Author: brian
Spell It Out
The other day, an item from one of my local TV stations popped up on my Facebook page. Let’s start off by getting a simple fact out of the way – I’m not a big fan of TV news. I…
Why Do We Need These Things?
Sometimes, I have very complex philosophical views, especially when it comes to technology and business. You could say I’m almost the opposite of Amish. You see, I think we have been given the kind of knowledge and imagination that we…
My Kingdom for Reruns
I feel lost. Completely lost. Not lost with a capital letter at the beginning because I don’t watch that show. But that’s part of the reason I feel so lost. TV season has ended. How will we carry on for…
Simply A Burger
I have a problem. Well, I have a number of problems, but one of them is with my health. Things like high cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart disease run in my family. That means I have been on medication…
Book Review: Summer Crossing
When I started reading “Summer Crossing” by Steve Tesich recently, I almost tossed the book aside after a few pages. The story opens at a state wrestling championships where the protagonist, Daniel Price, has a chance to win the championship…
Book Review: The Unnamed
In his debut novel “Then We Came to the End,” Joshua Ferris took a clever look at an advertising agency in hard economic times. His insightful use of the first person plural narrator brought the reader into the action. I…
Poor Steve Wynn
I feel bad for Steve Wynn. Not the casino mogul, but the musician. Wynn led a band called Dream Syndicate in the 1980s and has carved out a nice solo career over the past two decades. My real familiarity with…
ITEOTWAWKI: New Fables
Earlier this month, R.E.M. announced the remastered version of “Fables of the Reconstruction,” the third of the band’s early albums to get this treatment. Like the first two, this July 13 release will include a bonus CD. But they are…
Separated at Birth?
I had a hankering for some comedy at lunch yesterday and decided to watch an old episode of Newsradio on Hulu. It was the one where Jimmy James faked his attempt at flying around the globe in a hot air…
Dancing on Carrie’s Grave
A photocopy from a 1998 “Word of the Day” calendar hangs on a wall in my workspace. The word for January 13 of that year is “schadenfreude.” enjoyment obtained from the troubles of others I bring this up because I…