Dimland Radio

dimland radio 5-12-18 show notes

It’s Not True: Blucher Does Not Mean Glue

At the end of last week’s show I blurted out that in the classic comedy Young Frankenstein Cloris Leachman’s character name means glue in German. I had heard that not-a-factoid recently on the Dana Gould Hour podcast. I didn’t verify and friend of the show, Michael, clued me in on it being a myth. There is no German word meaning glue, either a noun or a verb, that is in any way close to Blucher.

US Code, Title 36, Subtitle 1, Part A, Chapter 3, Subsection 301

I am not easily offended, but I am easily annoyed. And I find it very annoying to see people at sporting events standing with their hands over their hearts during the singing of God Bless America. According to the US Code, American citizens are to do that during the playing of our National Anthem – The Star-Spangled Banner. God Bless America is not our National Anthem, people!

I expressed that annoyance on the Facebook and someone attempted to tell me I was wrong. As if! When have I ever been wrong? Oh. Right. The Frau Blucher thing.

In the course of that social media discussion, I was a bit sloppy and I was called on it. I eventually set things straight by not attempting to paraphrase and just quoted directly from the Code. That went better. I need to be more clear.

However, there is one argument that, if made, I would concede the whole thing. Did someone make me concede?

The Thin Edge Of The Wedge

Can someone explain to me what it is with some Republicans and their obsession with getting their god back into the public schools? It’s really quite disturbing how some feel it’s fine to exclude certain students in the name of tolerance (and promotion) of the majority’s religion.

Well, they say, “God” can be any god, not just ours (wink, wink).

Oh, really? Does that include those religions that worship multiple gods?

This all stems from Minnesota State Sentator Dan Hall’s legislation that would allow public schools to install privately funded displays of the National Motto (it really shouldn’t be our motto) In God We Trust. It’s so good to know that all the other problems have been solved, because our state senate can spend its time figuring out how to combine Church and Sate. At least, the legislation doesn’t mandate the display. Oh, Minnesota is so progressive!

This legislation is the thin end of the wedge to get kids saying the Lord’s Prayer in school so things can be great again the way it was in the Senator’s day. He even says it’s a “good start.”

I’m an atheist. My wife is an atheist. Our son is an atheist and he’s in the public school system. Why, Senator Hall, do you want to exclude us?

A Dimland Radio Pedantic Moment: Taking Your Guns And Tombstone Meme

I know, for a Pedantic Moment I really ought to have everything straight, but I didn’t have the image of the meme available, so I didn’t get the wording exactly right, but I had the gist of it correct. Good enough. (You try to do an hour long show!)

As you can see, the meme above is an anti-gun control message. The person who made it used a gun protestor’s admission of wanting to take guns away from law-abiding Americans to give their response. Their response was shown by using an image of Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer) from the film Tombstone. Sort of, “Oh, yeah? Well, just try and take ’em.”

Except. In the movie, just prior to the big gunfight at the OK corral, what was it Doc and the Earp brothers came to take from Ike Clanton and his gang? Hmmmmm?

The Clairvoyant’s Clients Are Being Conned By Someone Other Than The Clairvoyant?

It appears a con is on. A second one. Well, you see, there’s a clairvoyant woman in Scotland who has spent the last 30 years connin… er… building a clientele and some other con artist is attempting get in on the con… er.. I mean… umm.

Actually, the irony of this story is awfully fun.

In my opinion, her clients aren’t only being conned by the outside party. She’s also conning them and, because I’m sure she believes in her abilities, she’s conning herself.

Three Cool Things

3) The monthly meet-up with the MN Skeptics is also cool, and this time a member who hasn’t been to one in quite a while finally made it back. And that was really cool.

2) My wife clued me onto this comedy troupe called WomenComedy. It’s all dudes, so I’m not sure how they came up with that name, but their videos are very funny and that’s cool.

1) Facebook helped me solve a case of identifying a famous person at a ballgame. I took a few screen captures, so the quality wasn’t the best. Despite the bigfoot level photo quality, the person was identified. Cool!

Music heard on the show…

Dimland Radio opening theme song: ‘Ram‘ by The Yoleus
First ad break bumpers: ‘North Country Girl‘ by Pete Townshend & ‘After The Lights Go Out‘ by Urban Guerrillas

Second ad break bumpers: ‘Chance‘ by Red Lorry Yellow Lorry & ‘Shadow Line‘ by The Fleshtones

Closing song: ‘Angler’s Treble Hook‘ by $5 Fiddle

That’s it! See you next Saturday night for Dimland Radio 11 Central, midnight Eastern on www.ztalkradio.com you can also download my show from the z talk show archives page. You can email your questions and comments to drdim@dimland.com

Please subscribe on iTunes! Just search for Dimland Radio in the podcast section. And if you could leave a good rating and a positive review it would be awesome.

You can also go to my CafePress store and buy stuff with my artwork on it and have me do a portrait for you if you like. Find out more here and here.

dimland radio 5-5-18 show notes

A Little Tribute To My Departed In-Laws

Together again.

On May 4th, we gathered at Fort Snelling National Cemetery for a final send off for my wife’s parents. Mom died in September 2013, Dad in October 2017. Their remains will be interred at Fort Snelling. They were sent off with full military honors as Dad was a Vietnam veteran.

A few friends and family were their for one final goodbye.

Who’s Afraid Of Michelle Wolf?

It appears the President is. He didn’t attend the White House Correspondents Association dinner at which comedian Michelle Wolf was a featured speaker. She let pretty much everyone have it. It was uncomfortable at times, but she wasn’t lying. And she got me to laugh a few times.

There were more than a few people upset by her speaking truth to power, but there’s the old saying: Don’t dish it out, if you can take it. We have a President who loves to dish, but, judging by his absence and his (and others) reaction, he can’t take it.

This image should put things in perspective:

Yes. Yes, she did.

A Dimland Radio Pedantic Moment: Hawaii Five-O Has An Outstanding Police Sketch Artist

Talking about Ms Wolf’s roasting performance got me talking about other featured speakers. One also ruffled feathers, the other was a very, very safe choice. First was Stephen Colbert and he made President George W Bush pretty uncomfortable. And give credit to W. He was there.

The other was Rich Little. He was featured the following year after Colbert. He couldn’t make anyone uncomfortable. Unless, that is, you watched him attempt to act.

Little was a guest star of an episode of the original Hawaii Five-O. He played a revenge killer, who was killing drug dealers he held responsible for the death of a young woman he loved. He also happened to do impressions, you know, because Rich Little does impressions. Makes sense.

The Pedantic Moment comes from a sketch of the suspect. One of the murdered drug dealers was killed in a motel and the manager of the motel was asked what the man who rented the room looked like. She didn’t know.

She was vague when talking to McGarrett (Jack Lord). She was sent to work with a police sketch artist to see what they could come up with.

Her assessment of the sketch was, “Not a spitting image, but it’s OK.”

This is a screen capture of that sketch:

The killer is… Rich Little?!

Lady! That is the definition of “spitting image!”

Playing The Gadfly Again

I pointed out that Trump did not called Mexicans rapists. He was talking about illegal immigration and the kinds of people who are coming from Mexico. He said:

“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”

Sure, it’s not a great thing to be saying and it might not even be true, but he didn’t say, “Mexicans are rapists.”

I also asked if this whole Korean peninsula peace and denuclearization thing happens, should Trump get any credit? Should he get the Nobel Peace Prize?

Of course, there are plenty of people who think he shouldn’t, but I now of one guy who says he should: Moon Jae-In, the President of South Korea. Is he right? I dunno.

Three Cool Things

3) I recently learned how to do screen captures on a Mac. Not thrilling, but I think it’s cool.

2) I finally got to wear my suit. It was for the military ceremony for my in-laws.

1) A solemn occasion, yes, but the ceremony at Fort Snelling was pretty cool.

Song Comparison

This might not be fair, but what the hell? When I was in my 20s I thought Violent Femmes’ song Please Do Not Go was a good, angst-filled song about unrequited love. But now that I’m in my 50s, I don’t think it holds up.

But the song About Today by The National is a song written by adults about a longtime relationship coming to an end. It just kills me.

Art is subjective. Check the links. What do you think?

Music heard on the show…

Dimland Radio opening theme song: ‘Ram‘ by The Yoleus
First ad break bumpers: ‘Everyone A Puzzle Lover‘ by 10,000 Maniacs & ‘Golden Brown‘ by The Stranglers

Second ad break bumpers: ‘Once In A Lifetime‘ by Talking Heads & ‘Nocturnal Me‘ by Echo & The Bunnymen

Closing song: ‘Angler’s Treble Hook‘ by $5 Fiddle

Please subscribe on iTunes! Just search for Dimland Radio in the podcast section. And if you could leave a good rating and a positive review it would be awesome.

You can also go to my CafePress store and buy stuff with my artwork on it and have me do a portrait for you if you like. Find out more here and here.

dimland radio 4-28-18 show notes

It’s Spring, Time For A Familiar Rant

The ducks have returned, the cat has stopped laying on my lap, and baseball is back.

Have I mentioned that I hate the NY Yankees? Yes. I know I have. But it’s sort of a tradition on Dimland Radio. Besides with the MN Twins have just lost four in a row to the Evil Empire, I just couldn’t help myself.

How Can You Tell Penn Jillette Is A Vegan?

I sidetracked before getting into my Pedantic Moment by voicing my concern about Penn Jillette’s veganism. It has helped him lose a considerable amount of weight and, if we can take him at his word, which I do, his health is much improved.

It’s just that on his excellent podcast he tends to talk about being a vegan and it gets a little tiresome. (Hmm, I should keep that in mind when it comes to mind talking about a certain greatest rock band in the world.) Well, it is his show and he can talk about whatever he wants.

A Dimland Radio Pedantic Moment: Signs At The March For Our Lives Events

I don’t want mass shootings happening anywhere, I think that’s pretty much a given. Despite some of the rhetoric that gets tossed around, folks such as Ted Nugent and the NRA also don’t want mass shootings either.

The March For Our Lives events of a month or so ago had thousands of people throughout America marching to make their voices heard about our country needing to do something to end gun violence. Exactly what? I don’t know if there is any one thing that can be done.

But! I did see a few signs that I do know how to get all pedantic about.

Really? Where did you try buying that poster board?


Um. I’m pretty sure hunting schoolchildren is illegal.

Um. I’m pretty sure Heroin is illegal.

Those were the dumb ones. This next one is a bit more historically complicated. The 3/5 Compromise was a complicated move made in the early days of the American government. It mandated that 3/5 of the slaves be counting when determining population totals. It was a compromise that gave Southern (slave-holding) states greater representation in the Federal government, but not as much as would have been given had slaves been counted as full persons.

It was an anti-slavery move, but what would be its historical impact?

It’s complicated.

And the last sign, I think, is pretty damn good. Whether or not an AR-15 would fire as many rounds in the time it takes to read the sign as it indicates is beside the point. It is very effective ad copy.

I count 39 bullet holes and it took 5 seconds to read. There’s some math to be done here.

Three Cool Things

3) This is a very cool perspective of Devils Tower.

2) And then NASA gave us this awesome animated image of a comet that was study as part of the Rosetta mission.

1) The Foo Fighters like to pull a fan out of the crowd during live performances and have them play along with the band. They want a fan who can play guitar, at least, a little. Well, recently they got more than they bargained for when they brought “Kiss Guy” on stage.

Music heard on the show…

Dimland Radio opening theme song: ‘Ram‘ by The Yoleus
First ad break bumpers: ‘She’s On It‘ by Beastie Boys & ‘We Got The Beat‘ by The Go-Go’s

Second ad break bumpers: ‘Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic‘ by The Police & ‘Rat Patrol‘ by Naked Raygun

Closing song: ‘Angler’s Treble Hook‘ by $5 Fiddle

Please subscribe on iTunes! Just search for Dimland Radio in the podcast section. And if you could leave a good rating and a positive review it would be awesome.

You can also go to my CafePress store and buy stuff with my artwork on it and have me do a portrait for you if you like. Find out more here and here.

dimland radio 4-21-18 show notes

WRONG!

I misspoke during the show last week when I was talking about the band Tool. Twice I called their song Forty Six & 2, Forty Six & 10. Whoops. Friend of the show, Craig, a big Tool fan himself, caught the error. I did get the song title correct in last week’s show notes. Just sayin’.

And there’s a certain irony to my getting it wrong twice…

Talk About The Weather

Like last week’s show, this show is an exclusive download-only edition. And it’s for the same reason: A big floor scrubbing job that will go late into the night on Saturday.

We were supposed to do this job last week and, though we tried, a massive snowstorm that hit Central Minnesota made that impossible. So, we cancelled the job and it’s been rescheduled for this Saturday.

So, another download-only exclusive.

A Dimland Radio ARGH!

EVERY TIME!

It’s been two years since the musician Prince died. And over those two year EVERY time the local Fox News affiliate does a story about him viewers get to see that same video footage of him playing on Saturday Night Live. It’s from his last appearance on that Saturday night television staple.

It’s probably a licensing thing and not just laziness. However, a couple times recently they’ve also used footage from a couple of his music video, so I’m beginning to think it is out of laziness.

Art Bell Died

I can’t say that I ever listened to much of his show Coast To Coast. It always seemed to be in commercial break whenever I tuned in. I did hear some and I can’t say I thought his show was very scientifically sound. In fact, Mr. Bell did a lot of damage to the cause of scientific literacy by promote every quack pseudoscientific idea that came to his attention.

Alex Jones Is An Actor And An Asshole

The king of false flag-waving conspiracy theorists, Alex “Asshole” Jones, is possibly the biggest piece of shit with a microphone today. Well, the shithead is getting sued by the families of two of the Sandy Hook shooting victims. They are suing him for his five-year campaign of claiming the shooting never happened, nobody was killed, and the families are crisis actors. It’s all part of a deep conspiracy by the gubment to take our guns, I guess.

Actually, it’s more likely all part of asshole Jones’ attempt to bilk as much money as he can for his gullible followers. His shows are pretty geared to just getting his viewers to buy his over-priced snake oil.

The families are only suing for one million dollars, but he should be slapped for so much more. Do not forget he testified in court that his on-air personality is an act. And don’t forget that he just did an about face on Sandy Hook and now says he believes it happened. Lawsuits can change minds, I guess.

So, who’s the actor now, Mr. Jones?

The Internets Can Be Awesome

In the way science corrects itself when science gets something wrong, the internets can do the same thing. Recently, a story appeared online of a large, wolf-like creature killing dogs and terrorizing people in Argentina. A picture, all grainy from being taken in low light, of this creature has been included with the story.

Ooooooo, creepy!

Look familiar?

It’s a creepy image. It’s pretty blurry and grainy due to the low light. It’s a strange-looking creature. It’s also a fake.

Eagle eyes on the interwebs spotted that the creature was lifted from artwork produced for the film Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. It an artist’s concept illustration of the character Prof. Lupin in his werewolf form. A Facebook friend of mine used the Photoshop and nailed it!

Kudos to my FB friend!

So, the internet continues to be a double-edged sword. It floats bullshit images like this one that fool people into believing a claim, but the internet also has people who expose these frauds. Sadly, more people will see and believe the fake than will get the truth.

Internet skeptics’ work never ends.

The FDA Disclaimer

When some miracle supplement is being advertised on TV look for the disclaimer posted above. If you see it, you can safely assume the product is some bullshit snake oil and save your money. I made the point that, though actual prescription drugs advertised on TV will have a long list of side effects, the ad don’t have that FDA disclaimer.

Three Cool Things

3) As much of a pain in the ass as that snowstorm was, it did make things look awfully pretty.

Ahhh, April in the Upper Midwest!

2) The MN Timberwolves (basketball) and the MN Wild (hockey) have both made the playoffs in their respective sports. It’s been 14 years since the Timberwolves had made it. Both teams will likely be knocked out in the first round, but it’s still cool.

1) Vulture.com has a lengthy article on the 100 most influential comic book pages of all time. There’s some very good pages in there and overall the article is a good history of the progress of comics from their humble beginnings to today.

Music heard on the show…

Dimland Radio opening theme song: ‘Ram‘ by The Yoleus
First ad break bumpers: ‘Sign O The Times‘ & ‘Raspberry Beret‘ by Prince

Second ad break bumpers: ‘Little Red Corvette‘ & ‘U Got The Look‘ by Prince

Closing song: ‘Angler’s Treble Hook‘ by $5 Fiddle

Please subscribe on iTunes! Just search for Dimland Radio in the podcast section. And if you could leave a good rating and a positive review it would be awesome.

You can also go to my CafePress store and buy stuff with my artwork on it and have me do a portrait for you if you like. Find out more here and here.

dimand radio 4-14-18 show notes

Mom: No Update This Week

Mom is OK.

I guess that is an update. Oh, well.

I Made It Through That Top Ten List

After a little talk about a show that used to be on Z Talk Radio (it still cycles through the autoplay when no scheduled show is on), whose host believed he could talk to angels, I revisited the topic of my rant at the end of last week’s show: WatchMojo’s Top Ten list of the Most Electrifying Live Bands of All Time.

You will recall my two complaints about that list were the placement of my favorite band, The Who, at #10 and the voice-over child not knowing how to pronounce Pete Townshend’s name.

Well, during the past week I mustered the courage and watched the entire video. On this week’s show, I talk about that list and I try to look at it from the perspective of someone who isn’t as big a Who fan as I am. (Apparently, there are people out there who don’t even like the greatest band in the world. Go figure.)

These kinds of lists are subjective and I try to keep that in mind. But The Who at #10?!

Here’s the video.

Tool Time Talk

No, I don’t talk about Tim Allen and his manly man, tool-obsessed sit-com. This talk was about a band I know very little about. The band is Tool. They are a highly respected and acclaimed prog-metal or alt-metal band from California.

As I said, I know very little of them, but recently friend of the show Craig introduced to a couple of their songs. Metal was never a favorite musical form for me, but there are some songs I like. And I was impressed with the musicianship displayed in those two songs and the vocals did not put me off as is what usually happens when I listen to metal, especially 80s Hair Metal.

The two songs are Crawl Away and Forty Six & 2.

And Then There Are These Music Students

Craig also linked me to a video of some music students of Maineville Music Academy doing a cover of Forty Six & 2. The kids range in age (I’m guessing here) 9 to 18 or so. And they are pretty damn good.

You Take That Back, Travis!

Next I talked about a conversation I had with another friend of the show, Travis, about my learning about Tool. I think Tool is to Travis as The Who is to me. We also talked about the cover by those school kids.

Travis mentioned how there were nine of those kids (eight on instruments, one doing vocals) to do that song, while, when playing live, Tool consists of three on instruments and one on vocals and they pull it off.

Hmm. Three on instruments and one vocalist. WHO does that sound like, eh? Of course.

I know. I’m sick. I can’t help bringing them up (Although I will try.) So, I brought The Who into the conservation. It was then that Travis suggested Townshend wasn’t much of a musician.

…

Travis is still alive. When you listen to the show you’ll learn how he managed to survive.

They Aren’t All Playing All That Music?

I learned this from a recent Penn’s Sunday School podcast. It’s an industry secret that some of the major touring rock bands will hide additional musicians to fill in the sound, cover the mistakes, hit the high notes, etc. I guess I can understand when a band wants to reproduce the sound of their records, but they don’t want to appear mortal not being able to do it all.

U2 is one a band that employs a keyboardist who is hidden away from the crowd, but they do introduce him to the audience. Aerosmith and The Rolling Stones aren’t as open about it. At least, according to Penn Jillette and pianist Mike Jones.

You know, when The Who tours now and since the late 80s they have their additional musicians right on stage with them.

The Who are so great. They just… Sorry, I’ll stop talking about them for a while, OK?

Three Cool Things

3) Well, it appears I can’t stop talking about them for long, because there’s this very cool video on YouTube that isolates Keith Moon’s drum track on the song Won’t Get Fooled Again.

2) There a very entertaining podcast that humorously focuses on American history. It’s called The Dollop and there’s a YouTube video of a live performance done on baseball’s maverick owner Bill Veeck. The talk includes the infamous Death To Disco event held during a doubleheader at Comiskey Park.

1) As is most always the case on the second Thursday of the month, I met up with the Minnesota Skeptics and got all good and skeptical with them. Always a cool time.

Music heard on the show…

Dimland Radio opening theme song: ‘Ram‘ by The Yoleus
First ad break bumpers: ‘Take It Away‘ by Paul McCartney & ‘Walking & Falling‘ by Laurie Anderson

Second ad break bumpers: ‘Infected‘ by The The & ‘No Reply At All‘ by Genesis

Closing song: ‘Angler’s Treble Hook‘ by $5 Fiddle

Please subscribe on iTunes! Just search for Dimland Radio in the podcast section. And if you could leave a good rating and a positive review it would be awesome.

You can also go to my CafePress store and buy stuff with my artwork on it and have me do a portrait for you if you like. Find out more here and here.