Parties in olden tymes

Hilarious video from funnyman Dave Hill. In this episode Dave takes us inside the Actor’s Movement Studio, illustrating the proper technique for rolling, bowing before a king, and taking a hit of snuff. Good stuff, indeed.

Dahon Smooth Hound

This a neat ‘little’ bike, from a company I’ve never paid much mind to. The Dahon Smooth Hound mixes a traditional, non-folding frame with 20″ wheels to create a compact travel/city bike that comes with ’stache bars, leather tape, and a Brooks saddle. There’s just something about this bike that I like.

Fait accompli

More than 15 years after this book came into my life (not this particular copy, which I picked up at work) I’ve finally read Ender’s Game. Call it part distraction from end-of-the-semester worries, part new commitment to start reading again for pleasure — but no matter the reason: I read it. Funny thing is, while the book was good, Ender’s Game could never have been better than I’d built it up to be in my mind; in the days when Meggin and George were reading the Ender trilogy, this first installment seemed to drift in and out of our conversations and lives. Even so, I never read it: content to let the book serve as one of the few neutral ties that George and Meggin shared. While I’m happy to have read the book, it feels a little strange to have it checked off the list.

Shot down!

Viacom International has kindly informed me that my posting of The Salteens’ performing “I’m So Happy!” just doesn’t fly with current interpretations of copyright law. Guess they weren’t very happy. In it’s short-lived run, the video got 172 views and hopefully spread a little happiness before getting squashed. Me? I’m still happy “to wake up and play with friends…”

Pick it up!

I just can’t help myself. Following on the previous entry (The Salteens singing “I’m So Happy I Can Dance”), here’s another toe-tapper from “Yo Gabba Gabba!” — albeit a more didactic one: GOGO13 performing “Pick it up!” There’s nothing like a little ska from a modern-day Mary Poppins (in this case, a 1960’s-era Rude Boy holdover) to get the kids to pick up their s#@%. (I love the toys in the room, by the way: the carved coconut, vinyl records, checkers — and the Vespa!) Props to Todd for correctly identifying Alex Desert of Hepcat sitting in as guest vocal on this one.

A pick-me-up for all occasions

I just love this appearance by The Salteens on “Yo Gabba Gabba!” I watch it whenever I need a quick reminder that just being awake, playing with friends, singing, and “dancing real fast” are simple pleasures that shouldn’t be taken for granted. Like a lot of the music featured on the show, “I’m So Happy I Can Dance” appears deceptively straightforward, but is layered with some nice harmonies and chord progressions that get my attention. (The song works me in much the same way as Ben Folds Five’s cover of “She Don’t Use Jelly”.) Good stuff.

Fab 50’s fabric

Check out this drapery fabric I bought to use as a dust-cover for my recording gear. I love it. Makes me want to put on some Esquivel, polish up the chrome of my (non-existent) kitchen funishings, and pour myself a martini.

Artificial strawberry goodness

Was in Safeway today with Yumi, Marie, and Marie’s mother when I came across a six-pack of Strawberry Crush. I know this stuff has been around all along but I guess I just haven’t seen it because I was instantly pulled out of the moment and taken back in time. I’ll forever associate Strawberry Crush with the clubhouse at Tahkodah Hills Golf Course in Cable, Wisconsin. For a time in the mid-70’s, we rented a house smack dab in the middle of the course as Dad finished our place on Lake Hammil. (Getting to work on my swing for free after school made up for the long hike out to the bus stop.) Though I didn’t make a habit of it, I vividly recall savoring a Strawberry Crush at the long wooden service counter of the clubhouse; Mom must have given me some change once — or perhaps I “found” some in Dad’s coin box. Either way, for a kid who (thankfully) didn’t grow up with a lot of sugary foods, this sticky-sweet bottle of strawberry goodness tasted like nectar of the gods.

Aloha my Brah!

A friend-of-a-friend is marrying into Duane “The Dog” Chapman’s family and Yumi came home with this signed copy of “You Can Run But You Can’t Hide” as reading homework. (She didn’t ask for it.) Random.

Giving new meaning to “go sit in the corner”

I’m sure this elementary school situated in a cave in southwest China has it’s drawbacks — winter, for one, comes to mind — but as a kid I couldn’t have imagined any cooler place to attend class.