The Watersons Part 2

Here's another bit from that 1965 BBC documentary about the Watersons. Visually and musically, this is just simply beautiful.

The Watersons

Oh man, what a cool audiovisual artifact this is! I'm not sure what I love more - the faithful, heartfelt rendition of this traditional British folk song, "Hal-An-Tow," or this 1965 BBC documentary's beautiful, black and white grittiness. Hands down, The Watersons are without a doubt my favorite obscure British folk group from the early sixties that I heard for the first time in 2007.

Happy New Year!

Hi everyone! Happy New Year!

We here at ALL-POP (Jen and I), have been slowly recovering from the super busy holiday shopping season. Even though we opened ALL-POP in November 2006, this year felt like we got a real taste of what a true holiday shopping rush feels like. Whew! It left us exhausted. But a good kind of exhausted - and all thanks to you, our customers. Thank you again for your business, and we hope you'll shop at ALL-POP again in 2008!

We've received several emails from people asking about products that are out of stock. Don't worry, we're working on it. By the end of the month, or early February at the latest, most items should be back in stock. So check back soon. Also, if you're so inclined, feel free to email us with your requests and we'll do our best to get exactly what you're looking for.

Thanks again for your business, and here's to a great 2008!

DWP Light Festival Part 2

Since it's a city run affair, the DWP Light Festival has got a whole civic pride thing going on that's both kitschy-funny and genuinely charming too. Makes me feel like I'm living in a small town rather than the second biggest city in the country.

So what we get are renderings of famous LA sites, all done Xmas light style. Like the one of the Griffith Park Observatory above... and of the LA Airport below.



Wait! What is that stirring within me? It's like a warm glow mixed with a trace of nausea... Is it pride in being an Angeleno... or is it something I ate? Stay tuned for our next Light Festival post!

Holiday Shipping

Need it there by Christmas*? Here's our handy shipping schedule:

• For domestic orders (except Rodys), order by noon PST on Wed, Dec 19.


• For Rodys going to US addresses, order by noon PST on Thurs, Dec 13.


• For overseas orders being shipped by USPS International Priority Mail, payments must be received by noon PST Mon, Dec 10.

*Our schedule is based on the US Post Office's mailing guidelines and aren't guarantees. Order early!

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Light Festival 2007!

Even though it's an annual event that's been held for a dozen years now, this was the first time that we've checked out the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power's Light Festival. And we're glad we did. The light festival consists of about a mile or so worth of colored Christmas light displays lining Crystal Springs Drive in Griffith Park. The DWP's take on the traditional Christmas light display is hilariously corny and kitschy, overall making for one of those "only in LA" type experiences that we love.

From what I've heard, this year is the first time there have been walk-only nights - usually cars and pedestrians share the display. We're especially glad that we were able to make it to one of the walk-only nights - I doubt we would've gone otherwise.

Here are some DWP Light Festival related links:

The Department of Water and Power's Light Festival site
A great Flickr set from 2006
Another good set from 2006
And another nice set from 2006
plus, a dude's pics from December 2005

New Product: Magic Garden

It's a new product for us, but of course there's nothing "new" about the Magic Garden. This is a much beloved, classic science experiment kit that has been delighting children and adults alike for decades. Build the landscape and kick back and watch the crystals grow within hours. Very entertaining. (Honestly, the packaging alone makes me dizzy with joy, but I'm like that about old packaging.)