So let’s start with the Boney M. name - plucked by Frank Farian straight from the TV screen in Germany where the popular Australian crime drama series Boney was showing. The show itself was based on books by crime writer Arthur Upfield and the visual allegory for Farian was perfect: the character Boney (an abbreviation of Bonaparte) was James Laurenson, a blacked-up, fair-haired white actor with blue eyes playing the character of Detective Inspector Napoleon ‘Boney’ Bonaparte, supposedly part Aboriginal, part white, carrying out investigations across Australia. And in front of the screen was Farian, a white man singing what sounded like a black song with a rich black voice, rather embarrassed by the fact that he was really a white man in vocal disguise!

We are perhaps fortunate he never considered stretching to the lengths of his tv inspiration but instead used his better judgment to breathe life into a band that properly reflected his sound and truly became the personification of his vast talent.

As for the “M”, Farian, having composed and recorded “Daddy Cool” (their first single) before ‘Boney M’ the group were even formed. As producer, composer and manager, all he required was their image to front his ‘band’ - with quirky front-man Bobby Farrell apparently ’singing’.

It was made out to be big news at the time (but no real shock I assure you!) - when, later, it was exposed that Farrell didn’t actually sing. Strangely enough, Farian went on to manufa… err.. I mean produce 80’s duo Milli Vanilli. And would you believe it!? They neever sang on their first records either!!!

This will boggle your mind, I know it did mine! The year is 1906. One hundred years ago. What a difference a century makes! Here are some statistics for the Year 1906:

- The average life expectancy was 47 years.
- Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.
- Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.
- There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles of paved roads.
- The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
- The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower!
- The average wage was 22 cents per hour.
- The average worker made between $200 and $400 per year.
- A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year, a dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.
- More than 95 percent of all births took place at HOME.
- Ninety percent of all doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION! Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press AND the government as “substandard”.
- Sugar cost four cents a pound.
- Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.
- Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.
- Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
- Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering into their country for any reason.
- Five leading causes of death were:
   1. Pneumonia and influenza
   2. Tuberculosis
   3. Diarrhea
   4. Heart disease
   5. Stroke
- The American flag had 45 stars.
- The population of Las Vegas, Nevada was only 30!!!
- Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and ice tea hadn’t been invented yet.
- There was no Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.
- Two out of every 10 adults couldn’t read or write.
- Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.
- Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at the local corner drugstores. Back then pharmacists said, “Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health”.
- Eighteen percent of households had at least one full-time servant or domestic help.
- There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE U.S.A.

Now I’m able to post this from someone else without typing it myself, and it being viewable to you and others all over the world, in a matter of seconds! Try to imagine what it may be like in another 100 years.

Staggering huh?

Jug

About a month ago I heard a catchy little ditty on a Panasonic TV commercial. You know, the song played on the commercial where it starts snowing in what looks like a mexican city and everyone starts dancing around?

Well, its not a specific artist. The track is only 60 seconds in length and created specifically for the commercial (labeled “Guatemala”).

Enjoy!

Jug

I don’t remember which currently advertised alien/war v.game is being plugged on TV for the XBox 360, but it has a soft, melodic Cold Play/Michael Stipe’ish sound to it.

Well, I found out its a cover of a Tears For Fears tune called “Mad World” and its redone by Michael Andrews and Gary Jules.

Enjoy!

Jug

Lance Bass and his boyfriend, Reichen Lehmkuhl, have called it quits, People magazine reported on its Web site Monday.

Bass’ publicist, Ken Sunshine, didn’t respond to a message from The Associated Press. The AP was trying to locate a representative for Lehmkuhl.

Bass, who was part of the boy band ‘N Sync, revealed earlier this year that he is gay and was in a relationship with Lehmkuhl, a former Air Force captain and winner of season four of CBS’ “Amazing Race.”

The 27-year-old singer told People in July that he didn’t earlier disclose his sexuality because he didn’t want to affect ‘N Sync’s popularity.

“The thing is, I’m not ashamed — that’s the one thing I want to say,” Bass told the magazine. “I don’t think it’s wrong, I’m not devastated going through this. I’m more liberated and happy than I’ve been my whole life.”

‘N Sync, known for a string of hits including “Bye Bye Bye” and “It’s Gonna Be Me,” went on hiatus in 2002. Bass has also made headlines for undertaking astronaut training and failing to raise money for a trip into space.

Lehmkuhl, 32, has said he admired Bass’ decision to disclose his sexuality. Lehmkuhl has a new book, “Here’s What We’ll Say,” which recounts his time keeping his sexual orientation a secret from Air Force colleagues.