Brooklyn Hilary

February 25, 1997 marked the first official re-release of "Black Monk Time" by The Monks.

This date was suggested to me by my friend Mike Fornatale, who was promoted by The Monks from "fan" to "singer" in 1999, when Gary lost his voice. Mike describes himself as their "Organist and Hitter of High Notes".

I know Mike Fornatale through Loser's Lounge. Don't miss out on a chance to hear that man sing!

Oh, I was going to try to be Larry in this Monks photo:
www.diskull.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/01monkspr...

I put on a fake mustache, but it looked decidedly wrong.

On February 24, 1979, swine breeder Russ Braize of Stamford sold a pig (named Glacier) for the highest price ever recorded at the time: $42,500. Glacier held the world record for the most expensive boar of all breeds for 18 years.

That's some pig!

Thanks to Rick (silav) for drawing my ears and snout! :D

On February 23, 1968, Cool Hand Luke opened in theaters in...Finland! (The US release date was November 1, 1967.)

Nobody can eat 50 eggs. Except, of course, Paul Newman! You can see the egg scene from the film here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNyl6gXLMLQ

I went to Costco today and purchased 60 eggs for $6.05. I hard boiled a couple dozen. Cracked another dozen raw because the shells from the uncooked eggs looked better for the photo.

I ate 2.5 of them. That was quite enough! Perhaps I'll post an outtake of a real reaction to having that egg in my mouth. Yuck! :)

On February 22, 1987, Andy Warhol died at the age of 58.

There are lots of ways to make these "pop art" images online! If you want to do one like this, check out FotoFlexer.com! You're just a click away... ;)

On February 20, 1965, Vic Dana performed "Red Roses for a Blue Lady" on "American Bandstand."

I just happened to have some blue face makeup and my Valentine's Day roses.... :D

If you want to hear the song, you can do so here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB_67zLhbEs

After many weeks of careful excavation, on February 16, 1923, British Egyptologist Howard Carter opened the inner chamber of KV62 - Tutankhamun's tomb. It was on that date that he first saw the sarcophagus of Tutankhamun. (It was conveyed to the public by H. V. Morton, the only journalist on the scene.)

I, of course, got MY inspiration for the photo from Steve Martin. You can see his Saturday Night Live performance here:
www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/clips/king-tut/976141/

"Born in Arizona...moved to Babylonia...King Tut!" 

On February 13, 2000, Maude Flanders was sent to a better place after a freak t-shirt cannon incident.

This episode of The Simpsons was titled "Alone Again, Natura-Diddily". It was Season 11, Episode 14.

Incidentally, I've had the SONG "Alone Again (Naturally)" by Gilbert O'Sullivan stuck in my head for the last several days, since hearing it on the radio. You can listen to the song here:
www.emp3world.com/mp3/73683/Gilbert%20Osullivan/Alone%20A...

RIP Maude Flanders.

On February 12, 1980, actress Christina Ricci was born.

One of her many roles was as Wednesday Addams in the Addams Family movies.

I remember seeing her first in Mermaids. Thinking about that has put Cher's version of The Shoop Shoop Song in my head. And now perhaps into your head!

This hand was made by Chris Baker and lives in our house. It seemed like an appropriate prop... :)

February 10-16, 2010 is Carnival de Ponce in Puerto Rico. This celebration dates back to 1858 and happens annually the week before Ash Wednesday. (It coincides with Mardi Gras.)

The stars of the Carnival de Ponce are the Vejigantes. People dress as demons . The costumes include capes and papier-mâché masks. The masks usually include horns, a snout, and fangs. They then run around whacking spectators with inflated cow bladders (vejigas) to, um, beat away evil spirits. I've read, though, that given their tendency to target attractive women, their motives may be suspect. :)

Rick and I decided to make our own masks, which we are still working on. This photo was taken after three layers of papier-mâché. After taking the photo, we added a layer of white paper. Next we will paint and decorate the masks.