It's Not Over Until...

Goodbye to 2009!

Chexy's Cartoon Corner

See Cartoons by Jeff Parker
Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com
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Another Thing to Fix

Can't a guy catch a break?

While on vacation in Hawaii, President Obama took time out from his time out to address the nation's concerns about security lapses in the foiled plot to blow up a jetliner on Christmas.

The CIC said he'd get things fixed right away.

And then he went back to his vacation.

Feel better now?

Chexy's Sports Roundup

Justin Pasfield #20 and Matthew Smith of the Fury celebrate after wining some match in Australia.

This has been Chexy's Sports Roundup, Bite-Sized edition.

Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

I Will Cut Me!

Shiite Muslim men and boys assault themselves with chains and blades in Kabul, Afghanistan during Ashura -- a 10-day mourning period for Imam Hussein, who was killed in a battle in Iraq in 680 AD.


Self-flagellation... when you care enough to send the very best.

Majid Saeedi/Getty Images

A Tale of Two Cities

Rioters in Tehran...


...and shoppers in New York.

Remember where you live.

Chexy's Blue Mirror Grill Presents...

Ladies and gentlemen (the rest of you know what you are*), here's the Lady Gaga of her day, the late Blossom Dearie, singing and playing exquisite piano on Duke Ellington's "Sophisticated Lady."



*Belle Barth
for M

Chexy's Saturday Matinee

Here's Diana Krall backed up by the swingin' Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, with "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?"



Filmmaker Nicholas Kritter with a visual poem set to Mattie Stepanek's "I Am."





Sixty years ago, Gene Autry was all the rage at the Saturday matinee. Here's why...





From 1950, "Misty" June Christy sings "Taking a Chance on Love."

Betty Deuce Does Santa

Betty Deuce donned her festive holiday look for the royals' annual trek to Sandringham Church for Christmas services. While Her Majesty opted for this homage to St. Nick, Camilla went with the more traditional Cossack look.


The Duchess burned no villages.

Getty

HO HO HOllywood

The "HO" in the rooftop neon of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel on Christmas Eve, 2009.

Photo by Chexy
TY Brad and Eden

Happy Birthday, Christ

Famous Jewish carpenter and miracle performer Jesus Christ was born on this day just as the B.C. era ended. Ain't that a coinkydink?

This spooky illustration of Jesus with his eyes both open and closed first appeared c. 1880, by Chicago printers Kurz & Allison.

Jesus died by crucifixion around 33 AD. He was around 33.

He is still widely popular.


Vintagraph.com

Merry Christmas to All

A very Merry Christmas to you!

Thanks for reading Chexydecimal!

Love,

Your Chexy

Christmas Realness, 1954

Sarah Hall and her daughter Barbara at home in Miami Shores, Christmas 1954. (click pic for enlargement)

Courtesy of Shorpy.com

Camilla -- The Magic Touch

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, greets a child at a tea party for children at the Ty Hafan Hospice in Wales.

The child had been fine until he saw Camilla's hair.

Kirsty Wigglesworth WPA Pool/Getty Images

Three Bad Christmas Sweaters

Amy and Cinnabons for Jesus

My imaginary daughter Amy, 6, had a few erudite questions about the Christmas holiday, which I attempted to answer with the aplomb befitting a father who is also a daydreamer and pantheist.

"What's the deal with Christ?" Amy asked aggressively, "I don't get his whole thing," she mooed in the Boston drawl of her mother's side. "If he was so great, why'd they hang him up?"


"Well, dear," I hesitated, "Some people don't like it when you tell it like it is."

"If it's Jesus' birthday, how come we don't get him a present?" she asked.

"I think that's a splendid idea," waiting to suggest some charitable endeavor. Amy had other ideas.

"Let's go to the mall and get Jesus a Cinnabon."


"But Jesus died on the cross, Amy, and that has a way of killing one's appetite," I said, with the pithiness of a lifelong wisecracking mercenary. Amy laughed, "Okay, if he doesn't want it, I'll eat it."

At times, I wonder if Amy's past life was lived in Vaudeville.

"You can try your theory with some celery sticks and almonds," I trumped.

"What if he prefers candy?" she retorted. You know Christ has to be into dark chocolate." She had a point, and knew that I would accept nearly any excuse to get some See's candy to test her theosophical presumptions.


On the way back from the mall, with a mouthful of raspberry truffle, Amy bleated, "Chocolate is definitely Jewish." Her complex labeling was again not only food related but ethnically titillating. "How do you figure?" I honked.

"I'm going to have to work on my theory," she said, reaching for the box with a grin.

Amy was careful not to get chocolate on the new coat I bought her for Hanukkah. Yes, I know, she's big for six.

Getting the News in 1912

A hundred years ago, before TV and the internets, this is how folks got the latest on the Kardashians.

These newsies sold papers at a trolley junction in Jersey City, November, 1912. (Click image for enlargement.)

Photograph by Lewis Wickes Hine
courtesy of Shorpy.com

Goodbye, Brittany Murphy

The voice of "King of the Hill's" Luanne Platter and her Manger Baby puppets was silenced today when Brittany Murphy, 32, succumbed to cardiac arrest.

Chexy's Sunday Funnies

From 1974, here's Divine in a heartwarming Christmas scene from John Waters' "Female Trouble."



TY Chexydecimal London Bureau Chief Andy

Chexy's Saturday Matinee

Grace Jones does Pee-wee Herman, Christmas, 1988.



The Three Tenors singing Jingle Bells. Yup.



Someone recently asked for some Doris Day... here she is with a pine cone hairdo, shot through linoleum for her 60's TV show, singing Silver Bells. Cameo by Billy De Wolfe.




Here's Nat King Cole in 1961 with The Christmas Song.

Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk

Former Madonna stooge Guy Ritchie as he looked at the premiere of his film "Sherlock Holmes" in NYC, and stooge Curly Howard in his heyday.

So alike, and yet only one was born Jerome Lester Horwitz.

Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

Real Housewife

You know it's cold in Los Angeles when Khloe Kardashian has sprouted her winter fur... as seen outside of a cupcake place in Beverly Hills.

The makeup also keeps her warm.


David Aguilera/BuzzFoto/FilmMagic

Camilla and the White Pony

Looking fabulous in her best shoes, her standard winter coat, and her well-brushed hair... a horse (right) approaches Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (center) to receive a rosette as a winner in the Pony Club Mini-Major Relay on Thursday at the London International Horse Show.

Indigo/Getty Images

Chexy's Sports Roundup

Jack Rodwell (yes, Rodwell) of Everton goes down with an injury at the something-or-other match in Liverpool on Thursday. I don't know what the guy in yellow did to him.

This has been Chexy's Sports Roundup, Legs in the Air edition.

Michael Regan/Getty Images

Goodbye, Jennifer Jones

Screen star Jennifer Jones died today at age 90.

She is preceded in death by her daughter Mary Jennifer Selznick, who jumped off a 20-story building at age 22. Jones also buried her husband, David O. Selznick, and another husband, millionaire industrialist Norton Simon, of the museum. Her son Michael, with first husband Robert Walker, died in 2007 at age 66. Actor Robert Walker, Jr., survives.

On November 9, 1967, Jones was found on the beach in Malibu following a suicide attempt by overdose of sleeping pills... she recovered and lived another 42 years.

Over the Hills We Go

A deflated Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as she appeared at Georgetown U. on Monday to speak about human rights...


...and the reblondered version seen Thursday in Copenhagen at a presser during the Climate Change Conference.

Highlights help... just not on men.

Happy Birthday, Lindsey

George Lindsey aka Goober is 74 today.

The former science teacher has raised over a million dollars for Alabama Special Olympics.

Lindsey has a Bachelors Degree in Bioscience from the University of North Alabama.

Judge for Yourself

"Dancing with the Stars" pixie Bruno Tonioli revealed at a VIP reception of the English National Ballet's performance of "The Nutcracker" that he is, in fact, an elf.

An elf who smokes Marlboros.

Dave M. Benett/Getty Images

When You Find a Look That Works... Keep It

Queen Fabiola of Belgium, 81, at the annual Royal Family concert held Wednesday night.

2010 marks the Jubilee anniversary of her hairdo.


Getty

I've Just Seen a Face

Scientololoco and science experiment Priscilla Presley, 64, former wife of Elvis, is able to speak. Click the pic for a better look.

Cirque du Soleil is planning a "Viva Elvis" tribute production for the new City Center in Las Vegas.

Priscilla will not be joining the acrobatic circus... although her outfit will be used in it.


Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Cirque du Soleil

Pressure Under Grace

Princess Stephanie of Monaco attended the Christmas Tree party at Monaco Palace today in Monaco (where else?).

She looks great for 67!

She's 44.

I'll be here all week.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Chexy's Sports Roundup

Matt Williams (top) of Auckland City celebrates with teammate James Pritchett (bottom) at the FIFA Club World Cup 5th place match in Abu Dhabi. Auckland won whatever it was they were playing on Wednesday.

This has been Chexy's Sports Roundup, I've Got Seven edition.

Jasper Juinen - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

Meryl-y We Roll Along

Prince William as he appeared yesterday during a visit to a homeless shelter, and perennial Golden Globe nominee Meryl Streep.

So alike, and yet only one has a Sesame Street character named in their honor.

Prince photo by Luke MacGregor/WPA Pool/Getty Images

Swingin'

No, that's not your Chexy at last night's office holiday party.

It's an acrobat at the Chinese State Circus at a photocall in London.

Marco Secchi/Getty Images

Chexy's Sports Roundup

Jordan Lewis of the Hawks kicks during a training session in Melbourne on Wednesday.

This has been Chexy's Sports Roundup, I Think He's Doing Quite Well edition.

Quinn Rooney/Getty Images