Egad! At this rate, if I don't check into this thread more frequently, I might end up missing out on more lovely photos of my friends, on here! Hi Strider! Sorry to bother you. I know that you posted these photos a heck of a long time ago, but somehow, I missed them out and found them today by pure chance! I really love the vintage black and white photo of you and your family! Your mom looks so lovely (I also love what she's wearing! Fashion in the 60's was so elegant and classy (to say the least!) ) and you my friend, look so freakin' adorable! Ha! So sweet! And Strider, in the second photo, you look like a tall, kind, dignified and distinguished gentleman, IMO! It looks like you and your mom were enjoying a special day at the local fruit and veggie market and that is so wonderful to see!! I know you got to spend time with your mom during thanksgiving this year and I hope you get to spend some time with her, this Christmas! Anyway, thanks for sharing these lovely family photos! Cheers to you!

That is wonderful, Andy! We have some really nice people here and it's a pleasure being part of this wonderful community! Hope you have a lovely Christmas!

Well, what can I say CP? Except, 'Nice Things For Nice People' I hope your recovery is going well? I hope you and Mrs. CP have a wonderful Christmas! Perhaps you could invite some friends over and open a nice bottle of Red Rioja? We have a wonderful community here! The generosity of some lovely people here stuns me no end and it is because of these people that I firmly believe that there is still some hope for humanity. I bet my last dollar that the lovely gentleman who sent you your Christmas gift, resides in Southern California? You know, I think I know him too!

Thank you, Strider!

You're very welcome, Debbie! That's wonderful! I know how important it is to digitalize those precious family photos, to not only relive those precious moments with family but also preserve these priceless photos for posterity! I hope it was a wonderful trip down memory lane and I can't think of anything better to do than spend time, looking at those old family photos, especially during the holiday season!

It is no secret that I love Pre-Raphaelite art, so imagine my surprise and delight upon discovering that there is a connection between Pre-Raphaelite art and Princess Leia of Star Wars (in terms of her double bun hairstyle and white gown). Oh and I apologize in advance, to those who believe that I deviated from the topic Pre-Raphaelite Princess of Star Wars When Time magazine asked George Lucas about the unusual hairstyle he created for Star Wars character Princess Leia, he answered: Kitbashed.com looks at the possible inspirations of Leia’s iconic buns in this post:The Curious Case of Leia’s Rolls. Unable to find similar buns among photos of Mexican revolutionaries, Kitbashed author Michael Heilemann did find a 1906 photograph called ‘A Hopiland Beauty’ that bears more resemblance to Padme Amidala in Episode II. It seems that the roots of Leia’s buns lie not from a single source, but an amalgam of several influences –Batgirl wears the double buns as Dr. Barbara Gordon, as does Queen Fria from the Flash Gordon comics. The twin-side-buns hairstyle exists in Pre-Raphaelite inspired art. In John William Waterhouse’s The Crystal Ball, the hairstyle is seen in profile. We cannot see the other side but the part down the middle of her head is visible, indicating a similar bun on the other side. Princess Leia’s iconic double bun hairstyle can be seen in ‘The Crystal Ball’ (John William Waterhouse, 1902) Titania by Henry Meynell Rheam also seems to have the same hairstyle: And in Violets, also by Henry Meynell Rheam Princess Leia is a woman in white, a perfect contrast for the evil Darth Vadar, who is clad head to toe in black. Although Star Wars is set ‘a long time ago in a galaxy far away‘, I can see a medieval influence in Leia’s gowns, an influence reminiscent of Pre-Raphaelite works. ‘Ecce Ancilla Domini’, Dante Gabriel Rossetti ‘The Lady of Shalott’, John William Waterhouse ‘The Accolade’, Edmund Blair Leighton Source : http://preraphaelitesisterhood.com/pre-raphaelite-princess-of-star-wars/

If there is one thing I love, it is seeing a little baby wrapped up in a Led Zeppelin blanket! So sweet!! My congratulations to you, henry! Your daughter is adorable (to say the least)! I hope her first Christmas, is a lovely one!

Blasting this song, in honour of two corrupt fuckers, who finally got their just deserts!

And the ICC, finally acknowledges the magic of Kane Williamson!! Time and time again, he almost single-handedly rescued New Zealand (when the team was on the brink of a batting collapse) in the recent series against Australia and Sri Lanka, with his brilliant batting performances and it is only fair that he moves to the top of the ICC's ranking of Test Cricket Batsmen! http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/kane-williamson-tops-icc-test-batting-rankings-20151221-glsgbm.html

Plenty of occurrences in the world of sport, made me happy today! For starters, Ding Dong! The Wickedly Corrupt of Football Have Been Banned! See ya, Sepp Bastard Blatter and your despicable French Frog cronie Platini! A ban length of 8 years, is way too little, but hey, it's a start! http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/35144652 The corrupt attitude of Sepp Bastard and the Frog, reminded me of this cool tune by Queen : Death On Two Legs - Queen You suck my blood like a leech You break the law and you preach Screw my brain till it hurts You've taken all my money and you want more, Misguided old mule With your pigheaded rules With your narrow-minded cronies who are fools of the first division- Death on two legs You're tearing me apart, Death on two legs You never had a heart of your own Kill joy, Bad guy, Big talking, Small fry You're just an old barrow - boy Have you found a new toy to replace me, Can you face me But now you can kiss my ass goodbye Feel good, are you satisfied Do you feel like suicide (I think you should) Is your conscience all right Does it plague you at night, Do you feel good, feel good? Talk like a big business tycoon, You're just a hot air balloon, So no one gives you a damn, You're just an overgrown school boy Let me tan your hide. Dog with disease, You're the king of the 'sleaze' Put your money where your mouth is Mr. Know all, Was the fin on your back part of the deal...(shark!) Death on two legs Tearing me apart Death on two legs You never had a heart of your own, (You never did, right from the start) Insane should be put inside, You're a sewer rat decaying in a cesspool of pride Should be made unemployed Then make yourself null and void, Make me feel good I feel good.

Awww...it warms me to the core that two wonderful people on these forums, had a chance to meet up in person! Deb and Morgan, I hope you guys had a wonderful time!

Here I go again, missing out on lovely photos!! Such sweet childhood photos, Debbie! So adorable!! Love that smile! You and your brother look so much alike! I also love your mom's hairstyle and cool sun glasses! Such an uber cool look! Thanks for sharing these family photos!

Corr Blimey! I don't know how the hell I missed out on these photos! Morgan, I can see that you are a guitarist! Oh and I really love your ginger coloured hair and your beard and sideburns! You've got a really cool look going on there, my friend! Oh and you look like an acoustic guitar maestro in the 2nd photo, mate!

Gee, thanks res! I am known to have rather big eyes (I have inherited them from my mom, I guess ) and folks always seem to say that I really resemble my dad (on looking at photos of him, from the early 1980's, when he was my age)

Hi Debbie! Your comment really made my day! Thank you kindly!

^^^Rock on, res! Well, I was messing around with my webcam yesterday and I 'accidentally' took a photo of myself! Clumsy me!

A Very Happy Birthday To a Fellow Sagittarian : Sam - our awesome webmaster! Hope you have a great birthday and many thanks for everything you've done over the years, to keep these forums an interesting and friendly place to visit! Cheers to you!

Not a song per se, but certainly an epic performance!

^^^Apparently, Ian Paice seems to feel exactly the same way! Deep Purple Rock Hall Show Would End In Punch-Up News / Stef Lach / 16 Dec 2015 Exclusive: Drummer Ian Paice says strained relationships would make induction a nightmareDeep Purple drummer Ian Paice reckons a punch-up could ensue if the band are inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame next year. The group are on the shortlist of potential inductees into the Rock Hall for 2016,along with Nine Inch Nails, Yes, Cheap Trick, The Cars, Steve Miller, Chicago, Los Lobos, Janet Jackson, NWA, The Smiths, Chaka Khan, Chic, The JBs and the Spinners. The winners will be announced on December 17 (Thursday), with the ceremony set for New York on April 8, 2016, and Paice says it could open up a can of worms if Purple get the nod. He tells Classic Rock: "Well, who would they induct? There have been so many members of this band, even if they say it will be core members, who would it be? "You also have to bear in mind, that if some people are inducted together, it could end in a punch-up. I don't need to tell anyone certain key members and former members of this band do not get on. Personally, I think they would be better off inducting us individually. That avoids the problem." Inductees are asked to perform at the Rock Hall ceremony and that too would cause an issue, claims Paice. He adds: "As for playing live, again who would be involved? You'd have the same situation as for an induction. This one won't play with that one – it could be a mess. "The Hall Of Fame should be embarrassed for not inducting us already. Look at some of the non-entities who've got in. I won't name them, but just have a look at some of those names, and you'll know who I mean. What have they ever done for rock'n'roll? Nothing. Having these artists in before Deep Purple undermines what it is supposed to represent." Paice's opinion of the Rock Hall matches that of Purple's frontman Ian Gillan, who branded the organisation “bloody arrogant and rude" in October. Source : http://classicrock.teamrock.com/news/2015-12-16/deep-purple-rock-hall-show-would-end-in-punch-up

'Whisky tasting is an event in itself and must be enjoyed in moderation, in order to truly appreciate the various intriguing flavours and intricate 'notes', bundled into this intriguing concoction. The seemingly thrilling aspect of 'getting drunk', is nothing but a norm, under intense societal pressure and must be the last thing on any serious whisky lover's mind, if the immediate goal, is the sampling of good whisky, the way it's meant to be'. - The Old Wise Man of the Distillery

Not that I give a shit about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but hey, since I came across this piece of news, I might as well post it. Deep Purple, Cheap Trick Chosen For Rock Hall News / Scott Munro / 17 Dec 2015 Chicago, Steve Miller and N.W.A also set for induction in April Deep Purple, Cheap Trick, Chicago, Steve Miller and N.W.A have been announced as next year’s inductees into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. The event will be held at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on April 8, with public tickets set to go on sale in February. Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice recently told Classic Rock he was unsure who would represent the band if they were ever inducted. But the Rock Hall have given the nod to Paice, Ritchie Blackmore, David Coverdale, Rod Evans, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Glenn Hughes and Jon Lord. Paice tells Rolling Stone: “You'd like to think that anyone who was ever in the band and made a contribution should really be listed. “All these people, from the very beginning to the current lineup, have helped maintain Purple as a viable touring entity. So to pick some over others, I wouldn't have done it that way.” Paice says that “it’s rather nice” to finally be inducted but admits he has no idea if former guitarist Blackmore will be there on the night. He says: “He can confuse you sometimes. You think he'll do one thing and he'll do the other. I wouldn't put money either way on that one. As for playing with the guitarist again, Paice adds: “Some of us would think about it. Some of us probably wouldn't. It depends how it's presented and what everybody's individual feelings are. “But precedence must now go to the guys that are still working the name and keeping it alive. Their choice is final.” Meanwhile, Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen says their induction is a personal career highlight for him. He says: “Live at Budokan wasn't too bad. Getting our first record wasn't too bad. Doing 5000 shows, not too bad. It's all good. This might get moved right to the top of our resume, though.” Reacting to the news of their induction, Chicago co-founder Robert Lamm says: "I was very surprised that we'd been nominated since we've been eligible for so long. I think that the body of work, even just considering the work we did on the first album and beyond, changed the face of pop music for us to be considered influential.” Steve Miller will take to the podium alone on the night, but says: “Anyone that was ever in the Steve Miller Band will feel that they were definitely part of what made the band.” The event will be broadcast on US TV network HBO in the spring of 2016. Source : http://classicrock.teamrock.com/news/2015-12-17/deep-purple-cheap-trick-chosen-for-rock-hall

*Crawls out from under a rock and raises hand to agree with the above statement Me neither. I in fact, know absolutely nothing about the Star Wars franchise. I am pretty familiar with Mr. Spock and Co. though, as Star Trek used to be part of the weekend TV line-up, when I was a kid!