Muppets Studio on YouTube

Happy New Year folks. An old friend sent me this through:

And then I noticed that the Muppets have a whole channel on YouTube for me to investigate. Yayyyy.

Seasons Greetings

Just back from holiday shopping and felt like posting something festive.

Solomon Burke RIP

After hearing the news today, I went looking on YouTube and found this clip:

After enjoying “The Blues Brothers” when it was re-released in the late 80’s, I tracked down as much of the music from it as I could. Sadly, I missed Solomon Burke until a few years ago.

So, when I’m marking this afternoon, I’ll dig out a couple of Solomon Burke CDs, and if I haven’t finished, it’ll be John Lee Hooker, Sam & Dave and some Elmore James, Aretha Franklin, Charlie Parker , The Band, Booker T, and some Motown and R&B classics (not the modern twaddle that calls itself R&B, but real Rhythm and Blues).

A drive through Stornoway

A drive from Goat Island to the Tong Road end. Through Stornoway, Laxdale and part of Newmarket.

Filmed on HTC Desire.

Brought to you by Wildroot Cream-Oil

Rooting around in the old garage (technically it’s the newer garage, but it’s quite old now), I found a dvd boxed set of Richard Greene’s “The adventures of Robin Hood” from 1955. Huzzah and a round of the closing theme to chase away the bad weather …

Music to edit by

Editing some of today’s photos and just had to dig out this:

Earworm: Fruity Oaty Bar

I managed to get a passable “Jayne” hat last week, and have been humming the Fruity Oaty Bar jingle from Whedon’s excellent work: Firefly/Serenity. Having the “Firefly/Serenity” soundboard on my phone is probably to blame too.

If you’ve ever played “Traveller”, and not seen “Firefly”, then shame on you.

Performance –> Feedback -> Revision

I work in education. It is nice to get see a performance that really just sums up my job in a few words.

Oh, and I’ll post my feedback now, to save me time later when I hit the delete-comment button to revise the dissenters into oblivion: “yawn”

And next: Stornoway

I snapped my neck round as I heard Jools Holland mention my home (sort of) town of Stornoway. It turns out that they are a young band from Oxford.

Good luck to them.

BBC band page

Stornoway Homecoming 2009

Massed pipe bands in Stornoway today. They were really good, and were having fun.

There was a parade and stalls and the rescue helicopter did amazing feats of control and slides and a fair and dancing and a craft fair and the international market and there was lots and lots and lots of people at it and even the police car had streamers on it.

Don’t Look Back

Slept in. Missed the post. Watched tv over breakfast, some standard Western (“Man of the West”), until the baddy gang appeared, lead by “Pa”, talking about "Link”, and one even had a bowler hat. Yup, it was the original “Angel Gang” from 2000AD.

Starting on the Audio editing unit of my homework. Listening to some reggae on iTunes.

I didn’t realise that I had so much sleep to catch up on.

HPL-athon

Playing a horror game at the Club tonight, and it brought back memories of the old KGB.

Found these on YouTube.

It’s not to the tune of Queen’s “Bicycle Races”, but still.

And who could miss this? (where did I leave my copy of the Necronomicon?):

US National Archives

I haven’t visited the US National Archives site for a few years (not since doing some research), so I was pleased to see that they have a YouTube channel.

I’ll catch up with this one in the morning.

Title Says It All

This came on my CD in the car as I headed out to get some essential supplies this morning. They are a great band, I was boogying along the seafront with the aircon on, heading for an early shop – which then included the new CD “The End”.

Supplies – oscillating fan (it was 20°c at 0900hrs) and an LG widescreen LCD monitor (yup, I finally disconnected my CRT unit).

When I got back, the Boxer rifles pack from Old Glory was waiting for me. I only ordered it when I was editing a video after midnight on Thursday night/Friday morning. Good going. I’ll get all my figures to the same stage of prep and then wait for a rainy day to get a wodge painted.

So much to do before I can disappear to the hills with a clear conscience.

If you haven’t figured it out – I survived another teaching year, and I’m looking forward to next year. Emotionally and physically, I’m having a big clearout at home and at work. “Hello, Trail? Yup, I’m cancelling my subscription”. Life is too short to get dragged down by other people. I can’t define my life by what I am not. I like problem-solving, I like helping people, I like learning things. I am a geek. No more, no less.

WeirdDwalin

George has been busy with a musical tribute to Darren.

All in the best possible taste.

TGOc 09 - Braemar

I went out on Friday night to meet Darren at the designated rendezvous point near the Linn of Dee. If he wasn’t there, we would meet up on Saturday morning.

After a wet drive, with localised flooding and some tree debris to be avoided, I arrived at the Linn of Dee. I left his resupply box (and some extra goodies) in the car, and had a short walk to the clump of trees we had agreed on. There was no-one there. Considering the weather, and that for him the west-east walk would be into the wind, this was not a surprise.  The movement that I had noticed further along the track was a small group of stags.

Dropping off the road, I moved amongst the trees in case Darren’s tarp was concealed from view, and then chose a sheltered pitch and put up the tent.

In the morning, the weather had not changed much, still wet, but the wind had died down. I pulled on Paramo trousers,  showerproof Montane jacket and treated boonie hat.

Some slugs had to be cleared off the tent and boots, and other kit checked for the slimy wee things.

As I started to pack and think about breakfast, I noticed a couple of walkers heading east. One “helloooo’d” me across the glen, and I waved back. They carried on walking, and so it couldn’t have been Darren.

A few minutes later, I was greeted by the sight of a pair of man-tights (leggings) at the tent door.

We chatted and headed off to the Linn of Dee. He had crossed the Geldie that morning. The holler had come from Vince, first-time Challenger, but who had walked in other countries.

Seeing a red squirrel by the bridge, and an advert for free brew for Challengers and tempting accommodation price at Mar Lodge (good one, NTS). I headed back to the car, leaving Darren to walk into Braemar,where I would meet him en route for a snack break.

Outside Inverey, I gave a ‘helloooo’ to Vince and introduced myself. The scout group camped near the Linn had treated him to breakfast. It is great when visitors to our country are treated like this.

I made a quick trip into Braemar for a thermos, and then caught up with Darren after boiling up some water at the roadside. We were joined by Andy, who I’d met last year. As the cakes were shared out, I got a friendly ribbing from a passing Babyfather John Manning about my weight – guilty as charged.

Returning to Braemar, I met Shirley “Peewiglet” (and was rewarded with a hug) and Andy Howell (handshake). After Darren arrived, we waved at Bob and Rose, then lunched - and Vince came in as we finished; then joined by an other Challenger. The two of us then went to the Fife Arms for a healthy drink and I get another hug from Peewiglet, and a few words with John Manning and Bob “no bones broken” Cartwright.

After making sure Darren has his resupply box, and extras (including a required phone charger), I leave the Challengers to their trail-tales, renewed friendships and then to walk across the rest of Scotland’s width.

Linx B-tube

Linx B-tube, originally uploaded by dimacleod.

Linx b-tube arrives. It looks good and feels good. For a few seconds i forget my lurgy and leave my breathing to a lower brain function. For a wee while. Watching last week's "old dogs" and seeing behind the scenes of John Simpson's journey to Afghanistan. Lots to do. And I'm on holiday now.

--

Added “out of the box” video.

Stop Making Sense

“Stop Making Sense/Talking Heads” It’s a great dvd. I love watching the band’s interactions and this breach of copyright will probably mean that the video will not last long here. Such is life. If you dance as badly as I do then get the grey suit out, pad up the shoulders and dance along like the chicken-legged performer par-excellence that is David Byrne.

Filmed more than 25 years ago, I can still find motivation in it. Isn’t that one of the wonders of art? Whatever the medium is, each individual can take away different things from it. And have a good, fun time too.

‘nuff said: press play and join the grey side …

Shopping link. Wikipedia.

Mitch Benn

From Radio 4. He wants your Twitter following. Here’s why you might consider it.

 

And a rare appearance on TV:

 

In summary: he shows that you don’t have to be Stephen Fry to be clever.

http://twitter.com/MitchBenn

Ohrwurm