Weirdness

Sunday, August 31, 2014

The coolest little music maker that you're going to see today

http://www.hammacher.com/Product/Default.aspx?sku=12485&promo=HolidayPreview2014


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


Saturday, August 30, 2014

ONLY NUMBER 3 ?!?!?

http://redbricktown.com/2014/08/30/report-washington-d-c-drivers-longer-worst-usa/

http://www.allstate.com/resources/Allstate/attachments/tools-and-resources/ABD-Report-2014.pdf


C'mon, DC - where's the Pride?!?  Of course, I question the survey results.  For one thing, they cleave the suburbs from the city, (Beloved Alexandria is listed as #8).  It's like a physician giving you a clean bill of health while ignoring that grapefruit-sized tumor on your neck, ("Oh, that's a different place.").  And for another thing, clearly these Allstate clowns have never been to Baileys Crossroads or Seven Corners at rush hour.  Just that two mile stretch alone would put our Fair City in the Number One slot, no question.  Throw in Pennsylvania Avenue during tourist season, or Shirlington at dinner time, and we're talking a Hieronymous Bosch nightmare. And what about Nutley Street and 66?  Why, the traffic reporters don't even bother  to mention the length of delay anymore, merely that day's body count.  The whispered mention of these locations has been enough to put insurance claims adjusters into catatonic shock.   Pfft!  Number 3, indeed....

A site devoted to the disappearance of Ambrose Bierce

http://donswaim.com/bierce-disappearance.html

And if you don't know about Ambrose, do yourself a favor and check him out http://www.ambrosebierce.org/works.html.

His Devil's Dictionary is an essential part of  my life...



Happy Birthday Frank Conniff!

http://frankconniff.com/
http://mst3k.wikia.com/wiki/Frank_Conniff


Happy Birthday John Phillips!

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


Happy Birthday Lewis Black!

http://lewisblack.com/


Happy Birthday Molly Ivins!

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


Happy Birthday Joan Blondell!

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

One of my faves.


Happy Birthday Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley!

http://www.biography.com/people/mary-shelley-9481497


Happy National Toasted Marshmallow Day!

Yum!

Today is the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances

http://www.un.org/en/events/disappearancesday/

Happy International Bacon Day!

Yum!

Friday, August 29, 2014

The Ultime Chuck Berry CD Collection!

Incredible!

http://www.bear-family.com/en/by-brand-manufacturer/berry-chuck/rock-and-roll-music-any-old-way-you-choose-it-the-complete-studio-recordings-plus-16-cd-2-books.html?force_sid=80959cf22d34ab34724985041fa7b3d3


(Thanks for the link, Art!)

The (possible) return of Ballantine's IPA

http://gizmodo.com/how-pabst-brought-a-136-year-old-beer-back-from-the-dea-1628690352

it seems to me that there are far too many if's and but's this to call it a resurrection of the original beer.  In one way, that's unfortunate, but it might still be quite good, and I plan on trying it.


(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)


The mystery of Death Valley's moving stones - solved

http://time.com/3210582/sailing-stones-death-valley-solved/


Amazon's Customer Service

http://laughingsquid.com/customer-has-a-hilarious-norse-mythology-themed-chat-with-an-amazon-customer-service-person/
Neat-O!


(Thanks for the link, Mathew!

The first two albums by David Sancious are being reissued!

http://theseconddisc.com/2014/08/29/greetings-from-asbury-park-n-j-esoteric-reissues-david-sancious-first-two-albums/


(Thanks for the link, Art!)

Anniversary of George joing the Quarrymen in 1958

http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-quarrymen-mn0000491441/biography


Happy Birthday Charles Gray!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0336509/

A great character actor.

Happy Birthday Elliott Gould!

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

One of my faves.

Happy Birthday John Locke!

http://www.iep.utm.edu/locke/


Thursday, August 28, 2014

A new Doors film...

http://www.eagle-rock.com/product/feast-of-friends-2/#.U_-Yn2MXMSP


Eating Holy Clay

http://hauntedohiobooks.com/news/eating-holy-clay/

Very strange....

Mrs. Wakeman VS The Antichrist

http://www.strangehistory.net/2014/08/28/review-mrs-wakeman-vs-antichrist/
A nice review of what sounds like a fascinating book!

Happy Birthday Animal Crackers!

Premiered on this date in 1930.  Great movie.

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


Happy Birthday Jack Vance!

One of my favorite fantasy authors.

http://www.jackvance.com/


Happy Birthday C. Wright Mills!

http://www.faculty.rsu.edu/users/f/felwell/www/Theorists/Mills/


Happy Birthday J.S. Le Fanu!

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


Happy Birthday John Stark!

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

A Patriot.

Anniversary of the 1963 March On Washington

http://mlk-kpp01.stanford.edu/index.php/encyclopedia/encyclopedia/enc_march_on_washington_for_jobs_and_freedom/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smEqnnklfYs


One of the most important American political events - ever.  Perhaps the greatest speech ever delivered on American soil.

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

And yet another theory on Egyptian pyramid construction

http://io9.com/physicists-have-a-simple-answer-for-how-egyptians-built-1627604283


Ramones film in the works!

http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/a_martin_scorsese_film_about_the_ramones_is_in_the_works


Happy Birthday Martha Raye!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0713106/


Happy Birthday Joseph Reed!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Reed_%28politician%29

A Patriot.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

My Hometown

http://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2014/aug/26/northern-virginia-motorway-line-stripes-video
The official explanation is interesting, and because it's official, almost certainly a lie.  For those of you not familiar with NoVa, Interstate 66 may well be the worst road of all, when it comes to accidents, delays, gridlock and inconvenience.  It may also remain the most expensive piece of the Interstate system, due to the many lawsuits attempting to thwart it as it carved its way through the already developed suburbs.  It remains one of the world's great parking lots, every rush hour.

Nice article on the secret writings of Isaac Newton

http://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/science-and-technology/the-secret-writings-of-isaac-newton


Dylan's Basement Tapes are finally being released

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/bob-dylan-complete-basement-tapes-bootlegs-released-november-20140826?utm_source=regular&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter&email=mendip@gmail.com


It's tough to be a Soviet monument

http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/08/22/russia-to-bulgarians-please-stop-painting-over-soviet-era-monuments-to-look-like-ronald-mcdonald-and-superman/


Ghost Tape Number 10

http://militaryhistorynow.com/2013/10/30/trick-or-treat-the-strange-tale-of-ghost-tape-no-10/
I'm familiar with this story of psyops from the Vietnam War, but the link to Youtube to actually hear the tape is new to me.  Pretty interesting footnote to the War.

Anniversary of "Universal Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen" by the French National Assembly, 1789

http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/rightsof.asp

Fawlty Towers In Lego

http://dangerousminds.net/comments/the_fawlty_towers_hotel_meticulously_recreated_in_lego

At last! Something appropriate for singing 99 Bottle Of Beer!

http://gizmodo.com/good-god-someones-selling-a-99-pack-of-beers-1626890533

(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

The Beloit Mindset List for this year

http://www.wtop.com/1373/3688464/College-freshmen-dont-remember

Happy Birthday Shirley Manson!

http://www.biography.com/people/shirley-manson-21084967


Happy Women's Equality Day!

www.nwhp.org/resourcecenter/equalityday.php


Monday, August 25, 2014

Reviews for Salsa Con Queso

http://www.buzzfeed.com/alanwhite/blllleeeeeeeeeeuuuuuuuuggggggghhhhhh#ayawa9

Well, it certainly sounds like a versatile product!


(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

Record Store Day - The Documentary

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=mm#inbox/1480cef261714441?projector=1

Pretty neat!


(Thanks for the link, Erik!)

Does the suspect have any distinguishing features?

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/08/24/massachusetts-man-fears-his-horns-666-forehead-tattoo-will-make-a-fair-trial-impossible/


Happy Birthday to The Monster Mash!

Released on this date in 1962.  The national anthem of Halloween!

http://themonstermash.com/

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


Happy Birthday to Born To Run!!!

Released on this date in 1975.  What can I say, my all-time favorite album.

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ap1yVqPL0lA


Happy Birthday Sean Connery!

http://www.seanconnery.com/


Happy Birthday Tim Burton!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000318/

Happy Birthday Elvis Costello!

http://www.elviscostello.com/


Sunday, August 24, 2014

RIP Richard Attenborough

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-28923074

The dark illustrations of John Kenn Mortensen!

These are really neat - sort of a combination of Edward Gorey and Maurice Sendak. 

http://www.boredpanda.com/creepy-monsters-sticky-note-drawings-john-kenn-mortensen/


(Thanks for the link, Doug!)

A nice article on the currrent state of D&D

http://www.vice.com/read/dungeons-dragons-is-officially-cool-again-115


Anniversary of the Battle of Bladensburg

http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/warof1812/p/battle-of-bladensburg.htm
The worst military defeat that America has ever endured.  A complete disaster, from start to finish. 

Happy Birthday Niagara!

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

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Cthulhu?

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/901892-strange-sounds-in-the-ocean-source-unknown-listen-here/?photo=1

The oldest flame

http://www.strangehistory.net/2014/08/22/oldest-flame/

Interview with Michael Dorn about Captain Worf series

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSO1jc2asfE


Some haunted attractions in Virginia

http://screamfreak.com/

We're getting closer to that time of year....

For Record Lovers

http://www.buzzfeed.com/perpetua/things-vinyl-collectors-love#ayawa9


Anniversary of the murder of Nicola Sacco & Bartolomeo Vanzetti

http://spartacus-educational.com/USAsacco.htm


Happy Birthday to The Big Sleep!

Premiered on this date in 1946.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038355/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt


Happy Birthday Mark Russell!

http://www.markrussell.net/


Happy Birthday Keith Moon!

http://thewho.com/history/keith-moon/

Happy Birthday Gene Kelly!

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


Happy Birthday Malvina Reynolds!

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

Happy Birthday Oliver Perry!

http://www.history.navy.mil/bios/perry_oliver_h.htm

A Patriot.

Happy Birthday Jonathan Wainwright!

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/jwainiv.htm
An under-appreciated general of WWII.

Today is the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition

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

Friday, August 22, 2014

The Standells and Bing?!?

http://dangerousminds.net/comments/the_standells_rock_with_bing_crosby_1965

I don't remember this show at all!

A nice recounting of the witch of WWII

http://militaryhistorynow.com/2014/08/22/wartime-witchcraft-the-strange-tale-of-helen-duncan-and-the-sinking-of-hms-barham/


The hermit

http://www.gq.com/news-politics/newsmakers/201409/the-last-true-hermit
Originally, I was going to classify this story as interesting, but upon reflection, it just strikes me as one about a sad and off-kilter dude.

Happy Birthday John Lee Hooker!

http://www.johnleehooker.com/

Happy Birthday Dorothy Parker!

http://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poet/dorothy-parker

One of my faves.

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Great Cosplay

http://io9.com/creepy-cosplay-thats-as-horrifying-as-anything-we-see-i-1625187200


Happy Birthday Joe Strummer!

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


Happy Birthday Jackie DeShannon!

http://www.jackiedeshannon.com/
One of my faves.

Happy Birthday Friz Freleng!

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


Happy Senior Citizens Day!

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/senior-citizens-day

http://www.graypanthers.org/

Happy Poets Day!

http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/country/America/American_poets.html

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Mining engineer's blowpipe

http://www.wired.com/2014/08/crazy-blowpipe-apparatus/

Pretty neat technology!

Zombie Ant Fungus!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2014/08/19/fungus-turns-zombie-ants-into-booby-traps/
Fascinating!


(Thanks for the link, Edmund!)

Happy National Radio Day!

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

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/articles/16638/radio-free-georgetown

Anniversary fo the crushing of the Prague Spring

The Russians have a lot of practice....

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


Happy Birthday Robert Plant!

http://www.robertplant.com/?frontpage=true


Happy Birthday Phil Lynott!

http://www.thinlizzy.org/phil.html


Happy Birthday James Marsters!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0551346/


Happy Birthday H.P. Lovecraft!

http://www.hplovecraft.com/


Happy National Lemonade Day!

http://www.punchbowl.com/holidays/national-lemonade-day

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Cthulhu Fez!!!

http://fez-o-rama.com/shop/current/cthulhu-fez/

It doesn't get any cooler than this, Folks!

A nice article about George Washington's Guards

http://allthingsliberty.com/2014/08/his-excellencys-guards/


An interesting article on the state of historical reenactment groups

http://militaryhistorynow.com/2014/08/18/theatre-of-war-14-unexpected-historic-reenactment-groups/


Lost Games

http://mentalfloss.com/article/58439/29-games-nobody-plays-anymore

(Thanks for the link, Tom!)

Happy Birthday Ginger Baker!

http://www.gingerbaker.com/


Happy Brithday Gene Roddenberry!

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


Happy National Potato Day!

Yum!

Happy National Hot & Spicy Food Day!

https://www.thewrath.com/


Happy world Humanitarian Day!

http://www.un.org/en/events/humanitarianday/


Monday, August 18, 2014

Gunshot to a Neanderthal?

http://www.shieldsgazette.com/opinion/columnists/wraithscape/was-neanderthal-shot-by-a-time-traveller-1-6786186

A cool mystery!  While not having any education in forensic medicine and analysis, I would ask this - Could such wounds be accounted for by the use of slings with lead pellets?  At close range, the things are damnably devastating, and even long range, (a couple hundred yards, apparently), they can kill. 

Happy Birthday Criswell!

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


Happy Birthday Meriwether Lewis!

http://www.biography.com/people/meriwether-lewis-9381267

Beginning of month of Fructidor in French revolutionary calendar

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

Happy Bad Poetry Day!

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

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

Sunday, August 17, 2014

The Rapture!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJGz9VKTk7c


Move over, Citizen Kane, there's a new kid in town...

Birdemic!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrxZblVUkMU


Call Girl of Cthulhu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwqJ9IXn4WU&feature=youtu.be
Keepin' it classy...

Crocs Versus Japanese soldiers

http://mysteriousuniverse.org/2014/08/the-horrific-crocodile-massacre-of-ramree-island/

As the story implies, I've also read reports that claim that this is an exaggeration...

The 'talking' vampire plant

http://mysteriousuniverse.org/2014/08/vampire-plant-talks-to-victims-while-sucking-their-life-out/

75 Days Until Halloween!


Happy Birthday Mae West!

http://allaboutmae.com/

Genius.  Essential.

Happy National Rum Day!

Yum!

http://www.bacardi.com/us/lda


Saturday, August 16, 2014

Anniversary of the death of Bela Lugosi

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

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


Anniversary of the Ramones debute at CBGB's in 1974

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


Happy Birthday Glenn Strange!

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


Happy Birthday Hal Foster!

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


Friday, August 15, 2014

The cutting edge of grilling...

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_eye/2014/08/01/bompas_parr_join_forces_with_robert_wysocki_of_syracuse_university_to_barbecue.html?wpisrc=obnetwork


The Beltway turns 50!

http://wtop.com/862/3682358/Capital-Beltway-celebrates-50-years
This is actually something of a big deal for the DC area.  I still remember my Mother, brother and I going on a little road trip when a portion of the Virginia section was opened.  It really was fun to no longer rely on what were still basically country roads once you got beyond Arlington and Alexandria.  It's difficult to underestimate the effects that the Beltway has had on our region.  It meant the explosive growth of suburbia, and with the simultaneous development of Dulles airport, and the Tyson's Corner Shopping Center,  it meant that NoVa was going to become a major economic hub, (that no one really predicted at the time).  It also gave us a geopolitical reference point.  From then on there would be two worlds - Inside the Beltway, and Outside the Beltway.  And never the twain shall meet...
I will point out one flaw in this article/site, it was not written by a long-term native.  The original use of the term "Mixing Bowl" did not refer to the conjunction of the Beltway with 95, but further North, on Shirley Highway at the Pentagon.   The 495 usage of that term is a recent invention...

Happy Birthday Woodstock!

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


Happy Birthday Jimmy Webb!

http://www.jimmywebb.com/


Anniversary of the Beatles Playing Shea Stadium in 1965

http://www.maccafan.net/Gallery/SheaStadium/Shea.htm


Happy Birthday Huntz Hall!

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


Happy Birthday Rose Marie!

http://www.missrosemarie.com/


National Lemon Meringue Pie Day!

Yum!

http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/articles/view/175/1/National-Lemon-Meringue-Pie-Day.html


Happy VJ Day!

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


Thursday, August 14, 2014

Maryland RenFest is coming!

http://www.rennfest.com/


Led Zeppelin Played Here

http://dangerousminds.net/comments/the_director_of_heavy_metal_parking_lot_returns_with_led_zeppelin
Of course, this has been a part of DC music folklore for decades.  It'll be fun to see this little movie about it.  (And yes, I happen to think that it's true).

Religious Persecution At Its Ugliest

http://www.timescolonist.com/sports/pastafarian-s-relationship-with-icbc-strained-over-licence-photo-1.1312189

First they came for the Pastafarians, and I did not speak out...


(Thanks for the link, John!)

Happy Birthday to The Rocky Horror Picture Show!

Premiered on this date in 1975.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073629/

http://www.rockyhorror.com/


Happy Birthday Dash Crofts!

http://www.sealsandcrofts.com/main.html


Happy Birthday David Crosby!

http://www.davidcrosby.com/


Gary Larson!

http://www.thefarside.com/

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


Happy National Navajo Codetalkers Day!

http://navajocodetalkers.org/

Amazing Patriots.

Happy Liberty Tree Day!

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

http://www.libertytreesociety.org/


Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Darwin Award Nominee

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/12/nigel-willis-vibrator-death_n_5671791.html?cps=gravity


Steampunk Guinea Pig!

http://io9.com/every-pet-guinea-pig-needs-a-pair-of-leather-steampunk-1620976016

This is really amazing work!


(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

A nice article on the history and myths behind The Emerald Tablet

http://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends/legendary-emerald-tablet-001956#!bCDdwI


Irony

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/11/world/middleeast/suicide-bomb-instructor-accidentally-kills-iraqi-pupils.html?referrer&_r=1


A nice article about CD Baby

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/08/13/arts/music/cd-baby-a-company-for-the-niche-musician.html?_r=0

I've been purchasing from them for many years.

(Thanks for the link, Erik!)

Happy Birthday South Park!

Premiered on this date in 1997.

http://southpark.cc.com/


Happy Festival of Hecate!

http://www.hecatescauldron.org/The%20Goddess%20Hecate.htm


Happy Birthday Alfred Hitchcock!

http://www.biography.com/people/alfred-hitchcock-9340006


Happy National Filet Mignon Day!

Yum!

http://www.food.com/food-holidays/filet-mignon-day-0813



Tuesday, August 12, 2014

RIP Betty

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/08/12/339931830/actress-lauren-bacall-dies-at-89?utm_source=alert&utm_medium=email&utm_content=20140812&utm_campaign=breakingnews&utm_term=nprnews

One of my faves.

Arlington Bat Festival!

http://www.arlnow.com/2014/08/12/get-batty-at-the-arlington-bat-festival/

I need to find those plastic vampire teeth.

The National Leprechaun Museum

http://www.leprechaunmuseum.ie/
Cute!


(Thanks for the link, Rick!)

Monty Python Lives!!!

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/07/us-britain-holygrail-idUSKBN0G71X120140807

The Search for the GRRRRAILLL Continues!

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

Premiered on this date in 1939.

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


Happy Birthday Dan Curtis!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0193303/

Happy Birthday Mark Knopfler!

http://www.markknopfler.com/


Happy Vinyl Record Day!

http://www.vinylrecordday.com/


Monday, August 11, 2014

RIP Robin Williams...

I am seriously bummed.  A great talent.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/2014/08/11/a165171c-21aa-11e4-958c-268a320a60ce_story.html

Happy Birthday to Solid Gold!

Premiered on this date in 1980.

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


Sunday, August 10, 2014

Interesting article about experiments with EVP

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/853809-study-explores-whether-dead-can-communicate-through-electronics/


DIY Satellite Control

http://betabeat.com/2014/08/civilians-in-abandoned-mcdonalds-seize-control-of-wandering-space-satellite/

Pretty neat!

Super Moon Tonight!

http://earthsky.org/space/what-is-a-supermoon#how-many


Happy Birthday to The Sunderland Experiment!

Premiered on this date in 2013.

http://www.thesunderlandexperiment.com/


Happy Birthday Horse Feathers!

Premiered on this date in 1932.

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

Happy Birthday Ian Anderson!

http://jethrotull.com/


Happy Birthday Bobby Hatfield!

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


Happy Birthday Ronnie Spector!

http://www.ronniespector.com/

One of my faves.

Happy Birthday to the Smithsonian Institution!

Founded on this date in 1846.

http://www.si.edu/


Happy National Banana Split Day!

Yum!

http://justinesicecreamparlor.com/


Happy Puck Fair Day!

http://www.puckfair.ie/


Saturday, August 09, 2014

Counterfeiting as a weapon

http://militaryhistorynow.com/2014/08/08/funny-money-the-amazing-history-of-wartime-counterfeiting-2/
I'd heard about the fake $100 bills before.  In fact, that's my understanding as to why they were redesigned a few years ago.  But the rumor that I'd heard was that the source was Iran, and not North Korea.  It seems that just a short time before he was deposed, the Shah had purchased a few high-grade American-style printing presses for his bills, (supposedly identical to the ones that this country uses).  When the priesthood overthrew him, they put 'em to good use.  And that's why they were so accurate.

Pure America

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/07/mom-finds-porn-on-tv_n_5659487.html?cps=gravity

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/buster/mom-calls-cops-over-porn-675432


A nation of crybabies and delicate snowflakes.  I also love the idea that there's a cop named Bobo.


Halloween Countdown Site

http://seasonaltraditions.co.uk/halloweencountdown/


A list of small "cities" to visit

http://www.buzzfeed.com/h2/fbsp/fuze/coolest-small-cities-its-time-to-roadtrip-to
I don't consider any of these to be cities, and get tired of towns being classified as such.  But I like the list, having visited about 2/3 of these places and enjoyed them. I'd add a few more:

Woodinville, WA
Charlottesville, VA
Burlington, VT
Salem, MA
Madison, WI
Telluride, CO
Ft. Collins, CO
Durango, CO
Ouray, CO
Silverton, CO
St. Michaels' MD
Lititz, PA
Lancaster, PA
Astoria, OR
Lewes, DE
Jerome, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
Dolores, CO
Pagosa Springs, CO
Nederland,CO
Annapolis, MD


Cancel my appointments...

http://www.express.co.uk/news/nature/497171/Supermoon-triggers-end-of-world-Sunday


Hitchhiking robot

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/innovations/wp/2014/08/07/hitchhiking-robot-has-survived-one-third-of-journey-across-canada/?wpisrc=nl-innv&wpmm=1


An Amazing Article

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/winding-history-maze-180951998/?no-ist


An ancient sword made with modern technology?

http://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/mysterious-viking-sword-made-technology-future-001944#!bxSbUa

An interesting anomaly.

American nazi summer camp of 1937

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_vault/2014/08/05/history_of_nazis_in_the_united_states_film_of_american_nazi_summer_camp.html

Little turds...

The cutting edge of Victorian fashion

http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-28357269

WWI secret weapon flamethrower

http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/31738
Pretty impressive, if unwieldy.


hitler picture probably a fake

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2717026/Famous-image-showing-Adolf-Hitler-celebrating-start-First-World-War-FAKE-s-partly-length-moustache.html
Interesting.  This has been kicking around in various history books for years.

Afghanistan in the 1950's

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/2014/newsspec_8529/index.html


Weird/Neat vehicles

http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2014/08/futuristic-sofil-1953-vehicle.html


A new collection of Cthulhu Mythos tales!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1781164525


Happy National Garage Sale Day!

Happy National Bowling Day!

http://www.bowl.com/

Nixon's The One! Anniversary of his abdication...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/watergate/


Happy Birthday David Steinberg!

http://thedavidsteinberg.com/

Happy International Day of the World's Indiginous Peoples!

http://www.un.org/en/events/indigenousday/

Happy Book Lovers Day!

http://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/book-lovers-day/

http://www.overthemoonbookstore.com/

Friday, August 08, 2014

Office Safari!

http://tumblr.tastefullyoffensive.com/post/94163590693/office-safari-by-mike-ben-previously#.U-VQk2OB801

Cute!


(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

Disco the Parakeet takes on Monty Python!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNavxvvN9QI


The technology of the first half of my life is now a source of humor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfxRfkZdiAQ

Babylon 5 Reboot?

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/08/j-michael-straczynski-wants-to-reboot-babylon-5-as-a-big-budget-movie/

Great series, I'm not sure I see the value of a film version.

He's ready to work for the TSA

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/local/wp/2014/08/07/d-c-already-hates-us-says-co-founder-of-pizza-app/?wpmm=AG0003386

Once again, someone fucks up about DC and where it fits in.  It's called geography people, learn it.  At least this clown didn't work for the Feds.


Oedipus Veg

http://www.openculture.com/2014/08/the-story-of-oedipus-retold-with-vegetables-in-starring-roles.html

Abbey Road Anniversary

http://www.beatlesbible.com/1969/08/08/the-abbey-road-cover-photography-session/
It was on this date in 1969 that one of the most famous photos in rock'n'roll history was taken. 

Happy Birthday to The Edge!

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


Happy Birthday Dustin Hoffman!

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


Happy Birthday Allan McLane!

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

A Patriot.

Thursday, August 07, 2014

Maps Online

http://www.openculture.com/2014/03/new-york-public-library-puts-20000-hi-res-maps-online.html

Very cool!

Daddy gives princess a pony

http://happyplace.someecards.com/crime/the-rumors-about-the-lapd-police-chief-his-officer-daughter-6k-and-a-horse-turned-out-to-be-true/


School Daze

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/06/lorie-ann-hill-teacher-drunk-pantsless-first-day_n_5656373.html


Invasion that never occurred

http://militaryhistorynow.com/2014/08/07/cruel-intentions-seven-planned-invasions-that-were-never-carried-out/
An interesting list.  Several comments:  Despite what the article says, the Kaiser's insane invasion plans for the U.S. were known long before the 2002 date given.  I'd heard about 'em back in my college days. There was even an amateur wargame campaign based around it at the time (early 70's).   The supposed Soviet invasion of nazi Germany is pure bullshit, I'm amazed it's even written up here.  The German plans for invading Switzerland were real, but I'm tired of the 'official' reasons for them being discarded due to an impregnable and plucky Swiss army.  The idea that you hide in (very stationary) mountain caves away from the population and resupply that can then be easily surrounded and defended against has never impressed me.  Nor do I have much faith in the population's willingness to fight.  A score of halberdiers guarding the pope is hardly a great background of military experience.  I've always believed that the Germans decided against invading because it wasn't necessary.  The Swiss were already quite pro-nazi and helping the fascists in a variety of (very profitable) ways.  Neutral, my ass....


Happy National Lighthouse Day!

http://nationaldaycalendar.com/days-2/national-lighthouse-day-august-7/


Happy Birthday Mata Hari!

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


Happy Birthday BJ Thomas!

http://bjthomas.com/

Happy Birthday Nathaniel Greene!

http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/americanrevolutio1/p/greene.htm
A Patriot.

Wednesday, August 06, 2014

Some of the stranger micronations

http://io9.com/the-weirdest-micronations-that-have-ever-existed-1616922585


Parental bonding on Facebook

http://happyplace.someecards.com/parenting/17-bratty-kids-being-owned-by-their-parents-on-facebook/


The hitler hex?

http://factday.com/2014/02/23/in-1941-a-group-of-americans-arranged-a-hex-party-to-kill-adolf-hitler-by-a-voodoo-spell/
These photos are so well lit and staged that I have to wonder if this was anything more than a publicity stunt for William Seabrook to sell books/articles.

Happy Birthday Inez Milholland!

http://www.nwhm.org/education-resources/biography/biographies/inez-milholland-boissevain/

Happy Birthday Charles Fort!

http://www.sacred-texts.com/fort/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Fort


Tuesday, August 05, 2014

A butt by any other name...

http://gizmodo.com/a-chrome-extension-that-replaces-cloud-with-butts-w-1615813889


(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

Revenge

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/04/amazon-review-_n_5649183.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063


The Mooosic Audience

http://gawker.com/cows-love-this-farmers-trombone-cover-of-lordes-royals-1616309830

(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

Arlington has updated/upgraded their website

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/

One of the top places I recommend to visitors of DC.

Happy National Oyster Day!

Yum!

http://www.elliottsoysterhouse.com/

http://www.harriscrabhouse.com/



Happy Birthday American Bandstand!

Premiered on this date in 1957.

http://www.tv.com/shows/american-bandstand/


Happy Birthday Neil Armstrong!

http://www.biography.com/people/neil-armstrong-9188943


Monday, August 04, 2014

Whysk

http://www.clickhole.com/video/amazing-watch-how-one-startup-changing-way-we-get--683




Tales from an NYC Medical Examiner

http://nypost.com/2014/08/03/a-million-ways-to-die-in-new-york-medical-examiners-days-of-gory/

Gruesome stuff...

The Last Wine Bar

http://www.torontosun.com/2014/08/01/french-hospital-to-open-wine-bar-to-cheer-up-terminally-ill?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pulsenews


WMD

http://www.nj.com/passaic-county/index.ssf/2014/08/two_injured_after_eggnog_flavoring_explosion_at_totowa_laboratory.html


The Wide World Of Sports!

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-28621775


Her legal defense will fail - She doesn't have a leg to stand on...

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/plane-diverted-after-woman-threw-prosthetic-leg-at-cabin-crew-9641295.html


The Voldemort Defense

http://abcnews.go.com/US/girl-accused-slender-man-stabbing-talks-unicorns-voldemort/story?id=24796126


The many uses of Ikea bags

http://www.thelocal.se/20140801/woman-finds-ikea-bags-stuffed-with-80-skeletons


Happy Birthday Rock'N'Roll High School!

Premiered on this date in 1979.

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


Happy Birthday Louis Armstrong!

http://www.pbs.org/jazz/biography/artist_id_armstrong_louis.htm

Happy Birthday Raoul Wallenberg!

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

Happy International IPA Day!

Yum!

http://www.stonebrew.com/


Sunday, August 03, 2014

Happy National Watermelon Day!

Yum!


Nice little article about Woody Guthrie in New York City

http://dangerousminds.net/comments/my_name_is_new_york_nyc_through_the_eyes_of_woody_guthrie

Steve Boone (of the Lovin' Spoonful) writes his memoirs

http://blogcritics.org/book-review-hotter-than-a-match-head-by-steve-boone/


Happy Birthday John Scopes!

http://www.biography.com/people/john-scopes-17183774


Happy Birthday Maggie Kuhn!

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


Saturday, August 02, 2014

I will never eat Magnolia Ham

http://weird-vintage.com/post/90419499344/magnolia-ham-cabinet-card-1878-apparently-bay


My Hometown

http://www.wtop.com/41/3672607/Virginia-swimmer-fights-bacteria-eating-away-at-his-leg
Nice to know that the water will eat you alive....

Happy Birthday Mojo Nixon!

http://www.mojonixon.com/home.html


Happy Birthday Myrna Loy!

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

One of my all-time faves.

Happy Mead Day!

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

Yum!

Happy National Mustard Day!

http://mustardmuseum.com/



Friday, August 01, 2014

Slug Solos!

http://slugsolos.tumblr.com/

Fun stuff!


(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)

The cutting edge of consumer protection

http://happyplace.someecards.com/meth/woman-calls-the-cops-to-complain-about-the-quality-of-her-meth/


A nice article about giant spiders

http://karlshuker.blogspot.com/2014/07/giant-spiders-monstrous-myth-or.html

Pleasant dreams...

Alien Mail Drop

http://mysteriousuniverse.org/2014/07/black-mail-the-secret-spot-where-peoples-alien-letters-arrive/


A nice little article about Maryland's GoatMan

http://modernfarmer.com/2013/09/marylands-goatman-half-man-half-goat-blood/


"Man killed to death"

https://twitter.com/Steve_Gerlach/status/494694902970580994/photo/1
Yea, that's generally how it goes.

Laz-Y-Boy: The Silent Killer

http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Firefighters-called-kitten-trapped-reclining/story-22016367-detail/story.html


Special Delivery

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2014/08/01/prison_drone_weed_cellphones_among_contents.html?wpisrc=newsletter_jcr:content&mc_cid=2fa4c3a24b&mc_eid=a898612483


Happy Birthday to The Little Soldier!

The center of wargaming in the DC area for many years.  Bought and moved into Alexandria on this date in 1978. 

Happy Birthday Jerry Garcia!

http://jerrygarcia.com/


Happy Colorado Day!

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/colorado-day


Happy Lughnasadh!

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