Monday, December 31, 2007

Bookworm: Triumph of the American Imagination

As you all know, our little town of Passamaquoddy has been super busy the past week or so. Busy enough that nothing was done pretty much anywhere in town. It’s almost as if our town of Passamaquoddy was actually just one geeky person trying to balance family, blogging and an awkward attraction to cheesecake. But since we know better than that, please excuse the lack of updates to our town blog.

With that said, I took advantage of the wealth of time available to catch up on my reading…

Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination is the largest, dare I say the most thorough examination of Walt that I’ve ever read. In fact, this is the first time I’ve ever felt like I knew the man. And at over 900 pages, a number that makes J.K.Rowling spill her butterbeer, I feel closer to Disney in general. Neal Gabler has crafted quite a portrait using data and interviews where many previous Disney biographers use speculation and theories. The information is exhaustive… and the journey is exhausting.

Like most biographies, the early pages introduce Walt’s parents and his early life. The stories help us understand why Walt became Walt Disney. But, it is the middle pages I found most compelling. In these, we read about the creation of the Disney animated features. From the first shorts to SNOW WHITE, all the way up to THE JUNGLE BOOK, we get the greatest understanding of the factors and decisions affecting the final output. I congratulate Gabler in tying his work directly to my own memories of these films, and even enhancing my own experience with them

The last segment of the book is dedicated to the burgeoning Disney organization as it expands into Disneyland, all the way through the initial phases of Epcot. This again is familiar and informative, but is tainted by Walt’s own fading interest and pending death.

The book is a rewarding chore to read, and a great supplement to many of the recent “Treasures” DVD sets. There will be people who are going to hate this book. Anyone looking for a book that finally exposes Walt Disney as a horrific monster, despite the lack of evidence… they will not be happy with this book. On the other hand, anyone who is hoping the book will justify their own view of Walt as a perfect man who would frown on current Disney practices… they will be disappointed as well. In fact, I feel that Walt would have been accepting of any and all changes that have happened in the parks and in films. Walt Disney was a great man who succeeded due tothree things: persistence, a good support team and living in a simpler time. Neal Gabler’s book “Walt Disney: Triumph of the American Imagination is a great book for getting you back in touch with all three.


 

Many other book reviews are available by searching for "Bookworm" in the search engine in the right menu box.

Posted by Doc Terminus at 18:22:11 | Permanent Link | Comments (4) |

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Broken News: Around Town..

And in our local news today, KWDY is pleased to announce that a recent new arrival to our community has been spotted along our peaceful Passamaquoddy shores.


Imma Itchy, a retired schoolmarm from Sawyerville recently purchased Harpers Mill.

 

The rumors surrounding this local site can now be put to rest, as Imma has announced plans are now officially in place to renovate the site and open a Bed and Breakfast soon.

 

"This should be a tremendous boost to our local economy" states former Mayor Jim Backus. He went on to note that many tourists often stop to enjoy the view from our lighthouse and tour the local cannery.

 

Imma plans to open the new kitchen to local residents as well. Sunday night will be sea shanty night, where residents can literally sing for their supper. Shrimp, scallops and oysters will be part of the new menu, which will also include Imma's famous corn soup.


Be sure to drop by and say hello to Imma on your way to the docks and look for the "Itchy" Bed & Breakfast to open soon.

Posted by Doc Terminus at 15:54:31 | Permanent Link | Comments (4) |

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Paying the Bills: Graphic Design

Anyone who visited Passamaquoddy on Christmas Day may have found an error in place. I can't tell you what happened, but I decided it was important to upload an advertisement... Just in case the empty page was in response to my backlog of bills. The good news is that the number of advertisers has grown to zero and so we bring you Jeffrey C. Salt and his graphic design artistry... (He did our logo)...



Jeff C. Salt is pretty much a celebrity in Passamaquoddy... Chances are you've seen his work all over town. rumor has it he has a cousin who shares in many of his passions.. His cousin Jeff Pepper can be found here...

enough about him.. On with praising Jeffrey C. Salt... He's an artist of great esteem and can be found on many radio shows... Here are just some of the logos Jeff C. Salt has done around town...

The first is for Pearl's Laundry...





Another high profile one you will probably be familiar with...

for Passamaquoddy's only radio station...



And who can ever forget...



One of the rarer ad pieces Jeff created....



that one only ran for one week.

If you've got a product that you need advertised.. Jeff C. Salt is the man to do your logo... Or if you're in a bind and Jeff Salt isn't available.. try Jeff Pepper...

Jeffrey C. Salt.. Graphic Artist
Posted by Doc Terminus at 21:17:21 | Permanent Link | Comments (6) |

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Passamaquoddy Lights: A Christmas Miracle

As can be expected, all of us in Passamaquoddy have been busy celebrating the Holidays. Christmas parties a plenty have been celebrated, all culminating in tonights big gathering over at Ben Coopers. As always, we will all recount our own local miracle.. and as always, Ben Cooper will chase us off his property with an unloaded shotgun. For the few of you who have not put our finest hour to memory, here is the ode...
Twas the night before Christmas
in Cooper’s Lighthouse,
when a strong wind was blowing
and the candle did douse

With the beacon gone dark
and Ben Cooper asleep
bad news was coming
for a skipper out deep

He was returning for holiday
with his hold full of fishes.
But a dark rocky inlet
wasn’t one of his wishes…

Sea vessels in danger
is only part of the story.
Let’s look at a hot cat
down in a blaze of glory

Spontaneous combustion
is quite rare amongst cats
and in this case, convenient
as it chased lighthouse rats

The exploding, sad kitty
didn’t last through the night,
but it made quite a spark
that re-lit the doused light

The skipper at sea
saw the bright light and shouted.
He grabbed hold the turret
and the boat was re-routed

What could have been bad news
for the light keeper Cooper
delivered a Christmas miracle
(and a hold full of Grouper).

We celebrate this story
at the base of Cooper’s light.
Merry Christmas to all!
Enjoy your lobster tonight…
Posted by Doc Terminus at 20:42:47 | Permanent Link | Comments (4) |
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