jim henson

Happy Leap Day!
Maintaining its quadrennial appearance, February 29th has long been a curious bit of time keeping.

But then, when you get right down to it, the reckoning of 'time' (something of an abstract concept itself) has always been a curious procedure as well...

... Here: Clicking on this link *should* take you to a Google Book page for George Carlin's 'Napalm & Silly Putty'.

UPDATE: Nope, The Google Books excerpt is gone, but you can hear George read the same passage ('Have A Good Time') at YouTube.

I've always found George's little dissertation on time (and the tracking thereof) entertaining, enlightening, and comforting, too. Maybe you'll feel the same...

...Meanwhile (?), Happy Birthday to some folks who were dealt fewer of them than most of us, like:

Composer Gioacchino Rossini, film director William A. Wellman, big band leader Jimmy Dorsey, crooners Dinah Shore and Ja Rule, ecdysiast Tempest Storm, actors Alex Rocco AND Dennis Farina (not exactly sure why I find it so interesting those two share a birthday), and - - oh, yeah - - according to comic book lore; Superman.

Some other noted items from this past week - -

1. In their recent passings, we're given another opportunity to recognize and appreciate the achievements of innovative record producer Teo Macero, funky drummer/vocalist/songwriter
Buddy Miles, and lead singer of The Dave Clark Five, Mike Smith.

When famous folk manage to die within a few days of each other, like it or not I can't help but conjure up an image from Albert Brooks' movie 'Defending Your Life'.

I always picture the departed riding together on one of the passenger trams towards their next destination in the afterlife, and I wonder about the conversations they might share.

If we also include William F. Buckley Jr. and Ben Chapman (the film actor who portrayed 'The Creature From The Black Lagoon') on that tram ride, I reckon that it could be an interesting discussion indeed.

2. A couple of comic art repurposings that fill me with glee...!

a- The ongoing New Yorker Cartoon Anti-Caption Contest, at Radosh.net - - soliciting submissions for the worst possible captions for New Yorker cartoons.

b- Garfield Minus Garfield. Oh. My. God.

"Who would have guessed that when you remove Garfield from the Garfield comic strips, the result is an even better comic about schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and the empty desperation of modern life?"
Absolutely freaking BRILLIANT. (via me[three]dia = Andrew Huff)


3. Speaking of comics, my pal (and old funny-book safari partner) Joe Sixpack was kind enough to send a scan of a totally boss vintage Archie cover he found while on the hunt at last weekend's Wondercon in San Francisco...

Thanks, Dude!

He's introduced the world of the Riverdale crowd to his supercool daughter,
Li'l Sophie Sixpack, so he *says* he was really searching for comics for *her* to enjoy...

- -sigh- - The justifications of a true collector nerd come so easily sometimes...












4. Totally Amazing Posters!

- - And they are. Almost 300 vintage European advertising images laid out in one simply eye-dazzling page.

It can be found at illustrator, designer, & author
Bob Staake's website, which I found via the fascinating blog site, Made in England by Gentlemen.








5. I'll guess this has already been reported on to death, but it still gives me a big smile.

Truly a flamboyant performer, I've always enjoyed watching Gary Busey ⬇ in action.

- - And so it was a treat to see the footage of Busey meeting and greeting on his red carpet cruise at last Sunday's Oscar ceremonies.





6. Always a favorite (and nice to see others feel the same way), some of illustrator Boris Artzybasheff's vintage advertising art has been making the rounds again, this time over at Bedazzled.

These Shell Oil ads ⬇ originally saw print in 1951.

"Your engine makes this much acid every day." Indeed.

There's plenty of Artzybasheff eye candy to be seen at American Art Archives.