I admit it. The last week’s worth of posts have been absolutely less than enthralling. Two baseball posts. Random slice of life posts. I couldn’t even muster righteous indignation on the fifth anniversary of “Mission Accomplished.” My mental space has been a bit constrained the past week. I had a lot of writing on myContinue reading “On Quiet Weeks”
Author Archives: Allyn
On This and That
Things I Hate: Having to uninstall software to install an update. Faulty installers suck. Things I Like: Discovering a blog where what I write in my day job is mentioned. Things I Hate: Traffic backed up, bumper to bumper, moving five miles an hour, because there’s a wreck on the opposite side of the highway.Continue reading “On This and That”
On the Meaning of Sportsmanship
I find myself at a loss for words. A college women’s softball game. A tragic injury. A breathtaking show of sportsmanship. Tissues necessary. Click the link. On a day when I’m feeling cyncial about this country, a story like that will astound you. Read it. I couldn’t have written that article. I’d have melted down.
On “Mission Accomplished” Plus Five
Five years ago today, President George W. Bush stood on the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln and declared, against the backdrop of a banner that said “Mission Accomplished” that “major combat operations in Iraq have ended.” We have Senator John McCain saying that the United States will be in Iraq for another hundred years.Continue reading “On “Mission Accomplished” Plus Five”
On Coldplay’s “Violet Hill”
Coldplay’s new single, “Violet Hill,” can be downloaded from Coldplay’s website. But the link to find where to download can be difficult to find, and this link will take you directly to download the page. The song should be available until next Monday. I don’t know what the song sounds like; it’s still downloading. ButContinue reading “On Coldplay’s “Violet Hill””
On More Baseball Excitement
At work random drawings are sometimes held for baseball tickets. Sometimes the Orioles. Sometimes the nearby minor league team, the Aberdeen Ironbirds (though, I should note, they don’t begin play until mid-June). Last year I won tickets to the Ironbirds twice, but never the O’s. Last night, I scored Orioles tickets. My second baseball gameContinue reading “On More Baseball Excitement”
On Tibetan Flags
Irony, thy name is China. China, who is hosting the Summer Olympics. China, who is engaged in a brutal repression of Tibet. China, who doesn’t want Tibet to mar their perfect Olympics. China, whose factories are making “Free Tibet” flags. Were making, rather. Chinese authorities put an end to the factory’s orders for Free TibetContinue reading “On Tibetan Flags”
On Burnt Toast
A smoky haze filled the dining room. But it wasn’t my first sign that something was burning. The acrid odor wafted up the stairwell. But naturally, the smoky haze had me concerned. “What’s burning?” I asked my grandmother when I stepped into the kitchen. She stood at the toaster. Around it was… something. “Nothing’s burning,”Continue reading “On Burnt Toast”
On Meeting Cubs Nation
There is a Cubs Nation. Last night I did something I’d never, ever done before — I saw the Chicago Cubs live and in person. They came to Washington, DC, and the new stadium for the Washington Nationals — Nationals Park — for a three game stand. I bought a ticket, in the Right FieldContinue reading “On Meeting Cubs Nation”
On An Expotition
Hooray for you Hooray for me Hooray Hooray The Pooh will soon Be free! I’m off, on an Expotition. I’m just a little black rain cloud Hovering under the honey tree I’m just a little black rain cloud Pay no attention to little me. I’m looking for the North Pole. I will be back. AfterContinue reading “On An Expotition”