Mostly TV

It’s no secret: I’m a big fan of C-SPAN. Last night C-SPAN began a re-run of its three-day series on the U.S. Capitol, originally aired May 31 – June 2. I watched the first installment last evening and will be there for the next two installments, as well. The program is a real tour de force with first-person interviews, extensive film tours of the Capitol, and history…lots and lots of history. The shows run for three hours each night. Here’s a blurb from the web site:

Through original interviews with members of Congress, historians, curators and journalists, learn about the building's history, the art inside it, and the people and issues that have defined not only a building, but a country through the legislation passed inside the Capitol.

Recommended. And check out the website, too. If you have broadband you can watch streaming video of these shows from the web site (requires RealPlayer [free] and a fast network connection – faster than I’ve got!).

So. Unbeknownst to me, Dubya and Laura were on “Larry King Live” while I was watching “The Capitol.” Damn. Missed it. The interview transcript and a link to video highlights are here. A snarky NYT review of Dubya’s performance is here. Good to see the NYT is back up to speed, eh?

Snippet of This Morning’s Brief Conversation with a Park Maintenance Guy:

PMG: So when did Hawaii become a state?
Me: 1959, I think. (I was right)
PMG: So, when were they bombed in WW II?
Me: 1941
PMG: Were you in the service then?
Me: (Incredulous look)
PMG: When did you retire?
Me: 1985
PMG: I was three then…

I must look a helluva lot older than I think I do...

Forgotten Blogging, Part XIV. Meant to write about this last Saturday, but forgot. I caught Robert Plant on PBS’ “Soundstage” last Friday evening and he put on a damned fine show. He’s looking his age, but who among the Boomer’s leading edge isn’t? His voice isn’t quite what it used to be, but it’s still an impressive instrument. Those trademarked wails (“Whole Lotta Love” comes to mind) don’t have the range they used to, but they are entirely adequate. Lest you think I’m damning Mr. Plant with faint praise, let me assure you that isn’t my intention at all. He was great. Fantastic even. From the Soundstage web site:

His Soundstage performance is a must-see for longtime and novice fans of rock ‘n’ roll alike. The retrospective set includes Zep classics like opener “No Quarter,” which receives a more tribal treatment, a funkified “Black Dog” and “Four Sticks,” which is dedicated to former Zep drummer John Bonham, who passed away in 1980. Other gems include songs from Plant’s solo albums, like the political “Freedom Fries” and the cover of “Hey Joe,” which was immortalized by Jimi Hendrix. The show’s finale, a stretched-out bluesy rendition of “Whole Lotta Love” is not to be missed.

No hyperbole, that. It’s all true. Plant isn’t just cashing in on Boomer nostalgia and “going through the motions” with note-for-note reprises of the old Zep classics (and he could not, actually, since Jimmy Page isn’t part of the new band). No, Mr. Plant has assembled a great backing band, the Strange Sensation, and his (their?) arrangements of old Zeppelin classics are bluesy, fresh, interesting, and above all: they ROCK. As do the songs from Plant’s post-Zep solo efforts. The inevitable rerun is well worth seeking out. In the meantime, there’s a video clip at the link above.

Haven’t said much about the weather of late, and that’s because it’s been good. No, check that: great. Moderate temperatures (low to mid 80s) and more than a little bit of rain has been the order of the day for the past week. We’re supposed to get back to oppressive heat next week, and there’s a 103 degree day in the forecast for Friday-next. We’ll see if that materializes. Long range forecasts are typically less than accurate.

And so it goes…