Haines His Way

Archives => Archive 3 => Topic started by: bk on May 13, 2005, 11:58:52 PM

Title: BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: bk on May 13, 2005, 11:58:52 PM: Well, you've read the notes, the notes were smilin' at you, you were smilin' at the notes and so were the blue skies, and now it is time for you to post until the smilin' cows come home - they're currently grazing in a meadow thinking "Nothin' but blue skies to I see. Moo."
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: bk on May 14, 2005, 12:00:01 AM: And the word of the day is: OBFUSCATE!
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: bk on May 14, 2005, 12:16:42 AM: OBFUSCATE, baby, OBFUSCATE!

And now - Dino at the piano.

I am quite awake.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 12:26:04 AM: Good Morning!

Well, I got up to get a drink of water, and now I'm wide awake too! Hmmm...

:-\

In any case...
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 12:26:44 AM: What's that phrase you see on those placards that sit on office desks... Oh...

ESCHEW OBFUSCATION

-Is that it?
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Tomovoz on May 14, 2005, 12:30:15 AM: I have not read much in the way of Science fiction. Wyndam and Arthur C Clarke and H G Wells.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: La Jolie Femme on May 14, 2005, 12:34:55 AM: Hello, All! 'Tis I, La Jolie Femme, posting late at night so der Kimster will know that we in Pogueville are ever alert and vigilant. It's been a lovely day, though, in fact, I have been left sans gateau, sans chocolat, sans tous les choses a manger. (Sniff!)

Again, thanks for all the lovely good wishes for my day.
Kimlets RULE!!!
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 12:35:46 AM: As for Science Fiction books... It's been a while since I've ready any, but here goes...

Madeleine L'Engle's "A Wrinkle In Time" trilogy. I bought some nice hardcover editions of them a few years ago - even though I still have and treasure my original Dell paperbacks - so that I could reread them. I still have yet to reread them.

When I was in 8th grade, we read an Arthur C. Clarke book. -Something where the kids were living below ground. I can see the book cover in my head - I actually came across it while packing - but I can't recall the title right now. There was also another Clarke or two on my high school reading lists. And various Ray Bradbury stories.

Would "Flowers for Algernon" be considered science fiction?

And one book which I never read, but loved the title of - and there's also a play of it: "The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds". Is that correct? *Please correct me - if I start Googling and Amazon-ing, I'll never get to bed. Is it even science fiction?

Now one book which I tried and tried to get through was the "first" (or fourth episode) Star Wars book. I don't know how many times I read that first chapter before giving up. The text just seemed so dry compared to the movie.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: bk on May 14, 2005, 12:37:20 AM: We shall rectify the cake situation this very evening, oh, yes, we shall rectify the cake situation.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 12:39:15 AM: Quote from: La Jolie Femme on May 14, 2005, 12:34:55 AM
Hello, All! 'Tis I, La Jolie Femme, posting late at night so der Kimster will know that we in Pogueville are ever alert and vigilant. It's been a lovely day, though, in fact, I have been left sans gateau, sans chocolat, sans tous les choses a manger. (Sniff!)

Again, thanks for all the lovely good wishes for my day.
Kimlets RULE!!!

Well, since I brought my "baking box" back with me from Richmond this morning - my good pans, measuring cups, measuring spoons, etc.... And I still have an unopened box of Valhrona cocoa, as well as two pounds of Ghirardelli Bittersweet... Hmmm...

How warm is it in Los Feliz now?

;)
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Charles Pogue on May 14, 2005, 12:40:55 AM: I really don't read that much Science Fiction, believe it or not. I much prefer fantasy. And I pretty much loathe sciencey Science-Fiction. And hardware, high-tech science fiction. Space ships and ray guns and that stuff.

I liked Edgar Rice Burroughs Martian Tales of John Carter as a boy, as well as the more hunourous Carson of Venus and the Inner Earth Stories of Pellucidar. Though Burroughs often makes for tough sledding these days. I think I may have liked his Moon Maid series best of his science fiction tales. Though I expect there are those who would qualify TARZAN as science fiction...in which case that would be my choice too...Still his best character ever. Mythic.

Much as I love Fredric Brown, I've never really read much of his Science Fiction...though I have most of it. But I love his mysteries more.

A. Merritt is another one of those hybrid fantasy/science fiction writers...and writes beautiful, lush prose. I'm very fond of his FACE IN THE ABYSS which would qualify as science fiction.

I'm also fond of A. Conan Doyle's Professor Challenger, especially THE LOST WORLD.

And, of course, there are the many tales of pal Harlan Ellison (who hates being referred as a Science Fiction writer and especially hates the term Sci-Fi), a particular favourite is "Jefty is Five", which is probably more fantasy than science fiction.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Tomovoz on May 14, 2005, 12:44:01 AM: Despite my not reading much Sci Fi, one of my favourite movies is 2001 and I like both versions of "Solaris". Star Wars I can do without.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Charles Pogue on May 14, 2005, 12:44:15 AM: Actually, Lovely Wife, didn't you have one of your bourbon balls left over from Derby tonight? And you did have a bit or two of the leftover Derby pie that I polished off tonight. Both had chocolate in them. Do not deny it. But, nope, no cake.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: La Jolie Femme on May 14, 2005, 12:45:27 AM: Oh, and one last thing:

Heinlein and Arthur C. Clark and Harlan Ellison and Ray Bradbury and Isaac Asimov....everything they've evr written!

But the BEST story in speculative fiction is, of course, "Jefty is Five" by Harlan Ellison...the best novella, "A Boy and His Dog" by Harlan Ellison, and the best Anthologies "Dangerous Visions" and "Again, Dangerous Visions" edited by Harlan Ellison.

(Anyone see a pattern, here?)

Ellison's the sharpest literary mind in the business, and a demon incarnate...and my friend.

Isn't "the Obfuscation" a dance like the "Locomotion", only really mixed up?...Just checkin'.

Blusk eyes, smilin' at me,
Nothin' but Blusk eyes, do I see!

Who the$#$% is this Blusk fella?

Love and fish to all!

LJF
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 12:46:28 AM: Ah, well.. I Googled...

Arthur C. Clarke - "Childhood's End"

Paul Zindel - "The Effect of Gamma Rays On Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds" -And it is just a play. *I loved Zindel's "Pigman" series.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: La Jolie Femme on May 14, 2005, 12:49:00 AM: Yes, dear Hubby, I had one of my bourbon balls, but it doesn't count because I MADE it and it wasn't PRESENTED to me as a gift! So there!

And I see you got to Ellison before I did.

Isn't that JUST LIKE you?

(But have you read as many of his books as I? NO, and no, again! HAH!

LJF
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 12:50:24 AM: I've read some Isaac Asimov and Fredric Brown stories and loved them all...just don't ask me to name specific titles. :-\
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 12:51:51 AM: And it's been quite a while since I've read any science fiction or fantasy stories.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: bk on May 14, 2005, 12:54:34 AM: Dear reader Hisaka has written two five-star reviews - one for Benjamin Kritzer and one for Kritzerland. They're on amazon Japan. Can anyone throw them into a translator like we did for that Russian review?
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 12:55:49 AM: Quote from: bk on May 14, 2005, 12:54:34 AM
Dear reader Hisaka has written two five-star reviews - one for Benjamin Kritzer and one for Kritzerland. They're on amazon Japan. Can anyone throw them into a translator like we did for that Russian review?

I can try...hang on.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: bk on May 14, 2005, 12:55:59 AM: I tried slogging through Kim Stanley Robinson's trilogy of Mars books, but I found it completely impossible.

I did and do like Frederic Pohl's marvelous Gateway.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: bk on May 14, 2005, 12:56:30 AM: I'm hangin' on, like Sloopy.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: bk on May 14, 2005, 12:56:57 AM: I feel there is cake in dear reader La Jolie Femme's future.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 12:59:29 AM: Here's something...I hope it makes sense! This is for "Benjamin Kritzer."

The customer review male be completed degree: Your review is recorded before the sight. Being to be pleasant in any case, it does! 2005/05/10 [ Japanese characters ] Evelynrose (you look at profile) the versatile face the first book BRUCE KIMMEL such as the Tokyo Japan musical producer and CD producer it has. The semi- autobiography heart warming nonfiction which is put together in the American popular cultural full load of 50 age latter halves. It is drawn through every day of sensitive boy [ Japanese characters ] of 9 years old it is old, it comes well, America. Certainly you (the lady) we would like to return to that time, that the expectation which is thought. To that time where everything is cute. To that time where everything has shone. Those where heart of curiosity excellent [ Japanese characters ] is grasped are not just the girl. At that time, he who is entered and left the cinema frequently can brighten the pupil in the enormous screen which new appears one after another. Utilizing privilege of the child to full, those where it watches over [ Japanese characters ] which learns life are not just the parents and the grandparents. Hit tune of 50 age which flows from the radio, heals the pain of that heart. As for selfish [ Japanese characters ] whose self insistence is strong, check of [ Japanese characters ] dyeing TV drama every week is not missed even in Japan. With style of humor fully kind touch, the writer with nostalgia proved the universalness of the American popular culture, in this book.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: bk on May 14, 2005, 01:03:08 AM: Lovely review. I'll ask Hisaka to do her own translation, I think.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 01:04:46 AM: This is for "Kritzerland":

The customer review male be completed degree: Your review is recorded before the sight. Being pleasant. Being pleasant. 2005/05/11 [ Japanese characters ]: If evelynrose (you look at profile) the reader of the Tokyo Japan "BENJAMIN KRITZER", without reading, the continuation which does not enter. BENJAMIN of the Dean ager continues evolution promptly. It is wiser, compared to stubbornly, from makes taste be prominent, and from it reaches the point where the American popular culture is revered. And he draws the utopia. Again, the writer showed humor with nostalgia proving the universalness of the American popular culture, with style of kind touch. And our Japanese, have the relation which is close with which rank American popular culture.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 01:05:26 AM: Quote from: bk on May 14, 2005, 01:03:08 AM
Lovely review. I'll ask Hisaka to do her own translation, I think.

Wise choice. These were courtesy of http://babelfish.altavista.com/
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 01:07:33 AM: Just to let you know (if you didn't figure it out), I added "[ Japanese characters ]" notes...when I first pasted the reviews in the reply box, the Japanese characters actually were showing, but when I posted it, it turned into:

「BENJAMIN KRITZER
」の読
者なら、
読まず
にはいら
れない
続編。
まもな
くティ
ーンエー
ジャーの
BENJAMIN
は進化を
続ける。
より賢く、
より頑固
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 01:28:06 AM: Well, I'm off to bed!
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 01:28:24 AM: And I can't leave without first saying...
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 01:29:47 AM: PAGE 2 DANCE!! ;D

[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%](http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/aktion/action-smiley-078.gif)[/move]
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Michael on May 14, 2005, 03:53:16 AM: My choice for sci fi book would be The Andromeda Strain. I was a 8 or 9 when I read it and I thought it was true.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Michael on May 14, 2005, 04:05:13 AM: I must have been one of the few people that bought the cast album of Inside Out,

Below is the cover of the original release.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Michael on May 14, 2005, 04:12:46 AM: And here is the back cover with the very samll print
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Michael on May 14, 2005, 04:19:23 AM: and the inside
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: elmore3003 on May 14, 2005, 04:46:02 AM: Good morning, all! I'm moving slowly this morning; when the alarm went off at 6:00 my right calf was indisposed with a charleyhorse, so I'm off to market for some potassium, limping a bit, but very positive about the whole megillah. I used to have them quite often but this is my first charleyhorse in some time. What a strange word!

I want to take some flowers to my coworkers Val, Sarah, Patty, and Tara at B&N, and then I'm off to the recording office. We're into the middle of act two, second proof of the new orchestra score, and I'm hoping this week we get clearance on examining some archival materials from around 1908. Things are loking good for a Christmas release of the recording, and I hope my next six weeks are tied up with tying up all the loose ends on the recording.

My other good news is that I've finished the cruise ship acts!

Hello, DRMichael Shayne!

DRJose, thanks for the phone call. It was nice to hear your voice last night, and I'll try to call you over the weekend.

I was never much into reading sci fi, preferring fantasy. I loved the first half of STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND and loathed the second half so much that I never finished it.
Others I've read:
H.G. Wells THE TIME MACHINE and WAR OF THE WORLDS
Madeline L'Engle's A WRINKLE IN TIME
John Wyndham's DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS and THE MIDWICH CUCKOOS
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Kerry on May 14, 2005, 05:33:06 AM: I bought the original "Inside Out" also. I have yet to be able to decipher the liner notes. Besides the type being so small, as I recall it also done in red on white, white on red, black on red, etc.-- all within the same word! Oy! If the notes were written by someone like Bruce or Guy Haines, I might try to read it, but.....

"The Martian Chronicles" is a classic. I liked the Madeline "L'Engle books too. "A Wrinke in Time" holds up well.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Kerry on May 14, 2005, 05:35:46 AM: After reading the posts and seeing the pics from Michael Shayne, I was wrong about there being different colors of type in the same word, but the rest is as bad as I remember it.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Matt H. on May 14, 2005, 07:34:09 AM: I'm not much of a modern sci-fi reader, but I do like THE TIME MACHINE and WAR OF THE WORLDS. And, about 20 years ago, I read CHROME since it had a gay leading character.

But it's not my favorite genre.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Matt H. on May 14, 2005, 07:41:36 AM: The major networks still have glitches in broadcasting Dolby Digital 5.1 sound to go with their HDTV broadcasts. For a while, NBC was having trouble, it's happened to ABC on occasion, and last night during NUMBERS, CBS was hurting.

What's been happening is that the center and front sound channels have been silent with only the rears producing any sound. Thus, you couldn't hear any dialogue and all that was coming out of the rear speakers were ambient street noises and music cues. Eventually, CBS switched to its standard definition analog broadcast with a Dolby surround soundtrack on its HDTV bandwidth. They never did get it fixed. They'd try it, it was all fouled up, the voices were always missing, so they'd have to switch back to standard analog picture , and by about 10:35, they just gave up trying to fix it and showed the rest of the episode in standard definition so it would have a fully operating soundtrack.

Weird.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: MBarnum on May 14, 2005, 07:46:28 AM: Favorite science fiction books:

THE BIG EYE by Max Ehrlich (1949)

THE DAY THEY H-BOMBED LOS ANGELES by Robert More Williams (1961)

I have several sci-fi paperback books from the 50s which I have not yet read.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Matt H. on May 14, 2005, 07:46:54 AM: There was some talk earlier in the week about the upcoming ALEXANDER DVD set and how Stone was going to cut out all of the gay elements blaming them on the film's poor box-office showing. Well, that is not quite right. Here's the story, copies from a press release on thedigitalbits.com:

"The big news today is that Warner has finally announced the DVD release of two versions of Oliver Stone's Alexander to street on 8/2. The first will be a 2-disc Alexander: Special Edition (SRP $29.95), featuring the 175-minute theatrical version of the film in anamorphic widescreen video with Dolby Digital 5.1 audio. Extras will include audio commentary with director Oliver Stone and historian Robin Lane Fox, the Resurrecting Alexander, Perfect is the Enemy of God and The Death of Alexander documentaries, and a featurette on the film's soundtrack, Vangelis Scores Alexander.

Also available on 8/2 will be a 2-disc Alexander: Director's Cut (SRP also $29.95), featuring a 167-minute version of the film ("newly inspired, faster-paced and more action-packed" according to the cover), also in anamorphic widescreen video with Dolby Digital 5.1 and, as far as we can tell, the same extras as the theatrical cut. So yes, the director's cut is actually SHORTER than the theatrical cut. Strange bird that Oliver Stone. A full frame version of the director's cut will also be available."
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: MBarnum on May 14, 2005, 07:50:18 AM: BK, here is a nifty shot of your Leslie Parrish in an episode of Perry Mason...

(http://i15.ebayimg.com/01/i/04/11/fb/f5_1_b.JPG)

Available at this very moment on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=60318&item=7515904343&rd=1 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=60318&item=7515904343&rd=1)
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Matt H. on May 14, 2005, 07:51:11 AM: Do you know what year Leslie made that PERRY MASON episode, DR MBarnum?
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: MBarnum on May 14, 2005, 07:53:29 AM: That particular episode was 1964.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: MBarnum on May 14, 2005, 07:54:55 AM: Golly, it must be Leslie Parrish day on Ebay this morning..here is another shot of the lovely gal...

(http://i10.ebayimg.com/01/i/04/11/cb/fd_1_b.JPG)

up for bid at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=60318&item=7516033716&rd=1 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=60318&item=7516033716&rd=1)
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jrand73 on May 14, 2005, 08:03:31 AM: Well LA FEMME JOLIE and I have similar taste in SCI FI - my favorite sci fi book is A BOY & HIS DOG by Mr Harlan Ellison, and I also enjoy the short story anthologies he edited called DANGEROUS VISIONS, and AGAIN, DANGEROUS VISIONS.

H.G. Wells, of course - The Invisible Man and War of the Worlds

Ray Bradbury - although he veers near to fantasy in my favorites of his writings.

Arthur C. Clarke and Samuel Delaney. Jules Verne: From Earth to the Moon and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

I loved sci-fi when I was younger, and now I mostly get that fix from DVD's.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Matt H. on May 14, 2005, 08:03:45 AM: I was re-watching EASTER PARADE on the new player yesterday and finally got around to noticing Joi Lansing in the"Happy Easter" sequence. Since this was made in 1948, Joi must have been in her late 30s, early 40s doing those BEVERLY HILLBILLIES episodes in the 1960s. She looked wonderful in them.

Whatever happened to Joi? Is she still alive or has she left us?
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jrand73 on May 14, 2005, 08:03:52 AM: Why is Leslie sitting on a tea cart?
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jrand73 on May 14, 2005, 08:04:50 AM: Ah, DRMATTH, I will let MBARNUM give you the bad Joi news. She was so great in HOT CARS and singing "Web of Love."
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: PennyO on May 14, 2005, 08:04:53 AM: Hello to all... been absent from the site for lo, these many weeks... here I am in LA, with family Stuff in abundance. It is a lovely day. I've had a few emails from pals in NYC; that's always fun.

And mostly it's one day at a time, one moment at a time here. A fond greeting to you all, have a swell day.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jrand73 on May 14, 2005, 08:05:43 AM: DR ELMORE you are correct, I didn't have my timeline in order, of course Miss Angela Lansbury couldn't have been in WHERE LOVE HAS GONE or MADAME X because she was in New York City trodding the boards!
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jrand73 on May 14, 2005, 08:06:37 AM: So many projects that MR BK has going. Multi tasking is hardly the word. Thanks DR MS for the lovely artwork link. Wow!
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: MBarnum on May 14, 2005, 08:29:52 AM: DRMatth, I am sorry to report that Joi Lansing passed away of breast cancer back in 1972.

She was born in 1929, so yes she was already in her 30s when she did the Beverly Hillbillies...and just about every other sit-com in the 1960s! She was one busy gal juggling a TV/movie career with her work touring nightclubs as a singer.

If you look close you will also see her in SINGING IN THE RAIN, THE MERRY WIDOW, ON THE RIVIERA, TWO TICKETS TO BROADWAY, and several other late 40s and early 50s films.

(http://images.auctionworks.com/hi/34/34008/joi-lansing.jpg)
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jrand73 on May 14, 2005, 08:31:55 AM: And of course in Red Sparkly Gloves in QUEEN OF OUTER SPACE....watching a space ship take off as her hair blows slightly in the breeze!
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Ginny on May 14, 2005, 08:37:02 AM: Good morning, all - it's a dreary, drippy day here in the Ohio Valley. I'm about to leave with a group of friends to visit the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center on the Cincinnati riverfront. Will report later.

TOD - Science fiction is not my favorite reading genre, but I am quite taken with Maria Doria Russell's The Sparrow. It has a sequel, Children of God, which I have not yet read. Also, Marge Piercy, who I mentioned the other day for historical fiction, wrote Woman on the Edge of Time, which fall into the sci fi sub-category of "time slip."
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jrand73 on May 14, 2005, 08:41:40 AM: DR GINNY there is MORE rain headed your way. It is almost 11 a.m. here and it hasn't stopped raining ALL morning.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Ginny on May 14, 2005, 08:49:06 AM: Quote from: JRand54 on May 14, 2005, 08:41:40 AM
DR GINNY there is MORE rain headed your way. It is almost 11 a.m. here and it hasn't stopped raining ALL morning.

Well, at least we're going to an indoor site! This group is my book club, and we thought about going to Ripley, OH, the setting of one of our favorite books, Beyond the River, by Ann Hagedorn. It would be yucky to tromp around John Rankin's hillside home in the rain! Thanks for the weather forecast, such as it is, DR JRand.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jrand73 on May 14, 2005, 09:18:04 AM: LOL....
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: bk on May 14, 2005, 09:19:07 AM: What a nice image to wake up to - Leslie Parrish and an epee. Perhaps I'll go bid on those pix.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: bk on May 14, 2005, 09:19:25 AM: And never forget: OBFUSCATE!
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: bk on May 14, 2005, 09:21:25 AM: Why don't these sellers just put a nice Buy it Now on these things? Do they think there's going to be a bidding war?
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Rodzinski on May 14, 2005, 09:26:38 AM: Oh, to be a tea cart!
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Rodzinski on May 14, 2005, 09:31:29 AM: My favorite science fiction writer is Robert Sheckley. He's really more of a humorist who wrote in the science fiction vein. His short stories are just gems.

THE TENTH VICTIM with Marcello Mastroianni and Ursala Andress is based on one of his books.
And his novel IMMORTALITY INC was sadly demolished and turned into the vile FREEJACK with Mick Jagger.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Danise on May 14, 2005, 09:32:32 AM: Hi folks! I’m sorry I have been E & T. I had another one of “those” weeks.

I had to work overtime a couple of nights and that really washes me out.

I hope everyone is doing well. DR Elmore, the time for your surgery is coming near—you know you have my every wish for a safe and speedy recovery. I so hope that this time takes care of the problem.

Last night I came home late and intended on posting but when I went out to feed the dogs, I had a baby bird problem. When I went to get the hose to give the dogs fresh water, there he/she sat, looking up at me with big bright eyes.

I asked if he could fly and tried to chase it but it was just at the hop/flap/run stage. I guess he jumped out of the nest to soon.

I knew he couldn’t stay in the back yard because the dogs might hurt it so I made sure the dogs were in their pen then I went in and got a towel. I used that like a net, caught the little thing and moved it to the front yard. Both Mama and Papa bird were quite interested in what I was doing with their baby.

I put him in a bush and went in the house to watch what would happen. Sure enough, here came one of the parents to feed him so I hope it all turned out ok.

I could have kept him but baby birds need to be fed so often and with Mom still not up to snuff, I couldn’t leave it for her to feed when I go to work so I had to hope nature would help him.

I’ve looked everywhere for the baby this morning but couldn’t find hide nor hair nor feather (which is a good thing, I guess). I wish him luck. Such a cute little baby Blue Jay.

Hard to believe that it was one year ago today I was in Salt Lake City. Tonight was the first night of Michael Ball’s two concerts. Today I shall only play his music in honor of this and try to think back and remember the whole concert.

I also have to tell you all about the funny dream I had yesterday. It was like an underwater movie. The “camera” or me or whatever was on the bottom, looking upward. I could see the sun and fish and a submarine moving towards the surface. Then “I” started laughing to myself and thought, “I wonder where the giant squid is. There’s ALWAYS a giant squid in these types of movies.” Sure enough, here he came and attached himself to the sub! I was really laughing then. Just then, the alarm went off and I woke up—still laughing.

You guys should know by know that I am a BIG Science Fiction Fan. I grew up on the stuff, Frank Herbert, Lester Del Ray, Piers Anthony, etc, etc. My all time favorite book is “Dune”

My current reading material includes a book by K.J. Anderson, “Captain Nemo”—which, BTW, has nothing to do with my dream because I forgot all about it until you mention Sci Fi books! I need to get reading!

Have a GREAT day all! I need to take the dogs for their walk then go do the weekly shopping. My life is just to exciting.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Rodzinski on May 14, 2005, 09:34:18 AM: Of Sheckley, Pogue's pal Ellison is quoted as saying:

"If the Marx Brothers had been literary rather than thespic fantasists ... they would have been Robert Sheckley."
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 09:40:48 AM: I also loved the five-book "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" trilogy!
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: S. Woody White on May 14, 2005, 09:40:51 AM: Quote from: bk on May 14, 2005, 12:00:01 AM
And the word of the day is: OBFUSCATE!
Obfuscate sounds familiar. Was it a word of the day before, or am I confused?
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jrand73 on May 14, 2005, 09:42:13 AM: Wow - here is a Leslie Parrish photo I bet you have NEVER seen! :o

(http://www.grandfatherslegacy.com/aw2k/LotImg4638.jpg)
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 09:44:44 AM: "Floride"??
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: bk on May 14, 2005, 09:45:25 AM: I don't think we've had OBFUSCATE before, but who remembers?
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: bk on May 14, 2005, 09:47:02 AM: Yes, Floride Leslie Parrish was the great-grandmother of Leslie Parrish, even though Leslie Parrish's real name is Marjorie Hellen. Confused? Don't be. Floride Leslie Parrish's real name was Floride Marjorie Hellen. AND, to make it even better, Floride, of course, invented Floride.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 09:52:00 AM: What a font of knowledge you are, BK! ;D
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jrand73 on May 14, 2005, 09:54:32 AM: Well I hope Marjorie kept the patent current on Floride....or would it be a copyright?
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jrand73 on May 14, 2005, 09:54:55 AM: That is almost an obfuscation.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: MBarnum on May 14, 2005, 09:54:57 AM: Yes, I thought those LP photos might get the old blood stirring in the morning, BK! LOL!

I was afraid, however, that I may have used up the cheesecake quota for the day!
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jrand73 on May 14, 2005, 09:55:55 AM: GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRr....I can't access my Yahoo photo albums and YAHOO is NO help. I hate not being able to send a simple email question, but instead getting sent in circles and circles by clicking and submitting and ending up BACK AT THE SAME DAMN PLACE.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jrand73 on May 14, 2005, 09:56:16 AM: Serve the teacakes, Loretta.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: S. Woody White on May 14, 2005, 09:57:24 AM: Quote from: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 12:35:46 AM
As for Science Fiction books... It's been a while since I've ready any, but here goes...

Madeleine L'Engle's "A Wrinkle In Time" trilogy. I bought some nice hardcover editions of them a few years ago - even though I still have and treasure my original Dell paperbacks - so that I could reread them. I still have yet to reread them.
There are four books in the Time group: A Wrinkle In Time, A Wind In the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, and Many Waters.

Quote
When I was in 8th grade, we read an Arthur C. Clarke book. -Something where the kids were living below ground. I can see the book cover in my head - I actually came across it while packing - but I can't recall the title right now. There was also another Clarke or two on my high school reading lists. And various Ray Bradbury stories.

Would "Flowers for Algernon" be considered science fiction?
Yes.

Quote
And one book which I never read, but loved the title of - and there's also a play of it: "The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds". Is that correct? *Please correct me - if I start Googling and Amazon-ing, I'll never get to bed. Is it even science fiction?
No.

Quote
Now one book which I tried and tried to get through was the "first" (or fourth episode) Star Wars book. I don't know how many times I read that first chapter before giving up. The text just seemed so dry compared to the movie.
While it had George Lucas' name on the cover, the novelization of Episode IV was actually written by Alan Dean Foster (http://www.alandeanfoster.com/version2.0/frameset.htm).
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: S. Woody White on May 14, 2005, 10:09:10 AM: After a very short time home, we're about to head out again.

Oh, what a busy life I'm leading today!
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 10:13:31 AM: Quote from: S. Woody White on May 14, 2005, 09:57:24 AM
While it had George Lucas' name on the cover, the novelization of Episode IV was actually written by Alan Dean Foster (http://www.alandeanfoster.com/version2.0/frameset.htm).

When I was in sixth grade (1977-78 school year), I joined the Science Fiction Book Club. One of the first books I ever got was Alan Dean Foster's "Splinter of the Mind's Eye," which was a story with Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and the rest of the Star Wars gang. Everyone in my class thought it was so cool! They all asked if it had pictures (meaning photos, not illustrations) and, sadly, I had to tell them no. We didn't realize (at the time) that there weren't pictures (again, meaning photos, not illustrations) because it hadn't been a movie! ::)
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 10:27:42 AM: Well, I've finally received the July 1976 issue of "Films and Filming" that I won on eBay. If you don't remember, it features "The First Nudie Musical" (I posted this censored picture of the cover before...HHW is a family site, after all ;)):

(http://www.haineshisway.com/community/attachments/Films_and_FIlming_Magazine_July_1976.jpg)
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 10:29:03 AM: There is a 3-page spread (no pun intended!) with photos from the movie. I scanned the two with our very own BK (I had to censor this one also):
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Sandra on May 14, 2005, 10:31:53 AM: Quote from: MBarnum on May 14, 2005, 07:50:18 AM
BK, here is a nifty shot of your Leslie Parrish in an episode of Perry Mason...

(http://i15.ebayimg.com/01/i/04/11/fb/f5_1_b.JPG)

Yes, this is an epee, BK. I know you get epees confused with foils. My sword in my avatar is a foil. Notice how the blade of the epee is longer and the hand guard is of a different shape, with the blade situated differently. If you were to take a cross section of the blade, you would see that it was triangular, while a foil's blade is rectangular. The balance is also different when you hold it.

And this concludes this site's fencing lesson for today. :P ;D ;D
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 10:32:33 AM: I hope that that last one doesn't send people into Cinerama. I cropped this next one so that it would fit and feature BK more prominently:
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jrand73 on May 14, 2005, 10:52:59 AM: Thanks for the photos DR GEORGE. I hadn't seen them before!
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 11:01:34 AM: Good Afternoon!

WOW! This has been one of those mornings where I've had so many friends online, and we've - well, I've been chatting with them for the past couple of hours! It's already 2:00 here on the East Coast, and I have yet to have breakfast/brunch/lunch. Of course, now I just want to crawl back into bed and take a nap, but that could be because I have not had breakfast/brunch/lunch yet. So....

I think I'm heading out to get some breakfast/brunch/lunch now...

I shall return.

Laters...
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 11:05:43 AM: OH... Since DR Tomovoz will be on hiatus next week or so, I thought I'd change things up...
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jrand73 on May 14, 2005, 11:11:51 AM: Great Aussie photo, DRJOSE!
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jane on May 14, 2005, 11:18:39 AM: Quote from: elmore3003 on May 14, 2005, 04:46:02 AM

My other good news is that I've finished the cruise ship acts!

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 11:37:19 AM: And one for Mahler!!
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jane on May 14, 2005, 11:38:45 AM: Danise I’m glad your bird story had a happy ending. It is best to leave the baby birds. Often the parents don’t return for a very long period so you want to be sure they aren’t returning before “rescuing” the baby.

Gosh I expected you to have a very long list of books, after DUNE of course. :)
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jane on May 14, 2005, 11:45:06 AM: Jose, lovely new avatar. I also loved A WRINKLE IN TIME.

Other favorites that quickly come to mind:
THE FOUNDATION-Asminov
FAHRENHEIT 451-Bradbury
DUNE-until I finished the series at which time it got to be too much.
THE TIME MACHINE-HG Wells
THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN
THE SPARROW-Mary Doria Russell (Ginny do read the sequel)
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 11:51:27 AM: It is a very nice new avatar, Jose! Well, I must be going.

If anyone's interested (and even if you're not), I made full-sized scans of the four pages (cover and pages 45-47) of Film and Filming Magazine that are the First Nudie Musical article. If anyone wants me to, I can e-mail you the scans. Let me know and I'll send them when I get back...which will be later. :)
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 11:53:53 AM: In all, the four files are 3.41 MB. Individually, they are 688 KB, 0.98 MB, 870 KB and 931 KB. If that matters, I can make them smaller, but they'll be more difficult to read. Again, let me know. ;D
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: S. Woody White on May 14, 2005, 12:05:07 PM: Back again.

The Animal Rescue group held a yard sale today. I don't know why they call...

No, that line of joking is too obvious. Sorry.

There were plenty of tables filled with clothing, books, household stuff. And there was one Dalmatian, Fletcher, who shamelessly flirted with everyone. Eventually, even he ran out of energy, content to flop down and just smile at everybody.

While there were plenty of customers, there really wasn't any reason for der B or I to be there (other than to gossip), so we headed home. After a short while, we had to head back, however, to help clean up the sale location. This time, we took Peggy along with us. While she's not the flirt that Fletcher is, she proved to be very popular, too.

We're home again now, but we'll be off again soon enough, taking more pics to put on the 'net, then off to do some shopping.

Busy Saturday.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: S. Woody White on May 14, 2005, 12:06:06 PM: I know I've read plenty of sci-fi over the years, and for some reason I cannot think of any titles or authors. Brain freeze. :-\
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Joey on May 14, 2005, 12:07:48 PM: Sorry for being errant and truant lately. I have been cleaning and organizing things for my family since I have arrived home. My old room is full of things from my grandmother's apartment, so I had to clean out the office (I called it the pit of despair) and have moved myself in here for the three weeks I am home.

I also wanted to share the bit of good news I told you about several weeks (or maybe it was months) ago but couldn't say anything about yet. http://www.broadway.com/Gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=512249
It's finally public knowledge so there you go! :-D I was bouncing off the walls earlier.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Joey on May 14, 2005, 12:09:42 PM: I saw that Vixmom asked yesterday how my fundraising was going. I am $65 dollars away from my goal but there is still 8 days left so I think I can get it if I beg people enough. ;-) Which reminds me I need to email them my address so they can send me my tanktop for the race and the shirts! :o
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: S. Woody White on May 14, 2005, 12:14:05 PM: Today is National Dance Like a Chicken Day.

I couldn't make this up if I tried. Honest. :-\
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jane on May 14, 2005, 12:21:58 PM: Joey good luck reaching your fundraising goal.

How, or why, did you know about TALE OF TWO CITIES before the rest of us?
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jrand73 on May 14, 2005, 12:31:09 PM: I know people who always Dance Like a Chicken....no matter what music is playing....or choreography they were given.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jrand73 on May 14, 2005, 12:31:54 PM: SWW sounds like you had fun at the Yard Sale.....I always do, too. Although it was too rainy to go today.

Good news about A TALE OF TWO CITIES - hopefully it will be a success.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Joey on May 14, 2005, 12:33:00 PM: I have been in touch with the producers of the show since October of 2003. I found out about the show through a clinician at a choir camp I attended in high school and then found the full length sound files on the website a year or so later. I left a bit of a gushing post on their messageboard about how I loved the music, they got in touch with me and things progressed from there. At one point they wanted me to help keep the website updated, but their ad company nixed that idea. They mentioned an internship many moons ago but at this point I think I am just an avid fan to whom they have been very, very kind. I would still love to help any way I could, but I don't see them being able to use me anywhere. I love the music and what I know of the book. (It seems they are as faithful to the novel as humanly possible.) I am happy just telling everyone about it if that's all I get to do. I know they are appreciative of it, and I really want to see it hit Broadway.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: bk on May 14, 2005, 12:34:08 PM: Back from errands, and will now sit outside for a little bit, before trying to write some more pithy dialogue.

Have listened to the entire GH cd again, and I'm completely happy with everything - I've made one more switch in the order, flipping the postitions of two songs, and I made on teeny-tiny little deletion from the rideout of Getting Away with You, where I'd tried to do something with a spoken line and a sound effect that kept taking me out of the song (even though it's not part of the song proper, just the last ten seconds of music), so that will be gone and I am done with this CD except for Miss Kerry Butler's vocal, which will simply be put on an already mixed track. Hoo and ray.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Matt H. on May 14, 2005, 01:02:01 PM: What a shame Joi died so young. I had NO idea.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Matt H. on May 14, 2005, 01:05:12 PM: Like the new pic, Jose, very much.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Matt H. on May 14, 2005, 01:08:38 PM: I watched "The Making of THE THIRD MAN" which I recorded off TCM earlier this week. Good documentary on the making of one of my top three favorite films of all-time. And since this was done but not part of the Criterion Collections's official THE THIRD MAN DVD, I was glad to finally see it.

Certainly, it made me want to watch the movie again.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: elmore3003 on May 14, 2005, 01:09:55 PM: Quote from: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 11:01:34 AM
Good Afternoon!

DRJose, you look like you're ready for the Amelia Earhart story! ;D
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: elmore3003 on May 14, 2005, 01:16:00 PM: Back from the office and now the laundry's in the washers. Life is too thrilling.

I just got in the post a surprise package from DRJane along with some more work for the Brent Barrett Broadway Tenors concert. Lord! I thought this was all finished.

DRJoey, good news for you about TALE OF TWO CITIES. You should see if your school will let you do an internship like the one Ted Chapin did when he was a gofer on FOLLIES.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Joey on May 14, 2005, 01:17:32 PM: Speaking of Follies, I really need to read that book!
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: MBarnum on May 14, 2005, 01:17:43 PM: Gosh, I have had quite a nice, productive day today! Now I must hie myself up to the Ville or Wilson to help moive my buddy Mark's boyfriend James into Mark's apartment. James is moving down from Seattle and the caravan is whisking it's way down from Washington at this very moment...I will need to stop at the Woodburn outlet mall and Fry's Electronics prior to doing any physical work...shopping must be accomplished first! LOL!

Perhaps I will take photos of Fat Kitty and Black Kitty at their new abode on the 3rd floor of the Blueberry Apts. or whatever they are called.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: elmore3003 on May 14, 2005, 01:22:18 PM: Quote from: MBarnum on May 14, 2005, 01:17:43 PM
Gosh, I have had quite a nice, productive day today! Now I must hie myself up to the Ville or Wilson to help moive my buddy Mark's boyfriend James into Mark's apartment. James is moving down from Seattle and the caravan is whisking it's way down from Washington at this very moment...I will need to stop at the Woodburn outlet mall and Fry's Electronics prior to doing any physical work...shopping must be accomplished first! LOL!

Perhaps I will take photos of Fat Kitty and Black Kitty at their new abode on the 3rd floor of the Blueberry Apts. or whatever they are called.

DRMBarnum, there was a big article on Jet Blue and its success in either the NY POST or DAILY NEWS this morning, and I believe they're opening a new terminal although I can't remember if its at JFK, LaGuardia, or Newark. I thought about you and DRJane; if DRTomovoz comes to the states next year, I'm flying west to visit. Be afraid.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: bk on May 14, 2005, 01:29:21 PM: Re dying young - I've been watching Trapeze, which features someone I like very much, Miss Katy Jurado. I'd always thought she died reasonably young and somehow tragically. Imagine my surprise to find out that she, in fact, died less than three years ago at a ripe old age.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Matt H. on May 14, 2005, 01:34:14 PM: I remember reading about Katy Jurado when she died. It was only a short time ago - a couple of years at most, wasn't it?
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jrand73 on May 14, 2005, 01:57:14 PM: I am watching A PERFECT MURDER on TBS, a movie I avoided when it came out in 1998. It is not very good....a sort of remake of DIAL M FOR MURDER, but without ANY star power. Michael Douglas isn't doing anything new or different (I loved that character in WALL STREET, but here it's the same old thing) and Gwyneth Paltrow is an actress I run from....run run run....and she does nothing here for me either....Viggo Mortenson, hmmmm....well....there you are. THE BEST THING ABOUT THE MOVIE IS THE ON LOCATION FILMING IN NEW YORK CITY!!!

I will watch it to the end....but it is NOT worth much.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jrand73 on May 14, 2005, 02:00:53 PM: I didn't realize that Katy Jurado had been married for a time to Ernest Borgnine! 8)
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: bk on May 14, 2005, 02:05:23 PM: She died in 2002, in Mexico. She'd worked right up until the end. Who knew?
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jrand73 on May 14, 2005, 02:12:30 PM: Obit for Miss Jurado. :'(

She was so beautiful in ONE EYED JACKS!

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38119000/jpg/_38119277_jurado150ap.jpg&imgrefurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/entertainment/film/newsid_2101000/2101870.stm&h=190&w=150&sz=7&tbnid=GtexqUkyRZcJ:&tbnh=96&tbnw=76&hl=en&start=3&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dkaty%2Bjurado%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26c2coff%3D1%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DG (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38119000/jpg/_38119277_jurado150ap.jpg&imgrefurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/entertainment/film/newsid_2101000/2101870.stm&h=190&w=150&sz=7&tbnid=GtexqUkyRZcJ:&tbnh=96&tbnw=76&hl=en&start=3&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dkaty%2Bjurado%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26c2coff%3D1%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DG)
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 02:13:22 PM: Good Afternoon!

And the thunder rolls... and rolls... and rolls...

The storms finally moved in here a few minutes ago. Quite dramatically, in fact. The sky went from cloudless and blue to dark and gray in a matter of minutes. We've already had the initial batch of "big drops", but now it's mostly thunder claps. Loud thunder claps. *I'm running on battery power right now just to be safe.

I did make it out of the house earlier to get my breakfast/brunch/lunch...
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 02:33:57 PM: The Breakfast/Brunch/Lunch Report:

Location: The Silver Diner (a chain) on Gallows Rd.

Today's Selections: Chicken Noodle Soup (cup); Silver Diner "Paddy" Melt (1/4 pound beef patty, with caramelized onions, American and cheddar cheese on marble rye); blackberry cobbler (their seasonal dessert).

The Silver Diner chain has been around the DC area for a number of years. When they started off, they used to be more diner-y, but they eventually succumbed to the corporate faux-slickness that a lot of restaurant chains succumb to as they expand and become more successful - for better or worse. In any case... The Menu has been tweaked over the years. Purveyors have been changed. And, alas, some old favorites are no longer on the menu. *They actually used to have a whole "healthy" menu - sort of Califonia inspired - which was never really touted as being "healthful". I miss their White Bean Spread and Flatbread appetizer. **I also miss their use of Haagen-Daaz and Mattus Ice Cream products. Oh, where was I...

The Chicken Soup is pretty decent here. Made in-house for the most part, with in-house made stock - at least so the menu says - and it tastes that way since the soup never really tastes exactly the same from visit to visit. And sometimes it's made differently. Today's cup had pasta shells in it, other times it's been flat egg noodles. But a very good cup of soup. Lots of chicken, vegetables and noodles. I, of course, crumbled the accompanying saltines into my cup.

The Paddy Melt was very good too. A very generous hamburger patty, lots of onions and lots of gooey, melting cheese. And grilled nicely too. Oh, and the accompanying shoestring fries had to be some of the best I've ever had there. Freshly fried, and still steaming a little bit. Very crisp too.

After a couple of minutes of digesting and reading - I brought along some newspapers - I finally decided on dessert. At first I was thinking I would get the Double-Chocolate Triple-Layer Cake... Then The Chocolate Brownie Decadence... Then the Banana Split... The the Junior Banana Split... Then the Diner Sundae... Then... Well, since the Blackberry Cobbler was new - and prominently featured on the table tent card - I went with that. My waiter heartily agreed with my selection. And it was quite the hearty portion too! A nice bowl full of blackberries, topped with cobbler "crust", crushed ginger snaps and vanilla ice cream. The crushed ginger snaps were a very nice touch, flavor-wise and texturally. A truly generous portion all around. In fact, I had to leave a few bites in the bowl. And I'd have to say there were at least a full cup of blackberries in the bowl if not more. And since it was freshly baked to order, the cold ice cream was the perfect foil to the warm cobbler.

Needless to say, I was quite "stufféd" (pronounced [stoo-fayed']) after my meal. I shall definitely being eating lite later on - if at all.

Oh, and good coffee and good service too. Seems like whatever tweaks they did in the last round of tweaking were all for the better.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Tomovoz on May 14, 2005, 02:34:30 PM: Who'd have thought there would be a photograph of DR Jose on a giant coathanger.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 02:40:25 PM: Quote from: Tomovoz on May 14, 2005, 02:34:30 PM
Who'd have thought there would be a photograph of DR Jose on a giant coathanger.

:)

Well... If all goes well, I may have a picture of me on that giant coathanger at night taken sometime in the next few months. I have to do that BridgeClimb again. Last time it was a sunset climb - and watching the sun set from the top of the Harbor Bridge was simply awe inspiring - and I'd love to see Sydney Harbor at lit up at night the next time. I'll keep you posted.

-I'd opt for a sunrise climb, but that's way toooo early to be functional while tethered to a mutli-ton steel structure hundreds of feet over the Quay.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 02:42:26 PM: Right now, my nephew, John Michael, and niece, Alyssa, are over while their parents are running some errands. John Michael is watching Toon Disney, and Alyssa is sleeping on the couch. And she's snoring too. ;)
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Tomovoz on May 14, 2005, 02:43:14 PM: Hope you get back here soon Jose. Fosca nd Magnus are prepared to share the bed.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 02:46:21 PM: Quote from: Joey on May 14, 2005, 12:07:48 PM
Sorry for being errant and truant lately. I have been cleaning and organizing things for my family since I have arrived home. My old room is full of things from my grandmother's apartment, so I had to clean out the office (I called it the pit of despair) and have moved myself in here for the three weeks I am home.

I also wanted to share the bit of good news I told you about several weeks (or maybe it was months) ago but couldn't say anything about yet. http://www.broadway.com/Gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=512249
It's finally public knowledge so there you go! :-D I was bouncing off the walls earlier.

Great news! And the show is in the good hands of David Bell. -He helmed Children of Eden and 1776 among other shows at Ford's Theatre. Not only a very good director, but also a very nice and generous person. Lots of heart. *And he's also the choreographer for one of the large Gospel choirs in Harlem! :)
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: bk on May 14, 2005, 02:48:20 PM: I don't know from thunder - it's ninety degrees here, and a bit windy. I shall soon take a lovely swim. I have done two pages, which felt like writing ten pages. This is the last play I write, at least using Final Draft.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 02:48:30 PM: DR elmore - We'll definitely have to lunch and/or dinner in NYC when I get up there. Just you and me, tête-á-tête. Oh! The ears that will be burning!

;D
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 02:50:50 PM: ...And then DR Rodzinski will have to dine tête-á-tête.

-And then our ears will be bound to be burning in the days afterwards.

:o
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Joey on May 14, 2005, 02:51:06 PM: Quote from: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 02:46:21 PM
Great news! And the show is in the good hands of David Bell. -He helmed Children of Eden and 1776 among other shows at Ford's Theatre. Not only a very good director, but also a very nice and generous person. Lots of heart. *And he's also the choreographer for one of the large Gospel choirs in Harlem! :)

Thanks for the info Jose! I have been meaning to look up his work all morning but I keep getting distracted by my family wanting me to run errands and do chores for them. I am too nice. ;)
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 02:51:36 PM: Oh... And I guess Antonia can come along too. She can sit a few tables over.

;)
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: elmore3003 on May 14, 2005, 02:52:05 PM: Quote from: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 02:48:30 PM
DR elmore - We'll definitely have to lunch and/or dinner in NYC when I get up there. Just you and me, tête-á-tête. Oh! The ears that will be burning!

;D

Any time, darlin'!!!
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 02:53:40 PM: Quote from: Joey on May 14, 2005, 02:51:06 PM
Thanks for the info Jose! I have been meaning to look up his work all morning but I keep getting distracted by my family wanting me to run errands and do chores for them. I am too nice. ;)

David's spent a lot of his time and career in Chicago - especially at the Marriott Lincolnshire. His biggest "international" sucess has been The Hot Mikado. But he's also done stuff in California, at Long Beach I think. *And his version of Chess is actually very good, and makes sense!
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 02:55:02 PM: OK.. Lots of rain. Thunder. Lightning. Lights flickering...

-Did I roll up my back windows on my car? -Guess I'll find out later...

:-\
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 02:58:07 PM: DR SWW - But how can there be four books in a trilogy?

;)
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Joey on May 14, 2005, 02:59:32 PM: Well I'm off to dinner with my family. We are going to The Ordinary (a little hole in the wall restaurant) where two slices of pizza has me absolutely stuffed. If I remember right I may have mentioned it before. I can't remember if I talked about it on here or after Mamma Mia. Oh well. I'll be back later!
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jrand73 on May 14, 2005, 02:59:48 PM: MXC is on right now on SPIKE.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jane on May 14, 2005, 03:54:20 PM: Joey, nice story.

Elmore, be afraid-never! ;D

It has been very muggy all day.

MBarnum I shall be watching for photos of the cats.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Ginny on May 14, 2005, 04:02:57 PM: Back from a most informative afternoon at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center:

www.freedomcenter.org (http://www.freedomcenter.org)

Several of us are now very interested in going to see the Cincinnati premier of the opera Margaret Garner later this summer. It's based on the same story as Toni Morrison's novel Beloved.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 04:24:54 PM: :)

I just had the funniest phone conversation with my friend, Andy. We both just got into silly mode and were laughing and laughing and laughing. Fun, fun, fun! -And it looks like I may be heading up to Lancaster tomorrow with him and his sister for a dog show and some shopping in Amish country. Beef and noodles and shoo-fly pie (I prefer the "dry" version) rule!!!

;D
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jrand73 on May 14, 2005, 04:33:05 PM: New MADTv tonight!
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jrand73 on May 14, 2005, 04:34:34 PM: I just saw a promo on TV for CINDERELLA MAN the movie coming out with Russell Crowe as a fighter - Jim Brannigan, I think. AND there were at least four CGI shots! Including one shot from above the ring with the two fighters coming to the center of the square.....a CGI shot with only TWO people!!!!
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jrand73 on May 14, 2005, 04:34:54 PM: DR CP is there a LOT of CGI in your HERCULES?
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 04:50:22 PM: YIKES! Third and fourth round of storms coming through. Some powerful lightning and thunder. So far, only one brief power outtage....

Stay tuned for more updates...

:)
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Charles Pogue on May 14, 2005, 04:52:10 PM: There is a lot of "TV" CGI in HERCULES...

I've been having a mini-Glenn Ford western festival. Last night, it was THE DAY OF THE EVIL GUN...very interesting Western with Ford and the redoubtable Arthur Kennedy. This morning it was Ford and Bill Holden in THE MAN FROM COLORADO. This afternoon I popped 3:10 TO YUMA in the DVD player on my computer and watched it. It also stars the ever-brilliant Van Heflin. Great, great picture. What I found interesting, however, is that the lyrics of the title song over the credits are very different to the Frankie Laine single, though Frankie sings the movie version as well. Glenn Ford also whistles the song throughout.

They are thinking of re-making this movie. Something of a mistake, in my humble opinion.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jrand73 on May 14, 2005, 05:01:47 PM: I like 3:10, and another "train" western...."Last Train to Gun Hill." Van Heflin was so good in everything....including AIRPORT....I think he and Maureen Stapleton should have gotten the Supporting Oscars that year!

DR CP did you ever see Van Heflin in COUNT THREE AND PRAY.....which was Miss Joanne Woodward's film debut?
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jrand73 on May 14, 2005, 05:02:03 PM: Did MR BK say he was going to a BABY SHOWER?
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jrand73 on May 14, 2005, 05:11:00 PM: TV CGI is okay - I like TV surround sound, too.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: bk on May 14, 2005, 05:16:36 PM: They better NOT be remaking 3:10 to Yuma.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: bk on May 14, 2005, 05:17:28 PM: Yes, tomorrow - a baby shower for my pal Barbara Deutsch's pal Alison. Should be interesting. I still have yet to get a gift - I don't even know where to begin looking.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jrand73 on May 14, 2005, 05:21:51 PM: I suppose a Gift Certificate to House of Pancakes is out of the question?
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: bk on May 14, 2005, 05:23:10 PM: My taste buds are a'tingling for Musso and Frank. Hopefully my last experience there will be the one-off anamoly it should be.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jrand73 on May 14, 2005, 05:26:04 PM: Here's a start. I asked my niece, and she said this is one of the best things she ever got, and she would never have bought one.

Tests the baby bathwater temperature. Who knew? Not too expensive, so you might want to add a blanket or sumpin. ;D

http://www.netkidswear.com/floatbatpalt.html (http://www.netkidswear.com/floatbatpalt.html)
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jrand73 on May 14, 2005, 05:28:46 PM: Wow! Look at this thing!! Surely they have them in stores in LA! 8)

http://www.geniusbabies.com/pregnancy-countdown-clock-tick-tock-clock.html (http://www.geniusbabies.com/pregnancy-countdown-clock-tick-tock-clock.html)
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 05:31:45 PM: From the mouth of babes...

So, my nephew, John Michael is looking over my shoulder while I was posting earlier... He looks at my avatar and asks if that's "Uncle Jay", my brother. I tell him, No, that's me in Australia. And says, "Oh, you're bigger now."

Harumphh!!!

;)
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jrand73 on May 14, 2005, 05:34:11 PM: Aren't we all?
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 05:38:36 PM: As for baby shower gifts... I know it may seem a bit impersonal, but when my sisters-in-law had their showers, they really appreciated Gift Cards from places like Gymboree, Baby Gap, Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond, etc. This way they could buy the things they really wanted and needed when the time came. Just put a stuffed animal in a bag with the gift card. Or a few jars of baby food.

Otherwise, make your own gift basket - get a small laundry basket or daiper pail, and fill it with baby oil, baby wash, baby wipes, Desitin, bottles, bottle liners... all things baby.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jennifer on May 14, 2005, 06:19:50 PM: Quote from: bk on May 14, 2005, 05:17:28 PM
Yes, tomorrow - a baby shower for my pal Barbara Deutsch's pal Alison. Should be interesting. I still have yet to get a gift - I don't even know where to begin looking.

I've never heard of a baby shower for men. So are only men allowed or is it mixed?

You should check to see if Alison has a baby registery somewhere (most people having a baby shower have one). If not, you can go to Toys R Us or any department store.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: MBarnum on May 14, 2005, 06:26:21 PM: Target has cute baby stuff, BK.

Have you ever been to the Target in North Hollywood? When my buddy Ron and I shopped there during one of our jaunts to Los Angeles I kept wondering if perhaps Ms. June Kenney, star of ATTACK OF THE PUPPET PEOPLE, and supposed resident (according to actor Brad Jackson) might be shopping there at the same moment purchasing aspirin, or maybe dollys!
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: MBarnum on May 14, 2005, 06:29:29 PM: DR Jane, I didn't get any pictures took...I left my camera in the car...and after carrying untold amounts of boxes, clothing, and furniture up 3 flights of stairs we were all too tired to have our pictures snapped...and none of us looked too pretty, either.

Besides the cats hid under the bed and never came out.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: MBarnum on May 14, 2005, 06:33:51 PM: I did return with some DVDs...picked up VARAN, THE UNBELIEVABLE which for some reason was filed in the Anime section and the 1934 version of THE SCARLET LETTER (see I do have some class!).

Have been trying to find the James Stewart/Audie Murphy/Elaine Stewart western NIGHT PASSAGE, but nobody seems to carry it!
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jrand73 on May 14, 2005, 06:46:45 PM: I was wondering if you would get VARAN since you mentioned it earlier this week, DRMBARNUM.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jrand73 on May 14, 2005, 06:47:13 PM: I am going to watch the CINDERELLA DVD on Monday, and then I will return it to the Barnum Lending Library.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jennifer on May 14, 2005, 06:58:54 PM: BK, I'd definitely go with a giftcard if she doesn't have a baby registery. It's much more useful for the mother to be able to pick out what she needs (since there is a lot). Although isn't the shower tomorrow? Not much time to get the gift!
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: MBarnum on May 14, 2005, 07:01:36 PM: Yep, had to get Varan. I have only seen the Americanized version with Myron Healy and Tsuruku Kobiyashi edited in to it, and that was a million years ago...so now I will be able to see the original Japanese version of it.

You will love the Cinderella and her Little Helpers movie...great musical numbers...and no rush...keep em as long as you want!

I have more Hong Kong movies that I would love for you to see, but I think most of these are region code 3.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 07:39:48 PM: Whew!

Niece and nephew just left... Good times. But now Uncle Jojo needs to put his feet up for a while.

:)
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 07:40:16 PM: Hi, Jane!
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jane on May 14, 2005, 07:42:23 PM: Quote from: MBarnum on May 14, 2005, 06:29:29 PM
DR Jane, I didn't get any pictures took...I left my camera in the car...and after carrying untold amounts of boxes, clothing, and furniture up 3 flights of stairs we were all too tired to have our pictures snapped...and none of us looked too pretty, either.

Besides the cats hid under the bed and never came out.

MBarnum cats do tend to do that during moves. ;D I will expect photos next time you visit.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jane on May 14, 2005, 07:44:07 PM: Hi Jose. Have fun in Lancaster and eating shoo-fly-pie. I haven’t had that since I left Pennsylvania. Are you going to be near the town with the old trains?
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jane on May 14, 2005, 07:44:30 PM: Keith introduced me to sci-fi books. His personal favorites, read more than 40 years ago, are WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE and the sequel AFTER WORLDS COLLIDE. He thought they were totally immersive.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jane on May 14, 2005, 07:50:42 PM: Joes while in Lancaster pick up some pretzels-

http://www.hammondpretzels.com
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jane on May 14, 2005, 08:00:41 PM: Strasburg is the town with the old trains. In the town is a country store where we had the best ice cream, served in the best homemade waffle cones. One day I want to return.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Jane on May 14, 2005, 08:08:37 PM: Darn Jose left.

Before I leave, six posts in a row with no one listening is a bit much. ;D This evening we went to a new restaurant in town. Charming ambience, great service and the food was excellent . Maybe we will return in a couple of weeks for our anniversary.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Matt H. on May 14, 2005, 08:09:46 PM: DR JRand, CINDERELLA MAN is a film biography of former heavyweight champion James Braddock who was pretty much a club fighter, had had many ups and downs during the 1920s and depression, even retired from fighting at one point, but came back to boxing and as a tremendous underdog miraculously defeated Max Baer (Jethro Bodine's real-life father) for the title. He is also the man Joe Louis beat to become heavyweight champ (doesn't look like the movie will go as far into his career as the terrible beating he took at the hands of Joe Louis.)
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Matt H. on May 14, 2005, 08:14:09 PM: I have spent a good part of the day watching documentaries. I finished watching the doc on the making of THE THIRD MAN. I also watched a Hitchcock documentary (on his whole career) which I had seen before, maybe even taped off some channel some years ago, but watched it again. Tonight on PBS-HD, there was a documentaryh on the making of THE MISFITS. I watched part of it, but then hit the DVR button and recorded the rest of it while I started on TWISTER. The video transfer isn't state of the art any more, but the audio still can rock a house to its foundations. The remastered TWISTER disc that I have has a terrific DTS track that is bone-rattling.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Matt H. on May 14, 2005, 08:17:21 PM: Also had time to watch a COLD CASE rerun tonight which I had never seen. I often don't get to watch COLD CASE during the fall and winter because of football overruns which throw it too late in the evening for me to be able to see the other shows I watch, but knowing how popular it is and how often CBS reruns the episodes, I opt to skip it usually during football season and catch it later.

Tonight to my amazement, John Billingley (Dr. Phlox from ENTERPRISE) ended up as a records clerk who was hunting people down and killing them. They knew he was guilty, but for one of the only times in the episodes I've seen, the detectives weren't able to put him away.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Matt H. on May 14, 2005, 08:18:53 PM: I also got the cast recordings of SPAMALOT and DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS today. Didn't have time to listen to either, but at least they're here. Maybe I can pop SPAMALOT in tomorrow at some point.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Matt H. on May 14, 2005, 08:27:33 PM: Very lonely here. I guess I'll toddle off to bed.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: MBarnum on May 14, 2005, 08:46:23 PM: Where is everybody?
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: François de Paris on May 14, 2005, 08:46:32 PM: Quote from: bk on May 14, 2005, 05:23:10 PM
Hopefully my last experience there will be the one-off anamoly it should be.

Hummm.... could there be something anal there??? :o :D
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: MBarnum on May 14, 2005, 08:47:27 PM: I just finished watching Colleen Moore in THE SCARLET LETTER. Boy, am I glad I didn't live in the Puritan days...I am afraid I would constantly be in the stockade! :-\
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Charles Pogue on May 14, 2005, 09:13:35 PM: Back from a dee-lightful and dee-lovely birthday dinner for The Lovely Wife as the guests of Mr. Kimmel. We three laughed and gorged until we could laugh and gorge no more. I suspect that this outing at Musso's was a better one than Bk's last.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: bk on May 14, 2005, 09:14:15 PM: Where in tarnation IS everyone?

Back from a lively and sparkling dinner with the Pogues. Dirt was dished, names were named, and we laughed and laughed and just when we thought we could laugh no more, we laughed again. Pogue and I had the Pounded Steak with Country gravy, which was about twice the size as it normally is. I am about ready to explode. We also had salads and he had the Bread Pudding and I the Black Forest Cake for dessert, just to insure exploding. The lovely Julieanne had the Combination Louis. The food was back to its former excellence.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: bk on May 14, 2005, 09:16:15 PM: MattH, if you are talking about that documentary on The Third Man that TMC has been airing, that is just about the worst piece of merde I've ever seen. The writer, producer, director ought to have his writing, producing, directing license revoked, since the documentary was more about him and his offensive hip with-it technique than it was about The Third Man. If they cut to the projector with the film running amok one more time I would have flown to the UK to personally brain the cretin.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: Charles Pogue on May 14, 2005, 09:20:44 PM: BK.peaking of Westerns, as we were earlier this evening, MAN OF THE WEST is just starting on TCM. I actually saw it last week again. Some fine scenery-chewing by Lee J. Cobb milking it...Milk, hell, it's cottage cheese!
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: bk on May 14, 2005, 09:31:06 PM: Yes, I watched it on a region 2 DVD about a month ago - I wrote about Lee's over-the-top performance. I love Cooper in the film, though, and even Julie is fine. And I always like Arthur O'Connell.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 09:41:17 PM: Good Evening!

DR Jane - Well, I said I may be going to Lancaster, so... Andy and his sister are leaving at the very early hour of 5:30AM(!!!!!!), so... It's the thought that counts. :)

My friend, Matt, lives in Strasburg, and actually used to be a guide and engineer for the train that goes up and around the mountain - or something like that. Beautiful town.

-The reason for the early departure is that Andy's sister is attending a dog show - and showing a dog. The dog show starts at 10:00 - and is only supposed to run an hour. So since they're gonna be up there, they might as well hit Amish country. Andy wants to finally buy a quilt, and his sister supposedly is shopping for furniture. Now if I happen to find myself awake at 4:30, well, then... Stranger things have happened. We'll see. *I'd also just like to head up there with Andy, no sister in tow. Let's just say Andy's sister shares some traits with DR SWW's sister. ;)
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 09:43:49 PM: I just had to make a run to the grocery store to pick up some breakfast stuff for the morning. I came upon quite the police roadblock. Apparently, a tree or two fell, pulled down some power lines, and traffic and streets lights were out in one section. It was quite the sight. The placed lots of those red traffic flares in the road - lots of flares making lots of smoke. And since the air was kind of foggy from all the rain earlier... Kind of spooky. Very atmospheric at the least.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: SwishySarah on May 14, 2005, 09:49:09 PM: Will Ferrell is the host of SNL tonight, and is doing a mahvelous job if I do say so myself.

Fellow DRs, I have been accepted into the Virginia Governors School for Performing Arts! For the month of July, I will live at the University of Richmond to study music and be with fellow music dorks like myself. 'Tis quite exciting.

I have to work in 7 hours, and I've been around and about all day, so I bit you adieu. Just checking in. Hope you're well, and email me please!

BTW, MBarnum, you are really very handsome, your avatar always manages to catch my eye :).
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: MBarnum on May 14, 2005, 09:56:55 PM: Ah, Swishy, you make me blush! LOL!

And congrats to you!!!
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: SwishySarah on May 14, 2005, 10:04:04 PM: "Bitting" someone adieu is quite like "bidding" them adieu. Forgive me, I'm sleepy.

And you are welcome, MBarnum :).
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: bk on May 14, 2005, 10:50:53 PM: About to write the notes. I can tell this is going to be a horrid allergy season. Mine have come back full force.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: TCB on May 14, 2005, 10:58:28 PM: Good evening, one and all (which is George and BK). I just finished watching the DVD of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.

Now, I have never been a huge fan of ALW. Years ago, I was blown-away when the original concept album of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR came out, because I had never heard anything like it before. However, I thought things went downhill quickly after that. I have written enough about my feelings concerning VELVITA and RATS, so I won't bother to repeat myself. However, of all of ALW's works since JCS, I have always liked PHANTOM OF THE OPERA better than any of the others. But considering all I had read about the film, and considering who directed the picture, I was not expecting very much.

So, after saying all that, let me just say that I truly enjoyed the film. It was far from perfect, but I enjoyed it from start to finish. I thought Ms. Rossum acquitted herself quite nicely and I thought Patrick Wilson made a very believable Raoul. Mr. Butler would not have been my first choice for the Phantom, but with the mask on he did resemble ALW's other choice for the Phantom, Antonio Banderas. The thing I found rather strange about Mr. Butler is that he must have had some type of plastic surgery or implant on his chin, because at certain camera angles it looked unworldly. I could have done without THE ELEPHANT MAN back-story, and the candelabras coming out of the water was a better effect on stage than on the screen. But overall, I like the film better than the stage play, probably because the final scenes in his lair worked better close up on the screen than they did in the rather cavernous theaters I have seen the show staged. In fact, I enjoyed the film so much, I may just watch it again tomorrow.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: TCB on May 14, 2005, 11:08:32 PM: George, have you gone to see LA CAGE yet?
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: TCB on May 14, 2005, 11:11:46 PM: Mr. Pogue, do you have any idea how long it will be before HERCULES is available on DVD?
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 11:13:04 PM: No. I see it this coming Wednesday. I've been hearing some really good things about it...and some not so good things that I hope will be worked out. A friend of mine saw it on their final dress and I figure that it was just too early. It might be that they need to really get used to just performing it, which I don't doubt will be the case. ;)
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 11:16:30 PM: Well, I have had a day. I had some errands to run this early afternoon. After all of that busy business was done, I came home and found my housemate (Peter) and his brother (David) mowing the lawn!! Yea!! David was in the back using the gas-powered push mower and Peter was in the front yard driving David's riding lawn mower, which David most graciously brought over from McCleary. I don't know how far McCleary is from Olympia, but it isn't just across town. As soon as I got home, I started helping and when we stopped more than an hour later, all of the front (finally!) and almost half of the back yard was done!
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 11:25:56 PM: Now, before you all think, what's so special about all that, when Peter and I moved in here, he said that he[/b] would mow the lawn on a regular basis...except that Peter rarely mowed the lawn and it got quite tall! I was actually thinking about renting a brush cutter, but now I don't have to. To show my appreciation at them (finally) getting the lawn mowed, I offered to take them to dinner, or order pizza or whatever they wanted. I also mentioned that I had some Schwann's frozen pizza and both Peter and David were perfectly happy with that. Peter called his "ladyfriend" Leane and invited her to join us a little later. I had to take a shower, Peter had to take a shower...NOT at the same time. ;) David needed to take a shower, but he didn't. Oh, well.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: bk on May 14, 2005, 11:30:28 PM: New notes coming shortly.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 11:33:01 PM: Hopefully not too shortly!
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 11:34:17 PM: Anyway, I made the two Schwann's frozen pizzas and we ate and we chatted and we listed to CDs of my choosing. I chose Lea DeLaria's "Play It Cool," Cleo Laine's "That Old Feeling," Alan Paul's first ever solo CD, "Another Place and Time" and Adryan Russ' "Everyone Has a Story," produced by our very own BK!! The Adryan Russ CD got more "Ooo, I like that song" comments than the others, but everyone said that they really liked all the music. After the pizza was over, we chatted some more, we went outside and played with David's brand new dog, Trigger (I forget what kind of dog he said it was...a Blue "something") that he brought over. Eventually, David and Trigger left, then Peter, Leane and I chatted some more, then Liane (I have no idea how to spell her name) left.

Earlier, my sister and niece came over and played with the dog, and they brought their camera! They took pictures of Trigger (he's so cute!!) AND a couple of pictures of the very, very, very (that's three verys!) tall grass. It came up to my armpits! And to prove it, here's a picture of my back yard (forgive me!) with the grass up to my armpits...now, it is only the tallest of the grass that's up to my armpits, not ALL of it is completely up to my armpits, but here's the picture:
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 11:35:05 PM: And here's my niece Hilary in the very, very, very (that's three verys!) tall grass:
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 11:36:01 PM: And finally, here's my sister Diane with Trigger!
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 11:37:49 PM: It's hard to tell, but in the picture with me, the tallest of the grass is actually touching the underside of my arm! ;D
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 11:38:57 PM: And that concludes my frenzy!!
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 11:41:43 PM: Except that here are a few more pictures. This is my housemate Peter:
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 11:42:41 PM: Here's Trigger chewing my sister's fingers:
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 11:43:41 PM: And finally, finally, Trigger himself, the cutest puppy in the world:
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 11:44:04 PM: DR George - That's some TALL grass! *And in the City of Richmond, you probably would have been fined repeatedly for keeping an unkempt yard. -The reason being that too many critters and bugs can hide in said tall grass.
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 11:44:38 PM: And that's one cute puppy too!
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 11:45:13 PM: I may or may not make it to the new Notes... We shall see....
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 11:45:18 PM: Okay, BK, I'm done!
Title: Re:BLUE SKIES SMILIN' AT ME
Post by: George on May 14, 2005, 11:47:03 PM: Quote from: JoseSPiano on May 14, 2005, 11:44:04 PM
DR George - That's some TALL grass! *And in the City of Richmond, you probably would have been fined repeatedly for keeping an unkempt yard. -The reason being that too many critters and bugs can hide in said tall grass.

I was worried about squirrels being mowed over...I've seen a few in my back yard. Fortunately, I've seen a lot more in the yards of other people. :)