Ramblin' with Roger

1) Who put the bomp in the bomp shu-bomp shu-bomp?

Lessee, I’ll go with the Marcels’ classic version of Blue Moon, 1961, possibly my favorite song from that year.

And as a corrollary, who put the ram in the rama lama ding dong?

I recall that Paul McCartney had an album called Ram, his second solo effort, I believe. Somehow this ties into Fred Hembeck’s theory back on March 31 that the Uncle Albert on the album is actually Herb Alpert. Whipped Cream and Other Delights, indeed.

2) Is there one particular author whose latest books you will read, no matter what the subject matter?

I’m streaky. For a while it was Russell Baker. I’ve read a lot of Bob Woodward (and I’m disappointed with his role in the Valerie Plame situation). Right now, it’s Sandra Boynton.

3) Top 5 favorite movies of all time.

It’ll almost always be comedies, musicals, or adventure films because asd good as something like Shawshank Redemption is, I don’t know if I want to see it again soon after the last time.

Annie Hall, Groundhog Day, Being There, Young Frankenstein.

The fifth slot goes to whatever strikes my fancy- Airplane, West Side Story, Toy Story 2, Casablanca.

Gordon also wanted me to do this meme, and as I always do what Gordon says:

Your Personality Profile

You are elegant, withdrawn, and brilliant. Your mind is a weapon, able to solve any puzzle. You are also great at poking holes in arguments and common beliefs. For you, comfort and calm are very important. You tend to thrive on your own and shrug off most affection. You prefer to protect your emotions and stay strong.

BTW, Lydia’s fine, over the case of pink eye. Also over an intestinal distress that forced us to postpone a dinner with our friend Mary and “I-think-they’re-dating” pal.

No new pictures, and no time to write what I was going to write, holidays and all, so here are some ones you haven’t seen, from August through October 2004:

2. Will there ever be “Peace on Earth, Goodwill to All”, or is that a myth, or just for the afterlife, or you really have no idea?

Subsequently, I read that the TV show The O.C., which I don’t watch, has also suggested such a blending a couple years ago. The Yarmuclaus hat (above) is “sold out for the 2005 Chrismukkah season!” – and has been for some time.

So what to make of this blending, complete with Chrismukkah greeting cards?

It seems to tick off this person, who writes:
Chanukkah is probably one of the best known Jewish holidays, not because of any great religious significance, but because of its proximity to Christmas. Many non-Jews (and even many assimilated Jews!) think of this holiday as the Jewish Christmas, adopting many of the Christmas customs, such as elaborate gift-giving and decoration. It is bitterly ironic that this holiday, which has its roots in a revolution against assimilation and the suppression of Jewish religion, has become the most assimilated, secular holiday on our calendar.

Meanwhile, this also ties into what friend Daniel calls “the latest phony baloney distraction put out by the corporate media…”The War On Christmas.” An interesting CNN debate can be found within this blog entry.

Now, Dorian, I’d like to agree with you on this one. Fact is, though, if you say it often enough, this “war” seems to become true for enough people. One of my relatives sent me one of those “Say ‘Merry Christmas’ proudly” e-mails, with instructions to not let “them take it away from us.” The exact wording I don’t have because I deleted it. Quickly.

My favorite Lutheran pastor notes that it isn’t even Christmastime yet.

I must admit that the whole controversy surprised me a bit. I thought we had it all worked out: you have the creche, but the menorrah must be within 10 feet, and also some Kwanzaa colors, with the Christm.., holida.., the coniferous tree nearby.
Lots of people (I’d like to say most people, but…) know that there was no proof that Jesus was born on December 25, but it was a date picked by the church to co-opt those solstice parties. I’ve long theorized that Jesus was not a Capricorn but a Pisces. (What do YOU think?)