Stay Home Stay Safe COVID-19 Music Poll

Music Poll!

Date	Subject	Link	Results
07/01/20
06/30/20
06/29/20
06/28/20
06/27/20	NO POLL -
06/26/20	sofia	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1276493637325594627?s=20	no votes
06/25/20	latin duo	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1276141060125835266?s=20	bomberos
06/24/20	fito	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1275760352177926152?s=20	tie
06/23/20	malpais	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1275403654762201088?s=20	no
06/22/20	sole	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1275059842944811008?s=20	no
06/21/20	silvio r	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1274682333367500802?s=20	descartes
06/20/20	gato	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1274331858134872064?s=20	no
06/19/20	mary black	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1273949883351867392?s=20	looking back
06/18/20	sade	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1273591405357805571?s=20	tie
06/17/20	reggae	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1273227499024121864?s=20	cash/zappa
06/16/20	tosh	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1272878656927531012?s=20	tie
06/15/20	marley	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1272513869408284679?s=20	tie
06/14/20	marley	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1272149803976318977?s=20	tie
06/13/20	marley	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1271789451627433989?s=20	tie
06/12/20	marley	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1271411298941755393?s=20	get up stand up
06/11/20	king	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1271051880119009282?s=20	riding
06/10/20	CCR	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1270690888117878784?s=20	unknown
06/09/20	road tunes	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1270325791113560064?s=20	CCR+
06/08/20	Phil-tom	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1269970652372615173?s=20	tom
06/07/20	paxton	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1269606424105058305?s=20	tie
06/06/20	pete seeger	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1269245383751933959?s=20	tie
06/05/20	joan baez	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1268875701039640577?s=20	like
06/04/20	?	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1268533868077948928?s=20	no
06/03/20	qms	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1268153686733324291?s=20	tie
06/02/20	santana	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1267801476946112513?s=20	smooth
06/01/20	ja	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1267437486080475137?s=20	tie
05/31/20	dnb	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1267065375323234305?s=20	tie
05/30/20	rod stewart	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1266709921908867072?s=20	maggie
05/29/20	joe cocker	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1266363240243757056?s=20	you are
05/28/20	tull	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1265983684043313155?s=20	aqualung
05/27/20	depeche	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1265630961510776832?s=20	kicks
05/26/20	depeche	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1265255500838572032?s=20	tie
05/25/20	depeche	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1264896059320475649?s=20	everything
05/24/20	lips	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1264535413441605632?s=20	yoshimi
05/23/20	drive in	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1264163310984998912?s=20	lobby
05/22/20	r thompson	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1263803870473605120?s=20	mock tudor
05/21/20	art scape	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1263436242278060037?s=20	leon
05/20/20	dire straits	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1263095670069747712?s=20	phil
05/19/20	dire straits	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1262721039496339456?s=20	money
05/18/20	ta dream	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1262368693406830592?s=20	mars polaris
05/17/20	kraftwerk	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1262015163105976320?s=20	t e express
05/16/20	ice cream	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1261649518405263361?s=20	tie
05/15/20	abbie	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1261287346940583938?s=20	who?
05/14/20	cowboy junkies	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1260912712047091712?s=20	tie
05/13/20	feat	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1260538097982267392?s=20	tie
05/12/20	supertramp	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1260179379600134146?s=20	b’fast
05/11/20	REM	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1259832321219452930?s=20	tie
05/10/20	Piano-organ	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1259462557838032898?s=20	piano
05/09/20	Dolly-linda-emmy lou	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1259108064642375682?s=20	rondstat
05/08/20	misc	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1258731639917641730?s=20	oleta
05/07/20	flute	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1258379519020367875?s=20	mozart
05/06/20	flute	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1258019952356974593?s=20	yes
05/05/20	james brown	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1257648733996699649?s=20	tie
05/04/20	black xmas	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1257292552312696833?s=20	tie
05/03/20	huey lewis	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1256949384815824904?s=20	te bomb
05/02/20	joni	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1256585553899855873?s=20	tie
05/01/20	misc	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1256192826418835457?s=20	joni
04/30/20	firesign	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1255839704471212034?s=20	tie
04/29/20	al	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1255462701058469890?s=20	tie
04/28/20	xpn	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1255111911647186945?s=20	xpn
04/27/20	native american	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1254745980018266113?s=20	hovia
04/26/20	women	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1254398230349127681?s=20	tie
04/25/20	german synth	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1254044961106001928?s=20	kraftwerk
04/24/20	OTR	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1253660843998314496?s=20	marlowe
04/23/20	pop	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1253293919883886598?s=20	sara vaughan
04/22/20	latin	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1252945515370741762?s=20	marc anthony
04/21/20	Billy-laura	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1252581024170749955?s=20	laura
04/20/20	jazz	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1252204762868703233?s=20	tie
04/19/20	live/can	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1251852086238732289?s=20	can
04/18/20	Dead	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1251486975317757954?s=20	tie
04/17/20	folk	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1251172272263630852?s=20	other
04/16/20	prine	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1250768732349247488?s=20	wolf trap
04/15/20	prine	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1250418870558621696?s=20	plant a little garden
04/14/20	prine duets	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1250030729955868672?s=20	melba
04/13/20	prine	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1249685158204243976?s=20	when I get to heaven
04/12/20	prine	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1249322849212432385?s=20	tie
04/11/20	prine	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1248944483158368257?s=20	space monkey
04/10/20	prine	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1248590937665740802?s=20	tie
04/09/20	prine	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1248221198837780480?s=20	tie
04/08/20	NO POLL JOHN PRINE DIES FROM COVID-!9
04/07/20	india	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1247520500617601025?s=20	rahman
04/06/20	Bowie-clapton-simon-palmer	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1247130620670640129?s=20	clapton
04/05/20	NO POLL -
04/04/20	jazz	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1246436857707147264?s=20	sonny rollins
04/03/20	zappa	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1246072103792713728?s=20	best band
04/02/20	springsteen	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1245688618858971136?s=20	darkness
04/01/20	Parker-mingis-duke-coltrane	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1245320830151688192?s=20	parker
03/31/20	Winehouse-chick-et al	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1244963675309572098?s=20	winehouse
03/30/20	NO POLL PRINE HOSPITALIZED	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1244601331450609665?s=20
03/29/20	Bette-madonna-norah-phoebe	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1244249145608744960?s=20	madonna
03/28/20	Chrissie-dolly-janis-grace	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1243901503435354112?s=20	chrissie
03/27/20	Raitt-baez	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1243508676142534657?s=20	tie
03/26/20	Annie-iris-joni-laurie	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1243142572853334016?s=20	Annie
03/25/20	Merchant-jones	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1242802008488316928?s=20	jones
03/24/20	Boz-leo	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1242443052544856072?s=20	Boz
03/23/20	floyd/lips	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1242068494688169985?s=20	floyd
03/22/20	Phish-willie	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1241728293554065412?s=20	willie
03/21/20	Clapton-bruce-allman-traffic	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1241341244099514368?s=20	Allman
03/20/20	Avalanches	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1240977791014838272?s=20	Since
03/19/20	CCR	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1240618556372418560?s=20	CCR+
03/18/20	CSNY-etc	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1240244283267067905?s=20	CSNY
03/17/20	REM-tull-dan-dire	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1239889736975683590?s=20	REM
03/16/20	Dead	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1239506426059513856?s=20	tie
03/15/20	Dead-Stones-Wait-Prine	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1239155008492445698?s=20	Dead
03/14/20	Library-Stream	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1238813316665008131?s=20	Library
03/13/20	Station	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1238433479181905921?s=20	kcsm
03/12/20	new wave-punk	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1238067626267598850?s=20	New wave
03/11/20	Clash-jazz	https://twitter.com/jspath55/status/1237724417519689729?s=20	Clash

Parked my bike sideways instead of head-on. Normally 2 or 3 bikes for 2 racks, so no other rider cared. Wanted the frame to be locked to the rack with the short Kryptonite lock instead of a chain and padlock.
General Services didn't like it.

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The paper size is 8.0 inches by 10.5 inches. This size was standard US government from Herbert Hoover through 1980. Straight Dope board.

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I wrote to my elected representatives; wish I had carbon copies of those.

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Fill out the form and get legit. This page was probably created on a standard office paper size (8.5x11 inches) copier.

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Bird Feeder notes, following Birdwatching Bliss pattern

Ideas based on plans found on birdwatching bliss site.

























Materials: oak, cedar, pine, polyurethane

Bengies Top 10 2019

Here we go again, another movie-viewing year in the books, and I'm reviewing photos of the Bengies marquee to decide my favorites for the season, which ran from March through November.

I've done this for a few year (links to prior posts below; okay, it's nearly 20 years now). My ground rules are: (1) the movie played at the Bengies Drive-In this calendar year, and (2) I watched it. The only minor exception has been movies I didn't see completely, whether due to waiting in line at the "sparkling refreshment stand", or nodding off to sleep for a few minutes, or, in rare cases, leaving the theater before credits rolled. With late night trippple features, that last caveat cannot be understated. Also, the movie could have been released in prior year.

When I started thinking of hit movies this year, no standouts came to mind. Ever more sequels, reboots, and franchises that blur together like a fused 35mm frame. While I think the Bengies had a better season weather-wise this year than last, I missed the weeks where the triumvirate of Aladdin, Toy Story and Lion King dominated the big screen. As noted below, I only saw one of those 3. Without little kids to escort, a double feature of only Disney fare isn't enticing enough to queue up. When shown as the early show in a mixed tableau however, I'm there.

Of the marquees shown in this post, I made it through 2 complete triple feature nights, a few more double features, and even stayed for just one more than once.

Numbers 1 to 3:

In the top 3 are: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Dora + The Lost City of Gold, and Terminator Dark Fate. Not quite a 3-way tie, as I think Terminator wasn't as enjoyable as the other 2. T:DF is nearly pure grindhouse fare, worth every bit of popcorn I consumed.

I particularly liked the scene in Dora where an odd substance consumption flipped the characters into an alternate universe à la Alice in Wonderland. Not quite fitting for the wholesome family values of the Scout weekend, as if anyone else noticed the dosing (the marquee with Dora is below).

Tarantino aimed for the big screen story, with 60's Hollywood theaters and marquees figuring into the scene-within-the-scenes, the opposite of breaking the fourth wall where there's 3 other walls inside the standard 3. List of locations here [ discoverlosangeles.com/things-to-do/the-ultimate-guide-to-once-upon-a-time-in-hollywood-locations ] that details the L.A. movie palaces including the Aquarius Theatre, Cinerama Dome, Fox Bruin Theatre + Fox Village Theatre, Pussycat Theatre, Vine Theatre, and the Vogue Theatre.

Next 3

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Picks Three through Five include Green Book, Gemini Man, and Avengers Endgame. We were fortunate to see the first on the Bengies opening night in March. I'd heard about the plot over the winter, meaning it spoiled my ability to see a flick without preconceived notions. As a result, not quite as enjoyable as it might have been. Whether it deserved best picture Oscar is beyond me.

Gemini Man played late in the season, and like Green Book early, I'd heard a bit of the plot, particularly the different recording methods for each of the characters Will Smith plays. Knowing they are the same right from the start when the players on stage don't was disconcerting.

For Avengers, I was more fortunate in avoiding spoilers. On the other hand, it was predictable that the doomsday cliff hanger ending of the prior episode would unwind in typical comic book show must go on fashion. Who lives, who dies, and who stayed in limbo was the primary reveal. Alas, creating one after another do-or-die fight left me yearning for less, not more, of the story. Cannot fault the special effects in the most expensive and expansive blockbuster series out there, especially on the giant outdoor screen (3 Avengers movies are in the top 4 most costly productions per wikipedia; arguable if the Pirates series tops them).

Next 4

Last but not least this year are four more features, rounding out my top ten. This set was probably harder to sort out than the first 6 since I had more than 10 candidates for my list, and leftovers here would fall off the list rather than precipitate lower. I may still mention the almost-rans (definitely one for sure).

Three movies played at the 8th Annual Scout Camp-In at the Bengies this year. I've picked Dora in the top 3. The other 2 were Toy Story 4, and SpiderMan Far From Home, as shown in the marquee shot above. In a toss-up, I kept SpiderMan above the fold, and dropped Toy Story, one sequel too many (or two maybe). I missed Into The Spiderverse at the Bengies, which I think tops Far From Home. The twist of Spidey giving up a Tony Stark toy seemed a bit lame but workable enough. Another reason I get this in the top 10 was I saw it twice in 2019, and it held up on rewatch.

Shazam had a fresh take on superheroism, and not too close to the storyline of Big to matter.

Another Men in Black franchise, without Will Smith? Well. okay. I like goofy alien stories, always have since the days of Retief [ see, e.g.: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/362550.Retief_ ]. Was expecting more cameos (or any) and in-jokes. Bonus: Emma Thompson.

Finally, in the end of the season Halloween fright move genre, but more family friendly: The Addams Family. With animation comes the ability to exaggerate their physical even more than makeup, prosthetics and CGI could do, yet risks making it just a weird movie not having a story. Their nemesis as a real estate developer trying to manipulate public opinion is so dead-on it makes this episode a necessary (not evil) inclusion in the 2019 top ten.

Almost Ran

Missed most of Captain Marvel after seeing The Avengers. It was late, the first showing was exhausting for several reasons, and for some reason the pumpkin spice or French vanilla cappuccino didn't trigger the stay awake syndrome.

Shown in a few marquees above, shows that didn't make the top ten that I liked anyway:

• Abominable
• How to Train Your Dragon (3)
• Godzilla (2)
• Pokemon Detective Pikachu
• Toy Story (4)

All night show Labor Day weekend, also missed due to conflicts.

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Not quite seen:

Elf and The Apartment ran November 30th, as the post-season-ending holiday special. We showed up for the lunch and small business sale in the afternoon, but had a conflict later and missed this show. Probably would have enjoyed the late show more than the early.

The Secret Life of Pets (2) would have been good, given the first installment.

Previously

• https://jspath55.blogspot.com/2018/12/bengies-top-ten-2019-it-was-very-wet.html [2018]
• https://jspath55.blogspot.com/2017/12/2017-bengies-best-10-of-and-others-less.html
• https://jspath55.blogspot.com/2016/11/bengies-top-ten-movies-for-2016.html
• https://jspath55.blogspot.com/2015/12/bengies-top-ten-for-2015-in-my-eye.html
• https://jspath55.blogspot.com/2014/12/bengies-top-ten-movies-for-2014.html
• https://jspath55.blogspot.com/2013/12/bengies-top-ten-2013.html
• https://jspath55.blogspot.com/2012/12/top-ten-movies-at-bengies-drive-in.html
• https://jspath55.blogspot.com/2011/10/bengies-top-10-2011.html
• https://jspath55.blogspot.com/2010/12/bengies-2010-top-10-and-more.html
• https://jspath55.blogspot.com/2010/03/lists-of-movies-that-played-at-bengies.html [2001-2009]

Pulp and Paper Merit Badge accomplished, with a little help from me

A Boy Scout asked for help completing the Pulp and Paper merit badge. All requirements were straightforward enough, as the badge is sometimes done at summer camp, but one was trickier.

"Make a sheet of paper by hand."

I looked up a few sources, finding:

• https://www.paperslurry.com/2014/05/19/how-to-make-handmade-paper-from-recycled-materials/
• https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Paper-at-Home

The safety recommendation was to get a used blender for the purpose, and never use it for food purposes later, due to risks from unknown ink constituents.

After mixing "used" paper and water, the pulp is put on a screen for shaping and drying.

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The instruction tell how to press the paper, with manual rolling or weights. The results here:

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The above shot has personal information removed; the paper produced was fine enough for normal ink/writing.

Further reading:

"Paper: Paging Through History", author Mark Kurlansky

• ISBN: 9780393239614 (hardcover); 0393239616 (hardcover)
• LCCN:   2016007084
• Call Number: 676.09 K (Dewey Decimal...)

An excellent reference story, with a lot of information "you didn't learn in school", such as the coded "knot" language of the Incas, and the written languages of the Aztecs and Mayans. The Spanish destroyed nearly all examples of the latter, one found only recently (1971) in Europe.

See also: http://www.ancientscripts.com/maya.html

and: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mayan-hieroglyphic-writing

The position that technology follows societal needs rather than the former dictating the latter's development is a refreshing viewpoint by Kurlansky. 

Thanks for the opportunity, Nick!