This week, Americans celebrate our independence by grilling burgers and hot dogs, drinking domestic beer, and setting off explosions in the sky. I don’t quite get it either, but it’s the American Way. And I do love me some ice cold Miller High Life! I could descend into a lengthy rant about the current state … Continue reading Marilyn, Fireworks, and the Fourth
Tag: pinups
Calendar Girl: Julie London for July
July is known for its scorching temperatures, so it’s only fitting Julie London brings the heat with her smokey vocals on “Sleigh Ride in July.” Not sure why she’s sleigh riding in July, but I’d listen to her sing about making hot apple cider in the middle of a heatwave, so who cares? I found … Continue reading Calendar Girl: Julie London for July
Remembering Vanity
Recently I fired up the very silly martial arts action-comedy The Last Dragon (1985) in the background while I was doing some work. While it played, I was reminded of the first time I saw this cult classic, when a friend screened the movie on VHS at his birthday party sometime in either late 1985 … Continue reading Remembering Vanity
Calendar Girl: Julie London for June
With June’s track from Calendar Girl, “Memphis in June,” our monthly crush Julie London sings of shady verandas under Sunday blue skies, cousin Amanda’s rhubarb pie, and sweet oleander blowing perfume through the air. Using those sultry pipes, London paints a picturesque view of a lazy, beautiful early summer day and night in Memphis. Looking … Continue reading Calendar Girl: Julie London for June
Elvira, Mistress of the Cake
Even though it’s my birthday soon, I’ll gladly share this gift with all of my friends: Yep, that’s Elvira, Mistress of the Dark herself, looking really excited to celebrate my latest trip around the sun. I’m just so honored she’s popping out of my cake! What a surprise! I can only imagine how many similar … Continue reading Elvira, Mistress of the Cake
Calendar Girl: Julie London for March
Calendar Girl’s track for March hits home in all the right ways. Of course there’s Julie London, whose sultry voice makes seasonal ennui sound sexier than it has any right to be. Then there’s the lyrics to “Melancholy March,” which so perfectly capture this month’s awkward middle child syndrome: Melancholy March, your gloom is showingYour … Continue reading Calendar Girl: Julie London for March
Calendar Girl: Julie London for February
Like so many people, I definitely suffer from seasonal depression this time of year. No month brings me lower than February. With apologies to all with birthdays this month, I have always considered February the worst month of the year. I am not alone in this opinion. Yes there’s Valentine’s Day, but that “holiday” is … Continue reading Calendar Girl: Julie London for February






