Vote For Kodos | Project PANDORA
I missed most of tonight's speeches because I was on the 'phone with a girl. I caught most of Governor Romney's speech, though, & it gave me goosebumps. I am a Republican because I am so very proud to be an American.

"President Obama promised to begin to slow the rise of the oceans. And to heal the planet. My promise is to help you and your family."

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day
Spike Jones & His City Slickers, "Yes! We Have No Bananas" from The Spike Jones Anthology (Miss Mozart)

The Queue
The worst thing about Edgar Rice Burroughs's Barsoom novels is that they are all-engrossing page-turners that fly by before you know where the time has gone, a direct result of the best thing about Edgar Rice Burroughs's Barssom novels, that they are all-engrossing page-turners.

Workmen have sealed off our attic whilst they accomplish some repairs. Access to the attic is gained via a trapdoor in the guest room's closet. My bookshelves reside in the guest room, the built-in bookshelves that compose one entire wall of my bedroom being given over to a small portion of my father's library. Everything from South downwards is on my bookshelves in the guest room, which has itself been sealed off as part of creating suction into the attic. As I'm interminably waiting on the Genesee District Library, I fear I'll run out of leisure reading material before the workmen unseal the guest room. Curses! I'm already devising a workaround, but if I had my druthers I'd stick to the queue.

Recently
Jim Clark, Jim Clark at the Wheel: The World Motor Racing Champion's Own Story
Steve Matchett, The Chariot Makers: Assembling the Perfect Formula 1 Car
Edgar Rice Burroughs, Thuvia, Maid of Mars

Currently
Jeph Loeb & Tim Sale, Superman For All Seasons
Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Chessmen of Mars

Presently
sundry, Superman: Last Stand of New Krypton, Vols. 1-2 & Superman: War of the Supermen
Sir Ernest Shackleton, South: A Memoir of the Endurance Voyage
Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Master Mind of Mars
Edgar Rice Burroughs, A Fighting Man of Mars
Sir Richard Francis Burton, translator, The Arabian Nights (specifically, "Ali Baba & the Forty Thieves")
Edgar Rice Burroughs, Swords of Mars
Edgar Rice Burroughs, Synthetic Men of Mars

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day
Icon For Hire, "Theatre" from Scripted (T.L.A.M.)

The last four weeks have been heady days for the dark bastard, but those high (low) times are now at an end. To buck up is a decision. I apologize for holding The Secret Base hostage to my frailty.

"If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;"

The Explorers' Club
№ CCXCVIII - Neil Alden Armstrong (1930-2012), the first man to walk on the Moon.







Requiescat in pace.

The Queue
I am so very delighted to be back on Burroughs's Barsoom, a planet of constant danger, boundless heroism, &, to borrow the phrase from Warehouse 13, endless wonder! My very up-&-down experience with the year-plus-long "New Krypton" storyline is temporarily halted whilst I wait on a book to be returned to the library. I have a hold on Superman: Last Stand of New Krypton, Vol. 1. The maxiseries Superman: World of New Krypton has thus far been the best part of the "New Krypton" saga, which I have a feeling is going to end on a sour note. I'm trying not to prejudge, but bitten experience has taught me to ignore my intuition at my peril.

Recently
Jim Clark, Jim Clark at the Wheel: The World Motor Racing Champion's Own Story
various writers & artists, Superman: The Coming of Atlas; Superman: New Krypton, Vols. 1-4; Superman: Nightwing and Flamebird, Vols. 1-2; Superman: Codename: Patriot; Supergirl: Friends & Fugitives; Superman: Mon-El, Vol. 1; Superman: Last Son; Superman: Escape from Bizarro World; & Superman: Reign of Doomsday
Steve Matchett, The Chariot Makers: Assembling the Perfect Formula 1 Car

Currently
Edgar Rice Burroughs, Thuvia, Maid of Mars

Presently
Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Chessmen of Mars
various writers & artists, Superman For All Seasons; Superman: Last Stand of New Krypton, Vols. 1-2; & Superman: War of the Supermen
Sir Ernest Shackleton, South: A Memoir of the Endurance Voyage
Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Master Mind of Mars
Edgar Rice Burroughs, A Fighting Man of Mars
Sir Richard Francis Burton, translator, The Arabian Nights ("Ali Bab & the Forty Thieves")
Edgar Rice Burroughs, Swords of Mars
Edgar Rice Burroughs, Synthetic Men of Mars

The Rebel Black Dot Songs of the Day
Fastball, "Better Than It Was" from All the Pain Money Can Buy (T.L.A.M.)

Montag, 27 August
Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris, & Gillian Welch, "Didn't Leave Nobody but the Baby" from O Brother, Where Art Thou?: Soundtrack from the Motion Picture (T.L.A.M.)

Sonntag, 26 August
N.A.S.A., "Apollo 11 Excerpt 19" from The Apollo Missions (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: In memoriam Neil Armstrong. "Excerpt 19" contains Armstrong's immortal words, "That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for Mankind." We have lost one of Mankind's greatest heroes, a latter-day Argonaut. The world is a less spectacular place than it was on Friday last.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "Seven Thirty Seven/Shoe Glue" (live) from Live from the Middle East (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: I've not the fainted clue to what "Seven Thirty Seven" is a reference. 7:37, A.M. or P.M.? A Boeing 737? A street address? Lottery numbers, 7-30-7? Surely not 30 July '07, for the songs is from '93 or '94. In all probability, the title is incorrect & should be written "Seven Thirty-seven/Shoe Glue."

"Now it's seven thirty seven almost every day!
Seven thirty seven, well, what's inside?
Seven thirty seven almost every day!
Seven thirty seven!

"It's good to know somebody hears us,
It's nice to know somebody's there,
Takin' the time to say, 'Hello,'
Takin' the time to show you care."

Apologia for the paucity of posts: I'm mired in home improvement Hell, my life a shambles resembling nothing else so much as my vague memories of the '80s comedy The Money Pit. I'm not tired, but I am so very weary.

The Rebel Black Dot Songs of the Day
The Glenn Miller Orchestra, "I've Got a Girl in Kalamazoo" from Glenn Miller's 50 Finest (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: "I liked her looks when I carried her books…"

Donnerstag, 23 August
The Cars, "Just What I Needed" via iTunes (T.L.A.M.)

"Here's your ray gun & your domino mask. Go make some mischief."

The Rebel Black Dot Songs of the Day
6 Day Riot, "Run For Your Life" via iTunes (T.L.A.M.)

Dienstag, 21 August
Shirley Walker, "Main Title" (from Batman: Mask of the Phantasm) via iTunes (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: From my playlist "World's Finest."

The Rebel Black Dot Songs of the Day
Ben Folds, "Kylie from Connecticut" from Way to Normal (T.L.A.M.)

Sonntag, 19 August
The Citizens of Halloween Town, "This is Halloween" via iTunes (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: My personal preference is for the spelling Hallowe'en. I'm not claiming Halloween is a misspelling, just stating my druthers.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day
Sheryl Crow, "Real Gone" via iTunes (Where's Teddy?)

Commentary: Where's Teddy?'s very verbose speech is laced with quotes from his favorite movie, Cars, including some of the lyrics from "Real Gone."

"I was born in the South,
Sometimes I have a big mouth,
When I see something that I don't like
I gotta say it."

His version is abbreviated to "When I see something I don't like," which he says idly, without any discernible rhyme or reason.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day
They Might Be Giants, "Violin" from No! (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: I dusted my bedroom for the first time in an age. 'Twas quite a chore.

"Speck of dust, dust, dust,
Speck of dust, dust dust,
Speck of dust, dust dust,
*sigh*
Speck of dust, dust, dust,
Speck of dust, dust dust,
Speck of dust, dust dust…"

Science!
The wreck of the S.S. Terra Nova, the ship that ferried Captain Scott & his doomed expedition on their ill-fated race to the South Pole, has been found: namesake-link. Whatever one thinks of Scott of the Antarctic, there is no denying the courage of the Terra Nova Expedition. Found, even as she sits in her watery grave. Good work, nerds of the Schmidt Ocean Institute: S.H.R.IM.P.-link.

Elsewhere in science, robots in disguise: camouflage-link. Neat!

Science!

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day
Flogging Molly, "Sentimental Johnny" from Swagger (T.L.A.M.)

Vote for Kodos
What I really like about Governor Romney's selection of Representative Ryan (R., Wisconsin) to be his running mate, the Republican candidate for Vice President of the United States, is that the pick flies in the face of Romney's reputation as being, above all else, risk averse. The Democrats & those even farther to the left will hurl the blatantly false charge that Ryan's budget "destroys" Medicare, a slanderous charge that the pudding-minded amongst undecided voters are all too likely hook, line, & sinker. A safer, blander choice—the more risk-averse choice—would have been Senator Portman (R., Ohio), or former Governor Pawlenty (R., Minnesota). The choice of Congressman Ryan is more high risk/high reward. 'Tis a bold choice, the right choice, & it bolsters greatly my already significant confidence in Mr. Romney.

The Rebel Black Dot Songs of the Day
The Soggy Bottom Boys, "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow" from O Brothers, Where Art Thou?: Soundtrack from the Motion Picture (T.L.A.M.)

Dienstag, 14 August
Flogging Molly, "The Worst Day Since Yesterday" from Swagger (T.L.A.M.)

Montag, 13 August
Billy Joel, "We Didn't Start the Fire" via iTunes (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: I adore the Twentieth Century, the most depraved, blood-soaked abomination in the long, sad march of cruelty & poverty that is human history. How do I square that circle? I cannot, but I adore the Twentieth Century all the same.

"We didn't start the fire,
It was always burning since the world's been turning,
We didn't start the fire,
Though we didn't light it but we're trying to fight it…"

Sonntag, 12 August
Nu-Tra, "Superhuman" from Rice Capades (Captain Thumbs-up)

Commentary: "Saving the future now!"

Coming Attractions
{a} "The Explorers' Club"—behind schedule again, curse my bones!
{b} "This Week in Motorsport"—massively off the pace, curse my bones!
{c} "Kith & Kin"—behind the eight ball, curse my bones!
{d} "Project PANDORA"—adventures in online dating, guest-starring The Interpreter
{e} "Vote for Kodos"—Vice President Ryan?

The Queue
Whatever iota of enthusiasm that remained for Seven Pillars of Wisdom was quelled almost as soon as I began The Chariot Makers. I doubt I'll ever return to Lawrence of Arabia's narrative; I won't say never, but there are too many worthy books I'll never read to afford Colonel Lawrence's meandering minutia a second bite at the apple. A tale of high adventure it may be, but told as dully as possible.

Seeing The Dark Knight Rises, or, rather the teaser trailer for next summer's Man of Steel, inspired a tremendous jones for the Last Son of Krypton. I've been trawling the Genesee District Library for those Superman stories set around the time I quit D.C. Comics, betwixt the fiasco of Final Crisis & the folly of Flashpoint. The jury remains out.

Recently
Jim Clark, Jim Clark at the Wheel: The World Motor Racing Champion's Own Story
T. E. Lawrence, Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph ***abandoned***
various writers & artists, Superman: The Coming of Atlas & Superman: New Krypton, Vols. 1-3

Currently
various writers & artists, Superman: New Krypton, Vol. 4 & Superman: Flamebird & Nightwing, Vol. 1
Steve Matchett, The Chariot Makers: Assembling the Perfect Formula 1 Car

Presently
various writers & artists, Superman: Codename: Patriot, Supergirl: Friends & Fugitives, & Superman: Escape from Bizarro World
Edgar Rice Burroughs, Thuvia, Maid of Mars
Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Chessmen of Mars
Richard Price, Clockers
Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Master Mind of Mars
Edgar Rice Burroughs, A Fighting Man of Mars
Sir Ernest Shackleton, South: A Memoir of the Endurance Voyage
Edgar Rice Burroughs, Swords of Mars
Edgar Rice Burroughs, Synthetic Men of Mars

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day
Dance Hall Crashers, "Make Her Purr" from Purr (T.L.A.M.)

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day
Brother Bones & His Shadows, "Sweet Georgia Brown" via iTunes (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: "Sweet Georgia Brown" is best-known as the theme song of the Harlem Globetrotters.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day
Less Than Jake, "The Rest of My Life" from In With the Out Crowd (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary:

"It's going to kill me the rest of my life,
Let me apologize while I'm still alive."

The Rebel Black Dot Songs of the Day
The Folksmen, "Start Me Up" from A Mighty Wind: The Album (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: My contention is that The Folksmen play "Start Me Up" better than do The Rolling Stones.

Dienstag, 7 August
Fountains of Wayne, "Supercollider" from Welcome Interstate Managers (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: I've never been much of a fan of "Supercollider," especially not compared to the cream of Welcome Interstate Managers, e.g. "Hackensack," "Hey Julie," "Bright Future in Sales," & "No Better Place," but this particular R.B.D.S.O.T.D. was much on my mind yesterday as I mowed the lawn & thought about what stories I'd write if ever I had the chance to pen Superman's comic-book adventures.

The Rebel Black Dot Songs of the Day
The Glenn Miller Orchestra, "Elmer's Tune" from Glenn Miller's 50 Finest (T.L.A.M.)

Sonntag, 5 August
Space, "Female of the Species (Fembot Mix)" from Austin Powers: Original Soundtrack (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: The film is titled Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, not Austin Powers, & I find irksome the truncated title of the soundtrack. Regardless, "Female of the Species" was magnificently matched to the moment, an apt R.B.D.S.O.T.D.

Samstag, 4 August
Spike Jones & His City Slickers, "Yes! We Have No Bananas" from The Spike Jones Anthology (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: Believe it or not, "Yes! We Have No Bananas" came up naturally during a text message "conversation." O, the many-splendored joys of Spike Jones!

Freitag, 3 August
John Williams & the London Symphony Orchestra, "Duel of the Fates" from Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (T.L.A.M.)

I've spent much of the past two days wearing heavy rubber gloves & using corrosive chemicals, leading me to feel like quite the mad scientist. Alas, I've been trying to destroy the remnants of wallpaper adhesive, neither the world nor my goody-two-shoes archnemesis, undermining somewhat the mad scientist sensation. Still, I'll close with the maniacal cackle of the mad scientist, Bwa ha ha ha ha ha ha!

This Week in Motorsport
The potential "game-changer" mentioned at the close of the last "This Week in Motorsport" post is this: Tomorrow, my father & I shall motor to verdammt Ohio to see the American Le Mans Series & the IndyCar Series in action at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on Saturday & Sunday. I've not attended a motor race since my father took me to the Michigan International Speedway (M.I.S.) for a N.A.S.C.A.R. race sometime in the mid-1980s, approximately a quarter of a century ago. (He wasn't a fan of N.A.S.C.A.R. then & isn't now, but in the late '60s & early '70s he enjoyed the Can-Am racing series; I've always had the idea that he came by the tickets to the M.I.S. in his capacity as a buyer for A.C.—since renamed Delphi—, a position that made him someone worth plying with tickets & sundries.) He remembers attending races at Mid-Ohio lo those forty years ago. Will I like racing in person as much as I like it on television? Much or nothing could be at stake. I've S.P.F. 100 sunscreen, my wide-brimmed star hat, & an instinct for shade to protect me from the death rays of the Accursed Sun; as for the accursed heat, alas, there's naught for it but to endure.

Wish me luck.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day
Reel Big Fish, "Beer" from Turn the Radio Off (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: "She looks like Heaven, maybe this is Hell…"

How do you name two boys after three fictional characters? Like so: Name the firstborn after pulp hero Doc Savage, so that his name is Clark Savage Wilson (using mine own surname for convenience). Name Clark's little brother after pulp crimefighter The Shadow, using the true name of The Shadow, not his more widely known alias of Lamont Cranston, so that the lad's name is Kent Allard Wilson. The names Clark & Kent then recall the secret identity of Superman, a mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper. Two honoring three.

The Rebel Black Dot Songs of the Day
Fountains of Wayne, "Hackensack" from Welcome Interstate Managers (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: "Hackensack" came to mind while I was, not "scraping the paint off of hardwood floors," but giving the walls of the front hall & foyer a chemical wash after scraping off the wallpaper, the chemical wash meant to remove the last lingers traces of the wallpaper adhesive ahead of spackling, sanding, & painting. Normally, "Hackensack," which oft comes to mind, comes to mind for more wistful, less practical, reasons.

"I used to work in a record store,
Now I work for my dad,
Scraping the paint off of hardwood floors,
The hours are pretty bad."

Dienstag, 31 Juli
Katiä, "The Minstrel Boy" from Can't Stop the Love Sled (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: The Watergirl's is the only rendition of "The Minstrel Boy" I have in my library. I love the song, I love her interpretation of the song I love, & I cherish being reminded of my favorite rendition of the song I love, that sung by Chief Miles Edward O'Brien in the superb Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "The Wounded." As my erstwhile best friend & oft remarked whilst watching episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, "You're a good man, Miles O'Brien."