Is It Too Late To Be A Pirate Astronaut?

Joe Dator
The New Yorker (May 25, 2015)

Fun On Tap

RePlay Magazine

February 1981
FUN ON TAP - Phil Robertson, day bartender and assistant manager at Pickwick’s Pub in Woodland Hills, Calif., loves the Asteroids upright their operator installed late in 1980.  Bar patrons are equally fascinated by the game and Phil maximizes play by holding an informal tournament now and again just for fun.  Current high score is visibly posted on the upright.  [text from Replay Magazine; scanned and shared by @mznewman]

Getting Some Sun

Peanuts
Charles Schulz (August 27, 1963)
Sometimes I can really relate to Linus.  As for Charlie Brown, you ought to know that your friend is nothing if not sincere.

Find Mickey

Fully Computerized
Wally Wood (1953)

Another Caucasian, Gary

Another Caucasian Gary
Joshua Budich (2015)
This Lebowski inspired artwork was part of an exhibition called Fictional Foods.  Limited edition prints are available from Gallery 1988.

Keep Your Head In The Game

Jose Canseco
Texas Rangers (May 26, 1993)
On this day in 1993, the most memorable home run of Jose Canseco's career was hit in a game between the Texas Rangers and the Cleveland Indians.  The problem for him is that it came off of the bat of Carlos Martinez.

The LGBTQ Sandwich

The Black Sheep Deli

Amherst, MA
I absolutely believe in equality, and there are few things in this world that I love more than a good sandwich, but I'm not sure that I can get on board with spelling it "Qucumber".  [source: Runcibility]

Vector Refreshments

Creative Computer Graphics
Annabel Jankel and Rocky Morton (1984)
Vector images on MPC systems (fiber optics) from Moving Picture Company Ltd.  Scanned and shared by Palm & Laser.

Nana's Communion

I found a certificate that was given to my great great grandparents 100 years ago when their daughter (my Nana) received her First Holy Communion.  She passed away when I was 13 years old.

Discount Wrestling DVDs

Ollies is a pretty awesome store.  This is over 33 hours of wrestling that cost a total of $12.96.

Let Me See That Kong

This is my Grandpa and Dad standing in front of the Kong ride at Morey's Pier on the Boardwalk in Wildwood, NJ in the mid 1970s.  The ride opened in 1972 and was an iconic part of the landscape for the rest of the decade.  A planned renovation of the ride failed in 1980 when the Kong statue disintegrated as it was being disassembled.

A new Kong ride is returning to Morey's Pier in 2015.

My Day In Court

Luzerne County Courthouse
Wilkes-Barre, PA

My time has finally come.  I was picked to report for jury duty and to spend a fun and exciting day wandering around the Luzerne County Courthouse while the folks in charge make up their minds on which of the lucky contestants will be chosen to serve on an actual jury, while the rest of us are sent home with a copy of the home game.  On the positive side, I got the day off of work with pay, and it was nice to have the opportunity to spend some time here without the pressures of being the defendant.  Plus, there's also the pride of being chosen to do your civic duty.  Just look at how much joy it has brought me on this fine day.  

All kidding aside, it really is a beautiful building, and there's a nice little cafe inside.  I guess it's pretty hard to screw up an egg and cheese sandwich, but it was very tasty and a lot better than anything I was expecting.

Here are some photos I took in and around the courthouse:

The cherry blossom trees are in bloom.

Being here makes me realize that I may have spent too many hours playing Tony Hawk Pro Skater.

This is the inside of the dome ceiling of the courthouse.

I can neither confirm or deny that one Hawaiian Italian juror stepped beyond this point.

Here are the sinks in the men's restroom, surrounded my late 60's tile in all of it's pea green glory.  It's a little less dignified than the marble you find throughout the rest of the courthouse.

I wasn't picked to serve on a jury, so after many hours of wandering around, taking pictures and doing my best to not get in any trouble, I was sent home.  The parking garage was an adventure all of it's own.  It's loaded with hand-written threats of tolls and tickets, but there was no one in sight to accept any money.

 

I was perfectly willing to pay for parking, but according to the sign next to the broken clock and in front of the giant slab of cardboard, the office is closed for the day.  The same sign that informed me that the office is closed also asked that I "exit here to pay 4 parking".  I'm not quite sure how that's supposed to work.  I briefly considered taping a few bucks to the window, but I didn't have the scotch tape or the desire to throw money away, so I just went home.

If it turns out that I did something illegal, I'll guess that I'll be back.  Maybe I can even pick up one of those swell $9 compact umbrellas.