Coal Powered Performance

Did you know...

That in the early part of the 20th century there was a very strange ventriloquism act named Count Lorenzo The Great & Napoleon that performed on the vaudeville circuit? Yes, the odd twist in this one was that instead of having a small dummy sitting on his leg, Count Lorenzo (originally Lionel Katzburg, from New Jersey) had a giant-sized dummy, and he sat on the dummy's leg! Napoleon (the "Big Corporal") was constructed of iron and brass and his various moving parts were powered by steam pistons. Throughout the performance, it was necessary to have stage hands periodically shovel coal into Napoleon's mouth to keep him running.

On August 12th of 1917 at Portland's Orpheum theater, disaster struck when Napoleon's head exploded during an oncore of Camp Town Races (Lorenzo had been warned by engineers that the song was way too dangerous). Pieces of Napoleon were found as far away as Seattle. Count Lorenzo was never found.

****
Here are some pics from Monday (was going to post some more from Sunday, but I changed my mind -- I can do that! -- I'll post those on Wednesday)

Odd Sandwich Break

Now, that's something you don't see everyday -- well, at least I don't...

****

Some critters frolicking in my parking lot on Sunday afternoon

The Good Old Days

Let's hear from Cyrus Weems, 136 years old...

One spends about 10 years as a "kid" then about another nine or ten as a "youth", then you've got young adult, adult, middle aged -- you are probably considered "old" by most people by the time you are 60 -- so if you live 136 years or more, you'd be spending at least 76 years as "old" -- now that would be something to look forward too...

****
More recent pics

Mr. Lemming & the Wheel of Hamster

****

Pics from Friday, 3/27/09

Myth Illogical

Just doodlin' away at three-ay-em!

****

On Thursday as I walked down Madison st. to work, I decided to stop in at the Walgreens. There was a rather attractive and "interestingly" dressed woman just ahead of me, and just before she entered the revolving door, some fellow yelled out from a van "YOU SHO WORKIN' THAT OUTFIT!!"; the woman half smiled and said "thanks" (As did I, she assumed the fellow was talking to her, and not me...). Later in the store, I asked the woman what she thought about guys yelling out of vans at her. She said she's gotten used to it, and takes it as a compliment. I will keep that in mind.

****

Pics from Thursday, 3/26/09

Putting Your Money Where Their Mouth Is

How about a few words from Goonbot, the Mechanical Bully?

****

Some more pics from this week.

Turn Back On Town

A quick doodle

****

Some pics from around the neighborhood this week

Lurking Entertainment

I call this one: What Killed Vaudeville.

****

More pics from Saturay 3/21/09