A Shroud of Thoughts' Eighth Anniversary

It was 8 years ago today that I made my first post in this blog, A Shroud of Thoughts. At the time I had no idea I would still be writing in the blog 8 years and 1897 posts later. I feel as if I cannot take any real credit for keeping the blog up so long, as in many respects I feel I have no choice in the matter. I simply feel compelled to keep writing the blog. In all that time I have never thought of bringing it to an end.  In fact, I sometimes think my "Famous Final Post" will be my own eulogy.

 For those of you who have wondered where the title of this blog comes from, it is from Lord Byron's Childe Harold's Pilgrimage canto iii stanza 113:
I have not loved the world, nor the world me;
I have not flattered its rank breath, nor bow'd
To its idolatries a patient knee,
Nor coin'd my cheek to smiles, nor cried aloud
In worship of an echo; in the crowd
They could not deem me one of such; I stood
Among them, but not of them; in a shroud
Of thoughts which were not their thoughts, and still could,
Had I not filed my mind, which thus itself subdued.

As is usual on this blog's anniversary, I have compiled a list of what I think are its best posts from the past year. I have to confess I was somewhat disappointed in my output during 2011. It seemed as if I was perpetually writing eulogies for those pop culture figures who died. Worse yet, I can honestly say that 2011 was the worst year of my life. I lost my job. My best friend died. My cat Max died. That having been said, during the year I did make new friends and I also published my first book (Television: Rare and Well Done). Regardless here are what I feel to be the best posts from the past year of A Shroud of Thoughts.

"A Father, Son, and Two Detective Shows" 27/06/2011

"Happy Canada Day, Sydney Newman!" 01/07/2011

"Everybody Loves Lucy: Lucille Ball's 100th Birthday" 06/08/2011

"Margaret Lockwood''s 95th Birthday" 14/09/2011


"Jim Henson: Master of Muppets" 24/09/2011

"50 Years of the Dick Van Dyke Show" 03/10/2011

"Vincent" 25/10/2011

"The Gothic Horror Boom of the Sixties" 30/10/2011

"The 10th Anniversary of George Harrison's Death" 29/11/2011

"Gift Ideas for the Vintage Male" 12/12/2011

"The Thin Man/It's a Wonderful Life Connection" 29/12/2011

"The 120th Birthday of J.R.R. Tolkien" 04/01/2012

"Danny Thomas at 100" 06/01/2012

"The 100th Anniversary of Charles Addams' Birth" 07/01/2012

"The 70th Anniversary of Desert Island Discs" 29/01/2012

"The Late Great Davy Jones" 01/03/2012


"We're All Mad Men Here" 18/03/2012


"My Living Doll Finally Comes to DVD" 21/03/2012

"The 50th Anniversary of Stu Sutcliffe's Death" 10/04/2012


"The Importance of Silents and Pre-Code Talkies" 12/04/2012

"The 100th Anniversary of the Titanic Disaster" 15/04/2012

"Universal Pictures Turns 100" 30/04/2011

"The 80th Anniversary of The Jack Benny Programme" 2/05/2012


The Week of My Posts on Paramount's 100th Anniversary and The Phil Silvers Show 06/05/2012-11/05/2012


"45 Years Ago Power Pop Received Its Name" 20/05/2012