Seattle Artist Narboo

I love Narboo. I saw a show of his at the Crocodile a couple of years ago, and another recently in a group show, at The Vera Project. You can check out some of his work on his flicker stream here, or his blogspot blog here.
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Jose Valdez's excellent slide show of images from the 1950s

This is a fascinating power point slide show by Jose Valdez of images from the '50s. This is an Admiral television manufactured the year I was born... Click here to see the show.

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The Ballard Firehouse a/k/a Seattle Fire Station No. 18

Ballard’s Fire Station No. 18 was in use for 63 years before being retired by the city in 1976. The Germanic Revival brick building was built in 1911, and was designed by Seattle architects Bebb & Mendel. It's an incredible building. After it was decommissioned as a firehouse, it was known as the Ballard Firehouse, and "classic" rock bands and others would play there. I remember Foghat appearing there. There was also, in later years, a yoga studio on the top floor. This great space now houses one of my favorite restaurants in Ballard--The Hi-Life.
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You can't dismiss Billy Joel (although I realize it is tempting) because he wrote and performed the magnificent "The Longest Time"

If you read All This Is That much, you probably know that while I love rock, jazz, bluegrass, blues, country, and classical music, what I love most is music that rocks, has hooks, harmony, melody, and preferably, great lyrics. I've never been much of a Billy Joel fan, but since the first day I heard "The Longest Time," it's been one of my favorites. Even decades ago, when it was released, it sounded like an incredible nod and homage to do-wop and harmony.



The Longest Time
by Billy Joel

Woa, oh, oh, oh
For the longest time
Woa, oh, oh
For the longest

If you said goodbye to me tonight
There would still be music left to write
What else could I do
I'm so inspired by you
That hasn't happened for the longest time

Once I thought my innocence was gone
Now I know that happiness goes on
That's where you found me
When you put your arms around me
I haven't been there for the longest time

Woa, oh, oh, oh
For the longest time
Woa, oh, oh
For the longest

I'm that voice you're hearing in the hall
And the greatest miracle of all
Is how I need you
And how you needed me too
That hasn't happened for the longest time

Maybe this won't last very long
But you feel so right
And I could be wrong
Maybe I've been hoping too hard
But I've gone this far
And it's more than I hoped for

Who knows how much further we'll go on
Maybe I'll be sorry when you're gone
I'll take my chances
I forgot how nice romance is
I haven't been there for the longest time

I had second thoughts at the start
I said to myself
Hold on to your heart
Now I know the woman that you are
You're wonderful so far
And it's more than I hoped for

I don't care what consequence it brings
I have been a fool for lesser things
I want you so bad
I think you ought to know that
I intend to hold you for the longest time

Woa, oh, oh, oh
For the longest time
Woa, oh,oh
For the longest time
Woa, oh, oh
For the longest time
Woa, oh, oh,
For the longest time
(Fade Out)
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The Lake Of Fire

A man died and found himself in limbo, waiting in a long, long line for judgment. He noticed that some souls were allowed to march right through the pearly gates. Others were led over to Satan, who threw them into a lake of fire. Every so often, instead of hurling a condemned soul into the lake of fire, Satan would toss him or her off to one side.

After watching Satan do this several times, the men's curiosity got the better of him. He strolled over The Great Deceiver:+

"Excuse me, there, Your Darkness," he said. "I'm waiting in line for judgment, and I couldn't help wondering why you toss some people off to the side instead of flinging them into the fires of hell with the others?"

"Ah," Satan said with a grin. "Those people are from Seattle. I'm just letting them dry out so they'll burn."
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Another awesome freeway sign hack

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The Electrification of Washington State (from the 1962 Seattle World's Fair)

"A large 16x24 foot relief map of Washington "floating" in a pool shows how the most electrified state in the Union is harnessing its rivers to produce an abundance of low-cost electricity.

"A colorful water wheel symbolizes the old "at site" use of water power. Alongside is a modern water wheel generator which demonstrates how water power is converted to electric power which can be transmitted to where it is needed.

"An animated display of nature's water cycle shows why water power is inexhaustible. Another illustrates how power dams not only produce electricity but bring extra benefits of flood control, navigation, recreation, and irrigation. Two more displays explain how electricity is produced from atomic and solar energy.

"Like others at the Space Age World's Fair, this exhibit points out how our wonderful world will be even better in Century 21."


click to enlarge
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Farewell to Senator Ted Kennedy

click to enlarge the Senator

Massachusetts Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, the liberal icon of the Senate died tonight, after a battle with brain cancer.

Teddy was elected to the Senate while brother John was president, and brother Robert, Attorney General. He ended up serving longer in the Senate than all but two senators. Ever. (Are the other two the late Strom Thurmond and the not late Robert Byrd?)

Namaste to the youngest brother, and thanks for everything you've done. We talk about Bobby and Jack, and rightfully so, but Teddy had forty more years to stir the pot--and he did. He's had his hand in nearly every piece of important social legislation since 1968. Like his brother Bobby, he wasn't an underdog but he came to be a champion of the underdog, the hurting and forgotten, as well as the middle class. He didn't throw many bones to the wealthy. When Ted Kennedy was on, he could give an amazing speech too. When you talk about civil rights, war and peace, and health care, and social security, his name always pops up. I will miss his avuncular and wise presence, and above all, his conscience.
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A quote from a military magazine on strategy

G: "If we do happen to step on a mine, Sir, what do we do?"

EB: "Normal procedure, Lieutenant, is to jump 200 feet in the air and scatter oneself over a wide area."

- Somewhere in No Man's Land, BA4
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Two gnarly Facebook misfires (graphic and R-rated, but humorous)

click to enlarge


Click to enlarge

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Lou Reed's excellent Rock and Roll Animal: two YouTube slideos

This is prime Lou Reed, and it needs to be played loud. On this live album, Lou took four excellent VU songs, and added some of his solo stuff from Berlin, along with a strong band, starring two guitarists--Dick Wagner and Steve Hunter. Honestly, I like this music more than I do the VU versions. This is an incendiary and loud guitar album that rocks in a way the Velvets never could, nor wanted to. . .




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An amazing photo of hundreds of people wearing gas masks

Thanks to Jeff Clinton for sending in this amazing photograph. I don't know who took it, or where or when they took it. If I had to guess, I'd say somewhere in Europe, in the 1930's or 40's? I used tineye.com attempting to find the original. I did find one copy of the photo marked "OSC youth camp," and some others had references to Serbia and other eastern European countries. . .


click to enlarge (it's worth the click!)
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