News from the Dark Side 8/30/2013

                                                                    

Yes, my little zombie snacks; it's that time of the week again. I have more weird news thanks to Huff post and a few other sites. Hope you enjoy the latest in weird.


This came from the Upworthy site by Adam Mordecai. How to get the politicians to admit that our climate is changing and not for the good? You'll love this solution:

http://www.upworthy.com/this-is-probably-the-funniest-most-effective-way-to-deal-with-people-who-ignore-science-facts-ever-2?c=upw1


I've always thought that some of my relatives were a little strange, and now I know why. From Huffington post science:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/28/life-start-on-mars-origin-martians-new-evidence_n_3830652.html?ref=topbar


From the weird news section of Huff post we have this story:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/26/loch-ness-monster-sighting-photo_n_3817842.html?ir=Weird%20News&utm_campaign=082613&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Alert-weird-news&utm_content=Photo

I've always wondered why we don't have a museum for Tesla. I guess other's are asking the same question. From G4 and Huffington post, we have:

http://videos.huffingtonpost.com/lets-build-a-goddamn-tesla-museum-517453249


To end this week's weird news update, I have this little gem. In honor of the first man on the moon, a tribute from NASA:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/25/neil-armstrong-tribute-video-nasa-anniversary-moon_n_3813858.html

Stay safe; run fast, my little zombie snacks. See you next week and if you come across an interesting article; submit it to me.

Under Glass, A Victorian Obsession

                                                                  

Calling all lovers of science! The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University is hosting a free event featuring Author John Whitenight on Tuesday, October 8th at 6:30 p.m. The event will take place at the Academy of Natural Sciences on 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

 

                                                                      

 

 

 

Spend an evening at The Academy of Natural Sciences with author John Whitenight as he explores the role that natural history played in the everyday lives of people from the 19th Century. During that era an obsession developed with the natural world which has never been surpassed. Mr. Whitenight will be sharing images and information from his book, Under Glass, A Victorian Obsession, which is a comprehensive study of the incredible array of objects that were created and presented under glass. Included will be botanical arrangements made from wax and sea shells as well as domes and cases filled with beautiful birds of every description. The focus will be on how the Victorians not only embraced natural history but included it in their home décor.

 

                                                                          

 

John Whitenight was born over 50 years ago in a small upstate Pennsylvania town. By the time he was five years old he had developed an avid interest in art. This continued into his teenage years when he decided he would explore this talent further and ultimately share it with others by pursuing an Art Education degree. Upon graduation he began his art teaching career in a senior high school where he remained for the next 30 years eventually becoming the chairperson of the department. During this period he also acquired a Masters equivalence in decorative arts-related studies in Philadelphia where he now resides.

                                                                          

Always a collector of Victoriana, one fateful day in 1973 friends gave him a small glass dome containing three canaries. The following decades have been rich with the study of the why and wherefore of these lovely domed items. Currently, the author’s collection contains over 175 domed displays ranging in height from four inches to some over a meter in height.

http://www.ansp.org/Visit/Events/Details/?eid=3610&iid=12123


I'm sending a shout out to all my Steampunk friends; this is a lecture that would interest you. To all my Facebook, Twitter and Google friends, check out the Academy of Natural Sciences' site for the listing of all their family friendly events. Tell them Steampunk Granny sent you.

News from the Dark Side 8/24/2013

 

                                                                                 

Sometimes, if I find an uplifting article, I try an share it with everyone…because we have enough crazy…we need nice, too.

My sister sent me this  time lapsed video; you need to see this.
http://www.wimp.com/stunningearth/

A little science from Huff Post Science: Sometimes bigger is not better:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/23/sheep-study-rams-big-horns-ewe-die_n_3799591.html?ir=Science&utm_campaign=082313&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Alert-science&utm_content=Title

From Huff Post: So maybe that bad boy or girl that you love so much in spite of the pain is really BAD!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/23/11-signs-dating-a-sociopath_n_3780417.html 

In the "if only" department we have this article from Huff Post. My question? Would John like how messed up the world is now?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/23/clone-john-lennon-molar-tooth_n_3799033.html?utm_hp_ref=weird-news&ir=Weird%20News

I saved this upsetting article for last. Who is this crazy as bat shit woman? And hopefully, the child has been taken away from her.
 

Spying at the Franklin Institute

                                                                           

Yes, my little zombie snacks, I do other stuff besides ghost hunting, Steampunk Events and writing about zombies. Sometimes, I head on over to Philadelphia and visit museums. A few weeks ago, I was at The Academy of Natural Sciences Bug Fest with my grandsons, and Nathan even got a chance to be a judge in the Cook Off; he ate bugs and liked it!

                                                                 

                                                   

This past Wednesday, my two friends and fellow renegades and I went to the Franklin Institute to see the new exhibit. Jean took her two granddaughters. We headed straight to the Spy Exhibit and had the best time learning about the original OSS organization that lead to what we know today as the C.I.A.

                                                                     

                               

                                 The girls and I even got to crawl through an escape hatch.

                                                                          

 

                                        We didn't get to see Maxwell Smart's Shoe Phone,

                                                                                   

We liked the kiosk that showed how the spies strapped cameras onto pigeons and sent them off to gather information.

                                                                                   

They had some weapons that even James Bond would have loved to use, like the items below.

                                                                                   

                                                                         

We were even able to make it to the Demonstration Theatre to learn about fireworks: how they’re made; how they work; why they’re loud.

                                                                                  

 The instructor was Al Bruno, and not only was he knowledgeable about the subject matter, but he made the whole demonstration fun for adults and children alike.

                                                                            

                                                                                                                                                     
                          Sunday, my sister Lucy and I are heading over to the Art Museum
             
                                                                                      

                                             I’ll try not to get yelled at again for touching the art.

                                                                                            

                                                                               

What's Gilbert Up to Now?

                                                               

                                                                        

What's Gilbert Up to Now?

I'm getting ready to write the reviews for Season 4 of "The Walking Dead for Biff Bam Pop!; I can't wait to see Rick and the gang again on Sunday nights on AMC..

                                                                     

I'll also be doing the reviews for the new Sleepy Hollow series on Fox on September 16 at 9 p.m.


                                                                           

And the new Dracula series starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers as our favorite blood sucker of all time. This show premieres October 25th on NBC following Grimm


                                                                       

For all my followers who enjoyed my article about the angry ghost
http://biffbampop.com/2013/08/08/gilbert-and-the-angry-ghost/

                                                     

                                     will probably like my newest story on Biff Bam Pop!


http://biffbampop.com/2013/08/22/gilberts-helpful-ghost-hunting-tips/

                                                                       

Let me know if you like this story. I'll be going on more investigations and promise to share my findings with you.

Come Back!!!

                                                             

I write reviews for Biff Bam Pop! on movies and books, but mostly, I review T.V. shows like “The Walking Dead”  Orphan Black, Bates Motel, and of course, True Blood. I love True Blood and have read most of the books, and although Alan Ball presented the series much differently than the books, I loved what he did for the show.

                                                                         

                                                                      

Then right before season six began, True Blood fans learned that Alan Ball would not be the show runner, and that someone else would take over. I’m the type of person who gives the new guy a chance to prove themselves; someone with a new perspective. I was wrong.

                                                                      

Every Monday, after the review of the show was posted, I would receive calls from tons of friends and relatives who’ve been following True Blood since its premier on HBO. We would chat or squabble about the events of the night before: what’s with Bill; who the hell is Warlow; what’s with Andy’s faerie daughters; and what a bitch Sarah Newlin is; but I'm partial to bad girls.

                                                                        

We liked the show, but there was something off. We couldn’t put our finger on it, but there was a change. Still, troopers that we are, we remained faithful to the show. That is until the Season six Finale.

                                                                    

WTF! Did the writers all get writer’s block at the same moment? Why did they have Sookie’s grandfather save the day? Why didn’t he save her while she was still in faerie land? What was Eric doing sunbathing in Sweden, instead of warning the vampires around the world of the tainted blood? When he flew away, that’s where we all assumed he was doing. Eric is thousands of years old and I’m pretty sure he would have brought a cloak with him; just in case. But, no! The writers did away with him or at least that’s what it looks like.
                                                                               

 And as far as Alcide and Sookie together; I don’t think so. How did Sam become Mayor? Where is the former Mayor? Protection for blood: yeah right! I don’t think the townsfolk of Bon Temps are that naïve. Zombie vampires heading towards the town was laughable. Leave the zombies to people who really know how to use them. I’m talking “The Walking Dead.”

                                                                  

Okay, I’m done my ranting, but I intend to write a letter to Alan Ball. We need you back at the helm, Alan! Now, Alan, before they start shooting scenes for season seven, and while you’re at it, bring Eric back with you!

                                                                       

 

 

Scary Movies Then and Now

I found this little video on Youtube and it got me thinking about growing up in the 50's and 60's and the types of scary movies that were shown every weekend at our local movie theatre. The Saturday Matinee Movies was a big hit in our neck of the woods in South Philadelphia. There were two theatres that we could go to: The Broadway Theatre on Broad and Snyder


                                                                        

                               and the Colonial Theater on 11th and Moyamensing Ave.


                                                                      

 

We got to see movies like this from Your Daily Milk!




Yes, the monsters offered to us, are laughable today, but back then; they scared us enough to drop our lunch, which consisted of baloney sandwiches and an apple, out of our hands. Yes, back then, kids were allowed to bring a bag lunch with them, as long as they also bought a bag of popcorn or lots of candy.
                                                                 

                                                                   
Most of the time, the baloney sandwiches were used as air to ground missiles by my siblings, if we were fortunate to get a seat in the balcony section of the movie theatre. If we noticed one of the neighborhood kids sitting below; then the time spent waiting for the first cartoon to start up was put to good use; bombs away!


                                                                      

The fright level of the movies began to change in the 60's with the introduction of Hammer Films. The screams from the audience grew louder and we began to cover our eyes. Here is a sample movie from Hammer Films:




We all know that Hollywood produces movies to fit the times, right? So what was going on in the 50's and 60's that upped the level of horror at the matinee shows?

                                                                 The Cold War

         
                                                                        Sputnik
      

                                                                           Vietnam

                                                                          

Today we have ghost stories, zombies and vampires. I think the matinee horrors of our childhood have been stomped on and replaced with real world horrors. Today's news frightens me more than the prospect of encountering a zombie.
                                                                        

Our politicians are all crooks and owned by corporations; our young military men and women, sheep sent to the slaughter; human slavery and poverty are out of control; nations all over the globe hate Americans.

I long for the days of innocence, but I think we were already lost by the time the Exorcist came out on the screen.
                                                                    

                                          
So, I'm hoping that you don't mind me sharing an old movie with you once in a while. I miss the days of zippered up monsters with cotton ball eyes. I'll leave you with this one movie trailer to cheer you up, enjoy!