage_ads/1984371.html

This reminds me of the great old Carol Burnett skit about Gone With The Wind. Why is this guy wearing the drapes?

RIP John Finn

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/us/28finn.html?src=me

A Hero.

Crossing the Channel with helium balloons

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/7776724/Adventurer-crosses-English-Channel-using-helium-balloons.html

Personal subway...

http://englishrussia.com/index.php/2010/05/24/the-most-unusual-metro-in-the-world/

I love my pallid skin, it protects me....

http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/long-island-sunbather-run-over-by-suv-during-beach-rescue/19493719

When vampires hit the skids

http://www.aolnews.com/weird-news/article/count-drunkula-andrew-whiteman-told-cops-he-wanted-to-suck-blood-eat-kidneys/19492643

Snails On Drugs!

http://www.livescience.com/strangenews/etc/100527-snails-meth-for-the-sake-science.html

A continuation of the experiment will no doubt result in the snails living in a trailer park and perpetrating credit card scams.

a nice article on the Old Guard

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/29/AR2010052903726.html?hpid=topnews

more news on the scramjet

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htairfo/articles/20100528.aspx


(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

I'm back...

Had a wonderful weekend in Charlottesville, mostly hanging out with our friend Carol and doing a little craft shopping, and of course eating at the fabulous Crozet Pizza!

Happy Birthday Mel Blanc!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000305/

http://www.ochcom.org/blanc/


An American Original and Treasure. Absolutely Essential.

Happy Birthday Melissa Etheridge!

http://www.melissaetheridge.com/

http://www.myspace.com/melissaetheridge

Happy Birthday Patrick Henry!

http://americanrevwar.homestead.com/files/henry.htm

http://www.redhill.org/

Patriot.

The Slugs Return From Capistrano Day!

http://www.wellcat.com/may/slugs_return_from_capistrano_day.htm

Off the weekend!

See ya in a couple of days...

Happy National Hamburger Day!

http://www.fiveguys.com/home.aspx

Yum!

Happy Birthday Joseph Guillotin!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph-Ignace_Guillotin

Happy Birthday Gladys Knight!

http://gladysknight.com/

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

Happy Birthday John Fogerty!

http://www.johnfogerty.com/

http://www.myspace.com/johnfogerty

John Cale performs Venus In Furs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15GGl7vvGVg

Awesome...

Aretha performs Until You Come Back To Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OH3OFq_G5vc

She's had so many great hits, but this one seems to get short shrift on the oldies stations, which is a shame. Very cool light soul song. If the brain cells are still rattling around correctly, this was a hit in the early Summer of '74, a wonderfully strange time.

Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger & Trinity perform This Wheels On Fire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7sQvBkcJdY

So cool...

fanvid for The Electric Hellfire Club covering Bela Lugosi's Dead

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

Nice version by rural Wisonsin's finest industrial goth metal band!

Joe Grushecky & The Iron City Houserockers perform Junior's Bar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9307ZVkFvOY

I always loved this band. Should've been bigger.

Marshall Crenshaw performs Mary Anne

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4k-mZLh0hvM

One of my faves. Marshall understands power pop better than almost anyone else.

fanvid for Glass Prism performing The Raven

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xl9AIBVU69g

A late psych band who did an entire album based on the poems of Poe. Great stuff!

Bruce performs Loose Ends

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzmqx7C14kA

Great song.

Hypersonic aircraft

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100527/ap_on_sc/us_hypersonic_flight

The Onion VS Facebook

http://www.theonion.com/articles/entire-facebook-staff-laughs-as-man-tightens-priva,17508/

The cutting edge of using Monty Python to reference a resumption to the Korean War

http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20100526/wl_time/08599199192800

Drunk History

http://www.forkparty.com/drunk-history/

Kids, don't try this...at least during finals week...

The last casualty of WWII?

http://rt.com/Top_News/2010-05-25/kid-kills-nazi-general.html

Alert Johnny Cash!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1281516/Ring-sky-Storm-clouds-form-dramatic-circle-sunset-Hungary.html

The cutting edge of inhumane police tactics

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/10170966.stm

The Airmen and the Headhunters

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/secrets/episodes/the-airmen-and-the-headhunters-watch-the-full-episode/499/

An extraordinary story from the Pacific Campaign of WWII.



(Thanks for the link, Karen!)

God Save The Queen!

Was released by the Sex Pistols on this date in '77.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeP220xx7Bs

Happy Birthday Ramsey Lewis!

http://www.ramseylewis.com/

Happy Birthday Dashiell Hammett!

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/dashiell-hammett/about-dashiell-hammett/625/

http://www.mysterynet.com/hammett/

Genius. Essential.

Happy Birthday Christopher Lee!

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

http://www.christopherleeweb.com/

Happy Birthday Vincent Price!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001637/

http://www.seahaas.com/thepit/price.html

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

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

One of my faves. Essential.

obi's version of getting down with the workers

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2010/05/26/solar_plant_workers_told_to_stay_home_without_pay_due_to_obama_visit.html

Think ya used enough dynamite there, Butch?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/10161486.stm

The cutting edge of paternity claims

http://www.techeye.net/internet/woman-says-3d-porno-made-her-pregnant

I need to find that husband, I have a bridge to sell!

Sesame Street performs Born To Add

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN4eGVZk08c

Kinda cute!

Wuss America

http://deafvillage.co.uk/shocking-news/sign-language-ban-imposed

It seems like everyday there is some similar story. I am led to believe that there is something in the school administrator profession that leads it to be sought out by people who combine a petty authoritarian arrogance with a pathological wussiness and near brain-dead fear of anything the least bit out of the ordinary, (and for these clowns, I mean very ordinary, indeed). It is interesting to note that they're too big a bunch of chickenshits to provide what they claim is their side of this brouhaha - undoubtedly because they have no argument other than what I've just stated. Since when is signing a problem? What was she doing, flipping the bird? Ooooh - HORRORS! Big offense! Boy, that's never happened before, especially in New Jersey....

The first human/computer virus?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/10158517.stm

some fun Halloween costumes

http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs//archives/8584

I once was blind, but now I see...

http://www.fox41.com/Global/story.asp?S=12542493

Paul Is Undead!

http://sfscope.com/2009/06/alan-goldshers-paul-is-undead.html

Teen "Werewolves"

http://www.urlesque.com/2010/05/26/teenage-werewolves-video/

I'm laying newspapers down...

My Hometown, welcome to Hell

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/25/AR2010052504731.html?hpid=newswell

A perfect example of the government's corruption and incompetence. The office building in question is going to be absolutely worthless because no one will be able to get to it due to the gridlock. This was obvious before a single shovelful of dirt had been uncovered, but no plans were changed and the monstrocity continues to be built. The area is already a minor nightmare at rush hour. This will make it impassable, as well as most of the streets and roads for two miles around it. All while a perfectly acceptable, (and reachable) site in Springfield was totally ignored. I don't know what bribes were paid, but they should've been big ones to get this brainless disaster.

Happy Birthday Stevie Nicks!

http://stevienicks.net/

Happy Birthday Bobcat Goldthwait!

http://www.bobcatswebsite.com/

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001281/

Happy Birthday John Wayne!

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

http://jwayne.com/

Modern Airship

http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/worlds-largest-airship-stratellite-100520.html

Very cool.


(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

Cthulhu featured in Yahoo Answers

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100522161232AAbwWeH

Samuraipalooza in DC!

http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/english/html/SamWeekGenFlyer.pdf


(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

Happy National Wine Day!

http://www.virginiawine.org/


Double yum!

Happy Birthday Richard O'Brien!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0639782/

http://www.myspace.com/richardo_brien

Happy Birthday Hal David!

http://www.bacharachonline.com/bacharach_articles/discoveries.html

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

Happy Birthday Paul Weller!

http://www.paulweller.com/

http://www.myspace.com/paulweller

Behind the lyrics

http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/54985

Some back stories on well-known pop songs.

Robot Dance-Off

http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=49525

silly, but kinda cute

How Hollywood Viewed California

http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/56274

Pretty neat!

a nice site devoted to Radio Caroline

http://www.mikekemble.com/caroline/caroline1.html


(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

IBM, doing what it does best

http://news.techworld.com/security/3224283/ibm-red-faced-after-handing-out-usb-drives-stuffed-with-malware/

Otto von Bismarck knew all about this

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100523/ap_on_fe_st/us_odd_sausage_machine_mishap

"To retain respect for sausages and laws, one must not watch them in the making."

New Cthulhu figurines

http://www.fangoria.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=940:sota-nightmares-merchandise-review&catid=73:merchandise-reviews&Itemid=193

Happy National Escargot Day!

Yum!

Happy Birthday Tommy Chong!

http://cheechandchongtour.com/index2.php

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

Happy Birthday Mr. Zimmerman!

http://www.bobdylan.com/

http://www.myspace.com/bobdylan

Happy Birthday Patti LaBelle!

http://www.pattilabelle.com/

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

http://www.pattisbutterflies.com/

Bruce performs One Step Up

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFWDGjL6jLY

A nice song about growing up and old. Perfect for the end of the bottle. See ya tomorrow...

The end credits & song for Casino royale (the original)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZB7cbOw8k8&feature=related

A brilliant drug-addled mess of a movie - highly recommended. And I love this version of the theme (which may or not be sung by Peter Sellers).

Art Garfunkel performs Crying In My Sleep

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYH9ecryxCE

Probably my fave song from his solo career. One of the last great 70's singer-songwriter tunes before punk crashed in.

Steppenwolf performing Monster

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RN281IPHFzw

Giving Hef a history lesson. Irony abounds...

fanvid for Steely Dan performing Here At The Western World

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GLBjliKuo0

Ah, the calmly desperate bleakness of Steely Dan. Brilliant.

A pilot shooting himself down

http://www.aerofiles.com/tiger-tail.html

Amazing...



(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

The animated Gashlycrumb Tinies!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srvJ5RZ_9rc

Fun stuff!

Early Soviet movie special effects

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

Fun stuff! Pretty impressive for the time.

the latest spycraft?

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/23/science/space/23secret.html?hp

North Korean Godzilla!?

http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/13815

I gotta see this!

Happy Birthday to The Thin Man!

This wonderful movie premiered on this date in 1934.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0025878/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSNJ-8ouQEM

Happy Birthday Douglas Fairbanks, Sr.!

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

http://douglasfairbanks.wordpress.com/about/

One of the greats.

Baby Cookie's Got Answers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ynwTmUmy-A

A spin-off from the folks who bring you Chad Vader.

Happy Birthday Arthur Conan Doyle!

http://www.sherlockholmesonline.org/

Happy Birthday Bernie Taupin!

http://www.berniejtaupin.com/

and more accusations of facebook douchebaggery

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/13/mark-zuckerberg-ims-sugge_n_575257.html

more douchebaggery from Facebook & MySpace

http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/company-news/facebook-shared-personal-data-with-advertisers-without-user-cons/19485873/?icid=main%7Cmain%7Cdl1%7Clink3%7Chttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailyfinance.com%2Fstory%2Fcompany-news%2Ffacebook-shared-personal-data-with-advertisers-without-user-cons%2F19485873%2F



(Thanks for the link, Missy!)

And yet more wuss America

http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/money/23620613/detail.html

It wasn't for beer, it was for crack

http://boston.com/community/blogs/gatekeeper/2010/05/the_baby_for_beer_offer_an_inn.html

Well, now I feel better about the whole thing. Sorry Boston, up there it may seem like a tragedy, but here in the big city, crack is just a preequisite for holding elected office...

Wuss America

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local&id=7272424

What a nation of scaredy-cats we've become.

My merest glance would overwhelm tis software

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/7740955/Scientists-devise-algorithm-to-detect-sarcasm.html

New transistor brings humans and machines closer together

http://www.livescience.com/technology/Transistor-Human-Machine-Gap-100519.html

Anniversary Time

There are two great wedding anniversaries today. The first is Bogey & Bacall; the second is mine. Happy Anniversary Linda!

Happy Birthday Ron Isley!

http://www.defjam.com/site/artist_home.php?artist_id=598

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXIxDSmtb84

Genius. Essential.

The DC Gold Rush!

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/articles/38938/dc-gold-fever-our-broke-reporter-looks-to-strike-it

It's been many years since I've driven up there. But on the way to the Maryland side of Great Falls, you could still the remains of the old gold mine on the driveway down to the main park.

Ninjas to the rescue!

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/05/20/2904349.htm

Happy Birthday Joe Cocker!

http://www.cocker.com/

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

The son that Ray Charles never had. A survivor. Essential.

Happy Birthday Cher!

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzYBuKaQ83s

Happy Birthday Jane Wiedlin!

http://janewiedlin.com/

http://www.myspace.com/wiedlinjane

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7rrlAW_Bgk

One of my faves. Absolutely charming.

Happy National Pick Strawberries Day!

Yum!

Bruce performs Dancing In The Dark

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

A good video of a great song. Hard to believe it's been 25 years. And it's nice to see Danny.

The Yellow Balloon perform Yellow Balloon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jl4WrUXEuRE

Does anybody remember these guys besides me?

fanvid for Bobby Goldsboro performing I'm A Drifter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzPaf7gDa2c

Yes, I know he's considered a lightweight - but I've always liked this song.

The Everly Brothers perform Crying In The Rain

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bz0Sscke9z4

Beautiful.

The Challenge Is Met

http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/05/lifelock-identity-theft/

Scams on scammers....

more snottiness from Apple

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/apples-turns-away-ipad-buyer-points-to-no-cash-policy-poll/34581

If I remember correctly, this is illegal.

The cutting edge of pizza baking

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/story.html?id=3042258

Space Hotel?

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5A151N20091102?loomia_ow=t0:s0:a49:g43:r2:c0.107050:b34108026:z0

We'll see....

The cutting edge of Goodwill donations

http://www.officer.com/online/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=52357

Great moments in government obfuscation

http://www.suntimes.com/news/cityhall/2288092,weis-indoor-homicides-category-051810.article

Around here, we call that a Marion Barry defense... Of coursde, given Chicago's history, I'm surprised that the murder victims aren't simply reclassified as "Future Voters"...

The Yearbook

http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2010/052010/05192010/549032

When Space nazis Attack!

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mathieus/space-nazis-are-coming-8q4

It's a new promo for the supposedly upcoming film, Iron Sky. It certainly looks like a fun little romp. I'd note that, intentionally or not, the so-called History Channel, (and others), seems to have been subtly feeding the potential hype with a bunch of shows on nazi secret weapons, and there's a whole new slew of books out breathlessly claiming that the nazis were up to and ahead of where we are now, technologically - atomic bombs, incredible alloys, supersonic speeds, etc. . All of this is bullshit, of course, and veers close to almost wishful thinking on the part of some of the promoters. I won't bore you in great detail except to say that it's a long way from scribbling some notes down on a piece of paper to getting a detailed and usable series of design documents; and it is a long way from there to getting a usable test model of whatever it is your designing; and a longer way still to manufacturing it with trained people using it.
I will also add that there is a cost/benefit angle to all of this. Perhaps newer figures have come to light, but in the 80's there was some pretty good comparisons showing how the V2 rockets, (which these secret weapon TV shows also seem to tout), actually cost the Germans more to build than the cost of the destruction they committed. That's not how you win wars against someone like the U.S....
Yes, it can be interesting to speculate, (that's sort of the heart of the wargaming hobby, after all), but some of these shows/authors need to calm down. Yes, given more time, money, luck, etc., the Germans could have come up with weaponry that would have allowed them to change the course of the war, even winning it. But the same could be said for Belgium....

Sandwich Art

http://www.urlesque.com/2010/05/19/30-awesome-pictures-of-sandwich-art/

Pretty cute!

That special bond between a parent and child

http://www.aolnews.com/weird-news/article/matthew-brace-dad-accused-of-trying-to-trade-baby-for-beer-arrested/19481863

Hell, I doubt it was even for good beer....

The cutting edge of duplex living

http://www.aolnews.com/weird-news/article/ronnie-and-donnie-galyon-worlds-oldest-living-conjoined-twins-get-new-home/19480055

Testimony on the Nanking Massacre

http://www.france24.com/en/20100516-japans-last-vets-nanking-massacre-open

Another in a long list of occasions where the Cold War lead to the Allies and (former) Axis powers deciding to ignore the truth. It is a sad constant in geopolitics.

A force field for tanks?

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/British-Army-force-Field-Star-Trek,news-6239.html


(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

Happy Birthday Pete Townshend!

http://media.thewho.com/superbowl/splash.html

Happy Birthday Dusty Hill!

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

http://www.zztop.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QnGnL7k4Jc&feature=related

Happy Birthday Joey Ramone!

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

http://www.joeyramone.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMD7Ezp3gWc


Gabba Gabba Hey!

my next t-shirt

http://www.nachomamatees.com/servlet/the-364/amish-gone-wild-t/Detail

The return of moonshine?

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1989822,00.html?xid=rss-topstories


Hmmm, I doubt it. I certainly can see the advantages and/or attractions of boutique whiskeys and do-it-yourself hobbyists. But just distilling up a tub of spirits with little concern for taste?

No Privacy...

http://www.eff.org/press/archives/2010/05/13

A nice interview with Count Gore

http://image.examiner.com/x-8824-DC-Actors-Examiner~y2010m5d17-Q-and-A-with-Count-Gore-De-Vol

Burger VS Bacon

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=1959696

I suspect that this debate will continue for quite some time and through numerous tests. The safest course of action seems, to me, to consume massive quantities of each so as to gain the maximum possible benefit, should either or both be determined to be "good" for us.

Just another evening at Good Guys

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=1959719

Ah yes, the memories come flooding back from the few brain cells left that were around in '74. The unbelievably high-priced and watered-down swill that passed for beer, the sour and belligerent waitresses who looked like members of the East German Olympics Wrestling Team (Men's...), and the desultory dancers, with the dull and glazed look of a life already winding down. All ensconced in a room whose stygian gloom couldn't diguise generations of filth encrusted and slimed onto every surface area. Yea...Good Times....

When Darth Vader bowls

http://senorgif.com/2010/05/17/funny-animated-gifs-vaders-off-the-league/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SenorGif+%28Se%C3%B1or+Gif%29

A film about Leo Bretholz

http://www.jewishtimes.com/index.php/jewishtimes/article/new_film_celebrates_leo_bretholz/new_film_celebrates_leo_bretholz/

I'm very proud and happy to know Leo, (and to have known his lovely and now deceased wife, Flo). Am looking forward to this film. I highly recommend his book, Leap Into Darkness, it's very moving. Darkness is always around us, and we are defined by how we deal with it. Leo is a hero and a teacher.

interesting article on British biowarfare research in WWII

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/may/16/britain-secret-biological-warfare-testing

If I remember correctly, there was an island off of Scotland used for researching anthrax; and it was considered uninhabitable for many years thereafter.

Multitasking

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/2010/05/17/2010-05-17_prehistoric_siltstone_phallus_the_worlds_oldest_sex_toy_was_also_used_as_tool_to.html

Great moments in fruit bat sex studies

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/7734926/Academic-disciplined-over-fruit-bat-sex-paper.html

Happy Visit Your Relatives Day!

http://history.holidays.net/index.php?title=Visit_Your_Relatives_Day

Happy Birthday Mark Mothersbaugh!

http://www.markmothersbaugh.com/

http://www.mutatovisual.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWmf7r_37eA

fanvid for The Fatal Microbes performing Violence Grows

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-h7Da4wJgZg

The internet is amazing. I doubt ten copies of this EP sold in the States*, and here it is now for all to hear. A wonderfully sinister sounding song, made all the more so by the fact that the lead singer was a child.




*Yes Missy, I own it - it's fabulously rare....

Alien Sex Fiend performs I Walk The Line

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNz8SiO4DQ0

Great song. (You might have to sign into Yootube to view this video)

KMFDM video for Megalomaniac

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvZqWq0ZNjk&feature=related

Always liked these guys.

Move Over, Citizen Kane - There's A New Kid Movin' In!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0228486/

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

I just gotta see this thing...

A little military footnote that I never thought I'd see

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htmoral/20100517.aspx

the cutting edge of Italian real estate devaluation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL4XBpEg97I

Thrilling Tales Of The Downright Unusual - The Toaster With Two Brains!

http://vimeo.com/11114173

This is so cool! For all of you retro-future fans!

Happy Birthday Craig Ferguson!

http://www.cbs.com/late_night/late_late_show/

Geeky hard drive modifications

http://www.memorybits.co.uk/blogbits/hard-drive-modifications/

I kinda like the Steampunk one...

Happy Birthday to the Laser!

http://www.eweek.com/c/a/IT-Infrastructure/Laser-Celebrates-Its-50th-Anniversary-808168/


Preferred weapon of super-villains everywhere!



(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

New book - the Zombies of Lake Woebegotten

http://nightshadebooks.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=171

Happy Birthday Country Dick Montana!

http://www.countrydickmontana.com/

http://www.bar-none.com/bios/country_dick.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3G9H1mZBULw&feature=PlayList&p=ED99B84E3045AC27&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=7




One of the greats. An American Original.

Happy BirthdayTrent Reznor!

Genius. Essential.

http://www.nndb.com/people/534/000025459/

http://www.nin.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEW8riKU_tE&feature=related

Happy Birthday Maureen O'Sullivan!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001577/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maureen_O'Sullivan

One of my faves. Stunningly beautiful.

Happy Pack Rat Day!

When it comes to books and recordings, I'm guilty as charged...

May at the Manor

Well, it's a beautiful late Spring day here at the Manor. The irises are blooming - black, of course, (you must allow me my little gothic touches even on the most pleasant of days...).

I think some old soul tunes would be perfect for a relaxing day like today. Enjoy!

The Delfonics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pumC4Ak9Km8

Barbara Mason
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQUndBG6hFU

Bobby Hebb
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbUl_E-R91Q

The Intruders
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t70lBcxYzdk

James & Bobby Purify
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4C47crSet8

Gene Chandler
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyXrHSR5kg4

Booker T & The MG's
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHq4laFwAEM

Major Lance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMRLrf4pNn4

Cliff Nobles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUHMrGx_jG0&feature=related

The Sweet Inspirations
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrSZGM00m-s&feature=related

Eddie Holman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lscp1GCjUQ

Parliament
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gD1Jr7PfvSQ

Honey Cone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfJT4GwWzKU

The Stylistics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyD5tAGBP9U

The Impressions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7gMeUCtXx4

Robot wedding?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100516/ap_on_re_as/as_japan_robot_wedding

Huh? At the risk of being churlish.. from the description here, this sounds like nothing more than a couple standing in front of a sound machine with a pre-recorded message. You might as well have had an 8-track player or an Edison cylinder machine.

It's the principal of the thing...

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/05/13/1628582/coconut-grove-elementary-principals.html

The friendly skies

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2010/05/13/bc-blind-woman-plane-cabot.html

a little late....

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_EXHUMATION_CRYONICS_LAWSUIT?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2010-05-14-16-22-38

Baen Books online for free

http://www.baen.com/library/

For fans of sci-fi.



(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

Wikipedia's racism on horrible display

http://www.geekosystem.com/wikipedia-klingon-logo/

We shall overcome...

The Methuselah Genes

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/biology_evolution/article7127753.ece

The Asshole...

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article7127721.ece

The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/7722327/Loved-up-kangaroo-sets-sights-on-female-joggers.html

Poor thing should move to Florida where it's legal...

Divorce, Chinese Style

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-04/13/content_9723734.htm

The cutting edge of zoo stocking

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33278616/ns/technology_and_science-science/ns/technology_and_science-science/


(Thanks for the link, Infidel753!)

Happy Birthday Pet Sounds!

Released on this date in '66. Absolutely essential.

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

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

Happy Birthday Jonathan Richman!

http://www.myspace.com/pablopicassowasnevercalledanasshole

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_jRDVStzOY&feature=PlayList&p=9E941FCA100CC3D1&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=6

One of rock's great innocents.

nice interview with Alton Brown

http://onlineathens.com/stories/051210/liv_637614879.shtml

"Good Eats" is one of the few TV shows I enjoy watching these days.

Keith Richards autobiography in the Fall

http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/generalarticlesynopsfullart.aspx?csid1=143&csid2=844&fid1=46500

I can only echo what's implied in the above article - can this guy remember what his life was like?

MythosCon 2011

https://mythoscon.org/Home_Page.html

I really want to go to this.... They have a Prayer Breakfast!!! You haven't LIVED until you've attneded a Cthulhu Prayer Breakfast*...




*Yes, I HAVE been to one, about ten years ago, in Salem.....

a site devoted to WWI aircraft (and other) training films!

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

I was just clued into this site and it looks great! A real resource for military history buffs.


(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

Let It Be anniversary

The album was released on this date* in 1970 - FORTY YEARS AGO!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9SgDoypXcI







*some sources say it was the 8th, I'm still working on the discrepancy (and I don't exactly remember).

Happy Armed Services Day!

http://www.defense.gov/afd/

Happy Birthday Eno!

http://www.eno-web.co.uk/

Happy Birthday L. Frank Baum!

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

a nice remembrance of Frazetta

http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/2010_05_14.html#018965

Pigway

http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2010/05/subway_to_everyone_you_cant_se.html

It'll be interesting to see if a bunch of suits can trademark a unit of measure that's been used for decades in food marketing (when the clowns who are claiming that they "own" the term were no more than wet spots on the bed). Will Starbucks now claim the "cup" of coffee? Slabs of beef, jiggers of whiskey, magnums of champagne, bowls of fruit, racks of lamb, ad infinitum, (a term some other goon is probably trying to copyright). Common words are now considered corporate property. How pathetic we've become.

The Pole Tax

http://www.wpix.com/news/local/wpix-stripper-pole-tax,0,2434254.story

Bravo!

Gratitude and Responsibility

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/campaigns/our_boys/2972414/Woman-spent-45-years-caring-grave-of-hero-British-airman.html

I know, at an intellectual level, this seems irrational. But I am always deeply moved by such devotion, and to the appreciation of sacrifice. In our brave new world, such things are almost subversive.

Tee hee!

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/coral-springs/fl-video-voyeur-20100513,0,3600046.story

I hope the husband's hands weren't bruised. I always believe you should have a blade handy...

You'll get my cabernet when you pry it from my cold dead hand

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=10643616

I despise alcohol wholesalers with a passion. The term "parasite" doesn't do them justice. It took years for Virginia to join the ranks of civilization and allow direct shipping. We will not return to the Dark Ages! No Pasaran!

http://www.freethegrapes.com/

Somebody really likes Bea Arthur, mountains, and pizza

http://beaarthurmountainspizza.tumblr.com/page/1

Ghost hunting with the Muppets

http://gravediggerslocal.blogspot.com/2010/05/ghost-hunting-with-muppets.html

the cutting edge of ranching

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=104&sid=1956886

another nice slam on Facebook

http://digitaldaily.allthingsd.com/20100513/facebook-privacy-options-chart-would-make-a-great-halloween-corn-maze/

Jim Dunnigan's "Complete Wargames Handbook" online!

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/14/us/14agency.html?th&emc=th

This is a fun resource for all True Gamesmen. Dunnigan was/is a central figure in the hobby and business. My one critique is a geeky one - I wish a lot more details had been added to the section on the history of the hobby.


(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

Happy Birthday Jack Bruce!

http://www.jackbruce.com/

Happy Birthday David Byrne!

http://www.davidbyrne.com/

OMG! OMG! OMG! Cthulhu Chess!!!!!!!!!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/40718382/a-cthulhu-mythos-chess-set?ref=cat1_gallery_20

I want this so bad it makes my head hurt....

Birth Control - The Argument For

http://shitmykidsruined.com/

Malay Politics

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/5/13/nation/20100513151404&sec=nation

I can only quote William Tecumseh Sherman: "If nominated, I will not run; if elected, I will not serve."

Facebook tries to spin their grubby ways

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64C59220100513?feedType=nl&feedName=ustechnology

Typical bullshit. I expect no less from them at this point. I'm just hoping for a competitor who knows how to design a GUI and not feel the psychotic need to make all of one's information public.

So, you think the Seals, Army Snipers and Green Berets are tough to get into?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/7710597/Eunuch-regiment-needed-to-protect-Indian-borders-minister-says.html

I'd love to be the marketing guy for recruiting! Some possibilities:
"Do you NOT have what it takes?"

"We're looking for a few good Men, er, not quite..."

"Take me out of the Ball Game".

"I am an Army of None."

Morons...

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.ce6e076d355a498ef621bad2bbef1a32.f1&show_article=1

I can only imagine how succesful Penn & Teller would be with these rubes.

Burning Witch - the cutting edge of aromatherapy

http://www.lep.co.uk/community/smells_like_a_mean_spirit_1_766861

Be sure to collect the whole line of "Atrocity Fragrances"!

I love Wonkette....

http://wonkette.com/415396/is-there-a-reason-why-terrorist-south-carolina-has-a-muslim-flag

The Mystery Ship...

http://www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx?id=401204

Hmmm, it would be interesting to see what it was carrying...

Strange weather here

It feels and looks more like late October than mid-May here. Cool, overly cloudy - not what we're used to. I don't think I've even experienced a Spring here in NoVa where March was more pleasant than May.
I suppose that's it's sort of darkly poetic. Spring is always said to be full of Promise. And my experience and observation is that many Promises are eventually broken...

Robot figher/bombers on the way

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htairfo/articles/20100513.aspx

It will be interesting to see how this plays out over the next 30 years. There'll be tremendous resistance from the pilots, but I think there's going to be even stronger pressures (economic and political) to implement more and more battle 'bots. What will also be interesting to see what the counter measures might be. I know little about such things, but wonder if it is possible to cheaply manufacture flak and high explosive artillery that sends out electro magnetic pulses to mess up the electronics on these increasingly complex systems. If it's simple to do so, (and again, I have no idea), it might make robotics too expensive or inherently obsolete early on.

The Toilet Dude

http://www.youtube.com/user/toiletdude7

Well, I guess everyone needs a hobby....



(Thanks for the link, John!)

The Archives of the Damned

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3888350,00.html

It would be remiss not to mention that the system of nazi record keeping and cross referencing was created and administered by IBM...

Happy Leprechaun Day!

http://classiclit.about.com/od/leprechaunday/Leprechaun_Day.htm

Happy Birthday Ritchie Valens!

http://www.ritchievalens.com/

Happy Birthday Stevie Wonder!

http://www.steviewonder.net/

http://www.steviewonder.org.uk/

Happy Birthday to Getting Straight!

One of my fave movies. Forget about "Remember The Titans", THIS is what life at TC Williams was like...

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065775/

Happy Jamestown Day!

Well, I guess it's happy if you aren't a Native American...

http://www.historyisfun.org/

Donovan performs Atlantis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iy2OUFsrsfc

Always liked this song, although admittedly there's not a whole lot to it. I still remember hearing this while at a little cowboy cafe in Rawlins, Wyoming back in June of '69. Weird how things like that stick with you.

The Who perform I Can See For Miles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4BBQMjbX3c

Fun song!

Amish Porn

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/11/emma-the-amish-model-appe_n_571626.html

Half a dozen jokes/puns are racing around my brain. Must...Stop...Typing...

For the love of Cthulhu...

http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/british-man-in-court-over-pornographic-sex-squid-snap/story-e6frfku0-1225865763136

Only 2 more days until the Mike The Headless Chicken Celebration!

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

In beautiful Fruita, Colorado!

McDonnell says he's going to improve "campus safety"

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=1954592

Interesting. So far this fascist regime has considered a safe campus to be one without gays or environmental scientists. Mac is such a douche.

The last of the Ziegfeld Follies Girls Dies

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gi3uLE689c3ISNctvYrLNf3dPXvgD9FL3KA00

Wow!

The cutting edge of Japanese farming...

http://www.reuters.com/news/video/story?videoId=85506121&videoChannel=4


(Thanks for the link, Rick!)

The Chosen

http://afghanistan.blogs.cnn.com/2010/05/10/afghanistans-last-jew-vows-to-stay-put/?hpt=Sbin

Zombie Satellite!

http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/93656?fp=1

Do two suicides make a life?

http://web.orange.co.uk/article/quirkies/Death_wish_pair_find_love?sid=ec197d976cfe

deadly sinkhole...

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/05/11/report-quebec-family-missing-after-sinkhole-swallows-home/?hpt=T2

Cripes...

nice article on the "dogs of war"

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/arts_n_ideas/article/unheard-tales-of-gallantry-from-dogs-of-war/405646.html

My next bumper sticker

http://www.pegasuspublishing.com/PS-221-Eliminate-traffic-congestion-p-27423.html

Bela VS Edward

http://www.pegasuspublishing.com/The-Sparkling-Ends-Now-Edward-and-Bela-Shirt-p-29794.html

Bravo! I hate wuss mormon vampires...

Happy Limerick Day!

http://home.earthlink.net/~kristenaa/

Happy Birthday George Carlin!

http://www.georgecarlin.com/

Happy Birthday Steve Winwood!

http://www.stevewinwood.com/

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

Happy Birthday Burt Bacharach!

http://bacharachonline.com/

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

Joy Division performs She's Lost Control

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVc29bYIvCM&feature=related

All hail the futility and darkness. See ya tomorrow....

The Supremes perform Stoned Love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rglxw5cbZWY&feature=fvw

I know, I've posted this a couple of times over the years. But this is one of my fave songs. The Supremes didn't die after Diana left, there were several great albums made afterwards, now sadly ignored. A perfect song to go buzzing down the highway with the windows rolled down.

The Jerry Lewis Petting Zoo

http://cuteoverload.com/2010/05/11/meanwhile-at-the-jerry-lewis-petting-zoo/

I actually laughed harder at this than I do watching Jerry's schtick...


(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

All Ocarina, All The Time

http://www.stlocarina.com/stlocarinaradio.html

The cutting edge of proof reading

http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/australia/3680768/Dictionary-error-not-noticed-for-99-years

nice article on Mary Chapin Carpenter & hew new album

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/11/arts/music/11carpenter.html


(Thanks for the link, Erik!)

Happy birthday Eric Burdon!

http://ericburdon.ning.com/

http://www.myspace.com/ericburdon

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

One of my faves.

Happy Birthday Phil Silvers!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0799014/

http://philsilversshow.com/

Happy Birthday Salvador Dali!

http://salvadordalimuseum.org/

http://www.dali-gallery.com/

RIP Frank Frazetta

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ieBUPyNVCRUPTme2UyTGr9_5pNuQD9FK76E00

A giant and a genius in the field of Fantasy art and illustration. I am seriously bummed.

Snoopy - NO!!!!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/7704213/Man-dressed-as-Snoopy-in-worst-attempted-jail-break-ever.html

You can still fuck animals in Florida

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/05/07/1617424/bestiality-law-push-goes-back.html


I've made a vow to almost eliminate any references to weird or bizarre stories coming out of Florida for the simple reason that there are sooo many. When it comes to the most violent, perverse, outre and downright batshit crazy, Florida dominates the nation. I could easily do nothing more than devote this blog to detailing the stupidity, depravity and surrealism that comes in news reports out of the state every sngle day - seriously, it's a minor avalanche, easily as great as the next three weirdest states combined, (PA, NJ and CA). But I couldn't resist this link, just to allow me to print up that entry title!

A Parody of the hitler Parodies!

http://www.strategypage.com/humor/articles/military_jokes_2010050920277.asp

The Bunker lives on!

(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

The Conspiracy - exposed!

http://illuminatimatrix.wordpress.com/35-miracle-on-the-hudson-wedding-of-the-son-walking-on-water-we-all-live-in-a-yellow-submarine-george-hwbush-george-w-bush-george-washington-gw-jw-jehovah-yhwy-jeb-bush-columba/

I almost see poetry in the rantings of high-functioning schiz's. And I love THE fact THAT every OTHER word SEEMS to BE capitalized SO as TO expose THE terrible TRUTH!


(Thanks for the link, John!)

Happy National Shrimp Day!

Yum!

Happy Birthday Donovan!

http://www.donovan.ie/en/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xl8k3wbFxgI

Happy Birthday Bono!

http://www.atu2.com/band/bono/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98W9QuMq-2k

The cutting edge of scissors!

http://www.shop4tech.com/item9080.html?siteID=isIkAyUyNbM-RlToxOavX5R.ROzbu4Lf1Q

Newton's Apple Tree In Zero Gravity

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/may/09/isaac-newton-apple-tree-space


Cute!

D&D Drinks?

http://www.myjones.com/limited/wizards

I think I'll stick to Stone's Arrogant Bastard Ale...

a Mother's Day article of note

http://ap.stripes.com/dynamic/stories/U/US_MED_MILITARY_MOM?SITE=DCSAS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Sometimes, words just sort of form a crush escaping from you when reading something like this family's story. And they seem hopelessly inadequate compared to the sorrow, the sweat and the courage displayed.

Bizarre collection of foreign movie posters

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/29/19-foreign-movie-posters_n_557007.html

ThrillerFest V

http://www.thrillerwriters.org/thrillerfest/

new Fritz Leiber collection coming out

http://www.subterraneanpress.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=leiber01&Category_Code=PRE&Product_Count=20

Pulp AdventureCon 2010

http://www.boldventurepress.com/

Pulpfest 2010

http://www.pulpfest.com/

The Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Con in September

http://www.midatlanticnostalgiaconvention.com/

Karloff's "Thriller" is FINALLY coming out in DVD!

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Thriller-Press-Release/12892

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Thriller-The-Complete-Series/13718

The Happy Together Tour

For those of you nostaligic for 60's Top 40 tunes.

http://www.theturtles.com/documents/tour.html

Happy Mother's Day!

Families can be weird conglomerations. Some are awful and need to be escaped; some will even drag you down. But some can be quite comforting, and offer a type of support and background rarely found elsewhere. I hope yours is the latter, and that you can enjoy this day's excuse to hang out and enjoy their company.

Happy Birthday to The Muppets!

http://blog.rifftrax.com/2008/05/09/happy-53rd-birthday-muppets/

http://kidshow.dcmemories.com/sam1.html

http://www.muppetcentral.com/

http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Muppet_Wiki

Premiered on this date in 1955! Absolutely Essential.

Happy Birthday Dave!

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

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

Neat site devoted to Barberella

http://www.hollywoodcomics.com/forestbbd.html



(Thanks for the link, Bill!)

Blue Oyster Cult performs Don't Fear The Reaper

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

I know, I know - needs more cowbell. But besides that, this was such a cool band and song. A futilitarian anthem.

fanvid for parliament performing Flash Light

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHCLF07_EbQ&feature=related


So cool...

The Flying Machine performs Smile A Little Smile For Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR3xcZ-osqE

I know, it's not a spectacular song, but I've always liked it.

Build your own atomic rocket!

http://www.projectrho.com/rocket/index.html

If you're into retro sci-fi, this is a very cool site!


(Thanks for the link, Bill!)

Auntie Em! Auntie Em!

This afternoon has featured quite a bit of wind buffeting us here at the Manor. I'd guess that the stongest gusts have been close to 40mph. Several large tree limbs have showered down, (and taken out a couple of our garden plants...). Quite a blow!

Urban Camouflage

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1273919/The-Japanese-ninja-dress-turns-Coca-Cola-machine-ward-attackers.html?ITO=1490

Wuss America

http://www.onlinesentinel.com/news/bus-standoff-proves-to-be-big-misunderstanding_2010-05-07.html

People clearly need to calm down. If you're going to call in the polizei everytime you don't understand someone's language, we are in for shitpiles of trouble. Whoever the nervous nellie on the bus was, I can only ask that you please never travel within 50 miles of DC. It is virtually impossible to walk along any of our office or shopping areas for a few minutes without hearing at least half a dozen diffent languages being spoken. The only explosive device present will be your brain going off from the paranoia. For your own safety, stay in white-bread New Hampshire.

A very nice analysis and attack on Facebook

http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2010/05/facebook-rogue/

The more I know, the more I hate Facebook.....

No Privacy...

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6412572n

Back to mimeograph!



(Thanks for the link, Bill!)

Farmvillain for Facebook

http://kotaku.com/5533447/fight-farmville-facebook-spam-with-farmvillain


Wonderful!

And yet another reason for me to hate Facebook

http://www.eff.org/press/archives/2010/05/03

Happy Furry Day!

http://www.timetravel-britain.com/columns/traditions/traditions03.shtml

Anniversary of the death of Mordecai Anielewicz & end of Warsaw ghetto uprising

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

http://www.zionism-israel.com/bio/Morcechai_Anielewicz.htm

Unbelievable heroism and desperation in the face of overwhelming odds. I get so tired when the word "hero" is tossed around to represent professional entertainers like sports figures. This is the real thing, and it often isn't pretty, and it almost never is rewarded.

Happy Birthday Ricky Nelson!

http://www.ricknelson.com/

Happy Birthday Bob Clampett!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0163332/

http://www.animationusa.com/resources/aboutclampett.html

Genius. Essential.

Happy VE Day!

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

A great victory, at tremendous cost.

The Cult performs She Sells Sanctuary

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

I always liked this band's sound.

I Am Ultra-Clever!

http://gawker.com/5533732/clever-people-drink-more-alcohol/gallery/


(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

The Nirvana Baby is now a Man!

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/archives/2010/05/the_nirvana_bab.php

Each day brings new evidence that I am now old....


(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

And Wussy Britain!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/7657569/Teacher-with-rabbit-phobia-to-sue-14-year-old-for-drawing-bunny.html


Of course, in all fairness, the rabbits in Britain are a little bit more, uh, robust:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nvs5pqf-DMA

NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.mnn.com/food/wine-spirits/stories/grape-loving-moths-invade-californias-wine-country

Wussy America

http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2010/05/jolly_rancher_detention.php

We have become the biggest bunch of pussies, sneaks, nannies and snitches.

Plastic Bertrand performs Ca Plane Pour Moi

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

Virtually unknown in the States. Stupid but fun; and one of those songs you can't get out of your head once you've heard it. Forgive me.

Rod & ron's video for This Old Heart Of Mine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd5vvoWcQ4A

One of my fave videos and songs. Just beautiful.

The Blues Magoos perform We Ain't Got Nothin' Yet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOGRTLn2uKY

Love this song! I believe that the Magoos were the first band to use the term "psychedelic" in an album title (Psychedelic Lollipop). And I hear they had electric lights in their suits when they performed at night. Neat-O!

The Car Commercial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQ7R_buZPSo

Pretty impressive. But try getting out of the Eden Center onto Route 7 during Rush Hour. Now that's a kill zone...



(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

Ramsey Lewis perform The In Crowd

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Slv0j5USBa4&feature=related

Fun stuff!

Batman has a problem

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0xollWZ9Bo&feature=channel

Classic

http://www.ajc.com/news/gwinnett/gwinnett-county-friends-say-522136.html

I demand that someone named Cletus be added to this story.

The Zombie Research Society

http://www.zombieresearch.org/home.html

the baby sitter

http://www.cantonrep.com/carousel/x2084227736/Louisville-man-going-to-prison-for-tattoo-on-tot

Star Wars, In LEGO, In 2 Minutes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0z_TU4Gw5o&feature=player_embedded

The cutting edge of interior decorating

http://bumbumbum.me/2010/04/21/heike-weber-installations/

Happy Birthday Darren McGavin!

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

http://www.darrenmcgavin.net/

The Night Stalker....

Happy Birthday Gabby Hayes!

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

http://www.gabbyhayes.org/


THE sidekick.

Happy National Roast Leg Of Lamb Day!

Yum!

Chad Vader Coffee!

http://www.justcoffee.coop/catalog/chadblend

Grace Slick at 70...

http://www.spinner.com/2010/02/19/twisted-tales-grace-slick-exemplifies-1960s-hedonism-going-o/?ncid=webmaildl2

Vacation Destinations

http://dayofwoman.blogspot.com/2010/05/15-horror-locations-you-should-avoid.html

Acne problems?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds_O3DZoNGo&feature=player_embedded

Rubber - when tires turn EVIL

http://io9.com/5531597/rubber-a-superhero-movie-about-a-tire-that-kills-with-its-mind-no-really

Alert Buffy!

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/3662417/Vampire-attack-in-Wellington

Ah, the schoolgirls in their pretty outfits....

http://news.aol.co.uk/uk-news/schoolgirl-outfit-accused-on-trial/article/2010050523043771361254

Impressive sniping

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1273679/Gone-28-seconds-Rapid-sniper-takes-Taliban-soldiers-protect-British-patrol.html

Grammar nazis

http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1935115

This is pretty clever.

and more Facebook bullshit

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/06/technology/internet/06facebook.html?src=busln

You guys, I'm really starting to hate you....

Mr. Peanut's long-lost cousin

http://community.livejournal.com/vintage_ads/1923579.html

oh my gods....

http://www.gpsdrawing.com/gallery/land/magic_roundabout.htm

I will never complain about DC's traffic circles again.

The cutting edge of chimpanzee tool use

http://www.physorg.com/news192258277.html

Ears will save your life

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/7683643/Six-year-old-saved-from-dropping-to-his-death-by-his-ears.html

The biggest beaver dam

http://www.discoveryon.info/2010/05/worlds-biggest-beaver-dam-discovered.html

Great moments in 9-1-1 calls

http://www.entertonement.com/clips/mqqctmvvww--Beer-Bottle-911-Call


(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

The Miskatonic Institute of Horror Studies

http://www.big-smash.com/miskatonic-splash.html

Crochet Cthulhu

http://cthulhucrochet.blogspot.com/2010/05/cuddly-cthulhu-with-free-pattern.html

Satisfaction...

Keith Richards wrote the famous riff for this tune on this date in 1965.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVEN0KE2VC0

Happy Birthday Orson Welles!

http://www.wellesnet.com/

Happy Birthday Freud!

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

Jack Scott performs The Way I Walk

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

Wonderful.

George Thorogood & The Destroyers perform One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer

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

Fun stuff! Great version.

Mandrill performs Get It All

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9FI_ZoGFAQ&feature=related

Good band, almost forgotten now.

The Yardbirds perform Heart Full of Soul

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9mQkFpkShg

Classic.

Fake Science!

http://fakescience.tumblr.com/

The War Poet

http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2564145

And they called it puppy love?

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-world/2010/05/05/and-they-call-it-yucky-love-115875-22235173/

An interview with Zhukov surfaces

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/7681504/Soviet-commander-admits-USSR-came-close-to-defeat-by-Nazis.html

Would enjoy reading a translated transcript of this.

Tattoo Weirdness...

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/2958753/Crazy-tattoos-of-past-and-present.html



(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

I am beginning to hate Facebook

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/fasterforward/2010/05/do_i_need_to_revisit_facebook.html?hpid=sec-tech

I've been on it for about nine months now. The good thing is that it has provided a nice means of keeping up with friends, acquaintances and relatives whom I might not have had the opportunity with through other media. But every month or so it seems I have to go through hoops, both linguistic and electronic, to set (reset) privacy settings. The GUI stinks. It's confusing, messy, inconsistent (a clickable symbol on one screen means something else on another,), and unbelievably unintuitive. I could design a better screen in 5 minutes. So could you. The only good thing about all of this is finding out that the Post's Donny Graham is one of the directors, I hate that douche bag, and it's nice to see that he's a consistent asshole and proponent of cheapness and shoddiness wherever he squats.
At this point, I have no idea what my privacy settings are, really. Like one of the people in the above article, my profile doesn't reflect the privacy settings that I have - the whole thing seems to be a scam. I still don't understand what "Like" means, it appears to be another case of having different definitions depending on the mood of the cretins that designed the thing; and I am now caught with enjoying the communication with my friends while hating the application itself. I am about two incidents away from hanging it up, that's how bad it's gotten. Pity, because there's real value in this for me. And the owners are killing it.

The United States of Freedonia

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

I just recently learned that Freedonia was in contention to be the name of this country, (which might have warded off a lot of resentment from all of the other inhabitants of the Western hemisphere with us calling ourselves "Americans"). I wonder if it's too late to change? I, for one, would welcome being a citizen of the USF. Hail Freedonia!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8aKKF1-f-A

The Friendly Skies

http://www.wishtv.com//dpp/news/local/marion_county/mans-lost-luggage-found-in-retention-pond

Happy Birthday Michael Palin!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001589/

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

http://pythonline.com/meet/palin

Genius. Essential.

Happy Birthday Bob Seger!

http://www.bobseger.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bi79wy97Wug


One of my faves.

Happy National Hoagie Day!

Yum!

http://www.gone-ta-pott.com/national_hoagie_day.html

Happy Oyster Day!

http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/May/oysterday.htm


Yum!

Petting the iguana

http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/maryland/ocean-city-rethinks-approach-to-'iguana-man'

The cutting edge of scented candles

http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/05/03/white-castles-burger-scented-candle/

Accidental Death

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/04/AR2010050402215.html?wpisrc=nl_most

Interesting article and commentary by the defense attorney. Clearly the word "accidental" has achieved a major expansion in its definition when some preppy jock kicks in the door and repeatedly slams your head into a wall and then steals a computer that might lead one to him and his "accident". This spin by the defense has really opened my eyes to the erros in history - "Jack" accidently killed those prostitutes in London, Hitler and his Germans accidently invaded Poland, etc., etc., ad infinitum.

A grammar lesson

http://i41.tinypic.com/2052ni0.jpg

I love it!

"Pixie Dust" a medical miracle?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1270990/Pixie-Dust-pig-bladders-regrows-limbs-wounded-soldiers.html

Fascinating, if true...

Kosher headline of the day

http://failblog.org/2010/05/03/epic-fail-photos-kosher-fail-3/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+failblog+%28The+FAIL+Blog+-+Fail+Pictures+%26+Videos+at+Failblog.ORG%29


(Thanks for the link, Audrey!)

Hanging on...

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=1949120

Chinglish - my next floor cleaning sign

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2010/05/03/world/asia/20100503_CHINGLISH.html



(Thanks for the link, Ed!)

Happy Birthday Dick Dale!

King of the Surf Guitar!

http://www.dickdale.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIU0RMV_II8

Happy Birthday to The Mummy (the remake)!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120616/

I love this flic. Premiered on this date in 1999.

Jo Jo performs Roadrunner

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

One of the coolest songs, ever.

Simon & Garfunkel perform Mrs. Robinson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY4QB1bkL3g

Great song from a great movie. One of those tunes that sounds wonderful on an AM radio.

Gwen McCrae performs Rockin Chair

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ESQMwr9Uio

Always liked this song, nice example of soul around the mid 70's.

Ray Charles performs I Got A Woman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IQBKWdXnqU&feature=related

American Bedrock.

Mary Chapin Carpenter performs her new single, The Way I Feel

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6451455n

DC's Finest.

Chad Vader Tweets!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lw1vHcNfEkk&feature=channel

I love this guy.

RIP Lynn Redgrave

http://www.redgrave.com/

Georgy Girl....I am bummed.

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

Ah yes, the old "basketball gorilla defence"....

http://www.3news.co.nz/Murder-trial-jury-shown-basketball-gorilla-video/tabid/423/articleID/153957/Default.aspx

As has been pointed out on Fark.com, this is incredibly close to South Park's "Chewbacca Defense" from one of their episodes.

Happy Birthday Machiavelli!

Patron Saint of Politics.

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/machiavelli/

RIP Jack Agnew

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-jack-agnew13-2010apr13,0,5236108.story

I admit I was unfamiliar with this group or them being the inspriation behind the Dirty Dozen, (which is a cool movie, by the way).

The new Justice League?

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2957342/Spiderman-foils-would-be-thief.html

I hate thieves and thievery in general; but I'd be soooo embarrassed to have been this guy, beat up by fan boys....

how to relieve rich people of their money

http://www2.insidenova.com/isn/news/local/article/hunley_35_for_a_cup_of_coffee/56834/

Happy Birthday James Brown!

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Fd8_gojNXc


The Godfather....

Happy Birthday Frankie Valli!

http://www.frankievallifourseasons.com/

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwuL3Up_mpg

Happy Birthday to The Black Cat

One of my fave horror movies. Boris AND Bela! Premiered on this date in 1934.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Black_Cat_(1934_film)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024894/

Happy Birthday to The Cocoanuts!

The film that introduced us to the Marx Brothers. Premiered on this date in 1929.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0019777/

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

Manfred Mann perform Fox On The Run

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhHPv9P4JxY

Always loved this version. In the early days of the Birchmere, (no, earlier than that, I mean when it was a little beer joint behind Shirlington with a stage in a narrow hall you had to sit sideways to see), this was a staple of all the bluegrass bands. Good times, if I could only remember them...

The Jesus & Mary Chain (with the lovely Hope Sandoval) perform Sometimes Always

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C05mS_l3ABI

Love, rejection, hope, fear, need and failure. It's all there.

Cheap Trick's video for Surrender

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th370QmFtk8

Absolutely wonderful power pop by a great band. For a few sweet months back in the Winter of 78/79 it looked like they'd be the next Big Thing. Should've happened. I seem to vaguely remember owning a Cheap Trick bow tie. Don't know what happened to that damn thing...

Eric Brace & Peter Cooper perform Drinking From A Swimming Pool

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dgpAE1wgZw

Written by my old pal, Karl Straub. One of his best songs, in my opinion. A perfect example of how a song can take on different interprestations. I don't remember what Karl was intending at the time, but after he and the Graverobbers released this I remember me and another reocrd store dude were talking with him about it. He was somewhat surprised to learn that both of us, (independent of one another) had always thought it was about suicide by drowning. I still think it is...

fanvid for The Dovers performing What Am I Going To Do

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rclhP1a_o0o

A great garage band song that you've never heard of.

The Amboy Dukes perform Journey To The Center Of Your Mind

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TokYdNmOt3s

Fun stuff!

Great Stuff!

http://www.boingboing.net/2010/04/29/hitler-finds-out-how.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+boingboing%2FiBag+%28Boing+Boing%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

A very nice reaction to all the copyright nonsense regarding the Downfall videos.

When cupcakes attack

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4JbPLItex4&feature=player_embedded

the shopping list

http://www.blameitonthevoices.com/2010/04/unorthodox-grocery-list.html

I can't believe they're buying Hamburge Helper...

The cutting edge of Robert's Rules Of Order

http://www.blameitonthevoices.com/2010/04/ukrainian-parliament-debate-ftw.html

Now that's what I call a parliamentary debate!

The cutting edge of Tributes

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/8655680.stm


(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

Prison Inventions

http://www.sloshspot.com/blog/07-23-2009/The-Wonderful-World-of-Prison-Inventions-191

Wikipedia's list of unusual deaths

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

Spany & Our Gang perform Sunday Will Never Be The Same

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

It's another sweltering day here at the Manor. And I am reminded of similiar days back in '67 when this tune was a hit. Very appropriate.

Hell

http://www.what-the-hell-is-hell.com/HellPhotos/index.htm

I always suspected it was kinda pleasant...

(Thanks to Infidel753 for the link!)

The cremation of hitler?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1270108/Russian-cremated-Adolf-Hitler-refuses-reveal-scattered-ashes.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Actually, I tend to believe this version above the usual histories. Unfortunately, the tales will continue forever of mysterious burials, survival, and remains.

A light meal...

http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/824067-man-eats-1-500-lightbulbs

True Gamesman

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8650606.stm

a commercial for meat lovers

http://www.veryfunnyads.com/?oid=24744

Yum!

A Day In Paris

http://www.vimeo.com/8967457

A nice little video with a cute robot.

Cancel my appointments

http://www.suvudu.com/after-earth-day/#escape

neat looking paper pop-up

http://www.yeesjob.com/New%20Athens%20Parthenon.htm

Great moments in marketing

http://www.businessadministration.org/blog/60-unintentionally-offensive-business-and-product-names

Neat solar images

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/21apr_firstlight/

The end of a stadium

http://www.dallascowboys.com/farewell/Texas_Stadium_Implosion.cfm

Very cool! Reminds me of the Independence Day celelbrations we used to have out in Colorado in my youth...

Almost forgot - Happy National Homebrew Day!

http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/pages/events/national-homebrew-day

Wooly

We spent a wonderful day up at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. Linda was able to get stocked up on knitting supplies. The crowd there is always interesting. There are quite a few sheep herder types, as well as crowds of rather domestic-looking women. But there's also a smattering of goths and punks. And the various spinning wheels for sale are always beautiful and interesting. But damn it was hot out there! Must've been 90 degrees.

http://www.sheepandwool.org/

The Beatles Conspiracy - at last the Truth can be shown!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDUJGlA40r8&feature=PlayList&p=DA39E690A8B8EC12&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=60


(Thanks for the link, Pete!)

Happy Birthday Lesley Gore!

http://www.lesleygore.com/

http://www.patswayne.com/lesley/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmOrWG2FTbg


One of my faves.

Happy Birthday Link Wray!

http://www.wraysshack3tracks.com/

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

Happy Birthday to Miracle on 34th Street!

Love this film, can't understand how they possibly thought to debut it at this time of year.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039628/

Happy Ducking Day!

http://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/may_day.htm

One of those obscure holidays that I'm single-handedly ressurecting.

Jerry Jeff performs LA Freeway

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

Great song. Perfect Americana. Great lyrics about escape. But I don't think there's any getting off the Freeway anymore....
See ya tomorrow.

Michelle Shocked's video for Come A Long Way

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cJZyjF9PlQ

Great, great song. One of my faves. 'Chelle should've been a much bigger star. One of our best songwriters.

Paul Kantner covers Wasn't That A Time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7VljaQOWR0

Great song, but how old we've all gotten...

fanvid for Santana performing Everything Is Coming Our Way

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZ9mnbQYclI

Always loved this song, although I don't think it ever got much airplay or was a hit.

fanvid for Ringo performing Goodnight Vienna

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhY_TNkNddc&feature=PlayList&p=B062FFF073EDF370&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=15

Fun stuff!

The Beatles perform Get Back

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqiAl84ipIk

So cool...

Happy May Day!

http://www.theholidayspot.com/mayday/history.htm

Happy Herb Day!

http://www.herbday.org/

Happy Birthday Judy Collins!

http://www.judycollins.com/index1.php3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV7T6KCMosE