Saturday, October 09, 2004

Home Improvement

Finally starting to figure this thing out a little. Although this template didn't come with a pre-formatted section for a blogroll, I figured out how to add one, and a few links.

And if anybody ever does read this, you really shouldnt miss the Prelinger Video Archive. It is the most extraordinary online collection of hundreds, if not thousands, of obscure films from the middle of the 20th century, all available for free online viewing in their entirety. Things like industrial training films, obscure documentaries, old TV commercials. (The original "See the USA in your Chevrolet!" is among the most popular.)

One that I found utterly fascinating was a two-part training film for police officers on how to safely and humanely subdue a mentally disturbed individual. It was shot in the early 1960s in New Orleans, where I live, using real New Orleans cops. I even recognized some of the neighborhoods. And yes, the Central Grocery on Decatur in the Quarter really has been there forever, looking exactly the same.

So, my mythical and non-existent reader, go check it out.

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