Wow, This Photographer Looks Great!

Seeing the excellent work of Beth Crosland makes me want to get married all over again.

The "pleasure of your life"!?

OK, I know I am excited, but...

Columbia Phonographs...they have an advert on the back of Count Basie, One O'Clock Jump

For the best reproduction of your records, play them on a COLUMBIA phonograph. COLUMBIA, THE GREATEST NAME IN SOUND, is the originator of the modern "lp" record and the "360" phonograph. Your dealer [uh, which dealer, do they mean?] can demonstrate a varied line of COLUMBIA phonographs, styled to enhance the decorative scheme of your home. See him [or her?] today for the pleasure of your life!

All caps are theirs...and it's very good.

Re-Connecting with Betty's Youth

Al, aka my new hero, rescued my 2008 birthday present - a usb turntable purchased by my old lady (Thanks, honey...just what I wanted!). This much prized toy collected dust on our desk for 15 months since we couldn't make it work and finally got shoved over the closet when we moved in September. That is...until last night when Al resurrected the machine in about 7 minutes.

Out comes the first installment of my Mom, Betty's, vinyl collection! She had it throughout my childhood, but it was virtually never was played!!! A mystery and a crime, for sure, but one that now leaves me with the hobby to flip through Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Harry Belafonte - "Jump in the Line - OK...I believe you!" and discover Julie London...your number please....


Wow. Track 1 - Makin' Whoopee. I don't know about you, but they don't make 'em like that anymore.

There are dozens more to explore...you will know where to find me...


Thanks, Betty. I miss you.

My 2009, in brief...

Yet another year in pictures.

Nancy Kerrigan's got nothing on Suerie and Molly - New Year's Day 2009!

McKenna, Aidan and Taryn love their Aunt Molly (and chocolate)...unsure of the order.

Sissinghurst circa September 2009.

Francesca!!!

Fame Monster - I met her!

Ride Natty Ride

Barbie in Deal.

Meeting Zev via Skype

What caused the banking crisis?

Untitled.

Hello Kitty.

Artist of 2009.

44 is so hot right now.

Lunch with Maximilian.

Concerned about global warming, I confirmed the wind chill factor on the Arctic Circle is still cold.

A public display of affection (sometimes abbreviated PDA) is the physical demonstration of affection for another person while in the view of others and is particularly offensive when it is my wife with William Wallace in front elderly couples enjoying a Sunday ferry ride.

It certainly glows...

You are a Canadian spy working for the Allies. Code-name Moose.

Untitled.

Hippies!

Eat Pray Love

Blame it on the Boogie.

Hanukkah cookies!?

River Street adventures await.

Untitled.

Swoon, I'll catch you.

What a way to end the year!

And the photo of 2009...


Wilhelm V., Duke of Bavaria (1579 – 1597), had a thirsty and demanding royal household, which was dissatisfied with the beer brewed in München. As a result, beer had to be imported to München from the city of Einbeck in Lower Saxony. Wilhelm ordered his royal court to come up with a way to reconcile cost and pleasure. On September 27, 1589, the chamberlains and council members, C. Strabl, A. Amasmeyr, S. Prew and G. Griesmair, approached him with an idea: why not build their own brewery?