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.