Weirdness

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Gothtober starting up in just a few hours!!!

http://www.gothtober.com/

I'm a big fan of this site.  Every year, they post a daily video, generally with a Halloween theme.  The vids come from all over with varying levels of sophistication, budget, and focus.  Very cool and highly recommended!

A great article about Kirsty MacColl

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/sep/30/kirsty-maccoll-birthday-album-reissue?INTCMP=SRCH

(Thanks for the link, Pete!)

Happy Birthday Marilyn McCoo!

http://www.mccoodavis.com/


Happy Birthday Marc Bolan!

http://www.marc-bolan.com/


Happy National Hot Mulled Cider Day!

Yum!

Happy Eve of the Black Month!!!

http://www.halloween-online.com/party/halloween-party-planning-black-month.html


Saturday, September 29, 2012

Happy Harvest Moon!

Interesting article about the 'science' of ghost hunting

http://mysteriousuniverse.org/2012/09/the-science-of-ghost-hunting-logical-leaps-of-faith/


More on the Poe House

http://baltimorepostexaminer.com/poe-house-closing-leaves-a-concerned-public-puzzled/2012/09/28
The government of Baltimore has no class...

Beauty Contest for Goldfish

http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/912260-china-holds-worlds-first-beauty-contest-for-goldfish


Excellent article about the New England Vampire Panic of the 1800's

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/The-Great-New-England-Vampire-Panic-169791986.html?c=y&page=1

Route 66 with Lon, Boris & Peter!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3RqH5qnG0k


Just discovered this, and am so happy to see it available online.  Have not seen it in over 30 years.  Yes, it might not be a brilliant bit of art, but I believe it to be the only time that three legends of horror:  Lon Chaney, Jr., Boris Karloff and Peter Lorre,  all appeared together on film. 

Happy Birthday to The Prisoner!

My all-time fave TV show. Premiered on this date in 1967.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061287/

http://www.netreach.net/~sixofone/

Happy Birthday Jerry Lee Lewis!

http://www.jerryleelewis.com/

Happy Birthday Tommy Boyce!

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

Happy Birthday Joseph Rhine!

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

Happy Birthday Jasper Maskelyne!

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




Friday, September 28, 2012

The nazi invasion of Ireland?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2208860/Top-secret-dossier-uncovered-containing-detailed-maps-postcards-Hitlers-plan-invade-neutral-Ireland.html


Maybe.  Certainly, if Operation Sea Lion had been a success, I think an Irish invasion would have been seriously considered, and successful.  But the one idea that hitler would invade Ireland as a prelude to Britain is ridiculous.  Germany had neither the naval or air power necessary for such a long range maneuver within striking distance of Southern Britain.

Neat little article on (potential) warfare in Space

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2012/09/28/aircraft_carriers_in_space?page=0,0


(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

Great moments in Canadian crime

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/28/cheese-smuggling-ring-canada_n_1923913.html

(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

The Bagel Heads of Japan

http://www.vancouverobserver.com/blogs/tmi/japanese-confused-worldwide-bagel-head-trend

They need a little schmear...


(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

Healine of the Day

http://www.tnr.com/article/107831/meet-the-billionaire-zookeeper-albino-rapper-children-who-may-be-georgias-next-leader?utm_source=The+New+Republic&utm_campaign=a9027b2df6-TNR_Daily_092812&utm_medium=email#

iran vs smart rocks

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htintel/articles/20120928.aspx
(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

Happy Brirthday Janeane Garofalo!

http://www.janeanegarofalo.com/


Happy Drink Beer Day!

http://www.stonebrew.com/

Happy Crack Nut Day!

Happy Native American Day!

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

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Baltimore government sucks

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bs-ae-poe-house-20120925,0,605945.story


My Drunk Kitchen takes on Nachos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDPuCNFKT70&list=PL2EC7F45DBD9D9B1A&index=1&feature=plcp

My fave cooking show!

Kickstarter Star Trek!

http://startrekrenegades.com/newsletter/september/


Where to pick apples in NoVa

http://oldtownalexandria.patch.com/articles/where-to-pick-your-own-apples-in-northern-virginia-51e0d910?ncid=newsltuspatc00000002

I confess that I'm not familiar with any of these places.  But really enjoyed our previous picking expeditions.  In the olden days, we'd go out to Linden Vineyards, (who also had a wonderful orchard), and pick several baskets' worth of heirloom varieties.  Wonderful times!  And there's few things more enjoyable than apple picking after consuming a bottle of chardonnay!


RIP Herbert Lom

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/28/arts/herbert-lom-frustrated-boss-of-inspector-clouseau-dies-at-95.html?_r=0

One of the great comedic 'villains'.

Happy Birthday Thomas Nast!

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

The most famous and influential editorial cartoonist of all time.

Happy Birthday Zacherle!

http://www.zacherley.com/


Happy Birthday Randy Bachman!

http://www.randybachman.com/

Happy Birthday Mr. Loaf!

http://meatloaf.net/

Happy Birthday Sam Adams!

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

One of my heroes...

Happy Ancestor Appreciation Day!

http://voices.yahoo.com/celebrating-ancestor-appreciation-day-6717126.html

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Space Buddha

http://news.yahoo.com/nazi-acquired-buddha-statue-came-space-172319961.html

Interesting little artifact.


(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

For those of you who miss their old CB radio..

http://cheezburger.com/6568968960


(Thanks for the link, Audrey!)

Mysteries of Vernacular

http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2012/09/mysteries-of-vernacular-quirky-animations-explore-the-meaning-of-language/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+colossal+%28Colossal%29
A wonderful video examination of how our language came about.  Really neat!


(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

An article about the Ghost & Graveyard Tour of Alexandria

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marlene-hall/ghost-graveyard-walk-tour_b_1905920.html

Happy Birthday Abbey Road!

Released on this date in 1969.

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

Happy Birthday Bryan Ferry!

http://www.bryanferry.com/

Happy Birthday Gilligan's Island!

Premiered on this date in 1964.

http://www.gilligansisle.com/

Last day for Blackberries - before Satan urinates on 'em!

http://wilsonsalmanac.blogspot.com/2003/09/her-immense-power-and-many-adventures.html

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

The LEGO Great Ball Contraption

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUtS52lqL5w&feature=g-logo-xit
What a magnificent waste of time!  Rube Goldberg would be proud!


(Thanks for the link, Mike!)



Potato Sex

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/24/gerard-streator-sex-with-couch_n_1909699.html

(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

Zombie Bees!

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2019244585_zombees24m.html?prmid=4939

(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

Cthulhu Calendar!

http://www.johncoulthart.com/feuilleton/2012/09/24/cthulhu-calendar/


The Ostrich Pillow!

http://www.studiobananathings.com/

Fun stuff!


(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

Happy Birthday Rocky Horror Picture Show!

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

http://www.rockyhorror.com/

Happy National One Hit Wonder Day!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/23/national-one-hit-day-sept-25_n_960605.html

Monday, September 24, 2012

By the skin of their teeth...

http://www.newsdesk.umd.edu/scitech/release.cfm?ArticleID=2782

Fascinating!

(Thanks for the link & title, Dennis!)

Fuel from seawater!?

http://www.nrl.navy.mil/media/news-releases/2012/fueling-the-fleet-navy-looks-to-the-seas
Amazing, and revolutionary if it can be done economically.


(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

Hey Jude Hits #1!

On this date in 1968...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wM0IDLAntVM

Happy Birthday Jim Henson!

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

Happy Birthday Gerry Marsden!

http://www.gerryandthepacemakers.co.uk/the-band/gerry-marsden/


Happy National Punctuation Day!

http://www.nationalpunctuationday.com/

Sunday, September 23, 2012

NecornomiCon is less than one year away!

http://necronomicon-providence.com/

This promises to be the center of the Cthulhoid Universe.  Needless to say, I'm going...

The Cutest Lil' Cthulhu Cultist You're Going To See All Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fr3JdlU9K8&fb_source=message


For you iPhone users...

http://www.retronaut.co/2012/09/how-to-use-the-telephone-1917/


Synchronized Flushing

http://news.yahoo.com/zimbabwe-city-residents-synchronize-toilet-flush-122626519.html
Could this be Zimbabwe's contribution to the Olympics?


(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

Happy Birthday to Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid!

Premiered on this date in 1969.  Great film.

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

Happy Birthday John Lomax!

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

Happy Birthday Joan Blaeu!

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

Happy Birthday Santo!

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

Happy Birthday Ray Charles!

http://raycharles.com/

Happy Birthday Bruce!!!

http://brucespringsteen.net/

http://www.backstreets.com/


Saturday, September 22, 2012

Casket Furniture

http://www.casketfurniture.com/index.php

Check out the pool table...

OMG in 1917!

http://www.digitalspy.com/odd/news/a398917/winston-churchill-letter-has-first-known-usage-of-omg.html


(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

The water cooler bomb

http://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelpeck/2012/09/19/wacky-weapons-1-water-cooler-bombs/

(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

Weirdsville Radio - Essential Listening For Halloween Time!

http://www.neverendingwonder.com/weirdsville.htm


An online radio station playing the best of novelty Halloween songs, including some real rarities.  A personal favorite of mine and highly recommended!

Arrrr Matey!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/20/alison-whelan-jack-sparrow-steals-ferry_n_1901200.html?utm_hp_ref=weird-news


Second best headline of the day

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/20/bradley-davidson-black-pudding-fear-alarm_n_1900842.html?utm_hp_ref=weird-news


Two or three hungry Cajuns should clear this little problem up

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/9556028/Crayfish-invade-Hampstead-Heath.html

Beards pose a Hairy Situation for Mullet

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19669950

The cutting edge of aerial photography

http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/09/17/seagull-steals-camera-gives-tourist-inadvertent-panoramic-view-of-sf-bay/


Headline of the Day

http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/911993-council-ban-tie-wearing-duck-from-collecting-for-charity-in-permit-row

Programme from the film Metropolis

http://www.retronaut.co/2012/09/metropolis-programme-1927/

Fun stuff!


The Spooky Times have arrived!

Well Folks, with the passing of the Equinox and October looming towards us, we can count on the at least a few stories in the media about the unusual and supernatural.  I enjoy this stuff, particularly if it pertains to the greater DC region.  So, it's time for my annual plea - if you see any articles online about folklore, ghosts & hauntings, UFO's, mysterious monsters & beasties, or any other type of Fortean phenomena, particularly if it's within a hundred miles of the Capitol, I'd appreciate it if you'd send me the link.  Thanks in advance1

New Velvet Underground collection on the way!

http://pitchfork.com/news/47248-the-velvet-underground-nico-to-be-released-as-six-disc-deluxe-reissue-for-45th-anniversary/


Poe and Pumpkins

http://pinterest.com/pin/222365300322547334/

A cute decorating idea.

The 78 Project

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/the78project/the-78-project-feature-length-documentary-film
This is such a cool idea!  Record the real music of today, in a method from 80 years ago....


(Thanks for the link, Missy!)

Happy Birthday to The Music Scene!

Premiered on this date in 1969.  Great music show.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063932/


Happy Birthday John Houseman!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002144/

Happy Birthday Joan Jett!

http://www.joanjett.com/

Happy National Ice Cream Cone Day!

http://www.hopkinsfarmcreamery.com/index.cfm?ref=10100

Friday, September 21, 2012

Happy Birthday Chuck Jones!

http://chuckjones.server700.com/


Yes, Virginia....

The most famous letter to the editor was published on this date in 1897.
http://www.newseum.org/yesvirginia/

And of course, there's my personal favorite....

http://www.netfunny.com/rhf/jokes/97/Jan/cthulhu.html

Happy Birthday Bill Murray!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000195/


Happy Birthday H.G. Wells!

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



Only 40 Days Until Halloween!


Happy Devil's Nutting Night!

http://www.learnenglish.de/Temp/September/SeptemberDates.htm


Happy Equinox/Mabon!

Thursday, September 20, 2012

The Chef...

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/09/la-chef-told-police-he-slow-cooked-his-wife-for-days.html


Happy Birthday Firefly!

Premiered on this date in 2002. The best TV show in the past 10 years...

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0303461/


Happy Birthday Carolyne Mas!

One of my fave rockers


http://www.carolynemas.com/

Happy Birthday Jay Ward!

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

Genius.  Essential.

Happy National Rum Punch Day!

Yum!

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Firefly Reunion!

Woo Hoo!

http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/07/11/firefly-reunion-tv-special/



Cthulhu Dice!

http://www.warehouse23.com/item.html?id=SJG131329

My annual plug for Count Gore De Vol

http://www.countgore.com/

well, we're getting into Fall, and to me, that means an emphasis on Halloween and horror...

As regular readers will know, I am a big fan of local TV ghost hosts.  Yes, they can be amateurish, but there is a freedom, an originality and a sincerity there that totally escapes almost all major network and corporate productions, by definition.  I'll pick these folks over 99% of whatever's going on with the rest of TV. 
DC has had several great ones, but my fave is Count Gore De Vol, who started out on Channel 20 about 35 years ago.  His show got dropped a long time back, but he always had a great fan base, and when he resumed his show, Creature feature, it on the Web, (the first ghost host to do so), we followed, and he's gained a national following since then.  The films shown range from no-longer-copyrighted B-movies, to superb amateur and newcomer efforts.  The site is a nice trove of info and reviews on all sorts of horror and fantasy pop culture - conventions, events, newly released films and books, music etc., and I highly recommend it.  This week in particular I urge you to check it out - the good Count is showing "Horror Hotel", an almost forgotten early Christopher Lee occult thriller that I consider top notch.  You're not a serious horror movie fan if you've not caught this one.  Enjoy, and keep up with Gore!

Nice posting of October & Halloween events around the DC region

http://dc.about.com/od/specialevents/a/OctoberEvents.htm?nl=1


The government wastes money on special effects

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/17/zombie-apocalypse-training-halo-corp_n_1889724.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular
Yes, yes.  It's all in good fun, (for undoubted tens of millions of dollars), and it's meant for a "serious" anti-terrorist training.  Right.  Sure.  As an equally serious student of political violence, I just have one question - exactly what historical, current, or future event do the Feds claim can be profitably simulated by hoards of fearless, mindless, brain eating corpses?  Exactly where does this fit into the planning of any so-called terrorist group on the planet?  But then, we get the backup excuse to squander tens of millions of dollars - Ah yes, the imagined pandemic that we're supposed to be sweating about.  Fine.  And so we're going to use the traditional medical and civil controls found in all zombie films - repeating shotguns, chainsaws, Mad Max-like scythe vehicles of doom and whatnot on anyone who comes down with a fever.  All in a Hobbesian-like dystopia of despair.  Yea.  You sure need government training at top dollar for that solution.  How thoughtful.  How advanced.  How hope-inspiring.



Batman's Victory Garden

http://www.retronaut.co/2012/09/batmans-victory-garden-c-1939-1945/

It is somewhat disconcerting to see Superman, who is capable of wiping out whole panzer divisions in a single bound, is instead growing cabbages for the war effort. 

My next Rum purchase...

http://ht.ly/dHxx8

A little synopsis of my trip



It was a wonderful trip.  My wife and I were focused on food for this excursion.  We stayed in the little town of Woodinville, about fifteen miles Northeast of town, for a variety of reasons.  The first of which is that we could stay at the Willows Lodge, one of our all-time favorite inns.  Quiet, clean, well-staffed, easy parking, and a great restaurant – the Barking Frog .  It also is less than a hundred yards from the brewery and brewpub for RedHook.  And, most importantly, is about twenty yards from the Herbfarm Restaurant – one of the finest restaurants in North America.  We had reservations there Friday night – and it did not disappoint.  The current theme just changed from what we had, which was the use of smoke in cooking, but an upcoming menu will give you an idea.  As you can see, multiple courses with carefully matched wines, and virtually everything from the region, if not the immediate vicinity.  You can’t call it a meal, it’s a whole dining experience, with the owners, chef and staff right there serving it to you, explaining each course, answering any and all questions.  Yes, it’s a set-piece meal, but I prefer that, in many ways.  Everybody knows what they’re doing, there are no short cuts, and it’s done to perfection.  Before the meal, one of the owners takes you out to the herb garden to show and sample what’s been harvested for that night’s meal.  One can wander around there, or go inside to peruse the cook book library; or, (my favorite), go to the wine cellar to discuss important matters of the soul with the sommelier.  I am proud to say that I even caught some sort of in-joke going on down there during my stay – someone had placed a bottle of half drunk MD 20/20 in the center of one of the main displays of quality vintages!  The sommelier put on a nice front, but I think he was caught a little off-guard by the whole thing! 
     The whole experience takes a full evening, as any proper religious awakening should.  In addition to the normal menu, we ordered a brace of Madeira’s to compare and contrast.  A perfect night.  If you’re ever within 300 miles of the area, you’ve just got to eat dinner here, at least once in your life.  I can’t bear the thought of anyone missing out on this. 
                Another advantage to Woodinville is that it’s in the heart of the wine country for Washington State.  I’d wager that there are at least two dozen wineries and/or tasting rooms there – two within easy walking distance of the Willows Lodge.  We visited the Columbia Winery, Dusted Valley, and Chateau Ste.Michelle.  We also hit the WoodinvilleWhiskey Company, to sample some native bourbon, (Yummy!), and dined at the local wine bar – The Purple Café (an excellent selection of cheeses paired with wines, including one of our faves – Humboldt Fog.)
                Going into Seattle proper, we hit the International District, a wonderful neighborhood of East Asian stores and restaurants, centered around Uwajimaya – a large oriental grocery store and series of food stalls and shops.  The whole neighborhood is one big eat-fest.  I’d guess that there’s an East Asian restaurant about every 60 feet, or so.  We stopped at one of the larger ones that we saw, called the Honey CourtSeafood Restaurant.  And it was there amidst a feeding frenzy of dim sung, that I first got to munch on geoduck, (they also served it to us at the Herbfarm).  I’d tried for over three years now to find a place that had it; my quest was at an end.  It was good!  To me, they taste much like mussels;  Very expensive mussels…
                We also went down to the waterfront one day to dine on a pile of raw oysters at the city’s mecca for such:  Elliott’s OysterHouse.  We ordered a huge sampling of local types, (my favorite was the Totten).  The house drink is the dark’n’stormy – it was the best one I’ve ever drunk, (I’m now convinced that the secret is in how much lime juice might be added – experiments are necessary…)
And, of course, you just gotta go to Pike Place Market if you’re in town.  I’m pretty sure that it’s required by law.  And yes, you gotta go to the Fish Market; and yes we saw ‘em being tossed around.  At one point, they picked a woman from the crowd, placed the Styrofoam coffee cup she was holding on top of her head, and knocked it right off with a small tuna at about twenty paces.  Now, that’s entertainment! 
Now, if you’ve never been to Seattle, plan on at least one full day here at the Market.  Imagine about 3-4 city blocks, as a maze and warren of food and craft shops, stands, carts, and dens, with a few great eateries thrown in for good measure.  It’s incredible, and unlike anything that I’ve ever really seen back East.  (If you combined the Lancaster Central Market with DC’s Maine Avenue, AND the famous Green Dragon Flea Market of Ephrata, you might come close).  One new micro-shop that just opened up that I had fun browsing through was this one – Orange Dracula.  Fun stuff - A dime store for somebody like me!
Finally, we ended up at the Bellevue Botanical Garden just East of town.  A beautiful combination of natural, American and Japanese styles.  A very relaxing capper to the trip. 

Happy Birthday Roadrunner!

Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers released this great rock song on this date in 1975.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZUSF0Zd_Yw



Happy Birthday Mama Cass Elliot!

http://www.casselliot.com/


Happy Birthday Bill Medley!

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

Happy Birthday Brook Benton!

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


Happy Birthday Brian Epstein!

http://www.brianepstein.com/

Happy Talk Like A Pirate Day!

http://www.talklikeapirate.com/piratehome.html


Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Happy Birthday June Foray!

http://www.juneforay.com/


Happy Birthday P.F. Sloan!

http://www2.gol.com/users/davidr/sloan/

Happy Birthday to WKRP!

Premiered on this date in 1978.  I think that this was just about the last sitcom I could bear to watch. 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077097/

Happy Birthday to Alien Nation! (the TV show)

Premiered on this date in 1989.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096531/


Happy Birthday to The Haunting!

Premiered on this date in 1963.  Great horror movie.


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057129/


Happy Birthday Eddie "Rochester" Anderson!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0026655/

Happy National Cheeseburger Day!

http://www.fiveguys.com/


RIP Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Goodrick-Clarke

A true authority on 20th century Western occultism, particularly as it pertained to the nazis.



A little something special for that Klingon in your life...

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/ed19/?cpg=46635381&msg_id=46635381&et_rid=909235805&linkid=46635381_headline_ed19


The cutting edge of wall art...

http://now.msn.com/hyundais-hyper-matrix-is-the-ultimate-in-wall-art

(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

Chocolate from the Dark Side

http://www.hotelchocolat.com/Dead-Gorgeous-P300292/

I'm Back....

Just got off of the plane two hours ago, and will need a day or two to catch up on things.  We spent a week of eating and drinking our way through Seattle, and had a wonderful time of it - will provide a more detailed account later on.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

On Vacation!

Will be off and about for a week, with little time for posting.  See ya later!

Article about the Edgar Allan Poe House

http://baltimorepostexaminer.com/edgar-allan-poe-house-and-museum-moves-from-the-past-into-uncertain-future/2012/09/03


Inhaling your food...

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/technology-blog/weird-restaurant-trend-inhaled-food-235908189.html?_esi=1
Ummm, no thanks...

(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

Happy Birthday to The Monkees! (the show)

Premiered on this date in 1966. 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060010/


Happy Birthday H.L. Mencken!

http://www.mencken.org/wordpress/

http://www.americanwriters.org/writers/mencken.asp

Happy Birthday Gerry Beckley!

http://www.gerrybeckley.com/

http://www.venturahighway.com/

Happy Defenders Day!

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


Tuesday, September 11, 2012

An interview with George Martin

http://www.jazzwax.com/2012/09/interview-sir-george-martin-pt-1.html

(Thanks for the link, Erik!)

Zombie PX - for all of your zombie killing needs!

http://www.ldnews.com/business/ci_21508195/zombie-px-opens-palmyra?source=most_viewed


(Thanks for the link, Rick!)

Happy Birthday Danger Man/Secret Agent!

Premiered on this date in 1961.  One of my all-time fave shows.
http://www.danger-man.co.uk/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058846/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053496/

Happy Birthday to The Carol Burnett Show!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061240/

Premiered on this date in 1967.



And then there were Four...

Ringo replaced Pete Best on this date in 1962.
http://www.ringostarr.com/



Happy Brithday Herbert Lom!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0007042/



Only 50 Days Until Halloween!


Monday, September 10, 2012

Screaming Sheep

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

So much for the Silence of the Lambs....


(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

Start 'Em Young...

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/09/05/twisted-grip-pole-dancing-children_n_1856637.html


(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

Swarm - the art of Tessa Farmer

http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/artists/artpages/tessa_farmer_swarm_d.htm

Amazing!


(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

The Amytiville Toaster....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KyRCQp32p8


Cute!


(Thanks for the link, Katie!)

Happy Anniversary Mike the Headless Chicken!

Mike was beheaded on this date in 1945.

http://www.miketheheadlesschicken.org/


Happy Birthday to the X-Files!

Premiered on this date in 1993.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106179/


Happy Birthday Raymond Scott!

http://raymondscott.com/#7ed/blogger

Genius.  Essential. An American Treasure.

Sunday, September 09, 2012

Autumn

Today, for the first time, it sort of feels like the beginning of Fall.  Oh, I'm sure we're going to have some more hellish days here at the Manor before long.  But the Summer is starting to break up...

Lovecraft quotes by an "anthrax terrorist"

http://lovecraftzine.com/2012/09/09/anthrax-terrorist-quotes-frequently-from-h-p-lovecraft/


The world just get weirder and weirder....

Imagine...

Was released on this date in '71.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imagine_%28album%29


Anniversary of the Suffolk Resolves

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

http://ahp.gatech.edu/suffolk_resolves_1774.html



One of the great documents and acts leading to our Independence. 

Happy Birthday George of the Jungle!

Premiered on this date in 1967. 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061256/


Happy Birthday to The Amazing Johnathan!

http://www.amazingj.com/


Happy Birthday Doug Ingle!

http://www.dougingle.com/


Happy Birthday Otis Redding!

http://otisredding.com/


Happy Birthday Otis Redding!

http://otisredding.com/

Happy Teddy Bear Day!

http://www.teddybearemp.com/


Happy National Grandparents Day!

http://www.grandparents-day.com/


Saturday, September 08, 2012

Horror Hotel is playing on Count Gore De Vol

http://www.countgore.com/Lab.htm
This is a wonderful horror movie that is almost unknown to the general public. 

Women Who Rock exhibition in DC

http://www.nmwa.org/exhibitions/women-who-rock

The Great Silence...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/sep/03/bernie-krause-natural-world-recordings

Sad...

Couch Potato Technology

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19441860
Yes, I know that this is for the disabled, etc.  But I know who'll really be the market for it....

Didn't this cat belong to Frank Gorshin?

http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/910278-two-faced-chimera-cat-venus-is-an-overnight-internet-sensation

The ultimate model ship?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/9493061/Enthusiasts-will-take-longer-to-build-Sovereign-of-the-Seas-replica-than-original-shipwrights-in-1637.html


Happy Birthday Sid Caesar!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0128377/


Happy Birthday Star Trek!

Premiered on this date in 1966.

http://www.startrek.com/


Happy Birthday Patsy Cline!

http://www.patsycline.com/


Happy Birthday Peter Sellers!

http://www.petersellers.org/


Happy International Literacy Day!

http://www.reading.org/general/conferences/InternationalLiteracyDay.aspx


Friday, September 07, 2012

Candy Corn Oreos for Halloween!

http://www.buzzfeed.com/stacylambe/introducing-candy-corn-flavored-oreos

(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

Bacon Soda!

http://www.buzzfeed.com/pushthemovement/fixins-unusually-flavored-sodas-62gy

(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

Happy Birthday John Polidori!

http://www.litgothic.com/Authors/polidori.html


Happy Birthday Ronnie Gilbert!

http://www.ronniegilbert.com/


Happy Birthday Grandma Moses!

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


Happy Birthday Chrissie Hynde!

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


Happy Birthday Buddy Holly!

http://www.buddyhollyandthecrickets.com/


Happy National Acorn Squash Day!

Yum!

Thursday, September 06, 2012

A listing of haunted attractions in Virginia

http://www.southernhaunts.com/attractions/virginia/


Damn those Dutch!

First they kill off our elms, and now they enslave Brooklyn....

I guess Lincoln missed that district...


http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/history-errors-article-1.1152362

(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

The largset earth worm?

http://news.yahoo.com/video/amazingly-long-earthworm-discovered-china-193000298.html

(Thanks for the link, Phil!)

How to keep cats from pissing on your car

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIbkLjjlMV8

(Thanks for the link, Dennis!)

RIP Joe South

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-joe-south-20120906,0,5448730.story


(Thanks for the notice, Perry!)

Happy Birthday to The Phantom of the Opera! (the film)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0016220/

Premiered on this date in 1925.

Happy Birthday Paul Roland!

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


Happy Birthday Max Schreck!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0775180/


Happy Birthday Lafayette!

http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/served/lafayette.html


Happy Read A Book Day!

http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/September/readabook.htm


Wednesday, September 05, 2012

Darwin Award Nominee

http://now.msn.com/tobias-20-year-old-internet-prankster-killed-after-video-stunt-goes-wrong

(Thanks for the link, Linda!)

The National Book Festival is coming up!

http://dc.about.com/od/specialevents/a/NationalBookFes.htm?nl=1


Colorado Votes! And Votes Some More!

http://www.redstate.com/2012/09/04/colorado-counties-have-more-voters-than-people/


Happy Birthday Second Hand Lions

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0327137/

A great and undeservedly ignored film.



Happy Birthday Diana Quinn!

Lead singer of one of my all-time fave DC bands - Tru Fax & The Insaniacs!

http://www.muddypaws.com/

Happy Birthday Al Stewart!

http://www.alstewart.com/

Happy Birthday Bob Newhart!

http://www.bobnewhart.com/

Happy National Cheese Pizza Day!

Yum!

http://www.crozetpizza.net/


Tuesday, September 04, 2012

Rumanian Bride Snatching

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48890004/ns/world_news-europe/t/bride-napping-romania-bigger-brasher-ever/#.UEZ5kyKt2q1

Curious little custom...

(Thanks for the link, Ed!)


Victorian era professional mourners

http://www.retronaut.co/2012/09/victorian-professional-mourners-1800s/


Fascinating, I had no idea...

A whole host of Lovecraftian Books coming out!!!

http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2012/09/the-cthulhu-sized-cthulhu-books-review/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wired%2Fgadgets+%28Wired%3A+%28Section%29+Gadgets%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

(Thanks for the link, John!)

Uranium Ore from Amazon!

http://www.amazon.com/Uranium-Ore/dp/B000796XXM/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top/180-5251849-8577462

The comments are wonderful...

The Ultimate Sign of Intelligence!

http://io9.com/5864041/researchers-have-identified-poo+flinging-as-a-sign-of-intelligence-in-chimpanzees

(Thanks for the link, Mike!)

Monday, September 03, 2012

RIP Michael Clarke Duncan

http://deathbeeper.com/6710202.html


Nice listing of Halloween events around the DC region

http://dc.about.com/od/childrensactivities/a/Halloween.htm


The Cryptozoologist

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

Fun site devoted to this aspect of Forteana.

DC-Haunters

http://halloween.necrobones.com/dc-haunters.html

A site devoted to local haunters.

A little something for the Ladies...

http://www.retronaut.co/2012/09/max-factors-beauty-micrometer-1934/


Papa Was A Rolling Stone

The events in the song took place on this date.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6c0P5sWCWg


Anniversary of the Treaty of Paris

Signed on this date in 1783.  This is when America becomes truly independent. 

http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=6


Happy Labor Day!

http://www.dol.gov/laborday/history.htm

Sunday, September 02, 2012

An interesting Summer for DC - Welcome to Hell!

http://www.wtop.com/41/3018304/An-unforgettable-summer-for-2012


The biggest water balloon fight!

http://www.themorningstarr.co.uk/2012/08/26/the-worlds-biggest-water-balloon-fight/


Headline of the day

http://www.themorningstarr.co.uk/2012/08/26/crocodile-bites-mans-backside-as-he-craps-in-the-river/


nice article on UFO obsession

http://ufocon.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-soul-killing-ufo-obsession-or-is-it.html

I think you'll find this in all fringe areas of study.  Robert Anton Wilson once referred to it as "entering Chapel Perilous" - one become obsessed, paranoid, tunnel-visioned, etc.

The cult of Seve Jobs continues....

http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2012/08/31/steve-jobs-has-been-reincarnated-as-warrior-philosopher-thai-group-says/


Happy (official) VJ Day!

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


Saturday, September 01, 2012

RIP Hal David

http://deathbeeper.com/6535301.html


Ask Lovecraft

http://bygonebureau.com/2012/04/04/h-p-lovecraft-answers-your-relationship-questions/

This is one big in-joke.  It either won't make any sense to you, or you'll be chuckling....

Renfield's Syndrome...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/15/renfields-syndrome-vampirism_n_1765799.html

Star Trek game/simulation

http://io9.com/5939496/watch-the-drunken-self+destructive-voyage-of-the-starship-artemis

You know, add a little more sophistication to this, and I can see this being pretty fun!

Mythos Encyclopedia goes digital

http://www.innsmouthfreepress.com/blog/?p=18889

Austria remembers the 'good ol' days'...

http://austrianindependent.com/news/General_News/2012-08-26/12011/Row_over_regional_government_grant_for_SS_reunion

Obviously, the Austrians are willing to pony up money to support neo-nazis.  I find it difficult to believe after 67 years, there's be enough veterans left, in good enough condition, to support any supposed reunion.  The very youngest would be in their mid eighties.  


Hobbit film news

http://www.shadowlocked.com/201209012783/news/the-hobbits-second-film-is-now-the-third-film-titles-and-release-dates-announced.html


Three of them!  Good heavens!

The Art of Jim Kazanjian

http://www.kazanjian.net/


Beautifully disturbing fantasy homes. 

Frankenweenie Links!

http://www.darklinks.com/2012/08/frankenweenie-link-roundup.html

A ghostly figure at the Weems Botts Museum

http://www.examiner.com/article/daylight-photo-from-gazebo-at-weems-botts-museum-shows-ghostly-figure

For you oultanders, this is a small historical museum in the middle suburbs and is well known for its ghosts in local folklore.

Nick Redfern on the future of UFOlogy

http://mysteriousuniverse.org/2012/08/the-future-of-ufology/

Interesting little article for those interested in the subject.

I once was Lost, but now I'm Found...

http://www.icelandreview.com/icelandreview/daily_news/Lost_Woman_Looks_for_Herself_in_Iceland%E2%80%99s_Highlands_0_393014.news.aspx


New kids books - Lovecraft Middle School!

http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/Lovecraft+Middle+School+your+average+middle+school/7174456/story.html
Fun stuff!

Happy International Bacon Day!

Yum!