As *spoon* as Arch comes back from vacation Hepcat will still be Hepcat. 8 8

[frozentundraguy]

Hepcat,

 

A couple of years back I "tackled" the task of honoring Paul Revere.

 

A midnight beer with Paul Revere

 

 

One eerie Halloween night, sitting worn from drinking,

Paul Revere alone, was lost in wishful thinking,

Where are those sturdy lads of years gone past,

who hoisted petards of rum as I rode so fast?

 

"Why so bleary ye", a stranger asked, "tis a fine night for beer",

"thank you kindly" replied Paul, "I'll have some with my tear",

"Aye" murmured the stranger, "why the forlorn look?"

"Why I'm Paul Revere, penniless, and I've yet to write my book."

 

Out of the shadows, several fellows ambled in and stood by Paul's side,

"Well how about it Paul, tell us of your midnight ride",

So began a tradition, in that desolate dark inn,

The annual toast to the ride that saved our nations skin.

 

As the years flew by, those gatherings grew,

so did the friends, and the quantity of brew,

It was six if by sea, and twelve if by land,

and more, if you could still manage to stand,

So gather round lads, and chug down a brew,

To honor the man who warned us of that British crew.

 

[Hepcat]

This is the Hot Wheels set I want for Xmas;

 

 

I'll be good, I promise!

 

 

 

 

Edited December 11, 2011 by Hepcat

[Hepcat]

A couple of years back I "tackled" the task of honoring Paul Revere.

 

A midnight beer with Paul Revere

 

 

One eerie Halloween night, sitting worn from drinking,

Paul Revere alone, was lost in wishful thinking,

Where are those sturdy lads of years gone past,

who hoisted petards of rum as I rode so fast?

 

"Why so bleary ye", a stranger asked, "tis a fine night for beer",

"thank you kindly" replied Paul, "I'll have some with my tear",

"Aye" murmured the stranger, "why the forlorn look?"

"Why I'm Paul Revere, penniless, and I've yet to write my book."

 

Out of the shadows, several fellows ambled in and stood by Paul's side,

"Well how about it Paul, tell us of your midnight ride",

So began a tradition, in that desolate dark inn,

The annual toast to the ride that saved our nations skin.

 

As the years flew by, those gatherings grew,

so did the friends, and the quantity of brew,

It was six if by sea, and twelve if by land,

and more, if you could still manage to stand,

So gather round lads, and chug down a brew,

To honor the man who warned us of that British crew.

 

Good storyline!

 

(thumbs u

[Hepcat]

Here are scans from my 1966 Green Hornet sets:

 

Donruss

 

 

 

 

 

 

Topps

 

 

 

 

[Chespirito]

Hepcat,

 

A couple of years back I "tackled" the task of honoring Paul Revere.

 

A midnight beer with Paul Revere

 

 

One eerie Halloween night, sitting worn from drinking,

Paul Revere alone, was lost in wishful thinking,

Where are those sturdy lads of years gone past,

who hoisted petards of rum as I rode so fast?

 

"Why so bleary ye", a stranger asked, "tis a fine night for beer",

"thank you kindly" replied Paul, "I'll have some with my tear",

"Aye" murmured the stranger, "why the forlorn look?"

"Why I'm Paul Revere, penniless, and I've yet to write my book."

 

Out of the shadows, several fellows ambled in and stood by Paul's side,

"Well how about it Paul, tell us of your midnight ride",

So began a tradition, in that desolate dark inn,

The annual toast to the ride that saved our nations skin.

 

As the years flew by, those gatherings grew,

so did the friends, and the quantity of brew,

It was six if by sea, and twelve if by land,

and more, if you could still manage to stand,

So gather round lads, and chug down a brew,

To honor the man who warned us of that British crew.

Rome salutes you!

[Hepcat]

Here are some photos from Xmas past.

 

First here's my dearly departed distant cousin Phoebe in the large bedroom:

 

 

 

Up on the tower of power:

 

 

 

With our buddy Blizzard by the Xmas tree:

 

 

Here's Blizzard again with Deuce on the front porch:

 

 

 

The MAN always makes sure his feathered friends are perched well up in the tree beyond our easy reach:

 

 

 

[Hepcat]

Now here's Xmas present.

 

Poor Blizzard's lights have now gone out but he's still our friend. After all, none of us are getting any younger:

 

 

 

Here's Balticboy with Blizzard:

 

 

Even the tree's fibre optics have given up the ghost.

 

 

 

The MAN did his best to compensate for the lack of fibre optics with an additional string of C7 LED lights and healthy dollops of icicles and angel hair!

 

 

Edited December 14, 2011 by Hepcat

[frozentundraguy]

Hepcat,

 

Those cat's sure look busy.

[frozentundraguy]

For Hepcat & the other "cool cats" around here.

Since its only 10 days to Christmas I might as well share

my somewhat long. but remember,

I was aiming to produce an "epic" Christmas poem. Based loosely,

on the goings on in my family at this time of year.

 

So grab a cold one settle in and enjoy.

 

 

 

 

Read it outloud, with the proper pace, if no ones within earshot.

 

 

A Modern Christmas Poem – 2001

 

by Frozen Tundra Guy

 

It was the month before Christmas, while out at the mall,

The shoppers were splurging, then … they were ready to haul.

The Explorer’s and Suburban’s, were all set to leave,

onto highways and expressways … where they will madly weave.

 

While at home children, sat eerily entranced

As tv’s, Nintendos, and computers all danced.

With the latest entertainment, pop culture, and an awesome web site,

the kids were merrily multitasking … well into the night.

 

While back on the freeways, the vehicles were all stuck,

in monstrous backups and tie-ups, we wish the other guy good luck.

But then in a wave, of holiday cheer,

perhaps granted by some drivers, who’d glanced in their mirror.

The traffic abated, and started to flow,

as frustrated, frazzled drivers … started gradually to go.

 

 

 

Three weeks before Christmas, there were lights to be bought,

in packed places like Target, where weary consumers battled and fought.

The shelves in the stores, were piled high with all sorts of stuff,

as batches of buyers … tried tentatively, not to be gruff.

 

Upon arriving back at home, with armfuls of gear,

grateful husbands, they tried to say clear,

of determined housewives, filled with fanatical zest,

ready to make their houses stand out … apart from the rest.

 

There were lights to be strung, plastic Santa’s to place,

along with lighted candy canes, reindeer, and snowmen from space.

There were trees to be climbed, and circled with layers of light,

and stockpiled string’s of outdoor lights … to be hung for the night.

 

 

 

 

Two weeks from Christmas, everyone needs a tree,

so lots are scoured, from Okeechobee to Menomenee.

The trees are plentiful, of balsam or pine,

they must be tactfully trimmed … with no regard for time.

 

Strung out on the den floor, are bird nests of light strings,

these must be untangled, while everyone … gleefully sings.

Then oodles of ornaments, from Hallmark they came,

in odd shapes and colors … though none were the same.

 

Then plentiful presents, which are stacked all around,

must be gathered up, no matter where they are found.

They are all placed under the tree, with the utmost of care,

so no presents are crushed ... nor suffer any wear.

 

 

 

One week before Christmas, there are parties to throw,

so faithful friends can gather, and sit all in a row.

Each with a beer, a highball, or glass of wine,

all set to party … and have a tremendous time.

 

The fridge was well stocked, though mostly with beer,

but there was room in the house, for hearty … holiday cheer.

The table was set, with crackers and cheese,

most folks attending, ate all … with alarming ease.

 

The mistletoe was strung, from the ceiling in the hall,

where unsuspecting guests, were sure to heed the call.

There were many startling stories, and jokes to be told,

so folks full of liquor … wouldn’t be left out in the cold.

 

 

 

There is no time left till Christmas, it’s finally here,

frayed nerves abound, it’s painfully clear.

The check book is empty, the money all spent,

wallet’s and purses depleted … who will pay the rent?

 

The children are excited, for a minute or so,

the toys are examined, but there is no place to go.

The malls are silent, shut and locked tight,

there’s no trendy teenagers, not a single one … in sight.

 

Now it’s the day after, and we are ready to trade,

as shopper’s return to the malls … where the deals are all made.

When that task is complete, we can stop making tracks,

sit down, with a good book … and begin to relax.

 

Edited December 18, 2011 by frozentundraguy

[Hepcat]

The check book is empty, the money all spent,

wallet’s and purses depleted … who will pay the rent?

 

The children are excited, for a minute or so,

the toys are examined, but there is no place to go.

The malls are silent, shut and locked tight,

there’s no trendy teenagers, not a single one … in sight.

 

Now it’s the day after, and we are ready to trade,

as shopper’s return to the malls … where the deals are all made.

 

That very aptly sums it up right there.

 

(thumbs u

 

 

[Hepcat]

 

Cat's gonna play some Stones tonight!

 

 

[Hepcat]

Here is a picture of an all-time classic kit Monogram issued in the sixties:

 

 

 

 

A couple of the older fellows down the street had this model so I had to get one as well. It was too tough for me though since some of the parts didn't fit that well together.

 

And here are pics of my relatively small diecast car collection. First the Corgi:

 

 

 

 

And then the Matchbox:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Chespirito]

 

Moves like Gag-ga, moves like Jagger....Music aside...I don't care how cool it is to look gay...for me, GQ style is still not cool..I can't ever imagine wearing a hat that British royalty chicks wear for weddings....whatever..

[Hepcat]

Alright then. How about these other pics of the Stones from the 1966-1968 period?

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here's a clip of the Stones from the Ed Sullivan Show:

 

 

 

Edited January 6, 2012 by Hepcat

[Hepcat]

Here are some of my 1962 Canadian Post baseball cards:

 

 

 

 

 

This is an unbroken sheet from inside a box of Sugar Crisp:

 

 

 

 

The cards were printed on the box backs of the other cereals.

 

CFL cards were also issued in the same way by Post in Canada for two years:

 

1962

 

 

 

 

 

An unbroken sheet from a box of Sugar Crisp:

 

 

 

 

1963

 

 

 

 

 

[frozentundraguy]

Hepcat,

 

Excellent collection of sportscards. I had quite a few of the 61-63 Post Cereal baseball cards, but sold them on E-bay 2 or 3 years ago.

 

Did you get a copy of Street Survivors album before they pulled the original cover?

 

I'm a Rolling Stones fan also. (thumbs u

 

 

 

Twas a very sad day when the Lynrd Skynard plane crashed.

 

Edited January 13, 2012 by frozentundraguy

[Hepcat]

No, the original "Street Survivors" is among the many LPs don't have.

 

 

Are you a vinyl junkie yourself though? Do you have a good turntable?

 

Edited January 16, 2012 by Hepcat

[frozentundraguy]

No, the original "Street Survivors" is among the many LPs don't have.

 

 

Are you a vinyl junkie yourself though? Do you have a good turntable?

 

 

I still have my album's, but don't listen to them very often these days. At one time I had an excellent Pioneer setup, with the SX-727 receiver at the core of the system. My orignal turntable died, and I replaced it with a Kenwood model about 10 years ago. The new turntable is still working fine. My SX-727 finally died about 6 years ago, and I replaced it with a somewhat newer Pioneer model about 3 years ago, that I found on E-Bay. A trip to the places like Best Buy proved a waste of time, as component audio systems have now morphed into home theater systems. The new systems do not have a plug in jack for turntables The replacement receiver does not have quite the power the old one had, but I find a lower volume setting is fine these days.

Edited January 16, 2012 by frozentundraguy

[Hepcat]

A trip to the places like Best Buy proved a waste of time, as component audio systems have now morphed into home theater systems.

 

That's correct. The mass market emporiums target the home theatre crowd to whom fidelity considerations are secondary to "decor" considerations.

 

 

I prefer to patronize the few remaining dedicated hi-fi shops myself.

 

The new systems do not have a plug in jack for turntables

 

I received the same rude surprise five or so years ago when I went shopping for a new amplifier to replace my early seventies vintage Sansui AU101. It turned into a valuable learning experience though.

 

Most amplifiers these days don't have a plug-in-jack for turntables because they don't have built-in phono preamplifiers a.k.a. line stages. Phono line stages are the circuitry that applies the RIAA equalization curve to the sound confined within the relatively narrow grooves of vinyl records to reproduce what was originally recorded. Since proper bass reproduction would require much wider grooves than are possible with vinyl records, a phono line stage is necessary to add back the lost bass.

 

Therefore, the third best thing you can do to quickly augment the fidelity you get from your records is to buy a dedicated phono line stage. Even the very modest ones are much better than the built-in phono line stages in even very expensive amplifiers costing thousands$. Here are some:

 

Budget Line Stages

 

You plug your turntable into the line stage which you then plug into the AUX outlet of your amplifier.

 

Incidentally, the first two things that you can do to quickly augment the fidelity of your records is to clean them and replace your worn stylus.

 

I play my records on a Thorens TD240 turntable:

 

 

It's equipped with an Ortofon 2M Black cartridge featuring a cutting edge Shibata stylus:

 

 

 

 

Edited January 17, 2012 by Hepcat

[frozentundraguy]

Your Thorens TD240 turntable is superb. (thumbs u I do recall researching the phono-line stage to boost the sound from the records a few years back. I decided that I was not going to sock a lot into my replacement system, as I typically listen to songs from radio. I do have a 5 disc CD player and my old 1 disc CD player, so I have a lot of options as to listen to music. I find that I use the CD player in my car more than my audio system these days, however.

 

The Pioneer SX-727 stereo reciever