Perfect Duluth Day

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor. Wanted to make sure everybody saw this.

As we celebrate Finnish culture let's give a shout out to those geeky Finns who well deserve a Geek King Seal of Approval. Finland ranks #1 in both Technological Achievement and Vacation Days. (The U.S. ranked #2 and #45 respectively.) So them Finns aren't just geeks, they are well rested geeks with plenty of time for making fan films... And they're smart too. Finland ranks #1 in MENSA members per capita. And they elect geeks to their parliament as well. Check out Jyrki J.J. Kasvi (pictured right) of the Green League. His website has Finnish, English, and Klingon translations. This has been a special Finnish edition of Your Geek Culture Update. Keep sending geeky suggestions to me. I love 'em. This concludes this special royal announcement.

Q: What's geekier than writing a fan song about how you miss watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer and posting it on your website? A: Writing a whole album of songs about Buffy the Vampire Slayer. That's what Megan Gogerty did, a playwright, performer, and self-described wordsmith. I reported her initial effort on my blog back in February, but what I didn't know was that was only the beginning of her efforts. Here are a sample of some of the track titles... Joss Is the Boss (Give Him Your Money) Kinda Wish D'Hoffryn Was my Boyfriend Lipstick Wiccans The Legend of Mr. Gordo I Didn't Write a Song about Angel and an updated version of I Miss Buffy the Vampire Slayer Megan Gogerty, for geekiness above and beyond the call of duty, I give you an extra special big Geek King Seal of Approval. And while we're on the subject of Joss Whedon and music, don't forget to tune into Doctor Horrible's Sing-Along Blog this week for the world premier of Joss' webcast show starring Neil Patrick Harris and Nathan Fillion. The episodes will be up on July 15, 17, and 19 and then will be taken down on July 20. It looks like great fun! As always, please feel free to send me nominees for the Geek King Seal of Approval. Just because I don't use them right away doesn't mean I don't cherish each and every suggestion. This concludes this royal announcement.

I distinctly remember my brother bringing this record home from a party in the early 80s. I was probably 8 years old, and completely infatuated with the idea that my very own brother knew someone who had recorded an actual record. I'm not sure which person in the band he knew -- B. Herrick or Tom Donnohue, or someone else. I never met the guy, but the record stayed in the family collection. A few years later I met Paul Lundgren and one day when I was visiting his house, I noticed that he too had a copy of "Lonely" by Thrust, via his own brother who was friends with Tom Donnohue. I probably thought that mean that Thrust was really something at the time, but honestly I have no idea how popular they were. Do any of you 40- or 50-somethings remember rocking out to Thrust at Charlie's Club in the early 1980s? Download "Lonely" by Thrust [2.5Mb mp3 -- WARNING! This recording sounds like complete crap.] I would have also included the flip side, "Children of the Sun," but unfortunately it was completely unplayable.

Watch the Trailer on Yahoo! Movies

A speech concerning a proposed landgrant for a railroad in 1871, given before congress by Rep J. Proctor Knott of Kentucky, and presented by a Minor Local Celebrity....

How long?

Here's my entry, with a sample track called "charisma rising." this was way too much fun and led to a lovely bit of time-wasting. Thanks! PS--Sorry for the pixelation on the text--working on learning this process.

Hey, PDDers: Just wanted to let the Duluth History Fans and Local Sports Fans (few though they may be) on the blog know about X-comm's latest book: Leatherheads of the North: the True Story of Ernie Nevers and the Duluth Eskimos We also have have (or will by Friday) Starfire-produced long- and short-sleeved t-shirts featuring a nifty Eskimos throw-back logo as well: If you want a signed copy of the book (think Holiday gift...), there's a whole list of signings and a bunch of other info on the book at http://www.x-communication.org/xcomm/books/leatherheads.html. Thanks for letting me use PDD for the shameless promotion of commercial products. Tony D. p.s. We even made a commercial--push play to check it out.

The subject of blogs came up last week on KUWS' Final Edition. I held off on posting about it until they posted the full audio on their website. The discussion about PDD and other blogs happens about halfway through. +++ Joel Anderson (Moderator): "Do you guys in the working ... working journalists ... do you have to monitor the blogs? I mean, is that something you have to do? No? Just like you monitor the other stations or monitor radio?" Greg Grell (WDSE - Almanac North): "Myself, I don't monitor them, but if somebody gives me a heads-up then I'll take a look. But ... you know, there's so much. There's a few different ones like Perfect Duluth Day ... that's a particularly liberal one. There's others that go the other way, and really so much of that on there is ... one person's opinion, and many times one person's uninformed opinion, that it's ... it's just not something I think you should spend a lot of time with. Sometimes, though, you know somebody will write something that is absolutely false about your organization and I think in that case, you know, you may want to ... at least keep tabs on it, whether or not you respond to it in any kind of official way ... at least try to set the record straight behind the scenes or whatever." Ron Brochu (Daily Telegram): "There was a time when I watched one in Duluth, the uh ... what do they call it, the Citizen's Blog or whatever ... I don't know ... you know, really, if I wanted to listen to a bunch of totally uniformed whackos, you know, whose mouth is much bigger than their brain, I'd just go to a bar." Mike Simonson (KUWS): "Well, you know what? I hadn't really been reading blogs until I ...." Greg Grell (interjects): "Would you like to refer to a specific whacko?" Joel Anderson: "Or a specific bar?" Greg Grell: "Just so we can get something else started here?" Ron Brochu: "About 95% of them, maybe." Mike Simonson: "But you know, there is some good conversation on blogs, and it's conversation and people want to find stuff out, and then there's the people who are absolutely sure of everything. That they are absolutely right, and they'll name-call, you know, other people if they disagree. And to me, OK, that's when I'm done reading that blog, because now I'm wasting my time and I'm getting offended, and I'm not learning anything new." Greg Grell: "I like it if somebody reasons and argues, but argues with an open mind ... and you're absolutely right, Mike ... there are some people that ... the name calling part is the part that really disturbs me. And it seems like in our society today, and I don't know if it's, you know, if it's what's been happening culturally or what it is, but it does seem like there are very few people that can argue a point without getting in, you know, to the mudslinging, to the name-calling. You know, they don't have an answer apparently, so instead they just belittle the person that they're debating with." Mike Simonson: "You know, and I hope that that is going away. You know, I may be stupid and naive to say that, especially going into the 2008 election, you know that's right around the bend. We remember how awful the 2004 election was."

Minnesota based writer Lorna Landvik spoke last night at the Radisson, supporting her new book "The View From Mount Joy". The writer of such novels as "Patty Jane's House of Curl" and "Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons" had barely begun her discussion when she commented "Hmmm, I ate something at Tobies today that didn't agree with me", then immediately hurled (though in a very ladylike way, managing to keep it in her mouth until she ran out of the room). The very funny, and very game Landvik came back right away (did she even have a chance to rinse out her mouth?) and finished her talk, even signing books into the night. She made about 100 puke jokes afterwards, but none so funny as the woman in the audience who advised her to name her next book "Lorna's House of Hurl". http://www.randomhouse.com/features/lornalandvik/

This year's Nonchalant Jaunt will be held on Saturday, Sept. 15. We'll be walking from Canal Park to the end of Minnesota Point and back. More details later. Read on for background info. The 2003 Nonchalant Jaunt was an eight-person walk across the entire width of Duluth via Highway 23 -- from the former Wabagon Supper Club to the Lakeview Castle. Seven of the eight jaunters made it to the end; one had to go to work. The 2004 Nonchalant Jaunt was a seven-person walk along Skyline Parkway -- from Mission Creek to the end of Occidental Boulevard. Three made it all the way; four jaunters got too comfortable at the former Buena Vista Restaurant and never finished. The 2005 Nonchalant Jaunt was the first jaunt that was truly nonchalant. It started at the top of Enger Tower and ... well ... maybe this video from Starfire TV explains it best. The 2006 Nonchalant Jaunt started at the Clyde Avenue Boat Launch, went west into Morgan Park and the old U.S. Steel site, and ended at Hugo's Pizza. If you're wondering what the point is, you're not invited. If you totally get it, I hope to see you at the 2007 Nonchalant Jaunt.

This weekend the rescue organization that I volunteer for is holding a picnic in honor of all the hard work RAGOM does for Minnesota, the Northland and beyond. Retrieve a Golden of Minnesota is a non-profit golden retriever rescue organization based out of the Twin Cities. There are a few but strong volunteers in the Northland and we are celebrating the growing number of people interested in volunteering, adopting, fostering or helping the many animals in need. The picnic starts at 10 am with registration and food will be served at noon. There will be a raffle and Reiki for Ragom [with a $5 donation] to be done on the dogs or peeps. We need to know who to expect for this event so please RSVP to me directly so that I can get you and your family on the list for free food at the picnic. If you do not RSVP, you can still join us for a Golden Day in Duluth. Hope to see you there. View event flyer by clicking here RSVP to max.tracey@gmail.com

.. i like it!

[A little profanity -- maybe NSFW] In August of 2006, comedienne Maria Bamford was onstage at the Friars Club in Los Angeles, when she suffered a nervous breakdown. She then disappeared for three months, out of contact with friends, family and her manager Stu Golfman. After being sighted by a homeless Comedy Central fan in Detroit, where she was selling clock radios on the sidewalk, she returned to her parents' home in [Duluth] Minnesota. This is episode #2, which I think is the funniest. Watch the rest of the episodes at Super Deluxe.

Pretty cool, there was a short piece tonight on the NPR program The Story about Dan and Bobbye Larson who now live in Duluth and make historical stringed instruments and genuine gut strings. here is an audio link to the full hour, the relevant bit starts at about the :38 min mark.

Mr. Nice for Mayor Official Campaign Viral Video Announcement. Official website. "I'm in it to win it." -Mr. Nice

Happy Birthday Star Wars!

I was excited when Jerree Small shared the stage with Garrison Keillor and even more excited when she sang duets with Paul Lundgren. The magic got kicked up another notch when Jerree sang You Spin Me Round with Starfire. So when I came across one of Barrett’s Homegrown pictures that looked like Burly Burlesque on stage with Jerree, I had to find out more. My search led to the Homegrown section of the Duluth News Tribune website where Bell by Southwire was posted. It’s dark and catchy and powerful... all my favorite music elements in one song. Today, life is good!

I went skating on the Lake. I brought my camera. I made a movie. Music by Califone.

I disagree with these: RECOMMENDATION 2: The goals of the diplomatic offensive as it relates to regional players should be to: i. Support the unity and territorial integrity of Iraq. See http://www.mapsofwar.com/images/EMPIRE17.swf RECOMMENDATION 63: • The United States should encourage investment in Iraq’s oil sector by the international community and by international energy companies. Renewable energy, anyone? These I like: RECOMMENDATION 10: The issue of Iran’s nuclear programs should continue to be dealt with by the United Nations Security Council and its five permanent members (i.e., the United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China) plus Germany. RECOMMENDATION 15: Concerning Syria, some elements of that negotiated peace should be: • Syria’s full adherence to UN Security Council Resolution 1701 of August 2006, which provides the framework for Lebanon to regain sovereign control over its territory. RECOMMENDATION 16: In exchange for these actions and in the context of a full and secure peace agreement, the Israelis should return the Golan Heights, with a U.S. security guarantee for Israel that could include an international force on the border, including U.S. troops if requested by both parties. RECOMMENDATION 26: Constitution review. Review of the constitution is essential to national reconciliation and should be pursued on an urgent basis. The United Nations has expertise in this field, and should play a role in this process. RECOMMENDATION 28: Oil revenue sharing. Oil revenues should accrue to the central government and be shared on the basis of population. No formula that gives control over revenues from future fields to the regions or gives control of oil fields to the regions is compatible with national reconciliation. RECOMMENDATION 40: The United States should not make an open-ended commitment to keep large numbers of American troops deployed in Iraq. RECOMMENDATION 61: Programs led by the U.S. Department of Justice to establish courts; to train judges, prosecutors, and investigators; and to create institutions and practices to fight corruption must be strongly supported and funded. New and refurbished courthouses with improved physical security, secure housing for judges and judicial staff, witness protection facilities, and a new Iraqi Marshals Service are essential parts of a secure and functioning system of justice. RECOMMENDATION 72: Costs for the war in Iraq should be included in the President’s annual budget request, starting in FY 2008: the war is in its fourth year, and the normal budget process should not be circumvented. Funding requests for the war in Iraq should be presented clearly to Congress and the American people. Congress must carry out its constitutional responsibility to review budget requests for the war in Iraq carefully and to conduct oversight. RECOMMENDATION 77: The Director of National Intelligence and the Secretary of Defense should devote significantly greater analytic resources to the task of understanding the threats and sources of violence in Iraq.

For the blog-a-thon, I'm posting a little pretend commercial that I worked on in a group project for school. Each group was assigned an existing company...IFC is the Independant Film Channel. The song is Deb Talen of The Weepies. Click on the picture to watch the 1 minute promo. (We're still learning the programs.)

Click the Pic. Muzak by Calexico.

It began in 2003. Eight Duluthians set out on a quest to walk the entire width of the city via Highway 23 -- from the former Wabagon Supper Club to the Lakeview Castle. Seven of them made it. One had to drop out of the group and go to work. It continued in 2004. Seven Duluthians set out to walk the entire length of Skyline Parkway -- from Mission Creek to the end of Occidental Boulevard. Three made it all the way; four got too comfortable at the former Buena Vista Restaurant and went no further. It became nonchalant in 2005. After realizing the first two jaunts were quite chalant, seven Duluthians set out on a truly nonchalant adventure, meeting at the top of Enger Tower and wandering around aimlessly, as documented by this video from Starfire TV. Now, it’s 2006. The plan is to meet on Sunday, Oct. 22, 11 a.m., at the Clyde Avenue Boat Launch and run wild from there. (There is no reason to believe anyone will show up with a boat, but it could happen.) Similar to 2005, there is no plan. We’ll make it up as we go. The Clyde Avenue Boat Launch is -- you guessed it -- at the end of Clyde Avenue. Turn east off of Grand Avenue between the Riverside and Morgan Park neighborhoods, then head down Clyde Avenue and you’ll hit the dead end in less than a half mile. Questions? Ask in the comments or find me Saturday night at the UFO convention.