Friday Check In

Hi all. I've got nothing in particular to report. I hope everyone has a good and safe labor day!

Folks,

I am way late just got back from the beach house. This was a good time. Work was done but more play time was had. Food was great company was great. Doggo got to roam the beaches and ate like a champion.

The most amazing sunsets were had. Night sky was gorgeous.

Folks today's update is going to be used to send out all our love and positive vibes to our brother in arms Jeff AKA Ghemrats.

A lifelong friend if there ever was one.

Stay safe my friends....

Greetings all -- next week at this time I should be at the Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention, so I won't be posting

So much Whistler work has been done this past week -- so unlike Suspense research because there were no stars and no detailed newspaper coverage. Still working on those TV shows we can't identify.

Theater Five is coming along, still. There are many inside jokes, so you have to listen for character names that sneak in. A popular one is to use one of the producers or directors names in a professional title. Producer Warren Somerville can be "Dr Warren, call your office" or "Dr Somerville" and ditto for Ted Bell. His name got used for a patient in the other room. And we're finding uncredited roles for Fred Foy, often a cop, a voice of authority. It's plainly him in the background of a story reading a weather report over a radio. This is still fun as the pieces keep coming together.

My Sensei had COVID this past week, so I got to teach the classes! This was fun... teaching yellow belts to punch and how to turn around and end up in a good stance. Many funny moments. We had a great time. Don't tell Sensei

Enjoy the weekend everyone. I will miss some posts at the end of next week with our travels...

A pretty quiet week here this week. We'll be tearing down an old out-building this coming week. Just one more step in cleaning up the property before winter sets in. My grandson and I will be visiting a pre-columbian mound and museum this weekend. That promises to be interesting. We also have plans to visit some of the local music history related sites in the next couple of weeks. The Fame Studios and a regional music history museum are definite stops on the tour. But we plan to add a few other sites as well.

GB, I'd love to attend the Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention. But it's just not in the cards this year. Based on what I've seen about the vendors who should be there, I'm pretty sure "She Who Must Not Be Angered" would end up very much angered. Pulps, vintage comics, Big Little Books and so much more nostalgia. It's like a Space Cadet impulse shopping nirvana. I'm currently looking for a cathedral radio restoration project too. Maybe I'll make it to next years convention.

And finally, thoughts and prayers to Jeff and his family.

Be safe, be well and be happy,
Space

What did I miss about Ghemrats news?

Hi, Everybody.

This will be a quick post since life is swirling around us a bit more than usual. (And, Space, I owe you a phone call--I'll try to connect later today if you're not busy)

Thanks to Space and Seamus for being the best part of my extended family as my love She Who Must Be Obeyed has been working through a setback with her Multiple Sclerosis, which she's had for over 42 years. Quickly stated, on Thursday, a week ago, she fell on her backside when her knees gave out, landing wedged between the commode and the tub. Paramedics took her to the ER at 10:30 that morning, and literally twelve hours later we got her a room (the hospital was sold out). She had three or four CAT scans and a few MRIs to reveal a new lesion at the top of her spine/base of the neck which might be another MS exacerbation.

This past Thursday evening she was well enough to be transferred to a rehabilitation facility (we have now through the years visited three of them in our Michigan town, having been in one twice) where she is now working with physical therapy in regaining mobility. She is filled with faith, which is keeping us both going, though our sheltie is a bit more needy when I get home from the rehab since "Momma" is missing.

Along with all this fun, my sister has been battling all manner of maladies--diabetes, the possibility of cepsis, hospitalization, etc. And our younger son and his wife have Covid, but are on the mend as well. Me? I'm just an idiot, which is a pre-existing condition, as you all know.

Love goes out to all my family in Cobaltia for being here for us all. As Eyegor said in *Young Frankenstein*--"Could be worse, could be raining."
Cheers and I'll update as I can.
Jeff

Jeff, you owe me nothing. I'm retired. Feel free to call whenever. Except not in the next 30 minutes or so, I just finished mowing 3 1/2 acres and need to clean up. My plans after that are just watching anime with my grandson.

Remember to take care of yourself too. You can't take care of others when you're exhausted or sick yourself.

Space

You certainly have a lot on your plate Jeff.

Keep the faith and best wishes to you and your family.

Best regards

Art

Everything is fine in Cinci. I have been remiss in posting. Labor Day weekend we celebrated my birthday. Last weekend we celebrated my daughters who turned 30. My oldest missed out on both because she finally caught Covid. Hers was mild so she is fine. My granddaughter is now 5 weeks old. Life is good but has been busy.

Another busy week here on The Funny Farm. We built a holding pen and head chute for cattle, built a small concrete patio on the side of the house and removed and cleaned up behind two very large trees near the front of the house. With more yet to come this week, we're taking the weekend off and going to the fair today.

At some point in the next week or so, we'll visit a pre-columbian mound site and museum and a few of the local music history sites. There's a lot more we want to get done before cold weather sets in. But the local exploration has waited far too long. We'll probably try a few more of the local restaurants as well.

Be safe, be well and be happy,
Space

I'm hitting the part of the semester when I start to feel in over my head. Tons of student projects to grade and committee meetings. Kids activities have picked up too, with dance classes for my girls and then drama classes for my oldest two kids.

But, I'm still fitting in a little radio research. :-)

Happy belated birthday, Woody. In honor of your special day, I understand Space has unearthed some special Pre-Colombian Ceremonial Coffee Urns containing rare beans. Its aroma is evidently so strong, the mere whiff of it makes your teeth curl and hair do a mad meringue on your shoulders. But it is tasty!

As an aside, She Who Must Be Obeyed is taking things day by day, some good days, some more challenging. Today brought some special patience when a nurse got snotty with her because she couldn't swallow a horse pill. . . Honestly, we realize everyone is allowed a bad day, but for those in persistent pain, you'd think professionals would develop a little more empathy in their attitudes.

Sorry to vent. Just as nobody puts Baby in a corner, I get my back up when a "caregiver" treats my girl disrespectfully when MS and a lack of teeth do not allow things to go as smoothly as one might prefer.

But prayers of support to all and good wishes to everyone in Cobaltia.
Jeff

I hear you Jeff and strange as it may seem to that caregiver most meds also come in liquid form for those who need that. Nothing beats having someone in your corner during healthcare events. When you are softly humming the theme to Clockwork Orange they should start running.

As you all know weekends I play in the Clubs ballroom with my Level 42 cover band Level 43. We even throw in a few Style Council hits. So remember to come see us all are welcome.

Happy Birthday Woody. Happy chore day at the farm day Space. mjune happy overworked teacher day.

Super busy here hoping to head back down to a beach next month for a total veg session. Me on beach performing my carrot impression.

Stay safe my friends you are all in my thoughts good vibrations sending your way. If you see Brian Wilson on your lawn you know he came from me.....

OK, I'm back. We finally got all of the major projects finished, so it's play time. Sitting around the fire pit in the evenings and starting the local exploration.

First, a disappointment. I finally got to try the restaurant called Soul Food. The menu had everything you might expect from such a place. But it apparently became popular and did what so many other small family restaurants have done. The menu items are pretty generic with washed out flavors. In my opinion, most of the veggies are canned and the meats are mass produced and are nothing special. We won't be going back.

My oldest son and I visited the Fame Recording Studio in Muscle Shoals. I loved it. We took their guided tour and reveled in the music history. After the tour, I talked with the sound engineer who led the tour. He sneaked me back in and I got to strum a few chords on a 1954 Gibson Southern Jumbo acoustic guitar, which had been played by Wilson Picket and many others during recording sessions. That was awesome. But just standing there in Studio A listening to tracks Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Wilson Picket and Lynrd Skynrd had recorded in that very room was indescribable. Some of the instruments they used to create that music are still in the room. That's next level stuff.

More local history adventures and local restaurant visits are planned for the near future.

Be safe, be well and be happy,
Space

Folks,

late as usual so am I actually late?

Space I am beyond jelly that you got to tour Muscle Shoals. That place has to creak with music history.

Cooking without fresh ingredients Space I hope you were insulted.

Staying out of trouble fall is upon us getting ready for Halloween I will be down country on the beach so plenty of fun will be had.

stay safe my friends...

Getting back into the swing of things with various projects -- will start posting again very soon.

Today is the 60th anniversary of "the day radio died." Details are at https://cobaltclubannex.forumotion.com/t456p500-suspense-upgrades#22278 where there are links to a podcast I did with Craig Wichman. Craig and I would message over the years over FB and we would talk about doing a podcast about the subject, and we finally did it. A round-number anniversary always seems to be an appropriate time to do so.

Sunday is the 60th anniversary of the death of Frank Lovejoy at age 50. Last year we did a retrospective of Lovejoy's career https://sites.google.com/view/frankmanc/return-to-home-page and direct to the YouTube video at https://youtu.be/sWl-QUnbrF8

The worst of the hurricane will miss us and we'll get half a day of really heavy rain today. I'll check on Geezer to see how he did through it all. I know he's on the west coast but not on the water but lots of people suddenly find themselves with waterfront property in a devastating and unwanted manner.

My "new" used deck is supposedly on its way today after many delays. As Fall gets into full swing and the days are short it's amazing how VU meters and their bouncing needles can brighten one's day.

BritBox's Suspect has been a disappointment. How can a short series of 23-minute episodes seem so padded? We're in season 6 of Endeavor and are fascinated by how packed it is with subplots that reveal themselves so well. We're glad that Shetland is back for season 7 and are disappointed only in that they did not put all the episodes up at once. Binge-worthy series that are not binge-possible are confusing in this streaming I-want-it-now age.

But for today, Ted Osborne (the only actor to be in the very first and very last Suspense) and Jack Johnstone (who wrote the final YTJD and Suspense broadcasts) turn out the lights on the amazing era we love so much.

A pleasure working this worthy project up with you, Doc. Hope folks engage in a vigorous debate - and then listen to great stuff that moves beyond the Golden Age, on to the Bronze, Silver, and Platinum! Best, Craig

A generally good week... and yesterday was our 43rd... for which Mrs Greybelt found this card in the "anniversary -- funny" section.



Projects inching ahead forward -- and finally the Suspense set is starting to be getting proper file names and such. Hard to believe the project has been going on for almost 18 years since I got the set from otrnow.com in 2004. So much incredible progress with Cobalt being a great platform for much of it.

Enjoy the weekend...

[quote="greybelt"]A generally good week... and yesterday was our 43rd... for which Mrs Greybelt found this card in the "anniversary -- funny" section.

Mazeltov! (God willing, 32 for us in December.)

finally the Suspense set is starting to be getting proper file names and such. Hard to believe the project has been going on for almost 18 years since I got the set from otrnow.com in 2004. So much incredible progress with Cobalt being a great platform for much of it.

Blessings on the worthy work.

Enjoy the weekend...

Back at you - and everyone.
- Craig (aka Sherlock)

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=5888272191196680&set=a.389137754443512

GB don't you find those cards a pain in the ass ...someone had to go there :-)

Happy anniversary to you and Mrs GB.

Lovely fall weather here today lads. Doing my watch a Halloween movie a day. Did The Fog, The Thing, Big Trouble, Frighteners, now into the Ghostbusters...

Stay safe my friends...

Everything is fine in Cincinnati. Work is keeping me busy and spending the weekends with my grand daughter who is now a full two months old. My daughter is celebrating because the baby has now slept through the night for two nights in a row. She and her husband are greatly hoping this trend continues.

Seamus, speaking of Ghost busters, did you ever see the tv show Ghost Busters with Forrest Tucker and Larry Storch? It was on Saturday mornings in the mid 1970’s. It only lasted a season or two and was live action not animated.

Woody, I had never heard of that show. I watched an episode on youtube. Wow it was like a vaudeville slapstick. Very kids oriented. Which was the target but even kids must have went this jokes are stale :-)

Looked to be filmed much like the Banana Splits. The gorilla ... classic

Ah....lucky for your daughter a good night's sleep.... I remember those nights awake with the baby...

Seamus wrote:Woody, I had never heard of that show. I watched an episode on youtube. Wow it was like a vaudeville slapstick. Very kids oriented. Which was the target but even kids must have went this jokes are stale :-)

Looked to be filmed much like the Banana Splits. The gorilla ... classic

Ah....lucky for your daughter a good night's sleep.... I remember those nights awake with the baby...

Yes, very slap stick and a lot of really bad jokes. I still enjoy it though.  More for the nostalgia than anything else. They released a cartoon version about the same time as the other Ghostbusters which is why that one was called "The Real Ghostbusters.