Happy 3rd Blog-O-Versary!!!

Today marks the third anniversary of wacky tacky [hold for applause].  In all honesty, I had no idea how to blog when I started and still feel like I haven't quite gotten the hang of it in terms of understanding technology, updating regularly, maintaining interest, building readership, etc.  At the inception of wacky tacky, when I spent a good deal of time looking for like-minded writers, I would come across authors who, tired of their own blogs, would publish posts full of farewells - fond and otherwise.  Perhaps my dour imagination was to blame, but it seemed to me that each one read as a virtual suicide note; "I have nothing left to say," "I just can't go on like this," or "It was nice knowing you," were common sentiments.  As a complete and utter novice, I couldn't for the life of me understand why anyone who started a blog would give up.  After all, blogging was supposed to be fun, right?  

Well, after three years and 320 posts under my belt, I'm not quite ready to announce my retirement but I am ready to admit that my perspective has broadened on the issue.  Like all writers, there are moments of defeat, distraction, and the dreaded writer's block.  Fortunately, those moments are far outweighed by the fun and friendship I find by maintaining occupancy in my kooky little corner of the internet.

Thanks for sticking with us as we stick one more candle on our wacky tacky cake!
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Reflecting back upon the last three years, I couldn't help but consider the significance of the number three.  It is often said that bad things come in threes, especially where celebrity deaths are concerned.  It has been my experience that the opposite is quite true; good things come in threes too.  I mean, hello, 3 Musketeers!!!

I am definitely of the "Schoolhouse Rock!" school of thought; "Three is a magic number!"  There is such a balance and harmony to sets of three (see: The McGuire Sisters, The Andrews Sisters, The Boswell Sisters, The Holy Trinity, et al).  By far, my favorite talented trio of all time is The Del Rubio Triplets!

Milly, Elena, and Eadie - better 

known as The Del Rubio Triplets

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Even at the tender age of eight, I was provided with a definitive answer (in the affirmative) for the age-old question, "Can there be love at first sight?"  From the first moment I saw them on the "Pee-Wee's Playhouse" Christmas special, I had an immediate fascination with and abiding love for the The Del Rubio Triplets. 

"Winter Wonderland" - The Del Rubio 

Triplets on "Pee-Wee's Playhouse" (1988)

Their star power wasn't relegated to just "Pee-Wee's Playhouse;" Milly, Elena, and Eadie became a major part of the late 1980's-early 1990's television landscape, making appearances on "Married with Children," "Full House," "New Monkees," "Night Court," and "The Golden Girls."

Their career spanned five decades!

Based on their interesting intonations, I always harbored the suspicion that the Del Rubios were from outside the continental United States (if not from out of this world).  While technically a US territory (the Panama Canal Zone), they were indeed born on a foreign shore in 1921.  It could be said that their musicality is not exactly what propelled the sisters to stardom.  The novelty of identical, sexagenarian triplets (emphasis on sex-y) in hot pants and blonde bouffants playing guitar and warbling hits by Devo and The Pointer Sisters was certainly not lost on a public insatiable for a little mid-century-styled camp.  Nevertheless, in its own wacky tacky way and after many years, the music of The Del Rubio Triplets still holds up for me.

"Ding-Dong, The Witch is Dead" - The Del Rubio Triplets

"These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" - The Del Rubio Triplets

"I Will Survive" - The Del Rubio Triplets

"Light My Fire" - The Del Rubio Triplets

Sadly, all three sisters have gone on to their great reward but our loss is most assuredly Heaven's gain.  I can just imagine Milly, Elena, and Eadie encouraging St. Peter to "Crack that whip!"

I'm definitely hoping that the adage, "The third time's the charm," holds true for wacky tacky.  As we enter our fourth year, our Blog-O-Versary wish is that we find even more reasons to delight in the wide world of wacky tacky with all of you wacky tacky turkey necks!

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

wacky tacky Icons: Huell Howser

Outside of California (and maybe some parts of Tennessee), the name Huell Howser probably doesn't mean very much.  Within our borders, however, it is a venerated name that invariably elicits a smile and/or a goofy impression.  Just about everyone in California does a Huell Howser impression (to varying degrees of accuracy/success), with everyone thinking their impression is the best.  A native son of Tennessee (with the accent to prove it), he moved to California in 1981 as a television news reporter and quickly became the unofficial, one-man Chamber of Commerce for our entire state.

Huell Howser
(October 18, 1945 - January 6, 2013)

Best known for his PBS series, "California's Gold," Huell had a folksy charm and guileless innocence that gave him entree into countless businesses, museums, homes, landmarks, monuments, parks, restaurants, and the hearts of history lovers and wacky tacky-ites all over the state. It was with great sadness that we learned he passed away last night at the age of sixty seven.

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To be honest (and it might be obvious by now), Huell is a huge hero of mine.  Whenever anybody asked me what my dream job would be, I always said, "Huell Howser's;" he showed us everything in our state that makes it so uniquely fun and fascinating.

His sunny disposition and optimism made him watchable.
His restored, mid-century volcano house made him wacky tacky!
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If you needed further proof...
Dolly, Huell & Loretta
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It is funny that it took a Southerner to remind us of the vitality and excitement of our western landscape; I guess that sometimes it takes a keen and objective eye and the wonder of a child to show you the beauty of your own hometown/state.

Huell at The Apple Pan

Huell Howser as himself with Tracey Ullman

in "Tracey Takes On Hollywood"

Huell's Videolog - "The Elephant Man"

Growing up in Southern California, Huell has been a fixture of our regular family viewing since my earliest days.  Indeed, in the war for the remote control, "Visiting," "Videolog," and "California's Gold" were always the unspoken, entertainment peace treaty.  Huell's show and his unbridled enthusiasm are the unquestionable inspiration for our desire to explore, create, report, and celebrate the joy that surrounds us.  As my mom said, "It felt like he did nothing but go around and bring out the good in people and places...he will be missed.  We need more people like him on the earth...take the bad ones away and leave the Huell Howsers of the world."  Even though his place of birth was Gallatin, TN he was truly a part of California's gold.

Huell & The Del Rubio Triplets
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Many celebrities pass every year; some deaths are a surprise, some are tragic, and some come sweetly at the end of a long life well-lived.  Few have left me feeling more sad than good old Huell's.  In general, I'm not one to experience disproportionate emotion over things not directly related to my family.  In fact, in a world rocked by mass killings and war, it feels strange (and self-indulgent) to be so sad over the death of someone I have never met, but this one has hit me hard.  I keep thinking of the illustration of Mickey Mouse (his head the globe) crying over the death of Walt Disney.  In my mind, I can see a similar image of California mourning the loss of our patron saint, Huell Howser.  Huell stood for something good in this world; his was an example of positivity and light that helped me not be swallowed by the hate and ugliness that can exist.  As has been said, "All the darkness in the world can not extinguish the light of a single candle."  He gave hope to those of us who want to preserve a sense of our past.  He legitimized the old buildings, landmarks, watering holes, and traditions of California's rich heritage.  He gave credence to the notion that exploring your own backyard for a living was not just acceptable but of great import.  As was the tradition on his show, we close this post with the song "California, Here I Come," this time as performed by Huell himself.

R.I.P. Huell Howser

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

p.s. For local readers, I would love to find a time and place to get together and remember Huell and celebrate his legacy.  In my mind, Clifton's is the most obvious choice but it is still under renovation.  Pink's, Philippe's, Palm Springs...I'm open to suggestions.

UPDATE:  You are invited to our unofficial, wacky tacky Huell Howser memorial to be held on Sunday, January 13, 2013 at 2:00pm at Philippe's in downtown Los Angeles.  We'll meet there for food, fun, prizes, and sharing our best memories of our pal, Huell.  This is an informal gathering of wacky tacky and Huell Howser fans and is a totally unsponsored event.

Philippe the Original
1001 Alameda Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA

Please let us know if you are interested in raising a glass of
Broguiere's to our wacky tacky friend and icon too.
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