TRAVELS AND ADVENTURES OF JAMES MASSEY (1714) – This is Part Two of Balladeer’s Blog’s look at Simon Tyssot de Patot’s work of ancient science fiction about his creation James Massey. We will pick up where we left off last time – our main character Dr. Massey and his travel mate La Foret had just been taken in by the first living human beings they encountered on the lost island.
A few days later, while our heroes were still in the very early stages of learning the language spoken in the city, James and his friend got caught up in a ritual they barely understood. Early one morning, every family in the city made their way across the major bridge with each head of household carrying their largest rooster.
For a sophomoric laugh I’ll mention that one of the lines in the book is literally “Our opposite neighbor expos’d his cock against ours; and the others did the same thing, it being a general cock-match between the people on both sides of the canal.”
I’ll spare all of us any details of the actual cockfights. When the fighting was over, the family whose cock lost the fight welcomed the winner’s family over to their home. The winner’s family brought along all of the food they had prepared for this eventful day, and the two families feasted and drank together the rest of the day.
The following day the holiday celebrations continued, this time with the eldest son from each family on both sides of the canal taking part in Grease Pole competitions for the prize poultry at the top of said poles. Rather than a ham or turkey, the prize in this case was one of the oversized eagles indigenous to the uncharted island.
NOTE: In Part One of my review it was established that birds, like all the other animals on the island, were much larger than they were in the outside world. For instance, a beaver the size of a bear and a 25 foot long serpent were encountered. Goats were as large as horses and were used as mounts and beasts of burden. Continue reading
Gina Carano has proven how impressive she can be in action roles, and that got me thinking about various roles I’d like to see her in. 
BELIT, THE QUEEN OF THE BLACK COAST – For people who aren’t fans of Robert E. Howard I’ll mention that the female pirate captain was the great love in the life of Conan the Barbarian. 
Z-Bear, her husband and their children are a family in Hawaii who deejay the terrific YT channel Villa Vybes Vinyl. Z-Bear and her hubby are professionals and periodically let their kids take center stage for some of the DJ chores. It adds considerably to the charm of this eclectic channel. 
No matter how good digital is, many people still thrill to the sound of a needle pressing down on an actual vinyl record and the slight whispering and popping before the music begins to play. Z-Bear and company don’t waste the time of listeners/ viewers with DJ patter, they just let their audience see them going through all the vinyl DJ activities!
The VVV folks lovingly select, clean and otherwise care for the musical artifacts they proceed to play. They have an incredible setup with multiple turntables and other equipment that many will envy. Multiple camera angles are provided, plus Z-Bear and her family change up those angles over time.
DEMOCRATS AND CORPORATE FASCISM – Some excerpts: “Let’s start with the basics – long ago corporate fascists and other bloated rich pigs tended to gravitate toward the Republicans. However, the clueless Republican leadership understands nothing but money, while the Democrats understand power and its use.”
CIVIL RIGHTS ICON CLARENCE HENDERSON SAYS TRUMP “HAS DONE MORE FOR BLACK AMERICANS IN FOUR YEARS THAN BIDEN HAS IN FIFTY” – Excerpt: “These achievements demonstrate that Donald Trump truly cares about black lives. His policies show his heart.” CLICK 
DEMOCRAT MAYORS ENDORSING TRUMP OVER HIS HELP FOR THE WORKING CLASS – Some excerpts: “… politicians like Joe Biden did nothing to help the working class. We lost thousands of jobs, and generations of young people have left the Iron Range in order to provide for their families with good-paying jobs elsewhere.” 
CLOSE CALL FOR NUMBER ONE – The number 1 team in the nation – the SOUTH PLAINS COLLEGE TEXANS – visited the 11th ranked ODESSA COLLEGE WRANGLERS. 
CENTURY CLUB – The (25) WALTERS STATE SENATORS won by a final score of 109-81 at the DYERSBURG STATE EAGLES ### Meanwhile, the WAUBONSEE COLLEGE CHIEFS routed the visiting WILBUR WRIGHT COLLEGE RAMS 111-76 ### And the CASPER COLLEGE THUNDERBIRDS downed their guests the EASTERN WYOMING COLLEGE LANCERS by a final score of 101-90. 
FLASH Vol 1 #155 (September 1965) 
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