This ain't Hell, but you can see it from here

Category: Pointless blather

  • A Pop Culture “Guilty Pleasure”

    A comment the other day brought to mind a 1980s TV show I’d not thought about in a while: Magnum PI.

    Yeah, the show was pretty campy at times.  And yeah, the premise of the show was kinda ridiculous. I can’t say it was great drama, or one of the “all-time best” shows.

    Still, it was pretty entertaining – one of those “guilty pleasures” of pop culture. Selleck had the role down to a “T”. And the show definitely had its moments.

    It also had one of the all-time great closing scenes of any TV show – ever. That was the closing scene for the two-part first episode of season 3 (the two episodes were originally shown as a 2-hour single show):


    If you’re not familiar with the show – or that particular episode – the plot of that episode is summarized here (part 1) and here (part 2).  The summary unfortunately leaves out details regarding the primary motive for the scene (it involves a cold-blooded murder in a POW camp).  If you haven’t seen that episode, IMO it’s worth watching. It seems to be available (all 93+ min – it’s a double episode) on YouTube here.

    Let’s just say that considering the circumstances, I can’t blame the Magnum character – legality be damned.  I suspect anyone who’s served in the military would feel about the same.

  • And in the “What a Way to Go” Category . . . .

    For the record, I’d like to state that I’m not trying to intrude on TSO’s “solo experience” franchise with this article.  But solo just ain’t the entire “wide world of sex”.

    And it’s a weird world indeed.

    Every time you think you’ve seen or heard it all – you look around and see/hear of something like this. And then you realize you certainly hadn’t “seen and heard it all” previously.

    Couple die of carbon monoxide poisoning while having sex in car

    The late couple was found in a parked car – in an enclosed garage. When they were found, the car’s ignition was in the “run” position, but the gas tank was empty.  A kerosene heater was also in the garage – and was also set to “on” – but was similarly out of fuel.  One of the couple was found “partially clothed.”

    “Marijuana and drug paraphernalia were found in the car,” police said.

    So . . . drugs were involved.  Really?  Who’d a thunk it?

    After all:  doesn’t everyone have sex in a parked car in an enclosed garage, while the car engine’s running, and with a kerosene heater also fired up in the garage at the same time?

    The truly sad thing?  Apparently this isn’t even the first US case of morte coitus monoxidus in 2014. The article has a link to a video report of a similar incident in New Jersey last month.

    RAH was right.  “Never underestimate the power of human stupidity.”

  • Happy Music

    Since the tune I discussed earlier today was somewhat . . . less than happy, I thought I’d post this. Call it “balancing things out”.

    Maybe it’s just me. But if there’s a happier rock-n-roll tune out there, I don’t know what that is.

     



     

    “Mommy’s all right
    Daddy’s all right
    They just seem a little weird . . .”

    Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, Japan
    28 and 30 April 1978

  • Sometimes Talk . . . Isn’t Cheap

    Longtime TAH readers know of my interest in popular music – and my penchant for running my yap about it.  On that score, all I have to say is:  “OK – ya got me.”  (smile)

    In general, I prefer popular music that is literate and has a message.  Don’t get me wrong – a simpler but excellent song, well executed, can also grab and hold my attention; Deep Purple’s Smoke on the Water and AC/DC’s You Shook Me All Night Long are two examples.  There are many others.

    Still – I tend to gravitate towards popular music that’s a bit more complex, both musically and lyrically.  In general, I like a song with a message that makes me think a bit.

    And yeah, you’re correct:  this is the beginning of another of those damned “walkabouts”.  I’m about to  wander off into the bush and wax obtuse yet again.  (smile)

    . . .

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  • And In the Irrelevant Humor Department . . . .

    From Reuters via Yahoo News:

    BERLIN (Reuters) – Methane gas from 90 flatulent cows exploded in a German farm shed on Monday, damaging the roof and injuring one of the animals, police said.

    No, I’m not joking.   And some of the comments to the article are absolutely hilarious.

    Elsie the Cow could not be reached for comment.

     

    (Hat tip to the Drudge Report for the link.)

  • A Tree, a Hill – and a Tribute

    Most people have probably heard the phrase “One Tree Hill”.  And on hearing it, I’d guess the vast majority of people think of a TV show.

    In a way that’s a shame.  Because the phrase has far more meaning, and is far more significant, than as just the name of a TV show.

    The phrase has other meanings.  It’s a geographical reference – to a place of spiritual significance to an ancient culture.  And that geographical reference is related to a relatively recent song as well.

    The song referenced by phrase is IMO exceptional. It too predates the TV show.  Indeed, the TV show reputedly takes its name from the song and/or geographical reference, or perhaps both – though it’s at best only tangentially related.

    The “backstory” of the song is also IMO moving, and worth knowing. It details how the place, the song, and individuals associated with its creation are interrelated.  And yeah, you’re right:  I’m about to wander “off the reservation” a bit once again.

    Consider yourself forewarned.  (smile)

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  • Three Axmen, A Fair Maid, A Madman – And One for the Ages

    Regular readers know that Jonn tolerates my occasional random wanderings here at TAH.  And be forewarned:  I’m about to ramble again.  Read on or not, as you so desire.

    If you choose to continue, you’ve been forewarned.  (smile)

    . . .

    Years ago, in a faraway kingdom, lived two Axmen.  Both were renowned and talented – indeed, the First Axman was for a time considered the best in the kingdom (if not the world) at his craft, while the Second Axman was considered one of the best as well.

    Rather than being rivals, the two Axmen chose to work together at their craft.  And they also became friends.

    The Second Axman had a Fair Maid as his spouse.  That title was truly apropos, as she was renowned throughout the kingdom for her beauty.  And neither was she what we would call today an “airhead” – besides being beautiful, she was also talented.

    Unfortunately, the Second Axman became enamored of the teachings of a foreign sage.  He began to drift away from and neglect his Fair Maid.

    As it happened, the First Axman was at the time without attachment.  And he saw the neglect of the Fair Maid by the Second Axman – and saw how much it pained her.

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  • Slips and Lapses

    Jonn tolerates my random mental wanderings here.  And I’m about to wander “off the reservation” again, so consider yourself forewarned.  (smile)

    Music was a huge part of my youth.  I won’t try to give a rundown – I’d be writing all night if I did.

    But I was always fond of music that was both literate and well-crafted.  And because of that, one of my favorite artists while a youngster was an English group called Pink Floyd.  Perhaps you’ve heard of them? (smile)

    Seriously:  once Floyd moved past their early psychedelic fascination and began making serious music – in the early 1970s – they were IMO a creative force rivaled by few in the music industry.  Beginning with Meddle in 1971 and continuing for well over a decade, their work was truly exceptional.  It’s still eminently listenable today, and IMO ranks among the best ever produced in the modern popular music genre.

    Yet life has a way of changing your focus.  By the late 1980s, because of what was going on in my life at the time I wasn’t following music as closely as I had in years before.   As a result, I missed something truly special at the time it happened.

    I’ve since discovered it.  I thought it was worth mentioning.

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