Pooky Park Puppets Pursue

This creepy, funny 1950s theme park parody has been around since January, but it's an interesting sample of what can be done using AI. Here are the ingredients used by Meme Dream Machine:

Script: ChatGPT

Photos: Midjourney

Video: PikaLabs, Runway 

 

Meme Dream Machine

Escape from New York Listed as Documentary

Strange are the ways of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Watch and learn.

 

Jest Videos

Dien Bien Phu 70th Anniversary

 (A repost from 2006, noting the battle which marked the start of America's journey into the Vietnam War.)

Today marks the 52nd anniversary of the Viet Minh attack on the French garrison at Dienbienphu — a remote valley in northern Vietnam near the border with Laos. The Viet Minh were an umbrella group of Vietnamese nationalists under the leadership of communist Ho Chi Minh. They had been fighting the colonial French, and other Vietnamese nationalist groups, since 1946.

The French viewed their position in a flat valley surrounded by hills as an offensive base. From there they would venture out and cut the Viet Minh supply lines, preempting an attack on Laos. As a result of this outlook, the garrison never out-posted the hills. They'd be attacking and, besides, it was impossible for the Vietnamese to haul any significant artillery up there.

Unaware of French opinion, the Vietnameses went ahead and hauled heavy artillery up onto the hills along with daunting amounts of anti-aircraft guns. On March 13, they let loose a barrage, followed by a human wave attack that engulfed a French strong point manned by crack Foreign Legionnaires. The fight was on.

For the next several months, while peace talks droned on in Geneva, the Vietnamese strangled the French. All French supplies had to come by parachute. The planes—many flown by American contract pilots— braved intense flak dropping their cargo. As the garrison was compressed, the drop zone grew smaller. Food and ammunition ran short. Meanwhile, generous supplies from nearby communist China—including American ordinance captured in Korea— enabled the Viet Minh to bombard their opponents at will.

Despite horrendous casualties, the Viet Minh seized one French strongpoint after another. Finally, on May 7, 1954, it ended. The French surrendered. Over 10,000 men marched into captivity, many of whom died in Viet Minh prison camps. French colonial rule in Vietnam and Laos ended. In 1955, Vietnam was partitioned into a communist north and a non-communist south along the 17th parallel.

Now back to running and writing stuff.

 

Shingle Shot Reaction and More

Stopped by the pharmacy last Thursday, received my injection and a warning about possible side effects. My arm ached pretty bad, but nothing life-hampering. But Friday I was tagged with a sharp headache, flu-like symptoms and fatigue. Most of the day was spent rising to go pee, then returning to bed for more restless sleep. Saturday, though better, still found me a bit down.

Today, I'm just fine. But losing another two running days pushed me over a ledge.  Despite my glittering optimism from a week ago, I'm passing on the LA Marathon.

The "quitting stench" is absent this time. Too little distance running the last five weeks left me feeling that I'd be trashing my bodyfor another medal. I 'm fat with running medals, but not years left in which to run.

A load was lifted when I withdrew. I've been training since September for the Pasadena Half, then jumped into training for the full. I over-trained for the half and under-trained for the full.  Now I've got a little time to rest and plan my new marathon move. (Sub-five, is what I'm thinking.)

So that's that. I learned a lot this go around and I'm looking forward to easing back into running once again, grateful I still can

Blacks at Higher Risk for Prostate Cancer

 

 Find out the how and why on this episode of Prostate Cancer: Real Talk. Hosts El and Shay probe the reasons behind increased rates among Afro-American men and what can be done. As a prostate cancer survivor myself,  I always learn something of interest on this podcast.

 

Prostate Cancer: Real Talk

What Does Cuteness Attract?

Often, it draws the uncute.

Jest Videos

Maudlin Marathon Update

 

 Last week, I bemoaned the obstacles placed between myself and marathon training. Well, the most difficult is past. Now all that remains to be seen is whether I waited too long, ran too far, in too long a time and tired out my legs.

Friday, I completed 17.5 miles. That is the farthest I'll venture in training. With the race less than two weeks off, I'm now in my taper phase, lowering long run and weekly mileage and preparing mentally for 26.2. The temperature was cool and windy, perfect for a 10k. Unfortunately, I ran several hours and was chilled to the bone. Possibly, I'll face these conditions again on race day.

And while my finishing time may not glitter, I overcame one of the worst cases of the quits in 46 years. That's when I under-trained for the Chicago Marathon, then blew it off. And while I eventually ran Chicago, the stench of quitting lingered long after the event. 

So I made myself run on Friday. Having done so, there's no reason not to complete the LA Marathon. Damn the street sweepters!

More soon. 👈

Maudlin Marathon Musings

Illness Takes Its Toll 

Ten days of coughing and a slight fever hacked into my training. I ran yesterday and found myself considerably slower than before Father Sickness gripped me in his long mucousy fingers. Only 18 days remain before the marathon and I've yet to complete my longest run. I should be tapering now and not attempting to squeeze in 16 miles this week, then 12 next week, then into race week. 

I believe I'll attempt the 16 and see how much time it takes. There's a middle ground between a leisurely pace and huffing and puffing to avoid the street sweepers. I'll see what the very near future holds.

 

rubicon.com

 

 

 

The Saga of Paul Rugg

Once he was here, now he is there, traveling from sea to shining sea. Gone from the Once-Golden State to a peninsula with water on three sides (as peninsula's are known for). And yet, there is a quiet pride in Paul's decampment. Watch and learn more.

     

Paul Rugg's Froynlaven    

English Ditched from CA Ballot

 

Jest Videos

Strange doings take place in a decaying state.

Screenwriter Talks on Orwellian DEIA Rules

Yes, DEI with an A added.

YouTube Channel Film Threat invites on a working Hollywood writer to explain the death of quality now inbound with Amazon Prime's new extensive mandates for script Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and ACCESSIBILITY. (The Society for Diversity provides pithy definitions.)

 

A small spoiler: I think the hosts and writer miss the point. They keep pointing out how none of the Inhuman Resource mandarins enforcing the rules have any Hollywood experience. That's a feature, not a bug, with DEIA. Since the point is perpetual friction between squabbling child-like victim groups with government as Daddy, then the less experience you have in a trade, the better. You won't be sidetracked by any lingering memories of craft or excellence. 

 

I do agree there will be a boom in the indie film market. Stories that appeal to the human condition, and not boilerplate Maoist shit screeds, will triumph in the end. 

 

Check it out.

 

 

Film Threa

My Writing Schedule. v2

 What now, big talker?

Eleven years ago, I was working this hard to build an ebook empire. So where is it? Still in boxes and boxes of first drafts, waiting for the author to stop screwing around and finish.

A few points: I didn't break each project into small enough pieces, so that completing it in bite-sized chunks wouldn't feel so daunting. 

Also, I failed to periodically assess my progress. Too much time on outlines? Not enough? Why did I allow procrastination to torpedo such excellent headway?

A finished first draft is an accomplishment, but only an initial step in the final product. I took the easy path of parking the draft "just for a bit" and starting on new projects, then "allowing them to simmer."

When it comes to writing, I excel at conning myself to avoid the hard work of pressing on.

I'll do it again if I'm not careful. 

CBT Psychology

Disney and Mossad Interrogate Hamas

 War Forges Strange Partnerships

If the Mouse is determined to make woke flops, then someone, somewhere will spot a hidden advantage in such films.

 Jest Videos

Plump Info-Rich Author Blog

  Publishing . . . and Other Forms of Insanity

Since I'm hot this week on author stuff, here's a great trove of writerly information. Erica Verillo's super blog answers the questions on most author's minds: whose buying and how much do they pay per word? That said, there are links for agents looking for writers, literary contests, resources and more. And Erica updates this every month. Every month! I'm lucky to post twice a week.

Swing by Publishing . . and Other Forms of Insanity and sup from a bottomless cup of gratis info for authors, poets, and those eager to join their ranks. You could do worse, so don't.

Reedsy

Ash Wednesday Meets Valentine's Day

 Curious

Perhaps, but it's a trick of the calendar and not by design that the penitential season of the Catholic Church and the day devoted to things romantic align. How might a fellow like me cope? Perhaps I'll present my beloved a box of candy with an ash cross over the See's logo. If it doesn't work out, I'll be fine as these two days won't merge again in my lifetime. 

 

 

 

clipartbest.com

 

 

 Life's Perceptions and Inspirations

 

Joining the Rebel Alliance

The Force is Strongish With This One

The only force here is the force of knowledge. Having allowed my membership to lapse, I've just rejoined the Alliance for Independent Authors. If you're self-publishing—like me when I stop surfing crime videos—starting out as a poet or author, or a seasoned pro looking for a little love, then the Alliance can help. Free info on writing, marketing, agents and contracts. 

I receive nary a cent for my advocacy, but I wish I did.

There are different levels of membership. Give it a look.

'Male and Pale is Stale' Leads to 'Flop Busters'

 

Dream Factory Now a Nightmare for Some

 

h/t: Ace of Spades HQ

 

 

An anonymous member of the Writers Guild of America has posted an open letter to the guild pointing out the hazards of DEI.  (A more nuanced defintion here.) Said writer posted the letter to a movie critic site called Film Threat instead of the entertainment industry press.

The letter speaks of a climate of fear smothering Hollywood as the top-down push for DEI is resulting in discrimination against white males and the hiring of writers for no other reason than the color of their skin or sexual preferences. This leads to the production of expensive 'flop busters' such as The Marvels or the latest Indiana Jones.

Sadly, animation—South Park excepted—was gobbled up by DEI years ago.

There's more in the open letter. Also, if you must watch video, check out YouTube Channel Film Threat's take on the subject. 

The clash between enforced DEI and productivity is being waged across many industries. Now Hollywood must choose between the illusion of fairness and product quality, in addition to appeasing the Chinese.

South Park best summed up the effects of DEI on creativity:

(Language Warning)

 

Joke Lol

Congrats to the U.S. Olympic Marathon Team

 

Screwy Qualifying System Leaves Men's Third in Doubt

Yesterday, Olympic hopefuls crowded the start line in Orlando, Fla. for a shot at being one of six American runners representing the nation at this summer's games in Paris. And the winners are:

Men

• Connor Mantz - 2:09:05
• Clayton Young - 2:09:06
• Leonard Korir - 2:09:57

Imagine you apply for a job, go through a tough selection process, then get  told: "You're hired. Welcome aboard, unless we find someone better." 

Such is the case with Leonard Korir. Mantz and Young already ran automatic qualifying times under the magic number 2:08:10, begging the question of why bother with marathon trials if somebody somewhere else who didn't compete against the same field can just wander in with the correct time and snap up your spot. (Granted, you won't find many 2:08 marathoners wandering around the 50 states, but it's the principle of the thing.)

Leonard Korir hoping no 2:08's show up.

 

 Dyestat

O'Keeffe Breaks U.S. Women's Record

Women

• Fiona O'Keeffe - 2:22:10
• Emily Sisson - 2:22:47
• Dakotah Lindwurm - 2:25:31

In the corny simplistic women's race where the first three finishers go to Paris, O'Keeffe rocked the house in her marathon debut. A debut, an Olympic qualifying record, and summer in Paris.

 

My Circle Story

 Maybe she'll be joined by Leonard Korir.

Another Marathon Looms on the Horizon

L.A. at Last! 

  Almost twenty years ago I set out to run the LA Marathon. After quitting cigarettes and training several months, I encountered Team in Training. As things developed, I wound up running the Honolulu Marathon. But LA remained a goal I thought I would snag in a few years. 

Now I'm finally on track to scratch it off the race list. I've got 45 days to train and no particular goal in sight other than, say, finishing in 5:15. I'm looking forward to enjoying the race, supping upon the city's energy, and hanging up another finishing medal. More soon. 

 

McCourtFoundation

 

SCTV Yellowbelly Still Delivers the Laughs

 

vagabond

 

Time passes but certain comedy bits never fade. Observe the late John Candy portray the biggest coward in the Old West.

Pasadena Half-Marathon 2024 Race Report

 I expected and prepared for a wet, chilly race. I expected parking to be a hassle . I expected to lumber in just under 2:45. None of my expectations were met.

In past Rose Bowl races, I've been caught in traffic jams, sometimes spending 40 minutes inching toward parking, then scrambling to the start line. Today, I left home at 4:30 AM and was parked by 4:56. Then I napped for an hour and twenty minutes. Around 6:15, I ambled over to gear check, figuring I had plenty of time to hit the bathroom then warm-up. But gear check took longer than expected, and the usually long Port-a-Potty lines seemed even longer. I emerged with enough time to loosen up my joints, but not enough to squeeze a few surges. 

Gun Time

At last year's marathon, i started too far back. As a 5k race launched before the half, I used the time to push forward into the half-marathon crowd; wriggled, squeezed, 'excuse me'd my way as far forward as doable. Then I waited, running in place as the clock passed the 7 AM start time. Finally, we began. Because there were over nine-thousand runners, it took a bit for the humanity brick to loosen. Eventually, I crossed the timing mat and away.

 

To the 10k Mark

Started climbing to exit the arroyo. Since the Rose Bowl area is one of my training locales, the terrain held no surprises. Plus running the hills around my home prepared me well. I used the Galloway run/walk method, walking one-minute for every six minutes run. So I angled over to the right, making myself less of an obstacle. A group called Kids Run LA were afoot like coyotes at a dog show. (I covered the hazards of loose children in my Pomona report.) But there weren't any strollers or dogs weaving through the runners, so I was grateful. 

 

Around mile 3m we were running east on Colorado Blvd. The lead half-marathoners were already on their way to the finish line. Around mile 5, I ingested part of a sugary GU packet, then realized there were no water stations nearby. I only carried Gatorade, since I hadn't tested any of the race's electrolyte drink and didn't wish to be surprised. Water is best for GU, so I held off until the next station. At this point, I'd passed several pace groups, aiming to reach the 2:45 crowd.

 

Last Half 

Between mile 7 and 8, I passed the first 2:45 pace group. It must be a popular finish time, because there was a second pace group up ahead. That became my next goal. Catching them in mile 8, I considered hanging with the group, but was feeling energetic, so off I went. Descending back down into the arroyo for a finishing loop around the Rose Bowl, I checked my watch. I'd been moving faster than I thought. Picking up the pace, I sped around the familiar asphalt, crossing the finish line inside the Rose Bowl in 2:32:14. 

 

If 'd paid more attention to the time, I might've adjusted my pace earlier and notched a sub- 2.5 hour finish. Nevertheless, I was happy with my effort in splendid distance running weather. No rain and the temperature in the low 60s.

 

Now What?

The LA Marathon in mid-March. I won't set a pr, but it's an event on John's run list. I really don't race that much. Once in 2023 and twice in 2022. In a way, it becomes easier to loose exercise momentum if you're only stepping out a few times a year. I can do better and shall. 

 

Rayond Chandler: Hot Dames and Cool Metaphors

 

John P. McCann Channel

Half-Marathon Fever Grips Me

 

Enough complaining about my sad preparation. The race is upon me. On Sunday I will run my first half-marathon since, oh, 2007? I reject all my negative thoughts and embrace the challenge. The Rose Bowl has been my training ground for over 20 years. I'll be on home turf.

My goal: break 2 hours and 30 minutes. 

Make that 2 hours and 45 minutes. I double-checked my times. There's no way I could hold the above pace for 13.1. That's a half-marathon fever error

Central Florida ComicCon Invites Old Friends

 RUEGGER, RUGG TO CFCC 

 

As Lakeland, Florida USA gears up for their big comic con, old Warner Bros. chums Tom Ruegger and Paul Rugg prepare to meet their public. 

Come this Saturday, Januray 20th, these animation legends will host a panel entitled (and I quote):

The Ultimate Animaniacs and Freakazoid Panel

Tom Ruegger and Paul Rugg talk about the making of Animaniacs and Freakazoid and take questions from the audience in this panel for the Ultimate Animaniacs and Freakazoid fans!

Don't miss it! (I'll miss it, but then I was there.)

 

MCRD 52 Years Later v.6

 

USMC League

MCRD San Diego Back in the Day

Everything must begin somewhere. And in the United States Marine Corps, my enlisted tour commenced with yellow footprints. Drawn on the asphalt of the recruit depot with heels close together and toes angled out to 45 degrees, they are where I, along with seven other guys from our suburban Chicago neighborhood, stood to begin military service. Then we marched somewhere, boxed up our clothes and mailed them home, coming to the realization that our new life would be different from drinking beer behind a bowling alley.

The Vietnam War was winding down, at least for the United States, though the North Vietnamese would launch a huge attack against South Vietnam toward the end of March as we conducted infantry training at Camp Pendlelton. (In September, now a Private First Class, I would find myself in an Army hospital called Camp Kue on Okinawa, sharing  a ward with American advisors who'd been wounded helping the South Vietnamese forces stop the communists.)

In 1991, I visited the footprints on a vacation to San Diego with my girlfriend. (Now My Fine Wife or MFW.)

In 2002, I stood on a hill in Vietnam called Con Thien with a Vietnamese guide who told me about the obliteration of his village by B52s, bombing the NVA advance.

In 2008, I was back at MCRD finishing up a marathon with Team in Training.

But on a Friday night, January 14, 1972, I stood on yellow footprints. Oh, right before we boxed up our clothes, this happened:
(The following scene is rather accurate, except there's no C&W music. Just buzzzzzzz.)

h/t: amp1776

Note 2020:

On this 48th anniversary of my enlistment, I pay my respects to Tom Poto and Steve Lovell, two of my comrades who are no longer with us. RIP, bros. Hard to believe we were once young together.

Note: 2021

Yikes! 49 years ago; one removed from a half-century. I'll write no more on the subject.

Note: 2022

NOW 50 years have passed. I remember being hung over with a shaving cut on my right cheek that bled most of the day. Grisly forshadowing. Ah, well. 

Alas, another comrade passed on. Gary Burke, who I'd known through grade school and high school, died last November. We'd only recently gotten back in touch. He was a great guy and a man's man. I pray for his soul and that God may ease the hurt in family and friends.

 

Note: 2024

 

Here's a link to the original post, identical to this one except for all the BTWs and a USMC logo. Nothing much to add this year except that our military is at a lower point today than it was in the waning days of Vietnam. Why serve a country that is deemed racist to its very roots and can't even officially identify a woman? 

Gary Burke was in college and decked a cop. At his trial, he was invited to select between jail and joining the military. Since I and others were enlisting, Gary decided to accompany us in our youthful adventure.

At the swearing in ceremony, I was still drunk from the night before. I wouldn't really get any sleep for about two more days.

 

 

 

 

Running 14 Miles on a Sunny Day

 My last long run before the half-marathon. A slight breeze with temperatures in the 60s eased the burden of yesterday's slog up into the Angeles foothills. A hard work-out the day before meant tired legs and a slow pace. Overall, my training has been erratic. Very little speed work, lackluster tempo runs, and hardly any cross-training. I'll be fortunate to complete the half under 3 hours.

I'm prepared to skip the L.A. Marathon in March. My focus will be to regroup, pick a marathon for late spring, early summer, and apply all the same training lessons used in ramping up for the 2022 California International Marathon. 

Enough whining. Time to cross-train.

 

The Bald Brothers

 

 

 

Making Fun of TikTok

A trio of shorts poking fun at that social media magnet for the disturbed: TikTok.

Jest Videos

 

Top 3 Visualizations for Dogs

Do Dogs Crave Calm?

View and learn. 

John P. McCann Channel

Why Cats Make Terrible Secret Agents

 

Jest Videos

Happy New Year 2024!

 

ixpap.com

Cleaning up my office for the upcoming year, I found some old journals and Day-Runners. Odd to read my thoughts from decades back. Seems like I battled many of the same issues, overcame a few defects, and acquired fresh ones. The improvement process on John P. McCann continues.

A pleasant new year's day to all!

 

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.