Cannonball Update

The surgery went well. A 10 oz. tumor was removed (about the size of a grapefruit). He’s got an icky looking 7″ scar on his left side, but he seems to be doing a bit better than when we first brought him home. We’ll know if he’s got the big C either Thursday or Friday.

R.I.P. Mary Hansen

Mary Hansen of Stereolab was hit by a truck while riding her bicycle in London last week. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Stereolab has songs for every occasion in my life, “Jenny Ondioline” was on at the Artful Dodger as I asked Vina to marry me, “Super-Electric” is often stuck in my head as I’m driving or riding, and every time I see a cute girl across the record store that I know I shouldn’t be interested in, I hear that organ part from the beginning of “Lo Boob Oscillator.”

Wild Ones vs. Mild Ones

Another note from Ana: This week’s People magazine featured famous stars who ride motorcycles
(Wild Ones) and scooters (Mild Ones) on one of the last pages in the issue.
Scooterists include Jerry Seinfeld and his wife on Vintage Vespas,
Matthew Broderick on a sweet GS (if I remember correctly), and 2 other
stars on more modern scoots (posing, I think). Motorcyclists included
Harrison Ford.

Takara “Blythe” Vino Toy

Our friend Ana noticed this Ebay auction: a Yamaha Vino for the Takara “Blythe” doll. It’s pretty neat, but I wondered how something like that could be “rare” already. Turns out they came out this summer, but they are actually pretty hard to find in Japanese stores, and were never sold in the U.S. YS Shop has some for $65, but you could buy a real Vino for that. The dolls themselves are pretty fab, too, in a mod-Keane kinda way.

Doors, Durso reunite.

Dave Lucash found this news photo of a Doors press conference. From left, former Police drummer Stewart Copeland, with original members, keyboardist Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robby Krieger, and So1o Scooter Club founder Mike Durso in place of the late Jim Morrison. Asked for comment, Durso replied “Between reality and perception, there are the doors. Preferably early-sixties smallframe engine side doors.” (photo: CP Archive/AP/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Will Lester)

Airbag Vest

An idea as compelling as it is frightening: an airbag vest for mtorcyclists that inflates instantly with an unsafe change in momentum. So crazy and wrong, it just might work. Thanks, Scott Baxter!

I (heart) Colleen

Driving to work sucks. I’d rather take the bus/train combo even though it takes a half hour longer and I have to stand out in the cold for ages. But some Mondays and Wednesdays I wake up late on purpose and drive so I can listen to Mary Nisi and/or Colleen McHale’s Nerd Alert on WLUW. I have the WLUW phone number programmed in my cell phone, but I’ve never called because I’ve never been able to think of anything to request that’s better than what they’re playing anyway. WLUW is the only place I ever hear any good new music, or find out about stuff I missed when it was new. Today was Colleen’s last solo show (She’s moving to Brooklyn right after the Monday morning show with Mary). When she played “Something Big” By Burt Bacharach, I started to tear up. When I heard the beginning of Velocity Girl’s cover of “Tales of Brave Aphrodite” I lost it and really started to cry. I had to turn it off when “Let’s Get Lost” came on. I’ll really miss you, Colleen. You rock. Good Luck.