I'm not sure what it is about Glam Rock and Christmas but I've always appreciated how many contributions to the Christmas song canon have big drums, fuzzy sax and '50s via the '70s Yuletide vibes. My vote for the best Glam Rock Christmas song goes, hands down, to Slade with their never-tiresome-no-matter-how-many-times-you-hear-it classic, … Continue reading Glam & Glitter Christmas
Author: Eric Brightwell
Eric Brightwell is an essayist, rambler, explorer, cartographer, and guerrilla gardener. He lives in Los Angeles, not because he was born here, but because he chose to... for all of the things for which its famous: its verticality, its mass transit, its diversity, its schools, its liminal spaces, its architecture, its wildlife, its museums, its night markets, its cinemas, its theaters, its enclaves, its restaurants, its bars, its libraries, &c
St. Lucy’s Day
Tomorrow is St. Lucy's Day, a holiday primarily observed in Northern and Central Europe... and the Upper Middle West. If it seems odd for Lutherans to observe a Saint Day, it's because it sort of is. Then again, as with all the best Christian observances, the holiday's roots likely if anythinhave little to do with … Continue reading St. Lucy’s Day
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Happy Krampusnacht!
Last year I posted an entry about St. Nicholas and the rather unsavory company he keeps. Child murderers, demons and hags (oh my). Well, the Krampus proved very popular, earning me another nickname that has stuck around throughout the year. The Krampus is a demon that, with the approval of kindly St. Nick, terrorizes bad … Continue reading Happy Krampusnacht!
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Lil Slim — Hollygrove hard hitter from back in the day
Lil Slim was one of the first artists to be signed to Cash Money Records. After a series of underground classics, he parted ways with the label. A couple of years later, CMR signed a multi-million dollar deal with Universal and the label's star, Juvenile, carried the new roster to success whilst Lil Slim receded … Continue reading Lil Slim — Hollygrove hard hitter from back in the day
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Mimes in music and film
Last year for Halloween I was Bip the Clown, a famous creation of the then recently passed master of mime, Marcel Marceau. I thought it would be good to go an entire day without talking, yet it seemed to arouse violent annoyance in as many people as liked it. I think it made me realize … Continue reading Mimes in music and film
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November is Native American Heritage Month
NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH The first American Indian Day was celebrated in May 1916 in New York. Back in 1990, President George H.W. Bush named November National American Indian Heritage Month. The purpose of the observance is to highlight the roles America's aboriginal peoples have played in the country's history. It's kind of interesting. … Continue reading November is Native American Heritage Month
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Diwali – aka Deepavali aka Tihar aka Swanti
Diwali (or Deepavali, Tihar or Swanti) is a festival of lights primarily celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Newar Bhuddists but also, occasionally, fans of holidays, South Asian food or culture. As with all ancient holidays, the true origins are obscure but undoubtedly symbolize the triumph of good over evil. Probably due to its timing, … Continue reading Diwali – aka Deepavali aka Tihar aka Swanti
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Happy All Hallows’ Even
You know those grinches that, on Valentines Day say, "I don't need a holiday to tell me when to express my feelings for my loved one" or, on Mothers Day say "I don't need a stupid holiday to tell me when to call my mom?" Well, that's one reason I like Halloween --because those bias … Continue reading Happy All Hallows’ Even
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Sounds of the Show-Me State — Happy Missouri Day
Pendersleigh & Sons Cartography's Map of Missouri Missouri's nickname, the "Show Me State," first appears in print in the words of congressman, William Vandiver, who declared in 1889, “I come from a state that raises corn and cotton and cockleburs and Democrats. Frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfies me. I am from Missouri. You have got … Continue reading Sounds of the Show-Me State — Happy Missouri Day
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Happy Missouri Day! – Yup, It’s aready been a yurr since the last’n
MISSOURI DAY The 3rd Wednesday of the October, this year the 15th. Pendersleigh & Sons' Official Map of Missouri In my experience, when you'ins tell people you’re from Missouri, most people reply self-satisfiedly with "don't you mean Missouruh?" or, alternately, "where is Missouri? I don’t think I’ve ever been there." Whether Missouri is Lower Midwestern or Upper Southern (or … Continue reading Happy Missouri Day! – Yup, It’s aready been a yurr since the last’n
Eric Brightwell 