Bruce Littlefield's Life 101 » Pop Culture Pop-Up

American Fun – Fun with parking

Bruce Littlefield — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 18:36:41 +0000

This online game a friend recommended reminds me of my horrific days in Driver’s Ed. Apparently Parking Space 2 has 15 levels, but I could only get through, well, a few. Waste some of your Friday afternoon with this rather frustrating but addicting game! And while we’re on the subject of parking, I just heard about a new Android app that alerts motorists to open parking spaces in their areas. It’s the OpenTable of the parking world, though you can’t reserve yourself a space…yet. Definitely needing a BlackBerry version here!

American Icons – Muppets at the Smithsonian

Bruce Littlefield — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:04:09 +0000

You know them, I know them, we all know their names. The Muppets are a timeless part of every American childhood. Last week Jim Hensen’s original Muppets found a new home at the Smithsonian. The crew was donated by the late Mr. Hensen’s wife, Jane. I’m sure they’ll be very happy in their little airtight rooms. Did you know Kermit got his start in the late 50′s on an NBC show called “Sam and Friends”. The froggy version of the Rainbow Connection is obviously a classic, but The Carpenters’ remake makes me inexplicably happy. Enjoy.

American Fun – Stairway to Stardom

Bruce Littlefield — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:26:03 +0000

The original American Idol!

I’m twenty years late to the party, but I’ve just discovered the joys of the 1980s New York City public-access television show, “Stairway to Stardom.” It is an amateur talent show that is either the Gong Show sequel or the American Idol prequel. It also reminds me of the “talent” show I performed in my garage at about the same time. It’s a blurry memory, but I do remember dancing to Chaka Khan’s “I Feel for You.” Thankfully, that’s not on video. If it were, you’d feel for me!

Gossip! – Dancing with the Stars

Bruce Littlefield — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:46:23 +0000

BREAKING: E! Online is reporting that Bristol Palin has joined the cast of ‘Dancing with the Stars’ along with US Weekly’s headline that David Hasselhoff has signed on. They’ll join Kirstie Alley, the Situation (a.k.a. “The $5 Million Man”), and Audrina Patridge. Also, rumored is Michael Bolton and Lindsay Lohan, but my favorite of all whispers, however, is that Mrs. Brady, Florence Henderson, might join the hoofers. I love me some Brady Bunch.

Life 101 – The Chinese Beat It

Bruce Littlefield — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:01:04 +0000

I just read that China has overtaken Japan to become the second leading world economy. (After, of course, the #1 good old U.S. of A.) I’m no economist, but I am a darn good spotter of clever. I’ve been jamming this rainy morning to Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” via the Chinese Red Army. It’s pretty darn brilliant. How does someone wake up and go, “Hey, I’ve got an idea! Why don’t I edit a “Beat It” video featuring the Chinese Red Army”? I won’t ask twice. I’ve got work to do. Maybe I’ll do “Somewhere over the Rainbow” on my garage sale ukulele. Nah, it’s been done, and I could never do it as clever as this. Happy Monday, people. Smile!

American Fun – Shark Week!

Bruce Littlefield — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 18:04:04 +0000

It’s Shark Week on Discovery…so, why not take a moment and sharkify yourself? Yes, a five foot sand shark did make an appearance on a Jersey shore beach yesterday, terrifying screaming beach goers, but did you know that of the 80 some million water-activity participants each year, only a handful fall prey to shark attacks? Further, while you have a 1 in 4,473 chance of dying from falling out of a bed, chair or other furniture, sharks did not even make the list. Though death by hornets, wasps, bees and dogs did. So, why are we so scared of sharks? Um, maybe because of this?

Garage Sale – Find of the Week = Batman!

Bruce Littlefield — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 20:03:41 +0000

Garage Sale find expected to grab $40,000 at auction. (AP)

Holy smoke, Batman! A Batman No. 1 comic book that was discovered hidden in an old dresser bought at a garage sale in the early 1970s is going up for auction this week. According to MSNBC, the original garage sale buyer, Ron Jaeger, sold it in 1974 to Mike Wheat, an avid comic book collector. Heritage Auction Galleries is handling the sale for Wheat and have given the once garage sale find a pre-sale estimate of $40,000. I’m betting it will go for a lot more….and that you will enjoy these classic Batman moments.

Gossip! – Stream the New Los Lobos Album

Bruce Littlefield — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:39:21 +0000

Los Lobos, the band that brought the world La Bamba (you’ll know it when you hear it, even if you didn’t know the actual title) is back for more. The Chicano rock band is scheduled to release a new album on August 3. Los Lobos has been performing since the 70′s, but they’ve embraced the new millennium, and their entire album can be streamed before its release on the NPR website. Break out the limbo stick, and get ready for some new Tex-Mex hits. Perfect for late summer barn parties.

Pop Culture Pop-Up – Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty

Bruce Littlefield — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:27:11 +0000

Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty from Darragh O'Connell on Vimeo.

Here’s a Monday treat: Nicky Phelan’s Academy Award-nominated animated short Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty… a grim rendition of the classic in which a seemingly sweet old lady terrifies her granddaughter with her tale. The elderly fairy doesn’t get invited to the christening… and let’s just say that’s not good in this Grimm tale. I love this line: “When it comes to the harsh lessons of this life, beauty isn’t going to get you very far.” Happy Monday.

Life 101 – Friday Fun

Bruce Littlefield — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 13:46:25 +0000

Dance, I say, Dance!

In a recent post, I discussed earworms. Several people wrote to suggest songs that were earworms… And then I found this: A mash-up of all the Top 25 hits of 2009. I have listened to it non-stop since yesterday. If this doesn’t get you happy and excited for the weekend, may I suggest a two martini lunch. Put on your dancing shoes people. It’s the weekend.