(Over)analyze This

http://www.last.fm/user/geniusinmaine · Post by **Genius in Maine** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 10:25 pm

scottidog @ Dec 23 2004, 02:34 AM wrote: OE, another bit of evidence for your Canadian theory... the French named Bernie. Perhaps a hitchhiker from one of the French speaking provinces?

In that case, he must have flown or drove in from eastern Canada. If you're assuming they live in Alberta, I believe that is a primarily English-speaking province on the west side of Canada; the provinces with the most French-speaking people (Quebec and New Brunswick, and I believe Ontario has a decent-sized French-speaking population too) are all on the EAST side of Canada.

Post by **scottidog** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 10:38 pm

Not necessarily. They didn't start the trip with Bernie. They picked him up along the way. Who knows how long he'd been on the road...

Post by **anthontherun** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 11:02 pm

Another over analyzation about TBBOTIM...

Then Bernie ran away with my brand new Instamatic, but at least we've got our memories

Considering that the camera is an Instamatic, wouldn't they have gotten the photo in addition to the fond memories? Or did Bernie run off with the picture too?

Post by **scottidog** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 11:06 pm

The film was still in the camera. Despite the name, and Instamatic doesn't give you instant pictures like a Polaroid.

Post by **scottidog** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 11:20 pm

anthontherun @ Dec 22 2004, 01:34 PM wrote: But the song was recorded on May 24, 1989.

Doing a little research on the Instamatic, I find that the vacation in question had to have happened between 1988 and the date the song was written. Unless of course, Canadian "Al" had access to European Instamatics, then it could have happened as early as 1985. Well, assuming "Al" didn't actually invent it (during his off hours from BRH&P) and had the actual prototype. In which case, it could have been earlier than that.

Post by **weird_el** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 11:30 pm

Instamatics (by Kodak) were invented in 1963. I remember having one of those pocket instamatics in the late 70s. What a piece o' crap camera that was.

Another lyrical dilemma I discovered last night, is that they apparently went to the Last Chance Gas Station right before they visited the Twineball. There may be more than one, but the most famous one is on the edge of Death Valley.

Insert Coin(s) to Continue · Thu Dec 23, 2004 11:31 pm

Death Valley, California? There are more than one, it's not a chain, but it's a popular name for...last chance gas stations.

Post by **scottidog** » Fri Dec 24, 2004 12:01 am

The info page I found for Instamatics listed the dates I referenced... <shrug> Anyhooo....

Lots of dinky gas stations have a "Last Chance for gas" sign. So he may have been just talking about that rather than the actual name of the station. Kind of like lots of little diners have that "Eat" sign but I don't think it's a whole chain of diners called "Eat."

Post by **Seva** » Fri Dec 24, 2004 2:22 am

Sorry for breaking your deep analysis, just a short explanation for a dumb Russian guy, OK? And then you may return to your regularly scheduled step-by-step over-the-edge research.

You might happen to discuss it before, so sory again if I bothered you.
In "Amish Paradise" Al mentions "Robinson Caruso". Why that? I always thought it was Robinson Crusoe! Please help!

SEVA.

Post by **scottidog** » Fri Dec 24, 2004 3:54 am

It is Robinson Crusoe. You know, the guy marooned on a deserted island, finds a sidekick he names Friday.