Phil Simms and Bruce Dickenson

I would never really put analysis of the Super Bowl on my blog, but this is really deep. Who knew Phil Simms was also hip and down with cow bell? Collinsworth knew, he just didn't want to let on!

I Have To Fly This!

Fly the friendly skies of Turkmenistan Airlines.

Google Translate tells me:

The state airline of Turkmenistan was established in 1991. It has several Boeing 737 and 757th In the spring of 2001 added a new B-757 and three short-range aircraft of type Boeing 717 fleet. The airport of Ashgabat is equipped with modern technology.

I better brush up on my German for those moments Google Translate can't help me and hope that I don't have to change my flight.

Even Zhezkazgan Air, which I had the extreme pleasure of flying a few months ago, has a website (and in three languages, none of which are German), schedule and VIP lounge. And as far as I know Zhezkazgan isn't a country.

And the biggest question is why would Germans be going to Turkmenistan? Gosh, I am full of questions.

Momma's Place

Lady V's Theme Song for 2011! Perfect. Available on Róisín Murphy.

Some Things Never Change!

Circa 2010

Circa 2009

Circa 1980

Oh Wow. 2010.

Just another year...

Taking "hunter and gatherer" to a different level.


Max learns the real meaning of the 4th of July - No taxation without representation and strawberry shortcake!


Rowan taught me how much fun one can actually have with a road grader.


Aunt Molly - 1.8 billion nanometers and counting.


Do you believe in genetics? I don't any longer.


Know your twin - David and...
a) Filippo
b) Giovanni


They're (olive migrant worker) models and they're looking good! Jumper (£69.99 agnès b.) and wellies (£43.00 Topshop).


Oh Canada/Tannenbaum!


2010 started magically...


...and ended so well. Look what Santa brought us...a Scotsman!


Nicolò will be proud of his mother and Aunt Daisy.


Il Hub Milano è aperto!


Knee pads. Tick.


Countryside!


In truth, the articles are really good.


Ausable Club Tennis Court Dress Code: "Tennis 'whites' and proper shoes are required at all times on all courts." We didn't get in, obviously.


They will never remember, we think.


James and Betty welcome Byron.


SPF 50 and then some.


Untitled.


The Hayride with Fra Fra! Oh wow!


Salif Keita @ the Barbican.


Rock couch construction crew.


Lack of Christian education leads Jewish woman to try and dye her egg the color of her bloody mary.


Not bad for a pumpkin carving his first Italian.


Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work I go. Pass the chicken jello, пожалуйста.


With the Webb family, life is certainly good.


What happens in Sandra's Shimmy Shack?


Aside from being good in photos, she's also become very good at blogging her own.


A walk down the astral plane.


Lars, welcome.


Untitled.


Some people are gay (and like to dress up as drag queens). Get over it.


Mayme has now taken over as being the best behaved Killeen I know. But I didn't get to meet Penelope yet.


And, the photo of the year for 2010...

Oh wow.

Yeah, Are Nigeria's Musicians Selling Out?

Seun Kuti (hope he comes back to London soon!) is "disgusted" with musicians getting money from politicians.

I wonder home much Cocoa Tea took from Obama for this! ITT!

Treadmills R 4 Losers

Just did my first and last 30 minutes on a treadmill. What a miserable way to exercise. It was a last resort when I tried running in Galati, Romania and realize every rusted fence is being guarded by a stray dog waiting to jump our and scare the crap out of you.

My hotel is really, really nice. There is even Romanian Mexican here. Vaya con dios!

Robyn Season

A bit over-excited about Robyn. I think there might be some Swedish in me.

The new one is good and this oldie is even a bit better.

If you don't believe me, you can believe The New Yorker, and he's right about everything.

Her occasional lyrical references to empowerment and independence are probably exactly what feminism was supposed to look like by 2010: she takes her autonomy for granted, and her strength comes from being a consistent and calm oddball.

Mongolian's Go Veggie!

Hey look at this! Vegetarians Rebel Against Mongolian Meat Culture.


I sure do miss the portions of meat and the amazing presentation I was treated to when I went. That was dinner for four! I am waiting for the veggie wave to catch on in Uzbekistan where I gave up after ordering "vegetable" soup that came with two large meatballs. It's all organic meat, I am sure.

Missed Glasto

Forced to watch clips of bands on the BBC.

Watch it while you can!

Terry Callier

If there is stuff like this from 1964, what else have I missed in my musical pursuits along the way? The thought is intimidating.


Thanks to Al for sharing this a few weeks ago. Fantastic. But I have also fallen in obsession with the The New Folk Sound Of Terry Callier.

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?