Saturday, October 31, 2015
The "Halloween Generation" of ghost hunting
http://hayleyisaghost.co.uk/is-this-the-halloween-generation-of-ghost-research/
An interesting read. I've only watched two ghost hunting shows - for about 5 minutes each. They were obviously out to entertain (mostly by the ghost hunters shrieking like little girls) and nothing more.
Friday, October 30, 2015
Anniversary fo the broadcast of War Of The Worlds in 1938.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_War_of_the_Worlds_(radio_drama)
Probably the most famous radio show of all time.
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
What if Lovecraft marketed chocolate?
http://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/selections-from-hp-lovecrafts-brief-tenure-as-a-whitmans-sampler-copywriter
(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)
(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)
The game of Nuclear War turns 50
https://unicornbooty.com/nuclear-war-turns-50-a-fun-game-about-human-extinction/
Actually, this is one of my favorite games.
Actually, this is one of my favorite games.
A too-short article about Grave Robbing in DC
http://blogs.weta.org/boundarystones/2015/10/26/grave-robbing-washington-history-morbid-trade
(Thanks for the link, Ed!)
A new book about the history of Dungeons & Dragons
http://www.npr.org/2015/10/27/450881148/after-40-years-dungeons-dragons-still-brings-players-to-the-table
(Thanks for the link, Ed!)
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
What's good for the goose...
http://www.bremertonpatriot.com/news/337225821.html#
Actually, I'm surprised with Christian worship at school football games. I'd always thought that the Sun God of ancient Egypt held sway - RA! RA! RA!
Actually, I'm surprised with Christian worship at school football games. I'd always thought that the Sun God of ancient Egypt held sway - RA! RA! RA!
Anniversary of the Federalist Papers
The first one was published on this date in 1787.
http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/documents/1786-1800/the-federalist-papers/
http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/documents/1786-1800/the-federalist-papers/
Monday, October 26, 2015
The Booze Comet
http://www.theverge.com/2015/10/26/9615392/comet-lovejoy-ethyl-alcohol-organic-molecules-life
To drink where no one has drunk before....
(Thanks for the link, John!)
To drink where no one has drunk before....
(Thanks for the link, John!)
RIP Ed Walker
http://wtop.com/local/2015/10/radio-legend-ed-walker-dies-at-83-three-hours-after-final-broadcast/
How sad, just hours after his final broadcast.
How sad, just hours after his final broadcast.
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Count Gore
http://www.countgore.com/
Just a reminder to folks, that if you're into horror film, books, music, or games, you need to check out DC's great ghost host, Count Gore De Vol.
Just a reminder to folks, that if you're into horror film, books, music, or games, you need to check out DC's great ghost host, Count Gore De Vol.
Saturday, October 24, 2015
The Beeracuda!
Just because you're climbing a mountain doesn't mean you can't have a cold one...
https://www.jackthreads.com/burton/bags/beeracuda/products/176863
(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)
https://www.jackthreads.com/burton/bags/beeracuda/products/176863
(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)
Friday, October 23, 2015
Tasty Children
http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2015/10/21/woman-allegedly-left-i-am-going-to-taste-your-children-notes/
I prefer the traditional "Hey, You Kids - Get off of my lawn!"
(Thanks for the link, Mike!)
I prefer the traditional "Hey, You Kids - Get off of my lawn!"
(Thanks for the link, Mike!)
Weirdsville Radio
http://www.neverendingwonder.com/weirdsville.htm
This is ESSENTIAL listening during the Halloween Season. Wonderful selection of tunes.
This is ESSENTIAL listening during the Halloween Season. Wonderful selection of tunes.
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Robert Anton Wilson books to be republished!
http://www.rawillumination.net/2015/10/raw-trust-to-reprint-19-raw-books.html
This is wonderful news!
This is wonderful news!
An exhibition for Bosch!
http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/oct/21/hieronymus-bosch-exhibition-holland-small-museum-host-largest-ever
One of my faves, I wish I could go.
(Thanks for the link, Ed!)
One of my faves, I wish I could go.
(Thanks for the link, Ed!)
RIP Cory Wells
http://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/three-dog-night-vocalist-cory-wells-dies-at-74/ar-BBmiBcg?ocid=U147DHP
(Thanks for the link, Ed!)
(Thanks for the link, Ed!)
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Steampunk Cafe in Rumania
http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2015/10/enigma-steampunk-bar-romania/?utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=webfeeds
So cool!
(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)
So cool!
(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)
Happy Birthday Ranger Hal Shaw!
Happy Birthday Art Buchwald!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Buchwald
One of the leading political satirists of his day, he was practically the official one for inside The Beltway; and a very nice man.
Monday, October 19, 2015
Jackalope Discovered!
http://mysteriousuniverse.org/2015/10/the-jackalope-may-be-alive-and-living-in-canada/
I think this is the beginning of a low budget made-for-TV monster movie.
I think this is the beginning of a low budget made-for-TV monster movie.
The greatest movie never made
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0g0Zac3oEc
Every year or two, I post this trailer. I wish this damned thing would be released....
Every year or two, I post this trailer. I wish this damned thing would be released....
Pairings of Beer and Halloween Candy
http://beerandbrewing.com/VFqm-TEAADQAK9vG/article/craft-beer-pairings-for-halloween-candy-2015-update
(Thanks for the link, Katie!)
(Thanks for the link, Katie!)
Anniversary of the start of the War of Jenkins' Ear!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_Jenkins%27_Ear
This has always been my favorite name for a war...
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Anniversary of my first Springsteen concert, back in 1976.
At Gtown University. Here's an excerpt from another eyewitness:
The last time that Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band played Georgetown University, a key setting for 'The Exorcist,' was on October 18, 1976. On that night nearly 40 years ago, the Cosmic Kid met Captain Howdy as the story section of "Growin' Up" became a hilariously horrific tale about Bruce's beloved '57 Chevy getting possessed by an evil spirit — which predated Stephen King's 'Christine' by almost a decade. According to Brucebase, it also marked the only time that Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells" has ever been performed onstage by Bruce and the band, the famous instrumental from the film's closing-credits serving as backing music for Bruce's story. Here's the only known recording of that performance, just a partial audience tape.
"...The hood ornament started spinnin’ around that cross! The gas tank flew open and spit gas on my face! The cross was jammed into the radiator! Then, all of a sudden, I said, ‘Who are you?! You ain’t my ’57 Chevy, who are you?!’ And it said, ‘I AM A NEW TOYOTA!’ It jammed itself into first... popped into some wheelies, spinnin’ down the street. I commandeered a vehicle, knocked this old lady outta the front seat of this Camaro. I jumped in and started spinnin’ after my car, right? I called up my own Keith Richards; my guitar flew out the trunk! I picked it up like this and called on all the guitar heroes up in Rock 'n' Roll Heaven to help me!"
The last time that Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band played Georgetown University, a key setting for 'The Exorcist,' was on October 18, 1976. On that night nearly 40 years ago, the Cosmic Kid met Captain Howdy as the story section of "Growin' Up" became a hilariously horrific tale about Bruce's beloved '57 Chevy getting possessed by an evil spirit — which predated Stephen King's 'Christine' by almost a decade. According to Brucebase, it also marked the only time that Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells" has ever been performed onstage by Bruce and the band, the famous instrumental from the film's closing-credits serving as backing music for Bruce's story. Here's the only known recording of that performance, just a partial audience tape.
"...The hood ornament started spinnin’ around that cross! The gas tank flew open and spit gas on my face! The cross was jammed into the radiator! Then, all of a sudden, I said, ‘Who are you?! You ain’t my ’57 Chevy, who are you?!’ And it said, ‘I AM A NEW TOYOTA!’ It jammed itself into first... popped into some wheelies, spinnin’ down the street. I commandeered a vehicle, knocked this old lady outta the front seat of this Camaro. I jumped in and started spinnin’ after my car, right? I called up my own Keith Richards; my guitar flew out the trunk! I picked it up like this and called on all the guitar heroes up in Rock 'n' Roll Heaven to help me!"
Happy Birthday, Bunnyman!
NoVa's own urban legend, first sighted on this date in 1970.
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/vr/bunny/bunnyprint.htm
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/vr/bunny/bunnyprint.htm
Saturday, October 17, 2015
The Best Horror Hosts
http://www.mentalfloss.com/article/29034/schlock-jocks-12-tv%E2%80%99s-coolest-horror-hosts
Count Gore made the list!
Count Gore made the list!
Holocaust Store
http://www.messynessychic.com/2015/10/08/inside-the-paris-department-store-where-nazis-shopped-for-stolen-jewish-goods/
An interesting, and sad, footnote to the Holocaust
Friday, October 16, 2015
How'd that cake taste?
Today is the anniversary of the execution of Marie Antoinette.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/marie-antoinette-is-beheaded
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/marie-antoinette-is-beheaded
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Ed Walker to retire
http://m.wamu.org/#/about/15/10/15/ed_walker_retires
Walker is a legend to radio listeners in the DC region.
(Thanks for the link, Erik!)
Walker is a legend to radio listeners in the DC region.
(Thanks for the link, Erik!)
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
The Universe is big, real big...
http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2014/04/23/hubble_galaxies_deep_image_reveals_thousands_of_weird_galaxies.html
(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)
(Thanks for the link, Mathew!)
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
The Blog of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks
http://www.unnecessaryquotes.com/
The Internet is endlessly fascinating...
(Thanks for the link, John!)
The Internet is endlessly fascinating...
(Thanks for the link, John!)
No more nudity in Playboy!!!
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/13/business/media/nudes-are-old-news-at-playboy.html?_r=0
I guess it's back to National Geographic....
Monday, October 12, 2015
Jersey Devil Sighting!
http://www.nj.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2015/10/is_the_jersey_devil_in_galloway_township_paranorma.html#incart_river
And just in time for Halloween! What an amazing coincidence! ;)
And just in time for Halloween! What an amazing coincidence! ;)
The first 'domesticated' animal?
http://www.strangehistory.net/2013/06/22/the-first-domesticated-snail/
Get along little doggies, get along...
Because nothing says "Tourism" like assassination!
http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2015/10/11-1/local-governments-form-japan-ninja-council-to-promote-tourism
I myself am promoting tourism to India, with my new Thuggee Council of Welcome.
(Thanks for the link, Mike!)
I myself am promoting tourism to India, with my new Thuggee Council of Welcome.
(Thanks for the link, Mike!)
Sunday, October 11, 2015
18 Documentaries about record collecting
http://coloredvinylrecords.com/blog/documentaries-about-vinyl-and-record-collecting/
Am only familiar with two or three of these. Will be checking them out.
(Thanks for the link, Erik!)
Am only familiar with two or three of these. Will be checking them out.
(Thanks for the link, Erik!)
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Maps of Stereotypes
http://www.buzzfeed.com/danieldalton/map-of-stereotypes?utm_term=.jpGyEMZjp#.dvZWo2Ovq
Fun stuff! I love DC being labeled Baphomet's Lair!
The Worst Car Ever Made
http://digg.com/video/hoffman-worst-car
It's the Plan 9 of the automotive world!
(Thanks for the link, Rob!)
It's the Plan 9 of the automotive world!
(Thanks for the link, Rob!)
Friday, October 09, 2015
The Paul Lynde Halloween Special
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4psTeRpQ-1o
An interesting TV special from many years back - with a mishmash of acts. It's pretty lame, to be honest, but I've always had a soft spot in my heart for it because it's the last time that Margaret Hamilton played a witch. For that alone, it's an important footnote in pop culture.
An interesting TV special from many years back - with a mishmash of acts. It's pretty lame, to be honest, but I've always had a soft spot in my heart for it because it's the last time that Margaret Hamilton played a witch. For that alone, it's an important footnote in pop culture.
Thursday, October 08, 2015
Kids - Just Say No!
http://myfox8.com/2015/10/08/man-who-calls-police-to-say-hes-too-high-found-in-pile-of-doritos/
In my observation, Doritos is a gateway snack, to harder stuff - like pork rinds and slim jims.
Robotic Infantry
http://www.fastcoexist.com/3050022/these-apocalyptic-robot-army-foot-soldiers-will-be-the-last-thing-you-see-before-youre-elimi
It's impressive, but I wonder how vulnerable these appliances are against thing like an electronic pulse, tiger pit booby traps, and the type of problem solving skills necessary in many combat environments. I also wonders what happens when the Chinese hack into them, as they've done to so many other "impregnable" systems of ours.
(Thanks for the link, Tony!)
The Test City
http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/06/business/test-city/?iid=ob_article_footer_expansion&iref=obnetwork
I'll be curious how this works out, and if it can accurately mirror real urban areas for testing purposes.
(Thanks for the link, Tony!)
Some tidbits on the history and folklore of Halloween
http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/halloween/a/History-Of-Halloween.htm
http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/halloween/a/Why-Do-We-Carve-Pumpkins-On-Halloween.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4383216.stm
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2010/10/how-candy-and-halloween-became-best-friends/64895/
http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/halloween/a/Why-Do-We-Carve-Pumpkins-On-Halloween.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4383216.stm
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2010/10/how-candy-and-halloween-became-best-friends/64895/
Wednesday, October 07, 2015
Upcoming documentary about WHFS
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/519569308/hfs-doc-feast-your-ears-the-story-of-whfs-1023-fm
This station was legendary in the DC area, particularly in the late 60's.
Anniversary of the Battle of King's Mountain
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kings_Mountain
One of the most important battles of the Revolution.
Tuesday, October 06, 2015
Hitler's chocolate bomb!
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/nazis-wanted-beat-brits-exploding-chocolate-bars-180956798/?no-ist
I just know that Nestle was behind this...
(Thanks for the link, Mike!)
The Fortean Times
http://subscribe.forteantimes.com/
The leading magazine in the field of anomalies and the paranormal.
Halloween With The Addams Family
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlw2CFiSCgc
I'm reasonably sure that this was only broadcast once, back in 1977.
WeirdVintage
http://weird-vintage.com/
A wonderful little blog devoted to posting photos from the past that are strange or unusual. There are a lot of potential 45 picture sleeve nominees in here...
Back to Reel-To-Reel!?
http://www.theverge.com/2015/10/5/9409563/reel-to-reel-tape-retro-audio-trend
Oh my gods. Ultra-audiophiles are always funny to me....
Monday, October 05, 2015
Goblin Hunting
http://weekinweird.com/2015/10/03/return-of-the-kentucky-goblins-new-leads-in-a-case-of-strange-creatures-crashed-ufos-and-the-men-in-black/
The 1955 incident is (in)famous in UFO lore.
The 1955 incident is (in)famous in UFO lore.
Happy Birthday to Love Me Do!
The Beatles first release. From this day in 1962.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_Me_Do
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jbt8oH5Lxto
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_Me_Do
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jbt8oH5Lxto
Sunday, October 04, 2015
Saturday, October 03, 2015
Friday, October 02, 2015
Ancient telephones?
http://hauntedohiobooks.com/news/the-two-thousand-year-old-telephone/
You know, I wouldn't be a bit surprised. From my (very limited) understanding, the knowledge of batteries may well have been known by one or more ancient peoples, and perhaps ways to generate electricity through movement, etc. It's a pretty short hop from there to having a telegraph-like system, or even a crystal radio set.
Welcome To Weirdsville - Halloween Radio!
http://www.neverendingwonder.com/
A great streaming station for all things horror and Halloween. Highly recommended!
Count Gore De Vol
http://www.countgore.com/
With October comes my annual plug for the Washinton area's most famous ghost host - Count Gore De Vol. His show, Creature Feature, started out in DC in the 1970's eventually losing out in the ratings/money game, and getting cancelled. But eventually, Gore came back with the show online, and it is the longest running online site of its kind on the Internet. Now only are older horror movies shown, but also new independent releases, and with a coterie of fellow fiends contributing commentary, and reviews of books, film, music, etc. This is an essential site for any fans of monster movies and horror.
The Fortean Times
http://subscribe.forteantimes.com/
A wonderful resource for anyone interested in Fortean topics (UFO's, folklore, ghosts, bigfoot, etc.)