Monthly Archives: October 2011

Halloween truth in advertising?

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Steve

After today, all those temporary Halloween superstores close up and (to borrow an old Johnny Carson joke) will appear next year as H&R Blocks. I’ve killed some time in them this Fall while waiting to pick up my nephew or … Continue reading →

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Month of Italians wrapping up today

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Steve

I fell short not from the lack of material but from a lack of trying. As always, life got in the way, especially this damned head cold I am recuperating from. Getting ill around Halloween is my body’s way of … Continue reading →

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Curious George sighting!

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Steve

Definitely one of the better costume duos I’ve seen this year; a father and son I spotted at HEB. The man was amazed at how quickly I guessed. Actually, my mind was racing because my mouth almost blurted out Mr. … Continue reading →

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American Scary

Posted on October 29, 2011 by Steve

Another documentary with great intentions and an incredible amount of interviewees (see below) but falls down too many times in its execution to be recommended without serious reservations. The director should’ve hired an editor who understood how less can be … Continue reading →

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Happy Birthday Lee, aka Doc

Posted on October 29, 2011 by Steve

To the guy who gave my life a new start, rocky as it was for the first couple years but isn’t it always the case with things that prove to be worth the effort? Makes me wish I were a … Continue reading →

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Happy fourth anniversary Nancy & Jose

Posted on October 27, 2011 by Steve

My post isn’t too late because they were married in the evening four years ago. The gifts? (Searching via Google.) Books, flowers, fruit, linen or silk. I’m rooting for the book since I can offer one electronically; either iBooks or … Continue reading →

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Italian #17: Geraldine Ferraro

Posted on October 26, 2011 by Steve

Putting aside your political affiliations or feelings about the Congresswoman, she still deserves her place in American history as the first woman to be nominated for Vice President of the US. Geraldine was also the first Italian to be nominated … Continue reading →

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Hang up and drive or be exterminated!

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Steve

Well, it is a Dalek, extermination will happen anyway. Spotted this in the parking lot at Pinballz. I hope the driver had better luck playing the Doctor Who machine than I do, the damned thing loses the balls through the … Continue reading →

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Never trust a Sicilian when death is on the line!

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Steve

Or on the old Commodore 64 in two-bit resolutions!

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Italian #16: Carlo Collodi (Lorenzini)

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Steve

Many people today probably think Pinocchio was a Walt Disney creation thanks to the well-loved cartoon but the Italian people know better. The wooden boy who wanted to become a real-live child was penned by ex-soldier/text-book writer/satirist Carlo Lorenzini. He … Continue reading →

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2001: The iPod’s debut

Posted on October 23, 2011 by Steve

Product announcements with Steve Jobs were still rather novel then but I recall the SCLM’s expectations were rather high regarding this. I think they were expecting a miracle cure for HIV, proof of alien life or something else since their … Continue reading →

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Science to Citizen translator

Posted on October 22, 2011 by Steve

This chart is courtesy of Dr. Plait. I doubt the average American would understand it nor appreciate it, hence it’s why the WSJ hack has all his fallacious wiggle room…no, lets not mince words, it’s why he can spread an … Continue reading →

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Italians #15: The Jacuzzi Brothers

Posted on October 22, 2011 by Steve

The Seventies wouldn’t have been the same without their accidental invention the hot tub. Ask the founders of Atari, the band Steely Dan and numerous coke users; for me the last two things seem to go together as the dark … Continue reading →

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Italians #14: Garry & Penny Marshall (Masciarelli)

Posted on October 22, 2011 by Steve

I unintentionally took the week off on my Italian goal so I have some serious catching up to do! Bear with me as I will probably have to shorten these entries yet I will not have any doubling up count … Continue reading →

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Happy belated 55th birthday Carrie “Princess Leia” Fisher

Posted on October 22, 2011 by Steve

Another cool birthday displayed on my Simpsons calendar at work. My childhood wouldn’t the same without her and the rather goofy hairdo (more like a hairdon’t in her opinion) in Star Wars. Oddly, I never had a crush on Princess … Continue reading →

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