what i read on vacation part two

 In February I was on vacation. This is part two of books I read while on vacation. Some folks take drugs, some folks drink, I read. It's a wonder my eye balls don't flip to the back of my head at the sight of a dust jacket (and it gets so that I should have my own shelf at the library!) This vacation I attended a comic book discussion at the Attleboro library. Altho it was geared primarily for kids it was very interesting and the hosts and speakers were nice. They explained to the kids and beginners about comics and their history as well as costs are rarities. The book to the left was on display during the discussion and is a very interesting read along the lines of the one below. 1000 Comic Books also listed a rarely discussed and not well known series "Treasure Chest of Fun and Fact" which is a comic magazine that could be compared as a Catholic version of Scholastic's Dynamite magazine. "Treasure Chest..." was only available through Catholic schools from the mid-40s until 1972 and only available through the school year. Any book that would list this as a "must-read" is very thought-out.

 I have read "1001 movies you must read before you die" so I had to get these. They are both excellent reads (the whole series is, actually) and are very well researched. Not everyone's favorite books or albums are listed and not everyone will agree with the choices but interesting choices they are and if the "1001 Children's books..." doesn't bring back memories or even a tear or smile then you're just a heartless old person who shouldn't read them anyway. Myself I believe "1001 Albums..." went a little overboard on LedZep (how many great albums did they put out anyway??) but then again I might choose the first 3 Monkees albums or Peter Paul and Mary's "Late Again" so who's to say who's right? Hey, wait a minute, Monkees "Headquarters" is listed...and so is Sparks!

The ultimate in psychedelic artists and a major influence on the 60s. Even as a kid I was totally in awe of the Peter Max artwork or anything like it and it still invokes that feeling to this day. However (and a BIG "However") the artwork in this book proves that Peter Max was more than the psychedelic artwork that I remember and it is a must read for anyone interested in the art and the medium.

books i read on vacation part one

Since my vacation is fast-approaching I realized I had started but never finished an article from a previous vacation (seven months ago!)

I had never been one to read "Gasoline Alley" so when I found this I had to try it out. "Walt and Skeezix" starts from the earliest "GasAl" strips available through the day Skeezix was left on Walt Willit's door step through the first year or two of the series. Given the times it was originally printed there are some references, both racial and topical, that should be over looked but on the whole is an excellent piece of history (comic and otherwise) that I found could not be out down for very long. As one of the few strips where the characters age "naturally" it makes for great story arcs including a fun take on cross-country travel with Walt and his cronies.

 One of two Love and Rockets books I read (The other "Esperanza"), "Penny Centure" is a collection of Jaime Hernandez'
works. I have been reading the Hernandez Brothers work since working at New England Comics back in 1987, taking a chance on a small British print. From there I was hooked. This and "Esperanza" come from the new series (I believe) and enough can't be said. The stories still focus on Hopey and the gang and are for the timid or the young as this material deals with a lot of adult themes.

The Duggars are the reverse of anything encountered in Love and Rockets. One could make a joke about a woman using her body as a toy (and I suppose it's been done) but I truly feel these people believe exactly what they say or write. At the time I read these books Michelle was expecting her 20th or 21st child (which unfortunately did not happen) and have at least a better understanding of their beliefs, even tho one would think it's taken to extremes. Altho they're both well written and interesting I found "20 and Counting" the better of the two.

groovy reflections

I admit it...I have been spending way too much time on Facebook and not enough writing. Hopefully in the past couple of weeks this has changed. I have been reading more again and writing more as well.
With vacation fast approaching I have already borrowed books from the library to read and looking back at past blogs I realize I never reviewed books I read on my last vacation. Next blog I promise (or threaten, whichever the case may be)
This said I will mention a blog I have just started following which is an extension of a group I belong to on Facebook. Groovy Reflections http://groovyreflections.blogspot.com/ is a nostalgic look at the past and is a very enjoyable read. I have just started reading the past articles myself but if the blog is anything like the group's postings you will enjoy the trip.

The woman above? That is "Test Pattern Woman" that I scanned from another favorite, Snackbar Confidential. Atho there hasn't been an update for a year, the old articles and magazine (a cut-and-paste fanzine) are quite interesting.

radio, fall and bumper's blog

Spending time with Bump this morning he remarked how the sunrise was so beautiful. "I love the fall time" he said as we were driving. "I wish I had a camera this morning." He was right, it was beautiful with the leaves changing color, their reds, oranges and yellows brightened by the sun. With fall comes more activity with the radio and in two weeks I will be on vacation and going on a short dx-pedition. Where? Don't know at this time, maybe the cape and Scusset Beach, maybe as close as a tall hill.

Admittedly I haven't been as active as I would like on this blog but others have been. That looks like it is changing as this blog has seen more writing than it has in a while.
As for blogs I follow:
Monster magazine world http://monstermagazineworld.blogspot.com/ is a favorite of mine and has posted some pretty nice articles and pics.
Hungover Gourmet has a nice article on Taco Bell http://hungovergourmet.blogspot.com/2012/09/forget-am-crunchwrap-taco-bell-adds-mt.html
and Bumper has started a new site http://tvultraparty.blogspot.com/, posting various writings about tv and posting his art and anime.
Wishing them all well. Hope to see you soon.

family and friends

As the song goes "Here's to good friends, tonight is kind of special..." I have recently reconnected with many friends over the past year through Facebook. Ironic in a way as a special person in our lives passed away this past week after a lengthy illness. Altho I didn't know him as well as I wish, Bumper and I had the good fortune to visit my wife's uncle, a pastor of many years, and his family a couple summers ago and had a great time, great meal and great swim. We also had the good fortune to have him and my uncle preside over our wedding with our then pastor.

As we get older we should remember our families and try to visit more, contact more, even just drop a note or email to say hi. It has been said that I am "too sensitive" and that I wear my heart too much on my sleeve. Maybe so but I feel that my upbringing was a good one and that my family is close-knit, getting together at holidays and the occasional cook out. As "good fortunes" go, we were able to cram up to 35 people into a 1 bed room bungalow on my Grandmother's 80th birthday and still be able to surprise her; talk about close-knit! We are so tight that strangers and new friends helped in surprising my mother for her recent birthday - and the size of the family had doubled at this point. For many years my Grandparents hosted Christmas and Thanksgiving with a table built from an extended dining table, a card table and piece of plywood extending from the dining room into the living room - and we kids STILL had to eat at the kids' table in the den.

My point of all this is just don't keep your memories reserved in a photo album. Remember the old memories and create new ones. Keep in contact with your loved ones and not-so loved ones and don't let time race past as we so often do. Take time to relax and enjoy their company, have family game night, shoot the breeze in the back yard looking at the clouds. Dance in the kitchen at Christmas, cook omelets with your kid and be the king of popcorn-making. Run beside your kid, teach him to ride a bike and let him teach you to fly. Play endless War card games or go canoeing with your grandfather or talk with your family about the time he painted his shoes white. Walk and hold hands with your wife and put up with your mother's tales of when you were young.  Heck, even play freeze tag in the back yard, no matter your age; you never know what you'll miss until it's gone.

RIP Uncle Gene

bumper

A child is a gift from God. Ain't it the truth.

people magazine 3/8/2012

The cover of this week's People magazine. Bought it but haven't read the article yet. Skimming through, the article looks good with a few nice quotes from Davy's former band mates as well as Maureen McCormick.

my count so far

9 weeks since my last cigarette
So far so good.
Probably spent the $270+ on bills
But that's the way it goes
At least I feel better

And now for the diet...

the purple rooster north attleboro

I wanted to like this resaurant. I really did. It was small, a hole in the wall type of place and I had heard some good things about it. They even have a gluten-free menu. The employees were nice if not that informative and the atmosphere was quiet; restaurant was clean and was tastefully decorated.

The problem was the food. I ordered one of the day's specials, the Greek Omelet with home fries and toast. The home fries were "okay" but the omelet tasted somewhat watered down, possibly from the tomatoes and there was no real "feta" taste. The gluten-free toast was excellent but I was never informed of the price difference. The whole experience left a bad taste in my mouth and very disappointed.

davy jones dies at 66 2/29/2012

Davy Jones dies at the age of 66

I had the chance to meet Mr Jones many years ago at Fanual Hall Boston during a book signing of his autobiography "They made a Monkee out of me". All I could muster after standing in line for three hours was a simple "hello" but it's still one of the hilights of my life.

While David Jones was and always will be known as the "cute" Monkee he was also an actor before and after. He perfomed in "Oliver!" as the Artful Dodger in his native England as well as on Broadway and also played the part of Ena Sharples' grand son in the English soap opera "Coronation Street". He had dreamed of being a jockey before his acting career and eventually fullfilled his dream later in life. He has always been able to joke about his image as seen in "The Brady Bunch Movie" (in a parody of his role in the original series opposite Maureen McCormick) and in an episode of "Boy Meets World" where he would reunite with Peter Tork and Mickey Dolenz.

My sympathies to his family and fans. I am thankful to have met him, if only for a very brief moment. David Jones will be missed. RIP

dare program 2012

Bumper graduated from the DARE program last night. I am truly proud.

Because DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is no longer a state funded program it's up to the community - I applaud my town, the police department and the many fine sponsors for their continued support.

dragon drawn by my son

I am proud of my son and all he does.

Children are God's greatest gift.

'Nuff said

two zine books reviewed

Psychotronic Video was and is one of my favorite magazines. Created by Michael Weldon I loved the magazine from the very first issue I bought at New England Comics to the final issue ever printed (and all the back issues purchased along the way). Within the pages of this great magazine were reviews of the strangest, sleaziest, gory-ist and weirdest movies, anything and everything from Faster Pussycat Kill Kill to Freaks, from the tamest movies to Valley of the Dolls, articles on Ed Gein (the inspiration for Psycho) and Nosferatu, you name it. I have an almost complete collection (as well as the Pschotronic Encyclopedia) and wish the magazine were still being published. Every issue was read from cover to cover but I also took special note of the fanzines page, reviews of hand-made and self-published magazines distributed to their creators' friends, families and any other glutton for punishment. Sending in my little one dollar bill (and sometimes it only cost a sase) I was treated to the strangest and most wonderful creations with only one "dog" in the bunch. Film Threat (about films), Hungover Gourmet (about food) and Snackbar Confidential (a cut-and-paste stream of thought zine using old ads) were the best of the bunch with Snackbar still being published; I'm unclear about Film Threat and Hungover Gourmet recently went internet only.

Two books I recently borrowed from the local library focus on the subject of fanzines and both are pretty good. Zine Scene is a good introduction to the subject and is also a "how-to" for those who wish to self-publish. Factsheet Five Zine Reader is the logical extension of Zine Scene, focusing on selected writings from all kinds of zines. Those who have thought of sampling zines would do well to get both altho my vote is for the latter but then again I have already been a collector. Also Zine Reader is divided into different subjects (music, food, et al) making it easier to find interesting articles. Because these books are overviews of various zines subject matter ranges from the tame to PG-13/R as do some of the graphics.

Some of the zines mentioned in the books have ceased publication or graduated to the internet. As mentioned above Hungover Gourmet has become internet-only (e-zine) and I am unsure of the publishing schedule for Snackbar Confidential altho Lance Laurie (the publisher/creator) has a blogspot, which if you look at the big picture would lead one to assume the blog is a fanzine or e-zine itself. Fanzines are always published on an erratic schedule (Film Threat and Snackbar are published when the creator has time)

If you are interested Zine Reader includes addresses and/or URLs in the appendix. Warning: Altho these are great over-views to the subject the books are outdated with Reader being published in 1997. I will be checking some of these addresses in the coming weeks and publish my findings.

Meanwhile I am still following these blogs and sites:

the fabulous fifties http://allthingsger.blogspot.com/

monster magazine world http://monstermagazineworld.blogspot.com/

snackbar confidential http://snackbar-confidential.blogspot.com/

roadside online http://www.roadsideonline.com/

roadside america http://www.roadsideamerica.com/

for more information on Psychotronic Video magazine:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychotronic_Video

my reading list

Recently I reserved items at my local library. To date I have 26 items checked out with 4-6 items still on reserve.

Altho I never really read Gasoline Alley as a child I had read about its history in various publications. Since the strip had already been running some 40-plus years by the time I was born, the characters were already middle-age or senior citizens as they aged "normally" during the run of the strip. I recently read the original strips in a collections titles "Walt and Skeezix". As many sources as well as the introduction states the strip originally started with more of a male-based audience and an automobile (then still a young industry) subject matter. To appeal to a more female demographic the main character (Walt) awoke to the door bell Valentines' Day morning 1921 to find a baby on his door step. So started what has become one of my favorite collections as well as an enjoyable read for Bakelady. The strips reprinted are from 1921-1922, complete, and read as a continuing story, almost like a soap opera. Toward the end of the collection one becomes suspicious Walt has met up with the natural mother of Skeezix, a possible red herring but has put into place Walt's actions to actually adopt Skeezix as his son. Now I have to search for the next volume!

Another book I have read is DC's House of Mystery, a collection of the 1970's comic in the same vein as Marve's "Essential's" series. Altho the comic pales in comparison to EC's horror line (and to be fair not many can hold a candle to such a high standard) there are some great stories; one such offering is "The Burning" (issue #206, cover reprinted above right), one of my favorites growing up as my brother owned this particular issue. Filled with the usual twists and turns it's still a fun read even after 35 years.

I have, however, found that with age comes changes in taste. I borrowed three National Lampoon collections, two of which I could not get through. Is it the humor I have outgrown or the fact I no longer have to hide them under my bed? Also one of the collections had pages removed, such are the problems with library property. One of the collections "The National Lampoon Sunday newspaper Parody" is still a fun read and is even funnier now that I'm a "grown-up".

Ahh, where's Bat Boy when you need him?

For more information on Gasoline Alley:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasoline_Alley

For more information on House of Mystery:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_mystery

also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hogan's_Alley_(magazine) and http://www.cagle.com/author/hogan/

Hogan's Alley is a great magazine for the comic historian or anyone remotely interested in old strips. I get it by subscription and well worth the wait

keeping my new year resolution some-what

i have resisted blogging about this but here goes: i have made it 186 hours without a cigarette.

the first two days were ok because i didn't really smoke week-ends. sunday and monday were sheer hell then wednesday i was a maniac. by thursday 4 hours into my work shift i realized i was feeling better and friday i hardly thought of it.

the extra energy i have (or the sheer boredom of not knowing what to do without a butt) has come in handy with doing things around the house (and the silent "finally" from bakelady makes it worth while too). i have finally started (or re-started) my rec room and the many chores i have been promising but not keeping.

and the money i'm looking at gaining? i don't want to think about it.

but i will not be one to call the kettle black and i know it's just as easy to start again - just read my old blogs.

last record was 3 months. i'll keep you posted.

now onto the diet.......