The Phanatic's Dye Job

We talked before about the Phillie Phanatic. He's a lovable green monster who cheers on the Phillies every year as they let down the city of Philadelphia.

As part of a recent promotion the Phanatic has changed his colors. He's now a lovable RED monster.

The pigment switch started at the Philadelphia Zoo. The team introduced a new promotion "paint the town red" where many parts of Philadelphia are being covered in a coat of red paint to help cheer on the Phillies. To take part in the event the Phanatic decided to take a dip into a giant bucket of paint.

The children watching were constantly warned "don't try this at home." I assume this was a necessary warning because children might be tempted to paint themselves after seeing the Phanatic do the same.

I would have shown them the cautionary film Soul Man. Sure, by painting himself C. Thomas Howell learned some valuable life lessons and grew as a person. But does anyone really want to be like C. Thomas Howell?

I guess the Phanatic did. He took off his shirt (oddly, pretended to feel naked without a shirt despite NEVER wearing pants) and put on a pair of goggles. Then, a crane hoisted him up and dunked him into a can of "Phanatic Safe" M.A.B. paint.



He came out bright red... except, oddly enough his socks which were still white as Micheal Jackson.

You can watch a full video of the event here.

A new Phanatic costume reportedly costs about $5,000 and as such the team wanted to get their money's worth. Thus, the Phanatic was EVERYWHERE for the next few days.

He took part in a blood drive (click here for more info and photos of the Phanatic with a needle in his arm,) clowned around with local news anchors (click here for video and info from 6ABC) and was mistaken for "Elmo" seven times.

Like all bad dye jobs, this too will go away soon as the Phanatic is expected to return to his natural green by opening day. However, I wouldn't be too surprised if "Red Phanatic" makes the occasional appearance in Philadelphia.

President Lyndon B. Johnson's introduction to his "Annual Message to the Congress on the State of the Union"

Here President Lyndon B. Johnson's introduction to his "Annual Message to the Congress on the State of the Union" on January 4, 1965:

On this Hill which was my home, I am stirred by old friendships.

Though total agreement between the Executive and the Congress is impossible, total respect is important.

I am proud to be among my colleagues of the Congress whose legacy to their trust is their loyalty to their Nation.

I am not unaware of the inner emotions of the new Members of this body tonight.

Twenty-eight years ago, I felt as you do now. You will soon learn that you are among men whose first love is their country, men who try each day to do as best they can what they believe is right.

We are entering the third century of the pursuit of American union.

Two hundred years ago, in 1765, nine assembled colonies first joined together to demand freedom from arbitrary power.

For the first century we struggled to hold together the first continental union of democracy in the history of man. One hundred years ago, in 1865, following a terrible test of blood and fire, the compact of union was finally sealed.

For a second century we labored to establish a unity of purpose and interest among the many groups which make up the American community.

That struggle has often brought pain and violence. It is not yet over. But we have achieved a unity of interest among our people that is unmatched in the history of freedom.

And so tonight, now, in 1965, we begin a new quest for union. We seek the unity of man with the world that he has built--with the knowledge that can save or destroy him--with the cities which can stimulate or stifle him--with the wealth and the machines which can enrich or menace his spirit.

We seek to establish a harmony between man and society which will allow each of us to enlarge the meaning of his life and all of us to elevate the quality of our civilization.

This is the search that we begin tonight.

Sweetie feels LINKY

Here are some random LINKS I cut and pasted from the archives:

Yo Butkus!

James K. Polk: The Last of the Jacksonians

Snow's Informer

"Pistol" Pez Whatley

More Jeffrey Tambor Jokes

Kilroy was here

Dragon's Lair

Jack and Walter

Dan and Dave

A Photo of Tubbs from "Miami Vice"

Isn't he dreamy?

CRAIG presents: The bunchojunk Cake Recipe

THE BUNCHOJUNK CAKE

1 c. Crisco
1 3/4 c. sugar
5 eggs
2 c. flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
5 tsp. orange juice
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tube icing

Steps:
1. Blend Crisco and sugar
2. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition
3. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt 3 times
4. Add juice and vanilla
5. Bake in 350 degree oven for 1 hour
6. Write "bunchojunk" with the icing.

CRAIG writes his own blog "Always the Last in Line."

Peanuts

This is one of the best coloring book pages I have ever found. Why? Simple: I love George Washington Carver, I love elephants and I love peanuts.

George Washington Carver: Not only did he have the same name as a president but he made OVER 300 PRODUCTS out of peanuts.

300!

Name as many peanut related products you can think of. I have:
1. peanut butter
2. peanut brittle
3. that comic strip with Snoopy
Thats all I can think of.

But somehow, George Washington Carver made a OVER 300 products out of peanuts. I bet he made a hat out of peanuts, a step-ladder out of peanut shells and remote control peanut robot.

Elephants: I once saw elephant step on a pumpkin. It sounded like a shotgun.

Peanuts: I know some people are allergic, but I still believe that every food in the WORLD should contain trace amounts of peanuts.
In fact, I think that should be how society is divided up. The HAVE peanuts and the HAVE NO peanuts.
I would even be willing to build a special "peanut dome" just to keep the HAVE NO peanut people away from our perfect peanut eating society.

Anyway, about this coloring book page, I have stared at the elephants head for about 20 minutes and I am starting to think it is one of those illusions where some people see one thing and some see other things. When I look at it I see Don Rickles eating a pickle.