This week, I explained to several colleagues at Diamond what the desktop wallpaper on my monitor at work is, which you can see above — a painting of Washington, DC done by Edward Sachse in the early 1850s. (Be sure to check out this Maryland Historical Society article on his Bird’s Eye View of Baltimore.)Continue reading “The Most Notorious Brothel Owner in Civil War Washington”
Author Archives: Allyn
The Cosmic Dance
I went to Big Lots yesterday. I didn’t intend to go to Big Lots — it was T.J. Maxx I wanted to visit — but while at Big Lots I snapped the photo above, of the crescent moon and Venus just after sunset. I wanted to go to T.J. Maxx because I’ve seen reports thatContinue reading “The Cosmic Dance”
The New Optical Adventure
My optic nerves are angy! Stan Lee would have written this line unironically, circa 1965, in an issue of The Incredible Hulk or Avengers with a cover burst that screamed, “Tremble before the rage of the monster’s eyes!” It also happens to describe what’s happening inside my own eyes. I spent almost a week inContinue reading “The New Optical Adventure”
Out and About on a Dreary Sunday
I went to church this morning. Not from any religious conviction, but because I spent the last week in the hospital (that story to come) and my sister said to me yesterday that, after a week of being surrounded by doctors and nurses, I must be lonely at home by myself. And where can oneContinue reading “Out and About on a Dreary Sunday”
Touring the National Cathedral
Today I took at tour of Washington’s National Cathedral. This is something I had been wanting to do for a while, ever since they announced they were building a LEGO replica of the cathedral, and it was just a matter of finding the time. A vacation day was scheduled, a ticket for that night’s WashingtonContinue reading “Touring the National Cathedral”
Summer’s End in Harrisburg
It was one of those Septembers when it seemed that the summer would never end. Ian Fleming, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service For the first time since 2013, the Harrisburg Senators were in the Eastern League postseason. In 2013, I attended two postseason games in Harrisburg — the clinching game of the first round,Continue reading “Summer’s End in Harrisburg”
Are You Going to Dallastown Fair?
Apologies to Simon and Garfunkel. This week marks the annual Dallastown Fair. Having nothing to do last night, after eating dinner, I walked into town and went to the fair. It was every bit as unenthralling as I remembered. A midway of carnival rides and games. Food stands by local restaurants and churches. Farm equipment.Continue reading “Are You Going to Dallastown Fair?”
Two New Star Trek Trailers
Over the weekend at San Diego Comic Con, two new Star Trek trailers debuted. While I’ve worked in the comics industry for over twelve years, I’ve not had the pleasure — or misfortune — of attending San Diego. First up, the trailer for Star Trek: Picard, the CBS All Access series about Jean-Luc Picard, withContinue reading “Two New Star Trek Trailers”
One Night at Camden Yards
Meet Dave. Dave is an usher at Camden Yards. Dave was not the usher for my section when I attended Saturday night’s Orioles/Indians game — that was John, of whom I have no pictures — but I saw Dave several times during the game, as he left his water bottle near the handicapped seating inContinue reading “One Night at Camden Yards”
Learning to Solve the Cube
I keep a Rubik’s Cube on my desk at the office. It’s something I can fiddle with when I’m thinking. Sometimes I’ll even take it into meetings. A couple of turns here, a couple of turns there, and if I mess it up, there’s an online solution — You Can Do the Rubik’s Cube —Continue reading “Learning to Solve the Cube”