Cosmic Horror Defined

    Something invented by H.P. Lovecraft; possibly something dreamed up in the most literal sense by Howard Phillips.  That's just how he rolled.

 

Jest Videos

A Warner Bros. Merry Christmas v.2

 Ten years ago,  posted the below remarks. All the best today to you and your family.

 Inspired by a Facebook post from friend Josh, and plucked from the blog of Tom Ruegger, here are the Warners Brothers (and sister) as shepherds from "The Little Drummer Warners." Back in the day, we showed the episode to Steven Spielberg who joked that we now owed him a Warner Bros. tribute to a Jewish holiday. Hanukkah and Thanksgiving at the same time would have been perfect, but that kind of calender gold doesn't roll around too often. Plus Animaniacs would've needed to be airing for twenty years like Gunsmoke. So we still owe him.

Does TikTok Reward Madness?

 I would say 'yes.' It seems the emotionally unhinged are rewarded with traffic. This holiday season, try to avoid TikTok. Your family will thank you.

Jest Videos

Epic Gift-Wrapping Fail

 Not everything goes smoothly over the holiday season. A smple gift-wrapping can turn into a chore if approached with the wrong mindset.

John P. McCann Channel

TikTokers React to Pearl Harbor

Educated by the dim, today's youth respond to the 82th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

 

Jest Videos

Pomona 5k Race Report

From l. to r.: Me, Joy & Chevy Chase

Having not run a race since last year's marathon, I only had a few 2023 weeks remaining to notch one.  So I joined my wife Joy for a 5k out in Pomona. Chilly in the early morning hours. Neither of us wished to leave bed. But off we went on Saturday morning. As noted in the 5k link, I finished second in my age group out of six participants. That was enough to earn an age group medal, which is basically awarded for outliving faster runners. The course was flat asphalt, used in the warmer months for auto racing. I was stiff as a plank having not warmed up properly.

This particular 5k had a number of drawbacks including people violating course rules and running with their dogs—there are parks for that—strollers, and loose children who tend to run as fast as they can, stop, then bolt off again. I was passed a half-dozen times by the same kids.

That aside, it was a good time, with decorative Christmas cheer all about. We enjoyed ourselves, then departed for a well-earned heavy breakfast. 

I'll report in soon on my upcoming half-marathon in January. All in all, I was glad I got out of bed.

 

 

 

 

Pearl Harbor Recalled: Time and Mrs. Murphy v.2

Repost from Dec. 7, 2008

Back in the early '80s I lived in a Hollywood apartment, neighbors to cameraman Dutch Heckman. Once, our elderly landlady, Mrs. Murphy, told Dutch and I that she'd been present in Honolulu during the Pearl Harbor attack. (A great danger came from falling shrapnel, courtesy of exploding U.S. anti-aircraft shells.) Evacuated from Oahu to California, Mrs. Murphy bid farewell to her husband, Bill, a Marine major. Bill was gone for years, fighting in the Pacific. He once wrote Mrs. Murphy from Eniwetok that "nothing smells worse than a dead Jap." Bill survived the war, but, like the stench of enemy corpses, the horror of that island always lingered. 

Mrs. Murphy eventually became a manager at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. (She was present that day in 1968 when Robert Kennedy was assassinated.) Talking later, Dutch and I realized that Mrs. Murphy was a history sponge, soaking up the events spilling around her. In time, Eniwetok vaporized from hydrogen bomb tests, the Ambassador Hotel was torn down, Bill died, and Mrs. Murphy ended up a landlady, drinking double bourbons in the afternoon and sharing her memories with a constantly employed cameraman and an unemployed comedy writer. She always regretted never moving back to Hawaii after the war. (She prounced it 'Ha-vi-ee.") A few years later, Mrs. Murphy passed away. She is forever tied in my mind to December 7th. I wish her a good afterlife and hope it contains palm trees rustling in the warm trade winds.

wonderfulengineering.com

NOTE:

Dutch Heckman passed away last year. His departure leaves a great inner chasm that will never be filled. Nevertheless, onward.

Tasteless TikTok Take on Osama Bin Laden

 TikTok: Where the Abnormal Relax

Ah, TikTok, the 21st Century home for hostile odd people. In keeping with their standards, TikTokers have recently discovered a new crush: Osama Bin Ladin. Why the architect of the 911 attacks is now viewed as cool will be discussed by future historians—I hope.

Jest Videos

From the River to the See Ya Later, Jews

Work Makes You Free

Arbeit Macht Frei. That was the sign on the Sachsenhausen—and other—concentration camps set up by the Nazis to exterminate the Jews. The popular Palestinian slogan From the River to the Sea has the same ominous flavor since the fate of the Jews in a Palestine extending from the Jordon River to the Meditteranean Sea is left conspicuously unsaid.

John P. McCann Channel

The Marvels Sold for Fertilizer

 Lessons Learned?

Disney no longer knows their audience. Thankfully, non-tradtional markets exist for their products.

Jest Videos

Killer Giraffe Caught in the Act

 

A Long Neck Can Hide an Evil Mind

Another day, another video on the eerie qualities of giraffes. They are tricky creatures and conceal malice behind affection. Don't be like a giraffe.

John P. McCann Channel

Happy Nostalgic Thanksgiving!

Note: Here's a post from 18 years ago. This is before all my operations and various disorders when I enjoyed the fine health of early middle-age. No complaints. Glad to be around.

clipartpanda.com

So back in the day, I wrote . . . 

This morning I met some chums from Team in Training. We ran a 5K (3.1 mile) race in La Cañada, a northern LA suburb. I'd driven through there several times. The little hills sloped gradually, so it appeared. I predicted EZ running.

Oh, they were sly, unpleasant hills. Steeper than they looked. Finish-time eaters. If it were possible, I'd cuff them sharply.

This was very much a neighborhood race: families, parents with strollers, teenage girls running five across, and people running with leashed dogs — which I don't get. Walk the dog or run the race. 

Later, Ronald MacDonald — clown, spokesman, bon vivant — led youngsters in a warm up prior to a children's race. After that, a child warmed up Ronald MacDonald prior to a fast food spokesman's race. 

In any event, Happy Thanksgiving!

Rare African Fire Giraffes

 Tall, Graceful, and Full-of Flame

What if you could be all those things? How different would your life be?

Jest Videos

Hollywood Squashes Wall-E

A Robot Learns There's No Business Like Show Business 

Tinsel Town can be oh-so cruel. Watch the rise and fall of a robot star.

Jest Video

Unsubtle H.P. Lovecraft Video and Book Promo

 

The Father of Cosmic Horror and a Lessor Acolyte

A gauche plug for my writing wrapped in the mantle of Howard Phillips Lovecraft. 

Jest Videos

Cracked Magazine Article on the Rise and Fall of Freakazoid

I should know. I WAS THERE!!!

Thanks to Brian Van Hooker for the terrific article on one of my very favorite TV animation shows ever. Tom Ruegger, Paul Rugg and I are interviewed regarding our recollection of those ancient times. 

Go forth and read at Cracked. 

Making TV Animation Back in the Day

 Astounding and Anti-Informative

A short fun clip from a longer video The Making of Freakazoid, made back in the mists of time. 1996, perhaps.

John P. McCann Channel

'Nam Killed Kurt Over Time v.4

 

Photo: Life Magazine. Kurt's unit patrolled these hills. (Mutter's Ridge and the Rock Pile.) 

Some veterans die in battle while others return home to perish on the installment plan. My friend Kurt passed away in 2003 from liver cancer. He went quick, maybe a hundred days. The cancer was partially brought about by PTSD-inspired drinking coupled with hepatitis from a bad blood transfusion he underwent in Vietnam. Kurt could have skated on that particular war, but extended his enlistment in order to fight. Serving in Marine Recon, he won a Navy Commendation medal for helping his unit battle clear of an ambush.

Several Purple Hearts later, Kurt joined an ultra-secret outfit that probed the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos. Hacked out of the jungle, the Trail was a highway for the North Vietnamese to funnel men and supplies into South Vietnam and Cambodia. Because of our odd political posturing, Laos was officially off-limits to U.S. ground forces. That meant Kurt and his unofficial comrades were forced to ditch the bodies of their dead. The fallen would be listed as "Missing in Action in South Vietnam." It always bothered Kurt that families would be denied the closure of burial—or the recognition of bravery from a schizophrenic government.

A good portion of Kurt's post-war years were spent in alcohol and drug-fueled rage and self-destruction. In time, he made peace with his past. Little by-little, Kurt cut a trail over to serenity from which he rarely strayed. Despite a Master's Degree in electronics, he took a job driving a truck and fixing vending machines. (Kurt worked well unsupervised.) Getting married, buying a home, his last ten years were good ones.

I was a pallbearer at Kurt's funeral. He received a Marine Corps color guard, taps, and a view of the 2 Freeway stretching below in the distance, flowing past Forest Lawn Cemetery on its way to Eagle Rock. (Transportation played a big role in his life.) I recall Kurt when I drive past and often wish he could call down artillery on erratic drivers.

This Veteran's Day Kurt came to mind. And while he's at peace, I send prayers and best wishes to those still struggling with the silent baggage of war.

Happy Veteran's Day to all who served. You are remembered.

(This is a 2014 repost from Veteran's Day 2010 reposted once more in 2021, and now reposted in 2023.)

Happy Birthday to the U.S. Marine Corps

 

Here's a short article commemorating the Marine Corps on their 235th birthday. Best wishes to all Leathernecks past and present. (Photo: Acclaim Images)    

Note: A decade has passed since the above post, hence 245th birthday would be more appropriate. 

Note: Three years have passed since the above note, hence 228th birthday will do nicely.

Ten Free Text-to-Image Websites

 

LimeWire

With all my ai experimentation, I thought I'd ask my bud, ChatGPT, to list a starter set of ten free text-to-image sites. If you're paranoid like me, each site states whether or not it requires a Google sign-in. Alas, this is list is only current up to Jan. 2022 and there's more ai sites arriving each week. (That's why it's not a Top Ten.) But if you're a novice, just screwing around, it'll be fine. I'll list two current sites below that even a lame prompter like me can easily access.

 

 

1. **OpenAI DALL-E**: - **Benefits**: DALL-E is a groundbreaking AI model capable of generating images from textual descriptions. It does not require a Google account to use. 

 2. **Runway ML**: - **Benefits**: Runway ML offers a user-friendly interface for artists and designers to create images from text. You can use it without a Google account. 

 3. **Deep Dream Generator**: - **Benefits**: Deep Dream Generator allows users to transform their text descriptions into visually stunning and surreal images. It typically doesn't require a Google account. 

 4. **Artbreeder**: - **Benefits**: Artbreeder enables users to manipulate and generate images based on text inputs. While you can access some features without an account, certain features may require a Google account for full access.

 

 5. **AI Painter**: - **Benefits**: AI Painter provides a simple way to turn text into art by generating paintings based on textual descriptions. It typically doesn't require a Google account. 

 6. **Runway ML StyleGAN**: - **Benefits**: Runway ML's StyleGAN integration allows users to create images from text and apply specific artistic styles. It does not require a Google account. 

 7. **DeepAI Text to Image API**: - **Benefits**: DeepAI's API enables developers to integrate text-to-image functionality into their applications. You may not need a Google account to use this API, but it's advisable to check their current policies. 

 8. **PaintsChainer**: - **Benefits**: PaintsChainer uses AI to transform text descriptions into colored sketches. It typically doesn't require a Google account. 

 9. **Runway ML BigGAN**: - **Benefits**: Runway ML's BigGAN model can generate high-resolution images from text inputs. It does not require a Google account. 

 10. **DeepArt.io**: - **Benefits**: DeepArt.io leverages AI to create art based on textual descriptions. It typically doesn't require a Google account. 

 Please note that the account requirements may change over time, so it's a good practice to check the specific websites' current policies and registration procedures before using them.

**BlueWillow - Click on Blue Willow and you'll be taken to Discord and then to LimeWire. But after that, it's a breeze to use. I designed the artwork above in no time.

**Ideogram - Open and create. This is the simplest text-to-image ai site I've yet to discover. 

Do NOT Befriend the Giraffe

More ai text-to-image fun. This time I designed art for a YouTube thumbnail. The thumbnail will herald an old video I found of a wild animal park up in Sonoma, California. Reasons exist not to grow too chummy with our long-necked friends. More shall be explained after I launch the vid.
 

Booze Ape On-the-House

Booze Ape 2023

Drunk as a Monkey

Having fun once again with AI text-to-image and decided to see how the dreamlike.art algorithms would handle my request for a chimp in a seedy tavern. Not exactly Charles Bukowski, but I think the Dirty Old Man would approve.

 

Rob Bonata Message Fail

 We rite good in Kaliforna.

Given the sad state of California education, it's possible that Attorney General Rob Bonata's staff hired locally for someone to design the Attorney General's newsletter.

 

Jest Videos

How Woke Works

 Language is violence if you've never experienced violence.

So many ordinary people are puzzled over wokeness.

 Here's a short that breaks it down to its basic parts.

Jest Videos

Top 5 Halloween Night Movies

 

A Quintet of Spooky Films

At least according to me, with 1 and 2 on the list pretty creepy. Peruse at your leisure. Do you agree? Disagree? Abstain from comment? Whatever the case, Happy Halloween!

John P. McCann Channel

Halloween Super Yard Rocks!

 Look on My Yard, Ye Mighty, and Despair!!

People like me put up a pumpkin and figure I've gotten into the spirit of things. (So to speak.) But walking back to my car from the doctor's office the other day, I encountered true afficiandos. Check it out. (And ignore the little touches I added.) This is full-fledged Halloween commitment.

John P. McCann Channel

George Orwell Poem on Puppies and Teddy Bears

 

More fun with AI as George Orwell pens some verse on the topic of fun fluffy things.

Ciinnamon-Stars Deviant Art

Long Live Stuffed Brother!

In the land of innocence and plush delight,

Where fluffy tyrants rule with all their might,

Puppies and teddy bears, a surreal sight,

In a world of propaganda, we'll now recite.

 

The puppies, round and soft, so sweet and pure,

But in their eyes, a watchful, secret lure.

Their fluffy paws, a grip so firm and sure,

They play the part, but motives are obscure.

 

Teddy bears, with button eyes, so sly,

In the arms of children, they comply.

A symbol of comfort, as we imply,

But who's the master in this wicked lie?

 

In this utopia of cuddles and play,

The puppies and bears have a role to convey.

They're tools of control, in a subtle way,

As innocence withers, and freedoms decay.

 

They listen in silence, these loyal spies,

Gathering secrets, with their woolly guise.

Whispered confessions, each baby's cries,

In the name of safety, liberty dies.

 

Big Brother watches, through the guise of fluff,

Tracking our lives, and it's more than enough.

As we hug our teddies, and play with our pups,

The surveillance state only tightens its cuffs.

 

So remember, my friends, in this tale so grim,

The cute and the cuddly, it's all a scheme.

In the spirit of Orwell, let's not be dim,

For the truth lies hidden, in this puppy dream.

—ChatGPT

The Dark Knight's Gloomy Day

 

Even our heroes experience time in the dumps.

John P. McCann Channel

Is Gaza The World's Largest Open Air Prison?

 What has upset some people?

Over the past two weeks in the media, I've heard any number of Palestinian boosters use the title phrase. So I made a wry remark. While the current Middle East war is bound to raise passions, was said remark especially hurtful? Give it a look. You decide. 

  

John P. McCann Channel

Halloween Poem by Charles Bukowski

 The Dirty Old Man Opines on All Hallows Eve

emojigraph.org

Did Anyone Buy F***ING Candy?

A whiskey-soaked moon hangs low and dim,

On this dark October night, a spectral hymn.

The streets are alive with ghouls and jesters,

And the damned souls of lost barroom testers.

 

The neon lights flicker, casting eerie glows,

On the faces of the dead who walk in rows.

They stumble and stagger, their laughter obscene,

In the ghostly haze of a whiskey-drenched scene.

 

The women in costumes, alluring and wicked,

Their red lips like poison, their eyes like elixir.

They dance on the bar, and they dance on the table,

Seducing the devils, the demons, the unstable.

 

The bartenders pour, with a cynical grin,

Another shot of hellfire, another sip of sin.

The jukebox wails with a mournful tune,

As the lonely souls howl at the blood-red moon.

 

In the corner, a poet, battered and bruised,

With a notebook of verses, all battered and used.

He scribbles his lines in a drunken haze,

Capturing the madness of these haunted days.

 

Halloween, a night of chaos and vice,

Where the living and dead, they dance and entice.

In this city of shadows, where the lost souls reside,

It's a macabre carnival, an eternal ride.

 

So raise up your glass, and toast to the night,

As the darkness descends, and the witches take flight.

In the spirit of Bukowski, we revel and sing,

In this twisted, demented, and beautiful thing.

—— by ChatGPT

Winnie the Pooh Must Die!

Oh, Pooh

Beloved denizen of the Hundred Acre Wood faces off against unknown toughies

 who later reflect on their deeds.

 

John P. McCann Channel

Top 5 Tips to Avoid Leprosy

No One Parties With the Unclean

 Learn how to prevent leprosy with these quick and essential tips! Leprosy, caused by Mycobacterium leprae, can be avoided through good hygiene, awareness, and certain unusual practices that seem odd. Watch this short satirical video to discover the key steps to keeping yourself and your loved ones from being branded unclean and driven from the neighborhood. Stay informed and stay healthy.

Top 5 Tips

For more fun videos visit the John P. McCann Channel and/or Jest Videos.

Hundred Acre-Holocaust Video

 The Fruits of Bad Diplomacy

Hopefully, Pooh and friends went underground with many honey pots. (Today was also a bad day for the Order of the Templars.) 

John P. McCann Channel

Half Marathon Training Update

 A Runner Forgets

Yesterday I ran 5 miles for the first time in a few months. Since I was at the historic Rose Bowl, I decided on a little video at the end detailing my run. Nothing so chipper happened. The day was a bit hotter than I'd planned and by mile three, my mind was glutted with thoughts of walking, or better yet, quitting entirely. Left to its own devices on a run, that's where my brain defaults.

I ran it in, but was overheated and uninterested in anything other than basking in my car's air conditioning. Clearly, I'd been neglecting my mental training. The mind can only hold one thought at a time. Why not an upbeat, positive thought? That—and water—are what I require most on hot day running a course with very little shade.

As a general note, I am considerably slower than last year. If that's the way it rolls, so be it, but I'd hoped to ace January's Rose Bowl Half Marathon in under 2.5 hours and LA Maraton in March in under 5 hours. But time and serious training will tell.

And a little focus on the metal effort.

Coyotes 1: Cats 0

 

Coyotes roam the streets, seeking tasty pets. The Web is full of woeful tales. Here is one.

John P. McCann Channel

Men, Meme and Rome: I Don't Get It

 

Rome on the Range

A few thoughts on the recent Internet meme stating men think constantly of Rome. After a little research, I determined that the Imperial City and its customs were nothing to pine for. 

John P. McCann Channel

A Walk Among Ghosts: Dublin's Great Famine Memorial

On the banks of the River Liffey in Dublin there's a grim memorial to the victims of the Irish Great Famine. Millions died of hunger or horrid conditions aboard "coffin ships," supposedly taking them away from slow death. The video is from our recent visit to Ireland. 

John P. McCann Channel

Advertising Adores Big Brother

 Can boatloads of government cash sway the media to promote certain agendas? Does it always work? Such questions are explored in this video under ten seconds.

Jest Videos

Top Ten Disney Sassy Animal Companions

 ChatGPT compiled the list and added the voice artists. I'm growing fond of that crazy AI.

1. Mushu - from "Mulan" (voiced by Eddie Murphy)

2. Timon - from "The Lion King" (voiced by Nathan Lane)

3. Puss in Boots - from "Shrek" (voiced by Antonio Banderas)

4. Donkey - from "Shrek" (voiced by Eddie Murphy)

5. Iago - from "Aladdin" (voiced by Gilbert Gottfried)

6. Sebastian - from "The Little Mermaid" (voiced by Samuel E. Wright)

7. Abu - from "Aladdin" (various vocalizations)

8. Heihei - from "Moana" (vocalizations by Alan Tudyk)

9. Pascal - from "Tangled" (vocalizations by Frank Welker)

10. Meeko - from "Pocahontas" (vocalizations by John Kassir)

Al Stewart Catting It Onstage 2023

Joy and I visited the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano for an evening of Al Stewart. If ever a musician aged gracefully, it was Al. He realized long ago that most people would only know him for his biggest hit, "Year of the Cat." But he embraced that reality, continued writing the songs he wanted, and performs onstage dressed as a clerk in a Target store. A very enjoyable evening. 

John P. McCann Channel

A Nostalgic CNN Meme

When I saw this, only one name came to mind. I won't say. . . oh, hell, Jeffrey Toobin. And the beat goes on.

How Far Would You Go to Be Diverse?

 More HR mirth from comic Ryan Long.

Ryan Long

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea with All-Transgendered Cast

 Once again, I asked ChatGPT to write me a YouTube script. This time the subject was a Disney + remake of the above-mentioned Jules Verne classic. And once again, AI did not disappoint. It even invented a fake review channel.

Title: "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: A Transcendent Adventure | Disney+ Remake"

[Introduction]

Host (H): Welcome back, movie enthusiasts, to another exciting episode of "CineMagic," your source for all things film and entertainment! Today, we have something truly groundbreaking to discuss. Disney+ is taking us on an underwater journey like never before with their remake of the 1954 classic, "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea." What sets this adaptation apart? Well, the entire cast features transgender actors, making it a significant milestone in Hollywood's pursuit of inclusivity and representation. Let's dive right in!

[Scene-by-Scene Analysis]

[Scene 1: The Nautilus]

H: Our story begins aboard the remarkable submarine, the Nautilus, commanded by the enigmatic Captain Nemo, played by the talented transgender actress, Alexis Williams. Williams brings depth and complexity to the character, making Nemo's inner turmoil and quest for justice even more compelling.

[Scene 2: Professor Aronnax]

H: Joining Nemo on his voyage is Professor Pierre Aronnax, portrayed by the charismatic transgender actor, Jordan Rodriguez. Rodriguez's portrayal adds a unique perspective to Aronnax's scientific curiosity and moral dilemmas as they explore the mysteries of the deep.

[Scene 3: Ned Land]

H: We can't forget the fearless Ned Land, portrayed by transgender actor Sam Patel. Patel's Ned Land is not only a master harpooner but also a symbol of resilience, highlighting the diversity within the transgender community.

[Scene 4: The Underwater World]

H: The breathtaking underwater scenes, brought to life through cutting-edge CGI, immerse viewers in a visually stunning and immersive world. The representation of aquatic life and coral reefs is not only visually impressive but also ecologically relevant, emphasizing Disney's commitment to environmental awareness.

[Scene 5: Exploration and Ethics]

H: As our heroes explore the depths of the ocean, the film delves into profound ethical questions surrounding humanity's impact on the environment and the consequences of unchecked technology. The transgender cast brings a unique perspective to these discussions, making them even more thought-provoking.

[Scene 6: Inclusivity and Representation]

H: "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" is not just a remake; it's a celebration of diversity and representation in film. Disney+ has taken a bold step towards inclusivity, not only in front of the camera but also behind it, with transgender individuals involved in various aspects of production.

[Scene 7: A Modern Classic]

H: This remake pays homage to the 1954 classic while reimagining it for a new generation. The powerful performances of the transgender cast breathe new life into this timeless story of adventure, morality, and the mysteries of the deep.

[Conclusion]

H: "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: A Transcendent Adventure" on Disney+ promises to be a groundbreaking cinematic experience that combines classic storytelling with contemporary inclusivity. By featuring an all-transgender cast, Disney+ is taking a significant step towards a more diverse and representative future for the film industry. We can't wait to see how this underwater adventure unfolds. Don't forget to subscribe, like, and share to stay updated on all things CineMagic! Thanks for watching, and remember, magic happens when we all come together!

Disney + equals Disney films plus trans/gay stuff plus Disney films containing trans/gay stuff.

Even AI knows this.

Vox

Machete Film Review from Back-in-the-Day

 A Reprint From a More Innocent Time

A 13-year-old post from the days when I reviewed films I'd never seen.

 

A breathtaking film, Machete is director Robert Rodriguez homage to beloved children’s tale Charlotte’s Web. Set in the southwest, the film employs the subtle storytelling and layered characterizations that have built Rodriguez’s reputation as the David Lean of Texas. Teen heartthrob Danny Trejo portrays Machete, a blade-packing, Wilbur-like character. Forced to move about like a runt pig in order to remain alive, Machete lives on the allegorical chopping block. In a deft choice, Rodriguez crafts a web of racism and corruption that only Machete can slice. Rotten Senator McLaughlin (Robert DeNiro) is the anti-Charlotte. He is assisted by Michael Booth (Jeff Fahey), a hate-filled businessman who kills illegal immigrants and grinds their bones into bone powder. But Machete has his own Templeton the Rat—Shé (Rebecca Rodriguez). Shé is a taco-truck driving revolutionary who hopes to reclaim Texas for Mexico. Once back in the right hands, Texas will be transformed into a paradise, modeled after the Swiss-like order and civic honesty of Tijuana. Rich with themes of loyalty and undying friendship, Machete, not surprisingly, includes a scene at the Texas State Fair. There, Machete wins a blue ribbon for throwing knives at a spinning target on which is tied a pretty girl in tights (Lindsay Lohan). I believe E.B. White would heartily approve.

Reposted: Sept. 09, 2010

Animaniacs Celebrates 30th Anniversary

 Yes, I recall it well. The 10th or 13th of September, 1993. A big party on the Warner Bros. lot. Free food.

In honor of the event, here's a festive tune from the olden days.

rainbowzzzzzzzz

Hallow Mass Update

COMING THIS SPRING!

Igy Hotarubi Pinterest

Following an inquiry or two, I've committed to writing and publishing Volume II of my Lovecraftian horror trilogy: "The War on Death" Hallow Mass by spring 2024. 😬🙏 As illustrated by handy emojiis, fear and hope collide in my aging head. What if I botch the attempt? One promising backstop is to insert a financial penalty for NOT finishing, such as taking out advertising in advance of publication. Yeah. I like it. Now to work.

I'm also writing a horror/suspense novella which should publish in ebook form by Christmas. On top of that, I'm collating my notes from Ireland and hope to put out a short non-fiction book on my pilgrimage by next March. 

So many projects. I'm bound to complete one.

Available in durable ebook and softcover

AI Celebrates Based Book Sale

AI weighs in with a song of praise for Hans G. Schanz Based Book Sale. All kinds of libertarian and conservative fiction and a bit of non-fiction await you in ebook form. All .99 or free! Sale ends Tuesday.

beatbot.fm

 

9/11 Recalled: 2023

K called from Florida, "Planes crashed into the World Trade Center and one of the towers just fell." Unemployed in Los Angeles and half asleep at 7:30 AM, I shuffled downstairs to the TV, past Joy as she prepared for work. At first, all I saw was a dirty cloud obscuring southern Manhattan. Then a stunned announcer said the second tower had just collapsed. Joy joined me, work forgotten as we learned of the attack.

Other friends phoned throughout the day. Paul Rugg speculated about the pilots of the doomed aircraft, certain they weren't Americans forced to crash. TJ, a Vietnam vet, was incensed at the footage of jubilant Palestinians with their candy and AK-47s. He wished he could gift them with a nice buttering of napalm. In a grim mood, I agreed.

Watching TV and power-chewing Nicorette, I mostly felt numb — except when the subject was jumpers. Then I felt horror. Go to work, sip coffee, joke with your pals, then decide whether you'll suffocate, burn alive, or leap a quarter mile to certain death. Questions of etiquette arise: jump solo or hold hands with a co-worker? Perhaps several of you link arms and form a chain, finding courage in numbers. Or do you clutch a table cloth and step into the air, desperately hoping it slows your fall?



The journey takes ten seconds.


Air velocity rips away your shoes.


You explode on impact.


I will always be haunted by the jumpers of 9/11.


Oceans of paper were blasted from the towers, filling the New York sky like the Devil's ticker tape. Invoices and wedding invitations floated down to gray sidewalks.

My friend Cathy, who worked in D.C., reported chaos as the government sent everyone home at once following the Pentagon attack. One jammed intersection turned scary as a man leaped out of an SUV brandishing a pistol and attempting to direct traffic.

Being murdered is not a heroic act, though it can be. Flight 93 passengers fought back and died, saving many more in their sacrifice. North Tower Port Authority employees rescued over 70 people before perishing.


There were many heroes that day.

My sister Mary Pat and I had dinner at a coffee shop. She was passing through town, leaving a job in Mountain View, CA to return to Phoenix. Depressed by the day's events, our meal was not jolly.

Later, Joy tried to give blood, but the hospital was overwhelmed with donations and refused.

Vulnerability, grief, dismay, anger.

Such a beautiful morning with a sky so blue.

(Photos from: Little Green Footballs.)

Repost: Sept. 11, 2008

Update: Strange to reread this. TJ died in 2009 and K passed away just over a year ago. My wife, Joy, and I are doing well, as is Paul Rugg who now rides the train. 

Repost: Sept. 11, 2013

Update: I had cancer surgery last year, but recovered. My wife is doing well and my sister battles her own health woes. I have not heard from my friend Cathy in a few years.  Paul Rugg continues riding the train in addition to being a voice over machine.

Repost: Sept. 11, 2015

Update: Paul Rugg's daughter was not quite two years old on 9/11/01. Now she is a freshmen in college. I have retired from TV animation writing, though, as stated elsewhere, I find retirement to be indistinguishable from unemployment. (Save for a small annuity.) And very soon, I shall ride the train to see my sister. (Explanatory post t/k.)

Repost: Sept. 11, 2017

Update: Ten years have passed since I composed this post, 17 years since the incident. Alas, the greatest hit to our nation continues to be a colossal security apparatus that can't seem to function without monitoring everyone's communications, then lying about it. I'd rather not comment on airport theater. Still, my wife remains gainfully employed and I'm racing to complete a dystopian thriller by Christmas. Amidst the great events, the little things carry us forward.

Repost: Sept. 11, 2018

Update: About to publish a softcover version of my prostate book. Meanwhile the Afghanistan Forever War continues. I refuse to believe that for almost 20 years, there's been no better way of fighting the Taliban than sending billions to Pakistan to provide hiding places for them while they infiltrate Afghan government forces and assassinate our advisors. The Byzantine Empire lasted over a thousand years battling multiple enemies on different fronts, employing a combination of diplomacy military prowess, and strategic alliances. With the entrenched, consequence-proof dimwits we have infesting Washington D.C., we'll probably end up surrendering to the Taliban.

Repost: Sept. 11, 2019

Update: How odd to stand on the threshold of twenty years. Given the riots and chaos of the pandemic, the blithering repose of local government re. small-business-killing lockdowns, the event is passing with barely a mention. If I hadn't spotted a NatGeo special on the Twin Towers, I might've forgotten myself. Interesting health issue, with cataract surgery, an upcoming new crown—for a tooth—and the results of a biopsy for skin cancer. Paul Rugg works on a Henson TV show, and his daughter nears the end of her undergrad studies. My sister continues on with NPR in the unburned portion of the Pacific Northwest. I will publish a book of my short stories by Christmas. Joy's work will soon restore her full pay, slashed during the lockdowns. Since South Dakota never locked down at all, shouldn't their population be deader than the Sioux at Wounded Knee? Not all experts are experts.  

Repost: Sept. 11, 2020

Update: 

What I wrote sarcastically in 2019 came true. A devastating mortifying defeat. 

Repost: Sept. 11, 2021

Update: Paul Rugg's daughter was recently married. Paul and his wife are moving to Virginia to be somewhat near her. I've just finished a book on my thirteen-year journey to run a marathon and am preparing for a trip to Tennessee. Perhaps I'll also depart from the once Golden State, a large garbage can with palm trees.

Repost: Sept. 11, 2022

Update: When I hear politicians say we'll stay in Ukraine "as long as it takes," I wonder if it'll be 20 years and end in a disorganized rout that makes the withdrawal from Vietnam seem dignified. Paul lives in Virginia when he's not traveling to various comic-cons and hobnobbing with fans from his distinguished animation career. Joy and I just returned from Ireland with fond memories and COVID. I'm working on a book about our pilgrimage.  

Repost: Sept. 11, 2023

 

Big Based Book Sale

 

Click Aether Czar for books!

Heed Aether Czar:

Bypass the cultural gatekeeping, support non-woke authors, and get yourself some great books from both established and emerging talent for only $0.99 – many titles free!

The sale starts Thursday, September 7, 2023, 12:00 AM PDT and runs through Tuesday, September 12 to celebrate BasedCon a gathering for authors and fans of science fiction and fantasy who are tired of woke propaganda.

UPDATE: BasedCon sale working just fine. My $.99 ebook Jury Doody sits at #2 on Amazon.

Yes, I'm Stll Running v.2

 Not lately, however. Between illness and vacation, I've fallen out of my exercise routine. But nothing fires up the running engines than a goal. And so I signed up for the Rose Bowl Half-Marathon in January and am considering the LA Marathon in March. 

But first, I need to blow off the dust and cover a few miles. 

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