Frank Zappa was a great musician and composer of some really good music. I really like his instrumental works. Particularly his guitar albums like Shut Up ‘N Play Yer Guitar, Guitar, and Return of the Son of Shut Up ‘N Play Your Guitar. (Not the most innovative names but the music rocks the universe.)

I was never much of a fan of anything he did lyrically. His lyrics were, um, nuts at best. Songs like Truck Driver Divorce, Why does it hurt when I pee?, and Crew Slut were good songs that had a purpose and all. But personally, because of the comical aspect of his lyrics, I think they hurt his credibility to appeal to a wider audience than he already had.

But what was even more bizarre was this little gem – a 1967 television commercial he did for Ludens Cough Drops:

Although it was rather strange, it was Frank so I’m not surprised.

I miss him.

Getting older doesn’t necessarily mean you have to get crazier but sometimes it gets you the attention you crave. Take former astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin. His input on the topic of the first manned mission to Mars was to leave them there.

“At age 30, they are given an opportunity. If they accept, then we train them, at age 35, we send them. At age 65, who knows what advances have taken place. They can retire there, or maybe we can bring them back.”

Holy crap. You’re kidding, right? If anyone knows what it would be like to be in a dead, cold and extremely dangerous environment it would be Buzz. Granted, he went to a giant rock and the potential of ice crystals on Mars may lead to larger areas where we could draw out H20 and possibly even O2. But, to stay there? You’d be asking these astronauts to give up their lives. No chance for a life of their own, no spouse or children, to leave the very planet they know for ever? Buzz, Buzz, Buzz. Come on, dude. Be a normal old coot and get some cats and watch a lot of Matlock. The grand kids will be over to feed you soon.

via  AFP