WBRU - BruDog Radio

This next artist is blowing up the internet and the music charts with such hits as "Chocolate Rain", "Internet Dream", "Love", and "Lifetime Limbo", as well as covers of "Never Gonna Give You Up", "House Of The Rising Sun", and "Swing Low Sweet Chariot".

And now, moving up the Broadway charts, here he is with his cover of "Edelweiss", Tay Zonday!

Feed Me

I went grocery shopping at the Shoppers Food Warehouse on Friday afternoon. I go to the checkout. The cashier bags and rings up my three bags of groceries. I pay. I pick up my three bags of groceries to leave. The cashier says, "Enjoy your lunch!" . . .

Should I take that the wrong way?


Speaking of lunch, I happened upon a website that had pics of old lunch boxes. You know, the ol' metal ones that would rust after a while. Well I happened to find one that I used to have, the Space:1999 lunch box. I don't think I actually watched that show, at least I don't remember watching it. The lunch box must have been either on sale or was a hand-me-down.

So what about you? What fun lunch boxes did you have?

Chestnuts Roasting On A BBQ Grill

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge fan of Christmas. Former West Enders probably remember the displays that Tom and me did in the green room every year, or my "Black Santa" display backstage. I'm usually one of the first in my neighborhood to put up decorations. But I have to say that I am not a fan of "Christmas In July". I don't get it. Christmas is such a huge part of the year already. Why do we feel the need to add it to another month? For me, Christmas is from December 1st to January 1st. I don't even follow the whole epiphany thing. I'm even OK with decorating right after Thanksgiving. But beyond that, no more Christmas. I get annoyed when I'm shopping in September and see decorations for sale. I even have trouble going into those Christmas shops outside of the season.

Now I'd also like to say that this rant does not reflect on the wonderful "Christmas In July" parties that Caren and Bud throw every year. I've always enjoyed those as an opportunity to have fun with friends old and new. I especially love playing with that furry dog of theirs.

Turn Off The Lights. . . And Light A Candle

I happened to flip by Nightline the other day and came across a story about a family in New York trying a "No Environmental Impact" lifestyle. They've turned off their circuit breakers, they've stopped using the elevator, they ride a scooter to and from work, and even wash clothes in the bathtub by stomping around the laundry filled water like they are stomping grapes. And for entertainment, they go to the park.

I have to say that I do admire them. They are conserving water and fuel. They are not contributing to the consumption of fossil fuels by not using electricity. They are even getting some quality time together with candlelight dinners and family outings at the park. And one of the child's favorite activities is the laundry stomp. Kudos to them! But you know what? I couldn't do it.

I can't live without my TV. I'd be lost without my car. And there were times in my childhood when we didn't have a washing machine in the house and didn't always have quarters for the laundromat. So I've done the washing clothes by hand thing. I hope to never have to do that again.

I do make my own effort though. I've cut down on extra driving. I reuse the plastic bags from the grocery store. My household has recycling pickup. I even unplug my chargers when they aren't in use. But I don't think I could ever take it to the extreme that this family has. I certainly admire them for it, though.

Here's a video of the story.

Hey Momma Welcome To The 2000's

I'm excited about the new "Hairspray" movie coming out this Friday, not just because it's one of my favorite musicals, but because I love the fact that Hollywood is putting musicals on film again. But not for the reason you may think.

I like that they are doing musicals on film again because eventually the movie is put on DVD which allows me to watch it anytime I want, as opposed to having to wait for a local theater to produce it. I of course love going and seeing a live musical, but the one problem I've always had is that I can only go and see it once. I could go and see it over and over again, but I don't have that kind of money. Plus, if no theater around me happens to be doing the musical, I'm SOL. Now unless a movie musical is horribly done, I'll buy the DVD for the opportunity to see it anytime I want.

I'm really looking forward to "Hairspray". So much so that I am almost worried that I'll be disappointed because it isn't good. BTW I'm a huge fan of the original movie also.

Addictive Commercials

I was visiting a friend in Baltimore today and caught this commercial.

WARNING: Audio may not be suitable for office speakers or young ears.

Not So Fast, Save Some Gas

I've been a speeder ever since I first got my license. My last speeding ticket, which was about ten years ago, was for driving 87 in a 55 mph zone. But gas prices these days have caused me to change my ways.

To save money and gas, I've slowed down on the highway, which I've found actually makes a difference. I generally do 60 now (or five above whatever the posted speed limit is). What's funny is that most people around me on the highway don't do the same. There I am in the right lane chugging along while everyone is flying by. Now there are a few others in that right lane also driving slower, but not many. Sometimes I feel like an old man on a Sunday drive. And I think it's funny that I feel like I'm going slow at 6o mph.

I thought the new added violation fees here in Virginia (as much as $1050 for reckless driving, which that 87 mph ticket would have fallen under) would slow people down, but that hasn't necessarily happened.

Post Of The Week

I came across this post at "The Assimilated Negro" blog. It cracked me up, but I don't think most of the readers who left comments got the humor.

Check out Yeah, But How Come They Never Shoot Off Any Black Fireworks?

Walkin' In A Summer Wonderland

So, I'm at home yesterday, standing outside watering the front lawn, when all of a sudden I hear music. I realize that the music is coming from an ice cream truck in the neighborhood. I recognize the tune, but I can't think of what it is. Then it hits me. "Jingle Bells". Yes the chimes on ice cream truck were playing "Jingle Bells" followed by "Silent Night" and then "O Come All Ye Faithful". After the three Christmas songs, it started playing non holiday songs.

At first I thought that maybe they forgot to change the music for the summer season, but then what ice cream truck sells ice cream in December.

Gotta Get Something Off My Chest

I was reading the other day about Isaiah Washington, the actor who was fired from the show "Grey's Anatomy" for using an anti-gay slur. Evidently, he feels that he was fired because he is "a 6-foot-1, black man with dark skin and who doesn't go around saying 'Yessah, massa sir' and 'No sir, massa' to everyone?", and that some people on the set are scared of him because of it.

Well I have something to say. I've really lost all respect for this guy. I was already annoyed with him when it came out that he used the epithet, but the racial thing really got me going. He uses a gay slur but thinks that it's wrong that he's fired because he's Black (not that I believe he was fired for that). Besides, two of the characters (the chief of surgery and the surgeon that teaches the interns) are played by Blacks. And one of the interns is played by an Asian. The creator of the show is Black. And you know what? I'd be a little scared of a cast member who started a fight on the set.

As Tina would say, "Ugh!"