I Got Nuthin'

Consolation video: "Jimmy Kimmel Live: I Gave My Kids a Terrible Present" via YouTube

Big Weekend

Big weekend, discovering an inexplicable Light-Up Tiara under my car seat.

Darn joyriders.

Outlet Mall Outlets

I Got Nuthin'

Consolation Video: "Beagle Freedom Project" via YouTube

Mikellaneous

My Recent Confessions and Observations on Twitter:

Woke up to discover The Macaroon Fairy has arrived. I ask no questions. I tear into the Ziploc. Mmmmmmm, macaroony...

I see where Facebook is developing a HOUSE, M.D. game. We play the board game. My wife is the cane. I'm the Vicodin. No die. Just hunches.

My wife force-fed me a salad for lunch. I survived it. I'm all svelte and healthy now. Do you know me? Let's go shopping!...

I've received notice Yanni is coming. Typo. Should read: "Yawni."

I had to get out of bed very early this morning. My kitty Melvin has assumed The Warm Spot. Aww, they grow up so fast....

@OMGFacts sez: "An old form of torture involved getting your feet licked by a goat!" Nowadays, we just watch THE VIEW.

My wife's class reunion is tonite. I'm too nauseous to attend. I feel awful missing the event, but it is kinda cool skipping *school* again.

Thanksgiving Collateral Damage Assessment: People, I'm thankful for eye tests. Get one! I'm still sponging gravy ladled on my wattle.

My big brothers, Bobby and Billy, are Veterans. Thank you for your service and hand-me-down shirts.

I am not a military veteran, but for a time I did wear a clip-on bow tie and serve movie snacks to the public. Thank me for my Goobers.

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Big Weekend

Big weekend, working on the Atlanta Fox Theatre projection team for the world premiere of "The Elf on The Shelf: An Elf's Story."

It looked to be a full house of 4000+ happy kiddies, except for me.

No crew elf hats.

That's the last time I curl my toes in the elevator doors. Stupid jingle bells.

Bass, Herrmann, Hitchcock, and Me

I loves me some superior movie main title sequences. I've written before of my devotion to the design artistry of Saul Bass ("It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World," "Walk on the Wild Side," "Around the World in Eighty Days"). He changed how movies handled the obligatory credits during the 1950s and '60s by making his celluloid minutes not only handsome lists of names, but also an integral part of the thematic tones of the whole production. His influence continues to shape the films we see in theatres today.

At the creative and popularity heights of Alfred Hitchcock, Bass came on board to front three of the suspense director's most revered motion pictures: "Vertigo" (1958), "North by Northwest" (1959), and "Psycho" (1960). Those men had the good fortune to be musically orchestrated by film composer Bernard Herrmann ("Citizen Kane," "The Day the Earth Stood Still," "The Man Who Knew Too Much"), yielding the three masterful sequences below.

Watch, listen, and enjoy -- then, read a true anecdote which happened to me earlier this day.

Saul Bass Title Sequences for Alfred Hitchcock via Vimeo.
While playing this main titles video on my computer, I heard a fly buzzing in the bathroom. It was befuddled by the window glass. The "North by Northwest" theme neared conclusion when I stepped onto the commode seat to help the panicked insect escape. I raised the pane and removed the screen, as the "Psycho" score pulsated through the room. Providing guidance, I maneuvered the trapped creature through the new opening and out into the external fresh air.

At that moment, something crossed my mind. I recalled a bit of film dialogue from "Psycho" matron Mrs. Bates:

They're probably watching me. Well, let them. Let them see what kind of a person I am. I'm not even going to swat that fly. I hope they are watching... They'll see. They'll see and they'll know, and they'll say, "Why, she wouldn't even harm a fly..."

Big Weekend

Big weekend, catching up on my bathroom reading. 

Hindsight.

Meanwhile...

Morty's got nuthin'.



Consolation Video: "Catvertising" via YouTube

I Got Nuthin'

Consolation Video: "Giant Stinson Beach Bubbles" via YouTube
Garlicky.

Mikellaneous

My Recent Confessions and Observations on Twitter:

Petrified cats! Power tools! It can mean only one thing: the renovations have begun.

Halloween scares me. Woe, the wax lips shortages.

One thing, living in the forest: no trick-or-treaters. Oh, I did get a bear dressed as Bambi, but I gave him candy deer corn & he went away.

12 yrs., we've not had 1 trick-or-treater. Kindly me stockpiles lotsa candy just in case. So far, I've managed to find it a good home. *urp*

Item: BOND 23 gets its title: SKYFALL. I was hoping for 007 GOIN' COCONUTS, but that's just me and Oddjob.

We may have had an intruder, a titmouse. Our cat Melvin was on the prowl all night long. Thank you for your service.

Daylight Saving Time change means new battery in smoke detector. Wife foaming at the mouth on Halloween means Crest excess or rabies shot?

I had a dream, an awesome dream altering the fabric of time, like, by an hour. WHAP! I'm awake now. Nothing broken. I'm noticeably younger..

Confession: I turned my clocks back 37 minutes. It'll decrease my wait times.

[Two Days After Halloween]
Jehovah's Witnesses appeared on our porch, moments ago. I told them we were all out of Butterfingers and shut the door.

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A Room With a Brew

After the groundbreaking at our house, it's time to reveal the dream.

We're adding a Cinnabon.

Big Weekend

Big weekend, digging the hole for our house expansion.

It's official! It's a money pit!

'Paranormal Activity 3: Puss in Boots'

That's got to be some scary cover up.

My cats are mild by comparison and only need wear beach flip-flops in their litter box.

'Monster Chiller Horror Theatre: Dr. Tongue's Evil House of Pancakes'

Oo, scary, kids.



"SCTV: Dr. Tongue's Evil House of Pancakes" via Count Floyd and YouTube

Top 10 Worst Scary Movies Ever!

10. "A Very Wolfman Full Moon Brazilian Wax"

9. "Nancy Pelosi on Elm Street"

8. "The Thing vs. The Doohickey"

7. "Chaz Bono's Wonderful World of Play-Doh Molds"

6. "Homicide With Raisins"

5. "Frankenstein: A Boy and His Trousers" (Animated)

4. "Nanny McPhee Chokes on Her Own Coagulated Bile" (Oops, this should be on the "Inspirational Larks" list.)

4. "Fraidy Gaga"

3. "It's the Great Pumpkins, Chesty Morgan"

2. "Pootloose"

And the #1 Worst Scary Movie Ever!: "Abbott and Costello Meet Your Toenails in a Dixie Cup"

Big Weekend

Big weekend, renovating our fireplace and chimney.

Here I am calibrating the critical, precise measurements for Santa.

Halloween Cartoon Carnival

Bugs Bunny and Gossamer: "Hair-Raising Hare" (1946, Chuck Jones) via YouTube


Popeye the Sailor: "Ghosks Is the Bunk" (1939, Max Fleischer) via YouTube

Tom and Jerry: "The Flying Sorceress" (1955, William Hanna, Joseph Barbera) via YouTube

There Will Be Butterfingers

The perfect Halloween: "Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein" (1948) and Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis get "Scared Stiff" (1953).

That's my night -- plus, the obligatory stomach pump. Nurses in nurses costumes. Maybe a Certs.

I'll be dressing up as the remote control. I hope I don't lose me in the sofa.

It's the wife's favorite costume. She mutes me.



"Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein" Trailer via YouTube

Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis: "Scared Stiff" Trailer via YouTube

Mikellaneous

My Recent Confessions and Observations on Twitter:

My television emitted a Kajagoogoo reference. I got up off of my couch and slapped the set. It's better now.

I see @kirklands is on Twitter. Suddenly, it smells like wicker and cinnamon in here. Ick. I'll wait out in the car....

My connecting with these kids today clicks. We hunky-dory. More Goober peas for me peaps!

Drat. I missed some event in ATL called Day of the Cupcake. I would've liked to attend. I was at Day of Crumbs on the Bottom of the Oreo Bag.

Oops. I missed commemorating my 3500th tweet. My impeccable life has been blemished. Damn you, Twitter! Aaarrgh, a misstep. I need a skink..

I've been asked to participate in ATLANTA BALLET'S NUTCRACKER. Okay, but no starch in the tutu.

Watched RAISING HOPE. Not one, not two, but THREE spit-takes in a single episode! ... Bliss.

News: Porn Bunkers for the Apocalypse. In my small town, selection limited to the landfill with a blow-up possum in knee breeches and snood.

Picking out the perfect ascot and ear trumpet for my first day as a hip-hop mogul...

I saw an ad for Shaggy's Doggy Daycare. I'm the type of guy who would go get a puppy just so I could say "Shaggy's Doggy Daycare."

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100 Things About Me #185

A Lifelong Dream Fulfilled!

I opened for Don Rickles!

10/24/11

100 Things: #1 | Previous | To Be Continued

Big Weekend

Big weekend, screw loose at "Footloose." 

About 90 minutes into the film, I stepped outside our car.

"Where are you going?" my wife asked.

"To get more clichés."

I Got Nuthin'

Consolation Video: "Charlie and the Seal" via YouTube

Shovel-Ready Throb

Continued From: "Big Weekend," "Meanwhile...," and "It Sucks to Be Mikey" 

After forking over $600 to have our septic tank pumped, I discovered it was not enough money to get the dirt placed back into the hole.

Silly me.

"Okay, I'll do it," I told my wife. And she let me.

I figured I'd save another couple of hundred bucks and, at the same time, tone and glisten the exotic sinewy musculature we all call "Golly!"

My cats were chagrined I didn't cover up the box with my feet, but that would have meant getting onto all fours and violating my 30-year-old sacred oath: "No push-ups."

No. No. Nope. Too close to push-ups for comfort.

Besides, my godsons read these pages.

I'm faithful, young men! Church, more church!

It Sucks to Be Mikey

Continued From: "Big Weekend" and "Meanwhile..." 

Due to government boneheadedness™, this photo op cost The Happy Durretts $700. Bathe yourself in it.

I snapped this memento moments before the septic tank exorcist hooked up the big hose to his suck truck. I had barricaded myself inside the house to escape the forthcoming fragrant ambiance.

It didn't work.

To my shock and "Eww," I discovered the smell was more tolerable outside than indoors, so I strolled over to the scene of the slime and looked in.

I guess it's my broadcasting training, but I couldn't help myself with the play-by-play action.

"Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Spousal Unit. Mine. Mine. Mine. Bug Man. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. In-law to Be Named Later. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Cat vomit. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Unintelligible. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Birthday Boy. Mine. Mine. Mystery meat. Mine. Mine. Mine. Was Lindsay Lohan here? Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. It's squeezably soft; it's irresistible. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Toothless Goon Poltergeist. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine...."

Indeed, I am a proud man.

Oh. And, kids, let this be a lesson to you. You never know where your bendy straw has been.

Meanwhile...

Morty beholds the wonder of my "cat box."

"Daddy's da man!"

Wait 'til he sees me cover it up.

Big Weekend

Big weekend, digging out our septic tank to comply with some goofy government regulation.

Gophers.

Several hours and shirts later, the deed was dood.

Thar she blows!

Mikellaneous

My Recent Confessions and Observations on Twitter:

Just sayin "just sayin." ... Just sayin.

Watched my 1st ever RAISING HOPE episode. Why was I not told about this show? Who are you people keeping me in the dark? I never liked you.

Planning to see DOLPHIN TALE this weekend. It's in 2-D, so we don't need to wear glasses, but, oddly, we do have to have blowholes.

Not getting much writing done. Finally, after 11 hours, my sleepy cat Morty has relinquished the desk chair. Just in time for my nap.

To All the Girls Who Didn't Fall in Love and Marry Me: Friday night, my wife and I will be watching BABE and BABE: PIG IN THE CITY in HD. =p

I hate to waste a shower. I took one earlier and promptly spilled a mug of coffee on my lap. Wet. I got another hour to sit on this saucer.

I'm eating rugged, original recipe Cheerios, not those fancy schmancy Multi Grain Cheerios my wife prefers. I'm a man. I'm holier than thou.

Some nights are harder than others to work in dinner anecdotes about de-ticking Dog the Bounty Hunter. ... Who wants watermelon?...

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG sequel on the way. What? Huh? CHITTY CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG BANG?

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG sequel reported to have a 21st century angle. Then, I'd be calling it CHEETOS CHEETOS BONG BONG.

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Okeydokey, 'Oklahoma!'

I love "Oklahoma!" Of the numerous bright moments in the movie and stage play, this is my favorite:



"Oklahoma!": "The Surrey With the Fringe on Top (Reprise)" (1955) via YouTube

Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II's transformative 1943 Broadway musical world-premiered its motion picture incarnation at the Rivoli in New York on Oct. 11, 1955.

I, however, had to wait until the 1963 re-release to see the film. I hate to enter in the middle. It took awhile to first catch up with "Alabama!" through "Ohio!"

All were surprisingly bald on show tunes.

And, to be honest, Rodgers and Hammerstein's "American Samoa!" stunk.

I had thought, erroneously, there would be roasted marshmallows and chocolate succulences between parallel graham crackers.

"Oklahoma!" made up for everything. The title song is one of my earliest memories, from around age 3. I'd hear it on television and the radio. Long before I knew what "stirring" meant, I was stirred.



"Oklahoma!": "Oklahoma!" (1955) via YouTube
And I keep coming back for s'more.

Big Weekend

Big weekend, outraged! 

The commercialization of theology.

Slackjaw Dumbstruck: Criswell: 'Someone Walked Over My Grave'

I'm in the mood for above. 

Do tread on me. 

Sole music. 

Laying footsies. 

Criswell: "Someone Walked Over My Grave" via YouTube

---

Thanks to Charlie Flashbacks.

I Got Nuthin'

Consolation Video: The Three Stooges: "We Just Dropped in to Say 'Hello'" from "Gents Without Cents" (1944) via YouTube
Via Shemp Howard on Facebook

Buster Keaton: Rock Wrangler

Image via Wikipedia

The amazing, seemingly fearless physical comedian Buster Keaton was remembered on his birthday, Oct. 4. Some of his admirers, including me, corresponded on the occasion. Me:

Here is one of the most memorable and breathtaking stunt sequences I've seen. So risky as a film-maker's challenge, too. I could not believe the eyes on my first viewing of "Seven Chances."

I'm so glad I wasn't a grip on this picture.

Buster Keaton: "Seven Chances" (1925) Chase Scene via YouTube

Frank Thompson shared this clip ... and says, "Let's celebrate Buster's 116th birthday by showing this brilliant scene from "Seven Chances" in which he's chased by at least 116 rocks."

Thanks for counting.

Off the Wall

Saving Facebook: My Confessions: 

On Technology

Friend Randy
EeEreeeqqqqwqeqqqqqewEreeeeeqqwqwwwwq00bbybhbbb
bbbvkiwewww@eeeewqwwwweeeee#qwweeeeqwqwqqe
wwqeqwqwweweeeeewqwwqqwqwreEuqwqwweeeeeee
eeeqwq

Mike
Randy, that is, without a doubt, the worst email address ever.

Randy
You've heard of "butt dialing"? I "butt posted"! :)

Mike
Eww...

On Hitch's List

Friend Michael
‎"North By Northwest," one of Alfred Hitchcock's most revered films, premiered on this date [July 17] in 1959. Where do you think the film ranks among Hitchcock's body of work?

Mike
Tends to be the Hitchcock I watch most often -- and that says a lot, considering I'm practically roommates with PSYCHO and REAR WINDOW.

On My Radio Pal Bob Middleton's Birthday

Bob, you were certainly the highlight of my radio career. I'd take nothing for those 16 months we partnered on the air each morning. You taught me much, expanded my creativity chops, encouraged me to fake it, hooked me on coffee, never offered me your bacon, failed to get me laid, failed to get me laid with the note from your Mom, never took me to see a Komodo dragon and if I wanted to take the kiddos to see a Komodo dragon, where would I take the kiddos to see a Komodo dragon?--

.... What? What's this? Wait. You're not dead? Shh-- Forget this then. I am not doffing our collective hats. See if I steal any more Bob and Ray with you. And I hired a cummerbund....

Mike
Happy birthday, Bubber. May a crazed holy man behead your PEZ dispenser.

Bob
Thanks, Mike, I now get the senior citizens discount at the Piggly Wiggly. May a crazed pirate leave a peg leg in your chicken bucket.

Mike
May Peg Leg Bates' ghost tap dance his way into your cart and Morse Code your grandmother.

Bob
May Abe Vigoda drool on your stool.

Mike
I hope an amorous wiggly piggly corkscrew-tails your donut pillow.

Bob
May a ruthless weasel force you to back into a cold doorknob.

Mike
Leave our former boss out of this. May you sit on your keys and unlock your lunch.

Bob
May an unruly Mugwump pop a boil on your lip.

Mike
I hope the ghost of Harry Dean Stanton repossesses your carbuncles. And if he's not dead, may he come over and sort through your garage.

Bob
May Moms Mabley drop her last tooth in your sitz bath.

Mike
May Al "Grandpa" Lewis return from the dead with your act.

Bob
May Don Rickles rake your boot.

Mike
May Dudley Do-Right mount your Canadian Club.

Bob
May Rocky the Squirrel fly into your pants.

Mike
Well, thank you very much. That would be ever so delightful; nevertheless, may an amorous moose become your hat tree.

Bob
May a horny anteater lick your sister. So there.

Mike
May The Great Pumpkin appear in your soul patch.

Bob
May a day-old bread truck backfire mold on your hood ornament.

Mike
May Alvin and the Chipmunks Bobsled your colonoscopy.

Bob
"Bobsled your colonoscopy." Mike, you are so bad..

May David Seville speed up your bowel movements.

Friend Alan
I call it a tie!

Big Weekend

Big weekend at the drive-in, seeing the wonderful true-life film "Dolphin Tale." We declined to sit outside the car in folding chairs, but my inflatable baby pool was so ambience.

I got some excellent exercise blowing it up, while I worked on my moon-tan.

I would've written sooner, but I was too pruned to punctuate.

All in all, the evening was absolutely delightful. Well, until some wise guy stuck a corn dog in my snorkel.

I hate to get mustard on my pool noodle.

Birthday 'at Tiffany's'

"Breakfast at Tiffany's," Blake Edwards' romantic comedy, starring Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard, celebrated its 50th anniversary Wednesday. The film premiered on Oct. 5, 1961 in -- where else? -- New York City.

I've scribbled about the movie multiple times on this site, which is kind of surprising to me. I mean, writer Truman Capote's main characters are morally bankrupt and/or creepy. I wouldn't care to hang with any of them -- well, except Cat, of course.

Nevertheless, I have an undeniable warm spot for "Breakfast at Tiffany's," most likely due to the effervescent Ms. Hepburn, plus the lush and bubbly Henry Mancini musical soundtrack.

Savoring 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'
Here's a 2009 piece with video clips, including the fine opening title sequence and the "Moon River" fire escape scene, alongside the original theatrical coming attractions trailer.

Movies in the Movies: 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'
A bit of product placement trivia has become one of the most visited of the 2000-plus posts on this ol' blog.

And I located several other personal "Breakfast at Tiffany's" mentions:

Spending too much time prepping [Fox Theatre] screening of BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S. First hints: sleep deprivation & legal name change to Mikey Golightly.

My mother probably saw BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S in original release (probably at the Fox), but she certainly saw Audrey [Hepburn]. She took to Holly Golightly's upswept hair look and that was Mom's style for years.

I was tackled and forced into crewcuts.

Upswept crewcuts.

I Got Nuthin'

Consolation Video: Frank Sinatra: "High Hopes" via YouTube

Fall Festivals O' Fun

Worst Homemade Fudge Ever!

Movies in the Movies: 'The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis' (1962)

A recurring gag on the iconic "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis" television series (1959-63) involves lovable beatnik Maynard G. Krebs (Bob Denver) referencing the flick "The Monster Who Devoured Cleveland." In a third season episode, "The Truth Session," he attends a must-see triple feature Maynard-thon devoted to his idol and hungry kin.

Among the stars of this horrible fun fest are, coincidentally(?), "Dobie Gillis" Production Executive Norman Henry as The Monster Who Devoured Cleveland, Lottie Cagle, Secretary to "Dobie Gillis" Producer-Director-Writer Rod Amateau, as Bride of the Monster Who Devoured Cleveland, and "Dobie Gillis" Assistant Director Ad Shaumer, Jr. as Son of the Monster Who Devoured Cleveland.

I must admit Maynard, shown here with his teacher, Mr. Pomfritt (William Schallert), is one of my heroes. He's seen Cleveland devoured three times!

A boy can dream, can't he?

Mikellaneous

My Recent Confessions and Observations on Twitter: 

I'm considering Nutrisystem, but I worry when I start to look like Marie Osmond, guys will buy me dinners and I'll just get fat again.

In my tub this morning, Dial 3-D. Yes, 3-D Dial Soap. What? Huh? I read the fine print. "3-D Odor Defense: Dirt. Decay. Durrett." What? Huh?

I'm Olympic athlete Mark Spitz. No, wait. I'm Golden Girl Rue McClanahan. Nope. I'm Swee'Pea. Nay.. I hate it when I lose my driver license.

Today on DOBIE GILLIS: Dobie and Dad join Maynard in drag. Nothing says beauty like a chick with a goatee.

My box of Popsicles was grossly disfigured during a long power failure, yet they're still juicy. I just graped Flipper on a stick.

We're having a cool spell. I'm cramming vocabulary with Zack and Screech.

Item: 18-month-old Cambodian boy feeds himself by suckling milk from a cow. Toddle to Iceland, kid, moos give soft serve.

GHOSTBUSTERS (1984) to get theatrical re-release. Who I gonna call? ... Nobody.

Watched the UP ALL NIGHT pilot. I do not want to have a baby with those people. Adios. Hello Match.com...

RIP Tom Wilson, Sr., 80, creator of comic strip hero ZIGGY. In lieu of flowers, I am wearing no pants.

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I Got Nuthin'

Consolation Video: "Beat Girl" (1960) Opening Credits (a k a "Wild for Kicks") - Music by John Barry via YouTube
via Jack Pendarvis

100 Things About Me #184

I Don't Know Squirt

Eww... I always thought "incontinent" was not being in a boat.





100 Things: #1 | Previous | Next

Big Weekend

Big weekend with my new ride!

I should have had this sweet baby in college to pick up chicks.

I Got Nuthin'

Consolation Video: The New Hot 5: "Jazz For Cows" via YouTube
Thanks to Ray Tanner.

Mikellaneous

My Recent Confessions and Observations on Twitter:

There was a chipmunk giving me the evil eye outside my bedroom window this morn. I gave him the evil stomach. This is not going to end well.

The diet word has reared its svelte head again. Diet? Diet?! ... What? And give up conglobating?

Thinking of high school. Memories never cease. I'm in my 47th year of not being able to climb that damn rope.... Can I shower & go home now?

My streak continues. Still no tip of the Hatlo hat.

Job search promising. I've got future work lined up. Banjo troubadour in the Zombie Apocalypse.

I was given a coupon for "Lip-smackin' great taste," Kit & Kaboodle Cat Food. How disgusting. I eat it with my mouth closed.

And now it's that magical time of the decade: yard work....

Saw RANCHO NOTORIOUS (1952) with Lili Von Shtupp. One simply cannot get enough of that THE LEGEND OF CHUCK-A-LUCK toe tapper. Stampede me.

Today on DOBIE GILLIS, Dobie hears those magic words that pretty much sum up our dating careers: "It's chow and Homesville."

I bought a new weedwacker. The other one I put out to pasture. Goodnight, everybody! I'll be here all week! Try the quesadillas!

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Big Weekend

Big weekend with my conventional bananas.

Darn those unconventional bananas and their T-tops and racing stripes.

Separated at Birth: Jerry Lewis and...

Peter Griffin.



Jerry Lewis: "The Errand Boy" (1961) and Peter Griffin: "Family Guy" (2010) via YouTube

Off the Wall

Saving Facebook: My Confessions: 

On Technology

Friend Deborah
This new smartphone is not making me feel so smart.

Mike
I'm still trying to work this stupid hula hoop....

On Time

Writing with Hitchcock
Certain Hitchcock films lend themselves well to "seasonal viewing"...like THE WRONG MAN on a cold January night, THE TROUBLE WITH HARRY on a mild afternoon in late September, or REAR WINDOW on a steamy evening in July. Do you make a ritual out of re-viewing certain Hitch films at certain times of the year?

Mike
Yes, I watch PSYCHO each year on Shower Night.

At the Help Desk

Friend Claire
Need a dog sitter around Encino, any hints?

Mike
Pauly Shore.

Claire
Thanks, Mike. Any good dentists?

Mike
Bill Pullman.

On Friendship

Friend Alan
All of you should be encouraged to know that I thrive on the QUALITY of my friends.

Mike
I'm burlap and taffy, but the workmanship is adequate.

Alan
Great! I realize the warranty has expired.

On a Pal's Colonoscopy

Mike
Bob, did they find your gum?

Friend Bob Walker
No but they did find a shot glass.....and a little tiny bartender.

Mike
I'm afraid to type this next one. ... That explains the bar stools.

Sally Brown on "Citizen Kane"

Continued From: "Big Weekend"

Charles Schulz is reported to have viewed "Citizen Kane" on 40 occasions and he couldn't resist a sporadic, somewhat obscure reference to the motion picture in the "Peanuts" comic strip.

Here's Sally Brown's 1989 reaction on her first exposure to the classic film.

via Herb Caen's All-Time Greatest Item, which explains the shocking origin of "Rosebud" in "Citizen Kane." (adult content)

Big Weekend

Big weekend, screening "Citizen Kane." A 70th anniversary 35mm showing of Orson Welles' landmark production was presented at the Fox in Atlanta.

While "Kane" is not my favorite movie ("Rear Window") due to this lanky lad's nifty tastes and adorable peccadilloes, it's near the top of the list -- yet, I do certainly recognize the enterprise as the greatest film ever made. I'm not alone in the assessment either. Vast numbers of critics, historians, and buffs around the globe have long agreed to the drama's supreme perch in the cinematic firmament.

"Citizen Kane" was also cartoonist Charles Schulz' favorite motion picture, viewing it time and time again. An unexpected mention immediately catapulted the following entry to my fave strip in the entire 50-year run of "Peanuts." Happiness is a Charles Foster Kane.

Spoiler Alert!

via DavidLavery.net

I Got Nuthin'

Consolation Video: The Cleverlys: "Walk Like an Egyptian" via YouTube

---

Thanks to Alan Kaye and Charlotte Nixon Taylor, whom I walk like.

Big Weekend

Big weekend, "On Golden Pond."

When I saw the show in 1981, the story was about old people.

Now, the characters seem a lot more youthful.

The next time, I guess I'll be saying, "Who are these darn fool kids?"

Too Nutty: 'My Ding-a-ling' and 'My Toot Toot'

Friend Susan mentioned on Facebook that her teenagers didn't know whether to believe their mother when she said she used to listen to the songs "My Ding-a-ling" and "(Don't Mess With) My Toot Toot" on the radio.

Yeah, kids, it happened, way back in the olden times, between beating clothes on a rock and toting parasols under Pterodactyls.

Here comes the proof.



Chuck Berry: "My Ding-a-ling" (1972) via YouTube
I posted this comment to the discussion:

I was a DJ on WIIN-97 in Atlanta in 1973-74 when MY DING-A-LING was released. We played it every 90 minutes or so, while other radio stations would not. We took some heat for doing it, too, and worried about having our FCC license pulled. I don't recall the toot toot song, although mine can be quite the symphony.

Rockin' Sidney: "My Toot Toot" (1985) via YouTube

Mikellaneous

My Recent Confessions and Observations on Twitter:

Large Marge sent me.

My doctor has FORBIDDEN me from high impact activities "like jogging on pavement or jumping out of airplanes." Darn the luck!

I fear the Whitman's Sampler people are rummaging my clothes hamper. I'll let you know if they abscond with my toffee chip & molasses chew.

My wife informs me I cannot change my name to Pépé le Moko. "Ciao, charmed, we're Donna & Pépé le Moko Durrett." *sigh* ... class warfare...

Pretend it's 2010. I found this unused bit in my notes: "My dentist canceled all appointments. Tarballs in the spit sink."

My pal is about to watch FROM HERE TO ETERNITY (1953) for the first time. It's the gem in the canon of films with a guy named Fatso in it.

Item: "Waffle House Offers Reward for Bandits." But only if they're Scattered, Smothered, Covered, Chunked, Topped & Diced.

Item: "Australian researchers say 1 hour of TV takes 22 minutes off your life." So, they averaged in the suicides during THE NANNY?

My doctor says I'm too sedentary; I need to exercise. So, now, every time I type a colon, I do it with a curl and holler, "COWABUNGA!"

My haircut appointment has been confirmed. I'll bring everyone clippings for your lockets.

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For a Few Comments More

Continued From: "Big Weekend"

Atlanta's Plaza Theatre has been reviving the early Sergio Leone spaghetti westerns, commonly known as "The Man With No Name Trilogy," although Clint Eastwood plays guys named Joe, Monco, and Blondie in them.

So much for historical accuracy. I blame government schools.

I was able to catch the final two movies in the series, however I missed the first one. I had to work at the Fox Theatre that day. We showed "To Kill a Mockingbird" -- or, as I called it, "A Fistful of Boo."

Big Weekend

Big weekend, attending the Plaza Theatre in Atlanta, where it occurred to me I am in my 50th year of watching movies inside this venue.

Oh, I occasionally go a decade or two between visits.

*sigh*

I got homework (elementary school, high school, college school, spouse).

But, that's cool, my darling.

*sigh*

The first movie I saw at the Plaza was back in 1962, on a Saturday afternoon. The latest, on Saturday evening.

From "The Ten Commandments" to "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly," it's like we've got a theme going.

I Got Nuthin'

Consolation Video: The Moylan Sisters: "My Little Buckaroo" from "Toyland Casino" (1938) via YouTube

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Thanks to Frank Thompson

Meanwhile...

Continued From: "Big Weekend"

Morty and I are still hunting down those crafty birdies that chirp in our kitchen at the top of every hour, including Sundays and holidays and wrens, yet they are never seen.

I'm dealing with conceptualizations of the invisible. Morty's sorting through possibilities o' poltergeists.

We're not making much progress, but we're getting nowhere punctually.