Song of the Day

Ben Harper - Shimmer and Shine

Today in History

July 22, 1934. Notorious gangster John Dillinger is gunned down by police and Bureau of Investigation officials outside a Chicago theater. Dillinger had been attending the gangster movie Manhattan Melodrama, starring Clark Gable.

Dillinger has been portrayed in several movies, most recently by Johnny Depp in Public Enemies.

Today in History

July 20, 1969. We've landed on the moon!

Song of the Day

Johnny Cash - Hurt
Powerful, haunting cover of Trent Reznor song.

David Hasselhoff at Berlin Wall 1989

Today in History

Today is perhaps the most important day in American history. That's right, today we celebrate the birth of the Hoff. David Hasselhoff was born on this day in 1952, in Baltimore, MD. Without him there would be no Knight Rider, no Baywatch. Perhaps most importantly, the Berlin Wall would still be standing. Yes, this beacon of freedom and democracy is singlehandedly responsible for tearing down the wall. Happy birthday Hoff.

On a more serious note, today also marks the 1 year anniversary of the passing of Walter Cronkite, a true American icon.

Song of the Day

Timbuk 3 - The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades

Today in History

July 16, 1945. The United States conducts its first test of an atomic bomb in the New Mexico desert. Less than a month later two bombs would be dropped in Japan to bring World War II to an end. These events usher in a new era, one of uncertainty and fear of a possible nuclear war and assured destruction.

Monument at the Trinity site

White Sands Missile Range offers tours of the site twice a year: the first Saturday in April, and the first Saturday in October. Visit this site for more information: http://www.white-sands-new-mexico.com/military.htm

Song of the Day

Rush-Bastille Day
In honor of Bastille Day, which commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789, one of the catalysts for the French Revolution.

Today in History

July 14, 1881- Billy the Kid, alias Henry McCarty, alias William H. Bonney, alias Henry Antrim, was killed on this day in Fort Sumner, New Mexico, by Pat Garrett. He has become the most legendary figure in the history of the American West. It has even been questioned as to whether he really was killed on that day, or if he lived to old age (the movie Young Guns II explores the claims of Brushy Bill Roberts). Love him or hate him, his life and legend have left an indelible mark on the history of the American West, and on American pop culture.

Song of the Day

Alice In Chains: Check My Brain

Today in History

July 13, 1793-French revolutionary writer Jean Paul Marat was stabbed to death in his bath by Charlotte Corday, who was executed four days later. The assassination was immortalized in Jacques-Louis David's painting The Death of Marat.

Also, happy birthday to Harrison Ford, who turns 68 today. Long live Han Solo.

Invictus

I had high expectations for this movie, and while it was a good movie, it certainly wasn't as good as I had hoped. It's not one of Clint Eastwood's finer films, but it's still better than most Hollywood drivel nowadays. Nonetheless, I think the film was good in showing how sports can bring people together, in a time and place where unity was much needed. I would be interested in seeing a movie made that focused solely on Nelson Mandela, or perhaps on the overall struggle to end Apartheid in South Africa. But only if Morgan Freeman is in it. Seriously, could anybody else play Mandela?

The title of the film comes from a poem by English poet William Ernest Henley that, according to the film, Mandela often read while in prison.

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

As part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series of documentaries, a documentary entitled The 16th Man aired, showing some of the true story of the South African rugby team. Here is a link to the film's website for more information and some clips from the film:

http://30for30.espn.com/film/the-sixteenth-man.html

MOBA (Museum of Bad Art)

Great museum. Lots of bad art.
http://www.museumofbadart.org/

Song of the Day

Bruce Springsteen - Empty Sky
Written after 9/11. Powerful song.

SNL 2000 Presidential Debate (STRATEGERY)

Today in History

Strategery. Today W. celebrates his 64th birthday, born on July 6, 1946. To celebrate, enjoy a classic Will Ferrell SNL take on the dumb things that would come out of his mouth.

Lou Gehrig's speech

I was unable to find a video of the entire speech, but here are some clips of it from Ken Burn's Baseball.

Today in History

This one's obvious. It's the Fourth of July. But, I thought I would share one of the most replayed and cherished speeches ever given. Soon after learning he had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and announcing his retirement from baseball, Lou Gehrig was honored by the Yankees on July 4, 1939, where he gave his famous speech.

Train - Idaho

And Here We Have Idaho...

Today marks 120 years of statehood for Idaho. Idaho was admitted as the 43rd state to the Union on July 3, 1890. Just a couple of reasons why I love Idaho:

Portraits of Celebrity Weirdness

Came across this piece, found this artwork interesting, to say the least.

http://www.newsweek.com/photo/2010/06/25/celebrities-get-weird-in-artist-s-paintings.html

I thought this one was hilarious:

More can be found on the artist's (Brandon Bird) website: http://www.brandonbird.com/paintings.html Check out "Letters to Walken" and his drawings if nothing else.

Song of the Day

Beastie Boys - So What'cha Want

Today in History

Battle of Gettysburg begins, lasts 2 more days. Viewed by many as the turning point of the American Civil War. Spawned a great movie starring Jeff Daniels and Tom Berenger (based on the novel The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara).