Battlestar Galactica Composer Plays Accordion

I love Battlestar Galactica. I love the music for Battlestar Galactica, which is composed by Bear McCreary. I also happen to have a certain fondness for the accordion.

So how come I'm only now finding out that Bear plays accordion?

See him in action in this video from his 30th birthday party, in which he joins his brother's band in a version of "All Along the Watchtower" -- Galactica style.

Wacky Costumes in a Wacky Market

Reuters reports German stock traders spent Tuesday in costumes celebrating Germany's Carnival Tuesday. The photo gallery is worth a peek, even though there doesn't seem to be any images of the accordion player costumes referenced in the article.

Get a Free Quiznos Sub Sandwich

No really -- the chain restaurant is giving away 1 million subs, and all you have to do is give 'em your e-mail address. (The counter says there are still about half a million in the freebie chute.)

Odd Jobs

How's that economy treating you? If you need a new idea on how to get your hands on some more money, CNN & Fortune Magazine has an article calling attention to the odd jobs that exist. You won't see these job titles on Craigslist; titles like Movie Prop Replicator and IMAX Screen Cleaner. If you're ready to dive into an kooky job, MSN Money has a more how-to based article.

Do you already have an odd job? Tell us about it in the comments.

Photo by stuartpibrow/Flickr

Jimmy Sturr Does It Again!

Congratulations to TDA pal Jimmy Sturr for bringing home his 18th Grammy. Dang, we'd settle for one. Watch out Jimmy, we just might put out own polka CD later this year!

Accordionize Your Home - Part III

Did you buy the accordion couch and the accordion dresser, but now you're looking for a way to accordionize the dining room? Try serving Accordion Red Potatoes. The simple dish partially slices the tuber to mimic an accordion's bellows.

Do you have an accordion or music related recipe? Share it with us in the comments. Perhaps button box mutton chops? Stuffed stomach Steinway appetizers? Some diatonic gastronomic delights?

Don't Press the Emergency Yodel Button

No really. Don't press it. This is not an emergency. And even if it were an emergency, pressing it wouldn't help. It wouldn't help at all.

And, whatever you do, don't buy one for your home. That's the last thing any of us needs, especially in times like these. In situations like this. Not emergencies, mind you, but ... periods of stress and doubt.

I mean it. Don't press it. Think of the children.

Beer Gear, From Can to Refrigerator Robot

One thing that is not missing here -- beer, beer, beer.

Wired.com's gallery of
beer gear mashes total gadget geek-out with breweriana.

("Mashes" ... get it?)

The reason? Today marks the birthday of that most modest of summertime beer-drinking essentials, the styrofoam cooler.

New Salary Cap for TDA Bass Player: $500,000

In a real tearjerker of an article, The New York Times outlines why it's practically impossible for a captain of the banking industry to live on the half-million-a-year annual top salary proposed by President Barack Obama for bailout-backed institutions.

I can almost hear the sad accordions playing as I propose that the top salary for a bass player in Those Darn Accordions be set at just $500,000. It's going to put a crimp in my style, but I accept it for the greater good.

(How's that TARP check working out, Paul?)

Video: Foxes Bounce on a Trampoline

Actual foxes (the kind with fur and tails) on an actual trampoline.

[via Videogum]

Deep-Fried Splendors on Display

Witness the unspeakable beauty of corndog pizza, the Turbaconucken (pictured) and a french fry-encased hot dog on a stick on a delectable website called This Is Why You're Fat.

(According to NYC Food Guy, the Turbaconducken is "a chicken inside a duck inside a turkey, all wrapped in bacon.")

I am to embrace the awesome marvel that is road food once again.

Happy Birthday, Suzanne!

(Shhhhh ... let's see if she reads this blog.)

Photo by Arkadiusz Benedykt/Flickr

Don't Miss the Mad Maggies' CD Release Party

The Mad Maggies play a special CD-release party this Saturday in San Francisco. Accordion-squeezin' bandleader Maggie Martin is a hoot, and a great friend of TDA.

Original TDA drummer Bill Schwartz plays with the Maggies these days, and the big band consists of a bunch of nice people playing fun and interesting international music.

Think reels, sea chanteys, polkas and some rock, all pulsed through a giant honking blender with horns, accordion and a full rhythm section.

The new record, Skull & Magpies, sounds great, and I was lucky enough to play on a few of the tracks.

Here are the details on the CD-release party from Maggie herself:

A rousing night of musick, pyrates and high seas rabble celebrating the Mad Maggies latest musical offering, Skull & Magpies.

Doors open at 8 p.m. -- $10 donation

The Accordion Apocalypse Repair Shop
2626 Jennings St., Bayview
San Francisco • (415) 596-5952

Look your pyrate or wench best!

Because it is a "private" organization's party it can be all ages.
The owner Skylar will contract for someone to run a bar (with rum drinks, natch ;-)

If you are anywhere near San Francisco, get thee to the partee.

See a Coconut-Size Kidney Stone

I had my first kidney stone just before New Year's Day. It felt like it was about this size. Ouchy.

[via BuzzFeed]

Beer Week Comes to San Francisco

The event: SF Beer Week.

The dates: Feb. 6 to 15, 2009.

The deal: "America's original craft beer-drinking city" pops the top on seven days of high-end suds. SF Beer Week is already twittering away.

There's only one thing missing here: bratwurst.

Groundhog Bites Mayor Bloomberg

Chuck the Groundhog bit New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg after the official repeatedly took an ear of corn from the irritated rodent.

"He got my finger pretty good," said Bloomberg after the incident.

I'll bet. What kind of moron tries to steal a groundhog's corn? A bleeding one. The city slicker is lucky he didn't draw back a stump from Chuck's hideout.

[via New York Daily News]

Creepiest Watermelon Ever

Everybody turns pumpkins into art at Halloween, but will watermelon carving become a summertime treat?

[via BuzzFeed]