For many years, when I worked for Diamond, I worked on the UK edition of PREVIEWS. The UK team had a small section — it usually ran 16 pages, though some months it ran 24 or even, once or twice, 32 — of items unique to the UK. For the first several years I wasContinue reading “Tales of Diamond: The Paper Size Crisis”
Author Archives: Allyn Gibson
Verbal Quirks
When I was four, my family moved from Maryland’s Eastern Shore to Chicago. My dad was in academia, my parents had a growing family (my sister was born in 1976), he asked for a small raise and was denied, so we packed up and moved to Illinois for a better paying opportunity. My memories ofContinue reading “Verbal Quirks”
UNIT to the Rescue!
I had a job interview yesterday, my fourth since my job search started in earnest sixteen months ago in the wake of Diamond filing for bankruptcy. I was asked why I wanted the job. I wish I had said, “Because I would like to buy a LEGO St. Paul’s Cathedral.” St. Paul’s Cathedral! Designed byContinue reading “UNIT to the Rescue!”
Sunset of Fire
An unexpected thunderstorm rolled through shortly after 5 o’clock. It was welcome, because the heat has been utterly heinous the last two days, and we could use the rain. I went outside and, like Andy Dufresne in Shawshank, I spread my arms to the sky and let the rain pour over me until I wasContinue reading “Sunset of Fire”
McCartney on SNL
Paul McCartney performed on Saturday Night Live on Saturday. He and his band (minus Abe, plus Chad Smith and Ingrid Michaelson) played a couple of songs, two of which the television audience got to see, plus a few post-episode songs for the studio audience. First, “Days We Left Behind,” from Macca’s forthcoming album, The BoysContinue reading “McCartney on SNL”
Battle of the Beatles #1s
Two #1 hits, head to head. George Harrison’s 1970 hit “My Sweet Lord” versus Paul McCartney’s 1973 hit “Band on the Run.” Which of the two is the better song? Let’s start with Harrison. A straightforward paeon to Krishna, bolstered by Phil Spector’s “Wall of Sound” provided by Derek and the Dominoes, backing vocals byContinue reading “Battle of the Beatles #1s”
The Day After Rain
Late evening, it rained here in Pennsylvania. Not just rain. Thunder, and a cold wind that ripped through the windows. We needed it. I was glad of it; I’d put down some grass seed in the patchy patch of grass in front of my apartment in the morning. It’s cool now, and there’s a lightContinue reading “The Day After Rain”
The Decline
Once upon a time, the United States was graced with presidents of great probity and wisdom. Now, we have Donald Trump. I’ve known three year-olds throwing tantrums who have displayed more maturity than Trump. He is an old man, dying of congestive heart failure, in the throes of a ever worsening and increasingly visible dementia.Continue reading “The Decline”
A Letter to My Congressman: Iran and the Gas Tax
A letter to my Congressman: Earlier today, President Trump said that he wants to suspend the federal gas tax of roughly 18 cents per gallon in light of high gas prices due to the conflict in the Persian Gulf. Suspending the gas tax would require an act of Congress. I stand firmly opposed to legislationContinue reading “A Letter to My Congressman: Iran and the Gas Tax”
Over the LEGOs and Far Away
Facebook has done weird on me of late, serving me algorithmic content I have absolutely no need for or interest in. News from places I’ve never been. Ads for restaurants in other states. That sort of thing. Great work, Zuck. Way to spend the ad dollars wisely. But sometimes, I get some quality. Case inContinue reading “Over the LEGOs and Far Away”