An almost daily update on my journey into trying just about anything that ever interested me. Tap dancing? Photography? Video making? Coaching an NFL football team?
The composition of the picture was deliberate. Wanted to catch the glare and shine of the sun. And my legs.
Remember, experimenting is what a budding Renaissance man does.*
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*That might be my way of saying, "Yea, that didn't really work. Not nearly as well as I hoped."
Or do Renaissance Men never admit less than perfection? I do think we (the royal "we" of the Renaissance Man collective?) know perfect when we see it. And we'll show it to you every time.
Blogging has been out of vogue for quite a while. Then again, so has writing. So has me trying to be vogue.
But as Peter Allen said in song, "Everything old is new again."*
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New Year's Resolutions - 2017
1: Change my name to Herb. Then, with trendy narcissism, become a herbologist.
2: Whenever possible, share my cupcakes.
3: Say "toddle-oo" instead of goodbye, "later gator" instead of just "later." Then, eventually, just "gator."
4: Revive All-Star Wrestling.
5: Totally forget about resolution #5.
6: Call every dog I see "Spot." Or "Stinky." But never both.
7: Rewrite "The Year of the Cat" to make it the "Year of the Rooster" - per the Chinese Zodiac. Deadline: January 28. **
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Why the sudden reappearance of my blog? Hmm. Maybe I should write about that.
Why the new name? Hmm. Maybe I should write about that.
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* This song appeared in the 1979 Movie "All That Jazz." It was a semi-autobiographical story directed by Bob Fosse. Hypothesis: Because it existed, the musical "Chicago" was called "Chicago" despite its great number that would have worked so marvelously as the title song, "All That Jazz."
** Thanks to my Facebook Buddies for pointing out that rather than rooster, the word "chanticleer" would work, or another word that the Facebook frowns on that is a single syllable (like "cat").
Thanksgiving is about traditions. That means doing the same thing and feeling good about it.
So, for the SEVENTH year in a row, here's the holiday classic Thanksgiving post...
... Like trying cornmeal dressing and saying "where have you been all my life?" Last year's addition of the song "A Goose for my Girl" certainly freshened up the traditions! Bet this year you've all rehearsed it to make it a song for the Thanksgiving table. I know I have.
I'm thankful that I have wonderful people all around me who like to laugh.
Tradition One - The Budding Ventriloquist Something For The Kids To Do Game
Tradition Two - WKRP In Cincinnati "The Turkey Drop"
Tradition Three - Wally Cox "Underdog Balloon" Tribute
Tradition Four - A song for the Thanksgiving table.
###
Today is Thanksgiving, and Budding Ventriloquist is pleased to present two special holiday reruns. The first a Budding classic holiday tradition, and the second is perhaps the funniest Thanksgiving moment in television history.
***
Tradition One
The Budding Ventriloquist
Something For The Kids To Do Game
While you are busy in the kitchen worrying about whether the turkey is done, if the stuffing has too much or not enough poultry seasoning, and why the pumpkin pies aren't as dark orange as you were expecting, the kids need something to do.
There are several more ventriloquist teams other than the four already circled. Can the kids find them?
Print this picture. Print it many times. Be sure to print it in color, or a few of them won't really be findable. Print it in the highest quality possible, because I am sure your printer ink wasn't very expensive.
(This was originally posted last year on Thanksgiving. I just know that it is going to become a holiday tradition as big as the Underdog* balloon in the Macy's parade.)
Tradition Two
WKRP In Cincinnati
"The Turkey Drop"
This should be Tradition Number One. It doesn't get any better.
After tons of searching and believing someone, somewhere, has posted this segment in it's full glory, I found it. (Actually, Jeff the IT guy at work found it for me. Bravo, dude.)
Whether something is the "funniest" is always a good debate. But there is no doubt, this was truly inspired.
If you jump to the 5:38 mark, that is where I like to start. But the set up is fun too, big guy.
***
* Underdog (1964-1972 TV cartoon): Underdog, Shoeshine Boy’s heroic alter-ego, appeared whenever love interest Sweet Polly Purebred was being victimized by such villains as Simon Bar Sinister or Riff Raff. Underdog always speaks in rhymes, such as, “There’s no need to fear, Underdog is here!” His voice was supplied by Wally Cox.**
Underdog is now more famous for being a balloon than a cartoon. Not the worst thing that could happen, I guess. After all, he was a dog, and a cartoon dog besides. After everyone has forgot Foghorn Leghorn, they still know that there's no need to fear, Underdog was here.
** Wally Cox. Comedian, Classic nerd character and voice. He deserves an entire post as a Budding Ventriloquist: Early Influence. I'll get right on that.
***
There was a time when a gathering at the house you grew up in may have included a moment where kids were shooed off to bed, and the adults got out "Party Records." Sold under-the-counter, these typically ribald recordings were the stuff adults didn't want your tender ears to hear, and your innocent minds to be forever corrupted by. And they would howl.
I guess we were on our own to get those jobs done. We were the generation that sneaked George Carlin albums into the house, so we gotter done, too. Just with naughty words unhid.
Party records were also where double entendre naughtiness reached high art. Here is one such masterpiece party record by a true artist of doggerel, Benny Bell. A lost Thanksgiving treat.
Thanksgiving is about traditions. That means doing the same thing and feeling good about it.
So, for the SIXTH year in a row, here's the holiday classic Thanksgiving post...
...With ADDITIONAL NEW CONTENT! A new tradition is offered for your consideration. Can it really be a tradition when it's the first time? Let's see. I think you will like it.
I'm thankful that I have wonderful people all around me who like to laugh.
Tradition One - The Budding Ventriloquist Something For The Kids To Do Game
Tradition Two - WKRP In Cincinnati "The Turkey Drop"
Tradition Three - Wally Cox "Underdog Balloon" Tribute
BONUS NEW TRADITION - A song for Thanksgiving
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Today is Thanksgiving, and Budding Ventriloquist is pleased to present two special holiday reruns. The first a Budding classic holiday tradition, and the second is perhaps the funniest Thanksgiving moment in television history.
***
Tradition One
The Budding Ventriloquist
Something For The Kids To Do Game
While you are busy in the kitchen worrying about whether the turkey is done, if the stuffing has too much or not enough poultry seasoning, and why the pumpkin pies aren't as dark orange as you were expecting, the kids need something to do.
There are several more ventriloquist teams other than the four already circled. Can the kids find them?
Print this picture. Print it many times. Be sure to print it in color, or a few of them won't really be findable. Print it in the highest quality possible, because I am sure your printer ink wasn't very expensive.
(This was originally posted last year on Thanksgiving. I just know that it is going to become a holiday tradition as big as the Underdog* balloon in the Macy's parade.)
Tradition Two
WKRP In Cincinnati
"The Turkey Drop"
After tons of searching and believing someone, somewhere, has posted this segment in it's full glory, I found it. (Actually, Jeff the IT guy at work found it for me. Bravo, dude.)
Whether something is the "funniest" is always a good debate. But there is no doubt, this was truly inspired.
If you jump to the 5:38 mark, that is where I like to start. But the set up is fun too, big guy.
***
* Underdog (1964-1972 TV cartoon): Underdog, Shoeshine Boy’s heroic alter-ego, appeared whenever love interest Sweet Polly Purebred was being victimized by such villains as Simon Bar Sinister or Riff Raff. Underdog always speaks in rhymes, such as, “There’s no need to fear, Underdog is here!” His voice was supplied by Wally Cox.**
Underdog is now more famous for being a balloon than a cartoon. Not the worst thing that could happen, I guess. After all, he was a dog, and a cartoon dog besides. After everyone has forgot Foghorn Leghorn, they still know that Underdog was here.
** Wally Cox. Comedian, Classic nerd character and voice. He deserves an entire post as a Budding Ventriloquist: Early Influence. I'll get right on that.
***
There was a time when a gathering at the house you grew up in may have included a moment where kids were shooed off to bed, and the adults got out "Party Records." Sold under-the-counter, these typically ribald recordings were the stuff adults didn't want your tender ears to hear, and your innocent minds to be forever corrupted by. And they would howl.
I guess we were on our own to get those jobs done. We were the generation that sneaked George Carlin albums into the house, so we gotter done, too. Just with naughty words unhid.
Party records were also where double entendre naughtiness reached high art. Here is one such masterpiece party record by a true artist of doggerel, Benny Bell. A lost Thanksgiving treat.
Thanks for watching this year. Hope you smiled a bit, maybe chuckled in the shower thinking of a Gurus show, or are grinned in a conference room at work imagining a Guru was there with you.
Hope you have a great Christmas or whatever holiday is on your calendar. The Gurus are honored that you are taking even two minutes to watch this while you have so many last minute preparations for celebrating. We celebrate you every day.
From Dan and George and the entire staff of Budding Ventriloquist Studios - Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! It's our Christmas card to all you. Enjoy the third Budding Ventriloquist Christmas Special.
Whether you watch Gridiron Gurus for the picks, the ventriloquism, or to see two old farts bickering, this episode is full of things to love, or at least like, or tolerate, or...
Oh heck, just watch it. Make Dan happy. You can even watch his lips if that's what tickles your fancy.
After seeing endless commercials for it, we bet you can't wait for NBC's "Peter Pan Live"... to be over! Here's a fresher take on the classic from BV Studios.
Special magical moments must happen and will! If you love joining, join in!
Thanksgiving is about traditions. That means doing the same thing and feeling good about it.
So, for the FIFTH year in a row, here's the holiday classic Thanksgiving post. I'm thankful that I have a fun hobby and good friends to share it with who like to laugh.
Tradition One - The Budding Ventriloquist Something For The Kids To Do Game
Tradition Two - WKRP In Cincinnati "The Turkey Drop"
Today is Thanksgiving, and Budding Ventriloquist is pleased to present two special holiday reruns. The first a Budding classic holiday tradition, and the second is perhaps the funniest Thanksgiving moment in television history.
***
Tradition One
The Budding Ventriloquist
Something For The Kids To Do Game
While you are busy in the kitchen worrying about whether the turkey is done, if the stuffing has too much or not enough poultry seasoning, and why the pumpkin pies aren't as dark orange as you were expecting, the kids need something to do.
There are several more ventriloquist teams other than the four already circled. Can the kids find them?
Print this picture. Print it many times. Be sure to print it in color, or a few of them won't really be findable. Print it in the highest quality possible, because I am sure your printer ink wasn't very expensive.
(This was originally posted last year on Thanksgiving. I just know that it is going to become a holiday tradition as big as the Underdog* balloon in the Macy's parade.)
Tradition Two
WKRP In Cincinnati
"The Turkey Drop"
After tons of searching and believing someone, somewhere, has posted this segment in it's full glory, I found it. (Actually, Jeff the IT guy at work found it for me. Bravo, dude.)
Whether something is the "funniest" is always a good debate. But there is no doubt, this was truly inspired.
If you jump to the 5:38 mark, that is where I like to start. But the set up is fun too, big guy.
***
* Underdog (1964-1972 TV cartoon): Underdog, Shoeshine Boy’s heroic alter-ego, appeared whenever love interest Sweet Polly Purebred was being victimized by such villains as Simon Bar Sinister or Riff Raff. Underdog always speaks in rhymes, such as, “There’s no need to fear, Underdog is here!” His voice was supplied by Wally Cox.**
Underdog is now more famous for being a balloon than a cartoon. Not the worst thing that could happen, I guess. Afterall, he was a dog, and a cartoon dog besides. After everyone has forgot Foghorn Leghorn, they still know that Underdog was here.
** Wally Cox. Comedian, Classic nerd character and voice. He deserves an entire post as a Budding Ventriloquist: Early Influence. I'll get right on that.
