Crimean war period drum
Occasionally I will put up 'things I would buy if I was rich' which appear on ebay. This drum is one here
Some Russian military drums of this period were made in England by Potters of London.
More military drums, some made by Potters are for sale here http://www.qcmilitaria.com/band2.htm

this site is hilarious. It's a collection of unintentionally funny comic covers - mostly DC showing how stupid some of the stories and so on were from these so-called classics
http://superdickery.com/
subjects are categorized and its well worth spending some time in this amusing world

September 8th 1798
This date saw the surrender of the French forces under Humbert in Ireland. There's a chronology here http://homepages.iol.ie/~fagann/1798/conaught.htm

Waterloo 1705
What is it about this village in Belgium that makes it the centre of a major battle every hundred years or so. Obviously we have the one in 1815 and it was fought over in 1914 but there was also conflict there in the Marlborough period - in 1705 to be precise - check out these great photos - http://www.pixelsbw.com/netguide-jaune/marlborough02/photo006.htm
this one features the UK's Lord Orkneys regiment - other groups featured include Holcroft Bloods and Sans Pareil and the Dutch Blue Guards

Battle of New Orleans - the story of a random hit record
While reading up on the historical battle which is pretty fascinating in itself I naturally came across the random hit of the same name - anyway the story is here http://www.tsimon.com/battle.htm and the lyrics here http://www.bluegrassnet.com/tgbs/B/Battle_of_new_orleans.html
It mentions a time when historical themes were popular in hit songs and sites this one on the Battle of Waterloo - read the lyrics and try to understand what he is talking about
http://www.cowboylyrics.com/lyrics/classic-country/waterloo---stonewall-jackson-14944.html

Thanks to Eric for spotting this excellent video - from a Russian band called Gluk'oza, the song Shvanie (Russian for pig) shows animated pig-Nazis in all manner of amusing scenarios. Brilliant http://e-23.org/glukoza/video.php

Looking for information on the Battle of New Orleans I came across this site - the Gallery of Illustration http://www.galleryofillustration.com/index.html

that had this paiting by Ronald Embleton

Battle of New Orleans?
This maybe another off-the-wall idea but that's why its my blog - so I can say what I want. How about this? We organise a one-off charity benefit reenactment of the Battle of New Orleans? It could involve lots of groups and could be the sort of thing that would generate a good response. Why not approach a host site for an event? I can think of one place at least?

250th anniversary of 1755

This year is pretty significant in the form of anniversaries and the like - it is the 250th of the year 1755 - the year when everything kicked off with the French and Indian war - or the Seven years war. Events of 1755 are here http://www.sevenyearswarassociation.com/Reference/SYWChron1755.html
This is a period much favoured by filmmakers, novelists and the like most notably 'Lsst of the Mohicans' 'Northwest Passage' (about Rogers Rangers rather than the passage of the title which only comes in the end when they set off to find it!) and soon the already mentioned 'Nouvelle France'.
The early battles of this war being celebrated this year in and around upstate New York and so on are pretty spectacular affairs so if you're in the states go to www.frenchandindianwar250.org
In the UK check out http://www.nfoe.org.uk/

The History of the World - in movies
I just thought of this concept - why I don't know, but perhaps Sky's Hollywood versus History season sparked it off, but anyway here it is. A comprehensive list of feature films chronologically depicting the history of the world - say from prehistory to 2000. It could be subdivided into periods. Once assembled it could provide quite an interesting resource if only to find out the gaps when moviemakers just can't be bothered.

My Doorbell White Stripes
http://www.whitestripes.net/downloads.php This is a pleasant slice of Americana with naked 'Basement tapes' piano over the usual heaven and hell drumming you get with the Striped ones. The video is a treat showing them playing an infants school in retro black and white.

Rough Crossings - Simon Schama hits the bigtime
This book http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0563487097/026-9843732-4606047
is picking up good reviews. Basically it concerns slaves during the American Revolution and Britain's involvement in their fate. It's part of a huge deal worth £3 million - the largest advance given to a tv historian as there will be two BBC series scheduled on Anglo-American migration and relations to follow.
There's a review here http://www.economist.com/printedition/displayStory.cfm?Story_ID=4316123 as I'm not going to shell out 20 quid - I'll wait for it in the library, but it does look an interesting subject.
An interview with the UK's most popular historian is here http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2002/10/18/bascham18.xml

Two autumn historical blockbusters
Two big pictures this year deal with aspects of America's past - one 'New World' directed by Terence Malick stars Colin Farrell as John Smith http://www.thenewworldmovie.com/
The website has some interstng features sucj as the choreographing of Native extras and building the Jamestown Fort. Also stars Wes (Magua) Studi
Also this autumn is Nouvelle France - http://www.filmnouvellefrance.com/
set in 1750s Canada starring Gerard Depardieu this Canadian made movie has looked interesting from the trailer but other reports suggest it may be disappointing

Napoleon III's camp at Chalons photos from 1857
This website is a must if you like me have an interest in military history. These photos show a series of military maneuvres in 1857 - done at the height of the military fame of the French army it depicts Zouaves in camp as well as a series of sculptures done by the units in their semi permanent bivouac.
http://www.napoleon.org/en/special_dossier/chalons/homepage/home.html

'George Bush doesn't care about Black People'
watch Kanye West - see below - lets rip on live tv - worth watching someone telling it like it is. Respect
http://www.collegehumor.com/movies/1604601/

Kanye West Golddigger
Do you like hip hop? I have to admit to liking it above most of what counts as 'pop' music these days. This is one single that we all liked. It features Jamie Foxx (he who played Ray Charles in the recent biopic) singing a hacked-about sample of the vocal line of Brother Ray's 'I got a Woman'. Of course I immediately tried to seem hip and interest those about by playing the original but noone cared
ANYWAY
The hook line is
Now I aint sayin she a gold digger
But she aint messin wit no broke niggaz
Nod your head slowly to the beat, if you like it.
See the glamour-heavy video here http://www.nobodysmiling.com/hiphop/musicvideo/84996.php
lyrics here http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Golddigger-lyrics-Kanye-West/455A56FFA5F48AFA482570560053ED5E

Love In A Trashcan Video - Raveonettes
Danish countryfied rockers the Raveonettes have made a great video for this track which I think is the highlight of the album 'Pretty in Black'. I said 'bet they do a version in pink vinyl' and guess what? - they do. But 16 other versions are available - see
http://www.raveonettes.com/

Fats Domino news
To me, someone who will always be the embodiment of New Orleans - Fats Domino - is safe and well according to the online page http://www.fatsonline.nl/
A photo showing him being rescued gives all music fans a boost but it has to be said that the world must be in mourning for one of the most important cultural centres in the world which is currently in a state of disaster. Share some time to feel compassion for the people still suffering and let's hope they get some aid fast. New Orleans, famous for its jazz has given the world some of the finest rock and roll, r'n'b and soul music too - try and help where you can.
Learn more about New Orleans by following the NO links on Fats' homepage above

CBGBS to close?
is the legendary club about to close - does this mean another ambition to remain unfulfilled?
http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/music/article.adp?id=20050831141209990015

Wrong again Robin
This is Alex - a Robin and regular visitor to our garden - in fact he lands on us sometimes. This photo was taken without zoom - he was within a few feet. Now as I know it Robins are friendly only in the UK where they have a special status related to the martyrdom of Christ - and were therefore not captured or killed. Can anyone verify this fact? Pic by Bea