Vicissitudes

Thurl Ravenscroft – “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch”

TMP — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 21:05:32 +0000

Thurl Arthur Ravenscroft - 2/6/1914 - 5/22/2005

Since it is Christmas time I thought it would be interesting to put a face to the voice behind the popular Christmas Song; “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch”. Mr. Thurl Arthur Ravenscroft. All these years and just today I decided to look up this information. Someone forgot to add his name to the credits of the Christmas special leaving assumed credit for the song going to go to Boris Karloff, the narrator of the cartoon.

For fifty years he was also the voice of Tony The Tiger. Again uncredited until the journal Advertising Age’s June 6, 2005 issue where Kellogg’s ran an ad honoring Ravenscroft. The headline read: “Behind every great character is an even greater man.”

A Polish Christmas

TMP — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:00:37 +0000

The eight Polish Foods of Christmas. Presented by The Veggie Tales.

A Thought About Unemployment

TMP — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 01:37:58 +0000

There are about 14 million people unemployed in the United States this month. If you take an average weight for each unemployed person at 200 pounds, the total unemployed weight is 2.8 billion pounds. Divide that by 2000 to get tons and you end up with 1,400,000 tons of unemployed people in the United States.

Camera Tossing

TMP — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 03:43:23 +0000

My first attempt at camera tossing

Aimlessly browsing around the internet I came across something called Camera Tossing. Sounded like the dumbest thing I ever heard of until I took a look at some of the results.

It is exactly what it sounds like. Take your camera-phone or camera, set a .5 – 2 second shutter speed and toss it in the air. Depending on the surrounding, lights, shutter speed, rotation, and a bit of luck you should get something at least as good as my photo. However, my first attempt is nothing like what others have captured. I only tossed my iPhone to get this image. I am sure if I ever work up the nerve to toss my DSLR I could get a better image. I cannot wait for Christmas when all the lights are up and colors are everywhere to see what I can get.

I took this image in my living room with all auto settings and a 0.5 shutter speed. I use an app called Slow Shutter by Cogitap Software.

Throwing your camera or phone is not for everyone, but when you see what it can capture I am sure I will hear about many dropped and broken phones or cameras (not my fault I am not responsible for how you abuse your electronics), but enjoy the results!

Google search for Camera Tossing
Camera Toss The Blog.

Dr. Who “Let’s Kill Hitler”

TMP — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 02:13:54 +0000

For any of my fellow Dr. Who fans. Sorry to those Hitler fans out there.

Porcupine Tree – New Favorite Band

TMP — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 17:13:21 +0000

A few years late coming to this band since they already parted ways (I think). However, I cannot get enough of their music. Some is good, some not so much most are so haunting I almost cannot listen to them. They are a blend of Pink Floyd, some alternative and a hint of The Beatles – No matter how hard I try I do not like The Beatles. If I had to pick a favorite song “Time Flies” would be the one. No special reason it just seems to fit.

There is an instrumental part in the middle of this song they cut out for the video which is about the same length as what is played here, essentially cutting the song in half. That part showcases the Pink Floyd influence.

Butterfly Flower.

TMP — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:28:05 +0000

A butterfly... On a flower...