Thursday, January 31, 2008

It's Been a Blast So Far

January can be a real butt kicker. I haven't enjoyed much about it the past few years. I think it has to do with the fact that all the holiday parties and festivities are done and its back to the grind at the office (the next official holiday is Memorial Day). But January 2008 was different for me. I enjoyed it. I think it has something to do with the feedback I've received from this blog. Thanks for reading my entries and thanks especially for the comments.

One month down and eleven to go and I remain true to my pledge: 365 entries by the end of 2008. I thought about showing you a can of Pledge® but I opted for this wacky package instead. Enjoy.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

And We're Back From Commercial

I asked my daughter about her school day at the dinner table last night. She told me about a friend who got in trouble at kindergarten for saying a "potty-word".
"What did she say?" I asked.
"Weener," she said.
"Oh, my," I said, with mock surprise.
My eight year-old son knew the rules and scolded his sister. "Leah, don't say weener! [wait for it] Say Johnson". He's got deadpan delivery too. A real chip, that one.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

KJHK Lore - The Go-Go's IDs

The Go-Go's played the Lawrence Opera House in September 1981 on the cusp of their break through into big time top 40 stardom. The artist IDs captured that night stayed in the rack at the station for years after KJHK stopped featuring Go-Go's music, which must have been less than a semester after they blew through town. Here's Belinda Carlisle, Kathy Valentine, and Jane Wiedlen reminding you that whenever they're in Lawrence, they listen to the sound alternative.


If you want to read more about the brief punk roots of the Go-Gos, go here or here, but not here.

Monday, January 28, 2008

Tonight at Mission Bowl - Bested Again

We bowled well as a team but could not overcome the sharpshooters from the Trinity team, who bowled two games over 1100 pins. We were lucky to escape with a victory in game one. Tim bowled a monster series (158, 234, 184) and I chipped in with a decent round (177, 148, 171). Jay topped out with a 157 and Jeff's high was a 182. Kurt was solid with a 449 series. Sometimes you win with our numbers but not tonight. That's bowling. I think we have 11 weeks to go until summer break.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Video Teaser

I finally hooked up the old VCR to the computer via my firewire card. What does that mean? Videos may be forthcoming this spring from my small collection of college home movies.

Friday, January 25, 2008

Get Thee To A Theater Near You

I manage to see one or two of the best picture nominees each year by the time nominations are revealed. This is explained by several lameness factors. I don't get out much. I'm not very presentable, even in a darkened theater, and since I'm here in the Kansas City metro area, I don't benefit from the additional coastal year-end screenings done for award eligibility.

I can shove those weaktit bromides aside now thanks to AMC. They're running a day long marathon of Best Picture nominees on February 23rd (in locations across the country). The Olathe AMC plex is included. I can see all five nominated movies in one day for 30 dollars plus free popcorn refills.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Delta Pearls Discussion

Carp(e) libris posted a nice review of my Mom's short story collection, Delta Pearls.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

KJHK Lore - The Angelic Upstarts ID

The Angelic Upstarts were among the first (or second, depending on how much of a purist you are) generation of English punk rock bands of the 1970s. How they made it within earshot of a cassette deck or recording studio to record this KJHK artist drop is unknown. It's a punk rock miracle that the bloody thing still exists.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Survey Answer Revealed

Here are the top shot blockers in KU basketball history according to The KU Men's Basketball media guide, 2006-2007 edition:

  • Greg Ostertag, 258

  • Nick Collison, 243

  • Kristen Chenowith, 242

If you answered "Chenowith" on the latest blog survey, give yourself a high five.

Monday, January 21, 2008

Bowling Tonight - We Won

We swept all four games from our opponent tonight at the Mission Bowl bowling league. It wasn't a blowout or anything. We were slightly better than the competition. Jeff bowled a 526 series (177,180,169). Brent bowled a 527 series (154, 179,194) and yours truly bowled a 461 series (157,170,134). It's a handicapped league and that means as long as you bowl over your average, you help your team win. Kurt had a 157 and Tyler added a 189 for high marks. Not even a lane breakdown stopped our Juggernaut tonight.

The guys agreed KU would have named a building after Roy Williams if he stayed at KU. Kurt suggested a new field house in his honor. That's crazy talk, but I imagined them ripping up the current hardwood, putting in an aquarium with sharks and laying down a clear Lucite floor. Tyler added some fun trap doors. If you miss a free throw late in the game, down you go! Give Norm Stewart the controls. That's great television. For overtime, open the floor up and play it water-polo style. Great ideas? We have them at bowling.

I've Been To the Mountaintop

I'm no MLK scholar but I'm intrigued by his final speech given on April 3rd, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. King was there in support of black garbage collectors who were on strike for better wages. It's almost like he knew his life was in jeopardy and he was preparing himself for the afterlife. You can read a transcript of the entire speech here. I've pasted in the final paragraph.

Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. [applause] And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land! So I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Allan Melvin, R.I.P.

Character actor Allan Melvin died last week. Who was Allan Melvin? You'll remember him as soon as you see the picture over at Mark Evanier's web site. Check out Mark's story too.

Kansas Poetry Project

Kansas Poet Laureate Denise Low isn't content in soaking up the attention afforded to her by the title. It's more than free drinks and gala luncheons. She's a professor, author, lecturer, in addition to being a fine poet. Read about Denise Low's Ad Astra poetry project.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Jackson All Action

Do you care that KU's Darnell Jackson has as many points now (209) as he did all of last season?

HowWasTheShow

HowWasTheShow keeps tabs on musical happenings in the Minneapolis area with reviews, podcasts, and photos.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

KJHK Lore - The Ace Frehley ID

There were a handful of curious artist IDs among the dozens that occupied one of the cartridge racks in the KJHK studios. Unsolicited IDs appeared occasionally in the mail from record companies working from massive lists of American "rock" stations. I don't know for certain, but I suspect that may explain this message from KISS guitarist Ace Frehley. If anyone reading this has additional information, send it my way. It was a goof to hear old Ace tout the station even though we didn't play his band. Good for a jaded chuckle among the faithful. I wondered if it was fake. I've since heard interviews with Space Ace and I think they captured the real man.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Mark Your Calendar

Alejandro Escovedo is scheduled to appear with The Doo-Dads at the Glenwood Arts theatre on February 23rd in Overland Park (the old Metcalf South Mall theatre).

Day on the Green Tile Floor

Here's a grainy, blurry copy of a copy of some home video shot at the Day on the Green Hill free concert sponsored by KJHK and Student Union Activities featuring the Minutemen from May 5th, 1985. The event was scheduled to be outside but when we volunteers arrived at KJHK Station Manager Bill White's house on Mississippi street across from the stadium early that morning to assemble the stage, it was raining and continued to rain. We moved the show to the Kansas Union Ballroom. Thanks to John Cheney for sending me this link.

Monday, January 14, 2008

Freaked by the Seven

We managed one victory against a hot Roeland Park team tonight at bowling. They brought too much church league heat. We lost the total pin tally by 137 but staved off the sweep with a sole victory in game three. Personally, I was freaked out by the seven pin, that's the guy on far left. I'm a left handed bowler and I kept leaving it off the first ball. I switched to a fingertip hook ball this year and no matter what I do, I can't pick up a seven pin standing alone. The ball always hooks right at the last second. I may have to become a two-ball bowler and supplement my arsenal with my old straight ball. My scores: (181, 133, 136) a 450 series, my average exactly (150). We watched KU destroy Oklahoma on the TV monitors so that was fun too.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Poll Winner Revealed

My first blog poll asked what you think I keep on top of my fridge. The majority of you said, "Inflatable Love Doll". Here it is as promised.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

If loving you is wrong, I don't want to be related.

A woman and man meet and fall in love, get married, then discover they're brother and sister. That's right, twins separated at birth, raised in different families and never told of their counterpart. Star Wars could of gone down this road but didn't. Hats off to you George Lucas. You were model of restraint that time.

Friday, January 11, 2008

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Drunk History Volume One

Did you ever wonder why Alexander Hamilton is on the 10 dollar bill insted of Aaron Burr? Here's why (may not be safe for work unless you work where people drink and talk about history):



Created by Derek Waters

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Punk Rock 8-Tracks

A colleague at KJHK, Pete Laufer, decided to shoot a music video in the summer of 1986. He chose I Hate Music by The Replacements and recruited me to be the 2nd cameraman since I owned a camcorder. The subject of the video, to be shot outdoors on a hot Kansas summer day, was the destruction of a large collection of records, tapes, and 8-tracks. Details are sketchy and like many film and video projects, this one never got edited down and released. But we had fun that day working together on Pete's project, and I'll bet we played I Hate Music 150 times. The fun ended when I arrived home. I failed to drink enough water. My legs buckled, my stomach turned, and I felt hot flashes all over like that episode of All In The Family where Edith Bunker went through menopause. My mother the nurse diagnosed me over the phone with heat exhaustion.

Several local music fans participated in the shoot, including Shirley, who ran Exile records and tapes in downtown Lawrence. Jason Willis, who acted in the unfinished production, sent me this picture of a prop we used. As Jason recalled, Pete took regular 8-tracks and put homemade labels on them. Rather ingenious, don't you think? Perhaps some day he will finish his homage to Paul and the boys. In the meantime, enjoy this collection of links to images of real punk 8-tracks.

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Recommending WWI blog

Follow the adventures of a British soldier serving in World War I. Will he survive? Find out.

Sunday, January 06, 2008

Lovern Loves the Ivories

The picture of Bullwinkles in the post below also shows the house where my mates and I lived our sophomore year at KU. We threw some big parties that year and The Dancing Bears, a Grateful Dead cover band, did their first Lawrence gigs there at 1340 Tennessee. The Bears featured Ken Lovern on keyboards and he and his jazz combo OJT + B play at Jardine's tomorrow (Monday) night starting at 7pm.

MySpace music: Bec Smith

The best thing about MySpace music is that you can hear songs by the artists that interest you. Check out Bec Smith.

Saturday, January 05, 2008

No More Bull

Bullwinkles is closed and I won't cry. I lived next door to the Bull at 1340 Tennessee with four roommates for a year beginning in the fall of 1984. Nobody at our house dug the Bull. We walked up to the Hawk on Ohio Street to whet our college whistles. Bullwinkles attracted the fraternity/sorority crowd and we were GDIs (Note: The Hawk seems to be a frat bar now). We saw a lot of topsiders. The smell of Polo cologne wafted down Tennessee street. Cars in the scant curbside parking area sported Reagan-Bush '84 bumper stickers. Sorority girls played Don Mclean's American Pie on the jukebox and sang along all semester. American Pie echoed out the Bull's front door for a hundred nights. We witnessed young men urinating in the alley between our house and the bar as we watched Miami Vice on the Admiral in our living room.

The good thing about living next to the Bull were the unsanctioned carry-out longnecks. It's against Kansas law to take open beer outside a bar unless you're in an enclosed beer garden, but we filled a Dillon's shopping cart full of empty Budweiser longnecks on our back porch by April. My roommate Kurt returned them to the bar, much to the owner's delight. We warmed up to Bullwinkles a bit after that, but it was the end of the school year and I didn't return to the Bull.

The current landlord also owns my old house at 1340 Tennessee. A few years ago someone erected a wood fence between the house and the bar. No more alley urinators. Perhaps a young go-getter will buy both properties and the muli-unit apartment house behind the bar (all three are available for $849,000) and tear down the trio to build a laundromat. I'll bet somebody opens a new 3.2 beer bar in the old Bullwinkle's building and calls it Rocky's or Jay Ward's Last Chance. Maybe then I'll stop by for a longneck to go.

G. Wiz

I promised I'd post 365 entries this year and I'm proud to embed this video from Rob the Kansas City musician as part of the effort. This video is worth it even if I wasn't going for 365.

Rob tickled the ivories for Ida Macbeth for several years. That's the only part of his bio I know about, plus we spent time together keepin' websites together back in 1997. Rob's a renaissance man with many projects and one thing I'm pleased to see are the various video recordings of some of his work and skillful playing. I'm going to embed this here, but if you're curious, swing on over to the youtube site and read the back story on this particular recording. Enjoy!

Friday, January 04, 2008

Paisley Underground

Here's something I didn't know. Mike Quercio of The Three O'Clock coined the term Paisley Underground. It's true. I read it on Wikipedia. The fact that Wikipedia has an entry for The Three O'Clock is cool in its own right. But what's cooler? A phoner ID for KJHK from Mike himself, circa 1981.

Orange You Glad

That KU won the 2008 Orange Bowl by beating Virginia Tech, 24-21. I am. Here's some quick facts: 12 and 1, best record in school history, Orange Bowl champions for the first time, and in case the archives of this blog are all that survive the upcoming asteroid impact like the one that killed the dinosaurs, national champions. Congratulations to Mark Mangino and the rest of the team.

Thursday, January 03, 2008

Nocturnal Banzai

Talk about basement tapes. It's the band And/Or with "Neighbors" - a local group that shot a local video and aired it locally. Thanks to Jason Willis for sharing this link with me, and for saving the tape for so many years. I've been waiting for some stalwart soul to unearth a bit from Lawrence's answer to MTV, TV-30. It features many Lawrence locales including shots of the Daisy Hill dorms, Johnny's bar, and the abandoned frat house on 9th street. Look closely for a cameo by the Olde Hip-eye, Matthew Moore, as the angry biker playing pool. Also, the clip ends with a glimpse of Mike Chitwood's Nocturnal Banzai - his segment on the all video channel.

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Captain Kirk

Happy 27th Birthday to ex-Jayhawk basketball great Kirk Hinrich.

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Do You Care: Nirvana Meets Flipper

Do you care that ex-Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic is now with Flipper?

Today Only: Game Show Music

This game show music site is due to go down today so visit now and sample some famous game show music.

My New Years Resolution

To post 365 times on this blog in 2008. Don't get your hopes up.

Happy 2008

From ABBA: