Today was oven installation day!

Again!

The installation company sent a text yesterday and said that two guys would be coming by. Neither was named Michael. If you recall, Michael #2 was the guy who discerned the problem with the gas pipe that had been installed by Michael #1, and offered to do the necessary work for free. I texted back to the company, noted the situation, requested Michael, and said that if he did not show, I expected the company to agree to the terms he had set forth, and thanks!

Got a text in the morning; they were on their way.

“It’s not going to work,” I said to my wife. She laughed.

The first thing the installer noted were the wires that went to a defunct light fixture where the hood would be installed. He didn’t want to bury live wires under the hood, and recommended that I get an electrician in to fix that. So he couldn’t do the hood. He pulled out the range that does not work, and set to work.

He called me down a few minutes later, and said while he could cut into the floor and move the pipe, he could not be certain that he wouldn’t nick the gas pipe. I said I did not want my gas pipe nicked. He faced-timed with Micheal #2 and tried to get a handle on it all, but still wasn’t comfortable. He said he could probably do it - pride in his skills and all that - but well, you know, slight chance of nicking the pipe. Maybe it would be better if Michael #2 did it.

I agreed, noting I had requested him; he said yeah, his name was on the work order, don’t know what happened.

He said that Amanda in Scheduling would call me later that day to get Michael out. They left.

Amanda in Scheduling did not call me.

And on it goes. And on. And on.

Short top here, but there's a surprising amount of unusual stuff in Audio Vault. As you'll see.

Another floor up, en route to ten.

This week's contemporary picture: the other side of the Thrivent complex.

Now a government building.

They need more and more room as the years go on.

Girls, girls. Please. You're not dealing with one of your college boys here. He's not going to be swayed by dewy eyes and a cozening look.

When the cop calls your gunpoint-peril story silly, you know you've lost the day.  Solution is here.

Down the rabbit hole now, for something that will test the memories of long-time Bleatniks. Ready?

From the Jack Benny show. Jack and Rochester are doing the dishes. It's interesting what people are expected to recognize.

Is this one of those situations where Americans felt they were a little bit on the inside, knowing the names of the stars' favorite places?

Get ready for some grade-A urban history, followed by a hideous act of vandalism. Wikipedia:

The Pig 'n Whistle was originally a chain of restaurants and candy shops, founded by John Gage in 1908.

Restaurateur Sidney Hoedemaker joined the company in 1927 and led expansion efforts throughout Southern California. Hoedemaker purchased a downtown Los Angeles restaurant called Neve's Melody Lane in 1927 and adopted the name "Melody Lane" for new locations through the 1930s and 40s.

Hoedemaker left Pig 'n Whistle in 1949 and started a chain of Hody's restaurants aimed at the young families moving into the Post WWII suburbs.

Interesting. When I put up the Hody's postcards - and we're talking, oh, 20 years ago - I didn't have this level of info. So Mr. Hody ran the Melody Lane, eh? Well. Here's a late 40s picture:

So what? You say.

I understand the reaction. But this was hallowed restaurant ground. This would become . . . THE HORID HODY CLOWN CORNER.

I didn't mean to get sidetracked, but I wanted to note the Hody / Pig connection. Anyway.

The Hollywood location of the Pig 'n Whistle was first opened in 1927 next to The Egyptian Theatre.

Indeed. If you're thinking "you mean Sid Graumann's Egyptian Theater?" you are correct.

That's a c. 2019 shot.

Let's take a closer look:

More Wikipedia:

The building housing the new restaurant cost $225,000 and featured "carved oak rafters, imported tiles, artistically wrought grilles and balcony and great panelled fresco paintings from Don Quixote.” It was frequented by such celebrities as Spencer Tracy, Shirley Temple and Howard Hughes.

The original Hollywood location closed down after World War II[ and its distinctive wooden furniture, decorated with hand-carved whistle-playing pigs, was sold to Miceli's Italian Restaurant, located around the corner at 1646 Las Palmas Avenue, where it remains to the present day.

By the late 1990s the location housed a fast-food pizza restaurant, and all that remained of the original tenant was a bas-relief pig on the front of the building.

But it was restored to its original glory, and re-opened under its old name.

From mid-March 2020 to April 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the restaurant to serve customers in a take-away format. It soon closed, and in October 2021, the interior was gutted, with the exterior being crudely painted over, as a cantina would take over its space. This included the bas-relief pigs being covered by skulls to establish the new restaurant's theme. No modification permits had been taken out by the building's owner with the city of Los Angeles for either the exterior and interior.

That son of a bitch.

You can probably find a better COVID-era parable, I don't want to hear it.

This year we're counting down the top hits of 1922.

Another from the Whiteman org, and it's quite timely! I bring you: Canadian Capers.

It has everything you'd expect from an early 20s hit, from the rhythm banjo to the muted solo to the novelty castanets. It was released the year before, and did well. It continued to chart in '22, bringing it in at #43 for the year. Or so my sources say.

It's 1940. How good are your camera batteries? Think about it! And do it now, because you never know when a massive wartime mobilization will dry up your supply.

GOOD LORD THAT'S ENOUGH! STOP TALKING

There: another week! A Gallery update, of course. See you Monday.