Weirdness

Monday, October 31, 2011

The Last of The Few

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/tadeusz-sawicz-the-last-surviving-polish-pilot-to-fight-in-the-battle-of-britain-dies/2011/10/26/gIQAnuyPIM_story.html

The Poles were generally regarded as almost suicidally fearless during the Battle of Britain.  They knew what was at stake.

THE Song Of The Season!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0thH3qnHTbI

By the Master, Bobby "Boris" Pickett.  Ladies & Gentlemen, please rise for the National Anthem of Halloween.

Happy Birthday Bud Spencer!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0817881/

Happy National Magic Day!

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

Happy Birthday Kinkster!

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

Happy Birthday Tom Paxton!

http://www.tompaxton.com/

Happy National Candy Apple Day!

Yum!

Happy Carve A Pumpkin Day!

http://www.zombiepumpkins.com/

Happy Nutcrack Night!

http://www.tartanplace.com/hcustom/nutcrack.html

Happy Allantide!

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

Happy Halloween!

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Cracking an 18th Century Code

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/10/copiale-cipher-crack/

I love stuff like this, and would be interested to see if they can crack the Voynich Manuscript. 

The Onion tackles child psychology

http://www.theonion.com/articles/new-study-reveals-most-children-unrepentant-sociop,2870/

Balloonosaurus Rex!

http://9gag.com/gag/416681


(Thanks to Infidel753 for the link and title!)

Anniversary of the Martian Invasion of Earth

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_War_of_the_Worlds_%28radio_drama%29


http://www.war-of-the-worlds.org/Radio/

http://www.war-ofthe-worlds.co.uk/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl_J4J2mQpQ

The most famous radio broadcast, ever.

Some tunes for the Season...

Carl Bonafede
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOiGc6Ug2S8

Laverne Baker
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsLWM1SCUzk

The Ghouls
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkKdoggZCBk

Little Anthony & The Imperials
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqNZWxVihEc

Happy National Candy Corn Day!

Yum!

Happy Birthday Grace Slick!

http://www.jeffersonairplane.com/the-band/grace-slick/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WANNqr-vcx0

Happy Birthday Ruth Gordon!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002106/

Happy Birthday Otie Williams!

http://www.otiswilliams.net/

Happy Haunted Refrigerator Night!

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

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

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Some suggestions for rebooting Star Trek

http://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2011/10/27/how-to-reboot-star-trek-for-modern-tv/

Actually, I kind of like/agree with this.

I will live forever

http://www.mnn.com/food/beverages/stories/alcohol-linked-to-better-survival-after-heart-attack

Awkward Pregnancy Photos

http://www.ivillage.com/awkward-pregnancy-photos/6-b-364755

Deliciously bad...


(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

Plush Cthulhu Tentacle

http://www.sjgames.com/plushtentacle/

The cutting edge of construction equipment

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

Crazy, but a pretty cool commercial for this device.  (The film starts off a little slow, give it time.)

(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

Drunk Nightmare

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5BCB-mvwV8&feature=player_embedded

Fun stuff!

UFO's become experts in camouflage...

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8367057/man-reports-ufo-finds-out-its-the-moon

Sneaky bastards...

Slushy Halloween

It is a cold and drizzly day here at the Manor, if you can all the cloud encrusted darkness around here daytime.  There is actually light snow* reported in the outer suburbs, (about 40+ miles from the Manor).  We were planning on putting a variety of our smaller Halloween decorations outside today.  But have given up on that idea - most are lit with normal or electric tealights, and that's not going to work under today's conditions.  At any rate, the interior remains cheery and bursting with decorations and knick knacks of the season.  Linda is baking holiday cookies, and I'm eyeing a bottle of pumpkin wine.  Damn the weather, let the Halloween Celebration begin!





*By the way, this is not a record. I seem to remember sleet and flurries on Columbus Day in '73 or '74.

Princess Bride Reunion Photo

http://img2.timeinc.net/ew/i/2011/10/12/the-princess-bride_900.jpg

BRING BACK THE SNARK!

http://www.buzzfeed.com/expresident/13-punctuation-marks-that-you-never-knew-existed

It's almost impossible for me to write accurately without it. 

Some tunes for the Season...

Tim Curry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmG80v473AI

Bruce & The Heartbreaks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=io06oVpKg1k

Bruce Springsteen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6leNRGhOqA

Dr. West's Medicine Show & Junk Band
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-Lc0Lra9cI

Happy Birthday Bill Mauldin!

http://billmauldin.com/


Genius.  Essential.

Happy Birthday Internet!

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/AheadoftheCurve/today-internets-40th-birthday/story?id=8945743

Happy Birthday Ralph Bakshi!

http://www.ralphbakshi.com/

The Annual Coffin Races are held today in Manitou Springs, Colorado!

http://community.manitousprings.org/events/17th-annual-emma-crawford

Friday, October 28, 2011

NPR's fow chart for SF&F Books

http://www.box.net/shared/static/a6omcl2la0ivlxsn3o8m.jpg

I appreciate the effort, but as I pointed out at the time, they leave out too many of my faves.

(Thanks for the link, Susan!)

A new Josh Whedon film - or joke?

http://my.spill.com/profiles/blogs/is-joss-whedon-working-on-a-secret-project

An Oldie But goody: The Life & Death Of A Pumpkin

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

A classic, from the folks who bring you Chad Vader.

The Halloween Decoration Abduction Apology

http://www.happyplace.com/11780/how-to-apologize-for-drunkenly-abducting-and-falling-in-love-with-a-halloween-decoration

Video of the Coffin Races in Manitou Springs, CO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnVFdATAZ_A&feature=grec_index

Some tunes for the Season...

The Fortunes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GE3HDLVsLZI

Baron Daemon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGljL8GysIk

The Nazz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mV5lERci3EY

Pax Romana
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOJra0Wf4KA

Happy Birthday Elsa Lanchester!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0006471/

Happy Frankenstein Friday!

http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/October/frankensteinfriday.htm

Happy National Wild Foods Day!

Yum!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

MythBusters takes on The Flying Guillotine!

http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/mythbusters-flying-guillotine/

I've always been into non-gunpowder weaponry - the weirder, the better. And the flying guillotine is sort of the Holy Grail for this. The MythBusters are almost correct in saying that it is a figment of Kung Fu movie writers' imagination.  But I believe I've read in a fairly scholarly work that there are at least one or two historical references that at least mention it in a real context, but without a solid description.  The thing is so damn impractical, that I myself am prepared to dispute the accuracy of these references, but it's a fun instrument to introduce into a D&D game....

(Thanks for the link, John!)

Poe's NY Cottage Restored!

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/27/arts/edgar-allan-poes-bronx-cottage-readies-for-its-reopening.html?_r=1


(Thanks for the link, Erik!)

Great article about Etta James

http://www.jazzwax.com/2011/10/etta-james-heart-and-soul.html


(Thanks for the link, Erik!)

Some tunes for the Season...

Ray Parker Jr.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvkKX035484

The Frantics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pZUYL-sULQ

Outkast
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4kOW5__7yQ

Johnny Fever
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lNmGfp3Uqo

Happy Birthday to The Federalist Papers!

The first article was published on this date in 1787.

http://www.foundingfathers.info/federalistpapers/

Happy Punkie Night!

http://halloween.monstrous.com/punkie_night.htm

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

Premiered on this date in 1947.

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

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

Happy Birthday to It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060550/

http://abc.go.com/shows/its-the-great-pumpkin-charlie-brown

An absolute Classic and one of my all-time faves. Premiered on this date in 1966.

Happy Birthday Lara Parker!

http://www.laraparker.com/

Happy Birthday John Cleese!

http://www.thejohncleese.com/

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

Genius. Essential.

Happy Birthday Garry Tallent!

http://perso.wanadoo.es/tallent/index2.htm

Happy National Potato Day!

Yum!

Happy American Beer Day!

http://www.stonebrew.com/

Yum!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

It's What's For Dinner!

http://www.zagat.com/buzz/11-foods-that-will-kill-you?zagatbuzzid=oct11week4&utm_source=buzz&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=buzz20111026


(Thanks for the link, Audrey!)

Some tunes for the Season...

Another theme...

Donovan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAzTnsSgs2s

Julie Driscoll & Brian Auger
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpizS9h-1Xk

The Vanilla Fudge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwxMVV_EdTM&feature=related

Joan Jett
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNQstm8t17g

RIP Paul Leka, Kiss Him Goobye...

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-paul-leka-20111026,0,7625180.story

Happy Birthday Doonesbury!

Premiered on this date in 1970.

http://www.doonesbury.com/

Happy birthday Natalie Merchant!

http://www.nataliemerchant.com/

Happy National Pretzel Day!

http://www.juliussturgis.com/

Yum!

Happy National Pumpkin Day!

Yum!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Chad Vader's Halloween Seance!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwE3OvkLpJw&feature=player_embedded

I love those guys.

DC's musical olden days

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/taking-a-spin-as-dj-at-the-dc-record-fair/2011/10/24/gIQA8EUXDM_story.html?socialreader_check=0&denied=1

I think I own about 90% of what's mentioned in this article. Ah, memories....

Grandfather's Will....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmLgONR8k9o

(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

Some tunes for the Season...

a theme...

The Rolling Stones
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-PZZug0DSE&feature=related

Jonathan Round
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6mDwFOq9MA

Laibach
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhkvR9uMyU4

Bryan Ferry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZlMilJs5NE

Anniversary of The Charge of the Light Brigade

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

http://www.nationalcenter.org/ChargeoftheLightBrigade.html

Happy World Pasta Day!

Yum!

Monday, October 24, 2011

Some sound advice for parents this Halloween from The Onion...

http://www.theonion.com/video/shelby-cross-teaches-us-how-to-protect-our-childre,26438/

Cool Halloween Light Show!

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

Neat-O!

OH THE HUMANITY!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H17mWrB9RbY&feature=player_embedded

(Thanks for the link and title, Mathew!)

Some tunes for the Season...

Rob Zombie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njloMiAWlrc&ob=av2e

Gene Moss
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axWgowaixS4

Reverend Horton Heat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLn80ZzLqSU&feature=related

The Groovy Ghoulies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1Q2SUMsHFE

Happy Birthday to Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid!

one of my fave movies. Premiered on this date in 1969.

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWTNBRs7Ccs

Happy National Bologna Day!

Yum!

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

Sunday, October 23, 2011

An Evening With Edgar Allen Poe - starring Vincent Price

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzyYzK94UU4

Wonderful!  (Dare I say, Priceless?)

Some tunes for the Season...

Bob McFadden & Dor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTvpQjl8SWw

Ghoultown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssCAdUgkr5A

Carl Bonafede
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOiGc6Ug2S8

Jimmy Dee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQx7KRsrsW4&feature=related

Happy Birthday Ellie Greenwich!

http://www.elliegreenwich.com/

Happy Birthday Weird Al!

http://www.weirdal.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SP9OZ1dos8

Happy All Hallow's Read!

http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2010/10/modest-proposal-that-doesnt-actually.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tYtLeWN5NQ&feature=youtu.be

Happy Birthday Johnny Carson!

http://johnnycarson.com/

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

Saturday, October 22, 2011

A sign of Halloween: The Wolfsbane is blooming at The Manor!




Some tunes for the Season/...

Inkubus Sukkubus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dte-u_lsmdc

The Omen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OkFLdPaoZQ

The Exorcist
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNgyVliUM3c&feature=related

Destroy All Monsters
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FPCHgsvBkw

Some neat links for Halloween

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

Supplied by one of my faves, Count Gore!

Another victim of Catwoman!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2051706/UK-ferry-crash-killed-skipper-caused-crew-chat-Halle-Berry-Catwoman.html

Neat Exo-Robots

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9aeBlU-pvo

Washington's rye whiskey now for sale

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2011/10/22/141589394/drinking-whiskey-in-the-spirit-of-george-washington?sc=nl&cc=nh-20111022

Oh lord, why does it have to be rye? (I've never liked the stuff). I'm not an expert on colonial era distilling and agriculture, and am in no position to question those who are. But I do wonder where the rye comes from? I always associate that grain with more Northern climes, (the Dakotas and Canada) than the mid-Potomac area.

Mars Attacks cards!

https://www.gfg.com/nonsports/marsattacks.shtml

I loved this series, had virtually the whole set, too. Have no idea what happened to it, so bought the reissue that came out 10-20 years ago.

U.S. Marines in Ancient Rome

http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/k067x/could_i_destroy_the_entire_roman_empire_during/c2giwm4

Fun little story.

The Music Typewriter

http://www.etsy.com/listing/80501138/rare-keaton-music-typewriter


Neat-O!

Angry Birds

http://www.eatliver.com/i.php?n=7889

Nice listing of Halloween Happenings around NoVa

http://www.northernvirginiamag.com/halloween-food-wine-activity-guide/

hitler not a vicitm of gas attack

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2051829/Mental-illness-Hitler-blind-British-mustard-gas-attack.html

I've written about this before. It is possibly true, but I remain deeply skeptical. I have read the accusations that the German army handed out iron cross awards like candy, but only recently and strictly in the context of hitler. Why not elsewhere and earlier? And I have read that he was always in the rear areas. But I find that near-impossible to believe. Messengers were used to carry orders and information to and from the front, and between units as the front. That meant running around, not necessarily hunkered down in trenches and bunkers when the cannon started firing, etc. As for being a tea boy, we are presented with two facts from these historians - the one, that Hitler was safe in the rear areas, buttering up officers for awards and what not; secondly, that he suffered an extreme hysterical reaction to this life of comfort and luxury that caused him to become a megalomaniacal leader of millions. Huh?!?
Look, if there is a "I Hate Hitler Club", I want to be a charter member. But that doesn't mean you go around making up stories that almost certainly aren't true. Shit, you really think you need to throw more dirt on this guy's personality??? I think adolf was most likely a good soldier, and earned those medals. The arguments for it make a lot more sense than the arguments against. Like a lot of other guys, he fought in the war, and some of them were just as bad as he was, (although not so lucky later on). It's just one aspect of a huge and ultimately horrible life. Not every second of that life has to demonstrate his utter comtemptability from our point of view.  

RIP Barry Feinstein

https://www.morrisonhotelgallery.com/photographer/default.aspx?photographerID=28

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/21/arts/music/barry-feinstein-photographer-of-defining-rock-portraits-dies-at-80.html

(Thanks for the links, Perry!

Cuttlefish camouflage

http://www.npr.org/blogs/krulwich/2011/10/13/141323332/don-t-mind-me-i-m-not-here-cuttlefish-camouflage?sc=nl&cc=sh-20111022

Steve Jobs Rebooting?

http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Science%2Band%2BTech/Story/A1Story20111018-305668.html

A piece of Lennon

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-15357068

Quantum Levitation demonstrated

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504784_162-20121604-10391705.html?tag=cbsnewsLeadStoriesAreaMain

Neat-O!

WMD

http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/unusual/101811-Man-Allegedly-Beat-Woman-with-Frozen-Armadillo

Tut, tut....

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/uk/man-donates-body-for-mummification-16065339.html

True Gamesmen

http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/878840-scrabble-player-demands-strip-search-at-world-championships

Happy Birthday to She Wore A Yellow Ribbon!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041866/

One of the great U.S. Cavalry movies.  Premiered on this date in 1949.

Happy Birthday N.C. Wyeth!

http://www.ncwyeth.org/

http://www.bpib.com/illustrat/wyeth.htm



One of the great illustrators.

Happy Birthday Bobby Fuller!

http://www.bobbyfuller.net/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1D4s1xOgNg

A horribly under-rated performer.

Happy Birthday Sterile Cuckoo!

One of my all-time favorite movies.  Premiered on this date in '69.  Absolutely bitter sweet and charming.  One of the few movies to accurately capture some of the feel of college romance. 

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

 

Happy National Nut Day!

Yum!

Friday, October 21, 2011

A neat article about Giger and the making of Alien

http://io9.com/5851618/how-hr-gigers-brilliant-madness-helped-make-alien-so-erotic

Fun stuff!

The Honey Badger - He don't give a shit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r7wHMg5Yjg

(Thanks for the link, Ed!)

Zombie Run in C'Ville!

http://www.dangerzombiesrun.com/5k-2011.html


(Thanks for the link, Carol!)

A neat article about Giger and the making of Alien

http://io9.com/5851618/how-hr-gigers-brilliant-madness-helped-make-alien-so-erotic

Fun stuff!

Only Ten Days Until Halloween!

Happy Birthday Manfred Mann!

http://www.manfredmann.co.uk/

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

Happy Birthday Samuel Taylor Coleridge!

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

Happy National Caramel Apple Day!

Yum!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

If at first you don't succeed, try, try, again

http://slatest.slate.com/posts/2011/10/20/harold_camping_october_21_radio_minister_makes_new_end_of_days_p.html?from=rss/&wpisrc=newsletter_slatest

the biggest asshole in DC

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/articles/41650/dan-snyders-green-campaign-complicated-by-yacht-acquisition/

Happy Birthday Art Buchwald

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

A sentimental favorite of mine. A piece of an older DC, now long gone.

Happy Birthday Bela Lugosi!

http://www.lugosi.com/

Happy Birthday Tom Petty!

http://www.tompetty.com/

Happy Birthday Margaret Dumont!

Happy Birthday Carolyne Mas!

http://carolynemas.com/

One of my faves.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Some tunes for the Season

Bobby "Boris" Pickett
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSmq7IgRUfM

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

Zacherley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34hJZHcqNZM&feature=related

Gene Moss
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axWgowaixS4&feature=related

Help Wanted

http://www.happyplace.com/3829/help-wanted-signs-from-people-who-clearly-need-help

I want an albino cyclops shark (with laser beams) for my secret lair,

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44938056/ns/technology_and_science-science/#.Tp82qnKjOuJ

(Thanks for the link, Janet!)

Faces of Fear from the Nightmares Factory!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nightmaresfearfactory/

Some of these are great!


(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

Where The Deep Ones Are

http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2011/10/where-the-deep-ones-are-is-a-fun-halloween-read-but-may-not-be-for-the-little-ones/

Anniversary of the start of The War Of Jenki''s Ear

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_Jenkins%27_Ear

Happy Birthday Tor Johnson!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0426363/

Happy Birthday Trey Parker!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005295/

http://www.southparkstudios.com/

Happy Yorktown Surrender Day!

http://www.nps.gov/yonb/index.htm

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

The Charity

http://www.benefitballsack.com/


(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

Autumn...

It is a perfect October evening here at the Manor. The temperature outside is mild, feels about 60-65. The leaves are changing color and a few are starting to fall. The light breeze captures them and sends them skittering across the street and yard like small alien crabs. The humidity is scaled way back from Summer. I think I detect someone having a fire going about a block away.
I'm too tired to go out, but it's the type of night meant for toodling around Old Town. Although all of my old haunts are long gone. I really miss Mason's, Scotland Yard and Wayfarer's. Time for another bourbon. See ya tomorrow.

Some tunes for the Season

Slant 6 Jumpstarts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUkz5-DRKVU

The Misfits
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HszzIGdMob8

45 Grave
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A8N08mdU9Y

Inkubus Sukkubus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ-qxa6_FnU

The return of Mazzy Star!

http://www.billboard.com/news#/news/mazzy-star-returning-with-new-single-1005417152.story

Fun stuff!

(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

Happy Birthday Bunnyman!

Our local monster. First appeared on this night in 1970. Those first two appearances have blossomed into a major folklore trend in NoVa. The best history of him is here: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/vr/bunny/

For some, shall we say, entertaining views:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-54cB-Ie6s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPiiW4EpjT4&feature=related



The appearances was just down the road from where I'm typing - about two miles from The Manor. And who is to say that he isn't still out there, axe in hand, hippity-hopping his way into your nightmares....

Happy Birthday Laura Nyro!

http://www.lauranyro.com/

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jjdowef1oKE

Happy Birthday Chuck Berry!

Genius. Essential. An American Treasure.

http://www.chuckberry.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsp4VCbVvn4

Monday, October 17, 2011

This year's Double Bastard Ale was released today

http://www.stonebrew.com/doublebastard/

Be Afraid. Be Very Very Afraid....

They grow up so fast...

http://news.yahoo.com/police-mich-man-had-daughter-9-drive-store-170735080.html

Some tunes for the Season

The Tubes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL6h2pss7CQ

Satan's Pilgrims
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SXk1_Ry-FE

Electric Frankenstein
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYp9us_GRos

Dark Shadows
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqo-bLgmbSU

Happy Birthday Hollywood Squares!

Premiered on this date in 1966.

http://www.classicsquares.com/

Happy Birthday Jim Seals!

http://www.sealsandseals.com/

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYBxq3CzrpQ

Happy Birthday Tom Poston!

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

Happy National Pasta Day!

Yum!

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Some tunes for the Season

Concrete Blonde
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lf4_5zoXNc

Roky Erickson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZV1bwMX7bw

David Bromberg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJVC8huyLLU

Screamin' Jay Hawkins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKd4EpQPRbg

I want one with a ejector seat and tire slashing axles!

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=141326290&ft=1&f=

Ladies - Drink Up!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2049191/Older-women-guard-osteoporosis-drinking-beer.html

Happy Birthday Nico!

http://smironne.free.fr/NICO/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjjDmX9Tkss

Happy Dictionary Day!

http://holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/October/dictionaryday.htm


http://www.lexrex.com/bios/nwebster.htm

Happy National Liqueur Day!

Yum!

Happy World Food Day!

http://www.worldfooddayusa.org/

Saturday, October 15, 2011

The Three Wisemen Flask

http://www.baronbob.com/three-wisemen-flask.htm

Arrr!

http://www.stickergiant.com/got-grog_u2054.html

Some tunes for the Season

Payne's Gray
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L476-gpHYTc

The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak3lgdNetJM

Rocky Horror
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rtkdo7bOmJc&feature=fvwrel

Harry Belafonte
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83j3FreaPlM

Remidner - check out Gothtober

http://www.gothtober.com/

A neat little film every day in October.

I'd rather bid on his brass balls

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/13/saddam-husseins-buttock-auction_n_1008914.html

Stand Up For Your Rights!

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Vancouver+restaurant+peeing+standing+creates+stir/5539858/story.html

Moss Man!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/12/gregory-liascos-moss-man_n_1007374.html#s270945&title=Gregory_Liascos

Bring out yer dead....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15278366

The crooked forest

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2047406/The-crooked-forest-Fantasy-woodland-come-straight-fairytale.html

Realism in a zombie movie

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15268321

Get A Life!

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3859149/Superfan.html

A repeat request

As we get into October, the local media can be expected to post a couple articles about local ghost stories, folklore and monsters. I try to collect these. If you see one for the greater DC region, (say, within a hundred miles of the Capitol), I'd appreciate it if you'd let me know (send me the link). Most of you know my email address. If not, just post it in the comments section and I'll be sure to pick up on it. Thanks.
And if you're interested in such tales, please check out my other blog Magick Theatre, for whatever I find interesting dealing with mysticism, the occult, parapsychology, folklore, and whatnot.
http://magicktheatre.blogspot.com/

Story of the week

http://www.koco.com/r/29485626/detail.html

The WWII Thankyou Note

http://www.chron.com/default/article/Thank-you-cards-from-China-pose-mystery-for-WWII-2217926.php

Curious little story.

Tellers of Weird Tales

http://tellersofweirdtales.blogspot.com/

A new (to me) blog devoted to the authors found in Weird Tales magazine.  This looks really good!

New Clark Ashton Smith on the way!

https://secure.grantbooks.com/z-titles-Averoigne-Chronicles.html

New book on germany's 'rocket soldiers'

http://www.thetatteredflag.com/our-books/51.html

Should be interesting;  not a lot, (in English) on this topic.

Happy National Roast Pheasant Day!

Yum!

Haven't had roast pheasant in decades.  There used to be a lovely little Scottish restaurant in Old Town that served it, (Scotland Yard - long gone, now).  That was a regular hangout for Linda and I back when we were dating, and I proposed there.  Yup, I definitely like pheasant.

(Un)Happy National Grouch Day!

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

Friday, October 14, 2011

Autumn...

The leaves are starting to change color, here at the Manor.  Interestingly, some are going straight to brown.  I consider this unusual because of all the rain we've had.  Perhaps too much water affects the colorization of some species as much as drought.  At any rate, its' kind of neat when the breeze catches the  just right and the leaves go skittering across the road like some sort of manic arachnid.
In addition, the wolfsbane is just starting to bloom.  The rain has affect it, too.  The rot is setting in, and I don't see how we'll get much this year.  Just enough to keep the werewolves at bay, I'd guess.

WOO HOO! Tours at A. Smith Bowman Distillery are finally available!

http://www.northernvirginiamag.com/gut-check/2011/10/13/historic-bourbon-producer-a-smith-bowman-to-offer-distillery-tours/

The home of Virginia Gentleman Bourbon.  Essential to modern living.

Some tunes for the Season

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

The Rolling Stones
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLddJ1WceHQ

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

The Eagles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVXqocPAz1k

Happy World Egg Day!

Yum!

https://www.internationalegg.com/corporate/eggindustry/section.asp?id=26

Happy Birthday Justin Hayward!

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

http://www.justinhayward.com/

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Some tunes for the Season

Rocky Horror
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5MHNvOVl8Y

Alice Cooper
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYQmA71noFc

The Ramones
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6GzVCYqoyY

Coven
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZlgRf4ec1c

MORE American wussies: freedom of speech is okay, unless it's the Eagles

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Eagles-players-defend-asking-fans-to-take-down-a?urn=nfl-wp9494

I have to say, that it's a thing of beauty.  Almost brings a tear to my eye.  Here, DC has the biggest asshole in town owning the Redskins, alienating as many people as possible, being a complete jerk; and Philly sees fit to try to take some of the pressure off by bullying people, saying "free speech is okay, as long as it doesn't involve anything I disagree with".  It's interesting to see how these two waaaay overpaid thugs are so easily hurt/disturbed/diverted by one little sign.  A couple more prissy American snowflake wussies.  I know they can beat the shit out of me.  Most genetic freaks can.  Big fucking deal.  Nevertheless, I'll always be tougher than they can ever dream of.  Well done, Eagles!  Freedom lovers and tough guys everywhere give you the finger!

E.A. Poe celebrations to aid the Poe House in Baltimore

http://www.poebicentennial.com/

The loving maternal side of The Onion

http://www.theonion.com/articles/ant-born,4238/

Happy Birthday Lenny Bruce!

http://www.lennybruceofficial.com/

Happy Birthday Paul Simon!

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

Happy Birthday John Ford Coley!

http://www.johnfordcoley.com/

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Wuss America

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/r/29448885/detail.html

We are the lamest baby-assed wusses on the planet.  Snowflakes.  A fucking nation of delicate, wilting, snowflakes.  Sheesh!



(Thanks for the link, Carol!)

Eddie Munster's in Luray this weekend!

http://www.darkwoodmanor.net/butchpatrick.html

The ultimate home defense against Zombies!



(Thanks for the pic, Missy!)

Night of the Living Cupcakes!

http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/holidays/halloween/zombie-cupcakes?mbid=RF

So cute!


(Thanks for the link, Tom!)

A cute wedding proposal

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2OKESq/www.youtube.com/watch%253Fv%253DpnVAE91E7kM

(Thanks for the link, Audrey!)

Some tunes for the Season

Rob Zombie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvsMPOfblfg

Jimmy Dee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQx7KRsrsW4

Round Robin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZOh2ChXOOg&feature=related

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

Happy Birthday Love Happy!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041604/

The last Marx Brothers film. Premiered on this date in 1949.

Happy Old Farmers Day!

http://holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/October/oldfarmersday.htm

Happy Birthday Sam Moore!

http://sammoore.net/

Happy Birthday Melvin Franklin!

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s3SNHIH0bs

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Hmmm, attacking people for dancing

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=209&sid=2585534

Golly - I think we have the first Methodist Super Hero!

Zombie Preparedness Center - the cutting edge of hardware stores!

http://www.westlakehardware.com/specialties/zombies

Cute idea!


(Thanks for the link, John!)

Some tunes for the Season

Classics IV
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUf4F9VXo_s

Ozzy Osbourne
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdlS7tab5rQ

Jack & Jim
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEbj7YeMsAg

Leroy Bowman & The Arrows
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyvPJsxUDJM

Happy It's My Party Day!

http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/October/itsmypartyday.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsYJyVEUaC4

Happy Birthday Mike Nelson!

Genius. Essential.

http://www.michaeljnelson.com/home/

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0625621/

http://www.mst3kinfo.com/

Happy Birthday To Have And Have Not!

One of my fave movies.  The film that made Lauren Bacall a star.  Premiered on this date in 1944.

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

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Have_and_Have_Not_%28film%29

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

Happy Birthday Saturday Night Live!

Premiered on this date in '75.

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

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

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

http://snl.jt.org/

Happy National Sausage Pizza Day!

Yum!

http://www.crozetpizza.net/

Happy Pulaski Memorial Day!

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

http://www.polishamericancenter.org/Pulaski.htm

A Patriot.

Only 20 Days Until Halloween!

Monday, October 10, 2011

Tee Hee!

http://www.hulu.com/watch/287102/saturday-night-live-bruce-springsteen-dvd-set?from=fb_share

Some tunes for the Season

David & Jad Fair
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSVAp5RAEgo

Big Crosby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iTsH0m6M-E

Jackie Morningstar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaOfVDxsYSI

Carol Bonafede
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2ACFKst0tI

Obinomics

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/10/us/recession-officially-over-us-incomes-kept-falling.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha2

The headlines says it all. It's only a recession if the top 1% aren't being shoveled money by the government. If the rest of us are hurting, it's "Happy Days Are Here Again".

Happy Birthday Kirsty MacColl!

http://www.kirstymaccoll.com/

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

Happy Birthday Diamond Dave!

http://www.dlrarmy.com/

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsC7oEjCHAM

Happy Birthday Ed Wood!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000248/

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

Happy Columbus Day!

Well, unless you're an Indian....

Sunday, October 09, 2011

Some tunes for the Season

Blue Oyster Cult
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhRjyLLUdhw&feature=fvst

Arthur Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8yYUbKYkO0&feature=related

Graham Parker
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPvau0RBYPk

Bauhaus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKRJfIPiJGY

What if Dr. Seuss wrote The Call Of Cthulhu?

http://io9.com/5847879/what-if-dr-seuss-wrote-the-call-of-cthulhu

This...is...wonderful!

(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

Growing Up In Alexandria

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6fNdcFgYiA&feature=share

Someone's put together a nice collection of photos and postcards from the past. My Hometown...

The Mini Band takes on Metallica!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6CPHnZV0K-k

So cute!

(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

Happy Leif Erikson Day!

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

Happy Birthday Jackson Browne!

http://www.jacksonbrowne.com/

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

Happy Birthday John Entwistle!

http://www.johnentwistle.com/

Happy Birthday John!

http://www.johnlennon.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKHA2AGbXtI

Happy National Submarine-Hoagie-Hero-Grinder Day!

Yum!

Saturday, October 08, 2011

Some tunes for the Season

Paul Roland
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNG-J2-xHEE

AC/DC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_5kv8QeBBc

Coven
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa6PjTZVZvg&feature=related

Lambert, Hendricks & Ross
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiZzOtUG77I

A new edition of Count Gore is online!

http://countgore.com/gore/index.html

I just love this guy. Absolutely essential, particularly at this time of year.

Burglars who enforce the law

http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/06/us/california-robbery-porn-bust/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

(Thanks for the link,Dennis!)

But what will they put on their Freedom Fries?

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/the-hot-button/pas-de-ketchup-france-bans-condiment-in-schools/article2194364/

(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

Imagine...

Released on this date in 1971...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b7qaSxuZUg

Friday, October 07, 2011

Bravo!

http://gawker.com/5847338

Actually, as a human being, I think Jobs was nothing more than a huge turd. I hate the whole planned obsolescense, exclusivity-ridden, monolithic me-or-hit-the-highway attitude of what in the end is a just a bunch of tools. And I hate his cult-like marketing, his treatment of his daughter, and the fact that he's treated as a martyr by all the tech drones. He was VERY well paid for whatever giggles he brought to your life. Too well paid. You don't owe him anything - you've paid it already, in the only way that he understood, money and megalomaniacal theatre.He was just another businessman, when all is said and done, and like most of the biggest ones, he made some popular products, and he was a total asshole and a selfish, childish little prick.  And don't give me all that bullshit about changing the world.  Listen, sonny, the world ain't changed all that much.  Trust me.  You want a hero?  You want earth shattering change?  You want someone you can cry over?  Then take the hint offered in the above article and look up the death of Fred Shuttlesworth.  He wasn't a billionaire, and he didn't have a bunch of asperger's brats beating off to his photograph.  He's the real deal.



http://gawker.com/5847344/what-everyone-is-too-polite-to-say-about-steve-jobs

Grow your own bicycle

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15198952

The ultimate ski resort

http://www.discoveryon.info/2011/10/saturns-moon-enceladus-best-ski-resort-in-space.html

You can put the umbrella away

http://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2011/09/30/there-may-be-fewer-dangerous-asteroids-than-previously-thought/

Arthur Dent is a suspect

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/crime/horden_takeaway_thief_flees_out_of_the_back_door_while_delivery_man_waits_at_the_front_1_3850897

iPhone is talking out of its ass

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-20116165-71/apples-siri-is-apples-buttocks-in-japan/?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20

Klingon VS Dyslexia

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-15122597

A tool-using fish

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44720548/ns/technology_and_science-science/#.To9H0HIlR2I

Pretty neat!

Mowing the yard at Halloween...

http://www.live5news.com/story/15617975/graphic-halloween-decoration-spurs-911-call

Does this resignation mean that he lacked political support?

http://www.wistv.com/story/15612731/mass-official-who-performed-bra-trick-resigns

An underwater invisibility cloak

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/10/invisibility-cloak-mirage/

I suspect this will be viewed quite carefully for military applications...

The cutting edge of cheesecake

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2044836/The-reason-ugly-Marilyn-Monroe-statue-She-protects-rain.html

My one-stop shopping store!

http://www.worldsbiggests.com/2011/09/worlds-largest-voodoo-market-togo.html

More on the intelligence of crows

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20111003p2g00m0dm076000c.html

The Ultimate Rock Tour - On The Road

http://www.gadling.com/2011/10/02/its-a-band-on-a-motorcycle-in-russia/

The monarchist

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/8802614/Royal-family-obsessives-body-lay-near-Buckingham-Palace-for-years.html

For all of you vampire hunters out there...

http://www.perpetualkid.com/vampire-repelling-garlic-mints.aspx

A neat article and interview with Brian Wilson

http://www.jazzwax.com/2011/10/interview-brian-wilson.html

Neat stuff!

(Thanks for the link, Erik!)

RIP Bert Jansch

http://www.kansascity.com/2011/10/06/3191524/folk-legend-bert-jansch-dies-at.html


(Thanks for the link, Perry!)

Steve Jobs=Cthulhu

http://raincoaster.com/2008/03/18/steve-jobs-cthulhu/

Could be...


(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

Some tunes for the Season

The Stranglers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hGSevc9gD4&feature=fvst

The Revillos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFuisF2JGz0

The Dead Elvi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCDmG7vy-Mg

The Electric Hellfire Club
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kj3en1H1jX0

Happy birthday John Mellencamp!

http://www.mellencamp.com/

Thursday, October 06, 2011

The Amish Threat

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2011/10/ohio_amish_unde.php

Great food, but batshit crazy...

(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

The DC Record Fair returns on 10/23!

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2011/10/06/d-c-record-fair-returns-on-oct-23/

Very cool!


(Thanks for the link, Erik!)

Some tunes for the Season

Hugh Cornwell & Robert Williams
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLkSJCkYqpI

Van Halen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1uz_aDo0YA

Tarantula Ghouls & Her Gravediggers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wj_lxFAVhM

Screaming Lord Sutch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2ZsWENob1s

Happy Mad Hatter Day!

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

Happy Ivy Day!

http://www.gradesaver.com/dubliners/study-guide/section12/

Happy National Noodle Day!

Yum!

Wednesday, October 05, 2011

A benenfit to save the Poe House

http://rockondc.blogspot.com/2011/10/poe-slept-here.html

Some tunes for the Season

Black Sabbath
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytwY-atTfpM

Alice Cooper
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fxy9-Em2z68

Cream
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hftgytmgQgE

The Sonics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMtk5Lor_0E

The best way to get a flu shot

http://www.bestdurangocoloradovacations.com/2011/10/05/ska-brewing-is-now-offering-flu-shots.aspx

Very cool. I've not visited this brewpub, (yet), but Durango is one of my all-time fave places on Earth.

Love Me Do

The Beatles first single was released on this date (in the UK) in 1962.

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

Happy Birthday Monty Python's Flying Circus!

Brilliant. Essential.

http://pythonline.com/

http://www.intriguing.com/mp/

http://www.montypython.net/

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

Happy Birthday to You Bet Your Life!

The TV show premiered on this date in 1950. Fun stuff!

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

Tuesday, October 04, 2011

Spock's Last Con

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/44761219/ns/today-entertainment/#.ToupEnIlR2I

RIP Robert "Butcher Cover" Whitaker

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-robert-whitaker-20111003,0,3816120.story

Some tunes for the Season

Roky Erickson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PJ21m2PfhU

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

Cliff Richards
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yosCYE4vwlY

Blue Oyster Cult
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiHRm2DioMA

I met a girl who sang the Blues, and I asked her for some happy news....

But she just smiled and turned away....   Janis died on this date in 1970...

Happy Birthday Sputnik!

Launched on this date in 1957.

http://www.nasm.si.edu/exhibitions/gal100/sputnik.html

Happy Birthday Buster Keaton!

http://www.busterkeaton.com/

Happy National Taco Day!

Yum!

Monday, October 03, 2011

new job!

Just started a new job, dear readers, so postings are going to get a bit sparse for a little while until I get my schedule figured out.

Some tunes for the Season

Heart
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uvr3dmptvg

Redbone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHEuSGGmX-c

Oingo Boingo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnjDuqOYPlw

Whodini
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mNnr-R90xo

Happy Birthday MythBusters!

Premiered on this date in 2003.

http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/mythbusters/

Happy Birthday to The Dick Van Dyke Show!

Brilliant, Essential.  Considered by many, including myself, to be the best sitcom - ever.  Premiered on this date in '61.

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

http://www.hulu.com/the-dick-van-dyke-show

Happy Birthday Maltese Falcon!

Premiered on this date in 1941.  Brilliant, and Essential.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033870/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRSCV2qc2IY

Happy Birthday Captain Kangaroo!

Premiered on this date in 1955.

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

Happy Birthday Charles "Ming the Merciless" Middleton!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0585481/

My ultimate mentor in management skills.

Happy Birthday Eddie Cochran!

http://www.eddiecochran.info/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeWC59FJqGc

One of my faves.  I love this guy.  Brilliant. 

Happy Birthday Lindsey Buckingham!

http://lindseybuckingham.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GE7sGbnbqxk

Sunday, October 02, 2011

HA! Take that, digital world!!!

http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2008/05/turn-your-old-cds-and-dvd.html

This is wonderful!  I am reminded of when CD's first came out, when I was working at the record store.  I had one guy return one, complaining that it wouldn't track on his turntable, (True Story!).  I gently and calmly explained him to the reality of the situation....


(Thanks for the link, Erik!)

a neat yard haunt in Denver

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

I love stuff like this!

10 Halloween Movies For Kids

http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2011/10/top-10-halloween-movies-for-younger-kids-geekdad-re-animator-2/

The list seems a little broad to me.  But, in keeping with it, I'd add Disney's Aladdin, as well as Fantasia.  I'd also include the various Abbott and Costello monster movies, (particularly Frankenstein, and including the Invisible Man, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, and the Mummy); and Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, 

I love relieveing the stupid rich of their money

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-expensive-tv-20111001,0,7871168.story

I know that it's obscene opulence, but it's also a nice way for some techies to relieve vapid millionaires of 100K+, just so that they can watch the same crappy reruns of Wealth TV looking at last year's yachts at Monte Carlo.  Bravo, guys!

BWAHAHAHAHA!

http://www.upi.com/News_Photos/Features/2011-Iran-Defense-Week/5682/?spt=rcc%E2%8A%A6=on

The Persians always seem to find as much influence from Monty Python as they do from allah, (as this oldie but goody confirms: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfQkKvC_sM0).

Tee Hee!

http://www.space.com/13141-china-space-lab-launch-america-beautiful-song.html

I suspect the real reason that the song was used was because all of the technology on this craft was purchased or stolen from the U.S....

Dark Classics

http://darkclassics.blogspot.com/

A wonderful blog devoted to dark art.

Some tunes for the Season

Alice Cooper
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAnayUpbJYs

Dave Edmunds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-sSXCaTkVU

The Cramps
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrbTkNwbUz8

Santana
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaKnRUfh_5I&feature=related

A new Black Adder Series?!?!

http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2011/10/01/rowan-atkinson-hints-at-a-fifth-series-of-blackadder-115875-23458128/

An article about some Halloween programming on TV this month

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/smallscreen/news/article_1666229.php/Halloween-Themed-Movie-Marathons-Episodes--Specials-for-Oct-2011

Count Gore De Vol

http://countgore.com/gore/index.html

My fave Ghost Host, and a DC legend. His site was the first devoted to hosting horror movies online, and remains an ESSENTIAL for anyone interested in the genre. Besides films, (both mainstream and independent), it features reviews and postings on conventions, books, music and just about anything else devoted to horror, monsters and fantasy. It's wonderful, it's updated (at least) weekly, and I can't recommend it too much.

Some tunes for the Season

The Cramps
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fM4yY4L6mFM

The Doors
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGYfIx5SPhU

The Shaggs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InpCzx5OQRU

Loudon Wainwright III
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDIIFhSp1mU

Happy Birthday Peanuts!

The strip premiered on this date in 1950.

http://peanuts.com/

http://www.comicartville.com/peanutscomics.htm

Happy Birthday Twilight Zone!

Premiered on this date in 1959. Genius. Essential.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052520/

http://www.twilightzone.org/

Happy Birthday Bud Abbott!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0007941/

http://www.abbottandcostello.net/

Happy Birthday Groucho!

My fave. Genius. Essential. A National Treasure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ikEBwdlmD8&feature=related

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

http://www.marx-brothers.org/biography/groucho.htm

Happy National Fried Scallops Day!

Yum!

Happy Intergeneration Day!

http://www.intergenerationday.org/

Saturday, October 01, 2011

When Light Breaks Free

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BnVtz92Ius

A wonderful little animated film.

(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

'Season 8' Buffy on DVD!

http://whatculture.com/comps/win-buffy-the-vampire-slayer-season-8-motion-comics-dvd.php

Goths banned from 'Dracula's cemetary'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8798943/Goths-banned-from-Dracula-graveyard.html


If they're being destructive, so be it.  But the idea that taking photos in a graveyard is somehow naughty seems the height of wussiness.  Don't come to Arlington, mates, you'll be shocked shitless at all the pictures being taken. 

Some tunes for the Season

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

Paul Roland
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQ8F4VqoD4E

Alice Cooper
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u7H6Rk_59M

Inkubus Sukkubus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2D6C2IC1U0

Happy Birthday, American Pie!

I'm actually not quite sure on the exact date of release, but know that it was in October of 1971.  One of my fave songs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tr-BYVeCv6U

Happy Birthday to The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson!

Premiered on this date in 1962.  Essential.

http://johnnycarson.com/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055708/

Happy Birthday Dave Arneson!

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

A True Gamesman and a genius. 

Happy Birthday James Lawrence!

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

A Patriot.

Happy National Homemade Cookies Day!

Yum!

Only 30 Days Until Halloween!