‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the Hall
Not a creature was stirring, not warrior nor thrall.
And I in my armor, my shield and my helm
Was drunker than anyone else in the Realm.
I staggered upstairs and fell into bed
While four quarts of mead were ablaze in my head.
Then up from below came the sounds of a brawl
So I grabbed up my axe and ran down to the Hall.
I missed the last step and crashed down in a heap
Thinking, “Why can’t those low-lifes downstairs go to sleep!”
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But two brawny strangers, wielding mallet and spear.
I said to myself, “We’ll soon have them beat!”
Then I noticed ten warriors laid out at their feet.
I gave out a yell and leapt into the fray…
I’ll always regret my poor choice of that day.
For the one laid his hammer to the side of my nose
And up, up, up to the rafters I rose.
Then came a lone frightened voice from the floor,
“Those are no mortal warriors — that’s Odin and Thor!”
Then they looked at each other and they said, “Battle’s done.
Now they know who we are, it no longer is fun.”
Then Thor raised his hammer, and his elbow he bent,
And with a loud crash, through the ceiling they went.
I crawled through the Hall and flung open the door,
Not really sure that I’d seen them before.
The snow bathed in starlight, the moon like a glede,
I saw them ride off on an eight-legged steed.
And I heard them exclaim, ‘ere they flew out of sight,
“TO HELA WITH CHRISTMAS, WE JUST LOVE A GOOD FIGHT!”
Amused Me Enough To Post….
On the twelfth day of Christmas, 
GMSkarka sent to me…
GMSkarka sent to me…
Twelve pirates drumming
Eleven languages piping
Ten comics a-leaping
Nine blades dancing
Eight swords acting
Seven books a-writing
Six movies a-flirting
Five pu-u-u-ulp heroes
Four universal monsters
Three renaissance festivals
Two star wars
…and a theater in a new york city.
Friday Music
I stumbled upon two new artists this week, and so this Friday Music entry features double-shots from both, because I think they’re keen, and I hope you do as well:
First up,
Yeah, that’s all it took to grab me, too. I hunted down some of her music, gave a listen, and….WOW. I ordered the CD via the links on her website pretty much immediately.
Here are two tracks from the CD Opheliac:
Emilie Autumn – “Misery Loves Company.”
and the harpsichord-laden title track,
The second artist that I discovered this week comes to us from the Scissor-Sisters-esque vein of tone-perfect 70s reconstructions. I listened to two singles from the artist in question, Mika—both of which I present here:
This first is an absolutely perfect tribute to the sound of Freddie Mercury and Queen (even name-checks Freddie in the lyrics): Mika – “Grace Kelly”
Here’s another great mash-up, mixing Johnny Cash with the Wu-Tang Clan. It works a helluva lot better than you’d expect:
Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun died yesterday. He created one of the first indie labels, which fostered quite a lot of talent, and went on to become a jazz and pop empire by the 1960s. He was also a songwriter — here is his best-known work: Ray Charles – “The Mess Around.”
Lastly, just because you sometimes just need brilliant New Wave sung by a playboy bunny wearing a plexiglass bra: Missing Persons – “Words.”
Enjoy.