Yet Another Web Site

The Jan Hammer Group, with Jordan Rudess & Tony Williams playing a tune some of you may recognize:

Something I used to do:

Someone sure is gullible:

If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which taps were played; this brings out a new meaning of it. Here is something Every American should know. Until I read this, I didn’t know, but I checked it out and it’s true. We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, “Taps”. It’s the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes.. But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be interested to find out about its humble beginnings.

Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men at Harrison’s Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land.

During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay >severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention.

Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment. When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.

The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted. The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician. The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth’s uniform. This wish was granted. The haunting melody, we now know as “Taps” used at military funerals was born.

A moving story, but clearly untrue. One only has to check Wikpedia or snopes.com to get the real story behind Taps.

Here’s another product for you!

(via email)

Get Real!

Swift
Written by James Randi
Tuesday, 27 October 2009 00:00

A gushing ad for the WattGate 381, a $148 110-volt wall receptacle, is a masterpiece of misrepresentation, hyperbole, and mendacity that just could attract a starry-eyed Audio-Visual fan. And stupidity – just in case the vendors of this nonsense might believe they’ve actually created something useful. Read it, and see…

If you are building your own audiophile power cord to improve component performance, you need the WattGate 381 receptacle. Why build a performance power cable only to plug it into the same receptacle that’s been in use for almost 100 years? WattGate’s 381 is a no compromise solution for the demanding AV enthusiast. Construction of the 381 is top-notch and features glass-filled, nylon front and rear housings. Mounting strap, rivets and grounding strip are gold plated, solid brass for the ultimate in corrosion resistance and power transfer. Installation of the 381 is simple and efficient due to rear wiring and large, #10 brass terminal screws. Terminal clamps are gold plated, solid brass and shaped to better grip the conductors. Like the 330 and 350, the 381 leaves the competition behind with its contacts. Configured in a triple-wiper design allows the plug blades to be gripped at three separate points. Additionally, the heavy-duty contacts maximize the clamping spring-rate and ensure conductivity. A three-layer plating process is also completed on the 381: Oxygen free copper plating, electrolysis nickel, and finally 24k gold plating. Receptacle is cryogenically treated and rated at 125 VAC, 20A.

Cryogenically treated

Solid brass contact construction

Three step 24k gold plating process

Triple wiper design increases contact area

Superior performance over standard receptacles

Well, the JREF million-dollar prize can be won by anyone who proves the claim that this device can perform any better than a similar receptacle purchased from Home Depot -

Leviton ProGrade 20 Amp Outlet

Model # 05352R42000

for $6.48 at our local store. That’s one-twenty fifth the price…

I bet the people who are willing to pay to have their audio cables broken in and pay $302 a foot for audio cables are the same people who would pay $158 for a 110-volt wall receptacle.

(via email)

FOR RELEASE ON: October 26, 2009

Contacts:
Kristi Carson, 314-613-7841
Joan Lee Berkman, 314-726-3484 or cell: 314-799-1204

K-HITS 96 RESTRUCTURES PROGRAMMING TO OFFER MORE MUSIC

Station Releases Corcoran, Kruze and Others to Pare Costs, Boost Ratings.

St. Louis, October 26, 2009…… K-HITS 96, St. Louis’ only radio station playing exclusively classic rock hits from four decades, today announced a major shake-up in its daily programming. Effective immediately, The Showgram, K-HITS morning talk show, will be discontinued and replaced with an all-music format hosted by St. Louis radio veteran Rick Sanborn. Changes are also being made to the station’ss late afternoon show. Long-time station personalities Katy Kruze and Carl “the Intern” Middleman have been let go. While J. C. Corcoran will not be on the air he remains under contract with Emmis Radio until December 2010. Showgram personalities John Ulett and Laurie Mac will remain in mornings on K-Hits with Rick Sanborn.

This sucks. It’s like being a moron is a prerequisite for going into radio station management.

keywords: KHITS, K-HITS, J. C. Corcoran, Carl “the Intern” Middleman, St. Louis, radio, Captain Carl’s Daily Blarrrg, fired, stupid decisions, feedback@k-hits.com, John Beck, Rick Balis

(more…)

And by true, I mean completely false

COURT RULING: St. Louis, MO – October 26, 2009

St. Louis, MO (AP) – A seven year old boy was at the center of a St. Louis courtroom drama yesterday when he challenged a court ruling over who should have custody of him.

The boy has a history of being beaten by his parents and the judge initially awarded custody to his aunt, in keeping with the child custody law and regulations requiring that family unity be maintained to the degree possible.

The boy surprised the court when he proclaimed that his aunt beat him more than his parents and he adamantly refused to live with her. When the judge suggested that he live with his grandparents, the boy cried out that they also beat him.

After considering the remainder of the immediate family and learning that domestic violence was apparently a way of life among them, the Judge took the unprecedented step of allowing the boy to propose who should have custody of him.

After two recesses to check legal references and confer with child welfare officials, the judge granted temporary custody to the St. Louis Rams, who the boy firmly believes are not capable of beating anyone.

(more…)

Billy Cobham’s Glass Menagerie – AC/DC (live)

I want to dress you up as TALLULAH BANKHEAD and cover you with
VASELINE and WHEAT THINS..