Why ‘La Bande de Rats’ Were in Las Vegas
Our recent review of Une Histoire Américain by Georges Ayache included this shot of the book’s cover:
Biographies
Happy 100th Birthday Django Reinhardt, You Old Gypsy You
Jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt was born 100 years ago today — on 23 January 1910.Reinhardt grew up in a Gypsy caravan, which is where he learned to play the guitar with with that Romany swing. His background made him a rather odd duck on the Paris jazz scene for sure.
Frank Sinatra and ‘La Bande de Rats’
Book review: Une Histoire AméricaineBy Georges Ayache256 pages for 20 euros [[wysiwyg_imageupload:1737:]]
Roger Ebert Not a Huge Fan of ‘Extraordinary Measures’
The trailers for Harrison Ford’s new movie Extraordinary Measures have been baffling. Are they cops, doctors, journalists, er whut? And why is everyone shouting?Thanks to Roger Ebert’s review, I now see that it’s a desperately-seeking-a-cure movie — as Ebert puts it, “Lorenzo’s Oil with a different disease.”
What’s the Difference Between Tiger Woods and Hugh Grant?
Tiger’s sex addiction is ruining his golf life.Grant’s golf addiction is ruining his sex life.
Happy Birthday, Stonewall Jackson!
Today is the birth date of Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, born in Virginia in 1824 (in Clarksburg, which is now part of West Virginia).A distinguished military tactician and veteran of the war between the United States and Mexico in the 1840s, he died in 1863, after losing his left arm as a result of friendly fire. His arm was amputated and went on to have a history all its own. Jackson died shortly after that.
Conan O’Brien Signs Deal to Leave ‘Tonight Show’
Conan O’Brien will soon have more free time on his hands.
If Not for Ronald Reagan
It was 25 years ago today that Ronald Reagan was sworn in as president — in a private ceremony — for his second term.Because January 20th, traditionally Inauguration Day, fell on a Sunday, public ceremonies were held off for a day.At this point in his presidency, Ronald Reagan had aggressively upped the ante in the Cold War, told America to “just say no” to drugs (the illegal kind), seen the worst of a “slight recession” and wrassled with the Democrat majority in congress over deficit spending and budget cuts.
Best Scott Brown Headline of the Day
“Scott Brown Wins Mass. Race, Giving GOP 41-59 Majority in the Senate”- The Village Voice
Buzz Aldrin 80th Birthday – PHOTOS
Buzz Aldrin — moon-walking hero and one of our favorite astronauts — was born on this day in New Jersey in 1930.A few birthday photos from his Apollo 11 days: