70s-child: I don't know what you call these things, but it was the pre-cursor to the 8-track casette player:

Friday, July 10, 2009

I don't know what you call these things, but it was the pre-cursor to the 8-track casette player:

My uncle had one of these circa 1975. I can still remember listening to Seals And Croft on it.

13 comments:

Hairball said...: I believe they are called a reel to reel player.; July 10, 2009 4:10 PM
joe said...: Well, whatever they're called, I don't think you can even give these things away anymore...; July 10, 2009 4:26 PM
Dr. Monkey Von Monkerstein said...: It's called a reel to reel.; July 10, 2009 5:34 PM
joe said...: Hey I like your new profile pic, although I must admit the other pic was so damn cute..; July 10, 2009 5:38 PM
Cal's Canadian Cave of Coolness said...: OMG...this SOOOO reminds me of my father. He had tons of country music on his reels. They were like mixed tapes only much longer. If fact I am going to dig out his machine tonight and see if it still works. He even taped my sister and I singing to Conway Twitty (don't get me started on the ways I dislike that dipstick). Cool memories buddy.; July 10, 2009 7:45 PM
Kenneth Walsh said...: My stepdad had one of these and before he married my mom, he brought it over to show a 5-year-old version of me. He fell asleep and I tried to "do it" myself and pretty much destroyed the whole thing.

Oh, the memories ...; July 11, 2009 3:20 AM
joe said...: Cal: I'm not a Conway twitty fan myself. I hope you can get that thing working. Let me know if you do.

Kenneth: Haha although I wouldn't think it was funny if I was your stepdad ;>); July 11, 2009 4:59 AM
grannyann said...: I still have one of those also. can you believe I have a house full of old things that aren't even antiques?; July 11, 2009 9:18 PM
joe said...: So are you a collector, or do you just have a problem with throwing things away?; July 12, 2009 5:08 AM
joe said...: .... either way, if that keeps up you're gonna need to buy a bigger house...; July 12, 2009 5:10 AM
grannyann said...: Some things I have trouble getting rid of, but I periodically have a garage sale or have my daughter put them on ebay.; July 12, 2009 12:42 PM
joe said...: I wonder how much you could get for your thunderbird.; July 12, 2009 1:11 PM
joe said...: Not that you should sell it, I just wonder how much it would go for.; July 12, 2009 1:12 PM

Jane Curtin: Scientists claim that the increase of radioactivity in the environment can adversely affect cows and the milk they give. Because of this, more pregnant women are choosing to breastfeed their infants. Here to comment further on this, is correspondent Roseanne Roseannadanna.

Roseanne Roseannadanna: Thanks a lot, Jane! Thanks a lot! A Mrs. Richard Feder of Fort Lee, New Jersey writes in and says, "Dear Roseanne Roseannadanna: I want to breastfeed my baby, but i'm not sure how you do it? Which breast do I use? How do I get the milk to be the right temperature? Will I have to heat up my breast? Do I have to sterilize my nipple? When I'm done, do I have to put my breast back in the refrigerator? And if I ate a Hershey Bar, will my breast make chocolate milk?"
Mrs. Feder, I didn't think it was possible, but you're just as stupid as your husband! But I know exactly what you're thinking, 'cause I, Roseanne Roseannadanna, was a breastfed baby. Imagine, if you will, a teeny, tiny, infant Roseanne Roseannadanna, cute as a little doll, being held close to her mama's bosum, sucking away like there's no tomorrow! It's natural, and I love stuff that's natural! Natural foods, natural childbirth, natural history, natural resources, natural gas. And, most of all, natural beauty.
I hate it when people try all these tricks to make themselves look like real hot chic. With grain, a lot of eye make-up, or those ladies who corn-roll their hair like a lot of little braids, and hang Lifesavers and lights and buttons and feathers and little stuff from Toys-R-Us on the bottom of it, and their heads are clanking around, and they look like curtains at a gypsy's house!

Bill Murray: Well, to make room for new mid-season TV programs, dozens of shows have gotten the axe this week and one of them, I'm sorry to say, is "Rhoda." Which brings us to this week's Celebrity Corner because my guest tonight is the star of "Rhoda," Valerie Harper. [Bill turns to smiling, gum-chewing Valerie Harper (dressed as her character Rhoda Morgenstern) who appears on the Chroma-Key screen behind him] Hi, Val!
Valerie Harper: Hi, Bill!
Bill Murray: Welcome to Celebrity Corner.
Valerie Harper: Hi, Bill!
Bill Murray: Kitten, let's get to the ugly stuff, first. Your cancellation. How do you feel about it, Val?
Valerie Harper: [thick New York accent] Oh, I'm fine. Listen, I had my shot. I got my break on the old "Mary Tyler Moore Show," they gave me my own show which ran for five and a half years, and now I'm off. That's life.
Bill Murray: That's all well and good, honey, but how do you really feel about it?
Valerie Harper: [in denial] I don't wanna tawk about it.
Bill Murray: Valerie!
Valerie Harper: I really don't wanna tawk about it.
Bill Murray: Valerie-a!
Valerie Harper: I'm ticked off!
Bill Murray: You're ticked off. Okay, now that's the old adorable Rhoda that I love so much. Now, why do you think you were canceled?
Valerie Harper: You know why they canceled me, Bill? You really wanna know why? Anti-Semitism. ... CBS hates Jews. That's why I was canceled.
Bill Murray: [amused] Val, you are so wrong. CBS does not hate Jews. I happen to know that Bill Paley, the chairman of CBS, is Jewish. And, furthermore, you're not Jewish.
Valerie Harper: [long pause] ... I'm not?! ...
Bill Murray: No. Rhoda Morgenstern is, but Valerie Harper is not. ...
Valerie Harper: I'm dyin' ... Are you sure I'm not Jewish? ...
Bill Murray: [sighs] I'm sure I'm sure.
Valerie Harper: I'm a shiksa? ... A bland, humorless, "makes a lousy mother because she cares more about whiskey and spam than she does her own children" shiksa? ...
Bill Murray: Well, yes, I'm afraid so.
Valerie Harper: Then why do I tawk like this? ...
Bill Murray: It beats me, Valerie. Thanks for being with us on Celebrity Corner. [Valerie Harper disappears as Bill turns back to the camera] .Valerie Harper, a very confused star of "Rhoda." [applause] Jane?

Jane Curtin: And now a new addition to our Update team is correspondent Emily Litella with tonight's commentary. [applause] Well, Miss Litella - you've badgered us all for a long time and now you have a job. Welcome.
Emily Litella: [bespectacled little old lady with squeaky voice] Oh, well, thank you, Jane. It's very lovely to be part of a news team. Ah, tonight's commentary is very important because I hear that President Ford wants to make Puerto Rico a steak! ... Now, why does he have to make them a steak? I didn't think those people even liked meat. ... Now, let me warn all of you. If you make Puerto Rico a steak, the next thing they'll want is a baked potato! With sour cream and chives and little tiny bacon bits and pieces of toast! And then they'll probably want a salad bar! Why, they'll be lined up for miles! If President Ford wants to be remembered as a great president in his final days, he should do something about the price of coffee! Not steak! It's outrageous! I can't believe what that man is doing--
Jane Curtin: Miss Litella.
Emily Litella: What? What?
Jane Curtin: [speaking slowly and clearly] Miss Litella, you've done it again. That's not "steak." President Ford wants to make Puerto Rico a state. Not a steak -- a state.
Emily Litella: Ohhhhh. Well, I'm sorry. [squints and grins, into camera] Never mind. ... [applause]
Jane Curtin: Miss - Miss Litella. Let - let's get something straight. We've put up with your slight hearing impairment for a long time now and in the beginning it was cute. But now you're part of a news team and we like to report the news accurately. Now, if you don't report the news accurately, we'll have to let you go. No job is permanent. Do you understand me?
Emily Litella: Oh, yes, yes, I do. I'll - I will certainly do my best. I'll try to do better, hm.
Jane Curtin: Please do.
Emily Litella: Bitch. ... [applause - after a moment, Miss Litella briefly holds up two fingers behind Jane's head to the crowd's delight]

Chevy Chase: Weekend Update recognizes its obligation to present responsible opposing viewpoints to our editorials. Here to reply to a recent editorial, is Emily Litella.

Emily Litella: I'm here tonight to speak out against busting schoolchildren. Busting schoolchildren is a terrible, terrible thing. I hear this is going on all over the country. Mean policemen arrest little children and put them in jail in the wrong neighborhood, so they can't even play with their little friends. Imagine, busting schoolchildren! The food in jail isn't good, and even though they get bread, I don't believe they can get toast. Or nice cake. Now, who will tuck them in? Where will they hang their leggings? Where will they set up their little lemonade stands? Well, they don't have toys in jail, except maybe..

Chevy Chase: [ interrupting ] Miss Litella?

Emily Litella: Yes?

Chevy Chase: I'm sorry. The editorial was on bussing schoolchildren. Bussing. Not busting.

Emily Litella: Oh. I'm sorry. Never mind.

Jane Curtin: This week, the Air Force reported two UFOs off the coast of Florida. Here to comment further on this phenomenon is correspondent Roseanne Roseannadanna.
[Applause as the camera pans over to Roseanne]
Roseanne Roseannadanna: Thanks, Jane. Mr. Richard Feder of Fort Lee, New Jersey, writes in and says: "Dear Roseanne Roseannadanna, Do you believe in UFOs? Have you ever seen a UFO? Have you had a contact with a UFO? Have you ever been beyond and back? Did you see Star Wars? Do you believe that we are not alone?" Mr. Feder, you ask a lotta questions for someone from New Jersey. But I know what you're askin' because once, I, Roseanne Roseannadanna, saw somethin' that drove me crazy! It was a hot and clammy summer night, and I was sittin' alone in my apartment. And I said to myself "Roseanne Roseannadanna, what you need is a ride in the country." So, I got in my car and I start drivin'. And I love to drive, 'cause my car got an FM radio that I sing with. And I don't wanna brag, but when I sing in my car, I sound just like Connie Francis! Well, it's around ten o'clock at night. I didn't know it, but off to the side of the road, there's this drive-in movie theater, and they were showin' this X-rated French movie called Le Sex Shop. And I was just ridin' along, singin' a song when all of a sudden, peekin' through the trees, I saw the world's biggest buttocks! Two big cheeks that was bouncin' over the expressway. I thought I was gonna die! There it was in living color, a rectal eclipse! And underneath, there was words, you know, like, ah, subtitles? And this backside is talkin' to me, sayin' "Do you love me? I love you. Can you touch me, please. Hold me closer, darlin'. Kiss me, my honeybear." I couldn't believe it! Jane, tell me, did a rear end ever talk to you?
Jane Curtin: [Forcing herself to smile and remain calm] No, I-I don't believe one ever has, Roseanne.
Roseanne Roseannadanna: Boy, you sure are in a good mood today.
Jane Curtin: Yes I am, Roseanne.

Don't be shy, just let your feelings roll on by.:

$Don\$
Harold is driving his hearse, and Maude sits beside him. Then Maude says: "And so just before he left for the monastery in Tibet, Big Sweeney gave me his keys" (She is showing Harold her ring of car keys). And Maude continues: "Of course, I've had to make some additions for the new models, but not as many as you might think. Once you have your basic set it's then only a question of variation." Harold replies: "And you get into any car you want and just drive off?" Maude replies: "Not any car. I like to keep a variety. I'm always looking for the new experience, like this one. I liked it." "Thank you" says Harold, "But when you take these cars don't you think you are wronging the owners?" "What owners, Harold?", replies Maude, "We don't own anything. It's a transitory world. We come on the earth with nothing, and we go out with nothing, so isn't "ownership" a little absurd?" "Still, (says Harold) I think you'd upset people and I'm not sure that's right." "Well," says Maude, "if some people are upset because they feel they have a hold on some things, then I'm merely acting as a gentle reminder - I'm sort of breaking it easy -- Here today, gone tomorrow, so don't get attached to things. Now, with that in mind, I'm not against collecting stuff..."

They arrive at Maude's home, and it is daytime, and the scene is inside her house. Maude looks out her window into the backyard, sees several birds and exclaims: "Oh, look! The birds." She goes to the window and works a unique pulley device that delivers seed to the bird table in the back yard. And Maude continues: "This is my daily ritual. I love them so much. The only wild life I see anymore. Free as a bird! (fluttery laugh) You know, at one time I used to break into pet shops and liberate the canaries, but I gave it up as an idea before its time. The zoos are full and the prisons overflowing. My, my. How the world so dearly loves a cage."

PSYCHIATRIST: Harold?
(Harold is day dreaming.)
PSYCHIATRIST: Harold?
HAROLD (comes to): Huh?
PSYCHIATRIST: You don't seem to be listening. I asked do you have any friends?
HAROLD: No.
PSYCHIATRIST: None at all?
HAROLD: Well, maybe one.
PSYCHIATRIST: Would you care to talk about this friend?
HAROLD: No.
PSYCHIATRIST: Is this a friend you had when you were away at school?
HAROLD: No.
PSYCHIATRIST: (things are getting difficult) I see. (he tries a new attack) Were you happy at school, Harold?
HAROLD: Yes.
PSYCHIATRIST: You liked your teachers?
HAROLD: Yes.
PSYCHIATRIST: Your classmates?
HAROLD: Yes.
PSYCHIATRIST: Your studies?
HAROLD: Yes.
PSYCHIATRIST: Then why did you leave?
HAROLD: I burnt down the Chemistry building...

Maude and Harold are walking down a row of flowers. And Maude continues: "They grow and bloom, and fade, and die, and some change into something else. Ah, life!" They stop by some flowers. "I should like to change into a sunflower most of all. They are so tall and simple. And you, Harold, what flower would you like to be?" Harold pauses for a moment and replies: "I don't know. Just one of those" (he gestures to a large field of daisies stretching to the hills). Harold and Maude look out at it. "Why do you say that?" asked Maude, a little perturbed. "Because they are all the same" replied Harold. "Oooh (said Maude) but they are not. Look. (they bend down to see some close ones). "See - some are smaller, some are fatter, some grow to the left, some to the right, some even have some petals missing - all kinds of observable differences, and we haven't even touched the bio-chemical. You see, Harold, they're like the Japanese. At first you think they all look alike, but after you get to know them you see there is not a repeat in the bunch. Each person is different, never existed before and never to exist again. Just like this daisy - (she picks it) - an individual". They stand up. "Well, we may be individuals all right but - (he looks out at the field) - we have to grow up together". Maude looks up. She is very struck by what Harold said. She speaks very softly: "Yes, that's very true. Still I believe much of the world's sorrow comes from people who know they are this - (she holds the daisy) - yet let themselves be treated - (she looks out at the field)- as that".

The scene is inside Maude's home. It is night, and Maude and Harold are dressed in bright Japanese kimonos. They are relaxing on cushions in the Japanese nook after having just finished supper. Maude puffs pleasantly on a hookah. Harold says "I like Glaucus." Maude replies: "Yes, so do I. But I think he is a little... old-fashioned. Like a puff, Harold?" "Well, I really don't smoke.", says Harold. "It's all right," says Maude, and offers him the hose, "It's organic." Harold smokes and says "I'm sure picking up on vices." Maude replies: "Vice? Virtue? It's best not to be too moral, you cheat yourself out of too much life. Aim ABOVE morality. As Confucius says, "Don't simply be good. Make good things happen." "Did Confucius say that?" asks Harold. "Well -- (she smiles) - they say he was very wise, so I'm sure he MUST have."

As Harold and Maude sit before the fire, Harold points over the fireplace and says to maude: "What's that?" Maude replies: "My umbrella? (fluttery laugh) Oh, that's just a relic. I found it when I was packing to come to America. It used to be my defense on picket lines and rallies and political meetings - being dragged off by police or attacked by thugs of the opposition. (fluttery laugh as she remembers). A long time ago. "What were you fighting for?" asks Harold. Maude replies: "Oh, Big Issues. Liberty. Rights. Justice. Kings died and kingdoms fell. I don't regret the kingdoms- what sense in borders and nations and patriotism - but I do miss the kings. When I was a little girl I was taken to the palace in Vienna, to a garden party. I can still see the sunshine, the parasols, and the flashing uniforms of the young officers. I thought then I would marry a soldier. (fluttery laugh) Later, Frederick would chide me about it. (with a twinkle) He was so serious. A doctor at the University. And in the government." Suddenly she gets quiet. "But, that was all... before..." Maude stares into the fire. She suddenly seems very small and fragile. Harold notices the change that has come over her and is not sure what to say. He asks "So you don't use the umbrella any more?" She looks at him and softly says "No." "No more revolts", says Harold. Maude sparks back to her old self and says "Oh, yes! Every day. But I don't need a defense anymore. I embrace! Still fighting for the Big Issues but now in my small, individual way.
Shall we have a song?"

You're only dancing on this earth for a short while:

$You\$
Oh very young what will you leave us this time? You're only dancing on this earth for a short while. And though your dreams may toss and turn you now, they'll go vanish away like your daddy's best jeans - denim blue, fading up to the sky. And though you want them to last forever you know they never will (you know they never will), and the patches make the goodbye harder still. Oh very young what will you leave us this time? There'll never be a better chance to change your mind. And though you want this world to see better days, will you carry the words of love with you - will you ride the great white bird into heaven? And though you want to last forever, you know you never will (you know you never will), and the goodbye makes the journey harder still.