Inklings

It's probably a repeat, but this article on the relationship between J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis and their impact on literature is an interesting read.

Mood: Intrigued
Music: The James Gang: "Walk Away"

King on Rock and Roll

Author and apparent music lover Stephen King opines on what he considers to be the greatest rock songs ever made.

Mood: Intrigued
Music: The Allman Brothers Band: "Midnight Rider"

Kissing Cousins

Maryanne and I were recently discussing with our friends Jamie and Jed the stigma in this country against cousins marrying. I referred to an article I read recently that not only noted that it is a taboo that's almost completely American, but many states don't even have laws about marrying relatives, and those that do merely state you can't marry a relative that's a first cousin or closer. In much of the world, it is not only acceptable, but normal. The only time it poses problems is when it is done repeatedly, as in the case of the European nobility.

Just in time for said discussion was this interesting list of seven notable historical figures who married their cousins, with some other notables, as well.

Mood: Intrigued
Music: Boston: "Smokin'"

Hammer of the Gods

Forget the new Eagles album. Forget the Van Halen reunion. The biggest reunion in music -- what could be the reunion of the century -- is Led Zeppelin. In case you're living under a rock and have been completely ignorant of this momentous event, the verdict is in. What could have been the greatest debacle in music history is instead, by most reviews, everything fans have hoped for and more.

Robert Plant's voice isn't what it once was (witness their performance of "Stairway to Heaven"), but it was more than adequate for the definitive Zep song, "Kashmir".

The Hammer of the Gods indeed....

Mood: Pleased
Music: Led Zeppelin: "Kashmir"

Sausages

While driving home last night I heard a commercial for summer sausage.

This got me to thinking, once again -- why do so many people attempt to extol the virtues of all-beef summer sausage?

Whenever Maryanne buys summer sausage for something, she always goes for the beef variety unless I stop her.

A number of sausage companies praise it as superior to other varieties. Commercials compliment it as the best summer sausage ever.

I grew up on the summer sausage made by Kerscher's Foodland in Valmy. The recipe has since passed to the Welsings, the family that bought the Foodland store and converted it into a gas station with convenience store. I've tried other varieties, including Johnsonville, Klement's, Salmon's, and other local varieties, and the Kerscher's/Welsing's recipe remains my favorite.

Could it be because they still use pork in the German tradition?

Partially, I'm sure, but there's obviously something else, too, because it still remains superior to similar varieties from other makers.

If you ever find yourself in Door County looking for a snack, stop at Welsing's in Valmy (the Mobil station) and pick up some summer sausage. You won't be disappointed.

Mood: Annoyed
Music: Jimi Hendrix: "Red House"

Axes

Blender magazine offers this list of the 28 most recognizable guitars.

Somebody's bound to say something's missing, though.

Mood: Intrigued
Music: Deep Purple: "What's Going On Here"

Keeping Up

In an effort to try to stay up to date (relevant?) and in touch with people I have joined not only MySpace but Facebook as well. Add this to my membership with other networking sites such as LinkedIn and Classmates.com, and this is four social networking sites I now belong to.

This is in addition to not only having a Blogger account, but an account with LiveJournal (that rarely works) so I can comment on LiveJournal blogs.

While diversity is what makes innovation thrive, it can be a little tough to keep up with it all.

Speaking of MySpace -- why are so many people abandoning their previous blogs with Blogger or LiveJournal in favor of MySpace? Personalized MySpace pages have the feeling of vanity sites from 1996, what with their tiled backgrounds and other gimmicky stuff.

Mood: Annoyed
Music: Led Zeppelin: "When the Levee Breaks"

Choose Your Weapon

ToyFare magazine offers this list of the 50 greatest fictional weapons of all time.

Mood: Thoughtful
Music: George Thorogood: "Move It On Over"

Partridges

This is a pretty fantastic a cappella performance.

Mood: Amused
Music: Straight No Chaser: "The Tweleve Days of Christmas"

Sportsman

Sports Illustrated named Brett Favre as their 2007 Sportsman of the Year.

It's a long article, but worthwhile if you're a fan of sports, football, or Brett Favre.

Mood: Thoughtful
Music: Billy Squier: "In the Dark"

Long

Rolling Stone offers this list of the fifty best songs over seven minutes long.

Let the flamewars begin.

Mood: Thoughtful
Music: The Jimi Hendrix Experience: "Killing Floor"