old juke joints

In those not so far away days of segregation in the United States, you would often have to go down to the 'other side of the tracks' to find  a Juke Joint with some rocking (or bluesy) music to get on down and cut a rug to.  Luckily the American government sent out people to document the places, and there are some fine photographs of the old Joints still preserved. These are from a series called 'General Stores and Juke Joints: FSA Photographs in Color, 1942-1945' and more information about the series (and more photos) can be found here.  Times were hard for some people (let's face it, mainly the blacks) back in the day.

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anti usa poster (l think)

I don't know where this poster is from, nor what the message is, but it looks to be anti American, so l assume it's about the USA interfering with other nations, throwing their weight about, and spreading their capitalist ideals gangster style, at the cost of the innocent children.   Then again, maybe the American is looking at the child in disgust as he has been killed by someone else, and the Americans are coming in to rescue the country (and children).  Either way, it's still a striking poster. If only l could read the propaganda writing, it would make more sense, but if l was a betting man, my money would be on the Americans being the baddies.

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iya traore juggling a football

I thought l could juggle a football, but this is pretty impressive, and while on a plinth as well.  The man doing it is called  Iya Traore and is from Guinea, and because it is now the space age, he has his own website (of course he does).  If the weather gets a bit better l might drag myself out in the garden and get some more practise hours in, as looking at this, l certainly need them.

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a charlie brown and bad brains christmas

From Tad Was Here on Vimeo.

This fits together superbly and works so well.  Good work my son!

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clockwork orange babies

If only this Clockwork Orange Babies series were real, it would be great.  Unfortunately they are a spoof concept by Butcher Billy, and more artwork from the series can be found here.  How long before these are posted as from a real series?

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steve harris has his house for sale

Steve Harris from Iron Maiden has put his Harlow house on the market, for a cool £6.7 million.  It has seven bedrooms and land attached, but more importantly, all the classic rock star features included, so it is ready to move into straight away.  Tennis Court?  Football Pitch?  Red telephone box?  Indoor swimming pool?  Bar?   All present and correct.  More information can be found here, and if l had the money, l would be turning up there tomorrow with my removal van and junk.

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sir patrick moore has died

I have arrived back from Egypt in one piece, and Sir Patrick Moore has just died, not that l think the two are in any way related.   One of the facts about him that is amazing, is that he met the first man to fly (Orville Wright), the first man in space (Yuri Gagarin), and the first man on the moon (Neil Armstrong).  A pretty rare, if not unique feat.  The world changed so much in his lifetime, it's staggering trying to get your head around it.  Who knows what will happen in the next 80 odd years (Moore was 89).

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that's it - l'm off to egypt

This is where l will be in a few hours - Newcastle Airport, as l am on a work trip to Egypt.  It's a hard job, but somebody's got to do it, and that somebody is usually me. Apart from setting off to the airport at 5.30am, l'm looking forward to it.  If l don't get blown up by the terrorists (always painful) l'll be back next week.  As for now, time for a power nap.

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there's something about mary (1998) - the farrelly brothers

There's Something About Mary is one of those outrageously rare things.  An American film that is actually funny.  This features just the right amount of visual humour, slapstick, surreal episodes and emotional moments, plus it has the added advantage of the serenading Jonathan Richman appearing throughout, who can do little wrong in my eyes (and ears).  Everyone must know the story by now, as it's been out for years and it was a huge success, so l won't ramble on about that, but all of the actors are just right in their roles. Cameron Diaz has never looked better, but all of them play their part in making the movie such a runaway hit.  The story has a twist or two along the way, and the episodes with the zip and the hair cream are the most famous, but for me, the segments with the dog steal the film, especially Ben Stiller's.  This was about the third time l have seen it, and it was still worth it.  If only all the 'so called American comedies' were like this.

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door handle sticker adverts

These door handle stickers are for products such as Viagra, and are by Charm, a Chinese advertising agency.  Not an original idea, but they still look good and make me chuckle (simple fool that l am).

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jerry sadowitz on jimmy savile

Jerry Sadowitz is promoting his new show at the Leicester Square Theatre by impersonating Jimmy Savile, but more importantly, reminding everyone that he was not afraid to say it how it was back in the day, with a recording of one of Sadowitz's old shows from 1987 (Gobshite) being highlighted.
Sadowitz is not always hilarious  by any stretch of the imagination, but he certainly is unique, and at times, can hit the nail right on the head, while being funny with it (and doing magic tricks).  I'll even forgive him for appearing in the crappy Kathy Burke series about her childhood (Walking and Talking)
We'll miss him when he's gone.


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keith and charlie photograph, plus the stones docs

I've been watching The Rolling Stones stuff this afternoon that l recorded last night, and although l had already seen most of the stuff shown, there were some great clips that l hadn't had the pleasure of perusing previously.  Dancing With Mr D on The Old Grey Whistle Test, although not one of their finer moments, was one clip, and amongst the photographs new to me, there was this beauty featuring Keith Richards and Charlie Watts, with Keith hamming it up for the camera, but looking pretty cool while doing so.  Effete yet dangerous to hang around - just like l have tried to live my life (as certain people would testify).  I even (allegedly) crashed a car once while arguing that 'I am Keith Richards' and the passenger was 'Bill' (as in Wyman), resulting in me being distracted and writing the car off (although the drink may not have helped).  Not big or clever, but it happened.
Those were the days.    Drink? Tick      Drugs? Tick    Sex and Rock and Roll? Tick   Violence? Tick      Three nights awake?  Tick (but it makes you itchy).
It's a good job l've settled down, as it's not easy putting the hours in.
As for the 'Crossfire Hurricane' documentary, the 25x5 one years ago (1989!!!) was miles better, but it is not available on DVD (but of course l do own a dodgy one).  What they really need is an Anthology series like The Beatles had.  I'd certainly part with my money for one of those, as l'm sure many others would do.
Sort it out.
Now!









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posters for the original ocean's 11

Posters for the original 1960 film of Oceans 11,  from when stars were stars.   I still think Dean Martin was the coolest out of them, and l will hear no argument otherwise.   My dad used to love him, and l grew up listening to the records, whether l liked it or not, but it was a fine education for any drunken scouse chancer (of which l am one).




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a spider-man approved patio door

An Altrium patio door that Spider-Man can swing in on.  If it's good enough for Spidey, it's good enough for me.  Mine's on order.

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the monty python boys

When Monty Python were all still getting along (I think), having a laugh, and coming out with some classic comedic moments.  Some of their stuff was crap, but when they were funny, boy were they funny.

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the new evil dead film

I'm looking forward to this film a lot, and the new poster is certainly building my hopes up.  The new 'Evil Dead' - Out next year.

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the men in black - tony o'neill

It's taken me a few years to get around to reading 'The Men In Black', the second of Tony O'Neills books about being one of the top boys (if not the top) in Manchester United's firm for 30 years.  Unfortunately, much as l love Manchester United, this turned out to be as l had expected.  I can't really complain too much, as the book delivers as far as tales of fighting goes, but that is also the problem.  I have been to many a United game over the years, starting from when l was a kid in the 1960's.  I have been involved in lots of trouble and been thrown out of grounds, done drugs, been to prison etc, so l am not exactly an angel, but this is the same experience as listening to people telling you their tales of drug trips.  It's fun and exciting to have the experience yourself, but not half as much fun being a passive listener (or in this case, reader).  As l said, my problem really, and l would probably have been better off reading O'Neill's 'Red Army General', as that is more about the 1970's, when l went a lot, so l would identify more with the tales.  There's still interesting insights into the police operations and O'Neills arrests and shootings, and if you are looking for a firm (not in that sense) to take you to a United away game, O'Neill provides that very service (but he is a business man now and has calmed down).  It certainly bought back memories of all standing, city centre riots and no go zones, but nothing like being there.  Football and the stadiums today?  Not half as much fun.
As a side note, we used to hire a coach from Colburn in about 1976 to go to the United games.  This stopped when the coach was smashed up and they refused to hire us any more.  Who was it smashed up by? Only the same United fans from Colburn that used it (and who would also think nothing of fighting and stealing from other United fans).  That's how mad it used to be.

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william hague on the syrian rebels

William Hague talking about the Syrian Rebels

The UK government recognises a coalition of Syrian rebel forces as the "sole legitimate representative" of the Syrian people, Foreign Secretary William Hague has announced. In a Commons statement on the situation in the Middle East on 20 November 2012, Mr Hague said he had received "assurances" from representatives of the National Coalition of the Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces about their commitment to uphold human rights and work for a democratic future. "It is strongly in the interests of Syria, of the wider region and of the United Kingdom that we support them and deny space to extremist groups," the foreign secretary added. "A credible alternative to the Assad regime is emerging that has the growing support of the Arab League, the European Union, the United States and an increasing number of other countries." Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander welcomed Mr Hague's decision. "Recognition is a vital step forward," he said.

I think this will be the main issue.  'Supporting them'.

Reading between the lines, and being a cynical bastard, that will mean  'Selling them arms'.

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the scorpion nightclub

Ah.... This certainly takes me back.  It doesn't matter if you remember the place as The Scorpion, The Walerville, The Walkie, The Rats Palace, The Pink Palace or Staxx, you will definitely remember the wild nights, the mine sweeping, the fights, the romance, the food  (either inside or at Brian Taylor's van), and the search for a party afterwards.  Catterick and Colburn is not the same without it, and the bloody Colburn Lodge is still closed and up for sale.  Progress - Pah!

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more apartment foreign posters

I wasn't kidding about my love for the foreign posters.  Four more from 'The Apartment'.

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cats on acid

We've all been there at some stage

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conquering the butterflies

Jordan Matter has taken photographs of dancers in various poses around Tyron Park, NYC (as well as other places) for 'Dancers Amongst Us'.  All well and good, but the reason l have put this photograph up is because, although l am not scared of heights and will prat about near edges way up high, l still feel butterflies in my stomach when l see other people (such as this dirty footed Health and Safety ignoring risk taker) laughing in the face of gravity, leaning backward over a wall.  Probably because l wouldn't wish to do that pose myself ( and would look a lot worse), but mainly as it's one thing overcoming the butterflies and fear, but ultimately, l still want to survive to tell the tale afterwards.  I bet she never even completed a Risk Assessment beforehand.

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walls made of records

Mmmmmmmmmm  Look at all those lovely records.
If l only had the money (and time).  I'm seething with jealousy.

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the apartment foreign film posters

Once again - l love foreign film posters!  Five from 'The Apartment'.

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