As a Chicago Cubs :cubs: fan, this past week has been confusing. Frustrating. Infuriating, even. First, Jim Hendry makes a trade for a new closer — Kevin Gregg, formerly of the Florida Marlins. What of our 2008 closer, Kerry Wood? Hendry said that “We felt it was time Kerry goes out and does what isContinue reading “On Baseball Moves”
On Getting in that Christmas Mood
I realized yesterday, with some surprise, that Christmas is merely five weeks away. I’d say it snuck up on me, but it didn’t. Not really. Four months ago I was writing about Christmas products — ornaments, nutcrackers, even calendars. Last month, I wrote about Valentine’s Day stuff. Pretty soon, I’ll be thinking about the summerContinue reading “On Getting in that Christmas Mood”
On That Feeling of Relief
I poured myself a cup of coffee this morning. I stirred in some sugar. I poured in a dollop of milk. And I had this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. I sent three publications to press on Thursday and Friday at the office. And I had this gut feeling that I’d gottenContinue reading “On That Feeling of Relief”
On Bush and Pardons
I was reading this morning an article on a rumored pardon President Bush is considering — a blanket pardon for anyone involved in his administration’s torture policies. Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo, extraordinary rendition — all of that would be covered. On the one hand, a blanket pardon for anyone involved in the interrogations could be viewedContinue reading “On Bush and Pardons”
On Death Comes to Time and the new starship Enterprise
Earlier this week the first picture of the Enterprise from next summer’s Star Trek film was released. In case you’ve not been paying attention to the development of J.J. Abrams’ new Star Trek film, it’s a tale of the classic characters — Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and all the rest — during their original five-year mission.Continue reading “On Death Comes to Time and the new starship Enterprise”
On Being an Arthurian Character
If I were a member of King Arthur’s court, whom would I be? Much to my surprise… Your result for The Camelot Test… Lancelot Honourable and passionate. You never back down from a challenge. Your friends are very important to you. You believe in justice and duty far above your own personal security and comfort.Continue reading “On Being an Arthurian Character”
On Random Beer Thoughts
Why would anyone drink Bud Light Lime? It’s bland. It’s flavorless. There’s no body. There’s no aroma. It’s so inoffensive I’m offended. I shouldn’t complain; it was given to me, and I shouldn’t question the gift. Yet! Bud Light Lime. If this were the last beer left on the Earth, I would pour it outContinue reading “On Random Beer Thoughts”
On Being Accosted at the Mall
It’s gotten so that I don’t enjoy going to the local shopping mall. The reason? Kiosks. In particular, there’s a kiosk at the mall that is invariably staffed by salespeople who barely speak English, who are selling sea-salt skin products, and who snag their customers by reaching out and grabbing them. Once, many years ago,Continue reading “On Being Accosted at the Mall”
On Veterans’ Day
Ninety years ago today, in the fields of Flanders, the guns of the First World War fell silent. In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. ShortContinue reading “On Veterans’ Day”
On Sgt. Obama’s Hopeful Hearts Club
This is really quite neat. Artist Michael Cuffe has taken Peter Blake’s famous cover art for The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and reworked it into a nifty Obama/Biden poster. Here’s a large version of it. Some personages on the poster are a little mystifying to me. Why Robert Downey, Jr.? Why J.K.Continue reading “On Sgt. Obama’s Hopeful Hearts Club”