Reader’s Notebook, 2/11/21
Three new books to share. Lives Laid Away – Stephen Mack Jones Jones’ second August Snow novel. Once again the former Detroit cop gets sucked into a case that goes far beyond the neighborhood he’s attempting to revitalize. In this case it deals with rogue ICE agents, sex trafficking, and racist biker gangs. If that seems like a lot, I…
Reaching for the Stars, Bonus Tracks
Songs: “Sweet Caroline” – Neil Diamond. Peaked at #4 the week of August 16, 1969 “Take Me Home, Country Roads” – John Denver. Peaked at #2 the week of August 28, 1971 “Smoky Mountain Rain” – Ronnie Milsap. Peaked at #24 for two weeks in February/March of 1981 A different kind of RFTS post today. Rather than breaking down a…
More Sports Notes
With the Super Bowl out of the way, here are some more sports notes from the past few days. Kid Hoops L’s team had a big game Saturday. Her team played the squad they were tied with for second place in their league. Looking at comparative scores, it seemed like the teams were pretty evenly matched. We were going to…
Super Bowl Notes
Some thoughts on Sunday’s Big Game The Game I was certainly surprised by the result. Even though I had watched Tampa’s defense stifle Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers, I never expected them to do the same to Patrick Mahomes and all of his weapons. That was a ferocious, courageous performance by the Bucs’ D. They got consistent pressure to Mahomes,…
Super Bowl Memories
There’s been a discussion in my Twitter feed today about whether Super Bowl Sunday is an overrated sports day. I’m 100% on board with this take. The actual sports side of Super Bowl Sunday kind of sucks, as the game is always secondary to all the other things that surround it. The parties, the pregame show, the halftime show, the…
Friday Playlist
The first playlist of February. The sun is coming up a little earlier every morning and staying up a little later each evening. Sure, the windchill is going to be well below freezing for the next week, but with the added sunlight it’s time to start thinking ahead to spring’s arrival. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/01co63z6jLx1oyJiC4Jpf7?si=00gWmgdhTnGk7w63CkgDKg “Brisbane Radio” – Stephen’s Shore I always associate…
Big Steps Ahead
We have reached the point in our home where college is not some far-off thing in our kids’ lives that we are casually planning for. It is approaching rapidly, and we are beginning to think much more seriously about the concept. M took the PSAT in the fall and ever since has received daily multiple brochures and letters from colleges.…
Reaching for the Stars, Vol. 53
Chart Week: January 21, 1984 Song: “Undercover of the Night” – The Rolling Stones Chart Position: #20, 11th week on the chart. Peaked at #9 for two weeks in December and January. This edition is more about how I listened to the song than the song itself. Although there will be some song trivia before we’re done. 1983 was a…
January Media
Movies and Shows The Witches A movie L picked for us to watch New Year’s Night. Roald Dahl stories are always wacky and this one did not disappoint in that sense. Very weird and maybe/likely offensive at times? I’m not sure, but I get how some folks were offended. B Backstory: The Tale of T’eo Remember when we only had…
Weekend Notes
This weekend was a little different that other recent ones. No football, for starters. I also avoided the KU game, mostly because other plans kept me from seeing the beginning and by the time I had a chance to fire up the TV, several friends told me not to bother turning it on. It was also our first significant snow…