Early TV Impressions

By brian September 24, 2011TV

The first full week of TV season has come and gone. I wanted to get out my thoughts on a few of my shows, particularly the new ones we have…

ITEOTWAWKI: Getting There from Here

By brian September 23, 2011ITEOTWAWKI, Music, REM

Obviously, I have thought way too much about the R.E.M. breakup this week. A few friends contacted me to say that I came to mind when they heard the news,…

Back on Schedule

By brian September 21, 2011Columns, TV

This week, by far, ranks as one of my favorite weeks of the year. Finally, I can welcome stability and regularity back into my life.

Of course, I am talking about the return of my favorite television shows to the small screen. Few things make me happier than having my entire week sketched out for me between 8 and 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

Some people will surely think this makes me shallow. I came to terms with that a long time ago. If people judge me because I find a modern form of entertainment enjoyable, they have way too much time on their hands.

Time which could be better spent getting to know the Dunphy and Pritchett families on “Modern Family.” Or learning about the weirdest community college in the country on “Community.” Or realizing your family isn’t as screwed up as the folks in “The Middle.”

R.E.M. Calls It Quits

By brian September 21, 2011Music, REM

I remember the first time I heard R.E.M. They opened for The Police in August 1983, and the thing I remember most is that I don't remember anything. My siblings…

I Can See Clearly

By brian September 21, 2011Columns

About a year ago, I lamented in a column about changes in my eyesight. I had started to notice trouble with reading small print and wondered if I needed bifocals.

Luckily, I have escaped that fate, but I did something very overdue a couple of weeks ago. I went and bought new glasses.

I honestly can’t remember the last time I bought a pair of specs. I have a pair I would wear around the house – and around town when I didn’t feel like wearing my contacts – but they had the trifecta of an out-of-date prescription, an unflattering look and hopelessly scratched lenses.

I really wonder how I didn’t hurt myself or someone else wearing these things.

I got a new prescription earlier this year, but procrastinated on getting new glasses. I don’t care how much I have grown up. I hate wearing glasses. I started wearing them in fourth or fifth grade and the stigma of pre-teen teasing has never really gone away.

Of course, I went out and got new contacts right away. I have worn them pretty much full time since I turned 15 so I always consider them a priority.

Wedding Wardrobe Woes, Part 2: Electric Boogaloo

By brian September 5, 2011Columns, Family, Making an Idiot Out of Myself

I knew we would have fun. As we prepared to go to my nephew’s wedding in Baltimore, that notion existed without any doubt in my mind.

I just wondered if I would go through the entire day without a problem. As it turns out, I didn’t even make it out of the house before that happened.

Our family last had a wedding six years ago. As Maria and I prepared to go to that ceremony, I realized I brought two different shoes. Luckily, I had one for each foot, but they were each from a different pair of black shoes.

Since we were in New Jersey, I had no chance to rectify the mistake and spent the whole day hoping no one noticed. I made it through unscathed, mainly because our weddings are so fun, no one really cares what shoes people are wearing.

With this ceremony in Baltimore, I figured I had a home-field advantage. We would get dressed at the house before heading down to spend the night so I had nothing to worry about. Or did I?