Backward Masking

Backward Masking: is when the record is played backward. It all began in the 60's. Here is a well known controversy that I personally remember regarding the Beatles' albums, where you could hear "Paul Is Dead" during backward messages (which is another way to say 'backward masking'). But that wasn't the only message that they had.

The music band Queen is another well known case.

This site list wide range of examples of records that contain backward masking. You'll many famous artists names on the list, like Celine Dion, Rolling Stones, The Eagles, Eric Clapton and more. You wouldn't believe the Popeye's song! It has the F--- word in it. I was shocked on that one. Whoa!

Reverse Speech
http://www.reversespeech.com/music_reversals.htm

I'd like to note a well done site "Jeff Milners' Backmasking Site"

Jeff Milners' Backmasking Site"
http://jeffmilner.com/backmasking.htm

Flickr - Trainman's 74 TV Guide Covers

Flickr TV Guide Covers
http://www.flickr.com/photos/trainman/sets/72157602751546091/

Actors Who Can & Can't Sing

I knew that William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy have recorded albums a long time ago. What I did not know, that these days there are still actors out there who try to sing too. Some are pretty good (and have real life bands) what I heard, but some, I just don't know what they were thinking.

Note: There is some obscenity.

The Jon Dyer's Blog
http://www.dyers.org/blog/archives/2006/03/03/the-megalist-of-actors-who-tried-to-sing/

What A Lonely World

I know this is pretty much old news already (July). But I recently watched YouTube - the video that came with the original article "Earth Without People". The article is a review about a book called "The World without Us" by Alan Weisman. I felt it would be a good clip to post here still.

I've often wondered what would happen if one day we all disappear. It is a bit eerie to watch this short video.

The video shows what could happen to the earth if we no longer existed. How will the earth evolve (or should I say digress)? Watching the video reminded me of The Time Machine movies (which are by the way, nothing like the original book). It also reminded me a bit of a campy movie called The Night of The Comet where people turned into orange dust...Here is the original article from Scientific American and the video:

American Scientific
http://sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=2691D716-E7F2-99DF-38F54EF6075AAB4D

However, it was YouTube where I actually saw the video for the first time. So if you are into a bigger format, then I suggest YouTube..



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5wP6m0d0xc

Jet Trains!

Wow, this is something I never knew existed. You'll find it in this great site, "Dark Roasted Blend". It is from almost a year ago, so maybe some of you have seen this already. If you have not, than you'll probably want to see this, especially because most of these are real trains! Asides from these trains, there are other ton of entertaining stuff to look at.


Jet Powered Futuristic Trains
http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2007/01/jet-powered-other-futuristic-trains.html

One Times Square And The LED Ball

With the new year around the corner, have you ever wondered about the famous Times Square ball's background and its history? Did you know that the new ball is now a LED (light-emitting diode) crystal? Here you might find the answers to your questions. I remember a few years ago, I actually saw the preparation on tv. It was interesting. I think it was a segment during the Dick Clark New Year Even show.

Anyhow, there some interesting stuff to read at both links. The second link is actually about the famous One Time Square Tower. What I like about that site, are the old pictures of this famous fascinating tower. I guess I just love sites with vintage photos, grin. Now, it has got to be one of the most famous buildings in the world, or at least in the USA. Every time I go to Times Square, I am in awe, even though I have been there many times.

I wouldn't though, want to stand there during the new year eve... I'd rather stay cozy.

New Year Eve Ball
http://www.timessquarenyc.org/nye/nye_ball.html

One Time Square
http://www.nyc-architecture.com/MID/MID104.htm

Play The Card

As most of us know, playing cards have been around for centuries all over the world. As you will see here, they are more than handful. Mostly old. This site is fun and entertaining. They also have all kind of stuff about playing cards. Some of the cards are from the 15th century. Those are quite crude.

By the way, if you like Charlie Chaplin, Lloyd, Keaton and Turpin, look for the Spain's playing card collections.

The World of Playing Cards
http://www.wopc.co.uk/


Note: If you wish to convert the currency, I recommend you visit (there are plenty others on the web too) Yahoo Finance Currency Converter:

http://finance.yahoo.com/currency?u

An Invisible Tent Full of Neat Toys

Never bought from them before, but they sure have some wonderful stuff. There are retro and vintage items. They also have space age posters.

Toy Tent
http://www.toytent.com/

Drink A Nesbitt's Orange

This site is maintained by B.R. Murphy's (president of Nesbitt's 1943 to 1959) grandson, Tom Scott.

In 1924 Hugh S. Nesbitt founded a company called Nesbitt Fruit Products Company, that made syrup for soda fountains. It was in 1927 that Nesbitt started producing the Nesbitt's Orange to soda fountains companies. It was in 1938-1939 that they started producing it in bottles. For more detailed history and facts:

Nesbitt's History & Facts Page
http://nesbittsorange.com/facts.htm#History

Orange Memorabilia Page
http://nesbittsorange.com/NesbittsAlbum/index.htm

Visit Tinley Park

This village is called Tinely Park. It is located near Chicago, Illinois. I have not been there,but these benches are just way too cool to skip over. This is the official site for Tinley Park.

The photos were taken by "Rick" (that what it says on this site. No last name is mentioned)

Tinley Park
http://www.tinleypark.org/tourism/art_culture/activities/benches/2007/slideshow.asp

If you are interested in learning more about the history of this town, go here and look for the "History of Tinley Park" on the left column.

History of Tinley Park
http://www.tinleypark.org/votp.asp?ctp=government/mayor/welcomemessage.htm

Retro Galaxy

Hmmm.. I could have sworn that I posted this before, but I can't find this on my blog (or have overlooked it). Pardon me, if I am repeating this. It's after 2AM and I'm kinda out of it at the moment, grin.

The objective here is, as you can probably tell, those old nostalgia days. Some of their stuff go back a few good decades. You can read some interesting tidbits here and there, and find information as to where you can buy some retro and vintage items.

Check this out. If you are a "nostalgiaholic", you'll probably enjoy this site. As for myself, there are things from the past that I have yet to learn. So I cannot vouch for the entire site yet, but it is looking real good.

Retro Galaxy
http://www.retrogalaxy.com/

Earth Of The Past, Present & The Future

I came across this site a few years ago. A pretty impressive visualization how the earth gonna be centuries later. I was impressed and still is impressed, with the author's knowledge. Fascinating. Too bad we will never find out how accurate those maps are. On the other hand, it's scary to see so much water. It reminds me of the movie "Waterworld". Yeah, I know that movie sucked.. but it wasn't that bad.

I guess, I'll just have to stick to futuristic sci fi movies. ;-)

Earth 50 million in the future
http://www.scotese.com/future.htm

Earth 150 million in the future
http://www.scotese.com/future1.htm

Earth 250 million in the future
http://www.scotese.com/future2.htm


If you go to the page with the list of the entire "ages", you'll see that there are also illustrations of the earth development in the past. In total, there are 20 maps of the earth. In the first map (which is the one above) shows the breakup of super continent Rodnia 1100 million years ago during the Late Precambrian age. As you continue to review the rest of the maps, you will see how the earth goes through some drastic changes. Amazing, isn't it?

Earth History - Travel in Time
http://www.scotese.com/earth.htm

2007 Best Magazine Covers

ASME - American Society of Magazine Editors has a visual list of their magazine cover choices of the year. Their choices cover 7 categories of best covers: best cover of the year, best celebrity cover, best concept cover, best fashion cover, best news cover, best service cover and best coverline. With the exception of the coverline category, all of these categories also have photos of all the entries.


2007 Best Cover Winners
http://www.magazine.org/editorial/24689.cfm