The Choir Is Still Singing

Last week, on Maundy Thursday, our church choir was rehearsing in the sanctuary. One member got up a couple times, but then returned. Suddenly, she toppled over. This wasn’t a slumped over as though she had fainted; this was a stiff collapse as though she were a tree being felled by a lumberjack. She was terribly pale. Someone called 911, and while a nurse in a congregation – previously unknown to me – helped others tend to her, I waited for the ambulance.

So as people arrived and said “hi” to me, I was evidently not very responsive. The emergency team treated her, then put her on a gurney and took her to the hospital. a member of the congregation not in the choir, who worked in the hospital, followed her to the facility. Then the choir had tpo sing, which we did, admirably under the circumstances.

As it turns out, the culprits were low potassium and dehydration, which meant low blood volume and low blood pressure. Much to our delight and surprise, she was able to sing on Easter Sunday morning.

There have been other choir incidents though, all of these involving different people over the past couple weeks
* hospitalized with arrhythmia, though out by Easter
* out for six weeks for a surgery, though should be returning today
* family was in a car accident which totaled the vehicle but rendered relatively minimal harm
* on medicine that thinned the blood too much and had had to be briefly hospitalized
* illness
* flu
* broken foot

And during Holy Week, the choir director also had the flu, missing her first Easter in church probably ever. Fortunately, our former acting director was able to step in for both the Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday services.

So say a little prayer (or whatever it is you do) for our hardy little band.
ROG

M is for Money

Happy U.S. Income Tax Day!

Every year in the United States, the Social Security Administration sends out Your Social Security Statement to help me plan for my “financial future”. It provides estimates of your Social Security benefits under current law.” But for me, it’s a personal history lesson.

The first year I worked, 1969, I made $529 at the Binghamton (NY) Public Library. I worked six months at IBM in 1971 and made the most I would make until 1978. $50 in 1976 – really? I can always tell when I went to college, or when I was unemployed or underemployed.

I also received my 401(k) statement this week. I started putting money in this account because we were all warned that Social Security wouldn’t be there. My employer and I each contributed about $1000 each this past quarter. I managed to lose that plus an additional $5800. So much for retiring.

Let’s talk about music instead. There are two great songs called Money that I own and that come to mind. The first was written Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records, when challenged by someone who complained that all he wrote about was romance. “What else do you care about, Berry?” Well, there was money.

The original version of Money was recorded by future Songwriters’ Hall of Famer Barrett Strong, who later teamed with the late Norman Whitfield to write I Heard It Through the Grapevine (a hit for both Gladys Knight & the Pips and Marvin Gaye), War (Edwin Star’s hit), and a bunch of late 1960s/early 1970s classics for the Temptations, such as Too Busy Thinking About My Baby, Papa Was a Rolling Stone, Just My Imagination and Ball of Confusion.

Barrett Strong’s version of Money went to #2 on the Billboard R&B charts for six weeks, and to #23 on the pop charts early in 1960. It’s #288 on the Rolling Stone magazine’s list of greatest songs, and was covered by a Liverpudlian band of some note, the Beatles.

The other Money song is by the British band Pink Floyd, by that point consisting of David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Rick Wright and Nick Mason. It appeared on the 1973 album Dark Side of the Moon, and though it spent but one week at #1 in the U.S., it spent a total of 741 weeks on the U.S. album charts, selling more than 15 million copies.

For those unfamiliar, it has one potentially ‘naughty’ word.

I’m still collecting the state quarters. Right now, all I need is a Missouri quarter from the Denver mint; I even have both District of Columbia coins. But I haven’t seen the Puerto Rico quarter yet from either the Philadelphia or Denver mints and other territories will be released this year. (And yes, I know DC and Puerto Rico are not states, but their coins are a continuation of the same series.) Meanwhile, I’m still looking for Denver mint coins for two of my co-workers.


Certainly it was the juxtaposition of Marilyn Chambers as wholesome Ivory Snow mom with Marilyn Chambers as, er, an actress that helped fuel whatever commercial success she had. No, though my name is Green, I’ve never seen Behind the Green Door or any of her other work. She died this week.
***
And speaking of advertising, does Burger King REALLY think it’ll make money mixing SpongeBob Squarepants, Sir Mix-A-Lot, and “the TRUE (non-pirate) meaning of the word ‘booty'”, as my friend Fred put it in his April 13 post? And if the BK King is creepy in 30-second increments, he’s REALLY bizarre in the 2:30 segment Fred found.
***
OK, so what other song about money am I thinking of? The clues are in this post.

ROG

SOLD OUT, Part 3 by John Hebert


Notice if you will, the crazed look of Tom Skulan, me, and just about everyone else, while the artist and his then-girlfriend look relatively sane. Hmm. – ROG Now back to the artist.

Where were we? oh, yes- I’d started doing character sketches for “THE PROJECT” of which I’d spent the better part of an afternoon talking about with Tom Skulan and Roger Green in a most productive, informative, contentious first meeting that left me feeling confident and rarin’ to go as I left the store/office, yet completely bewildered as I sat down at my drawing board to begin doodling. I was supposed to come up with character sketches for: two muppetesque teenagers, a hamster and turtle who are actually 2 kids who were to just basically look like animals and the infamous empty comic book rack. The beasties weren’t that difficult as I always had encyclopedias and biology books around in addition to a well stocked public library just a few blocks away – oh, that the internet existed then, with its wellspring of potential for reference, news, and porn! – but that damned comic book rack! Geez what an awful thing to draw with its more or less cylindrical shape, countless wire racks and numerous vanishing points and negative spaces!

I looked and looked for reference on one everywhere, I’d already amassed a pretty darned good “photo morgue” or “swipe file” but had nothing even remotely similar to a comic book “spinner rack” in it. What was I to do? Well, after trying to “fake it’ and failing miserably, then whining to the FantaCo guys, they allowed me to take my camera into the store, dump all of the books off one of the racks and… take pictures! What a concept; then again, most of the grin boys in the biz these days probably wouldn’t have a clue where to get a reference photo of something like that if their computer was down and/or there was no Jim Lee or Adam Hughes comic nearby to copy from, let alone the drive to follow up on it.

Anyway, the turtle and hamster were a little nod to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles that started the whole ridiculously long titled black and white independent craze and to the Adolescent, Radioactive Black Belt hamsters who continued it and they were the first designs that were immediately accepted (y’can never go wrong with REAL people, buildings,cars, animals, etc. in illustration), but the screaming kid in front of that selfsame empty comic rack was going to need a bit of tweaking. I’d gone “realistic” with him as well, thinking of, even though not directly lifting the image of a mutant kid that Mike Zeck had drawn in a then recent issue of Peter Parker The Spectacular Spider-Man, but Tom wanted something arch, extreme. He suggested I look at some Harvey Kurtzman, and damn, he was right. Even with all of these years and miles past, I look at that cover and it’s stark, alarming and sticks in one’s mind- Tom knew what he was doing. But there would still be times when each and every one of the brave little crew that was to assemble in that dismal little office would offer some last minute, out of the box idea that would save the proverbial day (even me!)

After a couple of way too quickly passing weeks, we had the basic look of the characters, and a rough cover drawing to start sending around the horn with press releases, etc. but it was time to actually get the script together and start telling the story. At some point, I finally said to Tom and Roger, “So, am I officially ON the book or what?” and Tom simply said, matter-of-factly, “You’re the artist.” which felt very, very good, until we had to come to terms on the money situation and decide who was going to ink and letter the book. Ooops, I hadn’t thought of that- the penciling, inking and lettering duties were all to come out of the money set aside for “art” so, being a real go-getter (and so cheap I squeak), I decided to ink it myself and subcontract the lettering out to a party to be named later.

I’ll never forget being handed the first few pages of the script of which I still probably have sealed in a barrel in my heavily fortified basement. That “script’ was unlike any I’d seen before or since – it was a couple of lined 5 x 8 notepad pages written out in ballpoint pen, some actual script format with dialogue, sometimes reverting to “plot form” and in fact, sometimes merely being quickly lashed together sketches (better drawn than many Liefeld books) with hints of dialogue (even later on with comments such as “John, go nuts here”). Wow, this was going to be a real taskmaster, but I liked it from the get-go and really felt good about the project.

Probably one of the pages where Tom said to John to go nuts. -ROG

The book began with a newscaster yammering on about the black-and-white comic phenomenon, then segueing into flashbacks of the history of comics. This opened up infinite possibilities for coolness, I loved throwing in “period clothing” and sight gags on the comic racks in the backgrounds- mercilessly lampooning anything and everything and the guys let me ratchet it up further and further, using almost every twisted, borderline offensive suggestion with two exceptions. First, they decided to put the kibosh on a cover I had blatantly nailing DC’s then current “Man of Steel” as “Bland Of Steel” complete with the famous Superman chest emblem changed to snoring zzzz’s (although they finally acquiesced and allowed me a tamer version that did appear alongside “Lack of Action Comics” and “Defective Comics”. Secondly (and looking back now, I’m glad) they nixed a sight gag liquor bottle labeled “Wood alcohol” with the word “Wood” in the stylized “wood cut” typeface of the signature of the late, great Wally Wood. I had been too high on creative cooties to self edit on that one.

Late one hot June night when the house was quiet, I sat down at the drawing board in my secret crimb lab with only a boombox, the script, a piece of 2 ply kid finish bristol board and a few pencils for company and started actually drawing my first comic book.

To be continued……

ROG

Harry Kalas, RIP

I was saddened to here about the sudden passing of the legendary Philadelphia Phillies announcer Harry Kalas. Harry, whose career spanned 43 years, the last 38 with the Phils, was inducted into the announcers’ wing of the Baseball of Fame in 2002. He was 73

Condolences to his family, including his brother Jim, who I know as he’s a member of my former church and was my boss’s boss’s boss for a time; he has the same resonating voice.

Here’s Harry celebrating the 2007 National League East division champion Philadelphia Phillies with his rendition of “High Hopes”.

And even if you’re not a sports fan, the voiceover in the commercial and others in the series is Harry’s.

ROG

Geek meme

From Jaquandor, done subsequently by others. You just ‘X’ in the items that pertain to you.

() You spent a day watching all of the Lord of the Rings/Star Wars/Star Trek movies.
No, but I did see four Beatles movies in one day and five Planet of the Apes movies on another day.
() You spent next two days after watching commentary, outtakes, and behind the scenes footage.
(x) And you bought the soundtrack.
Well, I have a couple soundtracks of Star Wars. On vinyl.
(x) You went to a midnight release of a movie.
Rocky Horror Picture Show.
() You camped in front of the theater for more than 12 hours to get tickets.
() Camping did not prevent you from being in costume.
(x) You can have an entire conversation with friends consisting of quotes from your favorite movies.
Annoying, but true.
() You own at least three game systems.
() You have lost weight because you forgot to eat while trying to reach the next level in your game.
() You own more than four game controllers (of any kind).
() You have existed on 3 hours of sleep per night so that your “Sims” get 8 hours and are refreshed for work.
() You upgraded your computer because you wanted to buy a new video game/expansion pack.
() You have dressed as your game avatar, or as a npc in that game.
() You achieved level 60 on World of Warcraft.
() You have played “Dungeons and Dragons” or any other RPG.
(x) You know what “RPG” stands for.
I know people who play. I love them anyway.
() You dressed as your RPG character would dress.
(x) You own dice with more than six sides.
() You have been accused of having a “gamer” Scent.
() You can identify a Black Lotus.
() You can identify a Charizard.
() You have bought any of the “Harry Potter” books after standing in line until midnight.
() You waited to get your “Harry Potter” book in costume, quoting favorite lines.
(x) You have attended any function with “con” in the name.
FantaCon, San Diego Comic Con, for two.
() You stood in line at said “con” for more than 4 hours to have an item signed.
() You spent more than $50 on a costume to wear to “con” because you wanted it to be authentic.
(x) You own more than 50 comics.
Hey, I used to sell the things.
() You collect your comics in longboxes.
Used to.
(x) You know what a “longbox” is.
I used to sell the things. Got very good at putting them together quickly.
(x) You’ve met and had your comics signed by the creator(s).
() You know how many “Robins” there are.
I used to.
(x) You know that the portrayal of Rogue in the movie “X-Men” is completely wrong.
(x) You have chatted online more than in person.
(x) You chatted online enough to learn the time zones.
() You think that when the Mythbusters say “Don’t try this at home,” they really don’t mean YOU.
(x) Have participated in a movie/tv marathon that involved a drinking game.
() Can sing along with the Buffy Musical Episode.
(x) You know Seth Green from more than just the “Austin Powers” movies.
() You can name all 8 Kevin Smith-directed movies without referring to IMdb.
(x) You have participated in a “Clerks”-esque discussion about Star Wars (or any other movie).
(x) You have participated in a Kirk vs Picard discussion.
(x) You have participated in a Star Wars vs Star Trek discussion.
() You have participated in a Babylon 5 vs. Star Trek:DS9 discussion
() You know who jms is.
(x) You have ever corrected anyone who called you a Trekkie.
() You have worn a Star Fleet Uniform.
() You own a Star Fleet Uniform.
() You think “Twilight” is lame because everyone knows that vampires burst into flame in the sunlight.
() You have written fanfic.
() You have watched Bizzare Foods and thought “I’d try that.”
() You can pinpoint the moment at which “Lost” jumped the shark.
(x) You know who Stan Lee is.
He’s my Facebook “friend”.
(x) You know who Jack Kirby is.
Twice talked to Jack Kirby on the phone.
() You know who Geoff Johns is.
() You have built a website.
(x) You have started a blog.
More than one.
(x) You maintained a blog for over a year.
() You know what the Genie SFRT is
(x) You have a Twitter account.
() You have over 500 followers on Twitter.
Just over 100.
() You purchased a smartphone just so you could check Twitter on the road.
() You forget your family members’ birthdays because they aren’t your friends on Facebook.
(x) You have given virtual gifts on Facebook.
But I still don’t “get” it.
() You have Superpoked your boss on Facebook.
() You have gotten a date through Facebook (and we’re not talking dinner and movie with your buddies).
() You have broken up with someone/been broken up with through Facebook
No, but have been dumped by e-mail.
() You’ve reached level 30 or higher in Mafia Wars.
() You know what Mafia Wars is.
(x) You participated in more than three social networks.
(x) You’ve spent more than 200 hours playing the same video game.
If this includes the arcade version of Ms. Pacman.
(x) You’ve seen any movie in the theater more than three times.
Midnight Cowboy, Annie Hall and King of Hearts.
() You can name the episode of MST3K where Joel was replaced by Mike.
(x) You’ve argued why the comic is way superior to the show/movie when discussing “The Tick,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “X-Men,” “Fantastic Four,” “Spider-Man,” etc.
() You have the soundtrack for “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” on your MP3 player.
() You are willing to defend the Star Wars prequels.
Nah, only watched the first prequel.
() You openly disparage the Star Wars prequels because they don’t live up to “Empire.”
Nah, not that invested.
() You’re openly concerned about the time line ramifications that J.J. Abram’s “Star Trek” movie presents to the canon.
But give it time; the movie’s not out yet.
(x) You own anything written by Neil Gaiman, Alan Moore or H.P. Lovecraft.
First two for sure, both acquired in 2009.
() You have a flying spaghetti monster on your car
I don’t know what that means.
() You’ve seen a midnight showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show with live actors in front of the screen.
(x) You know the REAL reason Spider-Man had a black costume
() You know the NCC numbers of at least two starships other than the Enterprise
() You know what “NCC” stands for.
() You own an original Star Trek Concordance, Technical Manual, and Blueprints
() You own at least two medieval weapons
(x) You have participated in battles with foam-covered swords
() You know who “Major Matt Mason” is
() You have seen bootleg copies of the original Fantastic Four and Justice League movies.
(x) After having had children you realize there’s now more people to costume and relish it.
() You’ve managed to turn four days at Euroquest* into nearly eight because, who needs sleep?
() You’ve spent more than $1000 on your “spot-on” costume. (and it’s still not quite right…)
() You’ve made a fan film.
() Your fan film has been seen by more than your immediate family.
() People know you by your online name instead of your mundane name.
() You know what Pennsic is.
() You’ve camped at Pennsic.
() You have/had personalized plates on your car proudly proclaiming your fandom.
() Your spouse and/or friends do as well.
(x) You yell at your kids when they try to open a toy/book/comic/figure etc. that you’re collecting.
I don’t yell, but she has her toys and I have mine.
() Your kids have broken your Hallmark collectible Star Trek/Star Wars, etc. ornament.
(x) You’ve traveled more than 500 miles to attend a con.
() You have a tattoo related to your fandom of choice.
() You met your spouse at a fan-related event or con.
As far as I know, she’s never been to one.
() You got engaged (to be married!) at a sci-fi convention.
() You are publicly willing to defend Dollhouse, because Joss Whedon must be trusted.

ROG

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