Clothing Designer Labels There seem to be a million and one clothing designer label band names. Here are the ones I have come across and thought enough of to note here: Polo/Ralph Lauren Giorgio Armani Yves St. Laurent Laura Ashley Burberry Chanel Hermes Michael Kors Liz Clayborne Gucci Diane von Furstenberg MaxMara Valentino Dolce & […]

Dance Crazes It’s not a new phenomenon that dance crazes pop-up ever few years. They sweep the nation and overwhelm people’s desire to shake their booties. Here are once I can tick off on my fingers. The Waltz (1900’s) The Tango and Ballin’ the Jack (1910’s) The Charleston, The Jitterbug and The Lindy Hop(1920’s) The […]

Cowboy Actors The movie Western is an unlikely franchise, largely because of the difficulty of wrangling all those horses. But since the Silent Era it has been popular because of the Good Guy/Bad Guy dynamic. For better or worse numerous actors became typecast as Western archetypes. Others transcended it with diverse career roles. Here are […]

Commonly Conjoined Words The following conjunctions are so common they almost become a single word and thought. I started collecting them when I realized how popular but neglected they are. This is a list that is bound to grow. In(s) and out(s) Up(s) and down(s) High(s) and low(s) Aches and pains Give and take Rack […]

Stupid TV Characters Did you ever notice that TV sit-coms always, always have at least one character who is clueless. And that’s always supposed to mean automatic laughs. Sad thing is that it usually works. Here are just a few because I am not a big sit-com watcher, especially if it has laugh-tracks. I hate […]

American Civil Holidays Where would we be without these marvelous excuses for days off? Well, not all of them grant us this pleasure.  Maybe one day…. New Year’s Day President’s Day Martin Luther King Day Columbus Day Labor Day Independence Day Thanksgiving Day Memorial Day Arbor Day Flag Day Veteran’s Day

Canine Stars In many forms of popular culture, dogs have had the starring role. In those same forms dogs have been memorable feature players. Here are just a few of the more memorable canine stars of film, TV and literature.  I know many more are missing. Rin Tin Tin (Warner Bros. movie star) Lassie (film […]

Enduring Candy Bar Brands When I was young I could always find a quick way to spend a nickel on a favorite chocolate bar. I didn’t discriminate; I loved them all. Here are the ones I remember most. Kit Kat Three Musketeers Bun Clark Bar Milky Way Snickers Butterfinger Chunky Fifth Avenue Mr. Goodbar Almond […]

British Invasion Bands The Beatles ushered the arrival of numerous and highly influential rock bands to America despite the fact that rock music is, like jazz, a distinctly American musical idiom. What would the 1960’s be without these great musical combos? The Beatles The Rolling Stones The Who The Kinks The Animals The Dave Clark […]

Boy Bands Since the beginning of popular music boy singers and bands have broken into the public limelight. In more recent times these emerged, sometimes inexplicably. ‘N Sync Backstreet Boys New Kids on the Block Menudo One Direction 98 Degrees Jackson Five The Osmond Brothers The Jonas Brothers Hansen Five Seconds of Summer O-Town The […]