Monthly Archives: February 2012

Language, Misc, Tech

What Is an Astonished Tamale?

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Just what is an “astonished tamale”, anyway?

Several people have asked me what the name means and why I chose it for this blog. There are several answers. The first two were promptly pegged by my friend Patricia Visser, in her thoughtful comments on the first article:

1. I love to be astonished! It’s one of my favorite feelings (and I’m easily astonished). I love a good magic trick (and I’m easily fooled). In books and movies, I love a stunning, perhaps even diabolical plot twist (and I’m easily caught off guard). I love divine grace and divine providence, especially when Continue reading →

Language, Misc, Tech

It Sings!

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Sultana Gulbeyez (played by Jo Champa): “Undress!”

Don Juan (played by Johnny Depp): “Kill me if you must! I am prepared to die, for I cannot go on living, knowing that I defiled the memory of the woman who brought my manhood alive, and made it sing.”

Sultana Gulbeyez (breathlessly): “It SINGS?”

– from the movie “Don Juan DeMarco” (1994)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeNcBwdEskA

“So is your blog going to be only about sex?”

The lady quizzing me — and no, it wasn’t Sultana Gulbeyez — had noticed that every single article on The Astonished Tamale! was at that point Continue reading →

Books, Health, Knoxville, Misc

Knoxville: Lover’s Lane for the Prematurely Old?

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Can America’s most geriatric city top our nation’s “hot to trot” list? Yes, we can!

Let’s contrast two hot-off-the-press news flashes:

ITEM ONE: It’s official: During the run-up to Valentine’s Day 2012, we learn that America’s most romantic city is Knoxville, Tennessee, home of the famous Astonished Tamale! (Also the University of Tennessee Lady Vols, manytime national champions under basketball’s amazing Coach Pat Summitt. Plus we used to play a little football.)

Our “most romantic” ranking is bestowed by Amazon.com, presumably the last word on such questions. Amazon’s Feb. 9 press release cites Knoxville’s purchases of romance novels, relationship books, romantic comedy movies, Barry White albums, and Continue reading →