Just Visiting : The JELL-O Gallery

I remember the rides up to the Renaissance Faire, we used to pass a sign that said Jell-O Museum was off the next exit. We'd talk about going, and never have manage to go see it. But that doesn't mean that it doesn't sound like a lot of fun. It's still on my to do list, and I'm going to tell you why.

The JELL-O Gallery
23 East Main Street
Le Roy, New York 14482

This is a fun museum. It's not something that can be seen everywhere. True, Jell-o can be seen in stores, and be made at home. But it is intriguing to think there is a place where you can see a more detailed rendering of the history of the wiggly jiggly treat.

Open year round, with a minimal admission fee, you can take your family here and not feel as though it was a waste of time. Kids love sweet things, and they are likely to find the toys and various memorabilia interesting.

I myself am curious to see if they have the old disney jell-o molds there, or even some of the odd advertising boxes that have been done associated to different movies and shows over the years. Things like that I find interesting.

The museum is open during varying hours. So I know if I want to go it's going to have to be planned out more than driving past the advertising billboard. And if you're thinking about going, please check their website. The online shop even shows some of the merchandise available there. And I have to say it's mostly reasonable.

I still want to go to this museum. So if you're going, can I go with you? ^_~

History and Music : The Battle Of New Orleans

American history is a rather funny flexible thing. We're often changing things, and a lot of battles are memorialized in different ways. Today we're looking at the song The Battle of New Orleans, which is about a Battle that actually happened in 1815. It's commemorated in a song that takes a number of  liberties with the facts. But we all know that there are artists licenses that are frequently taken.

There are two versions of this song though. After all, every battle does have 2 sides. Sometimes the side that doesn't come out on top doesn't take it all that well. But it's still a good song no matter which version you prefer. I think they're an interesting perspective look at the situation, even though it's kind of humorous. They're also a sign of the times.

Even this long length of time after the battle, there was still a need to have two separate windows to look at it. It's fascinating. Not completely unusual, since no one wants to be known as a coward  or as the losing side. Whether it's in good humor or not doesn't matter. People like to have at least some  positive light on their own side.

Just thought some of you might enjoy this small thing to think about. We often see songs done in English and other languages, but we often forget to think about how they change when that happens.

Late Night TV or...

What's On The Tube When You Can't Sleep.

So to be honest, I've been having a lot of trouble sleeping lately. Which means I've been trying a few different solutions. I've tries counting sheep. Tried sleeping aids. Now am trying TV.

Sunday night I watched The Black Dahlia.  I flipped it on because the title sounded interesting. I've always been interested in crime, and I have my own morbid interest in seeing how people look at the unsolved ones. This movie surprised me on multiple levels. The costumes were done well, and the characters presented were believable.

But what surprised me more than anything else was the lesbian undertones in the film. Not only that it was there, but in the way that the film showed this as being accepted. It was an interesting thing to see considering how some people react to the idea now. But as with many films that are made these days about crime, it was full of fiction. There are a number of websites devoted to debunking the fictions around the crime, and many believe that the crime will never be solved. Which is unfortunately likely the sad truth.

Monday night I watched a movie from 1941 called Dive Bomber. It was a good movie, even if it was old. To be honest I didn't realize it was as old as it turns out to be. The colors in it are wonderful, and the story does provoke curiosity. Is it a fact or fiction film?

According to what I can find it's fiction. There's a number of different statements about the film that indicate this. Dive Bomber was not the usual type of film that I would watch. But it does fit in with the things that I have been writing about on the blog recently. It does reflect some points of  naval history, as well as look at some interesting concerns about flight. I think a lot of us take the secure safety of flights now for granted.

The planes in the film were really interesting, some of them were very colorful. According to what I've read there are a number of people that enjoy the film because of the planes that are shown in it. They were interesting to see. Planes are always interesting, a little more so than cars. I mean, after all, they fly.

Beyond that I've been watching a show on Animal Planet about River Monsters. I am not one that enjoys fishing, but it's fascinating to see the types of creatures that live underwater. Some of them really are monsters. But they're real. I guess in some ways that's the scariest part.

But on the most part, I'm watching a little bit of TV now and then... I wonder if it's going to do anything more than rot my brain.

Interesting History : The Lily Pond in Balboa Park

History can be a very peculiar place. There are many things that happen in the past that some people would refer to as unbelievable, as well as rumor. But today's installment of interesting history is no rumor, though it was a bit unbelievable at first. In some of our earlier posts you learned about the Botanical Building in Balboa Park. A pretty building full of gorgeous flowers. You heard us babbling about the large Koi in the pond, but would you think they'd have used that pond for swimming?

I never would have believed it myself. Why? Well for one thing, to my personal view the pond looked rather shallow when we were there. But it is possible that there is dirt and residue at the bottom of the pond now that was not there in the past. But if you look at the picture below, it is evidence that they did use the pond for swimming for a period of time.

According to what I've read the koi lily pond in Balboa park was used by the navy during 2 seperate times as a pool. They moved the plants and fish out and used it to train. The second time they used the pool, they actually made it deeper, sealing the bottom off. Which is why now when they put the plants into the lily pond now, they have to be in a box or pot. Otherwise they won't be able to stay in place.

So that's that for this interesting and odd history tid bit.
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http://www.sandiegohistory.org/bpbuildings/botanical.htm
http://www.tanglewoodconservatories.com/heritage/balboa-botanical-building.htm
http://www.sandiegoyesterday.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Navy-Swimming-Pool-in-Balboa-Park.pdf
http://www.sandiegoyesterday.com/?p=317

History and Music : The Sullivans

Artists are often inspired by things that happen in the world around them. Whether it's romance, amusements, war, or any other activity doesn't matter. They're often written in a romanticized manner which can often make an activity seem less threatening. Though some music is very effective at causing people to become interested in history, and look into things to learn. Not all things that are what they seem, and there can be a bit of depth to things.

As an example of this I'd like to share a song called "Sullivan" By Caroline's Spine with you. The song is based on something that happened during WWII. There's even a movie based on the event called The Fighting Sullivans. To keep things fairly short and simple though, the ship that the five Sullivan's were on was sunk by a torpedo, and through various events the five men died(can read specifics and things concerning it HERE). This song is basically a nod to the family, referencing their mother on the most part.

It's a well done song, and it isn't offensive. There are multiple dissections of the lyrics and examinations online but I think the song speaks for itself. I'd like to mention for our younger readers back in Buffalo, that you can see one of the two ships that's been named The Sullivans right there in Buffalo at the naval park. The destroyer ship was donated to the city's park in the late 1970's, after having been kept in the ship reserves. I bet you could even do a nice project on the ship for school. Ask your mom, I know she'd LOVE to take you to see it.

"Change Your Blue Star To Gold." This is a reference to a practice that was adopted by people during WWI which has since become common practice. It refers to a plain white background flag with a blue trim that has a Blue star on it which is displayed to represent that a family member is serving active duty. When the flag changes, to a gold star, it lets people know that the family member has passed away during service without having to specify how.

At The Bay : Unconditional Surrender

Absolutely gorgeous statue, bringing a well known photograph to 'life' in a larger than life manner.

More Info HERE

Salute to Bob Hope

More information on this Piece HERE It lists what/who the statues each are.

Info about Bob Hope & WWII HERE

Check out some video of Bob  Hope performing a Christmas show (1968) in Vietnam HERE

Ships by the Bay (and other stuff) Part 2