Waitin' for the Weekend

Sunday Drive: It's Magic

Doris Day's exquisite rendering of this lovely tune, featured in the movie Romance on the High Seas, was her breakthrough hit as a solo artist in 1948.

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)

Today, St. George's Day, is the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death, and much as I admire his genius, I am loath to repeat the many praises and tributes flooding the intertubes on this occasion.  Instead, I offer my truckbuddies the chance to reacquaint themselves with the entirety of his marvelous oeuvre by way of the spirited efforts of the renowned Reduced Shakespeare Company, who, with typical American gusto, specialize in presenting the Bard's complete works onstage in just an hour and a half - believe it or not.  A sample of their work:






Should anyone care to watch the whole performance, he can do so here, in a somewhat better video version.  It may also be available on Netflix.

Waitin' for the Weekend

This week, a little something different:

Unknown muscleman "Apollo," age 22, circa 1900

Bobby Pandur, 1912

The great Eugen Sandow, posing as the Farnese Hercules, 1893

The Reuter Brothers, circa 1900

Stereoscopic view of two unknown models, late 19th century

Happy Birthday, Your Majesty

To mark the Queen's birthday, Royal Mail today issued this set of stamps displaying the line of succession to the Throne, including 
little Prince George in his first philatelic appearance.
Click to enlarge.

Queen Elizabeth II today celebrates her 90th birthday, enjoying sunny skies for a walkabout at Windsor Castle, where she was greeted by many loyal well-wishers and presented with a specially commissioned birthday cake.  Royal salutes were fired in London and other places about the British Isles and the Commonwealth to mark the monarch's birthday.




As is always the custom, the official celebrations will take place on the Queen's Official Birthday in June, but the Prime Minister, Mr. Cameron, filmed a special tribute to his Sovereign, which was released by 10 Downing Street today.




The ITV afternoon news broadcast in Britain was largely devoted to coverage of today's rather low-key events, all but the part from 13:00 to 17:15.




Rarely has the world seen such a splendid example of unwavering public service and steadfast devotion to duty throughout a long and eventful life - truly she is herself the jewel in Britain's crown. The Queen is the only notable person for whom your Head Trucker has undimmed respect and admiration, not to mention affection, and I say with all my heart:  May God bless her - long may she reign!

Sunday Drive: Handel, La Réjouissance

As performed by the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, conducted by Sir Neville Marriner:

Waitin' for the Weekend

Bob Hager

Sunday Drive: Moonglow/Picnic

From the delightful collaborative album Chester and Lester, 1976, which earned a Grammy award:

Waitin' for the Weekend

Sunday Drive: Puccini, O Mio Babbino Caro

The famous aria, as performed by André Rieu and his orchestra, featuring Brazilian soprano Carmen Monarcha, before an audience of more than 38,000 in Melbourne, Australia, in 2008:

Waitin' for the Weekend