Weirdness: January 2011

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/31/world/europe/31bugarach.html?_r=2&ref=world

Anyone who has had to drive by Seven Corners during rush hour is already aware that the world is ending, it'll just be a little slower than anticipated....

(Thanks for the link, John!)

fanvid for Ultimate Spinach performing Hip Death Goddess

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCGpc7SB-As

So cool.... New England proto psych-goth. I need another cabernet. See ya tomorrow....

Poco performs Good Feelin' To Know

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYuHvvBd5H0

My favorite song by them. Pure 70's Colorado country rock. I can almost feel Telluride beneath my feet....

SONiA & Disappear Fear performs Kiss The World

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vRzdWMoHr4

One of my fave songs by Baltimore's Finest. I just love her songs.

fanvid for Rosanne Cash performing Seven Year Ache

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrUs_FWqj9s

Beautiful song. One of those wistful reminders of the late 70's...

Rory Gallagher perfroms Messin' With The Kid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7ai3ihZMCA

Criminally ignored in the States. Rory was great!

Fairport Convention performs Time Will Show The Wiser

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTHgr19CaRk&feature=fvw

A wonderful example of British folk rock.

The Temptations perform I Can't Get Next To You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be4x2xdZ6fo

Wonderful, (even if it is a lip synch).

Tee Hee!

http://puns.icanhascheezburger.com/2011/01/30/funny-puns-dolly-llama/

A nice site devoted to the film, It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

http://www.povonline.com/MadWorld.htm

I would agree that it's not the best or funniest movie ever made. But, my gods, the comedy greats who are present in it are incredible. And there are some wonderful perfomances by Jonathan Winters, Phil Silvers and Sid Caesar. Absolutely essential to anyone who is into American pop culture.

The Onion takes on the Asteroid Threat

http://www.theonion.com/articles/chickenshit-asteroid-veers-away-at-last-minute,2722/

This is wonderful!

The ultimate wallet?

http://www.uncrate.com/men/style/wallets/dunhill-biometroc-wallet/

obi's war

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/30/world/asia/30afghan.html?_r=2&ref=global-home

If you need any more proof, (and why would you), that the afghani adventure is totally fucked up, just read the first paragraph is this article and try to argue we're dealing with anyone approaching being a civilized human being.

A new book on Alan Lomax

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/28/AR2011012803525.html?hpid=features1&hpv=national

we're gonna need a bigger plane

http://www.startribune.com/nation/114858509.html

A somewhat humorous footnote to WWII.

Spam Kills....

http://www.leaderpost.com/news/Text+message+blows+suicide+bomber+accident/4172966/story.html

C.W. Mcall performs a song about Alferd Packer

http://whatgetsmehot.posterous.com/cw-mccall-best-cannibal-song-ever-alfred-pack

"Calling" - the latest occult thriller by Roger Lhooms is out!

http://rogerlhooms.com/buy.htm

Anniversary of the Beatles rooftop performance in 1969.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6G7MkBMVxE

Happy Calves Head Day!

http://www.yas.org.uk/content/treasures/calveshead.html

Happy Birthday Steve Marriott!

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

http://www.humble-pie.net/

Happy Birthday Marty Balin!

http://martybalin.net/

RIP David Frye

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/29/arts/29frye.html?_r=1

Nevermore....

The Raven was first published on this date in 1845.

http://www.houseofusher.net/raven.html

Alert Captain Hook!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41196602?gt1=43001

(Thanks to Infidel753 for the link!)

Thriller meets Bollywood

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zL6xgki326E&feature=related

Happy Birthday to The Muppet Show!

Premiered on this date in 1976. Brilliant!

http://www.muppetcentral.com/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074028/

Happy Birthday W.C. Fields!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001211/

Happy Birthday "Lighthorse" Harry Lee!

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

Happy National Seed Swap Day!

http://cookingupastory.com/national-seed-swap-day

Happy Birthday Thomas Paine!

http://www.ushistory.org/paine/

fanvid for Todd Rundgren performing We Gotta Get You A Woman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zL_6gYWXsUM

An embarrassingly accurate song from around 1970. The Winters were damn cold. See ya tomorrow....

Yes performs Roundabout

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xql99I1VSdI

My gods, I think it was about this time in '72 that I first heard this classic. Thirty eight plus years ago! Been around the lake more times than I are to remember, and am well past ten true Summers. Quite a ride....

Albert Hammond performs The Free Electric Band

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvKlUfVb90Y

A now obscure song that's a guilty pleasure of mine.

999 perform Homicide

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

A great example of 2nd generation British Punk.

fanvid for Esquerita performing Rockin' the Joint

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRZy0uapPGI

A classic by one of the great "unknowns" of rock'n'roll.

fanvid for Brian Briggs performing See You On The Other Side

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

Another Brit who never made it in the States. Great song.

The sisters Of Mercy's video for Vision Thing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtD5nuaI0Go

Always enjoyed this group.

fanvid for the Supremes perfroming Nathan Jones

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKU8TVXqI4o
History hasn't been kind to the Supremes after Diana left, and that's a shame. I think they did great for a good three to four years after her departure, and had a wonderful pop-soul sound. They had at least four hits, of which this is one.

The Onion is soooo cool!

http://www.theonion.com/articles/nasa-launches-david-bowie-concept-mission,2907/

The Light Show

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=s80VoAnOpk8

Fun stuff!

(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

The Crown Jewels

http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/854024-lie-back-and-think-of-england-with-royal-wedding-condoms

Bio computers on the way?

http://io9.com/5745520/scientists-make-next+generation-computers-with-gold-and-dna

I believe that there's a horror movie plot line in this....

Texting In History

http://mashable.com/2011/01/28/text-messaging-comic/

(Thanks for the link, Chris!)

A new (to me) site devoted to pre-90's horror movies

http://www.terrortrap.com/

RIP Charlie Callas

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2011/01/28/comedian-charlie-callas-dead-at-83/

It's Official: The U.S. Government is now terrified of Dungeons & Dragons

http://abovethelaw.com/2010/01/seventh-circuit-rules-dungeons-dragons-a-threat-to-prison-security/

I have run out of adjectives for our society. "Wussy" just doesn't do it anymore. "Craven", "cowardly", "big-babies", "whiners", "baby-asses" and "nanny-fied" have all been used, and still seem lacking. My fear is that "American" may replace them.
Sigh....

Death from jousting

http://swns.com/jouster-killed-after-splinter-pierces-eyeball-in-medieval-re-enactment-271505.html

Sad, but I'd be curious to know the time span since this last occured in the West - 450 years?

Today's Conspiracy

http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/20/faa-warns-of-ongoing-gps-issues-in-southeastern-us-due-to-defens/?ncid=txtlnkusenga00000002

Kinda curious...

The study of cephalopods to make soldiers "invisible"

http://www.aolnews.com/2011/01/27/squid-may-help-make-soldiers-invisible/

Be sure to check out the short video embedded in this article. Amazing camouflage - almost supernatural!

Bomb sniffing plants?

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/01/grow-your-own-bomb-detector/

I confess that the giggle factor on this one is pretty high. I'll believe it when I see it.

WMD

http://www.aolnews.com/2011/01/27/woman-accused-of-hitting-cop-with-sex-toy-i-simply-was-defendi/

DC's newest Hero - Ice Cream Cone Guy

http://www.tbd.com/blogs/weather/2011/01/thundersnow-ice-cream-cone-guy-an-appreciation-7797.html

My Hometown

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/27/AR2011012707435.html?wpisrc=nl_cuzhead

Every year or two, I'll notice there's some scare-show on TV as to how DC will fare if there's a major terrorist attack, like an A-bomb going off on the Mall. I've written before about these little nightmare shows and the sick fantasies that they always seem to weave about us being able to handle it. What rot. We are incapable of handling anything. I would love to have a copy of this article, and the many others detailing this week's debacle du jour and have them stapled to the foreheads of the morons who continue to talk about emergency preparedness, etc. A quarter of the electrical grid went down from just 5 inches of snow. A lot of it still isn't up, thanks to the apparently genetically ingrained incompetence, arrogance and laziness of Pepco. Can you imagine what even a small atomic bomb would do? We'd be stuck back in the Flint Age for a decade.
We're just pathetic and ridiculous and no amount of planning or proclaiming by worthless bureaucrats and hacks is going to change that. DC is not built or run to withstand anything worse than a normal rush hour. Add a few drops of rain to the mix, and it might as well be Noah's flood. We aren't set up for anything beyond a sunny Spring day.

Fat Tire is coming to DC!

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/all-we-can-eat/beer/beer-fat-tire-finally-rolls-in.html

RIP Gladys Horton

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/news/sns-ap-us-obit-horton,0,2118359.story

Happy Birthday Sarah McLachlan!

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJuqn5EBKSM&feature=related

Happy National Kazoo Day!

http://www.kazooamerica.org/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T75MC69N2IU

A new Presidential contender

http://ac2012.com/

Sergio Leone and the truck wrecking bridge

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vj8Bkn9kaLE&feature=player_embedded

Well done!

The latest from Utah

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12295554

This isn't good. I'll bet there's a much bigger story behind it, (probaably regarding how these things are handled and inventoried).

The cutting edge of seige warfare!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41282726/ns/world_news-americas/

(Thanks for the link, Chris!)

Happy Thomas Crapper Day!

http://www.nowpublic.com/health/thomas-crapper-day-celebrating-invention-ballcock-2564473.html

New film - The Disco Exorcist

http://io9.com/5740326/when-all-else-failscall-the-disco-exorcist

This just radiates "Quality"...

Jiminy!

http://io9.com/5733371/cricket+specific-plague-strikes

The pistachio threat

http://io9.com/5733837/when-pistachio-nuts-explode

The return of milk deliveries in NoVa!

http://delray.patch.com/articles/goodness-from-the-creamery?ncid=M254

Cute! A little bit of my childhood is returning.

This is frightening.....

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/51134945-76/dugway-army-lockdown-thursday.html.csp

Beheading - A Study

http://aforteantinthearchives.wordpress.com/2011/01/25/some-experiments-with-severed-heads/

Well, everyone needs a hobby....

Voodoo Lollipop

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

Can you minor in the Rolling Stones?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/the-beatles/8283512/First-Beatles-graduate-is-announced.html

Let My People Go

http://articles.philly.com/2010-09-21/news/24979425_1_signs-suit-zoning-ordinance

The coolest wheelchair

http://www.aolnews.com/2011/01/26/disabled-man-jim-starr-banned-for-wheelchair-tank/

China's "Stealth"

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110123/ap_on_re_eu/eu_us_stealth_technology_china

I suspect that this is part of the story. The other part is that they simply bought information from the appropriate companies, or were "allowed" to steal it. This sort of thing happens all of the time.

We survived the snow

I'd guess that the Manor got about 4-5 inches of snow last night. The problem is the weight of it. Shoveling it is a real bitch. Although we have power, a few hundred thousand in the region don't, due to all the power lines getting knocked down. Just another DC Wintry Mess....

Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day

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

Not a light read

http://www.kwwl.com/Global/story.asp?S=13908382

Creating binding this monster was quite a job. Of course, Bruce was ahead of the curve:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-EDQEgESvw

Snowmageddon

Sigh. Well, in the past six hours we've had an ice storm, rain, thunder and lightning, sleet and snow. There's about three inches of the white stuff on the ground right now, and more accumulating every minute. It's so heavy with moisture that the tree limbs are now nearly touching the ground from the weight. Power lines should be cutting out all through the night - either from falling limbs catching 'em, or from their own snow-weight. In the past half hour we've had six flickers, and now all of the god damned clocks are flashing as a result, I feel like I'm at an ELO concert. After last year's debacle, I am beginning to develop a deep and abiding hatred of winter in general and snow in particular.
Nevertheless, the Manor stands proud and firm against the onslaught. Anticipating the deluge, I put enough logs under protective tarps to maintain a fire in our fireplace for a full day, or more. And we're never without a feast in the pantry and a well-stocked wine cellar. Others are not so lucky. There are reports that commutes home are running at about three miles per hour*. And people are abandoning their cars, (on the Interstates!). There'll be feasting amongst the cannibal culture of PG county tonight....

* I know, I know - for those of you from more snow oriented cultures, the idea that DC can collapse with just 3" of snow must seem a paragon of obscene wussiness. And you are correct.

a nice interview with Electric Wizard

http://www.prefixmag.com/features/electric-wizard/elecrric-wizard-interview/47944/

the latest example of fine Chinese quality goods

http://1067thebeat.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=104668&article=8086896

I'm never eating pancakes again....

https://health.google.com/health/ref/Maple+syrup+urine+disease

You'd damn well better buy Life Insurance

http://community.livejournal.com/vintage_ads/2419741.html

A fascinating ad. The implications are that if you died, your kids wouldn't be sent to some sort of satanic mill orphanage if you left 'em a pile of cash. Apparently rich children are allowed to live on their own. Special kudos to the nazi-like matron just waiting to beat the hell out of the new (poor) kid and the spear headed fence to keep the little tykes imprisoned. I guess they must have run short on razor wire.

The App.....

http://www.switched.com/2011/01/26/soldier-spends-26-000-develop-tactical-nav-military-iphone-app/

(Thanks for the link, Chris!)

Flying robot construction crews

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/01/university-researchers-create-networked-flying-robots-build-complex-structures/

Neat!

Dwarf Mammoths In Ancient Egypt?

http://io9.com/5737369/is-this-a-pygmy-mammoth-painted-on-an-egyptian-tomb-wall

Curious.

Edison's 2011

http://io9.com/5741015/the-year-2011-according-to-thomas-edison-in-1911

Soylent Green - Part II

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local/new_york&id=7915167

The Cutting Edge of Environmentalism

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1350272/Genghis-Khan-killed-people-forests-grew-carbon-levels-dropped.html

Alert Brian Wilson!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1350590/Were-trying-tuna-fish-650lbs-grand-piano-mysteriously-appears-Florida-sandbar.html

RIP Brian Rust

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/25/arts/music/25rust.html?_r=1

I'm not a big expert on Jazz. But this gent was clearly a Giant in the study of it.

(Thanks for the link, Erik!)

Happy Birthday Babylon 5!

One of my faves, and one of the few TV shows to deal well with politics.

http://babylon5.warnerbros.com/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105946/

At this time of year, it always seems to be The Year Of The Car

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AazEMt0eoFg&feature=related

I've written about this before - forgive me. It's a cold dark night in January, and I always return to similiar evenings in Gtown in '76, when this tune was a hit. My friends Roger, Margrete, and I (and sometimes a few more of you reading this missive) would be wandering, Brechtian-like, from bar to bar, "looking quite cooly" and yet I'm not quite sure we knew where we were going. It was not the first time I'd felt like Peter Lorre, and it wouldn't be the last. That walk was sometimes confident, and sometimes stumbling; and sometimes it was difficult to tell, (and perhaps...there was no difference). And it was damn cold those nights. But if you were there, you'd see at least one small spark of defiant light against the icy sheen of the gutters and the C&O Canal. And here we are, 35 years later, and I'm not sure things have changed all that much. No matter what time it is, some of us remain in the Year of the Cat....
See ya tomorrow...

My new all-time favorite tree!

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/2010/12/08/a-creepy-monster-of-the-forest-the-albino-vampiric-redwood-tree/

This is sooo cool! I've just got to get one of these bad boys!!!

Demolition

http://www.croatiantimes.com/news/General_News/2011-01-24/16646/Worker_accidentally_bulldozed_homes_while_tenants_slept_Don%27t

Isn't this how the Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy Begins? I've got my towel...

Guerrilla Art

http://www.aolnews.com/2011/01/23/guerrilla-art-an-artistic-whodunnit-in-boulder-colorado/

It's The Real Thing....

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/01/24/ap/strange/main7277426.shtml?tag=cbsnewsSectionContent.12

The search is on for a Moron....

http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=176816&provider=top&catid=188#comments

The happiest fish....

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Health/20110121/fish-water-antidepressants-110121/Don%27t

Revenge!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1348653/Indian-police-hunt-killer-rooster-slashes-owners-throat.html

Look out, Frank Perdue....

Book title of the day

http://www.casematepublishing.com/title.php?isbn=9781612000091

Actually, this looks pretty cool.

The Disappearing Car Door

http://www.flixxy.com/high-tech-car-door.htm

Weird. But I'm still waiting for my ejector seat....

(Thanks for the link, Sandy!)

Soylent Green!!!!

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/taco-285366-beef-meat.html

(Thanks for the link and title, Mike!)

Origami Cthulhu

http://secondlevelwizards.com/2011/01/24/origami-cthulhu/

Happy National Irish Coffee Day!

Yum!

http://www.jamesonwhiskey.com/age_verification.aspx

Happy Birthday to The Blair Witch Project!

Premiered on this date in 1999. Fun stuff! One of my faves.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0185937/

Happy Birthday MAS*H! ((the film))

Premiered on this date in 1970.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066026/

HorrorFind Weekend in Gettysburg on 9/2 - 9/4!

And Count Gore just announced he'll be attending!

http://www.horrorfindweekend.com/

Ze old vays die hard.....

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,741214,00.html#ref=nlint

(Thanks for the link, John!)

Nice article on Wanda Jackson and her new album

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/23/arts/music/23wanda.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

(Thanks for the link, Ed!)

a very odd little animation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qFhKA-yT0Q

Drying the wash - the old fashioned way

http://www.shorpy.com/node/7143?size=_original

Great pic.

The Chase

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM0ptMqNhso

Kinda cute.

The Fourth "Great Escape" Tunnel to be excavated

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12226521

A fascinating footnote to the War.

RIP Tuviah Friedman

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/20/AR2011012005159.html

Jersey VS God

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/article_52e037be-2430-11e0-89b7-001cc4c03286.html

I'm betting on Jersey....

Alien Hand Syndrome

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12225163

Fascinating, and sad. I am somewhat disturbed by the idea that the brain has two totally independent consciousnesses - and that they can be at war with one another. This seems too close to multiple personality disorder, a diagnosis I've always been very doubtful about and cynical over...

Happy Birthday Neil Diamond!

http://www.neildiamond.com/

http://www.neildiamondhomepage.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6FfjlxZLTk

I still think Neil's a lot cooler than you do. Really like his material from the start of his career up through the mid 70's.

Happy Birthday Warren Zevon!

http://www.warrenzevon.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5puAN1PGQw

Genius. Essential.

Happy Birthday John Belushi!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000004/

An American Original. Genius. Essential.

Happy Paul Pitcher Day!

An obscure Cornish holiday that I am single-handedly resurrecting.
Cornish tin miners traditionally set up a pitcher in a public place & threw stones at it to destroy it. Yee-Haw!

Happy Eskimo Pie Patent Day!

http://www.foodreference.com/html/feskimopie.html

Yum!

Nico covers Heroes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FfeXi5ymWk

Captures the hopeless defiance of the song.

Mary Chapin Carpenter's video for This Shirt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbL1LptZ8Vc

A great song by DC's Finest.

Michael Martin Murphey performs Wildfire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4TNGG3XIIY

Always thought this was very pretty.

Jethro Tull performs Aqualung

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqZmtq5LhFo

It's an absolutely frigid night here in DC, and the heat grates aren't going to be able to handle it.
We live in mean times....

Things that are banned in iran

http://www.allfunin.com/2011/01/things-that-are-banned-in-iran.html

So silly, (well, except for mullets....)

Free the Haggis!

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/302846

You'll get my sheep lungs when you floss them from my cold dead teeth!

The C.C.A. is dead - Good Riddance

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/comic-riffs/2011/01/quick_post_only_56_years_later.html

That quack Wertham, and all the clowns who listened to him, were such frauds.

The Czechs and their beer

http://www.videacesky.cz/ostatni-zabavna-videa/ceska-republika-narod-pivaru

Fun stuff! (Warning - this'll take a minute or two to load...)

A blog devoted to the worst Sci-Fi and Fantasy book cover art

http://www.goodshowsir.co.uk/

This is wonderful!

(Thanks for the link, Infidel753!)

OH MY GODS - I HATE THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://tywkiwdbi.blogspot.com/2011/01/say-goodbye-to-caps-lock.html

(Thanks to Infidel753 for the link!)

New Klarkash-Ton collection on the way!

http://www.nightshadebooks.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=211

new REH collection - Conan's Brethren

http://www.orionbooks.co.uk/books/conan-s-brethren-hardback

The continuing corruption, incompetence, malfeasance and evil that runs Arlington

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/22/AR2011012202723.html?wpisrc=nl_cuzhead

It is interesting how the Post lies and says that the management was "ousted". Nice try, assholes. The dude was scheduled to retire, and did so. BFD. The fact of the matter is that the people who control Arlington, (the Army), don't know shit, and could care less. No one has been so much as inconvenienced, much less punished, for years and millions of dollars of waste, corruption and mismanagement. The whole thing sickens me.

Count Gore interviews Denise Crosby

http://www.countgore.com/gore/rack.htm

Fun stuff!

Back from C'Ville

Just got back from a wonderful little weekend trip down to Charlottesville, (Thanks, Carol!). Got to eat at my beloved Crozet Pizza, and visited the Starr Hill Brewery, (which is just down the road). Fun stuff! I particularly enjoyed their Double Platinum IPA...

We're #5!

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=2243037

C'mon, DC - we can do better than this!

Happy Birthday Leadbelly!

http://www.leadbelly.org/re-homepage.html

An American Giant. Essential.

Happy Birthday Phantom Dan!

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

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

Happy National Pie Day!

Yum!

Happy Birthday Robert E. Howard!

http://www.rehupa.com/

Master of Sword & Sorcery. Genius. Essential.

Happy Birthday Linda Blair!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000304/

Happy Birthday Alferd "Hamburger Helper" Packer!

http://www.concours.org/rtd-color.html

Happy Birthday Edwin Starr!

http://www.edwinstarr.info/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKIjt765ANM

Happy Birthday Richie Havens!

http://www.richiehavens.com/official_site/home.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fA51wyl-9IE

Happy New England Clam Chowder Day!

Yum!

The Spinners perform I'll Be Around

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfG47NsWVYA

I've posted this before, but what the hell. My favorite song by what may be the best soul group of the 70's. The Spinners, like the Temptations, were true professionals, able to extract every last drop of quality from whatever they sang/recorded, even if it wasn't first rate. But this song was. And for me, the timing of it was perfect. There's a time in youth when one believes and makes commitments, and this song captures that quite well.

fanvid for Thee Midniters performing Dreaming Casually

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9nA-z76nHU

Great L.A./Chicano rock. Does anyone remember these guys, besides me?

fanvid for the Standells performing Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd48Vm4bgbs

I love this song. CLASSIC American garage rock.

Tommy Keene performs Places That Are Gone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCj0nw24UaQ

Wonderful. Keene is the power pop god of DC. In the mid to late 70's he was a member of the band, Razz, who appear to be forgotten by all except the tattered remains of the local underground. They were unbelievable.

fanvid for The Electric Hellfire Club covering Light My Fire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYW17U74TAg&feature=related

The Divinyls video for I Touch Myself

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv-34w8kGPM&feature=player_embedded

Masterful marketing. Wonderfully over-the-top trashy. Fun stuff!

Ah, the Old Ways die hard in Germany....

http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/berlin-rejects-demand-to-unlock-secret-service-file-on-eichmann-1.338001

It would be nice to see those files. They'd undoubtedly detail the names and departments in Germany and the U.S. (and Spain, Switzerland, and South America) that aided nazi war criminals. This will be interesting. I predict the records will mysteriously disappear...

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

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=2241488

Happy National Cheese Lovers Day!

Yum!

http://www.cheesetique.com/

Happy Birthday to Meet The Beatles!

Released on this date in '64. Awesome....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meet_The_Beatles!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bg8EQdcud7Q&feature=related

Happy Birthday to One Step Beyond!

A great horror series. Now, almost forgotten. Premiered on this date in 1959.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052442/

Happy Birthday DeForest Kelley!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001420/

Happy Birthday Robert Morris!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Morris_(financier)

Happy Birthday George Burns!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0122675/

The Beer Cannon App

http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/virginia-tech-grad-builds-an-iphone-controlled-beer-cannon/

Now, if they only got rid of the near-beer and used some good stuff....

(Thanks for the link, Chris!)

Target will be changing its name - Wuss America, part 528

http://www.wlsam.com/Article.asp?id=2086475&spid=

Well, shoot. I guess this will trigger an examination and elimination of any suspicious language used, even though the idea is shot full of holes and its aim is misguided. It's nothing more than a shot in the dark, as we rifle through the language, looking for anything that might offend someone. They need to set their sights higher, and ignore these small calibre problems and range further afield for issues of importance.

(Thanks for the link and title, Mike!)

I wish I was still smoking....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&hash=item564178197d&item=370465577341&nma=true&pt=Art_Sculpture&rt=nc&si=6WthTwnnrlPFxGvspy6KOsa3lD0%253D

Bad habit

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE70H5QH20110118?feedType=nl&feedName=usoddlyenough

A Firesign Theatre Film! Nick Danger & The Case of the Missing Yolks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7G1YXNksvw&feature=related

I love these guys.

The "Scary Movie" Effect?

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110117184452.htm

It doesn't work. In my single days, spending all those lonely nights of cruising the bars while screeching out the theme to the Psycho shower scene got me no where....

I speak Jive....

http://www.aolnews.com/2011/01/18/cant-understand-rap-experts-offer-free-translations/

Of course, Airplane was way ahead of the curve on this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymMBEwtRZOg

Headline of the day

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/01/18/cops-bristol-man-stabs-partygoers-1-fatally-over-fart-jokes/

Ventriloquist without a Dummy

http://www.boreme.com/boreme/funny-2010/paul-zerdin-ventriloquist-without-dummy-p1.php

Fun stuff!

(Thanks for the link, Rob!)

No Poe Toaster - the end of a tradition

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2011/01/19/mysterious-poe-visitor-doesnt-show-for-2nd-year/

Too bad. The position had been handed off to a new guy about 8-10 years ago, and you could tell he wasn't as in to it.

Happy Birthday Edgar Allan Poe!

Genius. Essential.

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

http://www.poestories.com/

http://www.eapoe.org/

Happy Birthday Janis!

http://www.janisjoplin.net/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-GFqhCq2HA

Essential.

Happy Birthday Phil Everly!

http://www.everly.net/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gV3VlLUJkS8&feature=related

Happy Birthday Dewey Bunnell!

http://www.venturahighway.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd2Ch6WBeQU

Happy Birthday Richard Lester!

Genius. Essential.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0504513/

http://www.sensesofcinema.com/2003/great-directors/lester/

Happy National Popcorn Day!

Yum!

Cuban Zombies!!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11867532

(Thanks for the link, Pete!)

RIP Don Kirshner

http://www.newsinus.us/entertainment/don-kirshner/

We've lost a Giant.

Iggy reduced to selling insurance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Cvrz-Ynor4

Oh...my....god.....How sad.

(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

The Beer Machine

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/An-awesome-way-to-pour-a-beer.html

Fun stuff!

(Thanks for the link, Rick!)

Sacrilege!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1347824/Scottish-whisky-way-South-Americans-like-.html

Negative Space - the cutting edge

http://picchore.com/incredible/best-negative-space-ever/

Historical Tripping

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1348080/Grandma-acid-Researcher-finds-rare-footage-1950s-housewife-LSD-experiment.html#ixzz1BNywU1AC

Fascinating.

Ninnies at UC-Davis

http://scienceblogs.com/isisthescientist/2011/01/that_b_on_your_transcript_is_f.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+scienceblogs%2Fisis+%28Storytime+with+Dr.+Isis%29
I have never heard of a professor asking their students what another's grade should be. Nor do I ever remember a student's conduct or attendance being openly discussed, (although many of my classes were so boring, that the one's most likely to waste time on such matters I was probably ignoring and surreptitiously reading a book).

Churchill's health

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/how-war-sapped-winston-churchills-bulldog-spirit/story-e6frg6so-1225988945954

Sigh, it is stupid to think that Winston feeling tired was the reason the world ended up as it did after WWII. I have grown bored with the armchair hacks who think that, but for some magic tidbit, the Western allies could have somehow rolled back the Soviet advance - short of opening yet another world war, which I am unconvinced they could have won, at least on the ground. The fact of the matter is that Churchill wasn't the only one worn out. The British were literally on their last legs. WWII was not a cakewalk. The idea that Winston bellowing at Stalin would have altered the Soviet's (imperialistic) war aims - especially a withdrawal from areas they'd already conquered and solely occupied, is bunkum.

the plot to kidnap hitler?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/kent/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_9363000/9363982.stm

Interesting, if true. But I have my suspicions. The easiest reason I can think for why it never occurred is that it wasn't possible. I assume that adolph flew with at least one or two armed body guards and aides. How does a single defector take care of them, and fly the plane, etc.?

The Lint Supper

http://www.aolnews.com/2011/01/17/da-vincis-last-supper-re-created-in-laundry-lint/

Great moments in the Boston legal system

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/2011/01/17/2011-01-17_cat_is_summoned_for_jury_duty_in_boston_court_rejects_owners_appeal_to_disqualif.html

Neat tool use by crows

http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_9353000/9353588.stm

Apps for brain waves?

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501465_162-20028570-501465.html?tag=cbsnewsSectionContent.11

I've no doubt there'll be something like this in the future. But I've got a sneaking suspicion that this particular case is all hype.

Headline of the day

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/01/17/3114110.htm

Thar She Blows!

Priorities

http://www.whiotv.com/news/26484989/detail.html

I really wish I had the kind of life where THIS was the WORST thing that could happen to me.

Germans and their crematoriums.....

http://www.app.com/article/20110117/NEWS04/110117025/Undertakers-look-to-crematorium-to-heat-new-headquarters

Great moments in fashion

http://gothamist.com/2010/12/16/harlem_inventor_creates_anti-sag_de.php

(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

Happy Birthday David Ruffin!

http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/David%20Ruffin.html

http://vodpod.com/watch/1225993-david-ruffin-walk-away-from-love

One of the Greats.

Happy Birthday Cary Grant!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000026/

http://www.carygrant.net/

So cool....

Happy Pooh Day!

http://www.wikihow.com/Celebrate-Winnie-the-Pooh-Day
http://www.winniethepooh.co.uk/author.html

headline of the day

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/Cool-Astronomy/2011/0107/Scientists-plan-Uranus-probe

(Thanks for the link, Katie!)

The Diamonds - 47 Years Apart

http://www.flixxy.com/the-diamonds-little-darlin-1957-2004.htm

Fun stuff!

(Thanks for the link, Gail!)

Happy Birthday Benjamin Franklin!

http://www2.fi.edu/exhibits/permanent/franklin_national_memorial.php

http://www.ushistory.org/franklin/info/index.htm

Happy Birthday Jim Carrey!

http://www.jimcarrey.com/

Happy Kid Inventors Day!

http://www.kidinventorsday.com/

fanvid for The Damnation of Adam Blessing performing Back To The River

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LcjBS8L-UE

Classic example of midwest early 70's hard rock. Totally forgotten now.

fanvid for Polly Brown performing Up In A Puff Of Smoke

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu8fz-YUKtc

A guilty pleasure. First generation disco from '74. ii suspect that all K-Tel records from this period are required by law to contain this song.

Fleetwood Mac performs Rhiannon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b9BpunsVmo&feature=fvst

I think this was reocrded at the Cap Center. If so, I was there. Great show.

We May Never Pass This Day Again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAH5zEtO0zU

There's a group on Facebook devoted to growing up in NoVa during the Baby Boom, and today they asked the membership if there were a particular song that would be a good theme, this was my suggestion.

fanvid for The Misunderstood performing Children of the Sun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrRImjZlD38

Wonderful garage psychedelia, almost completely unknown.

fanvid for Sarah McLachlan covering Gloomy Sunday

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

neat article on the "Beer Trail" of Belgium

http://travel.nytimes.com/2011/01/16/travel/16beer-journeys.html

(Thanks for the link, Erik!)

The Return of the B's!

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/16/arts/television/16syfy.html?_r=1

Fun stuff! When I was a kid, I was totally hooked on the old Roger Corman stuff.

(Thanks for the link, Erik!)

Wuss UVa

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/blog/the_dagger/post/Wearing-North-Carolina-colors-costs-Tar-Heels-fa?urn=ncaab-307922

Poor babies....
Note for ya, Cavaliers - life gets a lot tougher on the outside...

nice article detailing German civilian participation in atrocities

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,739518,00.html

Very good to have a little light shed on the continuing myths that are constantly being churned ouby and about nazis.

DC - Not Dixie

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/15/AR2011011503988.html

The folks arguing against this are full of it, (to use a Northern expression). This area has been changing my entire life, it little resembles the DC (Southern-based) culture of my childhood.

The Sport of Kings

Got a new bowling ball on Friday. Although I've not been bowling at all in the last few years, and haven't done much in the past twenty, I thought it was time to take it up again. The ball I'd been using since high school was an old one of my Father's - and a great ball, (when they were still made out of a rubber compound); but it was too heavy, (I've some nerve and elbow problems in my arm). So, got an ultra-light 10 pounder, and Linda and I went bowling thsi morning to test it, (and me), out. Did okay for a virtual novice - averaged about 140. We'll see how it goes from there.

Stuxnet news

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/16/world/middleeast/16stuxnet.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha2
Fascinating. I will repeat myself here: it'll be curious to see if we, or someone else, goes back to a pre-80's model for manufacturing, data control and management. Which is to say, pre-modern computer. Teenage hackers now routinely get information that would have been all but impossible for anyone but "James Bond" to get 40 years ago. One couldn't introduce a bug or worm into a manufacturing process (especially at a distance) because the computerized systems and internet connections weren't there. Every week, I receive emails and news articles detailing the latest computer hacking trys and triumphs - all of them potentially endangering whatever information and files I have on my machine. Yet my most valuable papers ARE papers. And they are kept in a locked safe in a locked and alarm-wired house, and with a well-armed me. An army of hacker geeks would run out of doritos and die of starvation before they'd get to them. They couldn't do it. They could only get to them by mastering the physical challenges. They won't even try, they'll just keep sitting at their laptop and move on to the next victim. Someday, someone in government and/or industry will figure this out, and I predict they'll pull their most important stuff off-line and go back to some guy with a briefcase manacled to his wrist, just like the olden days.

Cowabunga!

http://www.grindtv.com/surf/blog/23568/surfers+in+alaska+ride+waves+for+an+astonishing+five+miles/

Now that looks like fun!

(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

Happy Birthday John Carpenter!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000118/

http://www.theofficialjohncarpenter.com/

Happy National Hot & Spicy Foods Day!

https://thewrath.com/

Yum!

Happy National Nothing Day!

http://childrencomefirst.com/nothingday.shtml

A new Dashiell Hammett story about to be published!

http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/article/921492--dashiell-hammett-and-the-mystery-of-the-unpublished-thriller

Neat-O!

From the sword's point of view

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaEZZ43WrTQ

Happy Birthday Vanishing Point!

One of my fave movies. Premiered on this date in '71.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067927/

Happy Birthday Chuck Berry!

http://www.chuckberry.com/

Happy National Strawberry Ice Cream Day!

Yum!

fanvid for Cannonball Adderley performing Mercy Mercy Mercy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3djKXcsqDM8&feature=related

Free performs My Brother Jake

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddDGj1Xko_c&feature=related

You never hear this song anymore. Pity, it was good.

Billy Price performs El Dorado Cafe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82mGEr9fFnA

I love this guy. Reminds me of hot nights in the early 80's. Great blue-eyed soul.

fanvid for the Del-Vikings performing Come Go With Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAWz2nHWS_o&feature=related

A classic. Great sound.

Lou Reed performs Walk On The Wild Side

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiVUqwXAXx0&feature=related

Ah, 70's East Coast Decadence! It is painful to realize that it was about 37 years ago when I first heard this song.

Bruce performs Dancing In The Dark

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJ8GCTKjPOQ

Fun stuff!

Headline of the day

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12187409

(Thanks for the link, Doug!)

Pirates of the Caribbean IV

http://disney.go.com/pirates/#/video/

Fun stuff!

A new Plan 9 on the way?

http://robojapan.blogspot.com/2011/01/plan-9-from-outer-space-remake-finally.html

We'll see. I like a lot of the people in this production, I'm just not convinced it's necessary or that they can make it so entertaining.

I agree with the article - movie title of the year

http://io9.com/5733180/best-movie-title-of-the-year-codependent-lesbian-alien-seeks-same

Today's Metro story!

http://dcist.com/2011/01/eww_metro_employees_urinate_and_def.php

Peter Fonda finds an Easy Rider

http://arts.nationalpost.com/2011/01/13/peter-fonda-finds-a-dead-body/

Anniversary of the death of Glenn Brenner

http://dc.metblogs.com/2006/01/14/remembering-glenn-brenner/

I really miss this guy.

Happy Mallard Day!

Mallard Day at All Souls College in Oxford celebrates the discovery of a large mallard found in a drain while digging the foundations of the college in 1437.

Happy Cake & Ale Day!

http://www.web-holidays.com/calendar/01/14_1.htm

Happy Ratification Day!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratification_Day_(United_States)

fanvid for Steve Forbert performing Make It All So Real

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnC0KJw7tkY

My fave song by Forbert. Absolutely brilliant. For a few months, back in '79, it seemed like he was destined for commercial success. Alas, it was not to be. A lot of things that year weren't meant to be...
One of those tunes that sounds better after the third bourbon. See ya tomorrow....

Antediluvian...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdSHeKfZG7c

This is wonderful! I'm going to shoot myself, now...

(Thanks for the link, Carol!)

fanvid for Paul Roland performing Alice's House

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HyCuE4wSF0&feature=related

One of my all-time favorite artists. Great talent, (and a very nice guy). Criminally unknown in the States, at times I believe that I am his only American fan...

The Times' video for I Helped Patrick McGoohan Escape

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzUCCl9YaBQ

So cool.

The Like's video for He's Not A Boy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42p2nERiNFk&feature=related

Fun stuff!

My Commute?

Why, I take the Tampax Line past Adidas, Arby's and Dr. Schol's; then transfer to the Burger King line and on past Sony, getting off at Disney. I get to avoid the construction mess at Fox News, and the broken escalators at Viagra.

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=2233345

Boy George meets The A Team

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47puweMw9Wk&feature=player_embedded

I think I just lost a few brain cells.

new movie: Evil Bong 3-D

http://io9.com/5731941/an-early-contender-for-worst-movie-of-the-year

Dude....

Tie-Thulhu!

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmyI1HSKqNus5y-d5v1ipnAhoUtACQX5MjE6E1vi5B939H3P57DFq9j4xa7Tl_KBRrx-M5aKw2v-KdMMQY4OEJansKmAWi7E8oP2CNKdwdEym_bxKk903l9Sqa9DqQEaaQVb_/s1600/Cthulhu+Tie.jpg

The Tracks of My Tears

http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/bay-area/2011/01/caltrain-conductor-accused-soliciting-sexual-favors

Of course, Little Eva was ahead of the curve on this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xufxKCC1NJ8

Wuss America and the Canadian Threat

http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2011/01/10/man-kinder-surprise-border.html

Sigh...

A fun interpretation of Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start The Fire"

http://yeli.us/Flash/Fire.html

Pretty neat. Of course, so is this:
http://gizmodo.com/5211817/we-didnt-start-the-flamewar-video-is-the-definition-of-epic

(Thanks for the link, Lee!)

Is it a Cheese, or a Font?

http://cheeseorfont.mogrify.org/

The Kiwi and the Russians

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/national-news/4535518/Russians-research-Kiwi-fliers-wartime-heroics

Another fascinating footnote to WWII. As for the name Ramsbottom-Isherwood - I will leave that to Monty Python.

Harvey Understands...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_9359000/9359360.stm

One-Way to Mars?

http://www.aolnews.com/2011/01/12/why-volunteer-for-a-one-way-mission-to-mars/

I don't see that as a strong possibility. At least from this country.

The Most Dangerous Game

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/12/AR2011011204703.html?sub=AR

Actually, this sounds about as boring and unchallenging as I've always thought fox hunting was. The "prey" are directed not to go anywhere that might distract the bloodhounds. And a good hound should have little problem tracking over pristine farmland. BFD.

Happy Birthday Clark Ashton Smith!

Probably my fave fantasy author. Genius.

http://www.eldritchdark.com/

fanvid for Brian Briggs performing See You On The Other Side

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

I don't think this song got any airplay outside of the underground in DC. Sort of an anthem for suicide. Brian will see you on the Other Side. I'll see ya tomorrow....

Grace and the Great Society perform White Rabbit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YddV91xnUz4

The penultimate San Francisco Sound. People tend to discount the Great Society, but I always loved their sound.

The Reivers perform Almost Home

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_-WP4AAy50

The greatest band you've never heard of. A national treasure - hidden in plain sight.

fanvid for Young Holt Unlimited performing Soulful Strut

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX1XSOzDPik
If you went to T.C. Williams high school in the late 60's, then this is in your DNA. What a wonderful maelstrom of learning, thuggery, terror, hope, criminality, nobility, energy, and cool.....

fanvid for Nilsson performing Jump Into The Fire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QghwNqlCRE&feature=related

A perfect song for when it all falls apart.

The Third Rail's video for Run Run Run

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iP1uno7uQaY

A great pop song, almost forgotten now. This is soooo '67. General chaos is up one quarter.

Carly's video for You're So Vain

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsU_jcENdz4

Another great tune from the soundtrack of the early 70's. Clouds in my coffee....

Deep Purple performs Smoke On the Water

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axOvTex6ET0

Ah yes, it was '73 - and Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth. It's so silly, but I love this song.

fanvid for Lick The Tins performing I Can't Help Falling In Love With You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeuXpXLPOi8

Nice sound. Completely unknown in the States.

fanvid for Don Dixon performing Praying Mantis

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

Fun stuff!

China manages to poison something else - Honey

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/science/honey-laundering-the-sour-side-of-natures-golden-sweetener/article1859410/page1/

I'd be curious if the Chinese are even capable of growing/creating/manufacturing something that isn't inimical to life. An entire society based on poisonous substances....

The Orc Circus Fails

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12161449#story_continues_2

Gee, imagine that. I know that every time I expect to see Orcs, I'm disappointed.

(Thanks for the link, Pete!)

RIP Bill Bower - Last of the Doolittle Raiders

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_17061321

An amazing raid by amazing men.

In Vino Veritas

http://io9.com/5731129/drunken-scientists-pour-alcohol-on-superconductors-and-make-an-incredible-discovery?skyline=true&s=i

I can't tell you how nice it is to know that for the past several decades I've actually been heavily involved in scientific research. I believe I'll have another glass of superconductivity right now...

The original Cowboys & Aliens movie

http://io9.com/5719997/the-original-cowboys-and-aliens-movie

Evil Pinata

http://io9.com/5715379/frat-boys-and-sorority-girls-vs-ancient-candy-vengeance-in-piata-survival-island

Terry gilliam's new steampunk movie!

http://io9.com/5715735/terry-gilliams-next-project-takes-you-into-the-steampunk-britain-of-1884

H.R. Giger & an Alien prequel!!!

http://io9.com/5714927/hr-giger-reportedly-onboard-for-the-alien-prequel

Woo Hoo!

Piano Robot

http://io9.com/5714869/extremely-angry-piano-robot-will-play-you-twinkle-twinkle-little-star

Hmmm....I don't think Jerry Lee Lewis has anything to worry about.

using the Sun's gravity for interstellar communication

http://io9.com/5714777/the-suns-gravity-could-be-used-to-create-an-interstellar-communications-network

Pretty neat!

Jiminy!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41034340/ns/us_news-environment/

RIP David Nelson

http://www.tmz.com/2011/01/12/david-nelson-ozzie-and-harriet-dies-dead-ricky-the-adventures-of-tv-sitcom/

Used to watch Ozzie & Harriett all the time in my childhood...

Tee Hee!

http://mobile.theonion.com/articles/fully-validated-kanye-west-retires-to-quiet-farm-i,18724/?mobile=true

(Thanks for the link, Erik!)

Dining in DC is looking up

http://www.metrocurean.com/article.aspx?page=25205&section=2

I will point to Number Nine on the list - that's where the record store I worked at was located!

(Thanks for the link, Erik!)

micro-robots for the military

http://www.arl.army.mil/www/default.cfm?page=550

(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

Old Rock Stars

http://dalesdesigns.net/rock-on.htm

Fun stuff!

(Thanks for the link, Audrey!)

Happy Birthday John Hancock!

http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers/hancock.htm

Happy Feast of the Fabulous Wild Men Day!

http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/wildmen.htm

Double Dog Dared

http://www.news9.com/Global/story.asp?S=13821610

Neo nazis who are Jewish

http://www.aolnews.com/2010/09/25/neo-nazi-couple-find-out-theyre-jewish/

We live in stupid times...
One thing - the term neo-nazi is tossed around a lot, and I'm not sure always accurately. But if this charming pair of imbeciles really were into nazism, then their bat-shit craziness is much worse than the whole hidden-Jewish background thing. The well known facts of the matter are that the nazis had it in for the Poles too - Jewish or not. How fucking stupid do you have to be to join a movement that is (partially) based on your own eradication?!?

Forget all that talk about the glory of ancient Egypt, Greece, or China

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12158341

Clearly, the Armenians were the fount of all that is Good and Wise.

Gesundheit!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/8250812/Italian-man-shot-in-head-sneezes-out-bullet.html

Triple Sun Phenomena photographed

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/4/20110110/toddly-triple-suns-spotted-over-china-cc3a409.html

Neat!

Things that today's babies will never know

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/111745/things-babies-born-in-2011-will-never-know?mod=family-kids_parents

Sigh...

RIP Dick Winters

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postmortem/2011/01/dick-winters-dies-wwii-hero-co.html

Yog Sothoth!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110110/ap_on_sc/us_sci_space_blob

Happy Burning the Clavie Night!

http://www.hogmanay.net/events/burghhead

Happy Birthday to The Night Stalker!

Great horror movie. first broadcast on this date in 1972.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067490/

Happy Birthday Big Man!

http://www.clarenceclemons.com/

Happy Birthday Alexander Hamilton!

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

Time Passages...

Some tunes for a bleak January evening

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTDRd0Z0O4o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRKyGhgoNE8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVS5rS_da9E

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bP5lymQugXI

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0mgmQl8Dmw

See ya tomorrow....

People Are Awesome

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Vo0Cazxj_yc#

Some incredible stuff here....

(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

Headline of the day

http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/851950-drunk-driver-i-am-escorting-my-lonely-goat-on-a-date-officer

Anniversary of the prinitng of Common Sense

http://www.ushistory.org/paine/commonsense/

Masterful propaganda and argument.

Happy Birthday Metropolis!

Premiered on this date in 1927.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0017136/

Happy Birthday Rod Stewart!

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

Happy Birthday Jim Croce!

http://www.jimcroce.com/

Happy Birthday Pat Benatar!

http://www.benatarfanclub.com/

Happy Birthday Ethan Allen!

http://www.revolutionarywararchives.org/ethanallen.html

Happy Peculiar People Day!

http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/peculiarpeople.htm

Happy Plough Monday!

http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Text/Hone/plough_monday.htm

Happy Birthday Bob Denver!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001134/

Happy Birthday Lee Van Cleef!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001812/

Happy Birthday David Johansen!

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

Happy Birthday Joan Baez!

http://www.joanbaez.com/

Happy Birthday Jimmy Page!

http://www.jimmypageonline.com/

Happy Birthday David Bowie!

http://www.davidbowie.com/

Happy Birthday Graham Chapman!

http://pythonline.com/meet/chapman

Happy Birthday Robby Krieger!

http://www.robbykrieger.com/

Happy Birthday Elvis!

http://www.elvis.com/

Happy Birthday Little Anthony!

http://www.littleanthonyandtheimperials.com/

make my communion a double, bartender...

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/faith/113064614.html?elr=KArks:DCiUHc3E7_V_nDaycUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUoD3aPc:_2yc:a_ncyD_MDCiU

Of course, Country Dick and the Beat Farmers were way ahead of the curve on this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lPsJqebXT0

hitler VS the dog...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40963869/ns/world_news-europe

What a bizarre little footnote to the nazi era.

Proof! Evolution is NOT working!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKfbgoM2QUs
I rest my case, your Honor. (Your move, Darwin.....)

(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

Nice interview with Ron Perlman about Season of the Witch, Hellboy 3, and At The Mountains of Madness

http://io9.com/5725741/ron-perlman-explains-the-story-of-hellboy-3-and-talks-about-watching-christopher-lee-die

Happy St. Distaff Day!

Happy Birthday to The Avengers!

Premiered (in the UK) on this date in 1961. Brilliant show! One of my faves.

http://theavengers.tv/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054518/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvmgrnsaE1U

Happy Birthday Charles Addams!

http://www.charlesaddams.com/

Genius. Essential.

Lucifer's Friend peforms Toxic Shadows

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hjicnb5aFG4

Another wonderful band that never made it.

Horslips peforms The Man Who Built America

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HHQ7kMXl7M&feature=related

Almost unknown in the States, and almost forgotten. They were a great band.

The Clovers perform Your Cash Ain't Nothin' But Trash

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddnDuR8QG-s&feature=related

A great band, almost forgotten now.

The Who perform I Can See For Miles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hje28F-IhLo

So cool....

The Weirdest Beers

http://www.mademan.com/weirdest-beers-world

(Thanks for the link, Erik!)

News on the upcoming film, "Ouija"

http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2011/01/charlies-angels-full-throttle-auteur.html

Very cute!

Happy Birthday Sherlock Holmes!

http://www.sherlock-holmes.co.uk/
http://www.sherlockian.net/

(Supposedly) born on this date in 1854.

Happy Birthday Rowan Atkinson!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000100/

http://www.westlord.com/rowan-atkinson-website/

Genius. Essential.

Happy Birthday Gustave Dore!

http://dore.artpassions.net/

One of my faves. Genius. Essential.

Happy Birthday Syd Barrett!

http://www.sydbarrett.net/

Happy Bean Day!

Yum!

http://www.practicallyedible.com/edible.nsf/pages/beanday

http://www.anasazibeans.com/

Zep performs Misty Mountain Hop

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwG9iRFmY1I&feature=related

My fave tune by them.

Anger Is Illogical

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udqIBv41b_Y

I feel calmer already!

(Thanks for the link, Tom!)

The next Governor of Massachusetts

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_spoint/20110105/ts_yblog_spoint/mass-lieutenant-governor-rescues-children-from-burning-van

A follow-up to the Golden Voice homeless man

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/homeless_man_with_golden_radio_voice_91PQ3yMBa58vOf1n4MuToJ

Very cool. I hope it works out.

China's "stealth" fighter?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/8241137/China-leaks-pictures-of-stealth-fighter-jet-test-run.html

Maybe, but I doubt it...

An incredible life!

http://www.timescolonist.com/Amazing+life+Fleeing+Bolsheviks+fortunes+lost+Tommy+guns+Thailand/4061620/story.html

My (new) favorite Virginia license plate

http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/2011_01_05.html#020028

Perv-O-L

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=2222659

Sheesh! Check his shoes for mirrors....

Neat new blogs of TV horror!

This one is devoted to The Outer Limits
http://wearecontrollingtransmission.blogspot.com/

And this one to Boris Karloff's Thriller
http://athrilleraday.blogspot.com/

Fun stuff!

nice article on microbreweries opening up around DC

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/03/AR2011010304382.html

Woo Hoo!

The Homeless Voice

http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/amplifier/51933/golden-voiced-homeless-man-captivates-internet/

Great voice, hopefully it'll lead to good things.

(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

Happy Birthday to "Greetings From Asbury Park"!

One of my all-time fave albums. Released on this date in 1973.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greetings_from_Asbury_Park,_N.J.

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

Happy Birthday Robert Duvall!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000380/

Happy Birthday Stephen Decatur!

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-d/s-decatr.htm

Baker Street

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkS169P_Eeo

It was a very warm Summer, back in '78. It was full of love and romance, disappointment and anxiety, danger and abandon. It stretched from the swamps of Indian Head to the back alleys of Gtown. The days had a glare like you were in god's eye, and the nights were a warm quilt. And Baker Street was an integral part of that soundtrack. Farewell, Gerry.
As for the rest of you, dear readers - see ya tomorrow.

Stealers Wheel performs Star

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

R.B. Greaves performs Take A Letter Maria

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9Y0x1jLkLg

Great song. This version was from the wonderful TV show, The Music Scene.

fanvid for The Knaves performing The Girl I Threw Away

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

A wonderful tune from one of the greatest folk rock garage bands that you've never heard of.

Looking at pictures of vaginas will cure cancer

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/crime-scene/baltimore/online-man-claimed-to-be-lesbi.html

Well, someone apparently believes that...

The Drive-In Volcano

http://www.torontosun.com/travel/international/2010/12/07/16459146.html

Playing with Amazon

http://www.techeye.net/internet/amazon-realises-it-is-selling-anti-amazon-book

Interesting...

The iBand...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9XNfWNooz4

Thanks for the link, Carol!

RIP Gerry Rafferty

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/jan/04/gerry-rafferty-dies-aged-63

Anniversary of the release of "The Doors" in 1967

One of my fave albums.

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

Happy National Spaghetti Day!

Yum!

Happy Birthday Michael Stipe!

http://remhq.com/get-discoverer.php

http://www.myspace.com/rem

Happy Trivia Day!

http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/trivia.htm

The Equals perform Baby Come Back

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

Fun stuff!

Headline of the day

http://www.wgal.com/news/26350705/detail.html

Rubber Duck Travels

http://www.ducktravels.com/

John Cusack to play Poe!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/13/john-cusack-as-edgar-alla_n_795737.html

Neat-O!

RIP Anne Francis

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20026967-10391704.html

SONiA's video for Is There Anybody Here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8ZrvOKuFkM

Wonderful. One of my fave artists.

Happy Birthday Stephen Stills!

http://www.stephenstills.com/index-v10.html

Happy Birthday Sergio Leone!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001466/

Happy Birthday George Martin!

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

Happy Handsel Day!

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

Mostly Harmless....

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/opinion/4496185/The-truth-is-out-there

Happy Birthday El Kabong!

Premiered on this date in 1960.

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

Happy Birthday Christine Lavin!

http://www.christinelavin.com/

Happy Birthday Baxter Black!

http://www.baxterblack.com/

Happy Science Fictoion Day!

http://www.sciencefictionfantasyhorror.com/article.mgi2?article=science-fiction-day-2006

Only 300 Days Until Halloween!

Well, it's a New Year.....Let's see if it's any worse than the last one....

Some tunes. See ya tomorrow.

The Jesus & Mary Chain with Hope Sandoval
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvuI911C2y8&feature=player_embedded

Simple Minds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpc7TBhilFI

Rod Stewart
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSAGmcxPSRs

The Temptations
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdf70WtLLrA

Classics IV
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyxpQO0YYQo

The Bangles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taf8fYP9Y-A

Marty Balin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UPwock4Fzc

The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Emperor's_Naked_Army_Marches_On

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092963/

Fascinating. I've never heard of this documentary before, nor of incidents of cannibalism within the Japanese military. I'd be curious as to what the details were. This would imply the total breakdown of discipline in these pockets. It would also be a major exception to the usual reaction to finding themselves in an untenable situation - that of committing suicide, preferably by attacking (the infamous "Banzai Charge"); and instead preying upon one another to live on for....what?

Weirdness

Monday, January 31, 2011

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Friday, January 28, 2011

Thursday, January 27, 2011

We survived the snow

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Snowmageddon

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Monday, January 24, 2011

Happy Paul Pitcher Day!

Sunday, January 23, 2011