Possum Mating Habits

I can honestly say that I had never contemplated the mating habits of possums, but… …yeah, it’s really freakin’ hot out there. And who knew possums were into freaky sex? Hoo-boy. After last night’s Facebook ad, again the algorithms show me something of interest… …and while a Bag End-themed bottle of Jamesons is definitively ofContinue reading “Possum Mating Habits”

Nationals on the Shoulder of Giants

Facebook, you know my interests too well. But I am not going to buy an unlicensed novelty Washington Nationals City Connect jersey with “Standing on the Shoulder of Giants”-era Oasis holding the World Series trophy on its back. I’m just not. Yes, I love the new Nationals City Connect jersey — the light blue, theContinue reading “Nationals on the Shoulder of Giants”

The Week I Became an Atheist… Sorta

I saw a post on Reddit over the weekend about the Shroud of Turin which, in a roundabout way, started me thinking about my path to atheism and the role–or lack thereof–the Shroud played in that. As a kid, I harbored serious doubts, and around the ages of 10-11 I became very interested in BiblicalContinue reading “The Week I Became an Atheist… Sorta”

The Meaning of Favorite Medieval Fonts

I feel seen. I think the Brothers Hildebrandt Tolkien calendars of the late 1970s, which I know my father had, instilled in me a love for uncial fonts that had lasted to this day. Even now, I have several uncial and insular-style fonts installed on my computer. I’ve had more, but that was in myContinue reading “The Meaning of Favorite Medieval Fonts”

The World of Weird Novelty Songs

You would think I would have heard of the New Vaudeville Band. I listen to the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band and Neil Innes and the Rutles — how could I not know of the New Vaudeville Band? We all have our cultural blindspots. Not only is their greatest hit (albeit one recorded by session musicians,Continue reading “The World of Weird Novelty Songs”

It’s Looking Like a Beautiful Day

This came up in my Facebook memories five years ago today. Students at a high school in England made a music video for Elbow’s “One Day Like This.” I was thinking about this video recently (read: within the last six-nine months) and couldn’t figure out the right combination of search terms to find it. I…Continue reading “It’s Looking Like a Beautiful Day”

An Invitation from Across the Years

According to a Facebook post, Philip Barbour High School is having a 35th-anniversary reunion for the Class of 1990. As part of Lurch Fest, a festival in Philippi, West Virginia in honor of The Addams Family‘s Ted Cassidy. While I am most likely the only graduate of Philip Barbour to have ever visited the graveContinue reading “An Invitation from Across the Years”

The Klingon Incursion of Stardate 3100.0

Captain Log, Stardate 3100.0. Urgent dispatch from Admiral Stephen Turner at Starfleet Command. Ten Klingon warships, under the command of Fleet Captain Kron have invaded Federation space, threatening the Core Worlds, even Earth itself. The Enterprise is breaking off from our survey mission in sector Deneb IV. I did not have high hopes for thisContinue reading “The Klingon Incursion of Stardate 3100.0”