About forty fine citizens assembled at Jalopy for our fourth event, eager to see how the Ullage Group would screw up this time. I performed the ceremonial ullage-uncorking, and poured out a shot of chianti for our host, Geoff Wiley; and invoked the Italian proverb “Chi beve it vino prima la minestra, saluta il medico […]

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The Ullage Group offers its fourth afternoon of cultural curiosities, “Medi-Vaudeville.”  The title refers to the book that Charles Fort planned to write, during his final days in the hospital; for, this time around, it’s all medical. Doug Skinner and Dr. Mamie Caton will talk about alternative medicine, evidence-based medicine, and the difficulty of applying scientific methodology […]

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The Ullage Group is hard at work on its next public appearance, “Medi-Vaudeville.”  The title is taken from the book Charles Fort planned as his next; we hope to cover a number of medical topics.  It will take place on April 19 in Brooklyn’s gem-like Jalopy Theatre; details will follow.  Meanwhile, we’ll stimulate your appetite with […]

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In 1923, the USSR was established; the earworm “Yes, we have no bananas” was released; Firestone began selling inflatable tires; a ‘talkie’ made its first public debut; New York revoked Prohibition; insulin became widely available; the Walt Disney Company was founded; the first planetarium opened in Munich; the first electric shaver was patented (by Jacob […]

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I’m happy to report that “The Puppet Show,” featuring, among many other wonders, some of my collaborations with Michael Smith, will be at the Contemporary Museum in Honolulu from September 6 to November 23.  For more info on the show, see Bulletin 4 on this site; for more info on the museum, look here. The next […]

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Look: a collection of props from the puppet shows Michael Smith and I performed back in the ’90s.  There’s the wishing well; there’s the mic from Cory’s club act; there are the signs from Kevin and Jason’s fort.  Ah, memories. It’s from “The Puppet Show,” curated by Ingrid Schaffner and Carin Kuoni at the Institute […]

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I’m pleased to reveal that I have a four-pager in a new comics anthology, “TYPHON #1,” edited by Danny Hellman. The book is 192 pages long; it’s all in color; it’s eye-popping; it has a splendid cover by Bob Sikoryak. My contribution, “Walter and Benny Hunt the Elusive Batworm,” is a gripping cryptozoological adventure. Here’s […]

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The current issue of “Fate” (June 2008) contains my literary outburst “Fort and Those Damned Books of His.”  In it, I link Charles Fort to Pyrrhonism and ‘pataphysics, celebrate his eccentric style, and thread together other words to debunk the dogma that he was a credulous crank.  The occasion is the release of Jim Steinmeyer’s excellent […]

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“Microlithomania” unfurled on a drizzly Sunday; we had a nice crowd. The ullage was uncorked, and shots of Alsation pear brandy were handed to our hosts at Jalopy, Geoff and Lynette Wiley. Doug began with a few remarks, explaining the Ullage Group a bit, or trying to, and then giving credit to John Michell for […]

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We’re happy to report that the Ullage Group now owns a functional 1932 Violet Ray Generator.  One of your founders (Doug) and charter member Dr. Mamie Caton bought the device at an antique store in upstate New York.  We tested it before purchase; the spectacle of four clueless adults trying to work a potentially broken […]

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