William Eggleston Photos at the BMA

Pop Goes the Camera

I highly recommend the Baltimore Museum of Art 's current featured exhibition, Seeing Now: Photography Since 1960, which uses over 200 "provocative and compelling images" by more than 60 professional shutter bugs to showcase photography's development since 1960. Having recently rewatched Michael Powell and Leo Marks' cult film masterpiece Peeping Tom (1960), I was in the mood for some foto finish fetishism and wasn't disappointed by the "views" on offer at the BMA.

But the highlight for me was seeing the works by William Eggleston, a photographer widely credited with securing recognition for color photography as a "legitimate" artistic medium to display in art galleries. I had accidentally discovered him years ago through the wonder of rock and roll. Specifically, Big Star's Radio City (1974) album - whose cover photo was taken by their fellow Memphis, TN-native Eggleston.


Radio City's lightbulb cover enlightened me

The iconic Radio City above has been referenced by other rockers besides Big Star, such as on Tommy Keene's Isolation Party (1998) and Vampire Weekend's eponymous first album.


Isolation Party, 1998


Vampire Weekend, 2008

Eggleston had a close relationship with Big Star and was friends with Alex Chilton's parents long before he started snapping pics of the band. He was also the cousin of Lesa Aldridge, who dated Alex Chilton and - along with Holly Aldridge, who was dating drummer Jody Stephens - was one of the "Sister Lovers" who inspired Chilton's cult album Big Star Third/Sister Lovers (recorded 1974, released 1978). Fittingly, Eggleston even played some piano during the Third/Sister Lovers sessions. The relationship continued through Chilton's solo years and even the 1993 Big Star live "reunion" album Columbia.


Eggleston's cover for Alex Chilton's "Like Flies On Sherbet" (1979)


Eggleston's cover for Big Star's "Columbia" (1993)

And, yes, you can judge a book by its cover: Eggleston's tricycle photo appropriately adorns the cover of Rob Jovanovic's definitive Big Star biography, Big Star: The Short Life, Painful Death, and Unexpected Resurrection of the Kings of Power Pop (2005).



OK, so Eggleston's Radio City cover wasn't on display at the BMA, nor were his other Big Star/Chilton snaps, but his neon Confederate flag cover for Primal Scream's Give Out But Don't Give Up (1994) album was.


Primal Scream's "Give Out But Don't Give Up," 1994

Primal Scream were huge Eggleston fans and went on to use him for subsequent covers, such as Country Girl (2006) and Dolls (2006).


Spoon's "Transference," 2010

Other rockers who who've used Eggleston covers include Jimmy Eat World (Bleed American, 2001), Derek Trucks Band (Soul Serenade, 2003), Spoon (Transference, 2010), Silver Jews (Tanglewood Numbers, 2005), David Byrne, Joanna Newsom and Cat Power, who shot a video at Eggleston's home.

Eggleston's led an interesting life - besides the pop music connection, he was involved in Warhol's Factory circle, as well, having a long relationship with Factory "superstar" Viva. In 2005, Michael Almereyda directed a documentary about him called William Eggleston in the Real World, which I must track down one of these days.

So remember pop music fans, that record you hold in your hands may not just be a great album, it's a legitimate piece of gallery art as well!

Related Links:
William Eggleston (Official Site)
"William Eggleston's (Album Cover) Guide" (Blake Edwards)
"Album Covers Referencing Big Star's Radio City" (Accelerated Decrepitude)
William Eggleston (Wikipedia)

Waking up is hard to do

The stretch.

OK, vaca is over, so that means I actually have to get up sometime in the a.m.

The fluff.

Bright-eyed and ready to go.

However, it is not easy. Nor desirable, if any precipitation is happening, or even in the offing. Also, I'm not at my best immediately after waking: I need a bit of a fluff, one might say, plus some serious stretching. If all of America prepared for the day as I do, plus received a min of three hours of exercise, we'd be in much better shape.

The sun is out today and above freezing!  Progress that is.
AND I spied a small flock of Red Robins!  They are early I believe,
Good news to me for Spring surly must be arriving ahead of schedule!
Oh Pretty please!

THE ROBIN is the one
That interrupts the morn
With hurried, few, express reports
When March is scarcely on.
The robin is the one
That overflows the noon
With her cherubic quantity,
An April but begun.
The robin is the one
That speechless from her nest
Submits that home and certainty
And sanctity are best. ~ Emily Dickinson ~

May the sun be shining down upon you today!

Hugs, Mary

The sun is out today and above freezing!  Progress that is.
AND I spied a small flock of Red Robins!  They are early I believe,
Good news to me for Spring surly must be arriving ahead of schedule!
Oh Pretty please!

THE ROBIN is the one
That interrupts the morn
With hurried, few, express reports
When March is scarcely on.
The robin is the one
That overflows the noon
With her cherubic quantity,
An April but begun.
The robin is the one
That speechless from her nest
Submits that home and certainty
And sanctity are best. ~ Emily Dickinson ~

May the sun be shining down upon you today!

Hugs, Mary

Old Ptu Taggers Kit "Green Galore" now free!

Hi,
just a quick note to share an old ptu kit called "Green Galore".
It's not St. Patrick themed but there's a plenty of green inside and I hope you can find it useful :)
If you like it, you can download it from here:


http://www.4shared.com/file/gPFJWive/CS_greengalore.html



Preview:

See you soon!!

Hugs :)

Who'll stop the rain? Or provide a pop-up palanquin?

Given that people think they're in control, why can't they fix the weather? I've been griping all day, to no avail. Can't they take me somewhere where it is not raining?

Mom tried, though it was a not-even-half-hearted effort. That is, she drove to the mailbox. What was she thinking, that it wasn't going to be raining 100 feet away? That somehow a little cloud was hovering right over our house, throwing raindrops down at just us?

In any case, mailbox trip or not, I let myself be coaxed into the car—back seat, of course, the wayback being just a bit too close to the wet stuff dripping off the roof. I also had to be coaxed out—once we safely were back in the garage.

I like a ride, as you know, and the back seat is much cozier than the wayback. Plus, it has built-in pet bowls. You know, if we were traveling, and got stuck somewhere, it would be good to stash some extra food in there. Bet that's not in the typical car emergency kit. Also, that kit should include a dog umbrella; better yet,  a pop-up palanquin on which I could both rest and be protected from the weather.

A palanquin, if you didn't know, is one of those covered couches, mounted between poles that are carried by four to six minions. I definitely would need six. The term comes from the Portuguese, based on the Sanskrit for bed or couch. Which reminds me...time for a nap.

Obama's Malfeasance in Arizona Illegal Immigration

-
Professor Terry J. Lovell(Ph.D.) at Yavapai College in Prescott, Arizona explains in very clear and simple terms the incredible malfeasance of Obama in his actions in Arizona by abusing his oath of office to "protect the US from all enemies foreign and domestic".
-
http://www.youtube.com/embed/tsH8xvjTAlo
-
-
"Fawkes, it's our choices that make us who we are."
Dumbledore -- Harry Potter
-
-
And the latest gross federal dereliction of duty right here in Virginia:
Illegal Immigrant Charged With First-Degree Murder in Virginia, 2-12-2011
MANASSAS, Va. -- A Salvadoran man who was ordered deported nearly a decade ago but never left has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder in a series of shootings and a knife attack in a Virginia suburb of Washington.
-
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/02/12/illegal-immigrant-charged-degree-murder-virginia/
-
-
Prior Items: Click-On:
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2010/07/illegal-immigrant-law-enforcement.html
-
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2010/05/obamas-national-guard-to-border-two-per.html
-
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2010/05/obama-and-arizonas-immigration-law.html
-

Double release and a sale!

Hi!!

I'm having a "End of Month" Sale and all my kits are 40% until Feb. 28th!

Also, I have 2 new kits in store called "My secret garden" and "Spring delight".

http://sophisti-scraps.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_1305&sort=20a&alpha_filter_id=6



Previews:



Thank everyone for reading!!

Hugs :)

IT'S BETTER THAN THE AVERAGE MOVIE...



Forget any lukewarm reviews you may have read about the new YOGI BEAR movie - it's a belter! I was expecting to be disappointed after seeing a few indifferent and even negative responses to the film featuring everyone's favourite bruin, but I needn't have worried - it's funny, it's daft, and it's thoroughly entertaining. I just can't understand what some critics were expecting from a movie based on a cartoon bear, but it does exactly what it says on the tin. It's called YOGI BEAR - and that's precisely what you get. What more could anyone want?

Go and see it NOW! And don't take your eyes off Yogi.

Yogi and Boo Boo from the movie

Above: The poster and comicbook adaptation of Yogi's first big screen adventure. (1964.)

I've got a crush on you, sweetie pie

That's what my neighbor Alexis confessed today. First, she thanked me. "It was marvelous being escorted by such a handsome gentleman," she said. Then, out with the confession. I was a bit taken aback, being that it came from a human and all, but I graciously accepted the sentiment. Then I went back to nosing Maisie, the rather attractive foxhound mix with whom I had been walking.

I was very glad to see Alexis, Maisie and Ella this morning. First, because I always enjoy a jaunt with my British friends. It's rather elevating to be in Alexis' company, because she is very smart and a good person, plus she always is walking that dear Maisie. And, I do like the accent.

I was doubly glad because I was fresh from a near-altercation with this gigantic Samoyed, whose owner trailed him by such a distance that I could see some skijoring was about to take place. Even though I have never formally skijored, I have taken Mom on a Nantucket sleighride or two, just for fun.  I sized up the Samoyed and could see, even under all that hair, that he had a poundage advantage over moi. Plus, it was early, I was a bit sleepy, and not really in the mood for going mano a mano. I made a show of it, but I turned around.

You never know when love will strike, even if it is after Valentine's Day.

Maxine Explains ObamaCare to Editors Roanoke Times

-
CLICK-ON MAXINE TO ENLARGE OBAMACARE

Left-Wing and Democrat Hate Speech

-
Not found in the Roanoke Times or on the Major Media Networks for obvious reasons.
-
Also not found are the hate-speech cartoons the Editors of the Roanoke Times like to publish.
-
Don’t hold your breath waiting for a pious Editorial focused on this either.
-
-
Click on video in the web page:
The new civility: Rep. Mike Capuano (D-MA) to unions: Time to get ‘BLOODY’
http://theblogprof.blogspot.com/2011/02/new-civility-rep-mike-capuano-d-ma-to.html
-
-
Click the link:
http://vodpod.com/watch/5591893-rhetoric-vs-reality-liberal-protest-of-gov-walkers-budget-repair-plan
-
Is this the nasty behavior of the teachers of Wisconsin, or are these the animals that Obama and the DNC bussed into town?
Either way, I’m sure the Editors of the Roanoke Times are proud to be their soul mates and supporters.
-
Just more hope and change we have to endure for two more years.
-
Prior Items:
-
Only Conservatives Use Dangerous Discourse
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2011/01/only-conservatives-use-dangerous.html
-
Obama The Union Organizer
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2011/02/obama-union-organizer.html
-

Reference maps

I came across some discussion over at Attackpoint about how to measure map quality (part of an effort to make some decisions about priorities for updating maps).My first thought was that deciding which areas are priorities is more about the club's "values" than about any objective measures of the areas. My second thought was, it'd be a lot of fun to explore all 60 maps and check them out. I

Yet More Roanoke Times Bias Against School Alternatives

-
Roanoke Times, 2-21-11, Pg 1 & 14: Some see inequity in Va. “virtual school”. Online education companies in Va. are encouraged to partner with poor counties to boost profits.
-
Huge headline and 100 square-inches of slant and bias against a new alternative to traditional public schools. Worry, worry, worry about the cost and profit of this new start-up experiment in offering parents an alternative to our dismal and failing public school systems, especially in “poor areas”.
Apparently selected public school teachers and their Democrat fellow-traveler supporters are the “Some” in the headline.
-
Virginia Virtual Academy
http://www.k12.com/vava/
-
Could not find one statement about the total cost of public school (in excess of $12,000 per student per year) compared to online “virtual” schools and even more disturbing was the total absence of any data on the effectiveness or performance comparisons between the two venues in ‘poor areas’. Public school systems are not doing well and in many cases (especially in poor areas) are a total failure and disaster for all involved.
-
During the last 10 years Virginia has spent hundreds of millions of dollars at the K12 and 2-year and 4-year schools on computer technology without any measurement or publication of the value or pay-back of this huge investment of tax-money. Books are still being purchased at great cost and teacher’s lesson plans and instruction materials are still deemed to be “personal property” and not placed in open archives, even though much of the development is at tax-payer expense.
Don’t expect to see any meaningful Roanoke Times exposes about these education challenges and costs.
-
The current mess in Wisconsin clearly demonstrates the “out of control” state of public education and the politicization of the teacher unions. Instead of encouraging inappropriate and illegal union actions, Obama should address his $14 Trillion debt and the $1.5 Trillion yearly deficit that is destroying our country and he should totally downsize the federal DOE that spends billions on worthless make-work boondoggles without any positive impact on public education in the states.
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2011/02/obama-union-organizer.html
-
A summary of articles that summarize the sad public school situation is at:
-
Too dumb to serve?
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2010/12/too-dumb-to-serve.html
-

Updates on my "showcase" blog and my FB page!!

Hi,
just a quick note to let you know that, after a long thinking, I've decided not to update my "showcase" blog anymore. It's becoming "too hard to handle" for me having to update 2 blogs, store, FB page and checking mails... so I'm leaving it just as it is (there are many tuts made with free kits).
From now on, all links to the tags made from my CT will be posted on my FB page :)
- I've just posted a few links to tuts over there, if you want to take a look! -

Also... I'm planning to open a contest for my FB's LIKERS... lol!!
I've been thinking about it for a while...
I will let you how to enter and prizes, of course! :)
So, if you aren't a "liker" yet and don't want to miss the chance to win some of my kits.... just press the "like" button on my FB's page!!! (link to the left).

Thanks everyone for reading!

Have a beautiful week!!

Hugz :)

New release!

Hi,
I've just uploaded this new kit to the store.
It's called "Friend-sheep" and it's a kind of springy kit... lol!!

It's 25% off until February 27th.

You can buy it from here:

http://sophisti-scraps.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_1305&products_id=6092


Preview:

See you soon with some more releases... :)

Hugz!!

Coming soon!

Understanding how SL viewer 2 works

These are resources that will help you on understanding how SL viewer 2 works...

1. Introduction to Second Life Viewer 2 - ICT4LT 
This is a woderful guide prepared  by Graham Davies

2. A video Introduction to Second Life Viewer 2

If you have any questions, don't hesitate in asking...

Keep on Shining Love and Peace!
Doris3m

REGRETS? I'VE HAD A FEW...

You're looking at a letter from the late, legendary ALAN FENNELL, the editor of TV CENTURY 21 and LOOK-IN, as well as the writer of various GERRY ANDERSON programmes and numerous other projects. Alan's eight issue run of THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO, the follow-up to EGMONT/FLEETWAY's eighty-nine issues of THUNDERBIRDS THE COMIC, had just limped to an end, no doubt losing him quite a bit of money in the process.

I had missed the last issue and 'phoned Alan about obtaining a back number, which he genrously said he'd send me for nothing. My conscience wouldn't allow me to take advantage of his good nature, however, so I forwarded him a note with enough money to cover the cost of the comic and postage. The above letter was his reply, and I couldn't help but notice the air of melancholy which ran through his thoughtful missive. I 'phoned him shortly afterwords to tell him that, athough I didn't know when it would be, I'd take him up on his offer the next time I was in London ('though, as a non-drinker, it would've been a few jars of Coke in my case), but, alas, it was not to be.

One of my biggest regrets is that I never got to sit down with the editor of one of my favourite comics and writer of some of the best-loved TV shows from my from childhood and "shoot the breeze", but at least I have the memory of a few telephone chats, and two or three letters from him which I still treasure. Another time, another place perhaps, Alan - and the first round's on me.

Remind me to tell you my other Alan Fennell story sometime soon.

******

Transcript follows:

19 September 1995

Dear Gordon

Thank you for your letter and the "donation" to the Fennell benevolent fund.

You are right, it is frightening to think that all our ideas about the next century look as though they are going to be wrong. Far from the exciting, glamourous new world, it looks as if we get something similar to the twentieth century, but perhaps less of it! 

I need to get away from the Thunderbirds past for a while - this evening I have just returned from the funeral of Derek Meddings, the man who put the word special into special effects. Derek was a monarch in the film business and when I remember that we worked together on more than fifty films, I realise what a privilege it was for me to have rubbed shoulders with an Oscar winning great.

The occasion was less sombre than expected, for I met up with a whole team of old Century 21 acquaintances, but it was sad to see the ranks dwindling.

Let me know when you are paying a visit to Fleetway, and perhaps we can meet in London and have a few jars.

Best wishes

Alan

******

For that other story mentioned above, see:

http://kidr77.blogspot.com/2012/01/other-alan-fennell-story.html

"LETTERS OF NOTE"...

Regular readers of my humble posts will have noticed the excellent LETTERS OF NOTE website in my blog list on the right-hand side of the page. Taking a leaf out of its book, here's a letter which cartoonist TERRY BAVE sent to me in response to an inaccurate (obviously) report of his demise in an issue of CRIKEY!, a magazine devoted to the subject of mainly British comics and strip cartoons.

It shows Terry's wonderful sense of humour in even the most morbid circumstances, and I'm sure he wouldn't mind me sharing it with you here.

Incidentally, Terry is still with us - Crikey! isn't.

***

Transcript follows:

Hi Gordon,

You are not the first to be taken

in by that stupid 'CRIKEY' story I'm afraid.

At least it's nice to see what people say about

me 'after I'm gone!'

All good wishes,

Terry & Shiela

"GHOSTING ALONG WITH SAM'S SPOOK!" (PART 2)

Sam's Spook from Smash Fun Book 1971

(CONTINUED FROM PART 1)

***

"To date, Shiela and I have created, written and drawn many original comic strips. At the same time, we have been called upon to write and "ghost" many others. In 1968, we scripted and drew GRIMLY FEENDISH and PERCY'S PETS for SMASH!. At the time, these strips were being drawn (also "ghosted") weekly by STAN McNURTY, one of our favourite and most respected cartoonists.

In November of 1969, we got another wonderful break. Gil Page, then Editor of the "new" SMASH!, invited us to contribute to the 1971 SMASH FUN BOOK, a 96 pager full of favourite fun characters.

Shiela & Terry Bave

We scripted and drew a SAMMY SHRINK 2-pager, scripted and "ghosted" two 4-page strips of THE SWOTS & THE BLOTS, and again for a 2-pager of SAM'S SPOOK. Scripts were supplied by the editorial staff for a further 3-pager and 2-pager of BIG 'EAD, plus a 2-pager of BAD PENNY. A big challenge, but great fun to tackle these different styles. I never looked back after that - I was happy to have a go at "ghosting" many more styles.

Big 'Ead from Smash Fun Book 1971

WHAM!, SMASH!, and POW! were originally owned by
ODHAMS
PRESS, then IPC/
FLEET-
WAY took
over, continuing to run SMASH! in a "revamped" form for a little while longer. But not before I had added EAGLE EYE, DANNY DARE, THE DOLLS OF ST. DOMINICS and WEE WILLIE HAGGIS to my "ghosted" list.

Over the following years, I "ghosted", amongst others, SWEET TOOTH in WHIZZER & CHIPS, HIRE-A-HORROR and VAL'S VANISHING CREAM in COR!, THE KATTS, JELLY BABY and TOFFEE NOSE in KNOCKOUT, and SHIVER, SHAKE, SOGGY THE SEA MONSTER and DAMSEL IN DISTRESS in SHIVER & SHAKE.

Bad Penny from - see if you can guess

Also SNAP HAPPY and FUN FEAR in WHOOPEE, X-RAY SPECS, MUMMY'S BOY, GUMS, and ART'S GALLERY in MONSTER FUN, RITCHIE RAGS in JACKPOT, NUMBER 13, BASH STREET KIDS, BILLY WHIZZ, THE GERMS and IVY THE TERRIBLE in THE BEANO and KORKY THE CAT in THE DANDY. I've even had a go at DESPERATE DAN in the Fun-size DANDY books.

A lot of challenging drawing, but what a lot of fun "ghosting" the work of so many favourite comic artists."

Terry & Shiela Bave (October 2004.)

***

And thanks to Terry and Shiela for all the years of hard work they put into making a lot of happy childhood memories for millions of readers.

Obama The Union Organizer

-
Roanoke Times, 2-18-11, Pg 4: Lawmakers flee state to block bill
Some 25,000 people filled the square in front of the Madison Wis Capitol to protest an anti-union bill.
-
Obama, seeing on TV a large group of protesters somewhere, immediately dispatched his emissaries and PR people to support the down-trodden abused people in the streets.
Then he discovered it was a union action in the US and unlike his reaction to the many TeaParty protests last year, he sent the DNC and their union organizers to Madison and then made a political public pronouncement supporting those poor abused union members and slamming the Wis Governor for trying to solve a massive budget problem.
-
The Wis. Democrat elected legislators left town and hid; abandoning their sworn oath to fulfill their elected duties; even worse than Obama used to do by voting “Present”.
-
GOP Gov. Scott Walker ran on a platform of addressing and solving a massive state budget deficit that must by law be closed. Unlike the US government, Wis. cannot print money.
-
Once again Obama has shown his pro-union organizing and support in the face of massive financial chaos caused by government over committing and making deals and contracts that the taxpayers can no longer afford.
-
Obama’s budget and words and deeds clearly demonstrate that he does not understand or does not care about the financial crisis that individuals, states and the federal government now face.
And to think – he was supposed to be the smart one!
-
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2011/02/obama-gives-his-government-motors-gm.html
-
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2011/02/tale-of-two-cities-cairo-washington-dc.html
-
-
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/02/18/republicans-challenging-unions-state-capitols/
-
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/02/17/teachers-march-wisconsin-capitol-senate-moves-curtail-union-rights/
-

"GHOSTING ALONG WITH SAM'S SPOOK!" (PART 1)

 

B & W copy of colour cover (sans logo) of the ICJ, in
which the Baves' article was first intended to appear

Back in 2004, famous cartoonist TERRY BAVE responded to my request for a submission to THE ILLUSTRATED COMICS JOURNAL by writing the following article. The ICJ languished in limbo, so I eventually passed it on to CRIKEY!, who were going to print it but ceased publication before they could. Since Terry was kind enough to write it, it seems only fair that others get the chance to read it; so, here for the first time anywhere, are Terry and Shiela's reminiscences about "ghosting" for comics. All of the illustrations from this point on were provided by Terry himself.

***

"SHIELA and I have been creating, writing and drawing many, many children's comic strips since way back in 1967.

Our break came via ALBERT 'COS' COSSER, the Editor of WHAM!. He bravely handed me SAMMY SHRINK, "The Smallest Boy in the World" - my "first" of many "ghosted" features, and one we were to make our own. In fact, over the following years, we supplied many of the weekly scripts and drew the strip for over 20 years. SAMMY SHRINK appeared in WHAM!, SMASH!, POW!, KNOCKOUT and WHIZZER & CHIPS.

Terry's version of Danny Dare from Wham! Annual 1971

A comic artist would be called upon to "ghost"
(copy) another artist's strip on a weekly basis when, for example, the regular artist was sick or found himself in the enviable position of having too heavy a workload.

As each artist had his own individual style of drawing, it was important to "ghost" that particular style as closely as possible. With luck, and if the Editor showed willing, over a period of time it would be possible to "make the strip your very own" by gradually introducing your own distinctive style of drawing. This didn't happen too often, and certainly not in the short term.

I was very lucky - I found it a reasonably easy task to copy LEO BAXENDALE's basic drawing style, which appeared in WHAM!, SMASH!, and POW! at that time.

The Baves supplied script and art for The Swots &
the Blots for the Smash Fun Book 1971

 Being particularly keen to make my way in this FUN business, I jumped at the chance when "COS" offered me the chance to create a brand-new comic character of my own.

He wanted a wicked "baby" fun character as a mascot for WHAM!, so Shiela and I came up with BABY WHAMSTER. This was very quickly followed up by BABY SMASHER, the new mascot for SMASH!. We supplied scripts and artwork. Both babies were very successful, appearing in their respective comics, then later appearing together in both WHAM! and SMASH!. Each baby made a perfect foil for the other."

***

(TO BE CONTINUED IN PART 2)

WHO IS THE MAN...THE MAN CALLED FLINTSTONE?

In the latter half of 1972, my local cinema (the first purpose-built cinema in the UK since the war and with the largest screen in Scotland) was showing a double bill of LIVING FREE (the sequel to BORN FREE, about ELSA the lioness) and - wait for it - THE MAN CALLED FLINTSTONE.

Back in those days, the programme probably ran for about a fortnight before being changed, and, one day, having nothing better to do, I wandered in to see it. I was instantly entranced and enthralled by the larger than life exploits of FLINTSTONE...FRED FLINTSTONE, as he filled in for incapacitated secret agent ROCK SLAG on account of being the spittin' image of the afore-said prehistoric person. (Apparently, the original title considered was THIS MAN FLINTSTONE, as a nod to OUR MAN FLINT, starring JAMES COBURN.)

Right from the start of the movie (HANNA-BARBERA's second  big screen outing, the first being HEY THERE, IT'S YOGI BEAR in 1964), the audience knows that this is something different to the BEDROCK family's TV episodes. There's WILMA, larger than life, holding aloft the famous torch, in a parody of the famous COLUMBIA logo; then we're hit with a JAMES BOND style theme song before the film proper begins. And what a film it is! How a cartoon film can have a "big-budget" feel in comparison to a TV episode, I'm not sure - but this movie (first released in 1966 at the end of the final season of the TV show) certainly gives the characters a whole new dimension and is well worth seeing.

Over the course of the remainder of the movie's run, I went back several times, not even bothering with the live-action film with which it was paired. Indeed, on one occasion when I dragged my friend JOE along, the cinema let him in for nothing as a reward for my frequent attendances. (Some free popcorn and Cokes would've been nice, but you can't have everything.) Thanks to the late MR. JOHNSTONE, the manager of THE CINEMA (as it was imaginatively known) for its nearly 20 year run.

I obtained the video release of the movie in the early or mid-'90s, and it was just as much fun as I remembered it to be. It's not yet available on DVD in this country, but overseas editions no longer include the witty "Columbia" opening because of copyright issues - which is a shame. The movie is available on YOUTUBE - why not check it out now?!

That first purpose-built cinema in the UK since the war (with the largest screen in Scotland, remember) is now a bingo hall - but, somehow, magically, I'm back there whenever I watch this highly amusing and entertaining film.

Social Media's Role in Emergency Preparedness #getreadynow

Just over a year ago, the ruthless earthquake in Haiti not only showed us the vulnerability of a country in ruins, but its effects left the world in a state of shock and concern. Following this natural disaster, various social media communication efforts were immediately employed as interested parties and volunteers from around the globe needed updates and information on Haiti’s critical condition. With an estimated 200,000 deaths resulting from Mother Nature’s devastating blow, social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook played a prominent role in the country’s recovery efforts. Haiti-related tweets and blogs were numerous, providing people with real time news and updates. Haiti had instantly become the model for disaster awareness and preparation in a matter of minutes as my Smartphone was flooded with tweets. The involvement of social media in the response to the Haitian earthquake was unprecedented, and there is no question that today’s modern approach to communication is a key element in effective emergency and disaster preparedness.

Social media was a tool by which well-known charities such as the Red Cross and celebrities from every avenue of entertainment used to raise funds for relief effort. The role of social media was not limited to calls to action, but was ultimately a source of information. CNN.com and BBC offered live updates from social media users including statements from victims directly affected by the quake, some containing pictures of the wreckage. After only a week of social media campaigning, CNN claimed $8 million in relief effort funding.

The earthquake in Haiti laid the blueprint for how social media can be used in a crisis situation. With social media, organizations such as UNICEF and Red Cross can be proactive in disaster preparation before one occurs and establish platforms for raising money and supplies. Despite any opposition faced by social media, there is no disputing the benefits it presents in crisis management. Social media, just like any form of communication, has its shortcomings. The possibility of information overload and crises escalating beyond control are legitimate concerns. Through Twitter and Facebook, the dissemination of information is so vast that it is nearly impossible to measure, leaving a chance of miscommunication. However, in the case of emergency preparedness, by equipping the public with clear and consistent information from credible sources, social media can inform, educate and prevent a mass crisis during disaster.

Using Haiti as a model, social media usage generated awareness for Twitter and Facebook as tools for more than marketing and publicity efforts. In the unfortunate event of a crisis, preparedness will ultimately be determined and evaluated by the credibility of the messages and information being communicated. Planning is imperative for social media to work efficiently and beneficially during a crisis. Whether the communication is through a tweet or blog post, during chaos people want trustworthy information. If used efficiently, a social media crisis management strategy could be the most essential channel that comforts, connects, shares and informs on the crisis status. As technology advances and social media evolves, crisis plans should include thoughtful ideas incorporating the enormous potential of social media tools to help distribute information and provide forums for mutual exchange.

Social media is evolving, and disaster preparedness should be aware of the opportunities that this dynamic new set of tools provides. Red Cross Social Media Resources notes that social media is subject to the same limitations as other electronic outlets, but the valuable channels for information it provides should not be ignored.

Social Media's Role in Emergency Preparedness #getreadynow

Just over a year ago, the ruthless earthquake in Haiti not only showed us the vulnerability of a country in ruins, but its effects left the world in a state of shock and concern. Following this natural disaster, various social media communication efforts were immediately employed as interested parties and volunteers from around the globe needed updates and information on Haiti’s critical condition. With an estimated 200,000 deaths resulting from Mother Nature’s devastating blow, social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook played a prominent role in the country’s recovery efforts. Haiti-related tweets and blogs were numerous, providing people with real time news and updates. Haiti had instantly become the model for disaster awareness and preparation in a matter of minutes as my Smartphone was flooded with tweets. The involvement of social media in the response to the Haitian earthquake was unprecedented, and there is no question that today’s modern approach to communication is a key element in effective emergency and disaster preparedness.

Social media was a tool by which well-known charities such as the Red Cross and celebrities from every avenue of entertainment used to raise funds for relief effort. The role of social media was not limited to calls to action, but was ultimately a source of information. CNN.com and BBC offered live updates from social media users including statements from victims directly affected by the quake, some containing pictures of the wreckage. After only a week of social media campaigning, CNN claimed $8 million in relief effort funding.

The earthquake in Haiti laid the blueprint for how social media can be used in a crisis situation. With social media, organizations such as UNICEF and Red Cross can be proactive in disaster preparation before one occurs and establish platforms for raising money and supplies. Despite any opposition faced by social media, there is no disputing the benefits it presents in crisis management. Social media, just like any form of communication, has its shortcomings. The possibility of information overload and crises escalating beyond control are legitimate concerns. Through Twitter and Facebook, the dissemination of information is so vast that it is nearly impossible to measure, leaving a chance of miscommunication. However, in the case of emergency preparedness, by equipping the public with clear and consistent information from credible sources, social media can inform, educate and prevent a mass crisis during disaster.

Using Haiti as a model, social media usage generated awareness for Twitter and Facebook as tools for more than marketing and publicity efforts. In the unfortunate event of a crisis, preparedness will ultimately be determined and evaluated by the credibility of the messages and information being communicated. Planning is imperative for social media to work efficiently and beneficially during a crisis. Whether the communication is through a tweet or blog post, during chaos people want trustworthy information. If used efficiently, a social media crisis management strategy could be the most essential channel that comforts, connects, shares and informs on the crisis status. As technology advances and social media evolves, crisis plans should include thoughtful ideas incorporating the enormous potential of social media tools to help distribute information and provide forums for mutual exchange.

Social media is evolving, and disaster preparedness should be aware of the opportunities that this dynamic new set of tools provides. Red Cross Social Media Resources notes that social media is subject to the same limitations as other electronic outlets, but the valuable channels for information it provides should not be ignored.

Cuccinelli Investing in Our Welfare: Kill ObamaCare

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Roanoke Times, 2-16-11, Pg 16 Editorial: Cuccinelli wasting time and money opposing ObamaCare
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This is yet another chapter in the Roanoke Times Jihad Against Va AG Cuccinelli
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2010/09/roanoke-times-jihad-against-va-ag.html
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After reading the Roanoke Times this AM, I tuned into the Congressional hearing on ObamaCare. Based on all the expert opinion by the Editors of the Roanoke Times I expected to see one of them testifying on behalf of their mentor, Obama.
Instead I was treated to see Va AG Cuccinelli testifying. He was representing the 26 state AG’s who are successfully opposing ObamaCare in Federal Courts.
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Click-on to share this significant event (didn’t seem like wasted time or money to me).
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Feb 16, 2011 VIDEO: Va AG Cuccinelli testifying to Congress on the States appeal to the Supreme Court to declare the “individual mandate” portion of ObamaCare Unconstitutional.
Requires RealPlayer and about 1-minute to load 10 Meg and Sound-ON – Click-ON: -
http://www.roanokeslant.org/CuccinelliCongress.rm
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Prior Items:
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http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2011/02/arrogance-of-obamacare-sinking.html
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http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2011/01/gop-moves-on-obamacare-repeal.html
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Think Green... Be Eco Friendly

ECOFRIENDLY Newyear

More PowerPoint presentations from isivaram

This video give us more ideas on how we can Reduce, Reuse and Recycle... Because 3 is a magic number!

Now, after watching the video .. what are some tips they give you in the video to work the magic 3?

Did you like the song?... these are the words... come on let's sing it!!!!



Keep on shining love and peace! and Reduce, Reuse and Recycle... you are a firework!!!

Doris3m

Obama Gives His Government Motors (GM) Buddies $4,000 of Your Tax Money

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Roanoke Times, 2/15/11, Pg 7: GM workers to get $4,000 bonuses.
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Obama’s Government Motors (GM) is still in possession of millions of dollars of taxpayer “bailout” money. Until GM pays back the taxpayers, all their expenditures are deemed to be “our tax money”.
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The UAW has been a major part of why GM crashed. Obama gave them millions of tax-dollars to just hangout during the “Obama take-over” and now he’s giving 45,000 of them $4,000 bonuses for what? What other working people are getting tax-paid bonuses?
Does this Chicago Community Organizer not understand the financial hole the country is in and that millions of people need jobs while he’s giving cake to his UAW buddies?
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Talk about buying votes and political support with tax-dollars! How obscene is this?
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Just more hope and change and hypocrisy we can depend on!
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Prior Current Items:
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ObamaCare Union Payoffs (7% Get 40%)
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2011/02/obamacare-union-payoffs-7-get-40.html
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Yet More Government Motors Slant and Bias
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2010/12/yet-more-government-motors-slant-and.html
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Huge Obama-GM Roll-Over
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2010/04/huge-obama-gm-roll-over.html
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Obama’s-GM Government Motors: An Introduction to Fascism
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2010/02/obamas-gm-government-motors.html
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Obama’s Government Motors (GM) Propaganda Media Machine
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2010/02/obamas-government-motors-gm-propaganda.html
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Obama The GM CEO And Major Conflicts of Interest
http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/2010/01/obama-gm-ceo-and-major-conflicts-of.html
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SUPERMAN SEES DOUBLE...

Never let it be said that DC COMICS ever gave up on a good idea when they saw it. If CLARK KENT was SUPERMAN, how could both of them appear in the same place at the same time?

Regardless of how it was achieved, editors and writers
recognized that readers couldn't fail to be intrigued if the concept was featured on the cover, and would be more likely to purchase the issue to solve the mystery. Cue a slew of covers showing Clark interacting with Supes when such a thing was impossible - or was it? Not in the whacky world of comicbooks it isn't. (Admittedly, three of the covers are symbolic, but they're clearly designed.to "hoodwink" the casual reader into buying the issue.)

The following covers are culled from my own collection and are by no means comprehensive. Doubtless there are quite a few others spanning the decades since Superman first appeared in all his four-colour glory.

  

Remember, the images can be enlarged by clicking on them, and enlarged further by clicking on them again.