Interesting little jaunt

[Kellogg]

Hey all,

I'm kind of behind in my drawing, so I'm probably gonna be a bit on the quiet side, but yesterday, my brother and I went to Dallas to a convention of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association. http://www.mvpa.org

Really interesting time. Will have to write it all up later. Some of it was fun, some things were downright odd. (Nazi memorobilia for sale? Yeesh...)

But the highlight of the trip was talking to an old veteran who had just spent the last 8 years restoring a WWII GPA "Seep" which is basically an amphibious variant of the Jeep! His was in beautiful condition! I hope he wins an award for all his work.

The mechanical works of the vehicle were fascinating!

The guy even had photos of him out in the Colorado river motoring around. MAN! That looks like FUN!

GPAs are rare, often un-maintained and expensive, but Amphicars look like all the fun with half the pricetag. Now, if I can just make a million dollars... http://www.amphicar.com

Okay, now I gotta get to work!

Later!

Scott

[ZOMBIE USER 8613]

Hey Scott,

True story, first and only time in my life I've ever seen an Amphicar in person was at Pioneer Village in Minden, NE. My Uncle Jim and Aunt Pat took me (along with their four kids) to see the place when I was still many years under driving age.

What *really* surprised me about the place were the vehicles. Pioneer Village has the 'old west' stuff all over the place, plus mucho history of Nebraska (where I was born and raised), yadda yadda, yawn. (I seem to recall that the place was built by a guy who invented Plexiglas and just liked to collect old stuff. Weird...)

BUT, they also have literally *thousands* of restored and operational vehicles and bits of machinery. Old steel-wheel tractors, aircraft, automobiles.. you name it. (I still remember a 'Jupiter' tractor, where I stood within the rear wheel and the axle only came up to my head...)

Anyway, http://www.pioneervillage.org/ Plus, a somewhat interesting 'virtual tour' at this site: http://web-guides.com/pioneervillage/

If you ever have reason to travel Interstate 80, it's just a quickie jaunt off the south side of the highway, and well worth it. My advice would be (for anyone) to set aside an entire day and make it a point to stop there.

KO

[Kellogg]

True story, first and only time in my life I've ever seen an Amphicar in person was at Pioneer Village in Minden, NE. My Uncle Jim and Aunt Pat took me (along with their four kids) to see the place when I was still many years under driving age.

Neat! I've only seen one once in the metal. Looked like fun! The only time I'd ever seen one before was watching an old British TV show called "The Avengers" with Diana Rigg. (Yum!) Boy those things look like fun!

Where are you from in Nebraska? My dad is from North Platte. I have very vague memories of visiting the family farm. I must have been 2-3 years old. I get all my story-telling genes from my father, so I've heard all sorts of stories about growing up in North Platte in the 1920's & 30's.

Originally, I was thinking of making Jack be from North Platte, but I'm afraid I don't know enough about the place to be able to get it right!

Anyway, Pioneer Village sounds fun! Depending on where my next job takes me I'm gonna have to take a look around Nebraska.

Scott

[ZOMBIE USER 6611]

The only time I'd ever seen one before was watching an old British TV show called "The Avengers" with Diana Rigg. (Yum!) Boy those things look like fun!

Could it be, my friend, that the "Yum" was aimed at Diana Rigg and not the Amphicar?

Of course it was. And, just in case a fellow Diana Rigg, ah, enthusiast has not seen it, may I recommend "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". In addition to that classy lady, it also has the only James Bond actor who really knew how to fight -- the actor was one of Bruce Lee's pallbearers.

Where are you from in Nebraska?

I have a good friend from there, and I listen frequently to the Omaha bar band what done good -- Mannheim Steamroller.

[ZOMBIE USER 8613]

Neat! I've only seen one once in the metal. Looked like fun! The only time I'd ever seen one before was watching an old British TV show called "The Avengers" with Diana Rigg. (Yum!) Boy those things look like fun!

Dude! I used to watch "The Avengers" and "The New Avengers" way back when. How many Nebraskan pre-teens do you suppose wanted to be Steed when they grew up? <lol>

I remember looking at the Amphicar and thinking, "How do the doors seal?".

Where are you from in Nebraska? My dad is from North Platte. I have very vague memories of visiting the family farm. I must have been 2-3 years old. I get all my story-telling genes from my father, so I've heard all sorts of stories about growing up in North Platte in the 1920's & 30's.

DUDE! I was born in Aurora, lived in Overton 'til I was five, but I lived the next seven years in N. Platte. Then we moved to Lincoln when I was 12. I kinda miss N. Platte, actually, and it's a shame there's so little industry in the town. I think it'll pretty much always be the same as it is now and was then.

'Nother true story. My step-Mom's Mom moved a little over a year ago, from down here by Nashville to N. Platte. But, she bought a house *200 yards* from the house that I grew up in, 1206 W. E St. AND her son (one of my 2nd Mom's brothers) lives next door to her. Dad and Katie and I went up to visit Grandma Mac right after she moved in and just *being* right there where I grew up was such a flood of memories. A couple of the neighbors still live there, too. I talked to someone who knew me as a lil' kid. What a trip. <lol>

Originally, I was thinking of making Jack be from North Platte, but I'm afraid I don't know enough about the place to be able to get it right!

That's just the kind of obscure reference I think I'd have a weakness for. (And I'm sure you can relate.. you have a few of your own. )

Just make some reference to 'Wild Bill Cody' and N. Platte will pretty much accept whatever you say. Buffalo Bill is a cottage industry there... and not much else. Anything else I could tell you would likely be minutia.

(I.E., it's better to go swimming in the N. Platte river up by Cody Park, since it's deeper than the S. Platte. 4-5 ft. vs. 3. But, going to the S. Platte out behind the rec. center is sometimes more fun since it's more secluded and has lots of bicycle trails through the trees and such. Fishing's no good and you have to lay down to get submerged, but the rivers are about as exciting as anything else in town, outside the mall...)

Anyway, Pioneer Village sounds fun! Depending on where my next job takes me I'm gonna have to take a look around Nebraska.

Well, if you're going pretty much *anywhere* from W. to E. or E. to W. then you should be able to work I-80 into the travel path. (Defintely worth it...) (Then there's the Stuhr Museum outside of Grand Island... but it's not as good as Pioneer Village. )

KO

[Kellogg]

The only time I'd ever seen one before was watching an old British TV show called "The Avengers" with Diana Rigg. (Yum!) Boy those things look like fun!

Could it be, my friend, that the "Yum" was aimed at Diana Rigg and not the Amphicar?

Well, to be polite, let's just say it's a little bit of both.

Mrs. Peel!
Mmmm... Leather jumpsuit...

Of course it was. And, just in case a fellow Diana Rigg, ah, enthusiast has not seen it, may I recommend "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". In addition to that classy lady, it also has the only James Bond actor who really knew how to fight -- the actor was one of Bruce Lee's pallbearers.

Hmm! Didn't know that. I *did* wonder why they had George Lazenby in there. I wonder why they didn't give him any more movies? Never did care for Roger Moore's films. He was good in "The Saint" tho.

Scott

[Kellogg]

DUDE! I was born in Aurora, lived in Overton 'til I was five, but I lived the next seven years in N. Platte. Then we moved to Lincoln when I was 12. I kinda miss N. Platte, actually, and it's a shame there's so little industry in the town. I think it'll pretty much always be the same as it is now and was then.

Neat! You know, it's funny. I've heard so many fun stories about growing up in North Platte, to me, the name sounds like Shangri La or NeverNever Land or something: A mystical land of magical fun and games.

Originally, I was thinking of making Jack be from North Platte, but I'm afraid I don't know enough about the place to be able to get it right!

That's just the kind of obscure reference I think I'd have a weakness for. (And I'm sure you can relate.. you have a few of your own. )

Gee, do I do that a lot...? Ooops! Yeah, I do. Okay, well, if you'll forgive me my future mistakes about the place, I'll make it official: Jack was born in North Platte, Nebraska. I'll probably have to fudge it by saying he moved away and doesn't remember it very well, just to cover myself tho! And, I imagine the next 60 years will have some changes to the area. I guess that'll make it safer!

I dunno when it will come up in conversation, but it's there.

Scott

[ZOMBIE USER 8613]

Neat! You know, it's funny. I've heard so many fun stories about growing up in North Platte, to me, the name sounds like Shangri La or NeverNever Land or something: A mystical land of magical fun and games.

Sure. I think it's something like 15,000 people. And cruising the two one-way streets in town all evening is what the teenagers do. When I was 8-10 years old, or so, I'd stop into the art supply store downtown now and then, because they had the only elevator in town (that I knew of). 1st floor to 2nd. And it was *so* cool. <lol>

Yes, N. Platte is boring. Sleepy, actually. But, if you like that sorta thing, it's a nice place to live. I drove a Ryder through town, with my car on a trailer, when moving down here from N. Idaho, and the thought that stuck most clearly to the front of my mind was how *narrow* the streets were. Well, most of them were prolly paved in the fifties and people there usually drive slow anyway...

Gee, do I do that a lot...? Ooops! Yeah, I do. Okay, well, if you'll forgive me my future mistakes about the place, I'll make it official: Jack was born in North Platte, Nebraska. I'll probably have to fudge it by saying he moved away and doesn't remember it very well, just to cover myself tho! And, I imagine the next 60 years will have some changes to the area. I guess that'll make it safer!

I dunno when it will come up in conversation, but it's there.

<LOL> Cool. Here's the usual scenario, if this helps at all:

"I grew up in [insert big city name here]. How about you?"
"Umm... well... I moved around Nebraska when I was younger..."
"Nebraska!" <snort, cough>
"Yes. Nebraska. Born and raised there. Used to spend summers on my Grandpa's farm." <defensive look>
"Oh, sure.. okay. Think I've seen it on a map, once..."

Nebraska is "flyover" country. Or "driveover" country. You either go over it in a plane, through it on I-80... or you live there. So, I got used to the defensive reaction when I was younger. In recent years, though, I just tell people and don't pay attention to reactions. I've *been* in 39 of the 50 states, and lived in five of them... so I guess I shouldn't care. But, Nebraska is kind of a 'standard' non-existent place. So, if the stupid hick comes from the farm to see the 'big city', he comes from Nebraska. (Expecially in broadway musicals...) Anyway, you get the idea.

If Jack comes from N. Platte, I would say that's a good origination for a comtemplative mind, persistent problem-solving skills, quiet-yet-ready attitude, confidence on self-reliance, etc. Certainly tends to give one a love of long drives there. It's a long drive to just about any real destination, like another decently sized town. He could easily have spent his younger years, "..thinking of things while driving the long, winding highways through the sandhills to get to Scottsbluff", or some such thing.

(Oh, and something else I just thought of. N. Platte has a fairly *large* airport East of town. Dad used to take my flying in a rented Cessna when I was around ten y/o or so. Lots of room for flying... nothing but sky in all directions and patchwork quilts of farm fields as far as the eye can see, with gentle ripples of swayback hills running off to the distance, looking very much like where the waves roll over the sand on the ocean's shore... The entire state is a huge river valley running East to the Missouri River. Just look at it on a map. )

Heck, when I was going to college just west of Lincoln I used to drive West down I-80 after dark, then turn around and come home when the gas tank got down to half. Just me, the highway, the radio, the CB, and all those other mysterious lights going back and forth down the second-longest interstate in the US, and they could've been from anywhere. Anywhere but here.

(Hey, foxes aren't the only roamers, y'know. )

KO

[ZOMBIE USER 6611]

That's just the kind of obscure reference I think I'd have a weakness for. (And I'm sure you can relate.. you have a few of your own. )

Gee, do I do that a lot...? Ooops! Yeah, I do.

You've heard me say it before, I think, but in your case it isn't true: "An ounce of explanation is worth a pound obscure."

[Kellogg]

That's just the kind of obscure reference I think I'd have a weakness for. (And I'm sure you can relate.. you have a few of your own. )

Gee, do I do that a lot...? Ooops! Yeah, I do.

You've heard me say it before, I think, but in your case it isn't true: "An ounce of explanation is worth a pound obscure."

Well, I *try* to make it my policy that when I put in an obscure reference, that I don't have it as the main punchline. I don't always succed though. Hopefully those strips where folks don't find the odd reference will just advance the plot a bit, or just generally be silly.

"Lindy the Shipboard Computer" is either silly or obscure if you don't know "Eddie the Shipboard Computer" from "The Hitch Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy" though.

(thinks about this coming week's strips:)

Um... Does Monty Python count as "Obscure" these days?
It *is* a 30+ year old British Comedy show... That's getting
obscure...

Scott

[ZOMBIE USER 8613]

"Lindy the Shipboard Computer" is either silly or obscure if you don't know "Eddie the Shipboard Computer" from "The Hitch Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy" though.

Frankly I think the joke works wether you know the reference or not, but it was still kind of obvious. Just from the attitude and what it said. <lol>

Um... Does Monty Python count as "Obscure" these days? It *is* a 30+ year old British Comedy show... That's getting
obscure...

Umm... Scott? Python isn't obscure. It's an accepted industry standard.

And if *THAT* isn't scary, I don't know what is!

KO

[Kellogg]

Umm... Scott? Python isn't obscure. It's an accepted industry standard.

And if *THAT* isn't scary, I don't know what is!

Hee! Exactly.

Thing is: It *is* 30 years old, you know?
I mean, Yeeps! When I was a kid, how many other kids knew
about The Marx Brothers, or Ernie Kovacs or, Spike Jones?

It's scarey! I need to show my nephews Monty Python!

Scott

[Quill]

Well, I don't know your age, Mr. Kellogg, but I suspect I am younger than yourself, judging from what you said in previous posts. But both I and my brother know about Spike Jones, thanks to my father. I directed their attention towards your "Beetlebaum" (sp?) strip, in fact.

But then I also know about Dame Cleo Laine, Bill Cosby's early monologues, and Pogo strips, and I can sing the chorus to "You Gotta See Momma Every Night"--none of which fall into my general age bracket either.

Every so often my father wonders out loud what became of Mr. Jones' set of tuned cowbells...


PS--I'm not a newbie, I just changed my name. Used to be mothspiral.

[Kellogg]

Well, I don't know your age, Mr. Kellogg, but I suspect I am younger than yourself, judging from what you said in previous posts. But both I and my brother know about Spike Jones, thanks to my father. I directed their attention towards your "Beetlebaum" (sp?) strip, in fact.

Cool! Hope they liked it.
(I guess I'm 36. Well, I think so anyway. Phooey. I don't wanna be 36.)

But then I also know about Dame Cleo Laine, Bill Cosby's early monologues, and Pogo strips, and I can sing the chorus to "You Gotta See Momma Every Night"--none of which fall into my general age bracket either.

Fun stuff! And yeah, you've got a point. Good stuff will always be remembered by people, no matter how what age they are. But, it *is* a diminishing number of people when you get to 30 year old comedy. Even "Classic" comedy. I don't even know if Monty Python is on the air anymore, even on the BBC Cable stations. So how would younger kids be exposed to it unless someone comes up and tells them, "Hey! Watch this! It's really funny!"

The thing that bugs me is that when I was a kid, there used to be the equivalent of "Oldies Stations" they have today. Only they played stuff from the 1940's and stuff. At the time, I thought, "Yuck! They only play
the same 5 songs all the time. Phooey." I see my nephews have the
same attitude I had when they hear me playing stuff from the 1960s-80s.

The same thing goes for TV and comedy. Every time I do see something
from Monty Python, they *always* have the same bit. It's always the
Dead Parrot sketch, or "I'm a Lumberjack". With Bill Cosby's early stuff,
it's always "Buck Buck" with Fat Albert.

It's kind of sad that way, but I'd rather not *deliberately* hit myself over the head with a label that sez: "Fossil!"

Every so often my father wonders out loud what became of Mr. Jones' set of tuned cowbells...

I think a chorus of musical cows absconded with them.

PS--I'm not a newbie, I just changed my name. Used to be mothspiral.

Ah! That explains my mental image of a moth spinning around a lightbulb with porcupine quills.

Scott

[ZOMBIE USER 8613]

(I guess I'm 36. Well, I think so anyway. Phooey. I don't wanna be 36.)

Oh good, you *are* older than me.

But, it *is* a diminishing number of people when you get to 30 year old comedy. Even "Classic" comedy. I don't even know if Monty Python is on the air anymore, even on the BBC Cable stations.

BBCAmerica not only has the Python shows on (don't remember the schedule right now), but they also do the Python 'specials' that have been cropping up in the last decade. They all seem to be hosted or cameoed by Eddie Izzard, for some bizarre reason...

That's one of the things that makes the DigiCable worth the cost, is knowing that *somewhere* there is a channel that still plays Python. (The recent show {1999?} where Palin walks about London placing memorial plaques of where Python scenes were shot was classic. )

So how would younger kids be exposed to it unless someone comes up and tells them, "Hey! Watch this! It's really funny!"

I tell you what I want to see, and haven't in twenty years, is an episode of the "Goodies". Another BBC product. My sister and I happened across an episode of this obscure show when we were both on either side of ten years old or so, by accident. Can't even remember that much about it now, except that the 'black pudding' episode was a classic and it was all hilarious.

The same thing goes for TV and comedy. Every time I do see something from Monty Python, they *always* have the same bit. It's always the Dead Parrot sketch, or "I'm a Lumberjack". With Bill Cosby's early stuff, it's always "Buck Buck" with Fat Albert.

Then again, consider that Python was only on for about three years. (And so was Star Trek... go figure.) Here's something I just found on a Python FAQ:
Q: How many episodes of Monty Python's Flying Circus are there?
A: There were 13 shows from each of the first 3 series and 6 shows in the 4th series plus 2 specials made for German television for a total of 47.

Oh, and it's 33 years old, silly. Not 30. The show's almost a year younger than I am.

KO

[Marc_s]

[quote] Can't even remember that much about it now, except that the 'black pudding' episode was a classic and it was all hilarious. [/quote]

Ah yes, "Ecky Thump"! Remember "Kitten Kong"?

The Goodies were every bit as funny as Monty Python.

I've got the box set of Python Dvds, But there are only a few
video tapes of Goodies episodes, and only in the european 'PAL'
format.

Don't forget the VW Schwimmwagon in your rundown of amphibs.
Cheaper than the Jeep, and doesn't rust like the amphicar.

[Quill]

I wish I could get BBCAmerica where I am. Do they show Blake's 7 by any chance? That is sci-fi rather than comedy (well, some might dispute that distinction on certain episodes) but not even the public TV stations around here seem to show it any more.

Were those amphibious vehicles reliable? Seems to me they would tend to leak around the doors.

[Kellogg]

Ah yes, "Ecky Thump"! Remember "Kitten Kong"?

The Goodies were every bit as funny as Monty Python.

All true! It's been something like 20 years since I've seen it though.

Odd note:
Before Monty Python went on the air, several members of the Monty Python cast and the cast of The Goodies were in a BBC Radio comedy show that is just as good as anything Monty Python ever turned out, called "I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again". It's really hilarious stuff! You can find MP3s of the old show floating around the internet. I've got a good deal of it myself.

Don't forget the VW Schwimmwagon in your rundown of amphibs.
Cheaper than the Jeep, and doesn't rust like the amphicar.

Really? I figured they'd all be subject to rust. I bet it's hard to get parts for the Schwimmwagon though?

As for the door seals of the Amphicar, I've never gotten a close look at one, but on the GPA "Seep" there were lots of thick rubber seals around everything that could open up. While the "Seep" has no doors, I imagine the doors of the Amphicar must have a really thick seal there. Though, the cars are so old now, I'd bet that the seals would be one of the first things you'd need to replace if you were fixing one up.

Scott (Eeep. Here comes the lightning again. Time to sign off!) Kellogg

[Quill]

PS--I'm not a newbie, I just changed my name. Used to be mothspiral.

Ah! That explains my mental image of a moth spinning around a lightbulb with porcupine quills.

Scott

What an image! Wings and stings.

[ZOMBIE USER 6611]

What an image! Wings and stings.

Hello, MothSpiral/Quill!

Let's see -- can that transition of identity be made?

Arthropod joint and echniderm points.
Chitinous spines and kitten-yarn winds.
Ominous flickers and numerous prickers.
Circling about and points facing out.
Winding spirals and blinding spinals.
Sonorous arcs and sore-nose-dog barks.
Fire-ending spins and far-flinging pins.
Chorded junctures and sordid punctures.
Airborne helix and armored relics.
Curving flights and wounded sites.
Scaly wings and naily stings.
Reaper of sweater and creeping no-petter.
Insect wing beater and insect soul eater.
Pilot nocturnal and pens for your jounal.
Protein and carbs for wee hunter with barbs.
One curls aerobatically -- one threatens emphatically.
Look at one -- compound eyes. Pet the other? Not wise.
One pursues far-off scents. One has own picket fence.
Giving off pheromones. Having more Spikes than Jones.
Flight to make your heart throb. Stakes to make shish-ka-bob.
One seeks light without fears. One has fight-ready spears.
Curves to make the night graceful, quills to give you a facefull.
Darting here and about -- hurting to pull 'em out.
Thorny attacks and cloud-chamber tracks.
Tasty dinners for frogs. Testy pinners of dogs.
One whose end comes in fires. One unfriendly, with spires.
Tracing circles unravelin'. Facing menace with javelins.
Find a light: spin around. Puffer fish on the ground.
Pretty cousins of beetles. Sticky, dozens of needles.
Rough when it centers. Tougher than splinters.
Pilgrim to light. Pincushion fright.
Air-going dancer. Spine-throwing hamster.
Patterns cursive and curled. Pointers ripe to be hurled.
Can bat trace the flips? Combat-ready tips.
Flying circular, lurchin'. A luckless land-urchin.
The turns you are taking... ah, what point was I making?