Ok, so things have been a bit crazy of late, and don't appear to be approaching sanity at a noticable rate. So, let us just consider our fun Blog to be in stasis for a while.
It's not that we're not interested, but there are actually too many interesting things flying at us currently to keep up.

Do stay tuned, though, and please enjoy the historical aspects of what we have posted so far.........

What makes for a good prank?
Let's face it: the events of a past few days (not to mention the entire political scene) have reminded us about the value of a good prank.

As a long-time veteran (and still-active member) of the Boy Scouts of America, I have certainly seen my share of pranks, and been the admiring object of more than a few. I have heard some leaders describe a well-executed prank as "un-Scout-like," but I'm afraid that I must remain in the camp of a different Scout leader who counters that claim with "I can't think of anything more Scout-like."
Seriously, a good prank will often include some of Scouting's most closely-held qualities: planning, preparation, teamwork and good leadership skills. {And, yes, I go back far enough in the program to remember when "Trailing, Tracking and Stalking" was an advancement requirement, altho t'would be a tough sell today, particularly in an urban environment. Good skills to have, tho!)

Now, let us get one thing straight here: I do have my standards.
A well-executed prank should adhere to the following:

No injury, property damage or expense can occur.
(like, no tipping over an outhouse, ok? Especially if someone is in it....)
Any property (temporarily) moved or removed must remain in plain sight.
(Example, stealing someone's underwear and hiding it doesn't work; running it up the flagpole - as long as no one is wearing them at the time - is preferable.)
Reponsibility (read: "taking credit") must be admitted if called on.
Undoing the prank - if called for - must be done cheerfully.

We'll cover some specific cases over time - stay tuned.

(No, seriously, we will........)

(Honest....)

You've heard his work.
Oh, yeah, whether you know that or not, you are a fan of LeRoy Anderson. My guess would be that, for most people, if you to ask them if they ever listened to any classical music, it was more likely Anderson's work than any of the Three 'B's' (Beethoven,Brahms or Bach), and probably a version by the Boston Pops, at that.
"No Way," they might intone,impotently claiming that they don't even listen to "that classical stuff." But they would be wrong.
"Sleighride"...? "Er, well,yeah...."
"Blue Tango"..? "Um, sure..." *
"The Syncopated Clock"...? "Huh?"
How about "The Typewriter"...? "Well, of course! Everybody knows that one, right?"
Yes they do, particularly Jerry Lewis.
Anyone that ever watched You Asked For It knows Bugler's Holiday! It was the 'go to' instrumental for segments of things such as the 'Gas Station On Roller Skates' and similar fare. (YAFI also liked to use "Holiday For Strings", surprisingly not an Anderson effort. The Spike Jones version is pretty funny, too.)
(one of my favorites is "Sandpaper Ballet" - it never fails to bring a smile to my face.)

Sadie was visiting her friend Esther when the doorbell rang. Esther opened the door to find a florist deliveryman, who handed her a dozen long-stemmed roses, tipped his hat and went on his way.
Esther made a long, chagrined sigh.
"Whatsa matter?" asked Sadie.
"Ahhhh, every time that my husband sends me flowers I've got to spread my legs," complained Esther.
"What, you don't have a vase?" inquired Sadie.

Sigh......

Yet Another Of The Greats Passes

Along with (from left George Hunter, Hicks, Mike Wilhelm, Mike Ferguson and Richie Olsen), the Charlatans actually laid the groundwork for the SF scene at the infamous Red Dog Saloon in Virgina City, NV in the early 1960's.
Hicks was very active in the local Bay Area scene throughout the years, appearing at such widely varied venues as KPIX television, the Berkeley Community Theater, the (now quite-defunct) Rio Theater in Rodeo and Contra Costa College in San Pablo. Yeah, ok, he played a lot of bigger gigs (including a broadly-reaching Indian casino circuit for many years), but those were just the places that I caught the act - And what an act t'was, too!

We owe a great debt of gratitude to Dan (and, of course, his Lickettes) for keeping alive the sound of the Hot Club of France, as well as his truly original style, which never seemed to take itself too seriously.
Some his earlier, best-remembered tunes would be I Scare Myself, Jukie's Ball and the unforgettable (and oft-quoted) How Can I Miss You When You won't Go Away?
Ol' Dan has a lot more material out there, just awaitin' your kind attentions.
Do check him out.

Also: be absolutely certain to check out a terrific documentary film Rockin' At The Red Dog, by Mary Works.

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Remodel Almost Complete

You Bet Your Life
(and ours, too!)

In this moment of GOP Circus debates, I would like to offer up this bit of clarity:

"Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedies."

- Groucho Marx

NOTE: I would like to offer up a hearty "F*** You" to Comcast for eliminating the personal web pages that were formerly included as part of the service that we pay so dearly for, especially for doing it without warning.
This is why we were quiet for so long.
If there was a reasonable, workable alternative to their business in our area, we would surely cut the cord.
I encourage you to do so, if you can.

One of the most beloved people to ever squat in public, New York Yankee's catcher Yogi Berra died this week at the tender age of 90. Berra was an integral part of the famous Yankee lineup, garnering many World Series Championships.
Many do not realize that Berra served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, where he served as a gunner's mate on the attack transport USS Bayfield during the D-Day invasion of France. A Second Class Seaman, Berra was one of a six-man crew on a Navy rocket boat, firing machine guns and launching rockets at the German defenses at Omaha Beach. He was fired upon, but was not hit. Following his military service, Berra played minor league baseball with the Newark Bears. *
Controversy abounds as to how he got the nickname 'Yogi.'

Berra was one of the most quotable personalities of the 20th century, altho he could be rather puzzling at times.
A couple of my favorites:

When asked by one of his teachers - who was returning a test to Berra with a lower-than-passing grade - "Don't you know anything?" Berra replied "I don't even suspect anything"

Another time someone asked him what time it was. "Do you mean now?" replied Berra.

Once, Yogi's wife Carmen asked, "Yogi, you are from St. Louis, we live in New Jersey, and you played ball in New York. If you go before I do, where would you like me to have you buried?" Yogi replied, "Surprise me."

I'll bet he's pretty surprised along about now.

That Darn Cat!

"I just tried to send a message to my wife..
Auto-correct was going to send it as: "The moon from the sleeve of the Urals is in the barn."
Sounds like a password in a spy novel.
I caught it in time and re-wrote: "The money from the sale of the Opel is in the bank."

"Darn Autocorrect!"

The Deborah writes:

""The swallow that trots to Dubrovnik is on the steamboat."

My phone's been doing autocorrect like that when I try to type in English but have the Portuguese keyboard on."

Anybody else out there have any similar experiences....?

Peace, Love and.......