As a child I used to love Halloween. In this farflung corner of the planet the tradition was to go out 'guising'. This meant that children dressed up in a disguise (usually a costume in to which some effort had been put by the child's parents.These were often fairly imaginative) and go out round the houses in their neighborhood and sing a song or tell some jokes in return for sweets,nuts,fruit or (preferably) money. Being reasonably proficient on the harmonica I used to do pretty well and was gallus enough to ask if anyone had any requests (no, no one ever told me to stick it where the sun don't shine) Sadly that tradition has evolved in to the more American 'Trick or Treat'. What basically happens now is that four or more non communicative kids in their early teens, dressed in some ghoulish get up their parents have picked up at Asda, stand on your doorstep and wait for you to produce some kind of protection payment in return for which they won't let down your tyres or otherwise damage your property. To be fair although we had a few of these groups calling last night, most were younger kids who did at least tell a joke. My elder daughter had been invited to a Halloween party last night but my younger one (7) went out round the doors. She wanted to be dressed as "a dead Hannah Montana" but when we pointed out that most of the neighbours would not realize the significance or relevance of her costume, she eventually settled for a (dead) bat. I insisted that she learn some jokes (apparently kids just don't do songs now) and to be fair she did. My favourite was "What do you call a man who sits on the doorstep?" "Matt!" Where we live is a relatively new build estate where most people have young children and the place being reasonably self contained there is a kind of community/pioneer spirit that perhaps isn't common these days. The kids enjoyed it and I suppose in my grumpy old way I did too.
Did you ever wonder what happened to the wee guy in Mad magazine?
Thanks Martin.
Just follow the clear guidelines in this short video. Works every time apparently.
Thanks to my pal Colin for this.
There were many novelty records around when I was growing up. Some of them would simply record the latest fashion or fad and manufacture a forgettable hit. Most of them don't rate a mention but there is one glorious exception.
(From Wikipedia)
Bobby Pickett co-wrote "Monster Mash" with Leonard Capizzi, featuring impersonations of veteran horror stars Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi (the latter with the line "Whatever happened to my Transylvania Twist?"). It was passed on by every major label, but after hearing the song Gary S. Paxton agreed to produce and engineer it; among the musicians who played on it was pianist Leon Russell. The single became a million seller, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for two weeks before Halloween in 1962. It was styled as being by "Bobby 'Boris' Pickett & The Crypt-Kickers". The track re-entered the U.S. charts twice, in August 1970, and again in May 1973, when it reached the #10 spot. In Britain it took until October 1973 for the tune to become popular, peaking at #3 in the UK Singles Chart.
A Christmas-themed follow-up, "Monster's Holiday," was also released in 1962 and reached #30 in December that year. Another of his songs, "Graduation Day", made #80 in June 1963. Pickett also recorded a novelty spoof on Star Trek called "Star Drek" with Peter Ferrara, again performing some of the various voices, which was played on Dr. Demento's radio show. In October 2005, Pickett protested inaction on global warming by releasing "Climate Mash," a new version of his hit single. Amazingly there is a website dedicated to the record and artist Here where you can download the track as an MP3 or a ringtone.
Bobby Pickett died in April of this year. Here is what he'll be forever remembered for.
The Calypso track mentioned over at Alastair's (see below) was Zombie Jamboree by The Charmer (aka Louis Farrakhan). As Alastair is on holiday (but has still managed to post every day!) he couldn't upload this track. So complete with intro from Bob Dylan (he featured it on his theme time radio hour Halloween special), here it is.
I've just heard a great Martin Taylor version of the Odd Couple theme tune over at Helpless Dancer's place and I was reading about former 1950's calypso artist "The Charmer" at Alastair's you may know The Charmer better by his current monicker - Louis Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam, a bunch of religious fundamental nutjobs a significant black pressure group in the USA .
Anyhoo sometimes seemingly disparate threads can converge and these two elements brought to mind a film I saw of Martin Taylor doing a calypso piece by weaving a piece of card between the strings of his guitar. It recreates a kind of steel drum sound.
Its one of these facts of life isn't it? The prosperous bookmaker drives home in his Bentley whilst the mug punters who fund his lifestyle have perhaps gambled away the rent or shopping money for the week. I have been at two horse racing meetings and it's easy to see how people can get hooked. It's a great day out and a colourful and exciting spectacle. It could also end up being your most expensive day out ever!
My analytical veiw of betting governs my participation in it. I very rarely do it, and even when I do it is always a modest amount. I only buy a lottery ticket once in a blue moon and I think these things are a masterstroke. A popular voluntary taxation!
Have a look at some of the predictions below.
These opinions were given mostly by people who were experts in their chosen field. This illustrates how difficult it can be to spot a trend or realize the pontential in something. I hope none of these guys put money on their predictions!
«Everything that can be invented has been invented.»
Charles H. Duell, an official at the US patent office, 1899.
«It will be gone by June.»
Variety, passing judgement on rock 'n roll in 1955.
«They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist-»
Last words of Gen. John Sedgwick, spoken as he looked out over the parapet at enemy lines during the Battle of Spotsylvania in 1864.
«With over fifteen types of foreign cars already on sale here, the Japanese auto industry isn't likely to carve out a big share of the market for itself.»
Business Week, August 2, 1968.
«The horse is here to stay but the automobile is only a novelty, a fad.»
The president of the Michigan Savings Bank advising Henry Ford's lawyer not to invest in the Ford Motor Co., 1903.
«Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible.»
Lord Kelvin, British mathematician and physicist, president of the British Royal Society, 1895.
«There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.»
Ken Olson, president, chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corp. (DEC), maker of big business mainframe computers, arguing against the PC in 1977.
The punter armed with the Sporting Life striding confidently towards the bookies would do well to take heed!
More Bad Predictions HERE
From Ananova:
Workers at a budget hotel chain are being given advice on how to deal with naked sleepwalkers.
It follows an increase in the number of guests found wandering around in the night with no clothes on at Travelodge hotels.
A study found a seven-fold increase in sleepwalking customers in the past year, to more than 400 cases - almost all of them men.
Many sleepwalked naked into the reception area asking for a newspaper, or saying they wanted to check out.
One naked guest was arrested after being locked out of the hotel.
Chris Idzikowski, of the Edinburgh Sleep Centre, said: "These figures are a surprise.
"Sleepwalking can be triggered by a stressful lifestyle, sleep deprivation, alcohol abuse or not breathing properly during the night."
Travelodge said it was sending a guide to its staff on how to deal with sleepwalkers, such as keeping a supply of towels in reception to help preserve a guest's dignity.
Leigh McCarron, Travelodge's sleep director, said: "We have seen an increased number of cases over the years so it is important that our staff know how to help sleepwalkers when it arises."
The other day I had to do a system restore on the computer. If you aren't familiar with this process what it consists of is this. If some new software, programmes or indeed anything you've added to your pc is causing a problem, you can restore your computer's configuration to a previous point in time. In my case a simple restore to two weeks previous sorted the problem.
It set me thinking of how interesting it would be if you could create a restore point in your life. Of course those of a certain age would not in most cases want to wish their spouses or children away. However, imagine if you could spend a holiday in a previous time as a previous incarnation of yourself.
I think I'd try about 1980 or the mid-late 90's which were both times when lots of positive things were happening in my life. The return of physical and mental stamina would be an interesting revelation I'm sure.
Anybody else think of a time they'd like to be restored to and why?
This of course invites the usual number of comments i.e. none!
It really is hard to know what to think about the continuing saga of the disappearance of poor little Madeleine McCann. However it is also hard to see who, if anyone, comes out of the investigation which has followed with any credit. The picture on the left was quite seriously shown (as a sketch of the suspect) around the holiday resort where Madeleine disappeared from by the police in the early days of the enquiry.
Now almost six months (that's right six months) since the disappearance, one of the McCanns' friends with the aid of an FBI trained artist has come up with this picture of a man she says she saw carrying a child away. Presumably the man (it is a man isn't it?) has a mouth, nose and eyes but they're not pictured. He was apparently wearing Chinos and a purple top which may have been burgundy. It could be Michael Jackson. It could be the newsagent who served me this morning (or indeed his son).
What on earth is an experienced media man like Clarence Mitchell doing lending creedence to this picture which can surely do nothing at this stage to assist the enquiry?
