Rat Pack Lingo

Do you need some new vocab?

18 KARAT
All the way, full-out: “An 18 karat idiot.”

BABY
Used as an exclamation as well as a term of endearment.

BAG
As in “my bag,” a person's particular interest.

BARN BURNER
A very stylish, classy woman.

BEARD
A male friend who acts as a 'cover', usually for extramarital affairs.

BEETLE
A girl who dresses in flashy clothes.

BIG-LEAGUER
A resourceful man who can handle any situation.

BIRD
A “suitcase” word sometimes used in reference to the pelvic section.

BOMBSVILLE
Any kind of failure in life.

BROAD
Affectionate term for a girl or woman with sex appeal.

BUM
A person who is despised, most frequently linked to people in the media.

BUNTER
A man who fails in almost everything he does, the opposite of gasser.

CASH OUT
Leave, as in “Cash me out of this party” = “I'm leaving.”

CHARLEY
A general term for anyone whose name has been forgotten. See also Sam.

CHARLIES
Admiring word for a woman's breasts.

CHICK
A young and invariably pretty girl.

CLAM-BAKE
A party or get-together.

CLYDE
A word used to cover a multitude of personal observations: viz “I don't like her clyde” means “I don't like her voice,” etc.

COOL
A term of admiration for a person or place. An alternative word meaning the same thing is crazy.

CREEP
A man who is disliked for any reason whatsoever.

CROAKER
A derogatory term for a doctor.

CRUMB
Someone for whom it is impossible to show respect.

DAME
A generally derogatory term for a probably unattractive woman. The word dog is also sometimes substituted.

DIG
A term of appreciation for a person or thing, as in “I dig her,”

DIMMERS
Eyes (as in “I gotta see the croaker about my bad dimmers.”)

DYING
As in “I'm dying” which means “I'm slightly upset.”

END
A word to signify that someone or something is the very best.

ENDSVILLE
A term to express total failure, and similar to bombsville. See ville.

FINK
A man who cannot be relied upon, whose loyalties are suspect.

FIRST BASE
The start of something, usually applied in terms of failure when someone has failed to reach it.

FRACTURE
As in “That fractures me,” meaning “That's an amusing joke.”

GAS
A great situation as in “The day was a gas.”

GASOLINE
A term for alcohol, more specifically, Frank's favourite drink, Jack Daniel's Bourbon Whisky.

GASSER
A man or woman highly admired, considered to be the best or “The End!”

GOFER
Someone who does menialjobs or runs errands, as in “go for drinks,” etc.

GOOD NIGHT ALL
A term of invective to change the subject of conversation.

GROOVE
As in “in the groove,” a term of admiration or approval.

HARVEY
A man or woman who acts in a stupid or naive fashion; sometimes shortened to a “Harve.”

HACKED
A word used to describe someone who is angry, as in “He's hacked off.”

HELLO
A cry of surprise to no one in particular when a beautiful woman is seen.

HEY-HEY
We better let Frank explain this one.

HUNKER
A jack-of-all-trades rather like the gofer.

JOKES
A term used to describe an actor's lines in a film script.

LET'S LOSE CHARLEY
A term used among intimates who want to get rid of a bore in their company.

LOCKED-UP
As in “All locked-up,” a term for a forthcoming date or engagement, private or public.

LOSER
Anyone who has made a mess of their life, drinks too much, makes enemies, etc.

MISH-MASH
Similar to loser but refers specifically to a woman who is mixed up.

MOUSE
Usually a small, very feminine girl who invites being cuddled.

NOWHERE
A term of failure, usually applied to a person, viz “He's nowhere.”

ODDS
Used in connection with important decisions, as in “The odds aren't right,” meaning not to go somewhere, accept anything or buy something.

ORIGINAL LOSER
A man or woman without talent; sometimes more fully expressed as ”He (she) is the original Major Bowes Amateur Hour loser.”

PLATINUM
Having a big heart, generous. “You're platinum, pussycat!”

PLAYER
Term for a man who is a gambler by nature, who makes friends easily, and never gives up trying.

PUNKS
Any undesirable, in particular mobsters, gangsters or criminals.

QUIN
Derisive term for any girl or woman who is an easy pick-up.

RAIN
As in “I think it's going to rain” indicating that it is time to leave a dull gathering or party.

RING-A-DING!
A term of approval for a beautiful girl, viz “What a ring-a-ding broad!”

SAM
Used in the same way as Charley for a person whose name has been forgotten, most often applied to females.

SCAM
To cheat at gambling, as in “Hey, what's the scam?”

SCRAMSVILLE
To run off.

SHARP
A person who dresses well and with style.

SMASHED
A word used to describe someone who is drunk. On occasions it has been replaced with “pissed.”

SOLID
Definite, reliable. (Note: this was also used by Linc in “The Mod Squad.”)

SQUARE
A person of limited character, not unlike a harvey.

SWING
v. To hang out and drink, smoke, sing, generally get real loose.

TOMATO
As in “a ripe tomato” a woman ready for seduction or even marriage.

TWIRL
A girl who loves dancing. An alternative word with the same meaning is a “Twist.”

VILLE
A suffix used to indicate changes in any given situation. See endsville, etc.

WITCHDOCTOR
Member of the clergy.

WOW-EE WOW WOW
figured importantly in the Rat Pack lexicon for a while in the late 50s and early 60s. It was an expression of glee, joyful anticipation and a euphemism for lubricious fun.

Delay Doesn't Delay

Trying to sneak through without notice in the news cycle, Delay sent out his resignation letter:

From his press office:

WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Tom DeLay (R-Texas) sent the following letter to members of the House Republican Conference, explaining his decision to permanently step down as majority leader:
Dear Colleague,

Today, I have asked Speaker Hastert to convene our conference for the purpose of electing a new majority leader, the position I have been honored to fill these past three years through the trust and confidence of our colleagues.

During my time in Congress, I have always acted in an ethical manner within the rules of our body and the laws of our land. I am fully confident time will bear this out.

However, we live in serious times and the United States House of Representatives must be focused on the job of protecting our nation and meeting the daily challenges facing the American people. History has proven that when House Republicans are united and focused, success follows.

While we wage these important battles, I cannot allow our adversaries to divide and distract our attention. I will continue to stand up for the issues I care so deeply about and work with you all on these priorities. I am constantly thankful for the support of my constituents in recent days as well as over the years they have allowed me to serve them. I will continue to work every day to fulfill their trust, and yours.

Regards,

Tom DeLay

Update: If it was up to me, Congressman Bill Thomas (R-Bakersfield) would be the next Majority Leader. He's just as tough as Delay, but much smarter. Blunt was the nice guy who was supposed to soften the edge of Delay -- I don't think he's shown that he's tough enough to be the leader. Boehner is known to be lots of fun, but is he smart enough? Congressman Thomas is the one who has successfully carried the very toughest and most important legislation -- Tax Cuts - Tax Cuts - Tax Cuts! And if you care about Social Security reform (which you ought to care about) he's the only one who will tackle it.

A Swinging Time in Palm Springs

Marlene and I had a coolsville New Year's weekend with a Rat Pack Vibe in Southern California.

You all may not know it, but 2006 is going to be a total Rat Pack year. We'll be celebrating Frank, Dino, Sammy and even Joey as we work on our major New Year's Resolution: Have More Fun!

We started out Friday with a trip to the Shag show in Santa Monica and dinner at Schatzi's on Main.

The show was spectacular and runs until January 21st at the Copra/Nason Gallery ... For the first time, all of Shag's prints hung together. Here's the official show print, titled "Well Hung"




Then we drove in our red convertible to the completely Fab Caliente Tropics Motel in Palm Springs.

Completely restored in 2001, its splash-to-guest ratio is the best America's Desert Playground has to offer, servicing a mere 90 rooms and suites. Tipping the scale at over 100,000 gallons, it holds the title of the third largest pool in Palm Springs - no wonder it was a favorite hang-out for Elvis, as well as a very young Nancy Sinatra, and the site of one of the first Miss Hawaiian Tropic contests.

Our clover leaf shaped therapeutic pool seats up to 12 persons and is 3.5 feet deep - deeper than most.

Both pools are original and were completely renovated in 2001, meeting all modern-day filtering and technical specifications, with all-new infrastructures and surfaces.

Swim by the light of the tiki torches, in the same pool where Elvis hung-out and Nancy Sinatra grew-up!

Saturday we window shopped at some really cool mod shops on Palm Canyon Avenue before our tour of the stars. More on that when I get my photos developed ...

It's New Year's Eve night and we crash the party at Las Casuelas Mexican Restaurant on Palm Canyon Ave. It was a fabulous night with much drinking, dancing and even New Year's Eve kissing.

A trip to Palm Springs famous Palm Canyon Drive would not be complete without a visit to Las Casuelas Terraza.

Delicious, authentic Mexican cuisine, in a romantic atmosphere, maginifico margaritas and plenty of entertainment have made it a longtime favorite with locals and visitors alike.

Located in the heart of downtown Palm Springs at 222 South Palm Canyon Drive, award-winning Las Casuelas Terraza is "the spot" for people watching, dining and dancing under the stars.



Sunday morning, after recovery, we started shopping again. I think I'm going to buy myself an egg chair from Room Service.



The Rat Pack print from the top of the post is on display at the Huesso Gallery, along with prints of Marilyn, Elvis and others. Very cool store.

After I spent my dough, Marlene wanted to spend hers at the poker table, so we headed to the Morongo Casino, a 20 minute drive from Palm Springs. She won a couple of pots and we headed back to town.

Next stop at the new Matchbox Pizza for flatbread/pizza. They are open every night late, and have a second happy hour from 11pm - 1 am for the night owls.

The River's Gonna Rise

USA Today has a report

Winter storm causes Calif. rivers to swell
SACRAMENTO (AP) — A drenching winter storm swelled rivers in northern California to their highest levels in seven years, causing power outages and forcing some residents to evacuate.

I just drove over the J Street Bridge (near Sac State) and the water is about 6 or 7 feet higher than normal. I once went to an East Sacramento Association meeting that had a color coded map of the flood times "when" the levee breaks. The levee guy said "Don't ever say If the levee breaks, there is no doubt that it eventually will. Always say When the levee breaks."

I'm on a little crest of a hill, so I'm in the 12 hour flood area. My buddy Miller's Time has now moved to the 2 hour flood area. So, whenever it rains, say a little prayer for Mr. and Mrs. Millers Time. The Yolo Cowboy and The House of Uncommon Sense might also be in the flood plain, but the Roseville Consevative is likely on high ground. Annika, Beekeeper, Digger, the High School Conservative, Fetching Jen, Sacto Dan and the Three Knockdown Rule, our other Sacratomatans, may or may not be in the danger zone. The flood man said that the entire city of Sacramento would be flooded within 24 hours when the levee breaks. Hopefully just a couple feet under ...

Christmas Song Summary

I've got the lyrics for your sing-along tonight!


Angels We Have Heard on High
Away In A Manger
Cool Yule
Count Your Blessings
Go Tell It on The Mountain
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Good Christian Men Rejoice
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Home For The Holdiays
It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Jolly Old Saint Nicholas
Joy To The World
Let It Snow
Little Town of Bethlehem
O Come, All Ye Faithful
O Holy Night
Santa Baby
Silent Night
That's What I Want for Christmas
The Christmas Waltz
The Little Drummer Boy
The Man With The Bag
The Merriest
Up On the Rooftop
Warm December
We Three Kings
What Are You Doing New Years Eve
What Child Is This
Winter Wonderland

Dick Cheney and I Share Our Ipod Tunes

WASHINGTON, Dec. 22, 2005 — After a four-day overseas trip that took him to four countries in the Middle East, Vice President Dick Cheney really wanted to get his iPod charged for that long return flight to Washington.

Since it is his plane, the vice president's iPod took priority and was plugged into one of the only working power outlets on Air Force Two, frustrating reporters who were trying to file stories.

What's on that iPod that Cheney was so eager to charge it up and put on the headphones?

The vice president's iPod library ranges from country to classical, according to an administration official.

He has a good amount of music from the 1940s and 1950s (oldies but goodies) and apparently is fond of Johnny Cash.

I also have a good amount of music from the 1940s and 1950s and lots of Johnny Cash.

Ella Fitzgerald, Julie London, Lena Horne, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin (can't you just picture the VP singing Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime to Lynn)

Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime

Everybody loves somebody sometime
Everybody falls in love somehow
Something in your kiss just told me
(That) My sometime is now

Everybody finds somebody someplace
There's no telling where love may appear
Something in my heart keeps saying
(That) My someplace is here

If I had it in my power
I'd arrange for every girl to have your charm
Then every minute, every hour
Every boy would find what I've found in your arms

Everybody loves somebody sometime
And although my dream was overdue
Your love made it well worth waiting
For someone like you

June Christy, the Queen of Coffeehouse Cool

The Merriest
Sung by June Christy


I'd like to fix this bag of tricks and hand them out with a fleeting greeting
Smiles for the frowners, salute to the uppers, boos for the downers
May the day be the bowl of cherriest and to all the merriest

Hope you swing during the season, hope the days go great
Hope you find plenty of reason the whole year long to celebrate

Sun for the mopers, a laugh to the criers, luck to the hopers
To the strange and the ordinariest
Me to You: The Merriest


Thoughts for the musers, a cheer for the winners, breaks for the losers
do the beats and the debonairest, greetings like the merriest.

Hope there's oil under your rosevine, hope you get that raise
Hope you hope everything goes fine for the next 300 and some odd days

Friends for the loners, a song for the singers, grins for the groaners
Make the day nothing can compariest
Have the most the merriest

Have the most the merriest.

A Different Christmas Poem

*Update

B.T.'s sister, Maureen Collins Baker, will be at the Sacramento Fair Oaks Blvd Borders on Wednesday, June 4th, at 7pm autographing her new book, Outrageous Hero, The B.T. Collins Story. See you there!

Here's info about the book


http://tinyurl.com/3jwaz6

I get alot of searches from people looking for info on my dear friend BT Collins. I check back on the google or yahoo page that brought them in, and I always find very inspirational websites. Today I stumbled across Ranger 25 - The web page of the 2nd Brigade - 1st Air Cavalry Division - United States Army, Airmobile Infantry - Vietnam.

They had a Christmas poem posted. I don't know the author.

A DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS POEM
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim
light, I gazed round the room and I
cherished the sight. My wife was asleep,
her head on my chest, My daughter beside
me, angelic in rest
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas
Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was
deep, Secure and surrounded by love I
would sleep. In perfect contentment, or
so it would seem, So I slumbered, perhaps
I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too
near, But I opened my eyes when it tickled
my ear. Perhaps just a cough, I didn't
quite know, Then the sure sound of
footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who
was near. Standing out in the cold and
the dark of the night, a lone figure stood,
his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
standing watch over me, and my wife and
my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without
fear, "Come in this moment, it's freezing out
here! Put down your pack, brush the
snow from your sleeve, You should be at
home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment; I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in
drifts.. To the window that danced with a
warm fire's light. Then he sighed and he
said "Its really all right, I'm out here by
choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the
line, That separates you from the darkest
of times. No one had to ask or beg or
implore me, I'm proud to stand here like
my fathers before me.

My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in
December," Then he sighed, "That's a
Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of
'Nam', And now it is my turn and so,
here I am. I've not seen my own son in
more than a while, But my wife sends me
pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from
his bag, The red, white, and blue...
an American flag.
"I can live through the cold and the being
alone, Away from my family , my house and
my home. I can stand at my post through
the rain and the sleet, I can sleep in a foxhole
with little to eat. I can carry the weight of
killing another, Or lay down my life with my
sister and brother.. Who stand at the front
against any and all, To ensure for all time
that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no
fright, Your family is waiting and I'll be all
right." "But isn't there something I can do,
at the least, "Give you money," I asked,
"or prepare you a feast?" It seems all too
little for all that you've done, For being
away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no
regret, "Just tell us you love us, and never
forget. To fight for our rights back at home
while we're gone, To stand your own watch,
no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or
dead, To know you remember we fought and
we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will
trust, That we mattered to you as you
mattered to us.

WE ALL NEED TO PRAY FOR OUR MILITARY
PERSONNEL EVERY NIGHT

That's What I Want For Christmas

Nancy Wilson was Capitol Record's second highest selling artist in the Sixties, second only to The Chairman of the Board, Frank Sinatra

That's What I Want For Christmas

When you said yesterday that it's nearly Christmas
What did I want and I thought just love me, love me, love me
That's what I want for Christmas

When I walk through a room let them see you need me
Walk through a room let them see you love me, love me, love me
That's what I want for Christmas

Anyone can wish for all the trinkets in the window
Some can even buy the things they see
But the presents that I want
You'll never find in any window
Bring me love and bring it just for me

When you come home at night
Take me in your arms and hold me
Kiss me, and say you love me, love me, oh love me
That's what I want for Christmas

Love me, Love me
Oh that's what I want, that's what I want for Christmas

Anyone can wish for all the trinkets in the window
Some can even buy the things they see
But the presents that I want
You'll never find in any window
Bring me love and bring it just for me

When you come home at night
And you take me in your arms
And you hold me kiss me
And say you love me, love me, love me
That's what I want for Christmas

Hold me
Kiss me
That's what I want for Christmas

Let's Do A Duet

Everyone's recorded this ... Dean Martin with a million different ladies, Steve Tyrell with Jane Monheit, Brian Setzer with Ann Margaret, Rod Stewart with Dolly Parton, Regis and Joy Philbin, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Carmen McRae, Tom Jones and Cerys Matthews of Catatonia (Truly Horrible)

Baby, It's Cold Outside Lyrics

I really can't stay - Baby, it's cold outside
I've got to go away - Baby, it's cold out there
This evening has been - Been hoping that you'd drop in
So very nice - I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice

My mother will start to worry - Beautiful what you're hurry
And father will be pacing the floor - Listen to that fireplace roar
So really I'd better scurry - Beautiful, please don't hurry
Well, maybe just a half a drink more - put some records on while I pour

And the neighbors might think - Baby it's bad out there
Say, what's in this drink? - No cabs to be had out there
I wish I knew how - Your eyes are like starlight now
To break the spell - I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell

I ought to say no, no, no sir - Mind if I move in closer?
At least I'm gonna say that I tried - What's the sense of hurtin' my pride?
I really can't stay - Baby don't hold out
Baby but it's cold outside

I simpely must go - but Baby it's cold outside
The answer is no - but baby, it's cold outside
The welcome has been - How lucky that you dropped in
So nice and warm - Look out that window, at the storm

My sister will be suspicious - Gosh, your lips look delicious
My brother will be there at the door - Waves upon a tropical shore
My maiden aunt's mind is vicious - Gosh, your lips are delicious
Well maybe just a half a drink more - Oh, never such a blizzard before

I've got to go home - Baby, you'll freeze out there
Say, lend me your coat - It's up to your knees out there
You've really been grand - I thrill when you touch my hand
But don't you see - How can you do this thing to me

There's bound to be talk tomorrow - Think of my lifelong sorrow
At least there will be plenty implied - If you caught pneumonia and died
I really can't stay - Get over that hold out
Baby but it's cold out side