PW in the can!

Really am glad this one's done. I'm going to bed.

Eddy's Pop Shop

Just a funny little logo from long ago. I used to lead paper mechanic workshops which always had some kind of theme going.

Darn that Rope!

One movie I enjoy popping in while I'm working on freelance is Hitchcock's Rope. For some reason it just makes for interesting listening. I guess it's a good example of screenwriting of the time. The acting is a little overdone and there are morbid puns galore - what's not to love?

Anyway, there's a story cited in the film called, "The Mistletoe Bough" which is the favorite tale of Brandon, the brains of the murderous duo. Curious, I looked it up (and you can too, the history is pretty interesting) and discovered this poem. It's more of a Christmas themed piece (apparently it became a very popular carol sung at Christmastime) but I think you'll agree fits the season we are currently enjoying.

The mistletoe hung in the castle hall
The holly branch shone on the old oak wall.
The Baron's retainers were blithe and gay,
Keeping the Christmas holiday.

The Baron beheld with a father's pride
His beautiful child, Lord Lovell's bride.
And she, with her bright eyes seemed to be
The star of that goodly company.
Oh, the mistletoe bough.
Oh, the mistletoe bough.

"I'm weary of dancing, now," she cried;
"Here, tarry a moment, I'll hide, I'll hide,
And, Lovell, be sure you're the first to trace
The clue to my secret hiding place."

Away she ran, and her friends began
Each tower to search and each nook to scan.
And young Lovell cried, "Oh, where do you hide?
I'm lonesome without you, my own fair bride."
Oh, the mistletoe bough.
Oh, the mistletoe bough.

They sought her that night, they sought her next day,
They sought her in vain when a week passed away.
In the highest, the lowest, the loneliest spot,
Young Lovell sought wildly, but found her not.

The years passed by and their brief at last
Was told as a sorrowful tale long past.
When Lovell appeared, all the children cried,
"See the old man weeps for his fairy bride."
Oh, the mistletoe bough.
Oh, the mistletoe bough.

At length, an old chest that had long laid hid
Was found in the castle; they raised the lid.
A skeleton form lay mouldering there
In the bridal wreath of that lady fair.

How sad the day when in sportive jest
She hid from her lord in the old oak chest,
It closed with a spring and a dreadful doom,
And the bride lay clasped in a living tomb.
Oh, the mistletoe bough.
Oh, the mistletoe bough.

For an added holiday bonus you can pick up a choral version on iTunes for a measly buck. The one I personally like is off the recording, "The Choral Music of Carey Blyton" featuring Canzonetta. There is a delicious knocking-on-oak sound that fades with each chorus thrown in for added creepiness!

The Reeses Cup of Halloween

I love Halloween for it's mix of eeriness and humor. Two great tastes that taste great together. One of my favorite examples comes off this album I used to listen to when I was little. The brilliant Stanley Holloway (Best known as Eliza Doolittle's Father in My Fair Lady) recites the tale of Sweeney Todd the Barbar. It's long but worth the read.

In Fleet Street, that's in London Town
When King Charlie wore the crown,
There lived a man of great renown
'Twas Sweeney Todd the Barber.

One shave from him and you'd want no more,
You'd feel his razor sharp,
Then tumble, wallop!, through the floor
And wake up playing a harp, and singing . . .

Sweeney Todd the Barber, by God he were better than the play,
Sweeney Todd the Barber, "I'll polish 'em off" he used to say.
His clients through the floor would slope
But he had no fear of the hangman's rope
"Dead men can't talk with their mouths full of soap,"
Said Sweeney Todd the Barber.

Now underneath the shop, it's true
Where the bodies tumble through,
There lived a little widow, who
Loved Sweeney Todd the Barber.

She made her living by selling pies,
Her meat pies were a treat,
Chock full of meat and such a size
For she was getting the meat from mister

Sweeney Todd the Barber, by God he were better than the play,
Sweeney Todd the Barber, "I'll polish 'em off" he used to say.
For many a poor orphan lad
The first square meal he ever had
Was a hot meat pie made out of his dad
From Sweeney Todd the Barber
(spoken)

It was Saturday night in Old Sweeney Todd's shop
And the customers sat in a row.
While behind a screen Sweeney shaved some poor mug
And his sweetheart made pies down below.

Though none were aware, it were "cut prices" there,
They were rolling up in twos and threes,
And his foot got quite sore pressing knob on the floor
And his voice went from saying "Next please!"

Well in came a swell and he asked Sweeney Todd
"Just a shave and a perfumed shampoo,
For I've just got engaged." Sweeney just pressed the knob and said, "There, now it's all fallen through."

Well a bookmaker sat with his mouthful of soap, said,
"They're all backing favourites today,
So I 'spect I'll go down," Sweeney said, "Yes you will,"
And he did, he went down straight away.

But what rotten luck, the darn trap went and stuck
For the hinge he'd forgotten to grease,
And a customer started calling out "Police!"
Just as Sweeney was shouting, "Next please!"

Yes, he ran to the door and he shouted out "Police!"
He shouted out "Police!", nine times or ten
But no policeman came, it wasn't no wonder
Police weren't invented by then.

But up came the bold Bow Street Runners (Hurrah!)
And he had to let many a pie burn
And they dragged him to Quad, and next day Sweeney Todd
Was condemned to be switched off at Tyburn.

And there on the gibbet he hangs in his chains
And they do say a little black crow
Made a sweet little nest in old Sweeney Todd's whiskers
And he sang as he swang to and fro . . .

(sung)

Sweeney Todd the Barber, by God he were better than the play,
Sweeney Todd the Barber, they buried him underneath the clay
And Old Nick calls him from his grave shouting,
"Wake up, Sweeney, I need a shave,
And Mrs Nick wants a permanent wave from Sweeney Todd the Barber."

Fall

It's Fall and that means Allegro's Fall Concert! We enjoyed the most wonderful music this afternoon performed by the Allegro Community Children's Choir under the direction of Christy Elsner. I was so glad my parents (Lane and Kathy) could be there to enjoy it with us. Way to go Ilene!

I know lusting is wrong...

...but I lust. It's bad when you wake up thinking about the things you could do with one of these babies. Paper toys, automata, engraving... Not to mention the savings in exacto blades! Lust with me won't you?

http://www.epiloglaser.com/

http://www.ulsinc.com/?gclid=CK_2-e7K050CFRYhDQodi2ydqw

PW All Tied Up

My Yearly Tradition

I don't know what it says about me that I post this link each year. It's basically a recording of some poor reporter getting the pee scared out of him and I can't stop listening to it. May it put you in the chill of the season. Enjoy!

A New Blog I'm Following

My good friend, Pastor Watson, has launched a new blog called The Roads of Autumn Dusk. Apart from being a walking encylopedia of world history, religion, Luther and just about anything else covered in the hard questions on Jeopardy he's a veritable Rain Man when it comes to all things pop culture. So give it a test drive and you'll discover what I already know - Pastor Watson IS the computer that wore tennis shoes. CHECK IT OUT.

BL Spot

Illustration for a fun little article on weights and measurements.

New PW Game on the Way

Opening screen for an upcoming BL game.

Dredd Speed Game

Dredd Speed is back and better than ever! Check it out.