Found this on Andrew Sullivan's Dish blog at the Daily Beast. (even that name is appropriate for today)
It's an advertisement, but what the hell, it's perfect for Halloween. And it's one of those rare advertisements that are fun to watch. Punch line at the end is hilarious. Do watch it on this scary Halloween night,
BWAH-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA
Monday, October 31, 2011
Elton John Halloween Favorite
Since it's Halloween, I'll offer you my vote for the best tune that can pass as a Halloween song. It's Elton John's "Funeral For a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding."
Lots of spooky music at the beginning, some violent percussion, and a rock out at the end. Almost a sound track for a Zombie fight scene, though the song has nothing to do with Zombies.
In any event, you can enjoy the song, and watch the photo slide show in this video of Elton John in various outfits. I guess you could use the montage to get last-minute Halloween costume ideas.
Lots of spooky music at the beginning, some violent percussion, and a rock out at the end. Almost a sound track for a Zombie fight scene, though the song has nothing to do with Zombies.
In any event, you can enjoy the song, and watch the photo slide show in this video of Elton John in various outfits. I guess you could use the montage to get last-minute Halloween costume ideas.
Epic October Snowstorm Pwns New Jersey House
Yesterday, I mentioned that I was happy that the huge snowstorm in the Northeast missed my house in the northwestern Vermont town of St. Albans. I only got a half inch of fluff.
My house is surrounded by trees. I think I should call a tree surgeon and get rid of some of those trees.
Why? Watch what happened Saturday when heavy wet snow fell on a leafy tree in New Jersey. The leafy tree fell on, well, you'll see. Hope the place was insured.
My house is surrounded by trees. I think I should call a tree surgeon and get rid of some of those trees.
Why? Watch what happened Saturday when heavy wet snow fell on a leafy tree in New Jersey. The leafy tree fell on, well, you'll see. Hope the place was insured.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Epic Snow Misses N. Vermont, Beautiful Dusting Instead
I'm sure you've heard all over the news how the Northeast got clobbered with the worst October snowstorm on record.
It's chaos out there, with trees still with leaves catching the one, two, in a few case almost three feet of snow. Those trees collapsed under the weight of the snow, and three million homes and businesses had no power today.
Up here in St. Albans, in the northwest corner of Vermont, the snow was if anything, enchanting and not dangerous. We only got a dusting. Around Halloween is about the time of year we get our first little bit of snow, so it was about average for us.
The result was a little fairy dust snow on the remaining fall foliage, without the havoc of broken trees, broken power lines, broken spirits.
As I always do when something happens, no matter how minor, I grab the camera and start shooting. The result is the snowy autumn photos in this post
The snow was pretty, but it's too early for it to remain long. So it was fortunate the sun came out this morning, and our trace of snow disappeared.
We'll get plenty of other chances to enjoy the snow in the northern reaches of Vermont between now and April.
It's chaos out there, with trees still with leaves catching the one, two, in a few case almost three feet of snow. Those trees collapsed under the weight of the snow, and three million homes and businesses had no power today.
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| A dusting of snow on a rhododendron this morning in St. Albans, Vermont |
Up here in St. Albans, in the northwest corner of Vermont, the snow was if anything, enchanting and not dangerous. We only got a dusting. Around Halloween is about the time of year we get our first little bit of snow, so it was about average for us.
The result was a little fairy dust snow on the remaining fall foliage, without the havoc of broken trees, broken power lines, broken spirits.
As I always do when something happens, no matter how minor, I grab the camera and start shooting. The result is the snowy autumn photos in this post
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| A few snowflakes rest on a colorful sugar maple leaf in St. Albans, Vermont Sunday |
The snow was pretty, but it's too early for it to remain long. So it was fortunate the sun came out this morning, and our trace of snow disappeared.
We'll get plenty of other chances to enjoy the snow in the northern reaches of Vermont between now and April.
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| A dusting of snow on a sugar maple Sunday morning in St. Albans, Vermont |
Friday, October 28, 2011
Interesting News!
I work as a journalist in Vermont, so I get my share of quirky little stories to work on. But not nearly enough.
Some papers are smaller than the one I work at, so they are able to fit in detailed police blotter columns, and strange little accidents to report on.
The news I normally deal with is usually interesting enough, but there are some days I wish I covered some of these other stories.
I saw this headline somewhere on the Internet recently, that's supposedly from a legitimate small newspaper in Florida, I think. The headline was "Skydiver Lands on Beer Vendor at Women's Cole Slaw Wrestling Event."
I couldn't find a lot of details on the specifics of this story. Did the skydiver land on the beer vendor on purpose because he was thirsty? Did the skydiver want to join the cole slaw wrestlers? What kind of beer was it? Were the cole slaw wrestlers annoyed by this interloper? Inquiring minds want to know.
And who knew women's cole slaw wrestling was such a draw? They needed a beer vendor so I'm sure there was quite a crowd. We're so sheltered here in Vermont. I never knew women's cole slaw wrestling even existed.
Elsewhere, a Bozeman, Montana newspaper police blotter had this item: "Three drunken people were harassing and yelling at two bears near West Lincoln Street and South Willson Avenue at 1:06 a.m.."
Well, that sounds like quite a neighborhood. Again, details, please. Did the bears steal the drunks' booze? Or did the bears flee the drunks because, they well, don't like drunks. And what were the drunking people yelling? Did the bears understand? Did the drunks think the bears understood? Did the bears eventually come down out of the trees and attack the drunks? Or just have drinks with the drunks?
Yet another police blotter went as follows: "10:10 p.m.: Suspicious people were reportedly doing something with flashlights by the side of North Fifth Street at Custer. A deputy checked and found the people were not suspicious but merely Canadian. The out of towners were enjoying an evening stroll."
Those darn Canadians. Always coming to the United States to cause trouble. Walking with flashlight! Spreading terror in the hearts of, um, people who are afraid of people walking down the street.
I'm sure these news hits will keep coming. They're all important, so be assured I will keep you fully informed.
Some papers are smaller than the one I work at, so they are able to fit in detailed police blotter columns, and strange little accidents to report on.
The news I normally deal with is usually interesting enough, but there are some days I wish I covered some of these other stories.
 |
| Women's cole slaw wrestling on a day when no skydiver craashed into a nearby beer vendor. Photo by Jacob Langston, Orlando Sentinel |
I saw this headline somewhere on the Internet recently, that's supposedly from a legitimate small newspaper in Florida, I think. The headline was "Skydiver Lands on Beer Vendor at Women's Cole Slaw Wrestling Event."
I couldn't find a lot of details on the specifics of this story. Did the skydiver land on the beer vendor on purpose because he was thirsty? Did the skydiver want to join the cole slaw wrestlers? What kind of beer was it? Were the cole slaw wrestlers annoyed by this interloper? Inquiring minds want to know.
And who knew women's cole slaw wrestling was such a draw? They needed a beer vendor so I'm sure there was quite a crowd. We're so sheltered here in Vermont. I never knew women's cole slaw wrestling even existed.
Elsewhere, a Bozeman, Montana newspaper police blotter had this item: "Three drunken people were harassing and yelling at two bears near West Lincoln Street and South Willson Avenue at 1:06 a.m.."
Well, that sounds like quite a neighborhood. Again, details, please. Did the bears steal the drunks' booze? Or did the bears flee the drunks because, they well, don't like drunks. And what were the drunking people yelling? Did the bears understand? Did the drunks think the bears understood? Did the bears eventually come down out of the trees and attack the drunks? Or just have drinks with the drunks?
Yet another police blotter went as follows: "10:10 p.m.: Suspicious people were reportedly doing something with flashlights by the side of North Fifth Street at Custer. A deputy checked and found the people were not suspicious but merely Canadian. The out of towners were enjoying an evening stroll."
Those darn Canadians. Always coming to the United States to cause trouble. Walking with flashlight! Spreading terror in the hearts of, um, people who are afraid of people walking down the street.
I'm sure these news hits will keep coming. They're all important, so be assured I will keep you fully informed.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Fading Fall Beauty
Up until now, it's been a warm autumn here in Vermont. Some foliage, and flower gardens have lasted until now, October 26. Usually by now, most plants and trees have gone dormant, and we've entered the gray stick season.
Today was the first truly chilly, almost wintry day. It's snowing in parts of the state. It's a cold afternoon, in the 30s, damp and overcast. Yucky.
We haven't really had a hard freeze yet. This cold wave has just started, and the hard temperatures in the 20s won't come until tonight or over the weekend. So there's some unusual fall and even almost summer beauty to lighten up the drab almost November Vermont surroundings, as you can see in the photos I took that are in this post. The frost will nip tonight and tomorrow, so even these colors will fade to brown.
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| Flowers still bloom vigorously at the end of October in Burlington, Vermont |
Today was the first truly chilly, almost wintry day. It's snowing in parts of the state. It's a cold afternoon, in the 30s, damp and overcast. Yucky.
We haven't really had a hard freeze yet. This cold wave has just started, and the hard temperatures in the 20s won't come until tonight or over the weekend. So there's some unusual fall and even almost summer beauty to lighten up the drab almost November Vermont surroundings, as you can see in the photos I took that are in this post. The frost will nip tonight and tomorrow, so even these colors will fade to brown.
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| Ivy has turned dark orange on this brick wall in Burlington, Vermont forming a nice, monochromatic image |
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| Decorative grass glows during a brief interval of sun yesterday in Burlington, Vermont |
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Bust a Move at the World Series
I'm not going off today on the pathetic fight between dancer Maks and judge Len on Dancing With the Stars the other night. (Really, you don't want to know)
Instead, I'll take you out to the ballgame. Specifically, Game 4 of the World Series the other night between the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals.
No, we're not going to watch game highlights. Instead, we give you Dancing with a NEW Star. Before the game or during a break, a grounds crew member decided to augment some music playing over the loudspeakers by dancing. Wildly.
I'm sure we'll find out who this guy is soon enough. I haven't seen anything on Google News yet, but there will be a feature about him soon, no doubt.
Even if you're no fan of baseball, this video of the exuberant dancing is a thrill. The guy hits all the right moves. I also love how the entire stadium cheers the guy on, while the baseball players seen completely oblivious.
WATCH:
Instead, I'll take you out to the ballgame. Specifically, Game 4 of the World Series the other night between the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals.
No, we're not going to watch game highlights. Instead, we give you Dancing with a NEW Star. Before the game or during a break, a grounds crew member decided to augment some music playing over the loudspeakers by dancing. Wildly.
I'm sure we'll find out who this guy is soon enough. I haven't seen anything on Google News yet, but there will be a feature about him soon, no doubt.
Even if you're no fan of baseball, this video of the exuberant dancing is a thrill. The guy hits all the right moves. I also love how the entire stadium cheers the guy on, while the baseball players seen completely oblivious.
WATCH:
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