Teenarama: The Amazing Dance Party

Here is a summary of this incredible story for those days. The Teenarama Story started in Washington DC at a time when the teen television dance shows, such as the American Bandstand, were shown in urban communities across the US. The Teenarana dance party was narrated by Martha Reeves. What is very special about this show is that it was precursor to the show Soul Train (as many people believe) it was part of the popular dance shows in 1950's and the 1960's. The first time the "Dance Party: The Teenarama Story made it broadcast premier on the Howard University's WHUT. The nation first Africa American was own by WHUT .

During those days the dance shows like American Bandstand were very popular on TV. But it was also a time full of social injustice in the US was very strong, so the African American dance show didn't have the same privileges as the other counterparts did. So their access was very limited.

But in 1963 - 1970 an African American teen TV program in Washington, DC was born via a radio show live. A big moment! "The Teenarama Dance Party". It became very popular and a big hit. The show was hosted by Bob King was and on WOOK-TV. After Bob King was done with hosting the show, there were other famous hosts.

At the show itself had the latest dance craze and had famous performers guests such as James Brown, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Aretha Franklin, The Supremes and more.

What an amazing story considering the era at that time.

Dance Party: Teenarama Story
http://www.dancepartytheteenaramastory.com/index.html

Do You Recycle?

Occasionally, I wonder what the recycle rules and symbols in other countries are. Here in California, we are the leader of the recycle industry in this country.There is a lot of awareness here. So I am exposed a lot to recycle here all the time. It's interesting how in some other states in the US, the recycling isn't very well developed yet but it's getting better. I once was in Portland, Oregon to visit a friend who lives in a modern high rise building. They did not have any recycle bins. At the time I have not seen many recycle bins in Portland anyway.

This site has quite a few interesting images, although the one with the one from Germany (above) with the black and white face was kinda "scary" and interesting at the same time. :-) I wonder if this "fella" has a hold in its' head (sarcasm)

I confess that as soon as I saw the pictures I was attracted to the site immediately. Good way to grab the attention of people who look for information about recycling (I was looking for photos around the world). There is good information here. This is supposed to be an educational site. I would have love to see this site grows with additional images. Even in the US we have different type of recycle bins. In my town the bins are actually flap-less green crates (the kind that you put fruits and veggies inside), so if it's raining all the paper products get wet. Other people have tall paper bins with flaps... there are different recycle rules for each city as well.

Planet Pals - The World Recycles Project
http://www.planetpals.com/recyclingworld.html

Have A Laugh Today

Well, I saw this blog earlier on, so I decide to post another link after all. It is one of those blog that have funny real signs. I didn't really read it, so i don't know if there obscenity and such. I hope not. Some of these signs have been all over the web, so I'm sure you'll recognize some quite a bit. But it won't hurt to view them again. :-)

Funny Signs of The World
http://www.mysillyroadsigns.com/

A Video of Bodie

I don't have anything good to post tonight (I'm actually very tired).So, I thought I'd post a YouTube link about Bodie. As some of you know, my dog, Bodie, was killed by a Pitbull in a dog park in October 22, 2008. More than 4 months ago. Recently, his foster mom sent me this clip of him. It is the only movie that I have of him. He is the larger Papillon with the most white hair, the other dog, Dexter is also a Pap but tad bit smaller.

The video is not embedded so you'll have to go to YouTube to view it. I don't know how to post it here as not embeded either. I'm too tired to look that up. The video is cute, but if you have a hard time watching videos of dogs who have passed away, then you might want to skip it. it shows Bodie and Dex playing for a few minutes, chasing each other in circles. To tell you the truth, it is hard for me to view the clip. I've only seen it maybe three times. I love the clip, especially, the part where Bodie lays down on his back (about half way of the clip), but it's still very painful emotionally to view it.

Bodie and Dex Playing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXbKlykBXUM

The original post about his passing away in October. There is picture of him.

Bodie
http://thelinksterblog.blogspot.com/2008/10/bodie.html


I have not gotten a new service dog yet, but hopefully I'll get a new one within 3 months. I will post a picture once I get the new dog. I almost got one, but turned out that she is afraid of BBQ and smoke. We don't know why. Poor thing. So she is being adopted as a pet instead of a service dog.

Life As A Knight

You can learn quite a bit about the arms and armor in medieval europe. the navigation might be confusing at first, but you'll get around it. This from the Hailbrunn Timeline of Art History (exhibition?) at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. There are other good topic here.

Arms and Armor in Medieval Europe
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/arms/hd_arms.htm

Flickr - Joan Thewils

Joan Thewlis has amazing posters to look at. Actuallym I was looking for the British Red Cross postera from the 1940's and came upon this site via Google. There are tons of pictures. It will take you a while to view them all. She has 89 sets. so I am not going to list all of them, but among them are American Railroad Advertising, Cadbury's, Advertising Through The Years, Aviation, Kodak Advertising, Wacky Transport ,London Underground, Vintage Household Products. I wouldn't watch the following sets at work; the Pin UPS and the Fantasy Women unless your boss does not mind. :-)

Flickr - Joan Thewils
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joan_thewlis/http://www.flickr.com/photos/joan_thewlis/

Pink Tentacle "japan air raid posters"- blog

Like in the US, Japan had their own government posters in from the Japanese Red Cross during Japan-China war in 1937-1945. The purpose of these posters was to "teach the public about the new Anti-Aircraft Defense Law," (it is about poison gas). More details n this site.

Obviously, the posters are in Japanese. but there is an English translation for each posters. I was intrigued by the drawing style which is drastically different from the American style during the same era. The This blog.Pink Tentacle, also states that the "Among other things, the new law required citizens to take protective measures against gas attacks and prepare for disinfection, evacuation and relief. "

The one with the baby in the bag, felt a bit eerie to me. It reminds me of those little dog bags. I just can't imagine putting a baby in a bag... even with vents. I'd rather put a mask on.

This site is mostly Japanese oriented, but I have not gone through the entire site,
So if you find it or a link that not proper, please let the users know. Best solution just don't view it at work Be safe! ;-)

Japan Air Raid Defense Ad
http://www.pinktentacle.com/2009/02/gas-attack-vintage-air-raid-defense-posters/

Check The Ephemera From Bamboo

Here you'll find the original paper ephemera. No reproductions (at least, that's my understanding) You can buy different type of papers here, old paper ads, vintage sheet music, and old magazines. I have no plans to buy anything here, but I enjoyed looking at some of the pictures here. Had some fun and a few chuckles. This is a nice looking site.

Bamboo Trading Co.
http://www.bambootrading.com/default.asp

Going Through Lines of Time

The Australian "Object through time" is an exhibition of items and special items or were developed or exist through out the last few centuries. There are pictures and essays about history of the objects or the subject that is presents in the page. I didn't read everything. There are a lot of essays which I'm sure would interest those who like history about objects. There are many items that aren't nothing like each other. There is for example, a convict jacket from 1840's (today it would look stylish), there is also something that I've never heard of, a HMS Sirius Anchor and Cannon from c.1780- 1790. One of my favorite subject was the Harry Vanda's Maton 12 String Electric Guitar c.1960s.

You can view the exhibitions in different with different themes that are nothing like each other. Some of these themes are , settlement, folk art, government, Gaol, Agriculture, Interment, Prisoners of War, Pop Culture, Games. This site has a lot to do with the migrants in Australia (it's an Australian site). So, there are a lot to look at.

There are different ways to view this site (check under View Objects).

Objects Through Timeline

http://www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/objectsthroughtime/

*** The items above from top to bottom are:

Matthew Finders Bicorn Hat c. 1800
Japanese Himitsu-Bako Puzzle Box c. 1939-1940
Harry Vanda's Maton 12 String Electiric Guitar c. 1960s
Griffith Drink Tokens c.1937-1951
Convict Jacket c. 1840s

Groovy Days and a Flower a Day

This link is nice, it has various themes for the '50s and early 70's I think. Mostly about items that were popular at home, like bed sheets (remember the polka dots?), curtains, furniture, items etc. The themes include "Flower Garden Theme Rooms", Flower Power Retro Decor", "Psychedelic Tie Dye Theme Bedroom" and more.

Flower Power
http://girlsthemebedrooms.com/retro/flower-power-decorating-ideas.html