I’ve already started!
1949 Buick Roadmaster
The 1949 Buick Roadmaster was the fifth generation in the Roadmaster group. The car was the first of the “four-hole” Buicks of its era, with the brand’s trademark “ventiports” placed prominently on the front fenders. Initially, they actually provided some ventilation for the engine compartment, but in later models, the ports were purely emblematic.
The Roadmaster carried Buick’s legendary smooth-running, V8, overhead-valve engine, with 152 hp. Roadmasters came with a 2-speed Dynaflow automatic transmission as standard equipment, compared to the 3-speed manual transmission offered on lesser models. The Roadmaster also offered an upgraded interior as part of the “Deluxe” option. Among the features of a Deluxe Roadmaster were hydraulic power windows and seats – true novelties at the time. Available Buick Roadmaster body styles included a four-door sedan and two-door sedanette, a two-door hardtop coupe, a four-door station wagon and a convertible. Options included a toolkit, outside mirrors, hubcaps, a spotlight, a tissue dispenser, upholstery cushion toppers, a parking brake warning light, a sun visor vanity mirror and a polishing kit.
Filed under Classics
The Ai Way
Ai Weiwei (pronounced eye way-way) has become one of the most influential contemporary artists on the international circuit – in both politics and art. Born in China, Weiwei spent some of his early years in New York in the 1980s where he apparently developed is acumen for merging art with social consciousness. He’ll use any medium or genre – sculpture, photography, performance, architecture, and now tweets and blogs – to deliver his messages. Weiwei has become something of a living martyr in China’s ongoing battles with democracy; he has openly criticized the Chinese government and been harassed and jailed. His antics rival those of Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol: he once dropped an ancient Chinese vase and took a photograph of himself giving the White House the finger.
Weiwei has already been the subject of two shows in Washington, D.C. This past spring, “Perspectives: Ai Weiwei,” opened at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery with an installation of “Fragments.” Working with a team of skilled carpenters, Ai turned ironwood salvaged from dismantled Qing-era temples into a handsomely constructed structure that appears chaotic on the ground but, if seen from above, coalesces into a map of China. “Fragments” embodies a dilemma Weiwei often proposes: can the timber of the past, foolishly discarded by the present, be re-crafted into a different, better China; a China we cannot yet discern?) Since October 7, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden has been presenting a wide-ranging survey of Weiwei’s work, in a display scheduled to run through February 2013. The exhibition title, “According to What?,” was borrowed from a Jasper Johns painting.
Authorities keep hounding him – now for alleged tax evasion. Practically imprisoned in his non-descript home, he keeps a camera and an iPhone ready at all times. He seems to recognize his significance in both the art and political communities. In centuries past, Weiwei says, Chinese society had something of a “total condition, with philosophy, aesthetics, moral understanding and craftsmanship.” Art was a powerful force, integral to China’s culture. “It’s not just a decoration or one idea,” he notes, “but rather a total high model which art can carry out.”
Filed under Art Working
In Memoriam – Connecticut School Shootings
As of now 20 children and 6 adult are confirmed dead at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Also dead is the shooter – some mentally-deranged fool who somehow managed to get his hands on a massive firearm. Amidst this horrific tragedy and the ongoing investigation, people on both sides of the gun debate already are lining up to stake their territory. This comes less than a week after a shooting rampage at a mall in Portland, Oregon; four months after a shooting at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin; and five months after a massacre in a theatre in Colorado. Yes, this is a uniquely American problem; as bad as budget crises and obesity. Yet, the gun lobby will inadvertently defend the Connecticut shooter by claiming he was a lone wolf who couldn’t be controlled by gun control laws anyway. Then, they’ll add that, if just one person in that school had a firearm, they might have been able to stop the rampage. President Obama will probably bow to them anyway, like most Democrats. But, it’s days like this that I’m glad Charlton Heston is dead and wish Sarah Palin would drop dead, too.
In the meantime, please think of the victims, especially the children who had no idea what hit them.
Filed under News
December 13, 2012 – 8 Days Until Baktun 12
Survivalist Tip: Every good survivalist has a tent in their cache of supplies. You should, too, whether or not you plan to be on foot during the upheaval. A high quality tent is made of sturdy polyester fabric with a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) coating. PVC is the result of recycled paper, beer cans and skin removed from obese people – so you can be assured it’s great for the environment. That’s especially important when you realize the Mayan gods are already angered by the extreme waste in our society. A tent with PVC coating will stand up to most anything – rain, hail, wind, politicians – and will provide you with some level of security, as chaos surrounds you. And, while people are fighting off zombies and politicians, you can relax in your tent with some chocolate and beer!
Filed under Mayan Calendar Countdown
Arking
Huibers with a stuffed tiger and his “ark” in the background.
I thought replications of Noah’s Ark were strictly an American evangelical fascination. So, I’m surprised to find out a man in the Netherlands has built a recreation of the Ark that would impress both Noah and Home Depot. After a 20-year quest, Johan Huibers has completed a vessel measuring 427 feet (130 meters) long, 95 feet (29 meters) across and 75 feet (23 meters) high. Huibers began his construction after a nightmare following heavy flooding of the Netherlands in 1992. Already a devout Christian, Huibers saw that as a sign and used the Bible’s Genesis books 6 through 9, following the same instructions God gave Noah. Despite the ship’s massive size, it’s not likely Huibers could fit two of every animal on board. But, he might be able to fit plenty of tulip seeds and bags of hashish.
Filed under Curiosities
121212 Concert a Success
Springsteen and Bon Jovi
Last night’s “12-12-12 Concert for Sandy Relief” in New York’s Madison Square Garden gathered some of popular music’s most notable figures and so far has raised more than $30 million. And, the money is still pouring in, with all funds directed towards the Robin Hood Foundation. New Jersey native Bruce Springsteen opened the concert with “Land of Hope and Dreams” and “Wrecking Ball.” Fellow New Jersey native Jon Bon Jovi later joined Springsteen for the latter’s beloved “Born to Run.”
The gathering of artists tilted in favor of rock music, but everyone seemed to have a good time and no one took themselves seriously. Among the performers were Billy Joel, Alicia Keys, Paul McCartney, the Who, Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones. “This has got to be the largest collection of old English musicians ever assembled in Madison Square Garden,” Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger said. “If it rains in London, you’ve got to come and help us.” That’s a nice comparison to a storm that killed more than 100 people.
Aside from the great music, there was some comic relief, too.
“I know you really wanted One Direction,” comedian Christ Martin said of the popular British boy band. “But it’s way past their bedtime.”
“You can feel the electricity in the building,” host Billy Crystal noted, “which means that Long Island Power is not involved.”
“When are they gonna learn you can throw anything at us,” said “The Daily Shows” Jon Stewart, “terrorists, hurricanes; you can take away our giant sodas. It doesn’t matter. We’re coming back stronger every time.”
The concert was broadcast live on 37 U.S. television stations and more than 200 others worldwide. Producers claim that up to 2 billion people across the globe watched.
Ironically, this concert came one day after the death of internationally renowned musician Ravi Shankar. In 1971, Shankar held a benefit concert at Madison Square Garden for the victims of Cyclone Bhola, which struck Bangladesh on November 11, 1970 and killed over 1 million people.
You can still donate to the Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund by going here.
Filed under News
December 12, 2012 – 9 Days Until Baktun 12
Survivalist Tip: Whether you plan to head out on foot, or at some point, need to go hunting for your food, you must have some sturdy boots on hand – preferably more than one pair. They definitely must have thick soles, but they also should have alloy-enforced toe fronts, reach above your ankle and be water and fire resistant. Keep your fancy, over-priced designer footwear stored away. They’ll be useless in almost any situation when the apocalypse hits. Besides, with that alloy toe, you can easily disable anyone who tries to break into your home to steal water or fruit with a swift kick to the crotch or the butt. Trust me – I’ve done that when someone has tried to snatch a beer or burger from my hand at music festivals. Sturdy work boots just sort of command respect that way.
Filed under Mayan Calendar Countdown
Chief Writing Wolf 
Define “Like”
“And, believe me, being from Texas, I can tell you that nobody jumps up in Congress to help Texas. They don’t like us at all.”
– Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, reflecting on her nearly 20-year career in the U.S. Senate as a Republican from Texas.
No one in Congress wants to help Texas? Really?! I guess when you have a redneck governor who threatens secession, you shouldn’t expect much help from your constituents in Washington. But, there are other reasons why Texas isn’t too popular at the national level. For one, it helped to elect one of the worst presidents in U.S. history, George W. Bush. He actually managed to push Jimmy Carter down into third place! Last week Hutchison and fellow Texas Senator John Cornyn voted against support of the United Nations Disability Rights Treaty. Cornyn also supported senate candidate Todd (“legitimate rape”) Akin of Missouri. In his final days as Texas Attorney General, Cornyn forcibly shut down the Tigua Indian casino on the grounds gambling is illegal in Texas, which effectively forced the Tiguas back onto the welfare dole that most White Republicans hate because it seems to attract too many Indians, Negroes and other undesirables. Hutchison and Cornyn also voted against Sonia Sotomayor for a position on the U.S. Supreme Court. Now, “Tea Party” Republican Ted Cruz will replace Hutchison next month.
I don’t know why the Lone Star State keeps putting these clowns into office. I voted for Cornyn in 2008, but I won’t make that same mistake again. I’ll never be embarrassed to be a Texan, but I am embarrassed by people like Hutchison whose idiotic antics keep a negative light on this otherwise incredible state. Believe me! There’s more to Texas than Rick Perry and gunslinging!
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Filed under News
Tagged as Kay Bailey Hutchison, stupid comments, texas politics