Mike Browne’s Blog

“He was the reluctant hero of Halloween, an icon who became so associated with the holiday, it ended his normal singing career.

Bobby “Boris” Pickett, the man behind one of the most famous one-hit wonders in history, died Thursday. The artist who made “Monster Mash” an annual event starting in 1962 was suffering from leukemia and was only 69 years old.”

[more at CityNews.ca]

He doesn’t mash any more.

Thanks to Bill G for pointing me to the news.
Here we have Mike Tyson and Bobby Brown doing their own rendition:

That’s even more sad.

I’ve changed the look of the blog once again. This time I’ve gone with a darker theme for a number of reasons:

1. Black speaks to me and my content more. A little more heavy metal and horror.
2. It’s more energy efficient. Yes, darker websites use less wattage and are thus greener
3. Fonzie would like it.
4. I like black.

Dark is better. 🙂

I used to watch this show every day in syndication during Junior High School at 5pm. I loved Quincy and Sam.

Here’s a tangent:

Have you ever noticed that Sam, Quincy’s Japanese sidekick seemed to show up as a Japanese soldier in every WW2 movie from that era? Oh yeah, and who could forget Pat Morita? I guess there weren’t a lot of Asian actors in Hollywood then. Now it’s Chow Yuen Fat and Ken Watanabe who are everywhere. The more things change the more they stay the same.

Gorsh, I miss Mel Blanc.

Trevor Linden’s late goal off a redirected slap shot sealed the Canucks’ series win. They’ll face the Anaheim Ducks in Round 2. – Photo from AP

I’m not sure why I haven’t been blogging the play-offs. Perhaps I was just afraid to get my hopes up. Anyway, the Canucks are through round one with the help of a game winning / series clinching goal by Mr. Game 7, Trevor Linden.

In a series that saw stellar goaltending at both ends of the rink it seemed it was anyone’s series, may be even leaning toward Dallas after the Canucks blew a 3 – 1 series lead as Dallas forced a game 7 with the amazing Marty Turco‘s 3rd shutout win of the series in game 6.

The first period looked shaky, but the Canucks came on stronger and stronger as the game went on taking it to the Stars. Roberto Luongo made an unbelievable save in the 3rd period to keep the Canucks ahead by one goal. In a last ditch effort during the last minute Dallas pulled Marty Turco for the extra attacker, but it was for naught. Taylor Pyatt and Brian Smolinski scored empty net goals allowing the Canucks a 4 – 1 in regulation win.

Congratulations Canucks! Good luck in Anaheim on Wednesday. They’re goin’ duck huntin’!

Looks like the Believe in Blue shirt that Carol picked up for me the other day works. Must keep it clean throughout the next series so I can wear it for every game.

An unemployed 1st assistant director, runs his house like a movie set.

Thanks to all the people (AD’s) who sent me this.

Segment from the helicopter documentary “Straight Up!”, showing power line maintenance being performed on live wires by a man outside a helicopter, using a type of Faraday cage.

I’m scared of the same things as this guy (surprisingly) is. The third one I’ve faced, but the other two… not so much. This video freaked me out.

Cute but dangerous.

Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times

Kurt Vonnegut, whose dark comic talent and urgent moral vision in novels like “Slaughterhouse-Five,” “Cat’s Cradle” and “God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater” caught the temper of his times and the imagination of a generation, died Wednesday night in Manhattan. He was 84 and had homes in Manhattan and in Sagaponack on Long Island.

His death was reported by Morgan Entrekin, a longtime family friend, who said Mr. Vonnegut suffered brain injuries as a result of a fall several weeks ago.

[more at source: New York Times]

One of my favourite authors. Favourite Vonnegut novel: Cat’s Cradle. Beware of ‘ice-nine’.