Other than tropical systems, summer weather in New Orleans is monotonous. That’s not the case in December. This week we’ve had high humidity, low humidity, highs in the mid-70s and lows in the low 40s. And we’ve had fog up the wazoo.
The cats prefer cold weather so they can luxuriate in front of the space heater. They’re getting their wish this weekend.
As usual, I don’t have the Christmas spirit but I’m writing about it anyway. There was a lot of positive feedback about the Weird Vintage Christmas Ads post, which began life in this space. Which is the mother, and which is the father: Odds or Sods? Discuss amongst yourselves.
The erratic weather inspired the choice of a second consecutive Crowded House tune as our theme song.
Neil Finn wrote this week’s theme song for the Crowdies’ 1991 album Woodface. What’s not to love about a song with these lyrics: “Smiling as the shit comes down.”
We have three versions of Four Seasons In One Day for your listening pleasure: the OG video, Crowded House live, and a cover by Paul Kelly & Angus Stone.
While we’re talking winter weather, here are two more seasonal tunes.
That pairing could be called Antonio Vivaldi meets Mick Jagger. I’d pay to see such a meeting, especially if Keith tagged along.
We begin our second act by taking our second trip to New Jersey this week.
NFL Trump: New York Jets owner Woody Johnson is the heir to the Johnson & Johnson fortune. He was the Insult Comedian’s ambassador to the UK and still insists on being called Mr. Ambassador. Sounds dignified, right? Not really. Woody Johnson is an impulsive asshole who lets his teenage sons help make personnel decisions.
Douglas told the Broncos that Johnson didn’t want to make the trade because the owner felt Jeudy’s player rating in “Madden NFL,” the popular video game, wasn’t high enough, according to multiple league sources. The Broncos ultimately traded the receiver to the Cleveland Browns. Last Sunday, Jeudy crossed the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the first time in his career.”
I am not making this up. Buckle up, America: this kind of chaotic and random decision making returns to the White House next month. I wish I were making that up.
Get thee to The Athletic for the details.
FYI, one of Johnson’s sons is named Brick thereby proving the point of this Jethro Tull classic:
Ian Anderson has been known to throw this line into introductions of this tune to audiences unfamiliar with British slang, “Thick as a brick means one is as intelligent as a lump of shit.”
New Jersey Drone Follow-up: My It Happened In New Jersey post was a real sleeper. On Tuesdays, I often write a major post for the morning and a minor one for the afternoon. That was the plan this week. A funny thing happened: I was inspired while writing the post and it’s now a candidate for next week’s Best Of Adrastos. Stay tuned.
I did, however, neglect to post my favorite UFO song in the Jersey post. The last word of our second act goes to Jefferson Airplane:
We begin our third act with our favorite stolen feature.
Separated At Birth Bluesky Edition: I write as little about politics on Saturdays as possible. This pairing is too good to pass up. It’s Dirty Hands Hegseth with Tim Sheehy: the lying asshole who defeated Jon Tester for a seat in the senate. Montana’s loss is satire’s gain.
SEPARATED AT BIRTH: Pete Hegseth and Tim SheehyOther pertinent information: Both MAGA, both unqualified to serve, and both liars and cheaters.
— Andy Behrman (@electroboyusa.bsky.social) 2024-12-13T03:51:44.341Z
I resisted the temptation to post Zappa’s Montana for the umpteenth time. Instead, Joan Baez’s take on the Dickey Betts/Allman Brothers classic:
I’d forgotten how much I like her interpretation. Good job, Joanie.
Your Weekly Oscar: OP gets all Christmassy and shit this week.
Have I told you lately how much I love Oscar Peterson?
The Best of Letterman: This clip of a youngish Dave made me feel younger. Set the Wayback Machine to 1995:
Revisiting my young-ish days and all the talk about Jersey has given me an earworm. It’s a classic number by the man from Hoboken; Sinatra, not the Cake Boss.
Classic Movie Trailer: We have a new feature. I have no idea why it took me so damn long to do this. Adrastos moves in mysterious ways.
I give you Orson Welles without the Martians this time:
Clocking in at 3:45 that’s one of the longest trailers ever. Citizen Kane also has one of the worst movie poster taglines ever:
Ever seems to be the word of the day. I feel a song coming on:
The answer to that rhetorical question is YES, the word not the band.
Saturday GIF Horse: Trailer mania continues with this image from the Christmas In Connecticut preview.
Let’s close down this virtual honky tonk with some more seasonal music.
Saturday Closer: Cyndi Lauper. Say no more.
That’s all for this week. We’ll be back next Saturday with the Best Of Adrastos. John Madden’s name was dropped in the Woody Johnson segment. That’s why he gets the last word:
