Magic Bus

Get ready for a jitneyized weekend with Raised On Vinyl.

 

Nutcrackers

No, this post isn't about Tchaikovsky's ballet, nor is it about young ladies that majored in 'Womyn's Studies' at one of our fine universities, rather it is about the decorative Christmas nutcracker that is ubiquitous during the holidays.  

The above video gives a historical overview of its evolution from a tool for cracking nuts to its current form as a colorful staple of Christmas decor. Below is a video of a German factory that produces them.

 

Day of Infamy

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On this anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor I offer a small collection of paintings picturing the event.

YESTERDAY, December 7, 1941 a date which will live in infamy the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that Nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American Island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

-- Franklin D. Roosevelt

 

Move On

Get ready for an affranchising weekend with Samu.

 

Walking in Hanga Roa

This is a walk through Hanga Roa, the main town on Easter Island (Rapa Nui). The town, such as it is, is small, but very well-tended and attractive. The walk starts in a residential area, works its way down to the coast, and then returns. The island is very touristy, with snorkeling, and of course the giant Moai heads, being the primary attraction. Easter island has had troubles with Chinese fishing fleets illegally denuding their waters which has required Chilean coastguard intervention.

  

Sydney Long paintings

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Sydney Long (1871-1955) was an Australian painter. He started out as an impressionist and moved on to embrace the art nouveau style and pallet. Rather than showing the Australian bush as a brutal and stark location, he softened and romanticized it. He was a successful artist during his life.  

Sydney Long

Thanksgiving music

Black Friday's TGIF music video is, since we're in the middle of a long weekend and it's a bit late to get ready for it, always a bit different. A few years ago, facing the coming onslaught of Christmas music, I decided to brace myself by playing some good ol' Thanksgiving music.

To my horror I discovered there was no such corpus of music, so, as a service to humanity, I decided to create it. My first choice for the genre was 'Thanks for the Memory'. Due to my exacting standards that was the only Thanksgiving song for several years, but after careful consideration this year I've added a second song! 

So, I present below, 'Let's Turkey Trot'.