Skankin' Pickle, "Smorgasborgnine" from Sing Along with Skankin' Pickle (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)
Skammentary: Of Mike Park's (the Asian man behind Asian Man Records) many bands—solo under his own name, The Bruce Lee Band, The Chinkees, Skankin' Pickle—Skankin' Pickle is the one to which I listen least frequently. But it is also the band with the most delicious name; it is a shame that Skankin' Pickle never issued a split with Slow Gherkin, &/or Mustard Plug.
The Secret Base of the Rebel Black Dot Society
Est. 2002 | "This was a Golden Age, a time of high adventure, rich living, and hard dying… but nobody thought so." —Alfred Bester
Monday, August 17, 2026
Sunday, August 16, 2026
The Explorers' Club, № MCLXXIV
Operation AXIOM: Destination Moon—The 50th Anniversary of Luna 24
9-22 August 1976: The Luna 24 probe lifted off from the Kazakh S.S.R.'s Baikonur Cosmodrome atop a Proton-K rocket; the probe landed on the Mare Crisium, collected regolith samples, & sealed those samples inside an ascent stage, which lifted off from the Moon & landed back in the Kazakh S.S.R.; Luna 24 was the third & final Soviet lunar sample-return mission, & the final Luna program mission*.Commentary: Luna 24 returned one hundred seventy point one grams (170.1 g) of lunar regolith to Earth, more than Luna 16 & Luna 20 combined. The three landers returned approximately three hundred grams (300 g) of samples. By way of contrast, the six manned Apollo landings returned approximately three hundred eighty-two kilograms (382 kg; or, 382,000 g) of lunar samples.
*The final Luna program mission of the Soviet Union; the Russian Federation has a latter-day Moon exploration program, Luna-Glob ("Lunar sphere," compare lunar globe), that claims continuity with the old Soviet propgram. In August 2023, the Luna 25 lander failed, crashing into the Lunar surface.
The Waykback Machine Tour of Soviet Lunar Sample-return Missions
"The Explorers' Club," № DCCCXLII: The 51st Anniversary of Luna 16 (1970)
"The Explorers' Club," № CMXXXII: The 51st Anniversary of Luna 20 (1972)
Ex Luna, scientia.
9-22 August 1976: The Luna 24 probe lifted off from the Kazakh S.S.R.'s Baikonur Cosmodrome atop a Proton-K rocket; the probe landed on the Mare Crisium, collected regolith samples, & sealed those samples inside an ascent stage, which lifted off from the Moon & landed back in the Kazakh S.S.R.; Luna 24 was the third & final Soviet lunar sample-return mission, & the final Luna program mission*.Commentary: Luna 24 returned one hundred seventy point one grams (170.1 g) of lunar regolith to Earth, more than Luna 16 & Luna 20 combined. The three landers returned approximately three hundred grams (300 g) of samples. By way of contrast, the six manned Apollo landings returned approximately three hundred eighty-two kilograms (382 kg; or, 382,000 g) of lunar samples.
*The final Luna program mission of the Soviet Union; the Russian Federation has a latter-day Moon exploration program, Luna-Glob ("Lunar sphere," compare lunar globe), that claims continuity with the old Soviet propgram. In August 2023, the Luna 25 lander failed, crashing into the Lunar surface.
The Waykback Machine Tour of Soviet Lunar Sample-return Missions
"The Explorers' Club," № DCCCXLII: The 51st Anniversary of Luna 16 (1970)
"The Explorers' Club," № CMXXXII: The 51st Anniversary of Luna 20 (1972)
Ex Luna, scientia.
The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the XX Sunday in O.T.
The Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
artist unknown, "You Are My Inheritance (Psalm 16)" courtesy Delta Sierra (Saint Mike Papa Whiskey)
Commentary: This recording was sent to me (& others) as a reference back when I sang in the Holy Redeemer choir. I have never known whom are the singers nor the instrumentalists. Sorry.
artist unknown, "You Are My Inheritance (Psalm 16)" courtesy Delta Sierra (Saint Mike Papa Whiskey)
Commentary: This recording was sent to me (& others) as a reference back when I sang in the Holy Redeemer choir. I have never known whom are the singers nor the instrumentalists. Sorry.
Bonus! Song o' the Day: SKAugust
The Selecter, "Too Much Pressure" from the Greatest Hits compilation (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)
Skammentary: "Too Much Pressure" is the title track of The Selecter's debut album, Too Much Pressure (1980). But even if it was new to the Greatest Hits comp (1996), it would still be eligible for this year's SKAugust.
Skammentary: "Too Much Pressure" is the title track of The Selecter's debut album, Too Much Pressure (1980). But even if it was new to the Greatest Hits comp (1996), it would still be eligible for this year's SKAugust.
Saturday, August 15, 2026
The Stars My Destination: S.T.S.-9 (Spacelab 1)
Space Transportation System-9 (28 November-8 December 1983)
John Young, Commander
Brewster Shaw, Pilot
Owen Garriott, Mission Specialist 1
Robert Parker, Mission Specialist 2/Flight Engineer
Ulf Merbold, Payload Specialist 1
Byron Lichtenberg, Payload Specialist 2
Orbiter: OV-102, Columbia
The Wayback Machine Tour of S.T.S.-9
"The Explorers' Club," № CMXCV: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-9, Part I
"The Explorers' Club," № CMXCVII: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-9, Part II
John Young, Commander
Brewster Shaw, Pilot
Owen Garriott, Mission Specialist 1
Robert Parker, Mission Specialist 2/Flight Engineer
Ulf Merbold, Payload Specialist 1
Byron Lichtenberg, Payload Specialist 2
Orbiter: OV-102, Columbia
The Wayback Machine Tour of S.T.S.-9
"The Explorers' Club," № CMXCV: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-9, Part I
"The Explorers' Club," № CMXCVII: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-9, Part II
Friday, August 14, 2026
The Stars My Destination: S.T.S.-8
Space Transportation System-8 (30 August-5 September 1983)
Richard Truly, Commander
Daniel Brandenstein, Pilot
Guion Bluford, Mission Specialist 1
Dale Gardner, Mission Specialist 2/Flight Engineer
William Thornton, Mission Specialist 3
Orbiter: OV-099, Challenger
The Wayback Machine Tour of S.T.S.-8
"The Explorers' Club," № CMLXXV: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-8, Part I
"The Explorers' Club," № CMLXXVII: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-8, Part II
Richard Truly, Commander
Daniel Brandenstein, Pilot
Guion Bluford, Mission Specialist 1
Dale Gardner, Mission Specialist 2/Flight Engineer
William Thornton, Mission Specialist 3
Orbiter: OV-099, Challenger
The Wayback Machine Tour of S.T.S.-8
"The Explorers' Club," № CMLXXV: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-8, Part I
"The Explorers' Club," № CMLXXVII: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-8, Part II
The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKAugust
The Specials, "A Message to You, Rudy" from The Specials (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)
Skammentary: After I was introduced to ska-punk (third wave, U.S.A.) during the Summer of Ska (1997), it took me a few years to learn to appreciate roots ska (first wave, Jamaica) & 2-Tone (second wave, U.K.). I'm so glad I did.
Skammentary: After I was introduced to ska-punk (third wave, U.S.A.) during the Summer of Ska (1997), it took me a few years to learn to appreciate roots ska (first wave, Jamaica) & 2-Tone (second wave, U.K.). I'm so glad I did.
Thursday, August 13, 2026
The Stars My Destination: S.T.S.-7
Space Transportation System-7 (18-24 June 1983)
Robert Crippen, Commander
Frederick Hauck, Pilot
John Fabian, Mission Specialist 1
Sally Ride, Mission Specialist 2/Flight Engineer
Norman Thagard, Mission Specialist 3
Orbiter: OV-099, Challenger
The Wayback Machine Tour of S.T.S.-7
"The Explorers' Club," № CMLIX: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-7, Part I
"The Explorers' Club," № CMLXI: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-7, Part II
Robert Crippen, Commander
Frederick Hauck, Pilot
John Fabian, Mission Specialist 1
Sally Ride, Mission Specialist 2/Flight Engineer
Norman Thagard, Mission Specialist 3
Orbiter: OV-099, Challenger
The Wayback Machine Tour of S.T.S.-7
"The Explorers' Club," № CMLIX: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-7, Part I
"The Explorers' Club," № CMLXI: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-7, Part II
Autobahn: Fast, Good, & Cheap
In our consumerist society, we all wants goods & services fast, good, & cheap, but a modern axiom reminds us that you have to pick just two of the three: You can have it fast & good, but it won't be cheap; you can have it fast & cheap, but it won't be good; or you can have it good & cheap, but it won't be fast.
One of the Shuttlecraft Odysseus's tires was leaking air through the valve stem; so, yesterday, I took it to a local used tire shop to have the valve stem replaced. I patronize that shop for leaks because they will plug holes that the corporate chain shops claim cannot be patched/plugged. I pulled up & was seen right away, an advantage over the often interminable waits at a corporate chains, & the valve stem replacement cost a relatively nominal amount. The service was fast & cheap, which sadly meant it wasn't good. The low tire-pressure light that had prompted me to visit the shop remained illuminated as a I drove home, much to my annoyance. I checked the tire pressures &, though they had replaced the valve stem & tested the tire for any other leaks, they had not inflated it back to the factory-recommended pressure. I used my dad's compressor to inflate the tire to the desired pressure, & checked the other three while I was at it.
Not fast, good, & cheap, but fast, good, or cheap. You can only have two of the three.
One of the Shuttlecraft Odysseus's tires was leaking air through the valve stem; so, yesterday, I took it to a local used tire shop to have the valve stem replaced. I patronize that shop for leaks because they will plug holes that the corporate chain shops claim cannot be patched/plugged. I pulled up & was seen right away, an advantage over the often interminable waits at a corporate chains, & the valve stem replacement cost a relatively nominal amount. The service was fast & cheap, which sadly meant it wasn't good. The low tire-pressure light that had prompted me to visit the shop remained illuminated as a I drove home, much to my annoyance. I checked the tire pressures &, though they had replaced the valve stem & tested the tire for any other leaks, they had not inflated it back to the factory-recommended pressure. I used my dad's compressor to inflate the tire to the desired pressure, & checked the other three while I was at it.
Not fast, good, & cheap, but fast, good, or cheap. You can only have two of the three.
The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKAugust
Mustard Plug, "Thigh High Nylons (Alternative Take)" from Skapocalypse Now! (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
The Stars My Destination: S.T.S.-6
Space Transportation System-6 (4-9 April 1983)
Paul Weitz, Commander
Karol "Bo" Bobko, Pilot
Story Musgrave, Mission Specialist 1
Donald Peterson, Mission Specialist 2
Orbiter: OV-099, Challenger
The Wayback Machine Tour of S.T.S.-6
"The Explorers' Club," № CMXLIII: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-6, Part I
"The Explorers' Club," № CMXLIV: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-6, Part II
Paul Weitz, Commander
Karol "Bo" Bobko, Pilot
Story Musgrave, Mission Specialist 1
Donald Peterson, Mission Specialist 2
Orbiter: OV-099, Challenger
The Wayback Machine Tour of S.T.S.-6
"The Explorers' Club," № CMXLIII: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-6, Part I
"The Explorers' Club," № CMXLIV: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-6, Part II
Operation ÖSTERREICH
Please Stand By | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!
Weekly Wednesday Weigh-in
Last weigh-in: 330.2 lbs. (12 June 2024)Commentary: Admist the cruel, hot summer, a sure sign that the long, hard fall draws near is that the Dr. Pepper cans are now decorated to resemble footballs. College football is almost here!
Weekly Wednesday Weigh-in
Last weigh-in: 330.2 lbs. (12 June 2024)Commentary: Admist the cruel, hot summer, a sure sign that the long, hard fall draws near is that the Dr. Pepper cans are now decorated to resemble footballs. College football is almost here!
The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKAugust
Operation Ivy, "Take Warning" from the Operation Ivy compilation (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)
Skammentary: Musically, Operation Ivy weren't on my radar at the Turn of the Millennium. I saw plenty of Op Ivy T-shirts & hoodies at the Warped Tour & other shows, but I paid them no more attention that the Misfits T-sirts & hoodies also present. (I'm still wrapping my mind around that fact that today Gen Alpha wears Nirvana shirts in the same way.) It wasn't until the last five years or so that I've begun listening to these ska-punk pioneers.
"Take Warning" is of a piece with the long ska tradition of advocating for peace & justice.
Skammentary: Musically, Operation Ivy weren't on my radar at the Turn of the Millennium. I saw plenty of Op Ivy T-shirts & hoodies at the Warped Tour & other shows, but I paid them no more attention that the Misfits T-sirts & hoodies also present. (I'm still wrapping my mind around that fact that today Gen Alpha wears Nirvana shirts in the same way.) It wasn't until the last five years or so that I've begun listening to these ska-punk pioneers.
"Take Warning" is of a piece with the long ska tradition of advocating for peace & justice.
"Stand by your friends, wrong or right,
Can't call that justice
If it's just a stupid excuse to fight,
Single out, and attack ones who got no defense.
You call that a new way of thinkin',
I call it regression to ignorance…
"Enough is enough is enough!
Why don't you just ease up?
"I saw another beat down last night,
Take warning!
Who's the next to hit the ground tonight?,
Take warning!
Take warning!…"
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
The Stars My Destination: S.T.S.-5
Space Transportation System-5 (11-16 November 1982)
Vance Brand, Commander
Robert Overmyer, Pilot
Joseph Allen, Mission Specialist 1
William Lenoir, Mission Specialist 2
Orbiter: OV-102, Columbia
The Wayback Machine Tour of S.T.S.-5
"The Explorers' Club," № CMXV: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-5, Part I
"The Explorers' Club," № CMXVI: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-5, Part II
Vance Brand, Commander
Robert Overmyer, Pilot
Joseph Allen, Mission Specialist 1
William Lenoir, Mission Specialist 2
Orbiter: OV-102, Columbia
The Wayback Machine Tour of S.T.S.-5
"The Explorers' Club," № CMXV: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-5, Part I
"The Explorers' Club," № CMXVI: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-5, Part II
The Explorers' Club Special: August 1916
Operation AXIOM: The World War
August 1916: The Central Powers made a bid to seize the Suez Canal; Romania entered the war, joining the Entente Powers; the Italians continued to throwmen across the Isonzo River, gaining a bridgehead on the Austro-Hungarian side; & the Battle of the Somme ground on.
The Wayback Machine Tour of the World War: August 1916
"The Explorers' Club," № DIX: The Battles of Romani & Bir el Abd (3-5 & 9 August 1916)
"The Explorers' Club," № DX: The Endless Battles of the Isonzo, Part IV: The Sixth Battle (6-17 August 1916)
"The Explorers' Club," № DXI: The Battle of the Somme, Part IV: The Battle of Delville Wood (14 July-3 September 1916)
"The Explorers' Club," № DXII: Romania joined the Entente Powers (27 August-18 September 1916)
Lest we forget.
August 1916: The Central Powers made a bid to seize the Suez Canal; Romania entered the war, joining the Entente Powers; the Italians continued to throwmen across the Isonzo River, gaining a bridgehead on the Austro-Hungarian side; & the Battle of the Somme ground on.
The Wayback Machine Tour of the World War: August 1916
"The Explorers' Club," № DIX: The Battles of Romani & Bir el Abd (3-5 & 9 August 1916)
"The Explorers' Club," № DX: The Endless Battles of the Isonzo, Part IV: The Sixth Battle (6-17 August 1916)
"The Explorers' Club," № DXI: The Battle of the Somme, Part IV: The Battle of Delville Wood (14 July-3 September 1916)
"The Explorers' Club," № DXII: Romania joined the Entente Powers (27 August-18 September 1916)
Lest we forget.
The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKAugust
Less Than Jake, "Dopeman" from Losing Streak (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)
Skammentary: Losing Streak (1996) is in, but Hello Rockview (1998) is out. This is by far the most project-oriented SKAugust has ever been; when SKAugust was founded in 2017, there was a vague acknowledgement that it had been twenty years since the Summer of Ska, but there was nothing systematic in how the music was chosen. Marking twenty-five-year milestones (1997-2022, 1998-2023, 1999-2024, 2000-2025) was really just an aesthetic flourish; I'm very much enjoying this SKAugust, but it is astonishing how much of the music that is most emotionally important to me was released in the years 1997 & 1998.
Skammentary: Losing Streak (1996) is in, but Hello Rockview (1998) is out. This is by far the most project-oriented SKAugust has ever been; when SKAugust was founded in 2017, there was a vague acknowledgement that it had been twenty years since the Summer of Ska, but there was nothing systematic in how the music was chosen. Marking twenty-five-year milestones (1997-2022, 1998-2023, 1999-2024, 2000-2025) was really just an aesthetic flourish; I'm very much enjoying this SKAugust, but it is astonishing how much of the music that is most emotionally important to me was released in the years 1997 & 1998.
Monday, August 10, 2026
The Explorers' Club, № MCLXXIII
Operation AXIOM: Destination Moon—The 60th Anniversary of Lunar Orbiter 1
10 August 1966: The Lunar Orbiter 1 probe lifted off from Florida's Cape Kennedy Air Force Station aboard an Atlas-Agena rocket; Lunar Orbiter 1 transmitted 42 high-resolution photos & 187 medium-resolution photos from 18-29 August, using cameras Kodak originally developed for the SAMOS spy satellites; the orbiter was crashed into the Far Side of the Moon during its 577th orbit, on 29 October.Commentary: Lunar Orbiter 1 took the first photo of the Earth from the Moon, though I dare say that in a little over two years it would be surpassed by the Earthrise photo taken during Apollo 8. Such was the rapid rate of progress in those heady days: Lunar Orbiter 1 was America's first spacecraft to orbit the Moon, yet in less than three years three Apollo Command & Service Modules orbited the Moon (Apollo 8, Apollo 10, & Apollo 11), two Lunar Modules orbited the Moon (Apollo 10 & Apollo 11), & the first Lunar Module landed on the Moon (Apollo 11). What a time to be alive!
Bonus! Destination Moon Song o' the Day: Lunar Orbiter 1
Paul Simon, "Kodachrome" from the Negotiations and Love Songs 1971-1986 compilation (Space Cadet Mike Papa Whiskey)Ex Luna, scientia.
10 August 1966: The Lunar Orbiter 1 probe lifted off from Florida's Cape Kennedy Air Force Station aboard an Atlas-Agena rocket; Lunar Orbiter 1 transmitted 42 high-resolution photos & 187 medium-resolution photos from 18-29 August, using cameras Kodak originally developed for the SAMOS spy satellites; the orbiter was crashed into the Far Side of the Moon during its 577th orbit, on 29 October.Commentary: Lunar Orbiter 1 took the first photo of the Earth from the Moon, though I dare say that in a little over two years it would be surpassed by the Earthrise photo taken during Apollo 8. Such was the rapid rate of progress in those heady days: Lunar Orbiter 1 was America's first spacecraft to orbit the Moon, yet in less than three years three Apollo Command & Service Modules orbited the Moon (Apollo 8, Apollo 10, & Apollo 11), two Lunar Modules orbited the Moon (Apollo 10 & Apollo 11), & the first Lunar Module landed on the Moon (Apollo 11). What a time to be alive!
Bonus! Destination Moon Song o' the Day: Lunar Orbiter 1
Paul Simon, "Kodachrome" from the Negotiations and Love Songs 1971-1986 compilation (Space Cadet Mike Papa Whiskey)Ex Luna, scientia.
The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKAugust
Don Drummond & The Skatalites, "Man in the Street" from the 100 Reggae & Ska Hits compilation (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)
Skammentary: Ska really should get top billing, because it preceeded reggae. Drummond was arrested for murder & The Skatalites broke up in 1965, whereas The Maytals released "Do the Reggay," after which reggae is named, in 1968.
You humble narrator wasn't listening to this kind of roots ska in 1996, but over the decades I have learned more & more about those early days. Rude Boy Bravo Charlie nominated "Man in the Street" for SKApril in 2021.
Skammentary: Ska really should get top billing, because it preceeded reggae. Drummond was arrested for murder & The Skatalites broke up in 1965, whereas The Maytals released "Do the Reggay," after which reggae is named, in 1968.
You humble narrator wasn't listening to this kind of roots ska in 1996, but over the decades I have learned more & more about those early days. Rude Boy Bravo Charlie nominated "Man in the Street" for SKApril in 2021.
Sunday, August 9, 2026
The Stars My Destination: S.T.S.-4
Space Transportation System-4 (27 June-4 July 1982)
Kenneth Mattingly, Commander
Henry Hartsfield, Pilot
Orbiter: OV-102, Columbia
The Wayback Machine Tour of S.T.S.-4
"The Explorers' Club," № DCCCLXXXIX: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-4, Part I
"The Explorers' Club," № DCCCXCI: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-4, Part II
Kenneth Mattingly, Commander
Henry Hartsfield, Pilot
Orbiter: OV-102, Columbia
The Wayback Machine Tour of S.T.S.-4
"The Explorers' Club," № DCCCLXXXIX: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-4, Part I
"The Explorers' Club," № DCCCXCI: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-4, Part II
The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the XIX Sunday in O.T.
The Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
J. J. Heller, "Save Me" from Painted Red (Saint Mike Papa Whiskey)
J. J. Heller, "Save Me" from Painted Red (Saint Mike Papa Whiskey)
Bonus! Song o' the Day: SKAugust
Dance Hall Crashers, "Go" from Lockjaw (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)
Skammentary: Lockjaw (1995) is eligible for this SKAugust, but Honey, I'm Homely! (1997) is not. Many such cases amongst the ska-punk bands closest to my heart.
Skammentary: Lockjaw (1995) is eligible for this SKAugust, but Honey, I'm Homely! (1997) is not. Many such cases amongst the ska-punk bands closest to my heart.
"Wanna go with you, but I think I'll stay,
Wanna go with you, but I think I'll stay,
Wanna go with you, but I think I'll stay,
Wanna go with you, but I think I'll stay.
"And you come to me with propositions,
Like you really mean them,
Well, I've heard them before,
So many times before.
What are you afraid of,
Living, loving, hurting, crying?
It's one and all, defend your fate,
Your destiny can be what you make it!…"
Saturday, August 8, 2026
The Stars My Destination: S.T.S.-3
Space Transportation System-3 (22-30 March 1982)
Jack Lousma, Commander
Gordon Fullerton, Pilot
Orbiter: OV-102, Columbia
The Wayback Machine Tour of S.T.S.-3
"The Explorers' Club," № DCCCLXXIII: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-3, Part I
"The Explorers' Club," № DCCCLXXIV: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-3, Part II
Jack Lousma, Commander
Gordon Fullerton, Pilot
Orbiter: OV-102, Columbia
The Wayback Machine Tour of S.T.S.-3
"The Explorers' Club," № DCCCLXXIII: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-3, Part I
"The Explorers' Club," № DCCCLXXIV: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-3, Part II
The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKAugust
The Ska Flames, "Hot Sake" from Ska Fever (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)
Skammentary: Ska Fever debuted in 1989, most of a decade before my introduction to ska, & over thirty years before The Ska Flames enjoyed the SKApril limelight, in 2022.
Skammentary: Ska Fever debuted in 1989, most of a decade before my introduction to ska, & over thirty years before The Ska Flames enjoyed the SKApril limelight, in 2022.
Friday, August 7, 2026
The Explorers' Club, № MCLXXII
Operation AXIOM: The Space Age—The 50th Anniversary of Project Viking, Part V
7 August 1976: The Viking 2 probe entered orbit of Mars & began taking photographs of candidate landing sites for the Viking 2 lander; the Viking 2 orbiter approached the moon Deimos in 1977, before its propulsion system sprang a leak of its attitude control fuel, cutting short the mission; the Viking 2 orbiter transmitted almost 16,000 photographs of Mars for approximately 703 orbits until 25 July 1978.Bonus! Space Age Song o' the Day: Viking 2
The Misfits, "Mars Attacks" from American Psycho (Space Cadet Mike Papa Whiskey)
Semper exploro.
7 August 1976: The Viking 2 probe entered orbit of Mars & began taking photographs of candidate landing sites for the Viking 2 lander; the Viking 2 orbiter approached the moon Deimos in 1977, before its propulsion system sprang a leak of its attitude control fuel, cutting short the mission; the Viking 2 orbiter transmitted almost 16,000 photographs of Mars for approximately 703 orbits until 25 July 1978.Bonus! Space Age Song o' the Day: Viking 2
The Misfits, "Mars Attacks" from American Psycho (Space Cadet Mike Papa Whiskey)
Semper exploro.
The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKAugust
The Aquabats!, "Aquabat March!" from The Return of The Aquabats! (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)
Skammentary: The Aquabats! have been a band for thirty-two years, since 1994, releasing The Return of The Aquabats! in 1995. They haven't always been a ska band, but they've gotten back to writing & recording a few ska songs in the 2020s.
Skammentary: The Aquabats! have been a band for thirty-two years, since 1994, releasing The Return of The Aquabats! in 1995. They haven't always been a ska band, but they've gotten back to writing & recording a few ska songs in the 2020s.
"Please don't kill us, we're just the Aquabats,
We're just trying to have a little fun!
(Ha ha ha ha ha!)
So if you want to fight, we can duke it out,
Just please don't kill me with your gun!
"We're all just peaceful happy Aquabats,
We would never take a life,
(Oh, no, we wouldn't, no, sir!)
We don't want to fight, but if we must,
Please be cool, no guns or knives!"
Thursday, August 6, 2026
The Stars My Destination: S.T.S.-2
Space Transportation System-2 (12-14 November 1981)
Joseph Engle, Commander
Richard Truly, Pilot
Orbiter: OV-102, Columbia
The Wayback Machine Tour of S.T.S.-2
"The Explorers' Club," № DCCCXLIX: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-2
Joseph Engle, Commander
Richard Truly, Pilot
Orbiter: OV-102, Columbia
The Wayback Machine Tour of S.T.S.-2
"The Explorers' Club," № DCCCXLIX: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-2
The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKAugust
The Scofflaws, "Grazin' in the Grass" from the Joint Ventures in Ska compilation (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)
Skammentary: "Grazin' in the Grass" was written as an instrumental by Philemon Hou for trumpeter Hugh Masekela, for whom the song was a № 1 hit in 1968. Lyrics were added by Harry Elston of the Friends of Distinction, for whom the song was a № 3 hit in 1969. The Joint Ventures of Ska comp debuted in 1996. I was introducted to The Scofflaws in 2021 by Bravo Charlie, an online acquaintance & brother Knight of Columbus who performed in the ska band The Assassinators in the '90s & opened for The Scofflaws. (The Assassinators made their SKApril debut in '21.)
Skammentary: "Grazin' in the Grass" was written as an instrumental by Philemon Hou for trumpeter Hugh Masekela, for whom the song was a № 1 hit in 1968. Lyrics were added by Harry Elston of the Friends of Distinction, for whom the song was a № 3 hit in 1969. The Joint Ventures of Ska comp debuted in 1996. I was introducted to The Scofflaws in 2021 by Bravo Charlie, an online acquaintance & brother Knight of Columbus who performed in the ska band The Assassinators in the '90s & opened for The Scofflaws. (The Assassinators made their SKApril debut in '21.)
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
The Stars My Destination: S.T.S.-1
Space Transportation System-1 (12-14 April 1981)
John Young, Commander
Robert Crippen, Pilot
Orbiter: OV-102, Columbia
The Wayback Machine Tour of S.T.S.-1
"The Explorers' Club," № DCCCXI: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-1
John Young, Commander
Robert Crippen, Pilot
Orbiter: OV-102, Columbia
The Wayback Machine Tour of S.T.S.-1
"The Explorers' Club," № DCCCXI: The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-1
Operation ÖSTERREICH
Please Stand By | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!
Weekly Wednesday Weigh-in
Last weigh-in: 330.2 lbs. (12 June 2024)
Weekly Wednesday Weigh-in
Last weigh-in: 330.2 lbs. (12 June 2024)
The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKAugust
Reel Big Fish, "Join the Club" from Turn the Tadio Off (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)
Skammentary: So many of my favorite albums were not released until after 1996, but Turn the Radio Off stands as a notable exception.
Skammentary: So many of my favorite albums were not released until after 1996, but Turn the Radio Off stands as a notable exception.
"Well, she's so cute, if you know what I mean,
She's the cutest little girl that I've ever seen,
Maybe she'll like me if I play guitar,
Maybe she'll like me if I'm a lead singer,
Yeah, oh yeah,
And there's so many bands, we all look the same!
"Well, I just saw them, up on stage,
And I don't remember how good they played,
'Cause he can't sing,
But I'd pay just to see her face…"
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
The Stars My Destination: Apollo-Soyuz
Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (15-24 July 1975)
Apollo
Thomas Stafford, Commander
Vance Brand, Command Module Pilot
Donald "Deke" Slayton, Docking Module Pilot
Command Module: CSM-111
Soyuz 19
Alexei Leonov, Commander
Valery Kubasov, Flight Engineer
Capsule: Soyuz 7K-TM № 75
The Wayback Machine Tour of Apollo-Soyuz
"The Explorers' Club," № MXCIX: The 50th Anniversary of Apollo-Soyuz, Part I
Space Age Song o' the Day
Space Age Song o' the Day
"The Explorers' Club," № MC: The 50th Anniversary of Apollo-Soyuz, Part II
Space Age Song o' the Day
Space Age Song o' the Day
Space Age Song o' the Day
Space Age Song o' the Day
Space Age Song o' the Day
"The Explorers' Club," № MCI: The 50th Anniversary of Apollo-Soyuz, Part III
Apollo
Thomas Stafford, Commander
Vance Brand, Command Module Pilot
Donald "Deke" Slayton, Docking Module Pilot
Command Module: CSM-111
Soyuz 19
Alexei Leonov, Commander
Valery Kubasov, Flight Engineer
Capsule: Soyuz 7K-TM № 75
The Wayback Machine Tour of Apollo-Soyuz
"The Explorers' Club," № MXCIX: The 50th Anniversary of Apollo-Soyuz, Part I
Space Age Song o' the Day
Space Age Song o' the Day
"The Explorers' Club," № MC: The 50th Anniversary of Apollo-Soyuz, Part II
Space Age Song o' the Day
Space Age Song o' the Day
Space Age Song o' the Day
Space Age Song o' the Day
Space Age Song o' the Day
"The Explorers' Club," № MCI: The 50th Anniversary of Apollo-Soyuz, Part III
The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKAugust
Rancid, "Time Bomb" from …And Out Came the Wolves (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)
Skammentary: "Time Bomb" wasn't on my musical radar in 1995, nor in 1997 when I discovered ska. There's always more to learn & always more hidden gems to unearth.
Skammentary: "Time Bomb" wasn't on my musical radar in 1995, nor in 1997 when I discovered ska. There's always more to learn & always more hidden gems to unearth.
Monday, August 3, 2026
The Stars My Destination: Crew-11
Better Late than Never | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!The Space Age
1 August 2025-15 January 2026: Commander Zena Cardman (N.A.S.A.), Pilot Mike Fincke (N.A.S.A.), Mission Specialist Kimiya Yui (J.A.X.A.), & Mission Specialist Oleg Platonov (Roscosmos) lifted off from Florida's Kennedy Space Center's LC-39A aboard the Crew Dragon Endeavour (C206) atop a Falcon 9 rocket. The quartet docked with the International Space Station for an intended six-month mission to the orbital laboratory.
Approximately one month before Crew-11's intended return, Fincke (age fifty-eight) suffered a medical emergency that left him unable to speak for twenty minutes. This prompted an early return from the I.S.S. After one hundred sixty-six days on orbit, the Endeavour splashed down in the Pacific Ocean & was recovered by the M.V. Shannon.Fincke was a veteran of three previous spaceflights (Soyuz TMA-4 for Expedition 9, Soyuz TMA-13 for Expedition 18, & S.T.S.-134) & Yui was a veteran of a previous spaceflight (Soyuz TMA-17M for Expeditions 44 & 45); Cardman & Platonov were rookies. Crew-11 served as members of I.S.S. Expeditions 73 & 74.
Crew-11 was the sixth flight of the Endeavour C206.
Bonus! Song o' the Day: Crew-11 & the Endeavour
Suburban Legends, "Emergency" from Day Job (Space Cadet Mike Papa Whiskey)The Wayback Machine Tour of Launch America
2020
Demo-2 Launch
Demo-2 Splashdown
Crew-1 Launch
2021
Crew-1 Relocation
Crew-2 Launch
Crew-1 Splashdown
Inspiration4 Launch & Splashdown
Crew-2 Splashdown
Crew-3 Launch
2022
Ax-1 Launch & Splashdown
Crew-4 Launch
Crew-3 Splashdown
Crew-5 Launch
Crew-4 Splashdown
2023
Crew-6 Scrub
Crew-6 Launch
Crew-5 Splashdown
Ax-2 Launch & Splashdown
Crew-7 Launch
Crew-6 Splashdown
2024
Ax-3 Launch & Splashdown
Crew-7 Splashdown
Crew-8 Launch & Splashdown
Boe-C.F.T. Launch & Landing
Polaris Dawn Launch & Splashdown
Crew-9 Launch & Splashdown
2025
Crew-10 Launch & Splashdown
Fram2 Launch & Splashdown
Ax-4 Launch & Splashdown
Godspeed & welcome back to the good Earth, Crew-11!
1 August 2025-15 January 2026: Commander Zena Cardman (N.A.S.A.), Pilot Mike Fincke (N.A.S.A.), Mission Specialist Kimiya Yui (J.A.X.A.), & Mission Specialist Oleg Platonov (Roscosmos) lifted off from Florida's Kennedy Space Center's LC-39A aboard the Crew Dragon Endeavour (C206) atop a Falcon 9 rocket. The quartet docked with the International Space Station for an intended six-month mission to the orbital laboratory.
Approximately one month before Crew-11's intended return, Fincke (age fifty-eight) suffered a medical emergency that left him unable to speak for twenty minutes. This prompted an early return from the I.S.S. After one hundred sixty-six days on orbit, the Endeavour splashed down in the Pacific Ocean & was recovered by the M.V. Shannon.Fincke was a veteran of three previous spaceflights (Soyuz TMA-4 for Expedition 9, Soyuz TMA-13 for Expedition 18, & S.T.S.-134) & Yui was a veteran of a previous spaceflight (Soyuz TMA-17M for Expeditions 44 & 45); Cardman & Platonov were rookies. Crew-11 served as members of I.S.S. Expeditions 73 & 74.
Crew-11 was the sixth flight of the Endeavour C206.
Bonus! Song o' the Day: Crew-11 & the Endeavour
Suburban Legends, "Emergency" from Day Job (Space Cadet Mike Papa Whiskey)The Wayback Machine Tour of Launch America
2020
Demo-2 Launch
Demo-2 Splashdown
Crew-1 Launch
2021
Crew-1 Relocation
Crew-2 Launch
Crew-1 Splashdown
Inspiration4 Launch & Splashdown
Crew-2 Splashdown
Crew-3 Launch
2022
Ax-1 Launch & Splashdown
Crew-4 Launch
Crew-3 Splashdown
Crew-5 Launch
Crew-4 Splashdown
2023
Crew-6 Scrub
Crew-6 Launch
Crew-5 Splashdown
Ax-2 Launch & Splashdown
Crew-7 Launch
Crew-6 Splashdown
2024
Ax-3 Launch & Splashdown
Crew-7 Splashdown
Crew-8 Launch & Splashdown
Boe-C.F.T. Launch & Landing
Polaris Dawn Launch & Splashdown
Crew-9 Launch & Splashdown
2025
Crew-10 Launch & Splashdown
Fram2 Launch & Splashdown
Ax-4 Launch & Splashdown
Godspeed & welcome back to the good Earth, Crew-11!
The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKAugust
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "Someday I Suppose" from Don't Know How to Party (Rude Boy Mike Papa Whiskey)
Skammentary:
Skammentary:
"There was a girl, and I don't know her name either,
She gave me love and I swore I'd never leave her,
If I did, I'd come back someday and find her,
Maybe I will, I should write down a reminder.
"One day!
One day who knows,
Someday!
Someday I suppose!
"There was a verse, that I was gonna write,
I haven't yet, but there's still a chance I might,
An open book that I still wanna close,
I'll find the time someday I suppose…"
Sunday, August 2, 2026
The Explorers' Club, № MCLXXI
Operation AXIOM: Between the Wars—The Cristero War, Part I
3 August 1926: The Cristero War began as a reaction against the Calles Law, which went into effect on 31 July, a statue to enforce strictly the anti-Catholic provisions of the Mexican Constitution of 1917; armed Cristeros barricaded themselves into the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Guadalajara, Jalisco; the next day federal troops stormed a church in Sahuayo, Michoacán, killing two priests.Lest we forget.
3 August 1926: The Cristero War began as a reaction against the Calles Law, which went into effect on 31 July, a statue to enforce strictly the anti-Catholic provisions of the Mexican Constitution of 1917; armed Cristeros barricaded themselves into the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Guadalajara, Jalisco; the next day federal troops stormed a church in Sahuayo, Michoacán, killing two priests.Lest we forget.
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