12-Nov-91 16:27:19-GMT,17214;000000000001 Received: from athos.rutgers.edu by aramis.rutgers.edu (5.59/SMI4.0/RU1.4/3.08) id AA20635; Tue, 12 Nov 91 11:14:54 EST Received: by athos.rutgers.edu (5.59/SMI4.0/RU1.4/3.08) id AA22012; Tue, 12 Nov 91 11:14:48 EST Date: Tue, 12 Nov 91 11:14:48 EST Message-Id: <9111121614.AA22012@athos.rutgers.edu> Errors-To: owner-ecto@athos.rutgers.edu Reply-To: ecto@athos.rutgers.edu Sender: ecto@athos.rutgers.edu From: ecto@athos.rutgers.edu To: ecto-request@athos.rutgers.edu Subject: ecto #36 ecto, Number 36 Tuesday, 12 November 1991 Today's Topics: *-----------------* Lotsa threads. Things in general More on Pop Culture Stuff ======================================================================== Date: Tue, 12 Nov 1991 19:50 +8:00 From: SVODOPIER@cc.curtin.edu.au Subject: Lotsa threads. Marty here. Wow. There's been so many threads lately we should soon have enough to make at least a technicolour coat of drears. Vickie writes: > Ah, Chris asks "[a] computer graphics artist modelling mining deposits?" No, I'm not a computer graphics *artist* (well, not officially) : when I said I was in computer graphics I meant more on the programming side. You know, flashy wizz-bang 3D stuff, virtual reality etc. My thesis is on a new type of solid-modelling, which will be primarily used to manipulate the huge and complex structures found underground. It's amazing how much you can learn about the way real-life (TM) works, simply from trying to duplicate it in software. Last year I spent some time designing the perfect sunset... quite an experience. I'm not a computer weenie! I'm not! Really! Early fave music (early 80's): The Fixx, Thomas Dolby, swing jazz, Midnight Oil, quality disco music, Dire Straits, I'm Talking, "Rock On" by David Essex, and even breakdance music. The first album I ever bought was Dolby's "Flat Earth" - and it's still one of my all-time favourite albums. These days about 3/4 of the CDs I buy are blues. De Blues is like drugs! Re: musical colour Yes, Vickie, silver is another predominant Happy colour for me too. "Ecto" makes me think of silver and bells and shiny stuff. Re: Madonna I'd agree she's an Important Artist in some ways, but I could really take her or leave her. I think she really went downhill after "Holiday" :-\ (I did admire the way she boarded the Vogue bandwagon so late and made it her own. Very good business head on those muscular shoulders.) Re: Steven King As above. I've got too much else to read first! Re: Happy radio interview. Just a thought... Perhaps Vickie could include bits of it among the SiG Radio Show tape. Just little comments relevant to certain songs or mentions of Ecto-list etc. Maybe? Re: Personal info database If you're going to include birth times, you may as well include height, weight, eye colour, hair colour and marriage status. :-) :-) Now is that appropriate for a music-based newsgroup, or what? 9:20am, 6'3", 77kg, chocolate, black and single. And I drive a Renault 18. :-) And a welcome to our new Ectophile in Zimbabwe!! That's four continents conquered now... only South America, Asia and Antarctica to go! What's the local music scene in Zimbabwe like, anyway? Anyhow, back to the mindless masses. Martin ,------------------------------------+----------------------------. _ . | At first there was nothing. | Martin Dougiamas. | _r' Ll\ | Then god said "Let there be light!"| sdougiama@cc.curtin.edu.au | | \ | Then there was still nothing. | Curtin University | \ ._ / | But you could see it. | Perth, Western Australia --+->x~ `-' `====================================+============================' V ======================================================================== Date: Tue, 12 Nov 91 03:02 CST From: vickie@chinet.chi.il.us (Vickie Ann Mapes) Subject: Things in general Vickie here. A few things... Doug, thanks for writing up the letter for the SF in music list. It looks fine to me. Welcome back Jeanne! How was Seattle? Congrats on the converts :-) I forgot to say in my "Talked to Happy" post that H&K have gotten quite a few orders from EctoWare. Great! Kevin said "at least 6 or 7 or so" so it's working wonderfully. Congratulations again Tom Johnson and Dan Segal!! You've done a very nice thing for Happy, and you should be very proud of yourselves. Perhaps one of you could re-post the short explanation of what EctoWare is for the benefit of Ecto's many new subscribers. Speaking of...Welcome to all the new people on Ecto. Fell free to jump in and ask questions or tell us who you are, your Happy story, your BIRTHDAY, or whatever you feel like. If you don't feel like talking, that's OK too, there are people who have been on Ecto from the beginning who have never posted, and we like them just fine! Birthday explanation...I have a birthday list going, which you can be part of by just sending me your name, birthDay, Month and Year (ages on Ecto run the gamut, from 75 year-old cello instructors to their little sisters) and what sign you are. If you're not an Astrology type (lots on Ecto aren't) then give me something to put in that space, such as "OfTheTimes" or "Yield" or "Giddy" (which is my sign :-) or whatever. Why? Uh, I'm not sure, but it's fun. Re my new gaffa.sig, I used it twice, and it's gone now. It was used in a fit of anti-Cynthia pique, and I got it out of my system now. I think I might keep in the "friendly" bit, but I'll take out the "flame-free" part. We certainly are flame-free, but I don't want to attract someone who, like Jessica said, would join just to start something. I do *NOT* believe in keeping anyone out of Ecto. I really want to make that clear. Flamers can be ignored, and would get bored very quickly, so I don't think there would be a problem. We'll see, if it happens. At least, we're all prepared for it if it does. Vickie ======================================================================== Date: Tue, 12 Nov 91 03:01 CST From: vickie@chinet.chi.il.us (Vickie Ann Mapes) Subject: More on Pop Culture Vickie here. Re Doug's most recent post: I agree, at least in my case it's true, that one tends to love (or at least feel somewhat nostalgic about) things they grew up with. I was given a transistor radio when I was 7 and we moved from the city to the country. I spent most of my childhood alone, and that radio was my best friend. I got it in 1962 and immediately became a Top 40 radio fiend. The stations I listened to (WHB in Kansas City and WLS in Chicago-late at night) were dedicated to rock and roll, not just the current songs, but "oldies" too, so I grew up in the 60s with practically every chart position memorized, a singles collection you wouldn't believe, trying not to go to sleep on New Years Eve and New Years Day so I could hear the Top 200 or whatever songs, all of that. I was also a walking, talking TV Guide, but that's another story :-). Pop Culture was part of my being, inside and out. Whenever I happen to listen to "Oldies" stations, I immediately start singing along and bouncing around to the songs, nearly every one very familiar to me. Considering the "weird" taste in music I have now, it's strange that I still love a lot of these old songs, but I do. It's most especially strange since the lyrics were very often lame and stupid, consisting of oh I love you/you don't love me/baby, you hurt me so bad/blah blah that I generally can't stand nowadays. When Wilson Phillips sing it, I want to barf, when The Shirelles sing it, I want to dance. Nostalgia, maybe, but I think it's more than that. The late 50s and 60s were a time when this music was new and fresh, so it was fun. I sound like an old lady when I pout "Top 40 nowadays just isn't like it used to be" and picture an Emily Latella type. But I think it's true. For one thing, everything's been done. Top 40 today is just a rehash of everything that's come before it. Secondly, Top 40 today is much narrower in scope and, IMHO, not as interesting. in the 60s, you could hear all different types of music on Top 40. Motown next to Elvis next to novelty (anyone remember "Gimme Dat Ding"?) next to ballads next to The Beatles next to on and on and on. It was a wonderful thing, and Top 40 nowadays isn't as "adventurous" or as fun. That's what I think. People have laughed when I said this, but I truly believe that 60s Top 40 radio prepared me and was responsible for the very eclectic tastes I have now. It's true. Though it didn't happen to everybody. I know people who _only_ listen to "Oldies" stations, or "Classic Rock" stations and wouldn't think of trying new things, except every now and then, if it happens to be close to what they're used to. It's "normal" for someone to be into one type of music and shut out all others, eclectic tastes are (or certainly seem to be) the exception. I just have to be glad that I was in the right place at the right time in the right mindset to be open to the musical experience that changed my life (Genesis in 1974) or I don't know what I'd be listening to today. Oldies, 24 hours a day. Hmm. As much as I love those old songs, the thought of *only* listening to those songs is horrifying, considering all the wonderful music I'd be missing out on. Doug, you're not the only one who liked bubblegum. I went throught that phase too, as painful as it is, I'll admit it. Hey, I liked The Monkees and The Partridge Family too. Those are my deep dark musical secrets :-). Doug, you said: > However, I disagree with Vickie in one respect. If something enters > pop culture, I don't think it stays there. I've found that if you just > wait long enough, the crowd will pass through and your beloved discovery > reverts to the true believers once more. Ok, I disagree with your disagreement :-) because remember I did say that exact thing happened with Twin Peaks, and how nice it was that we Peakers had the show back back to ourselves after it dropped out of PC. All these recent threads have been so interesting. This is great! Vickie ======================================================================== Date: Tue, 12 Nov 91 08:55:32 MST From: dbx@olympic.atmos.colostate.edu (Doug Burks) Subject: Stuff Greetings, My, my, my. How a holiday brings out the posts! Vickie mourned: Since this is a holiday (I have to say that I can't remember *which* holiday it is...Veteran's Day?) I imagine that lots of people in the US are off work, so that World Cafe airtimes list will be useless to many. Damn! Well, if even 1 person can hear it because of that post, it will be worth it. First, here's one American who doesn't get it (yes, it was Veteran's Day) off. CSU doesn't give us Labor Day, Columbus Day, President's Day, or Memorial Day off either! Grumble, grumble, grumble. As for the World Cafe, here is your one! Last night (Monday) I went home and immediately checked the reception for KUWR from Laramie WY. Loud and clear. By the way, the broadcast time on KUWR (Wyoming Public Radio) is 8pm, which I doubt will help anyone since I don't think another Ectophile lives within 1000mi of me (literally. The closest is someone in either Chicago or Texas.) So tonight at 8pm, I will be sitting in front of my stereo with a tape in place, ready to go. By the way, World Cafe is apparently a daily show on these radio stations, as I listened to the first twenty minutes of it Monday. The show is not completely alternative music, as in that twenty minutes they played Richard Lloyd (ex-Television guitarist), Steely Dan, Stevie Wonder, Tower of Power, and Bruce Cockburn. Call it eclectic. They are currently on an Instrument of the Week kick. This week is Horn Section Week. (I'm not kidding!) The middle three artists I just mentioned were part of that horn section celebration. Of course, we all know about Happy's brilliant uses of a horn section :-). But have no fear. The DJ actually mentioned that "singer/ songwriter Happy Rhodes will be in the studio" Tuesday!!! I believe that's the first time I've heard her name on the radio (maybe even the first time I've heard it spoken!). As I noted, I will record the Happy section of the show. Unfortunately, I no longer have access to a tape duplication machine, so, Jessica, if you're not happy with the quality of your tape, and still are willing to make copies, I'd be happy to send you mine to use as the base. My reception was very clear last night. Re the ever-continuing popular culture thread: I agree with Vickie's comment about Top 40 radio in the Sixties. The range of the music was amazing. It even included music OUR parents (i.e., the parents who grew up in the 40's) could enjoy, Frank Sinatra of all people hit the charts during the Summer of Love, and Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdinck, and the inescapeable Neil Diamond (Sigh! Even his music warms the nostalgic cockles of my heart.) were staples in the late Sixties. What I'll never forget is the silliness (Yes, I remember _Gimme Dat Ding_. Still love it! The Pipkins did it with that rollicking piano and indescribable vocals (Did you know both parts were done by the same person, a la Happy (1/2 :-) !?)), the wonderful garbage ("MacArthur's Park" by Richard Harris is such a gloriously over-blown over- produced piece of fluff that it's great!), and the one-hit wonders. Where are Frigid Pink, Zager and Evans, the Jaggerz, the Ides of March, Edison Lighthouse, Wadsworth Mansion, the Flying Machine, Norman Greenbaum, Shocking Blue, Lighthouse, Sugarloaf, etc., etc. today. (Can you name their hit? Most of them hit Number One!) The only comparable period of music in my memory is the punk/New Wave explosion of new fun music in the late Seventies. If no one has guessed yet, I'm a hardcore Dr Demento fan, having listened to him since 1974. Unfortunately, his show is only broadcast here at midnight Sunday, way past my bedtime! Our feline Ectophile stranded in Wales purred: would someone PLEASE explain to this not-so-computer-weenied blonde exaclty what a gif is?? and since i THINK i have an inkling of an idea what it is..and dont think i can get them...is it posible to print them and MAIL them to me all the way across this lonely sea??? i am *REALLY* interested in seeing artwork..esp. inverted? pix of whatever you wizards have put into gifs!!!! Alan (Welcome!) asked: What about those of us who don't have ftp or usenet? Any e-mail possibilities? Greg gave a good overview of what a GIF is. I agree that printed GIF's lose a lot, unless done on a very high resolution laser printer. However, you can e-mail GIF's, and I'd be more than happy to do so. Before you do so, check with your local computer system guru types as to whether you have the program 'uudecode' (standard on most Unix systems) and a program to display GIFs (for X window systems, this is usually 'xloadimage' or 'xv'. A number of free packages exist for PC's). So if you want me to mail you some GIF's, send me which ones you want, your e-mail address, and I'll try to mail you a GIF with instructions of how to wave a magic wand and turn the mailed mess into a Happy (or even KaTe (I've got plenty of them too!)) GIF. Just a warning, these will be big! Court the cat further expounds: the one Hapy song that NEVER fails to bring tears to my eyes...either from delight at the song..or from the sadness of the lyrics and what *I* feel inside as well...is the song No One Here.. The song that comes the closest to doing that for me is _I Have a Heart_. The first time I heard it was while driving, I didn't quite catch the lyrics, but I had a cold dread in my heart about the meaning of the song. When I got home that day, I played it again, caught the lyrics, and completely lost it. This song is way too autobiographical for me. No other song I've ever heard has come within a light year of touching me as deeply and as unguardedly as _I Have a Heart_. Doug Burks _O_ dbx@olympic.atmos.colostate.edu |< She really is!! Dat's right, Dat's right, I'm-a sad 'n' blue Coz I can't do no boogaloo I'm lost, I'm lost, Can't do my thing That's why sing da Gimme Gimme Dat Ding ======================================================================== To join ecto, please send electronic mail to the following address: ecto-request@athos.rutgers.edu To have your thoughts included in the next issue, send mail to: ecto@athos.rutgers.edu To subscribe to "Ecto", the printed fanzine, send $8 to: Ecto PO Box 11291 New Brunswick, NJ 08906 Ecto is issued 8 times/year, and will include photos and as much material from non-net members as we can get! Donations above the subscription cost are welcomed - all money goes to bringing you better issues! Your "humble pseudo-moderator" -- jessica (jessica@athos.rutgers.edu)