The Spirit of Christmas...

... is roaming the land, spreading light in the darkness.

We wish that all visitors to Shades of Gray have a joyous Christmas!

It's Fanny Friday!

 

Christmas is coming...

 ... and Cassie was surprised when we told her that she may have taken our conversations about celebrating Christmas with just the bare essentials the wrong way.

Musical Monday with the Pogues

Guest performer on "A Fairytale of New York" Kristy McColl has described it as " a Christmas song for those who hate Christmas songs". Others (unknown if they hate Christmas songs or love Christmas songs) stumble toward the fainting couch or wet themselves, because the lyrics are outrageous (OUTRAGEOUS!) and offensive because they include one character in the song insulting another as they fight by calling him a "faggot" (right after he calls her a "slut").

We like the song and we think it's clear that those who are pitching fits over that word need to get over themselves and haven't actually listened to the lyrics or are too stupid to understand a thing called "context". 

And we hope they never come upon a whole host of rap songs. Or even some nursery rhymes.

Hell, if someone with a brain was looking for a reason to take offense at this song, there's a MUCH more serious reason to do so, if you choose to interpert the story of the song in a particular way. But requires listening and thinking... something most people don't do these days. (Now, we still think anyone who's wailing and gnashing their teeth are behaving like idiots and haven't put enough thought into their reaction, but at least they would have put SOME thought into it.)

But take a look at this great video and listen to this fine song. Or not.

A Fairytale of New York (1987)
Starring: The Pogues, Shane MacGowan, Kristy McColl, and Matt Dillon
Director: Peter Dougherty

Rating: Seven of Ten Stars

An example of why creators need assistants...

 

It's a Fanny Friday

 Back in 1921, the first Miss America was crowned in Atlantic City, hailed as the most beautiful of bathing beauties. She was Margaret Gorman, and we imagine that she was a lot like a real-life Flapper Fanny!

Happy Birthday, Vanessa Hudgens!

Singer and actress Vanessa Hudgens turns 35 years old today. She began performing in musical theater at the age of 8, and by the time she was in her mid-teens, she'd gained worldwide fame for her role in the "High School Musical" film series and a number of other projects for the Walt Disney Company.

At 18, her career took a minor hit when nude photos of her were stolen and leaked online, but she soon recovered and her fame has only grown as the years have gone by. Today, we celebrate her birthday with a small gallery of photos.

 

 
 

 

 

Christmas is Coming...

 ... and Vera-Ellen is here to let you know that the Big Day will be here before you know it!

Christmas is Coming!

She sees you when you're sleeping. She knows when you're awake.

She knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness' sake.

Norma Shearer is coming to town!

Important Announcement from Slaughter Valley

 If you plan on visiting us here in Slaughter Valley soon, or if you're a neighbor who may have missed this important weather-related PSA, you should watch this so you aren't taken by surprise.