Bonus! Moonshot Songs o' the Day: Apollo 17

Steppenwolf, "Magic Carpet Ride" from Star Trek: First Contact—Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Space Cadet Mike Papa DSKY)

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National Aeronautics & Space Administration, "Apollo 17 Excerpt 18" from The Apollo Missions (Space Cadet Mike Papa DSKY)

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song o' the Day

No Doubt, "Oi to the World" from Everything In Time (B-Sides, Rarities, Remixes) (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song o' Today!

Mittwoch, 14. Dezember
The Aquabats!, "Christmas Is Awesome!" from the I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas Too! E.P. (Captain Thumbs Up!)

Commentary:

"Christmas is awesome,
Christmas is rad (Wo-wo-wo),
Time to remember
All the good things we have! Yeah!

"Christmas is awesome,
Christmas is great (Wo-wo-wo),br/> Time we get together
And super celebrate!

"Christmas! Ha ha! Yeah!

"Christmas! Awesome!
Christmas! Rad!
Christmas! Awesome!
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!"

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song o' Yesterday

Dienstag, 13. Dezember
Reel Big Fish, "Carol of the Beers" from the Happy Skalidays E.P. (Mike Papa Whiskey)

Operation ÖSTERREICH: Advent Edition

Weekly Wednesday Weigh-in
Last weigh-in: 349.2 lbs
This weigh-in: 347.4 lbs.
Difference: -1.8 lbs.

Over the last fortnight, I have lost a cumulative three pounds (3 lbs.), instead of the nominal goal of four pounds (4 lbs.) over the same span (2 lbs./week). On a more positive note, the one & four/fifths pounds (1.8lbs.) I lost this week is fifty per cent more (0.6 lbs.) than the one & one/fifth pounds (1.2 lbs.) lost last week; the weight loss is accelerating! A batch of chocolate chip cookies was baked yesterday; so, I do not expect that positive trend to continue.

Bonus! Lied von ÖSTERREICH
Darius Rucker, "Candy Cane Christmas" from the Candy Cane Christmas single (Mike Papa Water Chestnuts Roasting over an Open Fire)

Bonus! Moonshot Songs o' the Day: Apollo 17

Fountains of Wayne, "Survival Car" from Fountains of Wayne (Space Cadet Mike Papa DSKY)

&

National Aeronautics & Space Administration, "Apollo 17 Excerpt 17" from The Apollo Missions (Space Cadet Mike Papa DSKY)

The Explorers' Club, № CMXXII

Operation AXIOM: Destination Moon—The 50th Anniversary of Apollo 17, Part II
11-14 December 1972: Cernan & Schmitt landed the Challenger in the Taurus-Littrow Valley; they conducted three surface E.V.A., traversing 22.2 miles with the Lunar Roving Vehicle to collect 254 pounds of samples; they spent more time on the lunar surface & in lunar orbit than any other crew; Evans took observations with an enhanced suite of cameras & sensors in the America's S.I.M. bay.

Bonus! Moonshot Songs o' the Day: Apollo 17
Public Service Broadcasting, "Tomorrow" from The Race for Space (Space Cadet Mike Papa DSKY)

Commentary: CDR Gene Cernan (1934-2017) was a contemplative man, who reflected on Apollo 17's historical significance. "Tomorrow" incorporates exercpts of his radio communications with Mission Control in Houston, most notably his last words on the surface before re-entering the Lunar Module Challenger for the final time, the bookend to man's first words from the Moon, Neil Armstrong's "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for Mankind."

"And as leave the Moon at Taurus-Littrow, we leave as we came, & God willing as we shall return, with peace & hope for all Mankind. Godspeed, the crew of Apollo 17."

&

National Aeronautics & Space Administration, "Apollo 17 Excerpt 15" from The Apollo Missions (Space Cadet Mike Papa DSKY)

Commentary:

"There is orange soil!"

Semper exploro.

Bonus! Moonshot Songs o' the Day: Apollo 17

David Parry & (the) London Philharmonic Orchestra, "Die Walküre: Ride of the Valkyries" from The 50 Most Essential Pieces of Classical Music (Space Cadet Mike Papa DSKY)

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National Aeronautics & Space Administration, "Apollo 17 Excerpt 11" from The Apollo Missions (Space Cadet Mike Papa DSKY)

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song o' the Day

Catherine O'Hara, Danny Elfman, & Paul Reubens, "Kidnap the Sandy Claws" from The Nightmare before Christmas: Special Edition (Mike Papa Whiskey)

Bonus! Moonshot Songs o' the Day: Apollo 17

Kemuri, "Dancing in Moon Light (Freedomosh Version)" from Freedomosh (Space Cadet Mike Papa DSKY)

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National Aeronautics & Space Administration, "Apollo 17 Excerpt 9" from The Apollo Missions (Space Cadet Mike Papa DSKY)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the III Sunday o' Advent

The Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday)
Daniel Schmit, "Rejoice" from Advent: A Season of Hope (Saint Mike Papa Whiskey)

Bonus! Moonshot Songs o' the Day: Apollo 17

Michael Giacchino, "End of the First Leg" from Speed Racer: Original Motion Picture Score (Space Cadet Mike Papa DSKY)

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National Aeronautics & Space Administration, "Apollo 17 Excerpt 8" from The Apollo Missions (Space Cadet Mike Papa DSKY)

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song o' the Day

She & Him, "Sleigh Ride" from A Very She & Him Christmas (Mike Papa Whiskey)

Bonus! Moonshot Songs o' the Day: Apollo 17

The Ska Flames, "East River Moon" from Ska Fever (Space Cadet Mike Papa DSKY)

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National Aeronautics & Space Administration, "Apollo 17 Excerpt 5" from The Apollo Missions (Space Cadet Mike Papa DSKY)

Commentary: Harrison "Jack" Schmitt, Ph.D. was selected in Astronaut Group 4, the first group of scientist-astronauts; his doctorate was in geology. With the cancellation of Apollos 18, 19, & 20, there was tremendous pressure to fly Schmitt before the end of the program. He was tenatively assigned to the crew of Apollo 18, as L.M.P., alongside CDR Dick Gordon & C.M.P. Vance Brand. The tentative crew of Apollo 17 was CDR Gene Cernan, C.M.P. Ron Evans, & L.M.P. Joe Engle. The decision was made that the geologist-astronaut Schmitt, "Doctor Rock," would fly. Deke Slayton then presented Cernan with a choice: accept Schmitt in place of Engle or step aside & allow Gordon's crew to fly the mission. Cernan had turned down the chance to walk on the Moon as L.M.P. of Apollo 16, because he'd already served as L.M.P. of Apollo 10 & wanted his own command. He fought to keep Engle, but in the end he chose to break up his crew & accept Schmitt.

I really wish N.A.S.A. had been allowed & funded to fly Apollo 18, Apollo 19, & Apollo 20.

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song o' the Day

Bite Me Bambi, "Holiday Cheer" from the Holiday Cheer single (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)

Skammentary: There's nothing wrong with drinking a little "holiday cheer," but please imbibe prudently at this year's Christmas parties & family gatherings.

Bonus! Moonshot Songs o' the Day: Apollo 17

Wally Dogger, "Never Let the Good Times End" from I Surrender, When Do I Start? (Space Cadet Mike Papa DSKY)

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National Aeronautics & Space Administration, "Apollo 17 Excerpt 3" from The Apollo Missions (Space Cadet Mike Papa DSKY)

Commentary: The intrepid astronauts of Apollo 17, from back to front, left to right:

Support crew & capcoms: Gordon Fullerton (STS-3 & STS-51-F), Bob Overmyer (STS-5 & STS-51-B), & Bob Parker (STS-9 & STS-35);

Backup crew & capcoms: C.M.P. Stu Roosa (Apollo 14), CDR John Young (Gemini 3, Gemini X, Apollo 10, Apollo 16, STS-1, & STS-9), & L.M.P. Charlie Duke (Apollo 16);

Prime crew: C.M.P. Ron Evans (Apollo 17), CDR Gene Cernan (Gemini IX-A, Apollo 10, & Apollo 17), & L.M.P. Harrison "Jack" Schmitt (Apollo 17).

Yes, prior to the launch of Apollo 17 it was possible that Young & Duke might have flown both Apollo 16 & Apollo 17, walking on the Moon twice.

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song o' the Day

Reel Big Fish, "Skank for Christmas" from the Happy Skalidays E.P. (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)

Skammentary:

"Of course, when I say 'skank' I'm talking about the ska dance, & nothing else. Merry Christmas!"

The Explorers' Club, № CMXXI

Operation AXIOM: Destination Moon—The 50th Anniversary of Apollo 17, Part I
7 December 1972: Apollo 17 lifted off from Florida's Kennedy Space Center shortly after midnight, with CDR Gene Cernan, C.M.P. Ron Evans, & L.M.P. Jack Schmitt aboard the Command & Service Module America atop a Saturn V rocket also carrying the Lunar Module Challenger; this was Apollo's only night launch, the only launch delay caused by hardware, & the final manned flight of a Saturn V.

Commentary: Apollo 17 lifted off two hours forty minutes later than planned, from 9:53 P.M. on 6 December to 12:33 A.M. on 7 December. That delay was made up due to a faster trajectory from Earth orbit into lunar orbit, allowing the mission to proceed according to its original timeline.

The above photograph of the Earth is known as The Blue Marble, one of the most reproduced photos in history, & a poetic bookend to Apollo 8's equally celebrated photograph from four years earlier, Earthrise.

Bonus! Moonshot Songs o' the Day: Apollo 17
The Asteroids Galaxy Tour, "The Golden Age" from Fruit (Space Cadet Mike Papa DSKY)

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National Aeronautics & Space Administration, "Apollo 17 Excerpt 2" from The Apollo Missions (Space Cadet Mike Papa DSKY)

Semper exploro.

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song o' the Day

Spike Jones & His City Slickers, "All I Want for Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth)" from The Spike Jones Anthology (Mike Papa Whiskey)

Operation ÖSTERREICH: Advent Edition

Weekly Wednesday Weigh-in
Last weigh-in: 349.2 lbs
This weigh-in: 350.4 lbs.
Difference: -1.2 lbs.

Bonus! Lied von ÖSTERREICH!
The Aquabats!, "The Baker!" from Myths, Legends, and Other Amazing Adventures, Vol.2 (Captain Thumbs Up!)

Bonus! Song o' the Day

Guster, "Barrel of a Gun" from Lost and Gone Forever (Mike Papa Whiskey)

Commentary:

"I know a movie star,
I've got her plastered to my wall,
Just like we're dear old friends,
Like she already knows me.
She's perfect as she seems…"

The Rebel Black Dot Christmas Song o' the Day!

Saint Nicholas Day
The Aquabats!, "Santa Claus's Party!" from the I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas Too! E.P. (Captain Thumbs Up!)

Commentary!: Welcome to Christmas with the R.B.D.S.O.T.D.! I'm pretty severe in wanting to observe Advent & standing athwart the ever-earlier celebration of Christmas. On Catholic Twitter this year, the discourse was about starting to listen to Christmas music ever before Hallowe'en, not just before Thanksgiving. Humbug, I say! But even I am willing to compromise. For those new to The Secret Base, this is the schema: secular Christmas music during Advent, from Saint Nicholas Day 'til Christmas Eve (6-23 December), except on the Sundays of Advent, then sacred Christmas music throughout Christmastide (24 December 2022-8 January 2023).

"Come on, everybody,
To Santa Claus's party!
You may be sure both rich and poor
Are welcome at Santa's door…"

This year, the secular Christmas music will coincide with our celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of Apollo 17, the ultimate Moon landing of that golden age &, as of this writing, still the most recent Moon landing. (Artemis I has been great, but we are still years away from the first planned Artemis Moon landing mission, Artemis III.)

Bonus! Song o' the Day

They Might Be Giants, "Fibber Island" from No! (Mike Papa Whiskey)

Commentary: Fibber Island is the realm of the imagination, much akin to J. M. Barrie's Neverland.

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: B1G Champions

(№ 2) Michigan 43-22 Purdue
B1G Champions (13-0, 9-0)
The University of Michgian Marching Band, "Superhero Medley: Marvel Studios Fanfare / Batman" from Forever Valiant (Mike Papa Wolverine)

Commentary: The valiant Wolverines of Team 143 set four goals for themselves; three of those four goals have now been achieved, with the last goal very much within reach. Team 143 are also the first valiant Wolverines to ever boast of a 13-0 record.

1) Defeat Michigan Ag: ACHIEVED
2) Defeat Ohio State: ACHIEVED
3) B1G Championship: ACHIEVED
4) National Championship (eligible)

The № 2 valiant Wolverines are scheduled to tilt against the № 3 epithetless Horned Frogs of Texas Christian on Saturday, 31 December in the Fiesta Bowl, one of the two College Football Playoff semifinal games. In the Peach Bowl, the other semifinal, № 1 epithetless Bulldogs of Georgia, the defending national champions, will face the № 4 hated Buckeyes of Ohio State.

Go Blue!

The Explorers' Club, № CMXX

Operation AXIOM: The Space Race—The 60th Anniversary of Mariner 2, Part II
14 December 1962: Mariner 2, A.K.A. Mariner-Venus 1962, flew within 22,000 miles of Venus, the first spacecraft to encounter another planet; microwave & infrared radiometry found little variation in surface temperature between the light & dark sides of Venus; magnetometry indicated that if Venus has a magnetic field (it does), it must be weak, less than one-tenth as strong as the Earth's (it is).

Semper exploro.

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the II Sunday o' Advent

The Second Sunday of Advent
Sufjan Stevens, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" from Songs for Christmas (Saint Mike Papa Whiskey)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: Go Blue!

Team 143, Game 13: Michigan v. Purdue | B1G Championship Game
The University of Michigan Marching Band, "Bond Opener: Goldfinger / Dr. No" from Forever Valiant (Mike Papa Wolverine)

Commentary: For the second year in a row, the valiant Wolverines are the B1G East divisional champions. The B1G East is the best division in college football, with three clubs in the College Football Playoff rankings' top eight: Michigan, who are undefeated; Ohio State, whose only loss is to Michigan; & Penn State, whose two losses are to Michigan & Ohio State.

Tonight, the valiant Wolverines face the well-engineered Boilermakers of Purdue, the B1G West divisional champions. The "Spoilermakers" punch above their weight, with a 3-0 record under head coach Jeff Brohm against top-five ranked clubs; the valiant Wolverines are currently № 2, after the 45-23 victory over the hated Buckeyes. "Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!"

Have I mentioned that I hate night games? Because I really hate night games.

Go Blue!

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day

Real Can of Yams, "A Cold Night in December" from CODENAME: Koala (Remaster) (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: "A Cold Night in December" is one of R.C.Y.'s most sensitive & earnest songs, replete with violin-type strings to add a genuine sense of gravitas. Of course, "A Cold Night in December" is followed on CODENAME: Koala by "Teddy's First Night in the Drunk Tank," a song exactly as senstitive & earnest as its title suggests. All very "on brand" for Real Can of Yams. I love my band!

The Explorers' Club, № CMXIX

Operation AXIOM: Between the Wars—The Irish Civil War, Part V
6 December 1922: The Irish Free State—In accordance with the Anglo-Irish Treaty, Southern Ireland was proclaimed the Irish Free State, a dominion of the British Empire; Northern Ireland remained in the United Kingdom; an Oath of Allegience to the British sovereign—as King in, not of, Ireland—was unpalatable to the anti-Treaty Sinn Féin, who refused to be seated in the new bicameral Oireachtas.

Bonus! Song o'the Day: The Irish Free State
Flogging Molly, "Black Friday Rule" from Swagger (Mike Papa Whiskey)

Commentary:

"The buildings they shake, but my heart it beats still,
O mother of Jesus, I feel pretty ill!
I want to go home where my feet both feel safe,
But there ain't no jobs in the old Free State!…"

Lest we forget.

Operation ÖSTERREICH: Advent Edition

Weekly Wednesday Weigh-in
Last weigh-in: 348.8 lbs
This weigh-in: 350.4 lbs.
Difference: +1.6 lbs.

It's not the turkey & the trimmings, the bounty of Thanksgiving; no, my chief vice is Goldfish crackers. I stuff my piehole with Goldfish while watching college football, all the college football.

Bonus! Lied von ÖSTERREICH
"Weird Al" Yankovic, "My Bologna" from "Weird Al" Yankovic (Mike Papa Walrus)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day

Less Than Jake, "Automatic" from Losing Streak (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)

Skammentary:

"I think I think I know it all…"

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day

Antje Duvoket, "Merry-Go-Round" from Little Peppermints (Mike Papa Whiskey)

Commentary: I woke up before the dawn with "Merry-Go-Round" running through my head. What is going on? It is turn-of-the-millennium singer-songwriter week at the R.B.D.S.O.T.D.?

"Merry-Go-Round" was gifted to me long ago by The Watergirl, a long lost friend & blogger of the old school.

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day

Guster, "Two Points for Honesty" from Lost and Gone Forever (Mike Papa Whiskey)

Commentary:

"Will I get better or stay the same?
I find I always move too slowly,
Can't lift a finger, can't change my mind,
I never knew till someone told me that—

"If that's all you will be, you'll be a waste of time,
You've dreamed a thousand dreams, none seem to stick in your mind,
Two points for honesty,
It must make you sad to know that nobody cares at all…"

The Explorers' Club, № CMXVIII

Operation AXIOM: Destination Moon—The 60th Anniversary of Saturn-Apollo 3
16 November 1962: Saturn-Apollo 3 (Saturn I S.A.-3) lifted off from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station; the S-I first stage was fully fueled for the first time & the outboard H-1 engines burned until propellant depletion, rather than a timed cutoff; the inert S-IV second & S-V third stages were again filled with water ballast & intentionally detonated, the second & final Project Highwater test.

Commentary: The sixtieth anniversary of the Saturn-Apollo 3 test flight, 16 November 1962, clashed with the fortieth anniversary of the S.T.S.-5 manned Space Shuttle mission (11-16 November 1982). In all such conflicts, precedence will always be given to the manned spaceflight over the unmanned.

Semper exploro.