Today, the latest trailer for Sir Ian McKellen’s forthcoming film, Mr. Holmes, was released: McKellen, as you see, is playing Sherlock Holmes. Based on Mitch Cullin’s novel A Slight Trick of the Mind, Sherlock Holmes is ninety-three, the year is 1947, and the Great Detective has been retired to the Sussex Downs where he tendsContinue reading “The Mr. Holmes Trailer”
Gallipoli, an Historical Blunder
This afternoon I listened to a BBC World Service podcast, part of their “War that Changed the World” series on World War I, about the Australian experience at Gallipoli. Gallipoli, for those who don’t know a great deal about World War I, was Britain’s attempt to open a second front by capturing the Dardanelles, theContinue reading “Gallipoli, an Historical Blunder”
The 2015 York Revolution Fan Fest
I was quoted in today’s York Sunday News. Yesterday I attended the York Revolution Fan Fest, an exhibition game and concert put on annually before the start of the season for the local independent league baseball team. I attended the 2013 Fan Fest, but not last year’s, and since yesterday was forecast to be aContinue reading “The 2015 York Revolution Fan Fest”
The USS Independence and Atomic Bomb Testing
Friday afternoon I spent at least half an hour looking at pictures of Operation Crossroads, the first two atomic bomb tests in Bikini Atoll. Why? Because one of the ships used was found — the USS Independence — and was virtually intact. This quote about the state of the Independence by NOAA’s James Delgado staysContinue reading “The USS Independence and Atomic Bomb Testing”
Things I’ve Been Reading: Get Well Soon, Charlie Brown
Peanuts #27 BOOM! Studios/kaboom! Written by Jason Cooper Art by Vicki Scott & Paige Braddock As I turned the pages of “Get Well Soon, Charlie Brown,” I felt like I had read this story before. During one of his baseball games, Charlie Brown begins to “feel kind of woozy,” and he leaves the game toContinue reading “Things I’ve Been Reading: Get Well Soon, Charlie Brown”
Feelings on the Star Wars Trailer
A trailer for Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens dropped today: It’s nice. I smiled while watching it, and seeing Harrison Ford at the end certainly filled me with some excitement. Enough excitement to go see it? Perhaps not. Here’s the thing. The Star Wars series has always been something I’ve liked, but notContinue reading “Feelings on the Star Wars Trailer”
Baseball Day in Harrisburg
Today was a beautiful day for baseball in central Pennsylvania. My first Harrisburg Senators baseball game was today. It was actually the second game on my 13-game plan, but I had deadlines at the office last week and was unable to attend on Opening Day. (Have no fear, that ticket is not going to waste;Continue reading “Baseball Day in Harrisburg”
Baseball on the Radio and Tears of Joy
Last night I cried tears of joy. I was driving home from the office after staying until well past seven because of publication deadlines, and I was well into Pennsylvania when I realized — there’s a Nationals game on the radio! Two months ago, a Harrisburg radio station announced they were dropping Phillies broadcasts inContinue reading “Baseball on the Radio and Tears of Joy”
Signs of Natitude in Harrisburg
About a month ago, one of Harrisburg’s radio stations, the River 97.3, posted a question on their Facebook page that went something like this — what’s your happiest place on Earth? I was characteristically specific with my answer — “Section 303 Row 8 at Metro Bank Park.” The next morning, I got my Beetle, pulledContinue reading “Signs of Natitude in Harrisburg”
Jury Duty and a Day in Harrisburg
In late February I received a jury summons for the Federal District Court in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. My first reaction to the envelope in my mailbox that cold evening was, “Oh my god, what have I done?” Finding out that it was jury service was, frankly, a relief. I let my supervisors know and, largely, pushedContinue reading “Jury Duty and a Day in Harrisburg”