Free as in Freakazoid!
April 29, 2024 5:50 AM Subscribe
After WB's success with Tiny Toon Adventures and Animaniacs, there was Freakazoid!. Originally conceived by Bruce Timm as a straight laced superhero gig, Steven Spielberg kept pressing it to be more and more zany. How zany? Get your freak on with every episode at the Internet Archive, or talk about anything you like, it's your Monday morning FREE THREAD.
Previous FPP about Freakazoid! It's been fifteen years since that post, I thought we could do with a little reminiscence with our weekly banter.
Previous FPP about Freakazoid! It's been fifteen years since that post, I thought we could do with a little reminiscence with our weekly banter.
Somewhere, Emmitt Nervend is grinning. As always.
posted by delfin at 5:56 AM on April 29 [3 favorites]
posted by delfin at 5:56 AM on April 29 [3 favorites]
Freakazoid! is another weird formative influence for me. The epithet "Nut bunnies!" has never left my vernacular.
Hey, and what about old Candle J---
posted by Kitteh at 6:06 AM on April 29 [10 favorites]
Hey, and what about old Candle J---
posted by Kitteh at 6:06 AM on April 29 [10 favorites]
April 25 is the perfect date, it's said. All you need is a light jacket.
There's not enough bugs for the chimney swifts to return to Toronto on their outrageous migration. That'll happen soon enough. I don't like flying bugs much, but I loooove the swifts flying around our building.
posted by seanmpuckett at 6:17 AM on April 29 [2 favorites]
There's not enough bugs for the chimney swifts to return to Toronto on their outrageous migration. That'll happen soon enough. I don't like flying bugs much, but I loooove the swifts flying around our building.
posted by seanmpuckett at 6:17 AM on April 29 [2 favorites]
I mean, the original origin of Freakazoid is something that was huge at the time and mostly forgotten today. But then they took it and just f'ing RAN with the idea that the world was insane and needed a superhero that was as crazy as it was.
Plus getting David Warner and Ricardo Montalban and Stan Freberg to do parts was awesome.
posted by mephron at 6:18 AM on April 29 [5 favorites]
Plus getting David Warner and Ricardo Montalban and Stan Freberg to do parts was awesome.
posted by mephron at 6:18 AM on April 29 [5 favorites]
I love Paul Rugg, who voiced Freakazoid; if you haven't seen Manny the Uncanny, the shorts he did for One Saturday Morning, they're hilariously weird. There's a bunch on YouTube (some of which I have uploaded myself). You may also remember him from this.
Film Student Update: On Saturday I turned in my animation class final project, we're watching them in class Wednesday; yesterday I turned in my final paper for my music class, and today we're watching our 16mm film final projects in class.
Well, everyone except me. So, we shot on real black-and-white 16mm film. Because my schedule is always tight, I shot mine right away, the weekend after the assignment was given -- almost a month ago -- and the instructions were that we were supposed to ship our film to the lab ourselves. So, Monday morning after my weekend of filming, I shipped the film off. Apparently there was pushback from my fellow students, and my instructor relented and said fine, he'd ship their film off if they had it to him by noon Friday of that same week.
They -- everyone else in class -- got their film back last Wednesday.
Mine shows out for delivery today.
So, I got nothing to show in class. It's not going to affect my grade or anything, I'm just very disappointed in whatever was going on at the lab that my film, which technically should have been developed and ready to ship back before they ever received the rest of the class' film, took so long.
Last Friday was the graduating seniors' "Capstone" premiere, these are the films they made in order to graduate, demonstrating their abilities learned over the past 4 years -- if you'll remember, I acted in one of them, a smaller part than I auditioned for, but I mentioned in that week's Update that my character set up the final joke of the film; I was happy that it did get a laugh. Apparently I was in the correct film; it was shown last, which seems thus far to be reserved for the best one, and when the seniors who made the film got up on stage to introduce it the audience went crazy. It really was the most polished, best written of them.
The other one I auditioned for, as an alcoholic dad: after reading the first draft at the audition, I didn't understand it; after the callback, which had a more polished script...I didn't understand it. Now after seeing it: I didn't understand it. The guy who did get cast, who was a rather prominent actor in the local community, did quite well with it, but it didn't make a lot of sense. But -- those seniors did what they set out to do that that's a big fucking lift, I'm nervous for when I have to do mine.
So, I was alone for the Capstone screening, so I sat off to the side, with some space around me. One of my animation professors and her spouse came and sat a few seats down from me and we chatted, and then my other animation professor -- a young guy, just an adjunct, just graduated last year -- showed up almost before curtain, and sat down directly next to me.
When I appeared on screen, he, surprised, turned to me and said "hey, that's you!"
Yes, thank you, it was a surprise to me too.
posted by AzraelBrown at 6:18 AM on April 29 [14 favorites]
Film Student Update: On Saturday I turned in my animation class final project, we're watching them in class Wednesday; yesterday I turned in my final paper for my music class, and today we're watching our 16mm film final projects in class.
Well, everyone except me. So, we shot on real black-and-white 16mm film. Because my schedule is always tight, I shot mine right away, the weekend after the assignment was given -- almost a month ago -- and the instructions were that we were supposed to ship our film to the lab ourselves. So, Monday morning after my weekend of filming, I shipped the film off. Apparently there was pushback from my fellow students, and my instructor relented and said fine, he'd ship their film off if they had it to him by noon Friday of that same week.
They -- everyone else in class -- got their film back last Wednesday.
Mine shows out for delivery today.
So, I got nothing to show in class. It's not going to affect my grade or anything, I'm just very disappointed in whatever was going on at the lab that my film, which technically should have been developed and ready to ship back before they ever received the rest of the class' film, took so long.
Last Friday was the graduating seniors' "Capstone" premiere, these are the films they made in order to graduate, demonstrating their abilities learned over the past 4 years -- if you'll remember, I acted in one of them, a smaller part than I auditioned for, but I mentioned in that week's Update that my character set up the final joke of the film; I was happy that it did get a laugh. Apparently I was in the correct film; it was shown last, which seems thus far to be reserved for the best one, and when the seniors who made the film got up on stage to introduce it the audience went crazy. It really was the most polished, best written of them.
The other one I auditioned for, as an alcoholic dad: after reading the first draft at the audition, I didn't understand it; after the callback, which had a more polished script...I didn't understand it. Now after seeing it: I didn't understand it. The guy who did get cast, who was a rather prominent actor in the local community, did quite well with it, but it didn't make a lot of sense. But -- those seniors did what they set out to do that that's a big fucking lift, I'm nervous for when I have to do mine.
So, I was alone for the Capstone screening, so I sat off to the side, with some space around me. One of my animation professors and her spouse came and sat a few seats down from me and we chatted, and then my other animation professor -- a young guy, just an adjunct, just graduated last year -- showed up almost before curtain, and sat down directly next to me.
When I appeared on screen, he, surprised, turned to me and said "hey, that's you!"
Yes, thank you, it was a surprise to me too.
posted by AzraelBrown at 6:18 AM on April 29 [14 favorites]
Last day of classes for the semester and I "celebrated" by making a cup of coffee in my Keurig sans coffee cup. Hoping this is the low point for the day.
posted by tommasz at 6:37 AM on April 29 [8 favorites]
posted by tommasz at 6:37 AM on April 29 [8 favorites]
Keurig sans coffee cup
Keurig sans sounds like a font name
posted by chavenet at 6:41 AM on April 29 [23 favorites]
Keurig sans sounds like a font name
posted by chavenet at 6:41 AM on April 29 [23 favorites]
Lyrcis to the theme song:
Super-teen extraordinaire
Freakazoid! Freakazoid!
Runs around in underwear
Freakazoid! Freakazoid!
Rescues Washington D.C.
Freakazoid! Freakazoid!
Unless something better's on TV
Freakazoid! Freakazoid!
His brain's overloading
It has a chocolate coating
Textbook case for Sigmund Freud
Freakazoid! Freakazoid!
Check out Dexter Douglas
Nerd computer ace
Went surfing on the internet
And was zapped to cyberspace
He turned into the Freakazoid
He's strong and super-quick
He drives the villains crazy
'Cause he's a lunatic
His home base is the Freakalair
Freakazoid! Fricassee!
Floyd the Barber cuts his hair
Freakazoid! Chimpanzee!
Rides around in the Freakmobile
Freakazoid! Freakazoo!
Hopes to make a movie deal
Freaka me! Freaka you!
He's here to save the nation
So stay tuned to this station
If not, we'll be unemployed
Freakazoid! Freakazoid!
Freakazoid!!
posted by AlSweigart at 6:45 AM on April 29 [5 favorites]
Super-teen extraordinaire
Freakazoid! Freakazoid!
Runs around in underwear
Freakazoid! Freakazoid!
Rescues Washington D.C.
Freakazoid! Freakazoid!
Unless something better's on TV
Freakazoid! Freakazoid!
His brain's overloading
It has a chocolate coating
Textbook case for Sigmund Freud
Freakazoid! Freakazoid!
Check out Dexter Douglas
Nerd computer ace
Went surfing on the internet
And was zapped to cyberspace
He turned into the Freakazoid
He's strong and super-quick
He drives the villains crazy
'Cause he's a lunatic
His home base is the Freakalair
Freakazoid! Fricassee!
Floyd the Barber cuts his hair
Freakazoid! Chimpanzee!
Rides around in the Freakmobile
Freakazoid! Freakazoo!
Hopes to make a movie deal
Freaka me! Freaka you!
He's here to save the nation
So stay tuned to this station
If not, we'll be unemployed
Freakazoid! Freakazoid!
Freakazoid!!
posted by AlSweigart at 6:45 AM on April 29 [5 favorites]
Hey, and what about old Candle J---
It doesn't work like that. You have to say Candle Jack's full name before he
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 7:11 AM on April 29 [9 favorites]
It doesn't work like that. You have to say Candle Jack's full name before he
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 7:11 AM on April 29 [9 favorites]
One week to go in my kid's first year of college and he gets an email from University Housing.
Seems that the school admitted way too many kids, a 25% increase over last year. Since freshmen need to live in university housing there's no room and, as a consequence, the upperclassman two-person/two-bedroom suite he had reserved for the fall will be a 4-person room. Any off-campus housing that's decent was fully booked back in March.
Everyone is scrambling to readjust while trying to finish finals. Is this a side effect of the FAFSA fuckup? Probably. Nobody is admitting that they screwed up on admittance numbers and it's probably not over since kids have (allegedly) accepted multiple schools and will suddenly start cancelling once the financial aid numbers are finally in-hand. I'm really pissed off right now.
posted by JoeZydeco at 7:16 AM on April 29 [8 favorites]
Seems that the school admitted way too many kids, a 25% increase over last year. Since freshmen need to live in university housing there's no room and, as a consequence, the upperclassman two-person/two-bedroom suite he had reserved for the fall will be a 4-person room. Any off-campus housing that's decent was fully booked back in March.
Everyone is scrambling to readjust while trying to finish finals. Is this a side effect of the FAFSA fuckup? Probably. Nobody is admitting that they screwed up on admittance numbers and it's probably not over since kids have (allegedly) accepted multiple schools and will suddenly start cancelling once the financial aid numbers are finally in-hand. I'm really pissed off right now.
posted by JoeZydeco at 7:16 AM on April 29 [8 favorites]
and did I mention that there are no bugs?
It bears mentioning
I am hopeful we get some rain this week, to alleviate the high risk of wildfires. Nice to see the crows return to nest and raise a family.. they are raucous in the morning, and terrible raiders of other birds' nests, but who am I to judge. Dad crow is often to be found strutting along the peak of the neighbour's roof, surveying the area like a captain. I believe he sharpens his beak on the base of the metal roof vent
a thoughtful gift from a friend: McSweeney's subscription, and this arrived in the post. Valerie Solanas is in there! getting reacquainted with S.C.U.M. Manifesto
posted by elkevelvet at 7:24 AM on April 29 [2 favorites]
It bears mentioning
I am hopeful we get some rain this week, to alleviate the high risk of wildfires. Nice to see the crows return to nest and raise a family.. they are raucous in the morning, and terrible raiders of other birds' nests, but who am I to judge. Dad crow is often to be found strutting along the peak of the neighbour's roof, surveying the area like a captain. I believe he sharpens his beak on the base of the metal roof vent
a thoughtful gift from a friend: McSweeney's subscription, and this arrived in the post. Valerie Solanas is in there! getting reacquainted with S.C.U.M. Manifesto
posted by elkevelvet at 7:24 AM on April 29 [2 favorites]
Freakazoid! the series is split in two, with the first season being more short episodes similar to the structure of Animaniacs. The second season was often a full story through the entire episode and didn't have many of the weird zany "Language Lessons With Freakazoid" bits.
I love the show deeply. I wish they had done merch.
posted by hippybear at 7:26 AM on April 29 [1 favorite]
I love the show deeply. I wish they had done merch.
posted by hippybear at 7:26 AM on April 29 [1 favorite]
If you’re selling Freakazoid merch online double-check the terms to make sure you’re getting a piece of the gross.
posted by Parasite Unseen at 7:36 AM on April 29
posted by Parasite Unseen at 7:36 AM on April 29
No shortage of rain in Chicago lately. It hasn’t seemed like all that much, but it seems to have added up. My street’s a bit flooded and we got some leakage by the basement door. We get leakage on that door whenever the soil’s saturated. Fixing it properly is on The List but it would probably be a huge undertaking. The leak goes straight to a drain near the door so the impact is minimal. But not zero.
posted by notoriety public at 7:42 AM on April 29 [1 favorite]
posted by notoriety public at 7:42 AM on April 29 [1 favorite]
I love seeing this pop up. I was 12 when the show started airing— probably just the right age for Freakazoid’s absurdist/referential humor. It felt slightly graduated from its predecessors, but maybe that’s just foggy memory/nostalgia.
Also: freakzoid was in DC— which is home so that’s perhaps part of it, too.
I’ve been a meta filter reader for a long time— and love the free for all post on the blue. For whatever reason, today felt like a good day to say hi!
Maybe after 20 years I’ll post my first FPP. We shall see!
Freak out!
posted by MichaelJoelHall at 7:47 AM on April 29 [11 favorites]
Also: freakzoid was in DC— which is home so that’s perhaps part of it, too.
I’ve been a meta filter reader for a long time— and love the free for all post on the blue. For whatever reason, today felt like a good day to say hi!
Maybe after 20 years I’ll post my first FPP. We shall see!
Freak out!
posted by MichaelJoelHall at 7:47 AM on April 29 [11 favorites]
Two of my college friends, Audu Paden and Marty Isenberg, worked on these shows. Audu was a director on Animaniacs and Pinky & The Brain, and Marty got his start writing for animation with Freakazoid. Marty and Audu were roommates, and lived around the corner from me in Evanston. Marty and I had a musical comedy act together along with a third friend, and Audu and I worked together on the campus humor magazine. Now that they're all rich and famous 'n' shit, they graciously acknowledge my existence occasionally.
posted by briank at 7:55 AM on April 29 [7 favorites]
posted by briank at 7:55 AM on April 29 [7 favorites]
Pigs are smarter than bears, but they can't ride motorcycles.
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 8:04 AM on April 29 [4 favorites]
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 8:04 AM on April 29 [4 favorites]
Never missed Freakazoid if I could help it. I even had sound clips on my computer, which was something back when a megabyte occupied a whole floppy.
Even today, and especially in fandom contexts, I often have cause to think: YOU'RE A CREEP! WE WERE HAVING A GOOD TIME UNTIL YOU SHOWED UP! (Improvised, I understand.)
posted by Countess Elena at 8:04 AM on April 29 [2 favorites]
Even today, and especially in fandom contexts, I often have cause to think: YOU'RE A CREEP! WE WERE HAVING A GOOD TIME UNTIL YOU SHOWED UP! (Improvised, I understand.)
posted by Countess Elena at 8:04 AM on April 29 [2 favorites]
I always think of Freakazoid's response to anything Sgt Cosgrove's asks him to do.
"Hey, Freakazoid, do you want to go the circus?"
"WOULD I?!?"
...and I do the same when asked to do things I would very much like to do.
posted by Kitteh at 8:11 AM on April 29 [7 favorites]
"Hey, Freakazoid, do you want to go the circus?"
"WOULD I?!?"
...and I do the same when asked to do things I would very much like to do.
posted by Kitteh at 8:11 AM on April 29 [7 favorites]
"Lord Smoked Meats and Fishes" continues to live in my head. Absolutely Loved Freakazoid! .
posted by Twain Device at 8:44 AM on April 29 [2 favorites]
posted by Twain Device at 8:44 AM on April 29 [2 favorites]
Keurig sans sounds like a font name
I bet it has a really restrictive license -- that is trivially bypassed.
posted by wenestvedt at 8:47 AM on April 29 [4 favorites]
I bet it has a really restrictive license -- that is trivially bypassed.
posted by wenestvedt at 8:47 AM on April 29 [4 favorites]
Freakazoid first aired in 1995.
Though Deadpool was created several years earlier, he never broke the fourth wall until 1999. Inspiration?
One other factoid I love about Freakazoid is that despite extensive auditions for the lead voice, nobody could beat the lead writer. Same thing happened with the character of Stitch (in Disney's Lilo &...) Can anyone think of other examples? A writer for The Good Place played the demon Glenn, but apparently that was because the actor they cast unexpectedly cancelled.
posted by cheshyre at 9:14 AM on April 29 [4 favorites]
Though Deadpool was created several years earlier, he never broke the fourth wall until 1999. Inspiration?
One other factoid I love about Freakazoid is that despite extensive auditions for the lead voice, nobody could beat the lead writer. Same thing happened with the character of Stitch (in Disney's Lilo &...) Can anyone think of other examples? A writer for The Good Place played the demon Glenn, but apparently that was because the actor they cast unexpectedly cancelled.
posted by cheshyre at 9:14 AM on April 29 [4 favorites]
@wenestvedt got here just before me. A font that doesn't look as good as it promises.
posted by 43rdAnd9th at 9:17 AM on April 29 [3 favorites]
posted by 43rdAnd9th at 9:17 AM on April 29 [3 favorites]
One other factoid I love about Freakazoid is that despite extensive auditions for the lead voice, nobody could beat the lead writer. Same thing happened with the character of Stitch (in Disney's Lilo &...) Can anyone think of other examples?
Brad Bird directed The Incredibles, and wound up also doing the voice role for Edna Mode.
posted by notoriety public at 9:29 AM on April 29 [1 favorite]
Brad Bird directed The Incredibles, and wound up also doing the voice role for Edna Mode.
posted by notoriety public at 9:29 AM on April 29 [1 favorite]
It's surprising to me to hear that it was Steven Spielberg who pushed to make Freakazoid more zany. That was the time of the ascendance of Batman: The Animated Series, where grim serious superheroes were the rage. A more realistic take on Freakazoid might have been entertaining, sure, but would it be regarded so reverentially? I'm not sure at all.
A few years ago, Cartoon Network parasite series Teen Titans Go* did a crossover with Freakazoid, which was nice to see. It was among the final roles for both Ed Asner (Sgt. Cosgrove) and David Warner (The Lobe). (I wish it were oneswellfoop who was here to tell us this, but while I'm here, I'll do it for him.)
* I speak negatively of it, but really it's only because WB practically turned Cartoon Network into the Teen Titans Go channel, at a time when Steven Universe and other excellent shows could really have stood to have more air time. But it's a fine show! It's fine!
posted by JHarris at 9:53 AM on April 29 [2 favorites]
A few years ago, Cartoon Network parasite series Teen Titans Go* did a crossover with Freakazoid, which was nice to see. It was among the final roles for both Ed Asner (Sgt. Cosgrove) and David Warner (The Lobe). (I wish it were oneswellfoop who was here to tell us this, but while I'm here, I'll do it for him.)
* I speak negatively of it, but really it's only because WB practically turned Cartoon Network into the Teen Titans Go channel, at a time when Steven Universe and other excellent shows could really have stood to have more air time. But it's a fine show! It's fine!
posted by JHarris at 9:53 AM on April 29 [2 favorites]
Farmer's almanac predicted a wet cool early summer throughout the Midwest and damn if that doesn't seem right so far!
posted by SaltySalticid at 10:18 AM on April 29 [2 favorites]
posted by SaltySalticid at 10:18 AM on April 29 [2 favorites]
>>Last day of classes for the semester and I "celebrated" by making a cup of coffee in my Keurig sans coffee cup. Hoping this is the low point for the day.
Take it from me, it could be worse. One bleary morning I poured the contents of my boiling water kettle directly into the open top of the coffee grinder instead of the coffee decanter (the shape of which was apparently too similar).
The end result was a literal hot mess of coffee bean water spilled all over the counter, one which my un-caffeinated brain was ill-equipped to handle.
posted by jeremias at 10:26 AM on April 29 [4 favorites]
Take it from me, it could be worse. One bleary morning I poured the contents of my boiling water kettle directly into the open top of the coffee grinder instead of the coffee decanter (the shape of which was apparently too similar).
The end result was a literal hot mess of coffee bean water spilled all over the counter, one which my un-caffeinated brain was ill-equipped to handle.
posted by jeremias at 10:26 AM on April 29 [4 favorites]
Can anyone think of other examples?
Alex Hirsch did the voices of both Grunkle Stan and Soos in Gravity Falls.
That was the time of the ascendance of Batman: The Animated Series, where grim serious superheroes were the rage.
Wasn't Disney's Gargoyles originally pitched as a "zany" cartoon and it was retooled because of Batman: TAS? I thought I saw some early concept art out there depicting the characters with much more cartoonish details, and Greg Weisman was previously the showrunner on the much goofier original season of Bonkers...
posted by RonButNotStupid at 10:33 AM on April 29 [2 favorites]
Alex Hirsch did the voices of both Grunkle Stan and Soos in Gravity Falls.
That was the time of the ascendance of Batman: The Animated Series, where grim serious superheroes were the rage.
Wasn't Disney's Gargoyles originally pitched as a "zany" cartoon and it was retooled because of Batman: TAS? I thought I saw some early concept art out there depicting the characters with much more cartoonish details, and Greg Weisman was previously the showrunner on the much goofier original season of Bonkers...
posted by RonButNotStupid at 10:33 AM on April 29 [2 favorites]
butts.
posted by bombastic lowercase pronouncements at 10:54 AM on April 29 [1 favorite]
posted by bombastic lowercase pronouncements at 10:54 AM on April 29 [1 favorite]
So, I have all of Animaniacs, Pinky And The Brain, and Freakazoid! on DVD, and at one point in the past I'd sat down with Handbrake and carefully pulled every single segment off the DVDs as individual bits. Every interstitial, every story, making sure the episodes were intact if they had a commercial break in the middle... It was this amazing hard drive that I could plug in someplace, pull up VLC, dump all the contents in and hit "shuffle" and have the best Spielberg/WB channel ever.
And then one day I erased that hard drive by mistake.
At some point I will have to re-do the process. Newer processors will probably mean it won't take as long. But man, once I realized I'd erased that drive... i don't even KNOW what all was on it. 1.5TB just poof.
Anyway, Freakazoid!
posted by hippybear at 11:01 AM on April 29 [5 favorites]
And then one day I erased that hard drive by mistake.
At some point I will have to re-do the process. Newer processors will probably mean it won't take as long. But man, once I realized I'd erased that drive... i don't even KNOW what all was on it. 1.5TB just poof.
Anyway, Freakazoid!
posted by hippybear at 11:01 AM on April 29 [5 favorites]
Alex Hirsch did the voices of both Grunkle Stan and Soos in Gravity Falls.
I've never even watched this show, but I've gotten fond of it from online, specifically Hirsch using the characters to prank call the GOP "election watchers." Also, "alien ghosts live in your bones" lives rent-free in my head.
Another thing I appreciate about Freakazoid is that, as noted, it was designed as a more serious show, and the graphic design is still a background for its goofiness.
posted by Countess Elena at 11:04 AM on April 29 [2 favorites]
I've never even watched this show, but I've gotten fond of it from online, specifically Hirsch using the characters to prank call the GOP "election watchers." Also, "alien ghosts live in your bones" lives rent-free in my head.
Another thing I appreciate about Freakazoid is that, as noted, it was designed as a more serious show, and the graphic design is still a background for its goofiness.
posted by Countess Elena at 11:04 AM on April 29 [2 favorites]
Y'all are making me miss Freakazoid again.
In Dallas we had big league storms this weekend. Tornadoes were north and south of here, but we were under warning the whole time. It poured all day Saturday and overnight; we made it out to see friends for brunch but went by the lake (originally a reservoir) and it was over its banks. I have a pressure migraine from it and it's on day three; fortunately it's quiet in here so I can get a few things done like noodling around on the internet.
posted by gentlyepigrams at 11:08 AM on April 29 [2 favorites]
In Dallas we had big league storms this weekend. Tornadoes were north and south of here, but we were under warning the whole time. It poured all day Saturday and overnight; we made it out to see friends for brunch but went by the lake (originally a reservoir) and it was over its banks. I have a pressure migraine from it and it's on day three; fortunately it's quiet in here so I can get a few things done like noodling around on the internet.
posted by gentlyepigrams at 11:08 AM on April 29 [2 favorites]
Also, Bill Scott was both the voice and co-creator of Bullwinkle J. Moose. Dunno if they ever expected to audition anyone else for the role.
I guess Walt Disney did voice Mickey Mouse early on, so that would also count as an example of showrunners voicing characters, but Bill Scott was way less evil than Walt even if he did instruct children to pull the knobs off their television sets
posted by RonButNotStupid at 11:37 AM on April 29 [2 favorites]
I guess Walt Disney did voice Mickey Mouse early on, so that would also count as an example of showrunners voicing characters, but Bill Scott was way less evil than Walt even if he did instruct children to pull the knobs off their television sets
posted by RonButNotStupid at 11:37 AM on April 29 [2 favorites]
ACK ACK ACK!
The Polyphonic Spree have announced a tour! Unfortunately I don't have easy choices but it looks like Portland or Boise, both of which are about the same driving distance from here, or I could fly with some money I have from a cancelled flight last year.
Anyway, they don't tour often, so catch them while you can if you like them. Here's a link to twitter that shows all their tour dates.
posted by hippybear at 11:54 AM on April 29 [2 favorites]
The Polyphonic Spree have announced a tour! Unfortunately I don't have easy choices but it looks like Portland or Boise, both of which are about the same driving distance from here, or I could fly with some money I have from a cancelled flight last year.
Anyway, they don't tour often, so catch them while you can if you like them. Here's a link to twitter that shows all their tour dates.
posted by hippybear at 11:54 AM on April 29 [2 favorites]
For those who didn't see the end of last week's free thread, I got offered a much better job--one of my top picks and the highest pay offer so far (still a pay cut, but much less of one)--Friday afternoon. I'm so relieved. This week I have one job interview that I already scheduled (and is virtual) so I might as well go "eh, I'll do it anyway," I told reassignment to keep pursuing the jobs I applied for until I get a formal offer, but at this point I have low expectations/will probably bail before then. Better job has the best pay of the bunch so far, even a bit better than the one I liked last week, so I think I'm gonna go with that. Waiting on fingerprinting tomorrow and then we'll see.
posted by jenfullmoon at 12:22 PM on April 29 [21 favorites]
posted by jenfullmoon at 12:22 PM on April 29 [21 favorites]
Brett Goldstein joined the writers room of Ted Lasso first, and only later got the job of playing Roy Kent.
posted by thecaddy at 12:41 PM on April 29 [5 favorites]
posted by thecaddy at 12:41 PM on April 29 [5 favorites]
I had a (fortunately small) bout of insomnia last night, and as I laid there in the dark letting my mind go wherever it wanted, the notion came into my head "What if we could go for 4 or 5 days without needing sleep at all, then spend 16 straight hours asleep and wake up refreshed and ready to go for another 4 or 5 days? We could get so much done!" I know we can't in reality, that way lies a serious mental breakdown. But it seems a shame to be forced by our biology to spend a third of our life asleep.
Weird Monday thoughts. Anyway, love Freakazoid and will be rewatching the entire series thanks to seanmpuckett!
posted by Greg_Ace at 12:46 PM on April 29 [1 favorite]
Weird Monday thoughts. Anyway, love Freakazoid and will be rewatching the entire series thanks to seanmpuckett!
posted by Greg_Ace at 12:46 PM on April 29 [1 favorite]
For god's sake someone make a post about this -- N D Stevenson recreates famous pantings with emoji. (I cannot bear that 2 hours and 53 minutes must pass before I would be able to do so myself. It must be shared now.)
posted by seanmpuckett at 1:58 PM on April 29 [5 favorites]
posted by seanmpuckett at 1:58 PM on April 29 [5 favorites]
Update: for film class I showed a set of test footage that I did with a DSLR before I shot my film; and my film was delivered and is sitting on my front porch, but my wife -- who has today off -- has not read her texts and has not brought it in per my request. Today is her "art day" so I am not surprised that she is choosing art over doing my bidding.
Edit: I do not mean to be dismissive of my wife's art -- she has a project due for a juried invitation-only art exhibition at a local museum, so I completely understand that's a priority.
posted by AzraelBrown at 2:10 PM on April 29 [3 favorites]
Edit: I do not mean to be dismissive of my wife's art -- she has a project due for a juried invitation-only art exhibition at a local museum, so I completely understand that's a priority.
posted by AzraelBrown at 2:10 PM on April 29 [3 favorites]
Can I also comment here on how disappointing the Hulu revival of Animaniacs is? It has none of the charm of the original show, and while there are a few interesting bits here and there, it creates NOTHING like the effect the original run had on me.
posted by hippybear at 2:40 PM on April 29 [2 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 2:40 PM on April 29 [2 favorites]
I will say that now that we've had a couple of decades of young men falling into cyberspace and coming out all weird it has proven to be way less endearing than Freakazoid had caused me to believe it would.
posted by Parasite Unseen at 3:17 PM on April 29 [6 favorites]
posted by Parasite Unseen at 3:17 PM on April 29 [6 favorites]
how disappointing the Hulu revival of Animaniacs is
Disappointed but not surprised.
posted by Greg_Ace at 3:20 PM on April 29
Disappointed but not surprised.
posted by Greg_Ace at 3:20 PM on April 29
Disappointed but not surprised.
The problem is, they gave me hope. If they had never given me hope, I wouldn't feel let down.
posted by hippybear at 3:25 PM on April 29
The problem is, they gave me hope. If they had never given me hope, I wouldn't feel let down.
posted by hippybear at 3:25 PM on April 29
I gave up hope for Lent.
posted by Greg_Ace at 3:29 PM on April 29 [1 favorite]
posted by Greg_Ace at 3:29 PM on April 29 [1 favorite]
I lent Hope to Gabe!
My relationship life is complicated.
posted by hippybear at 3:31 PM on April 29 [1 favorite]
My relationship life is complicated.
posted by hippybear at 3:31 PM on April 29 [1 favorite]
Boeing is set to launch its first Starliner spacecraft next week, with a crew onboard.
I hope it goes ok.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:54 PM on April 29 [1 favorite]
I hope it goes ok.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:54 PM on April 29 [1 favorite]
why would anyone be in a crew on a Boeing spacecraft? have they done due diligence? omg.
posted by hippybear at 4:03 PM on April 29 [1 favorite]
posted by hippybear at 4:03 PM on April 29 [1 favorite]
Astronauts are gonna astronaut.
I have no idea of engineering of the spacecraft and how it might relate to other problems in the company. But yeah, the optics don't look good.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:08 PM on April 29
I have no idea of engineering of the spacecraft and how it might relate to other problems in the company. But yeah, the optics don't look good.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:08 PM on April 29
Hopefully they at least had someone check the box to make sure there were no mystery pieces left over.
posted by Two unicycles and some duct tape at 5:43 PM on April 29 [1 favorite]
posted by Two unicycles and some duct tape at 5:43 PM on April 29 [1 favorite]
Speaking of "DO I?"one of my favorite variants is this clip of Cosgrove and Freakazoid watching a bear ride a motorcycle.
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 6:06 PM on April 29 [2 favorites]
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 6:06 PM on April 29 [2 favorites]
I was busking and got asked for a business card because someone wants me to fill in at a music school for children! I'm nervous about this but also it could be really exciting. I've never wanted to teach, I'm not sure I'm good at knowing what I'm doing enough to explain how to do it correctly to anyone. And if you read things about teaching by famous violin teachers, like Leopold Auer, he has a bit where he talks about how everyone holds their bow differently anyway. But I live in this area that is a really HCOL and music is such an important part of my life. I have a serious amount of skin in this game, since I have the privilege of playing this instrument, I should be invested in others having the chance to do so as well.
It's tough because I have this genetic disease that means I will never have children. I've always known that. And there's some baggage there. Being asked to teach children is interesting.
I also had a woman ask me while I was busking if I knew any child appropriate songs. I play fiddle tunes. I'm at a bit of a loss as to what music for violin is not appropriate for all ages to start with. The music that made me want desperately to play this instrument was fiddle tunes. And the point of busking by yourself is that you get to pick your music ... so no Barney theme song for me, nope.
posted by wurl1tzer_c0 at 7:12 PM on April 29 [16 favorites]
It's tough because I have this genetic disease that means I will never have children. I've always known that. And there's some baggage there. Being asked to teach children is interesting.
I also had a woman ask me while I was busking if I knew any child appropriate songs. I play fiddle tunes. I'm at a bit of a loss as to what music for violin is not appropriate for all ages to start with. The music that made me want desperately to play this instrument was fiddle tunes. And the point of busking by yourself is that you get to pick your music ... so no Barney theme song for me, nope.
posted by wurl1tzer_c0 at 7:12 PM on April 29 [16 favorites]
Thinking about a thing you do in a way where you can talk about it in a way that others can understand what you're doing is a rather specific thing. Maybe, if you can't find a way to be conversant about what you are doing, you can find a way to be demonstrative about what you're doing.
As in, playing a thing the right way, and then the wrong way, and trying talk about the difference.
There are many ways to teach, and children are sponges. I'm pretty sure if you can just do very very basic things, they will learn a lot.
Maybe watch some videos of teaching violin to kids or something to get an idea of an approach you can adapt to your own skills.
I'm excited for you! I spent 5 years working in an elementary school and it was a gigantic lesson in how to deal with the kiddos in a way that I wasn't expecting going into it. I hope you find the experience enriching for yourself as well as for the children.
posted by hippybear at 7:17 PM on April 29 [2 favorites]
As in, playing a thing the right way, and then the wrong way, and trying talk about the difference.
There are many ways to teach, and children are sponges. I'm pretty sure if you can just do very very basic things, they will learn a lot.
Maybe watch some videos of teaching violin to kids or something to get an idea of an approach you can adapt to your own skills.
I'm excited for you! I spent 5 years working in an elementary school and it was a gigantic lesson in how to deal with the kiddos in a way that I wasn't expecting going into it. I hope you find the experience enriching for yourself as well as for the children.
posted by hippybear at 7:17 PM on April 29 [2 favorites]
I picked up an Apple Pencil cheap from one of those types that buys every bit of new tech. He hasn’t used it in years so I was happy to give it a new home. And this thing has me actually working on drawing a few things again. I haven’t really drawn in so long, I’m definitely not good anymore. But the basics are there and things are coming back to me. This has been good but it also has me wanting to draw on actual paper again. I’ve got plenty of paper, pencils, colored pencils… might as well use em.
posted by azpenguin at 7:54 PM on April 29 [7 favorites]
posted by azpenguin at 7:54 PM on April 29 [7 favorites]
I can't believe how bitterly disappointed I am - I'm not an instant expert with the airbrush! Tsk. :D
The airbrush, compressor, paint, and a few other odds and ends I ordered last week arrived today and I got to play around with it all this evening. Obviously there's a learning curve to controlling an airbrush, that I'm obviously at the very bottom of. You'd think watching hours of YouTube videos of experts doing amazing things with airbrushes would confer instant ability in me...but you'd be wrong, my friends. Nevertheless common sense prevailed; I practiced on scrap paper, and will continue to do so, until I feel confident enough to dare touch one of the models I paid good money for.
It's kind of like playing drums, there's 4 or 5 different things to deal with at once:
- Pressing the trigger straight down starts the air, then pulling it back (while still holding it down) controls the amount of paint coming out the front - and requires a delicate touch.
- You're supposed to always start the air first and keep it going until after stopping the paint, in order to create smooth lines and avoid pooling up the paint at either end of the line and end up with smooth even coverage.
- On top of that you have to be moving your hand before starting and after stopping the paint.
- On top of that, you have to vary the distance from the medium to control the size of the paint's coverage: right down near the surface for a thin line, further away for a wider one...
- ...while fine-tuning the amount of paint (by changing the pressure on the trigger) so you don't blow out the thin line with too much paint or breaking the line because of too little).
- All this while trying to be graceful and create artistic results.
It's a bit daunting to say the least. But despite all that, and despite my comic disillusionment above, it was fun to play around with the airbrush and I was cheered to see a little progress over a couple hours this evening. Right now my head's full of all sorts of amazing ideas I can't make happen (yet); I'm inspired to hang in there and continue gaining skill.
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:46 PM on April 29 [9 favorites]
The airbrush, compressor, paint, and a few other odds and ends I ordered last week arrived today and I got to play around with it all this evening. Obviously there's a learning curve to controlling an airbrush, that I'm obviously at the very bottom of. You'd think watching hours of YouTube videos of experts doing amazing things with airbrushes would confer instant ability in me...but you'd be wrong, my friends. Nevertheless common sense prevailed; I practiced on scrap paper, and will continue to do so, until I feel confident enough to dare touch one of the models I paid good money for.
It's kind of like playing drums, there's 4 or 5 different things to deal with at once:
- Pressing the trigger straight down starts the air, then pulling it back (while still holding it down) controls the amount of paint coming out the front - and requires a delicate touch.
- You're supposed to always start the air first and keep it going until after stopping the paint, in order to create smooth lines and avoid pooling up the paint at either end of the line and end up with smooth even coverage.
- On top of that you have to be moving your hand before starting and after stopping the paint.
- On top of that, you have to vary the distance from the medium to control the size of the paint's coverage: right down near the surface for a thin line, further away for a wider one...
- ...while fine-tuning the amount of paint (by changing the pressure on the trigger) so you don't blow out the thin line with too much paint or breaking the line because of too little).
- All this while trying to be graceful and create artistic results.
It's a bit daunting to say the least. But despite all that, and despite my comic disillusionment above, it was fun to play around with the airbrush and I was cheered to see a little progress over a couple hours this evening. Right now my head's full of all sorts of amazing ideas I can't make happen (yet); I'm inspired to hang in there and continue gaining skill.
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:46 PM on April 29 [9 favorites]
I forgot how much Jerry Lewis influence was in Paul Rugg's characterization of Freakazoid.
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:17 PM on April 29
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:17 PM on April 29
Cobra Queen was hot.
posted by Chronorin at 12:31 AM on April 30 [1 favorite]
posted by Chronorin at 12:31 AM on April 30 [1 favorite]
After a couple of years of talking about it, I've gone ahead and signed up for a seven-week pottery course at one of my local studios. I've done a little throwing stuff on the wheel before, but this will be a lot more of it. We'll see how it goes.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 3:00 AM on April 30 [5 favorites]
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 3:00 AM on April 30 [5 favorites]
I believe I have mentioned on the Blue before about my mom's Alzheimer's. Nothing like a phone call at 6:15 am from your sister--the caregiver because I am in another country--letting you know she is sitting in the ER with our mom because she deeply cut herself washing dishes a few days ago, didn't tell anyone, and now the cut is infected. Just sitting over here at work, waiting for an update.
posted by Kitteh at 7:23 AM on April 30 [7 favorites]
posted by Kitteh at 7:23 AM on April 30 [7 favorites]
Kitteh, that sounds really grim - sorry about that. Hard to be at a distance from things.
I'm continuing driving lessons. bluedaisy's suggestion of videos to watch continues to be helpful. Instructor said today I have three recurring failings, of which one worries him - holding the steering wheel too tightly so that it causes problems when I turn because I haven't got any space to steer (I'm putting that badly, but you may know what I mean). Will have to have a conversation at some point about likely timescales - a year of lessons might be feasible, but am I looking at two years or more ... bit concerned he will retire before I get there.
Have written a couple of Ask questions in my head about a dementia programme I'm involved in with my father. It's a scheme which pairs someone with dementia, and a family member, with first year medical students. We are supposed to meet up once a term for two years and chat, so that they get some insight into dementia, and how to talk to people with it. Turns out it is really hard to make conversation in those circumstances. As the talk tends to be solely about dementia, I'm not sure how kind it is to continue my father's participation in it, as it's on the depressing side. Planning to stick it out for a bit longer (we have two groups of students, so have sessions twice a term), but suspect we won't manage to see it through.
On slightly more positive news, I am working this week as a poll clerk in the local elections, which I'm doing mainly because it might be an interesting experience. The training was very British - "a quiet word often resolves problems". Also, all the example voters in the training paperwork were writers (Virginia Woolf, Stephen King, Jackie Kay, Sophie Kinsella, Julia Donaldson etc), except one who according to a friend was a character in the Avengers (Tara King).
posted by paduasoy at 8:45 AM on April 30 [2 favorites]
I'm continuing driving lessons. bluedaisy's suggestion of videos to watch continues to be helpful. Instructor said today I have three recurring failings, of which one worries him - holding the steering wheel too tightly so that it causes problems when I turn because I haven't got any space to steer (I'm putting that badly, but you may know what I mean). Will have to have a conversation at some point about likely timescales - a year of lessons might be feasible, but am I looking at two years or more ... bit concerned he will retire before I get there.
Have written a couple of Ask questions in my head about a dementia programme I'm involved in with my father. It's a scheme which pairs someone with dementia, and a family member, with first year medical students. We are supposed to meet up once a term for two years and chat, so that they get some insight into dementia, and how to talk to people with it. Turns out it is really hard to make conversation in those circumstances. As the talk tends to be solely about dementia, I'm not sure how kind it is to continue my father's participation in it, as it's on the depressing side. Planning to stick it out for a bit longer (we have two groups of students, so have sessions twice a term), but suspect we won't manage to see it through.
On slightly more positive news, I am working this week as a poll clerk in the local elections, which I'm doing mainly because it might be an interesting experience. The training was very British - "a quiet word often resolves problems". Also, all the example voters in the training paperwork were writers (Virginia Woolf, Stephen King, Jackie Kay, Sophie Kinsella, Julia Donaldson etc), except one who according to a friend was a character in the Avengers (Tara King).
posted by paduasoy at 8:45 AM on April 30 [2 favorites]
Okay, well, an esophgram... that's an interesting process. Barium milkshakes!
posted by hippybear at 12:09 PM on April 30 [1 favorite]
posted by hippybear at 12:09 PM on April 30 [1 favorite]
strawberry chalk
I saw them when they opened for Neutral Milk Hotel.
posted by Greg_Ace at 1:04 PM on April 30
I saw them when they opened for Neutral Milk Hotel.
posted by Greg_Ace at 1:04 PM on April 30
Got fingerprinted for the job I wanted, they said "95% get results within 72 hours, the rest may be up to 30 days." Re-met new boss, that went great.
I'm wondering at what point do I decline the other job, because that should be good to go within a few days or something like that and probably a few days ahead of this one, so I'm not sure if "bird in the hand" is gonna work as a backup. I did decline an interview with an organization I don't want, so yay for that.
I would also like to note that I am not thrilled at my insurance options re: therapy since the new employer won't cover my therapist bills in the same way. Current employer pays another company to provide therapy bills because my HMO doesn't really do that. It looks like either I COMPLETELY change my health insurance entirely and start over with all doctors and prescriptions JUST to keep my therapist, or I give up my therapist (I'm not sure if I'll be able to get another) to keep my current health insurance. Even my therapist doesn't know what to tell me on that one. The argument can go either way, GRRRRR. At least I can probably not have a gap in coverage next month, per my HR friend.
A Bad Thing happened at my current employer that I would definitely have to be dealing with the cleanup of were I in the office. But I'm not!!!!! I admit I enjoy it when I hear that something bad happened yet again there (form screwups, layoffs, and now current thing) and I'm not having to deal with it all because my office always got the angry calls and drama and abuse even if we had nothing to do with the situation. The job I would have gotten over there would definitely have been budget cut by now, so...other than the insurance thing, it's a good place to leave.
posted by jenfullmoon at 4:09 PM on April 30 [4 favorites]
I'm wondering at what point do I decline the other job, because that should be good to go within a few days or something like that and probably a few days ahead of this one, so I'm not sure if "bird in the hand" is gonna work as a backup. I did decline an interview with an organization I don't want, so yay for that.
I would also like to note that I am not thrilled at my insurance options re: therapy since the new employer won't cover my therapist bills in the same way. Current employer pays another company to provide therapy bills because my HMO doesn't really do that. It looks like either I COMPLETELY change my health insurance entirely and start over with all doctors and prescriptions JUST to keep my therapist, or I give up my therapist (I'm not sure if I'll be able to get another) to keep my current health insurance. Even my therapist doesn't know what to tell me on that one. The argument can go either way, GRRRRR. At least I can probably not have a gap in coverage next month, per my HR friend.
A Bad Thing happened at my current employer that I would definitely have to be dealing with the cleanup of were I in the office. But I'm not!!!!! I admit I enjoy it when I hear that something bad happened yet again there (form screwups, layoffs, and now current thing) and I'm not having to deal with it all because my office always got the angry calls and drama and abuse even if we had nothing to do with the situation. The job I would have gotten over there would definitely have been budget cut by now, so...other than the insurance thing, it's a good place to leave.
posted by jenfullmoon at 4:09 PM on April 30 [4 favorites]
Oh hey, it all came out at once! Yay barium milkshakes!
I will assume I am no longer radioactive.
posted by hippybear at 4:35 PM on April 30 [1 favorite]
I will assume I am no longer radioactive.
posted by hippybear at 4:35 PM on April 30 [1 favorite]
As always, my deepest sympathies to hearts that grieve and best wishes to those who struggle with THE WEIGHT.
My own troubles are great. I quipped on my blog that I've lived a year in this last month, and a decade over the last year. That year of tumult started a year ago tomorrow. And even after so many woes, there are still more ahead. This will be my best week for a long time to come.
posted by ob1quixote at 7:47 PM on April 30 [6 favorites]
My own troubles are great. I quipped on my blog that I've lived a year in this last month, and a decade over the last year. That year of tumult started a year ago tomorrow. And even after so many woes, there are still more ahead. This will be my best week for a long time to come.
posted by ob1quixote at 7:47 PM on April 30 [6 favorites]
My own troubles are great. I quipped on my blog that I've lived a year in this last month, and a decade over the last year. That year of tumult started a year ago tomorrow. And even after so many woes, there are still more ahead. This will be my best week for a long time to come.
I feel you on this hardcore, though my own week is A Bad One and too much so to consider it a best week in any stretch. Since 2020 I feel I've lived at least thirty years.
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 8:00 PM on April 30 [1 favorite]
I feel you on this hardcore, though my own week is A Bad One and too much so to consider it a best week in any stretch. Since 2020 I feel I've lived at least thirty years.
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 8:00 PM on April 30 [1 favorite]
Since 2020 I feel I've lived at least thirty years.
What are you talking about? Isn't this March 1521, 2020?
posted by hippybear at 8:22 PM on April 30 [7 favorites]
What are you talking about? Isn't this March 1521, 2020?
posted by hippybear at 8:22 PM on April 30 [7 favorites]
My life is such a non-stop madcap rollercoaster that I can't believe I stopped for a minute to pull out a calculator and check the above date...but I did, for the sheer hell of it. It's actually March 1490, 2020 as of today (4x365 for March 2020 through March 2024, plus 30 days for April). Okay, back on the rollercoaster!
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:20 AM on May 1 [2 favorites]
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:20 AM on May 1 [2 favorites]
Wasn't there also a leap day in there?
posted by a non mouse, a cow herd at 8:58 AM on May 1 [2 favorites]
posted by a non mouse, a cow herd at 8:58 AM on May 1 [2 favorites]
ok fine 1491 sheesh
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:06 AM on May 1 [2 favorites]
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:06 AM on May 1 [2 favorites]
I just googled "how many days today since March 1 2020" which now returns 1522 days.
posted by hippybear at 9:53 AM on May 1 [2 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 9:53 AM on May 1 [2 favorites]
Also I calculated it Old School!
Everyone else: Odd flex but ok
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:11 AM on May 1 [1 favorite]
Everyone else: Odd flex but ok
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:11 AM on May 1 [1 favorite]
Ohhh, I started at the day after March 31, not March 1.
What I hear you saying is, you're living in April 2020.
posted by hippybear at 1:52 PM on May 1
What I hear you saying is, you're living in April 2020.
posted by hippybear at 1:52 PM on May 1
So this is pretty great: it's a tarot deck made entirely out of hazard symbols.
posted by hippybear at 2:18 PM on May 1 [2 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 2:18 PM on May 1 [2 favorites]
I hadn't seen any of Freakazoid!, and when a friend mentioned it on Mastodon, I've been right at it. The range of voice talent is incredible: I mean, they got Freberg, for any sakes. And there's also the voice of Elisabeth Moss, too, in one of her first credits.
→
Nature's working on that. I was doing at the lake this morning, and everything was coated with gnats. Like, layers o' gnats.
I'm off to Montreal tomorrow for the 2024 Open Hardware Summit, kind of on a whim more than anything else. Taking the train, but of course Metrolinx is effing with everyone this weekend, so I think my return train is coming back via a very wiggly route indeed.
Oh, and do listen to the Jesse Welles that Catblack linked to upthread: his reappearance as an acoustic guitar picker/protest song guy is a bit of a departure from his usual rocker appearance as Welles. It's very, very good, and a few new songs are trickling out as the days go by. Please please please let him not milkshake duck like that banjo guy who was heading to be the new Pete Seeger some years back but recently went full-on maga shite. Yuck.
posted by scruss at 3:13 PM on May 1
→
There's not enough bugs for the chimney swifts to return to Toronto
Nature's working on that. I was doing at the lake this morning, and everything was coated with gnats. Like, layers o' gnats.
I'm off to Montreal tomorrow for the 2024 Open Hardware Summit, kind of on a whim more than anything else. Taking the train, but of course Metrolinx is effing with everyone this weekend, so I think my return train is coming back via a very wiggly route indeed.
Oh, and do listen to the Jesse Welles that Catblack linked to upthread: his reappearance as an acoustic guitar picker/protest song guy is a bit of a departure from his usual rocker appearance as Welles. It's very, very good, and a few new songs are trickling out as the days go by. Please please please let him not milkshake duck like that banjo guy who was heading to be the new Pete Seeger some years back but recently went full-on maga shite. Yuck.
posted by scruss at 3:13 PM on May 1
I'm trying as hard as I can to volunteer for the local county democrats, but they're making it incredibly difficult. I have been to one in-person volunteer orientation that was sort of useless other than seeing other people in the same place. I've been on one Zoom meeting for people interested in volunteering, that was slightly more informative. But... they're talking about having a county convention the second weekend in June? And they haven't even begun to distribute door-knocking lists yet?
It just feels to me that by now they should have distributed the address lists, the phone lists, and had an orientation that was about what messaging they want to deliver when door-knocking with some workshopping and role-playing to get us ready to go! It's six weeks away!
Anyway, deep breath... Today's frustration was that I was in the city today for therapy and went to the county democrats office and, despite all manner of signage indicating I was there during their limited office hours, there was nobody there and everything was locked up.
And I got an email today inviting me to attend the volunteer orientation I've already been to.
So I guess we'll see how this goes...
[Narrator: He already knows how it's going to go.]
posted by hippybear at 8:07 PM on May 1 [4 favorites]
It just feels to me that by now they should have distributed the address lists, the phone lists, and had an orientation that was about what messaging they want to deliver when door-knocking with some workshopping and role-playing to get us ready to go! It's six weeks away!
Anyway, deep breath... Today's frustration was that I was in the city today for therapy and went to the county democrats office and, despite all manner of signage indicating I was there during their limited office hours, there was nobody there and everything was locked up.
And I got an email today inviting me to attend the volunteer orientation I've already been to.
So I guess we'll see how this goes...
[Narrator: He already knows how it's going to go.]
posted by hippybear at 8:07 PM on May 1 [4 favorites]
They say April showers bring May flowers, but what do May showers bring?
It's steadily raining today, and will continue to rain for the next 3 or 4 days straight. I'm in a dour mood because I had to go grocery shopping in it, and people suck in the rain even more than they usually do. That includes the grocery store parking lot as well as inside the store. People get rude, they're in a hurry to get in front of me and then dawdle, they block the aisles haphazardly, and they wander along looking like they'd never seen a grocery store before. The one thing they don't do is get the hell out of my way as I attempt to shop expeditiously.
It occurred to me that people should drive their carts defensively and follow the rules the same way the do in a car; immediately after which my cynicism came back from its short potty break and reminded me they don't do it in their cars either.
Happy wet chilly Saturday.
posted by Greg_Ace at 3:03 PM on May 4 [2 favorites]
It's steadily raining today, and will continue to rain for the next 3 or 4 days straight. I'm in a dour mood because I had to go grocery shopping in it, and people suck in the rain even more than they usually do. That includes the grocery store parking lot as well as inside the store. People get rude, they're in a hurry to get in front of me and then dawdle, they block the aisles haphazardly, and they wander along looking like they'd never seen a grocery store before. The one thing they don't do is get the hell out of my way as I attempt to shop expeditiously.
It occurred to me that people should drive their carts defensively and follow the rules the same way the do in a car; immediately after which my cynicism came back from its short potty break and reminded me they don't do it in their cars either.
Happy wet chilly Saturday.
posted by Greg_Ace at 3:03 PM on May 4 [2 favorites]
Gray and wet here in New Jersey for the next few days, too. The rain held off for the birding walk I led this morning, but the cool conditions no doubt reduced bird activity. We still managed to have a decent showing for the folks on the walk, which is the point, but a little sun would have been appreciated and helpful.
One of the minor perks about the flexibility of my job is that I can generally go grocery shopping on weekdays. When I do go into a grocery store on the weekend, it is fraught.
posted by mollweide at 3:47 PM on May 4 [1 favorite]
One of the minor perks about the flexibility of my job is that I can generally go grocery shopping on weekdays. When I do go into a grocery store on the weekend, it is fraught.
posted by mollweide at 3:47 PM on May 4 [1 favorite]
It was raining buckets here but finally stopped a few hours ago. Which is good because Outdoor Event A got moved indoors, but Outdoor Event B doesn't have that option. I just hope the furniture isn't still sopping wet when we get there.
posted by jenfullmoon at 4:28 PM on May 4
posted by jenfullmoon at 4:28 PM on May 4
This weekend I've attended my 30 year high school reunion. It's the first one I've come to! We had about 20 people there, out of a class of 100, and it was just really lovely to see everyone! I was a super shy wallflower in HS, and now I love chatting with people and making connections. It was good to see people and share memories. One classmate and I have been solid friends since HS, she and I met up beforehand. We live a 10 hour drive apart, this was a good chance for some extra visiting.
And then tomorrow I'm going over to spend a couple days visiting a cousin and her family. As long as I've got the weekend off work, and I've traveled, gonna make the most of it!
posted by dorey_oh at 11:33 PM on May 4
And then tomorrow I'm going over to spend a couple days visiting a cousin and her family. As long as I've got the weekend off work, and I've traveled, gonna make the most of it!
posted by dorey_oh at 11:33 PM on May 4
Outdoor Event B got canceled a few hours before it was supposed to go and I was all, "I TOLD Y'ALL SO." I kept pointing out "they have no indoor space," and "it's still cold out there and now all the furniture will be wet" and "cold, wet and outdoors isn't great for musical instruments" and everyone was all, "No, it's still going to happen!" As a friend of mine pointed out, they knew it was going to rain yesterday, why didn't they just cancel yesterday? I'm delighted it got canceled since Certain Jerky People were going to be in attendance to boot.
On a related note, a friend of mine is clearly about to get back together with a skeevy ex ("he apologized!" and "we're just friends!") and nobody is happy about that. We don't know exact details of what went on, but if you imply to people that he didn't treat you well in the relationship, nobody is going to be happy for you when you get back together with him. I saw one person's reaction to this yesterday and it was the least enthusiastic "woo" you've ever seen.
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:01 AM on May 5
On a related note, a friend of mine is clearly about to get back together with a skeevy ex ("he apologized!" and "we're just friends!") and nobody is happy about that. We don't know exact details of what went on, but if you imply to people that he didn't treat you well in the relationship, nobody is going to be happy for you when you get back together with him. I saw one person's reaction to this yesterday and it was the least enthusiastic "woo" you've ever seen.
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:01 AM on May 5
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Also, we are in the heart of northern U.S.'s perfect time: the weeks from May through Father's Day. The weather is lovely, there are no bugs, and did I mention that there are no bugs?
posted by wenestvedt at 5:54 AM on April 29 [5 favorites]