Saturday, December 31, 2011

IN MEMORIUM, 2011


While the best and worst of everything lists are compiled by others as another year draws to a close, The Free Choice E-zine continues it annual tradition of pausing to briefly look back and remember those that are sadly no longer with us.
Unfortunately we cannot post the whole list; but amongst our family, friends, and loved ones; as well as those within law enforcement, the medical/emergency services, and the military who lost their lives helping and/or protecting others during 2011, we have also lost...

ACTORS
James Arness (Gunsmoke)
Trevor Bannister (Are You Being Served? Last of the Summer Wine)
Roberts Blossom (Home Alone, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Doc Hollywood)
William Campbell (Love Me Tender, 1960s Star Trek)
Charlie Callas (Switch, History of the World: Part 1)
Jeff Conway (Grease, Taxi, Babylon 5)
Jackie Cooper (The Little Tramp, Superman 1)
John Dye (Touched By An Angel)
Peter Falk (Columbo, The Princess Bride)
Michael Gough (Batman, Sleepy Hollow)
Farley Granger (Rope, Strangers on a Train)
Edward Hardwicke (Watson to Jeremy Britt’s Sherlock Holmes)
Len Lesser (Kelly’s Heroes, Seinfeld, Everybody Loves Raymond)
Kenneth Mars (in the original versions of The Producers and Young Frankenstein)
Harry Morgan (Dragnet, M*A*S*H)
Charles Napier (The Blues Brothers, Rambo: First Blood: Part 2)
David Nelson (The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet)
Pete Postlehwaite (The Usual Suspects, Inception)
“Uncle Frank” Potenza (The Jimmy Kimmel Show)
Francesco Quinn (Platoon)
Cliff Robertson (Charly, Spiderman 1, PT109)
Roy Skelton, long time supporting voice actor on Doctor Who, Rainbow
Karl Slover (The Wizard of Oz)
Leonard Stone (General Hospital, Soylent Green, Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory)
Andy Whitfield (Spartacus: Blood and Sand)

ACTRESSES
Frances Bay (Happy Gilmore, The Middle, Twin Peaks)
Annette Charles (Grease)
Mary Fickett (All My Children)
Betty Garrett (Take Me Out To The Ballgame, On The Town, Laverne and Shirley)
Jane Russell (The Outlaw, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes)
Maria Schneider (Last Tango In Paris)
Clarice Taylor (Sesame Street, The Cosby Show)
Elizabeth Taylor (Cleopatra, Butterfield 8)
Sada Thompson (Family)

ATHLETES/SPORTS FIGURES
Margo Dydek, of the Connecticut Suns Women’s Basketball Association
Joe Frazier, boxer
Greg Halman, professional baseball player with the Seattle Mariners
Harmon Killebrew, former play and announcer for the Minnesota Twins baseball team
Jack LaLanne, fitness guru
Randy “Macho Man” Savage, professional wrestler
Bubba Smith, former professional football player turned actor
Gene Smith, professional baseball player with the “Negro” Leagues
Duke Snider, professional baseball player with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers

CREATIVE PERSONNEL
Eduardo Barreto, comic book artist
John Barry, movie composer (From Russia With Love, Out of Africa)
David Broder, journalist and author
Joseph Brooks, songwriter (You Light Up My Life)
David Burton, artist
Sue Carroll, journalist
Gene Colan, long time comic book artist
Ed Flesh, art director who created the actual Wheel of Fortune wheel
Helen Frankenthaler, painter accredited with developing the color field style
Dolores Fuller, actress (Glen or Glenda, Jailbait) and songwriter for Elvis Presley movies
Christopher Hitchens, author and journalist
Bil Keane, creator of The Family Circus
Don Kirshner, record producer (The Monkees, The Archies)
Jerry Lieber, songwriter of hits including: Stand By Me, Hound Dog, and Jailhouse Rock
Sidney Lumet, director (12 Angry Men, Dog Day Afternoon)
Hugh Martin, songwriter (Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, The Trolley Song)
Anne McCaffrey, author/creator of Pern, Restoree, Acorna, and much more
Dwayne McDuffie, comic book writer/artist/editor (Milestone Media, DC Comics)
Barbara Orbison, record producer and widow of Roy Orbison
Bill Rechin, created the comic strips Out of Bounds and Crock
Jerry Robinson, comic book artist who created Batman’s Joker
Sylvia Robinson; singer, record producer, co-founder of Sugar Hill Records
Ken Russell, director (Tommy)
Sol Saks, child actor turned writer who created Bewitched
Sherwood Schwartz, television producer, creator of Gilligan’s Island and the Brady Bunch
Joe Simon, comic book artist and co-creator of Captain America with the late Jack Kirby
Jack Smith, artist
Leonard B. Stern, creator of The Honeymooners concept and creator of Mad Libs
Fred Steiner, composer of original Perry Mason, Star Trek, and Twilight Zone television themes
Cy Twombly, artist
Lanford Wilson, playwright
Tom Wilson, Senior; Creator and original artist on Ziggy comic strip
Laura Ziskin, movie producer and co-founder of Stand Up 2 Cancer

ENTERTAINERS
Dolores Hope, singer and widow of Bob Hope
“Heavy D”, rapper/actor (The Cider House Rules, Boston Public)
Patrice O’Neal, comedian (Head of State, Scary Movie 4, Opie and Anthony)
Andy Rooney, long time 60 Minutes commentator

HISTORIC
Warren Christopher, Secretary of State for former United States President Bill Clinton
James Elliot, astronomer who discovered the rings of Uranus
Geraldine Ferraro, first female candidate for President of the United States
Betty Ford, widow of former United States President Gerald Ford and founder of a famous clinic
Muammar Gaddafi, leader of Libya
Vaclav Havel, playwright and former President of Czechoslovakia
Rusty Hevelin, noted name in pulp and science fiction fandom
Steve Jobs, technology pioneer and co-founder of Apple Computers
Kim Jong-il, leader of North Korea
Jack Kevorkian, aka “Doctor Death”
Sargent Shiver, first director of the Peace Corps

MUSICIANS
Nick Ashford of Ashford and Simpson
Clarence Clemons, saxophonist of The E Street Band
Nate Dogg, rapper
Andrew Gold, singer/songwriter (Lonely Boy, Thank You For Being A Friend)
Dobie Gray, singer/songwriter (Drift Away)
Gil Scott-Heron, poet and author
Jami Lane, singer for Warrant
Paul Motain, jazz drummer
Gary Moore, Thin Lizzy guitarist
Joe Morello, jazz drummer
“Pinetop” Perkins, blues man
Johnny Preston, singer (Running Bear)
Gerry Rafferty, former member of Stealers Wheel and solo artist (Baker Street)
Gerard Smith, bassist with TV on the Radio
Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, blues man
Phoebe Snow, blues performer/writer
Mikey Welsh, bassist for Weezer
Vesta Williams, rhythm and blues singer (Once Bitten, Twice Shy)
Amy Winehouse, singer
Snooky Young, jazz trumpeter

DISHONORABLE MENTION
Osama bin Laden, terrorist founder of al-Qaeda responsible for September 11, 2001 attack against America and other acts of terrorism against the world

NOTE: Except for the last one, all categories and the names within them are alphabetical.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: DECEMBER 25-31, 2011

THE NEW YEAR IS UPON US! PLEASE PARTY AND DRIVE SAFELY!

As 2011 comes to a close, amongst the events that have happened around the world during this last week are:
* Unfortunately, civil unrest still continues in Nigeria, Syria, Yemen, and the Sudan.
*After his father's funeral, Kim Jong-un has taken over as the Supreme Leader of North Korea, and shortly proclaimed Supreme Commander of the country's military afterwards.
*Although there are not any statistics for individual days at this time, Reuters reports comScore claims Americans spent over $30 billion US Dollars shopping online this holiday season. A 15% increase from 2010.
*Brazil is now the world's sixth largest economy, surpassing Great Britain for the title.
*A recent Associated Press report questions some of the expenditures made by the state of Florida, using funds that British Petroleum gave the state to reestablish their tourism trade after the 2010 Gulf Oil spill, and wonders how Florida tourism will fare once those grants expire in April 2012.

IN SPORTS...
*With New Year's Day being a Sunday, there will be NO College football bowl games played January 1. Those end of the season contests will resume January 2.

For more news at any time, either scroll down to our IN OTHER NEWS feature at the bottom of your screen or visit any other reputable news source.

The Free Choice E-zine wishes our readership and the World a safe New Year's Eve and a HAPPY 2012! 

THE PUZZLE CORNER: DECEMBER 31, 2011

And here we are, our last Puzzle Corner for 2011. Considering we won't be opening the Answers Box for this one until 2012, let's look ahead towards the new year instead of looking back, shall we?

TRIVIA TIME
What will EVERYONE around the world have in 2012 that they did NOT have in 2011?

THE LETTER SHUFFLE
Since everyone will probably be making some as the years change, how many other words can you make out of the letters in word RESOLUTION?

We'll reveal all the first Saturday of 2012. Meanwhile, let's peek inside the last ANSWERS BOX for 2011, and discover the results from our Christmas Party Puzzle Corner December 24th.

REBUS
We were celebrating NOEL, for there was NO 'L' amongst the decorations on our tree.

COMMON BONDS
01. {Meet Me In Saint Louis, The Lemon Drop Kid}
Both these movies begat Christmas songs that have withstood the test of time. Judy Garland first wished Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas in Saint Louis while Bob Hope first chimed Silver Bells as the Kid.
02. {Alistair Simm, George C. Scott}
Both of these distinguished actors have portrayed Ebenezer Scrooge during film versions of A Christmas Carol.
03. {Two airplanes, a hula hoop}
Those were the requested items by Alvin and the Chipmunks in The Chipmunk Song.
04. {A rock and roll electric guitar; a doll that cries, eats, sleeps, and wets}
Those were the items requested by children of Santa in Run, Run, Rudolph.
05. {Sebastian Cabot, Edmund Gwenn}
Both actors have portrayed Kris Kringle during film versions of Miracle On 34th Street.

We of The Puzzle Corner and The Free Choice E-zine hope everyone had a good holiday and we look forward to more enigmas in 2012.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

HAPPY KWANZAA 2011

For those of our readership who celebrate the first fruits of the harvest, The Free Choice E-zine wishes you and yours a

Sunday, December 25, 2011

MERRY CHRISTMAS! (2011)

Regardless of one's faith or beliefs, at this time of year we pause and take a moment to wish our fellow Human beings Peace on Earth and goodwill to all.
While not everyone shares those sentiments, nevertheless The Free Choice E-zine offers them in the spirit that they are intended to be presented in.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!


(Image courtesy of Google)

SUNDAY FUNNIES: MARY(?) CHRISTMAS!

More Peace on Earth, please?
CHOCOLATE! CHOCOLATE!


The David Seville of the group?

LEE: Houston, Junior/Editor-In-Chief: Hello Everyone. We're all here today to wish our Free Choice E-zine readership a Merry Christmas.
Waxy, baby dragon and comedienne: What does Santa Claus' wife have to do with this?
LEE: What do you mean Waxy?
WAXY: Santa's wife. MARY Christmas.
AUTUMN, comedic puppy: Actually, I don't remember anyone ever saying her first name. I only know her as Mrs. Claus.
WAXY: Well, isn't it Mary Christmas?
LEE: If that were true, then I guess Christmas is her maiden name?
WAXY: I guess. Mary Christmas Claus.
AUTUMN: Can we get on with this?
LEE: As I was saying, since Christmas is actually on a Sunday this year, the three of us decided to get together for a bit to wish all of you a Merry Christmas. What are you ladies hoping Santa brings you this year?
AUTUMN: Well, I certainly don't need a fur coat. Is peace on Earth too much to ask for?
LEE: No, it isn't. Unfortunately that's in short supply, but the world does the best it can. Waxy, we probably already know the answer to this, but what do you want for Christmas?
WAXY: Dark Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Dark Chocolate! Especially Belgosian Dark Chocolate. That's the best!
AUTUMN: We know. But that stuff's expensive.
WAXY: I know. I try to get some myself whenever possible.
AUTUMN: But they still won't let you back into that country since the last time you tried to break into their chocolate factory.
WAXY: That was last year! I've been a good dragon since then, and I'm hoping Santa brings me lots of presents this year.
AUTUMN: So, what do we do now?
LEE: I don't know. Maybe sing Christmas Carols?
WAXY: Who'se this Carol woman?
AUTUMN: He means sing Christmas songs.
WAXY: Oh, why didn't you say so! I'm gamed. Anything except Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer though.
LEE: I hesitate to ask, but why don't you want to sing about Rudolph?
WAXY: Well, while everything came out all right in the end, Olive was mean to him.
AUTUMN: Olive?
WAXY: Yeah. Olive, the other reindeer.
AUTUMN: Oh great. Another mondegreen.
WAXY: Hey. I'm perfectly healthy. I've been to the vet and everything. Although if they ever try to use that thermometer where they wanted to put it the last time...
LEE: No. Autumn means you misheard the song lyric.
WAXY: No I didn't. "Olive, the other reindeer, used to laugh and call him names."
AUTUMN: The line went "All of the other reindeer."
WAXY: Are you sure?
AUTUMN: Yes.
WAXY: Well, anyway, just because you're different is no reason for someone to call you names.
LEE: On that, we both agree with you.
WAXY: I mean, how would you feel if you were Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and suddenly Olive kept coming around saying things like, "Hey Names! How's it going?" or "Hey Names! How much is your electric bill every month?"
AUTUMN: (groans, and then puts her head between her paws)
LEE: Well, folks. That's it for this special edition of the Sunday Funnies! Take care. Have a good week. We hope to see you back here next weekend and most importantly:
ALL THREE: MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Saturday, December 24, 2011

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: DECEMBER 18-24, 2011

HANUKKAH CELEBRATIONS CONTINUE.
CHRISTMAS IS CELEBRATED IN MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD OVER THE COURSE OF THIS WEEKEND.
KWANZAA BEGINS MONDAY, DECEMBER 26.

Amongst events that have happened around the world this past week include...
*The United States has withdrawn its last soldiers from Iraq, marking the official end to the Iraqi War.
*Libya this week formally celebrated their new found independence since the death of Muammar Gaddafi.
*North Korea's Supreme Leader Kim Jong-il has passed away. His son Jong-un is expected to take over the country.
*Civil unrest continues in Syria, Cairo, and Yemen.
*Russian protesters claim the recent elections were "rigged" to favor the United Russia Party.
*The Philippines Red Cross now estimates the death toll from Tropical Storm Washi at almost 1000.
*Scientists have discovered two Earth size planets orbiting a star 950 light years away in the Lyra constellation. They have been designated Kepler 20 d and e for now because of the long range telescope involved in the discovery.

IN SPORTS...
*Professional basketball resumes play in a shortened season beginning December 25th.

IN ENTERTAINMENT NEWS...
*Actor-director Robert De Niro and his wife Grace Hightower have announced the birth of their daughter Helen Grace De Niro.

For more news at any time, either scroll down to our IN OTHER NEWS feature at the bottom of your screen or visit any other reputable news source.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: DECEMBER 24, 2011

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
Let's start by decorating the tree...

REBUS
Our decorations are up, but the Puzzle Corner certainly doesn't do anything without an ulterior motive.
There is a special message within our decorating scheme. Do you know what it is?



CHRISTMAS COMMON BONDS
Besides the holidays, each item within their respective sets has something else in common.
Do you know what it is?
01. {Meet Me In Saint Louis, The Lemon Drop Kid}
02. {Alistair Simm, George C. Scott}
03. {two airplanes, a hula hoop}
04. {A rock and roll electric guitar; a doll that cries, eats, sleeps, and wets}
05. {Sebastian Cabot, Edmund Gwenn}

We'll belatedly reveal these Christmas results next weekend. But for now, let's open our gift wrapped ANSWERS BOX and discover what Christmas tunes we were singing in the December 17 Puzzle Corner.

01. This is Santa's big scene is from Silver Bells.
02. Love knows no season is actually from the FULL LENGTH version of Winter Wonderland. Up until the 1950s, many songs had a prologue verse, for lack of a better term. For whatever reason(s) later recordings of many of those tunes skipped the prologue.
03. Where the love light gleams is from I'll Be Home For Christmas.
04. Reindeer really know how to fly is discovered during The Christmas Song.
05. Some homemade pumpkin pie is served when you discover There's No Place Like Home For The Holidays.
06. Marshmallows for roasting because It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!
07. Have a cup of cheer during A Holly, Jolly Christmas.
08. And we'll do some caroling Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree.
09. Christmas is nigh is from Pretty Paper.
10. Beauty everywhere because Christmas Time Is Near.


MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR READERSHIP!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

HAPPY (C)HANUKKAH 2011

While we have discovered that there might be some question as to the proper spelling of the holiday, the Free Choice E-zine wishes those of our readership who celebrate the Festival of Lights a HAPPY (C)HANUKKAH!


Sunday, December 18, 2011

SUNDAY FUNNIES: DOG GONE FUNNY!

"The Christmas Tree is NOT indoor plumbing!"
Hello Everybody! Autumn the Puppy here.
Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat...
Personally, I wouldn't eat a goose on a dare.
I tried chasing one once, and it chased me back!
Don't know what some of you folks see in it.
Must be an acquired taste.
Anyway, the Free Choice E-zine staff has been thinking about what to do within this column for the next couple of weekends because next Sunday is Christmas and the Sunday after that is New Year's Day 2012.
Another year. Geez...
Seven Human years multiplied by my dog age equals...
I wonder if I can still call myself a puppy?
Okay. I'm young at heart, just big for my age.
In any event, just to show everyone what a good sport I am because after all, I am a golden retriever....
And no, I won't retrieve any gold for you. Do you know how heavy that stuff is?
Here are some canine themed jokes.

What dogs are best for sending telegrams?
Wired haired terriers.
Hmm, maybe I need to update my joke file. Do people even still USE telegrams?
Do any of you even remember what a telegram is?

What do you call a happy Lassie?
A jolly collie.

What did the hunter say when his bloodhound disappeared.
Doggone.
Guess I'm lucky. The only shooting my people do is with a camera.


What is a dog's favorite city?
This post has the canine seal of approval!
New Yorkie.

What do you call a fake dog?
A shampoodle.                                        

But I'm real, and so's the fact that' we'll be back next weekend with more Sunday Funnies!
Have a great week everyone.-AtP.


Saturday, December 17, 2011

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: DECEMBER 11-17, 2011

Hanukkah begins at sundown the night of December 20th.

Amongst events that have happened around the world this past week...
*It is our sad duty to report that at least 400 people have lost their lives after Tropical Storm Washi hit the Philippines.
*Time magazine has named "The Protestor" their Person of the Year, taking note of those who have stood up for their beliefs despite the odds and establishment(s) against them. This honor includes Middle Eastern people seeking freedom from long term military regimes and the Occupy Wall Streeters.
*The United Nations has asked that ALL countries honor the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered people world wide.
*Civil unrest continues in Syria and Yemen, while North Korea warned South Korea not to place a Christmas tree along their neutral border.
*The Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea has ruled the August 2011 election of Peter O'Neill invalid and ordered Michael Somare reinstated as Prime Minister. However O'Neill has said he is not stepping down and the matter remains unresolved as this is posted.
*The United States Senate passed a measure that would extend Social Security tax cuts and unemployment benefits until February 2012, provided President Barack Obama agrees to the construction of an oil pipeline between Texas and Canada. The US House of Representatives is expected to vote on the same measure next week.
*The Free Choice E-zine celebrated its 750th post on the Blogger forum with the December 17th installment of The Puzzle Corner.

IN SPORTS:
*After all the trials and tribulations, former professional baseball player Barry Bonds was sentenced to just 30 days confinement in his mansion, two years probation, 250 hours of community service, and a $40,000 (US Dollars) fine which he is appealing, over all the charges he faced from his days of (allegedly) using steroids. The sentence will not be carried out until after the appeal on the fine is concluded.

The following is an editorial response to this news.
THE FREE CHOICE E-ZINE MAINTAINS ITS POSITION THAT UNLESS MISTER BONDS CAN PROVE BEYOND A SHADOW OF A DOUBT THAT HE WAS NOT USING STEROIDS DURING HIS BASEBALL DAYS (SOMETHING THAT HE HAS CONTINUALLY REFUSED TO DO), THAT HE SHOULD BE STRIPPED OF BOTH THE SINGLE SEASON HOME RUN RECORD, WHICH SHOULD REVERT BACK TO ROGER MARIS SINCE MARK McGWIRE HAS ADMITTED TO WINNING IT VIA STEROIDS, AND THE CAREER HOME RUN RECORD SHOULD REVERT BACK TO HANK AARON UNTIL EACH MILESTONE IS WON HONORABLY/CLEAN!
The above was an editorial response to the news.

IN ENTERTAINMENT NEWS:
*Call of Duty 3: Modern Warfare has become the fastest selling video game (to date), with over $1 billion (US Dollars) in sales in just 16 days!
*The Beach Boys have announced plans to reunite for a 50th anniversary tour in 2012!

For more news at any time, either scroll down to our IN OTHER NEWS feature at the bottom of your screen or visit any other reputable news source.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: DECEMBER 17, 2011

As we continue our enigma filled countdown to Christmas, today we celebrate with a BRAND NEW quiz!

THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME: CHRISTMAS EDITION
There are many Christmas classics that have been recorded and rerecorded by various performers over the years. Can you name the title of each tune just based upon the snippet of verse below?
NOTE: While you may prefer one version over another, we are only looking for the song titles, not the artists. READY?
01. This is Santa's big scene.
02. Love knows no season.
03. Where the love light gleams.
04. Reindeer really know how to fly.
05. Some homemade pumpkin pie.
06. Marshmallows for roasting.
07. Have a cup of cheer.
08. And we'll do some caroling.
09. Christmas is nigh.
10. Beauty everywhere.

We'll reveal all next weekend. But for now, let's unwrap THE ANSWERS BOX and reveal the results from the Christmas Carol edition of our Famous Firsts quiz from the December 10 Puzzle Corner.

01. Frosty the Snowman was first sung by Gene Autry in a 1950 recording.
02. Judy Garland was the first to sing Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas during the 1944 MGM musical Meet Me In Saint Louis.
03. Here Comes Santa Claus was first sung by its co-writer Gene Autry in 1947, although the radio version is actually of a later recording.
04. The Jingle Bell Rock was first performed by Bobby Helms in 1957.
05. Vaughn Monroe first pleaded Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow in 1946.
06. Believe it or not, there are two possible answers for this one!
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer first shined in 1948 when Harry Brannon sang it live on various New York City radio programs, but Gene Autry was the first to actually record the song the following year.
07. Eartha Kitt first purred Santa Baby in 1953, and in my humble opinion does it a lot better than Madonna.
08. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town is actually the oldest song on our list. Eddie Cantor was the first to sing it in a 1934 recording. Gene Autry's recording was one of the first to make the tune really popular, although I personally like the rendition by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.
09. Silver Bells was first performed in the 1951 Paramount Picture The Lemon Drop Kid by its star Bob Hope, who continued to perform it on every TV Christmas special he did until his passing.
10. And believe it or not, there are also two possible answers for Sleigh Ride.
The Boston Pops Orchestra conducted by Arthur Fiedler performed the first instrumental version of this tune in 1949, although the popular radio version is actually of one of their later performances.
Meanwhile, the Andrews Sisters were the first to sing the lyrics to the song in a 1950 recording, but if it matters, I personally lean towards Rosemary Clooney's arrangement.


AND A BRIEF NOTE OF CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FREE CHOICE E-ZINE, FOR THIS IS OUR 750th POST ON BLOGGER!
YEAH US!
NOW BACK TO WORK...

Sunday, December 11, 2011

SUNDAY FUNNIES: YESTERDAY...

Time travelling doggie
Hello Everyone. Autumn the Puppy here.
Have you ever thought about your life?
Or your children's lives?
Or the lives your children's children might have in the future?
I'll try not to get too metaphysical with everyone, but my point here is that we have a lot of stuff today that we didn't have before, and future generations will probably look back upon today and wonder "How did they ever manage to live like that?"
In ancient history, the only way to listen to music was to attend a live performance at a recital, barn dance, etc.
Since the 1900s we have radio, but a lot of people today have no idea what a long playing record or even vinyl is! Come tomorrow, compact discs and MP3 players might be ancient artifacts, compared to whatever the new media is then.

"I fixed your mouse problem."
Computers, as we know them today, were practically nonexistent before the 1980s.
We had things like typewriters, let alone more primitive tools like pen and paper.
Can today's children even compose a letter without using a keyboard?
Do they even know how to send it without the Internet?
Granted, postal service isn't what it used to be, but still...

And what about books?
Will kids a generation or two from now even know what all those funny looking things with the pages inside them are?
Or will it all be e-readers and a library nothing more than a room with a computer in it storing everything in memory?

Don't get me wrong. I am not knocking technology. I am as much a dog of today as any other canine. I love being inside on a cold winter's day with the heat on; or in on a hot summer day with the air conditioner running.

But I do worry about what happens when the electrical service gets interrupted.
For today's society, everything seems to ground to a halt when the power is out.
Will future societies still have manual can openers, let alone know how to use them?
Pets and people will still need to be feed, and not every can comes with a pull tab.

What prompted this column is the image below. I found it on Facebook yesterday and have no idea who to accredit it to, but I think it sums up my point rather well, don't you?


In any event, have a great week, and please be back here next weekend for more Sunday Funnies!-AtP.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: DECEMBER 4-10, 2011

Amongst events that have happened around the globe this past week include:
*Transparency International's 2011 annual Corruption Perceptions report says North Korea and Somalia are the most corrupt nations in the world while New Zealand is the least corrupt.
*Civil unrest continues in Syria.
*December 7th marked the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor that propelled the United States into the second World War.

IN POLITICS:
*After over a year of negotiations, a new Belgium government has been installed, with Elio Di Rupo as Prime Minister.
*Controversy has arisen in Russia over the recent election concerning the State Duma, with protests over allegations of election fraud, interfering with neutral/outside observers, and illegal campaigning.
* Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe hopes that country will hold elections in 2012.
*The opposition candidate is asking for a recount of the recent election in Democratic Republic of the Congo after incumbent President Joseph Kabilia was declared the winner.
*According to a post on Yahoo! News, some are concerned about Republican Presidential hopeful Rick Perry's political future because a recent commercial shows the candidate commenting against President Barack Obama's recent reversal on the ban of gays serving in the United States military while inadvertently appearing dressed like a character from the movie Brokeback Mountain, since the video was filmed outdoors.

THE OCCUPATION:
*Citing safety and health concerns now that winter has set in, Boston (Massachusetts, USA) police have peacefully cleared out the Occupy: Wall Street protesters camping out in their fair city. The grass roots protesters in New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and San Francisco were not evicted from public lands in similar manners.
*As the grass roots effort becomes more focused, those against the movement are worried that it is becoming more organized both in America and around the world.

IN SPORTS:
*Professional golfer Tiger Woods has finally broken his two year losing streak by winning the Chevron World Challenge.

IN ENTERTAINMENT NEWS:
*Actor Harry Morgan (Dragnet 1967-1970, M*A*S*H, AfterMASH) has passed away.
*Legendary comic book artist Jerry Robinson, known as the creator of Batman's Joker, amongst other things, has left us at age 96.
*Lindsay Lohan is scheduled to appear in her birthday suit for an upcoming issue of Playboy.
Our question: WHY? Doesn't the singer/actress have enough hassles as it is?

For more news at any time, either scroll down to our IN OTHER NEWS feature at the bottom of your screen or visit any other reputable news source.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: DECEMBER 10, 2011

We're still celebrating the Christmas season with another seasonal quiz. Ready?

FAMOUS FIRSTS: THE CHRISTMAS CAROL EDITION
Do you know who was the FIRST to record these famous Christmas Carols?
They are listed alphabetically by title.

01. Frosty The Snowman
02. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
03. Here Comes Santa Claus
04. Jingle Bell Rock
05. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
06. Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer
07. Santa Baby
08. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
09. Silver Bells
10. Sleigh Ride

We'll reveal all next weekend. Meanwhile, let's unwrap THE ANSWERS BOX, and find out who hosted what Rankin-Bass Christmas special from the December 3 Puzzle Corner.

Jimmy Durante was the unnamed host of Frosty The Snowman.
Jonathan Winters was the unnamed narrator Frosty Returns.
An otherwise unidentified Andy Griffith escorted us through Frosty's Winter Wonderland.
Greer Garson narrated The Little Drummer Boy off screen.
Buddy Hackett as Pardon-Me-Pete the Groundhog told the story of Jack Frost.
Roger Miller as Spieltoe, a donkey belonging to Santa Claus, told the story of Nestor, the Long Earred Christmas Donkey.
Burl Ives as Sam the Snowman related the story of Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Red Skelton as Father Time told us of Rudolph's Shiny New Year.
Fred Astaire portrayed S(pecial) D(elivery) Kluger, a postman, because Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.
And Shirley Booth as Mrs. Claus told the story of The Year Without A Santa Claus.

Monday, December 5, 2011

PULP OBSCURA TO DEBUT IN 2012

From out of the shadowy mists of the past to entertain the New Pulp readers of today, it's Pulp Obscura.

Altus Press, the foremost publisher of quality pulp reprints and new material has formed a creative partnership with Pro Se Press to present Pulp Obscura.
The goal is that when Altus publishes selected titles featuring rare and largely forgotten Pulp Character's original stories from the 1920s and 1930s, Pro Se will bring together the best writers of New Pulp today and simultaneously release a collection of newly written tales staring the same character.
This stunning partnership will showcase both the classic adventures of some of Pulp's long lost treasures while allowing them to come back to life in new adventures.
"This is no easy task," revealed Tommy Hancock, Partner and Editor-In-Chief of Pro Se Press. "To provide brand new, exciting adventures of rare, classic Pulp Characters and to coordinate that with Altus Press is one thing. But finding the right authors who can breath new life into these concepts while planning and scheduling
which books will come out when...
"It's a heck of a task and one that has been rewarding on SO MANY levels," continued Hancock. "We are extremely proud to be able to announce a fantastic line up of writers for PULP OBSCURA. Some of the creators involved are well known figures in the Pulp Community. Others are prestigious in other genres and literary fields, and there's even a blossoming new author or two thrown into the mix. It says a lot about a pending project when a publisher puts out a call for participants and is flooded with responses."

"It's going to be great to see this new material. Interest in the series has been huge and the enthusiasm by the writers will certainly result in plenty of enjoyable reading," added Matt Moring, publisher of Altus Press. "I cannot recall such a publishing plan ever undertaken in the history of the pulp community."
The initial release schedule for 2012 is:
*THE NEW ADVENTURES OF RICHARD KNIGHT, VOLUME ONE
Featuring the daring pilot/detective who encounters lost worlds and oddities galore; with stories by Josh Reynolds, Barry Reese, Adam Lance Garcia, Ian Watson, Frank Schildiner, and Terry Alexander .
*THE NEW ADVENTURES OF THE EAGLE, VOLUME ONE
Classis two fisted spy stories of espionage and intrigue written by Bobby Nash, Teel James Glenn, Rich Steeves, Ashley Mangin, Nick Ahlhelm, and Lee Houston, Junior.
*THE PRICE OF THE MISSIONARY'S GOLD: NEW ADVENTURES OF ARMLESS O'NEIL, VOLUME ONE
Classic Pulp Adventure in Exotic Lands with a tough as nails hook-handed hero seeking treasure and action; with stories by Sean Taylor, Rich Steeves, Ian Watson, Chuck Miller, Andrew Hind, and Nick Ahlhelm.
*THE NEW ADVENTURES OF THE GRIFFON, VOLUME ONE
Thrill to the adventures of Kerry Keen, the masked hero known as The Griffon! High Flying Escapades in the pursuit of justice written by Don Thomas, Rich Seeves, Chuck Miller, Van Allen Plexico, Phil Bledsoe, and Stefan Dogaru.
*THE NEW ADVENTURES OF THUNDER JIM WADE, VOLUME ONE
Globe spanning adventures into the darkest, strangest corners of the world with a hero like no other! Your tour guides will be Barry Reese, Andrew Salmon, Ashley Mangin, Nick Anlhelm, Andrew Hind, and Frank Schildiner.
*THE NEW CASES OF MAJOR LACY, VOLUME ONE
Follow the Major and his intrepid team as they take on crimes and criminals no one else can stop with the help of C. William Russette, Andrew Salmon, Bobby Nash, Andrew Hind, Don Thomas, and Rich Steeves.

Future volumes are in the works, featuring the talents of those already participating along with:
Howard Hopkins, Derrick Ferguson, Andrea Judy, Nancy A. Hansen, Allan Gilbreath, Jon Edward Klement, Mike Bullock, Russ Anderson, BC Bell, and many more.

More information and future books will be revealed as the individual projects draw closer to their respective press times from Altus Press at www.altuspress.com and Pro Se Press at www.prosepulp.com




Sunday, December 4, 2011

SUNDAY FUNNIES: MEOW!

Waxy Dragon: Pro Cat
Hello Everybody. Ms. Waxy Dragon here.
Now this may sound strange coming from me, but I LOVE CATS!
No. Not to eat!
What kind of barbarians are you Humans?
I mean I love cats as much, if not more, than the average person.
There are a lot around my house and we have some great conversations over whatever we find in the local dumpsters and a bowl of water.
What? You were expecting milk? That stuff's expensive and hard to find outdoors overnight unless you live on a farm and can get it straight from the source. Besides, contrary to popular belief, most cats are lactose intolerant!
And believe it or not, cats also have a great sense of humor too.
All that caterwauling you hear at night isn't them just singing the latest on the hit parade.
A lot of them trade jokes back and forth as well.
So, without further adieu or set up, here are some feline inspired jokes I've heard lately.

How do you know if a cat has eaten a duck?
It looks down in the mouth.

What is a cat's favorite Shakespearean line?
"Tabby, or not tabby?"

What does half a cat look like?
The other half.
"Please let me in. Someone installed the door knob too high!"

Why do you have to let the cat back in after it's been outside?
Well, take a look at the picture on the left and tell me where a cat is supposed to put its house key when it goes out?

What do you get if you cross a cat and a gorilla?
An animal that puts YOU out at night!


And on that note, it's unfortunately time to say goodbye for now. Have a great week everybody, be kind to your four footed friends, and please be back here next weekend for more Sunday Funnies!-wd.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: NOVEMBER 27-DECEMBER 3, 2011

Amongst events that have happened around the world this past week include:

*The United Kingdom expelled all Iranian diplomats in England after an attack on the British Embassy in Tehran.
*Civil unrest continues in Yemen.
*Doctor Conrad Murray has been sentenced to four years in jail (the maximum period available) after being convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the death of entertainer Michael Jackson.
*American Airlines has started Chapter 11 Bankruptcy proceedings.
*Public sector workers staged a one day strike in England to protest potential pension reforms.
*Fulton County (Alabama) Sheriff's Deputies are facing possible disciplinary action after refusing to evict 103 year old Vita Lee and her 83 year old daughter out of their home after the local branch of the Chase Bank foreclosed on the premises.
*Since he is (allegedly) not getting any support from the GOP for his Presidential nomination bid, Republican Gary Johnson is supposedly considering campaigning for the position on the 2012 ballot as a Libertarian.
*NASA's Curiosity, the latest automated rover to explore Mars, is on its way to the red planet with an expected arrival date of August 2012.

For more news at any time, either scroll down to our IN OTHER NEWS feature at the bottom of your screen, or visit any other reputable news source.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: DECEMBER 3, 2011

The Christmas Season is now upon us, and The Puzzle Corner will be celebrating between now and the December 24th edition.
First up: A lot of beloved holiday specials will be shown and reshown once more this season.
Can you match the narrator of these classic Christmas Rankin-Bass productions with their special?
NOTE: Not every narrator appeared on screen or in character, and both lists are in alphabetical order.


THE NARRATORS:
a. Fred Astaire
b. Shirley Booth
c. Jimmy Durante
d. Greer Garson
e. Andy Griffith
f. Buddy Hackett
g. Burl Ives
h. Roger Miller
i. Red Skelton
j. Jonathan Winters



THE SPECIALS:
01. Frosty The Snowman (1969)
02. Frosty Returns (1992)
03. Frosty's Winter Wonderland (1976)
04. The Little Drummer Boy (1968)
05. Jack Frost (1979)
06. Nestor, the Long Earred Christmas Donkey (1977)
07. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (1964)
08. Rudolph's Shiny New Year (1976)
09. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (1970)
10. The Year Without A Santa Claus (1974)



We'll reveal all next weekend. But for now, let's open THE ANSWERS BOX and deal with our Thanksgiving leftovers from November 26's Puzzle Corner.


TRIVIA TIME
If you "Come on in, it's around the back. Just a half a mile from the railroad track." You would find yourself at Alice's Restaurant, according to Arlo Guthrie.


THE LETTER SHUFFLE
Out of the letters in the word THANKSGIVING, you can make the following words:
A, aging, ah, akin, an, angst, as, at, gag(s), gain(s), giant(s), gat(s) <old 1930's slang for guns>, gig(s), gin(s), gist, git(s) <Hillbilly slang for scram/get>, giving, hag(s), haggis <a Scottish delicacy>, hang(s), hat(s), having, hi <short form of "hello">, hiking, hint(s), hit(s), I,  ink(s), in(s), inn(s), is, it, its, kin, king(s), kit(s), knight(s), knit(s), nag(s), nigh, night(s), sag, saint, sank, sat, saving, sight, sighting, sign, signing, sink, sinking, sin, shin, shining, Shiva <Hindu deity>, sit, skit, snag, stag, staging, stain, staining, stank, sting, stinging, stink, stinking, tag(s), than, thank(s), thin(s), thing(s), think(s), this, vain, vat(s), visit, Viking(s), (AND) vista.


Other words besides the 108 above might be possible.  But IV did not count since it is a (medical) abbreviation. The Roman numerals II and IV are debatable. It's did not count since there is no apostrophe mark in THANKSGIVING, and the cuss word for human waste is not listed since this is a family oriented E-zine.