Weirdness: November 2010

Happy Birthday Dad

Today marks the centenary of my Father's birth. It has now been quite a few years since he died. But there are some of losses that one never gets around or over. They are carried and dealt with as best as one can.
He was my best friend. Happy Birthday Dad - you are missed.

Cthulhu Dice Bag!

http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2010/11/cthulhu-dice-bag/

A Toast To Biofuels!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/aug/17/whisky-biobuel-scotland

Wonderful! I, for one, have been doing my part in encouraging the industry for a long time to increase production. I can also vouch for it as an energy source, as whiskey has been fueling me for years....

(Thanks for the link, Chris!)

general butt naked

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1333465/Liberias-General-Butt-Naked-The-evil-man-world.html

Classy name for a real charmer. It's interesting how a sociopath can get away with any and every thing by claiming that they're now religious. Reminds me a little of an obscure Cainite belief from the earliest years of the Church.

Happy Birthday Stan Rogers!

One of the greatest folkies. Genius. Essential.

http://www.fogartyscovemusic.skyrocketlabs.com/

Happy Birthday to I Want To Hold Your Hand!

Released on this date (in Britain) in 1963.

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

The Rolling Stones Monopoly Game

http://www.usaopoly.com/rollingstones/

I guess you now build Memory Hotels on the board.

The Cthulhu Stocking (Stalking?) Cap!

http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2010/11/scientists_with_style.php

Thanks for the link, Infidel753!

Some tunes for a late November

new record set for solar cell efficiency

http://www.gizmag.com/boeing-to-mass-produce-world-record-efficiency-solar-cells/17028/

Pretty neat. This is something I have to research more - the "footprint" left in the manufacturing solar cells, versus what they save in the environment; and when their cost and efficiency make them more than competitive with most power producing systems.

Very nice article on Arhoolie Records

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/28/arts/music/28arhoolie.html

(Thanks for the link, Erik!)

interesting article on robots in combat

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/28/science/28robot.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=a2

Anniversary of the Alice's Restaurant Massacree

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

Happy Birthday Jon Stewart!

http://www.thedailyshow.com/

Happy Birthday Berry Gordy!

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

Happy Birthday to "Horses"!

My fave album by Patti Smith. Wonderful! Released on this date in 1975.

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

neat little listing of weird science experiments

http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/75068#more-75068

Wuss Britain

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1333454/Nativity-blackout-Parents-banned-taking-photos-pupils-eyes-covered--child-protection.html

I guarantee you that this policy will be coming to America any day now...

WMD

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/2924722,rolling-pin-red-line-112610.article?dontpinmebro

The anti-violence rally

http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-anti-violence-violence-112610,0,2097327.story

The Cthulhu Gravestone (from 300 years ago!!!)

http://io9.com/5699875/why-is-cthulhu-on-this-300+year+old-gravestone

Neat-O!

Great careers

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mrbabyman/careers-i-never-knew-existed-b7t

Forget the iPhone

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Radio_Electronics_Cover_June_1949.jpg

I want one of these!

Reasoning With Vampires

http://reasoningwithvampires.tumblr.com/

An hysterical critique of the vapid Twilight series.

official trailer to the complete Metropolis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSExdX0tds4&feature=player_embedded

I love this movie. Absolutely brilliant and essential.

Mathematical Food

http://vihart.com/food/

The Einstein Maze

http://waldotheclown.com/amazing_albert_maze.htm

Wreaths Across America begins tomorrow

http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/

Happy Birthday Jimi Hendrix!

http://www.jimihendrix.com/us/home

Harper's Ferry

Spent a very nice day visiting Harpers Ferry. The town has a sort of "Nightmare Before Christmas" vibe going. About half the houses and businesses have Christmas decorations up, and the other half still have Halloween stuff out.
The town is definitely cute, even besides all of the history. One of thsoe places we rarely get up to - will have to remedy that. A quick drive from DC and you're almost in anothe world.
Now, it's time for some pumpkin wine. Perfect for a dying Autumn day....

The Lost Legion, Found?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/8154490/Chinese-villagers-descended-from-Roman-soldiers.html

Pretty neat footnote to the Roman Empire.

History Animated

http://www.historyanimated.com/newhistoryanimated/

Am just starting to explore this site, and it looks pretty neat. It presents campaigns and battles from the American Revolution, the American Civil War and the Pacific campaign of WWII in (semi) animated graphics. There are a variety of notes along with the presentation and (gasp!) books are recommended for further research and understanding, (with links to Amezon.com). The two presentations that I viewed (the seige of Yorktown and the Guadalcanal Campaign) both seemed pretty good. The site is geared towards being used as an aid by high school teachers, (it is a pleasant surprise to discover that apparently some history is being taught in some high schools). Very cool and highly recommended!

(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

Happy Birthday to Anarchy In The UK!

Great song. Released on this date back in '76...

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

Happy Birthday Charles Schulz!

http://peanuts.com/

Happy Birthday Tina Turner!

http://www.tinaturnerfanclub.eu/

Happy Birthday Casablanca!

My favorite movie. Premiered on this date in 1942. Genius. Essential.

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

Happy National Leftovers Day!

Consumer Affairs

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/buster/prostitution/never-call-cops-consumer-complaint-about-your-hooker

The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind...

http://blogs.chron.com/celebritybuzz/2010/11/60s_songbird_joan_baez_hurt_wh.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+houstonchronicle/celebritybuzz+(Celebrity+Buzz)

Sacrilege!

http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=21863

Without Josh at the helm, this will be an abomination.

The start of another horror movie...

http://www.aolnews.com/weird-news/article/radioactive-mouse-on-loose-at-nuclear-test-site-in-washington/19726333

DoD and the Flying Snakes

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2010/11/22/ST2010112206512.html

Pretty neat!

Can you hear me now?

http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2010/11/new_angel_has_mobile_phone_wit.php

Pied Piper Wanted...

http://www.ktvu.com/news/25886625/detail.html

Robotic elephant trunk

http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/shortsharpscience/2010/11/robotic-trunk-makes-for-a-flex.html

This looks like something from an H.R. Giger painting....

Art Buchwald's Thanksgiving column

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/23/AR2005112302056.html
I've written about this before. To try and make a long story as short as possible, Art was a satirical writer for the Post, and every Thanksgiving throughout my life, he submitted the same story to be published that day. It became a minor DC tradition. I know, I know, it probably makes no sense to anyone outside the region or the time period. Fair enough.
Anyways, with his death, the Post stopped publishing it. But to their credit, they do make it avaialble online. And as long as that link is alive, I'll cite it here. My little tip of the hat to a time in DC and my life long gone.

Happy Birthday Percy Sledge!

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

Happy National Stuffing Day!

Double Yum!

Happy National Turkey Day!

Yum!

http://www.bobrivers.com/#v8694

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you all have a safe and pleasant holiday with family and friends.

The cutting edge of midget emancipation

http://www.wxii12.com/r/25906753/detail.html

I know that whenever I enter a motel room, my first thoughts turn towards the possibility of both hidden cameras and hidden midgets. And I always do everything I'm told to do by voices I don't recognize speaking over the telephone. Dr. Milgram smiles. We are sheep....

RIP Ingrid Pitt

http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/ingrid-pitt-dies-at-73_1186061

Happy Birthday Forrest Ackerman!

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

Happy Birthday MST 3000!

Premiered on this date in 1988. One of my all-time fave TV shows. Absolutely Essential.

http://www.mst3k.com/

http://www.mst3kinfo.com/

Mixed Signals

It's an interesting day here at the Manor. It's about 75 degrees outside. That's at least 20 degrees higher than I'd normally expect. The breeze feels more like early April than late November. Downright pleasant. But the trees are also growing bare, the colors have changed to brown and the yard is carpeted with the fallen. The sky is that type of grey which speaks of Winter, (in spite of the temperature). It's a day that teases with nice weather while letting you know that overhead is a harbinger of unpleasantness to come. With Thanksgiving and the other holidays quickly on the way, it's now that I most think about those who are gone from my life, either by death or by walking away. It's curious to me that the ancients believed that Samhain, (Halloween), was the time when the veil between the living and the dead was at its thinnest; for me, that time is later on in the year, from around now through the Solstice. The scenery certainly fits. Looking out the window I see nothing but death amongst the plants outside - with a sky that promises more grey than light. And one is reminded of past Holidays and celebrations, those who attended them, and the knowledge that they never will again.
Sigh, I lost two more friends this year, and the news from at least two more isn't good. There's nothing unnatural about all of this of course, one gets older and people drop off. But I don't have to like it. And the losses number in the dozens. I now know very few people who are 15+ years older than me - the many that I did know are almost all gone.
I suppose the only point to this rambling little missive is to express the hope that you will enjoy the excuses this season offers to hang out with your friends and family and enjoy them while you can. Things change - don't imagine that it'll stay Spring-like forever....

Happy Birthday Harpo!

http://www.harpomarx.net/

Happy Birthday Boris!

http://www.karloff.com/

news on the Kryptos puzzle

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/21/us/21code.html?_r=1&hp

The clown...

http://www.aolnews.com/weird-news/article/the-week-in-weird-toilet-robbing-clown-edition/19725712

Happy birthday to the Phil Spector Christmas Album!

Phil is a wretched little man, but this is probably his finest work. Released on this date in 1963.

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

Happy Birthday to The White Album!

Released on this date in 1968.

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

Happy Birthday Little Steven!

http://www.littlestevensundergroundgarage.com/

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

Happy Birthday Terry Gilliam!

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

Happy National Cashew Day!

Yum!

The Old Man & The Goblins

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs0LRwpAdzM&feature=player_embedded#!

Very cool puppetry and animation!

Crochet Exorcist!!!

http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2010/11/how-to_crochet_amigurumi_exorc.html

Neat-O!!!

Virginia "moonshine" branching out

http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=600&sid=2126766

Neat! I've had theri White Lightning brand, and it was pretty good, for what it was. (Virginia Gentleman is still my #1)

A TV show base around Dogfish Brewery!

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/21/arts/television/21beer.html?_r=1

Pretty neat! A local fave.

(Thanks for the link, Erik!

Tit For Tat

http://www.nerve.com/news/love-sex/ukranian-women-protest-putins-visit-with-boobs

the real UFO threat

http://www.news.com.au/weird-true-freaky/extra-terrestrial-tortilla/story-e6frflri-1225955600435#ixzz15tDvYusc

In a recent posting I told of my dismay at all the talk of nazi flying saucers, etc. Clearly, the real threat comes from Mexico, as this report's details prove, (or prove as well as any of ther reports of hitler's space agenda...). Dare you face - the Space Tortilla!?! As for me, I am getting a bowl of my favorite salsa ready to welcome our Sonoran Overlords....

Alert Dr. Evil!

https://www.llnl.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/Nov/NR-10-11-02.html
Clearly, we'll have to scrape together One Million Dollars to bribe our way out of this threat...

Penis Envy?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/19/AR2010111902603.html?hpid=entnews

(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

Happy Birthday Alferd "Hamburger Helper" Packer!

http://museumtrail.org/alferdpacker.asp

Happy Birthday Ingrid Pitt!

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

Happy Birthday Frankenstein (the film)!

Premiered on this date in 1931.

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

Happy Birthday Joseph Plumb Martin!

http://www.history.com/topics/joseph-plumb-martin

A Patriot.

Blue Moon Tonight!

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

Insanity Wood

http://www.cslacker.com/images/funny/meme/demotivational/insanity_wood/

Apparently so...

The Zombie Safe House Competition

http://zombiesafehouse.wordpress.com/

Just in time for Thanksgiving!

http://consumerist.com/2010/11/canned-unicorn-meat.html

Cowboys & Aliens!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2KQ_X9EBdc

Yee-Haw!
Of course, this'd never hapen if my boy Lee Van Cleef were still alive. He's blow those mothers right out of the sky. Good ol' Angel Eyes....

Happy Birthday Dick Smothers!

http://www.smothersbrothers.com/

Happy Absurdity Day!

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

Great moments in criminal get-aways

http://www.aikenstandard.com/Local/stickup-for-web

I prefer my finances shaken, not stirred...

http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2010/11/18/131426010/supervillains-gather-dare-to-ask-the-question-is-james-bond-dead

Bacon Bikini Bunco!

http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2010/11/17/call-kurtis-investigates-fake-bacon-bikini-fundraiser/

Witchcraft and the school exam

http://www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx?id=450498

If this were Fairfax County, I would already be expecting the bureaucrats to announce a new policy granting automatic passing grades to anyone either being accused of, or practicing, witchcraft. If they were cheating at witchcraft, they'd get extra credit....

Some advice for little ladies...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/18/advice-young-girls-cartoon-princess_n_785642.html

Grandma Superhero!

http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/grandmas-superhero-therapy-18

Fun stuff!

Iron Sky and the myths of WWII

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/ufo/8139811/Nazi-spaceship-film-sparks-UFO-debate.html

I really am looking forward to this movie, but dread the collateral damage of yet another wave of lies and gross exaggerations about nazi technology. Serious historians disproved a lot of this many years, ago. Much of it was made up by a neo-nazi in Canada, in order to sell books to make money for the cause, etc. I don't remember all the details, mostly because I try not to waste too much time on obvious frauds. The History Channel seems to take particular delight in accepting at face value every rumor, hint, or out and out lie about nazi secret weapons. That is when they can pull themselves away from the ramblings of Nostradamus...
This totally fictional movie is going to start the whole thing up again, I just know it. We'll be dealing with books and TV shows breathlessly announcing that the Germans were but days away from developing double-secret super-duper stealthy, supersonic, atomic powered, limitless range, anti-gravity spaceships delivering unstoppable radioactive ruin on one and all. Yawn...
Military history, and WWII in particular, is fascinating enough. You don't need to make up stuff. Well, at least I don't.

new information on the British resistance movement in Guernsey

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-guernsey-11779963

Unfortuanetly, an under-reported aspect of WWII.

a camera that takes photos around corners

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11544037

Happy Birthday George Rogers Clark!

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

http://www.kdla.ky.gov/resources/kygrclark.htm

A great Patriot.

GEt Thee Behind Me, USB....

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/the-lay-scientist/2010/nov/15/3

And even more wuss America!

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/kiddie_pawn_shock_KnKyQ0JfMITAIqGawRJf8J

It's been quite a day for nannies, petty authoritarians and other such refuse. I am curious why chess is viewed as some sort of lure for pedophiles*. If so, why are chess tables (apparently) provided in this area? What's also interesting is that adults aren't allowed into an area of a public park, unless they have a child. The implication is that a pedophile must FIRST find a child, then it's okay to enter....

*I simply cannot fathom the idea that sexual predators would use chess, of all things, as a lure. Some stupid computer game, perhaps - but chess?!?! "Hey kid, wanna see my Bishop?"

And yet more wuss America

http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/local/school-bans-pink-shirts-from-pep-rally-20101117

There is something about public school administrators that I would generally define as a mental illness....

The Lost Skeleton Walks Among Us!!!

Larry Blamire, (the creator of the Lost Skeleton of Cadavra) has announced that there will be a third film made!!!!

Interview and info on the new Dark Shadows movie!

http://comicbookmovie.com/fansites/mediageek/news/?a=25286

Robots conducting science experiments

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/04/robotscientist/

Hmmm, interesting, but I'm not quite certain how much of this could actually be classified as "independent" of human control or setup...

(Thanks for the link, Jim!)

Wuss NoVa

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/17/AR2010111706551.html

So, the wealthiest county in America has decided to spend that wealth on school administrators that believe in passing grades, no matter what. Sweet. We must not subject the little snowflakes to anything resembling a reality where (hopefully) cheating and shrugging off responsibilities isn't rewarded. How pathetic we've become.
I'm not quite sure how students will respond to this double barrelled approach of no F's and tolerance for cheating. Will they now cheat to avoid the F that they aren't going to be graded?!? Or will they not do the work, and then cheat to pass it later on? And what if a student gets caught cheating, has to retake the test - and gets caught cheating again?
The fact that the principal of the school can't competently answer questions about or consistently explain what the official policy is regarding grading and cheating makes this all the more amusing*. You'd think that for all of their billions, Fairfax County could afford to buy a bureaucrat who can explain the most basic of school procedures and policies. Perhaps he flunked "Principal School", or cheated to pass.....

*Read the article carefully to see all of the twists and turns that this moron makes trying to escape the fact that he doesn't want to flunk anyone, and wants to encourage cheating.

Happy Birthday to A Christmas Story!

Premiered on this date in 1983. A classic.

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

http://www.achristmasstoryhouse.com/

Happy Birthday Graham Parker!

http://www.grahamparker.net/Home.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C2SkcC3TXc

Happy Birthday Imogene Coca!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0168042/

The Cthulhu Guitar

http://www.fearnet.com/news/b20980_gift_guide_ikon_customs_cthulhu_guitar.html

Invasion USA

http://io9.com/5691453/1942-life-magazine-diagrams-of-the-never+was-nazi-invasion-of-north-america
http://longstreet.typepad.com/thesciencebookstore/2009/12/mapping-the-invasion-of-america-1942.html

An interesting footnote to WWII. A couple of observations:
1. In reality, there were no German plans for the U.S., although I think there may have been vague wish lists for colonies in the Caribbean - but this was little more than thinking out loud by top nazis in dinner conversations. Of course, who knows what might have happened later on, (say, the late 50's), if the unthinkable occurred and there was a German conquest of Britain and Russia by the mid-40's.
2. It's interesting that the author of these scenarios can't bring himself to suggest that Britain would have to be conquered before Germany took on a North American campaign - nice sentiment, but almost hallucinatory in terms of realism.
3. I am of two minds on the Japanese scenarios presented. The first is the now traditional view that Japan's plan was to basically conquer a lot, fast, (including Hawaii), heavily harass the West Coast of the U.S. and then wait for us to either sue for peace, or let us wear ourselves out in a brutal war of attrition as we tried to reconquer the Pacific - and then we were expected to sue for peace. But I seem to remember somewhere back in my innocent youth reading about a Japanese strategist who came up with the original plan for WWII - and it DID include an invasion of California (!). But at this point I can't vouch for the veracity of it, nor if it might have gained official recognition in the High Command as an ultimate goal. I would add that such a scenario would be a logistical nightmare for the Japanese, and I've never seen any evidence to support the industrial power they'd have to have to conduct such an operation. As it was, they were barely holding on by late '42, and it was all downhill after that, economically and logistically speaking.

Bruce performs the acoustic version of Born To Run

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

Tramps like us...

The TV Critic

http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/108684844.html

(Thanks for the link, Missy!)

Happy Birthday to the Star Wars Holiday Special!!!

Perhaps not the worst thing to ever appear on television, but certainly the worst big-production to ever appear. Wonderfully and irredeemably awful, from start to finish. Absolutely essential. Lucas has reportedly tried to find and burn all existing copies of it. Cast member openly lie and deny they ever appeared on it. A True Treasure of Shit. Essential. Broadcast once, and only once, on this date in '78, (and yes, I watched it).

http://www.starwarsholidayspecial.com/

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=323909610753051544#

Happy Birthday Gordon Lightfoot!

http://www.lightfoot.ca/

Happy Birthday Peter Cook!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0177228/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBOPCZCAb5Q

Wonderful! He fills me with inertia.....

Happy Birthday Duck Soup!

Probably the ultimate Marx Brothers movie, and my personal fave. Premiered on this date in 1933. Genius. Essential.

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

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdQ9jh5GvQ8

Happy Homemade Bread Day!

http://www.kingarthurflour.com/

http://www.sourdo.com/

Yum!

Part I of an interview with film maker Albert Maysles about Gimme Shelter

http://www.jazzwax.com/2010/11/interview-albert-maysles-part-1.html
(Thanks for the link, Erik!)

"The Promise" just arrived at the Manor

http://www.sonymusicdigital.com/bruce-springsteen-the-promise/pages/5634215/

Am just getting into it, the packaging looks very impressive, the songs sound about as good as can be expected under the technical circumstances. Very cool.

America's first jet flight

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mhF49AJrVg

A very cool mini-documentary.

Wuss America and the dreaded cupcakes of terror!

http://www.lohud.com/article/20101115/NEWS02/11150328/New-Castle-councilman-calls-cops-on-boys-cupcake-sale

I love the brave Conan the Barbarian attitude of the dear snowflake parks department head: "What if there was work going on that was dangerous?" . Apparently, if there's major demolitions going on, there's never any warning, unless and until you pay your fee to sell your cupcakes. The kids need to wise up. Parks are no place for a cupcake business - sell drugs instead....

(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

the bat wing fan

http://fuckyeahbats.tumblr.com/post/1573619507/bat-wing-fan

Cthulhu bobble head

http://www.entertainmentearth.com/prodinfo.asp?number=FU2156

Bruce performs Because The Night

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5wUCjQJOBQ

A nice attack on the latest from Facebook

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/igeneration/facebook-cannot-guarantee-privacy-why-is-the-social-inbox-so-different/6756?tag=nl.e589

edumicashun....

http://chronicle.com/article/The-Shadow-Scholar/125329/

Sigh. Frightening....

The Onion, as always, seems to have a good handle on the situation:
http://www.theonion.com/articles/department-of-education-study-finds-teaching-these,18461/

Headline of the day

http://thestir.cafemom.com/baby/111805/your_babys_foreskin_makes_you

The ultimate in "small print" contract clauses

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/04/15/online-shoppers-unknowingly-sold-souls/

Crow Bombs in the ancient world?

http://beachcombing.wordpress.com/2010/11/09/crows-on-fire-avian-missiles-in-the-medieval-world/

Fascinating, reminds one of U.S. research into incendiary bats to be used against Japan in WWII.

The Insanity Virus?

http://discovermagazine.com/2010/jun/03-the-insanity-virus/

Fascinating, if true, and revolutionary.

Neat online collection of record company record sleeves

http://crossedcombs.typepad.com/recordenvelope/

Very cool!

(Thanks for the link, Erik!)

Happy Birthday Pet!

One of my all time faves.

http://www.petulaclark.net/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Jda2ivskI8

Happy Birthday Jack Burns!

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

Happy Birthday Frida Lyngstad!

http://www.myspace.com/fridalyngstad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz5DkTF2RW8

Happy Birthday to A Night At The Opera!

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZvugebaT6Q

One of the Marx Brothers' best. Premiered on this date in 1935.

and more wuss America

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2010/11/la-food-stylist-pulled-from-flight-for-atom-bomb-tattoo.html

If this type of tatoo scares you, stay away from DC, you'll have a heart attack...

Krispy Kreme - The Doughnut that's not afraid to get in your face

http://failblog.org/2010/11/13/epic-fail-photos-location-fail-3/

Bruce performing Growin' Up

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dy7RTicVr0

Good version. Some of us are still growin' up...

Wussification

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/13/AR2010111304100.html?wpisrc=nl_cuzhead

Gods forbid that your little delicate snowflake should fail or be punished for anything.

The Poop Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3Khu8Ti1gI

Merde!

(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

Happy Birthday Veronica Lake!

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

Happy National Pickle Day!

Yum!

Happy National Guacamole Day!

Yum!

Great moments in motherly love

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40076613/ns/local_news-chicago_il/

That special bond....

Wuss America

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/11/12/ban_on_novelty_lighters_takes_effect/

As a youth, I was quite capable of burning stuff down without it being cute....

Bruce performs Bobby Jean

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_caz4qMxTH4

Basically, Bruce's tribute to Little Steven.

nice article on Britains WWII sea forts

http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,728754,00.html

Happy Birthday Robert Louis Stevenson!

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

Teh Green Hornet Returns!

http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/thegreenhornet/

I hope this doesn't stink.

Bruce performs Drive All Night

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26HEfAqiPEU&feature=artist

An interesting song. It started out as an extension of my all-time fave Sprigsteen song, Backstreets, combined with another tune called Sad Eyes. He performed it that way back around '78 and it was absolutely riveting, (The best recorded version is from the Roxy radio broadcast. If you can get it - do so.) . By the early 80's Bruce had spun it and Sad Eyes off into their own songs. Still great, but it lacks the build-up that Backstreets gave it. You hear about the anguish of the breakup, but without the background and the intensity that Backstreets gives you. Oh well.

new book on Axis Sally

http://www.theotherpaper.com/articles/2010/11/10/arts/doc4cdb325a737dd992358395.txt

An interesting story, I look forward to learning more about her than I already know. Of course, I think she should have been hanged....

Nice article on the Navajo Code Talkers

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-11-11-navajocode11_ST_N.htm

A museum would be nice, but I see it more as a part of a larger effort, either devoted to the War or to the Navajo people.

The New Zealand Scam

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10686711
I'd not ehard of this before - sounds fascinating! Another footnote to WWII.

I predict that this will end badly...

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/crime&id=7783883

Lasagne ingrdients are always important

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20101111cops_man_beat_wife_over_missing_ricotta_spouse_later_found_dead_in_driveway/srvc=home&position=6

WMD

http://www.aolnews.com/weird-news/article/police-woman-tried-to-assault-cop-with-sex-toy/19712373

The ultimate chili pepper challenge...

http://www.aolnews.com/weird-news/article/hotter-than-pepper-spray-competitive-eaters-battle-bhut-jolokia-chili/19711119

Tough neighborhood...

The Thanksgiving Counter-Revolution

http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2010/11/10/Turkeys-terrorize-New-York-neighborhood/UPI-46161289426917/

As I always suspected.....

http://www.aolnews.com/weird-news/article/archaeologist-beer-sowed-the-seeds-of-civilization/19709587

Japanese android...

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

This always spooks me...

The smallest computer....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noe3kR8KqJc

Very cool typewriters

http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2010/10/hansens-writing-ball-other-unusual.html

I absolutely adore the writing ball! Wish I'd had one...

neat bookmarks

http://www.holycool.net/2010/08/cool-and-creative-bookmarks.html

3D in concert

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg6SEjMto9s

Sigh. Well, I suppose it's as real as most of the crap out there...

Cool new turntable!

http://www.crosleyradio.com/Product.aspx?pid=1869

I thought he said he didn't drink...wine......

http://www.lugosiwines.com/

Save The Words!

http://www.savethewords.org/

Cute site and a great idea.

(Thanks for the link, Linda!)

D&D sodas

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

I confess that I find this a cute idea, (and smart marketin scheme). I'm only suprised that no one's come up with it before. Of course, here at the Manor, we'd need something a little extra... Maybe Dwarven Heavy Ale, or Berserker Bourbon....

(Thanks for the link, Nick!)

Happy Birthday Neil Young!

Inconsistent, but still a Genius and Essential.

http://www.myspace.com/neilyoung

Happy Birthday Molly Corbin!

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

A Patriot.

Happy National Pizza With Everything Day!

Yum!

http://crozetpizza.net/

The first Christmas lights of the season....

Some folks across the street have theirs all out and lit this evening. Ironically, the house directly opposite from them still have their jackolanterns out on the stoop....

Bruce performs Racing In The Street

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

I just love this song. PG County in the summer of '78...

Happy Veteran's Day!

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

a nice review of Dogfish IPA's

http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/the941/2010/11/03/drinking-dogfish-comparing-the-dogfish-head-ipa-siblings/

Happy Birthday Marshall Crenshaw!

http://www.myspace.com/marshallcrenshaw

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

One of my faves. An absolute genius and power pop god.

Happy Birthday Jonathan Winters!

http://www.jonathanwinters.com/

Happy National Sundae Day!

Yum!

fanvid for Bruce performing Sad Eyes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAP5lll108c&feature=related

The cutting edge of zoo funding

http://www.aolnews.com/weird-news/article/topeka-zoo-turns-elephant-poop-into-big-bucks/19708021

A real piggy bank...

http://thecheeky.com/?p=26

Crozet Pizza in the news!

http://www.newsplex.com/home/headlines/106910778.html

My fave pizza parlor!

Happy Birthday Lord Sutch!

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

Happy Birthday Ennio Morricone!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001553/

http://www.enniomorricone.it/uk/news.php

Genius. Essential.

Happy Birthday Carl Stalling!

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

Happy Birthday Claude Rains!

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

http://www.meredy.com/clauderains/

Shatner The Great!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95dgLCYtSMI&feature=player_embedded

An alternative history of pop culture! Think what could have been!

"Set Phalanx on Stun!"

"Scotisean - this trireme needs more power!" "It's no good captain, the oarsmen canna take the strain!"

"Are you doubting my commands, Spockius?" "You are acting most unphilosophical, Alexander..."

"Damnit Alex, I'm a doctor, not a Pythagoran!"

Have you ever felt like the Scarecrow?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOKK8mAkiUI

Well, that wonderful store, Archie McPhee, has solved that problem for you:
http://www.mcphee.com/shop/products/Emergency-Inflatable-Brain.html

the cutting edge of artificial coral reefs

http://io9.com/5685114/how-to-build-an-artificial-reef-out-of-400-human-bodies

Maybe it's just me, but this looks kinda spooky...

Bruce performs Badlands

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

The Wreaths at Arlington on 12/11

http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/Locations/Virginia/360-Arlington-National-Cemetery/View-details.html

I've written about the Wreaths Across America before. Normally, this isn't really my style. Nevertheless, there is something very moving about seeing their work at Arlington. It really touches me.

(Thanks for the link, Sandy!)

Cthulhu coloring book!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/amysnotdeadyet?section_id=7482913

My next furniture purchase

http://www.marinemine.com/#minefurniture

The cutting edge of weather forecasting

http://www.thedickinsonpress.com/event/article/id/41681/
Regular readers of this blog will remember my absolute disdain for our local weather men and their horribly over-priced lack of accuracy. From now on, it's pure pig spleen for me!

Professor Milgram smiles...

http://rt.com/Top_News/2010-11-08/mavromatti-electric-shock-artist.html

Warner's Treasure Vault - Unearthed!

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/09/arts/music/09archive.html?_r=1

Amazing stuff here. Hopefully, it'll end up in museums where it can be appreciated by all.

(Thanks for the link, Erik!)

"Let's give it to 'em - RIGHT NOW!"

Louie Louie was released by the Kingsmen on this date in '63. My contender for the National Anthem...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Vae_AkLb4Q

Worf Is Orphaned

On this date, in the year 2346 occurs The Khitomer Massacre - when Romulan forces attack and virtually wipe out a Klingon outpost....

;)

Happy Birthday Hedy Lamarr!

One of the most beautiful actresses - ever. And a great patriot.

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

http://www.hedylamarr.com/

http://www.inventions.org/culture/female/lamarr.html

Happy Chaos Never Dies Day!

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

more info on the new Kinks/Ray Davies tribute album

http://www.antimusic.com/news/10/nov/08Bon_Jovi,_Springsteen,_Metallica_Get_The_Kinks_With_Ray_Davies.shtml

I really hope that this doesn't suck...

Bruce performs The Promised Land

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrKh1zxv_rQ

Fun stuff!

It's True!!!!

http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/846239-teen-burns-bum-as-halloween-prank-backfires

Apparently you ARE a Liar Liar if your pants are on fire! I wonder if his nose is longer than a telephone wire?

The worst home-made sex doll - EVER

http://acidcow.com/pics/6242-the-worst-home-made-sex-doll-ever-13-pics.html

I believe that this is how The Matrix begins....

http://derrenbrown.co.uk/blog/2010/11/robots-decided-humans-taste-bacon/

sexing up the coffin market

http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/846300-topless-coffin-calendar-sparks-controversy-in-polish-church

Let's see, according to all the ads, if I drink the right beer, beautiful will go to bed with me. If I drive the right car, beautiful women will go to bed with me. And if I die in the right coffin????

New book on Indians who fought for the nazis

http://www.freeindianlegion.info/
I've always had an interest in the foreign legions of the third reich. This is one more example of how a conflict as big as WWII can be shown to have many different social and political shadings and complexity. It's interesting to note that, from the notes on this website, the book appears to be rather complimentary to the Indian leader, Bose, whom I consider to be a rather naive, pathetic and possibly cynical creature. The Japanese had plans for India - and those plans didn't include independence. As for the Germans that the book concentrates on - this was another example of himmler's silly dreaminess and pseudo-mystical actions. The rest of the hierarchy was under no such delusions, and viewed the Indians who came over to their side as little more than a minor propaganda tool. Hitler was apparently more cynical and there are nasty quotes by him regarding his regard for these troops and the nation they represented. In his desperation for independence, Bose hitched himself to people who probably had a lesser view of him than the British.

Jet Man!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/8116168/Daredevil-completes-jet-pack-loop-the-loops.html

Pretty impressive!

Neat interview with record producer Phil Ramone

http://www.jazzwax.com/2010/11/interview-phil-ramone-part-1.html

(Thanks for the link, Erik!)

Happy Birthday Bram Stoker!

http://www.bramstoker.org/

Happy Birthday Rickie Lee Jones!

http://www.rickieleejones.com/

Poster boy for the Heart Attack Grill

http://www.azcentral.com/community/chandler/articles/2010/11/05/20101105chandler-heart-attack-grill-blair-river1105.html

Interesting marketing...

Bruce performs Darkness On The Edge Of Town

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzS2Vug-esA

Yup, it's always there....

designated driver...

http://www.azcentral.com/offbeat/articles/2010/11/03/20101103nevada-mom-lets-boy-drive.html

The Google War

http://gawker.com/5683446/nicaragua-blames-google-maps-for-accidental-invasion-of-costa-rica

I see Marx Brothers movie in all of this...

Conjoined twins sharing a brain!

http://www2.macleans.ca/2010/11/02/a-piece-of-their-mind/print/

Sad, but also fascinating. Which is perhaps another sadness. Besides the obvious, these girls' lives are going to be one long science experiment, with legions of doctors and scientists examining them and their lives. Me, a total amateur, can think of at least twenty major questions right off in examining personality development, perception, hormonal influences, right brain -left brain issues, etc.

One more player for Farmville

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/theroyalfamily/8114507/The-Queen-joins-Facebook-social-networking-site-but-you-wont-be-able-to-friend-her.html

Deleting Memories?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1325834/Eternal-sunshine-Scientists-technique-delete-traumatic-memories-good.html

I will pay any price to get the Bo Donaldson song, "Billy Don't Be A Hero", out of my head...

Nice little article about Bruce and The Promise

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/arts/music/07darkness.html?_r=1

(Thanks for the link, Erik!)

Firesign Theatre film of Everything You Know Is Wrong!

http://and-your-bird-can-swing.blogspot.com/2010/11/firesign-theatre-everything-you-know-is.html
I didn't know about this at all. Fun stuff!

Great article continuing the interview with Fats Domino, (and about New Orleans R&B & R&R in general)

http://www.jazzwax.com/

(Thanks for the link, Erik!)

Happy Birthday Johnny Rivers!

http://www.johnnyrivers.com/

Happy Birthday Joni Mitchell!

http://jonimitchell.com/

Happy Birthday Jonathan Harris!

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

Happy Sadie Hawkins Day!

One of several dates on which it's celebrated.

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

It's My Life

Debuted on this date back in '65. One of my all-time fave songs. Part of my DNA.

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

Happy National Nachos Day!

Yum!

Happy Birthday Trace Beaulieu!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0064546/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trace_Beaulieu

Bruce performs New York City Serenade

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5iFPH6aig0

Always loved this song, very pretty and very sad.

The sandwich from hell...

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2010/11/04/15973656.html

Even I am appalled...

He sounds more like a student....

http://www.wibc.com/news/Story.aspx?id=1307249

New fingerless robotic "hand"

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/10/robot-grip/

Pretty impressive!

Flying Squid!!!

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/11/photographic-evidence-proves-that-squid-can-fly.php

I, for one, welcome our future cephalopod overlords....

More on the RIAA's war against music fans

http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/amplifier/148/minnesota-mom-hit-with-15-million-fine-for-downloading-24-songs/

Given the corporate swill that dominates the RIAA's offerings, I suspect that suing their fan base is really the only way they'll ever make any money*. It's interesting how many judges they've managed to put into their pockets, (or perhaps the proper description is to say it's amazing what they've put into the judges' pockets...), that petty larceny is now punished with million dollar fines, etc. As a former manager of a music store who prosecuted shoplifters, I can only sit back amazed at this escalation.

*If it weren't for oldies reissues I probably wouldn't buy any music at all from the majors at this point.

The St. Luke's Bottle Band

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k26nt3Y4cmg&feature=related

Fun stuff!

(Thanks for the link, Carol!)

The Alexandria Film Festival is this weekend

http://www.examiner.com/buzz-in-washington-dc/alexandria-fim-festival-is-here

My next lair...

http://www.buydallasnow.com/

(Thanks for the link, Tom!)

Happy Birthday to Manos - The Hands Of Fate!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060666/

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

A legendarily bad movie. Essential. Torgo Lives!

Happy Birthday General John Glover!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Glover_(general)

A great patriot, almost forgotten now.

Happy Birthday Peter Noone!

http://www.peternoone.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gru4wmRVV7I&feature=related

Happy Birthday Art Garfunkel!

http://www.artgarfunkel.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7unMnCHEW0U&feature=related

Happy Guy Fawkes Day!

http://www.bonfirenight.net/

Happy Devil's Stone Day!

An obscure English holiday that I am single-handedly reviving.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shebbear,_Devon#Turning_the_Devil.27s_Stone

Wonderful article and interview with Fats Domino!

http://www.jazzwax.com/2010/11/interview-fats-domino-part-1.html

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704462704575589991980214672.html?KEYWORDS=fats+domino

(Thanks for the link, Erik!)

The cutting edge of DIY aircraft...

http://io9.com/5662884/homemade-african-aircraft-are-salvagepunk-cool-even-if-theyre-not-airworthy

New trailer for The Whisperer In Darkness film!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_ee9K9hXtw&feature=player_embedded

Fun stuff!

fanvid for Bruce performing Zero & Blind Terry

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

Beautiful song, one of the older ones and not very well known.

and more fascism

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2010/11/big_brother_monitored_tweets_t.html

Such a lovely little police state we have.

Star Wars window decal

http://www.forkparty.com/star-wars-car-window-decal-picture/

Have never been a big fan of the movies, but this is kinda cute!

Headline of the day

http://www.jacksonnewspapers.com/news/x1272825004/Woman-demands-sexual-favors-from-husband-and-his-friend-at-knife-point

I had no idea a newspaper could print "he became overwhelmed by horrible vaginal odor". Shows what I know.

Invisibility cloak?

http://news.stv.tv/internet-technology/206620-scientists-reveal-material-for-invisibility-cloak/

Forget about sex scandals in American sports

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/nrl-star-confirms-sex-act-with-dog-20101104-17f99.html
Now in Australia, THEY know how to put on a sex scandal!

I now bathe, every hour, in a tub of pure deet....

http://www.themorningstarr.co.uk/2010/10/27/mans-genitals-attacked-by-flesh-eating-ants/

Chocolate Sin! Run away! Run away!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/8107490/1920s-chocolate-box-model-deemed-too-risque.html
I believe that the Strangeloves have already dealt with this issue:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0NWeA0Q76w

neat collection of Halloween party foods

http://www.neatorama.com/2010/10/19/15-cool-and-creepy-halloween-party-foods/

Irony...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1326388/Teenager-dressed-mobile-breathalyzer-Halloween-caught-drink-driving.html

We call that "shopping for dinner"

http://www.scarborougheveningnews.co.uk/news/local/safety_vow_after_geese_deaths_1_2731444

some more neat pumpkin carvings

http://www.walyou.com/blog/2010/10/11/pumpkin-carvings-ultimate-200-halloween-pumpkins-collection/

600th Anniversary Show of the Prague Astronomical Clock

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

This is wonderful!

My next computer keyboard..

http://frecklednest.blogspot.com/2010/10/old-to-new-typewriters.html

http://www.etsy.com/shop/usbtypewriter?ref=seller_info

Ha! Now I'll show you young whippersnappers a thing or two!

Locks of Love

http://www.lock-master.org.uk/blog/index.php/locks-of-love/

My next lair...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1190780/The-flying-palace-Inside-worlds-biggest-private-jet-worth-jumbo-300million.html

neat little article about pinball machines

Night of 100 Poe's in Baltimore!

http://www.poebicentennial.com/events.html

Fun stuff!

Happy Birthday Will Rogers!

An American Treasure. Genius. Essential.

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

http://www.willrogers.com/

Happy Birthday Chris Difford!

http://www.chrisdifford.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmEzSiNhHP0

Happy Waiting For the Barbarians Day!

Alice went through the Looking Glass on this date in 1871...

http://www.literature.org/authors/carroll-lewis/through-the-looking-glass/

Bruce performs Loose Ends

http://www.lyricsdepot.com/bruce-springsteen/loose-ends.html

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

Great song, I included the lyrics 'cause the sound's a bit murky on this video and they're some of my faves.

The Burlington Pumpkin Regatta!

http://www.vermont.org/pumpkin/media.aspx

The CIA and modern art

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/modern-art-was-cia-weapon-1578808.html

Very strange bedfellows....

(Thanks for the link, Ed!)

Wuss America

http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/local/horse-riding-teen-suspended-from-school-20101031

I sometimes wonder if there is some kind of genetic combination of utter wimpiness mixed with mindless authoritarianism that predisposes someone to become a school administrator. My mother actually rode a horse to school all through grade school. (True) - I'll have to ask her how it feels to now be labeled a lawless brigand.
As for a horse being as dangerous as a loaded firearm: well, yes, I suppose so. But so is a car, a bus, a matchbook, or a mindless twit running the school. We've gone from the boy in the bubble to the nation in the bubble. How pathetic.

New book analyzing Catholicism and the early nazi party

http://www.faqs.org/periodicals/201009/2130967591.html

Very valuable to scholars, as the early evolution and formation of the party has been too little studied, (in my opinion). It would also be interesting to contrast Prussian vs Bavarian involvement and views of the early nazi party. The two groups are generally portrayed as representing divergent and sometimes competitive German subcultures. (It wouldn't really surprise me if such a study has already been done, probably in Germany, but I'm not aware of it).

The Virginia Blob!

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/11/02/alien_pod_lake_ufo/

I'm trying to get Steve McQueen...

Anniversary of the Dream Syndicate releasing Days of Wine & Roses

Released on this date in '82. One of my all-time fave EP's. Absolute genius.

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

Happy Birthday Lulu!

http://www.luluofficial.com/index.php/news.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbLs80cuots

One of my faves.

Happy Birthday Kevin Murphy!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Murphy_(actor)

http://www.kevinwmurphy.com/

Divorce - Canadian Style

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Semenovich+bought+incinerator+burn+husband+witness/3759597/story.html

Wuss Pennsylvania

http://www.whptv.com/news/local/story/Pa-asks-beer-distributors-to-stop-selling/iahY1bGbH0KifSVVYtOrFA.cspx

Sigh. I suppose my reaction to this article may say more about me than the guardians of Pennsylvania - but I doubt it. Let's see: "contain as much as 12 percent alcohol in one 23.5 ounce can, which is equivalent to drinking five or six beers," . FIVE OR SIX BEERS!? What the hell type of worthless pissy swill are you serving out there?!? For god's sake, don't even look at (my fave) Stone Brewery, you're liable to die of shock! Face it kids, near-beer went out with 1932, time to grow up.
And then we have the classic: "Given the fact that this has a stimulant and a depressant in it at the same time, mix those two together with the high alcohol content and the fact that it's in a 23.5 ounce can, it's a recipe for disaster if people don't recognize when enough is enough," Oh! Heavens! Caffeine and alcohol - combined - THE TERROR! THE TERROR! Here at the Manor there's been a constant stream of Virginia Gentleman and Tab for decades - I'm still waiting for that "disaster". As for recognizing when "enough is enough" - that comes with intelligence and experience, and that works for everything - not just the dreaded (in Pennsylvania) mix of alcohol and caffeine. Believe me, if you want to kill yourself stupidly, you're gonna do it, despite the mewling efforts of the PLCB.
The bottom line is that this is cheap and utter crap, marketed at people that want to get as drunk as possible and as cheaply as possible. We're talkin' winos and kids, (pretty much the same thing in my old neighborhood). Is Pennsylvania outlawing fortified wines? And the loathsome Colt 45? If not, why not? (Kickbacks). And if you're really against anything over 24 proof, just outlaw it all - and see what happens.
I just hate the whole nanny state idea, and the hypocrisy that frequently accompanies it. Yes, this stuff is garbage, but so is a whole lot of other junk out there that no one is whining about; all they've really done is to create a mystique and "forbidden fruit" aura around a bottle of vomitous corporate dregs. Better to tell the truth and to say that it's worthless shit that only the desperate would purchase and let the chips fall where they may....

Futility

http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/2857038,voter-hit-and-run-chicago-110210.article

I think someone should tell this driver that just because you kill someone doesn't mean they can't vote (in Chicago).

fanivd for Bruce performing the Fast Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvKgWWTwn2o

This quickly evolved into Candy's Room. Great tune, you can feel the love/obsession.

First Frost of the Year

It's chilly outside the Manor this morning. Yesterday was spent taking down and packing up all of our Halloween decorations, (a process that will take several days); and I was hauling wood to underneath the carport in preparation of a Winter's worth of fires in the fireplace. The wolfsbane is on it's last legs, and we've brought in whatever plants from the garden we hope to Winter over. Leaves are falling everywhere, (I gotta rake this morning). The wheel turns.

Advice for pumpkin smashers

http://www.passiveaggressivenotes.com/2010/10/30/some-advice-for-would-be-pumpkin-smashers/

Happy National Deviled Egg Day!

Yum!

New video from Bruce - Save My Love

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/01/old-new-borrowed-and-bruce-springsteens-video-for-save-my-love/

I know, there's a lot of hype about it. But the release of the The Promise is going to be a milestone for us Tramps. Oh, despite what CBS claims, a lot of this stuff has been around in bootleg form for over 30 years. But it'll be great to hear it cleaned up and edited by professionals and will hopefully show younger people what all the hubbub was about back then, and remind those of us who were there not only how great Springsteen was, but how important to us in that time and place.
I've written here before about those times, and what they meant to me, (and many of you who were there with me). They were full of the human experience, and Bruce was able to capture it perfectly, (in my not so humble opinion). Listen to Darkness On The Edge of Town and you can never again say you don't know what it was like on the mid Atlantic of the East coast in '78 - you were just there, pal....

Picture of the Day - a wookie riding a giant squirrel and attacking nazis...

http://gamefan84.deviantart.com/gallery/?26805158#/d2uht1l

Okay.....

A mixed Halloween

Well, we only had about 40 trick or treaters. I suppose I can't really blame them for the small numbers. The houses in our neighborhood are spaced pretty far apart, and easily a third of them are darkened, (the owners don't want to be bothered with t-o-t's), which makes it even more of a hike. We only had a few teenagers out, (a group I have little respect for - shouldn't you be learning to drive a car or something a little more sophisticated than begging for a Mars bar?).
My main complaint is with some of the younger kids. Guys - you're supposed to dress like zombies, not act like them too. I mean for some of these fools it's all they can do to shuffle up and knock at the door; the tapping of Poe's raven would be like ragnorok compared to the feeble knocks of some of these kids. And some couldn't even muster the vigor to say "Trick-or-treat!" - they just stood there, mutely. Very disappointing, as we raise great groups of children so un-socialized that saying hello is a foreign burden too complex to master.
But some of the kids were enthusiastic, and the costumes were scary, etc. It wasn't a total bummer. And we did get the usual flyers thrown in our yard by the local Christians telling us we were going to hell for decorating for Halloween, so it wasn't an entire loss....