GoodCleanWholesomeFun
GCW Fun is the quick-witted, energetic, happy go lucky younger sibling
of DrHGuy's jocose but prolix, sometimes abstruse Heck of a Guy blog
Email: DrHGuy -AT- 1heckofaguy.com
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The worst of the official Olympic mascots, Izzy represented the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. The name “Izzy” comes from the word “Whatizit?” and was chosen because nobody seemed to know exactly what the character really was. It was thought to be lousy then but now - well, it’s still lousy. (From WSJ - 22 July 2008)
Inspired by the Heck of a Guy post, Pimp My Assistive Device, Chris of Galway, Ireland fashioned this graphic of a fully tricked-out walker in celebration of his brother’s 40th birthday and has graciously given permission for its publication on this site.
GoodCleanWholesomeFun Is Back In Business
Since the death of a loved one I have published only a few entries here or on my Heck Of A Guy blog and have posted nothing at all in the last three weeks. Now, however, as part of my general effort to resynchronize my life with what other sentient human beings consider real time, I plan to begin blogging again.
Credit Due Department: The nifty GoodCleanWholesomeFun word cloud was generated by Wordle.
12 Ways To Minimize The Popularity Of Your Blog
How To Prevent A Well-written Blog From Being Well-read One can’t leave this kind of thing to chance - it requires skill, effort, and technique.
Winter Ladies | Heck Of A Guy Both Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell, singer-songwriters who were important figures in the early folk movement and who shared a romantic interlude, wrote and performed similar but assuredly not identical songs called “Winter Lady.” Quelle coincidence, eh? This comparison of these efforrts is revelatory.

Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell circa late 1960s - early 1970s
The Leonard Cohen Dublin Concert - Photos and (Gasp) Complaints | Heck Of A Guy Photo - “End of Concert” - by Karl Smyth
Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell: Just One Of Those Things | Heck Of A Guy (March 31, 2007) A consideration of the romance between Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell and the aftermath of its dissolution, especially as reflected in their songs. The displayed graphic, which is from that March 31, 2007 Heck of a Guy blog entry, consists of conjoined Joni Mitchell potraits of herself and Cohen.
Waltzing To Leonard Cohen At The Dublin Concert - Heck of a Guy Blog At Leonard Cohen’s Dublin Concert the audience waltzs to his classic, “Take This Waltz.” Photo by Karl Smyth
Leonard Cohen: Out of the monastery and back on the road
This article, By Simon Worrall in the 15 June 2008 Independent is one of the best concise biographical profiles of Leonard Cohen I’ve seen. And, as if that weren’t enough, “My life with Leonard” By Sharon Robinson is added as a bonus.
Leonard Cohen Live On Fedoras, Lawyers, Anjani, Dylan, Antidepressants, Drinking Professionally, Smoking Heavily, The Zen of Cognac, and The Difficulty of Singing Suzanne - Heck Of A Guy Full transcript and partial video of June 4, 2008 Leonard Cohen interview with Brian Johnson for Macleans Magazine - Just outstanding.
After 15 Years, Leonard Cohen Proves He’s Still Got It in Toronto : Rolling Stone Rolling Stone tries to go edgy in the review of Cohen’s 6 June 2009 concert, setting up the straw man, “people had plenty of reasons to think the show might be a disappointment,” a doubtful premise given that Cohen’s earlier concerts in this tour have been widely reported as successes. As for “when [Cohen] showed up at his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction earlier this year he looked pretty meek and refused to perform.” I suppose “meek” is a subjective assessment, but that descriptor had not occurred to me when I viewd the ceremony, and “refused to perform” would more accurately be termed “opted not to perform,” a course of action also taken by that shrinking violet and Cohen’s fellow inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Madonna. As for “he looked like he just stepped out of the Dick Tracy retirement home,” well, that’s just so Rolling Stone. Of course, all of this and a bit more was a setup to build tension for the revelation that - yep - Cohen’s performance was amazing. But we knew that already, didn’t we?