Friday, May 29, 2009

Just what is it that you do here....

Some pictures from the B&O Railroad Historical Society's Ohio Mini-Con:

HERE

Yes, this is what I do for fun.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Memorial Day 2009



Painting by Ellen White
Lest we forget.

Friday, May 08, 2009

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

A slow burn...

The past few weeks have been quite busy, mainly with railroad history stuff and turning 31. And I think I've found the perfect movie to relax to:

The Big Lebowski.

I don't know why, but that movie is a slow burn. I didn't laugh out loud the first time I watched it, but after I started reflecting on some lines like "OVER THE LINE!" and "I really liked that rug, it tied the whole room together." I started smiling.

It's just so absurd at times that I really stopped caring that there was no resolution for the Dude's rug and car. But that's the point. The Dude abides. He rolls with it.

So, if you haven't seen it check it out. If you have but didn't think it was funny, watch it again.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!



Sorry, I've been rather busy so far this year. But it's St. Patrick's Day and I wanted to say hey.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Tempest in a teapot...

There has been some chatter on the blogosphere (mainly the Civil War ones) and newspaper websites about the bill to change the lyrics of the Maryland State Anthem, "Maryland, My Maryland."

The 1861 lyrics were, as noted in the article, written by an out of towner and reflect the passion of a moment in time rather than the history of the Free State.

I also would like to point out how much of a flop it was out in Western Maryland. In 1862 the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia invaded Maryland under the mistaken assumption that the population would rise up in solidarity and kick out the garrison troops. To help enhance the mood of the population, Lee had his bands play this song as they marched across the Potomac, some regiments even sung they lyrics.

Of particular note is the last stanza:

I hear the distant thunder-hum,
Maryland, My Maryland!
The Old Line's bugle, fife, and drum,
Maryland, My Maryland!
She is not dead, nor deaf, nor dumb-
Huzza! she spurns the Northern scum!
She breathes! she burns! she'll come! she'll come!
Maryland! My Maryland!

Basically it was cheer-leading for Maryland to join the Confederacy. While there was support among the eastern side of the state for this, the western side (aka where I grew up) wanted no part of that. The recruits didn't come and the population, while not violently opposed to the presence of the Confederate Army, did not greet them as liberators. This chilly reception was noted in several diaries and letters from the soldiers.

So, given that half of the state didn't care for the song, and as noted in the article, many of the legislators (let alone average citizens) don't know the words...

I say good for the 4th Graders, let's change the lyrics and move on.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen....

Mister Kenny Rogers:

Saturday, February 07, 2009

Brooks Was Here...



James Whitmore, 1921-2009

Friday, February 06, 2009

I finally went and did it...

I've been eyeing this DVD box set for months and waited until I got my Borders 30% off coupon to do it. And this morning I finally ordered:



The COMPLETE Granada TV run of Sherlock Holmes starring the late lamented Jeremy Brett. If David Suchet was the definitive Poirot, Brett was the definitive Holmes.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Safe journey sir...

Ricardo Montalban has passed away: