It’s the last night of the year
If someone who sang as beautifully as Diana Krall asked me this question my reply would be “Whatever you like, ma’am.” I wonder if she asks Elvis (Costello, to whom she’s married) this question every year?
Archive of entries posted on December 2015
Almost Champagne Night
Unlike Francis Albert, I do enjoy a glass of the stuff once a year.
Explain this!
Most of us know xkcd, the wonderful comic/cartoon which dispenses wisdom from stick figures. Do you know that the artist/author has published a book called “Thing Explainer: Complicated Stuff in Simple Words?” I have a question for the next edition of Things Explained — why is it that when your denim shorts’ hems go bad …
The other Christmas book
Mom also gave me “The Illustrated Route 66 Historical Atlas”. It’s a look at some 500 attractions along the old road from Chicago to Los Angeles. This is going to be fun to dip in and out of.
Christmas book!
We all know “It’s a Wonderful Life,” right? Clarence the Angel, Potter the Evil Banker, George Bailey and all that? Mom gave me a copy of “The Greatest Gift”. It’s the short story on which the movie was based. The story behind its move from print to film is told in an Afterword, and it’s …
Yes, Virginia…
Merry Christmas to All! Note: This entry was originally published December 24, 2003. From the Editorial Page, New York Sun, 1897 We take pleasure in answering thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun: I am 8 years …
A sporting Night Before Christmas
Frank Caliendo is a comedian who does impressions of ESPN broadcasters and a lot of other things. Back in 2014 he did “Twas the Night Before Christmas” live on the Mike and Mike show using various ESPN personalities’ voices. You don’t necessarily have to recognize who he’s imitating; he throws enough clichéd material into it …
Ol’ Blue Eyes accompanied by a King
That could only be Frank Sinatra accompanied by Nat King Cole singing “The Christmas Song,” written by Mel Tormé and Bob Wells on what Tormé claimed was the hottest day of the year back in July of 1945. Here’s Mark Evanier relating his tale of Mr. Tormé at the Farmers’ Market in LA a long …
Bruce, Macca, Tina and Amy
If you didn’t see Saturday Night Live last weekend, here’s the closing number. Paul amuses me. He casually strolled on stage holding some sleigh bells and joined in on the chorus, much to the surprise of the audience.
Carol of the Bells, from Hawai’i
This is a few years old, but I’ve never run across it before. Pianist David Hincken plays the song on a beachfront on Oahu.