Author: brian
Book Review: Born Standing Up
I have had satellite radio for some time now. The main comedy channel plays a fascinating variety of performers. Once in a while, they will play an old routine from Steve Martin. On first listen, you might think he’s bombing….
Bumper Car Commute Within Reach
After almost 10 years, I have simply accepted my commute to Baltimore as a fact of life. I don’t even notice when co-workers talk about sleeping in until 7 a.m. or get a chance to run home to grab something…
#$!&@* the Heck?
NBC announced its new fall schedule over the weekend. The good news is that we are in the post-Jay Leno experiment era. The bad news is that the people who run the network still have the critical thinking skills of…
Book Review: Things My Girlfriend and I Have Argued About
I don’t remember if I learned about Mil Millington through his website or his book first. Both have the same title – Things My Girlfriend and I Have Argued About. The premise had very little depth. Millington, a British writer,…
Making Myself Useful
I don’t like yard work. I spent a number of years trying to find euphemisms to look less lazy, but I have come to grips with this reality over the past few years. Some people enjoy getting their hands dirty…
A Successful Date
Some things sound too good to be true. Take, for instance, the pairing of Steve Carell and Tina Fey in “Date Night.” They both have honed their skills on well-regarded TV shows. Carell has taken his shtick to the big…
Breaking Up is Hard to Do
I generally try to avoid conflict. That comes naturally after growing up with four older brothers. It’s my survival mechanism. I have extended this philosophy a little too far sometimes. I even don’t like to get in arguments with my…
Two Dimensions Are Fine
I take few things more seriously than my entertainment. That’s why I’m very close to having a big problem with the industry that makes me so happy. Every generation has to find new ways to push the envelope. I completely…
Can’t We All Just Get Along?
Back in 1986, I returned home from working on a Friday night in the spring to news I had hoped I wouldn’t get. My first-choice college, William and Mary, had put me on the waiting list for the fall semester….
ITEOTWAWKI: New and Improved
As the glow of the 30th anniversary celebration wore off, we got news from REM HQ that the band had headed back into the studio to work on the next album. They had started work last year on some demos,…