Facebook’s feed algorithm is famously weird. It often “thinks” I’m interested in businesses in the Memphis area. I’ve never been to Memphis. It once recommended an Orthodox subscription box service and another time an Episcopalian dating website. Recently, it thinks I’m interested in PG-13 rated Frozen content. I am not. I’ve seen the film onceContinue reading “Roads I Have Traveled: Or, the Madness of Facebook’s Algorithms”
Tag Archives: Raleigh
Exploring Cemeteries in Edgecombe County
In 2012, I took a vacation. A brief one, just two days. I went to New York City to see the Lewis Chessmen. (Due to some poor planning on my part, I did not see them then; I had to go back over the weekend. Story of my life.) That was, sadly, my last vacationContinue reading “Exploring Cemeteries in Edgecombe County”
Leadoff Hit
A review of Jason Zemcik’s Leadoff Hit, a book about the 2015 season of the Holly Springs Salamanders of the Coastal Plain League, a wooden bat summer collegiate baseball league.
Pictures of Percy
Wednesday night I went through some picture CDs in search of some particular photos. I found those, and there were also pictures of Percival, a cat I owned a decade ago. What follows, for no particular reason, are almost all of the pictures I have of Percy from 2005 and 2006. The calico never hadContinue reading “Pictures of Percy”
Looking Back Ten Years
Ten years ago today, an adventure (of sorts) began. My grandmother and I took a trip from Baltimore to Raleigh. I’ve never really spoken about that trip as I’ve found it an uncomfortable — and somewhat painful — subject. My grandmother, as some know, suffered from dementia in her final years. At the time ofContinue reading “Looking Back Ten Years”
On the Christmas Holiday, Snowfall, Doctor Who, and the Like
Early last week, I was invited to spend Christmas with my sister, brother-in-law, and two-year-old niece in Raleigh. I was sorely tempted, weighed the possibilities in my mind, and decided that, yes, I would go to Raleigh for the holiday. And then, I noticed the weather forecast. 50% chance of no snowfall at all ChristmasContinue reading “On the Christmas Holiday, Snowfall, Doctor Who, and the Like”
On Boyish Wonder
I needed to put up my car windows. I’d run out to the post office this afternoon–only to fill out a customs declaration I didn’t need–and since it was a gorgeous day I drove with the windows down. (Which is why it’s not uncommon for me to have a horribly sunburned left arm; it’s justContinue reading “On Boyish Wonder”
On Being Behind the Curve
At times I feel out of place in Raleigh. Why, you might ask? Because I just don’t sodding care about college basketball, that’s why. There are three top-notch college basketball programs right here, within a twenty minute’s drive, if I cared, and yet, I don’t. College basketball does nothing for me, sorry. Indeed, I didn’tContinue reading “On Being Behind the Curve”
On Raleigh news coverage
It depresses me to write this, but I realized glumly that the only thing that kept the UNC basketball victory in last night’s game from dominating the front page of the morning’s newspaper was the Pope’s death. Anything less, and the only thing above the fold would have been the basketball game. Can’t you tell?Continue reading “On Raleigh news coverage”
Emergency Road Trip II
In an hour my grandmother and I are leaving Raleigh, heading back north to Baltimore. The plan seems to be this–drive to Rocky Mount, pay a visit to Gertrude at the hospital, stay a half an hour tops, then up I-95 to Baltimore. Leave at ten, should arrive in Baltimore somewhere in the vicinity ofContinue reading “Emergency Road Trip II”