Writer's Block: The Perfect Crime

[Error: unknown template qotd]

Swiping an oversized balloon from a car dealership. It hadn't been inflated, still in the bag. 17", which doesn't sound like much, but is very large compared to the 9 to 11" balloons that are commonly used in promotions.

I still have it. I've inflated it twice but don't have many opportunities to inflate it and keep it inflated.

FP

Changing of the Guard

I heard on NPR's "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me!" today that Mariah Carey has now broken Elvis Presley's record for lifetime Hit Singles on the American Pop Charts.

Does this mean we'll see Mariah impersonators take the stage in Vegas, Atlantic City, Branson and Pigeon Forge? Does this mean that die-hard Elvis fans will try to re-mix The King's catalog (in the manner that "Little Less Conversation" was re-mixed and made a hit) in an attempt to regain the crown? Or how about Jacko? Maybe he'll try to make a comeback now? Or Garth Brooks? Or somebody else still in the running?

FP (who is afraid to check the Pop Charts these days, as square as is)

And Another Change--A Channel Change

We got our Digital Television Receiver coupons from the Federal Government today. I went to the local RadShack to see what they had...only one type in stock--but it's CHEAP. Coupon + $20 + sales tax gets us one. Perhaps we will get ours this week.

FP

More Random Than Most, I Guess

( Faster, Hellcat--Kill! Kill! Kill! )

The creator of the video claims the music as his own, but it reminds me of much of the music composed for the silent screen. If you didn't know this piece of cinematic history, let me explain: back when movies started, yes they had no actual soundtracks, and the dialogue was handled visually with graphics on signage every so often. But when these were shown in theaters, often they were accompanied by a pianist or organist, who would be working from a set of sheet music that came with the movie. This would act as a virtual soundtrack. Even after Talkies came along, the theaters retained the pianos and organs for years afterward, as lead-in and closing entertainment for the night's program.

The Public TV station for the University of South Florida produced a series (perhaps as a telecourse) called Masters of the Silent Screen many years ago, and when they presented the movies they tried as often as possible to include the original music for the background. For all I know it could still be running on WUSF-TV.

And when I lived in Florida I sometimes watched Masters of the Silent Screen because it was often the best thing on. If it's Sunday Morning and your choices are limited to religious services, economic analysis, politics roundtables and infomercials, where would you go?

FP