Halloween Chainsaw Massacre

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLJCE1a7PYs&feature=related

This is soooo me....

The Haunted Dibbuk Box

http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/the-true-story-of-the-haunted-dibbuk-box-that-became-the-possession/


Fun stuff!  I love tales like this.


(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

Happy Birthday James Coburn!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000336/

Happy Birthday Glenn Tilbrook!

http://www.glenntilbrook.com/

Happy Birthday Van Morrison!

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

Dog Shaming

http://dog-shaming.com/

Very cute!


(Thanks for the link, Ed!)

I'm updating my resume...

http://www.colombopage.com/archive_12A/Aug28_1346132336CH.php

The return of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along!

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118058455

Headline of the Day

http://www.wtop.com//681/3014509/Boy-strikes-gold-with-rare-whale-vomit-VIDEO

Happy Birthday Lewis Black!

http://lewisblack.com/

Happy Birthday Frnak Conniff!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0175239/

Happy Birthday John Phillips!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Phillips_%28musician%29

Happy Birthday Joan Blondell!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000951/

Happy Birthday Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley!

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

Happy National Toasted Marshmallow Day!

Yum!

We're #1! We're #1!

http://washingtonexaminer.com/study-d.c.-drivers-worst-in-nation/article/2506263#.UD5eGaCt2q1

And then there were Three....

Today is the anniversary of George joining John and Paul in the Quarrymen in 1958.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Quarrymen

Happy Birthday Elliott Gould!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001285/

On less 'Bigfoot'

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/28/13516181-man-killed-during-alleged-bigfoot-stunt?lite

I know there have been a variety of hoaxers over the years.  I'm somewhat surprised none have ever been shot by hunters/poachers/property owners, etc.


(Thanks for the link, Ed & Dennis!)

Steampunk Empire Building Game

http://www.gaslampgames.com/2012/08/27/clockwork-empires-the-press-release/

Normally, I'm not much into computer gaming.  But this sounds like fun!

(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

Happy Birthday Animal Crackers!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0020640/

Premiered on this date in 1930.

Happy Birthday J.S. Le Fanu!

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

Happy Birthday Jack Vance!

http://www.jackvance.com/

Brain "Hacking"

http://seattle.cbslocal.com/2012/08/25/scientists-successfully-hack-brain-to-obtain-private-data/

Actually, it sounds like a more sophisticated version of the old fashioned lie detectors, (which serious research has shown to be almost worthless).  But I have a sneaky suspicion that someone who is prepared can fool it.  The question is whether or not you'll know when such analysis is occurring...


(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

Putey's chasing girls

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/26/pussy-riot-members-escape-russia_n_1831087.html
Authoritarians are so pathetic...

Cookie Monster's cookie recipe

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2012/08/cookie-monsters-original-cookie-recipe-recovered/

Magical Mystery Tour to be re-released!

http://www.goldminemag.com/features/beatles-restored-magical-mystery-tour-arrives-in-u-s-oct-9

Curiosities on Mars

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48783029/ns/technology_and_science-science/#.UDpJSaCt2q1

The cutest little moth that you're going to see all day

http://karlshuker.blogspot.com/2012/08/mystery-of-venezuelan-poodle-moth-have.html

Werewolf News!

http://lindagodfrey.com/2012/08/25/new-reports-of-old-upright-canine-sightings/

Zombie-proof architecture...

http://www.economist.com/blogs/prospero/2012/08/zombie-proof-architecture

WMD

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/newzealand/9493730/Man-who-assaulted-wife-with-ostrich-egg-jailed-for-six-months.html

The cutting edge of routers

http://media.smh.com.au/selections/in-israel-tourists-get-wifi-via-donkeys-3576097.html

At least Bradbury's name made it to Mars

http://www.latimes.com/features/books/jacketcopy/la-jc-curiosity-landing-site-on-mars-named-for-ray-bradbury-20120822,0,2057591.story

A museum devoted to Tesla

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/aug/22/nikola-tesla-museum-campaign-fundraising-target

About time...

Bonobo's enter the flint age...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/blog/2012/aug/22/bonobo-kanzi-flint-tools-logs

I would have to agree with the question posed in the article - would this learning occur without human intervention?

Hail, and Braaains, To The Chief!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturepicturegalleries/9490412/A-Zombie-enters-the-race-to-become-the-next-President-of-the-United-States.html?frame=2316130

A new theory on spontaneous human combustion

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Home/Professor-gets-crackling-on-human-combustion-theory-21082012.htm

The Hunger....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19332091

The Wide World of Sports!

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/garbage-world-cup-staged-germany-120414660.html

Diet Plan

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2190541/Graham-Fisher-23-stone-cannibal-killed-women-given-gastric-band-operation-NHS-worth-15-000.html

The Cold War Tunnel

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-20/cold-war-spy-tunnel-under-berlin-found-after-56-years.html
An interesting footnote to the 50's.

New book on Thracian magic and folklore

http://avaloniabooks.co.uk/catalogue/hellenismos/thracian-magic

Happy Birthday Shirley Manson!

http://shirley-manson.org/

RIP Neil Armstrong

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/neil-armstrong-first-man-to-step-on-the-moon-dies-at-82/2012/08/25/7091c8bc-412d-11e0-a16f-4c3fe0fd37f0_story.html

Japanese machinations in Baja!

http://the-wanderling.com/submarines.html

This is fascinating stuff, if true.  I would advise caution, however.  I, for one, find it highly believable that there would have been Japanese submarines going out on reconnaissance missions all over the Pacific.  I can even see some tentative steps taken "test the waters' for certain bases, etc.  But those things are totally different form the reality of setting up a base, even a small one, and keeping it supplied ( and secret?).  Any Japanese presence in Baja I believe would have a half life of about one month after 12/7/1941.  something from there or the Galapagos would be a one shot deal, at best.  As for Germany being involved - I just don't see it.  Not at that date.  Later on, there was a rather daring plan, however, that would make a great what-if movie or novel:  The Japanese had developed a sea bomber that could be carted up and packed on the submarines.  They'd sail to somewhere off the coast of Baja, uncrate the planes, have them fly off on a one way trip to bomb the Texas oil fields, crash land in the Gulf of Mexico, where the pilots would (supposedly) be picked up by u-boats.  Understandably, the logistics were a nightmare, and the plan never came off.
For an interesting take on the whole secret Japanese base to bomb the Panama Canal idea - check out Bogart in Across The Pacific.  One of my fave movies!



(Thanks for the link, Tony!)

Star Trek soundtrack collection being released

http://www.starpulse.com/news/Sherrill_Fulghum/2012/08/24/comprehensive_star_trek_cd_collection_

Mix McCartney!

http://www.paulmccartney.com/web/guest/rude-studio#
Fun stuff!

(Thanks for the link, Perry!)

Happy Birthday Born To Run!

Released on this date in 1975.  Part of my DNA...

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

Happy Birthday Monster Mash!

The National Anthem of Halloween.  First released on this date in 1962.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0R_oDEvYUY

Happy Birthday Sean Connery!

http://www.seanconnery.com/

Happy Birthday Elvis Costello!

http://www.elviscostello.com/

Happy Birthday Tim Burton!

http://www.timburtoncollective.com/

A cute little sound documentary on the Firesign Theatre

http://soundcloud.com/uhclem-1/firesign-theatre-documentary

Anniversary of the Battle of Bladensburg

In my opinion, the worst defeat, and the worst fought battle, in U.S. history - ever.  You won't hear about this one in your classrooms...

http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/battles_bladensburg.html

Happy Birthday Niagara!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niagara_%28artist%29

Luke Skywalker Lives!

http://dsc.discovery.com/gear-gadgets/star-wars-speederbike-in-real-life-aerofex-hover-bike-flies-the-mojave.html#mkcpgn=fbdsc17

(Thanks for the link and title, Dennis!)

Samuel Silva's Ink Drawings

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/23/samuel-silvas-amazing-pho_n_1822572.html#slide=1416361

Amazing!


(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

Wuss Irish

http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2012/08/23/the-debate-should-those-offended-by-jokes-be-offered-compensation/

I'm curious when the "Right To Not Be Offended" came into being?  I must have missed it.  I'd be the richest dude on the planet if I could win such lawsuits every time I got pissed off about something someone said. 

The cutting edge of art restoration

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/elderly-woman-destroys-19th-century-fresco-do-it-herself-restoration-attempt-article-1.1142772
The new version sort of reminds me of those illustrations of the kids with the huge eyes that were a minor fad in the early 70's...


(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

We're #2!

http://www.wtop.com//41/3003564/Two-local-airports-named-in-list-of-worst-for-delays

May the Oolong Be With You...

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/ed08/?cpg=45564020&msg_id=45564020&et_rid=909235805&linkid=45564020_headline_ed08

Happy Birthday to The Big Sleep!

Premiered on this date in 1946.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038355/

Happy Birthday Mark Russell!

http://www.markrussell.net/

Happy Birthday Keith Moon!

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

Happy Birthday Gene Kelly!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000037/

Happy Birthday Oliver Perry!

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

Happy Birthday Dorothy Parker!

http://www.dorothyparker.com/


Genius.  Essential.

Happy Birthday John Lee Hooker!

http://www.johnleehooker.com/home.htm

As I reach for my walker and oxygen bottle....

http://www2.nbc17.com/news/2012/aug/21/beloit-colleges-mindset-list-class-2016-ar-2535971/

(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

History in 2 minutes

http://marcbrecy.perso.neuf.fr/history.html
Interesting collection, (sort of an American-centric one).


(Thanks for the link, Audrey!)

Happy Birthday Joe Strummer!

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

Happy Birthday Jackie DeShannon!

http://www.jackiedeshannon.com/

Happy Birthday Friz Freleng!

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

Old Ironsides Does It Again!

http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=131682

(Thanks for the link and title, Dennis!)

I will live forever!

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/08/20/scientists-find-miracle-molecule-in-red-wine-blueberries/
In fact, I think I'll uncork a few extra years' worth right now!

Christmas Story 2?!?!?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/celebritology/post/a-christmas-story-2-actually-happened/2012/08/15/0737d4da-e715-11e1-a3d2-2a05679928ef_blog.html
This is sacrilege, pure and simple.  The fact that they don't dare release this dreck to real live audiences already tells you enough about it...

RIP Phyllis Diller

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/entertainment&id=8780251

Happy Birthday Robert Plant!

http://www.robertplant.com/

Happy Birthday Phil Lynott!

http://www.philip-lynott.com/

Happy Birthday H.P. Lovecraft!

http://www.hplovecraft.com/

Happy Birthday Isaac Hayes!

http://www.isaachayes.com/

Happy Birthday Ginger Baker!

http://www.gingerbaker.com/

Happy National Lemonade Day!

Yum!

The Return of NecronomiCon!!!

http://necronomicon-providence.com/

It's been about thirteen years since the last one.  I've never had so much fun at a Convention as I've had at this one.  It is absolutely ESSENTIAL for all Cthulhu Cultists! I just hope that they have a Sunday morning Prayer Breakfast like the one I attended many years ago - a Classic!

RIP Scott McKenzie

http://www.noise11.com/news/scott-mckenzie-dies-at-72-20120819

Tales of the Whipped Cream Lady

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018926566_whippedcreamlady16m.html

Fun stuff!

RIP William Windom

http://www.tvmediainsights.com/2012/08/remembering-william-windom/

Behind the Scenes of Frankenstein, 1930-1939

http://www.retronaut.co/2012/08/behind-the-scenes-of-frankenstein-1931-1939/

Neat-o!

The Legend of Black Aggie

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/black-aggie-from-baltimore-to-washington/2012/08/17/54cef546-e7da-11e1-936a-b801f1abab19_story.html

This statue, (both the original and the knock-off) form a tidy little body of folklore in the Baltimore and Washington region. 


(Thanks for the link, Edmund!)

A great article and remembrance of Karl Wagner

http://www.popcultmag.com/obsessions/profilesingreatness/karlwagner/wagner01.html


One of my fave authors.

New (to me) site for Halloween art

http://www.spookytimejingles.com/

"It was easy", he said offhandedly...

http://news.yahoo.com/photos/man-builds-himself-bionic-hands-slideshow/bionic-hands-photo-1345045308.html

Alert Steve McQueen!

http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/scotlandfeatures/4487849/Unidentified-Fluid-Object-baffles-Scots-boffins.html

Crash Test Cows

http://media.smh.com.au/technology/tech-talk/crash-test-cow-3556422.html

Prepare the Microsoft jokes!

http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/top-news/technology/240698669?client_source=feed&format=rss&sb=1

Tee Hee!

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/08/14/158773637/leader-of-anti-semitic-party-in-hungary-discovers-hes-jewish


I love when this stuff happens!

Nothing To Declare...

http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/908066-drunk-tourist-who-fell-asleep-on-airport-baggage-belt-is-x-rayed

The military's reconnaissance worm

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-19200285

The cutting edge of near-death experience research...

http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/08/09/delaware-doctor-jailed-after-being-accused-of-waterboarding-11-year-old-daughter/

China is one step away from enjoying Mexican Wrestling...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2189877/Meet-Face-Kini-latest-craze-hit-Chinas-beaches-bathers-wear-masks-beat-suns-harmful-rays.html?ICO=most_read_module

The Martian 'Blotch'

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/space-junkies-try-explain-mysterious-image-photo-mars-190419541.html


I believe we have the beginnings of a new sci-fi movie, here...

The revenge of Sauron!

http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/907878-lord-of-the-rings-park-left-covered-in-volcanic-ash

The Missing Link!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/08/mystery-fish-falls-from-tree_n_1757337.html?utm_hp_ref=weird-news


At last - the proof that I've been searching for!  Clearly, birds evolved from fish!  Forget all that feathered dinosaur crap.  I've always suspected that flying fish were a better Darwinian link. For years now, I've been flinging goldfish high up in the air, hoping that their natural instincts and abilities would manifest - but to no avail.  I now see my problem - I was using the wrong species, (clearly, carp are an evolutionary dead-end), and should have concentrated on cichlids!

Gimme That Old Time Religion!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/08/james-crittenden-lit-toilet-on-fire-religious-reasons_n_1755569.html?utm_hp_ref=weird-news

The rejected "Strangelove" Trailer

http://gregmitchellwriter.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-rejected-strangelove-trailer.html


A cute little bit of film history trivia.

Death by Imagination?

http://www.strangehistory.net/2012/08/19/capital-punishment-cobblers/

Call Girl Of Cthulhu

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1972109475/call-girl-of-cthulhu-a-lovecraft-inspired-horror-f

Happy Birthday Ginger Baker!

http://www.gingerbaker.com/

Happy Birthday Gene Roddenberry!

http://www.roddenberry.com/corporate-gene-biography

Happy National Hot & Spicy Food Day!

Yum!

https://thewrath.com/

Happy National Potato Day!

Yum!

Telluride Sunset

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Z_Hafw9XGI&feature=relmfu

Just ran across this - one of my favorite places on Earth. 

WMD

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/toilet-ticking-time-bomb-exploding-toilets-prompt-recall-165951952--finance.html

(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

Nice photo montage of Mike the Headless Chicken

http://www.retronaut.co/2011/07/mike-the-headless-chicken/

Happy Birthday Criswell!

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

(There's some debate as to the proper date)

The cutting edge of the restriction of trade

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/business/2012/08/ebay-bans-magic-potions-curses-spells/

I'm curious why this is the only possible scam that ebay wants to "protect" us from?


(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

hitler mini-golf

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2188196/Shock-saluting-Adolf-Hitler-statue-installed-crazy-golf-course.html

(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

putey is afraid of girls

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/17/pussy-riot-trial-guilty_n_1795570.html?utm_campaign=081712&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Alert-world&utm_content=FullStory

I wonder if there's a single dictator, ever, who had real guts, and not an eggshell-like ego and persona more in keeping with a Victorian virgin in a penny novel.  What a king wussy.

Lesson Learned: Don't post photos of your Wang...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/16/china-sex-scandal-photos_n_1792058.html

Air Chance

http://overheadbin.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/17/13332209-plane-diverts-to-syria-passengers-asked-if-they-could-pay-for-fuel#.UC5LPw_r_ZE.email

Perhaps if the passengers got out and pushed?


(Thanks for the link, Ed!)

Air Chance

http://overheadbin.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/17/13332209-plane-diverts-to-syria-passengers-asked-if-they-could-pay-for-fuel#.UC5LPw_r_ZE.email

Perhaps if the passengers got out and pushed?


(Thanks for the link, Ed!)

In the Year 2525...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/9480372/Genetically-engineering-ethical-babies-is-a-moral-obligation-says-Oxford-professor.html

And I'm sure the good professor has all sorts of ideas as to what's desirable, and not...

The worst named British town

http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2012/08/16/Shitterton-called-worst-named-British-town/UPI-61081345095945/?spt=hs&or=on
Fun stuff!  If I were a millionaire, why, I'd steal that marker!



(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

Happy Birthday Mae West!

http://allaboutmae.com/

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0922213/



An American Treasure.  Genius.  Essential.

Happy National Rum Day!

Yum!

Happy Bad Poetry Day!

http://hitchhikers.wikia.com/wiki/Vogon_Poetry

75 Days Until Halloween!!!

Nice interview with Joel hodgson of MST 3000

http://www.salon.com/2012/08/15/mystery_science_theater_host_yelling_at_the_screen_makes_us_smarter/

Five Guys - Reviewed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGkHRa64sDY

And the musical version:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/08/16/158932989/a-gift-from-the-interwebs-a-brilliant-auto-tuned-burger-review?ft=1&f=1001



Any reader of this blog knows that I am a fanatical Five Guys fan. 

(Thanks for the link, mathew!)

Shatner returns from the dead!

http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-shatner-priceline-20120815,0,2032878.story

(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

Julia Child - Remixed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80ZrUI7RNfI&feature=player_detailpage

Fun stuff!

(Thanks for the link, Carol!)

Bela's Death Anniversary

Bela Lugosi died on this date in 1956.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000509/

http://www.belalugosi.com/

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

Happy Birthday to The Ramones!

Today is the anniversary of their first concert at CBGB's in 1974.
http://ramonesworld.com/

Happy Birthday Glenn Strange!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0833363/

True Love Will Find A Way...

http://www.theonion.com/articles/new-dating-site-matches-users-with-partners-they-d,29117/

I love The Onion...


(Thanks for the link, Audrey!)

Prog Spring

http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/prog_spring/features/2012/prog_rock/the_rise_of_prog_king_crimson_keith_emerson_and_the_futurist_sounds_of_the_1970s_.html?wpisrc=newsletter_tis
Interesting article about early 70's Prog Rock.

Anniversary fo the Beatles playing Shea Stadium in 1965

http://www.veoh.com/watch/v6413373fzZAYjdK?h1=The+Beatles+Concert+at+Shea+Stadium+1965+%28entire+show+%2B+bonus%29

Happy Birthday Huntz Hall!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0355653/

Happy Birthday Jimmy Webb!

http://www.jimmywebb.com/

Happy National Lemon Meringue Pie Day!

Yum!

Happy Birthday Woodstock!

http://www.woodstock.com/

http://history1900s.about.com/od/1960s/p/woodstock.htm

Happy VJ Day!

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

I believe that Japan is about to re-experience Mothra

http://www.incredipedia.info/2012/08/fukushima-butterflies-show-signs-of.html

Barry White remians the Master...

http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/908128-barry-white-helps-flamingos-mate-at-sussex-zoo

Hypersonic flight news

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/sfo-to-jfk-in-less-than-an-hour-it-could-happen/2012/08/14/5c3cede2-e5c3-11e1-9739-eef99c5fb285_story.html?wpisrc=nl_tech
I'm not holding my breath about the hype of commercial travel, here.  What I'd rather see is the possibility of super-fast underground trains connecting our major cities. 

Happy Birthday Rocky Horror!

Premiered on this date in 1975.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073629/

http://www.rockyhorror.com/

http://www.rockyhorror.org/

Happy Birthday Dash Crofts!

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

Happy Birthday David Crosby!

http://www.davidcrosby.com/

Happy Birthday Gary Larson!

http://www.thefarside.com/

Happy National Navajo Code Talkers Day!

http://www.navajocodetalkers.org/

Happy Liberty Tree Day!

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

Wuss Virginia and the war on pumpkin carving

http://reason.com/blog/2012/08/13/virginia-farmer-party-tomatoes-fined
I will remind you that we pronounce Fauquier as "Fuck You" around here.

Misogyny in Gaming

http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2012/08/sexual_harassment_in_the_gaming_world_a_real_life_problem_for_female_gamers_.html?wpisrc=newsletter_slatest

I find this article fascinating, and disturbing in equal measures.  Now, I know next to nothing about computer gaming.  For the most part, it leaves me cold, and doesn't satisfy what I look for within the hobby (camaraderie, a social excuse, etc.).  But pre-electron gaming I'm something of an expert on.  40+ years ago, it was all wargames - board and miniatures.  And I honestly don't think there was a single woman seriously into the hobby, (with one exception which I'll get to in a moment).  Oh, if there was a big game meet, they'd publish a photo featuring some young lady staring blankly at the table, but it was just some one's girlfriend whom he'd forced to hang out with the rest of us that day.  There...were...no...women.  As someone who really likes the ladies, I found this disturbing, but what are you gonna do?  In 1969, Wanting to talk about the D-Day invasion or the battle of Borodino was purely for guys, as far as I've ever been able to determine.  (I've no idea, now).  But I never got the impression that I was alone in wishing women were into the hobby.  And, having attended dozens of gaming get-togethers, Cons, and events in those days, I don't think I ever heard a misogynist statement regarding the possibility (I suppose jerks were out there, but it would more of been along the line of a panting loser accosting any woman who showed up).  If someone brought their girlfriend to an old gaming event, the odds are that one or more geeks would try to flirt with her, sometimes tactlessly, but hardly in a derogatory manner.
The one exception to this state of affairs was the game of Diplomacy.  At least in the by-mail games, I'd guess that maybe 1-2% of the participants were women; we actually had a couple here in NoVa in the mid-70's that were pretty darn good.  And again, I never witnessed, nor heard from them, about the noxious behavior described above. 
In 1974, D&D was released, and within two or three years, I'd guess that perhaps a tenth of the players, nationally, were women.  This made it a virtual harem, by wargaming standards.  And once again, I didn't witness anything like what is described in the above article.  Quite the opposite. Women were welcomed in all of the games that I played in.   One of the original Gamemasters in the DC area declared to me that he always tried to get at least two women in every game that he was running - first.  After that was accomplished, getting fellows to play was damn easy.
So, what this whole little history comes around to is that I am interested in the ignorance and hatefulness that the computer/electronic evolution has led to.  In the 'olden days', I think gamers would have been thrilled for the hobby to expand beyond our narrow little mono-sexual geekdom.  Now, the opposite appears to be the case.  There's a doctoral dissertation in there, somewhere.  Glad I don't hang out with computer gamers....

See your State the way others do!

http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2012/08/13/google_autocomplete_interactive_map_of_state_stereotypes_the_fat_boring_and_racist_states_of_america.html

Happy Birthday South Park!

http://www.southparkstudios.com/

Premiered on this date in 1997.

Happy Birthday Alfred Hitchcock!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000033/

Happy National Filet Mignon Day!

Yum!

The return of the dinosaurs???

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2012/07/31/clives-going-jurassic-sunshine-coast/

Why do I think that this is all hype for something to sucker in Arab billionaires....

An interesting contest...

http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-08-fda-electronic-chips-medications.html

For me, a perfect example of technology.   Valuable, productive, important, inevitable, and also with immense potential for abuse.  We'll see what happens...

Fascists are afraid of teddy bears

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19076104
Exhibit one for my total disdain for tinpot dictators.  Wussies, one and all.  If Lukashenko had gone to my grade school, he'd never have had any lunch money by 10AM...

The sandal threat to Australia

http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2012/08/02/231241_local-news.html

I noticed the statement, "It was crazy – more than 4500 thongs and I don’t think we found any matching pairs,"
Clearly, this implies that a whole bunch of one-legged people are to blame...

A very bad vintage...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/9462729/Italian-Hitler-wine-bottles-offensive.html
As usual, I am against any restrictions against free expression, regardless of now noxious it may be to me.  But I do question the wisdom/politics of a store carrying such swill.  Is the neo-nazi wine market all that important?

Nice article on the Maryland Goatman legend

http://naturalplane.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-maryland-goatman-legend.html

The cutting edge of peeping toms...

http://articles.nydailynews.com/2011-06-26/news/29728553_1_toilet-peeper-cops

Cthulhu Purse!

http://technabob.com/blog/2012/08/11/cthulhu-evening-bag-purse/

Happy Birthday to The Wizard of Oz! (the film)

Premiered on this date in 1939.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032138/

Happy Birthday Makr Knopfler!

http://www.markknopfler.com/

Happy Birthday Dan Curtis!

http://www.collinwood.net/cast/curtis.htm

Happy Vinyl Record Day!

http://www.vinylrecordday.com/

The cutting edge of legal defense against corruption charges

http://www.eagletribune.com/latestnews/x1344398402/HITCHED-Mayor-says-grand-jury-witness-is-now-his-wife

Wuss America and the government's war against Lemonade

http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/omkara/2012/aug/10/moms-risk-arrest-protest-lemonade-stands-raw-milk/

Proof that we evolved from bears

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/family-four-bears-breaks-cabin-drink-100-beers-181034427.html

3D printing a house?

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/3d-printer-could-build-house-20-hours-224156687.html

Amazing.

(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

A plug for Frank Ferrante as Groucho

http://www.newsfromme.com/2012/08/09/faux-groucho-news/


I agree with everything that Mark says here, (and heartily endorse his blog - it's great for all sorts of news and insights on entertainment and politics).  Ferrante is brilliant.  We saw him in March and had a blast.  If you are even a modest fan of Groucho and his brothers, you should go see him.  If you're not a fan, never mind, there's no need, because you're obviously dead.

Screw those wimps at the Olympics...

Now, That's Entertainment!!!

http://www.retronaut.co/2011/12/firework-boxing-1937/

Happy Birthday Solid Gold!

Premiered on this date in 1980.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080277/

Wishbook Web

http://www.wishbookweb.com/
Neat-O!

Happy Birthday to the Smithsonian!

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/smithsonian-institution-created

Happy Birthday Horse Feathers!

Premiered on this date in 1932.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0023027/

Happy Birthday Ian Anderson!

http://www.j-tull.com/musicians/iananderson/

Happy Birthday Bobby Hatfield!

http://www.righteousbrothers.com/

Happy Birthday Ronnie Spector!

http://www.ronniespector.com/

Happy Puck Fair Day!

http://www.puckfair.ie/

Happy National Banana Split Day!

Yum!

Love, and the spaceship house

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/09/garden/a-spaceship-of-a-home-in-puerto-rico.html?_r=3&hpw

A cure little story.



(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

A Song For Our Troubled Times

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sdn3O6aaMNc&feature=player_embedded

(Thanks for the link, Tom!)

Happy Birthday David Steinberg!

http://thedavidsteinberg.com/

Happy Book Lovers Day!

http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/August/bookloversday.htm

http://www.overthemoonbookstore.com/

http://www.bookplate.biz/

Cute stuff!

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=Pwe-pA6TaZk&feature=player_embedded

(Thanks for the link, Audrey - Yes, it made me smile...  :)

Phone Home!

http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2012/08/call-parade-100-phone-booths-given-to-100-artists-on-the-streets-of-sao-paulo/
Some amazing phone booths, here.

(Thanks for the link and title, Mathew!)

Happy Birthday to The Edge!

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

Happy Birthday Dustin Hoffman!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000163/

The death of Bluey

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/06/ny-neighbors-turn-out-to-mark-passing-of-30-year-old-honda-civic/
(Thanks for the link, Ed!)

Happy Birthday Mata Hari!

http://www.firstworldwar.com/bio/matahari.htm

Happy Birthday BJ Thomas!

http://www.bjthomas.com/

Happy Birthday Nathanael Greene!

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

A list of free Lovecratian movies!

http://lovecraftzine.com/2012/08/06/a-list-of-free-lovecraftian-movies/

Very cool!

The 10 Commandments of Ghost Hunting

http://paranormal.about.com/od/ghosthuntinggeninfo/tp/10-Commandments-of-Ghost-Hunting.htm?nl=1
A nice list, but I would have added more detail to #1.  Research into any paranormal or folkloric event is so important, and so passed over in the many TV shows that talk about it.  And we're not just talking ghost stories, here, but researching land records, local history and learning a little bit about anyone currently witnessing events.  Sorry, but good ghost hunting isn't like what I've seen on TV, which seems to be a bunch of supposed adults screaming like little girls whenever anything makes a noise in the dark.  It's careful and grungy research and investigation, and sitting around for hours at a time with damn little going on.

Happy Colorado Day!

http://www.colorado.gov/

Happy Birthday Charles Fort!

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

http://www.sacred-texts.com/fort/index.htm

http://www.forteana.org/

Three weeks until the Maryland RenFest!

http://www.rennfest.com/

Stay healthy - get bitten by a vampire!

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/08/04/vampire-bat-bites-help-shield-from-rabies/

(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

Happy Birthday American Bandstand!

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

(This date is for the premier of the show nationally).

Happy Birthday Neil Armstrong!

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/glenn/about/bios/neilabio.html

Happy National Oyster Day!

Yum!

http://www.harriscrabhouse.com/

http://www.hcoysterhouse.com/sustenance-a-refreshment.html

Stripping a Medium

http://www.strangehistory.net/2012/07/30/they-do-it-with-drawers-you-know/

A nice little article on the searching of Mediums before a seance.  A neat footnote to psychic history.

Nice color photo collection of the RAF during WWII

http://www.retronaut.co/2012/08/the-raf-1939-1945/

Happy Birthday Rock'N'Roll High School!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079813/

Premiered on this date in 1979.  One of my all-time fave movies.

Happy Mead Day!

Yum!

http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/pages/events/mead-day/

Happy Birthday Louis Armstrong!

http://www.louisarmstronghouse.org/

Happy National Mustard Day!

Yum!

http://mustardmuseum.com/

Happy International IPA Day!

Yum!

http://www.stonebrew.com/

RIP John Keegan

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/books-obituaries/9447744/Sir-John-Keegan.html

(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

Paratrooper Day in Russia

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/03/world/europe/russia-drains-fountains-for-paratrooper-day.html?_r=1

I'm sure that I'm wrong, but I can't think of a single significant drop/battle/victory by Russian paratroops, offhand.  Exactly, what are they celebrating?

(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

Very nice interview with Mary Chapin Carpenter

http://therumpus.net/2012/08/the-rumpus-interview-with-mary-chapin-carpenter/

Nice little article on the neighborhood bookstore

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/wendy-welch/the-importance-of-local-bookstores_b_1730964.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false

The creepiest lil' ice cream commercial that you'll see today

http://now.msn.com/ice-cream-company-makes-incredibly-creepy-ad

Why is DC melting?

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/articles/43022/hot-hot-heat-why-summer-in-dc-is-only-getting/

Happy National Watermelon Day!

Yum!

Bruce - The Economist

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/aug/01/australia-finance-minister-bruce-springsteen-inspiration

(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

The Book Maze

http://io9.com/5930921/this-is-how-you-build-a-labyrinth-out-of-250000-books

I want my house to be like this...

The Starry Wisdom Library

http://starrywisdomlibrary.com/contributors/

This will be essential to all Cthulhu Cultists....

Pre-Frankenstein...

http://miskatonicbooks.wordpress.com/2012/07/16/3000-year-old-scottish-frankenstein-monsters/

Abbie Normal...

New book on Enohcian Magick

http://danharms.wordpress.com/2012/07/03/on-the-shelf-review-arguing-with-angels-enochian-magic-and-modern-occulture/
This sounds quite interesting, at least to me...

What if airships fought the Japanese in WWII?

http://www.thebookden.com/zrs1.html
This sounds so cool!!!


(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

Happy Birthday Mojo Nixon!

http://www.mojonixon.com/

Happy Birthday Myrna Loy!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001485/

Printed Gun

http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/133514-the-worlds-first-3d-printed-gun

Amazing...


(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

RIP Gore Vidal

http://www.latimes.com/features/books/jacketcopy/la-jc-writer-gore-vidal-86-has-died-20120731,0,3728239.story

Happy Birthday to The Little Soldier Shop!

My friend Dennis bought the shop on this date in 1978, moved it to Virginia from Maryland, and ushered in an era of wargaming that reverberates in the hobby to this day.

Happy Birthday Jerry Garcia!

http://www.thejerrysite.com/

Happy Lughnasadh!

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